Comments on: The World of What Might Have Been http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/2009/06/08/the-world-of-what-might-have-been/ Unbiased opinions from extremely biased people Tue, 22 May 2012 00:21:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: finzent http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/2009/06/08/the-world-of-what-might-have-been/comment-page-1/#comment-11517 finzent Tue, 09 Jun 2009 23:04:36 +0000 http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/?p=2830#comment-11517 That Lee-Layup was indeed a great play. What I nearly like most about it, though, is that the Magic actually took two timeouts before it. When they set up for the inbounds pass for the first time, Hedo didn't so much as try to make a pass, he just waited and then took the 2nd timeout. It sure seemed like they just wanted to see how the Lakers set up for defense, to counter that in the second timeout. Looked planned to me (although, of course, I might be wrong). Regarding the PG-discussion: Seems odd to me to blame SVG for the fact that Rafer either a) is just suddenly playing awful for no apparent reason or b) lets the fact that his delusional assesments of his own role on the team are not shared by the coach affect his play. That Lee-Layup was indeed a great play. What I nearly like most about it, though, is that the Magic actually took two timeouts before it. When they set up for the inbounds pass for the first time, Hedo didn’t so much as try to make a pass, he just waited and then took the 2nd timeout. It sure seemed like they just wanted to see how the Lakers set up for defense, to counter that in the second timeout. Looked planned to me (although, of course, I might be wrong).

Regarding the PG-discussion: Seems odd to me to blame SVG for the fact that Rafer either a) is just suddenly playing awful for no apparent reason or b) lets the fact that his delusional assesments of his own role on the team are not shared by the coach affect his play.

]]> By: em-k http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/2009/06/08/the-world-of-what-might-have-been/comment-page-1/#comment-11510 em-k Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:04:35 +0000 http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/?p=2830#comment-11510 That was a brilliant play call. SVG deserves huge props to that, and credit to Hedo for being a guy who can actually make that pass. Lee had a tough play and he didn't make it. Those who are crucifying him in the media are being really unfair for a rookie asked to make a seriously difficult play to win a Finals game. I can't see Phil Jackson trying that, and I doubt Kobe would allow it anyway. I get the thing about the Magic backcourt rotations being weird and undermining confidence, and rhythm, but come on... Alston has been unbelievably, ridiculously open. An NBA guard seriously should not need rhythm to hit those shots. The Lakers simply are waiting for him to hit and therefore have 5 guys to guard 4 players (and really, those 5 are spending the bulk of their time and energy on 3 of them). Alston needs to get his head together. When you have that open of a shot, hit it. That was a brilliant play call. SVG deserves huge props to that, and credit to Hedo for being a guy who can actually make that pass. Lee had a tough play and he didn’t make it. Those who are crucifying him in the media are being really unfair for a rookie asked to make a seriously difficult play to win a Finals game. I can’t see Phil Jackson trying that, and I doubt Kobe would allow it anyway.

I get the thing about the Magic backcourt rotations being weird and undermining confidence, and rhythm, but come on… Alston has been unbelievably, ridiculously open. An NBA guard seriously should not need rhythm to hit those shots. The Lakers simply are waiting for him to hit and therefore have 5 guys to guard 4 players (and really, those 5 are spending the bulk of their time and energy on 3 of them). Alston needs to get his head together. When you have that open of a shot, hit it.

]]> By: Paul http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/2009/06/08/the-world-of-what-might-have-been/comment-page-1/#comment-11475 Paul Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:37:34 +0000 http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/?p=2830#comment-11475 Well, I'd be more upset if Rafer were just pressing the issue and jacking up wild shots, but for the most part the Lakers are leaving him WIDE open, like no one within ten feet open, and he's missing badly. While I don't agree with putting Rafer on the bench, he needs to man up and quit worrying about how many minutes he'll get, last time I checked he was a veteran who's been in the playoffs before. I fully expect the backcourt to pick it up back home, I mean the odds of all 5 being cold at the same time like in the first couple games is highly unlikely. Well, I’d be more upset if Rafer were just pressing the issue and jacking up wild shots, but for the most part the Lakers are leaving him WIDE open, like no one within ten feet open, and he’s missing badly. While I don’t agree with putting Rafer on the bench, he needs to man up and quit worrying about how many minutes he’ll get, last time I checked he was a veteran who’s been in the playoffs before. I fully expect the backcourt to pick it up back home, I mean the odds of all 5 being cold at the same time like in the first couple games is highly unlikely.

]]> By: WildYams http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/2009/06/08/the-world-of-what-might-have-been/comment-page-1/#comment-11470 WildYams Mon, 08 Jun 2009 22:06:39 +0000 http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/?p=2830#comment-11470 Rob, while you're right that SVG "can't make the shots fall", the reality is that with distance shooting the shots falling or missing is often due to the confidence of the shooter; and to say the least, SVG has really decimated Alston's confidence with his rotations in this series. It's tough to blame Alston for not just calmly knocking down shots when he's probably got one eye on his own bench, never knowing when he might get yanked in favor of someone else. The Finals really aren't the time for this type of tinkering. Rob, while you’re right that SVG “can’t make the shots fall”, the reality is that with distance shooting the shots falling or missing is often due to the confidence of the shooter; and to say the least, SVG has really decimated Alston’s confidence with his rotations in this series. It’s tough to blame Alston for not just calmly knocking down shots when he’s probably got one eye on his own bench, never knowing when he might get yanked in favor of someone else. The Finals really aren’t the time for this type of tinkering.

]]> By: Rob Mahoney http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/2009/06/08/the-world-of-what-might-have-been/comment-page-1/#comment-11469 Rob Mahoney Mon, 08 Jun 2009 21:58:54 +0000 http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/?p=2830#comment-11469 Managing the Magic's backcourt is a tough situation. Rafer has played well, but how long can that really last? Jameer is back, but he's clearly not ready to play starter's minutes. Anthony Johnson is Anthony Johnson, and though he has played well, he is clearly third on the totem pole. Given Jameer's recovery, I think it's a given that SVG has to play him at the risk of alienating the team's rightful starting point. But Rafer is clearly affected by splitting minutes at PG, a reality which he'll need to get quite a bit more comfortable with. I guess the "right" thing to do would be to play Rafer as the starter and just give Johnson's minutes to Jameer, but with how badly Rafer has been shooting, I think SVG is looking for a spark. His rotations haven't been perfect in the backcourt, but he's desperately looking for something. ANYTHING. Hell, Redick was playing some key minutes as the point guard on the floor, even if Hedo was handling most of the responsibilities. Van Gundy can do a lot to prepare his team and though he's certainly not faultless, he also can't make the shots fall. Managing the Magic’s backcourt is a tough situation. Rafer has played well, but how long can that really last? Jameer is back, but he’s clearly not ready to play starter’s minutes. Anthony Johnson is Anthony Johnson, and though he has played well, he is clearly third on the totem pole. Given Jameer’s recovery, I think it’s a given that SVG has to play him at the risk of alienating the team’s rightful starting point. But Rafer is clearly affected by splitting minutes at PG, a reality which he’ll need to get quite a bit more comfortable with.

I guess the “right” thing to do would be to play Rafer as the starter and just give Johnson’s minutes to Jameer, but with how badly Rafer has been shooting, I think SVG is looking for a spark. His rotations haven’t been perfect in the backcourt, but he’s desperately looking for something. ANYTHING. Hell, Redick was playing some key minutes as the point guard on the floor, even if Hedo was handling most of the responsibilities. Van Gundy can do a lot to prepare his team and though he’s certainly not faultless, he also can’t make the shots fall.

]]> By: WildYams http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/2009/06/08/the-world-of-what-might-have-been/comment-page-1/#comment-11468 WildYams Mon, 08 Jun 2009 21:29:48 +0000 http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/?p=2830#comment-11468 DKH - You're right, my bad. I guess that scenario is maybe more possible than the other two, but I still don't see it. I don't see LA losing 4 of 5 to Orlando. I honestly have a hard time seeing them lose two in a row to the Magic, let alone three (or losing two in a row twice). I could see them getting blown out in a game, but losing 4 of 5? Really doubtful. DKH – You’re right, my bad. I guess that scenario is maybe more possible than the other two, but I still don’t see it. I don’t see LA losing 4 of 5 to Orlando. I honestly have a hard time seeing them lose two in a row to the Magic, let alone three (or losing two in a row twice). I could see them getting blown out in a game, but losing 4 of 5? Really doubtful.

]]> By: DKH http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/2009/06/08/the-world-of-what-might-have-been/comment-page-1/#comment-11465 DKH Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:57:35 +0000 http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/?p=2830#comment-11465 Yams, Just wanted to point out (since I think you made a similar comment over on basketbawful) that the Magic could also win the next 3 games, lose game 6, and win game 7, which falls outside of your two scenarios. And I mostly agree with your analysis of the PG situation. Alston has been decent, and I think he was above average in the ECF, but he also had some bad games in that series. Main point is, I don't think this is too unexpected out of Alston, but I do agree that SVG and the Magic haven't helped. Yams,

Just wanted to point out (since I think you made a similar comment over on basketbawful) that the Magic could also win the next 3 games, lose game 6, and win game 7, which falls outside of your two scenarios.

And I mostly agree with your analysis of the PG situation. Alston has been decent, and I think he was above average in the ECF, but he also had some bad games in that series. Main point is, I don’t think this is too unexpected out of Alston, but I do agree that SVG and the Magic haven’t helped.

]]> By: WildYams http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/2009/06/08/the-world-of-what-might-have-been/comment-page-1/#comment-11463 WildYams Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:27:26 +0000 http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/?p=2830#comment-11463 Justin N. makes a great point. SVG has, IMO, totally destroyed the confidence of Rafer Alston, and maybe Jameer Nelson as well (who knows what back to back DNP-CDs have done to Anthony Johnson). The Magic PGs are getting outplayed by the Laker PGs, and that is really staggering. I still think this series is going to go 6, just as I thought before it started. I thought Orlando would essentially concede Game 1 due to inexperience, but Game 2 was more what I expected for the bulk of this series. I expect it to be hard fought back and forth games the rest of the way, although I do think there may be one Orlando blowout win in there if they really get hot in one game. The way LA is playing defense in this series that's probably less likely than I would have thought before it started, but you never know. Ultimately though, I think down 2-0 the Magic are in too deep a hole to really be starting anything. For Orlando to win this series one of two things has to happen: 1. Sweep the next four games 2. Win Games 6 & 7 in LA I don't see either of those things happening, so while I do expect the Magic to fight back and make it a series, I think ultimately the damage has been done and it's going to be LA's championship. Justin N. makes a great point. SVG has, IMO, totally destroyed the confidence of Rafer Alston, and maybe Jameer Nelson as well (who knows what back to back DNP-CDs have done to Anthony Johnson). The Magic PGs are getting outplayed by the Laker PGs, and that is really staggering.

I still think this series is going to go 6, just as I thought before it started. I thought Orlando would essentially concede Game 1 due to inexperience, but Game 2 was more what I expected for the bulk of this series. I expect it to be hard fought back and forth games the rest of the way, although I do think there may be one Orlando blowout win in there if they really get hot in one game. The way LA is playing defense in this series that’s probably less likely than I would have thought before it started, but you never know.

Ultimately though, I think down 2-0 the Magic are in too deep a hole to really be starting anything. For Orlando to win this series one of two things has to happen:

1. Sweep the next four games
2. Win Games 6 & 7 in LA

I don’t see either of those things happening, so while I do expect the Magic to fight back and make it a series, I think ultimately the damage has been done and it’s going to be LA’s championship.

]]> By: Justin N. http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/2009/06/08/the-world-of-what-might-have-been/comment-page-1/#comment-11462 Justin N. Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:47:39 +0000 http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/?p=2830#comment-11462 In honor of SVG appreciation day, I'd like to know how you feel about the way he's handled his backcourt throughout the series. In honor of SVG appreciation day, I’d like to know how you feel about the way he’s handled his backcourt throughout the series.

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