Heat 105, Spurs 100
You were probably confused if you started watching this one from the opening tip. No Tim Duncan or Tony Parker in the starting lineup and Manu Ginobli was also nowhere to be found. Minutes later we heard that coach Gregg Popovich had made the decision in advance to fly home Duncan, Parker, Ginobli, and Danny Green, essentially the Spurs four best healthy players. Popovich has done this sort of thing before. After all, this was the final game of an 11-day road trip and the Spurs have to host the Grizzlies Saturday night. But a nationally televised game against the Heat was a huge letdown on paper, and before halftime, David Stern announced that San Antonio will face substantial sanctions for resting their stars.
Fortunately for fans and TNT, this game proved to be close and competitive until the end. Miami did play down the the Spurs B-Team, and if not for LeBron's final-minute heroics, San Antonio steals this one. While a loss could have been forgivable for the defending champs, imagine the hysteria if they dropped this game last season. But by now, you know the rest. LeBron found Ray Allen on the wing, and he hit an open three to seal the deal. Resting Duncan & Co. may have been Popovich's way of getting back at the league for giving San Antonio a grueling road trip over Thanksgiving. Whatever action Stern takes here will be unprecedented. He wants his league to be of the highest-quality and it is, but there's no way of knowing yet what sanctions San Antonio will face for this decision.
Warriors 106, Nuggets 105
This was a supremely entertaining second half that featured two of the league's youngest and fastest teams. The Warriors needed 31 points from David Lee, his best game of the season, as well as strong efforts from Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Jarrett Jack to pull this win out. In the end, Golden State shot 51% and that was enough to overcome a string of questionable calls in the final minute.
On a rare night when the Nuggets shot free-throws well, they still couldn't get key stops in the fourth quarter. Danilo Gallinari and Andre Iguodala lead the way for Denver, with 20 and 22 points. Denver hung in this one mainly because of Kenneth Faried's ability to cause extra offensive possessions. The intrigue in this game is the sequence of the final five seconds, that featured four long replay look by the referees and took about 5 minutes in real time.
It started with the Nuggets down three. With a foul to give and the clock just under five seconds, Jack fouled Iguodala just before the act of shooting. However, the refs incorrectly called a shooting foul. Since Iguodala was beyond three, he received three shots. He made the first two, then bricked the third. The ball came off the rim hard and last touched Draymond Green of the Warriors. With 2.1 seconds left, the Nuggets tried a bizarre lob play that bounced in front of the rim and looked to have been touched last by Ty Lawson. The refs looked at a replay and declared Nuggets ball with 0.5 seconds left. Inbounding the ball from the corner, Andre Miller found Iguodala cross-court for a three as time expired. Iggy swished it but, was about 0.2 seconds late and the Warriors held on for a one-point win. Warriors coach Mark Jackson had been steaming at times late, but was glad the replay system got it right in the end.
This game had everything to be the typical NBA thriller. Two young, exciting teams. Nationally televised, but late enough to be seen by a limited audience. And of course, multiple head-scratching decisions by the officials. What else can you ask for?
Friday, November 30, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Breaking Down the Brawl in Boston
Just days after the Nets played the Knicks in what looked like the start of a good Eastern Conference rivalry, the Nets and Celtics went at it last night. The Nets won by 12, but that't not the story. Rajon Rondo, Kris Humphries and Gerald Wallace were all ejected in the second quarter after Humphries fouled Kevin Garnett hard, sending him to the ground. These two teams, along with the Knicks will compete for the Atlantic Divisional title. Here's why this brawl is only the start of a tough rivalry.
Celtic Pride vs. Brooklyn Swag
The Garnett era in Boston has been characterized by pride and toughness. He, along with Rondo and Paul Pierce, are extremely competitive and will not back down. However, the Celtics don't really have that tough big man for these situations. Even coach Doc Rivers called them soft. Brooklyn has its cool owners and nice new arena. They are an appealing franchise now and their games against the Celtics this season will show what kind of team they will be during the Deron Williams/Joe Johnson era.
The Point Guards
Rondo is absolutely no stranger to rivalries of any kind. Besides Boston's rivalry with Miami, Rondo has been involved in high-profile altercations with Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul. One of the chippiest players in the league, Rondo has never been a referee's favorite. Just ask Marc Davis. Williams hasn't been in a really intense rivalry before, but that will change this year. Playing in Brooklyn, more eyes will be on him. He is the best player on the Nets and will likely be the central focus in competitive games like this. With Rondo and Williams being two of the top-five point guards in the NBA, their paths will cross multiple times as this rivalry moves forward.
Scars, Emotional and Physical
Paul Pierce may still be icing his ankles today after Joe Johnson put the moves on him. While Pierce has lost a step defensively, this was still embarrassing. As you can see from the video, Celtics Jeff Green and Courtney Lee looked shell-shocked after seeing Johnson's little shake n' bake. Pierce will recover soon, but the same cannot be said for Humphries. He tweeted this picture showing his battle wounds (courtesy of Rondo) from the scuffle.
This mini brawl was great for the league. No one was hurt and it didn't get out of hand. It was just two good teams going at it and playing to win. Fights happen when teammates have each other's back. It just so happens that the Celtics and Nets play next on Christmas Day in front of a national audience. With plenty of fuel in the fire now, expect a tough and hotly contested game as these teams exchange the gifts of bumps and bruises.
Celtic Pride vs. Brooklyn Swag
The Garnett era in Boston has been characterized by pride and toughness. He, along with Rondo and Paul Pierce, are extremely competitive and will not back down. However, the Celtics don't really have that tough big man for these situations. Even coach Doc Rivers called them soft. Brooklyn has its cool owners and nice new arena. They are an appealing franchise now and their games against the Celtics this season will show what kind of team they will be during the Deron Williams/Joe Johnson era.
The Point Guards
Rondo is absolutely no stranger to rivalries of any kind. Besides Boston's rivalry with Miami, Rondo has been involved in high-profile altercations with Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul. One of the chippiest players in the league, Rondo has never been a referee's favorite. Just ask Marc Davis. Williams hasn't been in a really intense rivalry before, but that will change this year. Playing in Brooklyn, more eyes will be on him. He is the best player on the Nets and will likely be the central focus in competitive games like this. With Rondo and Williams being two of the top-five point guards in the NBA, their paths will cross multiple times as this rivalry moves forward.
Scars, Emotional and Physical
Paul Pierce may still be icing his ankles today after Joe Johnson put the moves on him. While Pierce has lost a step defensively, this was still embarrassing. As you can see from the video, Celtics Jeff Green and Courtney Lee looked shell-shocked after seeing Johnson's little shake n' bake. Pierce will recover soon, but the same cannot be said for Humphries. He tweeted this picture showing his battle wounds (courtesy of Rondo) from the scuffle.
This mini brawl was great for the league. No one was hurt and it didn't get out of hand. It was just two good teams going at it and playing to win. Fights happen when teammates have each other's back. It just so happens that the Celtics and Nets play next on Christmas Day in front of a national audience. With plenty of fuel in the fire now, expect a tough and hotly contested game as these teams exchange the gifts of bumps and bruises.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
The Lakers...Still Waiting
Since Mike D'Antoni joined the sidelines on November 20th, the Lakers are 2-3 and Steve Nash can't seem to return soon enough. The popular opinion is that Nash's return and reunion with D'Antoni will bring automatic success, but with three stars on the court, the Lakers should be better than 2-3. Right?
We're just looking at the five games with D'Antoni here, but first, some very interesting statistics are found in the Lakers entire 7-8 season so far. For example, the Lakers have had the leading scorer in every single game they have played this year. Now this is nothing new for a team with Kobe Bryant, but still, a team with the leading scorer every game should be winning more often. Also, they have had the leading rebounder in all but two games. The immediate thought is to think Dwight Howard, but more than half of Lakers games have seen someone other than Howard lead the team in rebounds.
When L.A. hired D'Antoni, everyone figured the scoring average would make a significant jump up. Scoring has not changed much. In fact, it has dropped one point and the Lakers are in the middle of the pack in terms of scoring average.
Few things look different with D'Antoni on the sidelines. Kobe still takes a ton of contested shots. He will always score, but that in no way translates to wins. Howard has one double-double under D'Antoni and is still not close to 100 percent. Pau Gasol is still finding his place (sound familiar?). While D'Antoni insists that there is a role for him, trade rumors will be swirling around his name until the Lakers are well above .500. Role players Antawn Jamison and Metta World Peace have stepped up of late, but the bench is still weak overall.
Finally, the one position that flourishes under D'Antoni, point guard, has done little if anything. While it's true that Darius Morris is not of starter quality, you would think that he'd have more than one double-digit scoring effort under D'Antoni. After all, the guy did made consistent scorers out of Raymond Felton and Jeremy Lin.
Laker fans say the season won't until Steve Nash (or even Steve Blake for that matter) is back in the lineup. But pretty soon it will be Christmas Day and more eyes will be on the NBA. While Nash and Blake both have the three-point shooting ability to run D'Antoni's point, they are both old and fast breaks may not be all that fast with them. Nash-D'Antoni is one of the great player and coach combos in recent years, and the Lakers have to hope that the two can pick up where they left off in Phoenix.
In the next nine days, the Lakers have games against Denver, Houston and Oklahoma City, three high scoring teams. The Lakers will have to execute offensively to beat these teams and we will have a better idea of their potential under D'Antoni after that stretch. It was said that D'Antoni's Lakers would be the most entertaining Lake Show since Shaqobe or even Showtime. Well they are not there yet and patience is not a luxury that this Lakers organization has.
We're just looking at the five games with D'Antoni here, but first, some very interesting statistics are found in the Lakers entire 7-8 season so far. For example, the Lakers have had the leading scorer in every single game they have played this year. Now this is nothing new for a team with Kobe Bryant, but still, a team with the leading scorer every game should be winning more often. Also, they have had the leading rebounder in all but two games. The immediate thought is to think Dwight Howard, but more than half of Lakers games have seen someone other than Howard lead the team in rebounds.
When L.A. hired D'Antoni, everyone figured the scoring average would make a significant jump up. Scoring has not changed much. In fact, it has dropped one point and the Lakers are in the middle of the pack in terms of scoring average.
Few things look different with D'Antoni on the sidelines. Kobe still takes a ton of contested shots. He will always score, but that in no way translates to wins. Howard has one double-double under D'Antoni and is still not close to 100 percent. Pau Gasol is still finding his place (sound familiar?). While D'Antoni insists that there is a role for him, trade rumors will be swirling around his name until the Lakers are well above .500. Role players Antawn Jamison and Metta World Peace have stepped up of late, but the bench is still weak overall.
Finally, the one position that flourishes under D'Antoni, point guard, has done little if anything. While it's true that Darius Morris is not of starter quality, you would think that he'd have more than one double-digit scoring effort under D'Antoni. After all, the guy did made consistent scorers out of Raymond Felton and Jeremy Lin.
Laker fans say the season won't until Steve Nash (or even Steve Blake for that matter) is back in the lineup. But pretty soon it will be Christmas Day and more eyes will be on the NBA. While Nash and Blake both have the three-point shooting ability to run D'Antoni's point, they are both old and fast breaks may not be all that fast with them. Nash-D'Antoni is one of the great player and coach combos in recent years, and the Lakers have to hope that the two can pick up where they left off in Phoenix.
In the next nine days, the Lakers have games against Denver, Houston and Oklahoma City, three high scoring teams. The Lakers will have to execute offensively to beat these teams and we will have a better idea of their potential under D'Antoni after that stretch. It was said that D'Antoni's Lakers would be the most entertaining Lake Show since Shaqobe or even Showtime. Well they are not there yet and patience is not a luxury that this Lakers organization has.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Can They Keep It Up?
Five Veterans Who Are Putting Up the Best Numbers of Their Career
Rudy GayGay has always been a good player, but this year is playing like an All-Star. His 20.1 PPG is on par with his career high from 2008 , but his contributions mean more now that the Grizz are winning. The chances of Gay keeping up this production is very high because he's been playing at this level for five years now. Through about a dozen games, the Grizzlies are the NBA's best team, and Gay has been their best player.
O.J. Mayo
A talented scorer, Mayo disappeared in Memphis's offense the last two years, after he started his career with two seasons scoring 18 PPG. He got a much needed change of scenery in Dallas, and his numbers have bounced back and then some. On a Dirk-less Mavs team, Mayo has assumed the go-to-guy role and has thrived. He is scoring 21.5 PPG and shooting the best percentage of his career, especially from three. Mayo needs the ball and never fit in on a crowded Grizzlies team, but he is proving that he can justify his third overall draft selection when given chances to score.
Nicolas Batum
Batum's scoring average is up five points from his career-high, but the numbers are not all that shocking. He is playing 38 minutes, seven more than his career-high. His shooting is on pace with his career numbers, but impressively, both his assists and rebounds are up. Damian Lillard may be the main reason for Batum's breakout. Lillard has added an explosive element to Portland's offense. Also, the struggles of LaMarcus Aldridge has forced other Blazers to step up, and Batum's done a fine job.
Ramon Sessions
Playing for his fifth team since 2009, Sessions had played his best basketball when he started games. So it's surprising that Sessions is succeeding in a sixth man role with the Bobcats. He is averaging 17.1 PPG and 3.8 RPG, both career highs. Sessions has excelled coming off the bench and helping out Kemba Walker and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist in Charlotte. Sessions's improved play is a nice surprise for MJ, but the biggest surprise is that his Cats are above .500.
Jamal Crawford
It's nothing new to see Crawford play well off the bench, but after two below average seasons, Crawford is now with the Clippers and out to reclaim his Sixth Man of the Year Award that he won in 2009. He is shooting the highest clip of his career (save for his sophomore season with the Bulls) and is the leading scorer on a title contender. He is automatic at the line shooting .934 on 61 attempts and leads the league in fourth quarter scoring. Clipper fans love Crawford (especially his crazy dribble routine) and he is a very valuable scoring option off the bench.
Friday, November 23, 2012
Top 5 Rookies After One Month
Almost a month into the NBA season, a Rookie of the Year race is tight and an All-Rookie Team is shaping up. While Alexey Shved has been effective for the Wolves filling in for their injured guards, he is the only top undrafted rookie. As of now, our rookie top five is made up of players who were all very high draftees.
1. Damian Lillard
Lillard got off to a fast start when he lead an upset of the Lakers in his NBA debut. He scored 22 points that night and hasn't looked back. He currently leads all rookies at 19.6 PPG to go along with his 5.8 APG. Lillard looks like Kyire Irving last year, but with more talent around him. Portland is hardly a playoff team, but that's because there is a lack of depth. Lillard is the playmaker for Lamarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum and he certainly can score in this league. In a small sample of 11 games, he is the Rookie of the Year frontrunner.
2. Anthony Davis
Though missing four games with a concussion and then a foot injury isn't the best start to Davis's rookie campaign, his talent is evident. The number one pick is leads all rookies with 8.3 RPG and is second with 16.0 PPG. Davis gives the Hornets a star to build around and his shot-blocking ability and shooting touch show why he is such a rare prospect.
3. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
Like he did on Kentucky last year, MKG is quietly doing everything to help the Bobcats win this year. Aside from Kemba Walker's improvement, Kidd-Gilchrist's presence is the reason Charlotte is having a turnaround. He is shooting a nice percentage and ranks second on his team in PER. At 12 points and 7 boards per game, MKG is showing why Charlotte made the right choice in picking him number two overall.
4. Harrison Barnes
The Warriors are winning this year and Barnes fits right into their mold. He is a good shooter who has played a big part in starting for one of the better offensive teams in the West. Opposite Klay Thompson on the wing, Barnes knocks down open shots and is a smart, team player that the Dubs are happy to have. The Warriors fate may rest on the ankles of Stephen Curry, but Barnes is certainly a contributor for this exciting young team.
5. Dion Waiters
Cleveland is a struggling team, but that hasn't stopped Waiters from showcasing his scoring ability. While not a great shooter, Waiters is a strong guard who can create his own shot. It's Irving's team, but Waiters will need to step up now with their point guard out a month. The low PER indicates that he needs to expand his game, but the Cavs look like they have solidified their backcourt with Waiters.
1. Damian Lillard
Lillard got off to a fast start when he lead an upset of the Lakers in his NBA debut. He scored 22 points that night and hasn't looked back. He currently leads all rookies at 19.6 PPG to go along with his 5.8 APG. Lillard looks like Kyire Irving last year, but with more talent around him. Portland is hardly a playoff team, but that's because there is a lack of depth. Lillard is the playmaker for Lamarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum and he certainly can score in this league. In a small sample of 11 games, he is the Rookie of the Year frontrunner.
2. Anthony Davis
Though missing four games with a concussion and then a foot injury isn't the best start to Davis's rookie campaign, his talent is evident. The number one pick is leads all rookies with 8.3 RPG and is second with 16.0 PPG. Davis gives the Hornets a star to build around and his shot-blocking ability and shooting touch show why he is such a rare prospect.
3. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
Like he did on Kentucky last year, MKG is quietly doing everything to help the Bobcats win this year. Aside from Kemba Walker's improvement, Kidd-Gilchrist's presence is the reason Charlotte is having a turnaround. He is shooting a nice percentage and ranks second on his team in PER. At 12 points and 7 boards per game, MKG is showing why Charlotte made the right choice in picking him number two overall.
4. Harrison Barnes
The Warriors are winning this year and Barnes fits right into their mold. He is a good shooter who has played a big part in starting for one of the better offensive teams in the West. Opposite Klay Thompson on the wing, Barnes knocks down open shots and is a smart, team player that the Dubs are happy to have. The Warriors fate may rest on the ankles of Stephen Curry, but Barnes is certainly a contributor for this exciting young team.
5. Dion Waiters
Cleveland is a struggling team, but that hasn't stopped Waiters from showcasing his scoring ability. While not a great shooter, Waiters is a strong guard who can create his own shot. It's Irving's team, but Waiters will need to step up now with their point guard out a month. The low PER indicates that he needs to expand his game, but the Cavs look like they have solidified their backcourt with Waiters.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
First Wave of Injuries Arrives
The other day we looked at three players who have not played this season. Today we look at three guys who won't play for a month. The Spurs lost swingman Stephen Jackson after he broke his pinkie finger last night against the Clips. He's out 4-6 weeks. While San Antonio can afford to miss Jackson, the Cavs are not so lucky. Star point guard Kyrie Irving has a broken index finger and he will miss a month. Last, Brandon Roy will miss a month as he needs knee surgery, further adding to the Wolves injury woes.
Spurs Will Be Fine
Jackson's injury came after he was starting for the injured Kawhi Leonard. The Spurs will be on their thrid string small forward, but Gregg Popovich's team should weather the storm. It may mean starting Manu Ginobli and giving him and Danny Green more minutes, but a month from now, San Antonio will still be a top-four team out West and back to full strength. We all know the Spurs are old. But Tim Duncan is off to a great start and no one is doubting them as contenders.
Kyrie Irving Injury Prone
He only played 11 games at Duke. He missed 15 games last season. He broke his hand slapping a padded wall this summer. And now Kyrie Irving has a broken index finger. This guy needs to stay healthy. He is a young star who will receive max money for his next contract, but continued injuries will keep him off a list that includes Rose and Westbrook. Irving's Cavs have struggled this year, but he has not. He was up to 23 points a game and looked poised to be an All-Star. Cleveland is not a playoff team and this absence will likely help the progression of rookie Dion Waiters. But Cavs fans really don't want to see the face of the franchise miss further time now as injuries have become a problem for Irving.
The Sad Saga of Brandon Roy
If it seems like a whole career ago that Brandon Roy won rookie of the year and made three all-star games, that's because it was. Roy had a nice preseason with the Wolves after unretiring, but his latest injury may indicate that his degenerative knees are still a major problem. Roy may never be the player he was early on in Portland, but every NBA fan still wants to see him on the court. He'e likely to miss a month now and maybe more as he recovers from yet another knee surgery.
Spurs Will Be Fine
Jackson's injury came after he was starting for the injured Kawhi Leonard. The Spurs will be on their thrid string small forward, but Gregg Popovich's team should weather the storm. It may mean starting Manu Ginobli and giving him and Danny Green more minutes, but a month from now, San Antonio will still be a top-four team out West and back to full strength. We all know the Spurs are old. But Tim Duncan is off to a great start and no one is doubting them as contenders.
Kyrie Irving Injury Prone
He only played 11 games at Duke. He missed 15 games last season. He broke his hand slapping a padded wall this summer. And now Kyrie Irving has a broken index finger. This guy needs to stay healthy. He is a young star who will receive max money for his next contract, but continued injuries will keep him off a list that includes Rose and Westbrook. Irving's Cavs have struggled this year, but he has not. He was up to 23 points a game and looked poised to be an All-Star. Cleveland is not a playoff team and this absence will likely help the progression of rookie Dion Waiters. But Cavs fans really don't want to see the face of the franchise miss further time now as injuries have become a problem for Irving.
The Sad Saga of Brandon Roy
If it seems like a whole career ago that Brandon Roy won rookie of the year and made three all-star games, that's because it was. Roy had a nice preseason with the Wolves after unretiring, but his latest injury may indicate that his degenerative knees are still a major problem. Roy may never be the player he was early on in Portland, but every NBA fan still wants to see him on the court. He'e likely to miss a month now and maybe more as he recovers from yet another knee surgery.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Awaiting the Returns of Bynum, Rubio and White
Andrew Bynum, Ricky Rubio and Royce White are not the only players yet to play this year. But their stories have drawn the most interest because all three are headed in opposite directions. Whether it's a rising star looking to return to form after a severe injury (Rubio). An established player whose latest ailments are causing concern for his new team (Bynum). Or a rookie who's unique situation may be a long way from being figured out (White). These stories have drawn more attention than the recoveries of high-profile stars like John Wall and Kevin Love. Here's why.
Ricky Rubio Starts Practice
The Timberwolves 5-4 start has been nice for fans who picked this team to sneak in the playoffs, but the best of this team looks to be coming within the next month. Ricky Rubio started light practice today and could be on the floor before Christmas Day if his recovery stays on track. Rubio suffered a torn ACL last March that has kept him sidelined this season. The Wolves also practiced with Kevin Love today and they expect him to be on the court in two weeks as he recovers from a broken hand he suffered in preseason. Rubio and Love were the pulse of the Wolves last year and their progress (especially Rubio's) has to be a delight for a team that had such promise entering the year.
Andrew Bynum vs. His Knees
The Sixers knew they were taking a risk by acquiring Bynum, and so far, the risk has not paid off. His latest knee issue comes after he went bowling on Saturday. Apparently a night at the lanes resulted in inflammation in his left knee. Bynum's year, as usual, has been marred by knee injuries. Between the bruising, soreness and inflammation, Bynum as been known only for his hair this season as he watches Sixers games in street clothes. The timetable was early January, but that's unclear now. The last thing Philly will want to do is play it safe and sit him all year though, becuase they would love to see their franchise center on the court...and soon.
Royce White Says "No Flight"
Royce White has threatened to walk away from the NBA as he and the Rockets are at odds in discussing how the team will help with his anxiety disorder. White, the 16th overall pick, has yet to report for any team activities since the regular season began. This situation is unprecedented and it appears that both sides are in a standoff. White says he will not compromise his health for business and the Rockets have not backed down and will continue to fine White if he stays absent from team activities. Houston has arranged for therapy sessions, but White has skipped those as well. This is a messy situation that looks to stay unresolved unless one side makes major concessions.
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