Results tagged “Omarr Curran” from Robert Littal Presents The Infamous BlackSportsOnline

In Game 4 of the NBA Finals the Orlando Magic displayed a complete mockery of a team attempting to become NBA Champions. I can't remember the last time I seen a team in the Finals refuse to put one foot in front of the other. Absolutely refuse to acknowledge that 1 + 1 = 2. It's almost like it's something about the purple and yellow that has the Magic scared and under the covers. Much like Rick Adelman, Stan Van Gundy can't seem to function with Phil Jackson on the other teams bench. The Zen-Master is like the Boogie Man who snatches away their late-game poise and ability to coach.

Stan Van Gundy did a disservice to the leader of this team that might have a lasting affect. What he did to Jameer Nelson and his team lastnight could be a fireable offense. Anyone with plain eyes knows that Jameer Nelson is not right and if he was the Magic would probably be winning the series but that's a different story. No way Stan should have Jameer playing the entire 4th quarter in a must win game coming off that long layoff. He's not able to help them on offense and Alston had played well the previous game. Totally inexcuseable but that's just the tip of the iceberg. The biggest sin commited against the City of Orlando,Walt Disney and everyone watching these Finals was the decision not to foul with L.A. down by 3. No need to get into why you foul real late up by 3 It's been well documented by our own Kali McIver is his "Ridiculous Late Game Strategy" article. I guess when you're a genius in sarcasm it doesn't do much for your common sense. The Lakers figured, hey if they don't want it we'll take it.

The Magic have actually lost this Series more than L.A. won it. The Lakers have just won games by not disrespecting the basketball gods. This L.A. team could of been had by this Magic team when you look at the matchups. But between Stans inability to get Howard the ball more and to take advantage of their 3 point shooting or threat of, either or... it just hasn't happened. Understand the Magic have been leaving plays on the floor all Series long. Whether it be not being able to get Dwight the ball when he has his man sealed off, Dwight missing layups and free throws and Lee missing that layup in game 2. Even lastnight with under 5 seconds left in a tie game not passing the ball to Dwight with Kobe guarding him at the rim. From coaching staff down to the players they are clearly just not ready to be Champions. Scary coaching leads to scary play on the court. All missed opportunities.

(1)Cleveland vs. (8)Detroit

People are wondering how the Cavs have only lost two games at home all season. Really one, that lost against the Sixers was given away. A friend of mines seems to think that the refs play a big part in why the Cavs can't be beat at home, I seem to really think it's the addition of Mo Williams. Lebron has been the best player in the league the past couple seasons, it's always good to argue but everything considered, he is. But this team graduated to another level with the addition of a the can't miss 2 guard. He is who they have been missing, teams can no longer just crowd James like they did in previous playoffs. Now when they do that, they pay. The Cavs went from a really good team to elite status. The Pistons will win one game in Detroit and that's it. Maybe now the Pistons brass will under that Curry can't coach and Stuckey isn't better than Hamilton... or Iverson. Cavs in 5

Series Guarantee: Detroit will lose a game by 30!

(2)Boston vs. (7)Chicago

KG's probably out for the entire playoffs. Chicago boast a long athletic group that will beat you if you do not bring your A- game. To be honest on paper it looks like Chicago is the deeper team but they lack killers. The C's still have two killers left, in Pierce and Allen. It's a good thing that the Celtics won the Chip last year because more than anything winning the Champonship elevates the play of the role players. This has obviously made players like Tony Allen, Rondo, Glen Davis grow up and become better players. The Bulls are still trying to find their way, they are probably at least two years away from being a serious PROBLEM. Boston is too much of a team to lose to Chicago even if they are missing KG. They will run like a well oiled machine is end the Bulls scare in 6 games. C's in 6

Series Guarantee: Derrick Rose will make another classic YouTube video at the expense of Rondo. Rondo loves to D'up and Rose is lightning quick with a sick handle. Eh, something has to give.

(3)Orlando vs. (6)Philadelphia

The Sixers acquired Elton Brand who again missed most of the season due to injury. So the player that was suppose to make them a serious contender was a non factor. You basically have the same Sixers team you had last year maybe just a little bit better. Hey if there wasn't a 3-point line Philly would be a great team, but there is and they are not. For the Sixers to beat Orlando they'll have to defend the mess out of the three point line and dare the Magic to make Howard score 40. A sensable stragedy but they won't employ it. They'll continue to try to double Howard, leave shooters open and refuse to use the shooters they have to combat the 3's made against them. There's too much post-game bark and not enough on the court bite from Iguodala. Too much of a inconsistent defensive game plan from the Sixers and Dalembert still trying to figure out what his role is. Too much Lewis, too much Turkoglu and too much Dwight Howard walking it out all over the Sixers bigs. Orlando in 6

Series Guarantee: You will like and know who Thaddeus Young is after this series.

Lastnight was a proven example of why the NCAA Tournament is one of the more exciting times in all of sports. Yeah there's no D-Wade or Lebron or real superstars, even though super freshman from Memphis Tyreke "Too Easy" Evans sure looked like one lastnight. I was Really shocked to see Mizzou drop a hundred on Memphis. I would of bet the house that no one would come close to scoring a hundred on Coach Cals team before lastnight. How about Scheyer and Hendersen getting absolutely shut down by Villanovas defense? I mean there were guys in Hendersens shirt all night long, that help defense on him was serious. It should be exciting to see what happens with tonights games. Just a few observations from lastnight:

1. So Who's Who?
In Lastnight games between Duke and Nova, Memphis and Missouri we seem to have an identity crisis. Coming into these games the offensive game was suppose to be the Nova-Duke matchup, up and down all night long, it actually ended up being sort of a grind it out game until Nova pulled away late. The game between Memphis and Mizzouri featuring two defensive powerhouses ended up with NBA scores. I was shocked to see how well these two teams shot against each other. Memphis seemed to forget how to play defense. Wasn't exactly one of the better coaching performances by Coach Cal. Missouri ran simple curls and double screens all night. Kind of Utah-ed Memphis to death. Looked like the super athletic Memphis probably should of slowed the game down or at least attempted to.

2. UCONN Contraversy?
The UConn alleged recruiting scandal didn't seem to have much of an effect on the Huskies. Coach Calhouns boys pulled through in the 2nd half against Purdue behind Hasheem Thabeet dominance in the paint. The stat sheet says 4 blocked shots but there were plenty of times his mere presence took the will away from the Boilermakers to attempt to go inside.

It has to be a sad sad day for Eagles fans across the country when the man known as B-Dawk will no longer wearing the green. He'll no longer be leading the cheer to the Eagles fight song getting the crazies in the "700 level" of the Linc to their intimidating best. Understand the Philadelphia Eagles lost more than a player when Brian Dawkins decided to leave the only place he's ever played for a 5 year 17Mil deal. At age 35, it really comes down to the first two years would he would be scheduled to make 9 million. 7.5 Million is guaranteed. Not bad for a 35 years old Safety who just early last season had reportedly lost a step to hear some tell it.

Not sure if we can all put this one on Eagles management, who have a rep to short change their veteran players and some how manage to always get their young players to sign contracts that are less than their market value. This is clearly a player at the twlight of his career doing the smart think, looking over at his family and taking the guranteed 7 million. But for the Eagles fans the bottom line will be: that management is in great cap shape and somehow let the most beloved Eagles player possibly ever leave over money that you weren't willing to pay. Apologies to McNabb, Westbrook, Reid or Jim Johnson this is the leader of the players on this football team. In the trenches of the rugged NFC East battles, B-Dawk is the Maximus Decimus Meridus, the player that the other players responded to, respected and didn't want to let down more so than the coaches. He made the coaches job's easier because when you're playing on the same field with Dawkins there was no time to b.s. or be thinking about the club later on, he demanded your best.

A force fumble machine, Dawkins is even a better person than player. And it is the intangibles that make him hard to measure in terms of dollars and the exact reason why the Broncos paid what was necessary to sign him.

Just last year I was killing Wade around these parts for quitting on his team. Bailing out and not playing hard because the Heat was garbage. I don't know maybe he was just following Riley who also quit on the squad. It was unbelievable to me because just a couple years ago the same D-Whistle that effectively stole the Dallas Mavericks Championship. Well not only is Wade dogging entire squads this year, it looks like he's channeled that same Finals Wade that killed the Mavs. He not only has reached that inner MVP, getting the refs whistles to work those whistles but he has his show on cruise control. His Olympic experience definitely had to inspired him. I guess playing next to Bron and Bean will do that to anybody. But maybe Wade really needs to be thrust into that arguement. I think he just has to figure out, much like Lebron has and A.I did before him, how to get an average group of characters to play at a high level. With the Wade Show going full throttle If Jermaine O'Neal can ever find the old J.O. maybe... just maybe.

Now back to Wade, he has the fake crossover pull up working like Stevie Franchise when he was on top of his game. You might of thought he was running through the NFL combine how he's weaving in and out and around helpless defenders while they are foolishly trying to draw a charge. His off balance jumper game is on some ol' Summer League/01 A.I.-ish. Not to mention that sneaky explosiveness, you know the one straight out of the Kobe Bryant transcripts. Just when you thought he burned his man for a nice little lay up, he dunks on a big.

I questioned his TLC band-aid under his eye and his suspect fashion sense at the all-star game. But I gotta give the man credit for the show he's been putting on since Beijing. As a self proclaimed hoops nut, I must confess that there's no more space left on my tivo because of Wade's assault on the league.

In one of the most entertaining games all season, definitely the most physical game of the year. Dejuan Blair went not around, but through College Basketball's shot blocking machine Hasheem Thabeet to lead #4 Pitt to a win over #1UConn. Blair proved to be too physical and too strong for Thabeet as he consistently kept his brute force in between Thabeet and the ball. Watching Blair go to work reminds me of what Barkley used to do to taller opponents in the NBA. Bullying his way to the rim against a player who has 7 to 8 inches on him and still managing to finish with a soft shot. His entire Barkley-like arsenal was on full display last night which had to boost his NBA draft projection. It was a national stage all the scouts you'd want at the game if you're a player, It was controlled chaos in the paint last night and Blair thrived in it and Thabeet just couldn't adjust and it might end up costing him some money in the long run.

The game was a old school playground fair-one. You know, pop-sicle stick on each kids shoulder which represents their mothers and both kids knock the stick off the other guys shoulder, now who's going to strike first? Blair took it to Thabeet early and often which put Thabeet in foul trouble all game. Blair ended up with a 20-20 performance which definitely will have a physcological affect on Thabeet when they meet again. At one point, I thought Blair could of broke Thabeet's arm when he ripped away the ball with Thabeets arm stuck in between, Blairs sheer force flipped the 7 foot 3 inch center over his back by his arm. This play summed up for me who wanted it more.

Jim Calhoun complained after the game about the refs letting them play too physical. Last time I checked both teams we're teams that were known for out muscling their opponents. Yes, the refs let the physical play go, but it was both ways. I myself thought the refs had lost the whistles in the 2nd half. But Calhoun shouldn't complain just because his team ran into a team that was more physical than his team. Again, It was called even and his team was home. The real story is that Hasheem Thabeet, coming off of a 20-20 performance, was absolutely punished by Dejuan Blair and only finished with 5 points, 4 rebounds and 2 blocks. In my assessment Coach Calhoun needs to take the focus off the refs and begin to get his team in the right frame of mind for the next time they play Pitt or risk losing this same game in the Tourney before the game even starts.

We All know that Donovan is a good QB, that's something we all can agree on. But when it comes to coming back in the 2-miinute drill, when the game is on the line. He just doesn't get it done. We can talk about his receivers, or lack there of. We can talk about dropped passes and everything else but at the end of the day it's all about #5 for the Eagles. The receivers excuse IMO is bogus, correct me if i'm wrong but he used the same receivers to score 19 unanswered points, I mean we aren't using the receivers as an excuse when the Eagles scored 48 points in the first game against 'Zona. The receivers we're good enough then, weren't they? They have a top 10 offense, and arguably the best weapon at running back in the game in Westbrook. Nuff said.

Hey lets not talk about the penalty flag that probably should have been thrown on that 4th down play to Kevin Curtis. The Cardinals probably could of put the game away before the first half if the Zebras didn't blow a call when the Cardinals clearly recovered the ball in great feild position already up 24 to 6. Calls we're blown both ways. That's not the reason the Eagles lost. If you bring up Jim Johnson's defense, which was a step behind the Cardinals offense the entire first half... I'll give you that. The defense definitely came up small. They deserve some blame. Jim Johnson, often credited, never criticized, shouldn't be spared by the Philly media as he always is.

But lets size up the game as it unfolded. Donovan had no problem throwing the ball up and down the field in the teeth of the game when the Birds we're making it a game. Kurt Warner's defense was folding like a bad Poker hand but Captain Kurt... If I may, put his team in the end zone when IT MATTERED MOST. Donovan gets the ball back with plenty of time left and again the Eagles offense just stalls, for whatever reason. This is dating back since forever, McNabb just can't get his team in the end zone in the clutch. You look for answers why, i'm sure there's always an alternative excuse for Donovan-Stans and always different circumstances for each time he's in this position. But when you have a different excuse everytime for why a QB can't bring his team from behind hardly EVER, you have to point the finger at the QB. Plain and simple.

(My Championship picks at the end)

Turn on your TV any given Sunday and you'll hear any amount of NFL Analyst lauding the Quarterbacks of the winning teams and how the Qb is the most important position on the field. For the most part, this is correct and it definitely is the hardest position to play in team sports. But I don't always necessarily agree that it's as important as they have tried to make it over the years.

My thing is if the QB position is that important to winning and losing and determines the winning teams from the losing teams than what do you tell Drew Brees and how do you explain why he isn't in the playoffs but Joe Flacco is? Or why the most prolific passer in NFL history Dan Marino doesn't have a ring but a rookie Big Ben does. You most certainly wouldn't say that Big Ben is better than Marino would you? Of course there are those that will say Ben is better than Marino if he gets another ring this year, but does your eyes and what you see on the feild really tell you that? Hell no. We seen two good QB's really struggle in the Giants-Eagles game, and in all the other games the team playing better at the defensive end won. Peyton still doesn't have a ring without his defense that season, he played somewhere from so-so to bad in the postseason that year, the Patriots defense held Brady down those years he won the Super Bowl. Not making excuses eh ehm... but this had something to do with me going 1-3 last weeks in my picks. I'm not quite ready to render all my football logic and thoery useless yet. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. Or however the saying goes. I'll redeem myself this week (I hope). Let's rank what I believe is the most important factor in determining Super Bowl winner, not QB but defense.

1. Pittsburgh
Strengths: Impossible to run on. The linebackers since forever make this defense go and it's no different this year. Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison is a man-child, physical cornerbacks and a bullet at safety make this defense official. Simply the best defense in the league.

Weaknesses: None