Photo. Chenoa MaxwellIf we know our readers, last night’s late League action got no burn on your TV. We’re going to guess that most of you were watching (and then mourning) the series finale of The Wire. Luckily the game of the day was the afternoon showdown between the Suns and the Spurs. Are these the playoff Suns that Steve Kerr was hoping for when he pulled the trade trigger? It looked like it yesterday. Shaq was all over the place (including three rows deep into the crowd at one point) on his way to 16 boards, 14 points and 2 blocks. Nash won this game though. The degree of difficulty on his jumpers were through the roof and whenever a play needed to be made, he either made it himself or facilitated it. It’s a little weird that the Suns only hit three 3’s but this is a different squad than it was a few weeks ago. No matter how they won the game, it was a big one for the Suns. That will keep people like us quiet for a few games. … And by the way, you take dunking out of the mix, and Nash crushes anyone in the league in H-O-R-S-E. … Must be nice to have that nomination in the bag. While Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are spending every waking second campaigning, John McCain and his wife caught the Suns game. Muhammad Ali was also in attendance. … Crazy late night game in LA last night. Just when you thought that the Lakers, who were down most of the game to the Kings, were putting their 4th quarter stamp on the game and pulling away, Sactown regained the lead with four seconds left on two foul shots by Beno Udrih. The Lakers might have the MVP (no offense Chris Paul) but down in the 4th quarter, the Lakers came back with huge offensive plays from Derek Fisher, Lamar Odom, Sasha Vujacic, and Pau Gasol. In fact, until Kobe front rimmed the potential game winner, he had only taken one shot in the fourth. And in case you were wondering, the youth movement is a full go in Sacramento. Both Artest and Brad Miller weren’t in for most of the fourth with Spencer Hawes and Francisco Garcia getting most of the burn. … We’re still finding it hard to believe that the Spurs let Udrih walk without getting anything for him. The kid (25 and 10) can legitimately play and was getting into the lane at will last night … The Pistons‘ extra gear might be like nobody else’s in the NBA. They also might be the deepest team in the League. Without ‘Sheed (but not without ‘Sheed’s antics. Wallace was dancing, talking smack, and cracking dudes up on the bench) the Pistons got big contributions from their entire roster. Jason Maxiell’s end of first quarter cram may have been the hardest thrown dunk this side of Dwight Howard. Aaron Gray was about a foot away from the worst facial of the year. … Ben Gordon had the “*” of the night. After Amir Johnson demolished his shot. Gordon went down and looked for anything on his person he could claim as being injured. First he grabbed his head and then grabbed his elbow. Ben, that’s your pride that you were looking for. In a bad call, Johnson picked up a foul on the play and BG went on to shoot the lights out. … Since when did Chris Duhon become a locker room problem? We can still hear Dickie V calling Duhon the Derek Jeter of College Basketball (that kind of makes us want to throw up in our mouth). Now Duhon gets benched for missing the morning shoot around (Duhon hit up the Duke/UNC game the night before). This isn’t the first time he’s been in the Chicago doghouse … Pretty crazy that Larry Hughes is now the oldest player on the Bulls’ roster … Who needs Chris Bosh? That’s three 16+ points for Rasho Nesterovic in the last 5 games. Somehow he had 6 assists as well … In Sunday’s NY Post, Steve Serby had a Q&A with new Nets point guard Devin Harris. Serby asked Harris if he’s currently living in a hotel. Harris actually moved right into Jason Kidd’s apartment. … In a “remember me” moment, Mateen Cleaves had 21 assists in his D League game last night. … It looks like Eddy Curry’s season is over (possible knee surgery). Wait, when did Eddy Curry’s season begin? … The Celtics confirmed that Sam Cassell will make his green debut tonight against the Sixers. … Pat Riley is going to take off the next 7-10 days and go wear his other Heat hat by scouting some of the players that could be available in the draft. Eric Gordon is up first. We’d be shocked if Riley watched one Heat game while on his scouting sabbatical. … Did you see that crazy throw down Gerald Green had last night? Unless you were in local Houston YMCA, the answer is a no. There were a whole lot of GM’s doing some Borat-style high-fives last night after Gerald Green was released by the Rockets in favor of… Mike Harris? You know Mike Harris right? Rice Grad? Was balling in China? Nope. Neither have we. It wasn’t too long ago that Green “slipped” all the way down to the Celtics’ pick and the C’s were being lauded with one of the steals of the draft. Sometimes NBA scouts get it very right. Green has absurd athletic ability (as we all know), he can shoot the ball, but his ball handling skills and basketball IQ just aren’t catching up quick enough. … We’re out like Gerald Green’s 2009 Dunk contest invitation.
March 10th, 2008 at 12:26 am
DunkOnME! says:
FIRST!
March 10th, 2008 at 12:34 am
1SKILLS says:
What the hell are y’all talking about Larry Hughes is the youngest player on the Bulls?!
March 10th, 2008 at 1:02 am
dagwaller says:
I just read the other day somewhere that Gerald Green had his dream come true being traded from lotto bound Wolves to hometown, playoff bound Rockets. Too bad for him.
Dime, might want to correct something - Hughes is the OLDEST player on the Bulls. Crazy, though, you’re right. I wonder if he and Ben Gordon have “bad shot choice” contests every night. Classic line about Gordon’s pride, Dime. Keep up the good work.
March 10th, 2008 at 1:51 am
KB24! says:
1SKILLS, I think Dime means Larry Hughes is the oldest on the Bulls. Not the Youngest. Typo maybe. Lakers got robbed…Beno tripped? but they had to call something I guess. No home court advantage tonight.
March 10th, 2008 at 2:37 am
Willis says:
KB24 refs were horrid both ways tonight. I will say that the Lakers have no sense of composure when it comes to bad calls. The whole team gets in the Refs faces. Besides, the refs were calling everything regardless of whether it was a foul or not. Glad my Kings won though. Spencer is going to be a Kaman/Brad Miller hybrid when its all said and done, and I’ll take that everyday.
March 10th, 2008 at 3:34 am
mac says:
Spurs with Beno and Scola…
March 10th, 2008 at 4:07 am
fundamental logic says:
Spurs will be alright. They’re proven. If you look at their playoff records, they tend to drop Game 1’s a lot. Then Professor Pop puts together a better game plan, the Spurs adjust, then advance. Spurs will be in it late.
Suns? - who knows, but probably a 2nd round exit.
Mavs? - no chance.
Rockets? - sorry, but this is their run now - playoffs are not for them.
Hornets? - too young.
Jazz? - don’t have IT.
Warriors? - junk
Enver? - not without D
Lakers? - wild card of the bunch. They could roll, or implode - we’ll see.
….and I’m not sure the East is allowed to have a playoff this year with three teams under .500 -just waiting on David Stern’s ruling in that matter
March 10th, 2008 at 5:50 am
Sfeffen says:
Green is out???
Damn…
http://www.squidoo.com/GeraldGreen
March 10th, 2008 at 6:49 am
Dave says:
Didn’t watch the Spur-Suns game, but am guessing that the Suns needed it much more badly. It will be interesting, to say the least, if the Suns can turn around all that bad publicity. I still think that a fast break team with mobile big men will kill them, come playoff time. Maybe they just match up well with the Spurs?
March 10th, 2008 at 6:56 am
djKianoosh says:
Suns needed a win like that in a big way. I told ya’ll Grant Hill was an improvement over Marion. I know he’s older, but so what? if you want to win now, you saw Hill making verrrry timely shots and plays throughout the game. He just fits in perfectly for that team. Shaq played his role great last night. They can’t have another lapse like they did against Utah though, but more wins like this and they’ll gain some confidence… a Lakers-Suns series would be very good entertainment.
Spurs, if they lose to the Nuggets again and lose their 3rd straight they won’t panic, but they’ll be nervous for sure.
Don’t sleep on Utah with those prognostications… You don’t think they have “it” but with Deron/Boozer, I think they do. If Korver can play his Hornacek role right, they’ll be tough to cover on offense.
March 10th, 2008 at 7:22 am
Celts Fan says:
YOUNGFED, during a timeout during the 2nd half last night, they zoomed out and showed the banners in Detroit, and in the middle there’s a Bon Jovi banner? Once I realized they weren’t showing me a live look-in at a Nets game (they’re from Jersey and beloved there for some reason, so it’d still make no sense, but might be a little more understandable) I was just confused. What the hell is that Bon Jovi banner doing in your rafters?
March 10th, 2008 at 7:25 am
Amar says:
The jazz don’t have IT? well they didn’t last season and won 9 playoff games in the west. this season they are a better team (actually getting something from AK and Brewer this season, CJ can do something when asked, and we’ve added korver and two veteran backup PGs — what did we lose? Derek Fisher, Giricek and Araujo?).
Jazz last 6 games this reg. season will tell the world what they do or do not have. (vs. Spurs, @ Hornets, @ Mavs, vs. Nuggets, vs. Rockets, @ Spurs)
March 10th, 2008 at 7:40 am
Kyle says:
Come on, I know the Bucks are awful, but no mention on how Andrew Bogut looked more hungover than me getting blown out by the 76ers? Dude was straight up snoozing at one point while Dalembert was taking free throws.
March 10th, 2008 at 8:17 am
João says:
So the Suns won against San Antonio and Boston ? This team will be ready for the playoffs. With Amare, Nash, Hill and Shaq, how many teams have 4 potentials MVPs( at some point in the carreer) in the same starting lineup ? Scary team, they matched well against San Antonio and will match well against Bynum and Gasol.
March 10th, 2008 at 8:57 am
GayforRudy says:
Celts fan,
Youngfed-hova is busy with his “career” and will not have the opportunity to answer your question today. He is a very busy man regardless of the fact that he is apparently able to post 20+ times most days.
In his place I will post his question of the day:
Yo
Which one you’s guys think is the best… in order
Kobe Bryant (He has huge nads)
Candy (It tastes good)
Soda (Ditto)
Lebron James (Ditto)
Rip-city Hamilton (He wears a cool mask)
Computers (They are fun too)
March 10th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Brown says:
The funniest part of yesterday’s Suns-Spurs game was at the beginning of the telecast when the announcers were trying to figure out the meaning of the word bogart.
Mike Breen is good, but JVG has to be one of the most annoying announcers ever. He even admitted that he doesn’t know all the times when players can sub into a game, and for a former head coach, that’s really, really bad. Mike Breen had to school him.
March 10th, 2008 at 9:16 am
greeeen says:
Who signs Green? Bobcats? Wizards? Back to Celtics?
March 10th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Kobeef says:
WOW - Gerald Green is in rare company to he a High School All American and picked in the first round..only to be cut a few years later…can’t think of any others like that….anyone?
March 10th, 2008 at 9:43 am
Mat says:
In response to post #11, you got me curious, so I looked it up on Yahoo. Apparently it’s to commemorate them selling out the Palace a few times…lame…
http://www.bonjovi.com/bonjovi/print.php?uf_item_id=1-104790
===============================================
March 10th, 2008 at 7:22 am
Celts Fan says:
YOUNGFED, during a timeout during the 2nd half last night, they zoomed out and showed the banners in Detroit, and in the middle there’s a Bon Jovi banner? Once I realized they weren’t showing me a live look-in at a Nets game (they’re from Jersey and beloved there for some reason, so it’d still make no sense, but might be a little more understandable) I was just confused. What the hell is that Bon Jovi banner doing in your rafters?
March 10th, 2008 at 10:06 am
isotope says:
The rockets are a game and a half out of 1st place. With Jersey and Hawks up; that Hou/Lax game is going to be crazy!
March 10th, 2008 at 10:08 am
Myrie says:
Suns finally won a game and the opponent didn’t score 180pts against them. Impressive.
Beno Udrih or Jose Calderon?
What the hell is going on in Chicago? How did they become so dysfunctional? Players, coaches and management. Wow. What a mess.
I bet you Scott Skiles his happy to be away from the Bulls madness.
Rasho Nesterovic is still in the league? Who knew.?.
I thought he left after complaining about the canadian/american/int’l financial exchange rate.
Eddy Curry sucks. Someone here on Dime keeps insisting the next coach will give Eddy the ball 100x per game next year. How foolish. Even if that did happen, what is Eddy going to do with it?
Pat Riley is quitting on his team. Would he do the same if they were in the playoff picture? I think not. Slick is losing respect. No more 15 strong eh….
Gerald Green got cut? Something is wrong with this dude. His attutide must suck or his work ethic is questionable. Maybe niether; just some bad luck or dumb luck. Either way, he’s turning into the new Jonathan Bender.
March 10th, 2008 at 10:15 am
isotope says:
Gerald Green should have gone to college. Thats it. HS basketball is nothing like the L. Just cuz you understand and dominate HS ball doesnt automatically mean you get NBA ball. College ball is much closer especially if you have a very disciplined coach.
March 10th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Dave says:
GG the new Jonathan Bender?
I never heard that Bender’s attitude was bad…
March 10th, 2008 at 10:23 am
Nick Barnes says:
Yeah, college is great “if you have a very disciplined coach.” Green was committed to Oklahoma State before he went pro. I don’t think Eddie Sutton would have given him the teaching he needed. You see how Tony “The Little Fundamental” Allen turned out.
March 10th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Celts Fan says:
Bender’s attitude was apparently great, unfortunately for him, his knees were not. When he finally retired, he was talked about like a multiple-time all star by the Pacers, including the word “heroic” being thrown around a bit by Larry Bird talking about the kid trying to come back from injury after injury and being really tough, but his body not cooperating.
and hell ya Isotope, had Gerald spent a year or 2 at Ok. State like he almost did, he may have (and I think WOULD have) become the superstar people were projecting. He has the jumper and athleticism, but he lacks the basketball IQ and the ability to accept a lesser role. The good news for him is that you can teach that stuff, not the vert. he has. You just have to be willing to listen and learn, and unfortunately, he hasn’t shown he’s willing to.
Next time he wears a back-pack to a grown-man party, it may be in Europe…
March 10th, 2008 at 10:27 am
Celts Fan says:
Nick, Tony Allen isn’t great, but he’s a nice spark off the bench that can play good D, will occasionally give you double-digit scoring, and always works hard on the court. He just can’t dribble or play the point. He may not be a superstar, but he at least understands and embraces his role and works hard to improve in it. If Gerald did that, he’d still be in the league.
March 10th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
Damn a Jonathan Bender name drop. I forgot all about that cat. He had mad potential. Dime needs to get a in depth interview with gerald and see what his side of the story is. How can somebody like him not find a spot on a team?
The bulls are my squad so this whole situation is sickening. They need to drop half the team and get a coach that demands respect. If Aaron Gray thinks he’s on that level he’s mistaken.
March 10th, 2008 at 10:37 am
respect says:
Chocalate Thunder had the insight when he knocked GG’s kicks off the scorer’s table at the dunk contest.
That only foreshadowed what was to come.
March 10th, 2008 at 10:44 am
YallAllReadyKnow says:
myrie you is a dumbass.
jonathan bender is nothing like gerald green
bender had size and sick skills. green can dunk and thats it.
bender never had a bad attitude in indy. injuries hurt him. shame on ur dumbass if you aint know that.
green just plain ole sucks. overrated. overhyped and a big lip fool like u
March 10th, 2008 at 10:45 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
Funny line about green and the back pack in Europe CeltsFan. Since the suns have a relatively small chance of winning the chip this year they should sign green. I’d like to see him run with them. At the very least he will be on the receiving end of some nasty Nash passes and have some good highlights. At the very most he could be a poor mans shawn Marion. He’s never played with a great point. Maybe that will help out his work ethic.
March 10th, 2008 at 10:52 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
Oh and rest in peace to The Wire. Shit had me glued on Sundays for the past few years. The finale beasted the sopranos finale. Eddie Curry done for the season is news? Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit… One last time for old Clay Davis’ sake.
March 10th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Myrie says:
The Spurs should pick him up. They need to get younger and more athletic anyway. Especially on their bench.
And right now they could get him for cheap. Spurs management keeps every body in check, so Gerald will be well disciplined if thats what he needs. He’ll be surrounded by veterans and a winning attitude. Plus, he’ll still be close enough to home (Houston).
He can be the replacement for Mike Finley and Brent Barry in a 2years.
March 10th, 2008 at 10:58 am
YallAllReadyKnow says:
sheeeeeeeeeeit.
wire finale was cool, but could have been better. some more ppl should have got popped.
i am the marlo stansfield of this board.
my name is my name
there werent any scenes with somebaoy smashing out that lil spanish shorty at the newspaper. somebody should have hit it
and that new mayor too. the black chick. her booty should have been in the air too
March 10th, 2008 at 11:01 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
True that.
March 10th, 2008 at 11:28 am
heavy d says:
Just wanted to share that Philips Arena in Atlanta has a Widespread Panic Banner hanging. Of course, they have plenty of room in the rafters for miscellaneous banners in the ATL.
March 10th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Smitty313 says:
Last time the MVP was awarded to a person not on the top three teams, was Jordan 87-88 season. The bulls were tied with Atlanta for the 6th best record. Jordan averaged 35pts 5rbs 5ast 3stls and 1 blk per game. Lebron is currently on the 12th best team in the league no one has ever been on the 12th best team to win the MVP. Kobe is on the thrid best team in the league at the moment. CP3 the seventh best team in the league. But the media will give the MVP to Lebron who’s team will not finish in the top ten. Looking that up that today I understand why Kobe didn’t win MVP two years ago and why Lebron should not get MVP this year. If the MVP vote goes the way its been going the last 20 years. The only people who should be considered for MVP are on the top three teams Celtics (Garnett, or Pierce), Pistons (Billups) or Lakers (Kobe).
Looking at thoses poeple numbers it has to go to Kobe.
March 10th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
K Dizzle says:
DJ
I’m startin to think you serious about GHill being an improvement over Matrix. Still don’t see it. Matrix’s strenghts are what the suns lack: defense and rebounding
Big win for the Suns but it’s totally different if TD makes one of those 3 layups he shortarmed, but big d from shaq and Amare and huge 3 from Nash on the 30 ft pullup
Dude is still cold
Myrie
Jose vs Beno
perfect tossup - Jose’s been doin it all year for a playoff team, but Beno’s been doin it out west so it’s almost a wash
March 10th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
dagwaller says:
Eddy Curry: 13.2 ppg 4.7 rbpg .5 apg .5 bpg 26 mpg
Darko Milicic: 7.1 ppg 6.1 rbpg .9 apg 1.7 bpg 24.7 mpg (not out for rest of season, doesn’t require the ball to be effective in any way)
March 10th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
isotope says:
y’all hear Wade is shutting it down for the rest of the year?
I never liked dude especially when he was getting all those dumb calls all the way to the championship. Now he’s shutting it down?
March 10th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Celts Fan says:
been playing hurt all year, it’s the smart move for Miami, Dwyane, and the ping-pong balls, and now Shawn Marion can finally be The Man and see he’s a better 2nd option on a good team. Hope you enjoy getting yours and getting beat the f*ck down Shawn…
March 10th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
YallAllReadyKnow says:
Dwyane Wade was my choice for mvp.
if it werent for him, miami would be winless. unlike any other star player or mvp candidate, he’s got no help whatsoever. all the rest do. even lebron had/has a better support cast.
oh well. he can invite charles barkley for a visit now
March 10th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Joe says:
I thought the Dime readers were smarter than this. You guys are trying to come up with a name that would be equal to that of Gerald Green and you come up with Bender? Where are the Minny fans? Come on, there is one guy that suffered the same fate as Green. Straight from the McDonalds All America game, first round pick, cut and gone from the league. Drumroll please……..Ndudi Ebi
March 10th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Ian says:
celts fan
have u checked the mvp thingie on the nba page
garnett is below duncan now
like i said garnett isnt a lock for that first team all nba
timmeh can get it
March 10th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
doc says:
dj what you mean you told us hill means more than Marion because he hit one dum ass shot in the regular season.Hill aint the same player Marion is NOW you might be a fan from back in the day but please. I aint like how the Wire ended.What the fuck was Marlo doing on the street fighting dudes in a suit somebody help me.
March 10th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
1SKILLS says:
i see y’all corrected that Larry Hughes typo, good look. That said, they need to blow the Bulls up, because there is no leadership on that team as it is constructed right now. It’s ALL Paxson’s fault too
March 10th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Celts Fan says:
Ian, KG WILL be the 4 on the all-nba team. Timmy may knock Dwight out of the 5 (cuz let’s be real, Tim’s mostly playing the 5 nowadays) but KG is a lock on that team.
March 10th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
YallAllReadyKnow says:
no way is timmy knocking dwight off at the center spot. only yao ming had a chance. if dwight leads the league in rebs per game, fg pct, double doubles, dunks and his team wins their division, you have to elect him as the starting center on the all nba team.
putting anyone else on their would be pure bullshit.
chris paul and kobe bryant at the guards, lebron james and kevin garnett ad the forwards and dwight howard at center.
March 10th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
dagwaller says:
Yall, you’re a little bit off if you seriously think that Wade was the MVP of the season so far. Who else do you have? Jefferson? Without him, the Wolves wouldn’t have any wins. At least Wade has J Will, Haslem, and Ricky Davis, and HAD Shaq and Mourning.
Dwyane Wade got lucky when he won a title, and isn’t even in the top 10 players in the league. The Heat are the worst team in the League - good luck talking anyone in their right mind into thinking Wade was the MVP.
I agree with your All NBA team, though.
March 10th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Ian says:
well celts lets wait
but dont be sure that duncan is out
top seed in the west with better numbers than kg
but like u said d howard isnt a sure thing either if duncan can be the 5