Archive for December, 2011
December 31, 2011 at 4:42 pm · written by Tae
The best point guard in the world. Point-god. The best point guard in the NBA. The prototypical point guard. Chris Paul? Uh, not anymore. That title now belongs to Derrick Rose. Before you jump down my back, understand this isn’t a knee-jerk reaction to the exciting mano y mano matchup that transpired Friday night. The Clippers, still a work in progress, ended up falling to another contender (after losing to the San Antonio Spurs, Thursday night) 114-101. Just to give you the basics Chris Paul pulled out a 15-point, 14-assist, 4-rebound effort, while Rose dropped 29-points, 16-assists, 8-rebounds bomb on the Clippers. The two last starters at point guard for the NBA All-Star team put on a point guard spectacle Friday night, which is sure to open debate again on who is the best point guard in the NBA.
It utterly bothers me how casual fans and so-called analyst refuse to use common sense. My grandmother used to tell me: Common sense ain’t common.” How much more true when people look at Chris Paul and say, today, that he’s the best point guard in the NBA. I seen the game Friday night, and it pretty much was the end of the discussion, not the beginning. Let me break it down for you:
Take a look at their career head-2-head matchups:
| Player |
G |
W |
L |
GS |
MP |
FG |
FGA |
FG% |
3P |
3PA |
3P% |
FT |
FTA |
FT% |
ORB |
DRB |
TRB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
TOV |
PF |
PTS |
| Derrick Rose |
5 |
5 |
0 |
5 |
39.2 |
6.2 |
15.4 |
.403 |
0.8 |
1.6 |
.500 |
4.4 |
4.8 |
.917 |
1.6 |
3.6 |
5.2 |
8.6 |
1.6 |
0.0 |
3.6 |
1.6 |
17.6 |
| Chris Paul |
5 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
41.0 |
7.2 |
14.2 |
.507 |
1.2 |
2.0 |
.600 |
2.8 |
3.4 |
.824 |
0.2 |
3.0 |
3.2 |
9.0 |
2.4 |
0.4 |
2.0 |
2.0 |
18.4 |
At first glance, the overall numbers heavily favor CP3, and they should. Rose is entering his fourth year in the league and those early years skew the numbers in his favor. Take a look at what has transpired as time has went on:
I’m not going to point to the win/loss stats, because many will state that is a reflection of the teams they have had around them at the time. Notice that every game Rose becomes more and more dominate over Paul individually, he’s gotten to the line more, and his FG% has risen consecutively. Friday was just the culmination of that growth. Rose got any shot he wanted to at any time and commanded the game like a true point general. He picked his spots particularly early in the game by getting to the line (10 of 11 for the game) and late in the game by knowing when to put his opponent down for the count (2 of his 3 made three pointers were in the fourth quarter). He was assertive and in attack mode from the beginning, the mark of a player that wants to take the crown of best point guard by force.
After a big chunk of the ’09-’10 season missed due to a knee injury, Paul has slowed considerably following the recovery to that injury. His points, assists, and FG% have all fallen beginning that season. Word was last year that he was “saving” himself for the playoffs. The statistical domination he gave the Lakers in the 1st round (22.0 ppg, 11.5 apg, 6.7 rpg), was the only glimpse you had of CP3 that reminded you of his seemingly “unlimited” potential as a point guard since his MVP-like run from the ’07 to the ’09 season (2-year averages of 22 ppg, 11.3 apg, 4.8 rpg, and 2.8 spg). To only be 26 and still appear to be in conservation mode until he is desperately needed (example: the 4th quarter of the Golden State game), raises red flags in my book. Even his head coach, Vinny Del Negro has commented on Paul asserting himself more, because, honestly his skillset dictates he can. Maybe it’s because he still has the skills, but can’t do it any more. Now this isn’t to take away from Paul’s status as an elite point guard, but the evidence that argues his case doesn’t hold up in the court of public opinion anymore. Rose on the other hand has showed with his meteoric rise, that he has come to snatch the crown. The youngest MVP in history, he has raised his points (by at least 4 points), assists, steals, blocks, FT%, and 3PT% every year since he came into the league. And he’s poised to get even better this year.
Derrick Rose showed Friday night, that when it comes to aspects of dominating the game, he may just now be tapping into a competitive gear akin to what Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade possess, and what LeBron James sorely lacks. This is what Rose’s response to the upcoming matchup against Paul was: ”[It's] fun,” Rose said. “It’s a challenge. Especially when you’re on an island with [Paul]. The crowd gets into it. In Chicago, that’s what you live for. Isolation, whatever. I’m taking the challenge; it’s fun.” Or you can listen to his teammate Joakim Noah, ”I think he takes those games as a challenge,” Noah said in a crowded locker room after the Bulls’ impressive 114-101 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday. “I don’t think it’s another game for him. I think he circles those games in the calendar.” Paul’s response? “It’s a point guard-driven league,” Paul said. “Every night I play, I’ve got my hands full. It was Tony Parker two nights ago.” Hear the difference? Rose is ready to assert himself, Paul’s decision to downplay obvious matchups and “save” himself for the playoffs (not to mention Del Negro’s claim that he needs to lose a few pounds), sounds real The Miseducation of LeBron James-ish. That concerns me if you’re making a case as to who the best point guard in the league is. I’ll ask you this, why wouldn’t Rose be?
Bottom line, Rose is becoming what I didn’t even think he would become. He’s just getting started really. Like Rose said, “My basketball IQ is getting very high.” High enough that others will side with the me soon enough. Rose is doing something many thought might not ever happen: leaving Chris Paul looking up at someone, other than himself, in the point guard hierarchy.
December 31, 2011 at 6:43 am · written by CWill
F*ck Yo’ Couch Rubio!!
The Minnesota Timberwolves should have won this game. Ricky Rubio should have gotten his first NBA win. Derrick Williams should have gotten his first NBA win. It seems Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat had other plans. For the second game in a row, Wade made the game winning shot to ruin everyone’s good time at the Target Center in Minneapolis.
Rubio kept the Timberwolves in the game up until the last possessions with a brilliant 12 point, 12 assist performance. It’s only a matter of time before Luke Ridnour will see his playing time diminish now that the fans are chanting Rubio whenever he enters the game. Hell now that Rubio is capturing everyone’s imagination with his flashy passing and court vision, the Wolves are starting to get some respect in the league. “I’m glad we played them early because later they’re going to be trouble,” Wade said. “So I think Timberwolves fans will have something to cheer about for a while here.”
With all that said, the Heat still found a way to close out the type of game they couldn’t finish all season last year. Despite a critical late game turnover, Lebron James had a typical birthday game to the tune of 34 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, and four steals.
No Country For Old Men Finally Gets A Win
It took 4 games but the mighty Celtics finally got a W by stomping the life out of the…feeble1 Detroit Pistons 96-85. Things are returning back to normal now that Paul Pierce is back in the lineup. Despite a limited appearance (23 minutes), Pierce was able to contribute 12 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds.
1 – I tried to find a word that not only described how terrible the Pistons are as a professional basketball organization, but also conveyed how much pain it causes me to call myself a fan of the Detroit Pistons. Example adjectives were inadequate, woeful, lamentable, feckless (personal favorite), and a steaming pile of cow dung….i think feeble is a good fit.
Show Some Respect To the Champs
Speaking of first wins, Shawn Marion and the Dallas Mavericks can finally get the respect they felt they weren’t getting. Nothing demands respect like beating the Toronto Raptors on your home floor with thousands of people cheering for you. Joking aside, the winless monkey is now off their back after going without of victory for 3 games.
Dirk Nowitzki found some offense scoring 18 points while reserve center Ian Mahinmi surprised everyone contributing 19 points for a career high. Jason Terry looked like his 2011 NBA Finals self scoring 10 points (17 total) in the 4th quarter.
Lesson of the Day….It’s Not How You Start, It’s How You Finish
While the Clippers hit the Bulls in the mouth early, it was Derrick Rose who showed why he was selected MVP last season. Rose was ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS the entire game and you would be hard pressed to find better performances. The young Bulls point guard scored 29 points (on only 14 shots) and even dished out 16 assists and grabbed eight rebounds. While Rose’s play was extraordinary, the Bulls depth proved to be the killer in this game with all Bulls starters scoring in double figures and the bench contributing 21 points.
Not to be outdone, Chris Paul turned in a great performance as well scoring 15 points and passing out 14 assists. Superstar Blake Griffin had a monster night as well going for 34 points (took 25 shots though) and 13 rebounds.
December 31, 2011 at 12:00 am · written by BiG CHiNA
Let’s get his over with: Is Dwight Howard going to get traded? My best guess is yes. Currently Ryan Anderson is the leading scorer for the Magic with 18.3 while Howard is averaging only 16. Granted only 4 games have been played. But Howard looks disinterested at times in the few games I have seen. He is averaging a ridiculous 15.3 rebounds per game. But you keep hearing whispers that he wants a trade, he doesn’t want a trade, he wants a trade, and so on. Who knows what Howard wants to do even though he himself doesn’t even know? Of the possible trade scenarios I have read the best deal would appear to be the Los Angeles Lakers deal for Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. I would prefer that deal over the Brooklyn Nets deal of 5 draft picks and Brook Lopez. Say the Net’s draft pick turns out to be a Top 5 pick. The most likely options are going to be Anthony Davis, Perry Jones, Harrison Barnes, Andre Drummond, and maybe Brad Beal. None of those guys plus whatever is left on the Magic, is going to contend for a Championship. I don’t think any of these guys are franchise players. Barnes might be a better pro player than college player so he has the potential to blow up into a bonafide star, but nothing on the level of Howard. So what are the Magic to do? Do you trade Howard and lose another franchise center? Sorry Orlando, but you guys have had Shaq, Penny, Tracy McGrady in his prime, a broken Grant Hill, and now you are going to lose Howard. Along with Cleveland, you might never win a title but at least you even have a basketball team. The sad thing is that the Magic are going to get nowhere near the package that the Denver Nuggets got for Carmelo Anthony and Howard is way more valuable than Melo.
This season is going to be all about the status of Howard. The rumor speculation is going to cloud this entire season. I don’t see how they can overcome Howard’s status to go deep in the playoffs. 1st round exit is the best possible outcome for this team. The growth of Anderson is one of the few bright spots on this team. Anderson was a good player in college at Cal. Jameer Nelson is still a solid pro. J.J. Redick is becoming a serviceable NBA player. Turkoglu still has some gas left in the tank. But the Howard issue needs to be resolved and soon. If I were the Magic, I would be calling up the Bulls and seeing if I can get Joakim Noah and a few other players. If you’re Howard you can’t be mad at playing with Derrick Rose and for Coach Tom Thibodeau. Certainly better than what’s currently in Orlando.
Key Player: Dwight Howard, Hedo Turkoglu
X-Factor: Dwight Howard
Projected Wins: 36-40
December 28, 2011 at 4:06 pm · written by Tae
The Wizards started this year with a new look, new logo, new jerseys, but the same team. The only news that came out of the Wizards camp was their decision to not amnesty forward Rashard Lewis and the summertime basketball adventure that star John Wall built. If Wall wasn’t toasting former NBA player Julius Hodge, he was pasting someone in a Pro-Am somewhere across America (check the highlights here). There just wasn’t much going on in Wizards camp this summer. Another year of young player growth and a chance for the established core to grow together is in order.
Last year the Wizards were just a inexperienced team teeming with potential. Wall was electric most of the time, dealing with injuries the other. Nick Young stepped into his scoring role wholeheartedly and invited Jordan Crawford to do the same. JaVale McGee got recognized for dunking two basketballs at the same time, in two different hoops in last season’s dunk contest. And who can forget Andray Blatche miscasting himself as a go-to scorer every night. A few rookies we’re picked up, but can this be a year of progress or more of the same?
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December 28, 2011 at 1:20 pm · written by Tay P
“For real, you real then I don’t need to say it,
It’s something to be great, it’s nothing to be famous.
So f**k fame, f**k money
F**k everything anyone can take from me
See it ain’t hard to make money
We young n!88@$, we just tryna be legendary.”
Legendary by Wale (2011)
There are only a few times in life that we have the opportunity to transcend from being normal & average to monumental & historic. Well the great Michael Jordan blossomed into the most iconic sports figure in his days as a slam-dunking SG for the Chicago Bulls. He revolutionized the game forever. Not only the way it is played today but even the attire which is worn on & off the court. That same sense of culture has bled massively into the apparel that is rocked in everyday life. On December 23, 2011, Nike re-re-re-released the Air Jordan XI Concords that debuted in 1996. They were again released in 2000. They were even released in 2006 as part of a special edition Defining Moments Package that also included a rare pair of Air Jordan VIs. I was a 13yr old boy whose mother refused to invest $125 into a pair of sneakers when they first came onto the scene. In 2000, I was a part-time worker at FootAction who had no issues with getting a pair and Mom didn’t have to worry about the bill, I gladly paid for them. But at the tender age of 17, I didn’t know what I had. Couldn’t have possibility known to appreciate them for what they truly are…. Legendary!
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December 27, 2011 at 2:26 pm · written by CWill
So its the beginning of the 2011-12 NBA season and its time for us to make some predictions on who’s going to get some hardware this year. Is it Kevin Durant’s turn to grab that elusive Most Valuable Player award? Will Dwight Howard continue his reign as the Best Defensive Player in the league? Who will follow in Blake Griffin’s footsteps as Rookie of the Year? Hit the jump to see who the HoopSmack staff and select community members think will win some awards this year.
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December 27, 2011 at 9:46 am · written by CWill
Here we go again Golden State faithful. Another year has passed and we find ourselves entering a new season of NBA basketball. Will it be reminiscent of the 2007 “We Believe” campaign or will we see yet another season end with the Warriors of Golden State languishing in the lottery hoping to hear their team awarded1 the number 1 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft?
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December 27, 2011 at 8:00 am · written by BiG CHiNA
Just like the Phoenix Suns, the Sacramento Kings are an organization that seems to have no sense of direction. But they are in an even potentially worse situation if they are unable to reach a deal on a new arena. The NBA has proven that they will move your team if they don’t like the arena or its lease (F-you Stern, Love Seattle). If your team isn’t in a large market, you better make sure your front office is sound. If you look at the most successful teams, it all starts with the ownership. Obviously these owners have to be smart in order to be in position to own a team, but some of the decisions that they make regarding the construction of their team are just straight stupid. The majority of the Kings roster is made up shooting guards who can’t shoot and small forwards who are oversized shooting guards who can’t shoot. It’s been said a million times, DeMarcus Cousins has the ability to carry a team but he doesn’t have the mental makeup to do it. I don’t think he ever matures, and basically becomes Rasheed Wallace without the 3-point shooting. Wallace always seemed to play at the bare minimum and was perfectly happy playing like that for his career. Some guys just don’t care. I think Cousins is one of those guys unfortunately. But a frontcourt of Cousins, J.J. Hickson, Jason Thompson, and Hassan Whiteside is not a terrible. The problem with the Kings is the lack a pass first point guard. Read the rest of this entry »
December 26, 2011 at 6:36 pm · written by Knowledge
The Chicago Bulls led the league in wins last season mainly because of their exceptional team defense. Led by none other than defensive minded head coach Tom Thibodeau, (the reigning coach of the year) The Bulls had their most successful season in the post Jordan era. After orchestrating the Celtics team defense for a number of years, Thibodeau was hired as the head coach of the Chicago Bulls last season and the results were immediate. The Bulls imposed their will game after game and dominated the Central division throughout last season. Derrick Rose took his game to another level posting career highs in scoring at 25ppg while capturing the league’s Most Valuable Player award in the process. Rose was also forced to carry his team more than any other superstar (maybe Dwight Howard) in the league due to Chicago’s offensive struggles.
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December 26, 2011 at 6:27 pm · written by Tae
How many years has it been since the collective opinion that the San Antonio Spurs are too old? Or that they are going to completely fall off? Last year was another year of under-the-radar competitiveness where word on the street was that the Spurs were done. They responded by going 61-21 (the second best record in the league). Yes, they lost in the first round to a game Memphis Grizzlies team, 4-2, but they still managed to be quite competitive until the end. Ok, that’s enough appeasement. This team disgusts me. The Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker era has got to end soon. This is just too brutal. They romped through the regular season and their true colors got exposed against Memphis. This is a team that starts some combination of Tiago Splitter, DeJuan Blair‘s knees, and Matt Bonner. Once known as a top notch defensive club, they rode their offense for most of the year and ending up paying the price. Now, with a condensed season and an extra year of mileage on the threesome of Ginobili, Duncan, and Parker (yes, you read that right), the Spurs are finally looking on the downside of their contender status.
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