Sunday, March 27, 2011

Raptors Coverage: March 26, @ LA Clippers


Game 73 - @ LA Clippers (L 94-90 / 20-53 / streak L4) Saturday March 26, 2011
Couldn’t watch
So after Ed Davis goes for 21 and 11 in this game following an 18 and 11 outing Friday, hoopshype has rumors about the Raps looking to move Bargnani. Davis’ emergence, combined with DeMar’s potential has the Raps looking to build around their young core, and are ready to move their former #1 overall pick “who has been anything but an impact player since entering the league.” Yeah, it’s been a frustrating season in Raptorland. I think we should weigh our options, take offers, see what other GMs are willing to part with and hold our cards close. Bargs is still young and his trade value don’t depreciate any time soon, with the uncertainty of the new collective bargaining agreement and potential lockout next year the Raps shouldn’t do anything rash. We need to hire a defensive-minded guru who can tutor Bargnani over the offseason, because games like this are frustrating. If we have some good, young potential that’s ready for that next step, that’s great, but this was only Bargnani’s first season out from under Bosh as the franchise leader.
The Raptors took an early lead, but blew it late to an energetic Clippers team who were energized by their home crowd. Blake Griffin put on a show with 22 points and 16 rebounds, and the Raptors young talent was on display. James Johnson was solid, Amir was back with 8 and 6, DeMar struggled to 7 and 6 on 3-15 shooting, and Calderon scored 16 but only dished a baffling 2 assists. Bargs, Sonny and Reggie didn’t play, they’re sore and it’s late in the season. Take it back home, boys last game of the month against Milwaukee coming up. Games Remaining Countdown: 9

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Raptors Coverage: March 25, @ Golden State

 Game 72 - @ Golden State (L 138-100 / 20-52 / streak L3) Friday March 25, 2011
Watched first half
The Golden State Warriors blew by the Raps in the first half, and set an all-time NBA record with 84 points in the first half. If it wasn’t already evident that the Raptors were a historically bad defensive team, I believe this dubious distinction objectively reinforces their struggles. The Raptors allowed them to shoot 68% on the game, a ridiculous percentage that allowed them to swamp the Raps by 38 points. Bargnani struggled in a game he should have been able to score 50 in, ending up with a slight 7 points and 0 rebounds. DeRozan had 19 points, 1 rebound, 0 assists and Leandrino had a similarly limited stat line. Ed Davis notched a solid 18 and 11 in the absence of both Reggie and Amir. Meanwhile, Monta Ellis led the Warriors in scoring with 27 points, and David Lee, Stephen Curry and Dorrell Wright also each cracked the 20-point plateau. 
6'7" Wingspan

Friday, March 25, 2011

Raptors Coverage: March 23, @ Phoenix

 Game 71 - @ Phoenix (L 114-106 / 20-51 / streak L2) Wednesday March 23, 2011
Watched fourth quarter
Steve Nash played sparingly just one night removed from the Lakers-Suns triple overtime classic where he dished out 20 assists, resting for the playoff push. Nash’s role in this game was akin to Mariano Rivera, the closer, he just came in at the end of the game and shut it down with his ball-handling, court awareness, shot selection, and legendary free-throw accuracy. Toronto looked strong early against a weary Suns team, outhustling them for the ball, but a 13-2 run for Phoenix at the end of the third quarter tied the game. With the Raps up 6 and four minutes remaining, Steve Nash changed the course of this game with a three-pointer, two key assists with Gortat and Brooks, and a dagger fade-away jumper to finish the game on a 17-3 run. In Barbosa’s first game back in Phoenix he scored 14 points. Bargnani had 27 and 4, DeRozan had 19 and 8 and Calderon dished 13 assists. Nash finished with 16 and 8 assists in 21 minutes, while Aaron Brooks led the suns with 25 points. The Suns just needed this win more than the Raptors in their ongoing playoff hunt, and the Raptors just want to end the season with heads held high.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Why We Boo

With the Raptors meeting the Miami Heat at the ACC, the Wednesday before the All-Star break, Chris Bosh had the opportunity to see Toronto fans from another angle. Sure, Chris knew he didn’t deserve the applause of a returning hero, and he’d experienced the Vince Carter saga through the bitter end and the ensuing hatred, but he never knew the feeling himself until he stepped back onto the Raptors court at the ACC.
     Raptors fans have had plenty to boo in their short franchise history, but don’t misunderstand it as fickle fans who turn on a player as soon as he’s out of town. More often than not, the player is the one who turns on Toronto and has to be shipped out because of personal, rather than professional issues. Hedo Turkoglu is Raps fans’ newest favourite to boo, his personal conduct while with the team led to the ire of fans. He didn’t always play as hard as he could have (something Raps fans still have nightmares about after the VC drama), and once missed a game with a supposed ‘stomach ailment,’ only to be spotted clubbing later that night. It’s one thing to have players underperforming on the court, when they are paid millions to give 110% effort, but when the issue is off the court, the Raptors have time and again fallen victim to players who don’t appreciate Toronto and love us back.
     Just step back and imagine if Toronto Raptors team management only had to trade players when they weren’t performing well athletically or weren’t developing physically, and we were looking for an on-court upgrade. It’s unfair to management when players put their personal issues before the good of the team, and have to be dealt. This often leads to lopsided trades where the Raptors are stuck between a rock and a hard place. Because players have already worn out their welcome before they leave town, trades of our franchise leaders and all-stars amount to personality dumping. Other GMs know the Raps have tipped their hand and can extort lopsided trades. Our trading chip is gone when the player needs to leave anyways, and Toronto ends up with deals like Vince Carter for Eric/ Aaron Williams and a no-show Alonzo Mourning (who fans booed when he came to Toronto), or Tracy McGrady and Chris Bosh leaving for nothing in return.
     McGrady is still booed at the ACC over a decade after he left for “greener” pastures via free agency to Orlando. T-Mac never made his intentions clear to Toronto and his decision to leave was somewhat unexpected. Bosh bolted this past summer for Miami after deceiving Raptors management into thinking they had a chance of re-signing the 5-time all-star and franchise leader in points, rebounds and blocks. They built the team around him and tried to accommodate him, but ultimately he wore out his welcome and even GM Brian Colangelo agreed Bosh “checked out” late in the season. T-Mac left to be alone, rather than share the spotlight with all-star cousin Vince, while Bosh left to join forces with the NBA’s elite in Dwyane Wade and LeBron James. It seems no matter what Toronto offers, players pursue happiness elsewhere.
     These “betrayls” have put the Raptors into difficult positions many times throughout franchise history and Toronto fans only want a player that they can love and will love them in return. Someone who can be a vocal leader and embrace Toronto as their own. When fans boo Chris Bosh at the Heat game, they also boo LeBron for his similar treatment to the Cleveland Cavaliers, who were left in the dust when he bolted to South Beach this past summer (we feel your pain Cleveland). Yet, when Dwyane Wade is announced, he receives a chorus of applause. Raptors fans are neither misinformed, fickle, nor angry for no reason, we simply know what we do and do not value in a player, and will be vocal in our displeasure. This makes Raptors fans the best kind of fans, the loyal ones who will shout you down for your misdeeds against the city and the franchise. 
     We take it personally. Toronto is ready to reward players who will champion our franchise with the emotional resolve we’ve been bottling up for years. Raps fans will never forget the hard times, and that it why we boo. We will never forget what players have done and said about this city after all it did for them. The following Friday when ‘Air Canada’ and ‘Kid Canada’ come to town with the Phoenix Suns, fans realize much has changed since those nicknames were relevant, but will not have forgotten how to hate and how to reward players for their values. Take it as a sign of loyal fans standing up for a franchise we believe in. Someday we’ll have something to celebrate together, and no reason to boo.
 *this story will be appearing sometime soon on NorthPoleHoops, keep a watch for it there

Doroit Pistons

Stumbled across this on the internet, this image says a thousand words. Caption worthy

Raptors Coverage: March 21, @ Denver

 Game 70 - @ Denver (L 123-90 / 20-50 / streak L1) Monday March 21, 2011
Didn’t watch
I was planning on watching this game, but when I checked and saw that Denver was up by more than twenty points and scored 72 in the first half, I knew it would just upset me to watch. The Nuggets played smothering defense and didn’t allow the Raptors to have a comfort zone. The Raps don’t play well when they’re frustrated. Denver is 9-0 against teams on the second night of a back-to-back, an interesting motive to the defensive pressure strategy which forced 23 Raptor turnovers, and is a strategy the Raps should look to borrow should they become competitive in the next few seasons. Kenyon Martin has apparently taken on a leadership role on the new-look Nugs, and he shows it with a swat on Bargnani to remember (it may have been goaltending, however). Bargs finished with a ho-hum 20 points, three rebounds, DeMar finished with 16 points and Alexis Ajinca came up big with 11 points and 9 rebounds. The Nuggets saw 7 players score in double figures including a game-high 23 from Ty Lawson. The Raptors need to regroup and remember what they did right in the Oklahoma game, before continuing with three more games on this Western conference road swing.
"Ty Lawson scored a game-high 23 points in Denver's 123-90 win"

Raptors Coverage: Two-Game win streak WAS, OKC! March 18-20


Game 68 – Washington (W 116-107 / 19-49 / streak W1) Friday, March 18, 2011
Didn’t watch
The raptors ran away with this one in their St Patricks day green uniforms, which they always seem to win in. With an eight point lead in the fourth quarter, at home, I knew the Raptors would be able to seal the deal. The Wizards are 1-30 on the road this season, historically poor and the Raps hit the net hard. The Raptors showed their talent and willingness to play in transition and follow up the possession. Once on a 19 to 2 run, the Raptors looked solid and experienced. Andrea had 33, DeMar had 30, and the pair looked to be a formidable, all-NBA type duo. Best of all, Bargs made a career high 15 free-throws on 18 attempts showing his willingness to get to the basket. Good win for the Raps.

Game 69 - @ Oklahoma City (W 95-93 / 20-49 / streak W2) Sunday March 20, 2011
Watched whole game
The Raps were never supposed to win this game. The thunder had won their previous six matches against Eastern conference opponents, while the Raptors hadn’t won two games in a row since December 1st – 3rd, and were losers of 14 straight road games. Nevertheless, the Raptors are a mercurial team, a bi-polar team, and a surprising team. When we’re firing on all cylinders and have opposing teams on their heels, watch out. Amir Johnson wins this game on a post-up hook shot, his bread and butter play. Quite unorthodox how he releases the ball with the acrh and the positioning of his arms but he always seems to get it in. Then Durant has a chance to be the hero at home, but comes up empty on a jumper with 1.4 seconds remaining.
DeRozan had a big dunk in the game and finished with 16 points, 8 rebounds. James Johnson looked solid guarding Kevin Durant and finishing with 12 and 6, with some highlight dunks too. Bargnani (23 points) was a matchup nightmare for the Thunder who get swept on the season by the Raptors. Barbosa was the hero on an inbounds play three-pointer to tie the game at 93-93 with 38 seconds remaining. Actually a great play drawn up by Triano, with Barbosa emerging from the middle of a double-pick set at the top of the key by the Raptors big-men. After forcing a Thunder miss with tough defense, the Raptors took the ball down low and Amir Johnson closed the deal. Big win streak… 27 wins, here we come? Hold on to your hats.

PS. Loving DeMar DeRozan? He recently had a feature on NBA.com. Check out the link to the video!

"Is it the shoes?"

NCAA First Rounds' Impressions

First of all, let me tell you, my bracket is busted. What an exciting first two (or three including qualifiers) rounds. Some of the finishes were legendary. No true buzzer beaters yet, but plenty of close finishes and last second shots.

"Arizona's Derrick Williams"
My runner-up for best game is Texas-Arizona in the West regional quarterfinals. With only a few seconds left on the clock Texas had the ball and the two point lead, and had only to throw it inbounds to be fouled and secure a four-point lead, and assuredly the insurmountable lead. However, Cory Joseph gets called on a five-seconds inbound play, Derrick Williams gets the ball on the Arizona possession, scores the tough basket and gets fouled to take the lead with an and-1 basket. Arizona wins 70-69 on a no-call for Texas.

The best game so far of this NCAA tournament may be the craziest ending that I have ever seen in a basketball game. The dramatic turns-of-events between (1) Pittsburgh and (8) Butler, would not have happened had the teams not played sloppy, sloppy basketball, and taken ridiculously unnecessary fouls. Nevertheless, it made for a game to remember. Butler scored to take the lead 70-69 with 2.2 seconds remaining. Pitt inbounded the ball to Gilbert Brown who is fouled at halfcourt by Shelvin Mack with 1.4 seconds to go. Brown makes the first, but misses the second and Matt Howard is there for the rebound, which he catches and releases in one motion to draw a foul call with the game tied at 70, and only 0.8 seconds on the clock. Butler sealed the win with a free-throw 71-70, in a classic finish.

"Butler's Matt Howard celebrates his team's win, as Pitt leaves the floor"

Dunkus Interruptis

I'm going to be doing this new segment on my blog in which I post a Dunkus Interruptus every time a League-Rattling dunk happens. You know, those dunks that make you think "dunk of the year" at the time, possible top 10- top 15 for the season? When that happens, I'll keep you posted... this time it's Blake Griffin going over Marcin Gortat with the massive throwdown.
"Charge?"

Friday, March 18, 2011

Raptors Coverage: March 16, @ Detroit


Game 67 - @ Detroit (L 107-93 / 18-49 / streak L2) Wednesday March 16, 2011
Watched first quarter
Two unorganized teams full of talent and no cohesion creates two losing teams, both out of the playoff hunt. Toronto and Detroit met with only fifteen games remaining before the off-season as two teams headed in different directions. The Raps have a young core and cap space, Detroit is looking to rebuild with an odd mix of veteran talent. In this game, the veteran unorganized team overcame the youthful team of the same disposition.
The Raptors are a worse team away from home than was previously indicated. Having lost their last 14 (now 15) games on the road, the Raptors have only beat five teams away from the ACC all season. T-Mac once again dumped his former team, Rip and Tayshaun were the Pistons high-scorers and Ben Wallace started at centre. The Pistons reeled off 38 points in the first quarter, and a lead the Raptors could never overcome emotionally or statistically. Bargnani had 20, a Raptor high. With 15 games remaining in the season, the Raptors will have to go 9-6 to make the 27-55 mark that I predicted before the season began. I didn’t have high expectations, but I guess they were a little higher than the results will be.

Ben Wallace, ladies and gentlemen


FTW: This week's edition of the "Dunks of the Week" may be the best yet, check it out!
Kobe Watch subplot: With 14 games remaining in the season, Kobe now sits 1111 points behind Shaq. If he wants to catch him this season he would have to average 79.4 ppg for the rest of the year (assuming Shaq doesn't add to his total). At Kobe's current pace of 24.8 ppg, it will take him at least 45 games (over half a season). With Shaq lightly padding his total, Kobe should pass him sometime about a year from now.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Raptors Coverage: March 13, Charlotte


Game 66 – Charlotte (L 95-90 / 18-48 / streak L1) Sunday March 13, 2011
Watched whole game
The Raptors played strong on the glass thanks to Reggie Evans who had 9 boards in the first half. His defensive energy sparked the Raps back into this game and for the most part they’ve held their own but still trail by three at halftime. Bargnani makes a good move that he should build on early in this game. While posting up, Bargnani keeps his head up and looks for his teammates. Bargs is usually so rigidly oriented in what he’s going to do with the basketball he often doesn’t look for the best situations and keep an eye out for teammates. If he is able to see the court better and involve himself in a team rotation system, his ability to draw opposing players to him will dramatically help the Raps on offense by opening the floor for slashers and shooters. Because of their second-chance opportunities they stuck around, but they allowed the Bobcats to shoot 59% in the first half. In the end they came up short and couldn’t stop the Bobcats, especially DJ Augustin, on the defensive end. Reggie had a great game, as he always does, with 17 rebounds, but none of the other Raps really shined in this one. Regroup on the road Wednesday in Detroit.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Moses Malone Profile


Moses Malone
“Moses”
"Chairman of the Boards"

ABA, Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers, Bullets, Hawks, Bucks, Spurs – 21 Years, 1329 games

6’10” – 230 lb – 20.2 pts – 12.2 reb – 1.4 ast – 1.3 blk – .491 fg%

SLAM “The 500 Greatest NBA Players of All-Time” Feb 2011 Ranking: 15
“Book of Basketball”- Bill Simmons’ Ranking: 12

By the time Moses retired from the NBA in 1995 he was a relic. At forty years old, he was the last remaining player to have played in the long-defunct ABA. His 21-year career netted him three League MVP awards, thirteen All-Star selections, and Moses was named playoff MVP when he won the 1983 NBA championship. 

A hall-of-famer, Moses’ calling card was rebounding. He was a pioneer of the modern boxout, and would aggressively thrust opponents backward to create space for a rebound. When physical battles under the backboard were more tolerated Malone once went a record 1212 games without fouling out. He is the NBA’s all-time leading offensive rebounder (he once had 21 in one game), and is third all-time in total rebounds. 

Moses’ career was long, but his quality years were his first twelve. He was a dependable 20-10 guy on four different teams (the only player to do this) during his peak, and once averaged 26-15 over five seasons. His rebounding prowess, positioning, and effort were what endeared him to teams and fans. Malone didn’t have much of a personality and wasn’t very well-spoken, he just did his job: rebounded. 

Several of Kevin Love’s new records this season have forced NBA analysts to uncover the dusty record books. The last time somebody had a 30-30 game? Moses. 51 straight games with a points-rebounds double-double? Moses. These records went untouched for thirty years, a testament to *ahem Moses’ achievements. 

Moses wasn’t bad on offense either. His 27, 409 points ranks seventh all-time after recently being passed by Kobe Bryant. You don’t average 20.2 and 12.2 for a career that spanned two decades and not set a few records. Malone also ranks second all-time in free-throws made, and fourth in free-throws attempted. He played in the fifth-most games, and the fourth-most minutes from the time he was a lean nineteen years old until he was a wizened old man. 

That’s right, Moses wasn’t always the graybeard patriarch his name conjures in our heads, he was the original “Young Money.” Decades before Garnett, and Kobe did it and LeBron and Dwight ended it, Moses made the original leap from preps to pros. He wasn’t a trendsetter; he was just a skilled big man with passion, longevity and an appetite for rebounds.
NBA.com info page
Moses' top 10 Playoff plays
Intro video from Youtube
Nike Ad featuring Moses Malone rebounding

Raptors Coverage: March 11, Indiana


Game 65 – Indiana (W 108-98 / 18-47 / streak W1) Friday March 11, 2011
Watched about 80%
The Raptors got ahead and got ahead early. It was weird. There wasn’t much to criticize, it was the Raps doing what they do best, running the ball and finding openings in the defense, playing with energy, and hitting their shots. The Pacers are trying to hold onto 8th spot in the East, but didn’t look the part in this loss to the lowly Raptors who came into this one 30 games below .500. Barbosa won this game for the Raps with a sporadic eruption of 29 points off the bench, a season high for the Brazilian guard. Granger and Hansborough had good games, but a collection of talent from Toronto overcame Bargnani’s 1-13 FG, 0-6 3P. Ed Davis had 12 points, 13 rebounds, Reggie had 16 boards and no shot attempts, James Johnson, DeRozan, and Calderon were all solid and Barbosa was spectacular. Complete win from the Raptors.
"The Brazilian Blur, Leandro Barbosa" courtesy of FreeDarko

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Point Babies: An ode to the position


Point Babies: An ode to the position


They look up, crystallized eyes shining in the bright lights, but they do not cower and they do not cry. So youthful, so full of promise, they reach their small arms upwards towards the sky and stretch. They hardly even walk before they are asked to run. Gazing up towards expectant parents, coaches, teammates, owners, managers, and fans, they carry the weight of cities on their young backs but they do not stumble, they do not falter. The next generation arrives to the admiration of all who have come before, with hope for all their growth, development and future success.
We stand today on the verge of a new era in the NBA. Some would say it has already arrived. The game is faster, more exciting and guard-friendly than ever, and dominating big men are a dying breed. The latest influx of point guard talent has taken the NBA by storm and these point-babies inspire the admiration of many. Fans feel affinity with the smallest players on the court, who have made the most of their dedication to the game and not relied on height to ease their way into the League. These point-guards have developed distinct styles to take advantage of their body types and have tailored their games to fit with their teams and coaches as well, but only they dictate their on-court performance. The question often arises; “who is the best point guard in the league?” but this will someday be phrased “who was the best of his generation?”
What defines “best” then? Is it championships, assist totals, MVPs, wins, scoring, or making teammates better? Undoubtedly it is a mixture of all of these factors and more that, when a players’ career is looked at in retrospect, defines his success. The last generation of guards has come and gone, for the most part, and youth is served in the NBA. These young guards would be well served to learn from the careers of those that came before them to realize the trials of the League, and mold their games in an image of “success.”
Players like Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, Andre Miller, Mike Bibby and Chauncey Billups continue to guide franchises with a veteran presence. Even Tony Parker is still just 28, but is a three-time champion. These players’ longevity is a testament to the hard work they put into their game. Nash at 37, has spent 14 years in the League, won two MVPs, and still leads his team in ppg with 16.0 and is second in the NBA in assists with 11.4. He has put in the work, maintained his body, and soldiers on through black eyes, broken noses and bad backs. His court vision, ability to run the pick-and-roll, leadership, and ability to make teammates better hasn’t resulted in a championship ring, but he is in the discussion of best-ever at his position. Kidd is 37, has spent 16 years in the League, and like Nash has never won an NBA championship, but is second all-time in assists with 11,447, and third all-time in triple-doubles with 107, a testament to his all-around game.
On the other end of the point-guard spectrum, players have come and gone with so much promise, but without NBA “success” and leave fans asking “What if?” Baron Davis has been called lazy for not staying in shape, not developing his game, and his selfishly poor shot selection, but he remains in the League. Allen Iverson was a number one pick in the draft, averaged 29.7 playoff ppg for his career (second all-time) but lately struggled through stints in Memphis, Detroit, and a brief return to Philadelphia before playing in Turkey and retiring. Stephon Marbury was a two-time all-star, the best PG ever to come out of New York, and currently has limited success for the Foshan Dralions of the Chinese Basketball Association. Steve Francis was supposed to pair his athletic game with Yao in Houston, but ended up out of shape, and playing for the Beijing Ducks for four games, averaging 0.5 points and 0.7 rebounds there before retiring. Gilbert Arenas was hibachi-hot for years although he never liked to pass, but injuries and conduct detrimental to his team (drawing a gun on a teammate in the locker room) has robbed his career of its potential. Through studying what went wrong in some of these careers, and what players might have differently in the pursuit of “success” would reward the youthful influx of the modern NBA.
School is in session in the League and players are getting younger every year. This past summer’s USA “B-team” that took home gold in Turkey was a youthful collection of NBA talent, none of which were on the 2008 Olympic team. In the NBA, Chris Paul (25 y.o.) and Deron Williams (26) are hardly elder-statesmen, but are usually not even considered in the ‘youthful’ crop of the most-recent NBA talent. They are like the older students in a grade 1/2 split class. They have been constantly compared since they were both picked in the top 5 of the 2005 draft, and now have to contend with the likes of Rajon Rondo (25), Russell Westbrook (22), and Derrick Rose (22) for the title of “best point guard in the League” (as well as cagey veterans like Kidd and Nash). After Rose won ‘Rookie of the Year’ in 2009, Tyreke Evans (21), Brandon Jennings (21) and Stephen Curry (22) were the top three vote-getters for the award in 2010. Point guards aren’t supposed to win rookie of the year, it’s supposed to take them the longest to adapt to the positional differences, pace, and size of the professional game, but clearly we live in a new era of the NBA. John Wall was an early favourite for 2011 rookie of the year, but injuries have set him back this season after he was drafted first overall in the 2010 draft. The future of the NBA game looks to be bright with teams handing the reigns (and the ball) to young, explosive point guards who can run the show.
If Chris Paul stays healthy and keeps up his intensity he can get on a roll, scoring, assists, steals and leadership make his the ultimate point-guard package. Deron Williams uses size (6’4”) and strength uncommon for his position to muscle defenders, but his speed, grace and court awareness to run his offence. His future is bright in New Jersey. Derrick Rose was been developing a three-point shot which would make him unstoppable, he already drives to the basket and finishes like no other PG in the League. Rondo is possibly the best at running a team, but he needs that team around him. His 12.1 assists per game leads the league and his defense is possibly the best of the PGs in the league, but his shot is lacking and his free-throws are suspect. Russell Westbrook can take off, if he develops more of a distributor type of game while retaining his scoring prowess, the Thunder will be lethal. Tyreke averaged 20-5-5 as a rookie, ‘nuff said. Jennings has shown spurts, like the 55 point game. Curry won the Point Guard skills challenge in LA for All-Star Saturday Night. John Wall got his first professional triple-double with 19 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds less than a month into the season. All of these guards have a legitimate claim of “most potential” but the depth of wealth the NBA is currently experiencing at the Point position is truly astounding.
Names like Aaron Brooks, Jose Calderon, Rodney Stuckey, Darren Collison, Ty Lawson, Monta Ellis, Mo Williams, Raymond Felton, Devin Harris, Jrue Holiday, and Jameer Nelson are nothing to sneeze at either and each point guard measures themselves against the best. As long as all of the point guards stay competitive, and learn from their predecessors, there is no reason any of these players will not be the ‘point guard of their generation’ years from now.
Will people look back on these careers and say they were a success? If this new generation can learn from the successes and failures of the previous generation, they will each find their own version of success. One day, ten to fifteen years from now, they will look down at the next generation of point guards with the same promise, admiration and expectations they once felt themselves and they will whisper, “good luck.”

My PG Rankings
1 - Steve Nash (at 37, still good for 50%FG, 40%3PG, 90%FT, NBA 2nd 11.4 apg, 2-time MVP)
2 - Chris Paul
3 - Derrick Rose
4 - Deron Williams
5 - Rajon Rondo
6 - Jason Kidd
7 - Russell Westbrook
8 - Tyreke Evans
9 - Tony Parker
10 - Stephen Curry

Kobe Bryant Watch 4

Kobe Bryant just raced up another slot in the NBA all-time points record book. With 27, 423 points, Kobe is now the 6th highest scoring player in NBA history. He passes Moses Malone, who I will profile shortly as I have for each legendary player that Kobe surpasses. These are the numbers,

1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1,560 15,837 6,712 24.6 38,387
  2. Karl Malone 1,476 13,528 9,787 25.0 36,928
  3. Michael Jordan 1,072 12,192 7,327 30.1 32,292
  4. Wilt Chamberlain 1,045 12,681 6,057 30.1 31,419
  5. Shaquille O'Neal 1,206 11,327 5,935 23.7 28,590
  6. Kobe Bryant 1,086 9,558 6,917 25.3 27,423
  7. Moses Malone 1,329 9,435 8,531 20.6 27,409
  8. Elvin Hayes 1,303 10,976 5,356 21.0 27,313
  9. Hakeem Olajuwon 1,238 10,749 5,423 21.8 26,946

ps. Shout out to Kevin Love for his Moses Malone-record shattering with 52 straight games with a double-double. With K-Love grabbing ten points and ten rebounds per, the Wolves have surprised some people this year.

Raptors Coverage: March 9, Utah


Game 64 – Utah (L 96-94 / 17-47 / streak L3) Wednesday March 9, 2011
Watched the fourth quarter
The Jazz rallied from down 14 in the fourth quarter to win it at the buzzer on an Al Jefferson tip-in. A heartbreaking loss for the Raps at home, after an exciting start to the game including Slamanight by DeMar DeRozan through traffic. The Raps come up short and ironically it is Reggie Evans who couldn’t get the final rebound in his return to the Raps, even though he finished with 11 rebounds in 33 minutes of action. The return of Reggie Evans comes at a great timing for the Raps who lose Amir Johnson in this game and his status is unknown. Hopefully he will not be out long he has been a Raptors mainstay this season and has missed only one game so far. Bargnani missed this game with the “flu.” Four Raptors finished in double-figures but they could not close down the defense on the likes of Devin Harris (23 points), CJ Miles (23 points) and Al Jefferson (34 points, 8 rebounds, game winning tip-in). After reading Both SLAM's "Country Grammar" article and HOOP's The Other Guys" article about Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap I came to appreciate the Jazz frontcourt. As much as the Jazz have fucked up this year, "The Shake and Bake of Salt Lake" or "Country Grammar" tandem of Al Jeff and The Paperboy have proved that they will waether the storm. The roster and staff have dramatically shifted from the Boozer-Williams-Coach Sloan threesome and the focus now is on just trying to make the playoffs. The Jazz are a team on the playoff bubble in the West and need this win, while the playoffs are safe to say ‘out of reach’ (although not statistically eliminated yet) for the Raptors this season. I want them to finish strong, show some resolve, develop, and excite some people (your fans). Indiana next.
Yeah, Devin


Sunday, March 6, 2011

Raptors Coverage: March 5, New Jersey @ London


Game 62 – New Jersey @ London (L 137-136 / 17-46 / streak L2) Sat. March 5, 2011
Watched the whooole game
The Raptors were given the chance time and again to pull out a clutch win on a big stage. They just give up so many points, I’ve yet to see them shut teams down over any stretch of games, and we allow a 48% field-goal percentage, last in the league. In the fourth, Deron Williams missed the end-of-regulation jumper to send it into extras. This game then went to three periods of overtime because the Raptors had no finish. At the end of each overtime period the Raps had the ball with less than a shot-clock of game time and couldn’t gat their shots to go. Sometimes they got a good look at the basket, but for the most part they should’ve been able to draw up plays to get them better looks at the basket. The final shot of the game came with Bargnani shooting for the win, down by one, settling for a jumpshot and coming up short. At the end of the first overtime, he did exactly the same thing and it didn’t work, except the game was tied so it wasn’t a losing shot. I’m not sure this isolation move even counts as a play. DeMar was given a chance in between the two Bargs OT whiffs, but his fadeaway jumper missed as well. A fade-away jumper from the top right elbow, at the end of all three overtimes? I’d like to see some aggressiveness, some post-work, swing the ball, look for the best shot, force the defense to play you, hope for a foul, or at least a good look from somewhere close to the basket. Passive basketball by the Raps this afternoon/ tonight. Player highlights include the Nets’ Deron Williams; 21 points, 18 assists, Brook Lopez; 34 points, 14 rebounds, 8 blocks, Sasha Vujacic had 25 points and ‘the Hustler’ Kris Humphries had 20 points and 17 rebounds. For the Raps, Bargnani 35 points, 12 rebounds, DeMar had 30 points, Ed Davis had 15 rebounds, and Barbosa had 22 points. Regroup back in Canada for Wednesday’s game hosting the Utah Jazz.

"Statistically speaking, neither of us will get this rebound"

Friday, March 4, 2011

Raptors Coverage: March 4, New Jersey @ London


Game 62 – New Jersey @ London (L 116-103 / 17-45 / streak L1) Sunday March 4, 2011
Watched the whole game
The Raptors took their skills overseas to battle the Nets in the biggest, most meaningless of NBA contests this season. This game showcased two teams that have potential, certainly, but still don’t have a clear picture of what it is that they need to take them to that next level. The Nets’ Russian billionaire owner has become one of the best new ‘characters’ in the NBA and he plans on turning the team into a global brand, playing overseas is a start. The Raps have lots of players and ownership from overseas, which makes it easier for friends and family to travel to this game across Europe than to fly all the way across the Atlantic. This game was competitive for the first three quarters but the Nets pulled away in the fourth en route to a 116-103 win. For the sixth worst team in the NBA (Nets) to beat the fifth worst team in the NBA (Raps) was no surprise, I guess. DeMar scored 30, Bargs had 23 (3 rebounds) but it was just a poor defensive effort. Kris Humphries outhustled the Raps for 18 points and 17 rebounds. The Raps just don’t close the lane on defense, or intimidate in the paint, allowing Brook Lopez to drive to the basket often and use his length to sky over defenders or simply shoot it up with a variety of moves. He finished with 25 points and 2 rebounds in Bargnani-like fashion. Deron Williams exposed Calderon’s defense. The Raps are not a good perimeter defense team, especially at the point guard slot. Plenty of highlights in this game (mostly for the Nets), the cream of the crop happened when D-Will drops Sonny Weems on a crossover then throws the oop to Brook which may be the move of his career, plus he was rocking a headband, which he doesn’t normally do. Mike Fratello and Marv Albert announced the game and provided humorous, pointed insights into the Raptors’ weaknesses that Raps announcers Matt and Jack would never dare say. Their voices brought me back to my NBA Live 06 days, which I busted out right after the game, and no, I did not play as the Raptors…



 

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Raptors Coverage: March 1, New Orleans

Game 61 – New Orleans (W 96-90 / 17-44 / streak W1) Tuesday March 1, 2011
Watched final minute
The Raptors come away with a big win and José Calderon has a rebirth from the field. With 22 points coming on 7-10 from the field, 3-4 from three-point range and 5-5 from the charity stripe, it’s fair to say he broke out of his shooting slump in a major way. Plus, he did it against Chris Paul (7 points, 5 assists) and Jarrett Jack (17, 2). José also finished with 16 assists in a performance that makes Toronto fans remember why he was an All-Star snub just three years ago. His ability to run a team has been invaluable to the Raps this season, and if he finds consistency in his shot he can be a dominant player. Sonny Weems decided to show up for the game as well, with 14 points off the bench including a driving crush through the lane. Sonny missed a couple weeks of action and lost his starting gig to Kleiza who is now injured for the season (and maybe longer), and has recently been usurped by solid newcomer James Johnson who finished with 13-5-3. DeRozan had 17, Bargs had 14 and David West racked up a 19 point, 10 rebound double-double in the losing effort for New Orleans. The Raps almost blow it allowing a 20-6 run, but hold on for the W and start March on a winning note.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Kobe Bryant Watch 3

Kobe recently passed Elvin Hayes for seventh on the All-time NBA points list. He is currently just 89 points back of Moses Malone for sixth place all-time. Kobe is currently averaging 25.1 points per game, with 21 games remaining in the Lakers season. If he maintains this average over his final games he will score 527 more points, and a total of 27,847. Kobe won't catch Shaq this year, but the chase from #13 up to #7 and soon to be #6 has been historic.


1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1,560 15,837 6,712 24.6 38,387
  2. Karl Malone 1,476 13,528 9,787 25.0 36,928
  3. Michael Jordan 1,072 12,192 7,327 30.1 32,292
  4. Wilt Chamberlain 1,045 12,681 6,057 30.1 31,419
  5. Shaquille O'Neal 1,206 11,327 5,935 23.7 28,590
  6. Moses Malone 1,329 9,435 8,531 20.6 27,409
  7. Kobe Bryant 1,082 9,520 6,895 25.2 27,320
  8. Elvin Hayes 1,303 10,976 5,356 21.0 27,313