NBA playoffs... God I hope Lakers get swept..

Last night, the Clippers beat the Grizzlies at the buzzer. Chris Paul hit a one handed push shot with great defense played on him by Tony Allen enabling the Clippers to take a 2-0 lead in the best of seven series. So I got up this morning to hear the pundits talk about the inept Clipper half court offense or how they squandered a 12 point lead in the fourth quarter.  I was waiting for them to talk about how Chris Paul is a killer and how he would not let the Clippers lose.  I turn on ESPN first take and they open with the Lakers? They open with twitter gate? They talk for 20 minutes about an interview Coach D'Antonio did on the Dan Patrick Show about Kobe Bryant's reaction to the game on Sunday.  I hate the Lakers... The Lakers are the Tim Tebow of basketball. All season long tedious stories about this dreadful old team that is going nowhere. Just like Tebow. I have never wanted to scream at people I respect so much in my life.  Who cares if the Clippers can't win the title. Who cares even if Memphis had won the game last night. The Lakers are not the story. The NBA had two good games last night, the NBA gave out its sixth man of the year award out yesterday, and there were several other stories to talk about. How about David Lee being out for the playoffs. How about Derek Rose not playing in the post season. Who cares about the Lakers? Delusional fans who truly understand that they are going home within a week? 
There are three games tonight. If I hear anything about the Lakers, I will personally go to ESPN pull out the satellite feed nationwide. The funny thing is that the pundit shows originate in Connecticut. Who wants to wake up in Connecticut, Boston or New York and be deluged with Los Angeles Lakers nonsense? My niece does. She loves the Lakers. Maybe she is in charge of the programming.. The L.A. Tebows

Bryant, Brady, and Woods.. Difficult to catch your heroes huh...

The three most prolific American athletes of the last 20 years are Tiger Woods,Tom Brady, and K obe Bryant.  Derek Jeter is in their group but he is not considered to be the greatest player in his sport.  Roger Federer is the only athlete to accomplish the goal of exceeding the lofty accomplishments of his hero. Lionel Messi and Micheal Phelps have done it too, but swimming ,and soccer only matter in an Olympic year and over seas. Brady, Bryant, Woods, have wowed us with their prowess, excellence, and killer instinct.  They have won title emphatically, impressively, and unexpectedly.  Woods shocked the world with his unbelievable win at the masters. His margin of victory on that day is the stuff of legend.  Brady took over for an injured Drew Bledsoe and lead the Patriots over the "greatest show on turf" St. Louis Rams. Bryant won titles as a sidekick for Shaquille Oneal but was the go to guy when the Lakers needed a basket. They have been heroes and villains. Have they all reached to high to reach their stated goals?  Bryant is trying to make us forget Micheal Jordan. He shoots like Jordan. Talks like Jordan. Plays like Jordan. He is one title away from tying Jordan. His Lakers team is really struggling. They have talent, but can't figure out how to play together.  The Patriots are 7-7 in his last 14 playoff games. The last won the super bowl in 2003. They played in last years game so they are close, but fell short the last few years. Brady has matched most of his idol Joe Montana's records.The window is beginning to close on him.  Tiger was at one time a shoe in to catch Jack Nickalus records in the major tournaments. He has caught him in overall tour wins, but not in major titles. There s a new threat in McIlroy who is the"next" Tiger or Jack. Tiger has not been the same player since his marital problems.  He is ready to start his season and chase down Jack. 
Has the clock run out on these men? Brady and Bryant could put together a magical season next year and get it done. Tiger has 15 years to win 5 majors. 60 chances to get it done. Kobe and Brady need help from others. Tiger needs to play better in the first round and continue to score well on the weekend. Will they catch their heroes? I think Brady and Tiger will. The NBA has a new crop of hungry "tigers" and The challenge will be difficult for Kobe. Father time stops for no one. He always wins in the end. I look forward to seeing them try to complete their careers. They won't stop fighting and trying.  We won't stop cheering for them as they achieve

Lakers are a mess..

  I didnt want to do this and all of a sudden the Lakers go on a ten game win streak and I look like a fool but I have to.  The Los Angeles Lakers may have fallen and may not be able to get up.  The latest in the series of comical statements coming from the Lakers is Coach D'antoni wants Kobe to be the defensive catalyst for the team.  As if leading the league in scoring isn't enough.  He want Bryant to guard the opposing teams best scorer if he is a guard or small forward  and still score as he does.  Is this man nuts. He needs to go and get some old school tape of the Houston Rockets when they had Olajawon and Sampson or get some tape of the Kentucky Wildcats when  they had Bowie and Turpin and figure out how to play two big men together before they go exhausting Kobe.  The twin tower attack has only worked in San Antonio and Boston.  Kobe is having his best offensive year ever.  He is the reason the seats remain filled. Yes he had a great game guarding Kyrie Irving. Yes he is capable of guarding everyone this side of Kevin Durant and maybe Carmelo. Who then picks up the load on offense?  Nash is absolutely scared.  He does nit want to ruffle any feathers here in L.a.  He and Kobe should be doing pick and roll basketball or when  teams double team Kobe, Nash not Artest should be a viable and productive option.  Instead Nash swings the ball instead of shooting.  Jodie Meeks and Antawn Jamison are not afraid to shoot, but they can't shoot like Nash. I have never thought that Nash would be this tentative.  Shoot the damn ball Steve. I guarantee you  no one in Laker land will complain.
    Dwight Howard is a goof ball.  He is learning now that this is serious business and not only a game.  In Orlando, no one was watching so it would be okay to put up good big numbers and fail.  No one cares about them Magic. In the big basketball cities, the media is everywhere and they want answers every night.  When you win you be goofy and have fun at the expense of the coaches and everyone around the team. Shaquille O'neal made a career of that. Dwight can really play, but he has not shown up every night.  If he is hurt the rest him. No one wants to hear about his injury when he scores 10 points but don't hear nothing when he scores 33 and grabs 20 rebounds.  You cant have it both ways.
    Pau Gasol is a mental mess.  Just because he makes three point shots in practice does not always translate to the game. He should be the first option and if he does not get the ball in the post in the first seven seconds of the shot clock the get out and let Dwight post up.  Movement without the basketball is what made the Celtic big three get it done when they had two dominant inside players. The Spurs had Robinson on top and Duncan in the low block. They moved or cut to the basket and got dunks all of the time.  Gasol just stains at the three point line and watches a good game. He need Phil Jackson to erase the negative feelings I his mind.  Don't get me going about that fiasco.  The Lakers humiliated him and will have to give him ownership of the team just to get him to talk again. Isn't he still dating the owners daughter?
Oh oh.. Miami is coming on Thursday..