Defense wins statement games
LeBron James (photo. Mannion)
One 15-second sequence before halftime of Cavs/Hawks delivered the kind of excitement promised by a national TV matchup of the two best teams in the East (watch out for the batteries and water bottles being thrown by Boston and Orlando fans), but it was some unexciting basic defense that proved the difference down the stretch … At the end of the first half, Marvin Williams swatted LeBron to prevent Cleveland from taking a six-point lead, but then Mo Williams stole the outlet and banked in a shot. Jamal Crawford marched down and dropped a three like he was shooting Nerf on his bedroom door, and while the ATL crowd was busy going crazy, Jamario Moon hit LeBron (14 pts, 8 rebs, 10 asts, 5 stls) with a bullet inbound pass that LBJ snagged on the run and — with one dribble and two giant steps — threw down a two-hand dunk just before the buzzer. Hate to keep making football references with LeBron for fear of starting another round of “Can LeBron play in the NFL?” nonsense, but he looked like Andre Johnson on that play … The Hawks led by one going into the fourth, but the Cavs buckled down and played some serious D; keeping ATL off the board until 3:12 remained, by which time the Cavs led by 11. (This is a few days after the Cavs kept Sacramento scoreless in overtime.) During that stretch, Delonte West got a steal and hammered on Josh Smith, one of the dunks of the year. Maybe it was because J-Smoove didn’t have his headband on; it must have Samson-like powers. (Calling a tech on Delonte for posing after the dunk was pretty weak. You just dunked over the NBA’s 2nd-leading shot-blocker; you can’t show a little excitement and puff your chest out?) … Once the Hawks ended the drought on a dunk by Smith, they actually put together some offense and made it a ballgame. Crawford (26 pts) dipped around LeBron for a layup to cut the lead to five, but on the most important defensive possession of the night, Big Z got wide open in the corner and stroked a dagger three with 41 seconds left … By the way, the Cavs are the best team in the NBA now — at least according to Dime’s weekly Hit List power ranking. The usual suspects are where you’d expect, while the Grizzlies and Clippers may be higher than you think. We’ll give you a hint as to who’s still holding down last place: It rhymes with Boo-Worthy Nets … Not even the biggest Kobe hater could blame KB for getting a little one-track-mind late against the Warriors. No matter how many times the Lakers delivered a potential knockout blow, they could never put G-State away until the very end. Early in the fourth, Kobe (44 pts, 13-27 FG, 16-16 FT, 11 asts) hit back-to-back threes, dropped a jumper off a slick spin move, then dimed Lamar Odom for an and-one — typically the kind of run that will take a team’s heart — but the Warriors just kept responding with buckets of their own … Finally with about two minutes left, Odom’s offensive rebound and putback put L.A. up by three, then Ronny Turiaf had some untimely bricked free throws and a turnover, and Kobe and Pau Gasol (27 pts, 12 rebs, 3 blks) gave L.A. some cushion at the line … Actual line from Lakers announce Stu Lantz: “You want to see fundamentals? This is the NBA. You want fundaments, go to high school or college.” He might have been being sarcastic, but honestly, we couldn’t tell … On the one day where people were actually talking about him, Devin Brown almost took advantage. With the Hornets playing catch-up to the Rockets, Brown hit a three to cut the lead to two with about a minute left, but on Houston’s next possession, Trevor Ariza blew past Brown and caught a two-hand dunk. After that it was all free throws for Houston as they pulled out the W … And all this despite monster efforts by David West (44 pts, 12 rebs) and Chris Paul (16 pts, 11 rebs, 10 asts). West dropped 22 in the third quarter alone, when nobody — not Luis Scola, Carl Landry, Chuck Hayes, Carl Herrera or Otis Thorpe — knew what to do with him. And then for whatever reason, Jeff Bower kept West on the bench for the first four minutes of the fourth, when N.O. lost its lead … Other big stat lines from Tuesday: Kevin Durant dropped 35 points and 11 rebounds as OKC beat the Wizards; David Lee had 30 points and 12 boards as the Knicks knocked off the Pistons; Derrick Rose scored 28 to lead Chicago past the Pacers; and Manu Ginobili had 14 points, 10 assists and three steals to beat the Wolves … We’re out like Herrera …
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December 30th, 2009 at 5:15 am
BRUCE says:
Damn — The Wizards are just plain garbage! Sir Charles has been right all along!
December 30th, 2009 at 5:18 am
BRUCE says:
Let Lebron play in the NFL — The DEs, LBs, DBs, SS, and FSs are liking their chops right now!
December 30th, 2009 at 5:23 am
BRUCE says:
Otis Thorpe — Dude had a good career. 2 chips, played with The Dream. I liked the Dude. He was more valuable after his playing career, ask The Memphis Grizzlies!
Thorpe would have gave West a heat check! And if you sic Olajuwon on him (West), forget about it!
December 30th, 2009 at 6:01 am
Big Aaron says:
OKC are sneaking up. 17-14 for a Western team that’s supposed to still be the NBA-equivalent of a toddler? That’s nice.
December 30th, 2009 at 6:02 am
iannyb says:
Kobe needs to step up his assist game.lebron or wade wopuld average 25 assists a night with that kind of team.he has to porvide more oppurtuinities for his teammates.they should feed off of him.Go Lakers
December 30th, 2009 at 6:42 am
Josh Tha roc says:
loved the carl herrera reference. Haha
OKC all day!
December 30th, 2009 at 6:55 am
Shotta says:
No mention of Turiaf’s block on Kobe’s dunk attempt?? That was strong.
December 30th, 2009 at 8:02 am
Abdul-Salaam says:
eat chipotle like a boss!!!
December 30th, 2009 at 8:03 am
rangerjohn says:
come on dime dont short change manu on this one, he had 14 points, 10 dimes, 9 REBOUNDS (you forgot that part), 3 steals, only 1 turnover, and in less then 28 minutes. not to mention 3-4 of the best/craziest passes of the season.
manu is starting to come around!
December 30th, 2009 at 8:29 am
That's what's up says:
Manu’s passing was on point. The best passing I’ve seen in a long time.
Rangerjohn, how can you just gloss over Tracy McCrappy’s situation?
what’s the deal??
December 30th, 2009 at 8:33 am
Posterboy15 says:
@ iannyb
Kobe had 44 points and 11ast…and u want him to step up his assist game..wtf… lol. Lebron and Dwade entered the league with natural point gaurd skills and transcended into great scores themselves, Kobe has been dominant for years playing his game.why change the format..He is not Oscar Robertson, besides he won the team a ring last year playing that sameway, Im pretty sure guys are comfortable in their roles anyway, considering most of those guys werent as sucessful being the main guy on previous teams…
December 30th, 2009 at 9:02 am
rangerjohn says:
TWU
tracy has been nothing more then a premadonna in this town since day one. i have said since day one he was a cancer and was no good for this team. hell the guy openly admitted to coasting in both toronto and orlando, and the BS he pulled last season with his surgery. so long POS. in all honesty, i dont expect any team to come up with a trade the rockets would like. the rockets (mainly their fans) are putting to much stock in him, as adelman said, he is not the tracy of 2 yrs ago or 5 yrs ago, people need to stop thinking he is that guy because he is not. i think GM’s see this and know this and so they are not going to offer anything but bad contracts and weak players. tracy might actually get bought out close to the deadline, that is the only way the rockets get under the cap.
December 30th, 2009 at 9:08 am
Lucas says:
Notice how Kobe’s scoring a lot but his team isn’t really dominating like they should…
December 30th, 2009 at 9:09 am
no j mayo says:
i hate when dumb fux say things like “nba has no fundamentals”…wtf ever…sometimes i get pissed at L haters, other times it’s just like, oh well their loss
December 30th, 2009 at 9:20 am
Chicagorilla says:
Tyrus Thomas,Tyrus Thomas,Tyrus Thomas,Tyrus Thomas,Tyrus Thomas,Tyrus Thomas!!!!
The boy changes the whole look of the bulls defense and even helps on offense. the perimeter guys can actually attempt to play tight pressure defense because if they get by them, Tyrus is swarming on the weakside looking to catch him a vic. Just ask Roy Hibbert. Tyrus tortured him last year in one game. I think he blocked 3 consecutive shots of Hibberts (5 total on Hibbert in the game) or something close to that. So last night, Hibbert was terrified and looking over his shoulder when Tyrus was in. Hibbert was killing Noah and Miller, then Tyrus checks in and he starts throwing up garbage.
December 30th, 2009 at 9:23 am
DJ says:
anyone got a youtube link to the moon dunk on smith??
would be appreciated
thanks
-DJ
December 30th, 2009 at 9:42 am
dz says:
What’s up with the Ron Artest injury? Is there a Tiger Woods type story in there?
December 30th, 2009 at 10:05 am
GABRIEL BROGDEN says:
I nominate AARON BROOKS for MVP.
And I’m dead serious.
That NO/Rockets game reminds of a 70′s song. W-A-R : WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR?? Absolutely NOTHING!
I meant PEJA not WAR, my bad.
Funny how Andy Varajeo can score only 3 points but shut down at least 2 opposing players with all that damn energy and hustle. That’s why he’s gettin’ 6.3 mil this year.
JJ Hickson –}} can you say TRADE DEADLINE???
Joe Johnson —}} NBA’s version of TONY ROMO.
When it’s smooth sailing, Joey’s giving you buckets…but when the team is counting on you, he hides in a closet, sucking his thumb in a fetal position. Hope tonight he proves me wrong.
Tyrus/Rose account for 11 turnovers but you’d never know it. PACERS stink.
While Dunleavy steady playin’ Derrick’s passing lanes and picking his pocket, he’s looking for his own shot.
The reason you can accept a Rose TO is because he’s looking to make sumptin happen.
And Tyrus, it seemed, got all his TOs back either on blocked shots or drawing fouls.
Shout outs to Rose and Tyrus.
Kirk and Johnny Buckets was gettin loose too.
Deng might just be the MIP this year. Stayin’ within the flow of the game, within his own limitations…nice to see.
I’m done.
By the way, CAVALIERS lookin’ like the REAL DEAL FOR REAL FOR REAL. Their DEFENSE is out-f***ing-standing, there’s no denying it.
December 30th, 2009 at 10:06 am
calvin brodus says:
im starting to think that tyrus thomas is posting on this site under the the name chicagorilla.
December 30th, 2009 at 10:18 am
Chicagorilla says:
@19, clever, who would have thunk it? I mean to say that a poster with Chicago in his name is a fan of Tyrus Thomas who plays for Chicago…that’s just insanely intelligent of you.
@Gabriel,
Many of Rose’s TO’s are because he’s trying to get his teammates involved and they don’t seem to want to be involved all the time (Kirk Hinrich,Taj Gibson, Brad Miller, and John Salmons) they would rather him shoot til the Bulls get a big lead, then they want to jack up shots.
As for Tyrus, yes he gets it all back on defense. Especially with his intimidation.
On Deng and Dunleavy- you must have only looked at stats, cause the last thing Dunleavy does is play defense. Deng also has the most terrible shot selection. When the game is close, and he’s iso’d on the baseline, instead of taking Dunleavy off the dribble (one dribble) he pulls for a 20ft jumper. Sometimes he hits, but often times he misses.
December 30th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Reddi Red says:
^^^^ funny!! lol
December 30th, 2009 at 10:23 am
Reddi Red says:
post took took long……. i meant post # 19 was funny.
December 30th, 2009 at 10:26 am
kevin says:
hey dime,
i’ve never seen this hilarious steve nash ad on here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxZkaEge0R8
it’s the one where him and 50 are telling people they can submit flavours for vitamin water.. too funny man.
kev
December 30th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Ian says:
posterboy
he meant assists avg not one game.
like our friend tyrone likes to say manu dropped some dopey dimes last night.
last 2 games hes looking like his old self.
December 30th, 2009 at 11:12 am
eyes says:
Lebron took a King step before half to get that dunk
The Hawks aren’t for real. Mike Bibby you are the weakest link. JJ isn’t a 1 option or a max player. The Hawks need a PG
The Lakers are lucky they got some help from the officials or they would have suffered a 3 game skid. THe refs called 3 bogus calls after Kobe ripped into 2 rookie officials. One that looks like Pee Wee Herman. He damn near cried for the next call down. D Fish needs a Golden Globe. It’s funny the commentator said how Kobe could make it look their was a foul committed even when there isn’t. Funny. The refs have keen eyesight. Turiaf block on Kobe was SICK. Kobe having to score so much doesn’t bode well for the playoffs let alone the finals.
Steph Curry isn’t a PG. Whoever thinks he could or will turn into a point should re-think evaluating players.
Is it possible for Lebron to try a new dunk any time soon on the break. It’s kind of not exciting anymore to me. The more I watch Lebron the more I see MAGIC. He just loves to pass the ball. If he were on the Lakers I think they would be more dominant. If he had the Nuggets or Hawks I think they also would contend for Ring. He is a very unique player. Not the best but what he brings to this subpar team is amazing.
Lebron/Kobe/Duncan get away with so much traveling it’s not funny. Also is it professional to cry for every missed call or foul awarded? If I were a ref I’d T them up for the stare alone. You could read their mind. Do you know who I am. How could you? Refs really play a vital roll in the Win/Lose column. Some of the calls that are made or missed are just to blatant.
Honestly with a few trades the ring is up for grabs if the league & its officials would just let them play fairly.
December 30th, 2009 at 11:14 am
eyes says:
I’m also dying to see Coby Karl & Danny Green & Boobie Gibson get some tick. LOL.
December 30th, 2009 at 11:31 am
ENEW says:
The Celtics are still the best team in basketball.
The Cavs have definitely turned it up, no doubt, but Celtics top to bottom are going to be there at the end.
This is a nice little rest for Pierce.
Now that Big Baby is back KG and Sheed will both not be overextended as that is quite a front line to make a run at banner #18.
That Rondo kid looks pretty good…hahaha…love thy green!
December 30th, 2009 at 11:43 am
got beef? says:
@27
Rondo looks PRETTY good, kid looks like, and is, an all star this year
December 30th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Ross says:
Manu was amazing last night. One of the best passing performances I’ve ever seen, not to mention the near triple double in less than 30 mins.
December 30th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
LakeShow84 says:
@ Eyes
After watching Maggette throw himself into our frontline ALL NIGHT and get his calls we BETTER get some calls on our home floor in crunch time.. and ill agree with everyone, Kobe and his ref tirades are tiring.. especially when we had a 3pt lead and he let them tie it.. JUST PLAY THE GAME MAMBA.. it aint right but who cares.. thats that spoiled, i feel entitled shit.. oh well..
We DESPERATELY need Artest back..
And can we just cut Vujacic already?? I think Phil let him play against the Warriors ALOT in the 2nd half so he could work himself out of his muck.. and he didnt.. hes got MINUS written all over him.. ship him out.. like yesterday.. he makes the DUMBEST fouls..
December 30th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Claw says:
Kobe is doing alot of scoring lately and the Lakers aren’t looking as efficient. We are talking the Warriors and Sactown almost taking out the Lakers, and even Denver has lost their mojo lately.
Wish they would start calling fouls on floppers, DFish wouldn’t make it out of halftime.
Lotta Laker fans out there, with the Artest experiment being just implemented you still glad you have him and not Ariza?
What the hell did really happen to Artest? Tripped over a box and fell down the stairs?
December 30th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
eyes says:
Artest yes he fell accidentaly and hurt himself. Why are people reaching for something. Are people that bored & want to see some kind of drama unfold. Have you guys ever slipped in a bathtub or outside ever. Mannn. Stop trying to create an illusion or paint this ill picture of Artest. Damn that’s not cool.
@LakeShow
You’re absolutely right the calls were balanced out & home team should always get the benefit of the whistle. The NBA where fair happens.
December 30th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
JHicks says:
Only old people and drunks fall down the steps. Something smells fishy here.
December 30th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Claw says:
Haven’t fell in a bathtub lately. Cmon, tripped and fell down the stairs? I had no problem when the dude from the Kings was out a few games due to spraining his thumb playing Madden but this doesn’t sound right.
You are probably the same person that believe Tiger’s wife was trying to “save” him by bashing in the BACK of the SUV while Tiger was in the front and he accidentally drove over a hydrant and hit a tree.
December 30th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Claw says:
I’m crying.
An ill picture of Artest?
You mean the one that was drinking during halftime or the one that wanted to take time off to pursue his rap “career” or the one that started the melee in the Palace?
December 30th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
LakeShow84 says:
Nah Artest probably tried that crazy shit with some of the wrong people in LA..
And as a result got his wig split.. it happens..
Sounds to me like he got knocked in the head with a bottle..
But who knows.. its never good to assume.. lets just think he really did fall down the stairs lol
@ Claw
Yes i am happy with the swap.. right now but if Ariza continues to improve then yes i will regret it eventually.. I’ve always said hes showed flashes of Worthy.. plus hes still young so you dont know how far he’ll go.. Artest is what he is at this point..
December 30th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
QQ says:
Just read the opening statement about the ‘twoe best teams in the East’.
Come on now. That was too obvious. It’s a fucking bait. I won’t bite.
December 30th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
QQ says:
And yeah:
LOL to those delusional Pistons fans saying they will make noise in the post season. That happened a few weeks ago, when they made a pseudo run. Now, damn, being destroyed by the Knicks?
Knee jerk reaction much?
December 30th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Dean says:
The Delonte West dunk is my fav so far this season.
AWESOME! AND, on Josh Smith!! Whoa!
December 30th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
baron says:
If you wanna see some of the sickest dimes of the season then see these Manu’s highlights from last night:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGyLprUDctY
I don’t care who ya are, that is some highly impressive material.