NBA Eastern Conference Finals: Game 2

This way I can get 6points in one play

I know where to start this post, that much is obvious. Rajon Rondo. He deserves his name as a sentence because that's how huge he was and also because of what an anomaly this game was for him. Not that I'm discrediting his ability but the way in which he puts these numbers up and the manner in which he did so. Without further adieu;





Heat 115 - Celtics 111 (OT):

So the night began with hot shooting from the Celtics, Rondo in particular had his handprint on this one early on, as they jumped to a 24-18 lead. Rondo played behind the screen so well, opening up his vision to see cutters and the open man and taking the ball to the basket when needed too. The first quarter he was 2 for 2 on jumpers and this maintained throughout the ballgame, but it wasn't all good for Celtics as Stiemsma picked up 4, yes 4, fouls in 3:30mins. This limited an already depleted Celtics reserves and called Garnett back into the game before intended.

Called a foul on Rondo. Seriously.

Speaking of fouls this leads me to a issue I have had in both finals. So far the home team has had an inordinate amount of foul calls (more so in the Heat series but apparent in both) that seem to swing the momentum. Last night 3 Celtics fouled out (Pierce, Pietrus and Dooling). LeBron went to the line 24 times, making 18, as a result of this and the Heat as a team had 47 trips to the stripe compared to Celtics 29. Thats a difference of 18 potential charity stripe points. In an overtime game decided by 4 points this kind of stuff is crucial and the NBA has to look into it, because the Celtics who execute on defense did not foul the Heat to the tune of 47 trips. They just didn't.

Chalmers was huge for the heat. Finally.

Beside the refereeing issue the Heat had Mario Chalmers to thank for keeping them in the game up to the halfway point (10points), as Wade sat on 2 points and LeBron struggled. However it always felt as if the Heat could turn up the pressure when, not if, but when its two stars decided to play. And show up they did as LeBron chipped in with 34pts/10rbs/7ast/1stl/1blk/1TO and Wade provided 24pts/6rbs/4ast/1stl/2blk. However it was the play of Chalmers (22/6) and the role players, in specific Haslem (13/11), that really pushed the Heat onto victory.

Now Rondo deserves his own section here as he finished playing ALL 53minutes of the game, thats right he got exactly 0:00mins resting time on the bench (I'm sure even during timeouts he was taking layups to stay in rhythm) and finished with 3 TOs. Thats a turnover every 17minutes. To put some perspective on that Chris Paul, widely considered the best distributor of the ball in the league, averaged 3.9TOs this Playoffs, one every 9.87minutes. That was against the Grizzlies and Spurs, Rondo done this against the Heat. The Heat were a top5 defensive team all year creating havoc on turnovers and fast break points and Rondo gave the nothing to run off.

Career night? Career Colours.

Besides his excellent control of the ball he scored 44 points, I know right is this really Rondo, but yes this is Rondo that dropped 44 points on  16-24fg/2-2 3pt/10-12Ft. So for one night only we got to see the chaos that Rondo could produce if he had a reliable jumpshot. He was unguardable and this is against a team that has suffocated Derrick Rose in previous ECF.
Incase you thought Rondo had played 53 faultless minutes providing 44points and only 3 turnovers, he also chipped in with 8rebounds, 10assists and 3 steals. The guy was phenomenal. Dare I say he will never have a night like this again but for one night only we got to see the complete package.


Going into game 3 the Heat will feel confident. They took the best that the Celtics best player had and still won. Lebron and Wade were good but did not dominate. They gave this aging war veterans a punch to the gut, which even Pierce has labelled "demoralizing". Going into The Garden they will be pumped and if they can get solid play from the bench and its role players again it might be curtains for the Big 4 in Boston (thats right its a big 4, deal with it).

Asthma pump? Oh its ok, hes just old.

Boston on the other hand has to support Rondo. Garnett looked tired late on, in part due to heavy minutes caused by the foul trouble. But a combined 15 points from anyone outside the big 4 (Bass was the high with 8) this won't get it done. They don't have to be sensational but they have to provide hustle, defense and knock down the open looks.




My prediction for game 3 - Celtics win by a margin of 6.

Rondo's game in 6minutes.

 

Game Highlights.

What Next?

I realise the playoffs are still in progress but I believe it has been easy to see who has a long and hard summer ahead. Teams that have enjoyed success but now face a crossroads; continue with what they have but have no realistic chance of a ring or make some trades and restructure the team.

Lakers - Seem to be the obvious team to start with. They still have a dynamic 3 and 1/2 in Kobe, Bynum, Gasol and Artest but good enough to win a ring? It appears not. If the Lakers Organization want to maximize Kobe's years as Spurs are Duncan's a new cast is needed. Pau seems the obvious trade bait however I'm unsure of what he could get in return. Good players no doubt, along the ilk of Gerald Wallace/Camby and a pick perhaps but enough to win a ring? I'm not so sure. A trade I would like could be a combination of Lowry/Scola and if possible Patrick Patterson from the Rockets (who have expressed interest in Gasol).

"Me, grow up?What you mean I'm already 7 foot?

Bynum, for all his skill, youth and potential dominance has some serious mental issues. That may sound strong but this is a guy that has been caught smiling after losses in the playoffs, after Pau got posterized and trying to steal the ball off his own teammate at halfcourt (I kid you not). He could, in a league suffering from a dearth of legitimate big men, bring back some serious pieces for the Lakers. The obvious is Howard but I have doubts on this being pulled so here are some other potential moves; get McGee, Chandler and Miller (w/pick) from Nuggets or try to prize Deng and Noah from the Bulls. Now these are big moves but the satisfy the need for speed and athleticism in either scenario. Also both proposed teams probably realise they are good but need something else to take that extra step.

Yes Iggy, the door is that way.

76ers - This team done well, had a good run and looks like it has good pieces. But it got lucky with Rose going down allowing Jrue Holiday to beast (as he should) and then push the Celtics to 7. But they have too many similar players and need a genuine star. Or at least someone not name Lou Williams who can create his own shot (Jrue is getting there, not yet). In Jrue and Turner you have a long, athletic backcourt set. If possible I would amnesty Brand, free up cap space and trade away Iggy. Iggy is talented and the ultimate team player but doesn't fit a team that needs him to be more of an offensive threat. I believe they could trade Iggy (perhaps with Brands expiring contract or another piece) for one of the Wolves talented youngsters. So a combination of Beasley and Pekovic (would have to include picks to balance this, otherwise Wolves are getting robbed blind) or straight up for Derrick Williams. He has looked every bit as advertised playing as a large SF but if he could slide to his natural PF alongside Jrue,Turner,Young and Hawes they would have a legit scorer who can stretch defenses. While Wolves get a ace defensive swingman to plug one of the many holes they had on that end of the floor last year who is still in his prime. It could be a hard sale, but if the 76ers can get Wolves to bite (wouldn't be a first for David Khan) they could really change the look of this team.

Coming to a town near you?

Celtics - So KG and Allen could be gone this summer. I believe they will try to bring both back on relatively small contracts, KG especially, but I'm not sure they will offer Allen enough to make him seriously consider returning. So they could potentially have a core of Rondo, Pierce and an aging (still efficient) KG. They would have room to make a move or two to really help themselves build depth. Perhaps chase Deron Williams and then trade Rondo for a combination of Josh Smith and Hinrich. Thus delivering depth on the bench and an awesome front court of KG and JSmoove (who would score on them?!). This leaves you with a starting 9 of:

Deron
Bradley
Pierce
Jsmoove
KG

Bass
Hinrich
Pietrus
Jeff Green

I'm Back! NBA Finals WCF game 2

First and foremost welcome back readers, I have been gone for a while but with my new found time I shall hopefully get right back into the swing of things with NBA coverage over the remainder of the playoffs.

Spurs 120 - Thunder 111
Now this was a bigger defeat than in it looked for Thunder and a closer victory than it seems for Spurs. I realise I contradict myself on the first analysis back but let me divulge further and you shall see the method to my madness.

Ginobli continues to contribute off the bench.

The Spurs for 3 quarters executed to perfection. Running multiple high screens for Tony Parker, when on and off the ball, to free him of the pest that is Russell Westbrook. This worked to great succession all game as Parker finished on a super efficient (34pts, 8ast, 16-21 shooting), however it must be noted I do not place this defensive showing on RW, more so on the team but more on that later. San Antonio had the ball working, passing around the perimeter and doing what they have all year, creating open looks and passing to the guy with the best shot. They led by 16 at the end of the 3rd quarter as the 3's started to rain in, as they have all year for the leading 3pt marksmen, and the Thunder looked stretch and almost tired. They even tried a "Hack-a-Splitter" to some success too slow down the aging Spurs, I know who would have thought they would be the ones to up the tempo, but still found that come the 4th quarter they were staring a 16 point hole in the face against a team that has won 30 of its last 32.

TD had a poor shooting night but still contributed all over the board (11pts/12rbs/6ast/4blks) but it was the play of Leonard, the sensational rookie that plays way beyond his years, that really pushed the Spurs to victory. Now the accolades may go to the traditional big 3 in San Antonio, but without Kawhi Leonard (18pts/10rbs/1stl/2blks) they would have stood no chance. He played good defense on Durant, kept the defense honest as he knocked down shots and plays so well within the team he has become almost a poor mans Luol Deng. Now by poor mans I mean this as no shot to his talent, in fact this is high praise for a rookie drafted in the late first round and was never expected to start at the Pacers let alone the Spurs after the trade that brought him to Texas.

1v5 Ball typified OKC's attack plan all night.

OKC on the other hand executed poorly for 3 quarters, hung close but with every bucket they worked hard for Spurs countered with a simple lay in or open jumper at the other end. Now we have seen time and again in the playoffs this year 4th quarter comebacks from the Thunder as they lean heavily on the individual brilliance of their 3 (Durant, Westbrook and Harden), play solid defense to hang close and then kill teams off in the final possessions. It appeared that may be the case in this one as well.



The Thunder came out flying in the 4th cutting the lead to just 6 points with just over 5minutes to go but this was as close as they would get. Scott Brooks acknowledged previously that no Serge Ibaka in the 4th was a mistake but this time he let himself down with too much Fisher in the 4th (9mins to be precise). Known as a big time clutch performer, although this for me is down to the volume he takes not the efficiency, Fisher limped in at a pathetic 2-11. He is a huge liability on defense which the Lakers knew as it strained Kobe's legs, much as it now does Harden and Westbrook, as they cover for Fishers man constantly blowing by him. Sefolosha getting no minutes confused me as he is the best man defender and can hit the open 3, qualities they needed in the comeback.

Durant (31pts/5rbs/5ast/3stls/3blks), Harden (30pts/7rbs/4ast) and Westbrook (27pts/7rbs/8ast) all went to work in the 4th but the lack of any help outside of its main three against a team like the Spurs will lose you games like this. The rest of the starters shot a combined 5-20, and this doesn't improve when including the other reserves not names James Harden, as the team shot a paltry 7-34.

In the end the Spurs continue to roll on, now up 2-0 and back to Oklahoma were they have already won this season. This series is by no means over but San Antonio held serve, defended home court and it is no crucial OKC do the same to remain in the series. In saying that this has provided what every basketball fan could have wanted; excellent basketball played at a high pace, with two deep teams battling it out and playing down to the wire.

"DNP-Old?" I told you I had a plan.

So far I think the biggest difference has been Popovich out-coaching Brooks. I think it would be valid to say starting 5 v 5 OKC hold the advantage (perhaps even significant) but the way Pop has his team playing and buying into his system says it all. In game 2 he got right in Parkers face, blasted him and Parker just took it. Now imagine this being Spolestra on Lebron or even Brooks on Durant. Would not happen. And this is what typifies the Spurs, more so than ever this year; No egos allowed, no selfish basketball and the only voice that matters is Pop (maybe TD when he can bothered to talk instead of lighting up opposing PF's).