NBA Playoffs 2012: Derrick Rose and Other Things This Postseason Is Missing
The NBA playoffs have been entertaining thus far, but there are some things missing from the total fan experience. Some of these things can still happen, but others obviously won't be making an appearance.
We've had a few things we don't want: horrific injuries, fans wandering on the court and owners bad-mouthing officials and players. I'd gladly trade one of those occurrences for some of the good stuff.
Here are four things we haven't seen at all, or didn't see enough of. Let's start off with the name in the headline.
It sucks to have a postseason where the reigning MVP plays in one game. It's not like his team was poor, and even if the Chicago Bulls were swept in the first round, under normal circumstances we would have at least seen Rose for four games.
Because of the torn ACL he suffered in Game 1 of the Bulls-76ers series, he was done, and subsequently so were the Bulls. I firmly believe that if Rose doesn't go down, the Bulls probably sweep the Sixers. But we'll never know.
Obviously, we've seen the last of Rose until sometime next season.
Buzzer-Beaters
There have been lots of close games, but no real buzzer-beaters. Kevin Durant hit a game-winner for the Thunder in their Game 1 series vs. the Mavericks, but there were still 1.5 seconds remaining. In my opinion, that's not a true buzzer-beater.
A buzzer-beater is a game-tying or go-ahead shot that leaves less than a second left for the other team to respond.
There is nothing like that in postseason basketball, and we haven't had one yet.
There is always a chance to see one of these, and fortunately for us, the games should get tougher and more competitive as the postseason moves on.
Memorable Facials
The playoffs have seen a number of decent slams, but not any ground-shaking ones that will be remembered for years.
I'm talking about dunks like the following: Kevin Durant on Brendan Haywood, Scottie Pippen on Patrick Ewing, Clyde Drexler on Bill Cartwright, Taj Gibson on Dwyane Wade or John Starks on the whole city of Chicago.
We haven't seen anything on par with those. But as long as Blake Griffin and LeBron James are around, we have a good chance to see something special.
I've got my fingers crossed.
Rivalries
We haven't seen a series yet with two rivals. The closest thing to it was the Mavs and the Thunder, but it wasn't competitive enough, and there isn't enough history.
However, the second round will produce one rivalry for sure, courtesy of Metta World Peace's elbow to James Harden's head.
That action and the fact that both the Thunder and the Lakers are serious title contenders should give us a taste of what a rivalry in the postseason is like. If you don't think this is rivalry, just wait until you hear the OKC fans' reaction when MWP takes the court at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.
This will have to tide us over, at least until the Heat battle the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals—yeah that's my "bold" prediction.
There are a few other rivalry matchups still alive. A Clippers-Lakers Western Conference Finals is unlikely, but still possible. The Celtics and Lakers could renew the longest and most storied rivalry in the sport if both teams reach the NBA Finals.
But the ultimate would be the Heat and Lakers in the Finals—OK it's not a rivalry, but tell me that it wouldn't be cool.
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