Saturday Bullets
February, 27, 2010
2/27/10
11:39
AM ET
- Bret LaGree of Hoopinion on the bizarre play that earned Mike Woodson a technical foul: "I've been critical of both the timing of and propensity for the head coach's technicals this season. This time, he got jobbed. Railroaded, even. The replays showed that Woodson had clearly gotten back out of bounds before Kidd (himself with at least one foot out of bounds) made glancing contact with his outstretched left arm. The replays, though, only confirmed what was an obviously terrible call when witnessed live. Jason Kidd only came into contact with Mike Woodson because he, Kidd, veered suddenly to the left when approaching the Hawks' bench. Jason Kidd only came into contact with Mike Woodson because Kidd purposely dribbled the ball out of bounds."
- Paul Westphal and Spencer Hawes put their differences behind them during player introductions with a chest-bump. Westphal is the one in the dark suit. Hawes then went out on the floor and delivered 15 points, 12 rebounds and five assists in the Kings' win over the Jazz. For the Kings, the tired debate over whether Evans is a point guard, an off-guard, a point-forward or an offensive generalist is immaterial. Positional fundamentalism is a thing of the past. The challenge for Sacramento will be moving the ball enough in the half court to get easy opportunities. It doesn't matter where that playmaking comes from, so long as the good looks materialize. Last night, they did, as the Kings notched their most efficient offensive effort since February 10.
- The Lakers didn't look particularly good Friday night against Philadelphia, but size has a way of compensating for sluggishness.
- Was that Aaron Gray playing meaningful -- and effective -- minutes for the Hornets against the Magic and Dwight Howard? The Magic blew an 18-point, third-quarter lead. Orlando Pinstriped Post documents what transpired in Orlando's 34 possessions down the stretch.
- Not every player in the League dines at the Cheesecake Factory.
- Frank Madden of Brew Hoop is selling ... and I'm buying: Andrew Bogut is the most unhearlded defender in the NBA. The blocks are nice, but next time you watch the Bucks, notice how Bogut protects the paint. Any opposing big man who tries to set up shop on the block will be treated to a strong forearm, and any small who rips across the paint will be slowed by a bump from Bogut. He might not look scary, but there's a reason Milwaukee is one of the ten most efficient defensive squads in the league -- and it isn't all Luc Mbah a Moute.
- How badly is Mo Williams' defense hurting Cleveland? Williams hits big shots, but there's no disputing that the Cavs are a lot less efficient -- on both ends -- when Williams is on the court.
- Another case of a prolific, fluid offensive unit inexplicably resorting to stagnant isolation on a crucial late-game possession.
- Jon Brockman knows when you're a hick.
- Robin Lopez goes for 30 points against the Clippers without committing a single foul. The Clippers' new additions contributed again, but without Marcus Camby on that back line, the team defense is suffering mightily.
- From Clips Nation: "After the game, the Suns announcers asked Lopez what he was going to do to celebrate and he said, 'I'm going to kill Bart Simpson.'"
- The gym at Rainier Beach High School in Seattle is now named Crawford Court, "after Jamal Crawford, the NBA star who paid for the renovation of the gym in which he played so many games."
Kevin Arnovitz
ESPN.com- NBA writer for ESPN.com since 2008
- Editor of the TrueHoop Network
- Former contributor and editor at NPR
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 |
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