tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74986730311668595562023-09-29T05:16:34.424-07:00Wolff and Basketballwolffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365177574388446507noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498673031166859556.post-37558478094987721252019-04-04T19:46:00.002-07:002019-04-04T19:46:18.667-07:00Milwaukee vs. Philadelphia 4/4/19 quick hitJust watched the end of Milwaukee vs. Philadelphia. Milwaukee looked like a team and Philadelphia seemed like a bunch of dudes that barely know each other and aren't too interested in getting to know each other any better.wolffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365177574388446507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498673031166859556.post-70689216202382230712019-04-04T19:44:00.002-07:002019-04-04T19:44:31.291-07:00also from January 16th<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">On a quick note: I generally find Enes Kanter quite annoying but I cut him some slack because his situation with his home country of Turkey seems freaking nuts. So Kanter recently said that he wasn't going to go to London because he feared assassination as some kind of retaliation from the Turkish government. "I talk to the front office and decided I’m not going,’’ Kanter said. “The freaking lunatic, there’s a chance I can get killed out there. I talked to the front office</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">. I’m not going. I’m going to stay here and practice. It’s pretty sad. All this stuff affects my career in basketball. I want to help my team win, but because of one lunatic guy I can’t even go there to do my job. It’s pretty sad. They got a lot of spies there. I can get killed pretty easy.’’<br />Hedo fucking Turkoglu of all players, who now serves as an advisor to Recep Erdogan the Turkish president, "blasted Kanter on Monday for launching a "smear campaign" against Turkey, claiming Kanter wasn't able to travel abroad in any event due to "visa issues." Turkoglu accused Kanter of "trying to get the limelight with irrational justifications and political remarks."<br />6 days later Turkish prosecutors are seeking an arrest warrant for Kanter for allegedly being a terrorist. Can someone please call Turkoglu out for being both an asshole and wrong about the situation. Also, while they're at it, can they explain to Turkoglu that it wasn't enough to simply take steroids. He would have actually have had to work out as well if he had been hoping to receive some sort of physical benefit that might have prolonged his NBA career.</span>wolffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365177574388446507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498673031166859556.post-64934131477924910392019-04-04T19:43:00.002-07:002019-04-04T19:43:55.854-07:00from January 16th<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">It's been way too long and this season has been pretty fascinating so I am hereby promising myself that I will start writing again. It's not easy finding time but I'll manage. In the mean time, to get the ball rolling, I am going to try and do a close to daily short segment which just involves my most immediate and visceral reactions to the games of the night before. Sometimes it'll be really short and perhaps other times I'll be longer and more inspired depending on what </span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">games and how much of those games I actually had time to watch. Hopefully I'll find the time between the baby and school and work and occasionally getting a chance to remember that I used to be a tubist to write some longer more in depth articles but for now...<br />My reactions to the games of Tuesday, January 15th:<br />Pacers 131, Suns 97: No one really talks about the Pacers. They're clearly good. They just feel like the team that will give some other team a hard time in the playoffs. This is the kind of season, though, in which no one seems that much better than anyone else so who knows.<br />Philadelphia 149, Minnesota 107: Minnesota has been playing better lately. Towns has stepped up. But bottom line, maybe Jimmy was right.<br />Hawks 142, Thunder 126: Ugh. The Thunder are good, but it's games like this that show they are zero threat to make the finals. That Westbrook's shooting has become historically embarrassing has helped him concentrate a bit more on setting guys up and allowing them to actually play basketball with him which is good. But then you've got a guy on the court shooting historically badly and he still jacks up way too many shots. I keep coming back to the word "ugh."<br />Bucks 124, Heat 86: I had only the time to watch the beginning of this game and I thought the heat were really tough and I was impressed by them and thought the game would be close. That the Bucks blew them off the floor shows they may actually be for real. They've got a lot of dudes playing well.<br />Lakers 107, Bulls 100: That this was a great victory for the Lakers in a game they had to win pretty much says it all.<br />Golden State 142, Denver 111: This game reminds us all that once again, the outcome of the season is a foregone conclusion. When Golden State has the combination of trying and playing well they are miles ahead of any team in basketball. They opened the first quarter with the intent of making a point... point taken.</span>wolffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365177574388446507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498673031166859556.post-53788193094223638332018-05-06T17:46:00.000-07:002018-05-06T17:46:27.094-07:00We've all been deluding ourselvesWe're at the point in the season when we realize that Golden State is simply head and shoulders above everyone else. It's clearly going to be Rockets vs. Warriors and I just don't see Houston having a shot. They're a nice, effective team that does their best to game the system as much as they can but let's be honest, a steady diet of James Harden one on one plays is not gonna scare Golden State. The Warriors will switch the heart out of Houston and Dramon will snuff out Capella's rolling to the basket much like he is doing to Anthony Davis. I deeply wish someone would beat the pants off these two teams but I'll have to settle for the half measure of Golden State taking it to the Rockets. On a personal level, both teams are full of dudes that drive me up a wall. Harden and Chris Paul's entire careers are dedicated to gaming the system to bait the refs into calling as many fouls on their behalf as possible. Everyone on Golden State freaks out over every call. But at least Golden State plays an interesting brand of ball. Watching Harden dribble for 10 seconds between his legs at the 3 point line before making a move is quickly sapping all my love for the game of basketball. <br />
Over in the east, let's face it, unless Brad Stevens is the greatest basketball genius of all time (not entirely impossible) Lebron's gonna will the Cavs to the finals where they will be overwhelmed by the talent of the Warriors. I hope it doesn't turn out this way, but it's pretty much exactly what I would have told you before the season began. What was the point? All the little stories were fun and exciting while they lasted...wolffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365177574388446507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498673031166859556.post-13827006807288950992017-11-06T17:40:00.001-08:002017-11-06T17:40:18.696-08:00what if...<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I haven’t had much time to write anything much this season. Most of my time’s been taken up with work and school and music and planning for the future. I wanted to take a second for a quick 'what if' though. Today’s 'what if' involves the process going on down there in Philadelphia. They’ve finally got a team that’s interesting to watch but what if they’d done things just a tiny bit differently. What if they had drafted Porzingis instead of Okafor and Tatum instead of Fultz. The Okafor draft pick never made sense. In a world in which you thought Embiid could some day be healthy there would never be a place on the floor for Okafor. Even in a world in which Embiid never played basketball again I’m not sure there’d be a place for Okafor. He’d just not good enough at a skill that is no longer a high priority in the NBA to justify being anything but a good backup position. Can you even imagine a future frontcourt of Embiid and Porzingis? What a perfect combination. Then you have Simmons running the point. Fultz is still young and may very well figure some stuff out in the not too distant future but Tatum looks like a star already. Fultz and Simmons are never going to be a great fit together. The length and skill level of a starting four of Simmons, Embiid, Porzingis, and Tatum is just amazing to think about on both the offensive and defensive ends. It’s never worth dwelling on this kind of thing too long but I just wanted to take a moment out of the day to imagine how close we could have been to the future best challenge to Golden State for best team in the league. </span>wolffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365177574388446507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498673031166859556.post-79592718211654826792017-07-16T17:57:00.000-07:002017-07-16T17:57:19.563-07:00Thank God for the NBA off-season<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank God for the
NBA off-season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus far it’s been far
more entertaining then the 2016/17 “season of the inevitable Warriors victory.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least for a brief time we can ponder the
uncertainties of roster moves and promising rookies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What will the pairings of Paul George with
Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul with James Harden look like on the court?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What kind of teams will coalesce around
them?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can Minnesota take the leap with
the addition of Jimmy Butler?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How will
the Spurs still manage to pull off another 60 win season?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will the Greek freak make the leap to MVP
caliber player?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is going on with
the Clippers?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will the Western conference
dominate the East forever?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why does the
East keep trading their good players for nothing to Western conference
teams?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s so much hype for this
rookie class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will any of these guys
possibly be as good as they’re supposed to be?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Can the Sixers stay healthy and actually win some NBA games?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a brief few
months there is hope once again blossoming all over the league.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sadly, by a couple months into the next
season, outcomes will become predictable, and we will have to look forward to
more trades and another crazy offseason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Without a major injury the Golden State Warriors will easily win the championship
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does this matter?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In many ways the league is falling prey to
the media fostered angle that championships are everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being good is seen by most NBA writers as a
waste of time if there is not a clear path to becoming great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is this the proper way to approach team
building?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isn’t there value in putting
an entertaining product out on the court?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Let’s take a quick look at the interesting scenario’s unfolding this
offseason while we ponder those questions…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Clippers:
What exactly is going on with this team?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For a moment after Chris Paul forced his way to Houston it seemed like
this team might rebuild.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead they
doubled down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first I thought this
was a bad move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blake Griffin can still
be a great player but he seems permanently bitten by the injury bug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of these injuries are of the fluke
variety and it is possible that he might stay healthy enough to make the
contract he signed worth it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wouldn’t
bet on that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to say though that I
actually like the team they’ve constructed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Is it possible that Doc is no longer pulling all the strings?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t seem like it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Patrick Beverley is actually a very good NBA
player and I’m fascinated to see what Teodosic can be and Gallinari is really
good when healthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s that caveat
again though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If this team is healthy I
actually would not be surprised if they are just as good as they were with
Chris Paul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that’s a very strong
“if”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Griffin might not even start
playing until December.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
definitely time for this team to break things up a bit but I’d still be curious
to know the story behind why Paul forced his way out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did he not get along with Doc?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was it Deandre?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul definitely seems like the kind of guy
that has a shelf life for how long his teammates can deal with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s constantly freaking out and controls
every aspect of a game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s both a
great trait and a terrible one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s
clearly a great point guard but he has a tendency to pound the ball to death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of games he sees himself as the
architect of everything his teams do and for such a clutch player at the most
inopportune times in pressure situations he has consistently melted down in
inexplicable ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That leads me to the
next fascinating scenario I’m excited to see play out…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Houston
Rockets: Can Chris Paul and James Harden coexist?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re both such great players that to some
extent the Rockets will be great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
I’ve got to say I’m not as optimistic about this pairing as some.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure how long it will take but
eventually these two will drive each other nuts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harden’s defense still sucks and it will
drive Chris Paul out of his mind at some point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One of these two is going to have to make a great sacrifice on the
offensive end and play off the ball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Paul will not enjoy standing on the perimeter while Harden does his
dance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately both players are so
good on offense that this experiment can only fail so badly (unless of course
they kill each other).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The most
fascinating part of this pairing is that it would never have come to pass
without the help of Greg Popovich.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris
Paul does not fit into what the Rockets have been all about over the last few
years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His best attribute is his
mid-range game, a shot the Rockets would simply not take in the past. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Popovich exposed this strategy in this year’s
playoffs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Spurs played virtually no
defense between the 3-point line and the paint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They dared the Rockets to take any other shot on the court.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Rockets simply could not adjust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>D’Antoni has never been one for
adjustments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His philosophy has always
been if we do what we do then the other team will not be able to handle it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But on the Phoenix teams of D’Antoni’s past
plenty of two pointers were taken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nash
was an unbelievably high percentage shooter and these mid-range shots made
sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lane isn’t always open and
why not take advantage of the space your own offense has created.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Open shots are always a good idea especially
for historically great shooters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clearly
Morey and D’Antoni looked in the mirror and realized that this 3 pointers and
layups only philosophy is untenable in the extreme.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Rockets will be fascinating but I’m not
sure how much better they will be then last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beverley was a perfect complement to Harden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul is clearly an upgrade but how much of
one I’m not entirely sure yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rumor
says that the Rockets are looking to add Carmelo Anthony to their team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t understand this rumor at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Didn’t Anthony get D’Antoni fired from the
Knicks?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why would he (or D’Antoni for
that matter) want to be reunited?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also
don’t see how this happens without the Rockets trading Ryan Anderson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hilariously even the Knicks just realized
that absorbing that contract would be ludicrously stupid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Knicks!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Who else is more gullible then the Knicks?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Morey can pull off the trading of Anderson
then he’s definitely a genius.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which
brings us conveniently to…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Knicks: At
this point the Knicks might easily be the sorriest franchise in the
league.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot believe the tweet Phil
Jackson sent of him lounging around at his cabin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is he basically admitting that he fleeced
Dolan for his money?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It definitely felt
like he signed an extension and then said to himself, “what the hell can I
possibly do to get fired from this job.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was going to keep this list to the teams I’m actually interested in
seeing next season but the Knicks are such a shit show that they may actually
be fascinating now (at least until actual games occur).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot believe they signed Tim Hardaway
Junior to such a massive contract.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who
exactly were they competing against for his services at this price?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reportedly Atlanta was going to offer him
about 20 million less then he got.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
hilarious that Steve Mills has not made himself available to the press since
this signing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what happens when
you have no GM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently David Griffin
withdrew from consideration for the job because he didn’t feel like he’d be
able to make his own decisions and use his own personnel to do so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Knicks will really be set for the next
bunch of years with Hardaway’s terrible contract and Noah’s horrible
contract.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a joke of a franchise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More then any other team in the league
there’s little to nothing to hope for in the foreseeable future other then the
sad machinations of the James Dolan coterie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The only thing that gives Knicks fan’s any strain of hope are things
like this: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/kristaps-porzingis-shows-weight-room-gains-instagram-article-1.3326957">http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/kristaps-porzingis-shows-weight-room-gains-instagram-article-1.3326957</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t have the time to actually watch this stuff but I
didn’t notice this dude’s take:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/NYKnicks/comments/6mivgl/porzingis_strength_levels_in_recent_videos_has/">https://www.reddit.com/r/NYKnicks/comments/6mivgl/porzingis_strength_levels_in_recent_videos_has/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s get off this subject quickly before I turn from
titillated by the horror to severely depressed by the horror…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Minnesota
Timberwolves: This season will be a deeply informative one as far as
determining what kind of coach is Tom Thibodeau.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This team has real talent and they’ve been
built entirely according to his image.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’s basically assembled the bulls plus an all world talent in Karl
Anthony Towns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Butler has made himself
into a top 10 or 15 talent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Given proper
coaching Andrew Wiggins should be a good player. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like his game especially if he’s a third
option.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot of analysts seem to think
he’s terrible but I don’t see it that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’s still young and he works hard and with another full year of
development I’m convinced he can learn to play good defense again. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If this team can’t play defense and win some
games then Thibs is not the coach we believe him to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only move I did not like was the
replacing of Rubio with Jeff Teague.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Teague is fools gold at this point in his career.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s soft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He doesn’t play much defense and his offense comes and goes from game to
game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Minnesota, on paper, should win a
lot of games and make the playoffs easily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But then again, they’re the Minnesota Timberwolves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either way I can’t wait to watch what happens
with them…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Milwaukee
Bucks:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Giannis Antetokounmpo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s really it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This dude is going to be the best player in
the league at some point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When exactly
that happens is the question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can he
make a leap this year?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All he needs is a
consistent jump shot and he will be unstoppable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His form looked pretty good last season so I
could definitely see his jumper developing soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Giannis takes a step forward and Parker
can stay healthy this team could do some serious damage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m worried about Parker’s long-term health
though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t seem like his playing
style puts too much stress on his body but he just seems brittle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully he can put the last couple years
behind him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the two of those guys can
get consistent playing time with Chris Middleton and if Thon Maker and the rest
of the supporting cast can develop a bit this team could eventually challenge
Cleveland for Eastern supremacy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a
little worried about how lost Maker looked in summer league.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Playing well in summer league doesn’t
necessarily mean that you’re any good but playing badly is usually a sign that
you are not very good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This seems like a good opportunity to take a very short
break from teams to talk which players at summer league have intrigued me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not going to say much because I didn’t
watch much college ball and so don’t have much of a sample size for my gut
instinct on players.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was impressed by
Jayson Tatum who seemed to have a very polished offensive game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would worry a bit that he takes a lot of
difficult shots which he barely gets off and against good defenders those shots
might not fall for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within the
Celtics scheme there should be plenty of open looks and open space to be found
though and he will not be expected to go one on one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was also impressed by the Mavs pick of
Dennis Smith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine if the Knicks had
picked that dude one pick earlier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everyone would probably be freaking out in NYC and calling him the
second coming and looking at a pairing with Porzingis as the foundation for a
future team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I find Lonzo Ball unbelievably annoying so
I’m just going to skip talking about him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whatever the Ball family is doing is clearly working though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From all accounts the crowds at Lakers summer
league games has been insane which makes me all the more happy that I did not
go this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only thing more
annoying then Ball family news is an excited and giddy Laker fan.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The San Antonio Spurs:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m always excited to watch the Spurs because they play my favorite
basketball and Kawhi is my favorite player.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Every year it seems like the end of a reign and yet somehow they
continuously bang out 60 plus wins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
didn’t do anything this off-season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
lost Simmons who I loved and gained Rudy Gay who I do not love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last year they signed Pau Gasol, which really
tested my love of the Spurs. They always seemed like the kind of team that
wouldn’t pay washed up players who can’t play defense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ve needed a rim running big man who is
athletic and can block shots pretty much since David Robinson retired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got briefly intrigued when there was talk
of a sign and trade with Phoenix to acquire Tyson Chandler who still fits that
bill well but the Spurs apparently decided that his contract was too much for
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On paper this team should be on
the bubble for a place in the playoffs in the ultra competitive Western conference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But games aren’t played on paper and as far
as I can tell the combination of Greg Popovich and Kawhi Leonard can’t help but
be among the elite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Spurs play
beautiful basketball and though it might be help if they had a few more
athletes, they’re still always one of my favorite teams to watch…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Denver Nuggets: will definitely be in my league pass
rotation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Joker is great fun to
watch because his game doesn’t entirely make sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Milsap is a nice addition and the Nuggets
should be able to run an interesting offense through two great play making big
men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ve got a plethora of
interesting young players who hopefully make a leap of some kind this
season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure what the answer at
point guard is, or even if they need one given Milsap and Jokovic’s ability to
make plays.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Philadelphia 76ers:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Can this be the year they finally put an actual NBA team back on the
court?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tearing down a team is always
much easier then putting one together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For the first time in many years Philly fans can be excited and I will
actually flip on a 76ers game (truth be told I watched a few last season
because Embiid is so fascinating).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On
paper they’ve done a great job finding a complementary group of players many of
who deserve to be on the court in an NBA basketball game!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately there’s a lot that worries me
about this team and these worries almost entirely revolve around health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Joel Embiid can stay healthy then this is definitely a playoff
team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a big “if” though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it doesn’t seem like a big deal but
Markelle Fultz’s injury in summer league is also troublesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This guy clearly has talent but his college
career is inexplicable to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can
someone have number one draft pick talent and yet lose so many games on the collegiate
level?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine if<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lebron had played college ball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could you imagine any scenario in which his
team went 9 and 22?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Absolutely not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There have to be questions about how good
this guy actually is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clearly he’s got
talent and at this point there is nothing more important then for him then
reps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He needs to play in games and
figure things out and get coached.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Initial injuries for guys whose general basketball understanding is
lacking can deeply affect their entire year and the 76ers are going to depend
on this guy if they hope to make the playoffs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On the other hand, would it be such a bad thing if they failed to make
the playoffs another year and got one more lottery pick?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s gonna be a tough road to travel this
year as there are going to be quite a few truly terrible teams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 76ers are a fascinating example of a team
that can finally prove or disprove for us all if there are any basketball gods
that exist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If said gods do indeed exist
then the Sixers will be punished for the complete disdain which they showed
said gods over the past many years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
it finally comes together for Philadelphia then all the basketball athiests out
there can sleep peacefully for another season…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The New Orleans Pelicans:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Pelicans are fascinating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Anthony Davis is an amazing talent whose only weakness appears to be his
fragility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Pelicans have made truly
terrible roster decisions in their attempt to put a team around Davis (see Omer
Asik).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a moment when Davis was
being talked about as the next “best” player in the league much like the Greek
Freak is being talked about this off-season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now he is a forgotten after thought after toiling away on a crappy team
year after year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are nights when
he brings it and you wonder why every team in the league isn’t planning out a
path to acquiring him from the abyss that is Pelican basketball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Davis is great and clearly the players around
him have not been good but, interestingly, this makes me realize how people
undervalue someone like Lebron James.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Can you imagine a scenario in which Lebron could not drag a team into
the playoffs?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is why even though we
occasionally convince ourselves that player x might be the best in the league,
deep down inside we know inside that it’s just not true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All their terrible roster moves forced the
Pelicans to over pay Drew Holiday this year because there was literally no
backup plan and they can’t afford to be losers for another year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s a good player when he’s healthy but he
can’t stay healthy and he’s definitely not worth the money they paid him even
when he is healthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Were they bidding
against someone?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Couldn’t they have
saved some money for the rest of the roster?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They clearly needed to convince Cousins to stick around for another
contract (see Rajon Rondo).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is Cousins
any good?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s an amazing talent who
doesn’t appear to have any weaknesses of the non-mental variety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are two big men that should complement
each other and should be playable together but it will take some present day
out of the box thinking to make this team effective and I just didn’t see much
of that last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alvin Gentry seems
like a great guy but I’ve never seen him actually do much coaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took over for a Suns team that was already
fully functional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll cut him some
slack due to a lack of talent but at no point did I watch a Pelicans game last
year and say “ooh, that’s interesting.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Pelican franchise is depending on Cousins proving he is a actually
as good as his talent, and on Gentry proving he’s a good coach, and on Holiday
proving that he can stay healthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Should
be interesting to watch for a bit but it’s a lot of “ifs” for me…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Toronto Raptors:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We arrive finally to the Raptors who I think are a truly important team
this off-season because they are the perfect example of a team through whom we
can decide if basketball is worth playing anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What the Raptors did this season was to
resign Lowry and Ibaka and to ensure that they will put a good basketball product
out on the hard court this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
good team but not a great team and it’s hard to imagine a scenario whereby this
team could ever be great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their two
stars, Lowry and DeRozan, are good players, but they both have flaws and
neither one is ever going to be great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are the kind of player that inevitably makes slightly more then
they are worth in the current NBA scheme.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Good players get rewarded (monetarily) the equivalent of great
players.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a number of point
guards in the league, arguments not withstanding, one would rather have then
Lowry but he is good enough to lead a good team to the playoffs and there
aren’t that many players better then him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He just happens to be one tier below the top NBA superstar level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A guy you’d like to have on your team clearly
but at the max and as your best player it means you’re probably not going to
win the championship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does this matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Potential is nice but so is watching your
team win games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Raptors last year won a lot of games and
they did so while being pretty fun to watch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This was exciting for their fans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They were in the playoffs and had some fun moments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If there’s no value in this experience then
every team in the league should just tank because, baring an injury related
disaster, the Warriors are going to win the championship again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But who is to say the Warriors won’t fall
apart physically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ve had an amazing
string of healthy seasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems a
far fetched impossibility, but Lebron could get injured and then the Raptors
would be in contention for a spot in the finals and then maybe Durant gets
injured and Curry goes down and then the Raptors are NBA champions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s improbably but it’s still possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s one reason it’s worth being good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other reason is simply that perhaps I
just like watching good basketball played by good teams in a competitive
fashion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tanking may always make sense
but it sucks to watch and, bottom line, isn’t that really the point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Winning isn’t everything…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.71" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">panose</span>-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.72" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-font-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.73" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">charset</span>:128;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.74" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-generic-font-family:roman;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.75" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-font-format:other;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.76" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-font-pitch:fixed;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.77" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.78" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">panose</span>-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.79" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-font-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.80" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">charset</span>:128;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.81" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-generic-font-family:roman;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.82" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-font-format:other;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.83" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-font-pitch:fixed;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.84" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.85" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">MsoNormal</span>, <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.86" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">li</span>.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.87" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">MsoNormal</span>, div.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.88" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">MsoNormal</span>
{<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.89" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-style-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.90" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">unhide</span>:no;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.91" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-style-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.92" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">qformat</span>:yes;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.93" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.94" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.95" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.96" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">fareast</span>-font-family:"MS 明朝";
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.97" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.98" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">fareast</span>-theme-font:minor-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.99" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">fareast</span>;}
a:link, span.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.100" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">MsoHyperlink</span>
{<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.101" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.102" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.103" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">themecolor</span>:hyperlink;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.104" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">MsoHyperlinkFollowed</span>
{<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.105" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-style-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.106" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">noshow</span>:yes;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.107" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-style-priority:99;
color:purple;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.108" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.109" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">themecolor</span>:<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.110" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">followedhyperlink</span>;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.111" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">MsoChpDefault</span>
{<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.112" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-style-type:export-only;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.113" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-default-props:yes;
font-size:10.0pt;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.114" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.115" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">ansi</span>-font-size:10.0pt;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.116" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.117" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">bidi</span>-font-size:10.0pt;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.118" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.119" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">fareast</span>-font-family:"MS 明朝";
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.120" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.121" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">fareast</span>-theme-font:minor-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.122" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">fareast</span>;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.123" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.124" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">fareast</span>-language:<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.125" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">JA</span>;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.126" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-header-margin:.5in;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.127" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-footer-margin:.5in;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.128" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
wolffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365177574388446507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498673031166859556.post-27305840683447718532017-05-30T16:13:00.002-07:002017-05-30T16:13:28.103-07:00The Inevitable Outcome<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="fm98i" data-offset-key="8be-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8be-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="8be-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"> Here we are. I didn't write much this season. It all seemed so inevitable at the start of the season that we would end up with a Warriors Cavaliers final and sure enough it came to fruition. Was the season boring? Certainly if knowing the end of a story ahead of time bothers you. Some shows or stories surprise you and that's great and other stories are just great stories told well regardless of whether they are predictable. Which kind of story was this season? There were about 25 minutes this season in which a third straight finals between Golden State and Cleveland was in question. And then Zaza Pachulia's big foot and questionable tactics put any chance of a team stopping the Warriors in the rear view mirror. Was it a dirty play by Zaza? Definitely. Does that make him a dirty player? Not necessarily. I don't think he had any intention of hurting Kawhi but the move he made to slide under him on that jump shot was totally excessive. Was this payback for years of Bruce Bowen's questionable defense? </span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="fm98i" data-offset-key="2f32c-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2f32c-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="2f32c-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"> If there was any doubt how good a player Kawhi is then those doubts were clearly put to rest. The Spurs were probably not going to win that series anyway, but they went into that series with a plan and they executed that plan and when Kawhi went down for good their entire team was deflated and exposed for their lack of talent. I love Jonathon Simmons but when he's your best player you're in a lot of trouble. When David Lee getting hurt matters you've got a major talent deficit. For the future of the Spurs I am hoping that Aldridge was nursing some sort of injury because not only did he look old and slow but his mid-range jump shot, once one of the most effective shots in the game, never felt like it was going to go in the basket. </span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="fm98i" data-offset-key="f4umf-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="f4umf-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="f4umf-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"> I happen to love basketball so I still enjoyed the season, but it is not a good thing when you cannot picture a scenario that doesn't end in a repeat finals. Yes, the Warriors are great and greatness should be celebrated but it kind of sucks that a team can have the greatest regular season in history and then add the second best player in the game to their roster. Not only did this stack the deck for Golden State but it eliminated the team that was their greatest rival to make the finals from contention. Teams not named Cleveland and Golden State need to start thinking long term. I know things can change fast in sports due to injury and salary caps but the Warriors have a bunch more prime basketball years in them.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="fm98i" data-offset-key="1ad3n-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1ad3n-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="1ad3n-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"> This brings me to my prediction. I will be very surprised if Golden State doesn't win in five games or so. I don't really see anything but Mike Brown coming between them and the championship but really this team doesn't need that much coaching at this point. I wouldn't be totally shocked if Cleveland pulled off an upset though. They do have Lebron James who is still clearly the best player in the world. Kyrie looks like he is potentially poised to make the leap and Kevin Love is finally looking like the Kevin Love of Minnesota that Cleveland thought they were getting. But unless those two play out of their minds and all the various role players step up and play well (Deron Williams, Kyle Korver, J.R. Smith, Tristan Thompson etc...) Golden State is just overwhelmingly talented. Cleveland had to get a bit lucky last year in order to win and even so it was so close a series. And then you throw Kevin Durant in the mix and it just seems preordained. Let's hope for an upset and settle for a competitive series but I'm afraid this series may be neither.</span></div>
</div>
wolffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365177574388446507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498673031166859556.post-2318037517555429132017-01-21T11:42:00.003-08:002017-01-21T17:41:46.282-08:00First thoughts on the NBA in 2017<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.1" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">panose</span>-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.2" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-font-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.3" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">charset</span>:128;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.4" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-generic-font-family:roman;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.5" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-font-format:other;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.6" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-font-pitch:fixed;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.7" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.8" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">Cambria</span> Math";
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.9" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">panose</span>-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.10" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-font-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.11" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">charset</span>:0;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.12" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-generic-font-family:auto;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.13" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-font-pitch:variable;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.14" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.15" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">MsoNormal</span>, <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.16" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">li</span>.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.17" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">MsoNormal</span>, div.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.18" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">MsoNormal</span>
{<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.19" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-style-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.20" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">unhide</span>:no;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.21" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-style-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.22" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">qformat</span>:yes;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.23" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.24" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.25" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.26" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">fareast</span>-font-family:"MS 明朝";
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.27" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.28" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">fareast</span>-theme-font:minor-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.29" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">fareast</span>;}
.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.30" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">MsoChpDefault</span>
{<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.31" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-style-type:export-only;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.32" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-default-props:yes;
font-size:10.0pt;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.33" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.34" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">ansi</span>-font-size:10.0pt;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.35" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.36" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">bidi</span>-font-size:10.0pt;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.37" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.38" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">fareast</span>-font-family:"MS 明朝";
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.39" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.40" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">fareast</span>-theme-font:minor-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.41" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">fareast</span>;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.42" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.43" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">fareast</span>-language:<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.44" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">JA</span>;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.45" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-header-margin:.5in;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.46" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-footer-margin:.5in;
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":df.47" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">mso</span>-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> I haven’t written a thing so far this NBA
season. Actually, that’s not entirely
true. I wrote most of an extensive
pre-season preview but I didn’t post it right away. When Trump won the election writing about
basketball and digging into the day by day of the NBA season seemed even
stupider and more absurd then usual. The
shock of Trump’s election win made it very hard to be overly concerned with the
minutia of a season which feels like it is inexorably marching towards the 3<sup>rd</sup>
meeting of The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors in the NBA
finals. Following the daily absurdity of
Trump’s win and his ludicrous cabinet picks and his moronic tweets consumed
most of my limited online time. Given
the state of the world, basketball, and sports in general, seem even smaller
and more limited in scope then usual. At
this point though, as Trump actually becomes president, I’ve finally decided
that escaping into the comforting confines of a world in which Derek Rose being
MIA for an evening, or George Karl’s cranky old white man rants about former
players (and even more strangely current players who never played for him)
constitutes controversy might actually be cathartic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> This NBA season has flown by very quickly
thus far. We are already approaching the
halfway point and the all-star game. The
all-star game itself holds little to no interest for me but it’s vaguely
interesting to think about who is deserving of being named to the team. At this point I figured I would babble a bit
about the state of the season thus far: who has over and under achieved both as
individuals and on the team level. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> I’ve noticed that as I’m going through the
games at the end of the night (I’m usually working when the games are live) I
gravitate towards watching certain players and certain teams. Because I love the sport of basketball I generally
gravitate quickly towards Spurs games.
Kawhi Leonard is probably my favorite player in the league. There’s no bullshit to him. He plays hard and smart and he’s always
improving and he doesn’t talk a lot of shit and over-celebrate. He’s become a great shooter and his handle is
constantly getting better. I love how he
went from a defense only player to a good stand still shooter and then
gradually honed his one on one skills.
Nothing he does is spectacular.
He’s not a great leaper, which we often confusingly equate directly with
athleticism, but his hands and wingspan are incredible. It drives me crazy when stars are mediocre to
poor defensively. It’s such an integral
part of the game and so often we just laud and praise the dudes that are great
on the offensive end and completely dismiss the importance of what players do
on the defensive end. A great deal of
that probably arises because much of offense is quantifiable while defense is
not. The Spurs as a group play some of
the purest basketball in the league.
They move the ball. Tony Parker
has lost a great deal to age but he’s still able to get in the lane and much of
their offense depends on him doing so and kicking the ball and they quickly
swing it until they have an open shot.
They’re almost at the bottom of the league in 3 attempts but they’re
right at the top in 3-point percentage made.
I love that Popovich is not afraid to buck trends. Just because Golden State wins going small
does not mean that every team must follow suit.
The best chance against the Warriors is to pound them inside. Playing their game isn’t going to work. They’re
just better at it. In any case, The
Spurs are my favorite team because they play my favorite brand of basketball
and they have my favorite player and my favorite coach. I thought perhaps they would take a step back
this year but they are clearly in the same league as Golden State and
Cleveland. Having said that, their
talent is a bit lacking and I feel like they’re maxed out in the way they play
during the regular season so when the playoffs come they don’t have another
gear to go to. They already play as hard
as they can play which makes them great for the regular season but not as great
in the post season. Also, and this will
come up with some of my other positive picks, there are not as many good teams
as there were last season. The top of
the league is a little lonelier and the mediocre middle is a little bigger so
thus, the numbers of the pretty good teams (see San Antonio and Houston and
Toronto) are going to be slightly inflated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> I hate to say this (for a number of
reasons) but the team I’m gravitating towards in the league pass viewing after
the Spurs is the Boston Celtics. I’m
from NYC so it doesn’t feel right saying this.
Mostly I’ll start the Celtics games in the 4<sup>th</sup> quarter to
watch Isiah Thomas do his thing. It
bothers me that he barely plays defense but it’s just so incredible what he is
able to do at his height (5’9”? It’s always hard to know for sure the height of
NBA players as the official numbers are rarely accurate. Having said that Thomas looks like a little
kid out there on the court). It’s hard
to understand how he gets his shot off so easily. Right now Thomas going off is one of the most
incredible spectacles I’ve ever seen on a basketball court. In addition, he’s doing it in crunch time
when it really matters. How can a guy
that tiny be leading the league in 4<sup>th</sup> quarter points? It’s just fun to watch and he seems like a
good person to boot. The Celtics are
well coached and they need to be as beyond Thomas there’s not really any one
capable of consistently creating their own shot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> There were definitely teams I was initially
excited to watch and for now that ardor has waned. I really thought Minnesota would be better
under Thibadeaux. For first halves
they’ve been great but they consistently stink in the 2<sup>nd</sup> half of
games. One can’t lose sight of the fact
that this team is very dependent on 21 year olds and it’s probably going to be
a few more years until they’re any good.
Their defense is terrible and somewhere Sam Mitchell is screaming I told
you it wasn’t just me at the top of his lungs.
As long as Minnesota stays relaxed and thinks long term and doesn’t make
panic moves they’re going to be an excellent team soon. Their talent is just too overwhelming. But I worry that Thibadeaux is not a patient
man and tends to get overly frustrated and whiny on the sidelines. This is an interesting experiment because a
GM would normally be capable of telling the coach to think long term but since
there is a trend of coach GMs I can see it being too tempting for the coach to
get frustrated and start making poor moves which sacrifice the future for
immediate short term gains. It should be
interesting to see what unfolds in Minnesota (and in Detroit where the
situation is similar minus the overwhelming talent).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> I was curious about the Knicks but it
quickly became apparent that the only interesting thing about them would be the
various stupid controversies surrounding Melo and Phil Jackson and Derrick
Rose. Noah is very close to washed up
but in an entirely uninteresting way. He
still has moments of being competent.
It’s just tough being reliant on a player that is astoundingly unable to
score and is no longer a dominant defensive force. In today’s NBA if you’re bad on offense you’d
better be great on defense. In fact,
it’s really not good enough to be a great defensive player. A big man like that who is unable to shoot
had better be able to slash and score on the pick and roll. Noah’s passing is good but not so helpful
when his man can leave him entirely open even when he has the ball at the elbow
and be unconcerned that he will score. Once
again the Knicks are a complete mess. I
suppose the only real interesting thing is how long Phil Jackson stays involved
with this leaking ship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> The Rockets have been an interesting story
and I’ll tend to flip on their games. In
the past I’ve found Harden difficult to watch but making him the point guard
and surrounding him with shooters was a brilliant move. There are actually possessions in which Harden will throw a quick pass and thus there are less possessions that involve him pounding the rock for 20 seconds and then parading to the foul line. Part of that is D'Antoni empowering Harden to run the offense as the point guard and part of that is simply no longer having Howard clog the lane demanding post up opportunities. I always felt that OKC missed an incredible
opportunity not only in trading away Harden but also by not making Westbrook the
off guard and starting Harden at the point.
He was an excellent passer when he would come off the bench for OKC and
run the show for brief periods of time.
It doesn’t seem like it now because each player dominates the ball but I
really think that had they developed Harden and Westbrook properly OKC could
have had one of the greatest backcourt tandems in the history of the NBA. I won’t harp on it anymore but that team blew
a chance to win multiple championships.
As a basketball fan it makes me feel sad for the missed opportunity but
for the people of Seattle it makes me feel happy. In any case, the Rockets have been fun to
watch and I’m happy for D’Antoni just because I’m sometimes nostalgic for those
Phoenix teams. The Rockets have played
well but their numbers are a little inflated because they’re a good team in a
league that is full of mediocre teams.
On any given night they’re extremely dangerous but they just don’t have
enough talent to beat the Warriors 4 out of 7.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> I’ve started to watch Philadelphia games
not because they are very good but because Embiid is fascinating. He’s gigantic and he moves so well and has so
many potential skills. He already has an
incredible affect on the game and yet he has no idea what he’s doing out
there. His talent and enthusiasm are so
overwhelming that they can overcome his extremely limited knowledge of what he
should be doing on either end of the court.
He’s definitely got superstar potential, which I suppose was the whole
point of the process. If only all of
Daryl Morey’s picks had been as courageous the Sixers could now have a really
interesting team. Taking Okafor over
Porzingis was unforgiveable. Also, Noel
was perhaps a more understandably bad pick but imagine if they had taken a
chance on Giannis or even just hit a single by picking McCollum or Schroeder or
even Steven Adams. The problem Philly
ran into was not the concept of the process but the execution. You can’t just take a bunch of dudes that all
play the same position. You’ve got to
think about the team to some extent. Not
simply as far as winning games but also to generate future assets. You can’t even really trade Okafor or Noel at
this point because they barely play.
Especially in Okafor’s case he just doesn’t make sense on a team with
Embiid and with every game he loses value across the league. It’s ok to have young players and lose games
but they need to be in an environment in which they can develop and get better
else there’s no point. Much of that
environment involves putting players on the court with other players that
complement them in some way and allow them to improve. In any case, though the Sixers are still a
disgusting mess, they play hard and Embiid’s talent is so undeniably
overwhelming that they’re now worth watching (although I skip any moment of
their games in which Embiid is on the bench).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Lastly, for now, I’m drawn in league pass
towards the Bucks because the tandem of Giannis and Jabari Parker is looking
like the basis for a team that could at some point challenge the Cavaliers for
Eastern supremacy. There’s not much I
need to say here about the Greek freak.
If you can’t recognize how astoundingly talented he is then you’d better
get your eyes checked. On a nightly
basis he does things that just don’t seem possible. It’s Parker that I find so sneakily
intriguing. He’s much better and bigger
and quicker then I thought he would be and his talents complement Giannis
extremely well. He’s still incredibly
inconsistent but he seems to be rapidly improving. If Middleton is able to come back from Injury
and get back to what he was before being injured the Bucks will have 3 players
that are not only extremely talented but whose skill sets compliment each other
perfectly. That’s really the underrated
part of team building. It’s not that
hard to get 3 good players to build your team around but it’s hard to get them
to all have talents that don’t get in each other’s way. The Bucks are missing the shooting and the
defense of Middleton but when they get that back they are going to be very
dangerous. Their biggest mistake though
was signing Greg Monroe to a big contract.
He’s too conventional of a big man and he doesn’t protect the rim or
play much defense at all and he’s not a good enough shooter to spread the floor. His post game, which presumably is his best
skill, is not quite good enough to warrant slowing down the game for. Imagine if they had saved that cap space or
signed another long athletic player that fits into the concept of being able to
switch at will on defense without exposing weakness. The only positive here is that Monroe’s
contract will be up in a couple years as the Bucks are getting good and
hopefully they’ll use that space to lock up their own players and make good
future free agent signings. If the Bucks
make the right moves over the next few years and continue to develop the
players they already have they might soon be championship contenders…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />wolffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365177574388446507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498673031166859556.post-36825538486866301582016-08-06T12:38:00.001-07:002016-08-06T12:38:28.761-07:00The Olympics<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> You
know you have got a serious problem when you find yourself glued to France vs.
Australia in the opening game of the Olympics.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">
</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Either I was desperate to procrastinate or I am obsessed with
basketball.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I’ll stop and watch a street
ball game in order to see who can play and who can’t.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">France was embarrassing.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I have rarely seen such poor defense.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Australia back cut them to death.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The French players showed all their
limitations.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Parker played very well in
the first half but looked tired and slow in the second half and didn’t play
very much.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">He is hitting that wall that
presents itself to players as they age.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">
</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">In very small spurts he will show flashes of the dominant player he used
to be but he can’t sustain it over the entirety of a game.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">He has always been dependent on his quickness
and the relentless pressure he was able to put on a defense.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">He’s lost a step and unfortunately, though
his shot has improved over the years, he is not a good enough shooter to make
up for his decrease in foot speed.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Batum
is a nice player but Charlotte will soon be regretting the massive deal they
signed with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s naturally passive
which is fine for your fifth best player on the court but given his natural abilities he should
be a much better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has all the tools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s got length and he can shoot and pass and
put the ball on the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mentally I
just don’t believe in him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
natural state is to stand around and spot up and he seems almost reluctant to
impose his will on a possession.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s
fine when you’re making role player money but not when you’re getting paid like
a star.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Diaw did what he does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He seems to live life the right way (Were I a professional basketball player I too would keep an espresso machine in my locker).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As a basketball player though perhaps at this stage of his career a diet
might make sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would I bother though
if I could live his life the way he seems to be able to get away living
it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Nando De Colo showed why he was never able to
stick in the NBA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s a nice player who
can’t do anything really well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
backup point guard Huertel seemed similar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was solid with the ball (he had the classic couple fancy dribble
moves bringing the ball up court that look good but don’t really get a dude
anywhere they couldn’t get otherwise) and could shoot pretty well but both
players are the prototypical European basketball player.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither is strong enough or athletic enough
for the NBA and neither has a skill quite good enough to over that lack of
athleticism and more then anything they don’t play tough defense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Comparing them to Dellavedova is interesting
because they’ve got to look at Delly and wonder why he was playing
basketball on a championship team in the NBA and they’re not (that’s actually
not a bad question).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The difference is
that though Dellavedova is pretty much a spaz, he plays hard and gets shit done
out on the court.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s aggressive and
rarely passive and he gets under people’s skin and though everything he does
looks terrible he is surprisingly good at getting to his spots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>De Colo and Huertel are those guys on the court
that everyone is impressed by because they can dribble fancy and have a nice
looking shot but they’ll consistently get manhandled and neither will
understand why they’re waiting for next.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bogut looked great but some of that was
because France was mysteriously letting anyone on Australia back cut for a dunk
or layup anytime they wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Patty
Mills was aggressive and played well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s
a great backup in the NBA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s a
classic shooting guard in a point guard’s body, which works great off the bench
when your 2<sup>nd</sup> unit needs some scoring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually he’s a little undersized even for a
point guard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he was a better passer
and was more aggressive at getting to the rack he might be able to earn a
bigger role on San Antonio but I think that at this point he is what he
is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Put him out there and have him be
aggressive and put up shots in volume and if it’s working you ride him a bit
more and if it’s not you take him out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Baines
played well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did what he does which,
much like Dellavedova, is to be aggressive and play a bit ugly but be
effective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beyond that all the role
players on Australia looked good because of France’s lack of defensive
desire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>France will probably still
advance because they’re much better then China or Venezuela but I wouldn’t be
entirely surprised if they crapped the bed and got eliminated before the knock
out round…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
wolffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365177574388446507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498673031166859556.post-87927368434063399952016-07-05T18:26:00.000-07:002016-07-05T18:26:21.509-07:00The Basketball end of times...<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Everybody loves drama.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">We are all drawn to the doomsday
scenario.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Every summer blockbuster movie
needs to up the stakes until the destruction of the world is not only
constantly threatened but often partially initiated.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The Durant signing seems to have fed into the
tragic horror of most sports fans.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Let’s
skip the season!</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The system is broken
and we need a hard cap and we need to eliminate max salaries!</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">How can the league survive with just a few
super teams!</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">What’s the point of
watching basketball or even bothering to play out the season!</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Now there absolutely will have to be a
lockout!</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I probably should have written
all those statements in capitals as well as with exclamation points.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would probably be wise for everyone to
wake up today, the day after 4<sup>th</sup> of July, and take some long, slow,
deep breaths and chill the fuck out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll
admit that my initial reaction bordered a bit on sadness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Golden State will be a lot of fun next year
but I had kind of enjoyed briefly wondering who might win the NBA championship
next year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strangely, if I were a
betting man, I would have put my money on Oklahoma City.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought they were the best team in the
playoffs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their regular season wasn’t
great but I thought Steven Adams made a huge leap and the whole team found an
identity and there was really no excuse for losing 3 in a row to what appeared
to be an inferior Golden State team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two
historic level collapses, first by the Thunder and then by Golden State
themselves had to occur in order to get where we are today on July 5<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had The Thunder closed out their series
against Golden State, had Klay Thompson not had one of the greatest shooting nights
in NBA history in game 6, the Thunder would have made it to the NBA finals and
would probably have been favorites to win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Had they won last year would Durant be on The Warriors today?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Similarly, had Draymond not lost his mind and
punched LeBron in the nuts and had Curry not forgotten that it’s possible to
drive past Kevin Love the Warriors would probably not have lost to the Cavs in
one of the historically shocking finals collapses ever and Durant would
probably not have considered joining the reining 2 time NBA champs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The unprecedented rise in cap money also had
to happen just as one of the very best players in the game became a free agent
in a year when the other free agents were frankly not top echelon players.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m trying to make the point here that a lot
of variables had to unfold in very specific ways for Durant to end up on Golden
State.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going to try and avoid doing too much
arm chair psychology concerning Durant’s state of mind, but I think clearly,
had he really enjoyed playing with Russell Westbrook, he would not have left
Oklahoma City.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not saying they do
not like each other and all that kind of stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m simply saying that if he wanted his career to stay linked with
Westbrook why would he leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OKC would
probably have had just as good odds of winning it all next year as Golden State
had he stayed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On some level, style of
basketball must have meant something to Durant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It doesn’t hurt that Durant leaving both makes Golden State better but
also greatly diminishes their biggest rival (I just don’t think they fear San
Antonio the same way they did OKC). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having said all that perhaps Durant simply
didn’t like the schools in his school district or he just wanted to be on the
west coast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a million factors
going into where each one of us considers living.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me what is so fascinating is how insane
it is that Cleveland won the NBA championship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>LeBron seemed to will the Cavs to the finish line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not think it was possible for any team
in the NBA to beat Golden State three times in a row.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, Draymond had to get suspended and Bogut
hurt and Iguodala hurt (and possibly Curry was hurt as well) but still, I
didn’t see the Cavs shutting down Golden State’s offense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>LeBron proved he is far and away the best
player on the planet in just about every facet of the game (except
shooting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He better get a shooting coach
before his body deteriorates if he wants his career to last beyond the point at
which he is the most physically dominant basketball player in the world).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Lebron weren’t so good Durant would
probably still be on OKC, or maybe not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The important thing to remember here is these are very young men playing
a game and we should all relax a bit. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
seems like Golden State is going to win it all next year but then again it
seemed that way last year as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
never know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sports are unpredictable and
life can still be entertaining even if the existence of the world isn’t at
stake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
wolffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365177574388446507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498673031166859556.post-30331751525869827122016-07-03T21:11:00.003-07:002016-07-03T22:26:53.672-07:00Durant...<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve found myself
getting caught up in the Durant nonsense and checking constantly to see what
choice he’s made. Is he going to pick a
new team? Is he going back to the
Thunder? For how many years? This is completely absurd. I was having a conversation with a friend of
mine today about Derrick Rose and I was saying that I really like him as a
player and he seems like a good guy and then I remembered he’s facing gang rape
charges. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I make a
concerted effort not to make any judgments about something in the news until
there are actual facts out there to be read and digested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Virtually nothing has been leaked about the
Derek Rose case so far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s purely a
TMZ type thing and reputable news outlets have released very little
information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus, I feel it’s stupid
for me to make any kind of assessment of what I think may or may not have
happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why should I take any side
when I don’t have any actual facts about the case and I don’t know any of the
involved parties?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I try to keep an open
mind until there is more information out there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Recently, Michael Gira of the Swans was accused by Larkin Grimm of
rape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was an instant uproar and all
across the Internet and people took sides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Most of what I read in that case involved believing the accuser.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When these things become news we know very
little initially and it seems like in that case a rape most likely did not
occur.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it’s important to remember
that I don’t know either the accused or the accuser and I am not a policeman
and I cannot possibly have all the relevant facts in the case and thus I truly
cannot even fathom what actually happened between these two (to me) strangers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are plenty of other examples where
things go the opposite way, where the consensus does not believe the woman who
is rightfully making an accusation (see Cosby, Bill).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Coming back to Rose this means, that for me,
I can’t possibly know what to think about what happened with a woman he knew in
a hotel room and what was consensual and what was not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I choose to keep an open mind and I’m rooting
for the guy from a basketball standpoint but I’m prepared that at any point I
could find that I was rooting for a bad person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I work in a bar in NYC and I can truly say that you can never know
another person completely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You might
think someone is totally cool and then you discover they’ve been stealing or
you might think someone sucks and then you find out there a kind intelligent
human being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People are a constant
surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So back to Durant, he’ll sign
with a team any moment now and it really won’t affect my life anymore right now
then it will in a few days when there is more information out there about what
he was thinking and why.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The real rush
is artificially created by news outlets which all want to have the hottest and
fastest take on everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They want
you to get caught up and to make judgments and predictions before anyone else
does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone wants to be the first to
break a news story but this really makes no sense to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll patiently read someone who has some
interesting and well thought out things to say about facts he or she has taken
the time to gather thank you… Oh and by the way let's remember that we're all anticipating the decision of a very young man who is determining where he is going to spend the next years (year?) with his family. It ain't life or death and it's his right to live and work anywhere he wants.<o:p></o:p></div>
wolffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365177574388446507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498673031166859556.post-85582222106461992062016-06-17T21:41:00.000-07:002016-06-18T20:17:46.475-07:00Thoughts about the finals before the pivotal game 7:<div class="MsoNormal">
First off, I
thought this series was over after the first couple games. Golden State just looked so much better then
The Cavaliers. It was hard to imagine
how The Cavs could reconcile the failings of their roster: that they either had
defensive players or offensive players on the court and other then Lebron they
were rarely encompassed in the same individual.
When Cleveland won game 3 it was still hard to believe The Warriors
wouldn’t come back and win the next game.
It seemed like everything turned after game four with the utterance of
the word “bitch.” Since then The
Cavaliers have been a different team. Just
some quick thoughts after watching the last few games…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. Career speaking Lebron James has got to shoot
better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s still completely amazing
but the biggest change from the beginning of this series to now is that he is
both taking open jumpers and making them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Warriors have been giving him such a big cushion and packing the
paint that it gums up everything the Cavs try and do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Earlier in the series (and this whole
playoffs) Lebron was reluctant to shoot anything beyond a few feet from the
basket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s hard to run an offense this
way unless he were to turn into a primarily back to the basket player.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By hitting some jumpers so much opens up for
the Cavs and becomes easier on the offensive end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon he will no longer be the most dominant
physical presence on the court in every game and at that point he’s going to
want a reliable jumper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just makes
everything so much easier for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not
that my opinion matters but I strongly recommend he hires a great shot coach
over the summer and that he spends less time working out and more time on
honing his jumper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next few years of
his career could go easy or hard for him and I think a reliable jumper will
make all the difference…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. Is something wrong with Curry?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s the question everyone is asking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s easy to say he just doesn’t look
right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s definitely not moving jitterbug
style on the court and his jumper looks way too dependent lately on his arms
rather then his legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For someone so
small and slight even the slightest physical slowing is going to make it hard
to get off a shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So that would lead me
to wonder if he is indeed healthy, but the truth is that no one on the court
can be fully healthy at this point in the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re all tired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps the defense in the playoffs is more
physical and the traps are harder and defenses are better prepared and health
is not really to blame for Curry’s fall off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’s still been a very good player in the finals but he has not been the
transcendent force in this series or in fact for the whole playoffs that he was
in the regular season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, whether he
is unstoppable or not, he forces defenses to scramble in ways that virtually no
other player does on offense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even when
he’s not scoring big he’s a huge factor as to the shots his team gets on
offense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t help but feel like when
he’s open he’s not guaranteed to make it the way I felt during the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether that’s due to health issues or
because the Cavs are forcing him out of his comfort zone is a fine line that is
hard to draw…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. I’ve been saying for a while that sometimes dudes just
miss and sometimes they hit shots and the difference is more often then not in
there somewhere rather then in schemes and effort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Jeff Van Gundy says, “it’s a make or miss
league,” and he’s right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When shots fall
everything becomes easier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
definitely possible to take dudes out of their comfort zone and force more
misses but bottom line, there are dudes that will hit shots anyway on any given
night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Irving looks awesome when he’s
hitting tough shots and terrible when he’s not but I’m not sure anything is
different in how he’s playing other then the ball going in or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It helps when he’s more decisive but either
way he’s going to take tough shots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Same
goes for Curry or really anyone on the court.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We’ve seen a lot of back and forth blowouts in which a team that was
destroyed one day comes back and annihilate the other team the next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not just a change in effort that
differentiates these games or a change in scheme but simply that shots went in
one night where they didn’t another night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It sucks to think it’s that simple sometimes but I’m afraid it often
is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are little things that occur
to put players in and out of comfort along the way but they mean perhaps a
little less then we think.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4. Harrison Barnes cannot hit a shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure much more can be said to
elaborate on this subject.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s getting
plenty of open looks but they’re just not going in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With every miss his paycheck for next season
is most likely diminishing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also
cannot guard Lebron.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s been a tough
finals for him…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
5. For offensive guards who play only one end has Irving
just been much better then Curry?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
doesn’t involve the rest of his team the way Curry does so it’s not just about
scoring and making shots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even when
Curry doesn’t score he opens things up for his teammates in a way that Kyrie
does not but bottom line Kyrie has been a much better scorer in the finals then
Curry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moving forward Kyrie has got to
learn to score without possessing the ball so long before his shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he were able to be quicker and more
decisive about his actions he’d be so much better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of that is on the system whereby they
pretty much give him the ball with no action and need him to get off a shot
before the shot clock winds down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s
not so gifted in size or athleticism so he has to execute a number of moves to
get the separation to get off his shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At some point they need to channel his skills into a system that better
involves the team a la what Golden State has done with Curry.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
6. Curry is committing some terrible fouls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What exactly is he thinking?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Game 6 I couldn’t see even a questionable
foul other then perhaps his fifth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These
are obvious and dumb fouls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps his
fifth foul was unwarranted but he reached twice in a row.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first seemed like a foul and the second
didn’t but it was close and it’s the kind of possession in a game where you
just can’t take the chance when you’re in foul trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just play positional defense and don’t try
for the steal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s just not smart
basketball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems to me that the Cavs
are being very physical with Curry and he’s trying to be physical back and he’s
just not very good at it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s an art
to knowing when you can get away with hitting the offensive player and when you
can’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Curry could have easily been
called for a reach on Lebron James at the 7:35 mark at which point he would have
fouled out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This brings up another
interesting point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lebron is a physical
player and even more importantly a physical specimen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s easier to ignore fouls against a dude
that other people bounce off of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Consequently I have rarely seen a team reach as much as the Warriors
have against Lebron this series and commit so few fouls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Warriors are obviously good at it and
they’ve watched a lot of film and are swiping down when Lebron gathers the ball
but they’re still hard reaches and have rarely been called fouls in this
series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7. Injuries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the
first time in the last couple years the Warriors are dealing with poorly timed
injuries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Iguodala’s back injury was
particularly devastating in game 6 especially since Barnes has been unable to
match up against James and has played so poorly overall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bogut’s injury hurts as well as prolonged
small ball is not nearly as effective when it’s not a change of pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Golden State misses Bogut’s rim
protection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These kinds of injuries are
what every team deals with and it’s important to keep in mind how much luck is
involved in winning it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The owners
of Golden State can praise themselves all they want for their genius but a
large part of winning is the luck of being healthy at the right time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can help that luck by resting your
players and utilizing your bench as the Warriors have done but it’s still luck.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
8. James expends so much energy on both ends of the
court.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not easy to both play great
offense and great defense and be the focal point of everything your team does
on offense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a few great two-way
players but they don’t shoulder the offensive load generally that Lebron
does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clay Thompson for instance plays
hard on both ends but he rarely plays as many minutes as James and the Golden
State offense isn’t dependent on him being involved in every action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He can get moments of rest here and there on
the court when he needs them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For James,
he only rests when Kyrie is cooking and chooses to go one on one.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
9. The Warriors may yet win this series but part of their
problem has been that they simply do not fear the Cavaliers at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consequently I think they have not taken them
very seriously and their effort has not been as good as it could have
been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without the proper respect of your
opponent it can be easy to avoid the desperation it takes to win these kinds of
ballgames.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Cavs are not as talented
as Golden State but they are<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Desperate to win… and they’ve got Lebron James.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s been clear from quotes and body language
both before and after the Draymond confrontation that the Warriors do not fear
James’ abilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s
problematic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s still the best player
on the court in every game and when he hits shots it’s going to be very
difficult to beat him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Golden State has
the attitude that they just play their game and they can’t be beat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the end they may be right but for a team
that freaks out every time they are slighted their arrogance towards other good
players is palpable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually you
anger the wrong dude and you miss a few shots and you pay for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Draymond plays hard and I respect him for
that but he does and says shit that is just crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Screaming in Steven Adam’s face after hitting
a shot is all well and good (actually it’s super annoying) but doing the same
thing to Lebron is just not smart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
guy won’t do much to shut you up, the other just might.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
10. The last point brings me here: I cannot believe the
leeway the refs give to Green.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
complains so vociferously and so emphatically after every call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He reached twice on Lebron towards the end of
the game 6, clearly two fouls in a row, and then freaked out and screamed in
the refs face when it was correctly whistled a foul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How does he not get a technical for
this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I read that at one point during
the playoffs DeMarcus Cousins was incredulous that Green didn’t get called for
more technicals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure he’s watching
Golden State and thinking I don’t complain any more then Draymond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why is he allowed to get away with it and I
am not (Note that I am arguing neither one should be allowed to get away with
it).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
11. My favorite thing the Cavs have done in this series is to relentlessly pick on Curry's defense. The Cavs have treated Curry like the Warriors have treated Love when he's on the court. Involve him in every play until his defense crumbles. It's a great old school strategy that both wears Curry down and puts some doubts in his mind. No one likes knowing that the other team thinks their defense is so terrible that any matchup is a mismatch...<br />
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
12. On to game 7.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
leaning towards the Warriors taking it but for the first time this season the
Cavs have made me doubt that Golden State will win it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My gut instinct is that the Cavs have put
doubt into the Warriors and that they’ll win but I’m still picking Golden State
because I still cannot wrap my mind around how the Thunder lost to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In that series as well it just seemed like
the Thunder were clearly better and had Golden State on the ropes and yet the
Warriors pulled out the series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So until
someone actually beats them I’m just going to assume they’re going to win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like both teams more or less but for the
first time this playoffs I’m rooting hard for the Cavs to pull it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cleveland needs this way more then Silicon
Valley needs this…<o:p></o:p></div>
wolffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365177574388446507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498673031166859556.post-13616988956055461182016-04-15T19:10:00.000-07:002016-04-15T19:10:14.742-07:00Playoff Preview (feeling more optimistic) <div class="MsoNormal">
I’m feeling more optimistic now that the season is coming to
a close and we’ll soon be jumping into the playoffs. Golden State went for 73 wins against the
very strange collection of NBA castoffs and characters that is the Grizzlies
and won. Matt Barnes did his best to
knock Curry out of the playoffs short of getting kicked out but it didn’t work. The little guy is tougher than he looks. The
collection of characters on the mash unit that is the Grizzlies is
hilarious. Barnes, Born Ready, the
Birdman, P.J. Hairston, and Zach Randolph is an extremely strange group of weirdoes. I was really hoping that these misfits would
play the Clippers in the first round but instead they’re going to be demolished
by the Spurs. They would have lost to
the Clippers as well but I guarantee there would have been some dudes getting
kicked out for flagrant fouls. I love to
watch the Spurs play against anyone but I’m not sure I’m going to be glued to
Memphis vs. San Antonio. – I’m
predicting a San Antonio sweep -- </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Those
Clippers are going to square up against Portland and that actually might be an
interesting match up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Portland’s front
line will be a bit over matched but at least there’s the potential of an upset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Clippers should pull it out, but mentally
they’re a bit of a fragile team and were Portland to win one of the games in
Los Angeles I could see the Clippers tightening up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll be surprised if LA doesn’t pull it out
eventually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Portland is a couple
rotation players away from being a really dangerous team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If LA doesn’t go at least a few rounds deep I
think they might have to undergo wholesale changes by the next season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s a lot on the line in the playoffs for
the core of Griffin, Jordan, and Paul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Doc the GM will have some soul searching to do if they don’t make it to
the finals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a tough position for
a team that is clearly the 3<sup>rd</sup> or 4<sup>th</sup> best in the West
and is looking at facing the Golden State juggernaut in the second round.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can Doc say that the season wasn’t a bust if
they get knocked out in the 2<sup>nd</sup> round even if it’s to the eventual
champions?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Portland is playing with
house money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter the outcome of
the series their season was an incredible success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Terry Stotts worked miracles with this team
and Lillard and McCollum stepped up and established a core back court for years
to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>–I’m picking Clippers in 6 --<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>OKC vs.
Dallas should not be competitive given all the injuries the Mavericks have
suffered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rick Carlisle is too good a
coach though to get swept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ll win a
game or two and you’ll wonder how it happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>OKC is flawed, but Westbrook and Durant are too talented to lose this
series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The future for both teams is
murky and confusing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t in any way
see how switching from Brooks to Donovan as coach helped the Thunder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They play virtually the same alternating one
on one style of basketball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re
still searching for five guys who can be on the court when things really
matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s both bad coaching and bad
GM work in tandem when there are no clear-cut solutions for your roster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ve got offensive lineups that aren’t
that great and defensive lineups that don’t scare anyone and not enough
effective two-way players.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I truly have
no idea how Cantor is making so much money to play basketball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any team dependent on Dion Waiters for
anything is in trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yet, they’ve
got two of the best few players in the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The talent of Durant and Westbrook can be transcendent though neither
one has learned to play off the ball comfortably.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Durant is one of the greatest scorers ever
but if you compare him to Curry you see a couple small flaws.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Curry can dominate the ball one on one but
he’s comfortable passing it off and switching to running off screens mode which
allows the team to run different sets and gets everyone else involved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither Durant nor Westbrook is comfortable
in this role and the over all goal of their offense is to get one or the other
into their comfort spots on the floor so that they can school someone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is old time ball that is capable of working
but seems antiquated in today’s NBA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
can work if one of your guys is channeling Jordan but that’s tough given modern
defense and the ability for teams to zone up and switch and overload.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OKC should scare the crap out of everyone
they play in the playoffs but eventually Westbrook will fire up too many errant
3 pointers and their offense will stagnate and someone will execute them out of
the gym.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have no idea what happens to
Dallas going forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They just don’t
look positioned to make many moves next year but they’ve got Carlyle and so
they’ll compete for the playoffs no matter what.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Championship aspirations for them seem
distant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OKC’s future is murky too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They need to go deep into the playoffs and
play well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately they’re looking
at San Antonio in the second round.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Chances are that they do not win that series but they’ve definitely got
a chance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are precisely the kind of
athletic team that would create problems for San Antonio in the past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think that’s the case this season
though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kawhi can make Durant work and
the Spurs can afford to put Green on Westbrook as the Thunder still haven’t
located a competent off guard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In past
games OKC has tried to punish Tony Parker on the block with Waiters but frankly
San Antonio’s goal should be to have Waiters shoot as much as he wants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, go ahead and punish our little guard if
it means Waiters island becoming a more remote location.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another difference for the Spurs this year is
that Aldridge makes them much more athletic and big on the front line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His overall size is under rated and he’s much
quicker than you might think looking at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Like the Clippers, OKC is in the unenviable position of potentially
being knocked out of the playoffs early enough to put doubt in the mind of
Durant that it’s worth returning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s
going to change in the next few seasons for OKC?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-- I’m picking OKC in 6 --<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Golden
State vs. Houston is not terribly exciting to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll see Harden get fouled a great deal and
he’ll dominate the ball and put up big numbers but Thompson matches up pretty
well with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beverley will piss off
Curry but outside of deliberately hurting Curry and knocking him out of the
series (I wouldn’t put this past him) the Rockets are just too outmatched to
make this interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately
Golden State is good fun enough to watch that they can probably overcome the
boredom of watching Harden shoot free throws and make these games worth
watching to some extant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Houston will
have a lot of off-season decisions to make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What is the market for Howard?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even if it’s less then he wants it to be I just don’t see him
returning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beyond Harden what do they
have?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s going to take some serious
magic to resuscitate this team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amazing
considering they were in the conference finals last year (that took a lot of
luck though).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t see what the point
of firing McHale was?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why didn’t they
let him play out the season?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As for
Golden State, contrary to what Barkley might think, I find it hard to imagine they
don’t win it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anything can happen I
suppose and certainly an injury could radically change their fortunes (they
been really lucky with injuries although it helps that they don’t play anyone
too many minutes over the course of the season), but they are clearly the best
team and the dominant team can usually win out in a best of seven series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
One more thing I’d like to point
out that fascinated me on the last night of the regular season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Contrast Curry’s 46 points on 24 shots (10
for 19 from 3 and 5 for 5 from 2) in 29 minutes with Kobe’s 60 points on 50
shots (6 for 21 from 3 and 16 for 29 from 2) in 42 minutes for the last game of
the season and you can extrapolate a difference in eras.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s amazing how much efficiency is valued in
today’s NBA compared to the past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both
games were exciting but Curry was incredibly efficient in helping his team win
their 73<sup>rd</sup> game of the year and Kobe was incredibly inefficient in
helping his team win their 17<sup>th</sup> game of the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Allen Iverson just got into the hall of fame
and don’t get me wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved
Iverson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What he did at his size was
amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But just imagine if he could
have learned to shoot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What Curry has
done this season is unprecedented.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s
averaged over 30 points per game and shot over 50% from the field for the
season, over 45% from 3, and over 90% from the line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s just crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>– I’m picking Golden State in a sweep --<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The East,
on paper at least, has some interesting matchups from a competitive
standpoint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think anyone will
beat Cleveland but every team out there has a chance to make them sweat. They
are a fragile team from a psychological standpoint that seems like they genuinely
don’t like each other and they’re completely dependent on the continuing
dominance of Lebron James.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without him
they are terrible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve seen over the
last month or so that he still has another gear few players can match but what
happens when Irving dribbles too much and fails to get any assists and when
Love bricks 3 pointers and plays atrocious defense?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lebron can sulk and sometimes his greatness
is more of the watch him go variety than the inspirational variety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Cleveland organization has once again
made huge personnel mistakes and put a flawed collection of misfits around
James.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel like the Cleveland
organization learned nothing from their original mistakes the first time around
with Lebron.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again they rushed into
constructing a team with no flexibility that overpays role players.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like OKC they have no idea what 5 players
should be on the court when games matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Detroit is just happy to be in the playoffs and though they should be
over matched they might be loose and that’s dangerous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have some talent and Van Gundy is a much
better coach than anyone in Cleveland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
could see them winning a game or two and getting Lebron pissed off at some of
his teammates but they’re not going to win the series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Van Gundy has them headed in the right direction and they should be
better next season and well positioned for the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cleveland on the other hand must get to the
finals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even doing so will not make
their season a success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They don’t have
to win it all to keep their team but they definitely have to be competitive and
close to winning in the finals or Lebron is going to start demanding they do
their best to trade all the dudes he doesn’t like for his friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My crystal ball tells me there’s going to be
a lot of soul searching in Cleveland over the off-season as Lebron is not good
enough to beat either the Warriors or the Spurs… -- I’m predicting Cleveland in
5--<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Atlanta vs.
Boston is actually going to be really fun to watch (for me at least).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both teams are well coached and play fun
basketball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Millsap rarely gets
mentioned as a top player but he totally kicks butt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Horford is good, Korver remembered how to
shoot and Teague and Schroeder can be dangerous on a given night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re not overly talented but they are well
coached and everyone knows their role.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brad
Stevens must be a great coach because while Boston has a lot of really nice
bench players they don’t have many clear-cut starters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stevens gets the most out of his
players.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel like too often NBA
coaches minimize the psychology of playing basketball whereby anyone who has
ever played pick up knows that when you play with a bunch of dudes who think
you can shoot and encourage you to do so you always shoot better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Confidence, even for people who are clearly
good at what they do, is so important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Stevens seems to have the knack for putting his players in the right
positions and for getting the most out of their abilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one seems tight or confused as to what
their role is on the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretty
amazing for a coach so young.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bradley
and Smart can make it hell for opposing guards to get to where they want to
go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether Atlanta wins or loses they
are going to have some serious decisions to make in the off-season as to whom
to sign and for how much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many
different directions their organization could go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boston should be in excellent shape going
forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ve got a lot of picks but
until now Ainge has kept all his options open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At some point they’ll have to decide how many picks to keep and whether
to make a big trade or to go young.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There’s no clear-cut path to success for Boston but at the same time
there are still many paths they could take to become successful and that, in of
itself, is exciting… -- For me this series is 50/50.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could see either team winning and if I had
to pick I’d probably go with Atlanta in 7)—<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Miami vs.
Charlotte is, for me at least, another exciting match up I could see unfolding
in either direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These teams are
pretty much evenly matched with perhaps a slight edge I’d give to Miami.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m happy to watch both of them play
basketball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kemba changed the fortunes
of this team when he learned to shoot 3s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It has dramatically opened up their game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s crazy how something so simple can change
the fortunes of a franchise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That little
bit of extra space on the court has opened up the offensive game of the entire
team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lynsanity has also continued to
improve steadily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s an excellent
bench player in the NBA who, when he’s hot, can be used in a bigger role along
side Walker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have a plethora of big
men who do different things for them and they can give you a number of
different looks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their concerted effort
to push the pace has made them much more exciting to watch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Miami is intriguing as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ve figured out somewhat how to use
Whiteside’s constant threat of the lob and he’s developed just enough of a shot
to surprise you from time to time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’ll
be interesting to see how much Wade has left in the tank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their key has been unlocking the mystery of
Dragic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a while there I was
wondering what happened to the dude that looked great in Phoenix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it turns out Dragic is really only capable
of playing one way and Miami finally realized that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re playing much faster and letting him attack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m feeling like this series could go either
way but if I had to pick I’d go with Miami in seven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Riley did an amazing job rebuilding this team
on the fly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they’d stayed healthy I
might have been able to envision them knocking off Cleveland but unfortunately
without a healthy Bosh for that outcome is not going to come to fruition…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Toronto vs.
Indiana should be fun to watch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indiana
both surprised me and disappointed me at various parts of this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a point I felt like they were
turning a corner and were going to be really dangerous but Paul tailed off a
bit and Miles Turner hit a bit of a rookie wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re a good surprise but the surprise has
worn off a bit and now they’re just looking mediocre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a rebuilding year for them anyway so
they shouldn’t be too disappointed in losing this series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can envision a scenario whereby Paul turns
it up and is the best player on the floor and all the pieces step up and this
series goes their way but Toronto is the better team and should finally win a
playoff series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s Toronto in the
playoffs though so you never know what might collapse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year’s team feels a little better than
the past year’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe it’s just because
Loughery is in better shape and they know more what to expect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ve been playing with a bit more of an
edge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The future of this team is
definitely on the line though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
will certainly be wholesale changes if they don’t beat Indiana and they will
consider a lot of options for sure if they don’t make it as far as the
conference finals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indiana needs to take
their time and continue to rebuild in the off-season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be essential that they nail the draft
again as I don’t see many free agents lining up to play there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>– I’m predicting Toronto in 6 or possibly 5
--<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
wolffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365177574388446507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498673031166859556.post-78545478178398296712016-04-10T22:10:00.000-07:002016-04-10T22:10:23.811-07:00As the season winds down...<div class="MsoNormal">
I haven’t
written much since earlier in the season.
This somehow went from a very exciting season to a kind of boring season
quite quickly. Other than Golden State
and San Antonio most of the big stories are kind of depressing. The other contenders for the title all seem
like pretenders. Frankly I think anyone
knocking off Golden State would be an upset at this point and that includes San
Antonio. The Spurs are a great team but
the Warriors have another gear that no one else can match. Even the Spurs are left hoping that Golden
State simply misses some shots and leaves them a window. It’s a possibility but if I was a betting
person I’d definitely bet on Golden State. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After Golden
State and San Antonio the quality of the teams this season becomes
significantly murkier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cleveland is a
dysfunctional mess but they’re not even an exciting mess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s just not that interesting dissecting
cryptic Lebron James tweets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s hard
to tell if Cleveland will be beatable in the East.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The regular season means nothing to them and
other than wrapping up the number one seed in the East there’s just isn’t
anything for which they are playing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Cleveland’s winning or losing is almost entirely built upon the
greatness of Lebron.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They don’t run much
of an offense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Love and Irving hit
some shots and play ok then they generally win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As a team Cleveland certainly doesn’t inspire much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Miami looks like they might have a shot
against them particularly if Bosh is able to come back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That would be pretty ironic if Miami made it
to the finals knocking out Lebron.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
clear that Riley is a much better puppet master than anyone else in the east. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Toronto also qualifies as a positive
story but given their post-season play the last couple years nothing they do in
the regular season really matters until they put together some wins in the
playoffs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This season feels different for
The Raptors but then again so did last season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s pretty much it in the East.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Atlanta has played much better the second half of the season but it’s
hard to imagine them doing anything against Cleveland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Hornets are a nice story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kemba Walker finally taught himself to shoot,
but they too have no chance to win the East.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Pistons have been fun but they’re still a few years away from any
chance at contention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a good story
though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bad stories seem to far
outweigh the good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chicago has been the
number one disappointment in the league (excepting perhaps the Rockets).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They just proved the other night that they’re
a bad match up for Cleveland but they’ve been a mysteriously dysfunctional mess
all season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You get the feeling no one
likes each other and that Hoiberg was not ready to coach an NBA team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No way does Thibodeaux miss the playoffs with
this team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Milwaukee has to be
disappointed taking a dramatic step back this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least they have some nice cornerstone
players.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Antetokounmpo looks like he
might have found a role at point guard and Jabari is starting to look like he’s
got some potential as a good player (it usually takes a solid year to come back
from his kind of injury).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Middleton is a
nice player but after that there’s not a whole lot there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not a fan of the Greg Monroe trade they
made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He can put up some numbers as he
did with Detroit previously but he doesn’t do much for a team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also made them more conventional then they
were last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Knicks are dismal
and depressing in every way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Unicorn
is the only thing that keeps them interesting but I’m worried that it’s too
appropriate of a nickname.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unicorns are
mythical beasts and they’re not real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Towns is real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s already a top
20 player in the NBA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Porzingis is still
a project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s hard to know what he’ll
end up being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Washington
is a huge disappointment as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They’ve got good players and I like some of their draft picks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re long and interchangeable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On paper I don’t understand why this team is
not better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel like a good coach
could dramatically change the fortunes of this team next season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How Randy Wittman is still an NBA head coach
I’m not sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Brooklyn
and Philadelphia are so depressing they’re not even worth talking about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only thing I’ll say further about Philly
is that in a weird way while I totally disagree with how they’ve run their
team, I’m not sure I agree with firing Hinkie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I mean everyone in that organization had to sign off on this stupid
plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What really changed such that they
decided things weren’t working?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
suppose that while plenty of teams have tanked no one has ever taken it this
far and probably never will again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
stupidity of playing the numbers like they’ve done is that no matter how many
draft picks you get the odds of getting a Lebron type talent are still
bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not worth historically sucking
to add a few percentage points to your chance at a number one pick that might
not even be as good as the 13<sup>th</sup> pick of the draft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Hinkie had nailed one draft pick that
might have given him some leeway with Philly’s fans and their management and
the NBA powers that be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His picks were
conventional and obvious and didn’t inspire any confidence that he was a good
judge of young talent and potential.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
plan depended 100% on that ability.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
could say time will tell if it was all worth it but I don’t agree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this point they needed to have 1 player
with potential star power to make that kind of losing palatable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could go on and on but who really cares
about Philly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other teams will tank but
no one will ever treat their players that poorly again…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In the West
it’s been great watching San Antonio and Golden State but most every other team
other than Portland has been a huge disappointment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Rockets collapsed completely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They should have kept Mchale as their
coach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Clippers imploded and yet
stayed afloat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re still one of only
two teams with a chance to knock off San Antonio or Golden State but they’ve
stayed pretty much the same or are slightly worse while those other two teams
have managed to get even better than last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>OKC will always be dangerous with 2 transcendent talents but they still
aren’t fun to watch and barely run an offense and have done a terrible job of
putting pieces around Durant and Westbrook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Memphis and Dallas had too many injuries and have limped into the playoffs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re sad to watch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Memphis as least has enough crazy dudes that
if they play the Clippers it’d be worth watching for the drama.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Utah hasn’t really improved much from last
season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other teams just dropped off
giving them a window into the playoffs but they don’t inspire much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least they seem to play Golden State well,
so that match up could at least lead to a few close games.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Out of
Sacramento, New Orleans, Denver, Minnesota, Phoenix, and L.A., only Minnesota
seems to have any kind of hope for next season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If they get a real coach they could be a playoff team with a lot of
young potential.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would really help if
they could nail one more draft pick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
other five teams mentioned above are barely worth talking about at this
point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anthony Davis disappointed and
the roster around him stinks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sacramento
entertains only in a rubber necking sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I find Cousins reprehensible on the court.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would easily be the least fun to play with
of anyone in the NBA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t believe
the shit he says to the refs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
actually amazed he doesn’t get even more technical than he does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Denver surprisingly, of the after thoughts in
the West, might be the most on the right track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At least they’ve gathered a few interesting young players and kept a few
useful veterans around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they continue
on that track and stay healthy next year (big ifs) they could be worth
watching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hopefully
the playoffs will turn this all around and we’ll get some exciting games but
the second half of this season has been, for the most part, more about collapse
than <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>achievement…<o:p></o:p></div>
wolffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365177574388446507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498673031166859556.post-80910881998829587602016-03-07T23:08:00.000-08:002016-03-07T23:08:43.569-08:00Thoughts as of 3/7<div class="MsoNormal">
How is it
that Manu Ginobili comes back from testicular surgery not only without anyone
knowing (word was he might not even make it back for the playoffs) and totally
kills it having his best game of the season and looking great. 15 minutes, 8 for 11 from the field, Plus 10 +/-, for 22 points. That’s incredibly efficient. It’s easy to forget how good that guy has
been for his career. And while we’re on
the subject of the Spurs no coach in the NBA will play his bench like Popovich. He’s not in the least afraid to roll out any
combination of players, partly because no matter who he sits for games and who
he puts out there his players compete and know what they’re doing. On any given night he’ll start Simmons and
Kyle Anderson. Or perhaps he’ll start
Bonner in the second half of a game against say Sacramento even though Bonner
has barely played this season. Of course
he comes out and hits two three’s.
Everyone on the team is ready to play and Popovich is ready to play
them. That’s just unheard of in the NBA…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Exactly how
does Golden State get blown out on national TV by the Lakers?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Truly anything can happen on a given night in
basketball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bottom line is that if you
shoot badly it’s really hard to win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even the best teams are dependent on being able to put the ball in the
basket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Golden State shot terribly
against the Lakers and similarly San Antonio couldn’t hit anything against
Indiana until it was too late on Monday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The tendency is when the better team is really cold defense becomes
harder to play and often the worse team will get hot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It happens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I don’t think either San Antonio or Golden State should worry too much
but I do wonder if Golden State’s pursuit of Chicago’s record is a good
idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pressure of winning so many
games in the regular season is pretty high and they should be remotely
concerned about burning themselves out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Frankly the regular season record means nothing if they don’t win the
championship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Strangely
though Golden State is in a position where a regular season game against a
terrible team (the Magic) is strangely meaningful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Getting blown out by a terrible team makes
other teams smell blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All season
teams have been demoralized by Golden State.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Losing to Orlando would have given hope and confidence to the rest of
the league.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Golden State managed a win
but it wasn’t easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Magic aren’t
winning a lot of games but they’ve got a lot of talent and they’re competitive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s just a matter of time before they’re
good…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I talked
last week about how being good should have value even if it never leads to a
championship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may have failed to
mention Atlanta as a prime example.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
are an awesome team to watch when they’re dialed in as they are right now and
though they have no chance at all of winning it all this year they’re fun to
watch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also didn’t mention an
important point that not only is a good team a better fan experience but in
many markets it’s the difference between making or losing money as an
organization.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s easy for pundits to
tell Memphis or Atlanta to blow it up but Grit and Grind sells tickets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not every market is NYC where Dolan can put a
crap product on the court year after year and still sell out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even the Nets are realizing that a terrible
team means you have to lower ticket prices and no Billionaire likes to lose
money even for a vanity project like owning a professional sports team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Cavs
won against Boston which was surprisingly an important game for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boston has given them problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not a good sign that Love was only 1 for
6 though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think they use him too
well but at some point he’s got to take responsibility for his own play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is just not nearly the player he was in
Minnesota.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that because he’s a bad
team good stats player or because his skillset has tailed off?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s hard to tell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tend to think with this sample size that he
just wasn’t as good as he seemed but he’s a little bit better than he’s playing
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The good teams in the East have
given the Cavs problems including Toronto and Chicago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chicago is suddenly at full strength and
ready to make a push (Jimmy Butler, like Ginobili made a quick recovery) for
the playoffs and Toronto is slowly creeping up on the Cavs for the best record
in the East.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until Toronto wins a
playoff series though it’s hard to take them seriously.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I wrote the
last paragraph yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently
Jimmy Butler had swelling in his knee and his back is acting up after 1 game
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chicago’s fortunes are 100% tied
up in Butler’s health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he can play
soon they’ll make the playoffs and be dangerous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he can’t they could fall out of the
playoffs and even if they make it they’re not beating anyone without him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having said that they had a big win Monday
against Milwaukee to maintain their playoff hopes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s easy to forget how good people thought
Jabari Parker would be. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s shown some
flashes lately of being a really good player now that he’s finally
healthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s got a lot of skill and
speed for a relatively large human being…<o:p></o:p></div>
wolffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365177574388446507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498673031166859556.post-22071220066728759382016-02-28T22:31:00.002-08:002016-02-28T23:02:30.667-08:00A few thoughts for the Weekend...<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. Listening and reading a lot of basketball news and
analysis I’ve come across a theme that most NBA intelligencia believe it is
pointless to be good unless it leads to a championship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pundits are constantly calling for the breakup
of teams when they can’t see a clear road to a championship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why is winning a championship everything?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being good is valuable too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having a local team that’s fun to watch would
be really nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the time in the
season when everyone wonders what’s the point of teams like Atlanta or
Memphis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The point is that they play
basketball that’s actually worth watching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes they’re not going to win it all but at least it’s worth going to
games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s value in being good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s okay losing a lot if the team you like
has young players with potential that are fun to see grow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Minnesota sucks this year but they’ve got a
young core and there’s some potential there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>People forget that OKC with Durant and Westbrook were very terrible for
a number of years before they turned the corner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I'm sure even those fan bases would sacrifice a championship mentality for some wins. </span>And then there are teams that are just plain
bad and it’s hard to see a clear way forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Draft picks might make sense on paper but future picks don’t put a
worthwhile product on the court.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Teams like Philadelphia and New York are just plain depressing to watch. </span>I’m
just thinking there’s more value to having a local team that plays basketball
well then most pundits credit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Championships aren’t everything when you have to watch shitty ball year
after year…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. Lately Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf has been mentioned as an under
rated player who could shoot off the dribble like Stephen Curry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are a few similarities but their stats don’t even remotely
compare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By modern NBA standards Rauf was just not a
good shooter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his best season he was
.392 from three-point land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s ok
but it’s a far cry from the top shooters in the league these days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His career percentage was in the low
30s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s stop making this comparison
immediately please… <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. I was thinking that maybe I would have to eat my words
about Chicago being able to challenge Cleveland but lately Cleveland has seemed
pretty beatable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a number of
teams in the East that might be able to put up a fight against Cleveland in a
series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boston and Toronto in particular
have made it clear that Cleveland won’t have a cakewalk to the finals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re still the favorites in my mind
because you have to assume Lebron has another gear until he proves he
doesn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But having said that Lebron is
not aging well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lebron’s shot is clearly
not as good as it used to be and though he can still overpower most anyone, he’s
not quite as strong or as fast as he once was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His shot was always a bit erratic but he’s going to need to spend this
next off-season worrying less about his strength and conditioning and more
about developing his skill level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
will come a point some day when he isn’t the strongest and fastest dude on the
court and when that day comes he’ll want a consistent jump shot to stay on top…<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4. The Spurs just keep rolling along. I watched them basically dismantle the Rockets in the first quarter this weekend. Kawhi is so good and efficient. His value can be seen not only by his fantastic shooting but that the Spurs defense dropped off a cliff when he was injured recently. Due to the Warriors the Spurs are having the greatest season of any team in the history of basketball to which absolutely no one is paying attention...</div>
wolffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365177574388446507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498673031166859556.post-33185350850908362382016-02-25T22:22:00.004-08:002016-02-25T23:33:48.513-08:00Post All-star break initial thoughts...<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Let me start by stating I have zero interest in anything that involves all-star weekend except perhaps there were a few badass dunks between Aaron Gordon and Zach Lavine. Moving on...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I watched Utah Vs.
Washington the other night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was listening
to the Washington announcers and it’s never a good sign when the local
announcers sound like they constantly expect their team to make mistakes and
collapse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Washington has a good team in
there somewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like their length
with Otto Porter and Garrett Temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Both guys seem like they’ll be good players but it’s going to take a few
years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither one shoots particularly
well but they’ve both got good form and I see their accuracy improving over time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a few years if Washington can stay the
course there’s a dangerous team of Wall, Beal, Porter, Temple, and Morris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not a fan of Morris’ attitude but he’s a
good, tough player and he really has a good chance to fit right in with
Washington.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s got length and is
strong and can shoot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All five guys on
Washington could be interchangeable with length on defense and all threats on
offense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure if Washington is
willing to wait it out but if they are this team could be good in a few years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Utah is hard to figure out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ve been playing very well before the
break but did not look good on this night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They struggle so hard to get shots on offense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hood and Hayward are their only consistent
threats, but Favors and Gobert should be effective on offense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gobert rolls well and Favors has a
surprisingly versatile in and out game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
so clearly lack a viable NBA level point guard to help them get easier shots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone that can run an offense and put
pressure on the opposing team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trey Burke
is clearly not that player and will never be more than a 20-minute a game back
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Raul Neto is pretty much the
equivalent talent of Burke but looks to pass more rather to shoot, which is
probably the only reason he’s starting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In today’s NBA that point guard combination is going to be a major
problem and currently it’s keeping Utah from seeing what kind of team they
really have.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Biggest/ Favorite surprises of the season so far:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blazers:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can’t believe this team isn’t terrible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only are they not as bad as I thought
they’d be but they actually might make the playoffs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only might they make the playoffs but
they might be a higher seed then 8<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The biggest surprise on this surprising team
is clearly C.J. McCollum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s hands
down the most improved player of the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Last year he averaged 6.8ppg and this year he/s at 21.1ppg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lillard is still flawed as a player and
though he’s upped his ppg average from 21 to 25.1 that’s mostly due to an
increase in attempts now that he’s the main focus of their offense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His field goal percentages of 42.7% from the
field and only 37.2% from 3 point range are not what they should be for someone
considered to be a great shooter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>McCollum
is at 44.9% and 40.8% respectively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
addition to his low shooting percentages, Lillard’s defense is still not
good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he seems to be a good leader
who plays hard and gets his team to stay focused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Intangible qualities that often go unnoticed
in a league obsessed with the latest metrics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Beyond the backcourt there just isn’t a whole lot going on for the
Blazers and that’s why I’m so impressed that they are above .500.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rookies: I can’t
believe how good last year’s draft was when you get past the lottery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously Towns is awesome and Porzingis is a
Unicorn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Okafor can score and Russell is
on the wrong team with the wrong coach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But starting from the 10<sup>th</sup> pick on is when this draft really
separates itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Winslow is a good
defensive player who could be a good basketball player if he ever learns to
shoot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mechanics don’t look
terrible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m really impressed by Myles
Turner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If this guy had been drafted by
the Knicks there would definitely be talk that he was the second coming of Jesus
Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turner was held a bit back by
injuries early on but now that he’s healthy he looks really good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He can shoot and he’s tough inside and he’s
big and quick and has a high motor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trey
Lyles, Devin Booker, and Bobby Portis are all going to be excellent players as
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rarely do drafts have so many real
potential rotation players beyond the 10<sup>th</sup> pick that become apparent
in their rookie years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Usually the post
lottery guys take a few years to become something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are also a number of other picks like
Mudiay and Stanley Johnson and Kaminsky and Cameron Payne and Cauley-Stein that
have potential to be legit NBA players.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What I’m trying to say is that it’s about as deep a draft as we’ve had
in a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Biggest disappointments right now:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was pointed out to me recently that
Chicago is probably not a legitimate threat to Cleveland in the East and I would
have to agree with that not only because everyone on their team is injured but
because they seem a bit directionless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You never know though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oklahoma City is
just so hit and miss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Durant and
Westbrook are so good but the team around them makes no sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ibaka is nice but after that it’s clear Presti
has done a terrible job choosing the supporting cast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They signed Kantor to way too big a
contract.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s effective on offense at
times but he’s practically unplayable for major minutes due to his atrocious
defense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watching him lope back on
defense is one of my least favorite sights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s not that he’s not trying but that his strides are so awkward and
slow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Waiters likewise is practically
unplayable for major minutes and yet he gets them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adams is fine but he’s only capable of so
much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beyond Durant and Westbrook and
Ibaka it’s impossible to come up with an ideal five players you’d like on the
court at crunch time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who do you pick
from their lineup as the other two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are no good choices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
doesn’t bode well for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On any given
night the talent of Durant and Westbrook can overwhelm an opponent but in a
seven game series against Golden State or San Antonio I just don’t see it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Minnesota: There’s
just too much talent on this team to be as bad as they are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please get a real coach…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Houston: This
team is a mess<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
San Antonio is a great team but I just don't see anyone beating Golden State at this point. They're in a class all their own and Curry does things to opposing defenses that no other player can...</div>
wolffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365177574388446507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498673031166859556.post-36239425485260420602016-01-24T22:14:00.001-08:002016-01-24T22:15:13.911-08:00Why Not The Bulls<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s pretty much
been a forgone conclusion that the Cavs are going to make it to the NBA
finals. Not that they’re so good but
that most of the east is stuck in a perpetual state of mediocrity. The Bulls have been my only pick since the
beginning of the season to even have a chance of upsetting Cleveland but
they’ve been so inconsistent that it’s been really hard to take them
seriously. But for the first time this
season I’m thinking why not the Bulls?
It’s not that I think they’ve figured anything out. I’m sure they’re going to be inconsistent all
year long but they are definitely a bad match up for the Cavs. Gasol is totally comfortable against anyone
in the Cavs front line and Rose plays Kyrie well. Butler can’t stop Lebron but he makes him
work hard and expend a lot of energy.
When other members of the Cavs guarded Butler he got his shots fairly
easily. It’s just a matter of hitting
shots for Butler, Gasol, and Rose. Love
has difficulty guarding anyone on the front line of Chicago. I’m not sure Love is going to still be on the
Cavaliers by the trade deadline as Lebron is clearly calling the shots and I
see their relationship as a bit toxic.
But having said that I really didn’t expect Love to resign with the Cavs
to begin with. I thought he’d head west
given that Lebron has a look of disgust on his face every time Love does
anything on either end of the basketball court.
Love is a mysterious guy though and it’s very difficult to figure out
where his head is at. He doesn’t give
away much. It wasn’t just that the Bulls
beat Cleveland on Saturday night but that they looked like clearly the better
team doing it. Rose shot terribly but it
didn’t matter. He got mostly good looks
and penetrated at will. If a few of
those layups roll in it’s an even bigger blow out than it was. I have no confidence in Tyrone Lue as the
mind to solve the Cavs troubles. When
you’re making decisions according to how your team reacts to a big win as
Griffin claims he did after the seeing how the Cavs reacted to beating down the
Clippers your team is in trouble. That’s
not on the coach. It’s on the GM for
assembling a group of people that don’t really get along. The Wiggins for Love trade is going to haunt
the Cavs for a long time unless they figure things out soon and win it all. Wiggins would have fit in incredibly well on
this team. Him and Lebron would have
been a great defensive combo and Wiggins would have given them more of a
running mentality. Lebron, or his
people, clearly wanted the Love deal to happen and I think we can say there is
pretty clear evidence that Lebron will be about as good a GM as Jordan has
turned out to be. There are too many
power forwards on Cleveland and not one of them has the full skill set necessary
to thrive with Lebron. Love opens up the
floor with his shooting but his defense is atrocious and he’s just not scoring
enough to make it worth having him out there so much. Part of that is on the other Cavaliers. They have to force feed Love on offense in
order to validate his playing time. It
might be enough to win the east just using Love as a decoy to spread the floor but
it’s not going to beat Golden State and San Antonio and at this point I’m not
sure it’s enough to knock off the Bulls either.
Everything about the Cavs seems confused and in flux right now and
looking at Lue on the bench I just don’t get the feeling that he has the
experience to make any significant changes to this team. If I were Griffin I’d hire Tom Thibodeau immediately and give him free rain to say anything to anybody and do anything
to anyone’s minutes. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As far as the
real championship<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>goes the Spurs and
Warriors will meet for the first time Monday night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It comes as no surprise that Duncan suddenly
has a mysterious knee ailment and will miss the game to rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pop doesn’t like to give stuff away and he’s
happy to play undermanned and give alternate looks for games like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It kind of sucks because pretty much everyone
has been looking forward to this game all season as these are clearly the two
best teams but I totally understand why Popovich does this shit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why give Golden State a chance to see what
they’re going to have to solve if they meet up in the playoffs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pop has been pulling this shit for years in
what amounts to the bigger regular season match ups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure it will still be a great game…<o:p></o:p></div>
wolffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365177574388446507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498673031166859556.post-85773695709776645592016-01-03T21:02:00.004-08:002016-01-03T21:02:59.075-08:00The NBA Doldrums<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I’ve been in
music recording mode the past couple of weeks down in New Orleans (and then running around for the holidays), which only
partly explains my lack of recent posts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One factor, of course, is that no one is paying me to write these and
most likely no one is actually reading them so it’s more of an exercise in fun
and love of basketball than it would otherwise be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another factor is that this is generally the
least exciting or interesting time of the NBA season as far as I’m concerned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Out of the gates anything is possible and
it’s fun to see and to predict what has changed from the previous season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How teams reinvent themselves and improve or
decline is new and exciting but there’s not much data under the belt to confirm
or deny these reactions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gradually, as
teams chug through the grind of the season there is more data that allows one
to draw more realistic conclusions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
the beginning it’s all an exciting guessing game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are at the strange point in the season
where the excitement of predicting what trends will continue is over as facts
accrue but the season is still young enough that the sample size isn’t great
enough to support full blown analysis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Having said that, I’m going to draw what conclusions I can so far in
this season and discuss the topics that I have found most interesting thus far…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is this swiftly
becoming a two-team league?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope the
answer to this question is not yes even though these two teams just happen to
be my favorites to watch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part of the
problem has been that not only are Golden State and San Antonio looking really
good, but the teams that were supposed to rival them for championship
contention are all playing much worse than expected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the West the big disappointments thus far
are Houston, The Clippers, and Memphis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Houston has some serious mental problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harden has regressed this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s just become so inefficient and he’s
stopped caring again on defense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beyond
that they just don’t have enough players that you can count on
consistently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Los Angeles is a dangerous
team but their bench is so terrible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On
paper they looked to be much improved this season but it just hasn’t panned
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doc Rivers is getting nothing out
of anyone beyond the starting 4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
hard to see a team winning it all without an actual 5 players you want on the
court at the end of a game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Memphis
still can’t shoot and now they can’t play defense as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only team not named San Antonio or Golden
State I can see getting to the finals in the West is Oklahoma City.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re not there yet but the duo of
Westbrook and Durant is just so dangerous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m skeptical of them because they too just don’t know who to put on the
court in crunch time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The East is full
of pretty good teams that just don’t have what it takes to win it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only team that has even a remote to stop
Cleveland from getting to the finals is Chicago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re a bit of a mess but the potential is
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Miami doesn’t have enough bodies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They flash some potential but I just don’t
think Dragic is that good and he’s certainly not very compatible with the rest
of the team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Toronto is too schizophrenic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone else is a year or two away at
least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Basketball is a game of ebbs and flows and I’m
sensing that the magic of the Warriors is diminishing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ve gone from historic to very good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Curry isn’t dominating the way he did in the
beginning of the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Defenders are
muscling him and stealing the ball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Right before Christmas the Warriors played the Jazz and Trey Burke stole
the ball from Curry straight up a couple of times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Burke is not a powerhouse defender and
earlier in the year when Curry was on his hot streak this would not have
happened but Curry has cooled down and he’s always been prone to turnovers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes a winning streak like the Warriors
had takes more energy than you’d think and sometimes streaky players just get
extra hot, but either way the Warriors are not the same team as they were in
the beginning of the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s not to
say they won’t regain their form but for now they look really good but mortal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their offense is not flowing freely and the
ball is sticking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most importantly
they’re missing some shots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They look
beatable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Contain Curry and punish them
inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a formula that the Spurs,
who currently look like the best-oiled machine in the league, look capable of
bringing to fruition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ironically it’s
the Warrior’s defense that is winning them games at this stage more so than
their offense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On a side note, let’s
stop with the Curry vs. Michael Jordan talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes, for the first 20 games or so he played historically good ball but
that kind of sample size only counts as a hot streak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sustainability is what makes the greatest
players who they are and what separates them from other very good players.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On any given night a large number of NBA
players are capable of getting hot and looking amazing, but a very select few
can do so consistently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Twenty or so
games is an amazing hot streak but going out on an off night in the middle of
the season when you and your team are tired is hard work and few players are
historically capable of such feats of consistency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>5 of 14 from the field and 2 for 8 from 3
against Trey Burke’s defense does not make me fear for Jordan’s title as GOAT. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can see Curry’s body breaking down a bit
at this point in the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Curry has
been out with a calf injury and in his absence the Warriors seem quite mortal. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It makes for a better to story to extrapolate
what happens if the Warriors continue to dominate but let us not forget that
the 2007/8 Rockets won 22 games in a row.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Theirs was far from a historic roster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Part of Golden State’s appearance of mortality is that certain matchups
are not great for them and the Jazz fall under this category but I would worry
about this if I were them as San Antonio is a much better version of the
Jazz.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, they’ve not looked great
lately against some pretty mediocre to bad opponents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Celtics should have beaten them, as
should have the Nets twice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 12 and
18 Milwaukee Bucks looked like a great team when they played Golden State.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No team is going to dominate an entire season
and even more so look dominant an entire season but there are trends now that
worry me a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having said that Golden
State continues to win anyway and that’s what great teams do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>San Antonio on
the other hand has been playing the long game to perfection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parker is in better shape, Aldridge is just
starting to figure things out in a new system, and David West is killing it
coming off the bench.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Danny Green is
only now starting to shoot well and Patty Mills hasn’t yet found his form and
they’re killing teams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kawhi is
completely awesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s incredibly
efficient with his shooting and can get to whatever and wherever he wants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His defense is suffocating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I worry about the old folks getting
overwhelmed by a team like Oklahoma City but I see them and Golden State as
neck and neck right now and I just feel like it’s a favorable matchup for San
Antonio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Spurs can go big and pound
Golden State or they can go small and Kawhi will have no problems sticking with
Green at the 4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re my two favorite
teams but I sure hope this season isn’t heading towards just waiting from now
until these two teams clash in the Western Conference finals to decide who wins
the championship.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-- Just watched Orlando against the Hawks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some day soon Orlando is going to be good but
my biggest take away from that game was watching Victor Oladipo help off of
Kyle Korver multiple times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What the
hell was he thinking?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you play the
Hawks you stay with Korver at all times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You can’t sag into the lane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Oladipo’s defensive lapses were inexcusable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m guessing Skyles has some emphatic words
for him after the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Orlando has
really turned it around this year and I like where their team is going but
they’ve still got a ways to go…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-- Cleveland looks like they’ll take the east pretty easily
to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such is the greatness of Lebron
though that if he were back on Miami they would be the favorite to win it this
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The core of Wade, Bosh, Whiteside
and Lebron would be devastating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Miami
is in serious long term trouble though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m not sure they can keep Whiteside and they shelled out way too much
for Dragic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s just not nearly worth
the money they gave him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-- I know I said no 76er comments but the Colangelo hiring
felt like the other owners finally rebelling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I couldn’t believe that from a business standpoint all these rich folks
had kept quiet about a franchise that was causing them to lose money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the way, citing Kendal Marshall as super
important to their team’s plans and saying that his surgery was a huge set back
is the biggest indictment of the 76ers to date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Poor Brett Brown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now he’s got D’Antoni
breathing down his neck and it’s unfair because no coach on earth could have
wrung anymore wins from this pile of crap than he has.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can’t coach offense when nobody knows how
to score.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s pointless.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-- Garnett is the perfect veteran for Towns and
Wiggins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re both almost too
mellow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pumps them up and gets them
to play harder and assert their talent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Minnesota
still doesn’t have the fire to be consistent but when they dig in there’s a
team in there somewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this point
they just don’t know when to pass and when to shoot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guys force things all the time and I’m not
sure how much of an actual offense they’re running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve never been a huge fan of Sam
Mitchell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seems like a nice guy
though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How about you play Towns some
more and force-feed him the ball some more?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He should be getting more shot attempts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I think if he leads the team in shots attempts they’ll have a much
better chance of winning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it is this
team is all potential and no reality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’d say fire Mitchel but riding this year out and losing a bunch of
games in order to get one more high draft pick is actually a good idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re a fun bad which is a good place to
be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a pleasure watching this team
lose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next year they need to make a leap
though and should high a coach capable of making this team better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-- Is Anthony Davis the most over rated player in the
NBA?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not saying he’s not great but
pre-season hype was leaning towards him being the best player in the
league.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know they’ve had a lot of
injuries but could you imagine Lebron James losing this many games?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-- And finally, Matt Barnes is out of his freaking
mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you haven’t followed his latest
New Year’s tweet it’s pretty hilarious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Some people should not be using social media…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
wolffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365177574388446507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498673031166859556.post-70073663326924164042015-12-01T22:23:00.001-08:002015-12-01T22:25:06.773-08:00Kobe's last game in Philadelphia<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Lakers may be the stupidest team in the NBA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They certainly look like there is absolutely
no one coaching them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something is very
wrong with Kobe Bryant’s brain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He came
out against the 76ers and just started chucking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I vowed to ignore all things 76ers but
it was the only game on league pass to begin the night and I figured it
would be interesting seeing Kobe play for the last time in his home town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He came out chucking and miraculously hit a small handful of shots . The crowd went completely insane and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know if this melted
his brain or what, but he proceeded to start dribbling up court and launching
terrible shots without even acknowledging that he might possibly have teammates
in the gym with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He started out 3 for 4 from the field (all 3 pointers) which makes it all the more remarkable that he finished the
game 7 for 26 which is bad enough, but even worse, he was a god awful 4 of 17
from 3 point land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t just that
he was missing but that he was taking bad shots that had nothing to do with
anything remotely resembling an offense scheme.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> In these two clips it's as if his teammates don't even exist...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwIh2xLdhrHL2YI-8jHw-uf6LGcPhkipc8nvin34oafRUjIpw4GCzFmCpzjQVXlH65t-OpYcFAuqFlsK-nU5Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Dribble up the court, ignore everyone else, and shoot a bad 3 pointer</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwybj974FA-4qFdHW0jOglGzfwWsJ7ZxEvRCQyjeOoq4NnB3BH9lyMZjpLEMTHf0WuhNAxyNxAzZ0lVIhu0ng' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The one on one airball. I think this is the shot for which I will always remember Kobe!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dude, please stop it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are
embarrassing yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lakers played
like they were in a terrible pickup game in which every individual was just desperately rushing to get theirs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I just could not believe the crap Kobe was throwing up at the rim. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a testament to how much he’s respected (or
feared) that no one on his team has murdered him for monopolizing the ball so
much on offense. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He should retire right
now and Byron Scott should be fired and should never coach another basketball
game on any level for the rest of his life as punishment for allowing Kobe to
do what he is doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, The
Lakers should probably just make Kobe interim head coach for the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That way they could eliminate the charade that
he is not simply doing anything he wants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He can play himself the whole game and he can take every shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Philadelphia is very very bad but at least
they try hard and are well coached.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Congratulations to them for proving that they’re not the worst team in
the league at this moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I swear I will not watch nor mention
either of these teams again this season…<o:p></o:p></div>
wolffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365177574388446507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498673031166859556.post-12616680864126816172015-11-30T22:05:00.002-08:002015-11-30T22:05:26.398-08:00Golden State Warriors vs. Utah Jazz:<div class="MsoNormal">
That was a great
game. The Jazz played it perfect. Rudy Gobert dominated on defense and his cuts
to the basket opened up all kinds of action for the Jazz on offense. Favors played really well and hit all his
free throws (he’s a 66% free throw shooter normally) going 5 for 5 from the
line with a number of those in crunch time.
Hayward played like an all-star. Alec
Burks shot 8 for 15 from the floor. Utah
did everything right. They slowed the
game down and played big. They took the
lead late and put pressure on the Warriors.
And yet Curry pulled the trigger on a couple of big 3s and that was the
game:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy11t1VbrGb7W6sabY_uz29311iVo2LtSQiXVF9sefpXTcoj41y5IqAJWa4BBOEwl4huHvnme7AQU451l8c4w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Golden State didn’t play particularly well but they did what they had to and their best player hit two demoralizing shots against good defense and that was it. The streak continues...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
wolffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365177574388446507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498673031166859556.post-7354665301771668012015-11-30T00:22:00.000-08:002015-11-30T09:27:56.502-08:00Thanksgiving Weekend...<div class="MsoNormal">
--Cleveland against Charlotte</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleveland has Mo Williams, Matthew Dellavedova, Richard
Jefferson and James Jones on the court at the same time. I know Cleveland has a lot of injuries but
that’s a problem. Lebron can be slow to set up the offense at times. He gets a little enamored with pounding the
rock. In one sequence he runs pick and
roll with Tristan Thompson and there’s nothing there. J.R. Smith gets the ball
with 5 seconds left on the shot clock.
That’s just terrible offense unless your goal is to have Smith chuck up
something ugly. Also, in crunch time of
this game Jefferson is playing over love.
That doesn’t make much sense unless Love is injured (he wasn’t). Cleveland seems like they’re squeaking by but
their point differential is 3<sup>rd</sup> in the league at 7 and they’ve
already dealt with tons of injuries. If
they can ever get healthy they’ll cruise easily through the east. It’s ugly Lebron dominant basketball but it’s
effective. Especially given the weakness
of the east. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
--What’s up with certain teams just getting blown out when
they lose. Milwaukee, Houston, and Washington
are the biggest culprits. These three
teams can look good but then they just get crushed on some nights. Can we at least lose by under ten points
people. The following was as of Friday
night…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Milwaukee: Of 9 losses, 7 are by more than 10 points and
4 by more than 19 and 3 by more than 25 (of those last 3 -- one by 25, another
by 29 and another by 37. Average margin of loss = just under 18 points<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Washington: average
loss = just under 14. At what point do they consider moving on from Randy Wittman? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Houston: First of all, they’re just 5 and 10 which is
totally absurd. Their average margin of
loss just under 18 which is also absurd…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can’t comprehend
how these 3 teams can lose games like this.
They’ve all got too much talent to be this bad on any given night. Their average margin of loss leads me to
believe that at least some of their problems are mental. When things don’t go well they just cave.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
--San Antonio does not look nearly as dominant as Golden State
but I like how they’re developing.
They’re leading the league in opponents points per game at 90.5 over two
points better than second place Miami.
Classic spurs that at 13 and 3 they’ve got the second best record in the
NBA and no one cares. They’re second in
point differential to Golden state at 8.9 (Golden State = 15.6). Their pace is much slower than Golden State’s
so it may not be as great a statistical gap between the two as it seems. The positives are that Aldridge has not come
even close to playing as well as he can.
He’s still figuring out where his shots are going to come from. He also doesn’t seem in the least bothered by
a lower scoring average which makes him very Spurs-ian. Kawhi looks great. He’s really turning into a star on offense as
well as defense. The only negative is
that the old core has definitely aged. Parker
has looked a step slower, but he’s gradually getting in better shape. Duncan has stepped back but he also looks
like he’s coasting through this part of the season. He still seems ageless at certain points. I still think he has some big time basketball
left in his system. I think there’s more
depth on the team than people think.
Jonathon Simmons has the potential to be the next big Spurs reclamation
project. He’s got size and is very
athletic and plays with a great motor.
Once the Spurs coaching staff puts the Kawhi treatment on him I wouldn’t
be surprised if he turns into another steal.
The Spurs are clearly looking long term with this season, yet they’re
still winning which bodes very well for them and poorly for the rest of the
league. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last season San
Antonio scored 103.2 ppg and gave up 97 ppg.
This season they’re scoring 99.4ppg and giving up 89.7ppg. In their championship season they scored
105.4ppg and gave up 97.6ppg. That
season the Spurs basically laid the ground work for what Golden State is doing
today. Pop is doing the smart
thing. GS is unique and you’re not going
to beat them doing what they do. The
hope is to buck the trend and go big and play great defense and slow the pace
down. Everyone else in the league is
trying to copy Golden State but they are just not taking into account that the
Warriors have historically unique personnel.
I just don’t see anyone beating the Warriors at their game. Not that The Spurs would gear everything
towards GS but they’re desperate to win one more for Duncan without giving up
their future and they’re in a unique position to achieve both goals at the same
time. Their only chance of winning
against Golden state is to pound them inside and make them work on offense. Right now they’re the only threat out there
to Golden State down the line excepting perhaps whatever the Cavs become when
or if they’re healthy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
--Isn’t Jahlil Okafor 19 years old? How exactly was he in that nightclub in
Boston the other night? He’s clearly
intoxicated in the video of the fight he got in (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAmCcvHHY8M). I don’t think the police should necessarily
crack down on him for this altercation (he probably should have been arrested
that night) but they might wanna consider raiding that nightclub… <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
--The Rockets are so terrible that they gave up 114 points to
Philadelphia and needed 50 from James Harden in order to squeak out a 2 point
win on their home court. That’s a season
high in points for Philadelphia beating their previous mark by 11. The 76ers are last in the league at 89.8
points per game. That is not good. On the plus side Houston seems to be playing
Ty Lawson less. He only played 16
minutes to Patrick Beverley’s 32 minutes.
This quote says it all for me from J.B. Bickerstaff:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 9pt;">"In
past situations this year, we didn't handle those situations well,"
Rockets coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. "There's a growing belief in that
locker room that they can do the things needed to win."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ummm… Philadelphia was 0 and 16 before this game. Anything less than a blowout does not
constitute a growing belief that you’re doing the things needed to win. On Sunday the Rockets squeaked past the
Knicks who somehow scored 111 points without Carmelo Anthony. That’s the team 28<sup>th</sup> in the league
for points per game scoring 15 points above their average minus by far their
best offensive player. Bickerstaff had another stupid sounding quote afterwards:<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 12px;">"It was a lesson in perseverance," said interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff. "We got down, but we didn't give in. It is a credit to our guys' mental toughness and fortitude."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 12px;"><br /></span>
Bickerstaff should have been ripping into his team for some horrible efforts against sub par opponents. The following clip demonstrates some of the crappiest defense I've ever seen. James Harden makes absolutely no effort whatsoever to play any defense. He does take time to yell at a teammate though:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwohfYFkP6oeLxHkElyTjpTrFk_NsSBPB_jpdTxZ_nle06-zfV4pP9W_IwbBbIqpM3197J1WZWLdyR3JZ1Ldw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
There are bad
wins and good losses and for the Rockets that’s definitely two bad wins in one
weekend. As far as the Knicks go,
Porzingis went for 20 and 10 with 8 for 13 shooting…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
--Indiana knocked off Chicago and looked like the better team
doing it and Paul George got the best of Jimmy Butler. I’ve previously written all about this but
I’m really impressed by Indiana and I can’t believe I’m saying this but right
now they’re legitimately top 5 in the East…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
--It honestly perplexes me that Mark Gasol cannot average 20
points a game. I’m sorry but 15.2 points
and 6.9 rebounds per game is just not going to cut it. He is way too talented. He’s big and moves well and has a nice touch
and has good post moves. What am I
missing? He should be dominating. If I were his coach I’d be screaming at him
constantly to take more shots. He gets
off just under 12 attempts a game.
Aggression is a talent and perhaps he just doesn’t have it. If I were his coach there would be a rule
that he does not get on the team bus unless he gets 20 shots up in the
game. On Sunday he once again only got
up 8 shots making 4. At least he grabbed
12 rebounds in his 39 minutes. I don’t
know if this is in his head or whether it falls on the coaching but it seems a
criminal waste of talent…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
--Stephen Curry against Phoenix: 30 minutes and 39 seconds. 11 for 20 from the floor. 10 for 11 from the line. 9 for 16 from 3. 6 rebounds and 8 assists. Totally insane. He had 6 turnovers so at least he’s vaguely
human….<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
--Anthony Davis went down from injury yet again. How bad was the Jrue Holiday deal for
them. I just don’t see this team ever
getting good. What a waste…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
--Boston vs. Orlando:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Evan Fournier has
outplayed Victor Oladipo this year and gotten himself into the starting
lineup. That’s gotta be killing
Oladipo. Can you believe that Evan
Fournier is averaging 17.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game this
season? I can’t. He’s shooting 44.6% FG and 40.2% from 3. The former is not bad for a shooting guard
and the latter is very impressive. He
definitely worked on his game over the summer because I would have written
those numbers off as impossible last year (“not gonna happen,” as Jalen Rose
would say). He’s not very fast but he
makes up for it by having good size and strength for a 2 guard. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had a minor
Thanksgiving disagreement with my brother over Orlando. He thinks they’re uninteresting and that they
do not have much talent on their team. I
disagreed. Elfrid Payton is intriguing. He
definitely has the point guard gene (he feels comfortable running a team and
looking to get other players involved) and he’s got good size and can play
defense. He’s effective even though he
is completely lacking a serviceable jump shot.
If he ever gets that he could be very good. Vucevic is very good offensively. He can shoot and has good post moves and he
can rebound well. He doesn’t have a
whole lot else at this point but he could learn to play D and to pass
serviceably. Tobias Harris has potential
as an all around type scorer with the size and strength to play bigger in a
small ball line up. Channing Frye was
really good just a few years ago.
Oladipo plays hard and has loads of talent even if he’s erratic at
times. Coming off the bench gives him a
chance to go full on offensive when he’s out there. I’m not sure that’s a great thing. He has a tendency to chuck a bit and what’s
holding him back is knowing when to go for it and when to chill. Somewhere in there though is a very good two
way NBA player. One very big positive
for having Oladipo coming off the bench is that he keeps Napier from being on
the court. That’s a good thing. Oladipo managed to rack up 19 points, 8
rebounds and 6 assists in his 30 minutes against Boston on Sunday. It’s the latter that impresses me in this
role. Scott Skiles will make some sort
of a team out of these disparate elements.
Then he’ll yell at them too much and everyone will quickly become tired
of him and another coach will take over.
Somewhere before, during, or after this process they’ll become a solid
.500 team (I think they’re already there).
Oh and by the way, to my brother who scoffed at the idea that Aaron
Gordon was an intriguing play I submit this:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwHg2-oICJ-QVY9bWcjTh1HDeOf9zyAxoG-7e29rlqNCmmrP_P6WN0_aZVZCJ3dZQA3SPwGtRlhMgL4gwA13g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And This:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyfhaU2hq9Mh77tni7JeZXZ9VfhD6FtFLRkmFVBvah7JvP75Gp_GVdTO2KmERDK8t2GJ94QfMVshcBHOy8ywA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gordon is tall and fast and has a bounce to his step.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The offensive skills are clearly in there
somewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At some point his brain will
catch up to his body and he’s going to be a good player that can easily play
the small ball towards which the league is heading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s got the length to bother bigger players
and the quickness to keep up with guards.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a team Orlando is just above .500 and has a slightly positive
point differential at +.8.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s not
bad considering where they’ve been the last few years…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t figure out
what to think of Boston.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stevens is a
nice coach and he has them playing a fun style with a sense of over all purpose,
but they are a team full of nice role players.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I don’t see any room for individual players to progress much beyond
where they are (possibly excepting Marcus Smart).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ve got a ton of draft picks coming up
thanks to the woeful nets so perhaps they’re actually positioned quite well for
the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2016 alone they’ve got 4
first round picks potentially.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Nets
pick will obviously be good as they’re probably the 2<sup>nd</sup> worse team
in the league.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ve got their own
pick and a top 7 protected pick from Dallas which surprisingly they’ll most
likely be getting as Dallas is much better than expected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lastly, they’ve got a pick from Minnesota
that is top 12 protected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most likely
they won’t get that, but Minnesota does seem determined to win as much as
possible and they’re reasonably talented so you never know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2017 Boston can swap picks with the
nets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Nets are going to be very bad
once again so that could be another lottery pick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also get a top 11 protected pick from
Memphis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2018 they have their own
pick and Brooklyn’s pick unprotected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All they need to do
is hit on a few of these picks and place a couple of top talent kids onto this
team and they’ve got something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
are also plenty of assets on the team now to make trades but not really the
kinds of assets that get you anything much in particular unless you start
throwing in some of these picks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All in
all, that’s pretty crazy, but it makes me interested in Boston this year only in
so far as which players on their roster are worth keeping around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All those draft picks will take up a
significant number of the present roster spots unless Ainge can pull the
trigger on a big trade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
--Knicks vs. Rockets<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, due
to illness, Carmelo Anthony was unable to audition for one of the few teams in
the league with the potential desire to trade for him and which also has the
assets to get it done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Houston is
closing in on desperate and they have players that Phil Jackson could
consider.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They don’t have a draft pick
next year, but a bunch of players plus their 2017 draft pick might be
intriguing to Phil Jackson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Personally
I’d be vaguely interested in Clint Capela and I really like Donatas Montiejunas
and Terrence Jones is ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything
else doesn’t really interest me so perhaps it would take 2 future first round
picks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other than Houston there’s not a
large market out there for Carmelo among teams that have the players and cap
space and picks to get the job done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
I had to guess I’d guess that the Knicks keep Carmelo, but I’d feel much better
with that prediction if they still had their draft pick for next year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it stands keeping Carmelo makes sense if
you’re thinking championship and I don’t quite see how that happens without
another good draft pick next year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
like Porzingis but he’s not going to be enough and I don’t think there’s a
realistic free agent out there that is going to make this team championship
ready in the next couple years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could
be wrong but it’s got to be tempting to get what you can for Carmelo now while
he’s still worth something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like his
game and I think he can be among your top two guys on a championship team but I
can’t see how the Knicks get there in the next couple years before he starts to
decline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He can shoot so his game might
age well but he is also kind of in between a small forward and a power forward
and that disparity is trouble as you get older, weaker, and slower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s already not a good defender as he used
to be and in a few years he’s going to boarder on bad.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
--Somehow the more competitive Philly’s games get the more
depressing it is that they’re just not good enough to win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually they’ll pull it off but if I were
a fan I’d be pissed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know they want to
have the worst record but they could still achieve that and be slightly more
watchable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which is going to happen
first: will Philadelphia win a game or will Golden State lose a game?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Philly has a few vaguely winnable games
coming up: Dec 1 against the Lakers and Dec 2<sup>nd</sup> against the Knicks
and Dec 5<sup>th</sup> against Denver and Dec 10<sup>th</sup> against
Brooklyn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Golden State has a tough one
against Utah next but beyond that they might make it to Christmas against
Cleveland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The real answer is who
fucking cares whether Philadelphia wins a game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We should be watching every Golden State game and completely ignoring
anything that Philadelphia does until they decide to join the NBA again and
henceforth I will do just that…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
--Raptors vs. Suns<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Raptors lost a
close one but they’d won 4 in a row before that and the Suns are 6 and 0
against teams when they’ve played the night before and it took 6 for 7 from 3
for Teletovic to get it done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are
good losses and bad losses and that’s definitely not a bad loss Toronto…<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
--Lastly, can anyone explain to me the point of The Lakers playing World Peace for 27 minutes in a game? Surely you can find some minutes for someone young. It's not like they're actually expecting to win games at this point and even if they were World Peace would not be the answer. Byron Scott is a confusing man. Just throw in the towel and play anyone below the age of 30 please. Not that it really matters. The only relevance of The Lakers at this point is if you're nostalgic for Kobe's last hurrah. I'm not particularly so like with the 76ers this may be the last time I mention this team this year...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->wolffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365177574388446507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498673031166859556.post-24013629305454131672015-11-26T07:23:00.000-08:002015-11-26T07:23:06.807-08:00Paul George is a pretty good basketball player...<div class="MsoNormal">
Paul George:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
25.9 points. 45.8% fg 45.7% 3pt<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
8.4 rebounds<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4.8 assists<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul George is
quietly looking like one of the best players in the NBA right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His initial start to the season was a little
rough but after the first two games he has clearly hit a comfort zone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His shooting looks fantastic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last night in Washington he shot 14 for 19
from the field and 7 of 8 from three and 5 for 6 from the line for 40 points in
total.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those are Stephen Curry type
numbers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that game was not an
anomaly. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you take away the first two
games of the season when he was getting readjusted to playing NBA basketball
again his percentages look even better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Minus
the first two games he is just under 50% overall from the field and 50% exactly
from 3 point land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His ball handling
looks vastly improved as well and he’s looking to make plays for other people
much more than he has in the past. His defense has always been his calling card
and he is still excellent on that end although he has a tendency to gamble too
much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are very few players right
now I’d rather have on my team than Paul George.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Pacers in
general have impressed me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have
definitely completely reinvented what they are trying to do out on the
court.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They got rid of Roy Hibbert in
the off season and have clearly made a concerted effort to pick up the
pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re shooting way more 3s
overall (they’re 3<sup>rd</sup> in the league from 3pt land trailing only
Golden State and Phoenix) and C.J. Miles (15.9 on 46% fg and 45.9% 3s) has
clearly made a concerted effort to work on his shooting in the off season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s a bit too much Jordan Hill and Ian
Manhinmi in general for my taste but both of those guys have played better than
I would have expected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Frank Vogel is
clearly a good coach and has adapted well to a complete overhaul of their
playing style.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indiana is full of solid
NBA players but lacking in stars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>George
Hill is a solid player who shoots very well and can play defense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Monta Ellis has his flaws but he’s a
professional scorer and Rodney Stuckey has a tough aggressive game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chase Budinger, when healthy, has always been
an effective scorer and Miles Turner looks like he may develop into something
at some point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it all comes back
around to George, the lone star on this team. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 9 and 5 Indiana is currently tied for the 3<sup>rd</sup>
best record in the eastern conference. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ve
clearly committed to pushing the pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s easy to claim you’re going to play faster but that actually takes
work and a conditioning and many teams only give the idea of fast breaking lip
service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Frankly, I’m really surprised
that Indiana is this good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Glancing at
their roster before the season I wrote them off but it’s easy to forget how
good Paul George is and if he continues to play like this Indiana will really
sneak on up on some people this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
wolffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365177574388446507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498673031166859556.post-58859543091188159412015-11-24T19:08:00.001-08:002015-11-24T19:08:19.115-08:00Links to Articles as of November 24thAny Zach Lowe article is worth reading. I'm fascinated by this subject. I tend to think there are unique factors for Golden State and that if the right team goes in the opposite direction they could be successful. <br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14209124/is-small-ball-dominance-golden-state-blip-trend">http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14209124/is-small-ball-dominance-golden-state-blip-trend</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Paul Flannery and Tom Ziller (I like it when these two
go<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>back and forth):<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/11/24/9790694/warriors-sixers-history-records">http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/11/24/9790694/warriors-sixers-history-records</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tom Ziller on Warriors small ball lineup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is basically what has just about every
team scrambling to go small.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/11/23/9781926/warriors-cheat-code-lineup-stats-chart">http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/11/23/9781926/warriors-cheat-code-lineup-stats-chart</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve been saying this for a while now…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/11/23/9755874/ricky-rubio-minnesota-timberwolves-future">http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/11/23/9755874/ricky-rubio-minnesota-timberwolves-future</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
ya can’t fire the players so I guess the coach had to go…<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.nba.com/2015/news/features/david_aldridge/11/23/morning-tip-houston-rockets-in-wake-of-kevin-mchale-firing-james-harden-role-state-of-philadelphia-76ers-sam-hinkie-brett-brown/index.html">http://www.nba.com/2015/news/features/david_aldridge/11/23/morning-tip-houston-rockets-in-wake-of-kevin-mchale-firing-james-harden-role-state-of-philadelphia-76ers-sam-hinkie-brett-brown/index.html</a><o:p></o:p></div>
wolffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365177574388446507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498673031166859556.post-71338480192668793822015-11-23T15:40:00.000-08:002015-11-23T15:40:19.754-08:00Random observations weekend of November 21st & 22nd<div class="MsoNormal">
Basketball is fascinating to me. You can break stuff down to numbers but
sometimes there are just indefinable tangibles that defy explanation. The Timberwolves are so much better with
Rubio despite all his offensive flaws.
He just knows how to run a team and it settles everyone down and gets
them into their sets. They’re 5-4 with
him this season and 0-4 without him in the line up. He’s an extremely under rated defender. The Timberwolves need to cut down on their
veteran players though. I understand
they are trying to make the playoffs but there is too much Martin and Prince on
the court. They need to be playing young
guys more and assessing what they have rather than thinking about the
playoffs. In fact, one more year of
drafting someone good and they could be set for the next decade. They need to trade some of these veterans in
order to take a step forward…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Rockets just look like they’re barely trying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do think their talent is a bit over rated and
that Kevin McHale might have done a better job last season than he was given
credit for especially considering how many injuries they had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s tough when James Harden is the alpha on
your team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He just has so many lazy possessions
both on offense and defense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He loses
his man regularly and settles for way too many forced 3 pointers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s strange to fire a successful coach 11
games into the season even considering the number of terrible collapses they’ve
suffered already.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s the point in
firing him though without a replacement lined up?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>J.B. Bickerstaff is Kevin McHale’s guy and he
is not going to do anything different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The game plan is going to be exactly the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t really see the advantage in firing
McHale other than sending a message to your players that they need to try
harder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just don’t see Bickerstaff
getting any more out of these guys than McHale did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Daryl Morey is being a bit delusional if he
thinks this is a championship team and if he thinks Bickerstaff is the man to
bring him a championship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really think
Harden and the Rockets are suffering from the curse of the Kardashians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harden has taken such a big step back so far
this year…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m really impressed with what Rick Carlyle is doing with
the Mavericks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That guy can coach his
ass off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It makes me a bit sad that
DeAndre Jordan didn’t follow through and go to Dallas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They might have actually been contenders this
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carlyle is so good that JaVale
McGee got into his first game of the year and looked like a professional basketball
player.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was trying and actually
looked like he was in the right spots and knew what he was doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In just under 11 minutes he had 8 points and 6 rebounds on 80%
shooting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get the feeling DeAndre just
wasn’t ready for the pressure of a big contract in a new place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There would have been expectations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having stayed in LA he can coast along
playing defense and getting rebounds and shooting exclusively dunks off
lobs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone is so happy that he
stayed that he really isn’t expected to improve much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Against Phoenix with Paul and Griffin out DeAndre
could only muster 11 and 9 with a -27 +/-.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That was his opportunity to post up and take a bunch of shots and he
just couldn’t do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know if
it’s his inability to demand the ball or his teammates unwillingness to pass to
him but I just don’t get it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He just
doesn’t seem too concerned about having a bigger role.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dirk Nowitzki is still a game-changing
player.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His shooting this season has
been fantastic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m noticing he added
some arc to his shot which makes it even harder to block.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a smart move for an older player who
is getting absurdly slow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The more arc
the less separation you need to get the shot off especially when you’re 7 feet
tall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Denver’s Malone seems like a pretty good coach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why did Sacramento fire him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Denver doesn’t have a ton of talent to put
out there but they try hard and vaguely have a game plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My biggest problem with Malone is that he’s
been playing way too much J.J. Hickson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Against the Warriors though he finally put Hickson on the bench for all
but 9 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s 9 minutes too much
as far as I’m concerned but it’s a start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For Denver, unless they think it’ll lead to improving a trade asset
there’s just no reason to play older players.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is zero chance they’re going to make the playoffs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Side note: Ty Lawson talked a lot of trash
before the season about how Stephen Curry didn’t have to work hard against any
point guards in the playoffs last season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They flashed a statistic during this game that Curry has shot 59% FG and
72% on 3s for his career against Denver in 21 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If true that does not reflect very well on Ty
Lawson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps he should think about
keeping his mouth shut…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
wolffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365177574388446507noreply@blogger.com0