Hey, you can spell 'world' without N-Y-CNo, the world doesn't revolve around New York. And no, the Big Apple shouldn't expect to score LeBron James in 2010. While that might be a shock to some, the truth is crystal clear to Gregg Doyel: LeBron has everything he wants and needs in Ohio. Yes, Ohio.
Big Three? 1986 Celtics' Big Six trump '08 champsBoth the 1986 Celtics and this year's version had three Hall of Famers
in the starting lineup. The difference for Gregg Doyel, the reason he picks
vintage over current, is the '86 team had more than that. And it had Larry Bird.
Championship is cement of Celtics' legacyA title is the gift that keeps giving. For Allen, Garnett and Pierce, it solidifies a route to the Hall of Fame. Doc Rivers? From failure to solid coach. For Boston's role players, it's a chance for more money. Gregg Doyel says this Game 6 win is something that can't be erased.
When Kobe disappeared, so did the Lakers' chances for victoryKobe Bryant opens Game 6 on a roll -- hitting the Lakers' first four field goals. Then poof!!! The MVP was gone, like a magician pulling a trick. As Kobe kept sinking, he brought Los Angeles with him, Gregg Doyel says.
Putting Pierce on Kobe's level a joke ... right?Kobe Bryant has the scoring titles, first-team All-NBA selections, an MVP trophy and, most importantly, three titles. Paul Pierce has none of those. So why does it look to Gregg Doyel like Pierce is the better player in the NBA Finals?
With crown in Celtics' reach, Lakers on verge of major coupHeavy is the head that almost wears the crown. That's the uneasy feeling growing in Boston. Gregg Doyel sees a worn-down, battered Celtics squad that might not have enough left to finish off L.A.
Celtics get what they deserve in Game 5 -- bad karma and allBelieve in karma? The Celtics should because that is what's hurting them right now. Boston watches a Game 5 victory slip through its clutches, and for good reason. Gregg Doyel says the lying C's get a little payback.
Celtics riddled with aches, pains; Lakers lacking stable brainsGame 5, which could close out the Finals, is like a box of chocolates. Neither
coach knows what he's gonna get, Gregg Doyel says, thanks to the Celtics'
injuries and Lakers' lunacy.
Halftime hero Doc is making Phil look foolishWhat is this, the 'Oprah' Finals? In the Doc Phil segment, the Lakers' leader needs
therapy after being outcoached by his counterpart. You see, whatever the Celtics
need to know at halftime, Rivers runs through it, Gregg Doyel says.
Kobe who? Pierce is The Man as Finals reach foregone conclusionDown 24 in the second quarter on the road? The Celtics can only laugh,
battling back for a 97-91 win and a 3-1 Finals lead. Paul Pierce proves
better than Kobe, inspiring the C's to an eventual title, Gregg Doyel says.
Refs manufacture calls, but are they fixing the outcome? Uh, noIs there a foul-calling conspiracy in the NBA? Gregg Doyel says yes and uses the first quarter in Game 4 as evidence. The first four fouls were called on Boston then the next three -- in 21 seconds -- were whistled on L.A. Was this planned? You bet.
Kobe as Superman is Lakers' only chance in FinalsKobe Bryant was good in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, and the Lakers won. But for L.A. to have a chance vs. Boston, Kobe has to quit resting on defense, check Paul Pierce and continue his phenomenal effort on offense, Gregg Doyel says.
Garnett's skills wasted while he hangs around perimeterKevin Garnett's unique talents are unmatched. Too bad for the Celtics they don't include drifting way outside the lane and firing up 20-foot jump shots. It's time for K.G. to quit being afraid to go after Pau Gasol(?!?!) and attack the rim, Gregg Doyel says.
Dutrow is the horse's ass in world of horse racingThere aren't enough words in the English language for Gregg Doyel to describe Rick Dutrow, Big Brown's trainer, who blamed jockey Kent Desormeaux for Saturday's defeat. Well, here's a start: jerk, bully, steroid abuser, wimp, big mouth ...
Celtics' mistake: Taking ball away from AllenRay Allen's 3 early in the fourth quarter of Game 3 gives Boston the lead, but then he disappears and the Celtics lose their first game of these Finals to the Lakers. Why? Allen's teammates and coach screw up, forgetting about their hottest shooter, Gregg Doyel says.
Lakers roll with Rockhead to top Celtics in Game 3The Lakers are back in business. While Kobe Bryant scores a game-high 36 points in a 87-81 Game 3 win over the Celtics, it's reserve Sasha Vujacic who plays the hero with a career playoff-high 20 points. It's just the type of 'the little help' that Kobe needs, Gregg Doyel says.
For God's sake, some athletes should leave Him out of itFaith is fine, but Gregg Doyel says there are athletes who invoke God in the strangest ways and do him no favors in the process.
Ten best things about the NBA Finals don't involve Celtics or LakersCeltics-Lakers? Great. But that's not why these are the dream NBA Finals. Don't give Gregg Doyel flashbacks. He's pumped because he won't have to deal with DEE-troit BAS-ket-BALL, flamethrowers, LeBron's flunkies and Mark Cuban's sweat.
Coaching great players shouldn't overshadow Phil's greatnessThere have been lots of coaches that coached lots of great players. How many of them won nine NBA titles? Red Auerbach. And Phil Jackson. Gregg Doyel says one could be a fluke, but nine is a number that can't be ignored.
Wrestle with this thought: L.A. will be even better with Andrew the GiantWe have a Finals matchup. So, naturally, Gregg Doyel looks ahead to ...
next season? Indeed. If you think L.A. has been impressive during its
12-3 romp through the playoffs, just wait until Andrew Bynum is healthy again.
Forget about it: Lakers will win title; Kobe's just too goodBoston? Detroit? It doesn't matter, Gregg Doyel says. Kobe is so good
that with the little help he has, L.A. will win the title. Bryant displays
some of that prowess with 39 points in finishing off the Spurs 100-92.
Like Mike? That's a line Kobe can't cross in West finalsKobe Bryant wants to go to the Finals, and he's just one win away.
He also wants to go to the foul line, but there's no telling when that'll
happen. M.J. never had this problem, Gregg Doyel says.
You can cry foul, but the Lakers have this wrapped upWas it a foul or not? Does it matter? Not to the Lakers, who have a hot ticket out of San Antonio with a 93-91 win and a 3-1 lead. With two of the next three games out in L.A., Gregg Doyel says this series is over.
Replay for baseball? It's a no-brainer, bird brainsUmpires make mistakes, and that's no sin. But rejecting instant replay that could help baseball avoid costly gaffes, especially in October, is a far bigger error made by old-school fools, Gregg Doyel says.
Good guy Odom lacks The Goods in brutally bad Game 3Lamar Odom is one of the really good guys in the NBA, so it pains Gregg Doyel to say this: As good as Manu Ginobili was, Lamar Odom was equally bad, crushing L.A. in Game 3.
Manu(re) one day ... He-Man(u) the nextThe Spurs take advantage of home court with a 103-84 Game 3 win over the Lakers -- their 13th straight playoff win in San Antonio. Manu Ginobili, despite a gimpy foot, goes from terrible to incredible, Gregg Doyel says.
It's the Lake Show and rest of league can only watchDon't hand them the trophy just yet, but start polishing it. The Lakers totally dismantle the Spurs in Game 2 with a 101-71 rout. If they continue to play like this, the Spurs, Celtics and Pistons should be very afraid, Gregg Doyel says.
Call Gasol a star? Not in this spaceWanna drive Gregg Doyel batty? OK, that's a short drive, but stick
with us. Call the Lakers' Pau Gasol an NBA star, then watch Doyel
fume over a player he compares to ... Craig Counsell?
Forget sharing, Lakers need a selfish KobeKobe lets his mates run the show early in Game 1 vs. the Spurs. Bad idea. Bryant finally takes over, turning a 20-point, second-half deficit into an 89-85 win. L.A. needs Kobe to be an SOB, Gregg Doyel says.
For Kentucky fringe, love morphs into lunacyThere are times when a fan base's passion for a particular team crosses the line into madness. Gregg Doyel says you know who you are, round-the-bend Kentucky fans -- oh, wait, no you don't.
Duncan's greatness definitely wasn't handed to himHe never had Kobe, Nash or even Stockton. Nope, Tim Duncan has had to struggle for greatness. Gregg Doyel says Duncan might be fading a bit, but his numbers without a court complement will always impress.
As on Wall Street, Kobe's selfishness can be goodSelfish? Kobe Bryant might act like that sometimes, but Gregg Doyel says 'good.' Kobe's self-reliance instead of involving shaky teammates late is why the Lakers are conference finals-bound with a 108-105 win over Utah.
Hornets blow golden opportunity, fail to show up for Game 6No way. Not in San Antonio. The Spurs' Big Three lead the way, keeping
the defending champs alive with a 99-80 win over the visiting Hornets in
Game 6. But New Orleans really blows it by not showing up, Gregg Doyel says.
Lofton, Cutler deliver hard lessons in humanityWatching the declining performances of Chris Lofton and Jay Cutler invited scrutiny and maybe criticism. But two very human athletes force Gregg Doyel to think again.
Be careful, NCAA, you won't get what you wished forThe NCAA got its wish: O.J. Mayo spent a year on campus, but not without leaving his (negative) mark. Gregg Doyel says before the NCAA pushes harder to keep stars in school, it needs to know the world is full of extra Mayos.
Unrepentant Daly headed for ultimate unhappy endingJohn Daly again showed a flash of his often-wasted potential with a respectable finish Sunday at the Italian Open, but Gregg Doyel says don't be fooled: It was only a detour in Daly's continuing path toward self-destruction.
Playoff game: First 47 sheer heaven, last minute enough to kill itSomething always comes up at the last minute: Gregg Doyel can't keep his dinner
down during the final 60 seconds of a tight, televised NBA playoff game. And it isn't
because of nervous anticipation.
Where PETA went wrong: It opened its mouthPETA loves animals, so does Gregg Doyel; it would seem to be a perfect fit then, right? Not so much. PETA's affront to rationality, most recently demonstrated in the wake of Eight Belles' death, makes Doyel sick.
