NBA

[ORDoubleBlues]

boozer is a prick

i hope he and the jazz crash and burn.

go cavs

I wouldn't worry about losing Boozer a couple of years ago Jimmy, 'cos as I'm sure you probably realise, he probably left the Cav's because he knew he would only ever be looked upon as No.2 at best as long as he stayed there.

[Dutchy]

How about those JAZZ men????

11-1 at the moment and scoring at a clip (108ppg) that I doubt they ever would have during Jerry Sloan's coaching tenure.
Carlos Boozer is averaging 20-10, the largely unknown second year point guard Deron Williams is averaging 18 points and 9 assists, you have two "do everything", versatile players in Andrei Kirilenko and Mehmet Okur, Sloan is apparently raving about rookie second round draft choice Paul Millsapp, who is averaging 10 pts, 6 rebs and 2 blocked shots in only 22 minutes a game during his last seven games and solid backup production from veterans Matt Harpring and Derek Fisher.
New Orleans/Oklahoma City and Orlando are the other early season surprises for mine.
Interesting that the Bulls and in particular Ben Wallace are off to slow starts. Wallace appears to be solid enough but given the massive four year deal he signed to join them, the Bulls would be expecting more.

boozer is a prick

i hope he and the jazz crash and burn.

go cavs

I love the Jazz...dont know anyone else in this country that does but I do!

Kirilenko only played 7 games so far averaging only 8ppg, injured at the moment and hasnt played the last 5 games....if he can start firing

Boozer for MVP!!!!!!

[Dutchy]

Cavs lost to Raptors....giggle giggle

[ORDoubleBlues]

A game the other night that would have reminded long time NBA fans of the Denver Nuggets of old (circa Alex English, Kiki Vandeweghe and Fat Lever) when they beat the Golden State Warriors 140-129 in a game that did NOT go to overtime.
Denver had 31 points (his league leading average at an amazing 51% from the field for the year) from Carmelo Anthony and The Warriors had 31 from 20 year old Andris Biedrins who is leading the NBA in field goal percentage at a similarly amazing 67%!!!
Orlando's 20 year old Dwight Howard, who is leading the league in rebounding at 13.5 a game, looks like he is going to be a gun of the league for many years to come and Sacramento's Ron Artest is displaying his trademark intensity to lead the league at 3 steals per game.

[ORDoubleBlues]

Saw the entire game, which I don't get to do very often, on Saturday between Phoenix and Milwaukee.
Good to see Andrew Bogut and see him hit his first NBA three pointer and he had a very solid game but he seemed to be sharing time at centre with someone else who on this night couldn't hit the side of a barn with his shot.
Was only after seeing this game that you appreciate the talents of guys like Michael Redd, Mo Williams, Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire and even Raja Bell who is deadly from beyond the arc.
Phoenix ended up winning this very high scoring encounter.

[Dutchy]

Saw the entire game, which I don't get to do very often, on Saturday between Phoenix and Milwaukee.
Good to see Andrew Bogut and see him hit his first NBA three pointer and he had a very solid game but he seemed to be sharing time at centre with someone else who on this night couldn't hit the side of a barn with his shot.
Was only after seeing this game that you appreciate the talents of guys like Michael Redd, Mo Williams, Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire and even Raja Bell who is deadly from beyond the arc.
Phoenix ended up winning this very high scoring encounter.

saw some of this game also, love those gun and run games, I bet over 218 points from a tip in the US...dont usually like betting that high in the points but after they had over 130 in the first half I was sitting pretty comffy....5 of the last 6 games between these two teams have gone over 230 points without overtime!

[Jimmy]

cavs are just looking down right bad atm, even tho they are 10-7.

[ORDoubleBlues]

Just to steal a bit of thunder from Dutchy and Dissident, what a game it must have been today between Phoenix and New Jersey. Phoenix winning in double overtime 161 - 157. Would have had to have been one of the top 10 games of all time for combined score. Can only recall a triple overtime game in the early '80s between Dallas and Detroit (186-184) being more.
Steve Nash and Raja Bell both went 6 for 7 for three pointers for Phoenix and Jason Kidd is edging closer to 100 career triple doubles after his 38 point 14 rebound and 14 assist performance

[JK]

**** .. Thats HUGE!

Will have to try and catch Sportcenter tonight before the pub

[Dutchy]

Just to steal a bit of thunder from Dutchy and Dissident, what a game it must have been today between Phoenix and New Jersey. Phoenix winning in double overtime 161 - 157. Would have had to have been one of the top 10 games of all time for combined score. Can only recall a triple overtime game in the early '80s between Dallas and Detroit (186-184) being more.
Steve Nash and Raja Bell both went 6 for 7 for three pointers for Phoenix and Jason Kidd is edging closer to 100 career triple doubles after his 38 point 14 rebound and 14 assist performance

game ORD is referring too -

370 Total Points
Denver v. Pistons
December 13, 1983, Triple OT

[Dutchy]

84 points in the 4th quarter!!!!! thats insane...in the Miami/Sac game they didnt get that many in the first half!


EAST RUTHERFORD, Dec. 7 (AP) -- Two overtimes, 318 points, 34 lead changes, 21 ties and a dramatic showdown between two of the best point guards in the game.

The Phoenix Suns beat the New Jersey 161-157 on Thursday night in a game that was as good as it gets in the NBA.

"I think we can go home and turn on Classic NBA,'' Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said. "It will be on there already. That's the best game I have ever seen.''

Steve Nash scored nine of his career-high 42 points in the second overtime and Boris Diaw hit a go-ahead shot in the lane with 14 seconds left to lead the Suns to their eighth straight victory in the shootout that matched the NBA's fourth-highest points total.

The classic also saw Nets point guard Jason Kidd tie Wilt Chamberlain for third place with 78 career triple-doubles. Kidd finished with 38 points, 14 rebounds and 14 assists, but the point guard dribbled the ball off his foot with 10 seconds left, costing the Nets a chance to tie.

"It was a crazy game,'' said Nash, who also had 13 assists in almost 48 minutes. "They decided to run with us tonight. Both teams deserved to win. We were lucky to come out on top.''

Actually, the Suns dodged two bullets. Nash had to hit a remarkable 3-pointer at the end of regulation to force the overtime and then Kidd had a shot at the end of the first overtime go halfway down and fall out.

"For the NBA it was one of those games they would like to see more often,'' Kidd said. "You know, guys were playing hard. It was a clean game, a lot of points, but it came down the last couple of minutes of each quarter, and it probably will be a classic.''

Shawn Marion added 33 points, Raja Bell had 24 and Amare Stoudemire 23 for the Suns, who made an NBA season-high 17 3-pointers, including Nash's big one that tied the game at 133.

Vince Carter had 31 points before fouling out with 4.8 seconds left in regulation with the Nets ahead by three points. He committed the foul thinking he only had four and that the foul would prevent Phoenix from attempting a game tying 3-pointer.

Richard Jefferson scored 25 points for the Nets. Marcus Williams added 18 for New Jersey, which set a team-record for points in a game.

The wide-open game featured 224 shots, 27 three-pointers, 57 fouls and a remarkably low 29 total turnovers.

The last tie came at 157 with 33.6 seconds to play when Kidd capped a 6-0 run with a three-point play. Nash helped put Phoenix in front with his 13th and final assist, a little pass to Diaw for a short shot in lane for a 159-157 lead.

After a timeout, Kidd dribbled the ball into the forecourt and tried to cut to his right at the top of the circle. The ball bounced off his foot and Leandro Barbosa picked it up with 9.9 seconds to play.

After a 20-second timeout, Diaw almost threw the inbounds pass away. Nash recovered and was fouled, hitting both free throws with 4 seconds to go for a 161-157 lead.

Kidd missed a 3-pointer with about 3 seconds to go and the Nets dejectedly walked off the court despite breaking their previous record for points in a game, 148 against Golden State in 1992.

Kidd had a chance to win the game at the end of the first overtime but his off-balance fadeaway jumper from the elbow went halfway down and popped out, sending the game to the second overtime. The popout also spoiled a Nets' celebration that saw Carter run off the bench and then hold his head in disbelief.

The Nets were seemingly on the verge of victory in regulation when Kidd hit two free throws with 4.4 seconds to play to give New Jersey a 133-130 lead.

After Phoenix called its final timeout, Nash came off a foul-line screen by Kurt Thomas, caught an inbounds pass from Diaw, squared his shoulder and nailed a tying 3-pointer.

The fourth quarter alone was wild. There were 17 lead changes and eight ties.

When Kidd's triple double was announced at the Continental Airlines Arena at the end of a time out midway through the fourth quarter, the crowd cheered and Nash walked up to Kidd and patted his former teammate on the head.

[Dutchy]

just saw the highlights on Sportscenter...Nash's buzzer beater off balance 3 pointer to take it to OT was INSANE!!!!

[ORDoubleBlues]

Punchup in yesterdays game between the Knicks and Nuggets and I'd be guessing that Carmelo Anthony will probably be getting at least a 6 game ban for his involvement in the episode.
Little Nate Robinson is blocking Yao Mings shot one week and then trying to fight guys out his weight division the next.

[JK]

Here's the link to the vid of the blue ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDH198ZFHMU

[ORDoubleBlues]

Gilbert Arenas (Washington - 60 points) and Kobe Bryant (45 points) star in an overtime thriller that Washington held on to win 147-141.
Looks like Arenas could be one of the premier players for years to come.

[Dutchy]

Wow they arent mucking around these days, predictions were for about half of what they handed out....

Nuggets-Knicks Suspensions
NEW YORK, December 18, 2006 – In response to the events at Saturday's game between the New York Knicks and the Denver Nuggets, Commissioner David Stern issued the following statement:

“The NBA and its players represent a game of extraordinary skill, athleticism and grace, and, for good or bad, set an example for the entire basketball world, on and off the court. On the positive side, there is our players’ passion for the game, engagement with our fans, commitment to their communities and respect for the history and tradition of the game. With respect to the negative, while we have worked diligently to eliminate fighting from our game, there are failures such as Saturday night at Madison Square Garden that demonstrate there is still more to be done.

“It is our obligation to take the strongest possible steps to avoid such failures in the future and to make a statement to all who follow the game of basketball that we understand our obligations and take them seriously. Accordingly, I am issuing the penalties listed below, and will take the occasion to set forth some of the considerations that have influenced my decision here and will continue to guide us as we seek to demonstrate our determination that the NBA and its players be viewed as standing for the best in sports.

“Among the considerations that influenced my decision:

“Teams will be held accountable for the actions of their employees – management and players alike.

“Players must take advantage of a break or pause in a heated situation to stop and restore order, instead of escalating the situation.

“Players must heed directions from referees and others who are trying to maintain order and not continue to put fans, referees and peacemakers in harm’s way.”

The suspensions and fines are below:

The Knicks and Nuggets organizations have each been fined $500,000 each as a result of the altercation.
Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony has been suspended for 15 games.
Knicks guard Nate Robinson has been suspended for 10 games.
Nuggets guard J.R. Smith has been suspended for 10 games.
Knicks guard Mardy Collins has been suspended for six games.
Knicks forward Jared Jeffries has been suspended for four games.
Knicks center Jerome James has been suspended for one game for leaving the bench during an on-court altercation.
Nuggets forward Nene has been suspended one game for leaving the bench during an on-court altercation.



Carmelo Anthony is going to hurt Denver, maybe they will trade for Iverson immediately to replace him! My best bet for a long time is Utah to clean up the Knocks by over 7 points today at MSG

[Magpiespower]

15 games for Carmelo!

Rare to see such a lengthy suspension in the NBA.

Unless you choke your coach, of course...

[Jimmy]

haha, sucked in....two of the my most hated teams in the league...cant stand melo...wanker...

melo has really tarnished his image with this....N.F.I that bloke.

[ORDoubleBlues]

Interesting to see the Philadelphia 76'ers waiving five time all star Chris Webber.
Got the impression that Webber was reluctant to have his role being taken by Andre Iguodala and he was only averaging 11 points a game at an abysmal 38% from the field. Webber was a great player IMHO in his prime and if not for Shaquille O'Neal he probably would have led the Sacramento Kings to a couple of championships but father time doesn't stop for any athlete.
Do think that Webber would be a handy addition to a title contending team in a reserve role and he is still "only" 33 years old.

[Dutchy]

Doesnt suprise me at all...heard him being interviewed after AI left and he was not impressed at all, said he only came to Philly becuase of AI and a championship shot....might be a good fit for a contender this year