Bad Luck or Great D?

The Memphis Grizzlies' shot chart in the last 9 minutes of the game. Bad luck or great D? 

Playoff Gimmicks

One thing I love about the postseason is that it never fails to give us a great side-show, story lines in that matter. It could be about bitter rivals slugging it out once again, a bad run during the postseason a year ago---redemption, a flop, or it's just a great match-up marketing-wise. 

The reason why I'm not a big fan about watching the Playoffs in the PBA is that oftentimes, these plots are too predictable. You have this feeling that something bad is bound to happen. Example, when a team goes up 1-0 or 2-1 in a series, it is expected that the other team will even the series out. It happens because teams and corporations want to maximize this marketing opportunity wherein 10,000+ people are watching in the stands while thousands more on their television sets. They do this to get their brand out more---to reach out. This is just my opinion. Possibly the truth but maybe far from it. 

Observe how the referees will call the game during games such as those. They usually call it in favor of the team catching up in the hopes that their whistles could potentially give them the highly coveted W. The disparity in fouls and free throw attempts are glaring and obvious even leading to the coaches  to constantly complain about the officiating. And yes, they do get fined. 

Note, how many Game 7s have there been for the past several years? Food for thought. 

Exhibit A: Pamboy Raymundo's Sneaky Elbow and Batok 

Exhibit B: Coach Tim Cone accidentally gets 'tripped' by the official

I'm not saying these events were purposely done for the said reasons above. We can infer that these were brought about by the intensity and the emotion of the moment; the entire series in particular. You be the judge of things. Pick your side of the story. 

Though these are the very things that make us enjoy the postseason. Close games and tight match-ups give us, the fans, an exhilarating and exciting feeling. It makes us anxious for the next game. It occasionally even gives us the goosebumps on who will come out on top after each game. 

All I'm saying is that can we let these match-ups run their course. If a team should sweep a certain team, let it happen. Let us not affect the course or the outcome of the game. Bilog nga ang bola... so let the players decide who really should be the victor. 

Notes: Pamboy Raymundo should be suspended... The official didn't purposely trip Coach Tim though we have to give props to him for an excellent fall... I'm not a big fan of Talk N' Text so BMEG in 7. 

NBA Playoffs 2012: Preview

EASTERN CONFERENCE


(1) Chicago Bulls vs (8) Philadelphia 76ers 
Prediction: Bulls in 6 
Rose's entry will cause utter Chaos. He'll shoot over 6 3s a game and make only 1. Brian Scalabrine sighting...

(2) Miami Heat vs (7) New York Knicks
Prediction: Heat in 5 
Miami will let New York win 1 game at MSG. Let the Knicks fans have something to cheer about. LeBron's going to be on a tear. I think he's going to average a 36-8-5-2-2 or at least something close to that.

(3) Indiana Pacers vs (6) Orlando Magic 
Prediction: Pacers in 6 
Usually it is Orlando who has homecourt advantage but sadly, the tables are turned. Remember, Dwight's NOT playing.

(4) Atlanta Hawks vs (5) Boston Celtics 
Prediction: Celtics in 6 
Boston will probably tank several games to keep their legs fresh. Atlanta has never beaten Boston in the Playoffs for the longest time.

WESTERN CONFERENCE 


(1) San Antonio Spurs vs (8) Utah Jazz
Prediction: Spurs in 4 
No way do that Jazz have a chance at stopping the new look Spurs. Timmy D going old school and he's going to have a huge series. Something similar to his back-to-back MVP seasons.

(2) Oklahoma City Thunder vs (7) Dallas Mavericks 
Prediction: Thunder in 6 
As much as I want to see OKC lose, I don't think the Mavericks have the fire power to beat KD and company four times. If there's one series that has an upset, this probably will be it.

(3) Los Angeles Lakers vs (6) Denver Nuggets 
Prediction: Lakers in 5 
Too much height!!!

(4) Memphis Grizzlies vs (5) Los Angeles Clippers 
Prediction: Clippers in 7 
Don't think of it as an upset. This is going to be one fun and exciting series. Chris Paul's just too good.

LOOKING AHEAD 


SEMIS:


EASTERN CONFERENCE


(1) Chicago Bulls vs (4) Boston Celtics 
Prediction: Celtics in 7 


(2) Miami Heat vs (3) Indiana Pacers
Prediction: Miami in 5 


WESTERN CONFERENCE:


(1) San Antonio Spurs vs (5) Los Angeles Clippers 
Prediction: Spurs in 5 


(2) Oklahoma City Thunder vs (3) Los Angeles Lakers 
Prediction: Lakers in 7 


CONFERENCE FINALS: 


(2) Miami Heat vs (4) Boston Celtics
Prediction: Heat in 6 


(1) San Antonio Spurs vs (3) Los Angeles Lakers
Prediction: Spurs in 6 


NBA FINALS: 


(1) San Antonio Spurs vs (2) Miami Heat
Prediction: Heat in 5 
Finals MVP: LeBron James 

JaVale McGee... Me Oh My

Sorry I haven't blogged for a while. I've lost interest watching the NBA and its boring story lines. I'll just have to wait come playoff time. :) 

Well, the video clearly speaks for itself. If all things go as planned, Javale McGee will be tapped as the naturalized player for Smart Gilas 2.0, the Philippine basketball national team who will compete in the different FIBA tournaments. Clearly he'll be an asset; an athletic and long defender who towers above the rest. But if we'll have to deal with that kind of player who doesn't think straight, I'm sorry but WE HAVE NO CHANCE! 

That's just me...