Yesterday was a fine day for basketball. The Jazz began a three game road trip with the lofty vow to never trail in a game. They certainly did not in Toronto. On Bosh's 26 birthday, the Raptors were quickly wiped out by the meteor that is Deron Williams and Toronto remained on the short list of teams that Williams refuses to lose to in his NBA tenure. Some announcers at halftime jokingly asked if Calderone had something to infuriate the green monster (the Jazz moved to 10-1 while wearing the throwbacks), but quickly concluded that the beleaguered point guard never had the chance to say anything since he was always too far away from Williams as the all-star slashed and passed through a pathetic defense. The coach for the raptors concluded that Williams' stat sheet of 18 points, 16 assists, 8 rebounds, and 4 steals was "deceviing" because it under-represented the amount of destruction that was unleashed by the Fighting Illini. The trib put it well when they deemed this team "on a mission." They are after the 2nd seed and it is great to watch them fight for it. The Jazz's optimism is now shared again by John Hollinger as they are projected to beat out both the Mavericks and Nuggets in record.
In other news, the Nuggets lost again yesterday to the Celtics (who are playing great basketball right now) as Rondo snagged a tripple-double. Denver is in serious threat of losing another two games (@ Orlando followed immidiately by @ Dallas) and slipping into the fourth spot, which is right where everyone else with the exception of the Lakers wants them. Dallas has a tough game in Portland tonight and may continue their slide after winning 13 games straight. Since the Salt Lake Tribune already stole the better rap reference that would have titled this post ("We on a mission" circa Outkast, 1998) I'll end with my thoughts (and Jay-Z's) about the Mavericks, their 13 game streak, and their relationship to D-Hulk: "Yeah you shining but there's one thing you're leaving out; you're a candle in the sun, and that shit don't even out."
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
We, not me, all you suckah mc's
"We not me" were the words printed in white letters upon a green Boston Celtics shirt. Energy Solutions Arena was quickly filled with Celtics fans. After a long thread of boos that accompanied the Boston player introductions, the lights dimmed. The fans stood up and the entire atmosphere shifted. As Matthews said after the game, it was as close to a playoff game as could be expected in March. Rajon Rondo lost no time and continued to work on his shot, in the dark, and ignore any introductions from players not on his side of the court. The lines were drawn and the anticipation was palpable.
The first quarter began and Paul Pierce took over. He made it clear that it was CJ Miles guarding him instead of Ronnie Brewer. He scored often and at will. Inversely, the Celtics defense was something unprecedented. I've never seen such skill and pressure and the Jazz were clearly shaken. Korver, desperately dancing to avoid an ever-persistent Ray Allen, threw the ball away on multiple occasions. Deron Williams shot poorly and missed when he would normally score. It was evident which team was championship caliber and which was not (but more on that later). This slow-paced, body-shot game dragged on as the Jazz continued to look outmatched on both ends of the court. Finally, Sloan had enough. After a timeout, Utah still trailed by 12 points and the playoff crowd was worried.
Something then happened. Listening to the interviews of players and coaches after the game, fans and commentators alike knew that they were witnesses, but of what no one was sure. One reporter asked five different Jazz players what was said that sparked this dramatic change, and each Jazz player had a different answer that orbited around one idea: no one knows. Nothing special was said by Sloan or Williams. No magic play was drawn up to penetrate the long and darting arms of the Celtics defense. Although I hesitate to claim knowledge of what happened, I would guess that it was Williams' pacing. He began to fly down the court at full speed, leaving Rondo to either foul him or helplessly watch as Williams soared to the rim and bounced the ball delicately off the glass or walked to the free throw line to make two shots. At the end of this flurry, the Jazz went into the half only down five. Despite the utter domination orchestrated by the Celtics, the score was close.
In the third quarter, the Association at its best exploded on the court. I sneaked down to the lower bowl to sit in an empty seat near my parents. The crowd roared itself awake as if it had been held in an unwarranted slumber. The Jazz began to run an offense that was unstoppable. The pacing was far to fast for the aging Celtics and Okur got very hot. He made two three point shots in a row and the building was as loud as I have ever heard it, the crowd roaring its support as Okur evidently and emphatically shook off his illness from the weekend. Williams whipped the ball around and Miles hit a big three that ended any hope of the Celtics evening the score. Before anyone noticed, the Jazz had unleashed a 10 point lead that would not be surrendered for the remainder of the game. We not me adequately sums up the play. None of players was sufficient, and each was necessary to advance the onslaught.
The brilliance of this moment existed in a strange extended and combined consciousness. Everyone was unified in the singular cause of defeating the other team. Although the Jazz executed perfectly and managed to consistently find an open player, this fails to explain what we witnessed. As Boozer made a good defensive rotation and smacked a would-be Ray Allen three half way across the court, no one thought of the words "defense" or "rotation". As he chased down the loose ball and slammed it through the rim, lifting himself high into the air literally kicking and screaming, his voice was lost in a deafening roar of voices, none of which spoke of a two point shot or a steal. We were taken away from understanding in any cerebral sense what was happening and instead watched as a reaction of athleticism and primal emotions yielded before our eyes.
This is what the NBA brings me that nothing else can. It is a numbers game in which probability is king, but it also more. It is a state of pure feeling in which you forget what is happening and are transported to the exact moment in which it happens. There is no context, no past and no future. There is only the silence as Okur takes a shot and the noise after it is made. Thurl Bailey ("Big T") claimed that what we witnessed was a championship caliber team in the second half of this game. I won't go that far; in fact, I won't go far at all since I cannot explain what I witnessed. I could have filled this post with important facts such as how well Wesley Matthews guarded both Ray Allen and the much bigger Paul Pierce (this rookie astounds me). I could have talked more about Deron Williams and how he was able to make every free throw attempt. I could even apologize to CJ Miles and explain that he is simply inconsistent rather than a bad player and that without his diligence and skill, the Jazz would have never survived the first half and been within striking distance. These are all true facts, but they miss what was most important about this game. All I can say is that something was there and I was a part of it, and this something is what sports are really all about.
The first quarter began and Paul Pierce took over. He made it clear that it was CJ Miles guarding him instead of Ronnie Brewer. He scored often and at will. Inversely, the Celtics defense was something unprecedented. I've never seen such skill and pressure and the Jazz were clearly shaken. Korver, desperately dancing to avoid an ever-persistent Ray Allen, threw the ball away on multiple occasions. Deron Williams shot poorly and missed when he would normally score. It was evident which team was championship caliber and which was not (but more on that later). This slow-paced, body-shot game dragged on as the Jazz continued to look outmatched on both ends of the court. Finally, Sloan had enough. After a timeout, Utah still trailed by 12 points and the playoff crowd was worried.
Something then happened. Listening to the interviews of players and coaches after the game, fans and commentators alike knew that they were witnesses, but of what no one was sure. One reporter asked five different Jazz players what was said that sparked this dramatic change, and each Jazz player had a different answer that orbited around one idea: no one knows. Nothing special was said by Sloan or Williams. No magic play was drawn up to penetrate the long and darting arms of the Celtics defense. Although I hesitate to claim knowledge of what happened, I would guess that it was Williams' pacing. He began to fly down the court at full speed, leaving Rondo to either foul him or helplessly watch as Williams soared to the rim and bounced the ball delicately off the glass or walked to the free throw line to make two shots. At the end of this flurry, the Jazz went into the half only down five. Despite the utter domination orchestrated by the Celtics, the score was close.
In the third quarter, the Association at its best exploded on the court. I sneaked down to the lower bowl to sit in an empty seat near my parents. The crowd roared itself awake as if it had been held in an unwarranted slumber. The Jazz began to run an offense that was unstoppable. The pacing was far to fast for the aging Celtics and Okur got very hot. He made two three point shots in a row and the building was as loud as I have ever heard it, the crowd roaring its support as Okur evidently and emphatically shook off his illness from the weekend. Williams whipped the ball around and Miles hit a big three that ended any hope of the Celtics evening the score. Before anyone noticed, the Jazz had unleashed a 10 point lead that would not be surrendered for the remainder of the game. We not me adequately sums up the play. None of players was sufficient, and each was necessary to advance the onslaught.
The brilliance of this moment existed in a strange extended and combined consciousness. Everyone was unified in the singular cause of defeating the other team. Although the Jazz executed perfectly and managed to consistently find an open player, this fails to explain what we witnessed. As Boozer made a good defensive rotation and smacked a would-be Ray Allen three half way across the court, no one thought of the words "defense" or "rotation". As he chased down the loose ball and slammed it through the rim, lifting himself high into the air literally kicking and screaming, his voice was lost in a deafening roar of voices, none of which spoke of a two point shot or a steal. We were taken away from understanding in any cerebral sense what was happening and instead watched as a reaction of athleticism and primal emotions yielded before our eyes.
This is what the NBA brings me that nothing else can. It is a numbers game in which probability is king, but it also more. It is a state of pure feeling in which you forget what is happening and are transported to the exact moment in which it happens. There is no context, no past and no future. There is only the silence as Okur takes a shot and the noise after it is made. Thurl Bailey ("Big T") claimed that what we witnessed was a championship caliber team in the second half of this game. I won't go that far; in fact, I won't go far at all since I cannot explain what I witnessed. I could have filled this post with important facts such as how well Wesley Matthews guarded both Ray Allen and the much bigger Paul Pierce (this rookie astounds me). I could have talked more about Deron Williams and how he was able to make every free throw attempt. I could even apologize to CJ Miles and explain that he is simply inconsistent rather than a bad player and that without his diligence and skill, the Jazz would have never survived the first half and been within striking distance. These are all true facts, but they miss what was most important about this game. All I can say is that something was there and I was a part of it, and this something is what sports are really all about.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
The battle for consistency
A big difference I see in the NBA as compared to other major professional sporting leagues is the amount of talent. Many fewer athletes are recruited every year and as a direct consequence, only the best and brightest play in the Association (that's right, mLb, mLs, and nfL). As a simple but edifying example, the Jazz have 13 players on their roster compared to the 69 that suit up in the Green and Gold for the Green Bay Packers. In the MLB is a different story entirely. Although they do not possess 69 players on a roster, the talent distribution is so wretched and lopsided that it is reminiscent of the gilded age. When will the Kansas City Chiefs next win the World Series? When will the the Washington Nationals seriously challenge the current league elite? Although neither of these are impossibilities, they seem so far off in the future that they are quite literally decent-comedic-basketball-blog material.
Given that there are fewer talented members in the professional basketball community and that these beautiful sons soar (as opposed to gallop) on many different teams, the old adage that any team can beat any other on any night is true. Even the best teams of today own losses to the Washington's, the Chicago's, the Clipper's, and the Toronto's of the league. This is showcased magnificently by the dead-this-year Knicks and their slaying of the overrated Mavericks last night. Don't get me wrong; the Mavs are good. They are arguably the third best team in the West and a top-five team in the league. I agree with Hollinger's take that their 13 game winning streak was not all that it was cracked up to be and anyone can beat anyone in this chaotic quantum league.
What does that mean for champions? First, it means that no team now owns more than a 27% chance of taking home a ring after this season. Second, it means that this is no longer a game of absolutes or determinism, but rather a riding out of storms and streaks, a dice-throwing, winning-as-many-games-as-"should"-be-won, enterprise. It is all about consistency. Whichever teams that can play as close to their true mean of extreme talent will find themselves at the top of the playoff hill.
For the Jazz, Deron Williams needs to regain his touch. CJ Miles needs to learn to shoot. If these things can happen and Broozer can still grab 1,000,000 rebounds a game, they have a great chance to play close to how they should, and steal away a third seed from the day-trading, drunker sailor/sober congressman Mavericks.
Given that there are fewer talented members in the professional basketball community and that these beautiful sons soar (as opposed to gallop) on many different teams, the old adage that any team can beat any other on any night is true. Even the best teams of today own losses to the Washington's, the Chicago's, the Clipper's, and the Toronto's of the league. This is showcased magnificently by the dead-this-year Knicks and their slaying of the overrated Mavericks last night. Don't get me wrong; the Mavs are good. They are arguably the third best team in the West and a top-five team in the league. I agree with Hollinger's take that their 13 game winning streak was not all that it was cracked up to be and anyone can beat anyone in this chaotic quantum league.
What does that mean for champions? First, it means that no team now owns more than a 27% chance of taking home a ring after this season. Second, it means that this is no longer a game of absolutes or determinism, but rather a riding out of storms and streaks, a dice-throwing, winning-as-many-games-as-"should"-be-won, enterprise. It is all about consistency. Whichever teams that can play as close to their true mean of extreme talent will find themselves at the top of the playoff hill.
For the Jazz, Deron Williams needs to regain his touch. CJ Miles needs to learn to shoot. If these things can happen and Broozer can still grab 1,000,000 rebounds a game, they have a great chance to play close to how they should, and steal away a third seed from the day-trading, drunker sailor/sober congressman Mavericks.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Playoffs?
Unfortunately, the Jazz do not appear to be the 4th quarter team that I would like them to be. Let's keep in mind that the Bucks are actually a pretty good team this year. They are fresh off a win over the Celtics (although that means a lot less than it used to) and they are fighting for a top 5 playoff spot in the east. I am pretty disappointed still by the Jazz as of late. They have lost 3 games that were definitely within their ability. I think the fate of 4th or 5th seed in the west hardens by the day, and that means Lakers, if we escape the first round.
It's not the end of the world, nor the end of the season, but I think that the west may be a big 3 instead of the big 4 that I wish it were. We will see though. Still plenty of time for Dallas and Denver to slip up, but they haven't and we have.
Broozer had a good night as did Okur. Deron Williams and C.J. Miles went a combined 9-28. I don't know what Miles does with his free time, but his shooting is pretty atrocious at times, considering that he jacks up 15 shots a night. Man I miss Ronnie Brewer.
It's not the end of the world, nor the end of the season, but I think that the west may be a big 3 instead of the big 4 that I wish it were. We will see though. Still plenty of time for Dallas and Denver to slip up, but they haven't and we have.
Broozer had a good night as did Okur. Deron Williams and C.J. Miles went a combined 9-28. I don't know what Miles does with his free time, but his shooting is pretty atrocious at times, considering that he jacks up 15 shots a night. Man I miss Ronnie Brewer.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
D-Hulk
Unfortunately, today's NBA just isn't what it used to be. Remember the good old days when E-John, MJ23, HO34, L-Bird, and Drex used to lace up and unleash their collective fury? No? Well, while I don't think the current slate of B-ballers have reached the haloed days of the Magic - Bird years (which, coincidentally are being celebrated a lot right now) or the late nineties, they are nothing to sneeze at. The sheer athleticism and talent of the players is, however, only one measure of the health of American Basketball. Another, arguably more important, metric is the excitement and creativity that fans and those who cover it bring to the sport. This cannot be easily measured. Some argue that the sport today is unhealthy and in decline. They see evidence of this everywhere, arguing that each year's slam dunk contest represents a new historic nadir, a dereliction of formerly held duties to entertain creatively while having fun. I don't know about all that. But speaking of (or linking to) the former half-man, half-amazing, how terrible have the NBA's nicknames gotten recently? King James aside, we've got D-Wade, CP3, Mello, CB4, KB-24, T-Mac, Booze, Big Z, AP, JO, J-Kidd, EJ, DJ, JJ, D-Fish, K-Love, AP, TP, J-Will, many other really shitty ones, and D-Will. This is definitely one place in which creativity and enthusiasm have been shamefully lacking among fans and professionals alike. I don't have too much more to say on the subject except to plead with you to join this blog in using nicknames that reflect the players' actual personalities. Deron Williams is D-Hulk to us. Why? He's built like the hulk, low to the ground (relatively, for an NBA player), muscly, the Jazz look good in green, and most importantly, he gets mad and turns into an awesomely destructive force of nature, an angry superhero.
We promise to invent good nicknames for players as they earn them. Please join us. If you get this blog one gift for Easter make it forgetting how to acronymize players names with jersey numbers. Try to look into their basketball souls and let their true character dictate how you refer to them. Failing that, however, you can use this or some similar website while you work on your naming skills. If you get us two things for Easter, we could really use some tickets to the finals.
We promise to invent good nicknames for players as they earn them. Please join us. If you get this blog one gift for Easter make it forgetting how to acronymize players names with jersey numbers. Try to look into their basketball souls and let their true character dictate how you refer to them. Failing that, however, you can use this or some similar website while you work on your naming skills. If you get us two things for Easter, we could really use some tickets to the finals.
Friday, March 5, 2010
4th Quarter Team
As Paul Milsap says, it's all about when you are streaking. I've noticed a pattern in the last couple of games in which the Jazz have let the other team build a large lead in the 4th quarter and then fought back. This happened in Portland, in LA, and in Phoenix last night. Two of those were wins, and what it comes down to is how D-Hulk performs. He essentially doubled his point total last night in the last period (13 of 27 points) and emphatically put away the Phoenix Bums ;) with a ridiculous assist to Okur.
This is an interesting dynamic for both Utah and for Williams. He seems to me to be more comfortable racking up assists and making plays for teammates instead of playing the role of Kobe, LeBron, Carmello, or another superstar that loves pressure and takes games over late. Lately, however, the only difference between wins and losses seems to me to be how much Deron can kill the other team all by himself. Boozer has been remarkably consistent with both points and rebounds lately as have other teammates. Williams, (see previous post) has not, and this has been the difference. Are we going to see one of the best guards in the NBA or is he going to miss two free throws to tie up the game?
One last point. Given that the Jazz are a 4th quarter team, will the be a 4th quarter of the season team as well? I hope that they can finish strong (they are predicted to be a 2nd seed still by Hollinger, but who the hell knows what that means?) Once again in the beautiful words of Paul, it's not so much what you do, but when you do it.
This is an interesting dynamic for both Utah and for Williams. He seems to me to be more comfortable racking up assists and making plays for teammates instead of playing the role of Kobe, LeBron, Carmello, or another superstar that loves pressure and takes games over late. Lately, however, the only difference between wins and losses seems to me to be how much Deron can kill the other team all by himself. Boozer has been remarkably consistent with both points and rebounds lately as have other teammates. Williams, (see previous post) has not, and this has been the difference. Are we going to see one of the best guards in the NBA or is he going to miss two free throws to tie up the game?
One last point. Given that the Jazz are a 4th quarter team, will the be a 4th quarter of the season team as well? I hope that they can finish strong (they are predicted to be a 2nd seed still by Hollinger, but who the hell knows what that means?) Once again in the beautiful words of Paul, it's not so much what you do, but when you do it.
Monday, March 1, 2010
D-WILL
This post will be short but certainly not sweet. I have not the faintest idea where Deron Williams has gone since the all-star break. He has shown up every other game, while shooting ridiculous percentages in his off games. Tonight, he managed a eye-popping 4-14 from the field and a 2-5 from the line. Those are Shaq numbers. No, those are worse than Shaq numbers. He is the engine of this team and we need him to play every. single. night. We cannot afford 2 losses to the Kings and the Clippers, but that is what we've got. Tonight was truly awful, though. Down by two, Carlos Boozer, who put in another stellar night, stole the ball with 30 seconds left. Williams was fouled and missed both (!) free-throws. After then being down five, he turned the ball over. This is the first time I can remember saying this, but he single-handedly lost us this game. I hereby revoke his nickname of D-Hulk until he earns it. An all-star plays every night. Not just when he is angry. We need Deron to perform; otherwise we a mediocre, eight-seed caliber team.
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