Nowitzki hopes to play Sunday vs. Spurs (AP)
Dirk Nowitzki says he’s had a good week of work and is shooting to return to the Dallas Mavericks’ lineup Sunday. Nowitzki spoke to reporters after practice Thursday, one day before the star forward will miss his fourth straight game as part of a planned hiatus to strengthen his sore right knee.
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Bulls’ Deng hopes to avoid wrist surgery (AP)
Chicago Bulls forward Luol Deng hopes he won’t need surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left wrist. Deng was injured in the fourth quarter Saturday against Charlotte and figures to miss at least a few more games after sitting out Monday’s win over the New Jersey Nets. He said the wrist is still sore, but the pain has eased “a lot” the past few days.
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Injured Mbakwe hopes for 6th season of eligibility
The leading scorer and rebounder for the Gophers tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a game on Nov. 27.
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Northwestern Wildcats Suffer Blowout Against Badgers and Damage Postseason Hopes
Northwestern’s upset of No. 7 Michigan State was still fresh in the minds of the Northwestern community as Wednesday’s game began. Even at halftime, it seemed as if Northwestern’s season might be turning around with a potential win over the Wisconsin Badgers, a team barely out of the Top 25.
The second half of play in Madison erased all that hope. The Wildcats were outscored by 18 points and Jordan Taylor of Wisconsin led the hailstorm of threes that devastated Northwestern’s defense.
Only days after the season seemed to be turning around, the ‘Cats may still be on the path away from the Dance.
How it happened
After Wisconsin immediately jumped out to a small lead, Northwestern reeled the game back in and controlled the pace for much of the first half. Heading into the locker room at halftime, it was a competitive two-point game in favor of the Badgers.
The second half was all Wisconsin—the Badgers hit three three-pointers in a row, two coming from Taylor. Wisconsin extended its lead to 23 points behind 12 three-pointers.
Outscored by 18 points in the second half, the ‘Cats looked devoid of life, hitting only seven shots in 20 minutes.
Carmody called only one timeout and was called for an uninspiring technical foul. John Shurna and Drew Crawford both tried to spark the offense in the second half, but each went two-for-six from the floor.
A Wisconsin alley-oop with three minutes left on the clock sealed the game, and the Wildcats limped out of the second half with a 20-point loss, 77-57.
Obvious problems
This game was a tale of two teams, and the second-half Wildcats encountered problems that will have serious ramifications if they persist down the stretch in Big Ten play.
One game after a breakout performance from Davide Curletti, Northwestern’s big men are back to mediocre play.
Curletti got the start, a move many fans have been calling for from coach Bill Carmody. However, Curletti missed the front end of two 1-and-1 free-throw opportunities, scored only two points and snagged an only slightly better six rebounds.
When Luka Mirkovic came in for Curletti, Mirkovic quickly missed two free throws and was then scored on the next two possessions down the court. He took zero shots, pulled in one rebound and played just nine minutes.
Rebounding was also an issue for the team. Although Wisconsin grabbed only eight more rebounds than the ‘Cats, nine total Wisconsin rebounds were offensive and allowed the Badgers to restart offensive possessions after running deep into the shot clock.
During the crushing second half, Carmody could not find something that worked for his team. If he cannot find success by changing his team’s strategy mid-game, Northwestern will not fare well in the rest of its tough Big Ten schedule.
The positives
This game does not mean the season is over. The team was able to perform as well as it did without the help of junior guard Alex Marcotullio and sophomore guard JerShon Cobb, who were both out with injuries.
It is questionable, though, when the two will be 100 percent again. Marcotullio suffered a head injury in the game against Michigan State, and Cobb has reoccurring hip problems.
Carmody also showed the foresight to test the team with neither Mirkovic nor Curletti in for minutes at a time. This is important for next year when the team will lose the two players and Shurna—three of the team’s four tallest athletes.
Undersized and undermanned, the defense was superb throughout almost all of the game.
On most possessions, Wisconsin would be forced to play deep into the shot clock without getting off a clean shot. Unfortunately for Northwestern, last second shots were able to find their way into the basket.
However, with a few more seconds of lock-down defense or with a harder rim, Northwestern’s tight defense shows potential to shut down any shooter in the Big Ten.
Even without an amazing performance, Shurna was able to contribute 19 points and Crawford’s 17 showed off his superb athleticism.
Finally, freshman guard Dave Sobolewski has big shoes to fill as Michael “Juice” Thompson’s replacement, but he is doing a surprisingly good job so far—running a complex offense and providing energy on defense.
What this means for the postseason
The win over Michigan State is good for the “marquee win” column of the résumé, but it will not get the ‘Cats into the NCAA Tournament.
Now, it looks like Northwestern needs to go above .500 throughout the remaining 12 games in its Big Ten schedule to keep the chance of a Tournament birth alive. A run in the Big Ten Tournament would also be a good selling point.
The ‘Cats have not fared well in Big Ten play in the past, so they need to win the games they are expected to win and compete in the rest of the competitions. Wins over Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and Penn State are a must.
Next up is Minnesota in Minneapolis. In past years, Minnesota and Northwestern have been well matched with the ‘Cats gaining the edge last year.
Both teams come into this competition 2-4 in the conference, and both teams need a win to get back on track in Big Ten play.
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Miami Heat: Chris Bosh Crucial to the Team’s NBA Title Hopes
The more one sees Chris Bosh play, the more one understands how underappreciated he is.
And, oh yes, he is indispensable to the Miami Heat winning a championship.
But first to his being underrated:
In the Miami victory over the Los Angeles Lakers this past Thursday, Bosh displayed the duality of stick-to-it-iveness on offense and defense that sets him apart, but that which largely goes unnoticed because his play is not especially always flashy.
Watch him throughout a given game—Bosh exhibits multifacetedness all of the time.
In the contest against Los Angeles, LeBron James gave an incredible effort considering he was under the weather; LeBron brought the ball up court in his usual fashion, scored on a variety of nouveau 2012 moves, chased down would-be Lakers scorers on the break to block their shots and so on.
But there was also Bosh—smoothly able and very willing to take over at any time.
Against the Lakers, Bosh sized up Pau Gasol and drove by him. He calmly measured medium-range jump shots and scored. Bosh showed stop-and-go moves to ring the cords, as well.
But that was—or is—just the beginning; Bosh did so much more.
For much of the Laker game, from 30 feet in, Chris Bosh managed the Miami offense. From the top of the circle, he handled the rock as the team’s decision-maker, looking for cutters, open shooters, or an opportunity for himself.
Bosh as a facilitator is by design in the 2011-2012 Miami scheme.
Why has the Miami Heat brass elected to designate Bosh as the team’s around-the-paint orchestrater?
Because, unlike the basketball pundits who denigrate Bosh,—and the general public who gush over more flamboyant forwards—the Heat brain trust recognize that he is proficiently conversant with all basketball requirements.
Further, they simply now recognize that they’re lucky to have Bosh; no other power forward can do what he does and what he is newly called upon to do for the Miami Heat.
In that same 98-87 win over the Lakers, Bosh was 6-for-11 from the field for 15 points and eight rebounds. Not spectacular, agreed. But the point is, when necessary, Bosh can double these totals and still function as a playmaker.
Take for example Miami’s previous humbling of the San Antonio Spurs, which Miami won 120-98.
The Miami Herald characterized Bosh’s performance as follows:
“[LeBron]James’ four three-pointers were one more than his season total. He also had 10 assists and five rebounds. Not to be outdone, Chris Bosh had 30 points on 14-of-22 shooting and carried the Heat during the first half, when James’ illness appeared to be sucking the life out of him.”
The tale of that game helps explain why Bosh is vital to Miami winning a championship this year; he is rapidly gaining on LeBron and D-Wade as a team equal.
Here’s how Bosh’s 2011-2012 role with the Miami Heat is described by the Herald, and the description speaks to his centrality:
“He [Bosh] would move about five feet over, toward the top of the key, where he will be doing more facing up and decide for himself, each time, if it’s a good time to attack….Because that slight, five-foot move to the center of the circle gives him freedom. It leaves Bosh as the decision-maker more than he used to be. He can look for his shot whenever he wants from there, whether it’s a long jumper, a decisive drive to the rim or a one-dribble pull-up into a shorter shot.”
Speaking of long jumpers, the Heat want Bosh to shoot more threes.
“Since the start of the 2007 season, [Chris] Bosh is now 6-for-10 from long range in the last 10 seconds of the 4th quarter/overtime of a tie or one-possession game.”
With LeBron still not over his kryptonite symptoms in the fourth quarter, the Heat will need D-Wade and Bosh at critical moments.
Bosh’s fourth-quarter shooting stat is good to know for the Miami Heat organization.
As for Bosh’s defensive value, here is a patch quote taken from Olympic coach Mike Krzyzewski in the last day or so:
“The international game is a little bit different … so versatility on defense is essential. Like in the 2008 Olympics, [Chris] Bosh did an amazing job at the center position.”
The Miami interior defense is predicated on Bosh (and Joel Anthony) making the important block, manifesting proper IQ in exercising weak-side help and Bosh snatching essential rebounds.
No matter; as Coach K alluded, Bosh’s versatility is all there.
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San Diego State Win at New Mexico Bigger for Mountain West Title Hopes
After an enormous, emotional win over No. 12 UNLV on Saturday in front of a great home crowd, San Diego State had to come back and win another crucial conference game in front of another home crowd. This crowd, however, was not on their side.
San Diego State backed up their biggest win of the season thus far with a 75-70 win over New Mexico at The Pit in Albuquerque.
With the win, the Aztecs—now 2-0 in the Mountain West—have an early one-game edge on both UNLV and New Mexico, the two teams expected to challenge for the league title (along with San Diego State).
New Mexico is far too good for this to have been considered a trap game for San Diego State. The fact that Steve Fisher’s team was able to follow up the UNLV game with another important win shows just how good this team is—and why they could win the MWC outright this season.
Last year’s regular-season champion, BYU, lost to New Mexico at The Pit. They also lost at home to the Lobos, but without forward Brandon Davies.
Two years ago, the Cougars also lost at The Pit en route to the MWC regular-season title. The point is: it is an extremely tough place for MWC teams to win games—even for the best team in the league.
It looked like San Diego State was going to suffer a similar setback in Albuquerque, as they were down by four with 12:38 to play.
Over the next 10 minutes, the Aztecs turned the heat up defensively and locking down on the Lobos’ best player, Drew Gordon. They held Gordon to just one missed shot and one free throw over that 10-minute span.
Meanwhile, San Diego State went on a 20-3 run that made The Pit about as silent as that arena can be.
On the offensive end, the Aztecs did a great job of moving the ball around and finding the open man. They took full advantage of any transition opportunities generated by their improved efforts on the other end.
They also protected the basketball, not turning the ball over for a nearly 15-minute stretch.
Very few teams would be able to hold onto the ball that well in such a raucous atmosphere. San Diego State did, and that’s why they won.
A few late threes for New Mexico in the final minute made the outcome more respectable, but San Diego State’s domination through much of the second half carried them to a very impressive win.
It was a night where two other Top 20 teams—Indiana and Mississippi State—lost on the road to teams near the bottom of their conferences. So San Diego State’s win on the road against a team that came in with a 15-2 record further validates their current No. 16 ranking.
With two of their toughest conference games now behind them, they are also in the best position to finish on top of the MWC.
UNLV—with their impressive wins over North Carolina and Illinois—may still be a bit better team than San Diego State. However, in order to keep up in the MWC race, they will have to win a very tough game at New Mexico. They will also have to survive road tests such as Wyoming and Colorado State.
San Diego State, with their sound, team-focused basketball, appears equipped to handle those road tests that lie ahead.
Home wins like the one over UNLV last weekend get everyone excited, but championships are won on the road.
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Atlanta Hawks in Survival Mode: The Case for Keeping Playoff Hopes Alive
More than a few analysts have written off the Hawks‘ 2012 title aspirations in the wake of Al Horford’s injury, and for good reason.
Over the last four years, Horford has been instrumental to the Hawks’ steady ascendancy in the Eastern Conference, efficiently contributing 12 to 15 points a game along with solid rebounding and defense.
Nevertheless, the Hawks’ response to such a setback should be measured. Under no circumstance should they make moves that impinge on their ability to be successful in the near future. This is still a young team whose best days very well may be ahead.
But Hawks fans shouldn’t get rid of those season tickets just yet. Larry Drew’s perpetual underdogs are likely to once again make the playoffs, and when they do, it would be premature to write this team off. Hawks general manager Rick Sund will take a look at opportunities to improve the team, but admits they may stand pat.
Contrary to popular pessimism, Hawks fans have at least two reasons to view this cup half-full. Yes, they may look to compensate via the trade market, but even in it’s current form, this team shouldn’t be dismissed.
First, if Horford’s injury costs him three months (instead of four), there’s the very real possibility he can make it back in time for the playoffs. He wouldn’t be playing at 100 in all likelihood, and the Hawks clearly must prepare for the worst-case scenario.
But, if the Hawks can gut it out in a long first-round series, they certainly give themselves a chance to bring Horford along in time for the second round.
Even without Horford, Atlanta has low-post depth many teams would envy. Zaza Pachulia would get more minutes with a lot of other clubs, and he’s been with the Hawks long enough to slip into the starting lineup pretty seamlessly.
Even Jason Collins (now in his 10th year) gives the Hawks a serviceable backup center with experience as a starter in the NBA. Collins has never been much more than a solid post defender and intelligent team player. On a team with more scoring options than its previous iterations, the Hawks shouldn’t need much more than that.
Second, Atlanta can and should go “small,” push the tempo, and spread the floor.
The Hawks were committed to a faster-tempo this season even before they lost Horford.
Historically, Atlanta has squandered its speed and athleticism in favor of a more disciplined half-court offense. Combined with the kind of defensive effort Drew’s team displayed against Chicago and Miami, the formula appeared to have some success earlier this season.
Without the anchor of their low-post defense, however, that formula may need to change.
In many respects, the Hawks have an ideal roster for a more aggressive transition game.
In his second year, Jeff Teague has been a revelation running the point in Kirk Hinrich’s absence. While Teague may lack Hinrich’s experience and defensive acuity, he’s a perfect (and speedy) fit for a team that can run.
Josh Smith is unquestionably one of the most explosive power forwards in the game and excels at running the court end to end as a finisher and shot-blocker alike. Smith must play like an all-star this season, and if he starts taking on opposing centers (which isn’t a stretch when you think about guarding guys like Udonis Haslem or even Joakim Noah).
Meanwhile, frontcourt partner Marvin Williams has good length that could help compensate for the lack of a more traditional post presence. He’s not a conventional power forward, but then again, the point of “going small” isn’t doing what’s conventional.
Joe Johnson and Tracy McGrady are big wing players at 6’7” and 6’8” respectively. The Hawks should increasingly rely upon a lineup with Smith, Williams, Johnson, McGrady and Teague on the floor at the same time.
None of these players will replace Horford in the post, and none of them have the strength to guard Dwight Howard. But the combined length and athleticism should allow them to rebound the ball and push the tempo.
And, outside of Orlando how many other playoff-bound teams in the East have dominant 7-footers?
The Miami Heat has proven that teams in the East can succeed without a quality traditional center (their closest option being Joel Anthony). Of course, the Hawks don’t have the same star talent to compensate, but there’s reason to believe they can still compete.
Atlanta should also continue to spread the floor with 6’10” forward Vladimir Radmanovic, a more than capable shooter from range.
With Vlad on court, opposing big men are forced to step outside the paint (both diminishing the value of their size and opening lanes for guards to penetrate).
Of course, the Hawks may very well flame out and lose focus in a year beset by such difficult news.
But, with storied veterans like Jerry Stackhouse and Tracy McGrady bringing a hardened professionalism to the locker room, the Hawks have all the makings of a sleeper in the 2012 NBA Playoffs.
How do you think the Hawks will fare without their star center?
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Al Horford Pectoral Injury Destroys Atlanta Hawks’ NBA Playoff Hopes
Atlanta Hawks starting center Al Horford is expected to be out for the next three to four months with a torn left pectoral muscle.
This is a devastating blow for a Hawks team which was looking to make a statement this season, and it absolutely cripples the team’s depth inside.
Horford, a true power forward playing out of position at center, had been playing 32 minutes per game for the team with averages of 12.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks on 55.3 percent shooting.
That production not going to be easily replaced.
In fact, it may not be replaceable at all.
Horford, who has missed just 21 games over the last four seasons, is now staring a very lengthy absence in the face, and the Hawks do not have an adequate replacement for him on the team.
With just veteran Zaza Pachulia, Jason Collins and D-League product Ivan Johnson behind Horford on the roster, the Hawks will almost certainly have to look outside the organization in order to help supplement the monumental loss.
A linchpin of the Hawks attack, the loss of Horford is going to be a very difficult one to cope with going forward.
Atlanta’s is currently 7-4, but there’s no doubt that Horford’s injury really impacts their outlook for the rest of the season.
The Eastern Conference is volatile enough that the Hawks should find a way to still make it into the postseason with key cogs Joe Johnson, Josh Smith and youngster Jeff Teague leading the way, but everyone on the roster will have to step up now that Horford is sidelined.
Horford brought more than production in the box score, and it’s even tougher to replace the intangibles he brought to the table for a club looking to turn the corner.
Zaza Pachulia is expected to start while Horford is out (barring an unforeseen trade), and while Pachulia certainly isn’t afraid to back down from any competition, he just doesn’t have the same appeal that Horford does in the starting five.
It’s an injury that will leave a lot of Hawks fans absolutely disheartened, and there is no question that it greatly opens up the postseason race in the Eastern Conference.
The only certainty out of all this is the following: Horford isn’t coming back anytime soon.
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NBA Trade Rumors: Dwight Howard Has to Be Realistic About Orlando’s Title Hopes
Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard is having yet another great season, but the team knows he would rather be playing basketball in another city for another team.
We know this because Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports reported on Monday that Howard’s request to be traded is still on the table. He’ll keep suiting up for the Magic for the time being, but there’s still a legit possibility he will be traded sometime before the March 15 trade deadline.
But, as he told Yahoo! Sports, the Magic’s early success is complicating things a little.
“I don’t think they are going to do anything right now because we’re winning,” Howard said, referring to the Magic’s 6-3 record. “Even if this is the last season, let’s go out hard, regardless.”
Comments like this are par for the course for Howard. Behind closed doors, he has a standing trade request, but he continues to play nice publicly. Privately he wants out, but publicly he’s willing to stick around.
He wants to be the nice guy.
Spears’ sources claim Howard is indeed willing to stay in Orlando, but only if he approves of the team’s direction:
Yet while the Magic still hope to convince Howard to stay with them, sources close to the All-Star center said he’d have to be convinced the team is a legitimate championship contender. The six teams the Magic have beaten this season have a combined record of 12-37.
Given the relative mediocrity of the Eastern Conference, the Magic are pretty much a lock to make the postseason cut this season. As such, they will be contending for a championship come springtime.
But is this Magic team a “legitimate” championship contender?
No way. Not even close.
Though the Magic are getting solid contributions from players not named Dwight Howard (Ryan Anderson FTW!), they remain a team consisting of one superstar and a handful of role players. This has been the Magic’s lot in life ever since they got beat in the 2009 NBA Finals, and it will remain the team’s lot in life for as long as Howard is around.
The only way Howard is going to be around beyond March 15 is if he buys into what the Magic are doing, thus signaling he thinks that he has just as good a shot to win a championship in Orlando as he does anywhere else.
Howard shouldn’t fall into that trap. The Magic are going to win their share of basketball games, but they’re not getting through teams like the Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls when the postseason rolls around.
In the event that the Magic make a miraculous run to the Finals, they would have to dispatch the best team that a very strong Western Conference has to offer.
In short, it’s not going to happen for Howard this year. Not in Orlando, anyway.
If he has any sense, he’ll realize that and he’ll have the common courtesy to let the Magic know. If he’s going to leave no matter what, he may as well let them get something for him.
Howard doesn’t owe the Magic that much, mind you, but it would be the nice guy thing to do.
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NBA Trade Rumors: Dwight Howard Has to Be Realistic About Orlando’s Title Hopes
Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard is having yet another great season, but the team knows he would rather be playing basketball in another city for another team.
We know this because Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports reported on Monday that Howard’s request to be traded is still on the table. He’ll keep suiting up for the Magic for the time being, but there’s still a legit possibility he will be traded sometime before the March 15 trade deadline.
But, as he told Yahoo! Sports, the Magic’s early success is complicating things a little.
“I don’t think they are going to do anything right now because we’re winning,” Howard said, referring to the Magic’s 6-3 record. “Even if this is the last season, let’s go out hard, regardless.”
Comments like this are par for the course for Howard. Behind closed doors, he has a standing trade request, but he continues to play nice publicly. Privately he wants out, but publicly he’s willing to stick around.
He wants to be the nice guy.
Spears’ sources claim Howard is indeed willing to stay in Orlando, but only if he approves of the team’s direction:
Yet while the Magic still hope to convince Howard to stay with them, sources close to the All-Star center said he’d have to be convinced the team is a legitimate championship contender. The six teams the Magic have beaten this season have a combined record of 12-37.
Given the relative mediocrity of the Eastern Conference, the Magic are pretty much a lock to make the postseason cut this season. As such, they will be contending for a championship come springtime.
But is this Magic team a “legitimate” championship contender?
No way. Not even close.
Though the Magic are getting solid contributions from players not named Dwight Howard (Ryan Anderson FTW!), they remain a team consisting of one superstar and a handful of role players. This has been the Magic’s lot in life ever since they got beat in the 2009 NBA Finals, and it will remain the team’s lot in life for as long as Howard is around.
The only way Howard is going to be around beyond March 15 is if he buys into what the Magic are doing, thus signaling he thinks that he has just as good a shot to win a championship in Orlando as he does anywhere else.
Howard shouldn’t fall into that trap. The Magic are going to win their share of basketball games, but they’re not getting through teams like the Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls when the postseason rolls around.
In the event that the Magic make a miraculous run to the Finals, they would have to dispatch the best team that a very strong Western Conference has to offer.
In short, it’s not going to happen for Howard this year. Not in Orlando, anyway.
If he has any sense, he’ll realize that and he’ll have the common courtesy to let the Magic know. If he’s going to leave no matter what, he may as well let them get something for him.
Howard doesn’t owe the Magic that much, mind you, but it would be the nice guy thing to do.
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