Statement game, statements made
Kobe’s good. Avery’s nervous.
You’ve got to love the Sunday afternoon statement game! Sure, the coaches and players will say they don’t exist, but they are liars. “Every game is equally important.” Sure. So, it was Dallas at the Lakers yesterday. Obviously Kobe stole the show and probably wrapped up his first MVP along the way. LeBron and Chris Paul did nothing wrong themselves to cause this to happen, but it’s over.
Holly will be singing Kobe’s praises shortly, but there are a few things I’d like to add.
I can’t believe Avery and the Mavs thought Jason Kidd guarding Kobe is a serious late game strategy. I get the whole cliche “Let your best players fight it out at the end” thing. It’s like how the Trojan War was hundred of thousands people killing each other and then Hector and Achilles decided it was time for them to go one on one. But for real, back on the Lakers run to their first championship of the threepeat, they beat Phoenix in the second round, 4 games to 1. One of those games I remember coming down to Kobe hitting the game winner over a much younger (this was 8 years ago) Jason Kidd. What’s changed since then other than Kidd having surgery and getting slower, while Kobe keeps getting better? And then there was Brandon Bass letting Kobe take his manhood from him to get the key offensive rebound right after Jeff Van Gundy told you it would happen. Bottom line… Avery Johnson can be had. Great regular season coach, and he led the Mavs to a 2-0 lead in the Finals, but there’s just something that’s not right.
Dirk heated up at the right time, sent the game to OT with a clutch three ball, and put the team on his back and took over like he’s supposed to. You can’t blame Dirk for the loss. It was Jason Kidd who missed the free throw after Pau Gasol gave him that gift. Dirk hit big shot after big shot, and turned Lamar Odom into his personal hand puppet. ALL THAT BEING SAID… his final airball on a wide open three was a very Dirk thing to do. Sure, Gasol was running out at him so it made sense to add some arc to the shot, but this is Dirk Nowitzki, a three-point shooting machine with very distinct mechanics. It was not wise to improvise a new shooting style there. Oh, he also got ripped by Kobe on a key possession that set up key free throws for the Lakers.
When it’s all said and done, the Lakers have to be considered a favorite to win it all, along with San Antonio. Houston keeps winning without Yao, but I think we’re all waiting for the other shoe to drop, for the wheels to fall off, etc. Phoenix is so re-energized by the Shaq trade that they lost at home to Philly. The tell-tale quote from that game was from Mike D’Antoni.
“This has nothing to do with Shaq,” D’Antoni said. “This has nothing to do with Shaq,” he said. “This has something to do with urgency and playing with heart.”
Uh… Shaq doesn’t do regular season urgency. The next four games for Phoenix are At Portland, at Denver, Utah, and San Antonio. You could say the Suns position at this moment is precarious!
Regarding the Lakers, looking back at the Gasol trade now, it reminds me of when the Rockets got Clyde Drexler. They had a million injuries that season, and as soon as they picked up someone who could play with the guy who was clearly the best player in the league, it was over. They made it dramatic with the “Clutch City” stuff, and they were so devastated by injuries and the championship hangover that they went into the playoffs as a 6th seed, whereas the Lakers are sharing the top spot with San Antonio already.
In the East, if LeBron believes he can win, then the Cavs are a serious threat. It’s Boston, Detroit, or Cleveland. That’s it. I don’t even want to acknowledge what’s going on in the race for the 7th and 8th seed over there.
Okay… it’s Monday and it’s March. We might have a Western Conference regular season that doesn’t become invisible during March Madness…
58 Responses to “Statement game, statements made”
Mar.3 at 9:12 am
Holly MacKenzie says:
Watching Kidd on Kobe was fun. My favorite was Shaq’s quote about the Suns. How it isn’t HIS fault and HE is only taking 4-5 shots a game and HE is trying to fit in. Yeah, couple that with Amare’s “I don’t need a mentor” quote and it spells disaster. One man turns me against one of my favorite teams, after almost destroying another. Damn you, Shaq! kb4mvp!!
Mar.3 at 9:20 am
WhaHuh says:
People were slamming Avery for micro-managing last week and taking Kidd out. This time he leaves Kidd in and still gets blamed- damned if you do, damned if you dont.
In other news Avery’s voice makes me laugh.
Mar.3 at 9:20 am
Logan says:
hey Sam, yeah great game and win for LA…Kidd is ’supposed’ to have stopped Kobe before…but I honestly think that has never worked out…I also think its more to do with the fact that Kidd may get away with more stuff than a regular defender on Kobe….things look good for LA….finally….and Kobe did take a giant step towards cementing his first MVP
Mar.3 at 9:22 am
Logan says:
well….leaving Kidd in the game is a good option, putting him on Kobe is not…and the mood Kobe was in, I think the only one who would have stopped KB24 is KB24
Mar.3 at 9:23 am
Logan says:
and Holly that is so funny I was telling the same thing to a friend of mine…Shaq has already started shirking responsibility…he said they had no defense…last I checked, the suns new defensive plans started with Shaq….
Mar.3 at 9:26 am
Captain America says:
That Kobe has not yet won the MVP in recent years is a mystery. But….the deal is not sealed for this year, not now. You’re right about putting single coverage J-Kidd on Kobe in crunch time. Bad move.
Mar.3 at 9:28 am
Captain America says:
Holly, chill. The Suns problems run much deeper than Shaq. They were not exactly setting earth afire B4 Shaq and they surely aren’t now. Amare should give Shaq have his paycheck for rendering him single coverage.
Mar.3 at 9:29 am
peteb80 says:
Can someone please tell me what the f is wrong with Josh Howard? Since the Kidd trade he’s been absolutely terrible. It’s like they put his heart into the trade and exchanged it for Vince Carter’s. He’s missing 10-15 unmotivated jumpshots a game. That’s when he’s not turning the ball over. I’m seriously disappointed in the guy, I thought he would be better with Kidd, but apparently he lost all motivation. (And I don’t think it’s his injury, he’s still playing 30+ minutes)
Mar.3 at 9:42 am
Captain America says:
pete, sad indeed. I know Josh Howard has had some nagging injuries, but…
Mar.3 at 9:43 am
Sam Rubenstein says:
if Kobe doesn’t win MVP, then it’s even more like the ‘95 Rockets when David Robinson won the MVP. Don’t know what’s up with Josh Howard. I thought he was Avery’s favorite.
Mar.3 at 9:46 am
TADOne says:
Have you ever tried to play with a back injury?
Mar.3 at 9:53 am
peteb80 says:
Well if he’s hurt, he shouldn’t be playing or he should maybe try to play within his current limitations, and not take 18 shots a game if he’s only making around 30%, like he has. (This could be Avery though, telling him to keep shooting) Also, no injury is an excuse for some of the turnovers he’s had (except maybe a headshot wound or something of the like).
Mar.3 at 9:53 am
uamini says:
You can’t blame poor decision making on back injuries…looks like he’s either bitter cause his best friends got traded or unable to adapt his style of a play now that he has a real point guard on his team..don’t know what’s worse though
Mar.3 at 9:57 am
h-wag says:
Josh Howard is officially hurt in the back, but after watching the last few games it seems he is hurt in the brain. He totally kills the Mavs offense where everybody is sharing the ball now, except Howard.
And Avery nonetheless played him a lot the last games, with yesterday being the first time he benched him for longer stretches. Which was a good thing to see.
Mar.3 at 9:59 am
uamini says:
And I never thought I’d say this, but Dampier was a beast yesterday…I’m sure Kobe was happy when he fouled out with all the hard fouls he was getting
Mar.3 at 9:59 am
TADOne says:
Not having seen a Mavs game recently, I’ll just have to go by what you guys are saying. Didn’t really know Howard was playing like that. I know with his injury, he has not been able to practice, so that certainly could be affecting him. Who knows? It could just be a mini slump all players go thru. Does it look like he is sulking?
Mar.3 at 10:06 am
peteb80 says:
To me it really looks like he’s sulking/ absent-minded. I seriously hope it’s an injury (now that sounds stupid), because otherwise it would either be personal reasons (which I really hope it’s not) or some primadonna-Marion-underappreciation-envy type bs.
Mar.3 at 10:20 am
Captain America says:
TADOne, I have played with a back injury and it is extremely difficult. If Josh Howard’s back is acute, Avery should sit him out until he is well. He’s too good a player and back injuries do not heal playing at game speed.
Mar.3 at 10:22 am
TADOne says:
Agree Captain America. Pete: If Howard cannot get excited playing with Kidd, then that is certainly an indictment on his character.
Mar.3 at 10:41 am
peteb80 says:
I really thought Josh was better than that. Maybe he’s really just hurt and Avery insists on playing him, because Avery knows everything better. Common sense (playing your best guys at the end of a game, not going small against GS, admitting mistakes from time to time, etc.) is just dirt on Avery’s shoe.
Mar.3 at 11:00 am
TADOne says:
I remember when Avery was a good coach.
Mar.3 at 11:33 am
NB says:
I agree, Josh Howard has been sucking wind lately. The Mavs cannot win without him playing up to his potential. Hopefully the media will recognize this and stop blaming everything on Dirk.
Mar.3 at 11:39 am
peteb80 says:
Ha, me too. But he’s made a lot of questionalble decisions since the end of the regular season last year. I could never stand him as a person, I hated him when he was playing with the Spurs. And I would surely hate playing/working for a guy like him with his blend of totalitarianism/religious fanatism/verbal squeakism.
Mar.3 at 11:41 am
Squirrel7 says:
I’m with Holly, my love for the Suns disappeared once they signed Shaq.
Mar.3 at 1:06 pm
namik says:
I like what I’m seeing from Dirk. The Shaq trade can’t be called a bad trade yet. They’ve only played (insert number) games!!!
Mar.3 at 1:14 pm
Co Co says:
Normally when a team makes a big trade, they are all giddy and they play better. This is not the case with the Suns. I think things will get worse before they get better and I hope the suns miss the playoffs. It would be hilarious.
Mar.3 at 1:14 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Agreed.
Mar.3 at 1:21 pm
namik says:
That would suck. I want the 8 best teams in the West to make it and the Suns sure fit in there. The only reason it might be kinda funny is that Shaq’s BS finally catches up with him, but who really cares about Shaq anymore? I want the Lakers to play the Suns in the playoffs. Please D. Stern make it happen!
Mar.3 at 1:27 pm
Co Co says:
If the Suns don’t make the playoffs then clearly they aren’t one of the 8 best teams.
Mar.3 at 1:31 pm
namik says:
Doubt that will happen because they clearly are.
Mar.3 at 1:36 pm
Co Co says:
Then maybe they should start playng like it.
Mar.3 at 1:39 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Co Co: Please get out of my head. Thank you.
Mar.3 at 1:41 pm
namik says:
When losing 4 games means you drop 5 spots in the seedings, the losing might be blown out of proportion a bit. If push comes to shove, they can ask Shaq to feign injury again, and just go back to thier old style. Steve Kerr won’t win GM of the year nor will the Suns win the title(or make the finals) but seriously saying they might miss the playoffs is a stretch.
Mar.3 at 1:45 pm
Co Co says:
Losing 4 games in the West is not an option. They could very well fall out of the playoffs. They’d better figure it out soon. Its already assumed that a team might win 49 or 50 games and still be at home in the West. Tell me why that team can’t be the Suns? It could happen.
Mar.3 at 1:51 pm
namik says:
1. This team lost thier first 4 games last year and people were over-recating like this. Then they won 33 out of 34 games or something insane like that.
2. Steve Nash and Amare can play a little bit.
3. The Suns are a great regular season team.
4. Yes it COULD happen. Right now anything COULD happen so that really isn’t an argument to me.
5. The Rockets have won 15 games in a row. They definetly aren’t winning the chip. Losing 4 of 6 doesn’t mean the Suns are done. As soon as fatty gets figured out one way or another, they should be fine for the season.
Mar.3 at 1:55 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
If it’s so obvious who’s going to make the playoffs and who isn’t, why do they have the regular season again? Shaq is a terrible fit in Phoenix, and save Raja Bell, no one one that team is capable of playing a lick of defense. If they were in such great shape, why did they sign Linton Johnson to a 10-day and throw him right into the rotation? They’re struggling, and they can 100 percent miss the playoffs. There’s a reason you don’t make franchise-changing deals in midseason, especially ones that directly counter the principles which your team’s identity was built on.
Mar.3 at 1:56 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Also, the Warriors and the Rockets are clicking right now, and the West is tighter than it’s ever been. Now isn’t the year to start slipping.
Mar.3 at 1:59 pm
Co Co says:
This isn’t last season. They literally can’t afford to go on a losing streat out West. Even if the Suns get in, they’ve got first round exit written all over them. I know everyone wants to keep the faith, but this trade made them worse. There’s no need to panic now because they are still the 6th seed, but when there are only 5 games seperating #1 from #8, they damn well better get a sense of urgency.
Mar.3 at 1:59 pm
Co Co says:
streak
Mar.3 at 2:00 pm
namik says:
Who denied the Suns are struggling? Yeah they are struggling but this is based on 6 games. Where they lost to the Lakers and the Hornets among others. I think this is a reaction to the Sixers game. I have never believed in single game statements. That’s why people saying “Kobe locked up the MVP last night” is amazing to me because it makes no sense. Yeah they aren’t doing so hot but midseason trades usually take some time to work out, especially if they “directly counter the principles whihc your team’s identity was built on”. Again they certainly COULD miss the playoffs but right now any team COULD miss them. It’d take more than a six game span for me to believe the Suns are done.
Mar.3 at 2:05 pm
Co Co says:
No one is saying they are done, I’m just saying they don’t have the luxury of time where this whole Shaq transition thing is concerned. The West will not allow it. They still have an east coast trip where they have to play Boston and Detroit, and apparently they should be worried about the Philly game too.
Mar.3 at 2:08 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
The Shaq trade was the equivalent of a pit crew deciding to do an engine swap in the middle of the Indy 500. I realize I’m ODing on the car metaphors today, but oh well.
Mar.3 at 2:08 pm
peteb80 says:
While it’s certainly better to judge a team after a longer period, based on these 6 games I believe the Suns are done. I expect them to make the playoffs, but that’s it. They just looked too helpless at home against Detroit and I guess it wasn’t much better against Philly (I didn’t see that game)
Mar.3 at 2:10 pm
Co Co says:
Its a good metaphor though Russ
Mar.3 at 2:12 pm
namik says:
As a Laker fan, nothing would please me more than smashing those smug bastards in the playoffs after the last 2 years. That said I have no idea why I am arguing for the Suns. Still think the Suns make the playoffs, just because I can;t see Houston maintiaing this pace or the Nuggets serisouly challenging the Suns. So GS and the Suns still make the playoffs with Dallas, Utah, LA, SA, Houston(maybe) and NO.
Mar.3 at 2:13 pm
namik says:
Alright class time. See y’all. Have a great day.
Mar.3 at 2:13 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
If they’re going to be effective with Shaq, they’ll need the benefit of an entire training camp, and they’re STILL going to need a Marion type to guard opposing bigs. Not to mention I’m not sure whether Nash and Shaq are compatible at all. Slowing Nash down takes away from his strengths. I’ll say it again, it was a terrible trade. Whether they miss the playoffs entirely (unlikely) or lose in the first round (likely), it’s apparent they’re going to learn the hard way. Gonna be an interesting summer in the desert.
Mar.3 at 2:15 pm
Co Co says:
Agreed Russ.
Mar.3 at 2:24 pm
TADOne says:
I’m upset I missed this argument. Quite entertaining to read though.
Mar.3 at 2:35 pm
Reggie Evans says:
Only KB8 could have stopped KB24
Mar.3 at 2:41 pm
Reggie Evans says:
Nash is like Superman after he decided he wanted to be Clark Kent permanently.
Mar.3 at 3:00 pm
bouncyman says:
I agree tha the trade made the Suns worse, but they were not going to win a title with Marion. It was a good gamble that doesn’t seem to be working after * games… they still have some time to pull it to together… though it is pretty scary that it took Houston 15 wins in a row to move up in the standings at all…
Mar.3 at 3:06 pm
Allenp says:
The Suns trade makes me happy. Yes it does.
Mar.4 at 4:46 am
Tariq says:
Like Brando, the Suns could have been a contender. Now, there is NO WAY they make the second round of the playoffs. Sad but true. Regarding who to put on Kobe, if I were Avery I’d have used Devin Harris.
Mar.4 at 4:49 am
Tariq says:
Everybody seems so sure that the Suns would not have won the chip pre-trade. People seem to forget that they came thisclose to beating San Antonio last year, losing in controversial fashion. They might not have won this year if they hadn’t gone through with the trade, but they sure as hell would have had a better chance with Marion instead of Oliver Miller.
Mar.4 at 5:22 am
hursty says:
who the fu(k is oliver miller?
Mar.4 at 5:43 am
Tariq says:
hursty: Oliver Miller is Shaq.
Mar.9 at 11:03 am
Kobe24Bryant says:
Kobe was amazing…
52 Points!!!!