Showing posts with label playoffs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label playoffs. Show all posts
Friday, June 3, 2011
Did Anybody Catch That Game?
I know I usually just write Nets-centric articles, but this Dallas-Miami series has really captured my attention. Honestly, I think these two teams are the two most talented Finals teams since the 1997 Bulls-Jazz series. But one moment in game 2 really caught my attention, so I had to do a mini-rant. Read about it on Rainman Suite by clicking here!
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Playoff Predictions
I gave Keith Stone my $0.02 for the first round, and it is available here. Please enjoy my sincere praise of the Knicks.
If anyone is wondering, I'm still sticking with the prediction I made in October on the Brad Bogner show - Miami over the Lakers in seven games, with Mike Miller hitting the series winning shot.
If anyone is wondering, I'm still sticking with the prediction I made in October on the Brad Bogner show - Miami over the Lakers in seven games, with Mike Miller hitting the series winning shot.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Celtics-Bulls? Give Me Nets-Pacers Any Day!
"Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man." - The Dude
This past April, the basketball world fell in love with a sexy new babe called Bulls-Celtics First Round 2009. It had 5 nail-biting games featuring seven over-time periods. People quickly dubbed it the GREATEST FIRST ROUND SERIES EVER, with some even arguing that it may be the GREATEST SERIES EVER! Well, personally, I thought it was a tad overrated. For my money, the greatest first round series is the Nets-Pacers series from 2002. Crazy? Maybe. But here's my case:
1 vs. 8 is more thrilling than 2 vs. 7
I think this goes without saying. It is more interesting to see the favorite struggling against the underdog, rather than the second favorite struggling against the second underdog.
In addition, a close 1 vs. 8 series is such a rare gem compared to a 2 vs. 7 series. Since the NBA adopted the 16-team format in 1984, the one seeds have swept the eight seed 23 times, they have gone to game 5/7 9 times, and the eight seed has beaten the one seed 3 times. A two seed has swept the seven seed 15 times, they have gone to game 5/7 17 times, and there have been 4 upsets. So a series like the Bulls-Celtics is almost twice as likely as a series like the Nets-Pacers.
Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that Kevin Garnett being injured makes Boston slightly worse than their record would indicate, and the John Salmons mid-season trade makes Chicago slightly better than their record would indicate. It just felt like you were watching a 3 vs. 6 or 4 vs. 5 series.
5 > 7
That's not a math error or a typo. Call me old school, but I love a 5 game series. The games just mean more (1.4 times more to be precise). There was no dramatic or aesthetic reason for expanding the first round to 7 games, anyway. It was all done as a money grab. Can't say I fault them, but it does hurt the drama, as a team can more easily recover from a loss.
Franchise History
Ok, the Celtics-Bulls have a long rivalry and have accounted for a bunch of championships, so I'll give them the nod. But, let's not underrate the ABA rivals meeting up in the playoffs for the first time! And as all basketball fans know, everything associated with the ABA is 30% funkier.
We all know that the underdogs have nothing to lose. What does the favorite have to lose?
Celtics: A franchise with the most NBA championships, including one the previous year. Their best player is injured, and due to that, they are not expected to win it this year. A loss in this series would be sad, but all those guys have rings to console them.
Nets: A laughing stock franchise that won 50 games for the first time in their nearly 30-year NBA history. Jason Kidd led the team to double their win total from the previous season, and is considered an MVP candidate. They need to win this series to prove that they are for real. A loss in this series would make a mockery of their best season. Also, I probably would've killed myself.
I'd say the Net get the advantage here.
The Main Players
Celtics-Bulls: On the Celtics side, two aging stars, one rising point guard, a bunch of nice role players, and Stephon Marbury. On the Bulls side, several young players and one star point guard. To date: there are 4 All-Stars with 21 appearances. Overall, I'd say Rajon Rondo, Ben Gordon, and Derrick Rose were the clear break-out stars, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce were clutch as usual, and I'd give Joakim Noah an honorable mention. Time will tell on what the young players make of their careers.
Nets-Pacers: For the Pacers, you had a bunch of great players. Jermaine O'Neal was young and fresh off winning the Most Improved Award. Ron Artest and Brad Miller had just joined the Pacers in a mid-season trade. How familiar does that sound? Ron had not gone crazy yet, and Brad Miller could still move. And, of course, Uncle Reggie was there, in what was his last great playoff series (I consider the Tayshaun Prince block as the dagger in Uncle Reggie's clutchness). The Nets had the rising Kenyon Martin and Richard Jefferson, as well as the runner up for MVP - a guy named Jason Kidd. To date: there are 6 All-Stars with 24 appearances.
Personally, I think that the 2002 Pacers, who went on to win 48 games and 61 games the next two seasons, could have beat either the Celtics or Bulls this year. They would've been crushed at point guard (Tinsley vs. Rondo/Rose), but they are clearly dominant at the big positions with a young Jermaine O'Neal, Brad Miller, and Ron-Ron.
The Coaches
Doc Rivers. Isiah Thomas. Vinnie Del Negro. Byron Scott. That's like a murderer's row of coaching incompetence. Let's move on.
The games
Ah, here we go. The moment everyone's been waiting for. Both series had stinker games - Game 4 in 2002, Game 3 in 2009. The Nets-Pacers had 3 very exciting games - Games 1, 3, and 5 (60% of the series). However, the Celts-Bulls had 5 - Games 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 (71% of the series).
To me, those Celts-Bulls games felt too "college-y". Too many long shots, too many poorly designed plays, too many dumb coaching decisions (such as not fouling at the end of the game while up 3). Also, there were no legit buzzer beaters. Sure, there were clutch shots, but nothing beats seeing that ball go through the net with 0.0 on the clock. There were bad calls by the officials throughout, and Rondo's hacker-y was more annoying to watch than fun.
But most importantly: the memorability of the final game is more important than all previous games. The Bulls-Celtics ended with a close, but ultimately unsatisfying conclusion. No buzzer beaters, no overtime. The Nets-Pacers Game 5, however, is an instant classic. (No exaggeration: it has been rerun a bunch of times on ESPN Classic and NBATV). It is the only NBA game EVER to end each quarter tied! Think about how unreal that is, just for a moment. Ok, now to continue: Two overtimes, including a classic Reggie shot at the end of regulation. This was before replay, so the call was wrong - but still, no drama was lost as refs looked over at a small TV for five minute. Furthermore, Reggie had a clutch dunk in the first overtime, too. I was at this game, and it is by far the best sporting event I've seen in person.
But, ultimately, I can't convince you with words alone. You'll have to see for yourself:
Nets-Pacers Game 5 OT Part 1
Nets-Pacers Game 5 OT Part 2 (The Reggie Dunk)
Nets-Pacers Game 5 2OT Part 1
Nets-Pacers Game 5 2OT Part 2
Nets-Pacers Game 5 2OT Part 3
Anyway, that's my case, take it or leave it. If anybody agrees that the Celts-Bulls is overrated, and would like to nominate their own best first round series, post your comments below!
This past April, the basketball world fell in love with a sexy new babe called Bulls-Celtics First Round 2009. It had 5 nail-biting games featuring seven over-time periods. People quickly dubbed it the GREATEST FIRST ROUND SERIES EVER, with some even arguing that it may be the GREATEST SERIES EVER! Well, personally, I thought it was a tad overrated. For my money, the greatest first round series is the Nets-Pacers series from 2002. Crazy? Maybe. But here's my case:
1 vs. 8 is more thrilling than 2 vs. 7
I think this goes without saying. It is more interesting to see the favorite struggling against the underdog, rather than the second favorite struggling against the second underdog.
In addition, a close 1 vs. 8 series is such a rare gem compared to a 2 vs. 7 series. Since the NBA adopted the 16-team format in 1984, the one seeds have swept the eight seed 23 times, they have gone to game 5/7 9 times, and the eight seed has beaten the one seed 3 times. A two seed has swept the seven seed 15 times, they have gone to game 5/7 17 times, and there have been 4 upsets. So a series like the Bulls-Celtics is almost twice as likely as a series like the Nets-Pacers.
Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that Kevin Garnett being injured makes Boston slightly worse than their record would indicate, and the John Salmons mid-season trade makes Chicago slightly better than their record would indicate. It just felt like you were watching a 3 vs. 6 or 4 vs. 5 series.
5 > 7
That's not a math error or a typo. Call me old school, but I love a 5 game series. The games just mean more (1.4 times more to be precise). There was no dramatic or aesthetic reason for expanding the first round to 7 games, anyway. It was all done as a money grab. Can't say I fault them, but it does hurt the drama, as a team can more easily recover from a loss.
Franchise History
Ok, the Celtics-Bulls have a long rivalry and have accounted for a bunch of championships, so I'll give them the nod. But, let's not underrate the ABA rivals meeting up in the playoffs for the first time! And as all basketball fans know, everything associated with the ABA is 30% funkier.
We all know that the underdogs have nothing to lose. What does the favorite have to lose?
Celtics: A franchise with the most NBA championships, including one the previous year. Their best player is injured, and due to that, they are not expected to win it this year. A loss in this series would be sad, but all those guys have rings to console them.
Nets: A laughing stock franchise that won 50 games for the first time in their nearly 30-year NBA history. Jason Kidd led the team to double their win total from the previous season, and is considered an MVP candidate. They need to win this series to prove that they are for real. A loss in this series would make a mockery of their best season. Also, I probably would've killed myself.
I'd say the Net get the advantage here.
The Main Players
Celtics-Bulls: On the Celtics side, two aging stars, one rising point guard, a bunch of nice role players, and Stephon Marbury. On the Bulls side, several young players and one star point guard. To date: there are 4 All-Stars with 21 appearances. Overall, I'd say Rajon Rondo, Ben Gordon, and Derrick Rose were the clear break-out stars, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce were clutch as usual, and I'd give Joakim Noah an honorable mention. Time will tell on what the young players make of their careers.
Nets-Pacers: For the Pacers, you had a bunch of great players. Jermaine O'Neal was young and fresh off winning the Most Improved Award. Ron Artest and Brad Miller had just joined the Pacers in a mid-season trade. How familiar does that sound? Ron had not gone crazy yet, and Brad Miller could still move. And, of course, Uncle Reggie was there, in what was his last great playoff series (I consider the Tayshaun Prince block as the dagger in Uncle Reggie's clutchness). The Nets had the rising Kenyon Martin and Richard Jefferson, as well as the runner up for MVP - a guy named Jason Kidd. To date: there are 6 All-Stars with 24 appearances.
Personally, I think that the 2002 Pacers, who went on to win 48 games and 61 games the next two seasons, could have beat either the Celtics or Bulls this year. They would've been crushed at point guard (Tinsley vs. Rondo/Rose), but they are clearly dominant at the big positions with a young Jermaine O'Neal, Brad Miller, and Ron-Ron.
The Coaches
Doc Rivers. Isiah Thomas. Vinnie Del Negro. Byron Scott. That's like a murderer's row of coaching incompetence. Let's move on.
The games
Ah, here we go. The moment everyone's been waiting for. Both series had stinker games - Game 4 in 2002, Game 3 in 2009. The Nets-Pacers had 3 very exciting games - Games 1, 3, and 5 (60% of the series). However, the Celts-Bulls had 5 - Games 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 (71% of the series).
To me, those Celts-Bulls games felt too "college-y". Too many long shots, too many poorly designed plays, too many dumb coaching decisions (such as not fouling at the end of the game while up 3). Also, there were no legit buzzer beaters. Sure, there were clutch shots, but nothing beats seeing that ball go through the net with 0.0 on the clock. There were bad calls by the officials throughout, and Rondo's hacker-y was more annoying to watch than fun.
But most importantly: the memorability of the final game is more important than all previous games. The Bulls-Celtics ended with a close, but ultimately unsatisfying conclusion. No buzzer beaters, no overtime. The Nets-Pacers Game 5, however, is an instant classic. (No exaggeration: it has been rerun a bunch of times on ESPN Classic and NBATV). It is the only NBA game EVER to end each quarter tied! Think about how unreal that is, just for a moment. Ok, now to continue: Two overtimes, including a classic Reggie shot at the end of regulation. This was before replay, so the call was wrong - but still, no drama was lost as refs looked over at a small TV for five minute. Furthermore, Reggie had a clutch dunk in the first overtime, too. I was at this game, and it is by far the best sporting event I've seen in person.
But, ultimately, I can't convince you with words alone. You'll have to see for yourself:
Nets-Pacers Game 5 OT Part 1
Nets-Pacers Game 5 OT Part 2 (The Reggie Dunk)
Nets-Pacers Game 5 2OT Part 1
Nets-Pacers Game 5 2OT Part 2
Nets-Pacers Game 5 2OT Part 3
Anyway, that's my case, take it or leave it. If anybody agrees that the Celts-Bulls is overrated, and would like to nominate their own best first round series, post your comments below!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Summertime Blues
"The waiting is the hardest part, everyday you see one more card, you take it on faith, you take it to the heart, the waiting is the hardest part." - Tom Petty
If you are a die-hard Nets fan like me, or simply a fan of one of the other 13 shitty teams that didn't make the postseason, the countdown to next season is excruciating. However, the NBA is able to provide some excellent moments of excitement between now and November. Allow me to present Rory's Summertime Do's and Don'ts that will make the next few months entertaining, fun, and safe!
DO: Watch the NBA Playoffs
So, you just watch your team win 34 games, while losing 48. That sucked. You watched subpar basketball for six months. Now, many fans give up, and start following baseball or something dumb like that. But, NO! I present to you...the NBA PLAYOFFS!
The playoffs are FUCKING awesome. I got jacked just watching that clip, and that's from 16 years ago. This year has been no disappointment. Even the series I thought were going to be boring have been tremendously entertaining (Sixers/Magic, for one). So treat yourself to watching some amazing basketball. Plus, since your team is gone, you will be able to watch with an objective eye, and not get emotionally scarred (I'm looking at you, game 6 of the 2004 Eastern Conference Semis against Detroit).
DON'T: Watch the Summer League
This will be the first and last time I talk about the Summer League. It is such a waste of time that the only way it would be worthwhile to talk about is if time was moving backwards as I discussed it. I tried following it for years, but just got frustrated.
Why the hate? Well, it's subpar basketball where everyone just jacks up shots, 99% of the undrafted players are terrible and don't have a shot in the NBA despite the hype they may receive, there is no correlation between summer league success and NBA success, you are putting your rookies at risk of injury, the uniforms are ugly, the web announcers suck, and the refs wear shorts.
Whew. In case you skipped that paragraph, I'll just recap: It sucks. Moving on.
DO: Watch the NBA Draft
Hands down, the single most exciting night of the offseason. Although the Nets will (most likely) have a mediocre #11 pick this year and no second round picks, I will be watching this from beginning to end. It provides laughs - from crazy suits like pictured above, awkward interviews with players and GMs, and the Knicks fans' reaction to any of their draft picks. It provides tears - like watching that last guy in the green room squirm with a dejected look as he slides down the board, knowing that with each pick he loses more and more money (be prepared, Tyler Hansborough). Also, there's nothing I love better than David Stern coming out before a pick, and saying "There has been a trade." What a curveball! This could be anything! Although, most of the time it will be something lame, like the rights to Milovan Rakovic for future cash considerations. Still, it is a great few hours of TV that I look forward to each year.
The post draft analysis articles are some of the best of the year. I particularly like Bill Simmons' Draft Diary and the Stephen A. Smith Heckling Society of Gentlemen, but I'm not sure what they will do now that SAS is no longer with ESPN.
DON'T: Read mock drafts
I'm against mock drafts for a few reasons. First, if you were going to see a movie, would you want to read several columns about how people think the movie is going to end? Personally, I like going in with a blank slate. Second, the NBA draft is always a crapshoot after the first 3 picks. Some poor general manager will make a reach on a pick, or unexpected trades will happen. Then, all those experts' mocks will be useless 30 minutes happen. Save the time you spend reading mocks this summer and use it productively - go to the beach, fly a kite, or write a snarky blog post.
DON'T: Believe the Hype
Once July 1st hits, teams are now able to negotiate with other free agents. Rumors swirl like a candy wrapper caught in a updraft. I encourage you NOT to believe any of these rumors about who your team will sign and/or trade for. I know it is fun to imagine what the roster may be, but your dreams will be dashed 90% of the time based on something that probably was not true to begin with. It is like watching porn with your hands tied behind your back - you can be entertained and happy for a little while, but there will be no climax and you'll just be frustrated.
DO: Talk non-stop about anything that DOES happen
Once August hits, the NBA offseason action is a slow crawl. So, anything that actually DOES happen with your team warrants you over-analyzing it to death. I'm pretty sure I spent more time complaining about the Najera signing than talking about the Yi trade, the 3 draft picks, and two other free agent signings combined. As long as you haven't annoyed everyone by talking about rumors, this is a totally worthwhile way to kill time waiting for the start of training camp.
And finally
DO: Keep reading this blog
This summer should be an interesting one for the Nets, and I'll be here each week to discuss the hard hitting issues and controversial topics like automobiles with Nets logos and how to consume free beer at a Nets game.
DON'T: Burn monkeys
That's just sick, man.
If you are a die-hard Nets fan like me, or simply a fan of one of the other 13 shitty teams that didn't make the postseason, the countdown to next season is excruciating. However, the NBA is able to provide some excellent moments of excitement between now and November. Allow me to present Rory's Summertime Do's and Don'ts that will make the next few months entertaining, fun, and safe!
DO: Watch the NBA Playoffs
So, you just watch your team win 34 games, while losing 48. That sucked. You watched subpar basketball for six months. Now, many fans give up, and start following baseball or something dumb like that. But, NO! I present to you...the NBA PLAYOFFS!
The playoffs are FUCKING awesome. I got jacked just watching that clip, and that's from 16 years ago. This year has been no disappointment. Even the series I thought were going to be boring have been tremendously entertaining (Sixers/Magic, for one). So treat yourself to watching some amazing basketball. Plus, since your team is gone, you will be able to watch with an objective eye, and not get emotionally scarred (I'm looking at you, game 6 of the 2004 Eastern Conference Semis against Detroit).
DON'T: Watch the Summer League
This will be the first and last time I talk about the Summer League. It is such a waste of time that the only way it would be worthwhile to talk about is if time was moving backwards as I discussed it. I tried following it for years, but just got frustrated.
Why the hate? Well, it's subpar basketball where everyone just jacks up shots, 99% of the undrafted players are terrible and don't have a shot in the NBA despite the hype they may receive, there is no correlation between summer league success and NBA success, you are putting your rookies at risk of injury, the uniforms are ugly, the web announcers suck, and the refs wear shorts.
Whew. In case you skipped that paragraph, I'll just recap: It sucks. Moving on.
DO: Watch the NBA Draft
Hands down, the single most exciting night of the offseason. Although the Nets will (most likely) have a mediocre #11 pick this year and no second round picks, I will be watching this from beginning to end. It provides laughs - from crazy suits like pictured above, awkward interviews with players and GMs, and the Knicks fans' reaction to any of their draft picks. It provides tears - like watching that last guy in the green room squirm with a dejected look as he slides down the board, knowing that with each pick he loses more and more money (be prepared, Tyler Hansborough). Also, there's nothing I love better than David Stern coming out before a pick, and saying "There has been a trade." What a curveball! This could be anything! Although, most of the time it will be something lame, like the rights to Milovan Rakovic for future cash considerations. Still, it is a great few hours of TV that I look forward to each year.
The post draft analysis articles are some of the best of the year. I particularly like Bill Simmons' Draft Diary and the Stephen A. Smith Heckling Society of Gentlemen, but I'm not sure what they will do now that SAS is no longer with ESPN.
DON'T: Read mock drafts
I'm against mock drafts for a few reasons. First, if you were going to see a movie, would you want to read several columns about how people think the movie is going to end? Personally, I like going in with a blank slate. Second, the NBA draft is always a crapshoot after the first 3 picks. Some poor general manager will make a reach on a pick, or unexpected trades will happen. Then, all those experts' mocks will be useless 30 minutes happen. Save the time you spend reading mocks this summer and use it productively - go to the beach, fly a kite, or write a snarky blog post.
DON'T: Believe the Hype
Once July 1st hits, teams are now able to negotiate with other free agents. Rumors swirl like a candy wrapper caught in a updraft. I encourage you NOT to believe any of these rumors about who your team will sign and/or trade for. I know it is fun to imagine what the roster may be, but your dreams will be dashed 90% of the time based on something that probably was not true to begin with. It is like watching porn with your hands tied behind your back - you can be entertained and happy for a little while, but there will be no climax and you'll just be frustrated.
DO: Talk non-stop about anything that DOES happen
Once August hits, the NBA offseason action is a slow crawl. So, anything that actually DOES happen with your team warrants you over-analyzing it to death. I'm pretty sure I spent more time complaining about the Najera signing than talking about the Yi trade, the 3 draft picks, and two other free agent signings combined. As long as you haven't annoyed everyone by talking about rumors, this is a totally worthwhile way to kill time waiting for the start of training camp.
And finally
DO: Keep reading this blog
This summer should be an interesting one for the Nets, and I'll be here each week to discuss the hard hitting issues and controversial topics like automobiles with Nets logos and how to consume free beer at a Nets game.
DON'T: Burn monkeys
That's just sick, man.
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