I know I've written about how the O's need a new catchphrase, but tonight I'll leave that behind.
They've won the AL East and so begins the journey for the AL Pennant and a well-earned spot in the World Series.
Baltimore, owning the best record in the Bigs since the All-Star break, are truly a three-dimensional team.
A 3.48 ERA.
Over a homer a game (1.29); less than half an error per game (0.49).
The only category that the O's are league leaders in is homers. Yet the amount of statistical categories they're ranked in the top 10 is overwhelming.
Check it out here for a closer look.
All I can say is, ever since I was a kid, waking up and reading the sports page to memorize the stats before my dad woke up, I couldn't fathom the Orioles winning the AL East.
The Yankees were perennials. The Red Sox defined the bottom of the top tier. Toronto was a .500 team, leaving Tampa and the O's to battle it out for fourth.
Occasionally, we'd finish 3rd and a small streak of prideful sweat would start to form between my brow. But the playoffs?
An afterthought.
If there was a word that combined "proud", "relieved", and "ecstatic", I'd use it.
Until I solve that mystery, I'll sleep on the fact that my O's have finally joined the Ravens as being a dominant force in their division and league.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Friday, July 25, 2014
Make That 29-16
They just seem to have a way about them of bouncing back.
I mentioned it yesterday, and now the O's have improved to 29-16 following a loss with last night's 4-0 shutout of the Mariners.
On offense, all it took was a high-octane third inning. Nick Markakis hit an RBI single to score Ryan Flaherty, who has scored in 3 consecutive games.
Little used Delmon Young, batting second in the DH spot, took Nick's momentum and hit a 391 foot blast to put Baltimore up 4-0.
And that's all it took.
Baltimore's winningest pitches, Wei-Yin Chen, won his fourth straight appearance, going 8 innings on 108 pitches and 5 strikeouts. He hasn't been the most dominant at times, failing to go 7 innings in his previous 6 starts (4-2 during that span), but I guess he's been given his cue from Miguel Gonzalez, Chris Tillman, and Bud Norris.
Buck demands quality starts at the risk of being sent to Triple-A or into a trade.
Showalter has certainly lit the fire in this second half. Despite a modest 4-3 record, his starters have been throwing their best stuff (aside from Game 2's blowout against Oakland, but that's in the past).
Cruz was taken out of the DH spot for Young and inserted in to left field, possibly in the hopes that being a more active game participant would break his hitting slump. Another dismal 1-4 performance with a strikeout has him batting under .200 after the All-Star Break.
I think he'll figure it out, but Jim Presley, the O's batting coach, needs to find the right words to motivate the nerves out him.
With 3 remaining in Seattle, a 6-4 road trip would resonate very well with the Birds and their fans.
But wouldn't a sweep and 7-3 be a nice way to come back home?
I mentioned it yesterday, and now the O's have improved to 29-16 following a loss with last night's 4-0 shutout of the Mariners.
On offense, all it took was a high-octane third inning. Nick Markakis hit an RBI single to score Ryan Flaherty, who has scored in 3 consecutive games.
Little used Delmon Young, batting second in the DH spot, took Nick's momentum and hit a 391 foot blast to put Baltimore up 4-0.
And that's all it took.
Baltimore's winningest pitches, Wei-Yin Chen, won his fourth straight appearance, going 8 innings on 108 pitches and 5 strikeouts. He hasn't been the most dominant at times, failing to go 7 innings in his previous 6 starts (4-2 during that span), but I guess he's been given his cue from Miguel Gonzalez, Chris Tillman, and Bud Norris.
Buck demands quality starts at the risk of being sent to Triple-A or into a trade.
Showalter has certainly lit the fire in this second half. Despite a modest 4-3 record, his starters have been throwing their best stuff (aside from Game 2's blowout against Oakland, but that's in the past).
Cruz was taken out of the DH spot for Young and inserted in to left field, possibly in the hopes that being a more active game participant would break his hitting slump. Another dismal 1-4 performance with a strikeout has him batting under .200 after the All-Star Break.
I think he'll figure it out, but Jim Presley, the O's batting coach, needs to find the right words to motivate the nerves out him.
With 3 remaining in Seattle, a 6-4 road trip would resonate very well with the Birds and their fans.
But wouldn't a sweep and 7-3 be a nice way to come back home?
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Tillman Extends Streak but Late Loss for O's
At 6-0, Chris Tillman hasn't lost a road game all season.
That streak is still alive, after another quality start (8 out of the past 9 now) in which he lasted 6 innings, permitting 1 ER on 103 pitches.
A stuttering Orioles offense could only muster 2 runs for Tillman, a far cry from the contribution he is accustomed to on the road -- his unblemished rod record comes with a near 5.00 ERA.
Tommy Hunter's 8th inning started off all wrong. A single by Josh Hamilton was followed by a double by Erick Aybar, evening the score at 2 apiece. A couple of strikeouts later, Hunter found himself close to mitigating the damages and heading towards the ninth.
But after intentionally walking Navarro, Ianetta was given a base-on-balls and Brian Matusz came in to relieve Hunter.
Matusz walked in what would be the Angels' winning run, much to the displeasure of Buck Showalter's strategic gameplan.
Less heartbreaking than a walk-off in the 9th, a loss in a game that should have been won is still a loss. On a brighter note, Baltimore's rebounding ability after tough games like these have been astoundingly effective, especially compared to recent years.
The O's are 28-16 this season following a loss with a +1.5 run differential, third best in the majors.
With 4 games in Seattle to cap a 10-game road stretch, it'll be back to Baltimore for 6 games against the Angels and Mariners, followed by a 1-game makeup Beltway Clash in Washington D.C.
After those 7 games, I see the O's 13 above .500 at 60-47.
That should extend the current 3 game lead held over the Yankees in the AL East.
That streak is still alive, after another quality start (8 out of the past 9 now) in which he lasted 6 innings, permitting 1 ER on 103 pitches.
A stuttering Orioles offense could only muster 2 runs for Tillman, a far cry from the contribution he is accustomed to on the road -- his unblemished rod record comes with a near 5.00 ERA.
Tommy Hunter's 8th inning started off all wrong. A single by Josh Hamilton was followed by a double by Erick Aybar, evening the score at 2 apiece. A couple of strikeouts later, Hunter found himself close to mitigating the damages and heading towards the ninth.
But after intentionally walking Navarro, Ianetta was given a base-on-balls and Brian Matusz came in to relieve Hunter.
Matusz walked in what would be the Angels' winning run, much to the displeasure of Buck Showalter's strategic gameplan.
Less heartbreaking than a walk-off in the 9th, a loss in a game that should have been won is still a loss. On a brighter note, Baltimore's rebounding ability after tough games like these have been astoundingly effective, especially compared to recent years.
The O's are 28-16 this season following a loss with a +1.5 run differential, third best in the majors.
With 4 games in Seattle to cap a 10-game road stretch, it'll be back to Baltimore for 6 games against the Angels and Mariners, followed by a 1-game makeup Beltway Clash in Washington D.C.
After those 7 games, I see the O's 13 above .500 at 60-47.
That should extend the current 3 game lead held over the Yankees in the AL East.
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
24 More to Go!
Trade him. We need an ace, and he fits the bill for the piece that they're looking for.
Miguel Gonzalez.
The fact of the matter is, 6 of his last 9 starts have been quality. He's 4-2 during that span, while the team is 5-4, including a 3-2 loss where he gave up 2 ER in 8 innings, and a 2-1 loss with 2 given up in 6 2/3.
In his last 3 games, he's lasted at least 7 2/3 innings.
This is what the O's need in the second half from their starters to alleviate the pressure on Hunter, O'Day, and Britton. Promise a 6-9 out deficit from a win on a daily basis and I'm sure those three would be buying dinner regularly for their starters.
So Baltimore, please stop trying to overthink your trade deadline moves.
No Ian Kennedy. He and Gonzalez are the same player, aside from the fact that Kennedy has been doing it longer with the same consistency. Does that matter?
Absolutely.
But psychology is a fickle thing.
Strategically, the best possible course of action is to inflate the ego of your talented current pitching staff. With a team ERA hovering below 4.0 and enormous room for improvement, the cards have been dealt and you're a river away from a full house -- an optimist's perspective.
Gonzalez has also been able to keep his pitch count down as of late, theoretically improving the O's offense. Standing in the outfield while the ace throws 15-20 an inning is monotonous and has an impact on the bats of the other 8, whether they'll admit to it or not.
Hector Santiago, the Angel's pitcher last night, threw 69 through 3 innings. It's no wonder he lasted only 5 with a pitch count ending in 99, and received 0 runs in coordination with his effort.
In fact, it may even be a bright spot that the next face of MLB, Mike Trout, was the one to knock Gonzalez out with 2 outs in the 7th on his 2-run homer. Gonzalez hadn't allowed Trout a hit all game, including 2 strikeouts.
The fact of the matter is, the O's are 3-2 coming out of the break against two of the top 5 teams in baseball in the A's and Angels. It should be 4-1 if not for a blown Game 1 in the Oakland series.
Baltimore need to become accustomed to winning these tight games against successful teams, with the next 11 games are against the Angels and Mariners.
Heck, the next 24 games come against teams that currently have winning records (Angels, Mariners, Nationals, Blue Jays, Cardinals, Yankees, Indians [yes I'm being PC by calling they Indians], and White Sox).
Three years ago, O's fans would be calling it quits with a post-Break stretch like this.
Now, we're looking at 11 games above .500 and a bonafide chance to solidify ourselves as a powerhouse, a true contender in the AL, and a host to some incredible home-field October baseball in Baltimore.
The phrase, "Orioles Magic," was coined on June 22, 1979, when a walk-off homer by Doug DeCines gave the O's an improbable win after trailing 5-3 for almost 6 innings.
Here is the call and the box score.
For many younger O's fans (born late '80s to the present), though, Orioles Magic has a negative stigma of a losing team scraping comeback wins from its season like bugs off a dashboard. Magic that gave us a 4-6 or 5-5 record in that "Last 10 Games" column.
A new term is needed for Baltimore baseball's now-expected success.
In the meantime, chalk another W up for the Birds.
Miguel Gonzalez.
The fact of the matter is, 6 of his last 9 starts have been quality. He's 4-2 during that span, while the team is 5-4, including a 3-2 loss where he gave up 2 ER in 8 innings, and a 2-1 loss with 2 given up in 6 2/3.
In his last 3 games, he's lasted at least 7 2/3 innings.
This is what the O's need in the second half from their starters to alleviate the pressure on Hunter, O'Day, and Britton. Promise a 6-9 out deficit from a win on a daily basis and I'm sure those three would be buying dinner regularly for their starters.
So Baltimore, please stop trying to overthink your trade deadline moves.
No Ian Kennedy. He and Gonzalez are the same player, aside from the fact that Kennedy has been doing it longer with the same consistency. Does that matter?
Absolutely.
But psychology is a fickle thing.
Strategically, the best possible course of action is to inflate the ego of your talented current pitching staff. With a team ERA hovering below 4.0 and enormous room for improvement, the cards have been dealt and you're a river away from a full house -- an optimist's perspective.
Gonzalez has also been able to keep his pitch count down as of late, theoretically improving the O's offense. Standing in the outfield while the ace throws 15-20 an inning is monotonous and has an impact on the bats of the other 8, whether they'll admit to it or not.
Hector Santiago, the Angel's pitcher last night, threw 69 through 3 innings. It's no wonder he lasted only 5 with a pitch count ending in 99, and received 0 runs in coordination with his effort.
In fact, it may even be a bright spot that the next face of MLB, Mike Trout, was the one to knock Gonzalez out with 2 outs in the 7th on his 2-run homer. Gonzalez hadn't allowed Trout a hit all game, including 2 strikeouts.
The fact of the matter is, the O's are 3-2 coming out of the break against two of the top 5 teams in baseball in the A's and Angels. It should be 4-1 if not for a blown Game 1 in the Oakland series.
Baltimore need to become accustomed to winning these tight games against successful teams, with the next 11 games are against the Angels and Mariners.
Heck, the next 24 games come against teams that currently have winning records (Angels, Mariners, Nationals, Blue Jays, Cardinals, Yankees, Indians [yes I'm being PC by calling they Indians], and White Sox).
Three years ago, O's fans would be calling it quits with a post-Break stretch like this.
Now, we're looking at 11 games above .500 and a bonafide chance to solidify ourselves as a powerhouse, a true contender in the AL, and a host to some incredible home-field October baseball in Baltimore.
The phrase, "Orioles Magic," was coined on June 22, 1979, when a walk-off homer by Doug DeCines gave the O's an improbable win after trailing 5-3 for almost 6 innings.
Here is the call and the box score.
For many younger O's fans (born late '80s to the present), though, Orioles Magic has a negative stigma of a losing team scraping comeback wins from its season like bugs off a dashboard. Magic that gave us a 4-6 or 5-5 record in that "Last 10 Games" column.
A new term is needed for Baltimore baseball's now-expected success.
In the meantime, chalk another W up for the Birds.
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Orioles Magic
It hasn't been too often, lately, that I've been reminded of the Baltimore team I grew up following passionately from '97 to '06.
Fair weather? Not in my vocabulary. I vaguely remember Brady Anderson's magical 50 home run season when I was 5 years old in late 1997. But after that, it's only Joe Angel's voice rarely exclaiming that "the Orioles are in the WIN column."
Despite a rocky start to the post-break second half of the season against Oakland, it sure felt great to see the O's in first almost 10 games above .500. Hell, it almost feels better to see Boston in the cellar -- of course, I'd take the Yankees there any day.
My dad has preached the exact same strategic viewpoints for over 20 years: Don't swing at the first pitch.
Clearly, this is what makes Oakland successful (see Moneyball -- the book, not the movie, folks). Like the 2012 O's season, in which they beat Texas for the AL Wild Card spot despite only having a +7 run differential, there are exceptions to every rule.
Skewedness. Outliers.
But unless a team has millions to shell out on the oldest All-Stars in MLB, a strategic approach is its best bet.
Last night was an outlier game. Adam Jones and Manny Machado are notorious for swinging away. I can't comprehend Manny's justification for this tactic. In his few short years, he's never been a slugger. Last year before the All-Star Break, he was hitting for average while doubling as a doubles machine before somewhat tanking on the offensive end during the second half.
Jones, though, I can understand. He's a hometown favorite, a slugger with a swagger that you just can't wish away.
He has the numbers.
This confidence won the O's the game last night. In what was really a pitcher's duel between the O's Bud Norris and Angels' Matt Shoemaker, Adam Jones single-handedly knocked Shoemaker out of the game with 2 outs in the top of the 6th.
In four games so far after the break, Jones has 9 RBIs. He was this close to not being an All-Star, and has been overshadowed in the press (eh-hem, ESPN) by Baltimore's Nelson Cruz.
Hey, 19 HRs, 63 RBIs, and a .300 average? Need he do more?
In any case, the O's have the most HRs in all of baseball with 121. Do they need an ace? Most likely, yes, but it remains to be seen the kind of deal they may be able to get for trading away Dylan Bundy or Kevin Gausman, two youngsters who have been deemed the future of Baltimore's pitching.
But all I've been able to think of lately is what we'll be like once Chris Davis (16 HRs, 50 RBI, .200) picks up his average.
It will be a very timely second half in Charm City.
Fair weather? Not in my vocabulary. I vaguely remember Brady Anderson's magical 50 home run season when I was 5 years old in late 1997. But after that, it's only Joe Angel's voice rarely exclaiming that "the Orioles are in the WIN column."
Despite a rocky start to the post-break second half of the season against Oakland, it sure felt great to see the O's in first almost 10 games above .500. Hell, it almost feels better to see Boston in the cellar -- of course, I'd take the Yankees there any day.
My dad has preached the exact same strategic viewpoints for over 20 years: Don't swing at the first pitch.
Clearly, this is what makes Oakland successful (see Moneyball -- the book, not the movie, folks). Like the 2012 O's season, in which they beat Texas for the AL Wild Card spot despite only having a +7 run differential, there are exceptions to every rule.
Skewedness. Outliers.
But unless a team has millions to shell out on the oldest All-Stars in MLB, a strategic approach is its best bet.
Last night was an outlier game. Adam Jones and Manny Machado are notorious for swinging away. I can't comprehend Manny's justification for this tactic. In his few short years, he's never been a slugger. Last year before the All-Star Break, he was hitting for average while doubling as a doubles machine before somewhat tanking on the offensive end during the second half.
Jones, though, I can understand. He's a hometown favorite, a slugger with a swagger that you just can't wish away.
He has the numbers.
This confidence won the O's the game last night. In what was really a pitcher's duel between the O's Bud Norris and Angels' Matt Shoemaker, Adam Jones single-handedly knocked Shoemaker out of the game with 2 outs in the top of the 6th.
In four games so far after the break, Jones has 9 RBIs. He was this close to not being an All-Star, and has been overshadowed in the press (eh-hem, ESPN) by Baltimore's Nelson Cruz.
Hey, 19 HRs, 63 RBIs, and a .300 average? Need he do more?
In any case, the O's have the most HRs in all of baseball with 121. Do they need an ace? Most likely, yes, but it remains to be seen the kind of deal they may be able to get for trading away Dylan Bundy or Kevin Gausman, two youngsters who have been deemed the future of Baltimore's pitching.
But all I've been able to think of lately is what we'll be like once Chris Davis (16 HRs, 50 RBI, .200) picks up his average.
It will be a very timely second half in Charm City.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
WORLD CUP!!!
As has been tradition, the inaugural game of the world cup features the host country.
Brazil vs. Croatia caps off the next month of the world's wildest, longest celebration.
I'm not going to go on a diatribe about how I know what will happen based on whatever metrics the analysts have drawn up. Personally, I think Brazil will tie Croatia, eventually crushing Mexico and handily defeating the quick Cameroonians to move past the group stages.
But that's my subjective, non-professional opinion.
What I love about the World Cup is the hype. It gets me going. I'm an active person, but I WANT to sit on a couch or go the bars with my friends and celebrate all day, every day.
Who doesn't?
Hell, my friends in Brazil tell me school is on permanent holiday until Brazil is knocked out of the tournament.
America, you can learn something from these Brazilians.
What I like most, though, is how everyone is re-exposed to the fact that soccer players are perhaps the fittest athletes on the planet. The average midfielder runs over 7 miles (11km) per game. Even LeBron (only) runs 2 miles per 48 minutes.
That's amidst the strategic planning of when and for how long to use explosive bursts of energy, knowing there are only 3 subs per game.
All this makes me want to go out and run 7 miles -- or at least a mile for every beer I expect to consume in the next 24 hours (I'm a lightweight, go easy).
It's similar to March Madness, America's 68-team college basketball tournament, during which I'm compelled to go ball out at the gym. Or alone shooting 1000 buzzer-beaters in my driveway.
Not on Wii Sports, or Sports Rivals or whatever. Digital only goes so far.
So please, take the time to go out and exercise. Your fútbol watching experience will be so much more invigorating; the drunk will be better, the food tastier, the friends more wholesome.
And if you haven't, check out John Leary's rant on how corrupt FIFA has become and will continue to be. Definitely worth the 13 minutes while you shotgun the last of your beers and take the first of many shots of tequila.
Let the games begin.
Brazil vs. Croatia caps off the next month of the world's wildest, longest celebration.
I'm not going to go on a diatribe about how I know what will happen based on whatever metrics the analysts have drawn up. Personally, I think Brazil will tie Croatia, eventually crushing Mexico and handily defeating the quick Cameroonians to move past the group stages.
But that's my subjective, non-professional opinion.
What I love about the World Cup is the hype. It gets me going. I'm an active person, but I WANT to sit on a couch or go the bars with my friends and celebrate all day, every day.
Who doesn't?
Hell, my friends in Brazil tell me school is on permanent holiday until Brazil is knocked out of the tournament.
America, you can learn something from these Brazilians.
What I like most, though, is how everyone is re-exposed to the fact that soccer players are perhaps the fittest athletes on the planet. The average midfielder runs over 7 miles (11km) per game. Even LeBron (only) runs 2 miles per 48 minutes.
That's amidst the strategic planning of when and for how long to use explosive bursts of energy, knowing there are only 3 subs per game.
All this makes me want to go out and run 7 miles -- or at least a mile for every beer I expect to consume in the next 24 hours (I'm a lightweight, go easy).
It's similar to March Madness, America's 68-team college basketball tournament, during which I'm compelled to go ball out at the gym. Or alone shooting 1000 buzzer-beaters in my driveway.
Not on Wii Sports, or Sports Rivals or whatever. Digital only goes so far.
So please, take the time to go out and exercise. Your fútbol watching experience will be so much more invigorating; the drunk will be better, the food tastier, the friends more wholesome.
And if you haven't, check out John Leary's rant on how corrupt FIFA has become and will continue to be. Definitely worth the 13 minutes while you shotgun the last of your beers and take the first of many shots of tequila.
Let the games begin.
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Wizards, Orioles, and the World Cup
I'll be brutally honest here, after the Wizards' collapse in the playoffs, I haven't really been too into the sporting world.
Sure the NBA Playoffs continued, but watching the Conference Finals -- East or West -- would have been a waste of my time. Spurs vs. Heat has been the storyline the whole season.
This year's path was very familiar. The Heat rolled through the East, while the Spurs got off to a shaky first round start but turned up when it mattered, ending OKC's season in an OT Game 6.
My take on it all? Spurs in 7. Duncan deserves 5, the guy ages slower than an orca whale. LeBron will get his with whoever he ends up with in the coming seasons, but the Spurs are walking with their best snowshoes on thinning ice.
In the MLB, my Orioles are hanging in there, as Baltimore fans have come to (expect?) the last few seasons. The League's most dangerous player -- Nelson Cruz -- drives in runs seemingly every night. Through 55 games, he has 55 RBI and 21 HRs, on pace for 162 and 62, respectively.
And yet, it's not holding my interest.
I'm waiting for the World Cup, where friends are made and memories are forged.
I can vividly the past 3 World Cups; where I was, who I was with, what I had for breakfast. For the USA this year, I'm actually more hopeful than most. The squad plays better when it has nothing to lose, as is the case in the Group of Death this year.
Ghana.
Portugal.
Germany.
Each nation's strengths vastly overpower the USA's weaknesses. But again, I remain hopeful. I'm used to seeing 40% -- sloppy -- possession with maybe a handful of scoring opportunities per match.
This time around, the tides have changed. We generate attacks from the back line and give support to our strikers, rather than leaving them with a 2v6 all game.
We create chances, we just can't finish.
This is a problem I embrace.
Chances are, someone will go LeBron and put these opportunities away, so long as they continue to occur.
Thursday, June 12 marks the start, when host Brazil takes on Croatia. The USA must wait until Monday, June 16 to meet up with Ghana, a tantalizing foe in both 2006 and 2010. Ghana handed the USA a group stage 2-1 defeat in 2006, and punched the Stars & Stripes in the gut and out of the tournament in the 2010 round of 16, again 2-1, in extra time.
I see USA going 1-1-1:
Ghana: 2-0, USA
Portugal: 3-1, Portugal
Germany: 1-1
This next week will be a long one...
Sure the NBA Playoffs continued, but watching the Conference Finals -- East or West -- would have been a waste of my time. Spurs vs. Heat has been the storyline the whole season.
This year's path was very familiar. The Heat rolled through the East, while the Spurs got off to a shaky first round start but turned up when it mattered, ending OKC's season in an OT Game 6.
My take on it all? Spurs in 7. Duncan deserves 5, the guy ages slower than an orca whale. LeBron will get his with whoever he ends up with in the coming seasons, but the Spurs are walking with their best snowshoes on thinning ice.
In the MLB, my Orioles are hanging in there, as Baltimore fans have come to (expect?) the last few seasons. The League's most dangerous player -- Nelson Cruz -- drives in runs seemingly every night. Through 55 games, he has 55 RBI and 21 HRs, on pace for 162 and 62, respectively.
And yet, it's not holding my interest.
I'm waiting for the World Cup, where friends are made and memories are forged.
I can vividly the past 3 World Cups; where I was, who I was with, what I had for breakfast. For the USA this year, I'm actually more hopeful than most. The squad plays better when it has nothing to lose, as is the case in the Group of Death this year.
Ghana.
Portugal.
Germany.
Each nation's strengths vastly overpower the USA's weaknesses. But again, I remain hopeful. I'm used to seeing 40% -- sloppy -- possession with maybe a handful of scoring opportunities per match.
This time around, the tides have changed. We generate attacks from the back line and give support to our strikers, rather than leaving them with a 2v6 all game.
We create chances, we just can't finish.
This is a problem I embrace.
Chances are, someone will go LeBron and put these opportunities away, so long as they continue to occur.
Thursday, June 12 marks the start, when host Brazil takes on Croatia. The USA must wait until Monday, June 16 to meet up with Ghana, a tantalizing foe in both 2006 and 2010. Ghana handed the USA a group stage 2-1 defeat in 2006, and punched the Stars & Stripes in the gut and out of the tournament in the 2010 round of 16, again 2-1, in extra time.
I see USA going 1-1-1:
Ghana: 2-0, USA
Portugal: 3-1, Portugal
Germany: 1-1
This next week will be a long one...
Thursday, May 22, 2014
What We Can Learn From the Spurs
In a league where success has become predicated upon having a superstar and sidekick, the Spurs continue to roll over the competition when it matters the most.
Regular season? Gregg Popovich's strategy was simple: Inflate the team's record by winning the games that were expected to be won, and resting/learning from the primetime match-ups with the league's top 7.
The end result was a 62-20 record, a #1 overall seed, and healthy veterans ready to lead another long playoff run.
Now? A 15 and 16 point margin of victory in the 2nd and 3rd quarters against OKC in Game 2 last night in San Antonio.
Pop knows his team, knows the chemistry, and knows which players to invest 2-3 years on to eventually complement the dynasty he's already built (See: Kawhi Leonard).
Let's not forget this is the same OKC team from 2012 that lost the first 2 against SA before winning 4 straight before losing to the Heat 4-1 in the NBA Finals. Despite being Ibaka-less, Durant and Westbrook have the offensive prowess to lead OKC to, at the very least, a competitive 6 or 7 game series against the Spurs.
In the end, though, I don't foresee San Antonio blowing it this time around. Thirsty after last year's debacle against Miami, Timmy Duncan is thirsty for his fifth ring. Duncan will stick around for a couple years, but for Manu, I don't see his elderly, niche style of play holding up for much longer.
Spurs win series 4-1.
The Miami series is nigh impossible to predict at this point.
Which Wade will show up?
Where has Bosh been?
Is Paul George's concussion a factor?
Can Hibbert revive his 2013 Miami match-up playoff form?
If LeBron decides to rely on his teammates (which is a perfectly reasonable assumption), then I see Miami winning in 7.
If he expends the extra 30-50% energy needed to dominate like we all know he's capable of, it's Miami in 5 or 6.
Unfortunately, we have to wait until Saturday evening at 8:30 to see the Pacers on the road at American Airlines Arena.
Regular season? Gregg Popovich's strategy was simple: Inflate the team's record by winning the games that were expected to be won, and resting/learning from the primetime match-ups with the league's top 7.
The end result was a 62-20 record, a #1 overall seed, and healthy veterans ready to lead another long playoff run.
Now? A 15 and 16 point margin of victory in the 2nd and 3rd quarters against OKC in Game 2 last night in San Antonio.
Pop knows his team, knows the chemistry, and knows which players to invest 2-3 years on to eventually complement the dynasty he's already built (See: Kawhi Leonard).
Let's not forget this is the same OKC team from 2012 that lost the first 2 against SA before winning 4 straight before losing to the Heat 4-1 in the NBA Finals. Despite being Ibaka-less, Durant and Westbrook have the offensive prowess to lead OKC to, at the very least, a competitive 6 or 7 game series against the Spurs.
In the end, though, I don't foresee San Antonio blowing it this time around. Thirsty after last year's debacle against Miami, Timmy Duncan is thirsty for his fifth ring. Duncan will stick around for a couple years, but for Manu, I don't see his elderly, niche style of play holding up for much longer.
Spurs win series 4-1.
The Miami series is nigh impossible to predict at this point.
Which Wade will show up?
Where has Bosh been?
Is Paul George's concussion a factor?
Can Hibbert revive his 2013 Miami match-up playoff form?
If LeBron decides to rely on his teammates (which is a perfectly reasonable assumption), then I see Miami winning in 7.
If he expends the extra 30-50% energy needed to dominate like we all know he's capable of, it's Miami in 5 or 6.
Unfortunately, we have to wait until Saturday evening at 8:30 to see the Pacers on the road at American Airlines Arena.
Saturday, May 17, 2014
What Remains of the NBA Playoffs: A Wizards Fan's Remarks
In any sport, when your team is knocked out of the playoffs, it's the opposite of an "Aha!" moment. You had so much hope and optimism, emotions weren't really planned for this.
You try to look forward... who is your favorite to win the title now?
It's akin to your little sister growing up, and there are all these guys interested in her. Your favorite just got mono or moved out of town indefinitely, so you're left with the remainders.
Ideally, you don't want anyone to date her. But you an't just take away the title; that wouldn't be fair to the NBA -- err, the high school.
Inevitably, you move on. What could have been. What should have been.
What will be.
That's the most important part of this post-Game 6 loss.
What will be.
John Wall and Bradley Beal got the national attention they needed and deserved.
Nene even got suspended for almost crushing the skull of modest Jimmy Butler of the Bulls, possibly one of the best success stories in the NBA, currently.
The Wizards made headlines. They'll most likely resign Gortat and let Ariza fall to free agency, with eyes peeled for a scorer to insert alongside the remaining starters.
Notable free agents include...
You try to look forward... who is your favorite to win the title now?
It's akin to your little sister growing up, and there are all these guys interested in her. Your favorite just got mono or moved out of town indefinitely, so you're left with the remainders.
Ideally, you don't want anyone to date her. But you an't just take away the title; that wouldn't be fair to the NBA -- err, the high school.
Inevitably, you move on. What could have been. What should have been.
What will be.
That's the most important part of this post-Game 6 loss.
What will be.
John Wall and Bradley Beal got the national attention they needed and deserved.
Nene even got suspended for almost crushing the skull of modest Jimmy Butler of the Bulls, possibly one of the best success stories in the NBA, currently.
The Wizards made headlines. They'll most likely resign Gortat and let Ariza fall to free agency, with eyes peeled for a scorer to insert alongside the remaining starters.
Notable free agents include...
- LeBron
- Dirk
- Bosh
- Eric Bledsoe
- Rudy Gay
- Zach Randolph
- Lance Stephenson
- Carmelo
- Gordon Hayward
- Luol Deng
Clearly, some are more ambitious and costly acquisitions than others. Realistically, I'd love to see Bledsoe or Hayward to join the starting 5, but free agency is already usually unpredictable without 5 Hall-of-Famers being involved.
In the end, it's all about who will treat your younger sibling the right way.
Good thing we have the offseason for workouts, interviews, and tests to scrutinize the worthiness of the prospects.
Friday, May 16, 2014
Wiz Kids: Back on the Streets
Home.
It's a place that consoles. A place where chicken soup sits simmering on-demand in the thick of winter. Where your childhood memories were formed, butting heads with siblings and tricking friends into mischief.
Home was anything but the above for the 2013-14 Washington Wizards.
Finishing 22-19 both at home and one the road in the regular season, the Wiz were 5-1 away and 1-4 at home in the playoffs.
It's unfathomable. Intensity should rise in front of your home crowd, ideally full of supporters and die-hard fanatics.
As a Baltimore Ravens fan, I know, TRULY, what real fans bring to the table.
Rain or shine.
Win or lose.
Wizards fans are gutless. They have no class, not even for their own team.
Come late. Leave early. In bed by 10.
The crowd was emptying with 2 minutes left in the 4th last night. The same crowd that gave a false sense of engagement at the 6-minute mark when the wizards went on a run capped by a Bradley Beal 3 that gave them a short-lived, 1-point lead.
The Pacers stormed back, going on a 9-0 run of their own and just like that, all hope was lost.
There was no celebration, at the end of a tough series loss, for a team that finished 29-53 just a season before.
Winning 15 more games in just one season merits substantial appreciation, of which Washington fans showed very little.
It all started in the first, when the Pacers came out with high intensity on the boards and jumped to a double digit lead. The Wiz cut it to 6 after 1, but Indiana was well aware about the advantage they had permanently carved for the remaining 36 minutes.
David West brought flashes of his early New Orleans Hornets days, accounting for 36% of Indiana's shots scoring 26 on 13/26 shooting. It seemed like every other possession, West had an uncontested 18-footer that he knocked down like Dirk.
At the end of the day, John Wall waited until the 3rd to really push the ball -- Washington had zero fast break points in the first half.
To no one's astonishment, half-court basketball was the Wizards' demise.
All in all, it was an incredible season for the team. This is what real Wiz fans expected in Wall's freshman year, but it's good to see his progression and how it's grown in tandem with the addition of a REAL supporting cast -- especially a rising superstar in Beal.
Look for another top-5 Eastern Conference finish in 2014-15's regular season.
It's a place that consoles. A place where chicken soup sits simmering on-demand in the thick of winter. Where your childhood memories were formed, butting heads with siblings and tricking friends into mischief.
Home was anything but the above for the 2013-14 Washington Wizards.
Finishing 22-19 both at home and one the road in the regular season, the Wiz were 5-1 away and 1-4 at home in the playoffs.
It's unfathomable. Intensity should rise in front of your home crowd, ideally full of supporters and die-hard fanatics.
As a Baltimore Ravens fan, I know, TRULY, what real fans bring to the table.
Rain or shine.
Win or lose.
Wizards fans are gutless. They have no class, not even for their own team.
Come late. Leave early. In bed by 10.
The crowd was emptying with 2 minutes left in the 4th last night. The same crowd that gave a false sense of engagement at the 6-minute mark when the wizards went on a run capped by a Bradley Beal 3 that gave them a short-lived, 1-point lead.
The Pacers stormed back, going on a 9-0 run of their own and just like that, all hope was lost.
There was no celebration, at the end of a tough series loss, for a team that finished 29-53 just a season before.
Winning 15 more games in just one season merits substantial appreciation, of which Washington fans showed very little.
It all started in the first, when the Pacers came out with high intensity on the boards and jumped to a double digit lead. The Wiz cut it to 6 after 1, but Indiana was well aware about the advantage they had permanently carved for the remaining 36 minutes.
David West brought flashes of his early New Orleans Hornets days, accounting for 36% of Indiana's shots scoring 26 on 13/26 shooting. It seemed like every other possession, West had an uncontested 18-footer that he knocked down like Dirk.
At the end of the day, John Wall waited until the 3rd to really push the ball -- Washington had zero fast break points in the first half.
To no one's astonishment, half-court basketball was the Wizards' demise.
All in all, it was an incredible season for the team. This is what real Wiz fans expected in Wall's freshman year, but it's good to see his progression and how it's grown in tandem with the addition of a REAL supporting cast -- especially a rising superstar in Beal.
Look for another top-5 Eastern Conference finish in 2014-15's regular season.
Thursday, May 15, 2014
A Game Away From Home
The talk of the NBA over the past couple of nights has been heavily skewed towards the officiating. LAC vs. OKC on Monday and NETS vs. HEAT last night both had extremely controversial calls at the end.
As the rules are now, replay can be used only to correct possession and point-related decisions, but not fouls.
I won't go through what happened -- there have been countless articles, slow motion videos, and depictions of each situation.
What I will say, though, is that the Wizards need to play cutthroat on both ends of the court as they did in Game 5 in Indiana. There's no reason for Washington to let the last 2 minutes of the game dictate its season.
Game 5 Takeaways:
As the rules are now, replay can be used only to correct possession and point-related decisions, but not fouls.
I won't go through what happened -- there have been countless articles, slow motion videos, and depictions of each situation.
What I will say, though, is that the Wizards need to play cutthroat on both ends of the court as they did in Game 5 in Indiana. There's no reason for Washington to let the last 2 minutes of the game dictate its season.
Game 5 Takeaways:
- Washington couldn't miss; Indiana couldn't buy a bucket. It was the polar opposite of Game 4 in DC. John Wall hit fade-away jumpers and open 3s, Gortat left handed hook shots and two handed slams. Everything went the Wizards' way.
- The Wiz capitalized on scoring runs and put the Pacers away in the 1st and 3rd. The Wizards are 6-1 in the playoffs when leading after 1. This was the first game in this series outscoring Indy in the 3rd quarter.
- Early turnovers didn't have lingering psychological effects on Washington the rest of the game. After 8 TOs in the first quarter (13 in Game 4 alone), Washington finished with 19 -- less than 4 per quarter thereafter. While not ideal, it exemplifies how well they responded, how high they kept their heads.
Gortat won't shoot 13/15 for 31 points and 16 rebounds (9 offensive) again. What he will do is provide the same energy in Game 6, forcing the Pacers the match it, and hopefully creating a 4th quarter advantage for a Wizards team that holds a huge athleticism advantage.
BUT...
Indy also won't have only 2 players in double digits -- not starters, PLAYERS. Paul George and maybe even David West will return to 20+; Hibbert will pick up the intensity, and Lance Stephenson will be the catalyst for Indiana's energy in every quarter, not just late in the game.
Gortat said it best in an interview, noting the Wizards' struggles at home, not just limited to the postseason, either.
John Wall must maintain his focus. Bradley Beal should continue to run point with Andre Miller and the second squad comes in to give the starters some rest. Game 7 will be forced by energy.
Energy isn't a skill, it's a desire.
Gortat, Gooden, and Nene surged the front court's energy in Game 5.
John Wall pushed the ball and kept the pace high for four quarters.
The same will happen tonight at 8:00pm at the Verizon Center.
Gortat, Gooden, and Nene surged the front court's energy in Game 5.
John Wall pushed the ball and kept the pace high for four quarters.
The same will happen tonight at 8:00pm at the Verizon Center.
Prediction: 103-85, Wizards
Monday, May 12, 2014
Another Blown Win
The Wizards' strengths in the Chicago series have turned into the worst of weaknesses against the Pacers. After a Game 1 win in Indiana, the Wiz have dropped 3 straight -- 2 at home -- and face a 3-1 series deficit upon their game tomorrow.
What happened?
What happened?
- Paul George
- Roy Hibbert
- The third quarter
- The inability to step on the Pacers' throats
Ariza hasn't been effective in stopping Paul George, who set a playoff career high with 39 points in Game 4. That's three consecutive games where he's been more productive, efficient, and effective in leading the Pacers' backcourt.
Hibbert is awake. He heard the criticism after his 0-0, 5 foul Game 1. No more, he says. A 28-9 Game 2 effort was followed by a 14-5 Game 3, then 17-9 in Game 4. He has 2-3 blocks per game, but more importantly, is severely altering Washington's shots in the paint, which is almost as good as a turnover (especially if Andre Miller is driving).
The Wiz Kids are getting DOMINATED in the 3rd quarter; Indiana has outscored them by an increasing amount in each game's 3rd period (6, 6, 14, 17). Coming out flat, ceasing to run a transition offense, and settling for contested jumpers are all contributors to this statistic.
It's no secret that the Wiz were up by 17 at halftime and 19 after a quick bucket to start the 3rd. And then came the collapse.
In spurts.
Up 17... up 10.
Up 14... up 7.
Game-changing moment: Up 9, Bradley Beal misses an uncontested, reverse right-handed layup. Indiana hits a 3.
Then the Pacers cut it to 2, and at that point, it was anyone's game.
If the Wizards don't learn how to "Spur" their games, making a 20 point lead into 30, effectively cutting off their opponent's oxygen supply, the next level will never be reached.
Am I still confident about the Wizards' chances, down 3-1?
Yes.
But at this point, I predict Indy in 7.
Game 5 prediction: 91-83, Wizards
Friday, May 9, 2014
Game 2 Recap; Game 3 Predictions
Well, so much for ex-NBA stars trolling Young Roy Hibbert on social media.
The troubled center scored the first 5 points for the Pacers, setting his own pace for the remainder of the game. I wouldn't describe his play as dominant; he just played smart basketball, putting himself in the right places at the right times to get timely put backs, hook shots, and scoops.
He finished with 28 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks, and altered numerous other Wizards attempts.
For the Wiz, Ariza, a long-range threat and defensive specialist, found himself under the weather and scored only 6 points in 39 minutes of play.
John Wall couldn't find a stroke all night, finishing 2-13 with 6 points and 8 assists.
Cumulatively, these poor games by so many Washington starters would lead one to believe they were on the losing end of a blowout. Surprisingly, Washington was down only 3 with just over 2:00 left to play in the game.
John Wall missed 2 threes and Bradley Beal missed another, forfeiting 3 straight possessions and wasting 3 defensive stops.
My question: Washington, what got you here? Yes, outside shooting has been of a higher percentage this year, but that's because they have been taken carefully at timely moments in games all season.
Wall's best game comes from the drive-and-dish, or driving and scoring in the lane with the possibility of a foul.
Admittedly, in his post-game interview, Wall took the loss on his back, acknowledging his mistakes in the final period.
But wait, there's more!!!
It shouldn't have even gotten to that point. The Wizards only attempted 12 free throws all game, a consequence of settling for jumpers and failing to be aggressive in the paint on drives.
Nene missed the first 4 FT attempts of the game, and Washington finished just 5-12, or under 42% to Indiana's 18/21 - 86%.
THAT was where the Wizards almost blew it in Game 1 when George Hill made desperation 3s at the end. THIS is where they blew it in Game 2.
My thoughts...
The troubled center scored the first 5 points for the Pacers, setting his own pace for the remainder of the game. I wouldn't describe his play as dominant; he just played smart basketball, putting himself in the right places at the right times to get timely put backs, hook shots, and scoops.
He finished with 28 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks, and altered numerous other Wizards attempts.
For the Wiz, Ariza, a long-range threat and defensive specialist, found himself under the weather and scored only 6 points in 39 minutes of play.
John Wall couldn't find a stroke all night, finishing 2-13 with 6 points and 8 assists.
Cumulatively, these poor games by so many Washington starters would lead one to believe they were on the losing end of a blowout. Surprisingly, Washington was down only 3 with just over 2:00 left to play in the game.
John Wall missed 2 threes and Bradley Beal missed another, forfeiting 3 straight possessions and wasting 3 defensive stops.
My question: Washington, what got you here? Yes, outside shooting has been of a higher percentage this year, but that's because they have been taken carefully at timely moments in games all season.
Wall's best game comes from the drive-and-dish, or driving and scoring in the lane with the possibility of a foul.
Admittedly, in his post-game interview, Wall took the loss on his back, acknowledging his mistakes in the final period.
But wait, there's more!!!
It shouldn't have even gotten to that point. The Wizards only attempted 12 free throws all game, a consequence of settling for jumpers and failing to be aggressive in the paint on drives.
Nene missed the first 4 FT attempts of the game, and Washington finished just 5-12, or under 42% to Indiana's 18/21 - 86%.
THAT was where the Wizards almost blew it in Game 1 when George Hill made desperation 3s at the end. THIS is where they blew it in Game 2.
My thoughts...
- Hibbert won't have another season-high scoring game this series.
- Wall and Ariza won't combine to shoot 4-21, or 19%, in another game.
- Wittman will rescind his obligatory dunk from his squad's series win over the Bulls if the team doesn't shoot over 70% from the charity stripe in each game from here on out.
- Andre Miller deserves a maximum of 10 minutes a game; maybe even less, but certainly not more.
Tonight's Game 3 in Washington will be showtime for the Wizards. An 8:00pm tip-off in the nation's capital city allows plenty of time for the home crowd to show up on time, loud enough to take on anyone, maybe even Nenê.
Washington will lead for almost the entirety of the game, in another defensive battle holding both teams under the 100-point mark (the Over/Under is 183.5). Beal will go off for 25-5-5 or more, and Nene/Gortat will combine for 40/20+
Indiana will get huge offensive surges from Lance Stephenson and Paul George, as Hibbert returns to maybe a 12-5 line.
Prediction: 93-87, Wizards
REMINDER: IF the Wiz score 100+ and win, use code WIZ50 to get 50% off anything full price from Papa John's in the DC/Metro area.
Heat and Pacers Take a Cruise; Wiz Set for Game 2
Last night, the Spurs and Heat both made defining statements to open their independent series.
LeBron was LeBron; the Nets' veterans had no answer for his energy and versatile play. Garnett scored 0 in just 16 minutes, while The Truth had 8 in just under 30.
It was close until half, but the fatigue that set in for Brooklyn created an opportunity for the Heat to take over. Outscoring Brooklyn by 10 in the 3rd, the lead was 13 and that's all she took.
The Spurs and Trail Blazers game was the complete opposite. San Antonio led by 13 after 1, and 26 going into halftime. Parker was unstoppable, with 33 points and 9 assists for the game. Portland's Lillard will have his hands full this whole series.
Spurs are too deep to lose this. I call a 4-1 series win for the Texas juggernaut.
On to the real story...
Washington needs to stick with the playoff game plan they've been rolling with for 6 games now.
Its all about the boards. If Nene stays out of foul trouble, I can't fathom a Wizards loss.
Hibbert obviously needs to contribute more on the court. Jokes are made, but at the end of the day, he's a giant turning over zero stones, getting slayed by David every trip down the court.
West was upset with him after the game, as I'm sure were the entire Pacers squad. Larry Bird should have a few words with him...
It will be the Pacers who start off hot, and the Wizards who cap the comeback, reminiscent of Games 1 and 2 in Chicago.
The airball that Bradley Beal shot on his second attempt during one trip to the line only made him stronger. His nerves were taken away in those 3 seconds, with the crowd jeering.
Prediction: 98-95, Wizards
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Ariza, Beal Start Hot; Wizards Own the Paint and Take Game 1
Both teams certainly started right where they left off. Washington jumped out to an 8-0 run, while Indy struggled to shoot and couldn't grab a board to save a life.
The Pacers started the game 0 for 4 with 2 turnovers before David West finally hit a jumper after a timeout to make it 8-2.
This was after the referees missed 2 possession calls in Indiana's favor in the first 3 minutes.
The first quarter belonged to each and every Wizard, big or small. They had 6 blocks in the period alone, with 4 different players being held accountable, while also forcing 5 turnovers. That's the infectious team defense fans are accustomed to seeing.
Ariza came out firing, ending the quarter with a huge 3 to give him 11 and 4 boards. Beal was quiet with 2 and 2, but John Wall let his services be known, handing out 5 assists with a quiet 6 points and 2 rebounds.
Things changed when the second quarter started.
The reason? Andre Miller. Coming in for John Wall, Miller is a liability in every aspect of the game. He's slow, can't drive, is a scared shooter, throws suspect passes, and turns the ball over.
A 9-0 Pacers run before a Wizards timeout was countered by a 8-2 Washington burst ending with a 3rd foul on Hibbert with 6:35 left in the half.
Ariza ended up 5/5 from downtown for the half; the Wiz started 6/6. Their starters got it done, with 54 of their 56 points, and left midway with a 13 point lead.
Clutch three point shooting, domination on the glass, and hustle plays set the pace for Washington in the first half.
The second half brought intensity from Indiana, and Lance Stephenson stepped it up with 9, bringing new life to his team that was down only 7 heading into the final period. It would have been closer, but Drew Gooden stepped in for Nene, who picked up his 3rd and 4th fouls with 10:00 left in the 3rd. Gooden almost had a double double in the period alone, finishing the game with 12 points and 13 off the glass in only 18 minutes. What a wily veteran, having the nerve to come off the bench like that and D up David West, who is actually a year older than Drew but clearly more agile.
The Pacers in the 4th were knocking on the door, but the Wizards always found an answer.
A Bradley Beal 3.
A Nene dunk.
The Pacers led for 0:15 the whole game when it was 31-30. Despite this, they cut it to a 7 point game late in the fourth. It remained 92-84 for what seemed like an eternity, as Beal, Wall, and Gortat all missed crucial free throws.
But shut down defense gave the Wiz the time they needed to collect themselves at the line, allowing them to finally hit some free points. They were needed, too, as George Hill decided to come down a few possessions in a row and known down quick, heavily contested threes to make it as close as 5.
In the end, the Wiz closed on the road for the fourth consecutive time this postseason, winning 102-96. Slightly off from my prediction of 99-92, but the result is the same and satisfies me, nonetheless.
Boards: Wizards, 53-36
Off. Boards: Wizards, 16-7
Assists: Wizards, 23-16
Fouls: Pacers, 26-23
Free Throws: even, 22 apiece (Pacers with higher % -- 81.5 vs 71)
Game 2 Wednesday evening will test Indiana's character. They know the Wizards now, and so does the nation.
Prediction: 98-95, Wizards
The Pacers started the game 0 for 4 with 2 turnovers before David West finally hit a jumper after a timeout to make it 8-2.
This was after the referees missed 2 possession calls in Indiana's favor in the first 3 minutes.
The first quarter belonged to each and every Wizard, big or small. They had 6 blocks in the period alone, with 4 different players being held accountable, while also forcing 5 turnovers. That's the infectious team defense fans are accustomed to seeing.
Ariza came out firing, ending the quarter with a huge 3 to give him 11 and 4 boards. Beal was quiet with 2 and 2, but John Wall let his services be known, handing out 5 assists with a quiet 6 points and 2 rebounds.
Things changed when the second quarter started.
The reason? Andre Miller. Coming in for John Wall, Miller is a liability in every aspect of the game. He's slow, can't drive, is a scared shooter, throws suspect passes, and turns the ball over.
A 9-0 Pacers run before a Wizards timeout was countered by a 8-2 Washington burst ending with a 3rd foul on Hibbert with 6:35 left in the half.
Ariza ended up 5/5 from downtown for the half; the Wiz started 6/6. Their starters got it done, with 54 of their 56 points, and left midway with a 13 point lead.
Clutch three point shooting, domination on the glass, and hustle plays set the pace for Washington in the first half.
The second half brought intensity from Indiana, and Lance Stephenson stepped it up with 9, bringing new life to his team that was down only 7 heading into the final period. It would have been closer, but Drew Gooden stepped in for Nene, who picked up his 3rd and 4th fouls with 10:00 left in the 3rd. Gooden almost had a double double in the period alone, finishing the game with 12 points and 13 off the glass in only 18 minutes. What a wily veteran, having the nerve to come off the bench like that and D up David West, who is actually a year older than Drew but clearly more agile.
The Pacers in the 4th were knocking on the door, but the Wizards always found an answer.
A Bradley Beal 3.
A Nene dunk.
The Pacers led for 0:15 the whole game when it was 31-30. Despite this, they cut it to a 7 point game late in the fourth. It remained 92-84 for what seemed like an eternity, as Beal, Wall, and Gortat all missed crucial free throws.
But shut down defense gave the Wiz the time they needed to collect themselves at the line, allowing them to finally hit some free points. They were needed, too, as George Hill decided to come down a few possessions in a row and known down quick, heavily contested threes to make it as close as 5.
In the end, the Wiz closed on the road for the fourth consecutive time this postseason, winning 102-96. Slightly off from my prediction of 99-92, but the result is the same and satisfies me, nonetheless.
Boards: Wizards, 53-36
Off. Boards: Wizards, 16-7
Assists: Wizards, 23-16
Fouls: Pacers, 26-23
Free Throws: even, 22 apiece (Pacers with higher % -- 81.5 vs 71)
Game 2 Wednesday evening will test Indiana's character. They know the Wizards now, and so does the nation.
Prediction: 98-95, Wizards
Monday, May 5, 2014
Game 1: Keys for the Wiz
As the Wizards get set to take on Indiana tonight in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the vibe of the team hasn't been more positive since... well, maybe the minutes leading up to drafting Kwame Brown in 2001 -- before Pau Gasol, Tony Parker, Joe Johnson, Jason Richardson, Zach Randolph... okay, you get the point.
A 4-1 sweep of the Bulls proved all but one ESPN analyst wrong and set new standards for this young team that is seemingly done "building."
The Wiz are for real, and here's why:
A 4-1 sweep of the Bulls proved all but one ESPN analyst wrong and set new standards for this young team that is seemingly done "building."
The Wiz are for real, and here's why:
- Travor Ariza is a defensive playmaker. If he can D up LeBron, Paul George isn't really a question. Will George get his 20+ each game? Most likely. But it will be a fatiguing process, with Ariza contesting every jumper, drive, and dish.
- Nene and Gortat are too much for Hibbert and David West. I've said it before, but the Wizards' big men compliment each other so well. Nene is more polished offensively; Gortat gets scrappy points off boards and backdoor cuts. Both give 30-35 real minutes each game and have been altering offenses all season. Obviously, this isn't news to Indiana -- the key here is how Hibbert responds after a rough series - although relatively productive Game 7 - against the Hawks sin Al Horford.
- PG John Wall is the polar opposite to SG Lance Stephenson, in a way that unquestionably favors Washington. Wall is a calm, controlled leader who does it all and doesn't create unnecessary controversy on or off the court. Stephenson isn't afraid to let his emotions show, despite being, at the end of the day, an average guard at best. When he's hot, he's a star -- when he's not, he's dysfunctional and takes away from the good of his team. Good thing the Pacers have PG George Hill to balance him out and handle some of the offensive load when Stephenson's shot isn't falling.
The Wizards deep bench may meet its match with Indiana's PF Scola, C Mahinmi, SF Turner, and PG C.J. Watson accustomed to playing 15-25 minutes each on any given night.
The headlining story for Indy has been Hibbert's resurgent Game 7, in which he stayed out of foul trouble to log 31 minutes, scoring 13 and collecting 7 boards and 5 blocks to disrupt any offensive that the Hawks thought they had.
Hibbert must return to his 2012-13 form if the Pacers want to maintain home court advantage.
Not surprisingly, four ESPN analysts predict the Wizards to win the series -- all believe it will take 6 games. That's only 25% of ESPN's experts, but the takeaway here is that the Wiz are finally getting some respect. Whether it's based off their recent play, the slump the Pacers' have been staggering through, or a mix of both is all heresy.
All I know is that tonight at 7:00, I'll be donning the nation's colors as John Wall and His Friends take their game to Bankers Life Fieldhouse to put on another show for the NBA, this time against the #1 seed in the East.
Prediction: 99-92, Wizards
Thursday, May 1, 2014
NBA Playoff Implications, Quick Movie Review
What a relief it is to have a series wrapped up while everyone else is either trying to close out a 3-2 lead or come back from a 2-3 deficit. Tonight is HUGE for the Wizards, as the Hawks try to close out the series against the first seeded Pacers in Atlanta.
Let's talk about Atlanta.
At the end of March, the Hawks had no business even eying the playoffs. A six-game losing streak was finally snapped by a March 31 victory against the lowly 76ers, a team that tied the NBA record with a 26-game losing streak. Had the Hawks lost this one, the team and fan base's energy would have been all but drained.
Instead, that W sparked a 7-3 record over the last 10 games to lift Atlanta -- despite a 38-44 record -- into the Eastern Conference playoffs as an 8 seed.
Clearly, Paul Millsap and Jeff Teague had other plans for their 2014 season.
Now, one win away from becoming the fifth eight-seed in NBA history to knock off a #1 - the most recent coming in 2011 when the Grizzlies beat the Spurs in the Western Conference.
The difference in this series, in my eyes based off the couple of games that I've watched, has started in the post. Millsap has scored in double-digits in every game. On the flip-side, Hibbert has zero 10+ games scoring through the first five games.
Guards have a significantly higher opportunity to dominate and create space when the inside game is working. Even without Al Horford (torn pectoral), the Hawks have enough presence in the paint to disturb Indiana's Hibbert and David West - although West has been a veteran thus far, putting up a 13-5-5 line of averages in the postseason.
I see the Hawks riding momentum and a home crowd to bust out early and send the reeling Pacers home to their couches until next season.
Prediction: 93-88, Hawks
On an unrelated note, I watched Don Jon last night after my girlfriend enthusiastically informed me that it was finally available for Netflix streaming.
Honestly, I had never heard of the film until she introduced me. Then I saw the cast of JGL (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Scarlett Johansson and all other priorities instantly faded to grey for the evening.
The premise: JGL is a New Jersey guido stud portrayed as a grown frat star, bringing home someone different at his leisure. Then he meets Scarlett and instantly turns into a relationship kind of guy, despite her demanding, high-maintenance style of living.
There's a problem, though...
JGL is a porn addict. He likes porn more than the real deal, and it's not even close. Some days, he watches more than 40 videos -- that's after starting with still pictures as a warm up.
Honestly, JGL did an incredible job in both his acting and directing (but what else would you expect from the guy who can pull off a dying cancer victim in 50-50 and Christian Bale's go-to as Robin in Batman?).
It definitely isn't your average chick flick. There is actual character development.
A short 90 minutes flies by and the ending is a good one. I recommend it to supplement your 10-hour weekend binge sesh of whatever drama you've run into on Netflix recently.
TLDR;
Let's talk about Atlanta.
At the end of March, the Hawks had no business even eying the playoffs. A six-game losing streak was finally snapped by a March 31 victory against the lowly 76ers, a team that tied the NBA record with a 26-game losing streak. Had the Hawks lost this one, the team and fan base's energy would have been all but drained.
Instead, that W sparked a 7-3 record over the last 10 games to lift Atlanta -- despite a 38-44 record -- into the Eastern Conference playoffs as an 8 seed.
Clearly, Paul Millsap and Jeff Teague had other plans for their 2014 season.
Now, one win away from becoming the fifth eight-seed in NBA history to knock off a #1 - the most recent coming in 2011 when the Grizzlies beat the Spurs in the Western Conference.
The difference in this series, in my eyes based off the couple of games that I've watched, has started in the post. Millsap has scored in double-digits in every game. On the flip-side, Hibbert has zero 10+ games scoring through the first five games.
Guards have a significantly higher opportunity to dominate and create space when the inside game is working. Even without Al Horford (torn pectoral), the Hawks have enough presence in the paint to disturb Indiana's Hibbert and David West - although West has been a veteran thus far, putting up a 13-5-5 line of averages in the postseason.
I see the Hawks riding momentum and a home crowd to bust out early and send the reeling Pacers home to their couches until next season.
Prediction: 93-88, Hawks
On an unrelated note, I watched Don Jon last night after my girlfriend enthusiastically informed me that it was finally available for Netflix streaming.
Honestly, I had never heard of the film until she introduced me. Then I saw the cast of JGL (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Scarlett Johansson and all other priorities instantly faded to grey for the evening.
The premise: JGL is a New Jersey guido stud portrayed as a grown frat star, bringing home someone different at his leisure. Then he meets Scarlett and instantly turns into a relationship kind of guy, despite her demanding, high-maintenance style of living.
There's a problem, though...
JGL is a porn addict. He likes porn more than the real deal, and it's not even close. Some days, he watches more than 40 videos -- that's after starting with still pictures as a warm up.
Honestly, JGL did an incredible job in both his acting and directing (but what else would you expect from the guy who can pull off a dying cancer victim in 50-50 and Christian Bale's go-to as Robin in Batman?).
It definitely isn't your average chick flick. There is actual character development.
A short 90 minutes flies by and the ending is a good one. I recommend it to supplement your 10-hour weekend binge sesh of whatever drama you've run into on Netflix recently.
TLDR;
- Hawks will pull off the win tonight
- Wizards get home-court and a shot at an Eastern Conference Finals matchup
- Don Jon is worth the 90 minute investment
- It finally stopped monsooning on the East coast.
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
All the Elements of a Sweep
If you've been following the NBA Playoffs - whether this year or in years past - it's no secret that the Heat dominate the early rounds. In each game, LeBron and Co. put the team in unquestionable positions to win.
Here's a summary of Round 1 Heat results from recent years:
2011: 4-1, 76ers
2012: 4-1, Knicks
2013: 4-0, Bucks
2014: 4-0, Hawks
On to the Wizards. The first two games were comeback victories in the 4th quarter and OT, usually traits of a veteran team. Surely, Gortat and Nene are veteran leaders of the front court. But what the Wizards excelled in - as has been the case late in the season - was stifling defense and a dynamic, explosive offense.
That was the difference in this series, and it doesn't take an analyst to come to this conclusion if you were watching the games.
The Bulls relied on Hinrich, Dunleavy, Augustin, and Butler for the 3-ball. None of them caught fire in the same game, posing a catastrophic problem for the squad from Game 1. Their only win came in Game 3 in DC, where Dunleavy shot out of his mind and Jimmy Butler made a couple clutch threes near the end after having a cold hand all game.
This kind of performance against a Bulls team that had high aspirations entering the playoffs shares many similarities with the Heat's recent successes. Late in the series, the Wiz got off to double digit leads and never looked back.
Game 5: John Wall struggled with his mid-range game, but he hit timely threes and drove at will, often times against two and three idle Bulls defenders on fast breaks derived from long outlet passes. Bradley Beal kept the defense spread with his silky stop-and-pop release.
And even when the mid-range jumpers weren't falling, Gortat and Nene dominated the offensive boards with tip-out after tip-out. Nene went for 20 and 7, adding 4 beautiful assists to his post-suspension debut. If you look at his performance throughout the whole series, he dominated Joakim Noah, NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
I am avidly against everything Noah does - he has an uglier game than Ben Wallace did in the Pistons' 2000s stretch of success. But it can't be argued that he's a workhorse who uses his 6'11", 232-pound frame to the best of his advantage.
Ultimately, Washington's success originated from:
A. Nene and Gortat being able to best Noah and Gibson on the boards for the majority of the series and...
B. Augustin and Hinrich being faced with tenacious, shut-down defense limiting open looks, especially beyond the arc.
When it looked as though the Bulls were coming back with 4:00 left in the 4th after a Bulls 3, John Wall casually knocked down a trey of his own. Down 3 with just under 3:00, the Bulls failed to score, giving the 'Zards the ball with 2:38 left.
Gortat got FOUR STRAIGHT OFFENSIVE BOARDS to milk the clock down to 0:58. Despite the Wizards' failure to score on the possession, this was the possession of the game.
The Bulls opted for 2-pointers but continued to miss layups as they had been doing all night. Jimmy Butler missed the last of these opportunities with just over 20 seconds left, and John Wall finally put it away with free throws at the other end.
A quick note: Andre Miller should not be on the court in the 4th quarter. He should get a maximum of 10 minutes to give Wall a breather, but that's it. I understand he's a veteran, but he just doesn't add any defensive value, and his offense is limited to dishing it out. I loved him for years with Philly, but his time in this league has run dry.
TLDR; Washington led by double-digits for the majority of the game just as it did for most of the series. Its sights are set for home court advantage contingent upon the 8th-seeded Hawks knocking off the 1st-seeded Pacers. With Hibbert's playoff implosion, though, the Pacers almost seem like the favorable matchup considering how Gortat and Nene have been playing.
Either way, last night marked the first time since defeating the Bulls in 2005's Round 1 that the Wizards have advanced in the playoffs.
There isn't a Big 3 of Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler, and Antawn Jamison anymore. Instead, there's a team culture -- strong veterans and gutsy young-20-something future stars -- that has developed after struggling through the first 15 games of the season, something that only Wizards fans have been aware of.
Watch out Miami.
Here's a summary of Round 1 Heat results from recent years:
2011: 4-1, 76ers
2012: 4-1, Knicks
2013: 4-0, Bucks
2014: 4-0, Hawks
On to the Wizards. The first two games were comeback victories in the 4th quarter and OT, usually traits of a veteran team. Surely, Gortat and Nene are veteran leaders of the front court. But what the Wizards excelled in - as has been the case late in the season - was stifling defense and a dynamic, explosive offense.
That was the difference in this series, and it doesn't take an analyst to come to this conclusion if you were watching the games.
The Bulls relied on Hinrich, Dunleavy, Augustin, and Butler for the 3-ball. None of them caught fire in the same game, posing a catastrophic problem for the squad from Game 1. Their only win came in Game 3 in DC, where Dunleavy shot out of his mind and Jimmy Butler made a couple clutch threes near the end after having a cold hand all game.
This kind of performance against a Bulls team that had high aspirations entering the playoffs shares many similarities with the Heat's recent successes. Late in the series, the Wiz got off to double digit leads and never looked back.
Game 5: John Wall struggled with his mid-range game, but he hit timely threes and drove at will, often times against two and three idle Bulls defenders on fast breaks derived from long outlet passes. Bradley Beal kept the defense spread with his silky stop-and-pop release.
And even when the mid-range jumpers weren't falling, Gortat and Nene dominated the offensive boards with tip-out after tip-out. Nene went for 20 and 7, adding 4 beautiful assists to his post-suspension debut. If you look at his performance throughout the whole series, he dominated Joakim Noah, NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
I am avidly against everything Noah does - he has an uglier game than Ben Wallace did in the Pistons' 2000s stretch of success. But it can't be argued that he's a workhorse who uses his 6'11", 232-pound frame to the best of his advantage.
Ultimately, Washington's success originated from:
A. Nene and Gortat being able to best Noah and Gibson on the boards for the majority of the series and...
B. Augustin and Hinrich being faced with tenacious, shut-down defense limiting open looks, especially beyond the arc.
When it looked as though the Bulls were coming back with 4:00 left in the 4th after a Bulls 3, John Wall casually knocked down a trey of his own. Down 3 with just under 3:00, the Bulls failed to score, giving the 'Zards the ball with 2:38 left.
Gortat got FOUR STRAIGHT OFFENSIVE BOARDS to milk the clock down to 0:58. Despite the Wizards' failure to score on the possession, this was the possession of the game.
The Bulls opted for 2-pointers but continued to miss layups as they had been doing all night. Jimmy Butler missed the last of these opportunities with just over 20 seconds left, and John Wall finally put it away with free throws at the other end.
A quick note: Andre Miller should not be on the court in the 4th quarter. He should get a maximum of 10 minutes to give Wall a breather, but that's it. I understand he's a veteran, but he just doesn't add any defensive value, and his offense is limited to dishing it out. I loved him for years with Philly, but his time in this league has run dry.
TLDR; Washington led by double-digits for the majority of the game just as it did for most of the series. Its sights are set for home court advantage contingent upon the 8th-seeded Hawks knocking off the 1st-seeded Pacers. With Hibbert's playoff implosion, though, the Pacers almost seem like the favorable matchup considering how Gortat and Nene have been playing.
Either way, last night marked the first time since defeating the Bulls in 2005's Round 1 that the Wizards have advanced in the playoffs.
There isn't a Big 3 of Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler, and Antawn Jamison anymore. Instead, there's a team culture -- strong veterans and gutsy young-20-something future stars -- that has developed after struggling through the first 15 games of the season, something that only Wizards fans have been aware of.
Watch out Miami.
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Wizards tonight
I feel as though being a 'Zards fan through the Gilbert Arenas era created a hatred for LeBron. But in reality, it should've shone light to the league on how terribly inconsistent referees are.
In today's game, it's worse than ever.
Vine videos are everywhere should DWade, Jeremy Lin, LeBron, and any center worth talking about taking 3, 4, 5, 6 steps. This is where I have a problem, as I'm aware millions of others do as well.
Fouls are completely subjective to interpretation, generally speaking.
The number of steps someone takes is not. It's a quantitative measurement. They're counted. 1, 2, 2.5... anything more?
Travel.
So imagine my state of mind upon waking up with a 3-1 series lead playing the star-less Bulls in Chicago. Oh, and the Hawks are up 3-2 on the Pacers?!
Putting aside not having won a playoff series since Xerox was still relevant, the Wiz are historically 5-0 when leading a series 3-1. With Nene back, Taj Gibson shouldn't be too much of a factor, so it'll be up to Augustin, Dunleavy, Hinrich, and Jimmy Butler to shoot the lights out as a few of them did in Game 3.
I can't see Boozer doing much in Game 5 - he's an old headcase that can barely dunk with the slightest contest of his shot. A detriment on defense, "leadership" and his ugly jumper are all that keep him on the court for comparable durations to Gibson. Gortat and Nene will play their normal pesky, incessant defense to stifle the Bulls' paint game.
Prediction: Wizards win 103-95; close until the end.
In today's game, it's worse than ever.
Vine videos are everywhere should DWade, Jeremy Lin, LeBron, and any center worth talking about taking 3, 4, 5, 6 steps. This is where I have a problem, as I'm aware millions of others do as well.
Fouls are completely subjective to interpretation, generally speaking.
The number of steps someone takes is not. It's a quantitative measurement. They're counted. 1, 2, 2.5... anything more?
Travel.
So imagine my state of mind upon waking up with a 3-1 series lead playing the star-less Bulls in Chicago. Oh, and the Hawks are up 3-2 on the Pacers?!
Putting aside not having won a playoff series since Xerox was still relevant, the Wiz are historically 5-0 when leading a series 3-1. With Nene back, Taj Gibson shouldn't be too much of a factor, so it'll be up to Augustin, Dunleavy, Hinrich, and Jimmy Butler to shoot the lights out as a few of them did in Game 3.
I can't see Boozer doing much in Game 5 - he's an old headcase that can barely dunk with the slightest contest of his shot. A detriment on defense, "leadership" and his ugly jumper are all that keep him on the court for comparable durations to Gibson. Gortat and Nene will play their normal pesky, incessant defense to stifle the Bulls' paint game.
Prediction: Wizards win 103-95; close until the end.
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