by Holly MacKenzie / @stackmack
What. A. Night.
#Ilovethisgame. #whereeverythinghappens. #I’msorryNetsfans. #3OTFTW! #HappybirthdayAaronBrooks #DeJuanBlairisaballer
If I was to explain the night in Tweets and/or hashtags, they are just a sample.
Wednesdays are always packed, but this was just wonderful.
First, there was Dirk reaching 20k for career points. And then, check this tweet from Art Garcia of NBA.com: @ArtGarcia_NBA: Nowitzki was asked if he knew the long standing ‘O’ was for him reaching 20K points: “Yeah, I’m not retarded.
Can’t you just picture him saying this sitting at a table as he swats a fly dead? I can. The standing O was really nice. Even if the Lakers spoiled the game by pulling out the victory, late. It was slightly scary and sickening to see Kobe lying by the bench with his legs propped up, trying to get his back right. I’m sure he’ll be fine in a few days, but I don’t even like being reminded of the fact that one day I’ll have to face the reality that one of the best players to ever suit up and play this game, to dedicate everything that he is to becoming the best, is going to slow down and eventually not be playing basketball.
Anyway, one day is not today or tomorrow or whatever. SUBJECT CHANGE.
Aaron Brooks. The waterbug turns 25 today and he wore some new shoes last night and played 59 minutes scored 43 points and had just one turnover as the Rockets hung on to outlast the TWolves, 114-120 in triple overtime.
The Rockets appeared to have the game under control, until a halfcourt heave from Corey Brewer sent the game into the initial overtime. From there, the players battled it out and finally, the Rockets prevailed. Sticking his tongue out as he exhaled, Shane Battier expressed the fatigue that all of the players showed as they walked off of the court, having given their all to the game that they –and we– love.
It was a great one.
Al Jefferson had 26 and 26 in the loss. Wild.
Also in Oklahoma City there was a battle going down as the Thunder took the Duncan-less Spurs to overtime, falling 109-108 thanks to a Rodman-esque sprawled out save from the 0-for-10 Manu Ginobili that set up the pass to Richard Jefferson –the same guy that I said I didn’t feel in San Antonio, yesterday— for a shot to win it. Now, in that game, rookie DeJuan Blair had himself a game to remember. With 28 points, 21 rebounds, two steals and two blocked shots, who needs ACLS? Not Mr. Blair.
So freaking great to see him kill it like that. So good to see a guy save the game after going 0-for-10 from the floor. Shows the importance of hustle, grit and determination.
For the Thunder, KD had 35 (but seven turnovers) and Russ Westbrook was awesome with 25 points, six boards and 13 assists. He’s getting better by the game and more and more comfortable with finding the balance between shoot, distibute and attack. It’s fun watching him develop.
The Suns gave up a 24-point lead to the Pacers and lost as Danny Granger scored 33 points. Steve Nash took an elbow to the face, received seven stitches and came back, but it wasn’t enough to save the Suns.
Might have made Raptors fans feel a little better about their team giving up a 23-point lead to the Pacers on Monday night.
In New Jersey, the Celtics annihilated the Nets. In the first quarter. It was over before it began even without Rasheed and KG. It wasn’t good. Pretty. Or anything happy. Just ask Russ.
This did make me think of something, though: Who would you rather be? Kiki or Flip? A team that’s awful or one that seems to find more and more trouble, distraction and disarray with every single passing day?
You tell me.
Oh yeah… Apparently Bill Walker had one ridiculous slam. I wasn’t watching that game, because, well.. Yeah. We’ve been through this already. That, and I was liveblogging a game of my own for work.
