This will be the last daily recap post until normal games resume next Tuesday… which means the next regular update will actually come on Wednesday. I’ll still post stuff during All-Star Weekend, but I’ll probably take it easy and make the content mostly videos and photos. Writing this blog every day is actually quite demanding and time consuming, and I think a short break from my daily requirements will help get my recap posts back to where I want them to be (I feel like they’ve kind of fallen off lately). I guess you could say I’ve hit the rookie wall. I’ve been writing my thoughts about the NBA for a long time, but I’ve never even come close to spending as much time on it as I do now. I’m just like the first-year player who hasn’t quite adjusted to an 82-game season… except I get paid next to nothing, I’m not famous, and I don’t get to be on TV.
Random Observations:
- Highlight Recap, Two-Game Thursday Edition: Yawn.
- Derrick Rose, who is probably my pick for league MVP as of right now, gave his arguement a huge boost with a 42-point (career high) explosion in a win over the Spurs, who still hold the league’s best record. Yeah, San Antonio was playing in the final contest of their nine-game road trip, a scenario which often causes teams to lay an egg… but Chicago could’ve overlooked this game just as easily with the All-Star break on their minds. Therefore, I’m not going to take any credit from D-Rose. He played agressively and attacked the basket, resulting in 20 paint points and six more from the stripe. Had his long-range jumper been on he may have gone for 50. Rose shoots 35.5 percent from three-point land this season, but he couldn’t find the range last night (0-4). Other than that he was pretty much flawless… 18-28 shooting, eight assists to just one turnover, five boards, and Chicago’s final 10 points were all on his agenda. Derrick was the only Bull to score in the last six minutes. That’s what I love about Rose… from the moment he entered the league he showed the desire to take the big shots, the desire to carry the load down the stretch. More often than not he comes through in the clutch. I guess that’s enough drooling over Rose’s performance. Each team took 80 shots in this game: Chicago made 43, San Antonio made 39. Chicago made 17 of their 20 freethrows… the Spurs made just 14 of 21. San Antonio connected on 7 of 14 threes, only slightly better than Chicago’s 6-16. Sometimes it comes down to putting the ball in the basket. The Bulls were able to do so more effectively last night, resulting in a 109-99 win. The Spurs finished their Rodeo Road Trip at 6-3, just one game off of my 7-2 prediction. They’ve got 26 games remaining in the season, 12 of which are on the road, and six of them against MIA/DAL/LAL/BOS. I’m not saying they can’t handle it… I’m not really saying anything… I don’t know why I even looked that up. Moving right along…
- The Suns came into their home game against the Mavs with wins in seven of their last nine, but they were unable to make it 8 for 10 as Dallas outgunned them 112-106. Dirk Nowitzki led the attack with 35 points, including 3 of his squad’s 10 triples on perfect shooting from long distance. Dallas’ young (and majorly hyped) two guard, Rodrigue Beaubois, made his first start of the season in just his second game back from a foot injury. He had a decent showing with nine points on 4-10 in 19 minutes. At 6’2 180 he’s an undersized SG, but he’s got great athleticism working in his favor. He looks to me like a guy who could have a nice future providing instant offense off the bench, similar to his teammate Jason Terry. Channing Frye had another great game for Phoenix. He followed up his 31-point effort against the Jazz with 24/8, but he was the only one hitting from downtown (3-6), and the Suns were hurt by their 5-19 three-point shooting. Grant Hill clanked all four of his deep attempts, and Mickael Pietrus bricked three of his four.
- Remember when Mikhail Prokhorov (Nets owner) had the press conference where he announced that the Nets were done trying to trade to Carmelo Anthony? No? Refresh your memory…
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Apparently that lost carrier pigeon finally found it’s way, because the Melo talks are back on. When asked if his decision to end the talks was final, Prokhorov answered, “for sure.” …I guess he changed his mind. Or not. I guess it depends on who you choose to listen to. If a trade is in the works, here’s the key:
And once again, Anthony must be sold on agreeing to a three-year, $65 million contract extension to push these long, winding negotiations to completion.
- I just don’t see this happening. I don’t think Carmelo wants to play for the Nets, and he’s in control of the situation because the trade isn’t going down unless he signs an extension. I think it’s pretty clear that Melo wants to play for the Knicks, and he’ll probably just pack his sh!t and head to The Big Apple as a free agent this coming offseason.
Quote of the Day: Gregg Popovich and I see eye to eye when it comes to Derrick Rose…
“What’s great about him is that he seems to love the pressure. He loves putting the team on his back so to speak.”
Photo of the Day: Robin Lopez–a one-day pick up–fought hard for my fantasy team, helping me to earn a rare victory…
“Back off Channing! Strob’s Tards need this board!”
