Your Weekly Spartans in the NBA Report

  What at first seemed to be a “business as usual” first round, has turned out to be one for the ages. When watching several of the first round

 

 

What at first seemed to be a “business as usual” first round, has turned out to be one for the ages. When watching several of the first round series’ I was reminded of the famous quote that “The underdog always barks loudest.” This is certainly true of this post season, and former Spartans are on both ends of the upset special being served up.

 

The Orlando Magic’s performance in the first four games of their first round series against the Atlanta Hawks has been extremely pathetic and disappointing. I mean we are talking about a team who was in the finals two years ago, and a team who went to the Eastern Conference finals last year. Playoff basketball often revolves around stiff defense. I predicted the Magic would have problems this post season because of their reliance on the 3-point shot, but I did believe they would beat the Atlanta Hawks. Jason Richardson’s play has been less than stellar. He’s not shooting the 3-pointer well, and he hurt his team when his emotions got the best of him. Jason was ejected and suspended for a game for arguing with Zaza Pachulia. That could have very well been the turning point of the series. Richardson is only averaging 8.7 points per game this series, and the Magic have been outclassed in almost every area of the game. Atlanta leads the series the best of seven series 3-1.

 

The Los Angeles Lakers’ biggest problem seems to be their attitude going into games. There is no way the Lakers should even be into a dog fight with the New Orleans Hornets, especially after star forward David West went out with a torn ACL. The basketball gods often times have a way of making us laugh, and I think this is one instance. Shannon Brown continues to be a spark offensively off the bench, but his defense has been awful. The Lakers continue to struggle guarding the “pick and roll”, and dribble penetrating guards. Shannon is averaging 4.8 points per game in 15 minutes of action. The Lakers are tied in their best of seven series 2-2.

 

The upset special of the century is in the midst of being complete, and it is being served up by non other than the Memphis Grizzlies. The 8 seeded Grizzlies are taking it to the veteran, and elderly San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs finished the regular season with the Western Conference’s best record, and were heavily favored to win their first round series. When the series started, all national media could focus on was what the Spurs had accomplished in the past, and how the Grizzlies had never won a playoff game, let alone a playoff series. Well my friends, the tables often can and do turn. Memphis has a commanding 3-1 series lead on the Spurs and will be looking to close the series out soon. The inside combination of banger Marc Gasol, and Zach Randolph as given the young and energetic Grizzlies spunk and confidence, while severely frustrating the Spurs. I hope everyone will finally agree with me when I say that Zach Randolph is the most underrated power-forward in the NBA. He’s averaging 18 points per game and 8 rebs per game. He’s even proven to have a clutch gene in his arsenal, when he hit the game winning three pointer in game 3, to defeat the Spurs. 8 seeds often times lose to 1 seeds. 8 Seeds have only beaten 1 seeds twice in NBA history. LETS GET THE JOB DONE MEMPHIS!!! Win lose or draw we should be proud of the accomplishment of Spartan alumni. That what “Spartan Nation” is all about.