Thots on Game 1

Thoughts on Game1. First of all, it was great to be able to watch with a bunch of guys. I will miss that as I move on to the US. Hopefully I can watch some of the next few games with my brother-in-law in Seattle, because watching with my mother-in-law doesn’t sound too exciting (even Mushfiq knows more about hoops than her!) Nonetheless, even a boring game can be fun in a big group...so thanks guys for my last group game of 2006-07 season and with the Seniors...although, hopefully we can have some hoop reunions. OK, enough of the sappy stuff and on to the game.

1- Tony Parker. What a mismatch for the Cavs! Parker was far and away the best player on the floor. The-artist-formerly-known-as-Larry-Hughes had no chance of staying with him at all! A lot of Duncan’s stuff was set up by Parker. Cleveland must find a way to keep him out of the paint.

2- LeBron James. He must be more assertive. He seemed passive for 3 quarters, being content to pass out of double teams. I saw enough of Donyell’s bricks and Ilgauskas’ misses...enough. LBJ MUST shoot more. In the 4th we saw him keep the ball more. He can break down the double teams but he must be more assertive.

3- Daniel Gibson. Is there a reason he only plays half the game? He doesn’t have the experience to really defend parker well but at least he has some foot speed, as opposed to Hughes. On offense Hughes gives them nothing. Gibson proved he can still knock down those 3’s and he can be Parker-esque in driving the lane. If Coach Brown (Nowshad’s long lost older brother) has to start Hughes to keep his ego in check, then please make the sub 3 minutes into the 1st and 3rd quarters...not later!

So is the series over?? No way. Remember how dead Miami looked last year after Game 2. Remember how tough Detroit looked 2 weeks ago after Game 2. A lot of ball is left to be played. Obviously Cleveland has to get it together against, really a great team in the Spurs...but they could. LBJ can still be the best player on the floor at any time if he asserts himself. Dig deep LeBron.

Now a message to ABC...please, no more pieces on relationships at halftime. This is not the same audience that watches Oprah. We would like more basketball-related pieces that get us pumped up for the 2nd half. Thank you.

If you are interested here is a link to the ever-interesting Sports Guy’s take on Game 1 http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/070608 I will be on the road a few days, so no update until after Game 3. Until then, I’m outta here.