Results tagged “finals,” from Robert Littal Presents The Infamous BlackSportsOnline

The conversation via Third Quarter Collapse, after the jump.

Before you read my final thoughts about Kobe Bryant to truly understand what I think we have to go back in time. To see the true evolution of Kobe through my eyes via snippets of my most famous Kobe Bryant articles.

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.

"This is a make or miss league"

Jeff Van Gundy

Such an obvious and simple statement, yet one of the realest things ever spoken by a NBA commentator. Sometimes the games are so over analyzed and dissected that the obvious is missed. If Courtney Lee makes a lay up (albeit a difficult one) at the end of game 2 are the Lakers still in control of this series? Analysts, to justify their salaries, always come up with reasons beyond the obvious such as weak side defense and pick and roll offense. But it really just comes down to MAKING shots.

In game 1 of the NBA finals the Magic group of Rafer Alston, Michael Pietrus, Courtney Lee and Jameer Nelson shot a combined 13-41. All we heard was how the Lakers had stepped up their defensive intensity. Oh these are the Lakers that can't be beat when they play defense like that. I went back through the game and saw that group of players along with JJ Reddick missed 21 open shots. Yeah, maybe a late close out by a defender but in general good clean looks at the basket. The Lakers basically stated their game plan was to leave Alston open. So their stated defensive plan to leave the 4th best shooter on the team open is brilliant?

Game 3 of the NBA Finals gives me an opportunity to go in detail about a phrase I use a lot, but never explained the true meaning of. It is called:

Kobe Bryant is one of the two most polarizing figures in sports (the other is Terrell Owens). There is absolutely no middle ground with people (media and fans) when it comes to Bean. Either there is extreme hate or extreme love.

Here is an example of what I mean. Last night while I was Twittering (http://www.twitter.com/BlkSportsOnline)I made this comment:

"I am only hard on Kobe because he is so great. But in the 2nd half he did not play well."

Pretty mundane statement consistent with what I was saying throughout the 2nd half (more on that later). I received ten replies to that statement five saying I was hater and five saying I was a Kobe lover. You are starting to understand what I am saying.

Opportunity is like a female that both you and your friend have been wanted to get with for a very long time. Luckily for you this time she knocks on your door first, but you are sleeping or cutting the grass in the backyard and don't hear the door. Unfortunately opportunity is impatient and quickly moves on to your friend who is more than happy to take care of her.

Right now the Orlando Magic are watching opportunity play some "Bed Gammon" with the Los Angeles Lakers.

We thought we had seen the last of them, but Lil Dez' isn't done yet. Check out Dez clowning Lebron.

If you are the Orlando Magic the one thing you can not do is panic. Yes you were embarrassed last night, but losing game one doesn't mean you have lost the series (actually if you are playing against a Phil Jackson team it does, but work with me here).

Your fans are losing their minds, you coach looks like he rather be shooting his next porno than coaching and you looked like a deer in the headlights under the bright lights of LA, but all is not lost.

Unless you've slipped into a slight coma for the past week or so, you know all about the crushing upset the Orlando Magic pulled over the Cleveland Cavaliers, or, as most sports announcers would rather call them, the LeBron James'. You've probably also seen the Los Angeles Lakers, or, as Jerry West would like to call them, the LeBron James', pull out their respective Conference Finals' win over the Denver "Knucklehead" Nuggets.

Disappointments aside, forget about whom you'd rather see, take a moment and celebrate the NBA in all its glory. The Magic has proven that you don't need a bandwagon full of supporters to throw it down on your way to the Promised Land, and Kobe has proven that even a habitual complainer and a borderline scientologist (sorry, his press conferences remind me of Tom Cruise's interview with Matt Lauer) can prevail--to a point--without the Big Nickname mumblin' and stumblin' under the basket.

What we're going to witness, hopefully, is a full seven-game series of pure, unadulterated, highly entertaining basketball, with the winner being able to achieve the feat with gamesmanship, grace, and only three flagrant fouls per game.

For all the gambling types out there, this one may be too close to call.

Now that we've said goodbye to the end of an era of mediocrity known as the Bush era and ushered in the new, you can't help but look back at the some of the greatest sports moments of 2008. Here's some that made you laugh, cry or just stare dumbfounded in disbelief. Yea Litall touched on this but as usual, but after much debating, here are MY top picks for best sports stories. Let the arguments begin............

TOP 8 SPORTS MOMENTS OF 2008

8.) Nadal Ends Federer's Reign At Wimbledon

Ok so I'll bite. Now that I've seen video clips, I've decided to kick off my second annual Top Sports Moments list with the history in the making match up between men's tennis
greats Rafeal Nadal and Roger Federer. The grueling five match showdown complete with rain delays was a testament to Nadal's toughness and tenacity and marked the end of Federer's five year reign, as Nadal was crowned Wimbledon champion.

7.)Rays Almost Sting Phillies In World Series

To the victor goes the spoils they say and while the Phillies have been named as the 2008 World Series Champions, the Rays fairytale journey into the World Series contention should definitely NOT go without notice. Just thinking about a team with a 200-1 shot at appearing in the World Series go from worst to first, beating out heavyweights New York and Boston is enough to place this moment in the Top 8 Sports Moments of 2008.

6.) Old Time Rivalry Renewed:Celtics vs Lakers

There's something about reliving the glory days when the NBA Finals was a clash of the Titans between two juggernauts, one from the East and one from the West. Ask anyone about the Celtics vs Lakers rivalry and the names Magic vs Bird, Russell vs come to mind. During the 2008 Finals, David Stern, the media and old school fans got their wish as Kobe led Lakers faced off against the Big 3 of the Celtics composed of K.G., Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. Despite the victory being favored to go to the Lakers, the defensive prowess of the Celtics proved to be too much for the Lakers and the Celtics went on to win the series in 6 games.

Simply put they were the better TEAM. They were the best TEAM all year and. in the end, the best TEAM usually wins. I wasn't a believer. I saw them get taken to seven games by the worse playoff team in the league, the Atlanta Hawks, and I shook my head. I saw a one-man team take them to seven games and shook my head even harder. When they played against the Pistons, I boldly predicted the Pistons would win because the Celtics weren't ready.

What I failed to realize is all those trials and tribulations through the first two rounds of the playoffs turned a team who thought they could win a title to a team that knew they could win an NBA Title.

When they came back from ten down in the 4th quarter against the Pistons to clinch the Eastern Conference Championship, you saw a preview of what was to come in the NBA Finals.

You know the saying:

Defense Wins Championships

There was no better illustration of that than the NBA Finals. When the Celtics locked in defensively, they were 20 points better than the Lakers and that were obvious from Game 1. Similar to how they shut down Lebron James, they slowed down Kobe Bryant and just snuffed out the rest of the Lakers. Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Derrick Fisher and the bench were non-factors in this series. TEAMs win championships not individual playersm even individual players as great as Kobe Bryant.

What was evident was that the Celtics were a TEAM. If it wasn't Paul Pierce, it was Ray Allen. If it wasn't KG, it was Kendrick Perkins or Leon Powe. If it wasn't Rondo, it was Eddie House or James Posey. This wasn't just the Big 3, this was the Big 12. A total TEAM effort. That is what beat the Lakers.

Speaking of the Big 3, you have to be happy for them. Kevin Garnett suffered, and I mean suffered, for a long time in Minnesota while biting his lip about incompetent management. There is no one I am aware of in the league who doesn't like and respect Kevin Garnett. KG is the main reason that Celtics are holding a trophy right now. Besides being one of the five best players in the game, the way he changed the attitude and work ethic of that locker room can not be understated. I am happy that he has his ring and has solidified his place as one of the greatest power forwards ever.

I left Jesus Shuttlesworth for dead after the Cavs series. I am not sure what happened. Maybe he got a hold of that "Roger Clemens," but from the start of the Pistons series, he has been their most consistent player. I know he has been having a medical issue with his son that he didn't want the public to know about, which I respect more than you can know. I hope everything turns out well. Ray is a good guy and has always been a solid player.

Paul Pierce deserves credit. Not for the acting job he did on his knee, not for his offensive performance, but for the outstanding defense he played in the NBA Finals. It was above and beyond exceptional. When the Celtics were getting blown out in Game 4, he asked for the responsibility of guarding Kobe Bryant and that changed the complexion of the entire series. It will be his defensive performance that will be talked about for years to come. No matter which way you look at it, he is now a Celtic legend. When you are a Celtic legend, you are never forgotten. Not bad for a player who thought he was going to be traded last summer.

At the beginning of this series I stated it was one where a legendary player became immortal. In the end, it was a legendary TEAM that made its mark as part of an Immortal franchise.

I know hate mail will be swift and flammable after this article, but someone's got to say it. Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson are the best NBA broadcast team in years.

Not only is the play-by-play stellar with these two guys and Mike Breen, but the history lessons are amazing. Mark Jackson's wonderful technical breakdowns of offensive and defensive sets is refreshing and educational. Throw in Van Gundy's emotionally charged banter about poor officiating, the lack of Laker defense, KG not showing up at the end of games, Phil Jackson's weird substitution patterns and you have probably the most entertaining and informative broadcasts since Marv Albert and Doug Collins during the Jordan years.

If there was a defining moment in the past week's Finals, for me, it would be during Game 2 when Kobe was being exposed on defense by Paul Pierce (Yes, I realize there's a joke in there somewhere, like when wasn't he being exposed, but bear with me). When Pierce would back Bryant down to the paint, there would be help coming to double team. When Pierce gave up the ball, Mark Jackson made a comment on how stellar Kobe's defense was and how Bryant was 1st Team All Defense this year. A statement that sent Van Gundy into a rant on how if Kobe was 1st Team All Defense, why does he need help? And those words were followed by careful examination of Kobe's "defense" and how Kobe's being assigned to the 1st Team All Defense was nothing more than a glamour pick and more hype than substance. You can't buy this folks! You can't!

You're not going to get banter like that from your usual fly-by-night network broadcasters! Not one of them is going to step outside of their preprogrammed radio talk show host voice overs to call out the NBA's darling!

But these guys did, regularly and without affection for the Lakers or Celtics, Bryant or Kevin Garnett, or Phil Jackson or Doc Rivers. These guys did their jobs! No sugar coating, no ego stroking, just calling the game the way they saw it. And I couldn't be happier as a basketball fan to hear announcers say what every real basketball fan is thinking while they watch the action themselves.

When Kobe scores 5 points in the third quarter of Game 5, when KG misses 3 of 4 at the free throw line, when Paul Pierce makes the Laker defense look like a high school team, when Rondo commits turnover after turnover and Doc doesn't pull him, when Vajucic steps out of the way for a Ray Allen layup instead of being a man and taking the charge, you can count on these two guys to call them out on it.

And though the games were stinkers in big stretches this past week, I can tell ya, Van Gundy and Jackson make them bearable for me.

The one thing we can take from Game 5 is that the Lakers have heart. They could have quit and to be honest I thought they would. The task they have in front of them is a daunting one. I will go as far to say that if the Lakers won the NBA Championship that it would be the greatest comeback in league history. The Lakers once again blew huge leads and Kobe did not play well after the 1st quarter, but they ground it out. They did what they had to do to extend the series. Until a team has four wins anything is possible. I don't think you will see a lot of people jumping back on the Lakers bandwagon, but they are at least waiting at the bus stop.

The Celtics are playing a dangerous game. Anyone who is watching this series can see when the Celtics lock in defensively, they can strangle the life out of the Lakers. That is why they can come back from any deficit; but the Celtics have been notoriously slow in starting games and this time they couldn't come all the way back. Paul Pierce has been outstanding the last two games. Now I am not a coach, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night so the Lakers may want to either: (a) force him to make 1000 jump shots; or (b) double him. Up to this point the Celtics defense on Kobe Bryant has been nothing short of brilliant throughout the series, but, with that being said, the longer you play Russian roulette with a serial killer, the more likely you will get shot.

The pressure is clearly on the Celtics. If the Lakers win Game 6, the amount of pressure on the Celtics will be bigger than THE HULK for Game 7 with the best player in the league trying to cement a legendary comeback. Celtics fans, you don't want that.

Series is over. Not much else to say. You saw the game. No need to break it down. The Celtics deserve the Championship.

This was not a thing of beauty and it definitely won't be shown on ESPN Classic. The Celtics had a chance to put the stake in the heart and just couldn't do it. KG and Paul Pierce played as if they already knew they were predestined to lose. With that being said, if I were the Celtics, I wouldn't be too concerned, because even with their best two players playing like garbage, they could have won the game.

Game 4 is a game they have to win because they don't want the Lakers to get even because then you are looking at a three game series and the other team has the best player. If they lose this series, they will look at the 4th quarter of Game 2 and the missed opportunities in Game 3 as reason why.

The Lakers didn't play well. I thought Odom was high on something. I am not sure what he was high on, but he didn't play like he was aware that this was the NBA Finals. This is not NBA Street or Live Lamar. You are allegedly a smart player, so why are you playing so stupidly? The Lakers can't win without Odom playing, at least, a decent game. He is not expected to be great, just serviceable. Pau Gasol just has to play like a man and not like a little girl. That should be the theme for the Lakers: Play like men not like little girls.

Kobe Bryant is a serial killer. He won the game plain and simple (with an assist from SASHA!!!). He is a closer and still should be the number one reason I would be nervous if I were a Celtics fan. Do you really want to give Kobe Bryant two shots in Boston to win the NBA Finals? That is why I feel Game 4 is the most important game of the series. If the Lakers win Game 4, they will have all the momentum and it will be easier for them to win Game 5. If the Celtics can win Game 4, the series is over. Mark the tape.

The Celtics made a crucial mistake in Game 2 and we will see if it comes back to haunt them. In boxing when you have a fighter on the ropes, you have to finish him. You have to go in for the kill and the KO. That wa,y whenever you run across him again, he has in the back of his mind that he can never defeat you. But when you let him off the ropes, get a couple of good shots in before the end of the fight and have you wobbling, even though you may win on points, psychologically the other fighter is in better shape for the rematch.

The Lakers got those final punches in. But with that being said, they still face the daunting task of winning 4 out of the next 5 games against a team that looks like they have their number. Until the 4th quarter of Game 2, the Celtics have clamped down on the Lakers defensively to the point that they are smothering the Lakers into submission. Now, it is yet to be seen if the 4th quarter was a sign of things to come, or just the Celtics easing off of the gas pedal a bit.

It is pretty obvious the Lakers must win all their home games to have any chance in this series. I don't think it is possible for them to win two games in Boston, but if they just have to win one I think that is possible. The Lakers have to hold on to the hope that the Celtics are not the same team on the road as they are at home and use that to their advantage. The Lakers have not lost at home so it won't be impossible for them to win all three, but they will have to step up their defensive intensity.

A couple of side notes. Paul Pierce should be ashamed of himself for leading people to believe he is hurt when, in fact, there is absolutely nothing wrong with him at all. Seriously, there is nothing wrong with him. The reason he didn't want a MRI was because he knows that his knee is fine. If I was the commish I would suspend him, but that is just me. Also the refs in this game were horrible. Very inconsistent and shouldn't be allowed to ref another finals game.

Game 1 can be pretty easily broken down. The Celtics dominated the boards and defensively clamped down on the Lakers and specifically Kobe Bryant in the second half. The Lakers played a very sound 1st half, but they made a crucial mistake when Paul Pierce got hurt. (More on that in a second.) They relaxed and allowed the Celtics, while Pierce was in the locker room, to believe they could win without him. So when he came back on the floor, they rode that energy to a victory.

Kobe has to play better. The Lakers as a whole played well until they started to miss a lot of open shots in the 4th quarter. The defense the Celtics are playing on Kobe is very similar, if not the same, to what they played on Lebron James. It is designed to force the other players to win games and frustrate the superstar into tough shots. You could see Kobe fighting the urge to go Kobe circa 2004. Overall he made some very pretty passes, but he seemed confused by the defense. Great players though make adjustments and I would not be shocked if we see a dominant performance in Game 2.

I have nothing against Paul Pierce and I am sure his knee is hurt, but if you get taken off the court in a wheelchair only to return a few minutes later then you couldn't have been as hurt as you were letting on. I don't think it was intentional and he played a very solid game, but please spare me the Willis Reed comments or how courageous and miraculous it was. It would have been miraculous if we find out tomorrow he has a blown ACL. Then I will be impressed. Don't over-blow something that shouldn't even be a story. He got a little scared overacted a bit realized it wasn't as bad as he first thought, came back on the floor and hit some threes. The story ends there.

It is what you all have been waiting for. Check out the video to see why The Lakers and Neo Bryant will bring home the NBA Title:

Here are the predictions from the rest of the BSO staff:

Robert Bonnette: Celtics in 6
Terence Turner: Lakers in 5
Amber Fox: Lakers in 5
Carl Davis: Lakers in 6
Omar Curran: Lakers in 6
Joslin Lofton: Celtics in 7
JP Sutherland: Lakers in 6
Adam Thomas: Lakers in 6

Would also like to point out that Miss Amber Fox won the Super Model vs. BonaFide Sports Expert NBA Playoff Challenge. By getting 13 out 14 series correct up to this point, it is mathematically impossible for me to catch her seeing that I only got 10 of 14 series correct. So I bow down to Miss Fox as this is the 2nd time she has defeated me in a basketball-related challenge, but we will see what will happen when football season starts.

ForeverAFox.com

For the 2008 NBA FInals, David Stern got exactly what he wanted. Actually most fans couldn't even argue with this match-up. The Classic, Lakers Vs. Celtics. Some of us even had the video game coming up around 1990 or so. (No one could see me!)

Boston has the PGA Tour going against KB24 and the Lakers. When you look at the rosters, you'd think Boston should be able to pull it out. The problem is the fire that burns inside of Bryant these days trumps whatever the opponents are throwing at him. I mean when's the last time you saw Bruce Bowen looking that bad on defense? People understand that Bean is locked in. He is not cheating himself or his team out of their true potential. He is Neo and basketball is The Matrix.

The Celtics need Pierce to come close to Kobe's scoring output to have a chance. Glenn Rivers (there's only one Doc!) needs to realize this. I mean if Garnett, EVER, played up to his true potential... the possibilites, just maybe the C's would be unstoppable. For instance, if he stops shooting fade away jumpers sometimes; played as aggressively as his ice-grills (or facial expressions); maybe he'd average 30ppg and 12 to 15 rebounds a game; and maybe it would be a different story. But why would that change now at this point? He is who he is.

Everybody just relax. When I woke up this morning my email box was flooding with questions about what I think about the Celtics vs. Lakers series and when will the "5 Reasons" video debut. Since I am on a current four "5 reasons" losing streak, it appears that most fans are hoping I pick the other team from the one they are rooting for. They are calling it the BSO curse. It originated from a message board called ASR and now it has spread all over).

Curse or not, the video will debut Monday night, 9 PM, Eastern daylight time, so be sure to stop by the site to see my prediction and to see if the "BSO Curse" will continue. (Maybe we will have a guest or two in the video. We'll see.)