MCIGuy
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Post by MCIGuy on Jun 12, 2009 12:04:48 GMT -5
IThe game in some ways was lost for Orlando during that no-show its players pulled during teh third quarter. But even then I knew Orlando would not die easily and could still win the game. They should have won that game. I can argue they should be leading 3-1. It is what is is though.
I like SVG. But I did not understand his heavy use of Jameer last night. During his first few seconds on the floor Jameer brouht up the ball and turned it over to the Lakers (more like gave the ball to them). I wanted him to be pulled that very moment.
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Post by dungeon ball on Jun 12, 2009 12:17:10 GMT -5
Even if Jameer played heavy minutes last night for offense, why was he in for that last DEFENSIVE possession? I haven't watched much Magic ball prior to the playoffs, but I would think you would at least want some more length on the floor at that point. Is he supposed to be a stopper at that height?
Also, these finals have made me realize how much I appreciate the TNT crew. I can't stand Mark Jackson.
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Post by redskins12820 on Jun 12, 2009 12:20:10 GMT -5
Also, these finals have made me realize how much I appreciate the TNT crew. I can't stand Mark Jackson. Incorrect. Jeff Van Gundy is the single best thing to happen to basketball coverage since the beginning of time. I hate TNT, especially their clown half-time and post-game show.
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hoyainspirit
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Post by hoyainspirit on Jun 12, 2009 12:53:04 GMT -5
Also, these finals have made me realize how much I appreciate the TNT crew. I can't stand Mark Jackson. Man, we totally disagree on this one. I find Jackson and Van Gundy to be quite knowledgeable and totally entertaining. But hey, differences make the world go 'round.
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MCIGuy
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Post by MCIGuy on Jun 12, 2009 18:23:26 GMT -5
I like Jeff van Gundy. He's very good. Not great. Not close to great. But very good.
I like Mark Jackson personally and he definitely knows his hoops. But his delivery and favorite phrases are tiring ("mama, there goes that man again"). I wouldn't miss him if he was replaced.
Breen? Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Professional. Understated. And oh so boring.
I have loved TNT for years. In fact I loved TNT (and formerly TBS too) long before Sir Charles came aboard. Actually if anything I think the view of TNT has become a little overrated ever since Charles joined the team. Charles is enjoyable...to an extent. But I think his "deep" thoughts aren't so deep and he still butchers the English language too much. This would not be as bad if Kenny the Jet Smith didn't also butcher the same language a few times every broadcast as well. One guy doing so is okay. Two guys....that's cable community access TV level. Between the two I would take Kenny because he knows more about the game and is more acutely aware of the history of the game. And as much as I love Magic Johnson it was overkill when he was onboard only because that meant there were three guys who had problems at times being grammatically correct.
I still think TNT is the best. Best music. Best graphics. Best camera work and look. Best lead guy at the table with Ernie.
The current ABC (sometimes ESPN) pre-game and halftime team is its best yet. It doesn't have the energy of TNT but its not bad at all. Stuart Scott has finally matured especially now that he plays the straight man and has left his Sports Center act in the past. Michael Wilbon is a no-brainer. A true journalist who has true passion for basketball and is also very comfortable being in front of a TV camera (and has plenty of experience on that front). I thought Magic was a bit more alive on TNT but he is still pretty good on ABC and I love how he gets excited when the games being played are exciting (fast tempo). Plus despite all his accomplishments he doesn't come across as having an ego. The only weak link is Brent Barry (or is the other Barry). I don't mind his having strong opinions but he comes across as a little too full of himself. Putting Legler in his place would be a big improvement. Legler is ace.
However the main problem with ABC is that it did not hire my man Kevin Harlan to do play-by-play for the main team. Some people may not like Harlan's style but to me he is exciting and brings a unique flavor to the games he calls. Breen brings nothing other than solid professionalism.
Actually that is not even the main problem for ABC. The main problem is that uninspiring theme music. Someone write John Tesh a seven digit check and ask him (beg him) to come up with another good theme song for the NBA I wasn't as in love with his NBA on NBC song he came up with as most people (fave theme is still late 80s CBS NFL theme) but without a doubt it was catchy and sometimes got you really pumped. This ABC theme is a joke and totally forgettable. Its one reason why NBA fans everywhere were a tad disappointed when ABC/ESPN renewed their rights with the NBA. The music provided by ABC and ESPN doesn't even excite and inspire the true NBA fan so how can anyone expect it to help intrigue the casual viewer?
There is only one truly wonderful thing about ABC's coverage and that is that opening montage of great NBA players and moments along with CGI effects. The only problem is that even that may have run its course after four years and ABC may want to consider creating something new.
CBS did the best job with the NBA as far as I'm concerned.
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MCIGuy
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Post by MCIGuy on Jun 12, 2009 18:28:04 GMT -5
Lakers are going to win this series (as expected) and Kobe is going to win MVP. Still I love this column (following game two) from Bill Simmons regarding Kobe's flaws. Classic. This is why I can respect but never truly embrace Kobe : sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/090608&sportCat=nba0:01: Fascinating last play -- Orlando defends Kobe with its slowest defender (Turkoglu), gambling that his length will bother Kobe's jumpshot, and if Kobe drives, Hedo's teammates will jump in to help and Kobe will shoot, anyway. So what happens? Kobe beats Hedo off the dribble, Redick, Lewis and Howard all collapse on Kobe, Kobe ignores Odom (wide-open, left corner), Ariza (wide-open, top of key) and Fisher (wide-open, right corner) and shoots with two seconds left, anyway ... and Hedo blocks him from behind. Sorry, that's just a terrible offensive play. I would hope even the Lakers fans would admit that.
Important note: Kobe's reputation as a "killer" at the end of games remains overblown. The site www.82games.com just posted a study of game-winning shots from the last five-plus seasons (regular seasons and playoffs since the 2003-04 season) that revealed Kobe was shooting 14-for-56 (25 percent) with one assist and five turnovers, and made 12 of 15 free throws. So let's say that was 70 possessions total, including Sunday night. ... He only had one assist in nearly six years??? That's why Orlando quadruple-teamed him in that spot. Kobe is a phenomenal streak shooter, and he has a real talent for catching fire with a lead and closing games out ... but you can stop him in one-shot situations simply because he's his own worst enemy. He wants to be a hero, he's shooting it, and that's that.
0:00.6: Funniest moment of the game: Kobe storms back to the bench, whacks the chair in disgust and sits down as Phil Jackson (already sitting) looks at him with a bemused, "Should I point out to him that MJ absolutely would have passed there?" smile on his face. Classic.
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Jun 12, 2009 18:49:00 GMT -5
And as much as I love Magic Johnson it was overkill when he was onboard only because that meant there were three guys who had problems at times being grammatically correct. Saying Magic Johnson has problems "at times" being grammatically correct is like saying Keith Olbermann or Sean Hannity have problems "at times" being objective. Guy is atrocious. Murdering the English language on a daily basis. On the other hand, whenever I see Magic Johnson on TV, I can think of this clip and it will bring a smile to my face: ;D
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hoyarooter
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Post by hoyarooter on Jun 12, 2009 21:34:25 GMT -5
Lakers are going to win this series (as expected) and Kobe is going to win MVP. Still I love this column (following game two) from Bill Simmons regarding Kobe's flaws. Classic. This is why I can respect but never truly embrace Kobe : sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/090608&sportCat=nba0:01: Fascinating last play -- Orlando defends Kobe with its slowest defender (Turkoglu), gambling that his length will bother Kobe's jumpshot, and if Kobe drives, Hedo's teammates will jump in to help and Kobe will shoot, anyway. So what happens? Kobe beats Hedo off the dribble, Redick, Lewis and Howard all collapse on Kobe, Kobe ignores Odom (wide-open, left corner), Ariza (wide-open, top of key) and Fisher (wide-open, right corner) and shoots with two seconds left, anyway ... and Hedo blocks him from behind. Sorry, that's just a terrible offensive play. I would hope even the Lakers fans would admit that.
Important note: Kobe's reputation as a "killer" at the end of games remains overblown. The site www.82games.com just posted a study of game-winning shots from the last five-plus seasons (regular seasons and playoffs since the 2003-04 season) that revealed Kobe was shooting 14-for-56 (25 percent) with one assist and five turnovers, and made 12 of 15 free throws. So let's say that was 70 possessions total, including Sunday night. ... He only had one assist in nearly six years??? That's why Orlando quadruple-teamed him in that spot. Kobe is a phenomenal streak shooter, and he has a real talent for catching fire with a lead and closing games out ... but you can stop him in one-shot situations simply because he's his own worst enemy. He wants to be a hero, he's shooting it, and that's that.
0:00.6: Funniest moment of the game: Kobe storms back to the bench, whacks the chair in disgust and sits down as Phil Jackson (already sitting) looks at him with a bemused, "Should I point out to him that MJ absolutely would have passed there?" smile on his face. Classic.I absolutely detested this column - except for the part you quoted, MCI. That "funniest moment of the game" bit almost made me forget the crapola that preceded it, and made reading the column worthwhile. That was priceless, and so true. I can live with Kobe almost always taking the last shot. He truly believes that he is going to make every shot he takes, and that he is the Lakers best option. He's probably right most of the time. What I can't abide, as I mentioned earlier, is Kobe constantly playing one on five, even if he occasionally scores while doing that, as he did last night, or gets bailed out by a foul call. Kobe is going to be MVP in this series, even though he has only had one great game and another great quarter. The rest - eh, not so hot.
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RusskyHoya
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Post by RusskyHoya on Jun 13, 2009 22:22:40 GMT -5
And as much as I love Magic Johnson it was overkill when he was onboard only because that meant there were three guys who had problems at times being grammatically correct. Saying Magic Johnson has problems "at times" being grammatically correct is like saying Keith Olbermann or Sean Hannity have problems "at times" being objective. Guy is atrocious. Murdering the English language on a daily basis. On the other hand, whenever I see Magic Johnson on TV, I can think of this clip and it will bring a smile to my face: ;D Speaking of both Jameer Nelson AND murdering the English language:Asked if he was surprised he played the entire fourth quarter and overtime, Orlando's Jameer Nelson said: "I didn't realize I was out there playing. I'm not worried about what's going on or anything."
Please understand that we did not make up this comment. It actually was delivered through a member of the Magic's public relations department, meaning they could have withheld its distribution or at least edited it into something that made sense.
Instead, it now can be reported that Orlando was guided during the most crucial stretch Thursday by a point guard who didn't realize he "was out there playing." No wonder the Lakers finished on a 12-1 run.
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MCIGuy
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Post by MCIGuy on Jun 15, 2009 11:31:33 GMT -5
Gutless performance.
Nuff said.
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Post by Coast2CoastHoya on Jun 15, 2009 17:29:03 GMT -5
From a life-long Laker fan's eyes, another sweet chapter in franchise history. Congrats to Phil, Kobe, Fish, Pau, Jerry, Jeanie, and the whole Laker community.
Three more to go +1 on the Celtics for all-time most rings and I'll be happy.
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hoyarooter
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Post by hoyarooter on Jun 15, 2009 19:47:30 GMT -5
From a life-long Laker fan's eyes, another sweet chapter in franchise history. Congrats to Phil, Kobe, Fish, Pau, Jerry, Jeanie, and the whole Laker community. Three more to go +1 on the Celtics for all-time most rings and I'll be happy. ;D ;D ;D Ladies and germs, the professional sports team of the decade, your Los Angeles Lakers. And as for the morons that rioted last night, go back into the holes that you came out of.
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Jun 15, 2009 21:10:06 GMT -5
From a life-long Laker fan's eyes, another sweet chapter in franchise history. Congrats to Phil, Kobe, Fish, Pau, Jerry, Jeanie, and the whole Laker community. Three more to go +1 on the Celtics for all-time most rings and I'll be happy. ;D ;D ;D Ladies and germs, the professional sports team of the decade, your Los Angeles Lakers. And as for the morons that rioted last night, go back into the holes that you came out of. The rioters were C.H.U.D.s??? Cool! ;D
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Jack
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Post by Jack on Jun 16, 2009 13:20:50 GMT -5
From a life-long Laker fan's eyes, another sweet chapter in franchise history. Congrats to Phil, Kobe, Fish, Pau, Jerry, Jeanie, and the whole Laker community. Three more to go +1 on the Celtics for all-time most rings and I'll be happy. Don't forget to congratulate Joey. And are you really counting 5 titles won in Minnesota? Just for the record, all but 2 Celtics titles were won after the Fakers moved to LA. [/sour grapes]
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