NBA Playoffs: Game One Down, How Many More to Go?

So, after game one of all eight playoff series on Saturday and Sunday, we are left with new answers, and questions. Gasol excelled and Kobe did not. James countered with a rousing performance, and so did Duncan. Me-lo fizzled out and so did AI, though both had 30 points each.

But the favorites still carried on. LA did, Boston did, New Orleans did. What about the ones who lost Game 1? Surely, a minimum three games still remain. From what I see, there's always hope. 

Sure, Gasol had a splendid game against Denver. What surprises me more is the talk that Kobe had an off game. Off? You must be kidding! Guy (and he's the leader, no doubt about it) storms back after a lousy half to pull back his team from a deficit and put it ahead, to bury the game for good, and he has an off-game because his fellow comrade had a historic career-playoff game? Since when has 32 points, of which 18 came in the most pivotal period, ever started becoming a meaningless contribution in a playoff game?

For that matter, did any of Boston's top three even get half of that in their game against Atlanta? Sometimes, we get just too deep in Kobe-bashing that we tend to take his will and talent for granted. And the reactions after Game 1 certainly proved it. Have outrageous scoring seasons in a team surrounded by a hopeless supporting cast and still get lampooned for being selfish. Take team to the top of a hotly-contested conference and still be taken for granted because he had able help.

And now, this? Man, it's a funny world! 

Chris Paul and his Hornets had an impressive start, winning their Western Conference playoff debut and Paul had a historic night-the best debut since 1979. No doubt, he has been one of the NBA's success story this regular season and much, much will be expected of him in the weeks to come. But I suspect that Dirk Nowitzki will have a bigger, obvious say in this series. He should, for an MVP needs to be worthy of MVP-like games when it truly matters.

Also, I remember I cast a doubtful shadow on Tim Duncan's overrated ability and his prowess last time. Am I going to turn full-circle now after his game 1 exploits? Yes and no. Yes, because his career has been great, four titles in ten seasons is not a joke, and his indelible contributions to each of them is undeniable. But no, because, let's face it....more often than not, he resembles a lost Dikembe Mutombo, either in defence or offence. And just let the Spurs play without him? Is it really a difference-maker? Not! 

Maybe I'm just not basketball-savvy enough, but he's just not deserving enough for my post-Jordan First Team. Duncan just manages to get in most teams by the sheer weight of his glory. His game? Too one-dimensional and clumsy for my taste. 

What then of Cleveland, Philadelphia, Orlando? What can we surmise from their first game? The obvious-LeBron is the danger, no one else. Surely, he will be mortal in some stage of this series, but his team needs to do more to help ensure he is not wasted.

Philly's upset of Detroit in Game 1 spoke volumes of their commitment to not getting bogged down by the avalanche of Detroit's smothering defence. Detroit will buckle down and make it harder as the series progresses-there is no doubt on it. How Philly will continue their fighting spirit will be interesting to see. 

For now, let AI and Me-lo come back hard at LA, let Andre Miller and Joe Johnson try and convince themselves that the Big 3 has been beaten in the regular season-no less than 16 times. And not all of them have been fluke losses. The big 3 ain't no big 3 if they don't match their season with the gold. Nothing less will do.

A team is truly defined not just by their ability to win games, but more by their resurgence in the face of impending defeat. That is why Kobe sticks out, so does Duncan and Ginobli, and surely, Nowitzki will too.

And for me, at this playoff, all eyes will and should rightly be on Kobe and Garnett. If Paul and his Hornets stumble before the Conference Finals, I will pay him my salute for he has done much more than anyone ever expected his team to. But for Garnett and Bryant, the expectations are, rightly, manifold. And if they are who we really believe they are, they've gotta go all the way. 

If I were a betting man, I still would wait. At least, till we get to games 3 or 4, which, if its the latter, means the end of a series. So, maybe wait till 3 or 4 and then, we'll have a better idea of things.

For now, let us contend with each day and game. Let us not get too excited and already ponder LA-Boston, because as we know, there is no guarantee. LA did lose to Memphis and Charlotte, games they should have cantered by, and so did Boston, and a whole lotta big teams. Anything is possible. MVP, DPOY, or whatever-it's the team that comes through, the team that gets the job done. Just ask LeBron.