Kevin Prince played well against Texas, but has missed practice this week due to injury.Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesFolks in Westwood had plenty of reason to be excited after the UCLA Bruins trounced the Texas Longhorns in Austin, 34-12.However, even triumphs of such magnitude come with some trepidation.In UCLA's case, it comes in the person of Kevin Prince.The redshirt sophomore has missed the last few days of practice with a sore knee, an injury that he suffered while hooking the 'Horns and that has led him to have his knee drained twice this week, Miami Dolphins jersey
Needless to say, this comes as a rather disappointing, if predictable, piece of bad news for Rick Neuheisel's Bruins.With momentum on UCLA's side after a huge victory, Neuheisel and offensive coordinator Norm Chow had hoped to take advantage of a home date with the hapless Cougars of Washington State.However, with Prince potentially out for Saturday's game at the Rose Bowl, the Bruins may have to put their plans to open up the playbook on hold for the sake of winning.Prince's absence in practice has left the bulk of the snaps to true sophomore Richard Brehaut, Minnesota Vikings
who hasn't exactly looked sharp this week. After duking it out with Prince for the starting gig before the season and splitting time with the first unit in the summer, Brehaut has seen his opportunities dwindle in the last couple weeks, leaving him rusty and ill-prepared to lead the offense.Given more time under center, Brehaut should be able to get himself back up to speed, particularly since the Bruins won't need him to be a world-beater against Wazzu.However, win or lose, the UCLA football team may look back at this week as a monumental moment missed, a shot to show off the offense squandered.Even if Prince is able to play on Saturday, he may still be limited by his injury, which would once again force the coaching staff to scale back the attack and have the team play conservatively rather than take risks against the Cougs.Which brings up a more important issue underlying UCLA's chances of success this year and going forwardthe health of Kevin Prince.Prince has shown a propensity for injury ever since his high school playing days at Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino.And though the Bruins' O-line hasn't done Prince many favors in his two years in Westwood, Bruins fans still can't help but cringe at the thought of their quarterback going down with another sprain, bruise, or tear every time he takes New England Patriots jersey
off from the pocket.If Rick Neuheisel has any hope of getting his guys to play as well the rest of the season as they did against Houston and Texas, he'll need Prince on the field and playing well.Whether Prince can delivery is still very much up in the air.
2011年1月22日星期六
22 Jan 11 Big 12 Football: Monday Morning One-Liners
Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty ImagesBaylor was blasted by Texas Christian on Saturday, handing the Horned Frogs their 16th straight home win. Colorado loves their bye week before an October 2nd match up with Georgia. Iowa State played a tough game against Kansas State and their star running back Daniel Thomas. Southern Mississippi kicked Kansas off their pedestal and handed the Jayhawks their second embarrassing loss on the season. Kansas State did something for the first time in 10 years, and running back Daniel Thomas set one career high; check it out HERE. Reebok Minnesota Vikings #84 Randy Moss Realtree camo Jersey
Missouri escaped defeat by San Diego State with significant help from TJ Moe. Nebraska overwhelmed Washington and Heisman hopeful Jake Locker. Their home win streak now stands at 33 after the Oklahoma Sooners barely defeated Air Force on Saturday. Oklahoma State has found itself ranked No. 25 in the USA Today coaches poll. Texas defeated Texas Tech in Lubbock on Saturday, but it was a very rocky game for the Longhorns. Either Texas AM was caught in a trap game, or Florida International is for real (lost 19-14 to Rutgers a week ago). Texas Tech failed to beat Texas in Lubbock for the second straight game.
Missouri escaped defeat by San Diego State with significant help from TJ Moe. Nebraska overwhelmed Washington and Heisman hopeful Jake Locker. Their home win streak now stands at 33 after the Oklahoma Sooners barely defeated Air Force on Saturday. Oklahoma State has found itself ranked No. 25 in the USA Today coaches poll. Texas defeated Texas Tech in Lubbock on Saturday, but it was a very rocky game for the Longhorns. Either Texas AM was caught in a trap game, or Florida International is for real (lost 19-14 to Rutgers a week ago). Texas Tech failed to beat Texas in Lubbock for the second straight game.
2011年1月18日星期二
18 Jan 11 Michigan Football: The Wolverines Have a New Hero
AP/OhioCollegeFootball.com Dan PoelThink back to all of the Michigan greats over the years. All of the men who have made you proud to be a Wolverine. Desmond Howard, Bo Schembechler, Charles Woodson, Chris Perry, Tom Brady, and most recently, Denard Robinson. Well, make Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
room for one more, and this one may surprise you. The newest Michigan hero has absolutely no affiliation with the University of Michigan, but yet shares a common bond: a hatred of The Ohio State Buckeyes. His name is Brandon Hanning, aka Rufus, the former mascot for THE Ohio University. I say former because his recent actions at the Ohio State/Ohio football game on September 18th, 2010, caused him to not only lose his job as mascot, but also got him banned from attending another Ohio University athletic event, ever. What could a mascot do that could be so reprehensible? Only what every Michigan fan across the country has thought of doing at one point or anotherassaulting Brutus the Buckeye in front of his home crowd. Words cannot possibly do it justice, so you have to enjoy the video here to truly see what a great moment it was. But I think it's important to get the back story of the gentleman that once called himself Rufus. You see, this was no impromptu act. This was a premeditated attack that took over a year of planning and a dedication to seeing a dream through that most of us have never been able to muster. While a student at Ohio University, Brandon Hanning was watching a previous OSU/Ohio football game, and while watching the mascots, thought it would be funny if someone were to tackle Ohio State's mascot, Brutus. The mere thought of seeing Brutus being slammed to the ground by another mascot was enough motivation for Brandon to put his master plan in motion. He set out to become the next Rufus mascot for Ohio San Diego Chargers jersey
University, for no other reason than to humiliate Ohio State, and more importantly, their mascot. What that entailed was actually BEING Rufus for all of the other Ohio University sporting events. Hundreds of hours spent acting out a role simply to go unnoticed when the time to strike came. On Saturday, September 18th, 2010, in Columbus, Ohio, the moment had arrived. Hanning's plan was to attack at mid field, just as the Buckeye's were coming onto the field at the beginning of the game. And sure enough, just as Brutus and the Ohio State football team ran onto the field, Rufus made his move. He sprinted to midfield and met his nemesis with a tackle. But the blow failed to bring down the mighty Brutus. In fact, it knocked the head off of Rufus himself. Collecting himself, Rufus got his head together and went in for a second, far more devastating attack.Following Brutus into theend zone, Rufus struck again. This time jumping onto the OSU mascot's back from behind and wrestling him to the ground, all the while striking blows to the nut's head. As the two mascots separate, without words you can clearly see that the only thing Brutus asks is, "What the [EXPLETIVE]?" And as quickly as the attack had begun, it ended. Rufus was pulled aside by security and told to stay away from Brutus. His dream had San Francisco 49ers jersey
come to fruition in dramatic style, and in an instant he was admired as a hero to many, and an enemy to the Ohio State faithful. Since the incident occurred last week, Hanning has received a wide range of responses. Some people have gone as far as to threaten his life while others have said he deserves a statue honoring the moment. Whatever abuse or reward he may receive, the memories will last a lifetime. Thank you Rufus, you are now officially Michigan's adopted mascot!
room for one more, and this one may surprise you. The newest Michigan hero has absolutely no affiliation with the University of Michigan, but yet shares a common bond: a hatred of The Ohio State Buckeyes. His name is Brandon Hanning, aka Rufus, the former mascot for THE Ohio University. I say former because his recent actions at the Ohio State/Ohio football game on September 18th, 2010, caused him to not only lose his job as mascot, but also got him banned from attending another Ohio University athletic event, ever. What could a mascot do that could be so reprehensible? Only what every Michigan fan across the country has thought of doing at one point or anotherassaulting Brutus the Buckeye in front of his home crowd. Words cannot possibly do it justice, so you have to enjoy the video here to truly see what a great moment it was. But I think it's important to get the back story of the gentleman that once called himself Rufus. You see, this was no impromptu act. This was a premeditated attack that took over a year of planning and a dedication to seeing a dream through that most of us have never been able to muster. While a student at Ohio University, Brandon Hanning was watching a previous OSU/Ohio football game, and while watching the mascots, thought it would be funny if someone were to tackle Ohio State's mascot, Brutus. The mere thought of seeing Brutus being slammed to the ground by another mascot was enough motivation for Brandon to put his master plan in motion. He set out to become the next Rufus mascot for Ohio San Diego Chargers jersey
University, for no other reason than to humiliate Ohio State, and more importantly, their mascot. What that entailed was actually BEING Rufus for all of the other Ohio University sporting events. Hundreds of hours spent acting out a role simply to go unnoticed when the time to strike came. On Saturday, September 18th, 2010, in Columbus, Ohio, the moment had arrived. Hanning's plan was to attack at mid field, just as the Buckeye's were coming onto the field at the beginning of the game. And sure enough, just as Brutus and the Ohio State football team ran onto the field, Rufus made his move. He sprinted to midfield and met his nemesis with a tackle. But the blow failed to bring down the mighty Brutus. In fact, it knocked the head off of Rufus himself. Collecting himself, Rufus got his head together and went in for a second, far more devastating attack.Following Brutus into theend zone, Rufus struck again. This time jumping onto the OSU mascot's back from behind and wrestling him to the ground, all the while striking blows to the nut's head. As the two mascots separate, without words you can clearly see that the only thing Brutus asks is, "What the [EXPLETIVE]?" And as quickly as the attack had begun, it ended. Rufus was pulled aside by security and told to stay away from Brutus. His dream had San Francisco 49ers jersey
come to fruition in dramatic style, and in an instant he was admired as a hero to many, and an enemy to the Ohio State faithful. Since the incident occurred last week, Hanning has received a wide range of responses. Some people have gone as far as to threaten his life while others have said he deserves a statue honoring the moment. Whatever abuse or reward he may receive, the memories will last a lifetime. Thank you Rufus, you are now officially Michigan's adopted mascot!
2011年1月15日星期六
15 Jan 11 St. Louis Rams "Rams trying to rest, regroup and refocus"
The bye last week probably couldn;t have come at a better time for the St. Louis Rams. Coming off its fourth straight lopsided loss, the team had just fired its head coach -- who previously benched $65 million quarterback Marc Bulger.In a season packed with bad news for the 0-4 Rams, the latest is that their next opponent -- the Washington Redskins -- is among the hottest teams in the NFL. The Redskins started the season 0-1, but they've bounced back to win four straight and emerge as a contender in the NFC.After the Washington game, the Rams have the unenviable Dallas Cowboys jersey
task of hosting the Cowboys (4-1) and playing at New England (3-1). For a team that's winless and hapless, facing three teams with a combined record of 11-3 probably isn;t a recipe for success.Commentary: It remains to be seen whether interim coach Jim Haslett will be able to create a pulse in St. Louis. It was obvious that team morale was down with former coach Scott Linehan, especially after he benched Bulger before the 31-14 loss to Buffalo.The first move Haslett made after replacing Linehan was to reinstate Bulger for the rest of the season. That erased any chance of there being a quarterback controversy with the Rams between Bulger and Trent Green. Bulger wasn;t the reason the Rams started 0-3 with him under center. Despite taking 11 sacks in three games, Bulger completed almost 60 percent of his passes for 500-plus yards during that span.One main problem (besides the porous offensive line) for the Rams is the fact that running back Steven Jackson is the team;s leading receiver (20 catches). The Rams have to get Pro Bowl wideout Torry Holt more involved in the offense if the losing is going to end. Haslett also must get Jackson more carries. Through the first four games, Jackson is averaging just a shade over 18 carries a game and only has one touchdown.Fan Pulse: Rams fans are still frustrated, but they're willing to give Haslett a chance. No one likes to see their favorite team lose, but to do so seemingly without much of an effort was too much for St. Louis loyalists to handle. Anyone who saw Julius Jones bounce off the Rams; defenders like a pinball and run for a touchdown earlier this season had to be wondering if the 'D' actually knew how to tackle.Fantasy Football Impact: At the start of the season, Bulger, Jackson and Holt were three prized fantasy targets. Now you can find them at the Denver Broncos jersey
bottom of a team;s roster, buried there until they start to show some life. Jackson is the best bet to have a fantasy impact in the near future.Injury Watch: Tight end Randy McMichael is out for at least two months and maybe more after his injury in the Buffalo game. Wide receivers Drew Bennett and Keenan Burton are expected back from injuries by the Dallas game on Oct. 19. (2)
task of hosting the Cowboys (4-1) and playing at New England (3-1). For a team that's winless and hapless, facing three teams with a combined record of 11-3 probably isn;t a recipe for success.Commentary: It remains to be seen whether interim coach Jim Haslett will be able to create a pulse in St. Louis. It was obvious that team morale was down with former coach Scott Linehan, especially after he benched Bulger before the 31-14 loss to Buffalo.The first move Haslett made after replacing Linehan was to reinstate Bulger for the rest of the season. That erased any chance of there being a quarterback controversy with the Rams between Bulger and Trent Green. Bulger wasn;t the reason the Rams started 0-3 with him under center. Despite taking 11 sacks in three games, Bulger completed almost 60 percent of his passes for 500-plus yards during that span.One main problem (besides the porous offensive line) for the Rams is the fact that running back Steven Jackson is the team;s leading receiver (20 catches). The Rams have to get Pro Bowl wideout Torry Holt more involved in the offense if the losing is going to end. Haslett also must get Jackson more carries. Through the first four games, Jackson is averaging just a shade over 18 carries a game and only has one touchdown.Fan Pulse: Rams fans are still frustrated, but they're willing to give Haslett a chance. No one likes to see their favorite team lose, but to do so seemingly without much of an effort was too much for St. Louis loyalists to handle. Anyone who saw Julius Jones bounce off the Rams; defenders like a pinball and run for a touchdown earlier this season had to be wondering if the 'D' actually knew how to tackle.Fantasy Football Impact: At the start of the season, Bulger, Jackson and Holt were three prized fantasy targets. Now you can find them at the Denver Broncos jersey
bottom of a team;s roster, buried there until they start to show some life. Jackson is the best bet to have a fantasy impact in the near future.Injury Watch: Tight end Randy McMichael is out for at least two months and maybe more after his injury in the Buffalo game. Wide receivers Drew Bennett and Keenan Burton are expected back from injuries by the Dallas game on Oct. 19. (2)
2011年1月13日星期四
14 Jan 11 Carolina Panthers players subpoenaed in steroid probe March 14 2005
Investigators probing an alternative medicine doctor want to speak to at least 9 current or former members of the Carolina Panthers about possible illegal steroid prescriptions, according to The State - a Columbia, SC newspaper. Dr. James Shortt, a West Columbia physician, is under investigation for allegedly prescribing steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs, said the local paper Sunday's published editions. The newspaper based its story on court records and sources speaking on condition of anonymity. Federal agents subpoenaed the Panthers forDenver Broncos jersey
the addresses and contact information of several players as part of the probe. Sources familiar with the investigation told the newspaper that some of the players were on the Panthers team that competed in the 2004 Super Bowl. Neither the paper nor Hurney revealed the identities of the players. The newspaper said a sworn statement from Dave Lawrence, a State Law Enforcement Division agent, said Shortt has been under investigation since May 2004 when a Columbia bodybuilder told the Drug Enforcement Administration that Shortt had a reputation for readily prescribing steroids for patients in exchange for $1,000.
the addresses and contact information of several players as part of the probe. Sources familiar with the investigation told the newspaper that some of the players were on the Panthers team that competed in the 2004 Super Bowl. Neither the paper nor Hurney revealed the identities of the players. The newspaper said a sworn statement from Dave Lawrence, a State Law Enforcement Division agent, said Shortt has been under investigation since May 2004 when a Columbia bodybuilder told the Drug Enforcement Administration that Shortt had a reputation for readily prescribing steroids for patients in exchange for $1,000.
2011年1月12日星期三
13 Jan 11 Derrick Rose, an All Star?
Has Derrick Rose turned a corner after his rough start to the year? During the first month of the season, Rose was averaging roughly 16 ppg, 5 apg and 3 rpg on 46% shooting. But how has he done lately? In Rose's last 12 games, he has put up some staggering numbers. Over that span, Rose has averaged 22.8 ppg, 7.0 apg, 4.3 rpg on 49.8% shooting from the field. In addition, his true shooting percentage over that span is 53.9%. So after that rough start, he's been able to pull his averages up to 18.5 ppg, 5.9 apg, 3.5 rpg on 45.7% shooting. That's a major leap from Philadelphia Eagles jersey
his earlier averages. His jump shot looks much improved and his speed is seemingly back. So this begs the question, with his current popularity and his improvement in play, does Derrick Rose have a chance at making his first all-star appearance this season? It'll be difficult for him because of his rough start, that's for sure. But assuming that Dwyane Wade and Allen Iverson get voted in as starters and Iverson is injured come the all-star game, that would mean that Vince Carter would get the other starting nod by the fans. After that Rose's competition boils down to Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Gilbert Arenas, Joe Johnson and Mo Williams. Arenas is most likely out of the running due to his recent incident involving guns. And while Joe Johnson is probably a lock for one of the reserve spots, the rest is a bit of a crap shoot. Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
Rajon Rondo probably deserves the nod over his teammate, Ray Allen. But because both players are playing for a contender, an argument can be made that the presence of the other holds back each player's individual statistics. Even so, Allen seemingly has lost a step the past couple of seasons. And as for Mo Williams, he might San Diego Chargers jersey
get the nod only because he's playing for a good team. But his numbers really don't support another all-star nod. So is it possible that Rose gets picked by the coaches and players? Sure. Is it likely? It's hard to say at this point. But if he keeps up his current level of play, he definitely has a legitimate shot. However, Rose's teammate, Joakim Noah, also might have a shot if he is picked by the coaches. And if Noah makes it in, Rose's chances are diminished quite a bit.
his earlier averages. His jump shot looks much improved and his speed is seemingly back. So this begs the question, with his current popularity and his improvement in play, does Derrick Rose have a chance at making his first all-star appearance this season? It'll be difficult for him because of his rough start, that's for sure. But assuming that Dwyane Wade and Allen Iverson get voted in as starters and Iverson is injured come the all-star game, that would mean that Vince Carter would get the other starting nod by the fans. After that Rose's competition boils down to Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Gilbert Arenas, Joe Johnson and Mo Williams. Arenas is most likely out of the running due to his recent incident involving guns. And while Joe Johnson is probably a lock for one of the reserve spots, the rest is a bit of a crap shoot. Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
Rajon Rondo probably deserves the nod over his teammate, Ray Allen. But because both players are playing for a contender, an argument can be made that the presence of the other holds back each player's individual statistics. Even so, Allen seemingly has lost a step the past couple of seasons. And as for Mo Williams, he might San Diego Chargers jersey
get the nod only because he's playing for a good team. But his numbers really don't support another all-star nod. So is it possible that Rose gets picked by the coaches and players? Sure. Is it likely? It's hard to say at this point. But if he keeps up his current level of play, he definitely has a legitimate shot. However, Rose's teammate, Joakim Noah, also might have a shot if he is picked by the coaches. And if Noah makes it in, Rose's chances are diminished quite a bit.
12 Jan 11 NBA All-Star Game Reserves Announced
Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesMoments ago, the NBA announced the reserve selections for the 2010 NBA All-Star Game. They are as followed:*notes as first All-Star Game appearance .Eastern ConferenceG-Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls*G-Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics*G-Joe Johnson, Atlanta HawksF-Paul Pierce, Boston CelticsF-Gerald Wallace, Charlotte Bobcats*F/C-Chris Bosh, Toronto RaptorsF/C-Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks*They will be joined by the already announced starting lineup of Allen Iverson, Dwayne Wade, LeBron James, Kevin Garnett, and Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers 43 Troy Polamalu Realtree camo Jersey
Dwight Howard.Western ConferenceG-Chris Paul, New Orleans HornetsG-Deron Williams, Utah Jazz*G-Brandon Roy, Portland TrailblazersF-Pau Gasol, Los Angeles LakersF-Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas MavericksF-Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder*F-Zach Randolph, Memphis Grizzlies*Alongside them is the perennial lineup of Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Tim Duncan, and Amar'e Stoudemire.The game will be held on February 14 at Dallas Cowboys Stadium. It is reported that the event has sold over 85,000 tickets already, which would be the largest crowd ever at a basketball event.
Dwight Howard.Western ConferenceG-Chris Paul, New Orleans HornetsG-Deron Williams, Utah Jazz*G-Brandon Roy, Portland TrailblazersF-Pau Gasol, Los Angeles LakersF-Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas MavericksF-Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder*F-Zach Randolph, Memphis Grizzlies*Alongside them is the perennial lineup of Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Tim Duncan, and Amar'e Stoudemire.The game will be held on February 14 at Dallas Cowboys Stadium. It is reported that the event has sold over 85,000 tickets already, which would be the largest crowd ever at a basketball event.
12 Jan 11 Atlanta Hawks Look To Sweep Boston Celtics Tonight
Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesAtlanta, GA.At the start of the season there were only three elite eastern teams; nobody would think these teams would get swept. But, a new team has risen to take on the elites and become one of them. The Hawks are now widely considered an elite team.If I were to tell you the Hawks Reebok New York Giants #27 Brandon Jacobs Realtree camo Jersey
would sweep the Celtics in the regular season before this season started you would call me a liar and have no sense of basketball. While that has not happened yet it just may happen tonight. Atlanta is coming off a tough loss to the Spurs from Wednesday and the Celtics are coming off an even tougher loss last night to the Magic.At the start of the series Boston hosted the Hawks where Atlanta had never won in a long time. The Hawks beat and embarrassed the Celtics at home 97-86. One month later Boston came to Phillips Arena and got kicked out of the Arena 93-85. Just 17 days ago Atlanta went back to the Garden and again stuck it to Boston 102-96.Boston is getting closer to topping the Hawks for the first time this season but still can't find a way to win. This game now has to be considered a big game and a rivalry. In 2007 the Hawks took the Celtics to seven games in the first round of the playoffs, the Celtics would go on to win the NBA title.Last year the Hawks got better, making it into the second round of the playoffs but they still could not beat Boston at Boston.Now they know they can and they know they can play ball with the best teams in the league. Atlanta has their sights set on their first division title since '93, and the first East title since ever. The last time the Hawks played in the NBA Reebok New York Jets #6 Mark Sanchez Realtree camo Jersey
championship game was 1961 and that was in the western conference at that time.But before they try to get all of that, Atlanta will look to take down an NBA giant. This sweep would certainly give the Hawks confidence going into later games knowing that they swept an elite team.
would sweep the Celtics in the regular season before this season started you would call me a liar and have no sense of basketball. While that has not happened yet it just may happen tonight. Atlanta is coming off a tough loss to the Spurs from Wednesday and the Celtics are coming off an even tougher loss last night to the Magic.At the start of the series Boston hosted the Hawks where Atlanta had never won in a long time. The Hawks beat and embarrassed the Celtics at home 97-86. One month later Boston came to Phillips Arena and got kicked out of the Arena 93-85. Just 17 days ago Atlanta went back to the Garden and again stuck it to Boston 102-96.Boston is getting closer to topping the Hawks for the first time this season but still can't find a way to win. This game now has to be considered a big game and a rivalry. In 2007 the Hawks took the Celtics to seven games in the first round of the playoffs, the Celtics would go on to win the NBA title.Last year the Hawks got better, making it into the second round of the playoffs but they still could not beat Boston at Boston.Now they know they can and they know they can play ball with the best teams in the league. Atlanta has their sights set on their first division title since '93, and the first East title since ever. The last time the Hawks played in the NBA Reebok New York Jets #6 Mark Sanchez Realtree camo Jersey
championship game was 1961 and that was in the western conference at that time.But before they try to get all of that, Atlanta will look to take down an NBA giant. This sweep would certainly give the Hawks confidence going into later games knowing that they swept an elite team.
2011年1月10日星期一
10 Jan 11 Shaq vs. Dwight Howard: Who is the Real Superman?
Sam Greenwood/Getty ImagesEver since the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Orlando Magic in the last game before the All-Star Break, media coverage has been centered, among many things, on the nickname battle between Shaq and Dwight Howard.Everyone has their opinions. Either Shaq is being too rash Cleveland Browns jersey
and is being petty, or that he is the original NBA Superman. However, nobody has analyzed, as far as I know, the two players against the Superman persona.So without further ado, I would like to make a final ruling over the nickname battle between the two dominating big men. Superhuman StrengthBoth of these men are ridiculously strong. Howard seems to look stronger because his is more fit and toned, while Shaq, it seems, is just fat. However, when you watch the two play, it is evident that Shaq is the stronger man.When Shaq plays he imposes his will upon other the players trying to defend him, and, as he said, doesn't double-team anybody.Howard, while still one of the strongest players in the league, does not live up to Shaq's level. He can use his body, but doesn't always throw it around like a big man of his stature should.Superman Score: Shaq 1, Howard 0 Super SpeedThis one is a no-brainer. Shaq is old and slow, Howard is young and fast (for a big man that is).Superman Score: Shaq 1, Howard 1 Superstrong SkinSuperman's skin can stop bullets. Dwight Howard's skin can't even take it when Shaq is angry at him.After Shaq's outburst following the Cavalier-Magic game last week, Howard's response was less than inspiring. When he could have, and maybe should have, stood up and proclaimed the Dallas Cowboys jersey
name for himself, he backed down. Howard downplayed the whole thing, and to me came off as upset that one of his childhood heroes was angry at him.Howard had the opportunity to stand up to Shaq's bullying, yet he recoiled and relinquished the nickname that he is obviously fond of.Superman Score: Shaq 2, Howard 1 FlyingWe all saw Dwight Howard's explosive performance at the dunk contest in the past few years. Anyone is crazy to think that Shaq, at any point in his career, could jump as far as Howard did in his second dunk at the 2008 dunk contest (one that I have dubbed "The Thrunk" )Superman Score: Shaq 2, Howard 2 Interplanetary TravelAs far as I know, there is only one player in the history of the NBA that was ever capable of traveling to other planets (whether it be real or fake) and that is Darryl Dawkins. Denver Broncos jersey
No points awarded for this round.So, as you can see, this is even more convoluted as before. So as a tiebreaker, we will have to look at head-to-head match-ups. Since Howard entered the league in 2004, Shaq has won eight games where both centers played, Howard has won six.So, ladies and gentlemen, without further ado I pronounce Shaq your NBA Superman, at least for now.
and is being petty, or that he is the original NBA Superman. However, nobody has analyzed, as far as I know, the two players against the Superman persona.So without further ado, I would like to make a final ruling over the nickname battle between the two dominating big men. Superhuman StrengthBoth of these men are ridiculously strong. Howard seems to look stronger because his is more fit and toned, while Shaq, it seems, is just fat. However, when you watch the two play, it is evident that Shaq is the stronger man.When Shaq plays he imposes his will upon other the players trying to defend him, and, as he said, doesn't double-team anybody.Howard, while still one of the strongest players in the league, does not live up to Shaq's level. He can use his body, but doesn't always throw it around like a big man of his stature should.Superman Score: Shaq 1, Howard 0 Super SpeedThis one is a no-brainer. Shaq is old and slow, Howard is young and fast (for a big man that is).Superman Score: Shaq 1, Howard 1 Superstrong SkinSuperman's skin can stop bullets. Dwight Howard's skin can't even take it when Shaq is angry at him.After Shaq's outburst following the Cavalier-Magic game last week, Howard's response was less than inspiring. When he could have, and maybe should have, stood up and proclaimed the Dallas Cowboys jersey
name for himself, he backed down. Howard downplayed the whole thing, and to me came off as upset that one of his childhood heroes was angry at him.Howard had the opportunity to stand up to Shaq's bullying, yet he recoiled and relinquished the nickname that he is obviously fond of.Superman Score: Shaq 2, Howard 1 FlyingWe all saw Dwight Howard's explosive performance at the dunk contest in the past few years. Anyone is crazy to think that Shaq, at any point in his career, could jump as far as Howard did in his second dunk at the 2008 dunk contest (one that I have dubbed "The Thrunk" )Superman Score: Shaq 2, Howard 2 Interplanetary TravelAs far as I know, there is only one player in the history of the NBA that was ever capable of traveling to other planets (whether it be real or fake) and that is Darryl Dawkins. Denver Broncos jersey
No points awarded for this round.So, as you can see, this is even more convoluted as before. So as a tiebreaker, we will have to look at head-to-head match-ups. Since Howard entered the league in 2004, Shaq has won eight games where both centers played, Howard has won six.So, ladies and gentlemen, without further ado I pronounce Shaq your NBA Superman, at least for now.
2011年1月9日星期日
9 Jan 11 Breakdown of a Bad Break: Cavaliers Adjust to the Loss of Shaquille O'Neal
Jed Jacobsohn/Getty ImagesThe news reverberated not only in Northeast Ohio Sunday, but throughout the NBA.Shaquille ONeal right thumb injury isn just significant, as TNT David Aldridge so accurately reported just minutes after it happened Thursday night in Boston. It seriousas in requiring surgery, and a lengthy recuperation period of six to nine weeks.With seven weeks remaining in the regular season, it means the Cleveland Cavaliers will finish the year without their starting center. Hell likely make it back in time for the playoffs, but an exact timetable won be known Reebok Denver Broncos #15 Tim Tebow Realtree camo Jersey
until after the surgery.Combined with the Cavs' recent trade that leaves them, at least for now, without Zydrunas Ilgauskas, the impact is even more significant.Anderson Varejao, most comfortable as a supersub power forward, slides into the pivot to assume ONeal role in the middle.How the loss of ONeal will affect the Cavaliers, pro and con, won immediately be known. Here are some of the potential positives and negatives that could result from Shaq pending absence from the lineup.Con: The Cavaliers suddenly have a void in the middle that will be difficult to offset.In just two weeks, Cleveland has gone from one of the biggest teams in the league to one of the smallest. For a time, it leaves them vulnerable against more powerful centersbut really, how many of those are there?They play Boston twice more, but have shown they can handle the Celtics without Shaq (or Ilgauskas). Andrew Bogut of the Bucks is a skilled big man. Brook Lopez of New Jersey continues to improve, but is a rookie.Dwight Howard and the Magic don reappear on the Cavs schedule until the next-to-last game of the season. By then, Shaq and Ilgauskas may be back.Pro: Varejao will gain valuable experience as a starting center.There no question he is most comfortable coming off the bench as the supersub at power forward. Varejao often catches teams napping with his constant hustle at both ends of the floor.It the only way he knows how to play, so that will continue. But hell also have to adjust to the nuances of the center position and learn to bang bodies with the best the league has to offer.Not only will this help the Cavaliers this year and in the playoffs, it will prove valuable in future seasons when the era of Shaq and Z is over in Cleveland.Con: Shaq injury may disrupt the team established chemistry.As the season has progressed, so has ONeal. Early returns on his presence in the Cavs lineup weren favorable, but Shaq gradually proved doubters wrong.He contributed solid numbers and an even more solid defensive presence in the middle, typically playing about half of each game.Of equal importance, however, was the way his teammates had adjusted to his style of play.Similar adjustments wererequired after Ilgauskas departure. The team lost three in a row before winning their last three.It will take a few games to see how the Cavaliers handle not having a pure center on the floor. If Ilgauskas chooses to return in March, the Cavs still have 11 games to play before he is available.Critics of the Ilgauskas trade pointed to the Cavaliers remarkable team chemistry as a reason to Reebok Green Bay Packers #12 Aaron Rodgers Realtree camo Jersey
have left well enough alone. With Shaq now sidelined as well, the team resiliency will be put to the test.Pro: The Cavs will test-drive a smaller, faster lineup.The Shaq doubters will have their day in courtor at least, on itas Cleveland will be forced to play small.ONeal was obtained primarily to offset the bigger, more physical teams who might give the Cavs trouble in the playoffs. Size isn always the issue, however. Still, when you have experienced big men like Shaq and Ilgauskas in your lineup, you play to their strengths.Now, with neither of them there for the time being, there nothing to prevent Mike Brown from running an up-tempo offense.Charles Barkley has called Brown out many times on TNT, questioning why the Cavaliers don run more. He claims it the best approach when you have a player like LeBron James on your team.Now, well see. If the smaller, faster Cavs perform well, Brown will have discovered yet another weapon to throw at opponents in the postseason.Con: Conditioning could be a problem for the Cavaliers come playoff time.With ONeal out for an extended period, will he remain in shape? Much was made of his playing condition at the start of the season, andShaq himself said he had worked during the offseason to be ready for the rigors of 82 games and the playoffs.Brown had been careful all season with ONeal minutes, and the system seemed to be working. However, six weeks or more of recuperation time will require an ongoing conditioning program if ONeal is to be game-ready come April.The same is true for Ilgauskas. Should he choose to return to the Cavs, hell have been idle for a month. Conditioning while they wait will be of utmost importance to both players effectiveness once they return to action.Pro: Dividing playing time just got easier for Mike Brown.One of the real concerns for the Cavs coach has been finding enough minutes to go around, particularly at the power forward position.J.J. Hickson had been the starter most of the season, with Varejao coming off the bench. The presence of Jamison has sent Hickson to the bench. With the recent activation of Leon Powe from the injured list, the Cavs had a glut of power forwards.However, with Varejao at center, Brown will use a rotation of his big men to fill both positions. He views them as interchangeable in Reebok Green Bay Packers #52 Clay Matthews Realtree camo Jersey
the Cavaliers offense. This will be a good test of that theory.Seldom-used Darnell Jackson may find his status changing as Brown looks to fill the void left by ONeal and Ilgauskas.Injuries are a fact of life in professional sports. Theyre also the variable that can completely alter a season.The Cavaliers proved earlier this year that they could make the necessary adjustments when Mo Williams, Delonte West and Jamario Moon missed significant amounts of playing time.Now theyand the rest of the NBAwill see if theyre able to do the same while ONeal is on the mend.
until after the surgery.Combined with the Cavs' recent trade that leaves them, at least for now, without Zydrunas Ilgauskas, the impact is even more significant.Anderson Varejao, most comfortable as a supersub power forward, slides into the pivot to assume ONeal role in the middle.How the loss of ONeal will affect the Cavaliers, pro and con, won immediately be known. Here are some of the potential positives and negatives that could result from Shaq pending absence from the lineup.Con: The Cavaliers suddenly have a void in the middle that will be difficult to offset.In just two weeks, Cleveland has gone from one of the biggest teams in the league to one of the smallest. For a time, it leaves them vulnerable against more powerful centersbut really, how many of those are there?They play Boston twice more, but have shown they can handle the Celtics without Shaq (or Ilgauskas). Andrew Bogut of the Bucks is a skilled big man. Brook Lopez of New Jersey continues to improve, but is a rookie.Dwight Howard and the Magic don reappear on the Cavs schedule until the next-to-last game of the season. By then, Shaq and Ilgauskas may be back.Pro: Varejao will gain valuable experience as a starting center.There no question he is most comfortable coming off the bench as the supersub at power forward. Varejao often catches teams napping with his constant hustle at both ends of the floor.It the only way he knows how to play, so that will continue. But hell also have to adjust to the nuances of the center position and learn to bang bodies with the best the league has to offer.Not only will this help the Cavaliers this year and in the playoffs, it will prove valuable in future seasons when the era of Shaq and Z is over in Cleveland.Con: Shaq injury may disrupt the team established chemistry.As the season has progressed, so has ONeal. Early returns on his presence in the Cavs lineup weren favorable, but Shaq gradually proved doubters wrong.He contributed solid numbers and an even more solid defensive presence in the middle, typically playing about half of each game.Of equal importance, however, was the way his teammates had adjusted to his style of play.Similar adjustments wererequired after Ilgauskas departure. The team lost three in a row before winning their last three.It will take a few games to see how the Cavaliers handle not having a pure center on the floor. If Ilgauskas chooses to return in March, the Cavs still have 11 games to play before he is available.Critics of the Ilgauskas trade pointed to the Cavaliers remarkable team chemistry as a reason to Reebok Green Bay Packers #12 Aaron Rodgers Realtree camo Jersey
have left well enough alone. With Shaq now sidelined as well, the team resiliency will be put to the test.Pro: The Cavs will test-drive a smaller, faster lineup.The Shaq doubters will have their day in courtor at least, on itas Cleveland will be forced to play small.ONeal was obtained primarily to offset the bigger, more physical teams who might give the Cavs trouble in the playoffs. Size isn always the issue, however. Still, when you have experienced big men like Shaq and Ilgauskas in your lineup, you play to their strengths.Now, with neither of them there for the time being, there nothing to prevent Mike Brown from running an up-tempo offense.Charles Barkley has called Brown out many times on TNT, questioning why the Cavaliers don run more. He claims it the best approach when you have a player like LeBron James on your team.Now, well see. If the smaller, faster Cavs perform well, Brown will have discovered yet another weapon to throw at opponents in the postseason.Con: Conditioning could be a problem for the Cavaliers come playoff time.With ONeal out for an extended period, will he remain in shape? Much was made of his playing condition at the start of the season, andShaq himself said he had worked during the offseason to be ready for the rigors of 82 games and the playoffs.Brown had been careful all season with ONeal minutes, and the system seemed to be working. However, six weeks or more of recuperation time will require an ongoing conditioning program if ONeal is to be game-ready come April.The same is true for Ilgauskas. Should he choose to return to the Cavs, hell have been idle for a month. Conditioning while they wait will be of utmost importance to both players effectiveness once they return to action.Pro: Dividing playing time just got easier for Mike Brown.One of the real concerns for the Cavs coach has been finding enough minutes to go around, particularly at the power forward position.J.J. Hickson had been the starter most of the season, with Varejao coming off the bench. The presence of Jamison has sent Hickson to the bench. With the recent activation of Leon Powe from the injured list, the Cavs had a glut of power forwards.However, with Varejao at center, Brown will use a rotation of his big men to fill both positions. He views them as interchangeable in Reebok Green Bay Packers #52 Clay Matthews Realtree camo Jersey
the Cavaliers offense. This will be a good test of that theory.Seldom-used Darnell Jackson may find his status changing as Brown looks to fill the void left by ONeal and Ilgauskas.Injuries are a fact of life in professional sports. Theyre also the variable that can completely alter a season.The Cavaliers proved earlier this year that they could make the necessary adjustments when Mo Williams, Delonte West and Jamario Moon missed significant amounts of playing time.Now theyand the rest of the NBAwill see if theyre able to do the same while ONeal is on the mend.
2011年1月8日星期六
8 Jan 11 2010 NBA Playoffs: Can Charlotte Defeat the East's Top Three Teams?
Streeter Lecka/Getty ImagesI will be the first to admit, the idea of the Charlotte Bobcats qualifying for the 2010 NBA postseason was a foreign one to me, and even though I felt the Bobcats had taken positive steps, the playoffs still seemed like a long shot.Hiring Larry Brown as coach was the first step, and acquiring Stephen Jackson has proved to be the move which has spurred Charlotte from the throes of mediocrity to the cusp of their first NBA playoff berth in team history.The young, athletic Bobcats have bought into Brown's Reebok Minnesota Vikings #4 Brett Favre Realtree camo Jersey
defensive philosophy, and the level of discipline the team displays is also a reflection of their coach and his rigid standards on the court.Brown doesn't mind if a player has baggage in his personal life, because he feels if discipline is learned on the basketball court, then it might seep over into a player's personal life.Brown's approach has had varying degrees of success, but he has always established open lines of communication with his team, and is not afraid to both encourage and admonish a player for his performance.He is the ultimate teacher and the Bobcats have grown into apt pupils, grasping onto Brown's instruction and riding it to the sixth position in the Eastern Conference.With only a few weeks left in the regular season people in Charlotte are now speaking as if the Bobcats' path to the postseason is sealed, and the only question now is, how far can they go once they get there.This may be a presumptuous line of thought, but considering how the teams beneath Charlotte in the standings are actually regressing, it iseasy to see why people in the Queen City are excited about their basketball team.If the season ended today Charlotte's first round opponent would be the Atlanta Hawks, a team with a very similar roster to the Bobcats'.Both teams have superior shooting guards in Jackson and Atlanta's Joe Johnson, while Charlotte's Gerald Wallace and the Hawks' Josh Smith are both players whose impact can be felt in nearly every category in the stat book.Mike Bibby has an experience advantage over Raymond Felton at the point guard position, but Felton is athletically superior, a better defender, and is quicker than Bibby.Both rosters are deep with talented players like Al Horford, Marvin Williams, and Jamal Crawford for Atlanta, and Boris Diaw, Tyrus Thomas, and Tyson Chandler for Charlotte.Crawford is the one player Charlotte cannot match in terms of point production from the bench, and although Crawford may give the Hawks a scoring edge, the Bobcats' discipline could be the determining factor in a playoff series.Atlanta is notorious for their inconsistency on both ends of the floor and their tendency to make bad decisions in pressure-filled moments, which are found in abundance in the postseason.I would be inclined to take the steady leadership of Brown over the playoff Reebok Minnesota Vikings #69 Jared Allen Realtree camo Jersey
experience of Atlanta, because in a close series, the composure and discipline Brown brings to his team will win out.If Charlotte were to defeat Atlanta, Orlando would likely be their next opponent, and the Magic cause the same type of match-up problems for the Bobcats as they did for the Cleveland Cavaliers in last year's postseason.The Orlando scheme is simple, but effective. Place Dwight Howard in the paint, and surround him on the perimeter with jump shooters who have a particular taste for the three-point shot.Having four perimeter players on the court makes it hard to double Howard in the paint, and the fact that all of those players are actually good scorers mean there is little chance to slide down or even offer token assistance against Howard.The only chance Charlotte would have against Orlando would be to offer strong resistance on Howard with one player and tighten up the perimeter on everyone else.This strategy worked in a recent game between the two teams, and while Howard did have a monster game with 27 points and 17 rebounds, Charlotte's defense on the rest of theMagic was effective enough to prevent anyone else from hurting them.I'm not sure this would work over the duration of a seven game series, but it does represent Charlotte's best chance for success against a seasoned Orlando team, seeking consecutive NBA Finals appearances.If the Bobcats could make the Magic disappear, the mighty Cleveland Cavaliers would be next in Charlotte's path, and you could pretty much throw out Charlotte's victory in the regular season series.Like the recent victory over Orlando, Charlotte has a blueprint for how to defeat LeBron and his Cavaliers, but making that strategy hold up over the course of a seven game series is an entirely different task.Cleveland lost last season's 2009 Eastern Conference Finals, and the experience has made them hungry for a chance to return to that stage and redeem themselves.The Cavaliers also have the game's most complete player in James, and he embraces pressure moments on the big stage, while the Bobcats would be new to the whole playoff phenomenon.If Charlotte were able to somehow defeat Orlando and Atlanta, this is the point that their hypothetical journey would likely end, because the Cavaliers' combination of experience and James would be too much to overcome.In all honesty, it is doubtful Charlotte would be able to surpass Orlando, and if they did defeat Atlanta that feat would leave them ill-prepared for the tasks ahead, because they would likely become trappedReebok New England Patriots #12 Tom Brady Realtree camo Jersey
in the moment.Charlotte hasn't had an NBA playoff game in years, and this Bobcats' team has given the city hope that a future postseason game is in the near future.Under those circumstances one can be forgiven for dreaming a little when it comes to postseason upsets, and who knows, once the playoffs begin anything is possible, right?
defensive philosophy, and the level of discipline the team displays is also a reflection of their coach and his rigid standards on the court.Brown doesn't mind if a player has baggage in his personal life, because he feels if discipline is learned on the basketball court, then it might seep over into a player's personal life.Brown's approach has had varying degrees of success, but he has always established open lines of communication with his team, and is not afraid to both encourage and admonish a player for his performance.He is the ultimate teacher and the Bobcats have grown into apt pupils, grasping onto Brown's instruction and riding it to the sixth position in the Eastern Conference.With only a few weeks left in the regular season people in Charlotte are now speaking as if the Bobcats' path to the postseason is sealed, and the only question now is, how far can they go once they get there.This may be a presumptuous line of thought, but considering how the teams beneath Charlotte in the standings are actually regressing, it iseasy to see why people in the Queen City are excited about their basketball team.If the season ended today Charlotte's first round opponent would be the Atlanta Hawks, a team with a very similar roster to the Bobcats'.Both teams have superior shooting guards in Jackson and Atlanta's Joe Johnson, while Charlotte's Gerald Wallace and the Hawks' Josh Smith are both players whose impact can be felt in nearly every category in the stat book.Mike Bibby has an experience advantage over Raymond Felton at the point guard position, but Felton is athletically superior, a better defender, and is quicker than Bibby.Both rosters are deep with talented players like Al Horford, Marvin Williams, and Jamal Crawford for Atlanta, and Boris Diaw, Tyrus Thomas, and Tyson Chandler for Charlotte.Crawford is the one player Charlotte cannot match in terms of point production from the bench, and although Crawford may give the Hawks a scoring edge, the Bobcats' discipline could be the determining factor in a playoff series.Atlanta is notorious for their inconsistency on both ends of the floor and their tendency to make bad decisions in pressure-filled moments, which are found in abundance in the postseason.I would be inclined to take the steady leadership of Brown over the playoff Reebok Minnesota Vikings #69 Jared Allen Realtree camo Jersey
experience of Atlanta, because in a close series, the composure and discipline Brown brings to his team will win out.If Charlotte were to defeat Atlanta, Orlando would likely be their next opponent, and the Magic cause the same type of match-up problems for the Bobcats as they did for the Cleveland Cavaliers in last year's postseason.The Orlando scheme is simple, but effective. Place Dwight Howard in the paint, and surround him on the perimeter with jump shooters who have a particular taste for the three-point shot.Having four perimeter players on the court makes it hard to double Howard in the paint, and the fact that all of those players are actually good scorers mean there is little chance to slide down or even offer token assistance against Howard.The only chance Charlotte would have against Orlando would be to offer strong resistance on Howard with one player and tighten up the perimeter on everyone else.This strategy worked in a recent game between the two teams, and while Howard did have a monster game with 27 points and 17 rebounds, Charlotte's defense on the rest of theMagic was effective enough to prevent anyone else from hurting them.I'm not sure this would work over the duration of a seven game series, but it does represent Charlotte's best chance for success against a seasoned Orlando team, seeking consecutive NBA Finals appearances.If the Bobcats could make the Magic disappear, the mighty Cleveland Cavaliers would be next in Charlotte's path, and you could pretty much throw out Charlotte's victory in the regular season series.Like the recent victory over Orlando, Charlotte has a blueprint for how to defeat LeBron and his Cavaliers, but making that strategy hold up over the course of a seven game series is an entirely different task.Cleveland lost last season's 2009 Eastern Conference Finals, and the experience has made them hungry for a chance to return to that stage and redeem themselves.The Cavaliers also have the game's most complete player in James, and he embraces pressure moments on the big stage, while the Bobcats would be new to the whole playoff phenomenon.If Charlotte were able to somehow defeat Orlando and Atlanta, this is the point that their hypothetical journey would likely end, because the Cavaliers' combination of experience and James would be too much to overcome.In all honesty, it is doubtful Charlotte would be able to surpass Orlando, and if they did defeat Atlanta that feat would leave them ill-prepared for the tasks ahead, because they would likely become trappedReebok New England Patriots #12 Tom Brady Realtree camo Jersey
in the moment.Charlotte hasn't had an NBA playoff game in years, and this Bobcats' team has given the city hope that a future postseason game is in the near future.Under those circumstances one can be forgiven for dreaming a little when it comes to postseason upsets, and who knows, once the playoffs begin anything is possible, right?
2010年12月30日星期四
30 Dec 10 NBA Eastern Conference Playoff Threats
Jed Jacobsohn/Getty ImagesWe know about the Cavaliers. We know about the Magic. We know about the Hawks. We know about the Celtics, the top 4 playoff teams.but thebottom 4 teams in the Playoff picture... Milwaukee Bucks 41-336. Miami Heat 41-347. Charlotte Bobcats 39-358. Toronto Raptors 37-37These teams aren't as established, nor have they been consistent all season, but yet.. It is the playoffs, and that usually brings out the Minnesota Vikings
best of teams, (remember the Bulls and Derrick Rose taking the Celtics to game 7 last year?)So what I want to know is, who out of the bottom 4 teams has the best chance to advance to the 2nd round and beyond in the 09-10 playoffs?The Bucks, they're a nice story, being lead by outstanding rookie point guard Brandon Jennings, the unexpected great play of Ersan Ilyasova, the consistent rebounding, blocked shots, and scoring of Andrew Bogut, Not to mention the BIG move in trading for John Salmons. The Bucks in my opinion are the 2nd best turn around team this year, second only to the OKC Thunder, They already have 2 wins over Boston and 1 win over the Cavaliers, pretty good resum heading into April.The Heat, What can I say, they started out bad and they're finishing strong, currently riding a 6 game win streak. They have a top 5 player in the NBA and no.2 in the EFF%, his name? DWYANE WADE! With D-Wade you have a chance to do almost anything, remember what they did to Dallas? Yup, anythings possible for this New England Patriots jersey
team.The Bobcats, Hm... Gerald Wallace is an all star, Michael Jordan owns the team. Yet.. I'm not entirely sure that this team is mature enough to step up to the next level. Theo Ratliff's still getting it done dispite his age, and Stephen Jackson's been stepping up at the right times all season long. But would that be enough for them to defeat, say, Orlando in the first round? I doubt it, but you know MJ's got some great pep talks!The Raptors!they haven't solidified the 8 spot, just 2games ahead of theBulls.Oh my, they had me fooled in december that they were a good team, and now they've just dropped and slowed down more and more, day by day. The problem is, nobody knows why they are not getting it done on the court, Chris Bosh's had a great season, all star in dallas, averaging 24 pts and 11 rebounds a game. Jarrett Jack's shooting a solid 40% from 3pt land. Bargnani's been a disappointment for me, not "living up to the hype" but if this team gets rolling in these last few games, who knows... As long as they don't face Cleveland in New Orleans Saints jersey
the first roundSo, Who do you guys think can make a run and why? Can anybody beat Cleveland until the conference finals? Who's your favorite 5-8 seed in the playoffs? leave your comments, questions, corrections, and opinions! Thank you for reading!
best of teams, (remember the Bulls and Derrick Rose taking the Celtics to game 7 last year?)So what I want to know is, who out of the bottom 4 teams has the best chance to advance to the 2nd round and beyond in the 09-10 playoffs?The Bucks, they're a nice story, being lead by outstanding rookie point guard Brandon Jennings, the unexpected great play of Ersan Ilyasova, the consistent rebounding, blocked shots, and scoring of Andrew Bogut, Not to mention the BIG move in trading for John Salmons. The Bucks in my opinion are the 2nd best turn around team this year, second only to the OKC Thunder, They already have 2 wins over Boston and 1 win over the Cavaliers, pretty good resum heading into April.The Heat, What can I say, they started out bad and they're finishing strong, currently riding a 6 game win streak. They have a top 5 player in the NBA and no.2 in the EFF%, his name? DWYANE WADE! With D-Wade you have a chance to do almost anything, remember what they did to Dallas? Yup, anythings possible for this New England Patriots jersey
team.The Bobcats, Hm... Gerald Wallace is an all star, Michael Jordan owns the team. Yet.. I'm not entirely sure that this team is mature enough to step up to the next level. Theo Ratliff's still getting it done dispite his age, and Stephen Jackson's been stepping up at the right times all season long. But would that be enough for them to defeat, say, Orlando in the first round? I doubt it, but you know MJ's got some great pep talks!The Raptors!they haven't solidified the 8 spot, just 2games ahead of theBulls.Oh my, they had me fooled in december that they were a good team, and now they've just dropped and slowed down more and more, day by day. The problem is, nobody knows why they are not getting it done on the court, Chris Bosh's had a great season, all star in dallas, averaging 24 pts and 11 rebounds a game. Jarrett Jack's shooting a solid 40% from 3pt land. Bargnani's been a disappointment for me, not "living up to the hype" but if this team gets rolling in these last few games, who knows... As long as they don't face Cleveland in New Orleans Saints jersey
the first roundSo, Who do you guys think can make a run and why? Can anybody beat Cleveland until the conference finals? Who's your favorite 5-8 seed in the playoffs? leave your comments, questions, corrections, and opinions! Thank you for reading!
2010年12月29日星期三
29 Dec 10 Pistons Season Over! Fans Heckle and Criticize Far too Much!
Where have the true Pistons fans gone?It seems after a disappointing 27-55 season, fans have turned on the Pistons. "Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon were a horrible pickup, they suck," "Tayshaun Prince needs to be traded," "Rip Hamilton is no longer in his prime and needs to be traded,"and Reebok New York Giants #27 Brandon Jacobs Realtree camo Jersey
most recently: "Fire Joe Dumars."Fans have done nothing but point fingers at almost each and every player on the Pistons squad, saying that everyone has done something wrong and everyone needs to go, including Dumars.The biggest thing Pistons fans are so upset about are the signings of Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva. Okay sure, Charlie Villanueva averaged 12 points per game and Ben Gordon averaged 13.8 points per game, but neither of them stepped up as expected in their first year as a Piston. Big Deal.Villanueva only scored 2 points less per game this season than his career average, and Ben Gordon was sidelined about half the season with an ankle injury. In the last five games we saw a healthy Ben Gordon and what he can do. Averaging about 27 points per game (last 5 games), it shows a sign of something good to come next season for Detroit and Ben Gordon. Charlie Villanueva put his numbers back up to what he averages for his career at 13 points per game, and still has the ability to post up and shoot from long range.In my opinion, the signing of Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva was not a mistake. It all revolves around who plays best with who while on the court. Next season these two will be warmed up to the atmosphere in Detroit and will put up better numbers.Next we have Rip Hamilton. Everyone seems to think he and Ben Gordon cannot coincide. Everyone also thinks that because he groveled about coming off the bench last season behind Allen Iverson, he will do the same coming off the bench behind Ben Gordon. Of course, everyone thinks he should be traded as well, but everyone seems to think he is not a good player anymore and no team wants to take on his contract.Rip does have a big contract that doesn't expire until 2013, so that I agree with. But saying Rip is not a legit player? This guy averages around 18 points per game every season for the Pistons and still has an amazing almost automatic shot. Any team in the NBA would love to have Rip Hamilton on the squad and know what a shooting threat this guy is.Also, Rip Hamilton complained about coming off the bench last season behind Iverson because he was not getting playing time. With the way Kuester plays his bench, he gives the bench players a lot of playing time and would give Rip the minutes to still put up his 18 points per game. Rip then would be satisfied ESPECIALLY if it got them into the post season. Rip would be a GREAT player to come off the bench with Will Bynum and keep the offense going.On to Rodney Stuckey. I myself have had my ups and downs about Rodney Stuckey these past couple seasons, saying he should be traded away and that he is not a very good guard. But if you look at what this kid has done, and how much he has improved the past couple seasons, you may say otherwise. Sure he still needs to learn to pass the ball, and run the offense as well as Will Bynum, but he has the ability to drive it in and draw contact Reebok New York Jets #6 Mark Sanchez Realtree camo Jersey
and get to the Charity Stripe where he is an 83 percent shooter.Stuckey averaged about 17 points per game this season and 5 assists. He was the reason the Pistons we winning games when Gordon, Hamilton, and Prince were all injured. Sure he is a good trade prospect with an expiring contract in 2011, but I don't expect Joe Dumars to trade away the player he kept to replace Chauncey Billups. Stuckey only needs to improve a few things on his game and he will be a legitimate guard.Next up, Tayshaun Prince. This is a guy a lot of fans are hard on. "He's getting old and out of his prime," "He's too skinny," "He isn't a scorer," "He isn't all that good of a defender." Are you guys watching the same Tayshaun Prince I have been watching since 2002? This guy has been the heart and soul of the Detroit Pistons for the past 8 years.How can anyone say he isn't a great defender? Does everyone not remember the block he had on Reggie Miller in 2004 that was said to be the play to lead the Pistons to win the Championship, and is one of the most memorable defensive plays in the history of the game?Tayshun suffered an injury for the first time in his career and has reduced him to average around 13 points per game and 5 assists for the season. So automatically fans hit the sites again saying Tay has got to go! But once Prince got healthy he once again was the heart and soul of the team. Tayshaun has completely dominated these past few weeks of the season putting up around 18 points per game and playing amazing defense. Everyone wants to see Prince get traded but it will NOT happen unless the Pistons receive a player that is a better defender than Prince.Now to the biggest topic, Joe Dumars. Everyone is now pointing fingers at Joe Dumars saying he has made one too many mistakes, and he needs to be booted out of Detroit. Why? Because even with Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace, and Tayshaun Prince the Pistons haven't won a championship since 2004. So he made it clear it was time for a change and traded off Chauncey Billups? Because people seem to think after a disappointing season that he just doesn't seem to care about the team anymore?This isn't just a business for Joe Dumars, this is his life. He loves Detroit and he loves the game of basketball. He is not, and will never be at the point where he doesn't care about the Pistons and start making decisions to purposely hurt the team.Joe had a vision then and still does. See, the Pistons right now are like the Michigan Wolverines. The Wolverines football team brought in a whole new system, and had to recruit all new players which takes more than two, three, or even four years to get the right pieces to the puzzle. Same goes for the Pistons. The Pistons are trying to get younger and faster but keep the defensive experience of Tayshaun Prince and Ben Wallace. It is going to take more than three years to rebuild a Pistons team to put them back into a Reebok Oakland Raiders #21 Nnamdi Asomugha Realtree camo Jersey
Championship contender.Dumars created a championship team once in 2004 and he can do it again! Fans, you need to be patient and give it time. Stop pointing fingers and saying we need to kick everyone out of Detroit just because they have an off game or an off season.Let's not hear anymore threats of firing Dumars or telling every player on the Pistons squad that they aren't good enough to be on the team. If we are injury free next season, we have a great chance to at least be a playoff contender. So be patient.
most recently: "Fire Joe Dumars."Fans have done nothing but point fingers at almost each and every player on the Pistons squad, saying that everyone has done something wrong and everyone needs to go, including Dumars.The biggest thing Pistons fans are so upset about are the signings of Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva. Okay sure, Charlie Villanueva averaged 12 points per game and Ben Gordon averaged 13.8 points per game, but neither of them stepped up as expected in their first year as a Piston. Big Deal.Villanueva only scored 2 points less per game this season than his career average, and Ben Gordon was sidelined about half the season with an ankle injury. In the last five games we saw a healthy Ben Gordon and what he can do. Averaging about 27 points per game (last 5 games), it shows a sign of something good to come next season for Detroit and Ben Gordon. Charlie Villanueva put his numbers back up to what he averages for his career at 13 points per game, and still has the ability to post up and shoot from long range.In my opinion, the signing of Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva was not a mistake. It all revolves around who plays best with who while on the court. Next season these two will be warmed up to the atmosphere in Detroit and will put up better numbers.Next we have Rip Hamilton. Everyone seems to think he and Ben Gordon cannot coincide. Everyone also thinks that because he groveled about coming off the bench last season behind Allen Iverson, he will do the same coming off the bench behind Ben Gordon. Of course, everyone thinks he should be traded as well, but everyone seems to think he is not a good player anymore and no team wants to take on his contract.Rip does have a big contract that doesn't expire until 2013, so that I agree with. But saying Rip is not a legit player? This guy averages around 18 points per game every season for the Pistons and still has an amazing almost automatic shot. Any team in the NBA would love to have Rip Hamilton on the squad and know what a shooting threat this guy is.Also, Rip Hamilton complained about coming off the bench last season behind Iverson because he was not getting playing time. With the way Kuester plays his bench, he gives the bench players a lot of playing time and would give Rip the minutes to still put up his 18 points per game. Rip then would be satisfied ESPECIALLY if it got them into the post season. Rip would be a GREAT player to come off the bench with Will Bynum and keep the offense going.On to Rodney Stuckey. I myself have had my ups and downs about Rodney Stuckey these past couple seasons, saying he should be traded away and that he is not a very good guard. But if you look at what this kid has done, and how much he has improved the past couple seasons, you may say otherwise. Sure he still needs to learn to pass the ball, and run the offense as well as Will Bynum, but he has the ability to drive it in and draw contact Reebok New York Jets #6 Mark Sanchez Realtree camo Jersey
and get to the Charity Stripe where he is an 83 percent shooter.Stuckey averaged about 17 points per game this season and 5 assists. He was the reason the Pistons we winning games when Gordon, Hamilton, and Prince were all injured. Sure he is a good trade prospect with an expiring contract in 2011, but I don't expect Joe Dumars to trade away the player he kept to replace Chauncey Billups. Stuckey only needs to improve a few things on his game and he will be a legitimate guard.Next up, Tayshaun Prince. This is a guy a lot of fans are hard on. "He's getting old and out of his prime," "He's too skinny," "He isn't a scorer," "He isn't all that good of a defender." Are you guys watching the same Tayshaun Prince I have been watching since 2002? This guy has been the heart and soul of the Detroit Pistons for the past 8 years.How can anyone say he isn't a great defender? Does everyone not remember the block he had on Reggie Miller in 2004 that was said to be the play to lead the Pistons to win the Championship, and is one of the most memorable defensive plays in the history of the game?Tayshun suffered an injury for the first time in his career and has reduced him to average around 13 points per game and 5 assists for the season. So automatically fans hit the sites again saying Tay has got to go! But once Prince got healthy he once again was the heart and soul of the team. Tayshaun has completely dominated these past few weeks of the season putting up around 18 points per game and playing amazing defense. Everyone wants to see Prince get traded but it will NOT happen unless the Pistons receive a player that is a better defender than Prince.Now to the biggest topic, Joe Dumars. Everyone is now pointing fingers at Joe Dumars saying he has made one too many mistakes, and he needs to be booted out of Detroit. Why? Because even with Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace, and Tayshaun Prince the Pistons haven't won a championship since 2004. So he made it clear it was time for a change and traded off Chauncey Billups? Because people seem to think after a disappointing season that he just doesn't seem to care about the team anymore?This isn't just a business for Joe Dumars, this is his life. He loves Detroit and he loves the game of basketball. He is not, and will never be at the point where he doesn't care about the Pistons and start making decisions to purposely hurt the team.Joe had a vision then and still does. See, the Pistons right now are like the Michigan Wolverines. The Wolverines football team brought in a whole new system, and had to recruit all new players which takes more than two, three, or even four years to get the right pieces to the puzzle. Same goes for the Pistons. The Pistons are trying to get younger and faster but keep the defensive experience of Tayshaun Prince and Ben Wallace. It is going to take more than three years to rebuild a Pistons team to put them back into a Reebok Oakland Raiders #21 Nnamdi Asomugha Realtree camo Jersey
Championship contender.Dumars created a championship team once in 2004 and he can do it again! Fans, you need to be patient and give it time. Stop pointing fingers and saying we need to kick everyone out of Detroit just because they have an off game or an off season.Let's not hear anymore threats of firing Dumars or telling every player on the Pistons squad that they aren't good enough to be on the team. If we are injury free next season, we have a great chance to at least be a playoff contender. So be patient.
2010年12月28日星期二
28 Dec 10 Deron Williams Is Flat Out the Best Point Guard on Earth
: Al Bello/Getty ImagesDespite Rajon Rondo and Steve Nash excellent performances last night, the fact remains that Deron Williams is simply the best point guard alive.Before you start writing angry Chris Paul rants in the comments section, let me say that Paul is my favorite point guard and that I think if he returns healthy he will regain his throne. But after the way he played at the end of this season, coming back from multiple leg injuries (including a very worrisome knee surgery), he has to prove he can still play his stratospheric level. Reebok New Orleans Saints #9 Drew Brees Realtree camo Jersey
What makes Williams so special, and what separates him from every other elite point guard in the game, is that he can excel in any style of play against any defender.In the full court, Williams devastating combination of size, speed, and control make him an absolute nightmare. His signature move, a full speed crossover he stole from Jason Kidd, allows him to get his broad shoulders past his defender so he can use his strength to finish at the rim or draw a foul.While Williams may look like a runaway train barreling down on defenders tied to the track, he always has his head up and rarely makes the wrong decision. His combination of physicality, control, and awareness, while moving at breakneck speed, is outstanding.Besides LeBron and Durant, there isn a more difficult player to stop once he gets a head of steam.When Paul explosiveness returns, he may have something to say about this.As for Nash and Rondo, they are primarily distributors in transition because they lack the strength and explosiveness to finish as consistently as Williams. Check out this dunk and tell me you disagree.In the half court, Williams benefits from a Utah offensive system that caters to his wide ranging abilities. Utah half court possessions usually go one of two ways.1) Deron Williams runs an excellent pick and roll with Boozer, Milsap, or Okur.2) Williams relinquishes the ball and becomes his team de facto shooting guard, sprinting off of screens and either dishing to cutters or elevating into his pure jumper.See the theme?Williams runs the pick-and-roll nearly as well as Chris Paul and Steve Nash because all three players can drive, dish, and shoot well enough to make the "p-n-r" action nearly unstoppable.But Deron is also the best catch and shoot point guard in the league.While Nash has a purer stroke and a slightly more consistent pull-up three, Williams ability to sprint off of picks a la Ray Allen and get great, balanced elevation under long distance shots separates him from Nash.Again, Nash has a Reebok New York Giants #27 Brandon Jacobs Realtree camo Jersey
purer stroke, but he cannot get it off at will the same way D-Will does. This skill is where Williams separates himself from other explosive guards as well.Rondo, Westbrook, and Rose can be left alone, or at least given a significant cushion, when behind the three-point line. This simply makes them easier to defend, especially in the half court.If you had to stop Williams, what weakness would you point to?He doesn turn the ball over like Steve Nash, he never disappears from a game like Rose, Rondo, or Westbrook, and he has the wheels to blow past any player big enough to handle him, unlike the slowing Billups.Aside from the currently weakened Paul, he has no equal.Next time you watch Williams, try to count the possessions that he wastes, not just with turnovers but with bad shots or passes that find ill-equipped teammates late in the shot clock. Williams not only has elite abilities, he is a consummate floor general.As much as I love Nash, who I think is second in line as the league best maestro, I can look past his inability to lock up big or quick guards or his propensity to cough the ball up to long armed defenders.Like Williams, Nash plays in an offensive system that hides his weaknesses and emphasizes his strengths.Nash isn really a bad defender, and he works hard to stay in front of his man, but just about any guard can shoot over him with ease, and the quickest PGs in the league turn his ankles to soup.Williams, on the other hand, can not only guard Westbrook, Rose, and Rondo, but also Kobe, Pierce, and Joe Johnson.Being critical, the main knocks on Williams are that he doesn have elite quickness and gets padded assist numbers by dishing to shooters coming off of screens rather than creating the shots himself. He often gets to the line through a very annoying move in which he basically drives straight into his defender and tosses up a shot while yelling bail me out!But this season, and especially this postseason, Williams has entered himself into the top three or four players in the NBA.My top five (in order) are LeBron, Wade, Williams, Howard, and Duncan (not happy with Howard so far this postseason, but he scores an average of 18 points and is the most intimidating/best defender in the league).Before you protest, answer this: In a Game Seven, tied ball game, with five minutes left in the fourth, what point guard would you want orchestrating your finish?Keep in mind that you know nothing about who playing well on your team, the pace of the game, or who your Reebok New York Jets #6 Mark Sanchez Realtree camo Jersey
point guard defender is.You would want a player with a steady disposition that will keep his teammates calm.You would want a player who can score in a variety of ways and is physical enough to earn cheap points at the line, but skilled enough to make three-pointers with a hand in his face.You would want someone who could score no matter what the defense chose to take away and who wouldn be a liability on defense.And you would want a guy with balls as big as Texas, a guy you can trust to find and make
What makes Williams so special, and what separates him from every other elite point guard in the game, is that he can excel in any style of play against any defender.In the full court, Williams devastating combination of size, speed, and control make him an absolute nightmare. His signature move, a full speed crossover he stole from Jason Kidd, allows him to get his broad shoulders past his defender so he can use his strength to finish at the rim or draw a foul.While Williams may look like a runaway train barreling down on defenders tied to the track, he always has his head up and rarely makes the wrong decision. His combination of physicality, control, and awareness, while moving at breakneck speed, is outstanding.Besides LeBron and Durant, there isn a more difficult player to stop once he gets a head of steam.When Paul explosiveness returns, he may have something to say about this.As for Nash and Rondo, they are primarily distributors in transition because they lack the strength and explosiveness to finish as consistently as Williams. Check out this dunk and tell me you disagree.In the half court, Williams benefits from a Utah offensive system that caters to his wide ranging abilities. Utah half court possessions usually go one of two ways.1) Deron Williams runs an excellent pick and roll with Boozer, Milsap, or Okur.2) Williams relinquishes the ball and becomes his team de facto shooting guard, sprinting off of screens and either dishing to cutters or elevating into his pure jumper.See the theme?Williams runs the pick-and-roll nearly as well as Chris Paul and Steve Nash because all three players can drive, dish, and shoot well enough to make the "p-n-r" action nearly unstoppable.But Deron is also the best catch and shoot point guard in the league.While Nash has a purer stroke and a slightly more consistent pull-up three, Williams ability to sprint off of picks a la Ray Allen and get great, balanced elevation under long distance shots separates him from Nash.Again, Nash has a Reebok New York Giants #27 Brandon Jacobs Realtree camo Jersey
purer stroke, but he cannot get it off at will the same way D-Will does. This skill is where Williams separates himself from other explosive guards as well.Rondo, Westbrook, and Rose can be left alone, or at least given a significant cushion, when behind the three-point line. This simply makes them easier to defend, especially in the half court.If you had to stop Williams, what weakness would you point to?He doesn turn the ball over like Steve Nash, he never disappears from a game like Rose, Rondo, or Westbrook, and he has the wheels to blow past any player big enough to handle him, unlike the slowing Billups.Aside from the currently weakened Paul, he has no equal.Next time you watch Williams, try to count the possessions that he wastes, not just with turnovers but with bad shots or passes that find ill-equipped teammates late in the shot clock. Williams not only has elite abilities, he is a consummate floor general.As much as I love Nash, who I think is second in line as the league best maestro, I can look past his inability to lock up big or quick guards or his propensity to cough the ball up to long armed defenders.Like Williams, Nash plays in an offensive system that hides his weaknesses and emphasizes his strengths.Nash isn really a bad defender, and he works hard to stay in front of his man, but just about any guard can shoot over him with ease, and the quickest PGs in the league turn his ankles to soup.Williams, on the other hand, can not only guard Westbrook, Rose, and Rondo, but also Kobe, Pierce, and Joe Johnson.Being critical, the main knocks on Williams are that he doesn have elite quickness and gets padded assist numbers by dishing to shooters coming off of screens rather than creating the shots himself. He often gets to the line through a very annoying move in which he basically drives straight into his defender and tosses up a shot while yelling bail me out!But this season, and especially this postseason, Williams has entered himself into the top three or four players in the NBA.My top five (in order) are LeBron, Wade, Williams, Howard, and Duncan (not happy with Howard so far this postseason, but he scores an average of 18 points and is the most intimidating/best defender in the league).Before you protest, answer this: In a Game Seven, tied ball game, with five minutes left in the fourth, what point guard would you want orchestrating your finish?Keep in mind that you know nothing about who playing well on your team, the pace of the game, or who your Reebok New York Jets #6 Mark Sanchez Realtree camo Jersey
point guard defender is.You would want a player with a steady disposition that will keep his teammates calm.You would want a player who can score in a variety of ways and is physical enough to earn cheap points at the line, but skilled enough to make three-pointers with a hand in his face.You would want someone who could score no matter what the defense chose to take away and who wouldn be a liability on defense.And you would want a guy with balls as big as Texas, a guy you can trust to find and make
2010年12月27日星期一
27 Dec 10 Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns, Need to Show Effort Against Lakers
Harry How/Getty ImagesThe Suns could use a lucky game from Amare Stoudemire.Instead, Stoudemire has proved that players who bark through the press before a game usually don't have much bite to begin with.Especially on defense.After calling Lamar Odom's 19-point, 19-rebound game "lucky" (lightening must have struck twice, because Odom had 17 and 11 in Game Two) and referring to Gasol's unsuccessful sojourn in Memphis, Stoudemire predictably didn't back it up when it mattered.Instead, his two verbal victims made Reebok Dallas Cowboys #82 Jason Witten Realtree camo Jersey
a real victim out of Stoudemire.It's confounding. For a couple months, Stoudemire was playing adequate defense. He rotated, held his ground, moved his feet, acted like he cared. In the first two games of this series, he looks like a guy who's confident he's already earned his max contract.Pau Gasol is a skilled big man with great footwork, but it's not like he can out-muscle Amare. Not that he has to. Amare isn't even bothering to give Gasol a customary bump when the Spaniard rolls to the basket.It's like a one-on-one version of the World vs. Team USA circa 2004. Unmotivated talent versus passionate skill. No mystery as to which wins out.In a way, maybe Odom is lucky. He and L.A. have to feel fortunate with Stoudemire, and most of his teammates, not giving give a crap in the effort areas the shorter Suns need mostdefense and rebounding.Stoudemire's interest of the game is there only when the opportunity to score precedes it. It wasn't like that before the Lakers' series, and I can't help but wonder if this unexpected trip to the conference finals has made Amare complacent with his future.I don't buy the garbage Lakers fans have said about the Suns not being able to play defense in general. In the second and third quarters, Phoenix showed they couldwhen Reebok Dallas Cowboys #9 Tony Romo Realtree camo Jersey
they care.For two quarters out of eight, they (the bench, anyway) have cared. For two quarters out of eight, they've run out to Laker shooters with urgency instead of apathy. For two quarters out of eight, they've given a s***.And in those two quarters, Phoenix outscored the Lakers by 11 points combined.There comes a point when a period of good play comes to an end. During that feel-good time frame, it's easy to do the little things, because everyone has a blast winning.When the reality check comes, and the bubble is burst, championship teams (and franchise players) grit their teeth and do the ugly things to get to the team's next peak.The Suns, except for a couple quarters and a couple players in Game Two, aren't doing that.Amare Stoudemire, he who wants the max, is the biggest culpritalthough Channing Frye is running a close second.There was a play in the last two minutes that told the whole story. The game was 98 percent sewn up, but Steve Nash pulled up for a three. The telling scene was just after the threeNash tried to Reebok Denver Broncos #15 Tim Tebow Realtree camo Jersey
follow his shot and jumped as high as a white Canadian could for the rebound. Obviously he didn't get it.Stoudemire? He was lounging 20 feet away from the basket after exerting zero interest in his potential team-leading seventh rebound.'Nuff said.
a real victim out of Stoudemire.It's confounding. For a couple months, Stoudemire was playing adequate defense. He rotated, held his ground, moved his feet, acted like he cared. In the first two games of this series, he looks like a guy who's confident he's already earned his max contract.Pau Gasol is a skilled big man with great footwork, but it's not like he can out-muscle Amare. Not that he has to. Amare isn't even bothering to give Gasol a customary bump when the Spaniard rolls to the basket.It's like a one-on-one version of the World vs. Team USA circa 2004. Unmotivated talent versus passionate skill. No mystery as to which wins out.In a way, maybe Odom is lucky. He and L.A. have to feel fortunate with Stoudemire, and most of his teammates, not giving give a crap in the effort areas the shorter Suns need mostdefense and rebounding.Stoudemire's interest of the game is there only when the opportunity to score precedes it. It wasn't like that before the Lakers' series, and I can't help but wonder if this unexpected trip to the conference finals has made Amare complacent with his future.I don't buy the garbage Lakers fans have said about the Suns not being able to play defense in general. In the second and third quarters, Phoenix showed they couldwhen Reebok Dallas Cowboys #9 Tony Romo Realtree camo Jersey
they care.For two quarters out of eight, they (the bench, anyway) have cared. For two quarters out of eight, they've run out to Laker shooters with urgency instead of apathy. For two quarters out of eight, they've given a s***.And in those two quarters, Phoenix outscored the Lakers by 11 points combined.There comes a point when a period of good play comes to an end. During that feel-good time frame, it's easy to do the little things, because everyone has a blast winning.When the reality check comes, and the bubble is burst, championship teams (and franchise players) grit their teeth and do the ugly things to get to the team's next peak.The Suns, except for a couple quarters and a couple players in Game Two, aren't doing that.Amare Stoudemire, he who wants the max, is the biggest culpritalthough Channing Frye is running a close second.There was a play in the last two minutes that told the whole story. The game was 98 percent sewn up, but Steve Nash pulled up for a three. The telling scene was just after the threeNash tried to Reebok Denver Broncos #15 Tim Tebow Realtree camo Jersey
follow his shot and jumped as high as a white Canadian could for the rebound. Obviously he didn't get it.Stoudemire? He was lounging 20 feet away from the basket after exerting zero interest in his potential team-leading seventh rebound.'Nuff said.
2010年12月26日星期日
26 Dec 10 Boston Celtics Put an End to Magic Tricks: Massacre in Boston
I've already had enough folks; if I have to read the pseudonym, moniker, or whatever the hell you classify "Krypto-Nate" as much more, I'm going to gouge my eyes out with a spork. It's not that Nate wasn't fantastic while making Doc look like the second coming of Nostradomus. Basically it just sucks as a nickname and I want to kill the beast before it gains power, okay?Whew, alright...back to the game. I guess maybe Matt Barnes was a tad off when he described the situation as "we've got a foot on their throats." The Celtics were Philadelphia Eagles jersey
once again, finally , the team from the first three games of the seriessuffocating defense and great ball movement combined with bench performances above and beyond the call of duty.Let's talk Kevin Garnett a moment, as I was searching for a picture of himdelivering those forearm shivers to DwightHoward. If I were a Magic fan, I'd be hating me some KG right now. But to be fair (and potentially biased), Dwight looked as though initially he was gripping Garnett's side with vise-like intensity. Try it on yourself, it hurts!I mean, it's not like Kevin went out of the way to try and hide what he was doing. In fact, it looked almost as though he tried to alert the ref, kind of a "get this motha#@* off of me man" type deal. Then he delivered the blow, and when Dwight tried to get back in the saddleKG gave himanother one for good measure. If youforcedme tochoose between a play like that or the tentative, "don't wanna get the refs started" type defense the rest of the team played on Superbow to that point, I'll take the fire and passion every time.Passion vs dirty, the age-old debate usually decided by which end of it your guy is on. I'll tell you what wasn't debatable; the Celtics played a far superior brand of basketball in game six. Credit Doc Rivers for keeping the depths of the bench mentally ready. I can't remember the last time I saw a player with as few playoff minutes as Nate Robinson have that kind of impact in a series-deciding game. You could sense after the first one went in for him that he had it going, and little big manwas strong on both ends of the floor.Onward to a gentleman who's had it going all series long, Paul Pierce. O captain, my captain, way to show up big in the spotlight, boy. Dude outscored and outrebounded the "most dominant"Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
center in the league when said center had his back against the proverbial wall. From hitting threes to creating his own shot, to timely steals, the Truth was in full effect in Beantown Friday night. He's starting to look suspiciously like the guy who was the best player in the '08 playoffs, and his timing is impeccable.Ray and Rajon were finally good for an entire game. Ray's been MIA for awhile now. Rajon started off strong in particular; he looked like he had his swag back and was on his way to filling up the ol' stat sheet until that tough fall that gave Nate his shot to get meaningful minutes. From my perspective, Ray's been a tad on the feast or famine side this postseason, I'd much rather see him consistently get 15-17 points instead of either 20+ or 5-9. Either way, when that guy is on there's not a prettier shot in the NBA.I'll tell you one thing that it's great to not be discussing today, and that's the officiating. I can handle my team losingfor Pete's sake, it's only a game. When I get heated is when the refs steal the show, and intentionally or not decide the outcome of a game. There may have been a few missed calls either way last night, but nothing so egregious it sticksin the mind the next day. If I'dhad to endure another one-way touch foul calling, phony technical foul plagued game either team's way last nightI would have taken a beer fueled dive through the picturewindow in the living room. In short, thank goodness the officials got one right.It's funny watching this 24/7 sports media swing back and forth like a pendulum in a grandfather clock. Three games in and the Celtics were the second coming, two wins later the sky is falling and Orlando's got the "magic" to pull off what 93 other teams couldn't.Meanwhile, coach Doc Rivers stays the course and reminds his team that this starting five has never lost a playoff series! That's quite the stat and one that I was completely blindsided by. Here's to hoping they keep that streak alive. Time for a little role play. if I were a Magic fan: If I were a Magic fan, I'd probably want Stan Van Gundy canned. He seems to overplay the "screaming Ron Jeremy clone" card, and I think the team tunes him out at times. I'd want to send V.C. and Rashard Lewis packing; Lewis in particular as I think Dwight would be helped by the presence of a more conventional "four" starting with him (although the only thing Vinceenhanced this series was hisrep for being a choke artist).I'd be reasonably happy with Dwight's intensity and the way it picked up over the second half of the series. I'd stillwant to see the smiles andjovial attitude with the opposition before the game toned down more (I read somewhere that he tried to fist bump KG before the game and got rejected). Most of San Diego Chargers jersey
all, I'd be puzzled by the enigma that is Jameer Nelson. He's a shorter point guard with a game that more resembles a shooting guard in my opinion. Some games he looks like a world-beater, and some games he gets an other-wordly beating. In general the roster the Magic have, while talented, is embodied by Jameer's inconsistencies and possible flaws.Well, it's off to the NBA Finals for the Celtics and their fans. Personally, I don't care who they play, as each Western Conference team presents such unique threats and matchups that neither can clearly be said to be more favorable. If the Celtics can maintain their hunger, focus, and intensity I have a hard time seeing either team beat them in a seven game series. Are the Lakers sexier? Are the Suns a more "feel good" story? Yes and yes, but once you get on the court nobody embodies "team" more than this bunch of storied veterans, cast-offs, and rising stars hailing from Beantown. C'mon C's, close the deal and let's get that record 18th championship banner!
once again, finally , the team from the first three games of the seriessuffocating defense and great ball movement combined with bench performances above and beyond the call of duty.Let's talk Kevin Garnett a moment, as I was searching for a picture of himdelivering those forearm shivers to DwightHoward. If I were a Magic fan, I'd be hating me some KG right now. But to be fair (and potentially biased), Dwight looked as though initially he was gripping Garnett's side with vise-like intensity. Try it on yourself, it hurts!I mean, it's not like Kevin went out of the way to try and hide what he was doing. In fact, it looked almost as though he tried to alert the ref, kind of a "get this motha#@* off of me man" type deal. Then he delivered the blow, and when Dwight tried to get back in the saddleKG gave himanother one for good measure. If youforcedme tochoose between a play like that or the tentative, "don't wanna get the refs started" type defense the rest of the team played on Superbow to that point, I'll take the fire and passion every time.Passion vs dirty, the age-old debate usually decided by which end of it your guy is on. I'll tell you what wasn't debatable; the Celtics played a far superior brand of basketball in game six. Credit Doc Rivers for keeping the depths of the bench mentally ready. I can't remember the last time I saw a player with as few playoff minutes as Nate Robinson have that kind of impact in a series-deciding game. You could sense after the first one went in for him that he had it going, and little big manwas strong on both ends of the floor.Onward to a gentleman who's had it going all series long, Paul Pierce. O captain, my captain, way to show up big in the spotlight, boy. Dude outscored and outrebounded the "most dominant"Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
center in the league when said center had his back against the proverbial wall. From hitting threes to creating his own shot, to timely steals, the Truth was in full effect in Beantown Friday night. He's starting to look suspiciously like the guy who was the best player in the '08 playoffs, and his timing is impeccable.Ray and Rajon were finally good for an entire game. Ray's been MIA for awhile now. Rajon started off strong in particular; he looked like he had his swag back and was on his way to filling up the ol' stat sheet until that tough fall that gave Nate his shot to get meaningful minutes. From my perspective, Ray's been a tad on the feast or famine side this postseason, I'd much rather see him consistently get 15-17 points instead of either 20+ or 5-9. Either way, when that guy is on there's not a prettier shot in the NBA.I'll tell you one thing that it's great to not be discussing today, and that's the officiating. I can handle my team losingfor Pete's sake, it's only a game. When I get heated is when the refs steal the show, and intentionally or not decide the outcome of a game. There may have been a few missed calls either way last night, but nothing so egregious it sticksin the mind the next day. If I'dhad to endure another one-way touch foul calling, phony technical foul plagued game either team's way last nightI would have taken a beer fueled dive through the picturewindow in the living room. In short, thank goodness the officials got one right.It's funny watching this 24/7 sports media swing back and forth like a pendulum in a grandfather clock. Three games in and the Celtics were the second coming, two wins later the sky is falling and Orlando's got the "magic" to pull off what 93 other teams couldn't.Meanwhile, coach Doc Rivers stays the course and reminds his team that this starting five has never lost a playoff series! That's quite the stat and one that I was completely blindsided by. Here's to hoping they keep that streak alive. Time for a little role play. if I were a Magic fan: If I were a Magic fan, I'd probably want Stan Van Gundy canned. He seems to overplay the "screaming Ron Jeremy clone" card, and I think the team tunes him out at times. I'd want to send V.C. and Rashard Lewis packing; Lewis in particular as I think Dwight would be helped by the presence of a more conventional "four" starting with him (although the only thing Vinceenhanced this series was hisrep for being a choke artist).I'd be reasonably happy with Dwight's intensity and the way it picked up over the second half of the series. I'd stillwant to see the smiles andjovial attitude with the opposition before the game toned down more (I read somewhere that he tried to fist bump KG before the game and got rejected). Most of San Diego Chargers jersey
all, I'd be puzzled by the enigma that is Jameer Nelson. He's a shorter point guard with a game that more resembles a shooting guard in my opinion. Some games he looks like a world-beater, and some games he gets an other-wordly beating. In general the roster the Magic have, while talented, is embodied by Jameer's inconsistencies and possible flaws.Well, it's off to the NBA Finals for the Celtics and their fans. Personally, I don't care who they play, as each Western Conference team presents such unique threats and matchups that neither can clearly be said to be more favorable. If the Celtics can maintain their hunger, focus, and intensity I have a hard time seeing either team beat them in a seven game series. Are the Lakers sexier? Are the Suns a more "feel good" story? Yes and yes, but once you get on the court nobody embodies "team" more than this bunch of storied veterans, cast-offs, and rising stars hailing from Beantown. C'mon C's, close the deal and let's get that record 18th championship banner!
2010年12月25日星期六
25 Dec 10 Nets vs. Hawks: New Jersey Plays Well, but Hot Atlanta Team Just Too Much
(AP Photo/John Bazemore)The Atlanta Hawks may be without their highest-paid player in Joe Johnson, but they've been playing incredibly well lately and their hot play continued against the New Jersey Nets Tuesday night, winning 116-101.The Nets put forth a good effort, really one of their best in a while, but the combination of Josh Smith, Jamal Crawford and Al Horford was too much to overcome.With Smith consistently hitting outside shots, he proved nearly unstoppable, scoring 34 points on a 14-of-16 shooting night. He also hit 2-of-2 three-point attempts, a good numberDetroit Lions
for him, adding in seven assists, three rebounds and two blocks.Horford and Crawford combined for 50 points on 63 percent shooting. Horford also had 10 rebounds while Crawford dished out six assists.As a team, the Hawks shot 60 percent from the floor. They're actually playing better without Johnson than they were with him, helped by an added emphasis on ball-sharing and equal opportunities in terms of shot attempts.No Atlanta player put up more than 18 shots, with Horford being the only one to total that many.The Hawks have also figured out that Horford is much more suited to play power forward than center, which has enabled Smith to move to small forward, where he will have a size and strength advantage over most of his competition.Rookie Damion James played well against the Hawks. His minutes and quality of play have been steadily increasing. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)Even though they lost, the Nets played well in this one.They were at 47 percent shooting, and got major contributions from Devin Harris and Brook Lopez.Lopez scored 24 points and got to the free throw line 11 times, while Harris tallied 18 points, handed out 13 assists and attempted 16 free throws of his own.Damion James, whom the Nets acquired from Atlanta in a draft-day trade, saw significant minutes and produced. He replaced Travis Outlaw; actually playing more off the bench than the starter; mainly due to his superior size.Outlaw is taller than James, but the rookie is noticeably thicker than Outlaw. Smith was Green Bay Packers jersey
able to push Outlaw around whenever he was guarded by him, and James provided more resistance.James ended up scoring 10 points, pulling down five rebounds in the process, and was the only player with more than 15 minutes on the positive side of the plus/minus stat (the team's net points when a player is on the floor).Jordan Farmar also played well, his confidence at an all-time high.New Jersey had its chances in this one. They fought back from a double-digit fourth quarter deficit to get within five with under five minutes to play.The real undoing of the team was the second quarter. After going on an 8-0 run early in the period to go up 36-29, the Nets were outscored 31-11 the rest of the way.Overall, Brook Lopez and the rest of the Nets played well and fought hard. They were just overmatched in this one. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)That stretch was ultimately the reason New Jersey lost the game, as they played hard throughout and never backed down from what is, in reality, a superior team.The Hawks are, simply put, too good for the Nets right now. If they can play so unselfishly once Johnson returns, they could pose a major threat to Boston, Orlando and Miami in the Eastern Conference playoffs.New Jersey will have a day to recover before playing in Dallas Houston Texans jersey
on Thursday; Avery Johnson's first game against the team he coached to the Finals in 2006.It's a mismatch on paper, but if the team can play with enough energy, heart and hustle, they could sneak away with a win. A significant contribution from the returning Terrence Williams wouldn't hurt.
for him, adding in seven assists, three rebounds and two blocks.Horford and Crawford combined for 50 points on 63 percent shooting. Horford also had 10 rebounds while Crawford dished out six assists.As a team, the Hawks shot 60 percent from the floor. They're actually playing better without Johnson than they were with him, helped by an added emphasis on ball-sharing and equal opportunities in terms of shot attempts.No Atlanta player put up more than 18 shots, with Horford being the only one to total that many.The Hawks have also figured out that Horford is much more suited to play power forward than center, which has enabled Smith to move to small forward, where he will have a size and strength advantage over most of his competition.Rookie Damion James played well against the Hawks. His minutes and quality of play have been steadily increasing. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)Even though they lost, the Nets played well in this one.They were at 47 percent shooting, and got major contributions from Devin Harris and Brook Lopez.Lopez scored 24 points and got to the free throw line 11 times, while Harris tallied 18 points, handed out 13 assists and attempted 16 free throws of his own.Damion James, whom the Nets acquired from Atlanta in a draft-day trade, saw significant minutes and produced. He replaced Travis Outlaw; actually playing more off the bench than the starter; mainly due to his superior size.Outlaw is taller than James, but the rookie is noticeably thicker than Outlaw. Smith was Green Bay Packers jersey
able to push Outlaw around whenever he was guarded by him, and James provided more resistance.James ended up scoring 10 points, pulling down five rebounds in the process, and was the only player with more than 15 minutes on the positive side of the plus/minus stat (the team's net points when a player is on the floor).Jordan Farmar also played well, his confidence at an all-time high.New Jersey had its chances in this one. They fought back from a double-digit fourth quarter deficit to get within five with under five minutes to play.The real undoing of the team was the second quarter. After going on an 8-0 run early in the period to go up 36-29, the Nets were outscored 31-11 the rest of the way.Overall, Brook Lopez and the rest of the Nets played well and fought hard. They were just overmatched in this one. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)That stretch was ultimately the reason New Jersey lost the game, as they played hard throughout and never backed down from what is, in reality, a superior team.The Hawks are, simply put, too good for the Nets right now. If they can play so unselfishly once Johnson returns, they could pose a major threat to Boston, Orlando and Miami in the Eastern Conference playoffs.New Jersey will have a day to recover before playing in Dallas Houston Texans jersey
on Thursday; Avery Johnson's first game against the team he coached to the Finals in 2006.It's a mismatch on paper, but if the team can play with enough energy, heart and hustle, they could sneak away with a win. A significant contribution from the returning Terrence Williams wouldn't hurt.
25 Dec 10 Nets vs. Hawks: New Jersey Plays Well, but Hot Atlanta Team Just Too Much
(AP Photo/John Bazemore)The Atlanta Hawks may be without their highest-paid player in Joe Johnson, but they've been playing incredibly well lately and their hot play continued against the New Jersey Nets Tuesday night, winning 116-101.The Nets put forth a good effort, really one of their best in a while, but the combination of Josh Smith, Jamal Crawford and Al Horford was too much to overcome.With Smith consistently hitting outside shots, he proved nearly unstoppable, scoring 34 points on a 14-of-16 shooting night. He also hit 2-of-2 three-point attempts, a good numberDetroit Lions
for him, adding in seven assists, three rebounds and two blocks.Horford and Crawford combined for 50 points on 63 percent shooting. Horford also had 10 rebounds while Crawford dished out six assists.As a team, the Hawks shot 60 percent from the floor. They're actually playing better without Johnson than they were with him, helped by an added emphasis on ball-sharing and equal opportunities in terms of shot attempts.No Atlanta player put up more than 18 shots, with Horford being the only one to total that many.The Hawks have also figured out that Horford is much more suited to play power forward than center, which has enabled Smith to move to small forward, where he will have a size and strength advantage over most of his competition.Rookie Damion James played well against the Hawks. His minutes and quality of play have been steadily increasing. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)Even though they lost, the Nets played well in this one.They were at 47 percent shooting, and got major contributions from Devin Harris and Brook Lopez.Lopez scored 24 points and got to the free throw line 11 times, while Harris tallied 18 points, handed out 13 assists and attempted 16 free throws of his own.Damion James, whom the Nets acquired from Atlanta in a draft-day trade, saw significant minutes and produced. He replaced Travis Outlaw; actually playing more off the bench than the starter; mainly due to his superior size.Outlaw is taller than James, but the rookie is noticeably thicker than Outlaw. Smith was Green Bay Packers jersey
able to push Outlaw around whenever he was guarded by him, and James provided more resistance.James ended up scoring 10 points, pulling down five rebounds in the process, and was the only player with more than 15 minutes on the positive side of the plus/minus stat (the team's net points when a player is on the floor).Jordan Farmar also played well, his confidence at an all-time high.New Jersey had its chances in this one. They fought back from a double-digit fourth quarter deficit to get within five with under five minutes to play.The real undoing of the team was the second quarter. After going on an 8-0 run early in the period to go up 36-29, the Nets were outscored 31-11 the rest of the way.Overall, Brook Lopez and the rest of the Nets played well and fought hard. They were just overmatched in this one. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)That stretch was ultimately the reason New Jersey lost the game, as they played hard throughout and never backed down from what is, in reality, a superior team.The Hawks are, simply put, too good for the Nets right now. If they can play so unselfishly once Johnson returns, they could pose a major threat to Boston, Orlando and Miami in the Eastern Conference playoffs.New Jersey will have a day to recover before playing in Dallas Houston Texans jersey
on Thursday; Avery Johnson's first game against the team he coached to the Finals in 2006.It's a mismatch on paper, but if the team can play with enough energy, heart and hustle, they could sneak away with a win. A significant contribution from the returning Terrence Williams wouldn't hurt.
for him, adding in seven assists, three rebounds and two blocks.Horford and Crawford combined for 50 points on 63 percent shooting. Horford also had 10 rebounds while Crawford dished out six assists.As a team, the Hawks shot 60 percent from the floor. They're actually playing better without Johnson than they were with him, helped by an added emphasis on ball-sharing and equal opportunities in terms of shot attempts.No Atlanta player put up more than 18 shots, with Horford being the only one to total that many.The Hawks have also figured out that Horford is much more suited to play power forward than center, which has enabled Smith to move to small forward, where he will have a size and strength advantage over most of his competition.Rookie Damion James played well against the Hawks. His minutes and quality of play have been steadily increasing. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)Even though they lost, the Nets played well in this one.They were at 47 percent shooting, and got major contributions from Devin Harris and Brook Lopez.Lopez scored 24 points and got to the free throw line 11 times, while Harris tallied 18 points, handed out 13 assists and attempted 16 free throws of his own.Damion James, whom the Nets acquired from Atlanta in a draft-day trade, saw significant minutes and produced. He replaced Travis Outlaw; actually playing more off the bench than the starter; mainly due to his superior size.Outlaw is taller than James, but the rookie is noticeably thicker than Outlaw. Smith was Green Bay Packers jersey
able to push Outlaw around whenever he was guarded by him, and James provided more resistance.James ended up scoring 10 points, pulling down five rebounds in the process, and was the only player with more than 15 minutes on the positive side of the plus/minus stat (the team's net points when a player is on the floor).Jordan Farmar also played well, his confidence at an all-time high.New Jersey had its chances in this one. They fought back from a double-digit fourth quarter deficit to get within five with under five minutes to play.The real undoing of the team was the second quarter. After going on an 8-0 run early in the period to go up 36-29, the Nets were outscored 31-11 the rest of the way.Overall, Brook Lopez and the rest of the Nets played well and fought hard. They were just overmatched in this one. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)That stretch was ultimately the reason New Jersey lost the game, as they played hard throughout and never backed down from what is, in reality, a superior team.The Hawks are, simply put, too good for the Nets right now. If they can play so unselfishly once Johnson returns, they could pose a major threat to Boston, Orlando and Miami in the Eastern Conference playoffs.New Jersey will have a day to recover before playing in Dallas Houston Texans jersey
on Thursday; Avery Johnson's first game against the team he coached to the Finals in 2006.It's a mismatch on paper, but if the team can play with enough energy, heart and hustle, they could sneak away with a win. A significant contribution from the returning Terrence Williams wouldn't hurt.
2010年12月24日星期五
24 Dec 10 Washington Wizards: The Backlash from Gilbert Arenas' "Generous Offer"
Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesWizards G Gilbert Arenas faked a knee injury to help backup G Nick Young. Young was expressing his frustration on not getting enough time playing, so Arenas, the All-Star guard, faked a knee injury, and Young got more playing time.But, as Gilbert had to be Gilbert, Minnesota Vikings
he told the media he was faking the knee injury. Now, backlash ensues.Arenas, in a meaningless preseason game, suffered a real injury, a pulled or strained hamstring, in a game versus the Milwaukee Bucks. Now, as G Nick Young gets more playing time, Arenas is hurt again. He now has to face the backlash. As the Wizards are still playing behind their No. 1 draft pick, John Wall, they are behind their most famous and infamous player (at the moment).Now, I am sure that EVERY NBA player wants to earn their own way on to the court, so we can only speculate as to how Young is feeling. Maybe he is flattered by Arenas' "selfless" actions, or perhaps insulted that Arenas had to fake a knee injury to get into a game.Now only time will tell how head coach Flip Saunders will handle this New England Patriots jersey
situation fully, but we can be certain that it will most likely be taken into a negative light because of Gilbert's past actions. Could Saunders' head be on the chopping block? Could the artist formerly known as "Agent 0," be packing his bags to a new organization?Only time, or actions or health, can tell...
he told the media he was faking the knee injury. Now, backlash ensues.Arenas, in a meaningless preseason game, suffered a real injury, a pulled or strained hamstring, in a game versus the Milwaukee Bucks. Now, as G Nick Young gets more playing time, Arenas is hurt again. He now has to face the backlash. As the Wizards are still playing behind their No. 1 draft pick, John Wall, they are behind their most famous and infamous player (at the moment).Now, I am sure that EVERY NBA player wants to earn their own way on to the court, so we can only speculate as to how Young is feeling. Maybe he is flattered by Arenas' "selfless" actions, or perhaps insulted that Arenas had to fake a knee injury to get into a game.Now only time will tell how head coach Flip Saunders will handle this New England Patriots jersey
situation fully, but we can be certain that it will most likely be taken into a negative light because of Gilbert's past actions. Could Saunders' head be on the chopping block? Could the artist formerly known as "Agent 0," be packing his bags to a new organization?Only time, or actions or health, can tell...
2010年12月23日星期四
23 Dec 10New Jersey Nets vs. Sacramento Kings: Turnovers, Offensive Rebounds Kill NJ
Evans led the Kings in scoring with 20. (Photo by Don Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)The New Jersey Nets fell to the Sacramento Kings 86-81 Friday night, due mostly to their turnovers and the many second-chance opportunities given to the Kings.The Nets had 17 turnovers on the night, seven of Reebok Minnesota Vikings #4 Brett Favre Realtree camo Jersey
them coming from Devin Harris who had his first truly bad game of the season.Harris went just 3-of-12 for 10 points. He did have eight assists, but they were negated by his turnovers.Brook Lopez struggled as well, scoring just seven points while going 3-for-9. He finally hit double-digits in rebounds with 10, but just as Harris' turnovers cancel out his assists, Lopez's inability to score greatly reduces his overall value in this game.For the team, their recent turnover binge is discouraging given that they had been improving in that department prior to this road trip. More on that at the end of the week.The other main factor in this loss was the Kings' offensive rebounding.The Nets again failed to effectively box out, tonight allowing Sacramento to grab 18 offensive boards.New Jersey has quietly been one of the better defensive teams in the NBA this year, and tonight they held the Kings to 43 percent shooting.The defensive effort was undermined, however, by the repeated second chances the Nets allowed.Cousins was not great, but did his job rebounding against a team that passed on him in the draft. (Photo by Don Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)It's a very good sign that this team is getting after it on defense, but, by failing to properly and consistently box out opposing players, all that work goes to waste.Anthony Morrow and Kris Humphries had good games, combing for 35 points on 77 percent shooting, with Humphries adding in 10 rebounds.Of course, Morrow's nice game means Travis Outlaw had a bad one, 5-ofReebok Minnesota Vikings #69 Jared Allen Realtree camo Jersey
-12 and 1-for-5 on threes for 13 points, as the two just cannot seem to play well at the same time.I will look into this issue more deeply after tomorrow night's game. I want to see if this continues, but will explore the trend at greater length regardless.Outlaw was also not the only player who struggled on his threes, as the team as a whole was 2-of-11 from beyond the arc.It seems the three-point shooting that had been a strength for the team through the early part of this season has failed them in their last two games.For Sacramento, Tyreke Evans led the way with 20 points, although it took him 21 shots to get those points as he was at 38 percent.Carl Landry and Beno Udrih were also in double-figures with 15 and 12, respectively. Udrih hit a three in the final seconds that would Reebok New England Patriots #12 Tom Brady Realtree camo Jersey
essentially ice the game.DeMarcus Cousins was their leading rebounder with 10.The Nets will have to get over this loss quickly as they play Denver Saturday night.It will be Carmelo Anthony's first game this season against the team he could end up playing for.
them coming from Devin Harris who had his first truly bad game of the season.Harris went just 3-of-12 for 10 points. He did have eight assists, but they were negated by his turnovers.Brook Lopez struggled as well, scoring just seven points while going 3-for-9. He finally hit double-digits in rebounds with 10, but just as Harris' turnovers cancel out his assists, Lopez's inability to score greatly reduces his overall value in this game.For the team, their recent turnover binge is discouraging given that they had been improving in that department prior to this road trip. More on that at the end of the week.The other main factor in this loss was the Kings' offensive rebounding.The Nets again failed to effectively box out, tonight allowing Sacramento to grab 18 offensive boards.New Jersey has quietly been one of the better defensive teams in the NBA this year, and tonight they held the Kings to 43 percent shooting.The defensive effort was undermined, however, by the repeated second chances the Nets allowed.Cousins was not great, but did his job rebounding against a team that passed on him in the draft. (Photo by Don Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)It's a very good sign that this team is getting after it on defense, but, by failing to properly and consistently box out opposing players, all that work goes to waste.Anthony Morrow and Kris Humphries had good games, combing for 35 points on 77 percent shooting, with Humphries adding in 10 rebounds.Of course, Morrow's nice game means Travis Outlaw had a bad one, 5-ofReebok Minnesota Vikings #69 Jared Allen Realtree camo Jersey
-12 and 1-for-5 on threes for 13 points, as the two just cannot seem to play well at the same time.I will look into this issue more deeply after tomorrow night's game. I want to see if this continues, but will explore the trend at greater length regardless.Outlaw was also not the only player who struggled on his threes, as the team as a whole was 2-of-11 from beyond the arc.It seems the three-point shooting that had been a strength for the team through the early part of this season has failed them in their last two games.For Sacramento, Tyreke Evans led the way with 20 points, although it took him 21 shots to get those points as he was at 38 percent.Carl Landry and Beno Udrih were also in double-figures with 15 and 12, respectively. Udrih hit a three in the final seconds that would Reebok New England Patriots #12 Tom Brady Realtree camo Jersey
essentially ice the game.DeMarcus Cousins was their leading rebounder with 10.The Nets will have to get over this loss quickly as they play Denver Saturday night.It will be Carmelo Anthony's first game this season against the team he could end up playing for.
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