Notes and Errata: June 15th, 2010
2010-06-15-Honestly, I’m a little exhausted after spending most of this evening on the Tim Donaghy piece I wrote for Pro Basketball Talk today. Most of it was just taking the research other, very good writers have spent a lot of their time doing, organizing it, and then making the logical conclusion. I thank all of them for doing the work they did.
I’m proud of the piece, and nervous about how it will be received. I don’t think I’ve ever been as passionate as I was in that piece, and especially not as passionate in a negative way. The disrespect that man chooses to show to the game I love is just a lot for me to handle. Honestly, Laker fans, Kobe fans, LeBron haters, New York fans, whatever it may be, come as you are. All I ask is that you respect the game and be willing to talk about basketball. Tim Donaghy has disrespected the game in ways I cannot believe, and he and his disciples are actively attempting to steer discussion about basketball away from basketball. I think I did the right thing. Only time will tell how things shake out.
TOM IZZO POWER SOLITAIRE! (swear word contained in video)
For the record, I completely understand Izzo wanting to wait to take the job until he knows LeBron is staying. Trouble is, I don’t know if LeBron wants to commit to staying before the Cavs make a major roster move.
Finals thoughts: Kobe was amazing. Don’t blame him for shooting his team out of the game, because they weren’t doing much when he wasn’t trying to take the game over. Boston’s defense is that good. Honestly, we’re 48 minutes away from being forced to include that the most important player of the “LeBron/Kobe” era, isn’t a player at all, but the Boston defense.
Wow, shopping Ty Lawson for a late-lottery big would be a stupid move.
Alright, I’m afraid that’s all I have for tonight. Until tomorrow, campers.
John, that was a portfolio piece! Save your clippings bro.
The problem with the lakers is they don’t trust Gasol. He has to go out and LIGHT SOMEONE UP for them to keep feeding him the ball. He arguably had a better game 2 than Kobe’s game 5 but no one will say that because the meme is that Kobe is a basketball God being forced to live amongst men and Gasol is a Marshmallow that only plays well because of Kobe. Everyone talks about Kobe, but he can be very undisciplined. At the end of both games 4 and 5 he lost his cool, took terrible shots, turned the… Read more »
Oh, hindsight is 20-20 always, but man it looks like the Lakers should have pushed full-boat for that Bosh sign and trade in the middle of the season and given up Bynum. Hard to see Toronto wanting to pull the trigger on that deal now and take on Bynum’s horrible knee. Granted, I know the power is in Bosh’s hands, but if he is giving them the choice of Chicago, New Jersey, etc. You gotta trade him to one of those other teams and get something more than bum-knee Bynum.
Celtics in 6 – it’s all over Lakers – too long a season, too big, too old :)
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I feel like it is my duty to defend Gasol in these finals. Everyone in the world is calling him soft again and acting like KG is totally punking him. I believe people are doing this just because it’s the easy and fun thing to do and because it was actually true two years ago. However, I firmly believe Gasol has outplayed Garnett for the majority of this series and has been just as tough as Garnett. One stat for you. Rebounds: Gasol-50, Garnett-30. It’s hard to be getting out-toughed AND out rebound the guy who is supposedly out-toughing you… Read more »
I second Nathan’s post. That Donaghy piece was fantastic.
I, for one, thought your Donaghy article was a great read!
While Boston defense is good, the Laker big men have been brutal lately. Especially Bynum who might not be in a Laker uniform after this season. That dude hasnt done much after Game 2 and is becoming more worthless with his horrible knee. Ever since Gasol called out Garnett, KG has owned him in the last two-three games. Artest is pretty bad, but somewhat makes up for it on defense. The Lakers are capable of beating the Celtics next two games, but they need the other guys to really step up. Being at home for those last two might help.