FROM THE BASELINE
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I'm the Man!
(Line o' the day)
Dirk did the job in one of the more entertaining games of the season, a 120-114 OT win. |
Nowitzki |
| MIN |
FG |
FT |
REB |
PTS |
| 50 |
11-23 | 9-10 |
14 | 32 |
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Shoulda stayed in bed
(Stinker o' the day)
Isn't scoring at all, and when the Bucks didn't have Glenn Robinson he took two shots and made none. |
Mason |
| MIN |
FG |
FT |
REB |
PTS |
| 32 |
0-2 | 1-2 |
6 | 1 |
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Ouch, my knee! (Injury update)
Brian Grant should return this week to help brutal Miami. Also, now we hear Shawn Bradley has had a sprained ankle all season. Oh, does that explain his third-string center numbers?
I'm 99.9 percent retired! (Michael Jordan update)
Now MJ is 99.9 percent not healthy. The knee hurts, and after an MRI we might find out that Jordan needs to take some time off. His shot could use it: 6-for-19 in Saturday's loss.
Number on our mind
Dikembe Mutombo blocked more shots in two games over the weekend than anyone in the league all last week. |
19 |
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They said it
"It was just a day when nothing went right. We have to watch a lot of film. Even in times when we've practiced the zone, we've had trouble with (zone defense). I hope that doesn't get out because teams are going to play more zone against us."
-- Antonio Davis on the 85-69 loss to noted defensive juggernaut Boston. Um, Antonio, saying "I hope it doesn't get out..." doesn't work when you tell the press.
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Davis |
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Mon., Dec. 3
What is it about streaky teams? A week ago we were raving about reborn Philly and Boston was bad. Milwaukee and Minnesota were darlings in our top four in the Power Rankings and we thought very little of Phoenix and Miami.
Well, we still think Miami stinks.
But now we have different streaks everywhere. The Sixers lose at home to Washington and Memphis, two bad teams. The Celtics have won four straight with the last three on the road in Toronto, Orlando and New Jersey. How do you explain this?
In a league where one team dominates and everyone else is fighting for recognition, sometimes all it takes is for one guy to get hot, one guy to get hurt or a kind schedule to play tricks with Power Rankings. Where should Philly rank after losing to teams that don't win road games? Do you blame an injured Aaron McKie or a heated up Jason Williams scoring 38?
Let's focus on the Bucks and Wolves, our Nos. 2 and 3 teams from last week's rankings. They won't be in those spots this week. The Wolves, many would explain, weren't that good in the first place, as the schedule was overly fortuitous and the zone defense was something the Wolves learned quicker than others, apparently. Minnesota's trip to the Staples Center in Los Angeles was brutal. KG and Co. scored 75 on the Clippers and one more point against the defending champs. Brutal.
Milwaukee also headed West and it was an 0-4 week, with the Lakers, Suns, Blazers and Sonics winning and only one game close. One common theme is to look at East teams heading West, because the balance of power is there. The Bucks didn't win a game. New Jersey struggled. Philly's heading West this week.
Milwaukee is realizing that the Anthony Mason signing, the one that coach George Karl carried on about needing, hasn't been so great. And yes, we do realize that it's not about the numbers with Mase. He plays defense. He doesn't demand the ball. But the Bucks are allowing a lot of points on the road, which speaks to intensity and leadership. On the recent road trip three opponents scored more than 100. Utah and Denver topped 100 to open the season. What the Bucks really needed was a shotblocker. Ervin Johnson's 18 in 14 games scares nobody.
Meanwhile, how about some love for the Celtics? Well, we can't rationalize too much love, because the Celtics are just as likely to lose a few this week. Same as every other team -- except one.
The main thing that can be learned is that the parade of teams likely to be closest to chasing the Lakers is going to change often, so get ready for more change. Milwaukee and Minnesota were top-four teams the first month, maybe they will be again in the coming weeks.
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| Kidd |
Around The League
Nice week for teams whose city/state begins with "Mi." Milwaukee, Minnesota and Miami have combined to lose 18 straight. Memphis, however, won at and Philly and beat the Rockets.
Stephon Marbury vs. Jason Kidd on Wednesday. They've met before, but this one is a bit different after the big trade.
A 46-point half is just insane, though Paul Pierce did score a few of those points in overtime. Our question is: If a guy is that cold in one half (1 for 16) and that hot in another, one can't find a way to cover him better when he's cold?
Wait. Didja see that? Dikembe just got another block.
Miami is just horrible. While we can't confirm or deny what the braintrust at Power Rankings is thinking, the Heat might be dead last. Losing to the Bulls can do that. Look for the Heat to at least become a little more respectable this week as Brian Grant returns and Jim Jackson adds some bench scoring. What, you want more Eddie House?
Enough with that great Warriors start. And Antawn Jamison was 0 for 11 from the field on Saturday. Apparently he can only play when all his teammates are hurt. Just want, Antawn, it's only December.
--Eric Karabell
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