ORIGINALLY WRITTEN: APRIL 18, 2005
(Please read the following Ki-Olumn that I wrote in 2005. Not much has changed except that the Suns are out of the playoffs. Enjoy)
"Knock knock"
Who is it?
"It's the NBA Playoffs Mr. Ki -Olumnist, and I'm coming around the corner!!!"
Why should I let you in??
"Why, hahahaha....because I create the truest champion in all of team and possibly individual sports, you better recognize!!!"
Well, as you all know, the NBA Playoffs will begin next weekend. And I know must of the public isn't as excited as I am. But they will be and should be, because of the drama that this system creates. Props to David Stern for increasing the 1st round from best of 5 to a best of 7 series. I know the public thinks its money motivated, and it may be, but it just solidifies the journey and what a champion caliber team needs to go through to get the belt! You can ask the 1993-1994 Seattle Supersonic fans. If you mention Dikembe's 7 foot frame laying on the ground shaking the ball like it's a baby Kunta Kinte, I guarantee they will develop a baby crocodile tear in their visual corners. That Sonics team was up 2-0 and had the best record in the league (63-19). They ended up losing to a 8th seeded Denver squad whose highest scorer was Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf. Seattle lost concentration a couple games on the road and ended up blowing the Game 7. That would have never happen in today's NBA.
Sweet 16 is the number these days. And no, I'm not referring to the number of teams in this miniature season. I'm talking about the number of wins necessary during your championship campaign to pop champagne in your locker room. Man, you can go 16 -12 and still be in the history books as NBA Champ. But please believe when the NBA season is all said and done, the best team has emerged and will be crowned champ. UNDISPUTED!!
There won't be any Magnificent Villanova runs, BCS debacles and debates, immaculate receptions nor lucky 40 foot chips to beat your opponent (sorry Tiger). You need to beat your opponent 4 out of 7 times to taste victory. You need to study your opponent. Watch film. Breakdown defenses. Exploit weaknesses. Funny thing about the NBA Playoffs, is it actually exposes the deficiency of the regular season. How can the quality of the game be any good when these 6'7" millionaires travel from city to city, nightclub to nightclub, area code to area code with maybe a 2 hour shoot around before games?
"PRACTICE, we talking about PRACTICE???"
We all know in the NFL these warriors practice daily and not only work hard, but grasp and decipher their specific assignments for the week. Football players along with tennis, golf, and whatever sport you can think of that still perform drills on a professional level during the season are setting what should be the example of sports. And these NBA players expect us to feel sorry for them during the season for contract disputes. I wish they can hear me say "You need to practice your free throws. You need to breakdown some film on Nash's penetration and how to box out the undersized Shawn Marion. You need to act like a professional and treat this like a job and go to the office and WORK!!"
Instead, the commissioner will suggest that the lack of a dress code and an age limit is the problem. David please.... you swear that the game will be changed because you are making these players sit out 2 years? What are they gonna do, go to Juco and become skilled players? Let them get drafted and let them get cut. Nobody is talking about the 18 year old college drop out who passed up the collegiate life to make $5.50/hr at Sizzlers. There is always gonna be the haves and have-nots in our world. You can't control it Mr. Stern. What you need to do is write ESPN and the And 1 Tour. They constantly showcase the dribble behind your head, bounce it off your knee and alley*oop throwing highlights. This is not helping the game.
Luckily, the playoffs will bring real basketball to the front page. Fundamentals. Defense. Coaching comes into play. Assistant coaches and scouts are surrounded by film looking for an advantage. And as I said earlier, THE TRUEST CHAMPION, will be crowned. No flukes. No lucky teams. Once Father Day comes around, we should be enjoying the 2005 Finals and the team that stands alone with 16 W's will not be questioned. No argument is needed on Fathers Day for the NBA Champ. That's how it is and how it always has been. I challenge you to go through the years and produce an undeserving NBA champion.....
"Well can I come in Ki-Olumnist?"
Mr. NBA Playoffs, you know the key is always under the door for you. Come in and make yourself a drink. We are about to kick it for the next couple of months my dear old friend.
" :-) "
the Ki-Olumist
April 18, 2005
2008, Atypical Sports Show, LLC