#7 BYU (27-2, 13-1 MWC) knocked off #6 San Diego State (27-2, 12-2 MWC) on Saturday in San Diego by a score of 80-67. The place was pretty raucous as I thought it would be, but the Aztecs didn't benefit from it as much as I thought they would. Here are some observations I had from watching the game:
- BYU definitely seemed to be the better team.
- BYU can make some noise in the NCAA Tournament if they continue to shoot 3s like that -- it seemed like nobody could miss from long range.
- San Diego State seemed too hyped up for the game and it appeared that they let their nerves get the best of them, missing a number of close baskets.
- BYU seemed to have a good mental approach and while realizing it was a big game, played relaxed enough to still be effective.
I thought it was pretty cool that CBS recognized it as a big game and sent its top team of announcers to the game. It was weird in a way for the Mountain West to get real national exposure for a regular season game. I thought San Diego State actually played better in the first match-up between the two teams than they did in the rematch. If the Aztecs are to have a chance if there is a rematch in the Mountain West Tournament, they need to play more relaxed, cash in on more offensive rebounds, maintain focus, not make stupid mental mistakes, and come up with timely, big shots. Of course doing all those things in a big game is a lot easier said than done. BYU seemed to hit the big shots in this one and, as has been noted, there were a number of guys doing it. This team has momentum and could be hard to stop.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
#6 SDSU vs. #7 BYU
It's #7 BYU (26-2, 12-1 MWC) at #6 SDSU (27-1, 12-1 MWC) Saturday at noon MT. The game will be televised on CBS. It's clearly the game of the weekend and one of the top games of the season in the MWC. This one will likely decide the regular season title. The game has been sold out for weeks and I expect to see a pretty raucous environment in there. I'll take the Aztecs in a close one at home, but this one could definitely go either way. I'll be tweeting periodically and have more thoughts after the game.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
More thoughts on the D-Will trade
Great article on espn.com about the trend of star players moving to large markets. D-Will was a great player here in Utah and I'll definitely miss him, but it looks like the Jazz did act proactively. It's hard to blame the organization, they did get a pretty good package in return. It's just a shame the Jazz couldn't get D-Will signed to a long-term contract.
In other NBA news, Baron Davis has been traded from the Clippers to the Cavaliers in along with a first round draft pick for Mo Williams and Jamario Moon. Looks like both teams will still miss the playoffs.
In other NBA news, Baron Davis has been traded from the Clippers to the Cavaliers in along with a first round draft pick for Mo Williams and Jamario Moon. Looks like both teams will still miss the playoffs.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
D-Will traded to Nets
Today the Jazz (31-26) traded All-Star point guard Deron Williams to the New Jersey Nets (17-40) in exchange for Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, and a pair of future 1st round draft picks. It's a sad day, really, for the Jazz, who have now shipped out their best player. I think the Jazz will struggle to make the playoffs now (they were already struggling anyway).
The Jazz will miss the scoring and assists from Williams as well as just having a great player on the team. Clearly the Jazz didn't think there was a good chance of Williams re-signing. On the other hand, they did get quite a few assets in the trade which is better than the nothing they would have received had Williams left as a free agent following next season. Favors is young and has a lot of potential. Harris is at the very least a competent point guard who has the potential to be quite good. And there is a pretty good chance that the two draft picks the Jazz have received will turn out to be pretty high.
Still, the team still feels as though it is in rebuilding mode at this point and that's a little hard to stomach. But, who knows I guess, we'll see how things play out, maybe the new guys will really mesh with the rest of the team and the Jazz can make a good run.
I think this whole trend as of late was really sparked by the LeBron James-Dwyane Wade-Chris Bosh thing last summer. Those three all decided to team up and try and go for something big. Following this there was the whole Carmelo Anthony saga which ended up with him being dealt to the Knicks this week. It seems like all the stars got it in their heads that they needed to do something LeBron James-ish, i.e. play in a big market with other superstars. It really is a sad trend in the NBA as guys don't seem to be concerned with team loyalty at all, or building championship teams the conventional way, as in the actual sense of being a team with all the guys working together. The league seems to have lost most of the traditional competitiveness as far as teams and franchises and rivalries are concerned -- now it's just how guys can get what they want in whatever way possible. It's not that guys don't want to win, they would just rather team-up with fellow cohorts and/or play in a large market.
The Jazz will miss the scoring and assists from Williams as well as just having a great player on the team. Clearly the Jazz didn't think there was a good chance of Williams re-signing. On the other hand, they did get quite a few assets in the trade which is better than the nothing they would have received had Williams left as a free agent following next season. Favors is young and has a lot of potential. Harris is at the very least a competent point guard who has the potential to be quite good. And there is a pretty good chance that the two draft picks the Jazz have received will turn out to be pretty high.
Still, the team still feels as though it is in rebuilding mode at this point and that's a little hard to stomach. But, who knows I guess, we'll see how things play out, maybe the new guys will really mesh with the rest of the team and the Jazz can make a good run.
I think this whole trend as of late was really sparked by the LeBron James-Dwyane Wade-Chris Bosh thing last summer. Those three all decided to team up and try and go for something big. Following this there was the whole Carmelo Anthony saga which ended up with him being dealt to the Knicks this week. It seems like all the stars got it in their heads that they needed to do something LeBron James-ish, i.e. play in a big market with other superstars. It really is a sad trend in the NBA as guys don't seem to be concerned with team loyalty at all, or building championship teams the conventional way, as in the actual sense of being a team with all the guys working together. The league seems to have lost most of the traditional competitiveness as far as teams and franchises and rivalries are concerned -- now it's just how guys can get what they want in whatever way possible. It's not that guys don't want to win, they would just rather team-up with fellow cohorts and/or play in a large market.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Utah edges TCU
Utah (13-15, 6-8 MWC) defeated TCU (10-19, 1-13 MWC) tonight in Salt Lake City by a score of 50-48. The Runnin' Utes sealed the victory when David Foster blocked a Hank Thorns shot with under five seconds to go and the Utes up just one point. Will Clyburn had made 1 of 2 free throws to give Utah the lead with under 10 seconds to go.
Utah was able to avoid a devastating loss and picked up its third straight win. It was a defensive struggle throughout and TCU did look to be playing hard despite being in the midst of a lengthy losing streak. Well, it's just a relief that the Utes were able to pull this one out. A win is a win. Utah still could realistically end up with as high as the fifth seed in the MWC Tournament if the Utes win out. We'll just have to see how everything shakes out. Hopefully the Utes can put it together and play well a week from Wednesday at Colorado State (18-8, 8-4 MWC) and at home against UNLV (20-7, 8-5 MWC) three days later. Neither game will be easy but I think Utah can play with both of those teams if they really bring it.
Foster also broke the all-time Utah blocks record tonight in the first half. It's really nice to have a guy who is such a defensive presence in the lineup. It's crazy, he's only a junior. Major props to Foster. And that block at the end of the game was obviously huge, too.
Utah was able to avoid a devastating loss and picked up its third straight win. It was a defensive struggle throughout and TCU did look to be playing hard despite being in the midst of a lengthy losing streak. Well, it's just a relief that the Utes were able to pull this one out. A win is a win. Utah still could realistically end up with as high as the fifth seed in the MWC Tournament if the Utes win out. We'll just have to see how everything shakes out. Hopefully the Utes can put it together and play well a week from Wednesday at Colorado State (18-8, 8-4 MWC) and at home against UNLV (20-7, 8-5 MWC) three days later. Neither game will be easy but I think Utah can play with both of those teams if they really bring it.
Foster also broke the all-time Utah blocks record tonight in the first half. It's really nice to have a guy who is such a defensive presence in the lineup. It's crazy, he's only a junior. Major props to Foster. And that block at the end of the game was obviously huge, too.
Hines banks in winner for Utah
Chris Hines banked in a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give Utah (12-15, 5-8 MWC) a 62-60 win at New Mexico (17-10, 5-7 MWC) on Saturday night. The win was the first for the Utes in The Pit in nearly a decade. Hines had been seeing his minutes decrease, but got the start in place of team leading scorer Will Clyburn and played well with the increased minutes, tying Josh Watkins with a team high 15 points. Utah played well most of the night and was able to chip away at a 13-point second half Lobo lead.
It was a very impressive win for Utah, teams don't just win in The Pit. In fact, #6 San Diego State (27-1, 12-1 MWC) is the only other team to do so this season. The win will hopefully propel the Runnin' Utes to a strong finish to the season. Utah hosts TCU (10-18, 1-12 MWC) Tuesday night at 8 p.m. MT on The Mtn. I'll be at the game and tweeting updates which you can follow at twitter.com/dpaysports.
It was a very impressive win for Utah, teams don't just win in The Pit. In fact, #6 San Diego State (27-1, 12-1 MWC) is the only other team to do so this season. The win will hopefully propel the Runnin' Utes to a strong finish to the season. Utah hosts TCU (10-18, 1-12 MWC) Tuesday night at 8 p.m. MT on The Mtn. I'll be at the game and tweeting updates which you can follow at twitter.com/dpaysports.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Utes visit New Mexico tonight
Utah (11-15, 4-8 MWC) defeated Wyoming (9-17, 2-10 MWC) by a score of 80-70 on Wednesday night at the Huntsman Center. The Runnin' Utes badly needed that win and were able to stop a 5 game losing streak. Chris Kupets led all scorers with 20 points off the bench and Will Clyburn and Josh Watkins each had 19 for the Runnin' Utes. Desmar Jackson led the Pokes with 17 points, but was pretty limited in the 2nd half before fouling out late in the game. Kupets has really come on in conference play and is really turning into a scorer; his emergence has come at about the same time as Chris Hines' minutes have sharply decreased. Freshman J.J. O'Brien continues to play well and had 10 points against the Cowboys. O'Brien gives me reason to believe the Utes could improve in the years to come. It wasn't a spectacular win, but it was much needed.
Utah visits New Mexico (17-9, 5-6 MWC) tonight at The Pit at 7:30 p.m. MT on The Mtn. The Pit is one of the toughest arenas to play in in the entire country and the Runnin' Utes certainly have their hands full in that regard. Utah beat the Lobos last month in Salt Lake City, but New Mexico has always been a much tougher team at home. Clyburn is questionable with a bruised heel he sustained in the Wyoming game. Hopefully he'll be able to go because it would be a rather difficult task trying to win without him.
The Utes really need this game as well if they want to get on the track to avoiding a 7 seed in the Mountain West Conference Tournament, which would almost certainly mean a match-up with either #6 San Diego State (27-1, 12-1 MWC) or #7 BYU (24-2, 10-1 MWC). A win tonight would push the Utes a half-game ahead of Air Force (13-12, 4-8 MWC) for sixth place in the MWC and draw them within a half-game of the Lobos for fifth. A guy has to try and think positively, right? It'll be a tough environment and I think the Lobos will win, but I think the Utes are going to give them a game and you never know what could happen. I'll be tweeting during the game and back on here afterward for recap and analysis.
Utah visits New Mexico (17-9, 5-6 MWC) tonight at The Pit at 7:30 p.m. MT on The Mtn. The Pit is one of the toughest arenas to play in in the entire country and the Runnin' Utes certainly have their hands full in that regard. Utah beat the Lobos last month in Salt Lake City, but New Mexico has always been a much tougher team at home. Clyburn is questionable with a bruised heel he sustained in the Wyoming game. Hopefully he'll be able to go because it would be a rather difficult task trying to win without him.
The Utes really need this game as well if they want to get on the track to avoiding a 7 seed in the Mountain West Conference Tournament, which would almost certainly mean a match-up with either #6 San Diego State (27-1, 12-1 MWC) or #7 BYU (24-2, 10-1 MWC). A win tonight would push the Utes a half-game ahead of Air Force (13-12, 4-8 MWC) for sixth place in the MWC and draw them within a half-game of the Lobos for fifth. A guy has to try and think positively, right? It'll be a tough environment and I think the Lobos will win, but I think the Utes are going to give them a game and you never know what could happen. I'll be tweeting during the game and back on here afterward for recap and analysis.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Utes-Pokes tonight
Utah (10-15, 3-8 MWC) hosts Wyoming (9-16, 2-9 MWC) tonight at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City. Tip-off is set for about 7:15 p.m. MT and the game will be televised on CBS College Sports. I'll be at the game and will be tweeting updates, so follow along. I'll also be on here after for recap and analysis. The Runnin' Utes already took down the Cowboys earlier this season in Laramie with a 17 point win. I think that Utah will win again in the second go-round tonight. I was encouraged by how hard they played on Saturday in the loss at rival #7 BYU (24-2, 10-1 MWC) and I'm optimistic that this level of play will carry over into tonight's game. It's pretty much a must-win for the Utes, or they could be staring at another 7-game losing streak as they are at New Mexico (17-8, 5-5 MWC) on Saturday night in The Pit, which is always a tough place to win. I'm off for now, but check me out on Twitter and I'll keep you posted on the game. Go Utes!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Utes lose rivalry game
My Utah Runnin' Utes (10-15, 3-8 MWC) lost yesterday afternoon at #7 BYU (24-2, 10-1 MWC) by a score of 72-59. BYU's Jimmer Fredette led all scorers with 23 points and Charles Abouo added 22 for the Cougars. Will Clyburn led Utah with 18 points and Chris Kupets came off the bench to add 14.
I was proud of the Utes for playing so hard and thought they really executed their stuff well for most of the day. I was impressed with how well they got back on defense to prevent transition baskets for most of the game as well as with the way they slowed up the pace of the game and made it more of a grinder. Utah played really played good defense and showed a lot of energy on both ends of the floor. I thought freshman J.J. O'Brien did a really good job on Fredette.
However, the Utes ran out of gas after having the game tied with under 10 minutes to go and BYU came through with enough plays to win, which is what good teams do. I was happy the Utes played so hard, but at the end of the day, it's still a loss. It doesn't appear that Coach Jim Boylen has lost the team and they still seem to be playing hard. If they play this hard the rest of the year, I would probably be cool with having him back next year. It certainly was a much better effort yesterday, than it was earlier in the week when the Utes were pounded by 32 points at #6 San Diego State (25-1, 10-1 MWC). Utah has five games left in conference play and they really need to take the bull by the horns and compete in all of them -- they definitely have the talent to do so. The Runnin' Utes next host Wyoming (9-16, 2-9 MWC) on Wednesday night.
I was proud of the Utes for playing so hard and thought they really executed their stuff well for most of the day. I was impressed with how well they got back on defense to prevent transition baskets for most of the game as well as with the way they slowed up the pace of the game and made it more of a grinder. Utah played really played good defense and showed a lot of energy on both ends of the floor. I thought freshman J.J. O'Brien did a really good job on Fredette.
However, the Utes ran out of gas after having the game tied with under 10 minutes to go and BYU came through with enough plays to win, which is what good teams do. I was happy the Utes played so hard, but at the end of the day, it's still a loss. It doesn't appear that Coach Jim Boylen has lost the team and they still seem to be playing hard. If they play this hard the rest of the year, I would probably be cool with having him back next year. It certainly was a much better effort yesterday, than it was earlier in the week when the Utes were pounded by 32 points at #6 San Diego State (25-1, 10-1 MWC). Utah has five games left in conference play and they really need to take the bull by the horns and compete in all of them -- they definitely have the talent to do so. The Runnin' Utes next host Wyoming (9-16, 2-9 MWC) on Wednesday night.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Bummed about Coach Sloan stepping down
Just thought I'd weigh in real briefly to let everyone know that I am pretty bummed that Jazz Coach Jerry Sloan resigned yesterday after over two decades with the team. It really blindsided me as I expected him to stick around for a while still. It's tough to deal with and the Jazz truly will never be the same. Tyrone Corbin has been named the new head coach. I'll still cheer for the Jazz and hope things go well, but it's just not going to be the same without Coach Sloan. The Jazz play their first game in the post-Jerry Sloan era tonight against the Phoenix Suns at 8:30 p.m. MT on ESPN and FSN-Utah.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Packers top Steelers in Super Bowl XLV
The Packers beat the Steelers in the Super Bowl, 31-25. The Packers jumped out to a 21-3 lead in the first half and the Steelers just weren’t able to come all the way back. The Steelers had two interceptions (one for a touchdown) and a fumble while I don’t think the Packers had any turnovers. Everyone seemed to be cheering for the Packers, it’s too bad the Steelers couldn’t pull it out. It was just too big of a hole, plus the turnovers just made it too much to ask for, but the Steelers sure got pretty close. They had the ball at the end, but couldn’t get much going and turned it over on downs. I don’t hate the Packers, so I guess it’s alright that they won. From the Steelers perspective, it's just tough to win big games when you lose the turnover battle.
Aaron Rodgers was solid for the Packers and really didn't make any big mistakes at all. In fact, his numbers could have been better if not for a number of dropped passes. Ben Roethlisberger really came on in the second half and through some great passes, especially the final TD pass which was absolutely perfect. I really liked the two-point conversion play which was an option to Antwaan Randle El, I thought that was an absolutely perfect play call. The Steelers looked confused and disorganized on their last possession, however, and definitely could have managed the clock and the play calling better. In the end, the Packers were more mistake free and definitely earned the title of Super Bowl Champions.
Aaron Rodgers was solid for the Packers and really didn't make any big mistakes at all. In fact, his numbers could have been better if not for a number of dropped passes. Ben Roethlisberger really came on in the second half and through some great passes, especially the final TD pass which was absolutely perfect. I really liked the two-point conversion play which was an option to Antwaan Randle El, I thought that was an absolutely perfect play call. The Steelers looked confused and disorganized on their last possession, however, and definitely could have managed the clock and the play calling better. In the end, the Packers were more mistake free and definitely earned the title of Super Bowl Champions.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Super Bowl XLV about to get under way
The Super Bowl kicks off in about a half an hour on FOX between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers. I'll be rooting for the Steelers as they are my second-favorite team (behind the Eagles) and I was sort of raised that way by my dad. They are both good teams, but I'm going to go with the Steelers based on a solid, blue-collar defense and the knack Ben Roethlisberger seems to have for coming up with clutch, big plays. I'll be tweeting during the game and will be back on here afterward for recap and analysis.
Utah falls to Air Force again
Utah (10-13, 3-6 MWC) opened the second half of conference play with a 54-49 loss to Air Force (13-9, 4-5 MWC). It was just another embarrassing loss (of which the Utes have had too many this season). Utah has the players to beat Air Force, something is just missing. The Runnin' Utes shot 7-17 from the free throw line, which is definitely not a recipe to win games. And once again, the offense couldn't score. Air Force also got a crucial offensive put back with under a minute to go to put the Falcons up by 4.
So, it's the same story that we have gotten used to as Utah fans, offensive inconsistency and inability to get key rebounds. The rebounds thing may not always be true, but it always seems to rear its ugly head near the end of games that Utah loses. Air Force plays a disciplined, methodical style of basketball and typically doesn't beat themselves. The Utes made too many mistakes and lost. There have just been too many failings this year in fundamental areas, I was really amazed at how many free throws were missed, especially by the guards who are supposed to be the best shooters on the team. The fundamentals, particularly on offense as well as nabbing clutch rebounds, will likely be the reason for Coach Jim Boylen not coming back next season. The season isn't over, so I'm willing to stick it out, but unless there's a big turnaround, it'll be tough for him to keep his job. Utah next plays at #7 San Diego State (23-1, 8-1 MWC) on Tuesday night at 8:30 p.m. MT on the Mtn. Needless to say I'm not too optimistic about the Runnin' Utes' chances in that one.
So, it's the same story that we have gotten used to as Utah fans, offensive inconsistency and inability to get key rebounds. The rebounds thing may not always be true, but it always seems to rear its ugly head near the end of games that Utah loses. Air Force plays a disciplined, methodical style of basketball and typically doesn't beat themselves. The Utes made too many mistakes and lost. There have just been too many failings this year in fundamental areas, I was really amazed at how many free throws were missed, especially by the guards who are supposed to be the best shooters on the team. The fundamentals, particularly on offense as well as nabbing clutch rebounds, will likely be the reason for Coach Jim Boylen not coming back next season. The season isn't over, so I'm willing to stick it out, but unless there's a big turnaround, it'll be tough for him to keep his job. Utah next plays at #7 San Diego State (23-1, 8-1 MWC) on Tuesday night at 8:30 p.m. MT on the Mtn. Needless to say I'm not too optimistic about the Runnin' Utes' chances in that one.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Runnin' Utes drop ugly contest
Utah (10-12, 3-5 MWC) lost at UNLV (17-5, 5-3 MWC) last night 67-54. Utah shot just 29.8 percent from the field and an embarrassing 56 percent from the free-throw line. UNLV didn't shoot the cover off the ball either, shooting 36.9 percent from the field and 63 percent on free throws. Quintrell Thomas led the Runnin' Rebels with 15 points and Carlos Lopez had 14. Will Clyburn of the Runnin' Utes led all scorers with 17 points and Josh Watkins had 15.
If you follow me on Twitter, you know that this was one of the more painful games I've ever watched. I don't say that just as a Utah fan, but as a big fan of college basketball in general. Both teams executed poorly on offense, but Utah was definitely the worse of the two teams, turning the ball over 17 times. Both teams played solid defense, but the Runnin' Utes especially just looked sloppy throughout the game.
With the defense as good as it was, I felt Utah could have done a lot more to be competitive in this game and perhaps even come away with a victory, but you'll be hard pressed to find a team win a game with as poor of an offensive showing as Utah had. The Utes return home for a must-win game Saturday night against Air Force (12-9, 3-5 MWC), with whom they are tied for sixth place in the conference. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. MT and the game will be televised on the Mtn.
UNLV will be in Provo on Saturday afternoon to face #8 BYU (21-2, 7-1 MWC) at 2 p.m. MT on Versus. The Cougars escaped Wyoming last night with a 69-62 victory despite a game effort from the Cowboys (8-14, 1-7 MWC). Jimmer Fredette had a huge conventional 3 point play with under a minute to go and BYU up just one point that pretty much sealed the game. It was just another clutch play from Fredette. #7 San Diego State (22-1, 7-1 MWC) kept pace in the conference with a 56-54 win at Colorado State (15-7, 5-3 MWC) that came when D.J. Gay knocked down a jumper with under two seconds left. With so much exciting happening in the Mountain West, it's too bad that Utah couldn't play a more exciting, competitive game.
If you follow me on Twitter, you know that this was one of the more painful games I've ever watched. I don't say that just as a Utah fan, but as a big fan of college basketball in general. Both teams executed poorly on offense, but Utah was definitely the worse of the two teams, turning the ball over 17 times. Both teams played solid defense, but the Runnin' Utes especially just looked sloppy throughout the game.
With the defense as good as it was, I felt Utah could have done a lot more to be competitive in this game and perhaps even come away with a victory, but you'll be hard pressed to find a team win a game with as poor of an offensive showing as Utah had. The Utes return home for a must-win game Saturday night against Air Force (12-9, 3-5 MWC), with whom they are tied for sixth place in the conference. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. MT and the game will be televised on the Mtn.
UNLV will be in Provo on Saturday afternoon to face #8 BYU (21-2, 7-1 MWC) at 2 p.m. MT on Versus. The Cougars escaped Wyoming last night with a 69-62 victory despite a game effort from the Cowboys (8-14, 1-7 MWC). Jimmer Fredette had a huge conventional 3 point play with under a minute to go and BYU up just one point that pretty much sealed the game. It was just another clutch play from Fredette. #7 San Diego State (22-1, 7-1 MWC) kept pace in the conference with a 56-54 win at Colorado State (15-7, 5-3 MWC) that came when D.J. Gay knocked down a jumper with under two seconds left. With so much exciting happening in the Mountain West, it's too bad that Utah couldn't play a more exciting, competitive game.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
D-Pay's Favorites: Iverson over Lue
Pictured: Allen Iverson emphatically steps over Tyronn Lue during Game 1 of the 2001 NBA Finals.This is a new style of posting that I'm introducing to the blog called D-Pay's Favorites. In these segments I will from time to time recount some of my favorite moments in sports history. This allows me to connect to the past and relive some of the cooler things that have happened in sports. It's stuff that has stuck with me. Without further ado, here's the 1st edition of D-Pay's Favorites: Iverson over Lue.
It was the 2001 NBA Finals, Game 1 between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Philadelphia 76ers. The Lakers had not lost a playoff game that year and were considered heavy favorites over the 76ers. In Game 1, the 76ers showed up to play behind Allen Iverson. Iverson was far and away the best player on the Sixers and definitely did not have the supporting cast the Lakers had. Lakers coach Phil Jackson assigned Tyronn Lue to guard Iverson for the series. Lue took the assignment further that just basketball, dressing in a mirror image of Iverson, from the corn-rowed hair to the shooting sleeve on his arm. All of this clearly agitated Iverson and perhaps helped to motivate him.
In Game 1 of the Finals, Iverson had 48 points in the 76ers improbable 107-101 overtime victory in Los Angeles. What I still most remember from the series is the image of Iverson knocking down a huge step-back jumper off of a crossover late in the game and then punctuating it with a giant, dramatic step over Lue to let him know who was the real deal. Iverson was an awesome player and didn't take well to someone trying to get in his head. This is just about the ultimate in-your-face moment as far as NBA games go.
It's just an awesome play, from a Hall of Fame player. Unless you've played basketball, you don't know how difficult pulling off a crossover (Iverson was one of the best in NBA history at this move) followed by a deep step-back jumper is, but Iverson made it look easy. One of the best parts of the video is the announcer saying, "He's way too good!" That's one of the better calls of a big shot I've ever heard -- it really enhances the viewing of it. The Lakers won the series 4 games to 1, but the image that still sticks with me is of Iverson stepping over Lue.
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