Smack / Dec 5, 2007 / 5:32 am

High Fives

By Dime Magazine

With all the attention being paid to Dwight Howard, don’t forget the reigning title-holder in the “Best center in the League” argument: Amare Stoudemire. Last season’s All-NBA First Team pick is on a roll, which we detailed in this week’s NBA Hit List power ranking, putting in work against the likes of Yao and Eddy Curry in the past week. Yesterday Amare kept it up, giving Jermaine O’Neal a healthy 42 points and 13 boards in a Phoenix road win. Jermaine put up 30 points and 11 boards of his own. Watching Amare get up and down the court and get up above the rim — while J.O. relied mostly on pick-and-pop jumpers and a less-explosive inside game — reminded us how fast Jermaine has seemed to age over the last few years. He’s still good, one of the best in the East, and he’s not even 30 yet, but how much time does he have left? … And can you name five Eastern Conference point guards playing better than Jamaal Tinsley right now? We’ll give you Kidd, Billups and maybe even Jose Calderon, but that’s it. Tinsley put up 19 points and 12 dimes last night (although Steve Nash got him for 18 and 17) and continues to play at an All-Star level … Didn’t we just call the Kings the NBA’s giant-killers? They took out the Jazz yesterday, setting the tone right away via Ron Artest. How did Ron-Ron gameplan for Andrei Kirilenko? Running right through him, and there was nothing AK could do with the 250-pounder. When Matt Harpring tried to stick Artest, he was met with a diet of jumpers. Ron-Ron finished with 23 points, Kevin Martin dropped 25, and the rest of the Utah defense just wasn’t up to snuff … Kobe scored 20 in his mini-version of the “Flu Game,” an easy W against the Wolves. Kobe, notice that when Mike found himself in the same predicament, he wasn’t pulling off 360 dunks. Conserve that energy, brotha … On top of Kobe not being 100 percent and Andrew Bynum not playing at all due to illness, the game itself was mostly a mess. It took about four minutes for anyone to score, not to mention the weather was so bad in Minnesota that no one showed up … Billy King is done in Philly; good news to Sixers fans and perhaps a sad day for guys like Greg Buckner, Willie Green and Sam Dalembert, all of whom King made unnecessarily rich. Our in-house Sixers fan reflects on the BK regime and the new era under ex-Nets GM Ed Stefanski … Richard Jefferson to reporters after dropping 36 on the Cavs in a win. “Whenever you get an opportunity to play against this team without [LeBron], you have to make sure you go out there and get it done.” Translation: It’s all but a gimme game when you face the ‘Bron-less Cavs … Some of the Dime crew was at MSG last night for the Jimmy V Classic, where the buzz was all about the Derrick Rose vs. O.J. Mayo main event, otherwise known as Memphis vs. USC. In the tunnel before the game, Memphis could have taken the court first, but wanted to wait for USC. When the Trojans walked out of the locker room, Memphis PG Andre Allen led some good-natured taunting. “They don’t even wanna look at us!” Memphis PF Joey Dorsey laughed … The game was good (an OT win for the #2-ranked Tigers), and while the Rose/Mayo matchup didn’t live up to the hype, both showed glimpses of why they’re gonna be Lottery picks. Mayo (16 pts) started off hot, hitting his first three shots: a smooth pull-up J in transition, a fast-break and-one where he expertly baited his man into a foul, and a trey coming off a screen. Each one was a pro play. But he went 3-for-17 after that, and especially couldn’t hit in the OT. Rose (9 pts, 10 rebs, 3 stls) didn’t look for his shot at all in the first half, but for a stretch in the second turned into a defensive terror and sparked a Memphis comeback. Rose’s speed is just off the charts when you see him in person … Some USC fans in the crowd had a huge cardboard cut-out of a Tropicana orange juice, next to another cut-out of a can of Miracle Whip. Get it? O.J. Mayo? … That wasn’t as bad as USC point guard Angelo Johnson’s circa-1991 Johnny Gill flat top. It needs medical attention, STAT. Get thee to a barbershop … In the undercard game, Notre Dame beat Kansas State. The pre-game hype was all about Michael Beasley, but ND’s Luke Harangody made it his night. He put up a double-double (15 pts, 10 rebs) in the first half, which included giving Beasley some buckets. Harangody’s a monster inside. No flash (though he has some polished post moves), no messing around, just a tough dude. He ended up with 19 points and 14 boards. Beasley had 19 points, 13 boards and 3 blocks, but missed a lot of shots. And like Kevin Durant last year, his team simply isn’t that good … Jerry Buss and Danny Ainge (and Wes) were in the building, everyone assumed, to scout Beasley, Rose and Mayo. Here’s the thing, though: the Lakers aren’t bad enough to get a draft pick that’s high enough to land either one of those three. Is Buss talking trade with some team that is in position get a high Lottery pick? More than likely, they were there to do their due diligence, but you never know … During the K-State press conference, one reporter asked Bill Walker how he’s taken to playing the post in college after being a wing in high school. Walker answered the question with no problem, but after the press conference was done, K-State coach Frank Martin stopped the reporter and told him that Walker did in fact play the post in high school. Martin, by the way, is frightening in person. He’s huge, he wears a hit man’s three-piece suit, and he always looks like he’s one lazy show on a pick-and-roll away from challenging his entire team to a fight … We’re out like King …

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18 Responses to “High Fives”

  1. December 5th, 2007 at 5:54 am

    Flying-Dutchman says:

    OJ Mayo is NOT shooting geat lately, 20-60 (5-19 3ptr) in last 3 games!. Plus a high turn over ratio. He needs another year in College judging from his stats (havent seen him play, cause i live in Australia)

  2. December 5th, 2007 at 7:33 am

    mr. fresh says:

    Yea its time to get off of No.J Mayo’s nutsack…anybody can average twenty pts. Jackin up shots like he does. I agree he does have some nba moves and some nice lil d…but until he becomes more efficient I think all the hype is not deserved.

  3. December 5th, 2007 at 7:42 am

    sans says:

    I don’t know I OJ cracks the Top 5 in the lottery this year. So hyped last season, but BEASTll, Rose, Eric Gordon, Kevin Love, and even Kyle Singler look nicer than him right now. Then you have to throw in that Croatian (Next Pistol) kid, whose name I will never be able to pronounce, and whatever 8 foot chinese kid we haven’t heard of, and OJ’s chances look slim. For some kids, going to college is a bad idea.

  4. December 5th, 2007 at 7:54 am

    sans says:

    Oh, and I just read yesterday’s smack, but didn’t Chris Kaman already win a Most Improved Player award, two seasons ago? I don’t think you should be allowed to win that award twice.

  5. December 5th, 2007 at 8:29 am

    Ashto says:

    What!?

    Chris Kaman´s never won the MIP. The last three have been Bobby Simmons, Boris Diaw and Monta Ellis… And I dont think Kaman´s ever gonna get there with how a few other guys are playing

  6. December 5th, 2007 at 9:07 am

    Gregg says:

    ALL-TIME NBA MOST IMPROVED PLAYER AWARD WINNERS

    1985-86 Alvin Robertson, San Antonio
    1986-87 Dale Ellis, Seattle
    1987-88 Kevin Duckworth, Portland
    1988-89 Kevin Johnson, Phoenix
    1989-90 Rony Seikaly, Miami
    1990-91 Scott Skiles, Orlando
    1991-92 Pervis Ellison, Washington
    1992-93 Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, Denver
    1993-94 Don MacLean, Washington
    1994-95 Dana Barros, Philadelphia
    1995-96 Gheorghe Muresan, Washington
    1996-97 Isaac Austin, Miami
    1997-98 Alan Henderson, Atlanta
    1994-95 Dana Barros, Philadelphia
    1998-99 Darrell Armstrong, Orlando
    1999-00 Jalen Rose, Indiana
    2000-01 Tracy McGrady, Orlando
    2001-02 Jermaine O’Neal, Indiana
    2002-03 Gilbert Arenas, Golden State
    2003-04 Zach Randolph, Portland
    2004-05 Bobby Simmons, L.A. Clippers
    2005-06 Boris Diaw, Phoenix
    2006-07 Monta Ellis, Golden State

  7. December 5th, 2007 at 9:27 am

    Garrett says:

    No love for the Pistons stomping on the Hawks’ collective throats last night? Who wants to play the Pistons right now? NO ONE, that’s who.

  8. December 5th, 2007 at 9:30 am

    Hulah Dulah says:

    Buss is an SC alum. He was probably in New York, and stopped in to check the game. He has season tix for football and is at every game.

  9. December 5th, 2007 at 9:46 am

    smity says:

    does kevin martin being out hurt the kings that much? will someone else step out from the shadows and start getting buckets on everyone like he did last year (Francisco Garcia anyone or even salmons?)

  10. December 5th, 2007 at 10:24 am

    Myrie in NY says:

    I thought Jamaal Tinsley was finished. But dude is still balling. He’s been hurt the last few seasons, but now he’s healthy and producing again. I am a bit suprised.

    Stoudamire is doing his thing, but got outbeasted and overstrengthed by Dwight Howard last week. Amare got punked all game long.

    The Kings play gritty, but Utah should be ashamed of losing to Sacto and giving up 117pts. I guess that what a new contract gets a coach.

    And Andy V signed an offer sheet with the billy-bobcats; hmmm….his agent should have made this up months ago to force the teams hand.

  11. December 5th, 2007 at 11:51 am

    TG says:

    Jamaal Tinsley is shooting blow 40% from the field this season (30% from behind 3-point line) and has a mediocre 2.4 A/TO ratio this season. Sorry, that doesn’t = All-Star to me. He’s had some strong games this year, but he is far too inconsistent to be an All-Star. And remember, there is no distinction on the ballot between PG and SG. He isn’t going to beat out Kidd, Billups, Ray Allen, Joe Johnson,Dwyane Wade, etc. etc. etc.

  12. December 5th, 2007 at 12:02 pm

    TG says:

    Are NBA scouts looking at OJ Mayo as a PG or as a SG? Because he looks like nothing like a PG to me. Awful shot selection, way too turnover prone, and dosn’t seem to trust his teammates in the clutch (he took all but one of USC’s shots in OT last night). He’s got a ton of talent, but he isn’t very disciplined on offense. Right now, I’m more impressed with his defense — he shut Rose down for most of the game, playing th lead in that tiangle defense the Trojans threw at Memphis, totally discombulating the young Memphis PG.

    Rose played WAY too passively for most of last night. I’ve heard that he is unselfish to a fault as a PG, and that seemed to be proven last night. But he also looked clueless in attacking the defense — was far better in the open court. He did step up in crunch time, espcially on defense. But he didn’t look anywhere near ready to be a starting PG on the NBA level.

    Granted, it was just one game, but I’m skeptical that either of these guys ar going to be instant stars on the NBA level (I’m going off just what I’ve seen — I’ve watched both guys play 3 games this season). They will probably eventually be stars, but not necessarily as rookies.

  13. December 5th, 2007 at 1:50 pm

    dre in o town says:

    Dunk Contest ‘08 New Orleans

    Dwight “Beast-Mode” Howard (Dwight was robbed)
    Nick (insert infamous nickname) Young
    Andre Iguodala (Nate didn’t deserve it and u all know it)
    Rudy Gay

    other notables include:
    Trevor Ariza
    Tony Allen
    Gerald Green
    J.R. Smith
    Von Wafer

  14. December 5th, 2007 at 2:10 pm

    Amar says:

    kings are a very good home team. why was boozer on artest in the 4th quarter? take memo out, and put in millsap or someone who can guard 3s . . .

  15. December 5th, 2007 at 3:45 pm

    dre in o town says:

    Oh NBA.com top 10 dunks of November! Yao gets two facials from Ginobili and Amare. Rudy has a high riser dunk with Scola and Dikembe getting a nice view of his nuts.

  16. December 5th, 2007 at 4:00 pm

    Gee says:

    It’s been a long time….

    Varejao averaged a career-best 6.8 points and 6.7 rebounds last season

    Someone PLEASE tell me how this dude is getting 17 million over 3 years with the Cavs What the #^%$^!

    Then on top of that the Cavs still gone suck!

    Squirrle please!

    nba.com sucks too! lol

  17. December 5th, 2007 at 4:13 pm

    dre in o town says:

    Oh baby NBA.com Top Ten Blocks!!! Yao blocked by Kobe. Looking like he just got his milk taken away in the lunch line!!!

  18. December 5th, 2007 at 4:41 pm

    NBAstaffblogger3 says:

    Hey guys. I’m with the NBA league office. Figured I’d supply the link for the top dunks in November for any interested parties. Thanks.

    http://broadband.nba.com/cc/playa.php?content=video&url=http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/nba/nbacom/top10s_monthly/november_top10_dunks_071203.asx

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