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Rajon Rondo (photo. Christian Kozowyck)On “NBA Gametime” the other day, one of the analysts — could’ve been Eric Snow, but we’re thinking it was Steve Smith (on a related note, those two sound exactly the same) — said the Celtics and Cavs seem to be sending messages to each other via the other teams they’re destroying on a nightly basis. That said, you figured the Knicks and Thunder were in for respective piecings on Sunday. Slapping 124 points on the board while making seemingly every shot they took (65% FG’s), the C’s handled their business while making the Knicks consecutive-win victim #18. Rajon Rondo scored 26 in what was basically practice for the Celtics. When they wanted to get a three, they got a three. When they wanted to get penetration, they got it. Mid-range jumper for KG? Easy. New York’s “defense” was less a form of resistance and more a mild distraction … The Knicks’ one highlight? Nate Robinson’s tip dunk where he climbed up Leon Powe’s chest … Are we wrongfully leaving Chris Duhon (20 pts, 10 asts) out of the Most Improved discussion, or are his numbers really misleading? After all, it’s easier to rack up assists when you bring the ball up and the first guy you pass to is jacking no matter what … Meanwhile, the Cavs had a significantly tougher time with the Thunder, who are undeniably better now than they were a couple weeks ago. The last time Cleveland played OKC, it was an embarrassment; the Cavs toyed with a 40-piecing while LeBron didn’t even have to suit up for the second half. This time OKC hung in there most of the way, eventually losing by 11 while ‘Bron (31 pts, 7 asts, 3 stls) had to crack the 40-minute plateau …
LeBron JamesOne reason the Thunder keep getting better is their effort. Whereas a team like the Raptors appear to hang their heads and get closer to giving up when things aren’t going their way, Scott Brooks has the Thunder going all-out. For example, one time Mo Williams and LeBron were out on a break with just Nick Collison in their way. Instead of scurrying for safer ground, Collison challenged LeBron, fouling him and allowing an and-one ‘oop. (Three points is more than two, but that was psychologically easier to take than a monster dunk.) A lot of players, especially on crappy teams, wouldn’t have wanted any part of that … How about Michael Curry specifically calling out A.I. for letting Mike Bibby (27 pts, 6-for6 3PA) rain all over the Pistons? “I thought we defended Joe (Johnson) well,” Curry said, referring to J.J.’s 19-point, 8-for-22 outing. “The only thing we didn’t do well is we didn’t defend Mike Bibby. It was just mental lapses. You can’t ball-watch, and Allen struggles ball-watching sometimes. Bibby made him pay.” Granted, everything Curry said is true, but you hardly hear a coach calling out a superstar like that. You didn’t hear Phil Jackson talking about Kobe when John Salmons was lighting him up a couple weeks ago. Of course, it probably wouldn’t have been as much of an issue if Iverson had scored more than 10 points … A few things we learned during Mavs/Wizards: Jason Kidd (11 asts, 3 stls, 1 pt) can still control a game without scoring; from a If-he-plays-bad-they-lose standpoint, Jason Terry (25 pts) might be Dallas’ most important player; Devean George can still dunk; and Nick Young and JaVale McGee won’t get a lot of “just because” PT under Ed Tapscott … Is there a starting backcourt in the NBA less appealing to play with than Mike James and DeShawn Stevenson? This must be just awful for Caron Butler and crew … Leftover note from the weekend: During the Pistons/Jazz game on Friday, there was a kid in the crowd wearing a Brian Williams/Bison Dele #8 Pistons jersey, back from the teal-colored, horse-logo era … We’re out like Iverson’s D …
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:16 am
JCARR says:
Yo soy primero! ((((1st))))
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:27 am
***Big Mike***H'Town's Finest says:
i’m the biggest a.i. fan EVER but i’ll be damned if he doesn’t play some highschool type defense. bibby is garbage and he made him look like an all star (i’m pretty sure that’s going to be a season high). the experiment is not working…
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:34 am
JCARR says:
good point on “Three points is more than two, but that was psychologically easier to take than a monster dunk” … that causes such a big differece in the momentum/outcome of the game.
And the knicks seem like a practice squad on the court. Is it time to trade marbury, yet?
And in other neewss: Big Baby glenn davis got into a car accident driving to the arena…
Iverson needa to get out of Detroit just as fast as T.I can say “A.S.A.P.”… A.I is not the problem its the coach…. joe dumars is on the hot seat…(good thing i am not a pistons fan)
((((((ZZZzzz SLEEP zzzZZZ)))))))
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:34 am
JCARR says:
good point on “Three points is more than two, but that was psychologically easier to take than a monster dunk” … that causes such a big differece in the momentum/outcome of the game.
And the knicks seem like a practice squad on the court. Is it time to trade marbury, yet?
And in other neewss: Big Baby glenn davis got into a car accident driving to the arena…
Iverson needa to get out of Detroit just as fast as T.I can say “A.S.A.P.”… A.I is not the problem its the coach…. joe dumars is on the hot seat…(good thing i am not a pistons fan)
((((((ZZZzzz SLEEP zzzZZZ)))))))
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:38 am
JCARR "K1N6" says:
One last thing:
((((((GO GIANTS!!!!!!!!!))))))
“K1N6″
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:54 am
heartbreaker85 says:
never really liked the teal colors and black horse for detroit- those unis should be named ‘grant hill’ era, when detroit was trying to look cute.
December 22nd, 2008 at 2:00 am
Ian says:
bison dele damn
December 22nd, 2008 at 2:00 am
the kid says:
dang. a.i. got called out. i wonder how he responds.
December 22nd, 2008 at 2:49 am
BROGDEN says:
Cavs looked awful on the boards and their bigs got OUTPLAYED big time! I swear Ben, Z, and Anderson didn’t even COMBINE for a double double. And they still won by double digits. In Lebron, Williams and West you got a trio of really intelligent, gritty playmakers who are pretty sound offensively and defensively, at varying degrees. Scary to know your overall starting guard play can totally outclass a lanky, explosive squad. Simply put, this 08-09 version of the Cleveland Cavaliers is DOPE. The only thing I’m mad about is the Cavs and the Celts being in the same conference. Can’t we make an exception this year? LOL. By the way, Delonte’s silky smooth jumper is a thing of beauty.
December 22nd, 2008 at 2:52 am
T-Dub says:
Rondo is balling… damn there’s a deep pool of PGs now in the L.
December 22nd, 2008 at 2:55 am
the_don_mega says:
Bison Dele… peace out man…
@the kid:
yeah.. i guess it would be interesting to see how AI responds…
December 22nd, 2008 at 3:03 am
x0t says:
bison dele…mad respect. RIP
December 22nd, 2008 at 3:52 am
Steve Nasty says:
Rondo is picking up his game…but he should never be an all-star.
December 22nd, 2008 at 3:53 am
Steve Nasty says:
Duhon is playing at a much higher level than most people predicted
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:41 am
Mister Sun says:
since DIME got on Yao for getting outrebounded ny aaron brooks, what about Sheed getting outrebounded by stuckey and having as much as iverson?
funny how rasheed has been seen as tough and a good defender but he has always been an awful rebounder for a man his size and athleticism.
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:43 am
smity far away says:
@ Steve Nasty
yeah, i definately was one of his doubters coming into this season. Dantoni’s system is just magic. i bet even marcus williams (or rob swift, or any other borderline but talented player) could have a career year there…jamal (and definately zach) could have had himself an all star year too or at least a snub year.
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:47 am
smity far away says:
@ Mister Sun
i think he’s a great rebounder for a man of his level of desire (which seems to be little)
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:50 am
Mister Sun says:
@ smity
LMAO, your right man.
December 22nd, 2008 at 5:18 am
josh tha roc says:
Rondo is playing at an All star level on possibly (win wise) one the best teams ever. Lock for All star.
December 22nd, 2008 at 5:32 am
Craig says:
@mister sun
“[rasheed] has always been an awful rebounder for a man his size and athleticism.”
didnt dime say a week or two ago that rasheed with his shirt off got a beer belly?
so in that case
he’s a GREAT rebounder for someone with his desire and athleticism
December 22nd, 2008 at 6:06 am
Vince says:
“Leftover note from the weekend: During the Pistons/Jazz game on Friday, there was a kid in the crowd wearing a Brian Williams/Bison Dele #8 Pistons jersey, back from the teal-colored, horse-logo era …”
I love that. The only jersey I own from that series is a Mateen Cleaves one.
December 22nd, 2008 at 6:22 am
QQ says:
What’s wrong with calling out a superstar? Curry told us what it really is, and that’s an admirable thing to do nowadays, with more than half of the coaches afraid to say anything because their highest paid player might slap them in the ass. Cheers to Curry, for a fucking change.
Yeah, Phil did not call out Kobe when he was scored on by Salmons, he just said this: “I won’t coach this team next year if he is still here. He won’t listen to anyone. I’ve had it with this kid.” And printed it in a book where thousands of people will read it. That’s just a fucking classy move by Phil Jackson. Thanks Dime.
December 22nd, 2008 at 6:23 am
YOUNGFED..."I'll have ya girl singing, while she's catching my balls like my names Willie Beman." says:
Ok, Ok Sheed hasn’t been balling like he should, we get it. AI did get fried last night, we get it. But what I don’t get is it seems like everyone is happy to see the Pistons struggle. I can’t wait till the Eastern conference finals. CAUSE WE’LL BE THERE FOR THE 7TH STRAIGHT TIME…
December 22nd, 2008 at 6:23 am
Vince says:
@@@ Dimemag:
used that quote here
http://jerseyspot.blogspot.com/2008/12/bison-dele-jersey-spotted-jazz-game.html
December 22nd, 2008 at 6:53 am
Steve Nasty says:
Speakin of Sheed, I hate this talk of top 5 talent…rubbish. Curry mentioned that Sheed likes to fit in…woteva…fitiing in isn’t getting a tech every second game and cruising…sounds like a shit team mate to me.
Saying that… from a fans point of view I love him..I love the fact he is not a robot..like when the Pistons beat LA in LA early this year a meat head fan shouted something obscene at Sheed at half time and Sheed shouted back …your mumma, your mumma.
Classic
December 22nd, 2008 at 7:01 am
Steve Nasty says:
As for Curry, good on him for giving it to a superstar. What I don’t understand is why does he have to do it through the media. Why do coaches berate players via the media? If I was the player I’d be pissed. There must be a better way to do this.
Or are the egos too big to except constructive critism behind closed doors? Makes you wonder why anyone would want to be a coach in this league if you couldn’t communicate with your team.
Hang on, for a couple of million I’d put up with AI too.
PS. Josh the roc…put down the crack pipe
December 22nd, 2008 at 7:12 am
QQ says:
@ Nasty:
LA Fan: You suck!!!
Sheed: Not as good as your momma.
Classic. He still sucks though.
December 22nd, 2008 at 7:21 am
josh tha roc says:
Rondo makes the team. Maybe as an injury sub but he’ll make it. i mean BJ Armstrong was an all star once…
December 22nd, 2008 at 8:14 am
YOUNGFED..."I'll have ya girl singing, while she's catching my balls like my names Willie Beman." says:
Sheed is a Top 5 talent at PF
Once again here we go
KG
Bosh
Dirk
Stat
Sheed
in that order.
December 22nd, 2008 at 8:21 am
josh tha roc says:
Gotta agree with that 5, couldnt find a case for anyone else to crack that 5…..unless you see TD as a PF, which i don’t.
December 22nd, 2008 at 8:59 am
Kudabeen says:
Good for Curry for putting AI out there for his repeated lapses. He watches the ball and lose defenders all the time, but let’s not get it twisted like Bibby was breaking him down…Bibby hit open shots like he does. Iverson isn’t Bruce Bowen and Bibby isn’t Ray Allen, meaning the amount of respect wasn’t there to play Bibby’s chest. If Curry made that a point of emphasis and AI didn’t adhere cool, but if Curry is only saying this after the game he is just as lame as Iverson and everyone else that didn’t rotate to Bibby.
He needs to stop saying he isn’t use to this or that and get use to being on the floor with guys that have his back…He takes his eyes off his assignment all the time and usually he is able to recover, but Bibby is a shooter…Every time Pistons look decent they set themselves back..
December 22nd, 2008 at 9:09 am
Diego says:
Sheed is not top 5 PF. The power forwards of at least half the NBA teams are as good or better than Sheed now. Go down the list. David Lee, Boozer, Haslem, TD, Josh Smith, whoever for Portland, Brand, David West, etc. Stop riding Sheed’s old man nuts, please.
December 22nd, 2008 at 9:16 am
K Dizzle says:
Fed,
no conference finals without Chauncey
agree with the top 5 pf list tho
Rondo’s definitely gonna be an all-star. Dude is ballin outta control for the l’s best squad. Calderon’s fallen off, haven’t heard much about D-Rose recently and I’m assumin that AI and Wade are startin so the reserves should still be Harris and Rondo. That leaves JJ, Ray Allen or Vince to be snubbed
Phil don’t gotta say nuthin to Kobe cuz dude is proven and even the sun gotta shine on a dog’s ass. Everybody knows next time they play, Salmons is toast. Kobe got that long-ass MJ memory and revenge combo
December 22nd, 2008 at 9:16 am
Craig says:
@youngfed
wallace is alright, but top 5?
compared to horford, he scored about one more point, gets one less rebound, and horfords percentages are better
compared to elton brand, he only beats out brand slightly in steals, blocks, and free throws, otherwise brand has large margins in the other areas
compared to david west, he gets slight more steals, half a block more a game, they rebound at the same rate and david blows him out of the water in scoring and percentages
compared to lemarcus aldridge, well actually, its kinda scary how similar they are…
boozer? the only difference wallace challenges shots, or booz beats him out in pretty much every category
meka? they score pretty much the same but wallace has the advantage in free throws but meka kills him on the boards
is your top 5 put together from a statistical standpoint? you could make the argument for playing for winners, wallace is successful whereas meka and brand might not. injuries might take booz from a top 5. but west is a legitamate challenge, and young guns like aldridge and horford might take the cake
December 22nd, 2008 at 9:20 am
YOUNGFED..."Just too show off I hang my wrist out the window" says:
Stop hating on Sheed’s old man nutz. lol
December 22nd, 2008 at 9:24 am
K Dizzle says:
Sheed is better than Brand this year and I’m not talkin numbers or the fact that Sheed never gets hurt. He’s so versatile, he’s just a match-up problem for everyteam not the Celtics, Lakers, Raps or Blazers. If we just throwin out numbers, then Zach Randolph is a top 5 4man right now. I know he don’t play d and his game is grounded, but dude is crazy efficient and everytime I see a Clips boxscore, Z-Bpo puttin up 30 and 12…
December 22nd, 2008 at 9:28 am
YOUNGFED..."Just too show off I hang my wrist out the window" says:
@K-Dizzle
Rondo ain’t going over D-Rose or Harris sorry bro.
@Craig
West is the only guy that I’d say is making a run at that 5th spot, maybe boozer. However Sheed owns West everytime.
December 22nd, 2008 at 9:33 am
JCARR "K1N6" says:
Is Al Jefferson considered a PF? If so, he is top 5.
December 22nd, 2008 at 9:36 am
Craig says:
id say randolph, boozer, and brand, possibly west are battling for that top 5 pf position…
i just considered al jefferson a 5 since minny got love..i figured thats what they were trying to do with him
December 22nd, 2008 at 9:45 am
YOUNGFED..."Just too show off I hang my wrist out the window" says:
Jefferson plays center
December 22nd, 2008 at 9:46 am
LaMont says:
Everybody Hates Chris!!!! , everybody counted Steve Nash’s assists in the same system. I knew Steve wasn’t that nice (MVP – twice?). Where he at now? Remember, you only get the assist if the bucket is made not when the shot is jacked, so he is clearly identifying the hot hand; give the man his propers (and while you’re at it give him the gumption to hard foul Rajon Rondo if he begins to abuse him like he did last night…repeatedly)
December 22nd, 2008 at 10:00 am
YOUNGFED..."Just too show off I hang my wrist out the window" says:
“BTW I almost forgot if you live to be 1st on a website you’re probably last in life.” – YOUNGFED
December 22nd, 2008 at 10:05 am
Brown says:
David West is better than Rasheed Wallace.
December 22nd, 2008 at 10:13 am
isotope says:
Its crazy how the Mavs are currently in the 9th spot in the West. If they were in the east with the same record, they’d be in the 5th spot.
December 22nd, 2008 at 10:26 am
Ian says:
isotope
and someome said that the east is way better yesterday but at least is a bit closer now. before the 9th 10th seed in the west could have homecourt in the east.
sheed top 5 lol
sorry young but theres no way (not even u as a gm) u pick sheed over
boozer jefferson horford and def not over brand to start a team.
DUNCAN IS A PF and hes 1 even if hes not playin
December 22nd, 2008 at 10:30 am
vinny says:
man that dunk robinson had on Powe was just nasty-nasty!!
as a knick fan can david lee play just a little defense-just a little!! and imagine if portland had taken durant and there starting 5 was roy, blake, aldridge, durant and pryzbylla. durant and aldridge both need to put on some weight-but in a couple of years-DAMM!
December 22nd, 2008 at 10:34 am
vinny says:
MAN DID U GUYS REALLY RUN DICK WELLNER OFF OF HERE?? LOL!
December 22nd, 2008 at 10:51 am
isotope says:
Ian, actually it just means parity in the West has improved. A lot of the teams’ records are bad primarily because they are beating up on each other. The Southwest division is just crazy. Best division in the league by far.
December 22nd, 2008 at 10:54 am
BROGDEN says:
Whether you call him fake 5 or true PF – one thing’s for certain, he’s a throwback Sonny Corleone type of big. All grit and wily vet moves who can pop the triple. The only thing I don’t like about his game is, he gets SO lazy hanging around the 3 line. He just sits there sometimes, for like 10 seconds, DAMN. I mean, spacing is mandatory but DAMN. Anyways, I think he’s good, but top 5? Nah.
December 22nd, 2008 at 10:59 am
K Dizzle says:
Fed
There is no way Rose has an advantage over Rondo for the ASG anymore. Bein the startin point for the best team in the l and contributin holds more weight than a rookie puttin up points for a middle of the pack at best team. Dude is avg. damn near 15ppg,9as, 7rbs and 3 stls for the month. Those numbers are crazy. Rose is good, gonna be amazin, but no way he beats out JJ, Ray, Rondo or even Vince(and I can’t stand that dude but he been ballin lately and not just against Toronto)
Ian, Isotope
I read that yesterday too when some dude was sayin the East was better than the West. Just a simple case of sayin stuff without thinkin about it. Just cuz Celts, Cavs and Magic are killin, someone might make that statement, but after those teams, the conference is suspect. Atlanta’s comin up and Detroit’s always dangerous, but there is no way that they’re better overall than LA, NO, San Antonio, Utah, Houston, Nugs, Portland, Mavs, Suns. Basically East got the top two teams, but the West got all the depth.Any of the nine west teams would be top 3 in the east…
December 22nd, 2008 at 11:12 am
YOUNGFED..."Let's talk about $money$ cause I get alot of that" says:
Rondo ain’t even playing better than Harris.
December 22nd, 2008 at 11:25 am
BROGDEN says:
I wanna chime in…EAST pg’s in the All Star Game boils down to Devin, Rose or Rondo only because of their name recognition and high profile this year. Devin’s been killing it. Rose been killing, although suspect on D but he’s a rook so he gets a pass. And Rondo. Interesting that all 3 run a dribble-drive type of O but Rondo has the added responsibility of running a boatload more of tried and true half-court PLAYS, not just the dribble-drive stuff. Just penetrate and make a play won’t cut it against the top teams. I’d go with Rondo for the All Star. I’m not saying he’s the best, I’m just saying this year I think he goes to the ASG b/c of the calibur of his team and his development into a top tier floor general. Mo or Jameer should be in the convo too. They are probably more deserving given how they perform exceptionally well on the road, whereas Rondo doesn’t. So there it is, Mo, Jameer, Devin, Rose or Rondo. I think Rondo makes it out of the bunch.
December 22nd, 2008 at 11:36 am
isotope says:
Remember, we are talking about popularity votes. You think Detroit fans will vote for Rondo when they see AI and Rip on the list? I even see Ray Allen getting more guard votes than Rondo.
December 22nd, 2008 at 11:56 am
K Dizzle says:
I think we should just clear up that we talkin reserves. Detroit fans don’t have enough votes to get Rip on. The starters should be AI, Wade, Bron, KG or Bosh and Howard. That leaves 7 spots for reserves. Devin Harris and JJ are locks or should be. KG or Bosh(whoever don’t get voted to start) is a lock. That leaves 4 spots for Pierce, Allen, Big Z, Granger, Butler, Vince, Rondo, Rip, Calderon, Rose and anybody else I might have forgotten. Coaches aren’t stupid so the Celtics could have 3-4 allstars…
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:31 pm
bookkwormmaster says:
I’m just curious but why all the hate for Rajon Rondo. Dude is a baller. He is a solid floor general, plays great defense, can board, is unselfish and makes hustle plays. The only knock against him is his suspect J but even that has gotten a little better and plus when you can get into the lane the way he does as long as he gets two who cares. Is it because he plays for the Celts? I can understand hating that team for different reasons (KG’s tiresome antics being one but still a fan) but ROndo doesn’t fo anything to draw negative attention to himself. He plays both sides of the floor (which ALOT of players in the NBA DON’T DO), doesn’t trash talk and get into it with other teams, doesn’t inflate himself like he is better than what he is, he just goes about his biz. Why the hate?
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Promoman says:
This may be the beginning of the end for Iverson in Detroit. When he starts getting held accountable for things, problems & trade rumors start sooner or later.
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:05 pm
YOUNGFED..."Just too show off I hang my wrist out the window" says:
@K-Dizzle you forgot about Sheed.
December 22nd, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Steve Nasty says:
I’m sorry but a point guard who can’t hit from eight feet should never be an allstar. Dam if Scott Brooks pulled on a jersey and started for the Celtics he would look like an allstar.
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:28 pm
K Dizzle says:
@ bookworm-
I think Rondo gets caught in the “I could run a team with three future hall-of-famers” I’m a Kentucky fan so I always thought he could be a good nba back-up cuz of his defense and reboundind but he’s blossomin hard. I don’t why he’s hated on. Maybe cuz Harris is a scoring machine and DRose is a highlight factory and an athletic freak, but if my Lakers traded for Rondo today, I’d be happy..
@ post 58
you might wanna break out some Jkidd tapes before this season before you break out a statement like that
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Steve Nasty says:
ha ha true, but at least Kidd can dribble and pass
December 22nd, 2008 at 7:01 pm
marcus the great says:
@vinny
its was Jurg, he did it lol
December 22nd, 2008 at 7:32 pm
J-Lod says:
Rest In Peace Bison Dele!!
December 23rd, 2008 at 3:59 am
doc says:
Somebody need to call AI loser ass out.They was yreating me like Rich Wellner when I told them what AI was gonna do like I aint from Philly.Celts Fan u knew what it was to from ya Lasalle days.Andlook yall already saying its Detroit not him.hahahahaha.