A Look Back at the 2009 NBA Finals

I know, I know, it's only been two games.  But it's over.  If you've caught any portion of Game 1, and the final quarter and overtime of Game 2, you see it just like I do.  I'll avoid harping too much on Game 2's collapse exclusively, but still, some points need to be made in regard to it.  What follows, as much as it pains me to say it, is my case for why these NBA Finals (which never should have happened this way) are now officially over, in favor of the Los Angeles Lakers.

1. Things like Courtney Lee's miss at the end of regulation just don't happen to championship teams- or even teams that have a shot at a championship.

To me, this is the strongest point to be made, probably because it requires the least statistical qualification.  How many teams that have won a title in any sport have you ever seen something like this happen to?!  I can't think of one, unless you try and make a case for the 2004 Boston Red Sox (which you might be able to pull off).  Still, that Red Sox team closed the door when they had to- the last four games of that series.  The Orlando Magic, with that single play, created a microcosm of their playoffs as a whole, save the Cavs series.  How many times could they have put away the Philadelphia 76ers, but collapsed?  The Celtics?  Numerous.  Those series could have been over a lot earlier than they lasted.  The Magic were the better team, yet failed to capitalize on that fact.  In this series, they may not be the best team on the floor, but still, had a chance to even the series at one game apiece.  Instead, they proved that they are just not ready for this.  At all.

2. Even with Rashard Lewis (and Turkoglu to a point) playing out of their minds, Orlando still can't beat the Lakers.

If this playoffs has done nothing else, it's elevated Rashard Lewis' stock to a level I, nor many others, could have ever imagined.  Ignore the first game's stats (the entire Magic team had a horrible line) and look at what he pulled off in Game 2.  He finished up with 34 points, 11 boards and 7 assists.  He hit clutch shots.  He did everything you could possibly ask of a so-called "number two" guy, and yet Orlando still lost.  The only thing that can explain it is...

3. Dwight Howard has been a virtual no-show, furthering everyone's perception of him as overrated.

I'd say that I could take some heat for this, but well, I just don't see that happening.  The proof's right there for everyone to see.  Actually, it's been there for quite a while- Howard's entire career to be exact.  Howard can consistently put up double-doubles.  In that regard, I'll admit, he's a virtual machine.  But, how much are those double-doubles actually worth?  Do his, in particular, actually impact the game, or are they just statistics that pile up due to minutes and positioning, rather than actual skill?  Not to say that Howard isn't skilled.  He's probably (definitely) the best center in the game currently, but what does that really say?  

I won't tear up his game like others, namely ESPN's Bill Simmons, have , but I will whole-heartedly agree with these voices.  Howard has no moves in the post, and he does nothing better than anyone else.  he's simply a very large human being who sits under the net, on both offense and defense, and the results of said tactic allowed for him to put up 20 and 13 all year.  He's 6 of 16 shooting in the Finals.  He's turned the ball over nine times, and as a matter of fact, has made it a habit of turning it over two or more times per game this playoffs (it's happened in 16 of the 21 games).  If he's truly the best at his position, and one of the best young stars in the game, where is he now?  Stars pick their teams up.  He's not even a LeBron James who has to do it himself.  He has not one legitimate supporting cast member, but TWO!   Unless he picks it up, he doesn't look like much of a star to me at this point.

4.  And this is the worst: The Lakers are simply... (ugh) Better.

This is probably the most brutal point I've had to make yet in this space.  I hate the Lakers, as many know.  So if I'm saying that they are, indeed, the best team in this series, without a doubt, I'd bet they are.  Kobe Bryant's not even playing up to snuff by his own standards, as even Lakers coach Phil Jackson said himself.  That doesn't mean he's not having a good series.  He's playing pretty damn well, actually- 69 points in two games, all while getting covered pretty thoroughly.  But it's still not the type of play we've come to expect from Bryant at this juncture of his career.  Still, and this is the scary part- it doesn't even matter.

Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom are absolutely tearing it up out there at the moment.  They're taking advantage of defensive focus on Bryant, and the Magic have no answer.  The fact that I've said "Lamar Odom is one of the most important players in this series" with a straight face is already the most mind-blogging quote of the month, and it's only the eighth.  Plus, did you see Kobe at the post-game press conference?  Theatrics or not, he was stoic after that big win.  (I'm paraphrasing here) "Nothing to be happy about.  We've still got work to do." Sounds like somebody who wants to win an NBA championship.  Now.

As much as it pains me to say it, it's about time, Kobe.

I'm going to say Lakers in five games, but I wouldn't mind seeing it go a few more.

Nuggets Give Game Away in Fourth

One of the things that defines a championship-caliber team is its ability to close out a game in the fourth quarter.  From what we saw here tonight, the Denver Nuggets just don't seem to have it.

A tie game at 76-all after three quarters, the Nuggets suddenly let the wheels fly off, allowing the Los Angeles Lakers to put them away within the first six minutes of the fourth.  They'd been sloppy all game, but lucked out, and had managed to lead most of the game.  Things like this happen when the only guy on your team hitting a field goal for eight minutes is Linas Kleiza.  

If anyone caught the live blog, I was puzzled while watching the Nuggets at numerous points, especially in the final quarter.  The aforementioned Kleiza was the only guy taking legitimate shots from the 12-minute mark up until there were about four minutes remaining.  Carmelo Anthony was refusing to take shots, besides off balance leaners while in double coverage.  Chauncey Billups relegated himself to hail mary three point attempts.  Kenyon Martin decided he was a jump shooter.  I can't even recall a shot attempt by Dahntay Jones or Birdman.  JR Smith chucked up one three.  Nene, before fouling out, was about as effective as a corpse on the floor.  Why, with all of these stars, and significant role players on the court, do you not run plays for them?

Does the blame go towards coach George Karl?  Karl has been part of multiple teams that choked mightily, namely all of the Denver teams he's coached that could have achieved so much more, as well as the 1993-94 Seattle team that lost to an 8-seed in the first round, and the 2000-01 Milwaukee Bucks who could have, and probably should have played in the Finals.  We don't know what was going on in the huddle throughout the fourth quarter tonight, but based on the sound clips I heard with about three minutes to go- "You guys are fine!"- something tells me the playcalling was less than superb.  Use the players you have on the court to make things happen.  Use their respective skills to get results from them individually, which leads to collective success.  Players were out of their elements, and their roles on the court, and that, in part, is why they lost.

Of course, Denver also was not the only team on the floor.  For all of the terrible turnovers by Denver (14 in all), a lot were a product of some great defense by the Lakers.  What drives me nuts about this fact though is that the Nuggets beat L.A. on the boards (43-42), in steals (11-5), and had one less turnover (14-15), yet still could not capitalize.  Regardless of how much I lambasted him throughout the game for his inability to shoot free throws (still true, by the way), Lamar Odom still had one hell of a game.  Odom scored 19 points, grabbed 14 boards, and had four of the team's 12 blocks.  His presence is critical to the Lakers' press on inbound passes late in games, and without him, maybe the Nuggets get back into this one in the closing minutes.  Both Odom and Kobe Bryant made their presences felt in this game, and without a Denver star showing up to neutral one or both, the Lakers will take this series.

Now the Nuggets are in quite a hole here going into Game Six.  They're playing shoddy defense, and allowing the Lakers to penetrate on every possession.  They're ignoring their stars, and instead allowing role players to decide their fate.  They're forgetting their respective roles on the court, and instead, are just chucking the ball at the net in the hopes it goes in.  If they want to win this series, they're going to have to reverse that.  The Nuggets are a faster, more athletic team than the Lakers.  Use that to your advantage.  Denver's at its best when they are pushing the ball down the court and scoring on breaks.  If you play the type of ball that L.A. wants you to, you will lose.  The Lakers will use the entire shot clock every possession and grind the game to a halt if you let them.  Carmelo sometimes seems to know his role as one of the superstars on this team, but he still needs to embrace that more with the game in the balance.  Billups, on the other hand, needs to be more aware of his role as a point guard, and only take smart shots (unlike the threes he was tossing up at will late in tonight's game).

For the Lakers, if they do what they did tonight, they could still lose Game Six.  Though they still won, they made a ton of errors that would have come back to haunt them had Denver been more focused.  Kobe and a interchangeable spare part of Pau Gasol/Andrew Bynum/Odom can carry this team in a game like this, but at least three players need to step up if they expect to beat Denver on the road again.  On the bright side, however, this game also proved that the team can win without Kobe putting up 35 points, something the Cavs have yet to prove this round when it comes to LeBron.  The way the Lakers are playing late in games, it's hard for me to see them losing this series, but I do think we're headed back to Los Angeles for a Game Seven.  At least I hope so.

Nuggets-Lakers Live Blog, 4th Quarter

11:09: Absolutely pitiful shot by Martin.  Stick to what you're good at and hammer inside.

11:10: Sadly, this seems like a replay of Game Three.  A lot of Chauncey Billups tossing up terrible threes.  If JR Smith gets in on the act, it'll be an exact replica.

11:12: You've got to hate when you can see the wheels coming off in front of your eyes.  Nene's done, and if the Nuggets don't get it together, so are they.

11:14: I'm sure everyone's seen the new Heineken commercial encouraging using a taxi after drinking.  "OH BABY, YOU- YOU GOT WHAT I NEE-EED!"  Good stuff.

11:17: 'Melo just mugged Kobe.  The Birdman looked concerned.  I am too, about this game getting out of hand.

11:18: STOP THE OFF BALANCE SHOTS!

11:20: Stupid fouls, stupid shots, and stupid turnovers.  The Nuggets are handing this game to the Lakers right now.

11:22: Why is 'Melo trying to dunk from 15 feet out?  You can't make poor decisions like that this late, especially down 10.

11:25: Why does everyone hate the Kobe/LeBron Nike puppet commercials?  I think they're kind of entertaining.

11:26: Kleiza's had the last two FG's for Denver.  Sign #75 why you're losing in the fourth.

11:27: Nene Fail.

11:28: The Lakers are trying to let Denver back into this one, yet they refuse to capitalize.  In other news, George Karl just said "you're fine" to his team.  I couldn't disagree more.

11:29: Why is Kleiza suddently The Guy?  I mean, it's working to a point, but what about 'Melo, Billups, Martin, Smith, Jones, etc.?

11:31: What a flop by Nene.  The Nuggets are going to miss him as a physical presence on the court, even though he's done nothing on the offensive end.

11:33: Ariza's about to make me eat my words again.  Really poor rotation by the Nuggets there.  Not sure what's going on with their D for the past few minutes.

11:35: And on cue, Odom misses a free throw in the fourth quarter.... Make it two.

11:36: The Nuggets are playing too sloppy for words.  "This is well officiated playoff basketball!" exclaims Van Gundy.  Probably the only time you'll hear that all month.

11:37: Side note- can't stand the shameless cross-promotion the NBA does with movies.  They are not related in anyway, so stop trying to pretend they are.

11:40: Another Billups misfire.  Based on the shot, you'd think there were two seconds left on the shot clock.

11:41: I'm pretty sure the Nuggets do not want to win this game.  Also, don't let 'Melo's box score fool you.  His 28 points are on 8-22 shooting.

11:43: Game: Blouses.  The Nuggets just didn't have it tonight, and they've paid the price.  When you don't take care of the ball, and don't capitalize on open looks, you're going to lose, no matter who you face.

11:44: Successful inbound by the Nuggets!  At least that's something different than the other games.

11:46: The Nuggets are now 0-3 when I catch any portion of the game.  Hmmm... something tells me I won't be tuning in for the next (hopefully) two contests.

11:47: Analysis of the game coming up.  Stop back within the hour.

Nuggets-Lakers Live Blog, 3rd Quarter

10:35: "21st Century Breakdown," says my brother, sarcastically, as Jeff Van Gundy drags the images of the players across the screen.

10:37: Trevor Ariza, once again, you are the worst player on the court at any given moment tonight.

10:39: I'm not taking it back yet, even after that shot.

10:39: I feel like that's the first time I've heard Kenyon Martin's name all night.

10:41: As much as I hate Kobe, I cannot deny how good the man is.

10:41: 'Melo really should have put that shot up when he was underneath the hoop.  And yes, Martin's shot is hideous.

10:43: The second-worst player on the court fouls the worst.  We won't see Nene until the fourth quarter.

10:44: Grammar correction, Van Gundy- "most obese states".  Not "biggest obese states".

10:45: I feel like everyone on the Nuggets has a "great ability to contort their body".  I've heard it said about almost the entire team during the last few games.

10:47: Why is it that no one has mentioned Birdman's haircut yet?  What's the deal, Van Gundy, Jackson and Breen?!

10:49: Green tea and ice cream... bad scene.

10:52: Did Progressive plan to have "Flo" be their permanent spokesperson?  Hmmm...

10:54: "It's about to get tragic..."  Turnovers are killing Denver.

10:56: That was one of the worst shots I've ever seen Kobe Bryant take.  Ever.

11:00: Hugh Hefner...BALLER.

11:01: I feel like Hugh should get a lifetime achievement award.  I'm not sure what for, but we all know he deserves some kind of prize given what he's been able to pull off in his old age.

11:03: The television's been highjacked once again for a limited time.  I may miss the beginning of the fourth quarter.

Nuggets-Lakers Live Blog, 2nd Quarter-Halftime

10:02: Back, for the time being.  Both teams seem incredibly sluggish and disorganized on offense.  Missed layups, more shot selection- hope both teams can pick it up.

10:03: Billups picks up his third foul now- this isn't good for Denver's chances.  At all.

10:05: Kobe's got four points thus far.  Looks like my prediction from earlier was a bit short-sighted/just bad.

10:07: What the hell is wrong with Trevor Ariza tonight?  Seriously.  The guy is just throwing himself at people and making bonehead play after bonehead play.

10:10: Sweet stroke by Anthony!  Oh, and for those following, Kobe's scored seven since I mentioned him not being as much of a factor as I thought he'd be.

10:12: Real stupid fouls under the basket by Denver.  In an unrelated question- what do we attribute 'Melo's maturity and improvement to?  Shaving the cornrows, or Billups?

10:13: What year was The Osbournes last on television?  And why is it that I feel like Ozzy's been peddling every product under the sun lately?

10:14: As much as Odom sucks, he's pretty much the best inbound pass defender I've ever seen.  Tie game at the half seems about right.  Real evenly-matched game thus far.

10:17: What does Amway do?  Seriously.  I have no idea.

10:20: Los Angeles may be lucky, but not much more than Denver.  There have been a lot of lapses on both sides, in my opinion.  

10:21: Wilbon, if you told me Odom would have twice as many shot attempts as Gasol, I wouldn't be surprised, since he's Lamar Odom.

10:22: Did we just coin a new nickname for Rashard Lewis- "Mr. Clutch"? Please.  Spare us all.  God.

10:23: Why does The Postal Service provide the music for the US Postal Service's top competitor, the United Parcel Service?  I though part of the settlement between the two was the the band lets USPS use their music in ads.

10:30: Scooping ice cream should not require as much effort as I just had to put forth.

10:33: Green Day's new album just came out, and I'm already sick of it.  Remember when that band didn't suck?  Yeah, I know, it's kind of hard for me to recall 1993 too.

Nuggets-Lakers Live Blog, 1st Quarter

I'll be live blogging the entire game tonight (hopefully) between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets.  As you probably know, I'm rooting for the Nuggets.  The game will be divided up by quarters, so none of the posts are too long.  Get ready.  Should be an exciting Game 5.

9:04 ET: I wonder how much the Lakers' intro cost them?  A bit over the top, if you ask me.

9:05: Did Jeff Van Gundy just call Lamar Odom's game "well-rounded"? Hahaha.  If you're depending on Lamar Odom to win a playoff game/series, I'd say you're screwed.

9:10: Van Gundy once again providing some good insight.  I agree that fouls should not carry over from series to series.  Amazing how a guy who was such a mediocre coach can be such a good analyst. 

9:12: The box score from Game 4 looks pretty imposing.

9:13: 'Melo looks like he's feeling better.  Can't help but feel that this is one of those game where Kobe has to carry the Lakers on his back.  Real sloppy play thus far, especially by Trevor Ariza.

9:15: Way too much effort is put into car commercials.  Also, hate the new McDonald's ads.

9:17: Lamar Odom should focus on his inability to hit more than one of two free throws in the fourth quarter.

9:19: Marc Jackson made way too much of that pick by Gasol.  I don't really think it says much, besides "I'm gonna throw a pick on you away from the ball."

9:21: Derek Fisher is one of about 5 current guys I would never give an option shot in the playoffs.  The others?  LeBron, Kobe, Robert Horry, and Dwayne Wade.

9:23: Love the classic "Where Will Amazing Happen This Year?" commercials.  Whoever's been running the NBA's ad dept. the past two years, props.

9:25: Nene does a very good job of disappearing for years at a time. -- Nice play by Carmelo right there.  Takes some real upper arm strength.

9:27: Just got word that we, as a household, will not be watching this entire game.  So much for being able to live blog the whole thing.

9:30: Correction, Marc Jackson.  Denver getting Billups was a bigger move than the Lakers getting Gasol last year.  The Lakers were already one of the best teams before Gasol.  The Nuggets went from a fringe playoff team to one of the NBA's elite with Billups.

9:31: Tough break on the Billups offensive foul.  Feet weren't set, and he didn't push off.  Now he's got two fouls, and we're not going to see him until a couple minutes into the second.

9:34: Denver getting a lot of second-chance opportunities.  Lamar Odom, just like I said, is a failure.  Also- did Birdman get a haircut?!  Looks like it.  

9:35: Not sure how long I'll be around for the rest of this game.  I'll blog while I'm here.  I'll definitely be here for the fourth though.