The New Glide
Kobe Bryant, Dime #39We’ve got a Hall of Fame shooting guard comparison for Kobe Bryant, and it’s NOT Michael Jordan. It’s Clyde Drexler. How’s that work? During the ’91-92 season, when he led the Blazers to the NBA Finals (and they lost to MJ’s Bulls), 29-year-old Glide averaged 25 points, six boards, six dimes and two steals per game and finished 2nd in MVP voting. More impressively, he did all that while playing 36 minutes a night, and as he told our own Austin Burton in Dime #40, “I didn’t even get to play in the fourth quarter a lot of times. I counted one year where I missed 25 fourth quarters out of 41 home games because we were winning by so much.” The way things are shaking out in L.A. right now, 30-year-old Kobe is putting together a ’92 Drexler kind of season. Last night Mamba scored 24 points in 32 minutes in the Lakers’ blowout win over the Suns, and made just a token appearance in the fourth quarter while L.A. pushed their record to 9-1 … No confrontations of note to report between Kobe and Shaq (15 pts, 9 rebs): One time Kobe bounced off Shaq on a drive, and another time he got tripped up on Shaq’s cankle and hit the deck. Is this even a rivalry anymore? And when it was a rivalry, has any rivalry had a less-interesting payoff? Lakers/Heat had like three straight Christmas Day games and nothing ever happened between the two … How has Derek Fisher made it through all these years with no one realizing he’s such a gunner? We’ve all had our say about Mo Williams, Stephon Marbury, even Baron Davis, but Fish is one of the worst at the PG position. Last night he must have shot the ball 15 times in the first quarter alone, and didn’t hit a thing except for a couple free throws. Fish was taking it 1-on-3 on fast breaks, launching threes before the ball even settled in his hands, and taking quick pull-ups in the half-court. We know Steve Nash is an ideal guy to have in front of you when you wanna have a career night, but Fisher was trying too damn hard … We didn’t think we’d ever say this, but the Pistons are turning into a wildly inconsistent bunch. Maybe it’s simply something that comes with the territory when you’re getting used to a revamped roster, but at the same time, the Nuggets seem to have settled into playing with Chauncey Billups already, so what’s taking Detroit so long? Is Allen Iverson really that hard to play with? Or is Detroit proving the theory that older people are more set in their ways and resistant to change? Either way, as good as the Pistons looked in beating the Cavs on Wednesday, they looked terrible against the Celtics. The first quarter wasn’t so bad: Rasheed was dialed in from long range, A.I. was killing Rajon Rondo, Kwame Brown was earning his keep (play D, make the gimme buckets), and Tayshaun Prince was running the point effectively … Detroit outplayed Boston for the first 12 minutes, but they could have put up a really big number and it would have been an entirely different ballgame had they done a few things differently. For one, the Pistons missed a lot of open jumpers/free throws (including one Jason Maxiell air-ball from the stripe). Second, they failed to capitalize on the fact that Paul Pierce was not having a good game. The blown opportunities didn’t kill them at first, but as the game went on and Boston’s role players started to shine, the Pistons dug themselves into a deeper and deeper hole, and next thing you know they were getting 20-pieced and looking at Patrick O’Bryant and Brian Scalabrine getting buckets on mop-up duty … We’re not sure why Michael Curry went away from having Tayshaun at the one and Iverson (16 pts) at the two, because it was working. With Rondo having to chase A.I. around multiple screens, he was often off-balance when Iverson got the ball, making it that much easier for A.I. to knife into the paint and score or find open teammates. When Iverson was playing PG, however, the ball movement was stagnant and Prince disappeared … While Pierce struggled (9 pts) and Ray Allen (12 pts) and KG (15 pts) were relatively quiet, it was the bench guys and role players who got it done for the C’s. Rondo put up 18 points, eight dimes and three steals, Eddie House and Tony Allen got some crucial buckets in a decisive second-quarter stretch where Boston pulled away, and Leon Powe and Big Baby were beating the crap out of Detroit’s bigs. Baby even gave ‘Sheed some work here and there, and Powe was leaving Walter Herrmann‘s teeth strewn across the parquet floor … The C’s bench exploded when O’Bryant knocked down a turnaround J on the block during garbage time, but that was no excuse for Doug Collins to compare Pat to Robert Parish. That was just disrespectful … And what’s wrong with Rodney Stuckey? We’ve been waiting all year for just one game where he shows what the hype is about, but so far, nothing. He was awful yesterday (0 pts, 5 turnovers), firing passes into the crowd and making wild drives that got put back in his face … We have to give it to Maxiell for not starting a brawl. On top of the general frustration of seeing his team get waxed, Max was also dealing with Garnett and Kendrick Perkins, who seemed determined to antagonize him. KG not-so-subtly elbowed Maxiell in the face once, and Perkins shoved him in the back after the whistle. Both times Max just ignored it. Good for him … BTW, here’s another opportunity for some KG-related hate. This is becoming an interesting trend … Dime’s Andrew Katz was at MSG last night for the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic, where Duke blew out Southern Illinois in the opener, and unranked Michigan knocked off 4th-ranked UCLA in the nightcap. If you’re in the NYC area tonight we’ll be at the Duke/Michigan game (memories), so stop by if you can and hit up the Dime Magazine table in the MSG concourse … We’re out like Fish …
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November 21st, 2008 at 4:59 am
rodnets says:
Drexler Blazers
Barkley Phoenix
Payton Seattle
were so good teams, too bad MJ and his crew were there to upset their dreams of chip
November 21st, 2008 at 5:32 am
Mark says:
I guess you gotta say Stockton and Malones Jazz were pretty good aswell??
November 21st, 2008 at 5:36 am
Iannyb says:
My lakers are for reel I still find in those big games Kobe forces the action a lil bit like in the first half.Bynum needs to do a better job of staying out of foul trouble cuz he got serious game.Really wish that LA team could stay together for awhile but it’s highly unlikely. I got them to win it all come late June and we wanna play the C’s again.let me see how tough they are.
Showing love from the caribbean St Lucia
Iannyb
November 21st, 2008 at 5:43 am
Nora says:
The only trend I see is a dime trend on finding said items. Give it rest. It was already mentioned that other teams have done that.
November 21st, 2008 at 5:46 am
Nora says:
Dime hate the Celtics
November 21st, 2008 at 5:51 am
Austin Burton says:
Yeah, that KG cover was really painful for us.
November 21st, 2008 at 5:59 am
Obama says to McCain "Hows my @ss taste"? says:
Because Billups is a true PG, its much easier to fit him into a system then Iverson. Billups is a traditional player, Iverson is not. Iverson is the type of player that has to be built around. I think it is easier for Chauncey to fit with his team faster because he is traditional player and not as dominate. Iverson on the other hand is a unique player, you can’t add a player of Iversons dynamics to a team that has built a certain chemistry over 6 years and expect everything to go off without a hitch. The things that I have seen so far with Detroit I like, they have actaully played well…untill lastnight.
I think Curry is just experimenting trying to see what works for his team and what won’t (as reference to why Curry switched Iverson off the 2 to the point). I notice that when Iverson was off the ball it was hard for Rhondo to keep up, I seen one time where he grabbed Iversons jersey to try to stop him. But remember, the Pistons are not only are implementing a new member onto the team, they were also implementing a new system before Iverson got there. Grant it, the Boston game is not the type of game to experiment during..experiment against a lottery team or something. LOL! But I have been watching the Pistons and there have been times where Curry switched the line up at the right time towards whatever team he was facing and the situation and it worked out perfectly, he’s actually been real decent at doing it. I thought that was a real good sign for someone that is a first year Coach. I’m not going to put too much weight on this game, because it’s early into the season..
On a side note, Rhondo is a weird looking dude..its like his head doesn’t fit his body, like BEATLEJUICE or something. I was listening to Jamie Foxx’s radio show and they were clowning on how weird looking Rhondo is.
Now that Dime has threw outthe bait..watch all the Iverson haters come out in full force, I can already hear them now “Iverson is the hardest player to play with in the world”!! Give us all a break with that.
November 21st, 2008 at 6:16 am
rodnets says:
Stockton and Malone’s Jazz had not the same level as the previous three. 91 Lakers with Magic were not either. Lake show in the 80′s a different story.
November 21st, 2008 at 6:46 am
frankie says:
Dirk doesn’t get into a fight, and he’s soft. Maxiell doesn’t start anything, and it’s all kudos to him.
I say good for both of them, and bad on Dime for the (now standard) double standard.
November 21st, 2008 at 7:09 am
Atom says:
@ rodnets –
Im definitely not a Jazz fan, but I have to say the NBA finals Jazz team from 97 was just as good if not better than the Sonics team who made it there the year before. Not as exciting though. The league could use someone who could finish like Kemp in his prime right now.
November 21st, 2008 at 7:11 am
Nora says:
I bet that cover was painful since just about everything you are digging up in games about KG has been done by many players, like throwing elbows etc. But KG is being singled out.
November 21st, 2008 at 7:38 am
rodnets says:
@Atom
Could be man, I just don´t like Jazz style of play. Im not a jazz hater, but in NBA TV I watched several Bulls Finals Game and I see fully talented roosters in those other teams.
November 21st, 2008 at 8:08 am
patrick says:
@frankie
there are double standards in life and some of them are fair.
If Dirk gets in to a fight he may (probably) gets his ass kicked. If Max gets in to a fight he might tear their arms off and beat them to death.
November 21st, 2008 at 8:25 am
frankie says:
Oh, patrick, so Maxiell is a violent criminal? Or is he an animal to you?
Or is it that Dirk is weak because he’s from another country?
November 21st, 2008 at 9:32 am
rathauneak says:
LMAO at posts 13 & 14…
November 21st, 2008 at 9:41 am
Kevin Garnett says:
Leave Dime Alone !!!!
Jerks
November 21st, 2008 at 9:41 am
ERIC says:
KG’s antics were easy to accept and root for when he was the underdog – the only star on a crappy team. Now that he’s won a ring, he’s no longer the underdog and his antics are just over the top and arrogant.
I say this as a former bigtime KG (Wolves) fan. Maybe its the water in Boston that has f**ked with him. Bc most people are clearly fed up with his BS.
November 21st, 2008 at 10:07 am
karizmatic says:
D-Fish hasn’t always been as much of a gunner as he has been lately. He’s feeling himself right now, he’s an older vet in the league with three rings on a stacked team, plus he feel like he’s a better player and shooter than he realy is ever since he did that stint in Utah and became a semi star. So he’s taking a bunch of shots he shouldn’t take.
November 21st, 2008 at 10:31 am
Smitty313 says:
Dime get out of here with that Kobe, Drexeler shit. How you gone compare Kobe to a dude who dribbles with his head down.
November 21st, 2008 at 10:38 am
that's whats up says:
you’re only a gunner if you miss the shots
It’s goes:
Scorer = Kobe, Lebron
Gunner = Fisher, Wade
Jacker = S-Jack, Ricky Davis
November 21st, 2008 at 10:39 am
that's whats up says:
Drexler was so fast he was looking down to make sure the ball kept up with him
November 21st, 2008 at 11:10 am
CAVS says:
Pierce, best player in the league???
He has more awful games then lamar odom.
When hes good hes good, but man he can suck
November 21st, 2008 at 11:12 am
Mike C says:
Fisher is the worst passing, ball-handling starting point guard in the league. When his jumper’s not on, he’s practically worthless on an NBA court.
November 21st, 2008 at 11:16 am
QQ says:
Wow, now we’re seeing the Suns’ downfall. I read an article here about the Suns being different from what they used to be, and who would’ve fucking thought I’ll agree with Dime, but yes, they are different, and they are DONE. Seeing the Big Piece of Shit ‘running’ was enough to make my head explode.
And about the Pistons…. Whew… Damn, I was rooting for them, but they just can’t ball anymore. Where the fuck is fed?
November 21st, 2008 at 11:30 am
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
@ Jed Dime Mag– My cousin wants a spot on Dime Pieces what’s up?
November 21st, 2008 at 11:52 am
Mamba says:
Thats whats up!
Lake show gets nice last night,
Glide, Mike – Just let Kobe be Kobe,
Glide was sick but he couldnt check Kobe,
Bryant/O’neal 2010 – reunited and it feels so good!
Even if its Shaq going John Salley and waving the towel on the bench,
November 21st, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Chaos says:
Obama says to McCain “Hows my @ss taste”?
youre right about the switch with AI and Chauncy transistion. its easier for chauncy to go to denver because he can control the tempo of the game with out having to take a lot of shots. he shoots a good percentage and can distribute the ball. carmelo benefits because he doesnt have to fight to get shots with chauncy and i think his rebounding numbers have gone up also. detroit will be fine. once they find a good lineup to start and bring off the bench
November 21st, 2008 at 1:32 pm
BxBaller says:
Hey Dime is it free to get to the concourse to your table?
November 21st, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Obama says to McCain "Hows my @ss taste"? says:
Choas
I agree with you on how Chauncey can control the tempo…but Chauncey has been taking a lot of shots. LOL! And Iversons shooting percentage is better then Chaunceys..also Melo averaged more shots per game then Iverson did, so im not sure if they were fighting with eachother for shots. Infact, Melo was on NBA t.v the othernight and was saying that although he is happy Chauncey is there, he wish it wasn’t at the expence of AI. He said he thought him and AI were making progress together and he was hurt by the trade. He said it effected him more then what he led the media on to beleive. He said he wanted AI to retire a Nuggets and he said he hates seeeing him in anyother jersey but a Nuggets jersey (I personaly love it because that baby blue on AI was cool, but a little too soft for a dude like him). He said he was just as surprised as anyone else and didn’t even know about the trade and that he’s not sure what the front office is doing. But Melo still seemed a little messed up about it. Thank god he is being a professional and not letting it mess with his game though…unlike RIP HAMILTON. I will say that it is good that Melo is trying to do a little more with his game then just shooting the ball. But all in all, Melo and AI won 50 games together, but they needed a true PG for things to complely mesh on that team and for Iverson and Melo to reach their full potential..they never had that when Iverson was there. Thats why I think its unfair to compair the two, because that Nuggets team was never fully assembled after they aquired Iverson..it seems like they just traded for him with no plan in place.
November 21st, 2008 at 2:27 pm
fobby says:
“Fish is one of the worst at the PG position. Last night he must have shot the ball 15 times in the first quarter alone”
Fish finished making 3 of 9 FGs. Didn’t know the NBA recorded negative FG attempts.
November 21st, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Austin Burton says:
Exaggeration…
November 21st, 2008 at 3:09 pm
fobby says:
Sarcasm…
November 21st, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Austin Burton says:
Glad we’re clear
November 21st, 2008 at 4:25 pm
VERTMAN says:
Was watching the Troit/Celts games. Tony Allen is back 100% Dude is explosive! And poor Walter Hermman looked like the got shot in the face! If given mins. he could be deadly good! Dude has footwork like a soccer player!