Some thoughts on game 4, where the Spurs took full control of the Western Conference Finals:
- Shocking to see those high class Utah fans throwing things at the Spurs players during and after the game. Probably some of the same geniuses who spent the previous series hurling racial epitaphs at the Warriors' Steven Jackson and Jason Richardson. You stay classy, Utah.
- Why did Dreck Fisher have to wait until this series to bring the suck? Why couldn't he have played at his usual pathetic level against the Warriors?
- When Dreck levels a guy out of frustration, he's a classy guy having a moment of frustration. When anyone on the Warriors does it, he's a thug. When Robert Horry does it, he's a scheming mastermind thug. Was there an official announcement that Dreck is now a white guy and will be treated as such by the media?
- I don't recall ever seeing someone get tossed with just 1 technical, but apparently the refs have the power and Jerry Sloan had it used on him. I do recall Chris Webber getting 2 techs against the Warriors and then having the first one reclassified after he got the 2nd so that some obscure rule kicked in and 2 techs didn't get him tossed.
- What, me bitter?
- Ginobli got a tech called on Dreck by running up to Dreck from behind, throwing himself against Dreck's shoulder, and then flopping. Dreck's natural reaction was to counterflop. The call went in Ginobli's favor. Worst tech since Barnes got t'ed up when he had the audacity to try boxing out on a free throw and Kirilenko flopped. The Euros are bringing in the soccer flop, and even the American floppers like Dreck can't keep up. Terrible development for the league.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Friday, May 25, 2007
Cavs-Pistons
The Pistons took both games of the Junior Varsity finals at home, by final scores lower than what the Warriors and Suns would've been throwing up by halftime of the Varsity finals had each pulled out their 2nd round series. I can appreciate good defense. I am one of about 14 people that haven't tried to emulate Ginobili's bald spot who enjoy watching the Spurs. But there is a very significant difference between good defense and unwatchable basketball, and this series (and much of the JV playoffs) has lived in the latter.
The big controversy after game 1 was whether LeBron James should've taken a triple teamed shot in the lane instead of kicking it out to Donyell Marshall for the open 3. The only reason this is even a discussion is that 'yell missed it. Let's see... LeIcon's options are to take a low percentage, highly contested shot to tie the game on the road (and leave the Pistons with time for the last shot) or to kick it out to a decent shooter for a wide open 3 pointer (from the corner, the closest possible 3 point attempt) to possibly win the game. LeIcon made the right play. Marshall should've made the shot. It's that simple. For all those yammering about lack of competitive nature or killer instinct (which may well be true about the preceding 47.75 minutes), consider that Michael Jordan, one of the most competitive people walking the Earth, twice won championships by passing to open role players. Paxon hit his shot, Bulls win championship. Kerr hit his, Bulls win championship. Marshall misses, LeIcon is too passive?
Game 2's controversy came when LeIcon decided he'd be the man this time and take the shot. Only down 1, LeIcon went right at Rip Hamilton and was arguably fouled as he missed badly. The refs tend to swallow their whistles at the ends of games (or anytime Carlos Boozer is making X-rated videos with a host of unwilling Warriors) . Instead of harping on the potential foul, Cleveland should be worried about two things: 1. They paid Larry Hughes an awful lot of money for a guy who misses a wide open 7 footer with a conference finals game on the line and 2. Maybe down by 1 with a second left and the opponent going to the line isn't the time for your head coach to get T'ed up? Giving Detroit an extra free throw there gives them a chance to make it a 4 point game with a second left and ending any hope. Before maybe Detroit hits both and you can get a Laettner moment or Detroit misses one or both and you grab the board and heave it for the win. Not good odds, but better than 0. You can go scream at the refs later.
Oh, and still no word on LeIcon's negotiations to become the latest athlete to get a stamp in the Post Office's special Vince Carter series honoring those star players who routinely mail it in.
The big controversy after game 1 was whether LeBron James should've taken a triple teamed shot in the lane instead of kicking it out to Donyell Marshall for the open 3. The only reason this is even a discussion is that 'yell missed it. Let's see... LeIcon's options are to take a low percentage, highly contested shot to tie the game on the road (and leave the Pistons with time for the last shot) or to kick it out to a decent shooter for a wide open 3 pointer (from the corner, the closest possible 3 point attempt) to possibly win the game. LeIcon made the right play. Marshall should've made the shot. It's that simple. For all those yammering about lack of competitive nature or killer instinct (which may well be true about the preceding 47.75 minutes), consider that Michael Jordan, one of the most competitive people walking the Earth, twice won championships by passing to open role players. Paxon hit his shot, Bulls win championship. Kerr hit his, Bulls win championship. Marshall misses, LeIcon is too passive?
Game 2's controversy came when LeIcon decided he'd be the man this time and take the shot. Only down 1, LeIcon went right at Rip Hamilton and was arguably fouled as he missed badly. The refs tend to swallow their whistles at the ends of games (or anytime Carlos Boozer is making X-rated videos with a host of unwilling Warriors) . Instead of harping on the potential foul, Cleveland should be worried about two things: 1. They paid Larry Hughes an awful lot of money for a guy who misses a wide open 7 footer with a conference finals game on the line and 2. Maybe down by 1 with a second left and the opponent going to the line isn't the time for your head coach to get T'ed up? Giving Detroit an extra free throw there gives them a chance to make it a 4 point game with a second left and ending any hope. Before maybe Detroit hits both and you can get a Laettner moment or Detroit misses one or both and you grab the board and heave it for the win. Not good odds, but better than 0. You can go scream at the refs later.
Oh, and still no word on LeIcon's negotiations to become the latest athlete to get a stamp in the Post Office's special Vince Carter series honoring those star players who routinely mail it in.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Warriors must make a move
Two years ago, the Warriors acquired Baron Davis and went on a hot streak to end the season. They did particularly well once Baron got healthier and into playing shape. They then sat on their hands all offseason, thinking they had cured all their ills. This past season the Warriors again made a trade, waited for Baron to get healthy, and got hot. This season's hot streak meant more - the Warriors made the playoffs and pulled off a historic upset over the 67 win Dallas Mavericks - but in the end fell well short of a championship (which, after all, should be the goal).
To get past bigger teams like San Antonio and Utah, the Warriors need an upgrade at the power forward spot. With erstwhile power forward Al Harrington being told to slim down to play the small forward position more next season, and Harrington not being much of a rebounder or interior defender to begin with, there is a glaring need to pair a legitimate big man alongside the blossoming Andris Biedrins.
There are several star power forwards reported to be on the market. The biggest fish is former MVP Kevin Garnett, with All Stars Pau Gasol and Jermaine O'Neal also said to be available for the right offer.
The Warriors have a surplus of guards and swingmen to offer. Stephen Jackson is facing prison time this summer and was considered such a cancer by Indiana and the rest of the league that the Pacers were willing to take Murphleavy and their contracts in order to dump him, thus making Jackson unlikely to be seen as desirable trade bait. Baron Davis is off limits, as the point is to pair a stud big man with Baron and contend for a championship immediately (a key considering Baron's injury history and coach Don Nelson's likely departure within the next few years). Andris Biedrins is too good for such a young big man to give up, and is the only real big man that Nelson trusts enough to play, so he can't be a part of any trade. This leaves the tradeable commodities list at:
- Jason Richardson: if team's are convinced he will be totally recovered from his knee surgery, he can be shopped as a 20+ ppg scorer who is amongst the best rebounders at his position and can sell tickets as a 2 time slam dunk champion. A good team player who is willing to accept any role if he feels it will help the team win.
- Monta Ellis: In his second year out of high school, won the league's Most Improved Player award. One of the quickest players in the league, Monta offers instant offense, lots of potential, and another season with a salary around the league minimum.
- Mickael Pietrus: French Sexy is a restricted free agent, so he would have to agree to a sign and trade.
- Sarunas J: Assuming he takes his player option, he will be a $4 million expiring contract, which is a nice trade chip.
- The aforementioned Al Harrington
- Patrick O'Bryant: Last year's 7 foot lotto pick may be enticing to some.
- The 18th pick in the 2007 NBA draft, said to be one of the best in recent years.
- Future first round draft picks.
- 2nd round picks
- Adonal Foyle: A bad player, but with only 2 fully guaranteed years left on his contract (the 3rd year only has $1 million guaranteed). Makes over $17.5 million the next 2 years. But uhh, he's purportedly one heck of a human being by NBA player standards.
The ideal trade would be for Garnett. He has 2 years left on his contract, with an opt out after this coming season. Barring injury, he will not be in Minnesota for more than another year, and the Wolves would be absolutely insane to get nothing for him. Garnett makes $22 million next year so any offer for him straight up would need to get within 25% of that (roughly the $16-28 million range, probably closer to the low end so Minnesota can save money). A package of Richardson ($11 million), Sarunas Jasikevicius ($4 million), Monta ($770k), O'Bryant ($2.2 million), a second round pick this year, and next year's 1st round pick top 7 protected (protects from a major disaster season) may be enough. With Kevin McHale's history of stupidity, the Warriors may even be able to substitute this year's 1st rounder for Monta Ellis.
The Warriors would then have a starting lineup of Baron Davis, Stephen Jackson, Al Harrington, Kevin Garnett, and Andris Biedrins. Either Ellis or the 18th pick, whichever they keep, would be in the rotation. If Pietrus accepts the qualifying offer and stays for a year, he's the 6th man. Depth could be a concern, but the Warriors would still have their mid and low level exceptions to spend. Free agents would want to come play in the run and gun system as well as with a title contender filled with good passers. With the right bench players, it's a lineup that could take down the Spurs.
To get past bigger teams like San Antonio and Utah, the Warriors need an upgrade at the power forward spot. With erstwhile power forward Al Harrington being told to slim down to play the small forward position more next season, and Harrington not being much of a rebounder or interior defender to begin with, there is a glaring need to pair a legitimate big man alongside the blossoming Andris Biedrins.
There are several star power forwards reported to be on the market. The biggest fish is former MVP Kevin Garnett, with All Stars Pau Gasol and Jermaine O'Neal also said to be available for the right offer.
The Warriors have a surplus of guards and swingmen to offer. Stephen Jackson is facing prison time this summer and was considered such a cancer by Indiana and the rest of the league that the Pacers were willing to take Murphleavy and their contracts in order to dump him, thus making Jackson unlikely to be seen as desirable trade bait. Baron Davis is off limits, as the point is to pair a stud big man with Baron and contend for a championship immediately (a key considering Baron's injury history and coach Don Nelson's likely departure within the next few years). Andris Biedrins is too good for such a young big man to give up, and is the only real big man that Nelson trusts enough to play, so he can't be a part of any trade. This leaves the tradeable commodities list at:
- Jason Richardson: if team's are convinced he will be totally recovered from his knee surgery, he can be shopped as a 20+ ppg scorer who is amongst the best rebounders at his position and can sell tickets as a 2 time slam dunk champion. A good team player who is willing to accept any role if he feels it will help the team win.
- Monta Ellis: In his second year out of high school, won the league's Most Improved Player award. One of the quickest players in the league, Monta offers instant offense, lots of potential, and another season with a salary around the league minimum.
- Mickael Pietrus: French Sexy is a restricted free agent, so he would have to agree to a sign and trade.
- Sarunas J: Assuming he takes his player option, he will be a $4 million expiring contract, which is a nice trade chip.
- The aforementioned Al Harrington
- Patrick O'Bryant: Last year's 7 foot lotto pick may be enticing to some.
- The 18th pick in the 2007 NBA draft, said to be one of the best in recent years.
- Future first round draft picks.
- 2nd round picks
- Adonal Foyle: A bad player, but with only 2 fully guaranteed years left on his contract (the 3rd year only has $1 million guaranteed). Makes over $17.5 million the next 2 years. But uhh, he's purportedly one heck of a human being by NBA player standards.
The ideal trade would be for Garnett. He has 2 years left on his contract, with an opt out after this coming season. Barring injury, he will not be in Minnesota for more than another year, and the Wolves would be absolutely insane to get nothing for him. Garnett makes $22 million next year so any offer for him straight up would need to get within 25% of that (roughly the $16-28 million range, probably closer to the low end so Minnesota can save money). A package of Richardson ($11 million), Sarunas Jasikevicius ($4 million), Monta ($770k), O'Bryant ($2.2 million), a second round pick this year, and next year's 1st round pick top 7 protected (protects from a major disaster season) may be enough. With Kevin McHale's history of stupidity, the Warriors may even be able to substitute this year's 1st rounder for Monta Ellis.
The Warriors would then have a starting lineup of Baron Davis, Stephen Jackson, Al Harrington, Kevin Garnett, and Andris Biedrins. Either Ellis or the 18th pick, whichever they keep, would be in the rotation. If Pietrus accepts the qualifying offer and stays for a year, he's the 6th man. Depth could be a concern, but the Warriors would still have their mid and low level exceptions to spend. Free agents would want to come play in the run and gun system as well as with a title contender filled with good passers. With the right bench players, it's a lineup that could take down the Spurs.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Intro
Welcome.
This is the "official" blog of osfan.com. The content will be almost exclusively sports, with occasional ranting about current events and work. In the interests of not adversely affecting my real life career, I'll try to keep posts about the latter two to a minimum.
This is the "official" blog of osfan.com. The content will be almost exclusively sports, with occasional ranting about current events and work. In the interests of not adversely affecting my real life career, I'll try to keep posts about the latter two to a minimum.
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