Jazzitivity

My paper writing procrastination continues...I went on FreeDarko (perhaps my single favourite blog in existence, to be quite honest...where else would people talking about basketball bring up Zizek?!?), started commenting on their recent entry musing about the Warriors victory over the Mavs, and that comment turned into a mini-essay on its own right, so I thought I'd share it here. (And if you think that my tendency to post quasi-related humorous images in all my posts is a clear rip-off of FD's style...then you're right on point, mon ami)

In the unlikely event you want to read the following and know what I'm referring to, you'll need to see this post first

**********************************************
Myriad thoughts:

1. Interesting dynamic created by BS's essential observation and the fact that Jazz embodied are playing the Jazz, a team that, in so many ways, are the least deserving of their name. And yet...who really thinks that the Warriors can prevail against Utah?? I wanted T-Mac to prevail for personal reasons, but watching Houston being forced into the same "Ok, let's make it a three point contest" game that the Mavericks foolishly volunteered for would have been not nearly as interesting. For the Warriors to be truly deserving of the title of "Jazz", then they would have to show that they can improvise for real - the Mavericks being the one key and beat that they have practiced soloing over time and again. Houston would have been them playing in the key of B after Dallas's Bflat...let's see if they know their scales in F (Utah).

B. Despite the immense wonderfulness of GS's play, I found myself really disappointed that the Mavs didn't advance. Part of it was just because I hated the Heat SO MUCH for what happened last year that only a Mavs victory would have erased that bitter feeling...and partly because I don't think it is fair to try to shove Mavs into the "boringly dominant" box that the Spurs live in. I don't think you can boil it down to old way/new way. One of the "older" ways, though, is where each position plays to the stereotypical position strength - general PG, couple shooting options, bigs that play D...etc. But Dallas isn't that - they weren't designed to be perfect as in one cohesive machine where everyone works together for one cohesive goal (like the Spurs), they were designed to give a cornucopia of options. They don't really fit together in some beautiful whole; they are all just really different parts each with a strange assortment of strengths, like a fantasy basketball team, but a really GOOD one. What was ironic about the GS victory is that the Warriors are in some ways the same - a bunch of pieces that don't really fit together in any necessary or intrinsic ways. The difference is that instead of having different roles, they basically all have the SAME one (how that breaks down depending entirely on context, which was the breath-taking genius of it all). Maybe it is a small difference, but a big enough one to explain why I love Dallas and hate the Spurs.

3. Aren't the Pistons (which probably has a better chance of being champs than any other single team at this point) another kind of Jazz? As I watched them dismantle the Bulls...I thought about how I've always adored watching them play, yet so many others seem to hate it. I find nothing boring in the unique ways the Pistons can impose their will on an oppontent...and it isn't because they're finely tuned, it is because they MAKE THINGS HAPPEN. The way they board, and steal, and crush the opponents offensive schemes, creates offensive opportunities that are unique every time. It isn't the rote forumula of "Duncan - good post position? Y = score. N = pass to Parker. Open lane? Y = score, N = pass to open three point shooter". I will content that the Pistons are just as good at improvisation (if not more so) than the Warriors team we've seen the past few weeks, even if it is a slower, darker, moodier kind.