DTOUR: basketball edition
by Manuwar on Apr 1, 2010 9:51 PM CDT
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This is kind of a detour type post except everything here is basketball related.
I was listening to an interview with Eric Snow on the radio today where it was mentioned Michael Jordan won his first championship in his seventh year and how this is Lebron's seventh year as well. I think most experts have the Cavs as the front runners for the title this year which got me wondering something. If Lebron is the modern day MJ, then who is his Scottie Pippen? Surely none of Lebron's current team mates are to Pippen's status. Are they? I do not ask this in jest. The earliest memory of Pippen I have is probably around '94, and by then he was a bad ass. He was carrying teams by himself to 50 win seasons and then when his airness returned, Pippen played robin to three consecutive titles.
So, you old folks (JRW, Wayne, SiMA), in 1991, going into the playoffs, how was a young Scottie Pippen thought of?
Next. I made some CRAZYstatement a little while back that I'd rather see the Laker's earlier than later (in the playoffs) and I got called senseless. I still contend that we match up better than most against the Laker's when Tony is healthy because the Laker's have a tough time with quick point guards. My most recent proof is the NOOCH. A few days back the NOOCH played Chris Paul and Darren Collison at the same time for extended minutes and it gave LA fits. CP and Collison combined for 32 pts (11-20 fgs) and 16 assists and 7 rebs for good measure. The Hornets got the win, the Lakers are sputtering.
Can Tony and George not duplicate this? Throw in the rest of our bunch (Manu Ginobili?) and I like our chances!
Last thing. I want to quickly touch on Tiago Splitter. I wrote a post over the summer about trading Tiago. My thinking wasn't that I believed Tiago won't pan out in the NBA but that he is more of a future piece. My concern was Timmy and especially Manu (remember his was coming off a big injury, seems so long ago huh?); their deterioration as players. As they slowly decline our championship window gets smaller. But I was wrong. I expected Manu and Tim to take a notable dip in play this year. I also expected Tony to increase his level of play. None of those things happened. You might argue that Timmy has slowed towards the end of this season but I think he's taking it easy more than he's out of gas. He's still solid.
Manu and Tim have good years left that can coincide with Tiago's time here. I hope Tiago comes next year and I have uber high expectations for him. They are even higher after hearing RC down play Tiago. This really has me believing he's Just an athletic Brad Miller, Plus. He's the piece we will need to repeat next year :)
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I’m with you Manuwar. Bring on the Lakers early—you’re going to have to face them either way, and we’re peaking at the right time to do so.
He’s the piece we will need to repeat next year :)
Yeah, OK. If you do meet the Lakers in the 1st round this year, then that means next year you would be going for the “threepeat” on 1st round exits. But hey, at least all that luxury tax got you the 8th seed. How fun for you. :)
The Lakers "Too big, too strong, too long, too good."
Hey if this is one of those random udderness posts that Cap Hill started then here’s a timely item: Looks like they came up with a travel version of beer pong just in time for Spring Break. Woohoo!
The Lakers "Too big, too strong, too long, too good."
the Lakers are sputtering
The Lakers do not play well recently, but they have nothing to play for. They looked intimidating in San Antonio. I do not think we can match their front line, and therefore I do not see how we can win against them 4 times.
Next season doesn't exist. Only today exists. So say we all.
The thing is, can they just switch “on” and play their best when the playoffs come around? It’s very dangerous to have the attitude of thinking you’re the best and you’ll take it easy until the playoffs.
To serve man.
Gustatus similis pullus.
Unfortunately, they are a very bad matchup for us. It must be a way for us to beat them, but I just cannot see it.
Next season doesn't exist. Only today exists. So say we all.
The Lakers are going through a bit of a Kobe chemistry crisis right now with their players not really on the same page. It also should be mentioned that their players, especially their role players, have become complacent since winning the championship. These guys think they’re better than they really are. That being said, I still don’t think we should be eager to face them in the first round, especially since Tony would be just getting back in rhythm. They are still the world champs
"I've got Tim (Duncan) and you don't. That's the difference." -Gregg Popovich
Still waiting on some young Scotty Pippen insight. And don’t give me any stats. RJ averaged 20 ppg; stats won’t tell me poop.
"It's Manuway or the Highway" - tlo
Just saw this today, so, my apologies.
Pippen was hugely productive, game to game, on all of the Bulls’ championship teams. Hardly anyone outside of Chicago knew who he was before they started collecting rings, but he and Jordan had already worked out the alpha dog/sidekick thing and were hitting on all cylinders.
Let me know if I didn’t answer the question you were asking.
Alfajores cause mojo! - janieannie
I didn’t really get to watch how the early, young version of Pippen played, but from some of the basketball books I’ve read, his athleticism really blew people away. He could’ve been drafted higher but playing in Central Arkansas (not quite accurate with this, too lazy to check) sort of obscured him a bit from scouts. But during pre-draft workouts, he was really a monster.
When he came to Chicago, Jordan immediately saw Pip’s potential and kind of took the kid under his wing – and by that I mean MJ always challenging Scottie to one-on-one games after practice and outdueling each other during drills and scrimmages. MJ also recognized Pip’s defensive potential because among the Bulls players, only Pip can hang with Jordan in one-on-ones.
So in a way, observers described this as Jordan “cloning himself” through Scottie. The results, as it turned out, were rather satisfying for the Bulls. I don’t think LeBron, being the physical freak that he is, can mold anybody to be like him so it’ll be unlikely to see another one like Pip.
Just cause we're crippled, don't mean we gotta take the crumbs.
by silverandblack_davis on Apr 6, 2010 7:21 PM CDT up reply actions
Okay, just after I posted this I read Kelly Dwyer’s post on Scottie’s Hall nomination. I basically echoed what he said.
Just cause we're crippled, don't mean we gotta take the crumbs.
by silverandblack_davis on Apr 6, 2010 7:51 PM CDT up reply actions
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