Already up 19 through the second quarter, Lob City was in full effect last night as the Clippers were cruising over the visiting Pistons. By now, whenever you see Chris Paul start to stutter step around the three point arch, you have to know this is coming.
But nobody, and definitely not Brandon Knight, saw this coming.
Poor Brandon. It's been a really tough few weeks for his psyche.
Knight somehow by god's grace was not hurt on the dunk physically, but you have to think he changed his shorts at halftime.
More to come later today!
-Bford
PS. I want that T-Shirt and I wanted it yesterday.
Power Rankings makes a return after a break during the All-Star break. While the Spurs stay on top, there was much buzz that the Clips, Heat, and Thunder all deserve a place up there as well. Let us know what you think!
(The Spurs D has been stifling this year.)
1. San Antonio Spurs 42-12 -The team has won 14 of its last 15 games including multiple wins without Tim Duncan or Manu Ginobli who were hobbled with minor leg injuries. They have the best coach in the league, an MVP candidate in Tony Parker, and the strongest supporting cast in basketball. They are the biggest challenger for the Heat as the postseason approaches. (AL)
2. Miami Heat 36-14 -The only question after Lebron's unreal shooting streak that remains? How many times is he going to do it again, and if anyone can stop it come playoff time. (BF)
3. Oklahoma City Thunder 39-14 -Despite not having the best record in the league I still think they have the best team. OKC ranks number one because they play great defense, are explosive on the break and have players to knock down important shots in clutch situations. (EJ)
4. Los Angeles Clippers 39-17 -If their recent slide proved anything, this team is going nowhere without Chris Paul. And while Eric Bledsoe has shown he can be a strong back-up, his worth to gain some more bigs might be more important to the Clippers. (BF)
5. Memphis Grizzlies 33-18 -I'm still not sure what to make of this team since the trade that shipped Rudy Gay out of town went down. I actually like their team more in a normal game setting thanks to the added depth, but I worry about them in last shot opportunities without the go-to wing scorer. Memphis may not be done dealing as the deadline is just 3 days away. (AL)
6. New York Knicks 32-18 -The Knicks have looked vulnerable in their last week of games behind ice cold shooting from the likes of JR Smith and Jason Kidd. 6. The good news is that Amar'e looks like he is going to remain playing at a high level for the remainder of the season if he stays healthy. (AL)
7. Chicago Bulls 30-22 -This entire season the Bulls have outperformed expectations without Derrick Rose. However, the longer this season has gone on the less likely it seems that he will return. Without him returning their championship ceiling is going to crash through the floor. (EJ)
(Derrick Rose might be waiting until next year, and it is probably the right, but tough choice.)
8. Denver Nuggets 33-21 -The Nuggets are finally playing up to their talent level. They are one of the hottest teams in the league, the only reason they aren’t higher is because they lack a true go to scorer who can put the team on his back. (EJ)
9. Indiana Pacers 32-21 -To me the Pacers are the only team in the east that has a chance at competing with the Heat in the Eastern Conference. They are the best rebounding team in the league. Indiana’s only downfall has been their scoring, which could be remedied when Danny Granger returns tomorrow. (EJ)
10. Brooklyn Nets 31-22 -This squad has split their last six games including a couple of nice back to back wins against Indi and Denver, but it's time they put it together more regularly. No more excuses, they have all the pieces, it's time to see them make a run here. (AL)
11. Golden State Warriors 30-22 -No team may have needed the All-Star break than the Warriors. Losers of five in a row, the Warriors need to get back on track quickly to keep pace with the rest of the playoff teams in the West. They are scary close to drawing OKC or SAS in round one. (BF)
12. Utah Jazz 30-24 -The Jazz have been rumored to be a landing spot for Eric Bledsoe. Getting an elite point guard would give Utah great prospects at every position, making their future even brighter. (EJ)
(Could Bledsoe be the right fit in Utah?)
13. Atlanta Hawks 29-22 -Until Thursday, expect to hear Josh Smith's name come up alot. You can't expect to know where the Hawks' season is going to go until they know whether Smith is on the roster come playoff time. (BF)
14. Boston Celtics 28-24 -This team continues to defy logic, playing great ball since their team was ravaged by injuries to three key contributors. They face their toughest stretch of the year now, with 9 of their next 11 away from The Garden. The first of 5 straight on the road starts tomorrow in Denver, before they play a tough back to back in LA against the Lakers. Danny Ainge will be one of the most active GMs in the next few days as he has key decisions to make about the near future of this franchise. (AL)
15. Houston Rockets 29-26 -Houston's next two games are tough against OKC and Brooklyn, but after that look for them to get hot and make their stand to hold onto their playoff spot as 7 of the 10 games after those next two games are below .500 on the season. This is Clutch City's chance to prove they are a playoff team this season. (EJ)
16. Portland Trailblazers 25-28 -Expect Portland to use the all-star break to their advantage. The Blazers play their starters heavier minutes than almost any team. Expect their starters to come back well rested and spur them to a hot start out of the all-star break. (EJ)
17. Milwaukee Bucks 26-25 -Larry Sanders statistically is the second best defender in the league behind Tim Duncan. The Bucks should be building around him instead of watching their black hole of a back court jack up shots. Hopefully the Bucks move either Jennings or Ellis soon so that the Larry Sanders era can begin in earnest. (EJ)
(Larry Sanders is a strong part of the future of the Bucks.)
18. Los Angeles Lakers 25-29 -The loss of Jerry Buss is just another heartbreaking turn within the Lakers' disastrous season. The NBA truly lost a legend this week. (BF)
19. Dallas Mavericks 23-29 -The Bank of Cuban is always open. What will it buy this year? This team has playoff tested veterans, but they need another piece to truly be a scary team and make a run at the 8th seed. (AL)
20. Toronto Raptors 21-32 -This team has reached a new level of excitement since the trade. Everyone is now healthy and if there is ever a time to make a run for a playoff spot it starts now as they are 6 game back of Milwaukee. Look for Andrea Bargnani to be moved at the deadline too, hopefully bringing back a rotation player in return. The team has won 4 in a row and counting. (AL)
21. Detroit Pistons 21-33 -This team is one of my favorite to watch when Monroe and Drummond are both healthy. Pair those two with a good floor general in Calderon and you have the makings of an excellent team. Next year when they pair those three with a solid wing prospect expect this team to take off. (EJ)
(If the Pistons decide to keep Calderon, his unselfish, veteran attitude could pay dividends.)
22. Minnesota Timberwolves 19-31 -The wolves are in a curious position. They have a roster stocked with talent but will undoubtedly not make the playoffs due to injuries. Normally if a team has so many good players and is not in the playoff talks they sell of pieces, but since all their good pieces are injured you can expect the status quo of losing to continue in Minnesota. (EJ)
23. Philadelphia 76ers 22-29 -Blah blah blah Andrew Bynum blah blah. I'll believe it when I see it. Until then, it's straight to the lottery for the Sixers. (AL)
24. Phoenix Suns 17-36 -The Suns are like gas station sushi: a number of a bad decisions. It wasn't a shock that literally no one for the Suns was around for all-star weekend in any form.
25. New Orleans Hornets 19-34 -The team continues to play poorly, but I am predicting much better play in the second half led by Anthony Davis. Davis should be a double double guy night in and night out here in the final few months. Monty Williams is a good coach too, I like this team a lot for the future. (AL)
26. Sacramento Kings 19-35 -The Kings have been working hard to try to build a base for a future. Unfortunately, their base might not even be in Sacramento. With the Kings unsure of their future, it is going to be tough to make any inside personnel situations. (BJ)
27. Washington Wizards 15-36 -The Wizards look like a decent team that could have had a chance at the 8 seed in a weaker East this year. Unfortunately injuries derailed that. The Wizards however, seem to be a team that is finally taking a turn. (BF)
28. Cleveland Cavaliers 16-37 -The Cavs have a bright future. Lost in the shuffle of Kyrie’s great play is the emergence of Tristan Thompson as an elite big man prospect. Since Varejao has went down Thompson has shown himself to be a big that can play Robin to Kyrie’s Bat man. (EJ)
29. Orlando Magic 15-37 -The Magic are very much lost for the rest of this year. With so many injuries and many of the players tied up in contracts, the Magic are going to have to try to build from within.
30. Charlotte Bobcats 12-40 -The Bobcats could be where the Wizards were two years ago: Alot of immature talent that needs to bloom. Unfortunately, it's tough to bloom when your veterans don't want to be there to help. Here's lookin' at you Ben Gordon. (BF)
Trade Rumor Four: Our fourth installment in the trade rumors series takes us to Utah. This trade is based on the recent rumor of Kevin Garnett to the Clippers. The rumor of KG to the Clippers was flawed for many reasons. 1. Kevin Garnett has a trade clause and happens to be one of the most loyal players in basketball. 2. The Celtics would probably want more than the package of Bledsoe and Butler. Although this rumor does not seem likely it does give us some pertinent information that we can use to form a similar trade. From this trade you can figure out that the Clippers are interested in acquiring a center for a package that could include Eric Bledsoe and Caron Butler. This trade could only be consummated after Chris Paul has come back and shown he is 100%.
The Source:
Clippers are certainly looking to add a frontcourt piece for postseason run. They'd inquired about Cavs' Anderson Varejao before his injury — Sean Deveney (@SeanDeveney) February 4, 2013
Sources tell Sporting News that the #Clippers have contacted the #Celtics about Kevin Garnett. Offer would include Caron Butler and Beldsoe. — Sean Deveney (@SeanDeveney) February 3, 2013
Why For the Clippers: The Clippers are a great team dealing with a tough run of games while its best player is injured. With Chris Paul out they have failed to take care of the basketball and it has lead to losses. Without Paul they need D'Andre Jordan to step up, but his usefulness has greatly diminished. The Clippers need a center that they can trust down the stretch, one who can get they can dump it down to for a bucket anytime they need it. Jordan has been so woeful at the free throw line (shooting 47%) that the Clippers can not afford to have him in the game in crucial situations. They need someone who can play impactful minutes at the five spot for them in the playoffs. This was essentially the package that was rumored to go to Boston in a Kevin Garnett deal. It stands to reason that if the Clippers could not get KG they would be content to add a player of Jefferson's considerable talents. Why For the Jazz: The Jazz have good talented young players at every position except point guard. This off-season Milsap and Jefferson will be free agents, (with Kanter and Favors backing them up) it is unlikely that both come back. In moving Jefferson the Jazz would free up more time for Kanter and Favors as well as picking up a prospect that allows them to set their nucleus for years to come. Bledsoe, Hayward, Kanter and Favors is a great future. Other Posts in Trade Rumor Series First Second Third
The outbreak of teams like the Clippers and Warriors in the Pacific Division has been one of the biggest stories of the NBA season thus far. Both have thrived by having solid benches that have been able to help them surpass the Lakers and be very much in the playoff picture. What is even better, is a bit of a rivalry has begun to form. Last night, the Warriors got the most even tilt, with a 106-99 win at home.
While Blake Griffin had an excellent game last night(26 points, 13 rebounds), he was forced to attempt a three late in the shot clock. Blake, not really known for his outside shooting(shocker right?), naturally air balled a very ugly shot. Even better, the Warriors bench LOST IT, in particular Warriors bench mob captain Kent Bazemore.
Now this in itself was awesome. After reading this on twitter, I decided to search for this video, and realized that this isn't a one time thing. The Warriors bench loves when Blake Griffin misses three pointers. Check out this video during their game on January 2nd. Bazemore and the mob break it down to Blake missed three. This shot might actually be the worse of the two, as Blake puts it off the side of the backboard.
A few things here:
1. The Clippers probably shouldn't pass it to Blake Griffin late in the shot clock if he isn't already in the air with his crotch in some guys face.
2. The Warriors bench must be SUPER pumped every time they notice the shot clock is winding down.
3. Mark Jackson pretty much can't play Kent Bazemore against the Clippers because it is pretty safe to say the Clips will go out of their way to get him ISO'd on Blake.
4. It's also pretty safe to say Kent won't play against the Clips anyway, as he is currently averaging 2.7 minutes per game.
I don't really care, Bazemore is starting to work his way into total Scalabrine territory here with these reactions and some more of his work which is below. Here's to Blake Griffin taking more threes late in the shot clock, and hoping Kent Bazemore is in the building for them.
Another Three Man Weave podcast was recorded this past Sunday. We apologize for the delay, we are still getting used to the new system we have in place. Big time topics were Clippers, Celtics, All-Star voting, and even a little Bachelor. Yes, that's right ladies, we talked a little Bachelor.
Also, could Andy get his first win in Instant Argument? Guess you will just have to listen to find out. Follow the link here:
We have added a podcast directory page, if you want listen to any of our older podcasts click the link to your right. To all those that enjoyed the outro music it was Bud Billiken by Kids these days. We were introduced to it by our friends over at Brightest Young Thing's Tunes You Should F*cking Know blog. From now on our outro every week will be a featured song from that site. Make sure you check it out so you can be as informed about music as you are about basketball. If you guys want to hear us discuss anything, make sure to e-mail us at pickandpopdiaries@gmail.com. Also, make sure to check some big time stories this week including Rudy Gay Trade Reviews, the Celts win over the Knicks, the Lakers remaining schedule, and our usual roundups and power rankings.
Entering Wednesday night's games, the Lakers were 15-19 after 34 games, roughly 40% through this year's schedule. No longer do the Lakers have the excuse of "it's still the beginning of the season." They have been above .500 just once(6-5 after a win against Brooklyn on 11/2), and at worse have been five games under, just one game below where they sit now. Dwight Howard is out for an unknown amount of time with a torn labrum, Pau Gasol is out with a concussion while also dealing with plantar fasciitis. Even Jordan Hill, their back up plan, is day to day with a hip injury. Their emergency plan at big Robert Sacre looked average last night, but looked lost whenever he was forced to make a decision in isolation. ESPN LA "The Forum" claims that the Lakers are most likely a 6 seed who will lose in the first round of the playoffs. Here is the link to that video here.
(The Lakers have had alot of looks like this one this year.)
But how does that happen? They are four games out right now, and have lost four straight. It simply is becoming less and less of a reality that this team can make the playoffs, nevermind contend for any type of title. It doesn't help that teams like the Clippers, Warriors, and Rockets have all established themselves as playoff teams and will look to take spots taken before by the likes of the Lakers and Mavericks. In the past 10 years(not including last years shortened season), the eight seed in the West has averaged 45.6 wins. So if the Lakers had to get to 45 wins to make the playoffs, that means they have to finish the season going 30-18 to get to a 45-37 overall record. Impossible? Certainly not. Will it happen? Not without a little luck.
With the Lakers on their worst official start in the last ten years, I wanted to take an in depth look at what they had left on their schedule. So far, the Lakers have had a little bit of unlucky fortune besides all of their injuries. They have played the 9th toughest schedule in the league, and have played four more games on the road than at home.(Of course one of those was against the Clippers in the Staples Center, in which Chris Paul was getting booed on his own floor.) They have also lost seven of their 19 losses by six points or less. However, the future doesn't seem to favor the Lakeshow. Here are some stats regarding the Lakers remaining schedule:
Out of their remaining 48 games, 28 of them are against teams who currently have winning records.
The Lakers still have to head East to play 7 out of the 8 remaining East playoff teams(as of today's standings). That is road games against the Bulls, Heat, Celtics, Hawks, Nets, Pacers and Bucks.
The Lakers have still have two games to play against the following teams; the Heat, Celtics, Bulls, Grizzlies, Thunder, Clippers, Warriors, Spurs, Mavericks and Trailblazers.
They will finish their season with three at home, yet those three will be against Golden State, San Antonio, and Houston(all of whom could be fighting for a playoff spot as well, or even home court.)
(You have to wonder if this is ever going to work.)
ESPN's Hollinger odds currently has the Lakers finishing 9th at 41-1, with a 30.5% chance of making the playoffs. But when you look that all is above, can you even expect that? You can't expect that even when Gasol and Howard return that all four stars will finish off the season playing every game together. And if this continues to go downhill, do the Lakers trade Pau, or even Dwight and admit that this was a failure? While there is still plenty of basketball played, and the Lakers stress that they will turn it around, the purple and gold may be running out of time.
1. Los Angeles Clippers: 25-7, 9-1 During the Clippers 17 game win streak, Blake Griffin shot above 50% from the field in all of the games. While this team has no identity(read a great piece by the Daily Dime here), maybe they don't need one. 17 wins is 17 wins. (BF) 2. Oklahoma City Thunder: 24-6, 8-2 -The Thunder would be widely considered the best team if LAC wasn’t on a historic run. They have shown their championship meddle and will continue to improve with their young core. (EJ)
(Reggie Jackson has given the Thunder yet another boost off the bench.)
3. Miami Heat: 21-8, 7-3 -The Heat have somehow stayed out of the headlines with two of their west rivals stealing the show. Expect them to shoot back into it with games against Dallas and Chicago this week. (BF)
4. San Antonio Spurs: 25-8, 7-3 -This team has some of the greatest offensive balance of any NBA team in the league. Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobli continue to play at a high level on scaled back minutes. Second in points and third in point differential, this team is a beast. (AL) 5. Golden State Warriors: 21-10, 7-3 -With every win, the Warriors are becoming more battle tested for the playoffs. It's a complete reflection of Mark Jackson's tough guy mentality that this team is 4th in rebounds without their star center. (BF)
6. New York Knicks: 21-10, 5-5 -An injury to point guard Raymond Felton will hurt; can they weather the six weeks without him by leaning on extra minutes from Jason Kidd? This team continues to rely heavily on the three point shot, but for now they are falling. (AL) 7. Atlanta Hawks: 20-10, 6-4 -The Hawks are putting themselves in contention for a three or four seed in the East with other contenders failing. The question always remains, what do they do with it? (BF)
8. Memphis Grizzlies: 19-9, 5-5 -The Grizz need to continue slowing the game down and letting there bigs do work on the interior. I need to see Marc Gasol play better after the team has lost 2 of its past 3. (AL) 9. Indiana Pacers: 18-13, 8-2 -Indiana was able to win their brawl of a contest against Memphis this past week. They have shown all season that they are elite rebounders and defenders. The question remains can they score enough? (EJ)
(The Pacers could really use Granger's scoring right about now.)
10. Houston Rockets: 17-14, 7-3 -Houston has lost back to back games, but is playing well winning 5 in a row before the losses. James Harden is playing great basketball and Omer Asik is strengthening his case for most improved player of the year. (AL) 11. Chicago Bulls: 16-13, 5-5 -As the season lets on we are seeing the Bulls miss Derick Rose more and more. Their offense is based on execution not elite scoring. This means that their offense has a higher degree of difficulty, which is what you have seen in recent losses. (EJ)
12. Milwaukee Bucks: 16-13, 6-4 -The Bucks have shown great offensive strength throughout the season. But can this team beat the best when the game is slowed down come playoff time? (EJ) 13. Denver Nuggets: 18-15, 7-3 -The Nuggets have played a ruthless schedule on the road. Since when did the Nugs piss someone off in the NBA office? (BF)
14. Portland Trailblazers: 16-14, 8-2
-Portland has a very good starting five and no bench at all. If they are going to make a playoff push I look for them to be one of the more active teams in trade talk. (EJ) 15. Minnesota Timberwolves: 14-13, 6-4
-The Timberwolves are around a .500 team without Ricky Rubio. With a healthy Rubio they are a much better team. The question is if they can get enough of a healthy Rubio to get in the playoffs playing their best ball. (EJ) 16. Los Angeles Lakers: 15-16, 6-4 -Kobe claims the Lakers are old, and that is why they are struggling. The excuses are getting pretty old for the fans in purple and gold as well. (BF) 17. Brooklyn Nets: 16-15, 4-6
Firing Avery Johnson won't solve the Net's issues. Listen to our podcast and you will know, but I put this on Deron Williams, who continues to play poorly. This team can be dangerous but right now no one is fearing them, even after winning both games of the new PJ Carlesimo regime. (AL)
(Okay Deron, is this going to work?)
18. Philadelphia 76ers: 15-17, 3-7 -They have lost 8 of 10 and looked horrible in doing so. Andrew Bynum needs to get healthy if this team wants to make the playoffs. (AL) 19. Utah Jazz: 15-17, 3-7 -This team is either playing under their capabilities or is just not very good. Either, way it seems times to give Favors and Kanter more minutes. Expect Jefferson and/or Milsap to be moved, especially with the Jazz playing so poorly. (EJ) 20. Boston Celtics: 14-16, 3-7 -Disappointing losses to both the Clippers and Golden State have left this team under 500. Maybe they can grab a win tonight against the Kings, but this team needs to turn it around soon. The return of Avery Bradley when they return from the west coast should help. (AL)
21. Dallas Mavericks: 13-19, 2-8 -Dirk is back but he is not curing all this teams' ails. OJ Mayo continues to play well, but the rest of the group lacks consistency. Darren Collison may have had the play of the year with his one footed three to force OT, but they lost anyways. (AL)
22. Toronto Raptors: 11-20, 7-3 -Toronto has won 7 of 8 and has turned around their season. Demar Derozan looked great the past couple weeks. They may pass Phili in the Atlantic if both teams continue in there current directions. (AL) 23. Orlando Magic: 12-19, 4-6 -The Magic have really been hurting since Glen Davis went down to injury. Even with Arron Afflalo dropping 26 and 28 in games last week, this team couldn't break the slide and has now lost six in a row. (BF)
(Arron Afflalo has quite a heavier load on his shoulders these days.)
24. Detroit Pistons: 12-22, 5-5 -With Drummond coming along quicker than anyone thought he would the future now seems extremely bright for the Pistons. Right now Drummond is only playing 20 minutes a game, this number will increase as the season goes along and the Celtics will be better for it. With Drummond, Monroe, and Knight coming along the Pistons are the best of the basement. (EJ) 25. Sacramento Kings: 11-20, 4-6 -With the Cousins Scandal supposedly behind them(maybe), this team can try to get back to winning. As good as they looked against Boston, it's tough to think they can stay that consistent, and Cousins can stay out of trouble. (BF)
26. Phoenix Suns: 11-21, 4-6 -Ohh the Suns. After losing a buzzer beater to the Knicks, they followed it up with three more losses on the road. This team is crashing, having lost six straight. (BF)
27. New Orleans Hornets: 7-24, 2-8 -Eric Gordon is finally healthy and scored 24 points in 24 minutes in his debut. I can't wait to see what this team does in January with a fully healthy roster. Davis and Gordon are the futures of this franchise. (AL)
28. Charlotte Bobcats: 8-23, 1-9 -They won! They won! Now the big step is where do they turn to prevent the next losing streaking from happening. (BF)
29. Cleveland Cavaliers: 7-25, 2-8 -Tristan Thompson’s improved play might make trading Varejao more palpable. As the season move along I warm on the idea of Cleveland moving Varejao. AV is a good player who is on a light contract but by the time his contract is up Cleveland might not be a playoff team. (EJ) 30. Washington Wizards: 4-25, 1-9 -The Wizards currently don't have anyone averaging over 16 points a game, anyone averaging over 8 rebounds a game, or anyone averaging over 5 assists a game. Thank god for RGIII. (BF)
