FIVEmag NBA basketball blog » NBA links

Wade County

admin — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 10:11:59 +0000

Dwyane Wade showed Kendrick Perkins of the Oklahoma City Thunder that the Miami is still his city and that the American Airlines Arena still belongs to him. Wade gave the fans and Miami another reason why this is Wade County, which they renamed Miami-Dade County for 7 days over the summer in their attempt to keep Wade in Miami. Watch his dunk from their March 16th game against the Thunder:

Wade did this last year as well against LeBron James’s old team and former teammate Anderson Varejao:

Love’s Streak Comes to End

admin — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 15:38:52 +0000

Kevin Love recently had his streak of 53 consecutive double doubles snapped. This impressive streak ended on this past Sunday March 13th with a 6-point and 12-rebound effort. The streak started back on November 22nd 2010 against Oklahoma City. During the streak, Love recorded nine games in which he had 20+ points and 20+ rebounds while Dwight Howard has only had seven games with 20+ rebounds the entire season (5 of which he also had 20+ points). Love is also on pace to become the first player since Moses Malone in the 1982-1983 season to average 20+ points and 15+ rebounds for the season. Even with the double double streak and Love’s great play throughout the whole year, the wins have not been adding up. The Timberwolves are currently 17-51, giving them the fourth worst record in the league. During the streak, the Timberwolves record was only 13-40 so the streak is the one thing that kept fans coming back to the arena. Even though the Timberwolves seem to have a strong young core with Kevin Love, Michael Beasley, Wesley Johnson as well as owning the rights to Ricky Rubio, the young Spanish point guard.

The streak of 53 consecutive double doubles is a “modern” era record as he passed Moses Malone’s old record of 52 double doubles that was set 37 years ago. The “modern” era accounts for the time since the NBA/ABA merger in 1976. However, this new era takes away the accomplishments of many great players including Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, and many others. The real streak of double doubles is owned by Wilt Chamberlain and will seemingly never be beat considering how impressive Love’s streak of 53 games seemed to be. Chamberlain’s record of 227 consecutive games with a double double far exceeds Love’s 53 game streak. In order for Love to have tied Chamberlain’s streak, he would have had to have a double double in every game the rest of this season, all of the 2011-2012 season and 77 more games in the 2012-2013 season. That seems nearly impossible given the grueling 82 game schedule in the NBA, the chance of an off night (which Love had against the Warriors to end the streak) and injuries that can nag a player throughout the season. Chamberlain also holds streaks of 220 and 133 consecutive games with a double double. Chamberlain’s numbers are unbelievable all around and most of his records will seemingly never be touched. Love demonstrated his true love and respect for the game by acknowledging the greatness of Chamberlain by telling reporters, “Whether you put is as, like, a modern-day or as NBA/ABA merger, but when you look at the grand scheme of things, you have to look at that 227”, he said in reference to Chamberlain’s streak of 227 consecutive double doubles.

Kevin Love’s feat is still very impressive considering it is the longest such streak in 37 years. Love at times made things seem very easy as he averaged over 20 points and 16 rebounds a game during the streak. The scary part is that Kevin Love is only 22 years old and this is the first year where he has gotten significant playing time as he averages 36.3 minutes per game. Love however found it to be kind of a relief for the streak to end considering all the coverage he was receiving. Kevin Love was able to make his first All Star game this year and there should be many more in his future. The Timberwolves seem to have a star in the making with Love and should have him in Minnesota for a long time to come.

All Star weekend recap

admin — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 09:32:28 +0000

The 2011 All-Star Weekend at the Staples Center in Los Angeles started with John Wall dishing out a record 22 assists in the Rookie-Sophomore game and ended with Kobe Bryant showing that Los Angeles is still his city even with the emergence of Blake Griffin. The weekend also capped off a very busy three days for Blake Griffin who participated in the Rookie-Sophomore Game on Friday, the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest on Saturday, and then the 2011 All-Star Game on Sunday.

The weekend started off with two former college teammates at Kentucky, John Wall and Demarcus Cousins, propelling the Rookies to a 148-140 victory over the Sophomores in the Rookie Sophomore Game on Friday. John Wall brought home the MVP with his record setting 22 assists to go along with 12 points including an alley-oop dunk with 12 seconds left to put an exclamation point on the game. His former teammate also had a huge game with 33 points and 14 rebounds, which is the fourth highest scoring performance in the history of the game.

Saturday at the All-Star Weekend features the Skills Challenge, the 3-Point Shooting Contest, and the Slam Dunk Contest. The Skills Challenge requires each player to complete an obstacle course by maneuvering around stationary obstacles and passing balls in a variety of way. The contestants featured some of the leagues best point guards like Derrick Rose, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, John Wall, and the eventual 2011 champion Steph Curry. The next event of the evening was the 3-Point Shootout, which featured last year’s champion Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics, the new all time leader in three pointers made in a career Ray Allen also of the Celtics, Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder, James Jones of the Miami Heat, Dorrell Wright of the Golden State Warriors, and Daniel Gibson of the Cleveland Cavaliers. The finals of the contest pitted James Jones of the Heat against both Ray Allen and Paul Pierce of the Celtics. The two best teams in the East were playing for a championship; the three point contest. In this championship the Heat were able to come out victorious without the help of James, Wade or Bosh with James Jones holding off both Allen and Pierce. Finally, the featured event of the night was the Slam Dunk Contest, which featured Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers, Javale McGee of the Washington Wizards, Demar Derozan of the Toronto Raptors, and Serge Ibaka of the Oklahoma City Thunder. The contest displayed a new sense of creativity with the participants. Some of the more creative dunks were McGee’s three ball dunk, Ibaka’s Teddy Bear dunk, and Blake Griffin Dunking over a car. The final round had Griffin matched up against McGee. In the finals, Griffin brought out a car onto the court, had a choir singing “I Believe I Can Fly” at half-court, and had Baron Davis pop out of the sunroof of the car to throw an alley-oop to Griffin. This dunk led to Blake Griffin taking home the trophy for the 2011 Sprite Slam Dunk Contest.

The main event of the weekend comes on Sunday with the All-Star Game. The game featured a combined 7 players from the Heat and Celtics on the East team, including a record tying 4 from the Boston Celtics alone. The Western team featured the 8th all time leading scorer in NBA history in Kobe Bryant, arguably the best power forward to play the game in Tim Duncan, arguably the two best international players to play the game in Dirk Nowitzki and Manu Ginobli as well as three first time All-Stars in Blake Griffin, Russell Westbrook, and Kevin Love. The game also featured the hometown Los Angeles Lakers fans booing the four Boston Celtics as Coach Doc Rivers put all four of them into the game at the same time. The game was controlled by the West for most of the game until LeBron James led a fierce East rally in the third quarter to cut the West lead down to two points. Down the stretch of the game, Kevin Durant hit two big free throws that helped the West win the game while giving Durant 34 points for the game. LeBron James had a huge game for the East by recording only the second triple double in All-Star Game history (the other belonging to the great Michael Jordan) with 29 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. But Kobe Bryant was the star of the show by putting up 37 points, 21 by halftime, and 14 rebounds while bringing home his record tying fourth NBA All-Star Game MVP, bringing him level with Bob Petitt. The tight game ended a great All-Star Weekend and is hopefully the preview of a great second half of the regular season and playoffs.

Young:”I am ready to do whatever the team needs from me”

admin — Wed, 13 May 2009 04:12:11 +0000

Young’s hard work in the off-season paid off right away at the start of the season. Despite signing Elton Brand, Philly started the season very slowly and worked hard to make up for their poor early record. But Thaddeus Young had a great start, shooting out of the starting gates like a Triple Crown thoroughbred winner. Ten games into the season, he was averaging a team-best 16.3 points. And thanks to his new shooting technique, he was shooting nearly 40 percent from beyond the three-point stripe. “Thad is just doing what he can,” said Mo Cheeks, who patrolled the sidelines early on in the City of Brotherly Love. “He’s not trying to do too much. We are not running any plays for him. He is just rebounding on offense, taking his open shots and always running on the break. He is not doing anything different than what he did the second half of last season. He is just doing it better and is getting more opportunities.” When asked by a reporter if they could finally run some plays for Young, the coach laughed and responded: “Why should I mess it all up? Thad may not know that he’s our best scorer. But if I start running a system for him, he may start thinking about that. And I want him to continue playing how he is. He should not start thinking that he has to score more.”

Young meanwhile understood the rest of the season would not be as easy as the first couple of weeks. “A lot of people didn’t really know what I could do. And I like that a lot,” said Young early in the season. “Opposing teams are worrying more about Andre Igoudala and Elton Brand. Those are the guys who our system is built around. But that will probably change soon. Opponents are realizing that they can’t leave me alone any more. Right now, I’m getting easy shots because my defenders are helping out on Andre and Elton. I was recently talking to somebody about that and said: Everybody in this league should be able to hit wide open shots.” And Young’s words hit the nail right on the head. There are no secrets in the NBA. Every team employs a number of scouts. And those watching Thaddeus Young knock down everything open got the word out quickly. And teams started covering the Sixers’ new scoring threat. Young was being covered tighter and more intensively. So it was no surprise that his averages started dropping.

(ZÜ) Position switch

By now, Young has been able to adapt his game. He is, after all, a brilliant student of the game. “I try to hold my own more and more, both offensively and defensively. I am trying to get my hands on loose balls and score some easy baskets in transition,” said Young. But things are not as simple as the former Slam Magazine dairy writer states. Young may be an excellent fast break player who gets a lot of “easy baskets”. But they don’t add up to 20 or more points every night like they did in March. More important for coach DiLeo is that Young is a good all-arounder. And that showed at the earlier mentioned contest in Portland. Young went right and left to complete drives and also scored on mid-range jumpers, three-pointers, tip-ins, free throws (4 of 4) and slam dunks on the break. How can you defend that kind of versatility? After the game, which the 76ers won 114-108 in overtime, the box score read 25 points and seven rebounds for Young. And that proved to be a typical day at the office for the lefty.

What makes Young so much more fascinating is the fact that he is a combo-forward – more small forward than power forward. Usually players who move between two positions have a negative label. Not big or strong enough for the four, not quick and versatile enough for the three – is the usual calling. And Tweeners usually eventually lose their value and their importance. But Ratliff called Young “a postive Tweener”. “Regardless if he plays the three or the four, he always has an advantage,” said the experienced center. “He is bigger than most small forwards and as the ability and athleticism to keep up with them. And on offense he can post them up. He has really worked a lot on his low post game and become a very good post player. He is even our most dangerous scorer on the boards. He can even use his athleticism and quickness to beat fours and fives. He is a player who can switch between two positions. But that makes him better.”

Young has proven that he can become comfortable and be successful anywhere on the court. After becoming a starter for 22 of the last 38 games of his rookie season, he took over the power forward spot and scored 10.6 points in 29.2 minutes. Young started all six of Philadelphia’s playoff games, which eventually ended in a series loss to Detroit, and averaged 10.2 points a contest. After the off-season acquisition of Brand, Young made room and moved to the small forward position and as mentioned had excellent success. But Brand dislocated his shoulder in December and missed the rest of the season. The Sixers returned to their small-ball style and put Young back at the power forward position. And the tireless worker made life for his defenders a living hell.

All the position changes beg the obvious question. Which position does he enjoy playing the most? “I am ready to do whatever the team needs from me,” said Young diplomatically. “I have no problem playing power forward. I like it actually because I’m quicker than most fours in the league and can run the court better than them.” So, he would rather play PF? “No, no,” Young counters laughing. “If I had to decide then I would pick my original position small forward. But it’s an advantage if I play power forward. That just makes us a quicker team.” Once again, there are many forms of quickness – and the multi-talent Thaddeus Young seems to have them all.

Nate Robinson: Little Gigant

admin — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:31:34 +0000

As one of the shortest players in the NBA, Nate Robinson has not only twice taken the Slam Dunk Contest crown at the All-Star Game. On good days he drives any defender in the league crazy – and drives his coach crazy on bad ones.

Text: Johannes Korge

Whenever a player shorter than 6-foot makes noise in the NBA, it sparks special feelings for the league’s fans – especially the youngest ones. Players like Muggsy Bogues (5-foot-3), Earl Boykins (5-foot-5) or Spud Webb (5-foot-6) were most likely the shortest guys on the court in their early days and often ridiculed and not taken seriously. Yet, all three not only reached the NBA but established themselves and made millions during their solid, respectable careers.

Still, if these diminutive players can play with the best, fastest and mainly tallest ballers in the world, why can’t a fan of similar stature? Maybe on the asphalt or in a local club. But not in the NBA.

Webb and company show that talent, desire and effort can make up for the missing few inches. And there are a share of players at or below the magical 6-foot who not only keep up with the rest of the league but dominate it more often than not. All-Stars like Chris Paul and Allen Iverson have led their teams for years now. But fans still ooh and ah and cringe and cross their fingers any time one of the short fellas roam with the giants in the paint. And it’s exhilarating to think about a guy playing in the NBA but needing to jump to reach the top shelf in the supermarket. Still, these guys are among the best guards in the best league in the world.

That brings us to Nate Robinson – also known as “Nate the Great” and “Kryptonate”. Armed with an enormous confidence, the 5-foot-9 guard has played his way into the hearts of New York Knicks fans – as well as onto the “Most Wanted” list of supporters from teams around the league. After many successful baskets – preferably dunks, the combo-guard lets out a scream. But what is he screaming about? Satisfaction? Probably not. Aggression? Closer. What about 100 percent pure motivation, nearing counterproductive overzealousness? Bingo!

But it doesn’t even have to be a dunk of his own. At the end of January, the Phoenix Suns were visiting the Big Apple. With 3:36 left in the second quarter, Knicks forward David Lee surprised Suns big man Amar’e Stoudemire with a nice slam – plus the foul. Robinson was so impressed with his teammate’s move that the guard jumped off the bench and gave Stoudemire a bodybuider pose, letting the 13-inch taller Stoudemire know how foolish he looked in getting dunked upon by Lee. The referee gladly gave Robinson a technical foul and the Suns followed with a 13-3 run.

New York was able to win the game but afterwards Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni offered an interesting comment about his temperamental jumping bean Robinson. “That’s the reason why we don’t carry weapons. I could have shot him at that point,” said the coach. Of course it was a joke. But there was a sense of frustration and truth after likely the dumbest technical foul of the season. “We are not good enough to just give away points. I like his fearlessness. But he has to steer it in the right direction,” added D’Antoni. But that is Nate Robinson – fearless, motivated to the end and three-quarters under control. And his averages of 17.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists this season for the Knicks are all career highs.

The San Antonio Spurs experienced in the first game after the All-Star break what can happen if Robinson keeps his emotions under control and lets his game do the talking. With the Slam Dunk Contest trophy fresh in his memory, Robinson showed the Spurs that he is much more than just an abnormally athletic freak – dropping an impressive 32 points and 10 rebounds.

But that was just half the story. Points 25 and 26 knotted the game just before the end of regular. In overtime against one of the top title contenders, Robinson made Madison Square Garden his own stage, scoring six straight points and bringing the Garden into a frenzy. His final basket – a spectacular layup against San Antonio’s 6-foot-11 Tim Duncan – pushed the noise level at the Garden so high that even Nate’s teammates may not have heard his primal scream. “He is a wonderful player,” said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich of Robinson. “Besides his athleticism, he also has a certain brashness. He really gives everything he has.”

“Nate the Great”?

Linkin’ all over the world No.1

tseitz — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:50:45 +0000

This is what blogging is about – you read, read and read more and then basically tell others what you think about it. It is essential to have good sources where you get your daily fix of basketball news. It only makes sense to share some of the best blogs and their weekly stories, so we founded a network of the BEST, they really are the best, bloggers and post their stories at the beginning of every week.

Carolyn of the Cleveland.com AndOne blog talked about a topic that matters: Free throws! How fitting is it that her blog is called “and one” and talks about free throws?
Toronto onces again ties up to Europe – this time with Pops Mensah-Bonsu. Jeff of Pete Marasmitch gives us his view on the new acqusation from Spain, where Pops made his money in the Euroleague
What if the internet existed in 1989 in the same way as it does today? How would the NBAers of 1989 use it? “A stern warning” really manages it to bring John Stockton and the iPhone together!
I love his power rankings – but somehow his site creeps me out! Don’t you think?
A last glance at the Spectrum in Philadelphia. If you have ever been to the Philadelphia sports complex you probably are amazed by this area. You will find the Phillies, Eagles, Flyers and of course Sixers in one place. This Italian gives us his thoughts on the former home of the Sixers: the Spectrum!
This is what I call unselfish – when I asked the guys (and girls) for their links, this guy sent me links from other blogs. He still wrote them, but for other sites: This time: Oleksiy Pecherov is having a historic season.
Post about the free agents of the Houston Rockets over at the dream shake
Probably the post of the week: The lesser known nick names of the NBA
A big fall over at interbasket to round up the first week of our links

FIVEmag NBA basketball blog » NBA links

Wade County

Most Commented Posts

Love’s Streak Comes to End

Most Commented Posts

All Star weekend recap

Most Commented Posts

Young:”I am ready to do whatever the team needs from me”

Related Posts:

Nate Robinson: Little Gigant

Related Posts:

Linkin’ all over the world No.1

Related Posts: