Since We Last Spoke

"From the ashes I rise like a phoenix."

I once started a blog post (or a live journal post, but how could it be that I am much to cool for Live Journal!!!) and one friend called me up at 4am to ask if my apartment had burned down and if I was okay. No I assured him, that was not the case at all, I was just returning from a prolonged absence, born anew and ready to write. So please, everyone reading this, fret not, my apartment is fine, even with two Canadians holed up next to me. But I am back to writing.

As I've been gone for more than a week there are quite a few things that I wish to cover, so please forgive the fragmented nature of the following post. It just seems like the most efficient way of saying what I want to say.

Last Wednesday, November 12th, was the first great day of this infant NBA season. We were treated to not one, but two quality games. First there was the Boston-Atlanta game that wasn't over until the final second when Pierce had to hit one of his now commonplace clutch shots.
And finally there was the Lakers-Hornets game which may not have seemed like it was great, but what looked like it would be a sure Los Angeles blowout turned into a tense game 7 point game that was closer than that.

I will now delve into what was important about these two games.

1. Atlanta showed that they're for real. No I doubt they'll finish in the top half of the conference, but I fully expect this team to make it to the playoffs. There's something refreshing about this, that even Childress' departure can't temper (I have a long history with Childress, maybe I'll go over it one day). I was sure that last year's showing against Boston was a fluke, but this team is going as far as a Hawks team can. They're not a title threat, but they can now make the playoffs AND! just might steal a series from someone.

2. Even I have to admit that Paul Pierce has now reached the rank of terrifying. He is a perfect example of what confidence does for a person. When he got the ball at the end of the game, there was no doubt in his mind (or any other Celtic) that the game was theres. That's just who Pierce is now. I really do miss the old likable and incredibly flawed Inglewood native who wasn't prone to over theatrics and all around assholeness, but this one is probably a better player. But as Joel and I have talked about before, those old drives to the basket were exhilarating.

3. Like everyone under the sun I fully expect the Lakers to be at the top of the west all season. But I've decided that the Hornets will be right there with them. New Orleans probably won't be a good as last year (people know what to expect from them this year), but they're a fantastic team, a player or some luck short of a championship. As I mentioned earlier, I was dissapointed when I finally checked in on the Lakers/Hornets game because Los Angeles seemed to be fully in control of things. But during the fourth quarter the game got flipped on its head. Next thing I knew the game was in the final minutes and New Orleans was within a basket. And this is the thing, the Lakers didn't let Chris Paul & Co. back into the game, the Hornets forced their way back. It was just good to see the team show such fight and I think this means it might yet develop into an awesome rivalry. I'm keeping my fingers crossed at least.

Some other notes not related to last Wednesday:

Portland is good. I know they got off to a rough start and with the exception of last night Oden has looked meh at best, but this team is fun to watch. Joel probably wouldn't agree, he's full of anti '07 draft backlash, but there's something very idealistic about them. They're a ways from actually being great, but they'll be there some day. Probably a little longer than the rest of the blogosphere thinks though.

Houston is a wreck. I wrote about my dissatisfaction with them last week (something that is partially my fault) but now the injury bug has got a hold of the team. Yao (foot!), Tracy (something!), and Ron Ron (a case of the crazies!) are all banged up and Artest is the only one the team will probably let play through the team. There is a lot of the season left but I feel the Rockets will never live up to their potential. What happens to Artest if they don't though. He's an unrestricted free agent. Unless he punches David Stern during their All Star Weekend dance off I think someone will pay him. I would.

Finally, because Joel demanded it I will mention Pao Gasol's monstrous game from last night. It was just that--monstrous. The fact that he is the Lakers' No. 2 is why they are dominant and will remain so for the time being. The thing is that's about all I have to say. I love Pao. I think he is at times: masterful, graceful, goofy, and kinda cool. But he is not Lamar, the player with whom my heart lies with on the Lakers. I can appreciate him, but I've yet to really embrace him. I'm so glad he's a Laker, but I still need time to adjust to him. Last season he was a novelty, but now the new car smell is gone and he's a just a nice import sedan. Let me spend a few more month rooting for him though. Then the luxury will sink in.

We may pretend we were best friends

I promised another post tonight and here it is. It might be brief, but the books and another failed practice test are calling me.

So last night I watched the Lakers play with the Houston Rockets. By the end of the first quarters the Rockets looked to be in total command with a healthy 12 point lead, but then came a second quarter charge by the Lakers that led to them taking a two point advantage into a half which they then turned into a 111 to 82 thrashing.

The Lakers are of course good enough to come back from a dozen point deficit early on in a game, but there were two startling (maybe three...you'll see) things about last night. First, although Kobe played his usual closer role, the comeback was sparked by the second unit. The bench was great for the Lakers last year, but seems even better this year. Seriously, the Lamar-led backup squad seems like the best in the league. Easily. But as impressive as that was, the thing that really caught my eye was Houston's impotence throughout the final three quarters of the game. This is a team I have high hopes for, but two things became clear last night. As much as Artest adds to the team's attitude, they still don't seem tough. I believe this will change at some point during the season, but it was alarming sight last night. There was one moment in the second quarter, after Jordan Farmar finished off a two-on-on, that you could just see the Rocket's exhale and check out for the game. Shortly after this McGrady rolled/tweaked/fucked up/did something to his ankle which high-lighted the fact that other than him, the Rockets don't seem to have anyone who can just score when they need it. The Rockets looked woeful before the injury, but after it they just looked retarded. Stumbling around, passing to no one in particular, taking shots when they realized there was a shot clock. It was an all around disappointing display.

Now before anyone gets any ideas, I'm not sticking a fork in Houston. I think they'll end up either the two or three seed in the west, but I just wanted more than I've seen from them this season. It's disappointing to think that they might just end up being this year's version of the Carmello/Iverson Nuggets, a team that on paper and in my dreams comes off as nothing short of enthralling but in actuality is quite boring.

One last thing though, despite the commentators befuddlement at Ron Artest immediate hoisting (and draining) of a three milliseconds after a Lakers turnover, I absolutely loved it. It felt like the most natural thing for Artest to do at that moment. It was not a showing of stupidity, but seemed to exemplify a understanding of the games ebb and flow that no one else on the Rockets seemed to have. The game was slipping away, they needed points, as ingloriously as they may come.

Echoing Bryan ie Dressing Like A Giant Pumpkin

Before I begin (I must make up for the oversight of Michael Beasley's inexplicable awfulness in yesterday's blog. My judgement of rookie's is based on a team by team performance and Chalmers charms were enough to make me overlook Beasley's poor stat line. Also, he successfully drove to the rim for an easy lay-up without even breaking into a jog. Encumbered with a firm case of senioritis, I roll out of bed and pass classes. I like similar traits in my players. 

***** 

Malcolm Gladwell is one of my favorite writer's AND one of my favorite sports writer's. I think only Chuckie Klosto replicates the feat making me wonder if such a trait can only be dredged from small town life.  In an interview with Bullshit a while back, Gladwell mentioned how growing up in rural Canada he fell in love with Sports without ever watching them. His fanhood blossomed  through Newspapers and Sports Illustrated. In times like these, when I feel guilty for NOT having League Pass, it is important to remember that a lot can be learned from the pure objectivity of box scores. 

I look at the first two games of the Rockets season. One win comes from gritty, down and dirty, Larry Brown ball the other a ravishing offensive display. Yesterday was a statement game. Like everyone is saying and I have faultily been saying for five years these Rockets are contenders. It was true the last year two years but Yao injuries and matchup problems with Utah halted the message. This stopped them from shining, but the errors made the Rockets sing even louder. We'll be trumpeting them for the rest of the year. A second round appearance will come and no one will care. That is what makes this team great. 

Yesterday's victory over Dallas and a reformed Nowitzki came in affront to all basketball logic. McGrady's offensive output and Carlisle's defensive schemes are true in a way the Bradley effect never will be. They just plain happen regardless of nitpicking. I watched Carlisle coach the Pistons for several years and he knows how to make Defense play out like offense. Last night was a statement game for the new Mavs to come out, but the Rockets goaded them into the jaunty Mavericking of yore with their best threat on the bench. Artest turned offensive and Yao shook off the dust for a fundamentally sound 30. 

Let me stress how premature this all is. 

The Danger of the Rockets is not that they can play any style of ball. The danger, the true threat to Celtic Pride and Laker inevitablity is that they can play any way with any combination of players. Yao, McGrady, and Artest just do it for me and the rest of the gang is one hella funky bunch. The scribes (even the scholars at our hero FreeDarko) denounced that Yao's return would mitigate the breed of defensive small ball lingering from last season. These visions cast Yao as a plodder--which he is-- but a plodder with his deft touch and passing game fits any offense, any style, and can turn basketball into a satirical game. The Webber Kings brought back fun offensive maneuvering  with no emphasis on speed or athleticism. They started Peja and Vlade Divac, a shadow of Yao formed from cigarette smoke. 

They will never run in Seven Seconds or Less but they can play the half court as fluidly as anyone so long as Yao mans the high post. 

Yao is injury prone you say? Yes, that is true but no one is indispensable. Three Amigos fellate karma with their preparation. One man down destroys nothing. McGrady and Yao can limp through games and the Rockets still have the best big three in the L. No apologies to KG, Pierce, and Allen. Apologies to KG, Pierce, and Rondo. 

What does Ron Artest do?  The Mother Fucker plays great basketball. I read a lot about basketball, far too much by all accounts and the basketball voices of our time have taken to tearing down Artest for behavioral issues. The same thing happens with me. I might put holes in your wall but I'm still one fun motherfucker to have around. 

I am proud to be a Piston fan today. I am not proud of my team, my arena, or blabbermouthed Mason on the PA. I can't abide another MiggitymiggityMaC Dyess. I'm proud of Pistons fans b/c we know our basketball. Though Ron Ron charged into the stands and beat the bejujubees from some hillbillies, we never denounced the man. He was unwelcome at barbecues and brisses but our hatred burned as a dormant ember, a far cry from the blood lust for Ben Wallace. Ron's abilities on the floor made him impossible to cherish like Rodman before him. We know a miscast hero when we see one and clamored for Artest's arrival and the ensuing PR debacle in the off season. 

It would never happen but we wanted it. We WANTED the player who charged into the stands. No one wanted the equally available Jermaine but Ron Ron speaks in specialness. 

*****

Fuck. It's 6:30 on Halloween. I've got a RAVE to prepare for.