Meltdown

A meltdown isn’t just about technicals or ejections, is also about running away from your game plan and start doing the only thing that you’re actually bad at once things start to get hard. That’s what Kentucky did and the top seed on the East corner of the bracket, one of the best recruiting classes of all time, the Wildcats lost to West Virginia, 73-66, Saturday, March the 27^th, and were eliminated at the Elite 8 stage of the NCAA Tournament.

Kentucky shot themselves on the foot on this one. The Wildcats were once again the superior team coming in and had the size advantage inside the paint with All American DeMarcus Cousins however the young team couldn’t take the pressure of the big moment and oddly started to do what they do worst, hijack 3 pointers. Kentucky, a 34% 3FG shooting team the entire season, shot 12.5% from beyond the arc (4-32). Also, Kentucky’s inability to shoot FTs in order to keep themselves alive on the second half was almost grotesque.

Also seen at the Basketball Outsider

Still Something Missing

Dwight Howard’s 24 rebounds against the Hawks Wednesday night, March the 24^th, is the strongest example of why Atlanta still has a piece missing in order for them to go on their pursuit for a championship. God bless Al Horford. He is a great player, a warrior but every time he faces a stud Center, it gets evident that he’s undersized. At 6’10, Horford isn’t as tall as most of the Centers on the NBA and that’s a factor on defense.

Atlanta ranks 20^th on the NBA in rebound rate, even worst, 24^th on the league in defensive rebound rate. Statement of the year: Rebounds are important. By definition, rebound is the act of successfully gaining possession of the basketball after a missed FG or FT. Rebounds in basketball are a routine part of the game, as all possessions change after a shot is successfully made. Basically, rebound is a crucial part of the game because it enables the team to get an extra possession or avoid that the opposing team to do so.

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The New Look Spurs

March, the 6^th, the San Antonio Spurs went to Memphis to play against playoff contender, at the time, Grizzlies, won the game but lost Tony Parker for the remainder of the regular season with a broken bone in his right hand at the end of the first half. Parker was never healthy this season. Most people forget but he underwent surgery during the summer to repair a high ankle sprain while playing for the French national team. Parker has also battle plantar fasciitis in his left foot and those with knowledge of the world of sports know by now that the prescription for it is extended rest.

Without his main ball handler and second leading scorer, Gregg Poppovic, who struggled to find a reliable lineup for the entire season, decided to keep it simple and turned his hopes to old closer and difference maker Manu Ginóbili. With no Parker to monopolize the ball and control the slow pace of the game, San Antonio hasn’t presented a new offense, they still play slow (tied for 21^st on the league in pace), but now every possession passes through the hands of Ginóbili and the Spurs go as he goes.

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Could D’Antoni Walk Away?

When Donnie Walsh got the job of vice president of basketball operations of the New York Knicks almost two years ago, his plan was to try moving as many bad contracts from the Isiah Thomas’ era as he could, wait for time to pass on those that he couldn’t move and clear as much cap space as possible, mostly aiming for the super free agent summer of 2010. In other words, he was selling hope. The first one that he sold it to was Mike D’Antoni.

Mike D’Antoni was the architect of the run and gun Suns, a team built for the regular season but that never had success on the playoffs. When Steve Kerr became Phoenix’s GM, D’Antoni was let go because of philosophical differences. He was then hired by the Knicks and became Walsh’s first recruit. Apparently, players like to play for D’Antoni because of his style of offense.

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Best Ever?

We live a special moment in sports nowadays and we don’t even realize.

On football, Payton Manning is getting to such a point that when he’s all set and done, he’ll probably be considered the best QB of all times if he gets another Super Bowl or not. His ability to read coverages perfectly, throw the ball as quick and as accurate as he does and be the robot he’s make him unique and almost perfect. His numbers are just ridiculous.

On basketball, LeBron James is the most unique athlete the game has even seen. He’s truck in form of a human being, nobody is sure of his measures. LeBron is almost perfect. James is almost unstoppable on his way to the basket, not only because of the rules but because he’s so quick and big. James can shoot from any spot of the floor, pass like a legit PG, play off the ball, has low post game and gets all sorts of friendly whistles.

I’m no LeBron fan but it’s idiotic not to understand how good and special he is. James hasn’t won a championship yet but everybody who understands the NBA a little bit knows that’s Danny Ferry’s fault. This summer LeBron has a decision to make between money, championship chances and business opportunities. The Cavs can offer him more money than anybody else, the Bulls can offer him the best team and the Knicks can offer him the capitol of the world and the chance to save basketball in NY.

Wherever James goes, his near future should consolidate him as one of the most dominant players of all time not only because of his talent but because his physicality should extend his best years. Don’t be surprised if LeBron turns 33, 34 and continues to run the floor like crazy and be the best athlete on the floor every night.

Manning is getting to such a point that in the end he’ll be considered the best ever even if he doesn’t win another ring. For James, the ring is the only thing missing for us to start absorbing the idea that he could be the best ever

Also seen at Basketball Outsider

LeKobe: A Sure To Be a Freak of Nature

You want the ultimate NBA player? You don’t need three or four players to create one using Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Dwayne Wad together to make the ultimate player. That is so obvious that a player like that will be impossible to stop. I am doing something more shorter than that: just two players. And here are the choices, and if you are too blind to read the title of this post, you probably know who the players are: LeBron James…and….Kobe Bryant (gasp).

But enough with that. Just imagine. How amazing that player would be. The player would be 7’3″ with the speed, agility, stats, shooting…everything. Now that’s crazy: 7’3″?? How is it? I just combined Kobe’s inches from his height (6’6″, six inches for Kobe) and LeBron’s (6’8″, eight inches for ‘Bron).

This player will not be a center, no. Not even a power forward. He plays everything. He can play for the point with his speed and he can literally just own his defender since he is literally a foot taller than him most probably (count that two for Earl Boykins). Shooting guard won’t be that much different and it has to be fit there well, since Kobe does play there as his normal position. Small forward, LeBron’s position. It’s obvious for PF and C. The height. Not only that, the defense. Kobe can guard players well as well as LeBron. James also has the stellar ability of blocking shots. Along with that, the rebounding skills aren’t that bad either.

Imagine those statistics. I see 37.8 PPG, 13.4 APG, and 15.7 RPG. Don’t be surprised seeing those numbers with two figures like LeBron and Kobe morphed together. Hell, don’t be surprised to see them in the three-point shootouts, dunk contest, etc. during All-Star Weekend. Surely enough, it’ll be hard for the coach to put that player in a position since he’s so good at every single one.

Another reason why this player would be unstoppable is that LeBron James is dominant in the regular season with the stats, the amazing plays, dunks, blocks, game-winners, etc. and Kobe Bryant is dominant in the postseason with his clutchness and hunger for a win. The Black Mamba will stalk his prey and strike…and very very violently.

This player would truly be a freak of nature.

At the end of his career, he’ll retire with 43,227 points, 23,447 rebounds, and 11.7 APG. This player will go down as the best player in NBA history. He’ll retire with 11 MVP’s, 14 rings, and 22 All-Star appearences, considering he retires at 42.

I name the oh might great: LeKobe Jamant.

The Great Ambassador

The Easter Bunny has the beginning of April, the domain of Santa Claus stretches from Thanksgiving until the end of December. Now March, March belongs to Dick Vitale. He conjures a wealth of opinions good and bad, but no one from my generation can think of March Madness without hearing his voice.

I know he is an unabashed homer for the ACC. I know his love affair with Duke is as over the top sappy as a Nicholas Sparks novel. I know that by the end of a two-hour game his hoarse shouting can start to wear you a little thin. I know all that, and I still love the guy.

One of my greatest memories of Dickie V. is from the 1999 Coaches vs. Cancer championship game at Madison Square Garden. The tournament that year featured UConn vs. Iowa and Duke vs. Stanford in the first round. Duke and UConn had met in an epic NCAA championship game only 8 months before, and they were both heavily favored in these games. I was in my freshman year at Ithaca College at this point, and a friend and I decided to drive down to the city for the games. The opening games were on a Thursday night, with the championship and consolation games to follow on Friday night. My friend and I both had class Friday morning, so we planned to make the five and a half hour drive down in the afternoon. With the long drive we might miss part of the consolation game, but we weren’t worried. I mean there was no way Duke and UConn would love, right?

Of course Duke and UConn did both lose the opening night. The drive took longer than we thought, we missed the entire consolation game between the Blue Devils and Huskies. We had problems with parking and our tickets, and got there a few minutes into the championship game between Iowa and Stanford. Steve Alford was coaching Iowa at that point, and Casey Jacobsen was starring for Stanford, but needless to say we were both a little disappointed that this was the game we ended up with.

Luckily, Dickie V. was there to save the day. The arena completely emptied out after the Duke – UConn game so we were able to move down to seats at center court right behind the announcers. I can’t remember who the play-by-play guy working with Dickie V. was, but we were less than twenty feet away from them. Vitale never shut up, not once, during the entire game. He shouted through every play, every timeout, every dead ball and every foul shot. He was twenty feet away but it sounded like he was shouting right in our ears. The energy never dissipated. His exhausted partner looked like he wanted to strangle him, just for the few minutes of silence it would bring before the police rushed in to take him away. I have never enjoyed a live basketball game more. The excitement and absolute joy that pours out of Dickie V. is so contagious, even more so in person. It’s not a schtick, or a character he is playing, the guy really is certifiably nuts for college basketball. As far as I am concerned he is one of the best things about basketball. He is a PTP’er and Higher Riser, metaphorically speaking of course. Can you imagine if you love your job as much as he does? Can you imagine being excited enough about anything to scream at the top of your lungs for hours on end?

So when the weather starts to get warm, and the first buds start creeping out onto the tree branches. I ‘ll be sitting in front of my TV waiting for Dickie V. to kick it into overdrive and take my college basketball experience to the next level. Yeah Baby!

Yeah boy!

Playing GM Pt. 3

This is the third, of a four part post stating my draft and free agency recommendations for the Pacers during this offseason. If you are interested, check out Part 1 and Part 2.

1st Round – Pick no. 4(ish)

Evan Turner -    Ohio State   -   6′7″     205 lbs.   -   SG/PG

This was the most difficult pick to decide on, and I am sure it will be for Larry and Co. as well. First, let me say that I don’t actually think Evan Turner will be available at the fourth pick. The Pacers currently have the 4th worst record in the league. My position, is that whatever happens Turner should be their #1 target. Ideally, we will get lucky in the lottery and end up with the 1st or 2nd pick. If not then we should aggressively pursue a trade to move up, using our 1st rounder, wherever it falls, and the expirings of Foster, Murphy, Dunleavy or Ford. They aren’t Splenda, but Rush and Solomon Jones could be used to “sweeten” the deal. I will certainly not complain if we end up with John Wall or Derrick Favors, but for me, Turner is the guy. Turner has been thoroughly discussed and evaluated, celebrated and honored, glorified and drooled over, since the season began. I certainly don’t have anything new to add to from a scouting standpoint, but I would like to recap some highlights. Here is what Draftexpress.com lists as Turner’s strengths:

• Ability to play at different speeds
• Excellent skill-level
• Mid-range game
• Offensive creativity
• Pick and roll play
• Point Forward
• Transition play
• Versatility
• Ability to create own shot
• Change of gears/Hesitation moves
• Commitment to playing defense
• Defensive awareness
• Defensive fundamentals
• Versatility to defend multiple positions
• Aggressiveness
• Basketball IQ
• Coachable
• Experience
• Potential
• Unselfishness
• Winning mentality
• High-level productivity
• Ability to create for others
• Court vision
• Body control
• Coordination
• Fluidity
• Low Center of Gravity
• Size for position
• Solid frame
• Excellent rebounder
• Mid-range Jumper

A pretty impressive list. I bolded and italicized the ones that seem to be weaknesses of the current Pacers roster, or ones that should be big assests as a rookie in the NBA. (For readers unfamiliar with my particular brand of subtlety – I realize they are ALL bolded and italicized. That’s kind of the point.) Also from Draftexpress.com, here are his weaknesses:

• Turnover prone
• Average explosiveness
• Plays below the rim
• 3-point range
• 3-point shooting percentages
• Limited number of 3-point attempts

An impressively short list, especially when you consider that #2 + #3 essentially say the same thing, and so do #4 + #5 + #6. There are really only 3 things on this list. Turnover prone, average athleticism and not a great 3-Point shooter. I bolded and italicized the one that I think will actually be a benefit to the Pacers. The last thing we need to add to our roster is another sub-par shooter, to jack up contested jumpers. Let’s take a look at some of his numbers for this year and last:

	Pts/40	Reb/40	Ast/40	Blk/40	Stl/40	TO/40	PF/40
08/09	20.8	8.5	4.8	1.0	2.1	4.2	3.5
09/10	23.5	11.2	7.0	1.1	2.2	4.8	3.3

Incredible!

	FG%	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%
08/09	50.3%	50.7%	44%	78.8%	52%	59%
09/10	53.8%	56.6%	28.6%	73%	55%	59%

Amazing!

	PER	USG	WS/40	P/Pos	A/TO	A/POS	A/FGA
08/09	25.7	25.7%	9.4	1.07	1.12	0.24	0.34
09/10	32.0	28.1%	13.9	1.07	1.47	0.32	0.42

This guy is a beast. He does absolutely everything on the floor and does it well. Everywhere you look there are eyepopping numbers. His 3Pt% is low, but he offsets that by averaging less than one attempt per game, and shooting an absurd 56.6% on 2PT’s! His turnover are higher than last year, but he still increased his assist rate when compared to turnovers, possessions used or field goals attempted. My perspective on this is that he decided to focus on his all-around game this year. He made it a point to pad those assist and rebounding numbers. Often this meant he was forcing passes, and looking for the home-run assist, as opposed to letting the offense flow a little more naturally. His PER is simply incredible for a guy who uses 28% of his teams possessions.

Most would agree that the Pacers lineup has gaping holes at PF, SG and PG. Anyone really think Brandon Rush is the long term answer at shooting guard? Anyone really think we are competing for a championship with A.J. Price running the offense? Drafting Evan Turner gives us a chance to kill two birds with one stone. More details will follow in the fourth part of this post, but I see Evan Turner playing shooting guard for the Pacers. From this position he can handle the ball and facilitate the offense in much the same way Brandon Roy does for Portland, or Dwayne Wade does for Miami. (Probably more Roy than Wade). Turner is not going to play point guard in the NBA. He might fill that role offensively for a team, but he simply cannot contain guys like Chris Paul and Derrick Rose defensively. I see him handling the ball at the off-guard and being paired with a shooting point, someone similar to A.J. Price; only much, much, much, much better.

To finish, let me explain why I think Turner has more value than some of the other players available. The first arguement against selecting Turner would be John Wall. My answer to those clamoring for Wall has four parts: Allen Iverson, Stephon Marbury, Baron Davis, Steve Francis. These are four points guards taken in the first 10 picks of the draft. Each player was described as having elite offensive capabilities, and game changing athelticism, as has Wall. None of them has won a title. Outside of Iverson’s lone championship appearance, none have been particularly large contributers on great teams. Mostly they have put up great numbers for bad teams. They also all saw huge drop-offs in production when injuries or age took away their athletic edge. Ray Allen, Lamar Odom, and Richard Hamilton have all won championships. They also were drafted after Iverson and Marbury in Allen’s case, and after Davis and Francis in Odom and Hamilton’s case. They have all been huge contributers on championship teams, and they have done it with versatile skills, and basketball IQ, not athleticism. My point is not that John Wall won’t be a great player. My point is that his ability to lead a team to a championship is not a sure thing. You need all kinds of players, with all kinds of skills and abilities to make a truly great team. For me you take the play with the transcendent skill set, will and basketball IQ, before you take the player with the transcendent athleticism.

Another difficult part about recommending Turner, is that this draft is so deep at the PF position, another huge need for the Pacers. Still, Turner is that good. In addition, the 2011 draft looks to have several terrific prospects at the PF position, including: Perry Jones (Commited to Baylor), Mason Plumlee (Duke), John Henson (UNC), JaMychal Green (Alabama), Chris Singleton (FSU), Arnett Moultrie (UTEP), Aaric Murray (LaSalle), Trey Thompson (UGA), JaJuan Johnson (Purdue), and Jeremy Tyler (dropped out of high school, was asked to leave his Israeli team, currently looking for a European contract, I know I just threw up a little in mouth to). That doesn’t even include the unheralded nobody, who will inevitably show up and rocket up the draft charts, a’la Hassan Whiteside. There is depth at PF in next year’s draft. There is no one with the refined skill set, versatility, and absolute will to win, of Evan Turner, available next year. We need him!

Winning Time: Pacers-Knicks and the Legacy of Reggie Miller

Wow. What a movie. A great documentary by Dan Klores. This movie was really special towards Pacers fans, and come on some of you Knick fans: you know you probably kind of liked that movie, too.

I am glad such a documentary was recorded like this. The Pacers haven’t seen that much national attention since their playing days with guys like Jermaine O’Neal, Ron Artest, and of course: Reggie Miller. This movie should how important Reggie Miller was to the whole state of Indiana and how this state were brought together in happiness in this fine game of basketball.

The Pacers-Knicks rivalry changed the whole aspect of the NBA during Michael Jordan’s first retirement. When he quit the NBA for baseball, the NBA ratings looked to go down. Larry Bird was getting old and was having problems and Magic Johnson retired with his HIV. The Pacers-Knicks rivalry was pretty much a football game on a basketball court, but minus the equipment.

Fans loved it. Though it was just a Divisional Playoff round, it sure felt like the Conference Finals. Actually, scratch that: The actual Finals. The big show. The half-and-hour movie was worth it, especially for every basketball fan on the planet. This is easily one of the best documentaries I have seen.

This is where Reggie’s legacy became untouchable. The Knicks rivalry. During Reggie’s early years, he was always regarded as “Cheryl’s sister.” Because he was. Cheryl was simply better. She was good enough to play with the boys. People were afraid to play here. She kicked everyone’s butt when she was in her childhood on the block. Reggie always got beat. And then one day during their high school years, Reggie was coming back from a game where he scored 60 points. Fantastic. But his Dad was like, “Uh-huh.” Why? Well, the thing is, Cheryl scored 105 points. Uh-huh.

Mr. Boom Baby was simply the middle finger of New York. Everyone hated him. During the 194 NBA Playoffs,  the Pacers and Knicks were rolling and fighting against each other. The Knicks one the first two games of the series, each by eleven points. The Pacers then fought back, tying the series to 2. And then the next game was in the Garden. Spike Lee was in attendance as usual. But in this game, he was the voice of the whole crowd, and later…simply the hater.

Lee was taunting Reggie. And Reggie’s wife maybe played a role in one of Lee’s movies. How? A bet was made. If the Pacers win, Reggie’s wife plays a role in one of  Spike Lee’s future movies. I don’t know if ever happened. But, however, if the Knicks win: Miller will have to meet Mike Tyson in prison. Yikes.

So here were the Knicks killing Indiana entering the fourth. They were getting killed throughout the game. But Miller’s self-esteem rose and he was ready to kill the Knicks. Spike Lee was somehow the inspiration. And there it was: the choke sign. Miller was killing the Knicks. The Knicks just couldn’t stop him. Miller kept staring at Lee after every shot he drilled. Shot after shot after shot after shot. And Miller brought out his hands, put it on his neck and made a choke signal at Lee. And just a few seconds after that, one hand stayed on the neck. The other? It was on No. 31’s crotch. Right to Spike Lee…and his wife. Damn son.

This 6′7″ guard brought hell to New York. And after that game, the Knicks fans were so pissed and confused in my mind that they just had to blame Spike Lee on all this. Now that’s just not right. He didn’t do anything. He’s just some fan. And I bet you Reggie probably laughed at that. Hysterical. But unfortunately, the Knicks won the series.

Entering 1995, the Pacers signed what I would call a detective for the team: Mark Jackson. He played for the Knicks a year earlier and knew their schemes. Now he was going to kill that team with Reggie. It 31 and 13, Reggie and Mark. It was all going to be good. There was Rik Smits. They were all hungry. After sweeping the Hawks in the first round, it was like “We meet again,” as the Pacers will face New York.

It started out well. Both teams fought hard. The first fourth quarter of the series and the last play of the series were the most important parts. There were 8.9 seconds left. The Pacers were down 105-99. The Knicks knew they were gonna win. Donnie Walsh went into a room to smoke. “Goddamn,” he must be thinking. “Here we go again!” Yes, here we go. But something magical happened in those seconds of the first game.

Let’s just get a three. Reggie Miller received the ball inbounds and shot a quick three. Swish. 105-102. Then the Knicks worst inbounds passer was in. Oh boy. This was going to be interesting. He threw the ball in and Reggie somehow got it. He sprinted back to the three point line, and shot it. Swish…to the second power. 105-all. Oh boy, oh boy. In the words of Ahmad Rashad, taking that three took some…balls. A lot of balls.

The Knicks didn’t screw up this time passing the ball. John Starks received the ball and got fouled. Two free throws. He didn’t know what was happening. He couldn’t believe it. Was he dreaming? He missed both as if there was no point shooting them and as if the Knicks were up 105-95 instead of being tied at 105. It was like that. Miller rebounded, and was fouled. Things were just getting better and better. Miller made both and ended the game, 107-105. After that game, Miller was the savior of Indiana. His legacy was now made. A legend. Now I guess Pacers fans shouldn’t be mad after drafting Reggie instead of Steve Alford, eh?

The Pacers eventually won the series, 4-3. In the Garden for Game Seven, this looked like an easy win for New York. Both teams played hard. They played harder than any team that year. And at the closing seconds of the game, the Knicks were bouncing back big after a huge deficit made by Boom Baby. With a few seconds remaining, the Knicks were down 107-105. Five seconds left, Knicks ball. It was obviously going to Patrick Ewing. Ewing took the ball, drove down the lane and looked for the easy layup. It looked like it was easily going in. The ball hit the back of the rim, and it went in…then out.

The Pacers won. They finally won. They succeeded the impossible. It was incredible. Miraculous. Glorious. Fantastic! And that is when Miller’s true legacy was born. And that’s what this documentary was all about. Reggie Miller made the difference. He brought the joy to Indiana basketball. Reggie Miller wished it was the Conference Finals, though. Good joke.

But the Pacers eventually made it to the Finals, but lost to the Lakers. Miller’s legacy will live on and is easily a Hall-of-Famer. Always learn this folks.

Wherever, whenever…it’s Always Miller Time in Indiana.

Movie Rating: 5 out 5 stars.

Kick Ass

LeBron on top of the old men.

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