By Henry Abbott
- Larry Brown making a collection of unbelievably insightful points about Allen Iverson. For instance, that the fact that his family wasn't in Memphis may have been the key factor in Iverson leaving the Grizzlies, that the Knicks would be perfect for Iverson, and that the things that make Iverson great are the exact things that make him a tough fit for some teams.
- Just some of the articles in the new SLAM: How To Be A Leader, by Kevin Garnett. How To Cross Someone Over, by Tim Hardaway. How To Take A Charge by Shane Battier. How To Shoot A Free Throw, by Chauncey Billups. How To Read A Defense, by Chris Paul. How To Watch A Basketball Game, by Charles Barkley.
- I missed it this summer, but some top players in Europe tested positive for performance enhancing drugs. Thank goodness there's none of that in the NBA. (Oh wait ...) We have been told that such things don't help basketball players, but that argument is wearing even thinner, if that's possible.
- One of the most exciting things I've seen in the NBA this season was the Pistons' long, trapping lineup that almost brought them back from a massive fourth-quarter deficit in Portland. Guys like Jonas Jerebko and Austin Daye are so long and so quick that one of the NBA's premier "go small" teams can also "go big" while still playing very fast. They created a zillion turnovers, and but for having to put Blazers on the line as the clock got low, it almost seemed like the Blazers might never score again.
- Pau Gasol is due back on the court tonight. What to expect. Also, remember Phil Jackson made fun of Gasol's acting? Right back at you, coach.
- Everybody adores the Hawks right now.
- Derrick Rose acknowledges he hasn't been himself, and vows to fix that.
- The Cavaliers have been outscored by 43 points of their last six fourth quarters (Via Cavs the Blog).
- The Spurs lose again. Tim Varner of 48 Minutes of Hell: "San Antonio is 4-5 and off to something of a nightmare start. Every game is a plot point in a broader narrative. Thus far that big story includes a disconcerting lack of cohesion on offense and defense, injuries to the Spurs’ must-be-healthy core, too much reliance on Tim Duncan, and a complete inability to win on the road. It’s not the start anyone would have wanted."
- The Salt Lake Tribune's Ross Siler: "Nobody’s really talked about it, but Carlos Boozer has been sensational the last three games. Boozer’s posted 20-10 numbers in all three and is averaging 23.7 points, 14 rebounds and 0.3 backboard-slaps-after-follow-up-dunks in that time. Boozer is shooting 29 of 51 (56.9 percent) and had 22 points and 18 rebounds against the Raptors. From where he was to start the season, Boozer has come remarkably far in barely a month."
- Rasheed Wallace is totally coachable, right?
- Mark Ginocchio of Nets are Scorching: "I have to give Chris Douglas-Roberts his due here. In addition to posting another double-double and another career high in points, the guy has just been a total warrior out there, and seems to be taking over as a true leader of this club, in just his second season. The guy has had a lot of doubters, as evidenced by his slip into the second round in the 2008 draft, but I hope this is a guy the Nets plan to keep as part of their core going forward, because his grit and determination (and let’s not forget talent), will look great, once he’s complimented by better all-around players. It amazes me that less than a week ago, he was sick in bed with the H1N1 virus."
- Jared Dudley as a Shane Battier-type "no stats All-Star." The only thing is that he has good box-score stats!
- Baron Davis giveth, Baron Davis taketh away. Kevin Arnovitz of ClipperBlog: "He finishes the first quarter with 15 points on 6-for-8 shooting from the field and sinks 3 of 5 attempts from the stripe. He does it the smart way -- bullying Mike Conley, then a rusty Jamaal Tinsley with his back to the basket. If you’re a strong guard like Baron, a matchup against these two is gold, but the fact that the Memphis bigs don’t provide much in the way of help compounds the advantage even more. Baron takes full advantage, and the result is his finest offensive quarter of the season. Unfortunately, Baron gives it back in the third quarter when he falls into Alpha Dog mode."
- Examining Steve Nash as an MVP candidate.
TRUEHOOP CONTRIBUTORS
Henry AbbottTrueHoop ESPN Archive |
J.A. AdandeTrueHoop ESPN Archive |
Kevin ArnovitzTrueHoop ESPN Archive |
Chris BroussardTrueHoop ESPN Archive |
Chad FordTrueHoop ESPN Archive |
Israel GutierrezTrueHoop ESPN Archive |
John HollingerTrueHoop ESPN Archive |
Beckley MasonTrueHoop ESPN Archive |
Marc SteinTrueHoop ESPN Archive |
HoopIdeaTrueHoop @HoopIdea |
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