THE TRIFECTA

1-No More Streak

Congrats to the Stanford women’s basketball team.  They ended UConn’s 90 game winning streak. Back in Octobor I had the chance to meet Stanford head coach Tara VanDerveer.  She was really down to earth as we chatted about hoops before she spoke at the BCAM.

2-UCF

How about the Central Florida Men’s basketball team? They have started the season 13-0 and are ranked 21st in the country. Donnie Jones, head coach at UCF is a former assistant coach under Billy Donovan at Florida and has done a great job.

3-Please To Meet You

Wednesday night at the Palace Kevin Garnett and Charlie Villanueva refused to shake hands before the opening tip.  The two were involved in a conversation a few weeks back where Charlie V accused KG of calling him a ‘cancer patient’.

-Coach Finamore

Hoops135@hotmail.com

Follow me on Twitter: @CoachFinamore

DAY 88: IT WILL COME

Day 88 of 90…Stop worrying about things that aren’t important like scoring, publicity, high rankings, etc.

Day 88-Flow

Jordan was once quoted in Jet magazine online about today’s players,

“I found more guys playing not for the love of the game, but for money and prestige,” Jordan said. “Players today worry more about who is being paid the most money and gets the highest recognition. I was never about that,” he continued. “Those things happened to me when I least expected it. I never expected to be the player I became. I wanted my skills to be among the best. But once I worked hard and the skills developed, everything else just took care of itself . But good work ethic and love of the game first is no longer what drives players in the (NBA). Do you know what is corrupting the league and will destroy it if it gets out of hand? It’s greed. It’s the love of money and the jealousy over what the other guy is making.” (“Jordan Questions Players Love For Game”.  Jet Magazine.  June 27, 1994.)

“The NBA became great because when I came into the game, the best players had talent and personality, and that sold the league. People can tell when you are for real about loving the game by the way you play and carry yourself. Today the league is trying to manufacture talent and personality through marketing. And it can’t be done. It must come naturally. And if you ask me for the ingredients, I can’t give them to you. It just came naturally. I was just being me.”

-Coach Finamore

Hoops135@hotmail.com

Follow me on Twitter: @CoachFinamore

FRIDAY: NBA SUPER 7

TNT’s studio show with Ernie, Kenny and Charles was terrible Thursday night.  They had Chris Weber in studio and it made the show worse.  These guys don’t analyze anything.  All they do is argue over who’s the best team in the league.  How about giving us some reasons why we should believe what you say.

A win is a win, regardless of who suits up.  It doesn’t matter that Dirk didn’t play last night for Dallas.  The Spurs are 28-4 and are the best team in the NBA.  Their young guys are playing great.  Tony Parker keeps on doing his thing and Manu has been unreal.

The Orlando Magic are making their move to the top with Jason Richardson, Hedo and Gilbert Arenas.  It’s not so much of adding them to the team, it was getting rid of two players who didn’t help. The ball is moving around the perimeter…

I hope KG gets back soon, the game misses him.

1-San Antonio Spurs: 28-4…Beat the Mavs last night in Dallas. (Next: Saturday home vs Thunder)

2-Boston Celtics: 24-6….(Next: Tonight home vs Hornets)

3-Dallas Mavericks: 24-7…Lost to the Spurs last night at home. (Next: Saturday at Milwaukee)

4-Miami Heat: 25-9…(Next: Saturday home vs Warriors)

5-Los Angeles Lakers: 22-10…(Next: Tonight home vs Sixers)

6-Chicago Bulls: 20-10…(Next: Tonight home vs Nets)

7-Oklahoma City Thunder: 22-11…(Next: Tonight home vs Hawks)

Who Got Next? Orlando Magic (21-12), Utah Jazz (22-11)

THURSDAY: NBA SUPER 7

1-San Antonio Spurs: 27-4…(Next: Tonight at Dallas)

2-Boston Celtics: 24-6….(Next: Friday home vs Hornets)

3-Dallas Mavericks: 24-6…(Next: Tonight home vs Spurs)

4-Miami Heat: 25-9…(Next: Saturday home vs Warriors)

5-Los Angeles Lakers: 22-10…(Next: Friday home vs Sixers)

6-Chicago Bulls: 20-10…(Next: Friday home vs Nets)

7-Utah Jazz: 22-10… (Next: Tonight at Portland)

Who Got Next? Oklahoma City Thunder (22-11), Orlando Magic (20-12)

WEDNESDAY: NBA SUPER 7

Kobe was ticked after losing to the Heat on Christmas day.  Now after losing to San Antonio last night, I couldn’t imagine what he’s like.  Spurs the best team in the league right now. Watch out for Orlando…I’m attending Celtics/Pistons tonight at the Palace.

1-San Antonio Spurs: 27-4…Put a beat down on the Lakers last night 97-82. Clearly the best team in the NBA right now. Timmy Duncan only had 2 points. Things got testy between a few players. Big game Thursday night. (Next: Thursday at Dallas)

2-Boston Celtics: 24-5….Beat the Pacers 95-83. C’s got strong bench play. KG 13 and 11. Looking forward to keeping an eye on Kevin Garnett and Charlie V of the Pistons tonight.  (Next: Tonight at Detroit)

3-Dallas Mavericks: 24-6…Lose to the Raptors at home 84-76. No Dirk in the lineup. (Next: Thursday home vs Spurs )

4-Miami Heat: 24-9…Beat the Knicks 106-98. D-Wade goes for 40. Heat have won 15 of their last 16. Chris Bosh has been the biggest reason for their positive play. He started bad but has stepped up his game. (Next: Tonight at Houston)

5-Los Angeles Lakers: 21-10…Got it handed to them last night by the Spurs 97-82. Kobe shoots 8-27. Shannon Brown 1-11 from the field.  (Next: Tonight at New Orleans)

6-Chicago Bulls: 20-10…Beat the Bucks 90-77. Derrick Rose gets 18 and 12 assists. I love when I see these numbers from D-Rose. Not sure of their record when he gets double-double but I bet it’s good.  (Next: Friday home vs Nets)

7-Utah Jazz: 21-10… Lost Monday night to the Blazers 96-91. Deron Williams scores 31 points on 11-16 shooting from the field. (Next: Tonight at Clippers)

Who Got Next? Oklahoma City Thunder (21-11), Orlando Magic (20-12)