Grown-Man Style
Kobe Bryant (photo. Chris Sembrot)By now we think it’s safe to say Kobe Bryant owns the Nuggets. You saw the misery he brought upon Carmelo and A.I.’s squad in last year’s playoffs, and last night Kobe had his first “Kobe” game of the young season in Denver, dropping 33 points in L.A.’s first non-blowout win … ‘Melo came out for his season debut with a fresh cut (well, it’s wasn’t fresh fresh; he looked like he hadn’t gotten his line done in a minute), the first time we’ve seen ‘Melo without braids since maybe high school. The grown-man style works for ‘Melo, but we gotta admit we’ll miss the nightly competition between he and Iverson to see who could have the more creative braid pattern. Plus now that ‘Melo, Rip Hamilton and Tyronn Lue have dropped the cornrows, A.I. is one of the last men standing … Where was Andrew Bynum? All that noise about a contract extension, and his first game post-payday he gets four points (all on free throws) and spent the whole night in foul trouble against one of the League’s weakest frontcourts … By contrast, did you see Pau Gasol (16 pts, 16 rebs) unleash that nasty left-hand dunk on Birdman Andersen? … Of all people, Indiana governor Mitch Daniels (an announce-table guest) hit the nail on the head in describing Pacers/Celtics, something along the lines of: “Boston is supposed to have the best defense, but they look like the ones confused on offense by our guys.” Indy simply out-hustled the C’s on both ends of the floor, handing the champs their first loss of the season while flirting with a 20-piece for much of the second half, forcing 24 Boston turnovers, and benefiting from some terrible outside shooting; Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Eddie House combined to go 8-for-35 from the field … Danny Granger went for 20 points, sticking a bunch of J’s in Pierce’s eye. Granger lost his two front teeth in the process, though, when he dove for a loose ball and Pierce fell on top of him. The scene was pretty gross; it looked like shattered glass on the floor instead of teeth. Granger is just lucky that, (1) $60 million should cover a decent dental bridge, and (2) it wasn’t Big Baby that fell on him, otherwise he might be dead … On that note, there was a dude in the Indiana crowd who looked exactly like Beetlejuice (the dwarf, not the movie/cartoon character) and maybe had six total teeth in his mouth … NBA TV’s Steve Smith had high praise after the game for Indiana’s “Troy Murray,” whoever that is … Smitty also gave Derrick Rose a lot of love, saying the rookie is quicker and more powerful than Chris Paul. Would you agree with that? Rose was a beast on Saturday, putting up 26 points in a win over the Grizzlies. Three games in, and this is clearly his Bulls squad; we don’t even think Paul imposed his skill on the Hornets so quickly and emphatically … In the meantime, CP went for 24 points and 15 assists in N.O.’s home opening win over the Cavs. One thing Paul has mastered that Rose should watch is that he always rewards his big men when they make a defensive play and when they run the floor. Yesterday he hit Hilton Armstrong multiple times in transition after Hilton did his part and hustled down the court … LeBron had 15 points and 13 assists, but never really seemed to get in a flow. Some of that had to do with James Posey (15 pts, 4 stls) — who one time picked ‘Bron clean in the open court — and some was just due to simple mistakes and missing shots. LeBron was whistled for a tech in the second half when he got Rasual Butler up in the air, got the bump when he went up for the shot, but the ref didn’t call anything, leading ‘Bron to scream on him … Melvin Ely’s hair is ridiculous. He doesn’t look like vintage Ben Wallace as much as he looks like an actual clown … Anyone else surprised at how good Jermaine O’Neal has been? Not that he’s putting up the 20-and-10 numbers he used to, but J.O. is doing exactly what the Raps brought him in to do: block shots, anchor the defense kind of like a poor/slow man’s KG, and at minimum, pose enough of a scoring threat that opposing defenses can’t entirely focus on Chris Bosh. O’Neal had a modest 11 points, eight boards and two blocks against the Bucks — including one where he sent a Charlie Villanueva dunk attempt back in Charlie’s face — and opened things up for Bosh to post 20 and 10 … It’s gotta be unsettling for Bucks fans that Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (or “Aboo ah Matu” according to Rick Kamla) is getting significant minutes. As in, he’s the first guy off their bench. And those red unis are slightly unsettling, too. Last night we were all confused with the Bucks wearing red at home and the Raps wearing white-and-red … On the flip side, Orlando’s new unis look sick at home. Dwight Howard put up 29 points, 14 boards and five blocks against a sparring-session caliber crew of Spencer Hawes, Mikki Moore, Jason Thompson and Shelden Williams, and the struggling Magic picked up their first W of the season. Orlando finally seemed to get the whole ball-movement thing; they had 25 assists on 44 made field goals (56 percent) next to just 12 turnovers … Other notable performances from last night: Gerald Wallace scored 34 in Charlotte’s win over Miami; Joe Johnson hit for 35 in Atlanta’s win over Philly; Corey Maggette and Andris Biedrins combined for 43 points and 21 boards in Golden State’s win over New Jersey; Carlos Boozer had 25 and 10 in Utah’s win over the Clippers; and Amare had 23 points, 13 boards and might have totaled the rim in Phoenix’s win over Portland … We’re out like Granger’s teeth …
November 2nd, 2008 at 7:34 am
darko says:
kobe=mvp=ring
November 2nd, 2008 at 7:35 am
sans says:
Granger looked goofier than that Goober Ostertag, when he kept pulling out his front teeth come playoff time. I have a friend that went to KU at the same time Ostertag was there, and was disgusted with himself at having slept with two chicks that had gotten beneath the ugliest man to ever play NBA ball…
November 2nd, 2008 at 7:36 am
sans says:
Darko–with that equation–what happened last year?
November 2nd, 2008 at 7:50 am
Nasty says:
I am not surprised with JO.
Guy plays injured for 3 years for an organization haunted with problems and people call him washed up.
90% of the teams in the league would die for a “poor man’s KG”
Calderon needs to get some serious All star votes this year
November 2nd, 2008 at 7:51 am
YOUNGFED says:
Hey Dime you guys do know the PISTONS played last night too (WTF)(Geesh yall some haters).
It’s a lil too early to say D Rose is better than CP3 just yet. But he is making an early run for rookie of the year. I thought Oden would be playing better by now. I’m gonna miss Melo’s Braids (*sigh*).
YOUNGFED’S BANGER OF THE DAY: New Talib Kweli (Fire)
http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=28855
I’m out like Melo’s braids and Bynums game (lol)
November 2nd, 2008 at 7:53 am
darko says:
heh,true sans,but i have good feeling for this season…as long as they keep lamar happy.
November 2nd, 2008 at 8:00 am
that's whats up says:
correction to post 1
kobe<mvp<ring
November 2nd, 2008 at 8:23 am
the_don_mega says:
ya DIME… no ove for Walter Herrmann??? dude had his gameface ON last night… so did Kwame for a couple of times down the floor! BTW… Danny Granger is a class act… after getting a fat deal from the Pacers, he still goes all out and loses his teeth in the C’s game. much props to him. just shows that there are still some young ‘uns out there who have total love/respect for the game and not just glide with the contracts they’ve been given.
@FED… as always…. tight joint right there!
November 2nd, 2008 at 8:25 am
Keith says:
Now where is Jamaio Moon?
http://www.scribd.com/doc/2309159/Jamario-Moon-Dunk-Videos-or-How-to-Increase-Vertical-Jump
November 2nd, 2008 at 8:25 am
jk says:
Hey is it just me or do we see the end of Rocky asking Kobe how his ass tastes in this vid?…
http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3677820&categoryId=2459788
November 2nd, 2008 at 9:32 am
Young Lebron 23 says:
I don’t know about being quicker than CP3 but Derrick Rose is definetley bigger and more athletic than CP3. This will be a great point guard battle with more talent like Young Money coming in next year.
November 2nd, 2008 at 10:14 am
Dagomar says:
Lebron had a terrible night, in spite of all his assists. Granted he was mugged a few times and didn’t get to shoot free throws, but his outside shooting has been brutal so far and he’s not taking shots. I hope he isn’t tired from the Olympics and preparing to coast through the season like he did a couple years back.
The Raps seemed tired but Calderon might be the best PG in the East now. He can shoot like Nash and his passing is insanely underrated . . . plus he’s got some nice weapons all over the court. Barring injury, TO is a 50-win team.
November 2nd, 2008 at 10:15 am
LakeShow84 says:
Bynum better pick his s#$t up! Man he makin it rain and getting his money better not mess up this kids psyche.. I aint seen or heard a whole lot of Kareems praises either.. We aint sweating yet though..
November 2nd, 2008 at 10:18 am
LakeShow84 says:
I luv how Posey is allowed to straight strong arm peeps on the court.. Has anyone ever seen someone try the spin move on him? Dude straight grabs jersey and bumps the player.. and he never gets called.. Its the whole defense by repuatation.. they let cats go out there and mug you if they have a defensive “stigma”
But if you a rookie?? Shit you better not even let your sweat land on dudes arm cuz he shooting two..
November 2nd, 2008 at 10:19 am
control says:
My Raps are really looking good. They are coming through in OT and at the end of games, which is something that they have NEVER been able to do. It used to be, if Toronto went to OT, it was game over, Raps lose. If they picked up a swingman who could make his own shots when the offense gets stale…they might be contenders.
Jose is looking REALLY solid. He has to get at least some consideration for All Star game.
November 2nd, 2008 at 10:45 am
YOUNGFED says:
@Dagomar
Point Gaurds that are better than Calderon (in order)
1.) Billups
2.) Rose
3.)Gilbert Arenas
4.) Andre Miller
5.) Rodney Stuckey
@Mega
You know I bring them hits pimpin’.
Picks of Braidless Melo
http://www.mediatakeout.com/2008/27883-oh_my_nba_superstar_carmelo_anthony_cuts_off_his_braids__we_kinda_like_it_though_.html
http://www.mediatakeout.com/2008/27864-deadbeat_former_nba_star_tries_to_file_bankruptcy_to_prevent_his_8_babys_mothers_from_suing_him_for_child_support_.html
November 2nd, 2008 at 10:58 am
RyansGuns says:
Youngfed:
Have you watched Calderon play? As a Sixers fan he scares the sh%$ out of me. I would put him on par with Miller and Billups, but a way better PG than Arenas, yeah Gil can score but he does NOT make his team mates better witch is what a PG is suppoed to do! Stuckey and Rose are not even close, they both have potential but Rose have a good game and everyone is ready to crown him King!
November 2nd, 2008 at 11:10 am
control says:
YOUNGFED
Ease up on the spiked halloween candy boy. Rose and Stuckey better than Jose? How many games Rose played so far? 3? Let the guy grow a set before saying he’s better than someone who could be turning into one of the best pure point guards in the game right now (as far as passing and making teammates better).
Gil ain’t even a point guard. Andre Miller is like 100, though, I will still admit he’s a good pure point guard.
November 2nd, 2008 at 11:12 am
jl90 says:
yo the denver announcers are such undenied homers its ridiculous. they were openly cheering for the lakers to miss every basket last night and gave birdman three of those random in-game awards, like “subway super sub of the night”…
November 2nd, 2008 at 11:19 am
Max says:
Youngfed, most of the guys you mention are better scorers (in streaks) than Calderon, and Rose may very well be the next great point with some seasoning. But outside of Billups, Calderon might be the best pure PG at this time, especially now that he’s got the team to himself (no looking over his shoulder at T.J.).
November 2nd, 2008 at 11:29 am
Skywalker says:
Jose Calderon is probably the second best PG in the NBA behind Chris Paul. Maybe third best depending on how Deron plays. Jose is like Nash with defence. I’ll definitely be giving him All-Star votes. Respect.
November 2nd, 2008 at 11:29 am
Dagomar says:
YOUNGFED,
Quite possibly the stupidest basketball-related post I’ve seen since Charley Rosen assured everyone in 2003 that Lebron would be a bust.
Jose was only the most efficient point in the league last year, and he’s only getting better. Try and watch a game or even look up stats sometime.
November 2nd, 2008 at 11:32 am
tim says:
WHAT WHAT WHAT!
Where is the mention of Walter Hermann destroying the Wizards last night by himself…Everytime the Pistons needed a big bucket…was it Rip, Sheed, Billups, Stuckey taking the shot. Nope. It was Walter. Dude has sick game. Detroit’s bench had 55 points I think? It was 50-something anyways…
and Dime, why no mention of that Kwame Brown sighting? Granted it was a flash in the pan moment…but he straight up blew by Blatche 2 straight times. Course he offset that earlier in the night by throwing the basketball at the backboard while attempting a pass to someone underneath the hoop…
November 2nd, 2008 at 11:34 am
tim says:
yeah Jose has been killing it so far…my fantasy team thanks him
November 2nd, 2008 at 11:46 am
johnny says:
@tim
They mentioned that Rip dropped the cornrows. So, they could have disregarded the Pistons more.
November 2nd, 2008 at 11:51 am
Mo says:
I agree with Young Lebron in that Rose is bigger and more athletic than CP3 but is he smarter than CP3(B-ball IQ)? Will he lead his Bulls to 20 more wins in his rookie season? We have yet to see that. They don’t even seem like the same type of point guard so people need to stop comparing them.
November 2nd, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Jah says:
DID ANYONE SEE DWIGHT HOWARD’S DOUBLE-BLOCK ON KEVIN MARTIN? HE BLOCKED THE LAY-UP ONCE WITH HIS LEFT HAND AND IMMEDIATELY AGAIN WHILE IT WAS IN THE AIR WITH HIS RIGHT.
STRAIGHT CENTAUR-ISH.
DIME, CAN WE GET A YOUTUBE LINK?
November 2nd, 2008 at 1:26 pm
QQ says:
Wow, the struggling Magic? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. What happened, were they on a 53 game losing streak or something?
Oh, we’re only 3 games into the season, my bad.
In other news, the Hawks, who have a whopping 2-0 record, are now the greatest team ever (their 1.00 winning percentage is better than the .878 posted by the 95-96 Chicago Bulls, considered by many as the previous greatest team).
November 2nd, 2008 at 1:33 pm
QUE GUEVARA says:
Bynum’s impact last night was more on the defensive end. The only reason he couldn’t do much on offense was because he was in foul trouble like most of the Lakers last night.
November 2nd, 2008 at 1:36 pm
deeds says:
wow youngfed is absolutely retarded if he actually believes all those guys are better than Calderon
try watching a game outside of deeeeetroit for once
November 2nd, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Dagomar says:
PS, just because I can’t resist knocking Rosen - this is Rosen on a 17-year-old Lebron:
“In high school, LeBron James might be a man among boys — but in the NBA, he’ll be a boy among men. Skilled, experienced, powerful, and above all, ruthless men.”
http://espn.go.com/page2/s/rosen/021213.html
November 2nd, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Austin Burton says:
Youngfed unleashes the Raptor demons.
@tim — There was like 57 games on last night. Not all of them got mention.
November 2nd, 2008 at 5:28 pm
K Dizzle says:
Didn’t think Pau had it like that. That cram on Birdman was filthy! Relax on AB. Dude was in foul trouble and that contract extension wasn’t for matchups with Denver’s quick front line. It was for matchups with Duncan, Yao, Shaq,Damp and Diop, Big Z, Chandler etc…..you know….teams that might actually stand in the way of a chip quest
November 2nd, 2008 at 7:36 pm
ab_40 says:
man melo without braids was a shocker haha. I didn’t even care about the game cuz nugs don’t know their roles well enough. I just tried to get a clean look at that dude. Yeah the hair wasn’t fresh no more. But why did he do it… JO’s and rips hair lines were gettint ridiculously far back but melo’s is ok right? or is he going bold as well? ah well I watched uhm OKC vs houston a little while. OKC is gonna be a good team one day… just not this season. And does mike d’antoni shed a tear every time he sees derrick rose play in chicago where he almost signed hehe. chicago btw looks like a Juco team on steroids… far too many guards some international players and bigs who only get the ball when they rebound haha
November 2nd, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Stepper says:
Like FED said all of those players are better than calderon. He will not be in the alla star, oh wait, he might get an MVP too.
November 2nd, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Magnifico says:
Rose is a beast and will be a scoring point because of his mad speed. have you seen him put pressure on the D on a fast break.. nasty.
Tough on him since he won’t get the same team success as CP3 since his team doesn’t have any solid post threat. Such a shame.
November 2nd, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Magnifico says:
And calderon is SOLID. He’s the perfect set-up guy for Bosh and the raps. Doesn’t force turnovers and makes shots. Don’t care where he ranks now among PGs but he sure is effective.
November 2nd, 2008 at 11:21 pm
jay says:
kobe is the man…nuff said!!! raps mvp!!!! 33 in game 3!!! he was just going on auto-pilot as well!
November 3rd, 2008 at 12:14 am
doc says:
When ai came in he was the only one with braids so its only right the copiers/dickeaters leave him as the last man standing.I think Rose quicker and stronger than Cp too.Nobody said he was better.That comes with the game smarts that come with expirience.And yall can talk that Jose Bs all yall want (2ND best pg in the league,really) but whoever says they would pick him over D Rose is from Spain,Toronto,or a asshole/dickhead.
November 3rd, 2008 at 8:37 am
MSkittle says:
What’s up with the home teams not wearing white? That has to change ASAP!
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:22 am
Kudabeen says:
Joe Johnson literally crapped all over my Iguodala is on par argument…Andre Iguodala is looking so reserved on the floor. He is playing like he is just out there to make guys better, but the team needs him to attack too…He had three horrible turnovers, because he was tentative down the stretch.
It looks like Thad Young is stepping into his spot. Thad is defending, shooting in rhythm, and being aggressive out there. Iguodala is looking like he is thinking way too much. The order is Brand, Andre Miller, Thad, Sam, Lou, and then Iguodala…That’s horribly disappointing…
Dude need to get over whatever this is because soon people will not be focused on the Phillies and Eagles and will start to remember he just got paid and he isn’t giving top effort of the Super Star he claims he wants to be…
Joe Carved us up big time…their was no resistance…Take the ball out of his hand!!!
So annoyed…
November 3rd, 2008 at 11:31 am
YOUNGFED says:
@Doc
Way to take the Church, preach on. LAWDY LAWDY LAWDY (LOL).
@Austin
Never thought Dime was so popular in Toronto. Who’da Thunk’it