Chicago and Phoenix are not messing around
And the Raptors take a confetti shower
The Heat and Lakers are heading to their home courts in their playoff series. That’s a very good thing for both of them. Last night, as you must know by now, it was a double brutalization.
I was watching the Lakers-Suns early on, and it was competitive with Kobe finding the balance between getting his teammates involved and taking over the game. I stopped watching for a while, and when I came back it was 95-67 Phoenix in the third and Doug Collins was talking about Kobe’s frustration level and was speculating on the moves the Lakers could make in the offseason. Thanks for playing. Maybe a change of venue will help, but ouch. When the Suns get on one of their hot streaks, there’s not much you can do, especially if you’re a bad team like the Lakers. They could have put up a lot more than 126 points, but Phoenix was up by so much that Nash got to lay on his back for the whole fourth quarter. He had 14 assists in 24 minutes. This was the kind of “There is no hope for you” domination by the Suns that caused Kobe to throw up the white flag in Game 7 last year.
Miami was dealt an Eastern Conference beating. Miami has had to fight for its playoff spot all year with their injuries to superstars. Shaq has spent the past 6 years or so saving up regular season energy for the playoffs, so he’s in uncharted territory. The Heat might be worn out beyond the point of return. Then again…
I know it’s the sappiest of clichés, but never underestimate the heart of a champion. Miami still has to have a big time performance or two left in them. They were in a very similar jam after two games of the Finals. With a roster loaded with champions, they should be able to figure out a way to make it a series. Or at least win a game. Lowered expectations, yes! The Bulls, who lost their shot at the #2 seed and a first round bye against the Wizards, don’t seem to care that they are playing the champs. Russ should have much more on the Bulls and Heat later.
Hey, at least the Jersey-Toronto game was good. We’ll have more thorough coverage later on. The back and forth action was fun to watch. Down the stretch in the fourth quarter it was big shot after big shot. Should the Nets have settled for RJ launching a random jumper over Chris Bosh on the key possession? No. Vince set up Boki Nachbar for a good look at the tying three, but the shot didn’t go. Vince has not put his stamp on the series yet (other than missing a bunch of shots and slipping like the floor is freshly waxed 20 times), while Bosh was all over the place and Anthony Parker hit the shots he needed to make. It’s nice to have this series tied up going to Jersey. Although game 3 isn’t until Friday night, which is pre-pos-ter-ous.
Strange how last night two of the most powerful dunkers of their generation - Kobe and RJ - each got stonewalled at the rim by Amare and Bosh respectively. The Amare block on Lamar Odom was even uglier cause he just caught it.
Alright, the pressure is on Phil Jackson and Pat Riley to come up with something. If anyone can do it, it’s them.
52 Responses to “Chicago and Phoenix are not messing around”
Apr.25 at 8:41 am
tonio says:
first somebody tell kobe to step up?
Apr.25 at 8:43 am
slamrules!!!! says:
im looking forward to the kevin garnett era on the lakers….
Apr.25 at 8:49 am
Ryan Jones says:
“…two of the most powerful dunkers of their generation - Kobe and RJ”
Thanks, Sam. I don’t know if I’d really put myself on KB’s level, but to even be recognized for my dunking ability means a lot. Especially since I haven’t actually dunked since 1994.
Apr.25 at 8:53 am
Ryan Jones says:
And Sam, PLEASE make sure you check out the front page of the Arts section in today’s Times. You’ll no doubt find it hard to pick the best part of the photo montage — though Oprah’s dismembered head is my personal favorite — but you’ll love it regardless.
Apr.25 at 9:02 am
Sam Rubenstein says:
Ha! The Times continues to re-invent itself as a highbrow NY Post. The story makes a good point though. Stop Snitching is a bootleg operation and mixtape phenomenon. How about The Sopranos and it’s anti-snitch message? The characters on that show are just as real as rappers, only the acting is better.
Apr.25 at 9:32 am
Nadav Mor says:
just caught the newest sopranos.
less carmel i agree. but less meadow? and less bada bing? and what happend to sil? sil is the robert horry of the family.
Apr.25 at 9:38 am
Ryan Jones says:
Kalefa Sanneh, who has always kind of gotten on my nerves, refers to Cam as “brilliant” in that article. By what possible definition of the word could that statement be accurate?
Apr.25 at 9:57 am
data187 says:
when did rj become one of the most powerful dunkers of his generation?
is that the equivelent of damon jones being one of the best shooters of his generation?
Apr.25 at 10:09 am
Ryan Jones says:
He’s not Vince in his prime, but Richard Jefferson can throw down with pretty much anyone, data. Regardless of whether you’re a Nets fan (and I’m not), you can’t really front on dude’s dunking… unlike DJ, who’s super-streaky and only really effective when he’s got other guys to set him up. The comparison is not valid.
Apr.25 at 10:13 am
killa-d says:
I knew nash and them was gon win kobe can’t do everything by his self.People give him so much hype when he scored 81 last year, or when he had those 3 or 4 50 srtaight games. But look at him now, he ain’t doin nothin in the playoff’s all i can say is “TeamWork” for Kobe pass the ball and let other players get a chance to shine.
Apr.25 at 10:15 am
killa-d says:
Richard Jefferson ain’t gon do nothin to help “Kobe” cuz itz all about Kobe over there in L.A some of yall ain’t thinkin
Apr.25 at 10:26 am
Bryant Reeves says:
RJ hasn’t even been in a dunk contest.
Apr.25 at 10:27 am
Mike says:
Does anyone else hate Chuck Swirsky as much as I do? Maybe you guys in the U.S. get the YES coverage and aren’t subjected to Swirsky’s annoying voice and stupid face. I hate that guy.
Apr.25 at 10:28 am
Mike says:
When healthy, RJ can really throw down. He’ll return to form next season when he’s had an off-season to rehab his ankle.
Apr.25 at 10:33 am
Rod Strickland says:
RJ was in the 03 Dunk Contest. Not Ryan Jones though.
Apr.25 at 10:36 am
namik says:
RJ has been in the SDC> In 2003 I think. He lost pretty bad. Tried to do the Vince elbow dunk, completely F’ed it up and did some sloppy off the board semi-dunk and acted like an idiot. I was rooting for him too. JRich took that year. I think…Anyway, Kobe shot once in the 2nd and we gave up like 40 points and scored 20. This “Kobe shouldnt score till the 4th” thing is genius if you discount for the fact that the Lakers will prolly be down 60 at that point. Damn Nash had some sick passes yesterday! The Suns should sign Smush and Kwame just so Nash can destroy them everyday in practice and keep his confidence up.
Apr.25 at 10:38 am
namik says:
Not that he needs it. Nocioni is the truth.
Apr.25 at 11:22 am
Joel O's says:
Phil Jackson should put glue on Kwame’s hands like that Orlando Jones character in The Replacements. I don’t see how it is possible to have played in the NBA for so many years and still not be able to catch a pass. There are fifteen year olds with better footwork and hands than he does.
Apr.25 at 11:29 am
Logan Light says:
Nocioni is hilarious. Did you see him get pumped right before halftime when he hit that three? 7 points in 10 seconds… is that a record of some sort? In other news, did anyone see those shots Thunder Dan took before the Suns game? Amazing. If Ryan couldn’t take the dunk off, maybe we could get him in a HORSE comp.
Apr.25 at 11:43 am
Sam Rubenstein says:
Kwame is so bad it’s impressive. It’s almost like he’s out there so the Lakers can tank playoff games. Steve Nash threw a bounce pass through Kwame’s legs.
RJ has had more vicious dunks at MSG than anyone who has played for the Knicks in this decade.
Apr.25 at 11:52 am
Paul says:
Leandro Barbosa is like Peter Petrilli. First, he absorbed Marbury’s scoring and drive ability. In the second half last night, it looks like he’s begun to absorb Nash’s passing skills. Over the summer, he should hang out with Amare and just start banging on people once he gets to the rim.
Apr.25 at 11:58 am
albie1kenobi says:
when was the dunk contest relevant anyway? besides the 2000 when vince, tmac and francis dunked, this thing has been the sorriest event in allstar weekend for more than 10 years. when nate robinson and desmond mason wins, all credibility goes out the window.
to flip the coin, anyone remember some kid straight outta high school named Shawn Kemp? one of the best in-game dunkers ever (check out his top 10 on nba.com or youtube if you forget), and he’s done terrible in the dunk contest. same goes for chicken voice.
Apr.25 at 12:07 pm
Max Airington says:
Im having trrouble ttydping sinnce I slit myy wrists last nighht
Apr.25 at 12:17 pm
Logan Light says:
Steve Nash can throw a bounce pass through anyones legs… this video does a better job of showing how bad he really is –> 1)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IodL41MjUXE 2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTOwiFmnn2M
Apr.25 at 12:26 pm
Mike_Is_A_Douche says:
Does anyone else hate Mike as much as I do? Maybe you guys in the U.S. aren’t reading his annoying comments and aren’t subjected to Mike’s annoying and useless opinion. I hate that guy.
Mike…the slam message boards are all about costructive comments. Please try to leave one once and a while.
Apr.25 at 12:28 pm
Reggie Evans says:
Exactly which teammates is Kobe supposed to “allow” to shine? Teamwork requires a team.
Apr.25 at 12:31 pm
Jake Appleman says:
You guys should find a Richard Jefferson mixtape from ‘01-03. He was on some straight nasty back then. And I’m still having a hard time believing that Ryan could dunk in ‘94 but I guess it’s possible.
Apr.25 at 12:40 pm
ace side says:
First, people say that KB is the best player out ther and then this happens. Thiz is why they are hottttt.
Apr.25 at 12:41 pm
Tommy Patron says:
Nocioni is on an inexorable path to “Total Chicago Icon” status. For real. By the time the playoffs are over he could be the most popular athlete in all of Chicago sports. This is not an embellishment.
Apr.25 at 12:41 pm
ace side says:
When is KB going to step up. I felt the need to catch some ZZZZZZZZZZ’s.
Apr.25 at 1:10 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Speaking of ‘94… Jake, if your name was Beavis, I’d say, “Don’t make me kick your ass, Beavis.” Only I’d be talking about you. Is this making sense?
Apr.25 at 1:15 pm
Jake Appleman says:
Sounds about right.
Apr.25 at 1:16 pm
Jake Appleman says:
And by that I mean I actually get it. There’s no generational gap there.
Apr.25 at 1:23 pm
Ron says:
The Lakers and Heat both looked like previews for tonights episode of LOST. These two teams were totally outmatched and aside from moving the series to their respective home courts, I don’t see them turning things around.
Apr.25 at 1:36 pm
Makaveli says:
Kwame Brown for Caron Butler…Great Job Mitch Cupchack.
Apr.25 at 1:47 pm
jbn74sb says:
Sam - You’re dubious statement that… “especially if you’re a bad team like the Lakers”. This from a Knick’s fan!
Apr.25 at 1:48 pm
tike says:
you kno wats impressive when people come on here and state the obvious….also i did pick Suns vs Bulls in the ship…we’ll see what happens
Apr.25 at 1:59 pm
Matt says:
Mike: Yes, I hate Swirsky as much as you do. If I hear another 3 ball from downtown Whitby brought to you by ‘insert-name-here’ I’m going postal. Although.. Being subjected to a half-time report featuring the color commentary flavorings of Rod Black and Brian Heaney is a straight up BRUTALITY.
Apr.25 at 2:03 pm
Sam Rubenstein says:
The Knicks have been eliminated and don’t need to be discussed. That is one of the very best things about the playoffs.
Paul, I like the way you think, but hopefully Barbosa isn’t destined to turn into a nuclear weapon and wipe out NYC.
Apr.25 at 2:29 pm
Dennard C says:
It is impossible to make Kwame Brown shine, damn how is he still in the league?
Apr.25 at 2:38 pm
Paxson43 says:
Sam, I don’t think the Heat have a chance anymore. Even if they do have the “heart of a champion”, and even if they do have a great game or two in them, here’s the problem: they need 4 great games to beat the Bulls. It’s not going to happen. Stick a fork in ‘em.
Apr.25 at 3:27 pm
Mike says:
Matt: Thank god somebody else out there understands why Swirsky is crap. I thought I was taking crazy pills. The half time reports aren’t so bad because we get a break from Swirsky’s overdone hyperbole. Rod Black is Canada’s answer to Bob Costas. Rod has put his stamp on damn near every public event in Canada, from Raptors games to figure skating to the Hamilton Santa Claus parade. He’s sub par at everything he does, but he sure does a lot of things.
“Mike_Is_A_Douche says:
Does anyone else hate Mike as much as I do? Maybe you guys in the U.S. aren’t reading his annoying comments and aren’t subjected to Mike’s annoying and useless opinion. I hate that guy.
Mike…the slam message boards are all about costructive comments. Please try to leave one once and a while.”
I’m not sure what a ‘costructive comment’ is, but I leave plenty of constructive comments, such as my comment about Richard Jefferson being an excellent dunker while healthy, and my other post detailing why Jeff Van Gundy should be C.O.Y. over Sam Mitchell. You must be one of those bandwagon Raptor “fans” that came out of the woodwork when the Raptors made the playoffs. Or else you’re 9 years old and don’t understand that the message board is not only for constructive comments, but also for spirited debate. If everyone left nothing but constructive comments, we’d all be getting along. It’s playoff time, which means it’s time to talk shit. If you’re a Raptor fan, I understand that you don’t know what the term ‘playoff time’ means since your team rarely makes the playoffs.
Apr.25 at 3:36 pm
Michael says:
The Lakers need to trade Kobe. Only so Laker fans can get what they want and see how it realy feels to suck. Man sometimes i hate being a Laker fan, we can be such idiots sometimes.
Apr.25 at 3:55 pm
DubsGonDoIt says:
Trade Kobe?? Damn Lakers fans must be really depressed.
Apr.25 at 3:55 pm
data187 says:
i don’t think rj makes my top 10 list of dunkers in the mid-late 90s to now. btw, i’m a nets fan from the drazen/kenny anderson/d coleman days. vince, kobe, richardson, garnett, t-mac, b-dizzle, dwight howard, kenyon, lebron, amare…even ai2 is a better dunker imo.
Apr.25 at 4:09 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
This is going back a long way in the comments, but I’d say you could refer to Cam as “brilliant” if he was wearing a lot of diamonds.
Apr.25 at 5:48 pm
tito puente says:
tito puente says:
I can’t help but wonder if this is the beginning of the end for the Diesel….I didn’t even see the Bulls game but today I have the distinct feeling that Shaq has played his last really high stakes basketball game…maybe it’s appropriate that he would lose to a swarming team without a superstar, in stead of handing the baton to Oden…the Diesel never had a Frazier in the post to his Ali, someone to measure his greatness against…i don’t think the average fan understands how much of an impact shaq had…to me Olajuwon was the only player to be a true rival for Shaq in the post, and the Diesel was too young to handle the Dream Shaker…I have to think the bad karma from that shameless puff piece on Wade by scoop jackson, was too much for the Heat to overcome…after D Wade cures cancer maybe he could take couple minutes of his time and actually do something practical like lower the cost of his sneakers like Marbury did (I think that’s the single best thing a basketball player has done in year’s, it’s not getting near enough attention)…D Wade earned the finals MVP , but he wouldn’t have sniffed the Finals without the Diesel, and he won’t without him…there are some awfully good 2 guards toiling away in mediocrity by themselves and I think it’s going to be an surprisingly short stay on the precipice, as a title contender, for america’s darling…maybe he can get some consolation from little penny…
Apr.25 at 9:00 pm
Chris says:
The phoenix game was so lopsided that Jalen Rose got to play…ouch
Apr.26 at 1:18 am
stuie says:
Kobe is good but i mean its just kobe. Please if the lakers want a chance next year get some one to back him up in the front court. Some one who can pass him the ball so he dosent have to do it all himself.
Apr.26 at 12:39 pm
Pan says:
Kwame Brown is a no-talent punk. ANd now he’s got injury problems ta boot? Why is he taking up playing time and salary cap for the Lakers? Moreover, why is Jackson playing him?! Fer god’s sakes, give Bynum and Turiaf more minutes. Watching the Suns games, one notices another guard trying to absorb Steve Nash’s game: Raja Bell. He is with increasing frequency probing the middle with the dribble looking to make a pass to an open player in much the same way Steve Nash does. Can a player learn that? Dunno, seems like that style of player has only recently gotten the star status which spurs kids and coaches to want to play like that, but Raja is trying to. With two young guards who can hit from the outside, take the ball in, who may be able to assist well, and who can play defense… I think the Suns’ guard situation is pretty good for some time.
Apr.26 at 12:39 pm
Pan says:
Tell Kobe to step up? And do what, spontaneously clone himself?
Apr.30 at 7:42 pm
Vincent says:
It’s gonna be all about the suns this year, screw chicago, it’s going to be phoenix coming home with the trophy.