Sure, the NBA Finals matchup of Lakers-Magic is disappointing to some, but if you're looking for hidden storylines, consider the cactus.
The "Big Cactus," that is, or whatever Shaquille O'Neal is calling himself these days. Shaq has been very vocal about two things: (1) Kobe hasn't won a championship without him and (2) that Dwight Howard isn't as good as people think, and isn't as great for the Magic as he was, and isn't anything but a copycat of his moves, blah blah blah.
One team is going to win, with its star turning around to point a bony finger at Shaq and say, "Told you I could do it." The best Shaq can hope for, besides a Tweeting championship now that his playing days are fading, is that a team wins despite the poor play of its star.
Showing posts with label orlando magic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label orlando magic. Show all posts
5.31.2009
5.22.2009
I witnessed it. LeBron, I believe.
You had to be watching the last two minutes of the Cavs-Magic game to know how psychotic LeBron James' game-winning three at the buzzer was. No description over the phone, no cutline under a photo, no SportsCenter recap can explain what just happened there.
Game-winning shot at the buzzer? That doesn't begin to describe it. Go find a basketball statistician/mathematics professor and have them explain to you how hard it is to get a shot off with 1.0 seconds left. You catch it and heave. Occasionally jokers make those heaves, and are never heard of again in sports. It's one moment of glory for Rudy, but not a regular occurrence for the big guys — not with one second, not with that kind of defense hanging all over the court.
It was over. It was finished. The dark forces of Magic had triumphed. And LeBron, who had faltered only minutes before in the worst of ways, caught for traveling, rose. He rose and drilled a three, his only three of the night, with just the right catch, just the right shot, in just the right amount of time.
It was other-wordly. I have never seen another shot in a basketball game like that in my life...ever. It shook in me, bringing back emotions I haven't had since the fourth grade.
This is why we watch basketball. This is why we've played so many times, ourselves. This is why we tune into the end of the playoff games. This is why, with all the marketing and coaches and players and overgrown everythings, it's still worth watching.
Skip across the court, LeBron, and jump into somebody's arms. Go for it.
I witnessed it. LeBron, I believe.
Game-winning shot at the buzzer? That doesn't begin to describe it. Go find a basketball statistician/mathematics professor and have them explain to you how hard it is to get a shot off with 1.0 seconds left. You catch it and heave. Occasionally jokers make those heaves, and are never heard of again in sports. It's one moment of glory for Rudy, but not a regular occurrence for the big guys — not with one second, not with that kind of defense hanging all over the court.
It was over. It was finished. The dark forces of Magic had triumphed. And LeBron, who had faltered only minutes before in the worst of ways, caught for traveling, rose. He rose and drilled a three, his only three of the night, with just the right catch, just the right shot, in just the right amount of time.
It was other-wordly. I have never seen another shot in a basketball game like that in my life...ever. It shook in me, bringing back emotions I haven't had since the fourth grade.
This is why we watch basketball. This is why we've played so many times, ourselves. This is why we tune into the end of the playoff games. This is why, with all the marketing and coaches and players and overgrown everythings, it's still worth watching.
Skip across the court, LeBron, and jump into somebody's arms. Go for it.
I witnessed it. LeBron, I believe.
Labels:
cleveland cavaliers,
lebron james,
orlando magic
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