Reverting to form and an unexpected -- but deserving -- award winner

Magic in a rout, Bulls win easily, Lakers dominate Hornets.

Yeah, guess we’re not going to have high drama every night, are we?

Anyway, still lots to chatter about:

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By the ambient light of the television, I think I saw Kobe Bryant look like Kobe Bryant last night, not some guy who was supposedly hobbled by a bad ankle or foot.

And I think I saw the Lakers look like the Lakers and maybe – just maybe – they realize the situation they’re in.

Look, if you want to go on a pure talent assessment, there is no one in the West today that can compare with Los Angeles. The Lakers are bigger than anyone, more experienced than anyone and have won more than anyone.

It’s really only they who can cost themselves a series before they meet the East winner in the final.

Oh, sure, Chris Paul can win a game or two or maybe even three but, truth be told, the Lakers are their own worst enemies.

When they are distracted, they are vulnerable. When they play like they did last night, they look like finalists.

They certainly have it in them to cough up another one and send the whole thing back to California for a seventh game but that’s more on them than it is on the Hornets.

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I really hope a lot of other coaches were watching the Bulls-Pacers last night.

The game really turned when Tom Thibodeau went against conventional wisdom and put Derrick Rose back in the game in the third quarter despite the fact Rose had four fouls and maybe it’ll be a lesson to the rest of the coaches.

Rose had two or three three-pointers, a momentum-changing blocked shot on Roy Hibbert, I believe it was, and an assist as the Bulls regained control after frittering away most of a lead.

Normally, coaches would sit a guy with four fouls early in the third until the start of the fourth, the thought being you need a guy – especially your best player – down the stretch more than you need him midway through the third.

But that’s not always the case, is it?

Sometimes you can win games in the third quarter just as easily as you can in the fourth as the Bulls showed in their close out triumph over Indy.

Now, I know some would say it was the playoffs and circumstances dictated something other than the usual coaching strategy but what if a team did that two or three times in a regular season, won two or three more games than it would have? Don’t think that would make a difference?

I’m not even sure about the wisdom of taking key players out with two fouls in a first quarter – role players don’t really matter as much – but I do know that coaches need to take more “gambles” in the third with their top players.

I remember one time being in Phoenix in the D’Antoni-Nash era and Nash had picked up a fifth foul early in the fourth or even late in the third, the specifics are a bit fuzzy.

D’Antoni stayed with him, the Suns went on to win and, when asked about it, the coach said something along the lines of:

“Steve’s smart enough not to get a sixth and why wouldn’t I want my best player on the floor.”

Makes entire sense to me.

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During one of the click around the dials, happened up on the start of the pucks game and I have to say this again:

No one that I’ve seen in that sport does pre-game intros and ceremonies better than the Montreal Canadiens.

The fire thing? Entirely cool.

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Let’s get this quickly out of the mail:

Q: Hi Doug. Quick question, which occurs to me on Tuesday night as I watch Noah shoot techs on the flagrant against McRoberts. Is there a 10 second limit to shoot tech/flagrant free throws, as there is on regular free throws? Seemed like Noah took a long time to shoot his first (although it might have been within 10 seconds).

Thanks!

 

Kate C, Toronto

A: There is, indeed, but it’s one of those rules that’s so selectively enforced, it’s appalling. I want some of these refs who count to 10 to count down the rest of my life because I’d live forever.

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Oh oh.

I see crumpets on the counter and I know there’s tea in the cupboard so all I can think is I’m going to have some company when I’m down here working in the TV room in the wee hours of Friday morning.

At least it should give me some good fodder for that morning’s offerings.

And I guess, in my best fashionista, pop culture way, I best do some Royal Wedding reading today, no?

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I’m not sure if all of you have heard – I do know some of the Irregulars mentioned it last night – but we of the PBWA gave our most prestigious award – the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award – to Ron Artest.

He got it last night before the game to honour his excellent work raising awareness of the issue of mental health, particularly among youth.

Yes, you would have made a kabillion dollars betting on Artest being honoured for “citizenship” after the 2005 incident in Detroit but I honestly can’t think of a more deserving winner this year.

This story is probably the best one out there on it, you can see that other think the same thing.

The NBA, as a whole, does such tremendous work, I think it should be the benchmark for other professional sports leagues.

I know this is a bit sappy and sounds like towing the company line but Basketball Without Borders, the NBA Cares program, all the stuff that individual players do truly is important work.

And we now return you to regularly-scheduled ramblings.

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Hang on a sec.

Montreal wins the big Game 6 pucks match on Tuesday and they have to play Game 7 on Wednesday?

That kind of stinks, no?

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Now having watched the Atlanta Hawks sleepwalk through Game 5 and knowing they have the ability to lose, um, focus for long stretches, I am under no illusions that they can close that one out against the Magic in six and I fully expect to be watching a Game 7 on the weekend.

Another reason?

The Magic are, despite the presence of that Howard fellow, something of a jump-shooting team and they have to be brimming with confidence off their Game 5 shellacking of the Hawks.

The big winners?

The Bulls.

The league told us that regardless of what happens in Game 6 between Atlanta-Orlando, the next series won’t start until Monday so there’s all kinds of time to rest Derrick Rose’s ankle.

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But there’s no rest of us, is there?

After a couple of crappy games – and the first IGBT Change Of Venue in our history – we’ll try to hit a homer tonight with Spurs-Grizzlies at 8:30 p.m. my time.

Be there, or be square.

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Comments

[N]

"toeing" the line rather than towing, but love the work of the NBA in the community.

[Cluck Kent]

I agree with you that it's nice to see a coach take a risk. But having been in business for many years, I also understand that it's easier to justify being conservative than it is a maverick. You can make a whole lot of mistakes being conservative and few folks seem to care. But make a few maverick decisions that don't work out and you're looking for a new gig.

It was nice to be part of history last night with the IGBT changing games. There's not much point in sticking to a game that gets out of hand. Yes, I understand that the Chicago game got out of hand soon after we got there, but hey, it was a maverick type decision and I applaud it.

[Dave in BG]

Wedding info:

Was in London over the weekend, and saw an interview with the guy who manages the Royal Stables at the Palace.

Spoiler alert:
The horse that will be pulling the carriage with the new couple is named, "Daniel". He is the best tempered of all the horses in the Stable.

Info you cannot get anywhere else :)

[joe]

No doubts about the Lakers. The NBA title is theirs for the taking. It all depends on how focused they are. All year long, they've done the same thing. They'll lose games they shouldn't but eventually they jack it up when push comes to shove.

As for upsets, I'm intrigued with the Portland/Dallas series. Can the Blazers come back and win this thing? If they do, it will be interesting to see how Cuban reacts? Will he be fed up enough with his underachieving veteran laden teams and simply blow the whole thing up and build with youth? Would ever consider trading Dirk? What do you think Doug?

Blogger's note: I can't imagine it would sit well and change would be afoot

[Lorie]

Afternoon, Doug!
How's the prepping going for the Royal Wedding? If you're unsure where to get the Offical take on Friday's Nuptialpalooza, there's http://www.officialroyalwedding2011.org for minutae like Royal Floral Arrangements, Royal Official Photographer, and even a Royal Wedding Video Message Book where you, (Yes! You, can send one too, Doug! Wouldn't that be a Royal Hoot!!!) upload your own congratulatory messages to the Royal Couple. But, if you want to read Some ecidedly Unofficial Wedding Stuff, your very own Cathal Kelly has an hilarious preview - sort of a Dummy's Guide to Idiots! Cheers! Oh, and Pip Pip, too!

[doug]

yes it was good to see some semblance of order returning to the NBA last night...the Bulls finally played like they are capable of playing, the suspension to Richardson may have been the best thing that happened to the Magic, as when he came back he gave them a spark and showed his value....and as for the Lakers, their just talented, a one of kind type team, also you know one of the smoothest, effortless players in the NBA today and maybe ever to me is Lamar Odom, he brings up the ball and handles it like a PG, can play on the wing, can bang and go inside and he does it all by just making it look so easy, the guy's talent is immense...I agree with you about coaching, sometimes they stick to these scripted scenarios, when in fact they need not to....oh also in the Lakers game it was good to see Phil give some minutes to Barnes and the bench as I felt he wasn't using them enough, Barnes especially as he matches up well against the Hornets....let's see if the Spurs tonight can right the ship or if the Grizz are the real deal..be interesting, the Blazers/Mavs series is good b-ball but it doesn't intrigue me as I see neither team being a factor in these playoffs...yea Artest is just the real deal, he lays it all out there for people to see, warts and all, but his heart,honesty and candor have to be admired...

[Stephen]

Doug,

When the Raps got the 1st pick overall, did you go to MSG and cover the story on Draft Day? And if they get top 3 this year, will you go? You can take Megabus from Toronto for 12.00 each way if you book now, to save the Bosses some money.

Stephen

Blogger's note: No, I didn't; the draft this year is in Newark and, not to sound too harsh, I do not do the bus

[Richard]

Hey Doug,

Great call, recognizing Artest for his work to raise funds and awareness for mental health issues. It takes great courage for anyone in the public eye to step forward and acknowledge their issues for the betterment of the community, but I think it's especially courageous for someone with Ron's history. I'm sure receiving that award will rank as high for him as any other accolade he may have achieved in his NBA career, perhaps higher.

Now to respond to a couple of commenters from last night.

"@Richard:

What Kent said. The draft is the only place where you can really get lucky. If you trade the pick, you're acquiring almost certain value, and if you are right about the draft being pointless past the top 2 picks (at least perception-wise), why would anyone trade value for our pick? It goes both ways."

@J and @Kent:

I appreciate Kent's POV on the topic and I understand his rationale and it's true, sometimes you gotta take a shot. I agree and respect that philosophy. And I do remember Vince being vocal about the '03 draft but I wouldn't put his opinion on par with scouts and GMs who have to live and die by their assessments of talent. And it's also true that the road to the NBA is paved with inaccurate prognosticators. But I guess my main point is that the draft is merely one option. One of many, and before making a final decision, a team in the Raptors' position should be looking at as many options as possible and not prematurely concluding that there is only one "right" way to proceed. When I say a team in the Raptors' position, I'm referring to a team with a lot of youth and developing players who are still figuring out their individual and collective ceiling. I simply wonder why it's not worth exploring over the next 5 or 6 weeks - now that we know what the draft basically looks like - what kind of return could be generated in exchange for the pick (on its own or as part of some package). I think it's a valid exercise for a young team with multiple needs. I'm just not sure that this team needs to get younger and more inexperienced in order to move forward - unless they can get their hands on an unquestionable talent with all-star potential. And unless they win first or second pick in the lottery, or "get lucky" with a later pick (3 - 5), the prevailing opinion is that it's an unspectacular draft class. Full of potential rotation players but not necessarily outstanding or transcendent talent.

@J, to be clear, I have never suggested that the draft was "pointless". That's a strong statement and I have not read any assessment that was as definitive or negative about this draft. All I suggest is that it's not a given, based on the Raptors' make-up, that it is imperative to use the pick. Many other teams at different stages of development, contention or rebuilding could see potential value in this year's draft as their best option going forward. I just believe that until the actual selection, the Raptors' position should be fluid.

[GM]

* I'm with you on the in-game coaching group-think. Sometimes it's the best decision to pull a player with x-number of fouls, sometimes it's not. Totally depends on the situation. There's too much paint-by-numbers in the coaching profession.

* Being in Vancouver, with all around me talking hockey, I decided to flip back and forth between the Lakers-Hornets and the Canucks-Black Hawks game 7. It was the most hockey I've watched in about 20 years. And even though it went into sudden-death OT, I've still gotta admit I don't quite get the appeal.

* I think "citizenship" has to imply more than just work on behalf of some noble cause. To hand such an award over to Artest speaks very poorly to the overall citizenship of the league. Does the brawl, his me-first attitude on every team he's been on before the Lakers, his shirtless self-made video of him talking crazy and smoking pot, and his explicit racist/sexist rap recordings not count for anything? Or do you chalk that up to mental illness and use them as examples to show how far he's come? Who else was in the running? Do they announce 2nd and 3rd place or is the award unanimous?

Blogger's note: The other finalists were Marcus Camby, Kyle Korver and Dwight Howard and I can't recall who finished where in the balloting

[doug]

you know if people don't mind I would like to share a personal story on "mental illness"...today is my older brothers b-day, when I was young and growing up in my teens years he was my idol, athlete of the year 2 years running at our school, 3 city championships in b-ball, student council president an just a popular, well-liked, guy...well it all came to a sudden end, it's all a blur but before I knew it, before my family knew it, he was in the hospital, diagnosed as "schizophrenic"....I watched him roll out of the "procedure room" after one of his numerous electro-shock treatments, with tears in my eyes, anger inside me and turning to my dad and saying he will never be the same again ever...I watched as he wouldn't speak for 3 years or so, at xmas time get gifts, not acknowledge them and stare off into space, and see the hurt in my mothers eyes, but she remained resolute, not saying anything..I remember hearing the front door opening and closing numerous times in the middle of the night, get up see my brother standing there...I'd say "'what's up", his response is "they won't let me past"...I'd open the door and no one would be there, but to my brother there was, so I'd ask out loud so as he could hear, "can you get let him past"..I'd say there it's all fine and off he'd go....I remember once having to lie to my brother and tell him we were going for pizza (as it was/is his favorite) when really I was taking him back to the hospital to be admitted, and having look at me and say "you lied to me Doug" and my response was "we will go for pizza just not today", and having it tear me apart inside....but through it all I learned as I watched my parents stand by him no matter what, talk about unconditional love..and also I learned by watching my brother , as now he is 57 , has a full-time job, a apartment he calls home, is just the most loving, caring, and genuine person I know...and most of all to me he is still my idol, so happy b-day, time for a pizza and beer.....i shared that, as not to be self-serving, I shared it because "mentally ill" people never asked to be mentally ill, they never asked for it all, but they were given it, it's a illness yes, but still within that illness beats a heart, a soul a person...

Blogger's note: Most. Poignant. Comment. Ever.

[sam]

@doug - wonderful story thanks for sharing and happy birthday to your brother.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

How do, Doug,
You'd mentioned Maurice Lucas the other night in an IGBT and that Kurt Thomas would be in the discussion of current NBA "tough" guys after I'd suggested that a couple of Lakers would likely be at the top of your list. I was thinking of Kobe and Artest, of course. I've never seen anyone mentally tougher than Kobe in the NBA (MJ maybe?), and he's showing that once again here (and even more so, when you're playing through debilitating pain; recall Paul Pierce and his similar heroics a couple of years back).
And Artest? Tough as nails, that guy, and with all he's been through, something about that award you guys have bestowed on him, well, that's just something really special. Well done!
I'd still kind of like to see the Thunder representing the West in June, but if LA's there again, that would be just fine too. Whoever's still standing out of that conference, they'll have earned it, that's for sure.
Meanwhile, when the Griz send the Spurs packing, that's the dawn of a whole new NBA right there.
Cheers. Go Jays!

[Lorie]

@GM:
This blog is usually a regular soupcon of bombast and rhetoric, rants and rambles, and it's all basically fun because it's about a game. But mental illness is no game. Many of us know that personally. And @doug, thank you so much for sharing your brother's story with us, cause I'd been sitting here struggling with some words to express my outrage after reading some comments above. And I was so angry, and couldn't find the right words. And then I read yours. And they were heartfelt. And perfect.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Happy birthday to the brother of @doug, and @doug: Keep up the great work, buddy! If we ever had to hit the trenches, godforbid, you're the kind of dude we'd all be hoping to have at our sides. Cheers.

[Steph]

@ Doug, stories like yours need to be told. If we all just took the time to understand we would all be better people. Two years ago I lost two good friends, both made a choice I could never understand, a choise they alone could make. I thought I knew them well, I thought they knew they could always call or ring the door bell, and I supose they both knew they could, but neither would never want to burden anybody with what ever demons they were dealing with.
..
What we see is not what is. Thanks for opening our eyes and enlighting us all. Some see a darkness others can't imagine, and that by talking about it can we help / understand.
..
Confucius once said, tell me and I'll forget, teach me and I'll learn, include me and I'll understand. You made him very proud today, thank you.

[Mike kovacs]

@doug - thanks for sharing this. Everyone must realize that these things happen to people for no apparent reason and it is not their fault. There is no more reason for this than why some people are left-handed and others are right-handed. Your brother is indeed fortunate to have a family who have understood this and stood by him.

[GM]

@Lorie, you weren't angry about my words, I hope. I agree (and wrote) that mental illness is a noble cause to get behind. But lots of NBA players are behind lots of noble causes, as Doug noted. The NBA does a good job with getting players involved in charities. It's great that Artest is shining a light on mental illness. I just don't think he's the best example of a solid NBA "citizen". That's all.

[AT]

@doug
Thanks for sharing your story and Happy Birthday to your brother!!!

[Lorie]

@GM: No, not angry with your words; (but people with mental health issues can be "solid citizens" too - even if their behaviour is at times inconsistent and hard to understand) mental health issues are close to my heart. Not long ago I was offered some advice by a healthcare worker as I was struggling to understand my daughter's sudden illness: she had unexpectedly become someone I didn't know; and I couldn't reconcile within myself that this person who was acting in such a bizarre manner was indeed the same person who had happily started working on her Master's Degree just a few weeks earlier. The words he said to me were: "She is not her actions". Yes, she was acting strangely, in a "crazy" way. But this was when she needed me most. And @doug, as my family continues the healing process, it is more comforting than you may know to hear how your family continues to surround your brother with such unconditional love. And love - without conditions or expectations - is really and truly the most important thing.

[doug]

thanks for all the comments..I never said it for that response I said it so as people better understand or try to the "mentally ill"...it's just not their choice in life...in my 13 years as youth care worker in a psych hospital, (thanks to my brother I wanted to give back)... I realized there are no magic wands out there, there is no way to ease the pain of not only the victims, but also the families....so to @Steph people make their own choices , even though they may seem irrational or so out of line, we can't wear there choices..and to @D-Mac an the rest thanks for all the kind words,,and to @Lori, i don't know what to say, i know you lay awake at night and worry, cry, fret...just believe in her, don't give up on her, (I know easier said then done)...maybe I can sum it best by this example......one night, late at night like 2 in the morning, my brother was cooking something or other, he forgot about it (as was his way) and went out, well a small fire ensued, and I have a older brother, and the next day he was angry, very angry ( as he discovered the small fire) and he said to my father "either he moves out or I do" and my father without missing a beat said "well pack your bags as he isn't going anywhere"...I was never so proud of my dad, and my mom and I just looked at each other and felt such pride...and from that day on no one questioned a thing ever....that's all you can do, love unconditionally and hope ...that's it...plain and simple....and thanks to Doug for not only his comments but this blog, what a small little wonderful world...now go Grizz go...:)))