Homer?

Last Wednesday, I spent a very enjoyable evening watching D-Wade destroy the Atlanta Hawks with a foray of dizzying moves to the basket and unbelievably long jump shots (including banking in a 3 pointer that iced the game with just over a minute to play). I was in Hotlanta on business and decided to take in a playoff game. My hope was that D-Wade would score 40 (he scored 38) and the game would be wildly entertaining (Josh Smith can jump out of the gym). Suffice to say, I was not disappointed for three reasons, 1.) the aforementioned D-Wade, 2.) the hawk (they release a live hawk during player intros) sat on the backboard for 10 minutes causing a delay, 3.) the PA announcer saying, "J J J J Joe Johnson every time he scored" (which didn't happen to often, and "the foul was offensive...Jermaine O'neal (every time the Heat committed an offensive foul).

I had the pleasure of sitting next to a couple of guys that were also in town on business - one was from San Antonio and the other from Philadelphia. While watching the game we began to discuss numerous basketball topics...

...how long will Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder stay in the cellar (or at least out of the playoffs)?

...who is more of a clutch player (LeBron or Kobe)?

...will Boston survive Chicago?

...who is a better point guard CP3, Deron Williams or Chauncey Billups?

...can the soft Lakers win a Championship?

After talking for a few minutes...my new found friend Mike said, "Tim, you are just a Laker fan and that influences all of your opinions." Just for clarification sake, I did not say that Derek Fisher was better than any of those point guards...AND I did not say that the Lakers will win the Championship.

I just happen to think...

...that Kevin Durant (with one more lottery pick and the growth of his teammates - namely Russell Westbrook and Jeff Green) can easily jump the Phoenix Suns into the Playoff conversation.

...that Amare Stoudemire is (to quote Remember the Titans) "a waste of God given talent". The guys has no post up moves, the guy can not create his own shot...if it weren't for Steve Nash he would be a 12-14 point player with 5-7 boards...not someone worth a max contract.

...that LeBron's new found defensive prowess is nothing to jump up and down about, despite what every single analyst says. He happens to play the easiest position in basketball (what I mean by easiest is the least number of superstars playing the position). He doesn't have to contend with a Tony Parker, Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Jason Kidd, Chauncey Billups, Rajon Rondo, Derrick Rose, etc...that the other point guards have to worry about. He doesn't have to worry about Michael Redd, Kobe Bryant, Manu Ginobili, Tracy McGrady, Jason Richardson, Joe Johnson, Ray Allen, etc...that the other shooting guards have to worry about. He doesn't have to worry about Chris Bosh, Pau Gasol, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitski, etc...that the other power forwards have to worry about. The only guy he has to check...is Paul Pierce (no offense 'Mello) and I GUARANTEE that he won't be making those spike blocks on Rondo and Allen while is guarding Paul.

...that the Boston Celtics are a bunch of thugs. Kendrick Perkins is the biggest of them all (until last night). He has borderline talent...he is heart and determination, but he is not a talented big man. He just beats the hell out of people. Kevin Garnett is the most overhyped player in the NBA...sure he is intense, but does every other word out of his mouth have to be m***erf***er and then the other word being n***a???? And now we have Rajon Rondo...the hit on Brad Miller last night was amazing.

For a couple of reasons, 1.) he intentionally fouled him (Doc Rivers praised him for fouling him and winning the game), 2.) he had NO intention of going for the ball (a guy who is this quick swings so late...I mean the ball was long gone when he swung his arm...he had NO chance of getting the ball.), 3.) it won the game. I agree with Colin Cowheard...the series is as it should be...the Celtics should be ahead...with or without Garnett. But, I disagree with his point that the foul was flagrant because the series is where it should be. The reason I disagree with this is if the situation was reversed and it was Derrick Rose swinging at Kendrick Perkins. The series would be heading to Chicago with the Bulls up...and they "shouldn't" be ahead in the series.

...that Paul Pierce is a drama queen. Hello?!? Didn't he sprain his knee...and then miraculously walk back to the court and play like he didn't for 4 more games. He is a liar...and so are the Celtics! See Bill Simmons article on www.espn.com about Kevin Garnett's injury...they are the masters of deception.

No matter how hard I tried to fight it...last Wednesday night...Mike was right! [Bill Simmons at ESPN is the biggest Homer ever. He hates hard on Kobe because he is a Celtic.]