May 4, 2015
Five Thoughts on Curry, Wall and more
As the second round of the NBA playoffs kick off, TSN basketball analyst Jack Armstrong weighs in with five quick thoughts. Among the topics are Stephen Curry being named MVP, John Wall and Bradley Beal's performance in Game 1 against the Hawks and much more.
1. STEPHEN CURRY (Warriors): Named MVP for this season -- well-earned and well deserved. I’m not the least bit surprised. He's been awesome for them. Runs the team beautifully, he’s an incredible shooter and playmaker and is a complete joy to watch on a daily basis. His basketball IQ is off the charts.
2. JOHN WALL & BRADLEY BEAL (Wizards): Totally outplayed Jeff Teague and Kyle Korver on Sunday -- 46 points, 14 rebounds and 14 assists combined in Game 1. Guard play wins this time of year. They outplayed Raptors’ Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan as well, and if they can do it to the Hawks they give their team a chance to get to the Eastern Conference Finals. It's that simple. In a league dominated by perimeter people (see MVP), if you have the superior skill players your chances increase dramatically.
3. SPURS VS. CLIPPERS: What fight on Saturday night? I watched it and it was two boxers past their prime cashing in on a big pay day. The classic of the night was the play of these teams for a full 48 minutes. I must say I was completely captivated watching the back and forth and constant lead changes. The best game I've watched this entire season and one of the best I can recall in recent memory. If you didn't get a chance to watch it, try to watch it. It's what NBA basketball looks like when it's played at an elite level. Shame someone had to lose. Chris Paul was marvelous the entire night. Fun! So glad I was fortunate enough to watch it.
4. GRIZZLIES: I'm watching them Sunday get pasted by the Warriors and I keep saying to myself that without Mike Conley they're in trouble with a capital T. Jeff Green was brought in to be that next level guy and he just doesn't deliver the goods consistently. Pau Gasol and Zach Randolph are wonderful post players and Memphis is a terrific club but this is a bad matchup for them considering their lack of perimeter scoring pop.
5. CAVS: No Kevin Love which will be an issue for them on the glass. Tristan Thompson has to play huge in the lane in place of him and LeBron will have to be his usual terrific self. The guy to keep an eye on is Kyrie Irving. The Cavs need to be really efficient offensively and if he can play at a high level, which he's very capable of doing, then they have a solid shot against the defensive minded Bulls who with the exception of the Game 6 blowout of the Bucks didn't wow me at all in Round 1. Should be a very interesting and close series if the Cavs can rebound and stay disciplined.