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.