Paul Jones checks in on Kobe Bryant’s heroic Game 5 performance and other news making NBA headlines.
So how did Kobe Bryant's ankle look to you last night? Sure didn't look like a guy that needed or turned down an MRI because he had a bad wheel. Bryant was dazzling as he led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 3-2 series lead thanks to a tidy 19-point performance on 8 of 13 from the floor. But it's the next game of the series with which Laker fans need to be concerned.
Byrant has often said the most difficult part in recovering from an injury in a short period of time is the lack of rest. Most of the time is spent receiving treatment and it makes difficult to sleep. So while he performed well in Game 5, depending on the travel - swelling sometimes occurs on long flights - and how healthy the ankle is the day after the game, fans of the "Lake Show" need to keep a close eye on Bryant early in Game 6.
The Atlanta Hawks had a chance to close out the Orlando Magic but didn't get it done. Heck with last night's performance they could have saved everyone a whole bunch of time and money and just mailed the game in and said to the Magic "we'll see you back here in Atlanta for Game 6". The Hawks knew they had home court advantage and played like it in Game 5 as Orlando roughed them up pretty badly. Orlando, although still down 3-2, can be encouraged by the outcome as they didn't depend entirely on Dwight Howard. In fact, Howard only had 8 points as the Magic found their three-point shooting eye.
After early foul trouble took Howard off the floor, the Magic started to break Atlanta's defense down and play draw and kick basketball in making some shots. There also seemed to be more screen-and-roll offense allowing ball handlers to break the defense down and get into the lane, collapsing the defense before finding a shooter. If this series goes to a Game 7, all bets are off and Atlanta fans will be sitting very uneasily.
It's that time of year where they crank up the music on the coaching carousel and the first participant has been asked to leave the ride. Keith Smart is out as head coach in Golden State, despite a 10-game improvement this season.
Eyeing a potential work stoppage similar to the NFL's, you wonder how much NBA people on both sides are looking at the recent court ruling that temporarily stopped the NFL's lockout. One thing the court ruling around the NFL labour situation did is heighten the urgency around negotiations in the NBA. With the players already having agreed to follow the lead of the NFL and decertify if needed, you would think the prospects for a deal being reached are just a bit better than they were a week or so ago. The ruling may have helped the NBA players union to grab the balance of power, but not so fast, the NFL owners are seeking some help in the form of an appeal.
We've seen it done in the NFL where players and coaches wear pink to support breast cancer awareness. Subject to league approval, the NBA will see officials using pink whistles in all games on May 5th to raise awareness toward breast cancer. It will hold an even more special place for NBA referee Joey Crawford. The pink whistles will hopefully not only provide a heightened awareness but serve as a symbolic tribute to his wife Mary who is battling breast cancer.
