NBA Basketball Sports News in Philippines

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

NBA News 2012: Chris Paul boosts Clippers in OT for 3-1 series lead vs. Grizzlies

Los Angeles Clippers logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The Los Angeles Clippers' 10-point lead late in regulation had evaporated, and Blake Griffin stood helplessly at their bench with hands on hips after fouling out in overtime. A building full of red-shirted fans sat nervously, dreading another disaster for a franchise with more than its share.

Except Chris Paul wasn't around for any of the Clippers' bad times.

While everybody else worried, he calmly shepherded his club out of another perilous spot and onto the brink of something big.

Paul scored eight of his 27 points in a dynamic overtime performance, and the Clippers moved to the verge of their second playoff series victory in 36 years with a 101-97 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night, taking a 3-1 series lead.

"It's fun, it's exciting," said Paul, who atoned for his inability to score at the regulation buzzer.

"The worst mistake I probably made in the game was not getting the shot at the end of regulation," he added. "If I was at home watching it on TV, I'd be talking so bad about me. But you've got to get through it. The [best] thing about it is that I have teammates that have confidence in me. Everything that we do is a team win."

Maybe so, but the Clippers were ever so grateful to rely on their All-Star point guard.

Griffin had 30 points and seven assists before fouling out with 2:26 left in overtime for the Clippers, who blew an 84-74 lead over the final 4½ minutes of regulation before Paul took charge in the overtime. He played with the same intensity he showed late in regulation, heedlessly flinging himself over the front row of chairs in an attempt to save a loose ball.

"He's a great player, and that's what great players do," Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said.

Game 5 is Wednesday night in Memphis, with Game 6 back at Staples Center on Friday if necessary.

After Paul hit consecutive jumpers to put the Clippers ahead 99-93 with 44 seconds left, Mike Conley's layup with 8.1 seconds left trimmed the Clippers' lead back to two points. But after Mo Williams hit two free throws with 7.2 seconds left and Rudy Gay missed a meaningless 3-pointer, Griffin and Paul embraced while another frenzied sellout crowd of long-suffering Clippers fans roared.

"Chris is always intense," Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro said. "That's what makes him special. Chris is so good, not only at making plays for himself, but making the right play. That's what makes him a star."

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=320507012

NBA News 2012: Knicks coach not counting on Lin for Game 5

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 14: (R) Mike Woodson the interim head coach of the New York Knicks talks with (L) Jeremy Lin #17 of the New York Knicks during the game against the Portland Trailblazers at Madison Square Garden on March 14, 2012 in New York City. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)
Linsanity turned the season around for the Knicks once, and they are even more desperate for help now.

Mike Woodson isn't expecting it.

The interim coach said Monday he wasn't counting on Jeremy Lin to play Wednesday when his short-handed Knicks visit Miami for Game 5 of their first-round playoff series.

''I'm going at this as if he's not going to play. That's how it's been here for the last month, month and a half, and that's how I'm preparing,'' Woodson said during a conference call.

Woodson also knows Baron Davis won't be available after the veteran guard tore ligaments in his right knee.

Lin became the biggest story in the NBA in February when he went from undrafted benchwarmer out of Harvard to starring point guard who was on the cover of Sports Illustrated two weeks in a row. A quicker-than-expected return from knee surgery would be heavily hyped with the Knicks down two point guards and facing elimination against LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and the Heat. But Lin just may not be ready to attempt it.

''I've watched him shoot and run up and down. He's not in great shape and you know as well as I know that playoff basketball, you've got to be at an all-time high, and he hasn't played in a while,'' Woodson said. ''So I don't know if that's going to be a determining factor with the doctors, and the fact that he hasn't played. I can say, yes, he looks good, but again, does he feel good? Do the doctors think it's enough time based on the injury that he's had to get him out on the floor? I can't make that decision.''

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/knicks-coach-not-counting-lin-154223123--nba.html;_ylt=ArX7d00AXwMzmZmvj5w_oCC8vLYF

Monday, May 7, 2012

NBA News 2012: Woody on playoff win: 'It's about time'

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 14: (R) Mike Woodson the interim head coach of the New York Knicks talks with (L) Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks during the game against the Portland Trailblazers at Madison Square Garden on March 14, 2012 in New York City. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)
The New York Knicks' organization had waited 4,024 days for this.

New York snapped an NBA-record 13-game playoff losing streak -- which spanned 4,024 days -- on Sunday when it pulled out a thrilling, 89-87, win over the Miami Heat in Game 4 of their first-round series.

"It’s about time. This team is good enough to win [playoff] games," interim coach Mike Woodson said. "There’s no doubt. We’ve proved we can beat anybody in this league."

The win may have been doubly significant for Woodson. The fact that Woodson won a playoff game will no doubt factor in to the Knicks' decision on whether or not to bring him back next season.

But that's a decision for another day.

On Sunday, the Knicks soaked in the screams of the sold-out Garden crowd after Dwyane Wade's potential game-winner bounced off the rim.

"The fans were tremendous tonight," Carmelo Anthony said after scoring 41 points -- 12 in the fourth quarter -- to lead the Knicks. "Despite all the stuff that is going on with our team, for us to come together and win this playoff game tonight, it was a great feeling."

Amare Stoudemire complimented the fans, some of whom had endured 10 seasons without a playoff win.

Stoudemire played a key role in the win by scoring 20 points and grabbing 10 rebounds against Miami.

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/knicks/post/_/id/18913/woody-on-playoff-w-its-about-time

NBA News 2012: Supporting casts lifts Lakers past Nuggets 92-88

President Barack Obama makes remarks at service event with 2010 NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers at the THEARC Boys and Girls Club in Washington, District of Columbia. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Crunch time for the Los Angeles Lakers usually belongs to Kobe Bryant, Andrew Bynum or Pau Gasol.

Not this time.

Ramon Sessions and Steve Blake put the dagger in the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night, swishing 3-pointers in the final minute to lead the Lakers to a 92-88 comeback win that gave L.A. a 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven first-round series.

The Lakers can wrap it up Tuesday night when the series shifts back to Southern California for Game 5.

Bryant (22 points, eight rebounds, six assists) and Bynum (19 points, seven boards and three blocks) had bounce-back games and Gasol came up with huge plays at both ends as the Lakers controlled the tempo by grabbing 19 offensive rebounds, stymieing the faster, younger Nuggets who blew them out in Game 3.

With the game tied in the final minute, however, it was the Lakers' supporting cast that iced it.

"They got the two 3s to go down at the end of the game," Nuggets coach George Karl said, "but conceptually what we're trying to do at the end of the game is not let Kobe, Bynum and Gasol beat you."

Instead, it was Sessions and Blake -- after top reserve Jordan Hill sparked a comeback from a six-point halftime deficit with a double-double off the bench.

"Sessions has hit big 3s. Even when I was out he hit some big 3s to win games. He did it again tonight. I have confidence in him," Bryant said. "If you're observing the game in the third quarter, I hit Sessions for an open shot, Blake for an open shot and (Matt) Barnes for an open shot and they missed all three of them. George, being observant as he is, saw I was (ticked). I was and (he) didn't think I would trust them at the end of the game to knock down those shots, but they stepped up and knocked them down."

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/articles/2012/05/07/bryant_and_bynum_lead_lakers_past_nuggets_92_88/

Sunday, May 6, 2012

NBA News 2012: Lakers-Nuggets series: Five things to watch in Game 4

LA Lakers huddling with coach Phil Jackosn (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Things to watch when the Lakers play the Denver Nuggets Sunday night at Pepsi Center. The Lakers have a 2-1 series lead.

1. Which Andrew Bynum will show up? It's sad to wonder if any professional athlete will bring his full effort in a playoff game. But Bynum admitted that he arrived late for warmups in Game 3 and didn't really try, resulting in a scoreless first half. Sounds odd for someone who said only days ago that he wants to have perfect games. But this is Bynum we're talking about, who has repeatedly derailed his progress with immature behavior. Spare me the nonsense that is part of his growing process. Being prepared is a basic and expected requirement. Unfortunately for the Lakers, Bynum either doesn't get it or just doesn't care.

2. The Lakers can't force outside shots. Kobe Bryant mostly blamed the Lakers' Game 3 loss on their six-of-25 mark from three-point range more than Bynum's scoreless first half. I disagree slightly since Bynum's passiveness made it easier for the Nuggets to defend the Lakers, outrebound them and then push the pace on the open floor. But remaining trigger-happy from the outside is hardly a good formula, either. Even if the Lakers are facing double teams in the post, they need to quickly move the ball. Because of their recent inconsistencies, the Lakers should step in a few feet should they receive open three-pointers.

3. The Lakers need to outrebound the Nuggets. A disturbing trend has developed in this series whereby the Lakers have progressively worsened while the Nuggets have substantially improved. That's most notable in the rebounding area, which the Nuggets won in in both Games 2 (52-48) and 3 (54-44). This is alarming on many levels. The Lakers dominated this category all season. They feature two seven-footers and surprising reserve Jordan Hill. And the Nuggets' front-line combinations in rookie Kenneth Faried, reserve JaVale McGee and starting center Timofey Mozgov hardly boast the same skill set. Dominating in this area would give the Lakers their best opportunity to reduce the Nuggets' chances in pushing the ball in transition. That's because the Lakers don't have the speed and athleticism, but they have the size. Now it's on them to use it.

4. Will the Lakers feature Kobe Bryant any differently? At first, Bryant appeared unstoppable. Whether he met double teams or single coverage, Bryant punished the Nuggets with two 30-point plus performances in the first two games. That came to a crashing halt in Game 3, where he scored 22 points on only seven-of-23 shooting. Bynum's lack of aggressiveness partly contributed to Bryant taking some difficult shots. Perhaps it reflects his 20-of-74 mark this year through three games at Pepsi Center. But a lot of Bryant's shooting struggles in Game 3 came with him taking the same difficult shots he took in Game 2, but this time they just didn't drop in the basket.

5. The Lakers need more from their bench. It seems as if we're always asking for more from the Lakers bench. But even in a playoff series that features tightened rotations, the Lakers can't afford a significant drop-off in play among the reserves. The Nuggets have outscored the Lakers' bench by an average of 28.7 points per game. Matt Barnes has connected on only four of 20 shots. Steve Blake has shot only 26.7% and scored three points since the second quarter of Game 1. Jordan Hill usually provides hustle points, but he was scoreless and had only six rebounds in Game 3.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-la-lakersnuggets-game-4-five-things-to-watch-20120506,0,1848084.story

Friday, May 4, 2012

NBA News 2012: Lakers' Andrew Bynum critical of his own play

DSC02201 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)For once, Kobe Bryant smiled. For once, Andrew Bynum frowned.

The Lakers' two best players appeared to trade roles. Bryant usually remains stoic and serious during the NBA playoffs. Bynum often appears carefree.

Yet, the circumstances surrounding their differing body language actually revealed how they are resembling each other.

The Lakers' 104-100 Game 2 victory Tuesday over the Denver Nuggets featured Bynum scoring a playoff career-high 27 points on 12-of-20 shooting, yet he sat there at his locker unhappy. He hardly sounded thrilled about collecting nine rebounds and two blocks after tying an NBA playoff record in Game 1 with 10 blocked shots along with his 13 rebounds.

"I left a lot there," Bynum said. "I need to do better. I want to be perfect."

Bryant sat in the interview room moments later nodding his head and smiling when a reporter relayed to him about Bynum's self-critical comments. He clearly understood his teammate's sentiments.

"He expects greatness out of himself,” Bryant said. "He believes that he can have monster games on a consistent basis like he did the last game, so it’s a great thing to hear."

It's surreal to see how much their dynamic has evolved. It was only five years ago, after all, when Bryant demanded the Lakers' front office trade Bynum for Jason Kidd. Similar to what many Lakers felt, Bryant hardly had the patience to see Bynum develop when he wanted to win at that present moment.

I had longly touted the Lakers' need to keep Bynum because of his distinguishable size, but the praise came with some reservations. The Lakers should still remain open in trading him for Dwight Howard. They shouldn't keep Bynum as their franchise player because his extensive injury history remains unpredictable.

Bynum has proved Bryant wrong for his impatience. He's also evaporated skepticism, including from yours truly, that he could surpass Howard as the NBA's best center and proved he's taken the necessary steps to remain healthy.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-la-andrew-bynum-critical-of-his-own-play-20120502,0,1826406.story?track=rss

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Boxing News 2012: Mayweather rant means no Pacquiao fight

Floyd Mayweather, Jr. at the DeWalt event on June 29, 2011. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)This was pure Mayweather, unvarnished, unplugged, and totally uninhibited.

He won't fight Pacquiao unless he's convinced he doesn't use steroids - something, by the way, that only Mayweather has accused the Filipino of doing. And there will be no convincing Mayweather that he's wrong.

''You all think I'm scared, I'm a coward? Well guess what? I'm a rich, scared coward. I'm a rich coward,'' Mayweather said. ''And if that's the case, why the hell would you want to watch me? I don't want to watch no coward. I don't want to watch nobody who's scared and you all know for a fact I'm not scared. You all know that.''

I'll take part of the blame for setting Mayweather off. Sitting next to him Tuesday in a VIP check-in room just off the lobby of the MGM Grand hotel, it seemed like a good time to get his thoughts on his main rival.

My mistake.

Instead of an answer, I got a soliloquy. Instead of a yes or no on Pacquiao, I got a disjointed diatribe on all things Mayweather.

He railed about common sense and hat sizes, doing the right thing and protecting his health. He called Bob Arum a professional liar, and suggested I was in the rival promoter's pocket.

He even questioned my patriotism for some odd reason that only his pals seemed to get.

''So, you're an American, right? I'm an American,'' he told me. ''I was in the Olympics. I represent the red, white and blue. You know what the American writers should say? 'Well, why's this guy from another country who comes over here and makes money taking it back to his country?

''Once again, I'm feeding American citizens every day. All I ask is give a little blood, give a little urine. That's a crime?''

Actually, the drug testing shouldn't even be an issue. Arum has already said Pacquiao is willing to take blood and urine tests in the weeks and months leading up to a fight with Mayweather.

But Mayweather seems obsessed with the idea Pacquiao is juicing. He seems to truly believe that Pacquiao has some sort of super human powers other fighters don't.

He's not going to change his mind. And, ultimately, that means no Pacquiao fight.

It is true that Pacquiao has grown noticeably since he first began boxing professionally in 1995 at 106 pounds. He's much more muscular and his body has filled out in the 17 years since then.

However, I reminded Mayweather that he boxed in the 1996 Olympics at 125 pounds, and will be fighting at 154 pounds against Cotto.

''Guess what? It took me years to get to here. Years,'' he said. ''Go back and look at the pictures. First, his head is small. Then, all of a sudden, his head just grew? Come on, man. Stop! Stop this man! Come on, man! This (stuff's) so easy. Ray Charles can see this (stuff). Come on. Come on, now! Come on, man. I told you, it's basic common sense. Look at the pictures and tell me this man's head didn't get bigger? This man probably went from a seven and one-fourth to an eight. In a hat, a fitted hat. And you're going to tell me this (stuff) is all natural? Come on, man. Stop this. I'm going up in weight, but I ain't just walking through no damn fighters.''

If that wasn't clear enough, Mayweather shifted into third person mode to press his point.

''Writers are saying, 'Floyd is scared,''' he said. ''No, Floyd cares about his family. Floyd is smart. At the end of the day, Floyd is smart. My health is important. My health is more important than money. They can take all the money and my health is more important. If they say, 'Floyd, you can live a healthy life like you is right now, or you got to walk with a limp, and walk all bent over, but you can have a lot of money for the rest of your life,' I'd say, 'Take it all back.'''

Guess we should give the guy a break. He's got a fight that might be tougher than most Saturday night, and he'll barely have time to relax afterward when he's due at the Las Vegas jail to begin serving what's expected to be a two-month sentence for domestic abuse.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/column-mayweather-rant-means-no-221255727--box.html;_ylt=Aqb_jWBJ86X5h.z7Rnkj6DCUxLYF

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