After winning another game last night, the whole universe was ready to anoint the Atlanta Hawks NBA Champs. Luckily, we’ve got Stephen A. Smith to balance us out.
He pointed out (after they shot 15-27 from downtown) that physical play picks up in the playoffs and the game slows down. Amen. It’s just like how defense and the run translate in the Super Bowl, how goaltending decides the Stanley and World Cup, and how pitching wins the World Series.
He still praised Atlanta for bringing it in their home arena, which is a good story. However, too often a soap-opera-y feel good story is taken too far, especially when a team (like the Royals) has never really been anywhere. It might not be as sexy to put an article in Sports Illustrated about the Detroit Tigers (four straight divisions) or the Los Angeles Clippers (a veteran team destined for another playoff run), but aren’t they the real contenders?
…..the’ll cave in like a mine shaft come playoff time ….. I hope the Pistons are the first to do it to em!
East is wiiiide open – you do not want to face Detroit in the first round, folks