by SMC
Click here for Days 1-3 or read on for Days 4-6
During team practice sessions the next day, we head to the Staples Center to grab more shots and interviews for NBA China. The first part of the Lakers’ practice is closed to the media and the general public. The last half hour, though, is open for us to watch the players wind down with shooting drills and contests. The guards and small forwards are off to one side of the court focusing on long distance shots, while the power forwards and centers are on the other working inside the paint and practicing mid-range shots.
Watching the players run, jump, and drill up close really makes you see these athletes in a whole different light. For example, Shannon Brown looks like a normal person, until you see his alien-like speed and jumping ability.
The guards and small forwards end practice with a 3-point shooting contest, where each player takes turns shooting. However many they make counts as the number of points “in the bucket” and the first shooter who misses accumulates those points. Players who accumulate 11 points are eliminated. The final two remaining are Derek Fisher and Luke Walton, who go into a sudden death showdown. Walton comes out victorious over the veteran Fisher.
After media sessions, the Celtics begin their practice with a light shoot-around. They’re incredibly loose, especially considering that they were badly outplayed the night before. Paul Pierce draws my attention. He’s as tall or taller than power forwards Perkins and Davis and well-built. In my mind, Pierce could easily play power forward, but his agility and skill set make him one of the best small forwards in the game. He doesn’t look as fast as some of his counterparts, but I realize it’s probably because he’s considerably bigger than them.
Before practice closes to the public, we’re treated to a shooting contest between Michael Finley and Big Baby, shooting from their bench. Basically, the shots are all up to arm strength. They’re hamming it up; Finley shoots with one hand, but Baby eventually wins. I don’t think he’ll become a 3-point shooter anytime soon.
Today is a low-key day spent with the NBA International crew, visiting different parts of LA to do street interviews of people and what they thought of the Finals.
The highlight of my day occurs when we’re waiting for my car at the hotel. Retired all-NFL linebacker Warren Sapp walks past us to his car. He’s wearing headphones, so our producer, thinking he wouldn’t hear us, says, “That guy looks a lot like Warren Sapp. Oh wait, it is Warren Sapp. Wow, he doesn’t look big in real life at all.” Mr. Sapp looks at us and replies, “Hey, I can hear you.” Oops.
Former NBA all-star Mark Jackson is also in the lobby, and happens to be friends with our producer. He comes over for a chat. We get the scoop that he’s not going to Atlanta to coach the Hawks, despite what Hawk fans were hoping. You heard here folks.
Game 1 for me was more about being in the arena and seeing the players prepare for the first time then the actual game. With all the extracurricular activities out of the way, I’m able to focus more on Game 2. What a game it is, and I find a nice spot from which watch. I don’t have any vested interest in either team, but I have always been a Ray Allen fan. I love watching him score seven treys in the 1st half. I can feel the anguish of the crowd as they are stunned to silence with each shot; the Laker fans are undeniably and emotionally invested in their home team.
Before the end of the half, I make my way to the suite of former Laker and Spurs player Robert Horry, to escort him to the court for his half-time interview. Horry is a smooth, easy-going person. He provokes me a little after I comment that the Lakers could use him to match Ray Allen with his clutch shooting.
“Yeah,” he responds, “I have 10 minutes in me right now. I’d go out there and flatten Ray. I can’t believe no one [on the Lakers] has tried to flatten him. I would’ve pushed him to the ground, ala Steve Nash.” I decline to comment after that.
I’m a big Steve Nash fan, getting to know him through high school basketball camps and social gatherings. I still remember watching Horry hip check Nash into the stands in Game 4 of the 2007 Western Conference Finals, which changed the course of the Phoenix franchise and diminished their best chance to go to the NBA FInals when key playersAmare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw were suspended for leaving their bench to defend Nash. I suddenly remembered why I hated ”Cheap Shot Rob” as a player.
The second half is, of course, all about Rajon Rondo. It seems like he’s in several places at once, getting rebounds with grit and determination then going full speed ahead on fast breaks. Rondo and Allen play the game of their lives. Allen breaks a Finals record by connecting on eight 3’s and finishing with 32 points. Meanwhile Rondo finishes with a spectacular triple-double: 19 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists.
The Lakers, on the other hand, have trouble getting their offense in rhythm. With the exception of Andrew Bynum. Bynum is a beast tonight, and the smaller Celtics frontline can’t handle his immense size. He even catches a bad pass thrown to him underneath and dunks it over both Perkins and Garnett.
The most amazing thing about these basketball greats is how they defy logic and go beyond the limits of what average humans like us can do with our bodies. If you think about it, there are 30 teams in the league and 12 players per roster, for a total of 360 total players (not including the two injury exceptions). Of the millions of people around the world who play basketball, only 360 can be in the NBA. Even the “worst” player in the league is a superstar anywhere else. And we get to watch the best of the best play at the Finals. I’m more in awe of these athletes and the atmosphere of Finals each time I step into the arena to go to my dream job.
I can’t wait for Game 7.
