Ray did all he could. (Photo. Jordan Brand)Which team had more to prove last night: the Celtics or the Pistons? We said it was Detroit, a team being overshadowed by the stars glittering in Boston and the surprising Orlando Magic, not to mention coming off that discombobulating conference finals loss to LeBron and Co., they wanted to prove that the road to the Eastern Conference crown still runs through Motown. Then again, a lot of people believed Boston had the bigger agenda; they wanted to show that their League-best record is legit and that they can beat the top competition. Either way, Celtics/Pistons lived up to the hype. And since we don’t mind a tough defensive game, the sub-90s score wasn’t a problem. It was a battle all the way through, and came down to the final seconds after Ray Allen’s huge three to tie it. With 1.7 left on the clock, the Pistons went to Chauncey Billups, who up-faked Tony Allen back to Stillwater and got fouled with 0.1 remaining. Billups (28 pts, 8 asts) went to the line, and no way he’d miss both shots, right? Right. Swish, swish, ballgame. It capped another big fourth quarter performance for Mr. Big Shot, who gave Rajon Rondo buckets on his way to 12 points for the quarter … After Billups’ show, where do you think he ranks among the NBA’s best point guards? One of our guys has him #6 in the League. Tell us what you think … David Ortiz was sitting on the baseline wearing a Ray Allen jersey … The other big game on Wednesday’s docket, Mavs vs. Suns, was also worth the wait. Dirk Nowitzki (31 pts) went off late in the fourth quarter and put Dallas up seven, but the Suns cut it to three in the final seconds. On the last play, Steve Nash (21 pts, 18 asts) had a good look but threw up an airball. You were expecting Shawn Marion to come out of nowhere with an offensive board to give the Suns another chance, but the ball went harmlessly out of bounds … At least we know Grant Hill can still get up. He crowned DeSagana Diop on one play, double-clutching on him for a one-handed finish … Wednesday night showed exactly why LeBron won’t want to be in Cleveland — at least with this crop of characters he has to call teammates — much longer. LeBron killed the Knicks individually, putting up 32 points, 8 boards, 6 dimes and 6 steals, while the rest of the Cavs did NOTHING and caught the Knicks on a good night, getting pieced at MSG. On one play LeBron hit Zach Randolph with the between the legs-from-behind dribble, blew past Z-Bo and crammed a reverse dunk, but he was the Cavs’ only option; meanwhile, New York was getting contributions from Jamal Crawford (21 pt), Q-Rich (4 triples), Zach (17 pts), David Lee (22 pts, 11 rebs) and Nate Robinson (his first in-game dunk in forever). Steph didn’t even play and the Knicks still cruised … Andrew sent this along during pre-game: “I’m waiting for one of the Knicks’ PR people to get my press pass when I see two baaaaad girls stroll in. I immediately recognized them — Rev. Run’s daughters, and they look even better in person than on TV. And right behind them was Rev. Jesse Jackson, chatting away on his phone.” … It keeps getting worse for the Jazz. Last night they had the game in their pocket, up double-digits on the Bobcats with six minutes left, and blew the lead and the game when the ‘Cats went on a 13-0 run … The cracks are showing for Utah. Andrei Kirilenko decided he was Michael Jordan, jacking fadeaways and threes at the start, and Gordan Giricek got aired out by Jerry Sloan and sent to the locker room in the second quarter … And it keeps getting better for Portland, as they knocked off Toronto for their ninth win in a row. Brandon Roy had 25-9-8 and LaMarcus Aldridge returned to the lineup … Dwight vs. Yao: Dwight had 21 points, 11 boards and 3 blocks, Yao had 19 points, 17 boards and 3 blocks, and Orlando got the road win in part because T-Mac was awful in the first half (3 pts, 1-for-10 FGs) and didn’t play in the second half due to his sore knee … And almost lost in the shuffle, the Spurs droped one to the Grizzlies. (Letdown from the Suns game?) Memphis was actually dominating for a while, but let the sans-Parker Spurs come back to tie it when Duncan fed Manu for a dunk with 2.4 ticks left. Rudy Gay then took the inbounds and coolly drilled a triple in Duncan’s mug at the buzzer … Caron Butler had a triple-double with 29 points, 11 boards and 10 assists, but the Wizards lost to the Bulls … Finally, Austin was at the Sonics/Hornets game in Seattle, and sent this two minutes before tip: “There is NOBODY here. Maybe 1,500 tops. My cousin said he’s seen more people at his high school games.” The crowd got a little better as the game went on, but overall it was a dead arena, which wasn’t helped by the fact that the Supes were getting worked over. The rest of A-Train’s report: “Chris Wilcox didn’t even challenge Tyson Chandler on the opening tip, which set the tone for the rest of the night. I would like to think P.J. Carlesimo didn’t write ‘Leave their shooters wide open in the corners’ on the white-board beforehand, but the Sonics did it so often that you’d almost think it was a planned defensive strategy. Mo Pete dropped 25 points on 7 treys, looking like Glen Rice or somebody out there, and almost every shot he took he wasn’t even guarded … Kevin Durant looked like he was in for a big night, getting a dunk off an inbounds play and sticking a pull-up J over an overmatched Rasual Butler on two of Seattle’s early possessions. Then he kinda disappeared until the third quarter, when the Sonics were on the verge of getting 20-pieced and Carlesimo just let Durat go. He ended up with 18 points … Meanwhile, Chris Paul (21 pts, 15 asts, 4 stls) was toying with the Sonics point guards, Luke Ridnour and Earl Watson (Delonte West is hurt). Like one of my cousins kept saying, CP’s got a yo-yo handle; he never picks up his dribble, which makes him impossible to trap, and he sees every open teammate without fail. He’s special to watch in person … Jannero Pargo was gunning as usual. His first touch off the bench he goes for the crossover/pull-up jumper and hits all glass … The 6th-ranked Washington State hoop team was in the building, and they promptly got booed by all the U of Washington fans/alums. Unfortunately, that was the most lively the crowd got all night.” … We’re out like T-Mac (again) …
December 20th, 2007 at 7:41 am
JodysOldMan says:
….damn it feels good to be a gangsta….
December 20th, 2007 at 8:03 am
smity says:
the celtics detroit game did live up to the hype. great game to watch. what happens though when pierce is on though? what happens when sheed and tayshaun are on for detroit? this season series is gonna be ridiculous. speaking of ridiculous- the officiating was consistently terrible in that game. consistently.
December 20th, 2007 at 8:05 am
E-ROC says:
Grant Hill’s dunk was weird as if you couldn’t believe it was him doing that to somebody. LOL, his reaction after the dunk was more of not knowing what to do, instead of having been there before or dunking on someone before.
Caron Butler is molding himself into a very, very good player. I always thought he can do everything good, but not great. Obviously, Caron has elevated his game to new heights, to All-Star level. Hopefully, he makes the All Star game again this year. Kobe would’ve loved that production from the SF position.
Tony Allen was just abused by Billups. The Celtics desperately needs to find a bench.
December 20th, 2007 at 8:27 am
YOUNGFED says:
1st real fight for the Celtics and their chins buckled like seat belts (LMAO) and (LOL). The Jazz are consitantly looking not so good. Maybe its about time Dime gave my Pistons the respect they deserve atleast 3rd in the power rankings. Grant was looking real good last nite.
I’m out like the hearts of all the Celtics Fans at the game last nite. HOLLA!
P.s. Dime stop hating on my Pistons and start given’em some ink.
December 20th, 2007 at 8:28 am
bigdre says:
t-mac’s quittin’ on houston. wow. big surprise there. he should just go play baseball
December 20th, 2007 at 8:44 am
Celts Fan says:
damn right smity, and Youngfed, how can you say their chins buckled. They literally lost at the last possible second (.1 seconds left.) I’m happy w/ how they played and how they have played considering they’ve now only played 23 games together. The refs were terrible but Doc was even worse. What’s left out of this part of smack is that the C’s had the ball, tied, w/ 5.7 seconds left and shot the ball the second it was inbounded like there was 0.5 seconds left. How do you not get the game to OT at worst? The only reason a team should ever get the ball back in that situation is a bad turnover, offensive foul, or made shot that leaves less than 1 second left. Pierce (5-15 at the time, thanks again Doc for recognizing who’s on and who’s not) got the ball (kind of open, but definitely off-balance, with plenty of time to set himself or pass to Ray Allen or KG who’d been having great games) jacked up a shot, hit rim, Detroit still had time to get the board and call timeout and have 1.7 seconds left. Terrible play all around, but I’m encouraged that we should have at least taken that to OT. Any Celtics haters out there at least have to recognize we played a really good team tight for 47 minutes, 59.9 seconds before Doc’s, Paul’s and Tony’s blunders lost it and the Celtics bashers better back off that schedule now and, assuming they win the next 2 this week, they need to be #1 on the next Hit List. They’re only 3 losses have been to Orlando by 2, to Cleveland in OT, and to Detroit by 2 - all games they could have, and arguably should have won.
79-3
December 20th, 2007 at 8:46 am
Celts Fan says:
*and Pierce was ICE COLD all game and they still should have taken it to OT. It’s a process, but I’m very encouraged by last night. We can and will beat them (Detroit) in a 7 game series.
December 20th, 2007 at 8:48 am
Alex "Robocop" Murphy says:
Ya know if he went to the major leagues he would probably be indicted for steriod/hgh use. Look at that vein running down his right shoulder. It says stick me!
December 20th, 2007 at 8:48 am
Zeitgeist says:
forget US treasury bills
Chauncey + Fourth Quarter + free throws = MONEY in the BANK
December 20th, 2007 at 8:51 am
Bust Jlaze says:
As a Detroit fan, i took away 2 things from the game:
1.) I’m GLAD the Pistons didn’t win with the 7 or 8 point lead that they built up late in the 4th. That would’ve boosted their confidence, and we all know these cats got MORE than enough in the confidence department. If they had beaten them by a good margin like that, then they’d meet this team in the playoffs and not give them as much respect.
2.) In the NBA, I think your idea is to make a big statement for HOME games, and try to win convincingly. But when you’re on the ROAD, I think the mentality is more like, “Let’s take this win however we can get it, and get the heck out of town.” So all in all, great game, TERRIBLE officiating. (SMITTY!)
Oh, and one more thing:
Rest In Peace, Alonzo Mourning…next stop, The Hall Of Fame
December 20th, 2007 at 8:52 am
Celts Fan says:
E-ROC, the Celtics have an okay bench. Eddie House has played really well for them this year, Big Baby’s coming into his own on the glass and has a great touch, James Posey is a great defender and last I checked was shooting 50% from 3, Scott Pollard’s a joke, but at least he’s a legit 5, and Scalabrinie’s horrible, but if you give him 5-10 mpg, he’ll hit a 3 or two before completely imploding, and I could definitely see Gabe Pruitt (running shit in the D-league and in some garbage time in the big show) making an impact at some point towards the end of the year, and Tony Allen, while not my favorite player this morning, is a good defender that I like as the last guard off the bench. It’s not the best bench ever by any means, but if you always have one of the big 3 in there with them, it’s sufficient to win a ring (not saying we will, just saying it’s good enough that they can.)
December 20th, 2007 at 8:55 am
Celts Fan says:
Bust Jlaze, glad to see I wasn’t the only one that saw how bad the refs were. I guess both sides saw that one, huh?
December 20th, 2007 at 9:03 am
Bust Jlaze says:
Yeah Celts…I was jumping up and down screaming every time we got burned by them refs…but then a few seconds later I was jumping around LAUGHING when they paid us back on the other end…bad all the way around I gotta admit! I think that’s why Sheed never went off like I thought he would…he was like “Ok, I’ll get it back in about 20 seconds…”
December 20th, 2007 at 9:10 am
Brown says:
Is it a coincidence that T-Mac’s career is starting to mimick his cousin Vince’s. He seems to get hurt every other game this year, and from what I’ve seen, he hasn’t played with much heart.
The Rockets are overrated. They have two stars and one good role player in Battier. They haven’t been able to put ANY decent players around them. Why can’t GMs with stars on their teams recognize that they need help to actually compete. Two or three decent players can’t win a championship, you’d think they’d address their deficiencies at some point. Minnesota, Cleveland and Houston just don’t get it, and I don’t understand how their GMs keep their jobs.
December 20th, 2007 at 9:28 am
Celts Fan says:
I’m with you on McHale Brown, but Danny Ferry, despite a litany of terrible moves, has an Eastern Conference title, so he keeps his, and the Rockets keep blaming the coach but keep finding talented guys, so I can’t really fault the GM. McHale should have been fired the second the Joe Smith thing broke though, and many times after that (though I do think the KG deal was as good as they could get - 4 quality young guys w/ potential including one future All Star in Big Al, a big expiring contract to free up cap space, and some draft picks. That’s the package you need to get back for a superstar.) So that makes 1-200 for McHale. still terrible.
by the way, looking at him (McHale), isn’t he really creepy? every time I see him, I just expect Chris Hansen to pop out from behind a curtain as McHale exclaims, “I just wanted to talk!”
December 20th, 2007 at 9:36 am
Bust Jlaze says:
LOL @ the Chris Hansen line…
We haven’t brought up the piecing that the Knicks gave the Cavs…wow, that dude (David Lee? Something like that) went OFF, huh? He owned the whole highlight reel, with the exception of the Nate Dogg dunk.
So what do the Cavs do now? That’s just SAD. Are they still going after J-Kidd?
December 20th, 2007 at 9:42 am
YOUNGFED says:
Celts your Celtics have buckled in their only 2 real test (Orlando and Pistons). Thats why I say they crumble like cookies when the pressures on. Although i must admit Mr. Shuttlesworth was looking darn good all game it was nice to see him and Rip give each other buckets all nite. As for Pierce being cold stop it, Tay jus shut him down its what he does. Garnett was good but just not clutch enough. Although Doc must have been high for not letting Ray shoot at the in. The Celtics and Dime have been put on notice they better respect the Bad Boys gangsta.
December 20th, 2007 at 9:42 am
Celts Fan says:
they’re one team that might be better off going for Mike Bibby. The real ? is though, what do they really have to offer for either of those guys?
December 20th, 2007 at 9:43 am
Bron42 says:
your tellin me the rockets still arent questioning that rudy gay for battier trade?
and things continue to get worst for the heat.Who is gonna take mournings minutes? earl barron?
December 20th, 2007 at 9:45 am
Celts Fan says:
true youngfed, but they lost to Detroit at the last possible second and they lost to Orlando by 2 (both Tony Allen blunders, a missed wide open layup in Orlando and that foul last night.) You say that like they got 20 pieced each time.
Tayshaun did a great job on Pierce, but Pierce was cold too. I’m not taking anything away from Tayshaun. He played a great game. Pierce’s J wasn’t falling even the few times he was open too though.
December 20th, 2007 at 9:49 am
Celts Fan says:
*No excuses being made. We lost, but we’ve lost 3 games. 2 by 2 points, 1 in OT. I’m more than pleased with the very beginning of the Big 3.2. The Pistons prove night in, night out what can happen when you have chemistry from playing together a long time. The Celts don’t have that yet and they’re still playing really, really well. Nothing matters until April, May, and June, but I couldn’t be happier with how they’ve played so far. Now about the coach…
December 20th, 2007 at 9:54 am
João says:
Just when I thought that things couldn’t get worst for my Miami Heat, we lost ZO ,,, I think its TANK time, and lets get O.J. Mayo, or Rose — RIP ZO
December 20th, 2007 at 9:54 am
Jules says:
No love for Aaron Gray gettin his Man-Bear-Pig on?? 10-10-5 in relief of an injured Ben Wallace…he could be a huge second-round steal for the Bulls, considering he was figured to be a late first-rounder before the draft…
December 20th, 2007 at 9:58 am
YOUNGFED says:
We’ll see Jan. 5 When we match up again. Hey I like the Celtics but they gotta start closing against good teams.
P.s. the Celtics are my favorite team when i’m playing 2k8 on my PS3(LOL).
Just kidding but seriously your boys looked alright last nite Celts yall got a chance at something don’t know what jus yet.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:08 am
Bust Jlaze says:
For real Bron…Mourning was the only one that was truly holding it down in the paint…NOW WHAT?
December 20th, 2007 at 10:17 am
SWAT says:
No one should ever question Tmac’s heart, you should question his team’s heart. Besides YAO actually playing his ass off last nite it frustrates the hell out of me that every 1 else is shooting blanks out there! And just so every1 is clear: Yao 19pts, 17 boards, 3 blocks-Howard 21 pts, 11 boards, 3 blocks. Yao would’ve been killing the assist column too but no one could shoot last nite. He was doubled constantly and kept feeding his open guys and…nothing. Wtf do you guys do during shootaround?
On another note Boston did lose last nite but didn’t get killed so every1 needs to be ez on the choking under pressure ref. I love both teams and I pick those 2 to come out of the east. Damn that would be a good series!
December 20th, 2007 at 10:41 am
isotope says:
Yeah. Give TMac some credit this time. He actually tried playing in the first half but the coaching/training staff made him sit out the second. He was obviously playing in pain in the first; shooting I think 1 for 10 or something like that.
Anyways, I watched Dwight last night and except he was just having a bad game, now way he’s a better center than Yao. Dwight could do nothing when Yao defended him 1 on 1 (except when he was inches from the basket), yet Yao commanded (as he always does) double teams. Still Yao was screaming for the ball when the team was still trying to run the coaches offense. Adelman’s job needs to be at risk right now. He was supposed to give an already good defensive team some offense. Now they can’t even shoot.
The team was bricking it BIG TIME. 28% in the first half? Yao singlehandedly made it a close game. I’m talking getting offensive rebounds, put backs, blocked shots (they gave him a couple steals that could easily have been called blocked shots). They were down double digits late in the 4th yet if Luther Head made that 3, the game is tied up.
Also decent 1st half from Bonzi and Rafer, but they disappeared in the 2nd half.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:06 am
Celts Fan says:
I’m curious to see what you guys think. If Detroit and Boston played in the playoffs (let’s give Boston the home court, since they’d have it if the playoffs started today) who do you think would win, and in how many games?
I’m going with Boston in 6
December 20th, 2007 at 11:44 am
Bron42 says:
iso, didn’t dwight have a better game than yao? plus like i said before, u kno dwights a beast when 21 and like 14 while his team wins is a bad game lol
tmac played like shit but you can’t really say hes tankin when he tried and nothin was fallin. i mean the dude was missin basic layups lol.
the heat might wanna sit shaq, let him get his malik rose workout on gettin ready for next season, get a high draft pick and go wit derrik rose. last thing they need is oj mayo jacking up shots and goin 7 for 29. I mean what else can they do, the team is crumblin like crazy and at this point even wade and a average shaq couldnt carry them.
p.s: at this point, who has meant less to their team after tons of hype: dorrell wright or Thad young.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:45 am
Bust Jlaze says:
I’d go with Detroit, but that’s a tough one cause we only have one game to go by. But with the way the game went last night, I’d say that while EVERYTHING was dropping for the Celtics, and they played their “A game”, Detroit had an off-night and was still able to hang around long enough to steal it at the end. And if it weren’t for the desparation 3’s dropping at the end, which might not go down so easy on the road, they would’ve lost by 10+.
BUT…the question in my mind is, would Detroit ever play THEIR “A game” against them? Or against anyone ELSE for that matter…they haven’t played with much heart in a long time. It’s almost like they’re trying to keep every game close on PURPOSE or something.
That was the long way of saying that if both teams played their best, I’d go with Detroit in 6 or 7.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:47 am
gsw4evr says:
I have no respect for Chauncy Billups. The dude is from the Reggie Miller/Kevin Martin School of flopping. I just can’t respect someone who’s game depends so much on trying to get himself fouled so he can get his freebies. Sometimes, he legitimately gets fouled. But most of the time it’s acting school. My favorite is Chauncy rounding a screen with the defender right behind him, and then purposely stopping so the defender bumps him slightly. Then Chauncy acts like he got hit by a freight train and jumps into the air, flailing wildly while still trying to get the shot off. C’mon. How can u pull that type of wuss BS and still call yourself a man?
December 20th, 2007 at 11:56 am
YOUNGFED says:
1.)Chauncy is the truth dude and thats a first with the flopping.
2.)Bron-Yao did have a better game than Howard
3.)Detroit in 4 0r 5
4.)Quit hating on the Sumperman aka Godfather
December 20th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
Bron42 says:
yao had more rebounds, but they were even in blocks, yao had a bucket more and his team won…but its all good, they pretty much played even in my book. I wasn’t hatin on shaq, I’m sayin the seasons done, let him sit out this year, rest for next year so his knee aint actin up and give it one more try after makin some trades in the offseason. no point in him usin possibly his last good year just so the team can still go to the lottery..wasn’t sayin anything bad about shaq.
gsw, theres TONS of guys who flop way more than billups. I would name them but fan boys will jump on how flopping is good. speakin of flopping, did anyone see amare flop lol that was the worst actin since a brittney spears movie. no 6′10+ should ever flop let alone do it that bad.
I’d say boston, if it wasn’t for that pump fake and tony allen coming in when he shouldn’t, who knows what would of happened in overtime. And that wasn’t the celtics A game considering they choked away the lead in the second half.
December 20th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
Bust Jlaze says:
They didn’t choke away the lead tho, Bron…they LOST the lead cause Detroit came out swatting shots and firing on all cylinders for a few minutes straight. Big baby was getting handled by Maxiell, and Lindsay Hunter was doing his usual scrappy ish. That was DEFINITELY Boston’s A game, how much better can you get than having Ray hit EVERYTHING, and freakin Rondo going OFF like that?
December 20th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Bust Jlaze says:
Not to mention that Garnett was on FIRE, and Pierce was getting everything he wanted (except for that last shot)
December 20th, 2007 at 12:31 pm
ian says:
tmac played like shit and hes quitting on the rockets….. really u dont say
December 20th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
isotope says:
bron, if you add in the fact that Yao was getting double and triple teamed all night then Yao did have a better game. And Dwight had 11 rebounds to Yao’s 17 (about 6 offensive rebounds). Give Yao the nod with a couple more steals and assists. Yao def had the better game but then again the magic won. All about the W.
…for the Celts/Pistons, bear in mind Prince, not only Pierce, had a bad game too. So they cancel each other out. Ray Allen was going gangsta even jawing at fellow huskie, Rip. Just to think Rip has an NCAA champ and an NBA ring. Ray has neither. lol. Ray Ray shouldnt be talking any trash.
Talent-wise, the Celtics take a 7 game series but they have less playoff experience. The big three of the celts havent even played past a conf championship. So i’ll give it to the Pistons if Flip can convince them to play every game like it was their last.
December 20th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
Bust Jlaze says:
Talent-wise, the Celtics take a 7 game series but they have less playoff experience. The big three of the celts havent even played past a conf championship. So i’ll give it to the Pistons if Flip can convince them to play every game like it was their last.
I couldn’t have said it better, Iso. That’s it in a nutshell. Off to lunch; Peace!
December 20th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
ian says:
and howard had a better game than yao??? lol
please
December 20th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
K-Dizzle says:
Could someone please explain why Pierce is taking that shoulda-been game winner when Ray gets them to a tie with a cold-blooded 3? We were watchin the game sayin it’s tied so Ray’s first option and KG’s 2nd option cuz a layup wins it, and thy end up goin to Pierce who couldn’t hit shit last night and put it up way too quick. That’s basic coachin, Doc. Blame that loss on the coach.
GSW4Evr Chauncey gets his defender into the air, draws the foul and hits free throws that most guys miss and you callin him a flopper? That’s ignorant. That’s good basketball. Chauncey pulled out his Sam Cassell tapes and put it to good use. Sam should trademark the pull up, fake and the foul draw, it’s just smart, Tony Allen played the fool
Yao and Dwight was pretty much a draw, but Yao needs to get used to T-Mac’s issues and get greedy offensively cuz that team messed up with the R-Gay trade, now they can’t score.
Is Brandon Roy officially on the all-star team now?
December 20th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
bron42 aka Global4Areason says:
here ian comes out of left field again with no actual comment. I said it was a draw if anything and even pointed out yao had more rebounds but dwights team won. they played to pretty much a stalemate stat wise. so save it.
December 20th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
K-Dizzle says:
Deserving Western All-Stars……so somebody gonna get phucked again lol
Guards: Nash, A.I., CP3, Baron, Kobe, B-Roy, T-Mac, Manu, Parker, D-Will
Forwards: Boozer, Melo, Marion, J-Howard, Dirk, Duncan
Centers : Amare, Camby, Kaman, Yao
20 guys for 12 spots….damn
December 20th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
Celts Fan says:
Bust Jlaze, did you watch the game man? Pierce was getting NOTHING he wanted
December 20th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
Alex021224 says:
The Pistons win the game some people still don’t want to give them credit. Detroit wins “grind it out” games like that all the time, yet people want to blame an off night (Pierce), refs, and coaching (Doc). The truth is that Detroit played a very bad game and still won. The Celtics lost three close games to three good teams, woulda-coulda-shoulda….but didn’t. Like I’ve said before Garnett, Pierce, and Allen haven’t won sh!t in their careers, why do peoples think they should now. Remember what happened to the star studded 2004 Lakers….
Also, why is ESPN always so one-sided when it comes to the Pistons? Everytime they are on ESPN the broadcasters always seem to favorite the oppisite team. If I hadn’t watched the first half and only went by what Bill Walton said during halftime, I’d thought that the Celtic were up double digits (not 4). I guess it doesn’t matter, b/c anyone out side of Michigan doesn’t care anyway. GO PISTONS!
December 20th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
bron42 aka Global4Areason says:
manu isn’t really deserving out of that list. tmac might not be also….dirk isn’t either but he’ll get the nod over josh howard (who will get snubbed again).. b roy will get snubbed too.
lol seriously, he was sayin it like pierce dropped 30 or something.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Celts Fan says:
Alex, I’m not making excuses, an L is an L, but it’s encouraging to play like that and have bad officiating (that was first said by an admitted Pistons fan) and still barely lose. The Pistons played poorly the same reason Pierce did, good D all around, by both teams. I don’t think I took anything away from the Pistons, I’m just commenting on the Celtics cuz I haven’t been a Pistons fan my whole life like I have w/ the Celtics.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
mcsky says:
At the Sonics game last night as well and it was totally dead! Chris Paul killed the Sonics. When the Sonics looked like they might have a run in them, Paul came back in and reminded them why they were getting pieced. Also reminded Sonic fans (the few that were there) that Ridnour can’t play D at all!
December 20th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
Celts Fan says:
Deserving Western All-Stars……so somebody gonna get phucked again lol
Guards: Nash (obviously), A.I. (will make the team, but he’s probably least deserving of the guards here and I love the guy and his game), CP3 (if he doesn’t make it, it’s a travesty), Baron (should make it), Kobe (obviously), B-Roy (should make it, but will probably get the snub), T-Mac (will probalby make it, but shouldn’t over the other guys), Manu (I’m not as big on him as a lot of people, but this year, he’s clearly an all star), Parker (no - too much competition), D-Will (he should make it but will probably get snubbed again for someone like AI)
Forwards: Boozer (should be, but I could see him getting snubbed), Melo (in), Marion (in), J-Howard (should be but probable snub), Dirk (he’ll probably make it anyway, but shouldn’t), Duncan (as long as he plays the rest of the games up to it, yes, if he misses anymore games, he shouldn’t be due to too much time out, which matters when there’s this many deserving guys)
Centers : Amare (yes), Camby (too much competition, so I say no), Kaman (should, but probably will get snubbed), Yao (I guess)
December 20th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
Gee says:
D@#% it feels good to see people up on it….
Well now with Zo gone (unless they follow Bron’s advice) it will certainly be interesting to see how “The Last Don” does with more weight on his shoulders. Hmmm Atl. did win that game right>? Right.
I would say Yao and Dwight were even as well. Everyone knows though with Tracy on it, that would have been a W. Still congrats to the Magic. 82 games. Long way to go.
Grant Hill dunking like that still….made me wanna go ring my neighbors door bell and slap the #$#% of them!
Yea Detroit won and having lived in the D and loving them for a minute I was happy, still though ..a 7 game series would be interesting. It was a close one. I don’t think the D. will win round 2.
Caron keep chewing the straws homey, it won’t be like that always.
Typing out loud..I wonder who has been in the L. the longest (a starter) without having an injury??
Injuries suck.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
Celts Fan says:
Ya they do Gee. Makes you appreciate MJ that much more (broken leg in ‘85 or ‘86, still a FREAK athlete til his first “retirement.”)
Thanks for the memories Zo. A true class act and HOF player. I’m really glad he got a ring.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
K-Dizzle says:
Gee - since AC Green retired, it was Morris Petersen, but I don’t know who it is now
Celts - If Boozer or J Howard don’t get in, then it’s a joke. It’s gonna depend on best record so that coach can get his guys in.
It’s cake for eastern all-stars
Guards - Kidd, Wade(he’ll be back to himself in time), Joe Johnson, Ray, Redd, maybe Vince or Rip but if they don’t get in, i’ll undestand lol
Forwards - Bron, Bosh, KG, RJ, Caron, maybe Pierce, Sheed, even Zach. No other forwards really come to mind
Centers - Dwight then who? Z, Shaq, Okafor damn. somebody undeservin is gettin in unless they givin shaq the ‘thanks for the years’ spot
December 20th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
Bust Jlaze says:
Dag, everyone’s moved past what we were talking about an hour ago…but I just gotta say to Celts, I know Pierce wasn’t getting his shots to fall but he was getting to the hole any time he wanted. He just stopped doing that and was busting jumpers.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
Celts Fan says:
I agree K-Dizzle, that it’d be a joke if Booz and Josh Howard don’t get in, but it’s a popularity contest in a very crowded west. If I was picking teams, they’re definitely in.
Gee, it may actually be KG who’s been injury-free the longest. I can’t remember the last time he missed a game (and I remember him limping through the entire ‘05 season w/ a bum knee) but that could be wrong, just going off what I remember, being a HUGE fan of his since day 1 (he’s been my favorite non-Celtic since MJ retired)
Bust Jlaze, they were OPEN jumpers though, which is the key, and the refs weren’t really calling anything when he drove in (except one incomprehensible traveling.) Plus, there’s only so many times you can drive the middle against a great defensive team like the Pistons and get by a great defender like Tayshaun to have a chance to try to squeeze something past their bigs. He also stopped driving as much cuz KG and Ray Allen were lighting shit up, so he could be more of a facilitator since his game was off…
December 20th, 2007 at 2:45 pm
ben says:
T-Mac is GARBAGE
December 20th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
K-Dizzle says:
Just one more time before I break out back on the grind:
Stats from last night -
Jesus Shuttlesworth shot 9-13 from the field, 3-5 from 3 and 3-3 from the ft line; K.G. was 9-15 from the field and 8-10 from the stripe while P.P. was 5-16 from the field 0-4 from the 3 and 1 of 3 from the stripe. Why was he takin the shot to win? Even Rondo was 7 of 10. I gotta blame this on Doc’s playcallin and say Boston lost the game more than Detroit won it. At the very worst, at home, you miss the shot, leave no time, and go to overtime. Ray Ray can’t be very happy today cuz HE was on fire
December 20th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
Celts Fan says:
EXACTLY!
December 20th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Celts Fan says:
I don’t know if people have taken notice yet either, but Rondo is playing really, really well. He’s been a great defender with speed and a good distributer from the get-go, but now he’s knocking down the 15 foot jumper pretty consistently and driving and finishing with confidence (he had 2 Top 10 plays on Sportscenter this morning including the one where he just abused Rasheed.) He still needs to work on the foul shots, and the J could still use some improvement, but he’s markedly improved from last year and you can see it in all aspects of his game. He’s going to be a top 10 PG in this league within the next few years.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Matt says:
celtics fans are SO delusional
that old ass announcer has officially gotten to their heads
December 20th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
hatinonmanu says:
Celts how can you say Manu makes the AllStar game but Parker doesn’t? Tim and Tony win the games for the Spurs, Manu chokes and plays his role.
Youngfed, are you mildly retarded or have some kind of down syndrome? That would be the only excuse for some of your idiotic comments. Go get some mental rehabilitation before posting again plz.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:37 pm
hatinonmanu says:
Also, anyone mentioning ANY knicks players and the AllStar game in the same sentence is on crack. Allstar game is for winners, not losers…Especially Zach…if he makes the Allstar game then the whole concept of the Allstar game is completely disrespected.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
Celts Fan says:
Simple, there’s too much competition at PG (I know it’s grouped by just guards, but when it comes to the backups picked by coaches, they’ll grab the guy that can play other roles, not just another PG), and Manu can play the 2 and 3, so he’ll make it as a backup. Also, when Duncan missed some time, Manu lit it up.
Matt, how is it delusional to think that a great defender who’s fast and can distribute, who’s only criticism was his J, which he’s improved in just one year, and who’s only in his 2nd year as a pro (should be his senior year in college, so he’s about 22 years old) will keep getting better and, in 2 or 3 years when he hits his true athletic prime, will be in the top 10 pg’s in the league. I never said anything like better than Chris Paul, but he’ll be top 10 if he keeps working hard and improving.
Don’t just call me delusional man, come with a counter argument to refute that. How is that unrealistic?
December 20th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
Jaleel says:
I just wanna first give a shout-out 2 my Hawks 4 going over .500 for the 1st time since the 1998-99 seasom. The Hawks are on the rise having beaten some very quality teams this year (Dallas, Phoenix, Utah, Orlando) and some that they should have beaten (Miami, Charlotte, Minnesota although it shouldn’t have came down 2 a buzzer beater) despite being nagged by injuries all season long and that Joe Johnson hasn’t really been on top ofhis game so far this year. Guys like Josh Smith and Marvin Williams are really coming into their own and playing good consistent basketball and asabasketball fan that’s all you can ask ofyour team and its players. However its still pains me 2this day that we could be even better than what we are IF MANAGEMENT KNEW WHAT HE HELL THEY WERE DOING!! 2 guys playing great ball right now should be in Hawks uniforms (Chris Paul & Brandon Roy) are leading their respective teams to great seasons and its really been because of their play on the court. Chris Paul WANTED to be drafted by the Hawks (when’s the last time youever hear a player say they wanna play for ATL!?) and THERE IS NO WAY IN HELL THAT SHELDEN WILLIAMS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A #3 OVERALL PICK!!! This cat barely plays for us and when he does he doesn’t contribute squat! If any changes need to be made it should be in management because the decisions they have been making is almost as bad as a team overpays a player or make dumb trades; it’s a setback just the same. However, I give them props for drafting Al Horford (which was an obvious choice but this is the Hawks I’m talking about) because he has been a steady force in the middle for Hawks grabbing boards, scoring down low, keeping plays alive, etc. He has been as good as advertised and once he really develops a true low post gamethe Hawks will really take off.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
bron42 aka Global4Areason says:
celts, manu lit up 2 games when duncan wasnt there and parker was, then had 14 points when parker and duncan weren’t there. he hasn’t really done all that much.
plus you should be used to people here makin comments and then never having any leverage with it…someone could say jordan sucks and then just bounce off the forum lol.
rondo has gotten alot better though..well i wouldnt say alot better but hes doin what people said he couldnt and thats maintaining and not tryin to do too much. he still needs to bulk up cuz that gone wit the wind body of his is gonna be a prob in the playoffs when the bigger guards go at him like last night. kidd, chauncy, hughes, jameer etc…
December 20th, 2007 at 4:05 pm
Celts Fan says:
haha very true Bron. We’re on the same side of the Manu issue many times, but I feel like he’s an all star this year for the reasons I listed. I’m not in the camp trying to annoint him the Argentinian Jordan, but I think he is an all star (and that’s as far as the compliments go w/ him)
the body comes w/ the next few years. He’ll fill it out. I’d still take him over any young PG in the league (not named Chris or Deron.)
December 20th, 2007 at 4:24 pm
bron42 aka global-4A-Reason says:
yea i hear you on the manu thing but there is no way he should get in and b roy not…so i don’t see either one of them gettin in.
you’d take rondo over felton and acie law III lol?
December 20th, 2007 at 4:28 pm
Jaleel says:
The Celtics-Pistons game was the game of the night (although the Mavs-Suns & Raptors-Blazers games were real good too) despite some very bad refereeing by the officials. Both teams played great defense all night and there were different points throughout the game when both teams also displayed some great offense. The Pistons won a hard fought grind-it-out game thanks to great execution by their all-star point guard Chauncey Billups despite an off night from pretty much everybody (Tayshaun but he did play solid D on Pierce) but Rip. Also gotta give major credit to Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen for their outstanding performances. Rondo played a great game from start 2 finish despite getting owned by Billups during the final minutes of the game and for Ray Allen to come back and give the performance he gave after missing 2 games and not practicing was very inspiring (nasty 180 1 hand cram by Allen btw). I agree with alot of u guys above that Pierce SHOULD NOT have had taken the shot because he was off all night even when he had some open looks and he just wasn’t in rhythm not to mention that he shot it WAY TOO EARLY in the shot clock. KG, who had a big game in a big game, should have gotten the call (he was killin them from midrange) or even Ray (he hit some CLUTCH 3s to get them in that position) so a very bad move by BOTH Pierce and Doc Rivers. Also, gotta show some sympathy for Tony Allen who cost his team that (although that situation happened due to a bad decision by Pierce so it was really a domino effect in that regard). If I’m not mistaken he didn’t get into the game until that moment and had to guard a guy who was really on his game (that’s why they call him Mr. Big Shot, a well deserved nickname) so he was really put into a tough position (again ANOTHER bad decision by Doc Rivers). Congrats and Thanks to both teams for putting on a fantastic game. Also, in a 7 game playoff series between these two teams I would go with the Pistons in 6 or 7 games if both teams were injury free and both on their games. Pistons are deeper, more experienced, and more well-balanced than the Celtics in my opinion who are maybe 1 or 2 more good sloid role players away from being even more dangerous than where they currently are.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
Celts Fan says:
I’d absolutely take Rondo over Felton or Law. Felton’s been inconsistent and I just don’t see that “it” factor in him. I think he’ll be a solid PG, but Rondo’s ceiling is much higher. Law just seems very hit or miss.
I think Brandon Roy should be an All Star before Manu too, but we both know it’s a popularity contest, and Manu’s got a championship pedigree that could definitely be the edge, in addition to just plain doing it longer, which, while people say it’s not a criteria, we know it is.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
ian says:
did my post say your name bron???
and manu not deserving of an allstar slot LOL
please can u go check the mvp rankings
and see whos number 9 on that list
of course he is DESERVING
BEN u r so correct
December 20th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
Jaleel says:
West All Stars: Guards-Starters - Steve Nash & Kobe Bryant, Forwards-Starters - Josh Howard & Carlos Boozer, Center-Starter - Yao Ming, Reserves - Deron Williams, Baron Davis, Allen Iverson, Shawn Marion, Amare Stoudemire, Dirk Nowitzki, Tim Duncan East All Stars: Guards-Starters - Jason Kidd & Dwyane Wade, Forwards-Starters - LeBron James & Kevin Garnett, Center-Starter - Dwight Howard, Reserves - Chauncey Billups, Caron Butler, Richard Jefferson, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, ???, ??? At this point of the season the East should just borrow some players from the West to play on their all-star team because aside from the players mentioned above for the east no one in that conference has really done much to deserve an all-star nod. Vince Carter and Shaq,as popular as they are, aren’t playing like all-stars and really shouldn’tbe there in my opinion but it is a popularity contest. The West is hard because so many players are very deserving that I didn’t put in initially like Chris Paul, Brandon Roy, Rudy Gay, Chris Kaman, Tony Parker, just to name a few. T-Mac, as much as I love the guy, has missed too many games or not finished games so he shouldn’t be there but will prob get voted in anyway.
December 20th, 2007 at 5:47 pm
sp says:
Did no one see brandon roy’s right to left hand layup against the raptors last night? And I’m raptors fan putting this up. Shame on you portland fans if there even are any. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvLneb_iBIA
December 20th, 2007 at 5:53 pm
bron42 aka global-4A-Reason says:
no ian it didn’t say my name, but mine said yours cuz once again you make a dumb comment with no backing since your a fanboy.
hate to break it to you, but #9 in the mvp race means nothing. 1. hes not winnin mvp. 2 allstar game is a popularity contest and unless the coaches vote him in, hes just not that popular outside of fanboys. 3. more deserving than the other guys listed? no so hes not gettin in.
December 20th, 2007 at 5:58 pm
ian says:
bron=retard
of all the people that post here u r the one (hatinonmanu doesnt count)
that makes the dumbest comments
go read your tmac and your stupid ass stats analysis u like to do
but erase the bron name from it and imagine someone else wrote so u can have a really good laugh
stats get inflated when u have a bad team (tmac kg)
stats get divided around when u have a good team (manu)
that is so simple to understand
please stop saying my name people are going to know u like balls (since that is all u talk about) and that u have a weird man crush on me.
December 20th, 2007 at 6:00 pm
ian says:
but im flattered though
December 20th, 2007 at 6:01 pm
ian says:
u have to learn how to read
if u r considered into the top ten for the mvp then that means u r DESERVING of an allstar spot
idiot
let me ask u has your boy tmac earned his starting spot this season?
better get ready to see yi the next 15 years starting
December 20th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
bron42 aka global-4A-Reason says:
dude, you just wrote 3 seperate posts to me cuz i said manu wasn’t gonna be a allstar…talk about man crushes…
your gonna talk about inflated stats? manu is the wes welker of the nba…everyones guardin randy so wes gets open easier. same with manu, everyone is guarding duncan and parker so manu is open. what happen to the spurs when it was just manu by himself? 14 points and a loss. KG is on a good team now, have his stats suddenly dropped? have tmacs? so that doesn’t really worked. Plus we already established tmac and kgs stats come with 3 guys on them. manus come with the opposing teams 4th best defender on him. Tmac is gettin guarded by ron artest and bruce bowen, manu is guarded by…? ronnie brewer and fransico garcia. wes welker will never be better than randy moss, just like manu will never be better than tmac or kg as a single basketball player. the best defenders guard tmac for a reason. manu has never been allstar for a reason. hows that for simple.
MVP means nothing in the allstar game. its about who is popular and overall manu isn’t. Hes deserving for considertion but hes not gettin in over the other guys.
I even said tmac probably doesn’t deserve it over other guys this year but its about popularity and tmac playin 3 games is still more of a fan favorite than flops manu. nuttin i can do about that. josh howard is more deserving, is he gonna start over dirk or anyone? no. yao started in the allstar game his rookie year, was he more deserving? an mvp candidate? no so shut the fuck up and learn about basketball. I understand your a 12 year old fan boy for manu and will argue how hes great no matter how obvious that ur wrong but don’t argue with me unless you know something. save it for the video games.
December 21st, 2007 at 12:19 am
bron swallows says:
again using tmac as an example of an all
then again lets use kg who good
hes down in every cat but then again since u said yao and howard had the same game i can see u dont know the dif
about the shut the fuck up u posted i love the internet how everyone likes to talk like they are the big shit
so please save that shit when ur on xbox live with your 12year old friends
cuz i know u dont have any friends our age
bitch
December 21st, 2007 at 12:28 am
bron swallows says:
and i know u r going to post something like im done arguing followed by two pages of the same shit
please make up your mind
lets recap all the things u say that nobody can say
u say tmac is a superstar because of the numbers only because he cant carry a team
then u say yao isnt because he cant carry a team but has superstar numbers
which one is it either both are or both arent?
other subject u cant make up your mind
is duncan the best that can win with manu the scrub or is it that duncan has a loaded team with manu the allstar
which one is it?
so u say kg is better than duncan because he has more or less the same stats on abad team
then we can say drexler and richmond are jordans equal because he had a loaded team
which one is it?
are u so desperate that u have to agree with what hatinonmanu has been posting lately because i remember u saying he was stupid and shouldnt be postin
or did he just suck your dick
which one is it ?
December 21st, 2007 at 12:43 am
Ian says:
im not arguing with u cuz i dont give a fuck about u
just dont mention me again
December 21st, 2007 at 5:36 am
K-Dizzle says:
just so we’re clear, Manu Ginobili : 2005 Western conference all-star
December 21st, 2007 at 5:39 am
JodysOldMan says:
T-Mac is fuckin’ sorry and the Spurs will win the title again. You don’t need 78 l-o-n-g a-s-s comments to figure this shit out
December 21st, 2007 at 7:20 am
Ian says:
i know right
December 21st, 2007 at 7:22 am
Ian says:
kdizzle and this is his best season
people dont know the meaning of some words they use
i said deserving not that he will go but he should imo
December 21st, 2007 at 10:20 am
Bron42 says:
Ian, yes your right, i’m a 12 year old college graduate. so not only am I awesome, i’m obviously the smartest person alive. And to think, this is coming from some fan boy creative enough to say “bron swallows” lol.
Dude all you do is prove your a total fan boy and a tool. you point out comments that were never said, ask questions that were already answered and come at me when 90 people already said the same thing lol grow the fuck up kid. and as for actin tough on the internet? lol please i’m 6′5 225 and not even rippin on you, yet your the one runnin around callin everyone idiots and shit like a middle schooler.
Like i said before, if your gonna come at me, come at me with some substance and read my comments correct cuz your just wastin my time and anyone who has to read me set you straight over and over. I said I don’t want to deal with you, then you make the dumbest comments, THATS why i end up sayin stuff again. but your right, since your a fan boy, it would probably be better off just to ignore you and let you keep beatin off to your manu screen saver. holla at me when you grow up or when i actually say something like kg is better than duncan when I actually said “kg has the same stats as duncan” just like i said manu is deserving but not more deserving than the others. remember, its never too late to learn to read.
December 21st, 2007 at 5:58 pm
dagwaller says:
Not a good time to be a Yao/Dirk/Nash hater:
Yao, two nights in a row of being a well conditioned, hard, ATHLETE. Putting up similar board numbers as the two defensive centers he played against, similar points to DH, less BA than Dwight (he must suck! He got blocked!), good block numbers, meanwhile he’s the only player better than “good” on his team right now. T-Mac? Combined like 5 for 30 in the last two halves he’s played…which weren’t the second half either time. In other words, T-Mac’s just missing time now. Very clutch/leaderlike. Plus, did you see the points the C/PF position put up vs Yao last night? Talk about AFFECTING THE GAME.
Dirk? Who wants well rounded? Leading scorer in the game the last two games, 50 percent shooting, 15-16 from the line, 20 boards total, 3apg, a couple blocks…
Then there’s Nash. Vs. the Mavs the other night, 9/15, 2/3 from three, 21 pts, 18 a, 3 boards. Too bad Amare couldn’t contain ERICK DAMPIER, the offensive juggernaut. Damp had ZERO BA, was 4-4 and had 10 boards. Amare had as many BA as Devin Harris (a Center that gets blocked! He must suck!). At least he put up a few blocks, but I’m still saying that while Amare may be young, so is Tyson Chandler…who would score more if he had Nash passing the ball to him in that system, PLUS they would have some D…
December 21st, 2007 at 11:27 pm
Ian says:
bron please shut up
December 21st, 2007 at 11:31 pm
Ian says:
listen six five 225 piece of crap
i know there is a trend u hate manu dirk and nash jumm all non american
love kg and tmac
losers but americans
u prob one of those rednecks thats if something is not american u dont like dont feel bad international players are as good if not better
i think a lineup of
nash
manu
dirk
duncan
yao
can beat your
kidd
kobe
tmac
kg
howard