ImageImageImage

'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 31

Moderators: Cowology, theBigLip, Snakebites, dVs33

User avatar
nasty daddy
RealGM
Posts: 121,442
And1: 7
Joined: Oct 16, 2005
Location: Sydney

Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 31 

Post#881 » by nasty daddy » Mon Mar 30, 2009 8:42 am

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... TORY_17402

Gilbert Arenas Out Until Thursday
One game down. One coming up against LeBron James. Gilbert Arenas made his long awaited debut on Saturday night, only to sit out Sunday against the Indiana Pacers. Now Arenas – who did dress to his warm-ups - isn’t expected to play again until Thursday when the Washington Wizards face the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Arena finished with 15 points and 10 assists in his return against the Detroit Pistons. Yet more than the absence of Agent Zero, Wizards head coach Ed Tapscott was amiss over his team’s lack of overall teamwork, in what he called “my-turn basketball.”"You know what my-turn basketball is? My turn to shoot," Tapscott explained. "That really disappointed me. Ten assists in a game where we scored 115 points? That's out of proportion. We had 27 assists (on Saturday), which was good. Tonight was a step back in that area."

Hopefully those numbers will change when Arenas gets back on the floor later this week

Image
User avatar
nasty daddy
RealGM
Posts: 121,442
And1: 7
Joined: Oct 16, 2005
Location: Sydney

Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 31 

Post#882 » by nasty daddy » Mon Mar 30, 2009 8:44 am

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... TORY_17402

Will Blake Griffin Choose NBA This Week?
It appears inevitable that Oklahoma’s Blake Griffin will declare himself for June’s NBA Draft. But before he does, his head coach at least wants to speak to the Sooners star about the pending decision.

Jeff Capel is planning to meet with Griffin and his parents this week to discuss his future, either at Oklahoma or making the leap to the pros.

Griffin – poised to be named college basketball's national player of the year - averaged 22.7 points and 14.4 rebounds this season. If he opts to forgo his final two seasons at Oklahoma, the 6’10 power forward will probably be the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft. He finished with 23 points and 16 rebounds as the No. 2-seeded Sooners lost in the South Regional to No. 1 seed North Carolina 72-60, leaving many to wonder if it was Griffin’s last game at Oklahoma.

Image
User avatar
nasty daddy
RealGM
Posts: 121,442
And1: 7
Joined: Oct 16, 2005
Location: Sydney

Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 31 

Post#883 » by nasty daddy » Mon Mar 30, 2009 8:48 am

http://www.freep.com/article/20090330/S ... s+old+team

Allen Iverson returns, Pistons beat his former team
The Pistons picked up their first home win on a Sunday in nine tries this season, coming back to beat the 76ers, 101-97, at the Palace. Allen Iverson, who missed the previous 16 games with a sore back, came off the bench to score eight points in 21:04. The Pistons came back from deficits in each of the first three quarters. They took control of the game for good with a 14-2 run in the fourth quarter. Will Bynum, who had three points heading into the fourth quarter, scored nine in the fourth to help turn the tide. Tayshuan Prince, who scored 19 points in the first half on 7-for-7 shooting, finished with a team-high 21 points. Rodney Stuckey added 16, Richard Hamilton had 14 points and seven assists and Kwame Brown scored 13 for the Pistons. “It was great,” said Pistons coach Michael Curry of the victory. “I felt good about it, especially it being a back-to-back.” The Pistons won in Washington, 98-96 on Saturday night, in a game that marked the return of Richard Hamilton from a groin strain. “Bodies were live, guys were much better and it was a good game for us to get,” Curry said. “It was a tough team for us to play, especially on a back-to-back. They’re young and athletic.

They’re not just athletic but they’re fast. The difference is you can play athletic guys but Andre (Iguodala) and Thaddeus Young really get out and run. They are as fast as any wings in the league. Any time we turned the ball over, they are out and running and making it difficult to get back. Wedid a much better job the second half taking care of the basketball and that’s what gave us the chance to win.” After making nine turnovers in the first half, the Pistons had two the rest of the game. Iguodala scored a game-high 27 points and seven rebounds and Young added 22 points and eight rebounds. But those two combined for eight points in the fourth quarter. “I thought it was a hard-fought game and unfortunately, we came up on the short end of the stick tonight,” said 76ers coach Tony Dileo. “We tried to be aggressive in the fourth quarter and take it to the basket but, for whatever reason, we just couldn’t get free throws. I thought we tried to play aggressive the whole game but the Pistons made some big shots coming down the stretch.”

Samuel Dalembert didn’t play the final three quarters for the 76ers due to a calf strain and the Pistons ended up with a 35-34 rebounding edge. “That hurt our rebounding,” Dileo said. “He is our best rebounder. Maybe with him in there we could have gotten a couple more rebounds out there. Then defensively, we missed the shot blocking. Saying that, though, I think that Theo (Ratliff) did a really good job tonight coming in and playing.” Ratliff, a former Piston, had five rebounds and nine points in 23:30. Igoudala said the Pistons took advantage of the momentum in the fourth quarter. “We thought that we might have had the game (won) and then things changed momentum and they got back in it,” he said. “Will Bynum made some big shots and I guess they played tough defense down the stretch in the fourth quarter. They were just converting what they needed to. “We were up in the third after we made a good run, but it is a game of runs. We made ours and then they came right back and made theirs to turn it around. It was a 10-point swing...they just made some key plays.”

Image
User avatar
nasty daddy
RealGM
Posts: 121,442
And1: 7
Joined: Oct 16, 2005
Location: Sydney

Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 31 

Post#884 » by nasty daddy » Mon Mar 30, 2009 8:49 am

http://www.freep.com/article/20090330/S ... s+old+team

What happened
Turning point: Will Bynum scored seven points in a 14-2 run that gave the Pistons a 97-93 lead with 4:02 left. The game had 20 lead changes.

Image
User avatar
nasty daddy
RealGM
Posts: 121,442
And1: 7
Joined: Oct 16, 2005
Location: Sydney

Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 31 

Post#885 » by nasty daddy » Mon Mar 30, 2009 8:52 am

http://www.freep.com/article/20090330/S ... s+old+team

On deck: The Pistons visit the Cavaliers on Tuesday. The Cavs became the first NBA team to 60 victories Sunday after beating Dallas, 102-74. The victory extended their club-record win streak to 12. The Pistons are 1-2 against the Cavs.

Image
User avatar
nasty daddy
RealGM
Posts: 121,442
And1: 7
Joined: Oct 16, 2005
Location: Sydney

Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 31 

Post#886 » by nasty daddy » Mon Mar 30, 2009 8:55 am

http://www.freep.com/article/20090330/S ... s+old+team

Reason to hope: The Pistons moved up a spot to seventh in the Eastern Conference playoff race with their victory Sunday and the Bulls' 134-129 loss to the Toronto Raptors.

Image
User avatar
nasty daddy
RealGM
Posts: 121,442
And1: 7
Joined: Oct 16, 2005
Location: Sydney

Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 31 

Post#887 » by nasty daddy » Mon Mar 30, 2009 8:56 am

http://www.freep.com/article/20090330/S ... s+old+team

Reason to mope: Six of the Pistons' last nine games are on the road.

Image
User avatar
nasty daddy
RealGM
Posts: 121,442
And1: 7
Joined: Oct 16, 2005
Location: Sydney

Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 31 

Post#888 » by nasty daddy » Mon Mar 30, 2009 8:57 am

http://www.freep.com/article/20090330/S ... s+old+team

Two cents: The Pistons have won their past two games when players return from an injury. Can they keep the streak alive if Rasheed Wallace returns against the Cavaliers?

Image
User avatar
nasty daddy
RealGM
Posts: 121,442
And1: 7
Joined: Oct 16, 2005
Location: Sydney

Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 31 

Post#889 » by nasty daddy » Mon Mar 30, 2009 9:02 am

http://www.indystar.com/article/2009033 ... 8/SPORTS04

Wrist injury continues to frustrate Pacers' Daniels
Injured Indiana Pacers swingman Marquis Daniels would like to return to the lineup, but he said he might talk to his agent and coach Jim O'Brien about possibly shutting it down for the rest of the season if his right wrist doesn't improve soon."I just like playing basketball too much," Daniels said. "I've got to talk to my agent and the coaches on if I should try to come back or let it heal so I don't have to mess with it during the summer."

The Pacers have eight games remaining. Daniels, who has started 43 games this season, has missed the past five games. He originally injured his wrist in the March 4 game at Portland. "I've got like four different sprains in it," Daniels said. "I tried to play through it, but it was hurting so bad I had to stop and sit out."

Daniel is wearing a soft cast on his wrist and said it's so painful he can't catch or dribble a ball, push off it or open a bottle top. "He couldn't play basketball if he tried," O'Brien said. "Everything would have to be left-handed."

Image
User avatar
nasty daddy
RealGM
Posts: 121,442
And1: 7
Joined: Oct 16, 2005
Location: Sydney

Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 31 

Post#890 » by nasty daddy » Mon Mar 30, 2009 9:04 am

http://www.indystar.com/article/2009033 ... 8/SPORTS04

Murphy still out
Forward Troy Murphy missed his third straight game with a sprained ligament in his left knee. O'Brien said he's optimistic Murphy will be back before the season ends.

Image
User avatar
nasty daddy
RealGM
Posts: 121,442
And1: 7
Joined: Oct 16, 2005
Location: Sydney

Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 31 

Post#891 » by nasty daddy » Mon Mar 30, 2009 9:10 am

http://www.freep.com/article/20090330/S ... for+injury

Allen Iverson 'frustrated' about those questioning time off for injury
Allen Iverson came off the bench to score eight points Sunday night in his first game with the Pistons since missing 16 with a sore back. Iverson's steal and lay-up in the first minute of the fourth tied it at 83. The Pistons used a 12-2 run to build a 95-91 lead and beat the 76ers, 101-97, at the Palace. Iverson said he "tried to put it in an extra gear" on that play in the fourth quarter "and I might not be ready for that gear yet." Iverson shot 3-for-9 with two assists, two rebounds and a steal in 21 minutes. "As far as getting back out there, it was different for me," he said. "Coming off the bench, it was just so much different. I have a lot of respect for guys that come off the bench, even more now than ever. It's hard to get yourself going, sitting there long and then having to jump out into the fire. It was different for me, and it was hard."

Iverson said his conditioning was 1 on a scale of 1-10. "I hadn't run at all until yesterday, so it was rough having to play and run up and down the court," he said. "I know my wind is not where I want it to be. I know my rhythm is definitely not where I want it to be. It makes it that much harder trying to catch a rhythm doing something I've never done in my life, and that's coming off the bench." Iverson said if he had returned Saturday, as Rip Hamilton did at Washington, it would have been tough to play on consecutive nights. Now that he's back, though, Iverson said, "It would be hard for them to keep me of the basketball court." Iverson said he was frustrated by people questioning why he had been out so long. "You get all the praise in the world for being a warrior ... and then when I get an injury that I've never had before and an injury that actually bothered me the way it did, people started to question me," he said. "That was the toughest thing.

I had this warrior image my whole career, and then I get one injury where I can't go -- I think it's more or less people can't believe it -- so they expect me to play the Superman role every time." Iverson said no matter what positive things he does, people always will look for the negative with him. "If you can come up with a negative story about Allen Iverson, then everyone will want to listen," he said. "They don't want to hear nothing positive about me. "Back in the day, that probably would have bothered me. But I understood where it was coming from."

Image
User avatar
nasty daddy
RealGM
Posts: 121,442
And1: 7
Joined: Oct 16, 2005
Location: Sydney

Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 31 

Post#892 » by nasty daddy » Mon Mar 30, 2009 9:18 am

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 02490.html

The Wizards get today off and practice tomorrow in preparation for a game in Memphis on Wednesday. They arrived in Indianapolis early on Sunday knowing that they would be without Arenas, who isn't expected to play again until Thursday against Cleveland. But they were also without veteran Mike James, who will miss the rest of the season with a broken pinkie, and Juan Dixon, missing his third consecutive game with a sore Achilles' and right ankle tendinitis.

Image
User avatar
nasty daddy
RealGM
Posts: 121,442
And1: 7
Joined: Oct 16, 2005
Location: Sydney

Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 31 

Post#893 » by nasty daddy » Mon Mar 30, 2009 9:50 am

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Scores/Previe ... E_ID=29286

With seven wins in nine games, Philadelphia was riding a wave of confidence. The 76ers, though, learned how easy it is to crash. With an opportunity to pull within one-half game of fifth place in the Eastern Conference, Philadelphia looks to get back on track Sunday night at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Facing a Detroit Pistons team that hasn't been playing its basketball of late should help. Philadelphia (37-34), looking for its first winning season since 2004-05, still has work to do to keep pace with No. 5 seed Miami and hold off surging Chicago and Detroit, both 2 1/2 games back of the 76ers for the sixth seed. "At this point, we feel like we have to play at a high level every night, not only against top teams against the league but also in the conference," Philadelphia's Andre Iguodala said following Friday's 100-95 loss to Charlotte. "We have to be able to maintain that regardless of what their record is and that is something we have to continue to work at." Iguodala, scoring a team-best 18.4 points, is averaging 20.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists as Philadelphia has won three straight over Detroit, including a 96-91 win in Auburn Hills on Dec. 5 in their only meeting this season. Thaddeus Young looks to maintain his hot shooting. The second-year forward, averaging 15.2 points, has scored 21-plus in his last six games while shooting 57.0 percent from the field during this stretch.Philadelphia, though, had its three-game winning streak snapped Friday as it scored just 33 first-half points against the Bobcats, 10 in the second quarter. "I think we were disappointed tonight, especially the way the first half went," 76ers interim coach Tony DiLeo said. "We really didn't have that sense of urgency until maybe midway through the third quarter." Philadelphia has consistently been ranked in the top 10 in scoring defense this season, but in the last 15 games, the opposition is averaging 101.3 points. The 76ers allowed an average of 95.7 in their first 56 games. Detroit, meanwhile, has scored 98 points or fewer in its last four games. The Pistons (35-37), though, snapped a three-game slide Saturday with a 98-96 victory over Washington. In his first game back since missing six with a left groin injury, Richard Hamilton hit a season-high five 3-pointers and scored 31 points. Detroit was 1-5 without its star guard. The Pistons, who trail Chicago by percentage points for the seventh seed, may get Allen Iverson back Sunday after he missed the past 16 games with a sore back. Iverson, who spent his first 10-plus seasons with Philadelphia, is averaging 29.3 points and 8.0 assists in four career games versus his former team. Rasheed Wallace, however, will likely not return until Tuesday's game in Cleveland, according to Detroit coach Michael Curry. Wallace has been sidelined 10 games with a strained left calf. Even without Wallace's 7.5 rebounds per game, the Pistons have outrebounded their last 10 opponents by an average of 5.9. Philadelphia, meanwhile, grabbed a season-worst 23 boards in Friday's loss to Charlotte. Detroit has lost four of five at home since winning three in a row there March 3-9.

Image
User avatar
nasty daddy
RealGM
Posts: 121,442
And1: 7
Joined: Oct 16, 2005
Location: Sydney

Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 31 

Post#894 » by nasty daddy » Mon Mar 30, 2009 9:54 am

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Scores/Recap. ... E_ID=29286

DETROIT 101, PHILADELPHIA 97
Allen Iverson has heard a lot of negative comments during his tempestuous career. He wasn't used to hearing them about his toughness, though. Iverson returned Sunday after missing 16 games with a back injury and scored eight points in 21 minutes of the Detroit Pistons' 101-97 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. After the game, he acknowledged being hurt by media reports that he might not play again this season. "The one thing that everyone has always known about me is that I'm a warrior -- the doctors would say I'd be out two-four weeks, and I'd come back in a week," he said. "So now I have an injury I've never had before -- one that was bothering me -- and people are suddenly questioning my courage. That was hard, but I know positive stories don't sell. "If you can come up with a negative story about Allen Iverson, it will sell, so that's what people rolled with." Iverson said it was also an adjustment to come off the bench, something he has only done a handful of times in his career. "With all the things I've done in my career, I knew it was going to be tough for me mentally to do this," he said. "But the more I looked at the big picture -- the idea of helping my teammates win games -- the more the idea appealed to me." Tayshaun Prince scored 21 points and Rodney Stuckey added 16 points as Detroit pulled within 1 games of Philadelphia for sixth place in the conference "This was a big win for us to get, especially playing a tough team on a back-to-back," Pistons coach Michael Curry said. "It didn't help that they are one of the fastest teams out there -- if you turn the ball over, they will be gone." Andre Iguodala had 27 points and Thaddeus Young added 22 for the 76ers, but Samuel Dalembert left in the first quarter with a leg injury and didn't return. "Losing Sam hurt our rebounding, because he's the best rebounder on the team, and we missed the shot blocking," Philadelphia coach Tony Dileo said. "We tried to be aggressive, but for whatever reason we just couldn't get free throws." The lead changed 19 times in the first three quarters, but the 76ers began to take charge late in the third, using an 8-1 run to take a 83-79 lead. Two quick baskets by Iguodala made it 89-83 with 9:55 left, but Detroit brought in Amir Johnson for defense and used a 10-0 run for the game's 20th lead change. "Amir was huge," Curry said. "He was getting us rebounds above the rim, where there had been a lot of loose balls that they were picking up and putting back in." The Pistons built the margin to as many as six, but Philadelphia pulled to 99-97 on Iguodala's layup with 35 seconds left. Hamilton, though, hit a baseline jumper with 14 seconds left and the Pistons held on. The Sixers argued that Hamilton had stepped out of bounds, but replays were inconclusive. "We played hard and whatever happened, happened," Iguodala said. "We thought we had the game, and then things changed and they got back into it."

Image
User avatar
nasty daddy
RealGM
Posts: 121,442
And1: 7
Joined: Oct 16, 2005
Location: Sydney

Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 31 

Post#895 » by nasty daddy » Mon Mar 30, 2009 10:03 pm

http://blog.mlive.com/fullcourtpress/20 ... _to_p.html

Barkley continues to pick on the Pistons
Leave it to Charles Barkley to kick the Pistons in the gut while they are down.

"This is filet mignon vs. bologna." -- TNT's Charles Barkley, talking about Kobe Bryant and the Lakers playing the Pistons.

Image
User avatar
nasty daddy
RealGM
Posts: 121,442
And1: 7
Joined: Oct 16, 2005
Location: Sydney

Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 31 

Post#896 » by nasty daddy » Mon Mar 30, 2009 10:06 pm

http://www.nba.com/2009/news/03/30/howa ... index.html

Magic's Howard, Spurs' Parker named Players of the Week
The Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard and the San Antonio Spurs' Tony Parker today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, March 23, through Sunday, March 29.

Howard led Orlando to a 3-0 record, averaging 23.7 points on .614 shooting from the field, 14.3 rebounds and 3.3 blocks for the Magic, which clinched its second consecutive Southeast Division title. During Orlando's 84-82 win over Boston on March 25, Howard posted 24 points, 21 rebounds and four blocks. Orlando owns a half-game lead on Boston in the race for the second seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Parker averaged 27.5 points and 8.3 assists in leading San Antonio to a 3-1 week. Parker recorded back-to-back 30-point, 10-assist games on March 24 vs. Golden State and March 25 at Atlanta. On March 29 at New Orleans, Parker scored his 10,000th career point, becoming the fourth Spur player to accomplish the feat.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Charlotte's Gerald Wallace, Cleveland's LeBron James and Mo Williams, Denver's Carmelo Anthony, Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, Miami's Dwyane Wade, Philadelphia's Thaddeus Young, Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge and Toronto's Chris Bosh.

Image
User avatar
nasty daddy
RealGM
Posts: 121,442
And1: 7
Joined: Oct 16, 2005
Location: Sydney

Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 31 

Post#897 » by nasty daddy » Mon Mar 30, 2009 10:58 pm

http://www.nba.com/

Jason Maxiell does it all to get a transition bucket, Thabo Sefalosha swats a hard-to-block player and more in this week's Top 10 plays

Image
User avatar
nasty daddy
RealGM
Posts: 121,442
And1: 7
Joined: Oct 16, 2005
Location: Sydney

Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 31 

Post#898 » by nasty daddy » Mon Mar 30, 2009 11:04 pm

http://www.nba.com/fantasy/features/val ... 33009.html

Point Guards

Rank Player Eligible Team Games Comment

23 Will Bynum [PG,SG] DET 4 Averaging 17.0 points, 6.4 assists and 1.4 steals over last five games.
29 Allen Iverson* [PG,SG] DET 4 Could return this week (back)

Image
User avatar
nasty daddy
RealGM
Posts: 121,442
And1: 7
Joined: Oct 16, 2005
Location: Sydney

Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 31 

Post#899 » by nasty daddy » Mon Mar 30, 2009 11:09 pm

http://www.nba.com/fantasy/features/val ... 33009.html

Shooting Guards

7 Richard Hamilton* [SG] DET 4

Image
User avatar
nasty daddy
RealGM
Posts: 121,442
And1: 7
Joined: Oct 16, 2005
Location: Sydney

Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 31 

Post#900 » by nasty daddy » Mon Mar 30, 2009 11:11 pm

http://www.nba.com/fantasy/features/val ... 33009.html

Small Forwards

Rank Player Eligible Team Games

18 Tayshaun Prince [SF] DET 4

Image

Return to Detroit Pistons