High drama, good games and not a bad night all around

 

Overtime drama, last second wins, closeout games and a potentially epic series coming as result?

Yeah, not a bad night at all.

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On a roster that includes Manu Ginobili, Matt Bonner, Tony Parker and Richard Jefferson you call a play to save your season with 1.7 seconds left in an elimination game where the first option was rookie Gary (Not Curly) Neal? You’ve got to give Gregg Popovich credit, no?

And Neal was pretty appreciative of the chance when he talked about it after the game and you just have to know he’ll be full of confidence should the situation ever arise again:

“It’s kind of a great feeling; Coach Pop draws the play up and you see you’re going to get the shot and nobody looks around and questions it or anything like that It was great walking out of the huddle and your teammates are happy with you getting the shot and expecting you to make it.

"That’s a great feeling.”

But look at it this way, too.

The Spurs entirely botched the possession before when they blew an inbounds play that ended up with Manu hitting that crazy three-turned-two in the corner.

If they execute that one precisely, who knows what happens. Maybe they tie the game and the Grizzlies have a shot that they make to win and we’re here talking about the end of an era instead of the chance of resurrection in San Antonio.

I will say this about Manu, too.

He’s like some basketball artisan and the court is his workplace.

How many times last night did he snake through the lane where there was no space? How many times did it look like that right elbow might not work only to have him cross over beat someone off the dribble?

He made one play where he went down the lane – to his left, because he always goes to his left, it seems – went behind the back and finished a layup. It was so effortless you didn’t have time to appreciate the greatness of the move.

An artisan, I tell you.

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You know how you’re driving somewhere and a song comes on the radio and you go, ‘man, I haven’t heard this in a long time, I should put it on a list of all-time greats?’

Well, if you get a chance to listen to John Lennon’s brilliant Mind Games any time soon, you should. Made the trek home yesterday afternoon really nice.

And now, if you have that song in your head all day, I feel I will have accomplished something.

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Totally cool electronic conversation:

Me: Holy crap. Golden State whacked Keith Smart.

 

Him: Saw that. Word is Glen Silvestri didn’t care for his coaching style.

Man, I have some funny friends, don’t I?

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So, we finally get what we want:

Boston-Miami.

I’ll have a lot more on this later tonight and in the paper tomorrow – that’s allegedly going be my gig today – but suffice it to say, this could be a great one.

Or it could turn into a quick-finishing dog of a series if the Heat don’t get off to better starts than they did against the Sixers.

It’s one thing to come back against a young team getting its playoff legs, it’s an entirely different matter against a team like Boston.

Hmm, I smell a theme for a setup story?

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What’s longer, or more painful?

Run-up to the wedding or a UFC news conference?

Man, I have never seen a more polite group of men whose sole intention on the weekend is to beat each other senseless in a long time than I did when I saw a bit of that dog and pony show yesterday.

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Okay, a long-time Irregular brought this up the other night and I figured I should do it now.

Q: Greetings Doug! As requested during the IGBT, a list of who you deem to be the top 5 vilified players in the NBA. Inspired by HWSNBN, feel free to include inactive players. If anything, it'll prompt some of us young ‘uns to look them up.

Thanks,

 

Natalie M, Brampton

A: Here’s the thing. I’m not sure any group of fans holds a grudge longer than the fans of HOTH, at least not by any anecdotal evidence I can find by covering the league and travelling around. Friends and colleagues are amazed, actually, by the vitriol that’s spewed here. But that’s for another discussion.

If I had to go with five current guys, it’d have to be LeBron, Bosh, Carter, Turk (sense a theme?) and probably Carlos Boozer back in both Cleveland and Salt Lake.

I really can’t speak to the past all that much, although I do recall Bill Walton not being loved when he went back to Portland after leaving the Blazers and I’ll have to ask Wayne Embry the next time I see him how Kareem’s reception was in Milwaukee.

The thing about the past is that players seldom – if ever – left of their own accord so there wasn’t much angst.

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How do you think they’re feeling in Seattle today?

Yeah, pretty bad, I imagine, at least some of them.

You’ve got a Sonics nee Thunder team that left after a 20-62 season two years ago and all of a sudden it’s riding the sublime skills of Kevin Durant to the second round of the playoffs, where they are likely to be favoured over Memphis or San Antonio?

Gotta hurt at some level.

But you have to give Oklahoma City some credit. Team’s really good, fans are over-the-top nuts and I can just guess at the electricity that’ll be in the air whenever they start the next series.

And after what Durant did last night – 41 points overall, all of the last nine his team scored – what’s not to be happy about?

We don’t know when their next series will begin – Sunday if Memphis wins Game 6 on Friday, not ‘til Tuesday if the Spurs win – but you can imagine they’re chomping at the bit to get started.

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Okay, listen up:

This is on behalf of bartenders and restaurant managers and people who scrape out a living serving others:

If you’re going out to watch a game, SPEND MONEY.

Not a lot, but maybe buy some food or two or three drinks over the course of a three or four hour span, it’s the right and honourable thing to do. And if you don’t want to order something, you ought to leave the most significant tip you’ve ever left.

If you’re going to go sit in some public house for that length of time and nurse a soft drink or one pint, you should be asked to leave.

Rant on behalf of friends, over.

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Hey, you know what?

I need some mail. Badly.

Click, write, send.

Thanks.

Comments

[Nick M]

@doug

Just read yesterdays comments and want to thank you for sharing your story. It really helps a person like myself (an 'outsider' on 'mental illness' never having dealt with it in my personal life) better understand the people effected by it and those closest to them...

Thanks again.

[bbfan]

I don't think people should be told where or how to spend their hard-earned money. We all work as hard as bartenders and restaurant managers. It's just the nature of business.

[Eddy]

"Here’s the thing. I’m not sure any group of fans holds a grudge longer than the fans of HOTH, at least not by any anecdotal evidence I can find by covering the league and travelling around. Friends and colleagues are amazed, actually, by the vitriol that’s spewed here. But that’s for another discussion."
.
In which I'm sure Toronto fans will be blamed for booing lying creeps like Chris Bosh and Vince Carter, who believe they ought to be able to insult this great city and country and not pay any consequences for it. In case you ever read this Chris we are only booing because we hate your guts. Thanks for setting back this franchise another few years and forcing us to sit through yet another rebuild by the greedy and incompetent organization that owns the Raptors. If you had any integrity you would of told us you were leaving so we might have got something of value for you.
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To @Doug thanks for your great message yesterday. Your brother is lucky to have you. As you know family support is about all there is to assist. As someone with a child recently diagnosed with the same problem it gives me hope to think things will get better. Thanks also to Ron Artest for helping to raise awareness. Hopefully, the politicians will come up with some other method of helping families deal with it, other than putting their children in jail for behavior they have no control over.

[Rob]

how do you think we feel here in vancouver seeing the grizz almost guaranteeing a place in the second round. not to mention a Seattle vs Vancouver second round playoffs series would have been ideal for us with almost two home teams facing each others (especially if you live in victoria like I do ) ...the NBA where could have been happens. !!!

[Lorie]

Hey Doug!
So, UFC or Royal Wedding. Let's see...we have two people trapped in a cage, watched by millions as tensions and animosity mount? And then there's UFC. :) I'll take The Wedding. For the fashion, of course! Pip Pip! Cheerio!

[Grits]

Yes, Seattle's move was only 2 years ago, so I'm sure it hurts. But as a former Vancouver season ticket holder, seeing the Grizz finally win their first playoff game also hurts. Gone but not forgotten, "Go reef, country, lawrence poetry in motion, Chris King with the tip in at the buzzer" check it out on youtube http://youtu.be/pq8F3ynjzws

[Beans]

That was a great Spurs game last night. It was great to see that the Spurs didn't wussy out. I don't think it was so much a pivotal game, as much as it was the Spurs fighting to hold back the tide; still, you gotta love a close exciting game where you're glad if either team wins.

[nasko]

@bbfan, If you are going to sit somewhere for extended period of time, spend money. That is why they are called pubs/restaurants and not parking spaces. If you don't want to spend money stay at home

[Professional Athletes David]

Hey Doug, it ain't hurt that much especially now that it's just less than 24 hours and we'll all gonna see the Royal Wedding. Mind you, those who will watch the UFC games, will watch the after-coverage shows of the royal wedding.

[Tom W]

@Lorie
You're crack.

[ditch]

"What’s longer, or more painful?
Run-up to the wedding or a UFC news conference?"

Where's Chuck Barris when you need him? Pass the Gravol.

[Dallas]

Hi Doug,

Nice to see someone finally come out agaisnt designated drivers.

Perhaps a new group could be formed, like B.A.D.D. for Barowners Against Designated Drivers and P.A.R.C for Patrons Against Responsible Consumption

But, really thanks for carrying this flag for the rest of us with no voice. Perhaps for a next target we could go after people who bike to work, or single mothers who read to their kids too loudly in public parks.

I keed, I keed,

Just giving you a hard time.

Cheers

[Mike D.]

Doug, are you saying that a server in a public house isn't already adequately compensated in the form of extended unsubtle flirting by middle-aged patrons? Please clarify, because this might force me to re-think my whole approach.

Blogger's note: You and me, both

[Mark V]

@Dallas FOOD or drink, either works!
So many people exhibit a sense of entitlement over the silliest things these days... like @bbfan, whose argument is so ridiculous I don't know where to begin. Get a TV and service, watch games at home. Still too expensive? It's not your "right" to be able to watch sports games, it's a business, and bars/restaurants are a business; expecting to be able to watch games for free anywhere is unreasonable. Rather than someone 'telling' you how to spend your hard-earned money, it's much more reasonable for someone to say "if you want to use my service, you are required to pay". TANSTAAFL.

[GM]

Great vid, @Grits. Brings back memories. And it's why I can never cheer for the Memphis version of the Grizzlies. I like Hollins and some of the players, but I can't forget that the guy making most of the money is Michael Heisley, who duped Vancouver and took the team to Memphis. Similarly, I can't cheer for OKC for that reason. Oh, and not to be too nitpicky, but it's the Thunder nee Sonics, not vice versa.

[james]

Rob and Gritts: Amen! Clearly this is all Jimmy Pattison's fault. Who else could have afforded to buy the franchise?

[Stavros]

Agree with your rant! Here's a suggestion for your favorite bartender/server: Comp the cheapskate a beer or soda (whatever their drinking on the house) but tell the guy it's on the house because having someone just sitting and nursing a drink at the bar or being without a drink is bad for business, but he has to pay for the next one. Cheapskate will most likely be thrilled with a free drink and now knows they can't just sit there for free and the house doesn't look like jerks telling someone to shove off. If that doesn't work well there's always being blunt next time around.

[Jeff D]

To use a pucks reference, the Thunder remind me of the Colorado Avalanche nee Nordiques. I think Quebecers would probably have a pretty good idea how Seattle feels.

[Mike D.]

@doug, I have just read both your comments from yesterday and I can't find the right words....the best I can come up with is "thank you".

@Lorie, you have a wicked sense of humour. But IMHO the UFC fighters will have an easier time of it because when the fight ends they will leave the cage and people will watch someone else. William and Kate will be in that cage for the rest of their lives.

[doug]

you know some coaches just have the ability to just push the right buttons..like Pops last night, who else would have had the gall to call that play for Neal, not many if anyone, and also Neal's post-game comment is telling about that team...he stated no one even questioned the play call, now how many players would be in that frame of mind...I am waiting and we may see it soon for Spoelstra not to call Lebron's number at the end of the game and see how he reacts....that kid can play, Durant that is, what a smooth shot, I always have been a huge fan of watching Kobe's jumper it was/is a piece of art to me, but this kid's is a close second.....you know 2 of my fav teams both moved, one I still cheer for the other can go pound salt....the one I could care less about are the Expos/Marlins as the owner is a complete slimeball, the other are the Grizzlies, I loved them when i was in B.C. and they are my second fav to the Raps...they just had a weak ownership group and a mini slimeball in Heisley...but I still have a soft spot for that team...the west coast needs a new team, Seattle and Van can share one...