| 10 February 2009
Okay! Now, we're talking!
I don't want to sound like Magic Johnson here but the dunk contest might be back. This was one of, if not THE weakest dunk contest field ever put together. But now that we're replacing Rudy Gay with J.R. Smith, we finally have some juice in this thing and some legit competition to challenge Dwight Howard.
Dwight was practically the winner by default going against Nate Robinson, Rudy Fernandez, and Rudy Gay. Nate Robinson is maybe the least enjoyable dunk contest participant of all time because at the very worst, Chris Anderson was fun to watch doing everything but the dunks. Rudy Gay is one of the better in-game dunkers but after two yawners that he put us through in his previous dunk contest appearances, nobody expected anything out of him. And Rudy Fernandez doesn't seem athletic enough or creative enough put down enough spectacular dunks to give Dwight a run.
But now, Gay has been replaced with a guy that could easily win the competition. J.R. Smith is one of the more creative, powerful, and ferocious dunkers in a contest. He had one of the greatest dunks of all-time that I had only seen in a video game. He was screwed out of a legit shot of winning the 2005 contest because of unfair scores. Well now, he has a great shot at getting redemption. In fact, I'm picking J.R. Smith to be the Kryptonite to Dwight Howard's Superman and win this thing. My interest in the dunk contest this year is back!H-O-R-S-E G-E-I-C-O Participants Announced
The NBA announced the participants for the G-E-I-C-O competition (god, I feel like a corporate whore just for typing that) and while the three-man field is flush with good players and scorers, it leaves a little bit to be desired. Kevin Durant, O.J. Mayo and Joe Johnson will be competing in the comeback edition of the HORSE competition. This seems like a disappointment to a lot of people and I can see why. None of these guys are very flamboyant. None of these guys are instigators. None of these guys are shit-talkers. So it makes me wonder if they're going to bring the energy and intimidation tactics needed to have an entertaining game of HORSE.
Kevin Durant is one of those quiet assassins who is always very calm, cool, and collective on the court. Does he have a personality? We really don't know because he seems to hide everything like a young Tim Duncan. Joe Johnson is definitely not a fiery guy at all. He's easily the best scorer but I think his three-point ability is suspect on a stage like this and will probably be the first to be eliminated. And O.J. Mayo used to have a lot of loud swagger but since everyone found out he was the highest paid athlete in USC history, he's morphed his exuberance into a quiet and professional swagger. Will he feel comfortable busting out of his shell to try and hype this thing up? Or will his moves continue to be calculated for image purposes? We all wanted Rasheed Wallace, Steve Nash, and Jason Williams but we're going to have to settle for this field in the first inaugural return of this contest.
And I have no doubt that Kevin Durant will run away with this competition. I can't see him getting more than an H a G. 
Let's Recap All of the Games from Last Night
By Zach Harper
There seems to be some happy sentiment towards the covering of every game in a brief recap. So we'll stick with that for now. Here are the games from last night:
Atlanta Hawks 111, Washington Wizards 90 in Atlanta-
You know how on the Simpsons they always had some embarrassing stock footage or photo of Homer Simpson when something happened that Kent Brockman had to report? I feel like I should have some stock recap of a Wizards game to use the rest of the season. It would go something like this: "The Wizards again didn't show up in the first half and quickly found themselves down. The young players off the bench who should be starting over guys like Mike James and Darius Songaila showed nice efforts but couldn't overcome the deficit. They were out-played, out-shot, and out-coached throughout the entire game." And then I could just fill in Nick Young's numbers and let you know how many games out of how many chances they've lost like the current losing nine of their last 11 clip.
Indiana Pacers 96, Cleveland Cavaliers 95 in Indianapolis-
The officials ended up being the stars of the game despite Danny Granger and LeBron James being on the court. LeBron had 47 points on a night when his team struggled mightily from the floor. But the end of the game was ruined for everybody when the refs called two bad calls. One nearly took the win away from the Pacers. The other gave it back to them. With 0.8 seconds left, the Cavs attempted an inbound alley-oop to LeBron James and it was successfully knocked away by great defense from Danny Granger. But the refs called a terrible foul call on Granger with 0.4 seconds left and LeBron hit his two free throws to tie the game. The Pacers attempted the same play with Granger and the refs again called a terrible foul call on LeBron James to either make up for the poor call on the other end or to solidify the bets with their bookies. Granger hit his first free throw and then purposefully missed the second with just 0.1 seconds left. Game over. The funny part of this sequence was having Austin Carr display his homerness for the Cavs by calling the foul on Granger the right call and then having to swallow his tongue to prevent himself from lashing out at the officials for the same call, this time in the Pacers favor.
Denver Nuggets 99, Miami Heat 82 in Miami-
Nene battled foul trouble and Carmelo Anthony shot poorly from the field but the Nuggets made up for it by forcing 19 Miami turnovers, which led to 27 points. Dwyane Wade got his 33 points on 12-22 shooting but didn't receive any help from his teammates. Only two other players scored in double figures and the Miami bench shot 6-23 from the field. For Denver, Chauncey Billups had 23 points and Melo made up for his poor 5-15 shooting night with a 9-11 effort from the free throw line. Kenyon Martin added 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 steals to help the Nuggets win their 15th road game of the season.
San Antonio Spurs 108, New Jersey Nets 93 in East Rutherford-
Somebody stop Matt Bonner because he's becoming a problem for the league. He went off again after his 23-point effort against the Celtics this past Sunday and had 22 points last night on 8-10 shooting. Tim Duncan added 27 points and Tony Parker had 20 points but seriously, when did Matt Bonner become the best player in the NBA? The Spurs had an incredibly efficient game by turning the ball over just six times and racking up 27 assists on their 41 made field goals. They also only allowed the Nets to get to the free throw line nine times, which is more free throw attempts than Ferris Bueller had excused absences.
Toronto Raptors 110, Minnesota Timberwolves 102 in Minneapolis-
There are some serious problems with this Toronto Raptors team. It took an incredible fourth quarter surge to beat this Timberwolves team that played their first game without Al Jefferson, who is out for the year with a torn ACL. Granted, the Raptors played without Chris Bosh but they
still had no business letting the Wolves lead for much of this game. Minny rode the 33-point effort from Randy Foye and six Wolves scored in double figures. But the Raptors received 24 points from Joey Graham (yes, THAT Joey Graham) and 22 points from Jermaine O'Neal on a very good shooting night for the team. Toronto shot 53% from the field and only missed one of their 18 free throw attempts. For some ungodly reason, Mike Miller took just eight shots in 44 minutes.
Chicago Bulls 107, Detroit Pistons 102 in Chicago-
The Pistons blew a double-digit fourth quarter lead with 3:33 left in the game to give the Bulls the win on a night where they paid tribute to Johnny Red Kerr. The Pistons scored just two free throws in the final 3:33 of the game and allowed the Bulls to end the game on a 17-2 run to steal the contest from Detroit. Derrick Rose had seven points and Ben Gordon had six on that final run to give them 23 and 24 points, respectively. Tyrus Thomas also chipped in 22 points and 10 rebounds to go with Joakim Noah's 16-rebound effort. The Pistons shot 49% for the game but missed their final six shots of the game and turned the ball over on their last two possessions to give the Bulls the five-point win. Bad news from this game though as Derrick Rose was nailed in the face by Antonio McDyess' shoulder. Rose is okay but he was seen crying from the hit for quite some time after the play. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the man-crush on Rose from the nice people at Sharapova's Thigh.
Dallas Mavericks 118, Sacramento Kings 100 in Dallas-
What's there to say at this point about the Kings? They allowed 100+ points for the 15th straight game. During this stretch they've won just two of those games and those wins were against the Warriors (triple overtime) and the Thunder (overtime win at home). They've allowed 110 points or more in 13 of those games. This is the worst team in basketball and the sad thing is that they're not even tanking. This is just who they are. The Mavs shot 55% from the field and had 28 team assists on 47 made buckets.
Golden State Warriors 144, New York Knicks 127 in Oakland-
There was not a shred of defense played in this game and I don't think anybody watching was complaining. Eight players for Golden State scored in double figures and were led by Stephen Jackson's 35 points and Kelenna Azubuike's 22 points. The Warriors used three huge quarters to control this game with a 41-point effort in the first, a 40-point third quarter, and a measily 39 points in the final period. The Knicks shot 54% from the field, which was bested by G State's 55% and the two teams combined for 101 made baskets.
Los Angeles Lakers 105, Oklahoma City Thunder 98 in Los Angeles-
After a slow start, Kevin Durant finished the game with a strong scoring effort to keep the Lakers on their toes and the Thunder in the game. He finished with 31 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the 12th time this season. But he didn't receive much help from his teammates who combined to shoot 25-66 (37%) from the field thanks to the Lakers concerted effort to stop the role players. Lamar Odom had another great game since Bynum's injury with 12 points and 18 rebounds and Pau Gasol had 22 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 assists to complement Kobe's 34 points. 
Los Angeles Lakers (41-9) at Utah Jazz (29-23) 6:00pm PST League Pass
By Brandon Gallawa
The marquee match-up of the night would appear to be the Lakers heading to Utah to face the Jazz. We all know about the injuries for both these teams. The Lakers just lost Andrew Bynum for at least 8 weeks, and the Jazz have played without just about any player on the roster at some point this season.
The Lakers have looked determined to stay on top of the West ever since Bynum's injury. They have won seven straight with six of those wins coming on the road. The big difference during this stretch has been Lamar Odom. He is averaging 16.8 points and 10.8 rebounds in the month of February and has benefited significantly both in playing time and production from the Bynum injury. The Lakers may not be completely unfazed by the Bynum injury, but they are playing like it.
Meanwhile the Jazz are still without Carlos Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko, but they have managed to stay afloat in the playoff hunt. Deron Williams and Paul Millsap have been a two-man wrecking crew and have carried the Jazz through the injuries. Williams has improved his stats every month this season since returning from his own injury. He is averaging 23 points, 10 assists, and a steal per game over the last two months. Williams' production has been top-notch, but I'm sure he can't wait for his teammates to return.
This could become a schedule trap game much like what the Spurs had to deal with last week. The Lakers will be on the second night of a back-to-back traveling from a late game in Los Angeles (elevation: 233 ft) to Salt Lake City (elevation: 4,200 ft). The distance is actually less than Golden State to Denver and the OKC isn't very good, but that is still a brutal back-to-back schedule. It becomes even more brutal when you look at Utah's home record. I hate seeing teams lose games because of ridiculous scheduling, so I hope this isn't a factor in the outcome.
Key Match-Up: Lamar Odom versus Paul Millsap
Both these players have stepped up in the absence of their teammates. Both cause match-up problems for opponents because of their in-between size and athleticism. Both are free agents at the end of this season. They actually would seem to match-up with one another very well and have put up very similar stats this season as starters. We'll see if Odom's craftiness can offset Millsap's unending motor.
Prediction: Utah is rested and at home. They should hand the Lakers their 10th loss.
How about you get caught up in some Phenomenal Youtubing?
By Zach Harper
I need to thank J.E. Skeets for sending us this video on Twitter last night. I don't even know that I can write my feelings about it down right now. This may take a whole other post and it may take me a while to compose myself to write it. I watched this four times last night because I was enthralled with it and laughing so hard. I'm just going to let you watch it and then maybe we can discuss at a later point. In fact, email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you want to discuss.
The one thing I will say is that I had no idea Adam Morrison had an accent and I need to get a hat like that.
By Zach Harper
"If any seven-footer could lose a dunk contest to a pregnant woman, it would be Pau." -- Wade from Both Teams Played Hard
I was trying to figure out if Candace Parker would beat Pau Gasol in a dunk contest because both have an affinity for laying the ball up and then grabbing the rim rather than actually dunking the ball. Candace has made a career of highlights off doing so and having them called dunks by ESPN. Pau Gasol is Spanish so that's his excuse. So when I posed this question to Wade from BTPH, he shot back with this gem. Needless to say, between the fan waiting for Kobe Bryant above and this quote, last night was pretty great for comedy.
Top 3 of the Night
1. LeBron James - 47 pts, 7 rebs, 4 asts, 7 tos, 15-21 fg, 13-14 ft
Even with the seven turnovers, LeBron had a great game. He single-handedly kept the Cavs in it against a team who was dead-set on shutting down the other players around him. Plus, 47 points is still 47 points no matter how you score them.
2. Stephen Jackson - 35 pts, 10 asts, 6 rebs, 9-20 fg, 13-13 ft
In a one-on-one tournament, how many guys in the NBA would actually beat this man? One? Two? He's a hellacious defender when he needs to be and often against bigger players. And he can create a lot on offense for his team. He was tenacious last night.
3. Tim Duncan - 27 pts, 9 rebs, 8 asts, 4 blks, 11-17 fg
As nice as Brook Lopez has been this season for the Nets, Timmy showed just how far along they truly are. But don't feel bad Jersey, he does that to just about everybody.
Bottom 3 of the Night
1. Spencer Hawes - 9 pts, 2 rebs, 2 blks, 4 tos, 31 mins
I mainly mentioned Spencer Hawes here because of my friend Andrew. I've known him my whole life so I feel comfortable in divulging the fact that he traded Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo in our fantasy league for Elton Brand and Spencer Hawes when I specifically berated him and told him it was a terrible trade. He countered with the fact that Elton and Spencer would be playing more games during the final week of the season (our fantasy championship round). Well, how's that deal looking now?
2. Ed Tapscott - Started Mike James again
Starting Mike James over Javaris Crittenton is winning you any support for becoming this team's head coach next season.
3. Daequan Cook - 4 pts, 2-9 fg, 0-6 3fg, 21 mins
Ya, Eddie House nor Ray Allen shouldn't be in the Three-Point Contest this year. Let's have this guy.
Here are the Top Blog Posts from yesterday.
1. From Ball Don't Lie-
Kelly Dwyer on Johhny Red Kerr's Tribute
2. From Ben's Suns Blog-
Change That Suns Fans Can Believe In
3. From Thoughts From the Jock Strap-
NBA Players Vs. 1980's Wrestlers? I'm in!
In today's Ask a Blogger, we see how BK from Bandwagon Knick is liking this year's edition of the New York Knicks. With so much turmoil in the past and so much light at the end of this tunnel, I wanted to see how things were going in Gotham. Here's what he had to say:
1. The time is winding down on the David Lee decision for this team. Should the Knicks try to move him so they don't have to pay him a 5-year, $50m contract or do you think they can keep him, re-sign him, and still be major players for LeBron and co. in the summer of 2010?
I'm a big David Lee fan, and I think the Knicks' front office is as well, so unless they receive a truly attractive offer, the Knicks will keep him for 4 to 5 years at $9 to $10mil per year. It's possible that another team could offer $11 to $13 million per year and try to blow away the Knicks, but in this economic climate, that seems rather high for a player like Lee. The Knicks are working hard on getting other contracts off the books (specifically Curry and Jeffries) and are unlikely to resign Nate Robinson, so re-signing Lee shouldn't hurt their ability to pursue LeBron and maybe one other free agent...but the quality of that free agent will be heavily dependent on the ability to dump Curry's contract (admittedly not looking good right now).
2. If you can keep just one player between Wilson Chandler and Danillo Gallinari, who are you keeping for this team and why?
Tough choice, as both are young, talented and cheap, significant assets if you're rebuilding and trying to conserve cap space. :-) Gallinari hasn't played long enough to make me feel solid about this choice, but if I could only choose one, based on subjective observations regarding playing style and mental makeup, I would choose Gallinari. He's not as developed physically, and the back injury has set him back, but he's young and shows a lot of court savvy in terms of passing, the ability to shoot from outside, and take it to the basket...a 6-9 point forward is a great match for D'Antoni's system. Chandler is more athletic and a better defender, and in fairness to him this is the first year he's really played significant minutes, but he's had numerous mental lapses on both ends of the floor and isn't nearly as sophisticated offensively as Gallo. I do like both guys a lot, though, and hope the Knicks can be patient with them as they develop.
3. What's life like post Isiah and with D'Antoni compared to the past five years? Did you ever think that the Knicks could be this fun again?
I might not be the typical Knick fan in the way I answer this question, but I am ecstatic that D'Antoni has come to the Knicks, and it does indeed feel like the clouds have lifted over Madison Square Garden. I was a huge fan of D'Antoni's Suns and watched many of their games over the last few years, and I just had a feeling that as a coach he would be a great match for New York. I couldn't even bring myself to watch the Knicks with any degree of passion the last couple of years, so watching a team that is now overachieving and playing with a high degree of enjoyment, excitement and cohesion (most nights) has been wonderful.
With that said, D'Antoni is playing with house money to some degree because everyone understands that the team is pushing for the 2010 free-agent market, and so expectations are modest. I enjoy watching the team, but the current roster is still a patchwork and has many weaknesses. Many Knick fans are happy the team is more competitive and plays a more entertaining style of basketball, but I think people are anxiously waiting for the next step, even before 2010 -- when the team can legitimately compete with the top third of teams in the league on a consistent basis. The Knicks need a bit more size and talent to get to that next level. People think D'Antoni doesn't care about defense, but it's been pretty clear in many games this season that he's been frustrated with the limitations of his current roster in that area, so making the team even more "fun" means making them better defensively as well as offensively.
Thanks for reading today's Eight-Second Violation. Any comments, criticisms, or words of praise can be emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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