Thursday, June 12, 2008

Maybe They Don't Deserve To Win

Pau Gasol, shown above sporting his hockey playoff beard, seems to be doing everything in his power to reinforce the stereotype that all European big men are soft, petrified little girls. Well done, Pau. Go play soccer and give me Kwame Brown back. (Just kidding about that Kwame Brown statement. But seriously, go play soccer.)

As for Kobe Bryant, I just got done watching the Celtics' Game 4 comeback and have to say it's a great illustration of the gap between Kobe and Michael. Especially for the younger ones who didn't get to see Jordan in his prime. Michael does not lose that game. He doesn't allow his team to lose that game. If L.A. ends up losing this series (which is very likely as they have to win 3 straight, 2 of which are in the Garden), then that'll be two Finals appearances Kobe has walked away from without a ring. One of those was with a still dominant Shaq on his team. So please, cease the comparisons. Jordan had that intangible quality about him, that unflinching assurance. His teammates felt it, and that knowledge subsided their fear regardless of the stage. His opponents could sense it like animals do with impending natural disasters. It was just there. The results might as well have been predetermined. It was unavoidable. In his prime, if the Bulls needed to win, they won.

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