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Game 1 Recap: Tough Enough

Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images

By the time the final buzzer sounded, the biggest question in Hollywood was answered. Are the Lakers tough enough to hang with the physical play that the Celtics would be bringing?

The answer? Fo Shizzle Ma Nizzle! That’s in reference to Snoop Dogg who was in attendance last night.

By the time the final buzzer sounded, it looked like it was 2008 all over again. This time with the two teams exchanging roles. The Lakers playing assertive and aggressive all night long and the Celtics on the other hand playing passive and sloppy from the get go.

The Lakers came to bring it and sent a message to the Celtics that they’re not going to bully their way to the title again. That the Lakers can match the intensity that the Celts will be bringing and heck even surpass it.

The Lakers dominated the glass (42-31 on rebounds) crashed the offensive boards (resulted to 16-0 second chance points) got the loose balls (17-4 on 50/50) and just outhustled the Celtics. And that’s something you will rarely hear, because the Celtics are supposed to be the tougher ones and the Celtics are supposed to be the ones doing the shoving.

Problem here is, each and everytime the Celtics shove, the Lakers shoved back twice which I believe surprised the Celtics. All of a sudden, they’re not the ones doing the bullying anymore, all of a sudden the aura of intimidation is gone and the team that they branded “soft” aren’t really that “soft” anymore. It’s like a script from a Hollywood teen flick wherein the uber-talented geek got beat up by the bigger meaner bullies during highschool and when he reached the bigtime he came back and exacted revenge on them years later. Fitting story for a Hollywood flick, fits the Hollywood team more.

Pau Gasol was one of the victims years ago and he came through this one with flying colors. 23 points 14 rebounds and 3 blocks against a guy who labeled him as Gasoft exactly 2 years ago. Last night, he owned the paint and made sure that no one took it away from him. He was crashing the boards, dunking, putting slick post moves and blocking shots. Pau Gasol dominated the Celtic frontline which kicked his behind 2 years ago ago and if Pau is going to continue to play this way, which by his talents I believe he can, then this will be a much more easier series for the Lakers. That’s a big if though.

While Pau dominated the inside, Kobe owned the whole floor. Kobe was the director, the maestro, the conductor. On offense, he attacked, penetrated and got fouled. Once double teamed on the perimeter, he got to the low post and found the open man time and time again when the double comes. On defense, he looked great. Often times guarding Rondo and limited him to 13 points and 8 assists, that’s below average considering the things that Rondo did against the Cavs and the Magic. He also was one of the major reasons why Ray Allen was ineffective offensively, he forced Rayray to early foul trouble and never really let him develop an offensive flow through out the game.

Overall, 30 points 7 rebounds 6 assists for the Mamba. That’s a notch below his averages against Phoenix but considering the difference between the Suns’ defense and the Celtic defense.. we’ll take it.

Taking the enforcer role would be the man nicknamed Crazy Pills, Ron Artest. Ron earned his paycheck tonight. Though Paul Pierce still managed to score 24, but more than half of it was in the fourth quarter where in the game is pretty much decided already. Through the first three quarters? Pierce scored only 11 points took only 7 shots and had all of his three turnovers.. that’s the time when the Lakers made the run to extend the lead to 20.

As much I love Trevor Ariza, there’s just no way he can provide what Ron Artest brought last night against the Celtics. From Ronron’s defense to Pierce in the first three quarters to his beautiful rotation and block on Big Baby to him stepping up and playing the tough guy role in the first quarter in a stand off against Pierce, those are the things the Lakers payed Ron Artest for and he definitely earned it last night. Offensively? He wasn’t that bad too. 15 points on 3-5 shooting and the highest +/- rating on the Laker squad with a +26.

Those are the three main protagonists last night but the supporting cast did a pretty good job too, Drew hobbled his way to 10 points and 6 rebounds, Fisher played physical defense on Rondo (Although it comes with lots of forced shots on offense) and the shaky backcourt duo of Farmar and Brown even took turns at attacking the Boston D and gave out quality minutes on the defensive end of the court for Los Angeles.

Overall, it was a great all around effort for the Lakers. The 10 people Phil inserted into the game all came to work, Boston on the other hand was shaky.

Kevin Garnett had a couple of missed lay-ups and 4 boards. FOUR BOARDS. That’s the type of board work which will make Amare Stoudemire look good in his performance against the Lakers. Rajon Rondo had to work for all of his 13 and 8, Ray Allen was into foul trouble quicker than Usain Bolt can do 200 meter dashes and the bench which boosted the Celtics into the finals against Orlando, were nowhere to be found.

The Lakers stepped up and proved that this isn’t 2008 anymore. Kobe and Pau led the charge of sending a message to the Celtics that they won’t be pushed around and the intimidation that the 08 Celtics brought is non-existent now. It’s up for the Celtics to make the proper adjustments and stop the Lakeshow Express from running over them and I believe they can and I’m not going to be surprised if they win Game 2. However, if the Lakers continuously play with this intensity on defense and with that kind of flow on offense, I expect this series to end in an anti-climatic matter.

With Kobe locked on, Pau toughen up and everybody stepping up, the Celtics would have to recall some old magic to make a series out of this.

REDEMPTION – A Preview Of The 2010 NBA Finals

The Boston Celtics and the LA Lakers will meet anew in the NBA Finals, the 2^nd time in the last 3 years the two teams will be facing each other.   This version of the historic rivalry is not wanting in drama.  After being written off during the regular season, the fourth seed Celtics are back, failing to defend their title last year, largely due in part to Kevin Garnett’s knee injury.   Boston wants to reclaim what they feel is rightfully theirs as well as add to their record 17 championships.  For the Lakers, it’s more than defending the championship they won against the Orlando Magic.  It’s the chance of being the first team to repeat since 2002 (during the Lakers of the Shaq-Kobe era). 

For both teams, it is a chance for redemption.  The Celtics have been stating that had it not for KG’s injury last year, they could have very well been contending for a three-peat.  Try telling that to the Lakers, who still have the bitter taste of defeat on the hands on the hated Celtics last 2008, punctuated by the embarrassing 43 point shellacking in game 6.  Both teams want to cement their status in NBA history, and for Kobe Bryan in particular, establish him among the pantheon of greats.

These Finals have plenty of subplots to make up one highly anticipated and very exciting series.

 Lakers vs Celtics, part XII - The NBA was deprived of its dream Finals match-up between Kobe and Lebron but got the next best thing, another chapter of the continuing rivalry between Hollywood and Beantown.   Easily the most famous rivalry in the NBA, legends have been part of this from Mikan, Russell, Cousy, West, Baylor, Havilcek, Kareem, Magic, Worthy, Parish, Mchale, and Bird. The 2 franchises own 32 out of the 63 NBA championships. Celtics have won 17 championships, Lakers 15.  Head-to-head, the Celtics own the Lakers, 9 – 2.

Retribution or Reassertion – The Lakers want to erase painful memories of 2008.  What way to do that than repeating as champs and knocking off the Celtics in the process.  The Celtics want to reestablish their dominance over the Lakers.  The difference this year is that LA has homecourt advantage and they are far from the inexperienced team of 2 years ago.  The Celtics are older but still dangerous and is rejuvenated by the blossoming of Rajon Rondo.

 The Match-ups:

• Point Guard -  Rajon Rondo will try to formalize his entry into the pantheon of Celtics greats against old reliable Derek Fisher.  Rondo is undeniably talented and will be taking advantage of Fisher’s age, but don’t sell Derek short.  Fisher will probably be the best and most savvy defender Rondo will face in the playoffs.  Compared to Mario Chalmers, Mo Williams, and Jameer Nelson, Fisher is more physical and knows how to position himself well.   Plus, its no question what Fisher can provide in the clutch.   Rondo will be the catalyst in these series.  How he will perform will dictate what the Celtics will achieve.

• Off-Guard – Kobe is possibly having one of his best post seasons ever.  Eight straight 30 point games, countless highlight shots and clutch jumpers.  He is a man on a mission.  A championship here will give him 5 rings, 1 more than Shaq, and needing just 1 more to match Michael Jordan.  On the other hand, Ray Allen is still as smooth as ever and is shooting over 40% in three’s in the postseason.  Expect Kobe to guard Rondo on many occasions and Fisher to run around screens chasing Allen. 

• Small Forward – After game 6 of the 2008 finals, Kobe was pondering the debacle in the shower when somebody walked in.  It was Ron Artest, then a member of the Sacramento Kings and just a spectator.  How he got in to the locker room is another story but he said to Kobe: “I want to come help you.  If I can, I’m going to find a way to come to LA and give you the help you need to win a title.”  Fast forward 2 years, and Ronron is now in LA. 2 years ago Paul Pierce dominated Vladimir Radmanovic en route to winning finals MVP.  Don’t expect this to happen this year.  Ronron may not be consistently shooting well but the former Defensive Player of the Year has provided tough defense as advertised, limiting Kevin Durant in the 1^st round.  Paul Pierce has had problems with big defenders and Artest is as big as they can get at the SF position.  We’ll see if Ronron to make good on his promise.

• Power Forward – Pau Gasol was like a deer in headlights in his first finals appearance.  He was pushed around by then Defensive Player of the Year Garnett and Kendrick Perkins.  He has since learned and more than held his ground against Dwight Howard last year.  Garnett is older but still lethal.  His high-arcing midrange jumpers are still money.  What he now lacks in athleticism he makes up for in intensity, defense, and leadership.

• Center – Kendrick Perkins is arguably among the best defensive centers in the NBA.  He’s big, strong, and wide.  He also has an explosive temper.  Another technical and he’s suspended 1 game.  2 years ago he had a field day pushing around Gasol and Lamar Odom.  It may be different this year as Andrew Bynum will be playing in his first finals.  Considered the future of the Lakers, Bynum’s been unlucky with injuries most of his career and this year is not different.  He has been struggling with a torn meniscus in his knee that has limited his mobility and explosiveness.  Still he is determined not to sit this one out and has delayed surgery.  This could be another determining point in the series.  A 50% Bynum is way better than 0%. 

Bench production – The Lakers bench has long been criticized.  Lamar Odom’s too inconsistent, Jordan Farmar unfocused, Shannon Brown raw, and Shasha Vujacic too streaky.  They have been up and down during the playoffs, surprising since they played better last year.  Odom is also out to make up for his performance 2 years ago.  Boston’s bench of Big Baby Davis, Tony Allen, Rasheed Wallace, Nate Robinson, and occasionally Michael Finley and Shelden Williams, may be more potent and reliable.   Big Baby has performed well whenever Garnett or Perkins is out. Nate Robinson finally played to potential in Boston’s game 6 clincher over the Magic.  His speed and explosiveness might be the edge the Celtics will need to win it all.  Wallace has been quiet most of the playoffs but like Robinson, was a factor in the game 76 win.  He had been a Laker tormentor with Detroit and Portland before that and he could prove the same this year.   

History – Both teams are gunning for history.  The Celtics will want to get its record 18^th championship, while the Lakers looking to narrow the gap with the Celtics and win it’s 16^th.  The Big 3 will want to get 1 more during the twilight of their careers, while Kobe will want cement his claim to be among the best ever by getting his 5th. Finally, Phil Jackson will want to add to his record 10 championships and make his case for the best coach in the history of the game, ever.   

As mentioned, unlike 2008, the Lakers have homecourt advantage.  While less athletic, they are physically and mentally tougher, and may be better prepared for the Celtics this time around.  The Celtics have the big three and rising star Rondo.  The also have momentum, having beaten 2 higher seeds in Cleveland and Orlando via convincing fashion.  I’m not counting on the Celtics, not by a long shot, but look for  Artest’s defense, Bynum’s presence, Odom and Gasol’s desire for payback, and eventually Kobe’s greatness to dictate this series, and the Lake Show taking in it at least 6, at most 7 games. 

OVER?

The conference finals of both Eastern and conference are both at 2 – 0 with the LA Lakers and Boston Celtics leading the Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic.  Both the Purple and Gold and the Celtic Green are on track to meet in the NBA finals and add to ongoing chapter of their historic rivalry.   For most NBA fans, as well as the Association itself, this is the next best thing to having a Lebron vs Kobe finals everyone’s been salivating about. 

But is it truly over for the Suns and the Magic?  As of writing the Magic have totally wasted their home court advantage, dropping their first 2 games at home and trailing at Boston, 43 – 66.  Orlando had been hoping to make it to its 2^nd straight finals and started out dominating, sweeping Charlotte and Atlanta, highlighted by a 43 point Game 1 massacre of the Hawks.  But they did not face the experience, grit, and determination of the Celtics, who are determined to exorcise their “disappointing” season last year when they were upended by the Magic in the 2^nd round.  Kevin Garnett is healthy this year, Paul Pierce is playing consistently, and Ray Allen is having his share of Jesus Shuttlesworth moments.  But the story of the Celtics this post season has been the blossoming of Rajon Rondo.  He has been doing it all for the Celtics, passing, rebounding, and even scoring more than usual, making him a triple double threat.  He has seemed to embrace his place in Celtic lore as the next great point guard, started by the legendary Bob Cousy way back.  He is the engine that revs the Celtic attack and giving the big 3 grizzled veterans (well 5 if you include Rasheed Wallace and Michael Finley) the determination to make 1 more push towards glory.  Thought to be too old to complete, Rondo has brought rejuvenation back to the Celtics.

Meanwhile the Magic have been shellshocked.  Watching them right now, they are playing very listlessly and seemingly without heart.  Dwight Howard’s every present radiant smile has been replaced by frowns of disbelief and disappointment.   Gone is the deadly perimeter attack which has been lethal all season.  Rashard Lewis is clanking 3 pointers, and half-man half amazing Vince Carter has been plain man, not amazing.  Jameer nelson is healthy after being injured in last year’s playoffs, but he has not seemed to consistently play to his all-star level from last year.  The loss of Hedo Turkulo has been telling as he provided playmaking that Carter is not delivering. 

Over at the West, the Lakers have convincingly won their 1^st 2 games at home.  Unlike the magic, however, the Suns can still win the next 2 games at home at make it a series.  The after having a scare with the young and athletic Oklahoma Thunder, defending champs have won 6 straight games, sweeping Utah along the way.  They seem to be peaking as the right time.  Although bothered by a myriad of injuries, Kobe Bryant has been on Mamba mode, scoring 3 or more points for 6 straight games, then following it up with a 13 assists in Game 2 against the Suns.  They are determined and dead set to make the Finals for the 3^rd straight year and repeat as champs.  What better way to do that than beating their tormentors in the playoffs for 2 straight years.   Prior to making the finals 2 years ago, the Lakers were humbled by the Suns for 2 consecutive seasons, the lowlight being wasting a 3 -1 lead in the first round in 2006.  Another playoff loss the following year led to Kobe demanding a trade and almost going to Chicago. 

But the Suns are learning that these aren’t the same Lakers.  Gone are the legendary Smush Parker, Vlad Radmanovic, Kwame Brown, Chris Mihm, and Jurmaine Jones.  Now they have to contend with freakishly multifaceted Pau Gasol,  veteran smarts of Derek Fisher, and the physical and savvy defense of Ron Artest.  Also back then Andrew Bynum was a doe eyed rookie out of high school.   Now he bloomed to a inside presence (albeit injured).   The Lakers have been doing it with a balanced inside-outside attack, overmatching the Suns with their length and height. 

Like the Celtics, the Suns were also an afterthought.   The Mike D’Antoni era was over and getting Shaquile O’Neal and coach Terry Porter proved disastrous.  Also Amare Stoudamire provided drama and distraction over the course of the season due to his expiring contract.  But Steve Nash proven to be deserving of the back-to-back MVP awards and has again led the Suns to the brink of the finals.  Problem is they don’t seem to have the tools to upend the Lakers.  Whereas before they can rely on Raja Bell as their Kobe stopper, they now rely on 38 year old Grant Hill, who, while still plays magnificently, is athletically no match to numero 24.  Also their 3 point attack is not as potent as before, which can negate the Lakers height and length.  Finally, while Stoudamire has been playing focused ball, his focus seems to be directed at offense.  Numerous times they’ve showed highlights of him standing while Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol are having their way on offense.   Make no mistake, at this point they have a better chance than what the Magic is facing, but they will have to play their perfect game the rest of the way, take advantage of their bench, as well as be more physical on defense, to give them any hope of making their first finals since 1993, when Charles Barkley faced Michael Jordan.

Another Lakers Celtics finals is something to look forward to and unless the Suns and especially the Magic do a 180 degree turn, we will very well see that by next weekend.

Orlando just lost 94 -71. 

Transition Points:  Best quote during the game was by Jeff Gundy on Vince Carter “ If Vince Carter had Kobe’s will, how good would he have been?”…..In a surprising move, Sta. Lucia traded long time stalwart Paolo Mendoza to Coca Cola for the number 3 overall pick this year, Chris Ross.  Surprising in a sense that the Realtors actually got the better end of the deal, while still cutting payroll.  Ross will have a renewed chance to make up for a generally disappointing rookie season, so much so that his backup in the PBL, Josh Urbiztondo, who is undrafted, is currently the best PG in this season’s rookie class.  How ironic that he is now in the same time where the Fireball is.  Mendoza heads over to Coca Cola, where it has been unofficially the retirement home for past Realtors: Kenneth Duremdes, Dennis Espino, Gerard Francisco, and Norman Gonzales. The former UP hotshot will provide the tigers with outside shooting, and, well outside shooting……The Lebron sweepstakes unofficially began last May 14, after the Celtics dispatched the Cavs in 6 games.  Initial front runners were the Knicks. But a move to Chicago is intriguing as well.  Imagine a core of Derrick Rose, Loul Deng, and Joaquim Noah, joined by Lebron and another free agent (Chris Bosh or David Lee maybe?).   remember that earlier in the season, King(?) James announced that he’ll be switching jersey numbers from 23 to 6 in tribute of his idol, Michael Jordan.  What better situation for him than playing in the same jersey as MJ, with a very solid core.    Scary. 

NEWSFLASH! DERRICK COLEMAN IS POOR!

I thought he was smart. I remember I almost collected his cards when he was elementary but when I heard rumors (that eventually became facts) about his terrible work ethic, it really turned me off. Why did I say he was smart? Even if it was real that DC won’t be the star player that would catapult the teams he played to the top his potential still swindled a lot of NBA owners.

I could be harsh about this but I cannot believe how his storied career ended like this. I have seen a lot of big-time college players waste their NBA careers away. I wanted Christian Laetner to stay in Minnesota to perhaps get a somewhat twin tower version with Kevin Garnett in tow. Instead, Laetner bounced off from team to team that slowly his talents are getting wasted. Coleman was seen as the next big thing in the NBA. He was the size that Charles Barkley lacks, the frame Ralph Sampson could have worked on, and the guard-like movements Patrick Ewing could have used in the later stages of his career. At the start of his career he was devastating.

And then his career continued.

What made DC’s career plunge to the shit hole?

NEW JERSEY: He was the first draft pick overall in 1990 and he had a great rookie year that gave him the ROY plum. It looks as if the Nets scored a Mutt and Jeff combo with him and Kenny Anderson being their 1-2 punch. With Chuck Daly at helm, he was labeled an All-Star. When Drazen Petrovic died in 1993 though, instead of stepping up as a worthy leader, he managed to leave the team in a ditch. Daly was replaced by former NBA All-Star Butch Beard. When Beard insisted on a dress code, Coleman gave him a blank check which pissed off Beard. The Mutt-and-Jeff combo with Anderson wasn’t also as solid since Coleman blamed Anderson for having less touches. Coleman was then traded Philly for Shawn Bradley.

Did I mention Coleman once called Karl Malone “Uncle Tom”?

PHILADELPHIA: He had two tours of duty with the Sixers. Sure, he was a good role player but HE SHOULDN’T BE a role player. He all of a sudden became lazy, became a prima donna, became overweight, and became injury prone!

CHARLOTTE: He still has the rebounding ability and the shooting but those factors seem to non-exist with the “Clubhouse Cancer” at helm. During the 2000-01 regular season, Charlotte is 12-22 when he is in the lineup and 34-12 without him. That means Coleman is better off injured and that’s not a good sign.

DETROIT: Coleman got his wish and rode the bench almost all the time in his stint with the Pistons. He played for 50 minutes and five games before he was cut from the squad. The Pistons are just coming off a freak NBA title run where everyone expected the Shaq-Kobe-Karl Malone-Gary Payton-led Lakers to win the championship. Larry Brown found him useless and he cut Coleman in the midseason. DC retired after that and moonlighted as a commentator. Had Brown saw the DC of old; he could have used him well against the Spurs who nixed the Pistons’ chances to win back-to-back.

Okay. Enough of his career (or lack thereof)…

WHY THE HELL DID I CALL HIM SMART!?!

Look, just like Matt Geiger and Jim McIlvaine, Coleman had “injuries” that made the team owners think that giving him a bunch of money is a bad idea. There are a lot of players who hoped to have the talents he possessed which includes former PBA import and his younger brother Ronnie Coleman. Ronnie played two conferences for Pepsi and Sta. Lucia. While he was a great post up scorer and defender, Ronnie lacks the mobility and height to excel which is basically what Derrick has but isn’t doing much about. Recently, Yahoo Sports reported that Coleman filed bankruptcy. How could 87 million dollars result to 5.1 million dollars of debt!?! Thing is, he was smart enough to NOT play to his true potential but how can you not be SMART to invest your money in better places. Sure, blame it on your failing real estate business but you can’t possibly blow your money like that on a win-or-lose field like real estate!!! From a lavish lifestyle he is reduced to owning a couple of vintage cars he’ll likely give away to pay of his debt and a couple of fur coats.

Why does he need fur coats for? Is this for his ladies or for him… because acting like a pimp can’t smooth talk his way out of his predicament.

Maybe it’s just me but I can’t find comfort in his misery. He sits in a bench collecting millions of dollars which is what every slacker has been dreaming throughout his life.

It just bugs me on how a person thinks he could just act retarded forever.

Maybe you could act like a primadonna and stuff your face with food.

This got you money in the NBA, right?

Game over.

ABA 2010 Friendship Games Announced

Manila, Philippines. The American Basketball Association (ABA) www.abalive.com now ranked as the largest professional sports league in the US in terms of teams, launched its global joint-venture in Las Vegas last December and plans for its first two ABA venues in Tampa, Florida and Las Vegas in February. It has positioned itself as #2 to the NBA, but now, its niche where teams from all over the world will see action vs. top ABA teams in a World Basketball Cup in 2011 has triggered a frenzy in the world basketball community.The $200 million dollar global expansion announced by ABA Global is kicking off with the second international team to enter the domain of the US professional league via an initial FRIENDSHIP GAME series starting April 25th in San Diego, California. After the successful entry of the Beijing Aoshen Olympians from China into the ABA, the Philippines is fielding their bet to the Olympics in 2012 - the Smart-Gilas National team to the ABA.

“The entry of the Philippines to the ABA is a tremendous follow-through after the Chinese team for ABA Global,” said Joe Newman, ABA CEO. “The Philippines has basketball as the #1 sport and it is a dream of filipino cagers, same as others from around the world, to play pro basketball in the US. You will now have ABA jerseys with international stars together with our red, white and blue balls - now called FLAG balls.”

“The entry of the Philippine team is not only historic for the country; it is also historic for the USA, as there is a very close link between the two countries,” said Paul Monocza, ABA Global Vice-Chairman. “The Philippine team will test their speed with its entry into the ABA in the US.”

The 2010 FRIENDSHIP GAMES will be a five-game series in Southern California. The Smart-Gilas Philippine Nationals will be led by their captain, Chris Tiu, the US trained 6′10″ forward Japeth Aguilar and 7 foot center Greg Slaughter. The ABA teams will include the Los Angeles SLAM, which boasts stars like “The Game,” former NBA Cleveland Cavalier Tony Farmer, And1 star Larry Williams and 7 foot center Josh Stanhiser of the University of Hawaii.

The San Diego SURF team is led by scoring champions John Clark, a 6′5″ Pacific Coast Conference player and ABA All-Star together with Terry Menefee, an NCAA standout; 6′8″ Bryan Freshwater also joins them from the German pro league and All-American Anthony Bruner. The Philippines will also play the Riverside Rainmakers and the Clayton Showtime from Northern California as part of the series.

The Under-17 national youth squad from the Philippines will also be competing against top US AAU teams in pre-game matches at 630 p.m. leading to main ABA games vs. the Smart-Gilas team at 7:30 p.m. each night. Games will be held from April 25 to April 30 in San Diego, Riverside and Los Angeles. Tickets for the series are limited and will be available on a first-come, first served basis. There are over one million filipinos in California and the sheer numbers will increase attendance in these games. The opening game will be in San Diego, the second game in Riverside, the final three will be in Los Angeles, with the final game featuring an All-Star team of top West Coast ABA Players. For ticket information, visit www.sdsurfhoops.com, www.losangelesslam.com, www.riversiderainmakers.com or www.abalive.com.

Shaun Livingston dunks again

Shaun Livingston faced his demons and won phase one of his struggles.

Now time to shine.

Shaun Livingston was one of the players I use when I play NBA Live. I don’t remember what was that year (06 or 07) but I like to use the Clips because they have two big time bigs that plays in the low post (Elton Brand and Chris Kaman), two slashers (Corey Maggette and Cuttino Mobley), and a point in Sam Cassell. I don’t really like hitting long balls so my basic attack is either work the post or dribble penetration. Cassell barely fits that because he can’t dunk. That’s why I like to use Livingston. I’ll sacrifice outside shooting anytime for and 1’s. In real life though, I doubt if I’d even be interested in him. He is error prone and injury prone… plus his stats are inconsistent.

Is he a bust?

Actually, if you look at his stats, he is in that area. He was 19 when the eagerness to play in the NBA bit him. He was selected fourth by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2004 Draft. The draft was a great class that saw Orlando’s Dwight Howard getting picked first, and then followed by UConn teammates Emeka Okafor (picked by Charlotte) and Ben Gordon (picked by Chicago). Amongst the notables picked in the first round were Dallas’ Devin Harris at the fifth spot (now a Net), Chicago’s Luol Deng at number seven, Philly’s Andre Igoudala at number nine, Boston’s Al Jefferson at 15 (now with Minnesota), Atlanta’s Josh Smith (#17), New Orleans’ J.R. Smith (#18 – now with Denver), Orlando’s Jameer Nelson (#20), Sacramento’s Kevin Martin (#26 – now with Houston), and the Lakers’ Sasha Vujacic (#27). The second round notables were Cleveland’s Anderson Varejao and New York’s Trevor Ariza (now a Rocket). Left undrafted were current King Andres Nocioni and current Timberwolf Damien Wilkins.

See how stacked is this group?

Actually Livingston was ready to sign for Duke University until scouts thought he was merely wasting his time in college hoops. In reality, injures forced to be sidelined almost all the time. His scoring high was when he normed a 9.3ppg clip during his third year. He was about to claim a breakout season until February 26, 2007 came.

Remember this? A dumb person’s concern on this video is “Wow, he babied the lay-up and missed it”.

You’re an idiot if you said this.

The concern here is that a player of his potential is looming as a draft bust because of this very bad circumstance.

After the injury Shaun had a season to rest but he was eventually not re-signed by the Clips. The Clips took bold steps and chose players that could help them but they have yet to materialize playoff seedings. Hell, I even thought they got cursed for their insensitivity with the way Blake Griffin’s rookie season unfolded. Anyway, on June of 2008, Livingston got the green light to play ball and he picked the Miami Heat as the team to try to re-start his career on October 3, 2008. He played sparingly for the Heat, getting 2.3ppg in 10 minutes. He was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies on January 7 where he was instantly waived. Then he found himself in an unfamiliar territory – which was the Tulsa 66ers of the D-League where after three weeks, he found himself signing a multi-year deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder. With all the thoughts of him providing steady backup for Russell Westbrook, those thoughts were dashed after the Thunder waived him on December of 2009. Two months later, the Washington Wizards offered a 10-day contract for Livingston. That contract was renewed and afterwards, he got a contract to play for the Wizards until the remainder of the season.

On March 23’s game, this happened.

Shaun had nine points, six assists, three rebounds and a steal in 24 minutes of action. The Wizards lost against the Charlotte Bobcats, the same team that Livingston faced when the freak accident happened. It may be less than stellar but it should amount to something. This is all baby steps for Shaun. At 24, he has a lot to prove and the great thing here is that Livingston wants to improve.

Washington is such a talent-starved team. With all the controversies surrounding Gilbert Arenas and with the Wizards’ roster disbandment, this is a perfect time for Livingston to shine.

He was seen as a superstar.

He now has to prove to the world that he is.

Game over.

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