In professional sports, one of the dumbest things you can do is run your mouth about an opponent. It just provides bulletin board material that the other team will use against you. Ask Rafer Alston about that. But I’ve been wondering for a little over a week now if the Hornets were not giving the Spurs a little too much respect.
You hear a lot that they’re the “champs.” Byron Scott affords them that respect in press conferences. Chris and Melvin refer to them as the “Champs” in interviews. Random White Dude just used the term on NBAtv. Here’s the thing. So far, there are no present-tense “champs.” No one has yet claimed the title for the 2007-08 season. What they are, accurately, and with all due respect, are the “former champs,” “defending champs,” or even “reigning champs.”
My initial thought was that it was dangerous to keep using this term. Because psychologically, aren’t you less likely to beat the “champs” than just some other contender? But then I thought, maybe it’s a ploy, to inflate the Spurs’ egos. But really, I’m not sure that’s Byron’s style. He’s a pretty straightforward guy.
So what my point is, is that I hope the Hornets don’t really see these guys as the “champs.” Because I strongly believe that the labels and words we use do have power. And the last thing they want to do in a difficult game 7 is psych themselves out. So while the Hornets need to see the Spurs as a very dangerous team, as a very seasoned team, and as a team that knows how to win championships, they are just another team. A team that, this year, is a lower seed. A team that according to the numbers should lose.
Therefore, you just have to have a greater respect, this year, for yourselves. The 18,000+ in the Arena will. And it’s just this that the organization as a whole has been saying all year long. Passion. Purpose. Pride. Believe it.
Wel, they are the “champs” until somebody knocks them out. Or that is the train of thought from all the ESPN talking heads and NBA personnel. Of course you could take the optimistic view and state that it will be an EPIC boost in the team’s confidence when they beat the NBA champs.
Before tomorrow comes I gotta rant about Robert Horry. He’s hot garbage. He’s the garbage that you left on the curb two weeks ago and didn’t get carried away to the landfill. He’s still there and absolutely reeks, collects ants, and is a haven to rats. Good luck in retirement! Your legacy of being a hanger on and garbage fouler will not be remembered by anybody.
We are the Division Champs. I believe that counts more than the defending champs, in particular we are champs of the same division as the the Suqxs. You better believe i’ll be there tomorrow I live in Baton Rouge and have been fourtunate to go to 3 playoff games at home this post-season i went to a couple of games when they were still in the eastern confrence damn you 76ers and Heat. BD can suck it. CP3 is the champ. P.J. Brown left town, I still have love for ya, but D West is the Best. FAN UP LOUISIANA!!! PEACZZIA I>
Them’s some big words, mW. But I’m encouraged by what I’ve read today about the Hornets having a loose, fun practice. I’m not getting the feeling they’re scared of the big bad Spurs, which is good.
As a wise man once said,
“To BE the best, you gotta BEAT the best………….. WOOOO!”
Interestingly, in this morning’s Times Picayune, both Byron Scott and David West were quoted referring to the Spurs as the “defending champs.” I find this a good sign that Byron has their heads in the right place.
This is just how it is every year, just like since bryant won(purchased) the MVP award that he’ll be the reigning MVP next year, I don’t think any real contenders are intimidated by that because as a man who was on the Hornets website at the start of the playoffs says “to be the man you gotta beat the man” and they are the man, and we are gonna beat the man