things i think i think re: nba finals game 1
1. tim duncan will be known as the best PF to play the game. what a complete player. steady, consistent. what’s not to like about this guy (other than FT shooting)? people complain that he’s boring, but it’s the same as sampras, you have to cheer on the classy winner. not to mention in this day and age you hear people complain about selfish, “talky,” brash sports players. but when you have someone like duncan, all of a sudden being reserved, being almost stoic, being classy is a bad thing.
2. why is everyone so down on this finals? because both teams have a “workman” like approach to the game? because both teams play such good defense, taking away what the other team does best? because both teams are content on offense to just get 1 more point than they allow? hmm, if this was football EVERYONE would be talking about how great the patriots are and how they are the BEST team and what everyone should strive for. you don’t hear people complain about the EXACT same things when it comes to the pats?
3. i’m not original in this, but the finals will be a coming out party for manu and tayshaun.
4. people will say what a bad game this was because of the low scoring. but if you WATCHed the game, it was a great game. great passing, ball movement, GREAT defense at the end of possessions. if half of the shots aren’t contested, then the score is in triple digits and everyone is praising the offensive skills. so many possessions had great plays (a pass, etc) that didn’t end in scores. only a bad, “ugly” game if you read the box score only. watch the game, and it’s compelling.
5. sheed is the real deal. if he had that sort of desire/attitude, he could be the best PF. real inside-outside game. what other PFs have that? none really. KG, while such greatness, isn’t as good on the block as sheed, doesn’t have the same range (though admittedly a better ballhandler, passer).
6. you have to wonder if this game is indicative of how the entire series will be called by the refs? they allowed a lot of contact, but also made a lot of calls (on things like offensive fouls).
7. nazr mohammed… the knicks have to wonder why he never played like that in nyc.
8. glen robinson. it is STILL beyond belief that out of college as the number 1 overall (i think) pick he wanted (the first) $100 million contract in nba history.
9. a year of growth has done wonders for tony parker, but with as inconsistent as he is, you still have to wonder a little bit if he’s going to fold like he did last year versus the lakers.
10. i think as long as the finals had the spurs, it was going to be entertaining. they can play with anyone. they are more fun to watch than even the suns (except for anything amare does, amare is ridiculous, beast).
11. while i’d rather the spurs win, there are reasons to root for either team (and other teams): the suns - the rebirth of late 80s western conference run and gun a la the lakeshow, the birth of the amare era; the heat - dwyane’s emergence as nba elite, shaq being able to crow and talk smack about kobe and jerry buss; the pistons - LB winning a second consecutive title (to quiet all the people whining about his propensity to wander), sheed being sheed, two words: TITLE BELTS (seriously, if the pistons win do you think the organization should get kind of rinky dink rings, but REAL, dope championship belts?), the rebirth of TEAM in the nba, darko having two rings; the spurs - timmy winning one without the admiral, the emergence of manu, the continuation of TEAM over star system of old, etc.
12. don’t you kind of love manu’s balding spot? great television.
13. one last thing, how great is the rematch of TD and sheed. going back to wake vs unc. good stuff.
14. okay, really last thing: watching the post-game coverage on espn, TD Q&A session right now. he’s a pretty engaging guy. i don’t know what they are talking about “no personality” seriously the sampras comparison is perfect. they don’t trash talk. they don’t really say much right before, during, or right after games/matches. but in Q&As they are engaging.
