Showing posts with label Wally Szczerbiak. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wally Szczerbiak. Show all posts

Monday, May 12, 2008

Playoff Basketball

THAT was a playoff game! Three hours of intense, pit of your stomach drama. When LeBron threw down his sledge hammer late in the game, I saw fans hugging each other, strangers high fiving strangers...I even saw one guy grab his buddy by the head and kiss him on the cheek. Hey it's playoff love! I guess, a new meaning to the "NBA Cares"....20,562 were definitely a factor down the stretch.

Speaking of LBJ's rim rocker, he doesn't rank 'em, but did admit, this one against three Celtics may have topped last season's Tim Duncan Fathead because it comes in the Eastern Semis and helped slam the door to Game 4.

LeBron did publicly apologize to Mom for ahem, "telling her to sit down" when he and Paul Pierce wound up in the crowd at Gloria's end of the floor...LBJ didn't want Mom to get involved in anything with an opposing player, but in her defense, she was actually standing up to protect girlfriend, Savannah Brinson, making sure she didn't get trampled. Gloria said LeBron is plenty big enough to protect himself, he doesn't need her help...LBJ drew laughter from reporters when he acknowledged his timing could have been better, chewing out Mom, a day after Mother's Day.

Wally Szczerbiak said the chants of "Wall-y, Wall-y" gave him chills. They came during the 3rd quarter when his three buckets were so huge...one came right in front of the Boston bench and after nailing it, Wally looked back at them, not to taunt, but to enjoy the moment because as he was letting the shot go, a couple of
ex-teammates were saying..."Hey, he's with us...he's with us."

Not anymore!

More to come from Boston.

10 wins away from my one and only summer haircut!!

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Wally's World Completed

Wally Szczerbiak will have an extra bounce in his step as wife, Shannon and their 3 children finally get the opportunity to join him in town today...for good. This is the longest Wally has ever been separated from his wife and kids, and it’s been a tough adjustment for him. Wally says thank goodness for technology because he’s been able to communicate with the gang via videophone from his computer. Even with the technology it still doesn’t fill the void, especially with newborn, Max growing and changing everyday.

Wally admits Shannon knows him better than anyone in the world, so getting his “best friend and soul mate” back helps in so many ways. It’s the part of being a pro many of us forget at times. These guys are human too, with the same emotions, routines and family needs that we all have. Without them, even the most focused athlete is tested…so, Wally’s World is again whole!

As for tonight's game, LeBron is a go for the Nets. He was in good spirits this morning at the shoot around so hopefully he’ll be able to play without a lot of pain. Z mentioned yesterday he hasn’t seen LBJ smile as much lately, meaning the back has been causing him discomfort.

See you tonight on FSN at 6:30.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

New Faces in Town

An awful lot to digest over the last few hours...six players dealt, with four coming. I think the Cavs have upgraded themselves for this reason: and that is because of how these pieces fit, and how the club retains its financial flexibility to be even better a year from now.

Ben Wallace will be a driving force as always at the defensive end. He's never played with a talent quite like LeBron. He comes full circle, coming back to Cleveland, where it all started for him at Tri-C Metro 15 years ago. You know his pal, Charles Oakley is smiling, since he is the one who led him to Cleveland and then Virginia Union in the first place.

Ben has never played with a talent like LeBron James before, and that's no disrespect to his championship teammates in Detroit. Big Ben allows teammates to gamble on the perimeter. I think he can bring the same kind of edge and toughness that Nate Thurmond brought to town 23 years ago...and Ben is even younger than Nate was at that time.

Wally Szczerbiak flourished with Kevin Garnett for six and a half years, because of all the attention KG drew in Minnesota...he'll get similar open looks with LeBron. Same for Joe Smith...don't fall asleep on this guy, who is still a very accomplished shooter on the baseline and from the elbows.

And Delonte West, whom Dwayne Jones knows so well from their days together at St.Joe's, is a tough-minded guy who will be able to apply ball pressure...plus, he has a knack for blocking shots on help-out.

The gamble here, is of course tinkering with chemistry...but the Cavs culture is well entrenched by now, and the four new guys have been through the battles. Wally and Joe were teammates in Minnesota for three years...so, there is inherent knowledge there.

The most telling statement Danny Ferry made tonight was the current Cavs team was not good enough to win a championship...a move had to be made to upgrade for the short term, still with an eye on the long term. This team, when healthy will be very deep...it will be fascinating to watch things unfold over the next few months, and years for that matter.