2012 RANDOM NBA THOUGHTS: Vol, 2

Felipe M

Today's Random NBA Thoughts are based on the games that were played on Monday, December 17, 2012. 

Chicago Bulls at Memphis Grizzlies: This game matched the top two defensive teams (in terms of Average Points Allowed Per Game) in the NBA. And judging by the score, it was definitely an offensive stalemate. For the Bulls, this marks the 5th consecutive game that they have failed to score over 100 points.  While the Grizzles' center, Marc Gasol was held to only 4 points, we did experience a Wayne Ellington sighting as the former Tar Heel scored 11 points, on 3-4 from 3-point-land, grabbed 2 boards, and 2 assists in 20 minutes of playing time.

Minnesota Timberwolves at Orlando Magic: In what could've been the weirdest game of the night, the T'Wolves took a commanding halftime lead as they scored 32 points in the 2nd Quarter--and then they went on to score only 32 points in the entire 2nd half.  Despite having two players grab double-digit rebounds, the T'Wolves edged out the Magic in the rebound department by only 1 (43-42).  Even then, the T'Wolves grabbed more offensive rebounds (15-6). The rest of the game was evenly matched for the most part, but the most glaring stat of the night was that the Magic hit 42.9% from beyond the arc, while the Wolves struggled at 28% which might have proved to be the difference in the game.

On a fun note, this game matched up starting centers Nikola Pekovic vs. Nikola Vucevic. I can only imagine how much the broadcasters of this game enjoyed having to announce both players' names on a constant basis tonight. More importantly, both players achieved a double-double.

Los Angeles Clippers at Detroit Pistons: Having seen Chris Paul live, I can honestly say that he is without a doubt, the smartest point guard in the NBA. And tonight, he proved once again why he might be the best point guard in the NBA despite the lack of athleticism that has been on display by his younger, more explosive counterparts. Dropping 7 dimes, swiping 3 steals, and scoring 14 points to go along with numerous plays that could have made tonight's highlight reels.

However, the real treat (well, for any real NBA junkie, that is) came in seeing just how far away Brandon Knight is from even sniffing Paul's elite status.  Shooting 5-16 from the field (3-10 from 3-point-land), Knight scored 16 points, but committed 5 turnovers (which cancelled out his 5 assists).  Perhaps Knight was missing the play of fellow backcourt mate, Rodney Stuckey, but it's safe to say that Knight was definitely schooled tonight.

Check out more articles on Brandon Knight, here.

Houston Rockets at New York Knicks: The date we have all been waiting for--the #1 team, in terms of average 3-Pointers Made per Game, was hosting the #2 team in the Rockets.  And both teams did not disappoint as they combined for 60 attempts from the 3-point line.

And, of course, the biggest sports story of the night, the triumphant return of Jeremy Lin to Madison Square Garden.  Lin has had an up-and-down season as he has struggled to find a proper role on a Rockets' team that revolves around superstud James Harden. Lin also had to face a Knicks' team determined to spoil his return, especially Ray Felton who clearly was trying really hard to prove that he's better than Lin despite not getting the same publicity (and getting paid a lot less as well).  However, Lin proved to be up for the moment as he scored 22 points (on 9-15 shooting from the field), 8 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals.  More surprisingly, Lin was able to maneuver his way down the paint against a tough Knicks' defense which is anchored by Tyson Chandler, who looked to intimidate Lin by committing hard fouls on the guard. But that did not stop Lin from continually driving down the lane time and time again, frustrating Chandler and whoever the Knicks assigned to defend the determined point guard.

San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder: On most nights, this would be the marquee matchup of the night, but you knew that the Spurs would not go 100% against their biggest rival on the road and the Thunder were able to even the season series at one. While not a single Spurs' player logged over 30 minutes in this game, the Thunder were clearly determined to win this game as they had four players (including both Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook) logging in over 30 minutes. This will prove to be a more competitive game when these two teams meet up in San Antonio on March 11, 2013.

Sacramento Kings at Phoenix Suns: If there was ever a microcosm to describe the Kings this season (heck, even in the last 2-3 seasons), it would have to be the 3rd quarter of this game where the Kings only scored 14 points after leading by as many as 19 points before the game reached halftime.

Some would say that the Suns have had a tendency to comeback from large deficits this season, but the Kings have proven time and time again, that despite having highly talented and athletic players, they are clearly the dumbest team in the NBA.

DeMarcus Cousins has already gone through his annual wacky episode(s) where he has gone after Spurs' color analyst, Sean Elliot, admitted that he's been lacking confidence this season, visibly getting into confrontations with coach Keith Smart, and getting suspended for hitting O.J. Mayo below the belt.

Cousins is the biggest problem on a team full of problems and despite all of the lottery picks that they have accumulated in the past few years, there seems to be no direction, goal, or structure on this team (except getting a new fancy stadium from the highest, bidding city).  Brand new year, same old story in "Swerve City."

For more on the wacky Sacramento Kings, click here.

Want more NBA? Click here.

2012 RANDOM NBA THOUGHTS: Vol, 1

Felipe M

Pretty eventul night last night in the NBA, including the NBA's YouTube page hitting the 1 billion views mark.  The Following are random, quick thoughts about the NBA, based on the games from December 10, 2012.

Detroit Pistons @ Philadelphia 76ers: Any real NBA fan knew that the day would have to come when the Sixers would be forced to trade Andre Iguodala, but I myself was shocked to see him be traded this past offseason.  I expected it to be during this season, but the Sixers might have done themselves a favor by jumping the gun on that particular transaction.  

They sit comfortably at 12-9, but even better--seeing Jrue Holiday and Evan Turner benefit from the trade to solidify Philly's backcourt has been the real treat.  Holiday has seen his scoring and playmaking production go up this season while Turner went from being a near bust after his second season, to finally finding his groove and no longer having to scavenge for minutes--this year, he's getting all the minutes he can handle and finding new-found liberties to handle and being creative with the ball.  The results has seen Turner scoring more, rebounding more, getting more assists, and being more comfortable to shoot from beyond the arc (45.9% from 3-point range as opposed to never topping 32% in his first two seasons).  

Golden State Warriors @ Charlotte Bobcats: The Warriors are 14-7 so far this season. They are 5th in the league in Rebound Differential, 11th in scoring, and are tied for third in Turnover Differential.  Not bad for a team that has had a reputation for being a careless team with the ball, who are more interested in running up and down the court, and only focus is to put up as many shots and points in the shortest amount of time.  Clearly, head coach Mark Jackson is finally molding this team into his vision.  This is also a team that lost fan favorite and scoring machine, Monta Ellis. Many pundits thought that the move would put a lot of pressure on young and seemingly brittle Stephen Curry.  All Curry has done is average 20.1 PPG, 4 RPG, 6.5 APG, and shooting 43.3% from beyond the arc. And now that he doesn't have to share with Ellis, Curry has established himself as one of the more exciting players in the NBA as well.  

Atlanta Hawks @ Miami Heat: Hawks are now 0-2 against the Heat this season.  However, this does not take away from the fact that the Hawks are having a good season as cornerstone players like Josh Smith, Al Horford, and Jeff Teague are carrying this team despite having seen Joe Johnson get traded to Brooklyn this past offseason.  Smith, who demanded a trade back in the spring of this year, is now being rumored to be working with the Hawks on a new contract extension and in a recent nationally televised game on ESPN, there was a lot of on-air discussion about bringing in Dwight Howard to complement the trio of Teague, Horford, and J-Smoove.

San Antonio Spurs @ Houston Rockets: All I have to say that the older Spurs still looked pretty fresh in last night's overtime game, while Jeremy Lin, Omer Asik, Carlos Delfino, and Chandler Parsons looked absolutely exhausted as the Spurs ran away with the OT victory last night.

Sacramento Kings @ Dallas Mavericks: What can I say, it's the Kings being the Kings posting 19 turnovers in this game.  Meanwhile for the Mavs, not only is it good to see O.J. Mayo rise up from reaching quasi-draft-bust levels, but he's been a prolific scorer (20.8 PPG), and seeing an increase in field goal, 3-point percentage, and APG.

Toronto Raptors @ Portland Trail Blazers: It's a shame that this game had to be over-shadowed by stupidity and nonsense that knucklehead player Amir Johnson pulled off in last night's game.  Like a spoiled kid who whines when he doesn't get his way, Johnson was trying to hold on to the ball after a J.J. Hickson free-throw for what seemed to be a long period of time.  When the official was trying to take away the ball so Hickson can attempt his second free-throw, Johnson inexplicably refused to give up the ball and was clearly angered when the ref tried to take the ball away.  He soon erupted when the official ejected him from the game, which resulted in Johnson hunting down the ref and throwing his mouth guard at the official.  The NBA is full of stupid players who do stupid things on and off the court, but getting into a potential physical quarrel with an NBA referee is just plain foolish.

For more NBA, read our review of the top 40 players coming into the 2012 season.

NBA 2012-13 Fantasy Preview: THE CROSSROADS

Felipe M

There are other players who are not declining, but certainly in a certain crossroads where they have a chance to improve their stock for next season or make the "Decline" list as early as this season.  The choice is theirs. The list is as follows, but first, and oldie, but goodie:

• Rodney Stuckey--Rumors that management is losing patience with him and Brandon Knight ready to step up at either guard position, Stuckey better produce this season.
• Derrick Favors--He is still raw entering his third season, but he will get every opportunity in Utah to succeed.  He still needs to put up numbers this season.
• Jerryd Bayless--Entering his 5th season, he will be playing for his 4th team and he will once again be coming off the bench.  Not ready to label him a bust, but it's getting closer to that time.
• Michael Beasley--Fresh new start for the former #2 pick overall (remember those arguments between Derrick Rose and Beasley?  Yeah, they have seemed to disappear), if he can't put up numbers this year in Phoenix, then there's no hope for him.
• Zach Randolph--It's not as serious, but the Grizzlies know they can win without him and Marc Gasol proved to be a great big man in Randolph's absence and his play last season also marked Gasol as the Alpha Dog in Memphis.  How will Randolph play alongside another big man who's as talented as he is?
• O.J. Mayo--Once one of the best players in high school, he will now try his luck with another Western Conference team.  
• Ryan Anderson--Many have him as a bust coming into this season, but playing in New Orleans might not be the end of the world for the sharpshooter.  Still, he needs to show he can make his shots when the pressure is on him.
• J.J. Hickson--This is it for Hickson.  Put up or shut up.  Either he will be a legit, starting big man in the NBA or he will relegate himself to journeyman status--if he's lucky.
• Kris Humphries--Can't hate on this player too much, but the fact that the Nets' front office don't think too highly of him is a concern and might get traded to another team who might not give him the minutes he needs to score in the paint and grab rebounds. He's in the perfect situation in Brooklyn because teammate, Brook (Lyn) Lopez, is a terrible rebounder so Humphries has relished the role of the tough big man for the Nets who can grab boards, block shots, and score the ugly points inside. I don't think another team will give him that shot to succeed so he needs to play his heart out if he wants to stay with the Nets. 

We finish our series next as we take a look at players who are on the rise and ready to breakout this season.