Who watched the Clippers beat the Lakers last night? Everyone? Okay, good. Who saw Chauncey Billups look directly at Blake Griffin, who had his man pinned in the post, and consider passing it to him for a split second before attempting a drive to the basket, resulting in a turnover? The instance I’m talking about happened around the five-minute mark of the first quarter, but it wouldn’t surprise me if something similar happened three or four times over the course of the game. I missed a few moments due to there being a birthday party going on in my house, but I still watched enough to get pissed at Chauncey’s only-looks-for-his-own-shot ass. If I was Del Negro I’d bench this assclown until he realizes that the only shot he should be taking is the one that follows:
Let BG and CP take care of the offense and you’ll get about five of these every night. Knock ‘em down at a rate of 2.5 per game and you’re a key f@cking part of what should become one of the most productive offensive machines in the league. As of right now you’re just getting in the way.
Blake Griffin’s 22 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists came up big in LA’s victory. I’m disappointed, though. How can I possibly be disappointed, you ask? Well, it’s not like I’m completely bummed, but man, Blake had some SERIOUS dunk opportunities that just didn’t pan out last night, most notably on this play…
He left the floor intending to dunk that ball. It was a spectacular finish as it is, but if he dunked that it’s one of the best of his career… and that’s saying something. In addition to this dunk-turned-layup, Blake also missed a couple slam attempts. There was one botched lob early on that appeared to have a lot of potential had the pass and catch been on point.
So, Kobe scored another 42 (4th 40+ game in a row), but the Lakers lost this time. It’s tough to say he should’ve done anything other than take 28 shots (of which he made 14) with Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol going for a combined 26 points on 30 shots. They got their opportunities and simply failed to convert at an efficient rate. So, I’m not mad at Kobe for letting it fly another 28 times. After a rough start he played a pretty incredible game. That being said, I don’t like Kobe shooting 30 times a night as a long-term plan for this Laker squad. That probably isn’t even something that needs to be stated, but I’ll just throw it out there anyway in case there’s a reader who actually feels differently.
Something that does need to be stated? Once again, Bynum is proving to be a tad inconsistent. You’ve probably noticed that he’s calmed down just a bit after that beast of a first week. Some of that has to do with Kobe taking over all of these games offensively, but he’s had a couple of sub-50% shooting nights along with a few games of fewer than 10 boards. He’s still been playing very well and I definitely think he’s on his way to a career year, but like I say every time I talk about the dude, let’s let the season run it’s course before we draw conclusions.
Does Kyrie Irving remind anyone else of Chris Paul? I see some Chris Paul and a young Derrick Rose in this kid. Not their complete skill sets, obviously, but little bits and pieces. I’m not even trying to compare his level of play to that of two future HOFers, I’m just pointing out what you could call stylistic similarities. Watch this clip of Kyrie vs the Suns and tell me you don’t see shades of CP…
And think back to that potential game-winning layup he missed against the Pacers and tell me that doesn’t remind you of D-Rose. I’m not sure I even know what my point is here… just a pair of observations that I took note of. Actually, I suppose the point is that he can get to the rack with such apparent ease that it reminds me of two of the best. I like this young man’s game more and more every time I see him play.
Forget Germany and Kobe’s knees, how about Vince f@cking Carter? Seriously, what’s gotten into this man? You all saw the posterization of Emeka Okafor from a few games back and now nasty it was. Now look what he done did against the Suckramento Queens in last night’s laugher…
Are you kidding me? This man is mere weeks away from 35, and he’s still soaring through the sky with the greatest of ease. As impressive as the dunk on Okafor was, I think this one was even more shocking. The way he gathered and exploded off the floor so effortlessly reminds me of the old days. Vince always had those smooth strides to the basket that almost make it look as if he’s moving slowly, even though he’s really leaving everyone in the dust. That whole signature VC style was present on this play. Everything about it from the pump fake to the pristine footwork screamed vintage Vince Carter. I couldn’t believe this sh!t when I saw it on the highlights.
I haven’t paid much attention to the Wizards. I mean, why would I? Not only are there 29 better teams in the league, but the Wizards are so bad that watching John Wall, Nick Young, and Javale McGee isn’t even entertaining. Speaking of John Wall, how is this man shooting 35% from the floor 12 games into the season? He shot 41% last year. Like I said, I haven’t paid attention to this team, so I don’t understand it. If someone could provide an answer for me it would be much appreciated. I know he’s still struggling with his jumper, but he must be struggling with more than just that to be shooting 34.8 damn percent. I hope nobody remembers my claim that this would be his year. Assuming he’s unable to salvage this shortened season, I’ll have not been so wrong since I said Joakim Noah would turn out something like Shelden Williams (didn’t actually make that comparison back then, but looking back on it that’s pretty much what I thought he would be: a bumbling fool on the offensive end with a bit of size and rebounding ability).
Ivan Johnson is the motherf@cking man. He came in off the bench and gave Atlanta 10 points and 11 boards to help them rally from 18 down in the third to defeat the T-Wolves, and after the game he had the following to say on Kevin Love, who had been ripping the Hawks to the tune of 30 points: “I just like to play defense. I knew he couldn’t put the ball on the floor too well, so just get up in him, make him put it on the floor, make him pass it so he can’t score on me.”
He continued…
“My thing is don’t really watch basketball so I don’t know who anybody is. I know the main ones, like Kobe, Wade and LeBron. Even if I did [know Love], I wouldn’t be afraid. We’re playing basketball.”
Quote of the year? Until Ivan Johnson is asked another question, abso-f@cking-lutely.
Charge? Nah. That’s what you get for being all floppy around my main man Ivan Johnson. He’s a bowling ball in the paint while Kevin Love is but a pin. Ivan bowled a strike, and Kevin took an L.
Box Score Observations: BJ Mullens put up another 20 points in a Bobcats victory over Golden State. Kevin Garnett somehow managed to crust his way to 21 points in a loss to the Pacers. I can’t imagine the man I saw in the Garden on Friday night scoring 21 in an NBA game. He looked that bad. Deron Williams returned to Utah, where the ghost of Jerry Sloan swatted 12 of his 15 shot attempts. Kris Humphries had a better go of things, scoring 18 points and grabbing 10 boards. How ’bout this dude Kyle Lowry? 33/8/9 in a win over the Portlanders? I watched this guy on a nightly basis when he was a Grizzly and I was sure he’d never be anything but an energy guy off the bench. What he’s done this season has been unbelievable. If Kyle Lowry was a Pokemon he’d have to be on his 6th or 7th evolution by now.
Highlight Recap, Kemba Walker Edition:
Highlight Recap, Everyone Else Edition:
