Random Observations:
- Highlight Recap: Rudy Gay reverse double-pump slam. McBob throws it down. Javale McGee swats Jeff Teague. Gino sick pass to Timmy. Nene knocks down a three.
- After losing at the buzzer to the Thunder on Friday night, The Pistons found an even more depressing way to lose last night. Led by Derrick Rose and his career-high-tying 39 points, the Chicago Bulls were able to come back from a 21 point second half deficit to defeat Detroit by double digits. This puts Detroit at 0-3, yet they could easily be 3-0. They lost by three to the Nets in the opener, gave Jeff Green a layup at the buzzer on Friday, and now they blow a 13 point lead with three minutes left in the game. Not the way you want to begin a season. Statistical notes: Joakim Noah had another huge game on the boards, and Ben Gordon scored 21 off the bench.
- Wilson Chandler continues to be on a tear (22 points and 16 boards), but the Blazers spoiled New York’s home opener and came up with a five-point victory. I’ve been a little surprised by Amare Stoudemire’s slow start after his stellar preseason. He’s averaging only 21 points on 46% from the floor over the first three games of the season, and he’s already turned the ball over 17 times. I’m sure he’ll come around, I was just expecting him to explode out of the gate.
- After a rough shooting night in his first NBA game, John Wall got it together in game #2. Wall scored 28 points on 9-17 and dished out 9 assists last night in Atlanta. The Hawks gave Wall the jumper just like Orlando did, but unlike the Orlando game he was able to knock a few of them down this time around. When he can consistently knock them down and defenders have to respect it, it’s going to be game over. Despite John Wall’s nice game, ATL came up with a win. Al Horford had another solid double-double with his 21/10. Javale McGee blocked seven shots in this game in only 26 minutes of play.
- OJ Mayo and Rudy Gay went for a combined 51 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists as the Grizzlies beat up on the T-Wolves. Minnesota ended up with some extremely ugly team statistics: 35% from the floor, 66% from the line, and 29 turnovers. Mike Conley had a great fantasy line: 14/7/11 with 7 steals and a three. He did bomb the field goal percentage category, but with numbers like that it’s easy to forgive him. One thing I can’t figure out about the T-Wolves: why is Kevin Love only playing 25 minutes a game? He’s commited six fouls in three games, so that’s not it. As far as I know the guy isn’t injured. So uh, Kurt Rambis, WTF? You’ve got your best player seeing less MPG than Wayne Ellington. Stop it.
- Brandon Jennings recorded a triple-double (20/10/10), Bango won mascot of the year, and the Bucks got their first win of the season… what a night in Milwaukee! The Bobcats actually out-shot the Bucks, but they got killed on the glass (Milwaukee +22 boards). Corey Maggette has made all 21 freethrows he has attempted over the first three games of the season. I figure he has legitimately earned just a fraction of those attempts, but I’ll give him credit for knocking them down.
- How ’bout Luis Scola? This dude is averaging 27 points and 14 boards on 57% through three games. Expect him to continue beasting with Yao riding the limited-minutes-no-back-to-back train. That being said, Scola’s 28 weren’t nearly enough last night as the Rockets lost by 13 to Denver. Al Harrington (fantasy team!) had 28 (+10 boards, 5 triples) of his own off the Denver bench. Big Al did all that work in just 29 minutes of play. As a team Denver actually shot like crap. They managed to knock down 29 of 33 freethrows, though. Speaking of freethrows, Kevin Martin has an even beastier streak than fellow flop-artist Corey Maggette right now. Kev Mart has knocked down all 30 of his attempts on the season.
- The rest of the games: The Hornets beat the Spurs and improved to 3-0, Indianna knocked off the now 0-3 Sixers, and Sacramento managed to get a three point victory of Cleveland (fantasy note: Donte Greene went from the starting lineup last game to playing a total of 2 seconds in this game.)
Quote of the Day: Wilson Chandler isn’t worried about not getting a contract extension before Monday’s deadline…
“I spent most of my life with no money, so (to wait) a year won’t be hard to deal with. Whatever I get will be better than what I have.”
If Wilson continues to put up numbers like the ones he has put up over the first three games, “whatever I get” is going to balloon into a very large figure.
Photo of the Day:
