Some perspective and pragmatism might hit the spot following the Spurs’ methodical seminar against the Western Conference’s newest class of dilated pupils, who acted more like the Dunder, Blunder and Asunder than the Thunder when it really mattered.
One win, one loss, one game. Big smear!
For variation sake, I choose not to do what fans and the media do best: overreact in any and all directions at the first trace of the weak and the strong.
Naturally, senior citizen status automatically reserves me the right to forget all of the above the moment it appears I’m dead wrong, and that the Spurs have it goin’ on.
In my lost mind, the earliest I’ll need an attitude adjustment is if Oklahoma City is down 2-0 and on the ledge of losing Game 3.
In the meantime, I am trying to look at the Sumo Series logically.
For example, Manu Ginobili’s 26-point performance was only the 131st time he’s distinguished himself in the playoffs.
Let’s see him do it again.
Let’s see Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook hold themselves to 15-for-40 from the field.
Let’s see Stephen Jackson again get away with his bump-and-grind routine at Durant’s expense.
Let’s see James Harden play another worst game of his pro career.
Let’s see the Thunder surrender 39 points in the payoff portion of the program.
Let’s see Durant and Westbrook botch dunks without foul whistles, chimes and bell towers detonating.
Let’s see the Spurs and the new refereeing crew try to hold Derek Fisher under 14 points (Joey Crawford and partners missed a 3-pointer, calling it a 2 instead) in the first half of Game 2.
Let’s hear Gregg Popovich come up with a speech to rival the arousing one he gave his rapt players when they were down and troubled and needed a reassuring rallying cry.
“It wasn’t the ‘get nasty’ comments that provoked the Spurs,” column contributor Lou Gaglia noted. “It was what he said in the beginning: ‘Are you having fun yet? I see a lack of confidence. … No one said this was going to be easy. Every round gets harder … I think that relaxed them. After that they cut down on their turnovers, made smart passes, shot with conviction. The ‘get nasty’ stuff fired them up. But without saying what he said at first, the rest of it would have had no effect.”
Think Our Mr. Brooks’ speechwriters aren’t up for the challenge?
* OK, so what did we learn from the Eastern Conference semis, class, that might or might not apply in the Heat-Celtics series that got underway last night in Miami?
The much-speculated guess about the demise of Dwyane Wade and the Ancient Men of the Cs was exaggerated and, well, premature.
The three geezers are wheezing and wobbly (Ray Allen now answers to Jesus Shuffleboard), yet as long as Rajon Rondo is binging, their bingo-playing days are, in theory, on 7-game delay.
“LeBron
[James] and Wade not only have the ability to do it all. … They do it all,” column contributor Sam Leftowitz underlined. And the Celtics have nobody halfway capable to repel His Excellence A or B.
Minus Avery Bradley to shoulder the ball-pressuring responsibility alongside Rondo, Rajon is by his lonesome defensively on the perimeter. Meaning the Celtics must drop back quickly into their web and get their hands up.
Doc Rivers must zone the Heat early and often and do it fairly effectively or his team, as currently constructed, will be disbanded sooner than later, which would allow Shuffleboard, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett play dates with Kobe Bryant’s German knee doctor.
The Celtics’ prayers Chris Bosh would play in Game I went unanswered. It was their only hope to get the ball out of the hands of James and Wade.
This just in from column contributor Richie Kalikow: “Boston’s age may interfere with their pregame routines in Miami considering how tempted The Big Three will be to take advantage of the early bird dinner special.”
* ESPN is reporting Shaquille O’Neal’s interest in becoming the GM of GM.
Is it me, or has Michael Jordan interviewed more people than Barbara Walters? Apparently, this rendition of “Stump the Stars” begins and ends with “… and you want this job why, exactly?”
Speaking of Err Jordan, the draft lottery is tomorrow night, with the Bobcats having a 25-percent chance of winning. What does it say about Charlotte that it has a one-in-four chance of succeeding with ping-pong balls, but no chance of succeeding with basketballs?
What do you think my chances are of watching NBATV’s “Dream Team” with Isiah Thomas?