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by Derek Felix

Random Thoughts

May 15, 2008 in Random Thoughts

There’s always plenty going on in the sports world. Especially at this busy time of year. So, what’s the latest? Let’s find out:

1.It’s not so much that they’re both struggling entering this weekend’s Subway Series but if either the Mets or Yankees get swept in the Bronx, it will only fuel the fire with their own fans and management who expect so much so early. It’s still a little easier to comprehend the Yanks’ early season struggles which has them two under after dropping three of four to the suddenly improved first place Rays. Anytime you lose your two biggest righty bats in Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada, it’s going to take its toll. Runs have been hard to come by for Joe Girardi’s club. We still can’t figure out why he bats Robinson Cano so low.

As for the one over Mets, how can they explain losing three of four to a team recently demoted starter Nelson Figueroa described as “dancing ballgirls?” Last week, we stated that anything less than five wins against a pair of cellar dwellers in Cincinnati and Washington would be disappointing. That Willie Randolph’s club managed just a 3-4 record is hard to fathom. Somehow with even Moises Alou back healthy and Carlos Beltran coming around, the Amazin’s have problems scoring runs. The latest lack of hustle from Jose Reyes using poor judgment to get doubled up at third in the eighth was mystifying. Even David Wright didn’t hustle a single into a double. Still, it didn’t explain getting shutdown by Jason Bergmann. So on a Kid’s Day where Mike Pelfrey took a no-no into the seventh before Aaron Boone broke it up, the Mets couldn’t hit a guy who had given up 16 earned, 20 hits and five homers in 12 and a third this season. Opponents came in batting .364. New York had just three hits and K’d nine times in seven innings before Manny Acta pulled his starter for a pinch hitter getting the only run his team needed to win. Simply Amazin’.

2.Where would the Mets be without Ryan Church? All the 29 year-old former Nats outfielder has done is lead the team in hitting (.310), home runs (8) and runs scored (29). While former Mets’ first round pick Lastings Milledge struggles to stay in Acta’s lineup as their everyday center fielder, Met fans are being taken to church literally by a player who shows up ready to play every game and always seems to be a tough out. It took a great diving snag by Willie Harris to prevent a Church double in the home ninth which likely would’ve led to the tying run. Did we mention Brian Schneider was also in this deal? It just might be Omar Minaya’s best deal. Does anyone miss Milledge now? How can a player who’s underperformed thus far be hot dogging it in the dugout with Elijah Dukes? Boggles the mind.

3.I’ll say it again. Hitting Cano in the bottom third is a detriment. The second baseman is finally snapping out of it. With four hits in a win yesterday and a hit earlier today, he’s up to .207 with only one way to go. Can someone please explain to me what Shelly Duncan has done to bat cleanup? Morgan Ensberg hit fifth against Scott Kazmir. How Ensberg is even on this roster remains an unsolved mystery. Maybe Robert Stack can host it for old-time’s sake.

4.Guess that minor stint with Wilkes Barre/Scranton didn’t do much for Ian Kennedy at the major league level.

5.Can anyone get out Lance Berkman? The 32 year-old slugging Astro first baseman has always been overshadowed by the other game’s stars. With a game-winning homer for his major league-leading 15th in a come from behind 8-7 win over the Giants, Berkman now has hit in 14 straight with seven dingers and 20 RBI’s. During that span, the Astros have won 11 of 14 hiking their record to 24-18 within a game and a half of the first place Cubs. Not bad for a club which looked to be headed nowhere following a poor start. So, the question is which NL star is having the best year? Berkman, Chipper Jones, Chase Utley or Hanley Ramirez? Tough choices.

6.Speaking of Ramirez, good for the Marlins getting the exciting 24 year-old shortstop signed to a reported six-year $70 million contract extension. One of the game’s brightest young stars, the five-tool talent combines great hitting with power and speed. After narrowly missing out by a homer of the 30/50 club a year ago, the undrafted free agent who Boston dealt as part of the Josh Beckett/Mike Lowell deal has continued to flourish hitting .327 with nine dingers, 13 stolen bases and 34 runs in all 40 games while leading the surprising Marlins to an NL East-leading 23-17 record. He’s now moved from leadoff to the No.3 hole supplying the ballclub with more power out of an RBI spot. It’s just nice to see Florida investing some money to keep a player with that much talent as opposed to selling them off like they’ve done in the past. About time!

7.Mike D’Antoni is a good coach but might not be the right move for Donnie Walsh and the Knicks who always seem to get these kind of vital decisions wrong no matter who’s running the Dumb and Dumber Clown Mgt 101 operation. This isn’t Phoenix and there’s no Steve Nash or Amare Stoudemire to save D’Antoni for the lingering questions about ‘D’efense. Unless the lottery tilts New York’s way, Derrick Rose ain’t coming either. What I want to know is how you get Eddy Curry and Zach Randolph to play in this up-tempo system.

8.Well, at least the Stars and Flyers weren’t swept out of the Conference Finals. Now, if just one of them can make their series worth watching by sneaking a road win in Game Five to get another home game and stir up more ’33′ talk. I’m still not counting on it.

9.Have you ever seen a team bitch and moan as much as the Sidney Crosby Penguins when they lose a game?

10.I liked the ESPN piece where Celtic legend Bill Russell interviewed Kevin Garnett but the whole special music in the background like it was Field of Dreams which the 11-time NBA champion quoted was a little bit much. Talk to me when KG leads his team past the Pistons into the NBA Finals.

11.I don’t usually enjoy ESPN themed shows but E:60 is a decent watch with interesting stories that you don’t usually see covered. Thankfully, it’s got nothing to do with Eklund.

12.Justine Henin was a phenomenal tennis player who got the most of her small 5-5, 126 pound frame winning seven grand slams including an impressive four at Roland Garros with a three-peat (2005-07). She also won an Australian Open and two U.S. Opens including sweeping through the Williams sisters en route to her second win in NYC last year. The 25 year-old Belgian wasn’t always the most well received due to some of her antics on and off the court. However, she was a great competitor who worked hard to be a champion. Possessing one of the best one-hand backhands in the game, Henin was tremendous to watch. She always ran the court well getting to balls you thought she had no business getting to and doing something extraordinary with it. Her all court game included an underrated forehand which improved over time and a solid net game. Though she never quite won Wimbledon, the seven-time slam winner reached two finals falling a little short of her goal of completing a career grand slam. No matter as she had a brilliant Hall of Fame career. It will be sad to see such a gifted player leave the sport but that’s the kind of mental and physical toll such dedication in tennis which has essentially no offseason takes. Best wishes to her and congrats on a memorable career!

13.If the Spurs find a way to win at New Orleans on Monday, it will because of their tremendous wealth of experience. However, Chris Paul just continues to do special things on a basketball court which defy logic. The scary aspect is he’s just beginning.

14.Enough of SpyGate. No matter what comes out, it’s too late. When do they finally realize that?

15.Less than a week until Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull. Yeah. I’ll definitely be there no matter how old Harrison Ford is playing a kid’s character.

16.There needs to be more rappers such as Mos Def and Immortal Technique who aren’t afraid to tell it like it is about the real issues which too often are ignored in our country. Enough said!

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by Derek Felix

Celts can’t keep LeBron down forever

May 13, 2008 in 2008 NBA Playoffs

Tried as they did, the Boston Celtics couldn’t succeed at keeping Cavalier superstar LeBron James down forever. Despite another poor shooting night, the league’s leading regular season scorer was able to break loose in crunch time to push his team past Doc Rivers’ top seeded Celts last night to take Game Four 88-77 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.

The series story had been James’ cool shooting. But when push came to shove, the riveting 23 year-old Akron, Ohio native sprung to life adding more “Witnesses” to his Nike campaign. With the two defensive minded Eastern foes locked in another low scoring battle, LeBron put together a good stretch to lift his team to a second straight victory holding serve on their home court to send the series back to Boston knotted at two apiece.

Unable to locate the range, James finally got untracked off a perfect pick n’ roll using Anderson Varejao’s screen to drain an uncontested triple in front of the Boston bench giving his team a 79-73 lead with over three minutes remaining. Following a tough Paul Pierce make inside, James setup Daniel Gibson for another trey from almost the identical spot. Mike Brown’s Cavs then played outstanding defense forcing the Celts into a miss. On the other end, James finally came off a double screen putting a facial dunk on NBA Defensive Player of The Year Kevin Garnett to make it 84-75.

It was just an awesome finish by one of the game’s very best. LeBron finished with 21 points and 13 assists- both game highs. Yes. Despite only shooting 7-of-20 from the floor, he was the only player who topped 20 speaking to just how physical the game was. It’s made for a very ugly brand of basketball. Neither is particularly good in the halfcourt offensively. Both play excellent D and make it very hard on the other to get good shots.

Does anyone else find it hysterical that these same Celtics had the league’s best record winning 66 games? They are now 0-for-5 on the road in the playoffs. They had to go seven before finally putting away the Hawks and look like they might be headed that same route.

It just seems like none of their Big Three which was swatted aside by TNT’s Magic Johnson want to take the big shot. Who out of Garnett (9 of 15 in 1st qtr), Pierce (three fourth qtr buckets, 13 pts) and Ray Allen (15, 4-of-10 FG, two 3′s) is going to step up and take control? Have to also agree with Magic that Rajon Rondo (7-of-14 FG, 15 pts) shouldn’t be taking more shots than either KG or Allen.

The Cavs have no such problem with the ball always in LeBron’s hands to either take the shot or setup open teammates. He made better decisions down the stretch winding up with four of his 13 assists in a 20-12 quarter which they controlled.

Cleveland got solid contributions from their bench which outscored Boston 36-17. Gibson had his best game of the series hitting a pair of trifectas while notching 14, six boards and four assists in 27-plus. Varejao also played excellent on both ends finishing with 12 points and six rebounds along with splendid D on Garnett. Ex-Bull Joe Smith added eight points and six boards.

Now, the series shifts back to Beantown where the pressure will be all on the Celtics to hold serve. If they don’t, it could be back-to-back comebacks from 0-2 down for LeBron’s Cavs. Last year, they victimized the Pistons to reach the NBA Finals.

How will the Celts respond? Tomorrow night should be fun.

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by Derek Felix

Celts edge mistake prone LeBron and Cavs in ugly affair

May 7, 2008 in 2008 NBA Playoffs

Defense wins championships. Fair enough. But what about being able to score the ball? That’s how ugly Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinal between the Cavs and Celtics was at TD Banknorth Garden last night which saw Kevin Garnett and the home team grit out a 76-72 win to take a 1-0 series lead.

Despite an awful third quarter in which they scored only 12 points (27 combined), the Celts still had enough to get the better of an ice cold LeBron James and the Cavs, outscoring them 23-20 in the determining final quarter. Savvy veteran Sam Cassell came off the bench for 10 of his 13 including a couple of big three’s and two free throws after flopping to the floor while frustrated Cav big man Zydrunas Ilgauskas protested and snuck in a late kick to the face.

The Cleveland center kept his team’s chances of stealing the home court alive by tipping home a James miss to tie the score at 72. On a night where James was stifled by Boston’s swarming defense into an abysmal 2-for-18 night which included an unLebron-like 10 turnovers, Ilgauskas picked up the slack scoring a team high 22 (8-of-18 FG, 6-of-6 FT) and pulling down 12 rebounds.

Even though the Cavs played their own brand of outstanding D completly shutting down Ray Allen (first ever career goose egg, 0-of-4 FG, 0-of-3 3′s, 4 TO) and neutralizing Paul Pierce (4 pts, 2-of-14 FG, 0-of-3 3′s, 6 TO), they were unable to contain Garnett, who scored the last of his game high 28 by overpowering mismatch Joe Smith for an easy lay-in with a shade under 24 seconds left to break a tie game. Here’s a question. What the heck was the undersized Smith doing in there trying to guard KG in the post? Shouldn’t Mike Brown have subbed Ben Wallace back in?

Following a full timeout, LeBron still had a chance to atone for a brutal shooting night. He had made his first field goal for 2-0 and then didn’t make another until a driving reverse lay-up with over five and a half remaining in the game. Now, he got the ball at the top of the key and drove past the Boston double for what looked like an easy tying lay-in. Instead, the ball didn’t go down caroming back out to James Posey with 8.5 seconds left. The key Boston sub sealed the game with two free throws completing an 8-point outing which as usual included a couple from downtown.

It all added up to an ugly Celtic Game One victory which the home crowd still loved. It sure didn’t remind you of two decades ago though when Bird, McHale, Parrish and DJ were all money at the old Boston Garden on that parquet floor. I can still recall that classic Cheers episode where McHale screwed with the bolts in the floor and tripped over it during a game. :lol:

Regardless of how they won with Allen and Pierce having games to forget, the Celtics won’t give this one back. You have to expect them to be better along with LeBron.

I just hope we see better offensive execution in the halfcourt because it was tough on the eyes. 

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by Derek Felix

Bryant wins first league MVP

May 6, 2008 in NBA

Kobe Bryant celebrates first NBA MVP in style with his two kids. 

It was the worst kept secret. The NBA league MVP is finally Kobe Bryant’s.

The 29 year-old Los Angeles Laker superstar had a terrific season finishing second in the league to Cleveland’s LeBron James in scoring averaging 28.3 points-per-game (PPG) along with 6.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists to lead his team to the West’s best record finishing 57-25. The Philadelphia native shot 45.9 percent from the field including 36.1 from three-point range- his highest percentage in five seasons.

“This is an award I couldn’t have won on my own. I can’t thank these guys (his teammates) enough. These are my guys, these are my brothers. Let’s get ready for tomorrow,” the very ecstatic Laker star told reporters at a press conference as his team prepared for Game Two of their seven-game Western Conference Semi series against Utah. Bryant lit up the Jazz for 38 points, six boards and seven assists in a 109-98 Game One win at Staples Center Sunday.

Keeping things in perspective, he made a valid observation of finally winning his first ever league MVP:

“It’s Hollywood, it’s a movie script. The perfect ending would be for us to hold a championship trophy at the end of it.”

Well stated. Bryant received 82 first place votes and 1,105 points beating out the Hornets’ Chris Paul, who finished second with 28 first place tallies and 889 points. Boston’s Kevin Garnett (15 and 670) and the league’s leading scorer James (1 and 438) rounded out the top four.

Blogger’s reaction: Bryant was very deserving and really sacrificed his offense to get other teammates involved which is the biggest reason the Lakers finished where they did and are a legit championship contender. Paul was a good choice for runner-up who had a fantastic third season averaging 21.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG and a league best 11.6 assists, leading the Hornets to 56 wins and back to the postseason.

I’m not crazy about KG finishing ahead of LeBron cause he had a much better cast with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. The Celtics did finish with a league best 66 wins which might explain it. For the most part, they got it right and that’s all that counts.

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by Derek Felix

Now that’s Hawktastic

May 3, 2008 in 2008 NBA Playoffs

In the old days, the NBA had a signature phrase, “Now that’s fantastic.” These days in Atlanta, it’s more like Hawktastic! 

Twenty years ago, the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics hooked up in a great seven-game second round series. Best remembered for the classic Game Seven duel between superstars Dominique Wilkins and Larry Bird, the scoring war went to The Human Highlight Film but not the series as Boston advanced thanks to 20 fourth quarter points from Larry Legend. Wilkins, who scored a game high 47 (13 better than Bird) had 16 in a losing effort. The Celtics won 118-116.

In the rich history of the Boston Celtics, they’ve never lost a series deciding Game Seven. That and plenty more will all be on the line when the East’s top seed hosts the underdog Hawks tomorrow afternoon at TD Northbank Garden. It doesn’t quite have that same feel as the fabled Boston Garden where the green and white won so many NBA titles. Just maybe that will be enough incentive for upstart Atlanta, a team who won 37 games during the regular season. That’s 29 fewer than Kevin Garnett and the Celts won in posting the league’s best record to gain home court.

The deciding game became necessary when the Hawks held up their end of the bargain by winning on their home floor at a loud Phillips Arena of better than 20,000. Like Game Four, Boston built a double digit lead taking a 32-20 cushion after one quarter. But the Celts couldn’t handle prosperity allowing a resilient group of Hawks to outscore them 29-18 cutting the deficit to one by the half.

Everytime the Celtics tried to take control, Atlanta made a timely basket to stay right with them. Trailing by three after 36 minutes, the Hawks used better aggressive defense and heady play on the offensive end to stifle their opponent outscoring them 24-18 to pull out a hard fought 104-101 Game Six win.

When his team needed a big bucket in crunch time, Game Four hero Joe Johnson delivered once again. With the Celts within two and the shot clock winding down, he faked out defender James Posey and then stepped into a trey from the right arc nailing it for a 100-95 lead with over a minute left. It was the only three Atlanta made all night.

If Johnson was the star in outscoring Boston 20-17 by himself a few nights ago, then he got plenty of help from a well balanced attack which included 16 points, five rebounds and four assists from NBA Rookie of The Year runner-up Al Horford. On a night when Boston doubled to limit Johnson’s touches, other Hawks came through including veteran guard Mike Bibby, who made just enough free throws to hold off Boston’s last charge without Paul Pierce, who fouled out and drew a technical.

Bibby stepped up supporting Johnson’s 15, five assists and four rebounds with a similar 17, seven assists and six boards. After converting one-of-two to keep the Celts’ hopes alive of forcing overtime, the former Sacramento King and teammates played splendid D not allowing Rajon Rondo to find an open Posey or Ray Allen for a potential tying three. Instead, the pass oriented point guard went to the last option forcing a 25-footer which drew nothing but air as the Hawks and their pumped up fans celebrated by chanting, “Se—ven, Se—ven, Se—ven!!!!!”

All five Atlanta starters hit for double figures including Marvin Williams’ 18 which paced them despite missing most of the final quarter due to a twisted knee while guarding Pierce. Showing playoff mettle, he came back into the game to play defense with 20 seconds remaining. The plan worked as an Allen force from way downtown missed wide forcing the Celts to foul. He just didn’t have the touch from the outside clanging seven of eight three-point attempts despite 20 points.

When Williams wasn’t in, replacement Josh Childress was ripping it up to the tune of 15 points, six rebounds, three assists and a steal. The former 2004 first rounder out of Stanford has really played big in this series, playing awesome D along with timely hoops and unselfish dishes. His hustle has also kept several loose balls alive including three big offensive rebounds last night.

The Hawks also got a valiant effort from little used reserve center Zaza Pachulia. The big man who jawed with Garnett during Game Four played 28 big minutes scoring nine points on three of four from the field with three free throws, six boards including four offensive and two steals.

That kind of yeoman effort is the reason they’re headed back to Boston for a Game Seven rematch 20 years in the making. Well, maybe it’s not quite Nique and Bird with current Celtic coach Doc Rivers on the Hawk side. But it sure is great theater.

The pressure will be squarely on Boston. They swept all three regular season meetings and have won by an average of 22 points in Games 1, 2 and 5 on their home court.

They didn’t bring in the Big Ticket (22 pts, 7 rebs, 6 assists) and Allen to flop in the first round against a hungry athletic opponent who wants to victimize a heavy favorite much the way Baron Davis and the eighth seeded Golden State Warriors stunned Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks in this same round. So, the pressure will be immense when they tip off Game Seven at 1 ET tomorrow in Boston.

If the Celts win, they’ll play LeBron James and the Cavs, who for the third consecutive year eliminated the Wizards on their home floor . James posted a triple double with 27 points, 13 assists and 13 rebounds in a 105-88 Game Six win at Verizon Center. Deadline pickup Wally Szczerbiak connected on six treys netting 26 points and Daniel Gibson came off the bench for 22 including another four from beyond the arc.

Antawn Jamison paced the Wizards with a double/double (23 and 15) in a losing effort. Game Five hero Caron Butler was limited to 18 on 6 of 14 shooting with four turnovers.

The Utah Jazz also advanced to an enticing Conference Semifinal match-up against rumored regular season league MVP Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. Despite a heroic 40 points, 10 boards and five assists from Tracy McGrady, the Jazz used a more balanced attack with seven different players netting double digits including 10 apiece from reserve guards Kyle Korver and Matt Harpring.

McGrady, who is now 0-7 in playoff series did all he could for the shorthanded Rockets who lost starting guard Rafer Alston to an injury early on which didn’t help their cause. In the past, I’ve been critical of him but the guy did all he could to get his team back in the game. They trailed by 19 in the first half before a McGrady led run which included back-to-back three’s cut the lead to four at the half. The only other Rocket in double digits was rookie power forward Luis Scola, who finished with 15 and nine boards.

The Jazz responded with a strong third quarter outscoring the Rockets 27-11. Point guard Deron Williams had 13 by himself including two straight trifectas which put Utah back in command up 18. The former Illinois standout finished with 25, nine assists and six rebounds. Mehmet Okur added a double/double (19 and 13) and Carlos Boozer chipped in with 15, 10 and 5. 

Utah cruised to a 113-91 Game Six win to setup Sunday’s Game One at Los Angeles. Figure that to be a great series.

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by Derek Felix

Celtics hold serve to go up 3-2

May 1, 2008 in 2008 NBA Playoffs

In the movie classic Wizard Of Oz, Dorothy’s character claims, “There’s no place like home.”

Thus far, that’s held true for the first five games between the East’s top seeded Celtics and eighth seeded Hawks in the First Round. Coming off consecutive losses in Atlanta, Boston rebounded with a 110-85 Game Five victory to go up 3-2 in the best-of-seven series.

The result wasn’t surprising since the Celts fed off the energy like they did in Games One and Two. Factor in that Atlanta was 0 for their last 11 in road playoff games. So, it was predictable especially with a young team.

Though Boston led throughout building a double digit lead, the pesky Hawks chipped away at it cutting the deficit to 11 with under a minute left in the third quarter. That’s when the two biggest plays were made from Paul Pierce and James Posey to rebuild an 81-64 lead by the quarter’s conclusion.

First, Pierce drove the lane and converted a very difficult acrobatic lay-up getting fouled for a three-point play. Following an Atlanta misfire, heady Boston point guard Rajon Rondo got the ball quickly up court and found a wide open Posey for a bread and butter trey with a second to spare. 

Just like that, instead of the Hawks possibly being down by nine, instead they trailed by 17. While not insurmountable, it was just too much to ask for a vastly inexperienced Atlanta club to comeback from.

Led by Pierce’s series best 22 (10-of-17 FG) along with seven rebounds and six assists, the Celtics cruised to the 25-point win at TD Banknorth Garden. Kevin Garnett scored 20, posted five boards and seven assists. Rondo also dropped seven times as Doc Rivers’ club spread the wealth with 12 more assists than their opponent (Celts-28, Hawks-16).

Boston also got a splendid shooting night from Ray Allen, who connected on five-of-eight three’s en route to 19 points. Even savvy vet Sam Cassell got into the act nailing two triples on his way to a valuable 13 off the bench in just 15 minutes.

The Celts held the three-point edge sinking 9-of-20 to the Hawks’ 4-of-13.

In a losing effort, Game Four hero Joe Johnson paced his team with 21 finishing 6-of-11 from the field including two from downtown plus a perfect seven-for-seven at the charity stripe. Rookie center Al Horford had his best effort of the series notching a double/double (14 and 10) to go with five assists. Josh Smith added 18 with five boards, three assists and three steals.

So, can the Hawks do what team legend and exec Dominique Wilkins flashed showing seven fingers to a TNT camera? They’ll need a better effort from veteran guard Mike Bibby. Six points and just one assist while turning it over three times in almost 40 minutes just won’t cut it. Conversely, he had 18 in their Game Four win at Phillips Arena. That’s what they’ll need.

It will take a lot of effort on both sides of the court to extend the battle tested Celtics the distance. By now, they want to get this series over with and not chance going a seventh game.

Sure. They’re not losing this series. However, going seven this round won’t help their quest to reach the NBA Finals.

In the other playoff series last night, the Cavs couldn’t close out the Wizards dropping an 88-87 decision on their home floor. They got outscored 6-0 in the final 1:47 blowing an 87-82 lead.

Delonte West’s three-point play had supplied Cleveland with the five-point lead but some bad possessions along with a Caron Butler score plus two Antonio Daniels free throws suddenly cut it to 87-86 with 43 ticks left.

A couple of more Cleveland misses from in tight allowed the Wizards to get the ball back. Following a timeout, they went to their best player Butler, who hit a tough driving lay-up with LeBron James draped all over him.

There were still 3.9 seconds left. Enough time for LeBron to once again end Washington’s season as he had a couple of years prior. However, this time he missed a runner off the backboard and rim allowing the Wizards to escape with new life.

They’ll now get a Game Six back in the nation’s capital tomorrow. Who thinks they’re losing that? You can pretty much book a Game Seven.

Butler’s heroics put the exclamation point on a brilliant night. The former Uconn star finished with 32 points on 11-of-22 shooting including four trifectas along with six-for-seven from the line. He also added nine rebounds, five assists and two swipes in nearly playing all 48.

For once, a Walt Frazier expression played true. The Butler did it! There’s a reason he’s one of my fave players. He’s really worked hard to become an NBA All-Star and a versatile player who can score, get teammates involved and D up. His big night along with DeShawn Stevenson’s 17 and Daniels’ 12 helped offset only eight from Antawn Jamison.

For the Cavs, James led the way with 34 netting 24 in the second half. Did we also mention the man child had 10 boards and seven assists? Just awe inspiring. How can you not love LeBron? Well, with the exception of driving a really fast car at insane speeds and all the other fame which comes with it…Never mind. ;-)

Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 19 and West netted 12 points, five rebounds and eight assists. Great pickup from Seattle for next to nothing! I called that one.

Realistically, I can’t see the Cavs dropping this series. The Wizards are without Gilbert Arenas. Even if they have played well without him, it’s hard to see them winning three in a row over LeBron. Especially with a seventh game back in Cleveland.

Figure the MVP candidate to rescue his team.

Mavericks Fire Johnson: In other NBA news, it came as little shock that Dallas fired coach Avery Johnson for another first round disappointment. Still, I feel he got a raw deal here as it was just too much to expect the former NBA Coach Of The Year to suddenly make it all work because crazy owner Mark Cuban got Jason Kidd at the deadline. Two months just isn’t enough time to mesh and they ran into a better opponent in the Hornets.

You have to figure Johnson will wind up coaching again. Maybe the Bulls or Knicks? It’s also rumored that Mike D’Antoni will step down as Suns coach. Look for him to resurface in Toronto and re-team with Bryan Colangelo. That also would mean Sam Mitchell would not return as Raptor coach even though he’s done an admirable job.

That’s the NBA for ya where it’s all about now and how far you go. Proven track records only work if your name is Larry Brown, who still manages to get jobs even though he’s just in Charlotte for another paycheck.

Ditto Pat Riley, who “retired from coaching.” Just ask current Magic coach Stan Van Gundy about that. Who really could take Riley at his word? In the old WFAN days, Steve Somers and Russ Salzberg got it right when Riles dissed New York only to resurface in Miami:

The Loser Within

See. Even American Idol’s Paula Abdul got one right.

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by Derek Felix

Johnson’s 20 in fourth quarter helps Hawks draw even with Celtics

April 29, 2008 in 2008 NBA Playoffs

Joe Johnson couldn’t be stopped. The top seeded Celtics had no answer for the explosive leading Hawks’ scorer who scored 20 of his game high 35 in a fourth quarter comeback to lead the big underdog to a second straight home win 97-92 in Game Four-leveling the best-of-seven first round series at two games apiece.

In a back and forth riveting playoff game at Phillips Arena which saw the eighth seeded Hawks comeback from a 16-3 hole to take an eight-point lead before a strong third quarter by Boston put them down 10, the home team rallied outscoring the Celts 32-17 in the last 12 minutes to win their second straight. Most expected them to go quietly and get swept after not being competitive in the first two games but Atlanta had other ideas taking Game Three 102-93 and using that strong fourth quarter to square the series and put all tons of pressure on Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen  along with the rest of former Hawk point guard Doc Rivers’ team.

It was Johnson and super athletic deluxe Josh Smith (28 pts, 12 of 13 FT, Hawks franchise playoff record seven blocks, six rebounds) who took all the Hawks’ shots combining to score all 32 points dominating the paint against a normally strong Boston defensive club. In particular, they weren’t able to shutdown Johnson, who toasted Allen on effective pick n’ roll isolation all quarter scoring on an array of floaters. Maybe the biggest shot in a game where his team trailed 75-65 after being outscored 27-14 in the third was a classic schoolyard crossover where defender Leon Powe was so badly faked out that he fell down allowing Johnson to step back and drain a trey from the left arc, putting Mike Woodson’s team up four with 4:41 left as a raucous crowd erupted invoking memories of Atlanta-Boston series past which featured NBA Hall of Famers Dominique Wilkins and Larry Bird.

At one point, Johnson scored nine straight including a couple of ridiculous finishes where he sliced and diced the Boston D. Along with some money free throw making from Smith, they wouldn’t allow Atlanta to lose insuring that there would be another home game in the series.

Two late James Posey three’s weren’t enough as Johnson and Smith finished off the Celts at the line. In fact, the dynamic duo finished with 18 of Atlanta’s 29 free throw makes. Overall, the Hawks shot lights out going 29 for 33 as compared to the Celtics’ 10 of 18. That was the biggest difference.

They also got invaluable contributions from rookie Al Horford on the defensive glass as he finished with a game high 13 boards. Josh Childress came off the bench to grab nine rebounds including a big offensive board late to get a new shotclock. He also had a highlight reel tomahawk jam netting four points and two assists in nearly 32 minutes.

The game also featured some nastiness with Garnett and Atlanta backup center Zaza Pachulia going nose to nose before cooler heads prevailed. Pachulia took exception to a KG elbow going right after the Boston superstar nearly butting him. Both got T’s as did Sam Cassell and Johnson in which each respective coach came out making certain nobody from the bench got involved.

Good thing too because league commish David Stern was in the house looking on. There could be fines but it doesn’t look like there will be any suspensions which would be the best case scenario with a best two-of-three deciding this series.

“We all know he’s a great player,” Pachulia later indicated of Garnett who finished with 20 points, nine rebounds and six steals in a losing cause. “He’s done a lot of good things for the league. He’s a future Hall of Famer. But it doesn’t matter when we’re on the court.”

“I don’t take anything from anybody,” Pachulia added. “The message was, ‘We’re right here. Even if we lose, it’s not going to be easy.”’

Message delivered.

Two Advance: In the other two first round games played Monday night, both Orlando and the Lakers advanced to the Conference Semis.

The Magic got another 20/20 performance from man child Dwight Howard (21 pts, 21 rebs) as they eliminated the Raptors posting a 102-92 Game Five home win.

Howard paced a balanced attack which saw all five starters hit for double digits including a double/double from Rashard Lewis (18 and 13), 19 from Jameer Nelson and Hedo Turkoglu’s 12 along with a game high nine assists.

Turkoglu was presented with the NBA’s Most Improved Player before the game beating out Memphis’ Rudy Gay and Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge. Reserve guard Keith Bogans also came off the bench nailing three triples for 11 points, six boards and two assists in 35 minutes.

Toronto was paced by star power forward Chris Bosh’ 16 and nine rebounds. Supersubs Jason Kapono, Carlos Delfino and Jose Calderon each netted double figures combining for five treys and 39 points. Raptor point guard T.J. Ford added 14 but only five assists while turning it over four times.

Orlando now will await the 76ers-Pistons winner. That series is tied 2-2.

Meanwhile out West, the top seeded Lakers advanced with a hard fought 107-101 Game Four road win over the Nuggets, sweeping their talented opponent out of the playoffs. It’s the fifth consecutive year Denver’s bowed out in the first round. According to TNT, the Nuggets became the first 50-win team in playoff history to be swept in Round One.

Kobe Bryant came alive in the final quarter scoring 14 of his 31 in the last five and a half following a 17+ minute drought. Making an assortment of Kobe-esque shots as only the Laker superstar can do, he carried his team down the stretch in shooting down a more pesky Denver team finishing them off to advance to Round Two where they’ll play either Utah or Houston. The Jazz lead that series 3-1.

Bryant is a lot like Michael Jordan in that when his team needs it most, he’ll step up and make the very difficult big shots which provide sparks. This was a fun game to watch with the Nuggets refusing to go away thanks to some ridiculous hot shooting from sixth man J.R. Smith. The 22 year-old out of Freehold, New Jersey hit a couple of deep three’s including a 28-footer. That along with a three-point play put Denver back ahead by one 96-95 with over three minutes to play.

But a tough Kobe trademark 15-foot floater along with some great passing to setup an uncontested Luke Walton trey from the right corner put Los Angeles on top 100-96 with 2:37 left.

The Nuggets never seriously threatened again. It was the first time in franchise history they were swept out of the postseason.

“My wish would be that we had four games like tonight and we all could have been happier,” Nuggets coach George Karl lamented of his team which doesn’t always play disciplined on both ends.

“I’ve said all along, when they play the right way, they’re fun guys to coach.”

The dilemma for Denver moving forward is how do they change that chaotic style into a winner. They can score with Carmelo Anthony (21 pts, 11 rebs) and Allen Iverson (22 pts, 10-of-22 FG, only 2 assists) plus Smith, who becomes a free agent this summer. However, where’s the D? Marcus Camby plays hard as does Kenyon Martin, who has never quite fit in since bolting the Nets.

Unless Denver alters their style meaning not as much reliance on the offensive end at one-on-one emphasizing better team oriented play in the halfcourt set, they’ll continue to win games but not when it counts most.

It’s high time for an adjustment.

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Avatar of Derek Felix

by Derek Felix

Paul dismantles Mavericks again

April 23, 2008 in 2008 NBA Playoffs

Hornets' star point guard Chris Paul shoots over Dallas' Erick Dampier. Paul finished with 32 points and a franchise record 17 assists in his team's 127-103 rout of the Mavs in Game Two.

Chris Paul is a great player. That much we know. The third-year Hornets’ point guard deserves serious MVP consideration. The former Wake Forest star has done nothing thus far in his first NBA playoff series to hurt his candidacy.

A couple of days removed from an auspicious playoff debut which included 35 points with many coming in the second half of his team’s 104-92 Game One win, the 22 year-old followed it up with 32 points along with a Hornets’ franchise playoff record 17 assists in a 127-103 Game Two rout of the Mavericks. The old record was held by Muggsy Bogues, who dished out 15 back in 1993.

“I’m sure there is, but to me, I hope not,” Paul answered to reporters who asked if there was a way for Dallas to contain him.

“One thing I’ve learned through this season and watching these games is that you have to be aggressive,” he pointed out after finishing an efficient 10-of-16 from the floor while shooting 12-for-14 at the line.

“If I just sit back and let them trap me, then they succeed in what they had to do. I know I have to pick my spots when I get the ball and let other guys go, but at the same time I have to be aggressive and attack and that’s what we did.”

Whatever strategy the Mavs are trying isn’t working. They led Paul and New Orleans for a good portion of Game One but the point guard took over the second half getting 15 in the third quarter to help outscore Dallas by 24 in the final 24 minutes.

Complicating matters in Game Two was that Paul had plenty of help with five other teammates hitting for double digits including David West with 27 and veteran sharp shooter Peja Stojakovic adding 22 including five from downtown. 

Paul completely outplayed former Net Jason Kidd, who had only seven points and eight assists finishing a dismal minus-17 in 30-plus minutes.

Dirk Nowitzki paced the Mavs with 27 points, five rebounds and five assists. The 2006-07 regular season NBA MVP will need a lot more from Kidd and sidekick Josh Howard, who finished with just 10 on three of 10 shooting.

The series does shift to Dallas Friday night. So maybe they’ll be reenergized.

In other series action, the Spurs made it two-for-two against Shaq and the Suns coming back to defeat them 102-96. Tony Parker lit up Phoenix for 32 and seven assists. If they couldn’t contain the speedy point guard off the dribble, then it’s also true they couldn’t deal with NBA Sixth Man of The Year Manu Ginobili, who sliced and diced them for 29 including three triples. 

Game One hero Tim Duncan added a double/double (18 and 17) with four assists and three blocked shots. The Spurs outscored the Suns 27-11 in the third quarter to turn a seven-point halftime deficit into a nine-point lead.

They’re build as much as a 15-point cushion before veteran PG Steve Nash rallied Phoenix within five 96-91. But a Duncan free throw and a Parker step back 18-footer over Shaq sealed the game.

Though O’Neal was more effective netting 19 points, 14 boards and four blocks, it wasn’t enough. Nash scored 23 and dropped 10 dimes. Amare Stoudemire led the Suns with 33 but went ice cold in the second half making only two field goals in 11 attempts. His disappearance along with Grant Hill replacement Boris Diaw’s (9 pts, minus-17) soft play near the rim hurt Phoenix’ chances of gaining a split.

Valuable sixth man Leandro Barbosa also finished with a goose egg going 0-for-7 with three misses beyond the arc.

You just can’t win like that against the Spurs at this time of year. They’re the defending champs for a reason. A lot of people questioned how they finished the season but that final regular game blowout of Utah should’ve been a warning that Gregg Popovich’s team would be ready. They’re too polished and have way too much pride.

Maybe Charles Barkley said it best during TNT’s postgame analysis when he asked a female camerawoman how to say, “We can’t defend Parker, Duncan and Ginobili,” in French.

Phoenix was never a good defensive team. Even with Shaq, the Spurs have exposed the mismatches. They don’t get much credit for their offense but really know how to attack holes.

In the one Eastern match-up, the Magic went ahead 2-0 on Toronto edging the Raptors 104-103. They got a 29 point, 20 rebound effort from star center Dwight Howard. The second consecutive such game making the 22 year-old Atlanta native the first such player to accomplish that since Kevin Garnett did it with the Timberwolves four years ago.

When the Magic needed a money bucket late with the game slipping away, Hedo Turkoglu hit a tough lay-up and a couple of free throws to give them a 104-101 lead. The normally dependable outside threat had an off night missing on all four treys and shooting only 4-for-15 from the field. However, none of that mattered when his team fell behind by one on a Carlos Delfino free throw.

A three each by Delfino and Jose Calderon had rallied the Raptors back after falling behind by 18 in the first quarter. They shot themselves back into it making 11 three’s including four from the dangerous Jason Kapono with three also coming from Calderon.

In fact, the trio of reserve guards combined for eight of the team’s 11 three’s and 54 of their 103 points. Only All-Star power forward Chris Bosh hit double figures with 29, 10 boards and six assists. He had a chance to be the hero on the last possession but misfired allowing Orlando to escape.

Expect to see some changes in the Raptors’ lineup when the series continues Thursday night.

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