Monday, February 22nd, 2010 at 9:00 am  |  97 responses

The Post Up: Thunder Rolling

KD and Russ W. are awesome.

by Holly MacKenzie / @stackmack

And another Monday is upon us, bringing us one week closer to the postseason. Crazy how All-Star break kind of breaks up the season and when things pick up after it, everyone seems a little more aware of standings and records and the true importance of each and every road trip/game/half/possession.

Chris Bosh admitted that he checks over the schedule and standings every couple of days after the All-Star break. Everything is just a bit more meaningful. And it makes for great competition.

Yesterday we had over 12 hours of NBA action, tipping off on ABC with the Magic hosting the Cavs. It went down to the wire before the Magic were able to close out Cleveland 101-95, handing the Cavs their third straight loss after reeling off 13 straight. Vince Carter was huge for Orlando down the stretch and Dwight posted serious numbers, finishing with 22 points, 16 rebounds and four blocked shots, enough to negate the 33-point, nine-rebound, six-assist effort from LeBron James. After going 0-for-12 in his Cavs debut, Antawn Jamison had a much better game Sunday, finishing with 19 points and eight rebounds, still it wasn’t enough.

In the second game on ABC, the Celtics took on the Nuggets in Denver and, wow, are they trouble at home. Flying out to an 18-point lead at the end of the first quarter, the Nuggets ran circles around Boston and are pretty much unstoppable in transition. Nene is a monster inside and he needs to get the ball. He’s shooting such a high percentage from the floor, it only makes sense to make sure he gets his touches. Of course, Boston settled into a rhythm and turned the game into a half court affair, coming all the way back in the second half, before George Karl got his Nuggets to get back to playing their game.

In the fourth, the Celtics defense kicked it up another notch, but it was too late and the Nuggets came away with the 114-105 victory, led by Chauncey Billups’ line of 26 points and seven assists. Melo added 23 points and tied a career-high with eight assists and JR Smith added 19 off of the bench. Ray Allen continued his strong play with 25 points. Good thing the Celtics didn’t trade him because he’s been the best Celtic in the past few games. Another positive for Boston: KG looked really good yesterday afternoon. He was active and very aggressive. Good to see.

In Minnesota, the Thunder continued rolling, owning that 5th spot in the Western Conference with pride. Pulling out the 109-107 victory, Russell Westbrook dropped the triple-double with 22 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists as Kevin Durant poured in 32 points and Jeff Green added 17 points and 14 rebounds.

Can you honestly tell me you actively root against the Thunder? If they are playing against your team, fine, but if not, I don’t think I’d want to be friends with someone who can’t see the awesomeness in the Thunder. So much fun.

Quote of the night had to be this gem from the out of shape Darko Milicic – “I was trying to focus on breathing. I was just focusing on breathing so I didn’t die.”

Yup.

In Portland, the Blazers lost a tough one to the Jazz in overtime, falling 93-89. After leading by as many as 25 in the third quarter, Portland fell apart in the fourth, scoring just 10 points as the Jazz came racing back, forcing overtime on an offensive rebound –Boozer’s 21st of the night– and putback from Boozer. In the extra session, the Blazers offensive continued to stall and they lose despite having Brandon Roy back for the second consecutive game. Roy finished with 23 points but missed what would have been a game-tying three in overtime. He’s back, but he still doesn’t look right and it makes me nervous watching him play, particularly when you see him grabbing onto his leg to try and soothe that hamstring. Yikes.

Boozer was awesome in this one, scoring 22 points and grabbing a career-high 23 rebounds, none bigger than the one to force overtime. The Blazers connected on just four of their final 27 attempts from the floor and were unable to hang on for the win against a Jazz team that was without Mehmet Okur and lost Andrei Kirilenko in the first half due to back spasms. Marcus Camby had 18 boards, but only two points for the Blazers.

Heartbreaker. I felt for the Portland fans in that one!

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  • http://myspace.com/brandnew Bryan

    All I’m saying is that the things Durant and Lebron were not so great at to start with are things you’re supposed to learn in college. Also I know there’s more than those three things but they’re the big three.

  • http://Www.lkz.ch Darksaber

    I was cautious with my optimism concerning the Mavs after the deal, but seeing how many different lineups they can throw at teams now is making me wanna throw caution to the wind. Enjoyed the defense they threw at Orlando and (to a lesser extent) Miami these last 2 games.

  • http://www.slamonline.com James the Balla

    Yeah, where did that come from with Zabba’s comment lol?

  • http://myspace.com/brandnew Bryan

    I’d have to take Westbrook right now. Rose just isn’t as physically imposing to me. Plus nearly 8 apg from a guy who is only playing point for the second year of his life is outstanding. Rose is great too though I mean you really can’t go wrong, just a matter of preference.

  • http://myspace.com/brandnew Bryan

    On twitter last night we were talking Curry vs Evans too. I’d have to take Evans for the same reason. I like players than just dominate physically. And Evans can get a layup any time he wants it. He has a long way to go on jumper and all. But 20 5 and 5 with no J is ridiculous.

  • riggs

    who in the blue hell let zabba pass moderation?

  • http://fjkld.com Jukai

    Allen: It’s a tough question. If I’m building my team AROUND a player, I want Rose, cause I think Rose is a better scorer. If I was building my team around someone else, though, I would take Westbrooke in a heartbeat… and I actually think Westbrook is more valuable right now. He’s a perfect point for any championship team.
    Bryan: Evans. It isn’t even half debatable to me. Curry is on a fast-paced, guard oriented team where he’s given the green light to shoot everything. Yet Evans still has better stats. C’mon now.

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    Rose doesn’t put up the same assist numbers because he doesn’t play in the same sort of system as Westbrook, nor is he playing with a bonafide stud like Durant. Passing to Durant is good enough for at least four to five assists per game alone.
    Rose has a better understanding of tempo and pace than Westbrook, but he’s not as aggressive at trying to attack opposing players. Westbrook is uber-aggressive, but he over penetrates, and jacks some bad shots. But, I love his hustle on the glass and on defense, particularly on defense. Dude does not quit on a play ever. Plus, Westbrook just plays angry, or at least it seems that way to me. Rose goes hard, but he seems to be easygoing or something.
    I’ve been on the DRose bandwagon since he got drafted, but Westbrook might be overtaking him. I wish I could watch Steph Curry play more often, but I hate watching Warriors games, and they come on too late most nights.

  • http://myspace.com/brandnew Bryan

    Jukai, I wasn’t the one who needed convincing. I’d take Evans 8 days a week.

  • T-Money

    Can we chill on the Durant/Bron comparison until they’re actually on the same level? Considering that Bron was averaging an easy 31.5 ppg at 21 years old, I find it midly amusing that everyone is so sure that KD is a better scorer. Bron is gettign 30 a game on cruise control because he’s also the set up man for the Cavs. He’s a much, much better offensive player than he was 3-4 years ago and he was scoring 30+ THEN. How much would he get if he was gunning for real? 35? 36? I believe that KD’s scoring is magnified because that’s really all he does whereas with Bron, it’s just part of a package. (i.e. the Denver game when he got 43 but it came with 15 and 13)

  • RedRum

    @Jukai I know that for some reason you hate me, but I completely agree with you on Lebron/Durant. You either have court vision and playmaking skills, or you don’t. You cannot learn that.

  • Joey E.

    Tyreke hasnt scored 30 yet or had a triple double. dang! surprised me when i heard it

  • http://myspace.com/brandnew Bryan

    Z we all know about your Lebron love but get real. Durant is not gunning, they take exactly the same number of shots per game. The only thing Lebron does better as a scorer is get to the free throw line period.

  • T-Money

    Is there really a debate bn Reke and Steph? Wow. Reke is a game-changer. (btw, the bucks have to step up and just delete jennings’ account. he’s just not bright enough to use twitter as a marketing platform instead of just saying random sh-t that gets him in trouble.)

  • A.

    Tyreke has scored 30 or more on more than one occasion.

  • http://myspace.com/brandnew Bryan

    My mistake they get to the line the same amount , but Lebron finishes inside better. What he also does is take nearly 2 more 3 pointers per game , which is just ridiculous. Also for a guy who does nothing but score its funny that he averages more rebounds per game than mr dominant on the boards James.

  • http://fjkld.com Jukai

    T-Money, you gotta stop riding Lebron’s jock. Do you think Rick Barry was a better offensive player than Jerry West? That Artis Gilmore was a better offensive player than Nate Thurmond? Do you think Jerry Stackhouse is a better scorer than Alex English? John Havlicek? Vince Carter?
    Do you think Walt Bellamy is a better scorer than Hakeem Olajuwon?
    If you do, ignore everything I said. If not, then stop bringing up the fact that Lebron scored 31.1 that season.
    Use logic, not stats:
    -the amount of firepower Durant has is SUPERIOR to the amount of firepower Lebron had. This means that there are more people who can score, and the ball goes to Durant less
    -Durant is not a natural passer and ball dribbler, and in turn doesn’t have the ball as much. While this certainly makes Lebron seem better in this light, if they had the ball in their hands the same amount of times, you’d see Durant would score more points
    -Just WATCh the two. Durant has the set shot, floaters, turnarounds, finger-rolls, layups, he has SO MUCH in his arsenal, along with a couple of iso spins and fakes that make him downright deadly. Lebron, at that age, would just run up to the rim, occassionally hit a jumper… but his offense was limited. Durant’s is not.
    Perhaps if I could explain this to you in stat form, you’d understand

  • A.

    I don’t see the big deal. Bron and Durant are both great scorers. They both score a lot. They both also have TOTALLY different games. With Durant the scoring is more in your face, “I WILL outscore you” type, and the other things don’t get noticed as much. LeBron scores just as easily, but it’s not in the same way. He plays his game and at the end of the game you notice that he has 35 and you wonder when he got them. Everytime Durant scores a bucket, you know it. When LeBron does it, you’re still wondering how he got the 4 assists that preceded it and therefore don’t notice it as much. Also, LeBron gets alot of his points from the freethrow line. It is also a form getting points in case people forget. And one he’s pretty good at. Not because he bullies his way into points means that he’s not as good a scorer as Durant. They’re just effective in their own special ways.

  • http://myspace.com/brandnew Bryan

    Seriously your throat must be so sore.

  • Brandon

    love the Thunder love! Durant and Westbrook are studs, and Jeff Green is a great #3.. so much fun to watch, so exciting and young and talented, and they are all nice, classy guys and good role models.. it’s impossible not to like this Thunder team..

  • http://hibachi20.blogspot.com DP

    Durant will sitll be the better scorer when it’s all said and done.

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    Bryan
    You should show T-Money the technique you use to deep throat Durant so he can avoid injury…
    My bad, just playing.
    Y’all keep having this argument about Durant and Bron as a scorer. The numbers say Bron is still the better scorer and was the better scorer at the same age. Watching the two play it feels like Durant is the better scorer because he does so much so easily.
    I don’t know who is right, but it seems like a silly discussion to have constantly.

  • http://fjkld.com Jukai

    Allen: Should we talk about who is better, Kobe or Lebron?

  • http://www.slamonline.com Eboy

    Some things never change.

  • http://myspace.com/brandnew Bryan

    Haha don’t worry Allen I won’t run off and say I won’t be back then change my name and come back. I mean I admit Durant is my dude I like him better than Lebron. I personally think he has more weapons to score which make him a better more versatile scorer. I don’t try and argue about numbers sometimes it goes deeper than numbers. I’ve tried to say it before if player X is best scorer in the league and then he does to a stacked team and his average drops by 5 ppg , does that make him any less of a scorer. Perfect example Shaq with the HOF lineup. He put up 28 one year and 21 the next. Is because he wasn’t a 28 ppg guy anymore? Or did he adjust to fit the team? Did it make him any less of the most dominant center? In my mind no but people like Z would look at that and say Shaq only averaged 21 a game that means Al Jefferson is a better scorer because the stats say he got 23. F*ck outta here.

  • http://myspace.com/brandnew Bryan

    Its one thing to say I like this dude better its another try to use logic to have other people try and like that dude as much as you do. Or call people silly or funny or whatever the hell because we don’t agree.

  • http://mvp@slamonline.com mvp23100

    the logic is the numbers hov said it best men lie women lie numbers dont to me per and stats are everything player efficiency rating dont say kd is a better scorer then lebron now when lebron avg more than kd at 21 and didnt lebron go to the finals at 21 or 22?

  • tavoris

    don’t really matter who is the better scorer, because both (barring injury) will be waaaaaaaaaaay up on the All-Time Scoring List.
    Lebron is BY FAR the more dominant scorer. Durant is a special, special player because of that J.

  • tavoris

    and Rose is a better pg than Westbrook. Westbrook is still getting by simply on athleticism.

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

    Zabba- you’re a clown.
    So, if Durant is the “best” scorer right now, where does Carmelo rank?
    He’d be above Bron in my books, quite easily.
    Melo would be slightly higher than Durant because of his post-up game I’d say.

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

    Either way you look at it, 30ppg is still 30ppg, regardless of how you get it.
    If teams can’t STOP you getting yours 82+ games a season, I’d say you’re pretty efficient/effective.

  • Anthony

    Why the Spurs stinks so much ? We can’t even beat Detroit, it’s sad. Thank God the playoff doesn’t start right now.

  • Anthony

    Do you think Lebron or Durant will ever score 81 ? (a subtil way to bring Kobe into the discussion)

  • Hangtime Hec

    Anthony reminded me about somthing. Which player, other than Kobe, has the highest chance of scoring 81? I had this dicusion with a friend of mine and my list is, in this order, Durant, Carmelo, Lebron, Wade. I exculed Kobe becuase of age and on the type of team he has now. Who else would you guys add? and why? I would like to know your opinions.

  • http://Slamadamonth.com Mvp23100

    Any of em these are above average players think if a decent sub par player can get 50-60 the wade brons melo durants could get 80 in the right situation take into account kobe shot 46 times if bron or durant shoot 22-25 times they end up with 47 48 add another 25 shots its possible

  • Anthony

    Actually I was kidding about that, just to put Kobe into the discussion but on a more serious note I would put Lebron, Durant, Carmelo in this order. I don’t think Wade had 80 in him cause he’s not that good from long range.

  • http://fjkld.com Jukai

    You cannot just take 46 shots and score 80 points. That’s such a ridiculous comment.

  • http://fjkld.com Jukai

    There is no one in the NBA who can score 81 points because no one in the NBA is close to Kobe Bryant in his prime. Really, not even Melo or Durant or Lebron. This debate should end here.

  • ENDS

    Thats what a Magic Cavs game should look like especially with out the Superstar bailout calls

  • ENDS

    as much as we get on the officials they did a very good job calling that game not falling for the flops

  • http://myspace.com/brandnew Bryan

    Tread lightly juk, you know how polarizing a comment alike that could be.

  • http://fjkld.com Jukai

    Bryan: I should have put ‘close to Bryant offensively’ but well, I think the way I wrote it will generate funnier responses

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    Mvp I don’t think you realize how well Kobe had to shoot to score 81 on 46 shots… Do the math, man. I don’t know the exact boxscore, but if you only count 2 point field goals and no FTs or 3′s, the man had around 40 of them. 40/46 is like 87%.
    Are you telling me LeBron can shoot 87% from the field long enough to rack up 81 points?
    Again, Kobe obviously didn’t make 40/46, but regardless 46 shots to get 81 is incredible.
    81 is incredible in itself.

  • Hangtime Hec

    It was just for the sake of conversation. I am not saying that they would score it. But “the most likely to.” But whatever.

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    Yo I was talking to Mvp… That’s another interesting topic you bring up though. I’d say Durant too.

  • Hangtime Hec

    I wasn’t talking about you Teddy. lol. 81 points is amazing. And the fact that, the game was close made it even that much sweeter and authentic.

  • http://www.realcavsfans.com Anton

    For f*cks sakes.

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