The Unheralded Heroes of Game One
KG’s boy LP was a hero last nightWithout Isaac Mendez ‘s visions in NBC’s Heroes, nobody would know how to save the cheerleader, or save the world. But Isaac doesn’t get any credit. Everybody gives love to that pudgy guy Hiro for coming up with that catchy catch-phrase.
Through game one of the Playoffs, we can’t comment on who “saved the cheerleader,” but it sure felt like Tim Duncan saved the Spurs world in double OT. After 40 points against a platoon of big men and that instant-classic triple from the wing, the Big Fundamental is getting the props he deserves. But in the other first round games, there are guys who don’t get the credit they’re due for boosting their respective teams to crucial 1-0 leads:
Reggie Evans – Forgetting the whole grab of Chris Kaman‘s lower half in ’06 (thanks True Hoop), Reggie Evans scrapped and clawed his way into my list of favorite players last night. He outhustled everyone on the floor for 14 rebounds, and was arguably Philly’s leader in creating a back-down-from-no-one mentality. He also led the charge with 5 personal fouls, and about 5 fouls that weren’t called.
Leon Powe – Aside from that one stretch when Ray Allen rattled off 10 straight points in less than 2:30, the most memorable Celtic from game one has to be Leon Powe. With a wide-eyed “Yes Mr. Garnett” look on his face for most of the game, Powe put an exclamation point on Game 1 when he elevated through Josh Smith and Mike Bibby and nearly tore the rim off.
“At first I thought [Garnett] was going to help me up, then he gave me like two, three, four, five, six Roy Jones punches,” said Powe about KG’s love taps.
Luke Walton – The Lakers’ passing wheel, which included Walton, Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol, and the usually selfish Vladimir Radmanovich was operating on all cylinders yesterday as L.A. dished out 33 assists on 46 buckets – far better numbers than Denver’s 20 dimes on 43 makes. Multiple times, it felt like Walton and Odom had some sort of vulcan mind connection. On one play Odom went behind his back, then found Walton on the wing, who tossed a lob right back for an easy dunk. Walton finished with an incredibly well-rounded stat line: 16 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds.
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April 21st, 2008 at 8:30 am
fallinup says:
I nominate Flip Saunders for hero. He always seems to come through in the playoffs….for the other team.
Note to Flip: When the other team seems to be rolling against your second squad, and they are about to take the lead. It’s the playoffs, man. Call timeout, and insert starters. KTHXBAI!
April 21st, 2008 at 8:33 am
doc says:
Reggie Evans was a Horse yesterday.
April 21st, 2008 at 8:38 am
TWolves Convert says:
I agree that Walton is underappreciated. He adds a lot to the Laker team through his unselfishness and hustle. He just does what needs done to help his team get the W.
April 21st, 2008 at 8:54 am
Prof. TX says:
The Rockets didn’t get the win, but I will say that McGrady stepped his game up and put in a good effort. He gets criticized for settling for layups and playing soft, but he was throwing in some dunks in that game. If Houston loses the series, you really can’t say it was Tracy’s fault.
April 21st, 2008 at 9:22 am
YOUNGFED says:
lol @post #1
April 21st, 2008 at 10:01 am
QQ says:
Odom was a beast in Game 1, more so than Gasol IMO (but,man, that kid can BALL), because he orchestrated the offense beautifully, leaving the Nuggets defense (oh, nevermind; they have none) on it’s ass. But I agree, Walton acted as an ‘sidekick’ to Odom, making the Lakers O flow so smoothly.
April 21st, 2008 at 11:24 am
$filmoney$ says:
Phil jackson + his triangle O & lamar odom have been unheralded all season. For game 1 pau gasol probably had 2 make only a couple of jumpers en route 2 his 36 points (mostly dunks, lays-ups & free throws) cuz lamar was finding him all day not to mention finding walton. The triangle also utilized his passing abilities (gasol) and worked 2 the strengths off waltons game. Lamar was great on the boards as he has been all season and was bringing the attention of Camby away from gasol. I’ve heard a lot of credit go 2 kobe & pau gasol (both rightfully so) but not so much about what Phil Jackon & Odom have done.
P.S. Along with Sheed, Lamar Odom could be the best player in the league if he wanted 2 be. He has all-world passing, rebounding, ballhandling & scoring skills. With an ability to post or hit from outside. He is also a strong defender.
April 21st, 2008 at 11:53 am
word says:
I agree #7, the Nuggets are getting swept easy.
April 21st, 2008 at 11:53 am
word says:
love taps lol.
April 21st, 2008 at 11:58 am
GEE..If you like fish & grits and all that pimp ish says:
Agreed post 4.
Good to see Kobe on the sideline getting his cheerleader on. I like when stars celebrate the bench dudes.
Reggie Evans nickname should be “Hard Work” (I think that is an And 1 dudes name).
Shawty LO was doing big, just wanting it more and finding the open man all the time, not to mention taking it coast to coast on one play like a pg.
Side note. KG caught Josh Smith someting horrid. The was a “Sit yo Punk A$& down” dunk.
I never watched “Heros” was it really any good?
April 21st, 2008 at 11:59 am
djKianoosh says:
did anyone else notice the sixers started to come back when Dalembert went to the bench with foul trouble? they simply played better without him. sixers are so frustrating to watch as a fan. they won sure, but i saw it more as a piston loss than a sixer win. all Rip has to do is make like 2 more shots and sheed one more shot here and there, shots that they normally make 9 out of 10 times, and they win. easy.
and iguodala needs to stop trying to go 1-on-1 so much. i saw two times at least down the stretch where he had an open guy and forced up a bad shot on a difficult drive instead.
i still think the pistons win this series.
April 21st, 2008 at 12:00 pm
djKianoosh says:
Gee, Heroes is a great show. first season was great. 2nd still good, but not as great.
April 21st, 2008 at 12:11 pm
GEE..If you like fish & grits and all that pimp ish says:
Bet I will have to look for that first season.
djKianoosh I agree Pistons win this, but with out some of Dalembert’s boards at the end I don’t know if Philly would have even got that one.
A.I.2 was on some Imma try to seal the deal stuff and couldn’t even knock down the important free throws.
They had a hero show a long time ago called “The Misfits” or just “Misfits” I think, that was pretty good way back when.
April 22nd, 2008 at 8:23 am
doc says:
Iggy made up for it on D.Sixers in 4.