Doubting Thomas in February…
Hey gang, check out the latest rankings from NBAMate.com's Doubting Thomas Award!
Dallas Mavericks… A 2006 Remix?
Just after the Dallas Mavericks stole all but one of the Washington Wizards' good players via trade, I commented that they were a massive chance to go to the Western Conference Finals this year. Let's take a look at their record since "the trade" and see if my statement holds any weight at all...
Feb 16th saw Caron Butler welcome himself to his new team with a commanding but poultry 4-16 shooting night, Erick Dampier still garnered over 30 minutes of playing time and the Mavs shot just over 32% on the road against the red hot Thunder. Result? A thirteen point loss and the excuse of "new-look Mavs" the only thing left to keep spirits up heading into their next game.
From then, the past seven games to finish off February have been a blue and white blur of pure awesome as the Mavericks have accepted the challenge and built an undefeated run with the following scalps, (in order);
- Phoenix
- @ Orlando
- Miami
- Indiana
- Los Angeles Lakers
- @ Atlanta (OT)
- New Orleans
The Mavericks face another tough test tonight against the always home strong Bobcats, but if they get past Charlotte the run could quite feasibly stretch beyond 14 the way they are playing.
Let's take a look at their upcoming schedule:
- @ Charlotte
- Minnesota
- Sacramento
- @ Chicago
- @Minnesota
- New Jersey
- New York
- Chicago
- Boston
- @New Orleans
That's eight out of the next 10 games being extremely winnable for Dallas the way I see it. Even Boston aren't looking too great at the moment. Imagine if they were to win all ten? ESPN will be going crazy and I will be nodding my head and pointing to my other blog entry. They seem to be in a great groove since the acquisitions and playing some really exciting Basketball. I think Brendan Haywood, DeShawn Stevenson and Jason Kidd have looked the most improved.
Is Jason Kidd finally marching toward a Championship ring?
I ask again, could this finally be the "right stuff" for the Mavericks?
The Dallas crowd booed Dwyane Wade during the All-Star Game last month and for good reason. He was once again laying down the Basketball smack in the Big D. These fans should be respected not ridiculed for not letting that kind of thing slide, and yes even in an All Star Game! It seems like forever ago now but it's only 4 and a half years since either Wade took over or Dallas choked in the 2006 NBA Finals... Whichever way you look at it.
Although I've never been a big fan of the Mavericks, I must say that trade definitely pricked my ears up. I was quite comfortable in stating what I believe to be the obvious...
The Lakers' supposed "free run" to the 2010 NBA Finals has just been erased. They're definitely going to have to earn it now.
I'm excited.
The 2010 Sprite Slump Dunk Contest…
Every true fan of the NBA has two things marked on their calendar for February every year. One is the trade deadline and the other is the Slam Dunk Contest during All-Star Weekend. This year's Sprite NBA Slam Dunk Contest was the worst of all-time. This is in no way an over-statement. The dunks performed by Los Angeles Lakers guard Shannon Brown and Charlotte Hornets forward Gerald Wallace were average at best. In fact, Wallace looked as though he was completely dis-interested in the entire event.
DeMar DeRozan executed a really nice windmill dunk in the first round. Trailing behind teammate Sonny Weems along the baseline, DeRozan caught a lob pass off the side of the backboard and threw down the windmill for the contest's only 50. Nate Robinson did what he does best... a 20ft high lob, two-foot takeoff, catch and finish. But c'mon, this had no energizing feeling, no suspense, in fact really no presence at all. Even Kenny, Charles and company on TNT were declaring the competition a yawn-fest after the first round.
Smile! You may have just killed the Dunk Contest!
I have to be especially critical of Nate Robinson. While he executed dunks in far less time than in his past years and simply did enough to win, he once again brought nothing new to the table. He didn't earn this win, he was simply up against a wide-eyed and unprepared rookie, a half-asleep Bobcat veteran with eyes on an All-Star Game appearance and an LA Laker who was just simply disappointing and far too indecisive. There was absolutely NO ENERGY in this contest at all. There was no rivalry, no suspense and seemingly no real sense of urgency to beat a rookie Toronto Raptor in the final round.
I'd also like to bring everyone's attention to judges Mark Aguirre, Rolando Blackman and Derek Harper who were great members of the Dallas Mavericks organisation, but never really set a crowd on fire by dunking the Basketball. Dominique Wilkins and Spud Webb were obviously chosen due to their battle in the 1986 contest in Dallas' last turn at hosting the All Star Weekend.
In a time where fans should have far less digital influence on the game, (i.e. All Star participant voting) I found it gut-wrenchingly awkward that the final score was displayed as a 51-49 percent win to Robinson. Only the story of a 3-time champion could save this from ending in some sort of mass-suicide by most of the paid-up patrons and NBA officials alike.
Even Dikembe Mutombo would've sat motionless during this contest.
What really caught my attention though was Robinson's post-debacle comment to Cheryl Miller. He mentioned that "they" didn't allow the use of any props this year.
What the eff? And who is "they"?
One can only assume he meant the NBA in general but surely even they are not silly enough to not realise the reality here. The main catalyst to the re-discovered excitement and drama of the Slam Dunk Contest over the past couple of years has been the use of props and storylines. Why the hell couldn't the players use props??
This is the only prop Nate Robinson got to jump over last night...
Another question I have is when were the players notified of this "rule"?? I mean, judging by the quality, (or lack thereof) of the dunks performed, I'm guessing they were told less than a week ago and had prepared absolutely nothing else at all.
With David Stern's comments over the weekend regarding the NBA's likelihood of posting a $400m loss this season, is it possible the NBA just simply cannot afford a fake phone booth prop, a mask or even another cupcake? I mean really... How much does the guy who brings out the 12 foot hoop actually charge per hour?
I want to see Nicholas Batum dressed up like Bat-Man, I want to see Andre Iguodala in an afro wig re-create Doctor J's brilliance, I want to see a 13ft hoop, I want to see two designated "Dunk Captains" choose their respective "Dunk Squads" and go at it, I want to see the established stars team up with the young blood to raise the roof off the stadium!
Nate Robinson and Dwight Howard had truly started/resurrected something "super" over the past couple of years and tonight the whole concept took a monumental step backwards.
Whoever is ultimately responsible for this has done every NBA fan a huge dis-service. Cross the Dunk Contest off your calendar for next February. It seems the only thing that could save it at this point is a visit by a certain Cleveland Cavalier.
PS - LeBron, don't make promises you can't keep.
Cowboy Caviar…
Strap yourself in people! The NBA's Western Conference is about to get a makeover at the top end. ESPN reports that the Dallas Mavericks and Washington Wizards are seriously discussing a trade that will send both Caron Butler AND Brendan Haywood to Dallas. If this move is made, I'm immediately declaring the Mavericks as Western Conference Finalists.
Quote from ESPN: "Sources told ESPN.com that the teams' negotiations only turned more serious Friday on a deal that would send Josh Howard, Drew Gooden and some smaller cap-friendly contracts to Washington for Butler, Haywood and Stevenson."
Dallas already has a very talented lineup and the addition of Haywood and Butler would certainly push them up to a very close second seed in the West. I still give the Lakers the edge at this stage, but to be honest, it's only due to chemistry.
Brendan Haywood is a good player, he's no superstar. Caron Butler has been better but has been fairly pedestrian of late. I think playing alongside Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion, Jason Terry and that guy named Dirk however would certainly bring out some magical play.
Will Butler and Haywood be the final pieces to the Dallas puzzle?
Let's assume Dirk get's doubled, you have Butler slashing to the hoop, Terry setting his feet for three, Haywood hitting the front of the rim and Marion swooping in for the crumbs. Now let's look at the fast break, Jason Kidd handling the ball, Marion filling one lane, Butler filling the other with Terry in the corner for three and Dirk trailing down the lane.
The Dallas Mavericks are currently hosting the biggest NBA Basketball party in NBA history at Cowboys Stadium. Could it be possible that they're four days away from finally creating the Monster that enables them to host the most meaningful NBA party of all...
...the Championship parade.
Reinvented AK47
Watching the Denver @ Utah game today, and a few thoughts pop out while still in the first quarter.
- What has gotten into Andrei Kirilenko? He is playing fantastic ball over the last five games. Could it be his new hairdo? Deron Williams is Scooby-Doo and Kyle Korver is Daphne.
- After a 39 point explosion last night against the Lakers, Billups is taking a breather tonight. Disappointing as this is a matchup between the two 'other' best teams in the West.
- Kenyon Martin finally looks healthy. It's been a lot of years since he's had that explosiveness.
Kirilenko gets caught in the rain?
All Star Gripes
Hey Gang, can we talk about the All Star selection process for a moment? Not the fan vote, which is admittedly broken with Iverson starting and McGrady nearly joining him, but I don't see a lot of options to change that. The fans should vote on the starters, it's a fans league, but sometimes there are just idiots and we have to live with that. It's then up to the coaches to yank the horrid fan vote-ins really early and not give them much time.
The larger issue, I think, that occurs around this time of year as prognosticators start to talk about their picks for the All Star game are:
- Players from bad teams can't make the All Star game
- Teams with great records deserve representation commensurate on that record.
Let me discuss those points briefly and I'll see if you agree with me.
Players from bad teams can't make the All Star game. Why? Basketball is not a sport where one player can completely turn around the fortunes of a club (Lebron James excepted), so if a GM can't manage the roster well enough to put talent around an otherwise deserving player, why shouldn't they go? Sure, sometimes players can have statistics boosted by playing on a bad team, but the coaches pick the reserves and should bloody well know better than to pick a me-first gunner who is benefiting from playing on a bad team. I'm not suggesting Brook Lopez or Andrew Bogut absolutely deserves to be in the All Star game, but no one is even talking about them and they are both having an incredible year. They deserve to be in the conversation, team record be damned.
No wonder Williams looks depressed, despite amazing numbers and keeping his team afloat in the tough Western Conference, he's likely to be snubbed again.
Then the other major issue I have with All Star weekend. Teams with great records apparently deserve representation commensurate with their dominance. We saw Detroit send four players a few years back, and only two of them really deserved to go. This year it's the Lakers Pau Gasol, who has played well when he has played, but has played all too few games to warrant inclusion over the players who will likely miss out. That's Deron Williams if you believe Marc Stein. Disappointing. Yet the Lakers 'deserve' two players in the All Star game due to being the champs and having the best record. Bah!
So in conclusion, the All Star voting system isn't really broken, even if it results in a blip like Allen Iverson starting every now and then. The major issue is with the people who are supposed to know better. The coaches and media need to pull their socks up and get real.
Player Haiting…?
If I've said it once, I've said it a hundred times... I love Shaquille O'Neal. But this attitude at the moment regarding LeBron James' participation, (or lack thereof) in this year's Sprite Slam Dunk Competition is pathetic.
He's calling out the likes of Vince Carter and Kobe Bryant to participate when neither of them has been near the event participation-wise in approx 10 years. He also claims that meeting those conditions is the only way James will compete. I say get a life and stop clinging on to the limelight Shaq! Then on top of that, he has the mouth to suggest the prize money can be halved between the winner and Haiti.
Wow.
When we were all in shock regarding the tragedy that still is Hurricane Katrina, Kenny "the Ninja Jet" Smith assembled a sensational crew of stars to play the "relief game" in Houston. This took approximately 24 hours to organize and as much money as could be donated was thrown into the proverbial hat.
What's different about Haiti?
I know what you're thinking. If every player throws his wallet open for every single cause, the players will have no money left. To that, I call B.S. It's safe to say that the NBA in general, let alone the players, have plenty of cash to make a difference.
As Ryan put it, The NBA Cares... about themselves.
The 2010 All Star Game is about to be played in front of possibly the largest Basketball attendance in living history with potentially 100,000 seats available and in a stadium that cost some $1.3 billion dollars to construct.
This building cost $1.3 billion dollars...
Is anyone else seeing the issue here?
Whether it's Haiti, Katrina, Africa or your local school or community, something is definitely out of sequence.
I think the NBA is on notice to really show something here. This is not a 30 second spiel on the water and food delivery in Detroit, or the "read to achieve" day in Cleveland or even the "drop dimes not pills" kids day in Atlanta. It's about a serious fund raising attempt.
Although Shaq may struggle with this, it's also not about Kobe, Shaq, VC or anyone dunking a Basketball. It's about the juggernaut that is the NBA and the fact that while players like Larry Hughes and Eddy Curry can "earn" more than $10m for 8 months work... we have a problem.
It's a bigger problem than this little white blogger can solve in one column... but just think about it.
Meanwhile, regarding the Slam Dunk Competition... hell, I suggest you give KryptoNate the ball for 15 minutes and get people to phone and text to pledge money on every missed dunk. We'll have raised enough for another new Cowboys' Stadium by the time it's finished.
KryptoNate! The potential savior of Haiti... and quite frankly any other cause depending on how much people pledge...
Predictions Of Tonights Games (Analysis To Follow)
I was rather tardy on tonights games so I've missed a great many (they've started... oops), but still on the slate for tonight is Bulls @ Warriors, Suns @ Grizz, Mavs @ Celts and Magic @ Lakers. Let's take a look.
Bulls @ Warriors
Derrick Rose is back to his old self and has picked up his passing game a bit, and to be quite honest, with Anthony Randolph out for Bay City, there isn't anyone on their roster I really like anymore. My heart and head both say Bulls by 10.
Suns @ Grizz
Well here are two teams no one expected to be playing even .500 ball at the start of the season but Memphis are 21-18 and the Suns currently are the third seed in the West at 24-17! This really is a game of offensive firepower and I'd usually pick the Suns in any shootout but I think Memphis will get up tonight by 8 points with Steve Nash having a monster game shooting the ball, but no so much passing. Zach Randolph will be the high scorer for the Grizz with a total in the thirties.
Mavs @ Celtics
The Celtics at home makes this a pretty easy pick for mine, even with Garnett still out. Sheed should be back for this game and he is a pretty good Dirk antidote. The real issue will be who will stop Rondo for the Mavs? Kidd might trip him with his walking frame a time or two down the court, but that's hardly a defensive game plan. Celtics by 20 as Ray Allen busts loose with 5 triples.
Magic @ Lakers
Orlando will be plenty motivated for this game and the Lakers are pretty banged up. The key man for this is J.J. Redick (just kidding, but I hope he does well for my upcoming Doubting Thomas piece on nbamate.com). Dwight Howard needs to establish himself inside and keep Andrew Bynum quiet and someone needs to keep a resurgent Lamar Odom off the boards. I think Kobe will throw up way too many shots and shoot a horrid percentage (although how impressive has all his left handed shooting been? Wow!) and really hurt his team in tonights match-up.
Orlando win this one by 15 (and talk afterwards about how important it was to "send a message"... haha... fools... there are no messages in January.)
Blake Griffin to appear in South Park
Okay, he probably isn't and we just made that up, but after the Clippers announced he would be missing the entire year due to his kneecap injury we are pretty sure he'd look something like this if he did.
Blake "Jimmy" Griffin will probably not be appearing on South Park
Laker Blues…
As a quasi-Laker fan I'm happy to celebrate the dominance that LA has enjoyed over the past couple of seasons. I enjoy watching Kobe Bryant reaching even higher than we thought the top of his game reached. I enjoy watching Phil Jackson play the NBA the same way a cat plays with a mouse before she eats it. Always seemingly in control and never panicked.
Whether you follow the Lakers the way I do, you're a die-hard fan or anything in between, you have to be more than a little concerned with the current Laker funk. I know it's only two games but this current Laker stew that's being cooked stinks of failure and complacency. The only player excelling since Gasol's hamstring injury is Lamar Odom. This is great for Lamar but seemingly horrendous for the Lakers as no one else seems willing to step up from the bench crew.
Jordan Farmar had a nice scoring night against an average Dallas squad but apart from that there's no spark from the bench at all. Sasha Vujacic, Derek Fisher and Josh Powell are just horrible to watch. (With the exception of Fisher's defense... I can handle that!)
They make me cringe when they shoot the ball these days and they make it look like they've been sitting out of Basketball for a year.
Sasha and Derek putting their heads together is like watching two hippos try to walk a tight rope. It's going to end badly...
There's no underestimating the value of Pau Gasol in this equation. Now I'm not saying he's the "hardest" guy in the League but I certainly think the inside-outside game that he is a catalyst of, certainly holds the Lakers in better stead.
As for Kobe, well it's easy to consider the finger injury, the knee injury, the elbow injury etc. The only trouble is, Kobe still continues to shoot tough fall-away jump shots during the 4th quarter of close games. Surely his brain isn't injured too?
It's the Milwaukee Bucks that visit the Lakers tonight in LA and after only emerging victorious by one point in overtime last meeting, the Lakers are vulnerable at best. It kicks off an interesting week for the Lake Show with a visit to San Antonio, Dallas and then back home to attempt to avenge their latest loss to the Clippers.
Milwaukee present a definitive challenge to LA. The Bucks have a good presence inside and the Bogut vs Bynum match-up will be great to watch. I'm most excited to see if Phil will give Shannon Brown significant minutes guarding Brandon Jennings. I think Brown's mixture of speed and strength will provide the perfect counter. Either way it will be entertaining! I'm predicting a triple double for Lamar Odom also... I see 14p, 16r and 10a for the lanky number 7.
Jennings could destroy the Lakers... or provide the perfect opportunity for Shannon Brown to arrive.
Buckle up no matter who you are, as when the Lakers experience the Blues, it seems everyone has a lot more to talk about.