When referring to someone’s effort:

“You cannot accept in victory, what you cannot accept in defeat”

I am a member of a rare class of basketball fans who appreciate both the college and professional games. As I write this, I am watching Gonzaga play Cincinnati in the championship of the Maui Invitation on mute on my parents’ big-screen HD TV. I am watching the Knicks play the Kings, with audio (unfortunately), on my computer.

Most of my friends who love college basketball can’t stand NBA basketball. One of roommates, Greg, refuses to use the word “basketball” to refer to what goes on in the NBA. When I ask friends like Greg why they hate the NBA so much, I hear a whole list of responses. NBA players don’t try, especially early in the regular season. There are too many isolation plays in the NBA. No one in the NBA plays defense. NBA players are all selfish, ball-hogging, tattooed jerks. And, the grand-daddy of all complaints about the NBA, the refs never call traveling.

Most of my friends who love the NBA don’t hate college basketball, but most of them don’t particularly care for it either. Maybe it’s that there isn’t enough star power. Maybe the zone defenses and hand-checking slow down the game too much.

Fans are an odd bunch. It’s tough to say how they operate. But there do seem to be a couple of predictors for why someone prefers one style of basketball over the other. In general, the people I know who like the NBA are from cities that have NBA teams. My friends who hate the NBA are from rural areas or from Midwestern cities devoid of pro basketball. It also seems that the more organized basketball my friends have played, the less they enjoy the NBA. My friends who played high school hoops almost all dislike the NBA. My friends who have never played much basketball or who have played mostly pick-up basketball think the NBA is great.

Based on those predictors, I probably shouldn’t like the NBA. I played varsity basketball, and I’m from a rural area. The closest NBA team growing up in northwest Pennsylvania was 2 hours away in Cleveland. Still, for some reason, I have always loved the NBA. It was different basketball than is played on the college or high school level, but it was basketball just the same. I never really bought into many of the arguments against that NBA game. 

Until the Magic played the Heat tonight. The final score was 99-98, the Heat winning on a dunk in the final seconds by Michael Beasley, but it was easily the worst basketball I have seen played in quite awhile. Remember, this is coming from someone who watches the Knicks fairly regularly.

The Magic came into the game 11-4. The Heat 8-5. Last season, the Magic played in the finals. Dwyane Wade plays for the Heat. When I sat down to watch, I was expecting a good game. Instead, the game became a microcosm of every criticism of the NBA game.

For the first three quarters, the Magic played solid team basketball and the Heat didn’t try at all, leading the Magic to a comfortable lead. In the fourth quarter, the game degenerated into a stagnant one-on-one contest between Wade and Vince Carter, who combined to shoot 14-for-40 in the game. At one end, four Heat players would stand around while Wade isolated and took an impossible shot. At the other end, four Magic players stood around while Carter isolated and took an impossible shot.

Carter started the fourth on the bench, entering with about six and a half minutes left. He quickly made up for lost time, taking six of the Magic’s next seven shots, not counting a trip to the foul line. He made two of those seven shots.

Jeff Van Gundy and Hubie Brown, the color commentators informed us about a million times that Wade was a great fourth-quarter scorer and that he was having yet another great fourth quarter. But after Wade made his first three shots of the fourth, he missed his last five. Wade made all of his nine fourth-quarter free throw attempts, thanks mostly to a bunch of questionable calls that seemed to be going his way because of his star power.

On one play, Wade drove to the three-point line where he jumped to a stop. He threw a head-fake drawing his defender, I’m pretty sure it was Mickael Pietrus, into the air. Wade elevated, trying to jump into Pietrus to draw the foul, but Pietrus did a nice job of controlling his body and avoiding contact. Knowing he had failed to draw the foul, Wade decided to pass rather than shoot at the last moment. It didn’t matter because the ref had blown his whistle (and the call) right as Wade prepared to leave the ground and well before any contact would have occurred. Plus, it was pretty clear that Wade traveled, switching pivot foots after making the fake. The ref didn’t need to see the play to make his call. All he needed to know was the name on the back of Wade’s jersey.

In the final 2:08 of the game, the Magic shot just 3-for-8 from the foul line, but they were still winning by one point with two seconds left because during that same 2:08, the Heat didn’t take a single decent shot. Miami scored four points in the final two minutes, both on put-backs of ugly misses by Wade.

In this game, Greg was right – what happened on the wooden floor was not basketball. Maybe the problem is that players like Wade and Carter are too good. Sometimes they make seemingly impossible shots. Maybe their egos have convinced them that they can make seemingly impossible shots on every possession. Still, I’m not sure that justifies attempting an impossible shot every time down.

This game was awful. Sadly, since it was close, Sportscenter will probably make it out to be a wonderful game. That’s certainly not how I, or probably anyone else who watched, will remember it. I’m not going to stop watching the NBA, but I am going to take a month or two off from saying anything nice about Vince Carter, Dwyane Wade, the Van Gundy brothers or Hubie Brown.

I started playing basketball when I was 6 years old. The last time I stepped on a basketball court was senior year of high school. Needless to say, a great majority of my childhood and adolescence revolved around the game of basketball. My winters were spent playing in my township’s rec league on Saturdays and traveling around the state with my travel team on Sundays. My springs were spent watching the New York Knicks religiously.

Believe it or not, I lived and died with the New York Knicks in the 90’s. They were my team. I didn’t get their channel on the 19-inch television in my room, so every night I would fall asleep with a Sony handheld radio under my pillow and I would listen to the soothing voices of Gus Johnson and Walt Frazier call the Knicks games on WFAN. I can’t tell you how many nights I was woken up by one of Gus Johnson’s frenzied calls when John Starks hit a game-winning three or Charles Oakley dove into the press row to save a loose ball. If I dozed off before the game was over, the first thing I would do before I brushed my teeth for school the next morning was turn the radio back on and try to catch the final score.

Although I wasn’t even 7 years old at the time, I can vaguely remember the 1994 Finals against Houston. Luckily, they made it back again in the spring of 1999. After a season shortened by the lock-out, my Knicks made an improbable run to the NBA Finals as the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference. It was one of the best springs of my life. From Allan Houston’s runner in the lane to win Game 5 against Pat Riley and the Heat, to Larry Johnson’s 4-point play in Game 4 of the Conference Finals against the Pacers. I watched that play on my knees with my hands clasped together in front of the TV in my parents bedroom. When Johnson hit that shot over Dale Davis, I jumped so high that I came dangerously close to hitting my head on the ceiling fan. My parents thought that someone dropped a piano through the floor.

In the Finals, we were swept away in five games by a Spurs team that was at the beginning of a run that would bring them 4 titles in the next 7 years. As for us, it was the beginning of the end. After the 1999 Finals, we made one more run the following season, taking the Miami Heat to 7 games in another classic May battle before falling to the Pacers in the Conference Finals. Patrick Ewing was shipped off to Seattle the following offseason and the Knicks have made the playoffs only twice more since then and only posted a winning record once.

Over the next 6 years, I watched an incompetent front office and even more incompetent ownership run a once proud franchise into the ground. The decline of the New York Knicks this past decade has been such an epic disaster that it makes the Titanic look like a bath toy. Something else happened during that time though, something happened between the Knicks and I. We began to grow apart. Like they had done to so many fans, their organization had alienated me. The World’s Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden, a place that had seen NBA Championships and countless legends now houses a failing franchise and the laughingstock of the NBA. The mecca of basketball, a building that never stopped rocking in the city that never sleeps, now struggles to fill its seats.

This where you come in, Mr. James. I, along with just about every other person that still calls themselves a New York Knicks fan, desperately want you to come to New York next summer. In fact, it’s more than that — we need you to come to New York next summer. I know we haven’t won a championship in 36 years and that we haven’t even made the playoffs since 2003, but believe me when I say that New Yorkers are passionate about their basketball. You might not be able to tell at first glance, but we still love our Knicks. We still love our Knicks even if this past decade was like the sports equivalent of going through a messy divorce. Maybe we’re a little more distant now, but we’re still here. Maybe we aren’t as loud as we used to be, but it was them who took away our voice. It was the Jim Dolans and Scott Laydens and Isiah Thomases that took this team away from us, and now we want it back. We want it all back. If you want it too, this is where you’re going to find it. If you want to win a title, we are your best shot. We have cleared enough cap space for 2010 to put an actual supporting cast around you, not just Shaquille O’Neal. If you want to become the biggest superstar the NBA has ever seen, New York is the city that will let you become just that. Come on, I mean Spike Lee is even wearing a #23 Knicks jersey already. And it’s not Toney Douglas.

We need you to save our team, LeBron. We need you to bring basketball back to New York, back to where it belongs, back to Madison Square Garden. We need you to make us matter again. The days of intense April and May playoff battles against the Heat and Pacers are long gone now. Long gone is Patrick Ewing dunking over Alonzo Mourning to win Game 7. Long gone is Allan Houston hitting a jumper over Reggie Miller to ice a Game 6 in Indiana. Long gone is John Starks dunking over Michael Jordan, Jeff Van Gundy swinging on Mourning’s legs and Chris Childs taking a swing at P.J. Brown. It’s all a distant memory now.

LeBron, you can help us remember again. There’s so much history that’s been lost among the wreckage of this decade. With your help, we can start rewriting that history. Adding pages to the legends, and adding banners to the rafters. LeBron James, deep down inside you want to be New York Knickerbocker. So when we send you that invitation next July, come on in and make yourself at home.

Sincerely,

Every New York Knicks Fan Ever

*Because of the short week and the holiday weekend, no picks column for Week 12, but here are my picks:

Green Bay (-11.5) over DETROIT

Oakland (+13.5) over DALLAS

DENVER (+5) over NY Giants

Indianapolis (-3.5) over HOUSTON

CINCINNATI (-14) over Cleveland

MINNESOTA (-11) over Chicago

Washington (+9) over PHILADELPHIA

Miami (-3) over BUFFALO

Arizona (+3) over TENNESSEE

Seattle (-3) over ST. LOUIS

Tampa Bay (+12.5) over ATLANTA

Carolina (+3) over NY JETS

SAN FRANCISCO (-3) over Jacksonville

SAN DIEGO (-13.5) over Kansas City

BALTIMORE (-2.5) over Pittsburgh

New England (+2.5) over NEW ORLEANS

Last Week: 8-7

Season Total: 90-70

How about rookie point guard Brandon Jennings going off for 32 points and leading the Bucks over the Nuggets last night? I can recall reading so much garabge about this kid going over to Europe to play ball instead of staying here in America and attending school.  ”I just go out there and play with a chip on my shoulder.” said Jennings. The Bucks are in first place in the Eastern Conference Central division. Scott Skiles does a terrific job, regardless of what you think of him.

The Cavaliers put it on the Magic last night.  I loved listening to Hubie Brown and Jeff Van Gundy do the game.  Tonight Cleveland plays the Heat on TNT. Do not ask LBJ about free-agency.  Did you see his kicks last night?

I’ve been watching Orlando Magic guard Vince Carter for a few years and yes he is a great athlete and he puts a lot of points in the book.  But imagine if this guy, at 6′8″ went into the post and looked to score instead of hoisting up long, rainbow, Purvis Short-like jumpers?

Everyone tried to hype up the Hornets-Suns game last night mainly by using Steve Nash vs Chris Paul.  Well the bottom line is the Suns won by 20 and have a record of 8-1; which is all that matters. Tonight the Suns take on the Lakers in the second of a DH on TNT.  Nash played 22 minutes last night so he should be well rested.

Jeff Goodman of Fox Sports on Isiah Thomas’ mother doing ok after surgery.  Years ago, everytime you read something about Isiah while growing up in Chicago you always heard about how she kept her son away from all the gangs.  Let’s hope she is doing well with recovery.

“Ms. Thomas was deemed an extremely high surgical risk,” Dr. Duane Follman said in a statement. “Because of her age and multiple other health factors, an invasive open heart surgery would have been too high a risk for survival and recovery. This minimally invasive procedure was a better course of treatment.”

The Nets lost another one last night, they are now 0-8 on the season.

Earl Boykins is back in the league with the Washington Wizards.

-Coach Finamore

Hoops135@hotmail.com

I’m on Facebook and you can follow me on Twitter: @CoachFinamore

So the day has come, the Cavaliers and the Magic meet again. Both teams look different, Cleveland with Shaq, Orlando with Dwight Howard.

So now its gametime: The Champ the Franchise and a few other guys are around lets informally nickname them “Canada” “Varejao” and “CTHD” (Croucher Tiger Hidden Dragon).

1st Quarter:

8:08 Shaq wins the tip, Hickson is starting at the 4. Mo strokes the 18 foot J.

LeBron is unstoppable.

First matchup between Shaq/Howard, foul. Second ends in a missed field goal.

Shaq draws second foul on Dwight Howard in the third matchup. Howard sits, brilliant strategy for the Cavaliers.

Mo Williams 3-3 has scored 7 of the Cavs’ ten points.

Monster dunk for LeBron James. James draws the foul and completes the 3 point play.

17-12, Cavaliers lead.

Shaq around the back to James, CTHD chokes on his cake.

Varejao comes off the bench, finishes with a monster dunk, The Franchise stands and claps.

The Champ feels that Marcin Gortat is Z without an outisde shot.

Gibson hits a three, Cavs 34 Orlando 26

The Franchise notes that this is a very high scoring quarter for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

LeBron misses a shot near the first quarter buzzer, good quarter for the Cavs, they lead by seven.

Dwight Howard spent the majority of the quarter on the bench.

2nd Quarter:

3rd foul on Howard, this is trouble.

Howard draws the second foul on Shaq.

Williams drives to the basket and nets it. 53-40 Cavaliers.

LeBron has 17 points, the Cavs are up by 15.

Weird call here. Nelson pushes on James, yet its a call on James?

Sorry guys, uncalled for interuption, Cavs up 63-51.

LeBron hits the three at the buzzer to end the half. 66-51. Mo Williams 9-9. he’s just “playing basketball.”

CTHD says the Cavaliers are penetrating the Magic “in the mouth.” ok.

LeBron is making it look easy.

3rd Quarter:

Vince Carter brings the defecit to 13.

Anthony Parker for three, and again!

The Champ has never seen the Cavs shoot this well.

Howard draws the foul on Shaq.

Jeff Van Gundy loves Dwight Howard.

Vince Carter still has it.

Everyone really likes the “Twin Draft Guard” commercials.

Do they really work? The Franchise thinks so.

Bad, bad, bad no-call on LeBron with Howard.

Brandon Bass, scrub move.

Van Gundy is right, Cleveland is doing a great job double teaming Howard.

Orlando is just missing shots, plain and simple.

oh shoot, Jamario Moon really overshoots on a dunk, oh boy.

Quarter ends Cavs up 88-68.

"no i want the ball"

4th Quarter:

The Champ forgot how bad Stan Van Gundy’s voice sounded.

MO WILLIAMS again, 92-70 wow.

just saw the ending to Nets/Sixers, wow. thats pathetic.

One guy here keeps saying that Varejao is a pansy.

5:58 left…

Reddick ends his streak of 12 3 pointers missed in a row.

LeBron James hits a crazy shot for his 34th point

game over. 102-98 Cleveland win.

Impressive win for the Cavaliers.

not impressive live blogging for the paints dudes. sorry about that.

Knicks fans, fasten your metaphorical crash helmet because, on the evidence of the four games over the last seven days, this season is shaping up to be a true test of faith and loyalty. This season is going to hurt and, most of the time, it is going to be embarassing.

It is two hours after the Knicks walked off the court at the Bradley Center after a truly humiliating 102-87 defeat to the Milwaukee Bucks. They conceded 40 first quarter points to a team averaging 87 a game. Their offense was putrid. They turned the ball over repeatedly. The defence was so poor it was inexcusable. In short, the Knicks didn’t even look good enough to be considered an NBA team. They played so badly in this game that Walt Frazier could be heard laughing in disbelief at their collective ineptitude.

The Milwaukee massacre provided a sad end to a week that had begun brightly. Monday night’s game against New Orleans finally gave the Knicks their first win of the season. They appeared to have learned the lessons handed down in their opening three defeats. Gone was the over-reliance on the three, the lack of ball movement and the absence of team defence replaced by Al Harrington slashing his way to the basket, Danilo Gallinari faking threes and creating easy baskets inside for David Lee and, (at times) a swarming defensive effort that forced Chris Paul and Co into bad shots and turnovers. Instead of the sluggish starts that hindered their progress in the season’s opening week, the Knicks came out sharp and slick with Larry Hughes hitting shots propelling the home team into a 12-point lead. When the Hornets made a third quarter run to briefly retake the lead, the Knicks, led by Lee (28 points) and Harrington (24 points), put the game away with a 40-point fourth quarter. They ran out convincing winners 117-111.

Mike D’Antoni described the Knicks’ first win of the season as “a massive step forward” but, as has happened many times, was made to eat his words by his team’s feeble efforts in their next match-up against the Indiana Pacers. A lethargic defensive display and thoroughly anti-clutch 0 for 10 shooting in the game’s final nine minutes resulted in a humbling 101-89 defeat to a severely depleted and previously winless Pacers team playing its second game in two nights. Even though Danny Grainger fouled out with four minutes remaining, the Knicks could not keep up with the Jonses, Dahntay and Solomon.

Fans will accept losing to the likes of the Celtics, the Lakers, the Magic and the Cavs. What will infuriate them is losing badly at home to teams in the bottom halves of their conferences. If the Knicks aspire to respectability, games in the Garden against the likes of the Pacers are games they simply must win.

Being blighted by inconsistency is no way to prepare for the Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The return of the King threatened to be a blow out on paper and so it proved. The game was over was as a contest after one quarter after 19 points from Lebron secured a 40-21 lead. Despite the Knicks playing decent defence in the game’s opening possessions,  the Cavs still started seven for seven. James drained three pointers, created two easy baskets with quality passing, made a buzzer beater and even found time to pat Larry Hughes on the arse after successfully launching a three in his face.

Aside from a couple of mini-runs, the Knicks fell listless for the remainder of the game. Unhappy with the lack of heart and passion shown by his experienced players, Mike D’Antoni gave second quarter minutes to rookie Jordan Hill who made an energetic five-minute cameo during which he made three of five field goals and turned the ball over twice.

As the game meandered to its inevitable conclusion, former Knicks-turned-TV-commentators Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy lamented the Knicks’ ongoing “talent issues” and agreed that their failure to establish a low post and/or pick and roll game was the primary cause of the long periods of offensive stagnation and their field goal and three point shooting percentages. The Knicks reduced the Cavs’ 20 point lead to single figures in the dying minutes of the game to make the final score a semi-respectable 100-91 but that masks how inferior they were to their opponents. James’ 33 point, nine assist, eight rebound performance showed the Knicks everything they are missing. The man is supremely skilled but he is also a fine team mate and leader, revelling in the atmosphere at MSG and enjoying his team mates’ successes. As Chris Rock suggested when he was interviewed courtside, “when Al Harrington is your go-to guy, you know you are in trouble”.

Twenty-four hours later, the Knicks were thoroughly dissected in Milwaukee. After hitting their first four shots, they totally and utterly capitulated to trail the Bucks 66-35 at the half. Don’t bother with the box score for this game. Instead, ask yourself this question. How on earth has D’Antoni avoided criticism for the sad state of his team? His over-hyped, one-dimensional offense only splutters sporadically into life. His team play no defence at all and are regularly out of games by half time. His players amble through increasingly heavier defeats making basic mistakes and looking like they couldn’t care less. There’s no team work, especially on the defensive end.

When is someone going to ask why this team have quit on the coach seven miserable games into a new season? If there’s truth to the rumour that the players are insulted by the New York media’s focus on Lebron and have decided to sleepwalk through the season, that’s as big an indictment on the coach as anything that happened in the Isiah era. And remember, thanks to Mr Thomas, even if the Knicks tank the entire season there’s no draft pick at the end of it. Donnie Walsh will argue that this current Knicks squad have little bearing on his long term vision for the team. Next year’s roster will bear little resemblance to the one currently embarrassing the Big Apple. It is too much to ask the MSG faithful to sit through performances this bad on the promise of a better tomorrow. While everyone expected the Knicks to be mediocre this year, nobody was prepared for them being this poor. If he cannot coax better effort from his team, Mike D’Antoni will need to grow a thick skin if he is to make it to Walsh’s promised land of free agent nirvana in the summer of 2010.

On this week’s evidence, the NBA’s most popular coach is looking more and more like a fraud. On this week’s evidence, the Knicks are still a total mess. On this week’s evidence, there’s no way Lebron James will be caught dead in a blue and orange uniform next season.

I hate hearing Jeff Van Gundy talk, so it’s kind of awesome to watch him hit the ground. Some classic footage during a Bulls/Knicks playoff game in 1996 where NBA official Hugh Hollins knocks out the former Knicks’ coach and most annoying NBA commentator on television.

So much going on in the world of sports.  Baseball play-offs, college and pro football, and of course the start of the NBA regular season is Tuesday.

California Angels (I can’t bring myself to type Los Angeles) and New York Yankees play Game 6 tonight in the Boogie Down. NY leads 3-2 in the best of seven.  Boy I’ve never heard so much criticisim over the manager’s decisions.  I even went out and questioned the moves by Yankees skipper Joe Girardi.  And how about the umpires? These guys have been terrible.

This Tuesday night we have the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers opening up the season.  I see those two and the Orlando Magic coming out of the East.  As for the West, I really like the Denver Nuggets.  But of course the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers will have something to say as well as the San Antonio Spurs and watch out for the Portland TrailBlazers.

I was watching the Nuggets and Lakers finishing out the preseason Friday night on ESPN. Lamar Odom and Chris Anderson got into a small argument; both players had to be separated.  Kenyon Martin jumped in and threw Odom aside.  I don’t get these guys trying to be tough guys during the games?  Why in the world do they shake hands, hug and do little dances before each game only to get into fights with each other during the game? Odom had mentioned he took up boxing in the off-season; OK Lamar, now you’re ready to get into the ring.

I get a kick out of listening to Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson announce games on ESPN.  Van Gundy said he didn’t think Nuggets rookie Ty Lawson was ‘Athletic’. Obviously JVG never saw Lawson play for Carolina the past couple of years.  JVG said that Lawson pushes the ball up the court but doesn’t elevate to the rim.  Huh? How many 5′11″ guys are skywalkers?  Lawson has blinding speed and is strong, that qualifies for being athletic. Lawson managed 29 points in 29 minutes.

Jackson mentioned during the broadcast Lawson’s college teammate Tyler Hansbrough as being one of the greatest college players of all-time.

JVG disagreed.

I enjoy listening to these guys for this kind of banter.  They know the game and aren’t afraid of speaking their mind; too many guys are worried about upsetting people. Speak the truth!  Jackson played at the highest level and of course JVG has been coaching for a long time.

The NBA officials are back.  This means the replacement officials are out.  After watching a few games the past couple of weeks I thought these guys did a good job.

I’m really starting to ‘feel’ the plus/minus stat the NBA utilizes.

-Coach Finamore

Hoops135@hotmail.com

I’m on Facebook and follow me on Twitter: @CoachFinamore

The Mt. Rushmore of Gracelessness

Many people have linked the recent behaviors of Rep. Joe Wilson, Kanye West and Serena Williams to a coarsening of our society and an underlying rudeness.  The correlation is obvious; people who didn’t get their way pitched a fit that would make a three-year old proud. If you haven’t seen these by now, the chances of you being a reader of this post are virtually zero.

But there was also a fourth event that I think is in some small way related and shows similar characteristics.  Michael Jordan’s induction speech into the Basketball Hall of Fame was a great demonstration of the self-centeredness of athletes and celebrities and the gracelessness that often follows.  It was all about him, his way, and all the scores he had to settle.  Dating way back to his high school days, Jordan took every slight real and perceived as motivation for revenge and proving people wrong.  He took a whack at everybody from the poor kid (that was 6’9” while Jordan wasn’t) in high school and got picked ahead of him for the varsity, to Jeff Van Gundy (a notable non-handwasher*), to Jerry Krause.  He was ungracious.  His attempts at humor ended up sounding like more cuts and jabs and were inappropriate for the setting.  He needed not only an editor but a PR lackey.

He even told his kids, “I’d hate to be you guys.” He left the rest of that sentence unspoken:  “because there’s no possible way for you to measure up to my greatness”.  While it may be true at least as far as basketball stardom is concerned, did he think his kids don’t realize it already?  Ask his college-basketball playing son whose limited playing time seemed to coincide only with dad’s trips to Urbana-Champaign.  Do you think they need to be told that their lives will pale in comparison to their dad’s in front of a national television audience?  If one of his kids becomes a noted scientist or author, don’t you get the feeling that Thanksgiving dinner would still be all about Mike?  I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised by this since Jordan is the one person honest enough to say that he unretired to spend less time with his family and more time on his legacy.  It was not a speech that will get him into the Parenting Hall of Fame for sure.

And for those of you counting the number of references Jordan made to his involvement with the Washington Wizards:  zero.  No comments on the larger lessons he learned through failure about his limitations or how it made him better or stronger in other ways.  Nary was heard an enlightening or self-reflective word.

Rep. Wilson wanted an open microphone to settle his score with the President.

Serena Williams didn’t care that there were open microphones around when she confronted, attempted to intimidate and outright threatened a lines woman.

Kanye West stole an open microphone to express his displeasure with an award outcome (later to have his outrage shown to have been comically premature as his favorite won an even bigger award for the same video).

Jordan used is his time at the microphone not to be humble and gracious and accept the honor of joining other greats in the Hall of Fame.  He used it to get even and to show us his shallowness.

All four of them showed an awesome lack of class and lack of grace.

I understand that single-mindedness and self-centeredness are often critical elements of success in competitive events whether they are in sports or business, from basketball to bond trading.  I think that Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time and I understand that the attitude he articulated certainly helped drive him to be as successful as he was on the court.  I’ve used what he said about this topic in the past as an example to my talented but undermotivated son about what it takes to be a champion.

But timing is everything.  There are times and places for those things to be discussed.  Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, Joint Sessions of Congress, award ceremonies—even for stupid, made-up awards, and Grand Slam semi-finals aren’t any of them.  All four of them lacked class and lacked grace.

If you disagree, ask yourself this question:  What would Tiger have done in the same situation?

*  I was on a flight from O’Hare to White Plains in 2002.  Jeff Van Gundy sat in the last row of first class, while I was in the first row of coach.  He deplaned immediately ahead of me and went directly into the men’s room adjacent to the gate, as did I.  Coach Van Gundy exited the men’s room without visiting the sink.  I was not the only person to notice it; New Yorkers aren’t shy.  Perhaps my describing this event also lacks class and grace, but I view it as a public service for those who meet JVG and are tempted to shake his hand.

(Photo: Getty Images)

When Michael Jordan took the stage Friday night at Symphony Hall, did you expect him to be extremely humble?

I didn’t. I never have.

Jordan is not humble, has he ever been?

He was Allen Iverson, before “A.I.” was; he was Kobe Bryant, before “Black Mamba” was.

You get the point.

Jordan was the shoot-first, ball-hog, ego-driven teammate that so many players once hated. In time, Jordan grew out of those habits and learned the team aspect, which in turn brought on six titles. Even during his growth, did he ever take the court with the idea in his head that someone on the floor was better than him?

I never thought so.

Why are people buzzing about MJ’s speech? Why are people angry? Why are people saying his speech was a disgrace? Why are people saying he acted petty?

Jordan took shots at people; Jerry Krause, John Starks, Bryon Russell, Jeff Van Gundy among others, but why are people mad about that?

Should Jordan have to be humble and not bring up the hurdles he went through during his illustrious career?

C. Vivian Stringer talked about the hurdles she faced, so why can’t Jordan?

I’m not saying Jordan’s hurdles were nearly those of what Stringer faced, so don’t get it twisted.

Jordan had every right to mention the 1985 All-Star game “freeze out,” and name-drop the players involved. He said he wanted to prove to those players that he deserved to be there, what’s wrong with him bringing that up? Did anyone do that to Grant Hill? Did they do it to Shaquille O’Neal? What about Yao Ming? All of those players were all-stars in their rookie seasons, yet were they “frozen out” by veteran players?

I have never heard of anyone “freezing out” LeBron James, that’s for damn sure.

I’d be bitter too. Jordan talked about how events like that were his motivation. They very well should have been.

Haven’t we all felt like that at one point or another in life?

As for the comments about former Bulls GM Jerry Krause, I think Jordan was right. The players and the coaches win the championships. Granted Krause did a great job of bringing in the right role players and drafting a guy like Scott Pippen, let’s not forget he broke the Bulls up in 1998.

Had it not been for Krause’s downward spiraling relationship with Phil Jackson, which ended in Jackson not returning to the Bulls and retiring (for that one season before joining the Lakers), Jordan may have not retired after 1998. If that happened, Pippen and Rodman stick around, which means the Bulls more than likely would have won another title, at least.

To me, breaking up that team, which I truly believe Krause did, is the dumbest move in NBA history. So credit to the Los Angeles Clippers for drafting Michael Olowokandi; and props to Joe Dumars for passing up Dwayne Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh for Darko Milicic.

As for Starks, Russell and Van Gundy? They’re opponents, they helped in fueling Jordan to become “the greatest.” Is he not allowed to talk about them and how they tried to play him?

Jordan may have said some pompous things during his speech, but I don’t think it was anything out of the ordinary, and I don’t think it was anything to be alarmed over. For once, Jordan wasn’t the PR-driven machine that we had to listen to for nearly 20 years. Jordan was finally himself, a person with raw emotion.

Maybe he didn’t show the humility of a John Stockton or Jerry Sloan, or the pure graciousness of a Stringer, but I didn’t expect him to.

What made Jordan great, was that he kicked your ass. Night and night out, and it didn’t matter who you were.

Considering that Jordan cannot go to a movie theater, a mall, a gas station or a grocery store for the rest of his life without causing chaos, I understand why Jordan is the way he is. There is a reason that David Robinson is my favorite basketball player of all-time, and not Jordan. It doesn’t mean what Jordan said or did was wrong though, and it certainly doesn’t mean people should begin to lose their lids over this.

The media and fans glorified Jordan all week, many of them overshadowed people like Sloan, Stringer, Robinson and Stockton. Now those same people are angry with Jordan for accepting that.

The theme of Jordan’s speech wasn’t about trying to tell everyone how he is the best, but rather, “Nobody should get in your way as you strive for greatness.”

I think that stands true whether it’s Leroy Smith, Buzz Peterson, Pat Riley, Isiah Thomas or Magic Johnson.

As for us, maybe it’s the kids that picked on us in high school. Maybe it’s the girl that broke your heart. Maybe it’s the guy at work that just got the promotion over you, even though you know you work harder than him, and he’s just related to the boss.

I realized what Jordan was trying to convey, so why are so many others not realizing the positive message that Jordan was sending?

The Detroit Pistons have let go of another coach as the inexperienced Michael Curry was fired by team president Joe Dumars on Tuesday.

I guess this is somewhat of a surprise, but Dumars should never have hired Curry in the first place. Curry was not seasoned enough to be put in such a position and, thus, did not have the best chance to succeed.

Then, All-Star guard Chauncey Billips was traded to Denver – case closed on Michael Curry’s tenure as a head coach. In reality, Curry might as well have resigned after the Billups trade and his inexplicable decision to bench Richard Hamilton in favor of Allen Iverson.

Curry, who some day could become a solid head coach (with a little more experience under a strong and successful head coach) completely blew it there and truly sealed his own fate (a fate that has played out today with his dismissal).

Now, Joe has a big decision and he must go with a veteran head coach (one he will have to pay for). He has some choices out there with guys like Doug Collins, Avery Johnson or Jeff Van Gundy.

There are some viable candidates out there, but will high-quality coaches want to come to the Pistons with Joe’s record of firing or forcing out a lot of good coaches (including Larry Brown and Flip Saunders).

The New York Times on the Van Gundy’s  during the NBA finals.

I thought JVG did a great job during the finals!

LA Lakers head coach Phil Jackson-the greatest ever? AP reports. I actually loved what TNT’s Charles Barkley said after the Lakers won the final game in Orlando.  Someone had mentioned Jackson had Jordan, Kobe and Shaq to help him win the 10 rings.  “What, and Red Auerbach didn’t have any players?”

It’s a fair criticism, even when broached to Jackson himself. He had Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Shaquille O’Neal and Bryant.

Other coaches didn’t.

“I’ll accept it,” Jackson said. “You have to have the special players to make the finals. That’s why they’re special players — because they get to this position at the end of the season.”

-Coach Finamore

hoops135@hotmail.com

I ain’t mad at him, but the color commentary of this exciting NBA Finals has suffered because of ESPN/ABC’s decision to allow Jeff Van Gundy, the brother of Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, to announce the games.  We, the fans have been robbed of quality unbiased commentary.  It’s almost as bad as listening to Tommy Heinsohn announce a Celtics game. UGGGGGGGGGH.

You can’t blame Jeff.  He suggested that he be removed from the announcers team before the series to avoid an appearance of bias.  He knew that he was not going to criticize his brother.  He knew that he was rooting for his brother and the Magic although he said that he believed the Lakers would dispatch Van Gundy’s team in 5-6 games.

I can relate to Jeff’s position. In fact, I wish Jeff was now the coach of the New York Knicks.  At least I know my team would work hard on defense, though they might struggle on offense just a tad bit.  I know my team would be loyal to a coach who would be willing to tackle an opposing player if a fight broke out.  I know my team would respect the public loyalty that one brother shows another brother on internation televistion.

I can  relate because I have three brothers myself.  We are ultra-competitve, but I would not dare criticize them on an international forum, even though one of them, at the age of 40+, still insists, in small crowds, on bringing up the time he hit me with a lucky Bruce Lee kick in the chest when we were teenagers.    Even though he never mentions that he ran like Carmelo Anthony after the lucky strike.  I wouldn’t criticize him publicly despite the fact we slept in the same bed for years and he occasionally left little surprises because he was too afraid of the dark to go to the toilet.  No, I would not  dog out my younger  brother  in public.  Blood is thicker than poopy.

This is why I can understand that Jeff Van Gundy will not criticize the coaching of his brother Stan Van Gundy regardless of the mistakes he makes.

I understand it, but let’s be real.  Jeff’s policy not to criticize any coaches, especially his brother, denies the fans of high quality analysis from both him and Mark Jackson, his partner in analysis crime, who announces like a wanna-be coach instead of a former star basketball player.   We are denied the benefit of Jeff’s knowledge and analysis.  No second guessing coaches because it’s a hard job, like being a player isn’t.   Jeff’s policy  was never more true than when he decided to rant on about Rafer “Skip To My Lou” Alston’s reasons for poor quality of play in the first game of the finals.  “Skip To” opined that his rhythm was thrown off when he found himself relegated to the bench after starting for and leading the Magic through three contentious series (Philly, Boston, Cleveland) to reach the finals.  After all that effort, because star guard Jameer Nelson didn’t really want to miss the playoffs, Stan Van Gundy gave Nelson significant minutes and disrupted the rhythm of the entire team.  Instead of criticizing his brother’s decision, he went on about how Rafer should just shut up and play and not make excuses for his performance.

Of course, Jackson, who desperately wants to be a part of the coaching fraternity (and should get a chance, quite frankly) follows the same philosophy and instead of giving us the player’s perspective, he also skips Stan Van and criticize’s Skip To.   As throughout the series, Van Gundy’s unwillingness to criticize his brother impacts the announcing of  Jackson.

When Mark finally and rightfully criticized Stan Van for keeping Jameer Nelson on the floor too long in game four, he quickly offered an apology when the Magic started playing better.  How often does an announcer apologize for being wrong, momentarily?

I say momentarily because perhaps Derrick Fisher’s regulation ending tre was the result of playing Nelson too much.  What happened to criticism of Stan Van by either commentator (plus Mike Breen) when Nelson allowed Derrick Fisher to hit that game tying tre with about 4 seconds left in regulation.  Who stood up to criticize the coach for not insuirng that either Fisher was crowded or fouled before the tre attempt to make sure that he could not tie the game.  Certainly, Jameer Nelson should have been criticized for defending behind the arc, but where was the coach in all of this?  Where were the coach’s critics for the second game he cost the Magic in the series?

It’s one thing not to criticize coaches but it is quite another to not see Magic fouls when Orlando players are draped all over shooters.  How many fouls called against the Magic have Mark and Jeff claimed were either wrong or questionable when they were painfully obvious at first blush.  Since when is it not a foul to hit a shooting hand or for a moving defender to initiate a body-bump while the shooter is in the air.  They’re more than Stan’s homies; they’re Orlando homers.

Let’s give Jeff some credit for criticizing at least one Van Gundy — his dad, when Pops tried to sell his boys to the viewing audience as formidable college basketball players.  Jeff at least told us his dad was wrong for trying to make them look like basketball studs.

What is equally as irritating is how the press ignores this obvious deficiency in the ESPN/ABC broadcast.  Sportswriters and announcers have always been so quick to point out how lackluster the games appear to be when the Williams sisters play each other in grand slam finals.  They even go so far as accusing the sisters of planning which one will win a trophy and when.  The press makes such a big deal about how hard they believe it is for the sisters to show a killer instinct against one another.  Yet, no one talks about Jeff’s blatant disregard for doing his job when it might hurt his brother’s public image.

As I said, I don’t fault Jeff Van Gundy.  I think he is doing what he should do.  If he were playing his brother, he should beat his azz or at least make it hard for him to win.  To say bad things (without a lot of self-deprecating humor) about your sibling, just to please others, is really not good for family harmony.  But, I blame ESPN-ABC for putting Jeff in this position — their decision was a disservice to the viewers.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

You may also like: Jeff Van Gundy’s Face, a video at College Humor

Let this be clear: I hate people hamming it up for the cameras behind the broadcast team. Can’t stand it. So I LOVE this classic moment from Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

Perhaps she was just following the Magic’s lead?

Eric Sondheimer of the LA Times mentioned the following names for the USC vacancy. Here’s my take on each:

• Jamie Dixon, Pitt: The press (and us bloggers) would love this idea, pitting mentor vs. apprentice in a cross town shoot out. (Here’s my Star Wars themed entry from a couple months ago). Move over Duke-UNC (well, not quite). No doubt USC will leave a message, but will Dixon return the call? Dixon’s consideration probably  center around how the recent allegations could possibly affect Trojan basketball in the future.  If the circumstances were clean, it would be hard for Dixon not to jump back to his homestate in a major market and a fresh new arena. But they aren’t, so assume Dixon stays put. If called, he’ll listen
• Reggie Theus, formerly Sacramento Kings: Theus has not been shy about expressing his interest in returning to the college ranks, most recently when the Arizona job was open. USC does like to pick from the professional leagues (read: Tim Floyd and Pete Carroll). If offered, he’d sign.
• Craig Robinson, Oregon State: We’re at least a year too early. Robinson turned the Beaver’s program around, but remember, he has only been there a year. That said, his brother-in-law ran for president with less than a full term of experience. When the time is right, it’s right. Even still, Robinson would be a surprise hire.
• Randy Bennett, St. Mary’s: For every Pac 10 opening, Bennett’s name inevidabley comes up. He brushed off Oregon State two years ago, but if he brushed off USC, what exactly would he be waiting for? If offered, he’d sign.
• Seth Greenberg, Virginia Tech: I assume his name is mentioned because of his familiarity with the terrain–he coached Long Beach State in the 1990’s. Don’t expect him to be called because his name would not generate enough buzz. Speaking of LBS, current coach (former Gopher coach) Dan Monson’s name also has flown around.

I tend to side with the thesis that Southern Cal will look to the NBA for some new blood using past choices has evidence. Joining Theus in this category, Jeff Van Gundy, Brian Shaw and Jim Cleamons have been mentioned. Don’t be surprised to see an NBA coaching alum off the rumor mill list.

Watching the NBA Finals we have been hit with some awesome quotes!

“Let the big guys play.” -JVG on guys battling in the post and the officials letting them play.

“That’s fundamental basketball.” -Mark Jackson on JJ Reddick and Gortat running a picture perfect pick and roll.

“Phil Jackson coaches stars, he’s not mesmerized by them.” -JVG on Lakers coach Phil Jackson.

“Hand-down, man-down.”  -Mark Jackson on lack of closing out on outside shooters.

“Solid and simple.” -Magic head coach SVG to Magic guard Rafer Alston.

Will the defendants please rise?

Loyal Homer has reached a decision. After much deliberation, Loyal Homer has decided to rule in favor of…

SPORTS GEEK!

(Minor applause)

Folks, this isn’t a slam dunk case. Many across the nation think this is in the bag. Let me tell you, it’s not. Judging by the results of the poll, you don’t necessarily think it’s over either. As of this writing, 42% of you think the Magic still have a shot! (Some of you just want to see Stan Van Gundy wearing his Sunday best.) Remember the shooting display that Orlando Magic forwards Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu, and Mickael Peitrus (where has he been for the NBA Finals?) put on against the Cleveland Cavaliers. That could still happen against the favored Lakers.

We at the Sports Debates have been giving Stan Van Gundy a lot of grief (well, one of us has… you figure out who). But, Loyal Homer likes Stan better than his brother Jeff, not only because he has more hair than his brother, but because he has quietly turned this team around in a short amount of time. Remember two years ago when Florida Gator men’s basketball head coach Billy Donavan took the job and then had a change of heart in the span of two days? ‘Stan the Man’ was the fall back guy and he wasn’t exactly Stan the Man in the eyes of Magic fans. While I don’t think he is the best coach in the league or even this series like Bleacher Fan suggests, I still think he is underrated and doesn’t get the league-wide respect that he deserves. The fact that Orlando has the next three games, as Bleacher Fan touches on, gives them a shot.

However, let’s not kid ourselves. Though the Magic are a Courtney Lee layup from being tied in this series, the Lakers are still the overwhelming favorite at this point. The Lakers won Game 2 of the NBA Finals with an admittedly mediocre performance from star Kobe Bryant. They got clutch shots late in the game from center Pau Gasol, guard Derek Fisher, and forward Lamar Odom.

What separates the Lakers from the Magic in this series is the frontcourt, as Sports Geek says. The Magic matched up well with Cleveland but they really don’t with the Lakers. Then again, who does match up well with the Lakers? Especially with the monsters down low in center Andrew Bynum, Gasol, and Odom. After losing his last two shots at a record tenth NBA championship, you have to figure Lakers coach Phil Jackson isn’t going to lose three Finals in a row.

Good debate! Like I said, this series isn’t over yet (at least ABC hopes it isn’t). That said, the Lakers would really have to lay an egg to let the Magic back in the series at this point.

Read Sports Geek and Bleacher Fan’s opinions!

I know a series doesn’t really “start” until someone loses a home game, but let’s face it, if Orlando gets blow out again tonight than this series only goes 5 games at most.

I’m watching an Orlando team that’s playing with nowhere near the intensity that it played with against Cleveland. And too much is being made about Jameer Nelson’s playing time. Jeff Van Gundy just said, “He’s an All-Star. If he’s healthy, he should be playing.” While I generally agree with that, I disagree that Jameer should’ve been an All-Star in the first place. I love the St. Joseph’s product, but he wasn’t the best point guard in the Eastern Conference this season.

Anyway, that’s two non-football posts back-to-back, so I’m getting ready to post a review of the 2006 draft class (why?) and my thoughts on the “Sheldon vs. McNabb” contract battle that’s brewing.

Final Note: Orlando wins the team nickname match-up hands down, though. When I think of Orlando, I immediately visualize Disney World and various other amusement parks. As a rule, I do not like singular-word team names, but “Magic” fits so well. The Lakers franchise, if it weren’t for so much history, would’ve done well to have changed their name after moving from Minneapolis to L.A.

Update: Orlando surges to a close game on the back of Rashard Lewis, who had a very “Kobe-like” game. The Magic showed a lot of intensity and started to play physical, but they’re going to need the Turk and Alston to step up if they want to win the next 2 at home and put the pressure on L.A.

Tonight, the anticipated NBA Finals begin.

Orlando Magic vs. Los Angeles Lakers.

There is so much going on, and i’ll break down EVERYTHING that is important.

If its not on here, don’t worry about it.

Speaking of all those Q’s and not worrying about it, the first big topic is Kobe’s inability to get a title without Shaq.

They won 3 together, and Shaq left and won a 4th with Miami.

Kobe got straight up dommed last year in the finals, and is “looking for revenge”.

Psh.

Apparently winning a title without Shaq isn’t important to him, he just wants another.

Even Shaq twittered on the subject: “I am saying it today and today only, I want kobe bryant to get number four, spread da word.”

That is a direct quote, not me trying to use ebonics over the computer.

So now that Shaq’s pulling for him he’s automatically going to win right?

No.

Kobe ALWAYS tries to do the opposite of what Shaq says.

Shaq says trade me, Kobe says stay in LA.

etc.

Shaq says win title, Kobe says i’ll throw it.

Knowing that, Orlando will win the series.

Call your bookies!

2. Jameer Nelson coming back?!?!

He probably will but play scarce minutes, and I don’t think he should come back.

Stan Van Man has said he doesn’t think him coming back will tinker with the chemistry.

He won’t demolish it, but it will change.

Rafer “Reefer” Alston has been playing well and Anthony Johnson has been doing everything a 50-year-old in disguise can. Not to mention Courtney Lee using Rip Hamilton’s old mask to tear up the game.

Throwing another guard in changes the rotation, even for a little.

They get rest, but a guy who hasn’t played in a few months takes their spot.

If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it, right?

Don’t try to fix the Magic.

They’ll repeat next season with Jameer at the point.

Orlando is a pretty streaky team usually, because if the 3-ball is off, they lose.

But almost every game this postseason they have been on.

Can they keep it up?

Why not, it’s a magical run right now. (Get it?)

I love Mickael Pietrus.

He’s an all-around G.

When lil wayne asks what G is, the answer is Mickael Pietrus.

Just look at the name folks!!!!

is he a fan of 30's as well??

He can even throw punches with the best of them.

Golden State Warriors' Mickael Pietrus of France, wears oversized boxing gloves during a film shoot on media day.

How punny, and I even used the exact caption from the picture on the internet.

Go Mag.

P.S. Fun fact, the Magic have beaten the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers.

If they beat the Fakers they will have beaten three 60-win teams in one postseason, which has never been done before.

History is on their side.

Una vez dicho más o menos todo lo serio que se puede decir sobre la eliminatoria que empieza esta noche, dejo una última ráfaga rápida de noticias “curiosas” relacionadas con la final de la NBA. Nuestros protagonistas son, entre otros, Jeff Van Gundy, Mickael Pietrus y el mismísimo Barack Obama. Pasen y vean…

Jeff Van Gundy y su integridad “periodística”: Por si alguien no lo sabe, Jeff y Stan Van Gundy no comparten apellido por casualidad, sino que son hermanos. Por eso, el ex entrenador de los New York Knicks y habitual comentarista de los partidos de la NBA en la televisión americana tuvo un serio dilema cuando se confirmó que el equipo de su hermano jugaría la Final de la NBA. No sabía si mantendría la imparcialidad, dado que, como él mismo ha reconocido, quiere que su hermano gane (naturalmente). Al parecer habló del tema con su productor, quien le dijo que no tenía ningún problema al respecto, y que contaban con él para comentar las finales. Y no sé por qué no deberían hacerlo… Van Gundy siempre ha hecho gala de una alegre falta de rigor y una envidiable veleidad en sus comentarios que sólo se pueden comparar con la alegría que dan sus comentarios a las retransmisiones. Seguro que añadir un poco de partidismo pro-Magic a la mezcla no le hace daño a nadie. ¡Queremos más JVG!

Mickael Pietrus y sus “armas psicológicas”: Según cuenta el Orlando Sentinel, Mickael Pietrus ha utilizado en algunos partidos de la temporada unas zapatillas patrocinadas por el mismísimo Kobe Bryant. Enfrentado a la terrible tarea de tener que marcar a la Mamba Negra, Pietrus ha iniciado la “guerra” desde un enfoque psicológico y ha anunciado que dejará de usar esas zapatillas durante la final para decantarse por unas patrocinadas por Michael Jordan. ¿Le servirá de algo frente al “imparable” poder de la Mamba? ¿Se sentirá ofendido Kobe por la afrenta y acribillará a Pietrus? La historia es buena… demasiado buena, ya que según algunas fuentes, parece que Pietrus no lleva las zapatillas de Kobe, sino unas “simples” Hyperdunks. Qué mareo de modelos…

Obama va con los Lakers…: Todo el mundo está haciendo vaticinios para las finales… y el presidente de los Estados Unidos no es una excepción. Barack Obama dijo el otro día que creía que los Lakers ganarían en seis partidos. El presidente ya acertó que North Carolina ganaría la NCAA, así que no hay que subestimar el poder de sus predicciones…

… y Shaq también, aunque sólo por un día: Pese a haber jugado en ambos equipos que participarán en la Final, Shaquille O’Neal ha dejado claros sus colores a través de un mensaje de Twitter: “Así es, lo reconozco hoy, y sólo hoy: quiero que Kobe gane el cuarto anillo. Podéis hacer correr la voz”. ¿Será que quiere volver a jugar en los Lakers? Es más… ¿hay alguien que vaya abiertamente con los Magic (aparte de Jeff Van Gundy, claro)?

Una final que aligera la crisis: Según los expertos el hecho de que sean los Magic, y no los Cavaliers, los que se enfrenten a los Lakers en la Final de la NBA, tendrá un claro impacto en el precio de las entradas, cuyo precio podría llegar a reducirse en casi un 40%, al menos en los partidos que se juegan en el Staples Center.  Aun así, los precios de los que se habla no están al alcance de cualquier bolsillo: la cosa oscila entre los 250-350 dólares para los asientos de gallinero y los 1600-3500 para los asientos a pie de pista. Seguro que Jack Nicholson no se fija mucho en estas cosas…

Pau asegura la victoria… o no: En una entrevista publicada por Marca, Pau Gasol hablaba de muchos temas relativos a la final. Pau demuestra su gran motivación para la serie con frases como “Vamos a ganar porque somos mejores y porque lo deseamos más”. Evidentemente, no es más que una frase hecha en respuesta a una pregunta concreta de la entrevista, pero espero que los medios americanos no la saquen de contexto y Pau acabe convirtiéndose en un Mo Williams cualquiera… 

How can anyone be so wealthy yet have so little sense?!  How can you call out television announcers Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy and Charles Barkley and you do it on a $2 camcorder in the dark?!

You Ronald, couldn’t find someone with a decent camcorder and a decent light to put someone on blast?

Obviously feenin’ for attention, Artest goes on a 5 minute improv rant/comedy bit that falls somewhere between unintelligible and somewhat understandable.

His overriding point is that the Houston Rockets took the Lakers to Game 7 and did so without Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady and Dikembe Mutombo.

Which is true, they reached Game 7 without the help of the aforementioned.  But Artest shows why he’s still crazy when he uses that to “prove” that Houston then is the second best team in basketball because they’re the only team to take the Lakers 7 games (thus far).

Uh…no.

The transitive theory doesn’t work in sports.  That’s like saying since boxer Mitch “Blood” Green went the distance with Mike Tyson, he’s better than (and could’ve beaten) everyone who instead got knocked out by Iron Mike.

Uh…Negro…no.  No, no, no.

Houston going 7 games doesn’t a priori make them better than any team who “only” went six or fewer.  Don’t try to explain that to Ronny…his mind is made up.  1+1 = 3

And before any of you try to tell Mo’Kelly that Artest was only trying to be “funny”…whatever.  Mo’Kelly knows crazy when he sees it.  He’s still talking this mess about being able to guard Kobe Bryant.  Dude the series has been over for weeks, let it go.

Stop obsessing.

You, LeBron and Mo’Kelly will all be watching the Finals from home.  If you want, you can pick up some pizza and watch it on the flatscreen at Mo’Kelly’s not-so-palatial estate.  I’ll provide the beverages.

If you make silly videos like these and post them on the internet, you can be sure you will be clowned accordingly…

Anyhow, introducing the emotionally unbalanced Ronald Artest.  Lights please…

The Mo’Kelly Report is an entertainment journal with a political slant; published weekly at www.eurweb.com. It is meant to inform, infuse and incite meaningful discourse…as well as entertain. The Mo’Kelly Report is syndicated by Blogburst. For more Mo’Kelly, http://mokellyreport.wordpress.com.  Mo’Kelly can be reached at mrmokelly@gmail.com and he welcomes all commentary.

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