Getting back to the sports scene following my wrestling post that set a record number of views on this blog for a day. I'd like to say thank you to all who read and gave positive feedback. More wrestling will come in the future.
I had as good a sports weekend as a fan could have. Friday night LeBron James once again gave the media more ammunition as he once again passed up a potential game winning shot for Udonis Haslem? Yes, not Wade or Bosh (who missed the game due to a death in his family). Closing seconds Jazz up one after former Net great (joking)and Jazz failure Devin Harris converted an unlikely 3-point play. Heat inbound the ball to James, the Jazz sent a soft double team and LeFraud immediately gave up the ball to a wide open Haslem, who missed a 17 foot jumper as time expired. The thing was LeBron had a chance to beat the double team if he just went hard towards the hoop, but he instead passed the ball again.
As easy as it is to say James made the right basketball play, which he did, it once again shows his lack of aggressive mind set in closing situations. Good chance LeBron is shooting free throws if he just drives strong to the basket. And if you watch the video I'm sure he could've easily split the double team.
Someone has to pull him aside and stress that it's okay to fail, but you need to take the damn shot. Pat Riley needs to be that guy. If that conversation hasn't happened by now it needs to asap. And by the way, ESPN is talking about how great of a regular season James is having. I even read where they asked if he's having the best regular season ever. He's averaging 27.8 ppg, 6.8 apg, and 8.2 rpg, and is shooting 55% from the floor. That is without question an amazing season; one of the best ever. I don't know, ummmm--Oscar Robertson only averaged a triple double one year. In 1988-89 Jordan averaged 32.5 ppg, 8 apg, 8 rpg and shot almost 54%. Plus, I'm sure you can check Wilt, Baylor, or even Kobe for better seasons. Calm down ESPN.
Revenge was sweet Saturday night when North Carolina went into Duke and shut up that pussy student body. That was total domination. Up as many as 26 points and won 88-70. I told everyone I knew UNC was the better team and would prove it. Duke had survived so many games this year when they shot only 41% and made under ten 3 pointers. UNC made them pay for their gunning mentality. Suck it coach Krybaby!
Did the Knicks really lose to the team from the AARP league, the Boston Celtics? Knicks looked dominant early on up 50-38, but then you look up and they're trailing 80-65. That's a 42-15 run to a team that struggles against teams like the Cavs. The Celtics aren't very good people. And I know the Knicks made a run and eventually took the lead on some clutch baskets by Melo. The problem with the Knicks is they cannot play 48 minutes. Take the Cleveland game earlier in the week. They were down 17 points before destroying the Cavs in the 2nd half and ended up winning by 17. The Knicks aren't good enough to feel they can just show up and dominate any team.
22 turnovers was key and 12 were from the back court. Lin still hasn't improved in that area and Baron Davis can be so counter-productive at times. It must make a Knicks' fan violently ill to watch this team look so good at stretches and then look like they forgot how to play at times. How clutch is Paul Pierce? And how much does he enjoy torching the Knicks? He beats the Knicks like they raped his mother and left her for dead.
And once again the Knicks are under .500 and the schedule just gets more difficult. And while they only trail the Sixers by 3.5 games for the division, unless they play more consistently, the next 7 games will extend that lead for Philly. If you can't beat the Celtics, good luck beating Dallas, San Antonio, Chicago, Philly and Indiana twice.
31-8 is the best record in the NBA. The Miami Heat don't own that record. The Oklahoma City Thunder don't own that record. The Chicago Bulls are 31-8 and I am a happy fan. Considering all the injuries it is remarkable this team has such a record. Rose has missed 10 games, Richard Hamilton has only played in less than half their games and even Deng has missed a handful. The team is finally at full strength and now have won 6 straight.
It was nice to beat the Sixers, mainly because Philly had won 3 straight games vs. the Bulls. The Sixers compete hard every night but lack a closer down the stretch. They have lost countless games late 4th quarter because nobody on that team can deliver in the clutch. Andre Iguodala for all the praise he gets for his defensive effort, may be the worst go to guy in the NBA. And even if head coach Doug Collins wants to get the ball to Lou Williams, Jrue Holiday or Thadeus Young in the clutch, it seems Iguodala gets the ball and takes the worst shots that can kill a coach. Some players have no idea what a good shot is. The league is plagued by such players.
I was thrilled with the Bulls second half. The Sixers dominated the glass throughout to my surprise, but the Bulls overcame that with great execution down the stretch. MVP Derrick Rose dropped 35 points and even when the Sixers went to trap Rose, he put the ball in the hands of others who made shots. Jrue Holiday had a great first half with 12 points but finished with just 16. Last few games I have noticed how Rose gives up early points to the opposing point guard and then locks them up the rest of the game. Tony Parker had 8 first quarter points Wednesday and finished with just 11 points.
The Bulls are only getting better. I look forward to the March 14 game at home against the Heat. That is a must win for confidence.
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