Sun, Jul 20 2008
|
|
Published May 12, 2008 01:31 am - Something exists in the world called “The Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinity.” A Patrick McManamon column: Seven-game series a true test for teams PATRICK McMANAMON Akron Beacon Journal Something exists in the world called “The Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinity.”
Talk about delving into a swamp of sinking mangrove trees. I would propose a simpler study — “The Psychology of the Seven-Game Series” in sports. For one, it avoids the quagmire that other study presents. It’s also quite fascinating — to those of us who find things like this fascinating. These series have lives of their own. A team loses once or twice and feelings can sink. One win can change the feel of everything. And if ever a team steps back and looks at the series in its entirety, it is in big, big trouble. This is the way things were with the Cavaliers. They lost twice in Boston, once in a game they could have won, once in a blowout. The feeling leaving the new Boston Garden was not good — at least not as I read it. Because the big picture stated the Cavaliers needed to win four-of-five against a team that had won 66 games during the regular season. The Cavaliers’ view, though, was that they needed to win one game. They did — and now they must have brought some doubt into the minds of the Celtics. If the Cavaliers win one more game, things are exactly where they should be — each team having won on its home floor, with three games to go. Not a solo act Much has been made of LeBron James’ shooting in this series, and rightly so. James has not been himself, though he showed signs of breaking free of this mini-slump in Game 3. But James is hardly the Lone Ranger as far as poor shooting goes. Two of Boston’s stars are struggling as much as James. Paul Pierce is 12-for-35, 3-for-13 from three-point range. Ray Allen is 8-for-26, 1-for-11 from three-point land. 
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
More from the Sports section
Ashtabula looking for elusive title A Bob Ettinger column: Playing where the heart is |
Print this story
E-mail this story
Post to del.icio.us
Discuss this story
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
© 2007, Ashtabula Star Beacon P.O. Box 2100, Ashtabula OH 44005-2100 (440) 998-2323, Send news tips and feedback |
Popular Business directory links - Ashtabula Apartments | Ashtabula Attorneys | Ashtabula Auto Dealers | Ashtabula Auto Parts | Ashtabula Auto Repair | Ashtabula Beauty Salons | Ashtabula Car Rental | Ashtabula Dentists | Ashtabula Doctors | Ashtabula Flowers | Ashtabula Hotels | Ashtabula Insurance | Ashtabula Loans | Ashtabula Mortgages | Ashtabula Movers | Ashtabula Pizza | Ashtabula Realtors | Ashtabula Restaurants | Ashtabula Storage | Ashtabula Tax Preparation | Ashtabula Travel | Ashtabula Featured | More...
|
|
Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. • CNHI Classified Advertising Network • CNHI News Service 
|