That last entry was by text message. This is an attempt by e-mail.
Sorry for the clutter; just looking for ways to enhance the blog!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Competition in the Eastern Conference Finals!
Breaking Down the Box Score
After 48 minutes on Monday night, the scoreboard was as even as it began. The Celtics failed to get a shot off at the end of regulation and the game went to overtime tied at 86-86. Both teams came out flat in overtime with the Magic eventually pulling out the win, 96-92. Everyone (myself included) expected them to lose Game 4 and the bottom line is that they found a way to win. The game never really had a "moment" but it was a great battle and the first time a playoff game has gone to overtime this year. While it is still a stretch to imagine Orlando winning the series, I think that this win (combined with the same effort in Game 5) will keep the Orlando management from completely revamping the team. To recap the game, lets take a look inside the box score:
Game 4- Celtics vs. Magic
First things first; Dwight Howard had a monster game. 32 points, 16 boards, and 4 blocks. For the first time all series, Jameer Nelson and Howard took advantage of the "lob to the rim" play. Howard is so much more athletic than all of the Celtics big men that he can get anything thrown in the vicinity of the rim when there is a small opening. Howard also controlled the paint on the defensive end of the floor as he made Rajon Rondo uncomfortable anytime he was near the basket. Look for the Celtics to continue to send Howard to the free throw line in Game 5 since he was 6-14 in Game 4.
We had a Rashard Lewis sighting! Rashard played a solid all around game on Monday night. He didn't force his shot and finished with 13 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 0 turnovers. Most importantly, it really looked like he was playing hard for the first time in a while. Could this be a sign that Rashard Lewis 2.0 will play well tonight for the Suns??
JJ Redick continued to make his argument for a starting job in the NBA next season with an efficient performance. He scored 12 points on 6 shot attempts and was on the court during the crucial moments in the game.
Brandon Bass didn't do much in the game, but I think it said a lot to the other players on the Magic when he was rewarded with 11 minutes in Game 4 for his effort at the end of Game 3. Even though SVG didn't go with my proposed line up, I think that he made his point by playing Bass early in the game. If you don't want to put forth the effort and intensity that that this game demands, I will find someone else to take your place.
Vince Carter, he was talking to you. Vince scored 3 points on 1-9 shooting and had three turnovers. Orlando has to be thrilled that they were able to win the game with Vince doing so little. No one expects Vince to rebound or play defense, but you do expect him to score more than 3 points.
Jameer Nelson was the best point guard on the court as he finished with 23 points and 9 assists. It is unfortunate that it took him (and the rest of the Magic) until Game 4 to figure out how to get Howard the ball in a scoring position.
Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 32 points and 11 rebounds. However, he was 0-6 from downtown and you could tell he was fatigued from playing 47 minutes. He missed a few big shots at the end of the game where his legs were tired. Pierce always wants to be the hero at the end of the game. This has been one of his best attributes that he brings to the Celtics, but at times it really hurts them. For example,
Ray Allen was really heating up in the fourth quarter and overtime. In that situation, Pierce and the Celtics needed to get Ray the ball. Even if he wasn't open for a three, teams respect his shot so much that I would like his chances of driving and either finishing or getting a foul call.
Kevin Garnett had a quiet 14 points and 12 rebounds. He did change the momentum of the game when he took exception to Dwight Howard accidentally hitting him in the face and received a technical foul. The Celtics really seemed to respond to their emotional leader and the crowd did as well. I was very impressed that the Magic didn't fold at this point in the game.
Rasheed Wallace was 0-4 from downtown and had 1 untimely technical foul. Unlike KG, Rasheed doesn't seem to have any emotional connection that will influence his team in a positive way. I immediately regretted anything positive that I implied about Rasheed in my last post.
Rajon Rondo had his first poor outing of the series. He finished with 9 points on 3-10 shooting and had 8 assists. His defense on Jameer Nelson was only average. If the Celtics are going to finish off the Magic in Game 5, they will need Rondo to go back to running the offense like he did in Games 1-3.
Whats Up Next
Game 5 in Orlando on Wednesday. 7:30 PM (CT) on ESPN.
Around the Corner
I love the contrast in tempos of play between the Eastern Conference and Western Conference Finals this year. It is great to see two very different styles performed on such a high level. The Magic and Suns have prevented anymore talk about previewing the Celtics-Lakers Final as of right now.
After 48 minutes on Monday night, the scoreboard was as even as it began. The Celtics failed to get a shot off at the end of regulation and the game went to overtime tied at 86-86. Both teams came out flat in overtime with the Magic eventually pulling out the win, 96-92. Everyone (myself included) expected them to lose Game 4 and the bottom line is that they found a way to win. The game never really had a "moment" but it was a great battle and the first time a playoff game has gone to overtime this year. While it is still a stretch to imagine Orlando winning the series, I think that this win (combined with the same effort in Game 5) will keep the Orlando management from completely revamping the team. To recap the game, lets take a look inside the box score:
Game 4- Celtics vs. Magic
First things first; Dwight Howard had a monster game. 32 points, 16 boards, and 4 blocks. For the first time all series, Jameer Nelson and Howard took advantage of the "lob to the rim" play. Howard is so much more athletic than all of the Celtics big men that he can get anything thrown in the vicinity of the rim when there is a small opening. Howard also controlled the paint on the defensive end of the floor as he made Rajon Rondo uncomfortable anytime he was near the basket. Look for the Celtics to continue to send Howard to the free throw line in Game 5 since he was 6-14 in Game 4.
We had a Rashard Lewis sighting! Rashard played a solid all around game on Monday night. He didn't force his shot and finished with 13 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 0 turnovers. Most importantly, it really looked like he was playing hard for the first time in a while. Could this be a sign that Rashard Lewis 2.0 will play well tonight for the Suns??
JJ Redick continued to make his argument for a starting job in the NBA next season with an efficient performance. He scored 12 points on 6 shot attempts and was on the court during the crucial moments in the game.
Brandon Bass didn't do much in the game, but I think it said a lot to the other players on the Magic when he was rewarded with 11 minutes in Game 4 for his effort at the end of Game 3. Even though SVG didn't go with my proposed line up, I think that he made his point by playing Bass early in the game. If you don't want to put forth the effort and intensity that that this game demands, I will find someone else to take your place.
Vince Carter, he was talking to you. Vince scored 3 points on 1-9 shooting and had three turnovers. Orlando has to be thrilled that they were able to win the game with Vince doing so little. No one expects Vince to rebound or play defense, but you do expect him to score more than 3 points.
Jameer Nelson was the best point guard on the court as he finished with 23 points and 9 assists. It is unfortunate that it took him (and the rest of the Magic) until Game 4 to figure out how to get Howard the ball in a scoring position.
Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 32 points and 11 rebounds. However, he was 0-6 from downtown and you could tell he was fatigued from playing 47 minutes. He missed a few big shots at the end of the game where his legs were tired. Pierce always wants to be the hero at the end of the game. This has been one of his best attributes that he brings to the Celtics, but at times it really hurts them. For example,
Ray Allen was really heating up in the fourth quarter and overtime. In that situation, Pierce and the Celtics needed to get Ray the ball. Even if he wasn't open for a three, teams respect his shot so much that I would like his chances of driving and either finishing or getting a foul call.
Kevin Garnett had a quiet 14 points and 12 rebounds. He did change the momentum of the game when he took exception to Dwight Howard accidentally hitting him in the face and received a technical foul. The Celtics really seemed to respond to their emotional leader and the crowd did as well. I was very impressed that the Magic didn't fold at this point in the game.
Rasheed Wallace was 0-4 from downtown and had 1 untimely technical foul. Unlike KG, Rasheed doesn't seem to have any emotional connection that will influence his team in a positive way. I immediately regretted anything positive that I implied about Rasheed in my last post.
Rajon Rondo had his first poor outing of the series. He finished with 9 points on 3-10 shooting and had 8 assists. His defense on Jameer Nelson was only average. If the Celtics are going to finish off the Magic in Game 5, they will need Rondo to go back to running the offense like he did in Games 1-3.
Whats Up Next
Game 5 in Orlando on Wednesday. 7:30 PM (CT) on ESPN.
Around the Corner
I love the contrast in tempos of play between the Eastern Conference and Western Conference Finals this year. It is great to see two very different styles performed on such a high level. The Magic and Suns have prevented anymore talk about previewing the Celtics-Lakers Final as of right now.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Western Conference Finals- Game 3 Recap
What Happened
-The Phoenix Suns came out with energy and were able to maintain a sense of urgency for four quarters on Sunday night. The result was a 118-109 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Amar'e Stoudamire attacked the rim from the beginning of the game and led the way for the Suns with 42 points and 11 boards.
-The real story of the game was how the Suns controlled the tempo and the Lakers played right into their hands. Trailing 36-29 in the second quarter, the Suns went to a zone and forced the Lakers into taking out-of-rhythm three pointers. When the Suns went to the zone, the Lakers had their least imposing offensive line up on the floor: Farmar, Brown, Artest, Odom, and Bynum. The Lakers struggled to get anything started with this group and Phoenix ended up outscoring LA 25-15 for the quarter.
-Read this quote from my post following Game 2: "If the Lakers continue to make Amar'e an active defender (pick and rolls, high screens, driving at him and dishing) then the Suns have no chance." So waht did the Lakers come out and do? They shot 32 three pointers on Sunday night; I wouldn't call that making Amar'e an active defender. Give credit to Alvin Gentry for realizing that going with a zone was his best way to cover up the Suns lack of low post defense. Andrew Bynum ended up playing only seven minutes the entire game (partially due to foul trouble, partially due to the Suns tempo). Check out the shot attempts for the Lakers last night:
Kobe Bryant- 24
Lamar Odom- 14
Pau Gasol- 14
Ron Artest- 13
Andrew Bynum- 1
The Suns have got to love the fact that the Gasol/Bynum combination only attempted 15 shots. Kobe shot the ball well last night, but you have to question how the Lakers only found 15 attempts for the two guys that have the biggest advantage on the offensive end of the floor. Furthermore, many of Lamar Odom's 14 attempts came from outside the lane. His efficiency in Games 1 and 2 was rooted in being able to attack the basket. By forcing Odom outside, the Suns made the Lakers try to beat them from the perimeter.
-Suns fans have to be encouraged by the fact that they won Game 3 making only 5 three pointers. It was painful to watch Channing Frye's performance. He was 0-7 from the field and his first attempt of the game had that same hitch in it. It is tough to watch a guy who was a great shooter in the regular season collapse like this. I will state once again that my major problem with Frye is on the defensive end. I don't see how he can take minutes away from Dudley, Lopez, or even Louis Amundson. If you need to stretch the floor, play Dudley. If you need someone to defend the post, play Lopez. If you need someone who brings energy around the basket, play Amundson. If Channing Frye is not making three's, he is nothing but a liability on the court. I will say this, the crowd is going to explode when/if Frye makes a three in Phoenix.
-The Suns wanted this game. The play that really exemplified this statement happened early. Steve Nash was trying to get Jason Richardson the ball in the corner. Artest deflected it and it was going out of bounds until Nash dove for the ball and was able to get it to Richardson in the corner. He knocked down the three and then Kobe scolded Gasol for not getting out there to contest the shot. I felt like that sequence really summed up the game well.
-Poor Andrew Bynum may have only played seven minutes, but he provided some highlights. Early in the first, Amar'e drove the middle of the paint and took the ball right into Bynum's chest when he was late coming over and finished strong for the and 1. In the second quarter, Goran Dragic made a Manu Ginobili-like shot where he went into Bynum's body and still found a way to spin in a left handed scoop shot.
-While the zone did help the Suns hide some of their defensive weaknesses, credit is due to Robin Lopez for providing a level of toughness that the Suns have been lacking the last few years. He was the Suns second leading scorer in the game and got it done in a variety of different ways. Jumpers from the elbow, hook shots, and dunks.
-If you told me before Game 3 that one team would take 32 threes and 20 free throws while the other team would take 20 threes and 42 free throws, I would have been extremely confident that the Suns would be the team shooting the threes and not getting to the line.
-Steve Nash had a "quiet" 15:1 assist to turnover ratio. I'm pretty sure that a few of those assists may have set up Amar'e.
Whats Up Next
Game 4 in Phoenix on Tuesday. 8:00 PM (CT) on TNT
Around the Corner
The Lakers were caught looking ahead to the NBA Finals on Sunday night. While a Boston-LA final still looks likely, the Suns are making everyone wait. Obviously the Lakers will be working on beating the Suns zone, so it will be interesting to see how they attack it on Tuesday. Also, will the Suns try to survive with man-to-man defense until the Lakers second group comes in and then go to zone? It worked on Sunday, but we will have to see if the Lakers take the bait again in Game 4.
FFOTD
I was paying close attention since I had challenged myself. There were the usual exaggerated reactions to screens and the "foul" on Grant Hill while Fisher was attempting a three, but nothing that really stood out. Nothing until the 6:36 mark in the third quarter. That's when the FFOTD happened. Fisher and Robin Lopez bumped after a made basket. Lopez raised his arms above his head and started to jog down court. Fisher was walking backwards, looking at Lopez and leaned into Lopez whose elbow grazed Fisher's forehead. The result was Fisher running at Lopez like he had just been swung at. Double technicals were handed out and one FFOTD. Congratulations!
P.S. Robin Lopez has crazy eyes, he is not the guy to go after if you are making a statement.
Ask Charles
The "Ask Charles" portion of the TNT half-time show usually features someone asking Barkley a ridiculous question. The question during Game 3 was from Amar'e. He asked Charles (great NBA scorer and rebounder) for advice on how to improve his defense. You've got to love Charles for his honesty. He quickly pointed out that he was not a good defender (understatement) and then advised Amar'e to work on improving his rebounding. You see, every now and then Charles says something that actually makes a lot of sense!
-The Phoenix Suns came out with energy and were able to maintain a sense of urgency for four quarters on Sunday night. The result was a 118-109 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Amar'e Stoudamire attacked the rim from the beginning of the game and led the way for the Suns with 42 points and 11 boards.
-The real story of the game was how the Suns controlled the tempo and the Lakers played right into their hands. Trailing 36-29 in the second quarter, the Suns went to a zone and forced the Lakers into taking out-of-rhythm three pointers. When the Suns went to the zone, the Lakers had their least imposing offensive line up on the floor: Farmar, Brown, Artest, Odom, and Bynum. The Lakers struggled to get anything started with this group and Phoenix ended up outscoring LA 25-15 for the quarter.
-Read this quote from my post following Game 2: "If the Lakers continue to make Amar'e an active defender (pick and rolls, high screens, driving at him and dishing) then the Suns have no chance." So waht did the Lakers come out and do? They shot 32 three pointers on Sunday night; I wouldn't call that making Amar'e an active defender. Give credit to Alvin Gentry for realizing that going with a zone was his best way to cover up the Suns lack of low post defense. Andrew Bynum ended up playing only seven minutes the entire game (partially due to foul trouble, partially due to the Suns tempo). Check out the shot attempts for the Lakers last night:
Kobe Bryant- 24
Lamar Odom- 14
Pau Gasol- 14
Ron Artest- 13
Andrew Bynum- 1
The Suns have got to love the fact that the Gasol/Bynum combination only attempted 15 shots. Kobe shot the ball well last night, but you have to question how the Lakers only found 15 attempts for the two guys that have the biggest advantage on the offensive end of the floor. Furthermore, many of Lamar Odom's 14 attempts came from outside the lane. His efficiency in Games 1 and 2 was rooted in being able to attack the basket. By forcing Odom outside, the Suns made the Lakers try to beat them from the perimeter.
-Suns fans have to be encouraged by the fact that they won Game 3 making only 5 three pointers. It was painful to watch Channing Frye's performance. He was 0-7 from the field and his first attempt of the game had that same hitch in it. It is tough to watch a guy who was a great shooter in the regular season collapse like this. I will state once again that my major problem with Frye is on the defensive end. I don't see how he can take minutes away from Dudley, Lopez, or even Louis Amundson. If you need to stretch the floor, play Dudley. If you need someone to defend the post, play Lopez. If you need someone who brings energy around the basket, play Amundson. If Channing Frye is not making three's, he is nothing but a liability on the court. I will say this, the crowd is going to explode when/if Frye makes a three in Phoenix.
-The Suns wanted this game. The play that really exemplified this statement happened early. Steve Nash was trying to get Jason Richardson the ball in the corner. Artest deflected it and it was going out of bounds until Nash dove for the ball and was able to get it to Richardson in the corner. He knocked down the three and then Kobe scolded Gasol for not getting out there to contest the shot. I felt like that sequence really summed up the game well.
-Poor Andrew Bynum may have only played seven minutes, but he provided some highlights. Early in the first, Amar'e drove the middle of the paint and took the ball right into Bynum's chest when he was late coming over and finished strong for the and 1. In the second quarter, Goran Dragic made a Manu Ginobili-like shot where he went into Bynum's body and still found a way to spin in a left handed scoop shot.
-While the zone did help the Suns hide some of their defensive weaknesses, credit is due to Robin Lopez for providing a level of toughness that the Suns have been lacking the last few years. He was the Suns second leading scorer in the game and got it done in a variety of different ways. Jumpers from the elbow, hook shots, and dunks.
-If you told me before Game 3 that one team would take 32 threes and 20 free throws while the other team would take 20 threes and 42 free throws, I would have been extremely confident that the Suns would be the team shooting the threes and not getting to the line.
-Steve Nash had a "quiet" 15:1 assist to turnover ratio. I'm pretty sure that a few of those assists may have set up Amar'e.
Whats Up Next
Game 4 in Phoenix on Tuesday. 8:00 PM (CT) on TNT
Around the Corner
The Lakers were caught looking ahead to the NBA Finals on Sunday night. While a Boston-LA final still looks likely, the Suns are making everyone wait. Obviously the Lakers will be working on beating the Suns zone, so it will be interesting to see how they attack it on Tuesday. Also, will the Suns try to survive with man-to-man defense until the Lakers second group comes in and then go to zone? It worked on Sunday, but we will have to see if the Lakers take the bait again in Game 4.
FFOTD
I was paying close attention since I had challenged myself. There were the usual exaggerated reactions to screens and the "foul" on Grant Hill while Fisher was attempting a three, but nothing that really stood out. Nothing until the 6:36 mark in the third quarter. That's when the FFOTD happened. Fisher and Robin Lopez bumped after a made basket. Lopez raised his arms above his head and started to jog down court. Fisher was walking backwards, looking at Lopez and leaned into Lopez whose elbow grazed Fisher's forehead. The result was Fisher running at Lopez like he had just been swung at. Double technicals were handed out and one FFOTD. Congratulations!
P.S. Robin Lopez has crazy eyes, he is not the guy to go after if you are making a statement.
Ask Charles
The "Ask Charles" portion of the TNT half-time show usually features someone asking Barkley a ridiculous question. The question during Game 3 was from Amar'e. He asked Charles (great NBA scorer and rebounder) for advice on how to improve his defense. You've got to love Charles for his honesty. He quickly pointed out that he was not a good defender (understatement) and then advised Amar'e to work on improving his rebounding. You see, every now and then Charles says something that actually makes a lot of sense!
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Eastern Conference Finals- Game 3 Recap
What Happened
The Boston Celtics are now one game away from returning to the NBA Finals while the Orlando Magic are one game away from being anywhere else. The Celtics jumped on the Magic in Game 3 and never looked back. Paul Pierce scored the first bucket of the game on an ugly looking jumper from the elbow. Say what you want about the guy, but he gets the job done. Ray Allen knocks down a three pointer and then Rajon Rondo hits a floater over Dwight Howard. The Celtics are up 7-0 and I think Rashard Lewis is still standing at half court waiting for the jump ball. Vince Carter decides to drive to the basket and loses the ball at the free throw line; but he still runs to the rim and grabs it to remind everyone that "Hey-I may be a horrible performer in the clutch, but I can still jump high." Ray Allen drives baseline (with the ball) and dunks it with Dwight Howard breathing down his neck. There are six minutes left in the 1st quarter and the game is essentially finished.
With two minutes left in the 1st, the Magic have six points. This is a professional basketball team playing to make it to the Championship of their sport and they have six points. Luckily they go on an offensive explosion to finish the quarter with 12 points. The second quarter begins and Rajon Rondo makes what will be the signature play of the series when he out hustles Jason Williams (who is a white chocolate shell of his old self at this point in his career) for a loose ball and then finishes with a layup over Williams. This particular play received a lot of attention on the highlight shows following the game, but it was only a representation of the overall effort that the Celtics exuded in Game 3. Some of the plays that come to mind right away: Ray's baseline dunk, Rondo's rebound where he ran around Howard for the ball, Vince losing Pierce in transition for a wide open three, and Kendrick Perkins driving to the goal for a reverse layup.
By half time I was in full channel flipping mode and had settled on watching the Cubs play the Rangers in a nail biter (Cubs Win! Cubs Win!). Thank goodness. When I checked to see if the game was back on, I saw that ESPN was doing one of those feel-good stories about Vince Carter in an effort to make everyone feel bad about bashing him for his pathetic play. I am always a sucker for those stories so I'm sure it would have worked on me. In all seriousness, it is a good opportunity to remind everyone that athletes are people too. I will be the first to say that being a good person will matter a lot more in life than whether or not your choke under pressure. See, it worked on me and I didn't even watch it!
The second half of this game was merely a formality. The most exciting play of the half was Matt Barnes pushing Kevin Garnett into a full speed collision with Stan Van Gundy. At least SVG didn't get up complaining about being hurt. Put on a uniform Stan!
Rasheed Wallace continued his efficient playoff run in what has to be the most unlikely event of the decade. Anyone who watched an out-of-shape Sheed play in the regular season could not have seen this coming. At one point in the second half, he caught the ball at the top of the key and the crowd shouted endearingly "SHEEEED" as he drained the three. If you watched the regular season Celtics, you would hear a loud groan from the crowd every time Sheed caught the ball and then clanked it time after time. When he made a wide open three (28% of the time in the regular season), the crowd would respond with a sarcastic cheer. It is an absolutely different season in Boston right now.
Whats Up Next
Game 4 in Boston on Monday. 7:30 PM (CT) on ESPN.
Around the Corner
The Lakers and Suns play tonight in Phoenix to determine how long we will all have to wait for the Lakers and Celtics to play in the finals. Boston will be ready on Monday night, so now it is just a matter of seeing if the Suns can make the Western Conference Finals any more intriguing than the Eastern Conference Finals have been. Be looking for a NBA Finals preview post in the next few days if the Lakers win tonight.
Fun Idea for Game 4
If I'm Stan Van Gundy, my starting line up for Game 4 is: Jameer Nelson, JJ Redick, Matt Barnes, Brandon Bass (who put forth more effort in his 5 minutes of play in Game 3 than any Magic player this series), and Marcin Gortat. I mean, why not at this point? Give me five guys who I feel like are going to give me the most effort and see what happens.
The Boston Celtics are now one game away from returning to the NBA Finals while the Orlando Magic are one game away from being anywhere else. The Celtics jumped on the Magic in Game 3 and never looked back. Paul Pierce scored the first bucket of the game on an ugly looking jumper from the elbow. Say what you want about the guy, but he gets the job done. Ray Allen knocks down a three pointer and then Rajon Rondo hits a floater over Dwight Howard. The Celtics are up 7-0 and I think Rashard Lewis is still standing at half court waiting for the jump ball. Vince Carter decides to drive to the basket and loses the ball at the free throw line; but he still runs to the rim and grabs it to remind everyone that "Hey-I may be a horrible performer in the clutch, but I can still jump high." Ray Allen drives baseline (with the ball) and dunks it with Dwight Howard breathing down his neck. There are six minutes left in the 1st quarter and the game is essentially finished.
With two minutes left in the 1st, the Magic have six points. This is a professional basketball team playing to make it to the Championship of their sport and they have six points. Luckily they go on an offensive explosion to finish the quarter with 12 points. The second quarter begins and Rajon Rondo makes what will be the signature play of the series when he out hustles Jason Williams (who is a white chocolate shell of his old self at this point in his career) for a loose ball and then finishes with a layup over Williams. This particular play received a lot of attention on the highlight shows following the game, but it was only a representation of the overall effort that the Celtics exuded in Game 3. Some of the plays that come to mind right away: Ray's baseline dunk, Rondo's rebound where he ran around Howard for the ball, Vince losing Pierce in transition for a wide open three, and Kendrick Perkins driving to the goal for a reverse layup.
By half time I was in full channel flipping mode and had settled on watching the Cubs play the Rangers in a nail biter (Cubs Win! Cubs Win!). Thank goodness. When I checked to see if the game was back on, I saw that ESPN was doing one of those feel-good stories about Vince Carter in an effort to make everyone feel bad about bashing him for his pathetic play. I am always a sucker for those stories so I'm sure it would have worked on me. In all seriousness, it is a good opportunity to remind everyone that athletes are people too. I will be the first to say that being a good person will matter a lot more in life than whether or not your choke under pressure. See, it worked on me and I didn't even watch it!
The second half of this game was merely a formality. The most exciting play of the half was Matt Barnes pushing Kevin Garnett into a full speed collision with Stan Van Gundy. At least SVG didn't get up complaining about being hurt. Put on a uniform Stan!
Rasheed Wallace continued his efficient playoff run in what has to be the most unlikely event of the decade. Anyone who watched an out-of-shape Sheed play in the regular season could not have seen this coming. At one point in the second half, he caught the ball at the top of the key and the crowd shouted endearingly "SHEEEED" as he drained the three. If you watched the regular season Celtics, you would hear a loud groan from the crowd every time Sheed caught the ball and then clanked it time after time. When he made a wide open three (28% of the time in the regular season), the crowd would respond with a sarcastic cheer. It is an absolutely different season in Boston right now.
Whats Up Next
Game 4 in Boston on Monday. 7:30 PM (CT) on ESPN.
Around the Corner
The Lakers and Suns play tonight in Phoenix to determine how long we will all have to wait for the Lakers and Celtics to play in the finals. Boston will be ready on Monday night, so now it is just a matter of seeing if the Suns can make the Western Conference Finals any more intriguing than the Eastern Conference Finals have been. Be looking for a NBA Finals preview post in the next few days if the Lakers win tonight.
Fun Idea for Game 4
If I'm Stan Van Gundy, my starting line up for Game 4 is: Jameer Nelson, JJ Redick, Matt Barnes, Brandon Bass (who put forth more effort in his 5 minutes of play in Game 3 than any Magic player this series), and Marcin Gortat. I mean, why not at this point? Give me five guys who I feel like are going to give me the most effort and see what happens.
Friday, May 21, 2010
NBA- Western Conference Finals
What Has Happened
I was in Los Angeles for Game 1 of the Lakers-Suns series (not at the game, but in LA) and It was great to talk to some fans in the area about the upcoming series against the Suns. There was a lot of talk about Kobe's knee being drained, Phil Jackson being on the verge of retirement, and Andrew Bynum being one wrong step away from having to get his leg amputated. As you know, the Lakers (and their fans) had nothing to worry about for the first two games of the series. Thoughts from games one and two:
-The Lakers controlled Game 1 from the start. There were a few times that the Suns made a small run, but the game was never in doubt (as evidenced by the early Sasha Vujacic sighting). Kobe made scoring 40 look effortless in the win. The blowout was a big letdown since most people were predicting that this would be a shoot out with the potential to come down to the "last team with the ball wins" scenario. Didn't happen.
-Game 2 was much more exciting to watch. The Suns looked like they had a real chance to win the game entering the 4th quarter. It really looked like they were focused and prepared for this game.
-Jared Dudley is the kind of guy you want on your team. He hustles, plays tough defense, and can knock down the three when he is open. He isn't near the defender that Bruce Bowen was, but he fills a similar role. The guy who is always diving for the loose ball and doesn't need to have the ball to make a difference. I call this role the "Anti-Kobe." The 2010 Playoffs Anti-Kobe starting five:
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Wesley Matthews
SF: Grant Hill
PF: Jared Dudley
C: Joakim Noah
*6th Man: Lamar Odom
-One last comment on these guys before moving on. The great thing about guys who hustle and play defense is that you know what you are going to get out of them. Their scoring isn't vital to their overall contribution, so the team isn't devastated if they are having a bad shooting night.
-Ok...I can't move on. I loved the play at the end of the first half where Kobe is doing his scissor dribble (going nowhere, accomplishing nothing, but feeling cool doing it) and then goes to make his move when Dudley picks him clean. Then, in the spirit of Anti-Kobe, gives the ball up to Jason Richardson for the dunk. The NBA, where Anti-Kobe happens.
-To be fair, Kobe came out in the second half and really played well. He kept his teammates involved and Pau Gasol helped push Kobe's assist total to a playoff career high 13. Lamar Odom followed up his spectacular Game 1 effort (19 boards) with 11 more in Game 12. This was after Amar'e called him lucky following Game 1. Oh Amar'e.....
- Amar'e Stoudemire has really disappointed in this series. Pau Gasol has used him time and time again. It is amazing to see someone like Amar'e who has a world of ability be owned by someone with less athleticism. I guess it has to do with the fact that Gasol has a basketball IQ that is roughly 498 times higher than Amare's.
- Starting the second half, Amar'e had one rebound (finished the game with 6). He is 6'10 and 250 pounds. To start the second half, he decided to goal tend a shot that was going to be about a foot short. That is Amare's version of making a defensive statement. Right. If the Lakers continue to make Amar'e an active defender (pick and rolls, high screens, driving at him and dishing) then the Suns have no chance.
- Ron Artest knocked down some big threes in Game 2. This may be a glimmer of hope for the Suns. It's like Rasheed Wallace all of a sudden hitting clutch shots for the Celtics. The Magic and Suns have got to be ok with those guys taking the shots.
- Goran Dragic doesn't quite get to a loose ball at the beginning of the fourth quarter. But, he showed some hustle AND took out Joey Crawford on the play. Considering how the first two games went for the Suns, that has to be considered a win. Plus, he found out after the game that he has landed a role opposite of Frodo in Lord of the Rings IV: Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For. Great night for Dragic. Fine, the last part isn't true, but Dragic really does look more like someone you would see on a LOTR set than on a NBA court.
- Time for a quick comparison game:
Player 1: 6'10, 230 lbs. Per game averages: 46% FG, 39% 3PT, 84% FT, 6.6 REB, 2.4 AST, .6 BLK.
Player 2: 6'11, 245 lbs. Per game averages: 45% FG, 44% 3PT, 81% FT, 5.3 REB, 1.4 AST, .9 BLK.
*(It should also be noted that Player 1 averaged 22 points a game while Player 2 averaged 11 per, but that doesn't help the point I am trying to make)
Player 1 is Rashard Lewis and Player 2 will be known as Rashard Lewis 2.0. The stats you see for Player 1 are the stats that Rashard recorded in the 2006-07 season. Following that season, the Sonics (RIP) worked out a sign and trade where the Magic now have Lewis for $110 million over six years. The stats for Player 2 were recorded by the artist formerly known as Channing Frye in the 2009-10 regular season. Rashard Lewis 2.0 has been awful in the Suns-Lakers series. I know that he is out there to "stretch the floor" and he is tall enough to pretend to defend the post, but he has looked horrible. Lewis 2.0's defense has made Amar'e look like an All-NBA defender. This goes back to the Anti-Kobe team. The great part about those guys is that they don't have to be shooting well to contribute. If Lewis 2.0 isn't shooting well, he is a horrible liability. He is too slow and soft to defend Odom, Gasol, or Bynum. He has suddenly developed a hitch in his shot reminiscent to Chuck Knoblouch throwing to first base. And the sad thing is, he really did shoot the ball well in the regular season and early in the playoffs. Here's to hoping I can quit calling him 2.0 soon. Bottom line is this: Rashard Lewis 1.0 is overpaid and hasn't shown up for the Eastern Conference Finals. Rashard Lewis 2.0 had an opportunity to become overpaid and has disappeared these last couple of games. I have no clue which has worse timing, but I know that they both make me angry.
Whats Up Next
Game 3 in Phoenix on Sunday. 7:30 PM (CT) on TNT
Around The Corner
The dynamics of this series are very different than the Eastern Conference Finals. Both series are 2-0, but the biggest difference is that the Lakers won both games at home while the Celtics won both road games. I do think that it will be LA-Boston in the Finals, but I think the Suns are more dangerous to the Lakers than the Magic are to the Celtics at this point. The Suns play much better at home (my friend Logan reminded me that Rashard Lewis 2.0 shot much better at home all year when I was blasting him following Game 2) and I think that gives them a chance to win a game or two in Phoenix.
FFOTD (Fishers Flop of the Day)*
This was an instant classic. It happened early in the first quarter as Amar'e Stoudemire is running down the court (without the ball). He isn't trying to set a screen or anything. Fisher steps in front of him and takes the "charge." I'm sure that someone thought this was a "veteran, smart, great" play.
*I am taking this on as a personal challenge to see if I can find an incredible flop by Fisher every time the Lakers play. I feel good about my chances.
I was in Los Angeles for Game 1 of the Lakers-Suns series (not at the game, but in LA) and It was great to talk to some fans in the area about the upcoming series against the Suns. There was a lot of talk about Kobe's knee being drained, Phil Jackson being on the verge of retirement, and Andrew Bynum being one wrong step away from having to get his leg amputated. As you know, the Lakers (and their fans) had nothing to worry about for the first two games of the series. Thoughts from games one and two:
-The Lakers controlled Game 1 from the start. There were a few times that the Suns made a small run, but the game was never in doubt (as evidenced by the early Sasha Vujacic sighting). Kobe made scoring 40 look effortless in the win. The blowout was a big letdown since most people were predicting that this would be a shoot out with the potential to come down to the "last team with the ball wins" scenario. Didn't happen.
-Game 2 was much more exciting to watch. The Suns looked like they had a real chance to win the game entering the 4th quarter. It really looked like they were focused and prepared for this game.
-Jared Dudley is the kind of guy you want on your team. He hustles, plays tough defense, and can knock down the three when he is open. He isn't near the defender that Bruce Bowen was, but he fills a similar role. The guy who is always diving for the loose ball and doesn't need to have the ball to make a difference. I call this role the "Anti-Kobe." The 2010 Playoffs Anti-Kobe starting five:
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Wesley Matthews
SF: Grant Hill
PF: Jared Dudley
C: Joakim Noah
*6th Man: Lamar Odom
-One last comment on these guys before moving on. The great thing about guys who hustle and play defense is that you know what you are going to get out of them. Their scoring isn't vital to their overall contribution, so the team isn't devastated if they are having a bad shooting night.
-Ok...I can't move on. I loved the play at the end of the first half where Kobe is doing his scissor dribble (going nowhere, accomplishing nothing, but feeling cool doing it) and then goes to make his move when Dudley picks him clean. Then, in the spirit of Anti-Kobe, gives the ball up to Jason Richardson for the dunk. The NBA, where Anti-Kobe happens.
-To be fair, Kobe came out in the second half and really played well. He kept his teammates involved and Pau Gasol helped push Kobe's assist total to a playoff career high 13. Lamar Odom followed up his spectacular Game 1 effort (19 boards) with 11 more in Game 12. This was after Amar'e called him lucky following Game 1. Oh Amar'e.....
- Amar'e Stoudemire has really disappointed in this series. Pau Gasol has used him time and time again. It is amazing to see someone like Amar'e who has a world of ability be owned by someone with less athleticism. I guess it has to do with the fact that Gasol has a basketball IQ that is roughly 498 times higher than Amare's.
- Starting the second half, Amar'e had one rebound (finished the game with 6). He is 6'10 and 250 pounds. To start the second half, he decided to goal tend a shot that was going to be about a foot short. That is Amare's version of making a defensive statement. Right. If the Lakers continue to make Amar'e an active defender (pick and rolls, high screens, driving at him and dishing) then the Suns have no chance.
- Ron Artest knocked down some big threes in Game 2. This may be a glimmer of hope for the Suns. It's like Rasheed Wallace all of a sudden hitting clutch shots for the Celtics. The Magic and Suns have got to be ok with those guys taking the shots.
- Goran Dragic doesn't quite get to a loose ball at the beginning of the fourth quarter. But, he showed some hustle AND took out Joey Crawford on the play. Considering how the first two games went for the Suns, that has to be considered a win. Plus, he found out after the game that he has landed a role opposite of Frodo in Lord of the Rings IV: Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For. Great night for Dragic. Fine, the last part isn't true, but Dragic really does look more like someone you would see on a LOTR set than on a NBA court.
- Time for a quick comparison game:
Player 1: 6'10, 230 lbs. Per game averages: 46% FG, 39% 3PT, 84% FT, 6.6 REB, 2.4 AST, .6 BLK.
Player 2: 6'11, 245 lbs. Per game averages: 45% FG, 44% 3PT, 81% FT, 5.3 REB, 1.4 AST, .9 BLK.
*(It should also be noted that Player 1 averaged 22 points a game while Player 2 averaged 11 per, but that doesn't help the point I am trying to make)
Player 1 is Rashard Lewis and Player 2 will be known as Rashard Lewis 2.0. The stats you see for Player 1 are the stats that Rashard recorded in the 2006-07 season. Following that season, the Sonics (RIP) worked out a sign and trade where the Magic now have Lewis for $110 million over six years. The stats for Player 2 were recorded by the artist formerly known as Channing Frye in the 2009-10 regular season. Rashard Lewis 2.0 has been awful in the Suns-Lakers series. I know that he is out there to "stretch the floor" and he is tall enough to pretend to defend the post, but he has looked horrible. Lewis 2.0's defense has made Amar'e look like an All-NBA defender. This goes back to the Anti-Kobe team. The great part about those guys is that they don't have to be shooting well to contribute. If Lewis 2.0 isn't shooting well, he is a horrible liability. He is too slow and soft to defend Odom, Gasol, or Bynum. He has suddenly developed a hitch in his shot reminiscent to Chuck Knoblouch throwing to first base. And the sad thing is, he really did shoot the ball well in the regular season and early in the playoffs. Here's to hoping I can quit calling him 2.0 soon. Bottom line is this: Rashard Lewis 1.0 is overpaid and hasn't shown up for the Eastern Conference Finals. Rashard Lewis 2.0 had an opportunity to become overpaid and has disappeared these last couple of games. I have no clue which has worse timing, but I know that they both make me angry.
Whats Up Next
Game 3 in Phoenix on Sunday. 7:30 PM (CT) on TNT
Around The Corner
The dynamics of this series are very different than the Eastern Conference Finals. Both series are 2-0, but the biggest difference is that the Lakers won both games at home while the Celtics won both road games. I do think that it will be LA-Boston in the Finals, but I think the Suns are more dangerous to the Lakers than the Magic are to the Celtics at this point. The Suns play much better at home (my friend Logan reminded me that Rashard Lewis 2.0 shot much better at home all year when I was blasting him following Game 2) and I think that gives them a chance to win a game or two in Phoenix.
FFOTD (Fishers Flop of the Day)*
This was an instant classic. It happened early in the first quarter as Amar'e Stoudemire is running down the court (without the ball). He isn't trying to set a screen or anything. Fisher steps in front of him and takes the "charge." I'm sure that someone thought this was a "veteran, smart, great" play.
*I am taking this on as a personal challenge to see if I can find an incredible flop by Fisher every time the Lakers play. I feel good about my chances.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
NBA- Eastern Conference Finals
What Has Happened
The Boston Celtics are peaking at the right time. Understatement? Absolutely. I watch a lot of NBA games and this Celtics team has not clicked like this since the 2008 NBA Finals. Rajon Rondo is all of a sudden making a case for himself as the best PG in the game. Remember in 2008 when everyone was questioning whether or not the Celtics could win the title? Remember why? Much of the talk was about the inconsistent play of Rondo and his lack of a jump shot. Watching him play at Kentucky, I never imagined that he would be anything more than a solid defender and back up PG. Now he is on the brink of leading his team to the NBA Finals. Thoughts from the first two games:
-Someone should ask Paul Pierce if there is any difference between being defended by Lebron James and Vince Carter. Vince is showing his true colors in this series. Wincing in pain when he bumps his wrist and then missing clutch free throws. Letting Pierce work him over for bucket after bucket. Air Canada is showing once again that he is more show than substance. Pierce vs. Vince is the ultimate substance vs. style match up. Vince is the guy dunking while everyone is warming up for the pick up game. Pierce is the guy taking step back jumpers at the elbow. Give me the guy working on his "ugly" game; he wins ballgames.
-Ray Allen is one of the most underrated basketball players to ever play the game. He is not an underrated shooter because that is what everyone always talks about when they mention Ray (rightfully so). However, what people usually fail to mention is how efficient he is getting to the rim and that he plays solid defense every night. It is rare to see a player who can get in done on the offensive and defensive end of the court the way Ray does. The guy will be 35 this summer and remains one of the most well conditioned players in the league.
-Kendrick Perkins is a solid low post defender. His offensive game is limited and he doesn't elevate well, but he really does match up well with a physical presence like Dwight Howard. The combination of Perkins, Glen Davis, and Rasheed Wallace has really frustrated Howard through the first two games of the series. Not having to double team Howard has made Pietrus, Barnes, and Nelson ineffective from the perimeter.
-The Celtics came out in Game 1 with full momentum from the series with the Cavs. The Magic looked overwhelmed from the tip. Ray Allen and Paul Pierce carried the scoring for the Celtics in Game 1. Allen did very little in Game 2 and Pierce did most of his scoring in the 1st half. That is what makes this team so tough, they still found a way to win Game 2.
-JJ Redick's story is very different than Rondo's, but they are similar in the way they have both really stepped up their games since arriving in the NBA. Redick was Orlando's second best player in Game 2 with Jameer Nelson and Vince Carter struggling.
-Lets not overlook that both wins were IN ORLANDO. Boston hasn't been great at home this year, but it really says something about how well this team is playing to win the first two on the road.
-I didn't mention Rashard Lewis ($110 Million Dollar Man) yet because I'm still not sure he realizes that the Conference Finals have started.
Whats Up Next
Game 3 in Boston on Saturday. 7:30 PM (CT) on ESPN.
Around the Corner
Who implodes first: Rasheed Wallace or Ron Artest? Basketball fans everywhere are getting excited about the possibility of the Celtics and Lakers meeting in the finals, but I think that fans of "watching grown men quickly lose their tempers for no good reason" everywhere are even more excited about the possibility of Rasheed being matched up with Ron Ron for a possession or two.
Fun Fact
Brian Scalabrine has been drawing a paycheck in the National Basketball Association for 8 years. That means that over the last 7 years hundreds of players have declared for the draft early only to later find out that they are not worth more than Brian Scalabrine to any team in the NBA. I feel like someone should start a treatment center immediately for those who have been affected by this phenomenon.
The Boston Celtics are peaking at the right time. Understatement? Absolutely. I watch a lot of NBA games and this Celtics team has not clicked like this since the 2008 NBA Finals. Rajon Rondo is all of a sudden making a case for himself as the best PG in the game. Remember in 2008 when everyone was questioning whether or not the Celtics could win the title? Remember why? Much of the talk was about the inconsistent play of Rondo and his lack of a jump shot. Watching him play at Kentucky, I never imagined that he would be anything more than a solid defender and back up PG. Now he is on the brink of leading his team to the NBA Finals. Thoughts from the first two games:
-Someone should ask Paul Pierce if there is any difference between being defended by Lebron James and Vince Carter. Vince is showing his true colors in this series. Wincing in pain when he bumps his wrist and then missing clutch free throws. Letting Pierce work him over for bucket after bucket. Air Canada is showing once again that he is more show than substance. Pierce vs. Vince is the ultimate substance vs. style match up. Vince is the guy dunking while everyone is warming up for the pick up game. Pierce is the guy taking step back jumpers at the elbow. Give me the guy working on his "ugly" game; he wins ballgames.
-Ray Allen is one of the most underrated basketball players to ever play the game. He is not an underrated shooter because that is what everyone always talks about when they mention Ray (rightfully so). However, what people usually fail to mention is how efficient he is getting to the rim and that he plays solid defense every night. It is rare to see a player who can get in done on the offensive and defensive end of the court the way Ray does. The guy will be 35 this summer and remains one of the most well conditioned players in the league.
-Kendrick Perkins is a solid low post defender. His offensive game is limited and he doesn't elevate well, but he really does match up well with a physical presence like Dwight Howard. The combination of Perkins, Glen Davis, and Rasheed Wallace has really frustrated Howard through the first two games of the series. Not having to double team Howard has made Pietrus, Barnes, and Nelson ineffective from the perimeter.
-The Celtics came out in Game 1 with full momentum from the series with the Cavs. The Magic looked overwhelmed from the tip. Ray Allen and Paul Pierce carried the scoring for the Celtics in Game 1. Allen did very little in Game 2 and Pierce did most of his scoring in the 1st half. That is what makes this team so tough, they still found a way to win Game 2.
-JJ Redick's story is very different than Rondo's, but they are similar in the way they have both really stepped up their games since arriving in the NBA. Redick was Orlando's second best player in Game 2 with Jameer Nelson and Vince Carter struggling.
-Lets not overlook that both wins were IN ORLANDO. Boston hasn't been great at home this year, but it really says something about how well this team is playing to win the first two on the road.
-I didn't mention Rashard Lewis ($110 Million Dollar Man) yet because I'm still not sure he realizes that the Conference Finals have started.
Whats Up Next
Game 3 in Boston on Saturday. 7:30 PM (CT) on ESPN.
Around the Corner
Who implodes first: Rasheed Wallace or Ron Artest? Basketball fans everywhere are getting excited about the possibility of the Celtics and Lakers meeting in the finals, but I think that fans of "watching grown men quickly lose their tempers for no good reason" everywhere are even more excited about the possibility of Rasheed being matched up with Ron Ron for a possession or two.
Fun Fact
Brian Scalabrine has been drawing a paycheck in the National Basketball Association for 8 years. That means that over the last 7 years hundreds of players have declared for the draft early only to later find out that they are not worth more than Brian Scalabrine to any team in the NBA. I feel like someone should start a treatment center immediately for those who have been affected by this phenomenon.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Intro to Greens Acres of Sports
I watch sports for the purity of the games. I'm constantly hoping for that rare moment that allows you to see all that is good in competition. The moment that makes you forget about the imperfections of this life. That is why you won't read about steroids, retirement speculation, affairs, personal failures, and free agency on this blog. I realize that all of those things are a very real part of our current sports world, but I feel like they receive too much attention from the media as it is. I hope to make this a place where you can escape the everyday negativity of sports reporting and read about all the positive in the world of sports.
I thought I would start this first entry with three of my first sports memories of "the moment" happening:
Francisco Cabrera's RBI single to win the NLCS (the Sid Bream play). I was supposed to be in bed since I had school the next day, but I remember somehow making my way back into the living room for this moment. Bottom of the ninth inning, two outs, game seven; I had no clue at the time, but this was a moment that you can watch a thousand baseball games and never see. Cabrera hits a line drive to left field and the rest unfolds in slow motion. Barry Bonds charges the ball and his throw is too late to get Sid Bream who looks like a man trying to run without knees. I was also a Braves fan by this point of the season. Two reasons: 1) I was born in Sumter, South Carolina and some of my first live sports games were watching the Sumter Braves play (Ryan Klesko once hit a baseball to the moon at a Sumter Braves game in 1990). 2) We were Cubs fans. I grew up cheering for Ryne Sandberg, Mark Grace, Andre Dawson, and Greg Maddux. Anyway, since we were Cubs fans we understood that it was necessary to adopt a team each postseason to follow since our beloved Cubbies were always long gone. The Braves were a natural fit. A team in the southeast who consistently made it to the postseason. My Braves fandom made this moment extra sweet. **Free Francisco Cabrera business fact at the bottom of the page**
Derek Redmond's 400 meter race at the 1992 Olympics. Who would have thought that the slowest 400 meter finish in Olympic history would be a moment? If you watched it live or have seen one of the commercials about Derek Redmond finishing the race with the help of his father, you know it was a moment. The official records state that Derek "did not finish" the race, but that couldn't be further from the truth. This was a "Field of Dreams" moment for Track & Field on an Olympic stage.
Joe Carter's walk-off home run to win the World Series. This one has a special place in my memory. When I was in elementary school I went through a phase where I was constantly having nightmares. I would wake up crying, sweating, and terrified. I remember my dad telling me one night that I needed to think of something that made me happy as I was trying to fall asleep. My go to memory was Joe Carter's home run off Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams to win the 93' World Series. I can still close my eyes and picture Joe Carter flailing his arms as he ran down the first base line. You could see the joy on his face; what a moment.
Be looking for some entries regarding the NBA playoffs in the next few days. Thanks for stopping by!
**I've always had a passion for sports and a mind for business. Before I knew how to buy stock, I thought that baseball cards were the best investment in the world. After Cabrera's game winning hit, I decided to take his rookie card to school to see what I could get for it. I found a Braves fan caught in the moment and ended up getting a Greg Maddux and Ryne Sandberg for the Cabrera. Buy low and sell high, right?
I thought I would start this first entry with three of my first sports memories of "the moment" happening:
Francisco Cabrera's RBI single to win the NLCS (the Sid Bream play). I was supposed to be in bed since I had school the next day, but I remember somehow making my way back into the living room for this moment. Bottom of the ninth inning, two outs, game seven; I had no clue at the time, but this was a moment that you can watch a thousand baseball games and never see. Cabrera hits a line drive to left field and the rest unfolds in slow motion. Barry Bonds charges the ball and his throw is too late to get Sid Bream who looks like a man trying to run without knees. I was also a Braves fan by this point of the season. Two reasons: 1) I was born in Sumter, South Carolina and some of my first live sports games were watching the Sumter Braves play (Ryan Klesko once hit a baseball to the moon at a Sumter Braves game in 1990). 2) We were Cubs fans. I grew up cheering for Ryne Sandberg, Mark Grace, Andre Dawson, and Greg Maddux. Anyway, since we were Cubs fans we understood that it was necessary to adopt a team each postseason to follow since our beloved Cubbies were always long gone. The Braves were a natural fit. A team in the southeast who consistently made it to the postseason. My Braves fandom made this moment extra sweet. **Free Francisco Cabrera business fact at the bottom of the page**
Derek Redmond's 400 meter race at the 1992 Olympics. Who would have thought that the slowest 400 meter finish in Olympic history would be a moment? If you watched it live or have seen one of the commercials about Derek Redmond finishing the race with the help of his father, you know it was a moment. The official records state that Derek "did not finish" the race, but that couldn't be further from the truth. This was a "Field of Dreams" moment for Track & Field on an Olympic stage.
Joe Carter's walk-off home run to win the World Series. This one has a special place in my memory. When I was in elementary school I went through a phase where I was constantly having nightmares. I would wake up crying, sweating, and terrified. I remember my dad telling me one night that I needed to think of something that made me happy as I was trying to fall asleep. My go to memory was Joe Carter's home run off Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams to win the 93' World Series. I can still close my eyes and picture Joe Carter flailing his arms as he ran down the first base line. You could see the joy on his face; what a moment.
Be looking for some entries regarding the NBA playoffs in the next few days. Thanks for stopping by!
**I've always had a passion for sports and a mind for business. Before I knew how to buy stock, I thought that baseball cards were the best investment in the world. After Cabrera's game winning hit, I decided to take his rookie card to school to see what I could get for it. I found a Braves fan caught in the moment and ended up getting a Greg Maddux and Ryne Sandberg for the Cabrera. Buy low and sell high, right?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)