With this being Christmas week, there wasn’t a lot of action around the NBA. However, there was just enough to hand out one more report card:
A - The Lakers Stopping the Celtics - Eyeing 20 straight wins, the longest in NBA history, and on pace to break the record for most wins in a season, the Celtics were pretty confident that nobody could stand in their way. Heading into a Christmas day rematch of last year’s Finals, I’m sure the Lakers were pretty sick about their tremendous start being overshadowed. I wouldn’t exactly call it “David slaying Goliath,” but the Lakers took down the Celtics in what could be better known as “Little person Goliath slays normal sized Goliath.”
The Orlando Magic is one team not far behind the Celtics this year.
B - The Emergence of the Eastern Conference - It was only a year ago that teams in the Western Conference were crying bloody murder that they were left out of the Playoffs, but would have been a 4-5 seed if they played in the Eastern Conference. Droves of people petitioned the NBA do a playoff simply with the 16 best teams, regardless of conference affiliation. NBA Commissioner David Stern said that it was cyclical and the East would bounce back. Boy, is he ever patting his own back right now. Trudging along behind Boston are the Cleveland Cavaliers (25-4) and the Orlando Magic (24-6), for those of you geographically challenged, they are in the East as well.
C -All-Star Weekend Slam Dunk Contest - The NBA Dunk Contest was at it’s peak in the 80s with stars like Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, Clyde Drexler, and even our favorite midget Spud Webb taking the stage. It had been running on fumes ever since last year when Dwight Howard stole the show. I said “wow” more times in that dunk contest then I had in the previous 15 or so. This year Howard will defend his title against Rudy Gay, Spud Webb wannabee Nate Robinson and a fan choice. The fans choices include a token white guy, an international guy, and a short guy.
D – Dirk’s Flagrant Foul - The last two times the Dallas Mavericks have played the Utah Jazz in Utah, two things have remained consistent. The Jazz have beat the Mavericks in both meetings and Dirk Nowitzki has been whistled with a flagrant foul and suspended one game. Sounds like somebody needs some anger management. After this past game, when Dirk backhanded Jazzman Matt Harpring in the face with a closed fist, Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle said, “I don’t believe it was an intentional thing. I think it was a reactive thing.” If every player’s “reactive thing” was to backhand another player when there is pushing and shoving then you might as well call the NBA “UFC.”
F – Shaq’s Free Throw Shooting - Shaquille O’Neal just surpassed 5,000 free throw misses in his career. It is yet to be seen if the phrase “Hack-A-Shaq” will remain after Shaq retires. For someone getting paid millions to play basketball, it seems a little silly that he stinks so bad at this one area of his game and has never gotten better. This year, so far, has been Shaq’s best in five years, he’s shooting a blistering 52%!
Tags: NBA
December 29th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
As much as I dislike the Lakers I am glad that they beat the Celtics so that the Celtics would be brought back down to earth