We've got some kind of Sunday ahead, don't we?

PAT SULLIVAN/AP

Lakers need to see more of Odom.

Well, that was some night, no? Figured the Orlando game would go the Magic way but I sure didn’t see the Rockets doing that to the Lakers.

It’s going to make for a rather eventful and fun Sunday, right? Of course, family considerations in the middle of a long weekend may dampen some of it but I’ve been in the doghouse before because of work and will be again so what the heck.

For all you TV viewers, just got word a minute ago that the Sunday night game’s on TSN; the afternoon one is on ABC.

So, if you’ll be around, I will be; why don’t we try for the first ever Victoria Day Weekend Live-Blog Doubleheader? It might be too much but what the heck, it’s worth giving it a shot.

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So, who wins?

Normally, you’d think the home team in a Game 7 situation would have a huge advantage, wouldn’t you? On their own court, with the energy and adrenaline boost they get from the fans, sleeping in their own homes, going through their familiar routines. It all usually adds up to a significant edge.

Why, then, do I have a suspicion that both Orlando and Houston can pull off shockers on Sunday afternoon?

It is because there seems to be no way the Celtics can guard Rashard Lewis and that a fire seems to have been lit under Dwight Howard? Is it because Rafer Alston has no conscience and won’t care about the hostile environment? Is it because Ray Allen seems to be aging rapidly right in front of our eyes? Maybe it’s because Kendrick Perkins and Glenn Glen Davis can’t seem to stay out of foul trouble?

I know Orlando’s penchant for blowing leads is, ahem, rather troubling; I know Doc Rivers seems to have a way of making the right move at the same time Stan Van Gundy makes the wrong one.

But because of those first few items, and the relative youth of the Magic, I can see an Orlando upset.

Out west, is there reason to think Houston can steal one – and it would be by far the biggest single-game playoff upset of this year and probably the last few?

Is it because they seem oblivious to pressure? Is it because they respect but they certainly don’t fear the Lakers? Is it because Lamar Odom has been far too invisible into many games? Is it because Andrew Bynum is an entire non-factor? Or that Aaron Brooks is killing the Laker point guard so much it’s bordering on abuse.

Now, Kobe Bryant may have something to say about the final outcome, he has the ability to single-handedly win a game but a wise man once picked the Rockets in seven and even though he asked for a Mulligan, he’s not going to take it.

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Sorry, Dwight

Okay, ripping Dwight Howard is no longer the cool thing to do.

Not after last night, that’s for sure.

I don’t know that there are that many “plays” called for – I don’t know that the Magic have a lot of specific stuff in their system for him outside of high screen and roll and a direct post-up – but he was active, he went and sought out the ball and was a beast on the glass.

All in all, he was an all-star, after being a spectator, of his own or his coach’s doing, too often in the series.

According to Brian’s piece here, they’re a little incredulous, too.

It was a weird one, no?

Orlando goes on an 11-2 run at the end of the game? When they were supposed to be crumbling like they always do?

Rafer Alston’s drilling huge threes and Hedo Turkoglu sheds the goat horns to make his biggest shot of the night?

The Celtics commit 22 turnovers? This is the defending NBA championship team?

But it really call comes back to Howard.

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Question answered

As I’ve been known to do (it’s a quirk, I know), I sent myself a note in the second quarter of the Rockets-Lakers game, when Los Angeles was making a run and that 21-3 Houston start looked like it happened eons ago.

It said:

How far does emotion carry a team?

Well, far enough, it seems.

I’m one of those many people who seem to like the Rockets more every day because they might be the most mentally tough team in the league and I knew they’d come out humming at home.

However, after 21-3, you knew there had to be a letdown and for a minute it looked like the Lakers were truly gaining control of the game.

Then the funny thing happened. The Rockets didn’t go away.

I’m not sure what was more impressive: Luis Scola schooling whoever was guarding him in the first quarter or the fact the Rockets simply did not wilt at any time. They bent a bit but never went away.

Now, I know NBA types have loved Scola all along but perhaps even more than Glenn Glen Davis, that guy has become the revelation of all revelations to the casual fan.

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Is Kobe Bryant turning into Rasheed Wallace?

No, not a three-point shooting big man who seems to be near the end of his career. A whiny, overly-emotional technical-foul machine.

And a guy who better be careful.

The technical Bryant got last night, a cheap one for what looked like a shot to Ron Artest’s face, was his fifth of the playoffs and if he gets two more, he’ll have to sit out a one-game suspension.

The refereeing the post-season has been, to say the least, shoddy. Technical fouls come out of nowhere and what it takes to get a technical seems to change game-to-game and quarter to quarter. And don’t get anyone started on what constitutes a flagrant foul because no one seems to know exactly for sure what that might be.

Still, doesn’t that mean, as frustrated as he understandably would get, that Bryant has to be extra-careful in his dealings with the officials at emotional moments?

With five, Bryant’s the runaway leader – no one has more than three – of players still playing and it’s not like he’s been in two contentious series; yes, there were moments in this one when he could have lost his cool but they really routed Utah, didn’t they?

Imagine the hue and cry if, for instance, the Denver Nuggets goaded him into a couple and he was suspended for something like Game 5, 6 or 7?

That’d diminish the reputation a wee bit, wouldn’t it?

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Speaking of refs, yes, that was Mark Wunderlich working the Rockets-Lakers game last night. Guess there was no real fallout from that Dallas-Denver blunder.

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Oh, right, Raptor news.

There is none. Sorry.

I do know there are people in the organization who think they’re will be a resolution to any coaching staff moves before the end of next week. The next “trigger point” would be the Chicago pre-draft combine, which goes May 27-31. Teams will want their full staffs at that one so look for any hirings in Toronto – or throughout the league, probably – to be done before that May 27 start.

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Now, we’re trying to get a mailbag together for tomorrow or Sunday (depending entirely on my day and my mood) but we could use a few questions. Feel free to goof off from work for a bit and send me an e-mail; you know how to reach me.

Comments

[RAJ]

Hey Doug,
How impressed are you with the depth of the Rockets? They are winning even without T Mac, Ming and to a smaller extent Alston.

Blogger's note: Not bad, but they've been used to playing without Tracy since mid-season. Yao's a big hole to fil indeed;but, with Wafer getting about four minutes last night, they're down to a seven-man team.

[Anderson]

Good morning Doug,
I've been hearing a lot of rumors about the owner of the Cunucks trying to purchase the Pacers and move them to Vancouver. I know it's just rumors but the idea of the NBA back in Vancouver makes my heart all a flutter. Any truth behind this at all?
Enjoy the long weekend!

Blogger's note: Nothing of any substance at the moment whatsoever, I've been told. Please don't get at all excited about it.

[inbcwetrusted]

I've seen "their" instead of "there" but "they're" is new...

You are indeed a wise man to call the Rockets in 7, change your mind when things looked bad and then change your mind again when things looked good.

[Wil]

Hi Doug,

The first couple of times I saw it in your blog, I thought it might've been a typo, but now I've seen it enough times that I figure I'll mention it to you.
The proper spelling of the first name of "Big Baby" Davis is Glen, with one 'n' not 'Glenn' with two.

Thanks for all your work.

Blogger's note: You're right, good catch; my file has him as Glenn. It'll be fixed now

[Mary - Anne]

Hi Doug,

Love your blog ... a "must" read every morning ...

I remember reading that Pop & the Spurs reluctantly traded Scola. Do you think that he would have been a real difference maker in Spurs/Mavs' series?

Thanks.

Blogger's note: With Duncan hobbled and Fabricio Oberto a rather non-factor, I'm sure Scola would have had a major role in that series

[Tabber]

Maybe you're thinking of the great, recently late, football player Glenn Davis? I think he played for Army back in the forties, and SI had an article on his death recently. This is at least the second time I've seen this spelling in your blog, and actually, you missed another Glenn reference - about a screen up from the bottom. Still love the blog, though!

[SY]

Dwight's a beast - 9-16 from the floor, 10 offensive rebounds.....23, 22

Even though I totally agree that he needs to expand his post game but w/ his strength and athleticism, there's no doubt that he can be dominant when he's active. Magic in 7.

Aaron Brooks & Luis Scola...definitely the feel-good stories of the playoffs....

-SY

[Marc M]

Houston is a great example of individuals who know how to play through the ups and downs in a game. Brooks, Scola, Battier just don't get rattled and definitely are not intimidated by the constant theatrics of Kobe, Walton, Odom, Vujacic, Fisher, etc.

Whom on the Raptors, would you say, has even a "bit" of the Houston mentality? I can't name one confidently. Secondly, how much of that mindset can be learned?

Blogger's note: I think a lot of it can be learned with experience, I know Brooks and Battier didn't have it their entire careers and I don't suppose Scola did; it's in short supply in Toronto right now but can be learned

[Darko]

Just when you figure Houston is done, they come up with last night. They just won't go away. I thought game 4 was one time, win for the Gipper Yao thing (or whatever that saying is), especialy after 40 pts, Raptors like drubbing in Game 5.
What is more appealing, Ron-Ron vs KMart, or Gasol being thugged out of the gym by Denver bigs.
Doug, recently you spoke of Denver as in "there is something about them..." Have you found the word yet?
Last time Denver was in town, I am at that hotel where all NBA teams stay when in TO, having a "fresh air" break outside, sometime after midnight. So, who comes out but IA and Kenyon
Martin ready to go out to party (so much for rest before game).
Nothing like a close encounter with Kmart. Dude just looks mean,
made me want to quit smoking right there and then, and that was when he was in a good mood. I knew there was a reason they say smoking is bad for you.
Something tells me that Mark Cuban does not say anything to anybody even remotely related to this dude, let alone his mother, without the benefit of all those security guards around.

[jcm]

Kobe turning into Sheed? He's been in the top 20 in the league in techs for the last 10 year, and top 10 for the last 5 years. This is nothing new.

[doug]

Adelman really amazes me at times...he just knows what buttons to push and not push...I remember the one playoff game against the Blazers and for the last 7 minutes or so he just played a big line-up, no guards as they weren't getting it done...and it worked, then last night he got a feel of the game, saw what was working, never used Wafer shortened his bench and again results....the man can visualize, make adjustments, use his players, and motivate...he really is a under-rated coach....

even if the Lakers win, they have lost as they have been exposed, you cannot have your players be unproductive in the post-season you need them to step up, Vujacic,Fisher,Walton,Odom,Bynum have all had poor playoffs, unacceptable. But in fairness some of that can be attributed to solid Rockets defense...anyways love these Rockets, as I am sure they have converted many a fan across the b-ball world...they converted me over two months ago when I started to watch their every game, they play the game how its suppose to be played....

[Anthony]

A little late, but I saw the other day that Andrea Bargnani got all of 1 third place vote. Are we looking through rose-coloured glasses or did the national (voting) media just not care.

I did often follow espn and cbssports and their fantasy charts and they were effusive and positive on Andrea and said he was a "must start" after January, while a bench player with low expectations at the beginning of the season, so people did notice.

[Rahulan]

Doug,

Rafer kissing Ref's head. Fine, suspension or mute point?

Blogger's note: Moot point

[GM]

I hope Rick Adelman fares better in this game 7 against the Lakers than the last one he had in Sacramento.

The Canucks owner trying to move the Pacers to Vancouver? Maybe I should start reading my local Vancouver papers or watching the news/sports. I haven't heard that. But the Pacers? As awesome as that would be, why on earth the Pacers? They're in the basketball hotbed of Indiana. I could think of a handful of other teams that deserve to be moved. Besides, I couldn't stand to watch TJ Ford all over again!

[Jason Thompson]

Doug, not Raptors related but just wanted to mention the passing of Wayman Tisdale (at age 44, much too young!!). A very talented player and accomplished musician, the world is a sadder place today.

Blogger's note: It absolutely is

[T i]

Doug, you've talked about glue guys a few times in the past on your blog. Although I was originally hoping for a Lakers-Cavs (Kobe v Lebron) Final, i can't help but root for Houston after watching their series roll along against LA. It's been fantastic. Anyhow, about the glue guys, I'm so impressed with Shane Battier, at this point I am thinking he may be the best glue guy in the entire NBA! Thoughts?

Blogger's note: He'd sure be in the discussion

[kenshin (kkuss)]

Hi Doug,

I also believe its Houston who's going to win in game 7.

but on a far away note let me ask you if the rockets would be better off benching yao and t-mac and sparing them for the last 10 games of the season ?

so that they can be available in the play offs. after all I think even without yao or t-mac they can make it to the top 5 teams and besides aaron, landry, scola, wafer, lowry gets to have more practice and experience and they could put in dorsey who can also be a diamond in a mine filled with coal.

I have one more question to ask can the rockets make deal to get lebron, howard, bryant, wade or even arenas.if they let go of T-mac?

Blogger's note: Lots of unanswerable questions except for the emphatic, ARE YOU KIDDING ME to the last.

[Imran Pirani]

No mention today of Brandon Roy taking the Magic Johnson Award over Gasol and Bosh. I haven't heard much about the award and was hoping you could explain a bit about it.

On a similar note, I read today that you were the President of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. I had no idea that you held this position nor do I understand what exactly the PBWA does.

Blogger's note: We act primarily as as advocacy group for writers who cover the league and administer three awards: The J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, won this year by Dikembe Mutombo; the Magic Johnson Award and an award given annually to the best media relations department in the league, won this year by Cheri Hanson and her staff in Portland.

[AF]

I don't get why anybody is calling the Lakers mentally soft. The Boston Celtics had 2 game 7's against the Hawks and LeBron in the 1st and 2nd round but nobody doubted them. So why are we doubting the Lakers. They're going back to the place they blew the Rockets by 40 and have that mental focus to get things done. Now I'm not saying they will win the title because Denver is one hell of a good team but they sure are capable. And to comment above, this is only Brooks sophomore season and Scola has always had that toughness in his game.

[doug]

this is pat Forde writing on the Preakness note the metaphor he uses...I am not impressed surely there was a better one out there then this one...

"Borel did that. Not only did he drop Derby winner Mine That Bird after a daring ride that all but cemented his Hall of Fame credentials, he dropped him for a filly. And fillies win Triple Crown races about as often as the Toronto Raptors make the playoffs."

he's off my christmas card list...was never on it, but still, outrageous...egregious...preposterous...

[Lorie]

Looking forward to the "double-header" on Sunday! Should be a blast...and that the games live up to our expectations! And if we have the TNT Kenny and Charles shows at half-time, well, who could ask for a anything more entertaining than that!

[Erc]

This Pat Forde person should be aware that, while the Raps DO hardly ever make the playoffs, they have won numerous citizenship awards.
Both GM BC and chief scribe DS HATE loose canons. Numerous low IQ B-ball bloggers have been lanced for suggesting Toronto sign that noted failed-team-chemistry-experiment Ron Artest.
The wisdom of this has been shown by the fact that they STILL haven't eliminated the defending NBA finalists. Imagine how much sooner this series would have been over without the cancer-that-is-Artest on the Houston roster.
Artest demonsrtated his loose-canoness a couple of games back by rushing over to confront the great Kobe Bryant. Can you imagine any of our solid citizens doing that to His Kobiness? They treat him with the respect and admiration due a hardcourt legend and he responds by never hurting the Raptors.
After Artest's crazy antics, Kobe punished the Rockets by exploding for 15 points the next game. Another good reason while you'll never see Ron-Ron as a Rap-Rap.
I agree with Mr. Smith who agrees with Mr. Colangelo. We do not want headcases such as Artest, Marbury and Alston destroying the team chemistry that held us under 50 losses.
They are obviously cancers that destroy teams. We can only be thankful that watchfulness by our basketball experts has prevented either of the first two from landing here and ensuring that the other one skip-to-my-Lou'd-town.
Stop stumping for these team-destroyers. You want us to wind up like the Celtics, Rockets or Magic??????

[Joe]

The new Houston fans might be interested in this read about Battier http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/15/magazine/15Battier-t.html?_r=1&ref=magazine&pagewanted=all by Michael Lewis of the NY Times. It's a great article talking about why Battier's greatness doesn't translate to a box score. It has some great insight into Daryl Morey the Rockets GM as well.

[doug]

Pat Forde is one of the major writers for ESPN's website not one of my favs but he is a decent read....

also this strikes me as strange, the 6th game of the Rockets-Lakers was the most watched b-ball game in the history of ESPN, it has obviously captured a lot of fans the whole David vs. Goliath mindset i guess.....but this is not only the strange part but rather the unfair part to the teams involved....the early game tomorrow is the Lakers-Rockets game with a 3:30 eastern start, so that's a 12:30 start on the west coast, unfair to these players, then the late start at 8o'clock is the Celts-Magic game....where is the rational there? especially as I noted earlier there is far more interest in the Rockets-Lakers game....Stern gives not a hoot about the the integrity of the game , all he sees and knows is what's in televisions best interests.....except his time they got it wrong...

[Mr. Cook]

Wow, that "Erc" guy, I presume formally known as "Eric", is really a douche-bag.

Hey Eric,

Why take the opinions of one sports writer so personally? You're affronted that someone with a wealth of experience and access that you don't have stands by his opinions? Or is it BC, one of the most widely respected executives in the league, that you loathe so much to spew vitriol through simple tip-taps on your keyboard?

Here's a thought for you and many like you, take what Doug and other writers have to say as an opinion, like your own. Then analyze the opinion they have to see what merits it has, and what subjective opinion it contains. After you do that, assimilate it into your own knowledge base in order to alter--or in your case, not alter--your own opinion. This is called broadening your horizons, expanding your knowledge, taking into consideration the thoughts of others.

Hey Doug,

What does the chicken do in the off-season? Is his birdness a full-time gig where he gets the summer to train / learn new tricks or does he do something else altogether? (Yes, this is where the mind wanders in the off-season).

Blogger's note: The Chicken works on getting his already-low handicap to a lower number, gets some rest and does the odd appearance. Sort of like a beat grunt, only better paid.