Where 'making me feel better' happens...

by Jordan Sams on May 24, 2009 11:40 PM PDT

Dear NBA Playoffs,

A little less than a month ago you provided me with the same heartache you've been dishing out since I was born. Every year I watch 82+ games, sometimes more than once. Every year I invest endless hours into the Sixers, and every year it ends the same -- with me witnessing another team holding the Larry O'Brien trophy. This year was no different. So why am I feeling good? It's all thanks to you NBA Playoffs.

(Well maybe not all thanks to you. I mean, for the past few weeks I've been living in a world where Andre Iguodala averages 50 points a game and wins MVPs. That might have helped.)

Thank you NBA Playoffs for providing me with not one, but two game-winners. Iguodala's game-winner is something I will never forget. It definitely ranks up there as one of my top 10 favorite sports memories of all-time. The sound of "YES! OH YES!" still makes me smile. Without you, NBA Playoffs, none of this is possible.

Thank you NBA Playoffs for making me feel a little better about where the Sixers stand after "witnessing" the almighty Cleveland LeBrons lose two out of three to the same team who ousted the Sixers. During the Sixers/Magic series critics raved, "The Sixers got so lucky that Andre Iguodala hit that game-winner!" Hmmm. Well, I'm pretty sure the Cavs should be considered just as lucky. If King James doesn't drill a miracle shot with one tick to go, the Cavs are staring 0-3 in the face.

A couple follow-up questions will arise from this claim, like: Where the Magic trying as hard against the Sixers as they are the Cavs? Where the Sixers a worse match-up for the Magic than the Cavs? Did the Sixers just get really lucky in taking the Magic six games? I don't know the answer to any of these questions. However; I do know, watching the Magic beat the chosen one and his 66-team makes me feel a lot better about the Sixers.

Thank you NBA Playoffs for not only making me feel better about the Magic series, but the game six embarrassment minus Dwight Howard. See: Yao-less Rockets own Lakers.

(Note: I'm still super-ashamed of the performance the Sixers put forth in game six. The ranking on the super-ashamed scale just went from an 11.5 to an 8.0 after watching the Lakers sorry effort against the Yao-less Rockets.)

Thank you NBA Playoffs for exposing the true coaching skills of Tony DiLeo, and slapping Ed Stefanski aka "The SHOT" with a brutal reality check via Andre Iguodala.

"It's going to be a busy summer," said Iguodala on Thursday. "I'm going to sit down with Ed and discuss what I think will get us over the [hump]."

Who knows what happens if the Sixers advance, or even get eliminated in a classier fashion. Tony DiLeo might have remained head coach. Ed Stefanski might have believed that the Sixers will truly on a few pieces away. Us as fans might have been given false hope. All bad things. Thanks to you NBA Playoffs, the Sixers were given a wake up call, and eventually a new head coach. (Eddie Jordan, Tom Thibodeau, Eddie Jordan, Tom Thibodeau, Eddie Jordan, Tom Thibodeau...)

So NBA Playoffs, we've had a rough relationship over the past two decades, but I'm beginning to realize you're not so bad after all. I'll tell you what. You give me any team besides the Lakers as NBA champs, and we'll put everything behind us and start fresh next year. I can't handle the thought of this guy laying his hands on the same trophy Andre Iguodala will eventually own.

(One more side note: It's been a little lax around here lately. I've given my mind and body (carpel-tunnel... I'm the Tracy McGrady of sports blogging) a big-time break. I'm ready to make my triumphant return just in time for all the draft talk. Let the point guard search begin...)

And as a wise man once said, here's Liberty Ballers in true Liberty Ballers fashion, ending with a classic YouTube clip.

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Comments

Jsams

Just wondering why you, personally hate Sasha Vujacic (or however you spell his name). Of course, other than his overly flamboyant appearance.

by jefu on May 25, 2009 12:01 AM PDT reply actions

1. He thinks he’s much better than he really is.
2. He’s a Laker.
3. He thinks he’s a celebrity.
4. His resemblance to another dude I’m not too fond of.
5. His constant complaining, which includes this pose after every foul.
6. He’s a Laker?

Liberty Ballers.com.

by Jordan Sams on May 25, 2009 12:07 AM PDT up reply actions

I guess I understand

how the magic doing well against the cavs could be spun in a positive light for the sixers…. but i dont think the success of the magic means the sixers are better than they were this past year.

the magic match up ridiculously well to the cavs… their mix of big men, with crazy athleticism and incredible range is not what the big men of the cavs are used to… and therein lies the problem for the cavs…

on the other hand the cavs bench came within a shot of beating the sixers who were essentially playing for their playoff lives…

judging from their play this round, the case of the magic not playing hard enough in the first round could be made…. i think you could make that case for them not really hitting their playoff stride until gm 6 against the Cs

regardless of the above…. I agree with you on the playoffs. When was the last time the playoffs were this good? all across the board… from the first round till this current round.

I think this is the first time ever (at least as far as I can remember) that even if the favorites don’t win to give us the expected finals, we’re still guaranteed a pretty good finals.

obviously the huge story line that everyone wants to see is kobe v lebron… but even if we have dwight howard and rashard lewis against chauncey and melo… i’ll still be excited to tune in….

same for lebron v melo… (where the world will be reminded that lebron never beat melo in high school)

dwight howard & rashard lewis v kobe probably is the least exciting from a story line perspective… but then we’ll get to hear about phil jackson winning his 10th championship, and solidifying his postion as best NBA coach ever!!!

so again sorry Jsams, the lakers will win it this year, and its strictly because of PJ

by darealting on May 25, 2009 1:05 AM PDT reply actions

A couple things.

I do think the Sixers were slightly better this year than they were last year — Andre Iguodala and Thaddeus Young specifically. And let’s not forget, they’ll be adding Elton Brand next season.

Yes, the Cavs bench almost beat the Sixers, but the Sixers had already clinched two weeks earlier and proceeded to mail in the final 5 or 6 games. That’s a bad game to use as a barometer.

But yes, the playoffs are ridiculously good this year.

Liberty Ballers.com.

by Jordan Sams on May 25, 2009 9:21 AM PDT up reply actions

Match-Ups

The Magic are a match-up nightmare for the Cavs, but have always seemed to struggle against the Sixers. The Sixers would have been swept by the Cavs.

Luck, being hot and good match-ups…besides talent on the roster…is the way to a championship trophy.

P.S. I love seeing LeBron with a sad face.

by doubleh on May 25, 2009 9:43 AM PDT reply actions

I've come to the conclusion that...

Carmelo is my favorite “star”.

Liberty Ballers.com.

by Jordan Sams on May 25, 2009 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions

I also don't mind

Seeing Kobe with a sad face, but honestly, since LeBron came along, I like Kobe more and more.

by doubleh on May 25, 2009 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions

you forget?

This is the same Kobe who bad mouthed Philly, his hometown, when he came to play us back in the day. I can’t find the exact quotes or article but I’ll get back to you when I’ve found it.

Kobe is a lights out. I respect his play and I may go as far as to say I like him as a player but his attitude and such totally turn me off to like him as a person.

by soman319 on May 25, 2009 1:27 PM PDT up reply actions

Kobe’s ‘home town’ is either Italy or Lower Merion Township

Neither of those are Philadelphia…

Get over it already – hate him cause he’s a rapist – hating a guy for having an opinion is as moronic as hating a guy cause he’s better at basketball than you’ll ever be at anything

"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."

Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.

by jemagee on May 25, 2009 5:25 PM PDT up reply actions

why the hostility?

Kobe was born in Philly. He went to school in lower merion which is right next to Philly. I guess you can technically say it wasn’t his hometown but he was around the area. I take offense when people mock philly, even though I was born and raised in South Jersey. But whatever.

The opinions are not what cause me to dislike him. It is what he says and does. For example, let’s go back a couple years. HE is the one that chased out Shaq and Phil Jackson. After a couple years, HE was the one throwing people under the bus; calling GM Kupchak incompetent (yeah he made some poor decisions but what GM doesn’t, its risk-reward sometimes) and then later basically had a hissy-fit that if they don’t bring back Jerry West (and help) he wants a trade. This is all post-rape allegations, which the organization firmly stayed behind him unconditionally. He then went on to say just weeks later that he wasn’t throwing them under a bus, even though it is exactly what he did. This stuff is behind him now, and he is being a team player and all, but it is hard to shake all of what he did.

Yeah he is an incredible basketball player but don’t insult me by disliking him for perfectly legitimate reasons. Hate is a strong word and it’s not like if I see him in person I’d boo him or something.

by soman319 on May 25, 2009 9:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Well if i was born in south jersey, i’d try to adobt a real city as well.

I know where he went to school, I went to school there as well.

I also know he spent most of his youth in another country.

HE is the one that chased out Shaq and Phil Jackson.

Really? Kobe is the one that called out jerry buss publicly during a pre season game demanding ‘pay me my money’ and wanted 30 million per year since he was grandfatthered out of the nba collective barganing agreement?

I love this continuing myth, this continuing belief that shaq is somehow innocent in all this – sorry folks – but fat lazy shaq more so than anyone else involved was the guy who ran himself out of LA…

A perfectly legitimate reason for disliking someone is he disrespected the town you’re not even from?

I mean, should everyone from jersey dislike you since you’re so desperate to adopt a ‘surrogate’ home town cause you’re ashamed of your own?

"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."

Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.

by jemagee on May 26, 2009 8:53 AM PDT up reply actions

Please read jem.

Again, I feel like you twisted my words. I usually don’t get angry about this type of thing, but I guess I am a little annoyed. The tone of your responses are very antagonistic and condescending, regardless if that was your intent or not. But I digress. I will rebutt.

Really? Kobe is the one that called out jerry buss publicly during a pre season game demanding ‘pay me my money’ and wanted 30 million per year since he was grandfatthered out of the nba collective barganing agreement?

I love this continuing myth, this continuing belief that shaq is somehow innocent in all this – sorry folks – but fat lazy shaq more so than anyone else involved was the guy who ran himself out of LA…

I am by no means calling Shaq innocent in the whole matter. We all know his personality and he had his equal share in his departure. If i remember right, Shaq is what instigated the whole feud coming into a season and making comments about Kobe (his injury, etc). But it was Kobe who criticized Phil Jackson’s offensive schemes and that is what led the organization to not bring Jackson back. Kobe has an “I want it my way” personality, atleast at the time. It was either Shaq or Kobe at that point and yes the smarter decision was Kobe. I don’t want to get into the specifics of the feud because it is all he said/she said in the end. Regardless he had his part in chasing out Shaq and Jackson.

A perfectly legitimate reason for disliking someone is he disrespected the town you’re not even from?

Again, I outlined some of the reasons before. After an organization stood behind you through your troubles, you go back and slap them in the face by throwing people under the bus (though he later claims to have not)? This is all in the past so with time, just like the whole rape allegations, the dislike will probably subside. A couple years down the road when I look back on him I probably wouldn’t give his off comments and dealings a second look.

I mean, should everyone from jersey dislike you since you’re so desperate to adopt a ‘surrogate’ home town cause you’re ashamed of your own?

What gives you that impression? Cities are a focal point in society. Everything around the city is a suburb that belongs to that city. As a suburb of Philadelphia, I do feel a certain loyalty since I’ve spent a considerable amount of time with trips and such I’ve made to the city. It is the same thing for people in North Jersey who live outside of NYC. I am in no ways desperate to adopt another home town rather feel, like i said, loyalty to the city, where my national sports teams reside and where I’ve enjoyed spending some time.

I don’t know if you have ever experienced it but since I school up in North Jersey, I do get comments/slack/etc from North Jersey residents about being from South Jersey. This includes them being Giants fans, and I an Eagle fan. It really is a different culture when you compare North and South and they boast about NYC as much as they travel there, which is a lot. Am I ashamed of my own hometown? Hell no, we are so arrogant that we refer to ourselves as “Township” and the surrounding towns and our county also regard us as so (lol it could just be our bloated ego about our town, but we take pride in it).

Alright man. I don’t know if I rubbed you the wrong way with some comments or something that warrants an apology? I just ask to be respectful about it. I try to be civil even with rival fans. Comments like “moronic”, “better than you’ll ever be at anything”, “desperate”, “ashamed” in your conotations really come off as if I started a Kobe-Shaq like beef with you (haha seemed funny in this context).

by soman319 on May 26, 2009 11:05 AM PDT up reply actions

lol I felt like I was writing a fanpost, sorry for ranting but I felt like I was being attacked.

by soman319 on May 26, 2009 11:09 AM PDT up reply actions

You should probably look into that – persecution complexes can be detrimental to a long healthy happy life

"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."

Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.

by jemagee on May 26, 2009 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions

lol whatever man. I see that it’s your style to comment in such a way. Totally fine with it after writing what I had to say out. Do you want to be Shaq or Kobe in our feud? haha

by soman319 on May 26, 2009 12:00 PM PDT up reply actions

To have a feud one must care about the person he’s in a feud with, thus a feud is impossible, but if it helps you to write such long rambling meanderings, keep going…

"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."

Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.

by jemagee on May 26, 2009 1:34 PM PDT up reply actions

lol sure man, whatever you say.

I’m glad that you found time to “care” enough to respond to my “rambling meanderings”. I’m curious, why the obvious condescending remarks towards me?

by soman319 on May 26, 2009 2:04 PM PDT up reply actions

If my response was to anything in your meanderings it was purely coincidental – it was a very long post I knew I didn’t need to read to get the gist of.

I tend to condescend towards those who I think make silly comments that have no bearing on rational thought and just basically represent everything wrong with Philadelphia sports fans and the WIP mentality in general…

but don’t take my responding to you as evidnece i care either way, this is relaxing to me, decompressing from the day

"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."

Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.

by jemagee on May 26, 2009 3:05 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm sorry you feel that way.

I know nothing about you, how old you are, what you do etc etc. However, I do know what respect and decency. A condescending tone hardly helps and argument you made against me. In fact, if you had left all of that out, I would have probably considered your point and be done with it. I felt atleast part of argument for disliking Kobe would validate my dislike for him. To me it is completely rational to dislike someone for his off-the-court/field activities.

This is an introspective activity. You claim to condescend towards those who you deem bears no rational thought and represent everything wrong with Philadelphia sports fans. Yet, you made assumptions as to what my post was about by not reading it to get the gist. Now, how is it possible for one to understand something without fully immersing themselves in it? To not do so should be irrational, no? How do you not represent part of whats wrong with Philadelphia sports fans when you’re the one being rude?

by soman319 on May 26, 2009 5:12 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree

Mostly just the match up that helped the Sixers against the Magic. Everybody talks about Dwight Howard, but Rashard Lewis is really the guy who opens up their offense. As we’ve seen, he’s incredibly difficult to guard for most power forwards, but Thaddeus Young is actually well equipped to stop him. Look at Boston — while KG would have eaten Lewis alive, he made Big Baby (too slow on the perimeter) and Brian Scalabrine (too terrible at basketball) look like fools when they tried to guard him.

by zfg on May 25, 2009 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Great post.

Honestly I got a little mad that the Cavs were automatically placed in the finals. It was like a punch in the face to any other team in the playoffs including the Magic. Yeah they beat us, yeah I hate Hedo with a passion, but they played and beat us as well as the Celtics. Now, if not for a miracle from a freak that is Lebron(I personally love Lebron from when he was in high school), the Magic have thoroughly dominated the Cavs and are up on the prematurely crowned eastern conf “champs”. Granted, I would still love to see Bron Bron win the championship this year. But I am not pining for a Kobe-Lebron final. I am a fan of Chauncy Billups (though he killed us in the past as his alterego Mr. Bigshot) and hope the Nuggets fight back and oust the Lakers. A Lebron-Carmello final would be special. Two young stars making it to the big one signals the end of the Kobe/Duncan/Shaq era in my books, regardless if its true or not.

Back to the Orlando-Cleveland matchup…The Magic as a team are playing great. Unlike the Cavs who at the moment are pretty anemic offensively, the Magic are getting much needed scoring from their bench since Hedo has been overall quiet (outside the 4th quarter) and Howard hasn’t dominated games. Pietrus has been playing phenomenal and Lewis is playing like…well Lewis. Gortat has been a surprise to me as he has played pretty well when in for Howard who has been in foul trouble. The team is meshing well and are picking each other up. Lebron James accounts for something like 60 percent of the offensive production (that includes points as well as assists and stuff), as per what they say on espn. His supporting cast are playing terrible and they will not survive if they continue such.

Wow, that was a long post but I guess it accounts for not really posting in the past 2 weeks or so.

by soman319 on May 25, 2009 1:17 PM PDT reply actions

Of course the cavs were autmoatically picked to the finals – they were far and away the best eastern conference team in the league during the regular season only one lost one home game that matters and had home court THROUGHOUT THE PLAYOFFS, best record in the league. The only team people though could challenge them was the celtics and they weren’t healthy.

The Lakers were ‘shown the door’ to the finals as well – no one thought anyone could compete with them (and the nuggets are giving them the damn series)

Why do people whine about stuff like this – it happens every year – who cares?

As for whehter or not this makes the sixers look better or worse, it has no impact whatsoever in my opinion

"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."

Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.

by jemagee on May 25, 2009 5:26 PM PDT reply actions

I just hope it’s Nuggets-Magic as the final series, just because I want to see David Stern’s worst nightmare come true.

No Kobe vs. LeBron? What WILL the writers have to report about? You mean, they’ll have to do actual research on the teams?

/sarcasm

by doubleh on May 26, 2009 2:22 PM PDT reply actions

I too hope that the NBA finals are a lower rated version thus lowering the NBA’s revenues and thus affecting the salary cap of every team trying to build towards being competitive.

Nothing better all 30 teams than lower projected revenues.

"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."

Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.

by jemagee on May 26, 2009 3:11 PM PDT reply actions

That was SUCH a foul – that’s what’s wrong with the NBA and ‘swallowing’ your whistle near the end of the game – varrejao cleared him out in a way that would be a foul in any other moment of the game

If the magic lose in OT that’s one of the biggest jobs in a while

"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."

Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.

by jemagee on May 26, 2009 8:24 PM PDT reply actions

Magic = Hope for Sixers

Watching the Magic reminds me of the ensemble style attack that the Pistons used to use, especially with Dwight as a Billionaire’s version of Ben Wallace. There was this perception that the Pistons method was a fluke, but here we have another ensemble attack a doorstep away from the Finals. If the Sixers improve their shooting and either Speights or Smith improves enough to start next to Brand, or they sign Gortat, then you have 5 threats on the floor at all times. Everybody can make you pay, that kind of offense works. Combine that with a better defensive approach(cough… Thibodeau) and we might have something. Especially because I think that Dala is a better closer than Turk.

by RSWKnight on May 27, 2009 3:42 PM PDT reply actions