| 27 April 2011
Simply put, I can’t ever remember a more compelling or exciting first round of the NBA Playoffs. They have may have been this good before, but I definitely don’t remember it.
Really, every series has been exciting, and the level of talent on every team is simply staggering. Quickly looking around the landscape, there's at least been a reason to tune into every series except one (More on that coming). Memphis is better than San Antonio. New Orleans has played the Lakers tough. Despite getting swept, the Knicks easily could’ve stolen two games in Boston. And even Indiana proved that having one starter who is certifiably insane (Tyler Hansbrough) can hide a lot of talent deficiencies. Say what you want about the Pacers, they played as hard as anyone in their first round series with Chicago.
But as we close out Round 1 and start looking ahead to Round 2, who have been the best and the brightest so far? What have been the biggest storylines?
Let’s take a look, by handing out some awards for the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
The Woah, Holy Crap, I Totally Forgot How Good This Guy Was Award: Chris Paul
A couple of things with Paul.
Understand that this award isn’t about me figuring out that Paul is good. I already knew that. After all, I may be dumb, but I’m not stupid. No this award is about figuring out just exactly how good Paul is. And as far as I’m concerned, he’s still far and away the best point guard in the league.
Now, that’s no disrespect to anyone else, Derrick Rose in particular. The Bulls were one of the great stories in the league this season, and that’s thanks almost exclusively to Rose. Not to mention that as a fan who has always appreciated, quiet, efficient, hard-nosed play (without televised contract signings and firework-ridden welcome parties), this whole season in Chicago has been a breath of fresh air. If I had an MVP vote for the regular season, Rose would’ve gotten it.
But let’s also not mistake what Rose is right now: A genetic mutant, who is still just learning how to harness all the gifts the big guy upstairs bestowed upon him. And really, that’s the craziest things about Rose. He’s one of the three most genetically gifted guys in the league right now (I’d put him right there with LeBron and Blake Griffin), who also happens to still have growing to do as a basketball player. Not a lot of growing. But some, none the less.
As for Paul, well, he’s already there.
For starters, he’s hardly the genetic freak that Rose is. Quite the opposite actually. Only in his mid-20’s, Paul’s body has been breaking down for awhile now, and the physical gifts that he had three or four years ago, are already fading. Paul had the meniscus removed from his knee last year, and believe me, as someone who had that same surgery twice, your knee is never exactly the same after. That super-quick explosive first step Paul used to have is never coming back. At least not 100 percent.
Then again, those restrictions are also part of what has made watching him this spring so much fun. As I said, he’s not the same player physically that he was. But mentally he’s as sharp as any point guard I’ve watched in a long time.
First off, there are the stats, and to quote my least favorite sportswriter Rick Reilly, they’re “Redonkulous.” You know how people say there are lies, damn lies and statistics? Well apparently that’s true for everyone except Paul. His 24.4 point, 11.6 assist, 6.4 rebound and two steal a game averages are neither lies nor damn lies. They’re just a pretty darn good indicator of how well he’s played.
But again, stats only tell part of his story. Watching the games tells a completely different one. Because in a perfect world, there isn’t a single thing you’d want your point guard to do that Paul isn’t right now. He’s running the offense; making open jumpers; getting the ball to his guys in exactly the spots they need it; facilitating when he needs to and taking over at other points. He may not have done that all in last night’s Game 5, but I can’t imagine anyone doing more over the course of the series than Paul has.
And really, that’s the story of these past few weeks.
After last night, it’s pretty obvious that New Orleans probably won’t win this series. I just don’t see them winning back-to-back games, especially a Game 7 at the Staples Center, and especially not with the sense of urgency that the Lakers played with last night. In specific, I’m happy to report that apparently, Derek Fisher isn’t dead after all.
But then again, the fact that New Orleans is even at this point is kinda mind-blowing to begin with. After all, other than Trevor Ariza, who exactly on this roster would start for any other playoff team? Emeka Okafor? As I joked last night on Twitter, I’m pretty sure that when the Lakers put together their highlight reel from this season, Okafor is going to be involved in at least 80 percent of them (Then again, at least he was on the floor to get dunked on last night. With all the foul trouble he’s had, that wasn’t the case through the first four games).
Who else do the Hornets have? Marco Belinelli? The guy sounds like a Formula One race car driver, and for the most part plays basketball like one too. The fact that he’s a starter on an NBA roster boggles my mind. What about Carl Landry? I know he’s only starting because David West is out. But still. It’s Carl Landry!
Again, the Hornets are making this run because of only one man. CP3.
It’s good to have him back.
The Charlotte Bobcats Award For Strangest Makeup of A Quality Team: The Memphis Grizzlies
I remember writing during last year's playoffs how truly bizarre the Bobcats roster was. Amongst others, they had Theo Ratliff, Tyrus Thomas, Nazr Mohammed, Larry Hughes and Stephen Jackson all playing big minutes for them. Huh?
At the time, 2010 Charlotte Bobcats were the strangest team I’d ever seen. Then I started watching these Grizzlies.
How exactly would you describe them? They’ve got total nut cases (Zach Randolph) and high-quality humanitarians (Shane Battier). Foreign players from Europe (Marc Gasol, Spain), the Middle East (Hamed Hadaddi) and South America, with the last guy (Greivis Vasquez) sporting a Mohawk that makes him look a guitar player in one of those weird cover bands that plays at crappy bars on Friday nights. They’ve got good team chemistry guys like Mike Conley, and former college stars who are somehow now role players like O.J. Mayo. Hell, doesn’t it tell you everything you need to know, that one of their team leaders (Tony Allen) earned his respect after knocking out another player on the team charter (Mayo)? And what makes everything more amazing, is that they’re doing it without a 20-point a game scorer in Rudy Gay. Not to mention, their coach refuses to watch his own son play.
Yet somehow, it all works. And it’s safe to say that after four games, they’ve officially got the Spurs shook.
Which is the weirdest part of this series to me. Not only that the Grizzlies are winning these games, but it’s Memphis that looks like the poised team with boatloads of playoff experience. It was especially apparent in Game 4, when the Spurs were all out of sorts. They were rushing shots, missing layups, and at times could barely get the ball past half court. Quite honestly, the only word I could use to describe San Antonio in that situations was helpless. A team which won 61 games during the regular season, all of a sudden couldn’t get out of their own way.
And since I’m such a big college basketball fan, I've noticed a parallel between this series and one specific game from this past NCAA Tournament, when Notre Dame played Florida State.
I watched the Irish all season long, and during that time, they played some of the most sound and efficient offensive basketball of anyone in the country. Just like the Spurs, they moved the ball well, always made the extra pass and hit oodles of three’s. Then they got to the NCAA Tournament, ran into a long and athletic Florida State team (just like the Grizzlies) and it totally threw them off their game. The passing lanes that were there all season were gone all of a sudden. Those open three’s weren’t quite so open. And eventually Notre Dame got so frazzled, that even when they had open opportunities they rushed things, and were missing shots they’d normally make.
Well, this San Antonio-Memphis series has been a lot like that…only over four games instead of one.
And honestly, I’ve seen nothing over those four games to think that Memphis won’t close things out by Game 6. If not tonight.
The 'I Don't Care How This Series Ends, Just Please God, Let It End' Award: Hawks-Magic
Besides Dwight Howard's surprisingly entertaining attempt to grow a playoff beard, I don't find one thing redeemable about this series. The close games have been unwatchable, and the blowouts have been, well, blowouts.
Someone just end the mercy...please!
The Most Inevitable Breakup Award: Mike D’Antoni And The New York Knicks
This is nothing against D’Antoni, but I just don’t see how things can possibly work between him and his new star Carmelo Anthony. Those two go together about as well as oil and water. Or grease and fire. Or Shaq and a salad bar. Take your pick. But much like two high school sweethearts attending separate colleges, I think their relationship has an expiration date.
Now understand, I’m not claiming this as an original thought. People who follow the Knicks closely have been telling me the same for two months now. But with that said, these playoffs have made it apparent that one of the two has to go. And from what I can tell, it’s not going to be the guy who just signed the $65 million extension.
The reason for the impending divorce is simple. D’Antoni runs an offense that’s predicated on forcing tempo and creating more possessions than a normal game, which in turn creates more shots and scoring opportunities. In a perfect world (with someone like Steve Nash running your offense) that’s great.
The problem is, Carmelo isn’t Steve Nash. He’s not bad, just not Steve Nash. What he is, is a guy who catches the ball in a spot, takes two or three dribbles and takes contested shots. To his credit, ‘Melo usually makes them. He’s just that good, but just not good for this offense. And ultimately I don’t think things get better until either superstar or coach goes. And unfortunately for the coach, it isn’t going to be the superstar.
Considering there’s a lockout looming, I don’t think D’Antoni leaves now. After all, why fire the guy and get stuck paying him when there’s no basketball to coach. D’Antoni will be back in New York, but like I said, his expiration date is coming up soon.
My guess is that the Knicks wait until the end of next season to fire D’Antoni, just in time to try and make a run at a big name coach (cough…Phil Jackson…cough), with the possibility of one more big name joining them in free agency. Like oh, I don’t know, maybe Chris Pau—
…
…
…
Sorry, I just blacked out thinking about Chris Paul playing in New York with the Knicks. No worries though, I’m ok. Thanks for asking.
But before CP3 comes to New York (at which time I’ll probably go out and buy every Chris Paul jersey within a 100-mile radius of my house), I have one more thought on the Knicks…
The Ronni and Sammi Award For Most Uncomfortable Co-Existence: Carmelo and Amare
I’ve been batting around the co-existence of Carmelo and Amare in my head for awhile, and honestly, I’m not totally sure how I feel.
Obviously I think that Amare likes have Carmelo in town. As a few friends who are Knicks fans pointed out to me at the time of the Carmelo trade, Amare was on an island out there for the few months of the season. Basically, if he wasn’t playing well, the Knicks weren’t winning. Just like its better having two parents take turns watching a newborn, its better having two superstars sharing the scoring load. Simply put, Amare would rather have Carmelo in New York than not there.
But at the same time, Amare’s got to be a little frustrated? No?
Because here’s the thing: As much as I love Carmelo’s game (and I do), it’s hard to deny that at times he gets a hero complex. Game 1 of this last Boston series jumps out to me in specific. For most of the fourth quarter, no one on Boston’s roster had an answer for Amare. He scored eight straight points at one time, and 10 in the fourth quarter alone, yet somehow, inexplicably didn’t get a single shot in the final 2:30 seconds. And during that game, I couldn’t help but think to myself, why did the Knicks stop going to Amare?
Well looking back, everyone didn’t stop going to Amare. Carmelo just stopped going to him. In the final 2:30, ‘Melo missed two jumpers, had a turnover, and an infamous offensive foul called against him. Amare did have a turnover on a charge call, but other than that no shot attempts. Simply put, Amare needed to get the ball in that spot.
And after the Knicks had a chance to steal that game and didn’t, the series unraveled. A game later, Amare tweaked his back, and the series was just never the same. By now, we all know the Knicks ended up getting swept.
Now obviously, I’m hardly blaming everything on Carmelo. He had one of the best playoff performances I’ve ever seen in Game 2 in specific. Again, this team is better with him, than they would be without him.
But seeing how Carmelo and Amare shake things out, will be one of the interesting storylines of next year.
The Denny Green Memorial, “They Are Who We Thought They Were,” Award: Chicago Bulls
Ok, so this is going to piss off any Bulls fan who may be reading this website. Especially since they just beat down Indiana last night to advance to the second round.
Still, I’ve always been straight-forward with you all, and today is going to be no different: I just don’t think the Bulls are that good. Good, yes. But a title contender? Not this year. I felt that way in the regular season, and through five games of the postseason I feel the same way.
And really, my concern all regular season manifested itself during the Indiana series. Essentially, the thing that made the Bulls the Bulls, and got them to 62 regular season wins, was that to their credit, they bust their butt every single time they take the court. If Chicago is playing the Nets and are favored by 12, they win by 15. If they’re playing in a half-full arena in Milwaukee on the second night of a back-to-back, they treat it like it’s the NBA Finals. That’s their greatest strength. In a league where teams take nights (and in some case seasons) off, the Bulls bring it every…single…night.
The problem is, when you get into the playoffs and everyone is playing hard every night, it doesn’t go as far. We saw it in this past Pacers series. Indiana isn’t an overly talented team, and certainly not at the level of anyone they’ll face in the Eastern Conference or NBA Finals. But when you really break down the two rosters and get beyond Derrick Rose (and to a smaller degree Joakim Noah), the talent level between the two teams really isn’t all that different.
And that’s my concern this Bulls team. After Rose, where do they go for their offense? Noah is great at what he does, but scoring points ain’t it. Carlos Boozer can’t get his shot up against any team with length (Maybe he’s just intimidating because of his bald head and eyebrows, I don’t know. But how many playoffs in a row do we need to see him get his shot stuffed repeatedly at the rim before we realize he’s just not that good?) Luol Deng is the closest thing that this team to another offensive weapon, and really, how much of what he does is a by-product of simply playing with Rose?
Which is why, I just think that this Bulls team is one year, and one player away.
I fully expect them to lose in this year’s Eastern Conference Finals, lick their wounds and figure out to get one more guy to play alongside Rose in the backcourt. I don’t think I’m breaking new ground by saying Keith Bogans isn’t the answer at shooting guard, and getting one more player who can take people off the dribble and create his own shot is key.
Until then…
This Year’s NBA Champion Will Be: The Winner of the Miami-Boston Series
The more I look at things, the more I think that’s the case.
Looking at the rest of the landscape, no one else jumps out. I just gave you my case against Chicago. San Antonio is on the brink of elimination. The Lakers look like an old married couple that can’t stand each other. It seems like Dallas had had the same Dirk-Kidd-Terry core for like three decades now (I know Kidd’s only been there for four, but still, it seems longer), and if they haven’t won yet, why is this year going to be any different? And Oklahoma City? Well, the more I watch them, the more I think they’re actually going to win the West. But like the Bulls, I think they may be one year away (And if you’re wondering, yes I have plenty of thoughts on Russell Westbrook’s performance the other night. But I’ll save it for a different time).
Anyway, that leaves Miami and Boston.
Both are flawed, but in a league where San Antonio, Los Angeles, Chicago and others were pressed hard in the first round, it seems like they’re the least flawed of all. Miami makes up for their lack of size with the sheer fact that LeBron and Wade can get to the rim any time they want, and Boston’s older guys seem to have picked up their games an extra level in these playoffs. Kevin Garnett in particular is playing better than he did at any point in last year’s postseason.
The winner of that series will win the NBA title.
I’m not breaking ground, but you did hear it here first.
(Love the article? Hate it? Disagree with something Aaron said? Let him know by commenting below, or e-mailing him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Also for his continued take on all things sports, and updates on his articles, podcasts and giveaways, be sure to follow Aaron on Twitter @Aaron_Torres, Facebook.com/AaronTorresSports or by downloading the Aaron Torres Sports App for FREE for your iPhone or Android Phones)
