The One That Got Away
LeBron James (photo. Mannion)LeBron is probably still wondering how the Cavs had their eight-game win streak snapped last night. Cleveland dominated the first half at The Palace: The defense was stingy, LeBron (25 pts) was getting into the lane easy, Mo Williams was earning his money, and Ben Wallace even looked unusually competent on offense for a minute. Then it all fell apart. The Cavs turned the ball over eight times in the third quarter, and with Allen Iverson (23 pts, 4 stls) leading the break, the Pistons cut a double-digit halftime lead to two at the end of the quarter. They kept running in the fourth, highlighted by an Iverson (starter)-to-Afflalo (lob)-to-Maxiell (dunk) break that took all of 2.8 seconds from end to end, and after Mo and A.I. traded buckets for a stretch, Rasheed (21 pts, 15 rebs) knocked down back-to-back treys from John Green’s seat to put the Pistons in control. Even with Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince on the bench (Tay was stalking the sidelines like a coach, though, instructing the young guys on how to guard LeBron), the lineup of Iverson, Afflalo, Rodney Stuckey, Maxiell and ‘Sheed built on the lead and closed it out … D-Wade was playing out of his mind — his 40-point, 11-assist, 5-block line against the Raptors was the NBA’s first 40-10-5 since Alvan Adams did it for the Suns (47-12-5) back in 1977 — but between Anthony Parker’s threes and Andrea Bargnani (25 pts) having one of his good days, the Heat weren’t able to get the win. LeBron has to be the MVP front-runner at this point, but Wade is putting together a Kobe-in-’06 resume, where he’s gonna have monster numbers and deserves serious consideration if he carries a mediocre team to at least a playoff spot … Can’t blame Chris Paul for the Hornets dropping one at home to the Kevin Martin-less Kings; CP had 20 points and 15 dimes, his four steals kept him on track toward breaking another NBA record, and he generally made Beno Udrih’s life miserable. But as a whole, N.O.’s defense was atrocious. John Salmons looked like an All-Star, torching them for 29 points, the Kings shot almost 55% from the field as a team, and Bobby Jackson rose from the dead and lit up his old squad during a key fourth-quarter run … Nice to see Donte Greene finally getting some run. Kid’s got a nice-looking shot (15 pts, 3 threes) and we can see Sacto’s young frontcourt of Spencer Hawes, Jason Thompson and Greene turning into something decent … If it hasn’t happened already, the Tim Duncan locker room explosion is coming any day now. Yesterday he was struggling with his shot (4-for-13 FG’s) while getting poked and prodded by Kenyon Martin, plus he wasn’t getting any help — the Spurs shot 2-for-17 beyond the arc. Eventually he snapped, picking up a tech in the second half when he didn’t get a call and berated a ref while going back on D. Duncan’s whiny act is definitely nothing new, but seeing as the refs usually let him get away with it, whatever he said this time must have been out of character … Like a lot of Spurs games this year, it was just weird watching them share the court with the Nuggets and Carmelo’s squad clearly being the better team. The whole thing was summed up in one play: ‘Melo missed a free throw, and while going for the rebound, Nene wrestled the ball away from Matt Bonner, sent Bonner to the deck, and dunked over him with the ice-cold step-over …
Caron Butler, Dime #36After what we’ve seen over the last two days, we feel sorry for Wizards fans. With one minute left in the fourth quarter and Washington protecting a lead against the Hawks, DeShawn Stevenson let Joe Johnson drill a three in his face. Apparently thinking he needed to get his pride back, Stevenson took a wild three on the next trip that missed everything, opening the door for Marvin Williams to nail ATL’s go-ahead bucket on a corner three. Now playing from behind, Juan Dixon took an unnecessary shot too early into the clock, and after the Wizards tracked down the offensive bard (with about 11 seconds left), Nick Young took ANOTHER ill-advised shot that had no chance, ending their last good chance at a W … Now consider the fact that Stevenson, Dixon and Young combined to go 10-for-32 on the night, while Caron Butler (32 pts) and Antawn Jamison barely touched the ball in that last sequence, and compare it to the Hawks’ game-winning play: The ball started out in the hands of the man with the hot hand (Mike Bibby, 25 pts), then went to the best overall player (Johnson), then ended up with Marvin as the third option who had an open look from a spot on the floor where he’s hit big shots before. Does no one on the Wizards outside of Caron understand how to play basketball? Do any of them understand the concept of time and score? And are those facets of the game really going to improve that much when Gilbert Arenas gets back? The Lottery beckons … Did you see that baseline dunk Kevin Durant unleashed on the Clippers? Smart move by Chris Kaman to stay on the ground. Not smart by Cat Mobley to go for the block. And business as usual by Tim Thomas to just let KD blow past him without making an effort … T-Mac put his knee to the test for the first time since Monday, and looked OK against the Mavs. There was some bad, like when he went for an alley-oop and looked like someone who can barely dunk while botching the play; and there was some good, like when he elevated and sent a Jason Kidd layup to the frank man. The explosiveness and change-of-direction wasn’t really there for McGrady, but then again it hasn’t really been there this year anyway. He scored 16 on 5-for-14 shooting, and if Aaron Brooks and/or Rafer had been able to do anything at all with Jason Terry (31 pts), maybe the Rockets could have survived playing without Yao … If you’re in the NYC area, the Dime crew will be all over Madison Square Garden tonight for the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic. Duke and Southern Illinois tip-off at 7 p.m. EST, and Michigan meets UCLA after that. We’ll have a table set up in the arena concourse, so drop by and say what’s up and pick up some free stuff … We’re out like the Wizards’ basketball IQ …
November 20th, 2008 at 6:03 am
solomon says:
primera!
that 132,365,123,756 pt lead by rip city is disgusting…
we’re out like cleveland’s win streak…
November 20th, 2008 at 6:06 am
AB_40 says:
man I was just too damn tired to watch cavs pistons too bad sounds like it was a great game… ah well detroit boston tonight with that matchup I don’t give a rat’s ass about college hoops haha
November 20th, 2008 at 6:07 am
UKnow says:
Is it possible for Bargnani to have at least two solid games in a row for the Raps?
Am I asking too much?
November 20th, 2008 at 6:09 am
Austin Burton says:
“Bargnani” is Italian for “Chris Wilcox”
November 20th, 2008 at 6:14 am
YOUNGFED says:
YOUNGFED’S BANGER OF THE DAY: Jay-Z live
http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=28608
This might be one of my favorite songs alltime. Listen to the lyrics.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“We are just playing,” Wallace said of the wins over the Cavs and Lakers. “We don’t care if they’re the best team in the NBA. We are just trying to make ourselves better.”
SHEED for President top 10 allday. Who got a problem with it.
November 20th, 2008 at 6:14 am
loc says:
Finally caught a raps game this year,
Bargs was solid and if he can keep it up they have one massive front court. Just compared to last year he was going for boards, driving and wasn’t AS trigger 3 happy.
Seeing JO was like a blessing!!! Compared to watching Rasho things just look so much more fluid, if the raps had a 2 or 3 who could create off the dribble they’d have all the pieces.
November 20th, 2008 at 6:17 am
YOUNGFED says:
“Sensitive thugs yall all need hugs” -Jay-Z
November 20th, 2008 at 6:17 am
that's whats up says:
Barn-Yawn-E
eShawn Stevenson needs to get some D
Bonner getting disgraced: is that newsworthy or just a daily occurrence?
November 20th, 2008 at 6:24 am
Flying_Aussie_Dutchman says:
You gotta think Andrea Bargnani was such a bad pick for number ONE overall
November 20th, 2008 at 6:32 am
YOUNGFED says:
Hey Austin what I gotta do to get my girl posted in the DimePiece section. She did play highschool ball in Windsor, On and is a 4sure DIME. What up?
November 20th, 2008 at 6:38 am
Austin Burton says:
@YOUNGFED — Speak to “The Jed”
November 20th, 2008 at 6:46 am
YOUNGFED says:
Tell him to shoot me an email if you can.
November 20th, 2008 at 7:11 am
iain. says:
What did the Wizard’s do to the offensive bard after they’d tracked him down?
November 20th, 2008 at 7:19 am
MC3PO says:
I think Gil has taken Nick Young as his shooting “Padawan.” Not too good.
“Trust in the Force, Nick.”
“Really, just close my eyes and jack up shots?”
“Sure, they love it when I do it.”
November 20th, 2008 at 7:31 am
John says:
40 - 10 - 5 statline . When you guys say its a record you guys means points - assists - blocks , right ? Not every 40 - 10 - 5 ?
November 20th, 2008 at 7:31 am
rodnets says:
I watched the Raptors game last night, the looked legit. Miami had no chance, those ice cold daggers from the corner that Parker made, great tempo management from Calderon, and a really tall frontcourt with Bosh-JO-Mozzarelli.
Cleveland is an average team, LeBron is the only one that matters.
T-mac looked old with that bearded look and old man moves. Injuries are paying its dues to Vince’s cousin.
Dallas - HOU game was eyepain.
The Timmy’s “No Handed” Spurs supporting cast looks worse that the OKC Thundersonics. He will explode any minute now, and fiercelly break a paper glass or two!!
Peace
November 20th, 2008 at 8:01 am
the_don_mega says:
maybe Stevenson can’t feel his face… anyway, nice track FED…
November 20th, 2008 at 8:11 am
rangerjohn says:
you know, the spurs game was hard to watch after the half, it was not that bad until the half. the thing that pisses me off though, why the hell does league pass have the commentators from denver talking IN SAN ANTONIO? there is nothing worse then listing to the visiting teams people all night. i mean damn if the spurs had been in denver, then i can understand. it doesnt mater who is playing where, the home team should have the commentation going, not the visitors.
November 20th, 2008 at 8:22 am
fallinup says:
Thanks for not mentioning my bulls today, Dime. Really, thank you. That was probably one of the worst displays in team basketball ever last night by Chicago. If that’s what Del Negro brings, he should be fired. Hell, just fire the whole damn team.
November 20th, 2008 at 9:19 am
itsakademiks says:
man the wiz are horrible this sequence of events sums up their whole season…..deshawn stevenson has the rock at the top of the key with about 10 sec to go before half time. shot clock was a second off this guy jacks a contested three leaving enough time for flip murray to race down the court and drain a 3 at the buzzer.
November 20th, 2008 at 9:21 am
nao_diga says:
I’m a Cavs homer, but last night’s game is why I still can’t put them in the top three. I think they have the potential to be much improved this year, and maybe even contend for the chip (hey I said I was a homer). But until they show that they can beat a quality team on the road at least once in a while, how can you put up them up at the very top?
November 20th, 2008 at 9:23 am
Brown says:
I caught the start of that Bulls game. To say it was ugly is an understatement. When Drew Gooden gets the ball on the wing (all by himself in the frontcourt) and tries to get to the rim, it’s just embarrassing. He was about 5 steps away from the defender, who just stood there waiting for the charge, which Gooden inevitably was called for.
That, along with Larry Hughes bricking questionable jumpers, told me the game was over before the Bulls scored their second point.
The Raptors live and die by the 3-ball. It’s been that way for years and isn’t about to change any time soon.
November 20th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Jim says:
Gotta give the Pistons a lot of credit. They’ve taken down the 2 hottest teams in the league (Lakers / Cavs) in less then a week while they are still adjusting to AI. Plus, they should get McDyess back in December, so I don’t think they’ve reached their peak yet.
November 20th, 2008 at 9:33 am
JCARR says:
Thnx for the post. So bored in class. Learning about Dante’s Inferno.
Take this Interesting test: To see if you go to Hell or heaven. (according to Dante)
http://www.4degreez.com/misc/dante-inferno-test.mv
November 20th, 2008 at 9:34 am
one66soul says:
Wow more than one sentence about the Hawks. Go Dime.
November 20th, 2008 at 9:44 am
GEE...to the highest bidder says:
Houston up!
Imma just say this and be out!
Houston really needs to address the situation at the 1. It’s like they are trying to take to mediocre guards to equal to an excellent one.
Problem is those 2 are inconsistent and so you are always at a half.
No way the Jet should be droppin 30 on any team. 25 at best. Not to say he ain’t good, just he shouldn’t be droppin 30 and Kidd shouldn’t be hitting wide open 3’s.
I still say Houston should package Skip with some draft picks and cash and perhaps Hayes and Von Wafer (what the crap on that name…and he black ain’t he?) and get a real consistent floor general.
Still it’s early so perhaps something will happen that will change my mind.
Right now it’s a problem.
Von Wafer?
November 20th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Michorizo says:
I can’t wait to get my eyes on YOUNGFEDS girl…
November 20th, 2008 at 9:52 am
karizmatic says:
You guys hit it right on the head exactly why I hate everyone on the Wizards except Caron (and Javale), which my Lakers should have never traded to that God forsaken team, but since we got Pau eventually so I ain’t mad anymore. Anyway I watched that game and it was horrible, all they’ve done is let Deshawn shoot like he’s Gilbert Arenas, the difference in that game is that Gilbert would have taken the shot that Dixon took and the ill advised 3 that Stevenson took. Gil would have at least made one of those two shots which would hve kept the Wizards in the game. On a good night Gil would have made both of the shots and the Wizards would have won. That’s the only thing that Gil changes, but they still suck.
November 20th, 2008 at 9:56 am
Amar says:
I’ll tell LeBron how his streak was lost:
Deeeeeeee-troooooit Basssss-keeeet-Baaaaaaalllll
November 20th, 2008 at 9:59 am
Amar says:
Btw, Utah is 1st in the L in apg — even w/o Deron Williams. Guys are stepping up all over the place for the Jazz this season. Jerry Sloan was talking on the radio the other day about how so far this season he’s had to play AK at every position. (mostly due to injuries)
We love to make lists about guys in the NBA that we think can really do it (with LeBron being the tops on all NBA lists evar!), but AK is actually doing it this season. Give props where it is due. The Jazz have one of the best records in the league . . . dude may even earn TWO free passes this year!
November 20th, 2008 at 10:03 am
loganlight says:
D WADE for MVP…
Unfortunately Chris Paul is due and will probably suck the best year (statistically) away from Wade.
Shame.
LL
November 20th, 2008 at 10:07 am
YOUNGFED says:
@#27
WTF? That’s a lil stalker’ish. I see I’ma have took keep annonimous
November 20th, 2008 at 10:08 am
Tom S. says:
Being on the 2nd night of a road back-to-back caught up with the Cavs in the 2nd half against a rested Pistons team. That and the fact that Mo and Delonte both went to the bench early in the 3rd with 4 fouls.
November 20th, 2008 at 10:19 am
P_Dizzle says:
Houston might be interested in trying to acquire Starbury if the Knicks ever release him. Wonder what the night-life would be like after a game with Ron-Ron and Starbury.
November 20th, 2008 at 10:19 am
P_Dizzle says:
LMAO @ post 4
November 20th, 2008 at 10:32 am
K Dizzle says:
lol @
“And business as usual by Tim Thomas to just let KD blow past him without making an effort”
Lol what a waste of talent.
Dude is every convo for doin the least with the most talent. Comin outta high school as a complete pro player and never improved at all and just kinda got happy cashin checks…….damn shame
November 20th, 2008 at 10:35 am
K Dizzle says:
and a grown man game by Jermaine O’Neal. Raps can shoot 3s all day if they gonna be makin em like that and they got JO and CB4 on the clean up crew. One slasher away from makin teams real nervous
November 20th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
@JCARR–
You really gotta take that test bro? WTF is that? What class are you taking, The Devils Mind?
November 20th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
doug says:
All of you who crowned the Cavs so early, like always, I was right. They ran off seven in a row against really sub par teams, that streak stopped when the played an actual team. They lost to the Piston and Boston, need I say anymore. Bron isn’t going to a finals anytime soon.
November 20th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
jeremy says:
wow the gil hate is unbelievable dime. we would absolutely be over .500 with him in the lineup. he actually controls the game so 2nd and 3rd options like caron and antawn don’t have to. to anyone who said the wiz are better without gil i guess now you have your answer.
November 20th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
jussumguy says:
LOL @ “from John Green’s seat”
November 20th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
baron von faulk says:
“I never let Tim do what he wants to do,” said Denver’s Kenyon Martin, the man most often assigned to Duncan. “I never have, I never will.”
. . . . . .
Really?! I seem to remember Timmy almost posting a QUADRUPLE DOUBLE on that ass in the ‘03 Finals beeyaaaatch.
November 20th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
VERTMAN says:
Watched most of the Heat/Raps game. Wade was ripping the place up! Too bad no W. Nice to see Andrea B. put two in a row together.