Post Up: Two Weeks In
A weekend of blowouts causes the mind to wander.
Want to know how spoiled we as a basketball-watching whole are?
Through the opening 12 minutes on Friday night, LeBron James logs 19 points, five assists and three rebounds.
He flirts with a triple-double at the Garden before finishing with 33 points, eight rebounds and nine assists and we say we thought he’d have a bigger game.
Really?
Now, let’s head out West.
Kobe Bryant. 31 years, 75 days old when he becomes the youngest player in NBA history to reach 24,000 career points. 40 points in three of his last five games. 26 points at the half last night against the Hornets. His Lakers at 6-1 despite Pau Gasol not playing yet this season and Andrew Bynum being out with a strained right elbow.
Post moves that would make your heart sing.
41 points, on zero three-pointers, and only three made free throws.
Yes, we are spoiled indeed.
While Melo started out his season strong, his Nuggets have died on the end of their road trip, getting blown out in Miami and then again in Atlanta. While we’re talking about blowouts, we’ve got to mention Golden State. Wow. Losing by an ungodly amount to the Clippers then falling to a Kings squad that was without Kevin Martin (who, by the way, is not a soft player) and led by rookie Tyreke Evans, no wonder everyone wants out. I just want Don Nelson to free Anthony Randolph.
There isn’t anything nice that I can say about the Knicks, so I won’t say anything at all. Okay, I’ll say this: the Garden deserves a professional basketball team.
And, um, if you’re a Hornets fan, I really feel for you. Losing huge to the Lakers, okay, the Raptors, ouch, but giving up 117 points to the New York Knicks?
Someone save Chris Paul.
I think it’s too late to save Byron Scott. It hurts to see Paul’s wizardry with the ball being wasted on clanged shots, defensive meltdowns and games that are lost before the third quarter is over. I really didn’t see this awful start for the Hornets, but I keep telling myself it is very early.
Then when I get really down thinking about the Hornets wasting Chris Paul’s talent, I think about the Suns and 35-year-old Steve Nash who is balllllllin, averaging 19 points per game to go with the league-leading 11 assists. Grant Hill averaging 13 points and eight rebounds per game. Jared Dudley who has become one of my favourite energy guys (thanks, in large part to his Twitter account), and Channing Frye for being a lovely surprise. The Suns are 6-1 and have taken down the Celtics at home. Who is to say they can’t keep it up?
The other surprise for me has been the Heat. Wow. Q Rich is like a new man out there. About 2/3rds of the man that he was at the end of last season, in fact. He’s slimmed down a LOT, dropping a ton of weight during the offseason and he looks reinvigorated, happy and comfortable playing with Dwyane Wade, Dorrell Wright –his”135″ team– and the rest of the Miami roster. I really thought the Heat would open the season floundering, but they look like they’ve had time to gel and everyone appears to be on the same page. Gotta give a shout out to Udonis Haslem for being a co-captain, embracing his move to the bench and also going out every night with the same intensity as before and still managing to wrangle in double-doubles for his team.
Now for the biggest game of the weekend, at least in my eyes. After losing in OT to the Lakers, the OKC Thunder finally got their big win against a “big” team, demolishing the Orlando Magic 102-74. Yes, Orlando was without Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson, but still. Huge win for the young Thunder. KD had 28 points while Russell Westbrook had 17 points and 10 assists and Thabo Sefolosha added 13 points and 10 rebounds. JJ Redick was 2-11 from the floor and 0-6 from beyond the arc. Dwight finished with 20 points and seven rebounds. Zero blocks, killing my chance at salvaging my fantasy matchup this week.
And as I’m writing this, ESPN publishes a report that Stephen Jackson’s agent has ripped Don Nelson. Wow. Check this one out, although I’m sure Marcel will have you hooked up w/ the latest. What a mess in the Bay. Someone rescue the Warriors. STAT.
Also, Brandon Jennings is back on Twitter. Yay to that. Here’s to hoping he sticks around and can enjoy it to interact with his friends, fans and fellow NBAers the way so many other players have.
I haven’t even mentioned that Chris Douglas-Roberts was diagnosed with H1N1 this weekend, but have no fear, he’s still fly. How do I know? He told us via his Twitter account.
And to end this on a more serious note, I’m thinking of Allen I. today. Whether his absence from the Grizzlies is a personal matter or a professional one, whether he is back tomorrow or fades into the NBA background, I will forever be thankful for the joy I’ve been given watching this special, special player excel at the game we both love.
We’ll have more of a standard format tomorrow, I just had too many thoughts swirling in my brain this evening/morning. Tell me yours, as we approach the two week mark.
As I was saying, blowouts or not, we’re spoiled. Make sure you’re enjoying this game, because there truly isn’t any better.
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In Steph’s World
Starbury would be king.
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SG- Martin
SF- Garcia
PF- Jason Thompson
C- Hawes
When healthy, this isn’t a bad lineup. Really. Of course they need to figure out if Reke will be a PG.
@ Bryan: Yeah, I’m glad we can all agree on the fact that Al Jeff > Dwight in scoring.
Bryan and Z gots to chill; you’re both alright.
I find it utterly facinating that Kobe would devote time to learn from The Dream. At the top of his game, coming off of winning a Championship he could have been all at the casinos in Vegas proclaiming himself the Best in the League( Pierce), he could have spent his summer being a roadie for Jay-Z showing up at concerts giving The Roc sign (James), or challenging other champions in sports he had no chance at winning (O’Neal). What he did is what he’s always done. Work to create or improve his next unguardable shot, go to shot. I’ve seen him do The Dream’s post moves a lot this season already and he’s getting pretty good too. Those move will prove effective as the season grows. I believe he focused on this in particular because with the Cavs picking up Shaq, he wanted to learn how to confuse and score againt him in the post. Hakeem used these moves against a younger Shaq and won a Championship doing so. In fact these are moves that work best for smaller players with agility as oppose to a big man or center.
I recall some years back, after winning the first championship, Kobe worked all summer on the jump fake, which resulted in numerous points after defenders would jump to block and he’d wait for them to come down to jump into them, effectively making three point plays. The fade away jumper, the up and under and the move where he backs down, pivots and shoots. Each year he adds something new to the arsenol. He is the Best player in the NBA because of his devotion to the game and his respect for the those that came before him. Haters say what you want, but IF you like, err LOVE the game of basketball, you gotta love Kobe. If not, try hockey…
Iggy over Terrance Williams!
Big Baby on weight watchers!
15. ……..PATRICK EWING …………. 24815
16. ……..KOBE BRYANT …………… 24027
17. ……..ALLEN IVERSON …………. 24020 A look at some advanced statistics — courtesy of HoopData.com, which (among many other things) breaks players shot attempts down by distance from the hoop (thanks to Hardwood Paroxysm’s Matt Moore for turning me onto this excellent resource) — helps us understand what’s happening here. Consider these numbers: In both 2006-07, and 2007-08, Bryant averaged 5.1 shots at the rim.
In 2008-09, that number went down, as Bryant averaged only 4.4 shots from point blank range.
Thus far in 2009-10, however, Bryant is averaging 9.0 shots at the rim.
Such an increase in close shots is mind-blowing. Rather than taking fewer shots at the rim than last year, Bryant is taking twice as many! Certainly, this goes a long way towards explaining Kobe’s increased free throw attempts, as well. Meanwhile, this increased emphasis on inside work has been accompanied by decreased outside shooting — again, the complete opposite of what was expected from him coming into this season. THE BEST!!!
Durant scores in a way many people find more “beautiful” than Lebron. But, Lebron gets buckets. And right now he gets buckets better than Durant. Wade, Melo and Kobe do as well.
I’m with Z. Calling Mbenga “Congo” is rude, even if that’s what his teammates call him. And just becasue his teammates call him something doesn’t mean everybody else gets to do it as well. I don’t understand why Kobe, who I believe gave him that nickname, decided that was the thing to do. Hell, given Mbenga’s history, his imprisonment at the hands of the regime that changed he name of the country, I doubt he really appreciates being called “Congo,” but I don’t know. The point is, we don’t know Mbenga, and we don’t need to be calling him a pejorative nickname used by his teammates.
Hell, they already call the man D.J., you would think that would be nickname enough.
So, Alvin Gentry has changed the system in Phoenix? Who knew? I could have sworn the players staged a mutiny against Terry Porter until they could get Alvin Gentry the job so that he could put back in the same system that D’Antoni ran. But, I guess I was wrong.
As for Tyreke Evans… wasn’t he mentored by Penny for a while there at Memphis? There’s some early career arc similarities too: Start out as a one, eventually move to SG (this season? Next season?). Love a SG with point guard skills. Just keep those knees healthy ‘Reke.
Laughed out loud at your 1.55 comment Russ.
As is well known around these parts, I’ve always felt Nash got more than his fair share of love for Phoenix’s success. I mean, the cat won two MVPs, became beloved across the league and is a media darling. All without ever going to the Finals. I don’t know how much more love would be enough.
That Phoenix team was perfect for D’Antoni’s system to reach its zenith, and D’Antoni’s system was perfect for those players to reach their apex. Gentry is basically running the same thing. However, Gentry is not some “no-name” coach. He has previous fairly successful stints in Detroit and with the Clippers. I mean, he’s not a great coach, but he’s no random guy off the street.
Watching Z and Bryan argue is hysterical. It’s like watching someone argue into a mirror. Both ignore each others points like wild fire and only focus on the things each ignored. Craaazzzy.
Chris Kaman easily most improved player.
Lebron James is still a better scorer than KD. KD can score in a more variety of ways, but Lebron is a better scorer. Just like Wilt was a better scorer than Hakeem, even though Hakeem had a greater arsenal of moves. I’ve actually been a bit disappointed with KD this season.. his scoring and percentages are down across the chart. Not good stuff.
I agree with Reidar but only slightly. I feel that Nash gets underrated BECAUSE of his overratedness… y’know? People hate on Nash because he got an MVP undeserving, and when they hate, they underrated him for his past of being overrated. Nash just had his seventh twenty assist game.
To put that into perspective, Jason Kidd has had two. Kevin Johnson had four. Bob Cousy had 2. Walt Fraizer and Gary Payton don’t have any.
I understand Z… just for this part!
I had a friend who went to Savannah high, and they called him Belgium waffle or nigga belgium…
But Congo Cash especially when Mbenga told the Belgian press that Kobe gave him this nickname because “everytime he gave him the ball it’s money” THOUGH I REALLY DOUBT THAT LOL I kinda understand why Bryan get frustrated thouhgh… Carmelo, KD move or jumper are examples that coach will use to teach those moves cuz they have that good form. But that doesn’t mean they’re better scorer than Bron. Cuz BTW i saw the Knicks game n Bron was hitting every kinda shot, deep 3, fadeaway jumper with so much ease. Look Ray Allen & Michael Redd jumper… both wet Redd shooting form is unorthodox AND ITS NOT BECAUSE HE’S A LEFTY!!!!
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