Thursday, May 17, 2007

Long Overdue Playoff React

Before I say anything else, I'm down right fed up with these 9:30 starts. Tell me again why we in Texas should have to stay up till 12:30 in the morning to see the end of what should be a primetime game. Stupid Eastern conference; they toy around with one perky little time zone while we're burning both ends with three. I will watch the highlights of those worthless East games the day after, not the closing quarter for my own team. Why can't they show the games simultaneously like the NFL so ingeniously does? I would think it would be better ratings with nonstop action, maybe I'm wrong.

Although I wasn't to privy to a 9:30 tip, I must admit that it did guarantee me the assurance of not having any conflicting activities. I guess that's something. For the previous 3 games I was content to listen to the radio broadcast and keep an eye on the snazzy little ESPN Gamecast, but due to the high amount of controversy and nail biting finishes, I was determined to get to a TV screen for last night's game. I rolled into an empty Red Robin parking lot at around 10:30 only to witness the end of an atrocious 1st half. I could foresee many different outcomes to that pivotal game 5 and I knew that a comeback would be the exclamation point on the series, but I still hate watching it. I can remember great comebacks against the Lakers, Mavericks and Pistons in years past. They're always the games I want to revisit now, but my goodness, they were a torture to go through the first time around.

So as closing time neared and I was forced to find a new booth at the nearby Applebees, I was praying that the next 2 hours wouldn't be a waste of time and money. It was very interesting because, before I knew it, I was in the middle of the classic "bar scene." As midnight hit, in came a flood of heavy drinkers in their mid-twenties ( don't forget a few thirty five year old wannabes) and the game was only a backdrop. It was awkward to say the least to have those looks from across the bar in the rowdy atmosphere, while the rest of the world was seemingly dead. I was glad that it is common protocol that the guy instigates the conversation, or else I might have been telling girls "not that I'm not interested in talking with you, but I'm really concentrating on something else tonight. It's kind of why I'm here." Oh, and it was also great to mistakenly get a $20 bill for 3 Coors Lights and veggie pizza when all I had ordered was some chips and queso. Fun, fun, fun.

Anyway, back to the game. Although it was encouraging to see some great play by Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, with about 3 minutes left I was still mired in a pool of doubt. Phoenix is a great team and every run San Antonino made was answered with equal intensity. Neither team was willing to give this one up and it ultimately came down to the big shots. And oh how sweet it was to see Bruce's shot go down. Signed, sealed, delivered; get me home... Great game, everything that was advertised, so why won't they broadcast it at a decent hour?!!!



I know that there has been a lot of debate and controversy regarding the suspension of 3 players for the Horry hip check incident and I think it is really unfortunate because it will taint that series regardless of the outcome. Horry's hard foul was utterly stupid, but was it worth a two game suspension? Stoudemire and Diaw walked onto the court, but did they deserve suspensions? I really don't know for sure and I really don't want to waste any more time arguing. However, if your looking for more on this, here are a few articles.

"Just Sit Tight" by Chris Mannix
"Suspended Disbelief" by Jack McCallum

Other than that, it has been great to witness Chicago beat up the defending champs and make it to the second round. I would love to see them take games 6 and 7 and outdo Golden State's upset of Dallas. I'm not a big fan of Utah but I don't know who'd else id like to see there. What's with that side of the bracket anyway? I'd love to see Cleavland get past Detroit in the East but Lebron just doesn't have enough support. Its going to be another ratings killer between the Spurs and Pistons.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Number A: Applebees hardly counts as a "bar scene" no matter how many "heavy drinkers in their mid-twenties" flood it.

Number B: Cleavland kicked ass!

Brian said...

#1: A and B are not numbers.

#2: Apparently you have a lot more experience in what you call a "bar scene." Perhaps you only consider very specific locations as bar scenes. That fact that it was midnight and there were still 30+ people crammed around the "bar area" works for me. Maybe you can only be on 6th. street to be apart of your "bar scene."

#3: Yes the Cavs are playing very well, just like last year; and what happened last year again? Honestly though, I'm rooting for Cleveland. There are few teams that I hate more than the Pistons.