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NBA Loud - by Arnold

NBA Wars II: Revenge of the Suns.

December 18th 2007 13:19
Anyone versed in last season’s playoffs would remember when Robert Horry of the San Antonio Spurs, floored two-time MVP, Steve Nash with a cheap shot. It turned out to be a pivotal moment, arguably costing the Suns a playoff victory against their arch-nemesis. Phoenix had to return to San Antonio one day – today was the day.

The Suns got their revenge somewhat with a 100-95 win over their rivals, resulting in the Spurs first home loss of the season. There wasn’t nearly as much drama as there was last time they played in San Antonio, but the Suns can feel good about beating their opponents at
Mike Dunleavy.
Mike Dunleavy was hot, hot, hot. (Photo by Victor Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
home, while overcoming a massive scoring night from Tim Duncan who dropped 36.


"I thought it was a good win for us. We scrapped it out. It wasn't pretty for us in stretches. But we did the job," said Phoenix point guard Steve Nash. "Tonight the effort was there. Somehow we found a way to win over those guys." (White, AP, 2007)

Phoenix can take some satisfaction from this game, but you can bet your bottom dollar that they’d do anything to re-live that moment when Stevie Wonder was maimed on the open court.

Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic may be a hot MVP favourite this season, but when matched up against the best player from last season, Dirk Nowitzki, the big German had it all over the young whipper snapper. The Mavericks outlasted the Magic 111-108 with Dirk Diggler scoring 31 to Dwight’s 22.


It was a game of contrasting fortunes for the biggest, and most talented men on the court, with Howard starting off hot, then cooling significantly after the first quarter, while Nowitzki was non-existent at the beginning, but finished strong, scoring 11 of his 31 in the fourth quarter.

Today’s most exciting game was between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks which went to double-overtime. The Cavs have been on a massive losing streak of late, losing eight of their last nine outings. So, they needed a win in a big way.

Who else would come to the rescue of Cleveland but LeBron James. The King was big time, scoring 31, but he got a little help from Zydrunas Ilgauskas who scored the first six points in the second overtime period. Props to the Big Z.

Performance of the Day.


Mike Dunleavy has had a career resurgence after being traded to the Indiana Pacers, and his new badass identity came to the fore today against the New York Knicks. We’ve exhausted the English language in describing how bad Gotham City’s team is, so we won’t bother anymore.

As you may have guessed, oh, wonderful, reader, New York lost to Indiana, 119-92. Well the final scoreline suggests it was a massacre really, with Dunleavy leading the way.

Indiana’s star player today tore the hearts out of the Knicks, scoring 22 points in a pivotal third quarter. New York once again displayed their basketball ineptitude.

Following the coverage of our lead game, here is Robert Horry’s hit once again on Steve Nash from last season’s playoffs.



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LeBron James.
LeBron James is so good. That watching him play is like being on an acid trip. (AFP/Getty Images/File/Jed Jacobsohn)


Pity the Chicago Bulls. Once a thriving franchise with the future ahead of them, they are now yesterday’s news. Ironically, the Kobe Bryant trade rumours that have become a poisoned chalice for the Bulls, has resulted in the Lakers playing better basketball. So, it is of no surprise that the Bean hasn’t been talking about leaving L.A. since the season has started!

The Bulls travelled to Toronto and faced the Raptors, and promptly lost another game, 93-78. At least Chicago can take solace in the fact that they weren’t out of this contest till relatively late into the proceedings. Unfortunately, ‘moral victories’ don’t count. Just ask, Kirk Hinrich: “There's no fun in moral victories,” said Captain Kirk. “I feel like we played better but we lost the game and we struggled down the stretch again.” (AP, 2007)

Chris Bosh was the main pain inflictor for the Raptors with 16 points and 13 rebounds, and was ably assisted by rookie teammate, Jamario Moon (coolest name, ever!) who scored a further 15 points, nine rebounds, six blocks and three steals. Talk about stuffing the stat sheet!

The pre-season anointment of Kevin Durant as the rookie of the year has become a bit premature as the young gun for the Seattle Sonics finds it a tough haul playing pro-ball. Hey that rhymes! Give me a rap deal!

Seattle has matched their worst start ever, while also recording new lows for futility at home as well. Basically, what we’re saying is that the Sonics suck right now. It didn’t help matters that the San Antonio Spurs came rolling into town as well, beating the Sonics, 116-101.
Carlos Boozer.
Don't mess with The Booze. He could really mess you up. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)


Spur’s super-trio of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili were once again the barometer for sustained excellence. What a yawn! They have been so excellent that they should receive an award from Springfield for being so excellent. ‘Excellent’!

Carlos Boozer was so close to receiving the nod for the performance of the day that it wasn’t funny! In fact, Carlos would have got NBALOUD’s prestigious award if it wasn’t for the performance of another individual known as the King. No, it isn’t Elvis.

Anyway, Utah pipped the Detroit Pistons 103-93, with the Booze notching up 36 points and 11 rebounds. Deron Williams for the Jazz wasn’t too shabby as well with 21 points and 14 assists.

Close, Carlos, but no cigar. Unlike Monica Lewinsky!

Performance of the Day.

So, who was the super stud for the day? Why, it’s none other than LeBron James! Elvis, who is the league’s leading scorer had 30 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. For all of you counting out there, that is most certainly a triple-double.

Luckily for Cleveland, James was on fire because they almost had cream pie covering their faces. Why? Because the Cavs were laying a beat down on their opponents the Indiana Pacers, and the Cleveland crew decided to disrespect their adversaries by laughing and mocking them.

Needless, to say the Pacers made a run, but LeBron strapped on his Superman cape and went to work, recording his fourth triple-double of the season, whilst helping his team overcome Indy, 111-106.

Well done, Bron-Bron.

Today’s video is of the insane Ray Allen winner for Boston yesterday. The Celtics are the HOT team right now and this clip demonstrates why.


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Will the real LeBron James please stand up? Oh, there you are. After
LeBron James
King James is all heart. (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
a less than stellar opening game, when Bron-Bron only scored 10 points in their loss to Dallas, King James re-aligned the planets with an out of this world performance against the New York Knicks. James scored 45 points as the Cavs held off the Knicks, 110-106.

New York actually played a really good game, with Jamal Crawford and Zach Randolph having big time performances for the Knickerbockers. Unfortunately, the guy on the other team wearing number 23 conjured up images of another player from the past that wore the same digits on his back.

"He was as good as that other No. 23 I played against," Isiah Thomas said. "He was exceptional. He wasn't going to let his team lose." (Withers, AP, 2007)

LeBron may have been king, but his fellow Cav, Daniel Gibson was no pauper, as the young one continued his NBA development by hitting four 3-point baskets to also nail the Knicks – not in the good way either for New York.

You know what though? New York was LeBron’s town today.

King James recovered from a horrendous opening game performance, sadly, the same could not be said about Shaquille O’Neal. The daddy again was showing his age in the Miami Heat’s loss to the Indiana Pacers, 87-85.

The vastly underrated and underappreciated, Danny Granger for the Pacers was superb for Indiana scoring 25 points, and grabbing nine boards. Dan the man was also an efficient, 10-for-13 from the field.

Granger, got help from his fellow teammates though, with Ike Diogu hitting 16 and Mike Dunleavy adding another 15.

However, it was another worrisome performance from Shaq that is the big news story from this contest. In only 28 minutes of play after fouling out, Diesel only had eight points, seven rebounds and six turnovers. Yikes!

People that have doubted Shaq in the past got their just desserts, but his early season performances have been anything but stellar. Yes, he does have a history of not being a fast starter, but there is something disconcerting about his play so far.

Now, let’s move onto some real shocking results, with both the Los Angles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers, recording impressive victories over their more celebrated opponents.

Beginning with the Lake Show, who came into Phoenix and absolutely destroyed the Suns, 119-98. This game wasn’t even close. L.A. pretty much dominated from the outset, even without Kobe Bryant being the man!

The Lakers played beautiful team basketball. Yes, you aren’t hearing things. Los Angeles actually played well as a unit, with all parts humming together in perfect harmony. They moved the ball with efficiency and purpose, defended well, whilst hitting the necessary baskets to break the spirits of the Suns.

Phoenix on the other hand looked terrible. Amare Stoudemire was a non-factor, whilst the ever reliable Steve Nash and Shawn Marion were the only two Suns players that offered any resistance. The Lakers dominated with the Bean only hitting 16! One last thing: I’m a poet and I don’t even know it!

Kevin Garnett blocking Gilbert Arenas' shot.
Gilbert Arenas gets pwned by Kevin Garnett! (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Sorry, no more bad jokes here. Oh, but have you heard about the chicken that crossed the road? It ended up on my table for dinner tonight. Sorry, sorry, I can hear the groans from all you readers out there.

Let’s get back to the sole purpose of this space and it isn’t to do with comedy. The other big upset was the Sixers beating the Chicago Bulls, 96-85.

Andre Iguodala and Andre Miller were fantastic for Philly as they overran the Bulls at the end, outscoring their opponents 14-5 to finish the game victorious. It was another disappointing performance by the Baby Bulls who once again find themselves starting the season off slowly.

Performance of the Day.

Now, onto the big game that had everybody in the NBA sitting up straight and taking notice – the Boston Celtics versus the Washington Wizards. ‘Who won?’ Do you even need to ask? Well, obviously you have, and in answer to your question, it was the Celtics who stomped the Wizards, 103-83.

Of course the performance of the day belonged to Kevin Garnett who had a monster game. Absolutely, monster of a performance. KG’s game was so big that it would make the tallest building in the world look like Wee Man from Jackass.

The Big Ticket had a, er, big performance scoring 22 points, snatching 20 rebounds, dishing off five dimes, blocking three shots, and adding three steals, in a dazzling debut in front of his new home crowd. You can bet your sweet ass that the Boston faithful loved every second of this game.

Boston’s other two members of the ‘Big 3 2K7’ also had nice games, Paul Pierce hitting 28 points and ‘Jesus Shuttlesworth’ adding another 17.

However, it was KG who was the messiah and all the Celtic fans as his disciples.

Today’s video is a commercial for NBA Live 08 featuring, Gilbert Arenas and Kevin Durant. Check it!



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Can any team out there stop the Mavericks? Any franchise? If you
Stephon Marbury was in fine form with 38 points. (AP Photo/Gregory Smith)
can, please step forward now and prove otherwise because the Mavs are raging hot favourites to win the whole thing at this point in the season. After a shocking start that saw everyone scratch their head in wonder at what was wrong with the ‘D’ the boys switched it on and subsequently won 50 of their next 55 games. Impressive streak that no?

The latest victims of the Dallas juggernaut was the hapless Orlando Magic who had the misfortune of having the big three from the Mavs firing on all cylinders. Jason Terry had a game leading 29 points complimented with 15 assists. While his fellow compatriots Dirk Diggler had 24 points, nine rebounds and seven dimes with Josh Howard also making a cameo scoring 21 points. Dallas ultimately won the game 103-98 after a harder than expected struggle.

Meanwhile the other two Texan teams faced off against one another with San Antonio coming up trumps against Houston, 97-74. To say this was a spanking is an offence to S&M lovers the world over.

It was all Tim Duncan today who was an unstoppable force of nature scoring 26 points with 15 of them coming in the first quarter alone. Tracy McGrady for the Rockets was also on fire in the first half with 21 points but the solid San Antonio defence was the difference between the two squads.

LeBron James got his team and his season back on track with an outstanding performance running all over the Toronto Raptors, 120-97. Bron-Bron scored a delicious 36 points but it
Steve Francis also had a big game for the Knicks scoring 26. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
was his two year old son that rattled him the most in a game where none of the Raptors could stop King James.

While shooting a free throw LeBron James Junior was sitting in the front row, caught the attention of his dad then proceeded to poke out his tongue at his old man making James laugh and miss the free throw. Luckily for the Cavs that one point wasn’t very important to the overall result. Here’s James’ take on junior taking him out of his groove; “I'm already getting a hard time from everybody else, and now my son's sticking his tongue out at me and wanting me to miss," James said, laughing. "He can do that. He made me concentrate more. It's easy for him to take my concentration away. He's the only one that can do that.” (Withers, AP, 2007)

Stephon Marbury and Steve Francis had massive games and put up All-Star efforts? What year is this? The year 2000? Wrong. It’s 2007 and both Stephon Marbury aka Starbury and Stevie Francis were the big guns for the Knicks in their win over the Hawks, 104-100 in overtime.

Starbury scored 11 of his 38 points in the overtime period while The Player Formerly Known as the Franchise dropped a very nice 26. Francis and Marbury also scored all of the points for New York in the overtime period as well. Well, done chaps and take a bow to the Broadway crowd.

And thanks to Charles from Soccer.org.au and zcars.com.au which are two of the many sites he edits who pointed out that the other NBA slam dunk competition clip is no longer available. Well, here is another one.



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Moderated by Arnold
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