Smack / Nov 19, 2009 / 4:17 am

Back in the Mix

By

Antawn Jamison

You know what you’re going to get when the Cavs and Wizards play on national TV: Plenty of talk about LeBron‘s “rivalry” with DeShawn Stevenson, LeBron’s rivalry with the Wizards, Mike Miller wearing LeBron’s shoes, maybe Washington’s injury problems … And then there was the story line for last night’s game that nobody wanted to talk about: The gossip-page reports saying Shaq got caught messing around with Gilbert Arenas‘ girl. Anyone think there’s a slight chance that’s really why Shaq sat out? Say what you want about being a professional and focusing on the game, but that’s grounds for any grown man to get punched in the face at any random moment. … Speaking of, the crowd was booing LeBron (34 pts, 9 asts) whenever he got the ball, while the Wizards were crowding him with multiple defenders. It wasn’t working early on, as ‘Bron found open teammates and racked up assists. Toward the end of the first quarter the crowd really laid into LeBron as he brought the ball up slow, then spun off Andray Blatche and threw down a monster dunk to silence the building … But playing with a fully healthy roster for the first time since like 1984, the Wizards found a rhythm in the second half and actually played a little defense, pulling off a convincing win to snap their six-game losing streak and prove they can hang with the Eastern Conference’s elite. Antawn Jamison was jacking like usual in his season debut, dropping 31 points, while Caron Butler added 19 and Gilbert scored 18 (6-22 FG) with eight assists … Does anybody not love watching Earl Boykins play? One time Boykins used a pass-fake to lose his defender like Magic did to Sprewell in his comeback game, then later he floated a shot about one half-millimeter over LeBron’s outstretched hand when ‘Bron got as high as possible trying for the block … The announcers were talking about how the D.C. fans booing LeBron inspires him to torch their team even more. “They should throw rose petals at LeBron’s feet,” Mark Jones joked. Actually, that 15-minute segment they did on SportsCenter yesterday about LBJ potentially playing in the NFL should suffice. Even King Jaffee Joffer thought that was over the top … The Hawks look more like a legit East contender every day. Playing in front of their first sellout crowd of the season, ATL’s swagger was on 100,000 from jump as they knocked off the Heat. A few minutes in, Jamal Crawford took a three in front of the Hawks bench and spun around to nod at his teammates even before the ball went in … Your nightly Josh Smith highlight reel: (1) Catching and finishing an underhand flip ‘oop from Mike Bibby while still rising, (2) Eating up a Mike Beasley layup and going coast-to-coast for a layup, and (3) Trailing a fast break and taking an over-the-shoulder pass from Joe Johnson that he finished with another dunk … Spurs/Mavs ended like every big-time game should, with the franchise players taking turns making franchise plays. With 30 seconds left in the fourth, Tim Duncan (22 pts, 14 rebs, 6 asts, 4 blks) hit two free throws to tie it up, followed by Dirk Nowitzki (41 pts, 12 rebs) tipping in a Jason Terry miss on the next possession to put Dallas back up — one of the most athletic plays you’ll ever see Dirk make. Duncan responded with a bucket in the post, and on Dallas’ last chance in regulation, swatted Terry’s jumper when it appeared Jet had a clean look … In overtime it was all Dirk: He got the go-ahead score on a layup plus-one, hit a three that almost broke San Antonio’s will, then iced it with free throws. Playoff atmosphere for this one … Other big stat lines from Wednesday: Rajon Rondo had 18 points and 12 assists in a blowout of the Warriors; Elton Brand posted 19 points, 11 boards, six blocks and three steals to beat the Bobcats; Rashard Lewis had 17 points, 10 boards and nine assists in a win over OKC; Zach Randolph and Rudy Gay scored 21 apiece as Memphis beat the Clippers; Andrew Bogut had 21 points and 11 rebounds to keep the Nets winless; Larry Hughes had 22 points, 10 boards, seven dimes and three steals in New York’s win over Indiana; Carlos Boozer put up 22 points and 18 boards in a win over the Raptors; and Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge scored 20 apiece to lead Portland past the Pistons … Somebody had said that T-Mac was going to play last night when the Rockets visited the Wolves. Then somebody said he wasn’t. Then somebody reportedly saw McGrady in the locker room in full uniform minutes before tip-off. Turns out McGrady didn’t play, but it’s not like the Rockets needed him … Some mistakes are forgivable, and then there’s this: After Corey Brewer got a dunk off a Houston turnover, the Minnesota broadcast waited until a stoppage in play to show the replay. Standard fare, only this time they made us miss Chuck Hayes shooting a free throw. We don’t care if Brewer did a backflip and cooked Prince some pancakes in mid-air, you don’t rob people of the chance to see Chuck Hayes shoot free throws … We’re out like McGrady. Still …

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  • fallinup

    @45

    Just go to you tube and type Chuck Hayes in the search bar. “chuck hayes free throws’ comes up first.

    As said in one of the comments there… “It’s like he has a brain fart at the time of release.” :D

    Kinda like Barkley’s golf swing.

  • fallinup

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wQq9YWZ568

    Or this is a good one. Chuck Hayes shooting technical free throws.

    AI was saying he traveled. Hilarious.

  • http://www.diznuts.blogspot.com Darkness

    Look at what continuity and patience have done for the Hawks. And Josh Smith has finally realized he has no real range on his J yet. I’m not sure what cap space ATL will have, but instead of Joe Jeezy fleeing, what if they are able to sign a 3rd or 4th tier player to add with Joe? Scary thought…

  • Dagomar

    Whitlock is a fool. Apparently in order to do well in your job you must focus entirely on that job, with nothing else in the way. That’s not even humanly possible. Apparently I can’t write a comment here, else I’d be distracted from my job. Lebron apparently can’t focus on being the league’s best player because when someone asked him if he’d do well in the NFL he said that he could. What a load of childish nonsense. The guy is just a sensationalist trying to get a lot of hits on his article; I don’t know how people live with themselves when all they do is write stupid hackjobs. Lakeshow as a Lakers fan I’d expect you to know better, because those are the only sorts of stories people were writing about Kobe for years on end.

  • the cynic

    Chuck hayes at the foul line, Eddy Curry played a game, and Shaq had sex with Gil’s girl while his team was getting its ass kicked. the NBA where amazing happens

    The Hawks are legit, maybe not title contender, but I think they could reach the Eastern Conference finals

  • K Dizzle

    @ post 54

    you’ve never read an article about Kobe havin fantasies offcourt and needin to improve his game.
    Difference between Kobe and Lebron is that Kobe’s always been all hoops, all the time. For the past 7 years, we’ve been sayin that “Lebron needs to improve his free throw shooting.” “Lebron needs to develop a jumpshot” “Lebron needs to develop a post game”. 7 seasons. Dude is a 6’9 250 small forward and a ridic athlete, but his lack of development as a basketball player annoys me. Yeah, he puts up ridic numbers and he makes scrubs better, but he should be more complete as a player after 6 seasons.
    Noone’s ever said that about Kobe. If there was a weakness, he worked on it. Dude has had no weakness in his game for almost a decade….and he still develops a deadlier post game with Dream. That’s the kind of focus Bron should have with all the media hype he gets. That was kinda the point of the article

  • Dagomar

    K Dizzle:

    Facts are your friend. Lebron was hitting about 48% of his two-point jump shots for the second half of last season and he’s hitting around 50% this year. He was shooting around 78% on free throws last year; this year he’s right there again. Put it this way: Lebron’s free throw shooting has been higher than Wade’s for this season and last season; same goes for three-point shooting. Did you know that Lebron’s three point shooting is 16% higher than Kobe’s so far in the year? Meanwhile Lebron has vastly improved his defense.

    As for Kobe . . . the whole thrust of his last few years has been learning how to be a better passer, a better team player. That’s what he’s always been criticized for. Right now he’s averaging .5 more turnovers than assists. Who’s not improving?

    What are you talking about dude? it sounds to me like you’re just going off of hunches and biases rather than A) watching the games and B) checking the stats and C) being open-minded.

  • LakeShow84

    @ DAGOMAR

    I know he pushes the envelope but read everything he said.. its kinda spot on the situation.. and honestly i havent addressed the Lebron in football thing because (i hate to say but as Whitlock said) the only reason it came up was because Mangini didnt want to talk about the season and said he’d welcome Lebron.. BUT he did have some valid points;

    A)All of a sudden because LJ wants 23 retired the WHOLE LEAGUE should do it?? and his basis for this was “because he was the greatest to play”?? another media response from a media darling.. no depth and didnt make much sense to me.. he said Jordan did so much for the game?? NO Russell, Erving and Magic paved the way for him to PLAY.. Jordan made a one man show exciting..

    B)He aint won shit yet to have his eye wandering over to the football side and as someone who has played both sports as a professional football player i would be offended for him to think he can jump onto my stage after his only credence is dominatin high school kids.. at least make sure your game is sound.. post up anyone??

    And there are no more comparisons between Kobe and Lebron.. i wont even address cuz its nonsense.. Lebron needs to win something before i even look at him as a true elite player.. look at the REAL elite players right now.. hes a media darling and thats all.. and the way he is treated on the court by the refs is an insult to players who have had to work their way up and fans who like said players..

    Kobes, Dwade, Duncan, KG.. they all won a championship for their team.. only one not on their is Melo and he barely became elite.. and its frightening for me to admit it but i think Melo’s game will win Denver a chip eventually..

    i hope Lebron avg those #’s.. if he didnt you would need to justify how the man touches the ball 80+ times a game and aint droppin shit..

  • SagJism

    OMFG, I am ROTFLMBAO at hayes free-throws, WTF is that? my coffee just came up my nose and the link #52 provided, and why is the hell is he shooting techs? LOL OMFG.

  • SagJism

    @58, way to be on point.

  • Dagomar

    Lakeshow, I don’t really want to waste my time arguing with someone who doesn’t consider Lebron a really elite player, but I can’t believe you added KG on that list. So you didn’t consider KG an elite player before he won a Chip? I guess he was that much better in Boston than in Minny, right? Let’s face it: the best player Bron ever played with is Mo Williams, and the Cavs are still a title threat.

  • Diego

    @ K Dizzle:

    Yea, Pau is not that tough. I recall Horford dominating him in a game in ATL Horford’s rookie (I believe) year–and Horford is vastly improved. (Look it up; I don’t have to.) And yes, Pau is not what he was when he was go-to center for Memphis, winning rookie of year and single-handedly taking them to the playoffs a couple of years.

    Naw, J-Smoove realistically did not deserve All-Star game last year–I am not that biased.

    And note to NBA (and school of life?) novice–a good start is always nice. Once you start on a roll, it often keeps rolling (and the flip side). And would anyone today bet Atlanta doesn’t make playoffs? Phoenix? How about N.J.–anyone think they will make playoffs? How is Milwaukee looking? Anyone now think Atlanta might be top 3 seed in East? Anyone think Atlanta will have 2 guy on All Star team (not voted; chosen by coaches)? Last 2 items still may not happen–but certainly does not seem as farfetched today as 3 weeks ago. Bottom line: Like most things, it is great to get things off to nice start and build momentum. Compare Heat this year vs. last year.

    @ LAballer: I am crazy comparing Oden and Aldridge to Bynum and Pau? Question: What’s the difference between Lakers and Trailblazers? Answer: Kobe.

  • dennisfromdallas

    @ 49

    Alledgedly, Gilbert’s girl is pregnant….only she would know the truth.

  • Claw

    @Lakeshow – You smoking some of that Diego weed also? Lebron not elite? Are you flippin kidding me? KG is not the player he was in Minny, not even close to being that dominant force.

    How soon we forget Kobe airballing 3s in the playoffs. Lebron is a better player at 24 than Kobe was. Kobe was mastering his craft really? In Kobe’s 6th season he was shooting 25% from downtown, that’s dominating. BTW Lebron is at 36%.

    Let me know when Smokie shows up to your party.

    I don’t which is worse JSmooth/Al better than Pau/Bynum or LBJ not elite and hasn’t worked on his game like Kobe.

  • LakeShow84

    @ Dagomar..

    there aint no point in arguing because there is no arguement.. like i said.. your boy got to win something to impress me and pure basketball purists.. until then i still see bad footwork (LMAO they legalized the crab dribble for him??), charges and clutch time bricks.. He still bricking clutch FT’s?? DAMN..

    IMO hes WACK.. he should chalk up 2-3 more charges a game.. and 2 should be in the end of close games cuz hes retardedly predictable.. just like CP3 should get 2-3 more pushoff fouls a game.. but aye thats just the way it is..

    And HONESTLY NO i didnt think KG was elite because he didnt ACCOMPLISH THE MAIN GOAL IN ALL OF SPORTS after being a beast for so many years.. after a while stats dont mean shit.. thats why so many superstars start hopping teams looking for rings later on their careers..

    But KG got his ring and the stats to back it up..

    It dont go the other way around..

  • LakeShow84

    @ Claw

    Lol all everyone can jump on is “You said Lebron isnt elite!?!? how dare u!!”

    knocs, of course i know he is elite.. but its funny how everyone gotta bring Kobe into the discussion..

    Kobe was 3 time champion by the time he was 24.. NO DISCUSSION.. So you all must know Lebron couldve led the charge that Kobe led against Portland in that playoff series?? lol actually i know.. he wouldve either charged or choked.. Could Lebron have locked down the other teams best player at 24?? Nah but aye he couldve blocked him on a fast break! YAY!

    Yawn.. the discussion is so tiring.. accomplishments vs hype and what ifs..

    HMMMMMMMMMM who wins..

  • LakeShow84

    @ Claw

    So when KG went to Boston and turned their D into one of the best defenses in YEARS it was really because of Ray Allen and Posey and all the other roster fill??

    Yeah sit and think about that my friend.. if you were a basketball player you wouldnt win jack either..

    You do what you do for your team to WIN.. if u can drop stupid #’s along the way fine but if not know ur role.. just cuz they superstars dont mean they dont have a role.. Allen Iverson anyone??

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