Dave Smith
NOTES ON A SCORECARD
While I agree that Dirk Nowitzki’s performance last night was one of the greatest displays of shooting I’ve ever seen, there are two things which bothered me: 1) Why didn’t someone from the Thunder knock him on his ass when he started making shots? 2) How can a guy shooting almost exclusively jump shots get to the free throw line 24 times?….
I know it’s 2011 and the NBA has been wussified, but someone needs to take a hard foul and deliver a message to Dirk that it’s not going to be easy. Bring in a scrub off the bench, hammer him to the floor and make the point clear….
As good as he is, Nowitzki has a history of folding if you play him physically; but if you allow him to get comfortable and into a rythym, it’s all over….
Dirk is the Wladimir Klitschko of the NBA; he’s awesome when he’s in his comfort zone and the opponent is refusing to fight back. But tap him on the chin and he tends to fold up….
As for the officials, I believe there should be an investigation. When a player shoots jump shots and fall aways, he doesn’t usually get to the line very often. But last night the zebras were blowing their whistles every time an OKC player breathed on Dirk….
My God, 24 free throws for a jump shooter? Tim Donaghy would have been proud….
Now that Cleveland has secured the #1 and #4 picks in the draft, they have an excellent opportunity to rebuild a la Memphis and OKC….
And hopefully they won’t screw up a la Minnesota….
With two picks in the Top 4, cap space, Baron Davis’ $14M expiring contract and Antawn Jamison’s expiring $15M contract in the next two years, the future looks bright….
If they pick the right players in the draft, sign a free agent or two and bring in some good players for those expiring deals, Cleveland should be a contender again in two or three years….
But again, they have to be smart and make the right decisions….
Now the ball is in their court….
The Curse of the Clippers continues, as the #1 pick they gave up along with Baron turned into the #1 pick overall for the Cavs….
Some things never change….
Now, of course, Kylie Irving will be a Hall-of-Famer….
Memo to the Cavaliers: Take the best player available on the board. Don’t take Irving because you need a PG, take him because he’s the best player. If he’s not, take the player who is….
I believe Klay Thompson is going to be the sleeper of the draft….
The Washington St. star and son of former Laker Mychal Thompson is 6’7″, can put it on the floor, get to the hoop and also knock down three-point shots….
Not to put too much pressure on the kid, but his skinny body and skills remind me of Reggie Miller….
I love his game and suprised he’s listed between #15 and #20 on most draft boards….
I have him in the Top-5….
Good to see that Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez have signed for a third fight, because their first two were highly competitive and could have gone either way….
In the first fight, Manny knocked down Marquez three times in the first round, but was outboxed the rest of the way and escaped with a draw….
In the second fight, most ringside observers had Marquez winning, but Pacman was given a controversial split decision win….
But the fight in 2004 was at 126 lbs. and the fight in 2008 was at 130. Now they’re up three classes to Welterweight; which should favor Pacquiao….
And while Manny is in his prime and will be 32 on the night of their November fight, Marquez will be 38….
So when you factor weight and age, Pacman should win easily this time….
Question: Why did Manny agree to a catch weight of 144 lbs? Since he’s the Welterweight Champion and more weight favors him, why the 144 lb. agreement?….
Marquez needs Pacquiao a lot more than Manny needs him, so it’s hard to understand the compromise….
Maybe Team Pacquiao feels 147 is a little high and he’s at his best at 144….
In any case, Marquez is the only fighter who seems to have Pacman’s number. If you add up the 24 rounds they fought, I have Marquez winning 14….
I scored the first fight close for Manny, but thought Marquez won the rematch. And the great Steve Kim, from Maxboxing.com, had Juan Manuel winning both fights….
So who knows, maybe Marquez has something left in the tank and can give Manny huge problems again….
But in his only fight at Welterweight, in September of 2009, Marquez was knocked down in the 2nd round and dominated by Floyd Mayweather….
Floyd won every round and Marquez looked old, slow and unable to handle the weight….
Of course, Mayweather made him look bad with his tremendous hand speed, boxing skill and defensive ability….
Two years later, Marquez isn’t going to fare any better against Pacquiao….
Now, if we could just get Floyd and Manny in the ring….
I think I’ve come up with a great idea; why hasn’t anyone thought of it?
NOTES ON A SCORECARD
While watching the Thunder win Game 7 of their series against the Grizzlies, I came away with the following thoughts: 1) Kevin Durant arrived as a clutch, big time performer in a huge game and is now among the elite of the NBA 2) Portland should have listened to me when I begged them to take Durant over Greg Oden 3) The commentators aren’t talking enough about the abscence of Rudy Gay, whose presence would have won the series for Memphis….
Gay averaged 24PPG against the Thunder this season and if he were playing would have taken a lot of pressure off of Zach Randolph….
And not only would the Grizzlies have taken out the Thunder, they would have won the NBA championship….
I know, you’re all laughing, but I believe it….
Add Rudy to Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, ZBo, O.J. Mayo, Tony Allen, etc. and they’re as good as any team in the league….
Too bad the “experts” on TV and radio forgot about Gay not participating….
After the Heat eliminated the Celtics in the Eastern semis, they celebrated as if the Commissioner was about to roll the championship trophy onto the court; but the problem was the Chicago Bulls, a team with the NBA’s best record, were waiting….
And on Sunday the Bulls reminded LeBron and the LeBronettes that there’s still some work to do….
As usual, the Bulls played defense, pounded the boards, hustled all over the floor and blew out the Heat, 103-82….
There’s a reason Tom Thidodeau was the NBA Coach-of-the-Year and Sunday proved why….
Chris Bosh played extremely well, scoring 30 points; but if Bosh is the Heat’s leading scored for the series I’m sure the Bulls will take it….
Going into the series, I thought the Heat would win, because it was two superstars against one. It’s awfully tough to stop one great player from making plays near the end of the game, but when you have two it’s a tremendous advantage….
But what I failed to factor was the Bulls advantage in rebounding, hustle and athletic big men….
Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson and Co. absolutely killed Miami on the glass and Heat coach Erik Spoelstra had some adjustments to make….
Because if he doesn’t, he’ll be holdong a press conference saying he “wants to spend more time with his family” as Pat “Benedict” Riley plants a knife in his back….
Even though the Heat shouldn’t have celebrated their win over the Celtics and got hammered yesterday, it’s still only one game and a win in Game 2 puts Miami firmly in the driver’s seat….
Let’s see how Spoelstra, LeBron, Wade and Co. respond in their biggest game of the season….
Now that we finally have an exciting Heavyweight Championship fight coming up, I was thrilled to learn Wladimir Klitschko-David Haye is going to be on regular HBO on July 2….
I was certain it was going to be on PPV, but it’s great that lots of fans will able to watch….
Of course, if the people who run boxing really wanted to bring back the sport and create new fans, they’d air Haye-Klitschko on ABC or Fox in Prime Time….
If promoted properly, that fight would bring in huge numbers and be the first step in bringing boxing back to where it was in the 1970′s and ’80′s….
Unfortunately, boxing isn’t promoted properly and this great idea escaped the powers-that-be….
Sure, neither fighter is an American and aren’t well-known, but an exciting slugfest on network television is just what boxing needs….
Sure, this could turn into another typical Klitschko fight; where he works the jab, stays on the outside, is in his comfort zone and wins easily….
But I think the Hayemaker is coming to win and going to be winging bombs at Wlad from the opening bell….
Sure, this might get him knocked out quickly, but I have a feeling Klitschko isn’t going to like getting into a real fight and having to back up….
Haye is faster, younger, more athletic and has a terrific straight right hand….
Yes, Haye is going to risk getting knocked out by going after Wlad, but he’s also attempting to win the Heavyweight Championship of the World….
As I’ve already predicted, I think this is going to be one entertaining fight; with both fighters going down early….
But in Round 2, the Hayemaker is going to tap Klitschko on his weak beard and we’re going to have a new champion….
A GREAT HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT AND NOBODY CARES
After watching a press conference for the Wladimir Klitschko-David Haye heavyweight unification championship fight on July 2, it saddened me that almost nobody in America gives a damn….
Unfortunately, heavyweight boxing has been dead in the United States for years, thus causing fight fans to lose interest….
Too bad, because the lead-up to Klitschko-Haye has been funny and entertaining; filled with name calling and jokes….
Haye is a unique character and great for boxing, because he’s good looking, athletic and funny as a stand-up comic. If David were American he’d be a major star; but because he’s from England he’s an unknown….
Klitschko has held the heavyweight belt for years, with almost nobody in the United States noticing. If you’d told me 20 years ago that a heavyweight championship fight would have such little interest that it wasn’t televised, I wouldn’t have believed it….
Wladimir should be a superstar; because he’s white, 6’6″, 250 chiseled lbs, handsome, speaks three languages fluently and holds a doctorate degree….
Klitschko is straight out of central casting, except for one problem: He’s from the Ukraine….
Thus, another unknown in the United States….
At their press conference the other day, the Hayemaker said he was going to “decapitate” Klitschko and then called him a “fraud” and a “coward.”….
When asked about Wladimir’s list of opponents, Haye cracked: “Klitschko has only fought fat little puddings who show up for a paycheck.”….
To his credit, Wladimir has shown an excellent sense of humor and also been cracking jokes. He’s very intelligent, quick-witted and holds his own with the laugh-a-minute Haye….
The Hayemaker has a lot of Muhammad Ali in him and is a breath of fresh air. All his jokes, threats, talking and one-liners are great promotional tools and create interest….
And if he wins, he’ll be an international star….
By the way, It’s not Wladimir’s fault his fights are boring, because every one of his opponents is scared to death and refuses to fight. All of them are on the end of Klitschko’s jab, don’t fight back and either get knocked out late or survive and lose a decision….
I keep hearing Klitschko is much better defensively and solved his stamina and chin problems; but I’m not buying it….
The truth is he hasn’t been clipped on the chin or forced to fight 12 hard rounds in years. Every fight is the same; jab, jab, jab, straight right hand, etc. All the while his opponent meekly takes a beating and doesn’t fight back….
It’s little more than a sparring session and I still think he has a weak beard….
As an old fight trainer told me years ago, “You never solve a weak chin. A glass jaw is always a glass jaw.”….
Sure, Haye might get knocked out on July 2, but at least he’s going to go down fighting. He’s a great athlete, in superior condition, has incredibly fast hands and a killer right hand which has knocked out several opponents….
The problem for Haye is figuring out how to get around Klitschko’s jab and get to his chin; which is something Klitschko opponents haven’t been able to do. And if Haye does get inside, he’s there for Wladimir to hit….
The key to the fight will be the first round, when Haye lands a right on Wladimir’s chin. If Klitschko walks through it, Haye is finished and will absorb a beatdown before getting knocked out….
But if Haye rocks Klitschko, then it’s Wladimir who will be in serious trouble. He’ll know he’s in a fight, which is something he’s not used to….
Klitschko can’t fight backing up and if you get him out of his comfort zone, he’s not going to survive….
This fight has all the makings of an action-packed, multiple knockdown war which just might bring back heavyweight boxing….
Haye is a small heavyweight who dominated the cruiserweights for years; but has also been knocked down several times and shown a less-than-granite chin….
So you have a big, athletic guy with a weak chin against a smaller, faster guy who also has show a weak beard….
I think both of them are going to taste the canvas in an entertaining slugfest….
This fight is huge in Europe and will be held in Hamburg, Germany. They’ve already sold 50,000 tickets, everybody over there is talking about it and both fighters are doing a great job of promoting….
I know one thing; I’ll be buying the PPV and if you’re a boxing fan, or used to be, you should also purchase the fight….
The one worry I have is Haye will come out at the opening bell, taste a few jabs, figure he won’t be able to get inside and simply try and survive….
That’s what everyone else does, which is why nobody follows the heavyweights anymore….
But there’s too much riding on this for Haye and I can’t imagine him changing his style for this fight. He’s in this to win and going to come out in his usual fashion; throwing bombs with his lightning fast hands….
My prediction? Haye will shock the world and upset Klitschko with a 2nd round knockout….
Speed kills I think David is going to drop an early Hayemaker on Wladimir’s chin that he never sees coming….
And then the fun begins, as we have a heavyweight champion cut from the Ali mold….
The big question is, will anyone in America care?….
NOTES ON A SCORECARD
What a shocker to read Luke Walton and Derek Fisher campaigning for Brian Shaw to be the next Lakers’ coach and saying the team needs to stay with the triangle offense….
Those two had better pray this happens, because without the triangle both of them will be out of the NBA faster than Dave Smith runs away from the dinner check….
Obviously, they see the writing on the wall if a new coach is hired from outside the organization: The triangle will be junked, younger, quicker players will be needed and they’ll be buried on the end of the bench….
Sure, they have bad contracts and will probably have to be brought back; but sightings of them on the court will be as rare as a Kardashian sister passing the dessert tray….
When I saw the cheap shot Andrew Bynum took at J.J. Barea, I was certain he was going to be fined at least $100,000 and suspended for 10 games….
It’s one thing to take a dirty shot at someone on the ground, but to get a running start at a guy in mid-air is career-threatening….
So even though this is going to cost Andrew $700,000, I think he got off easy….
Incredibly, every column I read and every sports-talk show I hear is calling for the Lakers to deal Bynum in a package for Dwight Howard. Take nothing away from Howard, who is the NBA’s best center, but that deal doesn’t address the Lakers biggest weakness….
Which is their backcourt….
But these guys in the local media don’t seem to get it….
Plus, the Magic aren’t going to give up Howard for Bynum and the word is they also want Lamar Odom….
Let’s say the Lakers make that deal, meaning the starting line-up next season is Howard, Pau Gasol, Ron Artest, Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher….
Not bad, but not good enough to win the championship. Without Odom, the bench would be even worse than it is now and they still have major problems defensively in the backcourt….
And if you think they’re going to go out and get help at guard, explain how they’re going to do that with no cap space….
Sure, they could follow the Howard deal by dealing Gasol for Chris Paul or Deron Williams, but then what do you have without Bynum, Gasol and Odom?….
Now the line-up is Paul/Williams, Kobe, Artest, Howard and someone they sign off the scrap heap to play power forward….
Again, a solid team but not good enopugh to win a championship….
And here’s another potential problem: If Brian Shaw is named the new coach, he’s already stated he’s going to continue with the triangle offense; which would be bad news for Dwight Howard….
Instead of posting up and overpowering everyone on the block, Dwight would now be 20 feet away from the basket, a la Bynum, and a second or third option in the offense….
If the Lakers are serious about trading for Howard, Shaw absolutely cannot get the coaching job….
Here’s what the Lakers should do: Hire a coach from outside the organization, attempt to trade Gasol for Williams or Paul and bring in younger, faster, more energetic players….
Wouldn’t you rather have CP3 and Bynum than Howard? Especially when you’d also have to throw in Odom?….
A no brainer….
WEEKEND NOTES
If you thought it couldn’t get much worse than the blowout loss to the Celtics in Game 6 of the 2008 Finals, what happened on Sunday afternoon might have topped it….
In that infamous Game 6 three years ago, the Lakers up and quit on their coach, their fans and the organization….
Lamar Odom and Pau Ga-Soft disappeared and seemed as if they were already in Cancun for the summer, and Phil Jackson was badly outcoached by Doc Rivers….
Come to think of it, the same thing happened in the 2004 finals against the Pistons….
I never thought I’d say this, but yesterday’s embarrassing performance might have topped 2008 for quitting like dogs and shaming the organization….
Yes, 2008 was bad and losing to the Celtics was painful; but that Boston team was much better than this Dallas Mavericks team….
So getting swept and losing by 36 points in the close-out game might be the worst loss of all….
The most shocking thing was the total lack of preperation, adjustments and sense of urgency from Phil Jackson….
I’ve witnessed a lot of bad coaching performances over the years, but can’t remember one this inept. From Game 1 to Game 4, Dallas ran pick-and-roll, spread shooters behind the 3-point line and made shot after shot….
Without one single adjustment from the Zenmaster, who was quietly napping on the bench….
When you have a glacier-slow point guard like Derek Fisher, the last thing you want is to leave a shooter like Jason Terry to double team the post, for the following reasons: 1) When you have two 7-footers, there shouldn’t be a need to double team; especially when the opponents are Tyson Chandler and Brendon Haywood. 2) When Fisher leaves to double team, there’s not a chance in hell he’s going to get back in time to challenge a jump shot. Time after time, Fisher was caught in the middle as Terry nailed a 3-pointer. 3) When the point guard is too slow to respond, all the rotations are screwed up and the defense breaks down….
Why Big Chief Triangle didn’t see this I’ll never understand….
We all know Derek is a great guy and tries his best, but he absolutely kills the Lakers on both ends of the floor and it’s time for him to go….
Of course, you’ll never hear this from the collection of housemen and shills doing Lakers post-game, local sports-talk, writing for the Los Angeles Times or ESPNLA.com, but it’s the truth….
Another thing which the local homers won’t discuss is Kobe Bryant’s non-existent defense. At one point in his career, Kobe was a very good defender and named to several All-Defensive teams. He didn’t play hard all the time and only locked people down when he wanted to, but when the mood hit him he was outstanding….
But in the past couple of seasons Kobe has become a defensive liability and routinely gets lit up. He’s a step slow and become lazy on the defensive end, saving his energy for offense….
But don’t hold your breath waiting for our local hacks to bring this up….
I thought the Lakers would show some pride and play hard in Game 4, but instead already had their reservations for Jamaica and went through the motions in a 122-86 loss….
Some of the commentators marveled at the Mavericks making 20 of 32 three-point shots, but it’s not suprising when all of them came with nobody guarding them….
I guarantee you I could make 16 out of 32 if no one was guarding me, so if you give an NBA player a wide open shot it’s easy….
Sure, Terry and Peja Stojakovic making 15 out of 16 three-point shots is outstanding; but those guys are great shooters and if you don’t guard them they’re going to make most of their shots….
And if they’re hot and killing you, why in the hell would you continue to leave them to double team players who don’t need to be double teamed?….
Why Fisher, Steve Blake, Kobe and Shannon Brown continued to leave their men wide open is a question only Phil Jackson can answer….
How many times did Peja or Terry catch the ball, line up a shot and let it go as one of the Laker guards desperately ran at them two steps too late?….
And not a single adjustment from the coach? Unbelievable….
Now to Pau Ga-Soft….
I have no idea if the rumors are true about Vanessa Bryant engineering Pau’s girlfriend dumping him and setting Ga-Soft into a deep depression….
I also don’t know if Ga-Soft confronted Kobe about this and the two of them got into a shouting match and are now not speaking….
But even if it’s all true, it shouldn’t affect Pau’s play and he needed to man up and get through it….
Remember when Kobe was facing a rape charge and had to fly to Colorado on game days for trial preperation? He was facing serious jail time and had to be worried to death, but he’d leave the courtroom, fly to L.A. and score 40 points….
So if the rumors are true and Vanessa Bryant did cause the break-up, it’s still no excuse for Ga-Soft’s gutless play….
And if the rumors are baseless and untrue, then what excuse does he have for playing like a coward?….
By the way, I covered the Lakers for years and obviously know several people in the organization. From all accounts, I’ve never heard a kind word about the Lovely Vanessa, who seems to be the Yoko Ono of the Lakers….
A few years ago I was at a game when she was in the runway leading to the Lakers locker room after a game. For some reason, she was ticked off at a low-level Lakers employee and lit into him; using profanity that would make Tommy Lasorda blush….
And this was in front of her two young children, who must have learned a great deal from their mother’s example….
I saw a high-level Lakers executive a few minutes later, who witnessed the whole thing, and asked this person’s opinion. “He just joined the Vanessa club,” said the executive….
Yoko Bryant has also reportedly been shopping a reality show and banned her husband from appearing in the Lamar Odom/Khloe Kardashian nonsense….
But Kobe is allegedly not only banned from appearing on the show, the Lovely Vanessa has reportedly ordered him to run out of the shot whenever the Kardashian cameras are in the locker room….
Notice you never see Kobe in the locker room shots….
Sounds unbelievable, unless you’ve experienced Yoko Bryant first hand….
The reason I bring this up is because there’s something seriously wrong in the Lakers locker room. Andrew Bynum said there were “trust issues” and everybody on the court seemed to be playing for themselves and more concerned with their flights to Hawaii than winning….
Ga-Soft was sulking and not playing hard, nobody played a lick of defense, the Zenmaster seemed not to give a damn and it was an embarrassment for the organization….
Whether it was Yoko dividing the locker room, the coach sleeping on the bench, Ga-Soft sulking over a girl or Kobe worried sick about getting yelled at by his wife, it shouldn’t have affected their play on the court….
These guys are so-called professionals, make millions of dollars and should be above woman problems and locker room tiffs….
I’d call them a bunch of women, but that would be an insult to women….
If Yoko talked Ga-Soft’s girlfriend into dumping him, who cares? If Phil’s heart was already in his teepee with a bong pipe in his hand, who cares? Once you take the court, you give 100% effort and play hard for 48 minutes….
Everything else is bulls***….
I don’t want to hear about Vanessa Bryant, Khloe Kardashian, reality shows, Pau’s ex-girlfriend or Kobe being deathly afraid of his wife. The bottom line is they quit on their coach, their fans and the organization….
As for the cheap shots delivered by Odom and Bynum in the final minutes, there is no excuse and both of them should be punished and fined….
My suggestion: Odom gets a $50,000 fine and a one-game suspension to start the 2011-12 season. His offense wasn’t as bad as Bynum’s and seemed to be something which had been brewing between him and Dirk Nowitzki. He should have kept his composure, of course, but I think my punishment fits the crime….
As for Bynum, what he did was one of the dirtiest plays I’ve ever seen and the league needs to make an example of him: A $100,000 fine and a 5-game suspension to begin next season….
I don’t want to hear about being frustrated and angry, Andrew should be ashamed of himself for embarrasing the Lakers on world wide television. To throw a flagrant elbow at a player in mid-air, with no intention other than injuring him, is inexcuseable and might just get Bynum’s rear end traded this summer….
I hope that’s not true, because I love Bynum’s upside and feel all he needs is a new coach and system to blossom into an All-Star….
Hopefully cooler heads prevail and the organization concentrates on improving the team; not shipping out players they’re upset with….
Here’s what I would do if I were running the Lakers:
1) Say good-bye to Phil Jackson and also say good-bye to the triangle. The new coach should be from outside the organization, bring in a new system and and get rid of Phil’s defensive schemes and slow guards. Do not hire Brian Shaw, who would probably keep the triangle and continue to hinder the development of Bynum. Find the next Tom Thibodeau and improve the defense.
2) Inform Derek Fisher he’s played his last game as a Laker. He’s been a good player, great citizen and been a part of 5 championships, but he’s killing them defensively and also a sub-40% shooter on offense. The team needs to get younger, more athletic and junk the triangle.
3) Make sure the new coach is going to showcase Bynum and get him the ball. In the triangle, Andrew spends half his time 20 feet from the basket, which only hurts his development. He needs to be on the block, get a touch on every possession and become the All-Star I believe he can be.
4) Despite all the “experts” in the media who are calling on the Lakers to trade for Dwight Howard, the problem with the team is not in the post; it’s in the backcourt. I’d make every effort possible to deal Gasol for Chris Paul, who is in the final year of his contract and not going to re-sign with the Hornets. And how are they going to do better than Gasol in a trade? I know they probably don’t want to take on Pau’s contract, but they’re not going to do better than this deal and risk getting nothing if CP3 leaves as a free agent. With a new coach emphasizing the pick-and-roll, how much fun would it be to watch Kobe, CP3, Bynum and Odom playing together? I know the talk will be dealing Bynum for Howard, but I’d be careful with that one: Without addressing the horrible backcourt play, the problems will persist.
5) The offseason needs to include signing players who are quick and can defend. The current guards are too slow to guard anyone, so players signed must be quick, young and able to shoot.
I could go on and on, but that’s what I think should be done….
By the way I disagree with Magic Johnson, who said the organization “needs to blow up the team.”….
The Lakers are still a championship contender, with All-Stars in Kobe and Gasol, a future All-Star in Bynum and an excellent complimentary player in Odom….
No need to blow it up, just address the backcourt problems and find a new coach to improve the defense….
This team is still young enough to win championships and blowing it up would be foolhearty….
WEEKEND NOTES
While watching the Grizzlies close out the Spurs, I was amazed at how good Zach Randolph has become. For years he had the reputation as a guy who was always going to get his 20 and 10, but was also selfish, immature and a loser….
All that’s in the past now, as Randolph placed Memphis squarely on his back and took a #8 seed past a #1 for only the second time in NBA history….
And he did it without Rudy Gay, an All-Star and one of the best young players in the NBA….
Randolph’s 4th quarter show against San Antonio should go down as one of the great close out performances in NBA history and I’m surprised he’s not geting more credit….
That was Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan stuff….
Zach scored 17 points in the final quarter, almost all of them with the entire Spurs team knowing he was going to get the ball. Despite this, he hit fall aways, got to the rim, spun to his left and right and found almost every way to score….
It was a legendary performance and his reputation of selfishness and not being a winner should be forever squashed….
I’ve also decided to bestow a highly coveted honor on Sir Zach: I’m nominating him to be an Honorary White Guy….
He’s slow, unathletic, has a bad body and can’t jump, so he’s a natural to be inducted into the H.W.G. club….
Watching him destroy the Grizzlies also brought up a player who reminds me of Zach…..Larry Bird….
I know Bird is white and Randolph black, but if you were to compile a scouting report on the two of them it would be remarkably similar….
Both are limited athletically, both of them couldn’t jump over a matchbook and both would finish last on their teams in a footrace….
All they do is find ways put the ball in the basket….
For all young players who can’t jump out of the gym and overwhelm opponents with their athletic ability, Randolph is an inspiration….
Because of his physical limitations, Zach has perfected using his body, shoulders and feet to create shots for himself. And unlike the one dimensional players who rely on physical gifts, Randolph outthinks, outsmarts and is a step ahead of his opponents….
Like I said, If Zach were white the Bird comparisons would be endless….
Thus, in memory of Dave Smith’s playing career, which epitomized a lack of athleticism on the basketball court, Zach Randolph is hereby nominated as an Honorary White Guy….
Not sure if he’s interested in joining, though….
On Sunday, Randolph was at it again, shredding the Thunder for 34P and 10R in an easy 114-101 road win….
Again, once Zach got the ball in the post it was all over; as he overpowered and outskilled everyone the Thunder threw at him….
He’s so good at using his ample behind, shoulders and herky-jerky moves to create shots that there’s nobody in the NBA who can guard him….
Put a small guy on him and he post them up and abuses them. Put a big guy on him and he steps away from the basket, spins and knocks down the mid-range jumper like it’s a lay-up….
Amazing….
Question: Are the Grizzlies a better team without Gay? With Rudy out for the year, the Grizzlies seem to be comfortable in their roles and now Randolph is unquestionably the go-to guy and superstar….
Sure, Gay is a hell of a player, but chemistry is a funny thing. Without him, everyone seems to blending beautifully and on the same page….
It would seem, though, that the Grizzlies can only go so far without such an immense talent like Rudy contributing….
But what the hell do I know?….
Speaking of dishing out the compliments, Memphis GM Chris Wallace has done a magnificent job rebuilding his team and that Pau Gasol deal doesn’t look so bad now, does it?….
They weren’t going anywhere with Pau, who was eating up most of their salary while the team wasn’t any good. So Wallace and owner Michael Heisley decided to blow it up and start over….
Now, because of the Pau trade, they have Marc Gasol, one of the Top-5 centers in the NBA, and had cap room to sign Randolph, Gay and Mike Conley to contract extensions….
They also used a draft pick obtained in the Laker trade to take Darrell Arthur, who played extremely well against the Spurs and looks like he’s going to be a star….
Obviously the Lakers would make that deal again, because the addition of Pau got them three NBA Finals appearances and two World Championships….
But I guarantee you the Grizzlies would also repeat that deal, because they used the pieces from that trade to become one of the best young teams in the NBA and will be a force for years to come….
And in 5 years, who knows? Maybe we’ll be saying Memphis got the better of the deal….
Look at the Shaq trade, which looked like a disaster for the Lakers and opened Mitch Kupchak to all kinds of abuse. But a few years later, the end result was the Big Ingrate for Gasol, Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum and Jordan Farmar.
So it turned out to be a steal for the Lakers….
That’s why you can’t judge a big trade until two or three years pass….
At the time of the Pau Gasol trade, I said it was not a steal for the Lakers because of all the draft picks and cap space Memphis acquired. I remember having NBA writer Daryl Howerton on the air talking about what a great opportunity Grizzlies GM Wallace had to build a good, young team….
But while I thought they’d be better in the long run, I didn’t forsee Wallace doing such a tremendous job with his new resources….
Marc Gasol has blossomed into one of the best centers in the NBA and not only has he been Pau’s equal in the post-season, he’s outplayed his brother….
And drafting Gay, Conley, Arthur and trading for Randolph have all been home runs. You couldn’t possibly have done a better job at player evaluation and scouting….
NOTES ON A SCORECARD
Since I was highly critical of the Zenmaster, it’s only fair he gets credit for the Lakers improved performance in Games 5 and 6….
Finally, Phil Jackson made adjustments to the New Orlenas pick-and-roll and forced Chris Paul’s teammates to make plays….
And since Paul is surrounded by a CBA-caliber supporting cast, that’s the formula to beat them….
One question, though: With 18 points and 12 rebounds, why in the hell did Andrew Bynum only play 29 minutes?….
As usual, he dominated inside and the Hornets had nobody to guard him, yet he spent nearly half the game on the bench. And out of those 18 points, probably 12 of them were on his own….
If Bynum played 40 minutes a game and had a coach who actually featured him in the offense, he’d be a 25 point, 15 rebound player and an All-Star….
Unfortunately, his coach refuses to play him more than half a game and doesn’t hold his teammates accountable for ignoring him in the post….
Pau Gasoft has to start playing better, because the Lakers are not going to three-peat if this continues….
Gasoft got pushed around and bullied by Carl Landry, who is about 6 inches shorter….
Instead of abusing the pint-sized Landry down low, Gasoft got pushed off the block and settled for jump shots and fall aways….
In the second round, Gasoft is up against Dirk Nowitzki, another softie….
They should call this matchup the Charmin Challenge….
No more fall aways, pump fakes and 20 foot jump shots, though….
Once again, the Lakers have an advantage with the length of Gasoft and Bynum and should get past the Mavs in 5 or 6 games….
They also don’t have to worry about a super quick opposing point guard who’s going to kill them with the high pick-and-roll….
For once, Derek Fisher is as slow as the opposing point guard and the Lakers don’t have to be concerned about Fisher’s terrible defense….
It’s usually a given that Fisher’s opponent is going to blow by him, make lay-ups and break down the defense, but in this case the point guard won’t kill the Lakers….
Which means the high pick-and-roll, the Lakers biggest defensive weakness, won’t be as big a problem….
This appears to be a good match-up for the Lakers, because they have a size advantage and Kidd won’t shred them….
And whom do the Mavs have to guard Kobe Bryant? DeShawn Stevenson, Peja Stojakovic, Jason Terry?. The Bean should have a field day in this series….
The Mavs are a very good offensive team and have a dangerous bench player in Jason Terry….
But If the Lakers shoot quickly, ignore Bynum and don’t defend, they’re in trouble….
In my opinion, it will be on to OKC for the Lakers….
Tonight’s stupid coach of the night is Atlanta’s Larry Drew, who did everything in his power to lose his team’s close out, Game 6 win over the Magic….
My pet peeve is coaches who don’t foul or guard the 3-point line in the final seconds, and Drew completely screwed up the final seconds….
Fortunately for him, the Hawks got lucky and won in spite of his poor coaching….
With five seconds left, Atlanta had a 3-point lead and the Magic inbounded the ball. As Jameer Nelson dribbled and the clock ran down, I was shocked at two things: 1) The Hawks didn’t foul him and 2) All five Hawks players were INSIDE the three-point arc….
I was dumbfounded at Drew’s stupidity, because the only way his team could lose was if the Magic made a three-point shot ….
While Nelson dribbled, Dwight Howard set a pick on J.J. Redick’s man and J.J. wound up wide open with two seconds left….
Absolutely incredible that one simple screen could free up one of the best shooters in the NBA in such a crucial situation. No switch, no help, no communication and every Atlanta player INSIDE the three-point line….
As Redick squared his shoulders, got a great look and went up for the shot, I was calling for Drew to be fired….
It didn’t dawn on Drew that Orlando might try and set up one of the NBA’s best three-point shooters for a final shot? And to warn his players to switch every screen and deny Redick the ball? And to foul someone to avoid the three-point shot? And to put all five of his players BEHIND the arc to take away the three?….
Unbelievably stupid and it was only blind luck that J.J. missed the shot and the Hawks escaped. Drew’s coaching richly deserved a loss….
There’s a reason the Hawks have a reputation as the NBA’s dumbest and worst closing team, because it’s richly deserved….
I know Atlanta moved on, but I’d seriously consider firing Drew if I were the GM. Idiotic coaching like that in the final seconds cannot be tolerated and will eventually come back to haunt you….
While watching Portland get closed out by Dallas, I thought about how good they’d be if they listened to me and drafted Kevin Durant….
In the month before the draft a few years ago, I was on the air literally beging the Blazers to take Durant over injury-prone Greg Oden….
I was calling the potential Oden pick “Bowie-Jordan II” and urged Portland to learn from their franchise-killing mistake mistake in 1984….
I had Blazers GM Kevin Pritchard on as a guest and practically ordered him to take Durant; whom I believed was going to be a superstar….
I patiently pointed out the similarities between Oden and Sam Bowie: Their history of injuries, height and a superstar player they should take first….
Pritchard insisted they hadn’t made a final decision yet, but I could tell by his comments it was going to be Oden; another franchise-killing blunder….
As I pressed Pritchard and guaranteed him he was going to get fired if he took Oden, he hung up on me….
It was great radio and very entertaining, but in this case I was Nostradamus. Oden turned out to be a stiff, Durant a superstar and Pritchard got fired….
Why doesn’t anyone listen to me?….
NOTES ON A SCORECARD
NOTES ON A SCORECARD
A pet peeve of mine over the years are ocaches who refuse to foul with a three-point lead and less than five seconds remaining….
The worst offender is Phil Jackson, who has told me on several occasions that fouling in that situation “cheapens the game” and “we’d rather have them make a tough shot.”….
This, of course, is asinine and leads to losing games; evidenced by the countless times the Lakers have sat back and watched the opponent make a last second three….
It frustrates me to no end, but these stubborn SOB’s refuse to change and continue to lose games….
The latest idiot is Memphis coach Lionel Hollins, who had two chances to foul and close out the Spurs; only to watch his team lose a game they had absolutely locked up….
On the first one, they allowed Manu Ginobili to make an apparent three-pointer with tweo seconds left; only to have it ruled a two after watching the replay….
This was pure luck for the Grizzlies, who should have fouled Manu when they had him pinned on the sideline with four seconds left and a three point lead….
Instead, they allowed him to get away and make what looked like a game-tying shot….
But after the replay changed the call, Hollins got a reprieve and should have learned his lesson….
After two Zack Randolph free throws gave the Grizzlies a three-point lead with 1.7 seconds left, I was certain Hollins would learn from his mistake and foul….
Unstead, I watched in shock as Memphis sat back and watched Gary Neal make a game-tying three-point shot as time expired….
Stupid, idiotic, moronic, imbecilic, choose whatever word you choose to describe Hollins coaching….
Of course, the Spurs won in O.T. and are now going to win the series; because losses like these always come back to haunt you….
Mark my words, San Antonio wins Game 6 at Memphis and closes them out in Game 7….
And it will be all Lionel Hollins fault….
More imbeciles are Chris Webber, Greg Anthony, Charled Barkley and Kenny Smith, who all agreed with the decision not to foul….
If you don’t learn from your mistakes, the more likely you are to repeat them….
Wow, what terrible coaching….
I can’t believe the Panthers are seriously considering selecting Cam Newton with the first pick in the draft. Granted, he’s a great athlete, deserved the Heisman and was a sensational college player; but that’s not the criteria for an outstanding NFL QB….
Not only is Newton an inacurate passer, he can’t even make a short throw to a receiver standing right in front of him….
In the Fiesta Bowl against Oregon, Auburn would have won by three TD’s had Cam been able to hit wide open receivers….
Instead, he missed two chances for easy TD’s….
One time a receiver was running wide open downfield and all Newton had to do was simply lay the ball out there. But an easy score was wasted when Cam threw a bullet 20 yards over his teammates head….
Just a little touch and air under the ball and it’s a ridiculously easy TD….
Another time Auburn was on the Oregon five-yard-line and Newton felt some pressure, rolled to his left and had a received standing all by himself in the end zone; less than 10 yards away….
Cam set his feet, squared his shoulders and then one-hopped a pass. It was about as bad a throw as I’ve ever seen….
As Tommy Lasorda once said about Steve Garvey: “He would have made a f****** great f****** cricket player, getting the ball there on one f****** bounce.”….
After the Vince Young fiasco, I wouldn’t touch Newton….
Smart move by the Knicks to pick up the team option on Chauncey Billups for $14M….
No, he’s not worth the money and aging quickly; but his expiring contract will be a great thing to have at next year’s trade deadline….
Chris Paul will be in the final year of his contract, reportedly wants out of New Orleans and Billups $14M will be crucial to making the deal….
The Knicks issued a press release which was pure bulls***; talking about how much they love Chauncey and want to build around him, Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony….
The truth is they want his expriing $14M so they can deal for Paul….
Trading for Melo was the first step in attempting to build a championship team and we won’t be able to judge the deal until the Knicks fill in a few missing pieces….
They knew Carmelo wasn’t enough and the team still had holes; and Billups expiring contract might be a great way to fill those holes….
Tough to call the Heat-Celtics series….
On the surface the Heat tend to coast, do just enough to win, struggle against good teams and have nothing inside or at point guard….
They’ve also struggled against the Celtics this season….
But that was before Boston traded Kendrick Perkins, their defensive rock and tough guy….
They beat an undersized and inexperienced Knicks team in the first round, but Miami is going to be a different story….
With the Big Ingrate still milking that strained calf for all its worth and Jermaine O’Neal a shell of his former self, the Celtics won’t be able to capitalize on the Heat’s lack of size and toughness inside….
I’m going with the Celtics in seven hard fought, close games….
With Perkins, however, I’d pick Boston in a sweep or five games at the most….
But he’s gone and it’s going to be a struggle….
It will also be the first time in my life I’ll be cheering for the Celtics to win….
Gulp, I can’t believe I just said that….
But with that back-stabbing weasel Pat “Benedict” Riley in charge, I can’t root for them….
By the way, I’m not one who hates LeBron for “The Decision” or begrudges the Big Three for wanting to play together. All of them took less money to go to South Beach and they have every right to play where they want….
They also personally seem to be pretty guys and team players….
I’m just anti-Riley, because he’s an egomaniacal rodent….
LAKERS NOTES
LAKERS NOTES
While at the gym this afternoon, a guy approached me and said he was worried about the Lakers losing to the Hornets….
I agreed with his points about the Lakers not playing well and Phil Jackson seemingly on the early retirement plan, but told him not to worry: David Stern was not going to allow New Orleans to eliminate the Lakers….
With a lockout looming and tough financial times ahead for the NBA, a second round Hornets vs. Mavericks match-up would lead to financial ruin….
The ratings would be a disaster, with absolutely nobody outside of those markets watching. This means not only would the league lose millions, they’d also have to give back millions more to the NBA’s sponsors; whom were guaranteed certain ratings numbers….
But if it’s the Lakers against the Mavericks, not only does the NBA make millions in profits, they also make millions more in ratings bonuses….
Phil Jackson and Mark Cuban talking s*** is great theater and a big time ratings winner….
And if the Blazers come back to defeat Dallas, that’s also a win, because there’s a long history between the Blazers and Lakers.
The city of Portland hates Los Angeles and the Blazers always play the Lakers tough….
Either way, it’s a win-win for the NBA….
No way, no how is Stern going to sit by and watch the Hornets win and cost the league tens of millions….
The owners would string him up by his grapes….
Since the Tim Donaghy scandal blew the lid off the NBA and exposed games as being rigged, it confirmed what many of us already believed; the NBA has a vested interest in who wins early round playoff series and will assign officiating crews to ensure the “right” outcome….
I’m not saying Stern gets on the phone and fixes games; he simply makes sure the right officiating crew is assigned to important games; thus greatly enhancing the big market team’s chances of winning….
The Hornets have performed well in this series and certainly exceeded expectations without All-Star David West. But with the powers-that-be against them, they’d be wise to start making reservations for Jamaica and Hawaii….
The Celtics, Heat and Lakers are never going to be eliminated in the first round, because the NBA desperately needs them to advance deep into the playoffs to ensure maximum profits….
Unfortunately for the New Orleans Hornets of the world, that’s a sad fact of the NBA….
As for Game 5, the Lakers did a much better job getting the ball to Andrew Bynum, who responded with 18P and 10R in only 29M….
But why he played only 29 minutes is a question only the Zenmaster can answer….
As for Gasol, he had 16R and 8R in 37M, numbers which have to get better. He’s still soft and eight rebounds in 37 minutes is unacceptable. He’s going to have to play better for the Lakers to Three-peat….
After ignoring their big men in Game 4, Pau and Andrew combined for 23 FGA, 34P, 18R. Not bad, but I’d like to see 30 combined FGA, 50P and 30R….
If they consistently hit those numbers the Lakers will coast to World Championship # 12 in Los Angeles….
And they can hit those numbers if they both play 40M and get the ball on every possession….
The Lakers have a low-post presence no team in the NBA can handle; two seven footers with great skill and ability. Why they don’t utilize them every game is a complete mystery….
THE ZENMASTER NEEDS TO COME OUT OF HIBERNATION
With All-Star David West out for the season with a knee injury, it figured the Hornets would have no chance against the Lakers and probably get swept….
Sure, they had Chris Paul, but even with West they had a size disadvantage. Without him the Lakers would pound them relentlessly inside and quickly take them out of their misery….
Instead, the Lakers are playing right into their hands and now in danger of getting bounced in the first round….
And since Phil Jackson is getting badly outcoached by Hornets rookie coach Monty Williams, the unthinkable is now a possibility….
With the series tied at 2-2, I’m still waiting for the Zenmaster to make an adjustment to the Hornets pick-and-roll; namely double teaming Paul as soon as he crosses half court, making him give up the ball….
Doing this forces one of his teammates to make a play and beat you; and none of the New Orleans players are capable….
If you wait for the high screen to be set, however, it’s too late and CP3 is going to shred you. Especially if you foolishly continue to switch every screen and wind up with Andrew Bynum guarding Paul 30 feet from the basket….
Time after time the Hornets go to the pick-and-roll and every time the Lakers get caught in a mismatch; leading to an easy hoop….
Add to this Derek Fisher getting absolutely abused by CP3 and a disaster looms….
For some reason, Fisher is off limits in Los Angeles when it comes to criticism. Any mention of his shortcomings on the Laker station is met with righteous indignation and the host hanging up on the caller….
Followed by the host yelling about all the “big shots” Derek has hit throughout his career….
Agreed, but his terrible defense and 38% shooting also need to be discussed. As is his selfishness in not getting the ball inside….
We all agree Fisher is a class guy whom everyone likes, but he’s absolutely killing the Lakers on both ends of the floor. But you won’t hear a peep about it on local radio, in the papers or on ESPNLA.com….
One analyst who spoke the truth was TNT’s Charles Barkley, who said after the game that “Derek Fisher needs to play better” and “Chris Paul sends a limo for Fisher to make sure he gets to the game.”….
Right on the money, but in Los Angeles we’re not allowed to say it….
Another sacred cow is Kobe Bryant’s awful defense. He got lit up again last night, this time by Trevor Ariza and CP3; and over the past couple of years hasn’t been able to guard anyone….
Twice last night Paul got him isolated, crossed him over and went by him as if Kobe were standing still. Ariza also did this to him a few times and it was embarrassing….
But every time this is mentioned locally we’re called idiots, hung up on and told Kobe makes the All-Defensive team every year….
Bryant making the All-Defensive team is a complete joke and awarded solely on reputation; yet the local scribes and talk-show hosts rely on this like manna from heaven….
The people voting Kobe on the All-Defensive team are lazy, uninformed and voting for him only because he made the team so many times in the past….
Because anyone watching him play defense the past couple of seasons knows he’s not guarding anybody….
But now to my main target, head coach Phil Jackson….
Someone needs to inform the Zenmaster that his retirement begins after the playoffs and there’s still some coaching to be done….
Hopefully an assistant coach or player will nudge Phil during the game, wake him from his coma and tell him his team is in trouble….
With the Lakers tremendous advantage in size, the only way they can lose is to ignore their post players, shoot quick three-point shots and make no adjustments to the Hornets high screen-and-roll….
Unfortunately, that’s exactly what they Lakers are doing….
After the game, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Chris Webber were incredulous at the Lakers strategy; questioning Jackson’s coaching. And all three of them called the Lakers plan of switching every screen “stupid.”….
Stupid is correct, but I’d use a stronger choice of words….
The Hornets have one play, the high pick-and-roll. CP3 crosses midcourt, his center runs out to set a pick and Paul goes into motion. Then, a Lakers big man gets caught guarding him, which is a complete mismatch and leads to either a wide open jump shot or Paul easily getting to the rim….
On the rare occasions they don’t run screen-and-roll, CP3 abuses Fisher off the dribble and gets anything he wants. I’ve been watching NBA basketball for a long time and can’t remember one player destroying another the way Paul is doing to Fisher….
For a 5’11″ PG to completely dominate the game and get 27P, 15A and 13R is embarrassing….
The answer, of course, is to make someone else beat you; which means doubling CP3 before one of his teammates arrives to set a pick. Double team him at midcourt, make him give up the ball and get them out of their offense….
With West not playing, the only way the Hornets can win is if Paul goes absolutely crazy; which is what’s happening….
When you allow a great player to do whatever he wants, you’re in trouble. The only matchup where New Orleans has a huge advantage is at point guard, so Big Chief Triangle needs to make sure he’s contained….
Allowing CP3 to run wild, abuse Fisher and have Bynum guarding him on switches is asinine….
Four games into the series and the Zenmaster is still sleeping on the bench and not made a single adjustment to Paul and the pick-and-roll….
I know Phil is dreaming about sitting in his teepee, smoking peyote and riding his motorcycle, but if he doesn’t come out of his coma we might see a monumental and humiliating upset….
Now to the offense….
Once again, the Lakers played selfish basketball and ignored the two players who figured to do the most damage; Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum….
Despite their significant advantage in size and skill, the two of them were frozen out by their teammates and combined for just 19 shots. Meanwhile Fisher, Shannon Brown and Steve Blake combined for 16….
Now that’s a recipe for a loss….
Time after time Bynum hustled down the court, selaed his man, got great position and didn’t get the ball. Instead, he watched as one of his selfish teammates launched a quick shot, leading to a long rebound and hoop at the other end….
Jerry Tarkanian once told me that when your bigs get a lot of touches they run faster, jump higher, rebound better, play harder and are a hell of a lot happier….
Truer words were never spoken….
New Orleans’ centers have no chance to guard Bynum, yet he’s ignored the whole game….
Then, when he finally does touch the ball he’s out-of-sync, out of rythym and doesn’t make a play….
See: Jerry Tarkanian….
With time running out, Gasol made two mistakes: First, he fumbled a great pass from Kobe out-of-bounds and then missed a crucial free throw….
Pau is being heavily criticized, but not by me….
Sure, he should have converted that pass and made his free throw, but when a big goes that long without touching the ball, bad things happen….
See: Jerry Tarkanian….
When Kobe made that excellent pass to Gasol under the hoop, Pau was so shocked someone actually passed him the ball that he wasn’t ready. He had to be frustrated and angry at being frozen out the entire game and when he finally had a pass thrown his way he fumbled it ….
As for the missed free throw, I believe it was another case of being out-of-rythym. Since he hadn’t been involved in the offense the entire second half, he was out-of-sync and predictably missed a free throw….
See: Jerry Tarkanian….
You have to keep your bigs happy, but when you ignore them they are going to make mistakes….
So now it’s on to Game 5 and hopefully Big Chief Triangle will watch some game film instead of looking at brochures for retirement property….
