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NBA Loud - by Travis

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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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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A losing franchise in the Mecca of basketball, poor leadership, overpaid players and a massive sexual harassment payout, you’d be forgiven in thinking that the New York Knicks franchise wouldn’t be worth that much these days. In fact, it would be safe to believe that the team from Gotham wouldn’t be worth anymore than the Reykjavik curling team. If you held that belief, you’d be wrong.

According to Forbes, who compiled a list of the most valuable NBA franchises, the New York
Shawn Marion dunk.
Please, give Shawn Marion some much needed hugs. He needs the love. (AP Photo/Roy Dabner)
Knicks have become, believe it or not, the first pro-basketball franchise to be worth $US600 million! The average NBA franchise is worth $US372 million, which is a rise of six percent in a year.

Basically speaking, basketball is serious business.

Pro-hoops is arguably the third most popular sport in the U.S. but it is generating more cash due to larger gate receipts, a huge television deal, and the fact that the spending on players is tightly regulated.

Although, the Knicks are the most valuable team in the NBA, they also have the largest operating losses due to big spending on players, and an $US18 million buyout of former coach, Larry Brown’s huge contract.

Still, the Knicks suck.

Now, onto the actual game of basketball. Well, at least the the Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons game, and, also, the Utah Jazz battling the Phoenix Suns, which funnily enough, were the two games on television today.

Somehow. Against all odds. The Houston Rockets managed to defeat the Detroit Pistons, 80-77. So, what’s the big deal from this game that has necessitated such a dour introductory sentence? Well, Houston was horrible from the free-throw line and almost blew the game. They stunk! It was a painful performance of futility from the charity stripe.

The team collectively began their shooting ‘streak’ by missing 14 of their first 15 free-throws. It got slightly better from there when they ended up making 6-for-22 (6 percent) from the line for the night.

It was u-g-l-y, but the Rockets still managed to beat an excellent Pistons team!

Yao summed up the sentiments of his team perfectly: "Oh, man. We can lose a game because of that," Yao said. "Tomorrow, I'm going to come here and shoot at least 100 free throws. It's almost like you give away free points and give away a game." (Duncan, AP, 2007)

Performance of the Day.

The Knicks might be overrated and overblown, but you cannot say the same thing about Shawn Marion of the Phoenix Suns. Steve Nash may have been the toughest mofo on the court today after chipping a tooth, but it was the Matrix who had the Suns humming. Plus, Stevie Wonder already gets enough love from the public and this space.

Shawn Marion was all over the place, scoring 26 points, grabbing 15 rebounds and blocking five shots. The Suns broke a two game losing streak, beating the Utah Jazz, 103-98.

In honour of the Matrix, here is a highlights clip of the most underrated player in the NBA.


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News Flash: Stephon Marbury is actually playing great basketball!
Stephon Marbury layup.
Deron Williams looks as shocked as the rest of us that Stephon Marbury played well today. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Whoa, has this world gone topsy-turvy? Should we expect the President of the United States to sign the Kyoto Protocol now and embrace same sex marriage? Anything can happen now that Starbury is actually once again a semi-decent basketball player.

The New York Knicks and the Utah Jazz faced off against each other and the team from Gotham sent shockwaves throughout the league by beating off the squad from Salt Lake, 113-109. Who would have thought a franchise that is the epitome of dysfunction, overcome a solid Jazz team? And, Marbury led the way too with 28 points and six assists.

However, it wasn’t all Starbury, with fellow Knick, Zach Randolph also kicking ass with 25 points and 14 assists. If things continue along in this manner the Knicks are in danger of becoming mediocre!

In another shock result, the Washington Wizards, sans, Gilbert Arenas, actually beat the Dallas Mavericks! Holy, cardiac arrest, Batman! What on earth is with these supposedly inferior teams beating their more storied rivals?

Washington’s other two all-stars, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler filled the void left by the missing Gilbert Arenas, scoring 27 and 35 points respectively. Butler was on fire to such an extent that he made all of his 3-point attempts.

Dallas also suffered their first home loss to at the hands of Washington. Respect.

Keeping up with the upset theme, the Sacramento Kings smacked the San Antonio Spurs, 112-99.

Baron Davis makes an assist.
Le Baron shoots down the Suns. (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
It was former Spur, Beno Udrih who stole the show pwning his former teammates with a superb 27 point performance, whilst locking down, Tony Parker to boot.

Ron Artest also continued with his good play of late scoring 20, with Brad Miller adding a further 17 points, 10 boards and seven dimes.

But it was all about, Beno.

Performance of the Day.

Ah, we’ve now left the best upset to last – Golden State beating Phoenix, 129-114. This was a great game! High scoring and high octane.

Monta Ellis for the Warriors was on fire in the fourth when he scored 15 consecutive points, with Stephen ‘Action’ Jackson joining in the festivities scoring a season high 32.

However, it was Baron Davis who was the performer of the day with 28 points, 10 assists and six rebounds. Better yet, he had to face-off against Steve Nash and although the plucky Canadian got his, B-Dizzle was the shizzle.

Today’s clip is a highlight reel from all of the aforementioned upsets. The best part of this video is that it is hot off the presses!


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'Jesus' Saves the Celtics!

November 5th 2007 10:21
‘Ray Allen has the ball, and there is only three seconds left in this
Chris Paul.
Chris Paul is saving basketball in New Orleans. (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE/Getty Images)
enthralling contest between the Boston Celtics and the Toronto Raptors. The game is now into overtime…Ray-Ray shoots from downtown…he scores! Celtics win! Celtics win! Boston overcome the Raptors, 98-95! Oh, I’m hoarse, give me a whisky…”

If NBALOUD were commentating this contest, that would probably have been the call. Also, throw in some flatulence from both the mouth and bottom.

Boston’s ‘Big 3’ are proven clutch performers, but Ray-Ray is the obvious choice in this scenario, with Paul Pierce stating as much: "That was the play we drew up, for Ray to come off," Pierce said. "We had second and third options but the first option was open. We got the ball to him and executed our play." (AP, 2007)

There you have it. Thanks, Paul for reinforcing the above statement.

Boston’s superstar trio were once again performing like a Ferrari engine with all players firing on all cylinders – Allen scored 33 points, Kevin Garnett had a double-double, while The Truth dished off six dimes.

Well, we can envision that the Celtics will get plenty of love from this space, so we won’t bore you with any further details. As the final score would suggest. This was an electrifying contest.

The Celtics are a team on the up, while their Eastern Conference counterparts, the Miami Heat are on a slippery downward spiral. Today, the Charlotte Bobcats inflicted another loss on the team from South Beach, 90-88.

It must be said though, that the Cats almost choked on a pretzel by surrendering a 16 point lead on some awful, awful, basketball. What mattered though was what transpired at the end of the game and they were perfect. Clamping on the Heat, the Bobcats forced a couple of crucial turnovers and ended up with the win!

Jason Richardson, Charlotte’s gun new recruit led the way with 29 points, while Shaquille O’Neal had a better game with 17. Ultimately, the Heat fell short once again.

The New Orleans Hornets are back home and how sweet it is! It mustn’t be easy in, er, the Big Easy, post-Hurricane Katrina, but at least their basketball team is alleviating the pain somewhat with some stellar basketball.

New Orleans latest victims were the Denver Nuggets who lost to the team from the south, 93-88.

It was a horrific start for both teams when the two squads combined to miss 20 of their first 24 shots. Ouch! Yikes! Poke my eyes out due to the ugliness!

Luckily for the Hornets they recovered, with Chris Paul leading the way for Nawlins scoring
Steve Nash
'Isn't he lovely...isn't he wonderful...' Does anyone think that Steve Nash sings that to himself in the morning? (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
15 points, dishing off 11 dimes and snatching eight boards. Watch out for the kid because he is for real.

Performance of the Day.

Phoenix is still playing shoddy basketball, but at least they’re winning. Cleveland is also not up to scratch yet either, and they lost to the Suns, 103-92.

So, all you regular readers out there must be wondering who our performer of the day is? Well, hold your breaths a bit longer because here are some clues. He is on the pale side with the skin tone, runs the show for the Suns, probably loves maple syrup, and is a two time MVP.

No, it’s not Shawn Marion you smartasses but Steve Nash! The formerly floppy haired Canadian had 30 points and 10 assists.

Stevie Wonder got some righteous help from his cohorts, but there can be only one man for the day and it was Nash.

Today’s video is of Ray-Ray’s game winning basket!




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Suns and Spurs players fight.
Did someone say 'Royal Rumble'? (Photo by Getty Images)


LeBron James bought the sexy back into basketball today, while New Jersey’s big three failed to fire which ultimately proved costly for their playoff aspirations. Cleveland obviously won today, 87-85, and is now just one win away from progressing to the next round.

It was all Bron-Bron for the Cavs, scoring 30 points, snatching nine rebounds and handing off seven assists – one might say that this was a Jason Kidd-esque type performance. The real Jason Kidd failed to stand up though with an atrocious shooting night managing to only score five points, which was not tempered by the fact that he had a career playoff-high 17 boards.

New Jersey’s other two superstars didn’t fare any better with Vince Carter shooting 6-for-23 from the field, whilst Richard Jefferson joined the brick-fest with a 3-of-12 shooting night. U-G-L-Y. What does that spell? Well, NBALOUD readers are a smart bunch so we don’t need to insult your intelligence by giving you the answer to this no-brainer of a question.

Shockingly for the Nets they still could have won this game as the scoreline would suggest, but they could only manage a paltry three field goals in the final quarter, and fumbled their final shot which would have tied the contest. Just imagine what might have been if they played competent basketball?

This loss would sting for the Nets because it was there for the taking, even when the team
Steve Nash wants to fight Robert Horry.
Steve Nash wants to get physical with Robert Horry, but not in the way that Olivia Newton-John sang about. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
played the most horrendous basketball imaginable.

Game 4 of the Phoenix/San Antonio series ended with fireworks when with 18 seconds left in the game Robert Horry for the Spurs decided to foul Steve Nash hard. The formerly floppy haired Canadian didn’t appreciate this treatment one bit and decided he’d try and physically charge ‘Big Shot Rob’. Stevie Wonder didn’t need to worry because Raja Bell had his back and was already doing the mob hit on the Godfathers behalf.

This series already had a lot of tension to begin with as evidence by the cut on Nash’s nose from Game 1, Manu Ginobili copping a black eye in Game 3, and finally Amare Stoudemire calling out the Spur’s as a dirty team. The hate is palpable on both squads, which means a great basketball spectacle for NBA fans! Huzzah!

Here is Stevie Wonder’s reaction to the forearm that sent the little Canadian flying into the scorer’s table: “I know you have to roll with the punches literally a lot of the time," Nash said. "I felt like that was uncalled for. It's hard to always take the high road.” (White, AP, 2007)

Horry was sent packing after the foul and there might be more suspensions in order when a number of Suns players left the bench during the final second fracas. Leaving the bench to get into a bit of slap and tickle is a big no-no in the NBA.

Oh, in case anyone was wondering the Suns won, 104-98, and the series is now tied at two-a-piece. Game on!

Today’s video illustrates how combative the Suns/Spurs series has been with the blood of Steve Nash being spilled, literally. Watch how Stevie Wonder scored that rather attractive cut on his nose.


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Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady.
Yao and T-Mac out with back injuries. (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)


Sheesh talk about an epidemic – beginning with Caron Butler and Gilbert Arenas who have been sidelined by injury – we can now add Houston’s super-duo of Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady into the walking wounded as well.

T-Mac missed eight games earlier this season due to back spasms and it seems his problems are recurring again forcing him to leave their last game early. Yao’s back injury seems to a little bit more mysterious with the big man not knowing exactly when he copped the injury but believes he may have been hit in the back by someone during their game against the Warriors.

Houston have had a wretched run of injuries concerning their two superstars in recent seasons struggling to get both fit for any extended period of time to threaten for the title.

The injuries suffered both by McGrady and Yao don’t seem to be serious with T-Mac being
Steve Nash jump shot.
Steve Nash is pretty fly for a white guy. (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
listed as day to day, while Yao should be back after a couple of days.

Another squad that is facing a raft of injuries hitting their players are the New York Knicks who are already missing Jamal Crawford, Steve Francis and Quentin Richardson to injuries. New York’s management must have had fits after their biggest star Stephon Marbury suffered an in game injury against the T-Wolves today. Marbury left the game during the first half after suffering something called a ‘right turf toe’. NBALOUD has no idea what that means but it, um, sounds painful.

Stephon did return to the game but was ineffective as New York fell further behind in their race for a playoff spot when Minnesota won, 99-94.

Meanwhile, the other injury depleted Eastern Conference squad the Washington Wizards played their first game without Agent Zero when they faced off against Cleveland and promptly lost that game, 99-94.

Wow, as an aside that is the exact same scores as the T-Wolves/Knicks game. Is anyone else out there impressed? Ah, this writer suffers from the small things, amuse small minds syndrome.

Sorry, back to the game. Gilbert the Great was absent and LeBron James was there in name only for three quarters before going on a 14 point scoring binge in the fourth quarter. Bron-Bron was an ugly 7-for-23 from the field.

Stevie Nash notched up his 49th double-double of the season as the Phoenix Suns disposed of the New Orleans Hornets, 103-95.

The Suns just had too much solar power and weapons in seeing off an injury depleted Hornets squad. Leandro Barbosa scored 26, Shaw Marion had 20 with 11 rebounds and the aforementioned Stevie Wonder had 15 points and 12 assists. Nash was two rebounds shy of scoring a triple-double.

New Orleans is also an injury riddled unit missing their star point guard Chris Paul, as well as big man Tyson Chandler and high flyer Desmond Mason. Against a star studded Suns outfit they had no chance.

Today's clip is one from the immortal fight scene in Game of Death where Bruce Lee and Kareem knock each other out. This one is a gem.


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All good things must come to an end and Kobe Bryant’s four game
Ben Gordon.
Ben Gordon was the hero for Chi-Town. (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
streak of 50 points or more was stopped with the man scoring ‘only’ 43 points, or as Kobe put it with a smile he had an “off night”. (Nadel, AP, 2007)

Most importantly for Kobe and the Lake Show was the fact they beat their opposition in the Golden State Warriors, 115-113. Los Angeles now has a nifty five game win streak going too if we want to talk about runs.

Kobe got out of the blocks pretty quickly when he scored 17 points in the first nine minutes of the game but the Warriors played multiple defences while hounding Bryant with constant double teams to make life miserable for him. Still, 43 points is no small feat and G-State should pat themselves on the back somewhat for being slightly effective in keeping Kobe down. Albeit, he still dropped 43 on them so let’s have some perspective here.

Whoa! Stop the presses! NBALOUD is covering a Lakers game and this writer is moving onto other news that is not Kobe related! Holy Toledo Batman!

Yes, transmission is going to resume as normal now unless Bryant decides to go on another scoring binge.

The San Antonio Spurs had all guns blazing when they squared off against a Ray Allen-less Seattle squad who were destroyed, 120-79.

San Antonio managed to hit a season high 16 3-point baskets with Manu Ginobili nailing five. The most eye opening statistic was that more Spurs bench players finished in double figures (four) than starters (three). Is it any wonder that the Sonics were ineffectual against that type of onslaught?

Denver faced Cleveland which meant a Carmelo versus LeBron match up. Anthony’s Nuggets came flying out of the gates and never looked back beating the Cavs, 105-93.

‘Melo had 27 and Allen Iverson had 18 with 12 assists thrown into the mix. Denver played an
Kevin Garnett.
KG was also a last second shot hero today. (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
up-tempo run and gun game that made Cleveland look flat footed and slow. It was an effective strategy employed against the Cavs.

Chicago’s Ben Gordon has a deserved reputation for being a clutch player and he proved his game breaking credentials once again when he drained the winning basket with 2.8 seconds to play to help the Bulls beat the Pacers, 92-90.

When games are on the line we tend to think of Kobe, Gilbert Arenas or Steve Nash as the best clutch players going around right now in the ‘L’ but don’t discount Gordon who is as good as any of those players down the stretch. Oh, Ben didn’t have too shabby of an offensive night overall with 31 points.

It was a bad loss for the Indiana Pacers who are finding themselves battling hard for a playoff spot.

Speaking of buzzer beaters Kevin Garnett also hit one for the T-Wolves who beat the Trailblazers, 94-93.

KG’s 15 foot fadeaway allowed his team to earn a much deserved win with The Big Ticket finishing with 22 points and nine rebounds. If only KG could play for a contender because he deserves a title big time.

Today’s clip is a hilarious one with everyone’s favourite wannabe gangsta from Staines, Ali G interviewing Steve Nash. Enjoy.



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Steve Nash and his MVP Night.

March 15th 2007 12:45
The proof is in the pudding – whatever the hell that means – Steve
Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki
Steve Nash can't be stopped. Even by 7-foot players named Dirk. (Photo by Tim Heitman/NBAE via Getty Images)
Nash has reaffirmed his MVP credentials, while Dallas, although suffering a loss at the hands of Phoenix are legit title contenders.

In what proved to be an extraordinarily thrilling contest between the two top dog teams of the NBA saw the game go into double overtime and Phoenix winning, 129-127.

Amare Stoudemire may have led the scoring binge with 41 points but it was Stevie Wonder who was the standout, especially in the clutch. Nash ended the night with 32 points, 16 assists and eight rebounds while being ice cool down the stretch to help his team get over the Dallas hump.

The Mavs could have iced the game much earlier if they had managed to hit their free throws with any semblance of a team that could shoot from the stripe, but key misses at vital stages helped Phoenix’s cause immensely. Although, Jason ‘the jet’ Terry was in sparkling form for the Mavs in the first overtime period hitting the game tying 3-point basket over Nash with 4.5 seconds to go the second OT period ultimately belonged to the Suns. Here come the Suns, doo-doo-doo-doo…

It was Phoenix all the way, baby!

LeBron James’ back wasn’t bothering him as much today and it showed, with the King leading the way for the Cavs scoring 29 points, while seven of his teammates also hit double digit scoring. The final result ended with a Cavs win over the Grizzlies, 118-96.

Gilbert Arenas and his hot hands.
Gilbert Arenas and his hot shooting hands. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
This contest wasn’t even close. Bron-Bron was in a vicious mood and the rest of his teammates decided to finally hit their baskets as well, causing a major headache for the woeful Grizz.

New York’s recent good form was halted by their Atlantic division rivals from Canada with the Raptors beating the Knicks, 104-94.

T.J. Ford had a blinding game with 18 assists while Chris Bosh was his usual excellent self hitting 22 points to help their team overcome a not-as-bad-now Knicks.

Gilbert Arenas was Gilbert the Great today scoring 28 of his 35 points in the second half to layeth the smackdown on the Indiana Pacers, 112-96.

Jermaine O’Neal for the Pacers played strong through an injured knee with 24 points but it wasn’t enough to overcome Gilbert and the rest of the gang from D.C.

Indiana must be desperate for a taste of victory because their last win came on February the 21st – which is a long time ago in professional basketball circles.

The only advice that NBALOUD can give to the Pacers is that it will happen it just won’t happen overnight. Advanced hair, yeah, yeah (the Aussie readers would get this joke).

Today’s clip is the top 10 plays from yesterday. If you love dunks watch this video because there are some outright hostile jams to wet your whistle.




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