HoopWatch

There were a couple of times where we can’t buy tickets before a big game so we had to line up a few hours before the start of the game to catch the event.  The problem is, in some venues, there isn’t a good system in place for lines and queue.

In social events, I usually see one of those velvet ropes like this

This can easily manage some small crowds and typically used on formal events.   But I like the stanchions that they use in banks.  The retractable ones like the one below.

When it comes to lines and queues to events such as basketball,  some aren’t that civilized and doesn’t really follow lines.    The last big game we had, was this very long queue and what usually happens is that, since the venue didn’t implement some sort of line and crowd  control such as the ones above,  some people managed to sneak their way in.

Usually the ones that sneak their way in are friends and acquantances of the people who are in the front of the lines.  They get it, have a long chit-chat/small talk with their friends for like 10 minutes and before you know it,  they’re already part of the line.

Yeah it sucks, but that’s what happens usually.  The problem is that, these people come in droves and the lines are usually in an area where there is huge foot traffic and therefore you don’t exactly know if the people just passed by and suddenly seen a friend in line and will just go their way after a few small chat  or the’re really out there to sneak their way into the lines via their friends.

 

I know this is a basketball blog but I just tried watching football (not the american football).  It was a game under the Bulgarian Premeir League.  In other countries, it is called “soccer” but in Europe, it’s “football”.

Anyway, I was watching it online via livestream from one of those video sharing sites.  Unfortunately, the commentators were not using English so I was kinda lost in some points so I was searching a way to “follow” the live scoring while watching it online.  (Geez, these online livestreams aren’t that good quality).

I came across this livescore site called wsn.com.  Incidentally, they’re also bookmakers  for those are into that. It was a nice site for checking out livescores and I don’t even have to “refresh” my browser.  I just leave it open while I watch.  Kinda cool if you ask me.

So for the Litex Lovech vs Lokomotiv Mezdra resuts, I was able to do a screen capture of the livescore and posted it above.  Wow  3-0.  Nice one Litex Lovech.

 

After the Lakers’ defeat by Dallas 101-96,  Andrew Bynum publicly criticized the game officials.  A disappointed Bynum said to reporters, “It’s hard to win when it’s five against eight,”  which is a reference to the 3 referees.

Due to this remark, the NBA’s executive vice prediced of operations Mr. Stu Jackson announced a fine $25,000 dollar.  Whew!  That’s a huge amount for a couple of remarks by a player.

Andrew Bynum only scored two of his 10 points in the 2nd half.  Apart from that, he had 11 rebounds and about 5 turnovers.

 

NEW YORK — Knicks fans might have thought everything was going to be OK when Willis Reed came out of the tunnel for Game 7 of the 1970 NBA finals.

Reed had something entirely different on his mind. “It’s a hell of a predicament to be in. You’re going to try to play Wilt Chamberlain, who’s the greatest offensive big man to ever play the game, only guy to average 50 points, only ever to score 100 points in a game … and I’ve got to try to do it on one leg,” Reed recalled Monday night. “This is not the way you want to be playing a championship game. But it worked out.”

It sure did. Reed shook off a leg injury to make two jumpers to start the game, and the Knicks went out to beat the Los Angeles Lakers to win the title.

Reed made the walk onto the Madison Square Garden floor again Monday when the Knicks celebrated the 40th anniversary of their first championship team at halftime of their game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Read more.. 

 

A lot of people are making a prediction and doing some NFL Mock Drafts.  Docsports has a good Mock Draft.  It was actually written by  Robert Ferringo.
If you don’t know who Robert Ferringo is, well, he has been one of the most exciting and most consistent handicappers in the country.   He is considered the No. 1 MLB handicapper in the entire country in 2007.     In college basketball, he continues to prove to be also one of the best  handicappers in the nation.   Quite a feat if you ask me.

So who is Robert’s Top 3 NFL pick?
1. Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia of the Detroit Lions
2.  Jason Smith, OT of St. Louis Rams

3. Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forestof Kansas City Chiefs

NBA Fans, watch the Playoffs Boston Celtics vs Orlando Magic Game 5 Highlights in streaming video.

You can watch Online Streaming and download TV Shows here
Click Here to Download the CODEC

I was watching NFL TV yesterday which I got via directv NFL Sunday Ticket.   During a timeout, I channel surfed and found the Atlanta Hawks – Orlando Magic game.   Gee, I totally forgot that one.

Anyway,  it was a nice game.  Atlanta was trailing by 2 points at halftime but then the Hawks outgunned the Magic 45-30.   You should see the 60 foot buzzer beater shot by Acie Law.  It was awesome.

By the end of the game,  Acie law has 20 points and Maurice Evans has 17.  A 118-101 victory by the Hawks over the host Orlando Magic.  Other notable scorers were Al Horford 13 points,  Mike Bibby, Joe Johnson and Zaza Pachulia all contributed 11 points.
Then of course I switched back to NFL TV to catch some more games.

I always knew the Lakers would loose this season. They have not been fully tested until the Finals. They swept Denver, won against Utah in just six games, dominant in two wins, had it easy and some luck went their way against San Antonio. The law of averages caught up with them. For most NBA champions, there would be a defining moment and a true test to their mettle.

There would come a series or a game that would make or break their character, their desire, their hunger and their will to win. Unfortunately for Kobe Bryant and the Lakers, that ultimate test was the NBA Finals! And it they groped for form. No! Wait, they tried to grope for form, which they never did, for what they did was to blame each other for their demise. Some attribute it to not having Andrew Bynum, a legitimate post-presence and shot-blocker. Some blame softies Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom. They were both outplayed and out-hustled by the Boston bigs.

And some judge Bryant as no-Michael Jordan, and will never be. A leader who failed to raise the bar, and lead his team to win. He bogged down, he faded. When the Lakers needed him the most, he was not there to show. And he constantly yelled at his teammates, a kind of motivation that may not apply to a young and inexperienced team. He should have scored more when he had to, break down the defense as he should, and provide the energy and inspiration so that his teammates will follow suit. When needed, Jordan would put up 45 or even 63 points to flame that desire in his teammates. Kobe never had any 40-point game. Hell, he did not even reach 35. He failed to show the way when it mattered most.

The real champions have no excuses. Jordan had none. He blamed no one but himself when they lost to Orlando in 1995. But he came back stronger than ever. He used all summer to train and rejuvenate his game. We never heard that Toni Kukoc or Scottie Pippen did not show up. He led and inspired. That’s why since he went to the NBA Finals, he gave it his all. He treated it like there was no tomorrow. He had no dominant or All-Star big man to rely on. He relied on himself and his teammates no matter what their games are. And when he lost some games, he had himself to blame. I’ll never forget how he willed himself to win that crucial Game Five against Utah in 1997. It did not matter to him that he was ill and was hampered by a stomach virus. He rose up to the occasion! He scored 38, including that clutch three.

Kobe should do that. He should instill within him that flame and drive to win, and should show up when it matters, when every chip is falling down, and when his teammates cowardly ducked behind him. He should take that responsibility to wipe that fear and cowardice. He should lead by example. He should start now! Start as early as now to train again and make his game better, and study why he faded against Boston.

 

Anyway, going back to my premise, Boston had that defining moment in the first two rounds. They were in trouble against Atlanta and Cleveland. They lost all their road games, and had to rely on their home floor to win. They had shaky moments, but Paul Pierce did a great job in inspiring and leading his team. Sure he had Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to help him. But both still struggled at times, especially Allen. But Pierce did was to feed off from its hunger, and fought back. They hurdled all obstacles and silenced the nay-sayers. A lot had doubts, but they never doubted themselves.

And when the chips were falling, their leader, Pierce was there to pick up the pieces. Pierce was there to score 36 a game after they lost at home against Detroit. Pierce was there and emotionally triumphed in using that hunger to make his teammates hustle. Pierce was there to elevate the Celtics game. And everyone thereafter followed him. Allen regained his deadly touch, Eddie House and James Posey were diving for loose balls, Kendrick Perkins and PJ Brown were rebounding. Leon Powe started driving to the basket uncontested. Yes, Pierce started it all! When that ultimate test challenged Boston most especially in the first two rounds and loosing the home-court advantage against Detroit, Pierce was there.

They never had it easy in the play-offs except the Finals. They were challenged all throughout the lesser talented Eastern Conference. And when the time came when they had to engage the best of the ever-competitive West, they were battle-tested. They were ready! And that is why, they deserve to be crowned as NBA Champions! (photos courtesy of yahoo nba)

Apparently, Phoenix Suns GM Steve Kerr has allowed Coach Mike D’Antoni to talk to other teams, and his most ardent suitor are the Chicago Bulls. If D’Antoni leaves Phoenix, I’d say get Jeff Van Gundy to coach this aging Suns, and have him make another run at an NBA Championship.

We all know that Kerr and D’Antoni have their differences in their coaching philosophies. Steve, being the student of Greg Popovich and Phil Jackson, advocates defense, while Mike, having coached in Italy and more adept to the European style, prefers offense over defense to win games. We saw how the Suns run the floor and make the games exciting, shooting within the first seven seconds, and trading baskets with the opponents. They had the talent, but how long can they still run?

Steve Nash, Shaquille O’Neal and Grant Hill are nearing the twilight of their careers, and all three play major roles in Phoenix’s championship dream. The perfect coach that would jive well with Kerr’s defensive philosophies would be Jeff! Van Gundy has been an overachiever all his life. We know he preaches defense. His teams have been reputed to great defensive teams like the New York Knicks of the mid-90’s and the Houston Rockets a season ago.

He is enjoying himself commenting on games, but deep in his heart, he wants another chance to win that elusive title. Just one. At least one. Those bags under his eyes is a living proof that he works hard. Steve, let Mike go, and get Jeff. I don’t see any other candidate in the market right now.

I am a die-hard Phoenix Suns fan, and it frustrates at times that they lose and they don’t show character. But I will always back them up no matter what. That Game Three loss was so painful because they did not fight back. But right now, I am satisfied and happy. Though they lost to San Antonio last night, it is okay with me. At least, they lose fighting till the very end. It was a close game, and could have gone either way. The turnovers just killed them. They fell 87-92. But they did not fold up in this one, and for every Suns fan, it is more than enough.

Infusing a 36-year old 350-pound Shaquille O’Neal into a system entirely different from his orientation messed up the identity of Phoenix. You let go of a guy who fits perfectly into the run-and-gun style of play in Shawn Marion, and bring in the Big Cactus into the fold is much different from the letting-go of useless Kwame Brown, a rookie and future draft picks, then getting a dominant big man in Pau Gasol, which the Los Angeles Lakers did. The arrival of O’Neal totally needs an overhauling of the Suns system, and I believe this can be done. It just needs time. Time they don’t have. Like Raja Bell said during their 3-6 run upon Shaq’s arrival, “We are still in preseason form.” Yes, they were and still are, while the rest of the league have been warming-up for the post-season.

And beating the defending champions in the first round is too much to ask from these Suns who are still assimilating Shaq into the fold, and D’Antoni has to adapt and even change his system for his arrival. Sure, they appear to have incorporated the Diesel into the team’s system, but they still haven’t. The proof! They lost the big games.

They could have totally avoided the Spurs in the first round, if only, they have beaten Houston on April 11. Yes that game! They were beaten big-time, 90-101. They did beat Houston, the Rockets’ second defeat after going 22-0, but they needed to win that April 11 encounter more. That was the tie-breaker right there. They could have been fifth, not sixth, and it is much different to face San Antonio, than facing Utah. Yes, they may have beaten the Spurs thrice in four encounters, but that was the regular season. San Antonio is totally different team in the play-offs. They have lots of experience playing together, and they have semi-dominated this decade. Four titles in nine years. That’s a feat, and three titles with Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. Those three know how to win. And an identity-searching team like Phoenix is no match for them.

In a closely-fought and tight Western Conference, that single loss ended the season for the Suns. And fate was not on their side either. Duncan made a magical three, his first the whole season, in Game One. That forced a second overtime, and with Amare Stoudemire fouling out, they had the slimmest of chance. They were supposed to win it, but it was not theirs from the very start. The breaks all went San Antonio’s way. And champions as the Spurs are, they surely have awaken from a momentary slumber in Game Four. They have been here before. They know how to close out teams.

If only they won against Houston on that April 11 game. They should be facing Utah now. They should still be in the fight. Who knows it could be them in the second round, and facing the Lakers. And they would have been better, having to experience what it’s like to have Shaq in the playoffs. Not against the Spurs, it would have been better to experiment having Shaq around against the Jazz. If only they have beaten Houston, and not fall down to them 90-101. If only… (photos courtesy of yahoonba.com)