While you were away ...
Mike Monroe
With the college football season moving to its dramatic conclusion — including Texas’ Fiesta Bowl victory and Florida’s triumph over Oklahoma in the BCS championship game — you may have missed some meaningful developments in the NBA.
Some of these developments should be evident to even the most avid college football fans in local environs. The Spurs have been the NBA’s hottest team for the past several weeks: 15-3 since a Dec. 4 loss to the Pistons.
Other intriguing NBA trends, though, may have slipped beneath your gridiron-fogged sports radar.
Not to worry. Express-News NBA writer Mike Monroe provides a guide to what you may have missed.
Spurs still sizzling
At roughly the same time UT was falling behind Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl, Manu Ginobili was punctuating the Spurs’ victory in Miami with an amazing block of Dwyane Wade. Then, at roughly the same time Florida broke a 14-14 tie with Oklahoma on Thursday, the Spurs were finishing off the Clippers. In fact, bowl season was good for the Spurs, who won nine of 10 since it began in earnest. Suddenly, the Spurs are second in the West.
Return of Manu’s explosion
September ankle surgery cost Ginobili the preseason and the first 12 games of the regular season. Since returning Nov. 24, he’s increased his playing time. Last week he began showing the athleticism that has characterized his career. That block of Wade — perhaps you saw it by hitting the flashback button on your remote during a Fiesta Bowl timeout — was enough to convince Gregg Popovich that Ginobili is almost completely healed.
Suddenly shrinking Celtics
Maybe the Celtics were so focused on Friday’s showdown at Cleveland that they could not focus on the Warriors and Bobcats. Or, perhaps they’re just not the new Green Dynasty fans seemed to believe they were. Whatever the reason, they went into today having lost seven of their previous nine.
’Melo mauled
Just when it looked like the Nuggets were positioned to be true le contenders for the first time since their first NBA season, Carmelo Anthony went down for 3-4 weeks with a broken finger on his shooting hand. With a brutal home schedule, followed by some tough road games, the Nuggets have to hope their star’s hiatus is on the short side.
BlazerGate
Darius Miles has played nine minutes all season, but since being waived this week, he’s become the focus of what could become an ugly entanglement for any team wanting to sign him this season. That’s because the Blazers, who could have his $9 million returned to their payroll if he plays two more games for any team, have warned every team they might get sued if they sign Miles just to mess with Portland. This has the potential to get interesting. Stay tuned — unless the NFL playoffs have stolen your interest lately.
The wheels were bound to fall off sooner or later. The positives for the Celtics is that it happened early enough in the season and they have time to make adjustmnents. Also, any further distractions on a >72 wins season specially by the media is now history and they can focus on what's really important, defending their le. The bad news is the other teams are no longer intimidated and would love nothing more than kicking them around while they're struggling. Don't count out the Celts though.
When wil that happen for the Lakers though...
The Celtics lost alot when they lost James Posey.
The Celtics are just not as good a team as they were last year. Alot of things went right and came together.
I however don't believe the Cavaliers are as good as their record is as well.
http://www.nba.com/2009/news/feature...109/index.html
BlazerGate
Darius Miles has played nine minutes all season, but since being waived this week, he’s become the focus of what could become an ugly entanglement for any team wanting to sign him this season. That’s because the Blazers, who could have his $9 million returned to their payroll if he plays two more games for any team, have warned every team they might get sued if they sign Miles just to mess with Portland. This has the potential to get interesting. Stay tuned — unless the NFL playoffs have stolen your interest lately.
I think the Spurs have the talent to compete with any team in the league, including the Lakers. We have zero influence over our opponents and should focus on what can be done to improve the Spurs. Pop has a proven program of hammering away at the teams weaknesses and building up its strengths and hopefully, barring injuries, everything will come together as the playoffs near. I like the Spurs depth of talent compared to last season's. They have more offensive weapons. Players will be fresher and hopefully healthier. Now if only they can defend consistently.When wil that happen for the Lakers though...
You missed it in 2004When wil that happen for the Lakers though...
Sorry, but I had to fix that, even if it's really OT.
The Lakers have injury-prone players -- guys that are just going to go down eventually. For example, on the Spurs, Manu is going to get banged up - we know that. But other than Ian, we don't have guys who are gimpy, guys who go down all the time.
But for the Lakers, the following guys are bound to go down for 6-10 game stretches.
1. Gasol - gimpy ankles, always happens at least once a year if not twice
2. Walton - already out right now, goes down all the time
3. Bynum - a spaz who will get hurt eventually
4. Odom - gimpy knees, avoided a bad injury this week, history of injuries
5. Farmar - out with a knee right now
6. Radmonovic - prone to injuries throughout his career
7. Mihm - has played maybe 20 games in three years
8. Ariza - missed significant time last year
Honorable Mention
9. Bryant - he'll fake injuries to get press time and appear heroic
10. Fisher - he's not hurt, he's just that slow
There are only four guys on their entire team who aren't injury-prone... Bryant, Fisher, Vujacic, and Josh Powell (their 12th man).
Bottom Line: The Lakers have 8 guys who could go down at any second. So I wouldn't go handing the trophy to them just yet.
I think the Blazers sneaky, cheating, threaten moves is the top story of them all. All this time and we were wondering why exactly the Blazers were always looking over their shoulders. hahaha Turns out it wasnt because of rebounding......
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