After three games, five playoff series looked remarkably similar with one team easily taking the first two games and then losing the third. Four out of the five- Boston/Atlanta, Cleveland/Washington, Orlando/Toronto, and New Orleans/Dallas- saw the home team win the first three games while the Houston/Utah series had a similar mold except it was the road team winning each time.
Four of those five series went to 3-1. Only Boston couldn't win Game 4 out of the five teams up 2-1 in our scenario. Boston's loss was surprising. I certainly didn't give Atlanta a chance. Joe Johnson and Josh Smith scored all of the Hawks' points in the 4th quarter. No other Hawk even took a shot during the last period.
The Lakers and Spurs each took a three game lead. The Suns showed a lot of pride in winning Game 4. They finally put in the effort of the defensive end, but I can't see them doing so consistently from here on out. If the Suns can't pull off the miracle, the Shaq trade will be a failure. I questioned the trade when it was first announced, because I didn't see the wisdom in giving away the future for a past-his-prime player. Many experts felt that all Shaq needed was some motivation and he'd be back. But he is only able to show flashes of his former self now. It's only going to get worse for him.
Denver's effort against the Lakers was terrible. Carmelo Anthony heckled his coach during Game 3, telling George Karl, "Don't just sit there." I don't even really know what he meant by that comment. Anthony also claimed his team quit in the 4th quarter. Karl asserted that it was the team's best quarter of the series to that point, a shot at the effort of his starters. Listen, Carmelo Anthony is a very good offensive player. He plays well during international competition. Other than that, he's garbage. He's Tracy McGrady without the effort. Anthony is such an awful defender. He shows absolutely no heart, it's disgusting. I just ran 15 miles last night (didn't get paid millions of dollars for it either), so I know a little bit about effort and heart. Carmelo Anthony needs to shut up and grow some balls.
Larry Brown is the new coach of the Charlotte Bobcats. I like Larry Brown; he's a Jew. But I though Sam Vincent should've been given a better chance to succeed. He coached a team that isn't tremendously talented and had significant injuries to boot. Vincent mustered a 32-50 record with a 32-50 team. Any higher expectations would have been ludicrous. But Michael Jordan showed no loyalty or foresight once again. I guess running a team isn't as easy as paying off referees to ignore your incessant traveling. You're only allowed TWO steps Jordan.
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