SmacChat

Donald Sterling Raises The Bar On Ignorance, Again
www.smacchat.com
A few of weeks ago Minnesota representative Pat Garofalo posted a twitter comment that stated “would anyone notice if the NBA shut down? No one except for the increase in the crime rate”. A comment so poignant that anyone worthy of a public office should have known it would yield massive reciprocity, but he didn’t. It virally shot though social media until it landed on his doorstep in the form of an email from ESPN the next day asking him if he wanted to clarify before they ran with the story. At that point he actually re-raised his position and stated “they should fix the problem rather than chastising him for pointing it out”. It was only when the storm front hit St. Paul Minnesota did Garofalo fold faster than a lawn chair. His exit strategy was to claim that he didn’t really know that the NBA tested for ma*****na, when the truth was that he never mentioned the NBA drug policy in his initial statement at all, it was simply based on the racial component of the NBA. The consequences of his drunken tweet will not be know until the mid-term elections in November.

By now everyone has heard the recordings although I don’t believe the full nine minutes has been made available to the public. If you like drama then Tom Clancy got nothin’ on this as it only seemed to get worse with each second as the conversation went on and when it finally ended, so did the Clipper organization’s aspirations of ever being anything more than a ugly step-child in the eyes of the 12.9 million inhabitants of county of Los Angeles. This may be hard to believe but this actually isn’t the worse part of the story, as it spirals downward as the Sterling camp and Clipper management deployed the ‘damage control’ phase. A pure contrived and calculated whiteboard flowchart on solidifying the flood gates. Step one: destroy the credibility of the witness. In their statement they stated that the ex-girlfriend was being sued by “the family” for 1.8 million dollars for embezzlement, when in actually “the family” is Sterling’s ex-wife who is suing her to recoup because the “gifts” she received from her former boyfriend weren’t HIS to give as it was community property under California law as they were married and it was technically 50% hers as well. However they framed it like she was stealing from the company in the “bad accountant” scenario. I don’t know of may wives who were cheated on would be cool with her husband giving his mistress 1.8 million worth of “their” stuff. Then came the statement from Clipper President Andy Roeser:

“Mr. Sterling is emphatic that what is reflected on that recording is not consistent with, nor does it reflect his views, beliefs or feelings. It is the antithesis of who he is, what he believes and how he has lived his life. He feels terrible that such sentiments are being attributed to him and apologizes to anyone who might have been hurt by them. He is also upset and apologizes for sentiments attributed to him about Earvin Johnson. He has long considered Magic a friend and has only the utmost respect and admiration for him--both in terms of who he is and what he has achieved.”

If this were a chess match, which it appears this has become, this would be the equivalent to the “queens gambit” where although somewhat aggressive, leaves plenty of ‘outs’ if countered. Firstly, they attacked the witness in an attempt to discredit her as a criminal and/or a scorned lover. Secondly, a half-hearted apology without admitting any wrongdoing, and a feeble attempt to align with Magic as “a friend”. Lastly, the “not a racist bone in his body (please see Minnesota Rep Pat Garofalo) then pump up his accomplishments as a businessman and member of the community. Phase two comes into play when the tape is authenticated in a day or two, then they come back with the fact that they NEVER said the recording wasn’t Sterling just that it “wasn’t consistent with his views”, even though he said it, it was in a fit a rage (see Mel Gibson) and wasn’t to be taken literally (see John Kyl circa 2012). Just for good measure, let’s throw in the ‘catch all’ phrase of “we’re sorry if we offended anyone”. Can’t you see them now? The sound of dry erase pens clicking as they put the caps on and stating “ok gentlemen, that’s the plan, let’s roll with that, now call the presser”. They simply just following the bigot playbook, and hope to hunker down until the storm blows over. Well this isn’t politics where your career isn’t really over until you’re caught with a live boy or a dead girl, Sterling is going up the river this time (see Marge Schott) and the casualties are the Clipper fans not named Billy Crystal who have lived underneath the shadow of the Forum Blue and Gold Dynasty in LA for three decades for the chance to finally bask in the California sun only to wake and realize that they were misled into believing they were representing the working man’s champion while the posh ‘Hollywood, front runners’ garnered all the attention, only to wake up and realize that they were simply plantation workers owned by the slave trader.

Sadly speak, we’ve read this story before and we know how it ends. The problem is that the persona that is projected to the general public isn’t the same as it is when they think the cameras are off and it’s the “good ol’ boyz sippin’ brandy” when they think no one is watching or listening. At the end of the day Donald Sterling does have a right to say and think what he wants, and no one is denying him his freedom. Conversely, if there is a more apparent example of someone whom should not be the head of an organization where the talent is 78% African American I’ ve never seen it, and this not an aberration but rather par for the course from this man. So, I move that it’s time for the new commissioner to step up to the plate and choose the direction of his administration and demonstrate that he’s not just a Stern clone and set a precedent that if you want to be an Association that is revered globally, that no one is above the law of common decency.

NBA Finals - Heat Will Need To Be Turned On For Game 6
www.smacchat.com
It all started with that little introductory rant when Miami’s “Big Three” took the stage together for the first time, back in 2010 after LeBron James televised press conference known as, ‘The Decision’. It went something like this on the subject of winning championships. “Not one, not two, not three, not four, not five, not six, not seven.” James told the excited home crowd and the world that he, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh and their supporting cast would own the Association to the tune of something in the neighborhood of eight titles collectively. But The James Gang was served up a healthy piece of humble pie by the Dallas Mavericks in 2011, losing the title in six games and on their home floor. Of course they responded last season with a win over first-timers Oklahoma City but once again find themselves looking into the championship abyss, trailing the San Antonio Spurs 3-2 in a must win on Tuesday. Only three teams in NBA history have entered the final two games of a best of seven championship series trailing 3-2 at home and captured the crown. The 1988 Lakers, 1994 Houston Rockets and the 2010 Lakers all rose from the ashes to salvage the crown, which is not the norm. The winner of game five with the series tied at 2-2, since the 2-3-2 format was put in place has captured the title 70 percent of the time. This does not bode well for the Heat, especially when you consider no team in this series has managed to win two games in a row, which Miami must now do. Suddenly a league-best 66 regular-season victories and a remarkable 27-game win streak along with James fourth MVP trophy don’t seem to matter at all. If Miami doesn’t come thru in games six and seven it will all be for not and certainly forgotten, lost in the failure this season, which it will be known for. “We’ve been here before,” James said after he knocked down just 8 of 22 field goal attempts from the field, in the Heat’s 114-104, game five defeat. “We’ve been on both sides of the fences. It doesn’t matter if you’re up (3-2) and you need one more win, or you need one more win otherwise you’re out. You can’t sleep, especially at this point. We’ve got an opportunity to do something special. So we look forward to the challenge. While the words sound confident the psyche of the league’s best player and his teammates must be fragile. No one has more to lose and such little to gain in this outcome as James. If the Heat loses these finals, no matter how he plays in game six or seven if it takes place, history will not treat him fairly. He’ll be 1-3 overall in finals appearances and his proud proclamation on that day a few years ago to announce the league’s next dynasty will continue to look even more foolish than after the Dallas disaster of two seasons ago. While we’ve seen tremendous growth in his ability to take over important games, particularly in the post-season, this set-back will sit on his shoulders again as the superstar that can’t come through when it matters the most. The Michael Jordan comparisons will be accompanied with a snicker and the perch above Kobe Bryant that James has seemed to ascend to, will once again be questioned as the ‘Black Mamba’ only failed in the finals twice and never because he didn’t try to will his team to the trophy, willing to shoot his team in or out of a series. But lucky for James and his teammates there are at least four more quarters to stop such a negative outcome, to the best season in Miami’s franchise history. Following the current history of the match-up between this two teams, expect the veteran play of the Spurs and the leadership of Head Coach Gregg Popovich to go for the jugular on Tuesday, as they are fully aware no team has ever won a game seven in the NBA finals on the road. However, back to back wins just don’t seem to take place in this best of seven and it is Miami’s turn to right the ship. Expect “the King” to hold court in South Beach with his best game of the series and his team to hold serve, in a close victory forcing a game seven on Thursday. Even then however, the job will be only half-done and all the pressure will still be on LeBron James.

MLB Makes the Right Call on the DBacks/Dodgers Brawl
www.smacchat.com
The fallout from the D-backs/Dodgers donnybrook Tuesday night at Chavez Ravine took a while to come down the pipe from Major League Baseball’s offices to the rosters of both clubs on Friday but the powers that be seemed to get it all right. The main offender in the ruckus, Arizona starting pitcher Ian “headhunter” Kennedy as he could be now known, paid the biggest price being suspended 10 games or basically two starts. Kennedy took exception to Dodgers starter Zack Greinke accidently hitting Cody Ross on the hands with a pitch that was just off the inside of the plate in the 5th inning of the Dodgers eventual 5-3 win. A frame later, Kennedy sought retribution by throwing at the head of Dodgers rookie sensation Yasiel Puig. The pitch just missed Puig’s face, almost braking his nose and could have caused serious harm overall. The benches cleared with no punches thrown, just some angry words from many out of the Los Angeles dugout as expected. So in the top of the 7th and without hesitation, Greinke beaned Arizona catcher Miguel Montero in the back on purpose, which of course is proper baseball protocol, below the shoulders. Both managers and benches were warned with no ejections taking place. So the scrum should have ended there but didn’t. In the bottom half of the frame, Kennedy once again seeking retribution for a teammate, sent a 90 mile per hour fastball at Greinke’s head that hit the top of his left shoulder and then his helmet. That sent the Dodger players sprinting onto the field for a piece of Kennedy. The right-hander wasted no time getting over towards the Diamondbacks dugout and the protection of hitting Coach Don Baylor. What ensued was an ugly incident as tackles were made, punches were thrown and ejections eventually taking place. Dodgers hitting Coach Mark McGuire, Puig and relief pitcher Ronald Belisario were all thrown out, while Diamondbacks Manager Kirk Gibson, Kennedy and coach Turner Ward were all booted for Arizona. For their actions in the melee, several on both sides were issued suspensions along with Kennedy the prime instigator. Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly was suspended for one game for taking down Arizona coach Alan Trammel with McGuire getting two after his raging hold of both Gibson and Diamondbacks 3rd base coach Matt Williams. Los Angeles utility man Skip Shumaker and reliever J.P. Howell both received two games for what was termed “aggressive action” during the brawl and both will appeal the decision. Belisario also will miss a game for the Dodgers, serving it on Friday. Besides Kennedy, Arizona’s Gibson has been suspended for one game with infielder Eric Hinske catching a five-game ban for his actions during the fisticuffs. Also all eight were fined, as were Greinke, Puig, Montero and Diamondbacks outfielder Gerardo Parra. All in all the punishments for Tuesday’s misfortune were in line. Had Kennedy heeded the warning of home plate umpire Clint Fagan or even hit Greinke in the leg and not the shoulder close to his head, the entire incident would have been avoided. What followed can’t be faulted on either side as both dugouts were just protecting their teammates and franchise honor. There is a code of conduct in baseball that goes back 100 years about retaliation for bean balls and it calls for payback to take place below the shoulders or in the back but not to the head. Kennedy broke baseball’s unwritten law on protecting teammates from the mound and once that happens, all bets are off and anything goes as we all saw at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday night. Many could argue with the damage he possibly could have done with the two balls thrown head-high at Puig and Greinke his penalty could have been much more severe. Because of the second head-hunter ball thrown at Greinke, the Dodgers have declared the incident is far from over. Stay tuned for the next Los Angeles – Arizona encounter on July 8th at Chase Field.

Kalifornia Klingsman has The US Ship Steered in the Right Direction, Towards Brazil
www.smacchat.com
Jurgen Klingsman coach of the US Men’s Soccer team was certainly on the hot seat after an opening round loss to Honduras putting the US at the bottom of the table below Jamaica and Costa Rica. However since then they’ve gone 3-0-1 racking up ten points and have moved not only to the top of the table but have the best goal differential (+3) and have three of the final five games in United States. Suffice to state that they’re on the fast road to Brazil, with Klingsman driving.

The German born coach and former national player has taken a more proactive approach and it has paid off with immediate dividends. The US defeated Jamaica 2-1 in Kingston in a match that featured some of his most tactical moves and best decisions during his two-year tenure as the national team skipper, including an attacking move that resembled ‘pulling the goalie’ in hockey that yielded the winning goal in stoppage time. Additionally, for the first time in more than two-dozen games in charge, Klingsman selected a starting 11 he had slated once before. There may finally be some continuity and flow to the US game, and that will make them a difficult out not only over their final five remaining qualifiers but when the chips are really in the center of the table next year in Brazil.

On the other side of the coin are the Tri-Colors that have not been flying high as Mexico came into the group as the favorites once again but have had a dearth of offense, particularly at home and now have their work cut out for them on the back nine of qualification. The good news is they’re undefeated in group play, but the bad news is that they have one win and four ties, yielding eight points and tenuous hold on third place. Tenuous in the sense that they’ve played one more match than all others in contention and must go on the road for two of their final four matches where they will need a result in at least one them. Normally dominant at Azteca Stadium, Mexico has failed to score a goal at home in three matches and what in the past would be a sure nine points has only produced three thus far and has some very nervous supporters south of the border. This sets up a huge match with Honduras on September 5th, where they must get at least the draw and probably a win otherwise their trip to South America will stop a bit short.

A Cup A Long Time In The Making - www.smacchat.com
After the most tumultuous year in decades for the NHL they may have a saving grace in the form of an amazing Stanley Cup Final. The Boston Bruins are already living a charmed life as they were battered, bruised, and left for dead on the side of the road against the Leafs in the first round, since then they have looked like the best club in the NHL. The Chicago Blackhawks were pushed to the limit by the Red Wings but their other two opponents couldn’t slow them down for more than one game including the defending Stanley Cup champions, so the league and its fans can indulge in the fact that the two clubs are in the finals and peaking at the right time. Adding to the lore is the fact that it’s an original six matchup for the first time in 34 years so the hockey purist will be tuning in even though their club is probably one of the other 28 watching from home or their vacation spot.

In addition to the participants being at the top of their game this will be a tough series to call for another reason. Ironically due to the strike, the last time these two clubs played was 2011, and with the short season there was no crossover this year so no way to gauge how they have done against common opponents either. What we do know is that the Bruins are great defensively as they’re 3rd in goals against on the season and 4th on the penalty kill, and had they not lost 7 of their last 9 would have gone into the playoffs closer to a 1 or 2 seed. Meanwhile the BHawks looked like this was their destiny from the onset with that amazing streak of 24 games with at least a point to start the season and speaking of defense, were first in the NHL in goals against and 3rd in penalty kills. Then matched that with an offense that was second in goals per game, proving they can play at either pace.

So buckle up as this series should go deep and hopefully bring back some of those lost in the mire of a strike shortened season. Moreover, show the two best clubs playing their best with plenty of legs due that same short season. However there are not educated guesses about the outcome of this one as every pundit will be going off a hunch and perhaps it will be that same unpredictability that give us a cup worth waiting 34 years for.

Spurs Win By A Fingernail, Leave Heat Scratching For Answers
www.smacchat.com
The Miami Heat may be asking themselves two things after Game 1 of the NBA Finals, one “how did we give up home court advantage again?” and “what can we do in Game 2 to change the outcome?” These two teams avoided each other this season even though they actually had two scheduled games as in each of the two games one side decided to “rest” 2 or 3 of their “Big 3”, so it was nice to see all Big Six on the floor at one time. Despite not really playing each other, the previous playoff series provided ample scouting material for each side on how to defuse the other so after the Heat executed a game plan of only committing nine turnovers, out rebounding the taller Spurs 46-37, LeBron dominating his multiple mismatches to the tune of a triple-double, and getting 30 points from the bench, all they had to show for it was losing the game by 4. In addition to the game they also lost home court advantage in the Finals, a privilege that took them six months and 82 games to earn.

Normally after a falling behind in any series you go over game film and try to regroup by correcting the things you did wrong and finding some things to exploit over the remainder of the series. However the big rumble coming out of the Heat Index after the Indiana series went a painful seven games, was the lack of support LBJ was receiving but he got 17 from Wade, 13 from Bosh (although he also got one every ill-advised 3-point attempt with 1:01 left and down by 4), and 13 from RayRay so that wasn’t the problem Thursday night. Yet much like the Eastern Conference Finals versus Indiana and the previous series against Chicago the Heat have lost one of the first two games at home and now must win on the road or surrender their crown. Only unlike the previous two where they did play the role of road warriors and take it back, there will be three consecutive games on the road with the pressure mounting after each one.

What might be worse than playing well and losing is the fact that San Antonio didn’t play their best game. Once again, based on previous series, the Spurs normally shoot very well from the three-point line which opens up a deadly consistent pivot based pick-n-roll/slash game through Tim Duncan. However in game 1 the Spurs shot a dismal 30%, their lowest of the playoffs other than a 23% night in Memphis, ironically a game they also won.

So if you’re the defending champs and favorite to win the series where do you change going into game 2? One solution could be the same double down post defense used to slow down Roy Hibbert and stifle the Indiana offense. Grant it, as well as he played in ECF, Hibbert is not Duncan and there are added risk there but on offensive plays where he doesn’t get a touch the Spurs are noticeably less efficient and the Bonners of the world don’t find themselves wide open from arch and won’t be able to justify their pay. Secondly, Eric Spolstra may not want to set LBJ and Wade at the same time in the 3rd quarter. In game 1 the Heat were up 7 and had a chance to make Popovich revisit his lineup from the last time the Spurs visited AA Arena, by sitting Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili. Instead he sat 2 of the big 3 the Spurs closed to 1 and it was game on, and game lost the rest of the way. And that’s the point, these aren’t the Pacers, or the Bulls, they’re better and the Heat may already be up against it as now the Spurs don’t need to win another road game for the rest of the year to hoist a fifth banner in the lone star state, unfortunately because of game 1 Miami doesn’t have that luxury and must go back to the drawing board. For their sakes I hope it has something to say.

Not Your Typical Game 7 - A Heat/Pacers Preview
www.smacchat.com
Hard to believe there could be more on the line than a trip to the NBA Finals but tonight’s game 7 has much more on the line. When the Miami Heat were put together the question wasn’t or not they had formed the next dynasty but how many championships would they win. Some growing pains in their first season lead to a disappointing finals loss to the now talent defunct Dallas Mavericks, but then they rebounded strongly last year to win the title in convincing fashion rekindling the multi-year championship run talk, commercials putting them in the same class as the Lakers and Celtics, and ESPN continuing to run the “Heat Index” for the third consecutive year. Now, in midst of their third chance to get the 2nd of LeBron’s “not 4, not 5, not 6, not 7…” they’re finding a gut check moment even before they get to the main stage.

Now, normally one would look at that 83% winning percentage of home teams in game 7’s and immediately go with the odds, particularly with the overall favorite to win the whole thing but this year, and this series, are different in the sense that Indiana has actually outplayed the Heat and really will need to beat them 5 games to 3 as they gave game 1 away by letting LBJ get all the way to the rack with only 2.2 seconds left in the game. In short, the Pacers have outplayed the Heat to this point and really just need to limit their mistakes, mainly turnovers to move back to the finals for the first time since their loss to, ironically another dynasty, the Laker “Combo Dynasty” of Shaq and Kobe.

But therein lies the question of how a club with only two players (David West and Sam Young) will deal with the pressure of game 7 where every turnover, missed free-throw, and careless mistake are magnified? What about the old adage that you’ve got to get their once before you can win it? Of the three teams still standing the other two have clearly gone through this and paid their dues, what will enable to Pacers to bypass the toll both? Most of the pundits seem to believe it comes down to how the Heat supporting role plays tonight as the Bosh and Wade have been no-shows up to this point but I’m going to say it boils down to Roy Hibbert and Lance Stephenson. If Royboy can dictate the paint and continue his dominance over Bosh in the pivot then the rest of the Pacers cast will get shots in their comfort zone. Most importantly the wildcard of the series has been Stephenson who can look like an All-Star one game and D-Leaguer the next, needs just to not LOSE the game with his decision making or lack theirof, and let his athletism do the rest, if he can do that then I think the Pacers shock the NBA world and send Bosh and the Dynasty talk packing. Otherwise it still makes for an interesting Final which will only solidify past NBA success model of have a core triad of superstars, some older seasoned vets, and a sprinkle of young athletic players that can’t hold a team on their own as the Spurs and Heat will tangle. Then we get to do all of this dynasty ending talk again

The King Holds Court, Sentences Pacers to Vacation
www.smacchat.com
Well it happened again. Just when Indiana appeared to have its proverbial foot on the neck of the defending champion Miami Heat, LeBron James took a deep breath sucking life back into his club and put the Pacers once again on their back, this time probably for good. In the 3rd quarter of the vital game five with the Eastern Conference Finals tied at 2-2, a game where the winner by the way takes the series 83 percent of the time, the Heat trailed by six early in the period. Then it was go time for “King James”. The four-time MVP scored 16 of his 30 points in the 12 minute stanza, motoring what turned into a 20-point turnaround, as the Heat finished off the Pacers 90-79, taking a commanding 3-2 lead in the series. This wasn’t the first time James has wrecked the Pacers plan for victory in South Beach. In game one, Indiana led by a point with just 2.2 seconds to play. After receiving the inbounds pass, James wasted no time blowing by Paul George for an uncontested lay-up to hand the Pacers a stunning one-point loss, instead of a series changing one-point victory. But while that was simply one play, Thursday’s 12-minutes of LeBron ball was a complete domination by the best player in the game today. During Miami’s 30-10 run which turned the entire series back in the favor of the Heat, James scored or at least accounted for 25 of the Heat’s points. He knocked down 7 of 10 field goals, while the Pacers stalled going 3 for 14. James grabbed four rebounds, Indianapolis as a team managed just six. The superstar assisted on four buckets for teammates while the opposition managed just one. He even outscored Indiana 16-13 in the quarter alone. The whipping the Pacers took showed in their faces and stayed in their hearts as the fourth quarter was never in question for the defending champs. While the Heat still must win one more game to return to the NBA finals for a shot at a repeat, the blow James landed in game five was most likely the knockout punch of the series. The Pacers have not only had two possible victories snatched away by the hands of James they have to feel at this point it would take a perfect effort to just get another shot at a victory on the Heat’s floor, which they did accomplish in game two. But what Miami showed Thursday night was a level of play against the Pacers they hadn’t seen in the post-season. Indiana was dominated on both ends of the floor and they basically were defense-less at stopping Miami’s assault. The mental jab Indiana sustained most likely will be fatal come Saturday in game six back in Indianapolis. Miami has already won once on the Pacers floor but the convincing fashion of the third quarter run in game five had to have left a scar on the Pacers confidence. Knowing the opposition can not only take you out of the game with defense but also run away at the other end because there is no answer for defending James even with a double-team is something that has to leave Frank Vogel’s club in dire doubt of their ability to win even one more game. Everyone watching the east finals waited for the defining moment of the series. It came in the 3rd quarter of game five where James and his teammates showed the NBA world they are a better team than their challengers. It may not be over for the Pacers technically on paper but the Heat is ready to burn up the remaining hope come Saturday.

Have the Defending Champs Just Defended Their Title?
www.smacchat.com
The LA Kings, current holders of Lord Stanley’s Cup were the last man standing in a old school 15-round heavyweight slugfest with the San Jose Sharks, and in retrospect may be the toughest challenge they face the rest of the way on the road to the first repeat championship in 15 years when the Wings pulled the feat in 97-98 because the Sharks tested the Kings at every turn, in every period, with the home club winning every game. In fact the games were so tight that whomever gained the edge by scoring the first goal also went on to in. The Sharks may not have been built to as an antidote to their SoCal rivals but it certainly played out that way. The moment of the series that the franchise and the fan base wish they could have back is the second half of game 5 where they were outscored 3-0 and put in a position where they needed to win two games in a row to advance. Take away that half-hour and the score of the rest of the series 11-10 Kings.

Game 7 alone may have been fought for 3 periods but was decided in 2:57 as Justin Willams (4-0 in game 7s with five goals, 4 assist) scored twice and provided the margin of victory as quick had all that he needed. The two have become the most potent duo in the NHL as Quick (96.2% save Pct) was the difference in the series according to the opposition, “Their goalie, we didn’t want him to be the story,” Boyle said. “[But] I think he was the difference in this series, in my opinion.”

Looking ahead to the possible matchups for the defending champs will be a date with either the BHawks or Wings whom have a game 7 of their own to settle on Wednesday night. Obviously if the Kings had their druthers they would opt for the Wings to win on the road so they could claim home ice for another series where they are so deadly. Moreover Detroit looks a little beaten up if not winded by the long series and may not have enough weapons to push LA as much as the Sharks did. Conversely, Chicago is physical enough to keep the pressure on the Kings and specifically on Jonathan Quick whom the Kings and ride all the way back to Finals if he continues his hot play defending the house.