The Flourishing of the Rose

Derrick Rose is my MVP.

And it's not only because I'm a Bulls fan, it's because he proves it every time he plays. Three years ago with the draft at hand I wasn't especially keen on Rose for Chicago. At that time, Kirk was still the prime point guard for me because not only can he handle the ball well he defends well.

In my mind Chicago needs a good post threat to become an elite team. With the choice zeroing on two players I believed the hype that surrounded Michael Beasley (Ok, so I'm not an expert after all), a post scorer and a good mid-range shooter. For me he was Chicago's salvation. The scorer that Chicago covet since Elton Brand was (stupidly) traded for Tyson Chandler.

So to my utter disappointment (at the time) when David Stern announced Rose as the number 1 pick of the 2008 Draft. I thought the team wasted their chance on having a solid player, and to support me Rose wasn't the most solid PG on his rookie year. He was explosive yet his shooting wasn't there heck it's almost like Rondo's He wasn't the Deron Williams or Chris Paul type of PG I imagined for my favorite team to have. One thing I admired though is how he persevered and relentlessly attacked the basket. opening doors for the other Bull's to score. A will power comparable to Michael Jordan.

Rose made a believer out of me in their play-off series against Boston. Rose debuted in the play-offs with 36 points (tying Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's NBA record for points scored by a rookie in his playoff debut set 1970), 11 assists, and 4 rebounds as the Bulls prevailed in a 105–103 overtime win on the road. It was noticeable during that series how limited the Bulls were against the big names of the Celtics, The Allens and the Pierces, even through that Chicago stayed in their series and had the Celtics gasping in 7 games (Don't give the Garnett was injured BS because Deng was also injured and was higher value for the Bulls than the Celtics who would give the Magic a run for their money in the next series even without Garnett). Rose averaged 19.7 points on 47.5% shooting, 6.3 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game in the, although the Bulls were defeated by the Celtics in 7 games. Amazing in the sense that a rookie was able to carry that much burden especially at age 20. Wow!

After his Rookie of the Year season, Rose would improve in his stats in his 2nd year. He'd get 20.8 PPG on 48.9% shooting, 3.8 RPG, 6.0 APG although the clamor for improvement in defense and shooting was still there, it was clearer now that Rose was the team's best player, he'd also be the first Chicago all-star since Michael Jordan in 1998. In the playoffs Rose averaged 26.8 points and 7.2 assists, but the Bulls still lost in five games to the Cleveland Cavaliers.


This year he even took his game to new heights improving his defense and mid and long range shooting. To note Chicago only played full strength for only 9 games, and by that I meant the whole team playing because obviously Boozer was still recovering after missing the first 15 games and by that time Noah has already sustained his own injury that have sidelined him for 28 games now (and counting). Rose rises to the occasion by bringing a different approach to his game; Being the main threat and still distribute. It is amazing to note that despite getting 24.7 points, Derrick dishes out 8.1 dimes a night, the amount of energy you have to exert just to get those numbers to limited outlets (since either Boozer or Noah is out).

The candidates for MVP can be narrowed down to Rose and James. Kobe's Lakers are packed yet they're underachieving. Stoudamire has slowed on his candidacy due to the Knicks on and off record. Wade is playing second fiddle to James. Durant gets plenty of help from fellow all-star Russell Westbrook.

Rose may not get the same numbers as LeBron but he is MVP because he carries more baggage. And to note for comparison Miami has yet to defeat the Celtics and the Mavs, 2 teams Chicago have dispelled to many's disbelief. In in no small part thanks to Rose's play.


This past 2 games against the best point guards the league can offer Rose critics were high in praise for Rose for shutting both Chris Paul and Deron Williams to a minimum. Combined the 2 premiere PGs averaged 13 points, 9 assists, 3 rebs, 0.5 stl to Rose's 26 points, 6.5 assists, 3.5 rebs, and 1 stl. Staggering numbers to say the least against the best. And at 22, he can only get better.


Scary.

The Long and Winding Road ends for Jerry Sloan

It was June 1997. Utah was out to challenge Chicago for NBA supremacy, The Jazz team were newbies up against the veteran championship fixture. Michael was the predator, and in these games he relishes the moment to proclaim his greatness anew.

It's no wonder that with the game on the line Utah's best player choked; With Scottie Pippen psyching Malone out, telling him "Just remember, the mailman doesn't deliver on Sundays, Karl," while Malone was at the free throw line. He missed both free throws and the Bulls rebounded and quickly called a time-out. With the game on the line, Chicago put the ball into the hands of Michael Jordan. M.J. dribbled out most of the waning seconds and then launched a 20 footer that swished in at the buzzer, as the Chicago Bulls took the first game of the 1997 NBA Finals. And it happened 3 more times during the course of the six-game series, one of them was the infamous "flu" game in Game 5. Utah lost.

Failure.

And it was that first finals game that served as omen that will prevail until the next year when Utah would again meet Chicago in the Finals. Utah this time had the homecourt advantage. They won game 1 lost the 2nd, will lose badly in game 3 (by a total of 42 points), lost another in game 4 then steal game 5, Back in Utah with the game on the line Jordan again rose to the occasion and shoot a lasting shot; the Chicago farewell; the Utah dagger. It'll be both teams last finals apperance (so far) one of the best in finals history even the most controversial (as fans still dispute whether Jordan should have been called of a pushing foul or is it a let go play? It was clear to everyone though that Utah lost again to Chicago.

History might have been joking all this while between this 2 clubs because in the middle of the basketball coliseum was Jerry Sloan, the "Original Bull", Chicago's first player selection in the 1966 expansion draft. As a player Sloan was known for his tenacity on defense, and led the expansion team to the playoffs in its first season.

He also became a 2-time All-star, was also named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team four times and the All-Defensive Second team twice. He also led the Bulls to the playoffs on various occasions and helped them to win one division title, the only one the franchise has earned outside the Michael Jordan era. Sloan averaged 9.1 rebounds per game in his second season, and his career rebounding average of 7.4 rebounds per game is unusually high for a guard. With an average of 2.15 steals per game (tabulated over his last three seasons), Sloan is ranked tenth in the NBA's all-time leaders category for steals per game, just behind John Stockton (2.17 SPG). His playing career was was cut short though by nagging knee injuries that kept him in the sideline.

Jerry's coaching career will also start in Chicago, succeeding Scotty Robertson at the helm. His initial coaching attempt in Chicago wasn't so successful as planned though compiling a record of 94-121 and was out of the Bulls sideline by the 3rd season (which he didn't finish).

As it turns out Jerry's success as coach wasn't meant for Chicago but for another club, the Utah Jazz where he would compile 1130 wins against 682 losses. Jerry went to the Hall of Fame as the only coach to compile 1000 wins in the NBA under the same club. Sloan was a passionate, defense-oriented, blue collar coach. There isn't a coach in all of sports who rips his team to shreds the way Sloan does when he feels his team hasn't competed. The Sloan method means anything less than full effort is unacceptable. It means no excuse is satisfactory. One memorable quote of Sloan's coaching can be summarized with this: " "Size doesn't make any difference; heart is what makes a difference," Sloan began "These guys over there want to make the playoffs more than we do."


He is a teacher that wanted results, results that comes from hard work. Let it be reminded everyone that coach Sloan's coaching structure was the same structure that captivated Gregg Popovich's own coaching regimen. It's amazing to note that even without Karl and John to lead his team Jerry Sloan would coach his team to a 42-40 record, barely missing play-offs and the coach of the year award (which he never won) behind Hubie Brown of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Sloan's abrupt departure also seemed to be in defiance to the new breed of players' consistent whining and disregard for authority in the locker room. It was reported that he and point guard Deron Williams had a huge verbal fight prior to the coach's resignation. Some even said the 2 almost came to blows during the huddle. We may never know the truth to that because coach Sloan downplayed the reports: "I've had confrontations with players since I've been in the league," Sloan said. "There's only so much energy left and my energy has dropped." KSL-TV later asked Sloan whether reported conflicts with guard Deron Williams forced him to leave. "I forced myself out," Sloan responded.

I can understand kids who would dismiss the resignation as one of the other hundred resignations filed by other coaches. But for me it was as significant as when Magic announced his retirement, when Michael Jordan shocked the world during his first retirement. Here is a legend going out abruptly and will be dearly missed by true long-time fans of basketball.

So to note, Jerry Sloan stepped down after losing against the Chicago Bulls. Life can be cruelly funny sometimes.

References :
http://www.basketball-reference.com/
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=adande_ja&page=Sloan-081209
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-sloanretiring021011
photo's found in the web no copyright infringement intended.

The matter of animosity over LeBron

LeBron James and Kobe Bryant careers will forever be intertwined.

What's the connection between my opening statement and the title? Let me break it down.

Kobe entered the NBA through Lower Merion High. James via Saint Vincent-Saint Mary HS. Both were highschoolers when they entered the league. Both disrespected someone older than them during a game: Once Karl Malone, recalling an incident with Kobe Bryant, was quoted after trying to set a pick for him. "The guy told me he's got it," the then 34-year-old Malone said. "Like I told Coach Karl, when younger guys tell me to get out of the way, that's a game I don't need to be in. I was ticked." James not to be outdone did it in front of the cameras when he said to his mom: "sit your (butt) down!" on mother's day.

Both wanted the spotlight out of each other. It was June 2003, Draft night, James was ready for the biggest day of his life. He was about to be made the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft by his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers on national television. But James' handshake with David Stern was upstaged that day by breaking news during the broadcast that Bryant planned to opt out of his contract with the Lakers and seek free agency after the next season. Thus effectively stealing James spotlight. Later, just this summer James will have his revenge, LeBron would put his towering shadow towards the finals. Nobody was talking about Kobe. The media have decidedly put the most interest on the upcoming free agency. James stole Kobe's crowning moment when he defeated the Celtics.

"It sort of tells me that our players have, through their hard work, captured the imagination of many, many people," Stern said drily.

Both superstars, at one point in time, decided that their teams wasn't helping them to achieve their championship goals. And this is where the line is drawn.

While Kobe was hesitant to leave LA (Barkley dared him once to renounce his no trade clause option so that he can easily be traded), James decided he could no longer be caged in a small town like Cleveland. That he's "taking his talents to south beach". All hell breaks loose.

LeBron had all the right to walk. He was tired of waiting. Michael Jordan also waited seven years to get a title, so does Wilt Chamberlain. Maybe the market was too small to attract big named free agents. Maybe he tired looking at his rival Bryant collecting rings because he already had 1-upped Kobe in the MVP department.

But come to think of it Shaq came there. Later Jamison joined Mo Williams and the motley crew that was the Cavs. They won 61 games. Just enough to be proclaimed the NBA's best team. What happened? What made James decide that Cleveland is a no-win scenario? Basing on the number of wins they have what it took to win the championship. The Bulls only had 57 win when they took the 1993 title.

The play-offs -- Michael Jordan once said -- is where boys are separated from men. Boston pounded them to the ground. Instead of taking it to himself to improve, James decided Cleveland just wasn't enough. James escaped the hardships of Cleveland to have a seemingly easier life in Miami.

James long-time basketball idol, Michael Jordan had this remark: “There’s no way, with hindsight, I would’ve ever called up Larry, called up Magic and said, ‘Hey, look, let’s get together and play on one team,’” Jordan said. “But that’s . . . things are different. I can’t say that’s a bad thing. It’s an opportunity these kids have today. In all honesty, I was trying to beat those guys.”

James seemed to rip off everything Kobe ever did in his career. He only missed this part: “I’m going to kick some ass in practice…” Bryant said. “It’s going to get through. You beat it into their heads until it gets through.” Jordan did the same to Scottie Pippen. Burning him in practice until his potential to greatness was in full view. Kevin Garnett, another consuming leader, was once spotted scolding Glen Davis to tears.

Cleveland obviously felt betrayed. And rightfully so. Real basketball fans also deep in their hearts felt betrayed too. James in our minds was so talented, so powerful to seek help elsewhere. Great players attracts great players. Cleveland became desirable because of LeBron. Cleveland and James could have had the players he wanted had he stayed. James had it all in his palms only to lose it.

In old times, when you battle at sea, the victor sinks the losers ship. And thus the losers become hostages or prisoners of war. Wade have proven he is a winner. James only scratched the surface. He shouldn't have joined Wade he should have "beat those guys.” James lost his identity in the process. And we are angry for it.




Sources:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5391478
http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/columns/story?id=5951534
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1012689/index.htm#ixzz19GzfWArd

When the Heat becomes cold

Miami Heat's projection for this season is easy. Overwhelm the league and win the championship. Never seemed so easy specially if you got 1/4 of team USA on your team. That was the promise these new Heat trio promised it's fans... Championships. But as they stand now the Heat are only 2 games above .500. What happened? What went wrong?

While other writers pan James out. I will point out what's obvious. This team lacks chemistry. "Him and D-Wade don't complement each other. They're somewhat the same type of players, 'Bron and D-Wade. ... Both of those guys need the ball, and they don't shoot the ball like Ray Allen. That's why they're having trouble scoring in the halfcourt, because they can't get a rhythm, because one of them is dominating the ball. That guy might be getting off, but the other guy [isn't]. That's why when they're on the court together, they're terrible. They're rhythm players that need the ball. I'm like that. I can't stand out there and catch and shoot. I've never been a guy that sits out there waiting for the ball to come to me." says T-Mac.

Nice observation because I predicted the same when this team was first assembled.


I remember questioning how Wade and LeBron can co-exist because they basically have the same skill set. They are not consistent jump shooters like Allen and they mostly attack the basket than take the jump. Compared to Boston who basically had a diverse big three (Garnett mans the post, Allen takes the jumpers, and Pierce is their main penetrator) the Heat have two guys playing the same game and they demand the ball in their hands big time. That's one problem I foresaw 5 months ago.

I also noticed the general make-up of this team. They have no steady point guards, and their centers are not the kind of bigs that wins championships (Well if you say Jordan did it even without a credible center then obviously these players ARE NOT Michael Jordan). Point guard can be easy to answer as both Wade and LeBron are no strangers in bringing in the ball and distributing, but the center thing is a different monster all together. Championships are mostly won by great big men (Again don't raise Chicago here because Jordan is a different beast). Lakers prove it in their long history. Celts did it in their dynasty days, recently on Garnett's steady intensity. Spurs obviously banked on Tim Duncan's exploits. Philly had one thanks to Moses. You don't expect to win with Zydrunas and Juwan, known softies, manning your post. Most credible threat Udonis is done for, Chris Bosh is uber-soft and will likely rely on his jumpshots than bang bodies inside. Obviously the Heat needs more than Jamaal Magloire and Joel Anthony and I doubt Dampier fits the role perfectly.

A few days ago I was analyzing what went wrong for this team when it struck me that the Miami thrice never played with another all-star player in their prime. Bosh had Marion on his downside. James and Wade had Shaq on his downside. James had Mo but Mo isn't in the same level of a Wade, an elite all-star. Mo Williams is just an actor on the LeBron direction in Cleveland. They had Antawn but he came in too late to really blend with his new team. Miami Thrice are prized players on their respective clubs and they run the show... All of the sudden you bend the tradition and try to share the spotlight. Knowing how big the egos are that's a tough spot to cover.

As I said media is panning-out James but not with lack of reason. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports did a great job of the story: "Meticulous in his preparation, Spoelstra spoke with several past coaches, and league sources said a clear and unequivocal picture appeared on how to proceed: End the cycle of enabling with James and hold him accountable. And surprise, surprise: LeBron James has responded with a test of his own organizational strength, pushing to see how far the Heat will bend to his will. This season, James is hearing a word seldom uttered to him in Cleveland: “No.” And it keeps coming out of the coach’s mouth, keeps getting between the King and what he wants. Can I stay overnight to party in New Orleans after a preseason game? Can I play the clown in practice? Can I get out of playing point guard? No. No. No. Wait, what? No, LeBron. No. Even within a month of the season’s sideways 9-8 start, the NBA witnessed a predictable play out of the James-Maverick Carter playbook on Monday morning. They planted a story and exposed themselves again as jokers of the highest order. They care so little about anyone but themselves. Still, no one’s surprised that they’d stoop so low, so fast into this supposed historic 73-victory season and NBA Finals sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers. They want Spoelstra – and Pat Riley – to bend to them, to bow to the King the way everyone has before them." full story. Such machinations don't work out in the professional level. Larry Brown always says "Play the right Way". If this Heat wants to win they have to let people do their jobs like Spoelstra is doing. Interestingly, instead of righting this insane wrong Wade joins team LeBron: “I’m not going to say he’s ‘my guy,’ but he’s my coach,” Wade said. Well done tuning your coach out is another page for disaster.

And that's where the Heat finds themselves in: A disaster.


References:
http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nba/news/story?id=5862624
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Al35JePYcJn8QxtW_wuRKeO8vLYF?slug=aw-lebronspoelstra112910

Bad omen: Pacquiao beginning to believe his hype

"I've been under pressure and tough conditions before, The training is going good..." so declared Manny Pacquiao. It's time to wake up, unlike my other half-crazy Filipino brothers I'd say read between the lines and notice that Pac is on a danger zone.

This is the first time that I've read Freddie Roach really concerned about the training camp. The "worst-ever" training camp as he further alludes to it. Too many bumps along the way for this one, Pacquiao skipping his customary roadwork for basketball then injuring his heel that further derailed the practices... The supposed to be closed door practices which inexplicably, became open to the press and various other friends and acquaintances. Pacquiao holding some small concert for Michael Koncz. Manny skipping practice for a rendezvous with the President (Philippines). Him skipping practice anew to guest in a show (video embed above) and raise some politicians hands in another. It seems his recent domination of his earlier opponents have gotten to his head, no longer focused as his earlier versions have been. This is no longer the Pacquiao that is bent on getting higher. This is Pacquiao the rockstar.

As a fan I'm concerned with this happy-go-lucky attitude. Boxing has been a punishing sport. It is not basketball where in you can relax for three quarters and mount a big comeback. Punches make a toll on your body and if your not trained well enough could knock you out or damage you forever and worst kill you. I remember this same kind of laid back attitude in Lennox Lewis when he skipped training in favor of a movie. The result? An embarrassing KO to 15-to-1 underdog Hashim Rahman in the fifth round. I've read of a similar incident when Muhammad Ali KO'd Sonny Liston in the very first round. Sonny Liston was very much out of shape after the first schedule of their rematch was postponed six months when Ali needed emergency surgery for a strangulated hernia.

One thing that bothers me is the report that sparring against the lumbering Medina, Pacquiao looked anything but sharp. The report adds: "On several occasions he allowed Medina to pound him against the ropes. Pacquiao showed flashes of his lightning quickness, but either he was just getting warmed up or he wasn’t taking this too seriously."

Michael Medina was on the undercard of the Pacquiao-Clottey fight. He was totally outclassed by John Duddy. A 100% focused Pacquiao could have easily smoked the guy out instead he allowes the guy to pound him? Manny wasn't any sharper on his next sparring partner Amir Khan as reported: "On numerous occasions, Khan beat Pacquiao to the punch with blistering combinations. At times, Pacquiao held his hands down and he kept trying to adjust his protective headgear. He clearly didn’t look 100 percent. Midway in their third round, the two went at each other for about 40 seconds of pure, scintillating action. But when the four rounds were up, it was clear that Khan got the better of the exchanges". Khan have been Manny's understudy for a long time. So further puts doubt on Manny's abilities it's either Khan is fast gaining on Manny or it's Pac on the decline. The last part scares me more. Manny on the decline against a fighter that has nothing to lose and every thing to gain. A fighter who is the biggest that Pac will ever face in his career. Margarito gains everything with a win and Manny loses so much with a loss to the underdog.

A 100% Pacquiao could win easily. A well-trained Pacquiao wouldn't leave any doubt on his fans mind. A focused Pacquiao makes impossible odds possible. Let's hope he doesn't make anymore monkey business out of this. On Nov. 13 (14 in Manila) judgement will come. Let's cross our fingers and hope for the best for Manny.

Pacquiao needs to get back to his old self and focus, not believe in his own hype that he can win all his fights. Boxing is a different animal one punch could very well end everything he's build for.


Sources:
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/204533/roach-pacquiao-having-worst-ever-training-camp
http://www.ringtv.com/blog/2450/pacquiao_sluggish_for_final_day_of_training_in_philippines/