Lakers’ size advantage negated by Mavs
April 30, 2011
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP)—The Los Angeles Lakers will have to pick onsomebody their own size to make it to another Western Conference finals.
For all of Kobe Bryant’s(notes) brilliance, the Lakers’ back-to-back title runswere built on the defensive dominance and offensive mismatches created by theirtwo 7-footers, Pau Gasol(notes) and Andrew Bynum(notes). Few teams can match Los Angeles’sheer size, and even fewer can overcome it in the paint.
NEW ORLEANS, LA – APRIL 28: P… Getty Images – Apr 28, 11:01 pm EDT NBA Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();
But here come the Dallas Mavericks, whose roster is stacked with threetalented 7-footers: Tyson Chandler(notes), Brendan Haywood(notes) and superstar Dirk Nowitzki(notes).
The Lakers won’t control the game from the inside out in this meeting of twoperennial playoff teams that somehow haven’t run into each other in thepostseason since 1988.
Got a sports argument? Challenge a friend and take em to the Grudge Judge!
Young Thunder, Grizzlies find success
April 30, 2011
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP)—The new kids in town are trying to take over theWestern Conference.
The Memphis Grizzlies already knocked out the top-seeded San Antonio Spursand will now face the Oklahoma City Thunder in a series that ensures one of theNBA’s rising young teams will make it to the conference finals.
MEMPHIS, TN – APRIL 29: Zach … AP – Apr 30, 3:01 pm EDT NBA Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();
The Thunder and Grizzlies were the league’s two youngest teams at the startof last season, then improved their win totals more than any other teams. Thatrapid ascent has carried both into the second round of the playoffs, with Game 1on Sunday in Oklahoma City.
Each team must find a way to slow down the other’s superstar. Zach Randolph(notes)averaged 26.5 points and 13 rebounds against the Thunder in the regular season.
NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant(notes) needed a 40-point performance to getOklahoma City its only win in the four-game regular-season series.
Got a sports argument? Challenge a friend and take em to the Grudge Judge!
Rose: No one told me I won MVP
April 30, 2011
DEERFIELD, Ill. (AP)—Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose(notes) insists the NBA hasnot informed him he has won the MVP, regardless of what teammate C.J. Watson(notes) hassaid on Twitter.
He said “no, not yet” Saturday when asked if he had been told he won theaward.
CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 26: Derric… AP – Apr 27, 2:31 am EDT NBA Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();
Rose’s comment came a day Watson caused a stir by posting a congratulatorypost on Twitter.
The message read: “Congrats to drose on winning the MVP he’s playedunbelievable this season!!! now just need tibs to win coach of the yr.”
Rose is a top MVP candidate after averaging 25 points and 7.7 assists whileleading Chicago to a league-best 62-20 record. Tom Thibodeau also is a favoritefor Coach of the Year.
Rose made light of Watson’s post, saying “C.J. knows a lot of people. A lotof famous people, too, so watch that guy.”
Got a sports argument? Challenge a friend and take em to the Grudge Judge!
Rose: NBA didn’t tell me I’m MVP
April 30, 2011
DEERFIELD, Ill. (AP)—Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose(notes) insists the NBA hasnot informed him he has won the MVP, regardless of what teammate C.J. Watson(notes) hassaid on Twitter.
He said “no, not yet” Saturday when asked if he had been told he won theaward.
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Rose’s comment came a day Watson caused a stir by posting a congratulatorypost on Twitter.
The message read: “Congrats to drose on winning the MVP he’s playedunbelievable this season!!! now just need tibs to win coach of the yr.”
Rose is a top MVP candidate after averaging 25 points and 7.7 assists whileleading Chicago to a league-best 62-20 record. Tom Thibodeau also is a favoritefor Coach of the Year.
Rose made light of Watson’s post, saying “C.J. knows a lot of people. A lotof famous people, too, so watch that guy.”
Got a sports argument? Challenge a friend and take em to the Grudge Judge!
James set for another chance vs. Celtics
April 30, 2011
MIAMI (AP)—LeBron James(notes) planned to spend a large part of Saturday studyingfilm, looking for any edge that the Miami Heat may use against the BostonCeltics.
Film from this season, that is.
No need to watch the Celtics inflicting past playoff wounds on him. Thoseremain fresh—and time has not yet healed them.
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The inability to beat Boston is one of the biggest reasons why James is nowwearing a Miami Heat uniform. He’ll get a third attempt to top the Celtics in apostseason series starting Sunday when the teams collide in Game 1 of what mayeasily become an epic Eastern Conference semifinal.
“It is personal,” James said Saturday as the Heat finished practice. “Itis. Absolutely right. You don’t want to keeping getting beat by the same team,the same team keep sending you home to plan a vacation. So it is personal.”
The Celtics expected him to say nothing less.
“It would be personal for me,” Boston forward Paul Pierce(notes) said. “I’m surehe’s going to take it personal and you’ve got to expect his best.”
Unwittingly or not, the Celtics played a huge role in setting up anoffseason unlike any other in NBA history. Boston gave James a big push towardMiami for a strength-in-numbers approach with the Heat that wasn’t possibleduring the two-time MVP’s stint with the Cavaliers.
Collectively, James, Dwyane Wade(notes) and Chris Bosh(notes) figure to rate a betterchance, and that theory is about to get put to the real test. They left acombined $51 million on the bargaining table last summer, and victory in thisbest-of-seven series may make that money seem exceptionally well-spent.
“I think you’ve got two really good teams, two teams with a lot of will,two teams with a lot of pride,” Celtics general manager Danny Ainge said. “AndI think it’s going to be a great series.”
The Celtics have 17 NBA championship banners, and there’s at least that manystory lines for this matchup.
Boston’s Shaquille O’Neal(notes) wants to come back from injury for this series, asdoes Udonis Haslem(notes) for Miami. The Heat know they need to find ways of gettingWade going against the Celtics, which didn’t happen in the regular season.Boston wants to exploit what it figures to be a significant edge at point guardwith Rajon Rondo(notes) over the duo of Mike Bibby(notes) and Mario Chalmers(notes).
And there’s that small matter of the teams just plain not liking oneanother.
“Playoffs is a new season,” Boston forward Kevin Garnett(notes) said. “Newsituations, new scenarios. So everything we’ve done up to this point is justhistory.”
In Miami’s case, the history is not good.
Not only did Boston oust both Wade (in the first round) and James (in thesecond round) from last year’s playoffs, but the Celtics have won 18 of theirlast 21 meetings overall against Miami—even after the Heat rolled to a 100-77win at home on April 10, the lone time they knocked off the defending East kingsin four matchups this season.
The dominance has extended into the playoffs, too.
Of the 15 players on Miami’s roster, nine have been ousted from pastpostseasons by the Celtics, with James and Zydrunas Ilgauskas(notes) enduring that fatein both 2008 and 2010 with the Cavaliers. Only one player—James Jones(notes), areserve with Indiana in 2005—knows how it feels to beat the NBA’s all-timechampionship leaders in a playoff series.
“I look forward to the challenge,” Wade said. “I know I haven’t playedwell against this team. That’s no secret.”
In Boston’s eyes, Miami’s hopes may not be pinned on Wade or James. TheCeltics say the key may be Bosh.
Sometimes the forgotten man in the series of megadeals that reshaped theHeat last summer, Bosh had three double-doubles in five games againstPhiladelphia in the opening round. When he gets to at least 10 points and 10rebounds, the Heat win at a 77 percent clip (24-7).
“LeBron and Wade are LeBron and Wade,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said.“They’re going to be great. They were great before the series, they’ll be greatduring it and they’ll be great after and this summer when you’re talking aboutit, you’ll say ‘LeBron and Wade are great players.’ That’s not going to change.But when Bosh plays great, then their team is great. And so, he’s a key guy forthem.”
Boston hasn’t played for a week since sweeping the New York Knicks out ofthe first round, and the Heat had slow starts in all five games of their seriesagainst Philadelphia.
“We’ve prepared a long time for this,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.“It’s time to toss the ball up in the air.”
Got a sports argument? Challenge a friend and take em to the Grudge Judge!
Bulls’ Boozer sits again due to turf toe
April 30, 2011
DEERFIELD, Ill. (AP)—Chicago Bulls forward Carlos Boozer(notes) sat out hissecond straight practice because of turf toe on his right foot.
Coach Tom Thibodeau said Saturday that Boozer was feeling better, but was“not quite ready to go yet.” The Bulls meet Atlanta in the Eastern Conferencesemifinals, with Game 1 Monday at the United Center.
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Boozer has been getting treatment and lifting weights. He also did someshooting Saturday but was mostly a spectator again after sitting out practicethe previous day.
The Bulls were off Wednesday and Thursday after knocking out Indiana 116-89in Game 5 of their first-round series. The toe problem surfaced in the secondquarter when he heard a pop while scoring his lone basket.
Got a sports argument? Challenge a friend and take em to the Grudge Judge!
Popovich says Spurs derailed by injuries
April 30, 2011
SAN ANTONIO (AP)—Coach Gregg Popovich says injuries to Tim Duncan(notes) and ManuGinobili(notes) robbed the 61-win San Antonio Spurs of their rhythm heading into theplayoffs.
Popovich said Saturday he wasn’t making excuses after the Spurs became justthe fourth No. 1 seed in NBA history to lose in the first round, falling to theMemphis Grizzlies in Game 6 on Friday night.
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But Popovich said the Spurs were never the same after Duncan sprained hisleft ankle in late March and Ginobili hurt his right elbow in the lastregular-season game.
San Antonio finished the season 6-12, including the playoffs, after Duncanwas injured March 21.
Popovich said his roster won’t undergo drastic changes, though AntonioMcDyess(notes) is leaning toward retirement.
Got a sports argument? Challenge a friend and take em to the Grudge Judge!
James gets third shot at beating Celtics
April 30, 2011
MIAMI (AP)—It’s easy to see why LeBron James(notes) decided he needed morefirepower.
His 45-point showing in Game 7 against Boston in 2008 was not enough to win.Same with his triple-double in the last game of their 2010 series. So, largelyfrom those defeats, came his move from Cleveland to join Dwyane Wade(notes) and chasechampionships in Miami.
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James will meet the Celtics again in the Eastern Conference semifinals,which open Sunday. He’s seeking a breakthrough, and he’s not alone. Of the 15players on Miami’s roster, nine have lost postseason series to the Celtics. Onlyone player has been part of a playoff win over Boston.
The Celtics expect nothing less than a super-motivated James. Celticsforward Paul Pierce(notes) notes, “it would be personal for me.”
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Magic enter offseason full of questions
April 30, 2011
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)—This was supposed to be a defining season for theOrlando Magic.
Coming off a trip to the NBA finals two years ago and the Eastern Conferencefinals last year, this was supposed to be the season they turned championshipflirtation into reality.
Instead, the Magic were ousted in the first round Thursday night by theAtlanta Hawks, their first opening-round exit since 2007. Now, championshipdaydreams have dissolved into piles of questions as Orlando tumbled Friday intowhat should be a busy offseason.
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Management will certainly have to examine a midseason roster overhaul afterits worst postseason finish under coach Stan Van Gundy. And it must be enough toconvince star center Dwight Howard(notes), who can become a free agent after nextseason, that hoisting a championship trophy is possible in Orlando.
As the rumor mill around Howard’s possible destination picked up steam thisyear, Howard expressed annoyance with all the speculation.
“There’s no need for me to comment on it,” he said Thursday night.
He reiterated that sentiment Friday at the team’s exit interviews.
Magic president of basketball operations Otis Smith said Friday that “anextension is on the table” for his star. But asked about it, Howard said “Ihaven’t seen it” and that after such a tough playoff loss that “nobody wantsto talk about a contract right now.”
“I’m only going to continue to do what I do,” Howard said. “I can onlycontrol what I do and it takes a team to win. So every player has to look intothe mirror and say ‘I’m going to do my job to make our team better.’ I’ve alwaysbeen a leader of this team. But I can only do so much.”
Smith said that everyone must take blame for how things played out.
“We have some work to do, that’s for sure,” Smith said.
After stumbling out of the gate this season with a 16-10 start, Smith tradedVince Carter(notes), Marcin Gortat(notes) and Mickael Pietrus(notes) to Phoenix, bringing back HedoTurkoglu(notes) and acquiring veteran Jason Richardson(notes) along with youngster Earl Clark(notes).Then, in a separate move with Washington, Smith shed the weighty contract of anunderperforming Rashard Lewis(notes) and convinced the Magic brass to take on that offormer All-Star Gilbert Arenas(notes) and his off-the-court issues.
Neither trade produced huge dividends, though. Orlando finished the year36-20 to wrap up a franchise-record fourth-straight 50-win season, but Turkoglu,Richardson and Arenas only showed flashes of their past ability.
Turkoglu, who averaged 16.8 points before his initial departure from Orlandoin 2009, averaged just 11.4 points with the Magic during the regular season andonly eight points during the postseason (shooting 16 percent from 3-pointrange).
Richardson averaged a respectable 13.9 points during the regular-seasonafter joining the Magic, but that was a career low.
Arenas was particularly disappointing. Battling knee and calf issues late inthe year, he averaged a career-low eight points in a backup role to JameerNelson(notes). Before erupting for 20 points in Game 4 against the Hawks, he had evenbeen benched by Van Gundy.
“I think the trade was good for our team,” Smith said. “I thought wewould play a little bit better. I thought we would shoot the ball a little bitbetter than we did in the postseason. If I had it to do it all over again, I’dprobably do the same thing.”
Another area of focus will be in the front court, where Howard was basicallya one-man show in the second half of the year without Gortat to relieve him offthe bench. The Magic’s rebounding suffered at critical times because of it,including in the latter part of the Hawks’ series.
Van Gundy said he has only had preliminary talks with Smith about potentialroster shakeups.
“We’re just starting to think in those terms,” Van Gundy said.
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Thunder turn down off day for practice
April 30, 2011
EDMOND, Okla. (AP)—Oklahoma City Thunder players earned a day off afterbecoming the first Western Conference team to advance to the second round of theNBA playoffs.
But they didn’t take it, choosing instead to show up at the team’s practicefacility Thursday. They followed that up with a rugged practice and scrimmageFriday.
“Everybody came in and got their work in so that shows a lot,” centerKendrick Perkins(notes) said. “So today, guys worked hard at each other. We had agreat practice.”
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The Thunder will open against Memphis at home on Sunday. The Grizzliesadvanced Friday night with a 99-91 victory over top-seeded San Antonio in Game6.
Coach Scott Brooks gave his players the option of coming in Thursday aftersecuring the first-round series victory over Denver the night before.
At Friday’s practice, Brooks said the players were “very focused andcommitted” on getting better. He said the session emphasized defending thepaint and various pick-and-roll schemes, along with working on the team’s ownoffensive sets.
Practice ended with a scrimmage of two quarters, during which Perkins saidthey “ran our plays real hard.”
Brooks said his team is young and athletic enough to run a hard practice andscrimmage between series, which, in turn, is helping the team keep its edge.
“The guys were really focused and at the very end the two scrimmages we hadwere probably some of the best scrimmages we’ve had all year,” he said.
In looking ahead, Brooks said he plans to keep playing 10 guys each game,though some of their minutes may be reduced. A number of coaches cut theirrotations to about eight players, but Brooks said depth is one of his team’sstrengths.
“A lot has been said and written about Russell (Westbrook) and Kevin(Durant) and rightfully so; those guys are terrific players and they’re doing alot to put us in positions to win,” Brooks said. “But we are a good teambecause all of our guys chip in and help us find ways to win.”
As the Thunder look ahead, they also took time Friday to marvel at theteam’s performances against Denver. Durant scored 14 points and swatted a keyblock in the final 3 1/2 minutes of the decisive Game 5 to help turn OklahomaCity’s nine-point deficit into a 100-97 victory.
Center Nazr Mohammed(notes) called Durant’s performance “amazing” and saidforward Serge Ibaka’s(notes) nine-block performance was critical.
“That was definitely up there with the great performances I’ve seen upclose; K.D. kind of just took over for us offensively,” Mohammed said. “AndSerge, what he did was amazing too. He’s not getting enough credit for some ofthe big stops we had down the stretch. If they score another basket or two, itmakes what K.D. did for naught.”
Even the defensive-minded Perkins, who is still recovering from major kneeinjuries sustained last year in the NBA finals with the Boston Celtics, elicitedcheers by throwing down a rare dunk.
“I got the opportunity and so I did it,” Perkins said. “It’s starting tofeel a little bit better, but I just feel a bucket is a bucket whether you dunkor not.”
The Thunder ended practice Friday with a laughter-filled half-court shootingcontest. Durant was the first to hit, though reserve guard Nate Robinson(notes) was thefirst and only one to swish his first attempt.
Westbrook had more fun later by holding a boom microphone during aninterview and moving it close to Mohammed’s face.
But with the Western Conference semifinals looming, the Thunder know thatit’s time again to get serious.
“I feel that if we just go out there and take care of our business, we canbeat whoever,” Perkins said. “As long as we run our offenses and defenses andguys stick to their roles and we play together, I think we can win any game.”
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