As a basketball junkie, I have sat and watched close to every NBA post season game. The intensity in every game so far this post season is riveting (minus the sweeps of the Lakers and the Bucks.) The Lakers should have just stayed at home and watched movies with Kobe. Playing the series against the Spurs was a waste of time because it told us what we have known all year, that they suck and exert zero effort and complain like babies to the refs way too much. And the Bucks did not even belong on the same court with the Heat, or any other competitive NBA team still alive.
Tonight I am expecting Nate Robinson to do what he's been doing all playoffs long and that is lead the Bulls into a tight game in the second half. Joakhim Noah and Taj Gibson will continue to make those "Oh shit why did he just shoot tha...., oh okay good shot" shots, and out rebound the entire world. And Carlos Boozer will still play a lot like his contract is worth... said nobody ever. And LeBron will stomp around the court staring everybody deep into their souls after just about every play. Wade will drop a pass. Ray Allen will make a three. Ultimately this may be a tight game may be a blowout, but I think the Heat will win this game, and the series. Their overpowering Chicago at there own game of "how hard can I hit you before you hit me," and proving that they are the defending champs. The Bulls have given me hope (I'm 5'8'' just like Nate Robinson, #HeartOverHeight), and hope to the city of Chicago. They've actually kind of been able to get over Derrick Rose's torn ACL that happened a year ago and that makes anyone think wait wasn't Adrian Peterson running over everybody in sight and breaking rushing records like 6 months after tearing his ACL???????? Valiant effort Chicago, but bow down to King James.
Ps. did I mention the rise of Jimmy Butler??? Holy crap, at Marquette he was like decent, made you nod your head at a good play or a dunk but he's played like almost every single minute of every single game since April and is killing it and guarding LeBron pretty well?? Did I really just say that? No I didn't. Wait yeah but it's true.
The Thunder Grizzlies series is especially interesting. The big questions are in this order specifically: Can Kevin Durant carry a team of nobodies in the playoffs? And is Mike Conley really the leader of this new look no Rudy Gay Grizzlies squad?
1. During the Rockets series, Kevin Durant looked as if he was overwhelmed by the workload on offense, and forgot to play defense, along with the rest of his team. During their two losses, one in Houston and one at home, there were obvious defensive lapses by the Thunder team. Perkins, who is supposed to be a defensive stalwart, looked really stupid on multiple occasions due to mis-communications with teammates, who then also looked really stupid. The defensive lapses have not continued into the next round, but Durant still looks extremely over-whelmed, especially on Saturday when he missed two free throws down the stretch like he had never made them ever before in his life. He also missed multiple shots down the stretch to clinch the game. It will be nice to see if he responds to the loss well, and very sad to see if he doesn't. Interesting story line fer sure.
PS. Reggie Jackson, graduate of BC himself (Hoorah!), is playing fantastic. His defense isn't fantastic but it is improving highlighted by that steal and dunk at the end of the game. His help defense definitely needs to get better. I've personally seen him ball watching multiple times and not get in trouble for it. It may bite him later.
PSS. Derrick Fisher first of all is balling out. Draining spot up threes from everywhere and providing some key plays and leadership down the stretch that is needed. Except he really needs to stick to spot up threes and drive and kicks. When he drives to the lane its a train wreck and makes me so angry. Please stop Derrick Fisher.
PSSS. Kendrick Perkins is god awful. So bad. Needs to not be on the Thunder anymore because the playoffs don't need him anymore. I hate when he's on the court. He can't shoot and can barely make shots within 5 feet of the rim.
2. Mike Conley is sooooo good. I've known it since he was at Ohio State with Greg Oden. Back then he was my favorite player and for good reason. He could make floaters with both hands in the lane, and create any shot for himself and his teammates. He was so fun to watch and still is. He's grown so much since those times and it shows. In game 2, he led the Grizzlies to that win with his 25 points, 9 assists, 10 rebound performance and made clutch shots down the stretch. Z-bo and Marc Gasol's post efforts at the end of game don't really workout. I don't know any team in the NBA who goes down to their post players at the end of games for clutch buckets anymore. If Mike Conley is able to continue his success and Gasol and Z-bo provide the buckets and rebounds throughtout the game, Memphis may be one of the most well-rounded teams in the league and in these playoffs. The Heat play small and everybody seems to be going along with it to try to beat them. But Memphis plays a lot of back to the basket basketball and plays with Z-bo and Gasol, both legit 4's and 5's on the court at the same time, which many teams have not been doing (e.g. Kendrick Perkins and Ibaka don't really play on the floor together anymore).
Ultimately I think Memphis will beat the Thunder and continue to Grind out these playoffs.
YAY NBA BASKETBALL!
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