In-Game Thoughts

MIdway through the second quarter in flooded Memphis, the Grizzlies have almost doubled up the OKC Thunder, 35-18.  As for this Thunder fan, I want to change the channel.
It does give me time to consider how little credit the Dallas Mavericks have been getting in their sweep of the Lakers.  No, the disorganized, dysfunctional group that have worn purple and gold through the playoffs don't look anything like the teams have brought back hardware to the Left Coast.  But that's not to say that the Lakers lost all four games.
The Mavericks won those games.  And there is a difference.
So Media-types, of which I am somewhat, stop being apologists and give Carlisle and the boys in blue their due.  They won it and won it with defense, a facet of the game unheard of in past two decades in the Metroplex.
In fact, they look to be toward a rematch of the 2006 Finals.  There's a matchup Dirk Nowitski and Jason Terry would likely be very interested in.

Out Of The Abundance Of The Heart, The Forearm Shoveth

Classless.  That’s one of the many words with a negative connotation that have been used to accurately describe what Andrew Bynum did to J.J. Berea on Sunday afternoon.
Bynum later said that he just fouled somebody.
“It was embarrassing to have the smallest guy on the court keep running down the lane and making shots,” Bynum said.
Really?!  Then stop him!  At least foul him hard in the first quarter while you’re still in the game. To try to cause a person’s chest to collapse in midair in the fourth quarter when your team is down 30+ points and you’re about to get swept in the series is beyond disgraceful.
The problem here is that this kind of attitude has been in there all along.  It simply found an outlet Sunday.  Most players would not even think about doing something like that, and therefore, will never do anything like that.  But when the action comes out like that, it becomes apparent that the intent was there the whole time.
Bynum’s issue was not the scumbag moment that was witnessed against the Mavs.  It’s a matter of the heart that has likely been brewing for a long time.  Until that, whatever “that” is, is solved, expect more of the same in the future at a seemingly unexpected moment.  If it’s on the inside, it will eventually come out.

3-0!

  Dirk Nowitski and Jason Terry are two of the people who likely remember the Great Collapse of '06 the best.  They are doing their part to make sure there is no sequel five years later.
  The Dallas Mavericks have taken the 2-0 series lead and raise it to 3-0 tonight with a 98-92 win at home.  Nowitski had 32 points and nine rebounds while Terry had 23 points of the bench.
  Bench play was once again a factor tonight as the Mavs' bench outplayed their L.A. counterparts.  The Mavs' bench outs the Lakers' bench 42-15.
  And the Mavs have outscored the Lakers in the fourth quarter in all three games.
  The series is not over yet, but another collapse is more unlikely now.

Back to Work

  The spring semester at OSU finally ended today and the first half of my second stint in college is officially in the books.  While I was learning more about journalism in a challenging reporting class, I allowed the daily and weekly pressure of writing for that class affect my responsibilities to this site. But enough about me...
  In my last entry, I chided Kobe and the Lakers for their lackluster effort going into the All-Star Break.  Of course, following that hiatus the Lakers came back and won 17 of their next 18 games.
  But here we are into the second round of the NBA playoffs and it looks as though the Lakers haven't yet turned the switch to "ON."
  Game Three of this Western Conference Semifinal series is now in the second quarter as Dallas holds a two-game advantage coming into tonight.  Anyone who has been a Mavs fan for very long knows that the good feeling of this series lead can easily disappear though.  Please fill the next moments with your own disheartening flashback to the 2006 NBA Finals.  (If you listen closely, you can hear another whistle blown as Dwayne Wade goes to the free throw line again to shoot in Game Five...)
  Right the Mavs are on top by two early in the period.  Can they finish the job they started in L.A.?  It's possible, but a statement must be made tonight.  Even with a Laker win, the Mavs can't come across as if they've folded.

Observations and Ruminations

What Have We Learned This Week?

• A comforting thought for Clipper fans is that just in case someone drives a Kia onto the court in hopes of stopping Blake Griffin, he will still fly over that ineffective defense and dunk it in your face!

• It’s nice to know that some things don’t change.  Like Kobe Bryant’s egocentrism.

He can’t play in the fourth quarter against Charlotte and Cleveland (Cleveland!), but he can give a herculean effort in the final 12 in the fun but meaningless showcase of the All-Star Game to keep the “young guys” from grabbing his MVP.

Good work, Kobe.  You're the All-Star MVP.  Just be sure that you can flip the switch to “ON” again in the playoffs when the bright lights are shining again.