Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Feeling On Your Butt, What?

The title of this post has nothing to do with what I am going to write. It is just my favorite line from “Blame It” on the a-a-a-alcohol because of the way Jamie Foxx says it. Newayz, I want to make a couple points about the Magic-Cavs series.
First off, I hate that everyone who talks about basketball in the media is saying that the Cavs are one great shot (which it was) by LeBron in Game 2 from getting swept. It is stupid to say because it says nothing. The Cavs are one great shot by Rashard Lewis in Game 4 - that gave the Magic a two point lead with six seconds left - from the series being tied. They make it seem like the Cavs should have been swept when it could very easily be tied using that same logic.
On to Dwight Howard. He looked phenomenal in the first quarter of Game 4 as he was making legitimate post moves, not just relying on his only perceived ability of being able to dunk to score. He then looked atrocious in the fourth quarter, forcing up terrible shots that were rushed and looked like he was getting p0wnd by Kendrick Perkins again. He then flipped again and looked great in OT by using his body and speed and mobility to destroy Ilgauskas and Varejao. It is amazing how inconsistent he is with the ability to dominate that he possesses. My question: how has he not developed a couple of go to post moves besides the dunk and the horrible running across the lane jump hook? Patrick Ewing must be a terrible Big Man Coach. Dwight this series has shown that he can hit the free throws when they count and the thing about him, unlike Shaq or other terrible free throw shooters, is that his form looks good! Tim Duncan is not that great of a free throw shooter yet has developed the unguardable bank shot and jump hook, which he has utilized to make him one of the best bigs ever to play the game. How has Dwight Howard not yet learned the square up bank shot yet? He could definitely use it and kill everyone in the league. Once they started biting on his pump fake he would take one dribble and shatter the backboard with a vicious dunk. I should be his big man coach even though I haven’t yet developed the bank shot.
I am going to make one point briefly because it is a little ridiculous. I rewatched the last shot of Game 4 too many times, LeBron’s step back attempt at a game winner from half court. It was a pretty good look and a pretty good try as it was pretty close. But, when I looked at it, Courtney Lee goes to double LeBron and leave Delonte West pretty much wide open for a much easier and closer shot. Of course, LeBron would get hammered by the media for not taking the big shot at the end of the game, but there was plenty of time to make the pass and for Delonte to get off a clean three for the win. A much better option. Also, LeBron’s three while tiptoeing the sidelines to make the game even a game in OT was UNBELIEVABLE and probably a harder shot than the Game 2 winner, but with less obviously on the line.
Oh yeah, what happened at the end of the fourth? Why didn't Stan call a timeout when it was obvious they weren't going to get a good shot? Mickael Pietrus wound up taking one of the worse shots ever but got bailed out by Dwight hustling after the loose ball. Then Rashard hit the three of course.

1 comment:

Cup said...

I would add that the announcers mispronounced "Mickael Pietrus" in every possible way throughout the course of the series. Excuse me Jeff Van Gundy, but it's not MIKE-el OR pi-AY-trus. I look forward to another five, six, or seven game series of mispronounced names and Craig Sager suits.