The Post Up: The Return of AI
While Jason Kidd goes into Operation Shutdown!
Hey…wait a second…YOU’RE NOT HOLLY!
Busted. It’s me, Lang. A few weeks ago, after reading yet another gripping, 9,000-word edition of Holly’s Post Up column, I send her an email. I told her she’s been doing a great job, but when she was worn out to let me know and I’d be honored to sit in for her one morning. I think my email was two sentences long. Holly’s response was 6,000 words so I didn’t read the entire thing, but apparently she took me up on the offer.
So, I’m here, and let me tell you, I really like what you’ve done with the place. And thanks for allowing me in tonight, one of the busiest NBA nights in recent memory.
For tonight, I’m a luddite. No TV, no cable, no internet. (I aired my feelings about this situation earlier today.) HOWEVA, I’m lucky enough to live in one of the most crowded cities in the world, so I tonight will be scouring the wires and combing through box scores using an open wireless network that seems to belongs to two people named Matt and Jenny, or perhaps one person named Matt Jenny. Whichever, bless you Matt/Jenny, for not setting your wireless network’s password and thus allowing me to jack your signal for a while. I won’t download any porn, I swear.
On to the games…
Washington 105, Cleveland 86
LeBron hurt = Cavs suck. Somehow Brendan Haywood went for 17 and 10. No wonder my cable isn’t working — something must be askew with the earth’s magnetic plates when Haywood’s posting double-doubles. Since they were in the same arena, I wonder if Drew Gooden and DeShawn Stevenson took the time to officially measure their beards against one another.
One of the most interesting things I read yesterday was this post on Dan Steinberg’s DC Sports Bog about Caron Butler drinking Mountain Dew. Caron, you see, used to drink a 2-liter bottle of Mountain Dew before and during every basketball game he played. I enjoyed discovering this because I, too, used to be a Dew’er. The first year I wrote for a living full time, I made a total of about $15,000. (Obviously, back then my income was much more in line with my level of talent.) My roommate was one of my best friends, and he had a part time job delivering newspapers (while he was allegedly trying to find full-time work), so mostly we just sat around and played Madden and listened to music. Seeing as how our funds were limited, most of our grocery shopping was done at a nearby Sam’s Club warehouse store, that I had somehow scammed a membership card for. And pretty much all we bought was cases of Mountain Dew and cartons of Ramen noodles. To this day, I maintain that I am one of the world’s finest preparers of Ramen noodles. I get the water/noodle ratio just right, I know how to mix the seasoning packet in so that you don’t get clumps, I can really do it all.
Anyway, we drank so much Mountain Dew over about a two-year period that I’m a little surprised I didn’t go around shouting “Extreme!” and participating in outdoor sports. Mountain Dew is that crack music.
Good luck, Caron. The DTs aren’t as bad as they seem. You can lean on us.
Chicago 91, Charlotte 82
I’ve never been much a fan of these Bulls, as currently constructed. I think Ben Gordon shoots too much, Kirk Hinrich is an average point guard, Ben Wallace is too petulant and Luol Deng isn’t assertive enough. But last year they were pretty darn good, so it was hard for me to feel like I was correct. They had more conflicting agendas than the UN, but somehow they managed to make it work.
This year, it’s not that hard for me to feel like I was right. Ben Gordon is still shooting too much, Hinrich is in foul trouble every game I watch, Ben Wallace insists on firing up some hurricane-strength bricks, and I spend most of the games wondering why they don’t run more plays for Luol.
The Bulls seem trapped between identities. Are they a running team? A defensive juggernaut? A perimeter oriented team?
Maybe they’re an Argentian team? Because Nocioni went off for his second game in a row tonight (45 points in the last 2 games). He really needs a hairstylist, though.
And what’s the deal with Ty Thomas? He’s starting, he’s a key player off the bench, and then tonight he played a total of 6 minutes.
Speaking of amazing hair, Walter Hermann played 12 minutes and had 6 points for the BETcats.
Funny bit in the AP game notes:
Vincent recalled what he thought when he first saw Skiles at Michigan State. “I thought he was a little (expletive) who couldn’t play basketball,” Vincent joked. … Skiles said he didn’t think Vincent would end up a coach when he was leading the Spartans in scoring. “I thought he was going to end up being an actor,” Skiles said. “There is some acting in this business, though.”
Boston 113, Philadelphia 103
I’m not surprised the Celtics won, but I’m shocked the Sixers kept it this close. I watched the Philly/Atlanta game a few nights ago, and man are the Sixers bad. The Hawks weren’t even playing a good game, and the Sixers still couldn’t do anything. Even Andre Miller, who’s usually steady, was turning it over and seemed mostly concerned with trying to flop around and draw improbable fouls.
But Stefanski’s turning things around already! Tonight Mo Cheeks started Willie Green, shortened his rotation way down and let his guys run a little bit, and they responded. And check out my main man (and ATLien) Lou Wiliams, who dropped 18 points in 27 minutes. He’s gonna be special if he can learn to dribble the ball and not foul everyone driving in his vicinity.
The last line of the AP story reads:
King met with the media earlier in the day and said he was surprised at the timing of his firing. “I don’t regret rebuilding,” King said. “I think it was the right thing to do.”
Wait, he considers what he did to the Sixers “rebuilding”? Really? Hey, the man needs a job, someone call FEMA!
And let me make a prediction now: If any of the Celts end up contending for the MVP award, it’ll be Paul Pierce. People are loving KG right now, and he’s playing great, but by the end of the season, Pierce is going to be getting the attention, and rightfully so. And just wait until KG starts lobbying for Pierce to get the award. (Remember where you read it…)
Phoenix 136, Toronto 123
Holly was allegedly at this game, so I’m going to leave this one for her to tackle later. I just glanced at the box score and Phoenix shot 59 percent from the field FOR THE GAME and attempted 28 threes. Pete Carill was probably rolling over in his Florida vacation home.
I do love this quote from Sam Mitchell, though: “Our transition defense was just horrible. The first four threes Barbosa made, we weren’t near. It’s just lack of communication.”
Or a lack of defense.
New York 100, New Jersey 93
No Steph, no Curry, no J-Kidd, no Lang.
Think Isiah didn’t want this one desperately? The fewest minutes played by any starter was 37 by David Lee. Jamal Crawford started at the point and went for 29 and 7, presumably using a lot of crossover dribbles. Zach Randolph finally had himself a game, too, with 25 and 6 boards.
Kidd missed this game with a migrane. Named Joumana.
Actually, says here that Kidd sat out because he doesn’t like the way the Nets are going. Didn’t he just sign that huge contract with them a few years ago? I’d love it if Vince started criticizing Kidd for sitting out games.
Without Kidd or Marcus Williams, who’s still on the chilling list with a bum foot, the Nets started Eddie Gill, who played 23 minutes and fouled out. But keep an eye on Jamaal Magloire, who’s played two really strong games back-to-back. If they can get him going and scale back the playing time of Collins The Greater, the Nets might have finally found themselves a productive power forward.
Detroit 91, New Orleans 76
If you read The Links yesterday, I talked about how high I was on Detroit. The Celtics and the Magic are getting the headlines right now, but the Pistons are for real. They’ve played four games in five night in four different cities, and the still went to a good New Orleans team and took it to them.
Meanwhile, Tyson Chandler is beasting, posting 22 points and 17 rebounds tonight. Wait, I flipped that. He had 22 rebounds and 17 points. Which is more impressive? For Tyson Chandler, I say the former. Which is what he didn’t get. Still, great numbers.
Houston 105, Memphis 92
Nothing I tell you about this game is going to change your life in any appreciable way. T-Mac had a triple-double. Yao Ming had 24 and 13 without making any facial expressions. And Moochie Norris came off the bench for a huge three down the stretch. (I can dream, can’t I?)
Free Pau Gasol!
>>Just went to the kitchen, stood over the sink and ate some leftover delivery sesame chicken. I feel re-fortified. If I had a two-liter Mountain Dew, I’d drink it. Let’s get back to it!
San Antonio 97, Dallas 92
And the hits just keep on coming. A big game between two great teams. And I’m not surprised at all that San Antonio beat Dallas.
As the NBA season chugs along, I usually settle on a team I think has the best chance at winning a title late in the season, certainly after the All-Star break.
But this year San Antonio is going to win the championship. I’m positive. As sure as I am that Time Warner Cable has poor customer service, that’s how sure I am that, barring injury, the Spurs are going all the way. They’re so focused, everyone’s clicking, and Pop knows exactly what buttons to push to get them there.
You know that Ginobili guy who usually comes off the bench? Tonight, with Tim Duncan still injured, Pop gave Manu the start and he scored 37 points.
To be fair, Dallas, even though they’re still winning more than they’re losing, is still kind of in search mode, trying out different line-ups and rotations. Devean George and Eddie Jones, that means you’re on the bench for now. See you around Playoff time, fellas.
Los Angeles Lakers 111, Denver 107
Remember how everyone used to complain because he shot too much and he refused to involve his teammates, which led to great individual nights but a lot of losses?
Believe it or not, we’re not talking about Kobe. Allen Iverson, at least for this night, reverted to AI and went buck wild, scoring 51 points (49 though 3 quarters). But the Lakers managed to hold AI to 2 in the fourth, and Kobe went on a little run at the end to seal it for the Lakers.
I kind of miss that old AI. Remember how many nights he had games like this for the Sixers? They didn’t win many of them, but it was always fun to watch the smallest guy on the floor straight dominate everyone who came after him. Tonight Iverson seems to have done it by getting to the line — he shot 18 free throws, more than Kobe, Lamar, Luke Walton, Chris Mihm and Andrew Bynum combined.
The last Nuggets player to score 51 points in a game?
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf! Recognize, fools.
Seattle/Oklahoma City 95, Los Angeles Clippers 88
Linkstigator Nick Collison went down last week with a broken nose, which I took as a good opportunity to engage him in a round of text messaging about his beloved reality shows, including “The Hills.” Nick agrees with me that it’s time, even for us hardcore fans of the show, to admit that “The Hills” is fake. But, as I texted Nick, wouldn’t it be cool if the producers of “The Hills” come out and admit the show is all fake and always has been, and then, much like happened with professional wrestling, the ratings for “The Hills” go through the roof?
I also told Nick that he needs to start watching “Kid Nation” on CBS, which is my favorite new reality show. Basically, they took about 35 kids between the ages of 8 and 14 and put them all in an unsupervised Old West town and set them loose. It’s fascinating to watch. I particularly enjoy how most of the kids completely refuse to clean up after themselves. And they kind of gloss over it, but I’m curious to see how bed time works, because when I was a kid I never wanted to go to sleep, and they never show anyone telling these kids to get any sleep, they just all seem to go to bed and wake up early every day. All except for that girl Taylor, who is an unbelievable wench, considering she’s about 10 years old.
Anyway, Nick came back to the Sonics tonight, scored 18 and grabbed 17 boards. That’s what I’m talking about. According to the game notes, Nick played with a protective mask, which I guess means we’re going to have to get Sam a protective mask to wear around the office for the time being.
Golden State 120, Milwaukee 90
When I went to Hawaii to write the Kobe SLAM 115 cover story, I got to see the Lakers play the Warriors twice, and I came away thinking the Warriors that we saw in the Playoffs last season were for real. Both games I saw, they were flying around the court, playing that reckless, breathless ball they did against Dallas.
Then the season started, and they came out cooler than a polar bear’s toenail, not notching their first win until the middle of November, right when Stephen Jackson returned from his latest suspension. Since then, however, they’ve gone 10-2 and looked really impressive once again. I suppose the lesson we should learn here is how slim their margin of error is. And when your entire team’s chemistry hinges on Stephen Jackson being able to keep his mind right, I’m not so sure that’s a good situation to be in. Sure is fun to watch, though.
I really like what I’ve seen of Milwaukee this year, too, although they’re just too young.
That’s about it. 2,400 words. Good grief. Holly will be back tomorrow with a much simpler Post Up.
For now, you guys have it below…
105 Responses to “The Post Up: The Return of AI”
Dec.6 at 4:26 am
Kadavour says:
A.I. was on f*ckin FIRE. his efficiency through the 1st 3 quarters was phenomenal. Very unlike A.I. of old i’d say. The Lakers def put the clamps on him in the 4th, but you really had to see Iverson’s performance to appreciate it.
Dec.6 at 4:47 am
Benoit Benjamin says:
The Spurs play basket ball. No highlights, no cross overs, no carsy sh*t, just good, effective bball. Anyone saying that they’re doomed without Duncan? When he retires they might not be as dominant as today, but they sure can play better than most of the other teams.
Dec.6 at 4:59 am
Reggie Evans says:
I love Kid Nation. I can’t wait for the 20 year reunion. I also wonder what Taylor’s parents think of her? Do you think they’re proud of her? Or are they embarrassed like they should be?
Dec.6 at 5:46 am
Andrew says:
that’s twice, cooler than a polar bear toenail.
Dec.6 at 5:55 am
BeraH says:
The Spurs do have highlights. (12/5 Dunk of the Night and 12/5 Play of the Day which happened to be plays 1 & 2 on NBATVs plays of the day). They may not have alley-oops every other play or dozens of dunks but when they do a flashy play, everyone is treated because it’s something special. That being said I do see how a team that’s always up tempo can be enjoyable to watch. Still, if it’s a team I follow and watch regularly, I’m quite satisfied with Spurs basketball.
Dec.6 at 6:24 am
Tariq says:
Lang, I too am a Dew enthusiast. However, I have to point out that Mountain Dew Code Red is vastly superior to the garden variety Dew. Unfortunately, we don’t have Code Red here in Saudi Arabia, so whenever I manage to get a few bottles it’s like the elixir of life. Oh, and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf was/is the man.
Dec.6 at 6:41 am
namik says:
One, that Lakers game was sick for both team’s fans to watch. Bynum smashing on Melo was unexpected but cool. Can’t believe we won with Melo+AI=75 points and Camby grabbing 20 points. Also, with Kidd playing with LBJ and Brons being freed of his PG duties, dude could average 40 just by going to the rim and connecting on lobs. I mean Kidd made Kenyon an All-Star so imagine him and the “King”. BTW Lang loved the Kobe story. It was fun not reading the same ole “I wrote a story on Kobe in 2003 and this is what I said then and guess what….we still don’t know sh*t about this guy”. The idea for it being a “screenplay” worked really well and was innovative. But goddamn it was short. Y’all pulled some Esquire ish where they put someone on the cover and then give them a 2 page story. Post the rest here!
Dec.6 at 7:24 am
Harlem_World says:
RUN MORE PLAYS FOR DENG DAMMIT!!!!!
Dec.6 at 8:59 am
Sam Rubenstein says:
Holly chose the right night to move. AI is the Brett Favre of the NBA, he does things his way, is never afraid to force the action, other players treat him like he’s basically a deity, and age has no impact on him.
The Knicks win was their first road win of the season. Nice migrane JKidd. He probably got it from all that Whitesnake he’s been listening to.
Dec.6 at 9:09 am
Keith says:
Great opening paragraph Lang. Just super.
Dec.6 at 9:31 am
Lieutenant Shinysides says:
i used to ride cadillacs with the roof pushed back…………….RIP PIMP C
Dec.6 at 9:37 am
white hot eboy says:
LEAVE DAVID COVERDALE ALONE!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!
Dec.6 at 9:44 am
Lieutenant Shinysides says:
8) Nick Young has a nickname so spectacular that he and his teammates refused to disclose what it was. They insisted they merely call him “Nick Young,” or “Nick.” McGuire said sometimes it’s “Hollywood.” During the vlog taping, Young pointed out that he had the second-most prolific season in Southern Cal history, behind only Harold “Baby Jordan” Miner, and decided his nickname should thus be “Tiny Jordan.” But those aren’t the real nicknames. The real nickname is still out there, with DeShawn Stevenson’s lost deodorants and Caron Butler’s confiscated Mountain Dews.
Dec.6 at 9:45 am
white hot eboy says:
So Lang, are you saying that Holly is wordy? Great notes, btw. Let me say, in conjunction with your statement, I miss the old AI, too.
Dec.6 at 9:48 am
Darksaber says:
Lang, “the return”? Really? Where did he go? Come now, just because Melo and screamer Martin are the stories every sportswriter is on about in regards to Denver doesn’t mean A.I. was slacking. Iverson, with that physique, at his age, will STILL make defenses pay. Too bad the lake show started tackling him in the fourth.
Dec.6 at 9:51 am
Lieutenant Shinysides says:
kung pau finally showed up with a big game
Dec.6 at 9:52 am
Darksaber says:
“Mountain dew is that crack music”. Lang you crack me up. btw, any of the slam crew (Sam?) know how the Kanye to the… is doing? unspeakably horrible losing one’s mother like that, is he alright?
Dec.6 at 9:57 am
Darksaber says:
Jamaal a productive PF. Remember when the guy was an all star? Jeez, what the hell happened, contract extension? Sorry for the venting Lang, still steaming from Dirk’s horrible shot. He was alone for pete’s sake, no Defense anywear close except for Gino’s lunging hand, and Dirk bricks the potential game winner. WTF?
Dec.6 at 9:58 am
white hot eboy says:
NoWinski strikes again.
Dec.6 at 10:02 am
Darksaber says:
Yeah yeah, Eboy, at least your heat are looking good as a team, oh wait….. my bad.
Dec.6 at 10:03 am
Darksaber says:
But to be honest, i do enjoy watching me some Flash, jesus that guy can ball.
Dec.6 at 10:05 am
Myles Brown says:
AI had 49 through three quarters, looked on pace for 60 or more and scored only one bucket in the fourth on 1-4 shooting. Guess who held him down while scoring 12 points of his own with possibly the dime of the year to seal the win? [Frank Lucas]”My man.” I dont expect LA to end up with a top 5 seed, but theres certain teams they could face in the first round that I’d be quite confident against. Denver is one of them. Play some effin defense.
Dec.6 at 10:09 am
white hot eboy says:
Myles, if 6′8″ 24 couldn’t slow down 5″11 AI, he should probably stay on the bench. I thought 24’s baseline drive between two guys and crash to the floor was the play of the game.
Dec.6 at 10:10 am
white hot eboy says:
Daksaber, no one expected anything from the Heat this season. The Mavs were supposed to be “on a mission:” again. I think they need to go on a Peace Corps mission instead.
Dec.6 at 10:10 am
Keith says:
Excuse me for my potential ignorance, but you’re not a fan of KB24 Eboy?
Dec.6 at 10:15 am
Captain America says:
Holly! Holly! Holly!
Dec.6 at 10:15 am
white hot eboy says:
Keith, don’t get it started. I’m just saying if Kobe couldn’t clamp down on AI for a quarter, something is wrong in the basketball universe.
Dec.6 at 10:17 am
Captain America says:
I want to read about Steve Nash’s Canadian trip. Was he booed? Was he cheered?
Dec.6 at 10:19 am
Keith says:
Come on Eboy, indulge me…
Dec.6 at 10:19 am
Myles Brown says:
Kobe wasnt on AI until the fourth quarter.
Dec.6 at 10:20 am
Lieutenant Shinysides says:
yes, capt america, nash was booed whilst amongst the canucks, ya dirty hoser.
Dec.6 at 10:20 am
white hot eboy says:
Not with Mr. Brown present. I promised him I wouldn’t go there anymore. And I’ve been pretty good about it.
Dec.6 at 10:21 am
Lieutenant Shinysides says:
kobe didnt have to do much either, they did double a.i. EVERYTIME he touched the ball in the fourth quarter
Dec.6 at 10:21 am
white hot eboy says:
That’s what I meant, Myles. 4th quarter was it for the 24/AI matchup.
Dec.6 at 10:22 am
Keith says:
I can understand people hating Kobe’s personality - the arrogance, the temper tantrums, the ego. But as far as his work ethic and his ability to perform at the highest level night in and night out go, I think it’s impossible to hate that.
Dec.6 at 10:23 am
Myles Brown says:
They did that in the third too. He scored about a dozen points.
Dec.6 at 10:27 am
Myles Brown says:
There was a sequence that really took Ai outta his rhythm and no one else stepped up to fill the void. KB rode him during a shot and AI flopped for a call he didnt get, ran down court and flopped defending Kobe, apparently expecting a make up call and instead got called for a foul of his own. The Lakers scored another basket and AI forced a bad shot trying to get his groove back. The momentum had swung at that point and though it remained close, the game was never in doubt. AI had a great three quarters and its almost not fair to expect another in the fourth, but like they tell that other guy, 50 points in a loss dont mean sh*t.
Dec.6 at 10:29 am
white hot eboy says:
I liked Kobe when he rocked the bald-headed look and the Tupac goatee.
Dec.6 at 10:29 am
Ryan Jones says:
Dear Santa,
Please make Jason Kidd a Cav.
Thanks!
Your buddy,
Ryan
Dec.6 at 10:30 am
Myles Brown says:
What would be left? Wouldnt Mike Brown have to play center?
Dec.6 at 10:30 am
white hot eboy says:
Who leaves the Cavs, Jones?
Dec.6 at 10:31 am
Keith says:
Somebody break it to Ryan that ‘Jason Kidd potentially being a Cav’ isn’t real. It’s the kind of thing your parents tell you so that you don’t get disillusioned at the world.
Dec.6 at 10:32 am
Lieutenant Shinysides says:
yes myles, the big purple guy could get some boards. dirk is still a bitch, wide open three for the game? not even close. i bet nick van exel could still hit that shot.
Dec.6 at 10:33 am
Lieutenant Shinysides says:
where the f$%^ is earl boykins? working in santas shop with all the other 4 year old chinese kids?
Dec.6 at 10:35 am
SLAM ONLINE | » Is Kidd Sending a Message With Day Off? says:
[…] Lang touched on this during his version of The Post Up, and now we take a look at the story NY Post which claims that Kidd sat out because he was on strike: Jason Kidd was “on strike” last night, several team sources claimed. He essentially called in sick, perhaps seeking to force a trade from the Nets or gain a contract extension. […]
Dec.6 at 10:38 am
Sesa says:
Argentinian, not Argentian.
Dec.6 at 10:44 am
bobby stew says:
For some reason A.I. stopped looking for his shot. I’m all for including your teammates but J.R. Smith should not become your #1 4th quarter option when he’s been broke all night. A.I. it’s O.K. to shoot the ball when you’re on fire.
Dec.6 at 11:02 am
RV says:
I still can’t believe how deep of a team Toronto has, even though they lost by 13, they still scored a lot (thanks to the suns “D” mostly), but still good considering they had bosh, andrea and garbajosa out.
Dec.6 at 11:11 am
BETCATS says:
losing $ucks
Dec.6 at 11:13 am
Bryan says:
That Kobe drive was sick. And Allen Iverson was setting people up left and right in the 4th when they started really guarding him but the other guys couldn’t convert.I love watching Iverson play and I wish he would play like that more often.The cavs have nothing to offer for Kidd.And Eboy is a hater , Kobe is a badass.
Dec.6 at 11:15 am
BETCATS says:
and bryan i am the bad a$$
Dec.6 at 11:21 am
white hot eboy says:
I’ll stop hating on 24 when he wins another ring without big brother doing everything for him.
Dec.6 at 11:23 am
Ron says:
I was Chris Jackson’s biggest fan when I was a kid.
Dec.6 at 11:30 am
BETCATS says:
I was Ron’s biggest fan until he said he liked Chris Jackson
Dec.6 at 11:46 am
Bryan says:
Shaq never won it on his own either Eboy.
Dec.6 at 11:53 am
white hot eboy says:
See how the hater title can be easily reversed, as*hole?
Dec.6 at 11:55 am
Bryan says:
haha.Just saying.
Dec.6 at 11:58 am
J-Smoove says:
i’ll ask again….does anybody have video of glen big baby davis dunking??? i have never seen him dunk once.
Dec.6 at 11:59 am
nothin personal says:
That’s way more like it. I like your recaps a lot better, Lang, although, if Holly’s pics in facebook are real, she is way more cute. She is young, so she can observe and learn. Also, that Chris Jackson dude was a beast for the Nuggets back in time.
Dec.6 at 12:01 pm
white hot eboy says:
I think NP is the first critical commentor of Holly’s. That’s a pretty good percentage for a SLAM writer.
Dec.6 at 12:03 pm
Bryan says:
I like Holly’s stuff.
Dec.6 at 12:06 pm
Rasheedionics says:
Lang, great notes! Don’t get me wrong, I love Holly, but nobody can make even the simple recaps sound compelling and interesting like you.
Dec.6 at 12:10 pm
white hot eboy says:
Lang is the coolest.
Dec.6 at 12:11 pm
nothin personal says:
Yeah, she got you drooling with her charms! I don’t have anything with her or with Konate, for that matter, it’s that I only read her opening paragraph, the rest I can get from Nba.coN or any other website. I prefer lang talking about reality shows with Colisson, or telling sport’s drink dtories. Maybe it’s just me though. Or maybe I just play into too many fantasy leagues.
Dec.6 at 12:11 pm
Bryan says:
Get off Lang’s nuts.
Dec.6 at 12:12 pm
Tom says:
Love the oukast reference Lang, but next to the enthusiasm in Holly’s posts, you seem a little jaded.
Dec.6 at 12:12 pm
white hot eboy says:
Holly’s still in her rookie season. Give her a chance to refine her skill set. By her third year she might be on some Lebron-type level. Lang is like the Dominque of the SLAM universe, so he has veteran skills.
Dec.6 at 12:14 pm
nothin personal says:
Actually, I am on Russ’s nuts right now. Take turns, everybody. And I am not even gay.
Dec.6 at 12:15 pm
white hot eboy says:
Holly’s kind of like D-Wade in his rookie season, pretty much unknown to the general public and by the end of his first year run, people took heavy notice. I got your back, Holly, no worries.
Dec.6 at 12:16 pm
white hot eboy says:
NP, that sounded really odd, even from a Greek. Haha.
Dec.6 at 12:17 pm
nothin personal says:
Yeah, rookies are awesome, they have that potential thing to get jou intrigued. My favorite new writer though is Ben Collins. I think Holly is getting tired of this mundane task. Maybe they should just rotate the younger writers.
Dec.6 at 12:21 pm
Tom says:
btw Lang, just finished reading your kobe feature in the new ish on the bus to work, awesome article, loved the whole screenplay thing, reminds me of when scoop used to write for you guys, keep it up man.
Dec.6 at 12:34 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
Hey Guys, Just checking in from the airport wireless. The Suns/RAps game was ridiculous… 136 points on the 2nd night of a back-to-back! Raja singing in the shower was pretty ridic too. Amare is too cool for school. I love that guy! I’ve got some notes coming, just gotta proof them on the plane. Thanks to Lang for taking over the reins and posting an amazing edition of the post up.
Nothing_Personal: I wish I had all of the little stories that Lang has about everyone too, but, hopefully they will come in time. If you want more quotes and stuff added in, I can definitely take on the task since I facebook them to my friends every night as I am writing up the Post Up, however, it’ll just make my posts even longer…. hahhaha. Keep the criticism coming, I am here to please you guys as you read the recaps each day! And Lakers/Denver.. wwowow, getting to watch THAT game after the Suns/Raps made last night one of the best ever. Kobe killed it in the 4th. All business. I love when he is like that. Iverson, please, stay aggressive like this, we miss you. Bynum’s block on Carmelo? I almost knocked over my drink! Okay guys, I’ve got to go get something to read on the plane. I got the Kobe cover yesterday, it was sweet music to my ears to read during the flight. it has been only 2 short days and I miss all of the conversation around this place far too much! I will be back tomorrow and hopefully have game notes posted this evening! Thanks again, Lang you are incomparable!
Dec.6 at 12:41 pm
nothin personal says:
Now I feel guilty, she is such a sweet girl. I am looking forward to reading those game notes, the last ones you got were really good. Too bad there aren’t more games around there.
Dec.6 at 12:46 pm
TADOne says:
I need to check Holly’s Facebook photos now.
Dec.6 at 12:55 pm
Allenp says:
Myles is wrong. Kobe switched to A.I intially when when he got hot, started trying to deny the ball and was getting killed. The fourth quarter, KObe was on Melo as much as he was on A.I. Plus, A.I. probably slowed down because he played 48 MINUTES. What’s up with George Karl’s substituion patterns? Kleiza and Carter got now burn and Kenyon was on the bench for ages. Why don’t people point out that this Nuggets team is very similar to the Bucks team that Karl coached who played no defense and only ran clearouts?
Dec.6 at 1:00 pm
Bryan says:
We miss you too Holly , especially Eboy.
Dec.6 at 1:19 pm
Cub Buenning says:
Camby proved my 20 rebound=Nugget victory theory incorrect! His Rodman-like 0 and 20 just wasn’t enough. Why does JR Smith think he gets the ball at crunch time. The ball should always just go to one guy, Melo. Yeah, maybe last night with AI going off does he deserve to exclusively control the ball, but what is this kid doing?!@?!? Like i mentioned in my preview, “is he (smith) ready to be an adult professional basketball player?” I would have said ‘yes’ for most of this season, but last night was regression.
The Nuggets are the most “strugglingest” above .500 team in the league.
Dec.6 at 1:21 pm
Jared says:
Great write-up Lang, how come nobody talks about any other SLAM writers as people or their physical attributes? Now I dont like dudes, but I’m just saying, lets give people respect for their journalistic abilities…
Dec.6 at 1:33 pm
d.Y. says:
Any article mentioning “Action” Abdul Rauf is good with me.
Dec.6 at 1:52 pm
ciolkstar says:
Where did Holly go to school?…There are like Four different Holly MacKenzies from Canada on Facebook…
Dec.6 at 1:54 pm
Myles Brown says:
From what I saw, the possessions in the 4th where AI shot and missed or was denied the ball, Bryant was either the help or the primary.
Dec.6 at 2:04 pm
Reggie Evans says:
Who cares! Lakers won! And “Miami is Imploding”!
Dec.6 at 2:07 pm
Cub Buenning says:
dY, word on Swish Jackson.
I wonder if that was a M-A-R game or not.
I peeped him in his earlier CJ days when he went for 51 on the Heat and Rice had about the same circa 89/90. Borderline, Bird/Nique dual.
Dec.6 at 2:09 pm
nothin personal says:
St Francis Xavier. she also has konate added to her friends
Dec.6 at 2:11 pm
Ron says:
Kobe did his job defensively in the 4th and carried the team offensively. That was a great quarter for a guy who was a non-factor for 3 quarters then come and pull one out at the end of the game. He had an Eli Manning performance last night.
Dec.6 at 2:27 pm
Cub Buenning says:
Ron, he didn’t throw away three passes late in the game that got taken back for breakaway dunks, sealing the loss….
Dec.6 at 2:34 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
What’s a Facebook?
Dec.6 at 2:46 pm
Dark says:
On p. 36 of the latest SLAM, under “Watch This!”:
Dec.6 at 2:46 pm
Timmyd says:
The Nuggets basically helped Kobe look like a HERO lastnight. Iverson scored 51 pts., the least that team could have done was play defense when it counted most. Kobe was taking turns with everyone else on Iverson the entire game and couldn’t stop A.I either. It took a TEAM effort on defense of Iverson, people were triple teaming him in the forth quarter so he was passing the ball trying to get his teammates involved and they couldn’t deliver. Iverson had 8 assist, even throughout the game when A.I was passing the ball they were missing baskets. I appreciate Kobe’s b-ball skills the same as everyone else, but sometimes people give him a little too much credit. This was the Nuggets game to when and everyone, excluding Iverson, choked. Had that have been the Spurs, Kobe wouldn’t have been able to do what he did at the end of lastnights game and ya’ll know it. I have to say that I do miss the old Iverson sometimes as well. But I would rather see him on a team WINNING (although they didn’t win lastnight, LOL), then to have to score 60 pts. a night just to give his team the chance to win. Nomatter who you are, that can wear a player out. Now that he is in his correct position at the 2 (instead of having to play the 1 due to the injuries), he’s going to score more points then he has so far this season because thats what he was brought to this team to do.
Dec.6 at 2:46 pm
Dark says:
12/5 Dallas Mavericks @ San Antonio Spurs: “Dallas was the best regular-season team last year, but the Spurs were still the best at the end. I figure the Mavs will have a chance to win but won’t!” - Konate Primus
Dec.6 at 3:04 pm
Timmyd says:
Cub Buenning, in crunchtime, the ball should go to either one of TWO players on the NUGGETS… MELO or IVERSON, doesn’t matter which order. That was the entire point of bringing these two together, to have TWO threats so the opposing team wouldn’t know which player to go to at the end of the game. I’m not sure if you have been watching b-ball for the past 12 yrs. but Iverson is also about as clutch as you can get in that League and should have the ball in his hands at crunch time as well, not just when he scores 51 pts. in a game, but should have the ball period. Carmelo had a few times in the fourth when Iverson was triple teamed and he could have taken over when he had the ball and didn’t. There were a few times when Carmelo forced a few shots that he shouldn’t have in the forth. Thats NOT what you call being a LEADER. IVERSON was brought to this team to help take this team to the next level, if Carmelo could do it all by himself, there would not have been no need to trade for a player of Iversons caliber. That team does not have the luxury of time to just sit back and wait for Melo to become one of the leaders of team. Melo is a great player, but in order for this AI/MELO thing to work they both have to be on the same page… With that said, i’m starting to question the coaching of this team, they have entirely too much talent to be struggling a lot of the mistakes that are made go back to this COACHING STAFF. George Karl might want to think about stepping his game up and stop sitting back on the bench like he’s Coaching a pick-up team at Ruckers Park.
Dec.6 at 3:19 pm
deestarbuckz says:
Anthony Carter got NO RUN in the fourth… but JR Smith had a neon green light? WTF? I am not even a damn Nuggets fan but I was upset. Just said eff it and put on Call of Duty to let my frustration out. The thing about JR a.k.a. Young Rich is that he does not really seem to care. His demeanor is like… “oh well” after every missed assignment or off three point shot! Bet he’s at Reggae on the Rooftop tonight though, throwing a drink on some random female!
Dec.6 at 3:42 pm
Bryan says:
This post really missed bodie.
Dec.6 at 4:06 pm
Drew says:
I was at the Nuggets/Lakers game last night, and AI did not shoot too much. He just made everything for 3 quarters. The Lakers did a good job taking him out of his game in the 4th, but he still should have shot more in the quarter. Kobe was clutch down the stretch but the think that kept the Lakers in the game was that Vlad Radmanovitc was hitting 3s like a mad man. The fact that the Nuggets left him wide open time after time didn’t hurt. The Laker bigs played good defense and really took Martin and Camby out of the game.
Melo couldn’t hit anything. Worst game he has played in a while. Like others who have commented on the game, I can’t believe AC didn’t play in the 4th. Way too much JR Smith, on a night when he was cold.
One more thing: KMart at the line is a scary thing to watch.
Dec.6 at 4:38 pm
Deez Noots says:
Lang, you’re my idol. Well done.
Dec.6 at 5:10 pm
albie1kenobi says:
definitely enjoyed the recap by Lang.
eboy is right, Holly is in her rookie season, just feeling things out and getting her fundamentals down. true Lang’s recap today got much more flavor and personality, but that’s only 1 day. try doing this for a full season and even the mighty Lang may run out of interesting ways to do this. how did the People’s Champ do last year?
word to Holly: a little less stat and more analysis is appreciated, though i suppose it’s hard to have analysis day after day, especially since you can’t watch every game even if you have a league pass.
Dec.6 at 5:15 pm
jbn74sb says:
The Lakers beat the Nuggets, on the road, on the second night of a road back-to-back, and the story is about Iverson? Nice.
Dec.6 at 5:21 pm
John E. Sanford says:
The Spurs do have highlights Benoit B, did you not see Manu’s dunk on Gana Diop and Josh Howard? That sh*t was sick…..
Dec.6 at 5:46 pm
john says:
ya iverson scores 51 but it wasent enough my home boi kobe took over in da 4th andrew bynum stuffed melo layup giod, dont forget about vladimare
Dec.6 at 6:12 pm
Rob Paxon says:
That Lakers-Nuggets game was a great watch. Seeing A.I. do it like that, he may as well be rockin’ his old fade. It’s amazing how quick he still is as it’s been much discussed how much quick guards suffer once they get over 30. You get the feeling that he could play forever.
Dec.6 at 6:30 pm
Chief says:
I think A.I. is the most dominant scorer since MJ left. Kobe’s good, but for his size A.I. makes people loook like fools out there. and now he’s dishing out assists. he’s too much.
Dec.6 at 7:19 pm
The Cool says:
Mr. Kidd, I am asking you out of the depths of my heart, please come to the Lakers so they can make to the Finals this year! play wit it.
Dec.7 at 9:13 pm
JayAre says:
kobe is the best player in the league…no doubt… and Timmyd is an idiot.. Chief is semi retarded too
Jan.14 at 4:27 pm
SLAM ONLINE | » Jamario Moon’s New Nickname says:
[…] (Sidenote: Since Lang is reportedly amazing at cooking Ramen Noodles, does this mean that if he was coaching the Raptors he’d be able to get more out of Moon than Sam Mitchell? I can just see it now…”Chris Bosh, you’ve got to realize that your job is to get the ball to Ramen Noodles. And if Noodles isn’t open, you’re going to have to kick it back out to Jose and have Noodles re-post; either that or find him up top for an ISO.”) […]