Jun

2

Slam Dunk Central Columnist Kyle Stack’s NBA Finals Preview Thoughts

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I have a couple thoughts on the Finals, which pits my team, the Lakers against the team of this site’s founder, Jeff Sack:

Nine Fingers Bryant

Alright, this might not be a real catchy nickname, but raise your hand if you remember that Kobe Bryant has been playing the last few months with a torn ligament in the pinky finger of his shooting hand. Now, all the cheaters drop your hands. There shouldn’t be many hands left raised. What Kobe has done to the NBA and for his team the past few months has been amazing, injured finger or not. But the fact that he has shot at such a high level (50.9 percent FG in 15 playoff games) shows his toughness. In fact, I will make the argument that his toughness (physical and mental) is his greatest characteristic, greater than his determination, greater than his exquisite footwork. He has to be physically tough to withstand the pain of dribbling, shooting, and basically getting his hand knocked around every time he runs into/through a screen or goes up for a rebound. He has to have the mental makeup to prevent the pain from affecting the task at hand. All players have nagging injuries at this time of the year, but a torn ligament in a finger on the shooting hand is nothing to scoff at.

Key defensive matchups

I was thinking about two defensive matchups for the Lakers today. The first is Kobe on The Shooting Guard Formerly Known As Jesus Shuttlesworth. Ray Allen for those who haven’t seen “He Got Game.” Allen seems like the natural fit for Kobe to guard, but, if that happens, wouldn’t the Celtics incessantly run Allen through screens all over the court as a means to make Kobe spend more energy on defense so that he has less to expend on offense? I can’t imagine Bryant will guard Rondo, since that’s just asking for trouble, in terms of Kobe wasting energy. Plus, if Kobe does do a good job on Allen, then he is shutting down a key cog in the Celtics offense: their best outside shooter.

The second matchup was one that I read about all day on the Internets: the Lakers’ interior defense. It’s definitely a worry, considering the injured Andrew Bynum would be a great fit against Kendrick Perkins. Perkins is a great asset for the Celtics and his 18-point, 16-rebound game against the Pistons in Game 5 showed his ceiling. Pau Gasol might have his work cut out for him, although his length could bother the youngster. My biggest concern is that Gasol just can’t handle a guy with the bulk of Perkins and a guy like Ronny Turiaf is better suited to guard him.

I’d like to see Odom on Garnett just so he can neutralize KG’s rebounding. Perhaps more importantly, Garnett slips in and out of the Celtics offense, doesn’t always look for his shot and thus might be less likely to drive up the fouls on Odom, than, say, Paul Pierce would.

The Lakers lack of interior bulk is a concern and it might be their Achilles heel. Bynum’s return next season should solve that problem, but for now, Turiaf and D.J. Mbenga could play important roles in post-up defense and rebounding. I don’t anticipate Mbenga to play much, if at all, unless foul trouble forces coach Phil Jackson’s hand.

Jun

2

Reports Say Saunders Will Be Coach Of Pistons Next Season

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The “Detroit News” reported Monday that Detroit Pistons coach Flip Saunders met Saturday with Detroit President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars, and apparently will remain next year as the Pistons bench boss. Saunders will be going into the last year of his contract, there are no reports of an extension. During Saunders three years as coach the Pistons have made it to the Eastern Conference Finals, but have failed to advance to the Finals. There was speculation that Saunders may have been fired after being eliminated by the Boston Celtics last week.

? Copyright 2008 thesackattack.net

Jun

2

Reports Say Nellie Will Be Back As Warriors Coach

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The “Press Democrat” has reported that Golden State Warriors coach Don Nelson has decided to return as head coach of the team for next season. The long time NBA coach would not commit to returning to reporters at the end of the regular season. The paper’s columnist Lowell Cohn wrote that he called Nellie on his cell phone, the coach who is in Maui, told the reporter that he had decided a couple of weeks ago he would return. This will be his third year with Golden State this time he coached the team earlier in his career.

? Copyright 2008 thesackattack.net

Jun

2

Collins Could Be Named Bulls Coach Wednesday

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The “Chicago Sun-Times” reported Monday that the Chicago Bulls may announce the hiring of once and future head coach Doug Collins as soon as Wednesday. The report says that the deal could be finalized on Tuesday and Collins introduced as the Bulls new bench boss at a media conference the following day. Collins who has been working as a TV analyst for TNT was the subject of reports last week that the Bulls had come to term with him to take over from interim coach Jim Boylan. Both the Bulls and Collins admitted they had talked but at the time said no agreement had been made. Collins started his coaching career with Chicago, he has also coached the Detroit Pistons, and the Washington Wizards.

? Copyright 2008 thesackattack.net

Jun

2

Magic Give G.M. Otis Smith Pact Extension

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The Associated Press reported that the Orlando Magic have given team General Manager Otis Smith a long term extension on his contract. Terms of the deal was not disclosed. Smith assembled a team that won the NBA Southeast Division, the first time?the?franchise has accomplished the feat in 12 years. Orlando won their first round NBA Playoff series against the Toronto Raptors. They lost to the Detroit Pistons, in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. Smith and the team went through a rocky Summer last year, as they signed University of Florida coach Billy Donovan as their new bench boss. Donovan a few days later listened to his conscience and resigned the job going back to the University. The team would hire former Heat coach Stan Van Gundy, who helped the team to Division Title. Smith has been Magic G.M. since 2006.

? Copyright 2008 thesackattack.net

Jun

2

ESPN: NBA Insiders Preview Lakers Vs. Celtics

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Jun

2

Celtics’ Tony Allen Could Miss At Least Start Of NBA Finals

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The Associated Press reported Monday that Boston Celtics reserve guard Tony Allen may not be available to play Thursday night as the Celtics host the Los Angeles Lakers in game one of the NBA Finals. Allen strained an Achilles tendon during practice as the Celtics were in the Eastern Conference Finals. The guard now in his fourth season in the Association,?has been out since the injury. Allen was a defensive force against Lakers star Kobe Bryant when?Boston played the Lakers during the regular season. The team has not announced whether Allen will be out, and if so for how long.

? Copyright 2008 thesackattack.net

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