6 Thoughts
1) Well, that's one down, three more to go. Miami came out lethargic, got down double digits in the first quarter, and then roared back into the lead. Sort of a boring game. Got a little loose down the stretch and let the Sixers back in it, but Dwyane Wade closed it out with big plays in the waning moments. That's how we do. LeBron's 1-0 in the playoffs with the Heat: Let's Go!!!
2) It's the beginning of a long journey - hopefully - for Dwyane and LeBron as teammates. Not just this season, but the next few seasons - they are going to be judged on their playoff performances, and will have successes and failures, hopefully grow together, and try to win a championship. Today was a tentative first step. Neither played particularly well: Dwyane got in to foul trouble, and finished with 17 points on 13 shots, with 7 boards and 5 assists. LeBron took only 14 shots himself, but pounded his way to the free throw line 14 times, scored 21 points. He dominated the defensive boards, and had 14 rebounds over all. They were cruising to an easy win despite their quiet games until, horribly, with about 5 minutes to go, the Heat reverted to their "stand-and-watch-LeBron-iso" offense, and came up empty several trips in a row. So with a couple of minutes to go, Dwyane took the ball, and did what Dwyane does. It's just the first game, and they won - let's see if they can figure out a way to be a little more cohesive as they go...
3) Miami came out flat and got down double digits right away. And who came to the rescue? Probably the league's best player, right - LeBron James? No? Oh, okay, probably the league's most dynamic player, Dwyane Wade, right? No? Chris Bosh had nice numbers (25 points with 11 free throws and 12 boards) - so it was probably him, no doubt, right? No? None of those? Who then? I'll you who...EMCEE CHALMERS!!! Heyyyyy!!! With the Sixers up 12 after one quarter, the Heat went zone, just to switch it up, and Rio got busy. His numbers won't show it, but he turned the game around - he was active in the zone, closing out on shooters, harassing post players, getting to loose balls first - and the Heat quickly got back in the game, culminated by an Emcee corner-catch-and-shoot three off a Dwyane Wade behind-the-back drive-and-dish. Emcee, who was playing the best ball of his career before straining his knee with a month to go in the season, is huge for this team: they play their best defense with him on the court, so if he can also limit his turnovers, and make open shots, he will be a big help.
4) Also providing unexpected help today: the city of Miami's own James Jones. In his 25 minutes, James: got an offensive rebound and putback at the rim; upfaked, dribbled by a defender, and made a pull-up jump shot; upfaked, put the ball on the floor towards the rim, drew a defender, and hit Chris Bosh for a wide open 15 footer. It isn't that he hadn't done all three of those things in a game this season; it's more like he hadn't done any one of things even one time in any game this season!!! He's been pacing himself! 9 points and 5 boards for JJ! Emcee and JJ: that's an unlikely duo of heroes for game one!
5) If whacking people in the face during a basketball game was a form of currency, Sixer power forward Elton Brand would be the Sultan of Brunei. Jesus, Joseph, and Shots-to-the face! Brand, who hasn't actually jumped since 2006, got Dwyane, Chris, and Jo-el, each hard, each unnecessary, and each in nose and eye area. The question right now isn't really who is going to win the series; it's more like whose nose is Elton Brand going to break first? Odds on favorite? Jo-el. Why? He's Jo-el. Get that mask ready...
6) Yo, dude - Lauryn Hill went crazy and that's a little sad. But not toooooo sad, 'cuz crazy girls are hot!!! She played last night at the Coachella festival in California. They have a super-cool live feed on youtube - I stayed up late to watch her, and she killed it. She may be crazy, but she's a star. I believe they call this "souuuul music!"
Game two is Monday night in Miami. If you need me before then, I'll be at Sports Authority buying a hockey mask in case I run into Elton Brand on South Beach. Let's go get it Monday!!!
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