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Archive for the 'Varsity Shootaround' Category

Team U.S.A. Pre-Game Report: U.S.A. vs. Spain

Published by varsityoptimism on August 15, 2008 in USA Basketball and Varsity Shootaround. 14 Comments

Disclaimer #1: I had a wonderful vacation, and although I missed the Angola and Greece games, I still feel the spirit and ferocity of the Screaming Eagles pulsating through my body.

Disclaimer #2: America. Apple Pie. Fifty States. Eagles. Money. Amber waves of grain. Abe Lincoln. Declaration of Independence. Guns. Mickey Mouse. Baseball.

As much as I love the United States of America and their National basketball team, I have room in my heart for another darling.

I love the Spanish National basketball team.

Not in the same way I love the ol’ Screaming Eagles, but the kind of way you love this year’s Tampa Bay Rays.

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Team U.S.A. Pre-Game Report: U.S.A. vs. China

Published by varsityoptimism on August 9, 2008 in USA Basketball and Varsity Shootaround. 19 Comments

Hey kids, it’s your old friend Varsityoptimism here, and no it is not October and no you are not hallucinating. I am here to dust off the old Pre-Game pen to breakdown the U.S.A. Screaming Eagles first Olympic match up against Host nation China. And after the stunning Opening Ceremonies that aired last night, if you do not have full-blown Olympic Fever, then you are not a member of the human race.

From the 2,008 light-up drums, to the kite flying Chinese Pop Star, to the spectacular and unforgettable torch lighting, I for one was stunned by the imagination, perfection and beauty that the Chinese were able to accomplish in what will be remembered as one of the proudest moments in Modern Chinese history.

Unfortunately for China, Sunday’s game with the Screaming Eagles will not be as triumphant. Yao Ming will finally put down Sichuan earthquake hero Lin Hao and suit up for the Chinese National team’s first contest.

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TLN’s Finals Preview: Lakers vs. Celtics [Game 5]

Published by varsityoptimism on June 15, 2008 in Varsity Shootaround. 52 Comments

When you see the words “Varsity Shootaround” above a pregame article you have come to expect a certain tone: Light, airy, and irreverent.

I’ll probably make some joke about how Rajon Rondo looks like a kitty cat or how Doc Rivers’ face looks like it is made of a Fruit Roll-Up.

I will most likely write about Kobe and Phil. I’ll express my hope that Lamar Odom decides to play basketball on that given night. I will give you storylines. I’ll offer a silly prize for the winner of the trivia challenge.

I usually have a structure. A formula that I try to follow to provide the Lakers Nation with a pregame primer that may or may not provide some gem of wisdom that has not been spouted off about already. I try to convey hope and optimism to the people (I do not do this as well as Vic the Brick, but hell, I try).

Not tonight.

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TLN’s Finals Preview: Lakers vs. Celtics [Game 3]

Published by varsityoptimism on June 9, 2008 in Varsity Shootaround. 72 Comments

I have never been punched in the face.

I would imagine that it feels somewhat similar to this.

I cannot quite breathe correctly; I am having a difficult time seeing straight and the only thing on my mind is revenge.

The Lakers fell down 2-0 in their series with the Boston Celtics Sunday evening after a dizzying rally that included an NBA Finals (written in cursive) record 7 three-pointers in the Fourth Quarter, yet they ultimately fell short, losing 108-102.

Luckily, falling behind 24 points to the Celtics barely fazed these resilient Lakers, whose 41-25 Fourth Quarter brought them to within 2, going into the final minute of play.

Unfortunately, the elements going against the Lakers, namely the Bill Simmons “Aberration Guy” of the century, Leon Powe and an inept officiating crew, prevailed.

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TLN’s Finals Preview: Lakers vs. Celtics [Game 1]

Published by varsityoptimism on June 4, 2008 in Varsity Shootaround. 66 Comments

Varstiyoptimism’s Pre-NBA Finals Routine -

Step A: Wake up in a cold sweat screaming and cursing the names of Kevin McHale, John Havlicek and Danny Ainge.

Step B: Pace around bedroom screaming at and punching anything green.

Step C: Marinate in ESPN Classic’s nonstop NBA Finals marathon.

Step D: Repeat Step B.

Step E: Pinch self to see if this Lakers/Celtics matchup is real.

Step F: Look at calendar to see if it is Thursday yet (if calendar is green, repeat steps B and D).

Step G: Fall asleep to the sweet sights of the Lakers in 1985 hoisting up the trophy on that parquet floor.

Now, after nearly one week of that grueling and mentally draining schedule, the Finals (written in cursive) are here!

Continue reading ‘TLN’s Finals Preview: Lakers vs. Celtics [Game 1]‘

TLN’s Playoff Preview: Lakers vs. Spurs [Game 4]

Published by varsityoptimism on May 26, 2008 in Varsity Shootaround. 45 Comments

Watch this clip from Wet Hot American Summer.

It pretty much sums up what happened to the Lakers on Sunday evening. Cruising along these Western Conference Finals. Rumor had it that Jordan Farmar and Coby Karl were singing Kenny Loggins on the team charter. The Lakers were without a worry in the world.

Then they crashed into the defending champion Spurs who, somewhere between LAX and San Antonio, rediscovered the formula that has produced them four NBA titles in the last nine years.

It turns out that those visions of ascendancy were a tad bit premature.

As the Laker Nation wept for Pau’s seeming inability to finish around the basket, Lamar’s shoddy 2-11 performance and Kobe’s sabbatical from the free-throw line, what they forgot was the core tenant of professional sports: the other team has players and coaches too. And boy did their players show up for Game 3.

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TLN’s Playoff Preview: Lakers vs. Spurs [Game 1]

Published by varsityoptimism on May 20, 2008 in Varsity Shootaround. 41 Comments

I wish I had started writing this pregame article in the third quarter of Game Six. It was a much simpler and quaint period in my life. The Lakers led by 19 points and all roads pointed to New Orleans. Five wide open Utah three-pointers and a by-the-skin-of-their-teeth three-point victory later, things still seemed okay. The Lakers were on their way to the Conference Finals for the first time since 2004.

Their opponent: to be determined. The worst part of the Lakers celebratory weekend was something they had zero control over: for the first time in the 2008 playoffs, the Hurrrrnets lost on their home court.

The crusty, wily, angry, scowling San Antonio Spurs, full of pride and gusto, exposed the young Hurrrnets and dashed their hopes of an inaugural voyage the Conference Finals and subsequently earned a trip to Los Angeles. A trip they had already packed for. The defending champion’s presumption and revelatory attitude reportedly yielded a night sleeping on the team charter plane rather than a Five Diamond Los Angeles hotel.

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TLN’s Playoff Preview: Lakers vs. Jazz [Game 5]

Published by varsityoptimism on May 14, 2008 in Varsity Shootaround. 27 Comments

I went to Utah for Game 3. What I saw frightened me. Amidst all the turnovers and missed opportunities I finally remembered what I had known all along: the Lakers are mortal.

As my friend Ryan and I approached closer and closer to home, I heard a song that basically summed up how I felt about the Lakers shortcomings and my subsequent departure from Salt Lake City.

For a second there I thought you disappeared.

It rains a lot this time of year.

And we both go together if one falls down.

I talk out loud like you’re still around.

No noo.

And I miss you.

I’m goin back home to the west coast.

I wish you would put yourself in my suitcase.

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