The Post Up: CP3X2
While the kids are alright in Seattle and Dallas takes care of business.
By: Holly MacKenzie
Eastern Conference
1. Boston 61-15
2. Detroit 55-21
3. Orlando 48-29
4. Cleveland 42-35
5. Washington 40-37
6. Philadelphia 39-38
7. Toronto 38-39
8. Atlanta 36-41
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9. Indiana 33-44
10. New Jersey 32-45
Western Conference
1. New Orleans 54-22
2. San Antonio 53-24
3. LA Lakers 53-24
4. Utah 51-26
5. Houston 52-25
6. Phoenix 51-26
7. Dallas 48-29
8. Denver 46-31
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9. Golden State 46-31
10. Portland 38-39
With the playoff race getting down to the wire there were lots of great games on the schedule this weekend. There was the doubleheader on ABC and yet the match up of the night was… Denver and Seattle! Sometimes thats just how the NBA works. While the Nuggets hung 168 points on Seattle in their last meeting, last night Durant and Green put on a show, 37 for KD, 35 for Green as they took the Nuggets into double-overtime, dropping them 151-147.
Uh oh. Al had better step it up big time or he may have just lost the ROY hype.
I know, it’s only one game, but what a game it was by Mr. Durant. 37 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists and 3 steals. The Green going off for 35 and 10. It was a great game and the three by KD to force the second overtime was big. Huge. He was having the time of his life out there and it was fun to watch. Even if Denver did go and make their remaining games that much more vital.
As much as I did not want Dallas in the playoffs, they seem to be the only team really wanting to be there. Damn Denver and Golden State need to figure their stuff out, and fast. Jax is so important to the Warriors and he has lost his game somewhere along the way. The Mavericks were solid under pressure yesterday against the Suns and Dirk was fantastic down the stretch.
Speaking of Jax, while he has had a rough week on the court, he had a decent week off of it, being awarded the NBA’s community assist award for the month of March. Sounds crazy, doesn’t it? I’ve said all along that while he may be crazy, it’s the good kind of crazy.
I still can’t believe the Nuggets lost against Sacramento and wasted Melo’s 47 points. Almost feels as bad as the Lakers choking against Memphis last week, with Kobe’s 53.
Anyone else feel like the Lakers and Suns are going to meet up in the first round?
Seriously, it’s time for Bron to get his back right.
New York defeating Orlando last night is just wrong at this juncture of the season, even if the Magic do have the third spot locked up.
On the NCAA side of things, games aside, my thoughts are with Rodrick Stewart and that devastating knee injury. That one ripped my soul up a little bit and the media really needs to stop showing the replay again and again. Stay strong, Rodrick.
“I feel like my team is the MVP. We are having an outstanding year.”
-Chris Paul
Love it. You know my feelings on this guy. I’m bringing the CP3 love strong today but it is all deserved. In front of the big audience, in a huge game for the Warriors, he delivers, dropping in a triple-double and adding 5 steals as well.
The clip of him mic’d up and pleading with Byron to keep him in the game was golden. He lives to play.
Over the weekend, I was going through old files and documents saved away on a flash drive and I came across this little breakdown written during the summer 2004. It was from the FIBA Under-21 tournament. Keep in mind, Jose Juan Barea had just dropped in triple-doubles before this performance against Paul. I may have been a little over-confident in my JJB love, but hindsight can be a funny thing.
GOLD MEDAL GAME: JOSE JUAN BAREA VS. CHRIS PAUL
Paul- 8 pts, 2 steals, 8 assists, 3 rebounds, 4 turnovers… in 38 minutes
Barea- 27 pts, 2 steals, 6 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 turnovers… in 35 minutes..
I think its safe to say Barea can hold his own against Paul. Defensively, gave very good coverage although he definitely gambles too much on defense.. also needs to learn not to jack a three right after he makes one. Still, very, very good player in this tournament. two triple-doubles and then this performance. He will make the nba. somehow, someway.
Paul is going to be a solid pg. Looks a bit hesitant offensively. Looking for others, at the expense of himself. Great court vision, found people open before they realized it. Can see the play develop before it happens. Will be excellent if he can become a consistent scoring threat while playing with guys who understand the game and how to get open.
Funny stuff. Somehow the memory of my 18 year-old self watching an 18-year old Chris Paul got lost in the mix. I remembered Villanueva though, what is with that?
Notice that Boston has quietly gone 19-3 in their last 22 games?
New Orleans 108 Golden State 96
In a Sunday showdown on national TV, all eyes were on Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornets as they faced a Golden State squad fighting for their playoff lives. Paul helped his squad show up and take care of business as they dropped the Warriors 108-96 behind his triple-double. With the two teams sloppy to start out, the Hornets had trouble keeping up with the Golden State tempo and trailed 31-22 at the end of the first quarter after a number of turnovers on their part. By the second quarter they managed to find their footing and put in a 37-point quarter holding the Warriors to only 20 points as they took a 59-91 lead into the break. After Golden State had cut the lead and tied the game at 90 early in the fourth quarter they ran out of steam, as Paul knocked down a three to start New Orleans off on an 18-6 run to finish the game. Paul finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds, 13 assists and 5 steals. Peja Stojakovic and David West scored 25 points apiece and Tyson Chandler added 11 points and 12 rebounds. Monta Ellis had 35 points for the Warriors while Baron Davis had 17 points and 8 assists, Andris Biedrins had 17 points and 15 rebounds and Al Harrington added 16 points.
Dallas 105 Phoenix 98
After watching the Nuggets blow a home game against Sacramento and the Warriors fail to get the W against New Orleans, Dallas wanted to go out and take care if their own business against the Suns to extend their hold on the seventh spot in the Western Conference. After sleepwalking through the first three quarters and watching as Amare Stoudemire and the Suns had their way with them, Dirk and the Mavs blew out the Suns in the fourth, outscoring them 27-9 in the final period to come back from a 14-point deficit and steal the win. In the fourth, the Mavericks put together a 16-0 run as the Suns went scoreless for almost eight minutes, missing 12 straight shots. In the final quarter Nowitzki’s star shone bright as he had 12 points in the period and came up big every time they needed him down the stretch, his biggest play a basket coming with 32 seconds on the clock as he was falling down. That basket put the Mavericks up 102-96 and after some missed free throws from Amare, the game went to Dallas. Nowitzki finished with 32 points and 12 rebounds, Josh Howard scored 24 points, and grabbed 9 boards, Brandon Bass had 19 points and Jason Terry added 12 points. Stoudemire finished with 31 points for the Suns, as Steve Nash had 14 points and 10 assists. Boris Diaw had 15 off of the bench and Shaquille O’Neal added the 13-point 13-rebound double-double.
Orlando 101 Cleveland 86
With off nights from both Dwight Howard and LeBron James, the difference between the Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers is that the Magic are not a one-man show. When Howard was struggling and managed only four points in the game, Orlando’s shooters stepped in and took care of business, helping take down the Cavs 101-86. The game was in Cleveland’s favor in the first half, with the Cavaliers holding a 55-47 lead at the break, but Orlando came out strong in the second and did not let up. After cutting the lead to 72-69 at the start of the fourth, the Magic went off offensively, outscoring Cleveland 32-14 in the final quarter as LeBron’s back tightened and he was unable to help his team to the victory. With the game tied at 75 the Magic went on a 10-0 run to create some separation from the Cavs and they led by 13 points with three minutes remaining as they went on to the W. Hedo Turkoglu led the Magic with 23 points, Rashard Lewis had 21 and Jameer Nelson added 16 points. Delonte West scored 19 for the Cavs as LeBron was held to 17 points and 9 assists. Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 18 points and 9 boards and Devin Brown added 15 in the loss.
LA Lakers 112 Dallas 108
Friday night the Dallas Mavericks were in LA to try and avenge a loss from their previous meeting with the Lakers while also maintaining their footing in the tight playoff race in the Western Conference. While they were happy to have Dirk Nowitzki back for his second consecutive game, they had to face a Laker squad who had Pau Gasol also playing in his second contest since an ankle injury. Thanks to a huge night from Lamar Odom, the Lakers came out on top, 112-108, shaking off a 10-point halftime deficit to grab the lead in the final minutes of the fourth. With the Lakers outscoring the Mavericks by three in the third, they still trailed by seven going into the fourth. Thanks to Lamar Odom’s aggressiveness in the final quarter, the Lakers outscored the Mavs 32-21 in the fourth and they took their first lead of the game with 1:21 remaining, 103-102, then went on to close the game on a 9-2 run, to walk off of the floor victorious Odom finished with a season-high 31 points to go with 10 rebounds while Kobe Bryant had 25 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists and Pau Gasol also scored 25 points to go with 7 assists. Nowitzki had 27 points for the Mavericks as Jason Terry scored 25 points and Josh Howard added 23. Erick Dampier had 11 points and 10 rebounds for Dallas.
>Seattle 151 Denver 147 2OT
With the Nuggets coming into their match up with the Sonics sitting in the eighth place in the West and having won three games this season against Seattle by an average of 27 points, including dropping 168 points on them only a few weeks ago, they figured they would be able to play their running game and get the victory. The problem with this was, they did not count on rookies Kevin Durant and Jeff Green being able to turn the tables on them, running their game plan to perfection. The result was a devastating loss in double-overtime to the Sonics. After leading 36-31 at the end of the first quarter, the Nuggets gave up 39 points to the Sonics while scoring only 28 themselves in the second period, giving Seattle a six-point lead at the half. The Nuggets did not lead again until the 9:26 mark of the fourth quarter, taking a two-point lead 105-103. The lead would shift between the two teams the rest of the way with Kevin Durant hitting a three to send the game into overtime. In the first extra session, again Durant came up big, knocking down a thirty-footer to force the second overtime. The Sonics went on an 11-6 run to open the second overtime and the Nuggets did not recover. Four free throws by Durant in the final 15 seconds sealed the win for Seattle. Durant finished with a career-high 37 points to go with 8 rebounds and 9 assists. Green finished with 35 points and 10 rebounds, Nick Collison and Luke Ridnour each scored 19 points, with Collison adding in 13 rebounds. Earl Watson had 16 points and 11 assists. Carmelo Anthony had 38 points and 11 rebounds for the Nuggets as Allen Iverson had 26 points and 13 assists, Kenyon Martin scored 22 points, Linas Kleiza had 17 points off of the bench and Marcus Camby had 12 points and 13 rebounds.
67 Responses to “The Post Up: CP3X2”
Apr.7 at 9:20 am
Holly MacKenzie says:
I love basketball. I hate bolding and italics. Good Morning, everyone.
Apr.7 at 9:27 am
James The balla says:
Whats up Holly … second … and Kobe For MVP!!!!
Apr.7 at 9:27 am
Myles Brown says:
Denver still sucks, the Hornets still dont scare me and Phoenix is still going home in the first round. Im going back to sleep.
Apr.7 at 9:28 am
Eboy says:
What’s up Holly? Any thoughts on tonight’s NCAA final? CP34MVP
Apr.7 at 9:28 am
WhaHuh says:
No one wants to be 8th in the west. durant for ROY?
Apr.7 at 9:30 am
James The balla says:
Eboy … shut your E-mouth … Kobe for MVP!!!!
Apr.7 at 9:35 am
Holly MacKenzie says:
NCAA…. I’m saying Memphis, but I think I’m pulling for Kansas? I’ll be happy either way, I just want a good game. And MVP… Just give the award to someone. I don’t even want to bother debating it in my own head anymore. If the Hornets and Lakers could each go far in the plaoyoffs, that would please me.
Apr.7 at 9:41 am
Eboy says:
I’m pulling for Memphis too, since izzo has said that Bill Self is useless in a Isiah Thomas like manner. Holly, if your boys meet Phoenix in the forst round, while they will be favored, it will suck that either of them would be out so early. It would be nice to see them meet in a later round. CP34MVP
Apr.7 at 9:45 am
Ryne Nelson says:
Although it would be *crazy* to see a Lakers/Suns first rounder, I don’t think it’s going to happen. I think the Lakers will have the 2-seed and the Suns the 5-seed.
Apr.7 at 9:47 am
Eboy says:
Is that just a hunch Rynocerous, or by looking at their remaining schedules.
Apr.7 at 9:51 am
Michael Tillery says:
Mornin Holly…
Those Denver/Seattle games are so reminiscent of back in the day. Those scores are incredible. If I had a vote I’d vote for Kobe as MVP and Horford as ROY. KD puts up the points,but Al has been more consistent.
Apr.7 at 9:51 am
Michael Tillery says:
Oh Memphis wins.
Apr.7 at 9:56 am
Holly MacKenzie says:
Al is my pick too, but sweet Lord, that performance KD put on last night was unreal. Green, too! 151-147. While the damn Heat can barely break 75 some nights. And, that loss to the Hawks really effed with Toronto. They have been hurting my eyes lately. Horrible.
Apr.7 at 9:58 am
Eboy says:
Thanks for the Heat love, Holly. Fu*ker.
Apr.7 at 10:01 am
Holly MacKenzie says:
I didn’t get to comment on the Lakers game against Dallas enough. Did ANYONE see Pau to LO back to Pau for the and-1 in the final minutes of the game? If LO can keep this up (thats asking a whole lot, I know), I am hyped for playoffs.
Apr.7 at 10:01 am
Holly MacKenzie says:
hhaha, only facts, Eboy.
Apr.7 at 10:02 am
Ryne Nelson says:
@Eboy - I’m not going to lie, it was just a hunch. There’s so many tie breakers that will probably come into play. While I’d really love to see Lakers/Suns in the first, we might have to wait until the second (if the Suns and Lakers get there).
Apr.7 at 10:04 am
Ryne Nelson says:
Holly brings up a great stat, Celtics only have three losses to their name in the past 22. Who can say this team is not the favorite to come out of the east? While resting the Big Three Saturday, the reserves played an almost-perfect game and clinched home court throughout the playoffs. Wow.
Apr.7 at 10:07 am
Eboy says:
The Celtics do look fantastic, but agian, will Detroit’s past experience come together and push them through or will the Celts drive to be great run over whoever? It’s going to be a fun ride.
Apr.7 at 10:08 am
Holly MacKenzie says:
Ryne, I am loving how Detroit is getting Afflalo and Stucks ready for the postseason. Those rooks will be ready. Detroit and Boston ECF needs to happen and it will be fantastic.
Apr.7 at 10:24 am
Ryne Nelson says:
Holly, it will be great. Boston in six.
Apr.7 at 10:48 am
matt the jazz fan says:
if the playoffs started today, utah has a pretty clear path to the wcf. you could say that’s hating on the rockets and the hornets, but that’s my gut feeling. and lest you say i’m biased, i’d say that the road gets considerably tougher in the wcf… l.a./dallas/s.a./phx - sheesh it’s better to be in the 1-8/4-5 group (again with today’s standings) than in the 2-7/3-6 group…
ps boston wins it all anyway, i agree…
Apr.7 at 10:58 am
Holly MacKenzie says:
matt, the Jazz better pray they hang onto that homecourt or they are in troubleeee.
Apr.7 at 11:06 am
matt the jazz fan says:
against houston? history says otherwise…
Apr.7 at 11:08 am
matt the jazz fan says:
and that wasn’t even against a yao-less team!
Apr.7 at 11:11 am
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
Durant/Green WOW! They will be an awesome duo for years, really think they complement each others game very well. Still Al for ROY. The Dirk hate must really run deep around here; not a single mention of him doing a Cassell impersonation on one leg yesterday - the kraut is on tuff sort of cabbage.
Ryne; Boston in 7 EFC.
PAUL FOR MVP - stop the argument people it’s just too lame. Kobe’s had a great season no doubt about, so has LeBron. But the Hornets are No. 1 in the West. NUMBER ONE! for chrissake - The Hornets No. 1, come on they are supposed to just make the playoffs with that team. Paul is leading them every game (and having the best statistical PG season since Magic was in his prime). It’s history in the making.
Apr.7 at 11:11 am
Tariq says:
Myles: The Hornets are still behind the Lakers and Spurs in my estimation when we’re talking playoffs, but New Orleans is formidable. They have an inside-out game and their bench is starting to produce. I still don’t think they get out of the West, but you underestimate them at your own risk.
Apr.7 at 11:12 am
Squirrel7 says:
I’m worried the Hornets will get bounced early too. As good as their season has been, I just think they lack that ‘big-game’ experience. I’m amazed at how I’ve gone from wanting the Suns to win it all, to wanting them to crash-and-burn purely because of Shaq!
Apr.7 at 11:20 am
Holly MacKenzie says:
LZ, Dirk was crazy with that shot. Falling down! After the game when he was asked about it he said “I fell down about 18 times”, hah he always makes me laugh. Remember the press conference where he squished the bug with his fist?
Apr.7 at 11:21 am
Simone Lawy says:
wild wild WEST…KB24 for MVP, no doubt.
Apr.7 at 11:36 am
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
Holly; wasn’t referring to you, think you covered it fine in your resumé. Was more referring to the lack of mention from all my fellow commentators, who never waste a chance to behead the guy, when he craps his pants. Give credit where credit is due peoples.
Apr.7 at 11:38 am
Eboy says:
Dirk is the greatest. Yay.
Apr.7 at 11:39 am
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
Sadly don’t know about that bug squishing (s?), please elaborate! PAUL 4 MVP!
Apr.7 at 11:41 am
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
Hehe boy.. No Quinn is the greatest. Yay.
Apr.7 at 11:46 am
RV says:
First, let me say I think Durant is a very good player and will probably be a great player soon, BUT, i dont think that performance locks up the ROY for him, or even makes him the front runner. Let’s keep in mind Denver is a horrible defensive team and Seattle was coming off of a loss to houston where they only scored 66 pts. Durant was 2 of 17, no free throw attmpts, 4pts, 4 rebs, 5 assts. Guys like Scola and Al are less likely to be shut out against good defensive teams, and they also can put up big numbers in pick-up style basketball.
Apr.7 at 11:52 am
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
RV i totally agree. Al deserves the ROY. But Scola is doing more or less the same on a better team + the win streak, where he was a very important component, so despite his age (and nationality, seems to be a problem for a host of biased American fu(kers) he should also get a mention.
Apr.7 at 11:57 am
Eboy says:
God Bless America.
Apr.7 at 11:59 am
Holly MacKenzie says:
lz: http://youtube.com/watch?v=GrQzRBcrCts
Apr.7 at 12:01 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
Is there a God?
Apr.7 at 12:02 pm
Tariq says:
Dirk is German for “awkward”
Apr.7 at 12:03 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
Holly; Thx, but unfortunately the security settings here at work doesn’t allow youtube to run.. Am enticed though can you give me a hint of what the video is about?
Apr.7 at 12:05 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
just a post game press conference and he sees a bug/fly so he crushes it with his fist and then continues on with his interview. He’s just so effortlessly goofy. Makes me laugh.
Apr.7 at 12:05 pm
Joel O's says:
I think the Hornets are a better team than any of the last few incarnations of the Suns, because they are a more balanced, fundamentally sound team. I highly doubt they’re gonna flame out early, and that we’re gonna find out real soon just how clutch CP3 really is.
Apr.7 at 12:06 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
Hahaha.. I checking that out later, thx. Goofy/awkward/doofy that’s for sure.
Apr.7 at 12:08 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
To Ecco Joel, I think the Hornets will surprise all the doubters. Think they have as good a shot as everybody else (sans Spurs maybe) to get out of the West.
Apr.7 at 12:08 pm
Bo Diddly says:
Question: Why isn’t Lamar Odom the best player in the league?? I can’t help but feel he has the tools to be…
Apr.7 at 12:09 pm
Tariq says:
Joel: I agree. I don’t know why people are writing them off. I didn’t think they were for real back in December/January. But Chandler, West, Peja and CP3 are a hell of a nucleus. And Bonzi, Julian Wright and Pargo are a decent bench.
Apr.7 at 12:12 pm
Kevin Wilson says:
Holly, my favorite mic’d up clip of Paul was definitely him saying, “Coach, lemme play it out, but a close second was him telling West and Peja, “You can’t sit right now. They’re playing zone. We need shooters.”
Apr.7 at 12:16 pm
RV says:
i think the Hornets’ coaching is underrated. I though they’d burn out 2 months ago, but they have kept going and continue to play well, and now bonzi has found a role in their offense. I think how far they go depends on the match up, but i don’t see them getting past a team that can shut down CP (spurs).
Apr.7 at 12:17 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
Yeah,he basically did the substitutions, Kevin. Kid is good and he and Byron are a great team. CP3 is so high on my list right now, its disgusting.
Apr.7 at 12:20 pm
RV says:
Lamar isn’t assertive enough
Apr.7 at 12:24 pm
RV says:
That tourney on Yahoo! sports is down to Deke’s finger wag and Jaric’s chick..i’m still not sure what its about though..
Apr.7 at 12:25 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
RV; Hornets beat the Spurs soundly with Paul running wild in their last meeting. Still agree/feels like that Spurs or Lakers will cause the most problems for Hornets.
Concerning Lamar, he’s kind of excused for not being that assertive in my book, concerning his past I think he (rightly) spends lot of his time dealing with other things.
Apr.7 at 12:25 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
*other things than basketball.
Apr.7 at 12:27 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
Do you guys think that Deke’s finger will impose itself on Jaric’s chick? How will that matchup play out?
Apr.7 at 12:44 pm
RV says:
I’m looking at some salary figured for sir charles….didn’t realize he didn’t make a million until his 5th season, never made more than 5 until his final yr…times sure have changed..
Apr.7 at 12:46 pm
RV says:
figures*
Apr.7 at 12:50 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
Charles was mostly paid in cheesesteaks the first 5 years.
Apr.7 at 12:52 pm
RV says:
More about Shaq quitting on the Heat : ” O’Neal has credited Phoenix’s training staff for the innovative methods that have allowed him to get in proper condition. Although that might be true, the fact is the Heat spent exhaustive resources trying to help O’Neal. The team invested in an expensive blood circulation machine that he barely used, a high-altitude training room and Alter-G treadmills that lessen the burden on the lower body while running. The Heat also hired two of the more reputable physical trainers in South Florida. The staff attempted to convince O’Neal to try methods now being used by the Suns’ trainers, but he was hardly cooperative.
Apr.7 at 12:55 pm
RV says:
LZ, i don’t think they were delivered until his final 3 yrs
Apr.7 at 1:26 pm
Simone Lawy says:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2OAT0rSmWr4&feature=related
Apr.7 at 1:29 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Shaq got really perked up by that injection of vitamin W.
Apr.7 at 4:10 pm
TheMC5 says:
Holly has now officially been name dropped on NBA.com, in the newest Power Rankings for convincing whoever writes those to move Seattle up from #28. Kudos Holly, you have arrived.
Apr.7 at 4:39 pm
namik says:
Can someone tell Nellie that it pays to stick to the hot hand. Monta was on fire and no one could touch him, Yet they never went to him in the last 2:30. What the hell? And will people stop piling on David West. Dude can straight ball. And F*** Phoenix.
Apr.8 at 1:56 am
hursty says:
wow. not much happened today huh?… TMAC!
Apr.8 at 1:58 am
hursty says:
KANSAS!
Apr.8 at 9:20 am
BETCATS says:
memphis