Time for a lot of moments
Ben Osborne is ready for the real tournament to begin.
By Ben Osborne
Caught the game last night and enjoyed it; G.O., Conley and the Bucks did a good job of preventing the blowout that always seemed one more three away. I left my friend’s house when it ended and didn’t see One Shining Moment until this afternoon; thankfully, save for the pixalation, YouTube’s version suffices. That annual experience over, the college season finally is as well. And, as much as I love the college game, I’m glad it’s done. Between attending the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 games in Jersey, covering the McDonald’s Game last week for the magazine, and watching more men’s college games than I could count during the month of March, I’m pretty over the “amateur” game. (Note: I want to care about tonight’s women’s championship, but after the absolute abomination that was the national semifinals on Sunday night—total percentage of field goals made in the two games=32—it is hard. That was really bad.).
I’m ready to watch big men get the ball when they’re open. I’m ready to watch guys who consistently nail open jumpers. I’m ready to watch coaches not micromanage every last-minute possession. I’m ready to see refs not call absurd fouls on star players. Most of all, I’m ready for an NBA Tournament that is looking surprisingly open right now. In the Suns issue, which is out this week, everyone on the staff was asked to make their Finals predictions. Out of eight of us, six picked the Mavericks, including me. I was a little biased on account of writing a Josh Howard story in the same issue, but it’s not like I chose Dallas without trepidation. And my doubts have only grown since I turned that pick in a few weeks ago. Look at how the Suns handled them Sunday. Think about how solid the Spurs are. Remember what DWade and Shaq did to Dallas last year. Point is, while I certainly believe they should be the betting favorite, a Mavs title is far from guaranteed.
And even if it was, the playoff junkie in me would still love the opening rounds. Think of what’s on tap just a couple weeks and some straggling Grizticuckzericixawkwolingcats games away. Kobe trying to score 50+ against the Spurs. Don Nelson and the Warriors (please, Clippers, stay home) battling the Mavericks. AI and Melo combining with the Suns to set the scoreboard on fire. The scrappiness of the Bulls. The resurgence of the Pistons. LeBron. And on and on. Playoff time is coming, and I can’t wait.
21 Responses to “Time for a lot of moments”
Apr.3 at 5:13 pm
See Bee Fore says:
GO Grizticuckzericixawkwolingcats GO!
Apr.3 at 5:13 pm
Eoin says:
suns suns suns suns suns suns suns suns-PLEASE let this be their year.PLEASE.
Apr.3 at 5:17 pm
Sam Rubenstein says:
There are other people who took the Mavs in the magazine as well, and might be having second thoughts too.
Apr.3 at 5:58 pm
Ben Osborne says:
The thing is, if we were asked to pick again today, I’d still pick the Mavs. But it’s looking like much less of a sure thing.
As for the Grizticuckzericixawkwolingcats, See Bee Fore, I just want them to GO! home.
Apr.3 at 6:24 pm
thesubwayconnection says:
I think the Warriors have a shot against the Mavs, they’ve competed pretty well against them this year. The Warriors have beaten them twice.
Apr.3 at 7:45 pm
albie1kenobi says:
in fact, GSW was 3-1 against mavs last season. the warriors has Mavs number for some odd reason.
Clips. just go away.
Apr.3 at 8:44 pm
Dennard C says:
Shit, the Mavs will kick the shit out of the Warriors. The Warriors have no interior D. Mavs will sweep ‘em.
Apr.3 at 8:53 pm
Chris says:
The Raptors are gonna cause some damage since the Wizards are fucked without Butler
Apr.3 at 9:21 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
Actually, I picked the Mavs and I’d pick them again today without trepidation. Them signing my main man Kevin Willis was the icing on that cake.
Apr.3 at 11:20 pm
Drolfe says:
Imagine how pissed off every single person in the world not living in San Antonio would be if the Spurs knock off the Suns in the 2nd round.
Apr.3 at 11:50 pm
Co Co says:
I want anyone other than Dallas to win. I hate forgone conclusions!
Apr.4 at 8:50 am
German Reignman says:
I like the “I’m ready to see refs not call absurd fouls on star players.” part the best in your post …. NBA, it`s fantastic.
Apr.4 at 11:08 am
LazyLew says:
im loving the suns and warriors right now. golden state is frustrating at times,though. praying that don nelson will teach them how to play organized basketball in the fourth quarter, and not watever the hell it is they be doing.
Apr.4 at 4:29 pm
caputo says:
I think the Mavs are a safe pick….check out my new blog www.HoopsArchive.com
Apr.4 at 7:40 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
I’d like to add that I picked the Suns in the magazine, and I feel very good about that choice.
Apr.4 at 8:22 pm
albie1kenobi says:
i’m picking the refs to win it all this year.
Apr.5 at 3:25 am
German Reignman says:
News-Flash:
albie1kenobi fined $ 50.000 for use of ironical remarks regarding referees
Apr.5 at 7:20 am
chief sucks says:
GO RAPTORS
Apr.5 at 1:26 pm
albie1kenobi says:
crap. i think in europe, that period is the comma in the states. which means it’s really 50G and not 50 bucks. crap. that’s more than a year of my salary (before Uncle Sam). how do these NBA mf pay for ridiculous amount like this? right, they are in the NBA.
Apr.5 at 8:12 pm
Chief says:
Fucking Stoked to see some real ball too.
May.29 at 4:15 pm
Goody says:
Huh? Who turned out the lights. San Antonio 2007 Champions…..