Monday, December 20th, 2010 at 8:50 am  |  226 responses

Post Up: Going Back To Cali

Lakers close road trip in style, while C’s win 13th straight.

by Adam Figman | @afigman

Boston 99, Indiana 88

A Paul Pierce (18/10/12) triple-double. A 53.9 percent shooting day. A return from the Big Fella (Shaq had 11 and 5). An opponent that shot 35.4 percent from the field. And a backup-made-starting PG (Nate) going for 18 points and 4 boards with the team’s point man sidelined. In other words, just about everything worked out for the Celts, who won their 13th straight and now sit at 22-4. Not that they’ll keep this up, because they will scale back and rest up at some point, but it is strange how everyone (well, almost everyone) figured the C’s would chill during the regular season as they got ready for the Playoff stretch. That’ll probably happen at some point, but until then, it appears they’re going to win a lot of games. Sorry, Eastern Conference.

New Jersey 89, Atlanta 82

I missed this game, so while scouring the Web to catching up with various box scores, video recaps and the like, I came across the following headline: “Sasha Vujacic Leads Nets Over Hawks.” Woah. I’ll take Things I Didn’t Think I’d Read, Ever for 1,000, Alex. It was slightly misleading, because Sasha only scored 10 and two guys both scored more and had a bigger effect, but still! Crazy stuff. Anyway, Devin Harris had 22 points and 8 dimes, while Brook Lopez scored 16 and grabbed 6 boards, as the Nets took down Atlanta at home. The Hawks have now dropped three out of four, and will host Orlando tonight in what should be the Magic’s first appearance with their new roster in tact.

(Sidebar: Speaking of last week’s Orlando trade mania, if Phoenix does decide to trade Steve Nash, anyone else think Atlanta is an incredibly sensible destination? The Hawks could certainly use him, and they could provide the Suns with some combination of a starting point (Mike Bibby, while Goran Dragic continues to develop), an expiring contract/quality scorer (Jamal Crawford), some youth (Jeff Teague, Pape Sy) and Draft picks/money. Just a thought.)

L.A. Lakers 120, Toronto 110

In the last stop on their seven-game road trip, the Lakers got some much-needed help from the bench as they took down the Raptors yesterday. Kobe led ‘em with 20, but check the non-starting production: 14 points from Shannon Brown, 12 from Matt Barnes and a season-high 16 from Andrew Bynum. The Lakers have now won five in a row, and their 21-7 record is good enough for third in the West. Should be interesting to watch L.A. evolve into a polished product now that everyone’s healthy and whatnot. For the Raps, Linas Kleiza, who’s responsible for the worst fantasy draft pick I’ve made in years (yeah, it was his fault), scored 26 and rebounded 10.

Detroit 111, New Orleans 108

In the day’s most intense matchup, these two battled through regulation and into overtime. A clutch Ben Gordon trey sent the game into extra time, and with seven seconds left and his team down one, Will Bynum slid into the paint and hit a lay-up to put Detroit up. Jason Maxiell stole the Bees’ subsequent in-bounds pass, slamming a dunk home with 0.5 seconds on the clock that sealed things up for the Pistons, who were playing without Richard Hamilton (upset stomach) and Rodney Stuckey (sore toe). There were some nice stat lines in this one, too, the result of strong performances from Tayshaun Prince (28 points, 12 boards, 8 assists), David West (32 points, 9 boards) and Chris Paul (23 points, 10 assists).

Houston 102, Sacramento 93

Kevin Martin, returning to the arena he once called home, scored 22 points, leading the Rockets to a road victory over the struggling Kings. Sacto has now lost five in a row, and only the Timberwolves stand between the Kings and the bottom of the Western Conference. Meanwhile, fresh off the news that Yao Ming won’t be playing this season, the Rockets are doing everything in their power to claw back to respectability. They’ve won four out of five, and their 12-15 record has them only a few Ws away from .500. Also: Don’t look now, but Jordan Hill is starting to do some work. He had 9 and 9 (with 4 blocks), and now has 8 blocks in the last two games.

Phoenix 113, Oklahoma City 110

Though Vince Carter, Mickael Pietrus and Marcin Gortat weren’t ready to suit up , the Suns didn’t seem to mind, taking down the Thunder behind Grant Hill’s 30-point, 11-rebound (!) effort. After Channing Frye missed a late free throw, Oklahoma City did have a chance to force overtime, but Jeff Green’s (19 points, 5 rebounds) halfcourt heave hit only rim as the clock expired. Steve Nash, not ready to demand a trade just yet, scored 20 and dished 10, while Robin Lopez put in 19.

Actual Stats: Paul Pierce: 18 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists, 4 steals, 1 block.

Moment of the Night: He probably should’ve just let the clock run out, but let’s not act like Jason Maxiell’s steal-and-dunk at the end of OT wasn’t pretty damn cool. Check it:

(H/T: @Jose3030)

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  • JTaylor21

    On dirk’s rank in terms of Best PFs of all-time, he comes in at probably 5th or 6th because he’s obvioulsy not better than TD/KMalone/CB34/KG and I don’t think he’s better than Hayes, so I think he falls at 6th ahead of McHale/McAdoo/Pettit. In terms of Greatest PFs, I think he also comes in 6th because Hayes put up way better all-around numbers (27,313pts 16,279rbs) and he went to 3 finals winning one chip vs the sonics, so I give the nod to him. So dirk is the 6th best and greatest PF in my book.

  • http://sjkdflsf.com Jukai

    JTaylor: Interesting. I used to give Hayes the nod at fifth spot, but the more I read on the guy, the more I learned he had “Garnett” syndrome and pretty much shied away from the clutch every chance he got. So I sort of reversed him with McHale over time.
    Still, Hayes was pretty versatile: he had a GREAT midrange J, really maybe the best out of the list, and could take it inside like a pro. Your placement is solid.
    As for Pip, I think we pretty much agree on all the groundwork, it’s just about how we view Pip’s offense and how we value defense. Once again, solid placement!

  • JTaylor21

    People forget that EHayes had one of the best jumpshots for a big in history and possessed a deadly turnaround jumper. He also was a great defender and is probably one of the greatest rebounders of all-time. He had 39pts along with 15 rbs vs UCLA while holding a much taller Alcindor to just 15 pts, dude was a beast from day one and it’s a shame he gets lost in the shuffle. So he’s all-around skills on the court tops dirk’s in my opinion.

  • http://www.need4sheed.com Tarzan Cooper

    Philo, hes not the best forward of all time. No sir.

  • http://sjkdflsf.com Jukai

    JTaylor: I’m certainly not belitting Hayes’ accomplishments, but in fairness, Kareem did injure his eye in that game and was very PO’d about how the media jumped on how Hayes beat him without mention of the injury.
    Yeah, certainly would like to see how Dirk stacks against The Big E, McHale, and McAdoo. I think Pettit was a bit too far in the past, not sure he’d really be able to keep up in today’s game.

  • http://Philosophervision@blogspot.com The Philosopher

    Tarzan:
    Bird can play all five positions.
    And, he is smarter, and more clutch than any forward in NBA History.
    To do what he has done as arguably the worst athlete of any superstar of all time is among the most remarkable feats basketball has ever seen.

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

    Who’s the best help defender in the modern game? Do we differentiate between help defense on the low block…trapping at half court… on the perimeter?
    ___
    I don’t even have a formulated answer just yet. I’m waiting for the latest episode of the Big Bang Theory to load up and thought I’d just share that… you guys are all asleep anyway – Australia should be next to Hawaii or somewhere….

  • http://www.fiba.com Darksaber

    SHELDONNNNN! Love BBT.

  • Blackphantom

    Yeah Bird is at least Top 3 in forwards, his Basketball IQ was incredible, he wasn’t all that athletic at all but he still went on to have career averages of 24/10/6. Pippen was the best defender out of all the guys y’all mentioned, and best scorer would be between Rick Barry and Dr. J, I’d give best scorer to Dr. J

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    Bird could not play all five positions. That’s ridiculous. He was a 3/4, that’s it.

  • http://Philosophervision@blogspot.com The Philosopher

    Magic can.
    Why cannot Bird?

  • Blackphantom

    Because Magic Johnson was more versatile than Larry Bird

  • http://www.slamonline.com Clyde

    You can’t really compare hunting a deer to eat it, with someone raising and training a dog to kill other dogs. Deer were meant to be eaten in my opinion, and I somehow doubt dogs were meant to do what he was doing with them. If your just killing deer to kill them, then your just as big of a dipsh!t as Vick was. It all comes down to opinion though so no ones really right, and he did he time, so it is what it is. Wait isn’t this a basketball site, how bout them Suns!? Don’t go Steve!

  • Blackphantom

    Don’t the Suns have a losing record or .500?

  • http://sjkdflsf.com Jukai

    Haha BlackPhantom hit it on the nose. I think Philo thinks just cause someone can pass, he can play the one, and just cause someone can post, he can play the five.
    Bird played the three/four, he could PROBABLY play stretches of the two if they put him as a spot-up two, but that’s it.
    And for the record, Magic really wasn’t a great five. He started at center for the Lakers during that legendary game, but if you watch it, like, the only reason they did that was cause they had Norm Nixon to play the point. Magic mostly played the forward.

  • http://philosophervision@blogspot.com The Philosopher

    ^Nah, it is not like that at all.

  • http://sjkdflsf.com Jukai

    Soooo the Lakers lost to Milwaukee. Are we still giving them the benefit of the doubt?

  • Blackphantom

    I’m a Lakers fan, unfortunately I live in SC so I didn’t get to watch the game but from what I’ve heard they deserved to lose, they better bring it on Christmas or I’ll be so freakin pissed

  • Blackphantom

    I guess they get benefit of the doubt due to the fact that isn’t a game that’ll kill they’re post-season chances or something but they definitely shouldn’t have lost to Milwaukee AT ALL, but heck every team has a bad game i guess

  • http://sjkdflsf.com Jukai

    Blackphantom: One game doesn’t mean much, but as of the season, they’ve been below-championship level. On paper, the Lakers looked better but their new additions are error prone, Ron Artest and Bryant have gotten worse, there is still an over-dependence on Fisher and Gasol is already tuckered out.
    Things could obviously turn around, and a win over the Heat might shut me and everyone up, but as of right now, the Lakers are the fourth/fifth best team in the L right now in my opinion (Celtics, Spurs, Dallas, and then either Lakers or Heat).

  • http://sjkdflsf.com Jukai

    You know, I was thinking about the Duncan v Bird comparison… and I think I’m going to go with Bird.
    Obviously, Duncan is a big and he has the defense down. These are two big humongously valuable things, definitely something you’d want to build the team around. Duncan can play the four or five, so it gives you versatility. Solid scoring which raises when it counts, great rebounding which raises when it counts, underrated passer, I mean, very few weaknesses in Duncan’s game.
    But I still would probably build my team around Bird. See, while Duncan raises his game in the big moments, so does Bird— he’s an AMAZING offensive player, a great rebounder, a great passer, but these all raise in the playoffs. One thing you’re really not losing by taking Bird is rebounding– yeah, Duncan averages 11.6 through his career, but Bird averaged 10! So you don’t really give up rebounding by choosing Bird, you just give up post defense and an anchor on the floor. Taking Duncan, on the other hand, gives up points, especially range shooting and spreading the floor, passing, and LEADERSHIP!
    Leadership, yes. Bird was a fantastic, vocal leader! He brought energy, he raised his teammates level of play, he gave locker room speeches, and he was very coachable. Duncan is a fine leader, but I think a lot of that is Pop… remember when Duncan looked outrageously frustrated during the 2004 Olympics, not being able to control anyone?
    So yeah, my pick is Bird. But it’s close.

  • Blackphantom

    I agree, The Spurs, Celtics, and Mavs have been better then us so far, we’ve lost too many we should’ve won and we need to play better, I’m sure it’ll improve with time but we need to really find a consistency with what we do that isn’t the Triangle offense. Ron-Ron at times makes me want to rip his freakin head off with his bad-decision making, Kobe with 44% shooting, well that doesn’t really anger me considering I’ve watched him and the Lakers since ’99 and I’m 16 so I basically watched them my whole life and he is a reckless shooter, not saying he’s a bad shooter, he’s just reckless with the shots he takes

  • http://Philosophervision@blogspot.com The Philosopher

    In a small lineup, Bird can play the 5.
    In a big lineup, Bird can play the 1.
    And, Bird is a GREAT ball handler.

  • Blackphantom

    Are you kidding me? Bird would be a pretty bad 5 if you look at the other side of the fact that he was a GREAT scorer,had incredible b-ball IQ, and good rebounding skills. C’mon now, he was never any all-star on defense ESPECIALLY in the post, he was a good perimeter defender but he got scored on in the post by more physical players (like Dominique Wilkins) but heck Dominique worked a midrange game on him, and I shouldn’t even mention Jordan’s arrival in ’86

  • Blackphantom

    You said a small lineup, that depends.
    Against ANOTHER small lineup? Or a regular matchup at Center in that day and age? And you know how HUGE that lineup would have to be to play the 1? the guy was 6’9″

  • http://www.slamonline.com Clyde

    @ Blackphantom Yea they’re not doing great, still gotta support ‘em tho. :P

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