Evenard M. Panes
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Sports InsiderPlayers with something to prove in the playoffs.
April 19th 2006 07:25
'Who are you calling soft?' Dirk proving how hard he is by taking one into the bread basket.
Do I need to remind all (or any?) of my loyal readers that the playoffs are almost upon us, and that I am drooling like one of Pavlov’s dogs at this development? Of course not! Taking a theme from the last entry there will be a few players with a thing or two to prove during the postseason, and it is my duty to ignorantly comment on which players need to step up in order to enhance their reputations. Because any keen NBA watcher will know that all the players in the league demand a little bit of r-e-s-p-e-c-t.
Dirk Nowitzki – The Dallas Mavericks superstar and MVP candidate has a notorious reputation around the league for being soft – along with his team. His production has slightly deteriorated during subsequent postseasons while he is a monster during the regular season. Dirk averages 26.1 points per game during the season, while in the playoffs his average is 23.7, whilst shooting a sub-par 40.2 percent from the field. The big German is 7-foot and should be able to take players down on the block and back into them. Unfortunately, for the Mavs the low post game isn’t exactly Dirk’s strength, so opposing coaches usually put on smaller and quicker defenders to stifle Nowitzki’s output.
I am a big fan of his style of play and I actually don’t think he has anything to prove. However, the pundits see it differently from me and feel that he needs to step up during the postseason. Finally, if anyone has seen the episode of Punk’d where he is the one getting crapped on you would see why Dirk is so cool. Check it out, a German that is actually nice. Well, in the words of that Parole officer in The Simpsons episode where Sideshow Bob gets out “No, one that speaks German can be evil.” Word!
LeBron James – The uber-player has finally made it into the big show in his third season. Yes, a 21 year old is really been talked about as an MVP candidate but I think it will go to the little Canadian. ‘Bron ‘Bron is the engine that steers the ship in Cleveland, because without him they’d be in dire straits. Since, this is ‘Bron’s first trip into the postseason there is still a question mark over how he’ll perform on the big stage.
Did I hear someone ask for my opinion on ‘Bron? Well, I actually think he’ll make a seamless transition into playoff style ball because the man is just phenomenal. He is posting Oscar Robertson type digits by averaging 31.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game. The man-child will turn into a beast, but the Wizards are a high octane offensive juggernaut so ‘Bron will have his work cut out for him. Well, King James will be fine – his fellow Cavs on the other hand…
Ron Artest – Ron Ron has done wonders in repairing his beleaguered image by turning the Kings into a playoff unit. I won’t dwell too much on Ron Ron because I have written extensively about him before, but if he can take the Kings deep into the playoffs almost all of his past transgressions will be forgiven. As everyone knows, winning is a nice lubricant.
Peja Stojakovic – Like Dirk, Peja has a reputation of being soft and disappearing during the playoffs. Since, his trade to the Pacers from the Kings for Ron Ron, Peja has quietly gone to work and found his shooting touch again. I guess it helps when a low post threat suck as Jermaine O’Neal is around to take in double teams.
The trade to the Pacers was a late Christmas present for Peja because he was really struggling to find his shooting range and for a player that isn’t renowned for creating his own shots that would have been a nightmare. The Pacers are a nice team but the dramas of the past couple of years may have made them a little punch drunk and not up for a street brawl that basketball in the playoffs resemble.
I am hoping that Peja does have a nice series. Although, I think that Indiana will make a cameo appearance and fade into the background.
There you go dear reader, another entry about the playoffs and no jokes about groupies in this entry too. Count this as your lucky day and go out and by a lottery ticket.
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