What a tough loss for the Celtics Friday night? In fact, the series versus the Knicks felt a lot like the Celtics’ season overall. They fought and clawed and battled as much as they could but still fell short. The Celtics have a lot of questions going forward and it wouldn’t surprise me to see an entirely new team out there in the fall. That being said, I can assure you of one thing, Jason Terry will be out there to begin the season and he will be talking as much as he ever has.
Our team here at WKXL that is alive, the San Antonio Spurs, is the favorite to win the Western Conference. Sure Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and the same Grizzlies team that knocked them off in 2011 will have something to say about it, but I’ve been saying all long that the Spurs were the team to beat in the west. That being said, I’ve also believed all along and still do that the Spurs will have an opportunity to beat the Miami Heat.
I assure that I like the San Antonio Spurs for one reason. That is, obviously, because WKXL’s Matt Bonner serves as a reserve forward and I consider him a good friend. It’s much easier to root for people that you know and like personally than it is for someone that you don’t really know. However, I still would pick the Spurs going forward. Why is that? Because they know what they’re doing. Yes, talent matters (which they have) but it isn’t everything. Harrison Barnes on the Golden State Warriors, is one of my favorite players going forward in terms of talent, but he made a big mistake last night leaving Manu Ginobili wide-open on the game winning three-pointer in double overtime. The Spurs don’t make those types of mistakes, yet they are so good at taking advantage of others who do.
In case you missed it last night, Miami made a plethora of mistakes against the Chicago Bulls. People who think this Bulls team will beat the Heat in their series based upon one game are out of their minds. Remember, the last team the Bulls dispatched, the Brooklyn Nets, fired their coach the next day. With the injuries they’ve suffered and the Goliath that they are facing, the Bulls will not beat the Heat, but the Spurs match up much better. The Spurs have better players in my mind, at three positions on the floor (Duncan, Parker and Leonard).
Anyway, I’ve really gotten into the playoffs this year because I like a lot of the teams. I really like the Indiana Pacers this year and I do believe the Heat are one of the best teams in the last two decades. The Memphis Grizzlies are super physical and Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony are insanely talented scorers. It’s been good to cure my post Kentucky Derby hangover (which, to me, is a hangover that lasts for a month until the Country Music Festival) with great NBA playoff basketball.
A lot of people like to rip on the NBA saying it’s boring because the athletes don’t try until the playoffs or because it’s too flashy. I used to somewhat dislike the NBA, but after following for the past six months, I have come to appreciate it. Watching NBA players go up against one another is absolutely amazing in terms of athleticism and skill and these playoffs have proven that there is a lot of both in the NBA. Remember all of those that thought Curry was too small to play in the NBA? All of you who thought Maimi’s big three would never get along? That Carmelo could never lead a playoff team? That the Spurs were too old? Well, how are those predictions working out for you? Keep in mind that unlike a lot of hockey games, you can at least watch the NBA playoffs on TV.
This Friday we’ll have another “Sports Night Mailbag” send in your questions to @JaredStillman or [email protected]
Have a great week,
Jared
