Sunday, December 4, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Seeking Balance
Post Games 3 and 4: Miami Heat 2: The Dallas Nowitzki's 2
Well, we knew it would come down to another game ending shot by Dirk at some point, we just didn't know it would happen every game! So in game 3, it's Haslem now instead of Bosh (as predicted) manning up to Dirk for the buzzer shot. He plays tough straight up D with no help, keeping his chest in front of the Dallas big man, holds steady on the pump fakes, and Dirk launches a fade away jump shot from above the free throw line - it bounces out. Huge Heat win; it's 2-1.
In the aftermath, Lebron is already being criticized for not scoring enough, despite the fact that he distributes brilliantly including the game winning assist to CB, plays tough defense and contributes in an all round selfless fashion. The criticism is completely unwarranted; you wonder if this guy will ever live long enough to catch any kind of break from humanity ...
Game 4 we're back at it. Much is made of Dirk's illness, including a fever, and he does appear to be off somewhat struggling with his shot. Again it's crunch time, and again Dirk gets the ball. Again UD gets the call. This time however, Dirk makes a quick move to his right, clearly a well designed play has vacated everyone else from under the basket, UD gets no Help D -- and again we watch The Nowitzki waltz in for a nearly unconstested layup to gain the lead in the closing seconds of the game.
The ensuing Heat possession was simply embarrassing, as Wade inexplicably missed an inbounds pass --it bounced off his hands and headed for the halfcourt line and a turnover. A desperate save by Wade, followed by Miller recovery, and lame 3 point heave that doesn't even draw iron.
If the Heat lose the series --and I don't suggest for a second I expect this-- but if they do, I think this will be the one they say was the real tragedy to lose. First, a brilliant offensive performance by D Wade. Yes, marred somewhat by the late game play in the form of a missed free throw (would have tied it) and then the bungled inbounds pass as time expired. Nevertheless, an amazing performance including a clean block on Dirk on the defensive end earlier, and a huge contest on Tyson Chandler as Chandler attacked the rim. On offense he zigged and zagged his way to the rim, finishing like I think at this point, only he can. (32/6/2/2/2)
Dirk was clearly off with only 21 points. Yeah, 10 of them were in the last quarter. But overall, a sub-par night from Dirk, a huge game from Wade and solid performance by CB, and we lose? Which brings us to Lebron and his 8 points. No, not in the 4th quarter: 8 points in the entire game. So recognizing that there has to be a balance between distributing and scoring, and between LBJ and D Wade each doing their thing ... but 8 points in the entire game?! That's a loss of balance that will not fly. And it didn't.
In the last 2 games, in the 4th quarter, James has a total of 2 points. In game 4, he took one shot in the 4th. In the same game, he was outscored by Shawn Marion 16-8. Shawn Marion -- a guy the Heat traded away!
Lebron James / NBA Finals / 8 points ... wow ... just hard to believe...
But I so desperately wish all this nonsense about it's Wade's team / it's Lebron's team / Wade's the closer / James is the closer etc would just go away. It's all such one dimensional garbage. Riley to sports world: it takes 3 guys! No, it doesn't have to be one guy or the other as the alpha dog. It doesn't ...
Which brings me to what I think the Heat still never did this year, and doesn't seem ready to conquer in the handful of remaining games this year, even if they win: the ability to dial up, and dial down with accuracy and sensitivity, the relative offensive contributions of their 2 giants Wade and James. That's the balance that still eludes this squad, and along with some tweaks and strengthening to the supporting cast -- has got to come if they're going to reach their ultimate potential.
They have to have a better sense between the two of them which should have the ball at any given time in that last 7 minutes of the game -- when every possession matters. There was one point in the 4th quarter as Dwayne was cooling off a bit when he passed the ball to Lebron. I don't think James had the ball for more than a second before he tossed it right back to Wade who almost seemed surprised, and certainly a little winded. You had to scream WTF at that point -- what could James have been thinking? It was so clearly his own time, his own turn. Balance.
So for all the doomsayers out there: get back up off the ground -- it's 2-2, and, btw, we've split in Dallas at this point. Is the next game huge? You bet. Is it everything? No, it's not. And frankly, I for one hope that Lebron does not come out heaving up everything at the basket. Could he score 50? Sure. Would I mind? Heck no ;-) But a nice 22 points with 9 assists and 7 rebounds might serve the Heat better ... and in a way, the notion that arguably the best player in the world just scored 8 points and you beat his team by a whopping 3 points ... maybe, just maybe, oughta have you lying awake tonight if your name is Rick Carlisle ...
We'll be in it this time tomorrow night sports fans ...
Well, we knew it would come down to another game ending shot by Dirk at some point, we just didn't know it would happen every game! So in game 3, it's Haslem now instead of Bosh (as predicted) manning up to Dirk for the buzzer shot. He plays tough straight up D with no help, keeping his chest in front of the Dallas big man, holds steady on the pump fakes, and Dirk launches a fade away jump shot from above the free throw line - it bounces out. Huge Heat win; it's 2-1.
In the aftermath, Lebron is already being criticized for not scoring enough, despite the fact that he distributes brilliantly including the game winning assist to CB, plays tough defense and contributes in an all round selfless fashion. The criticism is completely unwarranted; you wonder if this guy will ever live long enough to catch any kind of break from humanity ...
Game 4 we're back at it. Much is made of Dirk's illness, including a fever, and he does appear to be off somewhat struggling with his shot. Again it's crunch time, and again Dirk gets the ball. Again UD gets the call. This time however, Dirk makes a quick move to his right, clearly a well designed play has vacated everyone else from under the basket, UD gets no Help D -- and again we watch The Nowitzki waltz in for a nearly unconstested layup to gain the lead in the closing seconds of the game.
The ensuing Heat possession was simply embarrassing, as Wade inexplicably missed an inbounds pass --it bounced off his hands and headed for the halfcourt line and a turnover. A desperate save by Wade, followed by Miller recovery, and lame 3 point heave that doesn't even draw iron.
If the Heat lose the series --and I don't suggest for a second I expect this-- but if they do, I think this will be the one they say was the real tragedy to lose. First, a brilliant offensive performance by D Wade. Yes, marred somewhat by the late game play in the form of a missed free throw (would have tied it) and then the bungled inbounds pass as time expired. Nevertheless, an amazing performance including a clean block on Dirk on the defensive end earlier, and a huge contest on Tyson Chandler as Chandler attacked the rim. On offense he zigged and zagged his way to the rim, finishing like I think at this point, only he can. (32/6/2/2/2)
Dirk was clearly off with only 21 points. Yeah, 10 of them were in the last quarter. But overall, a sub-par night from Dirk, a huge game from Wade and solid performance by CB, and we lose? Which brings us to Lebron and his 8 points. No, not in the 4th quarter: 8 points in the entire game. So recognizing that there has to be a balance between distributing and scoring, and between LBJ and D Wade each doing their thing ... but 8 points in the entire game?! That's a loss of balance that will not fly. And it didn't.
In the last 2 games, in the 4th quarter, James has a total of 2 points. In game 4, he took one shot in the 4th. In the same game, he was outscored by Shawn Marion 16-8. Shawn Marion -- a guy the Heat traded away!
Lebron James / NBA Finals / 8 points ... wow ... just hard to believe...
But I so desperately wish all this nonsense about it's Wade's team / it's Lebron's team / Wade's the closer / James is the closer etc would just go away. It's all such one dimensional garbage. Riley to sports world: it takes 3 guys! No, it doesn't have to be one guy or the other as the alpha dog. It doesn't ...
Which brings me to what I think the Heat still never did this year, and doesn't seem ready to conquer in the handful of remaining games this year, even if they win: the ability to dial up, and dial down with accuracy and sensitivity, the relative offensive contributions of their 2 giants Wade and James. That's the balance that still eludes this squad, and along with some tweaks and strengthening to the supporting cast -- has got to come if they're going to reach their ultimate potential.
They have to have a better sense between the two of them which should have the ball at any given time in that last 7 minutes of the game -- when every possession matters. There was one point in the 4th quarter as Dwayne was cooling off a bit when he passed the ball to Lebron. I don't think James had the ball for more than a second before he tossed it right back to Wade who almost seemed surprised, and certainly a little winded. You had to scream WTF at that point -- what could James have been thinking? It was so clearly his own time, his own turn. Balance.
So for all the doomsayers out there: get back up off the ground -- it's 2-2, and, btw, we've split in Dallas at this point. Is the next game huge? You bet. Is it everything? No, it's not. And frankly, I for one hope that Lebron does not come out heaving up everything at the basket. Could he score 50? Sure. Would I mind? Heck no ;-) But a nice 22 points with 9 assists and 7 rebounds might serve the Heat better ... and in a way, the notion that arguably the best player in the world just scored 8 points and you beat his team by a whopping 3 points ... maybe, just maybe, oughta have you lying awake tonight if your name is Rick Carlisle ...
We'll be in it this time tomorrow night sports fans ...
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Ouch!
OK, there's no sugar coating this one -- that hurts. "Stinging" is the adjective that jumps out of the keyboard do describe this 95-93 loss in game 2 at home.
A blow out by 20? Whatever. A 2 point job like this? Well, ouch... And it wasn't even the loss itself, it was the way it happened: completely out of character. Never mind that the Heat had assumed total control over this game in the 4th quarter. When Wade --who put on a one man show all night long-- hit a catch-turn-shoot 3 ball from deep in the right corner with just over 7 minutes to go -- the crowd erupted as the Heat lead grew to 15, and it seemed like the emotional dagger for the Mavs.
Ironically, it was the opposite. From that instant, the Heat stopped playing on both ends of the court. And that is the puzzling, pull your hair out inexplicable nature of this loss. They are the lock down team with 7 to go; they hold the opponent to squat at this point, force turnovers they convert to jams on the other end ... what happened to that team Thursday night we may never know. Instead, it was a rash of Mavs baskets and that gawd-awful halfcourt Heat quicksand where Lebron dribbles out the 24 second clock at the top of the key while 4 guys in Heat uniforms watch, until someone is forced to jack up a 3.
With Dirk on a tear (he scored the last 9 Mavs points) his 3 pointer with 26 seconds left put them up by 3. The out of bounds play Spo called next was brilliant, and it was wonderful to see Chalmers rise to the task, draining a 3 -- without a Mavs player within 10 feet of him to push it back to a tie.
That set up the infamous "last shot."The Heat had that 1 foul to give, and everyone there knew Dallas was going to Dirk. The rest is history and occupied the sports world news cycle for the next 24 hours so I won't recant every detail here, just my own musings.
I understand Spo's decision to put Bosh on Dirk, who had already been getting looks over both Joel and UD based solely on height. Spo didn't want a clean look at this point, and also with a possible bit of surprise element to it, Bosh made objective sense. The only problem with that, is, UD is so darn tough and particularly in crunch time, and has a proven track record against Dirk going back to 06. Pretty sure at this point, if it comes down to that again, and it almost certainly will, we'll see Haslem lining up against Dirk.
In any case, even the above logic breaks down when you analyze that play: Bosh fought through a tough screen and manned up against Dirk from the left free throw line extended, who now had the ball, put one move on Bosh and left him looking flat footed, beating him bad to the basket. Ouch.
I can see all that, what was amazing to me, all 10 times I TiVo'd that play over, was that Haslem, who was in perfect Help Defense position, failed to get over and take the charge, the way he has his whole career, including the time he's played healthy this year. He had plenty of time, was perfectly placed, but somehow ... didn't get there ... Ouch again.
And even still, with a few seconds left on the clock, the Heat pushed the ball up court and Wade put up a running 3 from somewhere between the 3 point line and halfcourt -- and was so hot, hit back iron and bounced out. How much distance is the difference between back iron and swish? After all that, Wade almost pulled off a miracle - Heat fans have seen it before ... hey, that's why we call it "The House of Highlights" ...
So Bosh? Haslem? Joel on Dirk? Whatever. In some respects, you gotta give props to the Mavs. This was the 4th time in the playoffs they've come back from double digits to win at the end of the game. And there you have it. With 7 minutes left, we controlled the game, and by extension, the series headed for a 2-0 lead. And then "it" happened. Now it's a 1-1 series going to Dallas for 3 games and a total dogfight. Statistically, with a 1-1 split in the NBA 2-3-2 format, the team who wins game 3 is heavily favored to win the series.
See you Sunday ...
A blow out by 20? Whatever. A 2 point job like this? Well, ouch... And it wasn't even the loss itself, it was the way it happened: completely out of character. Never mind that the Heat had assumed total control over this game in the 4th quarter. When Wade --who put on a one man show all night long-- hit a catch-turn-shoot 3 ball from deep in the right corner with just over 7 minutes to go -- the crowd erupted as the Heat lead grew to 15, and it seemed like the emotional dagger for the Mavs.
Ironically, it was the opposite. From that instant, the Heat stopped playing on both ends of the court. And that is the puzzling, pull your hair out inexplicable nature of this loss. They are the lock down team with 7 to go; they hold the opponent to squat at this point, force turnovers they convert to jams on the other end ... what happened to that team Thursday night we may never know. Instead, it was a rash of Mavs baskets and that gawd-awful halfcourt Heat quicksand where Lebron dribbles out the 24 second clock at the top of the key while 4 guys in Heat uniforms watch, until someone is forced to jack up a 3.
With Dirk on a tear (he scored the last 9 Mavs points) his 3 pointer with 26 seconds left put them up by 3. The out of bounds play Spo called next was brilliant, and it was wonderful to see Chalmers rise to the task, draining a 3 -- without a Mavs player within 10 feet of him to push it back to a tie.
That set up the infamous "last shot."The Heat had that 1 foul to give, and everyone there knew Dallas was going to Dirk. The rest is history and occupied the sports world news cycle for the next 24 hours so I won't recant every detail here, just my own musings.
I understand Spo's decision to put Bosh on Dirk, who had already been getting looks over both Joel and UD based solely on height. Spo didn't want a clean look at this point, and also with a possible bit of surprise element to it, Bosh made objective sense. The only problem with that, is, UD is so darn tough and particularly in crunch time, and has a proven track record against Dirk going back to 06. Pretty sure at this point, if it comes down to that again, and it almost certainly will, we'll see Haslem lining up against Dirk.
In any case, even the above logic breaks down when you analyze that play: Bosh fought through a tough screen and manned up against Dirk from the left free throw line extended, who now had the ball, put one move on Bosh and left him looking flat footed, beating him bad to the basket. Ouch.
I can see all that, what was amazing to me, all 10 times I TiVo'd that play over, was that Haslem, who was in perfect Help Defense position, failed to get over and take the charge, the way he has his whole career, including the time he's played healthy this year. He had plenty of time, was perfectly placed, but somehow ... didn't get there ... Ouch again.
And even still, with a few seconds left on the clock, the Heat pushed the ball up court and Wade put up a running 3 from somewhere between the 3 point line and halfcourt -- and was so hot, hit back iron and bounced out. How much distance is the difference between back iron and swish? After all that, Wade almost pulled off a miracle - Heat fans have seen it before ... hey, that's why we call it "The House of Highlights" ...
So Bosh? Haslem? Joel on Dirk? Whatever. In some respects, you gotta give props to the Mavs. This was the 4th time in the playoffs they've come back from double digits to win at the end of the game. And there you have it. With 7 minutes left, we controlled the game, and by extension, the series headed for a 2-0 lead. And then "it" happened. Now it's a 1-1 series going to Dallas for 3 games and a total dogfight. Statistically, with a 1-1 split in the NBA 2-3-2 format, the team who wins game 3 is heavily favored to win the series.
See you Sunday ...
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Mama Come Pick Me Up!
In a decisive win for the Heat over the Dallas Mavs in game 1 of the NBA Finals, 2 plays, while perhaps not influencing the final outcome directly stand out tonight. The first, was with 6 seconds left in the 3rd quarter with the Heat up by 1 … Lebron took the ball across halfcourt, ambling slowly to his right, and just when you might have thought he was out of time, turned, lifted and, ever so effortlessly, launched and sank a fadeaway 3 ball to put the Heat up 4 as the quarter ended. They would never trail from that point on, and you couldn’t have blamed the Mavs for calling home right there and saying, “mama, come pick me up!”
The second came as the game was winding down, and Dirk took the ball on the left wing. He got Bosh to bite on a pump fake and went around him, next sliding by Haslem who came over to help. Closing in on the rim, it looked like it might be a sure dunk. Until D Wade, playing killer Help-Defense showed up, meeting Dirk on his side of the key, elevating straight up and contesting the shot mightily, which almost looked like it might be blocked. Dirk got the shot off, but no question it was changed, and it was another Dallas miss on a night they were held to 37.3% from the field and their 2nd lowest point total of the playoffs.
No doubt about it, Dallas is a great team, and Dirk could explode for 40 on Thursday, but sorry – he’s not used to being challenged and contested by the likes of Bosh, Haslem and Wade – all on the same play. Not by OKC. Or any given night in the West. No sir.
And so it was an awesome team win tonight, to go up 1-0 at home, 92-84. An ugly first half as both teams struggled from the floor. Chalmers 3 point shooting (3/4 from beyond the arc for 12 points total) was a notable bright spot and nearly kept them in the first half.
The 2nd half saw things pick up, as Wade stepped it up and the D continued relentlessly. With 3:08 left, Wade knocked down a clutch 3. But Dyrk continued to answer. Then, with 2:48 remaining, James crossed half court on the dribble, hesitated for a second still well above the 3 point line, before suddenly exploding to the basket for a vicious jam with the foul – making the free throw sending the lead back up to 9. And that was the psychological finish.
For the record, with 1:22 remaining, Chalmers hit a pair of clutch free throws. Finally, with 1:08 on the clock, off a J Kidd miss, Wade (22 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 blocked shots), grabbed his 10th rebound, eluded a double team on the dribble as he advanced the ball up court, before drilling a no-look pass to Bosh filling the center lane in front of everyone, who took the ball in mid stride and jammed it through, definitively ending the game …
Lotta ball left no doubt. But this was a solid team win, and the Heat are better than they’ve been all season long and seemingly getting better with each series. Hard to see how Spo and Riles could be more satisfied with game 1 than with what they saw tonight …
Mama come pick me up!
The second came as the game was winding down, and Dirk took the ball on the left wing. He got Bosh to bite on a pump fake and went around him, next sliding by Haslem who came over to help. Closing in on the rim, it looked like it might be a sure dunk. Until D Wade, playing killer Help-Defense showed up, meeting Dirk on his side of the key, elevating straight up and contesting the shot mightily, which almost looked like it might be blocked. Dirk got the shot off, but no question it was changed, and it was another Dallas miss on a night they were held to 37.3% from the field and their 2nd lowest point total of the playoffs.
No doubt about it, Dallas is a great team, and Dirk could explode for 40 on Thursday, but sorry – he’s not used to being challenged and contested by the likes of Bosh, Haslem and Wade – all on the same play. Not by OKC. Or any given night in the West. No sir.
And so it was an awesome team win tonight, to go up 1-0 at home, 92-84. An ugly first half as both teams struggled from the floor. Chalmers 3 point shooting (3/4 from beyond the arc for 12 points total) was a notable bright spot and nearly kept them in the first half.
The 2nd half saw things pick up, as Wade stepped it up and the D continued relentlessly. With 3:08 left, Wade knocked down a clutch 3. But Dyrk continued to answer. Then, with 2:48 remaining, James crossed half court on the dribble, hesitated for a second still well above the 3 point line, before suddenly exploding to the basket for a vicious jam with the foul – making the free throw sending the lead back up to 9. And that was the psychological finish.
For the record, with 1:22 remaining, Chalmers hit a pair of clutch free throws. Finally, with 1:08 on the clock, off a J Kidd miss, Wade (22 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 blocked shots), grabbed his 10th rebound, eluded a double team on the dribble as he advanced the ball up court, before drilling a no-look pass to Bosh filling the center lane in front of everyone, who took the ball in mid stride and jammed it through, definitively ending the game …
Lotta ball left no doubt. But this was a solid team win, and the Heat are better than they’ve been all season long and seemingly getting better with each series. Hard to see how Spo and Riles could be more satisfied with game 1 than with what they saw tonight …
Mama come pick me up!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Zane Ransom Lindeman: Champion!
Watching the Heat win the Eastern Conference Championship was amazing, thrilling, and exhilarating all at the same time -- why we love sports. What could be better? Well, perhaps watching the same thing unfold in a setting where the players are people you love in a literal, not just a figurative way.
Enter Zane Ransom Lindeman, my adorable and hugely talented nephew (also my namesake). One of Zane's baseball coaches is also my brother, Leslie William Lindeman, who was a pretty decent catcher in his day, but who's real area of expertise lies in the written word.
What follows is the report on Zane's championship game as told by author and father Les Lindeman ...
On 5/27/2011 1:47 PM, Leslie Lindeman wrote:
Greetings All,
Unlike the Bulls, who folded like a cheap suit when they felt the heat breath of the Miami Hot... er, I mean the hot breath of the Miami Heat on the backs of their necks last night, the Pasadena Southwest Little League Yankees strengthened their resolve and held on to defeat the Pirates, 12 - 7 and win the league championship.
Beginning last Wednesday, we've won three playoff games in a row. Prior to this month, Zane had only won one playoff game in 5 years of playing Little League.
The Yankees built a 12 - 4 lead on the strength of Zane's pitching -- 4 innings giving up 4 runs, 2 of them on a lucky bloop -- and his sharp single to left in the first inning that drove in the first two Yankee runs and opened the floodgates.
I don't have the score book in front of me, but he probably struck out 10 batters, maybe more. This he did despite being a little unnerved by the behavior of the opposing coach, a nice guy who appeared to have gone off his anti-anxiety medication at an inopportune time and was shouting at the umpires and jumping around like a crazy man. Zane "buckled down," as my dad loved to say, and threw 3/4 of his pitches for strikes, an outstanding performance.
So the score was 12 - 4 in our favor when we arrived at the top of the 5th inning and Zane was "out of pitches." He had thrown 85, the maximum according to the rules, so we had to bring in our second pitcher.
First batter, walk. Second batter, walk. Third batter, home run. This home run came off the bat of the legendary, "Niko," who has hit 7 homers in the last 5 games; Zane walked him twice, almost striking him out once... Score: 12-7.
Two more guys got on base that inning and two the next inning, but we held them down and the last out was made on a fly ball to left field which was caught by Grandpa Bard, er... I mean a kid named "Jasper," a name GPB no doubt appreciates, a boy who once said to me, "Thank you, Mr. Lindeman," but those were the only words I heard him say all year. The next batter up would have been Niko and a homer would have made the score, 12 - 11.
So we had our share of luck, as well as skill and hard work by a lot of boys, and especially the mothers who washed baseball uniforms almost daily.
The manager, Ted, gave the first game ball to Zane, saying that he carried the team for months; he was our best pitcher, for sure, in fact, he's roundly viewed as the best pitcher in the league. He was also our best hitter, leading the team in hits, runs batted in and runs scored.
There is an old gentleman who has been coaching at the field we play on for so long that he coached Ted the Manager's team when Ted was 12 years old. This guy, believe it or not, really knows baseball. Very knowledgable. He recently compared Zane -- and we don't tell Zane stuff like this -- to a kid who played on the field a few years ago, named Lucas Herbert. You could waste a lot of time watching Lucas Herbert, who is today 14 or 15, on YouTube hitting home runs playing for the USA developmental Olympic team in Venezuela and Nicaragua. Anyway, the old guy says Zane is the only kid who has made him think about Lucas Herbert. Just by way of saying, last night probably wasn't the end of anything, a high spot to be sure, but not the pinnacle.
Whatever.
There was a night in May, 1969, when the Washington Township (NJ) Dodgers, sponsored by Wildridge Pharmacy, similarly won a Little League championship, and some of you were there, at Clark Field, and in the back yard with twinkly lights in the trees at 573 Howard Street.... Bard Lindeman coached that team, a wonderful team it was; it produced more stories than a small war or a revolution ... and that night there was a celebration of boys and families and baseball that will always be remembered.
Just want say how grateful I am for that night (thanks, Mom & Dad) and for last night (thanks, Zane/Karyn/Natalie) and for all the time (that would be 42 years, my friends) in between. And for all of you.
We all have our private and shared anxieties. But baseball is one place where we keep our hopes and dreams, our memories and our love, and there we know they are always safe and at the ready.
My love to you all.
-- Leslie
Leslie Lindeman, Ghostwriter
213.999.3284
LesLindeman.com
Enter Zane Ransom Lindeman, my adorable and hugely talented nephew (also my namesake). One of Zane's baseball coaches is also my brother, Leslie William Lindeman, who was a pretty decent catcher in his day, but who's real area of expertise lies in the written word.
What follows is the report on Zane's championship game as told by author and father Les Lindeman ...
On 5/27/2011 1:47 PM, Leslie Lindeman wrote:
Greetings All,
Unlike the Bulls, who folded like a cheap suit when they felt the heat breath of the Miami Hot... er, I mean the hot breath of the Miami Heat on the backs of their necks last night, the Pasadena Southwest Little League Yankees strengthened their resolve and held on to defeat the Pirates, 12 - 7 and win the league championship.
Beginning last Wednesday, we've won three playoff games in a row. Prior to this month, Zane had only won one playoff game in 5 years of playing Little League.
The Yankees built a 12 - 4 lead on the strength of Zane's pitching -- 4 innings giving up 4 runs, 2 of them on a lucky bloop -- and his sharp single to left in the first inning that drove in the first two Yankee runs and opened the floodgates.
I don't have the score book in front of me, but he probably struck out 10 batters, maybe more. This he did despite being a little unnerved by the behavior of the opposing coach, a nice guy who appeared to have gone off his anti-anxiety medication at an inopportune time and was shouting at the umpires and jumping around like a crazy man. Zane "buckled down," as my dad loved to say, and threw 3/4 of his pitches for strikes, an outstanding performance.
So the score was 12 - 4 in our favor when we arrived at the top of the 5th inning and Zane was "out of pitches." He had thrown 85, the maximum according to the rules, so we had to bring in our second pitcher.
First batter, walk. Second batter, walk. Third batter, home run. This home run came off the bat of the legendary, "Niko," who has hit 7 homers in the last 5 games; Zane walked him twice, almost striking him out once... Score: 12-7.
Two more guys got on base that inning and two the next inning, but we held them down and the last out was made on a fly ball to left field which was caught by Grandpa Bard, er... I mean a kid named "Jasper," a name GPB no doubt appreciates, a boy who once said to me, "Thank you, Mr. Lindeman," but those were the only words I heard him say all year. The next batter up would have been Niko and a homer would have made the score, 12 - 11.
So we had our share of luck, as well as skill and hard work by a lot of boys, and especially the mothers who washed baseball uniforms almost daily.
The manager, Ted, gave the first game ball to Zane, saying that he carried the team for months; he was our best pitcher, for sure, in fact, he's roundly viewed as the best pitcher in the league. He was also our best hitter, leading the team in hits, runs batted in and runs scored.
There is an old gentleman who has been coaching at the field we play on for so long that he coached Ted the Manager's team when Ted was 12 years old. This guy, believe it or not, really knows baseball. Very knowledgable. He recently compared Zane -- and we don't tell Zane stuff like this -- to a kid who played on the field a few years ago, named Lucas Herbert. You could waste a lot of time watching Lucas Herbert, who is today 14 or 15, on YouTube hitting home runs playing for the USA developmental Olympic team in Venezuela and Nicaragua. Anyway, the old guy says Zane is the only kid who has made him think about Lucas Herbert. Just by way of saying, last night probably wasn't the end of anything, a high spot to be sure, but not the pinnacle.
Whatever.
There was a night in May, 1969, when the Washington Township (NJ) Dodgers, sponsored by Wildridge Pharmacy, similarly won a Little League championship, and some of you were there, at Clark Field, and in the back yard with twinkly lights in the trees at 573 Howard Street.... Bard Lindeman coached that team, a wonderful team it was; it produced more stories than a small war or a revolution ... and that night there was a celebration of boys and families and baseball that will always be remembered.
Just want say how grateful I am for that night (thanks, Mom & Dad) and for last night (thanks, Zane/Karyn/Natalie) and for all the time (that would be 42 years, my friends) in between. And for all of you.
We all have our private and shared anxieties. But baseball is one place where we keep our hopes and dreams, our memories and our love, and there we know they are always safe and at the ready.
My love to you all.
-- Leslie
Leslie Lindeman, Ghostwriter
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Friday, May 27, 2011
How Champions Win
For 45 minutes tonight the Bulls beat the Heat. And then the champions took control. With the score 77-65 Bulls with 3:14 left on the clock, it began. When it was all over, the Heat had hit their last 9 consecutive shots on an 18-3 run, and shut down Rose and the Bulls with their trademark stifling defense. The scoreboard read 83-80, Heat.
And that, is how champions win big ballgames, and Eastern Conference Championships. See you Tuesday ...
And that, is how champions win big ballgames, and Eastern Conference Championships. See you Tuesday ...
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Heat up 3-1 over Bulls - Light Clearly Seen ...
101-93 Heat over Bulls in a hard fought overtime victory. Massive. Heat now go up a definitive 3-1 in the series, and ladies and gentleman, the light at the end of the Eastern Conference tunnel is now clearly visible.
Bosh enormous in game 3, counterbalancing the average games from the balance of the big 3. Tonight though, it was truly a team effort. Wade struggled offensively all night - and yet, characteristically, when it was most important, Jordan-esque, came up enormous. A soft jumper from the left sideline, followed by a transition break and amazing finish, capped off by a huge block on the defensive end --all in OT.
But it was more than Wade to be sure. Mike Miller had a huge game with 12 points and 9 rebounds. Haslem was cold from the floor, but still grabbed 9 rebounds and influenced the game. Lebron had yet another huge game, leading all scorers with 35 points, and absolutely shut down Rose down the stretch.
Trailing nearly the entire 2nd half, the Heat refused to quit always clearly believing they could win this game, and with Lebron holding the fort down and Wade catching fire late in the game, they tied it up at the end of 4 quarters. Going into OT, all real fans knew the Heat would prevail. Rose and Noah were spent. Rose played the entire 2nd half and OT, while Spo did a masterful job of rotating and resting.
5 minutes later, it was 3-1. That it is definitely a light ...
Bosh enormous in game 3, counterbalancing the average games from the balance of the big 3. Tonight though, it was truly a team effort. Wade struggled offensively all night - and yet, characteristically, when it was most important, Jordan-esque, came up enormous. A soft jumper from the left sideline, followed by a transition break and amazing finish, capped off by a huge block on the defensive end --all in OT.
But it was more than Wade to be sure. Mike Miller had a huge game with 12 points and 9 rebounds. Haslem was cold from the floor, but still grabbed 9 rebounds and influenced the game. Lebron had yet another huge game, leading all scorers with 35 points, and absolutely shut down Rose down the stretch.
Trailing nearly the entire 2nd half, the Heat refused to quit always clearly believing they could win this game, and with Lebron holding the fort down and Wade catching fire late in the game, they tied it up at the end of 4 quarters. Going into OT, all real fans knew the Heat would prevail. Rose and Noah were spent. Rose played the entire 2nd half and OT, while Spo did a masterful job of rotating and resting.
5 minutes later, it was 3-1. That it is definitely a light ...
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Chitown: Mission Accomplished
Play the first 2 on the road, and you always want to come away with a split. Tonight, the Heat is 1-1, splitting the first 2 with Chicago in Chicago with an 85-75 victory.
Spo likes to talk about "grinding it out." Man, this was hard fought basketball, make no mistake. The 2 best defensive teams in the league going at it.
Glass much better tonight as Heat out-rebounds Chicago 45-41, although Chicago still kills on the offensive glass, 17-10 (1st quarter particularly ugly).
But the real story tonight was the official return of Udonis Haslem. 13 points, 7 rebounds, and awesome off the bench. At one point, UD had a block, followed by a jam. And on the next offensive possession, a 2nd jam for 4 quick points. That may have been the decisive turning point in the game. You could just feel the Heat get a lift off of that. Ironically, in the post game, Charles Barkely referred to this sequence as the "turning point in the series" and quickly corrected himself, "I mean the game" ...
He may have been right the first time.
Still a long way to go, no question. And this Bulls team is hugely tough on D, enormously deep particularly in the frontcourt where Miami's weakness is most palpable, exacerbated by Spo's inexplicable decision to inactivate both Z and Damp. Yes, Da Bulls are deep, deep, deep.
Finally, D Wade and Lebron combined for a huge increase in point production, intensity and leadership tonight. In particular, down the stretch, as in the last game with Boston, Lebron took over, seemingly just willing in hugely tough 3 point and clutch baskets.
UD. Lebron. Huge. Split in Chitown: mission accomplished. See you Sunday ...
Spo likes to talk about "grinding it out." Man, this was hard fought basketball, make no mistake. The 2 best defensive teams in the league going at it.
Glass much better tonight as Heat out-rebounds Chicago 45-41, although Chicago still kills on the offensive glass, 17-10 (1st quarter particularly ugly).
But the real story tonight was the official return of Udonis Haslem. 13 points, 7 rebounds, and awesome off the bench. At one point, UD had a block, followed by a jam. And on the next offensive possession, a 2nd jam for 4 quick points. That may have been the decisive turning point in the game. You could just feel the Heat get a lift off of that. Ironically, in the post game, Charles Barkely referred to this sequence as the "turning point in the series" and quickly corrected himself, "I mean the game" ...
He may have been right the first time.
Still a long way to go, no question. And this Bulls team is hugely tough on D, enormously deep particularly in the frontcourt where Miami's weakness is most palpable, exacerbated by Spo's inexplicable decision to inactivate both Z and Damp. Yes, Da Bulls are deep, deep, deep.
Finally, D Wade and Lebron combined for a huge increase in point production, intensity and leadership tonight. In particular, down the stretch, as in the last game with Boston, Lebron took over, seemingly just willing in hugely tough 3 point and clutch baskets.
UD. Lebron. Huge. Split in Chitown: mission accomplished. See you Sunday ...
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Don't Panic
First off; no panic here. The Bulls, who finished as the top seed in the NBA won the opener at home. Consider, if they had lost this game, there would be talk of "collapse" and "choke" etc ... so the fact that Da Bulls held serve on their home court does not crush me. A win Wednesday would be huge; a split is a split.
That said, there is lots, yes oodles, of room for concern. First off, yes, Rose had a great game with 28 points and 3/7 from the 3 point line, but Noah's 14 rebounds and just plain dominance of the paint, alongside the aggressive frontcourt play of Boozer, and lordy, even the gutsy play of Gibson (yikes, what a jam/putback that was) was cumulatively an enormous-around-the-basket force.
That's why, sure, you gotta be quick against this Chicago team, but the length and size of Zadrunis surely would have helped tonight. I think Spo's gotta rethink dressing out Z. (It's not like big cat Magloire is quick.)
Offensive rebounds (19 - 6 Bulls) destroyed the Heat tonight. Offensive rebounds lead to 2nd chance points, which means no Heat fast court pace with open breaks. Z helps you clear those defensive boards. Significantly, he also has had some great offensive tips and O-rebounds of his own. They'll need lots more than Z to steal game 2 in Chitown though.
Big picture is don't panic. Lots of ball left to play. A let down after that gargantuan series against the Cs was probably unavoidable. They'll be getting 2 days of much needed rest with no travel - that will help.
That said, there is lots, yes oodles, of room for concern. First off, yes, Rose had a great game with 28 points and 3/7 from the 3 point line, but Noah's 14 rebounds and just plain dominance of the paint, alongside the aggressive frontcourt play of Boozer, and lordy, even the gutsy play of Gibson (yikes, what a jam/putback that was) was cumulatively an enormous-around-the-basket force.
That's why, sure, you gotta be quick against this Chicago team, but the length and size of Zadrunis surely would have helped tonight. I think Spo's gotta rethink dressing out Z. (It's not like big cat Magloire is quick.)
Offensive rebounds (19 - 6 Bulls) destroyed the Heat tonight. Offensive rebounds lead to 2nd chance points, which means no Heat fast court pace with open breaks. Z helps you clear those defensive boards. Significantly, he also has had some great offensive tips and O-rebounds of his own. They'll need lots more than Z to steal game 2 in Chitown though.
Big picture is don't panic. Lots of ball left to play. A let down after that gargantuan series against the Cs was probably unavoidable. They'll be getting 2 days of much needed rest with no travel - that will help.
"There's nothing to run from ...
Everyone here's got someone to lean on"
--Don't Panic / Coldplay
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