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Fans got it right with this one, choosing to see the Rockets
and C’s on NBA TV over the possible Spurs/Mavericks or Suns/Nets contests in an NBA.com poll.
The runner-ups should be a pair of entertaining duels, but
we could have a Finals preview in this Rockets/Celtics matchup, and it’s good
that the pairing will take to the national stage.
It should be a low-scoring affair, even as the Celtics
(third in pace) and Rockets (14th) are running a bit more than expected
this far into the season. Boston
is having terrible issues with turnovers, throwing away 20 miscues a game, far
and away the worst mark in the league.
Meanwhile, Houston
is doing its damage by not damaging the opponent. The Rockets are averaging a league-best
16 fouls a night, which no doubt is leading to their third-ranked defense thus
far.
On top of that, we have two gimpies (Ray Allen and Tracy
McGrady) chasing each other around, with two burly wing beasts in Paul Pierce
and Ron Artest set to do battle. Actual battle. With swords and shields and
honor.
Yao Ming is averaging 22 and 11. Kevin Garnett is
contributing 16 and 10 in only 32 minutes, and both outfits can boast
scary-good benches.
No BtB tomorrow, I’m going to take in a night on the tube
with my sights set elsewhere, but you can be sure I’ll be recording this one on
the other tuner and referring to it quite a bit. This isn’t hyperbole, this
could be a Finals matchup; and an especially intriguing one as neither
franchise is likely to make much of an overhaul between now and the playoffs.
Enjoy the game, and enjoy the night. Feel free to comment
away down below.
A look around the league and the web that covers it. It’s also important to note that the rotation order and starting nods aren’t always listed in order of importance. That’s for you, dear reader, to figure out.
C: The Blowtorch. An in-depth conversation betwixt Don Draper and Tim Duncan.
PF: ESPN The Mag, via Deadspin. Even Lil’ Wayne thinks Greg Oden is not living up to his potential.
SF: TWolves Blog. Why the Wolves need to be hated in order to be loved.
SG: SportsTsar.com. Kobe’s career set to the Fresh Prince of Bel Air. "In West Philadelphia …"
PG: Hardwood Paroxysm. Boom Got Them Doths. A poem from Rod Benson to Holly MacKenzie.
6th: YouTube. A (quiet) glimpse into the world in which Gerald Wallace grew up and became a star.
7th: K Cartel. LAC is struggling, the backups are terrible, and Eric Gordon still isn’t getting any PT!
8th: Dallas Basketball. Jason Terry says, "Jerry Stackhouse for President!" I love it.
9th: We’re Off To See The Wizards …. Are they pumping in fake crowd noise in Detroit? Blasphemous!
10th: Hugging Harold Reynolds. "A stunning revelation today out of the NBA that 2007 number one overall pick Greg Oden, a center for the Portland Trailblazers, is actually constructed internally of building blocks from the Hasbro game Jenga."
04
Pistons’ guards Richard Hamilton and Rodney Stuckey talk during their game against the Bobcats last night in Charlotte. But what, O what, are they saying to one another? Huh? Huh? Huh? Best caption/imaginary conversation wins a miniature Larry O’Brien trophy. Rock the comments, people!
After the jump, it’s so hard … to say goodbye … to Iverson …
Winner, Vaffanculo:
"OMG, we have on the same costume for Halloween!"
Runner-up, The Thrilla in Vanilla:
You put your right hand in; You ship your scoring guard out
You bring a Chauncey in; And the playoffs are no doubt …
You’ve already voted (Right? RIGHT?!?), otherwise you wouldn’t be here, and you need a place to unwind. You need to learn how to picture Allen Iverson in a deeper shade of blue. You don’t want to work. You need to chat.
Ready your comments and questions, do your patriotic duty, and hit the jump. We take off at 1:30 p.m., EST.
I meant to get this video up earlier, but I’ve been a little busy this week. You know, The Basketball Jones vidcast, that Allen Iverson for Chauncey Billups trade, fireworks an’ all that. Whatever.
Madison Square Garden, you know what time it is! It’s time for former ATCQ member Q-Tip, Stephon Marbury, Eddy Curry and others that actually play professional basketball to get their New York Knicks anthem on. Stand up, Gus Johnson!
(Thanks to BDL reader SuperMario, Uproxx Media’s Jarrett and HHR for the links.)