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.