Behind The Scoreboard - Claude Vinson


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Behind The Scoreboard
By Claude Vinson

No shame for Grizzlies

It is an age-old adage which is probably overworked – “All good things eventually come to an end.”

You may credit the Memphis Grizzlies for not crying “sour grapes.” They had moments of culpability and definitely had a winning shot in game two. They blew opportunities in both of the middle contests which could have been game-changers – seven shots under your offensive basket without any points and one free throw made out of several attempts. Both of those games had to be decided in overtimes.

In the end the Grizzlies didn’t have the grit and grind to effectively deal with the savvy and wiles of Tim Duncan. Other teams make a mistake when they try to bank on Duncan’s age to take him out of the post phases of the game. He is sometimes slow in posting up but is smart enough to know when a jumper from some distance is more appropriate. And make no bones about it, Duncan has two able facilitators. Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker have been the constant glue to hold victories together.

The Grizz have some housekeeping chores to immediately occupy their concerns but there can be no shame found in their season. The season record was the best in their history and the short-lived stint in the Western Conference finals was an indelible milestone. It can only be hoped that the new administration will be interested in building on these accomplishments. Their fans deserve this.

The Heat and Pacers (with game seven set for Monday night, after our press deadline) have now captured the attention of everyone who has a round ball interest. The teams made it a three-game series when it was tied at two apiece. Yours truly has remarked that if the Heat loses the battle of the East, it will be because the king decreed it. This is a simple case of history repeating itself. Last season the Heat played the elimination game at their arena then went on to win it all. I don’t see this run taking any different track.

I applaud the Pacers for their performance thus far and can be embarrassed with them for the inappropriate comments made by their star sophomore center, Roy Hibbert. The tirade was both profane and offensive. The mystery is why did he feel that he had to launch such a verbal barrage in the first place. You had won the game, you had assured that your team would have one last shot at all the marbles. Was it worth the $75,000 fine?

Now your coach, your team members and fans will have to remember this as you go into the most important game of your season.

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