I know many of you hate Bill Simmons but I think he is pretty entertaining and he has some real hate for the lakers, so here is a good read: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/090505&sportCat=nba
Some real gems in there. For example: "10:28: Yao pulls a Parish-like drop step on Gasol, then gets fouled on the attempted dunk and hits both freebies. Meanwhile, Doug Collins reports that the constant chatter between Wafer and Vujacic is escalating. Don't get my hopes up that someone might punch Sasha in the face, Doug. That's just not fair." "2:53: Houston leaves Ariza AND Fisher open to defend a two-man game with Odom and Kobe. Kobe throws it out to Fisher in the corner ... brick. Houston gets the rebound. Dating back to Game 74 of the regular season, Fisher has missed 33 of his last 40 3-pointers. For the Lakers to win this series, Houston has made it clear that either Ariza, Fisher, Walton or Vujacic must nail 3s or Kobe is going to have to go old-school Kobe and beat everyone one-on-three. Smart. I like it." -- Like I've said before, since when did the Fakers' role players become super stars? King Kong doesn't have nothing on our guys.
I think alot of people were like Simmons last night - watching the game and gaining alot of respect for Yao with his Tru Warier moment
Some of my favorites from the article: 6:00: Bad 20-footer by Kobe over Artest. That's followed by Brooks torching Fisher and slicing through the middle undeterred for a pretty layup. I love that Brooks went so late in the 2007 draft. So wait, when you score a ton of points in college, shoot a high percentage and get your shot any time you want, that might translate to success in the NBA? Are we sure? Rockets by eight. 4:59: Kobe smacks knees with Yao on a drive. Yao goes down in a heap. Gasol gets a dunk. Yao stays down in a heap, wincing and holding his knee. Crap. Crap. Crap. 4:59: Coming back from commercial, we see Yao limping off in the tunnel surrounded by trainers and concerned Houston GM Daryl "Stop Calling Me Dork Elvis" Morey. Lots of face time for Daryl. He's wearing a snazzy brown sportscoat, a blue sweater and looks like he just paid between $100 and $150 for his haircut. Maybe even $175. And they definitely shampooed him before and after the cut. This is exciting. Now Yao is limping back to the floor! How do you say "Time for a Willis Reed comeback!" in Chinese? How many Chinese characters would that take? 4:33: Turnover by Houston. Ugh. Bad possession. Meanwhile, Sager is reporting that a previously "tearful" Yao has now demanded back into the game. Cut to Yao standing at the scorer's table with an "I'm gonna kick everyone's butt" face. Yao Ming! Who knew? I think I'm officially a fan. Make room for me on the 2 billion-plus Yao Ming bandwagon please. Just give me a spot near the way way way way way way way way back.
I loved how he points out that Sasha flopped his a$$ off on that play against Wafer. One of the first times I have ever read a national columnist call out a flopper. Its like the fat girl girl you were with one time, you know it happened, but rarely does anyone ever bring it up.
he adds the bolded part, its from the end of al pacino's awesome speech at the end of "any given sunday". I don't understand why people don't like the movie but its awesome that he dropped that at the end of adleman's speech
Thanks .. I had no idea what he was talking about there. Fun read as usual from Simmons. It looks like he's rooting for the Rockets.
2:35: Yao misses a fallaway, Kobe tips the rebound out of bounds, then Artest takes advantage by nailing a leaner over Ariza. Rockets by eight. That's followed by another 3-point brick from Ariza (wide open) and Yao grabbing the rebound. It looks like the Rockets will improve to 1-0 in playoff games played at a neutral site. (Wait, this game is being played in front of Lakers fans who are supposed to be cheering their team and affecting the game? Are we sure?) Liked that bit.
Yeah, I was shocked how terrible the Staples crowd was yesterday. in fairness to them i have never heard them that bad before, but it was bad, even when they were making shots at the end (last minute or so)
Thanks for mentioning. I actually like that movie a lot. I'll also share what I liked: I think he's spot on. Kobe fans, are, indeed, precious. Simmons is great for a funny read, and he delivered.
while simmons usually has any good basketball insight of any sorts he is good for a nice laugh and read thats for sure. staples crowds are always like that plus i dont link the darkening of the lights there for games its supposed to put more attention on the court but i think it takes a lot of of the fans in terms of being seen and wanting to be heard. i mean in a dark place are you going to be screaming and cheering for your team instead of a well lit place? all sports are played under lights and all. whatever anything to mitigate any "home court" advantage the lakers may have is fine by me
Some of you younguns probably don't understand Simmons hatred for the Lakers. Let me just say this, he is one of those old school Celtic fans. To him, an embarrassment or upset of the Lakers is comparable to a disappointment and choking of the New York Yankees. Boston fans are usually in utter glee when those things happen.
I'm glad you explained this. I never saw that film and so, to me, it just looked like some sort of homosexual reference. I was like "Why is he saying our dudes like to have penis in their face?". hahaha.
gosh i hope someone punches sasha in the face when the series is over or something. dude is freakin' annoying.
like how he mentioned the Willis Reed comparison, the Marv albert call of it, and I think he alluded to it again when he mentioned that Yao's first shot was a 20 footer (Willis's first one was an elbow-jumper I think)
