Dwight Howard - Expanding his game posted by Patrick Lo

Not sure if many of you have noticed recently, but Dwight Howard has made an concerted effort to broaden his impact on the game, namely on the offensive end. He noted the other day in his blog about how he developed his left hand which reiniforces the idea that he wants to become an all-around player, not hindered by any glaring weakness.

 I do not live in the Orlando area so I'm not fortunate enough to watch his game on a regular basis, but in the few that I have seen he has taken a few jumpshots in an attempt to incorporate it into his game. He's stated that he can make them easily in practice, but he realizes that he has got to make them reliabily enough at a game's pace. It seems that he's starting off easy with a Duncan-esque bank shot from about 12 feet out. I know some of you might cringe seeing Dwight's awkward stroke, but he's actually made a few(and missed horribly on others). Of course he'll need to make more than a few to convince others, and himself, that his mid-range game is a legitimate threat I'm encouraged by his progress. Although practicing his jumpshot hasn't translated to an improved FT%(59.6% vs. 60% for career), I think it's admirable that he's trying to prove his doubters wrong.

I think this is the mark of a true competitor and a true champion. Even though he has yet to win one I'm certain one is in his future. The drive and desire to never be satisfied and complacent will only lead to good things for Howard. This coupled with his insanely athletic build should prove to be a winning combination.

A Message to Boston Sports Fans posted by Charles Bisbee

There’s been a lot of griping recently over the state of Boston sports, serving (for me) as another ugly reminder of the developing, spoiled and cocksure nature of fans in this area. Let’s take a quick look, shall we?

Despite not  having played superbly of late, the Celtics stand at 31-16 and hold a five-and-a-half game lead in their division over Toronto.  

The Patriots finished the season at 10-6 (and a perfect 8-0 at home) and lost in the conference semi-finals to Baltimore.

The line between the Red Sox and Yankees is becoming more blurred each year (I know, I know, blasphemous!). But the Sox pay more and more to rob smaller market teams of their best players. Last year they finished 95-67 and, again, made the playoffs.

The Bruins are apparently stinking up then Garden this year but last year made a nice push into the playoffs.

All this leading me to ask, “what the deuce is the matter with Boston sports fans?” Have we become so spoiled and jaded by the seemingly constant ticker-tape parades down Tremont St. that we’ve subconsciously assumed an unwarranted sense of entitlement traditionally held by Yankee fans?

Not to sound like some ornery, old folgie wannabe but do you remember the early-mid 90’s? Do you remember Carlos Quintana? Todd Day? How about Marty Conlan? Lets gain a little perspective and lose the sense of entitlement. Isn’t that what always has (and still should) differentiate us from Yankee fans?

Collinson gets his big chance posted by Andy Charles

That collective sigh you heard was the one coming from New Orleans Hornets fans when they learned that All-Star point guard Chris Paul would be missing for maybe as long as two months in the wake of knee surgery.

Paul needs arthroscopic surgery for a cartilage tear in his left knee, an injury suffered in freak fashion seconds from the end of the loss to the Chicago Bulls last week when he collided with a photographer on the baseline as he went to retrieve an errant shot.

Results of a scan showed that Paul had a partial tear of his meniscus, an injury that really cannot be played through and could develop into something serious if left untreated for a long spell of time.

But maybe, just maybe, Paul’s absence will not be felt as badly as some NBA Predictions first thought, based on the performance of his replacement Darren Collinson in the 109-102 overtime win over a decent Memphis outfit on Saturday night.

Collinson played all but a few minutes of regulation and ended the game with 17 points and a superb Paul-esque 18 assists, working well in tandem with fellow rookie Marcus Thornton in the backcourt.

But is playing two rookie guards, with very little depth to come off the bench, what the Hornets need in the middle of a fierce playoff race that sees eight teams covered by only three-and-a-half games (as of Monday).

Sure the Hornets have plenty of experience further up the court in David West, Emeka Okafor and Peja Stojakovic, but another injury among their current starting five would put them in deep trouble with most NBA Bets and there isn’t really much coming off the bench that could be traded for an established veteran to help out.

Monta Ellis Levels Up posted by Sean Senti

I hope to write more someday about how I see following sports as a more socially accepted and passive version of dungeons and dragons. But for now, since this is my first post, I'm simply going to dive in and assume you think the same way as I do. That this is an absurd assumption is not lost on me, but it's also entirely fitting.

Watching the Warriors this year has slipped past frustrating and landed squarely on largely pointless. There is Nelson's meaningless quest for the all time lead in wins, an achievement that will mean very little to any season ticket holders. There is the maturation of Stephen Curry and Anthony Randolph, two players for whom the future is bright and hazy all at once. A sort of blurry version of the sun, perhaps. We expect magnificence because we have seen it before but there are no guarantees. The lone plot line keeping me interested is the development of Monta Ellis.

Were this actually some role playing game (and trust me, that's all sports really are. Groups of diversely skilled people campaigning for a common goal) Monta was supposed be the raid leader. His party, though inexperienced, was a hopeful rouge band of giants (Brandan Wright and Andris Biedrins) and elves (CJ Watson and Anthony Morrow). They would have had class descriptions like warrior (Corey Maggette and Kelenna Azubuike) and druid (Ronny Turiaf). And together they might have found a path to success. But Monta has seen his party decimated by injury before the campaign even began. Of the 12 man opening day roster, only Monta, Maggette, and Curry remain (though now even Monta himself has been felled - quick! Resurrection spell!). Each glimmer of hope that a party member would be returned to life is met with another's falling. Monta is Conan the Barbarian, alone on the throne. A thankless, solitary job his reward for all this hard work.

who do you think will be the next Kobe ? posted by aderzhang

Most people will think that Kobe Bryant is the new Michale Jordan and even better than Michale Jordan because he break more NBA basketball records.... 

so who do you think will be the next Kobe or do you think that no one can replace Kobe in the future?? 

Another poll? what is your favorate basketball shoes in the new year 2010? 

Nike Kobe 2010 or Air Jordan 2010 ??

Lebron James will truly be a "King" playing in New York posted by Colin Linneweber

Cleveland Browns Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown said this week that he hopes that Cavaliers basketball icon Lebron James remains in “The Forest City” after this season.

James, 25, the 2009 NBA Most Valuable Player who was born and raised near Cleveland in Akron, Ohio, will be a free agent this summer and many analysts have speculated that the “Chosen One” may opt to sign a long-term contract with an organization located in a larger market.

“Looking at the fact that this is a business, I put that first,” said Brown, 73, a three-time NFL MVP and eight-time First-Team All-Pro selection during his nine-year career with the Browns.

“But having said that, I would love to see him be here. I think it’s a terrific marriage. He does so much for this city and I think that he has an owner (Dan Gilbert) that tries to do everything he can. When you have an owner who is trying to do the best he can do and a player, it’s a terrific set of circumstances. But the business is the business.”

James, currently in his seventh pro season with the Cavs since that franchise selected him out of St. Vincent-St. Mary High School with the first overall pick in the 2003 draft, is arguably one of the greatest players in NBA history already.

Brown, who Cleveland chose out of Syracuse University with the sixth selection in the 1957 NFL Draft, was named by The Sporting News as the greatest football player ever.

Brown dominated the gridiron and James is absolutely overpowering the competition on the hardwood.

2010 All-Star voting is on, And what is your favorate NBA Basketball shoes? posted by aderzhang

Well, what is the point of voting then? No, just kidding, the link is the guy's opinon by the way.West - Melo, Norwitzki, Bryant, Roy, StoudemireEast - Lebron, Pierce, Wade, Rose, Dwight Moreover, what is your favorate Basketball shoes ?

Nike Air Kobe 2010 , Kobe Bryant new shoes for the 2009-2010 NBA Season at  fulljordan

Holiday is Your Point Guard posted by Andy Natalie

I know that Lou Williams has been waiting and working for the point guard job since he was drafted out of high school. And he clearly has improved over the years. And I also know that Eddie Jordan insists he doesn't look at the positions like you traditionally do.

But make no mistake about it Jrue Holiday is a much better basketball player and point guard than Lou Williams. This guy is a nice acquisition. Almost a Thaddeus Young type draft pick. It looked liked a decent pick and now has a chance to be huge in the big picture.

If I was the 76ers I would start Holiday and let him grow while the team stinks. Lou Williams is a good back up, let's keep it that way until he proves otherwise.

On Monday night the 76ers actually played a solid game to beat the New Orleans Hornets. The thing that impressed me the most was that only one player, Iguodala played more than 40 minutes.

And Elton Brand continues to be a solid bench player. An expensive one, but solid nonetheless.

I wish Dalembert would rebound like this every-night. He'll have big nights on the glass like this an yet he still has a blah 8.7 rebounds per game average. Anything under 10 for me sucks, when you are a center. Now I should allow some leeway for his lack of overall minutes. That said I still think 10 a game would be attainable.

I have to credit the Sixers somewhat in this win. They jumped out and plastered the Hornets in the 1st quarter but New Orleans put up back to back 31 point quarters to make the game a 1 point deficit for them. It was 76ers 75 and Hornets 74 going into the 4th. And the Sixers battled for the 96 - 92 win.

Thunder beat Pacers posted by john howard

Last night, the Thunder beat the Pacers, keeping the 8th spot in the playoffs.  

OKC only trailed once 37-36. But, that lasted for less than a minute.  They built an 18 point lead in the third quarter.  Then, Troy Murphy went on a little run and cut it to 10 at quarter's end. Then, they managed to tie it in the 4th.  But, Durant couldn't be stopped and there were no second chances for the Pacers.

The offense never seemed to get going.  When Durant was in the game, the offense scored of course.  But, there still wasnt a flow at times.   The Thunder would be a lead and then substitute and the lead would start to erase.  Brooks is doing a good job of getting his players experience when he can.  Maynor played quite a bit at times.  He looks like a rookie. He went 0 for 3 from the floor.  All three shots were really turn overs.  He would penetrate and have no where to go or pass it so he shot it.  He is going to be a good player, but he just isnt there yet.  He needs playing time and experience which is what Brooks is giving him.  I don't know if he will be ready when playoff time comes. 

A pleasant surprise off the bench last night was Byron Mueller.  He hit two 20 footers off of pick and rolls.  He looks like a younger Nick Collison, which is a very good thing. 

The gem off the bench is Harden.   He can flat out shoot it.  He also has a good awareness.  Late in the game, he stole a pass and lead a break.  He lured the lone defender and dished the ball to Westbrook, who Thunder dunked it and the brought the house down.  It was sealed the game.

And Another One... posted by Sabrina

I'll make this post short and straight forward. Eleven losses in a row. Will that be tweleve? Then thirteen? Who knows. I think all Pistons fans are experiencing the same feeling of disappointment and frustration. It's really unfortunate that the Pistons have such talented players who just can't get the chemistry right. With the many injuries from the start of the season to the new roster and coach, there is adjustment to be made. We all knew it wouldn't be easy, but I'm not sure anybody expected it to be this difficult. This season seems to be a trial and error experiment, mostly error. It's painful to see the Pistons constantly losing this season, game after game. People have been telling me that I need to pick a new team, but I will stay a Pistons fan, regardless of how horrible this season may be. I'm waiting for them to figure it out because I think that when they do, they will be playoff worthy. But for now, it's a waiting game; a long, long waiting game.Continue reading "And Another One..."

Hawks-Wizards rescheduled for March 11 (AP)

The snowed-out game between the Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards has been rescheduled for March 11. The game was supposed to be played Saturday but was postponed because of a blizzard that dumped 2 feet of snow onthe nation's capital. Both teams played in other cities Friday night, and the storm prevented them from traveling to the area. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Suns surging as Nash turns 36 (AP)

The Phoenix Suns are surging amid speculation Amare Stoudemire could be traded in the next two weeks. Steve Nash turned 36 on Sunday with the Suns on a season-high, five-game winning streak that includes their first 4-0 road trip since December 2006. Nash said it would be a shame to see Stoudemire traded away, with the team playing as well as it is. [read full article]

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Bosh's 36 and 11 keep Raptors hot (AP)

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Carter leads Magic's surge past Celtics (AP)

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FBI investigated letters sent to Daly (AP)

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