Tag Archive for 'Chris Paul'

How important is playoff experience?

Published by Matt Watson on April 21, 2008 in Around the Internets and Shameless Plugging. 8 Comments

Just how important is playoff experience?

I know as Pistons fans we like to think it gives our favorite team an edge over every other up-and-comer, but I’m not sure I buy it anymore. This isn’t a knee-jerk reaction to last night’s game — I actually made this idea the central theme of my latest FanHouse column, which I started before Sunday’s Pistons-Sixers game and focuses on Chris Paul’s dominance from Saturday:

What’s experience worth in the NBA playoffs? If you believe the pundits, it’s what separates serious contenders from “happy to be here” upstarts. When talking about the Hornets-Mavericks series on Friday night, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith predicted Dallas to win in six. Why? Because they’ve been there before. “I think they have the experience and savvy to close it out, plus the sense of urgency,” said Smith, “because if they don’t get it done and they lose in the first round, there’s going to be some changes in the Big D.”

Forget that Chris Paul turned in an MVP-caliber season or that the Hornets won the No. 2 seed in the most competitive Western Conference of recent memory. Never mind the fact that the Mavericks barely made the playoffs, or that they lost in the opening round as a No. 1 seed the year before (now that was a good experience). Instead, Dallas should be favored because they’re “experienced,” “savvy,” and my favorite, “urgent.” Yes, folks, closing windows of opportunity are now reasons for hope.

Well, we saw what that was worth Saturday afternoon, as poor, inexperienced, wet behind the ears Chris Paul took a steaming dump on conventional wisdom.

I know I do more than my fair share of self-promotion here, but I’m proud of how this piece came out, and not just because I slipped “steaming dump” past my editor. If nothing else, there’s some fun throwback YouTube videos at the bottom that will provide a welcome distraction to being down 0-1, but I’m curious how much you guys think experience (as opposed to just plain “talent”) actually matters.

Hornets buzz into Detroit

Published by Matt Watson on March 16, 2008 in Hornets and Previews. 137 Comments

I’ve been looking forward to this game for awhile and it seems I’m not alone: the game was bumped (twice) from it’s original 6pm start time to 1pm so that ABC could televise it for a national audience. For the oft-overlooked Hornets, it’s about time they get a share of the spotlight: they’re an elite contender, sitting just a half game out of the No. 1 seed in the ultra-competitive West and coming into today’s game with a full head of steam having dumped the Spurs and Lakers in their last two.

Plus, Chris Paul may be the best point guard in the game — certainly an MVP candidate and maybe even the best all-around little man the league has seen since Isiah Thomas was still building his legacy and not destroying it. Unfortunately, we may not get to see Paul at his best; he tweaked his ankle late in Friday’s game, and although he almost certainly will play, he may be somewhat limited. Then again, maybe not; as Chauncey Billups said, “he’s tough as nails.”

Hornets fans aren’t quite as excited about facing Detroit’s point guard — here’s Ryan Schwan of Hornets247 delivering the backhanded compliment of the week when discussing the first time these teams met this season:

I remember the game, and Billups was doing his best Bowen impression, poking, slapping and tugging at Paul every chance he got. He’s a savvy bastard on a team of savvy bastards.

I’ll be at the game filing pre-game, halftime and post-game reports for HOOPSWORLD. Enjoy the early tip-off, and do your thing in the comments.

Update: Oh good lord this is pretty: