30 for 30 Reflections

In case you've been under a rock over the past 9+ months, ESPN's 30 for 30 has been a staple of mandatory viewing - save for the unnecessary break from late December to mid-March - for any sports fan or wannabe sports' historian.

If anything, 30 for 30 serves as a visual encyclopedia - through an albeit biased lens at times - to some of the sporting worlds' greatest stories of the past 30 years.
Credit: ESPN.com

As Wikipedia might tell you...
30 for 30 is a documentary series chronicling 30 stories from the ESPN era, each of which detail the issues and events that transformed the sports landscape since the sports network was founded in 1979.

Learning about the U in the 80s and Uncle Luke? Priceless.
Credit: Deadspin.com

Some of the topics have included: Muhammad Ali, the USFL, Wayne Gretzky, Allen Iverson, Jimmy the Greek, Len Bias, and Reggie Miller.

The words "own goal" only conjured up one name for me: Andres Escobar.
The 30 for 30 surrounding him may be the eeriest of them all.
Credit: JimmytheMan.com

Some future topics will include: Marion Jones, Michael Jordan, Matt Hoffman, George Steinbrenner, Mike Tyson, and Marcus Dupree.

While I haven't had the opportunity to watch all of them (and won't comment on all those I have seen), I wanted to offer a few thoughts, highlights, and see if I could trigger a reaction or two.

For more thorough analysis, one need go no further than the AV Club.

Before I begin, I better "date" myself.
I am a rabid sports fan. We all know that.
What you may not know is I was born in 1983.
This dates me for the majority of these stories, honestly.

Nevertheless, I used to wake up at 6am to watch an hour-long Sportscenter before getting ready for school (starting in the 2nd grade), collected cards (baseball, football, and primarily basketball) with any spare change I could squeeze out of my mom or grandparents, and have New York affiliations (Jets, Yanks, Knicks *sigh*, and Syracuse) to my heart.

Why is it when I search on Google Images for "Craig Kilborn + Sportscenter" I am subjected to countless pictures of this untalented, unfunny moron???
Credit: AllDigitalNews.com

In addition, here are my first true sporting memories...
College Basketball - My uncle nearly sobbing after Rumeal Robinson hit 2 free throws - after being fouled with 3 seconds and Michigan trailing Seton Hall by 1 in the 1989 title game - thus ending the Pirates chance at a national championship.
Baseball - Cincinnati annihilated the A's - and then-favorite player Rickey Hendrson - in the 1990 World Series.
Basketball - The layup still shown round-the-world by MJ against the Lakers in LA. (I'm a rabid-MJ hater, by the way.)
Football - Roger Craig's fumble always come to my mind first, way back in the 1990 NFC title game. First actual memories? Timmy Smith seeming faster than the camera during Super Bowl XXII.
College Football - George Teague and Bama (p)owning Gino Torretta. It still makes me chuckle a little.

As for the 30 for 30 specials, a few thoughts and observations...

Episode #1: King's Random
[Wayne Gretzky's trade from the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings.]
-The year in focus is 1988 and it's a trade that will likely remain in the top 5 (if not the top spot) in every conceivable "Most Infamous Trades" list ever compiled. Perhaps only the Babe Ruth deal has involved a star and a celebrity the likes of the Great One. Key word: perhaps. I found Peter Berg's direction to be steady, although I admittedly didn't feel moved as much as I expected to by the story. Perhaps it's me being American or my ambivalence towards hockey. Ironically, an episode of a now defunct ESPN show (The 5 Reason's You Can't Blame...) which may have done a better job of capturing my interest in this story.

Episode #3: Small Potatoes: Who Killed the USFL
[Rise and fall of the United States Football League.]
I suppose I wanted to learn more about the USFL, the talent it snatched up from underneath the NFL (Walker, Young, Kelly, White etc.), and less about the business side of it. Unfortunately, that wasn't the story being told. Nevertheless, the links to Donald Trump - who is not a 100% success story in business, I hope you know - and the ever-growing behemoth that is the NFL was riveting enough to maintain my interest throughout.

Episode #5: Without Bias
[The life of Len Bias.]
In a word gut-wrenching. My favorite episode of the series thus far, it was more than tough to watch at times. I was far too young to know anything about Bias while it happened, but the story was told as if it just happened. Jim Vance (DC newsman) and Michael Wilbon were poignant, primary sources who were brilliantly used. I'm not sure if I'll watch this again, but not due to the quality. It was almost too emotionally taxing, to say the very least.

Episode #6: The Legend of Jimmy the Greek
[The life of Jimmy the Greek.]
Finally able to watch it this weekend (which spurned this column), I was fascinated about the dynamics of the NFL Today on CBS. I find similar shows today to be glorified advertisements for the hosts (Michael Strahan promoting "Brothers") and filled with the hosts putting forth their personal agendas (I heart Brett Favre by Chris Berman) over any NFL analysis the most average fan could give you. You mean to tell me that Brett Favre plays well in cold weather? Nevertheless, the story of Jimmy the Greek brought forth a character that was larger than life and a staple of football and all of sports - gambling - that is bigger than even the biggest Vegas Sportsbooks believe it is today. It immediately made me want to seek out someone who was old enough to remember the Greek during his heyday.

Episode #8: Winning Time - Reggie Miller vs. The New York Knicks
[Reggie Miller's impact on the New York Knicks in the 1990s.]
As a Knick fan, it brought back waaaaaay too many memories that I have tried to forget. Even after beating Miller, which happened as often as we lost to him, the Knicks still never could bring home that title for Ewing and the all-too-passionate fans of his era. When you find yourself angry over a game that happened 15+ years ago, the filmmakers more than succeeded. Although, truth be told, an upcoming 30 for 30 on June 17th, 1994 (ala OJ in the Bronco vs. Houston/New York Finals game) has me salivating even more.

Episode #10: No Crossover - The Trial of Allen Iverson
[Iverson's high school race trial]
Being a citizen of Virginia for quite some time, this story had a personal touch. I've only visited Hampton (and not all of it), but you felt the tension in this story existed to this day with many of its citizens. Two important things were expertly analyzed:
1) The racial tensions which still have divided the city of Hampton.
2) The absolute avoidance of the topic by 99% of the people involved (including Iverson) 16 years later.
The conspiracy theories were an absolute riot, as well. I also should mention its direction, Steve James, directed the best documentary I've ever seen (and maybe you as well), Hoop Dreams.

Episode #11: Silly Little Game
[The development of Rotisserie (Fantasy) Baseball.]
I didn't enjoy the style in which it was presented, but I loved hearing about the birth of fantasy sports as we know it today. Anyone who believes themselves to be a "fantasy junkie" should watch this. I only wish the spouses of the founding members had been given more of a forum to express their opinions on how this "silly little game" impacted their lives. If it were better directed, the content alone may have put this in my 2nd - or even top - spot.

If I had a request a few topics for future 30 for 30s, I think I'd go with these 5:
1) The day (and potentially build-up) of Magic Johnson's press conference revealing he had contracted the HIV virus
2) Michael Jordan and his gambling addiction (including the 2-year suspension "conspiracy theory")
3) The story of the "Jewish Jordan" Tamir Goodman
4) The tragic death of New Jersey Net Drazen Petrovic
5) The paternity cases of Shawn Kemp (seriously)

Your requests???

InClement Weather: 5 NBA Free Agency Stories

While most of the talk has been about the soon-to-be-fabled free agent summer of 2010, there has been plenty of action in the summer of 2009.

A lot of talk about LeBron, Wade, Amare, Dirk, and Bosh in 2010.
Don't sleep on some of the other talent though, especially Joe Johnson (above).
Credit: NBA.com

Sure, a few of the 2010 names include: Joe Johnson, Ray Allen, Manu Ginobili, Marcus Camby, Tracey McGrady, Shaquille O'Neal, Yao Ming, Amare Stoudamire, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard, Mike Redd, Steve Nash, and Carlos Boozer...not to mention another name that might wait out a contract extension to the last second, CP3.

Fortunately, for the present, there's still plenty to speculate about this summer.

After a rather pedestrian draft-class (or so the hype seems to say), plenty of sparks have been flying.

Detroit made the earliest splash in free agency, but was it the wisest?
Credit: Sculu.com

I've already touched on a few issues via the blog and Twitter:
-San Antonio reviving their title candidacy by acquiring swingman Richard Jefferson for a box of Rasinets and a few veteran big men.
-Orlando all but giving up on re-inking the opted-out Turkoglu by trading Courtney Lee and Skip to my Lou (Alston) for Vinsanity. Seems like a mistake, doesn't it? Carter is often (truthfully) viewed as a black hole with the basketball, despite being able to put up 25 on a daily basis. Carter's often more than a liability towards a team's chemistry (or so it seems), which is an odd acquisition for a team who just made the NBA Finals.
-What happens to Detroit's backcourt with the addition of Ben Gordon? Is Rodney Stuckey the future point guard of this team? Is Rip Hamilton the odd man out? How will Joe Dumars handle rebuilding his storied franchise and its overloaded backcourt?

Now let's dive head-first into five of the biggest issues of the this off-season.

Story #1: The Shaqtus ships out to Cleveland
Shaquille O'Neal is seeking a 5th title, this time by protecting the King and his men. While it's far too soon to speculate on 2010 and Shaq v. Kobe (in fairness, it'd be LeBron v. Kobe), it is juicy stuff, right? My question is, with LeBron demanding open access to the paint, doesn't the Diesel hinder that a bit? Not to mention, can Shaq remain healthy away from the positive sunshine vibes of Phoenix? I suppose it's an even trade off to risk such problems with KG (supposedly) healthy next season and Superman the dominant big man in the Eastern Conference. Fortunately for the Cavs, Turkoglu offered more matchup nightmares than anyone on the Magic roster...and he's in Toronto now and not Orlando.

Story #2: Hedo heads out to Portland...whoops...I mean Toronto
You can't blame the Raptors if Chris Bosh bolts next season. Signing Turkoglu away from the Blazers was a huge coup for Brian Colangelo. He is the perfect compliment to Bosh on a roster than has talent at key positions (don't sleep on Calderon at the point) and perhaps the draft's biggest make-or-break superstar, USC's DeMar Derozan. The Eastern Conference could see a major power tilt after next season, especially with LeBron, Wade, and nearly the entire nucleus of the Celtics' roster up in the air. Well played north of the border. As for Portland, it might not be as terrible as it seems. Both Turkoglu and Brandon Roy demand the ball in their hands in the closing minutes. The Blazers have a talented young roster (trading Rodriguez for so little was a MIS-take) and have that money to spend still. They'll survive.

Story #3: Zach Randolph takes his 20 and 10 act to Memphis
Score 20 and board 10 for an entire season and team's can wait to get rid of you, if you're name is Zach Randolph anyways. Randolph has only himself to blame though, never considered a team-first guy and always one to find himself in trouble. Nevertheless, Memphis traded Q Richardson (recently acquired from New York for Darko) for the big man. What this move means in Memphis perplexes me just a bit. A lot of ball-hungry guys (Gay, Mayo, and now Randolph) on one roster is going to be a challenge. Especially considering just how young the nucleus of this team is. Not to mention what they're going to do at the point guard position (is Conley the answer?). Will they soon become the Clippers of the midwest? Wait and see, I suppose.

Story #4: Ron Artest heads to LaLa land, Ariza packs it up and heads off to Houston
This story has gotten plenty of pub, so I won't bludgeon any of you with details. Instead, I'm wondering if the Lakers think that Ariza's 2009 postseason was a bit of an aberration. Do they feel they know something that nobody else did? As for Houston, they had to make a move, especially since Artest didn't take Yao's recent medical diagnosis so well, and Ariza (all of 24 years old) might very well be part of the Rockets' nucleus of the future. How? T-Mac's health is never certain, ditto for Yao, and Aaron Brooks can only do so much. 2010 in Houston will be a potential search for a new superstar, but with Ariza in tow (a potential new-age Scottie Pippen?), it just got a little easier.

Story #5: The Plight of Allen Iverson
How the mighty seem to have fallen. Detroit imploded more due to the loss of Chauncey Billups than the addition of AI. Joe Dumars made the move in large part, in fact 100% of the reason, to free up cap space for moves in 2009 (and 2010 likely). Now rumors have AI contacting Memphis (not the right fit), ending back up with Larry Brown (now in Charlotte), or potentially joining D-Wade in South Beach for a season. Point is, one of the NBA's top talents and fan favorites has flown completely under the radar in an offseason where some felt he would've been a centerpiece. Question is: will AI rise back to prominence or continue to sink into relative obscurity?

Reunited and it feels so good?
Credit: Paperthoughts.com

All food for thought. The offseason is still quite young and plenty of moves will be made. Finding those gems (2010's Ariza perhaps?), role players off the bench, and dumping contracts for 2010 has just begun. Especially in New York.

Enjoy the ride...especially since it's not even practice time yet.

AI Is A Piston

As you all know, pending a medical examination, AI will be joining the boys of MoTown in a return to the Eastern Conference. Chauncey Billups has been dangled since the off-season and is the key piece heading to Denver along with big men Antonio McDyess and Cheikh Samb.

Some instant analysis from this trade:
* On its face, Denver is the winner and beefs up a thin frontline.
* When examined closer, Detroit acquires an expiring contract of a fading star and ships that of Billups (signed until 2010-11 with a team option the next year) and McDyess (signed until 2010). Cheikh Samb may have just been a salary leveller. Detroit basically announced that it will be a major player in the free agency market of Summer 2010. This cannot be understated.
* The Melo/AI project did not work.
* Denver wants more PT for the volatile JR Smith.
* Detroit lacks a true starting point guard (sorry guys, Rodney Stuckey and AI are not point guards) and have three starters worthy of playing the two. If you are not Clement (who hates Arron Afflalo), then they may have four.
* AI is playing for a contract or a championship, and not with Detroit. Don't be shocked if he gets traded again.

The Post-Camby Nuggets - Next Steps?

Earlier this week, the Denver Nuggets shockingly traded Marcus Camby to the LA Clippers. The cost? A swap of second-round picks. In 2010.

In doing so, the Nuggets have been vastly criticized for handing the 2007-08 Defensive POY to a team in its own conference. On the other hand, Denver shed itself $15.6M worth of salary over the next years. Even without Camby's salary, the Denver has a payroll teetering around the luxury tax threshold of $71M. Why is that important? When crossing into that threshold, teams pay dollar-for-dollar to the league. Whomever in management pulled the trigger in Denver likely stated that they will save as much as $31.2M over the next two years. To put that in perspective, less than 20 players will make that money over the next two years.

Now, let's read between the lines. Despite having four of their five top earners healthy (Nene) for the majority of the season, Denver could only muster the 8th best record in the West. Of course, that still meant 50 wins, which would have garnered a #4 seed in the standardly-deviant Eastern Conference. In giving their best defensive player away for peanuts, it tells me that the Nuggets brass were convinced that they could not win now even with an added piece. That said, this seems like the first of multiple moves to be made by the organization. Who's next? How on earth do you expect the Nuggets to stop teams, when they had trouble stopping teams from scoring all season (even with Camby)? So, where do the Nuggets go from here? Here are a few options.

1. The Status Quo. Give or take a million, the Nuggets are right at the luxury tax threshold of $71.15M. They also have at least two players to sign (teams need to sign at least 13 players). They have a roster with two perennial All-Stars, a former All-Star and a host of role players with amazing offensive talent.

2. Trade AI. Plain and simple, the AI/Melo has not worked out. It's not that they have not been excellent, because they have. Fifty wins is no small accomplishment. In the dog-eat-dog Western Conference, excellent just isn't good enough sometimes. At 33, Iverson is one of the league's best guards and he has an expiring contract ($21.9M). Translation: He could walk for free next off-season and he could be considered the missing piece to a team without a dominant guard at the All-Star break who can get to the line and play through pain.

Who would want him?

The team that comes to mind is the Cleveland Cavaliers. Cleveland would jump at the chance to have AI and they have the disposable salary to do it. A trade with the expiring salaries of Wally Szczerbiak ($13.0M), Joe Smith ($4.8M), Delonte West ($2.8) in addition to JJ Hickson ($1.3M) and future draft picks could seal the deal.

3. Dangle Melo. Multiply the parties interested manifold. Denver has to also think about their marketing strategy if they part ways with Anthony, as he is the face of the franchise.

4. Sign a FA Center. Both Francisco Elson and Jonathan Bender have indicated an interest in wanting to play for the Nuggets, and the only center of the roster is ::drum roll:: … Steven Hunter. Now, the ball is in Denver’s court. Judging the two players, Elson is the more accomplished player and is a proven defensive asset.

5. Seek creative deals involving Kenyon Martin and Nene. I am almost certain that the Nuggets offered these two players with added incentives for nothing to teams with little to no response. Both have been marred by injury and other health concerns, and they make silly money.

Bye Bye, Billy - Six Reasons I Won't Miss You

“This was a decision CBS and I made over a year ago.” The statement made by Billy Packer disputes claims that he was let go by CBS.

No matter how I look at it, it’s a beautiful day for college basketball fans, because Billy Packer not calling games anymore will allow for many of us to unmute our televisions. It’s also perhaps one of the few days during the calendar year when even UNC and Duke can smile for the same reason.

Grey Blackwell of the News and Observer (AKA The News and Disturber) correctly summarizes Packer’s career had he entered other career avenues.



That said, here are 6 reasons I won’t miss Billy.

6) In 2000, Packer reportedly made sexist comments to two Duke University students before a men’s basketball game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. When asked to show his press pass, he responded, “Since when do we let women control who gets into a men’s basketball game? Why don’t you go find a women’s game to let people into?” Packer later apologized. I’m certain the two women found his apology sincere.

5) “Simon says … championship”. Those are three words that haunt Clement.

4) During an on-air broadcast of a game between Georgetown and Villanova, Packer described Hoyas guard Allen Iverson as a “tough monkey”. Neither Iverson nor then-head coach John Thompson were offended by the remark, and Thompson said Packer doesn’t “have to explain to anybody about Billy being a racist because he’s not.” He is living a few centuries behind us though.

3) “I’ve never really been a sports fan.” One sentence never made so much sense to me.

2) “That’s a poor decision by [insert name of fallible player, coach or referee].” Packer’s constant negativity has made games that market themselves tough to watch. Only Dick Vitale and Mike Patrick make games tougher to watch. Sadly, all three cover ACC games and I live in the Mid-Atlantic region.

1) Packer’s blatant ignorance towards mid-major schools gaining at-large bids in the NCAA and weak-minded half truths have entered the brains of those who have not yet muted their televisions. During the NCAA Tournament Selection Show, Packer criticized the selection committee’s decision to include Bradley, Northern Iowa and George Mason. He noted that teams from the Missouri Valley Conference and Colonial Athletic Association had won only one game during the last three NCAA tournaments, while teams from the ACC had won 25 games. As a result, three of the four teams made it to the Sweet 16 and one made the Final Four.
If only Packer would have shared with the audience how many of those wins were by mediocre ACC teams with lower than a #10 seed. He didn’t. Why? Facts aren’t important to those with agendas or those with uncontrollable egos that makes oneself think they’re bigger than the game. Check. Check.

Bye bye, Billy.

Note: In the making of this post, Billy Packer would have pointed out that a traveling violation was not whistled exactly 6209 times.

Opening Weekend Reactions: NBA Playoffs

After finishing the opening weekend of the NBA Playoffs, there seemed to be less excitement than most fans might’ve anticipated. Yet, playoff intensity is starting to build, slowly but surely, as the near two-month exodus to the NBA Finals has finally begun.

While we are dealt seven-game series filled with attrition during the 1^st-round, the NBA believes that more than ticket revenues benefit from lengthy opening-round series (such as protecting the top seeds perhaps and increased exposure to lower-seeded superstars)

Let’s take a brief look into the various Game 1 results, without too much definitive reactions, and see if there are any telling tales of the tape as a result of eight Game 1 showdowns…

~~Day One~~
Game #1: New Jersey wins at Toronto 96-91
Vince’s playoff return to Toronto, under a near-deafening cloud of boos, was far less memorable than expected. Vinsanity was wretched from the field, shooting 5-19 (with only a few lay-ups sparking his otherwise weak performance). However, New Jersey cruised out to a lead of a dozen that they never totally squandered. Chris Bosh, in early foul trouble, missed a ton of minutes in the first half (odd to say the least was the handling of his star player’s 1^st-half minutes by rookie-Playoff coach Sam Mitchell). Despite some deep threes from Anthony Parker and plenty of energy from Spaniard Jose Juan Calderon, the Raptors couldn’t make the big shot down the stretch (cough*Bosh*cough); which allowed the Nets to steal the first game of the series. A telling stat, especially off of the bench, was the confident play of rookie PG Marcus Williams and the clutch shooting from Bastian Nachbar (16 huge points) for New Jersey. No surprise: Jason Kidd had 8 assists in the 1^st 10 minutes and well over 10 by the half.

Major Storylines Thus Far: Can Toronto rebound with the Nets? Whether starters or bench players, it didn’t matter in Game 1. New Jersey manhandled the Raptors on seemingly every key rebound and suffocated the paint – on offense and defense – throughout Game 1.

Game #2: Chicago holds serve at home against Miami 96-91
A game filled with questionable calls, especially surrounding the Diesel, was ultimately decided by the cool and calm play of 3^rd-year Bull forward Loul Deng. His career-playoff high 33 paced the Bulls, who overcame an absolutely atrocious performance from PG Kirk Hinrich (2 pts and 4 turnovers in 19 mins.). D-Wade’s somewhat quiet outing was highlighted by somewhat speculative 7-16 shooting. Despite 20 from ‘Toine, the Bulls gained control late in the 2^nd quarter and rode Deng’s superb play and timely scores from Gordon/Nocioni to take a 1-0 series lead.

Major Storylines Thus Far: Can Miami’s role players step up both on offense and defense enough? Nocioni, now coming off the bench, poses an incredibly tough match up for the Heat to overcome with a rather aged bench.

Game #3: Detroit dispatches of Orlando at home 100-92
After the 1^st quarter in Motown, the Pistons led 28-16. That lead held up throughout the game as the Magic never recovered from that early deficit in their first playoff game in several seasons. Dwight Howard’s debut looked impressive with 13 points and 19 rebounds on the box score; yet, taking only 8 shots couldn’t have been in the game plan for the Magic. Rip Hamilton and Mr. Big Shot Chauncey Billups each tallied 22 points in an impressive team victory. Perhaps most disturbing to the Magic was a combined duo of statistics: losing despite shooting 58% from the field AND shooting 50% from the free throw line (18-36).

Major Storylines Thus Far: The Magic, who are the biggest victims to a seven-game series rather than five, lack the playoff experience and attitude the savvy Pistons seem to enjoy. Who will be the verbal and physical leader of this team when key shots and stops are needed down the stretch of close games for the Magic?

Game #4: Houston draws first blood defeating visiting Utah 84-75.
T-Mac’s box score had to be a little unnerving to Rocket fans after the 1^st half: 1 point. Fortunately, 22 points followed in the second half for their superstar guard as the Rockets overcame a sluggish 2^nd quarter (outscored 23-13) to completely suffocate the Jazz in the 3^rd (26-11). Yao’s 28, including a dozen free throws, also told a telling stat that may be a constant all series long: 26 free throw attempts for the Rockets compared to 17 from the Jazz. Despite a near triple-double from second-year PG Deron Williams (17, 9, and 9), the Jazz only mustered 75 points in their ’07 playoff debut. Yet another thing for the Jazz to overcome: 4-17 shooting from behind the arc. Fortunately for the Jazz, it was only Game #1.

Major Storylines Thus Far: What happened to the Jazz the past couple weeks of the season? Andre Kirilenko seems a forgotten man on this team and their chemistry is all out of whack. Despite the Rockets lacking a real #3-option, are the Jazz physically and, more importantly, mentally prepared for what could end up a grueling series?

~~Day Two~~
Game #5: Cleveland outruns and outguns Washington at home
Clearly the most predictable of outcomes this opening weekend, Washington pestered Cleveland as long as they could before being outplayed by King James and co. Despite what seemed to be a minor ankle issue (I won’t even call it a minor-injury), LeBron (23, 9, & 7) and Larry Hughes (27 pts on 9-17 shooting) were too much for Antawn Jamison (28 & 14 on 10-27 shooting) and the Wizards. Imagine how dangerous the Cavs could be if they could have a consistent 20 points from Mr. Hughes this playoff campaign. Trying to run with the Cavs throughout the game, the Wizards shot an unimpressive 37% from the field. Missing their two All-Stars, PG Gilbert Arenas and SF Caron Butler, the Wizards never seemed to put much of a scare into the Cavaliers during the opening game of the series.

Major Storylines Thus Far: Can Jarvis Hayes finally step out of a rather disappointing NBA career and become a steady contributor, and perhaps leader, for his team when they need him the most? I think most of us already have a clear-cut answer in mind.

Game #6: Phoenix recovers late at home to defeat the Los Angeles.
Phoenix, seemingly on a mission not to repeat last year’s grueling series with the Lakers, came out rather flat in the 1^st-half against the Lakers; even their MVP-candidate PG. Even more discouraging was the 28-point eruption from Kobe Bryant in the 1^st half, shooting a lights out 11-17 from the field. Phil Jackson, inserting rookie guard Jordan Farmar in the starting lineup again – not a difficult choice considering how terrible Parker was in last year’s playoffs – to stick with Nash, seemed to push all the buttons as his Lakers took a 9-point lead into the half. Despite a shaky 3^rd quarter, the Lakers seemed in control…at least until Leandro Barbosa nailed a deep three at the end of the 3^rd, catapulting the Suns into a dominant 4^th quarter and an eventual victory. Shooting 1-10 in the 4^th quarter, Bryant seemed famished at times as the now futile Laker-offense couldn’t match the output of Barbosa and co. Phoenix all but stole this game, especially considering how poorly they shot the ball in the 1^st half and from behind the arc for nearly 45 minutes.

Major Storylines Thus Far: Kobe has the talent to almost single-handily defeat almost any team in the NBA on any given night. The question that remains in almost every playoff series for the Lakers is: can Kobe do it four nights out of seven? The question must be asked as Kobe clearly has zero confidence in his teammates and knows its useless trying to motivate Lamar Odom to play 1/10^th as well as he did in his playoff run with the Miami Heat back in the day. After a loss like this, it seems even more obvious that the Lakers can’t keep up with this much deeper and much more disciplined Suns scoring attack.

Sixth-Man of the Year Barbosa was clearly the difference maker on Sunday afternoon.
Credit: Yahoo! Sports

Game #7: Denver’s dynamic duo sparks a 95-89 Nuggets road upset over San Antonio.
In 2005, Denver stole the first game from San Antonio in their opening-round series. What happened next was a Game 2 massacre and four straight losses to the Spurs. While that could happen again, it isn’t very likely. AI’s 31, Melo’s 30, and Nene’s imposing post-presence were just enough for the Nuggets to outlast the Spurs. The Spur trio of Duncan/Parker/Ginobli struggled mightily throughout most of the game (only a late run allowed the Spurs to nearly steal the game back). While Denver is still inexperienced, at least when compared to the Spurs, George Karl’s team looked much more prepared to make this one of the better opening round series. TNT’s Doug Collins summed it up best when commenting: “Denver has three days to enjoy this victory. But will they enjoy it too much or be focused enough to get greedy and take a second game at San Antonio? Because you know San Antonio will win a game or two in Denver.” My sentiments exactly Mr. Collins.

Major Storylines Thus Far: Their opponents being so experienced and so steady, how exactly can the Nuggets take four games from the heavily-favored Spurs? Is it more important to pound the Spurs on the inside or simply try and outshoot them? Is either honestly possible for the Nuggets? Perhaps it is, this year, thanks to AI, Nene, and a much more mature Melo.

Game #8: Golden State continued their recent dominance with an impressive 97-85 victory in Dallas.
Josh Howard definitely showed up for Game 1. As for the majority of the rest of the Mavericks, a decisive NO would answer any questions if Dallas was ready to defend all of their regular-season glory. Don Nelson returned to Dallas, where the goatee-laden Mark Cuban gave him more than one evil eye, and his small-lineup outran and outshot the Mavs from beginning to end. Baron Davis was in MVP-form hitting big shot after big shot (which, memo to Vince Carter, is often a layup or getting to the foul line after a nice dribble-drive move). The Warriors role players – especially Matt Barnes (with an awful mohawk) -- were much more valuable down the stretch than those of the Mavs. While the Warriors clearly seem to have the Mavs number as of late, the maturity of this team will really be tested as they have a golden opportunity to strike real fear into the Mavs during the 1^st half of Game 2.

Major Storylines Thus Far: The Mavericks have obviously forgotten the 3-0 regular season series. Or have they??? Dallas looked sluggish, unmotivated, and entirely dependent on Josh Howard. Dirk Nowitzki is searching for too many easy foul calls already. Are the Warriors ready to step up, as a team, and challenge the mighty-Mavericks the entire series? After tonight’s performance, all signs point to: as long as Baron Davis plays that intelligent and determined.

Until next time folks...