Friday Night
When you're a fan of a sport, there are some nights that are special. Nights when the sport showcases itself in a way that you almost couldn't script. You can tell which nights they are just by watching SportsCenter; you can even tell the anchors are hyped up about nights like that. Friday night was such a night. My friend Cliff came over, we caught the end of the Wolves-Pistons game on the radio, watched some Dallas-Houston, watched some Bucks-Sonics, took in SportsCenter, and otherwise just got generally crazy. Fun night. Some highlights:
McGrady, upset about his best friend Mike Miller being dealt to the Grizzlies, told reporters before the game that he was "going to be hard" on the Bulls. First of all, you've got to like that. He kept his mouth shut, mostly, about his team's management, and McGrady is smart enough to know that the move probably helps him in the long run. Still, he was upset, and somebody was going to pay. McGrady looked like Nostrodamus after the beating he put on the Bulls, dropping 52 (or 53?) in 33 minutes. He didn't let up yesterday, either. Dude is scary.
Jordan not only goes for 43, but he does it against the Nets, while the Wiz are fighting for a playoff spot. And Jordan scores all the big baskets down the stretch. This is it. This is the stretch run (and I really do believe that this time.) He's not holding back. I turned to Cliff and said, "Yeah, but watch how he does in his next game," thinking that Jordan had expended too much of himself in the effort. Not so; he came out big against Dallas yesterday, too. If I could pick any game to have seen this year so far, this might have been the one.
Kobe keeps keepin' on. I know I've bashed Kobe. A lot. But to my surprise, the Lakers are winning during his outbursts. Sure, I've seen him take at least 10 stupid threes on highlight shows, with at least two guys hanging on him and a teammate open in the corner and clapping their hands for the pass. But the shots are going in. He's been over 40 nine games in a row, and counting. Which reminds me, I'll be seeing Kobe and the Lakers take on Crazy Ron Artest and the Pacers at the Staples center on March 5th. Think I ain't stoked?
Mashburn goes for 50, and hits the winning bucket to boot? Sucks to go for 50 and get overshadowed by three other guys.
Some fun random notes:
Cliff was euphoric as we watched the highlights; he owns Jordan, Kobe and Mashburn in our fantasy league. Best fantasy night ever.
At what point will we see a team field five non-U.S. players? The day is coming sooner than you may think. I haven't examined the rosters, but there are many teams with three foreigners right now, who are at least getting some minutes. I think we might be three years away.
Friday night...hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.
1:16:18 PM 
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