Day Eight - 5/15

[14:11] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: fucking Rockets dude!!!
[14:12] Aaron Rosenberger: aaron brooks is the best point guard in the playoffs not named rondo?
[14:12] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: of the point guards left, yeah
[14:12] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i mean mo is more consistent
[14:12] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: but brooks has been playing better
[14:13] Aaron Rosenberger: he pretty much carries them whenever they need big buckets
[14:16] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i know man, i'm concerned about him showing up in game 7 though
[14:16] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: he didn't in 5, and they need him
[14:16] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: dude, i'm so on board with Luis Scola. he's the best
[14:16] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i think its because he doesn't play very Euro (yes, I know hes South American, but they all get lumped into the Euro category for some reason)
[14:17] Aaron Rosenberger: "he's got some hood in him,"
[14:17] Aaron Rosenberger: as the immortal charles barkley once said
[14:18] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: did he really? thats awesome. he totally does
[14:18] Aaron Rosenberger: if they win game 7 in la, i will just lost my damn mind
[14:18] Aaron Rosenberger: yeah, i heard the chuckster say it on inside the nba once
[14:19] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i mean i feel like they are as good of a candidate as any to win that game!!
[14:19] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i don't understand how Kobe just disappears like he does
[14:19] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: I think Battier is really in his head
[14:20] Aaron Rosenberger: maybe kobe is sad because coach k loves battier more than him
[14:20] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i think that might be the case
[14:21] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i mean, LeBron simply doesn't lose that game last night, right?
[14:21] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: and yet, Kobe is supposed to have the killer instinct?
[14:21] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i don't get it
[14:21] Aaron Rosenberger: a great player sure as hell doesn't let his team fall behind 21-3
[14:22] Aaron Rosenberger: i'm just praying that this year is the end of kobe's prime
[14:22] Aaron Rosenberger: i'm so sick of him
[14:22] Aaron Rosenberger: i hope the rockets beat them on sunday, then his body pulls a kg next year
[14:22] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i mean, it has to at some point, right??
[14:22] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: maybe he is here forever
[14:23] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: never to win a title, only to go to the conference semis/finals every year
[14:23] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: and serve to annoy us
[14:23] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: both with his personality and with the annoying folks who try to defend them
[14:23] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: (full disclosure, I accidentally typed "with her" at first....and almost left it)
[14:25] Aaron Rosenberger: yeah, i just don't get him at all
[14:25] Aaron Rosenberger: he has the talent and the drive to win titles on his own
[14:25] Aaron Rosenberger: but he just can't get it done
[14:26] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i know. i don't get it.
[14:26] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: Ron is totally in his head too
[14:26] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: and its like, you can see that he knows it, and he wishes it weren't the case, but he just can't get them out
[14:30] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i'm so baffled by the rockets. it makes absolutely no sense that they are winning, and yet when you watch them it makes perfect sense
[14:30] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: it doesn't feel like its an accident
[14:34] Aaron Rosenberger: it's totally weird
[14:34] Aaron Rosenberger: like, of course carl landry and chuck hayes can hold their own against pao and odom
[14:34] Aaron Rosenberger: wait, what?
[14:35] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: it has reeeeeeeally exposed Pau and Odom for their lack of defensive prowess
[14:35] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i mean there HAS to be a way to use Pau and Odom, but I don't think that doing it with Kobe is the right way
[14:36] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: and i'm not sure what the right way is
[14:36] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i'm inclined to think that a core threesome of Pau at 5, Odom at 4, and CP3 at the 1 would be optimal?
[14:37] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: but i don't know how well Pau could put away CP3 alley oops.
[14:37] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: possibly intriguing statement coming in
[14:37] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: 3
[14:37] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: 2
[14:37] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: 1
[14:37] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: Pau may not be suited for the NBA game, at least in terms of being an NBA champion
[14:38] Aaron Rosenberger: i think you're right
[14:38] Aaron Rosenberger: he's a great offensive big man
[14:39] Aaron Rosenberger: but you have to defend a little if you want to win a title
[14:39] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i agree, and he just doesn't have much toughness, which stands to reason if you look at his frame
[14:40] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i mean i don't know, maybe if you paired him with a nasty 4 (or Odom with a nasty 5) it would work, but I don't think those two work together
[14:41] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: WAIT HOLY SHIT
[14:41] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: lets say the warriors keep B-Diddy
[14:41] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: and trade S-Jax straight up for Odom
[14:41] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: wait i don't know
[14:42] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i guess Odom plays down low a lot more in LA than Jax played in GS even though both are playing the 4
[14:54] Aaron Rosenberger: you've got a point, though
[14:54] Aaron Rosenberger: you're forgetting bynum
[14:54] Aaron Rosenberger: move odom, hope bynum is not the flop he currently looks like
[14:54] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: dude, bynum is forgetting bynum right now
[14:54] Aaron Rosenberger: and sjax, bynum pau is badass
[14:55] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i think they definitely do need to move odom if they don't win the title
[14:55] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: do you think Pau would be better suited as the 4 to Bynum's 5?
[14:56] Aaron Rosenberger: definitely
[14:56] Aaron Rosenberger: pau works well from the high post
[14:56] Aaron Rosenberger: and defensively, that just makes a whole lot more sense
[14:57] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: yeah, that does make a lot more sense. i don't know what the hell happened to bynum last night, he looked like he was finally getting it in game 6
[15:01] Aaron Rosenberger: there are only two or three options at this point:
[15:01] Aaron Rosenberger: he's not healthy
[15:01] Aaron Rosenberger: he's not actually very good
[15:01] Aaron Rosenberger: kobe and phil have broken him
[15:01] Aaron Rosenberger: i think that's it
[15:03] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: yeah, i think that might be it. i don't think playing in LA helps either. as soon as he started looking decent the media was all over him as the greatest thing ever
[15:04] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: and i think it is a bit of a combonation of all of those things
[15:06] Aaron Rosenberger: or maybe he and greg oden are in a secret competition to see who can be a bigger bust
[15:06] Aaron Rosenberger: and drag it out the longest
[15:06] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i think that is entirely possible
[15:07] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: what are you predicting for Game 7? (both of them)
[15:07] Aaron Rosenberger: houston (power of positive thinking) and boston
[15:07] Aaron Rosenberger: i'm done thinking that anyone other than lebron can beat the garden crowd when it coutns
[15:08] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i think i'm with you. If LA wins, it'll be big, if Houston wins, it'll be by like 10 or 12. Boston will win an ugly affair by about 10
[15:09] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i'm ok with the houston-LA series either way. i mean i REALLY want Kobe to get shut down and the rockets to win, but then again if the Lakers win, Kobe gets (at least) two games IN FUCKING DENVER
[15:09] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: awesome
[15:09] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: Denver-Houston would be a REALLY intriguing series on the Xs and Os front
[15:14] Aaron Rosenberger: whatever happens, i think that the western finals will be better than the east
[15:14] Aaron Rosenberger: i think the cavs will absolutely destroy either boston or orlando
[15:14] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i think you're right. the eastern finals will be just sad
[15:15] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: people keep saying that Boston has too much pride to get swept
[15:15] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: however, i'll point to a few things
[15:15] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: first, people said that about the pistons in the first round. now, i know that the heart of a champion is far different than the heart of a-team-that-might-as-well-be-in-cabo-already, but still
[15:15] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: and, if you'll remember, in Jordan's first title run he swept the mighty Bad Boys
[15:20] Aaron Rosenberger: pride will only take you so far when you're old, tired, and hurt
[15:20] Aaron Rosenberger: and lebron is on another level right now
[15:21] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: truehoop had a huge to-do again today about the kobe-lebron debate
[15:21] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: with a bunch of bloggers
[15:21] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: can we give that shit up? Kobe is an amazing basketball player. LeBron is otherworldly.
[15:21] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: Kobe won his three titles playing understudy to the modern-day Bill Russell. LeBron hasn't had that luxury.
[15:22] Aaron Rosenberger: kobe's been such a bitch for the last two years in the playoffs that he doesn't deserve to be compared to anyone
[15:22] Aaron Rosenberger: there should be no debate unless kobe beats lebron in the finals
[15:23] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: exactly. kobe-backers always want to point to the rings, or to the arsenal of ways to score
[15:23] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i don't care how many ways you can score. HOW MANY TIMES DID YOU SCORE, AND HOW MANY TIMES DID YOU WIN
[15:23] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: case closed.
[15:24] Aaron Rosenberger: and how many times have you completely fucking disappeared when your team needed you?
[15:24] Aaron Rosenberger: it's just getting absurd at this point
[15:25] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: totally. the other thing i've noticed is that people only mention kobe as a great passer when they are comparing him to LBJ
[15:25] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: LeBron is so far ahead of him in that category, its insane
[15:26] Aaron Rosenberger: the only guy who is on lebron's level as a passer is nash
[15:26] Aaron Rosenberger: and even that might be a stretch
[15:26] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: I know that assists aren't 100% accurate, but its a yardstick, and lebron averaged nearly twice as many
[15:26] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: yeah exactly
[15:27] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: plus, he rebounds, and don't give me that shit that its because he's bigger, because Kobe was equaled in rebounds this year by RAJON RONDO
[15:28] Aaron Rosenberger: kobe scores points
[15:28] Aaron Rosenberger: he's probably better at that than anyone else in the leage
[15:29] Aaron Rosenberger: but you can't count on him to do anything else
[15:29] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: exactly. i'm so tired of that argument.
[15:30] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: Lowry came in last night and looked absolutely atrocious. i was dejected.
[15:31] Aaron Rosenberger: he was like a little kid trying to play with the big kids
[15:31] Aaron Rosenberger: he kept trying, and they just kept sending his shit back in his face
[15:32] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i know, it made me sad on multiple levels. i have a soft spot for chubby guards, a soft spot for Villanova, and an extremely romanticized view of the city of Philadelphia
[15:32] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: he touches all three
[15:33] Aaron Rosenberger: unfortunately, i don't think we can hope that he'll play any better in a game 7 on the road
[15:33] Aaron Rosenberger: damn
[15:35] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i don't think so either, what a bummer. he hasn't really played well at all this series
[15:35] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i think there is hope for him, he just needs to develop a mid-range jumper
[15:35] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: which is kinda the kiss of death for tweener guards
[15:35] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: that sentence has been said about so many nba players
[15:40] Aaron Rosenberger: that sentence and the fact that i want him to succeed is the double kiss of death
[15:40] Aaron Rosenberger: see: stuckey, rodney
[15:40] Aaron Rosenberger: tinsley, jamaal
[15:41] Aaron Rosenberger: douglas-roberts, chris
[15:41] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: dude
[15:41] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: douglas-roberts will pan out
[15:41] Aaron Rosenberger: the list could go on for years
[15:41] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: oh wait
[15:41] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i once said that about telfair, sebastian
[15:41] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: add him to both lists
[15:42] Aaron Rosenberger: yup
[15:42] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: if Through the Fire had been made before his draft he might have gone first
[15:42] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: that was one romantic view of a mediocre basketball player
[15:43] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: speaking of willfully forgetting a player's flaws
[15:43] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eziogfe5XSI
[15:43] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: never forget
[15:43] Aaron Rosenberger: yeah, it made him look like a cross between iverson, isaiah thomas, and bob cousy
[15:44] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: dude totally. the thing is, had he gone to Louisville and played under Pitino he probably wouldnt have been much better. name me a PG that Pitino has developed into a solid NBA player
[15:44] Aaron Rosenberger: not only is that one of my favorite dunks of all time
[15:44] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: JOEY DORSEY!!!

Day Seven - 5/12

[13:46] Aaron Rosenberger: i wish that K-Mart could punch mark cuban in the mouth
[13:47] Aaron Rosenberger: i used to think that dude was good for basketball, but now i wish someone would kill him
[13:47] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: dude. i totally agree
[13:47] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: everyone acts like he's such a great owner
[13:47] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: he's a really fucking smart dude, but what has he really done to translate that intelligence to his basketball team???
[13:48] Aaron Rosenberger: nothing. his time has past
[13:48] Aaron Rosenberger: oops. "passed"
[13:49] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: totally. i mean if you're the owner, and you wanna mettle in team business, then fine, you have that right. but you have to do it behind the scenes.
[13:49] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: you can either be front office micromanager and make yourself scarce at gametime
[13:49] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: or stay out of front office affairs and be the team cheerleader
[13:50] Aaron Rosenberger: he pretty much acts like a high school dad
[13:50] Aaron Rosenberger: couldn't play, can't coach
[13:50] Aaron Rosenberger: but has the money to be involved so he involves himself way too much
[13:50] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: yes! he's totally Jerry Harlow
[13:50] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i bet he wears shorts with slouched socks
[13:51] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i mean i definitely don't buy into the "let the real experts handle front office business" because, really, who are the experts? no one knows (see Morey, Daryl; Simmons, Bill, etc.) but like if you're gonna be all mettling in team affairs its bad for your team to do it publicly
[13:52] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: when your owner is trying to be best buddies with your 7 foot german center, you know the owner is probably in it for the wrong reasons
[13:52] Aaron Rosenberger: and your german center is a giant douche
[13:53] Aaron Rosenberger: seriously, when they interviewed him after the game last night, all he talked about was how tough denver was going to be at home
[13:53] Aaron Rosenberger: dude, you just went off in the 4th quarter of a do-or-die playoff game!!!
[13:53] Aaron Rosenberger: act like you know!!!!
[13:54] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: dude! totally! like even when he sort of turns the corner he turns right around and goes right back. seriously, man the fuck up!!!
[13:54] Aaron Rosenberger: he's one of the biggest pussies in the history of professional sports
[13:54] Aaron Rosenberger: i don't even hate him anymore
[13:55] Aaron Rosenberger: i just cheer against him because i want him off my television screen
[13:55] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i know exactly how you feel. like i just want to be rid of him. his time has run its course
[13:56] Aaron Rosenberger: word. stop pretending like you can or even want to win basketball games when it counts
[13:56] Aaron Rosenberger: and just get the fuck out
[13:57] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: right. or at the very least, just start putting up like 25-10s or something and hang out in the middle of the pack
[13:58] Aaron Rosenberger: yup. all he did last night was convince cuban that he can build around dirk for another pathetic year
[13:58] Aaron Rosenberger: see you next year at this time, same sorry channel
[13:59] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: exactly. i just want him to go away. and i feel the exact same way about Kidd, and maybe even Howard
[14:00] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: like at some point dudes just aren't gonna get it done. I feel like everyone has a three year window. Mega-stars get like 6 years (Jordan, LeBron, Bird, Magic) super stars get 4 or 5 (Shaq, Kobe, Duncan) and anyone else gets three. Dirks is gone. Clearly he can't be relied upon to deliver a title
[14:00] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: so you either have to blow your team up, or be alright with going to the conference semis and MAYBE finals for a few more years until its time for him to retire
[14:01] Aaron Rosenberger: of course, you can't underestimate the monetary value of having a white dude as the face of your franchise in dallas
[14:01] Aaron Rosenberger: those rednecks eat that shit up, even if he is a foreigner
[14:02] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: yeah, that is so true. it also explains the appeal of Kidd vs. Harris
[14:02] Aaron Rosenberger: word. the lighter the better down there
[14:03] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i'm sort of excited for the Magic-Celts game tonight
[14:03] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i feel like its now or never for the Magic. they need to stick it to the Celts to prove their manhood after the fucking display that the Celts put on after their win in orlando
[14:03] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: that was fucking classless, and its up to Orlando to show some balls and do it right back
[14:03] Aaron Rosenberger: yeah, we'
[14:04] Aaron Rosenberger: ll see if that team really has any heart tonight or not
[14:04] Aaron Rosenberger: because you're right, it was classless
[14:04] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i woudl really like to see something like a 25-20 from Howard. and i think it is his time to prove himself as a legit force to be afraid of
[14:05] Aaron Rosenberger: but, by now, everyone knows that the only way to stop the celtics from strutting around like they won they championship of the universe is not to let motherfucking big baby hit game-winners
[14:05] Aaron Rosenberger: on your home floor. seriously
[14:05] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: dude, I don't know. I mean didn't they defend that as well as they could? isn't that the last second shot you want?
[14:05] Aaron Rosenberger: good point by you
[14:05] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: however, I'm not sure that lewis needed to come over and help on Pierce. I don't understand why people don't just keep playing all up in his jock
[14:06] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: especially when DWIGHT FUCKING HOWARD is protecting the rim
[14:06] Aaron Rosenberger: i'm thinking more that they should even be in that position if they execute better on offense down the stretch
[14:06] Aaron Rosenberger: it's true. you
[14:06] Aaron Rosenberger: are probably better off letting pierce take contested game winners at this point
[14:06] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: well right. or if Rashard Lewis wouldn't play like a punk bitch when fucking BRIAN SCALABRINE is guarding him
[14:07] Aaron Rosenberger: right. if dude's like lewis and howard would show some killer instinct, these games wouldn't be close
[14:08] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: one thing is for sure, I think SVG has jumped the shark in the playoffs
[14:09] Aaron Rosenberger: god damn, that dude is nervous
[14:09] Aaron Rosenberger: in a weird way, you have to hand it to doc
[14:09] Aaron Rosenberger: he's only the right coach for a certain kind of team
[14:09] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: grown men do not need Ron Jeremy look-a-likes yelling in their face all the fucking time
[14:09] Aaron Rosenberger: but with the team he has, he knows how to get out of their way
[14:10] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: on the one hand, you're right. but doesn't that just make him advanced in the common sense department? that doesn't make him a great basketball coach, it just means he can connect with a team and realize that with three veterans he doesn't need to be micro-managing
[14:10] Aaron Rosenberger: oh, totally
[14:11] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i guess there are two components of coaching ball - knowing your players and knowing how to manage them, and knowing the X's and O's
[14:11] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: he happens to be incredible at half of the job
[14:11] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: and the other half, well he's got three hall-of-famers to take care of that for him
[14:11] Aaron Rosenberger: but the sad thing is that coaching in the nba is so bad that the simple matter of understanding human behavior makes you a championship level coach
[14:11] Aaron Rosenberger: even if you can't manage a rotation to save your life
[14:11] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: YES. valid point.
[14:12] Aaron Rosenberger: it also helps that, with the injuries, he has very few personnel choices to make
[14:13] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: yeah, that definitely helps him. i mean i don't know. the more and more i think about it i'm just sort of bored with the celtics. i'm so ready for the new crop of stars to take center stage
[14:13] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: in the east at least
[14:13] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: (plus the thunder in the west)
[14:13] Aaron Rosenberger: i feel you on that. get with the youth movement. aiight, mang. i gotta finish this sugar paper and study for a final. i'm done after tonight!!!
[14:16] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: nice, go get 'em. you gonna be watching either game tonight?
[14:16] Aaron Rosenberger: i hope so. i might miss the first one, but i should be home in time for lakers-rockets
[14:16] Aaron Rosenberger: that's the new church, so imma put on my sunday best for that one
[14:16] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: nice, yeah i'm really pumped for lakers-rockets
[14:17] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: aw hell yeah. i think i'm gonna watch it and put on some hip hop
[14:17] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i feel like its got a hip hop feel
[14:17] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: something aggressive. thoughts?
[14:17] Aaron Rosenberger: i feel an old school vibe
[14:17] Aaron Rosenberger: so wu tang might work
[14:18] Aaron Rosenberger: or, do you have reasonable doubt?
[14:18] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: OH SHIT SON i've been meaning to listen to it recently
[14:18] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: it is so ordered. reasonable doubt it is
[14:18] Aaron Rosenberger: there you go. that is one hell of a night you've got lined up for yourself

Day Six - 5/11

Aaron:
Haven't had time to formulate a thoughtful response to this yet, because my head is full of sugar tariffs and macroeconomic models. But I have to tell you: "And yes, Kobe, Shane Battier can guard you. Shut your fucking mouth," is the best thing that anyone has written about the playoffs yet. I'll be looking forward to your future musings. And damn, this format shit is fucked.

re:Andy
Dude needs to get punched in the mouth.

Shoals wrote today (and i'm really on board) that he wished that the Mavs had won Game 3 so we could see Denver with a little adversity. I totally agree with that, but I think if they step on the throat today they have to be considered to have taken another step (even though they are totally legit in my mind). Championship teams don't lose Game 4 when they are
up 3-0.

Who guards Kobe on that team? That scares me. Dude owns the Nuggs. I also think that Birdman or KMart would totally put an elbow into his throat early on, but doing that to Kobe would warrant at least two games, if not three or four. I think it totally has to happen. He would come back and have some huge games, but he would shift into i-get-mine mode. In any case, I don't think I want to see it, because LETS GO ROCKETS.

Word,
Little A

Aaron:

And don't sleep on Dahntay Jones. He might at least be able to make Kobe work for his points, which is about as much as one can hope for.

re: Andy

Good point about Dahantay, I've always liked him, even at Duke.  I always felt like he was a Duke outsider and I liked that.  Melo just gave a menacing stare at Antoine Wright and it was fucking awesome. He's mellowed (laugh it up) out a bit, but that dude should still not be fucked with.  Lamar Odom has nightmares about Carmelo Anthony. That series is gonna be epic. (note: yes, still LETS GO ROCKETS...but its not gonna happen)

I forgot to tell you yesterday that Kyle Lowry warms the special place in my heart for chubby guards.  Pour one out for Kahlid El-Amin.

Day Five - 5/10

An e-mail exchange late Sunday evening. Aaron's email was sent before the end of BOS-ORL, mine was after. I really fucking hate Boston.

Aaron:

Dude,

Just called you and it went straight to voicemail. Just wanted to send some quick-hit playoff thoughts.

If the Celts tie this series tonight, it will definitely help to renew my interest in the playoffs in general...I love to see Dallas lose, but the non-call on Wright was just dumb. Although, it brings up an interesting thought for me: coaches rely on their teams to play good, solid defense for 47 minutes a game. Why don't they just do the same for the last minute? This whole debate about foul/not foul when ahead by two or three seems a little silly and gimicky. Why not just play balls out defense? Your an NBA player. If you defend like hell, and the dude still hits a shot, then he's probably good enough to beat you over the course of a series anyway. At some point, you have to let players play. In a seven game format, if you've got the players, they'll rise to the top an you'll win. If not, try again next year...At this point, there is nothing at all that is fair or right about the way LeBron is destroying people. Even Jordan in his prime didn't walk through seven straight playoff games like this, did he? Are we at the beginning of a decade of dominance? Could he bring back the true dynasty in sports, the likes of which have not truly been seen since the Russell Celtics?... Are the Rockets better without Yao? More minutes for Landry and Chuck Hayes, who I'm sure scare Yao to death, might not be a bad thing...If Aaron Brooks continues to shoot like this, he might move into my top 5 favorite NBA players, which, now that I think about it, probably looks like this, in no particular order: Durant, Stephen Jackson, Anthony Randolph, Aaron Brooks, and Carmelo (with the caveat that LeBron is from another planet and doesn't count, and I also have to always save an honorary spot for KG, if for no other reason than that I have to credit him with making me love the NBA)...

I think that's all for now. If I could write about sugar tariffs as easily as I could about the NBA, I would have finished my paper days ago. Maybe that tells me something about my career choice...

Peace,
Aaron

re: Andy

Hey man,
I go back and forth on the Celts. Part of me wants them to just be put out of their misery, althoughwhen it comes down to it, I would rather see Bron-Pierce than Bron-Magic (lets be honest, thats what it is at this point). At the same time, its almost like I don't even care. Is the ghost of Paul Pierce even worth watching be sacrificed at the temple of LeBron? We may get one sort of legendary game out of it, but it may just be saddening. I just really, REALLY hate this Celtics team. I suppose they earned their sense of entitlement by the title, but they have no sense of how to go about defending a title and how to act as such, like absolutely none. People wanna talk about ballers "disrespecting The Game? Well there it is, right there in the city that supposedly defines respecting the game. I just want them to go away.

LeBron is absolutely insane right now. I mean you can argue that the competition isn't that good and no one gives him a game, but that brings up the next point: Not even Jordan was so good that most of the teams in the league didn't bother to compete with him. Seriously, I'm convinced the Pistons take two games from ANY other team in the playoffs, and the Hawks maybe get one. But no one even wants to face him! they are totally content with taking their sweep and going home, its absolutely insane. If Jordan ruled on his competitive fire alone, LeBron is ruling on sheer intimidation through talent, which we really haven't seen before. I don't really see any reason to believe we're not looking at an absolute dynasty. Kobe's days are numbered, and Wade is good but unless he somehow ends up on the Thunder there is no way he gets a supporting cast good enough to allow him to compete with the LeBrons. Seriously, unless the Thunder and Durant pan out absolutely perfectly, is anyone going to challenge?? I say no.

I'm sick of the whole Antoine Wright thing. It is an absolutely egregious call, but anytime you make Cuban flip out its entertaining. PLUS, yeah they only had 2.5 seconds remaining, but who is to say Melo (or Billups) doesn't hit that shot after the foul? Was the foul going to somehow freak the Nuggs out into not getting a shot off. Your point is exactly right: had Wright not even GONE for the foul, he's probably in position to have a hand in Melo's face and drastically alter the shot.

It is totally gimmicky and over-coaching. I suppose I understand the whole foul-when-you're-up-three point, but still I HATE seeing games decided by free throws. Just roll out the ball and play, these are professionals and more importantly these are ENTERTAINERS. Lets just put the ball out there and see what they can do.

I think I've come to terms with the Rockets sans Yao: I don't feel like the team has figured out how to best use Yao, and Yao hasn't made himself enough of an emotional leader to call for the ball when he needs it. I guess they may be better without Yao because there isn't that cog in the system, but Yao is only a cog because his team hasn't figured out when the exact times are to give Yao the ball. Aaron Brooks is awesome, he's the new Rodney Stuckey, and he has been incredible. But before driving to the hole he needed to be looking for Yao in case he has position, and he wasn't doing that. So yeah, it frees him up a bit, but the team would be better if they could just use Yao correctly. I don't know if this is the fault of Adelman or the players he has, or a bit of both. I think I've really turned the corner on Yao this playoffs and I am sad to see him go. He is charismatic, talented, and has a lot of heart, and I'm really pulling for the guy, and it totally sucks to see him go.

ADDENDUM: my "fave 5" - STEPHEN JACKSON, ALL-STAR MOTHERFUCKER (this is the only one that is in order), Billups (its inexplicable, but I sort of love him now), Durant, Artest, Brandon Roy. Honorable mention: Stephen Curry (this is preemptive, I still believe), Steve Nash (he's such a good dude). Jury is out: Baron Davis (again, I still believe, I think he's got some more in him)

And yes, Kobe, Shane Battier can guard you. Shut your fucking mouth.

This is long, I'll get at you tomorrow.
-Little A

Day Four - 5/7

[14:27] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: oh my god lakers-rockets. my head may explode
[14:36] Aaron Rosenberger: last night was awesome
[14:36] Aaron Rosenberger: is there any way kobe gets suspended for game 3?
[14:36] Aaron Rosenberger: and have you seen the interview with artest after the game?
[14:36] Aaron Rosenberger: he's just a big kid
[14:37] Aaron Rosenberger: I wanna take him home and make him my friend
[14:39] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: he has to!!!
[14:39] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: ha ha i know man
[14:39] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: Kobe is such a bitch
[14:39] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: did you see him jawin at Battier
[14:39] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: how can you jaw at battier?
[14:39] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: its like jawing at a brick wall
[14:39] Aaron Rosenberger: yeah, he's a total douche
[14:39] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: Ron is painting his masterpiece and rewriting his story right now
[14:39] Aaron Rosenberger: jordan would never have done that
[14:39] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: THIS IS THE YEAR OF THE GROWN-ASS MAN
[14:39] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: Kobe is decidedly creepy with his Jordan impersonation
[14:40] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: he won't be suspended but he should. Rafer should not be suspended.
[14:40] Aaron Rosenberger: yeah, except he can't keep it up, cuz he knows he's not that good
[14:40] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: EXACTLY!
[14:40] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i don't really like Fisher, but that was a pretty legit playoff veteran move
[14:40] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: I wish Scola had popped up and got in his face though
[14:40] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: Scola came out looking like a bitch
[14:41] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: and the Rockets didn't come to his aid which was disappointing
[14:41] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: but I think everyoen was so stunned that he did it!
[14:41] Aaron Rosenberger: i missed that play, actually
[14:41] Aaron Rosenberger: i'll have to peep a replay
[14:41] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: are you serious?! it was totally harsh
[14:42] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: I don't know man. The Rocket's a'int scared. Kobe is gonna have games like that. This one goes seven for sure
[14:42] Aaron Rosenberger: oh, definitely
[14:42] Aaron Rosenberger: this shit is real
[14:42] Aaron Rosenberger: and the lakers just aren't that good
[14:43] Aaron Rosenberger: pao-odom is an elite combo and kobe is kobe
[14:43] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: exactly, and they are fucking soft.
[14:43] Aaron Rosenberger: but after that, a lot of those guys kinda suck
[14:43] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: if Derek Fisher is being your enforcer, then kindly fuck off
[14:43] Aaron Rosenberger: right. he's like the nicest dude in the league
[14:43] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: yeah but Pao is a Euro and Odom, god love him, just doesn't want it that bad
[14:43] Aaron Rosenberger: if you're waiting for him to step up, you're effed
[14:43] Aaron Rosenberger: i've really come to appreciate pao-odom for those reasons
[14:44] Aaron Rosenberger: i like watching them play together, but i don't feel invested in cheering for them
[14:44] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: when are we gonna decide that "when Odom finally steps up" is just not something you can hang your hat on in this league
[14:44] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: yeah exactly. like they are fun to watch during plays. but over the course of a game? guess what, you're gonna be disappointed
[14:45] Aaron Rosenberger: they are who we thought they were
[14:46] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: and we let 'em off the hook
[14:46] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i'm so on board with this series it is ridiculous. shit is real
[14:47] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: massive, possibly irrational statment coming in
[14:47] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: 3
[14:47] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: 2
[14:47] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: 1
[14:47] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: the rockets are more looking-glass-self version of nba-as-humanity than the warriors (or at least equally as)
[14:47] Aaron Rosenberger: i'm not so sure that's ridiculous
[14:47] Aaron Rosenberger: pretty much all the pieces are there
[14:48] Aaron Rosenberger: redemption (on so many levels)
[14:48] Aaron Rosenberger: unity
[14:48] Aaron Rosenberger: chemistry
[14:48] Aaron Rosenberger: fucking international harmony
[14:48] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: DUDE! HOLY SHIT! CHINA, ARGENTINA, AND QUEENSBRIDGE, ALL SITTING AT THE TABLE TOGETHER!!
[14:49] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i'm serious dude, Ron is rewriting his story. if there is a god, we will no longer remember him for the brawl, we will remember him for the great Hollywood Epic of '09
[14:49] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: and Mickey Rourke can play the lead
[14:49] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: !!!!
[14:49] Aaron Rosenberger: and von wafer, if he doesn't get himself thrown off the team. he might be a martian
[14:50] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i've been trying to pretend that didn't happen. i hope it gets resolved. i really like him.
[14:50] Aaron Rosenberger: oh my god. mickey rourke in the ron artest biopic would be the greatest movie ever
[14:50] Aaron Rosenberger: they could just stop making movies after that, because it could never be topped
[14:51] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: totally. it would be like Ray and Walk the Line had a love child
[14:51] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: thats the thing though (back to Von), the stage is totally set for his redemption
[14:51] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: won't you help to sing
[14:51] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: these songs of freedom
[14:51] Aaron Rosenberger: and i think adelman is a cool enough dude to let it happen
[14:52] Aaron Rosenberger: i like von, too, and he played his ass off through some pain against NO
[14:52] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: OH MY GOD. I DIDN'T EVEN THINK ABOUT THE REDEMPTION OF RICK ADELMAN
[14:52] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: yeah he did, he's really good for that team.
[14:52] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: the rockets have so many unconventional weapons.
[14:52] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: when you think about it you can see the fingerprints of Daryl Morey on that team
[14:53] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: Scola, Landry, Hayes, Yao, Artest, Battier
[14:53] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: like, what??
[14:53] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: Brooks
[14:53] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: and then they just punk you outta nowhere
[14:53] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: its like they were artificially conceived in a lab
[14:54] Aaron Rosenberger: right. the brooks pick might be his most genius move
[14:55] Aaron Rosenberger: he and horford are the last dudes standing from their draft class right now
[14:55] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: totally. i mean i'm not gonna pin it all on him, like with any team there is luck involved (scola, yao, etc) but picking up Artest was totally legit, Hayes is a good find, and Brooks is definitely legit
[14:55] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: are they really?
[14:56] Aaron Rosenberger: i think so
[14:56] Aaron Rosenberger: i can't think of any other second year guys making serious contributions to playoff teams
[14:56] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i guess as far as being contributors they would be
[14:57] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i don't even wanna watch any of the other series
[14:57] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: nothing can compare to this one. shit got so real last night, but it was so real before
[14:57] Aaron Rosenberger: i'm not even excited about denver-dallas right now
[14:58] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: me either. a rockets victory would so be a victory for all mankind. i don't even have a problem saying that
[14:59] Aaron Rosenberger: i'm right there with you.

Day Three - 5/6

[11:48] Aaron Rosenberger: somehow, in all of my basketball fandom, i have forgotten how truly awesome melo is
[11:48] Aaron Rosenberger: that motherfucker is cool
[11:48] Aaron Rosenberger: and he's an offensive genius
[11:49] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: dude, its so fascinating how he and Billups are the KEYS to that team but you would have NO IDEA when you watch them play
[11:49] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: and its even more fascinating how they are leaving the team in the hands of JR, KMart and Birdman, and only stepping in when they have to, and those three AREN'T FUCKING THAT UP
[11:49] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: BS: Carmelo is so stealth on this team.
ZC: He really is. Half the time you forget he’s there, then he drops 30 in a quarter
[11:50] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: from shoals liveblog last night
[11:50] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: so true
[11:50] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: and yeah, he's a total offensive genius. he can score in SO MANY WAYS
[11:50] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: the crazy thing is, he's totally the devolutionary Durant (or what durant will be in two years, maybe even next year) and thats totally not a bad thing, its a positive for KD
[11:52] Aaron Rosenberger: right. he's showing the way for durant
[11:52] Aaron Rosenberger: kd needs to absorb all of melo's skills and add his own twist
[11:52] Aaron Rosenberger: it's fucking awesome
[11:53] Aaron Rosenberger: and you're right. my favorite thing about them is how jr is the best player on the floor
[11:53] Aaron Rosenberger: until he's not
[11:53] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: dude exactly. its like he's a little kid. like they just let him do his thing until they see that it may become detrimental to the team, and they take the ball away from him
[11:54] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: "go ahead JR, do your thing, you're the best" "alright, snack time, hand the ball to Chauncey"
[11:54] Aaron Rosenberger: "all done, bad shots"
[11:54] Aaron Rosenberger: go grab some kool aid
[11:54] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: but the biggest key is they somehow corral him before the bad shots start!
[11:54] Aaron Rosenberger: and the cool thing is, jr is completely fine with it
[11:55] Aaron Rosenberger: it's the best use of a crazy wild card since, like, rodman or somethiing
[11:55] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: dude totally. he's completely fine with it because i'm not sure he knows what is going on
[11:56] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: seriously, not nearly enough has been said about how Melo has stepped out of the way and been so self-aware of his skills (or lack of, at times)
[11:57] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: dude was a one-and-done national champ, the second (basically, Darko doesn't count) pick in a loaded draft, he has every right to play the role of selfish, enigmatic, i-get-mine superstar, and yet he hasn't. he's totally grown-ass-man
[11:57] Aaron Rosenberger: totally. did you see the half time interview with him?
[11:57] Aaron Rosenberger: they asked how he felt about the physical play
[11:57] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: damn, i missed that
[11:57] Aaron Rosenberger: he just shrugged and said "it's the playoffs."
[11:58] Aaron Rosenberger: grown-ass man
[11:58] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: dude. that is awesome.
[12:02] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i mean i watch the Nuggs, and sometimes I think their shots are just falling, and it just happens to be their day, but that has happened SIX OUT OF SEVEN GAMES this playoffs. at some point its just about imposing yourself on the other team
[12:03] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: which is what every winning team has done.
[12:03] Aaron Rosenberger: and the nuggs keep doing it
[12:03] Aaron Rosenberger: they might give the lakers a run
[12:05] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i know, I mean thats definitely the trendy thing right now, Nuggets-as-Laker-beaters. but I have to keep telling myself that they have only played the Hornets and the Mavs (they still have to go TO dallas), two extremely untalented teams
[12:06] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: and Howard didn't even play last night
[12:06] Aaron Rosenberger: good point
[12:06] Aaron Rosenberger: things might get different real quick when they get to dallas
[12:07] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: totally. but it should be noted that Dirk was NOWHERE to be found in the fourth. and the Mavs needed him, that game wasn't in doubt until there were like 5 minutes left!
[12:07] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: performances like that do not a playoff legend make
[12:08] Aaron Rosenberger: dirk almost makes me sad at this point
[12:08] Aaron Rosenberger: i've never liked him
[12:08] Aaron Rosenberger: but how could a guy that talented be so damn scared all the time?
[12:08] Aaron Rosenberger: it's pathetic
[12:09] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i know dude. like alright, he was lights out for three quarters, but clearly none of that matters. AT ALL
[12:09] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: it is totally sad dude. realistically, the guy is a scoring savant, seriously, he's more talented than Bird. but for some reason, mentally, he can't close out a game
[12:10] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: he did it ONCE in his career. its the Peyton Manning Corollary
[12:10] Aaron Rosenberger: i think he had problems in his childhood or something
[12:10] Aaron Rosenberger: and he's also afraid of black people
[12:10] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i mean he must have. this is true, as evidenced by his bromance with Nash
[12:10] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: did they chronicle Dirk in the FD book?
[12:10] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i forget
[12:10] Aaron Rosenberger: simmons made the point in his column that dirk is scared of thuggish dudes with tattoos (SJax)
[12:10] Aaron Rosenberger: i don't think that they said much about him
[12:11] Aaron Rosenberger: i can't remember for sure
[12:11] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: oh yeah, and that is so true. yeah i don't think so either, i think he was mentioned but he didn't have his own chapter
[12:11] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: did he even have a childhood? wasn't he created in a lab and came out as an 18 year old who could play basketball?
[12:13] Aaron Rosenberger: i think he's the result of a crazy nazi experiment
[12:13] Aaron Rosenberger: and it failed because you gotta have soul to play hoops
[12:13] Aaron Rosenberger: they didn't give him one
[12:15] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i think you're right. they forgot that in between the Spin-Move and Fadeaway chapter of the hoops bible is the chapter that includes Earl the Pearl, NWA, and Bernard King
[12:15] Aaron Rosenberger: unfortunately for them, NWA lose much of their impact in translation
[12:18] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: exactly. and when he came to that on his own, he got scared and ran
[12:18] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: rather than looking beyond, cranking up the speakers, and waking up to "Today was a Good Day"
[12:19] Aaron Rosenberger: he put on some hasselhoff instead
[12:19] Aaron Rosenberger: bad mov
[12:19] Aaron Rosenberger: e
[12:19] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: oh god. i think we just solved the problem of Dirk Nowitzki
[12:21] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: am I the only one who feels that this round is soul-less, save for the Lakers-Rockets series
[12:21] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: Lakers-Rockets is epic, and has storylines. but even if the Mavs were to come back and make it a series, even if they WON, I still wouldn't care! they are a soulless team
[12:21] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: same for the Magic
[12:21] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: if the Magic win that will be so bad for the NBA its not even funny
[12:21] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i don't care how banged up they are, the league NEEDS Cavs-Celtics
[12:21] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: pierce-lebron
[12:22] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: Joe Johnson admitted to being tired yesterday. is there even a reason to play that series? that matchup totally sucks
[12:23] Aaron Rosenberger: the hawks are dead to me
[12:23] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: the hawks-celtics series woudl have been awesome, the hawks would have definitely got up for it. and the magic would have provided a worthy tune-up for the Cavs. but we get deprived of that
[12:23] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i mean can you blame them? is there any thing worth playing for??
[12:23] Aaron Rosenberger: what a disappointment they are
[12:23] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: well yeah, in the first round definitely
[12:23] Aaron Rosenberger: and the magic play in orlando
[12:23] Aaron Rosenberger: nuff said
[12:24] Aaron Rosenberger: orlando might be the number one city in america that needs to be contracted
[12:24] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: dude totally. place serves NO purpose
[12:24] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: if detroit dies and orlando survives that will be the tragedy to end all tragedies
[12:25] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: seriously, Detroit: Marvin Gaye, Temptations, Supremes
[12:25] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: Orlando: NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, Lou Pearlman
[12:25] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: its like the bizarro motown
[12:25] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: the NSYNC as the jackson five and Lou as Joe Jackson
[12:26] Aaron Rosenberger: i don't even know how to respond to that
[12:26] Aaron Rosenberger: totally blowing my mind
[12:27] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: its just making me sad
[12:28] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: i'm definitely sitting out the rest of the Cavs series, and the celts until game seven, if there is one
[12:28] Aaron Rosenberger: agreed. i'll just check lebron's highlights
[12:28] Aaron Rosenberger: i'm riding for the west right now
[12:29] Aaron Rosenberger: which sucks because i'm fucking tired
[12:29] ajrosenberger@gmail.com: dude i know. I'm on the east coast, I didnt go to bed til 2 last night