LAST TEAM STANDING

“No one ever remembers who came in 2nd place.”

-John Madden

We are here, finally. The NBA championship starts tonight. Game 1 Miami Heat vs the Dallas Mavericks in Miami for all the marbles.

Many are billing this matchup as ‘LeBron vs Dirk’. But it’s actually a lot more than that. There are many fantastic players on both sides.

What started as a circus last June (The Decision) has now ended with a team that has found the formula in Miami. The Heat are learning the secret that Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird learned, but not by talking about it. Playing together and sacrificing for the good of the team. In case you didn’t know it, that’s how you win championships.

You need players who buy into the team concept. You don’t need selfish players who only care about themselves.

If I’m a reporter at the NBA Finals, I ask Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle, “if you think Dirk Nowitzki is in top 10 of all-time, where would you rank LeBron James?” Speaking of reporters, did you know Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra’s grandfather used to be a sportswriter and covered the Detroit Tigers?

Everyone knows about the players who score all the points and the one who grabs the rebounds but do you pay attention to who is out on the court the longest? James plays 44.0 minutes per game in the 2010-11 playoffs. He’s tops in that category.

Someone on Twitter mentioned that LeBron has to add a cross-over, inside-out dribble and a jab step to his game. Yeah sure, how about adding a teacher’s certificate too, so he can teach 7th grade Math. Some people will always nit-pick. If anything, James should add a low-post game before he adds those dribbling moves.

With the NBA draft right around the corner, which is more difficult? Recruiting HS players for your college program or drafting players for your NBA team?

I had to laugh yesterday when I read someone write that the Penn State men’s head coaching position is a bad job. Do you know how many coaches would love that gig? If the A.D. at Penn State wants to hit a home run, they should hire Jim Boylen as their new coach.

You want an outstanding non-sports book to read? Pick up ‘Alphaville’ written by Michael Codella. He’s a  retired NYC cop who talks about his days working on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. You will not put it down, trust me.

hoops135@hotmail.com

Follow me on Twitter: @CoachFinamore

NO BALL, NOT COOL

“The best thing you can give yourself is the gift of possibility and believing in the possibility of others.”

-Paul Newman

While taking a few days off to head up North for the Memorial Day weekend, I came across this sweet looking outdoor basketball court.

I guess since the NBA can take a few days off, so can the amateur basketball players of America.

Hopefully this court is filled soon with players.

hoops135@hotmail.com

Follow me on Twitter: @CoachFinamore

TIME’S UP

“The less determined and the less motivated weed themselves out.”

-Chuck Daly

The Miami Heat finished off the Chicago Bulls last night with an amazing come from behind victory, 83-80. Biggest problem with that is the crew at TNT is going fishing!

Yesterday on Twitter I tweeted “I would not count Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah out tonight…matter of fact, save this Tweet, I’m going with Bulls tonight.”

I was wrong. I’ll admit it. Most people are afraid to admit it when they’re wrong, not me.

After Bulls guard Ronnie Brewer hit a free-throw with 3:14 to play in the game, Chicago led 76-64; Chicago’s equipment manager made a mad dash for the locker room and packed up the red uniforms. He also stuffed the envelopes with the $115 per diem for each player. (On the road, and not in uniform, does Brain Scalarbrine of the Bulls still get per diem?)

The Bulls were going back to Miami for game 6; my tweet was looking good, so I thought. That is, until the best player in the game decided to take over.

Miami outscored Chicago 18-4 and ended the Bulls season.

LeBron James showed everyone why he’s the best player in the game. During this run, LBJ scored 8 pts and made a couple of big defensive stops. For all those who say James can’t shoot from the outside, need to let you know he made 2 big three-point jump shots from way downtown.

In the 4th quarter the former Cavalier had 12 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 1 blocked shot.

For the 5 game series James finished with 33 assists, the same amount as Chicago’s point guard Derrick Rose. What position does James play?

Rose may of been the MVP for the entire season but LeBron is the best player in the league.

I admire how Rose holds himself accountable, something many players would never do; “Everything is on me — turnovers, missed, shots, fouls … If anything, I’ll learn from it. That’s all I can do right now. The series is over.” On the night, Rose shot 9-29 from the field. Best believe, he will be in the gym soon working hard, getting ready for next season. Chicago has a very special player.

Scottie Pippen, this morning on the Mothership radio station said “Michael Jordan is probably the greatest scorer to play the game, but I may go as far as to say LeBron James may be the greatest player to ever play the game because he is so potent offensively that not only can he score at will but he keeps everybody involved.”  Hmmm…here’s a tweet by Pippen after everyone has been firing back at him.  “For all of you that don’t know, I played the game you keep watching and cheering.” No Scottie, I didn’t know you played, which team were you on? LOL

The Bulls are going fishing and the Heat are moving to the NBA finals which begin Tuesday against the Dallas Mavericks. Which by the way I wish ABC would add Hubie Brown to the telecast.

I watch the Dan Patrick Show as often as possible.  He has a basket set up in his studio in which he often shoots long jumpers. By the way, no way it’s regulation height.  One thing Danny boy, all your shots are uncontested. I want to see McLovin close out on you!

Have a great Memorial Day weekend! Drive safe and keep a cool stool…

hoops135@hotmail.com

Follow me on Twitter: @CoachFinamore

AIR SPACE

“The willingness to do, creates the ability to do.”

-Peter McWilliams

Mike Brown finding employment in Los Angeles is a very good hire.  The guy’s a winner, he’s a grinder and he’s a good guy. Sure maybe Brian Shaw, Lakers assistant should’ve had the job but I think they want a fresh start at Staples. No more triangle offense. Curious to see how Kobe Bryant plays. Of course Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson, both of ESPN, Brown’s last employer praise the hire. What do ya think they would do, bash it? By the way, did Brown have to fill out an application when he applied for the job? Did he have to show his social security card and provide drivers license too?

Have to love this quote from Van Gundy during last night’s telecast of Thunder-Mavericks. “Playoff basketball is all about winning and losing.” Huh?

While I’m on the subject of announcers, here’s another dandy from Jackson, also from the game last night, “Defending (James) Harden in the open court is like trying to guard Manu and LeBron James.” Oh no he didn’t!

Dirk Nowitzki is in the gym every night during the playoffs; so says his head coach Rick Carlisle. I believe him.  This guy has been very good in the playoffs. His footwork on the catch is unreal; it would make the late Pete Newell smile. Everyone always likes to talk about shooting form. Every coach under the sun will give you their take on how to shoot the ball; there’s many different ways to shoot it.  Dirk has a weird way of shooting, most of the time. He’s off-balance.  Or, he likes to shoot off one foot.  Imagine taking a kid in the gym and teaching him how to shoot like that? I’m ok with it though, I’m all about reps, the more you shoot, the better the shot gets. That’s what Dirk does, he shoots it the same way 24-7. I bet this summer at camps all around the country, coaches will be teaching kids the “Dirk”. Then everyone, including Herb Welling will be asking for the notes.

I wish TNT had the  coverage of next month’s NBA Finals.  Can we make that happen or what?

I have to start studying all the eligible players for the draft that is coming up. Is everyone so sure about the point guard from Duke, Kyrie Irving as the first pick?

Twitter has been very good to me. I have met some great people (not in person). But there are many wonderful minds tweeting their thoughts on the NBA playoffs.  Once again, I tweeted it and now I’ll blog it;  Kris Humphries, come on man!

Poor Doris Burke, the Western Conference finals have not been good to her this week. By the way, how did Rick Barry get a microphone for the Mavericks on-court championship celebration?

In last night’s close-out game, the final 8 minutes were not good to the Thunder. 6 turnovers and your best player (Durant) shooting 2-4 from field. The cat needs more FGA’s than that down the stretch. OKC will be back though, they are very young.  That is, if they keep their key guys. Last night’s shooting from the field: Russell Westbrook 11-28, Kevin Durant 8-20, James Harden 7-11, Dirk Nowitzki 8-15.

Will someone please tell me why in high school and college basketball that when you fall down in possession of the ball it’s a travel but not in the NBA?

This past Monday at a press conference for the basketball Hall of Fame inductees, Jim Nantz, who was the M.C this night said Chris Mullin is from the Bronx. Not a god thing. Guy is from Brooklyn, big difference.

Greg Anderson is coaching youth baseball? Is that a good thing or bad thing? Anderson was the trainer for Barry Bonds and went to jail when he failed to testify about Bonds’ steroid use. In 2005 Anderson pleaded guilty to distributing steroids. He served 3 months in prison for that crime and spent a year behind bars for refusing to testify.

hoops135@hotmail.com

Follow me on Twitter: @CoachFinamore

AIN’T NO HALF STEPPIN’

“When the water is boiling it is foolish to turn off the heat.”

-Dan Majerlie

Someone once said, big time players show up in big time games and make big time plays. Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Kareem Abdul-Jabber were all guys who fall into this category. Whether it was scoring a basket at a crucial time of the game, getting a stop on defense late in the game, sharing the ball and hitting the open man or grabbing a rebound in traffic, these superstars made it happen.

Last night in South Beach, in game 4 of the Eastern conference finals, LeBron James showed up. He not only punched his time card, he stayed around for some overtime.

James scored 35 points to led the Miami Heat to an overtime win over the Chicago Bulls 101-93. The Heat take a commanding 3-1 lead in the best of 7 series. The two teams will travel to Chicago for game 5 Thursday night. Wouldn’t it be cool if both teams rode the same plane?

James not only scored he shared the ball, defended and rebounded.

What’s so special about James is he does it all. Not many players can stake claim to such an honor. LBJ grabbed 6 rebounds and handed out 6 assists.

Many fans around the country are rooting against the Heat, I totally understand. They are actually turning into the New York Yankees.  But regardless of how you feel about them, one thing you have to do is respect the way they play the game.

The Heat’s defense did a great job last night holding Chicago to 40% shooting from the floor and 6-24 from 3 point-range.

I love what Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau said after the game when asked what can the Bulls take from this loss? ”Study, learn, correct and grow.”

Last night I counted 6 different times TNT employees and Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra mentioned the phrase, ‘weather the storm.’ I think it’s time Reggie Miller, Steve Kerr and Kevin McHale find a different metaphor.

Ed DeChellis left Penn State yesterday to take the coaching job at the Naval academy. A couple of people have asked me why someone would make that move? To be honest, I don’t know. DeChellis is one of the good guys in the coaching business and he did a solid job in State College. The Nittany Lions made it to the NCAA tournament last season losing to Temple 66-64.  I’m sure DeChellis will do well at Navy and I bet it’s a great place to work. Plus, he can coach without any pressure to win a power conference. It had to get frustrating at times during recruiting.  But how can you argue with a place that produced David Robinson and Doug Wojick?

DeChellis spent the past 8 years at his alma mater. “Penn State is a special place for me and my family.” DeChellis said at his press conference.

I had to laugh when I read New York Post writer Pete Vecsey mention Nate Robinson running on the court during a timeout and chest bumping in the air.  He said an ex-coach complained about that behavior.

Led by Nate Robinson, the Thunder’s partying subs came charging onto the court. An ESPN camera focused on the three-time dunk champ bumping bodies with Durant in mid-air.

An ex-head coach watching at home contemptuously muttered, “They’ll be ridiculing that childish celebration all day tomorrow on TV.”

To me, as a coach, that’s better than having Robinson sit there at the end of the bench and not pull for his teammates. I want my guys on the bench to be excited about the accomplishments of the players playing ahead of them.

I thought I had seen it all but lo and behold, while composing this blog entry a guy in the coffee shop was on Skype with his girlfriend. Put some headphones, please.

hoops135@hotmail.com

Follow me on Twitter: @CoachFinamore