by Holly MacKenzie / @stackmack
Want to know when you really know a rookie has the ROY race on lock?
When they come one assist shy of the triple-double and we’re disappointed he didn’t get it, but barely raise an eyebrow at the line he did put up.
That’s special. He’s special. I did not see him being this good, this fast. I was far too focused on his less-than-perfect shooting mechanics. My bad. Apologies go out to Mr. Evans who has been one of the most exciting rookies in recent history to watch. I just hope you’re watching, too.
It’s weird though. Watching Kobe Bryant have rookies keep the pace with him two nights in a row, with Steph on Monday and now Tyreke on Tuesday. Makes me feel kind of old and makes me thankful I get to watch this generation of rookies and appreciate them from day one in a way I probably didn’t with Kobe. I followed the ’96 class and consider them “my” first real class that I loved, but I was 11. You don’t appreciate, you don’t understand the skill, effort, heart, talent in the same way. It’s more fun now.
It’s still strange hearing MVP chants for Kobe in Arco. I don’t like that. I miss the old Kings/Lakers rivalry days. I’m just in a bit of a sentimental mood today, aren’t I? I think it’s because I’m tired and am already thinking of dreamland.
Also, I’m tracking Bulls, Bobcats and the Heat to try and see where this team of mine here in Toronto is going to finish up. I just want to know if I’m going to get to cover playoffs and see my first postseason game. Pulling hard for that, so I’m pulling for the Raps to finish strong. They’re really not doing themselves any favors, unfortunately. The Hawks are in town tonight on the second night of a back-to-back, but of course, they played the Nets last night and got a whole bunch of rest.
I missed the Detroit/Cleveland game because I was liveblogging Heat/Spurs, but the world was talking about LeBron’s big block at the end. Goaltending? It certainly sounds so. Another game, another triple-double for Bron. Someone said Durant should get the MVP because Bron is, “being LeBron.”
I think this kind of works against his argument because it’s sort of saying that LeBron’s in a different category because he’s so good. Doesn’t this mean he’s the best player in the league? Yeah, I’m still not good at saying statements like this, but I think so, right? I’m just happy I get to watch him. And Kobe. And Melo. And KD. And the rest of them.
In Miami, the Spurs were all over the Heat through the first three quarters and then kind of fell apart before Manu Ginobili bailed them out with two huge 3-pointers to hold off a Heat team that trailed by as many as 26 points in the first half. Manu’s so good when he’s on, isn’t he? Love watching him drive the lane and e-x-t-e-n-d to the hoop, drawing the foul more often than not. I also love George Hill and DeJaun Blair. The Spurs as a whole are a lot more enjoyable to watch than they get credit for. It was amazing to see the difference between Miami in the first and second half. Tale of two halves didn’t even begin to describe it.
As long as the Raps go to the postseason, I’m happy. I’m not ready for my day-to-day season to end at the end of the regular season.
So we all agree Tyreke is ROY, can we agree that Jamal Crawford is the 6th man? What other awards do we have locked up already? I think Brooks gets COTY. What else? Bron MVP? I feel like Kobe is going to go off and have five more game winners and a ton of phenomenal performances to close the season out just because I wrote that. I’d take it. Have your picks changed at all since we last spoke about this?
