Here you go, it was well worth the wait, I'm sure

Boy, do they ever need to build some stuff around Terminal Three at Pearson because if you’re sitting on the tarmac waiting for a gate to open for what seems like forever, it’s a rather dull life.

Anyway, the 3:30 a.m. Central wakeup call got me to the 6:15 a.m. Central (closer to 7 a.m.) flight and to Pearson and now the confines of Mother Star for a bit so …

At least I have this fancy new keyboard as another memory of a fun trip.

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Question of the day:

What was the bigger collapse: Oklahoma City in Game 4 against Dallas or Chicago in Game 5 against Miami?

Well, I wasn’t in Oklahoma City so I may be biased but, man, wasn’t that a classic fold up on Thursday by the Bulls?

Up 12 with less than three minutes to go and lose?

Unconscionable.

But not entirely unexpected since Chicago seemed to play a bit scared in the dying minutes of the last three games of the series and the problems with their roster were laid bare for all too see.

The one thing everyone needs to take away from the problems of both the Thunder and the Bulls is that it takes time to learn how to win in hugely important games where every possession needs to be nearly flawless.

Hard lessons, indeed. And whether they be learned before it’s too late is impossible to tell.

If I had my druthers, I’d take the Oklahoma roster as it’s presently constructed over the Chicago roster for sure but I really wonder how long it’s going to take either of them to really get it.

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There’ll be way more on this over the next couple of days but, boy, is Miami good.

Mentally and physically, they just know what needs to be done and they go and do it.

In the few seconds I had to look up from the laptop in the final 90 seconds Thursday, when it dawned on me that my “let’s go to Miami for Game 6” story was destined for the scrapheap, all I saw was the Heat making the right play.

Smart passes, great defence, clutch shots.

The two free throws by Bosh (and wasn’t that the quietest 20-10 closeout game your can remember?) were a perfect example. He hadn’t really done much in the game, hadn’t really ever been in that position in his career (I guess the missed jumper at the end of Game 2 in Orlando would be the closest) but he was calm, collected and clutch.

Just like those other two.

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I’m not suggesting all basketball writers run in such big league circles but there was an impressive guest/friend of Sam Smith’s who stopped by for a little pre-game interview room presentation we had for Sam, who got the first Phil Jasner Lifetime Achievement Award.

Seems Sam used to run in some political circles before he turned his attention to the NBA and David Axelrod, who’s only the guy who’s running Obama’s re-election campaign, stopped by the United Center for the little show.

Told me used to do a little work for Dalton McGuinty at some time, which I thought was kind of cool and represents about the only way I’d see a connection between Obama and McGuinty.

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Who’s going to win the Final?

Well, it’s about 5:30 a.m. Eastern time, I’m going on about 90 minutes sleep and, frankly, my mind’s so cloudy I’m not 100 per cent certain who’s in it, let alone who’ll win it.

Let me get back, chat with the Tall Foreheads and figure out when, of if, we’ll do out big setup package.

Then, and only then, will you get the pearls of wisdom for which you are all so anxiously awaiting.

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Big things cooking at the Royal York today with Canada Basketball’s first annual Congress.

Not sure what impact it’ll have on you individually but if you’re kid plays the game, or if you play the game, or if you care a lot about the game, it’s a pretty significant step.

Lots of panel discussions and chances to exchange ideas among people who coach, ref and administer the sport. There may not be immediate and drastic change, but give the folks at CB credit for bringing together various stakeholders in the game.

(See how tired I am? I just typed the word “stakeholder” and that’s one of those goofy words I really hate to use. If I write “score the ball” or “physicality” you are allowed to slap me upside the head if you see me).

Anyway, this may not mean much to you but Canada Basketball was able to attract FIBA secretary-general Patrick Baumann and FIBA Americas poohbah Alberto Garcia to the buntoss and that’s significant in how the national organization is regarded around the world.

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I’m going to throw this in here as a way of talking more about Sam Smith.

Q: You mentioned the 'giants of the business' in today's blog. To whom might you be referring to?

Danny P, Toronto

A: To me, the giants are the guys and gals who’ve been around forever and still churn out great, insightful, entertaining copy on a regular basis.

I’m not going to get into current favourites or must-reads because that changes almost daily depending on the issue of the day and where it takes place.

But if I could have the careers of the following five people – and I can’t because I don’t write well enough, won’t be around long enough and won’t have as great an impact on our craft – I would be happy as a clam (and I don’t know exactly what that means, it must have to do with pearls, but you get what I mean.)

So, giants:

Sam Smith

Mark Heisler

Bob Ryan

Jackie MacMullan

Peter May

(I know there seems to be a Boston bias but those are the kind of long-serving greats who I consider “giants”).

There are so many others, too, I’m giving short shrift to too many people but …

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Back to the Final for a second?

I’m thinking Jason Kidd-Mike Bibby is the slowest point guard match up maybe in history.

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During the drive back to the O’Hare Marriott after the game, the three of us were listening to the sports chat shows and, man, Chicago is one tough city.

In order, the goats were, according to the chatterers and their hosts:

Carlos Boozer

Joakim Noah

Derrick Rose

Tom Thibodeau

Guess we kind of concurred – I might switch the last two – but no one got the one guy we thought should have been on the list: Kyle Korver.

Really, if he’d had any impact or made any shots, who knows what that would have done to move the defence around and give Rose some more space.

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Okay, I have absolutely no clue what’s up for the weekend work-wise and blog-wise and life-wise.

So just in case I have to do mail tomorrow or find some time this afternoon somewhere to work on it, I’d be happy to accept all greetings, queries and general conversations if you’d be kind enough to click here and write to me.

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Comments

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Welcome home, Doug,
That was one steaming large pile of melted down Bull, wasn't it? These playoffs were Boozer's big chance, and he didn't capitalize on it very much at all. Not overly surprised about Korver. Unless your name is Allen or Bonner (or maybe Ridnour), 3-point 'specialists' really don't seem to have all that much to offer that you can count on these days.
Masterful job on scrambling for an entire rewrite at the wire and delivering an excellent story, Doug! How do manage to pull that off and still keep your hair?
Buckle up! These finals are going to be intense. Can't wait.
Cheers. And Doug, get some sleep, man!

Blogger's note: What hair I have is white; it wasn't that way when I started this gig

[chris]

Miami will win, and no one outside of Miami will cheer for them. Talk about a cheapened title.
Scary thing is they could win a bunch of cheap titles (and no one outside Miami will cheer for them).

[Mike kovacs]

What I find amazing about these playoffs is that it shows how hard it is to put together a great team. Even the last 2 have serious flaws.

[Juan]

Wow, is all I can say. That "dagger 3" that turned out not-to-be put a momentary smile on my face as I was looking forward to seeing more of this series. Stunned disappointment followed for a number of reasons.
All I have to say now is "Let's Go Mavs! Let's Go Mavs! Let's Go Mavs!"
Doug I hope you have a relaxing weekend.

[GM]

I didn't watch enough of the game, or the series, to offer an informed opinion, but I'd start the goat discussion at Thibodeau and Rose. I will never understand an offense that a) starts trying to go all cautious too soon, and b) looks to one player to try to do it all himself. If the 1-on-5 model was so effective, wouldn't teams run it all game long? Why abandon team play when you need a basket the most?

And speaking of ill-informed opinions (mine again) isn't Sam Smith the guy who always starts or perpetuates bogus trade rumours? Why would you want a career like that? (Apologies to both Mr. Smiths if I've got it wrong.)

Blogger's note: That's the right Sam and, yes, he has become something of that. But the dude has covered the league for 30 years and his Jordan work was sublime. Good point, though

[Pizza Guy]

The bulls is pretty much like the cav with Lebron. Nobody wants to take the shot and just throw the ball to D-Rose for him to create. I don't know how many minutes he played but he looked really tired in the final 5 minutes. They are not playing team ball and you can't win like that.

[Tom H]

Given BC's recent comments, would Cho fit here?

[Lorie]

Good Day, Doug,
Very well done indeed last night. Great story! And how many times in the 4th quarter was the game's outcome in doubt??? Now go rest those (previously) steady nerves, and your famously flying fingers (which adapted admirably to the new keyboard) because I think our Finals might be pretty damn good. Now about the clam reference: you might say that open clams resemble a smiling face (squint your eyes - but not for too long or sounds like you'll nod off...and you'll see it) and that's a possible explanation. But the original saying goes "as happy as a clam at high water"...which is a nice situation for a mollusc to find itself when seagulls hover. Anyway, cool that you chose a phrase about clams when so many of your giants are from a place where they're plentiful and well-served. Cheers. (But quiet ones today.)

[The J]

These playoffs sure have turned out differently than we had expected. The Lakers were supposed to be fighting a tough re-match with an improving OKC and probably facing the strong Spurs along the way. We were supposed to be watching a team go through a gauntlet of 7 game series' between the Bulls, Celtics, and Heat with the Magic in the mix. I guess that's why they play the games.
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What is exciting is seeing two very deserving teams in the finals. Dallas was supposed to struggle with Portland, and some expected they were prime targets for another upset. But they handled them easily, and then rolled trough the reigning champs without breaking a sweat. The Heat were supposed to struggle in Boston before they could (and if they could) beat their big bully rivals. Instead, they handled them easily and left the veteran big 3 looking like the ones who are struggling to find that cohesion as a unit. Watching how the two teams beat the young and up and coming OKC and Chicago was just as impressive, especially with the incredibley dominant close-outs and comebacks. Some years the East team has snuck through to the finals playing weak East rivals. This year the Heat had to go through both Boston and Chicago. Whether you like these teams or not, and it seems most people don't like EITHER team, you have to admit they both deserve to be there.
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It's funny how much Rose's Chicago team reminds me of LeBron's Cleveland team. Defensive coach and a great defensive system, but only one all-world superstar left to carry the offensive load. Good enough to win the most regular season games, but not ready to go all the way in the playoffs. With his MVP and big season, Rose will move forward under the same microscope as LeBron. Questioned for every flaw and failure, despite being young and still growing. Rose will get there some day, just not yet.

[Lee Z]

Doug, Doug, Doug, you and the Chicago sports chat shows have it all wrong about the true goat of Chicago's meltdown. His name is Max. With three minutes to go, Max (my 18-year-old Chuck Swirskey fan of a son) said "You can get out the salami and cheese." I said, what, are you KIDDING me? This ain't over yet. But the hubris of youth prevented him from backing down, and the rest, of course, is history. So, Max and Chuck are the true villains here. I'm thinking of taking away his keys to the family car as punishment (Max's, not Chuck's. Actually, maybe Chuck's too.)

[Matt M]

I look at this Chicago roster and think that they could have beaten Miami if the had another player who could create their own shot. I often wonder if Bargnani would be a better option at PF for them than Boozer. I would like to think so if only because they wouldn't be giving up too much defensively (Boozer isn't great defensive from all accounts) and Bargnani is pretty good at getting his own shot. I dream of a Noah-Bargnani front court. I think they would work very well together, expecially if Bargnani has a MVP point guard to play off of.

[Striker 77]

Agree with you about Korver.. Dude looked useless and completely outclassed for that entire series...

[Cruz Farfan]

… and the Evil Empire had almost taking over the entire galaxy; and the droids said:

“Help us, Dirk Nowitzki. You’re our only hope”

[Phil A]

Wow these playoffs are something else...

Again, I have to give a lot of credit to Chris Bosh for being one of the most consistant performers in these playoffs. He's quietly putting up some good numbers and he's probably the most efficient player on this Heat team. There is a reason this man is consistently being picked to all star games and nobody can deny this guy's talent.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but last time I checked, Boozer signed a contract of 5 years worth a total of 80 million dollars. I've never liked his style of play and never really thought of him as a top tier player and I think these playoffs have proven that he is an average player at best. For all the people who think Bargnani's 5yr/50m contract is bad (Very good contract for a top 15 offensive talent in the league), think of what the Bulls are stuck with.

[john]

Hey Doug, I was reading in this blog a few weeks ago, I think it was in the first round someone mentioned here that they saw the biggest flaw in the Bulls was the offense cause once they got past Rose there weren't alot of options. I think that observation rang very true in this series. Who was that brilliant basketball mind?

[Michael]

Hey Doug,

Alot of spoken to so far about the playoffs have been somewhat disappointed with how it has been going along. I think alot people where expecting a 3 peat from the Lakers, or Spurs run that would continue into the playoffs but somehow all of that is lost and we are left with a Mavs-Heat rematch of 2006. I would definitely want to see the Mavs pull of the victory this time around and keep Bosh n LBJ one more year without a ring.
P.S. I heard Jason Terry would remove his Larry O'Brien trophy tattoo if they lost and supposably removing them hurt.