I sent my friend Cade a link on Facebook saying, “Shit dude, did you see that Pau Gasol dressed up as an elf and was arrested in a dynamite hoax in Georgia?” Apparently, Ron Artest is already starting to rub off on the big Spaniard in the locker room.

Of course, it’s not Pau. But tell me they don’t resemble? Haha. Oh man, this is almost as good as Andrew Bynum being Tracy Morgan’s twin. Lakeshow!

I’m assuming there’s a reason things are the way they are that I just don’t understand yet, but until it either changes or I figure it out, the NBA All-Star Game voting process is officially my new nemisis (you’re off the hook Gypsy That Cursed Paul Millsap).

Where do we begin?

The last time a basketball team played a game with precisely two guards, two forwards and a center was long before any player on these ballots (Shaquille O’Neal, I assume) was considered a professional athlete. The end result is an often awkward formation of players setting foot on the court for the game’s first few minutes.

Granted the head coaches can, and naturally do mix the line-up around so that it actually looks like a real line-up (at least part of the time), but the process has evolved to the point where the recognition is hardly considered much of a recognition at all. With all of the limitations of the current format the third best player in a conference (most likely a forward) could lose out on a starting spot while a bum gets the nod at center (Antonio Davis, I don’t mean to single you out, but I’m singling you out).

Considering the fact that there’s little clear-cut alternative for eliminating positions altogether, it might make some sense to at least modify the position classifications. Recall the hit NES ice hockey title, aptly titled Ice Hockey. For those unfortunately out of the “know”, the game began when you assembled your anonymous team of anxious players of various shapes and sizes. In other words, you chose whether you wanted any combination of skinny players, medium-sized players or… “the beasts” (which is a slightly more intimidating euphemism for fat players that skated slow but hit with the force of a Mack truck).

Since the 2 Guard-2 Forward-1 Center format has grown out of fashion, might it not make more sense to go with a 1 Little Guard-2 Wing Man-2 Big Forward format? Something that could lump the Kobe Bryants and LeBron James(es) of the world together? So that Kevin Durant no longer has to worry about sitting on the bench because Tim Duncan or Pau Gasol had to bump him out of the way when Andrew Bynum took what should have been their spot at C?

With this 2LG-2WM-2BF format, each team would have a point guard (let’s say Chris Paul and Devin Harris), along with two players that would either fall into the shooting guard or small forward categories (let’s say Kobe Bryant/Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade/LeBron James). Then each team would get two big players to fill in at power forward and centre (might as well come up with an example here too… Tim Duncan/Dirk Nowtizki and Chris Bosh/Dwight Howard). Doesn’t that make a lot more sense then trying to go with what they have now?

The reason this format works more efficiently is because a shooting guard has a heck of a lot more in common with a small forward than with a point guard… and a center is virtually identical to a power forward save for a few inches.

The next part of the ASG process that ruins lives is the fact that idiots get to vote every single day. No longer are votes cast by the most knowledgeable, passionate fans, they’re cast by 13-year-olds homers and a fraction of the world’s cell phone carriers that can do it from their phones (T-Mobile, if you’re wondering. Thanks Mr. Stern).

What I propose is that we abandon this unlimited vote count and let fans cast one single ballot per year. It seems irrational, but believe it or not that used to be how voting worked in real life too. It might eliminate the preposterously high vote counts that NBA execs in the Social Media department felate each other over at the staff Christmas party, but at least the counts will be authentic. It’s like Major League Baseball minus the steroids. Sure the numbers aren’t as absurdly-record breaking, but at least they’re legitimate.

What if the most super elitest of hackers figured out a way to clear their cookies and vote more than once?, you say, thus jeopardizing the integrity of our whole operation? Then have fans print off their ballot and mail it in. Old school, I know, but printers are everywhere and I’m pretty sure stamps cost less than 60 cents. With the power of the internet the ballot can still be distributed at stupid lengths, the only difference is that the actual votes won’t fall into that same realm of vast stupidity.

The NBA has found itself on a path of convenience lately, but too much convenience can have unfortunate results, especially when the goal all along is to maintain integrity and control. With this new method, fans no longer have to worry about having zero impact and it avoids the inevitable scandal that will come when one community figures out a way to flood the severely flawed voting process (a similar thing happened with the Montreal Canadiens and the NHL All-Star Game a few years ago).

Oh well, it’s not like anybody watches it anyway. I’m still on strike until they bring 2Ball back.

1. Orlando Magic (14-4)- Even though Vince Carter has been struggling as of late, the Magic played a great week of basketball.  When Dwight Howard wants to, he can become the most unstoppable player in the NBA.  The win in the ATL was a very impressive come from behind victory.

2. Los Angelos Lakers (13-3)- Pau Gasol helped this team take care of business and unload on three awful teams, completing a 3-0 week.  Western Conference matchup of the week happens on Sunday when Phoenix comes to town.

Definitely not an attractive person.

3. Phoenix Suns (14-4) Speaking of the Suns, they’ve played at a consistent high level all season.  That is, until right now as they are down by more than 20 to the those pesky Knickerbockers.  Matchup with Lakers is a statement game, a must win to be considered a serious contender.

4.  Boston Celtics (14-4)- Even though Ray Allen has lost WAY more than a step, the Celtics keep finding ways to win.  Can they continue their hot streak this week against the Spurs and Thunder?

5. Atlanta Hawks (12-5)- A rough week drops them four spots from number 1.  After a big half time lead on Thanksgiving night, the Hawks went cold and looked like the D-squad (Russo and I) out on the court.  The loss in Detroit was unacceptable if they want to be considered one of the Eastern elite.

6. Cleveland Cavaliers (12-5)- This team definitely plays more like the Cavs we’ve been accustomed to watching the last couple of years when Shaq is on the bench.  Cleveland needs to find a way to get him to fit their system or this could be one of the most inconsistent teams in the NBA.  Maybe he is just too old and slow for Lebron…

7. Dallas Mavericks (12-5)- The loss in Cleveland keeps them out of the top 5, but they can get right back in their with a win at home against the Hawks on Saturday night.

8. Denver Nuggets (12-5)- Much like Dallas, Denver completely blew an opportunity for the top 5 with an inexplicable loss to the T-Wolves at home.  Every dog has his day I guess…

9. Portland Trailblazers (12-7)-They really struggled this week with losses to Memphis and Utah, but Portland has a chance to bounce back with two home games against Miami and Houston.

10. San Antonio Spurs (10-7)- The most impressive week goes to the Spurs, as they went 4-0.  This brings them back in to the top 10 for the first time since week 2.  A huge matchup with Boston on TNT thursday night will show just how far this team has come as of late.

11. Utah Jazz (10-7)- A 3-1 week boosts them up a few spots as they took down Portland, Chicago, and Memphis.  A very easy week follows with only matchups against Indiana and Minnesota.

12. Miami Heat (9-7)-Began the week with an impressive win against Orlando, and then all of a sudden they stopped playing in losses to Washington and Boston.  An absolutely brutal stretch begins tonight against Portland.  After them, at Denver and at Lakers.  Good luck D-Wade.

13. Oklahoma City Thunder (9-8)- Still an inconsistent bunch, but that comes with being incredibly young.  A nice win over Milwakee earns the Thunder the spot over them, but they still have more to prove if they want to be a playoff team in the West.  Durant can only do so much…

14. Milwaukee Bucks (9-8)- Endured a disappointing week after breaching the top 10, going 1-4.  Brandon Jennings finally cooled down, but Bogut did return and that will definitely help (even though he has tendency to air-balls lay-ups.  Thanks NBA 2K10).

15. Houston Rockets (9-8)- Aaron Brooks continues to impress as the Rockets stay afloat in the West.  A 2-2 week keeps them around .500, and I believe this is where the team will stay for most of the season.

Tyreke Evans, winner of the Western Conference Rookie of the Month award.

16. Sacremento Kings (8-8)- Continuing to be one of the most surprising teams in the NBA, Tyreke Evans (winner of the Western Conference Rookie of the Month award) leads this young squad to an 8-8 record.  Big road test in Phoenix should be fun to watch on Saturday night.

1. Los Angeles Lakers: The Champ is sure that the Lakers are glad that Pau Gasol’s injury hasn’t kept him out until Christmas. Sure the Suns have more road wins, but a 19 point rout  by the Lakers earns them the top spot this week, again. A good early home schedule and wins against teams like the pathetic Nets leave LA looking good early.

2. Phoenix Suns: The Pacific Division certainly looks good this year. First team to 14 wins? Impressive. With Steve Nash dishing out double digit assist nights and the team scoring in triple figures, the Suns are winning ball games.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Lights out shooting against the Top-10 Dallas Mavericks cancels out the ugly loss despite a late comeback against the Charlotte Bobcats. Undefeated when the team scores 100, the Cavaliers are slowly clicking.

4. Orlando Magic: Jason Williams is back? Ok. It seems like there’s always a Magic scorer to step up, rather it be the departed Courtney Lee or Rafer Alston, to Anthony Johnson or even JJ Redick. But I guess thats what happens when you have a team of scorers.

5. Atlanta Hawks: Looked cold in the loss to Orlando as well as Detroit. Joe Johnson, Josh Smith? Who’s the alpha dog on this team? I feel that this is a team still finding its identity, however the team is still really young.

6. Boston Celtics: Still slumping, but pulling W’s out of close games. Like the great Austin Carr once said “Championship teams win ball games,” we’ll see.

7. Dallas Mavericks: Losses to a red-hot Cleveland team and a high octane Warriors team give the Mavs a bit of trouble in the rankings this week. Erick Dampier is back in the starting lineup, is that a good thing?

8. Denver Nuggets: A loss to the Wolves?

9. Portland Trailblazers: Greg Oden thrives while the team hobbles along, losses to Memphis and Golden State do not help the Blazer cause. Hopefully things will click and guys like Outlaw and Batum can recover from injury soon.

10. Houston Rockets: And here’s the scrappy Rockets finally cracking the Champ’s top ten. No T-Mac, No Problem. Carl Landry and Aaron Brooks have carried the load just fine for the Yao-less Rockets.

Missing from Last Week:

Milwaukee Bucks: Have we seen the last of the Bucks in this list for the season? possibly. Have we seen the last of Jennings, nope.

El (escalofriante) anuncio de Pau Gasol para singstar me recordaba que hace unos meses publicamos el brillante anuncio del “Guitar Hero” con Kobe Bryant y otras estrellas del deporte USA (recordad en jugones), que casi superaban la insuperable versión inicial de 4 de los técnicos más prestigiosos del baloncesto en Estados Unidos. Ese anuncio ha dejado una secuela con Metallica poniendo las cosas en su sitio (ver en youtube), aunque la versión más interesante (y menos relacionada con la NBA) es la de Heidi Klum (ver …rápido!).

Pero todo un descubrimiento es este anuncio de Pete Maravich. No tengo palabras.

¿Es Maravich? ¿O un imitador?

El apellido Gasol brilló anoche en la NBA por partida doble. Los Lakers ganaron su sexto encuentro consecutivo y sus dos pilares rozaron el triple doble. Kobe estuvo genial y Pau sublime. El catalán todavía no conoce la derrota esta temporada (5-0) y asiste a la exhibición de su hermano en su ex-equipo. Marc firmó otro gran partido anoche, pleno de acierto (ya comparte % de campo con D.Howard…aunque no comparten acierto en los libres), siendo el máximo anotador del encuentro.

A la fiesta familiar se une Sergio Rodríguez con un gran partido. El canario aprovechó al máximo los 24 minutos que le dio Wesphal, anotando 24 puntos, no perdiendo balones y dando 5 asistencias. Genial partido de Sergio y victoria ante los Hornets, que siguen echando de menos a Chris Paul y a Byron Scott.

Mejoría de Boston y Orlando, que acumulan victorias (7-3 y 8-2) en los últimos 10 partidos. Los grandes se posicionan.

Destacados:

• Marc Gasol: 26-5-6, 3 gorros, 3 robos, 13/18 en campo.
• Dwight Howard: 24-16-1, 2 gorros, 2 robos, 8/9 en campo y 8/15 en libres. No quiero ser reiterativo con los putrefactos tiros libres de Howard
• Kobe: 30-8-7, 5 triples, 2 robos, 1 gorro, 11/17 en campo. Yo diría que está como nunca.
• Josh Smith: 23-7-2, 2 robos, 5 tapones, 11/15 en campo y 1/1 en libres. Cuando se sale su equipo suele perder
• Kevin Garnett: 24-8-1, 11/12 en campo y 2/2 en libres.  Sin pérdidas y haciendo su mejor partido de su renqueante temporada
• Sergio Rodríguez: 24-2-5, 2 triples, 2 robos, 9/14 en campo y 4/4 en libres. No perdió balones y es la sorpresa de la noche
• Carmelo: 32-5-2, 3 triples, 1 robo, 1 gorro. Sensacional. Una máquina de anotar
• Pau Gasol: 20-9-7, 1 robo, 1 gorro. Casi triple doble. Juega y hace jugar. Lo dice Phil, lo dice Kobe, Pau es muy bueno
• Eric Gordon: 29-5-5, 1 triple, 1 robo. Recuperado de su lesión y muy acertado (10/18 fg, 8/8 ft)
• Steve Nash: 20-3-16, 2 triples, 1 robo, 8/15 en campo y 2/2 en libres.

Troy Murphy Trophy:

• Chris Bosh hizo 30 puntos y 17 rebotes. Cierto es que son números soberbios, pero estos otros no lo son tanto: 0 asistencias, 0 robos, 0 triples, 0 gorros, 4/8 en libres y 3 pérdidas

Otros destacados:

• Los 20-10: Brook López (26-12-2) y Carl Landry (21-10)
• Anotadores: Gomes y Wade (27), Rashard (26) y Durant (25)
• Rebotes: Ben Wallace (18), Kenyon Martin (14), Marcus Camby (14) y Dalembert (14)
• Asistencias: Rajon Rondo (11), Duhon (9)
• Triples: además de los 5 de Kobe, tenemos 5 de Rashard Lewis
• Robos: Brooks e Iguodala con 5
• Tapones: Andrew Bynum puso 5 gorros

Vaya día:

• Tiros de campo: Billups (2/13), Douglas-Roberts (2/11), Larry Hughes (1/9)
• Nulo en triples: Joe Johnson, Turkoglu y Jeff Green (0/5); Baron Davis, Flynn, Pierce, James Jones y JR.Smith (0/4)
• George Hill estuvo tímido: 2 tiros en 24 minutos
• Sin rebotes: Beno Udrih, Jarret Jack y OJ.Mayo
• Sin asistencias: Bosh, Jason Richardson, Beasley, Al Thornton, Gay y Jerebko

Nuestros galardones:

• Concha Velasco: Kevin Duran y Brook Lopez con 6 pérdidas
• Benito: Amir Johnson, 2 puntos pero 3 gorros
• Mario West: impresionante Novak con 9 segundos jugados.
• Zapatilla de oro: Chris Bosh, 26 lanzamientos
• Seleapareciólavirgen: Sergio Rodríguez (espero vuestras pedradas)

La pregunta del día:

Doble pregunta:

1. ¿¿¿Qué jugador presentó ayer estos números: 0 puntos, 0 rebotes, 0 asistencias, 0 gorros, 0 robos, 0 triples, 0 lanzamientos a canasta, pero 4 pérdidas en 6 minutos y 27 segundos???
2. ¿¿Qué base titular no asistió??

Finalmente aconteceu.

Os fãs do Lakers estavam pedindo isto há muito tempo, desde que Gasol foi trocado para Los Angeles. Vários e-mails de fãs querendo ver Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol e Lamar Odom ao mesmo tempo em quadra.

O técnico Phil Jackson nunca usou os três juntos. Porém isso mudou no jogo contra o Warriors, mais precisamente faltando 1 minuto e 5 segundos para o fim do segundo quarto. Bynum no pivô, Gasol e Odom de alas, os 3 em quadra juntos.

“Eu só queria saber como isso afetaria a equipe”, disse Jackson.

O efeito não foi dos melhores.

Nesse 1 minutos e 5 segundos, o Lakers sofreu 3 pontos e não marcou nenhum, Gasol foi pego pelos juízes 3 segundos dentro do garrafão e Fisher errou seu arremesso.

Phil Jackson disse em outubro que ele estava aberto para novas idéias e que era possível que ele usasse Bynum, Gasol e Odom juntos. Essa formação traz vários pontos positivos, entre eles o tamanho no garrafão tanto no ataque como na defesa, mas essa formação também limita a velocidade da equipe.

O técnico do Lakers não respondeu se usaria os 3 juntos novamente. Ele não usou no jogo contra o New Jersey Nets.

Fonte: LA Times

Algum dia, em algum lugar, o New Jersey Nets irá vencer um jogo. Ontem à noite no Staples Center não era esse dia.

O Lakers venceu o Nets por 106 a 87 e afundou ainda mais a equipe, que agora empatou com o Heat de 88-89 e o Clippers de 99-00 no record de pior começo de temporada da liga, com nenhuma vitória e 17 derrotas.

“Nós sabíamos da seqüência de derrotas deles”, disse Farmar. “Conseguíamos ver no rosto deles, eles queriam de toda maneira vencer. As derrotas estão começando a pagar seu preço. Neste momento eles têm que começar a treinar mais forte, jogar com mais vontade. Todos os times que eles jogarem contra tem que ficar com medo”.

Essa foi a sexta vitória seguida do Lakers. Nessas 6 vitórias, o time está vencendo com uma diferença de 17.7 pontos cada jogo em média e todos marcando quase 100 pontos ou mais por partida.

O time de Los Angeles venceu a partida praticamente no primeiro quarto, quando terminou o quarto vencendo por 27 a 12, acertando 47.4% dos arremessos contra apenas 27.3% do adversário. Kobe marcou 13 pontos neste quarto e liderou o Lakers a mais uma vitória.

No final da partida, Bryant fez 30 pontos, acertando 11 de 17 arremessos de quadra, sendo 5 deles da linha de 3 pontos. Kobe não jogou o último quarto.

Pau Gasol foi outro destaque, terminando com 20 pontos, acertando 8 de 13 arremessos e pegando 9 rebotes. Ele foi o único titular que jogou no último quarto.

Todos os 12 jogadores da equipe jogaram e apenas Morrison não pontuou. Farmar liderou os reservas com 15 pontos e um toco sensacional no final do primeiro quarto.

Brook Lopez foi o melhor do Nets com 26 pontos e 12 rebotes.

Nesses dois últimos jogos seguidos do Lakers, contra o Warriors anteontem e o Nets ontem, o time entrou com muita vontade, jogando uma defesa muito boa, sempre limitando os pontos dos adversários, e um ataque sólido. O resultado? 33 pontos de vantagem contra o Warriors e 19 de vantagem contra o Nets, sendo todos jogos fáceis.

“Nossa defesa está ficando cada vez melhor”, disse Kobe. “Nós estamos treinando duro, e dando muito enfoque na defesa. Nossa energia vem se mantendo consistente, é algo que sabemos que podemos manter”.

O próximo jogo do Lakers será contra o New Orleans Hornets, no Staples Center, terça-feira.

Melhores Momentos:

Parte 1

Parte 2

Fonte: LA Daily News

Ya nos hemos acostumbrado a ver jugadores europeos en la NBA. Algunos han triunfado, ya son leyenda en la mejor liga del mundo, muchos otros fracasaron estrepitosamente y tuvieron que regresar a Europa con el rabo entre las piernas.

Entre nuestros españoles hay de todo, aunque el éxito de Pau Gasol es la confirmación de que es posible llegar a lo más alto de la NBA. La situación de los españoles actualmente es dispar: Pau pieza clave en el mejor equipo, su hermano con números de All-Star en un equipo menor, Calderón dirigiendo un equipo que da una de cal y otra de arena, Rudy en una situación extraña en la que le salvan sus triples, y Sergio Rodríguez aprovechando bien los poquitos minutos que tiene.

Pero quería centrarme en Rudy. El mallorquín es el jugador más espectacular de la historia del baloncesto español, es un blanco que juega como un negro, pero es europeo. ¿Qué tiene eso de malo? También Nowitzki, Gasol y Parker lo son, y son estrellas en sus equipos. Sí, pero resulta que estos tres jugadores son unos fuera de serie, y lo han demostrado durante años. Rudy lleva sólo dos años en la NBA y todavía no ha demostrado nada.

Pero tiempo al tiempo. Portland es un equipo con una amplia tradición de fichajes europeos: Fernando Martín, Drazen Petrovic, Arbydas Sabonis, Sergio Rodríguez, y a ninguno de ellos les ha puesto las cosas fáciles. Abrirse un hueco en la NBA no es sencillo, pero sí es posible si se es bueno y se trabaja duro. Rudy pensó que su estatus de estrella en España iba a trasladarse a la NBA, y en cierto modo así fue porque el público de Portland le adora, pero en cuanto a su rol en la cancha la cosa cambia.

Petrovic, en su primera temporada en los Blazers, aceptaba su suplencia sin queja; sabía que estaba en la mejor liga de mundo y que, para destacar allí, había que ser realmente bueno. Su buen carácter y su excelente disposición le permitieron fichar por los Nets y triunfar allí. Cuando se es bueno, es sólo cuestión de tiempo y de trabajo. Sólo un desgraciado accidente truncó la trayectoria de uno de los mejores jugadores europeos de todos los tiempos.

Paciencia, Rudy, lo harás bien, ya lo verás. Sólo tienes que aprovechar los minutos que te dan y demostrar que eres un jugador muy completo.

The National Basketball & Hip-Hop Culture Month Foundation www.NBHHCM.org has recently created a new signature nickname for the 4 star players of the LA Lakers Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, and Ron Artest. The new signature name incorporates the first name of all 4 players to combine as one.

The Ko P. La-Ron signature name sounds like a fancy clothing designer that you might find in New York, Miami, or on Rodeo Drive of Beverly Hills says, Derrick E. Vaughan Founder of NBHHCM and the creator of the Ko P. La-Ron signature nickname.
The name was inspired by the early to mid 1990’s R&B group Jodeci. The group name was a combination of all 4 band members http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jodeci.

The Ko P. La-Ron signature name comes from the Ko-Kobe, P.-Pau, La-Lamar, and Ron-Ron

Every Wednesday, from today until the end of time, my close friend and bitter foe Mad Adam is going to stop by and attempt to clarify his delusions of grandeur, dominance, and defeatism. He’s very complex. And, as you’ll soon find out, most of what he has to say comes out of his ass, but man, is he angry! And I’m not talking the kind of angry that can be aptly expressed with all caps and exclamation marks, or even simple declarations of anger… you’ll have to use your imagination a little. Picture the bright red face. Picture the popping veins. Picture the holes in the wall, the shattered remotes, the hospitalized “friends”. Now, multiply it by 386. That gets you halfway there. But here, we’ll let him explain it…

Hello everyone.  Allow me to introduce myself.  My name is Mad Adam.  That’s right, not Mad Hatter (Les Miles), Mad Max (Mel Gibson) or Mad Men (those booze swilling cats at Sterling Cooper).  No, just Mad Adam.

Why Mad Adam?  First, I have an anger control problem. This is particularly true when it comes to my sports teams.  I get mad when they let me down.  I get mad when they get screwed over.  I sometimes get mad even when things are going well. What can I say….I’m Mad Adam.  As a bonus, my name is a palindrome.  Don’t know that is? Look it up loser.  And while you are at it, send some hate mail to your language teachers who obviously let you down.

Now that I have revealed that much of my anger is centered on my favorite teams, I better let you in on who those teams are.  Warning, I grew up as a military brat, so I never stayed in a place long enough to pick a team based on geography.  So, I have a pretty disparate set of favorite teams (with the exception of my college team which is clearly a result of the totally awesome education I received at the undergraduate and law schools of the institution listed below).  So, in no particular order, here are the teams that matter most to me: New York Jets (last Super Bowl….1969, the roots of my anger begin to surface); Los Angeles Dodgers; Los Angeles Lakers; Manchester City Citizens (EPL soccer you morons); and of course, my beloved OU Sooners.  Looking for a hockey team?  Go (ice) fish.  Not a fun game to watch on TV.

My proclivity for temper tantrums does not end with my favorite teams.  I also get mad about betting on sports (i.e. placing bad bets, not the act of betting on sports which I am very much in favor of), bad calls, terrible commentators, incomprehensible TV twists, bad uniforms, those who don’t appreciate good music, politics, stupid fans, silly traditions, inane rules….you get the idea.  I am Mad Adam.

The gracious, yet logic deficient Ed Honcho, has asked that I occasionally drop by this site and let all of you know what I am currently mad about.  I appreciate the forum and the opportunity to vent.  I would be remiss if I did not kick things off with a mailbag devoted to my legions of fans and their questions.  So, without further ado, away we go…..

Q: Did you see the Patriots throw a deep pass with only 30 seconds to go this past weekend when they were up 31 – 14 on the J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets? How did that make you feel? Cuz, I will tell you how it made me feel.  It made me feel like punching Tom Brady in his pretty face and defecating on Bill Belichik’s car.

- Francis Anastasio, Elizabeth, New Jersey

A: Francis, or can I call you Frank? No? OK. Francis, you could not be more right (except the part about shitting on his car, which is a tad bit weird). Not since Michael Bay decided to have “ghetto” robots in the newest Transformers movie have I seen such a brash and uncalled for decision.

What is he hoping to accomplish?  By kicking the Jets when they are down, does he hope to draw attention away from the most colossal coaching mistake in his career from the week prior against the Colts? By allowing a long pass to Randy Moss did he hope to show that Moss does in fact own Darrelle Revis? (if so, too bad, because Moss turned in a pedestrian 5 catches for 34 yards against my boy Revis).

Or is this just one more bully move by a guy that thinks he is God, but is in fact still the same a-hole that could not turn around the Browns and WHO WALKED OUT ON THE JETS IN 1999 A DAY AFTER TAKING THE HEAD COACHING JOB? What a loser. I HATE that guy. And, I really hate those spy-gate cheating, pretty boy Pats(ies).

Q: How are you feeling about the Lakers so far?

- Bonita Benson, Culver City, California

A: In a word….AWESOME.  So far, Khlomar has not been a distraction.  The return of Gasol has transformed the team.  Ron Artest is playing within the system and has not punched Nicholson in the face on his way down the court yet. And Kobe? Well, he is busy doing work.

Since the Lakers’ Western Conference coronation is all but assured, let’s turn to the more important issue.  Will those turd burgers from Boston make an appearance and get the whupping they deserved two years ago? As of this writing they are 10-4, and look pretty good (for a team in puke green adorned with a picture of a leprechaun sporting a vest, hat and bow-tie covered in freaking shamrocks).  I don’t want another beat-down on Orlando.  I want Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and “look at me I am yelling a lot, I must be really intense” Kevin Garnett to face the music like they did in 1985 and 1987 when Magic and crew beat Bird and his brigade of losers (like Kevin “the Armpits” McHale and Robert “Reefer” Parrish). SCREW THE CELTICS!

Q: When are you going to talk about the Sooners? Texas Tech destroyed Stoops and company and the crowd turned the House of Pain “Jump Around” into an anti-Sooner anthem.  And, don’t forget Capel’s b-ball team that got rocked by the VCU Rams, his former team.  Seriously, did you jump off a cliff this weekend?

- Rusty Jackson, Texhoma, Texas

A: I am typing out this response from the rather large ravine that I did indeed toss myself into after the collective DUMP THAT OU TOOK ON ME THIS WEEKEND.  This is the kind of showing that makes you want to give up sports.

That raises the issue.  Is it possible to really give up on your favorite team?  I say no.  The first time I ever tried to do it was when I was 8 years old and the Dodgers were on a serious losing streak. I declared that I was no longer a fan of Dodger blue and tried to become a Cincinnati Reds fan.  However, each morning when I would look through the box scores in the local paper I found my gaze straying from the Reds to find out what the Dodgers had done the night before. The reason?  If you are a true fan, you can NEVER give up on your team.  Even when they TEAR OUT YOUR HEART, LIKE OU DID TO ME THIS WEEKEND.

Did I kinda avoid answering your questions Rusty? You bet. Stay tuned, though, because if those goat loving, tobacco chewing troglodytes from Stillwater win Bedlam this weekend, then I may have to dedicate an entire column to how FREAKING BAD THIS OU FOOTBALL SEASON HAS REALLY BEEN.

Q: So, how about Les Miles and his clock management skills?

- Earl Papadeaux, Natchez, Louisiana

A: Oh, how I detest Les Miles.  What an overrated, egotistical, arrogant insipid little man crowned with an ill-fitting hat. How many times must he do something like this before Tiger Nation rises up and says enough is enough.  The LSU school newspaper, “The Daily Reveille” is calling for the firing of offensive coordinator Gary Crowton over this debacle.

First, “The Daily Reveille,” really? I had to look up “reveille” to even know what the students there are referencing.  It is a bugle call associated with the military.  So, the newspaper is a daily bugle call.   Whatever.

Second, firing the offensive coordinator is completely missing the point.  Did anyone see Les Miles’ patented “deer in headlights” look as the precious seconds ticked away in the game against Ole Miss? He was befuddled, bamboozled and flummoxed all at the same time. This man could not coach his way out of a paper bag when decisions that are tougher than what to eat after the game are on the line.  Speaking of food…

Q: Don’t you think that Mark Mangino is just mean, mean, mean!

- Dolores Bitterbottom, Mulberry, Kansas

A: Look, I have had my share of crude talking insensitive coaches.  Heck, it is really part of the job description as far as I can tell.  Reminds me of a funny story.  Ed Honcho and I used to have a baseball coach that referred to him as “Colonel Sanders” because he was too “chicken” to get down on the ball when fielding grounders in practice.  That was funny. What Mangino (allegedly) has been doing?  Not cool.

When a college student confides in a coach about his alcoholic father, that should remain between him and the coach. Same thing with a player that tells coach about his brother getting shot in the neighborhood he grew up in .  To use that information against the players is the sign of a man that has lost touch with reality.  He is not breaking players down and then building them up.  He is just breaking them.

While we are on the subject, I am wondering if any Jayhawk ever gave it back to the coach? In case they have not, and current Jayhawks are looking for some ideas, here is my humble proposal for a dialogue with Mangino:

Mangino – “Hey, stop loafing WR!  You keep that up and you will wind up on welfare and turning tricks in an alley for crack cocaine like that story about your mom you shared with me in a closed door meeting the other day.”

WR – “Hey Coach.  Here’s a thought.  Maybe you should drop your daily caloric intake by, I don’t know, maybe 40,000 calories.  Seriously, do you really need that entire rack of ribs to go with your 22 ounce steak, double cheese-burger and fried okra covered in brown gravy?  I’m just looking out for you.  Well, I am also looking out for the players that keep getting hit by one of your 17 chins when you move suddenly on the sideline.”

Q: How about Jimmy Clausen getting cold-cocked by an angry Irish fan at local bar?

- Gaye Barr, Elkhart, Indiana

A: This had to be the first time anything associated with the Irish was on target this whole season.  My only question is why not track down and punch Charlie Weis?  The guy is pushing 3 bills and his knees are shot.  There is no way he could get away quickly enough to avoid a total pummeling. (please note that Mad Adam, while prone to fits of anger, does not condone nor promote violence against athletes and/or coaches….you know, unless they really deserve it).

Q: As an unabashed fan of front-running, big money teams like the Lakers and Sooners, is it any surprise that you’ve recently declared yourself a Manchester City fan? And even though you’ll do your best to spin the answer, it’s mostly rhetorical, as the indisputable answer is “no.”

- Ed Honcho, Sunbathing on the French Riviera

A: Nice try Ed.  You are clearly trying to bait me into a fit of rage.  However, unlike Tila Tequila, I am not that easy.  You see, what you are failing to tell our readers is that it is “undisputable” that I became a fan of the Blues prior to September 2008 when Man City was purchased by the Abu Dhabi United Group, making it the wealthiest club in the world.

Which means that I became a fan of Man City, a team that has not won silverware since 1976, before this fortuitous twist transformed them into the Champions League chasing team they are today.  So, SUCK IT ED.  Seriously.

Q: Is it true that you’ve been in the same fantasy football league for almost 20 years and never won?

- Bjorn Bjornssen, Hammerfest, Norway

A: Bjorn, now I am starting to get pissed.  Your “source” is mistaken.  Allow me to provide you a history lesson. Yes, I have been in the same fantasy football league since 1988.  In fact, Ed Honcho, myself and friends may have indeed invented fantasy football.

No, it is NOT true that I have failed to ever be crowned champion.  My team has a long and storied history.  I consistently make the playoffs, and I have been in not one, not two, but THREE championship games.  Several years ago Ed Honcho and I squared off in the championship game.  The game ended in a tie according to an on-line fantasy sports site that will not be named.  Incredibly, after nearly two decades of fantasy sports our collective group had never devised a tie-breaker scenario.  So, we declared a tie and the championship was split between Mad Adam and Ed Honcho.

Now things get interesting.  Approximately 6 months later, one of our friends and fellow fantasy owner, we will call him “ass-wipe,” decided to peruse the web-site because he had nothing better to do.  He was surprised to see that the CRAPPY, STUPID AND PROFESSIONALLY NEGLIGENT web-site that shall not be named had changed the score for Jeff Garcia (my starting QB at the time) by one measly STUPID point.  Ass-wipe decides to share this information with the league.  The result? Years of bickering and a COMPLETELY FALSE AND WHOLLY UNSUBSTANTIATED CLAIM of an undisputed and sole championship by Ed.

Many of you may ask, and rightly so, how in the world can you change the score of a fantasy sports championship MONTHS after the fact?  Isn’t that like tuning in for the Super Bowl and watching the Pats lose to the Giants, only to find out the following summer that the NFL had changed its mind and declared that the David Tyree “helmet catch” was an incompletion and the Pats actually won?  Good point.  And Bjorn, you no fantasy knowledge having dude from Hammerfest, did you stop to ask what would have happened if we applied the tie-breaking rules we have today?  No? Well, let me tell you what would have happened. I WOULD HAVE WON.  And, what would have happened if we played the next week (since we tabulated the points just to see)?….wait for it….that’s right….. I WOULD HAVE WON.

Dammit.  Now my blood pressure is though the roof.  Bjorn, I am sure you can see from the foregoing synopsis that in fact I DID WIN A FREAKING CHAMPIONSHIP.  And, if you don’t agree with me then you CAN JUST ENJOY YOUR CITY WHICH REEKS OF REINDEER MANURE.  That’s right, I said it.

Q: Why so angry? Childhood trauma? Life stacked against you? What?

- Adolfo Ocampo, Ushuaia, Argentina

A: As I am sure you can see from the questions posed by some ingrates above, as well as the other stupid topics that got me riled up, there are plenty of reasons I am angry.  SO, STICK YOUR POP PSYCHOLOGY UP YOUR ASS ADOLFO.  I will be sure to call if I ever need your attention.  Don’t hold your breath in the meantime.

Thank you loyal readers.  Until next time, keep watching sports and DON’T PISS ME OFF!!!

Larry Bird conquistó en tres ocasiones (1983/84-1984/85-1985/86) el premio al mejor jugador del año. El jugador de los Boston Celtics maravilló durante años con su baloncesto y con sus enfrentamientos con Magic Johnson, que obtuvo el mismo galardón también por tres veces.

Después del dominio de Michael Jordan, donde se intercalaron jugadores como Charles Barkley, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson o Karl Malone, vino una nueva generación en la que brillaron Shaquille O´Neil, Allen Iverson, Tim Duncan y Kevin Garnett. Y, de repente, otro blanco apareció en escena. Steve Nash, un canadiense de 1,91 de altura y una figura que nada tenía que ver con los hombres nombrados anteriormente, se adueñaba del baloncesto americano. Sus pases imposibles, su modo de dirigir el juego, sus valientes entradas a canasta, sus tiros certeros, su desparpajo y, sobre todo, el hecho de hacer mejores a sus compañeros, le valieron ser nombrado dos veces seguidas mejor jugador de la temporada (2004/05 y 2005/06).

El cetro no iba a ser abandonado por los blancos a las primeras de cambio, y Dirk Nowitzki se convirtió al año siguiente en el primer europeo en recibir el MVP. El alemán, con un estilo algo tosco, muy lejos de la estética del vuelo sin motor inventada por Air Jordan, asombró a la NBA con una muñeca y una agilidad impropias de un jugador de 213 centímetros de altura.

Pero la hegemonía blanca tenía sus días contados. Kobe Bryant, que para entonces ya tenía tres anillos, reclamó el trono que antes se le había negado, y volvió a poner en lo más alto el estilo de juego inventado por Michael Jordan.

El último rey es King James. Desde luego, se parece más a MJ que Dirk Nowitzki, pero son jugadores muy distintos. Lebron James ha inventado un nueva forma de jugar al baloncesto, y ésta se basa en ser el más fuerte sobre la cancha. Nadie puede parar a King James, al menos no cuando está en carrera y menos cuando ha iniciado el vuelo.

No cuestiono la elección de estos hombres como los mejores de los últimos 25 años, eran los mejores. Pero me gustaría destacar la dificultad que entraña ser elegido MVP cuando se es blanco. Larry Bird, Steve Nash y Dirk Nowitzki no son precisamente un ejemplo de fortaleza física. Ninguno de ellos machacaba el aro como lo hace un jugador de color, ninguno alcanzaba la velocidad de los afroamericanos, pero supieron imponer sus propias reglas, basadas en el cálculo, la reflexión, la oportunidad.

Gewinner

LA Lakers
Kobe ist heiß und erzielt den Großteil seiner Punkte im LowPost. Als Shooting Guard! Keine guten Nachrichten für den Rest der Liga. Danke nochmal an “The Dream“. Andrew Bynum ist neben Chris Bosh der einzige Spieler der Liga mit 20/10. Kann Andrew endlich mal eine Saison durchspielen, winkt vielleicht sogar das ASG. VierViertel wünscht es ihm. Und nun ist auch noch Pau Gasol zurück. Nach seiner hartnäckigen Oberschenkel-Verletzung ist Pau fit und macht die Lakers noch gefährlicher, weil eben vielseitiger. Apropos, Lamar Odom kehrt freiwillig in die 2nd Unit zurück, sehr zur Überraschung von Phil Jackson. Auch nicht leicht zu bewerkstelligen. Und Shannon macht seine eigene Top10 in jedem Spiel, weil, man weil er einfach höher springt als alle anderen!! Die Lakers machen einen Run, auch weil RonRon eben nicht auffällt, außer durch Defense und Teamspiel. Allen Iverson, you hear me??

Atlanta Hawks
Nach Jahren in den Tiefen der Eastern Conference kann dies das Jahr der Hawks werden. Kleine Veränderungen im Team, große Veränderungen auf dem Court. Letzte Woche waren die Hawks sogar die Nummer 1 in diversen Power Rankings. Alle reiben sich die Augen. Josh Smith nimmt keine dummen Dreier mehr und spielt wirklich Defense. Jamal Crawford gibt der 2nd Unit Scoring Punch. Joe Johnson spielt mal wieder auf All-Star-Level. Und so langsam füllt sich auch die Halle endlich mit Fans. Wird der Höhenflug anhalten?

Dallas Mavericks
10-3? 5-game-winning-streak? Was hab ich verpasst? Heimlich still und leise haben sich die Mavs unter die Spitze der Western Conference geschlichen! Und das ohne Josh Howard und teilweise Shwan Marion…Nowe ist mal wieder in MVP-Form, Jason Terry rockt von der Bank und Kidd, naja Kidd ist immer irgendwie noch Jason Kidd, außer dass er in 13 Spielen nur 2 FTA hatte und mehr Assists (9.1) als Punkte (7.1) macht. Momentan scheint das Team aber einen Run zu haben und gewinnt insbesondere die knappen Spiele. Weiter so!

Verlierer
Orlando Magic
Ich weiß ich weiß. Aber ich spinne nicht! Seit Rashad Lewis von seiner Sperre zurückgekehrt ist, gabs zwar 5 Siege in Folge. Darunter ein wichtiger Sieg gegen Boston. Doch Jameer Nelson hat sich mal wieder verletzt und wird langsam als “fragile” eingestuft. Dies zwingt White Chocolate zu mehr Regular Season Minutes als geplant. Dwight Howard trifft immer noch keine Freiwürfe und Vinsanity wird zum puren Jump-Shooter, 3 FTA pro Spiel sind zu wenig. Außerdem ist die Abhängigkeit vom 3er zu groß. Momentan reichts noch um zu gewinnen, doch dies sind alles Faktoren die bis zu den Playoffs ausgeglichen werden müssen.

Lebron James
Seine Stats sind mal wieder Super. Nach schlechtem Start (0-2) läufts auch wieder rund, seitdem Shaq seine Schulter auf der Bank auskuriert. Aber kann es sein dass sich Bron zum CNN-Reporter aufgeschwungen hat? Kein Tag vergeht ohne das der King nicht zu irgendeinen “wichtigen” Thema Stellung bezieht. Erst die übertriebene und undurchdachte Jordan-Huldigung. Dann die “I could be really good” Sache mit den Cleveland Browns. Schon vor einiger Zeit kam das Thema Lebron und NFL mal auf. Vorher sollte er sich jedoch nochmal das anschauen. Verliert Lebron vielleicht das Interesse am Basketball? Hat Shaq ihm von der schönen Welt abseits des Courts mit Film und Musik erzählt? Oder wird Lebron einfach ein Opfer seines seit frühester Kindheit medial aufgeblasenen und gepushten Egos? Und jetzt scheint eine unangenehme Handgelenks-Verletzung den King auch noch auf dem Court zu behindern. Come on King, Get Focused! Play Ball!

Chris Paul & Byron Scott
Was ist hier los? Seit CP3 Verletzung gabs Siege gegen Atlanta, Phoenix und die Clippers sowie ne 1-Punkt Niederlage gegen Miami. Ist Darren Collison besser als CP3? Oder haben die Spieler einfach genug von Byron Scotts Coaching-Style gehabt? Hoffen wir mal das es letzteres war und das Talent von CP3 nicht in New Orleans verschwendet wird. Er fällt wohl noch 2 Wochen aus und dann wird man sehen ob das Hoch von Peja & Co nur ein Strohfeuer war oder ob die Hornets wirklich “competitive” sind!!

Allen Iverson
Wars das? Raus in Memphis? (Imagine That!) Und dann wollen ihn nicht einmal die next-to-worst-Knicks? Was kommt als Nächstes? Iverson in Ludwigsburg? Bei Alba?

Tras unos días sin mirar el lado más atípico de la NBA, vamos con una ración de noticias divertidas, curiosas o simplemente extravagantes. La obsesion de Shaquille O’Neal por ser representante de la ley, la capacidad de Pau Gasol para anunciar cualquier cosa o la peligrosa capacidad de provocación de Nate Robinson son sólo algunos de los temas que trataremos después de hacer clic a continuación…

Krypto-Nate, el hombre sin cerebro: No está siendo una buena temporada para los New York Knicks. Están en 3-10 y ocupan el penúltimo puesto de la Conferencia Este, únicamente superados por los hasta ahora lamentables New Jersey Nets. Por lo tanto, Mike D’Antoni no está para muchas bromas… ni siquiera cuando su equipo gana. Y por eso no le hizo ninguna gracia la última frivolidad de Nate Robinson, quien en el último segundo del primer cuarto del partido del sábado entre Knicks y Nets (precisamente) hizo lo siguiente:

Así es, amigos. Con 0,5 segundos por jugarse en el primer cuarto, al amigo Krypto-Nate no se le ocurrió otra cosa que cascarse un triple… contra su propio aro. Y meterlo. Os dejo unos segundos para que asimiléis las proporciones de una estupidez así… y una vez asimiladas, digamos todos a una: “¿PERO QUÉ DEMONIOS ESTABA PENSANDO ROBINSON?”. Aunque el tiempo se haya agotado… ¿Qué necesidad hay de tirar sobre tu propio aro? ¿Qué necesidad hay de hacerlo de tres? ¿Qué necesidad hay de meterla? La verdad es que el cabreo de D’Antoni es perfectamente comprensible, tanto como el que Robinson no jugara ni un solo minuto más en todo el partido, por mucho que los Knicks acabaran ganando. No me extraña que D’Antoni se ponga hecho un basilisco con esta plantilla con la cabeza tan mal amueblada…

El “oficial Shaq”: Como todos sabéis, Shaquille O’Neal lleva desarrollando durante estos últimos años una actividad paralela a la de jugador de baloncesto: la de defensor de la ley. El Gran Aristóteles ya ocupó algún cargo de este tipo mientras vivió en Florida, Virginia y Arizona, y ahora pretende hacer lo mismo en Ohio. Sin embargo, no lo va a tener nada fácil: tras presentar su solicitud para convertirse en ayudante especial en el condado de Buckeye, Shaq tendrá que examinarse y pasar unas pruebas físicas. Concretamente, y citando las palabras de la portavoz del distrito general del estado, Holly Hollingsworth (gran nombre, por cierto):

“Parece que el señor O’Neal tendrá que someterse a un entrenamiento adicional bastante importante, y también deberá completar el examen de certificación del estado para convertirse en un agente de la ley en el estado de Ohio”.

Sin someterese a ese entrenamiento y ese examen, Shaq no podría llevar un arma (por lo cual doy gracias), ni tampoco realizar ningún arresto. Sí que podría realizar ambas cosas en caso de superar el entrenamiento y el examen, aunque en ningún caso recibiría una paga por ello (ni que le hiciera falta…). El “entrenamiento adicional” de Shaq consistiría, según parece, en 30 horas de adiestramiento policial, realizadas en un periodo inferior a los seis meses, tras lo cual debería pasar el examen policial de Ohio y también una prueba de tiro. Este hombre es incansable… ¿seguro que está lesionado de verdad y no entrenándose para policía a espaldas de los Cavs?

Gasol el cantarín: Como sabéis, por algún motivo sobrenatural que desconozco, Pau Gasol está apareciendo en varios spots televisivos que anuncian Singstar Mecano, la nueva entrega de la insigne saga de videojuegos de cantar de Sony-PlayStation. Cuando ya creía que no habría nada más raro que verle anunciando relojes junto a Rafa Nadal o promocionando coches de dudosa calidad, esto supera todo lo visto hasta ahora. A continuación tenéis “Cruz de navajas” y “En tu fiesta me colé” como nunca jamás deberían ser cantadas… (Y sí, ya sé que la noticia tiene algunos días… pero no he podido resistirme):

Como dicen en los comentarios de uno de los vídeos… ¿por qué nunca vemos a Marc haciendo estas cosas? ¿Se quedó él con todo el sentido del ridículo al nacer?

Nació Valentina Lima Jaric: Pues eso, que una de las parejitas favoritas de este blog, la que forman el inigualable Marko Jaric y la deslumbrante Adriana Lima, por fin han tenido a su hijita. Me alegro por ellos, y espero que la niña herede la belleza de su madre y no el talento baloncestístico de su padre, porque últimamente no le va muy bien. Ahora mismo sigue sin equipo, aunque imagino que con Adriana y Valentina en casa, el baloncesto debe de estar entre sus últimas preocupaciones…

O.J. el generoso: Y por último, la noticia altruista del día, y es que parece que O.J. Mayo sólo es un avaricioso cuando tiene un balón en sus manos. Según el Memphis Commercial Appeal, parece que el escolta de los Grizzlies quiere aprovechar estas fechas tan especiales (esta semana es Acción de Gracias en Estados Unidos) para preocuparse por los menos favorecidos, y ha donado 500 pavos y 500 jamones (cocidos, no ibéricos) a 1000 familias de Huntington, en West Virginia, el pueblo en el que creció el jugador. Al parecer no es la primera iniciativa de este tipo que realiza el bueno de Mayo. Ahora sólo hace falta que suba un poco más sus promedios de asistencias, que apenas llegan a 3 por partido…

Segundo partido de Pau Gasol y segunda victoria consecutiva de los Lakers. El español hizo ayer 15 puntos, 7 rebotes y 6 asistencias en la victoria de los angelinos (que gran Bynum!) ante los anárquicos Thunder. Los Lakers se aproximan a la cabeza del oeste, pero hay algo turbio: de sus 13 partidos ha jugado 10 como local, mientras los Suns han jugado 9 de sus 14 fuera de casa.

ACTUALIZO: Habéis visto la canasta de Kobe por detrás del tablero?? ya está en youtube

Calderón y sus Raptors sucumbieron ante la profundidad de banquillo de los Magic. El extremeño de oro hizo 16-2-4, el día que Jarret Jack hizo 11 asistencias. En los Magic, demostración de variedad, con victoria en Canadá, pese al discreto partido de Howard (y discreta temporada….), al escaso acierto de Rashard y Carter, y a la baja de Nelson. Ahí estaba Jason Williams para recordar sus mejores momentos.

En el resto de la jornada destacar la victoria sobre la bocina y en la prórroga de los Celtics (qué gran Pierce!!). Canasta de KG sobre la bocina, pese a su mal partido (y mala temporada!!). En los Knicks, tonterías de Nate Robinson aparte, se ve mejoría.

Destacados:

• Paul Pierce: 33-9-6, 6 triples, 1 robo, 2 gorros, 9/17 en campo y 9/10 en libres. Perdió 3 balones y tuvo un domingo especialmente inspirado
• A.Bynum: 25-9-0, 1 robos, 2 tapones, 9/11 en campo y 7/7 en libres. Casi infalible
• Kobe: 26-6-7, 2 robos, 4/4 en libres y 0 pérdidas. Consistente
• Al Harrington: 30-9-2, 5 triples, 1 robo, 10/21 en campo y 5/6 en libres. Gran sexto hombre, pero racheado
• Wade: 31-6-3, 3 triples, 1 robo, 3 gorros, 12/21 en campo. Notable
• Nash: 20-0-9, 1 triple, 7/8 en campo y 5/5 en libres. Otro consistente
• David Lee: 22-15-3, 1 robo, 7/12 en campo y 8/9 en libres. Perdió 5 balones. Un borrón en su gran partido
• Jason Williams: 16-5-3, 2 triples, 2 robos, 5/9 en campo y 4/4 en libres. No perdió balones. Gran vuelta de este veterano
• Narz Mohammed: 18-5-0, 2 robos, 2 gorros, 8/10 en campo y 0 pérdidas. Sorpresa agradable
• Rondo: 14-9-10, 4 robos. Mal día en tiros (5/13 fg: 4/8 en libres). Cerca del triple doble de nuevo

Troy Murphy Trophy

• K.Perkins: 16-13-1, 4 gorros, 6/7 en campo. Contundencia

Otros destacados:

• Ibaka cogió 13 rebotes; D.Howard 12.
• Mario Chalmers repartió 9 asistencias, Jarret Jack estuvo bien con 11
• Marcus Thornton metió 5 triples
• Sheed robó 4 balones
• Espectacular Ibaka con 5 gorros

Vaya día:

• Mal día en el tiro: Sheed (0/6), Harden (2/15) y Hughes (2/11). Mal también el cuarteto: Duhon, Jeff Green, Powell y Odom con 1/6
• Grandioso bombardero Harden. El novato hizo un rotundo 0/10 en triples. Y lo hizo a lo grande, en su año de debutante y en el Staples. Hay pesos pesados en los Thunder?? Pues que le den un tirón de orejas.
• Johnson hizo un 2/5. Hablo de Amir
• James Jones tiró 3 veces en 38 minutos
• Sin rebotes: Nash y un tal DaJuan Summers
• Sin asistencias: Bosh

Nuestros galardones:

• Zapatilla de oro: Vince Carter tiró 24 veces a canasta
• Mario West: DeSagana Diop jugó 2:32 minutos. Mal día para los “Marios”
• Benito: Rasheed Wallace 0 puntos, pero 4 robos
• Concha Velasco: Russell Westbrook hizo 6 pérdidas. Yo apuesto por el amigo Russell para el premio anual
• Seleapareciólavirgen: Jarret Jack con sus 11 asistencias. A que no lo repite?

La pregunta del día:

¿Qué jugador que el año pasado colocó 6 tapones en toda la temporada hizo ayer 2 gorros? (Es decir, dos más que los que puso ayer Dwight Howard)

Sept. 10,  I finally parted ways with my colon.  Thanks to all who who said a prayer or two for my surgery, and my recovery. To all my friends, who texted, emailed, visited, in the hospital and in the house,  SALAMAT PO!!! I have a  9 inch scar in the middle of my stomach. Youch!!!  So much for parading around the beach. On a positive note, my Doctor, actually gave me free liposuction, and took out the fats in my stomach. Thanks Doc. I entered the hospital, a light heavyweight weighing 175lbs, I left weighing like a welterweight, at 147lbs. Now more than two months  later, I have managed to gain some of it back. Oh well……

Zach even stayed overnight to help mom watch me. But I think he just enjoyed eating my hospital food.

Me with my breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus merienda....

My 3 special ladies were there to support me

The day of my operation, was probably the fastest day of my life. The nurses woke me up at around 4pm, to do the final prep, which included, one final trip to the john, and giving me my pill to knock me out. A brother from the chapel of St. Lukes, passed by and gave me some blessings and prayers, and it gave me the confidence I needed. I immediately felt the effects of the pill they gave me. I remember turning to Janice and telling her to kiss me already, because I was literally falling asleep, then ZZZZZZ.  During my 4 hour plus operation, Janice documented  the waiting period, and aftermath of the operation. With the help of my Ninang  Tessie Tomas who was there, along with my Mom, my Mom in law, and Tita Julie Lingan, during my operation, please watch this. If you are squeamish, don’t bother. Click here to view.

As I mentioned two months have passed since my colectomy, and now I would say I am back to 90% healthy. Just recently, I played my first basketball game. Not bad, a couple of baskets, a couple of rebounds and assists, lots of missed shots. Hehehe. I was just happy to be playing.

So many things have happened since my operation. I didn’t know where to begin to or what to write about in this blog. Should  I write about Ateneo’s double back to back championships?  My successful concert with Tux in Singapore or my vacation in Singapore?  Ondoy?  I decided to write an easy article, something that I have wanted to write about since the last  NBA season ended.

MY ALL TIME PHIL JACKSON TEAM

Phil Jackson just won his 10^th Nba  championship, surpassing Red Auerbach. Who would make up Phil Jackson’s all time dream team?

10 NBA Championships for PhilJax

STARTERS:

G – Michael Jordan  G- Kobe Bryant  C- Shaquille O’Neal   F- Scottie Pippen  F- Dennis Rodman

At Guard, Michael "Air"Jordan

at the other guard, Kobe Bryant

In the middle, The Big Diesel, Shaquille O'Neal

At one forward spot, Scottie Pippen

At the other forward, The Worm Dennis Rodman

RESERVES:

G- John Paxson  G- Ron Harper  G- Derek Fisher  G- Steve Kerr

Paxson finished off the Lakers and the Suns with his clutch outside shooting

Harpers's defense and versatility helped Jackson win titles for the Bulls and Lakers

D Fish in the clutch for the 2009 Lakers

Kerr took over Paxson's role as outside shooter in the Bulls' 2nd 3peat

F – Toni Kukoc  F-  Lamar Odom  F- Robert Horry  F- Glen Rice

"The Waiter" served up outside shooting and assists to his Bulls teammates

A decade later, another #7 and another lefty, Lamar Odom, helped Jackson win a title.

"Big Shot Rob" in the clutch

Glen Rice helped Shaq and Kobe win their first crown

C- Pau Gasol  C- Horace Grant

The Nba Conquistador Pau Gasol of the Spanish Armada

Grant won 3 titles with the Bulls and helped LA win one more.

Honorable Mention:   BJ Armstrong, Rick Fox, AC Green, Bill Cartwright, Luc Longley, Will Perdue, Craig Hodges, Trevor Ariza,Cliff Levingston

Game time: Rodman rebounds the miss, passes to  Pippen who brings the ball down, he looks left and sees Jordan on the left block, Kobe on the right wing, Shaq in the middle. Who will he pass to? What a dilemma. Pip might average 20 assists a game with this lineup.

Once the starters build a sizeable lead against their foes, the second team comes in with two left handed and versatile forwards, The Waiter Toni Kukoc  and Lamar Odom. Brute force is replaced with finesse as Pau Gasol comes in. Defense and clutch outside shooting are provided by Ron Harper and John Paxson.

The third team,  comes in to finish the game. Composed mostly of outside shooters with unlimited range, Steve Kerr, and Derek Fisher at the guard spots, “Big Shot Bob” Robert Horry, Glen Rice at the wings and Horace Grant, a big guy who plays outside.

What a team. Arguments can be said that Jackson has been lucky to have elite players, but Red had Russell and Cousy, Riley had Magic and Jabbar, Daly had Isiah and Joe D., so why cant PhilJax have his?

One of the best clutch performances of all time, Pippen helping the flu-stricken Jordan after he defeated the Utah Jazz with an outstanding effort.

Rodman and Kukoc celebrate their 2nd championship together

Shaq and Kobe during happier times

Getting these star players to buy into a complicated offense/system like the triangle takes imagination,  creativity and lots of patience. Who will join these 15 players? Artest? Bynum? Morrisson?

Can you imagine these two in the same backcourt?

Will Jackson win his 11th ring in 2010?

Let’s wait and see. Agree or disagree with my choices, I would love to hear from you. Thanks.

BTW, who do you like better, the Laker Girls or the LuvaBulls?

Great to be back… you know!!!

Gasol está sentindo dores novamente.

“Muita dor”, disse ele, sexta-feira.

“Não é dor na minha contusão, é uma dor geral no corpo”, disse Gasol. “É apenas por fazer algum tempo que eu não jogava. Um treinamento com a equipe é muito diferente de um jogo real de basquete”.

Gasol disse que sua coxa está muito bem, mas que suas costas e seus músculos da perna estão sentindo o efeito dos 35 minutos que ele jogou contra o Bulls. Ele fez 24 pontos e pegou 13 rebotes.

“Sempre tem alguma coisa errada com ele”, disse Phil Jackson, sorrindo.

Mesmo com a dor Pau Gasol treinou normalmente nessa sexta-feira, porém Andrew Bynum não treinou, já que está com uma contusão no tornozelo direito.

“Estava mais doloroso essa manhã do que ontem”, disse Bynum.

O pivô não pretende perder nenhuma partida por causa de sua contusão.

“Meu tornozelo está bem, não é tão sério assim. Eu provavelmente jogarei domingo”, disse.

Como o Andrew não é muito bom para diagnosticar a si próprio, é melhor dar uma olhada na reação dos jogadores e da equipe técnica ao seu redor. Felizmente, todos estão tranqüilos, então não deve ser nada sério mesmo.

Fonte: LA Times 1 (No meio da notícia), LA Times 2

Como ya habeis dicho por aquí, ha vuelto ET. Ahí va un flash de lo que aconteció ayer:

Destacados:

• Pau: 24-13-3, 1 gorro, 9/15 en campo y 6/6 en libres. Las ganas han podido a la forma
• Stojakovic: 25-13-1, 7 triples, 9/19 en campo. Metralladora y reboteando
• Tim Duncan: 21-9-5, 7/14 en campo y 7/8 en libres
• Jared Dudley: 17-5-3, 5 triples, 2 robos, 5/7 en campo y 2/2 en libres. Quien nos lo iba a decir
• Deron Williams: 21-3-10, 4 triples, 1 robo, 8/15 en campo. Completo.

Nuestros galardones:

• Concha Velasco: Amare Stoudemire con 5 pérdidas
• Mario West: poca cosa destacable. El que menos jugó fue Kosta Koufos (casi 4 minutos)
• Zapatilla de oro: Kobe se tiró 21 tiros (metió un tercio)
• A nadie se le apareció la virgen
• Troy Murphy Trophy: Kobe: 21-9-8, 7/8 en libres y 1 pérdida. Gran partido (pese al tiro)
• Benito: Ratliff hizo 3 gorros y 0 puntos en 13 minutos.

La pregunta del día:

¿Cuántos años hacía que Utah no ganaba en San Antonio?

Los mejores momentos de anoche:

Jennings en una acción de su gran partido ante Warriors

1. BRANDON JENNINGS (Milwaukee Bucks). Si ya era sorprendente que un rookie estuviera promediando 20 puntos, 5 rebotes y 5 asistencias por partido, más sorprendente aún fue lo que hizo el pasado día 14 ante los Warriors, nada más y nada menos que 55 puntos. El base de los Bucks se ha propuesto responder con partidazos a todos los que le criticaron por su flojo paso por el encorsetado baloncesto europeo. De momento, ya ha hecho algo al alcance de muy pocos: situarse en la élite de la NBA en apenas nueve partidos. Impresionante.

2. JOSH SMITH (Atlanta Hawks). Junto a Joe Johnson está liderando a los Hawks en su espectacular inicio de liga. Él simboliza el nuevo juego de Atlanta: Ofensivo pero sin dejar de lado la defensa, muy físico, rápido y sobre todo ganador. Estadísticamente ha sido una semana espectacular para Smith, el alero de Atlanta ha promediado 16.7 puntos, 13.5 rebotes, 3.7 asistencias, 2 tapones y 2 robos por partido.

3. DIRK NOWITZKI (Dallas Mavericks). Cuatro partidos y cuatro victorias para Dallas. En todas ellos gran presencia del alero alemán, y sobre todo ha sido decisivo. Decidió en Milwaukee y también los hizo en Detroit con canastas en los últimos instantes, y sobre todo lo hizo ante los Spurs con una auténtica exhibición (41 puntos y 12 rebotes). Nowitzki ha comenzado la temporada de una manera portentosa, aunque su equipo no le acaba de ayudar tanto como a él le gustaría, Dallas va ganando sus partidos.

4. PAU GASOL (Los Ángeles Lakers). La vuelta a las canchas del Ala-pívot de Sant Boi ha sido espectacular. En su primer partido 24 puntos y 13 rebotes para derrotar a Chicago Bulls. Además ha sido uno de los hombres de la semana porque han salido a la luz las imágenes de su cameo en la serie CSI. Toda una vuelta de cine, la de Gasol.

5. DARREN COLLISON (New Orleans Hornets). Rookie y base suplente de Chris Paul, uno de los mejores bases de la liga. Con esta situación de pocos minutos puede disponer este joven base proveniente de la universidad de UCLA. Sin embargo, los planetas se han alineado para él y las malas noticias para los Hornets se han convertido en buenas para él: Chris Paul se ha lesionado, por tanto, ha llegado su oportunidad. Después unos dos primeros partidos dubitativo ahora parece que se ha soltado y ha llevado a su equipo a llevar dos partidos consecutivos. Aunque las estadísticas no lo reflejen (11 puntos y 4 asistencias de media en estos 4 partidos), Collison está jugando realmente bien y está consiguiendo redirigir la situación de unos Hornets que residían en una dinámica muy negativa.

6. JOAKIM NOAH (Chicago Bulls). Maravilloso momento de forma de Noah. El dinámico ala-pívot de los Bulls se está multiplicando y presenta candidatura a jugador defensivo del año y jugador más mejorado de la temporada. 12.1 puntos y 12.6 rebotes demuestran la explosión de este jugador tan infravalorado.

7. PAUL MILLSAP (Utah Jazz). El alero de Utah está recuperando el hambre y el nivel de juego de la temporada pasada. Esta semana ha ayudado a su equipo ha hacer un record 3-1. Por fin parece estar aportando desde el banquillo y comienza a hacer partidos de auténtico microondas, donde anota todo lo que le llega a las manos mientras está en pista. 14 puntos de media desde el banquillo y unos porcentajes muy altos (63.9%) demuestran que Millsap está volviendo.

8. J.R. SMITH (Denver Nuggets). Un día le duró que le llamaran Earl Smith. El otra vez J.R. Smith ha vuelto después de la sanción con ganas de anotar. 16 tiros de promedio facilitan que anote con asiduidad, sin embargo, el escolta de los Nuggets está fino. Y ha vuelto esta semana con 20 puntos ante Lakers en 23 minutos y 29 en 22 ante Toronto para ganar ambos partidos. El retorno del racheado Smith les ha sentado de perlas a unos Nuggets con Carmelo dependencia.

Brand quiere volver a ser mister 20-10

9. ELTON BRAND (Philadelphia 76Sixers). Ni la lesión de Marreese Speights parecía que iba a ser bueno para Brand, muchas dudas sobre su flojo rendimiento hasta la fecha y la sombra de la suplencia comenzaba a amenazarle, y para disipar dudas el ala-pívot de los Sixers se marcó su mejor partido de las últimas temporadas: 19 puntos, 11 rebotes, 6 tapones, 3 recuperaciones y 2 tapones para ganar a los Bobcats. ¿Buenos tiempos para Brand?

10. DANNY GRANGER (Indiana Pacers). El jugador franquicia de Indiana tiene gran parte de culpa de las 2 victorias en 3 partidos de esta semana. Su partido contra Boston fue soberbio (29 puntos, 6 rebotes, 4 asistencias y 3 robos) y está manteniendo a unos flojos Pacers en un record positivo (5-4).

Pau Gasol made his season debut last night versus the Chicago Bulls. He made an immediate impact with 24 points and 13 rebounds. As always, Kobe Bryant shined with 21 points, but on this night he passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the Lakers’ career scoring chart, making him second on the all-time franchise list. The Lakers won 108-93.

~Signing Off~
AGE