Author: katadmin

Mike Monroe: Playoff urgency like never before

The NBA playoffs begin today with an undertone of urgency seldom seen.

Every player knows a lockout is looming. Within days after handing over the Larry O’Brien Trophy to the 2011 NBA champion, David Stern will pronounce that a business model that generates billions of dollars is broken because too many go to employees who wear baggy shorts, not business suits.

After Friday’s Board of Governor’s meeting in New York, Stern promised the league soon will make a new offer to the players’ union.

Nobody expects a breakthrough, not after deputy commissioner Adam Silver’s reiteration that the league’s goal in negotiations with the National Basketball Players Association hasn’t changed. The owners continue to seek a new system for sharing all those billions because, Silver said, “the system is unsustainable.”

Of course, billionaires continue to line up to buy into this broken system, undercutting Silver’s contention. On Friday the league heard from one billionaire begging the Board to approve his purchase of the Pistons, one of one of the league’s worst ?Eastern Conference teams, and from another willing to buy the Kings, one of the West’s bottom feeders, for the privilege of keeping it in a market Stern deems too mis? guided and miserly to deserve a franchise.

Meanwhile, players nearer their 39th birthdays than their 30th — Tim Duncan (days shy of 35), Shaquille O’Neal (39), Jason Kidd (38), Antonio McDyess (36), Kurt Thomas (38), Andre Miller (35), Marcus Camby (37) — wonder if these playoffs might afford their last best chance at ultimate NBA glory.

No player needs additional motivation to fuel the incremental drive that produces playoff success, but the notion that there may not be another opportunity to win a championship until 2013 compels an extra measure of focus.

Duncan understands, perhaps more than most. He won’t turn 35 until April 25, but his left knee and ankle feel older. His contract runs only through a 2011-12 season jeopardized by the potential work stoppage.

The fact his team will have home-court advantage through the Western half of the playoffs underscores for Duncan the special nature of this playoff run.

“Every game, every playoff run, everything is special right now,” he said. “This is the end of my career here, the last couple years. I’m not taking anything for granted.”

The Board of Governors told Spurs owner Peter Holt — and others on the Labor Relations Committee that Holt chairs — that it wants them to have the new proposal ready to present to the union in a few weeks.

The commissioner insists he is optimistic, but mostly because of his own nature.

“I’m an eternal optimist,” he said. “I hope the proposal will indicate to the players that there’s some modicum of flexibility in our approach, and we’re trying to engage the union in dialogue.”

He also understands that what’s at stake is every ounce of goodwill and momentum forged with the league’s fans through one of the more remarkable seasons in league history. TV ratings and attendance are up, and the league’s three biggest markets all have teams worth the attention and loyalty of the citizenry.

“I think fan sentiment going into the playoffs and Finals is going to be terrific,” Stern said. “If we don’t have a new collective bargaining agreement by the end of the old agreement on June 30 I think the fans will be disappointed in us and the union.”

Disappointed falls far short of reality.

Disgust comes much closer.

Let the playoff games begin. They may be the last we see for a long while.

mikemonroe@express-news.net

Blistering Willie Green hits 12 straight to lead Hornets closer to No. 6 seed

There’s hot.

And then, there’s being ridiculous.

Willie Green set a franchise record by hitting his first 12 shots en route to a season-best 31-point effort in New Orleans’ 109-97 victory over Phoenix Friday night. His big effort kept the Hornets in the seventh slot in the Western Conference playoff spot and only half a game behind Portland for sixth place.

 ”I knew I was in a rhythm. I knew I was in a zone. But I didn’t know I was 12-for-12,” Green told NBA.com. “It was a good feeling. I had it going and I was trying to keep it going. I was just trying to be aggressive. It was a good win. … Once I got it going, I was asking for it (the ball).”

Green’s blistering effort left New Orleans coach Monty Williams grasping for a description of his big effort.

“I don’t know if you say en fuego or caught fire, whatever the case was, he got hot tonight,” Williams said.

However you delineate it, Green certainly deserves to lead Friday’s Studs and Duds after that sizzling performance.

STUDS

New Orleans G Willie Green: Blistered Phoenix for his first 12 shots of the game en route to a 31-point, four-assist, plus-29 game in the Hornets’ 109-97 victory over New Orleans to notch their first three-game winning streak since mid-January.

Indiana F Danny Granger: Went for 28 points, seven rebounds, two assists and was plus-9 in the Pacers’ 114-102 victory over Atlanta — their fifth victory in their last six games.

Oklahoma City F Kevin Durant: Notched 28 points and seven rebounds in the Thunder’s 104-89 triumph over Denver in a potential first-round playoff preview.

Memphis F Zach Randolph: Produced 27 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, four steals and was plus-16 in the Grizzlies’ 101-96 victory over Sacramento — wrapping up their first trip to the playoffs in five season.

Miami F Chris Bosh: Notched  27 points and 10 rebounds in the Heat’s 112-103 victory over Charlotte — their 12th victory in their last 15 games.

Miami G Dwyane Wade: Tallied 27 points, four assists, three rebounds, three steals and was a team-best plus-15 in the Heat’s victory over the Bobcats.

Detroit F Chris Wilcox: Produced a season-high 27 points and 13 rebounds and was plus-9 in the Pistons’ 110-100 victory over Milwaukee — their second straight triumph

New York F Carmelo Anthony: Notched 25 points, 14 rebounds, two assists and was plus-18 in the Knicks’ emphatic 116-93 triumph over New Jersey — completing their sixth straight victory and their first season sweep of the Nets since the strike-shortened season in 1999.

Chicago F Carlos Boozer: Went for 24 points, 11 rebounds and two steals as the Bulls claimed a 93-82 victory over Cleveland to wrap up the top seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time since 1998.   

Miami F LeBron James: Produced 23 points, seven rebounds, nine assists, two steals and was plus-12 in the Heat’s victory over Charlotte.

Philadelphia F Elton Brand: Tallied 22 points and eight rebounds to pace the 76ers’ 98-93 victory over Toronto, snapping their three-game losing streak.   

Boston F Paul Pierce: Went for 22 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, three blocked shots, two steals and was plus-24 in the Celtics’ 104-88 victory over Washington.  

Portland F LeMarcus Aldridge: Notched 24 points, 11 rebounds, four blocked shots and was plus-10 in the Trail Blazers’ 93-86 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Dallas F Dirk Nowitzki: Tallied 20 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and was a team-best plus-30 in the Mavericks’ 107-96 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.   

Dallas G Corey Brewer: Produced 20 points, six rebounds, four assists, four steals and was plus-9 in the Mavericks’ triumph over the Clippers.

Boston G Rajon Rondo: Filled the stat sheet with 20 points, 14 assists, six steals, three rebounds and was plus-20 in the Celtics’ victory over the Wizards.

Portland F Gerald Wallace: Notched 19 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and was plus-27 in the Trail Blazers’ victory over the Lakers.

Portland G Wesley Matthews: Scored 18 points and was a team-best plus-29 in the Trail Blazers’ triumph over the Lakers.   

Oklahoma City G Russell Westbrook: Tallied 17 points, eight assists, six steals and was plus-4 in the Thunder’s victory over Denver.

Indiana G Darren Collison: Produced 16 points, 10 assists, four rebounds, two steals and was plus-14 in the Pacers’ victory over the Hawks.

Memphis G Mike Conley: Went for 12 points, eight assists, five rebounds, two steals and was plus-16 in the Grizzlies’ victory over Sacramento.

Milwaukee G Brandon Jennings:  Erupted for 31 points and four assists in the Bucks’ loss at Detroit.  

Los Angeles Clippers G Mo Williams: Scored 29 points, produced six assists, five rebounds and had two steals in the Clippers’ loss at Dallas.

Toronto G DeMar DeRozan: Notched 27 points, three assists and three steals in the Raptors’ loss to Philadelphia.

Toronto G Jerryd Bayless: Tallied 24 points, eight assists and two steals in the Raptors’ loss to the 76ers.

Charlotte C Kwame Brown: Produced 23 points, 13 rebounds and two steals in the Bobcats’ loss at Miami.

Cleveland F J.J. Hickson: Muscled for 22 points and 15 rebounds in the Cavaliers’ loss to the Bulls.

Sacramento F Samuel Dalembert: Went for 17 points and 16 rebounds in the Kings’ loss at Memphis.

DUDS

Milwaukee F Carlos Delfino: Missed all seven shots as he was shut out and was minus-8 in the Bucks’ loss at Detroit.

Dallas G Roddy Beaubois: Missed all seven shots with two turnovers and was minus-5 in the Mavericks’ triumph over the Clippers.

Los Angeles Lakers G Kobe Bryant: Went 10-for-25 from the field with three turnovers and was a team-worst minus-25 in the Lakers’ loss at Portland.

Denver G Wilson Chandler: Clanked through a 1-for-10 shooting effort and was minus-7 in the Nuggets’ loss at Oklahoma City.   

Atlanta F Marvin Williams: Went 2-for-7 from the field and was minus-7 in the Hawks’ loss to the Pacers — their third straight defeat.      

New Jersey G Jordan Farmar: Struggled through a 3-for-12 shooting effort, including missing all five 3-pointers, with four turnovers and was minus-13 in the Nets’  loss to the Knicks — their eighth defeat in their last nine games.   

Denver G J.R. Smith: Went 1-for-6 with two turnovers and was minus-21 in the Nuggets’ loss at Oklahoma City.  

Los Angeles Lakers F Pau Gasol: Hit 4-for-11 from the field with two turnovers and was minus-12 in the Lakers’ loss at Portland.  

Phoenix G Aaron Brooks: Hit 2-for-7 from the field with two turnovers and was minus-2 in the Suns’ loss at Hornets.  

Washington G John Wall: Went 7-for-18 from the field with seven turnovers and was minus-20 in the Wizards’ loss at the Celtics.  

Charlotte F Boris Diaw: Went 5-for-13 from the field with three turnovers and was minus-16 in the Bobcats’ loss to Miami — their fifth straight defeat.

Cleveland G Anthony Parker: Went 2-for-6 from the field with three turnovers in the Cavaliers’ loss to the Bulls.

Sacramento’s backcourt: Tyreke Evans and Marcus Thornton went 15-for 34 from the field with seven turnovers and were a combined minus-14 in the Kings’ loss at Memphis.

Philadelphia G Jodie Meeks: Hit 2-for-11 from the field in the 76ers’ victory over Toronto.

McDyess happy to make amends

By Mike Monroe
mikemonroe@express-news.net

In the two days that passed between Games 1 and 2 of the Spurs-Grizzlies first-round playoff series, Antonio McDyess had a difficult time getting out of a deep funk.

Limited to just 13 foul-plagued, ineffective minutes in the Spurs’ Game 1 loss, he took it personally. He was embarrassed, admitting he had been “manhandled” by Memphis power forward Zach Randolph, who scored 25 points and grabbed 14 rebounds.

As McDyess walked out of the ATT Center after the Spurs’ 93-87 Game 2 victory, he managed a tired smile as he discussed a defensive performance that limited Randolph to 11 points and helped the Spurs get an important victory.

“When we lost that first game, I thought I was dreaming — a nightmare actually,” he said. “Me, personally, I’m the type of person I don’t want to see us lose any time we play, especially in the playoffs.

“They had manhandled us. They came out and did what they had to do the first game to get that ballclub a win, and they manhandled us, I must say.”

The Spurs’ oldest player got some encouragement from team captain Tim Duncan, who was just as dissatisfied with his own defensive work on center Marc Gasol in Game 1. Gasol scored 24 points in that one.

“We knew we had to do a better job on them,” Duncan said. “They obviously killed us last game. That was a big part of their win, so we took it upon ourselves to go out there and battle them a little tougher, make everything a little harder, and it helped.”

Randolph was limited to 11 points on 5-of-14 shooting, and just five rebounds. After making 9 of 10 shots in the series opener, Gasol made only 2 of 9 on Wednesday, scoring just 12 points. He did have 17 rebounds, a Grizzlies playoff record.

“Tonight we came out with our minds made up to make it as tough as possible on them, and I think we did that,” McDyess said. “We had a chip on our shoulders.”

The Spurs’ interior defense turned the Grizzlies into a perimeter-oriented team, which worked in the Spurs’ favor when guards O.J. Mayo and Mike Conley missed 18 of 26 shots and small forward Shane Battier missed 6 of 7.

“The Spurs were very physical, and they attacked (Randolph) every time he put the ball on the floor,” Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said. “He had opportunities, but not enough to be effective.

“They did what they set out to do: They took the ball out of his hands.”

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said all the Spurs big men played better in Game 2.

“Well, Zach’s a great offensive player, and ’Dyess takes a lot of pride defensively,” he said. “?’Dyess did a good job. They just didn’t go down for Zach.”

The biggest relief for the veteran came when he scored on a layin off a slick pass from Tony Parker with 2:42 remaining. The basket gave the Spurs a six-point cushion.

“Man, I was thinking, ‘Antonio, you can’t make a shot, can’t make a layup, you got to make this one,’” he said.