Sports Talk with MC

by MC

No, I’m not about to talk about the television program “Wolf Lake” starring Fil-AM actor Lou Diamond Philips.

 What I am out to discuss, however, is the future of one of the NBA’s best in Kevin Garnett, seen left, with as intense a game face as any. Is the Big Ticket bound for another squad after over a decade wrecking havoc in the Target Center? The prospect of KG leaving Minny has GM’s, coaches, and players everywhere buzzing, even more so than Kobe Bryant leaving LA, I think, from a technical basketball standpoint, that is (sans the showbiz issues).

Yes, Garnett is over 30, but still has much to offer to whomever he is cotnractually bound to. Over the years, he’s been surrounded with supporting casts that either didn’t have the heart (Tom Gugliotta, Ricky Davis, Stephon Marbury, Latrell Sprewell), or the talent (Gary Trent, Troy Hudson, Fred Hoiberg, Rasho Nesterovic), to win in the big time. KG is now at a point in his career wherein he has the prvilege of more or less choosing where he wants to go, that is, if management decides it’s high time to deal the “face” of the Timberwolves franchise. Personally, I think he ought to exercise that power and demand a trade. Whether or not it happens immediately becomes a moot point. Putting the cards on the table would, at least, keep McHale and co. on their toes in Minnesota’s front office.

Where would KG realistically fit in best? Phoenix has made a bid for his services, and the interesting part about a Suns-KG scenario would be the fact that for it to happen, Amare Stoudamire (or Shawn Marion), will probably have to move. Garnett is still an all-star, but wouldn’t it be safer to think long term and stick with the younger Stoudamire, with the fact that Steve Nash is already 33 years of age, in hindsight?

Then there’s the Celtics, who would give up just about anything (seemingly) at this point to get back on the map. Recently, though, it’s been reported that Garnett himself has declined a trade to Boston. I guess the luck of the Irish isn’t that potent after all. Danny Ainge and his boys will have to look for answers elsewhere (Corey Brewer in the draft? Go for it if you can’t trade for a decent veteran!).

Chicago seems to be another prime destination, but get this- any deal involving number 21 will most likely involve Ben Gordon, or Luol Deng. Bulls GM John Paxson could sweeten the pot/lessen the impact of the loss of Deng or Gordon by throwing in Andres Nocioni, but either way, I think that breaking up the nucleus they have down there in the Windy City would be a little bit foolhardy. Then again, the Bulls do need a big man, and a frontline of Wallace, along with Garnett, paired with a Gordon, or Deng, plus Hinrich, and maybe Duhon (or would be rapper Troy Hudson in case he’s packaged along with KG), seems quite a titilating concept, especially in the marshlands that are the Eastern Conference.

Whatever happens to Garnett, he’d better become assertive about it, and fast. Not only is he not getting any younger, the fans down in Minnesota aren’t getting any more patient either, especially after 3 years of postseason drought, along with, well, the knowledge that they have had to constantly deal with patchjob coaching changes, along with the knowledge that at one time, they had Latrell Sprewell on the roster, that is, until he lost his mind.

Shawn Kemp is said to be in shape and available. Now that’s just a side note. I wasn’t expecting it to help any.

Keep an eye on this issue. This man once touted as a “franchise savior” may very well still manage to live up to the hype, but without having assimilate a change in scenery, and maybe (God forbid), even more blows to his already bruised, competitive, ego.

~0~

by MC

In my many years of watching and studying basketball, I have never seen any NBA player whine, and pick at his superiors and peers in an underhanded fashion, as much as Kobe Bryant has as of late.

While he may be the most outstanding one-on-one player in the game today (or ever), his actions as of late may have just tainted whatever legacy was in store for him- for good.

What’s all this news about him dissing Andrew Bynum and GM Mitch Kupchak behind their backs? What’s all this talk about Kobe throwing insults all over the place on an amateur video? What’s all this chatter about him wanting to go to the Windy City, Dallas, or the Big Apple?

As great as Kobe Bryant is, and as much as his numbers, which don’t lie, command respect, he doesn’t command ENOUGH respect, in my view, to bash those who have helped him get to the level of greatness he is at, and in a manner that suggests backstabbing, no less. If he wants to be traded, I say he should just come out with it and quit dragging down the whole ship in the process. It’s enough stress to know that you’re losing your star player, so, it would be better not to add to the strain by going on a tirade that, really, isn’t merited.

Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant had a much publicized feud years ago. Why do people seem to be inclined to side with O’Neal as opposed to Bryant? Well, it doesn’t help that Bryant has been accused of being a ballhog, and someone who allegedly “raped” a girl in Colorado a few summers ago, and someone who has notoriously had the tendency to feud with his teammates over matters relating to “his thunder being stolen”. The Diesel, on the other hand, has remained “soft spoken” (by “Hollywood” standards), and his just remained committed to winning, and, if need be, deferring to teammates if and when he’s not “on” (this has never become more evident than in O’Neal’s recent tenure with the Miami Heat, wherein he’s deferred to Dwyane Wade almost exclusively). Yes, Shaq did, once upon a time, volley comments about then newbie Yao Ming which were less than kind, but hey, compared to what his former sidekick is doing now, the Big D’s words then can almost be considered as part of good humor.

Did Shaq carry the Lakers, and Kobe, through all 3 titles won by the Lakers early in the decade? Absolutely. If he hadn’t, then the team would have imploded much earlier than it did.

Supposedly, number 24 wants to go to an Eastern Conference team more than one in the West. I can’t blame him, really, as it seems like the West is more saturated with talent. The less talent, the greater the chance of him being in the limelight, and the greater the chance of Bryant making it far with a patch job sort of team (i.e. Cleveland, circa 2006-2007). Although wanting to be East can’t be helped in terms of making an honest bid for gold, such a fact, in light of Kobe’s public persona at this point, doesn’t help in making him look less conceited.

If I’m an Eastern conference GM (look out, Isiah), would I want a man that once scored 81 pts in a single game on my team? The answer would be yes, but (and I mean BUT), one must also consider all the baggage Bryant brings. KB24 will demand the ball, even to the point wherein certain games will seem to feature 1 on 5 repeatedly. KB24 will demand excellence, both to reasonable (and unreasonable) lengths. KB24 will whine if he isn’t winning, and will do so without class, as evidenced by this recent chain of events. If you can absorbed his 30 a night, plus all the headaches, then you might as well whip out your wallet, your draft contracts, and yes, your lawyer, now.

Somewhere out there, Shaquille O’Neal (and consequently, maybe even Raja Bell), is laughing. They now comprise a club called the “I TOLD YA SO CREW”. There’s no way they, or even us, could have seen this implosion coming, right? Well, maybe not. Maybe, even a wee bit, we saw the possibility of craziness from afar.

We just refused to acknowledged the real chances of it happening on the pretense of Bryant being part of the NBA’s cream of the crop. Heck, he could even be the best.

Like the song goes, sometimes you can give your best, but your best still will prove not to be good enough.

In this case, though, it’s more a measuring of character, rather than profits off endorsements or balling brilliance.

This is one competition related to basketball wherein this disgruntled star clad in gold and purple has failed, and miserably so, I might add.

Only time will tell what will come next in this war of words, and egos.

~0~

by MC

To everybody who is obsessed with Kevin Durant and Greg Oden’s upsides, meet Yi Jianlian.

Yes, there is mystery surrounding his real age and how his skills will carry over to the NBA, but based on what certain insiders have seen, and read, this guy could actually turn to be a more athletic version of Yao. Promising? You bet it is.

Like most Asian cagers aspiring to go into the NBA, Yi has been said to have a mad outside game. His bargaining chip comes in the form of his athleticism. A young Toni Kukoc, perhaps? Maybe, but if he wants to become an basketball fixture like Kukoc was (in some shape or form), then he’ll have to bulk the upstairs up (weights room, anyone?).  He’s actually being compared to a young Garnett, which, in a million different ways, is flattering.

The enigmatic part of this equation lies in the fact that Yi could just be another Shawn Bradley or downgraded TMac type.

Rumors have populated the basketball world as of late that the Hawks, Bucks or the Bulls could pick Yi. The Bulls need a big man, the Bucks need offense inside and within 15 feet and the Hawks need God. Yi could very well fit the bill, in time, on all counts (the God part is sketchy, but hey, he could either be part of a trade package to get God in uniform, or, help represent God through a united front…either way, it’s a decent situation).

Against Team USA back in 2005, Yi averaged 13.5 ppg and 8 caroms a contest in two games. There was a game when he went 16-16. Not bad.

As much as the league Yi’s Chinese Basketball Association team, the Guangdong Tigers, don’t exactly play the Spurs or the Mavericks day in and day out, the man touted by Time Magazine as the next coming of Yao Ming, cannot be counted out in terms of having the opportunity to not only put China on the ballin’ map even more, but also to further the “hybrid player” culture prevalent in the NBA today.

Personally, I think the lanky forward/center’s style of play would fit a run and gun team like Toronto or Phoenix’s the best, but wherever he does land, I’ll be watching, and so will millions of other sports fans, with bated breath.

________________________________________________________________________________________

*Side notes:

The man knows how to style and profile, too, as seen by his appearance at the premiere of “Pirates of the Carribean 3″ in Anaheim, California on the 19th of May (see this link–http://www.exposay.com/yi-jianlian-pirates-of-the-caribbean-at-worlds-end-world-premiere/p/10868/1/?f=Yi+Jianlian). What’s more, the guy’s got a girlfriend, Ms. Li Yahong, who is a showbiz personality in her own right- a presenter on the game show, “Super 6 + 1″ (see this link–http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/2006-10/13/content_707851.htm).

If this fellow’s got the hubris of a fresh Andrew Bogut coming into the draft, though, please unsubscribe me from his fanclub mailing list. There’s no room for that in today’s NBA wherein on court talent STILL speaks the loudest. Sorry, Andrew, and, Sebastian Telfair and Stephen Jackson, for that matter.

Yi Jianlian is 6 foot 11 and a half, and he tips the scales at 230 pounds. Former NBA MVP Kevin Garnett, with whom Yi has been compared with, is 6 foot 11, and weighs 253 pounds.

By the way, Yi is a lefty. =)

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by MC

We were all witnesses, alright.

We were witnesses to the (temporary) demise of a king.

A couple of nights ago, the Cleveland Cavaliers, who made the NBA Finals for the first time in 37 years, were unceremoniously swept by the San Antonio Spurs to the tune of 83-82. Tony Parker was named Finals MVP, but really, the eyes of the world were on two men- Tim Duncan, considered to be the best power forward in the game today, and Lebron James, the 22 year old dynamo who had, seemingly single-handedly, reversed the fortunes of an entire franchise.

For Duncan, it was his fourth ring in a decade. For Lebron, it was his first trip to the promised land.  For Michael Finley of the San Antonio Spurs, it was the end of a long and arduous, drought.

For Tony Parker, it was, apart from being the latest in his collection of accolades, tantamount to his first Finals MVP award, and the first of two rings with his name on it for 2007- the second of which would come in less than a months time, and within the context of duality. Eva Longoria, of course, is the other half of the two-pronged attack.

In a postgame interview, Tim Duncan said that he loved the way King James conducted himself and handled leading his teammates. I can’t agree with the 3-time Finals MVP more. Although James is only 22, he possesses poise of character not even men twice his age would automatically possess by virtue of chronology. In the King’s postgame interview, he said that he had to get ten times better in the offseason for the Cavaliers to compete, and that he said that he had faith in the fact that his time, as currently constituted, could win an NBA title. The latter fact, whether true or not, doesn’t really matter. Superstars, on occasion, need to tell “white lies” to motivate, and not exculpate themselves, of responsibility when things go awry. Rather, genuine stars tend to carry the weight of the world on their shoulders, and make themselves available for comment when those in the midst, still in awe of the events preceding the impending bit of discourse, throw forth inquiries as to the hows and whys of winning and losing. Lebron’s poise, in this case, totally overshadow’s the fact that on the court, he tended to look every bit of 22 against more grizzled cagers like Bowen and Ginobili. You can build up on court mettle through practice, or through experience. Substance inside, though, is something you nurture through reflection, or something that comes in 1 out of every 100 people as a result of upbringing.

Y es, the 2007 NBA Finals had very low TV ratings. The Cleveland Cavaliers were probably in over their heads from tip off during Game 1. Perhaps everyone knew that this wasn’t really James’ time just yet. One thing we sportsfans can take consolation (or pride) in, though, would be the fact that we witnessed, through all the humdrum of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th rounds, would be the fact that we were all fortunate enough to have seen the birth of a dynasty. It’s not every decade or so that we get to see basketball played as efficiently as what the Spurs showed throughout the 2007 postseason, and through the last few years as a whole. They aren’t always the flashiest team to watch, but heck, you can’t argue with results. How far did Golden State go? How far did the Suns go? What happened to the career of master showman Harold Miner? You get the picture.

Lebron will be back, and so will Duncan, at some point. The Nashes, Nowitzkis, Boozers, and Yaos of this world will contend, but until then, the game will be about number 23 in gold and wine red’s journey, filled with growing pains and tremendous success at such an early age, and, furthermore, the coming of age of a Virgin Islands native who didn’t play organized basketball until later in his youth (he began his athletic career as a competitive swimmer) , who now, happens to be the cornerstone of an NBA franchise, an MVP in the truest sense of the word, and, a bona fide champion on and off the hardwood.

Another NBA campaign in the books. Thank you, ballers, for, overall, yet another thrilling ride.

~0~

by MC

You tell me if this is indicative of “crossing the line”.

The above picture is what millions of Monday Night Raw viewers were left with recently, as WWE Chairman Vincent Kennedy McMahon was reported to supposedly have “died” in a fatal car bombing incident.

All arrows point to the fact that this is just another one of the WWE’s big time gags. Just something kayfabe to garner attention, it probably is.

Whether it is real, or shockingly true, we, media consumers, are led to ask one question quite vehemently:

“Has this recent skit become ‘too real’ for its own good?”

World Wrestling Entertainment has tons of fans who are minors. I don’t think they (nor their parents) would be well served to know that such violence is occurring in such close proximity to them. I know that pro-wrestling these days can be so much about being busted open, slammed through tables, and getting hit with chairs (i.e. ECW), but hey, “depicting” the death of a man via the “staging” of an explosion as shaking as the one we witnessed on RAW, would leave even the most hardcore wrestling fan reeling, even a little bit.

It’s never a whimsical thing to toy around with the concept of someone’s death. Never. Whether you are in the entertainment business or otherwise. Has callousness crept up our backs so much that we don’t give a hoot about what we see in media anymore? As much as Vinnie Mac’s managed to stage perhaps the most shocking stunt in the history of pro-wrestling (what’s more shocking, this, or Terry Funk bleeding himself to death during a barbed wire match? You be the judge), whether or not role play becomes successful, or is deemed worthy of commendation, depends BOTH on how a stunt is executed, and what a stunt is based on. In this case, the issue the “gag” is rooted in is way too controversial. Ergo, the value behind the manner through which the event was staged is compromised.

I do hope that WWE spin doctors stop this foolishness soon. I don’t want to seem hypocritical, but, perhaps the oft happy go lucky world of entertainment should put a premium on social responsibility for a change. Such a move might actually bring some respect, along with filled seats, onto the WWE, and sports-entertainment’s, resume.

The threshold between fantasy and reality has been blurred way too much already. Let’s not make the malaise called disillusionment in the face of priorities and good taste worse by shooting ourselves on the foot, and, consequently, scampering to remove the lodged bullet, with, of all things, our teeth.

(Your guess is as good as mine with regards to where the WWE will steer the McMahon death storyline next…poor wrestlers…instead of focusing on their efforts in the ring, the world has its attention on an accident that, well, is “purposely counterfeit”.)

 -0- 

by MC

The WWE’s first tri-branded draft occurred earlier today.

And there were a few surprises- from a very REAL marketing standpoint.

1) Torrie Wilson to Smackdown: What was the logic behind this one? SD has enough Divas already, and Torrie would only act as yet another pretty face amongst the roses. Maybe SD could have been served better getting someone like Randy Orton, or perhaps, even a CM Punk? What Friday nights need at this juncture, in my opinion, is starpower, major starpower, to help supplement Batista’s lack of charisma, and Edge’s already budding popularity. The Undertaker’s injured, and of course, that doesn’t help. Kane is old, and guys like MVP, Finlay, and London/Kendrick are by no means A-listers as of yet. Maybe Vince McMahon really has gone insane.

2) The Great Khali to Smackdown: Ah, another big man has been let loose to eventually fade away. He’ll probably be involved in a triple-threat match or two with Batista and Edge, but I don’t see any way he will beat either of the two aforementioned stars for the World Heavyweight Title (a championship he epitomizes from head to foot). Will this guy eventually become another Tyson Tomko, or Jamal? Maybe he doesn’t stink that much, but there’s no doubt that his character, which really, is brimming with potential, has been misused up until this point. Blame John Cena for this and other nosedives taken by the careers of many a newbie? Absolutely.

3) Mr. Kennedy to Raw: Can anyone say, “Breath of fresh air”?

The former Mr. Money in the Bank can now lick his chops with more of an auspicious outlook towards the future. His moving to Raw signals several things- a larger stage upon which he may showcase his in-ring (assuming he doesn’t suffer any more major injuries) and on mic (need I say more?) skills, stiffer competition for the Green Bay native (let’s admit, WWE’s starpower is saturated in the Raw brand), and a particular, gaping hole which is just waiting to be taken advantage of (Shawn Michaels’ indefinite LOA status could mean that Ken Kennedy has even more airtime he can sink his teeth into; that is a good thing, considering the fact that Kennedy, in truth, is a top brass performer).

Personally, I hope that KK challenges John Cena for his title, and invariably, manages to take down “The Marine” (or, as he is known in some circles, “god”). Not only would he make for an athletically competitive heel champion, he’d also make for one heck of a marketable “bad guy that the fans admire” (sort of like Triple H).

Yes, it pays to have the word “Kennedy” in your name when you’re a WWE employee, but there’s no doubt that Mr. K. has paid his dues, and it’s about darn time his sacrifices began paying very real dividends.

4) Gene Snitsky to Raw: Again, this a draft pick that could have been better utilized. Perhaps they could have pried Matt Hardy away from Smackdown instead? Or maybe CM Punk from ECW? Judging from how the Raw roster is packed with stars, maybe they needed to grab a jobber for humor’s sake. Hey, Santino Marella’s gotta beat somebody apart from who he’s already hit with his “rollup of death”, right? Gene the Machine fits the bill for that role perfectly.

5) Ric Flair to Smackdown: Now, this is another case of life being breathed into a stale piece of bread. The Nature Boy’s career had become nothing more than a blip since losing the Intercontinental Title some time back (although some might argue that the fall happened much sooner than that), and my view is that WWE writers, for a long time now, have struggled to find an apt storyline to fit the 16 time champ’s wrestling lineage considering the number of quality up-and-comers in the business from this generation. Perhaps Flair’s move to Smackdown could signal the beginning of a quality mid-level rivalry with someone like M.V.P., or maybe, could even signify an appearance amidst those contending for the World Heavyweight Title (because of his ties with Dave Batista, and because of a short rivalry he had with Edge previously). All things considered, this move is good for Ric, and only time will tell whether he’ll be able to ressurrect his career. There’s no doubting the fact that he’s a top level talent. The real factor to look at here would be whether he fits into the brand’s general direction. The acquisition of the legendary North Carolinean grappler immediately signals the addition of a heck of a lot of class to what many consider to be the WWE’s “A minus broadcast”.

In my view, he does fit, but of course, stranger things have happened in the WWE.

6) Bobby Lashley to RAW: This was something that seemingly had been coming for some time now.

Let’s face it- Bobby Lashley is a blue chipper, and not to mention, an apart fan and WWE talent officials’ favorite. His on-screen charisma is steadily improving, and, when you couple that with his amazing physical gifts, he becomes a shoo-in for the WWE’s flagship telecast- Monday Night Raw.

Lashley’s situation is similar, in a way, to that of Mr. Kennedy. Instead of getting past June as someone stuck in a rut, the intense ex-army man is on his way to an even larger place in the spotlight. Could the WWE be stocking up on talent on RAW to counteract criticism that WWE Champion John Cena is being marketed as someone who is all too invincible? Only time will tell. After all, once upon a time, RAW has had the likes of Chris Jericho, Triple H, Randy Orton, Shawn Michaels, The Great Khali, and Umaga on the active roster at one time or the other, with Cena managing to top each superstar with god-like efficiency.

Maybe with the addition of Bobby Lashley, along with Mr. Kennedy and the next chap clad in red and gold I’m about to talk about, Cena won’t seem so “divine” anymore, that is, unless WWE Films plans to release a sequel to “The Marine”.

7) King Booker to Raw: The life of John Cena is about to get interesting.

Make no mistake about it- Booker T is the consumate sports-entertainer. Yes, you might say that you don’t like him because his schtick annoys the hell out of you, but hey, that’s the point. The fact that you absolutely loathe him is evidence of the fact that his gimmick has succeeded in digging deep into the WWE audience’s consciousness.

It’s about time King BOOOKAH returned to Raw, and it’s about time someone established challenged Cena for his championship again. Ladies and gents, this fellow might be our man. He might just place the WWE Title in respectability’s limelight again by virtue of his long, elaborately executed, entrances.

Long live the King. Maybe.

We’ll see.

8 ) Chris Benoit to ECW: This selection, I love with all my heart for a couple of reasons.

-Benoit will finally get his hands on a world title again.

-The ECW championship will FINALLY be in the possession of an ECW ORIGINAL again (go away, Lashley, Vince, and Show).

-Benoit was getting no love on RAW or Smackdown. Why not return to your roots when the rest of the world doesn’t seem to be appreciative of your skills?

-It would be fascinating to see The Rabid Wolverine wrestle fresh talent in the form of guys like Elijah Burke, CM Punk, and Kevin Thorn (assuming they stay in ECW, of course).

This is seemingly the beginning of great things for Benoit, at least within the confines of Tuesday nights.

Go on, Chris. Prove your mettle. Prove that technical wrestling isn’t dead (John Cena…booo). Make the haters and the pretenders, TAP OUT.

9) Boogeyman to ECW: I’ll make this short, and sweet. Wild animals need to be caged to be controlled.

Get the point? The Boogeyman can take his black body paint and his worms anywhere, and he’d make quite an impact, but in truth, no brand seems to fit him more than ECW.

Blood? Barbed wire? Chairs? Matches with the most freakish stipulations?

It’s tantamount to rolling out the red carpet for Boogey. Don’t worry- be crazy.

He’s coming to ‘getcha. No matter how silly it may seem.

Uh huh. Wake me up when it’s over.

10) Chris Masters to Smackdown: After a losing streak courtesy of the Intercontinental Champion Santino Marella, Chris Masters has been shipped of to Smackdown to, presumably, achieve greater things via the maximizing his abilities.

But really, is talent the issue here, or is the existence of a shoddy storyline?

In my view, the latter seems to be more true.

Not too long ago, Masters was in contention for the World Tag Team Titles, and the Intercontinental and WWE Titles. As time went by, he became nothing more than a glorified jobber, and a sideshow freak (Masterlock Challenge? Please. What a farce). Perhaps this move to Friday nights will help WWE writers give Masters a fresh chance at glory. At least make him be in the mix for the World Heavyweight Championship, or maybe, the United States Title. I feel that even temporarily, this twenty something kid with muscles the size of planets could carry gold with a semblance of dignity. He could be a strong crowd drawer too, if writers can emphasize the supposedly “unstoppable” nature of his signature maneuver again (it would come to the fore even more if he had gold around his massive waist, or at least, was in the hunt for some).

Masterful move? Quite frankly, yes. Done deal? Not by any means. The Great Khali doesn’t need any more victims. Matt Hardy needs other people to “upset”. Batista ought to look elsewhere for “tune up match fodder”. Masters deserves a better spot in the sun, and everyone knows it. Well, except maybe for Vince and Steph McMahon.

-Lord knows what will happen in the supplemental draft which will happen at 12pm ET on Wednesday. Personally, I hope the Hardys are formally reunited, Randy Orton moves to Smackdown, Kevin Thorn goes to Smackdown, Melina goes to RAW, and Johnny Nitro goes to ECW. Those are just my initial thoughts on the matter. I’ll post more as soon as my brain decides to cooperate. =)

by MC

Florida Gator in, Florida Gator out.

Why is Billy Donovan trying to opt out of his 5 year coaching deal with the Orlando Magic? If I were Donovan, I’d remember the following things before doing anything remotely close to final:

-Hey, an NBA season is long, and arduous, but the team you are set to inherit is littered with talent, with potential. What’s more, you have cap room. What’s not to like?

-Forget the Rick Pitino incident. Ricky had much less to work with then (Antoine Walker is nowhere near the specimen Howard is).

In Billy’s case, it seems like the quiet life, and loyalty, has gotten the best of him. In truth, I can’t say I can blame him for staying with the Gators, but maybe, just maybe, he should’ve thought of that before whipping out his fountain pen. What’s more, sometimes, when opportunity knocks, you’ve got to bite. The “why’s” and “why not’s” of this dilemma are all written out in black and white in one place- the mind of a 42 year old Winner.

Note the word “Winner”. His reputation precedes him. Evidence of such is the putting to the forefront of the clear cut choice that has been made, and that now, he seems to want to rebuke.

~0~

by MC

Here in the Philippines, the rainy season is about to kick in.

Along with that, comes the impending deluge representative of the glory and drama involved in witnessing, playing in, and breaking down, the NBA Finals.

The Spurs became the first team in with a resounding 109-84 victory over the overmatched Utah Jazz. Carlos Boozer was held to 3-10 shooting, and ace point gaurd Deron Williams was brought back down to Earth, as he was held to 11 points, on 4-9 shooting, along with only 2 assists.

Why did the Spurs win the West this year? Well, apart from Parker and Duncan, and the fact that the Jazz are a young and inexperienced team piloted by an old dog in Jerry Sloan, San Antonio was the benefactor of stellar play from its two Argentinian stalwarts, Manu Ginobili and Fabricio Oberto. Michael Finley’s had a renaissance-type playoff run as well, scoring in double figures in all of 1 of his games in the Western Conference Finals.

In the East, the Pistons and Cavaliers are in a dogfight. A betting man would still stake his claim to a Pistons-Spurs final, but don’t count King James and the Cavs just yet. Wildcard rookie Daniel Gibson’s provided enough toughness, athleticism, and smarts to supplement Lebron’s brilliance, and to make up for Larry Hughes’ woes (he’s been bothered by an injury as of late). Furthermore, allowing anyone whose last name isn’t James to make 12-12 free throws is a felony, plain and simple. Gooden, Varejao, and Ilgauskas have played solidly, and should they manage to keep Rip and Chauncey in check, then there is a good chance that maybe, just maybe, Cavaliers fans can finally witness their team make it to the big stage and erase memories of Jordan kicking Craig Ehlo all over the floor.

Because I am a betting man, I’d say the Pistons and Spurs will still tussle in the 2007 edition of the NBA Finals, but hey, gamblers aren’t always correct. Odds are just that- odds, not final judgments. This is what makes it all so thrilling- the unpredictability of it all.

*Who would have thought Portland would land the number one pick? Look for them to grab Oden and keep Zach.

*Durant’s a shoo-in for the Sonics if Oden goes first.

*Conley, Jr. should go to the Hawks at 3rd because of the mere fact that Joe Johnson needs backcourt help and that Speedy Claxton’s acquisition has turned out to be a bust- a really big one.

*Kobe wants out of LA? Hmmm…I think the melodrama will eventually boil over, with Kobe staying in LA with Jackson as his coach, and LA getting rid of Odom and others in the process of getting help in the form of a solid 3 or 1.

~0~

by MC

We’ve finally reached the conference finals. Thank goodness. I was beginning to gnaw at my straw to the point that I had begun to push “beyond recognition” too far.

Ladies and gents, your final 4:

*Utah Jazz- Surprise. The Jazz are still alive. Steady play from slowly emerging star Deron Williams, along with power play from Mehment Okur and Carlos Boozer have made Salt Lake City folks buzz in May for the first time since 1998. Boozer and Williams could very well be the Stockton and Malone of the future, and veterans like Derek Fisher and Matt Harpring provide the grit and experience, two things that the team the Jazz beat in round 2, the Golden State Warriors, lacked when the heat was on. On a more personal note- I love Paul Millsap. He reminds me of a young, Robert Horry-type player. He brings boundless energy and hustle to the floor every time he’s plugged into the lineup. Can this group of upstarts beat San Antonio? I think not, but hey, this should be the first of many forays deep into the postseason for Booze and Williams. Things can only get better, should the philosophies in play stay intact.

*San Antonio Spurs- I really lost respect for the Spurs after the Nash incidents from the West semis. Bruce Bowen is an all-NBA defender, but because of the stunts he’s pulled over the years, he is also quite the thug, and I think he relishes the idea of him being a villain. Robert Horry pulled a Hannibal Lector on us all and took it to Steve Nash. That was uncalled for. A “playoff foul”, says Gregg Poppovich? Well, if that was a playoff foul, then perhaps we ought to ask guys like Pat Burke and Eric Piatowski to sick on Tim Duncan. Let’s see who ends up crying foul after that.

Despite their “ethical” issues, the Spurs are, probably, the toughest team to defeat in the quartet that remains in the 2007 NBA Playoffs. They have size upfront in Elson, Oberto, and Duncan, speed and savvy in the backcourt in Parker and Manu, and veterans like Jacque Vaughn and Michael Finley who play solid D. This is a team that can adjust to almost any defensive/offensive style, and possess something that their fellow flexible Texas brother, Dallas, did not have in these playoffs- the ability to churn out clutch plays down the stretch.

Is it safe to say that all roads lead to the Alamo when it comes to the Larry O’Brien trophy? Maybe so, but the Spurs getting their clammy hands on the gold won’t be a cakewalk by any stretch of the imagination.

*Cleveland Cavaliers- These fellows took the relatively “easy” path to the Eastern Conference finals. They trounced a Washington Wizards team that had been sapped of its superstars. They busted a New Jersey team incapable of cranking it up on the offensive glass.

Easy or not, they are on the big stage now. The main query now is- can they survive?

I think that as good as Lebron James is, and as good as maybe Larry Hughes or Zydrunas Ilgauskas can be, they don’t seem worthy, or ready, to win it all just yet. The Cavs go on offensive droughts that could make George W. Bush answer everything that’s gone wrong with America in the last few years, and when that happens, the Cavs tend to lead too hard on their 22 year old phenom. Once James is pushed, he tries to do too much, and they falter.

After mustering a 10 point effort on just 10 shots (talk about denying a superstar the ball) in Game 1 of the Eastern Finals, it can be said that the Pistons seem to be on their way to making their mark on destiny at the expense of a very young (and overworked) King.

As a sidenote, I’d just like to say that Sasha Pavlovic has quite the bright future ahead of him. Keep your eyes on that guy.

*Detroit Pistons-Detroit is the East. It has been for the last 5 years. Yeah, Miami won the title last year, but it made it to the finals and won the big one because of one man and not, strictly, a team effort. Over the last 5 seasons, the Pistons have tweaked here and there, and have played a hard-nosed brand of ball that has gone unmatched, for the most part, in their conference.

Chauncey Billups is a hardwood surgeon, and coupled with Rip and Rasheed, he becomes a maestro of mayhem, whether it be via hitting big threes down the stretch or setting up his fellow star teammates for easy hoops. Then, there’s Tayshaun Prince, whose quiet effectiveness defines the Motor City squad- a group of guys that pride themselves on getting their hands dirty accomplishing feat after feat, and not resembling “the greatest show on Earth”, but winning zilch. Chris Webber’s inconspicuously turned out to be the biggest sleeper free agent off of the 2006-2007 regular campaign. He’s given the Pistons formidable offense upfront, along with great passing and playoff experience.

Epilogue:

*If the proverbial balls bounce as expected, then we should be in for a Pistons-Spurs final. Whoever wins that series will need to scrape their knees (maybe literally) on the way to the top.

It’s been an interesting playoff campaign, filled with stories of surprise (Dallas’ early exit, Golden State’s cinderella story, Utah’s emergence, etc.), disappointment (Nowitzki’s marred MVP win, TMac’s first round failure, etc.), and “conclusions” (Grant Hill’s fate, the firing of Jeff Van Gundy, Kobe Bryant’s call for moves, etc.). It hasn’t been the best postseason per se, but it has certainly had enough drama, controversy, and pride infused into it such that we, the fans, can remain enthralled.

Now if only Joey Crawford were allowed to referee games in the ‘07 playoffs. The Spurs would be gone for sure.

=)

by MC

The Pistons eliminated the Chicago Bulls from the playoff picture today. Surprising?

Not really.

As good as the Bulls have been, in stretches, this year, they’re still basically a perimeter oriented team, one the crumbles once their jumpshots starting “clanking” and not “swishing”. Ben Wallace is a decent inside presence, but he’s not a low post scorer. Big Ben won a title with Detroit, but down there, he had guys like Rasheed Wallace, steadies like Rip and Chauncey, plus a do-it-all forward in Tayshaun Prince, to help him anchor the middle. The Bulls have Nocioni, and Deng, plus perhaps Tyrus Thomas. All are physical players, but noe quite have the poise, experience, and defensive prowess of the Piston 5.

Not even the heady Kirk Hinrich.

I say that the Pistons will make the NBA finals irregardless of whether they play Cleveland or New Jersey. Both teams can be floozies on offense, and once Detroit sees inconsistencies in your offense, they pounce on it like sharks that smell blood. Couple that defense with the ability to run or slow the game down (much like what the Spurs can do), and what you have is a formidable squad capable of beating anybody.

Well, maybe not the Spurs or the Suns (many a Pistons fan will shoot me for this comment), but I digress.

I predict a Spurs-Pistons finals rematch. Anyone agree?

What’s more, I predict the Spurs to win it all (hey, it’s an alternate year) for 2007.

PS- Bowen and Horry should be ashamed of themselves for their actions against Phoenix guard Steve Nash. They’ve proven that whatever they do statistically, it doesn’t change the fact that deep inside, they’re pretty much a bunch of thugs who don’t play the game with enough class to make them worth mentioning…more than once. =p