Bulls-Heat Game 1
It's amazing how hard I am rooting against the Heat. I painted my face green and white for 5 games last week when they played the Celtics. Then last night, I threw a remote when Chris Bosh slipped a screen a screen for a dunk, only to then fall off the couch when Taj Gibson had that scary boom on D Wade. For a guy who doesn't root for anyone except the Indians and the Browns, I am somewhat invested in the "anybody but the Heat" team.
Many of you know my love for Jo Noah's game. He played very well all over the court last night. A hell of an effort, along with Boozer and Asik. My good friend Brian, a Noah hater, told me he would buy a Noah jersey if they beat the Heat. I told him to order it now cause the Bulls are gonna sweep these bums out! Just kiddin.
Both sides, Heat fans and Bulls fans can take some good and bad things out of the game. Bron and Wade were a little lethargic. Wade missed a couple layups early. Then got flustered after the Gibson incident. Bron got caught in a distributor mindset early in the game, and never really got to run the lane hard and get into a scoring rhythm. He did what he likes to do in game 1's. He likes to get the lay of the land and do his due diligence on players and how officials are calling the game. He'll come out gangbusters in game 2. I wouldn't want to be in a position to take a charge on him early in the first quarter.
For the Bulls, they have to be pleased with their glass work. They cut and bumped everybody out of that lane all night. Joel Anthony couldn't even play in that game. There were tons of plays where there was no one on the Heat in the key when Chicago would get the rebound. They were eating on the offensive glass too. Offensive boards that led to buckets or 3's. Deng stepped up and shot the ball beautifully. He's played well against the Heat in all 4 games this season. He gets up for them. Booze, a key in this series is 1 for 1. We'll see if he can sustain his energy. Rose was great.
Bottom line, I think the Bulls think they are better. I think they sit in the locker room and look each other in the eye and believe they can get this done. They are going to need all of that unwavering belief. Wade and Bron are not going to go quietly.
Thunder-Griz
The Thunder vs. Grizzles was a really good series. Great young players from both teams on the playoff stage for the first time. And all of them stepped up. Great veteran player leadership from both teams. Zach Randolph carried the best player in the whole playoffs torch for about a week and a half and then some. Tony Allen made the Boston Celtics brass regret not re-upping his deal with the team. Darrell Arthur, Sam Young and Greivis Vazquez played their asses off. James Harden showed that he has nifty little game, making dagger 3 after dagger 3 and setting up his teammates for great shots in the 4th quarter. Shane Battier put on a clinic of efficiency and individual defense. Mike Conley Jr. had a couple hiccups but was mostly fantastic. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook continued to show their top 15 players in the NBA status. And last but not least, Nick Collison put on a tutorial for all the undersized high school players to watch: rim to rim hustle, defending a great player without fouling, hunting offensive rebounds, finishing the layups he should finish.
Zach Randolph put on a footwork clinic all series. It was fun to watch. I kept watching him and kept thinking, "God, let's just teach this to high school guys. Let's put a video out of his footwork in this series." Unfortunately, it isn't that easy. He is a unique player. And a lot of what he's doing you can't teach. You can't teach his incredible stability and balance. He is so strong in his lower body, it's silly. He uses his butt and front shoulder to just move guys off his driving line, and just doesn't let them back in the play. And his multiple release points on his finishes and outstanding touch is awesome. That's just reps on the playground, open gym, hundreds of games. But gosh, he was a beast huh? How bout that face up rock back jumper he has after a couple jab steps. He had to have shot 70% on those shots. Made it look easy.
The Durant-Westbrook AM radio/NBA writers looking for something to talk/write about debate is interesting. It's mostly a non-issue though. Russ West is getting a lot of the heat when things go bad. Some deserved, some not.
I saw them play in December from a good seat and watched first hand some of the bad Westbrook. Not passing the ball ahead, him being the only guy on the Thunder to touch the ball on some possessions, settling for jumpers after he's pounded it 12 times (see LeBron on Cavaliers), etc. He definitely has his moments where he gets a little selfish.
BUT BUT, I think for the criticism to be so one sided is unfair. All these writers and analysts just throw him under the bus and kind of protect KD35 in my opinion. Westbrook is, without question, a top 15-20 player in the NBA. And borderline unstoppable, especially if he is dialed in from 3. WHAT DO YOU WANT HIM TO DO--THROW IT IN TO PERKINS AND WATCH HIM SHOOT A BRICK HOOK SHOT? Kevin Durant has a hard time getting open against physical defenders. He floats, glides around and doesn't create enough separation for one of his teammates to get him the ball. He's not innocent. He did however, make some great adjustments in game 7. He moved beautifully, and guess who found him for dunks and alley oops--Russell.
So, that's something to stay tuned on. These two guys love each other. They're friendship runs deep. And Durant doesn't care if Westbrook shoots 100 shots--as long as they win. It's on both of them to improve the things they need to against the Mavericks. For Westbrook, it's not settling for jumpers off the dribble late in the shot clock. For Durant, it's playing with strength and energy and separating himself from the barrage of defenders the Mavs are going to throw at him.
Should be a good series in the West.
