NBA Playoffs

I am a firm believer that sound basics will generally win out over skill. Having said that todays athletes are quicker and stronger but not as solid in their basics. Very few of todays NBA players can make a crossover without carrying the ball and no one can drive the paint without traveling or changing their pivot foot a couple of times.

Therefore if you give me the refs of yesteryear and the players of yesteryear I think our chances of winning are just fine.

CC / Zoro you forgot to put your little 'z' at the end of your statement. Touche

Convicted self confidence is not selfishness. You all have convinced me I'll never cheer for Kobe again..... NOT hehehe

 

Maybe it's just semantics, but I think a better term than skill would be athleticism. Doing the basics is a part of having a skill.

I don't understand what that's supposed to mean.

 

Well, after a scare last night, I think the Spurs will regroup and play much better even on the road against the Queens. Everyone have their brooms ready?

 

CC, I don't know how to do the quote thing so I'll just cut and paste.

"Thjplgvp, I want you to know that I am praying for the Lakers.

I'm praying for them to get swept."

Zoro alway leaves his little 'Z' after after he humbles his adversaries as a reminder that he got the last word so to speak.

 

Maybe it's just semantics, but I think a better term than skill would be athleticism. Doing the basics is a part of having a skill.

Athleticism would have been a better choice of words.

 

Phil thought Kobe was unselfish...

"I just told him to take advantage of opportunities in a situation like that," Coach Phil Jackson said. "I don't think I ever used the word 'passive,' but I do think that he's looking to feed his teammates first, he's looking to pass first and shoot later. In this game, I want him to carry the threat."

Bryant, for his part, said he would continue to stick with the strategy — pound the ball down low to Kwame Brown — and aim for a better personal shooting effort.

"I think we'll stick to the game plan," Bryant said. "The shots that I got in Game 1 were very makeable shots for me. I got some very good looks, I've just got to put them down."

http://www.latimes.com/sports/printedition/la-sp-lakerep26apr26,1,1555988.story?coll=la-headlines-pe-sports&ctrack=1&cset=true

 

Kobe led the Lakers in points, boards and assists. Very impressive. That takes care of my prayers of a Suns sweep.

 

I agree

 

Unfortunately because I work a late shift and they are West coast games I have not been able to see any of the games. Hopefully that will change Friday night.

I also agree this is a big step for Kobe as he places the ball in others hands and finds that they can complete the task he will learn (forgive me) like Jordan did, when to take over a game and when to just let it flow and come to him.

He and Lebron at this point are are the East coast West coast arch villains whom everyone will look forward to seeing their ultimate clash in a playoff environment. Though probably not for a couple of years or more.

 

Hats off to the Bulls for their great win against the Heat. They held Shaq to 8 points!

I am also surprised by the Pacers in how they are handling the Nets.

 

I look forward too two great TEAMS playing and not two great players playing. After all it is a team sport.

 

I agree. I don't know why some people don't like the idea of another Detroit/San Antonio finals. They are two great teams that actually play like teams and don't rest on one or two individuals to win for them.

Some people just like the mass market appeal of flashy stars like Kobe and Shaq, but personally I will watch a team effort before those guys any day.

 

When I think of team basketball my mind always wonders back to the movie "hoosiers"

"don't shoot the ball without four passes"

today we get Iverson/Carter/Kobe coming down and doing a few fancy dribbles and shooting a tough fade away. The ball could have been worked around for an easier shot or a more open player.

4 passes I tell ya.

 

4His, daughter has been getting us tickets for the suite that her company has (PPG, Pittsbugh Paint and Glass). So far though she hasn't gotten any. Says she is going to hold off for the finals. Next time you get too the Palace check out the suite. It is lower level half court. Bout as good as seats as your going to get.
I love my daughter.

 

I agree. I want to see the great passes made in transition, I want to see forwards swing the play to the other side of the floor where a man is open, I want to see the kick out to a perimeter man who shoots the three. Team basketball is where the game belongs.

 

Wow! Those are nice seats!! I have never been to a playoff game, and probably will never, and if I do, it certainly won't be in a suit. But that is great- i hope you can make it to the finals!

(Now the Pistons haters will say we are assuming to much )