Mighty Mouse
Nate Robinson (photo. Colin Brennan)Kobe isn’t new to seeing Knicks guards bustin’ ass at Staples Center — he got a real up-close view when Allan Houston dropped 53 on the Shaq/Kobe Lake Show — but unless Mamba has some old Calvin Murphy footage at his disposal, he’s probably never seen anything like what Nate Robinson did last night. Coming off the bench, Nate poured in 33 points (9-for-16 FG’s, 12-for-12 FT’s) and kept the Knicks in the ballgame right up until the end before L.A. escaped with a win. We’re not sure why Phil Jackson wouldn’t just bite the bullet and put Kobe (28 pts) on Nate, because little dude was KILLING Derek Fisher. Nate hit a three to give NY the lead in the final minute — and of course Special Agent Jack Malone (D-Fish) tried to answer by taking it himself and getting swatted out of bounds — but the Lakers got it right back on an Odom-to-Ariza alley-oop, and Fisher made his free throws in the closing seconds to seal it … The Knicks had their chances, but had some near-misses defensively. Before the Ariza go-ahead shot, Al Harrington just barely missed picking off a bad inbound pass, and Nate used those NCAA D-1 cornerback skills to almost get his fingertips on another inbound pass right before Fisher’s last freebies. Not to mention the Knicks blew a 15-point halftime lead … Count us among those who originally bashed the Bobcats for taking D.J. Augustin with the #9 pick over a much-needed big like Brook Lopez, Anthony Randolph or even Jason Thompson, but Augustin has been shutting everyone up with his play this season. Last night he thoroughly outplayed Derrick Rose, holding Rose to six points (3-for-16 FG’s) while posting 29 points and seven assists of his own. Charlotte was down three with 20 seconds left when Rose committed a silly foul on Augustin while he was shooting a three — the Bulls announcers were crying “He didn’t touch him!” but the replay showed Rose clearly high-fived D.J. as he was releasing the shot — and D.J. calmly sank all three free throws to tie it up. The Bulls put in Larry Hughes (a.k.a. “Big Shot Larry” according to announcer Stacey King) on their last possession, but he wasn’t even a decoy; Rose went 1-on-1 against Augustin, got to the bucket, but Emeka Okafor (20 pts, 13 rebs, 4 blks) sent his shot to the frank man. In overtime, Augustin continued to get past Rose and attack the basket (13-for-13 FT’s), Okafor rejected Rose a couple more times, and the Bulls just couldn’t make shots … Usually the best announcers use the telestrator to break down plays that worked for their team. In Chicago, it’s become their attempt at teaching Tyrus Thomas how to play basketball …
Ron-Ron is back…We said in this week’s Hit List that whenever the Rockets get T-Mac, Yao, Battier and Artest on the court at the same time, they’re gonna be a problem. Tuesday they proved it. With Artest coming off the bench to drop 20 points, Houston knocked off the Nuggets and put 108 on the board against one of the League’s most improved defenses. T-Mac had a triple-double (20 pts, 14 rebs, 10 asts), while Yao scored 32. Did you see the play where Yao used the truck-stick on Birdman Andersen and knocked him on his back before scoring on him? We could’ve sworn Yao looked at Birdman and made the one-hand “Get up!” motion … Come back to DimeMag.com before lunchtime today, where we’ll be running Shane Battier’s answers to our readers questions in the latest edition of “Post Up” … Chris Paul etched his name into the record books, tying Alvin Robertson’s NBA mark for consecutive games with a steal at 105. CP took care of business early against the Grizzlies, and finished with five thefts along with 18 points and nine dimes in a win … Do you think the Clippers even miss Elton Brand? They’re getting the exact same 20-10 production from Zach Randolph (minus the two blocks per, but Marcus Camby gets more than his share of swats, plus Zach’s), and what did they ever really win with EB on the squad anyway? Zach put up 22 and 13 against the Thunder last night, L.A.’s third straight W … After Camby got an uncontested dunk, the ball was sitting on the sideline as Russell Westbrook looked right at Kevin Durant (25 pts) to inbound it to him. Durant basically looked at the ball, ignored Westbrook and jogged downcourt, forcing Johan Petro to sprint back and get the ball to inbound it. Does KD have a little prima donna in him? If we had to predict any of the Thunder’s young dudes would have that in him, it would’ve been Jeff Green — he’s the one who makes sure his AF1’s always match his shirt and that his waves are on-point. KD is usually good with sweats and keeping his hair just short enough that he doesn’t have to brush it … We’re out like Fisher’s D …
December 17th, 2008 at 3:45 am
qUeSt?? says:
good games tonight, hopefully imma be first so the other losers can shut up.
December 17th, 2008 at 3:46 am
qUeSt?? says:
btw i hadnt noticed that nate had so many tattooes
December 17th, 2008 at 4:17 am
heartbreaker85 says:
funny i always thought that nate was fat
December 17th, 2008 at 4:21 am
Dank says:
about nate
“that boy is garbage”
December 17th, 2008 at 4:57 am
CLUTCH says:
Is it me or do longer defenders seem to actually help Kobe’s shooting?
December 17th, 2008 at 5:01 am
smity far away says:
nice smack.
augustin has been killing lately in the same way that it must be killing larry to play a rookie significant tic.
stacey king is a lame. a lame that’s enviable cause he got to play with the g.o.a.t.
the clippers aren’t thinking bout elton. mo cheeks still is though…
good for chris paul, lets see him break the record. when he does will the camera pan to alvin robertson in the audience smiling, waving and giving his approval?
@quest
“hopefully imma be first so the other losers can shut up”
you still saying you first just in a different way than them other lames.
December 17th, 2008 at 5:30 am
M Intellect says:
LOL - Did someone say they thought Nate Robinosn was fat?
Heartbreaker - Nate is 5′7 and won the dunk contest. I can’t see Fat Albert doing that sh1t…
December 17th, 2008 at 7:29 am
that's whats up says:
my prediction is the Spurs take care of the rock tonight, CP3 doesn’t get a steal and Alvin Robertson quietly smiles
December 17th, 2008 at 7:39 am
knoc says:
i say cp3 gets the steal. it goes down to the wire n the spurs will take it out in the end.
December 17th, 2008 at 7:46 am
TJ says:
LOL @ Kevin Durant! that was kinda bogus!
December 17th, 2008 at 7:49 am
showydisplay says:
Marion to Cleveland for Varejao
December 17th, 2008 at 7:51 am
showydisplay says:
I’ve never seen KD’s hair brushed, straight cukka bug action.
December 17th, 2008 at 8:04 am
Fox says:
Stacey King is kind of like Beer was in high school. An acquired taste. I admit when he got the job last year, I hated the sound of his voice, but trust me he’s a 100x better than listening to Johnny “Red” Kerr and some cat named Dore. Kerr, is about a 1000 years old and couldn’t even remember Bulls players names. Dore was a geek who I doubt ever played ball.
Rose lost the battle BIG TIME against Augustine, but not on Augustine’s part really. Give that W to Larry Brown and the L to Vinny. LB consistantly sent double teams at Rose, and Vinny helped by trying to set up a pick and roll for Rose all night that resulted in turnovers. And the BULLS still should’ve won!! Rose did NOT foul Augustine on that 3 point attempt. Dime says he “high fived him” but the kid hit the deck like Rodman hit him in mid air. Rookies aren’t supposed to get those calls. PERIOD!!!
December 17th, 2008 at 8:08 am
Fox says:
showydisplay says:
Marion to Cleveland for Varejao
Source please????? Or is this a hope?
December 17th, 2008 at 8:16 am
showydisplay says:
Currently just a rumor floating around HOOPSHYPE. I think it may have some validity tho…
December 17th, 2008 at 8:40 am
the black mexican says:
Uh are you effing kidding about Brand and the Clips?
Brand = high character All-star caliber PF who plays both ends.
Randolph = d bag who cares only about stats and couldn’t guard anyone. He is the testicular cancer of teammates.
Camby = suicidal when he found out he was going to the Clips.
What did they win with Brand? A playoff series or two, and in Clipper land that is the equivalent of back-to-back championships. The Clippers effing suck balls…if they had Brand, they would be at least somewhat better, if only for better chemistry. Sometimes I wonder if yall even watch hoops.
December 17th, 2008 at 8:42 am
control says:
“but unless Mamba has some old Calvin Murphy footage at his disposal, he’s probably never seen anything like what Nate Robinson did last night.”
Come on guys, that statement is going WAY too deep. The guy put up 33 points in a loss, in building where Kobe won a grip of championships…how is that in anyway worth remarking on? I doubt Kobe will even remember the game next week. I know Nate is your boy and all, but that statement is kinda talkin reckless.
December 17th, 2008 at 8:57 am
E$ says:
Good to see the BIG 3 in Houston finally hit the court this season! Go HAWKS! lol
December 17th, 2008 at 9:00 am
isotope says:
the worst thing to happen to a selfish shooting pg is to have his shot falling. Nate Robinson was trying to do too much. Didnt Kobe steal the ball from him like 3 times in the last quarter? He tried to go mano a mano with mamba and obviously lost the game for Knicks. Duhon should have had the ball towards the end of the game not Nate Rob. The knicks are impressive though. No one thought they could compete with that squad.
December 17th, 2008 at 9:00 am
fallinup says:
@ control
But it’s the….KNICKS….and they played last night. Didn’t you get the memo. It’s the KNICKS! lol
December 17th, 2008 at 9:09 am
GEE...How come Santa doesn't just say one "Ho!" says:
I got a Christmas program to deal with today so I’ll just say this and be out!
Houston UP!
December 17th, 2008 at 9:16 am
fallinup says:
It was good to see Houston clicking for a game. Now lets see a streak, they are better than what we’ve seen.
And GEE.
Christmas programs DOWN! LOL
December 17th, 2008 at 9:17 am
smity far away says:
@ Fox
I’d still take Johnny Kerr and Tom Dore over king any day. I used to laugh at how frustrated Johnny Kerr would get when somebody would mess up. And Tom Dore was so dorky that it was just funny to me and, in the end, also enjoyable. But Stacey King just annoys me.
December 17th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Three Stacks says:
The rumor is Sczerbiak and Varejao for Marion. But there’s no way Miami would ever do that trade.
December 17th, 2008 at 9:21 am
vinny says:
while robinson can be exciting somtimes he really does try to do to much! and Harrington-some of the shots he takes are just ridiculous, but i’d still rather have him than crawford!
that was DJ’s revenge on Rose for that ncaa tournment game.
December 17th, 2008 at 9:21 am
TD says:
@black mexican
Brand might be over rated. He’s been on one playoff team in his entire career, they won 1 playoff series. And the sixers are looking like trash this year with him, they might not even make the playoffs. I’m not saying the clippers are good, but does anyone think that brand is worth 90 mil right now?
December 17th, 2008 at 9:39 am
AB_40 says:
I hope the celtics rape the lakers december 25th so the lakers can start playing real ball again… for a team that is supposed to be the barometer for the rest of the league they’re winning by a very small margin to teams who they’re supposed to blow out… like the knicks last night.
whatever happened to michael beasley? he hasn’t exactly been killing it as a rookie huh
December 17th, 2008 at 9:45 am
dmitry of jersey says:
hell no… the story with Brand is the same as the story with Garnett: neither one would have won a damn thing without Cassell. Garnett got traded to a good team so the fact that he wasn’t worth his contract as the best player became a non-issue, but with Brand we’re seeing just overpaid he is now.
and black mexican, since when is it impossible to win with dirtbags on the team? rasheed wallace had a shit rep in portland and turned into a central piece in detroit’s chip. and by all accounts kobe is a dirtbag but he gets more love than the virgin mary in Rome…
December 17th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Kobeef says:
@TD
I actually like the Clippers lineup now with Z-Bo, Camby and Boom. If they can trade Kaman for a decent SG they are in good shape.
I am not sure they would be better if the kept Brand who looks nothing like a $90 Million player in Philly. If the Clips kept brand they probably wouldn’t have got Camby who is awesome and Z-Bo who is as good or better than Brand on O but weak on D.
Nate is a freak. I can’t believe that a 5′7 guy can put up these numbers in the NBA. If you want to know how tough it is to be 5′7 and succeed in the NBA try playing ball against a 7th grader and see how ridiculously easy it is to kick his a$$..
December 17th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Fox says:
@ smity far away,
Yea he is annoying as hell. Escecially with the damn telestrator “aiight guys, FREEZE IT HERE, OK roll it again, no FREEZE!!”
But C’mon man Kerr, would say something like. “The Foul was on Ben Gordon”, when Ben Gordon wasn’t even on the court. Lol!! You can tell King annoys the shit out of Niel Funk to.
December 17th, 2008 at 10:06 am
karizmatic says:
Someone dressing fly doesn’t necessarily reflect their prima donna tendencies it could go the other way. Maybe Durant doesn’t dress up because he feels like he doesn’t have to for ordinary people. As who are you for me to look good for? I’m Kevin Durant.
December 17th, 2008 at 10:11 am
Tom S. says:
There’s no way the Cavs do the Marion trade. Giving up Varejao would leave them with no experienced big men off the bench (Lo Wright doesn’t count). Not gonna happen.
Yao also got posterized by Nene last night.
December 17th, 2008 at 10:19 am
isotope says:
and please Dime, there is only one mighty mouse.
December 17th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Big Freeze says:
the black mexican says:
Uh are you effing kidding about Brand and the Clips?
Brand = high character All-star caliber PF who plays both ends.
Randolph = d bag who cares only about stats and couldn’t guard anyone. He is the testicular cancer of teammates.
Camby = suicidal when he found out he was going to the Clips.
What did they win with Brand? A playoff series or two, and in Clipper land that is the equivalent of back-to-back championships. The Clippers effing suck balls…if they had Brand, they would be at least somewhat better, if only for better chemistry. Sometimes I wonder if yall even watch hoops.
I agree.
December 17th, 2008 at 10:35 am
dapro says:
Dime that was a terrible call on Rose last night
Augustine leaned into Rose’s outstretched arm and dropped like he’d been shoot in rib cage (flop!)
Somebody mentioned it earlier but Vinny (surprise, surprise) was out coached
You have one of the fastest cats with the ball on the perimeter and you combat a double team by sending an additional man over to set a pick thus blocking his view of his teammates and clogging any lane he has to operate
Vinny D coach of the year
December 17th, 2008 at 10:36 am
Big Freeze says:
dmitry of jersey says:
hell no… the story with Brand is the same as the story with Garnett: neither one would have won a damn thing without Cassell.
Wow, so you’re saying the only reason KG and the Tics won the ring last year is because of Sam Cassell? Did Sam even play in Game 6? Elton Brand just came off a devastating injury. It’s his first season back, and he will be in better shape next season.
December 17th, 2008 at 10:43 am
GEE...How come Santa doesn't just say one "Ho!" says:
On break!
fallinup you are to correct. I will be so glad when Friday at about 6 hits. Wish I could go to sleep during this program but somebody gotta watch the kids!
I knew Nate was built but dang (no homo) dude got one of them 300 (the movie) builds, cause everyone in that movie aside from lobster hand dude was built. Even the humpback dude was built (come on now, really?). Crazy.
Roid alert! (I kid, I kid)
Yao did catch it from NeNe last night but I will take him getting postered every game if he is giving them 32 to deal with.
Tracy’s face seems to always look like f’ yall now? I think the critisim has made it’s mark on him. Dude really doesn’t seem to smile as much or enjoy it like he used to. I hope I am wrong but just wondering?
Any predictions on who K.G. will bark at next?
December 17th, 2008 at 10:43 am
the black mexican says:
Agree that Brand is a tad overrated and that he is not (post-Achilles rupture) a 90 milly player, just dispute that any team with ZBo over Elton or any team with a .200 win percentage is “better off.”
December 17th, 2008 at 10:44 am
dmitry of jersey says:
I was talking about Garnett in minnesota, when he was the number 1 guy.
December 17th, 2008 at 11:58 am
J-Dizzle says:
I don’t like Z-Bo myself but I have to agree, but bare in mind, it wasn’t just Z-Bo that was brought up, Camby was voiced in the same breath. Besides, if you look at the start of the Clipper season, with injuries to Camby as well as Baron and the lack of chemistry, it only makes sense for them to have the record they do. They seem to be bringing it all together now. Let’s give these guys some time. I agree though that with Z-Bo and Camby, they’re better off anyway. Z-Bo, Camby, Davis… how with a lineup like that can you not eventually get to winning. 3 big time players with Kaman set to come back at some point, then some up and comers on that roster. Hopefully Mike D gets their heads on the straight and narrow and keeps them playin like a team.
December 17th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
WOLL SMOTH says:
Once again, Dime hating on D-Fish.
December 17th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
LakeShow84 says:
Nate Robinson is a cocky little bastard for having accomplished nothing aint he??
Oh my bad.. the Dunnk Contest where he pulled a bird man and took like 5 minutes to pull of his final dunk..
But last night was funny.. Dude hit a couple of shots and he thought he was MJ.. lol yeah u right Dime Kobe aint never seen an opposing guard drop 33 on us before.. A tad bit of overexaggeration.. But our defense is troublesome because we STILL cant stop guard penetration and thats all bad.. Rondo will dice us if we keep that up..
But im still crackin up over Nate.. Thats sad because he seems likeable but he gets a little too full of himself to be any good.. He looks like if he had a string of 25-30 point games he would stop working out and declare himself the best midget in the game..
December 17th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
LakeShow84 says:
And shit ima hate on DFish too..
That one man break 3 pointer he shot was retarded and he shouldnt get into it with younger guards who are more explosive than he is.. That shit is annoying because it happens more often than it should..
And i cringe everytime he drives the rock.. But hes smart and got vet savvy so ill take him for the steadying hand..
December 17th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Vinny says:
Comon Lake show Nate isnt that much worse then those scrubs sasha and Farmar-they show a whole lot of emotion for nothing 2!
December 17th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Bron42 AkA Your Moms Best Friend says:
no love for nene completely beasting yao with the crown off a drop step but u point out that yao plowed anderson? lol are we sure hes 7′6?
And while rose may have touched DJs finger tips, thats still no excuse for that “I just stepped on a landmine” flop augustine pulled out. U woulda swore he was a cartoon character who slipped on a banana. How does someone touchin ur finger cause ur head to snap back and u too fall flat.
December 17th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Bron42 AkA Your Moms Best Friend says:
and why u got nate lookin like a pocket sized 50 cent
December 17th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Bron42 AkA Your Moms Best Friend says:
o and one last thing…back in the day, stevie franchise put 44 on kobe and crew
December 17th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Austin Burton says:
@LakeShow — The point is that Kobe’s probably never seen a sub-six footer drop buckets on L.A. like that.
December 17th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
dapro says:
@Austin
AI is a sub 6′0 in true height
December 17th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
LakeShow84 says:
Steve Franchise, Monte Ellis, Gilbert Arenas (60 right?), etc, etc.. Guards do good against us period Mr. Burton..
We been beasted by small guards before.. Nothing new.. and Sorry Vinny my guys hit shots (i cant stand Sasha and his fake defense btw) and dont act so BEASTLY.. EVERYTIME i see Nate Robinson get a three point play he screams louder than 1000 fans.. And he did it last night after he hit a over FARMAR.. Come on man.. im a competitor so i know to shut up until the game is over if im playing against a better team.. put in the work during the game and dont waste your time hootin and hollarin for nothing, unless you want to make the someone mad..
But big ups Nate did drop 30 on us.. And he is a midget.. all the better.. lol will we ever have a defensive PG on our team?? i think Ariza should guard some of the points we play..
December 17th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
LakeShow84 says:
LMAO @ Bron42
That is a pocket sized 50!!
December 17th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
money says:
any knick fans missin zbo and crawford yet? yall still mad? i didn’t get to see much of them pre trade but they’re a fun team to watch shootin like a 100 treys per game. i think they got a nice squad and will look good goin in to 2010.
December 17th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
PL says:
How about Gil hanging 60 something on the Lakers a few years back? A majority of those in KB24’s eyeballs if I remember correctly.
Nate merking D-Fish (& Farmar, he got a few buckets too) was more like the oldest guy in my rec league trying to check Steph Curry. Straight embarrassing.
I like watching the Knicks play tho, it’s straight pick-up ball and they had it rolling in the first half.
December 17th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
JC says:
How come more pro athletes aren’t cut up like Nate? Obviously, Nate has a bit of an advantage due to his football pedigree, but still…