Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesAfter all the doubt about the Suns appearing in the playoffs before the seasons started the Suns have finally proved that they can be lethal team if faith is given. The Suns had an amazing start to the season but started slow down until after the all-star break and trade deadline which seemed to have waken the team up from their misery and got them back on track. As a matter of fact they are currently 19-4 since the All-Star weekend break and are on a 10 game winning streak.This is all thanks to Amar'e Stoudemire's New York Giants jersey
recent MVP-caliber performance. He has been scoring consistently and improved in his rebounding skills, or at least it seemed like it has. But Amar'e isn't the only player who has stepped up. Jason Richardson has started to follow Stoudemire's lead and scored consistently as well.With Barbosa's return, Lopez was ruled out. This placed an uncertainty for Alvin Gentry as to whether or not Frye should start in place of Lopez but a decision was made to start Collins, who rarely gets any playing time. This has yet seemed to be a bad idea given the fact that since New York Jets jersey
he has received the starting position the Suns haven't lost a game yet.Alvin Gentry's decision making has been great and really has helped the Suns grab wins for their run to grab a higher seed in the Western Conference. Gentry has also won the Coach of the Month award for March. He seems to be not only the players' favorites but also the fans' favorite.After tonights win against the Suns, they have won 50 out of 76 games which is the exact same record as the Dallas Mavericks giving both teams the 2nd seed. Coincidently the Suns and Mavs will face offOakland Raiders jersey
against each other in the NBA's third outdoor game later on in the year for a pre-season game. The Suns have been the best team in the last 10 games with a 10-0 record.The Suns need to keep up their current pace and bring their A game into the playoffs in order for them to advance deep into the playoffs. This could be a year Suns' fans may never forget.
2010年12月30日星期四
2010年12月29日星期三
29 Dec 10 NBA Playoffs: Preview Prediction: Boston Celtics Vs Miami Heat
Boston Celtics vs.Miami HeatSeason Series: Boston 3-0This is just a preview for one of the eight games, for all eight match-ups, click below* NBA Playoffs - Previews and Predictions - Round One Match-ups * TheBoston Celtics aren't quite the team they were two years ago when they won the NBA Championship. Well, in a sense they are because they still have Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Rajon Rando and Kendrick Perkins, and they even picked up Rasheed Wallace to boost their defense (he's also added almost 10 points per Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers #86 Hines Ward Realtree camo Jersey
game). Where lies the problem? Here it is; the Celtics are getting old. An 82-game season, plus the playoffs is grueling on the body and considering the big three for Boston (Pierce, Garnett and Allen) average age is 34 years old, its going to be awfully hard to keep place with young teams like Cleveland, Orlando or Atlanta as the playoffs continue. Don't get me wrong, they all still have a lot of talent and they'll walk past Miami but 2008 was their year, 2010 is the year for someone else (don't be surprised if its the Western Conference as they've won 7 of the last 11 championships and the most interesting part is the Spurs and Lakers have won all seven).Back on April 7, Garnett tweeked his knee in a game against the Raptors and even though he won't let it keep him out of the playoffs, the only person who knows if he is at 100 percent is himself, but if a pretty safe bet to say he won't be, at least he won't be there 100 percent mentality if not physically. There is no question the Celtics starting five is full of talent, and even Wallace (who has kinda stunk) and recently acquired Nate Robinson should help the Celtics chances of making a deep run in the playoffs butBoston combined to go 3-9 against the three teams ahead of them (Atlanta, Orlando and Cleveland) and with that record, it'll be tough to get past the second round after presumably coasting through the first. Boston has been there before (deep in the playoffs) and that experience is going to be impossible to stop for Miami but once Boston sees the likes of Cleveland, Orlando or Atlanta, expect not only great basketball but for Boston's age to catch up to them.Unfortunately forMiami Heat fans, you will see a trend as the my Eastern Conference preview rolls on but honestly, it is nothing to beReebok Pittsburgh Steelers James Harrison Realtree camo Jersey
surprised about. The top four teams in the East (Cleveland, Orlando, Atlanta and Boston) are all head and shoulders above the remaining four teams (Milwaukee, Miami, Charlotte and Chicago). With that being said, don't tell Dwayne Wade because the guy is ridiculously skilled with a basketball and already has a Championship under his belt (yeah, mainly to the help of Shaq). There is no question that this is Wade's team now (it always was but he needed a big-man like Shaq to win it) but Miami has done what they can to help Wade by picking up Michael Beasley in the draft two years ago and also got Jermaine O'Neil via trade from the Raptors. Udonis Haslem and Quintin Richardson also dish in but what Miami is missing is what was the most pivotal part of their 2005-06 championship run: the big man.Dwayne Wade can't do it all himself; he is not LeBron, Kobe, Durant or Carmelo (who allbut Durant) have a better cast of teammates surrounding them. Although Wade does average 25+ points, just under five rebounds and over 6.5 assists I can't see him doing enough to get past a team that in every way is better than his. Again, the big man is the reason the Heat will duck out early and by early I mean five games... they'll be lucky to even win one in this series Reebok San Francisco 49ers #21 Frank GORE Realtree camo Jersey
folks. Jermaine O'Neil may not be at 100 percent but he has come back from injury and will definitely be a boost the Heat who will need him real bad but the fact he won't be playing at full strength is going to hurt Miami, and hurt them bad. It honestly wouldn't matter what Nos. 1-4 seeds played Nos. 5-8 because the four best teams in the East are moving on.TheCoach's Pick:BOSTON in FIVE
game). Where lies the problem? Here it is; the Celtics are getting old. An 82-game season, plus the playoffs is grueling on the body and considering the big three for Boston (Pierce, Garnett and Allen) average age is 34 years old, its going to be awfully hard to keep place with young teams like Cleveland, Orlando or Atlanta as the playoffs continue. Don't get me wrong, they all still have a lot of talent and they'll walk past Miami but 2008 was their year, 2010 is the year for someone else (don't be surprised if its the Western Conference as they've won 7 of the last 11 championships and the most interesting part is the Spurs and Lakers have won all seven).Back on April 7, Garnett tweeked his knee in a game against the Raptors and even though he won't let it keep him out of the playoffs, the only person who knows if he is at 100 percent is himself, but if a pretty safe bet to say he won't be, at least he won't be there 100 percent mentality if not physically. There is no question the Celtics starting five is full of talent, and even Wallace (who has kinda stunk) and recently acquired Nate Robinson should help the Celtics chances of making a deep run in the playoffs butBoston combined to go 3-9 against the three teams ahead of them (Atlanta, Orlando and Cleveland) and with that record, it'll be tough to get past the second round after presumably coasting through the first. Boston has been there before (deep in the playoffs) and that experience is going to be impossible to stop for Miami but once Boston sees the likes of Cleveland, Orlando or Atlanta, expect not only great basketball but for Boston's age to catch up to them.Unfortunately forMiami Heat fans, you will see a trend as the my Eastern Conference preview rolls on but honestly, it is nothing to beReebok Pittsburgh Steelers James Harrison Realtree camo Jersey
surprised about. The top four teams in the East (Cleveland, Orlando, Atlanta and Boston) are all head and shoulders above the remaining four teams (Milwaukee, Miami, Charlotte and Chicago). With that being said, don't tell Dwayne Wade because the guy is ridiculously skilled with a basketball and already has a Championship under his belt (yeah, mainly to the help of Shaq). There is no question that this is Wade's team now (it always was but he needed a big-man like Shaq to win it) but Miami has done what they can to help Wade by picking up Michael Beasley in the draft two years ago and also got Jermaine O'Neil via trade from the Raptors. Udonis Haslem and Quintin Richardson also dish in but what Miami is missing is what was the most pivotal part of their 2005-06 championship run: the big man.Dwayne Wade can't do it all himself; he is not LeBron, Kobe, Durant or Carmelo (who allbut Durant) have a better cast of teammates surrounding them. Although Wade does average 25+ points, just under five rebounds and over 6.5 assists I can't see him doing enough to get past a team that in every way is better than his. Again, the big man is the reason the Heat will duck out early and by early I mean five games... they'll be lucky to even win one in this series Reebok San Francisco 49ers #21 Frank GORE Realtree camo Jersey
folks. Jermaine O'Neil may not be at 100 percent but he has come back from injury and will definitely be a boost the Heat who will need him real bad but the fact he won't be playing at full strength is going to hurt Miami, and hurt them bad. It honestly wouldn't matter what Nos. 1-4 seeds played Nos. 5-8 because the four best teams in the East are moving on.TheCoach's Pick:BOSTON in FIVE
2010年12月28日星期二
28 Dec 10 Suns-Spurs: A Game Of Runs
Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesAfter the Phoenix Sun's Monday night 111-102 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of their Western Conference Semifinal series, it has become more and more clear that this is a series that will ultimately be decided by the team that makes the last run.Phoenix led by14 Reebok Oakland Raiders #21 Nnamdi Asomugha Realtree camo Jersey
on two occasions, mid way through the second quarter and again early in the fourth quarter. However, both times,San Antoniowent on quick runs to narrow the gap, taking the lead with a Ginobili three pointer in the third quarter and cutting the Phoenix lead to1 with about four minutes to play.Thats not to say the Suns didn't respond to their fair share of adversity. After going down 67-64 mid way through the third quarter, the Suns turned defensive stops into quick scores and went on a 21-8 run to end the quarter and head into the final period up 10.Again in the fourth quarter after a letting a 94-80 lead get away with a 13-0 run by the Spurs, Phoenix went on a9-2 run to take an 8 point lead, 103-95, capped off by a Richardson three pointer with 90 seconds to play.The result of all this, a game that saw the Suns Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers #86 Hines Ward Realtree camo Jersey
go up by 10 at halftime, then the Spurs up by 3 in the third quarter, the Suns up 10 by the end of the quarter, eventually up 14 in the fourth, then up only 1 with four minutes left, then up 9 with all zeroes on the clock. And thats just one game.It is only Game 1, but it would seem that the team that is able to weather the storm most effectively in this series will be moving on to the next round.
on two occasions, mid way through the second quarter and again early in the fourth quarter. However, both times,San Antoniowent on quick runs to narrow the gap, taking the lead with a Ginobili three pointer in the third quarter and cutting the Phoenix lead to1 with about four minutes to play.Thats not to say the Suns didn't respond to their fair share of adversity. After going down 67-64 mid way through the third quarter, the Suns turned defensive stops into quick scores and went on a 21-8 run to end the quarter and head into the final period up 10.Again in the fourth quarter after a letting a 94-80 lead get away with a 13-0 run by the Spurs, Phoenix went on a9-2 run to take an 8 point lead, 103-95, capped off by a Richardson three pointer with 90 seconds to play.The result of all this, a game that saw the Suns Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers #86 Hines Ward Realtree camo Jersey
go up by 10 at halftime, then the Spurs up by 3 in the third quarter, the Suns up 10 by the end of the quarter, eventually up 14 in the fourth, then up only 1 with four minutes left, then up 9 with all zeroes on the clock. And thats just one game.It is only Game 1, but it would seem that the team that is able to weather the storm most effectively in this series will be moving on to the next round.
2010年12月27日星期一
27 Dec 10 How Amare Played His Way out of Phoenix Wednesday
Harry How/Getty ImagesAs one Phoenix journalist posted on Twitter during Game Two of the Western Conference Finals, "I think Amare opted out of his contract at halftime."The one thing that all Suns fans knew they were getting with Amare Stoudemire was all offense and no defense. After his pathetic performance on guarding Pau Gasol, I think it is safe to say that Suns fans have had enough of his lackadaisical performance on the end that doesn't improve his stats.Nothing against Gasolhe is a great playerbut he is not Shaq or Hakeem Olajuwon. Reebok Green Bay Packers #12 Aaron Rodgers Realtree camo Jersey
A player of Stoudemire's caliber should at least be able to stop him every once in awhile. He can't even do that.Play after play the offense ran through Gasol because of one reason, Stoudemire's inability to defend. He is constantly out of position and is afraid to make plays on the defensive end for fear of getting in foul trouble.By all accounts unless the Suns are willing to give him a new max deal for five years (Suns will only extend him by three years) he is as good as gone.The sad thing is despite all of his abilities on the court, I am all for him leaving.It took a midseason benching and not being traded to motivate him into becoming the dominating force that he was in the second half of the season.Despite playing seven seasons in the NBA, he still gets by on athleticism and hasn't bothered to learn how to play defense. The only part of the game that he has improved is his mid-range jumper.When Amare opts out of his contract this summer, he will likely land somewhere outside of the Valley of the Sun.This would give the Suns Reebok Green Bay Packers #52 Clay Matthews Realtree camo Jersey
around $44 million committed to eight players next season (let's say it safe to think that Grant Hill will pick up his option). Assuming they commit between $6-$7 million to re-signing Lou Amundson and Channing Frye (whose price tag has gone down since this series started) the Suns will have about $14 million in cap space to play around with.They could sign two solid role players to add to the chemistry that this team has been able to develop so well. Or they could make a splash in the free agent market.I'm not talking a LeBron type play but going for someone like Chris Bosh could be just the move the Suns are looking for. A power forward who would actually want to be in town and reap the benefits from everything that is Steve Nash.Stoudemire has no post moves and is not willing to box out or is often out of place on rebounds. Bosh's numbers have improved every year since he has been in the league while Amare's has been up and down, plus there are the numerous injuries that he has racked up over the years (knee, eye).Now is Reebok Indianapolis Colts 18 Peyton Manning Realtree camo Jersey
this likely to happen? No, I'm also a Suns fan (which means I'm pessimistic) and the only time we got a superstar was when Charles Barkley came to town.The first two games of this series has only proved that the Suns need someone with a better all around game, in order to win a title. While Stoudemire can provide a name, he can't provide any D and that will not get the Suns a title while he is their power for
A player of Stoudemire's caliber should at least be able to stop him every once in awhile. He can't even do that.Play after play the offense ran through Gasol because of one reason, Stoudemire's inability to defend. He is constantly out of position and is afraid to make plays on the defensive end for fear of getting in foul trouble.By all accounts unless the Suns are willing to give him a new max deal for five years (Suns will only extend him by three years) he is as good as gone.The sad thing is despite all of his abilities on the court, I am all for him leaving.It took a midseason benching and not being traded to motivate him into becoming the dominating force that he was in the second half of the season.Despite playing seven seasons in the NBA, he still gets by on athleticism and hasn't bothered to learn how to play defense. The only part of the game that he has improved is his mid-range jumper.When Amare opts out of his contract this summer, he will likely land somewhere outside of the Valley of the Sun.This would give the Suns Reebok Green Bay Packers #52 Clay Matthews Realtree camo Jersey
around $44 million committed to eight players next season (let's say it safe to think that Grant Hill will pick up his option). Assuming they commit between $6-$7 million to re-signing Lou Amundson and Channing Frye (whose price tag has gone down since this series started) the Suns will have about $14 million in cap space to play around with.They could sign two solid role players to add to the chemistry that this team has been able to develop so well. Or they could make a splash in the free agent market.I'm not talking a LeBron type play but going for someone like Chris Bosh could be just the move the Suns are looking for. A power forward who would actually want to be in town and reap the benefits from everything that is Steve Nash.Stoudemire has no post moves and is not willing to box out or is often out of place on rebounds. Bosh's numbers have improved every year since he has been in the league while Amare's has been up and down, plus there are the numerous injuries that he has racked up over the years (knee, eye).Now is Reebok Indianapolis Colts 18 Peyton Manning Realtree camo Jersey
this likely to happen? No, I'm also a Suns fan (which means I'm pessimistic) and the only time we got a superstar was when Charles Barkley came to town.The first two games of this series has only proved that the Suns need someone with a better all around game, in order to win a title. While Stoudemire can provide a name, he can't provide any D and that will not get the Suns a title while he is their power for
2010年12月26日星期日
26 Dec 10 Steve Nash: The Busted Face of Basketball
Jeff Gross/Getty ImagesIve always been a Steve Nash hater. Let just get that out there. Ive always thought that he a wormy, saccharine Canadian;a player whose abilities on the court are blown out of proportion by hisstatistics on paper. He the highschool quarterback that scores the hot cheerleader, heads the San Francisco 49ers jersey
class council,gets straight A, and petitions for more soda machines on campus. He is the kid who does more community service than theamount required for graduation. I mean,who does that!? We get it, Steve.Youre nice. Youre a do-gooder,and youve won over the masses with your G-rated Disney pizazz. Just stop the act already.If you were to ask me, he didn deserve those MVPs. He got them because he was small, white, anddid everything right. He answeredquestions politely, and smiled for the camera. He visited hospitals and paintedhouses. But his play didn justify theaccolades, the fanfare, or the adoration.He has won nothing, accomplished nothing, proven nothing. I would have said he played us all for fools. And you know what? I would have been dead wrong. Because eventhough he playing against the LakersmyLakersI keep finding myself rootingfor Steven John Nash.***It kills me to say this, but Nash has revolutionized thegame of basketball. His effect cannot beseen in a single game (though I guarantee you, like last night Game 5thriller, he will make any game entertaining), nor can his effect on thebasketball culture be quantifiably measured.This is true within , , ,and all throughout the NBA-watching globe.Just ask around. This wormy, saccharine Canadian has Seattle Seahawks jersey
become anambassador. Our ambassador. And, thoughit has taken me a while to come around on this fact, it is a privilege to havethis class council president as our diplomat to the basketball-watchinglegions. His methods are highlysuccessful, tremendously watchable, and brilliant to behold. May the Coke machines abound.First, let me break down what Nash brings to the court. In this, his 13th season, when hisbody should be/has been breaking down for at least five years, he is enjoyingone of his finest seasons of all-time.(No small feat for a prior back-to-back MVP winner.) He averaged 16 points and 11 assists a gamethis year, 17.5 and 10 in the playoffs. Heled his team to the Western Conference Finals when no one had them out of thefirst round. He re-activated AmareStoudamire (not to mention the whole city of Phoenix), and in the biggest gameof the year he hit big shot after big shot even as his coach was puking on thesidelines. True story.And I realize it is a pity that we have never seen what hecan do in the Finals.True, he can beat players with his speed, providelock-down defense, elevate, or play for over 35 minutes a game. But he never really could in the first place,could he? When he is on the court, hehides his every shortcoming in a way that it only rarely becomes apparent. I mean, let be honest.Every single player in the NBA yes, even Earl Boikins could post upSteve Nash if they were alone in a gym together. But it doesn happen. Why?Because Steve sees the play coming, switches off, and never gives themthe opportunity. Steve maximizes his strengths at the offensive end to makeup for his defense. If he needs to getby his defender, he goes into a succession of stutter-steps and hesitations,dipping his shoulder only when heSt. Louis Rams jersey
has the man completely off-balance. If the defense switches, he lures the big menout to the 15-18 foot range, and either lofts a high shot over him (that hemakes with great regularity) or burns by him for an unorthodox - yet thoroughlypracticed - layup. For the opponent, it maddening. It like trying to share a sleeping bag withyour sister - it should be easy, but you just can get in the right position.On drives, Nash gets behind the hoop - much like a hockeyplayer and looks for cutters at angles the defense isn accustomed to. If the defenders stay at home on theirplayers, it makes for an easy and uncontested layup. But if they switch off, they have to turntheir back on Stoudamire or Grant Hill.And that never a smart idea. It brilliant basketball play, really. Like in fencing, he realizes that he is inpower when he has the ball in attack mode.He makes the choices, dictating every move that the defense makes, andcountering appropriately.Im beginning to realize Ive never seen a player like him.Steve Nash is proof that you don have to be able touch Tennessee Titans jersey
thetop of the backboard in order to play in this league. He embodies the natural evolution ofbasketball; the game where a keen eye and smart thinking can make up for a lackof athletic talent. Now, Ill root for the Lakers until Im purple and gold inthe face. But for basketball fans, SteveNash is our savior. He is the hope ofthe slow, ground-ridden masses. And that quite an accomplishment, isn it?This article is also featured onThe Second Coming NBA Blog
Jeff Gross/Getty ImagesIve always been a Steve Nash hater. Let just get that out there. Ive always thought that he a wormy, saccharine Canadian;a player whose abilities on the court are blown out of proportion by hisstatistics on paper. He the highschool quarterback that scores the hot cheerleader, heads the San Francisco 49ers jersey
class council,gets straight A, and petitions for more soda machines on campus. He is the kid who does more community service than theamount required for graduation. I mean,who does that!? We get it, Steve.Youre nice. Youre a do-gooder,and youve won over the masses with your G-rated Disney pizazz. Just stop the act already.If you were to ask me, he didn deserve those MVPs. He got them because he was small, white, anddid everything right. He answeredquestions politely, and smiled for the camera. He visited hospitals and paintedhouses. But his play didn justify theaccolades, the fanfare, or the adoration.He has won nothing, accomplished nothing, proven nothing. I would have said he played us all for fools. And you know what? I would have been dead wrong. Because eventhough he playing against the LakersmyLakersI keep finding myself rootingfor Steven John Nash.***It kills me to say this, but Nash has revolutionized thegame of basketball. His effect cannot beseen in a single game (though I guarantee you, like last night Game 5thriller, he will make any game entertaining), nor can his effect on thebasketball culture be quantifiably measured.This is true within , , ,and all throughout the NBA-watching globe.Just ask around. This wormy, saccharine Canadian has Seattle Seahawks jersey
become anambassador. Our ambassador. And, thoughit has taken me a while to come around on this fact, it is a privilege to havethis class council president as our diplomat to the basketball-watchinglegions. His methods are highlysuccessful, tremendously watchable, and brilliant to behold. May the Coke machines abound.First, let me break down what Nash brings to the court. In this, his 13th season, when hisbody should be/has been breaking down for at least five years, he is enjoyingone of his finest seasons of all-time.(No small feat for a prior back-to-back MVP winner.) He averaged 16 points and 11 assists a gamethis year, 17.5 and 10 in the playoffs. Heled his team to the Western Conference Finals when no one had them out of thefirst round. He re-activated AmareStoudamire (not to mention the whole city of Phoenix), and in the biggest gameof the year he hit big shot after big shot even as his coach was puking on thesidelines. True story.And I realize it is a pity that we have never seen what hecan do in the Finals.True, he can beat players with his speed, providelock-down defense, elevate, or play for over 35 minutes a game. But he never really could in the first place,could he? When he is on the court, hehides his every shortcoming in a way that it only rarely becomes apparent. I mean, let be honest.Every single player in the NBA yes, even Earl Boikins could post upSteve Nash if they were alone in a gym together. But it doesn happen. Why?Because Steve sees the play coming, switches off, and never gives themthe opportunity. Steve maximizes his strengths at the offensive end to makeup for his defense. If he needs to getby his defender, he goes into a succession of stutter-steps and hesitations,dipping his shoulder only when heSt. Louis Rams jersey
has the man completely off-balance. If the defense switches, he lures the big menout to the 15-18 foot range, and either lofts a high shot over him (that hemakes with great regularity) or burns by him for an unorthodox - yet thoroughlypracticed - layup. For the opponent, it maddening. It like trying to share a sleeping bag withyour sister - it should be easy, but you just can get in the right position.On drives, Nash gets behind the hoop - much like a hockeyplayer and looks for cutters at angles the defense isn accustomed to. If the defenders stay at home on theirplayers, it makes for an easy and uncontested layup. But if they switch off, they have to turntheir back on Stoudamire or Grant Hill.And that never a smart idea. It brilliant basketball play, really. Like in fencing, he realizes that he is inpower when he has the ball in attack mode.He makes the choices, dictating every move that the defense makes, andcountering appropriately.Im beginning to realize Ive never seen a player like him.Steve Nash is proof that you don have to be able touch Tennessee Titans jersey
thetop of the backboard in order to play in this league. He embodies the natural evolution ofbasketball; the game where a keen eye and smart thinking can make up for a lackof athletic talent. Now, Ill root for the Lakers until Im purple and gold inthe face. But for basketball fans, SteveNash is our savior. He is the hope ofthe slow, ground-ridden masses. And that quite an accomplishment, isn it?This article is also featured onThe Second Coming NBA Blog
class council,gets straight A, and petitions for more soda machines on campus. He is the kid who does more community service than theamount required for graduation. I mean,who does that!? We get it, Steve.Youre nice. Youre a do-gooder,and youve won over the masses with your G-rated Disney pizazz. Just stop the act already.If you were to ask me, he didn deserve those MVPs. He got them because he was small, white, anddid everything right. He answeredquestions politely, and smiled for the camera. He visited hospitals and paintedhouses. But his play didn justify theaccolades, the fanfare, or the adoration.He has won nothing, accomplished nothing, proven nothing. I would have said he played us all for fools. And you know what? I would have been dead wrong. Because eventhough he playing against the LakersmyLakersI keep finding myself rootingfor Steven John Nash.***It kills me to say this, but Nash has revolutionized thegame of basketball. His effect cannot beseen in a single game (though I guarantee you, like last night Game 5thriller, he will make any game entertaining), nor can his effect on thebasketball culture be quantifiably measured.This is true within , , ,and all throughout the NBA-watching globe.Just ask around. This wormy, saccharine Canadian has Seattle Seahawks jersey
become anambassador. Our ambassador. And, thoughit has taken me a while to come around on this fact, it is a privilege to havethis class council president as our diplomat to the basketball-watchinglegions. His methods are highlysuccessful, tremendously watchable, and brilliant to behold. May the Coke machines abound.First, let me break down what Nash brings to the court. In this, his 13th season, when hisbody should be/has been breaking down for at least five years, he is enjoyingone of his finest seasons of all-time.(No small feat for a prior back-to-back MVP winner.) He averaged 16 points and 11 assists a gamethis year, 17.5 and 10 in the playoffs. Heled his team to the Western Conference Finals when no one had them out of thefirst round. He re-activated AmareStoudamire (not to mention the whole city of Phoenix), and in the biggest gameof the year he hit big shot after big shot even as his coach was puking on thesidelines. True story.And I realize it is a pity that we have never seen what hecan do in the Finals.True, he can beat players with his speed, providelock-down defense, elevate, or play for over 35 minutes a game. But he never really could in the first place,could he? When he is on the court, hehides his every shortcoming in a way that it only rarely becomes apparent. I mean, let be honest.Every single player in the NBA yes, even Earl Boikins could post upSteve Nash if they were alone in a gym together. But it doesn happen. Why?Because Steve sees the play coming, switches off, and never gives themthe opportunity. Steve maximizes his strengths at the offensive end to makeup for his defense. If he needs to getby his defender, he goes into a succession of stutter-steps and hesitations,dipping his shoulder only when heSt. Louis Rams jersey
has the man completely off-balance. If the defense switches, he lures the big menout to the 15-18 foot range, and either lofts a high shot over him (that hemakes with great regularity) or burns by him for an unorthodox - yet thoroughlypracticed - layup. For the opponent, it maddening. It like trying to share a sleeping bag withyour sister - it should be easy, but you just can get in the right position.On drives, Nash gets behind the hoop - much like a hockeyplayer and looks for cutters at angles the defense isn accustomed to. If the defenders stay at home on theirplayers, it makes for an easy and uncontested layup. But if they switch off, they have to turntheir back on Stoudamire or Grant Hill.And that never a smart idea. It brilliant basketball play, really. Like in fencing, he realizes that he is inpower when he has the ball in attack mode.He makes the choices, dictating every move that the defense makes, andcountering appropriately.Im beginning to realize Ive never seen a player like him.Steve Nash is proof that you don have to be able touch Tennessee Titans jersey
thetop of the backboard in order to play in this league. He embodies the natural evolution ofbasketball; the game where a keen eye and smart thinking can make up for a lackof athletic talent. Now, Ill root for the Lakers until Im purple and gold inthe face. But for basketball fans, SteveNash is our savior. He is the hope ofthe slow, ground-ridden masses. And that quite an accomplishment, isn it?This article is also featured onThe Second Coming NBA Blog
Jeff Gross/Getty ImagesIve always been a Steve Nash hater. Let just get that out there. Ive always thought that he a wormy, saccharine Canadian;a player whose abilities on the court are blown out of proportion by hisstatistics on paper. He the highschool quarterback that scores the hot cheerleader, heads the San Francisco 49ers jersey
class council,gets straight A, and petitions for more soda machines on campus. He is the kid who does more community service than theamount required for graduation. I mean,who does that!? We get it, Steve.Youre nice. Youre a do-gooder,and youve won over the masses with your G-rated Disney pizazz. Just stop the act already.If you were to ask me, he didn deserve those MVPs. He got them because he was small, white, anddid everything right. He answeredquestions politely, and smiled for the camera. He visited hospitals and paintedhouses. But his play didn justify theaccolades, the fanfare, or the adoration.He has won nothing, accomplished nothing, proven nothing. I would have said he played us all for fools. And you know what? I would have been dead wrong. Because eventhough he playing against the LakersmyLakersI keep finding myself rootingfor Steven John Nash.***It kills me to say this, but Nash has revolutionized thegame of basketball. His effect cannot beseen in a single game (though I guarantee you, like last night Game 5thriller, he will make any game entertaining), nor can his effect on thebasketball culture be quantifiably measured.This is true within , , ,and all throughout the NBA-watching globe.Just ask around. This wormy, saccharine Canadian has Seattle Seahawks jersey
become anambassador. Our ambassador. And, thoughit has taken me a while to come around on this fact, it is a privilege to havethis class council president as our diplomat to the basketball-watchinglegions. His methods are highlysuccessful, tremendously watchable, and brilliant to behold. May the Coke machines abound.First, let me break down what Nash brings to the court. In this, his 13th season, when hisbody should be/has been breaking down for at least five years, he is enjoyingone of his finest seasons of all-time.(No small feat for a prior back-to-back MVP winner.) He averaged 16 points and 11 assists a gamethis year, 17.5 and 10 in the playoffs. Heled his team to the Western Conference Finals when no one had them out of thefirst round. He re-activated AmareStoudamire (not to mention the whole city of Phoenix), and in the biggest gameof the year he hit big shot after big shot even as his coach was puking on thesidelines. True story.And I realize it is a pity that we have never seen what hecan do in the Finals.True, he can beat players with his speed, providelock-down defense, elevate, or play for over 35 minutes a game. But he never really could in the first place,could he? When he is on the court, hehides his every shortcoming in a way that it only rarely becomes apparent. I mean, let be honest.Every single player in the NBA yes, even Earl Boikins could post upSteve Nash if they were alone in a gym together. But it doesn happen. Why?Because Steve sees the play coming, switches off, and never gives themthe opportunity. Steve maximizes his strengths at the offensive end to makeup for his defense. If he needs to getby his defender, he goes into a succession of stutter-steps and hesitations,dipping his shoulder only when heSt. Louis Rams jersey
has the man completely off-balance. If the defense switches, he lures the big menout to the 15-18 foot range, and either lofts a high shot over him (that hemakes with great regularity) or burns by him for an unorthodox - yet thoroughlypracticed - layup. For the opponent, it maddening. It like trying to share a sleeping bag withyour sister - it should be easy, but you just can get in the right position.On drives, Nash gets behind the hoop - much like a hockeyplayer and looks for cutters at angles the defense isn accustomed to. If the defenders stay at home on theirplayers, it makes for an easy and uncontested layup. But if they switch off, they have to turntheir back on Stoudamire or Grant Hill.And that never a smart idea. It brilliant basketball play, really. Like in fencing, he realizes that he is inpower when he has the ball in attack mode.He makes the choices, dictating every move that the defense makes, andcountering appropriately.Im beginning to realize Ive never seen a player like him.Steve Nash is proof that you don have to be able touch Tennessee Titans jersey
thetop of the backboard in order to play in this league. He embodies the natural evolution ofbasketball; the game where a keen eye and smart thinking can make up for a lackof athletic talent. Now, Ill root for the Lakers until Im purple and gold inthe face. But for basketball fans, SteveNash is our savior. He is the hope ofthe slow, ground-ridden masses. And that quite an accomplishment, isn it?This article is also featured onThe Second Coming NBA Blog
2010年12月25日星期六
25 Dec 10 Nets vs. Hawks: Josh Smith, Hawks Soar As Nets Lose Again
Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesComing off an ugly loss in Boston, the New Jersey Nets dropped their eighth straight road game as they lost to the Atlanta Hawks Tuesday night, 116-101, at Philips Arena. The Nets fell to 6-16 on the season.Atlanta Josh Smith was unconscious on the night, scoring a season-high 34 points and hitting clutch baskets all night long.The Nets defeated the Hawks in their last meeting in overtime two weeks ago, but Smith and company earned their revenge.New Jersey came out strong early scoring the first five points and enjoying a Indianapolis Colts jersey
10-4 run. Brook Lopez scored seven points in the first six minutes, but Atlanta stayed close.Jamal Crawford took over late in the first quarter, scoring eight points in five minutes. The Hawks closed the quarter on an 8-0 run and led 27-26.With a combination of strong defense and Atlanta turnovers, the Nets went on their own 10-0 run early in the second quarter to retake the lead. Jordan Farmar continued his strong outside shooting by burying a few three-pointers. He scored eight points in nine minutes.Crawford was at it again in the second quarter, hitting big shot after big shot. The Hawks opened up a 13-point lead after a 20-3 run. Atlanta led 60-47 at the half.Josh Smith led all scorers with 19 first half points while Al Horford chimed in with 12. Crawford finished with 18 points in just over 17 minutes. Lopez Jacksonville Jaguars jersey
led the Nets with 15 points, and Devin Harris added eight assists.Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesThe third quarter opened with more sloppy play from New Jersey. The Hawks led by as many as 16, but the Nets gained some steam late cutting the lead to eight. But Atlanta surged in the final minute to lead 83-71.The teams traded baskets early in the fourth quarter which allowed Atlanta to maintain their 10 point lead for a while.The Nets began chipping away midway through the fourth as they got some much needed defensive stops. They cut the lead to as little as five with Kansas City Chiefs jersey
three minutes left, but big shots by Horford and Crawford kept Atlanta comfortably ahead. They scored 40 points combined in the win.Harris finished with a double-double, 16 points and 13 assists.The schedule only gets tougher for the struggling Nets as they travel to Dallas to take on former Net Jason Kidd Thursday night.
10-4 run. Brook Lopez scored seven points in the first six minutes, but Atlanta stayed close.Jamal Crawford took over late in the first quarter, scoring eight points in five minutes. The Hawks closed the quarter on an 8-0 run and led 27-26.With a combination of strong defense and Atlanta turnovers, the Nets went on their own 10-0 run early in the second quarter to retake the lead. Jordan Farmar continued his strong outside shooting by burying a few three-pointers. He scored eight points in nine minutes.Crawford was at it again in the second quarter, hitting big shot after big shot. The Hawks opened up a 13-point lead after a 20-3 run. Atlanta led 60-47 at the half.Josh Smith led all scorers with 19 first half points while Al Horford chimed in with 12. Crawford finished with 18 points in just over 17 minutes. Lopez Jacksonville Jaguars jersey
led the Nets with 15 points, and Devin Harris added eight assists.Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesThe third quarter opened with more sloppy play from New Jersey. The Hawks led by as many as 16, but the Nets gained some steam late cutting the lead to eight. But Atlanta surged in the final minute to lead 83-71.The teams traded baskets early in the fourth quarter which allowed Atlanta to maintain their 10 point lead for a while.The Nets began chipping away midway through the fourth as they got some much needed defensive stops. They cut the lead to as little as five with Kansas City Chiefs jersey
three minutes left, but big shots by Horford and Crawford kept Atlanta comfortably ahead. They scored 40 points combined in the win.Harris finished with a double-double, 16 points and 13 assists.The schedule only gets tougher for the struggling Nets as they travel to Dallas to take on former Net Jason Kidd Thursday night.
2010年12月24日星期五
mlb jersey, nba jersey, nfl jersey, nhl jersey, soccer jersey
Happier times in Cleveland and TorontoIn free agency, for every winner there is a loser. While the center of the NBA-world has relocated to Miami, LeBron James and Chris Bosh’s former teams are left to deal with the devastation their departure wrought in obscurity, far from the prying eyes of national TV. The natural reaction, as Cleveland owner Dan Gilbert showed in his infamous “Comic Sans” letter, is one-upmanship. Gilbert vowed revenge, disparaging LeBron’s character on the way out and generally acting like a scorned lover. Accepting mediocrity will be no easier for Toronto GM Bryan Colangelo, whose job is undoubtedly on the line this season. After four seasons at the helm of the Raptors, they are in far worse shape than when he New Orleans Saints jersey
arrived. But after a break-up, it’s better to think with your head and not your heart. It’s in both teams to rebuild completely, following the model of the Oklahoma City Thunder and not the Indiana Pacers. In 2005, the then Seattle Supersonics pushed the eventual champion Spurs to six games. But after two ineffectual 30-win seasons and All-Star Rashard Lewis approaching free agency, they took out the dynamite. They signed and traded Lewis to Orlando for a massive trade exception, which they parlayed into draft picks by letting teams like Phoenix dump salary to cut payroll and avoid the luxury tax. They moved franchise player and probably future HOF Ray Allen for a high first-round pick. As a result, they picked up franchise cornerstones Kevin Durant and Jeff Green in that year's draft. The next year, the young team inevitably struggled, allowing them another high pick – guard Russell Westbrook. There’s no question that it’s a genuinely painful process; the team averaged 60.5 losses those first two seasons. But that’s the formula for long-term success in the NBA – find an All-Star to build your team around and draft high enough for a few years to get suitable pieces to complement his game. The New York Giants jersey
only thing worse than a drastic rebuilding process is running on the mediocrity treadmill, being not good enough to contend and not bad enough to draft top young players. That’s what happened to the Indiana Pacers in the aftermath of the 2004 Palace Brawl. The year before the team had won 61 games, and they were seen as a legitimate championship contender before Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson charged into the stands that night. Instead of rebuilding, they hung onto a window that had already closed. Rather than flipping disgruntled franchise cornerstones Artest and Jermaine O’Neal for young players and cap space, they picked up a collection of retread veterans centered around Peja Stojakovic and TJ Ford. Even finding a legitimate All-Star at No. 17 in the draft – SF Danny Granger – couldn’t change their fate. There were too many solid veterans around Granger for the team to sink to the bottom of the lottery, but not another All-Star type player to push them into the playoffs. The fruits of a genuine rebuilding processOver the last four seasons, they have averaged 35 wins while never picking lower than No. 11. The team still doesn’t have enough cap room to sign an impact free agent, and a trade demand from Granger seems inevitable. It’s easy to see the Cavs following in the Pacers footsteps. Gilbert seems too competitive, and too used to filling the Q, to allow a bottoming out process to occur. Cleveland will have to rely heavily on active big man Anderson Varejao to anchor the defense and trigger the fast break, because they will struggle to score in the half-court. They have a roster full of finishers – be it shooters on the outside (Mo Williams, Daniel Gibson, Anthony Parker) or big men who can convert in the paint (Antawn Jamison and JJ Hickson) – but no one who can set them up effectively. But there still is enough talent on hand to win 30-40 games and compete for the final playoff spots in the East. The question is will that be enough to satisfy a fan-base used to competing for a championship. Ironically, Toronto’s mismanagement puts them in a better situation than Cleveland. Replacing Chris Bosh, New York Jets jersey
an athletic power forward and an excellent rebounder, with the erratic Amir Johnson won’t improve the league’s worst ranked defense. Offensively they are a team of 3-point marksmen (Andrea Bargnani, Jose Calderon and Linas Kleiza) without anyone who can draw a double team and give those shooters open looks. Danny Granger has had little support in his time with IndianaThey have no choice but to play the young players they drafted in the lottery in the last two years – DeMar DeRozan and Ed Davis – and see what they can contribute. And because they will have no choice to rebuild, Toronto’s future is brighter than Cleveland’s, despite a dramatically-less talented roster. For more in-depth exploration of this topic, check out the FanTake Blog:Get Buckets Follow on Twitter at:GetBucketsFT Follow on Facebook:Get Buckets
arrived. But after a break-up, it’s better to think with your head and not your heart. It’s in both teams to rebuild completely, following the model of the Oklahoma City Thunder and not the Indiana Pacers. In 2005, the then Seattle Supersonics pushed the eventual champion Spurs to six games. But after two ineffectual 30-win seasons and All-Star Rashard Lewis approaching free agency, they took out the dynamite. They signed and traded Lewis to Orlando for a massive trade exception, which they parlayed into draft picks by letting teams like Phoenix dump salary to cut payroll and avoid the luxury tax. They moved franchise player and probably future HOF Ray Allen for a high first-round pick. As a result, they picked up franchise cornerstones Kevin Durant and Jeff Green in that year's draft. The next year, the young team inevitably struggled, allowing them another high pick – guard Russell Westbrook. There’s no question that it’s a genuinely painful process; the team averaged 60.5 losses those first two seasons. But that’s the formula for long-term success in the NBA – find an All-Star to build your team around and draft high enough for a few years to get suitable pieces to complement his game. The New York Giants jersey
only thing worse than a drastic rebuilding process is running on the mediocrity treadmill, being not good enough to contend and not bad enough to draft top young players. That’s what happened to the Indiana Pacers in the aftermath of the 2004 Palace Brawl. The year before the team had won 61 games, and they were seen as a legitimate championship contender before Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson charged into the stands that night. Instead of rebuilding, they hung onto a window that had already closed. Rather than flipping disgruntled franchise cornerstones Artest and Jermaine O’Neal for young players and cap space, they picked up a collection of retread veterans centered around Peja Stojakovic and TJ Ford. Even finding a legitimate All-Star at No. 17 in the draft – SF Danny Granger – couldn’t change their fate. There were too many solid veterans around Granger for the team to sink to the bottom of the lottery, but not another All-Star type player to push them into the playoffs. The fruits of a genuine rebuilding processOver the last four seasons, they have averaged 35 wins while never picking lower than No. 11. The team still doesn’t have enough cap room to sign an impact free agent, and a trade demand from Granger seems inevitable. It’s easy to see the Cavs following in the Pacers footsteps. Gilbert seems too competitive, and too used to filling the Q, to allow a bottoming out process to occur. Cleveland will have to rely heavily on active big man Anderson Varejao to anchor the defense and trigger the fast break, because they will struggle to score in the half-court. They have a roster full of finishers – be it shooters on the outside (Mo Williams, Daniel Gibson, Anthony Parker) or big men who can convert in the paint (Antawn Jamison and JJ Hickson) – but no one who can set them up effectively. But there still is enough talent on hand to win 30-40 games and compete for the final playoff spots in the East. The question is will that be enough to satisfy a fan-base used to competing for a championship. Ironically, Toronto’s mismanagement puts them in a better situation than Cleveland. Replacing Chris Bosh, New York Jets jersey
an athletic power forward and an excellent rebounder, with the erratic Amir Johnson won’t improve the league’s worst ranked defense. Offensively they are a team of 3-point marksmen (Andrea Bargnani, Jose Calderon and Linas Kleiza) without anyone who can draw a double team and give those shooters open looks. Danny Granger has had little support in his time with IndianaThey have no choice but to play the young players they drafted in the lottery in the last two years – DeMar DeRozan and Ed Davis – and see what they can contribute. And because they will have no choice to rebuild, Toronto’s future is brighter than Cleveland’s, despite a dramatically-less talented roster. For more in-depth exploration of this topic, check out the FanTake Blog:Get Buckets Follow on Twitter at:GetBucketsFT Follow on Facebook:Get Buckets
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