Go on, top that; I dare ya

WINSLOW TOWNSON/AP

They were rocking in Boston - and Portland - last night.

Okay, what’s next? Every game goes to overtime? Someone goes off for 60? Buzzer-beaters at every buzzer imaginable?

I don’t know how any night in these playoffs can top last night.

We had another great one in Boston, controversy in Orlando, a brilliant finish but a supposedly too young team in Portland and perhaps the end of an era in San Antonio.

Sure took the stench of Denver-New Orleans away, didn’t it?

Sure, we’re going to watch tonight and probably be entertained; and we’re going to watch for the next 50 or so nights and be equally entertained but I don’t think we’re going to get another night quite like last night.

But we'll try, of course. And we'll try with one of our fun-filled in-game blogs tonight just before 8 for Miami-Atlanta. Had pretty good attendance last night, I hope everyone had fun and you should join us.

And now ...

-

About Last Night

There he is!

More than a few were wondering when the real Paul Pierce would show up and he did, just in the nick of time.

What he did in the late stages of that superb game last night was just what Finals MVPs are supposed to do, make every big shot he took.

Yes, Rajon Rondo has been spectacular but with Ray Allen fouled out (and those last two fouls were among the cheapest of the night, I contend) the Celtics needed their best player to make huge plays and he did.

For most of the series, I’ve been wondering if something’s wrong with Pierce (and the fact he’s not getting to the free throw line still has me wondering a little bit) but when everyone in the gym knew exactly what he was going to do – drive to the spot just inside the free-throw line, stop, step back and shoot – he did it and made the shots.

I still don’t think this series over by a long shot, I truly expect to be sitting somewhere sipping a beverage on Saturday night but if Pierce doesn’t make those shots, I’m not sure the Bulls wouldn’t have closed it out tomorrow.

-

Tough finish

How’d you like to be Brad Miller? Talk about your up and down night. He makes three gruesome turnovers in the first quarter (passes that were reminiscent of Bad Oakley) but then hits a huge three, makes a Maravich-like pass a second or two later and then has a chance to tie the game with that layup at the end of OT.

If he was one step quicker and could jump faster, he’d have got to the rim and dunked but all he could do was take a terrific shot to the chops for a foul and then blow the first free throw.

Tough, tough evening.

-

He’s got to sit

How’s “starting centre Marcin Gortat” sound to you Orlando fans?

I know Dwight Howard had a monster Game 5 against Philadelphia, his best of the series by far, but if he’s in uniform for Game 6, I’ll be shocked.

Check this out:

If Stu Jackson doesn’t get a whiff that video and hit Howard with a one-game suspension, it will just feed into the theory that stars get preferential treatment, especially come playoff time.

That’s as premeditated and dangerous a shot as you’re going to see; if Howard hit him flush, he might have killed the quasi-Canadian.

And I know there’s precedent – by the NBA’s vice-president of discipline – because I saw it first-hand.

Back in ’01, in that Sixers-Bucks Eastern Final that Toronto could very well have been in, Stu suspended Milwaukee’s Scott Williams for Game 6 for a shot he took at Allen Iverson in Game 6, a shot that I don’t think even was called a flagrant foul or a technical in the game.

I love Dwight Howard, he’s a nice, funny, good guy but he can’t get away with that crap.

Here’s how the issue played in the Orlando paper and in the Philly paper.

-

Bye-bye, Spurs

So this is what the end of a dynasty looks like.

I was kind of happy to see Tim Duncan, playing on about a leg and a half, go out blazing (what did he hit? His last nine shots in a row or something stupid like that?) and Tony Parker was great but watching San Antonio bow meekly to Dallas made me wonder if one of the best runs of the modern era in the NBA is over.

No one knows for sure how Manu Ginobili’s going to come back (that ankle problem’s been around in some form for more than a year) and it’s quite clear that the likes of Imre Udoka and local favourites Matt Bonner and Roger Mason Jr. were just not ready for the big-time this year.

The Spurs were always able to surround their stars with great role players, guys found late in the draft or late in their careers, but I’m not sure they’ve got the pieces in place now to keep up their phenomenal run.

Here’s what the folks were writing in the Express-News today.

-

How big are fans?

I don’t know about you, but as I was flipping between the demise of the Spurs and the delight of the Blazers last night, I got to Portland in time for that devastating game-ending fourth quarter run and all I could think was that my opinion that Rose Garden fans are the best in the game was being validated.

Sure, the Blazers made shots and played their best defence of the series in that fourth quarter but anyone who doesn’t think the adrenaline rush provided by full-throated fans is huge would be proved dead wrong.

I’m not sure Portland can play with the same emotion in Houston tomorrow but I wouldn’t count them out.

The one big strategic move: Starting my fave Rudy Fernandez over Nicolas Batum in the second half. What it does is put another scorer on the floor that Houston has to deal with, occupying a defender who could go over and help on Brandon Roy.

I presume Nate McMillan stays with that new starting five tomorrow night; just as I assume Rick Adelman will come up with some counter.

I know Chicago-Boston has been full of drama and great games but for my money, the last four games of the Portland-Houston series have been just as, if not more than, compelling.

It’s going to make for a delightful Thursday night, I hope.

-

On to other, more mundane, matters

Let’s clear up one Raptor misperception that might be floating around out there today.

The surgery Jose Calderon had yesterday on his finger – and I’m told he’s home and recuperating already – will have nothing whatsoever to do with any plans he has to not play or to play for Spain later this summer.

The European championships don’t begin until the week after Labour Day (Sept. 7, I believe) and serious preparation won’t begin until late July or early August. Even using the outside timeframe of eight weeks for his recovery, that’s still more than enough to time to play, if he wants.

Now, from private conversations I had with him to what he said the day after the season ended to the thinly-veiled suggestion that Bryan’s told him the Raptors would rather he sit out, I am virtually certain he won’t play.

But, it will be because he’s played for Spain for far more than a decade and would like a summer off; not because of surgery on the ring finger on his non-shooting hand.

-

You know the really bad news yesterday?

Jamario Moon having season-ending surgery on a sports hernia.

For a guy without a guaranteed contract for next year – and a guy who has really been up and down for this entire season – the uncertainty has to be a terrible feeling.

Now, I’m sure there’s enough time for him to be operated on and fully recover before he’d have to get into the gym in the summer but I wonder what teams are going to offer him, knowing he’s coming off surgery.

I always thought the very best he’d get on the market this year was a two-year deal with the second not fully-guaranteed (and I even wondered if there’d be a full guarantee on the first) but this is going to end up costing him some money, I’d presume.

And he’s a good guy who probably deserves better.

Maybe he’s like Leon Powe in Boston, another free agent whose season ended with an operation; maybe the Heat will do right by him like I expect the Celtics to do right by Powe and offer him a contract.

I sure hope so.

-

This is old, and a wee bit late but Wayne Parrish and the folks at Canada Basketball have reason to be proud.

And since summer is approaching so, too, is international basketball season and it’s a big, big, big one for the people here.

The men and women senior teams have to qualify for next year’s world championships – and if they don’t, it means a disaster for both programs – but there is some good news. The men’s and women’s under-19 teams have both already qualified for the worlds so there will be some good stuff to report on as they prepare and play.

Plus, it’ll give me something to do in the NBA downtime.

-

Comments

[Jason]

Doug,

It looked like (for two games at least) that the Heat would be able to steamroll over the Hawks and take the series. But now with Moon out and Wade fighting injury (missed practice I hear), do the Heat have enough to win the series?

[RAJ]

Hey Doug,
Has your opinion of Josh Howard changed after seeing him play in the playoffs?

Blogger's note: No, not really. Pretty good player.

[Kelsie]

Hey Doug,

Howard should be suspended but I can't help but feel that this is how intense it gets in the playoffs and you notice that for the remainder of the night Howard did pretty much as he pleased, 24 and 24 wowsers! Talk about intimidation!

Rondo doesn't deserve a suspension and I know the referees would never call it in that situation but if thats not a flagrant foul on Miller, I'm not sure what is. He hit him in his face regardless of whether he was looking at the ball or not.

I'm liking the Rockets style of play right now. Any chance after they dispose of these young Blazers that they give LA a run? Or would they have to play Denver next?

Blogger's note: The Houston-Portland winner plays the Lakers regardless of what happens in any other series.

[Jojo]

Doug, do you think there’s a realistic chance that in the foreseeable future the NBA might re-visit the 6-fouls and you’re out rule? I don’t see how the benefits outweigh the costs here, and presumably the league and owners have a vested interest in having the stars out on the floor as much as possible.

I could maybe see a case for the rule if the officiating was a little bit more, um, exact, but it seems like a real shame to have the best players have limited court time and/or get DQ’d due to what are often iffy judgment calls. I really dislike the Celtics but agree with you that a couple of those whistles on Allen were terrible. This seems to happen too often, and in some other cases it seems like refs shy away from whistling stars for fouls if they have 5 when it's actually deserved. What’s keeping this rule going?

Blogger's note: I have never heard legitimate interest in changing the rule. Yes, having top players play is in everyon'e interest; having no serious repercussions for repeatedly fouling is not

[Jenuwine]

Last night's Celtics-Bulls game was one of the most incredible games I have seen in a long time. As a matter of fact, I can't remember a series in this decade that's better than this series. I hope that this game goes to Game 7. What do you think Doug? I use to say this in the late 80's and in the 90's and I'm going to say it again, GO BULLS GO!

[GM]

I disagree that having top players in the game is in everyone's interest. If you're a fan of a team, and the opponent's star fouls out, you're happy. And worry about it when they have five is part of the angst when watching. Also seeing how the teams react when players are in foul trouble.

That Lithuanian club team is called Sabonis. Arvydas must be the owner, no?

Blogger's note: I believe you're right on the Sabonis point; he was a part-owner or managing director of another team, too.

[MTL]

oh shut up....go watch ur maple leafs go...precedent is dalembert holding DH for all the possession and no call! action reaction!

Blogger's note: I smell quite a disgruntled Habs fan who has far, far, far, far, far too much hockey on his, or her, brain. I'd suggest you watch more than, oh, a minute of basketball before you come back.
But thanks for taking the time out of your obviously busy day to write.

[Peter]

Very nice! :)

(your response to MTL)

[Eric]

I remember some of the fans and writers brushing off Manu's injury earlier in the season, "As long as he's ready for the playoffs the Spurs don't care."

It never ceases to amaze me how some people just assume that what's happening now is not a sign of the future!

It's a similar case with the Raptors. Some fans and writers call for patience when talking about Jose and Bosh, specifically, "When they get healthy...." It never crosses their mind that these guys may never get healthy, and that wha'ts happening today is more likely a warning of the future than it is an anomaly.

It's one thing to be paranoid, it's another thing to be realistic and err on the side of probability. That the Raptors played the way they did this year, got injured as much as they did (or claimed), failed to compete the way they did, etc. is not a fluke! It's a sign of serious problems. Without change (to the roster and/or coaching staff and/or leadership and/or something else) it will happen again. It will not solve itself. The Spurs are a perfect example- they got beaten in the playoffs here without Ginobili.... the same way they were beaten earlier in the year without Ginobili. It's not a coincidence. Just because itd be convenient for Ginobili to heal up in time for the playoffs doesnt mean it'll happen.

I beg for serious change to the Raptors..... not just musical chairs on the bench that Mr Doug would be happy with. We'v ejust wasted two years with this 3-man core. I don't want to waste any more.

Blogger's note: How in the world you can equate Manu Ginobili to your incessant trashing of the Raptors and me is, frankly, incredible.

[GM]

Yes, Dalembert held Howard. What he didn't do was elbow Howard in the head. Just because a guy gets under your skin is no reason to resort to dangerous tactics. It's understandable Howard was frustrated, but there should be no excuse for elbowing a guy in the noggin.

[Jack]

Ya, the Chicago-Boston game was good but there were a couple of instances that were not called and both were by Pierce. When he went up for a lay-up late in the regular time period, he aimed his elbow at Joaquim Noah and he got hit in the mouth. Brad Miller's mouth was bloodied by Pierce's elbow as he was coming down from his attempt. Pierce's elbow was "waiting" for Miller's face.
He may be a good player but cheap shots like that should not go unpunished. I hope he takes a licking in Chicago in game 6.

[Leo DeSanchez]

Barkley likes Bonner!

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/tnt_overtime/2009/04/28/nba_20090428_top5inside_4.nba/

[Matt from Oakville]

Howard should have been called for a flagrant AND ejected according to NBA rules. He should not have been allowed to play the rest of that game.

Rule 12A--Section V--l(5)
l. A player, coach or trainer must be ejected for:
(1) A punching foul
(2) A fighting foul
(3) AN ELBOW FOUL WHICH MAKES CONTACT ABOVE SHOULDER LEVEL

q. Elbow fouls, which make contact above shoulder level, and punching fouls, although recorded as both personal and team fouls, are unsportsmanlike acts. The player will be ejected immediately.

[Leo DeSanchez]

This is why we need Tinsley:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XF5FF4Mf_M&feature=related

Blogger's note: I will repeat: I don't think any general manager in these economic times wants to pay more than $7 million next year and more than $7.4 million the year after to a backup point guard who, in a best-case scenario for your team, plays between 14 andd 18 minutes a night., And that's quite aside from the fact said backup point guard won't have played as much as a single second of legitimate NBA basketball in well over a calendar year by the time training camp rolls around. So finding a single Tinsley highlight somewhere on the internet does not in any way imaginable make me, or many, think that this team needs him

[SMD]

Eric.
I have to agree with Doug. Your argument is weak.
Players get injured -
The Raptors Core
Calderon - An all world PG -
Bosh - All Star, Gold medal winner and the heart and soul of the team
Andrea - Young and learning - with room to grow
Three solid citizens -
The pieces that go around this core will change.
upgrade back up PG - A stronger Wing and deeper more consistent bench. BC knows what he has to do - He pretty much said that at the end of the season.

I take your messages to mean you don't like the team - and you have solutions. It's not as easy as it seems and there are no quick fixes. You need to have a little faith. Everyone agrees that the past season was a disappointment - What is frustrating is armchair GM's thinking they know more than the guys who run the team.

When I read your posts - I always get the impression you are auditioning for something - or have way too much time on your hands.... See Ya!

[AK]

Doug,

What do you mean by "quasi-Canadian"? Isn't SD a full-fledged Canadian citizen?

Knowing your style and being a fan of your work for several years, I'm sure you didn't mean anything by it.

AK

Blogger's note: Canadian in that he lived here for, what?, half a decade and got citizenship solely to play international basketball. I didn't mean anything by it other than that; I quite like Sam, as a matter of fact.

[kazbid]

is KG going to be back at all these playoffs? I heard he was coming to TO for surgery or treatment. It's going to be a walk to the finals for the cavs otherwise although I am eagerly anticipating the wade LBJ matchup.

The west will be interesting. Dallas and Houston are both solid teams with good playoff coaches...Denver's very deep as well. Lakers will deservingly make the finals if they past 2 of those 3 teams..can't say i feel the same way about the cavs..just like the last time they made the finals..no competition in the east.

[Michel G]

Eric, your post makes little sense (as pointed out by others). But it is amusing, like Side-Show Bob. Maybe you can point that basketball acumen south and explain the Hornets' demise. I've got popcorn ready.

[Chris]

Hi Doug,

I have to disagree about your take on Tinsley.

We have several "Pay roll parasites" of our own that are absolutely useless to us, ie. Marcus Banks...

Why not package Banks and get Tinsley...yes it would be an expensive back up, however, we would have our point situation fully taken care of, and be rid of a few nasty contracts of our own.

Blogger's note: At no time in the remainder of his contract will Marcus Banks make even the average salary of an NBA player; this whole "his contract's an albatross around the franchise" school of thought is an entire misperception in my opinion.
And, here's one for you: What if Marcus Banks, right now, is as a good as Jamal Tinsley, minus the off-the-court shenanigans and stupidity that led Indiana to pay Tinsley HUGE dollars to stay away from the franchise?

[Eric]

"Incessant bashing" - I don't know about that. I think it's a consistent opinion on the state of the team. Nothing's changed so why should I feel any different? I'll feel better about this team when there's something to feel better about!

I do feel a need to make my opinion known, though. And I will continue to do so- it's my only right as a fan. I almost feel a responsibility to play devil's advocate in light of the many weak writers and cheerleaders who settle for the status quo in this city and buy anything the team sells them, hook line and sinker?!?! I will not see results until I see results.

And Mr Doug, you've been deffending your team for two years...... and they've never been worse off! I thought O'Neal was the answer? Then I thought Marion was the answer? Spare me your rose-colored glasses, my man. :) Joey Graham did not lead this team to 33 wins. Hehe.

[doug]

these playoffs have been very entertaining thus far so I can't wait to see what lies ahead as this is only round one action...It will be interesting to see how NOH plays tonight, as really in mulling it over that has to be one of the worse all-time efforts in history...they had a TOTAL of 17 field goals ALL GAME..that's just over 4 a quarter and one field goal every 3 minutes...for a playoff team, a 7th seed at home, totally confounding.....

[Mike P]

http://www.nba.com/2009/playoffs2009/04/29/howard.suspended.ap/index.html

Howard's Suspended for game 6 tomorrow, How much of an impact do you think that will have on the series?

Blogger's note: I don't think Orlando will win Game 6, but I didn't think they would anyway

[Bball]

Doug, do you think that Rondo's foul on Miller was a flagrant foul? I can't see how it wouldn't be since he clearly hit him in the head and face and drew blood. I can't seen see how anyone can suggest he was going for the ball when the ball was 3 feet away in Miller's hand extended to the basket. Do you agree?

Blogger's note: Blood has nothing to do with it, but I can see how you could make that point

[Paul Clugston]

When players go outside the rules and physically attack one another, it RUINS the series for me. Ever since Horry bodychecked Steve Nash (and Stoudemire got suspended) I have wondered what would have been if things had transpired more fairly. I've also cheer for the suns and against the spurs ever since.

If Boston wins this series, we'll all wonder what would have happened if Rondo didn't disgrace himself by being a punk. It's bad for his teammates, the Bulls and the NBA.

Same goes for Howard...although his situation had less impact on the outcome since SD didn't show signs of being actually hurt.

[aditya]

rondo foul was definitely a flagrant 1....do you agree? (no play on the ball at all, rondo couldn't reach for the ball or his arms, so he went for his head)

Blogger's note: I guess you could make that argument