Broken Fix

[cbertsch]

Conspiracy theories about the NBA are always burbling beneath the game's glossy surface. But they started bursting into plain view as this season progressed, a development powerfully reinforced by Nike's much-discussed advertising campaign for the playoffs, featuring puppets of LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. For a while, as the Lakers stumbled in the first two rounds, the idea that Kobe's team might screw-up a Madison Avenue dream was regularly invoked. As it turns out, though, it was LeBron's squad that couldn't get the job done. He certainly can't be faulted. He may not be the pure shooter that Kobe is, but he did more than enough for the Cavaliers to make the Finals. The problem was his supporting cast. Defense in the regular season, lackluster much of the time, can mask the weaknesses in a team with a superstar of James' stature. But the playoffs are another matter. I feel bad for Cleveland's long-suffering fans -- are fans from Cleveland ever described as anything other than "long-suffering"? -- like siyeh, not to mention LeBron and the people who wanted to see him face off against Kobe & Company. I'm a little disappointed myself. At the same time, though, I'm heartened by the realization that the fix wasn't in after all or, if it was, countervailing forces broke its hold on the game. And it will certainly be interesting to see how Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum match up with Dwight Howard in the post.

Comments

[pissang.livejournal.com]

I don't watch the NBA much, but I checked in for the conference finals. I agree with your assessment. Cleveland had the best player but Orlando was just a better team from top to bottom. It also seems like the Magic present better matchups against LA than the Cavs would. Cleveland has no true post-up players and the Lakers have a few. Well, I have to root for the Magic, but it's hard to get excited about the city of Orlando.

[art-thirst.livejournal.com]

Talk about a huge disappointment! The Cavs has to be totally crushed. The fans even more so. The one thing in the back of my mind is that Lebron and D-Wade would team up. I don't know how it would be possible but, THAT team would be hard to beat.

[siyeh.livejournal.com]

If anything, the refereeing in the first few games suggests that the league was AGAINST having the CAVS in the finals. Although in the end, they didn't get the job done. I find myself in the strange position of hoping that Bynum does one of his hack jobs on the big, bible-thumping hypocrite that is Howard. Or the ever-smug Turkoglu.
Crushed, yes. As usual. As always. If I believe in God or that God was involved in sports (which most players seem to), I'd certainly think he was against me.