My goodness. The Raptors are in Milwaukee today. This means I’ve got writing to do, but a morning off from practice and you know what I’m going to be doing? Watching League Pass Broadband to catch all of the games I missed last night. Sounds like I missed some night.
Four games going down to the wire, not including the Raptors/TWolves game I was working. LeBron had 43 points and 13 rebounds but lost to the Grizzlies (Hi….. OJ Mayo!), the Nets got a close one against the Bulls (sorry, Russ), New Orleans squeaked by the Kings and Charlotte took down Denver. Oh yes, the Suns and Mavs had a battle to the finish with a boxscore that took me back a few seasons ago.
Want to know what I did instead of watching these?
– watched the Raptors shoot 32 percent from the floor and still win their game against the Timberwolves.
– saw the Raptors wear their Toronto Huskies throwback jerseys.
– enjoyed Jonny Flynn’s section standing on their feet, dancing for most of the fourth quarter.
– squinted my way through a game and a game story for nba.com because I lost a contact out of my eye on my way to the game. That part wasn’t fun. Had a wicked headache by the time I was finished.
– wanted to pull my hair out when the Raptors started the game 0-for-17 from deep.
– smiled because I love this game. Even when it’s ugly as it was in Toronto last night.
One of the coolest parts of the game last night was seeing Flynn’s cheering section. You all know I’m a huge fan of his from his Syracuse days, but what’s more than that is, I love rookies. I love their excitement and passion and how everything is a “first” of sorts for them in their first season as a pro. I asked Jonny before the game if his parents were going to be in attendance and also how many times they’ve gotten to see him this season. He couldn’t wipe the smile off of his face as he said they would be there and it was their third game of the season watching him live.
Now, about these games that I missed. I’ll be watching them, but how about you fill me in on the must see plays so I can keep an eye out when I turn them on? 32 points, 14 rebounds, four steals and 11-for-11 from the free throw line for Zach Randolph looks nice on the boxscore. Rondo with a line of 11/9/13 and five steals looks nice, too. As does Kevin Garnett apparently rounding into form. Looks like Tyreke Evans is continuing to kill it for Sacramento, another 25-point, nine assist night for him.
We’ve also got to give Gerald Wallace props for killing it on the boards. Another big night with 25 points and 16 boards as the Bobcats stunned the Nuggets. I’m sure George Karl was fuming after that one.
And finally, it looks like Dwight heard everyone talking about the drop off in his blocked shots average this season. The birthday boy went out and dropped 25 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and seven blocked shots onto the Clippers last night. Beauty line. Happy Birthday, Dwight.
Oh, had my fellow writer send me this during the game last night. How’s that for some SLAM love. I think my “reporting” was in a tweet I posted pregame, but hey, kinda fun, right? Still feels wrong to me when SLAM isn’t capitalized, though.
