Around the NBA (10/30)

[Mad D]

CWebb in the TNT studio tonight. They were talking about second chances mainly concerning Ron Artest. They bring up Webber's second chance, Barkley mentions he did not get enough credit while playing for the Kings. Webb calls going to Sacramento a godsend.

Barkley is showing off his new and improved golf swing in the stuido by hitting produce. Webb and Kenny ran for their lives.

Right now it's an up and down game between the Rockets and the Mavs. Yao is having his way in the post against any Mavs defender, with 19 at the half. McGrady still is lacking the lift to finish at the basket. He currently has 7 assist at the half.

Reggie Miller mentions that if Ron and Jermaine O'neil clicked together they could have won multiple championships in Indiana. Barkley proceeds to accuse Reggie of drinking on the job.

Then it's the Hornets at Phoenix. Can't wait to see Chris Paul play again.

 

[nebs]

Webber said there is a point in your career you have to look yourself in the mirror and decide what type of person, what type of player are you are going to be. Being traded to Sacramento was a message from God for him personally telling him to get things right.

 

[Mad D]

Ron gets T'ed up for pulling Yao out of the cirle of players. They played it in slow motion and you can see the whole crowd in the background stand up like they are expecting Ron to get into something with Josh Howard.

Ron Artest killing the Mavs. McGrady hasn't even played much in the 4th but he won't need to.

also a Clyde the Glide sighting.

 

[creAtivetfh]

Kind of nice seeing ron back on a national stage. Wish we could have put him there but oh well...

 

[nbrans]

Wow, the Rockets are really good. Artest makes a big difference, but the underrated difference-maker this year is Aaron Brooks. I can see why Petrie was rumored to be so interested in this guy. He's like a heady Barbosa. They finally have a point guard who can make some things happen.

These guys look like contenders. How good they are will ultimately depend on McGrady's health and whether they can defend inside. But they're really taking it to the Mavs.

 

[xrzn]

Didn't the Kings give away Aaron Brooks or something? This guy is fast and can ball.

 

[Gary]

You still have Ron taking the majority of the shots, and trying to control the offense (by holding the ball). The Rockets look nice though.

 

[nbrans]

Didn't the Kings give away Aaron Brooks or something? This guy is fast and can ball.

No, I think the rumor was that Petrie liked Brooks so much that he was thinking of taking him at #10 but went with Hawes instead. I also seem to recall that Petrie tried to get Brooks in the Artest trade but the Rockets wouldn't give him up.

 

[VF21]

Wow, the Rockets are really good. Artest makes a big difference, but the underrated difference-maker this year is Aaron Brooks. I can see why Petrie was rumored to be so interested in this guy. He's like a heady Barbosa. They finally have a point guard who can make some things happen.

These guys look like contenders. How good they are will ultimately depend on McGrady's health and whether they can defend inside. But they're really taking it to the Mavs.

Um, one more thing... AND whether or not Ron Artest goes postal at some point and takes them down OR plays the best ball of his career while people slowlly stop waiting for another shoe to drop.

You simply cannot talk about an Artest team's future without at least acknowledging the potential problem. It may or may not be a significant factor but it will always be there.

 

[NewMonkey]

Admittedly, I didn't watch the game, and winning is all that matters on the floor, but Artest took almost as many shots as Yao and McGrady combined. Just saying...

 

[Variant]

Keep in mind that McGrady was on the bench for much of the 4th quarter and Ron was just playing out of his mind...

 

[PurpleHaze]

I saw the game on TNT, witnessing a superb Houston Rockets game plan led by Coach Adelman on Dallas' home court. It was early and often large doses of Yao with McGrady and Artest chipping in. McGrady handing out numerous assists, getting to the line, Artest occasionally scoring - but more notable for his harrassing D. Later, in the 4th with game on the line Yao kept going strong, McGrady was on the bench resting nagging injuries and Artest simply took over. RonRon drained several big shots including a couple threes as he got squared up perfectly in the flow. More importantly his intimatating D was effective in finally punishing the Mavs into submission.

Last night it was Artest at his best, Yao dominate inside, McGrady doing just enough, Scola/Hayes rebounding, Rafer/Brooks running the point, nice cameos by Landry/Barry - Coach Adelman orchestrating a big Houston win in Big D.