Not all that fun

As pumped up as everyone was for the NBA Playoffs this year, so far it has been more sad than happy. The number of "bad" stories has far outweighed the good stories and great games. And though I didn't watch a second of the Spurs-Suns series, I do at least know if it over now. The new parlor game here in Arizona will be "D'Antoni: Keep or Fire?" I think that both he and Avery Johnson and George Karl may soon be looking for new work. And if the Celtics can't get rid of the pesky Hawks, Doc Rivers may be joining them.
I guess my point was that when the playoffs started, no one expected that we would be talking more about bad than good. If the Spurs meet the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, that would be something to behold. And the Wiz-Cavs series has been exciting in a sort of "too frightening to look away" sense. But despite all that, I can't help but feeling that at a time when basketball should be synonymous with joy, for me, some of the great things I loved are coming to an end. I came to Arizona the same summer that Nash was signed, and they have been great years. However, it feels like they are over. It seems that Nash has bad games more often than I remember and the Suns still struggle with the same problems. A Shaq-sized Band-Aid hasn't changed that. And while pundits will continue to pontificate about how the Suns' model could never actually work, I'll remember the joy of watching them at their best - even if it often was during the regular season. Arguing for process over result is often the crutch that the unsuccessful cling to after their most recent failure and I think the Suns are the poster children for such (ir)rationalizations. But for me, I don't mind. In some ways, I perversely hope that the Suns fire D'Antoni and Nash retires and Phoenix Suns 2004-2008 can fade away as a memory only for those who witnessed it. As I've had less time to watch and less energy to care, I've realized I'm ready to move on. I'll remember the Nash-led Suns by what they actually achieved - not by what they could not achieve. I fear that few others will choose to remember them this way, but history is written by the victors. I see this Spurs' near-sweep as the end of a dynasty based on almost - a dynasty that never was - a dynasty that couldn't get over the hump. For most fans, I think mediocrity might be preferable to such a situation. But you won't hear that from me. I thought the Suns' inability to ever take that final stride rings true with my all-too-human failings. People don't watch sports to remind themselves of their own foibles, but I do. And it might be better if more people did.

Note: This is stream-of-consciousness while trying to digest some chocolate cake and a defeat by a loathsome enemy. Sorry if it doesn't make sense.

Get this down

I noticed something I think we'll be interesting in the next few days and wanted to highlight it for my extensive readership. By following this link you can see the current bracket of the NIT. My prediction is that Ohio State and Florida will become the first teams to play in the finals of the NCAA Tournament and the National Invitational Tournament in back to back years. (It may have happened before, but I doubt it. This year was the first since 1980 that both finalists from the prior year failed to make the NCAA Tournament the next year. However, that is what happens when entire teams go pro.) In a few days, you will see this story on the front page of espn.com and you would have been amazed. But because you have TB, you know it now - before it happens!
I'm certain this prediction won't pan out because I'm crowing about it, but we'll see.
In other news, the Suns and Celtics are playing as we speak. I cannot watch, but I enjoy a game like this because no matter which team wins I feel good. On my drive home from the daily grind, I listened to the game on the radio. I think the Suns radio team are even more homer-rific than their TV team - which is saying something, trust me. I'm surprised some of Boston's players haven't been arrested for assault.
Anyway, things are real solid here in Tucson. Weather is warming up, classes are ramping up, mental state is becoming precarious. Yes, all is well.

We'll just have to wait and see

You're a huge Suns fan. You're always blogging about them even though anyone who has ever seen this blog has asked for less Suns and more anything else. Thus, you have to have an opinion on the Diesel coming to the desert, right?

Sorry. Can't help you. Move along. Nothing to see here.

Initially, I felt good about it - I think because everyone was trashing the idea. But over time, as some people have come around - I've started going the other way. And ultimately, I don't know.

So my feelings were summed up well by Mr. Abbott at TrueHoop here. We'll just have to wait and see. I don't think "being motivated" can breathe life into a corpse, but if Shaq is actually more than a corpse, than maybe some good things will happen.

The Suns have been repeatedly criticized for not being able to play slowdown ball in the playoffs, and when Kerr pushed in his chips for the ultimate slowdown center he's getting bashed for turning his back on exciting basketball. But the Suns had exciting basketball for three years and little to show for it but regular season wins. I don't know if this gambit will work, but I applaud Kerr and D'Antoni for rolling the dice. I didn't see this season turning out any differently. Now, I definitely do. The only problem is first-round exit is a real possibility in addition to championship. But it should be exciting, and I think that is why we watch.

Quick NBA thoughts on my mind:

Kobe Bryant is always becoming more and more like MJ (manner of talking to the press, greatness, tutelage under Phil Jackson, the raised fist after hitting a game winner ((I love doing that one during pickup games)) and we can add one more eerie similarity: horrific, horrible, terrible, incompetent GM. All it took was Kobe calling for Kupchak to "ship Bynum's ass out" and he turned into the spawn of Elgin Baylor and a condor. And despite Kobe's complaints, Kupchak has shown himself to be likely the best GM out there. MJ, hmm, not so much. But I love me some Gerald Wallace highlights.

I think Jason Kidd to the Mavericks still needs to and will happen. For whatever reason, the Western Conference must always be far superior to the East, and that final addition would seem to be required to ensure Western dominance.

KG is hurt. KG is important. You know this.

The JeffKat Palace will soon be remodeled, so we will be decamping to the Red Roof Inn (near Interstate 10 for handy access for smugglers!) for two weeks. While this is quite an inconvenience, I will have cable. That means I might actually watch some NBA games. Think of all the blogging I can do then! Anyway, I'll have to let you know how that experiment goes.

Lastly, I was thrilled to find out this news. I love FireJoeMorgan and have the shirt to prove it, so I was quite pleased to find out that Michael Schur was the main brain behind the operation. It tied together two things I much enjoy: The Office and making fun of Woody Paige.

And lastly, to Lloyd if he is reading, I've decided to try to hate less and congratulate more. Although I do still find this funny nearly every time it's updated.