Ballin’: Superman’s Kryptonite – the Pistons
NBA, Video December 30th. 2008, 11:45amPhoenix 110, Oklahoma City 102: Maybe Shaq wasn’t kidding when he said he could put up monster numbers if he got the burn and the ball? He owned the Thunder inside with 28 points and 12 boards as the Suns won despite Steve Nash playing just nine minutes (back spasms). OKC rookie Russell Westbrook scored a career-high 31.
Orlando 82, Detroit 88: Superman had 18-18, but his backcourt let him down as Nelson and Bogans (6-for-16, three turnovers, one assist) were owned by Stuckey and Iverson (34 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, one turnover). Remember how Jordan’s hurdle in the 80s was Detroit? Dwight’s too. Nice win for the Pistons without Rip Hamilton (groin).
Memphis 98, Minnesota 108, OT: Mayo vs. Love quickly turned into the Al Jefferson show, and the former Celtic lottery pick went for 38 points and 16 rebounds, including the first seven points in OT. Mayo (23 points) sent the game into overtime with a jumper, and Love (17 points) played well, too. Memphis PG Kyle Lowry had 14 points and 12 assists.
Washington 89, Houston 87: Has to be one of the most surprising results of the young season, considering: 1) Washington was on the road, 2) played without Caron Butler, 3) The Wiz had the worst record in the East, 4) The Wiz were tied for an NBA-worst with one road win coming in, 5) None of the Rockets’ big three were injured. Jamison scored 30 points and collected 12 boards and the Big 3 shot just 16-for-46 in the loss.
Philadelphia 95, Utah 112: In a game where the three best power forwards on the rosters were all out injured, Deron Williams led everyone with 27 points and the 76ers dropped to an astonishing 12-18. Sure, we were bullish on Philly in the offseason, but it is now 15 games behind Boston in the Atlantic, so perish that thought. The worst three-point shooting team in the league made just 1-of-9 from behind the arc.
57 Responses to “Ballin’: Superman’s Kryptonite – the Pistons”
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December 30th, 2008 at 11:47 am
Good(?) to see that Billy Wagner is already working on rehabbing his arm so early in the offseason…
December 30th, 2008 at 11:50 am
big al jeff is the man.
i wonder if the cavs could swindle the t-wolves outta him.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Since I’m not in basketball mode yet, how are the OKC crowds for this disaster of a team?
December 30th, 2008 at 11:51 am
look at shaq, playin like hes still relevant, good for him
December 30th, 2008 at 11:52 am
“None of the Rockets’ big three were injured”
Maybe… but I’m convinced that Rick Adelman has suffered some sort of head injury.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:53 am
OKC is 7th in total attendance this year Jay
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/attendance?sort=home_total&year=2009&seasonType=2
December 30th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Cavs vs. Heat tonight. I predict the Cavs by 30.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Boston? It was definitely the Pistons
December 30th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Isn’t it a little early in the season for Houston to be choking, I mean its not even the first round yet.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Huh? When did TBL become familiar with “sports”?
December 30th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
He picked some up watching “Fever Pitch” for the 20th time.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
huh? Boston was Detroit’s hurdle. The Pistons were Jordan’s. Ever hear of the Jordan Rules?
December 30th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
but i do remember a young MJ dropping 63 on them in the playoffs.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
+1 @ Sparty.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
he lost that series.. still the pistons was Jordan’s hurdle.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
C’mon you guys, Jordan and the Bulls lost to the Pistons in the conference finals 2 years in a row before beating them in the conference finals and then winning it all. Dwight and the Magic have yet to make it past the eastern conference semi-finals. If you don’t see the similarities like TBL and me, then I don’t know what to tell you.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Jordan lost to the pistons 3 times in a row, eastern semis in 88. the bulls played the celts in their first two years in playoffs with jordan and lost both times, but never had to overcome the celtics, because the pistons did that for them.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
horrible game for the Magic. hope Pietrus is okay. i guess it is only a sprained wrist. hell of a dunk though
Orlando shot 14 free throws. They usually shoot twice that a game. good team defense by Detroit last night
they will bounce back against Chicago on New Years day
December 30th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
but to be fair, dwight still had a good game. the one who continues to struggle mightily is Jameer Nelson. doesn’t matter who is playing guard for the pistons. last year it was rip and billups/stuckey, this year it is stuckey, iverson and afflalo.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
We all know that TBL is wrong about the 80’s. But, we can’t expect him to know about what happened when he was in elementary school.
Last nights game was a serious dual. The Magic played hard and definately wanted to win that game big time. Sheed played really good defense against Howard. Was a nice win.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Sheed was nailing threes from long range last night. those were huge. Pistons were grabbing all the loose balls and grabbing a lot of offensive boards. Dice played well too
December 30th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Chris-think Rip or Iverson should play the 6th man role?
December 30th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
yes, well aware of jordan vs. detroit, jordan rules, etc.
typo. my bad.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Yes Irish. Sheed made it rain last night. Couldn’t resist that.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
@chelsea- trust me. those shots were killing me last night. Rashard made it rain though. that 4 point play to tie it up was nice. too bad we couldnt win
December 30th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Sparty – I think they should stick to the 3 guard starting lineup. Dice is the 6th man. I really like it when AI, Stuckey and Rip are all in there (with Tayshaun and Sheed). Then if they want to go bigger, they can bring in Dice for one of the three guards.
Having Dice back is HUGE and makes the trade look a lot better.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
I don’t know, like Amir in the starting lineup.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
but then again, i rarely get to see the chemistry on the court because no NBA League Pass on fios, yet.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
that dunk by J Rich was okay. Pietrus dunk was better
December 30th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C94oRuNXXWQ
for those of you who did not watch the game last night. better than J Rich dunk
December 30th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Agreed. Goes from terrible to just bad. Cap ramifications aside.
December 30th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
looks like Oden is not playing tonight against the Celtics. He hurt his left ankle at the end of practice yesterday
December 30th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Let me try that game. Looks like fun.
Michigan has dominated Ohio State. Last 8 years aside.
Patriots were better than the Giants. Score aside.
Cavs suck. Lebron aside.
December 30th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
My position on the trade has always been that it destroyed any chance of being respectable this season. And it pins all your hopes on getting a marquee FA to come to Detroit. (Hint: It’s not going to happen.)
So cap ramifications “inside,” it’s still a rotten trade.
December 30th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
been missing his doses of Actonel.
December 30th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Nick – I think it gave them a good scorer for this season, which they need and it shook up the status quo, which they desperately needed. Plus it gives them tremendous flexability after this year. If they cannot get anybody to come play for one of the most successful franchises in the last 6 years, then they’ll resign Sheed and AI. Hint – that will not be necessary.
December 30th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
I’m gonna have to agree with NickP on this one. Pistons suck.
December 30th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
players go where they can get paid the most money. they won’t get lebron but they will get marquee guys.
December 30th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
What good scorer did they trade for?
December 30th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
rodney stuckey
December 30th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
The 2010 free agent class is incredible. Plenty of consolation prizes:
Joe Johnson
Paul Pierce
Dirk
McGrady
Yao
Gay
Wade
Redd
Amare
Roy
Manu
Bosh
Granted many of these will resign in the next 18 months, but still…
December 30th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Amare, Gay, Roy, Bosh, McGrady, Dirk and Johnson most certainly will not resign. they will test the waters.
December 30th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Dirk will be back. He said he’ll take a pay cut to build a winner.
December 30th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
should take a pay cut and go somewhere else. they screwed their shot at building a winner by letting Devin Harris go.
December 30th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
I believe Dirk has to opt out in 2010 which he may not do due to the strength of the FA class.
I think Portland resigns Roy and I think there’s a good chance Phoenix resigns Amare (Nash and Shaq are both gone at this point). But otherwise I agree with the list.
December 30th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Actually, I forgot about Amare being unhappy in Phoenix. You’re right, he’s gone.
December 30th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
they are stupid if they can get more money elsewhere. i am all for team loyalty, that is great, but go get yours. set your family up for a couple generations if you can.
December 30th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
If I am Joe Dumars, Bosh is my main target.
December 30th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Dirk isn’t selfish like you. He’s not only about scrilla.
December 30th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
i hope bosh gets tougher.
December 30th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Dirk is a loser too.
December 30th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Bosh is softer than Cottenelle tissue paper
/screamin A smith
December 30th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Don’t be so hard on yourself, sparty.
December 30th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Screamin A Smith is dumber than a box of rocks.
/me
December 30th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
+1, clown.
December 30th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
amare is going to end up in cleveland or NY…maybe even by next offseason.
December 30th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Lebron should go to Orlando in 2010. NBA TITLES for years….