Dec

31

Wizards Waive Bye-Bye To Wilks

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I wonder if Mike Wilks has a foot locker with stickers from all the NBA teams that he has been on in his career, kind of like those old merchant marines. If he does it must be pretty well covered with stickers as he has now played for 8 different NBA?teams, and most likely within?the next few days there will be a ninth sticker.?Wilks was waived on Monday, by the Washington Wizards, who are reactivating guard Antonio Daniels (is getting?waived?on New Year’s Eve, as bad as getting fired on Christmas Eve?)?Daniels was out with a sprained knee, that he injured in a game on December 13, in a game the Wizards won against the Miami Heat. Wilks averaged 1.3 points, and 1.5 rebounds, in four games for Washington. Wilks who started his NBA career in the 2002-2003 season with the Atlanta Hawks, has also played for Minnesota, Houston, San Antonio, Cleveland Seattle, and Denver. He was waived earlier this season by the Nuggets, Washington signed him when Daniels got hurt.

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Dec

31

Celtic’s Pierce & Hornets Paul Named NBA Players Of The Week

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The NBA announced Monday that Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce was named the NBA Player Of The Week from the Eastern Conference, while New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul was given the honor from the Western Conference. Pierce was a big key in Boston going 4-0 last week sweeping their West Coast trip, he averaged 27.5 points, 6.0 boards, 4.3 assists, and 1.8 steals over the week. Pierce scored 37 points in a win against the Seattle SuperSonics on December 27, it was his season high in scoring.

Paul’s big night was the night after Christmas, when he scored 40 points on the Memphis Grizzlies, the second time this month he has reached at least 40 points. New Orleans had a 3-0 week, while their point guard averaged 25.7 points, 9.7 assists, 4.3 steals, and 4.3 rebounds per game last week.

© Copyright 2008 thesackattack.net

Dec

31

Pistons Flat Out Embarrass Bucks 114-69

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The Detroit Pistons celebrated the New Year early as they out and out punked the Milwaukee Bucks Monday afternoon 114-69. Detroit just could not miss from the floor as they shot an amazing 58.4% and 53.3% from outside the arc. Richard Hamilton led 5 Detroit players in double figures with 22 points, while Chauncey Billups, and Antonio McDyess each had double-doubles.

This in no way shape or form resembled a contest, in order to have a contest you have to have two or more entities competing. The Bucks stopped competing about half way through the first quarter, this was not a game as much as it was an all out assault. Detroit led by 13 points after the first quarter 28-15, and increased the lead by the half to 56-37. Pistons, kept their foot on the accelerator in the third as they lead 86-57, and the fourth period was extended garbage time as Detroit outscored Milwaukee 28-12.

Hamilton was in the zone shooting wise 9-10 from the floor, 2-2 from outside the arc, 2-2 at the line for 22 points, 2 assists, 2 rebounds (hope he played 2222 in the lottery!) Tayshaun Prince scored 15 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, Jarvis Hayes scored 14 points coming off the bench, 1 steal, 1 rebound. Billups had 13 points, a game high 12 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, and McDyess had 10 points, a game high 10 rebounds, 2 assists.

Milwaukee had just two players in double figures, Michael Redd scored 18 points, shooting 6-13 from the floor, 2-4 from outside the arc, 4-5 at the line, 5 rebounds, 2 assists. Rookie Yi Jianlian scored 12 points for the Bucks, 8 rebounds, 1 blocked shot in the loss. Detroit with the win is now 24-7, while the Bucks fall to 11-19.

? Copyright 2007 thesackattack.com??

Dec

31

Rockets’ Francis Shelved Indefinitely

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The Houston Rockets will be minus one guard for the foreseeable future as the Associated Press reports that Steve Francis will be out indefinitely from what is described as “bi-lateral quadricep tendinitis”.? He had already been sidelined since December 20 due to a bout of the flu and is not expected to accompany the team on its road trip to Boston and Orlando starting Wednesday.? Francis, a 9-year veteran, has been going through a tough season so far, only appearing in 10 games; he is averaging a career-low 5.5 PPG and 3.0 APG.

Dec

31

Hedo It In Overtime Magic Win 112-110

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Ben Gordon?scored a game high 39 points but Hedo Turkoglu hit a game winning basket with :007 left in overtime as the Orlando Magic won a New Year’s Eve afternoon game against the Chicago Bulls Monday 112-110.?Gordon had tied the game at 110-110 when he hit a trey with 6.7 seconds left in the extra period, but Hedo got his shot off over Bulls center Ben Wallace to give Orlando the win. The game was close throughout the contest as it featured 12 ties, and the lead changed hands 13 times.

Bulls took the lead at the end of the first quarter 30-29, and extended it at the half to 55-48. But Orlando came storming back in the third quarter, to grab a 2 point lead at the end of the quarter 77-75.? The?Bulls were ahead 96-93, when Jameer Nelson tied the game with less than a minute left as he went 3-4 at the line.?Both teams had final chances to win the game in regulation but came up short. The Bulls had a 107-106 lead in the overtime period, when Jameer Nelson put the Magic ahead 108-106 with a layup, with less than 27 seconds left in the period. Keith Bogans was fouled and hit both free throws to put Orlando up ahead 110-107, and then Gordon tied the game with the trey, setting the stage for Turkoglu’s heroics.

Nelson led Orlando coming off the bench shooting 8-15 from the floor, 5-7 from the line for 22 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds. Rashard Lewis scored 19 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal,??Dwight Howard had a double-double 17 points, and?an incredible game high 22 rebounds, 5 blocks, 3 steals, 2 assists.?Turkoglu scored 17 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, Bogans scored 14 points, 4 rebounds, and Carlos Arroyo scored 14 points, 4 assists.

Gordon had his third monster game in a row since switching to coming into the game off the bench. Gordon shot 16-27 from the floor, 3-5 from outside the arc, 4-4 at the line, for his game high 39 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal. Luol Deng scored 21 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 assists, Andres Nocioni scored 19 points, 4 boards, 1 block, 1 assist. Veteran Joe Smith had another nice game for Chicago scoring 16 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, Kirk Hinrich had a double-double 10 points, 10 assists, 5 rebounds, 1 steal. Ben?Wallace again was not a scoring machine scoring just 2 points, but he did his job grabbing 12 rebounds, 3 blocks, 3 steals, 3 assists. Orlando has won four games in a row, now have a record of 22-11, while Chicago lost it’s first game under interim head coach?Jim Boylan are now 11-18.

? Copyright 2007 thesackattack.com??

Dec

31

Wallace Dominates, Bobcats Outlast Pacers In OT, 107-103

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????????????????????????????????????? Charlotte Bobcats guard Gerald Wallace (3) drives past Indiana Pacers guard Andre Owens (20) and Indiana Pacers center Jeff Foster (10) during the second half of their game, played Monday. Wallace scored 36 points, leading Charlotte to a 107-103 overtime win over Indiana.?

When Gerald Wallace sets his mind to it, he can take over a game.? The Charlotte Bobcat swingman decided to take matters into his own hands Monday, as he scored 10 points in overtime, leading the Bobcats to a narrow win over the Indiana Pacers at Charlotte.? Bobcat coach Sam Vincent tried just about everything but the kitchen sink.? Enter Wallace.?

Indiana could’ve won this game easily; however, turnovers (23), missed shots and key players fouling out during regulation complicated things late for Indiana.? In the third quarter, the Pacers’ Jermaine O’Neal made two consecutive jumpers as Indiana built a 66-56 lead.? The Pacers appeared to be in control when O’Neal’s jumper pushed the Pacers’ lead to 87-74; but somehow, Indiana managed to score only 3 baskets the rest of regulation.

That’s when Wallace took over, icing the game for Charlotte.? Charlotte’s high scorer was Wallace with 36 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals.? Jason Richardson added 28 – including 4 treys, 8 rebounds and 3 assists; Emeka Okafor recorded a double-double, scoring 10 points, 10 rebounds and blocking 3 shots.?

Indiana had 6 players in double-digits, led by O’Neal with 20 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocked shots.? Mike Dunleavy added 18 but turning the ball over 7 times; Troy Murphy added 17 and grabbing 9 boards, while Andre Owens, who is replacing Jamaal Tinsley while he recovers from his hamstring injury, and Danny Granger both had 15.? Charlotte (11-18) continues their homestand by hosting the Chicago Bulls Wednesday, while Indiana (15-17) returns home to host the Memphis Grizzlies, also on Wednesday.

Dec

31

An Open Letter To Mark Cuban: Dirk Needs Help From Kidd

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To: Mr. Mark Cuban, Owner Dallas Mavericks

From: Gregory Dix Columnist Slam Dunk Central

Subject: How To?Get That Championship Ring

Dear Mr. Cuban,?

Some believe the Dallas Mavericks are a legitimate contender for the 2008 NBA Finals. The Mavs are currently 20-11. The record may indicate that they are a winning team but that is a far cry from greatness. The always tinkering Avery Johnson has been bringing Jason Terry off the bench and starting Devin Harris. Devin Harris is a decent PG averaging 13.7 PPG, 5.4 AST, 31.4MIN, and A/TO ratio of 2.43. In recent months trade rumors have been swirling about Jason Kidd. When you compare Devin Harris? numbers to Jason Kidd?s you realize Harris is an average player with some upside. Jason Kidd is averaging 11 PPG, 10.4 AST, 37.3 MIN, and A/TO ratio of 2.87. Jason Kidd?s ability to dish the rock could propel an NBA franchises to prime-time. Now this may be an unfair comparison, but this point needs to be made, how can the Mavs truly contend for a title with an average PG?

The Mavs live on the perimeter. Without a PG who can penetrate and create space for Josh Howard and Dirk Nowitzki they will struggle against the Spurs. Josh Howard?s best attribute is his tenacious defense. He has however became a fine shooter and an athletic scorer in the Richard Jefferson mold. Kidd would open up Howard?s driving lanes and enable him to unleash the true beast. A Maverick in the Merriam-Webster dictionary is defined as “an independent individual who does not go along with a group or party.” Though the Mavericks defied NBA logic last year, shooting the leather off the ball, they have now crashed to normalcy. They are no longer the definition of a “Maverick,” instead they represent the ordinary. They fall into the lump of good but not great Western Conference Teams- Mavs, Suns, Nuggets, Warriors, Hornets, the Jazz, and my feisty Blazers.

MR. Cuban, in order to get Kidd the Mavs would have to give up either 1) Terry and Harris or 2) Howard and Harris. I don?t think that you would be willing to part with a promising young PG and a stud small forward. Growing up as a Philly sports fan Rocky was a legend. Since Philly has not had a sports championship in 25 years he became their champion. Adrienne, in Rocky 2, had the right idea. As she laid there in a hospital bed she asked Rocky to do one thing for her “Win.” Mr. Cuban,you must do anything in your power to win a title. The Mavericks need to defy NBA logic once again and make this deal for Kidd. Unlike many NBA owners who just want to be competitive, deep down in your soul Mark, you want to win! So maybe you should spend January 1, (after all there are?no NBA games scheduled) soul searching watching Rocky 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 (Rocky 5 does not count).?Your team won 67 games last year. What did that get them? Nothing but being bounced out of the playoffs in the first round! Last year the Mavericks were favored to win the championship. Mr Cuban, it’s time to wake up! No one on your team is getting any younger. Dirk has lost some of his swagger that he played with last year. The evidence is his 30% three point percentage (42% last year) and 22 PPG (25 PPG last year). Stack?s game is more below the rim each passing year. Jason Terry is completely off kilter coming off the bench. The Mavs need energy and a renewed excitement. Jason Kidd would be that spark! Kidd wants to win! He isn?t getting any younger and he wants that ever elusive championship. Mark, as a die hard fan of the NBA brand, I beg of you to mend the broken fence. Listen to the fighter?s heart beating in your chest. Bring Dallas that championship it deserves! Bring Jason Kidd to the Mavericks! A Happy and Prosperous New Year to You and Your franchise!
? Sincerely Yours,
? Gregory Dix
? Columnist Slam Dunk Central

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