some_user86
01-07-2008, 01:21 AM
NBA Beat Notebook: Old is Good
Web Posted: 01/05/2008 11:07 PM CST
Mike Monroe
Express-News staff writer
Before the season ends, three NBA teams will be fielding starting lineups featuring four players at least 30 years of age.
With Bruce Bowen (36), Michael Finley (34), Fabricio Oberto (32) and Tim Duncan (31) in the starting lineup with 25-year-old Tony Parker, the Spurs have the oldest starting five in the league. It is even older if Gregg Popovich continues using 36-year-old Robert Horry as his starting center instead of Oberto.
Kenyon Martin turned 30 a week ago, making Denver the second team starting four 30-something players. The others are Marcus Camby (33), Allen Iverson (32) and Anthony Carter (32). Carmelo Anthony is 23.
When Richard Hamilton turns 30 on Feb. 14, the Pistons will be the fourth team starting four 30-somethings. The others are Antonio McDyess (33), Rasheed Wallace (33) and Chauncey Billups (31). Tayshaun Prince is the youngest Pistons starter at 27.
Here's the most important numbers for these three elderly units: Combined, they went into Saturday with a record of 68-28.
Bully!: A lot of us believed the Bulls' talent was such they could make a run at the Eastern Conference title this season, so their 3-1 surge under interim coach Jim Boylan isn't a huge surprise.
I still think Scott Skiles is a coach capable of guiding a team to a title, but something about the dynamic in the Bulls' locker room was very wrong, and things seem to be sorting themselves out under Boylan.
For one thing, Boylan returned Ben Gordon to a bench role and, ultimately, he will be happy enough to be productive again. In his first four games off the bench, Gordon averaged 31.7 points.
Who wouldn't be happy?: Ben Wallace never did a good job hiding his dissatisfaction with Skiles. Now he seems happier and more productive, too. Boylan is using rookie Joakim Noah more, taking advantage of his enthusiasm, as well as his skills.
Maybe these were changes Skiles was too stubborn to make. Whatever the reason, the Bulls are playing better basketball. It is not hard to picture them in the playoffs this spring.
Numerology: There were some significant statistical milestones in the NBA last week.
Cleveland's Zydrunas Ilgauskas played in his 600th game for the Cavs. Only four players in club history have played in more games: Danny Ferry, who once played with Ilgauskas and now serves as GM, leads the list with 723 games.
New Jersey's Jason Kidd passed the 9,000-assist mark for his career and moved into sixth place on the all-time list, with 9,019. Before long, he should overtake Isiah Thomas (9,061) and take the fifth spot. Of course, he still trails all-time leader John Stockton by 6,787.
Kidd also passed Magic Johnson and moved into fourth all-time for rebounds by a guard. Kidd has 6,566, and should move past both Michael Jordan and Clyde Drexler by season's end. Oscar Robertson is the all-time rebounder among guards with 7,804.
POWER RANKINGS
NBA rankings through Friday's games, with last week's standing in parentheses.
1. Celtics (1)
To skeptics who wanted to know what would happen when they went West: They were 4-0 on recently concluded swing.
2. Pistons (2)
They took 11-game win streak into Saturday's game against Celtics; bench play has kept starters fresh.
3. Suns (3)
After 13-point first quarter, headbands donned for 40th anniversary throwback night are banned.
4. Spurs (4)
Ginobili and Barry should be back soon; right now they need all hands on deck.
5. Mavericks (7)
Maybe they finally have figured out how to beat Warriors; Dirk bails them out with late three vs. Heat.
6. Trail Blazers (5)
They'll find out soon if they are legitimate division title contenders; eight of next 10 are on road.
7. Hornets (9)
Byron Scott shortens rotation and Rasual Butler's not in it; is a trade in the offing?
8. Nuggets (8)
Anthony: Win over Spurs has to be start of "backing up what we've been saying."
9. Lakers (6)
Laid an egg against Celtics; Jackson has to wait to pass Auerbach on all-time wins list.
10. Jazz (12)
Stopping Trail Blazers' win streak gets them back in top 10; Korver will bring a lot more off bench than Giricek.
11. Warriors (11)
12. Magic (10)
13. Cavaliers (16)
14. Nets (20)
15. Pacers (15)
16. Raptors (14)
17. Rockets (17)
18. Hawks (13)
19. Wizards (19)
20. 76ers (18)
21. Bulls (22)
22. Grizzlies (28)
23. Kings (21)
24. Heat (25)
25. Clippers (26)
26. Bobcats (27)
27. SuperSonics (24)
28. Bucks (23)
29. Knicks (29)
30. Timberwolves (30)
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/columnists/mmonroe/stories/MYSA010608.nbabeatnotebook.en.20ad604.html
==
Disclaimer: I don't remember seeing this posted, but I may have amnesia.
Web Posted: 01/05/2008 11:07 PM CST
Mike Monroe
Express-News staff writer
Before the season ends, three NBA teams will be fielding starting lineups featuring four players at least 30 years of age.
With Bruce Bowen (36), Michael Finley (34), Fabricio Oberto (32) and Tim Duncan (31) in the starting lineup with 25-year-old Tony Parker, the Spurs have the oldest starting five in the league. It is even older if Gregg Popovich continues using 36-year-old Robert Horry as his starting center instead of Oberto.
Kenyon Martin turned 30 a week ago, making Denver the second team starting four 30-something players. The others are Marcus Camby (33), Allen Iverson (32) and Anthony Carter (32). Carmelo Anthony is 23.
When Richard Hamilton turns 30 on Feb. 14, the Pistons will be the fourth team starting four 30-somethings. The others are Antonio McDyess (33), Rasheed Wallace (33) and Chauncey Billups (31). Tayshaun Prince is the youngest Pistons starter at 27.
Here's the most important numbers for these three elderly units: Combined, they went into Saturday with a record of 68-28.
Bully!: A lot of us believed the Bulls' talent was such they could make a run at the Eastern Conference title this season, so their 3-1 surge under interim coach Jim Boylan isn't a huge surprise.
I still think Scott Skiles is a coach capable of guiding a team to a title, but something about the dynamic in the Bulls' locker room was very wrong, and things seem to be sorting themselves out under Boylan.
For one thing, Boylan returned Ben Gordon to a bench role and, ultimately, he will be happy enough to be productive again. In his first four games off the bench, Gordon averaged 31.7 points.
Who wouldn't be happy?: Ben Wallace never did a good job hiding his dissatisfaction with Skiles. Now he seems happier and more productive, too. Boylan is using rookie Joakim Noah more, taking advantage of his enthusiasm, as well as his skills.
Maybe these were changes Skiles was too stubborn to make. Whatever the reason, the Bulls are playing better basketball. It is not hard to picture them in the playoffs this spring.
Numerology: There were some significant statistical milestones in the NBA last week.
Cleveland's Zydrunas Ilgauskas played in his 600th game for the Cavs. Only four players in club history have played in more games: Danny Ferry, who once played with Ilgauskas and now serves as GM, leads the list with 723 games.
New Jersey's Jason Kidd passed the 9,000-assist mark for his career and moved into sixth place on the all-time list, with 9,019. Before long, he should overtake Isiah Thomas (9,061) and take the fifth spot. Of course, he still trails all-time leader John Stockton by 6,787.
Kidd also passed Magic Johnson and moved into fourth all-time for rebounds by a guard. Kidd has 6,566, and should move past both Michael Jordan and Clyde Drexler by season's end. Oscar Robertson is the all-time rebounder among guards with 7,804.
POWER RANKINGS
NBA rankings through Friday's games, with last week's standing in parentheses.
1. Celtics (1)
To skeptics who wanted to know what would happen when they went West: They were 4-0 on recently concluded swing.
2. Pistons (2)
They took 11-game win streak into Saturday's game against Celtics; bench play has kept starters fresh.
3. Suns (3)
After 13-point first quarter, headbands donned for 40th anniversary throwback night are banned.
4. Spurs (4)
Ginobili and Barry should be back soon; right now they need all hands on deck.
5. Mavericks (7)
Maybe they finally have figured out how to beat Warriors; Dirk bails them out with late three vs. Heat.
6. Trail Blazers (5)
They'll find out soon if they are legitimate division title contenders; eight of next 10 are on road.
7. Hornets (9)
Byron Scott shortens rotation and Rasual Butler's not in it; is a trade in the offing?
8. Nuggets (8)
Anthony: Win over Spurs has to be start of "backing up what we've been saying."
9. Lakers (6)
Laid an egg against Celtics; Jackson has to wait to pass Auerbach on all-time wins list.
10. Jazz (12)
Stopping Trail Blazers' win streak gets them back in top 10; Korver will bring a lot more off bench than Giricek.
11. Warriors (11)
12. Magic (10)
13. Cavaliers (16)
14. Nets (20)
15. Pacers (15)
16. Raptors (14)
17. Rockets (17)
18. Hawks (13)
19. Wizards (19)
20. 76ers (18)
21. Bulls (22)
22. Grizzlies (28)
23. Kings (21)
24. Heat (25)
25. Clippers (26)
26. Bobcats (27)
27. SuperSonics (24)
28. Bucks (23)
29. Knicks (29)
30. Timberwolves (30)
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/columnists/mmonroe/stories/MYSA010608.nbabeatnotebook.en.20ad604.html
==
Disclaimer: I don't remember seeing this posted, but I may have amnesia.