Thursday, May 20, 2010
Jeff Miller, Orange County Register: "Good luck trying to reach the NBA Finals, Phoenix. The Suns are going to need luck to happen and a whole lot more, like the type of events detailed in the Bible. Lakers 124, Suns 112 unfolded at Staples Center with the home team displaying the myriad ways it can dispose of the other guys. Just ask Amar'e Stoudemire(notes), the self-appointed authority on luck these days. Actually, Stoudemire's specialty might be yuck, because that word describes his - and all of the Suns' - defensive performance so far. 'We have to figure it out,' a beaten Grant Hill(notes) said. 'We've scored enough points. But defensively, they're scoring at will.' Said teammate Steve Nash(notes): 'I thought our offense was pretty decent. But when they score 120-something, it's asking the offense to score way too much.'"
Mark Murphy, Boston Herald: "There is a strong urge to play Game 3 immediately. The Celtics, with a 2-0 series lead over Orlando in the Eastern Conference finals, can smell blood like never before. But for the second straight round, the Celtics have to wait a postseason eternity - three full off days - before beginning the home leg of the series. 'I would rather play,' said Ray Allen(notes). 'When you have two or three off days, you start to think of things like, oh, the closet needs cleaning.' Back on May 7 in the Garden, a little too much of that closet dust got in the way. LeBron James(notes) opened with a 21-point first quarter and the Cavaliers ran off with a 124-95 win that was the worst playoff loss in Celtics history. That night also turned out to be an anomaly. The Celtics were the dominant team in their second-round win, closing out the series in six games and winning twice in Cleveland. And now they have won twice in Orlando. It's the first time the Magic lost back-to-back home games this season, and the Celtic mission is clear: No one wants to return for a Game 5, save for the wounded Magic. 'We still have to put our hard hats on even though we're going home, because home isn't necessarily a place where we've played well all year long,' said Paul Pierce(notes). 'We have to keep the same intensity.'"
Julian Benbow, Boston Globe: "A two-games-to-none lead in a best-of-seven series is that awkward margin that gives teams just enough reason to be confident but not enough reason to let their foot off the pedal. But going on the road and putting a team in a two-game hole might be just enough reason to get cocky. In the history of the NBA, 14 teams have dug themselves out of a two-games-to-none hole to win a series. But only three teams have ever done so after dropping the first two games of a seven-game series on their home floor: the Dallas Mavericks in 2005, the Houston Rockets in 1994, and the Los Angeles Lakers in 1969. After snatching two games at Amway Arena and effectively icing a Magic team that had been the hottest in the playoffs, the Celtics like the position they're in, with Game 3 coming up Saturday night at TD Garden. 'I feel pretty good about it,' said Kendrick Perkins(notes). 'I think this Game 3 is the most important, though. We can't give them any hope.'"
Terry Foster, Detroit News: "Ben Wallace stood on a brand new asphalt basketball court wearing a red T-shirt with the words 'Motor City Makeover' splashed across it. He was one of dozens of volunteers, including present and former NBA players, helping spruce up the Butzel Family Center on the city's near east side. He was happy to help because this is the city where he earned his name. This is where he became one of the toughest defenders in the NBA. This also might be where his career ends. Wallace admitted Wednesday he's unsure if he'll retire, or if he does return to the NBA, stay with the Pistons. 'Everybody has supported me, and for the rest of my life I am going to be remembered for what I did here,' he said. 'I feel a part of the community of Detroit. This is always going to have a special place in my heart.' The factor in his decision: his 35-year-old body. Wallace, who is working out almost daily at home in Virginia, said he must listen to his body. 'When I am healthy, I can play this game at a high level night in and night out,' he said. 'But sometimes, those knick-knack injuries take so much out of you mentally. Physically, I can handle anything but mentally when you have those injuries, it takes away from your game.' Pistons general manager Joe Dumars said via text message the team isn't putting any pressure on Wallace. 'We would like to have him back,' Dumars wrote. 'And he'll let me know when he's ready to make a decision.'"
Phil Miller, Minneapolis Star-Tribune: "David Kahn hates the NBA draft lottery, and that was before the Timberwolves became its victim again. 'It is truly a hideous experience. It is just awful,' the Wolves' president said of Tuesday's gathering of non-playoff teams, all praying that random luck could manage what their forlorn rosters could not. 'You could almost sense the desperation in the room.' Yet despite ending up with the fourth pick after turning in the second-worst record in the league, the Wolves' roster overhaul is not necessarily in desperate shape. As Kahn said after the lottery, 'we have enough of an arsenal' to acquire the foundation of a winner -- draft picks, cap space and tradable assets. Fourth pick is hardly an afterthought, too. Hall of Famer Dave Cowens was drafted fourth, as was Olympic gold medalist Chris Paul(notes) and this season's rookie of the year, Tyreke Evans(notes). 'People say this is a two-player draft, but that's just at the very top,' said ESPN.com draft analyst Chad Ford. 'Actually, there are eight to 10 very good players before you see a drop-off. The Wolves should have no trouble getting a player who can step right in and help them.'" Check here for More
