How will T-Mac respond?(photo. Marc Morrison)
It’s over. After 22 straight wins — 10 of them without Yao Ming — the Rockets finally dropped one last night, at home to the Celtics, who as Kevin Garnett pointed out in the post-game are on a good little run of their own (13 W’s in their last 14). Boston won the game on defense; the same D they slapped on the Spurs the other night where the opponent’s star player gets shut down (T-Mac scored 8 points) and the other guys have to shoulder the load. While a struggling Spurs team, who can cover for Duncan with Manu and Tony Parker, can withstand that and keep it close, the Rockets’ weaker supporting cast earned them a 20-piecing … Offensively for Boston, Paul Pierce (20 pts) finished the job in the second half that Leon Powe (21 pts) started in the first. KG had 22 points, 11 boards, 3 steals and 2 blocks, and delivered the dagger with a monster dunk in traffic late in the fourth. For some reason, almost immediately after Garnett caught that dunk, Doug Collins was begging Doc Rivers to get him out of the game ASAP. It was like Collins thought KG was gonna go postal if he stayed in for another minute … Funny how we’re a month away from the end of the regular season and the announcers were basically introducing the national audience to the Rockets, namely guys like Mike Harris and Chuck Hayes. At one point Collins screamed, “Who are these guys?!?” … It will interesting to see how Houston reacts to the end of the streak. You have to love the way they’ve been playing for the last six weeks and hope it continues. The Rockets go after loose balls, set solid screens, hit the boards and play help D; they actually like playing with each other and go all-out for each other, two things that can overpower sheer talent in a lot of cases … Whenever the Hornets and Rockets play again, look for David West to have a monster game. (Or at least try.) During an interview that aired last night, Rafer Alston noted that while everyone talks about the Rockets constantly getting injury-depleted teams on the schedule (Ray Allen was out on Wednesday), no one mentions that Houston doesn’t have Yao. Rafer brought up the time when the Rockets beat the Hornets and West was hurt. “He’s not a superstar,” Rafer said. “He’s a star player for their team, but he’s not a superstar.” Skip is right, but with the way pro athletes are wired, you know West will take that as a slight … The flagrant foul call on Luis Scola when he decked Tony Allen was weak. Just because a guy goes down hard doesn’t make the foul itself any worse. The Scola/Allen collision would have barely registered back when the old-timers played. Today it could get you ejected. Question: If 2008 rules were in place when Mike was busy getting hammered by the Pistons, how many championships would he have retired with? 10? … About that little shoving match between Rafer and Rajon Rondo: Kenny and Charles shouldn’t assume they can’t fight just ’cause they’re skinny. Yes, Rondo/Rafer had shades of Deion Sanders vs. Andre Rison, but remember there was a time when we all assumed LJ and ‘Zo could fight just ’cause they looked like American Gladiators. And who would have thought Chris Childs could throw blows? … Not trying to clown, but in garbage time we caught a glimpse of Big Baby trying to cross up his defender and firing a nice pass underneath, and we thought it was Pierce for a sec … Did you see what the T’wolves owner said about KG? David Aldridge asked KG about it after the game, and Garnett brushed it off: “I’m in Boston. I’m not thinking about what Glen Taylor says about me,” he said. “That’s nonsense.” … Earlier in the day one of the Dime crew talked to Rashad McCants and asked what he thought of Taylor’s accusation. Rashad was pretty taken aback (it was his first time hearing about it) and said, “It’s not my issue, but I do know KG and he would NEVER tank a season or games.” … We’re starting to see the Suns team Steve Kerr envisioned when he acquired Shaq. Last night they ran on the Blazers when they wanted and picked them apart in the half-court when they wanted … Shaq (16 pts, 15 rebs, 3 blks, 5 asts) was super-active. On one play he ate Jarrett Jack’s layup for lunch, then whipped an Unseld-like outlet to Boris Diaw for a dunk. His antics had the Blazers announcers either amazed or laughing all night … Amare got his buckets (25 pts), but on the other end was getting KILLED by LaMarcus Aldridge (31 pts). After a while Portland’s offense consisted of simply working the ball around the perimeter until LaMarcus established good post position, passing it into LaMarcus and letting him go 1-on-1 against Amare … Say what you want about the Mavs (i.e. they’re not that good), but you can’t say Dirk Nowitzki isn’t clutch. At least for now. Dirk hit some bombs at the end of Mavs/Lakers that kept Dallas in a game they had no business winning, before his last shot — a wild three that Dirk (35 pts, 11 rebs, 5 blks) had to force after nearly losing his handle in the final seconds — didn’t drop for him … Play of the game: Derek Fisher hit a trailing Kobe (29 pts, 7 asts, 3 stls) on the break, who spun in the air because he could and flipped in a layup with his back to the basket … In this week’s NBA Hit List power ranking, we gave the Nuggets credit for lighting up the scoreboards lately, but pointed out they won’t be a serious contender until they play some defense. Carmelo and A.I. and crew showed exactly what we were talking about last night, getting routed in Detroit when the Pistons slapped 136 on ‘em. Rip Hamilton led the way with 24, ‘Sheed had 21, and five others had double-figures. The last time we saw these two meet, the Pistons were executing the hell out of their stuff early on and making the Nuggets look like a high school team. That time, Detroit slacked off and let Denver back into it. This time they just kept their foot on Denver’s throat … CRAZY dunk unleashed on Tyrus Thomas‘ dome by his future self, a.k.a. Stromile Swift. Stro gave the kid a pump fake from the elbow and drove right down Main Street, cocked the ball behind his head and almost ripped the rim off the backboard with a two-hand cram that sent Tyrus reeling. Just vicious. That made up or Stro getting crowned by Drew Gooden in that same game … We’re out like the streak …
March 19th, 2008 at 3:15 am
knoc911 says:
ahh the streak ends
March 19th, 2008 at 3:29 am
tobacher says:
finally some lovin’ for the German Wunderkind
March 19th, 2008 at 3:57 am
givemedanumba says:
first? since no1 said it
March 19th, 2008 at 4:20 am
adrian says:
i’m mad i didn’t get first. anyways…
what happend to tracy macgrady? i feel like he used to be a top caliber nba player and now he scores less than 12 points two games in a row. i’ve seen signs of it throughout the season. i know part of it is that the rest of the rockets are contributing more, but damn. this fool fell off. do you guys think he’s past his prime?
man. the celtics are establishing themselves in this league more than ever as LEGIT championship contenders. we play better and with more passion when we face good teams. i’m looking forward to the playoffs.
denver sucks. they’re not going anywhere with that team. they need to make some major changes. how you gonna give up 136 points to the pistons? damn.
March 19th, 2008 at 4:44 am
the_don_mega says:
“And who would have thought Chris Childs could throw blows? ”
LOL…
still remember him giving kobe one on the kisser…
LOL…
March 19th, 2008 at 5:00 am
Sfeffen says:
Stromile’s dunk was so SICK:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7_vpXoUxv8
March 19th, 2008 at 5:10 am
YOUNGFED says:
Pimps up, H-Town Down (LOL). It’s over and whats up with 8 points in a game like this T-Mac, come on. Can anyone say washed up.
Also Detroit put the smack down on Denver it was like watching a run-n-shoot offense (x)2.
The move by K-Hova was RIDICULOUS. It’s K-HOVA BABY!!!!
March 19th, 2008 at 5:52 am
word says:
Well tru say I wouldn’t have wanted the Rockets to fall off to any other team. Tracy definitely been slacking and that’s gunna have to change if they really want a title.
Celtics in the short amount of time they had in doing what they’ve done is sheerly amazing. Like for real KG is a MVP contender to me, more so than Chris Paul.
Shaq did his thing last night and I am so glad he getting back his rhythm. I want Suns v Celts finals. Because in that case I’d be happy at whoever won, last year was just disappointing and boring, this year is making me love ball again and be excited about it. I would say Houston and Detroit would be good finals too but H-town ain’t no way its going to happen with no Yao and Detroit already got that once and I truly want KG to get a ring he deserves that shit.
I think Kobe will get another chance in the next couple years with Bynum and Gasol having adjusted properly since they haven’t played together really since the injury. And clearly Lebron needs a team to be built around him and he will get a ring too in the further future. Fuck as long as them boring ass Spurs never win again I’ll be happy. Playoffs last year were wack! This year bout to be a event to see for sure.
March 19th, 2008 at 5:56 am
YOUNGFED says:
Word:
KG don’t deserve jack-shit
March 19th, 2008 at 5:58 am
word says:
OK let me clarify and say LeBron wasn’t wack in the playoffs b/c he by his damn self got to the finals and what GS did to Dallas was sick, but other than that the shit made me quite angry with what happened with the Suns. Thats what made it unenjoyable for me. We all knew Lebron couldn’t beat the spurs so the finals weren’t even something i bothered to watch cuz it was too predictable, Bron still did his thing though.
March 19th, 2008 at 6:00 am
kobeef says:
I hate to admit it but the Shaq trade is starting to look like it will work. It says something about Shaq’s commitment though when he can suddenly return to a dominating player after getting a flame under his a$$….this Shaq hadn’t been seen in Miami since the ‘chip.
Sure Dallas came back but that was more about what LA didn’t do (play it’s starters…3 of which are injured and the rest moved to the bench after halftime) that something Dallas did do. Kidd is simply hopeless against Kobe.
Nice game from the Bulls who continue to look good after dumping Big Ben. Five players in double figues and NICE lines from Gooden and Gordon (who had 6 assists by the way - this guy could be the Bulls starting PG if they can dump Heinrich). Apologies to Cleveland fans from Chicago. They promise not to steal from you again.
March 19th, 2008 at 6:04 am
YOUNGFED says:
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
(Chauncey Billups discussing Pistons reseves.)
BENCH PLAY: Just how good are the reserves playing? Ask Billups.
“Really, I’m not exaggerating when I say this, I think they’re playing better than a lot of people’s starting fives around the league — a lot of people,” Billups said after the reserves scored 56 points Tuesday.
Big-ups to Billups, and Big ups to all my Haterrrrs!!
March 19th, 2008 at 6:33 am
Prof. TX says:
Tony Allen did some serious acting. Yeah, he fell kinda hard after the collision with Scola, but he immediately sat back up to argue. Then, he looks around, and lays down on the floor again and suddenly needs help getting up. Pure BS on his part, trying to upgrade it to a flagrant.
And Rondo/Alston, please. Rondo was pretty desperately trying to look tough, but picking a slap-fight with a small PG isn’t the way to do it.
March 19th, 2008 at 7:31 am
NB says:
To Kobeef, Dallas made that run with 4 reserves and Dirk in the lineup. Kidd and Howard were benched for nearly a quarter. And Kobe was in foul trouble for the third quarter. I think the run was impressive and the refs helped LA win it in the end. Not that that’s any excuse, Dallas played like crap for the entire first half. And what’s up with Kidd? Wasn’t he brought in to make the Mavs better? It seems like he has been disapearing a lot in big games. Maybe Avery was right for benching him in SA after all.
March 19th, 2008 at 7:42 am
Celts Fan says:
The Tony Allen/Luis Scola thing was awful. You guys are exactly right. It probably looked worse in real time cuz Scola came down with his arms (and in the end of a chippy game, I guess they’re looking for it, but come on. that’s crap.) That was a good, hard foul to make sure he didn’t get a 3 pt. play, nothing more, and even Tony looked like he knew that and was kind of surprised at the call. Guys that drive that wrecklessly are going to fall awkwardly sometimes. It’s part of the game. I don’t think TA was acting though Prof. Ever get a hip pointer or charlie horse? It takes a second to hit you. Also, I don’t think he wanted to get that upgraded to a flagrant (the game was over, what’s the difference?) but I could be wrong, cuz i did notice the sit up, right back down thing too…
That Rafer/Rondo thing was hilarious! (and Prof. TX, watch it again, Rafer kinda pushed him off, then shoved a forearm in his grill. How would you react?) Rajon had the crazy eyes going. High comedy… Must’ve been thinking that Rafer ain’t shit without his blade!
March 19th, 2008 at 8:31 am
E$ says:
It took the best in the “L” to do it, hats off to my Rockets - what a hell of a run!
March 19th, 2008 at 8:32 am
yallallreadyknow says:
larry johnson fights like a little puss
bitchassness
hate chris childs, but he served up a nice 2piece combo on kobe
even seen some punk on the street with a tshirt of the punch
March 19th, 2008 at 8:48 am
The Big Country says:
We shouldn’t get too ahead of ourselves with the Tyrus Thomas/Stromile Swift comparisons; Tyrus needs at least one more season of mediocre, underachieving basketball under his belt, right?
March 19th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Dennis Castro says:
That line about Tyrus Thomas getting dunked on by his future self reminded me of that episode of Family Guy where Stewie somehow goes to the future and sees himself as an adult.
Ultimately he’s a loser who becomes a major disappointment and never lives up to his grand expectations. The parallels between Stro/Tyrus and Stewie/Future Stewie are eerie.
I watched most of the Celts-Rockets game last night and was wondering where T-Mac was. He needs to step up and get buckets when his team needed it last night and he didn’t. Drive it to the hole man! Create contact get to the line. Not only does it get the Rockets points, but it disrupts the flow of the game for Boston, who got into a nice groove offensively in the 3rd quarter.
Sixers-Nuggets tonight, AI’s first game back in Philly since the trade. Should be entertaining, especially since there’s actually stuff at stake for both teams.
I thought it was impossible for Detroit to score 136, but then again anything’s possible offensively when you play the Nuggets.
March 19th, 2008 at 9:37 am
rangerjohn says:
man rafer is just a thug IMO. i mean 1st he gets in some with palovic on sunday BECAUSE HE GOT FOULED on the arm (which was kinda the whole point at that time in the game) and then he start shit with rondo? come on rafer, i think insecurity set in with him and the rockets>
March 19th, 2008 at 9:39 am
rangerjohn says:
sorry not pavlovic but vujcic, that is the lakers player i could not think of.
March 19th, 2008 at 10:01 am
yallallreadyknow says:
rangerjohn
its cool; they both named sasha
March 19th, 2008 at 10:35 am
isotope says:
for y’all that thought the rockets fans would go into hiding after last night’s embarassing loss.
GO ROCKETS!!!!
still first place in the West. Let’s start another streak.
March 19th, 2008 at 10:57 am
rangerjohn says:
the big test is still to come, can they bounce back and PROOVE the streak was not a combination of luck and an esy schedule?
we will see, i expect they will make the playoffs but they will be around a 7 seed in the end. ROCKETS OUT IN THE 1ST ROUND AGAIN!
March 19th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Boyez says:
It was really dissapointing to see all the rocket fans leave before the game ended……They should have stayed till the game ended and gave the rockets a standing ovation to show some appreciation for the streak…….GO LAKERS!!!!!!!
March 19th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
D.H. says:
To all you T-Mac haters. If he had scored 35 and they had lost people would be saying “look at T-Mac forcing shots, not passing enough, and not getting the team involved.” He comes away leading his team in assists and ya’ll hating on him for not shooting enough. Two games ago the guy played all 48 minuets, his team now holds the second longest winning streak in the L, and they’re tied for 1st in one of the strongest conferences EVER and ya’ll still hating.
March 19th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
rangerjohn says:
people are “hating on tracy” for 2 reasons, 1st he went 4 of 11 and missed his only 2 free throws. a guy who can score as easily as he can and yet shoots less then 70% from the line?
2nd he went 4 of 16 on sunday and shot 50% from the line.
he gets jump shot happy when he should be attacking, and attacks when he should be shoot. he makes pour decisions, and hogs the ball. with yao he was still taking 1/4 of the toal shots the team averaged per game, without yao he is taking almost 1/2 of the shots but shooting barely 41%. he is a volume shooter (like ai) and the rockets need acuracy to win not more shots.
tracy is a hack bottom line.
March 19th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
Damn, Shaq is back to his bullying ways. He was picking fights, talkin’ trash, swinging bows… Whatever it took.
March 19th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
doc says:
Back to reality for the Rockets.J-Kidd stinkin it up. I remember I said Dallas fucked they team up and one of them Texas boys told me to respect.Fuck respect that joker washed up.Damon to for the Spurs.Cut them old ass bums.Give respect to the Rockets for the streak but they like a chick with HIV.She can get dressed up for the party and look all presentable.But shes going down like a sinking ship and taking the jokers who fell for her with her.
March 19th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
rangerjohn says:
doc says:
Back to reality for the Rockets.J-Kidd stinkin it up. I remember I said Dallas fucked they team up and one of them Texas boys told me to respect.Fuck respect that joker washed up.Damon to for the Spurs.Cut them old ass bums.Give respect to the Rockets for the streak but they like a chick with HIV.She can get dressed up for the party and look all presentable.But shes going down like a sinking ship and taking the jokers who fell for her with her.
man was ther a single line in this post that was ENGLISH?
March 19th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
doc says:
Ranger are you a faggot?Can you understand that?You’re the only dickhead who got season tickets for a team you don’t even like.This AINT english class so I can say what i want how i want.The people i want to understand do.Not your nut ass with your homo name.
March 20th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
rangerjohn says:
yeah doc your momma thought i was a fag when i had my cock in her ass last night, can you under stand that muther fucker? fucking keyboard warriors lmao you fucking tough guys.
actually i purchased the season tickets for my customers, because it is just good business since to keep your customers happy NO MATER WHAT TEAM YOU LIKE!.
and as for my name, doc, my name is RANGERJOHN as in my name is john and i am AN ARMY RANGER. SUA SPONTE.
yes this should be english class cause your fucking ebonics makes no since, that is the problem with the USA these days, you fucking keyboard warriors are here speaking some bull shit that makes no since while us REAL warriors are out defending the country so you can sit here and talking bullshit which IMO is a complete slap in the face of every teacher you ever had (i assume you did go to school didnt you? maybe not with that bullshit language you are trying to speak)
March 21st, 2008 at 6:45 am
doc says:
go find bin laden bitch
March 21st, 2008 at 8:29 am
rangerjohn says:
lmao come join me tough guy, the way you type, keyboard warrior, i am sure you can back it up right? never mind, i am guessing you are some 22 yr old punk who dropped out and blames the system for your failures, instead of looking at yourself and seeing, 1) you just didnt try hard enough, 2) your parents doomed you from the start because you come from a broken home or they just never gave a shit, 3) you where to busy hanging out with your HOMIES ma nizzle to both going to school.
wait are you on the computer at the library? i bet you are at the public library borrowing the internet arnt you?
maybe you should step away from the computer and go check out a HOOKED ON PHONICS cassette tape.