I'm not sure if this is a sign of things to come, but I'm already overprotective. It was a wet, wet weekend here in the Big Apple. Combine that with the Swine Flu hysteria, and I was able to convince Wife that we should have a lazy weekend (mostly in our apartment). I'm probably overprotective, but given all the reports of a pandemic here in the city, I just couldn't rationalize the risk a pregnant woman crammed into a packed subway (even if it really is a slight risk).
Wife and I did walk to a few stores this weekend to do some shopping, but other than that, it was a pretty lazy weekend.
Of course, who could possibly complain about a weekend at home when we're in the middle of the playoffs? As one commentator recently wrote, "I feel like Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith should be paying part of my rent since they spend so much time in my living room." I know most of our readers keep up with this blog for my basketball insight, so I will leave you with a few thoughts.
* The Celtics-Bulls series was a shockingly exciting series. I keep hearing phrases such as "One for the ages" and "most epic series of all time." As great as the series was, those kind of characterizations are ridiculous. This was a first round playoff series with two short handed teams. This isn't the championship; it's just the first round. Unfortunately, Evil prevailed. As much as I despise them, Evil consistently knocked down big shots. I am a bit puzzled as to why they struggled so badly against a team that is under 500. Yeah, yeah, I know, Kevin Garnett is out.
* I think the NBA needs to do a much better job in being consistent with flagrant fouls and suspensions. I really don't care if the NBA wants to be more or less stringent with these penalties, but I do care that the decisions need to be consistent. Dwight Howard was suspended but Rajon Rondo wasn't for nearly identical behavior. The Celtics need to send the NBA front office a thank card because otherwise, they would probably be going home.
* I keep hearing the experts picking the Lakers to beat Houston in either five or six games. I'm not sure I believe it. Houston is a really good team that should not be counted out. Kobe will need to perform against Artest and Battier. I can't think of two other players I think will consistently do a better job against him. I am also interested to see how the Lakers will try to defend Yao Ming. I'm a big Andrew Bynum fan, but I think I would try to play small-ball and force Yao to guard Gasol and Odom on the perimeter. I think we could pick up some quick fouls on him that way because he doesn't have the quickness. Once Yao is out, then put Bynum in the game to pound the ball in the paint. I doubt Phil Jackson will use my strategy.
* How is Curry still employed as the coach of the Detroit Pistons? I realize that the Pistons have a list of excuses, but I don't think anyone can argue with a straight face that this isn't the worst coaching performance by a Pistons coach in recent memory. And in this recent history coaches were on a very short leash. I don't understand how the last three Pistons were shown such little patience but Curry still has a job ("What, you only made the conference finals for the last three years in a row? We demand more. You're fired").
* Lebron may be the greatest player in the NBA, but I have no interest in watching the Hawks-Cavs series. I'll just assume that the Cavs will sweep this one.
* I'm looking forward to the two Western Conference series being some of the best coached games ever. I have a tremendous amount of respect for all four of those coaches (even if I don't like their teams - George Karl may be the the only guy I like on the Nuggets). I really laughed last year when Nugget fans were crying for Karl to be fired. I hoped he would because I don't think they would have made the playoffs this year if he wasn't there.
* I'm really curious to see how Evil plays against the Orlando Magic in this series. Evil needed some good luck to squeak by the Bulls. How will they play against a decent team? I won't be surprised if Evil does better against the Magic than they did against the Bulls.
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