Days of the NBA Playoff's Lives

 It's been a bit of a soap opera with the Phoenix Suns and the LA Lakers with super star failures and dramatic sweeps. I had my hanky out as I watched AD of the Lakers prove once again he doens't produce in the 4th quarter. The menage-a-trois of the Suns was swept by TWolves for the Sun's lack of a point guard and a weak bench and an overrated Bradley Beal. 

I brought the hanky out again as I watched the Clippers 4 Super Star bundle unravel, proving to me that this strategy of bundling ageing stars is as passe as last year's women's fashions. Perhaps, like fashion, it will come back in a future decade. But, for now, the last decade's stars, although sill viable individually, are no longer athletic and young enough to fuse into championships units.The GMs of these star overload teams need to think of a new script. Durant and Paul George are free agents. As individuals these aging stars are still enormously valuable, take Kyrie Irving for example, one aging star among all the young ones. But that's the last hint I'll give the GM unless they want to sign me to a consulting contract. Any takers?

Some observations along the playoff path: The Knicks/Pacers series have been very enjoyable, both teams playing scrappy ball. Knikcs better not tire Brunson out, or hey risk losing. I'm pulling for the Knicks, however, how can someone not for a team with Hart, Brunson and DiVincenzo playing on the same Villanova team. That they all wound up on the Knicks close to their homes and college greatness, that's worth cheering for. 

My grandson says anybody but the Celtics. Are they such villians? I suppose you look up in the rafers and see so many NBA championsips that it's easy to look at them as Darth Vadors. In my opinion, the Celts should win the East. This is especially true if Porzingis returns soon. They still rely way too much on the three ball, but that's a league wide sin, so it's hard to fault them when the have three excellent three ball shooters. Derrick White has come into his own this season. Is there an All Star Two Way Guard Team? He'd be one of the top five.  

With the season over for someteams and darn near over for others, the teams I'd hate to be managing are the ones straddling the middle, like the Hawks, Heat, and Bulls. In the West, the Warriors and the Kings are in the same position and need to do some serious thinking. These fence sitting teams have enough juice that the wrong decision could be destastrous. The Kings need toughness. Is there a quick fix for them? Do the Wariors finally say, our era of greatness has ended with noble efforts. It's time for a rebuild. In MIami, I think Butler is overrated. Should the heat look to pick up some good players in return for him. As for the Hawks and Bulls, how do you uptick from mediocrity?

As for the Bucks, how do you make up for the terrible decision to trade Jru Holiday and bring in Dame Lillard? Did the Bucks win a championship with a pick and roll offense? No. Do the Buck need fresh legs? Yes. 

As for the 76ers? Will Joel Embid ever have an injury free season? The answer is NO. All you have to do is watch the way Embid runs. Never with a strong center of gravity. The Sixers have no choice but to stay with Joel Embid. They have a strong cocah and many worthy players. If I were the Sixers, I would be inquiring into pysical fitness gurus, looking for solutions for Embids propensity for injury. I'm serious when I advise talking to trainers for ballet dancers. But also Martial Arts trainers. There might be diet considerations. The Sixers have got to think outside the box. Joel Embid is worth the effort.  

If I'm the GM and coach of the Orlando Magic, I'm excited about the ruture. Find a true point guard and a floor spreading hree point shooting wing. I ditto he GM of the Thunder here even though hey are still playing in the West. They are full of great yound prospects. Future looking good for them. 

I'm not forgetting the Grizzlies. Ja Morant will be back. He is enough to put the team back into playoff contention. But they could sure use Steven Adams back. Perfect for this team. Jared Jackson at the wing 4 was a holy threat. Adams didn't need the ball but filled up the paint. Also, he was and is tough as nails. And a man of character, strong locker room is someting the Griz need in the Morant era. As strange as theis sound, considering I critized Ja heavily, I believe he's going to come out of this weirdness a better player and a better man. 

And the Utah Jazz, well, they have to keep doing their OKC accumulating draft choices imitation for the time being.  

This leaves us checking out the top teams. Predictions? 

Nuggets in the West      vs     Celtics in the East

Ta, ta, ta, TA! And the winner of the 2024 NBA Championship goes to Serbia. 

It's hocky playoffs, so here's a basketball players viewpoint poem:

WHY I NEVER PLAYED HOCKEY 

It’s too fast. I can’t follow the puck.
I’m cold even in this padded uniform.
I feel like I’m in the North Korean army
and we’re invading the South,
then the South is invading us,
then we’re back at it. We will go on
like this forever invading each other
on a field of ice. I feel as if I have a cage
over my head. I am ten and the ice
on the pond is cracking under my skates.
I’m twenty in the NHL, and I have no teeth.

No POst Season for Warriors. What's Next?

 The Sacramento Kings attacked relentlessly and the Warriors of an earlier era would have had an answer, but not last night's Warriors. These were not the Dubs. These were older, slower, less aggressive Warriors. So, what can be said, realistically? There is no dishonor in saying that the great Dubs era that saw 4 NBA Championships and 6 Westeern Confrernce Championship is over. The Splash Brothers and D. Green will be heading to the NBA Hal of Fame. Lat night, with the addission of CP 3,we had the priviledege, despite the loss, of seeing 4 Warriors Hall of Fame players on the court at the same time. 

So what's nextThe Kings were beaten badly by the Pelicans abd akk tge play in teams have found their places eithr in or out. Teimberwoves, Knicks, Denver,  Clevland all won their first games. It is Sunday and their will be the rest of the first round games to watch. I wouldn't be surprised if the Pels upset OKC. I wouldn't be surprise if the Mavs upset the Clips. Boston should go through the first two rounds easy enough. But if it runs out it is the Knicks vs the Celts for the East, I wouldn't be surpised if the Knicks upset the Celtics. My grandson like the Mavs as his upset team. I have no faith in Kyrie Irving's defense. But the Mavs made a fabulous trade at the deadline gettin Gafford and PJ. So, it's possible. But I don't see a Western team that will beat Denver in a seven game series. This is someting that I was used to saying about the Waarrios. You could upset the Dubs once, but not over seven games. True for Mike Malone's team. 

So, let's get back to "What's next" for the Warriors. First, the era of small ball is over. The Warriors must acquire long, tall and altheletic players to compete in the future. Let's use as an examle, Franz Wagner of the Magic. The Warriors could havd drafted for him, but didn't, selcting instead Johnathon Kuminga, a 6'5" granted athletic guard or wing. As one coach told me, "Franz Wagner had Warriors written all over him." Too bad. Nothing agains Kuminga, but will he ever be a reliable 3 poin shooter. Anyway, this is just about saying The Wariors must retool. How the go abou ti is not for me to say. But no moar small ball please. Hats off to Steph Curry for continuing to carry the Warrios on those talented shoulders. but how long before he becomes frustrated? If I were him, I sure wouldn't want to do it for one more season, like the last two. 

   I live in Sacramento, so the Kings are my alternative favorite team. What's next for them? They have plenty of offense. And I've seen them play some decent defense. But I've NEVER seen them play sustain aggreseive defense for 4 quarters. They might be the worst second half team I've seen in a long time. Sorry, Mike Brown, reality check. So, the answer is: get defense credibility or it's a future of PlayIns. Ugh! 

Hat's off to Michel Porter Jr for not allowing his terrible family misfortuen to affect his play. I'm sure he loves his two brothers,, Coban and Jontay, but he also feels a commitment to his teammates. He's a pro.  

Thrilled to see the picks for our Olympic basketball team. Thrilled to se that Jrue Holiday was selevted, proving that Grant Hill know the value of a two way point guard. This is going to be the best American Olympic team since the Dream Team. 

My pick for the NBA Championship? The Denver Nuggets. 

VENDER

You think that championship banner belongs to you?
Let me tell you guys something, it belongs to us,
The hawkers with the cotton candy and the ice cream bars. 
a few extra bucks. In my case, to save money
for my son to go to camps, become great,
perhaps someday win a ring like ya’ all.
I’m thinking wouldn’t it be great to be like
Stephen Curry’s dad watching his kid hit
those silky jump shots, or Klay Thompson’s dad.
the time his son scored 50 point, 34 in one quarter.
Or Durant’s mom, how proud I’d be to be
that proud of my son, and him proud of me.
Here I am hawking frozen ice cream bars,
counting up in my head how much I can make
this basketball season to send my son to camp.
Only ten years old but, damn, he’s pretty good already.
Heck, isn’t this what fathers dream for their sons?
Like little boys dream of going to games
sitting with their dads, eating cotton candy
and watching the Dubs win an NBA Championship?
 
                       Tom Meschery

ON JOKIC'S GREATNESS & etc

 When I think back at all the particular skills the great centers of the NBA past possessed over the years and apply them to Nicola Jokic's skill-set, there are none in which the maginficant Serb doesn't excel. One can argue rightly that he is not as great a shot blocker as Bill Russell or Wilt Chamberlain, and one can argue that he is not as prolific a scorer as Kareem or as powerful in the paint as Shaq. But as season after season begin to prove, the Joker possesses all the skilss I've just meantioned and more, like passing and handling the ball and initiating offense and God know what else, perhaps piloting the Nugget's airplane. I do not need a ten year career history to say that at this point in his NBA career, Nicola Jokic is he greatest All Around NBA center that ever played in the NBA. And he does it with humility, grace, and a touch of humor. He is a pleasure to watch. He doesn't scream; he doesn't whine; he is all about TEAM. He possesses that same mature profressional personality of Steph Curry and Doctor J, players whom I christen: Gentlemen Daggers. 

A quick note, Oakland Univeersity basketball team defeating Kentucky began the slippery slope to most of my brakets being busted. Oakland almost beat NC State and should have. Terrible coache's decision to keep one of the team's worst free throw shooter on the floor in the last 16 seconds of the game??? 

My Gaels  lost in the first round to upstart Grand Canyon. I love upsets, except this one. Talking heads mentioned prior Gaels going to the Sweet 16, but failed to mention the Saint Mary's Gaels' team making the Elite 8 in 1958, losing to Pete Newell's University of California Bears that went on to win the NCAA Championship. 

Perhaps I've mentioned but perhaps not that my wife, an excellent portrait painter, has an All Handsome NBA Team. Yesterday, watching the North Carolina play in the Big Dance, I saw Elliot Cadeau and told her she should wish that Cadeau, with the face of one of Raphael's Renaissancee Angels, should make it into the NBA. By the way, Cadeau means Gift in French. 

It pains me to say it, but I can not see how my Warriors can go beyond this season with the roster they have. I do not envy GM Mike Donvely's job this summer. How do you gracefully bring the Dubs' decade of exquiste basketball excellence to a close and rebuild? Luckily, we found two superb rookies. When this season ends, it might end appropriately with Edward R Murrow's famous closing line: "Good night and good luck."

I'm on the bandwagon with U Conn winning the NCAA. That might be the kiss of death for them, as I've never been right in all the years I've tried to pick a winner. Sad tale.

I'm going to fudge a bit with the poem finish today. This is not a poem about sports, unless you consider waltzing requires a lot of athletic coordination. A recent article in The Athletic in the New York Times was all about my wife and I and our lives in our elderly years, (Notice I do not use the word Old) so when I saw this poem, I wanted to share it with all of you in my Blog Land. Enjoy!

HE SAID WALTZ WITH ME DARLING

 ‘till the soft cloth
hammers shatters
and no longer reach
the strings
 
‘till the metal pedals
wear down to nubs
unable to dampen
the music rings
 
‘till the keys turn concave
with decades of use
and middle C warbles
instead of sings
 
waltz with me darling
come waltz with me
until we are the last
two things
 
        Angelle McDougall

THE CORNER THREE

The regualar distance of the NBA three point line is 23.9 feet. The distance of the three point line in the corner in 22 feet, one foot and nine inches shorter and still it is valued as 3 points. First of all, this doesn't pass the fair test. Second of all, its existence seems contrived to increase scores. Thirdly, it is a position that is very dificult to guard, given the speed of the game today. Some defensive minded coaches say there are schemes to guard against the shot, but the analytics says differently. More threes are made from the corner than any other place behind the 3 point line. 42.5% makes from the corner compared to 34.9 from the wing three and 38.9 from straight on three. That's a heck of a distance and it provides players who normally might not make a three-point-shot from anywhere on the court the opportunity to call themselves three point shooters. 

IN ADDITON, it makes the game BORING and FRUSTRATING. Furthermore,  it damages something that was a very important part of defense as I learned in high school and college and during my years in the BBA: the importance of HELP D, particularly from the weakside. This deserves a quick explanation: players drive to the basket - do they ever these days ad nauseum knowing that the charging foul in the NBA is rarely called. Before the corner three, alert help D  often prenvented the easy layup. The kick pass to a waiting wing? Of course, but the shot, if made, would only be valued as a deuce. 

MR. SLILVER TEAR DOWN THAT THREE POINT CORNER SHOT!! 

Let's make the three point shot a REAL three point shot. 

I would have to do more research, but I'm willing to bet anyone that I'll be able to come up with some names of players who can NOT make threes except from the corner. Why would players who can't make threes from 34.9 feet be rewarded for making corner baby threes? 

And, perhaps, just maybe, the absence of the corner three will lower the number of head-long-dives into the paint and allow for coaches to strategize shots coming from different spots on the floor, maybe even from midrange, be it ever so humble. I say this with great admiration for DeMar DeRozan who's  made a living off the midrange jumper. 

i kow so little about hockey, but I do admire the skils it takes to play Canada's national sport. Here's little poem about the game. Just for fun. 

 WHY I NEVER PLAYED HOCKEY   by Tom Meschery

It’s too fast. I can’t follow the puck.
I’m cold even in this padded uniform.
I feel like I’m in the North Korean army
and we’re invading the South,
then the South is invading us,
then we’re back at it. We will go on
like this forever invading each other
on a field of ice. I feel as if I have a cage
over my head. I am ten and the ice
on the pond is cracking under my skates.
I’m twenty in the NHL, and I have no teeth.
 

NBA ALL-STAR HANDSOME TEAM

 In 2015, my wife Melanie Marchant and i were watching a Warriors' game. It was sometime in the fourth quarter and the game was close. I had to leave for a bathroom break. I told my wife to give me a running play by play account of what I was missing. This is how it sounded: "Steph is bringing the ball up the court; he' passes to Klay who passes to Draymond, Steph cuts off Draymond for a handoff and Harrison Barnes is looking very handsome tonight."

Melanie is an artist. Before I conviced her to retire, she taught art and art history at Sacrmento City College. She is an eclectic painter and can paint just about anyting from religious icons to landscapes. I am particularly fond of her portraits and there is no questtion she excels as a portrait painter. As I've often told her, she would have made a fortune back in the day when their was not photography. It is this special talent that draws her to examine faces. And as a huge NBA fan, it was only a matter of time until she came up with her favorite faces. 

I tried to talk her into a 1st, 2nd, & 3rd team, but she believes keeping selections without tiers will allow for other portrait painter/NBA fans to subtract and add, which would make for better comments on my Blog. I won't argue with that. Arguing with my wife is usually wasting my breath  anyway. She also wants me to explain that handsome can also mean cute or interesting. We're talking bone structure and things of that nature. And she wishes to express her apologies to the guys on the bench who don't play a lot that she hasn't seen, who could make the team had she the opportunity to see them properly. So here goes: Congratulation to all you handsome dudes. 

STEPH CURRY            HARRISON BARNES        AARON GORDON   

THE THOMPSON TWINS (Count as one face)      VICTOR WEMBANYAMA

JALEN GREEN       CHRIS PAUL     BISMACK  BIYOMBO    MYLES TURNER

JOSH GIDDY      DENI AVDIJA     KEVIN LOVE      TYRESE MAXEY

GUI SANTOS     JEREMY SOCHAN   RUI HACHIMURA    DE'AARON FOX

 While the NBA season is starting its sprint to the finish line, I'm reminded that the NHL season is underway. I don't do hockey. I can't follow the puck. But I do admire the sport. And I did write a poem about it in my collection Sweat: New and Selected Poems About Sports. 

 WHY I NEVER PLAYED HOCKEY  By Tom Meschery

It’s too fast. I can’t follow the puck.
I’m cold even in this padded uniform.
I feel like I’m in the North Korean army
and we’re invading the South,
then the South is invading us,
then we’re back at it. We will go on
like this forever invading each other
on a field of ice. I feel as if I have a cage
over my head. I am ten and the ice
on the pond is cracking under my skates.
I’m twenty in the NHL, and I have no teeth.