Why does the media overreact so much when the home team wins the first two games? When New Orleans beat San Antonio in games 1 and 2, it was like the series was over. Then, Game 2 is a "must win" for the Lakers? I don't understand. It used to be that the media said the series did not really start until a road team won. What changed?
When does Rajon Rondo start to hear his name among the best young point guards in the NBA? I'm not suggesting that he is Chris Paul, Deron Williams or Tony Parker, but the kid can play and he does what the Celtics need him to do. If he gets a jump shot, watch out.
During the season, I wrote that the Phoenix Suns needed a Paul Milsap-type player. Someone like Leon Powe or Ronnie Turiaf would work too. All three were second round picks. Every team had a chance to acquire these guys who make positive contributions from the bench and are pivotal role players on very good teams. It's picks like these that keep the good teams on top and help the bad teams get over the hump. Great teams get lucky - the Spurs get the first pick in Duncan's draft, the Lakers acquire Kobe and Gasol, the Celts acquire KG - but success requires more than luck. In many ways, it requires an astute pick, often in the second round, like a Manu Ginobili.
As for Powe, how does a player like Powe slip to the second round? He was once the #2player in his high school class behind LeBron James and he dominated in college. Sure, he hurt his knee. But, if you're drafting at the end of the first round, isn't that the type of talent that is worth the gamble?
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- Brian McCormick
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7 comments:
hey brian.
reading your blog regularly in poland, just great stuff. keep it up. I wonder what's your take on the officiating in game 2 of the finals? I completely disagree with most so called experts calling it a travesty (the disparity in FTA). could you elaborate on that topic?
While I watched the game, I didn't really disagree with many calls. I mean, they have completely given up calling traveling on Paul Pierce, but I remember some egregious violations from years ago, so nothing has changed. The problem was the Celtics attacked the rim and the Lakers played lazy defense and the Lakers shot jump shots.
I think the numbers were somewhat suspect, but not a travesty. If the Lakers want to get to the line more than Powe, they should go hard to te rim on every attempt like Powe.
I've definitely seen games that I thought were worse.
Seriously? Rondo being considered among the best young point guards in the NBA? I am very surprised by this comment from you. I like his length and speed on the defensive end, and his ability to penetrate is better than 50% of the PG in the league, but he has serious flaws with his passing and shooting. He is like a longer speedy claxton in the right situation with the big 3.
You are dead on with the Paul Milsap-type player. One of my favorite players in the league is Brandon Bass. He is crazy with energy, and not afraid to mix in a short range jump shot. Haslim is another one of these players.
he had 16 assists and 0 turnovers in an NBA Finals game. that is nothing like speedy claxton. i know he can't shoot and i know he's not in the chris paul, deron williams, tony parker, jose calderon category yet, but he's moving toward the top of the next group. i'd rather have rondo than conley jr, tj ford, devin harris, jameer nelson, etc.
he's not perfect. but, he's been considered a weakness all season and I just don't see that. the kid can play. if he gets a jump shot, he ascends into the elite stratosphere. without a jump shot, he's still a pretty good point guard who will have an andre miller-like career.
here's the thing. everyone is gaga for derrick rose. but, besides his vertical jump, what does rose do better than rondo? what does he project to do better? same with russell westbrook. rose was measured at 6'1, noy 6'4, so they are virtually the same height and rondo has length too. rose isn't a confident shooter either and i think rondo is a better passer. i like rose and westbrook, but i'm not convinced either is a better pro than rondo unless one develops a consistent, confident stroke.
I agree with you on the Rose and Westbrook statements, but I am still not sold on Rondo being listed with that potential. He does a great job of playing his role on a team that does not need him to be a STUD. His shot is not the worst shot in the league from the PG position and he could turn into a nice 15-17 foot range guy. I just think that the reason the upper tier guys are much better is because they can take a game over by themselves. I do not see him having that ability. His length in the reason that I would take him over most other average PG's in the league, but that is what he is, average. Is he a good fit for the Celtics, yes. Is he the whipping boy for a team that is stacked, yes. I agree with you that he does not get the credit that he deserves, but I would still not say that he is a not a top tier PG in the league, even with an improved jumper.
When Tony Parker entered the NBA, and won his first championship, the Spurs still flirted with Jason Kidd. Parker had to battle Beno Udrih in Pop's mind and rotation. He was supposed to be a defensive liability without any type of shot.
Now, He is an elite PG and has developed into one of the big 3 on the Spurs.
Rondo has at least as much to work with as Parker. If Rondo was on a bad team that asked him to do more, I think he could. I think he can almost anywhere on the floor against any defender. He's not in the Williams/Paul conversation. However, I just feel he isn't that far down the list and he goes virtually unnoticed because he simply does his job and defers to his stars.
I agree with u Brian, over the last year he has continued to improve and in the playoffs without KG he has stepped. I didn't see CP3, who I love put up triple doubles. I believe DW is out of the playoffs, as well as TP. I can see Rondo on Team USA in the near future.
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