Photo. Courtesy adidasAside from Tim Duncan beasting Kwame Brown (who’s starting to develop a Jermaine O’Neal-sized forehead), the Spurs didn’t play well at all in the first half yesterday. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili weren’t doing anything, and the San Antonio defense was opening up left and right to allow the Lakers open shots. Then, down by 9 at the break, the Spurs went on a 14-0 run to open the second half: Bruce Bowen put Kobe in a straitjacket, forcing him into bad shots and turnovers, while Parker and Manu finally got it going. San Anton capped the run when Manu made a steal in the backcourt and whipped a pass between Derek Fisher’s legs to Parker, who hit Manu with a behind-the-back dime and got a touch pass right back for the bucket. (But, yeah, the Spurs are boring. If ‘Melo and A.I. hook up for that exact same play, it’d be on YouTube within minutes.) The Lakers briefly got the lead back, but Brent Barry went lights-out and helped stretch the lead to double-digits by the end of the quarter, and L.A. was done … Kobe ended up with 29 points and 12 boards, but also committed 9 turnovers and had 4 of his shots blocked. Manu never found his shooting stroke (3-for-16 FGs), but he had 8 steals. And Bowen didn’t even think about offense (0-1 FGs, 2 stls, 1 blk); his sole mission was to not let Kobe beat the Spurs … In the first half of Celtics/Raptors we saw a microcosm of how these teams usually approach defense: The Celtics were on the verge of pulling away with their reserves on the floor, and while guys like Eddie House and Brian Scalabrine were busting their ass denying the ball, and Leon Powe was taking charges from Chris Bosh, Toronto’s starters were letting Tony Allen go coast-to-coast with no one getting within 10 feet of him … When the C’s starters came back in following that stretch was when the Raptors pulled it together and grabbed the lead going into halftime. That sounds like a team prone to playing up or down to the level of competition — only they were doing it within the same game, which is rare … The Raps eventually pulled out the W, and from a Boston standpoint a lot of people are going to blame Rajon Rondo. He got generally torched by Jose Calderon (24 pts, 13 asts) and gave up the go-ahead bucket on a three-point play with 10 seconds left … One year ago, Blazers/Hornets would be far from a marquee matchup. Now it’s a vital meeting between, no joke, a pair of teams that no one wants to see in a playoff series. The Hornets got the W at home on Wednesday (#6 in a row), getting customary big nights from its Big Three (CP, Chandler, West) and cranking up the defensive pressure after a lackluster first quarter … Earlier in the day we looked at every game on the NBA schedule and picked one matchup from each that we’d be watching. For Pistons/Sixers we went with Rip Hamilton vs. Willie Green. Hey, we were thinking of interesting matchups, not necessarily fair ones. Right from the start, Detroit’s game plan was clearly to attack whoever Willie was guarding. Rip was killing him, so they switched Willie onto Chauncey Billups, who immediately started giving him buckets. The Pistons weren’t even passing the ball around — whoever had #33 on them just took it and went. Chauncey and Rip scored something like Detroit’s first 20 points, and Rip went 6-for-6 in the first half while Chauncey went 5-for-5 with a trio of triples. The hamburger shower wasn’t as bad in the second half — Rip ended up with 21 points, while Billups dropped 19 — but by then Philly was already game-over … We said in this week’s NBA Hit List that we’d learn a lot about the Wizards from Wednesday’s road date in Cleveland game. Unless it was just a fluke, Terrible Horrible No-Good Very Bad Day (and that’s very likely, seeing as Brendan Haywood was the leading scorer), we learned that this team is a fugazi postseason threat … While it was a welcome break from the ridiculous amount of Tom Brady coverage, the mainstream media’s handling of the LeBron Yankees’ sneaker launch is aggravating to watch. Is it really so controversial that ‘Bron is a Yankees fan? He grew up rooting for the Yankees. He also rooted for the ’90s-era Bulls and ’90s-era Cowboys. Does that make him a Cleveland turncoat? Does that mean he’s dying to sign with the Knicks or the Nets? No, it means that Kid LeBron was a front-runner. He rooted for teams that won championships, just like a lot of kids. Winners are often drawn to other winners, you know … Apparently the Wolves have the Suns figured out, because last night they knocked them off for the second time this year. Al Jefferson destroyed Amare for 39 points and 15 boards — although Stoudemire was no bum himself (33 pts) — and Sebastian Telfair played a very good game: 8 dimes, zero turnovers, and Bassy hit some big-time shots (13 pts) when he had to … Yesterday’s T-Mac vs. Kevin Durant matchup was way more entertaining than the first. Down one in the final minute, McGrady scored on a runner, and about 30 seconds later drove on Durant and kicked out to Rafer Alston for a three-pointer to put Houston up by four. Durant answered back by driving past T-Mac for a layup, and when T-Mac (28 pts, 5 asts) got fouled on the inbounds, he missed both free throws. Of course Seattle put the game in Durant’s hands, and after Chuck Hayes swatted him out of bounds on his first try, KD missed a three at the buzzer … During the game, Sonics announcer Kevin Calabro was talking about the four ‘07 draftees who hail from Seattle: Aaron Brooks, Rodney Stuckey, Spencer Hawes and Marcus Williams, and opined that Stuckey will eventually be the best pro out of the bunch. We can see that … Dueling monster stat lines in Denver last night: Marcus Camby had 13 points, 21 boards and 4 blocks in a win, while Josh Smith put up 22 points, 12 boards, 10 dimes and 5 blocks in a loss … Meanwhile, there was an unreal college game between Texas A&M and Baylor that went FIVE overtimes before Baylor pulled out a grueling road victory. Baylor point guard Curtis Jerrells, who we profiled in the current issue of Dime, dropped 36 points and 8 assists. The Baylor story this season is incredible. Think about what they’ve been able to overcome in the last few years: one of their players were murdered by another player, their coach was fired amidst major scandal, a lot of their players went to other schools, and that first year back they didn’t even play a nonconference schedule. Now they’re in the Top 25 and beating Big XII powerhouses … 38 points and 10 dimes from Kirk Hinrich? Where did that come from? … Atlanta’s new WNBA team will be called the Atlanta Dream. Not feeling that one at all. On a semi-related note, we explored the idea of folding the Hawks (along with the Bobcats and Grizzlies) to make a Southern super-team. Gerald Wallace, Rudy Gay, Mike Miller, Josh Smith, Marvin Williams and J-Rich on the same squad? Actually, that looks like every Hawks team of the 21st century; more wings than a Popeye’s delivery truck … We’re out like the Dream …
January 24th, 2008 at 5:23 am
Str8baller says:
first
January 24th, 2008 at 5:23 am
jz_smoove says:
big win for Raps. amazing game overall!
January 24th, 2008 at 5:28 am
jz_smoove says:
i’m gonna bring up a point again from teh other day, dont you agree that calderon fast approaching status where you are surprised that his jumper missed? Al Jefferson is looking like a steal for Minny now aint he?
January 24th, 2008 at 5:36 am
Str8baller says:
It ain’t a show if I don’t get paid
It ain’t no fun if I don’t post FIRST.
I know the hate is gonna start, but hey…
Finley’s J gotta be up there with the prettiest of all time. Dude is old but he can still stroke.
Here’s the list:
MJ (Shit was so pretty)
Kobe (MJ + 3 point range)
Ray Ray
Allan Houston
Joe Johnson
Finley
January 24th, 2008 at 5:42 am
Str8baller says:
Calderon is nasty… Here in Spain nobody is surprised cause he started playing as a 2. He developed his PG skills. He always had that J. It was just a matter of confidence.
My 2 cents.
Spain always produced fine European Level Point Guards, but now they’re producing NBA caliber Points.
Raul Lopez (nasty knee injury fucked him up)
Sergio Rodriguez
Calderon
Now they have probably the best PG international prospect. His name is Ricky Rubio and he’s NASYT.
Dude had 51 points, 20 plus rebounds and 15 plus assists plus 7 steal in the European Under 16 Championship final against Russia. He even sent the game to overtime with a half court shot.
January 24th, 2008 at 5:43 am
Str8baller says:
oooops. I MEANT NASTY
January 24th, 2008 at 5:51 am
Fish says:
Finley’s J is not that pretty. Dude was a slasher for the first few years of his career and it shows a bit.
So scratch Finley (and possibly Houston as his J was effective, not pretty), insert: Mark Price / Chris Mullin / Rex Chapman / Eddie Johnson.
Would love to put Reggie on that list but he falls into Houston’s category.
January 24th, 2008 at 6:14 am
LA baller says:
Kaman gets 20 and 20 can cannot even get a mention in your article. How many other guys this year have gotten 20 and 20??? D. howard and that is it. come on guys quit strokin the same guys every night
January 24th, 2008 at 7:09 am
Tux says:
How do you feel about JW Tsonga giving it to Rafa Nadal str8 up the schute Mr Spain?
January 24th, 2008 at 7:26 am
gingabreadman says:
did anybody see nick young posterize bron-bron? lmao
January 24th, 2008 at 9:11 am
Top Gun says:
Raptors are the league’s top 3 point shooting team, 15/21 last night, that was crazy. Looks like Bargnani is back. Calderon’s been killing all the point guards lately.
Last night the Wizards played one of their worst games this year. Everytime Ilgauskas took a shot it went in from all over the court, (inside of the three point line). Lebron has a sick team, they could win games without him.
January 24th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Ian says:
timmys block on odom was nice
January 24th, 2008 at 9:50 am
calvin brodus says:
LA Baller,
I think Camby has had at least one 20-20 game this season. Kaman should get love though. He’s still the best center in California. (I’m talking to you Bynum.)
January 24th, 2008 at 10:17 am
rejection says:
Ian says:
timmys block on odom was nice
did you see, Odom wasn’t even mad
January 24th, 2008 at 10:23 am
flyp says:
Pop’s answer to why he thought Manu could help them out in the 2nd half was priceless. “He’s Manu Ginobili” *awkward pause*
Did Kirk go back in time and remember how to ball? 38 and 10? If he puts up stats like this on the regular with Deng out, I’m gonna go pick him up the waiver wire, ASAP.
Good job by the Raps. It takes 15 threes to drop the Celtics? Damn.
January 24th, 2008 at 10:27 am
alex says:
did anybody watching the Raptors-Celtics game notice how many times Paul Pierce actually missed a wide open Ray Allen? I must have seen it happen at least 3 times the last 4 minutes or so. It’s probably better to have one of their big 3 to be a point guard because I see Ray and PP having problems co-existing down the road
January 24th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Tim Duncan likely says:
Dime, please…
I do work for San Antone
January 24th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Celts Fan says:
Ray and Paul like each other. Pierce is still working out the hero mentality, but I’ve seen him (and everyone else actually) defer to the other guys more than enough to be completely convinced they’ll all be and are fine and get along great.
January 24th, 2008 at 10:49 am
thinking crazy says:
how about a Southwest super-team?
Yao - 5
Duncan - 4
Dirk - 3
McGrady - 2
Parker - 1
Howard, Ginobili, J Terry, Carl Landry off the bench?
sheeeiiiiitttt. THE WORLD COULDN’T STOP THIS SQUAD !!
January 24th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Celts Fan says:
on a side note, there’s a lot of buzz around here that when Damon Stoudamire gets bought out, he could be coming to the Celtics. Assuming he’s okay splitting time w/ Rondo (probably not starting, but getting the crunch time minutes since his shot is actually reliable) what does everyone think of that? I’m kind of on the fence myself. On the one hand, we definitely need another PG (assuming Gabe Pruitt can’t take over the backup role yet, which is probably a good assumption until he proves he can) and Damon is good at that, but he’s a huge downgrade defensively, would make our backup unit (where he’s the best fit early on in games as points off the bench) pretty small, and doesn’t exactly have the best history (though I LOVE the old Blazers stories, don’t know if I’d be as kean on them if they were coming from my team!) I’m all for trying to improve the team since it doesn’t seem like Sam I Am is coming (keep hearing it’s Denver to eventually take over for George Karl as coach down the road a bit) but I don’t know if that’s the move and how it could affect team chemistry which is great right now. Any thoughts guys?
January 24th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Fish says:
Hate to burst your bubble, but Stoudamire doesn’t do backup.
Throughout his career he has turned sour once he realised he wasn’t going to get the starting job. Put it down to his competitive spirit.
January 24th, 2008 at 11:13 am
jz_smoove says:
stoudamire is a bad fit for Celts. i remember the Raps circa ‘96-97 when he tried to do too much himself trying to carry the load for the expansion franchise, even after camby came in for the ride.
January 24th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Celts Fan says:
ya, I’ve heard that, but he’d still end up getting starter’s minutes and a legit chance at a ring that I’m hoping would change that standpoint, since it’s not like he’d be backing up a kid on Memphis, and he’d still be out there in crunch time like a starter. That’s the concern I have though, but that’s why I said “Assuming he’s okay splitting time.” I mean that more from a strictly basketball point of view here.
January 24th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Celts Fan says:
ya, but 96-97 was way back in the day. he was in his prime then, now he’s in that Grant Hill “can still contribute, but not at his best levels” stage of his career. Having said that, we don’t know if he realizes that yet! I’m sure if he does sign w/ the Celtics, then he’ll have already gotten the, “You won’t be a starter. Just shut up and play or KG will rip your head off” talk from the front office
January 24th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Sith Lord 24 says:
wow Al Jefferson is truly becoming a Beast. truth be told i didn’t think to much of him while he was in Boston but now he is becoming a man. Right now he is a top 3 or 4 center in the west.
January 24th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Kobeef says:
Maybe Boston should have kept Bassy and not Rondo.
Rondo certainly has better D but Bassy has a better shot and is a better playmaker which is one thing the Celts need.
Bassy is finally starting to use his head and play within the team - (57% from the floor, 8assists, 0 turnovers!) - it a significant turning point in the development of a PG when you see those trends.
Weird night last night with mostly blow-outs. I didn’t expect it. Especially Cavs-Wiz…Cleveland is a totally different team than they were 2 months ago.
January 24th, 2008 at 11:39 am
karizmatic says:
I like Atlanta Dream…that name is aiight.
January 24th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Celts Fan says:
Kobeef, stop smoking that ish during the day. It’s messing with your head! Rondo is a much, much better playmaker than Telfair, and his jumper is actually better (when he takes it, which isn’t very often, which is another key point, cuz Bassy liked to fire away like he’s AI or something.) He’s definitely come a long way with that J since last year. Is there anyone here that would honestly take Telfair over Rondo? If so, hook me up w/ your dealer, cuz I could use some of that good stuff
January 24th, 2008 at 11:49 am
doc says:
Its not a trend for Bassy to do that against the Suns,his eyes just light up because he know Nash cant check him. And that southwest team is crazy but u must of went to Purdue with that Carl Landry bullshit. I dont think Al was a steal. They traded the future for the present. The Wolves only won 7 fuckin games. Give me KG so we can try for the chip.
January 24th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Kobeef says:
Hey CeltsFan I’d take Bassy over Rondo…oh wait…I already answered that question..or did I ask it….man I am Sofa King stoooned…..
January 24th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
str8baller says:
im a cock whore stop impersonating me
January 24th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
dagwaller says:
Didn’t get to see the game, but I’m looking at the box score of the PHO-MIN game. Bassy only played 28 minutes, while Jaric went for 45. That’s right. Marko Jaric played 45 minutes of an NBA game. He was the only other PG type player to get any burn. I’m going to put the guard play on him rather than Bassy. He went 15-10-8, as opposed to 13-8-1. Not to mention Bassy was -8 in +/- ratio, while Jaric was +1.
I’m VERY impressed with the 0 turnovers, though, and his shooting percentages were nice (4-7, 1-2 3s, 4-4 ft).
Nash, though, went for 21-16-3, and had one of two positive +/- ratios on the team (his was +6; Grant Hill’s was +2).
Again, JUST looking at the stats, I’d probably put the loss at the feet of the Suns’ second unit. As much shit as Nash gets, Barbosa was -18 when he was in. Skinner was -17, and Diaw was -9. Shouldn’t those big guys at least be getting fouls on Jefferson? Dude ended up with 2 fouls, but shot 14 free throws. Conversely, the guys coming off of the Wolves bench went +11, +13, and +14 (Brewer, Walker, and Craig Smith).
Looks like the Suns lack of depth caught up to them…again.
January 24th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Gmoney says:
We don’t need any help from the Bobcats or the Grizzlies…A-Town WILL hold it down and make the playoffs unlike those other 2 under-achievers. Although I would like to see G.Wallace on my squad.
January 24th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Ian says:
thinking crazy says:
how about a Southwest super-team?
Yao - 5
Duncan - 4
Dirk - 3
McGrady - 2
Parker - 1
Howard, Ginobili, J Terry, Carl Landry off the bench?
it be nice a mini tournament with teams made of divsion players
but tmac would be injured for ours
January 24th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Ian says:
so lets say
southwest
yao
duncan
dirk
manu
paul
bench parker tmac gasol howard
pacific
amare
brand
artest
kobe
nash
bench davis martin kaman marion
northwest
camby
boozer
carmelo
ai
williams
bench roy jefferson ak aldridge (couldnt find shit in seattle, not yet at least)
southeast
howard
smith
butler
johnson
wade
bench arenas jamison wallace lewis
central
oneal
sheed
lebron
redd
billups
bench granger deng hamilton mo
atlantic
bosh
garnett
igoudala
carter
kidd
bench allen pierce calderon randolph
only left a team out (no seattle)
January 24th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Desrat says:
Why Parker over Nash? Nash would make that southwest team light up…
January 24th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Celts Fan says:
Carter as a starter in the Atlantic? you’re out of your mind. I’d take Ray or Pierce over him (PP can play the 2.) I’d also take Marbury (who’s a 2 in a 1’s body anyway, that with JKidd, works out fine) and Jamaal Crawford.
January 24th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Willis says:
All southwest team would HAVE to be this
1 - CP
2 - Rudy Gay
3 - Tmac
4 - Duncan
5 - Yao
Bench: Dirk, JHo, Flopinobli, Tony Parker, Pau Gasol, Jason Terry, Shane Battier
which brings me to the all Pacific team
1 - Baron Davis
2 - Kobe
3 - Artest
4 - Marion
5 - Kaman
bench: Nash, Stoudemire, Kevin Martin, Monta Ellis, Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum, Brad Miller
all northwest:
1 - Deron Williams
2 - Allen Iverson
3 - Melo
4 - Carlos Boozer
5 - Al Jefferson
Bench: Brandon Roy, Marcus Camby, Kevin Durant, AK47, LaMarcus Aldridge, Travis Outlaw, Kenyon Martin
(easily the worst all division team in the L)
all atlantic:
1 - Jason Kidd
2 - Sugar
3 - Truth
4 - Ticket
5 - Dalembert
bench: Bosh, Richard Jefferson, Iggy, Jamaal Crawford, ZBO, Vince Carter, Anthony Parker
all Central:
1 - Chauncey Billups
2 - Rip Hamilton
3 - Lebron James
4 - Rasheed Wallace
5 - Zydrunas Ilgaukas
bench: Kirk Hinrich, Mo Williams, Michael Redd, Jermaine O’neal, Tayshaun Prince, Luol Deng, Ben Wallace
All southeast:
1 - Gilbert Arenas
2 - Dwayne Wade
3 - Gerald Wallace
4 - Josh Smith
5 - Dwight Howard
(most beastly starting lineup)
Bench: Shaq, Rashard Lewis, Joe Johnson, Hedo Turkoglu, Caron Butler, Jason Richardson, Raymond Felton
January 24th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Ian says:
desrat
are u crazy
nash plays for phoenix he left dallas 3 seasons ago
celts fan
those are my pick
id take carter over allen my opinion like all the picks
im crazy for what not taking your player??
willis
bench cut it to 4 players makes it harder
January 24th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Ian says:
celts fan
take marbury sure
i know which team finishes last in that league
January 24th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Kobeef says:
You guys are onto something here.
Maybe they should have a round-robin tournament as part of all-star weekend with the divisional all star teams you list above.
Day 1 (Thursday night)
Pacific vs. Northwest
Atlantic vs. Central
Day 2 (Friday Night)
Southeast vs. Atlantic
Southwest vs. Northwest
Day 3 (Saturday Night)
Pacific vs. Southwest
Atlantic vs. Central
Day 4 (Sunday)
West winner vs. East winner
I think it would keep more fans interested because you’d get to see more players instead of the current format which leaves many teams without a rep.
January 24th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Kobeef says:
Oops..day 3 east game should be Southeast vs Central….you get the point..
January 24th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Ian says:
fuck yeah
January 24th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
thinking crazy says:
I like that round robin idea
also, how many members of the New England Patriots do you think are getting “19-0″ tattoos done this week??
I just hope the Giants win so we never have to see the ink
January 24th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Celts Fan says:
Ian, it has nothing to do w/ “my player.” That kind of retarded comment is why I said I’d take 2 Knicks over Wince too. He’s a bitch. Hell, I’d throw out a Raptor or Sixer too, but Philly sucks and the Raptors, while they’re a hell of a team, the 2 is their worst position by far (though a starting back-court of Kidd and Calderon is very intriguing.)
and Willis, who is Sugar? did I miss a nickname here?
January 24th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Ian says:
dont know who sugar is either
but seeing hes not in the bench he must be ray allen
celts the point was that is just opinions
if not
only
duncan
kobe
lebron
would be the sure things on their teams
i take carter cuz i dont think ray allen is a big deal
January 24th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Austin Burton says:
Sugar = Ray Allen
January 24th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
IGP says:
Damn the Pacific division would dominate that entire tournament haha. No one would touch them. Also, the All-Star starters were just announced and I know the only reason D Wade is starting is cuz he’s popular otherwise how does someone on a team that’s won only 8 games start? T Mac is out and Iverson is in but I think CP3 should have gotten the start though.
January 25th, 2008 at 12:00 am
isotope says:
I wouldnt be suprised if the league had something to do with TMac being out. So many would have been whinning if he made it. Good for him. He needs to stay healthy. The league loves Wade so no way he was not making it.