FULL BODY HELP

Friday night the Indiana Pacers defeated the New York Knicks 111-106 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals to make the series 2-1 New York. Game 4 is Sunday afternoon.

The Denver Nuggets finally got a win Friday night in the Western Conference semi-finals beating the Minnesota Timberwolves, 117-90 to make that series 2-1 Minnesota. Nikola Jokic scored 24 points, pulled down 14 rebounds and dished out 9 assists. Game 4 is Sunday.

Now, time for something serious…

An unbelievable story out of Wisconsin. A parent is suing two high school basketball coaches. In all my years of being involved in the greatest sport in the world, this is the first time I have heard of something like this. I sent the story to a few people. Here are a couple of things they had to say:

“DAMN. ABSURD.”

“JUST CRAZY. UNBELIEVABLE!”

“SHAKING MY HEAD.”

“JUST AMAZING. INSTEAD OF GETTING BETTER, IT IS SPIRALING OUT OF CONTROL.”

“INSANE. THE COACHES ASSOCIATION MEMBER IS RIGHT, WHO WOULD WANT TO COACH FOR $3500 BUCKS WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING SUED? NO ONE WILL.”

Here’s the link; https://www.wisn.com/article/father-son-sue-high-school-basketball-coaches-over-playing-time-being-cut-from-team-waunakee/60748458

The father and son filed the lawsuit claiming retaliation for speaking out against the coaches. The lawsuit said the coaches caused the Whalen’s emotional harm. They are asking for an unspecified amount of money and are hoping the case goes to a jury trial.

The Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association weighed in Thursday.

“If playing time is decided by parents instead of the coach, and a coach can be sued over playing time, then you tell me who is going to go into coaching?” the WBCA executive director Jerry Petitgoue said. “I think it sets a bad precedent for all high school sports to be honest with you.”

Always play the right way…

E-Mail: SteveFinamore@yahoo.com

NO EXCUSES. NO COMPLAINTS.

We live in a society where there seems to be more complaining and people making excuses at an all-time high. No one wants to be held accountable or take responsibility. It’s a “point the finger at the other guy,” generation.

Add Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle to that group.

After the Knicks went up 2-0 in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, Carlisle took the time to blame the officials in his post-game press conference.

Before I get into what Carlisle said, know one thing; the Knicks kicked the Pacers asses in both games. That’s it. No excuses.

“Small-market teams deserve an equal shot. They deserve a fair shot no matter where they’re playing.”

Are you kidding?

I dislike all that “small-market, big market” crap.

LA Clippers and Lakers are not in the playoffs. Neither are the Bulls. The Nets are awful. Would they qualify for “big market?”

OKC and Minnesota are two of the hottest teams in the league right now. Small market, right?

Carlisle’s staff of 30 watched the film of Game 1 and came up with 29 situations where the calls could’ve gone Indiana’s way.

I’m sure they did the same thing for Game 2.

Officiating is hard. These guys do a good job. They don’t care who wins.

“There’s not a consistent balance, and that’s disappointing. Their Physicality is being rewarded and ours is penalized,” Carlisle said.

WHAT?

Does he think his team is playing physical?

No way!

Carlisle got pissed off at the ref in Game 2 for making a bad call that would have favored his team and penalized the Knicks but the ref realized he made a mistake and the ball was given back to the Knicks. Hartenstein did not double-dribble.

The Knicks are playing with more effort and energy. They are the tougher team too.

I like what Tyrese Haliburton said, “Let’s not pretend like [officiating] is the only reason we lost; we just didn’t play good enough. We just got to be better.”

No complaints. No excuses.

Game 3 is tonight in Indiana. The Knicks are down another man. OG Anunoby is out with a leg injury.

Always play the right way…

E-Mail: SteveFinamore@yahoo.com

GAME 2 EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMI-FINALS

The New York Knicks defeated the Indiana Pacers 130-121. New York now has a 2-0 lead in the series. Game 3 is Friday night in Indiana at 7:00 p.m.

Jalen Brunson led the way for New York with 29 points. He missed the entire second quarter due to a sore left foot. “We found a way,” Brunson said after the game.

OG Anunoby scored 28. OG was injured in the second half and had to leave the game. He never returned. He missed the last 15 minutes of the game. The Knicks this year are 26-5 since acquiring him from Toronto.

Donte DiVincenzo also scored 28 including 6-12 from 3. In the series he’s 11-21 from deep.

Josh Hart added 19 points to go along with 15 rebounds. Hart has played every minute of both games.

Isaiah Hartenstein 14 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists.

Reggie Miller joined Stan Van Gundy and Brian Anderson on the call for TNT. Miller had a few interesting comments:

On the Madison Square Garden crowd: “The best building in our league.”

On the up and down, racehorse style. “This pace favors the Pacers.”

Loved how the Pacers were picking up full-court and pressuring the Knicks ball handlers. More teams should do that.

The Pacers were led by Tyrese Haliburton who scored 34 points.

Obi Toppin had 20 off the bench.

TJ McConnell played another fine game. He’s now a +19 in the series. Haliburton is a -29. A few times the camera was on McConnell he was barking at the fans. He’s gotta be cool.

Pacers had 33 assists. Knicks 28.

Pacers made 15 3’s, Knicks 14.

Knicks are a -25 when Brunson is not on the floor.

Stan Van Gundy with a gem, “Shooters have to be great cutters.”

Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle was ejected with 33 seconds remaining in the game.

Mary J. Blige was at the game.

THE DOING IS THE THING

I’m sorry but we’re making too big of a deal over this Catlin Clark-Gregg Doyel thing.

Angel Reese went to the Met Gala, so what?

Travis Kelce kissed Taylor Swift, who cares?

The Boston Celtics ripped the Cleveland Cavaliers 120-95 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. How about Cleveland fans chanting, “We want Boston, We want Boston,” in Game 7 against Orlando. No you don’t. Be careful what you wish for…

Celtics made 18 3’s.

Thunder crushed the Mavericks in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals, 117-95.

Game 2 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals tonight between Pacers and Knicks. Knicks have lost Mitchell Robinson for 6-8 weeks. He injured his ankle in Game 1.

There was a play in Game 1 of Pacers-Knicks where OG Anunoby dove on the floor for a loose ball. I clipped it and sent it to a college coach. “First to the floor,” coach said. “Matter of fact, only one on the floor.” OG makes winning plays.

Reggie Miller is joining Stan Van Gundy and Brian Anderson for Game 2 on TNT. I really don’t want to mute the game but Miller may make me.

I had no problem with Rudy Gobert missing a basketball game for the birth of his child.

Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports has a good piece on “Inside the NBA.” https://sports.yahoo.com/please-save-inside-the-nba-170647304.html

Pat Riley is 100% correct about Jimmy Butler. “Shut up!”

Way too many gambling ads on TV.

The NIL and Transfer Portal has helped college athletics. Wonder if there is a list that is public where we can see the athletes in the Portal?

Happy birthday Speedy Claxton.

GAME 1 EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMI-FINALS

New York Knicks (2 seed) took a 1-0 lead in the series Monday night beating the Indiana Pacers (6 seed) 121-117.

Jalen Brunson led the way for the Knicks with 43 points. Brunson becomes the 4th player in NBA playoff history to score 40 or more points in four straight games. The Villanova product also chipped in with 6 assists and 6 rebounds.

“We just find a way,” Brunson said.

A bunch of New York Yankees were at the game including Hall of Fame relief pitcher Mariano Rivera. Joe Lee asked me following the game, “who’s a better closer; Jalen or Mo?”

Josh Hart had 24 points and 13 rebounds in 48 minutes. Donte DiVincenzo added 25 points including 5-9 from deep.

The 3 Villanova alum (Brunson, Hart and DiVincenzo) combined for 33 of the Knicks 39 points in the 4th quarter.

“I just think the way they work, they’ve invested a lot into this season and they put a lot into each and every day,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said.

Brian Anderson and Stan Van Gundy were on the call for TNT. These two are the best duo in the business. Anderson mentioned Hart has a “secret skill.” Yeah, I’ll tell you what it is; energy and effort.

As usual, the Garden was rocking. Knicks fans chant “DE-FENSE” from the start of the game until the end. They never take a play off.

Pacers bench outscored Knicks bench 46-3.

Myles Turner led Indiana in scoring with 23 points.

Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton did not play well; 6 points on 2-6 shooting.

Ex-Knick Obi Toppin played well in his return to MSG. The Dayton Flyer scored 12 points on 5-7 shooting. My only problem with him last night was his between-the-legs dunk. He doesn’t need to do that.

Pacers had 32 assists on 46 field goals.

Knicks committed 14 turnovers; Pacers 7.

Game 2 is Wednesday night.

Always play the right way…

E-Mail: SteveFinamore@yahoo.com

CHOICES

Every day we wake up we have a choice.

That is one fundamental in life that will never change.

The fantastic actor Chazz Palminteri once said, “the choices you make will shape your life forever.”

Disturbing story out of Lansing, Michigan. A boys high school basketball coach is in hot water. He made a poor choice.

Muhammad El-Amin, head boys basketball coach at Holt High School was arrested, facing multiple felony charges; one being child sexually abusive behavior.

He was caught in one of several child sex stings conducted by members of “multiple Lansing-area law enforcement agencies” on Thursday and Friday, a Lansing police investigator testified in a court document that led to charges being issued against the Holt coach on Friday.

Police posted an ad on an online prostitution website that couldn’t be accessed accidentally, according to the investigator. A sender later identified as El-Amin responded to the ad on Thursday, requesting that a decoy posing as a 15-year-old girl perform a sex act on him, the investigator said.

Here’s the link to the story: https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/2024/05/03/holt-boys-basketball-coach-muhammad-el-amin-arrested-suspended/73559311007/

I had to blog about this because lately I have been seeing many stories about this disturbing behavior; men going after underage girls. Just recently I saw a story of a guy who committed suicide because he was busted with a young girl.

What is it with these guys and the choices they make?

Do they realize they are ruining their lives? Not to mention bringing shame to their family.

I also had to blog about this because I have coached against El-Amin. I also watched him play in high school. This cat needs help. Hope he gets it.

Caitlin Clark made her WNBA debut Friday night and did not disappoint. Clark made 5 3’s in the Indiana Fever pre-season loss to the Wings, 79-76. She finished with 21 points on 5-16 shooting, 5-13 from 3. They had a sellout crowd in Dallas; without Clark, that just doesn’t happen. She’s brought the league to a new level.

Lakers fired Darvin Ham. The second year head coach out of Saginaw, Michigan was 90-74 with the Lakers. It’s a weak move by LA. Look, it’s not Ham’s fault. I have been seeing “who should be the next coach for the Lakers” stories. They should hire LeBron James and let him be player-coach. Shit, I would coach them. Ownership would save a lot of money. Just give me $1 million per year. I got the clothes, I just need a bench to sit on. Coaching is coaching. It’s on the players to execute and perform.

Patrick Beverley’s recent behavior should not be tolerated. The league should suspend him for a ton of games. This guy just doesn’t get it. But there are people who will give him a free pass because he can dribble and shoot a basketball. https://www.yahoo.com/sports/patrick-beverly-throws-basketball-hits-152559311.html

Knicks and Pacers get underway Monday night Game 1 at MSG. Obi Toppin, former Knicks first round draft pick gets a shot at his former team.

Phil Musnick of the New York Post said John Smoltz of Fox ruins MLB with his constant blathering. Speaking of too much talking, watching Knicks-76ers the other night, why does Grant Hill have to give analysis on every play? It’s annoying.

Stephen A. Smith’s latest comment about Mike Trout was not cool.

I get an e-mail from Dunkin Donuts saying all iced drinks are $2 until May 8. I step to the counter this morning, scan and have to pay $3.70. Girl says it doesn’t work. Come on man…

Happy birthday Dawn Staley; she’s 54.

Always play the right way…

E-Mail: SteveFinamore@yahoo.com

KNICKS 118 76ERS 115

The New York Knicks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers Thursday night in Philly to close out the series, 4-2. New York will now face the Indiana Pacers beginning Monday night at MSG.

Jalen Brunson led the way with 41 points and 12 assists. Brunson has now scored 40 or more points in the last 3 playoff games. He’s doing what Bernard King did in the 1984 playoffs against the Detroit Pistons. Brunson also is the first player since Michael Jordan (1993) to score 37 or more in four straight playoff games.

I wonder how Becky Hammon and Candace Parker feel about Brunson?

Donte DiVincenzo played all 48 minutes and scored 20 points including 5-9 from downtown.

OG Anunoby scored 19 and Josh Hart had 16 and 14 rebounds.

The Knicks had 28 assists and 9 turnovers.

Last night’s game started at 9:07 PM and ended at 11:43. I sacrificed some sleep, but I feel good today.

Despite 76ers ownership buying up tickets for the game so Knicks fans couldn’t take over Wells Fargo, the Knickerbocker faithful were out in full force. Great crowd.

Deuce McBride brings John Starks-like energy to the Knicks.

Joel Embiid led Philly with 39 points.

Buddy Hield came off the bench for the Sixers and scored 20 including 6-9 from 3.

Tyrese Maxey scored 17 points on 6-18 shooting including 1-6 from downtown. Tobias Harris didn’t score and attempted just 2 shots.

The Knicks were in a “foul or defend” with :10 left and decided this time to give the foul – strategy worked. They were in the same position a few seconds later but decided to defend.

Outstanding quote from Bronny James on being drafted by the LA Lakers. This kid gets it.

“I know my dad wants to play with me just as much as I would love to play with him but I’m not NBA ready yet, the moment he retires they will waive me.”

A guy on Outkick said to get rid of 90% of sports media and nothing would change. The dumbest question reporters are asking athletes these days: “How are you feeling right now,” and, “take us through that play?” Who comes up with these things?

Happy birthday Gar Heard. He’s 76.

Always play the right way…

E-Mail: SteveFinamore@yahoo.com

TALKIN’ LOUD AND SAYING NOTHING

I try to enjoy the games. But lately it’s been hard. It seems to me that things going on off the court are talked about more than the games being played. The NBA playoffs are going on right now and we’ve been treated to some good action. It’s a great time of year if you’re a hoops fan.

Joe Mazzulla is right, playoff basketball doesn’t change from the regular season. Biggest thing is there are no bad teams playing. “You’ve just got to bring it physically, mentally and you’ve got to execute.” The league would be so much better if we got rid of the bad teams.

I don’t care where LeBron is going to be playing next year. I don’t care if he played his last game as a Laker. I just want to watch this amazing ball player do his thing.

Magic Johnson blamed load management on the Lakers downfall. One thing I always say about the LeBron-Michael Jordan debate; Jordan would never let the crap that happens with his team that LeBron allows. To me, James doesn’t hold anyone accountable.

Knicks-76ers tonight for Game 6. New York leads 3-2. Ownership of the Sixers bought 2,000 tickets to keep the Knicks fans from buying them. That’s weak.

Coaches have been getting fired at the high school level at an alarming rate.

One thing no one has mentioned about Caitlin Clark is how much better she is going to be in the WNBA – why? Because her teammates around her will be so much better than the players she teamed up with at Iowa. As long as the head coach of the Indiana Fever allows her to play her game, things will be kosher.

Awful Announcing came out with their broadcast ratings. Walt Frazier and Mike Breen were voted top duo in the league.

Dusty May had a meet and greet in Lansing on Wednesday. The Wolverines head coach is going to get it done in Ann Arbor.

Deion Sanders had a great quote a few days ago,” Sometimes you need to disconnect from something to reconnect to something else to restart you and stabilize you.”

RIP Paul Auster. He was 77. The author had lived in Park Slope, Brooklyn since 1980.

READY TO SHOOT

The Philadelphia 76ers kept their season alive with a 112-106 overtime victory over the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

The series is now 3-2, New York. Game 6 is back in Philly Thursday night.

Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 46 points, including 7-12 from deep. 76ers made 15 3’s to the Knicks 10.

Joel Embiid added a triple-double; 19 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists. Embiid also had 9 turnovers.

The Knicks were in a foul or defend at the end of regulation and elected to hunker down leading Maxey to make a game-tying three to force OT.

Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 40 points.

Always play the right way…

E-Mail: SteveFinamore@yahoo.com

NBA ACTION

The Denver Nuggets eliminated the LA Lakers Monday night, 4-1 with a 108-106 victory.

Jamal Murray scored 32 points to lead Denver.

Nikola Jokic scored 25 points, grabbed 20 rebounds and dished out 9 assists.

Michael Porter Jr. added 22 points.

For the Lakers, LeBron James led the way with 30 points.

In the 5 games Jokic averaged 28.2 points per game, 16.2 rebounds and 9.8 assists. Anthony Davis scored 27.8 points per game, pulled down 15.6 rebounds and 4 assists per game.

The Minnesota Timberwolves swept the Phoenix Suns 4-0. And the OKC Thunder swept the New Orleans Pelicans.

Celtics lead Miami 3-1.

Knicks look to close out the 76ers tonight at MSG. New York is up 3-1.

Always play the right way…

E-Mail: SteveFinamore@yahoo.com