Golden State Warriors Basketball.....When Video Games Come to Life

Being a part of the video game culture I’ve learned that the most selling games accentuate the most exciting parts of that particular genre of game. Action games amplify the explosions and violence. Children’s games use brighter and bolder colors to attract toddlers’ short attention spans. Fantasy and role playing games make the magic and mystical characters to fit the imaginations of its players. Then there are sports games, probably the games that can best relate to the everyday person because sports is a part of everyday life. It’s not like we see mythical dragons or witness city-wide one-man killing sprees at every turn. They too, must exaggerate the most exciting facets of their games. In football and hockey games, the hits and the ridiculous juke moves are the highlights of the game. In baseball games, the home run and outstanding defensive plays are a must-see. And in basketball, it’s all about the three-pointer and the dunk. Everyone who has played a basketball video game will attest to the fact that offense equals excitement. I mean, rarely does a player want to slow it down and run a half-court game, unless there’s something on the line. Now being a true basketball fan and a lover of the sport, I thought that the Steve Nash-led Phoenix Suns were the closest to a virtual reality team that we would ever see; but these playoffs have proven otherwise.
The Golden State Warriors, as currently constructed under Don “The Mad Scientist” Nelson, play the most visually appealing brand of basketball to date. No structure. No set plays. It’s just based on sheer basketball IQ and pure talent. Nelson has always been considered unconventional, because he does not believe in assembling a team around a traditional big man; like, for example, the San Antonio Spurs (Timmy!). Any big man he does have on the roster is there for defense, rebounding, and hustle; not scoring. Nelson believes in athleticism and versatility, and building a team based on speed. His best lineup consists of Baron Davis and Jason Richardson in the backcourt, Mikhail Pietrus, Stephen Jackson, and Al Harrington up front, none of which are taller than 6’9”. Now most coaches would worry about the size differential that most teams would present. But with the decline in the number of quality post players, and the myriad of skills each player has, it’s the Warriors with the advantage on most nights. Their best offensive sets include: Isolation of whomever has the mismatch, the Baron Davis clearout, penetration and kickout to the three for anyone that spots up behind the line, and everything else is up to the five on the court. Now whether or not you’re just getting into the EA games, or your controller prowess dates back to NBA Jam on Sega Genesis and Arch Rivals on Nintendo, you know of the excitement in the offensive shootout. It’s more fun, and it’s more enjoyable to watch. This is the same aesthetic beauty that a Warriors’ game presents—when they’re making their shots. As with any team, missing a lot of shots isn’t great to see, however, it seems that a great night for the Warriors will have you on the edge of your seat—wanting to get gaaaaaaammmmmeeeesssss every night of the week like Tiki Barber (Ooookaaay)..
But Golden State’s excitement spills over into the defensive side of the court as well. They scrap and frustrate the opposition, particularly if a player’s on the box. It’s as if they dare the other team to operate through the post so they can trap, steal, and get out in transition—which is where they thrive.
With all this excitement, there is a weakness in their “style” of play, as wonderfully demonstrated by the Utah Jazz in this year’s Western Conference Semifinals. Because of their fastbreak nature, the Warriors get heavily outrebounded, particularly on the offensive end. And when a team has a beast, like a Carlos Boozer (never thought I’d give a Blue Devil respect), he will have his way with them—and that’s just what he did. Because of his timely work on the glass, the Jazz were able to win every close game, which were the four that they did win.
It was in this series that I realized that this brand of basketball, though fun to watch and better to play in, will never win a championship. Now most reading that sentence will immediately think of the Suns, but the main difference between the two teams is that Phoenix has two beasts on the backboards, Marion and Stoudemire; along with arguably the best player in the league in Nash (F Dirk). Every championship is built around a big man, except for His Airness’s Bulls because, duh, they had #23; and the 2004 Pistons, which were the ultimate team and caught a Lakers team at the very end of its dynasty. But this article isn’t meant to putdown the Golden State Warriors, but to praise them for almost a month of terrific basketball and tremendous excitement. Now I don’t feel quite as bad when one of my players on NBA Live (namely, the created version of me) has an absurdly ridiculous statistical game. I know now there’s a team out west that can justify it for me. Boom…shakalaka.

My Letter to Dirk Nowitzki

Dirk, Dirk, Dirk,

There's a saying in sports -- "Special players make special plays on special days." Now granted, you are a special player -- in terms of your skill level. You're seven feet tall and are arguably the best shooter in the league (I choose Ray Allen, but I digress). However, and this is important for you to grasp in order for you to take that next step as an NBA superstar, you're VERY mentally WEAK. You're the exact definition of a "front-runner." When things are great and the Mavs are winning, you're unstoppable. But, and this is a huge, Buffie the Body-type but, when there's adversity, you shrink like a cheap white tee. How the hell do you allow 6'7" players lock you up on D? You're big. Use your one true advantage to score. I know, I know. You're not a traditional post player because you shoot so well, but there are guards that'll go on the box if they have a mismatch. Go study tapes of Gary Payton or Sam Cassell or something if you need help. Stephen Jackson and Matt Barnes got you on straps. German please. MVP????
Yes. Let's talk about that award. Most Valuable Player. I know it's a regular season award and the playoffs should have no bearing on the winner (for the record, Nash should win it again, but that's for another day); but if in all likelihood you do win, you should be ashamed and utterly embarrassed to receive it. The performance you had in those six games against Golden State was pathetic. Before the series started, you were hands down the best player on either side. Now, there were at least 8 players that can say that had a better first round than you, especially Game 6. 2-13 FIELD GOALS???? Are you kidding, Dirk? That's not very valuable. In fact, you've confirmed my suspicions of you: that you can't put a team on your back and lead them to victory. And this is not personal preference, or even hate -- I root for really talented players -- but emotionally you're a rold player. You can't shine when the spotlight is at its brightest.So Dirk, you have a few questions you need to answer about yourself. If you're the superstar that Mark Cuban believes you are, you need to get your mind right--literally. Oh, before I forget, congratulations on a terrific season.



Sincerely,
Johnathan Tillman

The Reason Behind The Lebrons' 2007 NBA Finals Shortcoming

As I was sitting with mixed emotions (boredom from the lack of offense, but yet satistaction because it is basketball) at Game 4 of the NBA Finals, my mind, as it often does, began to wonder. Then it hit me, like a Miguel Cotto low blow (sorry Zab): the Lebrons weren't prepared for the NBA Finals. This has nothing to do with Mike Brown or shootarounds or anything, but merely about the path that Cleveland took to get to the Championship round. So I'll explain this as the non-Timmy-related reason why Cleveland was doomed from opening tip.
In the first round, the Cavaliers played the Washington Wizards. As you all know, no Hibachi and Caron, so it was to be a smooth ride to the second round. But what surprised me was that even without two all-stars, the Wiz were in every game that series. Antawn Jamison played like he was back at Golden State, even when he was the only legit scoring option. Yes, it was a sweep, but when situations like that arise, a supposed favorite should destroy a wounded team easily.
So on to the second round. Their opponent: the New Jersey Nets. Honestly, I picked the Nets to win; but upon further review, I shouldn't have. That series was not 5 on 5, but more like 5 on 3, with Kidd, Jefferson, and ughh, Vince as the 3. Despite Jason Kidd being the best rebounder in the series, and Vince not understanding that he could get to the basket whenever, it still took the Lebrons 6 games to win.Now, the Cavs are in the Eastern Conference Finals--a place not even the great Mark Price could lead them (read up on him). Next up is the big, not so bad, Detroit Pistons. While Detroit is still a good team, they are nowhere near as good as the championship team, or even the 2006 team that lost to Dwyane Wade. So while, again, i picked against Cleveland, i wasn't totally surprised that they beat the Pistons; especially with Chris Webber on their team lol. This scenario is the same scenario that allowed the 2004 Pistons to win their title. They caught a Lakers "dynasty" that was on the decline. How can I tell? They signed 58 year-old Karl Malone and expected him to contribute.
I do not take anything away from the Lebrons making it this far, but aside from reasons related to the San Antonio Spurs, they did not have the mental readiness needed to win it all. Plus, by the way, the Spurs were way better than them from jump.



Congrats,
Johnathan Tillman

A Letter To Hibachi

Dear Gilbert, Agent Zero, Hibachi, or whatever alias you decide to go by,Let me start by saying that you're firmly planted as my #4 favorite player in the NBA, behind only AI, Tim Duncan, and Dwyane Wade; and just ahead of Joe Johnson. With that said, I have a bone to pick with you. Ever since you came to the Wizard via the coin flip, you've been a fan favorite and a proven scorer. And yes, I agree with you when you believe that you get no respect for your incredible talent level. You are easily a top 3 offensive player, and you can get into a passing lane or two on D. While skeptics have a good point when they say your fourth quarter buzzer-beaters come with the game tied and you have the cushion of overtime to fall back on in case of a miss, you're one of the more clutch players in the league. And then there's your quirkiness that can only be described as its own study--"Gilbertology." It is in this that I'm torn. While it's great that you have all these nicknames and you say you're gonna drop 50 on all those involved with Team USA, and you'd give Duke 85 if you could play college ball again. I even laughed at you jumping off the trampoline with the Elvis Impersonators during the All-Star game. But here's the problem: I believe you're slowly becoming a sideshow, a comedy act if you will. Sometimes you remind me of the old face-painted black entertainers that performed under the blatant racism (see: the movie "Bamboozled"). You seem to want to tap dance and say, "Look what I can do, boss...Look at me" in order to gain attention. For this I say, no, plead with you--don't. I know that's your personality and I'm not saying don't be you. I'd never tell anyone to do that. But what I am saying is that I believe that the best way to become noticed and recognized as an elite player is to perform at an elite level and most of all, WIN. Yes, you play in Washington and no one has cared about the Phone Booth since the shadow of "His Airness" was cast over 7th and G Street. But as the best player on the team, as Eddie Jordan I'm sure has told you, you have to lead this team. Saying that the team focused too much on defense to excuse your horrid performance against the Blazers in which you fell just short of your 50-point promise and had 9 on 3-15 shooting is in all due respect weak-minded. Whether or not you're a great defensive team should have no bearing on the pride you should take in stopping the opposition. Putting buckets up on another is gratifying, but doing that and clamping down on his offensive effort is demoralizing to him. That's what made Jordan The Greatest. He'd give you 40 and hold the best player to his toughest offensive game. I'm not saying you need to be first team All-Defense (though it would go a long way to the Wizards' success) but leaders don't make excuses. Own up to your words like you did when Lebron talked you out of those two free throws in the playoffs. So Gilbert, I'm asking you to become a winner, with or without the antics. That way, DC won't be satisfied with making the 2nd round and wear "Round 2" T-shirts and hats like they won the chip. I know you'll make me proud



Always,
Johnathan Tillman