Published: June 3, 2009
The NBA playoffs are simple: win or go home.
The task couldn’t be more basic. Yet, as one might expect, it is an assignment far easier said than done, particularly when the series at hand is the Finals. It takes just the right amount of skill, luck, and determination to win it all on the [...]
Published: June 3, 2009
The NBA playoffs are simple: win or go home.
The task couldn’t be more basic. Yet, as one might expect, it is an assignment far easier said than done, particularly when the series at hand is the Finals. It takes just the right amount of skill, luck, and determination to win it all on the [...]
Published: May 28, 2009
From the point of view of building a strong narrative, few storyline in sports are as intriguing as when a consistent underachiever finally delivers.
We are drawn to trying to solve the enigma of why said player cannot ‘put it all together’ more often. We are frustrated to no end by their inconsistency, yet at the [...]
Published: May 26, 2009
Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals reminded us of at least three explicit truths. The first two of these relate directly to basketball while the third is a higher-concept around the law of identity.
First, Denver is a determined team with a steely resolve that should see them never counted out of a game, whether [...]
Published: May 21, 2009
In debating how best to sum up the events and repercussions of Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, this correspondent conjured up a number of potential taglines.
I could be satisfied with, “The Taking of Staples Center 123.”
Alternatively, the Laker fan in me could sarcastically christen this contest “Derek Fisher and the Ghosts of Game [...]
Published: May 15, 2009
After watching Game 6 of what has been a terrifically entertaining Western Conference Semifinal between Los Angeles and Houston, one is faced with three obvious questions:
1) Can the Rockets replicate the kind of effort they showed in Game 6 when the series shifts back to Los Angeles on Sunday?
2) Can Aaron Brooks and Carl Landry [...]
Published: May 11, 2009
The Houston Rockets walked into their Game 4 match-up with the Los Angeles Lakers undermanned, over-officiated, and ready for battle.
Less than 48 hours earlier, the Rockets had not only lost Game 3, they had lost the 7’6″ symbol of their franchise. When Yao Ming fractured his foot, it was thought to have also fractured his [...]
Published: May 7, 2009
In Game 1 on Monday night, the Houston Rockets got everyone’s attention by showing that they would not kneel before the mighty Los Angeles Lakers and that, sure enough, we had a series on our hands.
Wednesday night’s Game 2 escalated the stakes.
Via their steely resolve charging back from a second quarter deficit without the help [...]
Published: May 5, 2009
It has been said of the Los Angeles Lakers all season that their greatest weakness might be their overconfidence, that they were at times too sure of themselves for a team that hasn’t won a title. Even in winning 65 games in the regular season and taking care of the Jazz in five games, Phil [...]
Published: April 28, 2009
Championships are not won in April, but they can certainly be lost there.
In that respect, the Los Angeles Lakers should be pleased with themselves after having dispatched the Utah Jazz in five games thanks to a 107-96 win Monday night.
But let us not confuse the actuality of a series win with signs that they are [...]