by publius
Associated Press, “Rockets Take Commanding Lead; Analysts Say Victory Over Celtics Likely Inevitable”
The Rockets’ Shane Battier opened the game with a three-pointer, all but assuring victory in the much-anticipated clash with the Boston Celtics, who currently boast the best record in the Eastern Conference. Battier’s shot put the Rockets ahead 3-0, with approximately 11:42 left in the first quarter. “I just don’t see how the Celtics can climb out of that kind of hole,” TNT analyst and former NBA All-Star Charles Barkley explained. “Historically, that kind of lead generates a momentum that’s difficult to slow down.”
ESPN, “NBA Shootaround”
Bill Walton — It’s an amazing Cinderella story. Looking at the teams’ respective records, it seemed like Houston had no chance here. But you have to hand it to the Rockets. They really focused on organization. And it paid off. Battier led off with that big three, curling off a carefully-executed pick and roll. I’m still in shock. What an amazing story.
Stuart Scott – I agree Bill. But what really stands out is not so much the Rockets’ improbable rise, but the Celtics’ unlikely fall. For weeks, all of we’ve heard about is the ruthless Celtics machine. The unstoppable Celtics machine. They always find a way to win. They just don’t make mistakes. But tonight, we see again why we go to the trouble of actually playing these games. Despite the records, Battier came out and hit a big three with 11:42 left on the clock.
Walton – In the first quarter.
Scott – It’s just an unbelievable turn of events.
Stephen Smith: Didn’t the Celtics ultimately win though?
Scott: Not sure – there’s 9:02 left in the first.
WSTP-32 Post-Game Interview, Rockets’ Coach Rick Adelman
Radio Man: Coach Adelman. Let me congratulate you on Battier’s three-pointer. You’ve got to be happy.
Adelman: We try to avoid getting too high or too low Steve. But sure. I was thrilled to see that shot go down. We’ve been practicing that play since 2005.
Radio Man: Since you were coaching Sacramento in 2005, I assume you mean your teams have been practicing that play.
Adelman: No, this team.
Radio Man: Walk us through that play if you would.
Adelman: We knew it was critical to jump out early. We needed to dictate tempo and establish an early outside scoring presence. So the staff and I got together and decided that an opening three would do all these things – and would almost automatically lead to victory.
Radio Man: Talk about the planning and organization that went into designing the pick and roll that led to Battier’s open shot.
Adelman: It was really a group effort. I wish I could take credit for it. But these guys were out there every morning and every evening – taking screens, curling off screens, and doing all the things you have to do to get that shot off. I should probably get back to the game now.
Radio Man: Of course, and thanks again for your time Coach. And congratulations on Battier’s opening three-pointer.
Adelman: My pleasure Steve.
Jim Rome, ESPN Radio
The Spears parents must be proud. They have done a fantastic job with those two young ladies. But next, the Rockets-Celtics game. Are the NBA analysts you see on TV working without functional brains, or am I just insane? We’ll discuss that and Jamie Lynn after the break.
[UPDATE: I added a couple of lines in Shootaround and near the end of Adelman interview.]
Cartman, what the hell are you talking about?
I’m talking about rainbows, I hate those friggin’ things.
I hate working late.
The same idea in video, from The Onion: Nascar secrets
“This is another one of your weird posts, man” – Flight of the Conchords
If I understand you correctly it’s an analogy for the primaries. It kinda works for both, since the dominant press narrative in both races is scrappy outsider (Obamabee) versus well-oiled machine (Romnon). For background on Publius’s previous thought on information cascades generated by an Iowa win, I refer you to his post from Jan. 31st 2004 about how an Iowa win triggered a Kerry victory.
The Jim Rome ‘quote’ pretty well nails CNN, MSNBC, FoxNews, and the rest of the media. They all act as if People Magazine is the epitome of news reporting.
Well sure, it could be the primaries/election, but he just as easily could be talking about “Mission Accomplished.”
If I understand you correctly it’s an analogy for the primaries.
Heck, I thought he was talking about Iraq . . .
It’s art, man. There’s no one right answer. It means whatever you think it means at any given moment.
good one.
You mean that’s not a transcript? < /snark >
Haha. Well done.
What’s sad is that some sports coverage ain’t far from this. I still remember a Chicago Bulls game years back with Bob Costas as one of the announcers. Costas, of course, had a big sloppy man-crush on Michael Jordan. I’ve never forgot it, because I was appalled by the overselling – the score was 8-4, Bulls, and Costas said something like, ‘The Bulls have double the [other team]’s points, half of them by MJ!’ What made it really stick out was how terribly, disproportionately excited Costas was over it.