A WRONG PREDICTION LEADS TO AMAZING NBA FINALS

  Prediction; OKC wins at home. But, I hope I'm wrong. I'd love to see Wembanyama playing in the MSG in front of those crazy NYC fans. Nothing like playing in the Madison Square Garden. Such fond memories for me. One story: Warriors playing vs Knicks. Wilt and I are walking from our hotel to the arena. Back then, the Old Garden only a couple of blocks away. As we approached the corner, Wilt says to me, "Tom, watch this." I did. We were passing a tavern, Guys had seen us and were staring out the window. Wilt began limping. Half the guys disappeared from the window. I asked Wilt what that was all about. He told me the minute they saw him limping they were fighting for a telephone to change their bets. MSG and afterward an Italian dinner at Mama Leone's. Those were the days. Got lots more on my mind, but I'm off to listen to the NBC talking heads. 

  Spurs lost two at home and Knicks fans were cooling champagne in their fridges visualizing a four- game sweep, but the Spurs came roaring back in the first game of the garden, and still my Blog remained unattended. Chalk it up to being 87 years old, dare I say, failing memory. Ah, well! So, here I am writing about the 4th game of the NBA Finals and OG Anunoby's tip-in scored off a last second offensive rebound for the, arguably, best comeback victory in NBA History. And the best Knicks story since Willis Reed hobbled onto the court in 1975 to lead his team to victory over Wilt Chamberlain and the Lakers. 

  I'd played in a bunch of games in my ten-year career in the NBA that seemed like a miracle to me. But this one felt like the Knicks victory was right out of an Our Lady of Lourdes storybook. By now, sports writers have analyzed the game ad nauseum, so I'll limit my thoughts to the two coaches: Mitch Johnson of the Spurs and Mike Brown of the Knicks. Johnson's mistake and Brown's smarts had everything to do with the outcome of the fourth game. The Spurs' three point shooting had been the reason they were killing the Knicks in the first half. However, in the second half the young Spurs went cold from the three point line. 

  Even so, they'd fallen in love with the Three and continued shooting from deep. Coach Johnson failed to recognize that, and call a timeout to admonish his team to settle down and attack the rim. If he'd done that in a timely fashion, it's highly possible that the Knicks would not have been able to make the comeback they did. Okay, young Spurs, young head coach, mistakes happen. What bothers me is that in the post-game interviews and in all the subsequent talk shows Coach Johnson didn't take responsibility for that crucial error. This loss was on him. Pure and simple. You own up to mistakes or you "own down." 

  As for Coach Mike Brown: At the beginning of the second half, Brown started Jose Alvarado in the back court with Jalen Brunson a very savvy move to take the pressure off Brunson always having to bring the ball up. The insertion of Alvarado, a natural point guard, also helped the Knicks to spread the court, which allowed for much better spacing, and, in my opinion, helped revitalize Jalen Brunson's game. Brunson went off and the Knicks clawed their way back in. 

  But the MVP of that Knicks victory belongs to OG Anunoby Jr. whose consistent play kept the Knicks from complete annihilation in the first half and his timely baskets throughout the second half joined Brunson's barrage to lead the Knicks to that final split-second heroic tip-in off an offensive rebound to win the game. 

  For those who don't know, OG stands for his full African first name, Ogugua, which is of Igbo origin and means God's Comfort or One Who Brings Peace to his People. The Igbo are the largest tribal group in the West African country of Nigeria and are located mostly in the south-west of that nation. I have met many Igbo during my trips coaching in West Africa, and they are a dignified and handsome people. 

  Did OG bring the Knicks fans peace? Not the way they were rocking on the court after the game. I wonder if there are some still rocking, such was the crazed response to the victory. But OG did bring them comfort. 

Down three to one, the young Spurs go back to San Antonio for game five and a chance to regain homecourt advantage, a tall order. Few NBA teams come back to win after being down 3 to 1. Oh, I do love these young Spurs. And Wemby truly has a skyscraper upside. I believe they'll win the fifth game and force the Knicks to win in NYC at MSG. I predict Knicks the Champs in Six. I think Taylor Swift, a Knicks' fan, would agree with me.

Haiku for OG    

OG flies like a bird.
All the Knicks fans on their feet
Tips the ball into his nest

       by Tom Meschery

AS THE PLAYOFFS GO AND AMAZON PRIME PLAYOFF PRODUCTION TANKS

 Let me get it out of the way. Amazon Prime Playoff production sucks big time. fans, including yours truly, continue to be furious over the numerous technical difficulties we encountered trying to watch games: entire section disappearances, frozen screens, loss of sound, weird voice overs, etc. etc. You'd think a company as monstrously rich as Amazon could have put together a better product. I only hope that the NBA has the capacity to ding Amazon financially for such a failed production. Hit Bezos in his greedy little heart. 

Upward and onward: The Spurs vs the Thunder is going to be one very intriguing matchup. Wemby vs Holmgren could turn into a battle channeling the historic giant matchups of Russell vs Chamberlain, Jabbar vs Walton, and Shaq vs Patrick Ewing. What interests me most about the OKC/San Antonio playoffs depends on whether  the Spurs youngsters can handle the pressure of the champion Thunder players. This includes Wemby, but I'm focusing more on the rest of the young crew: Stephon Castle, Dylon Harper and Julian Champagnie. If the babies can play well, I wouldn't be surprised if there's an upset. 

So, what's up with the Cavs vs the Pistons. I'm pulling for the Pistons because I recall like JB Bickerstaff and his father Bernie who played in the WCC my college league. However, it is no secret by now that ))) Duren has to come out of hiding for tomorrows final game seven in order for the Pistons to win. Drummond has all the tools, but for reasons unknown has pretty much disappeared. Thank God for Paul Reed. Wouldn't the 76ers love to have this dude back instead of Drummond's over the hill game. 

While the Knicks watch, waiting for the winner. The Knicks game has come together at the perfect time. OG will be back healthy and Karl Anthony Towns is playing like he wants to be a two-way player for once in his life. The recent pick up of Jose Alvarado was a stroke of genius. Alvarado is one tough in your face hombre point guard. He adds just the right amount of  increased pepper which combined with Josh Hart's defensive salsa that is scary. And how much praise is there that defines Jalen  Brunson? I've been around the game a long time, and I can't think of a two-way point guard at barely six feet who produces at such an All Star level.  Of course he is super strong and build low to the ground like a bull- dog that he does on occasion resemble. 

Do I want the Knicks to win the East? I have no real dog in the fight. I like Mike Brown and if he wins it would be a great up yours to the Kings for how they treated him. But, I'm not a big fan of the Knicks owner, Dolan who seems by all accounts of him I've read to have an over-inflated ego. I do very much like the idea that the East championship would be played by two of the original NBA teams from those good old days when I played. And there is definitely something Old School about both teams. 

                                                          LITERATURE

No Tip of he Pen toasay. But I did send of the 4rth in my Brovelli Brother's murder mystery series to my publisher. I sent the synoposis and they do want to publish the book. So all's good at least until I read the contract. So, is there a tip in this? Yes. Smal presses for genre type novels can be a solution for emerging writers. Don't expect advances like you would from the bid dogs in NYC, but you should be able to get a more generousl net cut of profits and start earning money faster. 

                                                              lIFE 

This coming November election may be the most important election since the civil war days to save our country'rs Democracy and Constitution. We need both house and senate to put a stop to Donald Trump.

A little nostalgia, a poem I wrote for one of my first basketball heroes. 

FRANK “APPLES” KUDELKA  (1925-1993)

Where did the NBA begin?
For me, with Apples, a sobriquet
For delicious hoops.
 
I was a boy of ten. He hangs
in the branches of my memory

He was to be admired, copied, idiloized,

his sweeet shot, his air. What  better way

to sepend an afternoon watching him hoop

learning and dreaming.   

Julian Champanie 

A FEW EARLY OBSERVATIONS OF THE 2026 PLAYOFFS

 After leaving everything that their bodies could give on the court defeating the Clippers to make it to the second round of the Playin, the Dubs had nothing left in their collective tanks and lost to a highly motivated, younger and more agressive Suns. So starts the off season for the Warriors. If the management and ownership continues to be determined to give Step Curry and Draymond another chance at a title, they better have a terrific plan. Curry, Green, and Butler make up the bulk of the Warriors payfoll. So, how do the Warriors go about finding and paying for the kind of player they need to accomplish their goal? Porzinis is a free agent, but it's certainly reasonable to wonder if his on-gong health issues preclude the Warriors signing him to a new contract. Furthermore, don't believe it's NOT LOGICAL to count of Butler and Moody to be 100 percent next season. That said, what can Curry and Green expect next season? Another Play In Purgatory. I wish I didn't hav eto say it, but that's what is looks like to me. There is a first round draft choic to consdier, But at pick around #14 or so, will there be a game changer left? A soldid player, yes, but probably not a game changer. Moe, I'd select Yaxel Longenber from the Michian if he was available. 

Okay, enough of the Warriors. Biting my tongue, I'm pulling for the LA Lakers. The reason is simple; the Lakers are the undergog and pulled off a terrific win over the Rockets in Houston. That the Lakers were without Doncic and Reeves adds to the HOO RAH lever of that upset. Got to hand it to Lebron. Instead of trying to make up for the lack of scorrying by Doncic and Reeves'a absence, he contentrated on assisting his teamates. The accuracy of his passes made it possible for the rest of his team to catch the ball in the flow for good looks. 

Congrats to BJ Bickerstaff for winning Coach of the Year. I was sorrry to see the Pistons go down agaisnt Orlands, but I have no dog in thea fight. Orlanda has a wonderful coach and some terrific players. Duren must give the Pistons a better game in the next game. 

Denver and TWolves will be an interessting series. Denver won well if not convincinly. Boston is a shoe in for the Finals in the East in my opinion. Jayson Tatum is playing like a true PRO. Hawks run offense can't match the Knicks over all D game. But, I like the young Hawks. Jalen Johnston can't disappear in the fourth. 

                                                    TIP OF THE PEN

Writer's fatigue: Be careful you don't write too long. You are the only one who can judge how tired you are. Wriging when tired is a waste of time. I write only in the morning, And occasionaly a little editing in the evening. In addition, it is wise to carefully read through what you wrote in the final half hour of work. That's usually where you'll find the most mistaakes. 

                                                              LIFE 

Shout out for Pope Leo for hosting Villanova and Nortre Dame basketball teams to start next years NCAA basketball season. Love the guys who dressed up as Pope Leo at a recent Whie Sox game. The Pope is Chicago rasised and a big White Sox fan. It's fun to talk about fun stuff and not about the ridiculous man in the White House. 

                                                           LITURTURE

With the playoffs starting and the intensity level arching into the rafters, I thought this little tough poem about my little tough high school coach would be appropriate. 

BEN NEFF  

Coach, I loved you. I owe my fundamentals
to you. I do not hold it against you
that you called me a sonovabitch and
that you questioned what I was good for
and that your anger wound up as spit in my face.
Those of us who could withstand your anger
learned how to play the game of basketball
so well that we carried it with us into college
and me into the pros. But I remember a boy
trying out for the team you frightened badly,
who ran and you chased him and he swung
Up in to the standard and sat like a bird
perched above the hoop crying while you
threw basketballs at him, one after the other,
and the rest of us, thinking it was funny,
fed you the balls, throwing nice crisp
two-handed chest passes just the way
you taught us, fingers straight, thumbs down. 

 Wolverines if he was availbale 

KINGS AND QUEENS OF WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

I guess it's part of being old, being forgetful. But the evidence in my case is clearl. i completly forgot to post this Blog. Mea Culpa, and off we go:

 Isn't it about time Gino Auriemma stop thinking of himself as the King of Women's Basketball? his display of anger at the end of the Final Four loss to the University of South Carolina was a shameful exhibition of inflated ego. And, yes, Coach Staely should not have responded, but, hey, she was the winning coach. When UCon, earlier in the season had crushed her team, she'd said nothing. I give Coach Auriemma lot of credit for what he's accomplished at UCon and how much that has helped develop interest in the women's game of hoops, but no one crowned him. And no one has crowned Coach Stately either. If there is a crown to be bestowed on someone, how about on the head of Pat Summitt of the University of Tennessee? 

And, guess what? The Gamecocks of South Carolina lost in the finals to the bruins of UCLA. Congrats to Cori Close, perhaps the Princess of Women's college basketbal. Only time wil tell. Righ Gino? right Dawn? 

 Since Coach Summitt, the game of women's basketball has grown rapidely. The WNBA has found a strong foothold on television and with advertisers. I look back and wishi there had abeen such a viable league when my daughter was hooping, wearing her father's jersey number. More and more the the chasm between the interest in the mens and women's game is tightening. The Warriors reign as Kings of Bay Area basketball and the Valkyerie reign as Queens. 

   I do believe it is high time an NBA team hire a woman coach. Coach Becky Hammon of the Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA and Coach Dawn Staley would be better choices than some of the refried beans some NBA teams keep rehiring. 

I was sorry to read that Dick Motta was not incucted into the 2026 Neismith Basketball Hall of Fame. The Coach of the Championship 1978 NBA title dererved it. "The opera is not over until the fat lady sings" one of his statements that he read from someplace has not become a part of sports legend. Dick, you probably don't read sports blogs, but if by chance you read this one, I've always consiidered you one of the best coaches in our league, and I'd bet that you could show some of the young coaches in the league now a thing or two. If anyone is interested in Coach Motta, Jason Quick of The Athletic wrote a great piece about him two AThletic's ago. 

I have to admit, I was surpirsed how easily the U of Michigan Wolverines taming the Arizona Wildcats in the Final Four. But what do I know. This year I had Florida winning it all. I was very impressed with the Wolverine's poing guard Elliot Cadeau. His last name is french and means gift. And he was to his coach and teammate. He's too small to make it in the NBA, but could if he develope a three point shot. Monsieur Cadewu, that's your summer job, 

                                                      TIP OF THE PEN

Details when writing a mystery series. You must pay attention that all your details that tend to repeat themselves when writing a mystery series remain the same from novel to novle. For example if you have you detective/cop/etc in the habit of drinking a certain type of beer, it should be the same kind it all the books. Same goes for the car he drives unles he changes for a particular reason. True for the kind of breakfast your character prefers. The name of some of the touchstones in the neighborhood should be the same to remind the reader of the environment. Clothes she or he prefers. If your character is a jogger, be sure he joggs in all the books, enjoys the same views as he runs. Vary the way you write about these topeics, but be certain they are always there. 

LEBRON AT FFORTY-ON

He wonders where his three point shot has gone
Goen fishing, the critics say of him
His smile is sly.
His passes hit their mark. 
He downs the Rocket with assists.
He says, a win's a win. 

 between the two league is 

HEY, DAD, HOW ABOUT GETTING US SOME $200 DOLLAR TICKETS TO WATCH TWO TANKING TEAMS?

 A few NBA games ago, I watched the Sacramento Kings get out-tanked by the Memphis Griz. 

A few nights later, the San Antonio Spurs played against the tanking Nets. The tanking Kings played the tanking Mavs, and the tanking Bulls played the Portaland Balzers, who are not tanking which insured the Bulls a credible tanking victory. 

"Ah, so," as the famous Chinese detectie of the 1950s Charlie  Chan used to say. 

Lost in the shark tank of tanking are the NBA's  fans, particularly the youngsters who love their teams and want to root for them to win. WIN, what a concept. I'm not a fan of sarcasm, but I can't help myself. How about the word PATHETIC. As in pathos, as in get out your handkerchief. Let me say this, and I believe I have already said it a number of times: if the league doesn't do away, and I mean away away with tanking, it can count on fans fleeing for badmitten contests and jump-rope competitions. Beware, Commish Adam Silver. 

Allow me to post a solution that I recently suggested: All the losing teams qualify for the top lottery pick with equal chances of winning. The lottery becomes pure luck. Simplicity. It eliminates tanking from the start and actually encourages winning. All fans understand luck. It's Luck Be a Lady Tonight, Marlon Brando disguised as their team's GM. Bring out the rabbits' feet and the Good Luck charms. 

ABOUT LIFE:  

Be careful out there in internet land. An AI company has put out a "fake news" of MSNBC commentator, Rachel Maddow announcing to remove the President as being incompetent to serve in office. This is not an attack against the president but an attack on t he credibility of Rachel Maddow, who is one of the most effective voices in television journalism. Don't be fooled. And be REALLY careful of all things generated by AI. Example: Rosie, the singer, is not a human. Her million dollar generating songs are AI. Rosie, the singer, is not flesh and blood. Don't be fooled. Or you wind up being a FOOL.

                                                             TIP OF THE PEN

If you're worried about how to incorporate description into your mystery novel, or any novel, I suppose, although of that I'm unsure, read the detective mysteries written by Peter Robinson. Some may argue he over describes and internalized thoughts of his characters, but I feel he does it so expertly that it does not read heavy-handed. Give it a try. Especially if you're a beginning novelist, it's a good idea to read the top writers in whatever genre you're into. Copy how the write, and soon you'll wind up copying yourself. 

POEM OF THE BLOG:

FRANK “APPLES” KUDELKA  (1925-1993)

       by Tom Meschery

         

Where did the NBA begin?

For meme, with Apples. His name

a sobriquet for red delicious

made me laugh when I first heard it.

until I saw him play for the first time,

and score at will. It’s hard to say

how somethings leave their mark.

I was a boy of ten, he was a man

who floated through the air,

an apple I picked out of the sky.