Game Three: Intro and Invocation

Ah, another fine night of NBA on ABC. And yes, that means even more PussyCat Dolls. However, for those that are growing tired of "Right Now," I offer you the following alternative via suggestion from Kicky:



Ah, John Tesh.



Does that picture not scream to you "NBA Playoffs"? Does it not call to mind images of war are conflict? Does it not beg you to oil your chest and leap into his manly arms?

Er...me neither.

There's nothing like a Game Three where a generally boring team is down 2-0 and the networks scramble for some storyline or hook to interest the viewers. This time, the pundits have latched onto the following statement:

"I don't think we're playing the game we played in the first or second round," Kirilenko said after practice Thursday. "I think we're playing weaker. I don't know why. Probably, we kind of not really believe in ourselves. Probably, we think probably that's our ceiling, for this moment. Maybe."
Pressed on why he thinks the Jazz might have maxed out for the moment or begun to lack confidence heading into Game 3 against the Spurs at EnergySolutions Arena on Saturday, Kirilenko clarified his comments.
"I just said, 'Maybe,' '' he said. "It's not a fact. Just maybe. I hope it's not. All we can do right now is just compete every game."

Let's look at some important phrases in that quote. "Probably, we think probably that's our ceiling." "It's not a fact. Just maybe. I hope it's not." So, if I understand correctly--and who knows if anyone does, judging from AK's past struggles with the English language--he thinks the team might not be playing to potential because they feel they've reached their ceiling for the year and have had enough success. A valid point-of-view, and he makes it clear that he's not on that side. Of course, SLTrib follows with this:

Several of Kirilenko's teammates still discounted the idea that they have reached their potential for this season and simply need more time to grow into the kind of team that can seriously contend for a championship.

Wait, what? I thought he discounted the idea himself! Read his quote! And of course, the Trib follows with this quote from Boozer:

"That's terrible," he added. "That's a terrible attitude, if you ask me. I hope all the guys are on the same page as I am, that we can get better in the next two days and have a great Game 3 and change the outlook of the series. But we have to have that mentality first."

If SLTrib is using their usual journalistic integrity, I'm sure the question asked him was: "AK just said the team has reached their ceiling, do you agree?"

Of course, Grant Hill just said he'd be disappointed if he were AK's teammate and would question why he's giving up on the team, and Wilbon echoed his comments. Sorry, AK, it doesn't matter what you said. It matters what the media wants you to say.

And somehow, I have a feeling this will be a bigger story after a Game Three than the missed coaching assignments, nonexistent support from the bench, and second-quarter collapses.

SLTrib, I applaud you for once again supporting your team. Time to write another fluff piece on the Jazz's hard-nosed style.

Turning it over to Team Girl Power for the first quarter. I'll be blogging the second quarter, after the Jazz have given false hope in the first that quickly dissolves into a double-digit deficit by halftime.

[edit: Hey, just found this quote from Thursday: "We can beat this team," forward Andrei Kirilenko said. "We know that." Wonder why that's not getting any coverage?]

[double edit: And hey, this quote from the same interview in a different newspaper: "San Antonio is a great team, but it's a great opportunity for us to show we're really on that level," Kirilenko said. Gads, I hate SLMedia.]