Rajon Rondo: Just A Jumper Away

During game 1 of the Boston Celtics-Miami Heat series, I posted on Facebook something that is obvious to most basketball observers. I said, "It won't be fair if Rondo starts hitting J's with any consistency". Little did I know that I was foreshadowing what was going to happen in game 2. 

In the Heat's 115-111 win last night, Rondo went off like he was playing NBA2K12 on rookie mode. He became the first player in NBA history to score 44 points, have 10 rebounds, and 8 assists. He shot 16-24 from the field, 2-2 from the three, and 10-12 from the free throw line, while playing the whole game. That is an epic statline. 

As great as he was last night, he has been just as spectacular all season. He had six triple-doubles including a 18 pt, 17 reb, and 20 asst game against the Knicks. That put him in the company of Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, and Jason Kidd as players to have that type of night. He also has the longest streak of double digit assists games since 1992 at 29. 

A lot of people have stated over the years that the only reason he puts up numbers like that is due to him playing with Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett. That statement has never been fair to me, and I liken it to saying a person is a "system quarterback". Anyone who watches can see that contributes just as much to their game, as they do to his. He sets them up in their sweet spots, and makes it easy for them to get buckets. Doc Rivers is owed a lot of credit for this too. He is one of the best coaches in the league, and has helped Rondo mature as a point guard. 

Last night, he showed the world what it would be like if he had a consistent jumper. He was knocking down shots off the dribble, in transition, and spotting up. The Heat couldn't play off of him like teams always do. That opened the floor, and got the rest of the Celtics better looks. Which also made it easier for him to drive to the basket, including his drive at the end of OT when Dwyane Wade almost took his face off, but wasn't called for it. 

We are in a golden era for point guards right now. With the likes of Tony Parker, Derrick Rose, Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, and Rondo the position is as strong as its been. Rondo has a chance to separate himself from the pack by adding a consistent jumper. He is still young enough to make that change; as an NBA fan, I truly hope he does. He is already great, but that would take him to another stratosphere. I'm sure that the players and coaches in the League hopes he doesn't, and shudders at the thought. I know I will be staying tuned to see how it goes, and recommend you do also. 

I'm Jimmy L. Wilson, Jr. and I approve this message.

Follow me on twitter @jimmylwilsonjr

 

Random Sports Thoughts: Conference Finals Edition

There isn't much that I agree with Skip Bayless on, but on Sunday before the Oklahoma City-San Antonio game, he tweeted, "The NBA playoffs are about to start". With all due respect to the twelve teams, that are on fishing boats right now, he was telling the absolute truth. We are a couple of games into the Conference Finals. The Western final has classic potential. While the Eastern, looks like it could end in a quick knockout. I won't count the Celtics out just yet, but they might be in trouble. Here are a few thoughts on the proceedings....

Mike Tyson Syndrome: Watching the Boston Celtics in these playoffs has been pretty sad. It's been a little like watching Mike Tyson after he got out of prison. He was able to beat the Peter McNeely's of the world that were put in front of him, but it was more of a struggle than normal. You just knew when he got in the ring with a fighter like Lennox Lewis he would be trouble. The pre-fight was hype was huge based on the names, but part of you felt the result of the actual fight was inevitable. You watched hoping for one more night of glory from Mike, but it ended with him taking a beating for eight rounds before being knocked out. 

The Celtics-Heat series has that same feeling. You have Ray Allen shooting free throws and threes like someone not named Ray Allen. Paul Pierce is looking like he's driving to the basket with cinder blocks around his ankles. Kevin Garnett going up to dunk, only to fall out the sky like a busted balloon. It feels like we are watching a washed up fighter give it his all, but not have enough to give. To Garnett's credit, he has been the most consistent Celtic during the playoffs. The rest of the guys have had big games at times, but they have yet to string together good games as a group. Here's hoping that the Celtics Big 3 don't go out like Mike Tyson, bloodied, battered, and on their back getting counted out. However, that's where I'm afraid they are headed.

Extra Heat: Since Game 4 of the Pacers-Heat series, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James have looked like the unstoppable duo that everyone expects. They are 2 of the top 5 players in the world, so their production, while very special, has to be expected. What has been less than expected though, is the production coming from the D-League all-star team surrounding them. 

When Chris Bosh went down, I was of the belief that getting out of the Indiana series would be tough for Miami. Yet, once Wade and James stepped up, and got contributions from "the others", it was smooth sailing. They also played well in Game 1 against the Boston Celtics. There is this thing called admitting when you're wrong, and I'm willing to do so in this case. In all honesty though, I still don't trust that collection of role players to help the Heat win the Championship. I picked against the Heat in the Finals last year for the same reason, and was right. That is the same way I'm feeling this year too. No championship team has won without contributions from role players, and guys you don't expect to come up big. Putting your hopes in guys like Mike Miller, James Jones, Joel Anthony, and Norris Cole is a dangerous proposition. Even if you have DWade and LeBron on your team. I'll gladly eat a big chunk of humble pie and chase it with a cup of shut-up juice if I'm wrong. 

Thunderstorm Warning: The Oklahoma City Thunder looked very good for three quarters against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals Sunday. The bottom fell out in the fourth, and they fell apart. Kevin Durant had a tough time getting easy looks. Russell Westbrook reverted to make a play by myself mode. James Harden played like he should have won the 12th Man of the Year award. It was a horrible fourth quarter for a team that has played with a lot of poise thus far in the postseason. 

I really think this series has the potential to be a classic. All the ingredients there. However, OKC is going to need their big guns to come up bigger from here on out. They need to figure a way to get Durant easier shots late in the game. Steven Jackson gave him no room to breathe in the fourth. James Harden needs to play like the Sixth Man of  the Year. He was thoroughly outplayed by Manu Ginobili, and even outscored on his own team by Derek Fisher. Harden has been one of the most consistent players in the league, and the Thunder need that from him to stay in this series. Westbrook just has to play within himself and avoid taking "hero shots". He is most dangerous when getting his points within the flow of the offense, and not forcing things. I am really looking forward to seeing what adjustments the Thunder make in Game 2 tonight.

Texas Tornado: In the previous topic I spoke on how bad the Thunder looked in the fourth quarter against the Spurs. The Spurs had everything to do with that. It was like the first three quarters were the calm before the storm. Then the Spurs erupted with devastating efficiency in the fourth quarter. They played great in all phases, and made the Thunder look like a young team with no answers for the first time all playoffs. 

The Spurs have been playing so well during the playoffs that they have flown under the radar. Now, they are center stage, and there hasn't been a drop off yet. The scary part about game one is that the Spurs didn't play well the whole game. The first half they were turning the ball over like they were Brett Favre facing a pass rush. They tightened that up dramatically in the second half, and come fourth quarter changed the entire tone of the game. So, it'll be interesting to see how they look in Game 2. Will they come out and play a complete game? Or do they not even need to do so to beat OKC? As I said a couple of weeks ago, it's to the point where I'll be shocked if they don't win the Championship. However, the Thunder are going to do everything in their power to make them earn a trip to the Finals. Tonight should be another fun game to watch.

So, there you have it. Just a few thoughts I needed to get off of my chest. I hope these series(especially the Western Conference) are as good as I think they might be. What do ya'll think?? Get at me and let me know. Also, follow me on twitter @jimmylwilsonjr, and hit me with any feedback on there. Ya'll be easy and until next time...

I'm Jimmy L. Wilson, Jr. and I approve this message.

The People vs. Joe Dumars

Opening Statement:Ladies and Gentleman of the Jury: There are 30 teams in the National Basketball Association. Since 2009 only six of those teams have not made the Playoffs. They are the Minnesota Timberwolves, Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, New Jersey Nets, and the Detroit Pistons. We are here today to discuss the last team on that list, and present a case that it is time for Joe Dumars to go as General Manager of that team. I understand that this is an unpopular opinion, but after our case is offered, we believe that the jury will be compelled to agree. Our evidence will include a look at Joe Dumars personnel decisions and handling of coaches.  We hope that the jury listens with an open mind, and puts all emotional attachments aside. The facts are the facts, and it is time for the defendant, Mr. Joe Dumars to vacate.

Exhibit A-Drafting Darko: The roots of this case were planted back in 2003. The Pistons had the 2nd pick in the NBA Draft. A draft in which LeBron James was the top pick, and also included Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. What did the defendant do? He drafted a youtube sensation named Darko Milicic. Think back on the names I said were in this draft. Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. All of these guys have become perennial All-Stars, Olympians, and are potential Hall-of-Famers. Meanwhile Darko was traded after 2 1/2 unproductive years, and is currently toiling on the fifth team of his career, the Minnesota Timberwolves. It is the prosecutions belief that drafting either Anthony, Wade, or Bosh would have prevented the precipitous fall that the Pistons are currently enduring.


Exhibit B-Trading Chauncey: Despite the horrible drafting of Darko, the Pistons were able to maintain a high level of success for five years. The main catalyst of that was Chauncey Billups. After years of being a journeyman in the League, he came to Detroit and turned it around. He became Mr. Big Shot, and won an NBA Finals MVP. The Pistons were coming off of another failed trip to the Conference Finals in the 07-08 season. After they lost, the defendant spent the entire summer promising changes. So on November 4, 2008, just two games into the season, he traded Chauncey Billups for Allen Iverson. The trade was made under the guise of opening up salary cap space for the upcoming free agent class following that season. We will definitely touch on that shortly. The trade created a cluster of players that played basically the same type of game. Iverson was at that point a shorter version of Rip Hamilton. This trade would have been good if the defendant would have been able to use that salary cap space to get a big-name free agent. However, as you'll see in Exhibit C, that didn't happen.

Exhibit C-Free Agent Signings: After trading Chauncey Billups was released, and a few other moves made by the Defendant, the Pistons were needed to land a big name player. After striking out on the more prominent free agents, the defendant threw a combined $155 million at Ben Gordon and Charlie Villaneuva. These were moves that even the defendant's strongest supporters couldn't argue. Moves that made trading away Chauncey Billups absolutely pointless, and set the organization back even further than keeping him would have.

Exhibit D-Coaching Carousel: Imagine for a moment that you're the owner of a major company. The HR director has hired and fired six directors of operations in the an eight year span. At what point do you begin to look at the HR director and blame him/her for continuous mistakes in hiring practices?? I believe we are at that point with the defendant now. He has had veteran coaches, and coaches who weren't ready to be head coaches on his watch. They have all ended up leaving and most of them with hard feelings towards the defendant. So, again I ask, at what point does it begin to fall on him??

Closing Argument: What is the statute of limitations and goodwill afforded due to winning a championship? That is the question that the jury has to figure out. That is the only thing keeping the defendant in his position. The defense is going to argue that the players are the reason that the coaches left. They will argue that the defendant was put in an awkward position due to ownership issues. They will also argue that the team is on the rise. However, all of that is just hiding the fact that they have an emotional attachment to the defendant. All of his years of service as a player for the team, in addition to the fact that he led them to a championship in the front office, is not, I repeat, not enough to acquit him on the issues presented today. Had the defendant been someone other than Joe Dumars, we wouldn't be here today. He would have already been fired and replaced. So, please sir, please ma'am, look at the facts while deliberating. Leave your emotion at the door, and you will see things our way.

The prosecution rests.

I'm Jimmy L. Wilson, Jr. and I approve this message.

Random Sports Thoughts: NBA Playoff Edition

The NBA playoffs are underway, and here are a few thoughts that I have so far.


Boof Of The Week- All of my people who went to school in the Lansing School District between 1994-2000 was either on the receiving end of, or gave a boof/rig at one point. A boof/rig was when someone would come up to and snap your neck after you said or did something extremely stupid. So, this week, I'm going to present my first Boof of the Week. Drumroll please....The Boof of the Week goes to: Amare Stoudemire! I was questioning Amare's sanity for being in public, in the year 2012 with those struggling braids. He's out here with those OG Bobby Johnson braids(word to "South Central" for those who don't know...). All of my questions were confirmed when at halftime of the OKC-Dallas game they said that he punched the glass on a fire extinguisher in frustration after the game. Even when Sherm told Bobby Johnson "Ray Ray got your son stealing car stereos", he got mad, but didn't punch anything that would damage his hand. Now, Amare is out for the rest of this series, thus killing the slim to none chances that the Knicks had to beat the Heat. So, Amare for your act of genius, please come up here and receive your boof from the good folks here at mrwilson42.blogspot.com.



"No one man should have all that power"-Kanye West- We all know that as one of the most arrogant people ever, Ye was talking about himself. However, a few years later it is the perfect way to describe his hometown team, the Chicago Bulls. When Derrick Rose tore his ACL on Saturday most people, myself included thought they would still be able to get past the 76ers. After last night's performance though, I'm thinking they'll lose in 6. I'm not breaking any news by saying, playing without your best player in the playoffs is different than doing that in the regular season. C.J. Watson, and John Lucas are serviceable, but you can't win a championship with them as your starters. So at this point, here's hoping that the Bulls show some pride and heart on the way out, and for a full, healthy recovery for D. Rose. The league needs that guy to be a factor for years to come.

"Where amazing happens"- Show of hands if you were stunned when you woke up on Monday and saw that the Clippers came back and beat the Grizzlies. Thankfully, I stayed up and was able to see it as it happened. It was one of the sneakiest comebacks ever. I wasn't really paying it attention, but then I looked up and it was down to 15, then kept decreasing. Kenny Smith after the game had the perfect analogy. When a building is on fire, everyone can't run around in a panic. Someone has to take control and get everyone out in an orderly fashion. No one did that for Memphis. Once Memphis started missing all the threes they made earlier in the game, they didn't have an answer. They completely buckled under the pressure of the comeback. I give the Clippers a ton of credit for not tapping out when down by 27, but Memphis gave it away as much as the Clippers came back. I am very interested to see Memphis can shake this epic choke job, or if there is a carry over in game 2.


"Playoff Basketball"- Last night while watching the Bulls game, I counted 10 times in the first half that Reggie Miller said, "that's playoff basketball". Chris Webber is a flagrant offender in using that line also. My question is, why keep harping on that? I believe everyone that is tuned in knows it's playoff basketball. Those who don't, figure it out quickly when they see the Playoff logo on the court, the playoff graphic by the score, or when it says NBA PLAYOFFS on their TV guide. There is no reason to use that as a line to describe every hard foul, or the strategy that goes into the game. As an analyst, their job is to describe what is happening in the game, not give me a reminder of what I'm watching. Please stop insulting our intelligence and talk about what's happening in the game without using that weak cliche. Thanks.

Spur'd Up- This one is for my boy D. Duncan. He's the ONLY true Spurs fan that I know. I've never been a fan, but I definitely respect their work. My cousin Jarret asked this question Monday on Facebook: How are the Spurs the #1 seed in the West and completely slept on by everybody? My knee jerk response was, "Consistency, no drama, no ego(at least outwardly), and not being flashy always goes under the radar. People find that boring and miss the fact that they are one of, if not the best organizations in the L". There is also the fact that they have choked in the playoffs before. That makes it easy to pick against them once this time of the year is here. However, I will not be shocked if they are hoisting another trophy at the end of this year. You asked me to know leave your boys out, so there you have it D.Duncan.

So, there are just a few thoughts that I have on the Playoffs so far. I could go on all day, but I'll leave it there for now. Please be on the lookout for more as the Playoffs roll on. Ya'll be easy.

I'm Jimmy L. Wilson, Jr. and I approve this message.