There’s plenty to like about Rudy Fernandez, but singing and guitar tickling ain’t among them. In the relentless, Sprite-orchestrated campaign to get fans to vote for the final competitor in this year’s All-Star Weekend Slam Dunk Contest, it’s possible that they have finally pushed the envelope too far. And true, this is nowhere near as bad as Russell Westbrook’s trumpet playing. But nonetheless, Rudy has earned himself a spot on the Hater Tuesday athlete music review with this rendition of “Vota Me.”
The concept of New Year’s resolutions is a bit arcane if you ask me. Basically, the big game clock in the sky gets reset to a fresh 48 and we all rush out for the next tip promising to do better. And in the case of the Dubs, I hope they do. But when they went ahead and finished out 2008 with lackluster losses to the two worst teams in the league, it forced me to consider a resolution of my own that may or may not always include them: to renew my love of basketball.
As any Warriors fan of any tenure can tell you, rooting for this team during years like this can become downright funereal by mid-February. And while I’m still willing to be a pallbearer, I’m not sure I need to spend too much time at the microphone lamenting what could have been. Loving the Warriors is an exquisite brand of torment, and one devoid of the glory associated with other long-suffering fan bases. Sure, we have the title that defined my childhood, but basically the Warriors haven’t been out of the second round of the playoffs in so long that it takes a particular brand of masochist to embrace the ritual. Why? Simple.
As was once famously said of the city of Oakland, there isn’t enough “there” there. For the Dubs this takes a little explainin’. But, the main thing is this: in the years between championships, the Warriors’ brand of futility has lacked imagination and prestige. Essentially, we are Chicago Cubs fans without a Steve Bartman to blame. Pre-parade Red Sox’ers without the “Curse of the Bambino.” As a Cal football fan at least I can lean on “high academic standards” as my cause celebre for failures on the field. The Warriors give us no such luxuries. And this is what is curious. While the Warriors have one of the league’s most passionate and informed fan bases, we are nearly blind to the beauty all around us for our myopia. Thus my resolution. The world is filled with beautifully played basketball. And I intend to watch more of it. Never mind that we rightfully inhabit the nation’s fourth-largest media market and regularly fill the Oracle Arena. Who cares if we can call out missed defensive switches, but somehow can’t provide enough revenue to the bean counters to justify fielding a winning squad? I’m tired of the chasing the hurt with vainglorious shortsightedness. So. What to do? Read More »
Anthony Morrow didn’t waste any time following up his improbable debut on Saturday against the Clips. That 37-point breakthrough was enough to earn him the moniker “Chocolate Rain” around these parts. He followed it up tonight by raining down a not-so-insignificant 25 to lead all scorers in a win against the Trailblazers.
But there’s so much more than the points. He creates the spacing that the Warriors need to succeed in half-court sets, limiting the ability of opposing defenders to collapse and double team. Clearly, this benefits all. And tonight, against a quality opponent, the Dubs had a combined 80 points from the guards and forwards who were suddenly less heavily guarded. Or, on the break he draws attention away from the lane, or gets a kick-out pass for an open look. And then there were those instances where Oden or Pryzbilla were caught outside after switching on a screen involving Morrow. And he would either go drano over the taller defender or pass to a cutter who was suddenly facing a “beast-less” lane through which to slash.
My only complaints? He sat for much of the fourth quarter, when there was a brief scoring drought. And then there was that little matter of a couple of nearly catastrophic botched inbounds passes aimed for Morrow. Who just happens to also be the team’s best free-throw shooter. Oh, and Biedrins’ double-double streak came to an end. But these are small complaints.
Thankfully, a few questionable calls from Bob Delaney–yes, that Bob Delaney–helped ice the win. Makes me wonder what the spread was. Oh well, why hate. On a night when the Dubs go 33 for 35 on free-throw shooting all hating is temporarily suspended.
There’s an 80% chance of Chocolate Rain for Friday. Dress appropriately Chicagoans.
