Scattered Thoughts – NBA Finals Game 2
By Editorial Staff
(Hello, my name is Justin DeFeo. I am 23 and live in NJ. I am the Co-Lead blogger for SCIC. I was previously blogging at Hoopennium, but will now be doing my work here. I hope you enjoy my stuff and I promise to bring it like the Round Mound of Rebound himself!)
During the course of watching the NBA Finals or any game for that matter, I do a pretty simple thing. Besides reading along with professional NBA analysts Twitters, just like hundreds over others do, I open up Windows Notepad..and while I’m watching the game, if I see something that sticks out I simply type it into the notepad and then later on elaborate on those points. The results are what I like to call…wait for it…scattered thoughts. Generally these thoughts go somewhat in chronological order of the game, but there are no hard and fast rules for Scattered Thoughts, as some days I may do it live, while others (like today) I’m making the thoughts while watching the replay of the game. Most of the time it will be general thoughts, but if there is a something about a specific play I’ll note that. Otherwise it should be pretty simple to figure out. You’ll know you’re reading a Scattered Thoughts column first of all by reading the title which is obvious, but then secondly, when you see a dash ( – ) which is then followed by a thought. If these dashes and thoughts seem scattered and if the title says Scattered Thoughts, well then just know you are in for a heck of an experience for the next ten minutes. So, with the debut of Sir Charles In Charge, which is sure to be a great site, what better time to unleash the first ever official “Scattered Thoughts”.
– One of my biggest gripes with Dwight Howard is his approach to the game. He and Kobe are great contrasts for how you should approach games, let alone the NBA Finals. Kobe is all business, while Dwight is fun and games. Before Game 1 Dwight did his patented, towel dream shake then turn around fall away shot, shooting the towel into the crowd. First of all, is it ironic that Dwight fools around before a game by doing a shot in which he can’t actually execute in a game? Second this is the kind of thing I think Dwight needs to leave behind, definitely for the playoffs. Game started today and they didn’t show the guys walking onto the court so I have no idea if he did it..but I hope not.- Courtney Lee explodes to the rim for a layup and the first points of the game. Pretty funny considering Lee was the guy who missed his last two shots, both lay-ups, one of them being the potential game winning shot.
– Fisher bricks a shot and the rebound falls calmly to Dwight Howard while the other four Lakers retreat. Officially Howard gets a rebound in the stats, but I wonder if someone out there keeps track of rebounds and then rebounds in traffic as a separate stat. Tweeting Daryl Morey as we speak.
– Dwight Howard’s block through the rim on Gasol was pretty impressive. Though had to be dangerous, he could have easily broke or hurt his wrist.
– If people want to understand the term “winner” they just need to watch Derek Fisher. He does all of the little things. Gives up his body twice in a few minutes late in the first quarter. First he took a charge on Pietrus and then again draws a foul on Pietrus using a savvy veteran move and creating contact.
– JJ Redick living proof that you need one “elite” skill to be in the NBA. He’s adequate in other areas and probably a better defender than you may have thought..but certainly an elite shooter.
– While Kobe is the money player on the Lakers and certainly is the best bet for the Lakers to run their offense through him..when they run sets through Gasol, especially at the high post, their offense is a pretty thing to watch. Lots of quick cuts, hand offs, picks. Everyone moving with Gasol being the focal point either with the ball, or as the screener.
– If the focus for the Magic in Game 2 was to make things difficult on Kobe, I think they succeeded. I don’t remember an easy basket of the bunch. Turkoglu who was forced onto Bryant made up for his lack of quickness by using his size. He showed an important lesson of defense by not giving up after getting beat twice..once which he stripped Kobe of the ball and it was called (incorrectly) off Kobe’s leg in overtime and earlier on, during Kobe’s attempt to win the game at the end of regulation coming from behind on a block.
– Orlando used a lineup of Howard (6-11), Gortat (6-11), Lewis (6-11), and Turkoglu (6-10) as four of the five for long stretches in Game 2. I think one of the buzz terms this whole season was the idea of “small ball”. Well SVG certainly bucking that trend tonight with that lineup.
– Dwight Howard has had a lot of balls poked out of his hands tonight when trying to make his move to the basket. He needs to keep that ball higher up on his spin or know where the help is coming from. The Lakers have done a good job of creating “noise” around him when he has the ball. Not letting him get comfortable.
– A lot of what passing requires is anticipating. Anticipating the way the defense is going to react as well as anticipating where your teammate is going to be or move to. With that in mind Kobe sailed a pass out to the wing where he was anticipating Shannon Brown to be. Instead of Brown catching and shooting a wide open three some lucky fans got to touch a ball with Kobe’s sweat on it.
– At the 6:30 minute mark of the 4th quarter, Kobe, with ball in hand, beats Howard along the side moving towards the baseline, thinks he gets pushed by Howard in the process, so anticipating a foul he ends up stopping and shooting a fading three pointer all in one motion in which he makes, only to be called out of bounds. A pretty remarkable shot in which Jeff Van Gundy accurately calls it “the best turnover he’s ever seen.” Reminds me a lot of Vince Carter who is the best “after the whistle player in the NBA”. If you ever have a Nets game on and Vince has the ball in his hands when a whistle blows..just watch some of the ridiculous shots Vince takes and makes, usually with his off hand.
– Turkoglu just gave a clinic in executing a step back jumper. Granted it helps to be 6-10 but step backs are one of the most underutilized moves in young players, meaning high school and college. While it takes leg strength to perform and you’re going against the idea of trying to get closer to the basket..its a great move to create space.
– Orlando last play inbounds attempt one – Lee starts at top of key and screens for Lewis coming back to the top. Howard then screens the screener (Lee). Kobe who is defending Lee gets stuck on the screen and had the pass been able to be timed right Lee would be wide open curling to the rim. Turk sees nothing calls timeout. Orlando last play inbounds attempt two – Lee starts in exact same spot only this time fakes to the ball and darts backdoor. Kobe again defending Lee this time is screened hard from behind by Lewis. Ariza in fear of leaving Lewis perhaps who has proven to be a dangerous catch and shoot player stays frozen at the foul line leaving Lee wide open for a lob attempt. Turk makes great pass and what will be one of the most talked about missed layups..Lee misses the layup.
– In overtime, the Lakers out executed the Magic to win, though Rashard Lewis made another high difficulty catch and shoot three pointer, almost identical to the one hit against Cleveland.
So there you have it, the first edition of Scattered Thoughts. I know you are probably a little overwhelmed and I don’t blame you. So go ahead and take the rest of the day off. Game Three is coming your way Tuesday night. So far after two games the Lakers basically held serve and protected their home court. Now it’s up to the Magic to go ahead and try and make this a competitive series by winning Game Three.