D-Fish's Big Night and Other Thoughts

By Craig Kwasniewski

First things first, big ups to Derek Fisher, one of the true good guys in the NBA. The guy spends the past few days in New York City watching over his daughter as she's getting surgery for cancer of the eye (which hurts to even think about). Then, he gets permission from the wife, flies out west to SLC for game 2, makes it just in time to play in the second half with no warm-ups, forces a huge turnover by the best player in the postseason with less than 2 minutes left in regulation and hits a clutch three point shot to seal the Jazz's 127-117 win over State. Did I mention that it was his one and only jumper in the Nuclear Waste Dump Arena all night? No time to stretch, no warm-ups, just cold off the bench with emotions flowing throughout his body.

I never thought The 0.4 would ever be surpassed, but given the emotions of the moment, this was Derek Fisher's defining moment. Typical D-Fish, putting Family first, team second, people third (right after the game while speaking to Pam Oliver, he asks for people to test their children for eye cancer) and then finally himself.

Now you know why (unlike Shaquille O'Neal) the Laker faithful always give D-Fish an ovation whenever he returns to Staples Center. (As I'm writing this I'm looking at a 24 X 36 framed and autographed photo of The 0.4... suck it San Antonio!)

Anyway, here's some other thoughts on the best playoff game in 2007:

Smush Pietrus? I know it's hard to shoot freethrows with both hands wrapped around your neck, but come on! All Mickael Pietrus had to do was hit one freakin' freethrow in the last few seconds and this series is tied at 1-1. Instead he shot-putted two bricks and Utah rallies. (Hell, even Chris Dudley's illegitimate son, Andris Biedrins went 2-2 from the line!)

Utah Jazz fans are the most myopic fans in all of sports! Hey Utah, not every single Jazz missed shot, turnover or defensive letdown is the refs fault. Every foul called on a Jazz player... again EVERY FOUL CALLED ON A FUCKING UTAH FUCKING JAZZ PLAYER is not the refs fault. Stop booing every call against your team! You come off as a bunch of know-nothing jackasses! Mix in a caffeinated cup of espresso and fucking chill out! Seriously, they should change the name from the Nuclear Waste Dump Arena to the AWWWWWW BOOOOOOOO Arena!

Neck Injury. Dee Brown, replacing Deron Williams after two quick fouls, gets landed on by Mr. Big causing a very scary neck injury. It was reported that "neurological tests on Brown were normal." In my book, any time you leave in an ambulance with your neck immobilized... well that's not really normal is it?

Back spasms for BD? Baron Davis continued his stellar play, flying all over the floor on his way to 36 points (many times ending Jazz runs with key jumpers). During a timeout he's seen wincing while getting his notoriously bad back stretched out by Strength-and-Conditioning Coach John Murray. What makes the Warriors so fun to watch is their leave-it-all-out-on-the-floor attitude. BD did just that and more tonight.

Stephen Jackson is not Nowitzki: Tuesday I incorrectly pointed out how AK-47 with his length and athleticism is turning Stephen Jackson into Dirk Nowitzki. Granted, Kry-ilenko is doing an exceptional job defending, but playoff Jackson is better than playoff Dirk. Despite shooing 4-18 from the field, Jackson never backed down and started attacking the bucket from the post. He finished with 18 points going 8-10 from the freethrow line along the way.

Everything's Oak(town)-kay. Normally a loss like that would devastate a team. But much like the Dallas series after game 4, I see Tha Dubs coming through in game 3. They have to... this series NEEDS to go seven. David Stern, if necessary, you have my permission to make the call for Dick Bavetta.

Comments

[coach]

i agree with you. this series is too good to end in less than the full 7 games.
ak47 certainly came alive in the playoffs.good for him.he's too talented to be in the doghouse ... or should i say, to be exiled in siberia !

[Brigadier Pudding]

Speaking of blaming the refs, the W's really need to stop the whining. Seems like every time down the floor Jackson and Davis are yapping at the refs about something. They're even whining after they make shots. Even Tim Duncan doesn't do that.

[Joe Rigdon]

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nbamecca.blogspot.com

THANKS!

[Kevin]

Why won't anyone acknowledge the Bulls just aren't that good, not getting Gasol was a mistake and their 49 wins is an indictment on the league. You can get by on just 'playing hard' in the NBA these days? Picture this: Gasol doing work on the east's big men as he did in the west when he was an all-star, now having Ben Wallace as the overpaid enforcer that he is instead of needing him to do more than he can and still having Hinrich and Gordon on the perimeter. Oh wait, what about Luol Deng. He's misused anyway! He should be a point forward and release some of the pressure Hinrich and Gordon have getting beaten up by bigger guards. Now, they can use their quickness to get free instead of this incessant screen and roll having to navigate through the wrath of being the smallest player on the floor most times.