Photo. Jonathan MannionWe absolutely wouldn’t mind watching Phoenix and San Antonio go another seven games with a trip to the ‘08 Finals on the line. Yesterday’s game had all the playoff atmosphere of last year without Tim Donaghy, Horry vs. Nash, Amare/Diaw vs. The League, or Bruce Bowen playing D like Wood Harris in Above the Rim to clutter it up. What we got was a back-and-forth contest with guys trading huge buckets down the stretch, from Grant Hill’s pull-up J in the final minute to Manu’s off-balance runner on the other end to Amare’s go-ahead free throws with 17 seconds left to Boris Diaw picking Manu clean to secure the ballgame … It didn’t take long for Tim Duncan to get back into Tim Duncan Mode, putting up 36 points and 17 boards. On one play the Suns’ defense broke down to the point where Nash (10 pts, 8 rebs, 10 asts) was stuck guarding Tim in the post, and you can guess how that ended … The one asterisk San Antonio can lean on, though, is that Tony Parker didn’t play (ankle) and they still didn’t get killed by Nash … Not to be left out of the Western Conference contender class photo, the Mavs knocked off the Magic at home. Orlando was down three in the final seconds and ran a great play to get Keith Bogans a shot from the wing, which he stuck over Dirk (31 pts, 11 rebs). But, the refs ruled his foot was on the line. A few free throws later and the Mavs pulled out the win … In the first quarter, Dwight Howard (The best center in the League?) had a vicious two-hand stuff on Erick Dampier’s head. Question: Is Damp so much better than DeSagana Diop that he should be getting 30-plus minutes wile Diop is in single-digits? You’d think Avery would want to use both guys enough to give Dwight some different looks, but you can’t argue too much since Dallas won the game and Dwight (22 pts, 13 rebs) didn’t dominate … Did you hear that Dime #38 is on the way? We got Shaq for the cover of this one, which should be on newsstands everywhere by the end of this week. In his first Dime feature, the NBA’s self-proclaimed Godfather talks about the state of the game and his place in its history, and the photo spread accompanying the story was art-directed by The Diesel himself. Also in the issue, Cass has an in-depth interview with Stephon Marbury, where Steph addresses the accusations that he’s lost his mind and talks about his wild summer, and Train penned a feature on the Sonics‘ other building block beside Kevin Durant. Then we’ve got Mike Miller breaking down his shooting workout, D-Wade analyzing the year in music, Boom Dizzle showing off his home video game setup, plus a lot more. Check for it … The Blazers keep winning, taking out the Hornets for their 8th in a row. The last time New Orleans played up in Portland, they were doing great (and David West was beasting everyone) until the Blazers went on a run and the Hornets fell apart mentally. Last night you had shades of the same thing; guys on the Hornets blatantly bickering with each other on the court in critical moments … Who’s gonna play more minutes for the Blazers this year: Josh McRoberts or Darius Miles? McRoberts has a two and a half minute lead so far … It’s like Utah’s win over the Sonics the other day never happened, because the Jazz found a way to lose to a short-handed Atlanta squad on Monday despite getting 39 points from Carlos Boozer. Bad shooting night for Deron Williams (3-for-12), and he let Anthony Johnson look like a superstar, giving up 17 points and 14 assists …Marvin Williams (21 pts, 6 rebs, 3 stls) played all but three seconds of the game. Did you know Wilt Chamberlain once averaged 48.5 minutes per game in a season? He played all but eight minutes the entire year … Give LeBron credit for not settling for a 30-foot fadeaway three over double-coverage at the end of the fourth quarter of Cavs/Bucks (he was 0-for-5 beyond the arc on the night), but his runner from the left side missed at the buzzer. Two overtimes later ‘Bron made up for it in a Cleveland win, finishing with 31 points, 8 boards and 5 assists … Some of the Dime crew was at the Garden for Knicks/Pacers. Pre-game, some of the Knicks backups had an impromptu 1-on-1 tournament going, first bucket wins. The first matchup was Mardy Collins vs. Randolph Morris. Mardy got the ball and Morris backed off, begging him to take the 20-footer. Mardy obliged and airballed. Then it was Morris vs. Nate Robinson. Nate faked the jumper, drove past Morris, went up off one foot and crammed in his face. The Knicks players all started cracking up, and back in the locker room, Nate excitedly told the story to Steph and Wilson Chandler. Morris was standing nearby hearing all of this, and eventually said, “Come on, let me off easy.” But Nate kept talking until Morris got up and left, saying something that rhymed with “pulpit.” … As for the actual game, it was another New York stinker. At one point the Knicks missed TWENTY straight shots, including multiple layups that didn’t hit rim. Mike Dunleavy tortured Q-Rich for a career-high 36 points in what was something of a homecoming for him. If you didn’t know, Little Dun comes up to the city during the summer and puts in work in various pro-am leagues … Is Dennis Rodman a Hall of Famer? We put The Worm’s resume up for debate yesterday … What’s up with Al Jefferson stealing Michael Doleac’s shine in his revenge game? Jefferson’s 22 points and 20 boards got in the way of Doleac getting some get-back on the Heat last night; MD only had room to put up 4 points and 1 rebound. Real selfish there, Big Al … D-Wade is one of the few perimeter guys in the NBA who can put up 30 points in a game without hitting any threes, like he did on Monday. But consider that 18 of those points came from the free throw line … We’re out like Nate’s pulpit …
December 18th, 2007 at 7:49 am
Tux says:
Josh McRoberts can’t be stopped on Live 08….seriously. Check it out.
December 18th, 2007 at 8:19 am
ian says:
live 08 sucks get 2k8
December 18th, 2007 at 8:24 am
Turd Ferguson says:
By “Wood Harris” do u mean Woody Harrelson?
December 18th, 2007 at 8:33 am
Tbeezy says:
Woody Harrelson was in White men can’t jump, not Above the rim. C’mon Turd
December 18th, 2007 at 8:36 am
Big Freeze says:
Can’t vouch for Josh McRoberts on Live 08. I play 2K8.
I don’t know about y’all, but I really enjoy watching the Knicks gradually get uglier with every game. Isiah needs to suit up and show these boys how to hustle, because there is about 2% effort from the Knickerbockers.
December 18th, 2007 at 8:41 am
Gee ... huh? says:
and since kindergarten I acquired the knowledge,
and after 12th grade I went straight to college…P.R.
Tupac’s best movie to me …Above The Rim!
Course Juice was a classic.
Ian is 2k8 really like that?
The Blazer’s in the playoffs?
LOL Knicks play 1 on 1 and then proceed to lose, I guess they got to have some victory somewhere.
The pulpit thing …hilarious.
Shaq interview wise is lame now I don’t care how many covers you put him on.
Mike D putting up 36 ….what?
December 18th, 2007 at 9:04 am
djKianoosh says:
Wilt’s stats are legendary. If I was coach I’d never have taken him out either. He made a lot of coaches look good.
Most important development from last night’s Suns-Spurs? Grant Hill makes such a huge difference for the Suns in this matchup. He really changes the complexion of the rivalry. He is so good, I was really impressed with his game last night, and it wasn’t even just the clutch shots late in the game either. He did a lot of little things throughout the game to keep them in it and not let the Spurs go on any kind of big run. Now, if Boris Diaw can just learn to stop making that extra-extra pass and shoot once in a while, they might round out a nice rotation to oppose the defending champs…
December 18th, 2007 at 9:09 am
Austin Burton says:
Wood Harris, a.k.a. the Evil Point Guard on 2Pac’s team in Above the Rim. He got buckets from Leon in the climatic game.
December 18th, 2007 at 9:10 am
E says:
Great Wood Harris reference! He also continued his b-ball career in the Wire.
December 18th, 2007 at 9:22 am
Doc says:
Avon
December 18th, 2007 at 9:57 am
Myrie says:
Tupacs best movie was JUICE. Easily. How yall not gonna take BISHOP?
December 18th, 2007 at 10:31 am
Kobeef says:
After 24 games the Hawks are at .500 (12-12)!!!!! This is a moment to remember..especially because the did it against the Jazz.
Nate McMillan’s new nickname is Mindfreak. Has to be considered for Coach of the Year because watching the Blazers win is like watching Criss Angel Mindfreak…I can see things happening but they defy logic.
WTF is up with Michael Doleac getting PT against his former team? Are the timberwolves so hopeless that they pull stunts like this to entertain fans? Craig Smith and/or Ryan Gomes are much better players and should have been the starters. It’s obvious Big Al did’t need help destroying Shaq in the low post (22 & 20!!).
December 18th, 2007 at 10:43 am
Celts Fan says:
Doleac gets PT because he’s big and can use up 6 fouls on The Diesel.
December 18th, 2007 at 11:15 am
doesn't matter says:
I’m tired of hearing “they didn’t have tony parker.” We lost amare for a whole year. Once Parker or duncan misses a full season then the spurs fans can come crying to me.
December 18th, 2007 at 11:18 am
hatinon manu says:
I love how Manu choked and cost the Spurs the game, thanks Manu!
December 18th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
bron42 aka Global4Areason says:
one word for man…cookies lol
Gee, 2k8 is about 4-5 times better than live. which is why madden had to buy them out in football, fight night is hangin up the gloves cuz 2ks new boxing game etc…
I dunno about ya’ll, wood can do things like above the rim and the wire but he killed it tryin to play a 17 year old in remember the titans. Plus, I dunno, I think bernie mac and my dude from cool runnings outshined wood harris in above the rim anyway.
its funny when 22 and 13 from dwight isn’t dominant lol. I mean the kid has like 8, 30 point 15 rebound games already.
alot of people doubtin shaq like its his fault the heat suck suddenly ignoring the other 10 roster spots. Did anyone really expect them to get any better without makin moves last year? look out for that bibby and artest trade to happen.
December 18th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
Smooth says:
Juice was Pac’s best film bishop was tha man
December 18th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
Smooth says:
Nice Wood Harris reference, lol bruce was smashing up the Suns last year, Man Duncan was straight killin i thought spurs would get the game TD was a beast, but Grant Hill stepped up big he was a great pick up by the Suns
December 18th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
Smooth says:
Man what was with Dunleavy last night @ the garden he was killin are knicks he had sum crazy scoring run in the 3rd , we need 2 trade eddy curry when will he learn that u need 2 jump 2 get a damn rebound
December 18th, 2007 at 12:58 pm
Kudabeen says:
Live 08 is very disappointing…
December 18th, 2007 at 2:09 pm
control says:
I predicted the Heat would miss the playoffs this year because of the one move they DID make…signing Smush Parker. That guy is a scrub, probably one of the, if not THE worst player in the nba right now.
December 18th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
nick says:
i wouldn’t go that far with saying smush is the worst player in the league.
December 18th, 2007 at 2:50 pm
Celts Fan says:
Smush isn’t that bad (though he’s not that good either!)
Live ‘08 was a huge letdown. Mavs in the ‘07 Playoffs level of letdown.
Fight Night was solid for a while then they went to arcade-y with it. I loved the first one because it seemed so realistic. When will people learn that you don’t need to reinvent the game every year. All we want is updated rosters and SLIGHT changes. Madden seems to get it. Everything else seems to not grasp this…
December 18th, 2007 at 3:04 pm
bron42 aka global-4A-reason says:
well 2k has always had the inside track on whats realistic in sports. remember when nba 2k first came out? the one with iverson on the cover? its been the best basketball game since that day. EA tries too hard and wants to invent some crazy new gimmick, that doesnt work and they trash it the next year instead of just tweaking minor things. I mean have they even fixed the behind the backboard blocks yet? Same goes for football too, madden might be hot now but thats only cuz they bought out nfl 2k5 (with TO on the cover)cuz 2k had a better game and sold it for 19.99
December 18th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Celts Fan says:
I’ve heard that, but I’ve been on Madden for so long I could never switch. Having said that, Live was sick. Live ‘06 was the best one and had good gameplay. It was tough to make everything perfect (I think basketball is probably the hardest sport to replicate in a video game) but it played well. Then, ‘07 and ‘08 came out and I’m done with Live. You’re telling me NBA 2k8 is the way to go?
December 18th, 2007 at 3:37 pm
Myrie says:
Play(a)Station or Box?
December 18th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
Gee ... Shaq is so lame now? says:
madden might be hot now but thats only cuz they bought out nfl 2k5 (with TO on the cover)cuz 2k had a better game and sold it for 19.99
Bron that is true, and I got that bad boy and still play it!
I got that Madden too though, I ain’t addicted though, …although the wifey would disagree.
December 18th, 2007 at 4:21 pm
bron42 aka Global-4A-reason says:
xbox, just like 360 over ps3.
nba 2k8 is the way to go.
live 06 was all hype too. I skipped class to go pick it up early a) cuz melo was on the cover b) the dunk contest. but it had sooo many flaws it wasnt even funny AND those flaws are still there.
a) people in the dunk contest who shouldnt be. no way is brent barry a 89 in the dunks. even in his prime he wasnt over a 75.
b) missed dunks and layups. Explain to me how carter misses a 2 handed dunk off 1 leg on a fast break 6 times.
c) blocks by people who cant blow PLUS blocks out of no where when u already beat the guy
d) your layup suddenly goin behind the back board and out of bounds. etc….
e) realizin that yao being 7′0 doesnt mean he should be 90 dunking and posterizing everyone like he was josh smith.
same stuff wrong then, is wrong now with newer issues. no way i’m payin 60 for that. if you want some arcade nba jam type basketball play live, if you want something real (although it has minor bugs of its own) go with 2k
December 18th, 2007 at 7:02 pm
K-Dizzle says:
The Knicks suck on PS3 and Xbox, and the games still won’t let you fire Isiah lol
December 19th, 2007 at 7:03 pm
ian says:
gee
i have them both
and nba makes me puke
2k8 is the best nba game ever
December 20th, 2007 at 6:55 am
JodysOldMan says:
,,,,,,