Jan 12, 2001
NBA BASKETBALL
on InsideHoops.com - - - - -
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Around
the League
By INSIDEHOOPS.COM
Quick
note about the Shaq/Kobe stuff (check our NBA news page for stories on
that situation from across the internet): If we have to pick a side - Shaq
or Kobe - we side with Shaq. Don't throw stats at us, we know Kobe
gets his assists. But the bottom line is that Shaq generally takes shots
that he should, and when defenders collapse on him he fires good passes.
Kobe seems determined to score about 30 points per game no matter what
the defense does. Kobe is now able to drive and draw three defenders anytime
he wants, yet when doing so he typically shoots. The shot may go in about
half the time, which is terrific, but this is a team game and if you don't
involve your teammates in the offense they'll be cold when it counts. We
don't blame Shaq for being mad. On a side note, Shaq's defense isn't as
good this year as it was last season but it's due to injury. Yeah. Shaq's
hurt right now and has been hurting all season. So his help defense isn't
as effective, and he isn't running quite as well as he used to, but that
should change once he heals. Watch Kobe and take note of the shots he takes.
It'll be fun to keep an eye on. And as for trade rumors, we think the chances
that Shaq or Kobe get traded anytime soon are the chances that John Stockton
wins the dunk contest this year.
The
New York Knicks set an NBA record last night by holding its 29th consecutive
opponent to under 100 points. While the Rockets didn't come close to reaching
100, they did manage to win a close game, 76-75. The Knicks didn't score
in the final 3 minutes and 20 seconds of the game. The record previously
belonged to the 1954-55 Fort Wayne Pistons. New York had a good shot at
winning but Houston, with much help from Cuttino Mobley, came back late
to pull off the victory. It appears that the Knicks are content to stick
with their undersized team, with Camby out of position at center and Larry
Johnson out of position (in our opinion) at power forward. NY may be hot
right now but their schedule so far this season has been extremely easy.
We aren't too impressed. Yet.
The
Blazers keep rolling over the league. After beating the 76ers in Philly
on national television two days ago, Thursday night Portland beat the Hornets.
Steve Smith had a nice offensive game, as did Damon Stoudamire. Rasheed
only added 14 but this was a defensive struggle that Portland won. Portland
has now won 10 games in a row. They've got the best record in the West
at 27-10. The Hornets were going for their 13th straight home victory.
Elden Campbell had a huge game, and Baron Davis tossed 11 assists. Portland
has been the league's best team on paper since the summer, and now it's
finally translating to the court. After you read this article click our
NBA League Leaders link (to the left) and see where Baron Davis stands
in the assists category.
Sam
Cassell went nuts last night, with 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists,
helping the Bucks win a big game against the Mavericks. Milwaukee has now
won 8 home games in a row. Glenn Robinson, Tim Thomas and Ray Allen combined
for 56 points. Finley had 30 for Dallas, but the Mavs missed Steve Nash
(home with the flu).
Shawn
Marion reminded the league that he's legit, with 27 points and 17 rebounds
in a Suns victory over the Pacers. Indiana wasn't happy - Jermaine O'Neal
and Isiah Thomas both got ejected late in the game for excessive ranting.
Jason Kidd was just one rebound short of yet another triple double. His
shooting was horrible, however; only free throws came easy tonight. Since
they've been inconsistent all season, adding Penny back into the mix shouldn't
hurt the team's chemistry.
The
Nets are the worst shooting team in the league, and that impressive fact
helped them lose to the Orlando Magic, 101-87. Tracy McGrady destroyed
New Jersey with 36 points. The Nets shot 27 of 74 for the game. Awful.
Keith Van Horn, who just came back from injury, managed to make 1 of his
12 shots. Marbury, the only Net who is really particularly good, recently
admitted just how sick he is of losing. This team could really use coach
Byron Scott to get young again and play shooting guard.
Dikembe
Mutumbo must have taken his vitamins last night prior to playing the Warriors,
as he somehow managed to create some offense. Mutumbo scored 20 and grabbed
10 rebounds, for only his 8th double-double of the season. Jason Terry
added 17 and Roshown McLeod managed 18. The Hawks have now won 7 of their
last 11 games. Only Marc Jackson and Antawn Jamison showed up on the offensive
end for Golden State.
