kobe-artestI know it’s been awhile since either of us posted anything here but things got a little crazy when I realized the Bulls were actually going to make the postseason. I know that I should have been on here giving daily love to the Chicago Bulls, who not only made the playoffs but also pushed the defending champs to 7 games in the first round. Then, the officials started dictating the series and I knew I wouldn’t have anything constructive to say here so I won’t waste any time complaining about the horrible officiating or the numerous non-basketball plays that took place in this series…all of which coming from the Boston side of the ball, mostly from Ronda…err, I mean Rajon Rondo. I get pissed off everytime I see that little shit. But I digress. That series is done with now and the Celtics did move on to the second round where they were greeted by a vastly more talented Orlando Magic team.

Unfortunately, the Magic don’t play very smart basketball and now go into game 6 down 3-2. I would be crazy to think this series won’t go seven games. Let’s face it, the Celtics can’t seem to advance any other way. It didn’t hurt them last year, however. I didn’t think they were that good last year either and the East overall was pretty bad. The Hawks played phenomenal but were playing on nothing but emotion, which happened to be enough to force seven with the soon to be champs. I don’t think I need to comment on the ’08 Cavs talent level. And Detroit was beginning their long slide downhill but still took the Celtics to 6 games before falling to them in the East Finals. Boston certainly wasn’t blowing anyone away with their skills at all. They relied on being bullies on the court and it worked really well for them. I mean, David Stern must have been so happy to see it all unfolding in front of him. It was almost as if it was all scripted…I’m not convinced it wasn’t.

Cut to this year and it feels a lot like last year. Except this year, it’s the Cavs who are surprising me. I know LeBron can carry a team through the regular season, especially when you can’t get near him without getting called for foul and the whistle never blows on him. But, the playoffs are a completely different monster. Everything is elevated in the playoffs. The teams that made it come to play and give every last ounce of energy they have. The officiating is stepped up and less calls are missed. Fans can carry a team on their home floor. So far none of those have been true during the Cavs run. Everyone knew they were up against a lot of adversity going into any series with the Cavs. I mean, LeBron is the “chosen one” so the league will protect him at every chance they get. I don’t want to compare it to the type of protection Kobe got years ago because Kobe used his skill to get to the basket and create contact. LeBron just barrels down the lane knocking opponents and teammates alike out of the way and slams the ball home. And if he so chooses to lay the ball in, on rare occasions, and that ball doesn’t drop, you better get ready for some whining…if the whistle hasn’t already blown. That’s all old news though so let’s move on.

I’m really disappointed in the Pistons. They had enough talent to be competitive against the Cavs and at least force 5 or 6 games. Instead they layed down and let LeBron blow them out on the road and at home. Then the Hawks squeak past the atrocious, one trick pony Miami Heat and I really had hope. I watched those guys go out and put everything on the court during that first round series with Boston last year. This year it looked like they didn’t think it was even worth it. I didn’t watch the Cavs nearly as much as some this year but I caught them enough against good teams like the Lakers to see their weaknesses. I’m not sure how NBA organizations with all the resources in the world couldn’t come up with enough film to exploit the same weaknesses.

Stan Van Gundy should hang it up after this season. Regardless of how you feel about Dwight Howard’s post game comments, he was right. Your big needs to touch the ball a lot more if you want to win a championship, or even a second round series, especially against a team with two overweight big men who leave much to be desired. As much as it pains me, I think the Celtics are going to beat the Magic in this series. And that really is the most disappointing part because the Celtics have no business in the second round without the glue that holds their team together, Kevin Garnett. The Bulls exposed every weakness they had and I knew that if the Bulls couldn’t knock them out then it would be tough for anyone else to. Now, the silver lining is that the Celtics can and will beat the Cavs in the Eastern Conference Finals but the catch is that we all have to see a rematch of Boston vs LA and as much as I like big time rematches, I would rather not see this one. The officiating in last year’s finals across the first few games left very much to be desired and so far throughout the playoffs this year, it has been even worse officiating. However, I do like the Lakers no matter how you slice it. They are going to win it all this year.

And while LeBron James is sitting around twiddling his thumbs between simulated games and film sessions, the rest of his potential opponents are on the court staying fresh and loose. Everyone remembers how easily the Lakers breezed through the West last year only to hit a wall when they actually played against a good team.

Laker love, as always.
No love for either Van Gundy (Jeff’s in game analysis really bothers me).
Overdue love to the baby Bulls who shocked us all.
No love for Mark Cuban.
Much love to Nike for their puppet commercial.
No love for sweeps.
No love for NBA officials, David Stern and Stu Jackson.

Not so much love this time around. It’s the playoffs!!

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