In This Corner…
Looks like we officially have a new rivalry on our hands: Knicks versus Nuggets. Of course most of the backstory stems from last year’s brawl, but a lot of people forget these two also played one of the best games of the ‘06-07 season — the one where Jamal Crawford made this play … Last night’s game at the Garden had all the intensity and tension of a playoff game, especially considering all the major players in the brawl were there: J.R. Smith was coming off of suspension and activated for this one, and George Karl and Isiah didn’t acknowledge each other at any point. No fights this time around, just a great game where Denver lost a couple of big leads and let NY steal one … Zach Randolph was a beast, putting up 22 points and 17 boards. We thought whoever Marcus Camby guarded, be it Z-Bo or Eddy Curry, would struggle, but that would leave Nene’s man able to go off. Curry did his thing too, though, giving Camby 24 points … OK, we know NBA TV isn’t exactly trying to focus on the negative, but how can you not even mention the brawl storyline on “NBA TV Daily” when doing the Nuggets/Knicks highlight? They actually talked about the Crawford game from last year but not the brawl … The opening line of an AP story on Spurs/Rockets read like this: “Late in the first quarter against San Antonio, Yao Ming was already exhausted.” How is that any different from any Rockets game? Anyway, the author’s eventual point was that Yao (28 pts, 13 rebs, 6 asts) pulled it together and helped down the Spurs. And this quote from Yao was great: “I’m just telling myself, pick up my leg and run to the next step.” Earlier in the day we were talking about which of today’s bigs give Yao trouble, and Tim Duncan was of course on that list. But yesterday TD was getting it from Yao in crunch time … Manu’s two-hander over Yao following a stolen outlet was sick — but it still didn’t call for Andre Aldridge to say “He’s not scurred. Don’t be scurred,” on the “NBA TV Daily” highlight … Chuck Hayes got hurt early and Luis Scola was in foul trouble (3 fouls in 8 minutes of burn), so when Dikembe Mutombo checked in, Rockets announcer Clyde Drexler started pushing for Jack Sikma (a Rockets assistant) to get in the game … Going into Hornets/Lakers, we were wondering who Byron Scott would put on Kobe. Chris Paul and Bobby Jackson don’t have the size, Mo Pete and Rasual Butler don’t have the jets (plus wasn’t Mo Pete one of the guys on the wrong end of Kobe’s 81 Game?), and Peja is Peja. Mo Pete got the assignment and took 28 points from Mamba, but the story of the game was Peja (36 pts, 10 treys) and CP (19 pts, 21 asts, 3 stls). As good as L.A. had looked against Phoenix and Utah, they were getting picked apart last night. Phil must have been so frustrated. It’s one thing to have CP carve you up, but how do you let a guy make 10 threes? At some point, you either guard him or go Sam Mitchell on him, right? … The Lakers were one of the higher-ranked teams when we posted this week’s NBA Hit List, where we said things were kinda crazy following Week 1. Case in point: We (justifiably) had the Hawks ranked ahead of Phoenix, Denver, Utah, Orlando and Toronto — meanwhile, everyone’s dark horse Finals pick (Chicago) was at the back of the line. As tends to be the case in the first couple weeks, last night provided some more shake-ups. For one, we might have had Toronto ranked too high. They almost got 30-pieced by the Bucks, looking awful on defense and getting all of one point from Chris Bosh. CB4 got in foul trouble early and didn’t play much in the second half when the outcome was no longer in doubt. And Bargnani played even less than Bosh, also in foul trouble … The Hawks got beat in New Jersey, too, getting muscled out of their offensive rhythm by a solid Nets defense. That always seems to happen when we bump a team up several spots … Third quarter of Cavs/Warriors, Al Harrington filled the lane on a break and crushed one in LeBron’s mug. “The King is CROWNED!” the GS announcer screamed. Not to be outdone, LeBron had a couple monster chase-you-down-from-behind blocks in the game, almost put up a triple-double (24 pts, 14 rebs, 9 asts), and the Cavs got the win … Ray Felton went down with what looked like a really bad knee injury — he actually got up after the initial move where he got hurt, took his free throws, then dropped into a heap on the ground and left the court unable to put any weight on his left leg at all. He’s going to have an MRI today. The injury happened in the second half of a game that was basically over — the ‘Cats were getting hammered by 30-plus by Phoenix — so while it’s not exactly Sam Vincent’s fault, people will still ask why Felton was out there. Steve Nash was in the game when Felton got hurt, though, so we can see why Vincent hadn’t pulled him yet … Derek Jeter was at the game. In town kicking it with Mike, perhaps? … Hedo Turkoglu’s stat line wasn’t standout (14 pts, 6 rebs, 4 asts), but he’s been one of the keys for Orlando. In one sequence against the Wolves he drove past his man for a two-hand dunk, then on the next possession drilled a step-back trey. If he keeps this up, Orlando has a serious contender on its hands. Even without Tony Battie, who was gonna start at PF this year before getting hurt (Hedo likely would have come off the bench), the Magic still have one of the best frontcourts in the League right now … You know who’s been playing real well under the radar? Cat Mobley. He dropped 33 on the Bulls (serving Kirk Hinrich the hot plate) in another W for the Clips, who look like they’ve figured out how to play without Elton Brand. Not saying it will hold up throughout the duration of Elton’s absence, but Cat, Corey Maggette and Chris Kaman are holding it down for now. Sam Cassell hasn’t even had to play a whole lot, either, with Brevin Knight around … As for the Bulls, let’s just say the “Kobe!” chants from their crowd haven’t stopped … Even if the Kings had lost last night, they could have found a silver lining in the fact that they at least didn’t get blown out for the first time this season. After falling behind by 20 in the first half, Sacto came back in their home opener and knocked off the Sonics. (Yes, another second-half collapse for Seattle.) Francisco Garcia stepped up at the end, sticking the go-ahead corner three with less than 30 seconds left and forcing Damien Wilkins into a bad shot on Seattle’s next possession. We figured the Sonics would look for Kevin Durant (27 pts) or Wally Szczerbiak (32 pts, 5 treys) on that last play, but neither even touched the ball. Durant didn’t even appear to be involved in the play, as he was all the way on the other side of the court … FYI, the Kings’ 354-game home sellout streak was snapped last night … In college ball, Memphis won big again over Richmond, getting 21 points from Derrick Rose and 19 from Chris Douglas-Roberts. Is it too early to call those two the best backcourt in the country? … Kentucky routed Central Arkansas behind 20 points from Joe Crawford (one of those guys who seems like he’s been in school forever). Highly-touted UK frosh Patrick Patterson got into foul trouble and ended up playing just 13 minutes, scoring 4 points … Ohio State lost at home to D-II Findlay, make them the second Big 10 squad to lose at home against D-II squad in the past week … We’re out like Bosh’s game …
November 7th, 2007 at 6:44 am
Rodnets says:
Is Manu an early candidate for the HOF?
He can do this things:
http://www.vxv.com/ole/alfredito=11178.htm
Besides:
has won more than 1 Ring being a key factor
European Multi-Champion
Olympic Gold Medal
November 7th, 2007 at 7:20 am
Keith says:
The Rockets destroyed the Spurs on the boards, 55 (25 offensive) to 28. Not one Spur out-hustled a single Rocket, it seemed. Bonzi was all over the place with 14 points, 15 rebounds in 27 min.
As far as Manu in the HOF, since they induct based on all basketball (not just NBA) I think he has a good chance. Even though he’s never carried an NBA team for a season, he’s been the man on most of his teams.
November 7th, 2007 at 7:48 am
dre in o town says:
Yeah, the Bulls aren’t a darkhorse team. Everyone knows there solid, so yeah, try again.
November 7th, 2007 at 7:49 am
Amar says:
Woo! Chris Paul had an amazing game! Every year my friends and I hold a contest before the season starts — I was in the minority here, but I think that CP can lead his team to the playoffs. Their start this season has done nothing to dispell that notion.
Props to the Rockets for beating the Spurs. Yao is like a vacuum for criticism, but he came up big in this game.
November 7th, 2007 at 8:21 am
Brown says:
Ok, so now do people understand why I said “don’t drink the kool-aid on the Raptors”? Like I said before, if they keep playing like this, they will be in trouble this season and might not make the playoffs. They have absolutely no defensive identity.
I’m not a hater, I’m just being realistic about ‘em.
November 7th, 2007 at 8:22 am
Celts Fan says:
Memo to Big 10 teams – those DII teams you scheduled to pump up your fans don’t know it’s an exhibition. You’re the best chance they’ll have to get some national pub all year. YOU NEED TO SHOW UP
November 7th, 2007 at 8:37 am
Gregg says:
Lets try with today’s HOF
Yao Ming
Boom Dizzle
Mt. Mutumbo
Big Ticket
Peja
STAT
Nash
save the easy ones like Diesel and Duncan for friday.
November 7th, 2007 at 8:42 am
Lucky Lester says:
Nash’s play was a little John Stockton if I don’t say so myself… Look at those films, I promise, you’ll see it.
November 7th, 2007 at 8:45 am
Amar says:
save for three point shooting (not as big a deal / reliable weapon used by coaches in the early/mid 80’s), and ft percentage (nash is a good 8% better on average), stockton had around 7 seasons as good as nashs’ top three seasons statistically . . . but stock never got any mvp votes, he was just doing his job. now-a-days, a PG who actually sets up his team mates = unheralded play!
November 7th, 2007 at 8:49 am
Austin Burton says:
Dre — “Everyone’s dark horse Finals pick (Chicago)”… since the popular choices would be Boston or Detroit.
November 7th, 2007 at 8:53 am
Kobeef says:
Horrible game for the Hawks point guards against JKidd. Lue and Law were a combined 2-15 w/6 turnovers.
Another great game from the Magic. Rashard is looking like the real deal hitting 3’s and making plays…his game looks a lot like T-mac’s (less ballhandling skill) which is ironic.
The hornets finally have all of their players and look awesome. They have great complimentary pieces in that starting lineup (Paul = playmaking, Peja = points, Chandler = D) and are looking very dangerous. Let the Deron vs. CP debate rage on.
November 7th, 2007 at 8:55 am
Gee says:
Rooooooooooocckkkeeeetsss!
1. They are suppose to win at home, but that was a great look in beating the Spurs and Tracy not having to drop 40 suntin. Honestly if they don’t make it past the first round this year….Imma cry. LOL
2. Lakers…good but a lot of people on them a little to much right now. They are still a one man show. Fortunately for them that one man is the best player in the L so they will do well. They are new and improved but not that new and improved.
3. So far the NBA is just fun this year, I am really enjoying it. It’s fun seeing the trip. dubs. and all the boards and dimes. Come playoff time it will be ridiculous.
4. NY and LA..the Clips that is and ATL …keep an eye on them. Bulls, Sonics and Cleveland..right now you can close your eyes on them lol.
5. Roooooocckkeeeeets!
November 7th, 2007 at 10:21 am
DOC says:
Chris”babies ass” Bosh aint ready and his team as soft as him.
November 7th, 2007 at 10:26 am
SWAT says:
GO ROCKETS!! Man we beat 2 of the top 3 in opening week! I just don’t understand how NBA Coast 2 Coast gave us no love until midway thru the damn show. The media seems like it’s hating on us constantly! I just don’t get it. Plus damn ESPN shows like 2 plays and calls that highlights from the game. I hate football and how much exposure it gets but our sport gets none. That really grinds my gears!! Shout out to Peter Griffin! lol!
November 7th, 2007 at 10:26 am
Coldchain says:
Where da Raptors fans at? Your squad gets routed by a sorry team and you don’t show up?
November 7th, 2007 at 10:39 am
djKianoosh says:
good win by the rockets but calm down guys.. it’s only week 2.
but still, they were beastly on the boards. i said last week that they didn’t seem to have an identity, but if that game last night was their identity then they’re in good shape. finally it looked like Yao’s teammates let him join the party. everybody was rebounding like mad and when you have size like that, then that’s what you’re supposed to do. so let’s see if they can keep that up. they should seriously contend for being the best rebounding team in the L because of their size. and that’s gonna help them win games. everything else in that game was pretty predictable, except for Duncan’s poor shooting. Bonzi looks rejuvenated, too.
AI was awesome last night, too bad denver still feel they need to play JR Smith in crunch time. he jacked up a couple of bad threes late in that game after the knicks came back and took the lead for good. they already had Kleiza for threes, I felt they needed another rebounder in there. oh well, who am i to say… nene needs to get in shape and not commit easy fouls. knicks suck. ok now that i got that off my chest, i like balkman’s effort. but steph seems like he’s disjointed from the team. just looks like whatever he does on the court, everybody else isn’t on the same page with him. just a perception. but admittedly i dont watch the knicks all that much cause of my total disdain for all things knicks.
Clyde is great on their telecast though. he should be a national commentator. i can listen to him every game. he’s smooooth.
November 7th, 2007 at 10:46 am
Bron42 says:
Yao Ming-No
Boom Dizzle-No
Mt. Mutumbo-Yes
Big Ticket-Yes
Peja-No
STAT-To early
Nash-if stockton is in, then nash is in. If not than nah cuz he hasnt really done anything special.
I understand yao has a 3 inch vert, but at 7′5, if you get dunked on by a 6′4 guy with two hands, who isn’t really a leaper himself….you should get escorted off the court like in a AND1 game. Yao did step it up on offense but his defense still sucks.
Also, When you play a D2 team, you don’t know most of the players. If UK played say..ohio state, they would know who does what. Most D1 coaches don’t scout D2 cuz they expect a walk through ignoring alot of D2 guys are good and just didn’t get D1 pup in high school.
See raptors fans, you should be happy now because your team got some shine in this Dime.
November 7th, 2007 at 10:46 am
Dariusz says:
Alright so what is going on with the Nba these days and the media ? New Orleans Hornets are the thing to talk about not only for the 4-0 record that bandwagon fans will use as a point but for the simple point of Chris Paul being a future hall of famer. For the point of David West being one of the most underrated PF’s in the league since a months before the draft where all analists were saying that he Can’t distribute in the nba, and what does he do ? He is shooting the lights out, adding something new to his arsenal of plays each year, this season his 3point range. Always aggressive always hustling, this guy needs a feature just like the whole team.
Peja Stojakovic? “He Can’t Play”, “He’s over”, “Worst contact in the nba” and what does he do now? He goes out with the team being 3-0 and he scores 10 3pointers just two shy of an Nba record set by Kobe Bryant does the name Kobe Bryant ring a bell ? Yes that’s the guy who lost last night to a TEAM, not one player but a whole team, i bet he was unhappy to see people producing altogether and he has to pull the purple/yellow train for a couple of years only with the strenght of his own back.
Morris Peterson, Rasual Butler, Bobby Jackson all of them bring energy to the game and incredible clutch play. It means something when a team can play final minutes of the Nuggets game with two bench players and still win a game in big way with incredibly working defence.
The unselfish play of the NEW ORLEANS HORNETS is the thing all of the nba website should be talking about right now, because this team is making a statement after being called the most crippled team in the nba and after moving Back to their righful home in New Orleans. Keep an eye on them right now and after they loose their first game also because this is the dark horse of this season, not because players are overproducing but simply because you dont see how good Hornets players are and all of you underrate team defence, good chemistry and clutch/energy players that they have, this is a complete team and it will show all the haters through the season what they are made of!
November 7th, 2007 at 10:50 am
chrisGO says:
if Manu gets in the HOF based on basketball overall (and not just NBA) Toni Kukoc deserves some recognition too
November 7th, 2007 at 10:55 am
Celts Fan says:
good call Chris, but Toni didn’t do much in the nba to warrant that recognition, whereas Manu’s been a star here too…
November 7th, 2007 at 11:02 am
Amar says:
toni’s got some rings too . . . plus he was crazy good before coming to the NBA. His nations were always at war though, so that’s why his international record doesn’t look as good as those Argy’s.
November 7th, 2007 at 11:10 am
jbodden says:
man the knicks got alot to prove this season and beating Denver (a team to win the west and face boston in the finals) was one of them but one thing i gotta say the keys this season for the knicks is to play smart stay healthy and do more than just beat the best teams in the NBA beat the teams who aren’t the best in the league the ones that are lottery bound like every year they beat Nice team but lose series against teams like Philly, Toronto,and the list goes on if u don’t kknow what i’m talking bou then here’s an example The Knicks last year put up a fight with Detroit in 3 OT but then the next game they get smacked by philly and by the end of the season philly wins series against knicks 3-1 moving right along…
Ohio State Have learned a lesson that they should of learned from the time all of those players started playing team ball (that’s if they did) NEVER UNDERESTIMATE YOUR OPPONENT !!! the same lesson the spartans learned Division 2 is stepping it’s game up and that win for findlay will probably give them confidence for the rest of their season.. with that being said ESPN and CBS might would air more D2 games then they did last lear with the CIAA Tournament and the Division 2 champtionship
for those who don’t know alot of Division 2 players are Div 1 calibur because to my knowledge some division 2 players inthe past couldn’t get into D1 schools because of the NCAA clearing house and they don’t meet up to the academic requirements for a full D1 scholarship or maybe they just choose D1 because they want to go Pro in some thing else other than sports.
November 7th, 2007 at 11:34 am
dagwaller says:
Ha, Dariusz, you should write for the Hornets website or something. Got me drinkin the kool-aid
November 7th, 2007 at 11:35 am
Bron42 says:
lol toni did just as much as manu if not more. If it wasnt for toni guys like manu and dirk wouldnt be here. So dont overlook it. Toni played a big part with the bulls winning just like manu and the spurs.
November 7th, 2007 at 12:36 pm
Willis says:
I laughed after I saw Peja’s line. I watched Kings-Sonics last night. Whats with Wally and Peja channeling themselves via 2004 playoffs on the same night? Crazy. Oh yea. Kevin Martin? That kid had a 4×5 last night. If he could only block shots. Good thing he’s on my fantasy team.
November 7th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
Bobby B says:
Hey, I’m a Raptors fan, but I’m not (nor, have I been) drinking the Kool-Aid. I think they’re a fun team to watch, and I think they’ll at least make the playoffs. But, I know they won’t make any noise when it counts because of their atrocious defense and rebounding. It doesn’t take Basketball Jones to figure out the Raptors will never win a game when Juan Dixon and Kris Humphries are the leading scorers and the opposing team shoots 60.3% from the field.
I’m not a delusional Raptors fan; I’m just a Raptors fan. They need to play some team defense and grab some fucking rebounds.
November 7th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
Mike says:
Caught the Lakers-Hornets game last night and have this to say..
Chris Paul is the best point guard in the NBA right now. Period.
Contrary to what you might read from some articles, the Lakers did play hard last night.
It’s just that Paul was too good and too efficient.
With Peja going off as well, last night’s Hornets would have beaten any team in the league.. not just LA.
Without question, the best player on the floor last night was Paul, not Kobe. And that’s saying something cause Kobe’s almost always the best player on the court..
November 7th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Fredo says:
The NOLA Hornets are right now the hottest thing in the NBA! I loved that they crashed ESPN’s KB24 party. Dime will hopefully give them plenty of love. With Chris Paul (best young PG in the Assoc), Tyson Chandler (thank you much Chicago), Peja Stojakovic (stay healthy, please stay healthy), David West (truly underrated) and a cast that’s tested and talented, this team will make a lot of prognosticators look dumb.
Come on the bandwagon fore the seats fill up.
November 7th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
Grissy says:
For all the anti-Raps fans, you can hate all you want (especially after last night) but c’mon, don’t pigeon-hole their whole fan-base. Just because there are a few who post on here regularily and come off as whiny and bitchy, that is by no means grounds to throw guys like me in the same category. To be right honest, I love Dime and all that good shit but if my Raps don’t get mentioned in Smack, big deal. I’m not losing any sleep.
After last nights game, I’m still not a shred bit worried.
As my pal Brown mentioned a bunch of posts above mine, if the Raps continue playing like this they’ll be in trouble…TRUE…but is CB4 really gonna drop 1 point and grab 2 boards on a regular basis? Are him and Bargnani gonna combine for more fouls than points for the remainder of the year? Is every team they play gonna shoot 68% in the first half and 60% for the game?? Sure their D is their achilles heel but they’ll be fine…just like the Bulls will be fine. Quote me on that.
November 7th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
maddskeezy says:
Wattup Coldchain, Raps fan here.
Sorry, I was just at Champs returning my Bosh jersey
What did I miss?
November 7th, 2007 at 4:30 pm
CK says:
Alright Coldchain you must sit down with that Bucks are a sorry team BS. They will be no worse than a 4th seed.
November 7th, 2007 at 4:44 pm
NBA Staff Blogger 2 says:
Hi, I’m with the NBA. Speaking of the New Orleans Hornets, thought you may be interested to know the Hornets currently have the best Lenovo Stat on NBA.com. It’s a plus-minus stat that measures the power of teamwork on the court, and shows that Chris Paul, David West, Tyson Chandler, Peja Stojakovic and Mo Peterson currently are the best five-man combination in the league at +47.
Here is the link to all the top five-man Lenovo Stat combinations to date: http://www.nba.com/statistics/lenovo/lenovo_sort.jsp?pcomb=5&season=22007&split=9&team=
November 7th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
Celts Fan says:
I was a huge MJ fan back in the day and watched all of that, but Toni was never the player Manu is (he was good, don’t get me wrong, but Manu’s clearly better to me) and he doesn’t have a gold medal to boast on top of it like Manu does. The Waiter had his moments, but Manu’s just better if you ask me. Not trying to take anything away from Toni, I just feel like Manu’s a more complete player with a bigger role on an equally good team (meaning always the favorite for the chip – not historically, but in a “If they have an NBA preview and the bulls/spurs aren’t favored, that mag lost credibility” kind of way.) They were both the best player in Europe when they came over, but like I said, I feel like Manu’s done more here and has more accomplishments in the international game (at least Olympics anyway)
November 7th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
biverton says:
Oh, so everyone missed Manu cram on yaos head??? Front runner for dunk of the year so far.
November 7th, 2007 at 7:08 pm
djKianoosh says:
to top of the Manu is better than Toni was argument, Manu is the only basketball player ever to win a Euroleague title, an NBA championship, and an Olympic gold medal.
you gotta give it up to Toni because he was the 6th man of the year on that 72-10 bulls team, but that’s about the only award he has that manu doesn’t. and Manu will probably win 6th man this year since he’s starting the year as 6th man (last year he probably would have won but wasn’t eligible, although granted, barbosa was very worthy)…
His Olympic Gold tournament stats are insane as well, something like over 70% in field goals for the entire tournament. that’s crazy.
November 8th, 2007 at 8:12 am
dre in o town says:
Austin Burton – Boston and Detroit aren’t darkhorse teams. Those are the bandwagon teams which i am pretty sure now everyone is a Celtics fan. A darkhorse would be a team like the Hornets or the Grizzlies. Hornets would actually be my choice to make some unexpected noise. That is if they can stay healthy … good luck though with Peja and Bobby Jackson. Seems like everyone from that Sacto Kings team that lost to the Lakers have nagging injuries … anyway, later.
November 12th, 2007 at 3:31 am
gunitposer says:
^ in response to the reference abt Mo Pete being on the wrong side of Kobe’s 81pt game.. I don’t think anyone was on right side of that performance, except Kobe himself. Really, watch the game closely if you haven’t already. Kobe’s teammates don’t get to do jack, let alone touch the ball. They’re basically working strictly on cardio, running up and the down the floor with really, no ulterior purpose.
Historic performance nonetheless, but I’m sure there a handful of players who could do the same if they had blinders on as well.