Game 2s

I feel like George W at an Enron investor's party... everything's coming up Houston. For the second time in 3 days, TMac and Yao dominated Utah in the second half, and snatched victory from their conservative, sometimes polygamist, clutches. Actually, Mehmet looked pretty impressive and gave Yao some problems in the first half. But with his shooting stroke gone cold, the lusty Turk couldn't get it done on the offensive end. TMac was pretty cold in the first half, but he sank 'em when they counted and Houston took a commanding 2-0 lead going back to Salt Lake City.
The Pistons blah-ed their way to another vic against the sorely outclassed Magic. There's really not much to say here other than that the Pistons could win this series in 4 with Rip Hamilton literally playing with his eyes closed. Dwight Howard's shortcomings are being exposed like a roll of film.

Magic Courting Chauncey?

This is intriguing as hell to me. Chauncey in Orlando kills 3 birds with 1 stone. First, Orlando gets the veteran leadership they'll need when Battie is no longer starting, and Grant Hill finally faces the music and retires. Second, the Magic get the solid shooting stroke and extra scoring punch provided by one of the best pure shooters in the league (maybe the best clutch shooter in the business). Third, the Magic get one of the best point guards in the league, and then have a great trading chip in the expendable Jam Nelson (who becomes worthless with the arrival of Billups). The Magic were feeling gun shy about giving Nelson a fat extension based on his inconsistent play, this way they can let him walk, or sign & trade him for another piece. Now supposedly this would all cost the Magic Darko, but I don't see why. No way Detroit is after Darko, so what're they gonna do, just let him walk? For the 6-8 mil range, I feel like Darko's a steal. So they give Howard 85 mil, they give Chauncey 3 or 4 years at 14 per. They really oughta have money left for Darko at 7 per. Now tell me there's a more evil starting line than Darko, Dwight, Chauncey, Hedo and ________ (insert name here). They would cut a bloody swathe through the Eastern Conference.

Friday Pits and B-Sides

From BasketBawful, a demonstration in humiliation:



Gah!

From RealGM, the journeyman who wouldn't retire:

The Knicks have explored signing free agent swingman Jimmy Jackson to fill the massive void left by Jamal Crawford's season-ending stress fracture injury, according to the New York Post.

From HoopsHype, the deal (I already said is) screaming to be done:

If I'm Orlando chairman Rich DeVos I only have eyes (and a maximum contract) for Vince Carter the moment he opts out of New Jersey. You can't find a more ideal complement to Dwight Howard and restricted free agent Darko Milicic. New York Post

From TrueHoop, the bittersweet memory of Dax-Devlon Ross (on dreaming of being like Mike):

It never crossed our minds that we were being sold a false bill of goods until we were introduced to Arthur Agee and William Gates four years later in Hoop Dreams. Watching their dreams fade faster than MJ’s hairline made us realize how dangerous all of those hours of dreaming we could one day fly like Mike would be if we didn’t pack a parachute.

From SportSwag, the show stealing Cavs point guard in between Mark Price and Andre Miller:




Don't recognize those sick moves? It's Terrell Brandon, who faded away too soon and with not enough fanfare. Dude was still doing 18pts, 3 rebs and 9 assists while being a top 10 steals guy up to 2000 in Minnesota. Speaking of which, how the hell do we go from Price to Brandon to Miller to Rip Van Winkle, er, I mean, Eric Snow? Snow's a great vet presence and competent point runner, but, as we celebrate his 65th birthday later this year, you have to wonder what happened to the position of point guard in Cleveland...

Dwight Howard's First Time

Dwight Howard has his first triple double. And there's still a few minutes to go. Congrats DHowie, 17 points, 13 rebounds and 10 TURNOVERS. His fantasy owners rejoice.
On the other hand, Darko's got 14 and 16. 5 blocks so far. Someone has freed Darko. Now feel the wind that shook the parsley. Darko is gonna be a new age Ralph Sampson.

Dwight Howard: Dunk Innovator

Dwight Howard is seriously taking this dunking thing to another level. No idea why he didn't do this one in the actual competish:

Interesting Tidbit

Over the last 5 games Dwight Howard is remarkably shooting a higher field goal percentage than free throw percentage. Let me put that in perspective: Howard's so beastly in the post, he has an easier time putting the rock in the hole from 5-10 feet with 3 dudes in his face than he does taking his time with no defense from 15 feet. Now Shaq's career FG% is higher than his FT%, but it's not as much of a feat, when you're a career 52% shooter from the charity stripe. What makes Howard's last 5 games so special, is that his FT% (over those 5) is actually almost a full 10% higher than his season average as well, check this: 76%FG on 14 attempts, 71% FT on 8 attempts. Unfortunately his TOs are up over 5 per night during the same stretch, still you have to start liking DHowie as much or more than Bosh with these numbers and I love Bosh.

Dunk Contest 2007

Holy shit!

Dwight Howard

I know this is a week late, but since it was pretty much the sickest game winner I've ever seen, I had to post the video.



For some reason, people think he won't be ridiculous in the dunk competish. Personally I can't wait to see what he's got up his sleeve. If it's anything even half as awesome and innovative as Amare's dunks from 2 years ago, it'll be a show. I also wouldn't mind a shattered backboard.