The NBA: Where Dwyane Wade Happens

Dwyane Wade pulled the Heat out from the cold again.
(image by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

For the second straight time, the Miami Heat turned to Dwyane Wade to bail them out. And he delivered again. It kinda sucks because it means Miami is 4-0, but it also means that, despite his monstrous numbers, LeBron James still plays second-fiddle to Wade, at least in the clutch. They’ll probably repeat over Charlotte then get a tough test against Atlanta next. In other fronts, Boston, Dallas, Memphis, Phoenix and Utah all finally barged into the win column, while the Pistons, Wizards and T-Wolves all remain winless. More impressive, though, is how both the Indiana Pacers and Atlanta Hawks have quietly built some momentum. Both teams are 3-0. Indiana is half a game ahead of Chicago in the Central Division, while Atlanta is just half a game behind the Heat in the Southeast. Paul George, Ty Hansbrough & Roy Hibbert have been great complements to Danny Granger & David West, while Marvin Williams is looking like the fourth big piece he was supposed to be in seasons past.

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

BOS over DET, 96-85 – Boston finally breaks through as Paul Pierce finally returns.

IND over CLE, 98-91 – Roy Hibbert’s double-double tows Indiana to a 3-0 slate.

ORL over CHA, 100-79 – Another example of why Dwight Howard is the world’s best center.

ATL over NJN, 105-98 – Jeff Teague outplays D-Will, Hawks win. Simple as that.

PHX over NOH, 93-78 – Marcin Gortat’s solid presence and Hakim Warrick stepping up gave Phoenix its maiden victory.

MEM over HOU, 113-93 – When Zebo and Gasol are both clicking down low, hardly anyone can stop the Grizz.

MIA over MIN, 103-101 – Ricky Rubio’s great game was dampened by Dwyane Wade’s game-winning heroics.

DAL over TOR – Ian Mahinmi was a revelation with 19 points, but can he step up and become what Tyson Chandler was last year?

MIL over WAS, 102-81 – The foreigner trio of Bogut, Ilyasova and Delfino effectively outshot the Wizards for win #2.

UTA over PHI, 102-99 – With 22 points and 11 rebounds, could this be the breakout game Derrick Favors needs?

CHI over LAC, 114-101 – D-Rose and the Bulls reminded Blake and the Clips that title contenders are still a cut above playoff contenders.

My Top Local Basketball Stories of 2011

The Lourdes School of Mandaluyong Trojans burst thru
the Milo BEST scene to claim their first National Title.
(image from the BEST Center Facebook page)

The Future of Philippine Hoops: The 2011 Milo BEST SBP & Passerelle Champs

In their first time ever to play in the National Finals, the Lourdes School of Mandaluyong Trojans subdued the Ateneo de Davao Blue Knights, last year’s runner-ups, to bag the SBP crown. The Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles, meanwhile, defeated the Holy Child School of Davao Reds for a title repeat in the Passerelle Division. The guys to look out for? LSM’s Luis Miguel Velasco and Benedict Cruz formed a formidable scoring pair, while Dariel Manliguez was the top-scorer for Ateneo de Davao. LSM’s Gian Mamuyac is also another player making waves in the elementary hoops level. Rendell Senining and Janjan Jaboneta from SHS, Kenneth Aguanta from Holy Child and Xavier’s Jarrell Radley Lim and Isaac Go are the guys to watch from their age group. Take note of these names, because in 4 or 5 more years, we could be seeing them leading our favorite UAAP or NCAA teams.

The NBA: KD Needs Just 1.4 Seconds

Kevin Durant makes the biggest play of the day
by beating the buzzer to put the Thunder at 4-0.

*All images are from the Associated Press.

For a while there, it seemed like Vince Carter had given Rick Carlisle and the defending champion Mavericks their first win of the young season. He hit a three over Kevin Durant with 1.4 ticks left after all. But if anyone can do one better, it’s Durant, who did just that by beating the buzzer, and the Mavs, with an awesome fade away jumper from beyond the arc. Talk about amazing. Durant was big time as early as two or three years ago, but this might be the year he enters the realm of legend. If he does, he’ll probably join Dwight Howard, who hauled 24 effin’ rebounds in Orlando’s win over the Nets. Pretty interesting match-up that one, since Big D might just be switching those two jerseys soon. One guy who switched jerseys last season was Raymond Felton, who led his Portland five to a win over his former team, the Nuggets. Meanwhile, the Lakers won one for the West coast, as they soundly trounced the Knicks despite Melo’s great offense. Speaking of offense, Houston and Chicago showcased their own potent offensive games in beating the Spurs and Kings respectively.

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

ORL over NJN, 94-78 – Howard’s monster of a game makes the Nets salivate even more, especially since they saw it firsthand.

OKC over DAL, 104-102 – Dirk’s double-double isn’t enough to give the Mavs win #1.

HOU over SAS, 105-85 – Kyle Lowry continues to impress as the Rockets get the better of their state rivals.

CHI over SAC, 108-98 – Boozer breaks out with a huge double-double! Don’t count on it happening often.

POR over DEN, 111-102 – Raymond Felton gets one over former teammate Ty Lawson.

LAL over NYK, 99-82 – West coast beats East coast in what turned out to be a rout!

The NBA: Almost Is Never Enough

Erik Spoelstra was bailed out by Dwyane Wade's game-winner
as the Heat escaped a tough Bobcats team.

*All images by the Associated Press. 

The Charlotte Bobcats looked good for one half, and then they melted under the pressure of the Miami Heat. Chris Bosh finally had a good game, and Dwyane Wade came up big (what else is new?) in the dying seconds. He’s still the leader of this team, even if LeBron is the one filling up the sheets. Joining Miami at 3-0 are the Oklahoma City Thunder, who defeated the Memphis Grizzlies. Also undefeated are the Indiana Pacers after disposing of the Raptors. Atlanta also got win #2 at the expense of the Wizards. In the meantime, Brandon Knight got the better of Kyrie Irving, but the Cavs beat the Pistons. The Clips and the Knicks got ambushed by the Spurs and Warriors respectively. Phoenix lost its home opener to the Sixers, and, yes, Boston is still winless thanks to the Hornets.

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

IND over TOR, 90-85 – Danny Granger makes his presence felt! That’s one of my Fantasy keepers right there!

MIA over CHA, 96-95 – Damn. Almost beating the Heat is still NOT the same as beating the Heat.

ATL over WAS, 101-83 – Marvin Williams with his second straight good game. Pick him up!

CLE over DET, 105-89 – Kyrie Irving shows some flashes of the future.

OKC over MEM, 98-95 – Durant’s third straight 30+ game.

NOH over BOS, 97-78 – They’re missing Paul Pierce.

SAS over LAC, 115-90 – The torch hasn’t been passed, YET.

PHI over PHX, 103-83 – Something ain’t right when Ronnie Price is the Suns’ best player.

DEN over UTA, 117-100 – Nene justifies his new contract by outplaying Al Jefferson.

GSW over NYK, 92-78 – Tyson Chandler still hasn’t really made his presence felt.

The NBA: Chuck Norris Plays for Miami

Rookie Norris Cole unloaded 14 big ones in the fourth
quarter to deflate Boston's charge.
(image by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

As if it wasn’t enough that Miami had LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and, fine, Chris Bosh. Now all the other 29 teams will have another guy to worry about – rookie Norris Cole, who, if he maintains his form, might just supplant Mario Chalmers as coach Spo’s starting PG. In other news, Kobe and the Lakers finally get a win, Nets get blown out in their home opener, another rookie impresses against the T-Wolves, and Portland is 2-0. Wow, I wonder how the Blazers are going to mess this up.

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

MIA over BOS, 115-107 – Norris Cole announced himself in style by scoring 14 of his 20 points in the fourth period.

LAL over UTA, 96-71 – Kobe and Pau both break the 20-point barrier to prevent a dreadful 0-3 start.

ATL over NJN, 106-70 – We knew the Nets were bad, but come on!

MIL over MIN, 98-95 – Watch out Andrew Bogut, rookie big man Jon Leuer wants your spot.

POR over SAC, 101-79 – Gerald Wallace is still a stat-demon!

The NBA: Dime a Dozen

Ty Lawson and the Nuggets gave the Dallas Mavericks
their second beating in a row.

*All images are from the Associated Press.

I knew I wouldn’t be able to make micro-recaps for 12 games, so I decided to do something different today. I decided to focus on some stats and see who were the top performers today. This is partly due to the fact that the first two days of Fantasy Basketball haven’t really gone my way, and because, like I wrote above, it’s more manageable than writing 12 micro-recaps.

I’ll focus only on the obvious stats like points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and 3-pointers made.

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

TOR over CLE, 104-96 – The #1 pick chokes in his debut.

IND over DET, 91-79 – Three Pacers with double-doubles!

NJN over WAS, 90-84 – The most hated player comes out big!

ORL over HOU, 104-95 – White boys shooting the lights out!

CHA over MIL, 96-95 – Augustin on the rise?

OKC over MIN, 104-100 – Big 3 = Big Difference!

SAS over MEM, 95-82 – Manu gets some payback!

DEN over DAL, 115-93 – Lawson schools the Champs!

NOH over PHX, 85-84 – “Flash” Gordon takes charge!

SAC over LAL, 100-91 – Thornton thorn for the Lakers.

POR over PHI, 107-103 – Aldridge making a case for the All-Star team?

GSW over CHI, 99-91 – Warriors release their own Big 3!

The NBA: And So This Is Christmas

The Dallas Mavericks received their rings on Christmas day,
then were rudely awakened by the Miami Heat.
(image by the AP)

After the JUMP, mirco-commentaries on each of today’s season-openers:

NYK over BOS, 106-104

MIA over DAL, 105-94

CHI over LAL, 88-87

OKC over ORL, 97-89

LAC over GSW, 105-86

The NBA: Micro-Previews – WESTERN CONFERENCE

Kobe Bryant's Lakers are still serious favorites out West.
(image by Harry How/Getty Images)

After suffering from nasty coughing and mild fever, I finally feel well enough to make a micro-preview of the unexpected (at least by me) 2011-2012 NBA season. Before I get into the team-by-team stuff, here are some things we should expect across-the-board:

-       A 66-game regular season negates the age factor somewhat, so teams like Boston and San Antonio should have a better shot at NOT having injured players come playoff time.

-       A 2-game preseason means teams will be experimenting with roster combinations for longer than they’re used to. Most second stringers will probably have inconsistent minutes right through mid-January.

-       Even if the season is abbreviated, the plethora of back-to-back-to-backs might actually have a more adverse effect on the health of some teams. This also means players who’ll miss time will potentially miss more games than they would in an 82-game season and, because it’s a shortened season, each game carries a bit more weight.

-       Kris Humphries is now the MOST HATED player in the league.

After the JUMP:

-       Positives (strengths and/or opportunities) and Negatives (weaknesses and/or threats) for each of the 15 West teams,

-       Each team’s expected Best Player by the end of the season (my own prerogative), and

-       a Projection for each team’s campaign given present personnel and context.

PBA Roundup: December 21, 2011

Beau Belga and the Elasto-Painters completed an unexpected
sweep of the Gin Kings to enter the Philippine Cup semis.

*All images by Nuki Sabio/PBA.ph

RAIN OR SHINE ELASTO-PAINTERS over BGY. GINEBRA KINGS, 106-91

The potential in Rain or Shine is now right on track to becoming a reality. The Elasto Painters used a good start to finish off Barangay Ginebra and sweep their PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals series at the Ynares Center.

Jeff Chan scored a game-high 22 points to lead a balanced attack by Rain or Shine as it followed up its 112-105 overtime victory in the best-of-three duel's opener last Friday to arrange a semifinal meeting with early qualifier Powerade.

The NBA: Micro-Previews – EASTERN CONFERENCE

This might be the start of what LeBron James stated in last year's
preseason: "Not one, not two, not three..."

*All images are from the Associated Press.

After suffering from nasty coughing and mild fever, I finally feel well enough to make a micro-preview of the unexpected (at least by me) 2011-2012 NBA season. Before I get into the team-by-team stuff, here are some things we should expect across-the-board:

-       A 66-game regular season negates the age factor somewhat, so teams like Boston and San Antonio should have a better shot at NOT having injured players come playoff time.

-       A 2-game preseason means teams will be experimenting with roster combinations for longer than they’re used to. Most second stringers will probably have inconsistent minutes right through mid-January.

-       Even if the season is abbreviated, the plethora of back-to-back-to-backs might actually have a more adverse effect on the health of some teams. This also means players who’ll miss time will potentially miss more games than they would in an 82-game season and, because it’s a shortened season, each game carries a bit more weight.

-       Kris Humphries is now the MOST HATED player in the league.

After the JUMP:

-       Positives (strengths and/or opportunities) and Negatives (weaknesses and/or threats) for each of the 15 East teams,

-       Each team’s expected Best Player by the end of the season (my own prerogative), and

-       a Projection for each team’s campaign given present personnel and context.

PBA Roundup: December 16-18, 2011

Arwind Santos stuffs it as the Boosters draw first
blood against the Meralco Bolts.

*All images by Nuki Sabio/PBA.ph

PETRON BLAZE BOOSTERS over MERALCO BOLTS, 91-84

Through three quarters, Alex Cabagnot was having a bad night, but when the game called for experience to step forward, Petron Blaze’s premier guard was the first to

fall in line. Cabagnot detonated a 12-0 bomb in the fourth quarter with rare back-to-back four-point plays and the Boosters wiggled out from a close contest to whip Meralco and move to within a win of advancing to the semifinal round of the PBA Philippine Cup.

These Stags Are Golden

Calvin Abueva and the Golden Stags denied the Blue Eagles
of a fourth straight PCCL crown.

*All images by Arvin Lim/UAAPSports.tv

SAN SEBASTIAN GOLDEN STAGS over ATENEO DE MANILA BLUE EAGLES, 83-77

Coach Topex Robinson’s Stags really are the classic foils to coach Norman Black’s Blue Eagles. In four meetings this year (once in the Fil-Oil Flying V Summer League and thrice here in the PCCL), Baste had Ateneo’s number in all but one game. They are the only team to beat Ateneo that many times in 2011, and the only team to deny the Blue & White in a championship series this year as well.

PBA Roundup: December 14, 2011

Gary David hoists one as Marcio Lassiter blocks
the path of Marc Pingris.

*All images by Nuki Sabio/PBA.ph

POWERADE TIGERS over B-MEG LLAMADOS, 97-88

Needing to win two in a row to survive the quarterfinals, the Powerade Tigers fought with great resolve and got half the job done. Powerade stunned elimination-round topnotcher B-Meg to force a sudden death showdown in their PBA Philippine Cup quarters match-up.

2011 Philippine Collegiate Champions League Finals – Day 1

Kiefer Ravena's 10 points helped push Ateneo over the hump
and force a winner-take-all against San Sebsatian.
(image by Arvin Lim/UAAPSports.tv)

After the JUMP: Game stories on San Beda nabbign 3rd Place and Ateneo finally pulling the wool over the Stags.

PBA Roundup: December 11, 2011

JR Quiñahan challenges the shot of former
Smart-Gilas standout Mac Baracael.

*All images by Nuki Sabio/PBA.ph 

RAIN OR SHINE ELASTO-PAINTERS over ALASKA ACES, 91-85

Rain or Shine has a set meeting with Barangay Ginebra and now has ample reason to look forward to that. The Elasto Painters put their acts together in the second half to beat the Alaska Aces to formally wind up their elimination round assignments.

The NBA: December 11, 2011 Bullets

Chauncey Billups is probably seeing red, too, after
being waived by the New York Knicks.
(image by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

“Chauncey, it’s not like we’re waiving you because we don’t want you. Look at it as what it is. We traded you basically for the starting center on the NBA championship team,”’ NYK interim general manager Glen Grunwald said in an effort to appease the disgruntled Chauncey Billups.

After the JUMP:

-       Knicks nix Chauncey in favor of Chandler

-       D-Wight feels D-Will more than D’ Lakers

-       Hamilton to rip thru Chicago

-       Odom the Maverick

-       West to the East

The NBA: Circus

Gasol and Odom in happier times.
Or, should I say, in times never to happen again?
(image by the AP)

“When a team trades u and it doesn’t go down? Now what?” Odom tweeted Thursday night.

  

FINALLY. OFFICIALLY. We will have a 2011-2012 NBA season. And, yes, it’ll be for just 66 games. We’ll witness back-to-back-to-back games. The oldies will benefit from the shorter season. So will the young ‘uns. All 30 teams are back in tow. And though we’ll miss the antics of Kenyon Martin and JR Smith, as well as the raw talent of Wilson Chandler, the prospect of seeing the most awesome heroes and heels of our basketball lives trumps everything.

2011 Philippine Collegiate Champions League Final 4 - Days 3 & 4

Brian Heruela and the Webmasters can still slavage
3rd Place if they can beat the Red Lions on Monday.
(image by Josh Albelda/UAAPSports.com)

UNIV. OF CEBU WEBMASTERS over SAN SEBASTIAN GOLDEN STAGS, 92-71

When it rains, it pours. The Webmasters from Cebu notched their first Final Four win at the expense of the erstwhile unbeaten San Sebastian Stags thanks to accurate sniping. Coach Roehl Gomez may have transferred some of his renowned shooting prowess to his wards, who converted 16 treys to run roughshod over the Stags, who already booked a twice-to-beat seat in the National Finals.

PBA Roundup: December 8, 2011

KG Canaleta tries to sky over the
imposing mass of Dorian Peña.

*All images by Nuki Sabio/PBA.ph

BGY. GINEBRA KINGS over BARAKO BULL ENERGY, 88-83

Barangay Ginebra clinched a spot in the best-of-three quarterfinals as it continued to get going, topping Barako Bull in the penultimate play date of the PBA Philippine Cup elimination round. The Kings came out strong and withstood the Energy’s second-half fightback as they made it four in a row and tied the Rain or Shine Elasto-Painters at fourth place.

PBA Roundup: December 6, 2011

JV Casio and the Tigers squeezed past the Barako Bull
Energy to secure their quarterfinals seat.

*All images by Nuki Sabio/PBA.ph

POWERADE TIGERS over BARAKO BULL ENERGY, 99-95

Powerade knows that in order for it to go deep in the playoffs, it must learn how to emerge unscathed from close games. The Tigers, who will be making their first quarterfinal appearance in eight conferences, got an idea of what to expect by narrowly beating the Barako Bull Energy.

2011 Philippine Collegiate Champions League Final 4 - Day 2

Ian Sangalang and the Stags rose to the sizable
challenge posted by the Blue Eagles.
(image by Carl Sta. Ana/Filoil Flying V Sports)

SAN SEBASTIAN GOLDEN STAGS over ATENEO DE MANILA BLUE EAGLES, 70-69

The team known to make a living down the stretch conked out and handed over the twice-to-beat edge to their foes. The Golden Stags ate up the Blue Eagles’ 12-point fourth quarter lead to scrape by and assure themselves of the coveted twice-to-beat advantage in the Finals of the PCCL.

Craze on the Court

Here are two video clips that will probably make you either scratch or shake your head (or both).


Video #1: Most insane play ever devised in a basketball game? Maybe they signed up for a different sport (but come to think of it, in which sport will this play actually be considered a "good play?"), or maybe their coach just had ZERO confidence in their abilities that he told them to "turtle the ball" to keep the embarrassment to a minimum. Either way, this is certainly one of the dumbest things I've ever seen on a basketball court. The final score was 114-23. If you're wondering which team actually won, then maybe you should try out for these guys.

Video #2: Here's another crazy scene -- a near-melee in the dying minutes of the 2011 Philippine Collegiate Champions League Final Four game between the San Beda Red Lions and the San Sebastian Golden Stags. Given their across-the-road-rivalry and the heated events of the past weekend, it's really not a big surprise these two squads almost came to blows. San Beda's Kyle Pascual hits Baste's Calvin Abueva with a cheap shot to the nape and the Abueva retaliates against Pascual's teammate, Rome Dela Rosa, with his own brand of cheap shot justice. I miss the good old days when players would just throw punches straight out with a devil-may-care attitude. Now players resort to these cheap shots and then wait for their benches to clear before they actually "man up." If you don't sense the sarcasm there, then maybe I should give you a cheap shot.

Severe Beatings

A sparse crowd witnessed the blue boys blow the Webmasters
out of the San Juan Arena.
(image by Jonas Terrado)

2011 Philippine Collegiate Champions League Final 4 - Day 1

The PCCL, where there are severe beatings -- literally and figuratively.

PBA Roundup: December 2-4, 2011

Sol Mercado led the Bolts past the Tigers to strengthen
their drive for a quarterfinals slot.

*All images by Nuki Sabio/PBA.ph

MERALCO BOLTS over POWERADE TIGERS, 100-98

Meralco is safely in the playoffs, so why risk injuries to players by playing hard, right? Wrong.

The Bolts came out with the same passion and intensity of a ballclub hanging on for its dear life, making the key defensive stops down the stretch in overcoming the Powerade Tigers last Friday night.

DECEMBER 2, 2011 BASKET-BULLETS

It seems Jeron Teng is playing the field.
(image from PinoyExchange.com)

After the JUMP, you'll find some bullets on the 2011 PCCL, Collegiate Basketball Musical Chairs, the PBA's Resurgence, and the Impending End of the NBA Lockout