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Lakers vs. Hornets II

By Michael C. Teniente | January 6, 2009 | The Lakers' Journal

PREGAME Hornets' starting five: Paul, Butler, Stojakovic, West and Chandler Lakers' starting five: Fisher, Bryant, Radmanovic, Gasol and Bynum Key match-ups: Gasol/Bynum vs. West/Chandler. This match-up hasn't changed from the last time the Lakers played the Hornets. The match-ups favor the Lakers. The Hornets, in my opinion, aren't as good as they're advertised to be. I have no faith in a team that has a center as thin as Chandler is. The only way the Hornets beat the Lakers is if West is hitting his mid-range jumper and Stojakovic is hitting his 3-pointers. If that happens then the middle will open up for Paul to attack the lane at will. The Lakers started playing pretty well when they faced the Hornets, in New Orleans, five games ago. If the Lakers play with the same philosophy the outcome should be the same. What was that philosophy? About four minutes into the second half Coach Jackson called a...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Lakers' Journal, Los Angeles Lakers blogs, Los Angeles Lakers Championship Run, Los Angeles Lakers' games, Los Angeles Lakers' Team, Michael C. Teniente, New Orleans Hornets

NBA Power Rankings: New Year, New Number One

By Joe Boikess | January 6, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Dwight Howard - Keith Allison/Flickr.com

It's been two weeks since the last edition of my power rankings, where the East's mighty trio of Boston, Cleveland and Orlando took the top three spots. But that was last year, and now that 2008 has come and gone, it's time for a new leader: the Lakers. There was plenty of repositioning elsewhere as well, including the Detroit Pistons re-entering the top-10 for the first time since mid-November.1. Los Angeles Lakers (27-5) - Technically the Lakers are still a half-game behind the Celtics for the NBA's best record, but after L.A. beat Boston pretty convincingly on Christmas Day, then downed both Utah and Portland by double digits, there's no question who should be #1.2. Cleveland Cavaliers (27-6) - LeBron couldn't rally the Cavs past the Heat last week on his birthday despite dropping 24 of his 38 in the second half, and I can forgive him for that. But...

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Eight-Second Violation: Tuesday, December 6, 2009

By Zach Harper | January 6, 2009 | Talk Hoops

By Zach HarperMarbury Potential Hard For People To Give Up OnWhat is it about potential, skill sets, and athleticism that makes us all clamor for those who don't deserve the attention? Is it because not even one percent of the world can accomplish the things that we see on the hardwood/parquet floor every night? Is it because we can make anybody in NBA 2K9 a threat to be great?(First side note: It really is true that NBA 2K9 is the Matrix for anyone that we want to turn into Neo and give them free reign on the pixilated battle ground that resides in my XBOX 360. I have seen Kevin Ollie and his mustache drop 62, Steve Francis play like he actually still existed, and Earl Watson perform like Larry Bird and Isiah Thomas settled their difference, had a love child, and named him after Earl Monroe and Matt...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Boston Celtics, Caron Butler, Crab Dribble, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Stephon Marbury, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz

Who Will Top The East This Season?

By Eric Sandi | January 5, 2009 | Cavalier Attitude

The race is on for the best record in the Eastern Conference, and subsequent home court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference Finals. Right now it is a three team race between the Boston Celtics (29-6), the Cleveland Cavaliers (27-6), and the Orlando Magic (26-8). I would like to take a moment to mention to the fans of these teams that losing is inevitable in the NBA. Even the finest teams in NBA history lost occasionally. I make this obvious overstatement because every fan of the Boston Celtics, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Orlando Magic will be taking each loss for the remainder of this season as if they just belly-caught a cannonball shot at close range and were blown into a vat of used razor blades. Yesterday, all three of these powerhouse teams lost to teams that, on paper at least, they should have beaten; as Boston lost to the...

Read more | 11 Comments | Tags: Anderson Varejao, Ben Wallace, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Daniel Gibson, Danny Ferry, Darnell Jackson, Delonte West, Doc Rivers, Dwight Howard, Hedo Turkoglu, J.J. Hickson, Jameer Nelson, James Posey, Joe Smith, John Hollinger, Keith Bogans, Kevin Garnett, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Mike Brown, Mo Williams, New Orleans Hornets, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Paul Pierce, Portland Trail Blazers, Rajon Rondo, Rashard Lewis, Ray Allen, San Antonio Spurs, Sasha Pavlovic, Shaquille O'Neal, Tony Allen, Utah Jazz, Wally Szczerbiak, Zydrunas Ilgauskas

NBA games of the night: Friday, Jan. 2

By Stu Holdren | January 2, 2009 | NBA Noise

Miami Heat at Orlando Magic, 7 p.m. ESTIf watching the league-leading scorer (Dwyane Wade), rebounder and shot-blocker (both Dwight Howard) aren't enough for you, then how about the clash of two division rivals? The Heat (17-13) have won five of their last six games and are coming off of a huge win against the Cavaliers. The Magic (25-7) are also rolling, as they've won nine of their last ten contests including wins against tough teams like the Spurs, Lakers and Hornets. Add in the fact that it's an in-state matchup and we've got ourselves a ballgame!New Orleans Hornets at Portland Trail Blazers, 10 p.m. ESTWhile it looks like Blazers guard Brandon Roy is listed as questionable in tonight's game, this should still be an entertaining matchup between two of the future Western Conference powerhouses. The Blazers are coming off of a dramatic win against the Boston Celtics, so hopes should...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Brandon Roy, Chris Paul, Games of the Night, LaMarcus Aldridge, NBA, New Orleans Hornets, Peja Stojakovic, Portland Trail Blazers

NBA Studs and Duds: 12/30/08

By Stu Holdren | December 30, 2008 | NBA Noise

Studs: Jason Terry, Dallas MavericksAs the Mavericks fell 29 points behind the Timberwolves, Jason Terry came to the rescue. Terry scored 24 of his 29 points in the second half to lead the Mavs to their largest comeback in franchise history. Terry buried 5 threes to go along with his 3 boards, 3 assists and 2 blocks. [boxscore]Chris Paul, New Orleans HornetsCP3 tied a Hornets record with his seventh career triple-double in tonight's 97-85 victory against the Washington Wizards. Paul finished with 15 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds.[boxscore]Joe Johnson, Atlanta HawksJoe Johnson had another great game tonight, dropping in 27 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter and the team's last 5. Johnson also chipped in 7 rebounds and 5 assists to help lead the Hawks to a 110-104 victory over the Pacers. [boxscore]Duds:Baron Davis, Los Angeles ClippersBDiddy's struggles continue as he built a brick skyscraper with a 3...

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Baron Davis, Boston Celtics, Chris Paul, Dallas Mavericks, Jason Terry, Joe Johnson, Los Angeles Clippers, NBA, New Orleans Hornets, Ray Allen, Studs and Duds

Ranking the top ten players 6'0" tall and under

By Stu Holdren | December 27, 2008 | NBA Noise

The NBA is a league of giant men, but it is the little guys who we often find the most endearing. Maybe is that us "average Joes" can relate to being the little guy, or even live vicariously through the short players in the league. Some of everyone's favorite absurdly small, but productive Lilliputians included the 5'3" Mugsy Bogues and the 5'7" Spud Webb - a former Slam Dunk Contest winner. Currently, there are 17 players on active NBA rosters who are 6'0" or less. While I don't even believe that many of these guys are as tall as they say they are, let's take a look at the top 10.1. Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets, 6'0" CP3 is undeniably one of the best players in the whole league. Even at only 6'0", people generally don't associate him with his diminutive stature. Maybe that is because of the diverse skill...

Read more | 4 Comments | Tags: Aaron Brooks, Allen Iverson, Charlotte Bobcats, Chris Paul, D.J. Augustin, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Jameer Nelson, Jose Barea, Kyle Lowry, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, New Orleans Hornets, Orlando Magic, Sebastian Telfair, T.J. Ford

NBA Studs and Duds: 12/26/08

By Stu Holdren | December 26, 2008 | NBA Noise

Studs:Kosta Koufos, Utah JazzNo Carlos Boozer, no Mehmet Okur, no Paul Millsap. It's no problem when you have Kosta Koufos on your team...wait, what? Koufos, a rookie averaging 4 points per game in about 12 minutes per contest, put together an impressive performance with his newfound playing time. With Koufos in the lineup, the Jazz didn't miss a beat as he scored 18 points and grabbed 8 boards to go along with 2 steals and a block. [boxscore]Chris Paul, New Orleans HornetsAfter finding himself on the "Duds" list last night after a lucklaster performance, Paul redeemed himself by leading the charge in a gritty Hornets win over the Rockets. Paul looked like a new man as he controlled the pace of the game and always kept the Hornets' head above water. Paul dropped in 26 points to go along with 10 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals. [boxscore]Sebastian Telfair, Minnesota...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Allen Iverson, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, Detroit Pistons, Jermaine O'Neal, Kevin Garnett, Kosta Koufos, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, New Orleans Hornets, Sebastian Telfair, Studs and Duds, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz

NBA Power Rankings: New Year, New Number One

By Joe Boikess | January 6, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Dwight Howard - Keith Allison/Flickr.com

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NBA Power Rankings: East on Top

By Joe Boikess | December 23, 2008 | MVN Outsider

So much for the 1 vs. 2 matchup of Celtics-Lakers on Christmas Day. The Lakers' two losses dropped them below the Cavs and Magic to their lowest spot in these rankings all season, but that could change if the Lakers manage to end the Celtics' incredible streak when they visit L.A. on Thursday. The Hornets and Rockets both moved up after last week, while the Nuggets and Mavericks dropped. There's also a new team occupying the dreaded #30 position in MVN Outsider's last power rankings of 2008.1. Boston Celtics (26-2) - A win tonight at home against the Sixers would mean that the Celtics would be heading to L.A. on a 19-game winning streak. Has there ever been a more anticipated NBA game during the month of December?2. Cleveland Cavaliers (23-4) - Q: What's scarier than the fact that LeBron is only averaging 36 minutes per game? A: How he'll...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Outsider, New Orleans Hornets, Orlando Magic

NBA Stock Market: Rondo Keeping Celtics on Record Pace

By Joe Boikess | December 22, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Rajon Rondo surveying the floor (Photo via culhanen/flickr.com)

Note: We at MVN Outsider have re-organized our posting schedule in an effort to make our sports coverage more well rounded and timely. For those of you expecting to see the NBA Power Rankings today, that post has been moved to Tuesdays. With these changes, get ready to see more fresh content every day on every major sport. Thanks, and enjoy!Rising:Boston Celtics - Honestly, this team has been on the rise this entire season, piling up wins at a rate that we haven't seen since the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls. They now have won 18 in a row and have tied the league mark for the best start (26-2) for a team with two losses. Their recent success has been due in large part to the play of point guard Rajon Rondo. When the team needs him to score, he does it (as we saw on Sunday in the C's win...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, NBA, NBA Outsider, New York Knicks

NBA Stock Market: CP3 steals way into record books

By Joe Boikess | December 18, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Chris Paul shoots over Leon Powe of the Celtics (Photo via flickr.com/Eric Kilby)

With everything that happened during yesterday's busy night in the NBA, there's a lot to get to, so I'll just get right to it: here's the league's big movers and shakers.Rising:New Orleans Hornets - Not only did the Hornets mount an impressive comeback win over the Spurs last night (their tenth win in the last 12 games, putting them in first place in their division), but they also got to see some history. During the second quarter, Chris Paul stole an intended pass from Tony Parker, establishing CP3 as the NBA record-holder for most consecutive games with a steal (106).Paul broke a record that stood since 1986, and by the time the streak ends it's likely that it won't be broken for many more decades. The next longest streak by an active player is 22, by Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo. With apologies to Parker, Nash and D-Will, all excellent...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Chris Paul, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Outsider, New Orleans Hornets, Rasheed Wallace, San Antonio Spurs

NBA Roundtable: Breaking down Wednesday's trades

By Michael De Leon | December 11, 2008 | MVN Outsider

I got a chance to talk to Ryne Nelson of SLAMonline, Stu Holdren of NBA Noise, Zach Harper of TalkHoops and Ben of Ben's Suns Blog about the two trades that sent eight players packing and on flights to their new NBA homes Wednesday.The biggest trade had the Phoenix Suns sending Boris Diaw, Raja Bell and Sean Singletary in exchange for Jason Richardson, Jared Dudley and a 2010 second round pick.In the other trade, the Wizards acquired Mike James from the Hornets and Javaris Crittenton from the Grizzlies, while the Hornets get Antonio Daniels from the Wizards. Memphis comes away with a future first round pick.Listen in as we talk about the winners and losers, how this trade affects each team, and if Jason Richardson can help get the Suns over the hump and into the finals. Oh and we have some not too kind words about Mike James as...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: audio, Charlotte Bobcats, Memphis Grizzlies, NBA, NBA Outsider, New Orleans Hornets, Phoenix Suns, Washington Wizards

Fantasy Tracker: Target Gasol, Thompson to boost forward/center production

By Michael De Leon | November 5, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Every Wednesday, I'll highlight five players who you should either add to your fantasy team if you need the help or put on your watch list. I'll also list 5 players that should have their bags packed and may be on their way to free agency in your leagueADD/WATCH LISTNick YoungWhile Young was buried on the guard-heavy Wizards bench last season, he will get plenty of minutes this season with Gilbert Arenas out once again. The Wizards start Antonio Daniels to set up the offense and distribute the ball, but when they want instant offense, Young is their go-to guy. He has been averaging 16.5 points through two games, and I only see him getting better. Keep in mind that for the most part, he is mostly a one-cat guy. If you need assists or steals, you may want to go another route, but Young will provide points and he...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Detroit Pistons, Memphis Grizzlies, NBA, NBA Outsider, New Orleans Hornets, New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards

NBA Week 1 Power Rankings

By Joe Boikess | November 3, 2008 | MVN Outsider

With the first week of the NBA season now in the books, it's time to take my weekly look at the league. I ranked the defending champion Boston Celtics number one in my preseason power rankings, but will they be able to stay there? A number of still-undefeated teams might have something to say about that...1. Los Angeles Lakers (3-0) - The Lakers' first week went about as well as anyone could have asked for. Just ask the newly re-signed Andrew Bynum if you don't believe me.2. New Orleans Hornets (3-0) - Chris Paul already appears to be in midseason form, carrying the banged-up Hornets to wins over Phoenix and Cleveland last week.3. Boston Celtics (2-1) - The C's looked like champions against the Cavs and Bulls, but I have to drop them after they got burned in Indiana.4. Houston Rockets (3-0) - Two of their three wins came against...Read more

Read more | 4 Comments | Tags: Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Magic, NBA, NBA Outsider, New Orleans Hornets, Orlando Magic

James Posey Wastes No Time Putting Hornets Over The Top

By Amar Panchmatia | October 31, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Photo courtesy of flickr

When a 31-year old NBA journeyman who averaged just a shade over seven points a game in his ninth year in the league switches teams in the offseason, it's not really supposed to register a blip on the NBA radar. But when that said journeyman is James Posey - who has helped win two of the last three NBA championships - and he's going to New Orleans to complete the puzzle for a 56-win squad from a year ago, then you better start paying attention. The Phoenix Suns got first dibs at it on Thursday night from the desert. In a matchup of the NBA's most entertaining team (New Orleans) against the team that used to have that title (Phoenix), the Hornets spent most of the game showing the Suns just why they've replaced the former "seven seconds or less" juggernaut at the top of the Western Conference by staying...Read more

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