– For CP3, critical errors worse than call (from Jeff Caplan, NBA.com):
” Game 5 will be remembered for the call, the officials’ curious explanation following the replay review and Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers‘ scorching rant of the entire surreal sequence. It will all be replayed and dissected on a continuous loop.
For Chris Paul, the call that didn’t go the Clippers’ way with 11.3 seconds left to another unfathomable finish in this heart-stopping Western Conference semifinal series, isn’t what will eat at him for hours on end; isn’t wasn’t what left him in a near-catatonic state in the postgame interview room.”
Read it here: http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2014/05/14/for-cp3-critical-errors-worse-than-call/
– Instant Oral History Of Clips-Thunder Game 5 (from J A Adande, ESPN):
This oral history includes “many candid and descriptive assessments of this meltdown/miracle”
Read it here: http://espn.go.com/nba/dailydime/_/page/dime-140513/okc-late-run-delivers-3-2-lead
– What went wrong for Chris Paul, Clippers on final possession of crushing Game 5 loss (from Rob Mahoney, Sports Illustrated):
Read and view it here: http://nba.si.com/2014/05/14/chris-paul-clippers-thunder-game-5-final-possession/
– Don’t change Russell Westbrook (from Tom Ziller, SBNation):
” “Let Westbrook be Westbrook” is all about a player using his physical and mental advantages to the fullest extent. Why would you have it any other way?”
Read it here: http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/5/14/5716488/russell-westbrook-aggression-thunder-vs-clippers-nba-playoffs-2014
– Marcin Gortat tore the Pacers apart (from Tyler Bischoff, Indycornrows.com):
” Marcin Gortat beat the Pacers all by himself, or at least he demoralized the top seed in the East. He dropped 31 points on a ridiculous 13 of 15 shooting. He likely would have outrebounded the Pacers if he had played the entire fourth quarter; he finished with 16, the Pacers had 23. ”
Read and view it here: http://www.indycornrows.com/2014/5/14/5715744/marcin-gortat-tore-the-indiana-pacers-apart
– The double screen set that got the Wizards going in Game 5 (from Umair Khan, bulletsforever.com):
” After a shaky start to the game, John Wall finally got loose and toasted the Indiana Pacers defense for 27 points on 11-20 shooting in just three quarters of work. We break down a key new set that helped the Wizards get him going.”
Read and view it here: http://www.bulletsforever.com/2014/5/14/5716012/wizards-double-screen-john-wall-pacers-nba-playoffs-2014
– Wizards GM Ernie Grunfeld Has Silenced Even His Harshest Critics (from Howard Beck, Bleacher Report):
Read it here: bleacherreport.com/articles/2062326-wizards-gm-ernie-grunfeld-has-silenced-even-his-harshest-critics
– LeBron outthinking and outscoring Nets (from Ira Winderman, Sun-Sentinel.com):
” (LeBron’s) hegemony that transcends his 49-point performance in Monday’s 102-96 victory at Barclays Center.
While all playoff series are chess matches, with the Heat awaiting the latest adjustments from Jason Kidd and the Nets, the difference is that James is playing speed chess.”
Read it here: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/fl-miami-heat-lebron-james-0514-20140513,0,5839361.story
– Blazers’ Game 4 Win More About the Future Than the Present (from Jim Cavan, Bleacher Report):
Read it here: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2061713-portland-trail-blazers-game-4-win-more-about-the-future-than-the-present
– Meet the Man Who Preserved Decades of NBA History (from Carl Bialik, fivethirtyeight.com):
” Dick Pfander has spent most of his life collecting and analyzing box scores from every NBA game since the league’s founding. He did most of his work in solitude, by hand, before the age of personal computers. And he did it simply for his own pleasure, surrounded by supportive family members who cared neither about basketball nor statistics, let alone their intersection.
Today, his analog hobby is paying digital dividends for stats-obsessed basketball fans. His work has helped fill gaps in the league’s statistical record for both its official website and the leading independent reference site. The project continues — but without Pfander.”
Read it here: http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/meet-the-man-who-preserved-decades-of-nba-history/
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