Can a short series still be a great series?

Here’s one for you:

Can you have a “great” championship series that ends, say, 4-1?

I don’t imagine it’ll happen in the NBA – I believe the Thunder have all kinds of life left in them and we’re headed back to OKC – but in case they don’t, can this one still go down as something memorable if the Heat win the next two games at home?

My immediate reaction is yes and mostly because the first three games have been compelling and there’s no reason to think the next two won’t be, even if the Heat get them both.

Saw somewhere that the Thunder have scored 286 points so far in the series, the Heat has scored 285 and except for a bizarre coaching decision in the third quarter of Game 3 and some youthful mistakes in the fourth quarter, we could be signing a different tune today.

But there you have it and maybe all this chatter about experience meaning so much could very well be true because the Thunder looked skittish at times Sunday night while the Heat simply stuck with it even when it wasn’t going well.

Why in the world Scott Brooks sat Russell Westbrook when he also had Kevin Durant on the bench in the third quarter is beyond me and Brooks’ explanation – something like “we need to get people rest, it’s hard to play 24 straight minutes, Westbrook had had a few bad possessions in a row” – rings hollow.

With James Harden invisible – and except for the first half of Game 2 he’s pretty much been awful – the Thunder needed at least one guy out there who could make something happen and while I think it should have been Durant, that it wasn’t at least Westbrook was puzzling.

But, anyway, that’s minutia and hindsight and a bit X and Oish; the fact is this series has, so far, lived up to all the hype.

The best players are being the best players, the games have been close until the final minutes and it could easily could be 2-1 OKC, or even 3-0 for either team.

We had the discussion late last night (and if we’re not going to get out of the arena until about 1 to decompress, this little offering is going to be a tad late every day, I hope you understand) and we agreed: You can have greatness in a short series, and we’re getting it now.

I fully expect to be making arrangements to be going back to Oklahoma later this week and that’ll mean a six- or seven-game series and that’ll be memorable; if we don’t have to go anywhere but home on Friday, I’m still thinking this will be known as something special.

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I know there’s a big catalogue out there to choose from and there was that whole time with John and George and Ringo but if you’re looking for best McCartney post-Beatle, this has to be on the list, right?

And we mention it only because he’s 70 today.

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You know, you get out with the older set here at things like the Finals and you get to telling stories and the 50-somethings remember a good bygone era, when fun was to be had and the consequences dealt with.

After all, only the greats play hurt, right?

Anyway, five are us are around a table and we’re telling tales and one of the best ones is about this guy – and names aren’t important but you have to trust me that it wasn’t me – at a finals series long time ago.

Fella goes out for some post-game hospitality, one story turns into another, the liquids are flowing and finally he decides it’s time to go because he’s got an early flight.

Gets to the room, calls the front desk:

“I need a wakeup call.”

“What time, sir?”

“Early flight, need it for 5 a.m.”

“Sir?”

“Yes?”

“You just missed it.”

Ah, they don’t make ‘em like they used to.

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Last day, we understand, for potential No. 8 picks to trot through the building for the Raptors; Jared Sullinger of Ohio State is scheduled in.

Not sure how he fits given the bigs they already have but why not take a look?

Oh, and I hear they might try to get Jeremy Lamb back in for another session; he had to pull out after about five minutes when he sprained an ankle last week.

There you go, as up-to-date as you can get.

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Now, I’m sure he’s a great guy and the expectant wife was a nice touch and it’s a sweet story but how come when I hear Webb Simpson, I think of some character from Caddyshack who hung with Judge Smails?

I know it’s not true but …

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Big weekend for the Canadian men’s under-19 team, which has already earned a berth in next year’s world championships with a couple of relatively easy victories at the qualification tournament in Brazil.

They beat Columbia 98-67 on Sunday after trouncing Puerto Rico on Saturday and by virtue of having already qualified for the tournament’s semifinals, they’re in next year’s worlds.

Shouldn’t be a surprise at all, actually. Canada’s had great success at age-group championships for the last half decade or so and this continues it.

But maybe that is a surprise, that we are no longer remotely surprised when Canada does well at an age-group competition. Speaks volumes for the programs they’ve put in place and the experience these kids are gleaning can’t be discounted.

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Oh yeah, me and the Netherlands are done. Over. Kaput. Finito. See ya later.

So, who should I jinx again?

How about England? Or Spain? Or maybe I just sit back and watch and see what happens. Yeah, that’s what I think’ll be.

Watch and not have a rooting interest; that’s the way to go.

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Comments

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Sure glad I'm not a betting man. Otherwise, I'd not only be in shock this morning, I'd be broke. Seems a couple of guy's I'd have been betting on – Sefolosha, Ibaka, Fisher, but mostly HARDEN! – have gone missing... anyone seen them?
Cheers. Go Sixth Man!

[Tim H.]

Hey Doug:
Just curious - are you the only Canadian reporter at the Finals? How many reporters are there that are not from either Miami or OKC?
Thanks!

Blogger's note: Nah, Sun's here, so's TSN, Smith and Jones from the radio crew showed up in Miami last night. I'd guess, if you include websites like ESPN, Yahoo and NBA.com there might be 80-90 other reporters from NBA cities.

[David in Oakville]

"Maybe I'm Amazed" may just be the best love song ever written. It is so perfect and so personal that I don't believe anyone has ever tried to re-record it (please no one burst my bubble and tell me I'm wrong unless there is an amazing cover out there).
+
As per D-Mac, a couple of "didn't see that coming" performances in this series... not only the disappearance of the bearded one but how bout that Battier kid. The guy is such a professional, always does exactly what is asked of him, you can't help but like him and feel happy for his performance.

[Rob.V]

Yeah, i'ts a learning curve for sure however if I'm Scott Brooks I've got one message for my young team.
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EVERYONE on the glass. I need to see Durant and Ibaka with 10+ boards. LBJ is looks like Magic AND Lewis Alcindor out there... he is simply dominating them inside.
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Oh, and if someone could please tell the officiating crew that it's the NBA finals, so it would be great if they ddin't call 3 (non) ticky tac fouls on Durant (every game) so that you know... we can watch him play!.

[Moshigh]

I m confident Miami wins this serious in 5 or 6. As I truly believe with the energy and aggression Lebron is playing with Miami wont be stopped. Wade is fitting in well.

I like Kenny Smith and Chris Webber, but after game one they were saying only like 2 guys could average 5 or more rebounds on Miami (Lebron and Wade) They said they didnt think Bosh could. Well Im glad Bosh is hustling and proving them wrong. Bosh has been all over the Offensive rebounds.

Durant probably best scorer, but he is no match up at all for playing defense on Lebron, no chance.
Harden is M.i.a lol (missing in action). He is deer in head lights.

OKC isnt broken yet, but they surely dont have the swagger they use to!!

[sam]

My personal feelings aside - The Heat seem to be on a role - or should I say LeBron is on a role.

[Moshigh]

@ Rob V...Durant needs to get out of the way or dont try and reach when Lebron or Wade is in the area. Then he wont get ticky tac fouls.

[Dave B]

The officiating crew is ruining the series for me. a couple of notable screw up last night was when James bounced the ball off the back of the backboard and it wasn't called out of bounds and the phantom call when Wade drove to the basket. The replays showed zero contact. Throw in the block on Durant for his fifth when LeBron pushed off at least two times and should have been called for an offensive foul. And last night, that affected the outcome.

However, if OKC could shoot a free throw, maybe these calls wouldn't matter.

[Dave B]

Sorry, it wasn't the fifth on Durant that should have been an offensive foul on James, it was the one on Harden towards the end of the game. My mistake.

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Doug:

I was admonishing my TV set last night while Durant and Westbrook sat in the 3rd. That was OKC's chance to apply the choke hold. Instead, they let the Heat back in and the game was done. But my favourite part was when Van Gundy said "That's usually Westbrook's shot...it's either a make or a miss."

That pretty much covers it.

AG, Toronto.

[Peter]

Hi Doug, thanks for the blog.

I was catching up on the weekend mail today, and noticed a question in the mailbag about Don DeLillo's Pafko at the Wall and Underworld. Pafko at the Wall is actually the opening part of Underworld, just published separately as a novella under a different title. Just wanted to clear that up for the person who submitted the question. Just about all of DeLillo's stuff is worth checking out as well. He wrote a movie called Game 6 which stars Michael Keaton and Robert Downey Jr. and is worth checking out as well for its baseball connections.

[Mike D.]

Speaking of bygone days and wake-up calls, I remember fondly the era when you used to be able to stroll past the front desk and order a wake-up call in the wee hours for "your" room, without anyone checking your identity. Extended business trips out of town were treacherous if you had unscrupulous co-workers. :)

[Lorie]

Hello Doug!
Bygone era? Older set? 50-somethings? Didn't you read that 50's the new 30? Or is it 70's the new 50? Whatever. As long as you and your Elder Statesmen and Stateswomen of the Grunt Persuasion are not yet decompressing with warm milk, a plate of Social Tea's and a 9pm curfew, there's hope! And new stories to live. And legends to create. So, rock on, Doug! Like that McCartney fella. Who's 70! And you're in good company wishing him a happy one:
http://youtu.be/aj66fauqzCI
So, Cheers! And on to those compelling Euro's! And from a person with a rooting interest in 'em, thanks for no longer having one! :)

[Mike D.]

Doug, rumours now flying that the Bulls would be willing to trade (read: salary dump) Deng for a pick, and that the Hornets would be willing to do the same with Okafor or Ariza. My own reaction is that none of those guys represents the best use of $12mm in cap room but if you were GM for a day, would you do any of those deals?

Blogger's note: Toronto GM? No, Deng a remote possibility, other two are stiffs

[Steve]

"@ Rob V...Durant needs to get out of the way or dont try and reach when Lebron or Wade is in the area. Then he wont get ticky tac fouls. "

He is picking up several fouls a game, ticky tac or otherwise, because he is the first guy back to defend fast breaks where James or Wade are powering to the rack. In that situation either:

- someone else on the Thunder needs to be getting back; or
- he needs to commit to the foul and at least stop the bucket; or
- he needs to get the hell out of the way

As it stands he usually ends up in no mans land on these plays puts his arms out and allows botht he bucket and enough contact to give away the foul.

Seen a lot of commentary today from people unhappy with the block call on Durant who thought it was a charge (despite durant establishing a position, then leaning over to find the contact with his shoulder when he realised said position wasn't good enough).

I wonder if these same people were complaining when Battier was on the end of the same call in Game #2 - keeping Durant in the game.

[George]

"They beat Columbia 98-67 on Sunday after trouncing Puerto Rico..." I believe you are refering to the country Colombia. A mistake I am sure that I made often, until I was given a good talking to by a Colombian who was fed up by this common slip by most North Americans.

Blogger's note: Yep, a slip

[Tim H.]

Hey Doug:
http://photogallery.thestar.com/1212952

Have you pick out the delicacies that you'll soon be sampling?

[jb]

Doug,

If the Thunder lost in the finals, do you think they will give the extension to Scott Brooks?
-
He definitely deserves one but with some great coaches(Phil Jackson, Stan Van Gundy, Jerry Sloan) available, do the Thunder do some exploring?

Blogger's note: If they don't, something's wrong

[Rob.V]

"@ Rob V...Durant needs to get out of the way or dont try and reach when Lebron or Wade is in the area. Then he wont get ticky tac fouls.
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I dont disagree he needs to be better however everyone is fouling out there (including LBJ's HUGE 3 fouls on both Durant and Westbrook at the end of game 2 - when OKC was trying to sink the game tying basket).
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Just seems as though the Heat are getting a better whistle, and the free through disparity may prove this point to be true.

[jb]

"Sorry, it wasn't the fifth on Durant that should have been an offensive foul on James, it was the one on Harden towards the end of the game. My mistake."
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@DaveB - I think the refs were just sick of Harden flopping all the time so they gave him a foul(it really should have been a no call). Harden is only second to Ginobli in the flopping department as far as shooting guards are concern.
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Witness master and pupil
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ247wtv8hU

[Moshigh]

How can anyone say the calls are ruining the series, a couple of here and there calls which usally get balanced out by the ref's.

Off the backboard, yes it was but there is no perfectly officiated game. The OKC supporters are starting to turn into whinners, its funny how much people are quickly not as juiced up about OKC anymore. Tide is changing.

This has been a excellent series so far.

Deng is a nice player but Im not sure about him and his salary. Didnt he have another bad injury

[KO]

Perhaps, Doug, you are confusing Webb Simpson with Ty Webb (http://tinyurl.com/7q7z4uz)...Be the ball, Danny.

[doug]

why do people love over-analyzing games, again it is pretty simple...you go 15-24 from the line you deserve to lose, it's not rocket science, the thunder have been their own worse enemy in this series...to me Harden is using this time on the national stage to put forth his own personal agenda, and he is failing miserably as he isn't that player, play within the system and all will work out for him...I agree with a earlier poster Maybe I'm Amazed is a classic , plus my fav version is McCartney on Wings Over America, fabulous version and that U.S.Open was a dud in the end, no shots made, a let down of a tourney....ok cheers..

[sportschic]

It's not just the OKC supporters turning into whiners, but OKC didn't appear as 'loose' last night. They still could have won last night, though, so they're a game down, but all isn't lost yet. This should be a great series, whether it's short or not.

Thank you for not picking the Azzurri as your team now.