The Australian Open is the Grand Slam without an identity. Roland Garros, Flushing Meadows, and, of course, Breakfast at Wimbledon come seeped in tradition and truly feel 'major'.
The Australian is known for what? Its blue courts?
That being said, I've seen some of the most intriguing and interesting tennis I've ever seen in the past couple days that I've seen in any Grand Slam. I'm talking about what ESPN calls "Super Saturday," which was filled with upsets galore, the unstoppable force Roger Federer looking infinitely stoppable, and many great stories and rising stars.
There were the late matches deep into the night (the latest starting time in any major in fact), Federer pushed to the brink and to his wits end with his opponent, the Aussie Lleyton Hewitt playing a gutsy match in front of his home crowd, Baghdatis in the same match tasting defeat so bitter it brought him to tears, the fierce comeback of James Blake, and the only Aussie on the women's side advancing and bringing her mother to tears.
It was a wild Saturday in Sydney, the crowds of Rod Laver Arena buzzing in delight. And me sitting back and not worrying about the Australian finding an identity, because it already has one: Great tennis from the best players in the world, playing their hearts out down under.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Do You Remember the Time?
Tell me if this sounds familiar: A Laker team with a dominant superstar with the ability to take over games and was considered the best player in the NBA, a wily veteran with championship experience and a penchant for hitting big shots, a 2nd unit that knew how to hit big shots and could be trusted in long stretches, and an undeniably talented young prodigy with an intense work ethic and staunch killer instinct.
Yes, this describes the Laker team in 1999 that won its first championship in the Shaq, Kobe and Phil Jackson era.
What's that you say? You're right, this could also describe this year's Lakers team. Kobe replaces Shaq as the superstar, Fisher instead of Horry as the big shot veteran, the second unit led by Farmar replaces the one led by D. Fish, and Bynum over Kobe as the blossoming kid out of high school.
Nobody has really said this yet, but there are so many similarities to that squad that began its three championship run, to the one that is on the cusp of one now. Fisher, Kobe, Phil and the coaching staff are holdovers from that team (including Shaw off the bench), and eight years later it looks like the Lakers have rebuilt admirably.
The comparisons are everywhere, but the key this year, like the key that year, is the young prodigy.
Bynum has the competitive, eff the world attitude that Kobe had and still has. There is a major buzz about this talent, who like Kobe was drafted out of high school late in the lottery. Sure they play different positions, but that legendary nature to be the best inside both. Bynum hired his own personal trainer on his own accord and has an attitude that can be seen in his play. He wants to make the big play and dominate on both ends of the floor. Does anyone remember that time when got dunked on Shaq and ran back down the floor and spun right by him and dunked one of his own? I do. This is why Bynum is a special player. We didn't know it then, but Bynum has the ability to do that all the time, and oddly that Shaq would be doing that all the time.
There are definitely small differences; this Lakers team is much younger and less experienced, there's no way this team wins 67 games, nor will they be a favorite going into the playoffs.
Still, there are so many things to like. They have the same coach and system, they have Kobe, they even have the dislike between their two best players (Kobe and Bynum).
If they make their run, I believe they will have to beat the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Finals, closing the door on that franchise like they did with the Portland Trailblazers in the 1999-2000 season.
Winning in the playoffs, something that has been unfamiliar to Laker fans.
Note: I generated this blog in my head on friday, and only got the chance to write it today. Good news and bad news that happened since then: The Lakers are in sole possession of first place in the West, but Andrew Bynum is hurt. He's going to be out 8 weeks, and hopefully he'll reach the same form he had pre-injury. Otherwise, I'm an idiot for jumping on the Bynum hype and jinxing the entire season.
Yes, this describes the Laker team in 1999 that won its first championship in the Shaq, Kobe and Phil Jackson era.
What's that you say? You're right, this could also describe this year's Lakers team. Kobe replaces Shaq as the superstar, Fisher instead of Horry as the big shot veteran, the second unit led by Farmar replaces the one led by D. Fish, and Bynum over Kobe as the blossoming kid out of high school.
Nobody has really said this yet, but there are so many similarities to that squad that began its three championship run, to the one that is on the cusp of one now. Fisher, Kobe, Phil and the coaching staff are holdovers from that team (including Shaw off the bench), and eight years later it looks like the Lakers have rebuilt admirably.
The comparisons are everywhere, but the key this year, like the key that year, is the young prodigy.
Bynum has the competitive, eff the world attitude that Kobe had and still has. There is a major buzz about this talent, who like Kobe was drafted out of high school late in the lottery. Sure they play different positions, but that legendary nature to be the best inside both. Bynum hired his own personal trainer on his own accord and has an attitude that can be seen in his play. He wants to make the big play and dominate on both ends of the floor. Does anyone remember that time when got dunked on Shaq and ran back down the floor and spun right by him and dunked one of his own? I do. This is why Bynum is a special player. We didn't know it then, but Bynum has the ability to do that all the time, and oddly that Shaq would be doing that all the time.
There are definitely small differences; this Lakers team is much younger and less experienced, there's no way this team wins 67 games, nor will they be a favorite going into the playoffs.
Still, there are so many things to like. They have the same coach and system, they have Kobe, they even have the dislike between their two best players (Kobe and Bynum).
If they make their run, I believe they will have to beat the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Finals, closing the door on that franchise like they did with the Portland Trailblazers in the 1999-2000 season.
Winning in the playoffs, something that has been unfamiliar to Laker fans.
Note: I generated this blog in my head on friday, and only got the chance to write it today. Good news and bad news that happened since then: The Lakers are in sole possession of first place in the West, but Andrew Bynum is hurt. He's going to be out 8 weeks, and hopefully he'll reach the same form he had pre-injury. Otherwise, I'm an idiot for jumping on the Bynum hype and jinxing the entire season.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
The NBA's Most Suprising Team (And no it isn't the Lakers)
While I am happy as can be that the Lakers are doing better than projected, I still have my doubts. Yet, all I hear are showers of praise about how surprising the Lakers are, and how they could soon be "contenders" in the stacked West. This worries me. With that aside, this post is about what reallyshould be THE story of this year (besides those damned Celtics): the Lakers' next opponent The New Orleans Hornets.
Oh, you haven't heard of them? I'm not surprised, considering the lack of national airtime this team gets, the empty seats in their arena, and little "insider" hype around their team. Make no mistake, this is a great team, and people better pay attention.
It begins and ends with the all-world Chris Paul. This guy is the REAL DEAL. Nobody can stay in front of him, he has the vision that ranks with the Steve Nashes and Jason Kidds of the world, and oh yeah, he's only 23!!!!! Nash is 33 and Kidd is 34. Who said it takes a while for point guards to develop in this league? Paul, along with Deron Williams, are throwing that age old NBA theory to the wayside. Paul is an MVP candidate in my book, leading this Hornets team to a top seed in the west, only 1 game off the top seed! Look at it this way, if you put Paul on the Chicago Bulls, instantly they become a top 3 seed in the East, who could contend for a title. Replace Paul with Hinrich, and well, you get the Chicago Bulls (and I mean that in the worst way). This all trickles down to the underrated cast the Paul leads.
Tyson Chandler, who at this point has become Ben Wallace with slightly more scoring ability and without the horrible contract. He defends the paint, grabs a bunch of boards, and flushes down the dimes dropped to him by Paul. Let him run the floor, defend the basket, and dunk the ball. Sure he can't create his own shot, but with Paul, and the next guy, he doesn't have to.
David West is the most underrated player in the league right now. His stat line: PPG 19.4 | RPG 9.4 | BPG 1.3. David West is averaging nearly 20 and 10 a game. He is a post up threat, can hit a J, leads his team in blocks, and does this all without much fanfare.
Peja Stojakovic is still one the best shooters in the game. With a team with these stars, Peja is still a threat to stretch out the defense, shooting 43 percent from the three. If he can stay healthy, Peja can add the three point shooting to this team that will free up the lanes for Paul and West to operate.
Their bench isn't as strong as others, but their top three players are still very young, and they will be a mainstay in the already crowded Western Conference for years to come. Even this year, I think they will push another, more celebrated team to the brink. They are really just a wing defender, a little more maturity, and a better home crowd away.
And they don't have Kobe Bryant.
Oh, you haven't heard of them? I'm not surprised, considering the lack of national airtime this team gets, the empty seats in their arena, and little "insider" hype around their team. Make no mistake, this is a great team, and people better pay attention.
It begins and ends with the all-world Chris Paul. This guy is the REAL DEAL. Nobody can stay in front of him, he has the vision that ranks with the Steve Nashes and Jason Kidds of the world, and oh yeah, he's only 23!!!!! Nash is 33 and Kidd is 34. Who said it takes a while for point guards to develop in this league? Paul, along with Deron Williams, are throwing that age old NBA theory to the wayside. Paul is an MVP candidate in my book, leading this Hornets team to a top seed in the west, only 1 game off the top seed! Look at it this way, if you put Paul on the Chicago Bulls, instantly they become a top 3 seed in the East, who could contend for a title. Replace Paul with Hinrich, and well, you get the Chicago Bulls (and I mean that in the worst way). This all trickles down to the underrated cast the Paul leads.
Tyson Chandler, who at this point has become Ben Wallace with slightly more scoring ability and without the horrible contract. He defends the paint, grabs a bunch of boards, and flushes down the dimes dropped to him by Paul. Let him run the floor, defend the basket, and dunk the ball. Sure he can't create his own shot, but with Paul, and the next guy, he doesn't have to.
David West is the most underrated player in the league right now. His stat line: PPG 19.4 | RPG 9.4 | BPG 1.3. David West is averaging nearly 20 and 10 a game. He is a post up threat, can hit a J, leads his team in blocks, and does this all without much fanfare.
Peja Stojakovic is still one the best shooters in the game. With a team with these stars, Peja is still a threat to stretch out the defense, shooting 43 percent from the three. If he can stay healthy, Peja can add the three point shooting to this team that will free up the lanes for Paul and West to operate.
Their bench isn't as strong as others, but their top three players are still very young, and they will be a mainstay in the already crowded Western Conference for years to come. Even this year, I think they will push another, more celebrated team to the brink. They are really just a wing defender, a little more maturity, and a better home crowd away.
And they don't have Kobe Bryant.
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