The Night Watch

Back by popular demand (aka me). Before I get to tonight’s games…Congrats to Trent Johnson for reportedly leaving Stanford and going to LSU. Seems like a downgrade right? Wrong. To be honest, Johnson had pretty much hit the peak of what he was going to do at Stanford (2nd in the Pac, 3 seed in the tournament, Pac-10 Coach of the Year). And the Lopez Twins left. Pretty much means it wasn’t getting any easier for him in Palo Alto. Strike while the iron’s hot.

Also…anyone find it funny that if you were anybody in the Pac-10 this year you’re declaring for the draft? Just interesting. Enough.

Phoenix 96, San Antonio 79

It has to be ironic (again Alanis Morrisette interpretation not Webster’s) that the Shaq move finally gave Phoenix the team that can finally beat the Spurs…and they might not even have to hurdle them. Suns took the season series (3-1), including both games with the Diesel and both games in San Antonio. Any other year the Suns would be crowned champion (some still might)…but this is the year of insanity.

What’s impressive about this win was that the Suns held the Spurs to 11 points in the 4th quarter. The Suns. In both games against the Suns with the Diesel, Tim Duncan has struggled in the 4th quarter. In the playoffs I really think the Suns would have the Spurs number. What’s up with San Antonio? We all know they are the Spurs, they are 2nd in the West, they have 53 wins…but something is just missing. I can’t pinpoint it at all. I just know they had it last year. That feeling that we’re the Spurs and you can’t mess with us. I don’t know if they are aging or are just in cruise control or are just doing the typical Spurs in a repeat year drill…but something is off.

Also what’s up with their O…its disappearing. Last three games they’ve scored 64 (blowout loss at Utah), 72 (ugly win at Portland) and 79 (17 point loss to Phoenix). They’ll get it in gear but they are backing into the playoffs, and this year it could cost them home court advantage.

New York 109, Charlotte 107

The Knicks won another game…NO…FRIGGIN….WAY. Three-game winning streak??? It didn’t hurt it was the Battle of the Incompetents. You know Sam Vincent is a bad coach when he makes Isiah Thomas look good. Don’t think Zeke is getting off the hook. I’m not sure we’ve ever seen this quote from a head coach with 3 games left in the season:

“Finally the spirit of the team is good. The camaraderie of the team is good,” Thomas said. “I just think that they’re a team now.”

It’s beyond too late for that….Like Jay-Z and Beyonce trying to deny their marriage type late. Like Kim Kardashian trying to be famous for actually doing something in life. It’s too late Kim, you will always and forever be linked to that booty. Yay Pop Culture!!

Anywho…both these guys should and probably will get fired.

Washington 109, Boston 95

Before you poop on the Eastern Conference playoffs….things are getting a little interesting. The Washington Wizards might actually have the Celtics number. They beat them 3 out of 4 times. They are both similar in the fact that they have 3 superstars, play defense and have iffy benches that can win or lose them games. Didn’t hurt Washington they had Agent Zero coming off the bench tonight. I’m very intrigued by this Washington team who might actually be coming together at the perfect time. I’d be surprised if they lost to Cleveland, which would set up two pretty tasty semi-final matchups in Boston/Washington and Orlando/Detroit.

Holy crap I just got excited for the Eastern Conference Playoffs. I told you it was possible.

Short one tonight…there were 5 blowouts that meant nothing as playoff teams beat up on teams who can’t wait to go on vacation.