YAYsports! NBA

(The Cavalier is on an extended leave of absence. The following was not written by him due to his brain exploding from Windhorst’s blog post.)

I freaking love the NBA playoffs.

Sure it’s long and drawn out (can we all agree that the first round needs to moved back to a 5 game series?) but that’s what I love about it. While there is something neat about the one-and-done aspect of the NCAA Tournament and the NFL Playoffs, for me, nothing beats a 7 game grudge match (plus, you still have that win-or-go-home attitude if the series reaches that 7th game).

So far, this years playoffs have yet to disappoint (OK, not true. I haven’t been able to see the Raptor-Nets series yet, due to work and/or NBA TV. Also, does anyone like ABC’s camera on track or string? That moving side-view camera? What is the deal with that? Well the picture is shaky and I can’t see the weak side of the court. This is awesome!).

Not only do they provide me a distraction from the likelihood that the Browns are going to draft Brady Quinn (the Tribe beating Santana helps as well) but I get to see a bunch of teams and players that I don’t normally watch.

I’ve seen (and written about) every Cavalier game this year, and while it’s not a whole lot of work, combined with real work (and school), it doesn’t leave much time to peruse other teams in the league. Oh sure, I’ll watch the national games here and there, but I can only watch Detroit and Miami so many times (and to all you non-Cavs fans who have suffered through their nationally televised games: I’m sorry. We don’t like the offense either).

But with the playoffs here, I get to sample all the flavors the league has to offer.

For instance, I now understand why Chicago wouldn’t part with Luol Deng for Pau Gasol. And I hate to say it, but I’ve enjoyed watching the Bulls (and I hated the Bulls for years). They play with passion, they share the ball and they play defense. I’m extremely happy that the Cavs will only have to face either Chicago or Detroit (should they get to the ECF), cause both of those teams scare the crap out of me.

There are also players and teams who I know are good, but I’ve forgotten for whatever reason. Like Baron Davis and Tracy McGrady.

We all know that those two are Good NBA Players, but I know I forgot just how great McGrady could be. He’s been nothing short of electric so far and he’s far and away the most underrated superstar in the league.

And Baron Davis? My lord, where have you been? Though I’m a Cavs fan, the most anticipated game tonight has to be game two of the Dallas-Golden State series. Seriously, who can say that they’re a basketball fan and not be excited for game two? What’s Nellie gonna do? Is Dirk going to bounce back? Can Davis and his Beard of Doom steal another game in Dallas?

Of course, the Cavs can take a 2-0 lead on the Wizards tonight (FYI- LeBron is playing). Surprisingly, this game will only be nationally televised on NBA TV (not that I can blame ‘em. Hmmm… Nuggets-Spurs or Cavs-Wizards?) meaning I won’t have to sit through Washington homer John Thompson’s analysis (who basically spent all of Sunday saying that the Cavs weren’t beating the Wizards by enough). Of course, this means I get the three man booth of Fred McLeod, Scott Williams and Austin Carr (Nobody needs this. Ever).

Tonight is going to be awesome. There are two games with teams bouncing back from game one upsets and the third game involves Drew Gooden being the key on defense. Delightful.

(Sorry for the late posting, I’ve been a bit sick lately. To sooth things over, I’ll offer you this Will Ferrell viral video and a Donyell Marshall blog. Enjoy)