Playoff Hoopla: Spurs Aging Like Wine

This would be a daily segment on the blog wherein I discuss some puzzling and mind boggling things on the NA Playoffs. I know I've started late and may use some 'old' material but nevertheless I hope I provide an exciting new daily segment on the blog.  

Day 2 

THE NEW LOOK SPURS: STILL WINNING---DIFFERENTLY AND EFFORTLESSLY

No one exactly has the exact blue print to success. Each team is composed of different individuals; different characters with a unique set of skills and attitudes. There are different uncontrollable components involved. Indeed, success is difficult to maintain especially in different eras. Different time periods have their own distinct style, pace, and flare to it. 

Thriving under these circumstances are the San Antonio Spurs. They have won four championships in the past thirteen season and chasing their fifth championship in franchise history this season. Everybody talks about that the Spurs is built and ran solely on the offensive prowess of Tim Duncan or their tenacious defense. 

Their all wrong. 

The Spurs are built around talent development, selflessness, and a bunch of international players who work together as one cohesive unit. Gregg Popovich is one great tactician who seems to understand the game like we don't. His ideas often seem bizarre and outrageous but point is, it gets the job done.  

In the earlier seasons of the Tim Duncan era, the Spurs were a low-scoring team who ran selectively and went to Duncan in the post as their primary option. Duncan, who I consider the BEST Power Forward to ever play the game, used his skills to score at will but at the same time to set his teammates up for great looks. 

That was where Bruce Bowen made his mark in the NBA. One of the best perimeter defenders in the last decade and a deadly marksman from downtown (just the corner), he was one of the key players for the Spurs. Someone who could shadow the opponent's best perimeter scorers but able to provide a deep threat to allow Duncan to have more space to operate.

San Antonio in my opinion, the only team who seem to heavily rely on international talent and from a bunch of unwanted players in the NBA. This was where many players resurrected and cemented their legacy---as a San Antonio Spur. 

Tony Parker, the speedy French Point Guard, was one Popovich's long projects. Known for his speed, Parker was a horrific defender who had a horrible outside shot. This is where the Spurs testament to patience lies. Instead of giving up on potential, they build and develop it. Instead of allowing Parker just to be that same player, they patiently worked with him to become somebody great. 

Parker developed the most unstoppable teardrop in the league. An effortless shot which still fools players to this day. He has developed a respectable mid-range jump shot which keeps his opponent's in bay. He has also tremendously improved his defense making him one of the best defending Point Guards in the league. 

What's most important is that he still is that same player--- lightning quick and talented but much much better. 

That's not solely the reason the Spurs have been winning. 

They have been the only team to adapt through time. Throughout the league, we've noticed that there has been an increase in speed. An uptempo game which not only provides each team with a better chance to score but also at the same time excites the fans. 

The Spurs being a team which favors the slow break, they struggled with the change. Initially, they just couldn't seem to find the right set of players to do what they exactly want but as time passed, they did. 

DANNY GREEN BABY!!! 

The Spurs is a team with high character. They value value winning and they understand how to do it in its purest essence. They develop the right sets of players with the right attitudes.

They age like wine, as they grow older, they player better and more beautiful basketball. 

Playoff Hoopla: The Luckiest Team in the Playoffs

This would be a daily segment on the blog wherein I discuss some puzzling and mind boggling things on the NBA Playoffs. I know I've started late and may use some 'old' material but nevertheless I hope I provide an exciting new daily segment on the blog. 

Inscribed on the mouth piece of LeBron James is the number 16 in Roman numerical form. XVI not only represents how many wins each team needs to win the NBA championship but it's the hardwork, sacrifice, dedication, and luck needed for one team to call themselves NBA Champions. 

In this year's version of the NBA Playoffs, let us catch-up to the latest happenings. 

THE THUNDER ARE THE LUCKIEST TEAM IN THE PLAYOFFS 

The Durantula: Virtually Unguardable.

Think about it this way. Before the postseason started, everybody and I mean everybody knew that the Thunder had the roughest road to the NBA Finals. Dallas, the defending NBA Champions, in the first round. The Lakers in the second round and either LA or the Spurs in the conference finals. They are matched-up with three teams who combined to have win 10 of the last 13 NBA championships. 

Shocking isn't it? 

Game 1 of the first round, Dallas was up 7 heading to the last two minutes of the game poised to steal homecourt advantage from the young and 'inexperienced' team. When all things seem to go as planned, Dirk Nowitzki misses a WIDE OPEN 3-pointer which could have pushed their lead up 10 with less than 2 minutes remaning. He didn't miss that against Miami last year. It was literally cash money! 

Instead. What happens? 

The Thunder go on a sudden offensive surge capped by Kevin Durant's miraculous jumper over Shawn Marion's out stretched arms as time expired. HE JUST FLICKED THE FRIGGIN' BALL!!! 

Game 2. Same scenario but this time it's the veteran Jason Kidd taking and missing another WIDE OPEN 3-pointer. 

Poised to potentially steal another game in Oklahoma and even the series at one apiece... 

Instead. What happens? 

The Thunder again go on another sudden offensive surge and steal game two and sweep the defending champs. 

Think of this way, Dallas could have gone back home with a 2-0 lead instead of an 0-2 deficit.  

Second round against the Lakers. The team (Thunder) who commits the most turnovers per game in the NBA all of a sudden seem to take care of the rock and manage to not throw away the ball. Russell Westbrook, whom I've said time and time again to pass the ball and take care of the ball more, seems to listen to me. He passes the ball to Durant more and score when he needs to. 

Game 2, the Lakers are up down the stretch poised to steal Game 2 and what happens? Kobe Bryant. Yes, you heard that right, freakin' Kobe Bryant throws an stupid and errant lob pass which Kevin Durant easily converts to a fastbreak dunk and starts ANOTHER Thunder comeback. 

And by the way, Kobe doesn't choke. He doesn't miss or screw up during crunch time. That was a miracle in itself!!! 

Game 4, AGAIN (we really have to stress a point here) the Lakers are up down the stretch but the confidence-challenged Pau Gasol throws the ball away and sets up KD for another game winner. 

This really is painful to watch... 

The Thunder are a deadly team. When the game is down the wire and where most teams think that these young players will falter under the bright lights, they don't. They seem to shine and be at their best when the game is on the line. 

Westbrook and the Thunder seem to magically cut down on  their turnovers and convert at a much higher rate. Their relentlessly convert on the break and seem to have an answer to every thing the opposition throws. 

Don't forget they have the Durantula---their secret weapon. 

The sky is the limit for this team but their time to shine maybe not just yet.

Well, luck is definitely on their side. 

6000th Hit Special: Why I Despise Score-First Point Guards and why Chris Paul is the Best

Thanks for the 6,000 views. I really appreciate it! Keep them coming!!! 

Let's be realistic. We have seen a wave of tall, talented, and freakishly athletic point guards come to the NBA. Probably the result of John Calipari's drive and kick offense centered on the 'won and done' concept. We can't generally give all the credit to Coach Cal for coming up with the next version of an NBA point guard but it's safe to say that he has been the one that has brought it to my attention.

Coach Cal has had the luxury to recruit an influx amount of talent to play for him, especially point guards. He had the likes of Tyreke Evans, John Wall, and Derrick Rose to run his blitzkrieg-type offense. He pressured his opponent's to try to find a way to slow the tempo of the game. It hasn't happened and it isn't going to happen.

Those point guards were arguably the first options on their team. They utilized their extreme foot speed and athletic ability to create shots for themselves and their teammates.

But why am I not a big fan of it?

Let's first consider what a point guard is supposed to do. One, set-up the offense. How can that be possible when he's the first option on their team and when he attempts more than twenty shots per game?

Let's use the example of Russell Westbrook and his relationship with Kevin Durant. I am all praises for Durant except for the fact that he isn't that much of a good defender and he takes too many shots. I've come to realize that he takes that much because he knows Westbrook isn't going to pass the ball to him that often. Westbrook probably has the ball 16 seconds of the Thunder's shot clock; dribbling around and creating isolation situations for himself. Yes, he gets to score but how much attempts does he take? The bigger question is, how much attempts does he take away from Durant?

Durant's scoring prowess and ability is limited with time. He struggles getting the ball in his spots because Westbrook isn't an adept passer. At times he may blow you away with 8 or even 10 assists per game but you have to understand that it occasionally comes with 6 or 7 turnovers in the process. Therefore Durant is forced to make do with what he has. He will shoot the ball when he has it therefore making him and the Thunder predictable when Westbrook does decide to pass the ball. 

If Westbrook does evolve to become a pass-first point guard, the Thunder will become a much much better team. Imagine having the NBA's leading scorer three years in the running getting the ball in his spots with an able and athletic scorer-passer waiting. That'd be unstoppable. 

James Harden is a much much better passer that Westbrook. Let him play the point and you potentially have a chance to contend for the title with Westbrook playing the 2. 

Plus, Westbrook isn't a good defender. Yes he gets a steal and a great block here and there but opposing point guards have always capitalized on that match-up.

Derrick Rose, God bless his injured knee, is one heck of a player. A player who at times I think is the only reason why the Chicago Bulls always seem to have the #1 seed in the East year in and year out. He scores in a variety of ways---making tough double-pump reverse lay-ups among many others. People always tell me why am I not a big fan of Derrick Rose. Simple. He shoots too much. At times he is forced to do exactly that with the talent the Bulls have surrounded him with but their level of play will not increase because of the development of their players. 

If Rose were to shoot 15 efficient shots per game and hand out 12 assists, then you can consider him the  best point guard in the league. He has a lot of talent and he can single-handedly change the outcome of the game but he's not going to last long. Perfect example will have to be the playoffs last season. When LeBron James played superb defense on the "MVP", the Bulls got nowhere. Their offense was centered around Rose's attack to the basket and they became stagnant and predictable on offense. 

That's what a score-first point guard brings to the table. Yes he is athletic and can score in any way you want him to but when he's guarded tenaciously and being hounded by pressure, your team is going nowhere. 

But what is a point guard supposed to be? Food for thought I suppose. 

He's suppose to be a willing passer. Someone who sets his teammates up beautifully but has the talent to score and create for himself when needed. Someone who is a threat and makes the defense think what he is going to do. 

That's what I love about the likes of Chris Paul, Steve Nash, and even Evan Turner (LOL!). These players can give you a little bit of everything. They'll score when necessary. Grab a rebound and start a fastbreak when in dire need of points. They'll feed the ball to the post and throw game-changing alley-oops to change the complexion of the game. They have the ability to make the outside shot, which give their big men the luxury of room to operate. They have the composure to make the big shots. The 'Dagger' as it's called.  Point guards are supposed to be difference makers and not mere scorers passers. 

They give you what you need when you need it. A perfect example will have to be what Chris Paul is doing with the Clippers. He single-handedly is willing his team to win. Taking over during the 4th quarter when his team needs a basket. Feeding the ball to Blake Griffin for him to get his confidence back. Pressuring the opponent's ball carriers to commit turnovers which lead to much needed confidence boosting dunks. 

Paul isn't the best athlete in the NBA. We can argue that he is one of the fastest but he doesn't jump as high as Rose or Wall. He is quick and agile on the floor but never mentioned as one of the fastest point guards in the league but he has the biggest heart. He has the leadership to organize and fix his  young and inexperienced team. (They only have LIMITED plays) He has the will to win---a champion within. 

As a point guard, your job isn't simply to score or pass but rather to takeover the game in any way when absolutely necessary.  

Chris Paul should have gotten an MVP before Derrick Rose. It only seems fair.