At the start of Jazz/Heat, Memo looked like he wanted no parts of guarding Shaq. Fifteen seconds into the game he picked up a foul and seemed like he was already looking for a spot on the bench where he’d be safe. Okur stayed on the court, though, and avoided the bruising by making Shaq play his game — stepping outside and jacking threes while the Diesel had to chase him (or, as he often did, not chase him). Okur ended up with 25 points in a Utah win. The Jazz offense was a machine, passing and cutting and making a veteran team look real young. Deron Williams handed out 15 dimes to go with his 24 points, while Carlos Boozer had 24 points and 15 boards … Say what you want about Pats/Ravens, but Orlando narrowly avoided getting really jerked by the refs last night. Down two in the final 20 seconds to the Warriors, Hedo threw a driving layup off the rim, which Dwight Howard had in his scope for a follow dunk. Baron Davis fouled him, Dwight missed the dunk, and after he slapped the basket support in frustration, he was given a technical foul. Even the Warriors announcers couldn’t believe how bad a call it was — while it did follow the letter of the rule, it completely missed on the spirit … After dueling free throws Orlando still managed to tie it up, and the Warriors ended up with the last shot in regulation. With Baron having fouled out, it was left in Monta Ellis‘ hands, and he appeared to blow off what the play was designed for and fired up a three that hit all glass. Going back to the bench, Baron looked like he got on Monta for the bad decision, to which Monta responded with a look that said, “Yo, get out of my face.” Monta then turned his back on Baron on his way to finding a seat. After letting Orlando pull away for the W in overtime, we’d have loved to have been in the locker room to see if Monta (22 pts, 11 rebs, 7 asts, 5 stls) and Baron had words … Dwight ended up with 18 points, 23 boards and 7 blocks, including one where Austin Croshere foolishly tried to pack it on Dwight with two hands and got it sent back in his face. Who told him that was a good idea? … Mavs/Bulls was supposed to be a possible NBA Finals preview, but now it’s simply Chicago trying to put together their first meaningful win streak versus the Mavs trying to play two good games in a row. The Mavs were actually rolling in the fourth quarter when Kirk Hinrich and Andres Nocioni all of a sudden went nuts and shot Chicago back into it before Dallas got its act together and pulled out the win … If you didn’t hear yesterday, Tim Duncan is expected to miss Wednesday’s game against the Mavs after that not-as-bad-as-it-looked spill he took against the Blazers over the weekend, and could miss Friday’s date with the Jazz … Josh Smith (22 pts, 7 rebs, 6 asts, 4 blks) was a highlight machine against Philly, and literally from the opening tip, when he threw down an alley oop about four seconds into the game. Then there were swats on Lou Williams (who tried to dunk on J-Smoove) and Kyle Korver (who went with an equally unsuccessful layup), and the spin/two-hand crowning of Andre Iguodala and Korver … Travis Outlaw’s been solid lately, but the biggest sign of Nate McMillan’s renewed faith in him was that Outlaw was given the rock when it was time for a game-winner against the Grizzlies. Travis drove and banked in a runner over Mike Miller. If he keeps this up, he’ll be a great piece of the foundation when Greg Oden comes in to join Brandon Roy and LaMarcus. Or at least attractive trade bait … We’re out like dunking on Dwight …
Related posts:
December 4th, 2007 at 6:12 am
knoc says:
I cant say it often enough
Dwight is a Monster.
December 4th, 2007 at 8:00 am
dre in o town says:
Dwight “BEAST-MODE!!!” Howard!!!
December 4th, 2007 at 8:23 am
DOC says:
yeah that youngbuck is shining right now
December 4th, 2007 at 8:31 am
Gregg says:
Today in 1997. 10 year anniversary. NBA suspends Latrell Sprewell for 1 year for attacking his coach PJ Carlisemo.
December 4th, 2007 at 8:53 am
FK in Toronto says:
Bobcats - Raptors play last night??
Didn’t think so
December 4th, 2007 at 8:57 am
Amar says:
Jazz played like crap last night, at times Shaq and Zo were looking vintage, and Andrei gets cheated on a lot of blocks by the official score sheet . . . but he still had 9 assists. Ronnie played his worst game of the season.
December 4th, 2007 at 9:02 am
Amar says:
oh, one more thing, Ronnie’s fourth quarter ooop all over Zo’s face was great. Then Zo wouldn’t move out of the way, so Brewer had to hang on the rim. Then Zo started to hit the 2nd year player who just put Zo on another poster. You stay classy, Alonzo.
December 4th, 2007 at 9:16 am
JBFC says:
I wonder if Yahoo has Bo Outlaw’s picture up instead of Travis’s.
December 4th, 2007 at 9:17 am
bsteezy3 says:
Anyone still hating on the Magic? You can’t deny them…they are beating the West’s elite teams ON THEIR OWN COURT, they are beating the best teams in the EAst (except the Pistons, but that “W” is coming up), and they just keep winning. Everyone keeps saying “All they have is Dwight Howard”…yeah, and he’s a BEAST! Or as DIME calls him, The Centaur! But look at the rest of the team…we’re better than last year’s squad. You don’t have to admit it though…hehehe, you’ll know when we beat YOUR team.
December 4th, 2007 at 9:20 am
Amar says:
I would never in a million years suggest that the warriors are an elite west team.
December 4th, 2007 at 9:20 am
bsteezy3 says:
Oh by the way GREG, maybe I’ll celebrate the 10-year anniversary by choking my boss! LOL Sprewell was my favorite player after Jordan retired (after the first 3-peat). So I remember that incident well…I still blame that on Don Nelson. He broke up that G-State squad (Tim Hardaway, Chris Mullin, Chris Webber, Sprewell, and Billy Owens–Owens was just the 5th man…) and I haven’t forgiven him since. I hate seeing him coaching the Warriors…
December 4th, 2007 at 9:26 am
Kobeef says:
Watching the Raps roll to 10-8 (10th best in the league) without Ford and Bosh got me thinking..
What if the Lakers+Raps do this:
Raps send to LA:
- Bosh
- Ford
Lakers send to TO
- Bynum
- Brown
- Vlad Rad
- Luke
Raps start:
PG - Jose
SG - Delfino
SF - Vlad Rad
PF - Bargnani
C - Bynum
Lakers start:
PG - TJ
SG - Kobe
SF - Odom
PF - Bosh
C - Mihm
December 4th, 2007 at 9:39 am
Amar says:
no way colangelo does that move. he’s the michael corleone of GMs, he’d find a way to rape mitch in any trade.
December 4th, 2007 at 9:43 am
KingJames says:
LOL Lakers fans…
December 4th, 2007 at 9:44 am
kobeef is a tool says:
uve gotta be the dumbest person around.
December 4th, 2007 at 9:45 am
Tom Toronto says:
Kobeef, you must be kidding. Raps send their two best players (insert debate about Ford) for a bunch of garbage from LA? Maybe one of our previous GMs would make that trade (especially Rob Babcock) but certainly not Colangelo.
And for the Orlando fans, I’ll admit, I slept. I slept on Orlando at the beginning of the year, I knew Dwight would be a Gorilla on the court but I didn’t think Rashard would make a big impact. I certainly didn’t think Turkoglu would suddenly be reborn. But I was wrong, shout out to all magic fans because that team is ruining Eastern teams hopes and dreams this year!
December 4th, 2007 at 9:48 am
barnabusb says:
Speaking of Zo…
http://youtube.com/watch?v=y-SkRxU5z9Y
December 4th, 2007 at 9:50 am
kowtz says:
Yeah, then trade Andrew Bynum for Pau Gasol to have an all international starting 5… LOLZ…
December 4th, 2007 at 9:57 am
kowtz says:
Or better yet, replace bynum with turiaf in that list, and start rasho…
December 4th, 2007 at 10:01 am
YOUNGFED says:
Thats so stupid Kobeef yoiur basically asking the raptors to make the lakers a walking allstar team, leaving the with nothing. The lakers would give up four nobodies for two superstars. Retarded.
December 4th, 2007 at 10:21 am
dagwaller says:
Before everyone busts on him too bad, realize that TJ Ford is not the second best player on that team, nor is he a superstar. I don’t think it’s a good trade, but let’s stop making it like TJ’s even the best POINT GUARD on that team. Just checked out the league leaders in assist to t.o. ratio last night - Jose is beating out the second best guy by more than 1 (his is nuts - like 5.5 to 1 or something). #2 is Steve Blake btw, also over the #3 by a good bit.
I didn’t realize that Monta got so many boards! Don’t really like the Warriors but good on ya, youngin.
Has anyone gone longer between being good than Hedo Turkoglu? Seems like forever ago that he was good with the Kings.
Alonzo Mourning = one of the better centers of all time.
Alonzo Mourning /= classy. Used to love him, respect him for thta kidney thing, but ever since he pussed out on the Raptors…very disappointed. I hold him in the same esteem that I hold T-Mac, Vince, C-Webb, etc. It’s a shame that one city (Toronto) has had a few of these kinds of players.
December 4th, 2007 at 10:35 am
Kobeef says:
Yeah -yeah…just trying to keep Kobe in LA - can’t blame me for trying. The trade is not all bad for T.O. for the following reasons:
- - Kwame’s contract comes off the books at the end of this season.
- Calderon’s contract is up at the end of of this season and someone is going to offer Calderon starter money. Colangelo’s gotta make a choice between him and TJ.
- Bosh gets injured quite a bit for a young guy.
- I think Bargnani’s natural position is PF….and so is Bosh’s. A true low-post player would be a great complement to Bargs because it would free space for him to work on the perimiter (kind of like the Dwight and Rashard combo in Orlando).
- Bynum’s potential should not be dismissed. He is three years younger than Bosh and is almost averaging a double- double. Also, Bynum is a true low-post Centre with a huge frame.
December 4th, 2007 at 10:49 am
Alf says:
Kobeef - sorry you must be on something nice out there in LA…..Bryan Colangelo would never do such a deal.
You are basically proposing a deal to give a franchise-player for 2nd tier stars. Moreover, the assumption in your trade is that Bynum and Bargnani will eventually outshine Bosh. Still too early to tell on that one.
As for GSW, as an outsider (I’ve watched a couple of GSW games on NBA TV); I haven’t seen Monte/Baron beef before, but wouldn’t be surprised if they did. Monte carries that swagger that reeks of Iverson in his early/Rookie years. That is, I’m young and gotta get mine. Which is too bad, because if you look at Iverson now, he would probably admit that it wasn’t the best approach back then.
December 4th, 2007 at 10:51 am
dre in o town says:
Warriors are def. not an elite team. They just have enough fire power to run the scoreboard up. The second they play a team with good defense they fall apart. Plus like in there playoff run last season they can’t slow down there game to save there lives. They almost gave it up to Dallas a few times. They coulda shot themselves out of a game.
December 4th, 2007 at 10:54 am
YOUNGFED says:
Good come back Kobeef you almost lost me there. great clean-up. However Dagwaller the point we are all making is TJ is better than any player envolved in that trade other than Bosh. I’m out like Kobeefs 1st comment. LOL!!! and LMAO!!!
December 4th, 2007 at 11:01 am
YOUNGFED says:
PS. I can’t wait to see the Pistons play the Celtics or the Celtics play the Suns or Spurs. Taht will be thier true test. Yes Sir. I’m out like the Lions on Sunday. LOL!!!
December 4th, 2007 at 11:19 am
João says:
My Miami Heat can´t beat nobody ,,, Jesus ,,,
December 4th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
tg says:
I was watching the Magic/Warriors game, and I couldn’t believe Ellis’ shot at the end of regulation. He didn’t even try to run a ply, instead just dribbling the ball until about 3 seconds were left on the clock and firing up a wild 3-pointer that had no chanc of going in. Ellis seems to have forgotten that he is a LOUSY 3-point shooter. How about trying to penetrate and then kick the ball to Jackson or Barnes or someone? Or take it yourself and see if you can get to the FT line? BAD BAD BAD decision by Monta there.
December 4th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
dagwaller says:
Good calls on Monta, Alf and tg.
Kobeef, I guess your trade makes a little more sense when you put things that way, but I really don’t think it’ll happen.
TJ Ford probably is the second best player in that trade, but I’d maybe take Walton over him, especially in Phil’s system. I’d never confuse him for a superstar, though.
December 4th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
BC says:
Kobeef - how about Juan Dixon, Joey Graham, Anthony Parker, and Rasho Nesterovic for Kobe? No?
Just making a point that you can’t trade your franchise centerpieces for a bunch of spare parts. As much as I hate TJ’s shot selection and consistency, he is still central to the current raptors team.
December 4th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
lll09_ says:
When is the next issue coming out. I’m bored!!!!!
December 4th, 2007 at 3:17 pm
nick says:
raps should trade tj for a big man, jose is better for the team. tj is to shot happy and makes the worst decisions.
December 4th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
K-Dizzle says:
Orlando is 0-2 against Phoenix right?
December 4th, 2007 at 9:53 pm
94by50 says:
I’m officially on the Travis Outlaw bandwagon. Between him, Aldridge, Oden, and my U-of-Arizona man Frye, the Blazers are high on my list of “teams to watch when they’re on League Pass”.
December 5th, 2007 at 1:25 am
Knickhopeful says:
Trade TJ for a big man again? How did that work out for Milwaukee?