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Sad spirits in Boston as head coach Doc Rivers recently lost his father. The AP reports:
Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers has rejoined the team after flying to Chicago to be with family following the death of his father.
Rivers said he planned to coach the Celtics in Wednesday night’s home game against the Denver Nuggets and Friday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks. He then planned to return to Chicago.
The Celtics played at home today where they destroyed the Nuggets.
Golden State Warriors swingman Matt Barnes, who is only playing 18 minutes per game this season so far, has a dislocated finger. The AP reports:
Barnes, who missed Wednesday’s practice, dislocated the knuckle on the ring finger of his right hand. The injury could sideline him when Golden State hosts Dallas on Thursday night in a rematch of last season’s playoff shocker, when the Warriors became the first No. 8 seed to beat a No. 1 seed.
The Warriors are off to a winless start to the 2007-08 season.
Gotta love Clippers point guard Sam Cassell, still scoring in the face of defenders. The AP reports:
Sam Cassell scored 35 points to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 104-89 win over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night in a matchup of unbeaten teams.
Cassell was 13-for-20 from the field to tie his highest point total since he joined the Clippers in 2005.
The Clippers and Pacers were both surprise early success stories and came into this game undefeated.
Turkoglu made history, for himself, in helping the Magic beat the Raptors. The AP Reports:
Hedo Turkoglu had 24 points and a career-high 15 rebounds, Rashard Lewis scored 24 points, and the Orlando Magic beat the Toronto Raptors 105-96 on Wednesday night.
For the season, which is still very young, he’s averaging 20 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 35 minutes per game.
Quick, raise your hands if you called some guy that handles your money and told him you were willing to gamble that the Clippers would be 3-0 and the Bulls would be 0-4. After all wasn’t this supposed to be another losing season for Los Angeles’ other team and a step up for the Bulls.
Wasn’t it supposed to be this way for the Clippers, especially when Elton Brand went down. Well a funny thing happened on the way to the first full week of the NBA season, Chris Kaman lost some weight and his hair. Kaman had his third straight double-double, something he did once last season and five times during the extremely fun 2005-06 season.
I have to admit, I haven’t seen much of the Clippers. I only watched some of the fourth quarter against Golden State on Friday so I’ll be interested to see how their game with the 3-0 Pacers goes Wednesday.
Now should I get excited about the Clippers just yet? I’d guess probably not, wins over the defensively challenged Warriors, the fourth-quarter deficient SuperSonics and one over the what the heck is going here Bulls, might be reason for skepticism, especially since they were 5-1 last season and did not even make the playoffs.
What I will be excited about is the night that Cuttino Mobley had. He was 10-for-10 in the first half, 13-of-17 overall for 33 points. What you also have to like is the final moments of the fourth when the Clippers turned an 89-85 deficit with 4:05 remaining into the victory – a full detailed synopsis can be found here .
That brings us to the other end of the spectrum – the 0-4 Chicago Bulls. Now keep in mind they also started this way three years ago and made the playoffs but the expectations were different this time around. In case you need to be reminded about that, here’s some the lead paragraph from the Sporting News NBA preview magazine:
“John Paxson has slowly built the Chicago Bulls over his five seasons as general manager into of the best teams in the Eastern Conference and perhaps the franchise with the most upside in the years to come.”
So what’s the problem?
The fourth quarter seems to be an issue. They missed their final seven shots against the Clippers. Saturday in Milwaukee, they were down five with 2:07 remaining and missed five of their final six. A night earlier against Philadelphia, they were down two with 5:16 remaining and missed their final seven shots. And finally a week ago in New Jersey, they had a three-point with 4:14 remaining in regulation and missed 14 of their final 20 shots. That adds up to 1-for-19 in the last three games when it was theirs to win.
I’m not panicking and neither are the Bulls. After all they’ve made the playoffs in three straight seasons in spite of a combined record of 13-26 in the first month of the season. It is just troubling to see a team who many think is the cream of the crop in the East perform like this, especially against three teams that aren’t projected playoff teams.
Pregame –
Isiah Thomas talks for five minutes or so, mainly questions about Zach Randolph, Eddy Curry. He also reiterates his “whoever is playing the best” mantra, which basically means he plans on rewarding good play which could lead to wins. He also addresses the fact that Al Sharpton canceled his protest.
Randy Wittman, who some of you may or may not know is a former teammate of Isiah Thomas from their days at Indiana. He does his pregame business in a much more informal setting, sitting on the scorer’s table while his team shoots around. He says he is there for his friend and that famous smile needs to return.
After the meet and greet with a few reporters, I relate to him my autograph story about how in the late 1980s and early 1990s, I used to mail away cards to get autographed and I have his from when he played with the Pacers. I said, I often wondered if they were legitimate or if some intern signed them and he says that I’ll have to show him the card.
As this informal conversation is happening, Antoine Walker is shooting and I must say he looks kind of thinner, which kind of contradicts Pat Riley’s contention that he wasn’t in shape. (Of course I could be wrong as I’m not a fitness guru).
The NBA is selling its’ product by saying “where magic happens, so how are the 30 franchises doing in that area:
Atlanta – The Hawks, who won 30 games last year, are promoting themselves as the “Highlight Factory”. That slogan goes along with the new blue uniforms, which indicate that in Mike Woodson’s fourth season some significant progress is expected. I have no idea if that happens but the last time they won the season opener and missed the playoffs was 1984-85.
Boston – With the arrival of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen along with Paul Pierce, fans are told to “Think Big”. If one game is an indicator which it’s usually not but I think that slogan holds true.
Charlotte – In their fourth season, we’re told “It’s Game Time”. There were still a lot of empty seats last night so we’ll see if the fans buy in.
Chicago – I’m not really sure what the slogan is. A multi-media display before you enter says where a bunch of stuff happens. Maybe the “It’s Game Time” slogan is also in the Windy City.
Cleveland – After making the finals, the Cavs might not have the supporting cast but despite what the outsiders think, it’s “All for one and one for all”.
Dallas – There is no slogan on the website. Being a consistent winner a team probably doesn’t need anything like that.
Denver – Also does not have a slogan. The hot end to last season along with Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony is enough to sell the team.
Detroit – The franchise will spend all year honoring the 50th season. A big banner celebrating the history will be outside the Palace and on the website images of great players . The slogan is 50 Seasons of Hard Work. That’s True Blue Collar.
Golden State – After telling visitors that limited tickets remain there is no slogan just a nice visual of the spotlight shining on the building with the Bay Area in the background.
Houston- The website is multi-lingual so the slogan is “It’s Time”.
Indiana – Also is without a slogan, just the generic “It’s Game Time”, which is what the Warriors have.
LA Clippers – Not sure if it’s the slogan but when you enter the website, you have entered Clippers Nation, which is more than a state of mind but an art form.
LA Lakers – There is no slogan but this is the 60th season of Lakers basketball.
Memphis – In the wake of last season, the franchise wants to forget it. So therefore it’s the simple “New Game” in honor of the Newness in the GM, coach and new players. They also have a highly detailed presentation of the slogan.
Miami – I’m not sure if this is the slogan but Uptown is the place to be in their efforts to sell tickets and entertain the fans. Apparently Uptown is the cheap seats near the top of the Arena.
Milwaukee – Is also sloganless but the site can be read in Chinese now.
Minnesota – Expected to be a big rebuilding, they are urging fans to “See What They Can Do” and are using a Sweetwater Jones character as a gimmick.
New Jersey – “More than Just a Game”
New Orleans – Back in New Orleans on a full-time basis, the slogan is “Passion, Purpose and Pride”
New York – The Knicks do not have a slogan but do have a court outside the Garden on Seventh avenue.
Orlando – With the signing of Rashard Lewis to join forces with Dwight Howard, “The Time is Now” and be Bold, be Blue.
Philadelphia – You’d think you were getting messages from a teacher with this one “Inspiration leads to Accomplishment”.
Phoenix – In this era of nations, the Suns are a planet and when you enter the website, they ask “Are You a Citizen” and welcome you to “Planet Orange”
Portland – “This is Rip City” and “Rise With Us”. Those slogans come after we are a message that looks like the opening credits of a movie.
Sacramento – It has to be difficult to market this team and there is no slogan.
San Antonio – Four championship trophies. That’s all that’s needed.
Seattle – When the franchise is moving and you’ve invested a lot of time and money, it’s tough but the organization wants you to “Be Part of It”.
Toronto – “Canada’s Team”. Good One, especially when there’s no other competition in the country.
Utah – “Pure Adrenaline Rush”
Washington – A play on the royalty theme, the Wizards “Are Ready to Rule”