Kendrick’s karma, Heat hangover & Roberto Duran

By Paul Casey Gotham

And then there were four.

The N.B.A.’s playoff scheduling made it difficult to provide a proper semi-final preview – what with one series ending around six bells (at least that’s when Lionel Hollins emptied the Memphis bench), and the semis starting within in a couple of hours.

It’s not too late. One game gone and time for some reflections and thoughts of what to come.

Oklahoma City left no doubt with their 105-90 victory over Memphis in the deciding game of the Western Conference semi-final. It is hard to believe that the Thunder-Grizz series has been the only one to go seven games so far. I had to take a moment and look it up to make sure. But no other series this year has gone the distance. Here’s hoping that Memphis team can stay together for another season. They have an energetic nucleus.

Nonetheless, Kevin Durant took charge like many expected. Russell Westbrook limited his mistakes.  James Harden looks comfortable in a supporting role, and Nick Collison channeled his inner Luc Longley corralling every available loose ball.

But it is hard to ignore the presence of Kendrick Perkins in the middle. He only accounted for four points and three rebounds in game seven, but the presence of Perkins is what matters. When the ball goes up, opposing teams have to account for him more than anyone. Thus creating chances for his teammates.

And to think, not too long ago his value was seen as trade bait. The Boston Celtics exchanged Perkins for Jeff Green. Shaq was supposed to give the Celtics what was needed in the paint. Green was to provide the perimeter defense needed for the Cs to get past the Miami Heat. Unfortunately, for the Celts, Green looked over-matched. Shaq played 12 minutes…for the entire series, and The Green looked like a welterweight in a light-heavyweight bout.

All the while Kendrick is still playing.

Sure, there was no way to know things would play out this way when the deal was concocted. Or was it? They look like suckers for signing Shaq in the first place. Wasn’t it enough that Shaq pretty much led to the demise of the Suns a couple of years ago. Then he went to Cleveland and offered little or no help. Against Miami he played four minutes in game two, eight minutes in game three – had a sweet post to post assist and then spent the rest of the series modeling for the Big & Tall Casual male on the bench. The way he shuffled up and down the floor, Shaq looked like he was auditioning for the next generation’s version of Grumpy Old Men.

For some reason, beating that Boston team meant a lot to Miami – like they had to try and re-create some form of their WWE party last summer. Given the way the Heat played Sunday, the party must have gone well into the night and then some.

Did the Heat show that they are truly out-of-touch? Can you really celebrate when the team you just beat needed extra space on the sidelines for court-side physical therapy?

Or are the Bulls that good? Maybe they are. It would be hard to expect Luol Deng (or anyone for that matter) to hold LeBron James to 15 points and 6 rebounds.  It will be interesting to see if Tom Thibodeau switches it up a little and gives James and the Heat a different look.

Funny how the Heat look like Cavaliers of the last few years. In a half-court set, it is pretty easy to predict who will take the shot on any given possession. Meanwhile, the Bulls are evolving. Yes, Derrick Rose has plenty of room to roam, but they are using more pick-and-roll sets, and there is no one who sets a better ball screen than Carlos Boozer. Boozer gets low and wide. He creates a lot of space, and he seems to have a sixth sense to know where the open space is to roll. Beyond that, Rose needs to continue creating for his teammates. Like he did with Deng on Sunday, Rose needs to find the hot teammate on any given night. Catch the Heat overplaying and create shots.

Then there is the Dallas Mavericks hiding in the high grass.  The Mavs created match-up problems for the Lakers. Judging by the way the two-time champions responded, that might not have been much of a challenge. How will the Thunder match-up? All that aside, of all the players remaining is there anybody more deserving of a title than Jason Kidd? Kidd has never held the trophy. Wade has. Durant is too young. James is… Kidd has earned it.

Speaking of the Lakers, with Phil Jackson exiting stage left from the theater of the absurd, new leadership is needed. Rick Adelman’s name has been mentioned. Good luck. Wonder if Roberto Duran is available. The Lakers would probably respond easily to Roberto’s tact: No mas..no mas.