3 votes – Lebron James. I would love to have given these votes to someone else, especially in light of how pathetic Detroit have been, but how can you ignore 36-14-8 and another perfect performance from The King? If you want to draw analogies to the 1991 Bulls v Pistons playoff series, go ahead. A rising team with the dominant superstar emphatically sweeping the long-standing champions of the Conference, signalling the end of their reign. It’s not quite on the same level of rivalry, these Pistons aren’t dirty enough, but don’t forget this match up has given us two classic playoff series over the last few years: 1) 2006 when Lebron and Cavs stunned the Pistons by going up 3-2, the series where Sheed said “Ain’t no way we lose to these cats”. Detroit won the last two games in what would be the the last of their classic come-from-behind series wins. 2) 2007 when Lebron gave us his miracle Game 5, and Booby Gibson took over in game 6 to sent Cleveland to the Finals – a series the Pistons were supposed to easily win. Detroit now face a very tumultuous off-season where changes have to be made – Motown String Music looks at some of the possibilities. As for Cleveland, they could be waiting up to 9 days to face the winner of the Atlanta v Miami series, so they’ll have plenty of time to work on their next commercial spoof.

2 votes – Derrick Rose. This series is ridiculous. Of the four games so far, three of them have been absolute classics, and Game 4 was off the charts. It was one of those games that makes you repeatedly swear out loud despite no one being in the room. Derrick Rose was again sublime. It wasn’t just the 23-11-9, it was the way he took over in the fourth quarter and made the Celtics defenders look like garden gnomes. I could not believe I was watching a rookie. Once this guy learns to slow down a bit (sometimes his brain is clearly moving faster than his body will allow) and improve his jump shot, his limit is the exosphere. I shudder when I think about it. Props to Ben Gordon too, who won’t get votes, but again proved his complete lack of a brain is an invaluable asset. He had several late questionable decisions and shots but these don’t seem to register in his conscience, and he ended up making the daggers when it mattered (and he did it all with a strained hamstring). Surely the remaining games of this series won’t be able to top Game 4? Right?

1 vote – Yao Ming. This vote could have gone to Rondo or Hedo or Roy, but Yao gets it for one reason: when this game looked like it was going down the toilet for Houston (Blazers started the fourth with a 6 point lead), Yao stepped up and imposed his large 7′6″ frame on the game, scoring 8 out of 13 Rockets points during a run which saw them grab the lead. I always have questioned Yao’s ability to lead and dominate when it matters, and tonight doesn’t put those doubts to rest, but seeing him step up when Ron Artest was really struggling with his shot was an encouraging step. One game away from the second round. Just don’t go all T-Mac on us.

1. Playoff Diary 2009 - Day 1
2. Looking over the Shoulders of Giants - Rockets vs Magic
3. Artest runs into the stands.. again
4. Day 17 - Rockets and Magic spoil the house parties
5. Day 6 - Rose and Durant overshadow Kobe and The King

« « Previous Post: Day 8 – Someone call the fire truck, for Kobe’s sake
» » Next Post: Day 10 – Judgement Day