Round 2 is underway in a big way. The "old" Pistons continue to take care of business. The Celtics can't win on the road. The Cavs show up to play defense every other night. Nothing has changed, right? Enter Chris Paul and Jerry Sloan.
I haven't seen as good of a playoff performance from a point guard since I was in grade school. I haven't seen as good a coaching job ever, maybe. To take down the Goliath Spurs the Hornets have decided to keep doing what they have been doing all year: go right at them. Chris Paul and the boys are doing what it takes to beat the champs. Don't let anyone discredit them by saying the Spurs are old and that their time is up either. The Spurs are damn good. Every bit as good as they have been. The Hornets are NOT letting the Spurs do what they do (take away a team's strength and floor pace). Congrats to the Hornets. Nothing makes me happier than seeing the 'perennial whiners' shaking in their britches.
How do you beat the team that is playing the best ball in the league? Oh, yeah they also have the best player and the best coach in the league? You coach the HECK out of your guys. Jerry Sloan has done what looked to be nearly impossible: give the Lakers a series. I am not saying that the Lakers stream rolling of the pathetic Nuggets made them the team to beat. But the WAY they had been playing was remarkable. Ultimate team ball, defense, etc. etc.. Jerry Sloan, who for the first time since Stockton and Malone has a group of guys who really- I mean really-believe in the system he has installed, is a conducting acts of wizardry. This team is an absolute pleasure to watch if you are a basketball purest. Poor Sloan. Jordan took down his meticulously built and tirelessly trained teams of the nineties. Now he has to beat Kobe.
Lebron is sick. Will Chauncey be back? I have Lakers vs. Celtics in my bracket, but I think there may be some serious contention from the likes of the leagues young - and relentless- young stars: CP3, Deron Williams, Lebron, Rondey "did you really just say?" Stuckey. And from some old sons of guns that ain't goin' down easy either: Tim Duncan, Memht Okur, and Antonio "I can be a match up nightmare sometimes" McDyess. Don't forget about this year's exciting "who is that guy?" players: David West (well, he was an all-star), Ime Udoka, James Posey, Delonte West. And, well, who knows after tonight. The Playoffs are better than ever. Every night serious performers are born. Don't miss a minute- see you in the Conference Finals!
I haven't seen as good of a playoff performance from a point guard since I was in grade school. I haven't seen as good a coaching job ever, maybe. To take down the Goliath Spurs the Hornets have decided to keep doing what they have been doing all year: go right at them. Chris Paul and the boys are doing what it takes to beat the champs. Don't let anyone discredit them by saying the Spurs are old and that their time is up either. The Spurs are damn good. Every bit as good as they have been. The Hornets are NOT letting the Spurs do what they do (take away a team's strength and floor pace). Congrats to the Hornets. Nothing makes me happier than seeing the 'perennial whiners' shaking in their britches.
How do you beat the team that is playing the best ball in the league? Oh, yeah they also have the best player and the best coach in the league? You coach the HECK out of your guys. Jerry Sloan has done what looked to be nearly impossible: give the Lakers a series. I am not saying that the Lakers stream rolling of the pathetic Nuggets made them the team to beat. But the WAY they had been playing was remarkable. Ultimate team ball, defense, etc. etc.. Jerry Sloan, who for the first time since Stockton and Malone has a group of guys who really- I mean really-believe in the system he has installed, is a conducting acts of wizardry. This team is an absolute pleasure to watch if you are a basketball purest. Poor Sloan. Jordan took down his meticulously built and tirelessly trained teams of the nineties. Now he has to beat Kobe.
Lebron is sick. Will Chauncey be back? I have Lakers vs. Celtics in my bracket, but I think there may be some serious contention from the likes of the leagues young - and relentless- young stars: CP3, Deron Williams, Lebron, Rondey "did you really just say?" Stuckey. And from some old sons of guns that ain't goin' down easy either: Tim Duncan, Memht Okur, and Antonio "I can be a match up nightmare sometimes" McDyess. Don't forget about this year's exciting "who is that guy?" players: David West (well, he was an all-star), Ime Udoka, James Posey, Delonte West. And, well, who knows after tonight. The Playoffs are better than ever. Every night serious performers are born. Don't miss a minute- see you in the Conference Finals!
