As we are winding down with the conference semifinals, let’s take a look at the updated 42 Club and keep in mind it’s a cumulation of points, assists, and rebounds.
Derrick Rose: 10, 41.9
Kevin Durant: 9, 41.2
LeBron James: 9, 40.0
Russell Westbrook: 9, 38.4
Dirk Nowitzki: 10, 37.7
Dwyane Wade: 9, 37.7
Zach Randolph: 10, 37.4
Departures: Rondo
The best series for my money has been the Memphis-Oklahoma City tussle. They are tied at 2 games a piece and have had two games go to overtime including Monday night’s game that went to three overtimes with the Thunder emerging victorious, 133-123. Three main storylines have emerged out of the series thus far for me. First, Zach Randolph has established himself as a superstar and franchise player in these playoffs with his performance. Second, Marc Gasol has outplayed his brother Pau in the playoffs which is a stunning development. The combination of Gasol and Randolph together has formed a formidable tandem to cause havoc in the playoffs as not many teams have players to guard both of them. The final storyline for me is the Avon Barksdale-Stringer Bell situation that is brewing with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Westbrook is a phenomenal player but he plays with possibly the best scorer of this generation in Durant. Having watched them play, there seems to be faults on both sides. Westbrook is a point guard and looks to score more than shoot sometimes to the detriment of the team. However, while watching Durant, he will not work to get open at times, but when he does, Westbrook seems willing to pass. It is an interesting dynamic for this team and something that will need to be worked out. I do need to point out though the Avon-Stringer connection breaks apart in some ways because they care about each other and want the other to do well.
The quitting team award goes to the Los Angeles Lakers after they were swept by the Mavericks. Not only were they swept, but they lost by 36 in Game 4 to close out the game. Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum were tossed for bush league plays on the Mavericks. Bynum’s was especially bad as he threw a forearm into JJ Barea aka the shortest guy on the court as he was in the air for a layup and no attempt at a basketball play was made by Bynum. Not the way I’m sure Phil Jackson wanted to go out for his final game. Pardon the pun, but people seem to think there will be sweeping changes made to the team. I am curious to see what Dr. Jerry Buss, Mitch Kupchak, and the Lakers do moving forward.
As for the other two series, the Heat are up 3-1 on the Celtics and the Bulls are up 3-2 on the Hawks. The Heat have looked like the better team in this series and LeBron James and Dwyane Wade have been a phenomenal 1-2 punch. In Game 3, Rajon Rondo suffered a brutal injury at the hands of Wade but returned to give the Celtics an emotional lift in the game. His effectiveness in Game 4 was limited and he will be the key if the Celtics are to win in Miami tonight to force a Game 6. As for the Bulls and Hawks, the Bulls led by MVP Derrick Rose have not been nearly as impressive in the playoffs but are up 3 games to 2 on the Hawks. Only time will tell.
