The D.A.Y. the Titantic division sunk even lower
Jersey moves into first place because they didn’t play a game.
Much has been written about the Leastern Conference and the Titanic Division. Last night was the perfect example. The struggling New Jersey Nets didn’t play, and therefore did not lose a game. EVERY OTHER TEAM in the Atlantic did. Some of them in embarrasing fashion. I’m killing 4 birds with one stone here. Thanks for making my job easier Atlantic Divsion!
THE NBA 4 ATLANTIC DIVISION 0
Washington had no road wins. They played the Knicks in NYC. Problem solved. They shot 14 of 20 from three. Nice D, Knicks. Gilbert had 38 and Jamison had 33, though either one of them could have scored in the 50s is they wanted to. Philly was outscored by Ben Gordon himself in the first quarter 17-16 on the Sixers way to a 121-94 nightmare with the Bulls shooting 62%. Toronto lost to Cleveland, but it took some late game domination from LeBron to make that happen. The Raptors at least fought until the end. Boston lost at home to Memphis, after the Grizz blew a 17 point fourth quarter lead. Rudy Gay hit the winning shot. Gerald Green keyed Boston’s comeback, but he also left Rudy open for the shot. And once again, the Celts lost at home to arguably the worst team in the league. If that doesn’t say ATLANTIC DIVISION BASKETBALL to you, I don’t know what does. So now that we got all of those winners out of the way, let’s move on the NBA.
NEW ORLEANS 105 LA LAKERS 89
Kobe gave it a go on his banged up ankle, but he was somewhat less effective than in the 52 point game. The Hornets are this year’s up and down team, and after the latest losing streak, they turned it around with Chris Paul’s 26 and 11, Tyson Chandler’s 12 boards and 3 blocks, and of course the revenge of Jannero Pargo, with 21 points. Kob had 24, Odom added 20, and that was pretty much it for thr Lakers. Phil Jackson on the new ball after the game said “I’m glad the commissioner is as capable of being changable as President Bush is on his policy in Iraq.” Interesting comparison of two men, Phil. I’m not going to say I don’t completely agree. Can you smell what the Barack is cooking?
ATLANTA 98 DENVER 96
First Lang discovers that Barack Obama has the same voice as The Rock, then the Hawks overcome a 15 point defecit to win in Denver. A great night at the Whitaker house. Atlanta scored 37 points in the fourth on their way to the win sealed by Shelden Williams free throws. Linas Kleiza’s dunk gave the Nuggets their 15 point security blanket, before the game fell apart for them. Melo had a rare sub-30 night, though he did have a big bucket to put Denver on top 93-92. Too bad. Salim Stoudamire scored 21 off the bench hitting 3 of 5 threes, and the Hawks won without Zaza, who was suspended for getting flagrant. The Hawks went with their zone defense, which somehow shook the Nuggets up at the free throw line, where they went 16 of 33. The Nuggets free throw shooting was worthy of Atlantic Division basketball. See how I tie it all together?
MILWAUKEE 102 PORTLAND 94 OT
After giving up a lead, the Blazers fought to get the game into OT, and Jarret Jack had his career night with 30 and 10, but Michael Redd got hot after the third and carried the Bucks. 19 points in the fourth and OT on his way to a 33 point night. Zach Randolph had a shot at the end of regulation to win it with a layup, but it didn’t happen. Ruben Patterson scored 26 against his ex-team.
INDIANA 94 ORLANDO 80
A few hours after finding out when his date in court will be, Stephen Jackson put up a season high 26 points. After the game he said “It definitely brings everything to your face and makes you more humble about stuff — I appreciate the game of basketball every time I step out there.” Was it his lack of humility that led to someone trying to run him over with a car? Did that lack of humility cause him to shoot his gun in the air? Whoooooooo! February 12th, the trial begins. The Pacers also got an 18 rebound night from Jeff Foster. Take that, Dwight. Al Harrington also had 26 for Indy and Dwight led the Magic with 20 and 8.
MINNESOTA 90 HOUSTON 84
Kevin Garnett described the TWolves team defense on Yao and T-Mac “Like a bunch of hyenas on two lions.” Works for me. That means they pestered the stars and laughed at them. KG also scored 24 with 12 boards and Mike James chipped in with 19. Yao and Tracy were held to a combined 10 for 40 shooting.
SAN ANTONIO 96 CHARLOTTE 76
Tim Duncan blew three dunks in the first quarter - maybe trying to make his last name ironic - but other than that the Spurs avenged their loss to the cats. Brevin Knight picked up 2 techs and was ejected in the third, and the Spurs took it from there. Sean May continued his second year emergence with 18 and 7. The Cats are going to be really good in about 4 years. Hopefully.
34 Responses to “The D.A.Y. the Titantic division sunk even lower”
Dec.7 at 11:13 am
Parvu Traian says:
First!!
Dec.7 at 12:15 pm
scott says:
The Atlantic is brutal. There isn’t one team in that division that will have a winning record this year. Maybe New Jersey they can’t win fewer then 40 games with that roster? Boston will get between 37-39 victories. Philadelphia between 30-32 wins, New York 27-29, and Toronto 20-22. New Jersey will be the only team from the Atlantic to reach the playoffs. Maybe the NBA might want to trim the number of teams that reach the playoffs.
Dec.7 at 1:50 pm
marcel mutoni says:
i loved tommy heinson’s reaction after gay’s shot went in. he blamed the ball for a solid minute. phenomenal entertainment!
Dec.7 at 1:52 pm
OMG says:
Scott, have you ever watch a NBA game?
Last time i checked, Raptors are second in their division (nothing to brag about in this crappy div) and they beat every Atlantic team except for NJ. Care to explain why they will only have 20-22 wins this season?
Dec.7 at 2:17 pm
Chris says:
Hey scott, toronto is 7-11, not great admittedly, but you really think they are going to go 13-50 the rest of the way to end up with 20 wins
Dec.7 at 2:38 pm
Blue says:
Oh, you know the refs need to lighten up when Yao gets a technical for taunting!
Dec.7 at 3:00 pm
albie1kenobi says:
yao taunts?
Dec.7 at 3:05 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
Chris, when you see someone write that the Celtics are going to have close to 40 wins, just ingore the rest of the post.
1
Dec.7 at 3:07 pm
scott says:
Chris…Toronto has the worst set of guards in the entire league. TJ Ford will get hurt and miss significant time. Then who will run the team? They screwed up by taking Bargini over Morrison. By the way they have one of the worst coaches Sam Mitchell. How does he still have a job? On the bright side they have Chris Bosh who is turning into Kevin Garnett. Lets just hope his career doesn’t take the same path by never getting out of the first round of the playoffs or not making the playoffs at all.
Dec.7 at 3:13 pm
scott says:
Boing Dynasty…Your right Toronto has a much better roster then Boston. It is ashame that Rivers is killing Boston because that team should be much better.
Dec.7 at 3:41 pm
SteveSmith#8 fan says:
Last night’s 76ers/Bulls game was my first real look at Chris Webber this season and the only thing I can say is YIKES!!! He looks really old, slow, tired, and hurt out there. Getting old is a mutha!!!
Dec.7 at 3:48 pm
OMG says:
“Chris…Toronto has the worst set of guards in the entire league. TJ Ford will get hurt and miss significant time. Then who will run the team? They screwed up by taking Bargini over Morrison.” WTF!? Have you ever watch a Toronto game this year? Toronto has two young developing PGs. TJ is not perfect, but he is fast and is slowly adapting to his teammates. Jose Calderon is one of the best backup PG in the league, he can start for a quarter of the teams in the NBA. Bargnani is a 7 footer who can shoot the lights out with good foot speed. His numbers might not be as good as Morrision’s this year, but he has unlimited potential. And if you actually watched he last couple of games, you will know that he averaged around 14 ppg.
Dec.7 at 3:57 pm
scott says:
OMG…TJ Ford will probably miss numerous games this year. Ford plays with no fear and that doesn’t bode well for him making it through the year. If Ford makes it through the year then yes Toronto will probably win 30 some odd games but without him they are in trouble if Calderon is playing 30 to 35 minutes a night. Right now Morrison would help Toronto with their lack of scoring from the perimeter.
Dec.7 at 4:21 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
Lack of perimeter scoring, you know they have 3 big men who can all stroke it from outside? Thats not even metioning thier gaurds. Saying a player will “probubly” miss games is the weakest arguement there is. Okay TJ took a year off, HE BROKE HIS FUCKING BACK. he was kind of entitled for some rest, and he hasent missed time because of it yet. As for the worst ser of cause, see: Speedy Claxton, and Ty Lue.
1
Dec.7 at 4:22 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
set of GAURDS.
Dec.7 at 4:36 pm
scott says:
Toronto is only last or second to last in three point percentage. You do realize Adam Morrison would have helped Tornonto raise that percentage. To not take someones history into account (considering Ford’s bones are fused together) is just foolish. What is the difference Toronto isn’t going to the playoffs regardless if Ford stays healthy or not.
Dec.7 at 4:41 pm
OMG says:
“What is the difference Toronto isn’t going to the playoffs regardless if Ford stays healthy or not.” We will talk about this in April.
Dec.7 at 4:44 pm
BETCATS says:
Wasnt Sam on NBA TV 2 days ago before this game?
Dec.7 at 4:47 pm
scott says:
OMG…I know the season isn’t even 1/4 of the way done and you never know about injuries or trades but you really think that Toronto is making the playoffs this spring?
Dec.7 at 4:52 pm
Sparker says:
interesting fact: jack macallum, maybe si’s most senior basketball writer, picked toronto to squeak into the playoffs as 8th this year. i’m just saying…. but to tell you the truth, i’m a raptors fan, and like bargani, but now wonder if they should have grabbed lamarcus aldridge, who’s been looking good/tough/high energy in portland since he got off the injury list. seeing the way eddy curry was having his way with the raps, i think it’s up front that they really need help.
Dec.7 at 5:06 pm
perkisabeast says:
watch it with the tommy bashing Mutoni…It was the balls fault.
Dec.7 at 6:39 pm
John says:
Scott, you have Williams syndrome. The illness where you say these perfect sentences, and it sounds like you actually know what you are talking about, when infact you’re retarded and are talking about nothing. The Raptors aren’t the greatest team, I’ll admit that, but they have the toughest schedule in the league to start out the season, yet they are 7-11 with 9 new players. The one thing holding them back right now is Sam Mitchell. This team is capable of making the playoffs in this year’s eastern conference. You’re an idiot Scott. Go back to your trailor.
Dec.7 at 7:04 pm
scott says:
John didn’t you get enough love as a child? Just stating my opions. Can’t help you have a problem with that. It is the holiday season feel the love!!
Dec.7 at 7:33 pm
Nathalie says:
are we seriously exchanging posts about the raptors…or the playoffs….this early! wow, if any NBA season has to prove itself to me its this one. i’ll grab my corona and recliner for tonights games.
Dec.7 at 7:34 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
Sam’s gotta go, Leo Rautin’s for coach.
1
Dec.7 at 7:48 pm
albie1kenobi says:
for all those who calls for Sam Mitchell’s head, who should be the new head coach for this team? keep in mind that this team wants to be suns-lite (and i believe they do have the personnel to do that).
mr executive of the year should grab an european coach to complete his euro invasion, but that’s just my opinion (and i have no clue of any coach outside the NBA and NCAA).
Dec.7 at 8:04 pm
scott says:
Toronto fans: I know it is very early in both of their careers but would you guys and gals rather have Bargnani or Morrison. I think Morrison would fit better in Toronto. The Raptors need help on the peremiter. Plus Morrison seems want the ball in the fourth quarter. Morrison can be a very hot and cold shooter. Bosh and Morrison would make a good inside outside threat. Also, Morrison has awesome hair and a classic mustache.
Dec.7 at 8:13 pm
OMG says:
Correct me if I am wrong, who ever get first place in their own division is in the playoff, right? Toronto is currently second in their division and improving, I expect them to be a 500 team barring any injuries. If the Nets continue to play like shit, Toronto will win the first place in Atlantic. To Scott: Please stop asking about hypothetical situations about TJ ford being injured. I have seen him play most of the games and he is fine.
Dec.7 at 8:27 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
I would argue all your Morrison points, but you dont seem to get it and your not really worth it.
1
Dec.7 at 9:05 pm
scott says:
Boing Dynasty maybe someday I’ll “get it”. My opinion doesn’t agree with yours so obviously I’m wrong. Personally I can’t wait until I’m worthy of you debating my points. Obviously you didn’t know that I’m a pretty big deal. My apartment smells of rich mahogany wood and I have many leather bound books.
Dec.7 at 10:35 pm
maddskizzle says:
i think bargnani will benefit the raptors more than morrison.. morrison is very one-dimensional as his other stats beside scoring are non-existant.. just by watching bargnani play recently i’ve noticed a great feel for the game with his passing, underrated shot-blocking ability as well as his scoring touch… i think the raptors did well for themselves and if they do indeed miss the playoffs for another year, they are in very good position for the next year with a lottery pick in what is expected to be an extremely deep draft as well as some cap space to work with overall though, i believe the raptors have a shot at winning the conference or sneaking in at 8th as they develop more chemistry with garbajosa and parker continuing their steady improvements every game
Dec.7 at 11:44 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
^^that’s what i was too lazy to write.
Dec.8 at 12:43 am
Dutch Rich says:
I getting the feeling that 40% of you commentators are from the T-Dot.
Dec.8 at 3:14 am
Boing Dynasty says:
Probubly closer to 95