New
Orleans at Boston

Let’s face it, if the plucky Hornets down the Celtics on a
last second shot not unlike the one Alonzo Mourning hit in 1993, New Orleans would and
should have the right to celebrate like this. With Stephen Curry’s dad running
out onto the court. With pinstripes. With side parts (good call, Kendall Gill). With Kenny freakin’ Gattison. And is
Xavier McDaniel wearing Asics?

Back to 2008. The C’s are on fi-yah, they’ve started the
season winning 21 of 23, and the Hornets have to work much harder than any of
the championship hopefuls just to have a chance against a team like Boston or the Lakers or Cleveland
or even San Antonio.
That’s just how the team’s top-heavy makeup works. A little less effort, and Boston rolls.

That doesn’t mean that there isn’t any room for intrigue. We
know the Celtics destroyed
the last Western hopeful that came into Beantown on a Friday night and earned BDL’s "Pay attention to" nod,
but the Hornets aren’t ones to be blown out easily, and when you’re rocking the
likely "b" in the 1a/1b/1c triptych of LeBron, Paul, and D-Wade, things tend to
stay close.

Then again, the C’s are the C’s. Maybe Devin Brown gets the
KG treatment tonight. Maybe Ray Allen goes for 40. Maybe Paul Pierce continues
to right his shootin’ ship against Peja. Just watch, that’s all I’m saying.
Thank you, ESPN.

Have a great weekend, shot callers.

Boston Celtics:
21-2, 91.7 possessions per game (17^th), 109.3 points scored per 100
possessions (7^th), 98.2 points allowed per 100 possessions (1^st).
Sneakin’ Sally Through the
Alley.

New Orleans Hornets:
12-6, 87.6 possessions per game (28^th), 111.5 points scored per 100
possessions (4^th), 105.4 points allowed per 100 possessions (11^th).
Sailing Shoes.

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After two weeks of not-so-careful deliberation, we finally have the results of our Phoenix Suns Collage Photoshop Contest. When I first announced this ridiculously random contest, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. Fortunately, you guys rock. Below are not only our three prize winners, but also some bonus "motivational" posters that deserve to be seen by Terry Porter. Thanks to everyone who sent one in.

Winner: "Punk Rock Suns" — Jonathan S

Co-runner-up: "Let’s Talk It Out" — Brian L

Co-runner-up: "PHX-Men" — Justin Brown

Joe Chen

Ben’s Suns Blog (left), J.R. (right)

Mark M. (left), Nathan S. (right)

Eric L. (left), Gary G. (right)

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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: Sports Biz. Kobe Bryant talks about the launch of his new ankle-breathing basketball shoe.
PF: The Hoop Doctors. Ever wonder what Dwyane Wade’s old house looked like? Take a peek.
SF: Hugging Harold Reynolds. The greatest (and only) OKC/Memphis scavenger hunt known to man.
SG: TalkHoops.net. Today’s Eight-Second Violation is as loaded as I will be in about, oh, three hours.
PG: Dime. Tweet, tweet, tweet! Bucks forward Joe Alexander might be in this year’s dunk contest.
6th: Empty The Bench. Both Teams Played Hard is right: Chris Paul could steal your first-born son.
7th: HoopsWorld, via NetsDaily. Is Yi Jianlian "culturally" incapable of being aggressive?
8th: WFNY. Shouldn’t Zydrunas Ilgauskas be higher than eighth among Eastern centers in ASG votes?
9th: CelticsBlog. Eddie House, gunner extraordinaire.
10th: SI Vault. Jon Wertheim: "Baron Davis is using the NBA as a platform to work as a social activist, movie producer and entrepreneur. Anybody got a problem with that?" (Thanks, James.)

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With about four seconds left in Tuesday’s New York/Chicago game, Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro tried his best to distract Quentin Richardson’s late three-point shot by screaming in his ear. It didn’t work. Q nailed the shot. But at least someone got rid of their godforsaken hiccups.

BDL reader Sung wonders if Vinny’s scream was a little bush league, and I’d have to say yes. It’s one thing for opposing players to hoot and holler from the bench, but coaches too? That’s weak-sauce, VDN.

But here’s a better question: was it illegal?

It’s tough to say, but again I go with yes. The NBA rule book — via Blog-a-Bull, who also have a great discussion going on about this — states that "a technical foul(s) may be assessed to any player on the court or anyone seated on the bench for conduct which, in the opinion of an official, is detrimental to the game."

Stepping out onto the court to scream in a opposing player’s ear? That seems "detrimental" enough to me.

But hey, what do you think? Let’s hear your thoughts. Scream if you have to.

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TNT announcer Doug Collins jokes with Jazz guard Ronnie Price, along with Utah trainer Gary Briggs, before saying "Happy Birthday" to his 31-year-old baby girl watching at home. Best caption/imaginary conversation wins a pair of L.A. Gear sneakers. Good luck, team.

After the jump, Shooter McHale says "BANG! BANG!"

Winner, Mickey Da C Man:
"This is the same gun that the Celtics used on me when they stole KG."

Runner-up, Greg W:
"Thanks for the jacket, Craig."

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