Why All The Blowouts
I’m not the biggest Matt Barnes fan but the guy does compete his tail off every time out. He had a great quote following the Grizzlies 94-68 game two loss to San Antonio last night, the second straight game Memphis has failed to be competitive. “We’re coming to a gun fight with some spoons” And to that point I just don’t understand all the handwringing over the blowouts thus far in the first round of the playoffs. The Golden St Warriors are arguably the best team ever, the Rockets checked out two months ago. No crap they beat their brains in in game one and easily coasted to a game two win despite Steph Curry not playing. The machine like San Antonio Spurs are playing a Hinkie esque version of the Memphis Grizzlies. You didn’t have to be Nostradamus to realize Memphis probably wasn’t go to fair well. Clippers/Portland is the four vs five series but don’t be fooled by that. Los Angeles finished nine games better in the standings, they are clearly the better more experienced team. The top 4 in the West separated themselves all season long, none of these results should come as a surprise.
Last night Boston was playing without two very important players in Kelly Olynyk and Avery Bradley and things snowballed on them. They got way behind early and couldn’t recover. It happens, they’ll play better in Boston. (and also like I’ve been saying all season the Hawks are really good) I was surprised by game one of the Heat vs Hornets series and we’ll see how Charlotte responds tonight in game two. My guess is it’ll be a much better game and they will have a chance to win it down the stretch.
The Pistons game 1 performance albeit in a losing effort was tremendous and it also brought the best out in Cleveland. It was a great game. Stan Van Gundy rips the refs during the sideline interview with ABC and is promptly smacked with 25k fine. The Thunder wasted no time blowing a game they should have won against an inferior opponent this time with the backdrop of Kevin Durant’s free agency looming. Toronto losing game 1 and immediately drumming up the demons of playoff failures past. In game two they tie the series up as free agent to be DeMarr DeRozan watches the entire fourth quarter from the bench. How about the Dallas Mavericks with absolutely no one giving them a chance winning in OKC with Raymond Felton of all people leading the way. These are the stories and images that make the playoffs great so stop fretting about a few blowouts. Relax, it’s the first round, it’ll be fine and it’s nothing new. Check out this gem of a first round series between the Lakers and Spurs in 1986. http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1986-nba-western-conference-first-round-spurs-vs-lakers.html
And take my word for it there were plenty of others.
Thibs to Minnesota
The Timberwolves are loaded with young talent and today they got their coach. Tom Thibodeau agreed to join Minnesota as head coach and president of basketball operations. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of the Vertical Thibs doesn’t come cheap http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources–tom-thibodeau-finalizing-deal-with-timberwolves-173359062.html
Minnesota will be a playoff team next season, book it!
Paul George Impresses
Paul George has been the best player thus far in the playoffs and it's a tremendous story. When his leg snapped under that basket two years ago while participating in an intra squad scrimmage for USA basketball no one could have imagined he'd back to this level so soon. He gets any shot he wants offensively and he has completely locked up Raptors all-star guard DeMarr DeRozan. The Pacers can win this series and it's almost exclusively because of how good Paul George is.
Who avoids 0-2?
Three game two's on the docket tonight with Detroit, Charlotte and Portland all looking to head home tied at one.
It feels like the Pistons missed their opportunity to steal one in Cleveland on Sunday afternoon. It's hard to imagine them shooting the ball so well again and they also have the Cavs attention now. Cavs win game 2.
Blake Griffin looked terrific in game 1 and the Clippers really bothered Damian Lillard with traps early on. CJ McCollum will have to play much better for Portland to have a chance in game 2. The Blazers just didn't look ready for the moment to me on Sunday night, they'll be better tonight but still lose a tight one.
I'm not sure what happen to Charlotte in game 1 but it won't happen again and Miami won't shoot 57% from the field again including Loul Deng going 11-13 from the field and 4-6 from three point range. The Heat are really good but game 1 was a clear aberration. These teams are pretty even. Charlotte wins game 2
