There's that je ne sais quois about Kobe Bryant that we Warriors fans can't stand. I sure hope LeBron James isn't trending in that direction. The video above via North Station Sports blog doesn't help.
Recaps from 2010 NBA Playoffs Day 14:
BOOZ!: Carlos Boozer: 20 pts, 22 reb. 'Nuff said.
SLC Dunk: Nuggets fulfill their destiny | Denver Stiffs: A sad ending to a sad season
PAU!: Pau Gasol's tip-in with 0.5 left saves Kobe's missed jumper. Lakers win by 1. Russell Westbrook misses OKC's last three shot attempts.
SilverScreen&Roll: Lakers owe Thunder a big sloppy kiss | WelcomeToLoudCity: Post-series reaction
SIXED!: NBA Sixth Man of the Year and one of the many guys the Warriors front office has outkast (spelled with a "k" because, of course, he in the A-T-L now), Jamal Crawford, leads the Hawks with 24 points, forcing Game 7 tomorrow.
Peachtree Hoops: You had me at hello | BrewHoop: Hawks in driver's seat, deer in the headlights
But before we move onto today's BOS-CLE preview for Day 15 of the 2010 NBA Playoffs, let me just say a few words about Kevin Durant...
He shakes hands after losing, too. (via d.yimg.com)
Before Game 6, KD said this...
"A lot of kids come to my door asking for autographs or just want to talk,'' Durant said before Friday's Game 6 of a West first-round series against the Lakers at the Ford Center. "That's pretty cool, especially around playoff time. A lot of kids like to come around and stuff. I guess they're on spring break.''
...
"They just ring the door bell,'' he said. "I got a glass door so I can see them coming up the street. But they always catch me at the right time... They might know my schedule. They come at the right time. That's cool the fans really like us.''
...
When he is home, Durant said it would never occur to him to tell kids stopping by he can't be bothered during the playoffs.
"No,'' he said. "Because if I was a little kid and I knew an NBA player lived down the street, I'd do the same thing."
There's been a lot of talk about KD being the best player in the NBA in three years, as Kenny Smith said on TNT last week. Well, I'll say this much...
At the rate we are going, Kevin Durant will be the most liked player in the NBA in three years.
...and at the same time, I'm rooting for him to be the best, too.
There are even some folks in New York who aren't exactly clamoring for the King to come to the concrete jungle where dreams are made of...
Preview for 2010 NBA Playoffs Day 15:
Truth vs King. Should be a good one. (via cache.boston.com)
5:00PM PDT on TNT: #4 Boston Celtics at #1 Cleveland Cavaliers
This one's about to get testy!
Overall thoughts:
- I still think Paul Pierce is an under-rated defender. He did a great job on Kobe two years ago in the Finals. Now, it's LeBron. Should be a great matchup, but more so as the series progresses.
- The Celtics seem to start slowly, then are at their best when their backs are against the wall.
- As Kevin Garnett goes, so go the Celtics.
- Can the Cavs get away with LeBron dominating and the role players regressing into their usual selves? This isn't the Miami Heat.