Wednesday, April 25, 2007
As a naïve young child growing up, I once asked my dad, “What does NBA stand for?” The wise elder told me, “Not before April, son.”
Fortunately, now is the time the real NBA season begins. This year’s NBA playoffs offers plenty to whet the appetite of the casual sports fan even though the amount of professional basketball interest in Lawrence lies somewhere between NASCAR and Kansas men’s basketball recruiting.
Three of the eight first-round playoff series include former Kansas Jayhawks, and each team has a legitimate chance to reach the NBA Finals.
Kirk Hinrich is the heart and soul of the Chicago Bulls, which is one of the league’s most entertaining teams. Hinrich became a fan favorite in Chicago and Lawrence because of his gritty play. It was always fun to see him routinely beat everyone down the court and then hear coaches afterward call him “deceptively athletic,” also known as “white.” The Dwyane Wade and Hinrich match-up is always exciting, with Hinrich having a history of frustrating Wade, the Finals MVP.
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While this year’s regular season was full of teams openly trying to lose games in order to improve their lottery position in this year’s stacked draft, the playoffs are bringing out the players’ best efforts and already are off to an entertaining start.
Drew Gooden is one of the league’s most fortunate big men in that he gets to play in Cleveland with LeBron James. Gooden the professional pales in comparison to Gooden the Jayhawk. It is rare to see Gooden consistently bring the effort, like many NBA players, that made him the No. 4 pick of the 2002 draft. Nevertheless, Gooden knows his role with the Cavaliers: rebound, play defense and make layups when James gives him the ball under the basket. He has done just that to the tune of 11 points and 8.5 rebounds, which makes him one of the league’s rebounding leaders, per game. Also when watching Cavalier games, one can find another ex-Jayhawk in Scot Pollard simply by looking for the goofy haircut on the bench.
The fourth ex-Jayhawk in the playoffs, and the one with the best chance to walk away with a ring, is Jacque Vaughn with the San Antonio Spurs. The veteran point guard who headlined the powerful Kansas teams of the mid-90s has somehow not learned how to make an open jump shot after 10 years in the league. Regardless, Vaughn gives the Spurs 11 solid minutes per game while starting point guard Tony Parker whispers sweet nothings to fiancée Eva Longoria on the bench.
While this year’s regular season was full of teams openly trying to lose games in order to improve their lottery position in this year’s stacked draft, the playoffs are bringing out the players’ best efforts and already are off to an entertaining start. Ultra-talented and oft-injured Golden State point guard Baron Davis has already proven that as an eight seed the Warriors will give the league-best Dallas Mavericks all they can handle. Allen Iverson and Carmello Anthony combine to form a dangerous duo in Denver while Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns play the most beautiful basketball in the league.
Most of all, it is nice to see the world’s best basketball players actually play like they care. Now that the calendar reads April, it is finally worth the time to turn on the TV.
Sarraf is a Lawrence senior in journalism.
— Edited by James Pinick
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