Indiana did lead, yes, but even in the 1st quarter, you could see Miami's energy was higher and that the double teams were causing both West and Hibbert problems.I would not say it was obvious from the start...Indy led after the first quarter. Miami just happened to get performances from Allen and Wade to push the game up in the 2nd quarter.
I kind of looked at it as they had the lead despite all those turnovers. I was not sure Miami was going to be able to maintain that intensity, but to their credit they did.Indiana did lead, yes, but even in the 1st quarter, you could see Miami's energy was higher and that the double teams were causing both West and Hibbert problems.
They committed 9 turnovers in that quarter and you could tell that they were going to have trouble solving Miami's defense, which they never were able to do.
It certainly appeared as if the moment was too big for the young Pacers, but they'll be back.I kind of looked at it as they had the lead despite all those turnovers. I was not sure Miami was going to be able to maintain that intensity, but to their credit they did.
Jeff Van Gundy is starting to come up as a name for coaching vacancies after being out of it for a while.So I like the Sam Hickie hire in Philly, but at some point we might want to think about hiring a coach. He is focusing on structuring the front office, which I respect, but you also want to give your coach a chance to have time to analyze the draft, Bynum, and other FA matters.
Reggie Jackson is a solid back up. He really grew this year. This was only his 2nd year in the league.I keep seeing big men and small forwards being mocked to OKC...I think they have to draft another PG. Shane Larkin, Dennis Schroeder, Michael CW...I was not impressed at all with Jackson.
The announcers gush about LeBron, mentioning him in the same sentence with Jordan, who hears every word. Those words have an effect on him. He stares at the TV and points out a flaw in LeBron's game.
"I study him," he says.
When LeBron goes right, he usually drives; when he goes left, he usually shoots a jumper. It has to do with his mechanics and how he loads the ball for release. "So if I have to guard him," Jordan says, "I'm gonna push him left so nine times out of 10, he's gonna shoot a jump shot. If he goes right, he's going to the hole and I can't stop him. So I ain't letting him go right."
For the rest of the game, when LeBron gets the ball and starts his move, Jordan will call out some variation of "drive" or "shoot." It's not just LeBron. He sees fouls the officials miss, and the replays prove him right. When someone shoots, he knows immediately whether it's going in. He calls out what guys are going to do before they do it, more plugged into the flow of the game than some of the players on the court. He's answering texts, buried in his phone, when the play-by-play guy announces a LeBron jump shot. Without looking up, Jordan says, "Left?"
No way.Lebron is no dummy. If Jordan forced him left, Lebron would just back is ass down to the block and then turnaround fade on him from 5 feet. If the game were make it-take it and Lebron got the ball first, it would be a shut out.
Says the guy who consantly made projections based on Rose being healthy this year...even if he wasn't...stick with reality!Who gives a shit about 1 on 1 anyway?
It has next to nothing to do with real team basketball.
I've barely mentioned Rose in months but thanks for the thought.Says the guy who consantly made projections based on Rose being healthy this year...even if he wasn't...stick with reality!
His entire body of work.What does Lebron have to do to be that killer that you seem to think he isn't? Furrow his brow or what? I know some think he passes on shots at the end of games to get the ball to open teamates, but Jordan passed to Kerr...so it is not uncommon. Not saying James would beat Jordan, but it would be a pick 'em IMO.