Philippines, 29 Mar 2024
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


PhilBoxing.com Special 2011 NBA Playoffs Coverage: Homer Sayson is Back!


PhilBoxing.com




Editor's Note: After months of sabbatical, one of the Philippines' most colorful print and radio personalities our very own Homer D. Sayson is back to bring us inside coverage and news analysis of the current NBA Playoffs run. Sayson, based in Chicago, will be courtside during the Chicago home games as long as the Derrick Rose-led Bulls stays in the series. Welcome back Homer!


THE 2011 NBA PLAYOFFS: Not feeling so bullish about the Bulls

When Carlos Boozer left Utah to sign a fat free-agent deal with the Bulls this past July, his arrival was met with abundant joy and elation. Given that the 6-foot-9, 266-pound Boozer is an 8-year veteran with All-Star credentials, all the hoopla was well-deserved.

As the new Bull on the block, Boozer quickly endeared himself to Chicago's fans. Though playing hurt at times, he still managed to norm 17.5 points and 9.6 rebounds per in 59 regular season games. He also shot 51 percent from the field and 70 percent from the free throw stripe.

With presumptive MVP Derrick Rose leading the way, the rampaging Bulls snatched the NBA's best record overall -- 62-20 -- and were rewarded with homecourt advantage throughout the 2011 playoffs.

And that's where this easy, breezy, feel-good story sputters. Because when the Bulls began what they had hoped to be a deep post-season run, Boozer didn't seem to tag along. Sure, Chicago dispatched the pesky 8th-seeded Indiana Pacers, but Boozer's abysmal showing provided an alarming concern going forward.

Boozer struggled mightily in five games against the Pacers. He made only 19 of 53 field goals for a meager 35.8 percent clip. He snatched 10.2 rebounds a contest, but his foul troubles, lack of scoring (10 ppg) and seeming inability to play defense has incited vitriol on talk radio, the internet, as well as other avenues where dejected fans go to redress their hoops grievances.

When Boozer inked that 5-year contract worth $80 million last summer, it then seemed like a wonder. Right now, though, it appears more like an expensive blunder.

From hero to zero.

BEAUTY OF A ROSE. Look, the Bulls are a talented lot. They have Rose, who can do anything but climb a cactus. The 6-foot 2, 190-pound sparkplug can score at will, averaging 27.6 points thus far in these playoffs. He hits big shots, most of which are in the twisting, gravity-defying variety.

And the scariest part is that this kid Rose is only 23 years young.

The Bulls have 7-foot Joakim Noah, who can rebound (10.6 rpg), score (12 ppg), pass some (1.8 assists pg) and block a lot (2.6 pg). Noah can also annoy the hell out of opposing big men, and on most nights, the wiry 232-pounder provides more energy than your local power company.

The Bulls have 6-foot-9 veteran Luol Deng, whose jumpshot is smooth as butter. The Bulls also have Kyle Korver, who brings an insatiable appetite for making timely 3-point baskets. And yes, the Bulls bench is deep enough to bury any team, East or West, on any given night.

Throw in Coach of the Year candidate Tom Thibodeau on that pile and you'll find a complete team.

Well, almost. Because there is a glaring vacancy at the power forward position that needs to be filled. Right about now.

Without the 30-year old Boozer, the Bulls could still get by either the offense-challenged Orlando Magic or the free-wheeling Atlanta Hawks in the second round. But make no mistake, they need Boozer against the Boston Celtics or the Miami Heat in the East Conference Finals.

That's because the Celtics parade a hybrid power forward in Kevin Garnett and that the Heat have bigs such as Chris Bosh and some guy named LeBron James. You don't have to have a PhD to figure that one out.

Bulls fans are happy to see their team advance to the second round of these playoffs. But with Boozer currently unable to find his way, can you blame them if they don't feel so giddy as the Heat or Celtics series looms?

NOT DEAD YET. Having met and interviewed him a few times, I've always liked Tim Duncan as a person and the San Antonio Spurs as a whole. They are a classy bunch, who captured four NBA titles (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007) through unselfish team play and minus the requisite bragging that lesser champions love to flaunt.

But like the other great ones before them, the Spurs have been ravaged by both time and too many playoff wars. In their ongoing series against the 8th seeded Grizzlies from Memphis, the Spurs look old, and tired. But not beaten just yet.

Thanks to a miracle 3-pointer by Gary Neal with 1.7 seconds left in regulation, the No1-seeded Spurs beat Memphis in Game 5 overtime, 110-103, yesterday at the AT&T Center in San Antonio.

The Spurs still trail the best-of-7 series 3-2, with Game 6 in Memphis. Duncan and his friends certainly aren't out of the woods, but like my fellow Spurs faithfuls, I haven't lost hope. (Homer D. Sayson)


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • AJ Paciones Stops Wanchai, Retains WBA Asia 108 Belt in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 29 Mar 2024
  • Ador Torres Scores Round 4 TKO WIn in Thailand, Still ABF-147 Champ
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 29 Mar 2024
  • Weigh-In Results: Oscar Valdez vs. Liam Wilson & Seniesa Estrada vs. Yokasta Valle Championship Doubleheader
    , Fri, 29 Mar 2024
  • Pagaduan to face Bubpamalo on March 30 in Bangkok
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 29 Mar 2024
  • Andrew Moloney-Pedro Guevara Interim Junior Bantamweight Title Showdown Confirmed as New Co-Feature to Lomachenko-Kambosos Super Fight at RAC Arena in Perth & LIVE on ESPN
    , Fri, 29 Mar 2024
  • CBN Promotions Expands Broadcast Reach with Addition of Stadium and Gray Television as Distribution Partners
    , Fri, 29 Mar 2024
  • Daya, Paulino rule OCR
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 29 Mar 2024
  • Wild, Wild Western Conference
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Press Conference Notes: Oscar Valdez-Liam Wilson & Seniesa Estrada-Yokasta Valle Doubleheader Set for Friday
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • WEIGHTS FROM BIG TIME BOXING USA IN DETROIT
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Undefeated Super Featherweight Contender Andres Cortes to Attend Oscar Valdez vs. Liam Wilson Fight Eyes Potential Showdown with Winner
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • PACE to host FIDE chess tilt this weekend
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Preserving a Legacy: The Birth of the Philippine Boxing Historical Society
    By Dong Secuya, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Garcia vs Haney: Boxing Match or A Live Mental Break Down?
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Christian Mbilli-Mark Heffron Super Middleweight Main Event & Arslanbek Makhmudov-Junior Fa Heavyweight Battle Set for May 25 at Gervais Auto Center in Shawinigan, Canada
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • MATÍAS MAKES HOMECOMING DEFENSE AGAINST PARO ON JUNE 15
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • ‘ROCKY’ HERNANDEZ RETURNS AGAINST LUGO IN MEXICO ON MAY 11
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • PCAP: Cavite eyeing to bounce back
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • HALL OF FAMER ANN WOLFE TO ATTEND 2024 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Gathering of champions
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Filipinos AJ Paciones and Ador Torres Make Weight for Title Fights in Highland Boxing Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Visiting Teams All Won vs Hosts; Boston Finally Loses
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Lukas to face undefeated Jaiklom on March 30 in Bangkok
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Sulaiman leaves Manila with fond memories
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Montano to Fight for WBO Oriental Welterweight Title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2024 philboxing.com.