Of Kobe and LeBron and other wonderful stuff

All right, half of it’s set and my travel to start the final has now come down to Los Angeles or Cleveland and that’s nice to know. (It is, after all, all about me).

I must say I was quite disappointed in the effort the Nuggets put forward last night, it sure looked like they sure didn’t play with any sense of desperation in the biggest game of the season and it turned what could have been a great one into a dud.

But what’s done is done, I guess; and we do have a pretty good one to look forward to tonight. And, because I work too hard and don’t have much of a life, we’ll be here to chat about it starting about 8:30 if anyone else is around on a Saturday night.

‘Til then? The lawn needs mowing, the big Fun Fair’s on at the school and I’ve got some work to do.

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About last night

How good was that?

Kobe goes for 35 and 10 – and wasn’t it really a “quiet” 35? – and proved that in the biggest of games, he’s pretty much the best.

And I think the performance underscores the heart of the debate that’s raging right now, the one about Bryant and that fellow from Cleveland, the Kobe vs. LeBron discussion.

To be, Bryant is understated and LeBron is brash.

Bryant makes those sublime bounce passes off his penetration, LeBron sees a double, elevates and throws a bullet across court to a shooter in the corner.

LeBron’s got that football-like mentality, get a head of steam, get in the lane, finish come hell or high water; Bryant seems much more in control.

Bryant might be the most fundamentally sound mid-range jump shooter of this or any other era, he looks twisted and elevates on the move but his shoulders are square at release and he’s not leaning one way or the other; LeBron’s jumper is, at best, inconsistent.

Bryant strikes me as more cerebral but I’m not around either of them enough to really know. We think we know James with his LeBrons commercials and various appearances, I don’t think we know Bryant at all and I think that’s just fine with him.

LeBron’s got that whole “rosin in the air” thing before the game; Bryant seems pretty steely-eyed and not at all interested in interaction with opponents until he’s dissected them on the court.

I wrote this note to myself after the game (it’s something I do when I have a point to make, it’s silly but sometimes I forget things). It said: With Bryant, there’s not a lot of “hey, look at me” but there’s an awful lot of “wow, look at that.”

There is a subtle difference.

Look, there is no doubt they are the two most talented players in the game today and it’s a joy to watch either of them.

But, to me, I’ rather watch the understated one than the other.

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So, what’s Denver do?

Pretty good season for the Nuggets, no? A stroke-of-genius trade gets them the on-court leader they so desperately needed (even if Chauncey wasn’t nearly as assertive offensively last night as he should have been); they get to the conference final for the first time in a quarter century and they have the bulk of the team under contract for next season.

So, it was a good year, right?

I’d have to say so, even though the disappointment will rage for a couple of days.

But the question is: What’s next?

They have to deal with free agents Chris Andersen and Dahntay Jones – both useful pieces but, frankly, only at the right cost because you can find guys like them without much trouble (Andersen is unique with his emotional style but you wonder if he can do it over an 82-game season with a lot of nights of drudgery). Anthony Carter’s the other free agent and I guess he’d be useful on a minimum salary deal.

The Nuggets have a very short “window” in my opinion – Billups isn’t getting any younger, neither is Kenyon Martin – so maybe they try to make one bold move this summer to stay among the Western Conference’s elite.

The West is going to be better next year, the Nuggets have to find a way to get better as well.

Here’s how Ben wrapped up the season and game in the paper out there.

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Best thing?

For the Lakers?

Four days off before their next game. The final doesn’t start until Thursday and for a team that’s played 13 games – tough, physical games – in about two weeks, rest is a huge help.

In fact, it’s led to one bold prediction already. Check it out here.

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Now, to the mail for one left over from an in-game query the other night.

Q: Hi Doug is there a defined roll for each assistant coach? As always, thanks

Steph R, Glencoe

A: There hasn’t been but maybe there should have been and I fully expect there will be when Jay gets around to telling us who’s on his staff.

What I expect will happen is that Jay will handle most of the offensive planning and duties, aided chiefly by one of his assistants – I imagine that’ll be Alex English if he comes back – and I am certain from talking to people near the team that Marc Iavaroni will be responsible for the defence. He did it in Phoenix – I know, the Suns were awful defensively but I think they were better that some people give them credit for, their defensive abilities were masked by the hurry-up offence they ran – and given a different set of players he should be okay.

The one big difference is going to be in game prep, which is pretty important through the course of the regular season. Under Sam, the assistants split opponents, each guy would be responsible for a certain number of opposing teams and would do the scouting report, make suggestions to the head coach on what would work best. It was a bit convoluted – the assistant would get the info from the advance scouts or by watching video, he’d give it to the head coach who’d then make the final preparations on what he thought would work best.

Now, I think you’ll see Micah Nori – who is one of the best prepared advance scouts-assistant coaches out there – work directly with Jay for every team, cutting out one step in the process.

None of this is cast in stone, of course, but from talking to people around the organization, I’ve got a pretty good idea that’s how it’s going to work out.

As for skills development: You’ll see Alex work with the wings as he has been (or his replacement will), Jay will work with the guards and Marc will work with the bigs. Toss in Eric Hughes as a teaching coach and, hopefully, Alvin Williams in the same role (primarily with the guards) and that’s how I expect it to shake out.

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Wow! Stop the presses!

Amare Stoudemire said yesterday that he thinks he’s better than Chris Bosh!

Wake me when he says, “no, I suck, Chris is a way better player.”

Seriously, this is treated – according to the e-mails and comments I got – as significant?

I don’t get it.

Personally, I’d rather have Bosh on my team, he’s much more versatile on offence; neither is going to win defensive player of the year and Bosh hasn’t had two significant knee surgeries and isn’t returning from a serious eye injury. But that’s just me.

And for the fact Stoudemire says he thinks better than Bosh?

Yawn. Snore. Wake me when he says something important.

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So, those commercials on TV, where they digitize the players, background, fans, refs, etc. and fade them in and out? Perhaps my favourite NBA ads ever and this might be the best of the bunch.

And since I have no idea how they can make stuff like that happen, here’s a story that tells you how.

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Comments

[Tim W.]

I think you're grasping a little too much at the Kobe vs LeBron debate. Firstly, LeBron has been in the league 6 years to Kobe's 13. Kobe is 30 as compared to Lebron being 24. Obviously Kobe is a little more mature. He's older and more experienced. Also, doesn't your argument sound a little like Magic vs Bird? Actually, it sounds almost exactly like it. Magic was more flamboyant, easier to get to know. Bird was closed off and his competitiveness sometimes rubbed people the wrong way. Hell, their shooting differences are even the same. Magic's shot was never great, whereas Bird was known as a great shooter.

In the last game, a closeout for the Lakers and a lose and out situation for the Cavs, both players came up huge and willed his team to victory.

[DDT]

In my humble opinion, I'll take Amare over Bosh anyday. Bosh can never match Amare's explosiveness.

Blogger's note: True. And Amare will never match Bosh's shooting range and averaged fewer points and rebounds per game in two of the last three seasons. But he is explosive

[Wallace]

Thank you for keeping the Raptor fires burning throughout our extended offseason. My question relates to Nate Jawai and his guaranteed contract for next season. It seems likely that because of that contract and salary cap, we will lose the services of Pops (a definite crowd favourite and one could argue, an effective player off the bench).
Doug, as one who is close to the team and the league, have you heard anyone express the view that Jawai has any potential to actually play in the NBA? Notwithstanding his rookie medical problems, I don't forsee him doing anything but sitting at the end of the bench in civies next year and I can't understand why a player with extremely limited experience (Australian basketball league!) would be offered a guaranteed two year contract by BC. What did they see?

Blogger's note: He has as much, and probably more, potential to be an NBA regular at 22 with his skillset (big body, raw potential, good footwork, decent shooting range) than Pops does at 25. At least that's what the Raptors brass thinks, and so do I.

[Michel G]

Didn't Zach Randolph of the Clippers make the same claim Stoudemire makes a couple of months ago. Their agents should remind them that boasting is one of the least desirable methods of self-promotion. Stoudemire's probably pissed because the national media usually brings up Bosh's name first when discussing the 2010 free agent class.

[Rob.V]

Duude!

There is no way Kobe is "understated"... and at 30-31 he "should" be somewhat subdued.. or an adult. Having said this, if we go back and compare Kobe to Lebron at the same age... Lebron is "light years" ahead of Kobe in the maturation department. Kobe arguable really only became a complete "team" guy 2 seasons ago.

I understand you weren't necessarily slagging Lebron and simple stating a personal opinion however the fact that Lebron likes to have fun (off the court) shouldnt be mistaken with his approach on the court. That kid has NEVER been the "hey look at me" type of player. AFTER jump ball... he's ALL team.

Go Magic!!! Would be great to see Howard punishing the likes of Bynum/Gasol & Odum. NO ONE I have listened to (other than your in 7 pick over the C's) has given the Magic any respect. They could very we'll fly right under the radar all the way to their first championship.

[dallas]

Hi Doug,

In regards to the Amare thing, I'm not surprised he said that either, but I think the reaction people here have is in response to the lack of disrespect Chris seems to get around the league. Like with Shaq (which you downplayed too), Randolph, now Amare, KG got right in his grill like he had nothing to fear, Granger and Bogut have both been physically aggressive with him. I think it's probably just a combination of Chris's value around the league is,which some of those layers make take exception too, and Bosh's passive nature, that compels other players to feel free to just put his name out whenever they want. For a 6'10 pro athlete, he's not the most intimating presence.

[WCS]

Doug,
I invite you to reconsider your Kobe-LeBron rant. When discussing the game, i agree with most of your points, with the exception of your characterization of Lebron's of passing as throwing bullets - his court vision when penetrating is second to none. He also has beauty bounce dimes off the dribble...
What I take most issue with though is the suggestion that we think we know LeBron, and that Kobe is fine without us know him. Are you kidding? Kobe doing work? All of his interviews with his wife, and family where he tries to come across as all american dad. His youtube spots (where he is jumping over crap) with his teammates. All of these are examples of Kobe trying to get people to like him, and to come across as a dad, a joker, a gangster, whatever. I agree that we don't know Kobe, but thats likely because Kobe just a bizarre human. I'm not saying I blame him because taking Brandy to my prom, being a multimillionaire superstar since age 18, having your named dragged through the mud after very public rape trail and being wired like a psychopath hell bent on winning would really screw with me too.
(ESPN's Bill Simmons has discussed this extensively...)

So in sum, Kobe wants to be known and is NOT ok with not being known. Kobe is great to watch though...you hit the nail on the head on that one.

Thanks

[doug]

that shot and move by the Doc was one of the best baskets every made, anyone that hasn't played b-ball or a fan of the game doesn't truly understand all that was involved in that move...where he took off, the grace, the smoothness and you can't tell from that view but he was behind the backboard...it was just typical Doc, no one has every matched that one thing he had, that one intangible...it can't be described in words he was just one of a kind...

[doug]

here is another clip the 4 greatest dunks in NBA history, not my fav 4 but nonetheless...look at the last with the Doc, unbelievable, look how he cradles the ball, where he takes off from, how he just soars and listen to what the players say about him, also that reverse layup is shown from behind, look where the Doc is, his whole body is behind the backboard....unreal..

ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGPBcffS-8Q&feature=related

[doug]

I didn't include full link forgot the h..at the beginning for hyperlink..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGPBcffS-8Q&feature=related

[aditya]

loved what you said about kobe-lebron.....amen to that

[Tim W.]

It would be nice for Bosh to have Amare's explosiveness, yes. As with so many Raptor fans, it seems, the grass is always greener. I notice Raptor fans who pine for Amare don't mention he's a worse defender and passer than Bosh, two things that people often criticize Bosh for. It's like complaining that your girlfriend is a little crazy, so you break up with her to go out with Britney Spears. Amare boosters also don't seem to mention his personality problems that have caused the SUns to consider trading him on more than one occasion. And I haven't even mentioned his major injuries.

Amare IS explosive. Great. It doesn't mean he's a better player.

[Turkey]

Hey Doug,

Good work with all the blogs and posts over the post season. They always make for entertaining reading the following mornings.

A few things:

1. Amare hasn't been the same since microfracture surgery, most players haven't returned in the same way. I wonder what Mcgrady will be like when he gets back. Chris is probably the better player at the moment, but he hasn't reached the levels that Amare was at before the surgery.

2. You make good points about Kobe/Lebron. However, I haven't seen Lebron act like a spoilt brat like Kobe did against Phoenix when he refused to shoot. That sort of petulance plus his many displays of poor sportsmanship (ie what happened with Shane Battier) means that I will take Lebron's youthful exuberance and bad behaviour rather than Kobe's cynical and spoilt attitude.

[doug jr smith]

wow that was a boring read, you need to start making some stuff up. just kidding! but seriously, doug you need to make your blog a little more interesting, these summer months have put my daily commitment to the test.

Blogger's note: I'm sure you can find other pursuits to fill your time if it's such a hardship. Cut the grass, volunteer at a charity, spend time with your family. Trust me, I'll be okay with that.

[Viktor]

Would your boss be ok with that doug? You'd be losing numbers.

Blogger's note: He'll be back when things got less "boring" I'd guess. Or not. Guy comes on here and busts me out nowhere for being boring, you think I'm gonna let it go? Come on.