The Way the Ball Bounces.

No, not some conspiracy, nor another scientific study about the way the new NBA ball bounces, sticks, skips or just plain doesn't go in the basket. Well, maybe just the latter. Except only with the traditional-style ball.

So frustrating. There are games you play well and it doesn't show up on the scoresheet. You know: hustle plays, deflections and floor burns. Your feet move well and you feel in rhythm (though as in White Men Can't Jump, you still can't "Feel Jimmy").

Then there are the games like tonight where nothing feels right except the energy you provide and you end up with career highs. 14 points and 20 rebounds for those of you tallying at home. Oh wait, that's just me. Yes, still a stat geek. And yet, the missed opportunities linger. Blown lay-ups. Turnovers. Ticky-tack fouls. So frustrating. No excuse for blown, point-blank put-backs. Not with this much experience at the game. Springs, rusted. And a mind that sometimes forgets that fact in its moments of creative flourish. No excuse.

Except that I was anticipating getting raked across the arms every time. Or the face. You know, the way these games generally go. But no, tonight's foil? An inexperienced team we blew out with ease which generally refrained from playing post defense. Fake. Spin. Drop step. Compensate for the foul and go strong for the hoop and harm. Except the fouls didn't come. Awkwardness. Hands, puzzled. Promising bruises left unfulfilled. The ball skidding off the rim like a marble down a slide. So frustrating. 7/13 from the field, which doesn't look bad. But still, the laughs from the bench over squandered opportunities bounce around in my head. And often, the stat sheet lies.