Saturday, May 05, 2007
NBA Playoffs continue
NBA Quickies
One, the Golden State Warriors were remarkable, played like their name, what more can we say? Baron Davis, Stephen Jackson and the long suffering home crowd all came up huge. Assistant Coach Keith Smart on ESPN Radio said the Warriors are confident but not cocky, they focus on what they do well, rather than what they don’t. It sounds simple, but it takes excellent X and O coaching to use your strengths to your advantage regardless of what your opponent tries to do. The modern era of sport has increasingly been about studying your opponent's weakness and breaking it down, using their shortcomings against them. Conversely, they say, John Wooden, the legendary Wizard of Westwood, rarely if ever looked at opponents' game tape. His teams found a way to exercise their will and their style on their opponent. Smart said the Warriors have an ethic of doing what they do decisively. Don’t hesitate, go for it. Smart said they believe, you may not always do the right thing, who always does? But if you do what you do well, with conviction, your talent will prevail. This is an excellent philosophy for the players on this squad.
Smart also said he has never seen a team with more togetherness than this one. Sports fans know he has played for a champion. Can you believe Keith Smart has been working in the NBA for 19 years? The Warriors re-enact the dance from 300 before each game to get themselves pumped. Then Baron Davis, Stephen Jackson and the fellas take that 'tude to the floor and softer teams crumble. Love the way Bill Simmons put it, "There was a playground edge to the Warriors that the Mavericks simply didn't have; it was like watching a prep-school team from Connecticut getting worked over by the kids from Lincoln High."
Two more Warrior questions, what happened to the player who used to be Al Harrington? And is their any reason to think the Warriors can’t keep it against the Jazz or the Rockets? (Who are probably going to be overconfidently licking their chops, grateful that the #1 seed is gone.)
Once and for all, those who say Dukies don’t make it in the pros, can take a look at tonight, as the Bulls led by Luol Deng play Game 1 in Detriot against the Pistons. Another Dukie, Chris Duhon is also a big contributor for the Bulls. Incidentally, the Clarion likes the Pistons experienced veterans to get by the young Bulls this year, look out for Chicago next year.
In a Game 7 in the West tonight, the Jazz and the Rockets each also have important Dukies. The Jazz leading scorer and rebounder is Carlos Boozer. The Rockets human floor burn, all hustle team leader is former Blue Devil, Shane Battier.
Also of note, Deng and Battier finished one, two this week in the voting for the NBA Sportsmanship award, and both played in all of their teams games this season.
One, the Golden State Warriors were remarkable, played like their name, what more can we say? Baron Davis, Stephen Jackson and the long suffering home crowd all came up huge. Assistant Coach Keith Smart on ESPN Radio said the Warriors are confident but not cocky, they focus on what they do well, rather than what they don’t. It sounds simple, but it takes excellent X and O coaching to use your strengths to your advantage regardless of what your opponent tries to do. The modern era of sport has increasingly been about studying your opponent's weakness and breaking it down, using their shortcomings against them. Conversely, they say, John Wooden, the legendary Wizard of Westwood, rarely if ever looked at opponents' game tape. His teams found a way to exercise their will and their style on their opponent. Smart said the Warriors have an ethic of doing what they do decisively. Don’t hesitate, go for it. Smart said they believe, you may not always do the right thing, who always does? But if you do what you do well, with conviction, your talent will prevail. This is an excellent philosophy for the players on this squad.
Smart also said he has never seen a team with more togetherness than this one. Sports fans know he has played for a champion. Can you believe Keith Smart has been working in the NBA for 19 years? The Warriors re-enact the dance from 300 before each game to get themselves pumped. Then Baron Davis, Stephen Jackson and the fellas take that 'tude to the floor and softer teams crumble. Love the way Bill Simmons put it, "There was a playground edge to the Warriors that the Mavericks simply didn't have; it was like watching a prep-school team from Connecticut getting worked over by the kids from Lincoln High."
Two more Warrior questions, what happened to the player who used to be Al Harrington? And is their any reason to think the Warriors can’t keep it against the Jazz or the Rockets? (Who are probably going to be overconfidently licking their chops, grateful that the #1 seed is gone.)
Once and for all, those who say Dukies don’t make it in the pros, can take a look at tonight, as the Bulls led by Luol Deng play Game 1 in Detriot against the Pistons. Another Dukie, Chris Duhon is also a big contributor for the Bulls. Incidentally, the Clarion likes the Pistons experienced veterans to get by the young Bulls this year, look out for Chicago next year.
In a Game 7 in the West tonight, the Jazz and the Rockets each also have important Dukies. The Jazz leading scorer and rebounder is Carlos Boozer. The Rockets human floor burn, all hustle team leader is former Blue Devil, Shane Battier.
Also of note, Deng and Battier finished one, two this week in the voting for the NBA Sportsmanship award, and both played in all of their teams games this season.
Labels: NBA, Predictions, sports
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