Rebounding from Opening Night (NBA, 10/30)
Centerstage for…
Spurs-Blazers
Spunky effort by the Blazers, especially by LaMarcus Aldridge (who did what he could to create his own shot) and a great fill-in performance for Martell Webster. Spurs played pretty much on cruise control the entire night; can’t even say a single noticeable thing about what they did. Duncan in the low-post, Parker slashing to the basket, the role players hitting jumpers. Hard to beat the champs when the game is slow, difficult when it’s fast (which it was most of the game). Can’t really say much about them yet.
Lakers-Rockets
Ugh. Kobe surrounds everything. An utterly absurd game in where the Rockets blow a 12 point lead in 90 seconds, which will cover up a dominating second half by Houston that they barely were able to hold onto. Still getting adjusted to the quick movement of Adelman after slogging through the mud with Van Gundy, the Rockets looked especially impressive in a difficult road venue in a dominating 3rd quarter. Bryant’s nine missed free throws were painful, as was the joylessness at Staples on the Laker side. Bizarre situation.
Glimpsed at…
Golden State-Utah. It was pretty much glimpses because the Jazz took control from the second quarter onward. Warriors might have shot their way into the 2nd round, but it’s hard for me to see them getting back to the playoffs if they don’t figure out how to guard the low post (Boozer with another monster effort against them, 32-15). Catching lightning in a bottle is rare.
