The NBA: Dunk of the Year?

By now, you should've seen this on YouTube. As for Kendrick Perkins,
well he probably won't show his face around LA anytime soon.
(image by Noah Graham/Getty Images)

*Unless otherwise specified, all images are from the Associated Press.

"I think I jumped up as high as he did." – Reggie Evans after teammate Blake Griffin dunked on Kendrick Perkins

It’s still a couple of months too early for this dunk to be declared the DOTY, but it will be damn tough to beat, even by the LBJ-over-John-Lucas jam.

It was THE highlight in a game full of Clipper panache, but it wasn’t the only good thing that happened in the Clippers’ win over the team that has the best record in the West.

Six guys scored in double-figures for LA, with 3 scoring 22 or more. CP3 had 14 dimes. DeAndre had 11 boards with 3 rejections. The Clips shot a blistering 56% from the field, including an insane 52% from three. They had 5 less turnovers than OKC, and had 13 more assists.

Just plain awesome.

And this is me, an OKC convert, who just wrote that.

Will I convert to the Clips anytime soon? Not really, but they sure as hell are fun to watch.

This win brings CP3’s crew a game and a half ahead of the Lakers in the Pacific Division, and, together with the surging Dallas Mavericks, they’re now tied at a game behind the second place Nuggets in the conference.

Getting Paul, Butler and Billups has paid the once-bemoaned franchise immediate dividends. And though it’s still a long way from the postseason, the Clippers’ trajectory looks pretty good.

They’re top 10 in several key stats – ppg, bpg, apg, 3pt% (and makes), and FG% (and makes). They went 11-4 to start 2012, including wins over Portland, Miami, the Lakers, Dallas, Memphis, Denver and now Oklahoma City.

Quality wins for a quality team currently leapfrogging most other teams that SHOULD be better than them, and they aren’t showing any sign of slowing down.

As long as they stay on-track, Reggie Evans won’t be the only one jumping as high as Blake Griffin.

After the JUMP, key stat-stuffers for today’s games:

Tuesday’s Three Ts Are for Teng, Toroman, and the Three-Way

After the JUMP – commentaries on Jeron Teng choosing DLSU, Rajko Toroman leaving the Philippines, and the first big trade of the 2011-2012 PBA Season.

Jeron Teng to DLSU

The jacket makes it official: Jeron Teng is a Green Archer.
(image from GoArchers.com/Noli Eala)

With the exception of Chris Tiu, no blue-chip HS player from Xavier School has chosen to play for fellow Jesuit School Ateneo de Manila in the past decade.

The NBA: Of Things to Come

Derrick Rose will look forward to the next time they meet the
Miami Heat, and a renewed shot at redemption.
(image from the US Presswire)

 *Unless otherwise specified, all images are from the Associated Press.

"Every time we play the Bulls it's going to be like that. It's going to be a drag-out fight every game." – Chris Bosh, on the intensity of Sunday's game.

It’s a joy seeing LeBron James miss free throws late in a game.

Especially if those free throws could’ve given the Heat a late lead.

Especially against Derrick Rose and the mighty Chicago Bulls.

Too bad that was spiked by seeing Rose miss his own set of freebies and then miss a potential tie-maker.

Sigh.

Oh, but it is just the first of four meetings in the regular season, right? And then maybe more by the time the playoffs come along.

I just hope that D-Rose sitting down, face looking at the hardwood, thinking of what could’ve been, won’t be something I’ll see come April, May or June.

I hope that the Heat winning even if the self-made King missed his freebies won’t be a portent of things to come.

The Bulls were in white – the White Knights with the humble MVP.

The Heat were clad in sinister black – the Sith with Darth Vader’s #6.

And the Heat won.

Oh, please no.

After the JUMP, key stat-stuffers for today’s games:

Asean Basketball League Roundup: January 28-29, 2012

Anthony Johnson slams one home as the Patriots
defeated the Warriors at home.

 *All images are from AseanBasketballLeague.com

AIR ASIA PHILIPPINE PATRIORS over INDONESIA WARRIORS, 86-73

Both teams came into this game searching for wins after bitter losses last weekend. The Patriots lost to the San Miguel Beermen and the Warriors lost against the Westports Malaysia Dragons.

The Pinoys started the fourth quarter on a 10-2 run and held on to their lead to eventually beat the Indonesians. Patriots’ import Anthony Johnson led all scoring with 33 points, while his teammate Nakiea Miller recorded his second double-double of the season with 19 points and 16 rebounds. On the other end, Warriors’ point guard Mario Wuysang led his team with 24 points.

2011-2012 PBA Philippine Cup Finals Game 5: Inevitable

The 2012 PBA Philippine Cup Champions:
the Talk N Text Tropang Texters
(image by Paul Ryan Tan/InterAKTV.com)

TALK N TEXT TROPANG TEXTERS over POWERADE TIGERS, 110-101

“It took 27 years for a team to defend this championship. Mas matagal iyon kaysa huling grand slam (1996 by Alaska Milk). That made it so special.” – Chot Reyes, coach of the Talk N Text Tropang Texters – the 2012 PBA Philippine Cup repeat champions.

Like their victims the TNT Tropang Texters can also be considered, in many ways, a “Cinderella” squad. Consider these:

-       They lost a heartbreaking series to the Petron Blaze Boosters in the last conference of the previous season.

-       Though their roster is the most stacked in the league, they hardly enjoyed their depth as many of their players suffered a plethora of injuries throughout the Philippine Cup.

-       We all know what happened to Ali Peek, right?

-       They were down 1-3 to their former tormentors, Petron, in the semifinals.

Despite all those bumps in the road, however, coach Chot Reyes’s crew stuck in there and seemingly willed their way to win 7 of their last 8 matches, ending with something that hasn’t happened in nearly 3 decades – an All-Filipino title successfully defended.

Talk N Text’s stars came together at just the right time. Ali Peek’s return brought awe and inspiration to the PBA faithful. They rallied to beat the Boosters, and get a measure of vengeance in the process. They showed their superiority against a hot-shooting Powerade five.

It was a great ride for the Texters, and, through it all, the lone star who shone the brightest and played in ALL of TNT’s games was decorated as the Finals MVP – Larry Fonacier.

The Baby-Faced Assassin, as he is fondly tagged, averaged a shade above 16 points per game in the Finals, showing the versatility and shooting that made him a feared competitor in years past. Now, it seems there’s no slowing him, and the Texters, down.

Right now the Tropang Texters are the best in the Philippines, and if one is to simply look back at their story, it would be easy to conclude that all this glory in which they are basking was, after all, inevitable.

After the JUMP -- the compressed game recap from PBA.ph:

The NBA: The Washington Muggles

John Wall and Nick Young share a light moment
in Washington's win over the Cats.
(image by the AP)

“Rejoice, for You-Know-Who is gone at last! Even muggles like yourself should be celebrating this happy, happy day.” – JK Rowling, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Happy day indeed! The Washington Wizards have won their first road game of the season and their second W in three games with new head coach Randy Wittman.

The caveat?

Both wins were against the equally woeful Charlotte Bobcats, and the loss was against a fringe playoff team from the West – the Houston Rockets.

Sorry, Washington fans, but these Wizards are still lacking in magic.

This team coach Randy Wittman inherited after Flip Saunders was so unceremoniously let go is bottom five in the league in several key categories – points per game (26^th), assists per game (28^th), free throw % (26^th), 3pt % (27^th), and field goal % (tied for 25^th). They’re also 22^nd in rebounds per game and are the 24^th most turnover-prone group of the whole lot.

The NBA: Hawks and Highlights

Josh Smith is just about the only Atlanta Hawk who
can consistently make the highlight reel.
(image by the AP)

“They can't straggle out of the gate every night. That's just something we have to fix.” – Atlanta Hawks coach Larry Drew on their bad habit to start slow.

Please don’t check if straggle is a typo for struggle.

It’s not.

And the Hawks straggling? That’s no error, too.

Somehow, though, they’ve managed to be good in spite of it. Atlanta has won 7 of its last 10 games, and is just half a game behind the Heat in the Southeast Division.

Still, they have remained under the radar for most NBA fans. That’s even if their record is better than that of much more ballyhooed clubs like Orlando, Boston, and especially New York.

And that’s with Al Horford out and Jeff Teague listed as day-to-day.

The point is the Hawks are doing pretty well, which is to say their hovering in and around the top four slots in the East. And that’s really very good. That’s just about where they were last season – just outside the top four. And where did it eventually get them? They defeated the Magic in the first round and showed the Bulls a scare or two in the Conference Semifinals.

Because their players are less “newsworthy” and “highlight reel material,” Atlanta has always been somewhat overlooked by many fans. Josh Smith is pretty awesome and he’ll make the top 10 maybe every other week, but, really, who expects to see a Joe Johnson three or a Jeff Teague pull-up when they search YouTube for NBA highlights? The Hawks are good, but they’re no substitutes for the magical aura Hawk legend Dominique Wilkins once exuded.

It doesn’t seem to matter much, however, because despite the injuries and the lack of reel-time, they’ve been pretty good.

And they’ll continue to be good – good enough for the postseason and maybe a round or two deeper than anyone expects.

Just don’t bet on any highlights that’ll trump a Blake Griffin throwdown, a Ricky Rubio no-looker, or a Kobe Bryant game-winner.

After the JUMP, key stat-stuffers for today’s games:

2011-2012 PBA Philippine Cup Finals Game 4: Doable

Sean Anthony's double-double was a huge factor
in helping the Tigers extend the series to a fifth game.
(image by Paul Ryan Tan/InterAKTV.com)

POWERADE TIGERS over TALK N TEXT TROPANG TEXTERS, 100-97

“I’ll be arrogant if I say we can come back. I’ll just say it’s doable,” said Powerade

coach Bo Perasol on their chance to salvage the series.

Realistically, even “doable” is a bit farfetched.

By scraping past (emphasis on SCRAPING) the seemingly indomitable TNT Tropang Texters yesterday, the Powerade Tigers may have found renewed vigor in their quest to be the ultimate Cinderella team in PBA history.

But the history of professional basketball doesn’t seem to agree with the Tigers’ chief desire.

As far as I know, no team has ever come back from a 0-3 hole in PBA history, and even in the NBA, teams that have gone up 3-0 in a 7-game series have come out on top 94 of out 94 times (as of last season).

Frankly speaking, no basketball team has ever come back from that kind of deficit to win four straight games in a win-or-go-home scenario. And in the Finals at that. And against, arguably, the deepest roster in the league.

No way. 

Ain’t going to happen.

But don’t let the Tigers hear that. They won’t believe it anyway. They’ll just claw their way and hope for the best in Game 5. If necessary, they’ll do the same in Game 6, too. If the basketball gods are crazy, then maybe we’ll have a Game 7. And if the Tigers do manage to rewrite history, then that will be the day pigs can finally fly.

Doable coach Bo? That’s farfetched.

But farfetched is not impossible.

After the JUMP à the compressed game recap from PBA.ph:

The NBA: Leading Los Angeles

Chris Paul and the Clips rebounded from their loss to the
Lakers by beating the Memphis Grizzlies.

*All images are from the Associated Press.

"I've got a son of my own. I don't know if Pau has kids, but don't touch the top of my head like I'm one of your kids. I don't know if he's got kids, but I'm not one of them." – Chris Paul on Pau Gasol tapping his head.

A little more than a month ago, Chris Paul was raring to go to the Lakers.

Now it seems like he’s raring to take them down.

And, lo and behold, the feeling is mutual.

Chris Paul resented Gasol’s head tap. Kobe traded barbs with Paul. Paul called Gasol soft. Metta World Peace wasn’t exactly living up to his name, too. Ts were called left and right. There was an ejection.

It was awesome drama.

It was awesome TV basketball. (details here)

The Clips still hold an edge in the head-to-head matchup dating back to the preseason, but the Lakers might have finally figured them out. How? Because Mike Brown may have finally figured the Lakers out – he needs to give Peace a chance (pardon the pun), and pound the ball inside to his twin bigs. Those are luxuries he didn’t have in Cleveland, and he should go to them more. Kobe’s awesome as a scorer and he’s has improved as a facilitator, but the Lakers have so many other underutilized weapons, too.

Both LA teams will meet once more in the regular season, and that promises to be another rock ‘em sock ‘em showdown. I’ll put my money on the Lakers, simply because I think they’ll stay true to their trajectory and continue improving.

As of now, however, based on their record and despite this loss, it’s the Clippers who are leading Los Angeles.

After the JUMP, key stat-stuffers for today’s games:

The NBA: Breaking Even

Deron Williams is the only reason the Nets are even
drawing any attention. Can he be enough to tow the Nets
to a respectable season?

*All images are from the Associated Press.

"Everything on their team goes through Deron Williams. He's got that ball in his hands the majority of the game. He's going to get in the post, he's going to penetrate, he's going to play a lot of pick-and-rolls, get in the open court… he's a big part of what they do in their offense. In my eyes, he's still an All-Star." – Philadelphia 76ers coach Doug Collins

The way Deron Williams torched the 76ers, you’d think Collins was a prophet.

D-Will led all scorers with 34 points, dished out 11 dimes, grabbed 4 boards and hit 3 triples in a 48-minute tour of duty that saw New Jersey win just its 5^th game since the new year.

The Nets continued to play without “potentially good” center Brook Lopez, and it was also the second game rookie sparkplug MarShon Brooks missed due to injury.

But, somehow, Deron willed the Nets to victory – their 4^th in the last 8 games. That gives them a .500 mark starting January 13, 2012, and, if things continue at that trajectory, maybe, they have a shot at the postseason in the East.

That’s a pretty BIG maybe, though.

The Nets management just missed their chance to extend the contracts of Lopez and injured forward Damion James, which could mean they’ve all but given up on the present iteration of the team, and the current season, in preparation for a wild mid-2012 free agency derby.

But as long as Deron’s there, like Collins implied, New Jersey will have at least one potential All-Star, and a respectable shot at stealing games.

That’s not exactly the kind of net profit the Nets are dreaming of, but it is what it is.

At least right now, in terms of the past 8 games, they’re breaking even.

After the JUMP, key stat-stuffers for today’s games:

2012 ATENEO BASKETBALL LEAGUE BATCH 99 DIVISION WEEKS 2-3 ROUNDUP

Bajjie Del Rosario is still in-form in the
2012 Ateneo Basketball League.
(image by Nono Felipe/taken from Bajjie's Facebook page)

WEEK 2:

AHS 4I 99 over AHS 4J 99, 53-41

This game featured both teams shooting poorly from the field, but 4I 99 (composed mostly of I-boys, but with sprinklings of L-boys) did much better from the stripe. 4I 99 converted 64% of their freebies, while the J-boys were successful on just 26%.

On the other hand, 4J 99 ruled the interior, what with the imposing presence of former Juniors big men Marty Gallego (curiously enough, Marty is an L-boy!) and Joe Silva, as well as big guy Dodge Mozo. The trio combined for 23 points, 31 rebounds and 5 blocked shots. Alas, this was well-countered by 4I 99’s backcourt supremacy, bannered by the dynamic duo of TJ Flameño and Euan Sanchez. TJ and Euan paired up for 31 points and a whopping 14 steals!

Asean Basketball League Roundup: January 25, 2012

Donald Little led the Slingers in disappointing the Vietnamese
fans who watched the Saigon Heat's home opener.

 *All images are from AseanBasketballLeague.com

SINGAPORE SLINGERS over SAIGON HEAT, 60-55

Saigon Heat absorbed a bitter ending to their home opener. Despite having an 8-point lead early in the third quarter and outrebounding the Slingers 48 to 25, the Heat fell to the Singapore Slingers in front of their home crowd at a packed Tan Binh Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City.

Slingers’ big man Donald Little inspired his team’s comeback in the third quarter by scoring 11 big points. Little finished the game as the lead scorer with 22 points and 8 rebounds while Filipino guard Don Dulay contributed16 points.

The NBA: Rookie Class

Kyrie Irving has been more than advertised for the
struggling Cleveland Cavaliers.
(image by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

*Unless otherwise specified, all images are from the Associated Press. 

“He understands he can get better. He is so smart and so quick and has a good understanding of basketball.” – Cleveland coach Byron Scott on #1 pick Kyrie Irving.

The numbers seem to back up coach Scott.

Irving leads the Cavs in 3 stat categories – ppg (17.4), apg (4.8), and FG% (50.7%) – and he’s second in 3pt% (41.9%) behind Boobie Gibson.

Honestly, he’s been better than advertised. And now that he’s played more NBA games (16) than he did in his one year at Duke (11), it’s pretty clear Cleveland choosing him in front of anyone else was justified.

And he’s not the only rookie who has impressed in the first few weeks of the truncated season.

Minnesota’s Ricky Rubio has been an absolute blur, but the watchable kind. He’s averaging almost a double-double (10.7ppg and 8.3apg to go along with 4.6rpg and 2.5spg) for the Wolves, making them relevant and, again, worth watching. His numbers are actually comparable to Jason Kidd’s rookie numbers back in the ’94-’95 season – 11.7ppg, 7.7apg, 5.4 rpg and 1.9spg. Can he be as good, and as durable, as Kidd? Only time will tell, but, for now, we’ll be all too happy searching for Rubio’s highlights on YouTube.

At 15.4ppg and 4.6rpg, while shooting 46.7% from the field and 36.5% from beyond the arc, the 25^th pick from Providence has really come into his own. Some have gone as far as to say he has the same swagger and devil-may-care aura as one Kobe Bryant. I doubt he’ll be the “next Kobe,” but as the first MarShon, he’s doing pretty well.

He’s cooled off quite considerably of late, but there was a 6-game stretch from January 8 till 17 where Kawhi Leonard averaged 13ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.7spg and shot 45% from three-land. In short, he stepped up big time. If he can somehow rediscover that effectiveness, then San Antonio shouldn’t miss Manu as much as they thought.

Averaging almost a dozen points, better than 3 rebounds, better than 3 assists, just over 1 steal, and about 1 three per game in the NBA is nice. Even nicer if you’re the 9^th pick in the draft, coming after underachieving guys like Derrick Williams and Enes Kanter. I don’t expect Kemba Walker to win the ROY, but he will be in the conversation because, at just 21, he’s already one of the best players (despite his FG shooting anomaly) on a terrible Bobcats team.

Come on, honestly, did you expect Norris Cole to make a whiff of a difference for the Miami Heat this season? Oh, but he has. The 28^th pick from Cleveland State is averaging almost 9ppg, just under 3apg and exactly 1spg in just over 21 minutes per outing for the league’s most hated team (sorry, just had to insert that there). He’s made a difference, and as long as Dwyane Wade sits out games, he’ll be expected to make an even bigger difference.

Other notable newbie’s whom I think might still break out this season:

Brandon Knight (DET)

Iman Shumpert (NYK)

Klay Thompson (GSW)

Tristan Thompson (CLE)

Am I missing anyone?

*I think, given enough time, Derrick Williams can break out, too, but he hasn’t exactly done that despite the absence of Michael Beasley. He’s gotta seize the moment.

After the JUMP, key stat-stuffers for today’s games:

2011-2012 PBA Philippine Cup Finals Game 3: Died by the Three

Ranidel De Ocampo came up big in the OT after his
big boo-boo in the end of regulation.
(image by Paul Ryan Tan/InterAKTV.com)

TALK N TEXT TROPANG TEXTERS over POWERADE TIGERS, 133-126 (OT)

“This game was determined by hunger, by the team that wanted it more. I told my players before the game that they better be starving because I am,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes postgame.

At some points in Game 3, it looked like the Powerade Tigers might actually, finally, catch a break and get back in the championship series, but the Tropang Texters were just too good.

They were too good at the most important moments.

JV Casio hit an improbable three that sent the game into overtime, but, just as they have done since the start of the season, the Tigers continued to live and die by the three-point shot in the extra session.

They died.

Well, not literally of course, but judging by the fact they’re down 0-3 to the defending champions, and one of the deepest rosters at that, they probably feel they might as well be dead.

No team basketball team (here or in the NBA) has ever come back from a 0-3 deficit to win it all.

Sadly, I don’t think the Powerade Tigers are going to change any of that.

After the JUMP à the compressed game recap from PBA.ph:

The NBA: No More Magic Left

Dwight Howard knows there's no magic left in Orlando.

*All images are from the Associated Press. 

"I remember, there was this other large person (Shaquille O'Neal), now a television commentator, who once left. And I think I saw Orlando blossom and thrive and build a new arena. So I think this is not a life-threatening event when players move." – David Stern to the Orlando Sentinel

Yeah, sure, easy for you to say, Commish. Your head won’t roll WHEN Dwight Howard jumps ship.

And, yes, he will definitely jump ship.

Because, quite frankly, their 11-5 record notwithstanding, there’s simply no magic left in Orlando.

That doesn’t mean they’re not a good team, because they are. And, yes, Big D is a BIG part of that, but so is their coach, Stan Van Gundy. He’s a trooper, that one. He’ll work with what he’s got, and he’ll shape them up into a well-oiled machine.

But wins don’t necessarily translate to magic, folks. Not when regular season success has not necessarily translated into regular postseason success. And after last season’s snafu that saw them getting kicked out of the first round, there’s even less evidence of wizardry on this side of Florida.

This simply means the Magic will probably never go back to the NBA Finals with Dwight Howard. Because, quite simply, Dwight Howard will leave them. It’ll happen either 1) on or before the trade deadline, or 2) after the season as a free agent or in a sign-and-trade scenario. The only way the Magic can realistically keep Dwight is if they get an all-world PG to don the Magic jersey, or if they make a miracle run at the NBA championship in June 2012.

Both are highly unlikely, to say the least.

And with Jameer Nelson’s performance dipping significantly in terms of points, FG% and 3pt%, the big guy’s need for a quality PG to backstop him becomes even more glaring.

Orlando is doing pretty well. They will make the playoffs. They will end the season with more Ws than Ls.

But, still, they won’t be able to keep Dwight Howard. Because all those things, good as they sound, just aren’t enough to convince him there’s any magic left.

After the JUMP, key stat-stuffers for today’s games:

2011-2012 PBA Philippine Cup Finals Game 2: Goliath

Ali Peek's happy. His team is just
2 wins away from the Phillipine Cup crown.
(image by Leslie Sy/InterAKTV.com)

TALK N TEXT TROPANG TEXTERS over POWERADE TIGERS, 102-96

“It’s a privilege to have the courtside seat watching Gary David. You really can’t stop him. You just withstand him,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes.

The Powerade Tigers were clearly stronger with JV Casio back in uniform, but the Texters remained a tough nut to crack in Game 2 of the 2012 PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

Gary David had another 30-point game, Casio and Marcio Lassiter combined for 32 points, and the inside duo of Doug Kramer and Rommel Adducul also accounted well for themselves, but the heavily-stacked TNT five still managed to hit their shots at the most important moments to nail a commanding 2-0 series lead.

Gary David had another brilliant scoring performance,
but even that wasn't enough to tie the series.
(image by Paul Ryan Tan/InteraAKTV.com)

Having a smaller frontline was an issue for many PBA observers before the series began, what with Kramer and Adducul unanimously hailed as “undersized” given the recent crop of PBA big men, but it hasn’t really been TNT’s height advantage that has pummeled the Tigers.

On the contrary, Powerade’s size hasn’t been too much of an issue because TNT has chiefly gone to Ali Peek and Harvey Carey down low. That should be good for the coach Bo Perasol’s Tigers, but both of TNT’s “small big men” have more than held their own against Kramer and Adducul.

If the Tigers are to steal Game 3 and maybe even the series, then they’ll have to do what they’ve done in the earlier rounds, which is to hit the big shots in the clutch.

David, Casio and Kramer missed some important late game opportunities in Game 2 (Kramer’s errant pass is one glaring example) that handed TNT more than enough breathing room. If they can regain the sharp execution that propelled them past the Llamados and the Painters, then they have a chance to slay the Goliath that is Talk N Text.

After the JUMP à the compressed game recap from PBA.ph:

The NBA: Nothing But The Truth

Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics have fallen on hard
times in the 2011-2012 season.

*All images are from the Associated Press.

"That's the Paul we've been missing. He played great. We believe in him, and we're going to continue to believe in him." – Rajon Rondo

Yes, the Boston Celtics have missed Paul Pierce.

So much.

They went 0-3 to start the season sans their leading scorer, and when they got him, well, they didn’t exactly annihilate any and all comers by winning just 6 of their last 12 games.

Now the Big Green are 6-9, tied for 7^th-9^th spots in the East and behind the hoppin’ and skippin’ Philadelphia 76ers in their division.

Not exactly the kind of season they were expecting.

Not the kind anyone was expecting for that matter. I mean, yes, they’re an old team, but these Cs have AT LEAST 3 lock-ins for the Hall of Fame (Rondo, judging by his career trajectory, has a good shot, too) and tons of experience behind them. They should be okay. They might even make one final, serious run at a title.

But, right now, it just doesn’t seem that way.

With the exception of Rondo, Boston’s main guys are averaging fewer points than last season. Allen is shooting at a higher FG clip, but he’s attempting 2 less shots than in 2010-2011. KG’s performance hasn’t been too impressive, too. He’s averaging almost 2 rebounds and 2 points less than last year, and though his FG% is still at a respectable 48%, it’s significantly less than the 52% he made in the previous campaign. Pierce, while still leading Boston in scoring, is faring even worse. His ppg has dipped 2 points, his FG% has dropped from nearly 50% to just a shade above 41%, while his rpg, FT% and turnovers have take hits as well.

Yes, those are the three future Hall of Famers I was talking about.

Perhaps as a consequence, Rondo’s assists average has dipped and the Milwaukee Bucks and Cleveland Cavaliers both find themselves having the exact same record as one of the East’s final four teams last year.

The truth is Boston is now at an important crossroads – will they trade one or more of their tried-and-tested, but aging, bulwarks, or will they stick it out and hope for the best?

Will it matter that 10 of their first 15 games were against playoff teams from last season, and that a lighter schedule could’ve made any difference?

The truth is that there are still 51 games left in the season for Boston to make some moves and right the ship.

Or, that there are only 51 games left in the season for Boston.

Period.

After the JUMP, key stat-stuffers for today’s games:

The NBA: Nixed With Six

Amar'e Stoudemire (foreground) is visibly frustrated
as the Knicks fall for the 6th time in as many games.

 *All images are by the Associated Press.

“We have a gorilla on our back and we have to get it off and get a little bit of swagger.” – Coach Mike D’Antoni of the New York Knicks

I like how he says they have a gorilla, because the “monkey on our back” thing should stop just short of their current 6-game losing streak.

The swagger, though, I’d disagree with. I think they have plenty of swagger already. Melo and Chandler alone can account for most NBA teams’ “swagger count” already (if there were such a thing).

What they need is to be better.

At everything.

Or at least be as good as they were last season, when they made the postseason as the 6^th seed and made the Big Apple’s fans have wet dreams for the next season.

Well this is that season, and perhaps the Knicks’ fans are still getting wet, but not the fun kind.

Because, again losing 6 in a row isn’t fun at all.

And, yes, the Knicks did win 4 straight before this current slide, but one also has to note that they opened 2012 with losses to Toronto and Charlotte before stringing 4 wins.

Now they’re 4-8 in the new year, stuck at 8^th spot together with the Bucks (the Bucks? What?) and severely underperforming Celtics, and just saw the guy they let go (Danilo Gallinari) outplay the guy for whom they let him go (Carmelo Anthony).

Yet another chapter in the New York’s Nixed saga?

Sure looks like it.

After the JUMP, key stat-stuffers for today’s games:

Asean Basketball League Roundup: January 21, 2012

Marvin Cruz helped the Cobras upset their more
fancied local rivals for win #1.

*All images are from AseanBasketballLeague.com

BANGKOK COBRAS over CHANG THAILAND SLAMMERS, 71-67

It’s a game that both teams tried very hard to win, as the Bangkok Cobras went into the game still looking for their first win of the season and the Chang Thailand Slammers just coming off of a bitter loss mid-week to the Singapore Slingers.

The Slammers went to current high-scorer Deandre Thomas early and often, but the Bangkok Cobras looked to be gelling well together as a team and fought back strong to finish the first quarter leading, 21-16.

The NBA: Love Hurts

Kevin Love spreads his arms in, err, love as he hit the buzzer-beating
shot that sent the T-Wolves to a win in Los Angeles.

 *All images are by the Associated Press.

It all went according to plan by halftime – the Clippers, owners of a division-leading 8-4 card, led the flashy, but lowly, Timberwolves by 11.

And then they let Minnesota back in.

They let Ricky Rubio hit a big three to tie the game in the waning moments.

They let the Wolves stick too close for too long and when it came down to the biggest shot of the game…

(Yes, Rubio’s shot was still not the biggest of the game!)

Love hurt them.

Pushing away from DeAndre Jordan and then squeezing thru a double-screen set by Rubio and wingman Wayne Ellington, Love shot a high-arching three that swished and iced the game.

Lob City?

How about Love City, eh?

How sweet it probably felt for Love, who is in the thick of a “Who’s the best PF in the West?” discussion that pits him against the likes of Zach Randolph, LaMarcus Aldridge and, of course, Blake Griffin.

Well, as far as this game goes at least, we know Kevin Love’s chances are pretty good.

After the JUMP, key stat-stuffers for today’s games:

2011-2012 PBA Philippine Cup Finals Game 1: More Than They Could Chew?

Ranidel De Ocampo and the rest of TNT snuffed out
 the Game 1 challenge of Will Antonio and the Tigers.

*All images from PBA.ph

TALK N TEXT TROPANG TEXTERS over POWERADE TIGERS, 116-100

If this game is any indication of the complexion for this championship series, then perhaps it’s safe to say that the Powerade Tigers have bitten off more than they could chew.

They played their underdog part to the hilt, and never really threatened after the Texters unloaded a torrent of treys in the first half.

Heck, not even Powerade’s David could slay the Goliath that was TNT.

After the JUMP are excerpts from the recap on PBA.ph:

The NBA: Hobblin’, But Hangin’

It hasn't been the best of starts for Vince Carter and the Dallas
Mavericks, but they're still not out of it.

*Unless otherwise specified, all images are from the Associated Press.

Don’t look now, but the Dallas Mavericks are the second-best team in the Southeast Division. They’ve won 7 of their last 10 games and are tied with the Portland Trailblazers for 7^th spot out West.

A glance at the Mavs’ player stats, however, will make this seemingly upward trajectory a little baffling.

Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, Shawn Marion, Lamar Odom, Jason Kidd and Vince Carter are all putting numbers much lower than last year.

Odom, in particular, has not been himself. His production has practically been halved from last season, just 7.1ppg, less than 5rpg and shooting an anemic 33% from the field. All of those are career lows for the guy who “asked” to be let go from the Lakers.

Vince Carter has also produced career-lows in points, rebounds and minutes, while currently also being sidelined by a foot injury.

Old reliable Jason Kidd has never rally been a phenomenal scorer, but his 4.5ppg and 30% FG shooting are downright awful. But what’s worse is his unbelievable (in a bad way) assists production – just 5.4 per. That’s good for most players in the league, but for Kidd, who’s still playing about 30 minutes per game, 5.4 just won’t cut it.

Somehow, though, the Mavs ARE cutting it.

In their last five wins (over Detroit, Boston, Milwaukee, Sacramento and Utah), the Mavs have been led in scoring by 3 different people (Marion, Terry and Nowitzki). Flexibility? Perhaps.

The Mavs are also the fourth best team in terms of steals per game and they are 8^th best in defensive rebounds. Solid defense? Perhaps.

These defending champs have certainly started out on the wrong foot, and by no means have they fully recovered, but given the way they’re hanging while still hobbling, no one should count them out.

After the JUMP, key stat-stuffers for today’s games:

The NBA: Mr. Big Shot

Chauncey Billups can still hit the BIG one.

 *All images by the Associated Press.

He’s no longer the starting PG of a championship contender (okay, that contender part is arguable). He’s bounced around four teams in the past 6 years. He has the worst FG% of the Clipper starting unit. His 3.8 assists per game is his lowest since the 2000-2001 season. His 31 minutes per game is his lowest since his first year with Detroit.

So many gloomy signs for Chauncey Billups. Could be his age? Could be his motivation? Who knows, really?

But there are good things, too.

He’s averaging less than 2 turnovers per game for the first time since 2002-2003. His 2.4 threes made per outing is the most in his career, and tops for the Clips. He leads his new team in FT% and FTs made per game, and is third in scoring average. And, of course, he is still THE Mr. Big Shot.

Right, Dallas?

For all the craze that pushed Billups out of Detroit to Denver, out of Denver to New York, and now out of New York to the “other” Los Angeles team, it actually seems things are falling into place again.

No doubt CP3 has had the most major impact on this season’s fortunes for the Clippers, but Billups at the two-guard spot, though relatively unorthodox, seems to have worked wonders, too.

The Clippers are just half a game behind the Lakers in the Pacific, and they have beaten the Lakeshow three out of three times already. If they will, indeed, be this year’s breakout team, then Mr. Big Shot will have to continue living up to that name.

After the JUMP, key stat-stuffers for today’s games: