Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Friday, October 28, 2011
October 28,2011
The Raiders are 4-3 at their bye week, a half game back of the Chargers, a half game in front of KC.
The NBA might have a new CBA by the end of the week.
My NFL picks of the week:
BALT
CAROLINA
JACKSONVILLE
NYG
NO
TE'NN
DET
BUFF
CINN
SF
PITT
PHIL
KC
The MLB World Series is tied 3-3 after STL fought off being 1 out away
from losing the championship to the Texas Rangers. A 2 out triple in the bottem of the ninth, and
a "walkoff", leadoff homerun to dead center by the Cardinals' David Freese, makes Game 7 a reality.
The NBA might have a new CBA by the end of the week.
My NFL picks of the week:
BALT
CAROLINA
JACKSONVILLE
NYG
NO
TE'NN
DET
BUFF
CINN
SF
PITT
PHIL
KC
The MLB World Series is tied 3-3 after STL fought off being 1 out away
from losing the championship to the Texas Rangers. A 2 out triple in the bottem of the ninth, and
a "walkoff", leadoff homerun to dead center by the Cardinals' David Freese, makes Game 7 a reality.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
June 2011 - Dallas is the NBA champs.
Congratulations to the Dallas Mavericks. They took out the 2 time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers in 4 straight games, and eventually went on to slay the "big 3" of the hated Miami Heat in 7 games.
That said, it amazes me how fickle fans can be. The phrase, "What have you done for me lately", couldn't be more applicable then now. After appearing in 3 straight NBA Finals (winning 2), and favored to defend their championship for the third straight year, the Lakers were swep in 4 games by Dallas, in the second round. The "die hard " Laker fans, started calling for changes. Major changes. I've heard everything from "blow up the club", trade Gasol, trade Bynum, trade Artest, a host of trade combinations. Its just wrong. Most fans don't get it. The team needs to be tweaked, that's true, but not to the extent "these" fans are calling for. The team is still a force to be dealt with, without changes. But , consideration isn't being given to the fact that the voice of a new coach/coaching staff, with new defensive schemes, maybe a good part of the soluton.
Also, the fans must realize, that being over the salary cap, not having a "1st round pick" in the Draft, and not having a lot of players coveted by other teams, limits the Lakers' for aquiring new players. So, even though it might be theoretically possible,
Fans need to have a realistic view. Without gutting the team, no team is going to help the Lakers out and trade them Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Russell Westbrook, Steve Nash, Tony Parker, etc...
That said, it amazes me how fickle fans can be. The phrase, "What have you done for me lately", couldn't be more applicable then now. After appearing in 3 straight NBA Finals (winning 2), and favored to defend their championship for the third straight year, the Lakers were swep in 4 games by Dallas, in the second round. The "die hard " Laker fans, started calling for changes. Major changes. I've heard everything from "blow up the club", trade Gasol, trade Bynum, trade Artest, a host of trade combinations. Its just wrong. Most fans don't get it. The team needs to be tweaked, that's true, but not to the extent "these" fans are calling for. The team is still a force to be dealt with, without changes. But , consideration isn't being given to the fact that the voice of a new coach/coaching staff, with new defensive schemes, maybe a good part of the soluton.
Also, the fans must realize, that being over the salary cap, not having a "1st round pick" in the Draft, and not having a lot of players coveted by other teams, limits the Lakers' for aquiring new players. So, even though it might be theoretically possible,
Fans need to have a realistic view. Without gutting the team, no team is going to help the Lakers out and trade them Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Russell Westbrook, Steve Nash, Tony Parker, etc...
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
0-2 going to Dallas
93 - 81 final score. Advantage Dallas. Wow.
Mark Cuban must think he's finally caught a break, or (for you conspiracy theorist) the "boys club" (aka David Stern and the other NBA owners, who don't like him, have finally let him sit at the big table and play with everyone else.
Give Rick Carlyle a hand for the plan of attack he and his staff prepared to go against the Lakers. The game remained close throughout the first half. Dallas leading at halftime 51-49. Dallas' zone defense seemed to confuse and stymie the Lakers' offense, which gave way to poor shot selection (again), which led to an ugly 13 point 3rd quarter. That said, the Lakers still only trailed by 6 points to begin the 4th quarter. Then,
the 4th quarter became the 'J.J. Barea show'. In 17 minutes of play, Barea looked like the second coming
of either Chris Paul or Steve Nash. Barea shredded the Lakers' defense, working off of the high "pick and roll'. Either scoring on layups, or penetrating the lane, and dishing the ball to open shooters. Barea finished with 12 pts, 4 assist, while only committing 2 turnovers.
Whenever the Lakers tried to make a push, the Mavericks were able meet the challenge and stave off the attack.
The body of this loss, lays at feet of the bench, again (Mavericks outscore the Lakers' bench 30-12), As well, Lamar's(again) and Pau Gasol's (again). Both have not played good consistent basketball during the playoffs. The Lakers don't win without them. Also, its time for that 'MIA' known as Steve Blake to show up, and start earning his paycheck. "Tonight he looked confused, and very apprehensive, like he was totally lacking confidence in his shot, and his ability to play at all.
Down 0-2, going to Dallas. The questions are already casting a pall over the city. 'Is this the end of the run?'
"Is the party over?' "Are the Lakers too old? Are they too slow?
Well I'm not ready to concede. A close look at both games reveals that the Lakers could just as easily be
1-1, 2-0, given more consistent, precise play, that's expected of a 2 time defending Champion.
They just have to run the offense through the post, pound the boards, limit the turnovers and questionable shot selection, defend the outside shooters better, and make their free throws. That's all!! They can beat the Mavericks. They now, just have to do it starting in Dallas. One game at a time.
Deja vu - An impression of having seen or experienced something before.
I'm sure Mark Cuban will be praying that history doesn't repeat itself. Seeing that the Mavericks are 1 of only 3 NBA teams to come back to win a best-of-seven series after losing the first two at home.
Down 0-2, going to Dallas.
Only three NBA teams have come back to win a best-of-seven series after losing the first two at home.
1971- Lakers defeat San Francisco Warriors
1994- Houston defeats the Phoenix Suns
2005-Dallas defeats the Houston Rockets
If the Lakers win game 3 Friday, Mark Cuban will start wondering whether the first 2 games were just a dream or is it "Deja vu all over again'.
The situation is not terminal, but its not good.
Mark Cuban must think he's finally caught a break, or (for you conspiracy theorist) the "boys club" (aka David Stern and the other NBA owners, who don't like him, have finally let him sit at the big table and play with everyone else.
Give Rick Carlyle a hand for the plan of attack he and his staff prepared to go against the Lakers. The game remained close throughout the first half. Dallas leading at halftime 51-49. Dallas' zone defense seemed to confuse and stymie the Lakers' offense, which gave way to poor shot selection (again), which led to an ugly 13 point 3rd quarter. That said, the Lakers still only trailed by 6 points to begin the 4th quarter. Then,
the 4th quarter became the 'J.J. Barea show'. In 17 minutes of play, Barea looked like the second coming
of either Chris Paul or Steve Nash. Barea shredded the Lakers' defense, working off of the high "pick and roll'. Either scoring on layups, or penetrating the lane, and dishing the ball to open shooters. Barea finished with 12 pts, 4 assist, while only committing 2 turnovers.
Whenever the Lakers tried to make a push, the Mavericks were able meet the challenge and stave off the attack.
The body of this loss, lays at feet of the bench, again (Mavericks outscore the Lakers' bench 30-12), As well, Lamar's(again) and Pau Gasol's (again). Both have not played good consistent basketball during the playoffs. The Lakers don't win without them. Also, its time for that 'MIA' known as Steve Blake to show up, and start earning his paycheck. "Tonight he looked confused, and very apprehensive, like he was totally lacking confidence in his shot, and his ability to play at all.
Down 0-2, going to Dallas. The questions are already casting a pall over the city. 'Is this the end of the run?'
"Is the party over?' "Are the Lakers too old? Are they too slow?
Well I'm not ready to concede. A close look at both games reveals that the Lakers could just as easily be
1-1, 2-0, given more consistent, precise play, that's expected of a 2 time defending Champion.
They just have to run the offense through the post, pound the boards, limit the turnovers and questionable shot selection, defend the outside shooters better, and make their free throws. That's all!! They can beat the Mavericks. They now, just have to do it starting in Dallas. One game at a time.
Deja vu - An impression of having seen or experienced something before.
I'm sure Mark Cuban will be praying that history doesn't repeat itself. Seeing that the Mavericks are 1 of only 3 NBA teams to come back to win a best-of-seven series after losing the first two at home.
Down 0-2, going to Dallas.
Only three NBA teams have come back to win a best-of-seven series after losing the first two at home.
1971- Lakers defeat San Francisco Warriors
1994- Houston defeats the Phoenix Suns
2005-Dallas defeats the Houston Rockets
If the Lakers win game 3 Friday, Mark Cuban will start wondering whether the first 2 games were just a dream or is it "Deja vu all over again'.
The situation is not terminal, but its not good.
Lakers down 0-1 to Dallas
As expected, the Lakers finished off the Hornets, with a 99-80 win in the 6th game of the opening round.
Chris" Little Cesar" Paul wasn't able to spark and inspire the young Hornet team. With all hope relying on another stellar performance, Paul was limited to 10pts, 8 rebs, 11 asst. The Lakers applied a strong "playoff" style of defense, allowing Chris Paul only 9 shots in 43 minutes. The Lakers' bench, led by Lamar Odom's 14, outscored the Hornets bench 30-21. The Lakers' length and size caused the Hornets additional headaches, in the areas of rebounding and blocked shots. The Lakers out rebounded the Hornets 43 - 30 (14-7 on the offensive boards), and out blocked their shots 6 shots to 2. The Hornets had no answer for Andrew Bynums's 18 pts/12 reb night. The steady defense, the lack of Chris Paul heroics, and no one else other than Carl Landry having a good scoring game tallied up to a Lakers' series clenching win (4games to 2). The Lakers still aren't the well oiled machine yet, but they did look better. Next stop........Dallas.
Dallas, Mark Cuban's team came out the gate acting like a team who doesn't know its not suppose to beat the defending Champion Los Angeles Lakers. And on the Lakers' home floor no less. well the Mavericks came away from game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals with a stunning 96-94 victory over the 2 time defending NBA Champs. Lack luster, uninspired play along poor shot selection by the both the bench and starters down the stretch, lead to the Maverick overcoming a 16 pt deficit and dodging a last second 3 point attempt by Kobe Bryant for the win from the top of the key, as time expired. What do they need for game 2? Well, its time for Steve Blake to earn some money. Its time for more interest, better bench play, better shot selection across the board ( do you here me Shannon) , get the ball to Bynum, Gasol, and Lamar down low (the Mavericks have no one to stop them down low), and "normal" games, I said "normal" games (not great, not superhuman, but normal games) from Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Kobe, and Lamar, the Lakers win not only game 2 (tonight). They win the series, they win the Championship. Everyone hoped that game 4 of the Hornets series was the "Wake up call". I guess, after game 6, the Lakers hit the snooze button. So, have the Lakers finally gotten the "wake up call" again. . Are they ready to show theLaker "swagger" we know. Are they ready to show us that 17 -1 team we saw after the All-Star break. I think the Lakers are ready to show up and get the final 12 wins they need to complete the "3-pete". As for the impending Laker death and doom, I thing the quote from Mark Twain best applies, "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated". Also, I might add, Yogi Berra's quote , it's not over till it's over", and its only game 2! Relax. No time to panic. Not time to worry. It time to play some ball.
"
Chris" Little Cesar" Paul wasn't able to spark and inspire the young Hornet team. With all hope relying on another stellar performance, Paul was limited to 10pts, 8 rebs, 11 asst. The Lakers applied a strong "playoff" style of defense, allowing Chris Paul only 9 shots in 43 minutes. The Lakers' bench, led by Lamar Odom's 14, outscored the Hornets bench 30-21. The Lakers' length and size caused the Hornets additional headaches, in the areas of rebounding and blocked shots. The Lakers out rebounded the Hornets 43 - 30 (14-7 on the offensive boards), and out blocked their shots 6 shots to 2. The Hornets had no answer for Andrew Bynums's 18 pts/12 reb night. The steady defense, the lack of Chris Paul heroics, and no one else other than Carl Landry having a good scoring game tallied up to a Lakers' series clenching win (4games to 2). The Lakers still aren't the well oiled machine yet, but they did look better. Next stop........Dallas.
Dallas, Mark Cuban's team came out the gate acting like a team who doesn't know its not suppose to beat the defending Champion Los Angeles Lakers. And on the Lakers' home floor no less. well the Mavericks came away from game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals with a stunning 96-94 victory over the 2 time defending NBA Champs. Lack luster, uninspired play along poor shot selection by the both the bench and starters down the stretch, lead to the Maverick overcoming a 16 pt deficit and dodging a last second 3 point attempt by Kobe Bryant for the win from the top of the key, as time expired. What do they need for game 2? Well, its time for Steve Blake to earn some money. Its time for more interest, better bench play, better shot selection across the board ( do you here me Shannon) , get the ball to Bynum, Gasol, and Lamar down low (the Mavericks have no one to stop them down low), and "normal" games, I said "normal" games (not great, not superhuman, but normal games) from Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Kobe, and Lamar, the Lakers win not only game 2 (tonight). They win the series, they win the Championship. Everyone hoped that game 4 of the Hornets series was the "Wake up call". I guess, after game 6, the Lakers hit the snooze button. So, have the Lakers finally gotten the "wake up call" again. . Are they ready to show theLaker "swagger" we know. Are they ready to show us that 17 -1 team we saw after the All-Star break. I think the Lakers are ready to show up and get the final 12 wins they need to complete the "3-pete". As for the impending Laker death and doom, I thing the quote from Mark Twain best applies, "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated". Also, I might add, Yogi Berra's quote , it's not over till it's over", and its only game 2! Relax. No time to panic. Not time to worry. It time to play some ball.
"
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Lakers - Back to the "old ways"
106 - 90 Lakers.
To paraphrase Manny Ramirez, the Lakers went back to the "Lakers being the Lakers".
Let's start with the "Bench". The non productive bench of recent history, featuring the "Killer Bees" (Barnes, Brown, Blake) and Lamar "Mr. Kardashian" Odom, earned their paycheck for the week by outscoring the Hornets bench 29-14.
Points in the paint.
Finally, the Lakers decided to go inside to their big men and take advantage of their height. The Lakers outscored the Hornets 42-30 in the paint.
Balanced scoring.
Lamar put up his "Sixth Man of the Year" stats (13pts, 7rebs, 2 asst) Pau and
Andrew pounded the inside, combining for 34pts, 18 rebs, 6 asst, and 5 block shots.
Fisher finished with 13pt, and Ron Artest 11.
Kobe being Kobe.
Speculation about Kobe Bryant's injured left foot/ankle remained in the air throughout the first quarter. He removed all doubt with a massive drive and dunk on Emeka Okafor in the second quarter, followed by an array of acrobatic shots , bring back images of years past. He finished with 19 pts, 2 reb, and 4 assist.
Chris Paul is human. His by line - 20pts, 4 reb, 12 assist wasn't enough to overcome the lack of offensive production by most of the team. Paul, Trevor Ariza (his 22 pts, tied his playoff career high), and Marco Belinellli's 21, combined for 63 of their 90 pts. In the end, the lack of additional weapons made it impossible to overcome Kobe and the rest of the Lakers' balanced attack.
Hopefully, their play last night points to the Lakers finally starting to round into their championship form rather than it being anomaly.
A win Thursday in New Orleans, and the Lakers move on to the second round.
To paraphrase Manny Ramirez, the Lakers went back to the "Lakers being the Lakers".
Let's start with the "Bench". The non productive bench of recent history, featuring the "Killer Bees" (Barnes, Brown, Blake) and Lamar "Mr. Kardashian" Odom, earned their paycheck for the week by outscoring the Hornets bench 29-14.
Points in the paint.
Finally, the Lakers decided to go inside to their big men and take advantage of their height. The Lakers outscored the Hornets 42-30 in the paint.
Balanced scoring.
Lamar put up his "Sixth Man of the Year" stats (13pts, 7rebs, 2 asst) Pau and
Andrew pounded the inside, combining for 34pts, 18 rebs, 6 asst, and 5 block shots.
Fisher finished with 13pt, and Ron Artest 11.
Kobe being Kobe.
Speculation about Kobe Bryant's injured left foot/ankle remained in the air throughout the first quarter. He removed all doubt with a massive drive and dunk on Emeka Okafor in the second quarter, followed by an array of acrobatic shots , bring back images of years past. He finished with 19 pts, 2 reb, and 4 assist.
Chris Paul is human. His by line - 20pts, 4 reb, 12 assist wasn't enough to overcome the lack of offensive production by most of the team. Paul, Trevor Ariza (his 22 pts, tied his playoff career high), and Marco Belinellli's 21, combined for 63 of their 90 pts. In the end, the lack of additional weapons made it impossible to overcome Kobe and the rest of the Lakers' balanced attack.
Hopefully, their play last night points to the Lakers finally starting to round into their championship form rather than it being anomaly.
A win Thursday in New Orleans, and the Lakers move on to the second round.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Lakers
93-88 Hornets! Series tied 2-2. Back to Los Angeles
The return of Chris Paul. "Little Cesare" commanded his band of under sized teammates to their second victory against the Lakers, evening the series 2-2.
The Lakers once again had trouble trying to control Chris Paul. Inspite of 2 defensive wins in games 2 and 3, the Lakers are still playing a very inconsistent brand of offensive basketball. That as well as New Orlean's zone defense continues to frustrate the offense,
by affecting the rhythm and spacing of the Lakers. The zone defense takes away the height advantage the Lakers enjoy. Throughout the year, the Lakers have struggled at times against teams who have employed a traditional or modified zone defense. In the past, the Lakers have show little patient when working against a zone defense, and start to take lower percentage jump shots (long 2's, and 3's). The misses on those long shots help fuel the Hornets early offense, and puts extreame pressure on the Lakers'
transition defense.
And now, Kobe is hurt. How serious? We'll find out tuesday. Now that being said,
the big question is "Where's Lamar?"
During the year, the "Sixth Man of the Year" award winner averaged 14.4 pts, 8.7 reb, 3 asst. In the 2 losses, Lamar is averaging 8, 2.5, and 1. Not going to win too many games like that. The up side is, had the Lakers gotten just "average" games from Lamar, Pau, and Kobe, the Lakers most likely sweep.
The return of Chris Paul. "Little Cesare" commanded his band of under sized teammates to their second victory against the Lakers, evening the series 2-2.
The Lakers once again had trouble trying to control Chris Paul. Inspite of 2 defensive wins in games 2 and 3, the Lakers are still playing a very inconsistent brand of offensive basketball. That as well as New Orlean's zone defense continues to frustrate the offense,
by affecting the rhythm and spacing of the Lakers. The zone defense takes away the height advantage the Lakers enjoy. Throughout the year, the Lakers have struggled at times against teams who have employed a traditional or modified zone defense. In the past, the Lakers have show little patient when working against a zone defense, and start to take lower percentage jump shots (long 2's, and 3's). The misses on those long shots help fuel the Hornets early offense, and puts extreame pressure on the Lakers'
transition defense.
And now, Kobe is hurt. How serious? We'll find out tuesday. Now that being said,
the big question is "Where's Lamar?"
During the year, the "Sixth Man of the Year" award winner averaged 14.4 pts, 8.7 reb, 3 asst. In the 2 losses, Lamar is averaging 8, 2.5, and 1. Not going to win too many games like that. The up side is, had the Lakers gotten just "average" games from Lamar, Pau, and Kobe, the Lakers most likely sweep.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)