Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 9:01 am  |  80 responses

Post Up: Brandon Ballin’

Bosh played like a beast.

by Holly MacKenzie/@stackmack

Such. A. Long. Night.

When you’re trying to write on deadline and a team (the Chicago Bulls) shoots 47.8% through three quarters, the last thing you expect is for them to shoot 13% in the fourth. Yes, 13%. As in, 3-for-21. After scoring 60 points against the Raptors in the first half (Chicago averages 88 points a game on the season), the Raptors discovered their defensive side and held the Bulls to just 29 second half points as they went on to win 99-89.

I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen a team die like that in the fourth before. At least not after the first half they had. I mean, they didn’t just fall apart, they were done. Over. Their shots even looked bad. It was like a different team on the floor. Crazy.

And with each passing game I appreciate Chris Bosh more and more. I wasn’t convinced he’d be able to keep up the strong start, but, eight games in he’s still killing it. The extra size has been great for him and most importantly, he hasn’t slowed down a bit, the way guys sometimes lose some of their quickness as they adjust to their new frames.

Bosh is beasting. Fact.

Now, most importantly, and I think you all knew this was coming.

Brandon Jennings.

32 points (matching Melo’s total) and nine assists in the Bucks win over the Nuggets. Even more impressive, 14 of those 32 in the fourth quarter when his team needed him most. Six of the 32 coming on back to back three-pointers in the fourth. The Bucks are leading the Central Division. I knew Brandon would be great, didn’t know he’d be able to help his team this quickly, though. Coming home to that boxscore made my night for real.

LeBron James finished with 36 points, eight rebounds and four assists as the Cavs took down the Magic in a rematch of the conference finals. I like a healthy Magic team better than the Cavs this season, although I know how stupid it is to vote against LeBron. I’ve learned that lesson with Kobe and I’ll never do it again.

Steve Nash had a quieter night yesterday, scoring 12 points (5-for-6 shooting) and dishing 10 assists in the Suns blowout of the Hornets. He’s already resurrected two careers this season, helping Channing Frye and Jaredy Dudley find roles on this Suns team. I hope the threes keep falling because they’re so much fun to watch.

Okay, there were about a million different moments, plays, performances and games last night. I missed a lot of them and yet here I am at 2 a.m. watching a replay of the Raptors/Bulls game to see what I may have missed in that awful fourth quarter. How about you guys fill me in. I’ve been hearing about Will Bynum’s dunks, haven’t seen them yet though. Also, San Antonio pulling out another victory without TP and TD. Impressive.

So, yeah. There’s a ton to talk about. Let’s get cracking.

And finally, yay Greg Oden!! 18 points and 11 rebounds. The 18 coming on 8-10 from the floor.

p.s. If you haven’t already, I beg you to go out and grab “The Art of a Beautiful Game” by Chris Ballard. It’s phenomenal. And I’m only midway through the second chapter.

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  • http://www.theonion.com/content/news/staten_island_historians_piece Lee

    What I love about the NBA: That no matter how crappy your favorite team is, they eventually get theirs. Case in Point: Milwaukee Bucks. I never thought I’d be able to say this but… they could shock a lot of teams. Just sayin.

  • Sporting-Lisbon-Blazers

    Harden might end up the better all around player this rooks class a side from Griffin, hes smooth…though YOUNG BUCK is BY FAR the most entertainig

  • http://fdjksl.com Jukai

    I mean, this might be a very serviceable draft class, but I wouldn’t consider it good. Only Jennings and Griffin will be all-stars. I don’t think ‘Reek has it in him.

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

    Jennings is going to single-handedly make the Bucks marketable.

  • http://fdjksl.com Jukai

    Still waiting for James Johnson to get into a fight. Or someone to get in a fight with Casspi, who may or may not be a good fighter, but would snipe the tires on your car from a building.

  • http://myspace.com/brandnew Bryan

    Jukai , if a 19 year old tyreke is putting up the numbers he is right now I’m betting by the time he’s 25 years old 23 6 and 6 isn’t out of the question. He can turn himself into what penny hardaway should have been.

  • http://realcavsfans.com Anton

    Greg Oden posted a vintage stat line of 18 points and 11 boards. He hasn’t had that great a night since the ’76 Finals.

  • http://fdjksl.com Jukai

    Bryan: In disagreement. I don’t expect him to keep up those numbers, and I don’t see much upside. I could be wrong, I’ve been wrong before (hint hint Rondo)

  • Hersey

    Will Bynum dunk reminded me of Robert Pack… as I fell off the couch. Suns look like a different team. Talking on D, 2nd unit plays scrappy, the ridiculous 3pt shooting. Keep it up. Jennings is sick. Knicks missed big time there.

  • jumpman3224

    Jukai-Are you in shock about Jennings 5.2 assists per? Think it will hold up?

  • http://myspace.com/brandnew Bryan

    I can respect that.

  • http://myspace.com/brandnew Bryan

    I think jennings can finish the season with better numbers than derrick rose last year. Something like 19 and 7 unless suddenly skiles puts the cuffs on him.

  • http://myspace.com/brandnew Bryan

    Byron scott is out in NO.

  • Sporting-Lisbon-Blazers

    those picks in the draft didnt help the Hornets at all…they shoud´ve picked wings I think

  • Atrain

    @Bryan – no way Skiles puts the cuffs on him… he means too much to the franchise – which is in desperate need of a lift -and quite frankly, is already better than his backup (Luke Ridnour?) ever was

  • RV

    http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=177092

    Landry blocks gay, wags finger…Landry stuffed Gay on two blocks last night and also pinned one of his layups to the glass…by the way he’s averaging 20 the last 4 games, landry that is..

  • ciroqobama

    It would be an act of God if just for once K-Mart didn’t lose his fn mind at the end of a close game. Jennings is the truth tho.

  • jumpman3224

    19 and 7 are great rookie numbers and well within possibility. I wouldn’t bet against this kid. I think all that on the job training in europe really helped him to became a better all around player.

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  • Young Lebron 23

    imagine if jennings played in a run and gun system…lots of turnover but plenty of assists…sort of like nash

  • dutch Rob

    lol so many teams passed on Jennings in the draft
    Some GM’s and coaches are having trouble sleeping i think after their team plays the Bucks.

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    Jennings is awesome.

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    Johnny Flynn is better than Tyreke Evans, maybe.

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

    I have a question: What are the chances that T-Mac is not being allowed to return because the chemistry on the floor is better without him? I really think he’s been a cancer (most unfortunately…) for Houston and earlier with Orlando, he’s been called a ‘diva’ and ever since he came out with the comments about sometimes not playing hard in games – it all just makes me think he’s had his best days in the NBA (and his best money) behind him. HE GETS 23 MILLION THIS SEASON plus this is his contract year to boot.

  • http://www.slamonline.com melvin ely

    Dacre: First of all, I don’t think he’s a ‘cancer’ like guys like AI or Stephon. I’ve seen enough of his character to prove that he’s a pretty swell dude (offering to sit for MJ in his last ASG, the Darfur situation, etc.) BUT, it could well be possible that he can negatively effect team chemistry, although if that’s the case, I’m hoping that the team chemistry changes how T-mac thinks and feels about the game, and not the other way around. He’s had a LOT of off-time to consider what his legacy will be after he leaves the game, and I hope he’s realized that when he does go back into the game it’ll define how people will look back on him. What I wouldn’t like to happen is him morphing from Tmac the All-star to Tmac the expiring contract trade chip. He deserves better I believe.

  • http://fdjksl.com Jukai

    Dacre: 0%. That’s a pretty insane theory.

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

    Dacre – 0%

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  • http://www.nba.com/2009/news/features/fran_blinebury/11/12/mcgrady/index.html Dacre

    @ JUKAI & HURSTY:
    Allow me to clarify where I’m drawing this conclusion from [CLICK ON MY NAME TO BE TAKING TO THE LINK PLEASE]: This is an article from Fran Blinebury of NBA.com fame. His write up is regarding a perceived attitude regarding T-Macs intent to be healthy and focused on his own terms. The article draws on a few things he had said to the media in recent years and it also goes into his current stance on his health at present. I believe, certainly for one that coach Rick Adleman is right at the end of his patience with T-Mac and when you look at the chemistry of the Rockets at present, with their “blue collar/work horse” mentality, I can draw a fairly realistic conclusion that going forward, you might not want T-Mac around. 23 million this year alone for a “diva”? That sounds like Celine Dion money.
    Thoughts?

  • http://www.nba.com/2009/news/features/fran_blinebury/11/12/mcgrady/index.html Dacre

    @ melvin ely.
    Just to clarify my “cancer” call: He’s a unique ‘cancer’ in that, the media and the general fan base probably don’t perceive this ongoing build up of negative worth, but it seems his team mates, coaches and Rockets staffers are well aware of what they have got from this once top 5 tier player. Little to nothing. Which interestingly, is how Orlando seemed to have benefited. The enigma of the situation is that you get gaudy ‘all nba nubers’ when he is healthy and free to do things his way, but this is where the similaries DO come in with the likes of A.I. and Marbury. My question going forward for the 09/10 year is, IF you do end up having a highly successful season with little to no input from T-Mac, do you re-sign him for a future contract? Just looking at what I’ve picked up from the situation [Houston's efforts on court presently] and the history of the player. I go on a limb and say. Nope.

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