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NBA Loud - by Rick Gillispie

NBA Loud - January 2008

LeBron James is More Clutch than, Kobe? You Better Believe It!

January 31st 2008 12:25
LeBron James game winning shot against the Portland Trail Blazers.
LeBron James beating the Trail Blazers today with this game basket. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)



Er, remember the time back in the day when the clutch abilities of LeBron James was constantly questioned, including this space? Well, if you haven’t checked into the NBA lately, things have most definitely changed towards the direction of the King.

LeBron leads the league in average points scored in the fourth quarter, with the Cleveland Cavaliers being the best come-from-behind team in the league. Yes, there are a number of inappropriate jokes we could have made in the previous sentence – but we’re too classy for the gutter.

In today’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers for instance, the Cavs were constantly on the back-foot and looked to be in danger of dropping a game against a very good opponent.

Then the unthinkable happened. James got riled by a Portland fan and then got postal on his opponents, scoring 17 final quarter points, which was two more then the entire Blazer squad. The cherry on top: Hitting the game winning lay-up, whilst making it looking like a stroll through the park. Most impressive of all, Bron-Bron made Brandon Roy look second rate when he was locking him down in the fourth.


Generally speaking, Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers is seen to be the most deadly player with the game on the line, but again, James put paid to that general belief when their teams met last weekend.

Want some hardcore facts to back up our questioning of Kobe’s lack of clutch-ness? During the Cavs 98-95 win, King James dropped 14 in the fourth, with six in the final minute-and-a-half. Not only that, he was going against Bryant, with the Bean looking like the deer in the headlights when the game was to be won. Oh, yeah, in contrast, Kobe missed six of his seven attempts in the quarter where legends are made.

The final play from the Lakers had Bryant handling the ball needing a three – he ended up passing it to Luke Walton, who gave it back to the Bean, and the shot was always going to be weak.

James spent the offseason improving his jumper, and it killed the Blazers in the fourth quarter today when he hit three consecutive 3-point baskets. Not only that, LeBron spends so much time going to the free-throw line, and was shaky last season down the stretch – now, he is money due to his offseason work.

Kobe might still be the most deadly assassin in the league, but there is a new King of clutch.

Today’s video is of one of the best individual performances last season in the playoffs, obviously featuring, LeBron.
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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Cleveland Cavaliers
   


NBA Prime Time Players - Week 13

January 30th 2008 06:40
S. Nash, Suns 114 - Bucks 105
37 points and 10 assists, he hit 5 of 9 3-point attempts.
The Suns can do this in the regular season, but the playoffs are a different story.

R. Artest, Kings 128 - Nets 94
27 points, 6 rebounds, 5 steals and 4 assists.
The now-healthy Kings team is very impressive, as was Artest's offense here.

Z. Ilgauskas, Cavaliers 121 - Wizards 85
Shot 10 for 10 from the field.
Ilgauskas is a very good shooter for a big center.

J. Calderon, Raptors 114 - Celtics 112
24 points, shooting 8 for 10 from the field, and 13 assists.
He also won the game with a 3-point play in the final seconds.

H. Turkoglu, Magic 112 - Grizzlies 85
26 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds, he hit 6 of 8 3-pointers.
He is even outplaying big free agent signing Rashard Lewis.

A. Jefferson, Timberwolves 117 - Suns 107
39 points, in only 35 minutes, added 8 offensive rebounds and 7 defensive.
The Timberwolves can beat the Suns, but lose against most other teams.

A. Stoudemire, Timberwolves 117 - Suns 107
33 points, shot 14 of 16 from the field.
Having Nash pass him the ball does make things a bit easier.

K. Hinrich, Bulls 108 - Pacers 95
38 points, 10 assists and 7 rebounds.
Hinrich will need to keep playing at a high level to get Chicago winning again.

J. Smith, Nuggets 107 - Hawks 100
22 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals, 5 blocks and 7 turnovers.
The only people busier then Josh Smith were the statisticians.

M. Camby, Nuggets 107 - Hawks 100
21 rebounds and 4 blocks.
He is having a huge season, and is going to be very important in the playoffs.

R. Hamilton, Pistons 101 - Magic 93
32 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists.
Often considered to be just a scorer, he also helped in other areas in this game.

C. Butler, Wizards 104 - Grizzlies 93
19 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 blocks and 3 steals.
Butler for Kwame Brown, safe to say that trade was a win for the Wizards.

P. Stojakovic, Hornets 111 - Clippers 92
26 points, shot 6 for 9 on 3-pointers.
They have a good structure, with one of the best passers in the NBA teamed with one of the best shooters.

E. Okafor, Bobcats 90 - Bulls 77
21 points, shooting 10 for 13, 16 rebounds and 4 blocks.
If he keeps improving his offense then the Bobcats will be a playoff team.

C. Boozer, Jazz 127 - Kings 113
33 points and 10 rebounds, hit 15 of 19 field goals.
Imagine how good the Cavs would be if they still had Boozer.

A. Kirilenko, Jazz 127 - Kings 113
25 points, 4 blocks and 6 assists, he also hit 3 3-pointers.
He suddenly became their point forward, his passing this season has been impressive.

D. Wade, Heat 98 - Pacers 96
35 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists.
The Heat actually won a game.

H. Turkoglu, Magic 96 - Celtics 93
27 points, shooting 3 for 7 for 3-pointers and 8 of 9 on free throws.
He also one the game in the last quarter.

L. James, Cavaliers 98 - Lakers 95
41 points in 44 minutes.
He outscored Bryant who had 33.

C. Butler, Bucks 105 - Wizards 102 OT
40 points, hit 4 3-pointers and was a perfect 10 for 10 on free throws.
He also had 5 steals, showing he played hard at both ends of the court.

A. Jefferson, Timberwolves 98 - Nets 95
40 points and 19 rebounds.
It seems they actually got good value for Garnett.

A. Biedrins, Warriors 106 - Knicks 104
26 rebounds and 11 points.
Impressive work, but they might be signing Webber who will take some minutes from him.

A. Kirilenko, Jazz 97 - Spurs 91
23 points, shooting 9 for 10, he also had 4 steals.
A big win for the Jazz over one of the best teams in the NBA.


Caron Butler might be the best player Washington have.(Picture from Mitchell Layton/NBAE/Getty Images)
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Posted By: Sports Insider - Category: Misc
   


Tony Parker Fakes It According to His Wife, Eva Longoria.

January 29th 2008 13:29
Cristiano Ronaldo does it, and apparently, so does Tony Parker: they both get to have relations with some hot women. Oh, wait, they also allegedly fake it, or they like to “simulate” if you’re searching for another term. Yes, not only are Ronaldo and Parker world class athletes, but apparently athletic thespians as well.

The Manchester United winger is a well known actor, but Tony Parker? He’s French! They
Tony Parker.
Tony Parker is acting like he is sitting on a chair. (AP Photo/Dave Einsel)
don’t just roll over and surrender! Do they? According to Eva Longoria, who is married to Parker, he often fakes injuries and milks fouls to get more sympathy from officials. This has led to Longoria being confused as to whether or not her hubby is really hurt when on-court, whilst doing the Frenchman no favours in the eyes of NBA refs.

“Sometimes he acts to get the flagrant foul or, to sell the foul more, he'll throw himself on the floor and really play it up more than what it is…I really don't know what the difference is so I'm like, 'Stop laying on the ground if you're not hurt. Just get up! Longoria also adds, “He's like, 'Honey, I have to stay on the ground sometimes…But I get really nervous, it's nail-biting.” (Lord, DB.com, 2008)

Mr. Eva Longoria must been taking acting lessons from fellow San Antonio Spurs teammate, Manu Ginobili, whose flopping skills have become legendary. The influx of European and South American players into the NBA have bought an added dimension to the game of basketball in the States, but has also seen an increasingly number of players taking football-esque type tumbles. Many Brazilians such as Rivaldo and Dida would be proud of the theatrical abilities of Ginobili, and now, Parker.

There you have it. A seemingly innocent comment in England has focused much attention on the Oscar worthy talents of Tony Parker. You can be sure that officials will now be much more stringent when it comes to calling fouls on opponents of Parker.

In other big NBA news, Chris Webber, the once formally formidable big man for the Golden State Warriors is returning back to the bay area, 13 years after he began his career there. To add an even more ironic twist, coach Don Nelson, who he had a bitter falling out with the first time around is once again also in G-State, and bought C-Webb back!

This is a perplexing move to say the least because Webber is old, has bad wheels and is a defensive liability. Not to mention his less than savoury history with Don Nelson. The Warriors also have great team chemistry and is a run and gun team, things that we don’t associate with Chris anymore. No matter which way you look at it. This is a bad move.

However, we shouldn’t sell, Nelson short, because he is a mad genius when it comes to basketball.

Today’s video is a response to Rudy Gay’s submissions for dunk ideas for All-Star Weekend. With “talent” like this, he can’t possibly lose!


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Posted By: Stanley - Category: San Antonio Spurs
   


Rudy Gay Needs YOUR Help to Dunk.

January 28th 2008 07:52
Have you always fantasised competing in the NBA All-Star Weekend dunk contest but never had the hops? Want to be immortalised, and mentioned, in the same breath as Julius Erving, Dominique Wilkins, or Michael Jordan? Well, with Rudy Gay’s help, you
Rudy Gay dunk.
Rudy Gay flying through the sky. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
can leave a mark on the dunk contest next month.

The Memphis Grizzlies forward has begun an internet campaign on YouTube urging the public to submit their ideas on what dunk should be attempted by Gay, with a video demonstration from the public. Gay will judge which dunks are the best, and will use it in New Orleans. What a great idea Rudy!

"I am really excited about this unique opportunity to engage the basketball community and create some additional excitement for the Slam Dunk competition,'' Gay said in a statement. "I am looking forward to seeing what dunks are submitted and will be selecting one that is creative and will excite the crowd during the competition.'' (SI.com, 2008)

Rudy is a fantastic leaper and whatever you, Joe and Jane Public can dream up, he’ll be able to do it. This stunt from Gay is bringing the sexy back to an un-sexy event. Back in the 80s when MJ and the Human Highlight Film ruled the skies, the dunk contest was the jewel in the All-Star Weekend crown – now, it is an afterthought. However, Gay is trying to pump up (in a non-Reebok way) the event once again.

So, from Melbourne to Madrid, and everywhere else in between, get out your digital cameras, lower that rim, and let your imagination run free. Everybody get dunk-a-licious!

Today’s video is of Rudy Gay publicising his call for dunk ideas. If you’re interested in watching some of the submissions from the public you can follow this link: Click Here


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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Memphis Grizzlies
   


NBA Awards Watch

January 27th 2008 05:48
Most Valuable Player - Yao Ming
It is coming up to the halfway point of the season, and a lot of people are announcing their midseason award picks. There are a number of MVP candidates, and big Yao deserves as much attention as any other player. A 20-10 center who shoots 85% at the free throw line. Add in 50% from the field and a couple of blocks per game, Yao is a superstar.


Rookie of the Year - Kevin Durant
Easily the top rookie, as expected after Oden went down injured, but picking who is the second best rookie is difficult. It is probably Horford, but in Memphis they are getting production from Conley and Navarro, Yi continues his solid play in Milwaukee and Al Thornton or Corey Brewer could increase their stats in the second half of the season if their playing time increases.


Most Improved Player - Al Jefferson
He could be the player to win this award, and other awards in the future. Jefferson has become an elite player in the paint, averaging a 20-10. He is also scoring at around 50%, something that isn't easy to do on a struggling team.


Defensive Player of the Year - Josh Smith
3.5 blocks, 2 steals and 8 rebounds, numbers nobody expects from a small forward. He is also top 10 in the NBA for turnovers, although he does get close to 4 assists per game, so when Josh Smith is out on the floor expect something to happen.

While Josh Smith is an excitement machine at the defensive end, here is a player who was a foot taller than Smith and also enjoyed blocking shots, Manute Bol.



6th Man of the Year - Manu Ginobili
20 points off the bench, he is producing just a bit more than Terry or Barbosa, some of the other 6th man award candidates. Manu often plays 5 or 6 minutes fewer per game than other star swingmen around the NBA, but he does as much in 30 minutes on the floor than others do in 36 minutes.



The Minnesota Timberwolves acquired a player to build their team around when they traded Garnett for Jefferson, as well as a number of other draft picks and players.(Picture from nba.com)
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Posted By: Sports Insider - Category: Misc
   


Shaq is Single-Handedly Saving the U.S. From Recession!

January 26th 2008 11:16
America is heading into recession! Yeah right, not if Shaquille O’Neal has anything to do with it.

The much maligned legal system does occasionally provide entertainment. Well, disregarding
Shaq on the bench.
Shaq is probably pondering what to spend his cash on next. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
the whole “justice” aspect of the courts because who really cares about that? We all just want celebrity dirt, and court documents provide a plethora of sordid information about the famous.

As part of his current divorce proceedings, Shaq had to divulge to the courts his financial expenditures, and what we have learnt is that not only is the Daddy a massive guy, but he is a giant with a huge appetite as well!

In court documents revealed today, O’Neal earns $US1.8 million a month, but blows more than half of it living the lifestyle fit for Superman. Well, Bizzaro Superman who robs banks, whilst turning everyday into a par-tay.

Here is a breakdown of what the Diesel spends in an average month:

$110, 505 on monthly holidays.

$60, 417 on gifts (Hey, Shaq, can we be pals?).

$23, 950 on clothes, dry cleaning and laundry.

$46, 500 on child care.

$24, 300 on oil for his rides (Wow, what about the carbon footprint?).

$468, 345 on three home mortgages.

$12, 775 on food (foie gras, caviar and truffles, sprinkled with gold dust must feature prominently on his menu).

The clincher is the Daddy pays nearly $500, 000 a month in income taxes. So, the grand total of Shaq’s monthly cash outlay: An estimated, $875, 000 in expenses every four weeks!

Well, the man’s appetites, matches his size that’s for sure.

Today’s video is of the Daddy showing why he spends so much on food a month.


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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Player News, Miami Heat
   


The 2008 NBA All-Star Game Starters Have Been Announced.

January 25th 2008 08:00
The All-Star Game starters have been announced and there was one massive surprise out west – Allen Iverson nabbed one of the starting guard positions! Well, done AI.

Boston Celtics forward, Kevin Garnett led the voting with 2,399,148. KG, participating in his
Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson.
'Melo and AI are two badass ballers for Denver. (Michael Martin/NBAE/Getty Images)
11th straight mid-season classic, will for the first time suit up for the Eastern Conference. Following Garnett in vote numbers is LeBron James, with first time starter Dwight Howard, Nets guard, Jason Kidd and Dwayne Wade rounding off the rest of the leading lights out east.

Wade’s participation in New Orleans follows a trend that has been evident in every All-Star Game: a player who balls for a horrendous team still gets a place as a starter. Miami are having a forgettable season, with the game a respite from the grind of constant humiliation: "It'll be the first enjoyment in a while," Wade said. "Being an All-Star, it's amazing to be there with the other great players around the league. It's a special weekend. Everyone makes you feel so special. It'll be great, and it totally takes your mind off your season." (Mahoney, AP, 2008)

Congratulations must go out to Jason Kidd too who makes his first starting appearance out east since moving to that side of America in 2001. Finally, the fans had recognised the ill skillz the man possesses.

Moving onto the Western Conference, Kobe Bryant was the leading vote getter, with the ever present Yao Ming and Tim Duncan joining the Bean, and of course the aforementioned, Allen Iverson who got the numbers after a late surge in votes, overtaking Tracy McGrady along the way. When the final update was released two weeks ago, Iverson was 80, 000 votes behind T-Mac, and ended up beating the Rockets guard by 10, 410 votes when it was all said and done.

AI will be joined in the starting line-up with fellow Denver Nugget, Carmelo Anthony, who also got the approval of the fans. This marks the first time two players from the Nuggets had been voted by the fans as starters since Alex English and Fat Lever accomplished the feat many moons ago.

Congrats to the All-Star starters. Here are the final numbers.

2008 NBA ALL-STAR BALLOTING TOP 10
OVERALL LEADING VOTE-GETTERS

1. Kevin Garnett, Bos 2,399,148

2. LeBron James, Cle 2,108,831

3. Dwight Howard, Orl 2,066,991

4. Kobe Bryant, LAL 2,004,940

5. Carmelo Anthony, Den 1,723,701

6. Tim Duncan, SA 1,712,800

7. Yao Ming, Hou 1,709,180

8. Dwayne Wade, Mia 1,608,260

9. Dirk Nowitzki, Dal 1,259,025

10. Jason Kidd, NJ 1,246,386

(Source: NBA.com)

Today's video is of Allen Iverson's 2001 All-Star Game MVP Performance.


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Posted By: Stanley - Category: No Category
   


The Knicks are the NBA Version of the USSR.

January 24th 2008 12:28
The former USSR and China have nothing on the New York Knicks according to former coach, Larry Brown. In scenes that are reminiscent of a Cold War spy drama, Brown has accused the Knicks organisation of making a concerted effort to monitor
Larry Brown.
Don't be surprised if Larry Brown ends up with the new NBA franchise in Siberia. (Image from NY Post)
his activities by engaging in a bit of espionage.

Brown has been silenced after he reached a settlement with the franchise that netted him an additional $18.5 million on top of his original contract when he was given the bums rush. Furthermore, NBA commissioner, David Stern instructed Brown that he could not talk about the Knicks after the settlement.

Well, Brown obviously has stopped heeding that advice.

Speaking to the Philadelphia Magazine, Brown said, “Imagine when you get to work, they don't talk to you. They had security people standing close to me in press conferences, and spies throughout the arena.” (Berman, New York Post, 2008)

After guiding the Knicks to a less than auspicious 23-59 record during his only season of coaching the moribund franchise in’05-’06, Larry Brown became a pariah in the organisation when he violated numerous codes dictating the conduct of its members. New York owner, James Dolan forbade his former coach to talk to the media without a public relations officer present, or criticising his team in the press. Something Brown did often. Just ask Stephon Marbury.

The behaviour of the Knicks franchise fits in with Newsday columnist, Ken Berger’s recent tale of heavy handed behaviour from New York security when journalists were trying to cover a legitimate story.

According to Berger he witnessed a fan being ejected from the stadium for shouting, “Get Jeffries off the court.” Being the responsible journalist that he was, Berger and two other media cohorts sniffed out a potential hot story but were prevented by Knicks security from covering the ejection.

Berger stated that New York staff was heavy handed and overzealous in preventing the journalists from doing their jobs, physically restraining one of them and verbally insulting the rest of them.

Well, it’s comforting to witness one of the most important franchises in the league operating in a manner that would have made Stalin proud.

Today’s video is of Kobe Bryant scoring 81 points in three minutes. Confused? Just watch the clip.


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Posted By: Stanley - Category: New York Knicks
   


NBA Prime Time Players - Week 12

January 23rd 2008 01:14
J. Crawford, Knicks 105 - Wizards 93
29 points, hit 6 of 7 3-pointers.
Expect Crawford to score a lot with Marbury out.

R. Hamilton, Pistons 103 - Raptors 89
39 points in 38 minutes, hitting 5 of 6 3-pointers.
He doesn't usually take a lot of 3-pointers, or hit them so well.

A. Walker, Warriors 105 - Timberwolves 98
26 points in 26 minutes, shot 10 of 15 from the field and hit 4 3-pointers.
Maybe the Miami Heat miss him, and his versatility at the forward spots.

L. James, Cavaliers 132 - Grizzlies 124 OT
51 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds and hit 6 of 12 3-pointers.
He played a total of 47 minutes in this game.

S. Cassell, Clippers 97 - Suns 90
32 points, shooting 15 for 21.
He is old but can still produce.

S. O'Neal, Bulls 126 - Heat 96
24 points, shot 8 of 12 on free throws.
Miami are the worst in the East, they probably didn't expect that to happen.

C. Bosh, Raptors 116 - Kings 91
31 points, went 11 of 12 from the field and 9 of 10 at the free throw line.
Only missed twice from the combined 22 attempts, that is efficient scoring.

C. Delfino, Raptors 116 - Kings 91
26 points, 4 steals and 5 3-pointers.
He is one of several players there who can score a lot off the bench.

G. Wallace, Bobcats 99 - Magic 93
36 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists.
Wallace and Richardson might get the Bobcats into the playoffs.

J. Crawford, Knicks 111 - Nets 105
35 points and 8 assists, shot 6 for 10 on 3-pointers.
The passing was a good stat for him, as the Knicks need more ball movement.

R. Allen, Celtics 100 - Trail Blazer 90
35 points, 12 of 20 from the field and hit 4 3-pointers.
He was in a small slump but is back scoring at his usual rate.

T. Chandler, Hornets 123 - SuperSonics 92
21 rebounds, shot 7 of 9 from the field for 14 points.
He did miss all 4 free throws he took, but the rebounding more than made up for that.

L. Kleiza, Nuggets 120 - Jazz 109
41 points and 9 rebounds.
It looks like he could become their third scorer, helping out Iverson and Anthony.

B. Diaw, Suns 106 - Lakers 98
19 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks and 1 3-pointer.
With Hill out, Diaw does a lot more.

P. Stojakovic, Hornets 112 - Bobcats 84
17 points, went 5 for 7 on 3-pointers.
Missed the only 2-pointer he took, but hit lots of 3-pointers.

B. Jones, Grizzlies 124 - SuperSonics 100
20 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists.
Bobby Jones was just signed as a free agent, they started him and he had a huge game.

K. Martin, Kings 100 - Pistons 93
24 points and 7 rebounds, shot 8 of 14.
Kevin Martin, Artest and Bibby all came off the bench in this game.

S. Nash, Suns 115 - Timberwolves 95
Shot 6 for 6 from the field, had 17 points and 13 assists.
Amazing shooting numbers for a point guard.

B. Davis, Warriors 119 - Bulls 111
40 points, hit 6 3-pointers and was 8 for 8 on free throws.
Still healthy and still producing.

M. Moore, Kings 110 - Pacers 104
22 points, shooting 9 for 12 from the field, and 11 rebounds.
Moore is giving the Kings more.

J. Richardson, Bobcats 105 - Grizzlies 87
38 points and 14 rebounds, he also hit 6 3-pointers.
They are paying him a lot, but he is doing more than they would have expected.

A. Harrington, Warriors 119 - Bucks 99
27 points, hit 5 of 10 3-pointers.
Harrington is a player that is a good fit for a Don Nelson team.

B. Gordon, Bulls 97 - Pistons 81
33 points, shot 9 of 17 from the field and hit all 13 of his free throws.
He is playing for a new contract, so he will want to keep producing like this.

W. Szczerbiak, Mavericks 111 - SuperSonics 96
26 points, shot 9 of 15 from the field and hit all 8 free throws.
He is available in trade, and Seattle won't want more than a pick and an ending contract.

C. Maggette, Clippers 120 - Nets 107 OT
31 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists.
He can score very quickly, the passing was something new.

B. Diaw, Suns 116 - Nets 92
14 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists.
His trade value must be going up, and the Suns might try to trade him for a big center.

C. Butler, Wizards 102 - Mavericks 84
25 points, 9 rebounds, 5 steals and 5 assists.
Butler and Jamison might be more important than Arenas.

T. Outlaw, Trail Blazers 111 - Hawks 109 OT
23 points, shooting 9 for 14.
Portland have a deep bench.

S. Rodriguez, Trail Blazers 111 - Hawks 109 OT
16 points in 16 minutes, shooting 6 for 7, and adding 4 assists.
Portland have a deep bench, and Rodriguez is their third point guard behind Blake and Jack.

K. Rush, Pacers 110 - 76ers 103
25 points, hitting 5 3-pointers.
The Pacers are going small and having some success.

Y. Ming, Rockets 96 - SuperSonics 89
30 points and 17 rebounds.
He would be a deserving MVP winner.

T. Chandler, Hornets 106 - Bucks 92
Shot 9 of 11 and finished with 20 points, also had 15 rebounds.
Chandler was a great acquisition by the Hornets.

R. Gomes, Timberwolves 109 - Warriors 108
35 points and 11 rebounds, he hit 11 field goals and 11 free throws.
Along with Jefferson, and others, Gomes was acquired from the Celtics in the Garnett deal.


Few can stop Yao.(Picture from ESPN)
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Posted By: Sports Insider - Category: Misc
   


The NBA Celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

January 22nd 2008 12:30
Portland Trail Blazers players celebrate Martin Luther King Day.
The Trail Blazers standing on the same court where Dr. King played basketball. (Image from espn.com)


Today was a very significant holiday in the United States: it’s the day when they celebrate a key figure in American history – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The influence of the great man can be seen all around in the NBA with the dominance of African-Americans in the sport, and how they are widely admired, accepted and emulated. Players in the NBA should never forget his legacy.

For Theo Ratliff, the centre for the Minnesota Timberwolves, MLK Day has an extra special pertinence because he grew up in Alabama, with his mother and uncle marching with Dr. King in the Selma march in 1965.

“My family was a big part of that, that whole movement…It always had a big part in our lives, remembering the struggles. My mom told me about that.” (Youngblood, Star Tribune, 2008)

The Portland Trail Blazers also embraced the day by visiting Dr. King’s birth home in Atlanta and the YMCA where he learnt how to play basketball. Blazers star, Brandon Roy for one shining moment envisioned what it must have been like to be Dr. King.

“To see the house where he was born, and to go to the gym where he played some hoop was kind of cool," Roy said. “It's like you get to walk in his shoes for a minute, which is a great moment, especially for us being African American males. Because of a lot of the things we are able to do today are things he fought for.” (Quick, The Oregonian, 2008)

Portland’s director of player programs, Chris Bowles tries to schedule excursions that will enhance the understanding of the world for his players. Coincidentally, Portland were in Atlanta for MLK Day, with Bowles taking the Blazers players on a trip that would further enliven their minds, and spirits with an education on black history.

Perhaps we should leave the final word for Brandon Roy who sums up Dr. King’s legacy perfectly: “I've got good friends that are all different races, and it's all because he fought for those things. He didn't fight for one race to be more than another. He fought for everybody to be equal. That's the thing that I really respect.” (Adande, ESPN, 2008)

Today’s video is of various NBA players stating what MLK Day means to them.


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Maurice Baker is a D-League Gem with NBA Talent.

January 21st 2008 11:15
Voting ended today for the NBA All-Star game and we’re all waiting for the final numbers with bated breath. Obviously the players that participate in the mid-season classic are the cream of the crop, with no need to beg for loose change. Actually, those sitting on NBA benches wouldn’t be seeking food stamps either, so let’s not
Maurice Baker, Dakota Wizards.
Maurice Baker is a real NBA talent. (Garrett Ellwood/NBAE/Getty Images)
get ahead of ourselves.

Basically put, those who play pro-basketball to paraphrase Kanye West, are leading the good life – which is totally opposite to those who are plying their trade in the D-League. For a quick refresher on what the D-League is click here.

Recently, the D-League players displayed their talents in a four day showcase that featured ballers from all of the franchises. Cramming 14 games into four days, in Boise, Idaho, the D-League showcase had some really great players that would fit into any NBA franchise like a glove on O.J. Simpson.

Every NBA team had a scout witnessing the proceedings and they had to come away suitably impressed with some of the exciting skills on display.

Arguably, the toughest position for NBA franchises to fill is the point guard role. The one man has to run the show and is also the on-court coach. Luckily for those NBA teams that need a solid point guard to distribute the ball, would have loved the play of Maurice Baker of the Dakota Wizards.

Many contenders are in dire need of a solid back-up and Baker would be an outstanding player for teams such as the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers.

The eye opening game for Baker was when he went head-to-head with Chicago Bulls rookie, JamesOn Curry, who is currently plying his trade with the Iowa Energy. Maurice took the young wannabe Bull to school with 41 points, six assists and six steals. Oh, and perhaps the most remarkable stat of all for NBA teams that are searching for their gold ticket-esque point guard – no turnovers.

In another game, Baker grabbed 15 rebounds! Yes, a 6’1” point guard snatched 15 boards. Do we need anymore evidence that there is a potential star in the D-League? Come on Cleveland, Boston et. al. grab Maurice Baker before he burns your squad playing for an opposing team.

Today’s video is of Maurice Baker and that 41 point performance.


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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Player News
   


Classic Commercials Featuring Our NBA Heroes.

January 20th 2008 12:25
A combination of living my own hoop dreams today, and a 4.30am bedtime due to Lleyton Hewitt and Marcos Baghdatis’ epic tennis match has robbed this writer the will to post something substantial. So, we here at NBALOUD are entitled to publish the occasional fluff piece.

Today’s post will focus on classic commercials featuring NBA players. Ah, some wonderful gems here.

Kicking things off is a commercial for a sneaker brand with a pump on its tongue. When this certain shoe first came on the market it caused quite a stir in the playgrounds – we wanted these shoes big time.

This ad is kickass because it features basketball luminaries such as Dominique Wilkins and Danny Ainge to name a couple players popping up in this ad.



Everyone would be familiar with the ‘I want to be like, Mike’ jingo for a sports drink company. It was immensely famous and popular. We had that ad here in Australia, but this other one for the same company is new for this writer at least.

Featuring Michael Jordan and woman’s soccer icon, Mia Hamm, this commercial is cute.



The final ad for today features Shaquille O’Neal and Hakeem Olajuwon spruiking fast food. We can tell over the years that the Diesel has indulged in some unhealthy eating habits. Maybe his downfall began with this commercial?

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Posted By: Stanley - Category: No Category
   


When B. Dizzle Met The Logo.

January 19th 2008 09:39
Baron Davis dropped it like it’s hot today against the Chicago Bulls. Golden States’ floor general matched his career high of 40 points at the United Center, on the same court where a certain Michael Jordan used to go on scoring binges.

It was a content B. Dizzle out there on court today with G-State. However, the Baron almost wasn’t going to wear a smile this season, but rather a scowl. Allow this writer to explain.

Before the season began, B. Diddy was rehabbing a shoulder injury. One could say Davis
Baron Davis.
Baron Davis does his imitation of the NBA logo. (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
had a metaphoric chip as well, rather than a literal one. Davis was taking care of his shoulder in Los Angeles when he spotted former Laker legend, and the NBA logo himself, Jerry West. Now, the two had never met before but Davis knew who the Logo was and he was star struck.

"I was nervous," Davis said. "I was real nervous. There he is, here's an opportunity to finally have a conversation with the man." (Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle, 2008)

B. Dizzle introduced himself and laid on the normal platitudes. Davis was familiar with the career of ‘Mr. Clutch’ and all his amazing accomplishments. They conversed for awhile and became extremely close in the upcoming weeks during their mutual rehabilitation workouts.

Discussions centred on life and, naturally, basketball, with Davis seeking West’s counsel, and the Laker legend obliging. Baron wanted a contract extension and was going to demand the team acquiesce to his demands, or he’d be an unhappy camper, and then walk away from Golden State after he fulfilled his obligations. Potentially killing a talented, yet fragile squad.

The Warriors superstar expected a sympathetic ear from the icon because he too, went through contractual squabbles as a player. However, the reputation of Jerry West as a mythical figure in the league didn’t come about because he was a softie. The Logo informed Davis that he thought his approach would be a bad idea, giving the youngster a lesson in basketball politics.

West told Davis he was in the perfect situation in every conceivable way, and that voicing his dissent would alienate the organisation, and soil his reputation as well.

Professional athletes are usually surrounded by ‘yes’ men and leaches, so Davis was naturally taken aback by the Logo’s advice.

"He never told me what I wanted to hear," Davis said. "He always told me what was right. It was a satisfying feeling to not hear somebody sugarcoat something. ... Sometimes when you're (famous), or you're the star player on a team, a lot of people don't want to put a dent in your ego. ... Constructive criticism for me is a must and a need. That's why I think I have been able to play so well under coach Nellie, because he's like that.

"Mr. West in the summer, it was just incredible, because not only did he tell me what was right, he gave me pointers on how to be a better leader, how to be a better player, everything from making moves to just talking about the game." (Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle, 2008)

What has become of B. Diddy and the Warriors since last summer? The team is playing cohesive and jaw dropping basketball, while Davis should be the first All-Star for the franchise in 11 years.

Today’s video is of B. Dizzle. Aight!


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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Golden State Warriors
   


Want to Become Friends with an NBA Player? Meet Him on MySpace!

January 18th 2008 12:33
Gilbert Arenas is arguably the most accessible player in the NBA. He loves his fans and is a people person. For all his eccentricities and proclamations, he would be the most relatable player in the league. He is insecure about his place in the pro-hoops world, sometimes feeling
Gilbert Arenas as Agent Zero.
I wonder if Gilbert gets emo on his MySpace page? (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE)
like he doesn’t belong. Agent Zero is both infuriating and endearing.

Arenas could easily be your best friend. In fact becoming Hibachi’s mate is easier than you may think. Just contact him on his MySpace page! Ask Washington D.C. high school student, Garrett Scanlon if you don’t believe me.

Scanlon and Arenas met in 2006 when the high school student heard about Gil’s Black President MySpace page. Seeing the pics of his kids and friends, Garrett took a shot in the dark and thought it might be the craziest cat in the Association.

Creating his own MySpace page, Garrett contacted the Washington Wizard All-Star, with the player reciprocating. Naturally, the teenager still didn’t believe that the person he was corresponding with was Hibachi, asking if they could perhaps meet in person. Sure, was the response.

During his summer workouts at the Wizards facility, Arenas instructed Garrett to meet him at the Verizon Center, go to the security office and ask for Gil. Garrett did as was instructed, still thinking it was a put on. Upon arriving at the offices, security weren’t informed, thus, not letting the teenager through.

"They didn't believe me," he said. "The people at security had no idea. I was kind of weirded out." (Steinberg, Washington Post, 2008)

Going back home and unsuccessful in his attempts to meet Arenas, Scanlon contacted the player and told him what had happened. Agent Zero assured him he’d get things straightened out. Sure enough, two days later when Garrett went back, he was escorted inside by the same security personnel that shut him out two days earlier. They played video games and hung out, with Arenas giving the youngster his jersey and new Adidas’ kicks that weren’t even released to the public yet.

Gil also managed to hook his new friend up as a Wizards ball boy, and is now assisting him with his rehabilitation efforts.

So, there you have it. That chick that you have been communicating with that says she is Jessica Alba might really be the foxy actress.

Today’s video shows Agent Zero at his zany best.


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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Washington Wizards
   


Bulls Teammates, Joakim Noah and Ben Wallace Join Fight Club.

January 17th 2008 08:33
Like a good barbequed meat, we should wait for it to marinate before passing judgement on the taste. The Chicago Bulls who have been the most disappointing team this season, suspended rookie, Joakim Noah for his apparent insubordination towards Bulls assistant coach, Ron Adams. Initially this story seemed straightforward: rookie messes up. Gets canned. However, just like the marinade, wait for it to settle before the final verdict.
Joakim Noah dunk.
Joakim Noah directs his intensity towards the hoop. (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)


In scenes that mirrored the New York Knicks locker a couple months ago where the players unanimously voted to suspend Stephon Marbury due to quitting on the team, Chicago’s players also did the same, voting to ditch Noah for two games. Ben Wallace was the instigator of the proceedings and his teammates suitably backed the big fella.

Writers and bloggers were up in arms about the insolence shown by a first year player who dared to disrespect a senior authority. Tales started being spun of an immature brat, whose fiery competitiveness is both a blessing and a curse.

Then, the facts slowly started to emerge.

Yes, Noah confronted Adams in a testy exchange, but the rookie was peeved that some of his veteran teammates were quitting on the season. During Michael Jordan’s reign in Chi-Town, punking out of a contest amounted to high treason, punishable by death. MJ would have glassed the player(s) in question.

Now, quitting is seen as a characteristic of valour.

What irked, Noah, in their blowout loss to Orlando yesterday was the sight of players on the bench, led by Ben Wallace, laughing and yukking it up while the team stunk up Disney World. Joakim, according to witnesses, confronted Big Ben (brave man) and told him what he really thought of his efforts. It got so heated that Luol Deng had to come between the two to separate the basketball gladiators.

Ben Wallace has lost a step or two on the basketball court and isn’t nearly as imposing as he once was. What is surprising though is the apathetic attitude of the man in recent times. The intensity he displayed when he played for the Detroit Pistons would make Batman wet his underwear. Nowadays, he just undermines coaches he doesn’t like.

In a somewhat happy ending though, Chicago slaughtered the equally hapless Miami Heat today.

Today’s video is of the police video when LeBron James was stopped for speeding.


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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Chicago Bulls
   


NBA Prime Time Players - Week 11

January 15th 2008 21:29
J. Kidd, Bobcats 115 - Nets 99
13 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds.
That was his third consecutive triple-double.

K. Durant, Cavaliers 95 - SuperSonics 79
24 points, shot 10 for 20.
One of his better-shooting games.

L. Head, Rockets 92 - Wizards 84
24 points, hit 4 of 6 3-pointers.
A great compliment to Yao as Head can hit plenty of outside shots.

D. Fisher, Lakers 117 - Grizzlies 101
26 points, went 10 for 11 from the field, hitting all 5 3-pointers he attempted.
Fisher is having a big year with the Lakers.

E. Curry, Knicks 105 - Bulls 100
29 points, shooting 11 for 14, as well as 8 rebounds and 4 blocks.
The scoring is good, but it is the rebounding and shotblocking that the Knicks want from him.

A. Horford, Hawks 90 - Cavaliers 81
10 points and 15 rebounds, also blocked a couple of shots.
The second best rookie in the NBA.

C. Bosh, Raptors 109 - 76ers 96
21 points, shot 8 for 10 from the field and 5 of 6 on free throws.
He started the season missing mroe shots than expected, he is now shooting much better.

A. Parker, Raptors 109 - 76ers 96
22 points, shot 8 of 11 from the field which included 4 3-pointers.
The Raptors made a great move when they signed him from Europe.

Y. Ming, Rockets 101 - Knicks 92
36 points and 11 rebounds, shot 14 of 21 from the field and 8 of 9 on free throws.
The tallest center is also the best free throw shooter for his position.

J. Richardson, Bobcats 95 - Celtics 83
34 points and 9 rebounds, went 14 of 22 from the field.
His offense has improved with his new team.

J. Petro, Nets 99 - SuperSonics 88
22 points, on 10 of 15 shooting, along with 9 rebounds and 3 blocks.
Seattle need to figure out who their center is, maybe Petro can win the job.

A. Bynum, Lakers 109 - Hornets 80
Shot 8 of 10 for 17 points.
Bynum was having a huge year, but will now miss a couple of months.

M. Williams, Bucks 98 - Heat 92
35 points, shot 10 of 22 from the field and hit all 12 of his free throw attempts.
Williams played every minute in this game.

R. Bell, Suns 129 - pacers 122 OT
27 points and 9 rebounds, he hit 6 of 11 3-pointers.
Hill was out but the Suns had 4 players score 23 or more points.

S. Blake, Trail Blazers 109 - Warriors 91
24 points, shot 8 of 10 which included 5 3-pointers.
Usually a passer, Blake had his shot going in this one.

R. Wallace, Pistons 90 - Spurs 80
23 points and 15 rebounds.
Teams need a star inside to defeat the Spurs, Wallace was performing in this game.

B. Udrih, Kings 116 - Grizzlies 113
25 points, shot 10 for 17.
Bibby is on the way back, but maybe they should trade him as Udrih has point guard under control.

M. Okur, Jazz 108 - Suns 86
22 points and 17 rebounds, hit 3 of 9 3-pointers.
He hit outside shots and also brought in 5 offensive boards.

S. Dalembert, Bulls 100 - 76ers 97
21 points and 20 rebounds, shot 8 of 12 from the field and 5 of 5 on free throws.
Dalembert isn't far off being a worthy all-star selection.

J. Boone, Celtics 86 - Nets 77
14 points, 16 rebounds and 4 blocks.
The Nets are looking to their younger players to help in the paint, Boone is playing well for them.

A. Jamison, Wizards 102 - Hawks 98 OT
22 points and 17 rebounds.
Maybe Arenas wasn't their most important player, Jamison and Butler are still getting plenty of wins.

A. Horford, Wizards 102 - Hawks 98 OT
8 points and 19 rebounds.
Not the tallest center, but that isn't stopping him getting a lot of rebounds.

L. James, Cavaliers 113 - Bobcats 106 2OT
31 points and 19 rebounds.
He also had 8 assists but balanced that with 8 turnovers.

C. Bosh, Raptors 99 - Knicks 90
40 points and 11 rebounds.
A big game for Bosh, but it was against the Knicks who struggle to defend in the paint.

B. Jackson, Hornets 114 - Heat 88
25 points, hit 7 3-pointers as he shot 9 of 9 from the field, only played 25 minutes.
The Hornets scored 42 more points than the Heat when Jackson was on the floor.

C. Landry, Rockets 113 - Timberwolves 82
15 points, shooting 7 for 7, and 11 rebounds.
The Rockets have power forward production from Hayes, Scola and now Landry too.

P. Gasol, Warriors 116 - Grizzlies 104
43 points, shooting 17 for 25.
The Bulls, and other teams, might be seeing if they can trade for Gasol.

B. Davis, Warriors 116 - Grizzlies 104
20 points and 19 assists.
As long as he stays uninjured the Warriors will have a good season.

A. Kirilenko, Jazz 119 - Magic 115
16 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists.
Before the season he didn't want to be there, now he has become a star point forward for the Jazz.

A. Bogut, Suns 122 - Bucks 114
Shot 14 of 16, scored 29 points.
He was scoring more than a point per minute, but scoring does come easy for teams against Phoenix.

S. Nash, Suns 122 - Bucks 114
35 points, went 13 of 17 from the field, hitting 5 3-pointers.
Nash and the Suns just outscore people.

K. Martin, Pacers 111 - Kings 105
25 points, shot 7 of 9 from the field and was perfect on his 10 free throws.
Kevin Martin's first game back from injury.

J. Johnson, Hawks 105 - Bulls 84
37 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists.
Big production from Johnson as the Hawks keep improving.

L. Deng, Hawks 105 - Bulls 84
28 points, shot 10 for 15.
Deng returned to action after missing a few games.

Z. Randolph, Knicks 89 - Pistons 65
25 points, shot 11 of 18 and also hit a 3-pointer.
The Knicks need any win they can get, but a win over Detroit was unexpected.

M. Camby, Bobcats 119 - Nuggets 116
23 rebounds, 6 blocks, 6 assists and 20 points.
Some amazing numbers from Camby, but surprisingly they didn't get the win.

G. Wallace, Bobcats 119 - Nuggets 116
40 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 3-pointers, 2 steals and 2 blocks.
A big result in every statistical category from Wallace.

K. Bryant, Lakers 123 - SuperSonics 121 OT
48 points, on 44 shots.
There are a few extra shots available with Bynum out.

K. Martin, Kings 122 - Mavericks 120
39 points, shot 14 of 16 from the field.
He has been amazing in his two games after missing a long time with injury.


Zach Randolph, maybe not the best fit with Eddy Curry, but they can both score a lot.(Picture from Yahoo)
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Posted By: Sports Insider - Category: Misc
   


LeBron James Has a Need...a Need for Speed!

January 15th 2008 10:05
No, LeBron James wasn’t driving a bus loaded with a bomb. He was just ‘cruising’ in his Mercedes. Well, if you consider driving 101mph (163 km) a leisurely Sunday drive.

The cherry on top for King James, personalised plates “King of AK”, by the way, was that he
LeBron James driving.
LeBron James does some legal driving. (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
was busted on his 23rd birthday. Ohio state police stopped Bron-Bron at 2.43 am, with the officer who pulled James over saying that he was polite and courteous.

James’ lawyer filed a not guilty plea in the municipal court with a scheduled hearing on February 11. If found to have broken the law, LeBron will face a $US150 fine. Ouch. That has got to hurt a guy who signed a $US100 million contract with a ubiquitous shoe company as an 18 year old.

To put LeBron’s actions in perspective 300, 000 people were busted for speeding last year in Ohio, with just 1400 going over 160 mph. Even more sobering was that former Cavs player Bobby Phillis was killed whilst travelling 160km per hour in his Porsche in 2000. So, he shouldn’t believe that he is bullet proof. Kings have been killed in the past.

In other NBA news, Andrew Bynum, the burgeoning Los Angeles Laker star is out of action for two months with a knee injury after landing on teammate, Lamar Odom’s foot, going for a rebound over the weekend.

Bynum’s injury is a huge blow for the Lake Show because his stellar play has helped the team become a Western Conference powerhouse.

The injury suffered by Bynum comes at a time when the Lakers are heading into a very tough schedule, facing some stiff competition.

Although, the injury looked serious initially, it could have been much worse. After MRI tests and an examination, Bynum had temporarily dislocated his knee cap. L.A. will be without Andrew for approximately two months, recovering in time for the Lakers playoff run.

With Bynum missing, Kobe Bryant will take a much larger role. Expect more highlights from the star Laker. For anyone who may have forgotten how talented Kobe is. Check out his top 10 highlights from 2007.
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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Player News, Los Angeles Lakers
   


When Our NBA Heroes Turn Out to Be Jerks.

January 14th 2008 11:44
It’s been a long day at the Australian Open for this writer, and the
Dirk Nowitzki.
Dirk didn't disappoint this young fan. (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
exhaustion being felt at this moment is incomprehensible. However, NBALOUD got to witness Serena Williams strut her stuff, Justine Henin and her beautiful tennis strokes, and the great British hope, Andy Murray make an ignominious exit from one of the major tournaments for tennis. All in all, it was a great day.

However, this space is reserved for basketball and that is what you shall get. Although this writer is typing with half closed eyes, the dedication that NBALOUD has for you dear readers is without peer.

We’ve all had people that we have worshipped from afar, wondering what they would be like if our paths would cross sometime in the future. In envisioning a meeting with said hero, we inevitably put forward a golden hue because, hey, they’re our heroes. They won’t disappoint.

Sadly, sometimes we’re better off not meeting the people we admire because they inevitably disappoint. It’s hard to fathom but the famous are also people, with all too human foibles. You do get the hero who exceeds our expectations, but you also get the jerks.

Players in the NBA also have people they admire, with Dirk Nowitzki being no exception.

Anyone who has ever watched the Punk’d episode where Dirk Digger was the one copping egg on his face would have seen a gracious and accommodating guy. The general consensus of those who have encountered the Big Sauerkraut is that he is a down to earth cat, with a sharp wit.

Today’s video is of a European documentary that pits two totally different, yet successful, individuals in their own fields for a night of dinner and discussion. So, what does this doco have to do with hero-worship? Well, Dirk had always idolised Scottie Pippen, but upon meeting the legendary Chicago Bull had a changed his view about the man. Watch the clip for Dirk’s description of Pip because it is priceless, whilst pulling no punches.


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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Dallas Mavericks
   


NBA Awards Watch

January 13th 2008 08:26
Most Valuable Player - Kevin Garnett
The best player on the best team, they often win the MVP. He is just as important on the defensive end as he is on the offensive. The Celtics are giving up a lot less points, and that is due to Garnett who can defend most players on the court and he is also quick with the help defense too. The best from the West, Dallas and Phoenix, could also provide the season’s MVP and both Nowitzki and Nash would deserve their award if their team finished with more wins than Boston.


Rookie of the Year - Kevin Durant
He did miss a game with an injury, but is back scoring at around 20 points a game. One interesting thing with Durant is the amount of bad shots he takes, and he is shooting at 40%, but he also makes quite a few of the off-balanced shots he takes.


Most Improved Player - Mike Dunleavy
There are a lot of players who could win this award and Dunleavy deserves to be mentioned with them. He is shooting close to 50% from the field, while he still hits plenty of 3-pointers and scores a lot more than he did last year. Dunleavy scored 11 points a game with the Warriors last season, and 14 points a game with the Pacers after the trade, his field goal percentage was around 45% at both teams.


Defensive Player of the Year - Marcus Camby
Blocks, steals and rebounds, he does it all. Injuries have affected him numerous times during his career but he seems to be healthier now in Denver. The Nuggets are winning and Camby should get as much credit, due to his defending, as Iverson would with his scoring.


6th Man of the Year - Ricky Davis
While Ginobili, Terry, Barbosa and Gordon are more likely award winners, Ricky Davis is someone who could also get in the running. The Heat continue to experiment with their roster, and they might go with Davis off the bench. If the Heat can get Wade and Shaq healthy they might get a winning streak happening, possibly with Ricky Davis scoring 20 points a game off the bench.


Dunleavy is on pace to have his best season.(Picture from Ron Hoskins/NBAE/Getty Images)
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Posted By: Sports Insider - Category: Misc
   


Calling Mulder and Scully. There is 51.9 Seconds Missing of a Hawks and Heat Game.

January 12th 2008 12:46
Don’t we all wish that we can re-live specific moments in our lives? Wouldn’t life be grand if we all could do over something that we regretted? Well, the Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat get to replay the final minute of their last meeting because of an error made by an official scorer.

The Hawks ‘won’ the December 19 contest 117-111 in overtime at home. So, why do these
Shaq falling on the floor.
Shaq is bowled over with today's ruling from the NBA. (Photo by Victor Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
two teams have to replay the final 51.9 seconds of this game? In a massive oversight, the Atlanta scorer ruled incorrectly that Shaquille O’Neal had fouled out of the game with six fouls, but in actual fact he only had five.

"We're human. We make mistakes," Hawks owner Michael Gearon Jr. said. "There certainly wasn't anything malicious about it. We have one of the most senior scoring staffs in the league. They're good. It happened. There's not much we can do about it." (AP, 2008)

Miami now have one less loss, whilst Atlanta is missing a win. So, the Heat can rejoice – kind of. Their season still is going down the crapper.

"Wait a minute! I picked up a win today, or lost a loss," Heat coach Pat Riley quipped in New Orleans, where the Heat played the Hornets. "I can wake up tomorrow knowing there's one less loss." (AP, 2008)

Atlanta was also fined $50, 000 by the league for their gross negligence in failing to correct the error.

There are actually two units of officials in Atlanta that are supposed to keep tabs on the action, and when discrepancies do arise, they are supposed to consult with one another. Obviously, protocol wasn’t followed this time around, resulting in the re-do.

When O’Neal was incorrectly called for his sixth foul, the Hawks were leading 112-111. So, we can see why Miami filed a complaint.

The ruling from the NBA hurts the Hawks more than it does the Heat. Atlanta is a potential playoff team, while Miami are at the bottom end of the standings.

It’s the second time that a statistical error had occurred during a game in Atlanta in a year, so, we can assume that the league was trying to send a message to the team, and the other franchises in general. Don’t mess up.

On the official league website, the final 51 seconds have been wiped off the records – just like an alien abduction. The status of the game still remains in progress, re-starting after Al Horford’s free-throws.

In what has to be one of the most bizarre occurrences in league history, when the two teams next meet, there’ll be an extra 51 seconds that need to be played, that has some resonance.

In keeping up with the surreal theme of today’s post, here is a video of the top 10 biggest NBA bloopers of 2007.


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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Games, Atlanta Hawks
   


Chris Bosh Becomes a Viral Video Superstar!

January 11th 2008 11:27
Chris Bosh monster dunk.
Come on, let's get Chris Bosh to New Orleans! (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images)


We all love viral videos. Why do you think YouTube is so popular? Some are good, most are bad, but some are so rancid that it’s actually good. That is where the Toronto Raptors, Chris Bosh comes in. With Kevin Garnett out in the Eastern Conference, the forward positions has become that much harder to lock with LeBron James owning one of the spots for at least the next decade.

Bosh is a fantastic player, but realising that he needed a lift in the voting process created an amusing video that displays his comedic side with aplomb.

Playing a used car salesman, and heavily accentuating his Texan accent, Bosh urges you, yes, you, to vote him to the mid-season classic after two straight years of participation.

Unfortunately, playing in Toronto isn’t a very attractive proposition to budding all-star players. Yes, the fans up in Canada are absolutely fantastic, but it is a struggle to gain attention when you’re playing for teams like the Raptors. Most people would be familiar with Chris Bosh, but wouldn’t know who the man behind the skills is. That’s why this video is fantastic.

Understanding the importance of connecting with fans, especially when they’re the ones who votes players into the All-Star game, Chris Bosh’s personality positively shines in this video; “…I want to relate to my fans. I want them to know that I like to have fun and I'm not just this crazy guy that plays basketball every night. I'm a genuine, down-to-earth guy. But I think I'm funny. Fun is my middle name.” (National Post, 2008)

The latest count still has Bosh as the third forward, so come on, get behind Chris and vote for the man!

Here is the video is question.


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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Toronto Raptors
   


The Latest Air Jordan Kicks have a Tree Hugging, Tofu Burger Eating, Hippie Slant.

January 10th 2008 10:36
Nike Air Jordan 23 shoe.
(AP Photo/Nike, Inc.)


Besides the Bush Presidency and the former Australian Prime Minister, environmental issues have come to the forefront of worldwide consciousness and there is a general awareness out there to think green. This newfound environmental awareness has even begun to permeate big business.

Nike, which traditionally doesn’t have a progressive corporate image, has started to embrace environmental concerns in their products, most recently with their Air Jordan brand footwear. Michael Jordan’s signature shoe is without a shadow of a doubt the best selling piece of sporting footwear in history, and the latest incarnation has a figurative hue of green.

This month, Nike is releasing the Air Jordan 23 with a number of environmentally friendly components. Nike has stated that they designed and manufactured the shoe to reduce waste, use more environmentally friendly materials, whilst eliminating solvent based glues.

Industry insiders and observers have cautiously praised the Oregon based company for moving in the right direction, but adding the caveat that they still have a way to go. Jim Van Dine, a former Reebok executive expressed the following sentiment, which seems to be the general consensus outside of Nike headquarters: “A shoe made without glue, in the face of all the other things that contribute to global warming . . . it's a pretty small thing…Nonetheless, it's a step in the right direction. It's going to take large, huge-profile companies to ultimately make a difference.” (Hunsberger, The Oregonian, 2008)

In attempting to balance performance with environmental sustainability, the 23rd Air Jordan was perhaps the most difficult shoe to build according to Nike’s vice president of innovation and design, Tinker Hatfield. “It's easy for me to say that this has been the most difficult for sure.” (Hunsberger, The Oregonian, 2008)

Hatfield had to not only be attuned to building an Earth friendly shoe, but also had to keep in mind that it had to perform adequately on the basketball court as well. It was a delicate balancing act. As a consequence the latest Air Jordans will be the most expensive version, due to the sustainability efforts in the design.

So, what is so special about the new Air Jordans? According to Hatfield, the new kicks eliminated the use of solvent based glues, instead choosing to stich the mid-sole and upper-sole. The shoe also uses recycled rubber and polyester, limiting the use of oil-based materials.

Although, it isn’t the great leap forward that we had hoped for Nike, it is a step in the right direction. So, the company at least deserves a golfer’s clap.

Today’s video is of the limited edition Air Jordan Spiz’ke inspired by Mars Blackmon.


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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Misc
   


NBA Prime Time Players - Week 10

January 9th 2008 01:11
P. Gasol, Grizzlies 90 - Pacers 72
30 points and 12 rebounds, shot 11 of 19 from the field and 8 of 10 on free throws.
Gasol will always make a team competitive, but it doesn't seem that Memphis will ever get the right players around him.

J. Salmons, Kings 107 - Knicks 97
32 points, 5 steals, 6 assists and 11 rebounds.
With Martin and Artest out, Salmons gets to play and shoot a lot.

J. Smith, Trail Blazer 115 - Bulls 109 2OT
31 points and 11 rebounds.
Old Joe Smith is one of the few Bulls who can score inside the paint.

D. Granger, Pacers 113 - Hawks 91
32 points, hit 5 of 6 3-pointers.
Granger is a versatile player with an often streaky shot, in this game he was hitting it.

J. Childress, Pacers 113 - Hawks 91
26 points, shot 10 of 13.
Childress is around 57% from the field for the season, he needs to shoot the ball more.

A. Bargnani, Pistons 101- Raptors 85
25 points, shot 10 for 16.
He is sort of slumping, but got it going in this game.

J. Richardson, Nets 102 - Bobcats 96
33 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists.
Richardson is producing for Charlotte, but it isn't helping them in the standings.

K. Garnett, Celtics 100 - Grizzlies 96
7 of 10 from the field, 9 of 10 from the free throw line.
He can score at a high percentage.

A. Carter, Nuggets 118 - Timberwolves 107
16 points, shooting 7 of 9, and 11 assists.
He is surprisingly effective as he continues to start for Denver.

R. McCants, Nuggets 118 - Timberwolves 107
34 points, hit all 7 free throws and shot 12 of 18 from the field.
Hot in this game, very cold in others.

A. Brooks, Rockets 103 - Knicks 91
8 of 10 from the field, including 4 of 5 on 3-pointers.
The younger guards there, Brooks and Head, need more minutes.

A. Nocioni, Bulls 94 - Kings 93
26 points, hit 5 3-pointers and all 7 free throws.
Nocioni stepped up his numbers with Deng out.

M. Peterson, Hornets 118 - Suns 113
5 of 6 shooting on 3-pointers.
David West was out too, and Peterson and the Hornets defeated the Suns at smallball.

L. James, Cavaliers 93 - Raptors 90
39 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 3-pointers.
They needed every stat he produced as they just got the win.

C. Butler, Wizards 108 - SuperSonics 86
33 points, 4 steals and 5 assists.
Might be the best player that Miami sent out for Shaq, but the Lakers didn't keep Butler.

C. Bell, Bucks 93 - Bobcats 89
27 points, 11 of 18 shooting.
He did not want to stay in Milwaukee, this game might improve his trade value for the Bucks.

A. Carter, Nuggets 109 - 76ers 96
15 assists, 5 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 steals.
He didn't score a lot here, just 5 points, but he didn't all the little things.

A. Iverson, Suns 137 - Nuggets 115
32 points, shot 10 of 20 from the field.
Iverson scored at 50% from the field but the Nuggets weren't even close in this one.

S. Marion, Suns 137 - Nuggets 115
27 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 3-pointers and 6 blocks.
He was busy, he did all that in only 32 minutes.

G. Hill, Suns 137 - Nuggets 115
20 points in 22 minutes, shot 8 for 11, hit a 3-pointer.
Hill is happier, healthier and has more range on his shot with Phoenix.

A big shooting percentage, and big hair too, but big minutes are hard to come by for Josh Childress.(Picture from nba.com)
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From Playground Legend to NBA Star.

January 8th 2008 10:50
When watching street basketball, such as the guys from And1, a common utterance from gobsmacked audiences is: ‘why aren’t these cats playing, pro?’ That is a good question.

Believe it or not, a lot of the stuff that streetballers are able to manufacture on court, the pros
Rafer Alston.
Skip to My Lou, skipping to the basket. (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
can’t replicate. Even so, players that have honed their skills on the concrete courts of the city don’t usually make good pros. For every Connie Hawkins, there is a Lloyd Daniels.

However, there is one streetball god who is bucking the trend: Rafer ‘Skip to My Lou’ Alston, who plies his trade with the Houston Rockets.

Do you readers know as to why the And1 Mix Tape Tour is so popular now? Look no further than Skip. It was his underground streetball videos that made the And1 heads sit up and take notice. He is the reason why streetball has reached the mainstream.

Making the leap from playground to the bright lights of the NBA wasn’t a seamless transition, with the street skills that Skip was so famous for disappearing. Alston initially had little to no impact on the league with the Milwaukee Bucks. After being traded to the Miami Heat, Alston began to flourish and was seen to be capable of running a team (let’s not talk about his time in Toronto though).

Now, with Houston, Skip was bought in by Jeff Van Gundy who has a history of dealing with supposedly, surly players and bringing the best out of them. For a long while, Alston was seen as expendable for the Rockets, but is now an integral part of the team.

How did ‘Skip to My Lou’, become Rafer Alston, NBA starter? Well, it was a lot of hard work and breaking down his game back to the basics. After an offseason where he improved his offensive skills, the work has now finally paid off after a hairy beginning shooting at just 37 percent from the field.

One of the biggest problems with Skip was his tendency to gun it from long range, but now has settled into a smarter player, driving the ball and scoring at a higher rate.

"I think Rafer's really done a nice job in the last week and a half, two weeks doing that," coach Rick Adelman said. "I think he has a mindset because of the opportunities there. The way teams are trying to defend us, it's going to be open. If we set a good screen for him, or any of the guards, if they're going to put two guys on Yao, there's no one to help, and he can attack the basket. We have to do it that way. We have to attack." (Feigen, Houston Chronicle, 2008)

Once upon a time, you wouldn’t dare give Skip the ball during the closing minutes of a tight contest. Now, he is a proven game winner, as evidenced by his performance against the Orlando Magic last week with a last gasp basket.

Today’s video is the mix tapes that made Rafer such a cult basketball personality.


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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Player News, Houston Rockets
   


Scottie Pippen Makes His Basketball Comeback... in Finland.

January 7th 2008 08:55
Wow, basketball truly is an international game. If you want proof in
Scottie Pippen playing for Torpan Pojat.
There probably aren't Michael Jordan-esque players in Finland. (Kimmo Mntyl / AP)
regards to the introductory sentence, look no further than Finland where former NBA All-Star, Scottie Pippen has been making a comeback of sorts.

Pippen suited up with Finnish League leaders, Torpan Pojat for two games, with a third, in Sundsvall, Sweden.

During the weekend, Pippen scored nine points, grabbed nine rebounds to help Torpan beat Honka, 98-85. Showing signs of rust after three years away from professional basketball, Scottie found his groove in the second half, making some impressive plays along the way.

“It was great, I did not know what to anticipate without a game for the last three years," the 42-year-old Pippen said. "My conditioning is not at the top level but I played with a great team and had a lot of fun.” (AP, 2008)

In Pip’s first game he scored 12 in another Torpan victory.

The motivation for Pippen in his mini Nordic sojourn is to inspire young Scandinavians to pick up the wonderful game.

Today’s video is highlights of Pippen’s time with Torpan. He actually looked very good.


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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Player News, Chicago Bulls
   


The Boston Celtics Pwn the Detroit Pistons.

January 6th 2008 12:53
Paul Pierce shows off his Celtic pride.
Paul Pierce shows off his Celtic pride. (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)


It must feel like New Years Eve every game for the Boston Celtics. They have fun, celebrate, and, er, hopefully don’t kiss each other, but if they did, there is nothing wrong with that either. Today, Boston faced their Eastern Conference archrivals, the Detroit Pistons and beat them, 92-85.

This win was an important one for the C’s and if their after game celebration was any indication, they’ll take the memory of this victory into the postseason if the two combatants ever meet again. Detroit had an 11 game win streak going into this game but it was snapped by Boston, who have now won nine in a row themselves. Incredibly the Celtics have a 29-3 record.

In one of the most anticipated regular season match-ups in a long time, it was Glen ‘Big Baby Shaq’ Davis who proved to be the big contributor for the night for Boston, leading the team with 20 points, including the key layup with 8.5 seconds left in the game to extend his teams lead by five.

“It feels real good to contribute in a big game like this," Davis said. "But we can't get too excited. This isn't the last time we're going to see this team.” (Lage, AP, 2008)

Well, according to Chauncey Billups, the way that Boston carried on after the win seemed like they had just won the Super Bowl. It was a rather extravagant celebration, but it may have meant that Boston now have the psychological edge of Detroit. Than again, we may be reading too much into a game that was played in early January.

Whichever side of the fence you sit on, it was a massive one because both teams had a combined .844 winning percentage going into the contest. This was a heavyweight battle royale on par with Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.

Today’s game was notable as well because for the first time this season none of the Big 3 was the leading scorer. Davis had that honour.

Davis’ performance bodes well for the Celtics because it illustrates how infectious the work ethic that Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen bring to every game is rubbing off on their teammates. The scalp of Detroit is proof positive of this fact.

“This was a huge win because we won on the road in a playoff atmosphere against a team that had won 11 straight,” said Paul Pierce. (Lage, AP, 2008)

Boston looked good. The rest of the league should consider wearing adult diapers.

The video subject for today is Baron Davis and his top 10 plays from 2007.


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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Games, Boston Celtics
   


Yao Ming Shuts Out Dwight Howard.

January 5th 2008 09:06
Basketball for all intents and purposes is a team sport. There are five people on-court, with another seven on the bench. Players in the same squad all work towards the common goal of trying to bring success to the team. Now, that the touchy-feely description of basketball has been dispensed with, let’s get to the nitty-gritty – basketball is
Yao Ming dunk.
Yao Ming takes it strong, while Dwight Howard isn't even in the picture. (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
perhaps the only team sport where one individual can have so much influence on a game. Therefore, it is always fun when two uber-players who play the same position for opposing teams meet up on a basketball court.

Today’s marquee game saw arguably the top two centres in the league battle for big man supremacy. Yao Ming and his Houston Rockets came to Orlando to face the Magic, stealing a 96-94 win along the way. Yao got the better of Dwight Howard with not only the final result, but his one-on-one battle with the Magic big man.

It was an exciting finish to an eventful game, Orlando’s Adonal Foyle seemingly beat the buzzer tipping in Rashard Lewis’ game tying attempt. The call was as close as could be with the referees in the unenviable position of having to decide whether or not Foyle had beaten the clock.

The refs decided that Foyle’s touch did indeed come after the game had expired, gifting Houston the win. It could have gone either way. Foyle’s tip in was that close.

Exciting as the ending was, it was Yao who proved he was the better player with a dominating performance. Well, the Big Red Machine proved today that he is a nastier baller than Dwight Howard, but only for today. Ming finished with 26 points and 10 rebounds, whilst his Orlando opponent had 16 points and eight rebounds. It was only the third time this season that Howard didn’t have a double digit rebound performance.

Now, Yao has featured in the All-Star game since his rookie season and it was arguable that he deserved a spot back then. There is absolutely no disputing his presence in the mid-season classic these days.

All-Star voting third returns have been announced with Kevin Garnett and LeBron James leading the way out in the Eastern Conference, while, Yao and Kobe Bryant are getting the most votes out west.

Here are the full numbers.

2008 NBA ALL-STAR BALLOTING EASTERN CONFERENCE

Forwards: Kevin Garnett (Bos) 1,527,963; LeBron James (Clev) 1,294,019; Chris Bosh (Tor) 411,313; Paul Pierce (Bos) 352,243; Yi Jianlian (Mil) 291,447; Caron Butler (Was) 187,396; Hedo Turkoglu (Orl) 172,720; Tayshaun Prince (Det) 155,502; Josh Smith (Atl) 143,518; Rashard Lewis (Orl) 143,118.

Guards: Dwyane Wade (Mia) 1,019,582; Jason Kidd (NJ) 743,683; Ray Allen (Bos) 617,123; Vince Carter (NJ) 612,543; Gilbert Arenas (Was) 511,763; Chauncey Billups (Det) 331,872; Michael Redd (Mil) 221,777; Richard Hamilton (Det) 163,250; Joe Johnson (Atl) 149,367; Andre Iguodala (Phi) 140, 292.

Centres: Dwight Howard (Orl) 1,260,987; Shaquille O'Neal (Mia) 609,597; Rasheed Wallace (Det) 162,792; Ben Wallace (Chi) 146,332; Andrew Bogut (Mil) 132,469; Jermaine O’Neal (Ind) 120,690; Zydrunas Ilgauskas (Clev) 77,350; Emeka Okafor (Cha) 74,269; Zaza Pachulia (Atl) 58,430; Eddy Curry (NY) 53,084.

2008 NBA ALL-STAR BALLOTING WESTERN CONFERENCE

Forwards: Tim Duncan (SA) 1,049,641; Carmelo Anthony (Den) 1,029,335; Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) 830,970; Carlos Boozer (Utah) 347,899; Shane Battier (Hou) 297,672; Shawn Marion (Pho) 296,917; Josh Howard (Dal) 285,580; Luis Scola (Hou) 279,970; Kevin Durant (Sea) 242,953; Grant Hill (Pho) 209,057.

Guards: Kobe Bryant (LAL) 1,234,111; Tracy McGrady (Hou) 809,395; Allen Iverson (Den) 694,611; Steve Nash (Pho) 684,813; Manu Ginobili (SA) 360,408; Tony Parker (SA) 316,541; Chris Paul (NO) 261,169; Baron Davis (GS) 247,187; Jason Terry (Dal) 218,052; Jerry Stackhouse (Dal) 192,017.

Centres: Yao Ming (Hou) 1,077,244; Amaré Stoudemire (Pho) 583,249; Marcus Camby (Den) 221,527; Erick Dampier (Dal) 184,689; Pau Gasol (Mem) 139,254; Mehmet Okur (Utah) 112,434; Tyson Chandler (NO) 98,424; LaMarcus Aldridge (Por) 93,043; Chris Kaman (LAC) 83,516; Andris Biedrins (GS) 81,611.

(Source: NBA.com)

Today’s video is of the top 10 plays from 2007.


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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Orlando Magic
   


Scottie Pippen Needs Two Ladies to Handle His Six Footer.

January 4th 2008 11:17
All-Star game balloting has never been fair. Let’s face it, in the years that Vince Carter was a perennial starter, most of those seasons he shouldn’t have been in the starting five. Injustices still abound in this current climate with Steve Nash not getting anywhere near a starting spot behind an oft-injured, Tracy McGrady for crying out loud!

With our justice hats on, we here at NBALOUD would love to lobby voters to give at least one
Rip Hamilton dunk.
All we are saying, is give Rip a chance. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
Detroit Piston a starting spot. Yes, we know that this is a futile proposition at best – but give Chauncey Billups or Rip Hamilton a go!

How sad is the state of affairs with the fan voting? Gilbert Arenas who has not played at all this season has garnered more love than Rip or Mr. Big Shot. It’s hard to believe that this is the same Agent Zero who sat in a Foot Locker stuffing the ballots for himself back in the day.

Detroit are only behind the hot, hot, Boston Celtics in terms of wins in the East, and is one of the only two legitimate teams out in that side of the States to have a real shot at unseating the San Antonio Spurs for the title.

The sad fact is that the prettiest girls will always get invited to the school dance at the expense of the cute, smart, interesting and personable girl in your biology class. Rip is resigned to the fact once again that his participation in the mid-season classic is up to league coaches – even if Hamilton is playing some of the best basketball of his life: “It doesn't surprise me, because every year it's the same old thing…I just think the way that I play ... I'm an old school player. There ain't too many flashy moments. Every now and then, I'll get up and dunk on somebody or something like that. But it doesn't surprise me at all.” (Blakely, mlive.com, 2008)

And, he plays for the Pistons.

Speaking of weird occurrences, Isiah Thomas, the dead man walking coach of the New York Knicks has recently claimed that his team is capable of winning a championship. Excuse this writer for being a little sceptical of Zeke’s sanity. Or, he has been hanging around Towelie for too long.

Here is the exact Thomas quote. Be prepared to choke on either your breakfast, lunch or dinner. Better yet, you can choke on all three meals by reading these words over and over again.

“My belief and what I see and where I believe we can go as a team and an organisation, I believe one day that we will win a championship here and I believe a couple of these guys will be a part of that," Thomas said before the Knicks were walloped at the Garden by the depleted Sacramento Kings, 107-97. "I believe I'll be a part of that.”

Blame this delusion on Towelie.

Today’s video is a cracker of a clip featuring Chicago Bulls legend, Scottie Pippen trying to sell sub sandwiches. The best part of this is not the woefully inadequate acting of Pip, but these immortal lines: “This is one six-footer I can't handle by myself. Ladies, let's have a party.” Geez, Pip is packing a cannon there!
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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Detroit Pistons
   


Michael Jordan Makes An On-Court 'Comeback'. LeBron James Parties with Jay-Z.

January 3rd 2008 11:12
LeBron James, Jay-Z and Beyonce celebrate LeBron's 23rd birthday.
Shades are needed to look at this picture because of all the star power on display. (Image from stereohyped.com)


So, how does arguably the most famous current basketball player on the planet celebrate his 23rd birthday? Well, if your name is LeBron James, you’d celebrate at the new 40/40 club of arguably the most famous hip-hop artist in the world, Jay-Z. In a star studded affair, the King had a basketball bash fit for the air apparent. Ah, the joys of celebrity hobnobbing.

Now, that we have covered the more vapid aspects of basketball, how about some on-court news? The New Jersey Nets are currently in a deep funk and it’s not the type of funk associated with Dr. J. More directly, the Nets just plain suck. Call in Tony Soprano to throw his metaphoric weight around because his home team is swimming with the fishes.

Jersey fans are naturally getting restless and are demanding any type of action to alleviate the pain for the Nets. The Jersey faithful want a miracle that bought in Vince Carter, or the lopsided trade that had Jason Kidd wearing their colours.

Kidd, the brightest star for the Nets, has regularly been touted as potential trade bait with the latest murmurings suggesting that Allen Iverson’s name had been thrown into the mix. A league source that has been privy to the discussions dropped the bombshell.

However, New Jersey apparently weren’t interested in that trade scenario.

Rod Thorn, the president of the Nets wants a star calibre player in return for Kidd, and desires a big man that could play with the star point guard. Pau Gasol had been in the Nets crosshairs but the Memphis Grizzlies aren’t interested in veterans.

We’ll finish today’s posting with the biggest news of all – Michael Jordan has made a basketball comeback with the Charlotte Bobcats – of sorts. His Airness who holds a front office position with the Cats joined in a practice scrimmage recently, with his players acting like star struck kids rather than multi-millionaire, professional ballers.

Players were giddy with joy that they got to play with, or against, MJ with Jason Richardson saying that it was such a pleasure to stop the man: “I will take that for a long time, blocking the shot of one of the greatest players ever…” (Olivieri, PA Sports Ticker, 2008)

The Cats used Jordan’s presence as inspiration with Nazr Mohammed basically summing up the general consensus of all Charlotte players. “You're talking about the greatest player to touch a basketball…So, it's always great to get a chance to see the things he does and the way he approaches the game.” (Olivieri, PA Sports Ticker, 2008)

Sadly, for the Cats His Airness can’t suit up for them on a regular basis.

Today’s video is of the top 10 facial dunks of 2007. Enjoy.


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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Cleveland Cavaliers
   


NBA Prime Time Players - Week 9

January 3rd 2008 01:24
D. Gibson, Cavaliers 96 - Heat 82
Hit 4 of 6 3-pointers.
The only Cav in this game to hit a 3-pointer, Gibson scored plenty off the bench.

A. Iguodala, 76ers 96 - Heat 85
28 points, shot 10 of 17.
It's his team now, so he has to score over 20 every game.

A. Jamison, Wizards 108 - Bobcats 104
26 points, 14 rebounds and 3 3-pointers.
Jamison is having a big year.

T. Murphy, Hawks 107 - Pacers 95
19 points, shot 7 of 9 from the field and hit all 3 3-pointers he attempted.
Murphy has been shooting very well in recent games.

C. Paul, Hornets 116 - Grizzlies 98
40 points, 9 assists and 5 steals.
Scored at more than a point per minute.

M. Camby, Nuggets 125 - Bucks 105
10 blocks, 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Camby also hit a 3-pointer in this game.

A. Stoudemire, Suns 108 - Clippers 88
30 points and 15 rebounds, 11 of 14 from the field and 8 of 10 from the free throw line.
He only played just over half the game to get all those stats.

D. Howard, Magic 121 - Heat 114 OT
29 points and 21 rebounds.
Becoming a regular with 20-20 games.

D. Wade, Magic 121 - Heat 114 OT
48 points, shot 23 free throws and hit 16.
He did a lot, but not enough for them to win.

B. Gordon, Bulls 103 - Bucks 99
31 points, was 13 of 15 from the free throw line.
Gordon was back in his 6th man role.

L. Odom, Lakers 123 - Jazz 109
17 points, 7 assists and 8 rebounds.
The Lakers need Odom to fill up all the stats.

A. Iverson, Nuggets 124 - Warriors 120
39 points, 12 of 21 from the field and 13 of 15 on free throws.
He can score, and for this game his percentages were very good.

B. Davis, Nuggets 124 - Warriors 120
29 points, 13 assists, hit 5 3-pointers.
Davis is great in an up-tempo game.

E. Dampier, Mavericks 97 - Hawks 84
Shot 6 of 6, scored 12 points and added 10 rebounds.
Hit all 6 of his shots, also had 6 fouls.

C. Paul, Hornets 86 - Cavaliers 76
7 steals, 9 assists and 20 points.
Paul is accumulating a lot of steals.

B. Gordon, Bulls 100 - Knicks 83
25 points, 11 of 15 from the field.
Coming off the bench must be agreeing with him.

P. Pierce, Celtics 110 - Lakers 91
33 points, 8 rebounds and 4 3-pointers.
They added Garnett and Ray Allen but Pierce still gets his shots.

L. Aldridge, Jazz 111 - Trail Blazers 101
36 points, went 12 of 14 on free throws and 12 of 17 from the field.
With Aldridge in this form, Portland might start another big winning streak.

Gordon can often score more as a 6th man than he would as a starter.(Picture from NBAE/Getty Images)
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Posted By: Sports Insider - Category: Misc
   


New Years Eve NBA Games Sets Off Some Fireworks.

January 1st 2008 12:04
Hedo Turkoglu game winning shot against the Chicago Bulls.
Hedo Turkoglu...shoots...he scores! Game over! (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)


We here at NBALOUD wish all of our wonderful readers a Happy New Year and hope that with a fresh 365 days upon us that it’ll be prosperous and righteous. Although, it’s the eve of a fresh year, doesn’t mean that pro-hoopsters get a night off. Well, they do, but a lot of players still have to put on their safety hats and get to work during the afternoon. Afterwards it’ll be Cristal and groupies.

Let’s begin with MVP candidate, Dwight Howard whose Orlando Magic played an exciting game against the Chicago Bulls. Although, Howard might be getting all the MVP love, Hedo Turkoglu his teammate is also quietly putting together an all-star calibre season.

Hedo actually had a game that was marred by turnovers and poor decision making, but he came good when the Magic needed him the most – crunch time. With 0.7 seconds left in the overtime period, Turkoglu hit a fadeaway jump shot over defensive beast, Ben Wallace to seal the game for Orlando. Well, done big fella. We can bet he’ll have a rocking new year.

Speaking of Ben Wallace, his old team the Detroit Pistons battled the Milwaukee Bucks and slaughtered them 114-69. This was massacre of epic proportions. Kind of like the Brazilian national football team playing against the Solomon Islands.

It was Detroit’s biggest victory win since 2003 when they crunched the pre-Garnett Celtics by 52 points. The ‘D’ is looking threatening for the Eastern Conference title.

Performance of the Day.

Have you our wise and wonderful readers seen the Golden State Warriors play yet? Well, if you haven’t do it now! Do it, because it’ll enliven your lives. Seriously, this writer was once blind, but now can see due to watching the Warriors play. Oops, the scam is up, but the team from G-State are gold.

The Warriors, who aren’t from Coney Island, took out Houston, 112-95. What was most impressive about this victory was Warriors coach, Don Nelson actually got tossed out of the game in the second quarter for arguing against the refs.

Luckily, for G-State, Baron Davis took control of the game scoring 23 points and dishing off seven dimes. It was a masterful display of dominant basketball.

Today’s video is of the top 10 dunks for 2007! Some righteous jams here.


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