LeBron James and the Cavs came up short Saturday against the Magic.
If having LeBron James isn't enough to get the Cleveland Cavaliers into the NBA Finals, what's it going to take for the Bulls to make it back to the mountaintop? Couldn't help but ponder that sobering reality after watching Cleveland -- which swept both Detroit and Atlanta -- come up short against Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic. "Superman" scored 40 points Saturday and the Magic easily closed out the Cavs 103-90 in Game 6 to advance to a showdown against Kobe and the Lakers.
''Sir Charles'' called it: Barkley picked the Magic to spring the upset (yours truly, on the other hand, gave you the Nuggets as the team that might surprise -- help!). How do you figure the Magic making it to the Finals after first being pushed to six games by the Sixers and then needing seven games to dispatch a Kevin Garnett-less Celtics team that needed seven grueling games to get past the Bulls?
When Orlando is hitting the 3-ball like it was against Cleveland, you're either going to get killed from the outside or by Howard underneath. I can't see the Magic keeping up that kind of torrid shooting in the Finals, but the Lakers will need to spread the wealth offensively and not rely as much on Kobe as the Cavs did on LeBron. Give me the Lakers in six.
As for the Bulls, Derrick Rose is the first piece of their NBA Finals puzzle, but remember, he's a point guard. Best-case scenario is that he becomes another Isiah Thomas, but that kind of player isn't going to take you all the way without a tremendously talented supporting cast. John Paxson (who, despite delegating day-to-day duties to newly-anointed GM Gar Forman, still will be making the final call on all major moves) will keep tweaking the roster to add the right kind of role players, but it will take a major addition the likes of a Chris Bosh for the Bulls to become NBA Finals-worthy.
Speaking of Rose, kudos to our FCP posters (Villano, Edgar, Keith, Tim, Tommy, Bubba's Mom and William, to name a few) for stoking a lively debate on the revelations of grade-changing at Simeon and alleged SAT improprieties. As they noted in their comments on another post, this sort of thing unfortunately is business-as-usual and always has been. Rose isn't to blame as much as his handlers, who shielded him from the media and other "distractions" throughout his stay at Simeon. Sure, everything worked out fine for Rose, who put in his NBA-mandated one year in college (a bad rule that fosters this sort of shenanigans) and ended up being the No. 1 draft pick and eventual rookie of the year. The tragedies occur when high-school stars who aren't required to actually learn anything in school wind up bombing out in sports and are left with nothing.
Will any of this tarnish Rose? Should it? Chances are it soon will be forgotten as we move on to the next sports scandal. After what we've learned about A-Rod and Manny Ramirez in recent months, does anything shock us anymore?
I just have to mention that of course it will be forgotten what Rose went thru. For the most part. Unless his skills erode next year. Kobe had his day in court and during those days people said that his legacy was tarnished and that he was no longer a role model. And that he should be kicked out of the league and that the Lakers would be boycotted forever as long as he played. He actually got applauded by Chicagoans this past season for just being Kobe. Look into the stands and tell me what's the number one jersey you see in L.A.? People will forgive and give leeway when you can do things on the court, the field and onstage to entertain them. No one with his talent will be blacklisted.
Basically it comes down to match ups and Cleveland had no answer for Dwight Howard. The Magic spread Cleveland's defense out and when they doubled Howard they left shooters wide open on the perimeter and if they didn't double Howard he made them pay inside plus his free throw percentage was much better than during the regular season. Can Howard abuse Bynum and Gasol the way he did Ilgauskas, Verejao and Ben Wallace? I hope so because I don't want to see Kobe get another ring. I have said many times that my two favorite NBA teams are the Bulls and whoever is playing against the Lakers. I might be dreaming but I'll take the Magic in 6.
Its the "black mamba vs. superman"... except this black mamba is also from Krypton!!!!!!, Meaning when it bites superman, he's gonna feel it. Lets go LAKERS!!!!!!
William:
Kobe is a great talent, and what happened in Denver is something that should have never gone beyond his hotel suite.
We shouldn't condemn anyone, male or female, because they have a roving eye ... and that's all his transgression amounted to in my opinion. I felt that this young woman was looking for a big pay day, and jumped on the fact that Kobe no doubt found her attractive.
When it comes to marriage; let he or she who has ever even thought of straying, cast the first stone.
any scoop on the Rose/SAT story?
LeBron James is getting appropriately skewered on talk radio for his pathetic, immature display after Game 6 loss. He didn't go to college, but apparently he did attend the Isaiah Thomas school of poor sportsmanship.
LeBron needs to add another tattoo on his body (if there is any space left on his body) that reads: "My name is LeBron James and I am an immature, classless, sore loser."
Hal Ha! The 45 year drought ('64 Cleveland Browns) in "The Mistake By The Lake" is alive and well.
Stu - thanks for the props. I picked the Nuggets also, but I also knew the Magic could pull it off. You are absolute correct about them and that 3 point shooting. Live by it and die bay it. Kobe is playing the best ball of his career and unlike LABRON - Kobe has a TEAM and IMHO the best COACH in the game, that will help him tremendously. I think LA is going to sweep them or do it in 5. You ever seen an enormous vicious canine in a cage at full rage waiting for the gate to open....KOBE BRYANT.
That said - I agree with Tim Little 100%. I can't stand Kobe - but respect what he has done in the playoffs this year.
VILLY - well said! I agree 100%. What happened to Kobe was a human thing. I don't like him personally, but he was victimized for being STUPID and GREEDY (few reasons why I don't like him personally). But I am not the man's judge, nor in position to judge another. I need to have my own sins forgiven.
William - You are also right about Rose and Kobe. That talent is like a Jedi mind trick that makes people forget. You could get yourself hurt in LA right about now talking about Kobe's discretions. One of your own family members might dime you out. Can you say...Tar and Feathers?
Stu - I like your comparison of Rose to Isaiah. Rose has a chance to be just that - with Baron Davis explosiveness at the rim. And you are ABSOLUTELY correct, Pax has to put the pieces around him. Rose is only as good as the person at the end of the passes. He needs what Rafer Alston has on the Magic - a DOMINANT post player and some wings that can get the job done shooting. Players like Mellow, Nene, Labron, Gasol, DWade or Howard. And Rose is going to do the rest. NO MORE KIDS. The Bulls playoff run was so vital. It put at least a year of progress under Rose's belt. See what the playoffs did for Dwight Howard??? It progressed him 2 years. Now a new force has arisen in the EAST. And we have one of our own if Paxson can read his hand correctly. UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS I APPROVE: CHRIS ANDERSON, DANTE JONES, BRANDON BASS, ANTONIO MCDYES, RON ARTEST, TREVOR ARIZA, ALEN IVERSON, MATT BARNES.
I think this series will come down to Kobe having a much better supporting cast than LeBron’s crew and the much better coaching staff of the Lakers. I was pretty close in my predictions the last series and called the Lakers in 6 over the Nuggets and while I didn’t call the Magic upset, I did say that the Magic were going to give the Cavs fits with their suddenly improved defense and their incredible 3-point shooting spree. The Magic got hot with their shooting at the right time and give Stan Van Gundy some credit for some impressive coaching adjustments. LeBron simply needs better players around him and Mo Williams is nowhere close the level of role players that the Lakers have in Gasol, Odom, Ariza, Bynum and heck, even Fisher has hit bigger shots in more big games that Mo Williams. The problem with LeBron is that he’s almost too good in the fact that whoever signs him up for his mega contract in 2010, signing LeBron alone will like basically tie up more than half of an NBA team’s salary cap space!
And yes, Derrick Rose is but a piece, albeit an important piece, to the Championship puzzle. I too found it amusing a couple of weeks ago when the Bulls “formally” announced Gar Forman taking over the GM role, yet most of us really know who makes the final decisions (and I still don’t think it’s Paxson either who didn’t exactly “hire” Vinny Del Negro). I still don’t think Chris Bosh is the answer because he’s still too finesse of a player for me and too one dimensional of a low post scorer and nothing else. Pau Gasol is still a much better basketball player to me than Bosh at the same position. They need a low post player who can post, score, bang AND rebound. Stoudemire is probably the best fit for my tastes although he’s still a bit too lean of a body that he gets hurt too often, but the Bulls can also use someone like Chris Kaman if he’s healthy. Luol Deng absolutely must return healthy AND extend that shooting range to 3 point territory or else he’s not going to help improve the team at all. Simply put, this team still has a ways to go and Forman/Pax have their work cut out for them. Oh, and thanks for the 1 year of service, Del Harris. Hire a defensive-minded assistant coach! And sorry, Keith, I'm still for "kids" especially when the Bulls new "core" of the team are still generally kids!
Now as for Rose and this grade cheating scandal at Simeon plus the ACT/SAT, obviously this doesn’t impact his pro career, but now it’s basically about public opinion. I don’t exactly remember who mentioned it first (I think it was Gig), but this goes beyond the racial stuff and the morality issues. Unfortunately, the ripple effect of this case branches out to so many different organizations and people, but the bottom line is that you can’t blame Rose because of a flawed system/s. He may have cheated and demonstrated bad judgment by likely allowing someone to take an exam in his place, but he’s not a criminal and he didn’t commit a crime nor is he being investigated for a crime (at least not yet anyway). Think about it, if the NBA didn’t implement the 1-year College rule (1 flawed system right there for example), then Rose likely would have jumped to the NBA without going to College and there wouldn’t be any discussion of his high school grade or an SAT result because he wouldn’t have been required to take an exam. A friend of mine was trying to compare this Rose case to Reggie Bush with USC, but this is entirely different because the Bush allegations involve criminal activities. Unfortunately, too many people like to judge on the surface, so yes, this case will likely tarnish some of Rose’s “good guy” and “humble” image, but not too much unless there’s even more to this story so far. For me, I’ve been involved both in (as a player and as an employee) and the outside of sports for so long that I’m not surprised by most issues and scandals that spring up in the news. An uneducated person doesn’t exactly mean that a person is “bad” and no way will I ever judge a person for a lack of education especially when most of us don’t exactly know every individual’s personal background and environment. Hey, some of the best criminals in the world are probably geniuses. This is why I typically center on just sports and the talented folks that play it. The moment people get emotionally attached to a celebrity/athlete, then that’s when these discussions occur about character and so forth.
Glenview, glad you brought up the LeBron walk-off last Saturday. Yep, talk about reminiscent of the Bad Boys Pistons (led by Isaiah Thomas) walking off of the court on MJ's Bulls. Finally, LeBron shows a little character flaw after all these years in the league! The "King" status finally getting to his head. I guess he thinks the bad boy image will help get him a Championship ring next year?
Stu responds: Edgar, I can forgive LeBron for storming off the court without shaking hands in the heat of the moment after a bitter loss. But I was very disappointed with his comments Sunday — after having had time to cool off — in which he tried to justify it by saying, ‘‘It's hard for me to congratulate somebody after you just lose to them. I'm a winner ... It doesn't make sense for me to go over and shake somebody's hand." That attitude is the essence of poor sportsmanship, like what Isiah's Pistons did after MJ's Bulls finally beat them. Inexcusable.
Stu:
LeBron referenced the fact that it is difficult to congratulate someone who has just beaten you up, and that he had no obligation to do so.
Some of the most heartfelt hugging and handshaking occurs after the conclusion of championship boxing matches, where the opponents are pounding each other into oblivion for 12 rounds.
It shows that they have an appreciation for their opponents hard fought effort, respect their foe, and hold no personal grudge.
LeBron would make a most unlikeable boxer.
Prior to LeBron's spoiled brat storm off to his room and slam the door display and subsequent comments the following day that basically sounded like a five year old saying if I can't have my way I'm not playing; I had thought he was more mature and professional than Kobe has been through out his career but I guess I was wrong. But I'm under no obligation actually admit I was wrong or congratulate anyone that thought differently so I'll just go to my room and sulk awhile if ya'll don't mind. LMAO
You guys are ALL right about Labron, but charge it to his youth and humanity. Part of that "attitude" is responsible for his success. The other part, for his arrogance. Villy used a wonderful comparison - Boxing. After a bout, they congratulate eachother and hug. Even Tyson. I am certain, Labron is going to be made to see the ERROR of his ways and he is going to stand TALL, like the guy he is. Judge a man by his entire life, not his weakest moment.
I agree 100%, Stu. Totally inexcusable especially after the fact that he had time to soak the series loss in his system 24 hours later and still tried to justify his actions from his weak comments. So really LeBron, after your team obliterated the 76er's and the Atlanta Hawks in 8 games, it would have been ok for those guys to walk out on you and not shake the hands out of respect? However, the guy is human and he has been handed the "King" and "Chosen One" title since practically high school ball, so it's only fair to see if this is a one-time incident and then perhaps down the road as he reflects on this even more in the offseason (or when the Cavs P.R. staff coaches him up a little more), he will admit to his mistake. We'll see, but who knows, maybe this is all a ploy to make himself out as a "villain" of sorts heading into the NBA next season in an effort to boost drama and ratings. Hey, you never know and I wouldn't put it past the NBA braintrust or anyone behind the scenes, for that matter.
Stu responds: Chalk this one up to immaturity, Edgar. You're right in that LeBron has been the "King" all his life and this may have marked the first time that he has failed on a grand stage when he was expected to win (the Cavaliers weren't the underdogs this time, they were top seeded and had been on a roll before being mangled by the Magic). Like you said, I expect him to eventually see the error of his ways and apologize (with a nudge from his handlers).
I couldnt agree more Stu....the fact that LeBron stuck to his guns about not shaking hands is total POOR SPORTSMANSHIP.
Like...all of us who have ever lined up to shake hands ....WERENT WINNERS? come on LJ...dont do that. NOBODY LIKES TO SHAKE HANDS WITH THE WINNERS. BUT WE DO IT ANYWAYS...BECAUSE ITS AN AKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE BIGGER PICTURE...THAT IS...
ITS JUST A GAME
Stu responds: Culzie, I actually make a point of watching for the obligatory postgame shot of the opposing coaches shaking hands (primarily after college basketball games, and also football games where the coaches meet at midfield). I like to see that perfunctory display of sportsmanship, even if it's forced or fake (sometimes after a bitterly fought game, the coaches barely make eye contact while shaking hands; other times they will do a semi-embrace and chat for a while).
Culzie I agree - but would add - Its RESPECT for the GAME and the TEAM/Player who was better than you on that given day.
Agreed...Respect for the Game and your Opponent should be included...no question.
Stu..its an interesting phenomenon...
When we were kids or when we coach kids...the post game Handshake is like...the top 3 most important lessons we teach.
I think it stems from the idea that....
The Game Goes on, even though this particular battle may be over....its part...a nod to your opponent, but in some respects...its also a nod to the idea that.. "we will meet again".
We used to sacrifice our opponents to volcano gods, now we shake hands as a show of respect and deference...like a young beaten lion who has to submit to the more powerful lion of the pride!
Its part of nature!
Yall see Kobe last night. Rabid. NBA finals are over. And Howard and company are going to get to shake hands like good sportsmen. They ruined the finals. And when its over, THEN they will understand how Labron feels, bu
Time to talk about Baseball and the NBA Draft.