Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 9:01 am  |  196 responses

Post Up: Gil, Tex & the Cs

Oh yeah, LeBron scored 38, too.

by Holly MacKenzie/@stackmack

Good Morning SLAMmers,

After rambling my little heart out yesterday, my wrists are B-U-R-N-I-N-G, tonight. I just finished a liveblog, I’ve transcribed almost 5k words today, written a practice report and of course, tweeted it up all evening. In other words, there have been too many words, today. Gonna take some time for my hands to get used to this much typing every day and night. Don’t worry, though. I’ll get there.

Opening day absolutely destroyed me. It’s only 1:35 a.m. and I’m entirely exhausted. Got a little overwhelmed tonight. Especially when Tex Winter receeived his ring. Could he have looked any more precious sitting in the stands, smiling as he watched basketball? That man’s love, undestanding and respect of the game inspires me. When Kobe Bryant said “He basically raised me when I first got here,” my night was complete.

I thought the Cavs were going to come out firing on all cylinders at home, but those damn Celtics took the 95-89 victory. I’m sure our boy Tzvi was loving it, watching his boys take down the Cavaliers, watching Ray streaking to the hoop and seeing KG back on the floor. Celtics are going to be tough, man. They look like they haven’t lost a step and new additions Marquis Daniels and Rasheed Wallace look like they’ve been there all along.

Now, this Big Baby madness: Breaking your hand a day before the regular season starts is a big dummy move. I can’t even imagine the wrath of Rivers and the big four (Yes, I’m including Rondo in there as the big four, cool?), as they have to deal with someone potentially messing up their fast start. Yikes.

Speaking of KG, check this tweet from Marcus Wiliams: KG cussed me out my rookie yr, i kinda laughed and he said “bejbvhjebvjdsbcajbce” and i said “huh??” and looked at me with REDEYES! #scared

Love it. I also tweeted him to ask if KG was the most intimidating player he’s gone up against. This was his response: No, Robert Swift is! Go google em RT @stackmack: @mw1ll is KG the most intimidating to go up against?

Clearly, he doesn’t know who he’s tweeting with. As if I need to google Mr. Swift! For real though, I had a great chat with MW in Las Vegas this summer and I’m happy he’s got a home in Memphis this season.

Now, my favorite part of the night that didn’t involve Tex: Gil. Gil Arenas is back, baby. He had 29 points (!) on 10-21 field goals and shot 8-9 from the line as he led the Wizards to a 102-91 victory over the Mavs in Dallas. Last season, the Wizards had one road win at Christmas. Here’s to hoping this was only the first of many, many more.

And, um, hi, LeBron. Thanks for scoring 38 and having people not rave about it because you’re just that good. Also, the block show? Beautiful. Especially that block on Rondo. My goodness.

As for the Lakers, they didn’t look very good and led by only one at the end of three to the Blake G-less Clips. Still, they turned it on when they needed to and Kobe finished with 33 points. On 26 field goal attempts. No easing into it for that guy, hey?

Everyone making jokes about the LA crowd cheering “MVP” for Kobe, saying it shouldn’t be allowed when he wasn’t the regular season MVP last year. Two words for you: Finals MVP. That’s the one that matters the most, anyway. Just saying.

Notice Greg Oden pull down 12 rebounds, but score just two points? He only attempted three field goals in his 26 minutes of action as Travis Outlaw had 23 points off of the bench and the Blazers took down the Rockets, 96-87.

Ugly stat of the night: Baron Davis and his 1-10 night from the floor. Blame the injured foot, but yuck. Eric Gordon, however, he got to the rim with ease. Every single time.

Okay for real, I’ve gotta get moving. It’s somehow suddenly 3 a.m. (shoutout to late night phone calls to discuss opening night!) and I’ve got two shootarounds starting at 10 a.m. and then the home opener against Cleveland here in Toronto. Wish me luck.

Tell me your thoughts. I want the Post Up convos back. K thanks!

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  • http://www.slamonline.com Myles Brown

    I wouldnt go that far. Kaman has reached his ceiling. So has Okafor. Bynum hasnt.

  • http://coco-vents.blogspot.com Co Co

    Andrew Bynum has done nothing to lead me to believe he’ll ever be as good as people once thought he’d be.

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    CoCo
    High five sis…
    Dude has talent, but nothing he has shown me makes me think he’s going to max out on that talent. Maybe this year will be different, but so far I question his effort, I question his maturity, and dammit, I question his basketball intelligence.
    But, he’s still pretty young.
    Myles
    Kaman and Okafor aren’t getting much better, but do the lakers really need them too? I guess if you’re planning for the future, Bynum is a better bet, but for right now, I would prefer either of those other two.

  • http://sportzin.com Riiver

    Bynum had 26/13. LO also had 13 rebounds. Kaman had 16 rebounds, but Camby only had 6. does it really matter? Also most of Kaman’s shots were from jumpers. some of you got to start hating on Bynum. i mean dude has 26/23 and you still criticize?

  • http://sportzin.com Riiver

    not 26/23, but 26/13. my bad

  • http://slamonline.com Brad Long

    Allenp:I have a feeling your judging Bynum defensively by his performance in the playoffs last year. If he’s healthy and I have to have someone guard Dwight Howard or Shaq in the post, I’d take Bynum over Okafor any day of the week. I understand how someone who doesn’t watch every Laker game could make those decisions though, so I respect that.

  • http://slamonline.com Brad Long

    What cracks me up though is how somebody like Russ just trashes Bynum and then when he performs its like, “Health is part of the game”. No sh!t, you can go tell Yao, Amare, Al Jefferson, and Nene the same thing. He’s damn sure not anymore injury prone than those guys, except maybe Al Jefferson.

  • http://slamonline.com Russ Bengtson

    Please point out where I “trashed” Bynum.

  • riggs

    against a clipper team? yeah. do it against boston then he’d get some props.

  • http://slamonline.com Russ Bengtson

    I think I’ll just go back to not saying anything. That was better for all involved.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Myles Brown

    Damnit Russ, is that your name or not? I want answers!

  • ab_40

    if eric gordon can get to the rim anytime he wants vs the lakers. and craig smith can get buckets on em. they are in trouble. boston looked nice. and glen davis can’t punch he probably had his thumb inverted or put it close to his knucles otherwise you can’t break it. greg oden had a ben wallace line… if he can be a 7 foot version of ben wallace for 10 years will he have a legacy?

  • http://slamonline.com Brad Long

    On Oct 6 2009 Brad Long said”Name two centers who will have better seasons than Bynum.”.

    Russ answers, “Marc Gasol, Emeka Okafor, Joel Przybilla, Chris Andersen, Tim Duncan (who may very well be listed as a center this year with Yao out and Shaq gone and Oberto off the Spurs), Chris Kaman and Mehmet Okur. I could probably keep going. Also, this will all be moot when Drew goes down with a knee injury in December.”.

    That was the trashing that I was refering too. And I’m not trying to be combative it’s just funny to me when someone trys to point out when they’re right about other peoples ridiculous statements when they make questionable ones as well. It’s all love, Russ.

  • http://slamonline.com Russ Bengtson

    Yeah, that’s a trashing all right. Wow! It’s amazing I’m allowed to write anything ever. I’ll be back when Drew goes down with a knee injury in December. Have fun.

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    I forgot about Okur and Gasol. I don’t know for sure if they are better than Bynum, but it’s close. Gasol is in a tough situation though.

  • http://www.shawn-kemps-offspring.blogspot.com/ TADOne

    Brad: What Eboy says about Kobe is trashing a player; what Russ said was just being critical. You cannot come on here after just one good game, the first game of the season at that, and say that Bynum will be a lock for the All Star game, health permitting. If anything, that is a comment basically trashing any other center in the West not named Yao.

  • http://fashionsensei.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/jackie-moon.jpg Jackie Moon

    Bynum is a lock for the Hall of Fame. Health permitting.

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    Mehmet Okur > Andrew Bynum

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    Its pretty much undebateable that Yao is the best center in the game when healthy. In my opinion at least.

  • Shelton

    Wats wit the hate on Bynum. I think Kobe is more liked than him. He had a nice turn a round jumper along with several other nice plays last nite. Stop the hate

  • http://www.manutd.com Z

    Funny how saying that Bynum might not be all-star material is «hate»

  • http://slamonline.com Brad Long

    If I in any way, shape, or form gave anyone the impression that I was attempting to discredit Russ Bengston’s legitimacy as an basketball journalist, I apologize. As Tad has already pointed out I should have used the word “criticized” instead of “trashed”. In my opinion, comparing Joel “Ghostface” Przybilla to Andrew Bynum is kind of a slap in the face to Bynum, but maybe that’s just me looking through my purple and gold lenses. I have enjoyed Russ Bengston’s contributions to SLAM as Editor, Writer, and in the comments section and hopefully he’ll continue to bless us with his words here for years to come.

  • http://www.stonesthrow.com/madlib Michael NZ

    Russ, I think I speak for everyone (BLong too) when I say… for gods sake don’t stop posting here in the comments section. Ok? Like, I don’t use twitter or follow it or whatever the eff it is, so how else can I get my dose of Bengtson thoughts and all round witty-ness!? The input is appreciated.

  • http://www.hibachi20.blogspot.com Hursty

    Hi Holly!
    Great to have the Post Up back, and I’ll pop by when I can.
    Also, if you guys are looking at potential centres for the All Star Game, why not Luis Scola?

  • http://www.stonesthrow.com/madlib Michael NZ

    Or David Anderson! Eh, Hursty? Had a solid debut.

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    B. Long, you don’t have to praise Russ after he just went all sarcastic and pseudo-”ironic” on you. It shows you have class, but still… You really didn’t say anything wrong or disrespectful at all.

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    By wrong I mean out of line. I don’t fully agree with what you said about Bynum.

  • http://www.hibachi20.blogspot.com BETCATS

    the bobcats are getting blown out right now. They wont be the first or last team to have this happen at the hands of the Celtics. Boston is a lot better then i thought!

  • B-more Mike

    What about the Cavs?

  • Keith

    Lebron is overrated. There, I said it.

  • B-more Mike

    I don’t post comments often but who ever says the lakers would rather have okafor or f$cking okur rather than bynum is…….!!! Did you okafor tonight, GARBAGE!!!!! If bynum stays healthy it’s going to be a lot of sour faces. Okur, child please.

  • Keith

    I can see why you don’t post comments often B-more Mike.. your post is the visual equivalent of a fart in the ear. Horrible.

  • B-more Mike

    The cavs anyone, I know its only two games but damn. Toronto perfect team to expose these guys. Where was the Big Cavalier in the 4th? Where’s moon and bum, old ass Anthony Parker? Anyone, I need answers please seriously because I thought they were the greatest?

  • http://www.manutd.com Z

    Another triple double, another dismal effort by everybody else. What else is new? It’s only two games but this is getting worrisome. Mike Brown has no idea what to do with his line up. Cleveland started the 2nd half with Boobie at the 2 and Bron at the 4. And then they went with Z and Shaq. Broussard says that S-Jax is coming for Z’s expiring contract. Panic moves will be made.

  • B-more Mike

    Keith: state your claim yo

  • B-more Mike

    Hey im going leave you with this, you let people fart in your ear? Child please!

  • http://hibachi20.blogspot.com DP

    I will back tomorrow dammit. I was out building houses and other stuff that involves me falling off roofs but all I have to say is it’s good to see my boy hibachi back to his old self. play wit it.

  • Riko

    What’s this nonsense about Bynum being worse than Okafor or even Mehmet Okur? That’s a real huge laugh right there. Bynum has the tools, he has more than shown that he could play defense and work in the post offensively. He’s just inconsistent, he obviously still needs to work himself back in with the team. Plus neither Okur or Okafor would fit with the Lakers. Bynum can do everything Okafor can do, and is much more athletic. Okafor’s not even a true center like Bynum, he’s a PF parading around as a center because the teams he has been playing on are undersized. And when you already have Pau Gasol a player who does more damage facing up even though he’s still very effective with the back to the basket, Okur would bring nothing to the table. Okur lives off pick and pop/roll situations, his one-on-one and back to the basket game is very suspect, and for someone his size he is hardly even an average rebounder. Also he’s a huge liability defensively, he’s far from athletic, far from a shot blocker, takes very few chargers, and isn’t quick enough to consistently plug up opposing players driving lanes. Bynum has a jumpshot, has a progressing post game knowing how to use his strength down low, use his length for alley oops/catching passes, and defensively not only can he take his man one on one, but he can get shots on his man and being that last line of defense getting weak side blocks (another advantage he has over Okafor).

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    Riko, Okafor wouldn’t fit with the Lakers? What? We’re aren’t talking about who would fit better with the Lakers. The Lakers already have Pau Gasol, Kobe Bryant, and Ron Artest. They don’t even need Bynum to play well offensively to win. And that’s not a diss to him, either.

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    We have witnessed the emergence of Trevor Ariza the NBA star.

  • http://www.triplejunearthed.com/dacre Dacre

    DID ANYONE ELSE NOTICED THE ‘DANCE ROUTINE-CROSS LEGGED ACTION’ THE LAKER BENCH DID WHEN BYNUM SCORED HIS FIRST POINTS THIS SEASON?????????

    CHECK THE REPLAY!!!!

    ^_^

  • Riko

    Also forgot to mention, Bynum has always grabbed rebounds on both ends of the floor at an alarming rate considering he plays next to some of the better rebounders in the league in Gasol, Odom, and even Kobe Bryant who is one of the best rebounding guards in the league. Although I don’t like the huge contract he already got from Mitch Kupchak, it’s not hard to see why he got it. Also I read, Greg Oden and Chris Kaman? Oden still has a very long road ahead of him before his offense gets anywhere close to his defense, and in regards to his defense he still fouls a lot and commits a lot of mental mistakes. Kaman is definitely one of the better Cs in the league, and will probably have another nice year statistically, but Bynum has always taken it to him one on one ever since he started coming onto his own. If I’m not mistaken, last night was the only good game has ever had against Bynum since Bynum became the starting center, and even then, Bynum still outperformed him.

  • Riko

    Teddy-the-Bear, ahh okay, but nonetheless I still felt like throwing in my opinion and defending Bynum :P

  • Riko

    Teddy-the-Bear ahh okay, but nonetheless I still wanted to post my opinion and defend Bynum :P

  • BIRDMAN JR

    Teddy-the-Bear is right bout kobe. his overrated when it comes to his defense. I was watching the game and there were times when eric just plain blew by him. He played the passing lanes right but when it came to mano d he struggled. he doesn’t have the foot speed to stay in front of e gordon let alone dwade and others. don’t forget the night GIL LIT HIM UP FOR 60. No great defensive player has ever been torched that bad. Another perception of kobe abilities that are not reality.

  • BostonBaller

    DFish still starts for several reasons other than he is Kobe’s MainMan. 1) He brings stability to the team to start the game 2) He can still play 3) He earned his rings. You can say who Sheed looks like all you want, I just care that he looked good out there. Don’t anoint Ariza superstar status just yet, numbers tend to go up when you are one of the only scoring options on a team. At 1st glance, the latest ish of SLAM is more than Special. Your SLAM era starting 5 was right on but you could have selected the bench too. let the debat begin…

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