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May 2007 Archives
Why...WHY???
Seriously, WHY GO FOR THREE???
YOU ARE ONLY DOWN TWO!!!
Oh, that's right...because FUCKING VINCE IS AFRAID OF GETTING BUMPED IN THE PAINT. Not ALL the time, mind you, but at the most inopportune times. Of course. He's trying to kill me, I think. Seriously. I just busted a blood vessel screaming "NOOOOO!!!!" at my tv, knowing full well that an ill-advised and off-the-mark jump shot was about to send the series back to the Meadowlands.
They didn't deserve to win that game anyway. The first half, the defensive schemes that the media have been calling "brilliant" the last couple days completely fell apart. If there's one thing I despise, it's the "jump in front of a guy w/ one outstretched arm a half-second too late because you blew your coverage assignment" maneuver. It's a favorite of RJ's. Bleh. And yeah, Collins has done a good job on D thus far, but...why do commentators always tiptoe around the fact that he is UTTERLY USELESS 95% of the time? And I have to be fair- Boki was crap tonight.
On BOTH sides though, someone has to agree with me...the officiating was atrocious. For both teams. Just all-around awful. I watched the game alone so I don't know what anyone else was thinking, but I couldn't believe some of that shit.
Anyway. I called a letdown game, so at least this way I get to say "Hey look, Becky was right." So...yeahhh, woooo, Becky was right. Whatever. Assholes.
At least they made it interesting in the second half. I must have switched my seat 5 times, and my outfit 3 times. It didn't work. I'm amazed, I always have so much control over the outcomes of games.
As an aside...I had a close friend in college from Toronto, and he was always about 10 years behind the rest of us in terms of...well, everything. Music, fashion, etc. And we would joke that it was because he was Canadian, but it was always in jest and I figured it was just him. But scanning around the Raptors' fan base tonight? I mean, I saw denim shirts and jackets, I saw turtlenecks under vests, I saw scrunchies (!), I saw fuschia lipstick, I may or may not have even seen some shoulder pads...what gives, Canadia?
(I'm joking. I'm just bitter.)
*deep breath* Friday. Same bat time. Same bat place. *sigh*
UPDATE: This is what this post would have sounded like if I could actually, you know, write.
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As a whole, the first round of the 2007 NBA Playoffs have been terribly underwhelming. The eastern conference has seen 3 sweeps already in which the mighty central is 12-0 versus the crummy southeast division. This includes the defending champion (sad) Miami Heat who got dominated by the Bulls and set the blueprint for what the St. Louis Cardinals can expect in their "title defense." The Nets-Raptors series has been interesting, with an experienced Nets team showing some serious moxie in taking a 3-2 lead into the swamp tomorrow night. I'd comment further on Vince Quitter's WNBA inspired play in Canada, Jason Kidd's brilliance (I'd take Kidd and Nash over any point guard on the planet) and why Bostjan Nachbar is a poor man's Brent Barry but I will step aside and leave this series to my counterpart Becky.
Out west, San Antonio and Phoenix have advanced in 5 games while the Houston-Utah series has been mediocre at best with the home team dominating the first 5 games. Overall, the level of excitement in these 7 playoff series is on par with AC Green's sex life during his playing days.
This brings us to Golden State-Dallas and our savior Baron Davis, the only man reliving the days of gangster rap’s prominence with his authentic Suge Knight issue beard. The Baron has been devastating in this series and the catalyst to all of Golden State's high-flying success in the first 5 games. He is putting up 26 points a game and getting to the basket at will attracting the attention of 2 or 3 defenders. While his assists are down in the series, his reckless abandon to the rim has opened up the court for the Warriors supporting cast in creating open 3s and easy put back baskets. It is no accident that Stephen Jackson and Jason Richardson are averaging 20+ points a game while the tattooed wonder Matt Barnes and Mickael Pietrus have been solid contributors from 3 point land. In addition to his offensive brilliance, The Baron has raised his defensive intensity and, like Stephon Marbury before him, has shocked us with his ability to defend one on one and force turnovers. He is averaging 2 steals a game this series and those steals more often than not have been turned into fast break buckets.
Getting off The Baron's jock for a minute, Don Nelson and the entire Warriors team deserve a lot of credit. Defensively, the Warriors have been a revelation in the playoffs and their execution on offense has been superb. On defense the Warriors have 38 steals against the usually sure handed Mavs and have actually committed less turnovers on offense than their opponent. This is shocking given the Warriors’ chaotic style and the remarkably fast pace they play on offense in contrast to the Mavs’ more conservative ball control oriented offensive game. I think above all else, the turnover statistic has been the best indicator of Golden State's dominance over Dallas through the first 5 games.
The credit on defense must be given to Nellie. His delayed double teams on Dirk along with Stephen Jackson's in your face defense have totally demoralized the Hasselhoff enthusiast for the majority of the series (sans the final 2 minutes Tuesday night) and the excellent player placement in shading the passing lanes have allowed the undersized Warriors to utilize their speed on D and force countless turnovers. The old grizzly bear really knows the Mavs well and his disheveled mock turtleneck-blazer combinations will soon become the wardrobe of choice for old alcoholics forced to dress professionally in a formal setting. Lord knows, Nellie would rather show up to Oracle tonight in a loose fitting hawaiian shirt with comfortable shorts featuring a waistline-friendly elastic band and sandals.
Speaking of tonight's game, ESPN and their Maverick jocking analysts (no one picked Golden State to win the series) continue to play the "Dirk shifted the momentum of the series with his play in the final 2 minutes" card. Now, let's think about this for a minute. Game 5 had all of the classic makings of a Dallas blowout going in: high seed at home in an elimination game usually leads to a resounding win by the home squad and with Dallas up 21 in the second quarter it really looked like this wasn't going to be the Warriors’ night. Funny thing is Dallas once again imploded and GOLDEN STATE WAS UP 9 WITH 3 MINUTES TO GO IN DALLAS. Sure they ended up losing, but they dominated the final 28 minutes of that game on the road erasing a huge deficit in the process and had The Baron not fouled out, I am pretty sure Dallas would be finished. So my question is - How is this going to do anything but make the Warriors even more confident for game 6 in the absolutely insane Oracle Arena where Dallas has yet to win this year?? They have dominated Dallas at home and away and to imply as ESPN has that now the pressure is on Golden State is a complete joke. How could the pressure be on an 8 seed no one believed in other than Oakland residents and a certain man at Giggin’ On Ya, rather than a 67 win team that is close to being on the receiving end of the biggest upset/embarassment in NBA history? Exactly.
So tonight, loyal Warriors fans, raise up in Oaktown. May the deafening support from the sea of yellow result in a Dirk Nowitzki charter plane leaving for Deutcheland Friday morning and more Baron to enjoy in round 2.
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Well now. THIS certainly does not exude confidence. Not that I'm one to judge superstition, seeing that I'm the same girl who changes her clothes because her team blew out their opponent when she was wearingthosepants, gawd, what was Ithinkingputtingtheseon??? Er, allegedly.
But no, the quotes coming out of Raps camp do not sound exceedingly assuring for Raptors fans. Not that Toronto won't come into the Swamp tonight and kick some booty. I'm well aware that it is in the realm of the possible. They just don't sound liketheythink they will. This is, in part, due to the dire point guard situation. Via the always wonderful NetsDaily, one of the Toronto papers goes ahead andgives us some odds. Like gambling, but withpeople's lives. Hee.
*Jose Calderon, 2 to 1: But look for a quick hook if his ankle slows him down.
*Juan Dixon, 3 to 1: He has the speed to pick up Jason Kidd full court, and if his stroke returns he can punish New Jersey for challenging Toronto guards to shoot on pick-and-rolls.
*Darrick Martin, 5 to 1: The only true point guard in good health, but he likely will be used in limited minutes as needed.
*T.J. Ford, 7 to 1: He hasn't touched a ball since he was hurt and, given his history of neck trouble, caution should rule the day. It's hard to imagine he could play his fearless style so soon after his stinger.
*Anthony Parker, 10 to 1: A good bet for backup minutes, but it would seem a tall order for him to make his first NBA start at point guard in an elimination game.
Personally, I'd like to see Darrick Martin make the start. Because he looks like Cee-Lo. And it might be fun to have "Closet Freak" stuck in my head all weekend. And if I had to guess, I would have said I was 99% certain Calderon would make the start tonight. Now they're sayingit'll be Ford, despite the fact that some think throwing him in there w/ his spinal fusion history is "criminal." So it's a moo point (you know, like a cow's opinion).
I did notice a couple glaring omissions from The Star's list though:
*Martin Nash, 15 to 1: I mean if it came down to the younger brother of Candace Parker vs. the younger brother of Canadian Crown Prince Point Guard Steve Nash...hell, I'd give the younger Nash a shot every time.
*Pape Sow, 40 to 1: What else is he doing? I'm sure a couple of Toronto fans really want to see this, position be damned. AndSam Mitchell did promise a “surprise." Falls under the "so crazy it just might work!" heading. Also falls under the "will never happen in 10 million years" heading, but I can dream, no?
*J.E. Skeets, 100 to 1: Currently en route to New Jersey. Coincidence? Perhaps. Perhapsnot.
Wow I want the Nets to win this game. If they don't grab it by the balls and dominate (like they are apparently sort of almost kind of predicting), then I don't see them pulling their heads out of their asses and their collective wits about them enough to go back north of the border and close the series out in a Game 7. So let's do this, and let's do it TONIGHT.
Quick disclaimer: I won't be watching the game. I know, I know... I'll be in the Bronx trying to figure out if the last Kei Igawa outing was a fluke or if it was a non-fluke gem or if Kei evenlikesfluke.
My original plan was to tape the Nets game and turn my phone off until I could come home and watch the game without knowing the outcome beforehand. This plan has now been rendered 100% impossible though, as there may or may not be a roving gang of Canadians awaiting me somewhere in between the Bronx and Brooklyn. Buuuuut I'm still gonna watch the previously recorded and assumedly spoiled game at some point anyway. Unless they lose in gut wrenching heartbreaking fashion. Then...well I'll cross the Game 7 bridge when we get to it, alright kiddies?
Be safe out there.
Go Nets.
(Note: In my haste to get this post up the other day, I forgot to give credit on the image toThe Cavalier. I am doing so now because the last thing I want is for him to flip out and make me a nemesis.)
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I really don't have time for a full entry as I cram my little procrastinating heart out, but here's the Post's Fred Kerber on the match-ups for Nets/Cavs.
I was obviously gleeful that it was RJ that was the big hero on Friday night. It only took Lawrence most of a season to figure out how to run a play to end a game. Yay Lawrence!
I was completely hammered drunk the other night (oops) and very adamant that the Nets could not only get past Cleveland in this round, but then could very well beat the Pistons or Bulls in the next. In retrospect, I attribute such confidence in my team to what I like to call "beer moxie," or in this case, "vodka and diet coke moxie." Can the Nets beat these teams? Yes. Will they? Ehhhhh....
Sure! Let's go Nets!!!
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Well...I made it. Survived the last round of finals ever. I had a lot to say re: the Nets, and I planned to do it immediately following my final Wednesday night, and then work on the take-home I had due Thursday and...well, I decided to get drunk instead. So here we are. The take-home got done, albeit in a horrifically hungover fashion, and I still have shit on my mind about these Nets of New Jersey on this lazy Friday night. So...let's do it.
Tuesday night's game. Everyone's read all the rebounding differentials and seen how many turnovers the Nets had and how they were hanging in there the whole game and blew it at the end and blahhhh. But I watched this game. And at no point did it look like the Nets were in over their heads. Do you know what the Nets looked like? They looked tired. That was it. By the end there, they just looked exhausted. And I'm not making any excuses or anything, but they did finish the Toronto series at like 11 Friday night and then have to start the next series in Cleveland at 1:00 Sunday afternoon. The players in the league will always tell you how those early games are tough to get going in to begin with...this just seemed a liiiiiittle unfair. But, no excuses. I'm just saying, they DID look tired. They didn't play BADLY. It was just really sloppy, exhaustion-laden-looking play. And it sounds likeI'm not too far off.
Is it just me, or does RJ have the capability of becoming a walking sound bite? I always used to complain that he talked too much and said way too much stupid shit, but he could turn this into a somewhat enjoyable shtick, no?
Then there's this:
I think that if you're coming out on Saturday or Monday to support the Nets, you
should take a little offense to how everyone talks about the lack of energy in
the building. You should take some offense to that. I respect everyone that
comes out to the games here. Personally, I think our crowd is great. I think our
crowd participates extremely well. I think that's why we have such a good home
record.
Richard, I love you, and I know the crowd gets into it when it's supposed to, but you and I both know the energy just feels a little...hollow. I'm not sure what it is. It might be the fact that the majority of the crowd noise is kids. Or those horrific Thunder Stix. But the weird thing is, it's not that the arena is empty, because it feels that way even in sell-outs. It has to be the construction of the arena, or something. I've said it a million times, the building is a nightmare, and walking through the concourses before, during and after games is worse than walking through Grand Central during rush hour. It's swimming upstream. The condiments section of the snack bar (no, not "Nachbar," I said "snack bar" and I meant it) is in the most inopportune location you could imagine. There are no packets and the pumps for ketchup and mustard are far apart from one another. It's also in the way of everyone trying to walk anywhere, mainly to their seats. The upper level is only accessible from the bottom, so you have to walk up a lot of steps if you're not near the front. And they are STEEP steps. Other than for the purpose of actually, you know, watching the game? It's a terrible arena. So is it so far fetched that the acoustics are all fucked up? Like the sound just sort of...stagnates? Anyway, that's my theory. Because I've been part of some very pumped up crowds in CAA. But the energy level always feels a little sapped.
The major problem here, of course, is the conversation I had with Mommy yesterday.
Mom: Daddy asked if I wanted to go to the game Saturday...I said no, because it is just going to be too depressing.
Becky:...wait...what?
Mom: Yeah, I dunno, I just don't see it going well.
Becky:...WHAT???
Mom: Yeah. I just don't know.
Becky: You are fucking wack.
Anyway, I've been whining that we need to go to this game and hoping they change their minds, but outlook does not look good. RJ's quotes did make my mom feel a little guilty though. I've got a dope puppy dog face, I'll put it to good use early in the mo'nin.
For the record, I am sick and tired of talking about Vince and his unwillingness to go anywhere near the basket in an anything closely resembling "hard" fashion. I mean, I feel like every single game-related post over at El Friendsincluded either a rant, a whine, a general complaint, a snark or a quip about "Air Pussy" and his fear of contact. To sum up, via TrueHoop, Brian Windhorston Wince:
If I were to cover the Nets, though, I think I would keep track of the amount of games when Carter goes to a limp. So far in this series it's 2.
Um...YEAH!!! That's what I've been saying ALL SEASON! Vince goes to a limp every. Single. Game. No joke here. I have literally seen him do it every single game. EVERY. GAME. He pulls the "Oh no, this is a SEASON ENDER!!!" routine, and then is back in the game playing fine after 5 minutes. It is truly maddening. In fact, I don't even want to waste the time looking for an old post on El Friends to prove it, because it pissed me off every time I had to write it about him to begin with. Instead, I'm just going to link tothe post that has 4 nasty Boki dunks, in the hopes he brings it down on someone's head tomorrow evening. Cuz check outwho made the list. :)
Some good news? Yes, indeed!HOUSE!And yes, I have been an Eddie House apologist long before readingSeven Seconds. Only partially due to his high scoring outbursts in college; also partially due toan inside joke(anecdote about halfway down).
Ugh, and even though I swore I wouldn't rehash, look what else was in that post:
At this point, I am fairly certain when Vince drives the lane, he never has the intention of trying to take a shot in the first place. He kind of just careens wildly and hopes someone fouls him.
This team makes my head hurt.
OK, so...they are down. However, I do not believe they are out. Because it's not a series until somebody wins a road game, right?
In fact...anyone remember the series that gave us this game? They almost won that series after dropping the first 2 in Detroit. And I have to believe that this current team is better than the 2004 version (although they certainly are missing the K-Mart toughness in a major way).
So...what's the difference here?
*sigh*
It's Vince. It's ALWAYS Vince. On paper, he should make this team one of the best and talented in the league. But...well, I think it's finally time to pose a question here that I have been jokingly positing for the past couple months:
Is Vince the A-Rod of the NBA? Or is A-Rod the Vince of MLB?
The most diehard Yankees fans I know (that are also intelligent and not the stereotypical "asshole" Yankees fans) are certain that the Yankees won't win another championship until A-Rod leaves the team. And then they'll win as soon as he's gone.
And the Nets DO seem to play better with Vince on the bench. My mother is convinced he is slowing them down to the point that they could play almost like a Golden State without him. I personally don't think they have that type of speed or talent, but who knows?
All I know is, he drives me crazy and makes me do things like slap my forehead and yell at the television.
But I truly AM tired of talking about Vince. This team is NOT about Vince. It's about JKidd (watch for a monster game from him now that he's had a few days rest); it's about RJ (he needs to STOP TAKING THREES and stop trying to play like a 2 and start playing with a little more aggression because he is definitely the x-factor in this series); it's about Twin (why are people surprised he sucks at rebounding? I've maintained for years that he only grabs boards when the ball bounces directly into his hands and his only contribution is boxing out so other dudes can grab them); it's about Boki (he'll find his shot and also go hard to the hoop here and there, he's just inexperienced and I think a little nervous...it's adorable...HE'S adorable); it's about Antoine Wright (did a decent job guarding LBJ and apparently is the best option...I'm sorry, but JKidd on LBJ for the majority of the game is a poor defensive scheme); it's about Mikki (he needs to stay out of foul trouble and be a bit beastier with those 'bows); it's about Nenad (how much different would this series be with him playing?); it's about Marcus and Boone (learn as you go, I guess...rookie mistakes aside, they've been a nice addition); and it's about Larry. I believe Frank can pull his head out of his ass long enough to figure out how to get this team clicking the right way. He just needs to learn how to stand up to Vince and say, "No, they HAVEN'T all been good shots." I'm not sure how possible it is. I'm tired of bitching about it, it's been ALL SEASON.
So. Here we go. Your money where your mouth is- BRING IT.
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mom thought you would be interested in this item from
NJ.com.
Look, I KNOW he's a good guy. I've always said he's probably a great guy and I'd love to meet him, hang out with him, go on a date with him...whatever. He's just not a starting center, dammit. I admit the intangibles and the boxing out and the toughness and yada yada. But he's still not producing the way you need a 5th starter to produce. It saddens my soul to see the likes of Sideshow Bob grabbing rebounds over him that he could easily rip away from the basket himself.
I do like this though:
"That I'm not athletic," he said. "I'm like super athletic. When I jump, I just choose to stay close to the ground."
Hee. See? I LIKE him. He needs to be a beast tonight though. I demand it.
Oh, and by the way?
Yeah...
WE GOING TO THE SWAMP.
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I had to take the bus back in from the burbs this morning to go to work...and when it is cold and/or rainy, such a commute requires me to travel through both the Port Authority AND Grand Central. These, incidentally, happen to be my top two very least places on earth. So since it was nice out this morning, I opted to walk across town instead. The dilemma then becomes, with something like 2,000 songs on the ipod and no suitable playlist, how does a fly little lady such as myself ensure something suitable to strut to for 15 straight minutes? Well, the answer is clearly "click 'next' a lot" and that is what I did. I hit like a 10 song lag there for a minute, until I came across...Delinquent Habits! Bad. Ass. And that, my friends, is what the Nets need to be tonight.
(Cheap lead in? Perhaps. But I am nothing if not cheap and easy.)
Anyway, none of this "Owwwwww my pinky finger!" crap from you-know-who. Seriously, we were sitting right above the entrance (exit?) to the Nets locker room, and my dad spotted Vince "walking out, holding his arm" like he couldn't move it. He sounded nervous and panicky, but, having watched way more games than him this season, both my mother and I rolled our eyes and said, "He'll be back in 5 minutes."
"I don't know," my dad said worriedly..."It looked pretty bad."
Annnnnnd 5 minutes later, guess who checked back in?
One more note on Wince before I banish him from my thoughts for the rest of the post.
From theSlam recap of Game 3:
If Vince Carter’s jumper has an STD yet his drives to the rim are clean, why would he keep f—ing with the wrong trick? Does it just feel so good or something?
Poetry. Right there.
Moving on.
I liked the intensity Mikki finally brought to the boards. He needs to be a little more of an enforcer and throw a couple 'bows here and there to let opposing bigs know they can't just traipse through the Swamp. I think he has the build and ability to be a poor man's Dikembe.
Short of that, I think maybe Uncle Cliffy can be used in the "goon" capacity. Since, you know, he's doing little else besides sitting on the bench and actually NEGATIVELY contributing when he DOES play. Boone has been decent...he makes rookie mistakes and has terrible hands. But he's been alright. But someone needs to do the whole "Nuh uh, you do NOT COME UP IN MY HOUSE LIKE THAT" routine. Much like our dearly departed K-Mart used to do.
As for the "useful" Jason Collins...hell, I dunno. Yeah, the boxing out business seems to be his specialty and what makes him so "invaluable" according to the other guys. And obviously this boxing out business is huge, since Lawrence showed apparently showed the team hours of "missed box outs" tape prior to Game 3. And this somehow got them boxing out more and such boxing out subsequently led to more rebounds. And really I just like saying "box out." But I just always find myself yelling at Twin, "GRAB THE BOARD!" Because it's just so silly how he's right there but like...can't. I don't know. It's frustrating. It's possible he also has bad hands. It's also possible he's afraid of the ball. Seriously. As soon as he gets the ball he passes it off like a hot potato. He can be 2 feet from the basket with no one in front of him, and he still throws it back to JKidd like it was covered in spiders or something. (I would too, I really fucking hate spiders.) I'm not sure when this started, but I think it was right around the time he stopped hitting free throws and teams started in with the"Hack-a-Collins" nonsense. (First person to catch my hypocrisy wins a prize.) Is it possible that players with above average intelligence are more sensitive to criticism? Or is Collins just too nice of a guy? (I said to my mom, "See, that's why you need a guy like K-Mart...he was a dick. He made fun of Zo's kidney." She laughed and we high-fived. I hope hell is nice. For my sake.)
Speaking of sensitive to criticism, firstMarcus, thenBoki? Oy. This is what you call "bad timing." Suck it up, boys. It's the SECOND SEASON.
As for the "It's a brand new season" shirts...it DID look a little silly that only half the crowd was wearing them. So as opposed to a "sea of red," it was more of a...red...tinged...uh...ocean? I don't know, that's just gross (although does make me think of cool shark attacks). But before everyone keeps picking on the Meadowlands fans, let me just throw this out there- the people RUNNING things may have been the people that fucked up here. Walking out to the car after the game (yes, the whole fam decked out in playoff red), we overheard some dude bitching how "tacky" it was to not hand the shirts out to everyone; "If you're going to hand them out, you should hand them out to EVERYONE." It was a bit whiny, but...makes sense, no? I don't know what the criteria was (first thousand people? attractive people?) but dude was right. "To make an impact, you have to go to extremes." (First person to tell me what movie that's from wins my undying love.)
RJ looks goooooood. Stop taking 3s, hon. You're doing just fine playing aggressively.
A couple more notes on the Game 3 experience before I get pumped (slash nervous?) for Game 4. If anyone wants to TAKE me to Game 4, I promise you will get laid. (Disclaimer: I have slutty friends, you're not guaranteed a Becky.)
Bitches on stilts: still in the house.
If T-Mac is in the house? I want to see him on the Jumbo-Tron (or reasonable facsimile of a Jumbo-Tron in Continental's case). It's nice to see Tony Soprano, but I'd much rather see THE MACK.
I came very close to wearing a SIGNED replica SHAWN BRADLEY jersey. It was gonna be ironic and awesome. Then my dad would not let me tie a knot in it (necessary to show off my "assets") so that idea went down in flames. He wore it though! Only, on him it was not so ironic. Just kind of dorky. But still very much AWESOME.
Spotted in the crowd: a chick in a replica ED O'BANNON jersey. Hey, I own one too! We'll be best friends!
No senior dancers in the house...but the kids dance team is pretty awesome, I have to say. One complaint: they dance to a song whose chorus includes "CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP! CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP! CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP! CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP!"...but they don't DO the Chicken Noodle Soup dance! Unacceptable.
K, that is all for now.
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I'm gonna let my mom sum this one up.
This is the email she sent me minutes after the game ended last night:
Have I mentioned lately how much I hate Vince Carter?
Next on my list is now Lawrence F'ing Frank... calling those stupid plays for Vince with the season on the line... Even I know better.
That's verbatim.
I just don't know. There's no reason for that ball to be in anyone's hands other than Kidd's. Maybe RJ, except after he botched that dunk he reverted back to "super happy 3 point shooting fun time" RJ. So many missed dunks and layups. So gross.
I haven't even had it in me to read any of the recaps/post-game interviews/analyses/yada yada today. Yet. I'll get there.
Yuck.
3-1 is an awful place to be. Because it's like pretty much done...but you still have guarded optimism. But you know it's displaced. And it's sad.
This is pretty disjointed and awful, but it apparently exists so, if you want to see my mental state deteriorate as the game went on, you can click here.
That Suns-Spurs game was kickass though.
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The original plan was to liveblog...cuz I'm THAT original. But my (hangover induced) nap went right up until tipoff, so the first quarter saw me finally eating. Finally eating as Boki's shot finally falls? A sign of things to come? And if I happened to make myself breakfast for dinner, and one of the eggs had 2 yolks...for what would THAT be a harbinger?
This could potentially be the last Nets game of the season. So I'm just gonna stream of consciousness my way through this thing. Because fuck structure, that's why!
Really, I'm encouraged. The boys have brought their killer instinct tonight. Right, Vince?
Er...right?
"We play to win, not to lose."
I see.
I am glad to see Marcus has woken up.
And Vince seems to be taking a little effort in the general direction of the basket. Can we continue this trend throughout the game? Stay tuned.
Missed layups. Again. Really.
So Daniel Gibson, huh?
Ohh, I see we're getting "ill-advised jump shot" RJ tonight. Now with limited edition playoff sound bites!
"We understand that
if we get those same shots, nine times out of 10, they go
in."
I have to say, if you had told me at the beginning of the season that Antoine Wright would be getting substantial playoff minutes, I would have laughed. And really, it's still funny. HILARIOUS.
EDDIE HOUSE!!!!!!
So...close, and awful, again, huh? Something tells me we'll be back in "warm bath" territory again tonight....
Varejao is just silly looking. He gets mad and you just want to giggle and then pat him on the head and go, "Yes...I know. If you behave though, after the game you can have a cookie..." and then him go, "COOKIE!!!!!!!!!" and grin like an idiot and run away. I don't know what I'm saying here. It makes sense in my head. (It's scary in there.)
I see Sasha just sitting on the bench wishing hateful shit on Gibson. Also thinking, "I am soooo much prettier than him anyway. Bitch."
Dear Vince, DUNK IT. Love, Becky.
p.s. Missed layups are for assholes.
I haven't seen the lob passes work out very well for the Nets lately. You want to say not to mess with that shit when a game is close, but then you also want to say not to mess with it in a blow out for poor sportsmanship or whatever too. It's a Catch-22! A moral dilemma! really, just give it a shot all the time. I don't actually care.
Do I seem despondent? If so, probably it is because I am. I just don't see this ending well. Because Mikki Moore is being relied upon as The Guy, and Jason Kidd is being relied upon to guard EVERYONE. He cannot do everything, people. Especially when "everything" includes guarding guys who are like a foot taller than him.
Oh, and do I seem incoherent? Yeah, that I have no excuse for. Too much drink, not enough sleep, I fail at life, again.
So...Josh Boone = slightly more offense-gifted Jason Collins? Typing that out makes me think, "Man, when DID Twin get so crappy?" I swear, he used to be at least SERVICEABLE.
You know, I don't blame anyone for skipping this game and tuning in just for Spurs/Suns. That game is going to be wayyyyy better. In fact, I think the Suns run more without Amare. And I think the RAJA has a huge game. He brings the intensity.
Well, it's halftime. We get a Boki interview. Sweeeeet.
Stephanie Ready, you are useless: "Is there any pressure on this Nets team in this game?" You mean BESIDES it being an elimination game? I hope she sucks dick better than Pam Oliver, because otherwise I don't see how she's gonna compete around here.
Awwww, EJ's family. That's legitimately cute.
And they said I didn't have a heart.
Man, I don't even have anything witty for you in between the action. I just want to lie down and pretend I cannot move. So we're going with that.
My kidney hurts.
If I hear the term "forearm shiver" one more time, I am going to do something drastic. Well, not really, but I am going to feel mildly annoyed. MILDLY ANNOYED.
And I don't blame the TNT crew for only talking about the Suns/Spurs game. I guess I wouldn't want to talk about the Nets either. 'Tis my cross to bear.
Is that weird guy in the pink blazer with the frosted tips and cheesy 'stache at the Q real? Or is he a gimmick? Like there was that one Nets fan who did the "N-E-T-S NETS NETS NETS" chant and then put on the floppy hat and ran up the steps of whatever 200-level section that was. And HE was like a gimmick, sort of, right? But he made sense, I think, maybe. If cheesy 'stache guy is a gimmick, I have to admit...I don't get it. Right over my head. And cheesy 'stache guys are usually a point of heightened interest for me.
By the way, I didn't think it was possible, but Shannon Elizabeth's acting got WORSE from the actual movie to the DirecTV commercial. Other than that Chevy nonsense, is there a worse ad campaign out there these days? Bits of movies that were awful originally made more awful plus ruining movies that were good originally? Bad form. Bad.
I really really really would have liked to be an impartial observer of the Nets team field trip to the Indians game Tuesday night. That had to be a TIME.
Oh mannn. Bloody LBJ up to start the half and motivate his ass. That's exactly what you need to do. Guh.
Mikki Moore's shooting stance is just so ridiculous. His knees buckle and he goes all pigeon-toed.
Sasha tried to bring it hard to Mikki there and threw him on the ground...he hacked him! HACK! Reggie thinks it was a good foul. The refs think it was a flagrant. Eat it, Reg.
No, a 15 point lead is NOT comfortable with this team, thanks for asking.
How about a 20 point lead? (Shhhhhhhhh!!!)
All the shots are falling, and it's like...I'm sitting here wishing some of them wouldn't because like they need to be spread out! Save some for a Potential Game 6!
Are the Cleveland fans booing their team?
Hee, "They're getting whipped." Because who DOESN'T like a little S&M with their playoff basketball?
Speaking of S&M, the money quote from Lawrence Frank:
"The whole year we've dealt with different things," coach Lawrence
Frank said. "Our motto ought to be, 'If it ain't rough, it ain't right.'"
Donyell Marshall airball- can life get better? I submit that it cannot.
Seriously, Mikki Moore's shooting stance. Is there anything more awkward? Other than, you know, that time at that bar with that guy and his ex-girlfriend and his soon-to-be new girlfriend. That was maybe more, or at least equally awkward.
Can I skip the 4th quarter to watch "Lost"? No? But people are going to DIE tonight! OK, I'll put a tape in. I've been avoiding the spoiler website all week, man. ALL WEEK.
Is it weird that I do the little "3" sign every time someone hits one? Like the little circle with the thumb and forefinger, with the middle, ring and pinky fingers up. I think I just outnerded myself.
OK seriously, think about this: this series involves substantial minutes for Mikki Moore, Antoine Wright, Daniel Gibson and Donyell Marshall. Somehow that just doesn't SOUND sexy.
You know what sounds sexy? Fig Newtons. NOT, in fact, cookies.
I swear I'm still watching...trying not to force the funny though. Cuz like...I'm just not FEELING it, you know? It's hot in here and I'm tired and cranky and...man, I'm whiny.
Lime. Lemon. Lemonlimelemonlime. My brain is fried and I don't even have exams to blame this time.
I really hate when I make a bet, and I feel it's win-win because if the Nets win, then that's good, but if the Nets lose, it means I don't have to do something that I said I would but really don't want to as the terms of the bet. It really ends up being lose-lose.
Of course, a 15 point lead is VERY tenuous with this team.
Halfway through the 4th quarter and no one on either team has a field goal. Now THAT, is sexy. 0-9 for the Nets...such a great game to be watching. Nets fandom ROCKS.
Umm....uh oh. Did I say "tenuous"? Apparently I meant "fucked."
Antoine Wright: defensive sparkplug!
My dad always says he is never comfortable with a lead 10 or less at any point, even the last minute...and OH MY GOD, WHAT IS WRONG WITH LEBRON'S FOOT???
Oh, wait, he's fine. Vince...is that you?
Your missed free throws and 5 point quarter- BRING IT!
Welp, it was not pretty by ANY means, but the Nets will LIVE TO SEE ANOTHER DAY. You like how I just dropped some drama on your head? I'm holding off on the optimism now though, because that seemed like the "every other game we take off" strategy the Cavs have used all season. So every other game means...yup, they're coming to play on Friday night.
Man, could I hook for Game 6 tickets? I don't think I could. Damn self respect.
Ummm...GO NETS!!!
Yeah, I am really looking forward to Suns/Spurs. Let's do THAT.
[ full story] [ comments (3)]
And so it ends.
Thus ends the 2006-2007 season for my New Jersey Nets.
I should have known that a team could not win a championship when its offense is best described as an "ill-advised jump shot arsenal."
Or when its defensive scheme is best described as "jumping in front of an opposing player from 3 feet away with an outstretched arm a half-second too late to actually defend the shot."
And yes, it is still about Vince.
I'm tired of talking about Vince. He's just not The Guy. I wish him well in his future endeavors, be they in Orlando or Charlotte or...I don't know, Italy. Whatever. I think the Nets would be better off with another 2. Someone who is a bit more role player and a bit less...well, Vince. The rest of the team is too content to watch Vince and leave things in his hands. And Vince is just not capable of it. I don't know if he wants it or not. I have to assume "not".
Anyway. I'm too dejected to read any recaps or look at any stats or anything tonight.... I shed my tear and drank away my sorrows, and that is all I feel like doing for now.
The off-season questions arise for Becky on the morrow. But I want to say that a lot of guys showed a lot of heart, and I am actually, yes, proud to be a Nets fan. I hope there's a Mikki re-signing. I hope there's a healthy Nenad. I hope Kidd has the wherewithal to keep playing with the reckless abandon he showed this postseason. I hope a lot of things....
But mostly, I hope the 2007-2008 season gets here quickly. Because I miss this already.
[ full story] [ comments (1)]
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