The Miami Heat killed the Cleveland Cavaliers. They killed their hopes that they might still be competitive without LeBron James. They killed their spirit and have since lost 30 of their past 31 games. Imagine that. One of the most hyped up regular season games in a long time ended with the (previously) struggling Heat crushing the Cavs 118-90 behind 38 points from LeBron including a back breaking 24 in the third quarter.
This was a major turning point in the seasons of both teams. The Heat finally clicked as a team that night and won 19 of 20 games while the Cavs have lost 29 of their past 30 games. Ouch.
So what's the point? The point is that obviously the Heat are going to win again. Probably. But Cleveland will most likely cover the 17.5 point spread. They just got their big 3 back together and are starting to win again after hitting a rough patch. However, they're probably looking at the Cavs as a fluff game and might be looking ahead at their tough run against Orlando, Charlotte, and the Blake Griffins in a three game in four night set next week.
This is the only chance that Cleveland has to salvage the season. Well, their pride anyway. This game is wayyy more important to Cleveland, so look for them to come out early with a lot of energy and possibly an early lead and try to get revenge. Look for them to fight the entire game and keep it close in the end. Cleveland has a semi-secret threat in rookie Manny Harris who had a breakout game in a rare start last game. He led the team with 20 points against Orlando on 7-12 shooting.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Basketball simplified.
Clear your mind of everything you think you know about basketball.
Now think:
This is an easy game.
It is a team game.
Make your teammates better.
Short shots are better.
Get in athletic position.
Play good defense.
Put a hand in front of the shooter's eyes so he can't see the hoop.
Deny a good player from getting the ball.
Allow a bad player to shoot.
Get the rebound.
Control the game - don't let the game control you.
Jump as high as you can.
Shoot freethrows expecting to make each one.
Practice Layups.
Move without the ball.
Make good passes.
Play to your strengths.
And most importantly, always follow through directly at your target.
Now think:
This is an easy game.
It is a team game.
Make your teammates better.
Short shots are better.
Get in athletic position.
Play good defense.
Put a hand in front of the shooter's eyes so he can't see the hoop.
Deny a good player from getting the ball.
Allow a bad player to shoot.
Get the rebound.
Control the game - don't let the game control you.
Jump as high as you can.
Shoot freethrows expecting to make each one.
Practice Layups.
Move without the ball.
Make good passes.
Play to your strengths.
And most importantly, always follow through directly at your target.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Great words to strive for
alignment, peace, consciousness, fearlessness, generosity, gratitude, simplicity, forgiveness, purity, perfection, truth, non-concern, wisdom, unity, LOVE, will, gentleness, joy, grace, equanimity, understanding, integrity, perservance, freedom, health, kindness, holiness, patience, goodness, altruism, non-interference, harmony, dedication, service, abundance, confidence, innocence, caring, fidelity, compassion, humility, perception, commitment, healing, justice, prudence, forethought, courage, order, determination, excellence
Hungerford 2010
Hungerford 2010
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Lakers over the Mavs in Dallas - The power of the streaks
Dallas has been a very streaky team over the past 2 months. They won 17 out of 18 with a healthy Dirk Nowitzki before losing three straight as soon as Dirk was out of the lineup. They won two easy games before losing their past 6 games. The good news is that the 7 foot scorer is back and put up 32 points, 5 boards, and 5 assists in a loss at Detroit. As they head back to Dallas, the team's outlook will be more hopeful because they've seen that Dirk is back. They're going to try to come together for a tough home game.
The Lakers recovered from their anomalous loss against the Clippers (which I predicted) with a solid win against the Thunder. With 8 wins in their last 9 games, the Lakers are on a steadily victorious march. Having played tough teams in back to back games, the Lakers will be up to the challenge that Dirk and co. will provide.
This is going to be a back and forth battle, but the Lakers will have the edge and win at the end because they have experienced the feeling of winning so much lately. The last time Dirk tasted victory standing on the court was December 21. On a positive note for the Mavericks, the Lakers will elevate the Mavs' level of play as they face a strong Bulls team in Chicago Thursday night.
The Lakers recovered from their anomalous loss against the Clippers (which I predicted) with a solid win against the Thunder. With 8 wins in their last 9 games, the Lakers are on a steadily victorious march. Having played tough teams in back to back games, the Lakers will be up to the challenge that Dirk and co. will provide.
This is going to be a back and forth battle, but the Lakers will have the edge and win at the end because they have experienced the feeling of winning so much lately. The last time Dirk tasted victory standing on the court was December 21. On a positive note for the Mavericks, the Lakers will elevate the Mavs' level of play as they face a strong Bulls team in Chicago Thursday night.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Blake Griffin is a Monster!
After the Clippers beat the Lakers last night, I felt compelled to start a blog focused on the monster that is Blake Griffin. Today, right now, I'm watching the Clippers take on the Pacers and Griffin has 30 points and 8 rebounds with 10:41 left in the 3rd quarter. He's on pace to score over 50 points the game after he scored only 2 in the first quarter against the Lakers.
The Lakers game will be an inflection point in the meteoric rise of Blake Griffin's career.
Sidenote, Blake grabbed his 10th rebound at about the 9:30 mark adding to his record streak of double-doubles by a rookie.
The Lakers were well aware of what Blake Griffin was about when the game started last night. For most of the first half, the Lakers had their way with him and he old managed one basket (a sweet dunk of course). After starting the second half slowly, he got out on a fast break and started licking his chops as he looked to throw down a monster dunk over little Derek Fisher. The veteran Fisher knew this so he put Griffin on his ass. Blake picked himself up, brushed himself off, hit the free throws, then "punked" the Lakers according to Kobe himself. The lesson: don't wake a sleeping dragon.
Then Lamar Odom decided to grab his Jersey and try to throw him around, but Blake is too big and he just walked away. Barron Davis and his teammates jumped in to defend Griffin.
With about ten minutes left in the game, there are some interesting stats to look at. It's a close game at 88-88. Griffin has 36 points and 12 rebounds. Barron Davis has 11 assists, Gordon has 23 points, Granger has 29 for the Pacers and Collison has 24 points and 7 assists. The Pacers big shot blocker, Hibbert has been neutralized on the bench with 5 fouls. Griffin is sitting on the bench resting up for a big finish.
Griffin just checked back into the game and got his first touch at 8:07 left in the game. When he entered, they posted on the screen that he's shooting 15-19 today. His energy is contagious, as his team ran off a quick 7 points before Blake his a jump shot off the glass.
At the 5 and a half minute mark, Griffin made a play that shows his tenacity. He took a shot, missed, got to the other side of the glass to attempt a tip, grabbed the loose ball, and fought his way up to make a little hook shot and finished off the 3 point play for his 41st point with 14 rebounds.
At the 2 minute mark, the announcers start to worry as they question the coach's decision to not take another timeout. He lets them play because they already know the strategy: Give the ball to Blake Griffin and let him do what he does. They do and he backs his man down and scores on a tough little jump hook. The lead is back up to 5.
With a nice move he scored to put his team up 114-107 and score his 47th point, the most in the league all year. As the clock runs down with the game in hand, the Clippers fans stand and cheer for a team that is truly deserving. 47 points and 14 rebounds with plenty of highlights.
Blake gets the post game interview and he does a great job giving plenty of praise to his team and teammates. Everyone else is starting to talk about him so there's little reason to him to talk about himself.
The Lakers game will be an inflection point in the meteoric rise of Blake Griffin's career.
Sidenote, Blake grabbed his 10th rebound at about the 9:30 mark adding to his record streak of double-doubles by a rookie.
The Lakers were well aware of what Blake Griffin was about when the game started last night. For most of the first half, the Lakers had their way with him and he old managed one basket (a sweet dunk of course). After starting the second half slowly, he got out on a fast break and started licking his chops as he looked to throw down a monster dunk over little Derek Fisher. The veteran Fisher knew this so he put Griffin on his ass. Blake picked himself up, brushed himself off, hit the free throws, then "punked" the Lakers according to Kobe himself. The lesson: don't wake a sleeping dragon.
Then Lamar Odom decided to grab his Jersey and try to throw him around, but Blake is too big and he just walked away. Barron Davis and his teammates jumped in to defend Griffin.
With about ten minutes left in the game, there are some interesting stats to look at. It's a close game at 88-88. Griffin has 36 points and 12 rebounds. Barron Davis has 11 assists, Gordon has 23 points, Granger has 29 for the Pacers and Collison has 24 points and 7 assists. The Pacers big shot blocker, Hibbert has been neutralized on the bench with 5 fouls. Griffin is sitting on the bench resting up for a big finish.
Griffin just checked back into the game and got his first touch at 8:07 left in the game. When he entered, they posted on the screen that he's shooting 15-19 today. His energy is contagious, as his team ran off a quick 7 points before Blake his a jump shot off the glass.
At the 5 and a half minute mark, Griffin made a play that shows his tenacity. He took a shot, missed, got to the other side of the glass to attempt a tip, grabbed the loose ball, and fought his way up to make a little hook shot and finished off the 3 point play for his 41st point with 14 rebounds.
At the 2 minute mark, the announcers start to worry as they question the coach's decision to not take another timeout. He lets them play because they already know the strategy: Give the ball to Blake Griffin and let him do what he does. They do and he backs his man down and scores on a tough little jump hook. The lead is back up to 5.
With a nice move he scored to put his team up 114-107 and score his 47th point, the most in the league all year. As the clock runs down with the game in hand, the Clippers fans stand and cheer for a team that is truly deserving. 47 points and 14 rebounds with plenty of highlights.
Blake gets the post game interview and he does a great job giving plenty of praise to his team and teammates. Everyone else is starting to talk about him so there's little reason to him to talk about himself.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
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