alfdogg

Fallout from AP, possibly.

Hooray beer!

Sun, Jan. 13 Portland @ Toronto, 12:30 Chicago @ Atlanta, 2:00 New Orleans @ Houston, 2:30 Detroit @ New York, 7:00 Indiana @ Golden State, 9:00 Memphis @ LA Lakers, 9:30 Mon, Jan. 14 Denver @ Charlotte, 7:00 Washington @ Boston, 7:30 Portland @ New Jersey, 7:30 Philadelphia @ San Antonio, 8:30 Milwaukee @ Utah, 9:00 Dallas @ Sacramento, 10:00 LA Lakers @ Seattle, 10:00 Tue, Jan. 15 Denver @ Atlanta, 7:00 Chicago @ Orlando, 7:00 Washington @ New York, 7:30 Toronto @ Detroit, 7:30 Cleveland @ Memphis, 8:00 Golden State @ Minnesota, 8:00 Philadelphia @ Houston, 8:30 Phoenix @ LA Clippers, 10:30 Wed, Jan. 16 Sacramento @ Toronto, 7:00 Orlando @ Charlotte, 7:00 Chicago @ Miami, 7:00 ESPN2 Golden State @ Indiana, 7:00 Portland @ Boston, 7:30 New York @ New Jersey, 7:30 Atlanta @ Milwaukee, 8:00 Seattle @ New Orleans, 8:00 Thu, Jan. 17 Cleveland @ San Antonio, 8:00 TNT Utah @ Denver, 9:00 Phoenix @ LA Lakers, 10:30 TNT Fri, Jan. 18 Atlanta @ Toronto, 7:00 New York @ Washington, 7:00 Portland @ Miami, 7:00 ESPN Philadelphia @ Boston, 7:30 Sacramento @ Detroit, 8:00 Seattle @ Memphis, 8:00 Charlotte @ New Orleans, 8:00 LA Clippers @ Utah, 9:00 Minnesota @ Phoenix, 9:00 Golden State @ Chicago, 9:30 ESPN Sat, Jan. 19 Toronto @ Philadelphia, 7:00 Memphis @ Charlotte, 7:00 Portland @ Orlando, 7:00 Sacramento @ Indiana, 7:00 New York @ Miami, 7:30 Detroit @ Chicago, 8:30 Golden State @ Milwaukee, 8:30 San Antonio @ Houston, 8:30 Seattle @ Dallas, 9:00 Minnesota @ Denver, 9:00 New Jersey @ LA Clippers, 10:30

So, here are the starters for the All-Star game East: C: Dwight Howard F: Kevin Garnett F: LeBron James G: Dwyane Wade G: Jason Kidd West: C: Yao Ming F: Carmelo Anthony F: Tim Duncan G: Kobe Bryant G: Allen Iverson

The Clippers missed the playoffs on the last day of the season, playing with Jason Hart and about 50% of Sam Cassell at PG for the last two months of the season. Far from their level of play in 2006, but far from shitty as well. With Brand out there and a healthy Cassell, they're at least as good as Houston is right now.

Texas A&M, ranked #9 last week, just lost their 3rd straight game, 116-110 in five overtimes to Baylor.

He looks kind of like Wayne Brady in the top picture.

Well, this is a complete load of shit. I can't wait until we end Miami's losing streak on Saturday.

[i]Just a Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody[/i] plays, and Deuce Deuce Bigelow comes through the curtains, followed by Jumbo. COLE And we're ready for first-round Anderson Cup action! Let's go to Michael Buffer! BUFFER Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall, and it is a first-round match in the Anderson Cup tournament! Introducing first, they are the #6 seed in the Los Infernales bracket! Weighing in at a combined weight of 830 pounds...introducing first, from Las Vegas, Nevada......DEUCCCCCCE DEUCCCCCCE BIGELOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWii!!! *crowd cheers* BUFFER His tag team partner, from Chicago, Illinois...JUMMMMMMMMMMMMBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! COACH Well, this would be a big upset if Deuce and Jumbo could hand a defeat to Team Heyross! COLE And the winner of this one will meet the Heavenly Rockers in the next round, as they picked up a win over the South Central Militia two weeks ago! Jumbo and Deuce take a lap around the ring to give fives to the fans, then climb in and wait in their corner as [i]Shine[/i] by Collective Soul hits and Team Heyross walks through the curtains. BUFFER Their opponents, at a combined weight of 485 pounds...they are the #3 seed in the Los Infernales Bracket...the team of CHARLIE MOSS and QUENTIN BENJAMIN...TEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMM HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYYYRRRRRRRRRRROSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!! COLE And even though Team Heyross is a 3 seed, I've got to think they've got as good of a shot as anyone in this thing! COACH I definitely agree, Cole, this is a tremendous tag team! Team Heyross slides into the ring and pose on the buckles, then, as Deuce drops his jacket outside the ring, both men hop down and dropkick him over the top rope! *DING DING DING* COLE And we're under way! Jumbo goes after Benjamin, but gets jumped from behind by Moss, and a double-team ensues. Moss and Benjamin hammer on the back of Jumbo, then send him across the ring. Jumbo ducks a double clothesline, and flattens them with one of his own! COLE And a big double clothesline from Jumbo! Moss retreats to a corner, and Jumbo waits for him to get to his feet, and whips Benjamin across into him. At this point, Deuce is back in the ring, and Jumbo grabs him by the arm and whips him into Team Heyross! Jumbo then backs into the far corner, getting the crowd into it, and charges, piling into all three men! COLE And Team Heyross crushed in the corner, bailing out! COACH Deuce and Jumbo able to make a quick comeback from that sneak attack, and Team Heyross is in trouble! Jumbo and Deuce follow them out and engage in a slugfest, winning handily. Jumbo then grabs Moss, and Deuce grabs Benjamin, and Team Heyross is whipped into one another! Jumbo then tosses Moss into the ring, and executes a back suplex! Cover... 1... 2... Kickout! COLE First cover of the match, and Jumbo gets two! Jumbo tags in Deuce, then bodyslams Moss. Deuce measures Moss, and drops a big elbow! COLE Big-time elbowdrop from Deuce Deuce Bigelow! Deuce gets up, backs into the ropes, and drops another! Cover... 1... 2... Kickout! Deuce gives Moss a gutwrench suplex, then tags in Jumbo, who holds Moss back for a savate kick before Deuce exits the ring. COLE Nice kick from Deuce, as he and Jumbo are making quick tags! Jumbo hits a backbreaker on Moss, then sits down and applies a camel clutch! COLE Submission hold applied by Jumbo! COACH And that's a lot of weight for Moss to try to move across the ring! But he doesn't have to, because Benjamin jumps into the ring and nails Jumbo from behind. Jumbo stares down Benjamin as the referee ushers him out of the ring, then picks up Moss and tags Deuce. Jumbo assists Deuce in an Irish whip, and they drop Moss with a double elbow! As the referee ushers out Jumbo, Deuce runs to the ropes, only to have Benjamin pull them down and send him crashing to the floor! COACH Smart move by Quentin Benjamin! COLE And now Deuce is hurting on the floor! Benjamin gloats about his feat, as Deuce attempts to slide back into the ring, but is stomped back down to the floor. He then jumps down and rolls Deuce back into the ring. He gets a tag from Moss, goes to the top rope, and drills Deuce with a missile dropkick! Cover... 1... 2... Kickout! COLE Big move from Quentin Benjamin, but it only gets a two-count! Benjamin whips Deuce into the ropes, and hits a Frankensteiner! COACH Nice move right there! That's a lot of momentum needed to take over a 400-pounder like that! He then tags in Moss, who picks him up and executes a Russian legsweep! Cover... 1... 2... Deuce kicks out again! COLE But Deuce keeps kicking out! Moss picks up Deuce and tags in Benjamin, and the duo executes a double-bodyslam! Both men then drop elbows on Deuce, before Moss exits the ring. COACH And this right here is why Team Heyross is so dangerous! Great double-team moves! Benjamin drags Deuce over to the ropes, then chokes him by pushing his knee into the back of his head! The referee counts, and Benjamin releases at four. Moss jumps off the apron and does some more choking as the referee restrains Benjamin. This draws Jumbo into the ring, and the official meets him as Moss slides into the ring, and he and Benjamin quickly hit the DOUBLE GOOZLE on Deuce! COLE And there's the Double Goozle from Team Heyross! Benjamin covers, as Jumbo gets out and the referee counts... 1... 2... But Deuce kicks out yet again! COLE And still, they can't keep Deuce down! COACH He can probably smell your hot dog over here, and that keeps him going! COLE Oh, stop! COACH Hurry up and eat that, that's a foreign object! Moss chokes away at Deuce, breaking at the referee's four-count. Moss then ascends the top rope, and comes off...right onto the raised boot of Deuce! COLE And now Deuce with a chance to make a tag! However Moss lands right by his corner, and is easily able to tag Benjamin in time for him to stop a tag attempt with a running elbowdrop to the back! Benjamin then turns and delivers a cheap shot to Jumbo, drawing him into the ring! The referee restrains him as Moss comes back in, and gives Deuce a slingshot, right into a Benjamin superkick! COLE More great teamwork from Team Heyross, as the referee's back is turned! Benjamin covers... 1... 2... NO! Kickout! Moss immediately comes back into the ring, and he and Benjamin set up a double suplex. However, Deuce is somehow able to block, and amazingly suplexes both members of Team Heyross! COLE And a great show of power by Deuce! NOW can he make a tag? Deuce pulls himself towards an anxious Jumbo, as Moss starts to come to. Deuce inches closer and closer, and then, as Moss is just about to pull him back, Deuce falls into Jumbo and MAKES THE TAG~! COLE Tag made, and it's Jumbo in there! Moss tries to beg off, but Jumbo scores with a foot to the midsection, then whips him into the ropes, and gives him a BIG backdrop! Clothesline for Benjamin! Clothesline for Moss! Jumbo gives Benjamin a trapped-arm belly-to-belly, and covers... 1... 2... NO! Moss saves! Moss and Benjamin pound on Jumbo, then whip him to the ropes, but Jumbo ducks a double clothesline and takes both men down with a running shoulderblock! COLE And Jumbo came in there like a runaway freight train! Jumbo then sets Moss on the top rope and follows him up. COLE And Jumbo could be going for his superplex here! However, before he can go up, Benjamin comes in with a knee to the back from behind. Moss stands up on the top rope, as Benjamin holds Jumbo, then comes off...but Jumbo moves, and Moss nails Benjamin inadvertently! COLE Miscommunication from Team Heyross, and this could be the big chance for Jumbo and Deuce! Deuce drags Benjamin into the corner and hammers away, as Jumbo hammers away on Moss. Deuce charges Benjamin, as Jumbo sets Moss up for the the FINAL CUT~! COACH Uh-oh...this doesn't look good for Team Heyross! Benjamin dodges Deuce's charge, and Deuce tumbles right to the floor! Benjamin then climbs to the top rope, and hits a big knee to the back of Jumbo. Moss gets up, and he and Benjamin join up for a DOUBLE FLATLINER~! COLE Big move from Team Heyross! Cover... 1... 2... 3!!! COACH YES! *DING DING DING* BUFFER Ladies and gentlemen, the winners of the match...TEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMM HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYYYRRRRRRRRRRROSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!! COLE Great effort from Jumbo and Deuce, but it's Team Heyross who will advance in the 2008 Anderson Cup! COACH And what a matchup that sets up, Cole! COLE Absolutely, Team Heyross vs The Heavenly Rockers! Should be a classic tag team matchup! Let's go to...

Guess the Bulls have given up on the whole "salvaging the season" thing.

Dallas would have been nuts to do that trade. I can understand them wanting to hand the team to Devin Harris, but Christ, don't they have enough swingmen?

I'm inclined to say no, but admittedly I don't really have any backup to that answer. I don't know what the issue was that caused the Grizzlies to move, and I don't know that the Raptors wouldn't have followed their lead had they not had Vince Carter to sell so many tickets for so long. Let's say the Celtics had won the draft lottery this year, and drafted Greg Oden. Do you think they still trade for Kevin Garnett?

I think the Bulls would probably like to have that LaMarcus-for-Tyrus deal back right about now. Gives them their scoring big man, and Tyrus doesn't really give you anything that Joakim Noah doesn't.

JoJo English, not JoJo White, haha.

Just a couple things. 1) The Spurs may not be able to guard Amare, but Amare can't guard anyone, either. Maybe he stays in the game and Duncan puts up 30 or 40 on him. 2) Horry's "JoJo English" was him dipping his shoulder into Nash and Nash leaping melodramatically into the scorer's table. Anyone watching this with an open mind can tell that this was mostly an acting job on Nash's part. Unfortunately the acting was so good that it brought Amare and Diaw off the bench for a suspension. And again, leading up to that moment was the Suns making the comeback behind, among other things, a lot the same "dubious" officiating that was seen in game 3. 3) As far as the rotation being tired out, that's all on D'Antoni. He had plenty of capable players on his bench that he didn't even use (albeit none that could fill Amare's shoes in Game 5.)

Not this argument again. San Antonio was the better team last year. The suspensions impacted one game and the Spurs won the series 4-2. It's too much of a leap for me to say that the Suns would have won the game for sure if the suspensions didn't happen and that they'd come back and win a game 7 against the best team of this decade. It's plausible, but not particularly likely. Not to mention that the Suns were handed game 4 on a silver platter by the referees after the Spurs dominated the first three quarters. Also, Utah beat the Suns 3 out of 4 times in the regular season, so let's not just assume the Suns even make the finals should they have gotten past the Spurs. Dallas has rarely if ever been mentioned as having a shot at going to the Finals this season, it's been all Phoenix and San Antonio for the most part. Even the Lakers have gotten more support that the Mavs. And nothing's really changed about their team, it's just that people are still blinded by that Golden State series. That's why I would consider them an underdog.

Looking ahead to the draft, who are some good PG's and big men coming out? My team is probably looking to have a pick in about the 8-16 range. Provided they don't trade it away again, of course.

1. Which team looks like the best bet to win the East? Boston. Please be wrong on this one, I don't think I can take it after the Sox and Pats. 2. Which team looks like the best bet to win the West? No team has really been consistent enough to stand out from the pack, but I still like the Spurs until someone knocks them off. 3. Which team looks like the best bet to win the NBA title? See #2. 4. Which dark horse has a legitimate shot at surprising us and winning it all? Dallas. Everyone seems to be counting them out. 5. Who's been the best rookie this season? Kevin Durant. 6. Who's the MVP so far? Kevin Garnett. 7. Which team has the biggest disappointment? Chicago Bulls. 8. As we sit at the midpoint of the regular season, which story line or situation interests you most? This will be my homer answer. I'm interested to see what happens with Jermaine O'Neal through the rest of the season and next offseason. He said yesterday that he may have to sit out the rest of the season to rehab his knee. Which I'd like to see for two reasons: 1) He's been playing on-and-off with this injury for at least a full year now, with even offseason surgery seemingly not providing the solution, and he needs some extended downtime. I'd hate to see him risk shortening his career if the season is, at best, going to end in a first-round squash at the hands of Boston or Detroit. 2) It prevents the rumored swap for Vince Carter. I don't want that douchebag anywhere near this franchise. Also, Ron Artest in an interview said that the Pacers were one of his top choices should he relocate in the offseason (he can opt out after the season, which I would assume he would do). Of course, this is an extreme long shot, because it would require a sign-and-trade, and we probably don't have anything that Sacramento wants, aside from maybe Granger, who I'd obviously prefer to keep. But I think O'Neal and Artest are at the point in their careers where they could work it out for the sake of making another run at a title, in the unlikely event this should happen.

Dunk contest participants: Gerald Green Dwight Howard Rudy Gay Jamario Moon Power rankings 1. Boston 2. New Orleans 3. Dallas 4. Phoenix 5. Detroit 6. Golden State 7. LA Lakers 8. San Antonio 9. Portland 10. Cleveland 11. Washington 12. Denver 13. Utah 14. Orlando 15. Houston 16. Toronto 17. Sacramento 18. Charlotte 19. Atlanta 20. New Jersey 21. Chicago 22. Philadelphia 23. Indiana 24. Milwaukee 25. LA Clippers 26. New York 27. Memphis 28. Seattle 29. Minnesota 30. Miami

Umm, it's the Super Bowl so isn't that a given anyway? But no one would be crying like this if the Packers had won, you see.

This was mentioned during the game last night, as well.

So?

One thing I was surprised by last night was Turiaf's offensive game. He was making 18-20 foot shots, and even threw a couple fadeaways in there. I didn't know he had those shots in him.