The NBA's Final Four

...from Pargo in the 4th? That was crazy. I know he was hitting some of them but their offense got so out of whack trying to claw their way back into it that they just couldn’t get over the hump. Boy, that possession where they kicked it around with 4 offensive rebounds before Pargo hit the 3 was some of the most exciting basketball I’ve seen all year.

Here’s a question for the Derrick Rose heads out there: do you want him to be more Chris Paul than Tony Parker? I know Paul runs the pretty ally-oops but the 4-ringed Parker made the better point decisions last night and at several times during this series while scoring a ton. Last night the Spurs pounded it to Duncan in the 4th and he had a stretch where he missed 2-3 in a row. On the next possession, Parker pushed him down to the low block to open up room in the 12- 15 foot jumper area and he knocked down a shot that put the lead to 5. He then shifted the focus to Manu and the game was over. Parker can get in the lane at any time he wants, he scores just as well as Paul in games that matter, he has a better pecking order on his team, and he’s only 3 years older. The Bugs aren’t advancing anywhere until they get a scorer over 6’6” who doesn’t need to score by jumping sideways into someone in the lane during the 4th in hopes that they’ll get a foul called.

I still hope for Paul. I think Parker had to learn those late Game-7 skills. Paul’s shown flashes of the same floor leadership, and I think he’ll learn the lesson from this series.

Obviously, despite Paul’s near triple-double, the Spurs were effective at minimizing his impact. The Spurs made the rest of the Hornets beat them, and the Hornets weren’t up to it.

...there’s a post out there somewhere about it and I can’t dig it up, but it seemed like 1/2 of his assists were the result of favorable scorekeeping. Anywho, point guards don’t win championships…especially small ones. Your Manus and Duncans of the world win championships. CDR, Budinger, Alexander, or bust.

I’m back in my don’t-draft-Derrick-Rose mode. I should have stayed with it from the get-go. If the Wolves get the opportunity to draft him, I think they could move him for a king’s ransom. I’m pretty sure the Bulls would bite on the home-town kid. Beasley is the only guy in this draft you can’t trade. If the Wolves get the 2nd pick and Rose is there, and I’m running the team, Chicago gets the call: Noah, Thomas, and their own pick for Shaddy and Rose. I’m pretty sure the money would work there and then the Bulls could tell Ben Gordon “better luck next time, dummy” while being a pretty sizable player in the free agent market. They could then move on the best available wing between CDR, Budinger, Alexander and head into next season with this:

Foye/Jaric
CDR/Brewer
Gomes/Thomas
Jefferson/Thomas
Noah/Richard

Both 2nd rounders would still be in play and they’d still have a pick or 2 in the 1st next year. That’s a pretty damn good lineup with size and athleticism. They could even resign Bassy. With Rose in hand, I think the Bulls would make that deal. No more 6 nothing guards. The lineup listed above is 6’7” or above at 4 of the positions.

...I can’t help but to think that Bobby Jackson would have been nice to have off the bench last night if I were a NOLA fan. That trade still makes zero sense to me.

We’ll have to agree to disagree on this one. Tiny Archibald, Isiah Thomas, John Stockton, heck, even Bob Cousy …all under 6’2. Stockton didn’t win it, but he was at the doorstep twice. Those were great point guards, and championship material. I’m a big believer in a dominant front court, but you could compete for championships with any of those guys. Paul is only 6 foot, but had a marvelous year, and I think has a significant upside to his game. What he and David West lacked was the killer instinct. We don’t know how badly Horry re-injured West’s back, after all. It seems like they’ve got something going that will allow them to go deep in the playoffs for a few years at least.

I like Parker quite a bit, but if I’m choosing between Paul and him, Paul would be my choice, hands down.

As far as the draft is concerned, if Beasley can play the three, then I might be tempted to pick him, but if he has to play the four with Al at the five, then I go with Rose and look for bangers/defense in the second round. Even worse than an undersized PG is an undersized front court that will play little or no defense.

I think the debate is moot…it’s probably 3 through 6, and gets real gray on who to pick. It will be fun for a month, until we see who the choice will be…then it will be single malt scotch time, drowning my sorrows in another FUBAR pick from our VP.

I’m not too cynical, am I?

...that you’re feeling the Love: Kevin Love. I can’t wait to get my jersey.