M.D.E. (Photo. Chenoa Maxwell)Suns/Celtics had just as much pre-game buzz and the same playoff atmosphere as Suns/Lakers did the other day, except this one wasn’t as run-and-gun. The Suns jumped on Boston early to build a big halftime lead, and although the C’s kept things more at their pace (neither team cracked 90) and made it a ballgame after the break, Phoenix grinded out the W. Shaq owned the glass, pulling down 14 boards despite missing long stretches with foul trouble. Grant Hill also had 13 rebounds. Diesel only had a couple of buckets, but Amare took care of the interior scoring with 28 points … Amare was going at it with Kevin Garnett. While STAT obviously got his, KG (19 pts) put STAT in the blender a few times; after one slick spin move/YouTube dunk, a frustrated Amare gave KG a forearm shiver that earned him a technical … It didn’t help the C’s that they couldn’t throw it in the ocean. Paul Pierce (2-for-13 FGs) and Ray Allen (1-for-7 3PA) just couldn’t get it going … We figured that in order for the Rockets to get past the Hornets and win their 11th straight, T-Mac would have to go off. He did, scoring 34 on N.O. in a surprise 20-piecing. T-Mac looked like a big kid messing with his little cousins out there, simply coasting past anyone the Hornets tried to put in front of him. And when they started over-playing the drive, Mac would pull up to drop jumpers on their heads … Yao had 28 points and 14 boards. Sometimes when Houston plays the Hornets, Tyson Chandler can effectively take Yao out of the game by putting him in the big-man hamster wheel, but Yao has been giving Chandler major buckets this season. Yao gave him 30 the last time they played … LeBron didn’t have his new teammates available, so — like he always does — he carried the Cavs (8 players dressed) by himself. ‘Bron dumped 33 points, 15 boards and 8 dimes on the Wizards, including knocking down the game-winning free throws with seven seconds left. And with all the free playing time, Damon Jones even showed up, hitting 7 triples and scoring 27 points … Because of the trade and injuries to Anderson Varejao, Sasha Pavlovic and Daniel Gibson, the Cavs only had 6 players going into Friday, so they had to bring up two guys from the D-League to reach the League minimum of eight. And one of those guys, Billy Thomas, played enough to jack 11 shots … Jason Kidd should’ve waited. Rather than walk into Chris Paul’s Dog House wearing roast beef shorts for his Dallas debut, Kidd should’ve waited until Friday’s game at Memphis. He posted a classic J-Kidd stat line: 2 points, 5 boards, 4 steals and 15 assists in a blowout win … Some of the Dime crew was at MSG for Knicks/Raptors. This one started out REALLY bad for the Knicks, as they only scored 12 points in the first quarter and had press row buzzing about whether they’d even crack 50 for the game. Then Jamal Crawford (43 pt) and Zach Randolph (26 pts, 15 rebs) figured out that they’re the only two players on the team who can score, and basically ran a two-man game for the rest of the night to get New York back in it, eventually taking the lead and ultimately winning the game … Chris Bosh (23 pts, 8 rebs) was pissed afterwards. Having just come off that 40-point serving to Dwight Howard, CB4 was oozing with confidence in the locker room pre-game and in the first half, pretty much scoring whenever he wanted against Zach and Malik Rose. When the Raps started to blow it in the second half, Bosh wasn’t scoring as easily, he was screaming at refs, flopping around like Manu after an alleged eye-poke, turning the ball over and getting scored on by Z-Bo (who also hit a ridiculous half-court shot at the end of the second quarter). In the locker room post-game, Bosh answered maybe five questions from the media before storming off … From the horde of Spanish reporters tailing him before and after the game to the cadre of fans who apparently came just for him, Jose Calderon was the most popular man in New York last night … Highlight from the Knicks locker room: Wilson Chandler strolling in and stealing a cookie from the jar in Nate Robinson’s locker. Yes, Nate Robinson has a jar of cookies in his locker … On the Clippers’ broadcasts they do a “Star Watch” before every game, picking a player on the other team to look out for that night. Going into Clips/Jazz, the L.A. color guy said, “I can’t always pick the other team’s top star because that would be too easy. I’m going with Mehmet Okur tonight.” That drew this from the play-by-play guy: “Really? Are you serious? He is going to get eaten alive by Chris Kaman on both ends of the floor. Do you hear me? EATEN ALIVE.” … Kaman ended up with 14 points, 9 boards and 3 blocks, next to Memo’s 9 points and 8 boards. Not exactly cannibalism, but the Clippers did get the win … No wonder Carmelo was upset that the Nuggets didn’t get Ron Artest, because his squad got WORKED defensively in Chicago. The Nuggets gave up 135 points in regulation to one of the lowest-scoring teams in the NBA, who like the Cavs only had 8 bodies due to trade-deadline fallout. Ben Gordon hit for 37 points (6 threes) in the win, offsetting the game of J.R. Smith’s life: 43 points on 8 triples … ‘Melo crushed one on Tyrus Thomas in the first half, but when Tyrus had a chance to get some revenge, everyone on the Nuggets got out of his way. That left Tyrus alone to throw down one of the hardest dunks we’ve seen all season. It sounded like a cannon going off when he wrecked the rim … Not to ignore Chris Wilcox, though. He had about three vicious dunks against the Blazers that were right up there with Tyrus’ dunk from a volume standpoint … Hedo (7 threes) and Jameer (5 threes) rained on the Sixers enough to turn Sam Dalembert’s mop into a jheri curl, and Dwight (18 rebs, 24 pts) took care of the leftovers. Although they looked like Lakers East while annihilating the Knicks a few days ago, Philly really isn’t talented enough to hang with a team like Orlando … During the Pistons’ piecing of the Bucks, Chauncey Billups (21 pts, 12 asts) was leading a 3-on-2 break when he made a behind-the-back pass with his right hand that — instead of hitting Rip Hamilton running on his left — he wrapped all the way around back to the right side of his body to feed Tayshaun Prince for a bucket. Hard to describe, but it was dope. Next time you’re playing ball, try to pull that one off and see how it goes … We do know this much about Kelvin Sampson’s ouster at Indiana University: If there was even a 1% chance that Eric Gordon might come back for his sophomore year, that’s been erased now. The NBA might as well send EJ his Green Room invitation now so it doesn’t get lost amongst all the mail he’ll be getting from prospective agents … We’re out like Gordon …
February 23rd, 2008 at 3:50 am
first says:
first
February 23rd, 2008 at 4:34 am
second says:
first is dumb
second to none
February 23rd, 2008 at 5:10 am
Tux says:
Third is turd, cos you just one of tha herd.
word.
So fkn lyrical it’s not funny.
Jose Calderon is the real deal and I ain’t Spanish or Canadian. Holla.
February 23rd, 2008 at 5:31 am
sp says:
At the end of the Raps and Knicks game on the canadian tv broadcast when I think it was Nate on the line to ice the game Zack was saying something to Bosh and his look to Zack was priceless. He was pissed/shocked it looked like, then the camera quickly cut away from Bosh before it showed what Bosh said if anything back.
February 23rd, 2008 at 5:58 am
Jamaal Magloire says:
Hey, Dallas. The Nets just waived me and I kept my trap shut, unlike Stackhouse, so now you can “sign me” to replace Diop
Really Houston, you gave up Wells AND James for “1 sneeze away from DL” Jackson?
You coulda had me for a stuffed crust
February 23rd, 2008 at 6:29 am
YOUNGFED says:
The Suns maybe a legit contender but they’re not better than the lakers. My prediction Detroit and Lakers in the finals. Detroit in 5. Everbody saying Joe is a genious for the trade but how. Juan will never play and if he does it only hurts Stuckey’s developement and would someone please tell Flip to play Amir more DAMNMIT!!!! I would have loved to see a Mcdyess for Z-Bo deal go down but Joe would never do that even though it would make us UNBEATABLE. He took a chance on Sheed why not Z-BO
February 23rd, 2008 at 6:37 am
simon says:
Zack woulda been asking Bosh about his favourite burger maybe?
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:04 am
shez2345 says:
don’t be ridiculous.
it was not an “alleged eye-poke” to CB4
check the replay.
he only shot the ball so that he’d get the shooting foul, which should have obviously been called.
noticed how he railed out the ref when the officials timeout started? and the ref took it like a champ b/c he knew he was wrong.
never-the-less tdot let go of what should have been a winable game
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:14 am
sans says:
I made a pass like that–but not exactly on purpose. I tried to hit a cutter (the obvious tough pass) and missed him, but this asian kid I ball with caught for a three and made me look like a genius. Really proved my worth to the shooter, he talked about the “vision” I had as a point, when really, I fucked up a pass and got lucky. I’m sure Chauncey’s was legit though. Next season we will witness Bron going for a trip-dub legacy, joining the Big O…and if you don’t know what that means, you’re about as dumb as First.
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:17 am
sans says:
Oh, and Melo can try playing some D himself. Nobody has ever played defense for George Karl except for maybe Marcus Camby and Gary Payton, and they only did that because it’s what they do and who they are, not how they were coached. Some people got that grit natural.
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:20 am
BC says:
Raps needed to double-team and/or foul Crawford once in a while. (kinda like the Knicks did in the second half to stop Bosh)
Calling a Z-Bo meat hand to the face a “alleged eye-poke” is BS… totally a foul on every replay.
Trust me - Raps fans know all about flopping from Wince Carter, and Bosh doesn’t pull that crap.
Besides Crawford, David Lee was the biggest difference - ten times more active than Eddy Curry was in the first half.
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:40 am
second says:
it’s hard not to hate on slugs like Eddy Chicken Curry, but damn….
EDDY! You’re 25 years old, you’re young, paid, and you ain’t doin’ shit-else with your life……..CAN YOU PLEASE PULL DOWN A FUCKIN’ REBOUND BEFORE YOU RETIRE !!!
I’ve said my piece - peace
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:10 am
Sith Lord 24 says:
lololololololololololo ^^^^^^^^^^
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:25 am
jz_smoove says:
NYK isnt going to do Z-bo for Mcdyess, since the mcdyess experiment didnt work before while getting burned for giving up Nene AND Marcus Camby! Fearless prediction: Eddie Curry WILL pull down A rebound before he retires but i bet i wouldnt have to use all of my digits, fingers and toes. Glass Joes, haha good memories of the classic Tyson’s Punchout.
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:26 am
Amar says:
ouch for the jazz, they could have picked up a game on some west foes tonight . . . houston is ballin’ right now.
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:08 am
QQ says:
I just read the Melo-Artest article, and I noticed in the comments section, people are saying that Melo is coasting.
Well, I feel for ya’ll.
I envisioned Melo as competing with Lebron as the face of the nba, not being Steph Marbury version 2.
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:14 am
yoda says:
@ QQ
Steph is atleast funny sometimes
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:17 am
Brown says:
Youngfed, did you watch the game between the Suns and Lakers the other night? I’m guessing you didn’t, because it was a close game that could have gone either way. To say the Lakers are the better team might be an overstatement. Although, if both teams were completely healthy, Bynum may have proven you right.
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:22 am
Brown says:
I forgot to mention that yes, the Raptors are the most inconsistent team in the NBA. On nights they play good teams, they play hard. On nights they play bad teams, pretty much everyone forgets to show up.
I predict another first round exit for them this year, and Colangelo will have to do something with the roster because it is seriously flawed right now.
Drafting Bargnani hasn’t worked out, trading for Ford hasn’t worked out and signing Kapono hasn’t worked out. Only his minor moves have helped the team, but he’s blown it when it comes to major moves. Mistakes like this can cripple a franchise, so I hope he’s got some tricks up his sleeve.
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:43 am
SWAT says:
Man my boys beasted the hornets last nite. At one point we were up by damn near 30 pts…WOW! 11 game win streak didn’t seem probable at the beginning of this season and now my boys are finally balling.
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:49 am
QQ says:
By the way, wtf happened to Steph?
Is he playing in some Armenian League or sumthing?
February 23rd, 2008 at 11:46 am
LADY JORDAN 23 says:
WHAT ABOUT GERALD WALLACE? IS HE OKAY? DIME YALL SLIPPIN!!!!
February 23rd, 2008 at 11:48 am
second says:
bone spurs in his heel, surgery is keeping Steph out.
but in my official medical opinion, Steph has a serious case of Immaturity coupled with a badly bruised Pride. expect to see him elsewhere next season
February 23rd, 2008 at 11:58 am
YOUNGFED says:
Brown: All I’ma say say is if you saw the game you saw how “K-Hova” and the Spanish fly (Paul G) did pretty much what they wanted to the whole game. No one one the Suns even plays D K-Hova is gonna destroy the Suns unless Shaq pulls back out the S-Cape.
QQ: Steph just figures he mite as well sit out the rest of the season and get surgery for this going nowhere fast team.
I’m out like Big Steph….HOLLLLLAAAA!!!!
February 23rd, 2008 at 12:02 pm
K-Dizzle says:
lol
Lakers might not be the best team right now, which they are, but they playin the best right now….along with Houston, but I’d take that match-up
The Raptors are gonna put the wood to the Knicks tonight. That look on Bosh’s face spells R-E-V-E-N-G-E. Love those home and home series.
Brown,
you need to bounce with your raps pessimism whenever they lose, but whenever they crush (before the break) the Nets and (after the break) the Magic by 30, silence.
Come with both sides, dude. Bargnani was averagin 15 and 7 for the last 10 games, but he’s not workin out? He’s 21-22 in his 2nd season. Ford, when healthy, gives you 15 and 8 and gives the raps the best 2 points on any team. How you gonna say Colangelo messes up on big deals? Apart from Bosh, the whole team is new and the dude was exec of the year last season, had the coach of the year, won the division, and are maintainin’ in an improved eastern conference. The roster ain’t flawed. It’s Celts, Pistons, Cavs(only cuz of Lebron) then the Raps. Keep expectations based on reality.JC went for 43; Suns lost to Minny twice. Individual games don’t mean nuthin. The franchise is fine and will be 12-15 mil under the cap next summer. Everybody KNOWS Colangelo is cash, but you panic every loss. Chill and enjoy…
Dime,
that Chauncey pass ain’t new. My man, Nick van Exel pulled it sweeter back in his money days in LA, on the break to Ceballos for a two-hander.
February 23rd, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Tim says:
As a Pistons fan, that Chauncey pass was unexpected to say the least…it was like a 360 spinning behind the back…reminded me of when he owned Robert Horry in the Finals with the fake…that thing Rondo does every game now…you just dont see that much flash out of Billups usually…
Juan Dixon is much better than Prezec…enough said…especially since Amir is getting better every game and every second he’s on the court…
February 23rd, 2008 at 12:07 pm
YOUNGFED says:
Whats with all the Melo hating lately even though Austin made a great point about him already having the DPOY and a steal artist and great defender in AI. I admit Melo is sounding a lil broad-ish but all he’s saying is Artist makes the an Elite finals contender.
February 23rd, 2008 at 12:23 pm
YOUNGFED says:
K-dizzle: come on Raps over Orlanda GTFOH (and yes thats…..all ya’ll know what it is) (LOL) Also we all know you a Lakers fan but come on that Billups pass was on some And-1 ish.
Tim: Neither player will play so the trade was useless now we got like 30 gaurds on the Pistons. Would have much rather gotten Green.
I’m out like Nick Van Axel trying to pass….(LMAO)
February 23rd, 2008 at 1:34 pm
K-Dizzle says:
YoungFed
you need to read posts before you reply.
What I said was Chauncey wasn’t the first to make that pass.If I can find the video, I’ll post the address for you. You might be under those years but Nick was runnin it back in the day. You might not remember, but one year, in the All star game, we sent Eddie, Nick, Shaq and kobe. Nick’s pass was nicer, tho. No joke, full speed and he WHIPPED it. #1 on nba action that week. Might be before your time lol
and hell yeah, Raps got a better team than the Magic 1-12. After Dwight, Hedo and Lew, I don’t like anybody else and I like Mo Evans, but they even more inexperienced than the Raps. How you gonna beat anybody without a point guard and your big man shootin 59% from the free throw line? You shut down Hedo, you got em. Raps got 3 dudes in the TOP 5 in 3 pt shootin and Dwight gotta focus on Bosh so the helpside ain’t comin and I even gonna talk about them havin the best point guard in the east. You saw what happens when dude has an off night last night. 6 assists, 4 turnovers, raps lose. We’ll see how it winds up cuz it might even be a first round matchup
February 23rd, 2008 at 1:46 pm
K-Dizzle says:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a77Bh0vUPeY
That didn’t even take long. at the 42 sec mark and the 1:40 mark, but you might need to watch all 3 minutes so you don’t forget how sick dude was
peace
February 23rd, 2008 at 1:52 pm
nick says:
youngfed,
check the last 9 head to head games with the magic and raps. raps lead 7-2. bosh has D12’s number, his 40 wed night aint the only time he has done that to dwight. There is a good chance they do meet in the playoffs so we’ll see what happens then.
February 23rd, 2008 at 2:45 pm
doc says:
Raps stink and Orlando stink fellas. Its between Boston Detroit and Cleveland all other fans are dreaming. WAKE UP
February 23rd, 2008 at 3:00 pm
eastbay says:
lol @ doc - that’s what mavs fans were tellin my warriors last playoffs. just gotta get into the playoffs, playa
February 23rd, 2008 at 4:32 pm
E$ says:
“Who want it!?” - Houston Rockets
February 23rd, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Austin Burton says:
Good point, eastbay. I can easily see Orlando knocking off one of the Eastern Conference heavyweights (well, maybe not Detroit) in a playoff series. I don’t know about the Raps; last night was the first time I’d seen them play in person and there were definite flaws.
February 23rd, 2008 at 5:01 pm
word says:
did anybody notice that chicago played like they were in the nba for the first time this entire season. they musta been happy to get rid of ben cuz they crushed the nuggets last night. i’m curious to see how the new team will play together, and cleveland too, i can’t wait to see their new team. and shaq is back yall don’t underestimate the diesel, i think a suns/lakers series would be the best thing to watch, i can’t wait till playoffs.
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Tim says:
Cleveland is 2% better than they were before the trade…still not as good as Detroit or Boston…it’s weird seeing Ben just jumping to all Detroit’s division rivals…its still crazy to not see him in a Pistons uniform, but I’d rather have Maxiell and Amir at the moment.
February 24th, 2008 at 12:07 am
What is this!? says:
I don’t want to hear anything about Carmelo being mad about anything untill he starts playing some D himself and stops coasting and relying on the fact that AI is there. After watching that Bulls game lastnight and literraly watching Carmelo jog back on DEFENSE and give up on his team, he is officially WACK. AI better opt out after this season and leave Denver because they can do nothing for him, he playing with a bunch of players with no HEART. This is why LEBRON>>>MELO.
And I am not jumping on the Lakers bandwagon. Let them get out the first round firsts then talk. The West is so deep anyone can get upsetted and it wouldn’t be a surprise. The Wests playoffs are going to be crazy this year. I also don’t feel like they are better then the SUNS.
I feel like Ben Wallace should have just stayed with the PISTONS. I bet you he wish he had now.
February 24th, 2008 at 2:35 am
Nick Barnes says:
That’s messed up that a good West team like the Warriors or Nuggets will end up missing the playoffs and some sh*t team like the 76ers and Nets will get in from the East.
February 24th, 2008 at 6:10 am
YOUNGFED says:
Couldn’t have said it better Tim.