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Saturday, April 22, 2006
Sayson: The top Sun versus the alpha Laker
By Homer Sayson
Secondovertime
CHICAGO – Like ankles and feet, records get in-evitably broken in the NBA. And such was exactly the norm in the recently-concluded 2005-06 regular season, a chapter full of memories and historic accomplishments.
Kobe Bryant led the history-makers with his 81-point outburst at Staples Center against the Raptors last Jan. 22, while Rey Allen shot his way through the history books by making 629 3-point shots, eclipsing the previous standard of 627 set in 1996 by Orlando’s Dennis Scott.
Quietly and unassumingly, the defending champion Spurs won a franchise-best 63 games despite a plague of injuries, while the trigger-happy and free-wheeling Suns became the first team in NBA history to make at least 800 3-point shots in a single season, sinking a dizzying total of 837.
But every second in the 1,230 regular season games has ticked. The spills, thrills and breath-taking moments have all gone, each finding their place somewhere along the alleys of memory lane.
It’s another time of day, time to break new records, build new milestones, and create fresh memories.
Welcome to the 2006 NBA playoffs.
If I were an insomniac, the NBA playoffs is my midnight, my wee hours in the morning. I feel a rush of childhood excitement coursing through my veins, and so should you because Sun.Star Cebu will cover the NBA like no other community newspaper can.
Beginning this Monday, our sports section will have a modified NBA page. And that page will carry the freshest results in the ongoing playoffs, as well as the latest news and tidbits about the league’s teams and its superstars.
My column, which will ambitiously run daily if possible, will be the cherry on the sundae.
Although, I had credentials covering the NBA Finals for the last five consecutive years, this will be my first year to cover on-site a regular NBA playoffs series. Thanks to the NBA office in New York, I will be at the United Center for all the Bulls home games against the Miami Heat in Round 1 of the postseason.
Not only will I cover the Bulls-Heat series wall-to-wall, I’ll also send fresh photos from the United Center.
So join the NBA party here at Sun.Star. And oh, please don’t steal the office newspaper, subscribe your own copy.
RANDOM THOUGHTS. Ron Artest is delving his hands in the prediction business yet again. But like Artest’s failed venture into rap music, his latest yapping is destined to blow up in his face.
In the Kings’ final three games this season, Artest has scored a combined 23 points, making just 9-of-35 field goals. Still, he insists that the Kings will beat the Spurs in their opening round match-up.
A lot of people think Artest is a little loose on top. I think they’re right. Ron is a good player, especially on defense. But he is better seen, not heard.
Anyway, the Lakers-Suns series looms as the most compelling in the West Conference. Phoenix is clearly the better team with six guys averaging double figures in points, but the Lakers have the most dangerous individual.
This series isn’t just about a No.2 versus a No.7 seed, this is a showcase between Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant, MVP award frontrunners. This series will definitely sway a lot of votes.
I’ve always thought that Nash, who leads the NBA in assists at 10.5 per, deserves to win the MVP award back-to-back, but my gut says Kobe will snatch it. But there will be some vindication as the Suns will advance in six games.
(homsay@hotmail.com)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (April 22, 2006 issue)
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