Satisfied. If I could only review Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull with one word, that would be my choice. It didn't thrill me like the original, gross me out like the 1st sequel, or humor me like the 2nd sequel. But it successfully integrated familiar elements from all three previous films. All in all, Indy IV was probably as good as a third sequel could possibly be.
The film takes place about 20 years after The Last Crusade. The villains this time around are the Russians, not the Nazis. Cate Blanchett plays their menacing, if underdeveloped leader. They are after the mysterious crystal skull, which legend says will bring power, knowledge, and a gold fortune to . . . . . nevermind. Like the ark of the covenant, the sankara stones, and the holy grail, the supernatural skull is really an excuse to provide the viewer with a series of close-calls, killer creatures, and thrilling chases. Because the enemies are again not quite as competent as our hero, they force Indiana Jones to discover the secrets they cannot. Along the way, Indy is joined by his longtime partner Mac (Ray Winstone), a young hot-head named Mutt (Shia LeBeouf), old flame Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen), and a wise though senile professor who'll prove essential to helping Indy reach his goal.
Dr. Jones is once again played by Harrison Ford, who's as reliable as ever. He doesn't run like a man in his 60s, though the script never fails to take a shot at his age. Still, Ford acts like he's never left and successfully convinces the viewer that even an older Jones is more charasmatic and exciting than 95% of the action hero's out there. Bringing back Allen was a nice touch, and she and Ford recapture a little of the spark that began in Raiders of the Lost Ark all those years ago. LeBeouf adds a fresh face to the proceedings and establishes a strong chemistry with Ford. His character easily could've been annoying, but he keeps Mutt grounded, while giving the film it's attitude. Still, the film does miss Sean Connery as Dr. Jones Sr. His relationship with Indy was the glue that held The Last Crusade together and there is no actor in Crystal Skull to match the presence he brought to that film. We are told he and old pal Marcus Brody have passed on in a scene that made me laugh aloud as a result of the silly picture of Brody on Indiana's work desk. Even better is the scene when a statue of Brody (who put that thing up?) loses it's head, in a chase that doesn't quite make as much as sense as it probably should.
Far better executed is the film's action centerpiece, a multi-vehicle chase through the jungle featuring sword play, monkeys, guns, giant red ants, and a monstrous waterfall. This extended chase is easily the most thrilling action sequence since last summer's Bourne Ultimatum. There's still a few mysteries to solve afterward, and though the solution is a little preposterous, it generally falls in line with the mythic mumbo-jumbo conclusions to the other films. Unfortunately, we don't really hate the Russian baddies in Crystal Skull. They're portrayed as more of a collective nuisance than truly despicable beings like the Nazis were, which hinders the effectiveness of the ending. Although there's a nice touch at the end when Indy takes the hat that's rightfully his out of Mutt's eager hands.
So what are we left with in the end? A winner, if not an overwhelming one. The script contains enough genuinely funny moments and exciting action to please fans of the series, and the pacing is stellar, which should be expected of any Steven Spielberg directed action film (War of the Worlds aside). The opening scenes in the Nevada desert probably go on too long, but once Mutt introduces the real storyline to both Indy and the audience, the film accelerates. John Williams' score is terrific, while Ford shows he can still provide a stable presence to balance the world of chaos around him. The film has flaws and at times gets a little too cute, but overall it does far more things right than wrong. When all is said in done, I don't imagine too many summer films being more fun than this one.
Unlike George Lucas' embarassing Episode I - The Phantom Menace, Kingdom of the Crystal Skull deserves mention in the same breath as the three adventures that preceeded it. It's about as good at Temple of Doom, which for me is more of a compliment than a criticism. When you keep your expectations in check, amazing things can happen.
B+
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Thursday, May 22, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
The Return of Indiana Jones: Part I
How do I approach Indy IV, with my head or my heart? The 15 year old boy inside me has begun counting down the hours until the greatest cinematic hero of my lifetime returns to the big screen. This Thursday marks the opening of (for many) the year's most anticipated film, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. I consider it an early birthday gift. The original trilogy represents probably the most fun adventure series Hollywood has ever produced. Raiders of the Lost Ark premiered in May, 1981, the same year I was born. It drew critical raves and huge box-office. Almost 30 years later, it has remained the benchmark against which most action/adventure films are measured. By the end of the 80s, two Indy sequels had been released. Temple of Doom was a hit, but while it contained some great action scenes, it was later deemed too dark by many fans. The Last Crusade (ironic title huh?) was lighter and funnier, not to mention a bigger smash, introducing Sean Connery as Indiana's father.
Collectively, the trilogy has done wonders for the talent involved. They are the best films on creator George Lucas' resume (Star Wars was a larger phenomenon, but Indy represents his most accomplished storytelling). Raiders of the Lost Ark, with Jaws, is arguably the most effective mainstream entertainment director Steven Spielberg has ever delivered. Harrison Ford's daring archaeologist is among a handful of the most well-known characters in cinema and easily represents Ford's most iconic role. John Williams score is instantly recognizable to even the most passive moviegoers. The trilogy has inspired popular attractions at both Walt Disney World (Orl.) and Disney Land (L.A.). May 22nd is circled on my calendar. I've watched the trailer on u-tube about 350 times. I've even decided to play hooky on Thursday, as I won't possibly be able to stay focused at work knowing I didn't attend one of the first showings (I immediately regret sharing that with you).
But will Kingdom of the Crystal Skull deliver or disappointment? I hate to admit that the latter is even a possibility, but I'm gonna let my brain interject. With a few exceptions, I've generally been let down by summer blockbusters. When I was a young teen, a movie would have to be really bad to dim my spirits. But with the media and Hollywood playing such a major role in creating pre-release hype for these "can't miss hits", it becomes almost impossible to feel completely satisfied afterward. Generally the films that fuel the public's collective energy are sequels or films based on popular stories. It makes sense. Audiences want to re-visit characters they are familiar with. That's why you don't see the same kind of initial marketing push for films like Sling Blade, L.A. Confidential, 25th Hour, Swingers, Million Dollar Baby, Little Miss Sunshine, or The Sixth Sense, all far stronger films than your average studio fare. Interestingly enough, when The Sixth Sense became a word-of-mouth phenomenon, all future M. Night Shamalan films became pegged as event movies. Ironically, not one has come close to the success of the original, creatively or financially. And yet that won't stop me from shelling out $10.00 to see his new film, The Happening, opening next month. The preview looks awesome and well, I just can't help myself.
Dr. Jones faces an additional obstacle many big sequels manage to avoid; the significant passage of time. These days studios are bludgeoning audiences over the head with rapid sequels. Each of the following trilogies were introduced and completed within spans of 6 years or less: Spiderman, X-Men, Pirates of the Carribean, Shrek, and The Matrix. The studios spent more time advertising on magazine covers and slapping logos on happy meal boxes than making sure they actually had decent stories (Anyone wanna bet the inevitable Iron Man sequel in 2 years won't be as good as the first?). But there's a method to this madness; they remained fresh in the public eye. It's harder to stir excitment for older franchises, because the audience changes if you wait too long. Moviegoers waited 6 years for Alien 3 & Lethal Weapon 4, 10 years for Hannibal, 12 years for Terminator 3 & Die Hard 4, and an incomprehensible 16 years for Rocky Balboa & Episode I: The Phantom Menace. The lattermost of those films was probably the most hyped film of all-time and suffered because of it, at least in terms of major audience disapproval. But Indiana Jones has topped them all. It's been nearly 2 full decades (19 years) since Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade was released. I was 8 years old and too young to see it in theaters.
Creatively, there's no reason for a 4th Indy film. Harrison Ford has said publicly that he'd play Indiana Jones again in "a New York minute." While it seems his heart's in the right place, we're not naive. The only reason for this film's existence is money, as in shit-loads of money. You can currently see Indiana at Burger King, on Dr. Pepper boxes, and on Snicker and M&M rappers. But I can't imagine my anticipation being higher for the return of any other franchise, despite the fact that Ford is now 142 years old. Reportedly, Sean Connery wasn't interested in returning for the new sequel but it's just as well, since by any logical reasoning his character should be dead.
So what do I ultimately expect? Entertainment, no more, no less. It will probably fall somewhere in-between the quality levels of Temple of Doom and Last Crusade. With the overall quality of major summer releases at an all-time low, that would be more than acceptable to me.
A review of the film will be forthcoming.
Collectively, the trilogy has done wonders for the talent involved. They are the best films on creator George Lucas' resume (Star Wars was a larger phenomenon, but Indy represents his most accomplished storytelling). Raiders of the Lost Ark, with Jaws, is arguably the most effective mainstream entertainment director Steven Spielberg has ever delivered. Harrison Ford's daring archaeologist is among a handful of the most well-known characters in cinema and easily represents Ford's most iconic role. John Williams score is instantly recognizable to even the most passive moviegoers. The trilogy has inspired popular attractions at both Walt Disney World (Orl.) and Disney Land (L.A.). May 22nd is circled on my calendar. I've watched the trailer on u-tube about 350 times. I've even decided to play hooky on Thursday, as I won't possibly be able to stay focused at work knowing I didn't attend one of the first showings (I immediately regret sharing that with you).
But will Kingdom of the Crystal Skull deliver or disappointment? I hate to admit that the latter is even a possibility, but I'm gonna let my brain interject. With a few exceptions, I've generally been let down by summer blockbusters. When I was a young teen, a movie would have to be really bad to dim my spirits. But with the media and Hollywood playing such a major role in creating pre-release hype for these "can't miss hits", it becomes almost impossible to feel completely satisfied afterward. Generally the films that fuel the public's collective energy are sequels or films based on popular stories. It makes sense. Audiences want to re-visit characters they are familiar with. That's why you don't see the same kind of initial marketing push for films like Sling Blade, L.A. Confidential, 25th Hour, Swingers, Million Dollar Baby, Little Miss Sunshine, or The Sixth Sense, all far stronger films than your average studio fare. Interestingly enough, when The Sixth Sense became a word-of-mouth phenomenon, all future M. Night Shamalan films became pegged as event movies. Ironically, not one has come close to the success of the original, creatively or financially. And yet that won't stop me from shelling out $10.00 to see his new film, The Happening, opening next month. The preview looks awesome and well, I just can't help myself.
Dr. Jones faces an additional obstacle many big sequels manage to avoid; the significant passage of time. These days studios are bludgeoning audiences over the head with rapid sequels. Each of the following trilogies were introduced and completed within spans of 6 years or less: Spiderman, X-Men, Pirates of the Carribean, Shrek, and The Matrix. The studios spent more time advertising on magazine covers and slapping logos on happy meal boxes than making sure they actually had decent stories (Anyone wanna bet the inevitable Iron Man sequel in 2 years won't be as good as the first?). But there's a method to this madness; they remained fresh in the public eye. It's harder to stir excitment for older franchises, because the audience changes if you wait too long. Moviegoers waited 6 years for Alien 3 & Lethal Weapon 4, 10 years for Hannibal, 12 years for Terminator 3 & Die Hard 4, and an incomprehensible 16 years for Rocky Balboa & Episode I: The Phantom Menace. The lattermost of those films was probably the most hyped film of all-time and suffered because of it, at least in terms of major audience disapproval. But Indiana Jones has topped them all. It's been nearly 2 full decades (19 years) since Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade was released. I was 8 years old and too young to see it in theaters.
Creatively, there's no reason for a 4th Indy film. Harrison Ford has said publicly that he'd play Indiana Jones again in "a New York minute." While it seems his heart's in the right place, we're not naive. The only reason for this film's existence is money, as in shit-loads of money. You can currently see Indiana at Burger King, on Dr. Pepper boxes, and on Snicker and M&M rappers. But I can't imagine my anticipation being higher for the return of any other franchise, despite the fact that Ford is now 142 years old. Reportedly, Sean Connery wasn't interested in returning for the new sequel but it's just as well, since by any logical reasoning his character should be dead.
So what do I ultimately expect? Entertainment, no more, no less. It will probably fall somewhere in-between the quality levels of Temple of Doom and Last Crusade. With the overall quality of major summer releases at an all-time low, that would be more than acceptable to me.
A review of the film will be forthcoming.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Vindicated! A Game 7 for the Ages
The Jekyl & Hyde act continued. The road women once again transformed into superheros at home. But today, that was good enough for me. Because I was honored to represent a small part of the loudest crowd I'd ever heard at a Boston basketball game. From the opening introductions, the fans were enthusiastic and involved 100%. This tends to happen when your home team, not to mention the opposition, plays each's best game of the playoffs. Make no mistake about, Cleveland would've beat most teams today. This was a war, one the Celtics were able to win with unselfish play, tenacious defense, smart substitutions (what?), and a very cohesive offense (what?, what?).
I've made no secret recently of my distaste for the stale Boston offense. Players had looked afraid of the ball down the stretch of games. There were units playing together for the first time all season! But tonight, Doc Rivers thankfully got it right. And it was a good thing, because so many bad calls went against the Celtics that we could easily be sitting home now watching ESPN preview a conference final between Detroit and Cleveland. There was the phantom foul on Kevin Garnett in the 4th. Delonte West kicking the ball out of bounce, but getting it right back. Lebron James holding Paul Pierce's jersey from behind while the ball bobbled out of Pierce's hands out of bounce. I could go on for hours, but I don't particularly want or need to. Because the C's overcame all of that, and advanced to the eastern conference finals after one of the best game 7s in NBA history.
The game was epic and should be sent to ESPN classic's archives immediately. They might as well label it the Lebron/Pierce showdown, because that's how it will be remembered. I've showered Lebron with praise throughout the entire season and he deserves it. Today he poured in 45 points despite hounding defense from Pierce and the unheralded James Posey. He also delivered what could've been the biggest play of the game, when he stripped the ball from Pierce, took it coast-to-coast, and slammed it home with authority, cutting the Boston lead to 1 with only about a minute left in regulation. It was the only moment the Garden was quiet all afternoon. Fortunately, Pierce came through.
Pierce has often been a forgotten superstar over the years, playing on bad teams, sulking, shooting too much, getting stabbed (sorry, low blow) . . . All past criticisms were drowned out by thunderous applause today, as Pierce played his best game in years! Sure, he's had games with better numbers, but never in a playoff game that mattered as much as this one. He dropped 41 on Cleveland, most of them against King James himself, who had no answer for Pierce's pattented fall-aways from just inside the arc. There's maybe a half-dozen players in the entire league who are truly unguardable once they get hot offensively, and 2 of them were on the same court today. It was an amazing site to behold. But Pierce would get the last laugh.
The 10 year vet was in the zone, creating open shots for his teammates as the Cavs defense was forced to collapse on him. He was unselfish, finding KG, Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins, and P.J. Brown around the basket. He rebounded, he got to the line (where he was lights out), he even got hurt on what should've been a flagrant foul. Though he didn't leave the court, it was reminiscent of Larry Bird's injury and return against Indiana all those years ago. I admit I was nervous at the time and the next series of plays marked a battle of wits (or lack-thereof) between head coaches Rivers and Cleveland's Mike Brown. Not only did Rivers leave Pierce in the game guarding Lebron, but Brown failed to realize that everyone on his team should be attacking Pierce near the basket and settled for long jumpers. My fears were soon put to rest though. As soon as Pierce hit his next jumber, the crowd knew he'd continue to deliver, and he did until the final buzzer sounded.
Though Pierce deserved the most credit, his teammates brought their A-games as well. Most notable was Brown, a late season pick-up who in big minutes today proved more valuable than Sam Cassell in his entire stay in Boston. Brown rebounded, he hit shots, he intimidated, and he lead by example. Every time he fouled an opposing player, they knew it. He was not gonna allow 3-point plays, and his teammates followed the veteran's lead. Eddie House played crucial minutes and allowed the Boston faithful to breather easier. Perkins played strong, efficient defense on the glacial Lithuanian Zydrunas Ilgauskas, disallowing him from getting anything going inside the paint. One of my favorite moments of the afternoon was when, after watching Z nearly start a brawl near mid-court, the crowd erupted into chants of "USA, USA." KG scored big-time buckets and controlled the paint, leading all players in rebounds. And though Ray Allen has yet to come through with a big offensive game in the playoffs, when he was fouled with a chance to ice the game in the closing seconds, I knew it was over.
Sitting just 11 rows back, near center court, was a remarkable experience. My brother and I were within spitting distance of Jo Jo White, M.L.Carr, and "Satch" Sanders. I'm ashamed to admit it almost didn't happen. I wasn't quite sure I was ready to spend over $200 on a ticket (face value), even for a game as crucial as this one. Fortunately, my brother convinced me I was nuts, and we shared what was probably the best sporting event either of us have ever been to (and this from someone who had premium seats for game 1 of the historic 2004 World Series, which the Red Sox won 11-2). But this game was different. It was a must-win, a game 7, in a closed stadium filled wall-to-wall with green shirts and screaming maniacs. By the end my voice was shot. I was sweating profusely for at least the last 90 minutes. It was nearly non-stop action for 3 plus hours, which separates basketball from it's more popular competitors like football and baseball. The pace was electric, as both offenses woke up from their slumber. In my previous column I had stated that I wasn't worried about the Celtic defense, but rather their offense, which was producing nowhere near the level it was capable of. They actually scored 50 by half-time today, rather than by the end 3rd quarter. Imagine my relief of not having to take Doc out with a sniper rifle and risk being hauled off to prison.
The crowd was an interesing mix of young and old, black and white, men and women, although I'd guess there more suburban Jews in attendance than any other group. Still, it was rowdy. Plenty of famous athletes, including Patriots heros Randy Moss, Laurence Maroney, Richard Seymour, and of course Tom Brady, who seemed to think a San Francisco Giants cap would make him invisible to the other 18,000 plus in attendance. He was sitting next to one of the sexiest girls I've ever seen, but it wasn't Giselle, Bridget, or anyone else I recognized. That guy's a fucking pimp! I'd cut off my foot just to be him for a day. The P.A. guy knew just how to pump-up the crowd, not that he needed to with the effort we got from our players. Still, we were treated to "Eye of the Tiger", "Rock Me Like A Hurricane", "Baba O'Riley", new local anthem "I'm Shipping Up to Boston," and a film clip featuring "Welcome to the Jungle" that brought the house down. It was the classic Predator clip, with Arnold preparing for battle against an unstoppable killing machine in the jungle. We got a clip of Coach Devine in Rudy, affirming that "No one comes into our house, and pushes us around." We got some great crowd shots, most notably the two child dancers (one white, one black), who seemed to be on their feet for the entire 48 minutes. No points awarded for guessing who was the better dancer. And though the game was far too close to ever feel certain about the outcome, once the final whistle blew, it was Gino time. He clapped and shook like the fruitcake he is, and we all followed suit. We just couldn't help ourselves.
It was a special day, not only for me, but for my family, my friends, for the players (especially Pierce and James), for Boston, and for all basketball fans. Watching the Celtics gel in the biggest game of the year was enough to kill my inner grinch and convince me that they can win it all. But this game was bigger than the final score. It was a game I'll be telling my grandkids about one day.
Bring on the Pistons.
I've made no secret recently of my distaste for the stale Boston offense. Players had looked afraid of the ball down the stretch of games. There were units playing together for the first time all season! But tonight, Doc Rivers thankfully got it right. And it was a good thing, because so many bad calls went against the Celtics that we could easily be sitting home now watching ESPN preview a conference final between Detroit and Cleveland. There was the phantom foul on Kevin Garnett in the 4th. Delonte West kicking the ball out of bounce, but getting it right back. Lebron James holding Paul Pierce's jersey from behind while the ball bobbled out of Pierce's hands out of bounce. I could go on for hours, but I don't particularly want or need to. Because the C's overcame all of that, and advanced to the eastern conference finals after one of the best game 7s in NBA history.
The game was epic and should be sent to ESPN classic's archives immediately. They might as well label it the Lebron/Pierce showdown, because that's how it will be remembered. I've showered Lebron with praise throughout the entire season and he deserves it. Today he poured in 45 points despite hounding defense from Pierce and the unheralded James Posey. He also delivered what could've been the biggest play of the game, when he stripped the ball from Pierce, took it coast-to-coast, and slammed it home with authority, cutting the Boston lead to 1 with only about a minute left in regulation. It was the only moment the Garden was quiet all afternoon. Fortunately, Pierce came through.
Pierce has often been a forgotten superstar over the years, playing on bad teams, sulking, shooting too much, getting stabbed (sorry, low blow) . . . All past criticisms were drowned out by thunderous applause today, as Pierce played his best game in years! Sure, he's had games with better numbers, but never in a playoff game that mattered as much as this one. He dropped 41 on Cleveland, most of them against King James himself, who had no answer for Pierce's pattented fall-aways from just inside the arc. There's maybe a half-dozen players in the entire league who are truly unguardable once they get hot offensively, and 2 of them were on the same court today. It was an amazing site to behold. But Pierce would get the last laugh.
The 10 year vet was in the zone, creating open shots for his teammates as the Cavs defense was forced to collapse on him. He was unselfish, finding KG, Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins, and P.J. Brown around the basket. He rebounded, he got to the line (where he was lights out), he even got hurt on what should've been a flagrant foul. Though he didn't leave the court, it was reminiscent of Larry Bird's injury and return against Indiana all those years ago. I admit I was nervous at the time and the next series of plays marked a battle of wits (or lack-thereof) between head coaches Rivers and Cleveland's Mike Brown. Not only did Rivers leave Pierce in the game guarding Lebron, but Brown failed to realize that everyone on his team should be attacking Pierce near the basket and settled for long jumpers. My fears were soon put to rest though. As soon as Pierce hit his next jumber, the crowd knew he'd continue to deliver, and he did until the final buzzer sounded.
Though Pierce deserved the most credit, his teammates brought their A-games as well. Most notable was Brown, a late season pick-up who in big minutes today proved more valuable than Sam Cassell in his entire stay in Boston. Brown rebounded, he hit shots, he intimidated, and he lead by example. Every time he fouled an opposing player, they knew it. He was not gonna allow 3-point plays, and his teammates followed the veteran's lead. Eddie House played crucial minutes and allowed the Boston faithful to breather easier. Perkins played strong, efficient defense on the glacial Lithuanian Zydrunas Ilgauskas, disallowing him from getting anything going inside the paint. One of my favorite moments of the afternoon was when, after watching Z nearly start a brawl near mid-court, the crowd erupted into chants of "USA, USA." KG scored big-time buckets and controlled the paint, leading all players in rebounds. And though Ray Allen has yet to come through with a big offensive game in the playoffs, when he was fouled with a chance to ice the game in the closing seconds, I knew it was over.
Sitting just 11 rows back, near center court, was a remarkable experience. My brother and I were within spitting distance of Jo Jo White, M.L.Carr, and "Satch" Sanders. I'm ashamed to admit it almost didn't happen. I wasn't quite sure I was ready to spend over $200 on a ticket (face value), even for a game as crucial as this one. Fortunately, my brother convinced me I was nuts, and we shared what was probably the best sporting event either of us have ever been to (and this from someone who had premium seats for game 1 of the historic 2004 World Series, which the Red Sox won 11-2). But this game was different. It was a must-win, a game 7, in a closed stadium filled wall-to-wall with green shirts and screaming maniacs. By the end my voice was shot. I was sweating profusely for at least the last 90 minutes. It was nearly non-stop action for 3 plus hours, which separates basketball from it's more popular competitors like football and baseball. The pace was electric, as both offenses woke up from their slumber. In my previous column I had stated that I wasn't worried about the Celtic defense, but rather their offense, which was producing nowhere near the level it was capable of. They actually scored 50 by half-time today, rather than by the end 3rd quarter. Imagine my relief of not having to take Doc out with a sniper rifle and risk being hauled off to prison.
The crowd was an interesing mix of young and old, black and white, men and women, although I'd guess there more suburban Jews in attendance than any other group. Still, it was rowdy. Plenty of famous athletes, including Patriots heros Randy Moss, Laurence Maroney, Richard Seymour, and of course Tom Brady, who seemed to think a San Francisco Giants cap would make him invisible to the other 18,000 plus in attendance. He was sitting next to one of the sexiest girls I've ever seen, but it wasn't Giselle, Bridget, or anyone else I recognized. That guy's a fucking pimp! I'd cut off my foot just to be him for a day. The P.A. guy knew just how to pump-up the crowd, not that he needed to with the effort we got from our players. Still, we were treated to "Eye of the Tiger", "Rock Me Like A Hurricane", "Baba O'Riley", new local anthem "I'm Shipping Up to Boston," and a film clip featuring "Welcome to the Jungle" that brought the house down. It was the classic Predator clip, with Arnold preparing for battle against an unstoppable killing machine in the jungle. We got a clip of Coach Devine in Rudy, affirming that "No one comes into our house, and pushes us around." We got some great crowd shots, most notably the two child dancers (one white, one black), who seemed to be on their feet for the entire 48 minutes. No points awarded for guessing who was the better dancer. And though the game was far too close to ever feel certain about the outcome, once the final whistle blew, it was Gino time. He clapped and shook like the fruitcake he is, and we all followed suit. We just couldn't help ourselves.
It was a special day, not only for me, but for my family, my friends, for the players (especially Pierce and James), for Boston, and for all basketball fans. Watching the Celtics gel in the biggest game of the year was enough to kill my inner grinch and convince me that they can win it all. But this game was bigger than the final score. It was a game I'll be telling my grandkids about one day.
Bring on the Pistons.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Another Game 6 Abomination!
I'm embarassed right now. Embarassed to be a Celtics fan. I'm not sure I can take another loss like this, one that was preventable from at least a dozen different angles. Yes, they were on the road against a Cleveland team whose defense has been underrated by most in this series. But our defense was easily good enough to win the game. In fact, I'd say there were almost no problems on defense tonight. Sure, Zydrunas hit a couple jumpers on missed rotations, and Joe Smith inexcplicably returned to rookie form with an assortment of baby hooks and turn arounds. And Lebron is Lebron (more on him in a minute). But our defense has almost nothing to do with this loss. Had our offense been even a shred above anemic, we'd be heading to the conference finals tonight.
It's time for Doc Rivers to go. I don't care how many regular season games you win. This team looks completely puzzled down the stretch of games. This might have to do with a brainless offense that fails to exploit proper matchups at every turn. It also has to do with a coach who has almost no idea how to utilize his bench. Yes, the players ultimately win and lose ballgames in the NBA, more so than in other pro sports. But they look so ill-prepared in big moments, I truly wonder if I could've done better.
On the final defensive possession, they had NO IDEA that they should foul immediately. They were worried about Lebron making 2 free throws, when they should have realized there was still 1 foul to give. They lost a full 6 seconds there. On their final offensive possession (as well as several throughout the second half), they were lost. They passed and they passed and they passed until finally heaving a desparation 3 pointer with seconds left. They were down 5!!! Shoot the fucken thing earlier. They don't even give themselves a chance. They are the better basketball team. They have 4 of the 6 best players in the series. I'm almost at a loss for words.
If this was a 1 time thing, I'd be more inclined to let it go. But if there were some sort of team stat for offensive turnovers following time-outs called by your own coach, the 2007-08 Celtics would've shattered it. Why does Doc even call time-outs? I'd feel better with Eddie House ignoring him, dribbling up court, and shooting a 3 from 35 feet. Oh by the way, thanks for remembering he existed Doc. Unfortunately, Rivers exhausted his entire mental capacity for rational thought with this decision, because he forgot to play Leon Powe (our only athletic big not named KG) tonight. I'm talking the entire game. Not a second for Powe, even after watching the immobile scowler (my new nickname for Kendrick Perkins) blow at least 5 possessions for the team. You see, they'd be moving the ball well. A guard on the Cavs would double-team Pierce, or go for a steal and miss, leaving Perkins alone near the free-throw line. Pierce would get him the ball with a 3-on-2 opportunity, which at the least should result in a couple of freebies for somebody. Except for one thing . . . Perkins can't dribble! His footwork is the slowest on the floor, not small feat with big Z occupying the same court. He also has some of the worst hands in the league and the slowest vertical since, well, ever. He was useless tonight and Boston could've used Powe's quickness if nothing else. He at least could've gotten to the basket inside of a minute.
Only Garnett played well on offense tonight. Had Allen proved more than a poor-man's Rip Hamilton (I can't believe I just typed that), we win outright. If Rondo outplays Delonte West, we win outright. Although in fairness to Rondo, he was the best player on either team in game 5. I never thought I'd say this, but even Brian Scalabrine would've been useful tonight. He can shoot a little, which would spread the defense and open up the lane for Pierce and KG. By the way, can they post up KG just once? He's a good shooter, but wouldn't an inside-out offense be smarter? They need to isolate Garnett and either of the wings on a side, force the double, have cutters from the weak side, and get open looks for the shooters. If for some reason Cleveland doesn't double, Garnett gets to the rim every time. Hey Doc, I didn't go to coaching school. I came up with that just now as I hocked a loogie on a picture of you.
I actually feel a little for Pierce in this series. Considering he's chasing around the scariest offensive force since a young Shaq, I'd like to cut him a little slack. I wish the refs would do the same. For some reason, Lebron gets to the line if the nacho guy in the 4th row sneezes. Yet Pierce can't buy a call. Worse, this is the playoffs, when the officiating is supposed to get looser, not tighter. Pierce has been called for more tic-tac fouls in this series than any player in recent memory. Let the fucken guys play!!! I can't imagine David Stern is satisfied with the referees throughout these playoffs, but if he is, maybe it's time for him to go as well. The Cavs made 10 more free-throws than the Celtics on a dozen more attempts, despite the fact that nobody other than Lebron attacks the rim. Ball game.
For the record, Lebron is amazing! Pierce's defense tonight was actually pretty good. James hit some of the most difficult shots I've seen this side of Michael Jordan/Kobe Bryant. He scored with hands in his face, falling away, twisting his body, one-handed bank shots, 24 foot bombs . . . He did it all. I jokingly asked a friend at the start of the playoffs if he'd rather have Lebron on his team than KG, Pierce, and Allen. He asked me if I was nuts. I wonder if he'd still be so confident now. I still lean slightly towards the "veteran 3" (I will not use the more popular term, being that it's a media creation, there already was a real "big 3," and these guys haven't earned the distinction), because I think the series would be over with a competent leader on the bench. Imagine what new Knicks head coach Mike D'Antoni could've done for this offense. I don't think we'd have lost a playoff game yet. But James is a special talent, who only seems to need the bare minimum from his teammates to win a playoff series. Prior to game 6 he was shooting about 25% from the field for the series, and he still struck the fear of God into yours truly every time he touched the ball. This guy has no ceiling. At 23, he's inarguably the best small forward to play the game since Larry Bird, and the most dominant non-center since Jordan in his prime.
So where do we go from here. Before game 5 I said that if Boston can win the next 2 and close out on the road, they will get to the finals. However, if they need another game 7, they are pretenders regardless of result. I pray to the all-knowing, late Red Auerbach that I be proved wrong.
It's time for Doc Rivers to go. I don't care how many regular season games you win. This team looks completely puzzled down the stretch of games. This might have to do with a brainless offense that fails to exploit proper matchups at every turn. It also has to do with a coach who has almost no idea how to utilize his bench. Yes, the players ultimately win and lose ballgames in the NBA, more so than in other pro sports. But they look so ill-prepared in big moments, I truly wonder if I could've done better.
On the final defensive possession, they had NO IDEA that they should foul immediately. They were worried about Lebron making 2 free throws, when they should have realized there was still 1 foul to give. They lost a full 6 seconds there. On their final offensive possession (as well as several throughout the second half), they were lost. They passed and they passed and they passed until finally heaving a desparation 3 pointer with seconds left. They were down 5!!! Shoot the fucken thing earlier. They don't even give themselves a chance. They are the better basketball team. They have 4 of the 6 best players in the series. I'm almost at a loss for words.
If this was a 1 time thing, I'd be more inclined to let it go. But if there were some sort of team stat for offensive turnovers following time-outs called by your own coach, the 2007-08 Celtics would've shattered it. Why does Doc even call time-outs? I'd feel better with Eddie House ignoring him, dribbling up court, and shooting a 3 from 35 feet. Oh by the way, thanks for remembering he existed Doc. Unfortunately, Rivers exhausted his entire mental capacity for rational thought with this decision, because he forgot to play Leon Powe (our only athletic big not named KG) tonight. I'm talking the entire game. Not a second for Powe, even after watching the immobile scowler (my new nickname for Kendrick Perkins) blow at least 5 possessions for the team. You see, they'd be moving the ball well. A guard on the Cavs would double-team Pierce, or go for a steal and miss, leaving Perkins alone near the free-throw line. Pierce would get him the ball with a 3-on-2 opportunity, which at the least should result in a couple of freebies for somebody. Except for one thing . . . Perkins can't dribble! His footwork is the slowest on the floor, not small feat with big Z occupying the same court. He also has some of the worst hands in the league and the slowest vertical since, well, ever. He was useless tonight and Boston could've used Powe's quickness if nothing else. He at least could've gotten to the basket inside of a minute.
Only Garnett played well on offense tonight. Had Allen proved more than a poor-man's Rip Hamilton (I can't believe I just typed that), we win outright. If Rondo outplays Delonte West, we win outright. Although in fairness to Rondo, he was the best player on either team in game 5. I never thought I'd say this, but even Brian Scalabrine would've been useful tonight. He can shoot a little, which would spread the defense and open up the lane for Pierce and KG. By the way, can they post up KG just once? He's a good shooter, but wouldn't an inside-out offense be smarter? They need to isolate Garnett and either of the wings on a side, force the double, have cutters from the weak side, and get open looks for the shooters. If for some reason Cleveland doesn't double, Garnett gets to the rim every time. Hey Doc, I didn't go to coaching school. I came up with that just now as I hocked a loogie on a picture of you.
I actually feel a little for Pierce in this series. Considering he's chasing around the scariest offensive force since a young Shaq, I'd like to cut him a little slack. I wish the refs would do the same. For some reason, Lebron gets to the line if the nacho guy in the 4th row sneezes. Yet Pierce can't buy a call. Worse, this is the playoffs, when the officiating is supposed to get looser, not tighter. Pierce has been called for more tic-tac fouls in this series than any player in recent memory. Let the fucken guys play!!! I can't imagine David Stern is satisfied with the referees throughout these playoffs, but if he is, maybe it's time for him to go as well. The Cavs made 10 more free-throws than the Celtics on a dozen more attempts, despite the fact that nobody other than Lebron attacks the rim. Ball game.
For the record, Lebron is amazing! Pierce's defense tonight was actually pretty good. James hit some of the most difficult shots I've seen this side of Michael Jordan/Kobe Bryant. He scored with hands in his face, falling away, twisting his body, one-handed bank shots, 24 foot bombs . . . He did it all. I jokingly asked a friend at the start of the playoffs if he'd rather have Lebron on his team than KG, Pierce, and Allen. He asked me if I was nuts. I wonder if he'd still be so confident now. I still lean slightly towards the "veteran 3" (I will not use the more popular term, being that it's a media creation, there already was a real "big 3," and these guys haven't earned the distinction), because I think the series would be over with a competent leader on the bench. Imagine what new Knicks head coach Mike D'Antoni could've done for this offense. I don't think we'd have lost a playoff game yet. But James is a special talent, who only seems to need the bare minimum from his teammates to win a playoff series. Prior to game 6 he was shooting about 25% from the field for the series, and he still struck the fear of God into yours truly every time he touched the ball. This guy has no ceiling. At 23, he's inarguably the best small forward to play the game since Larry Bird, and the most dominant non-center since Jordan in his prime.
So where do we go from here. Before game 5 I said that if Boston can win the next 2 and close out on the road, they will get to the finals. However, if they need another game 7, they are pretenders regardless of result. I pray to the all-knowing, late Red Auerbach that I be proved wrong.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Game 6 Denial
What is wrong with the Boston Celtics? Has this whole season been a big tease? After losing a critical game 6 in Atlanta, I'm left wondering if C's are for real. They can't win 1 game out of 3 on the road against the Hawks? Really?!?!?!?!? Atlanta won 37 games this year, or slightly more than half of what Boston won. We are the top seed in the conference. We've played suffocating defense all year. We've played our game, and refused to sink to the level of inferior teams . . . until now.
I don't mean to take credit away from Atlanta. They are playing with tenacity and focus at home, looking more like a veteran team than we do. They are making big plays, while benefitting from of several of the worst calls in recent playoff memory. The officiating in this series has been so bad that we see where these David Stern "conspiracy theories" originate from. Does the league need this series to be close? The playoffs are supposed to be more physical. If the famed Kevin McHale/Kurt Rambis clothesline took place in this series, would McHale be suspended for 5 years? Tonight Paul Pierce fouled out of the game on a call that wouldn't get made in an NAA practice game. I'm blown away that such a game changing call would be made for such minor contact. It was pathetic! Every big call went Atlanta's way tonight, as they seemingly went to the line every 4.5 seconds. "Someone in the viscinity of Mike Bibby took a breathe. 2 shots fellas, relax on the first."
But as bad the refs were, there are bigger problems here. I still have little doubt Boston will win in game 7, if only because Atlanta is a disaster on the road. But what happens down the road should we face Lebron? The Pistons? The Spurs? The Lakers? Will we have an easier time on the road against far better opponents? Or is Atlanta simply a really bad matchup for the Celtics? To be sure they are longer and leaner, faster and better leapers. Josh Smith will no doubt earn a max contract when he signs his next deal, as will Joe Johnson. Josh Childress has come up with every big rebound (he's a guard!) and Al Horford appears to be the toughest player on the court. But they aren't as good as Boston. If they were, they surely would've won more games this year. Maybe we will have an easier time against less athletic opponents, but I'm not counting on it now.
Kevin Garnett, who I've praised all year, has convinced me he does not deserve MVP in this series. He's not a finisher, never has been, never will be. He is a great talent and never quits, but he's missing the confidence in his offense at the end of games, and it's hurting. Ray Allen shot worse tonight than I've ever seen. In fact, nobody on the team seemed to want the ball in their hands on the last several possessions. Pierce is the only man on the roster capable of breaking down a defense 1-on-1. He draws double-teams and gets to the line. But with Pierce on the bench, we looked clueless and more importantly lifeless, in the 4th quarter.
I've ridden coach Doc Rivers hard for years (even this year amidst praise from sports analysts)and long wondered if his flaws as a playmaker would show come crunch time. My fears came true when down 2 and 11 seconds left, they opted to run a play for Allen to shoot an off-balance 3-pointer with a hand in his face coming off a pick. He's been shooting terrible all night! How do you not go for 2 in this spot? You get it into the post and leave yourself time for everyone else to crash the boards. Maybe the refs reciprocate a call and send KG to the line.
I don't know when Leon Powe became the most ferocious Celtic, but others better rise to the occassion and fast. Doc needs to go bigger. Play P.J. Brown and Big Baby. Keep Perkins on the floor with KG and Powe, and let Pierce play shooting guard. Atlanta is not a good defensive team and we should be able to muscle them inside. When Josh Smith picked up his 5th foul, I figured they'd be attacking the basket with wreckless abandon. Even Isiah Thomas would know to do that. Instead we settled for lots of dribbling and long jumpers. It's not a pick-up game!
All things considered, no one person is to blame. I blame Doc and KG, J.Johnson and Marvin Williams. I blame Pierce and Rondo, Cassell and Allen. I blame the fans and the refs, the commissioner and Danny Ainge (because well, why not?) I blame the Lakers, for inspiring dreams of a Boston/L.A. finals matchup for the first time in 21 years. I blame the Patriots for making us believe an upset of this magnitude is possible. I blame everyone associated with this game for forcing me to put up with another asenine post-game rant by Steven A. Smith.
If I sound like we've lost the series, it's because in a way I feel we have. A 7 game series win against the upstart Hawks is not how I envisioned this playoff run starting. It's gonna be a slow grind to build this die-hard's confidence back up, beginning Sunday at the Garden. And anyone who mentions Lebron again before Sunday night should have their head examined.
I don't mean to take credit away from Atlanta. They are playing with tenacity and focus at home, looking more like a veteran team than we do. They are making big plays, while benefitting from of several of the worst calls in recent playoff memory. The officiating in this series has been so bad that we see where these David Stern "conspiracy theories" originate from. Does the league need this series to be close? The playoffs are supposed to be more physical. If the famed Kevin McHale/Kurt Rambis clothesline took place in this series, would McHale be suspended for 5 years? Tonight Paul Pierce fouled out of the game on a call that wouldn't get made in an NAA practice game. I'm blown away that such a game changing call would be made for such minor contact. It was pathetic! Every big call went Atlanta's way tonight, as they seemingly went to the line every 4.5 seconds. "Someone in the viscinity of Mike Bibby took a breathe. 2 shots fellas, relax on the first."
But as bad the refs were, there are bigger problems here. I still have little doubt Boston will win in game 7, if only because Atlanta is a disaster on the road. But what happens down the road should we face Lebron? The Pistons? The Spurs? The Lakers? Will we have an easier time on the road against far better opponents? Or is Atlanta simply a really bad matchup for the Celtics? To be sure they are longer and leaner, faster and better leapers. Josh Smith will no doubt earn a max contract when he signs his next deal, as will Joe Johnson. Josh Childress has come up with every big rebound (he's a guard!) and Al Horford appears to be the toughest player on the court. But they aren't as good as Boston. If they were, they surely would've won more games this year. Maybe we will have an easier time against less athletic opponents, but I'm not counting on it now.
Kevin Garnett, who I've praised all year, has convinced me he does not deserve MVP in this series. He's not a finisher, never has been, never will be. He is a great talent and never quits, but he's missing the confidence in his offense at the end of games, and it's hurting. Ray Allen shot worse tonight than I've ever seen. In fact, nobody on the team seemed to want the ball in their hands on the last several possessions. Pierce is the only man on the roster capable of breaking down a defense 1-on-1. He draws double-teams and gets to the line. But with Pierce on the bench, we looked clueless and more importantly lifeless, in the 4th quarter.
I've ridden coach Doc Rivers hard for years (even this year amidst praise from sports analysts)and long wondered if his flaws as a playmaker would show come crunch time. My fears came true when down 2 and 11 seconds left, they opted to run a play for Allen to shoot an off-balance 3-pointer with a hand in his face coming off a pick. He's been shooting terrible all night! How do you not go for 2 in this spot? You get it into the post and leave yourself time for everyone else to crash the boards. Maybe the refs reciprocate a call and send KG to the line.
I don't know when Leon Powe became the most ferocious Celtic, but others better rise to the occassion and fast. Doc needs to go bigger. Play P.J. Brown and Big Baby. Keep Perkins on the floor with KG and Powe, and let Pierce play shooting guard. Atlanta is not a good defensive team and we should be able to muscle them inside. When Josh Smith picked up his 5th foul, I figured they'd be attacking the basket with wreckless abandon. Even Isiah Thomas would know to do that. Instead we settled for lots of dribbling and long jumpers. It's not a pick-up game!
All things considered, no one person is to blame. I blame Doc and KG, J.Johnson and Marvin Williams. I blame Pierce and Rondo, Cassell and Allen. I blame the fans and the refs, the commissioner and Danny Ainge (because well, why not?) I blame the Lakers, for inspiring dreams of a Boston/L.A. finals matchup for the first time in 21 years. I blame the Patriots for making us believe an upset of this magnitude is possible. I blame everyone associated with this game for forcing me to put up with another asenine post-game rant by Steven A. Smith.
If I sound like we've lost the series, it's because in a way I feel we have. A 7 game series win against the upstart Hawks is not how I envisioned this playoff run starting. It's gonna be a slow grind to build this die-hard's confidence back up, beginning Sunday at the Garden. And anyone who mentions Lebron again before Sunday night should have their head examined.
Monday, February 11, 2008
NBA Midseason Report
Well, the Celtics beat the Spurs today. That's right, Tim Duncan came to Boston and left with a loss for the first time since those ping-pong balls bounced the wrong way more than a decade ago. And it feels pretty damn good. Hell, they did it without Kevin Garnett! In what has been a season of disbelief for this C's fan, the green continue to entertain and surprise in equal measure. While the thought of challenging the Bull's all-time single-season mark is a distant memory, Boston continues to cement it's status as a true contender with each win, particularly those over the Western Conference. Raise your glasses in a toast to K.G., Pierce, Allen, Rondo, Posey, Big Baby, and co., and a few thoughts as the players head to New Orleans for the all-star break.
Chris Paul is my run-away pick for M.V.P., no small claim given the seasons submitted by Garnett, Lebron James, Dwight Howard, and especially Kobe Bryant, who I'm starting to fear will go down as the greatest player never to win one. But Paul's impact has been greatest, leading New Orleans to an astonishing 34-15 record, sitting atop the stacked Southwest division. Though I hate the cliche, Paul really is one of the rare players who makes his teammates better (You think it's a coincidence that David West is headed to the all-star game?). Averaging 20.4 points, 10.9 assists, & 2.57 steals per game, Paul has challenged Steve Nash's title as the league's top point guard.
Speaking of all-stars, the coaches did a relatively decent job picking the reserves this year. The biggest gripes among western stars belong to Manu Ginobili, Baron Davis, Marcus Camby, Josh Howard, and Deron Williams. But looking at the roster, it's hard to pinpoint who to take off the squad. In the East, Ray Allen's exclusion is the most troubling, given the Celtic's record and the fact that his numbers are comparable to Richard Hamilton and Joe Johnson who were both selected. While I believe the all-star game is more about honoring invididual players than the teams they play for, the coaches have often thought otherwise. In 2004 they honored 4 Detroit Pistons, at least 2 of whom had no business being there. Allen's case is stronger this year for a team that might be better than that one, especially given his selflessness and willingness to sacrifice shot attempts. (As I write this I've just learned that Garnett is skipping the game due to injury and Rasheed Wallace, not Allen, has been named his replacement. Pardon me while I vomit on myself).
The biggest surprise in the league has easily been the Portland Trailblazers, whom many expected to suck in the wake of Greg Oden's knee surgery. But at 28-22, they are contending for a playoff spot behind their talented young nucleus lead by Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge. The most disappointing team in the league has to be the Miami Heat. While Chicago has underachieved, the Heat are the only team whose win total still resides in single digits, inexcusable for any franchise with one of the league's top 5 players. You have to feel for Dwayne Wade, who plays hurt while leading the team in most statisitcal categories. A squad of elderly JCC ballers would be an improvement over the supporting cast he's had to work with. But help may be on the way in the form of an ugly Voldemort look-a-like.
During the past couple of weeks, 2 monster trades stunned the NBA. First, the Lakers traded a bag of doritos and a pack of wrigley's winterfresh gum to Memphis in exchange for Pau Gasol. I don't fault Memphis too much though, since they have sucked with Pau. They can now clear tons of cap space and build around promising guards Mike Conley and Rudy Gay, with the hope of signing a big free agent next summer. But the Lakers are the big winners here. Gasol, while never an intimidator, is a versatile and talented big man who can score inside and out and no longer has to be the leader, a role he never seemed comfortable with. Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum, and Gasol will combine to provide Kobe with the best front-court he's ever had. While I disagree with those who say L.A. is now the favorite to win the title, they will certainly contend with the Spurs, Suns, Jazz, and Mavericks come playoff time, and could possibly reach the finals with a few breaks here and there.
The second and more unexpected trade occurred last Wednesday, when disgruntled Phoenix forward Shawn Marion was sent to the Heat in exchange for Shaquille O'Neal. While not the preeminent force he once was, Shaq's name and iconic status loom larger than most others, matched in team sports by perhaps only Derek Jeter and Peyton Manning. Most who cover the NBA have jumped all over Steve Kerr for breaking up the Sun's main nucleus, accusing him of panicking over recent losses and the Gasol trade. Give the guy a little more credit than that. The slam-bang nucleus they are referring to failed to reach the finals even once. Marion was unhappy and wanted out. While they will miss his defense, rebounding, and ability to thrive on the fast break, they won't miss his pouting, contract, or hideous-looking jump shot. His absense will also free up more playing time for Boris Diaw, as well as Grant Hill, who plays the same position and is as valuable in crunch time. A change of scenery may be just what Marion needs and playing with Wade will only help. The 2 stars could very well lead Miami back toward respectability and perhaps even a playoff berth, assumming Pat Riley takes his head out of his ass (the grease in his hair should provide sufficient lubrication) and they make 1 or 2 additional trades before the league trading deadline.
What O'Neal will bring to the Suns is a presence in the middle that they've been lacking, assumming he's healthy. If I were Phoenix, I'd rest Shaq as much as needed for the remainder of the regular season, giving him roughly 20 minutes per game. The team can remain a top 4 seed without him, but a fresh Deisel come May could very well get the Suns to the finals. He can still score against teams that won't be able to double him with Amare Stoudemire flying to the rim on the weak side. Always a terrific passer, Shaq will find the Sun's 3-point shooters, at least one of whom should regularly be open. If Shaq can clog the middle on defense, alter a few shots, and help Amare control the glass, the Suns will be very tough. And don't think the Suns will give up the running game. Having O'Neal find Nash to kick-start the break will be a plus. Is Shaq overpaid at his age? Yes. But I think Kerr and company saw an opening, a chance to obtain 1 of the 4 or 5 legitmate game changing players of the past quarter-century. I don't blame them for rolling the dice.
Best of luck to Gerald Green this weekend as he aims for his second consecutive slam dunk championship, with high hopes of becoming his generation's Harold Miner.
Chris Paul is my run-away pick for M.V.P., no small claim given the seasons submitted by Garnett, Lebron James, Dwight Howard, and especially Kobe Bryant, who I'm starting to fear will go down as the greatest player never to win one. But Paul's impact has been greatest, leading New Orleans to an astonishing 34-15 record, sitting atop the stacked Southwest division. Though I hate the cliche, Paul really is one of the rare players who makes his teammates better (You think it's a coincidence that David West is headed to the all-star game?). Averaging 20.4 points, 10.9 assists, & 2.57 steals per game, Paul has challenged Steve Nash's title as the league's top point guard.
Speaking of all-stars, the coaches did a relatively decent job picking the reserves this year. The biggest gripes among western stars belong to Manu Ginobili, Baron Davis, Marcus Camby, Josh Howard, and Deron Williams. But looking at the roster, it's hard to pinpoint who to take off the squad. In the East, Ray Allen's exclusion is the most troubling, given the Celtic's record and the fact that his numbers are comparable to Richard Hamilton and Joe Johnson who were both selected. While I believe the all-star game is more about honoring invididual players than the teams they play for, the coaches have often thought otherwise. In 2004 they honored 4 Detroit Pistons, at least 2 of whom had no business being there. Allen's case is stronger this year for a team that might be better than that one, especially given his selflessness and willingness to sacrifice shot attempts. (As I write this I've just learned that Garnett is skipping the game due to injury and Rasheed Wallace, not Allen, has been named his replacement. Pardon me while I vomit on myself).
The biggest surprise in the league has easily been the Portland Trailblazers, whom many expected to suck in the wake of Greg Oden's knee surgery. But at 28-22, they are contending for a playoff spot behind their talented young nucleus lead by Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge. The most disappointing team in the league has to be the Miami Heat. While Chicago has underachieved, the Heat are the only team whose win total still resides in single digits, inexcusable for any franchise with one of the league's top 5 players. You have to feel for Dwayne Wade, who plays hurt while leading the team in most statisitcal categories. A squad of elderly JCC ballers would be an improvement over the supporting cast he's had to work with. But help may be on the way in the form of an ugly Voldemort look-a-like.
During the past couple of weeks, 2 monster trades stunned the NBA. First, the Lakers traded a bag of doritos and a pack of wrigley's winterfresh gum to Memphis in exchange for Pau Gasol. I don't fault Memphis too much though, since they have sucked with Pau. They can now clear tons of cap space and build around promising guards Mike Conley and Rudy Gay, with the hope of signing a big free agent next summer. But the Lakers are the big winners here. Gasol, while never an intimidator, is a versatile and talented big man who can score inside and out and no longer has to be the leader, a role he never seemed comfortable with. Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum, and Gasol will combine to provide Kobe with the best front-court he's ever had. While I disagree with those who say L.A. is now the favorite to win the title, they will certainly contend with the Spurs, Suns, Jazz, and Mavericks come playoff time, and could possibly reach the finals with a few breaks here and there.
The second and more unexpected trade occurred last Wednesday, when disgruntled Phoenix forward Shawn Marion was sent to the Heat in exchange for Shaquille O'Neal. While not the preeminent force he once was, Shaq's name and iconic status loom larger than most others, matched in team sports by perhaps only Derek Jeter and Peyton Manning. Most who cover the NBA have jumped all over Steve Kerr for breaking up the Sun's main nucleus, accusing him of panicking over recent losses and the Gasol trade. Give the guy a little more credit than that. The slam-bang nucleus they are referring to failed to reach the finals even once. Marion was unhappy and wanted out. While they will miss his defense, rebounding, and ability to thrive on the fast break, they won't miss his pouting, contract, or hideous-looking jump shot. His absense will also free up more playing time for Boris Diaw, as well as Grant Hill, who plays the same position and is as valuable in crunch time. A change of scenery may be just what Marion needs and playing with Wade will only help. The 2 stars could very well lead Miami back toward respectability and perhaps even a playoff berth, assumming Pat Riley takes his head out of his ass (the grease in his hair should provide sufficient lubrication) and they make 1 or 2 additional trades before the league trading deadline.
What O'Neal will bring to the Suns is a presence in the middle that they've been lacking, assumming he's healthy. If I were Phoenix, I'd rest Shaq as much as needed for the remainder of the regular season, giving him roughly 20 minutes per game. The team can remain a top 4 seed without him, but a fresh Deisel come May could very well get the Suns to the finals. He can still score against teams that won't be able to double him with Amare Stoudemire flying to the rim on the weak side. Always a terrific passer, Shaq will find the Sun's 3-point shooters, at least one of whom should regularly be open. If Shaq can clog the middle on defense, alter a few shots, and help Amare control the glass, the Suns will be very tough. And don't think the Suns will give up the running game. Having O'Neal find Nash to kick-start the break will be a plus. Is Shaq overpaid at his age? Yes. But I think Kerr and company saw an opening, a chance to obtain 1 of the 4 or 5 legitmate game changing players of the past quarter-century. I don't blame them for rolling the dice.
Best of luck to Gerald Green this weekend as he aims for his second consecutive slam dunk championship, with high hopes of becoming his generation's Harold Miner.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Super Bowl Reality Check
To quote Sidney Deane, "The sun even shines on a dog's ass some days. Anybody can win the lottery." I wish it were that simple. If it was, the widespread disappointment resulting from Sunday's upset wouldn't sting nearly as badly. But this wasn't merely a matter of luck. The Giants played a better football game than the Patriots, and that is why New England finished 18-1 instead of the undefeated 19-0 most fans across the country were expecting. Losing is not something Pats fans have been accustomed to in recent times, especially this season, which saw them set numerous offensive records en route to becoming the first team to run the table in the regular season since the famed '72 Dolphins.
Fans could be forgiven for expecting a Patriot's championship. So could the commentators, sportswriters, odds-makers, player relatives, and food vendors. But the coaches and players needed to be held to a higher standard, which isn't to say they played with a lack of urgency because of personal expectations. But they did seem lackluster in Arizona, especially compared to the Giants, who played as if they were the ones on the verge of history. This is not the reputation of the Patriot players or Bill Belichick, who is often credited for being the most prepared and disciplined coach in the league. Having faced New York in week 17 and beaten the Giants, who gave arguably their strongest performance to that point, many (myself included) didn't think the Super Bowl would be all that close. The Pats had been exposed to everything NY could throw at them already, and had those interminable 2 weeks of preparation that NFL schedule makers dictated. For the record, there is no less exciting time in sports than the week after the league championship series, when there is basically nothing to talk about that won't get repeated 894 times more before kick-off on Super Bowl Sunday.
The Giants offense did not play a great game. If we knew ahead of time that they would only score 17 points, everyone would've picked the Pats to win. But I tip my hat to the Giant's defense. They overpowered New England's offensive line time and time again, rushing Tom Brady into poor throws and knocking him on his ass. While not accustomed to this type of pressue, one wonders if Brady's physical condition was worse than the Pats let on. He looked angry and somewhat rattled for much of evening, missing receivers on more than 1 occassion.
Truthfully, Eli Manning didn't play a great game either, and could've been picked off repeatedly during the Giant's final drive. You often hear post-game questions such as, "Did the losing team lose the game, or did the winning team win it." Both were in evidence on Sunday, and Pats fans have been left pondering a series of what-ifs. What if Belichick settled for a field goal on 4th and 13? What if Assante Samuel picked Eli? What if Manning went down when the blitz had him seemingly covered in all directions? What if David Tyree hadn't made the miraculous catch of the season, pinning the ball against his helmet? Yes, all these things could've happened, and yes, the Pats defense could've ended the game at least 5 times on the final New York drive. But they didn't. They gave the game away, while the Giants took it away at the same time. Manning to Tyree instantly became one of the 5 greatest plays in Super Bowl history, though it all would've been for nothing if Manning didn't find Plaxico Burress in the end zone with 35 seconds left. If he hadn't, then we'd be talking about Brady leading another game winning drive in the Super Bowl. Al Pacino said it best in Any Given Sunday; "Life is just a game of inches. So is football. Because in either game, life or football, the margin for error is so small. I mean, one half step too late or too early, you don't quite make it. One half second too slow or too fast, you don't quite catch it. The inches we need are everywhere around us. They are in every break of the game, every minute, every second. On this team, we fight for that inch." (I'm getting goose-bumps just typing that speech). Unfortunately, I can't help feeling that the Giants were a little bit hungrier and fought just a little bit harder for that inch on Sunday.
Which leaves us pondering the Patriot's place in history. Let's put one thing to rest immediately. Ignore the morons who now proclaim the 2007 Patriots were no better than the 43rd best team in N.F.L. history. You don't fall from an inarguable 1st place to 43rd because of 2 minutes of missed opportunities. You just don't. I suspect there are New England players, participants in all 4 recent Pats Superbowls, who if asked which team was the best would indeed pick this one. Not now of course, but maybe in 5 years, which is the time it seemingly takes to heal many fans. Remember, this Patriots team was truly dominant. This was the team that scored more points in a season than any other. This was the team that gained more offensive yards than any other. This was the team that saw it's star QB and wideout (Randy Moss) sets records at their positions. And this was the team that went 18-0 prior to the final seconds of the final game of the season.
The party where I watched the game evaporated just seconds after Brady's final heave on 4th down. I feared the host might jump off his 10th story balcony. The T-ride home was so quiet that a visitor could've been forgiven for assumming our public transportation system was still in it's testing stage, not yet ready for the general public to use. I suspect this was the prevailing mood throughout the area. Personally, I was disappointed, but it wasn't the worst I've felt following a sporting event, as many WEEI callers have claimed this to be. I have more or less recovered from the Giant's upset days after the fact, whereas I still feel in my bones what it was like when Aaron Boone hit that towering shot of Tim Wakefield in game 7 in 2003. I'm not as angry with Belichick for going for it on 4th and 13 as I was with Grady Little for sticking with Pedro Martinez in the 8th inning. That was almost 5 years ago.
But to each his own. While I admit the Pats are 3rd in my heart when it comes to local sport's teams (with the Celtics a run-away top-choice and the Red Sox a strong 2nd), I fully understand and sympathize with fans who can't let this one go. For what it's worth, the Patriots could very well be as great in 2008 as they were in 2007. A return to the SuperBowl is well within their reach. Hopefully, they'll lose once of twice before the big game though, just to remind us that anything is possible.
Fans could be forgiven for expecting a Patriot's championship. So could the commentators, sportswriters, odds-makers, player relatives, and food vendors. But the coaches and players needed to be held to a higher standard, which isn't to say they played with a lack of urgency because of personal expectations. But they did seem lackluster in Arizona, especially compared to the Giants, who played as if they were the ones on the verge of history. This is not the reputation of the Patriot players or Bill Belichick, who is often credited for being the most prepared and disciplined coach in the league. Having faced New York in week 17 and beaten the Giants, who gave arguably their strongest performance to that point, many (myself included) didn't think the Super Bowl would be all that close. The Pats had been exposed to everything NY could throw at them already, and had those interminable 2 weeks of preparation that NFL schedule makers dictated. For the record, there is no less exciting time in sports than the week after the league championship series, when there is basically nothing to talk about that won't get repeated 894 times more before kick-off on Super Bowl Sunday.
The Giants offense did not play a great game. If we knew ahead of time that they would only score 17 points, everyone would've picked the Pats to win. But I tip my hat to the Giant's defense. They overpowered New England's offensive line time and time again, rushing Tom Brady into poor throws and knocking him on his ass. While not accustomed to this type of pressue, one wonders if Brady's physical condition was worse than the Pats let on. He looked angry and somewhat rattled for much of evening, missing receivers on more than 1 occassion.
Truthfully, Eli Manning didn't play a great game either, and could've been picked off repeatedly during the Giant's final drive. You often hear post-game questions such as, "Did the losing team lose the game, or did the winning team win it." Both were in evidence on Sunday, and Pats fans have been left pondering a series of what-ifs. What if Belichick settled for a field goal on 4th and 13? What if Assante Samuel picked Eli? What if Manning went down when the blitz had him seemingly covered in all directions? What if David Tyree hadn't made the miraculous catch of the season, pinning the ball against his helmet? Yes, all these things could've happened, and yes, the Pats defense could've ended the game at least 5 times on the final New York drive. But they didn't. They gave the game away, while the Giants took it away at the same time. Manning to Tyree instantly became one of the 5 greatest plays in Super Bowl history, though it all would've been for nothing if Manning didn't find Plaxico Burress in the end zone with 35 seconds left. If he hadn't, then we'd be talking about Brady leading another game winning drive in the Super Bowl. Al Pacino said it best in Any Given Sunday; "Life is just a game of inches. So is football. Because in either game, life or football, the margin for error is so small. I mean, one half step too late or too early, you don't quite make it. One half second too slow or too fast, you don't quite catch it. The inches we need are everywhere around us. They are in every break of the game, every minute, every second. On this team, we fight for that inch." (I'm getting goose-bumps just typing that speech). Unfortunately, I can't help feeling that the Giants were a little bit hungrier and fought just a little bit harder for that inch on Sunday.
Which leaves us pondering the Patriot's place in history. Let's put one thing to rest immediately. Ignore the morons who now proclaim the 2007 Patriots were no better than the 43rd best team in N.F.L. history. You don't fall from an inarguable 1st place to 43rd because of 2 minutes of missed opportunities. You just don't. I suspect there are New England players, participants in all 4 recent Pats Superbowls, who if asked which team was the best would indeed pick this one. Not now of course, but maybe in 5 years, which is the time it seemingly takes to heal many fans. Remember, this Patriots team was truly dominant. This was the team that scored more points in a season than any other. This was the team that gained more offensive yards than any other. This was the team that saw it's star QB and wideout (Randy Moss) sets records at their positions. And this was the team that went 18-0 prior to the final seconds of the final game of the season.
The party where I watched the game evaporated just seconds after Brady's final heave on 4th down. I feared the host might jump off his 10th story balcony. The T-ride home was so quiet that a visitor could've been forgiven for assumming our public transportation system was still in it's testing stage, not yet ready for the general public to use. I suspect this was the prevailing mood throughout the area. Personally, I was disappointed, but it wasn't the worst I've felt following a sporting event, as many WEEI callers have claimed this to be. I have more or less recovered from the Giant's upset days after the fact, whereas I still feel in my bones what it was like when Aaron Boone hit that towering shot of Tim Wakefield in game 7 in 2003. I'm not as angry with Belichick for going for it on 4th and 13 as I was with Grady Little for sticking with Pedro Martinez in the 8th inning. That was almost 5 years ago.
But to each his own. While I admit the Pats are 3rd in my heart when it comes to local sport's teams (with the Celtics a run-away top-choice and the Red Sox a strong 2nd), I fully understand and sympathize with fans who can't let this one go. For what it's worth, the Patriots could very well be as great in 2008 as they were in 2007. A return to the SuperBowl is well within their reach. Hopefully, they'll lose once of twice before the big game though, just to remind us that anything is possible.
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