NBA Playoffs Get Going

I guess LeBron isn't all that nervous after all, as many analysts said out there (including ESPN and TNT). I mean, 32 points on 12 of 27 with 11 assists and 11 boards. Yep, the ol' triple-double. He also played all 48 minutes (well, he actually sat the final 0.3 seconds of the first quarter). And, much more importantly, his Clevland Cavaliers won Game 1 over the Washington Wizards. Nice.

Also impressive in the NBA Playoffs was the Lakers performance in their loss to the Phoenix Suns. Wait, they lost, how is that impressive? Well, the 7-21 from the field that Mr. Kobe Bryant put up was less than spectacular, but the fact that all five LA starters ended up in double figures was indeed noteworthy. Lamar Odom owned the paint as well. Phil Jackson had a great game plan and they executed it just fine, well, except Kobe. Who would have thought that Kobe would be the one who couldn't put it in the hoop? Of course it didn't help the man out that he got smacked in the head hard enough to put a golf ball sized knot on his head and no foul was called with about a minute to go. Seriously, it was one of the worst missed calls in recent memory. Guess that's home court for ya. 107-102 Suns, with Tim Thomas perhaps being the most impressive with his 22 points and 15 rebounds. That and the Suns shooting 32 of 35 from the line.

Dallas rolled over the Grizz and the Pistons made the Bucks look like a high school team. Well, not as bad as the Spurs made the Kings look, but almost. The Pacers also got lucky and edged out the Nets. Much of it thanks to the poor perimeter shooting by Vince Carter. OK, not just him. The Nets went 1-15 from the 3-pt line. Not good. But, it definitely looks like when VC's not in the paint, he's just average. Inside that rectangle though, and he's the man. Now watch him come out and bang in six threes next game.

I was happy to see the Bulls hang with the Heat as well, but I'm realistic enough to know this is the Heat's Series. Still, it's nice to see the youngsters in Chicago play that well. They could probably beat the Nuggets. Not to take anything away from the Clippers, because it's nice to see Sam Cassell and Co. finally win a game for LA's "second-rate" team. I'm rooting for the Clips all the way. Well, at least to get out of the first round.

I'm sure the Bulls are glad to see Haslem out for Game 2 due to the throwing of his mouthpiece in the direction of an official. Not sure if it was completely warranted, but hey, the Bulls will take anything they can get. Of course, this could just make Shaq Daddy mad and go for 40, but I'll have to see that to believe it.

OK. That's about all the Hoops I can muster for one day. Back to Baseball for me.

Later.

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