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Game 5, NBA Finals

Might as well keep this going:

1.  Sasha Vujacic.  3-19 since his "breakthrough" Game 3 performance?  Unreal.  He looked to shoot the ball every time he got the ball.  Critics are awfully mum on their quick assessment 2 games ago.

2.  Tough Down Low.  I was happy to see KG and Gasol battling back and forth last night.  Not just when one of them had the ball, but on free-throw attempts, jump-balls, and even running down the court.  Unfortunately, I think Gasol got the best of KG, as Gasol at least attempted to go directly at him, and KG all but 1 time settled for a pass out, or a tough one-handed jump hook.  KG has GOT to attack Gasol's lack of speed.

Game 4, NBA Finals

Some more quick thoughts on another great NBA Finals game:

1.  The Celtics are bringing it.  I'm not going to lie, I came into the game in the 2^nd quarter after my softball game, and I was ready to write another win in for the road team lying down to die.  But they picked it up, either that, or the Lakers just plain dropped it...but it was a great game and the losing team never gave up.

2.  Posey vs. Vujacic.  9.5ppg, 3.5rpg for Posey plus the championship experience against Sasha's 9.8ppg and

Game 2, NBA Finals

Here is a list of quick thoughts I had after watching Game 2 of the NBA Finals:

1. KG needs to buckle down and start taking advantage of his athleticism and skill on the low block and open the court to either make a move and score, or dish out for an open 3 (from Allen, Pierce or Posey).
2. Kobe carries the team, Gasol is able to hold his own, and the rest of the Lakers simply aren't that good.
3. Kobe picked the wrong play to get T'd up on.  As he drove to the basket, he was fouled by absolutely no one.  If he complains on that type of play, I don't think he'll EVER get a call.
4. Walton and Turiaf vs. Powe.  Walton and Turiaf are jokes.  Walton has miraculously been labeled as a great passer (whopping 2 pts and 3 asts in the playoffs) and Turiaf a warrior for battling through his health issue.  In reality, the two are slow, un-athletic players, who can't match up with Powe, enabling Powe's bench impact to far exceed either of the Lakers'.
5. Ray Allen looks like the one "Big 3" that is actually happier when he gets to shoot then he is when he wins the game.
6. I hope the Celtics defy the 2008 NBA Playoffs, and go into L.A. with a solid showing and a good game.  It feels like every time a teams been up this year, they go on the road and just flop a game or two away before they are in it again.  Paul Pierce...BRING THAT ENERGY TO THE GAME, no matter where it's being played.
7. Although Rondo is playing great (he really is), he could still slow down a little bit here and there to complete his game - 1) his dunk attempts with 2 guys between him and hoop; take the lay-up "and1" and ditch the dunk attempt and 2) quit the brutal, lazy lob passes that only work in the middle of long 82-game season.
8. Kobe's World began 4 wins too early.
9. Kobe's demands will begin shortly after they lose the Championship to get even MORE All-Stars to surround him on the court.
10. It's hard to believe that less then 2 months ago, the West seemed so ridiculously good.

Your thoughts on my thoughts?  Let me know.

Kobe's Kids

I'm not talking about his real children, I'm talking about all the sports media and analysts that have done a complete 180-degree turn on this guy.  The people who might as well call Kobe "daddy" now that he's winning again.

Less then 12 months ago, Kobe was being raked over the fire for requesting a trade out of LA because he didn't think his TEAM was good enough to win a championship.  Now, we rest on the steps to the NBA Finals, about to knock on the door, and all people can talk about is his "road to growing up."

Ozzie the Hypocrite

How would Ozzie have faired playing for Ozzie?  He would have been screwed.  It's amazing how the manager that is crying for offensive help, has a background in...well, not offense.

Ozzie was a lifetime 0.264 hitter.  His team is currently batting 5 position players that are batting 0.264 or better.  That's more then half of his starting team.

Ozzie hit 28 homeruns in his entire career.  There are currently 5 position players that have more homeruns thru May, then Ozzie hit in any single season of his career.