The Observer, April 25, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 26
Pro Sports Roundup
Chris Paul is the baddest man alive. And I mean he is so bad, he's good. His better is better than my better, Jason Kidd's better, and all of the Maverick's betters combined. Anything Dirk can do, CP3 can do better. The clock will never strike midnight for the Hornets, because Chris Paul makes them not a Cinderella team. Chris Paul is the all-knowing, all-being poop of the NBA right now.
When playing the Mavs, he turns to the crowd and lets them know that Jason Kidd can't stop him. He dribbles in, out, and back into the lane and floats the ball right above the rim just enough to let Tyson Chandler throw it down like boom shakalaka. If time is running out, he will just sprint past his man and put up a floater and let it just splash through as time expires. Don't look up for one second because when you go to pick up your dribble, nothing will be there because Paul will swipe the ball like candy from a baby. He has no feelings. Name me the man who averaged over 30 points, 12 assists, and 4 steals in two straight playoff games. CP3…and it was his first two playoff games.
While Paul has been tremendously exciting to watch, the first round of this year's NBA playoffs have given us some very interesting stories. It is interesting to see a few of the teams that made the blockbuster trades have not faired so well. Banking on the acquisition of Jason Kidd, the Mavs have struggled with the Hornets' sting. The Suns thought the addition of Shaqueezy would shore them up against the perennial powerhouse Spurs, however they find themselves down 0-2 in the series.
On the other end of the spectrum, some trades have worked out brilliantly. Pau Gasol has the Lakers looking better and better with every game. The Nuggets have not been able to contain him and Kobe together and it is almost a lock for them to move on. The Cavs, who completely rearranged their starting lineup, are thrashing the trashy Wizards. But then again, if you irritate LeBron James, you can put anyone on the floor with him and Team LeBron would still win. Upsets are also on the horizon this year. Somehow the 76ers stole a game from the Pistons in Auburn Hills. Now I am a betting man, and I am going to still put my money on Detroit taking this series, but I would gladly lose the little money that I would put on the series just to see the bad boys of the East go down.
This year's playoffs have gotten fans more excited about basketball than years past. Every series has been competitive or at least there is a compelling side story. And as for predictions for the end result? Chris Paul is a bad bad man and he is going to get that title.
