Photo. Monte IsomThe TNT studio crew called it correctly (if not ad nauseam) before tip: Mavs/Warriors was a statement game. For Dallas, and for Dirk Nowitzki especially, showing they weren’t intimidated/rattled/punked by the team that took ‘em out last year was the key. For Golden State, they just needed to get a win and avoid an 0-5 start. Dirk came out aggressive from the beginning — not forcing the issue and disrupting the offense, but going to the block and making things happen close to the basket rather than hovering near the three-point line. Baron Davis (a.k.a. “The Nightmare” according to Mike Fratello) looked better than he had in any game so far this year, hitting some tough inside buckets, throwing down a sick follow dunk off a Monta Ellis miss, and knocking down jumpers in big spots … We didn’t agree with Barkley and Kenny when they said Dallas came out flat in the first half. Matter of fact, Devin Harris was going too hard early, picking up charging calls and getting into it with Matt Barnes after a hard foul. (Dirk even got involved in that little spat.) Brandon Bass also gave Dallas some energy, registering 10 points and 12 boards … Dallas did trail at the half, but in the second half they started hitting from the perimeter, and whenever Golden State looked poised to take the lead, Dirk (22 pts, 11 rebs) or Jason Terry (24 pts) or Stackhouse would hit a shot to maintain. Baron (37 pts) still had a look to tie it at the end but missed … Reggie Miller was trying to compare Kelenna Azubuike to Ricky Pierce, which fell apart pretty quickly. Reggie said, “I’m not sure if he’s as good of a shooter as Ricky Pierce.” We’ll save you the trouble of looking it up: He’s not. Ricky used to get BUCKETS and never missed free throws … For a while, it looked like Gilbert Arenas had his swag back and was in store for one of those 40-50 point nights against New Jersey. Gil had been ice-cold since the opener, but yesterday came out and stuck his first three shots: a smooth pull-up J in transition, a long three from straightaway, and another trey from the wing in J-Kidd’s mug. He also deked Kidd something serious on a head-fake/jumper right before the halftime buzzer, but after that went cold again, ending the night 7-for-17 from the floor … Still, when the Wizards were down by two with a shot to sent it to OT or go for the win, who do you think got the ball? Of course. Arenas ran the clock down to about 6 seconds before making his move, and when Antoine Wright cut him off from going to the middle, Gil went to the corner, where Vince jumped out on him to force a weak fadeaway that had no chance. Just bad decision-making all around. If you have 20-something seconds to operate with, why milk the clock and limit yourself to one shot? Have we learned nothing from Kobe and Big Shot Rob? … About 20 seconds before that debacle of a possession, Gilbert had a great open look for a three that would have given Washington the lead, but passed it up and drew three defenders before dishing inside to Darius Songaila … Richard Jefferson kept up his hot streak, dropping 25 points, a huge three in the fourth quarter, and the go-ahead free throws to set up Arenas’ shot. Vince, meanwhile, continued his cold streak. He had 24, but missed a couple wide-open jumpers in crunch time … And did we mention the Wizards blew a 20-point lead in this one? … Apparently Brendan Haywood is a Yankees fan only because all of his teammates hate the Yankees. He said he likes to go against the grain. Not enough to ever be a Duke fan, though, we’d assume … The Bulls notched their first win of the season, but their lack of a go-to scorer almost cost them the game against Detroit. Whenever they needed a bucket down the stretch they just looked lost: You had Tyrus Thomas bricking jumpers and Joe Smith having to throw up turnaround fadeaways. Luckily they hit enough free throws to keep the lead and Rasheed Wallace (36 pts) kept missing when Detroit tried to feed him for the game-winning/tying shots … ‘Sheed got most of his buckets on Tyrus, but the kid did well for himself overall, D’ing up Rasheed well on those last few possessions and putting up 19 points and 14 boards for the game … Lots of reaction on the Steve Nash-as-Hall of Famer question yesterday. Is two MVPs and a three-year run of dominance enough to outweigh what will be a shortened prime and possibly no championship rings? Tell us what you think … We’re out like Warriors wins …
November 9th, 2007 at 6:34 am
Alex says:
First!
I GET BUCKETS SON!
November 9th, 2007 at 6:38 am
ftm says:
havent seen rasheed put up big numbers in a while. now should be tayshaun’s time to take more shots per game than he has in the past. good win for the bulls though. seemed like if they would beat anybody it would be detroit.
November 9th, 2007 at 7:01 am
marcus says:
the bulls need this win more than motown does… the win gave chi-town back the confidence that they need to compete with the legit teams… nuff said…
November 9th, 2007 at 7:16 am
Hollowhustla says:
Did anyone check Rip’s reaction to Hinrich’s dive after the ball over the Piston’s bench? Way too hilarious! As Hinrich dove, Rip & Flip leaned outta the way so kid could get a face full of bench. Then Rip looked at him struggling to get up, tipped his cup, and kept guzzling the Gatorade. I was ROFLMBO!
November 9th, 2007 at 7:34 am
Gregg says:
Ya, that was hilarious! especially Flip. He just kept a stoic stare forward, not even paying attention to what was going on down at the other end. I swear both those guys wanted to laugh but couldn’t because they knew that they were on camera.
November 9th, 2007 at 7:39 am
Hollowhustla says:
Yeah, yeah. Flip was like looking across the court as if Halle Berry was in the house & no game was going on. LOL!
November 9th, 2007 at 8:03 am
DOC says:
Thats a rivalry right there. Dont help that pussy up let him struggle. I love that.
November 9th, 2007 at 8:13 am
Brown says:
As a Warriors fan, I’m not bothered they lost to the Mavs. When they lost to the Clippers last week, I knew it was gonna be a loooooooong season. Unless this team can find a PF who can rebound and play some D (Brandan Wright just isn’t the answer at this point in his career, and Al Harrington is too small), they’ll be hard pressed to make the playoffs. With Baron becoming a free agent at season’s end, they should look long and hard at trading him if they feel there’s any chance he might walk, or they’ll end up taking a HUGE step backward.
November 9th, 2007 at 8:29 am
Celts Fan says:
To be fair, I remember hearing that Scott Skiles fines his players for helping the other team up off the ground, so I say good for Rip and Flip…
November 9th, 2007 at 8:42 am
Gee says:
Wow no mention of that when a man slaps you in the face line from Barkley on the Mavs. and the importance of the game. That was hilarious.
Anyway the “choker” hit a three to put his team up for good in the Mav. Warrior game. LOL I honestly think a lot of people just want theatrics at the end of a game. He didn’t growl or do anything wild, he just kept playing. Or wait was it he is soft because he hit a three for the lead instead of going down low for two. Give me a break like Nell Carter. If Dirk is soft and a choker and no one wants him then I will put him on my squad.
November 9th, 2007 at 9:16 am
smity says:
alright gee…
November 9th, 2007 at 9:50 am
Reed Ewing Frazier says:
That game last night shows why Dallas will never win a championship Dude is soft! That win is nothing to be proud of! Mark Cuban better get in the Kobe mix ASAP!
KNICKS UP!! all the rest down!!
November 9th, 2007 at 9:51 am
Bust Jlaze says:
yo somebody at Dime should do a HOF feature on ‘Sheed or Billups…
And yeah, I was SURE this article was going to mention when rip leaned out the way for Heinrich to eat the folding chairs…that was DUMB funny!
November 9th, 2007 at 9:53 am
Taliban says:
The Bulls/Pistons was just frustrating at the end… ‘Sheed couldn’t get three shots within 10 feet to fall and it simply looked like whoever gave up a garbage basket would lose the game. Nobody won that at the end, the Pistons simply lost it.
The only good looks that the Bulls were getting came off of pick-and-rolls for Joe Smith 15-footers.
Don’t say that BGordon actually gets good looks… all he does is hit J’s in someone’s mug. I can’t take his low-percentage bs!
November 9th, 2007 at 10:01 am
Bust Jlaze says:
That was mad frustrating…all the Pistons had to do was let Billups back his man down and hit that turnaround J…and if he gets doubled too heavy, kick out to sheed for 3…but they did it the other way around, and sheed just couldn’t hit that turnaround cause he was fading way too much. It’s almost like the Bulls HAD to win that game, just to keep the “rivalry” going. The Pistons have no reason to not beat them every time they play.
November 9th, 2007 at 10:10 am
seth says:
Yeah well I watched Ricky Pierce for a decade and I know for certain he never put his nuts on people’s foreheads the way ‘Buike does. That kid has insane hops, build like a tight end and a nice stroke. I’m from Lexington, and he was always one of my UK faves. I was at a UK game his freshman year were he had a tip dunk on Vandy that was ‘Nique-esque. Go Buike go.
November 9th, 2007 at 10:18 am
smity says:
the pistons have no reason to not beat the majority of teams they play everytime they play. For some reason (maybe its just that the bulls are a better team than even they think they are) they play well against detroit and can beat them (until detroit gets focused like game 6 last year) but being from the chi and having seen the bulls beat teams like detroit, miami, dallas, etc. its frustrating ( at least for someone other than my calm ass) to then watch them lose to teams like new jersey or washington, and especially cleveland. What do you all think? Do they have a habit of playing to the level of their competition (and thus losing games they should win when it just comes down to the ball bouncing the wrong way or something) (actually detroit may make a habit of this as well…) also this whole comment is probably full of a a few contradictory statements, ha…
November 9th, 2007 at 10:23 am
djKianoosh says:
The Celtics should look into trading for Baron Davis.
November 9th, 2007 at 10:28 am
Bust Jlaze says:
If anything, it’s the Pistons who are guilty of that “playing to the level of their competition”. The bad thing about doing that is, eventually you are going to get cocky enough to think the level of your competition is LOWER than yours, and then you end up losing to teams you should have beaten. (See San Antonio in ‘05, Miami in ‘06, and Cleveland in ‘07, the worst of them all!)I LOVE the Pistons, them my DAWGS, but they KILL me with that ish. If they had played to their potential all those times, you’re looking at 4 straight Finals appearances! At LEAST another ring, which would solidify that team in history. Instead, they’re just one of those really good teams that no one remembers eventually. (See Phoenix in ‘04-’08).
November 9th, 2007 at 10:28 am
smity says:
oh yeah, Dime- thats torturous of you all to post that link of Horry killing the kings that time when the sacramento fans were just on here (i think yesterday) lamenting over that game and play…
November 9th, 2007 at 10:31 am
smity says:
Bust Jlaze- i feel like the pistons gave it their all against duncan and them but they should have and could have definately beat miami and definately cleveland (as a fan of NBA basketball (even though its still chicago all day), that was just embarrassing to watch…)
November 9th, 2007 at 10:40 am
Jules says:
I heard that Billups and Rip were at the Jay-Z concert in Chicago until 2 am Wednesday night…maybe they were tired?
November 9th, 2007 at 10:42 am
Bust Jlaze says:
Yeah Smity…I should have clarified that one…San Antonio was just as good as the Pistons that series and it all basically came down to FREAKIN HORRY AGAIN!! haha…but that was a slug-fest, back and forth…you can’t really say the Pistons should have played harder. I’m actually not even mad at that one ’cause it was a DOPE series! But the rest of ‘em was just foolishness on their part. With Miami they just let DWade run all over the place and basically beat them by himself, and they did the same with Bron. Oh well. I hate to say it, but they’re probably gonna end up in the same situation this year. I think the door’s closed, and Dumars will pick apart the team in the off-season to avoid being irrelevant for too long. He hates that.
November 9th, 2007 at 10:52 am
Bust Jlaze says:
And I didn’t think this until watching the game last night and hearing Chuck talk about the Kobe to Bulls joint…Why WOULDN’T Chicago pull the trigger on that deal? Luol Deng isn’t really THAT nice…if they had actual go-to scoring from Kobe, they would be absolutely SICK and would still be youthful enough to maybe run through Boston’s Big 3…I say make that deal!
November 9th, 2007 at 11:17 am
smity says:
i’m starting to think the same these days. I would have liked to see Gordon and Deng and whoever else at point like Thabo but now i’m like, Kobe, Wallace, Kirk and Tyrus Thomas, Thabo, and whatever bench they have is still good enough to (possibly) win the central and at least get to the east finals… (maybe thats a stretch though…) but they could certainly beat teams like new jersey, cleveland, washington, miami, on a consistant basis…
November 9th, 2007 at 11:18 am
smity says:
but also why would Kobe want to play for scott skiles? the answer is he wouldnt.
November 9th, 2007 at 11:27 am
Bust Jlaze says:
hmmmmm…I thought of that…what they REALLY need is to get Kobe AND Phil. that would be AWESOME. Impossible, but AWESOME. Too bad you can’t trade coaches…can you?? Has that ever happened? Include the coaches in the trade for a historic blockbuster package!
November 9th, 2007 at 11:33 am
smity says:
trading coaches would be crazy and hilarious!! lol (not really lol cause i’m at work so i had to just smile real big)) what if you go to nba.com and they say the Celtics have traded Doc Rivers traded for Lawrence Frank and Larry Krystowick (however you spell his name)”
November 9th, 2007 at 11:39 am
Celts Fan says:
Gee - Dirk can’t dispell the choker label in the regular season. Come on man, you know that already (and if not, you shouldn’t be offering an opinion anyway) He needs to do it late in a tight, conf. finals or nba finals game. He missed a lot of late FTs against the Heat (I think it was like 4 in 3 games in the last 2 minutes, which is terrible for a guy that shoots 90% from the stripe) and he’s come up small in many other instances. Nice play, but that label will (if ever) be shed in June, not November…
November 9th, 2007 at 11:41 am
Bust Jlaze says:
It would be funny as heck, but why not? It seems like Phil isn’t all that happy with management either, just not as vocal about it, so they get rid of the entire issue, and Scott Skiles moves to LA to coach his former players that got traded there…both teams benefit I think. No way that could happen, that’s such a crazy idea. I would think as long as both GM’s and coaches agree with it, they could pull it off right? Dime, What you think? (Me and Smity took over this post; no one else is saying anything!! haha)
November 9th, 2007 at 11:45 am
Celts Fan says:
To use an example really close to my other team, Peyton Manning beat the Pats in the regular season a few times, but was still considered someone that came up small in big games until he stepped up and did it to us last January. When/if Dirk does that late in the playoffs, he’ll earn it, but until then, there’s nothing he can do (and for the record, I like the Mavs to win the chip this year, and Dirk getting rid of that tag, but he can’t do nothing about it in November no matter how well he plays)
November 9th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
chrisGO says:
the Bulls’ winning formula last night….leave Ben Wallace on the bench in the 4th.
he’s garbage, doesnt help the team AT ALL, dude is barely a shadow of his former self
at least with joe smith he’ll at least get some attention while on offense
November 9th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
Gee says:
Celts you are right about that. I was saying that more for some that said he didn’t do enough in the 4th Q of games. Also for some that said they never seen him take or hit a big shot when the game was on the line. I completely agree though, that the playoffs is when you make your name, but I still think, the more you make a impact on close games during the regular season also helps that. That is all. No disagreement with anything you brought out though.
How bout the dunks the Warriors were doing last night. I had to put my game on pause and hit the “ohh ish” mode. Crazy. B.D. is so sick when he is healthy.
Kianoosh (hope I spelled that right) it would be bananas if B.D. somehow got to Boston. Can you imagine. Just to picture it is crazy.
I just wish Sheed and B.D. had put more on their final shots, outcome might be different.
Gil come on. I don’t care how popular dude has been or is, what he did last night was corny. He needs to go blog about himself having a moment of insanity on the final possesion.
Like I said playoffs are what count, yet the regular season does weigh in. Right now with what Gil. did and has done thus far. He is losing me slowly.
November 9th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
Bron42 says:
No one said dirk doesnt hit 3’s lol I said he doesnt do it in BIG games, ya kno, IMPORTANT GAMES, not the 5th game of the season. Thats like a bobcats fan hypin their 2-0 start and talkin playoffs. Way to reach for strands there once again Gee. The guy is, and will always be soft with no heart. One early regular season game isn’t gonna change that. Its playoffs man, not regular season, were talkin playoffs.
November 9th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
Bron42 says:
and stackhouses jumper was just as important, so like i said. Dirks not doin shit alone
November 9th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
Brown says:
@ djKianoosh
What would the Celts have left to trade for BD? Besides Scott Pollard, the towel boy and maybe a Celtics dancer or two? Come on now, get with it.
November 9th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Gee says:
Dang Bron lol I didn’t even type your name. I thought I was shooting in the air, you must have felt the bullet graze you. LOL. I feel you though Bron I am just saying, and I am shooting in the air lol, that to Gee he has that ability and I feel he will deliver. Sure he hasn’t yet, but I won’t call him soft, I just can’t do it. I just feel it’s more time and chance.
So I am using the last game as an example that his ability is there and just like he did last night he can and hopefully will do it in the playoffs. I am not gone call dude soft or a choker. If you all do that is cool, I guess I will have to wait and see where as you all feel you have seen.
LOL Stacks jumper didn’t tie the game, it just kept them in the lead and I didn’t say he did ish alone, I am just saying he can do ish when it counts. I aint gone hold his past against him, he is to good for that.
November 9th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
dagwaller says:
The Celts should trade everyone else on their roster not named KG, PP, or Jesus for Baron Davis and Yao Ming (or whoever you think the best center is). Oh yea, and then they should trade Doc Rivers for Phil. Just see how things go with a 5 man roster. Undefeated for a week, then have to play 4v5 for a month, then 3v5?
Just imagine how pissed off Scott Skiles would be if he got traded to the Lakers without Kobe.
As a Bulls fan, I kind of want to see Kobe, even if you have to trade Deng. Gordon’s just as much of a gunner as Kobe, and even though Deng might be the next big thing, Kobe has a chance to CONTINUE to be the big thing like he’s been for a couple years now. I think of it this way - the Bulls would be getting 3 years of Kobe in his prime (or however much is in his contract) instead of getting the chance to sign someone who could possibly maybe turn out to be almost as good as Kobe for a huge amount (cause you know Deng’s about to get paid). Plus, you only get to put 5 guys on the court at once. Doesn’t matter how many good players the Bulls have, if they can get rid of 2 or 3 for one, it kinda makes sense. I wish a team would make a trade based on trying to win within a couple years instead of 3 years from now. Look how much people are on Danny Ainge’s nuts now. Look at how Shaq did in Miami. Realistic shots at the title are more important than “potential” if you ask me, especially since the Bulls are going to have to pay all of their kids within a couple years anyway.
November 9th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
Celts Fan says:
You’re right though Gee, you can’t step up in the playoffs when it’s November 8th. All you can do is beat who they put in front of you, and Dirk did last night…
We don’t have anyone left to trade for Baron Davis and I wouldn’t want him anyway (he’s amazing when healthy, but I want someone you can count on being healthy, w/ Baron, you know he’s missing at least 20 games a year usually, which is a shame, cuz he has all-time great potential and is really, really fun to watch, plus, Jessica Alba might show up in Boston if he came, and everyone wins if that happens!)
November 9th, 2007 at 1:10 pm
Gee says:
Whoa what is up with B.D. and Jessica I missed that one. They an item? LOL yea he does get injured a lot. Still healthy he is amazing.
Did anyone see T.T. get that block and go over Rip’s head?!?! Crazy!
November 9th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Bron42 says:
celtics need chris andersen mannn..bird man revisited
November 9th, 2007 at 2:02 pm
smity says:
chris anderson could help the c’s but they really could benefit more from the services of an athletic 6′10er to 7footer to play the center position (as a starter) There have to be bigs in the d-leauge who are or would be able to contribute (thats what they set up the d league for right?) and also chicago should seriously think about giving gray some pt…or he sould think about working harder to earn some…either way
November 9th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
Celts Fan says:
chris anderson from ‘04 would be nice, don’t know about now (anyone even seen him in 2 years since the suspension?) The C’s don’t need a starting C, Perk is doing a good job, but we do need another legit 5 off the bench (Scot Pollard isn’t good for much other than some funny lines like, “Hey kids, do drugs,” funnier haircuts and might be healthy for 40 games if we’re lucky.) I was all over that a few weeks ago when they cut Esteban Batista. PJ Brown or DJ Mbenga wouldn’t be bad, but they say they’re trying to keep that roster spot open for a buy-out guy mid-season, so who knows…
November 10th, 2007 at 10:07 am
DOC says:
people be hatin on dirk. he took his team to the chip. he had help but who didnt besides bron. i seen kidd gettin killed by a young parker when he said he wanna go to the spurs. but he got heart cause hes not a whiteboy