Game 1 is over. The question is what did we learn during and after Game 1? I sat and watched last night and I think that Jeff VanGundy and Mark Jackson enjoy their jobs way too much. They get to sit and watch this firsthand and get paid to do it. Now, let's get back to the game.
1) The Mavericks started Stevenson on LBJ? I was thinking, oh my goodness, he might get 40 tonight. But, I will go ahead and take a swipe at LBJ. If you turn and they have Stevenson on you and you don't post him up and go over him or through him to the basket (no fall away jumpers on a smaller dude) I am going to scream. Stevenson should have played a sum total of 10 minutes last night due to foul trouble. Period. Yes, the Mavericks are going to double you, but get him in the post and make your move. Done. (Memo to LeBron: Work on your post up game in the summer. It's sure to help you dominate in the future).
2) Dirk had problems with Haslem, as I thought he would. The surprise was that Joel Anthony played him well too. I imagine that some of those calls go against Anthony when they head to Dallas, but they put a body on Dirk and kept those arms up. It doesn't help the fact that Dirk tore a ligament in his non-shooting hand. It should effect his shooting but it will definitely effect his limited ball handling. Other than hurting like he77 (I've done this twice, both pinkies) Dirk should be able to get through this, but it will change his game a little. Dirk had 27 pts, 8 rebs, and 2 asts, but he shot a miserable 7-18 (1 of 3 from 3) and as usual 12-12 from the free throw line.
3) What happened to the Dallas bench? JJ, Terry, Haywood, anyone? Only 12 pts for Terry (all first half), 3 pts for Haywood (did he get hung on a dunk by himself?) and 2 pts for JJ. They gotta play better if the Mavericks hope to win this series. I expected more from Terry, but he's gotta find a way to score and stop flopping all over the place.
4) LBJ and Wade. Each of them took turns taking over the game for the Heat. I'm note sure how you stop them, because normally you only have 1 defensive stopper on your team and that person probably is not built to stop a guard (quickness) and a forward (size and speed). LBJ ended the game with 24 pts, 9 rebs, 5 asts, and 2 monster dunks (the oop from Wade and the one crossing over Marion). Wade ended the game with 22 pts, 10 rebs, 6 asts, and 2 blks and several daggers at the end of the game when the Mavs thought they might sneak back in.
5) Mike Bibby needs to hit a shot. I mean, hit at least one shot. He only took 4, but he wasn't even close on those. If he can get it going, it might spell more doom for the Mavs than what we already see.
So, all in all, the Heat are up 1 - 0 and looking good for the next game on Thursday night. Can the Mavs make some changes in time? Can the Heat get more out of Bosh and Bibby? What did you think were the keys to the Game 1 win for the Heat?
Showing posts with label Mike Bibby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mike Bibby. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Eastern Conference Finals Wrap Up - Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat
The Heat wrapped up this series winning 4-1 against the Bulls. It was definitely exciting and we learned a lot about both teams. Let's take a look at what went down.
Bulls:
1) Derrick Rose needs help scoring the ball. Rose did pretty much all he could and ended up playing terribly in all of the 4th quarter games in this series. The Bulls will probably hate that they didn't acquire a 2 guard (Courtney Lee for Omer Asik) during the trade deadline and it will be harder for them to do that in the off season because they probably won't have the money to do it and if they make a trade they are going to have to give up a good piece (think Taj Gibson).
2) Is this Duke Central? Deng played well for the majority of this series. He is really a compliment to a superstar (Rose) and he can play on both ends. I am a little hesitant to say this but the Bulls have their Scottie Pippen clone. He's finally living up to his contract. Carlos Boozer disappointed this entire series. He put up numbers in some of the games but if this is what $75M gets you these days then we definitely need to re-evaluate the dollar. Boozer never put up numbers that mattered in this series (starting a run, or more importantly stopping a run) and he definitely showed his lack of desire to play defense. Maybe it was his toe, maybe he wasn't healthy but he couldn't even get off the floor and I'm not even expecting to see him like Amare, but some athleticism would be nice. Add in the two flagrant fouls, and this was a bad series for Boozer. Another year like this and they will be trying to find a way to ship him out of town.
3) I like Thibs but I think he got out coached by Pat Riley in this one (yes, Pat Riley). Why wasn't Kurt Thomas more of a piece in this rotation? Thomas should have gotten more minutes because he's a veteran, he can rebound, he can score, and if necessary can lay some wood on someone. He doesn't have the height that Asik has, but name someone on the Heat's front line (a big) than can rebound with the 38 year old.
4) What happens next year? CJ Watson had a chance to make this an opportunity for some money. I still think the best lineup for the Bulls against this Heat team was CJ (1), Rose (2), Deng (3), Gibson (4), and Noah (5). This team would have been small but they could run with the Heat and they can also hit shots. The issue with this lineup is that it doesn't work if CJ isn't hitting some of those shots.
Heat:
1) Maybe just maybe LBJ can shed that 'can't close' label. He showed up when the Heat needed him and closed out these Bulls. 4 straight losses for a team that hadn't lost more than 3 in a row the entire season, that's something.
2) Chris Bosh, this is the guy that the Heat needed all year long. Bosh showed everyone (including Boozer) that if you think the Heat are the Big 2 and a pretty good 3rd, you will have some problems on your hands. Bosh had two 30 point games in this series and basically outplayed both Gibson and Boozer.
3) This may have been the worst that I have seen D Wade play. He really only played about 20 minutes of good basketball this entire series. Think about that. I'm not sure if he was hurt, or disinterested or what. All I know is that the Mavericks team that they will be playing in the Finals is going to require that he plays up a level or two or they won't be winning many games.
4) Mike Miller is finally coming alive. Looks like he and Bibby actually hit some shots in this series, right when they needed to. Miller is playing with two injured thumbs and is having problems with his shooting and Bibby's time was limited in this series because of the opponent (Rose), but with all of that said, if these guys show up and play, that makes the Heat that much harder to beat.
Thanks again to both teams for an exciting ECF, and good luck to the Heat in the Finals.
What was your take on the Eastern Conference Finals.
Bulls:
1) Derrick Rose needs help scoring the ball. Rose did pretty much all he could and ended up playing terribly in all of the 4th quarter games in this series. The Bulls will probably hate that they didn't acquire a 2 guard (Courtney Lee for Omer Asik) during the trade deadline and it will be harder for them to do that in the off season because they probably won't have the money to do it and if they make a trade they are going to have to give up a good piece (think Taj Gibson).
2) Is this Duke Central? Deng played well for the majority of this series. He is really a compliment to a superstar (Rose) and he can play on both ends. I am a little hesitant to say this but the Bulls have their Scottie Pippen clone. He's finally living up to his contract. Carlos Boozer disappointed this entire series. He put up numbers in some of the games but if this is what $75M gets you these days then we definitely need to re-evaluate the dollar. Boozer never put up numbers that mattered in this series (starting a run, or more importantly stopping a run) and he definitely showed his lack of desire to play defense. Maybe it was his toe, maybe he wasn't healthy but he couldn't even get off the floor and I'm not even expecting to see him like Amare, but some athleticism would be nice. Add in the two flagrant fouls, and this was a bad series for Boozer. Another year like this and they will be trying to find a way to ship him out of town.
3) I like Thibs but I think he got out coached by Pat Riley in this one (yes, Pat Riley). Why wasn't Kurt Thomas more of a piece in this rotation? Thomas should have gotten more minutes because he's a veteran, he can rebound, he can score, and if necessary can lay some wood on someone. He doesn't have the height that Asik has, but name someone on the Heat's front line (a big) than can rebound with the 38 year old.
4) What happens next year? CJ Watson had a chance to make this an opportunity for some money. I still think the best lineup for the Bulls against this Heat team was CJ (1), Rose (2), Deng (3), Gibson (4), and Noah (5). This team would have been small but they could run with the Heat and they can also hit shots. The issue with this lineup is that it doesn't work if CJ isn't hitting some of those shots.
Heat:
1) Maybe just maybe LBJ can shed that 'can't close' label. He showed up when the Heat needed him and closed out these Bulls. 4 straight losses for a team that hadn't lost more than 3 in a row the entire season, that's something.
2) Chris Bosh, this is the guy that the Heat needed all year long. Bosh showed everyone (including Boozer) that if you think the Heat are the Big 2 and a pretty good 3rd, you will have some problems on your hands. Bosh had two 30 point games in this series and basically outplayed both Gibson and Boozer.
3) This may have been the worst that I have seen D Wade play. He really only played about 20 minutes of good basketball this entire series. Think about that. I'm not sure if he was hurt, or disinterested or what. All I know is that the Mavericks team that they will be playing in the Finals is going to require that he plays up a level or two or they won't be winning many games.
4) Mike Miller is finally coming alive. Looks like he and Bibby actually hit some shots in this series, right when they needed to. Miller is playing with two injured thumbs and is having problems with his shooting and Bibby's time was limited in this series because of the opponent (Rose), but with all of that said, if these guys show up and play, that makes the Heat that much harder to beat.
Thanks again to both teams for an exciting ECF, and good luck to the Heat in the Finals.
What was your take on the Eastern Conference Finals.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Hawks add Hinrich
Hmmm,...this is a boring one, but I guess we have to talk about it. The Atlanta Hawks and the Washington Wizards agree to a trade that I'm not so sure helps either team. Let's take a look.
Washington Wizards
Get: Mike Bibby, Jordan Crawford, Maurice Evans, and a 1st round pick (2011)
Atlanta Hawks
Get: Kirk Hinrich and Hilton Armstrong
My take on the Wizards: I have to look at what the Wizards got in this deal and the things that standout are Jordan Crawford and possibly that 2011 1st round pick. Mike Bibby probably should have been a backup last year for a contender. It just seems like each year he's gotten slower and slower and that 3 point shot that he used to hit, just isn't there anymore. Maurice Evans is an athlete and another live body, and that may be it. Jordan Crawford was the piece that I thought would allow the Hawks to trade Jamal Crawford and put the younger Crawford in the mix. Jordan has yet to make me look good with that prediction, but after the Hawks gave JJ $119M, I just don't see how they pay Jamal. So, Jordan will have his opportunities in Washington to turn it around.
My take on the Hawks: Ok, you got Kirk Hinrich, now what? He's always been a combo guard to me and definitely a true point because he can't guard the smaller faster guards in the league. If you also remember Hinrich in Chicago, he entered each game with about 1.5 fouls to his credit. I just don't see the upside to this move. Hilton Armstrong provides another big body to give the Hawks bigs a break, but he hasn't done much since he's been in the league and he played with one of the best PGs in the game.
Am I wrong or was this just a trade for spare parts? I mean Hinrich is 2 years and some change older than when he was in Chicago and he wasn't that good then.
Washington Wizards
Get: Mike Bibby, Jordan Crawford, Maurice Evans, and a 1st round pick (2011)
Atlanta Hawks
Get: Kirk Hinrich and Hilton Armstrong
My take on the Wizards: I have to look at what the Wizards got in this deal and the things that standout are Jordan Crawford and possibly that 2011 1st round pick. Mike Bibby probably should have been a backup last year for a contender. It just seems like each year he's gotten slower and slower and that 3 point shot that he used to hit, just isn't there anymore. Maurice Evans is an athlete and another live body, and that may be it. Jordan Crawford was the piece that I thought would allow the Hawks to trade Jamal Crawford and put the younger Crawford in the mix. Jordan has yet to make me look good with that prediction, but after the Hawks gave JJ $119M, I just don't see how they pay Jamal. So, Jordan will have his opportunities in Washington to turn it around.
My take on the Hawks: Ok, you got Kirk Hinrich, now what? He's always been a combo guard to me and definitely a true point because he can't guard the smaller faster guards in the league. If you also remember Hinrich in Chicago, he entered each game with about 1.5 fouls to his credit. I just don't see the upside to this move. Hilton Armstrong provides another big body to give the Hawks bigs a break, but he hasn't done much since he's been in the league and he played with one of the best PGs in the game.
Am I wrong or was this just a trade for spare parts? I mean Hinrich is 2 years and some change older than when he was in Chicago and he wasn't that good then.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
NBA Round Up 10-29-08
Golden State Warriors - It's official, Al Harrington wants to be traded. He is tired of Nellie and wants a new address. Supposedly his agent is already trying to find a new place for him to land. In my mind, the Warriors can't get rid of this guy unless they get some production back. Al is 6'9", a big body, and he can score. The Warriors are without a lot of those qualities, mostly size, if they get rid of him. It's hard to fathom a trade this early in the season, but we'll have to watch this one.
Atlanta Hawks - Mike Bibby is in the last year of his contract and if things go as they normally go in the ATL, he'll be traded by the deadline if the Hawks aren't winning. Bibby feels that he'll be in the ATL this year and going forward, but I doubt he's still around after the All Star break. The Hawks aren't talking new contract with Bibby yet either.
Denver Nuggets - Linas Kleiza is hoping that his new contract will be completed soon. The Nuggets, in my mind, have to pay this guy because who else do they have? Look for a multi year deal coming at a little more than the mid level. The Nuggets are also considering picking up the option on newly acquired Renaldo Balkman.
Detroit Pistons - Jason Maxiell has declined a 4 year deal for $20M from the Pistons. He'll be an unrestricted free agent at the years end. I've said it before, Detroit can't let this guy go. Joe Dumars, up that offer to about $7M a year (at least $6.5M) and you'll get him.
Los Angeles Lakers - $85M is the number. That's what the Bynum camp is expecting for the Lakers center, Andrew Bynum, to resign with them. I guess that's the going rate for a young, agile, decent, 7 footer in the NBA. Someone from the Lakers will have to go if they pay Bynum that money. Plus the question is, is he worth it?
Golden State Warriors - Monta Ellis is filing a grievance with his present employer. The Warriors have suspended Ellis for 30 games, but they have also told him that if he doesn't come back as the Monta Ellis of old, they still hold the option of terminating his contract. Well, that's not exactly right. The team has the option of either suspending him (which they have done) OR terminating his contract, but not both. This is not the type of relationship you want to have with your franchise player.
San Antonio Spurs - New digs. The Spurs are no longer flying Champion Air and have now (the NBA) signed a 10 year deal with Northwest Airlines as their airline of choice (there are 15 other teams who have done the same). What happened to the NBA and Southwest Airlines?
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