Time for a Pargo embargo?
It's been 23 years since the Bullets/Wizards have won a playoff series. It's been 19 years since ex-Tar Heel Dudley Bradley banked in a 3-pointer at the buzzer to cap the Bullets' improbable rally from 17 points down in the final 3 minutes of a playoff game against the Sixers. Les Boulez, as Tony Kornheiser affectionately refers to them, hadn't even won a playoff game in 17 years before their current first-round series against les Bulls.
Oh, and it's been about 12 years since I've watched an NBA game in its entirety. With Abe Pollin's team back in the playoff mix this year, I've tried to tune in more than usual this spring. It hasn't been easy. And the Warriors, er, Wizards certainly didn't make the pro game easy to watch Wednesday night as they blew a 10-point lead in 49 seconds. Too many Jannerro Pargo 3-balls -- who the bleep is he? -- and too many bricked Antawn Jamison free throws and too many NBA timeouts/ball inbounded right next to the Bulls' basket to preserve what should've been a safe lead.
Gilbert Arenas hit a shot at the buzzer to break the 110-110 tie and put the Wiz up 3-2 in the series, as you probably know by now.
These two teams are bringing new blood to the playoffs. It's refreshing to see, although it's hard to figure out how a lineup featuring Pargo, Eric Piatkowski, Kirk Hinrich (no offense, Roy), Chris Duhon (no offense, Duke fans) and Andres Nocioni (a Euro-thug, according to Arenas) made the playoffs in the first place.
I wonder what everyone else thinks of these playoffs. No Lakers. No LeBron. No big-market Knicks or Celtics. Does this mean TV ratings are terrible?
And have I just lost touch with the NBA, or is this internal conversation I had while watching the Spurs vs. Nuggets tonight common among basketball fans?:
"Wow, Camby's a Nugget?
"Wait, that's not Vinny Del Negro. Some guy named Ginobli.
"Hey, where's Avery Johnson? (He's the Mavs' coach??? What are you talking about?)
"Who's this Tony Parker character? Oh, that's a French name, huh? Quel surprise! And he's dating a Desperate Housewife -- NBA action is fantastic, apparently.
"Man, what I wouldn't give to be watching a Mighty Ducks-Minnesota Wild five-overtime playoff game right now."
Comments (4)
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C'mon Jeff, surely you're aware of Ginobli. He's one of the best players on the planet, and has been the last few years. He was a surprise at the worlds about 4 years ago, but Argentina's been the best in the world since then. With Duncan and Parker, he's part of the best triumvirate in the game.
Go Spurs!
Posted on May 5, 2005 9:11 PM
OK. I admit it. I'm aware of Ginobli. I was just trying to make a point about how out of touch I am with today's NBA. So out of touch that I declared the Celtics out of the playoffs. Surprised you didn't bust me on that one -- after winning tonight, they have a chance to advance in Game 7 vs. Indiana.
Posted on May 5, 2005 11:54 PM
Not into busting people, just a Tim Duncan/Spurs fan.
I miss the hockey playoffs also. I'm certainly not a big hockey fan, but the playoffs have had my attention the last few years.
I enjoy reading your blog.
Posted on May 6, 2005 7:57 AM
So far, the playoffs have been pretty good this year.
One great thing is that there are several teams (Spurs, Phoenix, Miami, Detroit) that have a legitimate shot of winning. For much of the past decade, there's been a prohibitive favorite (first the Bulls, then the Lakers) and in a seven-game series, the best team almost always wins.
Also, it seems the new rules designed to cut down on the rough stuff and promote uptempo play are carrying over to the playoffs. Last night, Phoenix put up 127 points. That's a positive sign - basketball at all levels has become too defensively oriented in the past decade.
The conference finals are shaping up to be darn interesting: Detroit-Miami and San Antonio-Phoenix.
As for hockey, I haven't even thought about it in months. Out of sight, out of mind.
Posted on May 10, 2005 1:50 PM