In the second half of last night’s Laker loss, Steve Blake scored a free throw with about two minutes to go in the third. This free throw interrupted a streak of 23 consecutive Laker points scored by Kobe Bryant, and it also represents the Lakers’ only third-quarter point NOT scored by Kobe, who accounted for the other 23. The Lakers, who rested Pau Gasol, got absolutely dismantled by the Jazz, but Kobe’s casual domination of the third quarter was one of the most impressive displays of jump shooting that I’ve seen in quite some time. Check it out…
Ivan Johnson didn’t break any backboards at Indiana’s Conseco Fieldhouse, but he did drill a buzzer-beater from just beyond half court to conclude the first quarter. During the ensuing timeout, Ludacris’s “Roll Out” played in the arena. I’m sure it was nothing more than the greatest coincidence of all-time, but I’d prefer to pretend it was a clever reference to where Ivan keeps his diamonds and gold.
Andray Blatche was in beast mode for the second consecutive night. As he led Brooklyn’s reserves past Boston’s starters (Rondo 35 minutes, Pierce 26 minutes; Williams DNP, Johnson DNP), Blatche scored 23 points, grabbed 9 rebounds, and headlined the highlight reel with this baseline drive/reverse hammer…
Note the TD Garden’s reaction to that dunk (GASP!). Blatche was an absolute monster last night (granted, he put in lots of work against the rookie Jared Sullinger, but he absolutely destroyed him).
It should probably be noted that the Nets beat the Celtics by just one point (97-96). The winning point came courtesy of Mirza Teletovic, who worked his way into the paint for an offensive board, got fouled, and hit a free throw. Seconds prior, Tornike Shengelia had driven baseline, dunked the ball, and given the Nets a one point lead. It was Jason Collins (of all people) who tied the score with a split at the foul line. Speaking of Jason Collins, he looks a lot slimmer and younger than he has in past years. Maybe it’s my imagination… or maybe the man on the court was actually his twin brother Jarron.
Doc Rivers did not appear from the locker room to coach his Celtics in the second half. He didn’t make it to the postgame press conference, either. I’m assuming he did what everyone else did and said “f@ck this preseason sh!t, I’m watching that debate!”
Jarrett Jack says he’s been warned for flopping, making him the first known player to receive such a notice under the league’s new anti-flopping rules. The irony here is that Jack has publicly criticized players that he’s perceived as floppers Blake Griffin in the past.
Stephen Jackson, using an internet meme based on the movie classic Lion King, recently depicted the difference between his hometown of Port Arthur, Texas and the neighboring city of Beaumont…
Guess who went to high school in Beaumont? None other than Kendrick Perkins! I believe this makes him fugazi, right? Wipe that scowl of your face, Perk; you’re from Beaumont!
Highlight Recap, Kevin Love & Nikola Pekovic Edition: The following highlight may cause extreme jubilation for the NBA basketball fan. Consider yourself warned.
Highlight Recap, Not As Awesome As ^That Edition: Paul George puts his hand print on the backboard. Paul George puts his head print on the bottom of a cloud. Gerald Green goes up, breaks that dude’s skydiving record on the way down. Dante Cunningham cleans up the mess. The wonders of ball movement. Kobe stuffs Gordon Hayward. Perry Jones fields a lob from Eric Maynor.
Relative to yesterday’s number of games, I realize that this Starting Lineup was a bit abbreviated. Unfortunately, I only have one set of eyes, which I used to watch the presidential debate. I’m sure I missed a lot of action during that hour and a half, so I suggest that you head on over to NBA.COM and examine each and every box score from a busy Tuesday evening.
