We mentioned it in Smack, and then found the video. While this dunk was pretty nice, Timofey Mozgov should probably get more love for the 18 points he scored. He and Andrei Kirilenko (17) led Russia to an easy win, while Toronto’s finest Jonas Valanciunas finished with 14 of his own. For Mozgov, it’s good to see him dishing out some of that stuff that Blake Griffin used on him.

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The dunk may be the most efficient method for securing two points, but it has evolved into the most visible platform for pure power, unbridled enthusiasm and exuberant jubilation. In the grand scheme of basketball, one basket midway through the game does little to change the outcome. Yet we cannot help but celebrate the supreme athleticism of the dunker and the abject misery of the dunked-upon. But our love, however cruel it may be to witness for the defeated, is honest. It is why thousands upload these moments of sovereignty and humiliation to YouTube on a daily basis. When Taj Gibson posterized Dwyane Wade in Game 1, I was obligated to relive the past glory of other immortalized playoff dunks. Here are, in descending order, the Top 10 NBA Playoff Dunks of the 21st Century. Read More »

Other than taking some time off, what are you supposed to do once the season ends? How about go under the needle. Last week, we showed you Paul George‘s newest ink, but that has NOTHING on this. Now, thanks to Twitter, we have the latest from Jazz veteran Andrei Kirilenko. Check it out in all its glory after the jump. Read More »

Beast of the Night: Chris Paul continued his hot post-concussion streak with 26 points, five rebounds, nine assists, three steals and two three-pointers. He shot 56 percent (9-16) from the field, 86 percent (6-7) from the free-throw line and had one turnover. Owners who endured Paul’s mediocre play in February and earlier this month are definitely being rewarded. Read More »

Beast of the Night: LeBron James posted 29 points, six rebounds, four assists and two blocks last night in an epic fail against the Magic. He shot 69 percent (11-16) from the field, 100 percent (7-7) from the line and had two turnovers. Most of this line came in the first three quarters of the game – so, there’s that. Read More »

Now that Deron Williams isn’t around to pass them the ball, you have to wonder how many Utah Jazz players are envisioning themselves in another uniform. For some of them, it may not be a choice they get to make.

According to ESPN, the Jazz aren’t actively looking to blow their team up and rebuild mid-season, but they are “listening for offers for everyone.” Read More »

A little piece of Utah died today. The announcement that Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan is resigning after 22 and a half seasons with the team came as a shock to those outside of the organization and marks the end of an era for the NBA. We will likely never see a coach who sticks around with one team as long as Sloan, not to mention one who defines his team’s identity as much as Sloan.

When Sloan was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009, Dime reader and Jazz fan/blogger Amar penned this piece on the legacy of a true pro’s pro: Read More »

Beyond the sting of letting Carlos Boozer come into their house and get a win — nobody was really booing Ronnie Brewer or Kyle Korver — the Utah Jazz are hurting because they know they did everything possible to give last night’s game away to the Bulls … In the last two minutes of the fourth quarter, Al Jefferson and Andrei Kirilenko missed huge free throws on a night where the Jazz went 11-for-21 at the stripe. With one minute left, Derrick Rose (29 pts, 7 asts, 1 TO) lost Deron Williams on a sick behind-the-back crossover and missed the shot, but he ran D-Will down from behind and stole the ball before Utah could set up their offense. Read More »

Buy Low: Monta Ellis didn’t make the Western Conference All-Star team, and that’s great news for his fantasy owners. While it’s true that Ellis has struggled with his shooting lately, it’s also true that he’s the kind of player (with the type of rabid fan base) who is likely to use this kind of “snub” as fuel. He should proceed being the top-20 player he’s been all season long soon enough, with some extra firepower in his veins. Read More »

Weekend Wonder: Stephen Curry steamrolled through the weekend by averaging 27 points, 4.5 rebounds, six assists, two steals, 0.5 blocks and 3.5 threes in two games. He shot 60 percent from the field, 100 percent from the line and averaged 2.5 turnovers. After a somewhat forgettable December, Curry has managed to lift most of his averages in January and should maintain top-10 value the rest of the way. Read More »