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NBA Loud - by Arnold

2008 NBA-All Star Weekend Re-Cap.

February 18th 2008 07:45
Whoa, Nelly! What an exhibition of basketball talent this year’s All-Star Game was – it was a mid-season classic in every sense of the word. The Eastern
Dwight Howard Superman dunk.
Is it a bird? Or a plane? No, it's Super-Dwight! (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
Conference All-Stars pipped their more illustrious Western Conference brethren, 134-128.


Not only were the East, beasts, but they outperformed their opponents in every facet of the game – from the fundamentals to the highlights. It was an experience to savour.

As exciting as the game was – the conclusion was something else, as LeBron James went Scarface on the West. Reminiscent of his destruction of the Detroit Pistons from a season ago, King James literally rose up to the heavens in the final minute and finished with a dunk that was of such viciousness – Hell has frozen over. To cap off his final minute heroics, Bron-Bron added 27 points, nine assists and eight rebounds.

James got a lot of help from Boston’s Ray Allen, who was a last minute inclusion to the All-Star proceedings, and didn’t he earn it with a 28 point performance? It was an almost inconceivable injustice that Ray-Ray was originally overlooked for the game when his other gangsta teammates were selected.

With today’s exciting victory, the East went a long way in erasing the pasting they got last season when the West beat them handsomely, 153-132.


Do we need to state the bleeding obvious at who received the game MVP nod? Does it need to be spelled out for the world to see? Well, if you do deem it necessary: Gimme an L-E-B-R-O-N…what does it spell? Tuna? No, LeBron!

Although, today’s game was the jewel in the All-Star Weekend crown, Saturday night was also pretty righteous with the skills, 3-point, and dunk competitions to wet the whistles of NBA fanatics.

Starting off with the skills, Deron Williams of the Utah Jazz was the fastest man around the obstacle course, while Jason Kapono showed everyone that he was the fastest gun in the, er, West? Well, let’s stick with that and move along shall we? Jason Kapono was the silkiest shooter when he tied a 22 year old record by scoring 25 points in the final round of the 3-point contest.

However, it is dunks that you’re all interested in – and this year’s contest didn’t disappoint. Continuing with a mini revival of the dunk contest, this year’s version was no exception in the display of innovation from the competitors. Writing a description on each individual dunk would not do the players justice. So, in summary: Dwight Howard won it all – gaining some justice when he was robbed of the title last year.

Today’s video is of the dunk contest. Enjoy.



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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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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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The NBA All-Star Game first ballots have been returned, and there is little surprise in who are
Kevin Garnett.
Kevin Garnett is the leading vote getter so far. (Brian Babineau/NBAE/Getty Images)
the leading vote getters in both conferences. Starting with the east, Kevin Garnett and LeBron James lead the pack, while out in the wiggity-wiggity, wild, wild west, it is Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony getting the most love from voters.

Kevin Garnett, who has had new life breathed into him with his move to Boston, leads all players with 735,664 votes, with Bron-Bron following the Big Ticket, gathering 597,768 votes. Kobe leads the Western Conference, garnering 569,302 votes.

Perhaps the biggest surprise with the first returns is that Dwayne Wade is the leading guard in the Eastern Conference. After an injury plagued and lacklustre season so far, and his Miami team not fairing much better with an awful record, Flash still brings in the fans if the votes are anything to go by. If history is any indication, form doesn’t necessarily translate to All-Star game appearances, or demotions, for that matter.

Orlando’s, Dwight Howard is the leading centre for the east, while his compatriot out west is the ever present, Yao Ming. Tracy McGrady is the guard that so far looks like he’ll be joining the Bean, while Jason Kidd will be teaming up with Flash in the backcourt for the east.

For those unfamiliar with how All-Star selections work, fans vote for the starting five in each conference, with the coaches selecting the substitutes. Players are designated a specific position and can only be voted in whatever role the ballot has placed them in. So, players that normally play both the guard and forward positions will be selected for one of those roles and there is no compromise.

Every year there are worthy players that are left out, and if you have a favourite player that you feel that should be going to New Orleans, vote him in at NBA.com! It’s still not too late.

Here are the full numbers for the first return balloting:

2008 NBA ALL-STAR BALLOTING EASTERN CONFERENCE

Forwards: Kevin Garnett (Bos) 735,664; LeBron James (Clev) 597,768; Chris Bosh (185,294); Paul Pierce (Bos) 164,346; Yi Jianlian (Mil) 98,507; Hedo Turkoglu (Orl) 73,781; Rashard Lewis (Orl) 70,737; Tayshaun Prince (Det) 63,787; Caron Butler (Wash) 55,796; Andrea Bargnani (Tor) 52,734.

Guards: Dwyane Wade (Mia) 470,921; Jason Kidd (NJ) 343,468; Vince Carter (NJ) 277,705; Ray Allen (Bos) 270,114; Gilbert Arenas (Wash) 256,994; Chauncey Billups (Det) 125,202; Michael Redd (Mil) 101,942; Andre Iguodala (Phi) 70,476; Richard Hamilton (Det) 66,617; T.J. Ford (Tor) 58,894.

Centers: Dwight Howard (Orl) 596,187; Shaquille O'Neal (Mia) 282,727; Rasheed Wallace (Det) 69,331; Ben Wallace (Chi) 68,871; Jermaine O'Neal (Ind) 53,107; Andrew Bogut (Mil) 39,764; Zydrunas Ilgauskas (Clev) 27,814; Emeka Okafor (Cha) 27,040; Eddy Curry (NY) 19,494; Zaza Pachulia (Atl) 19,210. .

2008 NBA ALL-STAR BALLOTING WESTERN CONFERENCE

Forwards: Carmelo Anthony (Den) 482,127; Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) 443,117; Tim Duncan (SA) 423,608; Carlos Boozer (Utah) 175,248; Shawn Marion (Pho) 154,641; Josh Howard (Dal) 146,909; Kevin Durant (Sea) 113,314; Luis Scola (Hou) 101,981; Shane Battier (Hou) 95,757; Grant Hill (Pho) 83,544.

Guards: Kobe Bryant (LAL) 569,302; Tracy McGrady (Hou) 388,959; Steve Nash (Pho) 317,091; Allen Iverson (Den) 292,565; Manu Ginobili (SA) 141,891; Jason Terry (Dal) 121,397; Tony Parker (SA) 117,881; Chris Paul (NO) 110,688; Jerry Stackhouse (Dal) 103,307; Baron Davis (GS) 100,422.

Centers: Yao Ming (Hou) 439,125; Amaré Stoudemire (Pho) 286,401; Erick Dampier (Dal) 101,878; Marcus Camby (Den) 94,473; Pau Gasol (Mem) 73,461; Mehmet Okur (Utah) 51,017; Chris Kaman (LAC) 40,256; LaMarcus Aldridge (Por) 35,601; Tyson Chandler (NO) 32,595; Andris Biedrins (GS) 29,026.

(Source: NBA.com)

Today’s video is a hilarious one from yesterday’s Phoenix game with Steve Nash doing an interview with his chipped tooth.


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There were many big stories that we here at NBALOUD neglected to cover yesterday due to the issues in New York. No, we’re not going to revive that dead donkey of a storyline today!

Amongst the varying events that transpired in the Association, the injury to the league leading scorer, Tracy McGrady ranks as a big one. The Houston Rockets are legitimate contenders for the championship, and in past years have been hampered by injuries to their big two of T-Mac and Yao Ming. Thankfully, McGrady’s elbow injury isn’t deemed to be serious.

In yesterday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston was getting their behinds cleaned by the team from Hollywood, even with T-Mac still in the game. L.A. was playing fantastic basketball and the Rockets didn’t seem to have an answer. Once Tracy left, all seemed lost. But a funny thing happened, Bonzi Wells and Yao bought the team back from the brink. Although, the Rockets lost, they proved they can still get the job done even without their leading scorer and Yao, is the reason why.

The big red machine for Houston was a leading MVP candidate last season until an injury ruined his chances. This season, Yao has once again demonstrated MVP credentials, but a
Yao Ming layup.
Despite this picture suggesting otherwise, Yao now does a lot of his work further from the basket. (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
brand new aspect of his game has become evident to any NBA watchers – the big fella is doing a lot of work from the perimeter, now!

Former Rockets coach, Jeff Van Gundy, never wanted Yao to stray beyond a few feet from the basket. Having coached some of the most storied big men in NBA history, Jeff wanted his centres to be the traditional low-post banger. However, new Houston coach, Rick Alderman has demanded more from Yao.

Van Gundy’s offensive schemes tended to be slow, grind it out, half-court affairs, whilst, Alderman has introduced a more fluid system that is heavily reliant on constant ball movement and passing. Make no mistake, Rick is a fantastic basketball mind and he is placing a premium on Yao to be able to make passes, and plays from the high-post.

Rick Alderman’s new philosophy has not been easy for the Rockets to grasp, with Yao struggling especially. In the Van Gundy days, Yao would be way down the block waiting for an entry pass and he’ll get to work. Now, Ming has to run plays anticipating the movements of his teammates, much like Chris Webber and Vlade Divac used to for Alderman in Sacramento.

It hasn’t been easy for Houston’s big man and there have been some growing pains for Yao. Alderman has instituted intensive coaching for his star centre, with Rockets general manager, Daryl Morey, admitting there have been some struggles in regards to Ming’s new role: “Yao is feeling some stress…But he is a perfectionist, and we are confident he will make it work.” (Mannix, Sports Illustrated, 2007)

Even with the introduction of a new system, Houston has been playing wonderful basketball. Imagine what they’ll be like once Yao, and the rest of his teammates finally grasp what their coach wants. The results will be scary for the rest of the league.

Today’s video is a classic, with some Chinese cartoonists making fun of Charles Barkley after he proclaimed that he’d kiss, Kenny Smith’s ass if Yao Ming ever scored more than 19 points during his rookie season. He did.



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Kobe Bryant game tying 3-point basket against the Rockets.
Kobe ties the game in regulation. (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)


Wow! That is all this writer can say in reference to the contest that played out between the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers today. Better yet, this game was shown on ESPN Australia so NBALOUD is doubly fortunate to have witnessed such a contest. Wow, indeed.

The superstars from both squads played out of their skins with Yao Ming and the irrepressible Kobe Bryant leading the way. The Rockets eventually overcame the Lakers in overtime, 107-104. However, it must be noted that the journey was just as exciting as the destination in this game.

Kobe once again had a 50 point scoring night with 53 but it was Yao with his 39 and T-Mac with 30 that was too much for the Lakers to overcome – even with the most electrifying offensive player in the NBA.

Los Angeles looked dead and buried with five minutes left in the game when the Rockets were leading 88-76 but Kobe put his team on his shoulders by scoring 25 of the final 28 Laker
Yao Ming.
Yao...yo! (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
points to bring his team back into contention. The most dramatic points for Kobe coming as time was dying down and the Lakers down by three – after a missed Kwame Brown free throw Kobe tracked down the rebound and hit the impossible 3-point basket to tie the contest at 95 all.

When OT rolled around it was all the Rockets with Kobe having another 3-point shot to tie the game but failed to do so this time around.

Game over.

Speaking of late game heroics Dirk Nowitzki went on a final quarter rampage when he scored 17 of his 30 points in the fourth to help Dallas overcome New York, 105-103.

Dirk Diggler stated he wanted to go on attack mode and make things happen which he did with aplomb. Meanwhile, Stephon Marbury for the Knicks also was trying to force the issue but fell excruciatingly short, even with a season high 43 point total.

Toronto and Washington were also locked in a fierce overtime battle with Chris Bosh for the Raptors proving to be the difference maker with 37 points, with eight in OT to help his team beat the Wiz, 123-118.

How this game got into overtime was as crazy as anything that could have been fabricated in Hollywood.

Washington appeared to have this contest locked down until Michael Ruffin tossed the ball into the air in a celebratory gesture with 1.1 seconds left on the clock. Normally, time would run out when players toss the ball airborne but unfortunately for Ruffin and the Wizards Morris Peterson got a hold of the ball and hit a very long 3-point basket to take the game into overtime.

The rest as one would say is history.

Washington was toast.

Today’s clip is one of Yao and Jackie Chan. Check it out.



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Moderated by Arnold
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