Last Week's Rank - 1 G MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT% 59 39.0 29.9 7.1 8.5 1.6 1.0 .502 .352 .772
While 33 points, nine rebounds and six assists couldn't get it done at Orlando Sunday, James' 36 points, seven boards and nine assists did grind down the Celtics in Boston on Thursday. It came two days after his 20 points, 13 assists against New Orleans, with a two-game winning streak making up for the Cavs' little skid.
Last Week's Rank - 2 G MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT% 56 40.0 29.8 7.6 2.9 1.4 0.9 .479 .381 .882
Into each MVP candidate's life, some rain must fall: Durant's streak of 25-point games ended at 29 when he shot 3-of-12 over the final three quarters at San Antonio on Wednesday, had a potentially pivotal attempt down the stretch blocked by Manu Ginobili and settled for 21 in the Thunder's loss. The Race does not penalize for blips, though, not this deep into the season.
Last Week's Rank - 4 G MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT% 58 35.3 18.7 13.5 1.6 1.0 2.8 .607 --- .611
In the victory at Houston on Wednesday, Howard (30 points, 16 rebounds, 11-of-11 FG) became the first player since Wilt Chamberlain in March 1969 to reach 30 and 15 without missing a field goal. "I don't think this is just a stretch, I think his game has matured," Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy said. "He's changed the way he plays now. He's not forcing his way to the basket. If you take away his move across the middle, he'll counter." Scary.
Last Week's Rank - 3 G MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT% 53 38.6 27.9 5.4 4.6 1.7 0.3 .463 .330 .816
The Lakers went 4-1 while their leader nursed a sprained left ankle. Now they're 1-1 with him back. File this for playoff reference: Bryant averaged 16.3 points on 40 percent shooting and went 2-of-13 from 3-point range in four meetings (2-2) with Dallas.
Last Week's Rank - 5 G MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT% 44 38.0 29.1 6.3 3.4 1.2 0.4 .463 .359 .839
Anthony scored 27 in Denver's victory at Golden State but he trailed a certain teammate by 10. The committee notes but isn't too worried that the Nuggets' forward has scored 30 points or more "only" three times in his last 12 games, compared to eight such outbursts in his previous 11.
Last Week's Rank - 8 G MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT% 57 37.7 24.8 7.6 2.5 0.9 1.1 .474 .345 .905
Sure, Nowitzki had help in the form of Jason Terry's 30 points in the victory Wednesday over the Lakers. But it still was the Mavericks' fifth consecutive triumph and, with Nowitzki scoring 31, it was his 13th such performance of the season and first since Jan. 18.
Last Week's Rank - -- G MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT% 48 33.6 20.2 3.0 6.2 1.2 0.1 .436 .435 .902
Billups led Denver at Oakland with 37 pints, two shy of his career high, and had nine assists, six rebounds and a game-altering four-point play. Not unlike the 37, eight and eight he had against the Warriors back on Jan. 20. Denver is 22-4 when Billups scores at least 20 points, and his floor leadership is more vital than ever with George Karl's health absences.
Last Week's Rank - 6 G MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT% 53 36.4 24.5 11.4 2.3 0.6 1.1 .525 .375 .790
Bosh was iffy heading into Toronto's game vs. Cleveland on Friday, which would make it four games missed with an ankle injury. At 2-1 while he's out, the Raptors could strengthen Bosh's MVP standing by losing again -- but that's as counterproductive as the one-superstar theory.
Last Week's Rank - 9 G MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT% 51 37.2 18.4 4.2 10.0 1.1 0.2 .474 .361 .788
Speaking of teammates who make teammates better, it's less important whether Race member Williams is fueling Carlos Boozer's recent tear or whether it's the other way around. It's happening and Utah keeps winning.
Last Week's Rank - 10 G MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT% 58 33.6 17.6 3.3 11.2 0.5 0.2 .513 .426 .936
With back and abdomen issues, Nash gets 11 points, 17 assists and then 20 points, 13 assists in victories over Sacramento and Philadelphia. No one's bumping him off this final perch this week after outings like that.
.:Haikal #08:. @ 8:38 PM
Lakers Take The Grizzlies, 99-98.
No one does it quite like Kobe Bryant! Bryant returned to the line-up after missing five games with an ankle injury, and not only lead the Lakers with 32 points but hit a 3-pointer with 4.3 seconds left to lift which beat the Grizzlies 99-98.
Bryant has been missing from the Lakers lineup for his longest stretch in five years. He scored nine points in the opening quarter, including a four-point play.
Pau Gasol added 22 points and 13 rebounds for the Lakers, who now have won for the seventh time in their last eight road games.
.:Haikal #08:. @ 10:06 PM
Kevin Garnett has reached 20, 000 rebounds in his career.
Congratulations.
Lazy to update more...
.:Haikal #08:. @ 11:05 PM
Ne-Yo - If You Want Me To Stay nice sia.
.:Haikal #08:. @ 5:18 PM
.:Haikal #08:. @ 3:11 PM
Geico H.O.R.S.E. -> Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
Haier Shooting Stars -> Team Texas
Taco Bell Skills Challenge -> Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns
Foot Locker 3-Point Contest -> Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics
Sprite Slam Dunk -> Nate Robinson, New York Knicks
All-Star Game -> Eastern Conference
.:Haikal #08:. @ 2:54 PM
ARLINGTON -- Dwyane Wade sure enjoys finishing first in North Texas. The Heat's signature star added to his Lone Star State legend with a dazzling aerial performance Sunday night worthy of the largest basketball crowd in the history of civilization. If only D-Wade would have put those hops to use Saturday night. Wade led all the All-Stars with 28 points as the Eastern Conference held on for a 141-139 triumph before a record 108,713 fans packing Cowboys Stadium to its retractable roof. For only the second time in his career, Wade left the Dallas area victorious. How's this for efficiency? The 2006 Finals MVP clinched Miami's lone title with a 36-point effort to close out the Mavericks in Game 6 at American Airlines Center. And then there was Sunday. "I've had a little luck in Dallas," Wade quipped. "Of course 2006 is very, very memorable. Something that I dreamed of doing for a long time -- winning the NBA championship -- and I was lucky enough and blessed enough to win the MVP award there. "To come and do it again is special." Wade slashed and gashed through the West defense, shooting just one 3-pointer along the way. He missed just four of 16 shots, while finding time and teammates to hand out a team-best 11 assists. There were also six rebounds and a game-high five steals in the 31-minute outing. Wade picked up nine of the 12 possible MVP votes, outdistancing teammates LeBron James (two) and Chris Bosh (one). And in the same vein as Mark Cuban shooting for more when attendance estimates were inching near 100,000 in recent days, Wade hoped for a little more on his stat line. "I want to do a little bit of everything, kind of what I do," he said. "Wish I could have got a couple more rebounds; made it real special." West forward Dirk Nowitzki has tried his best to block out the D-Wade Experience from four years ago. The two both went to the line in the final 13 seconds, drawing a faint flash bask to that wild series. What the Mavericks' franchise player, or anyone else, can't forget is Wade's exhausting drive. "They deserved it back then and so hopefully I get another shot," Nowitzki said, "but he's an incredible player and he's fun to watch." After a pair of injury-plagued seasons following the title, and a trip to the lottery, Wade and the Heat have rebounded over the last two seasons. He's regained his stature as one of the three or four best players in the league. He's also the first from the Heat franchise to win the All-Star MVP. "I'm just happy for Dwyane Wade," East teammate Dwight Howard said. "All the things he's been through in his career, for him to come out on top tonight and get the MVP, I'm happy for him." As spectacular as Wade was, Cuban good-naturedly lobbied for a co-MVP. How about the crowd and the experience? "Wow, wow. All you can say is that it's amazing," gushed the Mavericks owner, the co-brainchild behind this All-Star game with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. "What do you think? Kinda makes that thing in Miami look like ... I shouldn't say that." Cuban took another good-natured jab at the Super Bowl: "I'm booking The Who to play at my son's bar mitzvah." The Grammy-laden musical lineup of Alicia Keys, Shakira and Usher shared the spotlight Sunday, but no one shined brighter than Wade. "It's a historical event," Wade said. "It's going to be in our minds and our hearts and thoughts for a long time, Dallas and the MVP. Jerry Jones and Mark Cuban really put on a fabulous event and to be able to perform in front of a crowd like that, I know that I can do it. "I've done it before."
.:Haikal #08:. @ 2:50 PM
Year Location Shootout Winner 2010 Dallas Paul Pierce, Boston 2009 Phoenix Daequan Cook, Miami 2008 New Orleans Jason Kapono, Toronto 2007 Las Vegas Jason Kapono, Miami Heat 2006 Houston Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas 2005 Denver Quentin Richardson, Phoenix 2004 Los Angeles Voshon Lenard, Denver 2003 Atlanta Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento 2002 Philadelphia Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento 2001 Washington Ray Allen, Milwaukee 2000 Oakland Jeff Hornacek, Utah 1998 New York Jeff Hornacek, Utah 1997 Cleveland Steve Kerr, Chicago 1996 San Antonio Tim Legler, Washington 1995 Phoenix Glen Rice, Miami 1994 Minneapolis Mark Price, Cleveland 1993 Salt Lake City Mark Price, Cleveland 1992 Orlando Craig Hodges, Chicago 1991 Charlotte Craig Hodges, Chicago 1990 Miami Craig Hodges, Chicago 1989 Houston Dale Ellis, Seattle 1988 Chicago Larry Bird, Boston 1987 Seattle Larry Bird, Boston 1986 Dallas Larry Bird, Boston
.:Haikal #08:. @ 2:36 PM
DALLAS -- Getting redemption the only place possible for the moment, Paul Pierce of the Celtics atoned for a bad showing his last time in the competition by winning the Foot Locker Three-Point Contest on Saturday at American Airlines Center.
It won't count as a response to a disappointing first half for the Celtics, who stand at No. 4 in the Eastern Conference amid injuries and losses in five of the 10 games before the All-Star break. But the moment clearly surpassed something more than an exhibition win for Pierce. He flashed a wide smile and bounded into the post-event press conference with loud boasts about erasing the memory of the last-place tie in the 2002 event in Philadelphia while making just eight shots in the opening round.
This time, Pierce nailed 14 the first try and, in the scoring system with a "money ball" worth double, 17 points. That was worth a tie for second with Chauncey Billups of the Nuggets, behind Stephen Curry of the Warriors. Danilo Gallinari of the Knicks, Channing Frye of the Suns and defending champion Daequan Cook of the Heat all had 15 points and were eliminated.
Pierce led off the final round and had 20 points, setting a strong pace. Billups went next and had 14. Curry took his turn and made four of five attempts off the first rack and three of five off the second while converting both money-ball opportunities. Curry was nearly half way to matching Pierce with 60 percent of his shots still to come.
But when he made only one from among the third set, straight-away from behind the 3-point arc, Curry fell off the necessary pace. Even with getting the money ball one more time and making three shots off the final baseline rack, he still finished with 17 points and in second place.
"I take pride in competition," Pierce said. "Like I said, back in '02, when I didn't do well in it and the way I've been practicing and shooting well this year, I was like, 'This is a great opportunity for me to come out here and redeem myself.'
"It was all set up. It was set up and I had a chance to do it again and that's all I needed. All I needed was another chance. I didn't get invited for seven years. Seven, eight years, I never got invited again and this was the opportunity where I got invited, and I took advantage of it this time."
Eight years ago in Philadelphia isn't the only historical footnote. The last time Dallas hosted All-Star weekend, in 1986 at now-demolished Reunion Arena, Larry Bird won the same competition as a Celtic.
"The stars were lined up, I guess," Pierce said.
So were the shots. And the shot at redemption.
.:Haikal #08:. @ 2:34 PM
Year Location Slam Dunk Champion 2010 Dallas Nate Robinson, New York 2009 Phoenix Nate Robinson, New York 2008 New Orleans Dwight Howard, Orlando 2007 Las Vegas Gerald Green, Boston 2006 Houston Nate Robinson, New York 2005 Denver Josh Smith, Atlanta 2004 Los Angeles Fred Jones, Indiana 2003 Atlanta Jason Richardson, Golden State 2002 Philadelphia Jason Richardson, Golden State 2001 Washington, D.C. Desmond Mason, Seattle 2000 Oakland Vince Carter, Toronto 1997 Cleveland Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers 1996 San Antonio Brent Barry, L.A. Clippers 1995 Phoenix Harold Miner, Miami 1994 Minneapolis Isaiah Rider, Minnesota 1993 Salt Lake City Harold Miner, Cleveland 1992 Orlando Cedric Ceballos, Phoenix 1991 Charlotte Dee Brown, Boston 1990 Miami Dominique Wilkins, Atlanta 1989 Houston Kenny Walker, New York 1988 Chicago Michael Jordan, Chicago 1987 Seattle Michael Jordan, Chicago 1986 Dallas Spud Webb, Atlanta 1985 Indianapolis Dominique Wilkins, Atlanta 1984 Denver Larry Nance, Phoenix
.:Haikal #08:. @ 2:31 PM
DALLAS -- One of the concerns about the Sprite Slam Dunk, after more than a quarter-century of throwdowns on All-Star Saturday, is that all possible dunks have been done. Until players sprout wings or sneakers pack booster jets, there would seem to be a limit to the combinations of altitude, angles, intensity and gravity.
Imagine how New York's reserve guard Nate Robinson felt then, competing at American Airlines Center Saturday for the fifth consecutive year in a contest he already had won twice. To have any more tricks up his sleeves, the Knicks' pocket rocket would need Dikembe Mutombo's reach. And both arms.
And yet, Robinson came up with enough to defeat Toronto Raptors rookie DeMar DeRozan in the 2010 dunk event, earning enough acclaim from the former NBA players-turned-judges in the first round, then getting 51 percent of the fans' votes via text-messaging or online at NBA.com. He successfully defended his '09 title and became the first three-time champion, breaking his tie with two-timers Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, Harold Miner and Jason Richardson.
"You've got to kind of figure out a dunk that nobody's tried,'' Robinson said of finding something new, or at least refurbished, to dazzle dunk devotees. "Or kind of like a tribute dunk, I guess or you know, a copycat dunk, you could say.
"But myself, I think, 'What can get the kids out of their seats? What can get people's attention?' That's what you've got to try to do.''
With four players -- Robinson, DeRozan, Charlotte's Gerald Wallace and the Lakers' Shannon Brown -- competing in the two-round, two dunks-per-round exhibition, the compact (5-foot-9), powerfully built (180 pounds) Robinson saved his best for last.
After Wallace and Brown were eliminated in the first round -- Brown, a favorite of many NBA players, was disappointingly ordinary -- Robinson went for local appeal by recruiting four Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders to stand in support -- and as scenery -- nearby. He tried twice to come in from behind the basket and twist in a slam, but missed, so Robinson went with a big bounce from the left wing that he caught and jammed home.
DeRozan -- who had earned his Saturday berth by besting Clippers guard Eric Gordon in the league's first-ever Dunk-In on Friday -- followed with a memorable dunk. The rookie had Raptors teammate Sonny Weems face the rim and toss the ball off the backboard while DeRozan ran up behind and then vaulted him. He controlled the rebound with his right hand and jammed it through.
DeRozan also had scored the night's only 50 in the first round after Weems tossed the ball off the left edge of the backboard and DeRozan cranked it down.
Said Robinson: "Young fella, he can jump. Downstairs when we was practicing, he was doing some different dunks that I thought he was going to do. But I guess they were just for warm-ups. So don't be surprised when you see him next year.''
It became a wait-till-next-year night for DeRozan after Robinson's final dunk. This time, the Knicks guard scooped the ball off the backboard, spun and put it through with two hands, backwards, in a move that accentuated his size and leaping ability. When DeRozan missed once, then countered with a two-handed windmill that seemed a little ordinary, the title was Robinson's. Again.
"No, no, no,'' he said later. "No more titles. It's the last one.''
Robinson said he never considered giving the Jerry Jones' cheerleaders a bigger role such as, oh, stacking them in a pyramid to jump over. "The main thing was just to have them out there,'' he said. "They're pretty much the face of the Cowboys -- there's about a hundred of them -- and they picked the best four.''
It also was a nice plug for the All-Star Game Sunday, which will be played in the massive Cowboys Stadium. "We're in Dallas,'' Robinson said. "Right when they said I was in [this contest], I was like, 'I've got to be creative, I've got to think of something fast.' I'm a football guy -- I watch a lot of football, so I see them all the time. Especially on that big Jumbotron, you can't miss 'em.''
Couldn't miss the little guy with the big hops -- and this time, no props -- either.
.:Haikal #08:. @ 2:28 PM
"It's meant to be a party," Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said. "We say we're going to throw the biggest party like you've never seen before and that's exactly what it turned out to be." Cuban was joined at midcourt by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones at the end of the third quarter to announce the record figure. The record was certified by Guiness Book of World Records, and there were already T-shirts celebrating the mark. Jones spearheaded the building of the $1.2 billion stadium that opened last year in Arlington, a city of more than 370,000 people located between Dallas and Fort Worth. The crowd for the second NBA All-Star game in the Dallas area was larger than any of the NFL games played in the stadium. The Cowboys drew 105,121 for their first regular-season game against the New York Giants last September to set an NFL regular-season attendance record. For their playoff game last month against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Cowboys drew a crowd of 92,951. That was the most in NFL history for a playoff game other than the Super Bowl. "Everybody's had a great time. ... You can just see people's eyes just bugging out of their head," Cuban said. "It's crazy and I haven't heard a negative comment yet."All-Star game sets record for most-attended basketball game.
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Not only bigger in Texas. The biggest.
The NBA All-Star game at Cowboys Stadium set a record for the most-attended basketball game ever with a crowd of 108,713 people filling the stadium Sunday night.
.:Haikal #08:. @ 2:25 PM
DALLAS -- Four years later, Dirk Nowitzki finally got his championship on the court at American Airlines Center.
Nowitzki joined Becky Hammon of the WNBA San Antonio Silver Stars and former Houston Rockets star Kenny Smith to lead Team Texas to victory in the Haier Shooting Stars competition on All-Star Saturday Night.
So, is it redemption for his Dallas Mavericks losing the 2006 NBA Finals to the Miami Heat on the same floor?
"What happened in 2006?" asked a laughing Nowitzki. "It's obviously a great, fun way to start off the weekend for me. I have a lot of people here, a lot of Germans who were following me and we brought a crowd to Dallas, so it was great."
Team Texas beat out the Los Angeles team of Pau Gasol (Lakers), Marie Ferdinand-Harris (Sparks) and Brent Barry (Clippers) in the finals, winning with a blazing time of 34.3.
The Atlanta team of Joe Johnson, Angel McCoughtry and Steve Smith and the Sacramento team of Tyreke Evans, Nicole Powell and Chris Webber were eliminated in the first round.
"I'm not going to say anything to [TNT broadcast partner] Charles [Barkley] that I have another trophy that he didn't win," joked Smith. "Hey, this is different from my NBA championships in 1994 and 1995. This was all fun. This was about having a shooter's touch. I shoot better in Texas."
Smith actually employed a strategy in the competition, which consisted mainly of trash-talking to Webber and Smith.
"I talked to C-Webb and I talked to Steve," Smith said. "I wanted to get inside their heads. I didn't think I could get inside Brent's head, but I also didn't think they could beat us, because we had Dirk. Our pro was a better shooter than their pro (Gasol). Hey, I'm the weak link.
"The thing is if you that first shot, it's trouble. I told Chris, 'If you miss the first shot, you're gonna miss five or six in a row.' I planted that seed in his head. What you've got to remember is a lot of guys have never been in a competition where you're just out there by yourself. You're used to playing with teammates and now it's just you and the 20,000. It's a different feel. It's not the same."
Hammon had previously won the Shooting Stars event at New Orleans when she teamed up with San Antonio Spurs stars Tim Duncan and David Robinson and took a little grief back home for joining a team with a Maverick leading the way.
"I felt pretty good coming into the night with Dirk," Hammon said. "But don't make me go sour on my boys from San Antonio. I always brag about Tim Duncan and David Robinson being very nice and Dirk is just as good a gentleman."
Nowitzki, a former winner of the Three-Point Contest, chuckled and said he's considering go for a sweep of all the events on All-Star Saturday Night next year.
"Actually, I'm a little bit disappointed, because I wanted to shoot 3-pointers at home year," Nowitzki said. "But the NBA didn't invite me."
.:Haikal #08:. @ 2:10 PM
Los Angeles was also without center Andrew Bynum, who was out with a bruised right hip, yet didn’t appear to be the slightest bit short-handed.
The Los Angeles Lakers last three wins have come with Bryant resting his sore left ankle, which he aggravated last week. Whether he will play in Sunday’s All-Star game is still up in the air, but the team has shown that they can still hold it down for him to recover as they prepare to defend their NBA title.
.:Haikal #08:. @ 7:56 PM
Of course, neither is Kevin Durant's rising star. The decision by all parties in Lakers-land for Bryant to withdraw from the activities of NBA All-Star Weekend is a smart one. As much as the league, the fans in the stands in Dallas and the viewers watching from home might want to see Bryant in all his 12th All-Star appearance, 2009-10 splendor, the fact is, he's hurting and hobbled, and slogging through a weekend of events and appearances on-court and off wouldn't be the routine prescribed by his doctor, trainer or physical therapist. The Race watched New Orleans guard Chris Paul, aided by a pair of brushed-steel crutches, slowly navigate his way from hotel ballroom to hotel ballroom Thursday afternoon. In fact, The Race very nearly got tangled up in Paul's crutches while walking and talking immediately to the Hornets point guard's left. That's all the NBA needs: The Race or some other august body inadvertently stepping on Bryant's sprained left ankle. So let's etch a cautionary rule right here and now: When The Race's first step is as quick as the player's, said player shall not participate in any pastime more grueling than napping. By staying away, Bryant gets to rest, recuperate and avoid clumsy reporters, photographers and MVP-monitoring committees. [The Race does not believe for a minute that the Lakers star woke up Thursday morning, clicked to The Weather Channel, saw the popcorn-sized snowflakes descending on Dallas and realized in that instant how much, gee, his ankle hurts after all.] By missing the Lakers' last three games before the break, meanwhile, Bryant provided that team with an opportunity to demonstrate serious resiliency on three successive superstar-less nights. Los Angeles won at Portland, vs. San Antonio and at Utah by an average of 14.7 points. They beat top-notch, or at least Tier 2, competition handily and both looked good and had fun doing it. So where's the downside in all that? After all, Bryant gets to heal and gets a breather at a point in the season when players really need it, across a long, demanding weekend when most of the NBA's other top dogs are at their busiest. Consider Durant: Oklahoma City's phenom will serve as the assistant coach Friday for the newbies in the Rookie Challenge game, defend his H.O.R.S.E. title on Saturday and then, as the league's breakout star this season, make his All-Star Game debut on Sunday. Along with all the media obligations, ticket procurements, PSA tapings and photo sessions. The rest of the Lakers will return from the break for home games against Golden State and Boston feeling better about themselves -- their supporting cast-ness for Bryant -- than at any point this season. Some longtime L.A. observers even see a dark lining to that silver cloud, since Bryant doesn't so much blend himself into any edition of the Lakers as squat on it. One blogger in the Los Angeles Times wrote: "The Lakers superstar discovered that his guys are a whole lot better, and more cohesive and together and on the same page, than they are when he, Kobe, is dribbling out the clock, holding the ball and trying to beat three guys off the dribble while hoisting up 20 to 35 shots a game.'' The Race is not interested in sporting soap operas or schisms. It does, however, perk up when a player as valuable as Bryant can call in hurt and the assembly line hiccups not. One of the great unwritten standards with almost all MVP voters is how a team fares when that trophy candidate isn't around. As the saying goes, sometimes your absence is your presence. [Or vice versa, The Race never remembers.] Does the team sink like a stone without its best player? Or does it plug along, resourceful and even renewed? The Lakers' recent success without Bryant suggests that the crew around him is more capable than many assumed. Which suggests that lifting them up isn't as weighty a task as what LeBron James does in Cleveland or what Durant does with the Thunder.
What's good for Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers might not be, in this case, good for Bryant's Most Valuable Player ambitions.
.:Haikal #08:. @ 7:52 PM
NEW YORK -- Los Angeles Clippers center Chris Kaman has been named by NBA Commissioner David Stern to replace injured West All-Star guard Brandon Roy (right hamstring strain) of the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2010 NBA All-Star Game in Dallas. Kaman will be making his first All-Star appearance.
Kidd replaces injured Kobe; Lee steps in for Iverson.
DALLAS, Feb. 11, 2010 -- Dallas Mavericks guard Jason Kidd and New York Knicks forward David Lee have been named by NBA Commissioner David Stern to replace injured West All-Star guard Kobe Bryant (ankle) of the Los Angeles Lakers and East All-Star guard Allen Iverson (personal reasons) of the Philadelphia 76ers, respectively, in the 2010 NBA All-Star Game in Dallas.
Kidd, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and five-time All-NBA First Team selection, will be making his 10th NBA All-Star Game appearance. Lee, in his fifth NBA season, has recorded 30 double-doubles on the season for the Knicks and will be making his first NBA All-Star appearance.
West All-Star head coach George Karl and East All-Star head coach Stan Van Gundy will determine which players will replace Bryant and Iverson in the starting lineup.
The NBA All-Star Game will air live on TNT, ESPN Radio and in 200 countries and territories in more than 40 languages worldwide at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 14.
.:Haikal #08:. @ 7:37 PM
Saw Parath Marcus Zhen Hao Sean on the way to JPS. They say cant go in but we just go. Saw crowd of 97 badge outside gate. Wanted to go in, but then saw Miss Lee goin out. She talked to me Jonathan Parath & think Kino. Went to saw the basketball rim was broken down at the side. Stupid sia Wilvin his fault made everyone cant go in cause he pulled the rim. We always dunk on the front one not at the side mah. He act only sia. Wanted to dunk.
Then went 320 back. Court was full of people so me Jonathan sat down at the shelter & watch they played. Dk how was at prata shop. Sharon Vermelle sat together with us. Shouted Rifaee & he act as though he was on the wrong place. LOL. Back to shelter there with many. Then can go back to JPS. Went in then went out then back in then out. Then back to 320. At 5+, Jonathan Vermelle Sharon You Ting went to Jurong Point. Wanted to go but was kinda too late so I went home.
.:Haikal #08:. @ 7:03 PM
Tuesday, the ******* follow me to 320. Saw Kino Wincoln Eugene at prata shop. Went to eat. Played basketball with them. Then Marcus, Clarissa & friends came. Yuni was pretty. Marc say one of Clarissa friend was pretty. Vermelle Nikki Hui Shi Sharon Ophelia Shilin was there, somemore forgot also. Played with volleyball, the ***** angry with me. Lame la. 2 Jurong Sec came & played with them. Marcus told Yuni that I said she was pretty, wtf. Nikki still cant get revenge on me, :P
Wednesday after school got like Adam Khoo thingy & was compulsory. Had lots of fun there. Disturb the "girl" the whole day. He 100% walk like a girl sia. The coach say the best friend ever you will have is in Secondary School but to me if you handle the friendship well, thats the best friend ever you will have.
Thrusday, CMM & was the 3rd lesson & on that day, theres a NCC trainin. My form teacher PURPOSELY excuse N2 from NCC to attend CMM. Wtf ? CMM borin sia, nothin to do, but N3 went to NCC. Fuck sia.
.:Haikal #08:. @ 5:32 PM
Ray Allen has reached milestones since December 10th 09.
Dirk Nowitzki has reached milestones & was the 34th player since January 13th 10.
Tim Duncan has reached milestones & was the 38th player since January 22nd 10.
Kevin Garnett has reached milestones and passes Larry Bird on the all-time scorin list since February 1st 10.
Kobe Bryant has reached milestones (25, 000 points) & was the youngest player since January 21st 10.
Josh Smith has reached 1, 000 blocks on his career & was the youngest player in history since February 2nd 10.
Kobe Bryant passes Jerry West on the Los Angeles Lakers history & was the 1st in Lakers
history since February 1st 10.
Phil Jackson has won 534th wins as a Lakers coach and breaks Pat Rileys record, 533th since February 3rd 10.
All these are over so belated congrats to all of them.
.:Haikal #08:. @ 8:06 AM
Wednesday went to Discovery Centre cause of Total Defence Day & was only one-way transport. Did the activities there, scored 13/14. Got the fireman hat as a prize. Went home with friends by takin MRT, from Joo Koon to Chinese Garden then walked to 320. Played till Hui Shi VermelleShilin Fabrianne came. Fab bought Bobby down & played with Bobby. Terence was there too. Marcus & friends came, 1 center & 1 shooter. JPS juniors came, played with them. Manage to block with my left hand & said " Not on my watch ". Then they all laughed. Sharon & brother came also.
Thrusday have a CMM & was compulsory. N3 pupils came then was damn noisy. Teacher also lazy to scold. Friday NCC Trainin. New comer came from N2, changed CCA from shootin to NCC. Learned kanan pusing / right turn, kiri pusing / left turn, belakang pusing / back turn, bersedia, senang diri , bersurai & 1 more was the same as bersurai but forgot then name liao. Was divided into 3 groups, 2 & 3 group combined & they did pumpin 25 / 28 times. Terence was there. I was in group 1, joined 2 & 3, then no one to volunteer then all tio pumpin 10 times.
Yesterday went Grandmother to watch NBA; Philadelphia 76ers vs New Orleans Hornets. Philly won without Allen Iverson. Hornets lose without Chris Paul. Top 2 point guards was not present. Then to Boon Lays Lan, played with Kino Chin Chee Sean. Jonathan called say go to Gek Poh cause he want to play Lan there. Mom called say must go home, wtf. Went home then went to Yatch Club. Wanted to go to Gym then no attire. Swam there for 4 freakin hours & Im goin to be black soon like Sharon always called me.
Out of 4 test, 2 pass. Maths got 12/20, Science 13/30, Malay 27/60, Geography 71/2/15. Science 2 more marks, Malay 3 more marks sia. Luckily theres a re-test for Science. Must pass...
.:Haikal #08:. @ 7:25 AM
