Bleacher Report - Articles by Chris Conrad

Note To Cavs: Watch Out for Kevin Garnett in Game Seven

Chris Conrad — Sat, 17 May 2008 08:28:28 -0400

For everyone who thinks the playoffs rest on sharpshooter Ray Allen’s shoulders: Think again.

While Allen has struggled of late, and a resurgence on his part would certainly help the Celtics' cause, what it really means is the playoffs rest on power forward Kevin Garnett, who has tallied a double-double in four of the six games in the current series with Cleveland.

The 6'11" forward out of Mauldin, South Carolina has been playing with a chip on his shoulder ever since young Atlanta Hawks big-man Zaza Pachulia got in his face.

The selfish game is not KG's style, but, after the Celtics only scored 69 points last night in the Game Six loss, it's clear the ball needs to go down low to the Big Ticket.

Paul Pierce and Ray Allen need to make sure that Garnett gets 15-to-30 shots a game because, as this team goes deeper in the playoffs, the legs will start to get tired and the jump shots will start to fade. Therefore, the ball needs to be passed down low so KG can take care of business. What the wingers should notice is, when you get the ball inside, you get more easy shots outside.

(Also, the officials in Game Six were absolutely pathetic. No chance that with 45 seconds left LeBron will get that call on the road. But since the Cavs were at home and LeBron flopped and got credited for it. Doc Rivers simply said "our boys played hard, and as for that call, you can finish my thoughts." A nice and classy way to say: The call sucked.)

When the Celtics return home Sunday for their second Game Seven in two rounds of the playoffs, the Cavs and Co. will be in for a dogfight.

Ray Allen and Paul Pierce need to make sure that Garnett gets his hands on the ball. Jump shots will not carry you through the playoffs; that is the job of stability inside.

Look out for KG and Co. The Celtics will win this game thanks to a 30-point, 15-rebound effort from the almighty Big Ticket.

Derek Fisher Fallout: A Note to Utah Jazz Fans

Chris Conrad — Fri, 16 May 2008 19:36:38 -0400

The chants of "cancer" storming through the arena showed just how little class this Utah Jazz organization has. The helpless point guard just smiled and let his game do the talking.

Derek Fisher and his Lakers got the last laugh after ending the Jazz season Friday night.

“It was a sweet win,” said Fisher, who scored 16 after shooting 7-of-8 from the line.

But the real dagger was thrown late in the fourthquarter. Once again, Jazz fans taunted shooting guard Kobe Bryant, chanting “rapist" and “thug” the whole game.

Kobe hit a double-clutch off the backboard for two points and the foul. Kobe then stared a classless Jazz fan right in the eye and said, “Yeah, that’s right.”

Some might say he was being Kobe Bryant, but some of us saw something different from Kobe tonight.

“He wanted it. He wanted it real bad,” said Laker teammate Lamar Odom.

Kobe who scored 199 points in the series, didn’t show any emotion until the clock hit zero to end the Jazz season. The same can't be said for the Jazz fans.

If you haven't heard the Derek Fisher story, here's the short version: Fisher played for the Jazz last year, but his daughter was diagnosed with a rare eye cancer. Fisher asked to opt out of his contract, so he could have better access to health care for her. He was subsequently picked up by the Lakers due to the proximity of a cancer treatment center for his daughter.

Fisher was booed the whole series, but Jazz fans took it too far when they chanted "cancer" while he was at the free throw line. How classless and inconsiderate can you be?

This man flew across the country so he could make it for the second half and helped you beat the Golden State Warriors. He put his heart and soul into this Utah Jazz program so that they could make a run in last season's playoffs.

When the game of basketball interferes with your family, the right choice as a person and as a dad is to be there for your daughter, especially when she has cancer.

This chant really angered me, because my high school held a charity event called Relay for Life. A bunch of my friends walked in it for Fisher, his daughter and several other people. I thought about the Jazz fans and how they would feel if they were present at this event.

The real question of these chants is: when does basketball interfere with a player’s personal life? Jazz fans crossed that line by chanting "cancer," taunting Kobe about rape allegations, and by throwing stuff at the Lakers bench in the last minutes of Game Seven.

However, Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant and this loaded Los Angeles Lakers team got the last laugh.

Congratulations to Derek Fisher and Kobe Bryant for putting the taunts and chants behind you and playing the game of basketball the way it’s supposed to be played.

Paul Pierce, Ray Allen: Asked to Do Too Much for Celtics in the Playoffs

Chris Conrad — Wed, 14 May 2008 11:42:32 -0400

The stakes are high, And Boston fans ask for one simple favor. WIN! A 66-16 season followed by a game 7 win against the 8 seed Atlanta hawks. The Celtics inability to win on the road makes Celtic Fans wonder.

Why is it that the Celtics can’t win at home?

If they can’t win against the hawks, how are they supposed to beat Lebron and the Cavilers and especially the Detroit Pistons who arguably have the best team and most consistent team in the eastern conference?

The pistons, who have won 3 on the road, Have been without “Mr. Big shot” Chauncy Billups. But the pistons put away the Orlando Magic in 5 games last night and have plenty of rest considering the Celtics and Cavs go into game 7.

The playoffs rest on the Rasheed Wallace, Why you ask? Because many people believe that if Kevin Garnett gets stopped, the fate of the Celtics relies on Paul Pierce and Ray Allen.

Ray Allen is a great shooter outside but if you ask him to take over; he is just not your guy, and Paul Pierce is the same way. He may take over a game, but if asked to take over a series, the odds just do not look good for the Celtics.

Now over to Detroit. Rasheed will be the man to shut down Garnet. His emotions get the best of him, but I strongly believe if he steps up, the pistons will be on there way to another NBA championship series.

Chauncy Billups gives you much more offence and defense compared to Rajuan Rondo.

And Richard Hamilton, Is one of the greatest while moving without the ball. He runs off screens and makes him self available and is a force beyond the arch. The pistons ability to win on the road and for people to step up every single night, All 5 guys contributing every night and making sure no one gets easy buckets. Watch out for these pistons!

But I am still taking the Lakers over everyone. When asked to go into The Palace at Auburn Hills and win games, The task is to strong for this inconsistent Boston team.

Feel free to comment after the game tonight We can discuss what Boston did right and what they need to work on.

Do Something, David Stern: One-and-Done Practice is Lose/Lose for NCAA and NBA

Chris Conrad — Wed, 14 May 2008 11:06:12 -0400

The coming and going of players is normal these days. It is socially acceptable for high school athletes to go to college for one year, then think it is all about the money, and jump right to the NBA where millions of dollars are handed to a 18-year-old kid. Hence, his being a kid.

Most parents these days can't trust kids with $20 these days because most insist on drinking, drugs, or other illegal activities that will hurt an athlete in the future.

It used to be worse when kids wouldn’t even get one year of college. Where one minute you’re under the supervision of your mom and dad and high school, and the next minute you’re under the bright lights, living as an independent 18-year-old.

Who knows what goes on in the houses of some of these NBA players? I just wish David Stern would wake up and smell the coffee.

The NBA front office should get out their pen and paper when it comes to their age limit. The NFL makes high school athletes pick a college, and make that there home for the next two years, and usually three or four years.

The NFL system is working. Kids are getting an education and realizing that college is helping them in the real world. Kids these days just cannot be trusted in the real world. I think the most stressful job in America is that of a division one college basketball coach.

Rewind 20 years. You sign a top-50 recruit and you knew he was going to be there for the next two to four years because education was just the same as fame and money. Kids loved college. They loved winning and bringing tradition to their school.

Just imagine if kids had left after their first year when college basketball started. Basketball schools like Duke, Kentucky, UCLA, and North Carolina would have no tradition, they wouldn’t have recognized players. Everyone would be noticed as the person who left after one year of college.

Why must professional athletes insist on being horrible role models for these kids? WHY? I understand if $25 million came knocking it would be hard to resist. But to come back and enjoy the college life and college campus for three more years would be a dream come true.

Kids across America should be honored to represent a top notch school. Sadly, it’s a nightmare for kids. Most of them don’t know any better. Some were raised in families that didn’t have a lot of money, so when millions of dollars are offered, it's hard not to take it.

I respect Division two and three players. They play not because they are talented. Don’t get me wrong, most, if not all have talent. But not the talent that D-1 players are handed.

Division two and three players play because they love the game of basketball—they don’t play for the fame. They don’t get articles written about them or have interviews after the game. They play because when they step on the court, they know they are representing the game of basketball in every way.

The same with Division two and three coaches. They coach because they love it. They don’t get the OJ Mayos or Derrick Roses of today, they just get kids who want to learn and want to get better each and every day.

So David Stern, make something of this league. Make kids go to college for two years and preferably three years. Make kids get better on the court and off the court.

It's not just a basketball league anymore, it’s a respect league, and not too many 18-year-olds are going to make the right decision with $2 million in their hands.

Michigan Wolverines: Trouble in Ann Arbor

Chris Conrad — Wed, 14 May 2008 04:57:59 -0400

After championship hopes came to a screeching halt last year thanks to Divison 1-AA Appalcation State, many Michigan Wolverines fans gave the infamous quote “Wait till next year”. But the Wolverines fought back and Beat Heisman winner Tim Tebow in the capital one bowl.

The Wolverines said good bye to many standout players including the first pick in the 2008 draft—Jake Long, Mike Hart, Chad Henne, and Mario Manningham.

The Wolverines also said goodbye to the long time coach Lloyd Carr who previously coached the wolverines team from 1995-2008. He won a share of the big ten title five times and his 1997 team was declared National champions by the associated press.

He led his beloved Wolverines to a 122-40 record in 13 years. Incredible numbers, but it was time to say goodbye.

The run between the tackles game is not satisfying new football fans. They want to see the quarterback run every play or throw a 70-yard touchdown pass.

The question is, is that Michigan Football? Is the spread offense the right offense to run when your backup quarterback is 6’8 and very limited speed.

Well Ryan Mallet didn’t think so. That’s why he is long gone and is playing at the University of Arkansas. When the going got tough, Michigan Athletic director Bill Martin brought in Rich Rodriguez of West Virginia who is recently being sued by his former university for $4.1 million.

Also Terrell Pryor, the number one recruit in the United States, recently narrowed it down to two colleges. Bitter rivals Ohio State and Michigan. But failure to pursue him then gave him right to the rival Ohio State where he will be hurting the Wolverines for the next 4 years.

Why we ask? Why bring in a total different style when the run between the tackles and play action pass has been working for years? Why bring in a coach who is being sued for $4.1 million? And the last question Wolverine’s fans have for Bill Martin and Rich Rodriguez: Who is going to be our quarterback next year?

Simple questions like this can go a long way. But as questions continue to get unanswered, come next season, we will see what this Michigan front office and Coaching staff can produce.

Chicago Bulls: A Windy City Meltdown?

Chris Conrad — Wed, 14 May 2008 04:31:57 -0400

A sure catch right? Mike D’Antoni, Larry Brown, Avery Johnson, or Rick Carlisle. All of whom were heavily pursued by the Chicago Bulls(or we thought so at least).

But sources say John Paxon and the bull’s organization never made big enough effort to sign any of these exciting coaches.

When D’Antoni was announced to the New York Knicks last week, many angry and skeptical Chicago fans wanted to hear answers.

How could we let a coach that has carried the Phoenix Suns with 232 wins over the past four years and only 96 losses? Incredible numbers D’Antoni has put up over the years and why Phoenix fans want him out is mind wondering?

We all understand he cannot win in the playoffs. But if you bring him to Chicago, he’ll build back a playoff team. You’re going into the playoffs not having to face Dallas or San Antonio.

I think my odds are on D’Antoni’s side.

A report from the Chicago Tribune said that multiple Bulls’ players were excited about playing under Mike D’Antoni, So besides the fact that you have no coach, you also have several unhappy players awaiting you.

This all goes back to December 24, when a struggling Bulls team said goodbye to their longtime Coach Scott Skiles. Again many angry and skeptical Bulls’ fans felt it on Christmas Eve.

Another option for the Bulls is Avery Johnson. Although he said the Bulls have not shown any interest in him, much of us believe that was before our sprits where shot down when both Carslile and D’Antoni signed.

Avery Johnson will pick you up on the defensive side, but many question his sense of play calling on the offensive side.

If he does come to Chicago, he will not have a seven foot shooting guard in Dirk Nowitski and a point guard in Jason Terry and Jason Kidd.

Many question the lack of a superstar on this Bulls’ roster, and many wonder if Avery Johnson couldn’t win with Dirk, how is he going to fare in Chicago?

Also, the Bulls also are hoping to interview a pair of assistants still working in the playoffs, Boston's Tom Thibodeau and Detroit's Michael Curry, which is why the search may continue through the conclusion of the NBA Finals.

Coaches know the problems in Chicago starting with their GM and know that the lack of stability is real low in the front office. But no matter what happens.

The next person to step in and coach this Chicago Bulls team will not be the Chicago Bulls’ first choice.

A Never Ending Saga: USC

Chris Conrad — Tue, 13 May 2008 04:45:40 -0400

Who is to blame in the scandal between OJ Mayo and Rodney Guillory?

With whom supplied Mayo with $200,000 including clothes, plasma TV’s, and spending money for the everyday college life. NCAA rules prohibit College athletes receiving money and gifts.

Besides the gifts and money from Guillory, Mayo received courtside tickets from his friend Carmelo Anthony. Mayo said he doesn’t regret taking those tickets.

The allegations came out late Sunday night. Mayo, who was at his mother’s house, said he knew nothing about these accusations against him. "I had no knowledge of anything like that. I'll find out more when I meet with Mr. Duffy and Mr. Calvin Andrews of BDA." Mayo said in a statement released Sunday night.

Mayo who averaged 20.7 points a game and 3.3. Assist has declared for the NBA draft. He said he plans to not stress over this and his thoughts are about the pre draft camp which will take place May 27-May 30th in Orlando, Florida.

As this unfolds we start to wonder why USC had been under the radar for this before. Including current Saint running back Reggie Bush. Who was suspected of having his family stay in a house right near the campus.

The question about the whole Mayo saga is who ratted out the 19 year old phenom? Mayo told ESPN.com: "I would just like to know if I did get money, where did the money go? I was a struggling college student like everyone else. I bicycled to class. The truth will come out, even though the perception is reality".

Well I guess we will have to wait to see who spilled but as of now, you can not take the focus of OJ Mayo’s effort and work ethic and all he did for USC. He brought back tradition and should be recognized whether he took the money or not.