Jim R

Truth be told, I've never used that as a thread title. Very vague... kind of like a thread titled "American Music".

Intelligent thread title.

I guess I had the opposite reaction. Why was Utah running up and down playing Warriors' style? Lots of fast breaks, and at least the part I saw, not enough touches in the paint for Boozer. Oh, I agree with that too. I think the Jazz were trying to take advantage of Deron Williams ability to push it when they had numbers. But the Warriors were so deliberate going 1-v-1... they used to do that a LOT, especially Baron, and especially late in games. But last night he started doing that in the 3rd, when we were having success moving the ball, and driving to the hoop. I suspect that Baron was really tired last night (he said in an interview that he and some other players had flu symptoms). Yep. No need to panic yet, it's just frustrating to lose a chance like that.

Stephen Jackson turns the ball over a lot when he drives into the key. Guy Absolutely. At least he finishes pretty well when he does make it to the tin. Everybody was turning it over last night. Barnes, Jackson, JRich... Baron also got picked clean a few times, which is unusual. He also forced some passes (like that one he threw at Biedrins' ankles which took a lucky bounce for us). But Barnes... when he gave the ball away on one of those casual behind-the-back bounce-passes at a point in the 4th where we were fighting to hang on to the momentum, I came out of my chair. I was listening to Tim Roy and Jim Barnett's call on radio, and Barnett made the point over and over from the get-go, the Warriors needed to value their possessions- especailly with it being an away game. At one point in the 2nd half, he mentioned that Utah had 28 points off turnovers. And that was well before the game was over. That game was there for the taking.

Abbe Lane Franie Laine Bobby Layne

Too many turnovers by the W's. Baron's second half was the worst I've seen him play in a long time. I don't understand why we went to the one-v-one, Jazz-tempo offense for much of the second half. Coming that close to beating them at their place feels kind of good, but it's also a big blown opportunity. I like the way Barnes has been playing, but damn, he's an awful passer. I get nervous every time he brings the ball up the floor.

W's and Jazz were 2-2 against each other this year, both holding serve at home. So... I'm not going to make a prediction. Even if health (Baron, Barnes) is no issue, then I would still expect a 7 game series. Obviously it will be tough if the injuries come into play (and I can't help but expect them to). Basically, the W's have to continue to feel confident, share the ball, and make shots. Otherwise, Utah beats us up down low. Pistons look like they mean business.

That's not even close to being funny.

Something tells me we won't be seeing that move in the playoffs.

To my ears, her work tends to be pretty even. I may not be the best judge, though, because in all honesty, she isn't really high on my own list of favorites (even if I narrow it down to favorite brazilian female vocalists), and I don't reach for her recordings very frequently. But a great talent- for me it's just that mysterious personal taste thing that I find to be even more in play when it comes to picking and choosing singers. I think Lon makes some good suggestions, because I think she really excelled in front of a live audience. She was all about energy (probably an understatement), and she no doubt fed off an appreciative audience even more than most performers. There's a three-volume set from the 60's called "No Fino Da Bossa" which I think is pretty wonderful (a collection of live performances with lots of great guests).

Ben Coates Arthur Conley & The Sweaters Keith Sweat

No doubt. I just couldn't believe how many three-footers he was missing, especially that last one where he split Duncan and Parker, didn't get hit, and blew it.

Man, that was hard to watch. I'm no doc, but I kept wondering why they didn't seem to be applying (serious) pressure on the cut during those initial timeouts, instead of playing around with the band-aids. It obviously wasn't working. I guess the cut was too much up at eye level for some kind of wrap-around behind his head to keep pressure on it. I was also surprised that the refs let him stay on the floor as long as they did, with that thing dripping like crazy. Shouldn't the rules be the rules, whether or not it's an MVP-caliber player bleeding with less than 2 minutes left in a hugely important playoff game? Too bad about Nash, but Stoudamire missed too many shots in the paint in the last few minutes.

... and "Jazzical Moods", and "Jazz West Coast" and the Daver books. I like Taschen, though. I've enjoyed their "Design of the 20th Century" and "1000 Chairs".

swinging singles stunt double Homer

Scottie Pippen Pippin Took Meriadoc Brandybuck

Hey Guy, all this speculating is fun. I'll just disagree based on the notion that with the Warriors being at home, and hot as a firecracker, it would have been really tough for Dallas to have beaten them (for the first time this year) in that game. I think the results of the playoff series kind of supports that.

By all means, all props to the W's; I hope that what I've said hasn't taken away from the fantastic job they did these past two weeks. Obviously, I haven't been watching the W's as closely as you have; I'll tell ya, even I still don't know what hit us. Here's what I do know, and again not to take anything away from the W's fantastic effort: if last night's game had been a close game, I might have taken some solace in that. It still would've hurt like hell, and it still would've been the biggest upset in NBA history; but at least I'll have known that the Mavs gave it their all. Simply put, they caved in the 3rd quarter. Their superstar never showed any killer instinct. Their deep bench came up short in every way possible. Some of it was due to the Warriors spectacular defense, but I think they just never had that gleam in their eye. I'll say it again: the W's wanted it far more than the Mavs did, and the Mavs thought this was gonna be a cakewalk (or at least, that's how they played). I think your reasoning is much more on target here. It's not ALL about Dirk.

Btw, Dallas was 3-1 vs L.A. this year.

I find this to be highly implausible. Why? Like I said, it almost played out that way. Wasn't that Kings/Lakers game in Sacramento? (yes) Weren't the Lakers slumping? (yes) Wouldn't Avery have preferred to play L.A.? (yes). I think he knew how hot the Warriors were (we had just won 7 of our last 8, including wins against Phoenix, Utah, and Houston at Houston), and believed we'd take care of Portland. The Lakers winning at Sacto was the only thing that screwed it up.

Underrated- definitely. Highly respected- yes, by those who have bothered to investigate. Died before realizing his potential?- Not sure I understand. Thomas developed his style very nicely, and even had time to evolve somewhat as he experimented with different styles in the early 70's (eg, "Dynasty", "Live In Sesjun", "Thomas-Pelzer Ltd."). He died before much of the jazz world really appreciated him, but to say he hadn't reached his potential... I don't know.

Uh... does he realize that the game was in Oakland? Does he realize that the Warriors were already on a roll at that point? Does he realize the the Warriors had beaten the Mavs something like 80% (or more?) of the time in the last couple of years? In other words, does Jon Abbey realize that would NOT have been an easy task? Does Jon Abbey know anything about the Warriors? Another angle: a lot of people have said that besides resting those stars, Avery wanted to avoid the psychological damage that might have occurred if he went all out to win that game, lost it, and had to face the Warriors (ohbytheway THE ONLY TEAM DALLAS COULDN'T DEFEAT THIS YEAR IN THE REGULAR SEASON) in the first round. It all makes sense to me, but I like the theory that he wanted the Warriors to get all the wins they could and move up to the 7 spot.

Um, Noj, what did I say that would make you think I didn't know that? I'm saying that Avery sat those guys because he wanted us to win and advance all the way up to the #7 spot in the standings. It nearly happened. If Sacto had beaten the Lakers in that last game, Dallas would have played L.A. Avery didn't want to play the Warriors, for obvious reasons.

Uh... does he realize that the game was in Oakland? Does he realize that the Warriors were already on a roll at that point? Does he realize the the Warriors had beaten the Mavs something like 80% (or more?) of the time in the last couple of years? I said it in the previous thread, and I'll say it again- I think Avery was giving that game to the Warriors because he wanted us to finish in the 7 spot, so the Mavs could play the Lakers in the first round. In other news, I saw Stephen A. Smith interviewed on Sportscenter this morning, and he said that Avery wasn't out-coached by Nellie; and as he was wrapping up his trashing of Dirk (I still say all of that is exaggerated and unfair to some degree), he stated that the Warriors had "limped into the playoffs". WTF??? I HOPE he was just having a brain cramp, and doesn't really believe that. Al my friend, I know why you're frustrated, and you have every right to be. But I agree with Noj. Total buzzsaw job. I've been watching this team closely ever since they got Baron, and this thing has just been building and building. A bomb waiting to go off. Everybody's shocked because everybody's in bed when the Warriors play, and the media is conservative when it comes to recognizing streaking teams who deserved little attention or respect until fairly recently. The fact that we had a natural matchup advantage with Dallas was only the icing on the cake (we've now beaten them something like 18 of the last 22 meetings). I mean, what team would have beaten us in that building last night? Dallas is still a great team, Dirk is still a great player.

Basketball is a team game. The Warriors took Nowitzki away by doubling and tripling him, and he couldn't find a rhythm as a result. I know he could have shot better when he did get open looks, and he has to carry a big share of the blame, but I feel sorry for him in terms of being singled out. He's a great player who found himself in a series where the matchups were bad for him, and his team was up against an extremely confident (and hot) team. Cuban was interviewed after the game, and just like Dirk and Avery in their interviews, he showed a lot of poise and a lot of class. He said he loves his team and his coach, and that he's going to stay with what he has and go back to work. I'm sure they may tweak their personnel a bit, but it would be crazy to get rid of Dirk. Imo. As far as the Warriors... I'm still numb. After that first half, I fully expected a nail-biter. Incredible third quarter by Jackson, great performance and leadership from Davis, great effort from Barnes, Biedrins, JRich... I don't think anybody would have beaten us in that building tonight. To think that we did what we did in this series pretty much without our best 3-point shooter (Harrington) and one of our best subs (Ellis, who led the league in fast break points) is kind of scary. I waited a long time for this. It sure is sweet, but I also hope we keep it going for awhile. I believe we were 2-2 vs Utah this year, and 2-1 vs Houston. Most analysts are saying that the Spurs are the only team that we probably wouldn't have a shot against. Should be interesting, at any rate.