Hell Week
Kevin Garnett (photo. Gary Land)As you probably know by now — since an eye-popping number never came across the ticker and you didn’t get any giddy/trash-talking texts about it — Paul Pierce didn’t come close to matching the out-of-this-world numbers that Kobe and LeBron put up at Madison Square Garden earlier this week. While Pierce did drop some clutch and timely buckets in the fourth quarter on his way to 26 points, it was a little bit of everybody lighting up the scoreboard for the Celtics, who gutted out a tougher-than-expected win. The Knicks actually led in the fourth quarter, until Ray Allen (22 pts) went on a run where he scored 11 straight to put Boston up for good. With NY at least trying to play D on the Big Three down the stretch, the bench guys like Eddie House and Leon Powe delivered the daggers. On Powe’s layup with 2:30 remaining that put the C’s up by 11, the Knicks were doubling Kevin Garnett (15 pts, 11 rebs) and completely forgot about Powe; by the time KG hit him under the basket, the closest person to Powe was probably a fan sitting on the baseline … If you weren’t watching the game and you get an e-mail that only says, “Wilson Chandler just murdered Kendrick Perkins,” you don’t know if Chandler dunked on Perk, or if Perk (who’s always trying to start something) and Chandler (who has to be on edge post-Kobe/LeBron) got in a fight and Chandler unleashed all that pent-up frustration on Perk’s left eye. Turns out the e-mail was about a dunk … Just-hired New York Jets coach Rex Ryan was in the crowd and got a nice ovation when he was shown on the big screen. Just don’t come back in November when the Jets are 3-7 and expect that kind of love … So who do you think complained to the NBA and prompted the video review that resulted in LeBron losing his triple-double: The Knicks, Ben Wallace, or Kobe? … Have any of the pre-hyped “Greg Oden versus Player X” head-to-head matchups lived up to their billing yet? Whether it’s Oden vs. Shaq, Oden vs. Yao, Oden vs. Duncan, Oden vs. Bynum, or Oden vs. Dwight, they all seem to end with G.O. either getting hurt or not playing much. Last night’s Oden vs. Kevin Durant matchup wasn’t head-to-head in the sense that the top two picks in the ’07 Draft guarded each other, but even then, G.O. was a disappointment. While KD did his part, dropping 31 points, Oden saw just 16 minutes (4 pts) thanks to his old friend Foul Trouble … As for the game itself, the Thunder won in surprisingly easy fashion. They were up 20 in the first half and were never really threatened the rest of the way despite Brandon Roy putting up 32 points. Not sure if Travis Outlaw was trying to quiet any talk that the Blazers should have taken Durant #1 to play his position, but he went for 20 and had a pretty sick Dwight/Superman-ish “dunk” on Jeff Green … E-mail from Dime’s Austin Burton early into Pacers/Magic: “You’re not gonna believe me, but Roy Hibbert is kinda killing Dwight Howard right now. I’m completely serious. He gave him a little turnaround J, then dropped a hook on him, then he just beat him underneath for a dunk. Roy’s got eight points early in the second quarter.” That was about the extent of it, though, at least offensively. Hibbert air-balled a baseline J on his next touch after the dunk, and only had one more bucket the rest of the game. He did block a couple of Dwight’s shots and beat him for a rebound here and there, but at the end of the day it was just another monster stat line for The Centaur (21 pts, 20 rebs) …
Dwight Howard (photo. Mannion)Orlando’s issue wasn’t getting Dwight his looks; it was defense. “We brought no defensive mentality, played no defense in the first half,” Stan Van Gundy said after the loss. “It’s a broken record. An awful effort tonight. I applaud them, they played well, but an awful effort on our part.” The Pacers went up double-digits in the first half, and while the Magic made it close later on, Danny Granger (33 pts) took over in the fourth quarter to put them away … We’re getting overloaded on low points to reference during this awful season for the Raptors. There was the Vince Carter one-man annihilation, and the embarrassing loss to the Thunder in December, and the 700-point loss to the Nuggets that led to Sam Mitchell‘s firing, and the seven-game losing streak that was highlighted by Chris Bosh and Jamario Moon beefing in public. Last night may have been another low point. Having already lost four games in a row, the Bosh-less Raps faced a Hornets team that was playing without Chris Paul (groin) and on a four-game skid of their own. Toronto still took the loss, getting rained on by Peja (7 threes) and James Posey (4 threes); letting guys like Rasual Butler look like Josh Smith dunking on the entire front line; and getting run out of the building in the fourth quarter … In the off-chance that CP can’t go for All-Star, you might have to give Deron Williams his spot. Deron has been killing it lately, and last night’s 34-point effort against the Kings was his third straight 30-point game. Deron dimed Mehmet Okur (28 pts, 11 rebs) for the game-tying triple in the final minute of the fourth, and added the go-ahead layup with 20 seconds left … The Kings played some inspired ball in front of their first sellout crowd of the season, on the same night Chris Webber had his #4 raised to the rafters. (Vlade Divac will have his Kings jersey retired next month.) Kevin Martin dropped 37 points, but that same ol’ sorry defense got them in the end … Other big stat lines from Friday: Grant Hill scored 27 in a win over Golden State; Zach Randolph dumped 35 points and 10 boards in a win over the Grizzlies; and Marvin Williams scored 29 (18-20 FT’s) in a win over Charlotte … Anyone else see “C. Martin” on the Bobcats box score and think for a half-second that it was Cuonzo Martin? Turns out it was D-League call-up Cartier Martin, previously known as the best player in recent Kansas State history until Michael Beasley showed up. Martin is already taking Adam Morrison‘s minutes … We’re out like The ‘Stache …
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February 7th, 2009 at 5:12 am
Big Aaron says:
phirst
not happy with my orlando magics. hopefully milwaukee pull this shit and fail Nogans’ medical and we get a do over on a shitty trade.
February 7th, 2009 at 5:13 am
jackass says:
whatever happened to the first thing????
February 7th, 2009 at 5:37 am
smity far away says:
“old friend Foul Trouble”…lol
February 7th, 2009 at 5:37 am
Hi, Jurg from Denmark says:
hi hi
first european to write first on today’s amsk.
from jurg. hi de hi.
February 7th, 2009 at 5:42 am
Johny says:
I’m completely serious. He gave him a little turnaround J, then dropped a hook on him, then he just beat him underneath for a dunk. Roy’s got eight points early in the second quarter.
February 7th, 2009 at 6:36 am
Iannyb says:
Big up dime magazine lloking forward to the lakers Cavs matchup. Not like the Knincks did roll over for any of those teams anyway,the three of ‘em were all competitive.New York I think has a bright future.let’s just see how it goes from there.Go Lakers
February 7th, 2009 at 6:52 am
YOUNGFED..."I Just check my watch it read money all the time" says:
Check out these new Jordans droppin’ this month. They’re a lil pricy ($190) but i’d cop’em. What do yall think. Holla.
http://www.balleralert.com/profiles/blogs/ballers-still-go-crazy-over
February 7th, 2009 at 7:15 am
josh tha roc says:
@Fed
i threw your joke from yesterday out there and got some laughs. just thought i’d let you know its not just me and you that thought it was funny.
February 7th, 2009 at 7:29 am
YOUNGFED says:
@Josh
Thats cool I thought it was hilarious thats why I but it out there. I apreciate your realness though. What did you think about those J’s though.
February 7th, 2009 at 7:32 am
josh tha roc says:
whose more likely to be in the lottery come 2011..Suns or Knicks?
February 7th, 2009 at 7:35 am
josh tha roc says:
There pretty sharp…don’t know if i would ball in them though.
February 7th, 2009 at 7:37 am
josh tha roc says:
@johnny…i dont really get your post, you just copied word for word what was in smack.
February 7th, 2009 at 7:38 am
josh tha roc says:
question to jurgy: is asmk danish for smack?
February 7th, 2009 at 7:58 am
Jayson says:
How long will Greg Oden last in the NBA? He looks like he’s in his 40s, runs like he’s in his 50s, and gets injured like he has osteogenesis imperfecta.
February 7th, 2009 at 8:32 am
Big Aaron says:
Unlucky Jurg, I’m from the UK. Suck my balls, kraut.
February 7th, 2009 at 8:35 am
Shrink This says:
The Raptors are just terrible. Until they improve, perhaps we should just banish them from Smack altogether.
And to whomever is thinking of signing Bosh in free agency or considering picking him up in a trade, remember his crybaby response to being booed by the fans in Toronto earlier this season.
Yeah Chris, go to New York and get paid. I’m sure everything will be easier there; right Danilo…
February 7th, 2009 at 8:56 am
Bron42 aka Downtown Funky Stuff Malone says:
@dime, who complained about lebrons stat? this guy right here….go back to the other post and see who pointed it out first…told you…david stern on speed dial.
February 7th, 2009 at 8:59 am
Bron42 aka Downtown Funky Stuff Malone says:
@fed, dime posted those kicks like a month ago…right before they posted those ugly superhero wrestling boots…
umm…if you score 8 and your guys scores 21 and 20….can you still actually be killing him? And i love how perk checked his lip for blood before drifting out the pics after gettin dunked on by chandler.
February 7th, 2009 at 9:18 am
Murakami says:
What hell week? oh please!
we are fine, it took 2 great performances to beat us. And we had a chance in all 3 games to come away with W.
Yes, we didn’t, but you know why? We don’t have a superstar, a go-to-guy.
The NBA is still a one superstar league game, the Bulls Jordan, Kobe, James, etc..
More, WE DON’T HAVE A SINGLE ALL-STAR, still we were right there.
The store is closing, the Knicks are coming back.
February 7th, 2009 at 9:28 am
Bron42 aka Downtown Funky Stuff Malone says:
in close, you went 0-3 and ur not even in the playoff race as of right now….save ur energy to boo during u your lottery pic again.
February 7th, 2009 at 9:43 am
rangerjohn says:
all i can say is can the nuggets get a little easier schedule or what? i mean damn why not let them play the thunder, the wiz, the knicks, and the clippers every game all season.
February 7th, 2009 at 10:10 am
YOUNGFED says:
I am a douche nuts!
February 7th, 2009 at 10:26 am
Bron42 aka Downtown Funky Stuff Malone says:
@ranger, awww dont hate just cuz their about to be tied with ur spurs…maybe you guys shouldn’t have taken that last game against them off lol
February 7th, 2009 at 10:28 am
YOUNGFED..."Lifestyles of the balleRific" says:
^^^Wooooowwww^^^ I’m honored you took time out of your day to try a be me. Big ups.
BTW you should focus on your money a not me maybe then you wouldn’t be so bitter with your life son.
Hi Hater!!@! lol
This has been a public service announcement dedicated to post#22 (lmao)
February 7th, 2009 at 10:48 am
rangerjohn says:
oh bron, not worried about the nuggets, for some reason everyone seams to think the spurs are worried about the nuggets.
i just find it funny how they have such a weak schedule and yet they think because of their record that they are title contenders. wake up and smell the napalm nuggets fans.
February 7th, 2009 at 10:56 am
Jayson says:
@ Murakami: What position do you play for the Knicks?!
February 7th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
WinDelRoj says:
You know the nuggets still gotta win those games. Its not like they don’t all play the same teams or anything.. and didn’t the spurs get like the grizz the bucks and then the grizz again maybe 2 weeks ago?
February 7th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Ian says:
lakeshow
lol i went back and read the “im sorry … gasol is our second best player” hahaha what made u change your mind bro??
February 7th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
JHov says:
Everybody should leave Benjamin Buttons aka Greg Oden alone!! The kid will have a up and down yr. but will be a solid pro! Did I miss it or did Dime not mention that the NBA took away BronBron’s triple-double??
February 7th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Amar says:
deron williams would have been an all-star if he wasn’t injured by d. rose in the preseason, then the jazz would have won more games, and his averages are flat out all-star numbers. he doesn’t need paul’s sloppy seconds.
in other news, olden polynice just ‘arrested’ another person on a golf course.
February 7th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Rangerjohn says:
Windelroj,
Yes they have to them obviously. If you look, the spurs strength of schedule has been MUCH harder. Hell I can’t think of to many teams with a weaker one then the nugs
February 7th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
doc (i like kobe AND bron) says:
D-Will shouldnt go to the game until they let him in right.He too good to be one of them replacement dudes.Take Nash washed up ass.
February 7th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
doc (i like kobe AND bron) says:
@ranger-San An and Denver play the same damn schedule.
February 7th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
rocky lobs says:
random as hell. but the celtics should try to get sean williams
February 7th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Bigdoggchad says:
Actually the nuggets have a higher strength of schedule then the Lakers, Cavs, Celtics, and Magic. If you don’t believe check out hollingers power rankings at espn.
February 7th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Austin Burton says:
@Amar — You’re joking about Polynice, right?
February 7th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
rangerjohn says:
bigdogchad
if you go by hollingers rankings then that would mean that the portland trailblazers are teh 5th best team in the league. hmm didnt portland just get murdered by the thunder?
those SOS ratings he has listed where based on last years final rankings. not current nba trends.
as for a more accurate rating from hollinger, the SOS for the last 25% of the games played, the only teams with WEAKER SOS then the nuggets in the top 10 teams listed are the blazers, the hawks and the rockets. hollinger is the same guy whos system raised the rockets 3 places when they beat the warriors, lowered the spurs rating the same night when they beat the hornets, then lowered the spurs rating 2 nights later when they beat the warriors. his system is so flawed it is not even funny.
@ doc, come on man I KNOW you know better then that, the spurs and nuggets cant possibly have the same schedule. they have the same schedlue against the east yes. as an example they play sacremento 1 more time and phio 1 less time then the spurs. i agree the majority of the schedlue is the same, but they get a banged up utah 1 more time. while we get a weak mem 1 more time.
when i speak of their schedule i am speaking NOW anyway.
February 7th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
mavs all the way says:
BREAKING NEWS:
adam morrison traded for radmanovic.
IS IT REALLY BREAKING NEWS? OH WELL. LOOK IT UP.
February 7th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
AB_40 says:
ADAM MORRISON IS A LAKER y’all are late haha
this is gonna be fun adam morrison vs the machinne on who get’s to kiss kobe’s ass for the day… those one on one games are gonna be …… you can fill in the blank haha
February 7th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Lee says:
Adam Morrison .. say it aint so !!!
That trade makes no sence for the laker
February 7th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
rangerjohn says:
that trade makes perfect sense for the lakers, they are kissing jordans ass because they took kwame way back when