Line Of The Night — 10/28/2007 — Best Of The Pre-Season Edition
Line Of The Night:
Gerald Wallace — 10/18 vs. Atlanta — 34 points, 10 boards, 2 blocks, 2 steals, 1 assist
10/20 vs. LA Lakers — 28 points, 4 assists, 3 steals
A little inspired play from Crash, perhaps sending an alpha dog territorial claim message to Jason Richardson? Or maybe he’s trying to get off to a hot start after limping (literally) out the gate last year. Either way… FANTASY TERROR.
T-Mac — 10/20 vs. Seattle — 30 points, 3 assists, 2 boards, 2 steals, 1 block
We’re not exactly sure what P.J. Carlesimo said about T-Mac’s momma… or maybe the vet just wanted to let young rook Kevin Durant know the deal. Either way, this was a mid-season-form type explosion from McGradles. 24 minutes!
J.R. Smith — 10/17 vs. Denver — 33 points, 3 boards, 2 steals, 1 assist
With all the trouble that has followed him around, leading to a 3-game suspension from the team to start the season, it’s like he HAD to do this just to give the Nuggets a reason to keep him. More trouble than he’s worth? We’re starting to think he was named after another infamous J.R. — J.R. Rider. If he’s arrested for shooting craps at the 16th St. Mall next week, don’t be surprised.
LaMarcus Aldridge — 10/14 vs. Atlanta — 29 points, 9 boards, 3 steals, 1 assist
10/24 vs. Seattle — 31 points, 13 boards, 3 assists
It’s games like this that make anybody even loosely associated with the Blazers sick. Aldridge getting it done offensively, with Greg Oden holding down the boards and defense? We’ll have to wait at least a year for that, but the brass can take some comfort in the fact that Aldridge himself missed a good portion of his rookie season. Maybe Oden’s dream will simply be similarly delayed.
Other huge games from guys you might want to get familiar (Clinton-Clinton Sparks) with:
Martell Webster — 10/10 vs. LA Clippers — 28 points, 2 boards, 2 steals, 1 assist
Bostjan Nachbar — 10/12 vs. Philly — 35 points, 6 boards, 1 steal, 1 block
Louis Williams — 10/12 vs. Dirty Jerse — 33 points, 5 boards, 5 assists, 3 steals
Linas Kleiza — 10/26 vs. Portland — 34 points, 5 assists, 2 boards, 1 steal
Worst Of The Night:
The New York Knicks probably can’t wait for the season to start purely in the hope that something, ANYTHING positive will happen. An off-season lowlighted by the Isiah Thomas lawsuit mess and Stephon Marbury putting his foot in his mouth more times than a halftime show contortionist, killed any positive momentum built by their decent season last year. They perhaps reached rock bottom, basketball-wise, on 10/17 vs. Boston in (luckily) the OTHER Gardens — Boston Gardens. They managed only a dreadful 61 points against the C’s, who are in the midst of the exact opposite wave of momentum — it’s all good in the hood, in Beantown.
Dishonorable Mention:
Miami Heat — 0-7 in the pre-season and they only broke 90 twice! It is “just the pre-season”, but Riles was probably at least hoping his team would actually score a little.
Triple-Double Of The Night:
Kyle Lowry — 10/23 vs. Houston in Double OT — 21 points, 12 assists, 11 boards, 2 steals
This is what he can do with starters minutes. But will he get them in the Memphis point guard logjam? Damon Stoudamire, Mike Conley, Jr., and Juan Carlos Navarro had to be worried after this one.
Near Triple-Double Of The Night:
Dwight Howard — 10/12 vs. Miami — 13 points, 10 boards, 8 blocks, 3 assists in 23 minutes
And he gets a triple-double every day in being straight up goofy.
Monta Ellis — 10/26 vs. LA Clippers — 27 points, 8 boards, 8 assists, 5 steals
Luckily for us all, that freakish, scary neck injury at the start of camp ended up not being serious. We love Lil’ Monta.
Beast Of The Night:
Jeff Foster — 10/19 vs. Minnesota — 20 boards, 12 points, 4 assists, 2 blocks, 2 steals
In a rare pre-season occurrence, Foster played 48 minutes in a franchise’s nightmare — a double OT pre-season game! It’s already risky enough having millionaires play in these games, and now they are going extra time? Foster did what he does though… rebound. He’s a pro at it, for real. Show Courtney Sims some love, coach! Dude managed only 1 minute out of a possible 58, and not surprisingly, the Michigan grad was cut a few days later.
Trade Of The Night:
Miami Heat gets — Mark Blount, Ricky Davis
Minnesota Timberwolves gets — Michael Doleac, Wayne Simien, Antoine Walker, conditional 1st round draft pick
Pat Riley was so desperate for a shooting guard that he first gave a rookie (Daequan Cook) a chance at the job, and then he traded for a guy he had jettisoned only a few years ago. However, Employee No. 8 was so far in Riles’ doghouse that we are not sure there is a player in the L he would not have taken back to get rid of him. This trade will work out well for them as long as D-Wade and Shaq can keep control of the locker room — Blount and Davis aren’t exactly chemistry guys.
For the T-Wolves, it’s a classic cut salary, get a draft pick, free playing time for young guys move.
Oh yeah… Sam Cassell and Employee No. 8 may already be making their December Boston living arrangements. Can you say “bought out and signed with a contender”?
Eat Your Breakfast Of The Night:
EAT YOUR BREAKFAST CHUCK HAYES!!!!! HAVE SOME OF THESE GRITS!!! Stromile Swift spent all summer perfecting this special nutmeg and cinnamon recipe of the classic southern dish. And Chuck, wash it down with a little O.J. and milk. Have a nice day.
Donneybrook Of The Night
Brad Miller is in no mood to play around this year. First the cornrows, now this. After getting tangled up with Nick Fazekas during the Kings/Mavs 10/17 matchup, he took exception, and took it out on Fazekas’ P-N-C, Devin Harris (that might be the least scary possible combination of two players in the entire league… Fazekas and Harris?). Josh Howard defended his point guard with a forearm shiver to the back of Miller’s neck (sucker punch alert!). It was your usual coach-restrained yelling match from there, but the damage was done. That’ll be two games at home for you, Mr. Howard. It’s always the guy that retaliates! Ain’t no truer cliche than that one.
Rain Delay Of The Night:
Well, not exactly. The Celtics/Nets pre-season game at the DCU Center, home of the Worcester Sharks of the AHL, had to be stopped early due to dampness on the court coming from the melting ice surface below. Only in the preseason.
Albums Of The Night:
Two albums came out during the pre-season, both of which are more finely tuned than any NBA team in training camp — Little Brother’s Getback and Chamillionaire’s Ultimate Victory. The hallmark of both of these albums is the effort and attention to detail poured into every track. While Getback is LB’s third best album, due to the mostly absent 9th Wonder (1 track), it is still great, due to they lyrical content. These two guys actually thought up a concept, then stuck to it for three verses! Amazing! Chamillionai
Bottom line, if you like actual concepts and thinking about what cats are saying, check out these two albums.
TheyAreStillAlive.com Of The Night:
Kris Lang — 10/20 vs. Detroit — 6 points, 2 boards, 1 assist, 1 steal
Patron saint of mouth guard wearers everywhere, the former Carolina baller got a small taste of the NBA high life this past month, with this being his biggest on-the-court contribution. Lang was cut soon thereafter, perhaps forever returning to obscurity. Will the people ever know if he still drives that Navigator? Does he still only have that one move in the post — the baseline baby hook? The people demand answers!
Vonteego Cummings — Showed up alive and kicking for Maccabi Elite, when they took on the Knicks on 10/11. He dropped 21 in the loss.
Stacey Augmon — And we thought old age had taken him! The Plastic Man can still get it done (done as in putting on a uniform), apparently. He was cut a few days ago, however. Time to get fitted for that coach’s suit, playa.
TheyAreStillAliveAndCouldMakeAn
Darius Washington, Jr. — 10/18 vs. Golden State — 18 points, 9 boards, 8 assists, 3 steals
That’s how you make an impregnable roster. Darius showed that when given minutes, he can produce. After a heralded but too short college career (he made the mistake of coming out a little too early), he’s been on the wandering trail of the NBA vagabond, trying to find a spot somewhere. Of all possible destinations, the Spurs’ always solid roster seemed perhaps the most unlikely, but there he is, suiting up (well, that might be a little ambitious… let’s start with the inactive list) in the silver and black. With backups Beno Udrih and Jacque Vaughn banged up, it’s looking like he’s found his way to an NBA opening night roster. His talent may just keep him there.
Not Taking Advantage Of Opportunity Of The Night:
Dorell Wright — In his 4th year, with D-Wade out to begin the season, Wright all but had the starting Miami Heat shooting guard spot handed too him — keywords being “all but”. After a lackluster pre-season in which he failed to notch double-digit points despite decent minutes, Pat Riley had this to say: ”Hey, Dorell, meet Ricky ‘All But’ Davis. The bench has missed you.”
It’s Only The Pre-Season, But Still Of The Night:
Ronnie Brewer — 10/10 vs. Milwaukee — 17 points, 2 boards, 2 steals, 1 assist
10/12 vs. Detroit — 18 points, 6 boards, 1 assist
10/13 vs. Milwaukee — 28 points, 5 steals, 3 boards, 2 assists
10/15 vs. Phoenix — 15 points, 4 boards, 3 steals, 2 assists
10/17 vs. Philly — 14 points, 4 assists, 2 steals
10/18 vs. Sacramento — 10 points, 6 assists, 2 boards, 2 steals
10/23 vs. LA Lakers — 18 points, 3 steals, 1 assist
With Matt Harpring out, Jerry Sloan couldn’t be happier. He looks at Gordan Giricek the way Ellen DeGeneres looks at Michael Vick. Averaging about a point a minute, Brewer did what Dorell Wright could not — earned a starting spot under the watch of a hard-nosed coach. Maybe he learned about that in college.
No, HONESTLY, It’s The Pre-Season Of The Night:
For a full taste of the NBA pre-season roller coaster, check Kelenna Azubuike’s output:
10/09 vs. LA Lakers — 29 points, 9 boards
10/12 vs. LA LAkers — 22 points, 5 boards, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 block
10/14 vs. LA Clippers — 7 points, 3 boards, 1 assist
10/15 vs. Zalgiris Kaunas (what?) — 13 points, 3 boards, 2 blocks, 1 assist
10/18 vs. San Antonio — 17 points, 5 boards, 3 steals
10/23 — Seattle — 10 points, 6 boards, 2 steals, 1 block
10/26 — DNP — The Dreaded “Flu Like Symptoms”
Starter? Scorer off the bench? Cut? Who knows. We’ve seen this before (try Michael Roberson last pre-season), and after all, this is the Warriors’ offense, where even that dude from Kids with no legs could probably drop a 10 spot here and there. But we’ve also seen former perennial vagabond Matt Barnes play a key role in a playoff series. Just don’t believe whatever Nellie is telling you though, ’cause anything and everything will come out of his mouth. With Stephen Jackson out the first 7 games due to suspension, the pre-season roller coaster might turn into the regular season roller coaster for this former Wildcat.
Breakout Rookie Of The Night:
After Greg Oden’s injury, Kevin Durant claimed the rookie spotlight all to himself. These young’ns tried to grab a little piece of it with these performances:
Al Thornton — 10/14 vs. Golden State — 24 points, 5 boards, 1 assist, 1 block
10/20 vs. Phoenix — 23 points, 4 boards, 1 block
10/21 vs. LA Lakers — 24 points, 5 boards, 1 block
As a scorer, Al Thornton’s sorta like that assassin described kung-fu movie clip from Ghostfaces’ “Mighty Healthy”. My god so his a scorer! He just keeps scoring and scoring! He’s sort of developed a taste for points.
Corey Brewer — 10/20 vs. Milwaukee — 27 points, 6 assists, 4 boards, 2 steals, 2 blocks
The first time Brewer played for 30+ minutes in an NBA game, he throws up this monster line. Star potential.
Pre-Season Commercial Battle Of The Night:
LeBron James vs. D-Wade. Both stars dropped new show ad campaigns to set the season off, and both commercials are of the “oh, word, that ish is deep, son” variety, with both guys really trying to get lost in their thoughts for real (Jay-Z, MTV Unplugged). We give the edge to LeBron’s joint. More impact. D-Wade’s makes us feel slightly uncomfortable… when he’s announcing himself over the loudspeaker it’s a little weird.
They freed Jackie Manuel alright — freed him to go wherever he wants, as in he’s CUT!… Where is Gerald Green? He is getting no love in the pre-season. Randy Wittman does not give minutes on Dunk Contest performance alone, apparently… It’s too bad Brent “Air Georgia” Petway was cut by Portland. Again, another guy whose dunk cred did not translate to PT. He can cook up some marvelous ish, with an emphasis on breakfast meals! Watch out NBDL… Al Jefferson = double-double. Mark it down…