Phil summons his saviors
Almost exactly a year ago I wrote and published my first blog in this here forum of journalistic excellence and opinionated sports debate. I recounted the pitfalls of a thoroughly disappointing Lakers-Celtics Finals, one that should have been steeped in drama, history and haymakers but was instead hampered by flops, bricks, and poor decision-making. I find it fitting to sit here on this most unceremonious of anniversaries (does anyone still read this? if you’re out there, send money) and begrudgingly opine on yet another, equally disappointing Finals.
The Lakers thoroughly shellacked the Magic the other night to seal their 15th championship and catapult Phil Jackson, that opportunist of opportunists, past Red Auerbach on the all-time, championship list. I’d be remiss not to briefly point out what an insufferable pickle-eater Jackson is. The guy carved a hall of fame career by loitering around the likes of Michael, Shaq and Kobe (a trio you’d have to think a blind donkey could coach to some degree of success) and then he rewards himself by donning a yellow cap, highlighted with a self-righteous Roman numeral “X”. God..
Enough Phil-a-bashing, though. Lets break down the Finals, i.e. lets break down the two most glaring examples of Orlando’s staggering incompetence in the clutch.
1. Courtney Lee??
In the closing seconds of game 2, with a chance to steal one on the Laker’s floor, the ball somehow rotates to Courtney “Iron Fingers” Lee. Instead of passing to a teammate with a more considerable pedigree (read: anyone), the rookie from Western Kentucky drives the lane as time expires and hoists a contested floater which clangs off the rim, forcing the game into an overtime period in which the Lakers would dominate for an all-too-easy W. In these situations you’d have to expect a Rashard Lewis or Hedo Turkoglu to get the final shot, right? Granted, neither has built an overwhelming “last-shot resume” but you have to go with what you’ve got. Courtney Lee? Really?
2. Offensive defensive indifference!
Although Dwight Howard threw up enough clutch-time bricks from the line to build an estate, it was Jameer Nelson’s mind-numbing mind-numbness that truly cost Orlando down the stretch. To recap, the Magic cling to a three-point lead with seconds remaining. Derek Fisher brings the ball across half-court. Nelson, who by this point should have lodged his way into Fisher’s shorts, inexplicably remains behind the three point line, wearing a sort of “did-I-leave-the-gas-on?” expression. Fisher calmly nails a game-tying three, forcing the game into an overtime period and causing Stan Van Gundy to lose a lung on the sideline. Mother..
When was the last truly compelling Finals? Pistons-Lakers in 04 went to seven games but I don’t recall being particularly enthralled. The Spurs have been in a few Finals but for most fans the sight of Pop and Timmy on the same court is coma-inducing. Really, I think you’d have to go back to Jordan and the Bulls. Man, we are due…. Anyway, see you next year for a third installment of “The NBA Finals: Where Prolonged Ulcers Happen”..