Smack / Apr 18, 2011 / 12:57 am

The Best Day Of Basketball Ever; Zach Randolph And Chris Paul Are Giant Killers

Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant (photo. Dorothy Hong)

Is Ray Allen the best clutch shooter in the league? No one is more dangerous, no one is more accurate late and no one steps it up like he does during the playoffs. Once again, Boston ran their patented back screen to get Jesus (24 points) a shot at the end of the game, and he nailed the three with 11 seconds remaining to put the Celtics up two. After Carmelo Anthony’s (15 points, 5-18 from the field) long three was short (a shot Barkley described as: “If you ain’t in the service, you ain’t no hero”), Boston had themselves a 1-0 series lead with a wild 87-85 win over New York. It’s been 10 years since the Knicks won a playoff game, and after Toney Douglas’ three with 37 seconds left put them up three, it seemed like the drought was finally over. But Boston countered, just as they did all night, and eventually found a way to win it. The Knicks led by as many as 12, and were in control of the game for most of the first three quarters, but down the stretch, it got tight … While Anthony struggled, Amar’e Stoudemire (28 points, 11 rebounds) was an absolute man. He had the shot of the day to put New York up five late, then followed that up with a dunk, packing it in Kevin Garnett and Jermaine O’Neal’s faces. The problem was that he didn’t touch the ball again. In fact, New York’s decision-making was terrible down the stretch. After Chauncey Billups left with an apparent knee injury, nearly every possession was a disaster. Still, if Stoudemire plays like that all series, New York will be in good shape because Anthony will come around … The same can be said for Boston’s O’Neal, who might’ve only had 12 points and four rebounds, but he had four blocks and helped fill a major void in the middle … There is no better duo in the league than Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. Young, poised and willing to take over games down the stretch, the two of them combined for 72 points in probably the most exciting game of the weekend, a 107-103 win over Denver. Westbrook (31 points, seven assists) was an absolute monster in the first half, abusing Ty Lawson with pull-up jumpers. Two minutes into the second half, Russ already had 26 points. As long as Denver plans to play him with Lawson, he’s going to be a handful this whole series (they better hope Arron Afflalo comes back soon). Then, in the second half, it was Durant’s (41 points, 9 rebounds) turn, hitting rainbow threes during a third-quarter stretch that really put OKC in control. Late in the game, they took turns. Eventually, it was a couple of jumpers from Westbrook (one of them should’ve been offensive goaltending) that gave the Thunder just enough room to escape … Denver came out firing, hitting their first seven shots. Nene (22 points, 8 rebounds) was destroying Kendrick Perkins inside, dunking over the top of him two or three times. For the Nuggets, they had a lot of players make contributions. But it just wasn’t enough because no one could stop Russ & KD … Serge Ibaka told Wilson Chandler to get the $%^& out … We’re out like boredom.

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  • http://getyourishbusted.net Chicagorilla

    Its games like that from Chris Paul that won’t allow me to crown Rose as the best Pg in the NBA yet. Paul is working with the same level of stiffs and a good rookie coach, but he just has a different control over the game than the other PGs out there. The NBA already owes him an MVP trophy, but hopefully if Rose gets this one, it’ll make up for the lack of respect the PGs get in the NBA.

    The Nuggets and their fans better enjoy this team now, because once this playoff run is done, their team is DONE! Most of them cats are only working well together because its their contract year, they need to win to get a better contract in the off season. But don’t expect those guys to be willing to split time all next year or be underpaid to stay on the team. the Nuggets will go from having the deepest roster in the NBA to one of the weaker ones. Damn shame too, because they have a top 5 team if everyone stays and plays their role.

  • First & Foremost

    LOL… “the lack of respect the PGs get in the NBA” In terms of what? It is recognized as the hardest position to play & arguably the deepest. If you are talking about award recognition then I won’t laugh as loud but will chuckle.

  • Sporty-j

    Denver did get robbed in that game with the goaltending play. Dont know what the refs where looking at and they should be fined for not reviewing that play in a playoff game. This is not the reg season anynore and you absolutely cannot let a play like that slide. It puts extra points on the board for the team that should not have had the extra 2 points and changes a teams game plan from what it could have been if the 2 points where not on the scoreboard. I know the refs are not perfect but they have to do a way better job than that especially since the game was still on the line and was not a blowout. The weekend was still awesome rather than that…

  • http://getyourishbusted.net Chicagorilla

    @fnf

    seriously get control of yourself. I’m not sure what you got going on in your life, maybe your boss is always on your ass or something, but there is no need to try and attack me everytime i post. Especailly when i’m not even attacking you for your general lack of basketball knowledge. I could easily come at you every post but i find it quite pointless as you never seem to learn your lesson.
    You’re kinda like the drug dealer who keeps getting popped on the same corner. You do it just for the recognition to say you battled the best. Again, get control of yourself killa

  • First & Foremost

    And I’m saying when do PGs receive a lack of respect? It is the hardest position to play and a position that is always sought after. The main knock against the Lakers & Heat, they can’t defend the 1. Why does Mike Bibby still have a job? Why do rebuilding teams start with a poiint guard? It is the only position that isn’t a dime a dozen. So again, how are they not getting respect? Besides, I even agreed with you this weekend.

    Just as predictable as a Paul Pierce pull up jumper you respond by being condescending when soeone questions your ideas in a basketball forum, where people come to trade point of views. Get off your high horse and answer the question. It should be easy since you have such a vast and endless knowledge of roundball.

  • CLAW

    Next Laker game, Kobe is checking CP3, but the way CP3 played he’ll go right past him. Billups getting hurt cost the Knicks and what the hell was Melo doing? He looked lost that 2nd half and Amare was just dominating!

    The games had a March Madness feel to them, and it was good basketball, not like watching Butler shoot less than 20%!

    Zbo was grabbing boards like doughnuts. A team with Duncan has a short front line and were getting dominated by ZBo and Gasol. Pau needs to channel his inner Marc!

  • LakeShow84

    Sad because that Nuggets team is actually how basketball was MEANT to be played..

    Full TEAM effort.. no superstars.. unselfish.. gritty.. organized roles..

    But after MJ thats the lAST team the NBA wants to win it all.. Not saying the goaltending had anything to do with that but just in general..

    So whats the penalty for the refs FAILING to even REVIEW the call on that goaltend??? what they wont get to fix the Finals??? I mean seriously is their ANY kind of reprimandation??? is that a word??

    But whats the punishment??? players get fined for ANYTHING and half of it doesnt affect the game.. this OUTRIGHT affected the outcome..

    SOMETHING should happen.. but since it wont??? Goes to show u who runs the show in the NBA..

  • First & Foremost

    Kobe guarding PGs only works if that player can’t shoot. They’ll do it verse Boston so that Kobe can always be a help defender and to keep him away from the 5 illegal screens per possession but I wouldn’t have him going long stretches on Paul.

    Lakeshow – agreed, all 5 players working in harmony feeding the hot hand but not dependent on one player. Instead, we are stuck with one man shows taking 25-30 shots while 4 players are reduced to traffic cones.

    I’m against instant replay – if the refs miss a call oh well. No do-overs in life because once that submit button is hit, there is nothing you can do about it. You just have to deal with it and keep playing.

  • LakeShow84

    Id say the problem started stemming from our new defensive philosophy.. big ups to Monty and assistants for BLOWING it up in the 4th quarter..

    2 times is 2 times too many for Pau to get switched onto CP3.. Pau gotta get in his mug tho.. he always lets guards set him up for the jumper.. ALWAYS..

    @ F&F

    i feel where ur coming from but instant replay is already implemented.. if its already there why not do it right.. im callin refs stooges from now on lol and theres always 3 on the court.. how fitting lol

  • SoulChorea

    Speaking as a Laker fan, we need Memphis to knock off San Antonio, and then we need Denver to knock out Oklahoma City, and then we need Dallas to get rid of Portland. Then we will coast to the finals and beat da Bulls in 6 games.

  • http://www.DarkWingPro.com DarkWing Productions

    i got a better due than westbrook and durant

    STAT & Melo

    now if you said best young duo thatd be differennnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

  • CLAW

    Yes, because Melo showed why he deserved Max Money.

    Melo the Ghost!

    @Soul – As a Laker fan you better step up and make it out of the 1st round! Phil said the Lakers don’t do well in early games. WTH, when is 1:00 early? Not since college.

    You would hope refs get shit right but goal tending calls are tough and having a shot from above looking down will make a review easy and quick.

    It sucks when teams get screwed like that, you want the calls to be right so the outcome is determined by the teams not human error.

  • K Dizzle

    Not a Knicks fan, definitely not…but the Knicks got screwed last night.
    Offensive foul on Melo when Pierce is all over him. Terrible call. It’s the playoffs and that’s the call with a minute left? Then Toney Douglas gets tripped by KG leavin Ray wide open for that gamewinning 3….just terrible officiatin.

    @ Austin
    I agree with what you’re tryin to say, and I’m sure the Hornets did too..til Aaron Gray wrecked his foot. Now they’ll take all the extra days between games they can.

  • AllDayEveryday

    PLAYOFFS ARE RIGGED. RON ARTEST SHOT AT HALFTIME WASNT BRAELY EVEN REVIEWED. DONT THEY HAVE TO GO TO INSTANT REPLAY???

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