Perspectives of a Colorado Curmudgeon on topics ranging from Basketball to Music to Science & Religion to Travel to Memories, touching on a bit of everything.
Sunday, April 03, 2011
KNOCK, KNOCK 'MCFLY' MARK JACKSON
It's about time for Mark Jackson, color commentator for ABC/ESPN NBA basketball, to start eating some crow. Ever since the Nuggets traded Carmelo Anthony and Chauncy Billips for a group of younger but highly talented players, Jackson has been singing the praises of Melo and pooh-poohing the Nuggets. During today's game between the Nuggets and the Lakers in LA, Jackson continued the same blather, and noting that the Lakers are the hottest team in basketball since the All-Star break. It wasn't until there were about 8 seconds left in the game and the Nuggets were up by 5 that Jackson finally conceded that Denver looked pretty good. Earlier in the game, Jeff Van Gundy and Mike Breen pressed Jackson on how the Nuggets were doing quite well whilst the Knicks continue to struggle, and pointed out that the Nuggets were playing tough defence and sharing the ball [not two of Carmelo's strong points]. Breen asked if Jackson would rather have a superstar or a good group of players at the end of a tight game, and Jackson continued his devotion to the superstar - "You don't have to draw up a play - just get him the ball and stand back." So it was only fitting that at the end of the game, the Lakers went to their superstar, Denver doubled him up, and Kobe put up a couple of bricks; meanwhile, several Nuggets scored key baskets down the stretch. Final: Nuggets 95 - Lakers 90.
You should love what’s going on at Butler then. Team play, invincible defense, all played by true student athletes, players who are going to graduate with quality degrees, not one and done illiterates headed for the NBA. It’s been funny listening to Charles Barkley’s commentary throughout the NCAA tourney. Nary a good word for Butler and he is always predicting a Butler loss. Maybe he should be hungrily eyeing a crow.
ReplyDeleteDad, I listened to part of the game on Altitude radio and was laughing out loud at the commentary. Statements like "who touched Kobe this time?" when the Nugs were called for fouls and pronouncing "Gasol" to rhyme with "asshole." Hilarious. I think the Thunder, Lakers, Spurs and Mavs should all be concerned at this point.
ReplyDeleteU of Con (not misspelled) 53, Butler 41.
ReplyDeleteNick - we were in the car at the beginning of the game and listening to the radio broadcast. I knew they were mispronouncing Gasol's name, but did not catcht the rhyme!! The officiating was not too great, but at least they were making bad calls both directions. Tonight's game against the Thunder will be a real test.
ReplyDeleteBB - the NCAA championship game was painful to watch. A bunch of us b-ball players get together for a bbq and to watch the game. At one point in the second half when Butler hadn't scored for about 7 or 8 minutes, they put in a layup and the room erupted :-) It is unfortunate that once again a major, with a coach who will be suspended for several games next year for recruiting violations, that has a graduation rate of about 30%, comes out 'on top' over a mid-major that depends on talent that will most likely not make it to the NBA.