Let's talk about it! What a game! Again the odds were stacked against the Dodgers facing yet another Cy Young candidate from St. Louis on Thursday. Still the Dodgers found a way to win with a 21-year-old lefty named Clayton Kershaw, disciplined plate appearance from the entire team and the genius work of Joe Torre. Oh, and the timely help of former Dodger killer Matt Holliday, the hired gun who turned on his own outfit as mercenaries tend to do from time to time. What does this mean for the Dodgers....
First, it means anything is possible with this club. Beating back-to-back Cy-Young caliber pitchers proves there is no duo that the boys in blue can't handle in the playoffs. Clutch plays and epic performances have come from almost every Dodger player (except Manny) in the past two games and the confidence the team has in itself must be off the charts.
Second, Joe Torre is a genius and a perfect match for this team. Giving Kershaw (21 years old) the start, calling for Broxton in the 8th, and sending up Mark Loretta were all moves that proved his managing acumen. More importantly, JoTo&Co have changed the teams attitude and gotten the most out of every player on the roster.
Third, St. Louis is done. What I saw as a better hitting SF Giants team (Cy Young duo with inconsistent line-up) simply doesn't have enough weapons to beat LA. What advantage does St. Louis really have at this point?
Fourth, the Dodgers acquisitions were huge. Belliard and Sherill have been stand-out players for the Dodgers. Many baseball "experts" believed the Dodgers needed a big ticket pitcher like Lee or Halladay to be a contender. Few recognized the Sherill acquisition as being valuable.
Fifth, the Dodgers team is RIDICULOUS. Looking into our dugout yesterday I was simply blown away by this team. Torre, Mattingly, Bowa, Duncan, Ausmus, Martin, Belliard, Blake, Furcal, Hudson, Loney, Loretta, Thome, Ethier, Kemp, Pierre, Manny, Broxton, Weaver, Billingsley, Garland, Kershaw, Padilla, Wolf, Belisario, Kuo, Sherrill, Troncoso, etc. etc. Veteran Gold Gloves, MVP's, All-Stars, World Series Championships, HR kings and so on were hoping to pinch hit while the Dodgers young guns played like champions. I'll bet that there is no award in baseball that someone on this Dodger team hasn't received or will receive in the future. It's almost too much. Hell, we even have two Hall of Fame announcers calling every game.
Despite all of this the Dodgers remain an underdog to beat the Cardinals in Game 3. What? How can this be? The Cards don't have another Cy Young candidate to start, haven't scored more than three runs a game and have Lady Luck working against them. This is the lot of the Dodgers it seems, second class since Brooklyn. Counted out, written off or simply ignored. Remarkably, the underdog reputation continues today despite the Dodger tradition of success against all odds.
So count us out again and expect the Dodgers to loose. We welcome it because we are up to the challenge and love our tradition of doing the impossible...
Holiday (Celebrate)
Madonna
Holiday Celebrate
Holiday Celebrate
Chorus:
If we took a holiday
Took some time to celebrate
Just one day out of life
It would be, it would be so nice
Everybody spread the word
We`re gonna have a celebration
All across the world
In every nation
It`s time for the good times
Forget about the bad times, oh yeah
One day to come together
To release the pressure
We need a holiday
(chorus)
You can turn this world around
And bring back all of those happy days
Put your troubles down
It`s time to celebrate
Let love shine
And we will find
A way to come together
And make things better
We need a holiday
(chorus)
Holiday Celebrate
Holiday Celebrate
(chorus)
Holiday Celebrate
Holiday Celebrate
Holiday, Celebration
Come together in every nation
Friday, October 9, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. St. Louis Cardinals - 2009 NLDS Preview
It's time for dodger baseball!! Playoff baseball to be exact. So get ready LA, because this year the Dod's mean business. The excitement that Angelinos have enjoyed with the Lakers, USC, UCLA, and yes even our brothers under the command of Dodger legend Mike Scioscia the Angels has made it's way up the 10 Freeway from Staples Center to Chavez Ravine. It is the excitement that can only come from being a contender. The city is hungry for another Championship, it's in the air or smog as the case may be here. Smog Snog whatever... Dodger fans have waited for a team of this caliber for a long time and now, after one of the best seasons in decades, it is time for the boys to put the team from Brooklyn back in their rightful position atop the Major Leagues. Winning a game or even a series doesn't matter this year like it did last year. This time around our coach has a tan, our young kids aren't just potential and we sure as hell won't be afraid to throw inside on when needed! Lookout Philli hurlers....
This year is all about the World Series and the dream match-ups that would lie in store for baseball fans. Joe vs. NY, Manny/Torre back at Fenway or just a good ol' fashion freeway fight vs. Scioscia's Angels. But first there are a couple of other match-ups to worry about. Namely the St. Louis Cardinals, Chris Carpenter, a Wainwright and the best player in the game... Albert Pujols. On paper, the Cardy-nals present a pretty convincing case as a top contender for the title this year. The Dodgers by comparison, simply do not offer the same evidence (even with their leading record) and as such are Vegas underdogs in their own house in Game 1 of the NLDS. To these mainstream minds, the Dodgers don't have the pitching or the experience or enough star players not named Manny on their roster. To the Doddie faith, we've heard it all before and enjoy being unknown to the outsiders who write us off. Last years NLDS proved the Dodgers dominance as they dispatched the much heralded Chicago Cubs who couldn't even pry a single game away from the Dodgers. And if they gained confidence from the Cubs series, they also learned volumes about competition in the fall and what it's going to take to get the Dodgers to a Championship level of play from their defeat at the hands of the eventual World Champion Phillies.
When playing to the best of their ability the Dodgers (in my humble and totally unbiased opinion) are the best team in the country. An extremely balanced team, they have some of the best young talent playing in the MLB today, speed on the bases and in the field, solid power hitting, gold glove caliber infielders (Loney/Hudson) and outfielders (Kemp/Ethier), All-Star pitchers (Broxton/Billingsly), strong leadership, etc. etc. The question has never been about whether or not our guys were talented or capable enough, instead the question has always been about consistency. With a 95 win season and back to back Division titles, it seems fair to suggest that the consistency issue isn't really an issue for the Dodgers who manage to stay effective in the midst of consternation. This is the result of making Bigalow Green Tea a part of your diet and making Joe Torre & Friends the manager of the Dodgers. Truly a match made in heaven, together Torre and his team have transformed the club with the help of a very talented General Manager and of course Manny. With this team anything is possible, even the Series.
So at 6:37 tonight, I really don't care if the ESPN's brainiacs and their stat databases don't know what to expect from some of the Dods... I'm hearing, "waaaaa the pitching staff is a liability" while the team is admittedly void of an identifiable ace the Dodgers have starters that can be electric, the strongest bullpen around, and talented lefties and righties to fit the need. E.g. Cardinals don't like lefties so we have two hot south paws who I'm certain STL isn't taking for granted. I have faith in Joe Torre, Rick Honey, Larry Bowa, Donny Baseball, and even Brad Ausmus (who looked damn good as a skipper) and expect those men to manage the club effectively and put the Dodgers into the next round.
The Dodger Lineup is a playoff caliber list of talent that gives JoTo & Co. plenty of options. The Dod's, who led the league in batting average and on-base percentage, have plenty of speed, can hit the long ball and have a lot of extra innings/walk-off experience and heroics. Mostly thanks to Andre Ethier, who I'm expecting big things from tonight and for the rest of the month. The speed of Furcal, Pierre, Kemp, and pinch runner Jason Repko in the dugout make manufacturing runs an option throughout the game. The power hitting (done at DODGER STADIUM PEOPLE) is just FINE. Put Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Manny Ramirez, Casey Blake and new starter Ronnie Belliard in a hitters park and it's not even a question, this team can hit home runs. Add the hit factory that is Loney and Pierre along with Brad Ausmus, Jim Thome, and Mark Loretta to name a few and you almost start thinking "Olmedo Seanz, who?!" "Almost" being the operative word here as the Killer Tomato was simply awesome. Oh, and tha Dod's have the most prolific post-season hitter in baseball history just itching to punk your team, that is if you decide to pitch to Manny Ramirez.
"X" factors for the Dodgers Offense are:
So for Dodger faithful wondering how the blue crew were going to take down the Cards, hopefully you have a little more confidence going into tonight's showdown at Dodger Stadium. With a win tonight we'll be on track for a nice looking fall. So, "Let's go Dodgers" and "Let's go L.A.!!!"
"It's time for Dodger Baseball!" The "Dodger Baseball" that wins championships. Indeed, it is high time for "Dodger Baseball" and a World Series Los Angeles Dodgers team!
This year is all about the World Series and the dream match-ups that would lie in store for baseball fans. Joe vs. NY, Manny/Torre back at Fenway or just a good ol' fashion freeway fight vs. Scioscia's Angels. But first there are a couple of other match-ups to worry about. Namely the St. Louis Cardinals, Chris Carpenter, a Wainwright and the best player in the game... Albert Pujols. On paper, the Cardy-nals present a pretty convincing case as a top contender for the title this year. The Dodgers by comparison, simply do not offer the same evidence (even with their leading record) and as such are Vegas underdogs in their own house in Game 1 of the NLDS. To these mainstream minds, the Dodgers don't have the pitching or the experience or enough star players not named Manny on their roster. To the Doddie faith, we've heard it all before and enjoy being unknown to the outsiders who write us off. Last years NLDS proved the Dodgers dominance as they dispatched the much heralded Chicago Cubs who couldn't even pry a single game away from the Dodgers. And if they gained confidence from the Cubs series, they also learned volumes about competition in the fall and what it's going to take to get the Dodgers to a Championship level of play from their defeat at the hands of the eventual World Champion Phillies.
When playing to the best of their ability the Dodgers (in my humble and totally unbiased opinion) are the best team in the country. An extremely balanced team, they have some of the best young talent playing in the MLB today, speed on the bases and in the field, solid power hitting, gold glove caliber infielders (Loney/Hudson) and outfielders (Kemp/Ethier), All-Star pitchers (Broxton/Billingsly), strong leadership, etc. etc. The question has never been about whether or not our guys were talented or capable enough, instead the question has always been about consistency. With a 95 win season and back to back Division titles, it seems fair to suggest that the consistency issue isn't really an issue for the Dodgers who manage to stay effective in the midst of consternation. This is the result of making Bigalow Green Tea a part of your diet and making Joe Torre & Friends the manager of the Dodgers. Truly a match made in heaven, together Torre and his team have transformed the club with the help of a very talented General Manager and of course Manny. With this team anything is possible, even the Series.
So at 6:37 tonight, I really don't care if the ESPN's brainiacs and their stat databases don't know what to expect from some of the Dods... I'm hearing, "waaaaa the pitching staff is a liability" while the team is admittedly void of an identifiable ace the Dodgers have starters that can be electric, the strongest bullpen around, and talented lefties and righties to fit the need. E.g. Cardinals don't like lefties so we have two hot south paws who I'm certain STL isn't taking for granted. I have faith in Joe Torre, Rick Honey, Larry Bowa, Donny Baseball, and even Brad Ausmus (who looked damn good as a skipper) and expect those men to manage the club effectively and put the Dodgers into the next round.
The Dodger Lineup is a playoff caliber list of talent that gives JoTo & Co. plenty of options. The Dod's, who led the league in batting average and on-base percentage, have plenty of speed, can hit the long ball and have a lot of extra innings/walk-off experience and heroics. Mostly thanks to Andre Ethier, who I'm expecting big things from tonight and for the rest of the month. The speed of Furcal, Pierre, Kemp, and pinch runner Jason Repko in the dugout make manufacturing runs an option throughout the game. The power hitting (done at DODGER STADIUM PEOPLE) is just FINE. Put Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Manny Ramirez, Casey Blake and new starter Ronnie Belliard in a hitters park and it's not even a question, this team can hit home runs. Add the hit factory that is Loney and Pierre along with Brad Ausmus, Jim Thome, and Mark Loretta to name a few and you almost start thinking "Olmedo Seanz, who?!" "Almost" being the operative word here as the Killer Tomato was simply awesome. Oh, and tha Dod's have the most prolific post-season hitter in baseball history just itching to punk your team, that is if you decide to pitch to Manny Ramirez.
"X" factors for the Dodgers Offense are:
- FIRST INNING PRODUCTION - Get a couple in the first and the Cards will fall.
- Matt Kemp/#2 hole - Assuming (and this is a sizeable assumption) that Raphael Furcal is producing at the top of the order, having Kemps offensive arsenal (SB's, extra bases, HR's, avg., etc.) to drive in Furcal and set up Ethier and Manny makes me pity whoever has to navigate that first half of the line-up every other inning.
- DOUBLE PLAYS - Too many of these and the Dodgers will be in big trouble against the Cards pitching staff. Getting through the starting pitchers is going to be a big part of the Dodger strategy, hitting into double plays helps their pitchers get off the field and of course counts for TWO OUTS, which in the playoffs are extremely valuable, duh!?
- Get Carpenter & Wainwright out of the game as early as possible. As the great one once said, "The best offense is NOT batting against Carpenter/Wainwright"
So for Dodger faithful wondering how the blue crew were going to take down the Cards, hopefully you have a little more confidence going into tonight's showdown at Dodger Stadium. With a win tonight we'll be on track for a nice looking fall. So, "Let's go Dodgers" and "Let's go L.A.!!!"
"It's time for Dodger Baseball!" The "Dodger Baseball" that wins championships. Indeed, it is high time for "Dodger Baseball" and a World Series Los Angeles Dodgers team!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Taylor Rochestie: Best Point Guard in the NBA Draft (or at least the second round)
The truest of any point guard available Taylor Rochestie should be drafted on Thursday. Just ask Bob Smith, the dim coach of UCSB who didn't offer the Santa Barbara HS all-star guard a scholarship. Ooops. He is a closer, has averaged more minutes than almost anyone else out there, makes FT's, has a great outside shot, plays lock down defense (even when undersized) and can hit the shots down the stretch. He's accomplished all of the below while playing with Washington State which runs the slowest offense on the planet and compared to the rest of the Pac-10 had extremely limited "talent". Put him on in the NBA with pro ballers that can cut, catch and shoot and you're looking at a great choice for any NBA team looking for a great pick in the second round. He's played on the same level or better than Darren Collison, Gabe Pruit, Jrue Holiday, OJ Mayo, Jarryd Bayless, Jeremy Pargo, Russel Westbrook, Daniel Hackett, etc. The object here isn't to propose that Rochestie is better than these guys just that he deserves a shot or at least a mention because he can play at their level.
Washington State ● Senior ● Guard ● 6-1 ● 193 ● 7/1/85
Highlights: Ranks on WSU all-time list in free throw percentage (first – .835), 3-point field goal percentage (fifth – .401), assists average (sixth – 3.74), assists (sixth – 381), 3-point field goals made (10th – 132), 3-point field goal attempts (12th – 329) and minutes played (17th – 3,009)
2008-09 (RS Senior): Started all 33 of WSU’s games…became the fourth Cougar in the last decade to earn First Team All-Pacific-10 Conference honors…led Cougars in points (13.2 ppg), minutes (36.8 mpg), assists (150), and steals (31)…ranked second on the team in free throw percentage (.891)…led the team in scoring 11 times, assists 25 times and steals nine times …had 19 double-figure scoring games, three 20-plus point games, including two 30-plus point games (the only two of his career)…recorded the first and only double-double of his WSU career with 17 points and 10 assists against Sacramento State (Nov. 21)…set career highs in both free throws made and attempted going 16-for-16, while recording 30 points and seven assists at Oregon (Jan.17)…tied WSU single-game free throw percentage record going 16-for-16 from the line against the Ducks…was instrumental in the Cougars’ upset victory at No. 20 UCLA, scoring a career-high 33 points shooting 9-for-16 from the field and 5-for-7 from beyond the 3-point arc (Feb. 22)…logged a season high 45 minutes, making the game-winning three-point shot against No. 14 Arizona State on ‘Senior Day’ (Feb. 28)… named U.S. Bank Pacific-10 Player of the Week (Feb. 16-22)…set Cougar single season record in free throw percentage (.891), ranks second in minutes played (1215), sixth in assists (150), and 10th in assist average (4.55 per apg)…ranks on WSU’s senior single season list in minutes (first - 1,215), free throw percentage (first - .891), assists (second - 150), assist average (fourth - 4.55 apg), 3-point field goals (T-seventh - 61), three-point attempts (seventh - 161), and three-point field goal percentage (ninth - .379) …became the second Cougar in as many years to be named Pacific-10 Men’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year…named to the Pacific-10 All-Academic First Team for second-consecutive season…earned ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA District VIII All-Academic First Team accolades…Portsmouth Invitational participant…WSU Big Ten Senior award recipient.
2007-08 (RS Junior): Appeared in all 35 of WSU’s games, including 34 starts…led WSU, the Pac-10 and ranked 10th in the nation with a 2.81 assists/turnover ratio (165 assists to 56 turnovers)…led WSU, was second in the Pac-10 and ranked 69th nationally in assists (4.71 per game)…first on team and fourth in Pac-10 in 3-point percentage (.434)… played most minutes of any player in the Pac-10…scored in double figures 17 times…dished out four or more assists in 28 games…had 12 points, seven assists and seven rebounds against Boise State (Nov. 13)…scored 22 points including 9-for-10 from the free throw line against Air Force (Nov. 25)…scored career-high 24 points against Oregon State (Feb. 14)… dished out a WSU-high 10 assists in first round of NCAA tournament against Winthrop (March 20)… followed with seven assists in WSU’s second round victory over Notre Dame (March 22)…set Cougar single-season record with 1,223 minutes played, had the second-best single season assists mark (165), ranks sixth in assists average (4.71) and ninth in 3-point field goal percentage (.434)… earned Pacific-10 All-Academic First Team honors.
2006-07 (RS Sophomore): Appeared in all 34 games, including six starts…ranked third on the team in assists (66, 1.9 apg)…led the team in scoring twice…finished season with 1.9 assist/turnover ratio…scored first points as a Cougar against Radford (Nov. 12), finishing with nine…added nine points in an upset of then-No.18 Gonzaga (Dec. 5)…dished out a season-high six assists at Idaho, Dec. 9…also recorded nine points in a 75-47 win over Washington (Jan. 20) including a three in the first half to help spark a 15-3 Cougar run…first double-digit game at WSU came at Washington (Feb. 14) with 16 points behind 6-for-9 shooting from the field…came on strong late in the season, scoring 11 or more points in four of the Cougars’ final five games…went 5-for-9 from the field to register season-high 21 points vs. USC (March 3)… scored in double figures in both Pac-10 Tournament games…led all scorers with 20 points in 74-64 win over Washington (March 8)…recorded 11 points in 70-61 loss to USC (March 9)…tallied 15 points, five rebounds and four assists in 70-54 NCAA Tournament First Round victory over Oral Roberts (March 15).
2005-06 (Sophomore): Transferred to WSU in Jan. 2006 and sat out spring semester per NCAA rules.
2004-05 (Freshman; Tulane University): Named to the 2005 Conference USA All-Freshman Team…ranked second on team in steals (35)…was second on the team and 11th in C-USA in assists (103, 3.69 apg)…recorded 15 double-figure scoring games…played 28 or more minutes in 15 of 16 C-USA games…scored a season-high (then-career high) 22 points in a comeback win over VMI (Dec. 31)…recorded the lone double-double of his career with 14 points (all in the second half) and a career high 10 rebounds against No. 22 Cincinnati (March 2).
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
Finals Matchup (ft. Boston Zach Mufson)
7:43:40 PM Z. Mufson: didnt see orlando coming
7:43:56 PM Z. Mufson: i saw brett bold yesterday, we were reminiscing about fiesta
8:36:41 PM Alex Rochestie: i did actually. stan van is my favorite coach in the league right now and they have a lot of great players plus d white is just ridiculous.
8:36:53 PM Alex Rochestie: they are scary but the lakers will take it in 6 or less
8:37:05 PM Z. Mufson: yea i think kobe will not be stoppped
8:37:26 PM Z. Mufson: and i dont see them being able to stop gasol
8:37:37 PM Z. Mufson: and i like your length to match up cuz like odom is huge too
8:38:04 PM Alex Rochestie: yeah they also have no bigs besides howard which helps out alot.
8:38:25 PM Z. Mufson: gore-tot
8:38:27 PM Z. Mufson: haha
8:38:35 PM Z. Mufson: plus hedu and lewis are both 6'10 +
8:39:02 PM Alex Rochestie: true but they are more perimeter players.
8:39:14 PM Z. Mufson: yea def
8:39:19 PM Z. Mufson: im just sayin they are so big
8:39:47 PM Alex Rochestie: most importantly they have nobody for kobe and our supporting cast has been stepping up big. that plus the 232 format means another banner for LA
8:39:58 PM Z. Mufson: yea DEFINITELY
8:40:12 PM Z. Mufson: kobe is not letting this one slip away
8:40:21 PM Z. Mufson: and with a title he instantly becomes top 10 player of all time
8:40:32 PM Z. Mufson: maybe top 5
8:41:15 PM Z. Mufson: plus no one will be able to say he coudlnt win without another superstar
8:41:16 PM Alex Rochestie: hmm... haven't calculated those circumstances but i like it...
8:41:24 PM Alex Rochestie: haha
8:41:31 PM Z. Mufson: yea i mean i think winning a title without shaq is huge for him
8:41:40 PM Alex Rochestie: i don't know. the lakers have a legit all-star team man.
8:41:48 PM Z. Mufson: kinda
8:41:55 PM Z. Mufson: odom is a career underachiever
8:42:00 PM Z. Mufson: gasol is soft
8:42:04 PM Alex Rochestie: i mean gasol is probably the best or second best PF in the game right now
8:42:05 PM Z. Mufson: who else is all star?
8:42:21 PM Z. Mufson: i mean id still rather have KG
8:42:50 PM Alex Rochestie: that would be the one I'd take but i'd take gas over tim duncan
8:43:03 PM Z. Mufson: i dunno
8:43:17 PM Z. Mufson: i think you still gotta give timmy the nod
8:43:29 PM Z. Mufson: also gasol needs to have a huge finals before i think you can really say hes that nasty
8:43:39 PM Z. Mufson: i mean he has never really done anything for a winning team until this year
8:44:11 PM Alex Rochestie: tim duncan has a better career no doubt but this year... kg is out and duncan is the second best player on a team that hasn't done too much
8:44:42 PM Z. Mufson: i think this finals will define where gasol stands
8:44:51 PM Z. Mufson: if he dominates then i give him the nod
8:45:01 PM Z. Mufson: but i still wouldnt call LA an all star team
8:45:02 PM Alex Rochestie: he definitely still has things to prove
8:45:06 PM Z. Mufson: kobe is just that nasty
8:45:13 PM Z. Mufson: i LOVE kobe tho hahah
8:46:14 PM Alex Rochestie: he is THE Man
8:47:04 PM Z. Mufson: with that said, if KG was healthy, we would be in the finals against you and i think it would be a good matchup
8:47:12 PM Z. Mufson: and i really think we coulda won it again
8:49:28 PM Alex Rochestie: possibly. a lot of elements to say otherwise though.... bynum, ariza for us. no house or posey or powe, etc. for you. home court advantage.... still "never underestimate the heart of a champion" would've def been my choice of finals
8:49:45 PM Alex Rochestie: it just gets no better than lakers celtics finals
8:50:10 PM Z. Mufson: i think were gonna get ariza this offseason
8:50:28 PM Z. Mufson: yea its true, lakers celts is the best
8:50:37 PM Z. Mufson: i hate lebron too, so im so glad he choked haha
8:50:41 PM Alex Rochestie: he's an LA boy that went to UCLA so i hope he stays
8:50:50 PM Z. Mufson: tru very very tru
7:43:56 PM Z. Mufson: i saw brett bold yesterday, we were reminiscing about fiesta
8:36:41 PM Alex Rochestie: i did actually. stan van is my favorite coach in the league right now and they have a lot of great players plus d white is just ridiculous.
8:36:53 PM Alex Rochestie: they are scary but the lakers will take it in 6 or less
8:37:05 PM Z. Mufson: yea i think kobe will not be stoppped
8:37:26 PM Z. Mufson: and i dont see them being able to stop gasol
8:37:37 PM Z. Mufson: and i like your length to match up cuz like odom is huge too
8:38:04 PM Alex Rochestie: yeah they also have no bigs besides howard which helps out alot.
8:38:25 PM Z. Mufson: gore-tot
8:38:27 PM Z. Mufson: haha
8:38:35 PM Z. Mufson: plus hedu and lewis are both 6'10 +
8:39:02 PM Alex Rochestie: true but they are more perimeter players.
8:39:14 PM Z. Mufson: yea def
8:39:19 PM Z. Mufson: im just sayin they are so big
8:39:47 PM Alex Rochestie: most importantly they have nobody for kobe and our supporting cast has been stepping up big. that plus the 232 format means another banner for LA
8:39:58 PM Z. Mufson: yea DEFINITELY
8:40:12 PM Z. Mufson: kobe is not letting this one slip away
8:40:21 PM Z. Mufson: and with a title he instantly becomes top 10 player of all time
8:40:32 PM Z. Mufson: maybe top 5
8:41:15 PM Z. Mufson: plus no one will be able to say he coudlnt win without another superstar
8:41:16 PM Alex Rochestie: hmm... haven't calculated those circumstances but i like it...
8:41:24 PM Alex Rochestie: haha
8:41:31 PM Z. Mufson: yea i mean i think winning a title without shaq is huge for him
8:41:40 PM Alex Rochestie: i don't know. the lakers have a legit all-star team man.
8:41:48 PM Z. Mufson: kinda
8:41:55 PM Z. Mufson: odom is a career underachiever
8:42:00 PM Z. Mufson: gasol is soft
8:42:04 PM Alex Rochestie: i mean gasol is probably the best or second best PF in the game right now
8:42:05 PM Z. Mufson: who else is all star?
8:42:21 PM Z. Mufson: i mean id still rather have KG
8:42:50 PM Alex Rochestie: that would be the one I'd take but i'd take gas over tim duncan
8:43:03 PM Z. Mufson: i dunno
8:43:17 PM Z. Mufson: i think you still gotta give timmy the nod
8:43:29 PM Z. Mufson: also gasol needs to have a huge finals before i think you can really say hes that nasty
8:43:39 PM Z. Mufson: i mean he has never really done anything for a winning team until this year
8:44:11 PM Alex Rochestie: tim duncan has a better career no doubt but this year... kg is out and duncan is the second best player on a team that hasn't done too much
8:44:42 PM Z. Mufson: i think this finals will define where gasol stands
8:44:51 PM Z. Mufson: if he dominates then i give him the nod
8:45:01 PM Z. Mufson: but i still wouldnt call LA an all star team
8:45:02 PM Alex Rochestie: he definitely still has things to prove
8:45:06 PM Z. Mufson: kobe is just that nasty
8:45:13 PM Z. Mufson: i LOVE kobe tho hahah
8:46:14 PM Alex Rochestie: he is THE Man
8:47:04 PM Z. Mufson: with that said, if KG was healthy, we would be in the finals against you and i think it would be a good matchup
8:47:12 PM Z. Mufson: and i really think we coulda won it again
8:49:28 PM Alex Rochestie: possibly. a lot of elements to say otherwise though.... bynum, ariza for us. no house or posey or powe, etc. for you. home court advantage.... still "never underestimate the heart of a champion" would've def been my choice of finals
8:49:45 PM Alex Rochestie: it just gets no better than lakers celtics finals
8:50:10 PM Z. Mufson: i think were gonna get ariza this offseason
8:50:28 PM Z. Mufson: yea its true, lakers celts is the best
8:50:37 PM Z. Mufson: i hate lebron too, so im so glad he choked haha
8:50:41 PM Alex Rochestie: he's an LA boy that went to UCLA so i hope he stays
8:50:50 PM Z. Mufson: tru very very tru
Friday, May 29, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
We WANT TACOS & DEFENSE & OFFENSE & BENCH PRODUCTION & COACHING,....
Game 5 aka the most important game yet!
It’s game-time at the Staples Center tonight as my Lakers take on the lowly Nuggets of Denver, CO. I’m predicting a convincing win for the Lakers. They should be rested, motivated and pushed over the top by Pau Gasol who should see a lot more touches after his dominant performance on Monday. Looks like taco time for staples fans who should enjoy a double digit win.
If you don’t know what the title of the blog is and you call yourself a laker fan; shame on you. basically Jack in the Box does a promotional giveaway through which fans get coupons redeemable for two free tacos whenever the Lakers win and hold their opponent to under 100 points. Or at least thats what I think it is. Basically every time you go to staples expect tacos and expect the fans to ask the players for them.
Listen for the “We want tacos?!?!” chant at the end of tonight’s blowout. One of the commentators covering the game will be forced to comment on it and then attempt to convince you that LA fans are the worst around. The reality is the chant is an LA classic as far as chants go and a hell of a marketing ploy by Jack in the Box.
As much fun as hollering for 99 cent tacos is from seats that cost a weeks salary if you’re a true Laker fan you’ve probably been yelling for more than tacos lately while watching the “Birdman” put on a dunking display for all his weird Denvey fans. Denver it's like Salt Lake City on meth!
Sure “WE WANT TACOS”
but
“We also want defense and ball movement and coaching and leadership and bench production and our role players to play their role.” ANNDD then “TACCCOOOSSS” to wash it all down after the game.
To this point the Lakers have been able to survive on their pure talent alone. The Show has been getting hustled every night by the hungry Nugs however still retain home court advantage and the ability to win games in the fourth with Kobe and a lil sense of urgency. The Denver thug squad (minus Chauncey who I respect) like the rockets before them won’t be able to beat the Lakers by out hustling them or steal a win with an amazing performance from either Melo, Chancey or Smith. They need to play ridiculous defense, get out to an early lead, out-rebound The Show, and do something about Kobe & Gasol to have a chance at winning or at least escape without the LA taco hecklers having their way with them.
The question is who will step up for the Lakers besides Pau and Kobe. Bynum is my guess for a breakout performance in Game 5. With Pau Gasol getting more touches inside and drawing extra defenders things should open up nicely for Andrew. A number? I’d guess 17 points in 20 minutes for number 17. Bynum (aka the future) and some good ball movement, like actually passing the basketball around, and the Lakers cut out Denver's heart and lay waste to the little fantasy world they are living in where they "are the better team"! HA. We'll see about that thuggies.
For Denver watch
(1) Chauncey put the G back in PG,
(2) Carmello score a bunch
(3) Kenyon Martin act like the Nnati streetballer he is
(4) Coach Karl getting outcoached by a man that doesn’t coach!
(5) J.R. Smith get a string of 3’s in the 3rd quarter.
It’s game-time at the Staples Center tonight as my Lakers take on the lowly Nuggets of Denver, CO. I’m predicting a convincing win for the Lakers. They should be rested, motivated and pushed over the top by Pau Gasol who should see a lot more touches after his dominant performance on Monday. Looks like taco time for staples fans who should enjoy a double digit win.
If you don’t know what the title of the blog is and you call yourself a laker fan; shame on you. basically Jack in the Box does a promotional giveaway through which fans get coupons redeemable for two free tacos whenever the Lakers win and hold their opponent to under 100 points. Or at least thats what I think it is. Basically every time you go to staples expect tacos and expect the fans to ask the players for them.
Listen for the “We want tacos?!?!” chant at the end of tonight’s blowout. One of the commentators covering the game will be forced to comment on it and then attempt to convince you that LA fans are the worst around. The reality is the chant is an LA classic as far as chants go and a hell of a marketing ploy by Jack in the Box.
As much fun as hollering for 99 cent tacos is from seats that cost a weeks salary if you’re a true Laker fan you’ve probably been yelling for more than tacos lately while watching the “Birdman” put on a dunking display for all his weird Denvey fans. Denver it's like Salt Lake City on meth!
Sure “WE WANT TACOS”
but
“We also want defense and ball movement and coaching and leadership and bench production and our role players to play their role.” ANNDD then “TACCCOOOSSS” to wash it all down after the game.
To this point the Lakers have been able to survive on their pure talent alone. The Show has been getting hustled every night by the hungry Nugs however still retain home court advantage and the ability to win games in the fourth with Kobe and a lil sense of urgency. The Denver thug squad (minus Chauncey who I respect) like the rockets before them won’t be able to beat the Lakers by out hustling them or steal a win with an amazing performance from either Melo, Chancey or Smith. They need to play ridiculous defense, get out to an early lead, out-rebound The Show, and do something about Kobe & Gasol to have a chance at winning or at least escape without the LA taco hecklers having their way with them.
The question is who will step up for the Lakers besides Pau and Kobe. Bynum is my guess for a breakout performance in Game 5. With Pau Gasol getting more touches inside and drawing extra defenders things should open up nicely for Andrew. A number? I’d guess 17 points in 20 minutes for number 17. Bynum (aka the future) and some good ball movement, like actually passing the basketball around, and the Lakers cut out Denver's heart and lay waste to the little fantasy world they are living in where they "are the better team"! HA. We'll see about that thuggies.
For Denver watch
(1) Chauncey put the G back in PG,
(2) Carmello score a bunch
(3) Kenyon Martin act like the Nnati streetballer he is
(4) Coach Karl getting outcoached by a man that doesn’t coach!
(5) J.R. Smith get a string of 3’s in the 3rd quarter.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Lakers vs. Nuggets: Game 2 Recap
10:06:37 AM Yutai: nah, they aren't pathetic. the nuggets just played better last night
10:07:01 AM Yutai: it was a good game. an extra bounce our way and we would have won. the lakers competed and played well.
10:07:05 AM Alex Rochestie: pathetic man. we've got nothing besides talent
10:07:07 AM Yutai: i have no complaints
10:07:30 AM Yutai: the nuggest have talent too. carmelo is incredible
10:07:37 AM Yutai: i am officially sold on chauncy
10:08:11 AM Alex Rochestie: yeah man. they also have heart, coaching, a sense of urgency, an offense, a defense, etc.
10:08:21 AM Alex Rochestie: lakers, just talent. thats it
10:08:50 AM Yutai: nah, i thought the lakers played a fine game last night
10:09:04 AM Alex Rochestie: never made a run last night. no ball movement. easy points inside. nothing from the bigs.
10:09:05 AM Yutai: these conference playoffs are incredible
10:09:53 AM Yutai: yeah, well phil never adjusted much to kleiza at the 4
10:10:07 AM Yutai: should have killed them on offense there.
10:10:45 AM Yutai: but i don't feel as bad about this loss as the rockets one. where i felt we beat ourselves. this time, i just thought the nuggets played great
10:11:07 AM Alex Rochestie: i'm sorry but phil was an absolute joke last night. its as if he isn't even watching the game
10:11:36 AM Yutai: bynum never got back in the game after 5min in the 3rd
10:11:37 AM Alex Rochestie: farmar needs more minutes
10:11:39 AM Yutai: which was weird
10:11:45 AM Yutai: he was playing well, so was jordan
10:12:05 AM Alex Rochestie: yeah man. bynum is in for the first 8 mins of each half and thats it
10:12:21 AM Yutai: i am looking very forward to game 3
10:12:32 AM Yutai: i will put my money on kobe taking that game
10:12:33 AM Alex Rochestie: at the end of the game walton and shannon brown were in the game way too late
10:12:57 AM Yutai: and fish has to stop driving in the lane
10:13:00 AM Yutai: into traffic
10:13:05 AM Yutai: please. he's not tony parker
10:13:42 AM Yutai: that's about as low percentage of a shot as anything from sasha's hands
10:14:05 AM Yutai: carmelo played amazing ball denial defense on kobe last night
10:14:09 AM Alex Rochestie: how though. he isn't getting shit done on D and the "offense" now is strolling the ball up the court, a bad pass to a player posting up and then a one on one matchup at the end of the shot-clock. MOVE THE BALL
10:15:06 AM Yutai: the lakers don't respond well to energetic, physical defense that denies the passing lanes
10:15:32 AM Yutai: rockets, celtics, and now nuggets
10:16:30 AM Alex Rochestie: check out the post game interviews on lakers.com. nobody gives a fuck or seems to care about loosing or have any answer as to what they are going to do next time
10:17:48 AM Yutai: that's always the laker's M.O. though
10:18:09 AM Alex Rochestie: i hear that but it is unacceptable with the players that we have for us not to have an offense strategy that gets players open shots.
10:18:20 AM Yutai: it comes from phil. i think he's just too zen now. you never see an ounce of emotion out of him
10:18:29 AM Alex Rochestie: i know man the same MO that lost us a title last year
10:18:42 AM Yutai: he looks as sleepy after a win as a loss
10:18:49 AM Alex Rochestie: just does not give a fuck
10:19:09 AM Yutai: i think this is the laker team we have. i have already come to accept that after the rockets series.
10:19:24 AM Alex Rochestie: i loved it when he just called a time out with seconds to go! what a joke
10:19:27 AM Yutai: they still have a shot at the title, but not a very good one
10:19:37 AM Alex Rochestie: drawing up a play! HA
10:19:53 AM Yutai: the last play was weird
10:20:05 AM Yutai: kobe was near the top of the circle when the ball went out
10:20:20 AM Yutai: shouldn't the play be a single or double screen for kobe to get free?
10:20:45 AM Yutai: kind of like the webber screen for bibby in the sacramento series?
10:20:53 AM Alex Rochestie: just pathetic man.
10:21:00 AM Yutai: but we were right there
10:21:27 AM Yutai: i still don't think last night was that bad. the nuggets played great. that's all. bring on game 3
10:23:37 AM Alex Rochestie: god game three. another 48 minutes of getting scored on, stupid turnovers/fouls, and home team that wants to win and probably will. can't wait!
10:33:20 AM Yutai: or who knows! the incredible dominating offense and stiffling strong side zone can decide to show up!
10:33:38 AM Yutai: you never know with the lakers! its like a magic 8 ball!
10:07:01 AM Yutai: it was a good game. an extra bounce our way and we would have won. the lakers competed and played well.
10:07:05 AM Alex Rochestie: pathetic man. we've got nothing besides talent
10:07:07 AM Yutai: i have no complaints
10:07:30 AM Yutai: the nuggest have talent too. carmelo is incredible
10:07:37 AM Yutai: i am officially sold on chauncy
10:08:11 AM Alex Rochestie: yeah man. they also have heart, coaching, a sense of urgency, an offense, a defense, etc.
10:08:21 AM Alex Rochestie: lakers, just talent. thats it
10:08:50 AM Yutai: nah, i thought the lakers played a fine game last night
10:09:04 AM Alex Rochestie: never made a run last night. no ball movement. easy points inside. nothing from the bigs.
10:09:05 AM Yutai: these conference playoffs are incredible
10:09:53 AM Yutai: yeah, well phil never adjusted much to kleiza at the 4
10:10:07 AM Yutai: should have killed them on offense there.
10:10:45 AM Yutai: but i don't feel as bad about this loss as the rockets one. where i felt we beat ourselves. this time, i just thought the nuggets played great
10:11:07 AM Alex Rochestie: i'm sorry but phil was an absolute joke last night. its as if he isn't even watching the game
10:11:36 AM Yutai: bynum never got back in the game after 5min in the 3rd
10:11:37 AM Alex Rochestie: farmar needs more minutes
10:11:39 AM Yutai: which was weird
10:11:45 AM Yutai: he was playing well, so was jordan
10:12:05 AM Alex Rochestie: yeah man. bynum is in for the first 8 mins of each half and thats it
10:12:21 AM Yutai: i am looking very forward to game 3
10:12:32 AM Yutai: i will put my money on kobe taking that game
10:12:33 AM Alex Rochestie: at the end of the game walton and shannon brown were in the game way too late
10:12:57 AM Yutai: and fish has to stop driving in the lane
10:13:00 AM Yutai: into traffic
10:13:05 AM Yutai: please. he's not tony parker
10:13:42 AM Yutai: that's about as low percentage of a shot as anything from sasha's hands
10:14:05 AM Yutai: carmelo played amazing ball denial defense on kobe last night
10:14:09 AM Alex Rochestie: how though. he isn't getting shit done on D and the "offense" now is strolling the ball up the court, a bad pass to a player posting up and then a one on one matchup at the end of the shot-clock. MOVE THE BALL
10:15:06 AM Yutai: the lakers don't respond well to energetic, physical defense that denies the passing lanes
10:15:32 AM Yutai: rockets, celtics, and now nuggets
10:16:30 AM Alex Rochestie: check out the post game interviews on lakers.com. nobody gives a fuck or seems to care about loosing or have any answer as to what they are going to do next time
10:17:48 AM Yutai: that's always the laker's M.O. though
10:18:09 AM Alex Rochestie: i hear that but it is unacceptable with the players that we have for us not to have an offense strategy that gets players open shots.
10:18:20 AM Yutai: it comes from phil. i think he's just too zen now. you never see an ounce of emotion out of him
10:18:29 AM Alex Rochestie: i know man the same MO that lost us a title last year
10:18:42 AM Yutai: he looks as sleepy after a win as a loss
10:18:49 AM Alex Rochestie: just does not give a fuck
10:19:09 AM Yutai: i think this is the laker team we have. i have already come to accept that after the rockets series.
10:19:24 AM Alex Rochestie: i loved it when he just called a time out with seconds to go! what a joke
10:19:27 AM Yutai: they still have a shot at the title, but not a very good one
10:19:37 AM Alex Rochestie: drawing up a play! HA
10:19:53 AM Yutai: the last play was weird
10:20:05 AM Yutai: kobe was near the top of the circle when the ball went out
10:20:20 AM Yutai: shouldn't the play be a single or double screen for kobe to get free?
10:20:45 AM Yutai: kind of like the webber screen for bibby in the sacramento series?
10:20:53 AM Alex Rochestie: just pathetic man.
10:21:00 AM Yutai: but we were right there
10:21:27 AM Yutai: i still don't think last night was that bad. the nuggets played great. that's all. bring on game 3
10:23:37 AM Alex Rochestie: god game three. another 48 minutes of getting scored on, stupid turnovers/fouls, and home team that wants to win and probably will. can't wait!
10:33:20 AM Yutai: or who knows! the incredible dominating offense and stiffling strong side zone can decide to show up!
10:33:38 AM Yutai: you never know with the lakers! its like a magic 8 ball!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
What To Make of the Bizarre Game 1's
Hallelujah! The Lakers are back! After two great days of basketball the Lakers and the Magic win two very close games and lead their respective opponents 1-0. Make no mistake about it, these decisions were huge and speak volumes about where things go from here.
For the Lakers loosing game one against Houston at Staples resulted in a confident Rockets team and a long hard faught series that many did not expect, especially with Yao, Tracy and Mutumbo sitting on the bench. The Lakers would advance of course but throughout the series revealed some blantant weaknesses. Volatile play from the big men who despite their size and talent allowed Louey Scola, Hayes, and whoever else offered to play big. To me the Lakers even when dominant didn't display a hunger and sense of urgency while the Cavs were demonstrating to the world why they were the team to beat this year.
Until Game 1 against the Magic the Cavs were on fire and seemed almost invincible even if they were playing the hawks and pistons. Although strong in my conviction that the Lakers will win the championship this year I started to fear playing Lebron & Co. in a 2-3-2 Finals format that demands the visitors win one out of the first two to have a chance. The Lakers indiffernce to getting embarrassed by Houston and poor production from it's bigs and bench I began to think could again sabatoge another season. "Thank god we don't have to play Dwight" I said to myself.
Ah but playoff basketball happened and the tables have turned. The unstoppable Cavs were beaten AT HOME despite controlling the game early on and Lebron running train on various "defenders" that looked like guards from an Austin Powers movie. Stan van the Man never gave up though and outcoached his opposite and took away the Cavs home court advantage and a piece of their swagger and confidence.
The Lakers began game one flat, uninspired and down early but this series would be different than the humiliation they allowed days earlier. Lingering frontcourt shortcomings didn't matter in this one and with NO answer for Kobe Bryant and a couple of big plays from the likes of Fish and Trevor the Lakers displayed a bit of a Laker pride. They didn't let Denver blow them out early, got control of the game, kept it close and let Kobe do his thing in the 4th. They retained home court and took a little wind out of the Nuggets sails who had a brilliant performance from Melo (at least offensively) go to waste.
So the Cavs are now looking at a long series or at least their longest on of this post-season and Laker fans although happy to be in the drivers seat against Denver are now faced with evidence that there are two very talented and capable teams to be scared of should we squeeze out another series in the west. Don't know who I want to face.
Cavs are still tough at home and have the 3-2-3 advantage which is huge even with the Laker win in Cleveland this year. They also are hungry as hell if able to hold the first two home games the Lakers would face a challenging road they didn't do so well with last year. Then there is the Magic who we had all written off until now. Stan Vans team has had success against the lakers, can obviously win a big game on the road and have a weapon the Lake Show wants no part of in Dwight Howard. So pick your poisen, either way it's going to be a great few weeks of basketball.
For the Lakers loosing game one against Houston at Staples resulted in a confident Rockets team and a long hard faught series that many did not expect, especially with Yao, Tracy and Mutumbo sitting on the bench. The Lakers would advance of course but throughout the series revealed some blantant weaknesses. Volatile play from the big men who despite their size and talent allowed Louey Scola, Hayes, and whoever else offered to play big. To me the Lakers even when dominant didn't display a hunger and sense of urgency while the Cavs were demonstrating to the world why they were the team to beat this year.
Until Game 1 against the Magic the Cavs were on fire and seemed almost invincible even if they were playing the hawks and pistons. Although strong in my conviction that the Lakers will win the championship this year I started to fear playing Lebron & Co. in a 2-3-2 Finals format that demands the visitors win one out of the first two to have a chance. The Lakers indiffernce to getting embarrassed by Houston and poor production from it's bigs and bench I began to think could again sabatoge another season. "Thank god we don't have to play Dwight" I said to myself.
Ah but playoff basketball happened and the tables have turned. The unstoppable Cavs were beaten AT HOME despite controlling the game early on and Lebron running train on various "defenders" that looked like guards from an Austin Powers movie. Stan van the Man never gave up though and outcoached his opposite and took away the Cavs home court advantage and a piece of their swagger and confidence.
The Lakers began game one flat, uninspired and down early but this series would be different than the humiliation they allowed days earlier. Lingering frontcourt shortcomings didn't matter in this one and with NO answer for Kobe Bryant and a couple of big plays from the likes of Fish and Trevor the Lakers displayed a bit of a Laker pride. They didn't let Denver blow them out early, got control of the game, kept it close and let Kobe do his thing in the 4th. They retained home court and took a little wind out of the Nuggets sails who had a brilliant performance from Melo (at least offensively) go to waste.
So the Cavs are now looking at a long series or at least their longest on of this post-season and Laker fans although happy to be in the drivers seat against Denver are now faced with evidence that there are two very talented and capable teams to be scared of should we squeeze out another series in the west. Don't know who I want to face.
Cavs are still tough at home and have the 3-2-3 advantage which is huge even with the Laker win in Cleveland this year. They also are hungry as hell if able to hold the first two home games the Lakers would face a challenging road they didn't do so well with last year. Then there is the Magic who we had all written off until now. Stan Vans team has had success against the lakers, can obviously win a big game on the road and have a weapon the Lake Show wants no part of in Dwight Howard. So pick your poisen, either way it's going to be a great few weeks of basketball.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Hello NIT
hello NIT, the tournament where college basketball lives. I'm excited
to make your acquaintance and look forward to drinking from your joy.
First stop on the tournament run for me is Washington State vs St
Marys aka the team that shoulda ... whateva. Those thinking that the
Gaels (what the heck is a gael? sounds kinda gae to me) were worthy of
a spot in March Madness might be comforted by the fact that their east
bay team is favored by the vegas books by 4 points. these odds mean
little to the cougs however and won't mean much of anything once State
comes into their "gym" and represents the PAC 10's depth and power
over small D1 schools. St. Mary's will get frustrated by the best
defense in the country as the cougs take the game with ease. It should
be fun to watch however and educational to those believers in every
mid-major team getting thier chance. WSU should confirm that the real
misstep by the selection committee us not taking more power conference
teams that are in fact better teams and more deserving. The cougs, we
know, don't have a resume that Joe Blownardi would take a second look
at but are likely one of the best teams around having beaten several
teams that are presently competing for a national championship. That
debate likely won't be resolved anytime soon so for now watch the NIT
and find out which teams really should be in the tournament.
to make your acquaintance and look forward to drinking from your joy.
First stop on the tournament run for me is Washington State vs St
Marys aka the team that shoulda ... whateva. Those thinking that the
Gaels (what the heck is a gael? sounds kinda gae to me) were worthy of
a spot in March Madness might be comforted by the fact that their east
bay team is favored by the vegas books by 4 points. these odds mean
little to the cougs however and won't mean much of anything once State
comes into their "gym" and represents the PAC 10's depth and power
over small D1 schools. St. Mary's will get frustrated by the best
defense in the country as the cougs take the game with ease. It should
be fun to watch however and educational to those believers in every
mid-major team getting thier chance. WSU should confirm that the real
misstep by the selection committee us not taking more power conference
teams that are in fact better teams and more deserving. The cougs, we
know, don't have a resume that Joe Blownardi would take a second look
at but are likely one of the best teams around having beaten several
teams that are presently competing for a national championship. That
debate likely won't be resolved anytime soon so for now watch the NIT
and find out which teams really should be in the tournament.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Pac 10 Player of the Week (Jan. 15/17, 2009): Taylor Rochestie
In a great weekend of Pac 10 hoops I must give out my pick for the Pac 10 POTW, Taylor Rochestie.
Taylor led the Cougs to back to back road wins agains Oregon State University (in Overtime) and Oregon in his last visit to "Mack" Court. In these two games Rochestie tallied 44 points and 15 assists (both weekend high's for the Pac) while playing a pac 10 high 84 minutes of solid point guard play. He tied a WSU single game record for free-throws going 16 for 16 from the stripe against Oregon and reached a career milestone while in Corvallis where he eclipsed the 1,000 point mark. Surely his performance should be rewarded with the Player of the Week honor. So, if there is any justice in the world, the powers that be will AT LEAST honor him with an honorable mention for Player of the Week.
The only other player that is worth mentioning would be
USC's Dwight Lewis who led the Trojans to two wins over the Arizona teams. He did have 39 points and 6 assists (along with 5 turnovers in his 73 minutes of play) and Arizona/Arizona St. are definitely tougher teams than those Rochestie and WSU encountered, even at home in the Galen Center. So I won't be suprised if USC/Lewis gets the nod this on Monday but hope that the honor goes to Rochestie.
Going by straight statistics nobody had a better week than Rochestie. Going past the box-score, for those of us who know anything about WSU's style of play, 44 points is a huge number for anyone playing for Tony Bennet & Co.
In both games Rochestie was THE difference maker in the outcome vs. Oregon hitting big three's and every free throw needed in the second half. Against OSU, Rochestie made a three pointer and found Daven Harmeling for another trey, giving WSU it's last 6 points in regulation. He had 8 assists in the overtime win against the Beavers and hit his 1,000th point as an NCAA player. All of this while being targeted by opposing coaches as the primary player to "shut down." While the Cougs have other options (Thompson, Baynes, etc.) Rochestie was indespensible while the same is not likely true of Lewis who had plenty of help from the likes of Gibson, Hackett, DeRozan, etc.
Hopefully the news on Monday is reasonable but considering the fact that WSU hasn't had a Player of the Week since... it's been a while. Did I miss anything? Wanna plead the case for Lewis or someone else? Go for it.
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