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Jul 04 2009

Kobe Bryant Aiming for 80 Points a Game

Posted by admin in sport3

So I just finished watching the Spurs/Bucks game, and the only thing on is Mavs/Lakers. Between the two, I hadn’t been that entertained watching an NBA double-header like that in awhile, and one of them was a blowout. Occasionally, a player like Tony Delk or Cliff Robinson will score 50. But it takes supreme all-star status to reach the 60’s. Not only did Kobe Bryant score 62 last night versus Dallas, he did it playing only 3 quarters. He could’ve gotten more and should’ve gotten more. But lame-ass sportsmanship got in the way of greatness.

First off, it must be noted that Dallas displayed perhaps the worst defense I’ve ever seen. How many points does one man have to score before you double-team? Yet the Mavs were just fine with single-coverage on Kobe. At one point, when Kobe was in the low-50’s, he was able to get a wide-open 3 during a fast break. I mean Dallas practically ran out of towels to throw with this defense.

The NBA record is 100 points by Wilt Chamberlain, which will forever be out of reach for every basketball player. The main reason is that the games in which these performances occur in are normally blowouts. So when guys get anywhere close to scoring nirvana, they’re almost always forced to sit out the 4th.
Sportsmanship. We’ve all been critical of the high number of shots Kobe takes. But if I’m not mistaken, you play to win the game, and they did win by 22. Who cares if he had 0 assists if his team wins. We watch sports games for entertainment like that, not to be engulfed with mercy. Besides, the Mavs were asking for it. Dallas got so caught up in watching, that their final shot of the 3rd quarter was like throwing a crumbled piece of paper into a wastebasket- they knew they were wasting their time.

The stop-rubbing-it-in-our-faces complaints began in college, where teams like Duke basketball or USC football will frequently beat teams by 60. But this is the pros, these guys are making millions of dollars! They should be able to put up with 40-pt losses. And when you look at those old games where Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor and David Robinson scored between 70-100, we notice that they all played into the 4th quarter and their games where blowouts. Kobe should’ve gotten the same privilege.

One player isn’t above the team, and that goes for everyone. However, there are games where teams should let the guy with the hot-hand continue. It was a ton of fun watching him steamroll through Dallas. Had Kobe played, he could’ve honestly scored about 90 points (the D was that weak). No one has finished the game in the 80 or 90-point total area. Bryant only needed 14 more for 2nd most points scored ever in a game. It’s a shame he didn’t get the chance.

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Boston Celtics Basketball Early 2005 Season Analysis

Posted by admin in sport3

Antoine Walker and Gary Payton had experience, but also had big egos and ample contracts. Danny Ainge knew that chemistry was a problem last year, and did away with the two like Minnesota did with Cassell and Sprewell. Now the team is completely in Paul Pierce’s hands, and the roster really is aimed for the future.

The team is young and inexperienced. Doc Rivers has given all 12 players passable playing time. Like all of Rivers’ teams, the young players all play hard. Brian Scalabrine and Justin Reed particularly do a great job on the offensive glass. Dan Dickau after playing everywhere is slowly evolving into a quality PG, as has Delonte West. However between these young players like Ryan Gomes and Orien Greene there isn’t much diversity.

The offense has mucho potential. Paul Pierce has single-handedly lead this team to the playoffs for the past four years in a row. Pierce is great at slashing to the hoop and scoring easy shots. Walker never did provide an inside presence like Al Jefferson does. Jefferson is a great low-post scorer who happens to fold under pressure at times. Mark Blount received a giant contract but hardly played at all last year, is getting the playing time now and has developed a pretty good midrange shot.

Scoring hasn’t been much of an issue, but they’re 25th in Points Allowed. All these young aggressive players do their part, but Doc Rivers can’t exactly substitute a different player for them. Basically all the offense is revolved around Ricky Davis and Pierce. The Celtics are at the bottom in Points in the Paint because Center Raef LaFrentz spends must of his time at the 3-pt arch. Al Jefferson should get more playing then Mark Blount to reprieve that issue.

Danny Ainge has been public about trading Paul Pierce, and unless he does it for Kevin Garnett it’s a bad idea. Shooting Guards who can lead one-man teams are rare, and Pierce has been able to do that each year he’s been there. If Pierce is taken away then the whole team will crumble. Not much separates them and New Jersey, and Ainge is always active around the trading deadline. They can hustle their way into the playoffs but they need some of their players to standout among the rest.

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NBA Basketball Games Dec. 18 - 20, 2005

Posted by admin in sport3

Sunday (12/18)

Best:
T’Wolves @ Mavericks: Garnett and Nowitzki are as always the showcases of this match-up. If either Dallas or Minnesota wants success in June, they’ll need help from the supporting cast. Josh Howard is back for Dallas, as is Troy Hudson for Minnesota. Szczerbiak is the T’Wolves #2 man, but Dallas has an enigma with Terry, Howard and Daniels all producing sporadically.

Runner-up:
Rockets @ Lakers: This was always the game where Yao Ming would breakout for a 30-pt performance. With Shaq gone and Chris Mihm in, is Yao going to come and play? McGrady and Kobe provide perhaps the only one-on-one match-up in the NBA where both players are assured to score 30+ points.

Blowout:
Spurs @ Hornets: Western teams are always going to give their best against the Spurs, but even then it doesn’t translate to a W. The Warriors were in a similar spot earlier this year and lost at home by 30. The Hornets have had to travel between Baton Rouge and Oklahoma City just for home games, so facing the Spurs isn’t much of a break. How long can the Hornets continue play hard before they crack like the Saints did?

Monday (12/19)

Best:
Pistons @ Grizzlies: Two of the best defensive teams in the NBA face off in Memphis. Stoudamire and Jones have added veteran leadership on defense, something that Jason Williams and Bonzi Wells didn’t have the patience for. Detroit wins all their close games, so Pau Gasol will have to step up (again) to give Memphis a win.

Runner-up:
Warriors @ Celtics: These are two teams that might miss out on the playoffs solely because of inexperience. Only Fisher, Davis and Calbert Cheney have been in the playoffs for Golden State. Boston isn’t much better and doesn’t have a player who has been to the Finals. Golden State has a slight advantage, since Delonte West will have issues covering Baron Davis.

Blowout:
Raptors @ Magic: Toronto’s willingness to play hard has begun to waver. Jalen Rose is now on the bench for a serious lack of production. Jose Calderon is injured, which means there’s a lot of standing around. With Grant Hill back, Orlando’s offense is more fluent and shouldn’t struggle to take advantage of the Raptors weak D.

Tuesday (12/20)

Best:
Sonics @ Suns: Last year, the Sonics were the only team to win in San Antonio, Phoenix, Dallas and Miami. This year the Supersonics can’t even maintain their home court. Phoenix is better version of Seattle; still the two teams play exactly the same way. Expect no defensive pressure in this one. Both teams are prolific scorers and lethargic defenders.

Runner-up:
Spurs @ Bucks: Both teams rely heavily on their supporting cast, particularly Milwaukee. The Bucks need Ford, Redd, Simmons, Magloire and Bogut to all produce. The 3-pter is going to be tough for Milwaukee; they lead the League in 3-pt shooting, but San Antonio is one of the best teams in terms of defending the outside shot. Simmons and Bogut will have to get points in the paint for a Bucks win.

Blowout:
Hawks @ Heat: Only if Shaq and Wade don’t try at all; that’s the only way this isn’t a 30-pt blowout by halftime. Zaza Pachulia and Al Harrington are far too undersized to make a dent in Shaq’s box score. Joe Johnson wants to be a superstar but will get a rude awakening when he faces Dwyane Wade. If Miami is anything close to Detroit, they’ll put this game away after the 1st quarter.