By Sam Amico
ProBasketballNews.com
Scribbles in my playoff notebook:
* The San Antonio Spurs are kidding themselves if they think the young New Orleans will eventually self-destruct. That’s something the Spurs need to consider if they expect to get back into this series, which the Hornets lead two games to none following two utter hammer jobs of the defending champs.
* Basically, the Hornets aren’t the Phoenix Suns. They don’t run a risky shoot-first-ask-questions-later offense, they aren’t going to make critical mistakes down the stretch with Chris Paul running things. If the Spurs want to get back in this series, they need to take things over themselves.
* You can’t help but think that playing with Team USA last summer is a big reason why Paul’s game improved so dramatically. Yes, he was good last season -- but nobody was considering him for league MVP honors until about January of this year (the Lakers Kobe Bryant is expected to win the award today). Anyway, playing alongside guys like Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Jason Kidd in the Olympic tune-up likely went a long way in helping Paul become the point guard he is today.
* Paul abused Kidd in the previous series against Dallas, and then let the whole world know by telling a national television audience, “He can’t guard me.” It will be interesting to see who starts, and how well they get along, during their time together in Beijing this fall.
* The Hornets remind me very much of the Sacramento Kings of the earlier part of this decade. Like those Kings, these Hornets are hungry, can shoot from the perimeter, and play with a little bit of an edge. And yes, Peja Stojakovic has been a member of both teams.
* I love watching Hornets forward David West, as he’s never afraid to show his emotions or take big shots. West is also the rare All-Star who doesn’t seem to care how many shots he gets, as long as the team is winning. Actually, Paul is that way too -- which is why the Hornets are a team in the truest sense. As for West, I felt he entered the second round as the second best player in the postseason (behind Bryant).
* For all the talk of the Spurs’ defense, they could take a lesson from the Hornets on how to double team. And everyone else should pay close attention to how the Hornets have been able to keep Tony Parker from penetrating and contain Manu Ginobili. Last time Ginobili played this average, the Spurs were eliminated by the Mavericks in the Western Conference finals (2006).
* The Hornets’ ability to keep the Spurs from getting good shots near the basket is what’s been most remarkable. Kudos goes to Hornets coach Byron Scott, who obviously did his homework -- realizing that the Spurs are streaky from the outside. So he devised a plan to keep them shooting from there.
* Or as Tim Duncan said after Game 2, the Hornets’ defensive schemes make “the whole game very frustrating.” It’s been a long time since Duncan has been defended this well, and Hornets center Tyson Chandler deserves most of the credit. He’s making a name for himself in this series by using his long arms, athleticism and relentless energy to be a constant defensive annoyance.
* A lot of coaches claim the first five minutes of the third quarter are the most crucial moments of any close game. Well, the Hornets have outscored the Spurs 65-35 in the third -- which likely tells you everything you need to know about this series.
* Meanwhile in the East … Detroit’s experience and confidence are shining through in their series against Orlando, which the Pistons lead 2-0. Led by guards Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton, the Pistons are just so remarkably composed. They also understand the importance of the little things, like taking care of the ball, being patient, and working for the best possible shot. In Game 2, they committed a mere SIX turnovers. They also hit 24 of 28 free throws.
* A quick look at the stats also tells you something about the Magic’s inexperience. After drilling all seven of their 3-point attempts in the third quarter, they made the rim cringe with fear in the fourth, sinking just 1 of 9 shots from beyond the arc. Basically, the Magic sort of lost their composure in the game’s final eight minutes, when they rushed shots and suddenly started handling the ball like it was made out of lead.
* As Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said, “We hung in there good, but we didn't make plays down the stretch and the 19 turnovers killed us.”
* Still, with Dwight Howard being Dwight Howard, and Rashard Lewis and Jameer Nelson giving strong performances in Game 2, you have to believe this series is far from over. Things could change dramatically if those three guys (and Hedo
Turkoglu) are able to use their time at home to get into a rhythm.
* Teams that have led 2-0 in best-of-seven series have gone on to sweep the series 51 times, while 69 others won in five games. Only 13 teams have lost a series after winning the first two games. The good news for the Magic is one of those teams is these very Pistons -- who won the first two games at home before dropping the next four to Cleveland in the conference finals last season.
Sam Amico is the editor of Pro Basketball News. Contact him or sign up for his free e-mail newsletter at amico@probasketballnews.com.
NBA: May 6, 2008
Hornets, Pistons composed as ever
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