Morning Coffee

by Peter Bean on May 23, 2006 10:22 AM CDT in Quick Hits

*The NBA playoffs have been freaking amazing. I'm not an NBA junkie, but I've always loved the playoffs. And this year, especially, has been just terrific. Not since Miller Time captured my imagination in my younger years have I been so enthralled by playoff hoops. Last night's action was tremendous, as the Spurs-Mavs Game 7 was a true classic. And Bill Simmons was right - there's a changing of the guard under way. The Spurs, for all their might, aren't as well built for dominance as they were under the previous NBA rules. And to be honest, I'm happy for the Mavs, despite my deep respect and admiration for Tim Duncan, Greg Popovich, and the Spurs organization. Mark Cuban, for all his goofiness, has earned this, and I'm extremely happy to see Dirk moving on.

Further, this sets up an epic Western Conference finals with Mavs-Suns. Dirk-Nash. Offense-Offense. Let's face it: Mavericks and Suns is a more intriguing matchup.

Not since Miller Time have the playoffs been so exciting for me to watch.

*54b poses a question for the business traveler.

*Kyle on mascots.

*As was beginning to be discussed in the diaries, the Titans are tinkering with some option packages to take advantage of Vince Young's unique skill set. Allow me to play myth buster for a moment...

Myth: The Titans should have drafted Matt Leinart because he'll be ready sooner to help the team than Vince Young.

Fact: Um, no. Even if you factor in the fact that there's a whole lotta learning to do, Leinart -still- would have needed at least one year on the bench. Even if you concede that Vince will need a year or two, also, to learn the complex new offense, you can still use him RIGHT AWAY in strategic situations. For example... in the red zone. Where NFL teams usually stall as the defense clamps down on the shorter field. Odds are pretty good that Norm Chow is starting to realize what a fun new toy he has. Young will be a while before he's ready to be a full time starter, but he can contribute right away. Have fun, Norm. Thank your lucky stars (read: GM) for taking Young.

*Freaking crazy old ladies.

--PB--

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Comments

Please don't ever show that clip again

I just died a few times at my desk. Bastard.

by straightbangin on May 23, 2006 10:36 AM CDT reply actions

You shouldn't have told me

So now I have another Knick fan I can torture ;)

TK, you out there? Meet Bangin, a fellow sufferer.

by Peter Bean on May 23, 2006 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions

Torture is right

Living through this Isiah Thomas era has taken roughly 20 years off of my life. Combine that with what Lloyd Carr does to me and I am likely to be dead by 40.

by straightbangin on May 23, 2006 11:28 AM CDT reply actions

I was going to be nice

And not bring up Isaiah. He just about decimated the Pacers, and now... oh God. Like it needs to be said.

I'm sorry. That's all I can say.

At least Larry Brown's doing a good job with the young guys... ;)

by Peter Bean on May 23, 2006 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions

Cubans blog

If you haven't been following Cuban's blog the last week or so get caught up and then read today's entry: http://www.blogmaverick.com/

by rjm @ Burnt Orange Nation on May 23, 2006 12:44 PM CDT reply actions

re: Cuban's blog...

quoting cuban:
A couple shoutouts are required here.

To the Spurs fans sitting by the bench last night. They were first class. They took responsibility of quieting the jerks.

To the Spurs fans on boats in the Riverwalk dragging a floating Mark Cuban in effigy. Hysterical.

To the city of San Antonio. Contrary to what people have written and said, I rhink its a beautiful city with a great culture and city pride. Even if the water in the Riverwalk is muddy :)

To what looked like thousands of Mavs fans who came out to see us when we landed about 1am last night. You have no idea how much that meant to all the guys and everyone in the organization.

To all Mavs fans everywhere who I know were jumping up and down and screaming and enjoying the moment. This is YOUR TEAM.

But he missed his most important shoutout:

To the refs. Thanks, guys, we couldn't have done it without you!

by agent orange on May 23, 2006 6:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Oh you're one of them

Regardless of whom you root for, the refs were not the problem. The Spurs perception of the refs was the problem. To hear Duncan, Ginobli, and Parker sell the story, they NEVER foul anyone. And they act like little bitches when they get called. Kudos to Popovich (sp?). He's a great coach. But somehow, his team turned the series into a magnificent whinefest.

by GoHorns on May 24, 2006 8:57 AM CDT up reply actions