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Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James, who is almost as athletic as InsideHoops.com editor Jeff Lenchiner, recently claimed that a move he unleashed which appeared to possibly be a travel was a perfectly legal crab dribble.
The LeBron James crab dribble was against the Washington Wizards, whose players mocked the idea of a crab dribble in post-game interviews.
Below is a very funny crab dribble explanation video from a blog. Enjoy.
After winning about nine billion games in a row, the Boston Celtics have fallen to Earth, and recently made a thud so loud that Larry Bird is probably shaking in his grave.
Bird is alive and well, of course, which makes this all the more shocking.
Their first big loss came in totally honorable fashion, on the road in Los Angeles to the Lakers on Christmas day. Nothing wrong with that. It happens. Lots of teams lose to the Lakers.
Since then, it’s been a wild ride, with more crashes than anything else.
The very next day, on December 26, Boston lost in Golden State to the Warriors, 99-89. In that game, the Celtics were called for 31 fouls, hit just six three-pointers, and only connected on 17 of their 25 free throws. Stephen Jackson scored 28 and Marco Belinelli had 22. Kendrick Perkins was out for Boston.
Two days later, Boston traveled to Sacramento, and laid total destruction on the Kings, winning 108-63.
On December 30, the Celtics found themselves in Portland, facing a tough Trail Blazers squad. The home team won 91-86. Paul Pierce dropped 28 points in the loss. The Celtics as a team only shot 40.3%, hit just 3-of-14 three-pointers, but kept the game close thanks to 29-of-31 free throws. But Portland dominated the glass, winning the rebounding battle 44-29. The Blazers got a nice balanced effort, and they did it without star Brandon Roy, who was out injured.
On January 2, Boston hosted the Washington Wizards, and won easily, 108-83. This time, the Celtics shot 55.4%, the opponent 38.3%. And Boston nailed 12-of-20 three-pointers and easily won in the rebound and assist categories. Paul Pierce had 26 points, though just one rebound and one assist. No other Celtic scored more than 11.
On January 4, the Celtics were in New York to face the Knicks, and lost 100-88. They fell apart in the third quarter, scoring just 15. Kevin Garnett was almost invisible in the scoring category, shooting 1-of-6 for 6 points, 9 rebounds and 5 blocks. Paul Pierce stepped up delivering big in multiple ways. Ray Allen put up bricks. Boston as a team shot just 40.5% and hit just 6-of-25 three-pointers. The Knicks were 41.5%, but nailed 9-of-22 three-pointers (five from Al Harrington) and 23-of-28 free throws. Harrington finished with 30 points. Wilson Chandler had 31.
And yesterday, January 6, the Celtics visited the Bobcats in Charlotte and lost 114-106 in overtime. Charlotte totally dominated the extra period, scoring 17 super-quick points. Emeka Okafor grabbed 17 rebounds in the game. The Bobcats managed 48.1% shooting, totally defying Boston’s defense. And the Celtics again struggled from three-point range, hitting just 6-of-23 (Ray Allen was just 3-of-11 from downtown). The Celtics had lots of nice performances, though Rajon Rondo had an insanely awful 9 turnovers. The Bobcats’ offense was simply not to be denied this day.
Tonight, the Celtics are at home to face the Houston Rockets, then head to Cleveland for a must-watch matchup with the Cavaliers.
Then, things get easier, as they have two games against the Raptors, and two against the Nets.
Now this is awesome. As you know, Portland Trail Blazers center Joel Przybilla is having a terrific season and contributes more to his team than his stats (6.1 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.15 bpg on amazing 75.2% shooting) would suggest.
Przybilla is a pretty level-headed guy. But his grandmother-in-law Stella is mad and not gonna take it anymore.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune (Paul Walsh) reports:
An 80-something in-law of Portland Trail Blazer Joel Przybilla is mad at NBA Commissioner David Stern because the league fined her 7-foot-tall relative for his role in a shoving match with an opposing player last week. Stella Stawski, whose granddaughter is married to Przybilla, said this morning that it’s unfair that the former Gopher and Monticello (Minn.) High School center has to pay the league $7,500 for the physical to-do he had Friday with New Orleans center Tyson Chandler. Stawski, 83 and just a few inches over 5 feet tall, said she mentioned to a friend that she had a mind to fire off a letter to Stern but now concedes that it probably wouldn’t do much good… “The altercation started with the other young man,” Stawski, who lives in suburban Milwaukee, said this morning. “The first punch was done to Joel, not the other way around. … That was a totally flagrant foul.”
I say Stella should challenge David Stern to a game of one-on-one. Winner gets to decide whether the fine stays or goes.
Following the third quarter of last night’s Nuggets-Pacers game, Nuggets supermascot Rocky abruptly left the arena and climbed to the Pepsi Center rooftop. The mountain lion plans to remain on the roof until Nuggets fans have submitted 100,000 NBA All-Star ballots.
Rocky’s departure from Pepsi Center was prompted by an announcement made in-arena stating that if All-Star balloting ended today, no Denver Nuggets player would have enough votes to start in the 2009 NBA All-Star Game in Phoenix.
Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony, however, is third among Western Conference forwards, and trails Amare Stoudemire (Phoenix Suns) for second place – and a starting role – by roughly 17,000 votes.
The Oklahoman (Darnell Mayberry) reports: Nenad Krstic is officially a member of the Thunder after having his work visa approved Monday. And with a new team comes a new nickname. Krstic, the 7-foot center who was signed Dec. 30, is no longer affectionately referred to as “Curly” as he was during his four seasons with the New Jersey Nets. Thunder players have taken to the nickname “Krispy.” While the nickname is more of a play off Krstic’s last name, it could carry a double meaning for how crisp Krstic has been in his first week of practice. “He’s looking good,” Desmond Mason said of Krstic, who could make his Thunder debut tonight against the New York Knicks.
With 29 wins and five losses the Boston Celtics are having a fantastic season as reigning NBA champions.
Aside from stars Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, the team has gotten a big boost from ever-improving point guard Rajon Rondo.
Remember the not-so-distant past when it was not clear who between Rondo and Sebastian Telfair would emerge as the better player? Neither do I.
After an unspectacular start, since November 18 the super-quick Rondo is averaging 13.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 2.35 steals per game on fantastic 55.3% shooting.
Like spurs point guard Tony Parker, Rondo has a limited outside shot but shoots a great percentage thanks to penetration and smart play.
Rondo is currently tied with Orlando Magic point guard Jameer Nelson for the highest shooting percentage of any guard in the league.
The Celtics floor general is also tied with Jason Kidd for third in the league at steals per 48 minutes.
And when not snatching the steal, Rondo plays effective, high-energy defense.
Although they will face competiton from the Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers in the East playoffs, Boston remains the favorite to return to the Finals come June, and Rondo will share in the credit with his more famous teammates.
The New York Times (Jonathan Abrams) reports: In defiance of N.B.A. history and everyday logic, the Nets wear their record inside-out. On the road, they are one of the league’s top teams with a 10-5 record, with as many losses as the Cleveland Cavaliers. At home in the Izod Center, they are 5-12, better than only the Washington Wizards in the Eastern Conference. The end result is that the puzzling Nets are teetering around the break-even mark and in the middle of the pack in the conference. “Right now, we’re a better road team, for whatever reason,” Keyon Dooling said. “It’s kind of unorthodox. But we’ve got to keep chopping wood and trying to get better.” Coach Lawrence Frank has some theories, but solving the problem has been more difficult… According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the 1955-56 Knicks are the only N.B.A. team to finish above .500 on the road (16-13) and below that mark at home (13-15). They went 6-9 in games played at neutral sites. The Boston Celtics, during the 2003-4 season, are the only team this decade to finish below .500 at home (19-22) and qualify for the playoffs, according to Elias.
The Bay Area News Group (Curtis Pashelka) reports: Kelenna Azubuike has evolved into one of Golden State’s best all-around players — second on the team in rebounds (158), third in three-point field-goal percentage (.407) and fifth in scoring (13.6 points). “I feel comfortable in any offense,” the 6-foot-5 Azubuike said. “We’ve all just tried to buy into (the new system). It’s helped us play more (as a team).” Azubuike’s play was one of the few bright spots in the Warriors’ 107-100 loss to Oklahoma City on Wednesday as he scored a season-high 24 points, all in the second half. He was 4 of 6 on three-point attempts and 8 of 12 overall, receiving plenty of open shots thanks to the Warriors’ new offensive philosophy.
The Oklahoman (Mike Baldwin) reports: When the Thunder unveils its new mascot after the All-Star break, the yet-to-be-named character will tightrope a rail in Loud City, drop from the Ford Center ceiling and trampoline to the rim with the dunk team. “We want the mascot to be athletic and very mobile but also be a character that’s part of photo ops and interaction,” said Brian Byrnes, vice president of ticket sales and services. “It’s above and beyond what the character does at our games.” … “Once we choose the character, there are a ton of minor details,” Byrnes said. “How big are the eye holes? How big are his hands and feet? What’s the weight of the costume, his depth perception? What type of material do we use to make sure he’s athletic? It’s all part of the process.”
The Detroit Free Press (Vince Ellis) reports: Amir Johnson has averaged five points and 6.5 rebounds over the last four games, but most importantly, the Pistons are playing their best defense of the season as Johnson’s athleticism, quickness and long arms have been put to good use. And to think, before that four-game stretch, Johnson got no playing time against the Chicago Bulls and had six other DNPs after starting the first seven games of the season. Curry sat Johnson earlier in the season because of inconsistent play and the coach was experimenting with the starting lineup. But it was a rough time for the fourth-year player who the Pistons drafted out of high school in 2005.