THE LEAGUE^©

If Lebron James is the King of the Court, then D-Wade is the LORD OF THE LEAGUE^©.  Shooting nearly 70%!  Against Detroit!  Are you kidding me!  It appears D’s date with destiny will not be denied.

THE CARROT

PREDATORS
(VVS-1, ALL-WORLD GAME)

Rabbit - Dwyane Wade (Robbins) 10-3, Humility and a killer game.  A deadly combination.

2005/06 Playoffs

Fox – No takers

Wolf - No one wants it

HUNTERS
(Suspect Arsenal)

Steve Nash (Johannesburg) 9-8, Point blank shot at Wolf, misfired
Chauncey Billups (Denver) 9-6, Outfoxed at his own game, by a rabbit no less
Jason Terry (Seattle) 10-4, Kill or be killed
Jason Williams (Belle) - 10-3, Riding the wave … with a fully loaded clip.  Scary!

BLOODHOUNDS
(AKC certified, but questionable pedigree)

Richard Hamilton (Coatesville) 9-6, Soon to be Rabbit food

HONORABLE MENTION

Gary Payton (Oakland) 10-3, Junkyard dog picking up his roadie …

CASUALTIES (R.I.P.)
(Killed in Action)

Lebron James (Akron) - 7-6, predator in the first degree
Vince Carter (Daytona Beach) 5-6, only half-man/half-amazing; that’s the problem
Kobe Bryant (Philadelphia) - 3-4, elitist, shoulda been a contender
Manu Ginobili (Bahia Blanca) 7-5, still has nose for the hunt
Tony Parker (Bruges) 7-5, still has nose wide open
Sam Cassell (Baltimore) 7-5, time to experience game from the sideline?
Jason Kidd (San Francisco) 5-6, true warrior, seen his best days on the front line?
Gilbert Arenas (Los Angeles) 2-4, fierce hunter, still can’t close
Bonzi Wells (Muncie) 2-4, road dogs rarely come up more big-time
Michael Redd (Columbus) 1-4, great nose for hunting small game
Kirk Hinrich (Sioux City) 2-4, few more hunts, can acquire top dog potential
Ben Gordon (London) 2-4, big-timer, had rare eyesight for a hound
Caron Butler (Racine) 2-4, rear dog, picked up too many stray scents
Andre Miller (Los Angeles) 1-4, never quite blended with pack, fought ’til the end
Mike Bibby (Cherry Hill) 2-4, overachiever, played like the little dog that could
Smush Parker (New York) 3-4, deer in headlights, never adjusted to ‘big game’ hunting

HEAT INDEX

“18-Karat Gold” 

Big Shaq continues to do the 5-spot proud, while D-Wade’s lane penetrations have totally clogged Detroit’s Pistons.  ‘Toine’s a surprise as a reliable scorer makes for sweet redemption, and Haslem’s feral play has totally frustrated Detroit’s fatigued front line.  Payton and Poseyhave been “the Dobermans of Defense, while the bench salivates knowing it’s only a matter of time before White Chocolate’s ‘J’ will begin dropping at a rapid fire clip.  “

“Why fake the funk on a nasty dunk?”  How ’bout, “Why fear the ‘fro’ when you have a ferocious ‘Zo‘!”

RANDOM THOUGHTS

NBA

Flip-ped off.  Power outage in Detroit … I, for one, never placed Flip Saunder’s name in the elite company of Phil Jackson and Larry Brown, two coaches who led organizations to championships in their first year with a team — Jackson with the Lakers, and Brown with the Pistons.  Thus said, I am not surprised that Pat Riley, a master motivator and great teacher in his own right, is schooling the dickens out of Flip in the Xs and Os department.

HUMOR ME

So I’m surfing channels immediately following Phoenix-Dallas Game 1 when I stumble upon Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) talking to Larry King about alternative fuels.  I’m immediately turned off — not by their topic, but by their energy.  Their banter was as lifeless and humorless as any I’ve sen or heard in recent memory.  Don’t get me wrong.  I think Sen. McCain is a fine statesman.  But has anyone else noticed that our leaders don’t speak about this country with happy faces anymore?  Whatever happened to the days when our leaders happily touted America’s virtues?  I shudder to think where this country would be without sports.

MORE NBA

How the West Was Won … Gun Control Baby!  Seems like everybody’s gunning from ‘3′ out West these days.  Didn’t Phil teach Avery anything?  To douse the Suns, you must employ the ‘D’, not rain from ‘3′

NOVELTY & NOSTALGIA

Bow down … In honor of Craig “Ironhead” Heyward.  The one-time NFL fullback moved on to greener pastures Saturday after losing a seven-year battle against brain cancer.  Heyward played 11 seasons in the NFL with a total of five different franchises.

Heyward, a first-round pick of the New Orleans Saints, entered the NFL from Pitt as an underclassman in 1988.  He went on to play from 1988-92 with the Saints, before serving brief stints with the Bears (1993), the Falcons (1994-96), the Rams (1997), and the Colts (1998).

Ironhead’s career spanned 149 games.  Over his career, Heyward logged 1,031 carries for 4,301 yards.  He also scored 30 touchdowns.  Heyward also had solid hands, posting 177 receptions for 1,559 yards and four touchdowns.  His most productive season was with the Atlanta Falcons in 1995, where he posted 1,083 rushing yards with six touchdowns.  Ironhead earned a Pro Bowl berth for his play that year.

Craig Heyward was 39.  R.I.P. “Ironhead.”  You strapped ‘em on with dignity.

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D-Wade now controls his own destiny.  With the King deposed, and given Detroit’s guarantor issues, FLASH attained rabbit status sooner than expected. With an epic showdown only two days away, which foe will emerge to challenge Wade for Eastern Conference supremacy?

THE CARROT

PREDATORS
(VVS-1, ALL-WORLD GAME)

Rabbit - Dwyane Wade (Robbins) 8-3, Alien or Predator, your call?

Fox - TBD

Wolf - Lebron James (Akron) 7-5, Witness this: he aint quite Jordan … yet … but …

HUNTERS
(Suspect Arsenal)

Manu Ginobili (Bahia Blanca) - 7-5, Displayed true champion’s pedigree

BLOODHOUNDS
(AKC certified, but questionable pedigree)

Jason Williams (Belle) - 8-3, lead dog by default, suspect big game instincts
Sam Cassell (Baltimore) 7-4, ole dog just aint what he used to be
Steve Nash (Johannesburg) 7-6, ready to win, or r u still lickin’ yo wounds?
Chauncey Billups (Denver) 7-4, tangled with bigger dog, still whimpering
Richard Hamilton (Coatesville) 7-4, first rate pack dog with erstwhile killer instinct
Tony Parker (Bruges) 7-5, this dog is so blind he can’t see the forest for the … stars

PURGATORY

Jason Terry (Seattle) 7-3, Too much Cobain, lost his damn mind

CASUALTIES (R.I.P.)
(Killed in Action)

Vince Carter (Daytona Beach) 5-6, only half-man/half-amazing; that’s the problem
Kobe Bryant (Philadelphia) - 3-4, elitist, shoulda been a contender
Jason Kidd (San Francisco) 5-6, true warrior, seen his best days on the front line?
Gilbert Arenas (Los Angeles) 2-4, fierce hunter, still can’t close
Bonzi Wells (Muncie) 2-4, road dogs rarely come up more big-time
Michael Redd (Columbus) 1-4, great nose for hunting small game
Kirk Hinrich (Sioux City) 2-4, few more hunts, can acquire top dog potential
Ben Gordon (London) 2-4, big-timer, had rare eyesight for a hound
Caron Butler (Racine) 2-4, rear dog, picked up too many stray scents
Andre Miller (Los Angeles) 1-4, never quite blended with pack, fought ’til the end
Mike Bibby (Cherry Hill) 2-4, overachiever, played like the little dog that could
Smush Parker (New York) 3-4, deer in headlights, never adjusted to ‘big game’ hunting

RANDOM THOUGHTS

NBA

AN ODE TO MIKAN, RUSSELL, JABBAR, CHAMBERLAIN, et al …

The Post Man may never ring again, let alone twice.  Let’s remember Shaq for what he is, as well as for what he once was.  With the center position being re-defined in today;’s game, this might very well be the last time fans witness championship-level post play as it has been defined over the past nearly 60 years.  Without question, Big Shaq is the last of a dying breed.  So to the roar of the crowd, big fella, bring down the backboard one more time.  “BIG SHAQ LIKE WHUUUUUUD!”  

BOXING 

It is basic math, my good fellas.  As easy as 1-2-3 …  I was shocked to learn this morning that the WBC super-featherweight bout between champion, Marco Antonio Barrera and challenger Ricardo Rocky Juarez had been ruled a victory for Barrera.  The fight was originally ruled a draw, but apparently judge Ken Morita’s scorecard was miscalculated.  Ring announcer Michael Buffer originally read Morita’s scorecard as (114-114).  But after reviewing instant replay (LOL!), it was determined that Morita actually scored the bout (115-114) in favor of Barrera for the victory.  Thanks to instant replay, the fight game is now officially cleaned up.  Still, the fight was an excellent bout (slightly below classic) with both fighters delivering an incredible amount of punishment to the others dome … and Barrera did win.

MORE NBA

There are ‘2′ too many Mike’s coaching these damn playoffs, so someone’s gotta go.

Mike Brown- Play Lebron at the two-guard with primary playmaking responsibilities to defeat the Pistons.

Mike Dunleavy- Your Clippers game is identical to the Suns, only with a low-post presence.  Exploit it!

Mike D’Antoni – Fill ‘er up, please!  92 octane …  Better yet, make it jet fuel!

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D-Wade was nasty, simply nasty late in Game 3.  Not surprisingly, VC’s the one who brought the playground game.  So much so that he outfoxed not only himself, but his teammates as well.  Pass the rock, Vince!

THE CARROT

PREDATORS
(VVS-1, ALL-WORLD GAME)

Rabbit - Lebron James (Akron) 5-4, Redemption! Cornered but maneuvered through treacherous terrain masterfully

Fox - Chauncey Billups (Denver) 6-2, Had rabbit cornered but misjudged shot badly

Wolf - Dwayne Wade (Robbins) 6-3, Excellent trapper, deftly snared the big bad wolf

HUNTERS
(Suspect Arsenal)

Steve Nash (Johannesburg) - 6-4, Struggled early but saw shot late and took it.  Bulls-eye!

Richard Hamilton (Coatesville) - 6-2, Rabbit slipped right through hands, unacceptable

Vince Carter (Daytona Beach) - 5-4, Everything but the kill, questionable judgment late

Jason Terry (Seattle) - 6-1, Solid hunter with great aim.  Can he lead though?

BLOODHOUNDS
(AKC certified, but questionable pedigree)

Manu Ginobili (Bahia Blanca) – 5-4, Rolled back clock, picked up scent late

Tony Parker (Bruges) - 5-4, Better suited as bird dog?

Jason Kidd (San Francisco) - 5-4, Whispers have it you aint nothing but a hound dog?

Sam Cassell (Baltimore) 5-3, Led astray by guard dog named Marion

Jason Williams (Belle) – 6-3, Rear dogs have significance too, what’s yours?

CASUALTIES (R.I.P.)
(Killed in Action)

Kobe Bryant (Philadelphia) - 3-4, elitist, shoulda been a contender
Gilbert Arenas (Los Angeles) 2-4, fierce hunter, still can’t close
Bonzi Wells (Muncie) 2-4, road dogs rarely come up more big-time
Michael Redd (Columbus) 1-4, great nose for hunting small game
Kirk Hinrich (Sioux City) 2-4, few more hunts, can acquire top dog potential
Ben Gordon (London) 2-4, big-timer, had rare eyesight for a hound
Caron Butler (Racine) 2-4, rear dog, picked up too many stray scents
Andre Miller (Los Angeles) 1-4, never quite blended with pack, fought ’til the end
Mike Bibby (Cherry Hill) 2-4, overachiever, played like the little dog that could
Smush Parker (New York) 3-4, deer in headlights, never adjusted to ‘big game’ hunting

RANDOM THOUGHTS

NBA

PIPPEN/JORDAN APPROACH?

With the introduction of Devon Harris into Big D’s starting backcourt, Avery Johnson has added further credence to the guard’s play paradigm of Best Damn Guard.  Unfortunately, Harris’ addition comes too late to figure in the game.  He, however, will continue to figure prominently as another guard whose play serves to break down defenses and to facilitate a significant portion of his team’s inside-out game.  Harris’ insertion will increase the Maverick’s odds of winning the championship.  Bottom line: Whichever team’s guard tandem outplays the others will win this series.

GAME 3 STATS

Because Cleveland clearly has the weakest guard tandem in the playoffs they have the lowest chance of winning the NBA title. 

NBA 

NOTE TO DUNLEAVY: An article in today’s L.A. Times says you have issues to address on offense.  Here’s a suggestion: You should utilize Kaman similar to the way Shaq is used as a low post anchor.  The Suns have no middle presence, so isolate “Big Nasty” in the pivot then let him facilitate open shots and/or drives to the basket for the plethora of 1s, 2s, and 3s running wild on the perimeter.  This halfcourt maneuver will not only slow down the game, but it will put Tim Thomas in foul trouble by forcing him to play bigger than he is.  Second, consider moving Maggette back into the starting lineup.

BIG UPS …

DIRK NOWITZKI … For playing through a painful right ankle sprain.  Not only did he not get re-taped, but he showed his teammates he can be counted on in the clutch, even when injured.

MORE NBA

HAPPY NOW? … As few as two seasons ago there was an entreating cacophony within NBA punditry and ex-NBAer circles lamenting the dearth of player’s with the ability to play the in-between game.  One on-camera sports personality even lobbied for the NBA to bring the trapezoid lane to the NBA.  Thanks to the likes of Rip Hamilton (mid-range jumper), and Dwyane Wade (mid-range floor game), in-between basketball is back!

“12-KARAT?”

KEYS FOR MIAMI

If Richard Jefferson’s post game lobbying proves effective, the Heat will have to once again guard their volatile temperament as the refs whistles will not be as kind in Game 4 as they were in Game 3.  Not to worry, if Shaq continues to turn away from the post defender when spinning to the basket, as he did in the second half of Game 3, he should be able to avoid foul trouble.  The bigger key is Wade.  Miami has no chance if Wade gets into foul trouble.

Shaq
- Spin away from defender’s pressure in the post
- Stay agile
- Remain focused
- Continue to disrespect Collins and Krstic like Dampier
- Feed early, often, and late 

Wade
- Refuse to be negated as offensive weapon
- Refuse to get into foul trouble
- Continue moving without the ball
- Remain masterful below the foul line
- Offense works well in your hands

Walker
- Negate 3/4 of Jefferson’s offensive numbers
- Resist point guard tendencies
- Shoot high percentage from ‘3′
- Maintain defensive presence

Haslem
- Stay ferocious in the paint
- Continue to protect Shaq from guard penetration fouls
- Stay consistency from mid-range

Williams
- Find stroke from 3-pt line and in transition
- Play effective team defense
- Combined w/Payton must offset Kidd’s all-around play
- Protect Shaq from guard penetration fouls

Posey
- Continue to provide solid on-ball defense
- Stay consistent from 3
- Protect Shaq from guard penetration fouls

Payton
- Use Olympic experience as a primer for others
- Continue to attack on defense
- Stretch the ‘D’ from 3
- Combined w/Williams must offset Kidd’s all-round play

Mourning
- Intimidate on every possession
- Remain agile against guard penetration
- Contest every shot in the paint

BENCH
- Remain ready to contribute whenever called upon
- Commit to making significant in-game contribution
- Wave a towel to encourage and rally in-game teammates

Riley
- Prevent team’s lapses of in-game focus
- Devise schemes to protect Shaq from guard penetration
- Earn your keep

NOVELTY & NOSTALGIA

21-GUN SALUTE –  To Rick Adelman who led the Sacramento Kings to eight straight playoff appearances in eight consecutive winning seasons.  During his tenure, Adelman’s teams won two division titles while giving b-ball fans some memorable playoff battles vs. the Lakers.  Adelman also reached two NBA Finals during six seasons in Portland, after spending two losing seasons coaching the Golden State Warriors.  Only Phil Jackson, Larry Brown, Pat Riley, George Karl, and Jerry Sloan have amassed more victories among active coaches.

Coach ‘A’ went out with is boots on.  He will be missed.

Pos: Head Coach
Born: June 16, 1946, Lynwood, CA
Experience: 16 years
College: Loyola Marymount

WON 756 – LOSS 477

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