Its the Conference Finals
The playoff void left by my dearly departed LA Lakers is somewhat appeased by the plays of new and unfamiliar contenders. These teams gave traditional playoff powerhouses diarrhea that even a handful of Lomotils and Diatabs can do little to minimize the runs.
The second round saw the emergence of two young and talented teams, one each from the Eastern and Western Conferences. Both don’t have marquee players but what they lack in star power, they compensate thru team play and hardwork. If you had been following the NBA playoffs, you’d get my drift.
Just like red hot coals, Miami transformed the Bulls of Chicago into prime roast beef. Of course, had the Bulls not been under manned, they could have salvaged another win or two in their series, considering the way Chicago had been playing. Well, LeBron and his minions like or not, are almost unstoppable and it would be unfair if they won’t reach the conference finals.
The other series in the East Coast could be decided today. A star-laden team will try to fight for another game versus a relatively star-deprived squad but take pride in the distinction as perhaps the NBA’s best defensive team.
Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler and Jason Kidd versus Paul George, Roy Hibbert and George Hill. The former three sparkle, as far as star power is concerned, compared to the latter three. But check the past four games between Indiana and New York and look who’s shining.
George is putting the clamps on Carmelo, Hibbert guards the paint like a rabid pitbull, and Hill is holding his own against the combined forces of Kidd, Raymond Felton and Pablo Prigioni.
It was 13 seasons ago that the Knicks last advanced to the second round but with a 1-3 series record, it looks like today would be their last game. It will be a tall order as only 8 teams since the NBA playoffs was instituted has ever recovered from a 3-1 deficit and went on to win the series.
For New York to rise again, JR Smith must overcome his shooting slump as he is only converting 28% of his shots. Kidd, since this series started, has not scored. Iman Shumpert must also produce. And just maybe, Amar’e Stoudemire will make an appearance today. Address these issues and the Knicks can live for another game.
I’m going for the Knicks and if by some miracle they’ll recover and hurdle the Pacers, they will melt in four games to Miami’s unforgiving Heat. Let’s give credit to the young guns of Indiana. They truly deserve to face the team from South Beach and the conference finals could go the distance.
Shifting to the West, let us all welcome the newest party crasher, the Memphis Grizzlies. When this team reached the second round, I was half expecting them to advance, but lo and behold, they did over a Russell Westbrook-less OKC Thunder. Whether OKC had Westbrook or not, the Grizzlies also deserve to play in the Western Conference Finals.
Mike Conley, Tony Allen, Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph (who had a monster 28-14 game yesterday) and Tayshaun Prince (remember him?) held their ground and took the Thunder out of OKC. They now will wait for the winner of the San Antonio and Golden State series.
Smarts versus guts, age versus youth. So far, the Warrior-Spurs duel is more or less evenly matched. If only this Texas team is three or four years younger, the series could have been decided already and surely, Miami will have a hard time in the Finals I’ll go for a Memphis-Miami championship, with the Heat winning in six games. What’s your pick?
Meanwhile, do check the PBA Finals between Barangay Ginebra and the Gatas Republic, the Alaska Aces. Sure, Alaska snared Game 1 but considering Ginebra’s 0-4 conference start and 4 do-or-die playoff games prior to mixing gin with milk, expect the unexpected in this race to three games for the PBA Conference title.
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Time Magazine has branded our country as STUPID, emphasis on the all caps, for electing a “20-year old OJT†to the Senate. Yeah, right. And that country they call the land of milk and honey is home to bigots, crackpots, perverts and murderers. At least I rest and sleep easy at night in the thought that I am not one of the 12 million or so who made her win. And what’s the difference between an OJT and that yellow-clad housewife people elected to the presidency years ago? I don’t recall Time magazine calling this country names.
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