The Post Up: Song of Salmons
Salmons career-night, Kobe in Chicago.
By: Holly MacKenzie
Lakers won in Chi-town last night. I expected a blow-out. It’s funny how I get spoiled with a few good Laker wins and how lofty me expectations become in only a couple of short days. The game last night was a reality check, but it was nice to see the “other” guys step up. While I love Kobe scoring and I’m with Russ on his idea for the Lakers to just give the ball to him on every possession in MSG on Sunday, it is so satisfying to watch guys like Vujacic, Farmar, Vlad and of course Bynum play well.
Sean Williams was great in a start for New Jersey last night. He was active on both ends of the court and he finished with 8 blocks in the game as he played 42 minutes. Could Coach Frank maybe learn to keep him in the rotation? The Boone experiment was not the greatest of successes, but that probably guarantee’s him a starting spot for the next few games. This is how New Jersey looks to me, I can’t understand anything that they do anymore.
Sashaaaaaa. I loved the spirit of Vujacic when the Lakers first drafted him and I have been disappointed over his career so far, until this year. While Kobe has continuously praised his play, worth ethic and shooting over the years, I just was not sure if we would ever see it all come together. The season is still early, but Vujacic looks good. He looked especially great last night in Chicago.
Bynum’s putback of a Farmar miss was fantastic. Another game, another double-double for Mr. Bynum.
I will definitely be checking out the Raptors/Blazers game tonight as well as Phoenix/Dallas, Golden State/Minnesota, Boston/Detroit and Cleveland/New York. As I typed those out I realized how great this line-up is going to be. Let’s see what madness unfolds in the Garden, how the Pistons handle the Celts and whether the Suns can put together another impressive win. Can Portland do it again? How many points will the Warriors put up? I love this game.
Sacramento 106 New Jersey 101
It was a career-night for John Salmons and it paid off for the Kings as his 31 points helped Sacramento to a 106-101 victory over the Nets in New Jersey last night. While Salmons was solid for the Kings, his biggest play of the night was an assist on a three-pointer by Francisco Garcia with 15 seconds remaining in the game to clinch the victory for Sacramento. They survived a 36-point effort from Richard Jefferson and used a 10-1 run in the final minutes to take the lead and go on to the win. Before the three by Garcia the Nets had cut the lead to one, 100-99, but were too late to finish the Kings off. It was a close game throughout with neither team leading by more than nine points. Sacramento won despite being out-rebounded by the Nets 45-31 and that was due in large part to the 20 turnovers that the Nets committed, as compared to only 14 by the Kings. Garcia finished with 24 points off of the bench for Sacramento while the Kings got a 23-point, 10-rebound night from Brad Miller and 20 points from Ron Artest. Besides Jefferson’s big night, Sean Williams had 11 points, 7 rebounds and 8 blocked shots, Jason Kidd went for 11 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists while Vince Carter added 15.
LA Lakers 103 Chicago 91
Last night the fans in Chicago got to see the player they narrowly missed out on acquiring this offseason. After the way their season has started out for the Bulls, it has been Kobe Bryant’s name that has been chanted in the United Center earlier this season. After the 103-91 victory by the Lakers, Sasha Vujacic, Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum should have had their names being called, as all three were instrumental in the victory. While the two teams were close the majority of the game, the Lakers started to pull away in the final period, but, the Bulls fought back and cut the Laker lead to three on a score by Aaron Gray. On a night where Bryant struggled, slowed by the groin injured suffered in a loss to Golden State last Friday, his teammates showed up and showed him it is not so bad to be in LA after all. Once the LA lead was cut to three, they went on an 11-point run to stretch it back to 14 points and the Bulls were helpless from there. While Chicago shot better than the Lakers (48%-43%), they were out-rebounded 52-41 and they gave up 17 offensive boards. They also committed 18 turnovers, double the nine that were committed by Los Angeles. While Bryant finished with 18 points, Lamar Odom had 16 points and 17 rebounds, Vujacic dropped 19 off of the bench and Andrew Bynum had 12 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocked shots. Luol Deng finished with a game-high 26 points in the loss as Kirk Hinrich scored 17 points and dished 8 assists and Andres Nocioni added 14 off of the bench.
Toronto 80 LA Clippers 77
Trailing 49-41 at the half, the Toronto Raptors used a third quarter where they outscored the LA Clippers 24-11 to take control of the game entering the fourth. They were up by a score of 71-62 but, it was in the second half of the final quarter that the Clippers got their game together and put together a push that cut that lead to only two. The score was 77-75 on a long jumper from Richie Frahm with 26 seconds on the clock. Jose Calderon returned the favor for the Raptors, taking the ball to the hoop and getting the layup to go, with nine seconds remaining. On the Clippers next possession, they struggled to get the ball in bounds and when they did, Chris Kaman turned it over and the Raptors went on to grab the victory. The Clippers were held to only 25% shooting in the second half of the game as the Raptors came from behind to steal the victory on the road. Toronto shot only 37% for the game, but they committed just six turnovers as compared to the 15 committed by the Clippers. Chris Bosh had 24 points and 9 rebounds to lead the Raptors, Jamario Moon scored 16 points and blocked three shots and Jose Calderon had 12 points and 9 assists. Chris Kaman had 12 points and 16 rebounds in the loss while Corey Maggette scored 22 and Frahm added 13.
87 Responses to “The Post Up: Song of Salmons”
Dec.19 at 9:02 am
Keith says:
Did you know that ‘Russ Bengston’ is an anagram of ‘whines non-stop about how bad the Bulls are but just has to look at the Knicks to realise life could be so much worse’?
Dec.19 at 9:05 am
Holly MacKenzie says:
morning, KEITH!
Dec.19 at 9:06 am
Keith says:
I was just pre-empting the rant that Russ will go on.
Dec.19 at 9:08 am
Holly MacKenzie says:
i just saw the picture of the fan they removed from the garden for having the dry-erase “fire isiah” sign. He was about 3 feet away from Thomas, the picture almost looks like it cannot be real. That situation is SUCH a mess, it is like I can’t believe what I am seeing.
Dec.19 at 9:08 am
Holly MacKenzie says:
and to think that the Lakers looked in disarray to start the season!
Dec.19 at 9:10 am
H to the izzo says:
Keith,I thought that was common knowledge.Eboy is actually an anagram of “will go down with the Heats sinking ship”
Dec.19 at 9:35 am
white hot eboy says:
That’s what true fans do, Izzo.
Dec.19 at 9:48 am
The Cool says:
I predict that the Lakers will go to the Western Conference Finals the way they are playing now. If they just get Andrew into more of a scoring role and Lamar keeps on being CONSISTENT they will have shot. John Sallymon is looking pretty damn good as well. He should keep up this kind of production while K-mart is out. play wit it.
Dec.19 at 9:52 am
Elyse says:
Holly, I don’t think you should be let down by last nights win. It was a road game and then won by 12. It’s a lot harder to blow teams out on the road. I was just impressed that when push ce to shove in the fourth they put the hammer down.
Dec.19 at 9:54 am
white hot eboy says:
dp is drunk.
Dec.19 at 9:54 am
H to the izzo says:
I thought you were a Bulls fan?
Dec.19 at 10:13 am
Tom says:
when did we start calling Kevin Martin K-mart? And as for the Lakers, it’s so nice to see some consistency from Vujacic, he’s been the man in the 4th for the last couple of games. They still have a lot of issues on D i think, haven’t caught too many games this year, but when i check the box score teams are consistently shooting in the high 40’s against them…….that ain’t gonna get it done. and btw i’ve officially hopped on the blazers bandwagon, even though they’ve got the raps tonight, i wouldn’t be mad to see the blazers win.
Dec.19 at 10:20 am
Russ Bengtson says:
Awfully early for a Toni Morrison reference, ain’t it? And Sean Williams should have been in the starting lineup weeks ago. Lawrence Frank must go.
Dec.19 at 10:21 am
TADOne says:
Lakers to Western Conference Finals??! Someone needs some coffee to wake up.
Dec.19 at 10:23 am
Russ Bengtson says:
And Keith: a) Spell my name right. b) I don’t “whine” about the Bulls–I’m upset that they’re not playing better and offer suggestions. It’s obvious that Ben Wallace is essentially finished and no one can shoot. I apologize for being passionate about a team I’ve been rooting for for over 20 years. c) The Knicks are one more bad game away from qualifying for Federal disaster relief. They can’t be compared with any other NBA teams.
Dec.19 at 10:28 am
TADOne says:
Russ is in fighting form this morning.
Dec.19 at 10:31 am
Russ Bengtson says:
Not really. I just really hate it when people spell my name wrong, especially considering it appears on this site 3,645,096 times.
Dec.19 at 10:32 am
white hot eboy says:
Rass is cool.
Dec.19 at 10:34 am
Jared says:
Ric Bucher said the knicks are one more garden blunder away from a change…my question…aren’t 5 out of 6 home game disasters enough? I know we talk about it everyday, with much sincerity, but even more sincerely now, what the f*ck could james dolan REALLY be thinking…really
Dec.19 at 10:38 am
white hot eboy says:
Oh yeah, to add my not so humble opinion on the Lakers, yes they are playing well, and yes they are looking like a legit playoff threat, but seriously, they have a playoff series win in them and not much more. They still have to get through Dallas, Phoenix and San Antonio and a possible hot Golden State team similar to last years and would play one of them in a second round matchup assuredly so let’s relax folks, after a quarter of the season. Two weeks ago, the Magic were getting sized for rings too from the talk around here, so you know the deal.
Dec.19 at 10:44 am
Tom says:
eboy, after all the Kobe drama this summer its just so nice to see them not only winning but winning with such a balanced scoring. I guarantee you if they were winning but Kobe was averaging 40ppg, there would not be this much excitement. This is probably the first time since the Phoenix series in ‘05 were they’ve been playing team ball, dare i say, “playing the right way”
Dec.19 at 10:45 am
TADOne says:
Co sign Eboy. And Ric Bucher just loves to throw stuff out there to see if he will be the first to break a story. I’m sure if the Knicks were to do something, it would have happened already.
Dec.19 at 10:51 am
Russ Bengtson says:
The Knicks are NEVER going to do anything. Isiah Thomas will be the coach and GM for the rest of eternity. 1999 may as well have been 10,000 years ago.
Dec.19 at 11:05 am
Sesa says:
I’m a Kobe fan but I think Lakers will go in the 2nd round this time as long as they’re not facing Spurs, Mavs or Suns in the first round.
Dec.19 at 11:09 am
Russ Bengtson says:
Honestly I think the only way the Lakers can make the second round is if they have home-court advantage in the first round, and that ain’t gonna be easy. Then again I guess I should never bet against Phil and Kobe.
Dec.19 at 11:13 am
Russ Bengtson says:
I really, really, REALLY want Kobe to drop 85-plus on Sunday. Only thing I can see holding him back is the noon start, but it’s not like Kobe sleeps anyway.
Dec.19 at 11:15 am
Russ Bengtson says:
Also, given their respective talent levels, the Nets might be more depressing than the Knicks. Losing to the Kings (short Martin, Bibby and Shareef) at home? Giving up 31 points to John Salmons? Seriously? FI-RE LAW-RENCE!
Dec.19 at 11:27 am
Keith says:
You think I’m a spelling buffoon Russell? Shame on you. My posts are carefully planned to have maximum impact. And yes, you do whine. In fact, a recent stat on ESPN stated that “94% of Russ Bengtson’s post are whiny”. There… fact.
Dec.19 at 11:29 am
Russ Bengtson says:
Fine, I’ll just stop talking about basketball altogether.
Dec.19 at 11:31 am
white hot eboy says:
Russ, don’t start.
Dec.19 at 11:31 am
Cheryl says:
you guys got me giggling this morning…
Dec.19 at 11:32 am
Keith says:
That’s a good idea. Here are some suggestions as to other topics you can discuss: Why Gary Coleman is so small, how Mike Huckabee has enlisted Chuck Norris to help on his campaign and how the city of New York should punish the Knicks. (The Knicks are no longer basketball related..more soap-opera).
Dec.19 at 11:33 am
Russ Bengtson says:
What did I start? Besides, there are plenty of other things to talk about. Like traffic in New York during the holidays. It’s AWFUL. Bad enough that the city is full of out-of-town drivers gawking like they’ve never seen Christmas decorations, but then you’ve got all the pedestrians who are more concerned about their bags than they are about their own lives. I mean, I know you just spent $600 at Macy’s, but would it really hurt to look up when you cross the street? Oops, I’m whining again.
Dec.19 at 11:40 am
white hot eboy says:
Russ, allright, don’t continue it then. It’s nice to have you back commenting kind of full time. Plus Keith is a British pain in the ass, so more than likely he’s drunk right now, so…..leave him alone to fantasize about George Michael.
Dec.19 at 11:41 am
H to the izzo says:
Russ has gotta a lotta problems with you people.I almost 100% I could pull four solid 40 year olds together and give the Knicks a solid run.
Dec.19 at 11:42 am
Keith says:
Not George Michael. Orlando Bloom. And Steve Nash.
Dec.19 at 11:43 am
TADOne says:
Tis the season. And just ignore him Russ. Where is Ryan when we need him?
Dec.19 at 11:43 am
H to the izzo says:
Eboy:I think you’re mixing up your stereotypes. and *I’m almost 100% sure
Dec.19 at 11:45 am
white hot eboy says:
Izzo, he didn’t deny, so take that for what you will.
Dec.19 at 11:47 am
Russ Bengtson says:
Eveyone’s written off the Knicks. The beatwriters are disgusted, the announcers are disgusted, even the players are disgusted. And Isiah’s asking for two more weeks before anyone passes judgement. Two more weeks? What could possibly happen in the next two weeks than hasn’t happened in FOUR YEARS? They’ve got the Cavs at home tonight, Charlotte on the road Friday, then the Lakers at the Garden on Sunday. There’s no way in hell Isiah should still be coaching the team on Sunday, but of course he will. If any of us in here were 1/10 as incompetent at our jobs as Isiah is at his (looking at the coach/GM big picture) we would have been fired YEARS ago. Yet he goes on. Like my man Teddy KGB once said, he’s got alligator blood.
Dec.19 at 11:49 am
Russ Bengtson says:
If they lose to the Bobcats, he should 100 percent be fired immediately following the game (and the hell with the fact that it’s almost Christmas–he’d still get a hefty buyout anyway). And how badly do you think Mike would like to be the one to finally get Zeke canned? He SHOULD come back just for that reason alone. Play one game and retire again.
Dec.19 at 11:50 am
H to the izzo says:
I wouldn’t let Isiah coach the 11 and under team that I coach
Dec.19 at 11:53 am
white hot eboy says:
Izzo, I bet your kids squad would get destroyed by mine. Full-court press all day long, son.
Dec.19 at 11:53 am
Perez Hilton says:
where’s all the talk that kobe can’t make teammates better? what happened to the wade can make teammates better but kobe can’t?
Dec.19 at 11:55 am
H to the izzo says:
I beg to differ Eboy and what are you trying to be the next Mike Kryzyzweski?
Dec.19 at 11:55 am
Russ Bengtson says:
Well, there’s the fact that Kobe’s teammates are better than Wade’s teammates (INCLUDING the MDN) and Wade still looks like a nursing home escapee. I’m not saying the Heat are gonna make a run later or anything, but let’s hold off on killing Wade until after the All-Star break at least.
Dec.19 at 11:59 am
Holly MacKenzie says:
wow, I’ve stepped into the fire. ahahhaa Good morning, everyone. Russ, any chance I get to reference Toni Morrison is cool with me. Elyse, I was impressed with the grit from the Lakers in the fourth, I just expected them to be up more in the first three quarters, road game or not. Tom, as much as I love Kobe, it is so much more exciting to watch the other guys score. Eboy, I’m with you on holding off before we hand the Lakers a pass to the second round. I’m not saying it can’t/won’t happen and I’m definitely not saying I don’t believe, but it is only early and we’ve gotta see if the role players can keep this up and if Kobe will be content to defer. And also see how the rest of the West shapes up. I can’t wait to see how long Portland keeps this up, and, how they bounce back after they get a few losses. Tonight should be an amazing night of games.
Dec.19 at 12:00 pm
Tom says:
Russ, the airing of greivances has begun, happy Festivus!!
Dec.19 at 12:00 pm
H to the izzo says:
Back to important news,Britney Spears’ sister is pregnant.Classy family.Sorry everyone.
Dec.19 at 12:00 pm
Perez Hilton says:
Kobe made Smush a nba starting point guard. Wade turned him into the Valet Stopper.
Dec.19 at 12:02 pm
Jared says:
NY walking traffic absolutely the worst, some dude tried to “do the right thing” this foreign guy when he accidently scruffed his kicks. I know there are no exceptions, but if ure not tryna get ure kicks scruffed what are you thinking wearing them into times square during holiday season?
Dec.19 at 12:02 pm
Perez Hilton says:
Can we finally stop using the phrase “make’s players better”? It’s the most overrated term in basketball.
Dec.19 at 12:03 pm
TADOne says:
Holly sighting! Who cares about Britney’s sister? That whole family is trash.
Dec.19 at 12:03 pm
TADOne says:
And yes Holly, i’m especially looking forward to the Pistons/Celtics game.
Dec.19 at 12:05 pm
Keith says:
Thanks Izzo.
Dec.19 at 12:07 pm
white hot eboy says:
It would be kind of funny if that was really Perez Hilton posting. And Izzo, just so you know, my 11 year old team is led by a 6′0″ kid who weighs 180 lbs and posts like a young Shaq and handles like AI. I almost had to have a DNA test to allow him to play to clarify his age. Dude is a monster. And determined to be great. Your leprachaun squad would quake in his wrath. Don’t kid yourself.
Dec.19 at 12:09 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
I’m already counting the hours until the games tonight. I’ve gotta go out shopping today and I’m really dreading it. I am so sick of cranky, stressed people christmas shopping, I’m stressed about gifts too, but, I’m not an ass, be nice!
Dec.19 at 12:11 pm
Bryan says:
I haven’t done a bit of shopping yet. I might try and catch a game at the garden while I’m up here.
Dec.19 at 12:14 pm
Jared says:
bryan go and protest, it’ll be free and probably more entertaining…maybe it’ll even lead to a positive result…probably not.
Dec.19 at 12:15 pm
H to the izzo says:
I actually have a 5′11′ guy but he’s a bit of a tweener,thinks he’s Kobe.Great shot,may the next Tim Thomas of much smaller proportions.
Dec.19 at 12:16 pm
TADOne says:
Bryan, 1 question: why? I guess probably the same reason Russ keeps going or why reality tv is so popular. People love trainwrecks.
Dec.19 at 12:19 pm
Tom says:
Detroit will be the first big test for the Celts tonight, I have a feeling the Pistons are jacked for this game and if Ray is still out the Celt will rack up loss #3
Dec.19 at 12:27 pm
Bryan says:
I just like basketball and I haven’t been to a game at the garden in many years.
Dec.19 at 12:32 pm
white hot eboy says:
Shia, hold up a sign saying “SLAM love Isiah”. You’ll get noticed for the absurdity of it.
Dec.19 at 12:34 pm
TADOne says:
Ok, but who will be playing basketball? Well, maybe the other team. At least Russ has an excuse. He doesn’t pay!
Dec.19 at 12:36 pm
Bryan says:
haha that would be hilarious. I can’t make it to the protest.I wish I could though. I wish I could meet Isiah just so I could curse his stupid ass out.
Dec.19 at 12:38 pm
H to the izzo says:
Hecklers are usually idiots I think but in this case it’s more than warranted
Dec.19 at 12:38 pm
white hot eboy says:
Wait, wait…Shia, if you get to a game, pick up a pit helmet and an outfit like the Crocodile Hunter and stand up throughout the game holding a stuffed gorilla with a sign saying “Isiah tried to love a gorilla, why can’t I?”
Dec.19 at 12:41 pm
white hot eboy says:
Oh here’s another one, get one of those helmets the special kids have to wear to school so they don’t hurt themselves and hold a sign saying “I’m not retarted, I’m just a Knicks fan”. Drool for effect when the cameras and security come at you.
Dec.19 at 12:53 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
oh eboy..i’m at a loss for words.
Dec.19 at 12:55 pm
white hot eboy says:
I know it’s a little harsh, Holly, but critical times call for critical measures.
Dec.19 at 12:56 pm
white hot eboy says:
We’re trying to save a franchise, people.
Dec.19 at 12:57 pm
H to the izzo says:
Holly does not approve
Dec.19 at 12:58 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
hahaahh it is true, isn’t it? I just feel bad for the Knicks. Like Russ said yesterday, why would they want to play hard and then ensure Isiah really does live on forever?
Dec.19 at 12:59 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
it’s not about pride anymore, it’s already too late for that. They’ve gotta find a way to get Cheshire out of there.
Dec.19 at 1:04 pm
white hot eboy says:
You know, for the right amount of money, I know people who can convince Zeke to walk away while keeping what’s left of his dignity and his limbs intact.
Dec.19 at 1:06 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
that picture of the fan with the dry erase board “fire Isiah” sign standing 2 rows behind an Isiah who is sitting on the bench rubbing his forehead is amazing. I hate that they removed him for heckling. Soon they will have to remove the entire arena and there will be Isiah and the opposing team left in the building, with Dolan sitting courtside.
Dec.19 at 1:08 pm
white hot eboy says:
You know, I hate the Knicks, but damn, I hate to see a team so down from the PR angle to the games themselves. The Knicks fans deserve better. To hell with the front office and the players and the garbage coach. The people that work for crap salaries that are employed by the team, sh*t the people who make crap salaries that scrounge up enough money to get to a game or two a year and want to see a decent product on the floor deserve that much.
Dec.19 at 1:17 pm
Jared says:
thanks eboy. its gotta get better sooner or later
Dec.19 at 1:18 pm
TADOne says:
Amen Eboy.
Dec.19 at 1:19 pm
TADOne says:
And to think, Eboy was going all Goodfellas on us a few comments back.
Dec.19 at 1:24 pm
white hot eboy says:
You guys should see me in court. I’m like the white Johnnie Cochran.
Dec.19 at 1:26 pm
Jared says:
“chewbacca is a wookie, why would a big ole wookie be livin on a planet with little ewoks? Does that make sense? NO! That does not make sense!”
Dec.19 at 1:30 pm
white hot eboy says:
Similar, Jared, very similar.
Dec.19 at 2:37 pm
Donn says:
i’m kind of tempering my excitement for my lakers….they are playing well especially Bynum(take that Kobe!). Then again, they started really well last year then the bottom dropped out and Kobe had to score fifty points a nite to lift the Lakers into the playoffs. I just hope that they can somehow stay healty and the role players and Bynum can continue to step up. Question: Do they trade Kwame and his expiring contract to get another piece or they keep him for the rest of the year? Oh yeah…agree with you Russ, I know the knicks are a mess but with the talent they have, i think the Nets are a bigger dissappointment.
Dec.19 at 6:34 pm
jbn74sb says:
I am too lazy to look it up. Who has a better record? The Heat or the Knicks?
Dec.19 at 6:49 pm
jbn74sb says:
Never mind. The Heat have played more road games, but are just as horrible as the Knicks.