The last time I heard the word “copacetic” was back in the day, and a fried-to-the-crisp pal of mine was describing his experience at an Emerson, Lake & Palmer/ Procol Harum/ King Crimson triple bill.

“Like, man, it was sooooo copacetic.”

That Greg Popovich, the genius coach of the reigning World Champion Spurs, used it twice in the last week — without the prefatory “like” or “man” — is as good a representation as any of just how old school this team’s mind set is.

The second usage came after his exquisite basketball team blasted Miami in Game 4 of the title series, putting them on the brink of the franchise’s 5th title. Pop, to the media, “Well, if you shoot [57] percent, you’re in pretty good shape, as long as everything else is copacetic.”

Duuuuuuuuuude!!!

Righteous!

Of course, the coach is increasingly famous for being more perfunctory than loquacious during those idiotic in-game Q & As.

When Doris Burke asked him before the 2d half began last night, what specifically it would take to continue his team’s success, Pop, without any Billy Clyde Gillispie ‘tude but terse as usual, stated, “Good defense.” Then he turned to get back to the task at hand.

That we are talking about Pop’s affectations in the wake of the Spurs’ smackdown underscores that there’s just not much more to say. The stories are legion of the team’s fortitude, patience, quiet revenge, perseverance, unselfishness, offensive and defensive excellence, etc. Continue reading All is Copacetic for NBA Champ San Antonio →

I mean, really, what’s left?

Could San Antonio actually hit all of its shots for an entire half? Maybe drain 85% for a game?

Double Miami’s rebounding total for the 48 minutes? They won the war of the boards last night, 44-27.

Have an assist on every made basket? Or double the number from LeBron & Co? (Oh wait, they just about did that last night: 25 for the winners, 13 for the vanquished.)

San Antonio’s Spurs trumped their thunderous Game 3 W, with a 21 point beatdown in Game 4, 107-86, to grab a 3-1 series advantage, in front of an early arriving, early leaving South Beach crowd, hoping to beat similarly minded scurrying masses, jumping ship to Joe’s Stone Crab.

The hyperbole has been cued. Continue reading Spurs Flirtation With Perfection Continues →

The list is oh so very short.

There’s Secretariat’s 31 length romp in the Belmont.

There’s the Nicholas Brothers dance routine in “Stormy Weather.” (Video posted below.)

There’s Sky Dog’s and Slow Hand’s rave up in the middle of “Layla.”

There’s Bill Walton going 21/22 in the NCAA title game against Memphis State.

And, of course, Pamela Anderson running the beach in “Baywatch.”

What I’m talking about here is training, planning, then execution in a manner transcendent, dumbfounding, unfathomable. I.E., perfection. (Or, close to it.)

Add the San Antonio Spurs’ offense, during the first 15:52 of their W last night in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. Continue reading Spurs’ Perfection Blasts Heat in Game 2 (Stunning Video Included) →

Welcome to the Finals of what I like to call — at least after last night’s shvitzkrieg — the Bikram® Basketball League.

Just the other day, I commented on how we as fans are fascinated when the elements intrude into competition, becoming a potential factor in the outcome, becoming an additional, unforeseen exigency the players must contend with.

Normally it’s weather, as it was with rain during last weekend’s college baseball regionals.

Last night, in San Antonio, on a hot and humid Texas night, the AC went out in the gym. Meteorologist Doris Burke reported the Fahrenheit went north of 90° on the court.

The game was obviously affected. The ball kept slipping out of hands. Passes went to the third row. The ball was as slick as a greased pig at the Muhlenberg County Fair. Continue reading Spurs Steamroll (Over)Heat(ed) in Game One →