Around the NBA (1)

Although this blog is called "DC Wizards", there is no need to be a homer since my true passion is the NBA, not just the Wiz. Couple of thoughts on the games I saw last night:

1. Bulls-Heat

I did not watch the game from the start. I was able to get a glimpse of the halftime score and it said Bulls 59 - Heat 30. WTF?! I thought Wade got hurt or something (Wade did drop 25 points but sat out the 4th quarter). After seeing the score, I wanted to watch the game to confirm what I saw. At last, I was back at home when the game as near the end of the 3rd quarter. By then, the Miami crowd left and the bench guys were getting ready to play. What a performance by Chicago. The final score resulted in a 42 point blowout. Games like this do happen, so I'm not particularly shocked. I guess people were not expecting this on the night that the home team gets championship rings. Lack of pride? Perhaps. Lack of focus? Most likely. I checked the box score and it said the bulls made 15 of 19 in the 2nd quarter. Hot shooting for a team is rare, especially on opening night and on the road. Props to the Bulls for not taking in all the distractions. Orlando can't feel too good tonight against Chicago. The back-to-back may be the only thing that'll slow down the Bulls. We shall see.

2. Suns-Lakers

After learning from several Laker fans online that Kobe wasn't ready to play, I was not as interested in the game. I still watched the first quarter and my eyes confirmed several things that carried over from last year for both teams:

a) Phoenix's offense is still great with Nash controlling at the point.

b) Phil Jackson's teams never give up against any team. That's why the coach is the best in today's game. When you see the Lakers lineup on paper against what the Suns have, you laugh because it looks like a blowout before it happens (esp. without Kobe). However, the Lakers weathered the storm of Phoenix's hot shooting early. Being down 14 doesn't both Phil and the Lakers at all. This is a well coached team that will probably make the playoffs.

c) Phoenix's defense is as weak as Washington's, maybe worse.

d) Lamar Odom has all-star talent. He needs to bring it every game. Odom shouldn't let Kobe dictate everything on the court when Odom is more unstoppable due to his size and superb rebounding and passing skills for a guy that's 6-11.

I went to bed with Phoenix leading. When I tuned into Sportscenter this morning, the highlights showed the Lakers won. Unbelievable. This is exactly what I said in (b) from above. Maybe it wasn't a fluke that the Lakers were up 3-1 against the Suns last playoffs. The Lakers scoring 114 without Kobe shocked me. Kobe was extremely happy and giddy and smiling. Andrew Bynum exceeded expectations with his performance. Amare's weak performance in the 2nd half placed more doubt into our minds about his injury. Boris Diaw fouled out with only 4 points. A crazy beginning to the NBA season on Halloween. The teams that were suppose to lose won. The favorites have to be left wondering what happened.