Denver Ties Playoff Record For Biggest Win

Denver destroyed the New Orleans Hornets 121-63. Is there anything left to say?
The Nuggets now have total control of the series up 3-1 with the final game Wednesday night in Denver. Yes, that will be the last game of one of the most mismatched series's in this year's playoffs. The Nuggets should win Game 5 by at least 20 points. New Orleans has nothing left to play for, if they even show up physically.

Denver led 36-15 after the first quarter, shooting 70% from the field. That was pretty much all you needed to see. No starter for either team played in the fourth quarter.

Denver had 7 players in double figures. The Nuggets out shot the Hornets 56-31% from the field. Chris Paul finished with only 4 points and 6 assists.

The Hornets had only 24 second half points. New Orleans points by quarter: 15, 24, 11, 13.

Denver is now one win away from the franchise's first playoff series win since 1994.

Another Chauncey Billups Show As Denver Goes Up 2-0

In what maybe the biggest mismatch in the entire NBA Playoffs, the Denver Nuggets have completely taken the buzz out of the New Orleans Hornets. Denver won by double digits again, 108-93, and have coasted to a 2-0 lead.

Denver just has way too much fire power for Chris Paul and the Hornets, they also have Chauncey Billups. Last night, Billups had 31 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds and was 4-6 from the 3 point land.

In the first two games, Billups has 67 points, has shot 60% from the field, including 12-15 from downtown, 19/19 from the charity stripe and has yet to commit a turnover? Far and away the most impressive player in these playoffs.

For the two games, Billups has outscored Paul 67-35. Look, I've always been a huge fan of CP3 and you can't put all the blame on him. He's playing his heart out but is being asked to do way too much, score and then come back and defend Billups.

CP3 just doesn't have the supporting cast. Tyson Chandler isn't 100% and David West is struggling. Paul looks like the only one wanting to play out there for New Orleans.

Both games of the series have played out exactly the same. New Orleans can hold on for one quarter, but then Denver goes on a run. The start of the 4th quarter has been the difference in both games when the Nuggets come out on fire. Last night, Denver started the 4th on a 18-5 run. Sunday night, Denver started the final quarter on a 17-4 run.

Midway through the 4th quarter, New Orleans looks like they don't even want to be out on the court.

The Hornets might be able to steal one at home, but that's it. I don't see this series going more than five games.

Billups 8 Three Pointers Sting Hornets

If anyone saw this game (tip off was 10:30pm EST on a Sunday night!), you missed why Chauncey Billups is referred to as "Big Shot."

Two things we knew for sure going into this series:
1. The Nuggets' trade for Billups altered the team's whole season.

2. Chris Anderson may be the ugliest guy in the NBA.

Billups veteran leadership payed off quickly as he set a franchise record with 8 three pointers in a playoff game. He finished the game with 36 points and was 8-9 overall from downtown.

Denver used a 21-0 run spanning from the 3rd to 4th quarters to build a 97-69 lead. New Orleans went nearly 7 minutes without a single point.

Chris Paul was his usual self as he finished with 21 points, 11 dimes and 5 rebounds, but had little support. David West had just 12 points on 4-16 shooting and Tyson Chandler, back from injury, had only 6 points.

Denver's bench outscored the Hornets' 41-24.

NBA Line of the Week for 1/26 to 2/1 2009

The biggest off season deal in the NBA just may have been Cleveland acquiring PG Mo Williams. I had no idea Mo Williams (Alabama) was this good. Williams seems to be the outside shooter and play maker Lebron so desperately needed. And Lebron recognizes this. As James always requires extra attention when he has the ball, Williams can always find a wide open jumper.

Last Tuesday (1/27), Williams went off. In a 117-110 victory over Sacramento, Mo lit up with 43 points, 11 dimes and 8 boards, including shooting 7-12 from downtown.

And of course, Lebron quietly had another triple double that same night.



I can't forget about my boy CP3. Last Monday (1/26), Chris Paul was 3 steals away from a quadruple double! In the Hornets 101-86 win against Philadelphia, Paul put up 27 points, 10 rebounds, 15 assists and 7 steals!

That is straight up nasty! Here's hoping Paul's groin injury keeps him out for a minimum number of games as he's one of the funnest players to watch and the best PG in the NBA.

NBA Line of the Week: 11/17 to 11/23

It may not have been a great week for the Toronto Raptors, but you can't overlook Chris Bosh's performance. In a 103-90 losing effort to Orlando on Tuesday, Bosh (Georgia Tech) put up 40 points (14-19 fg%), 18 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals.

Bosh became the first person in the Toronto Raptor's franchise history with at least 40 points and 18 boards in a single game.

For an encore performance Friday against New Jersey, Bosh put up 42 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists. However it wasn't enough as the Raptors fell to Vince Carter and the Nets 129-127 in overtime.

Worth noting:

Chris Paul is again proving he's hands down the best point guard in the NBA. On Saturday, CP3 recorded his first triple double of the season, 5th of his career, as the Hornets held off the Oklahoma City Thunder 109-97.

CP3's numbers: 29 points, 16 dimes and 10 boards. Paul also had 3 steals, giving him at least one steal for his 96th consecutive game, 9 games short of the NBA record set by Alvin Robertson.

Look Ma! No Tats!

OK. So Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornets' improbable ride ended tonight against the defending champion, always getting the cheap call, San Antonio Spurs.

As you all know, I love CP3! But there's one other thing I wanted to point to you and David Stern. Did you ever notice the lack of tatoos on Chris Paul?

Probably because he has no visible ink.

This might come as a shock (especially in the 21st century) and maybe a big reason why CP3 wasn't as popular coming into the Playoffs.

Not only does Paul not have ink all over his body, he doesn't have cornrows, doesn't wear a headband, doesn't wear the arm sleave, knee brace or the full cover leg tights and somehow manages to keep his jersey tucked in the entire game. No fashion show here.

On the court, you would think this guy would stick out more than Lebron James's lack of support.

CP3 doesn't sport any ink representing any of his dead homies, his baby's momma, his momma's baby, the complete novel of War and Peace on his arm, etc.



The only accesories CP3 shows is his Lance Armstrong like "Live Strong" wrist bands.

Wierd, huh?

If ever the NBA was really trying to clean up its' image and looking for a new marketing player, hey David Stern! Look no further.

Perfect Hollywood Ending?

"Hollywood Hero"

"Hollywood's Leading Man"

"Perfect Hollywood Ending"



These were just a few of the headlines from across the nation (mostly in Tinseltown) after Kobe Bryant received his first ever MVP award.

Kobe is definitely one of the best players in the NBA, but the 2008 MVP? I don't think so!

First off, we're talking about the same guy who less than 9 months ago called out his teammates, (yes, the very same teammates that embraced Kobe upon receiving the MVP) his coach and General Manager.

Rewind back to opening night. Bryant heard boos from the same Los Angeles crowd that went crazy for him Wednesday night. Talk about fair weather fans!

Lets talk about the media. The same media that brought Kobe down from his accused rape charge in Colorado. The same media that cost Bryant millions of dollars in endorsement money. Now, the same media expects us to embrace Kobe?

How soon we all forget.

Funny how Kobe has all the sudden become a media darling. Did you see him last week accepting the MVP Award. Bryant was all giddy and thanking his teammates who he vocally turned his back on before the season and wanted out of LA worse than any NFL Franchise.

Then before Wednesday night's game against Utah, Kobe was all dolled up wearing his white shoes, the arm band and knee brace while having his daughter run out to the court to hug this American Hero. Of course, Jack was court side wearing his MVP shirt. Only in Hollywood.


What a phony!

Kobe, not Jack.




OK, all the scrutiny behind...

Kobe won the MVP basically because "it was his turn." He won it as a lifetime achievement award. Isn't a lifetime achievement award being elected to the Hall of Fame?

What's even worse, listening to the commentators praise Kobe throughout Wednesday's 120-110 win over the Jazz. Even when Kobe didn't score, it was, "Just look at the confidence Bryant has in his teammates." Even when Bryant wasn't on the floor they still kept hyping the guy.

Who should have won the MVP?

That's easy. Chris Paul.



But wait....Everyone's still trying to figure out where Paul and the New Orleans Hornets came from.

Well, they have come from nowhere. Because no one's paid any attention to Paul and the Hornets until the Playoffs. They play in New Orleans, the part of the country this nation publicly forgot.

Just about everyone had Dallas beating the Hornets in the first round. No one has the Hornets beating the defending champion Spurs in the second.

And yet, after each impressive victory, no one seems to be a Hornets' believer.
They have no playoff experience, when did this guy Chris Paul become so good?

Like I said, the guys been doing it all year.

Kobe won the MVP because 3/4 of the Lakers' games are played on primetime in front of a national audience. I'm not sure New Orleans had any prime time games this year.

Kobe won the MVP because his Lakers' team finished with the best record in the tough Western Conference (only one game better than the non existent Hornets by the way).



Let's not forget, the Lakers' front office, the same front office Mr. MVP verbally attacked prior to the season, made a steal of a trade by acquiring Pau Gasol for next to nothing.

Kobe's Lakers were 22-4 with Gasol, 5-5 without Gasol.

The media has even said that without the addition of Gasol, the Lakers may not have even of made the playoffs.

Lets also include two consecutive Lakers' home losses to powerhouses Memphis and Charlotte without Gasol. Hhmmmm.

Heck, Kobe might not even be the MVP on the Lakers. Besides the addition of Gasol, what about Derek Fisher? Yes, the same Derek Fisher who was a part of the Lakers's dynasty with Shaq. Yes, the same Derek Fisher who played a pivotal role in helping the Utah Jazz reach the Conference Finals last year. Yes, the same Derek Fisher who came up big with 22 points in Game 2. Not just the scoring, but Fisher plays great defense. If the Lakers play the Hornets in this year's Conference Finals, expect him to somewhat contain Paul, but I'm sure Kobe will get all the credit.

What about Lebron James? Think about switching Kobe and Lebron? Lebron on this year's Lakers' team instead of Kobe? Are you kidding me! Lebron would probably have averaged a triple double for the season and put made a serious chase to Jordan's '95-96 Bulls season record. Lebron has never had a supporting cast in his young career. So don't be surprise when Lebron skips out on Cleveland and their horrific front office (Christian Laettner) and bolts to the Knicks or Jay Z's soon to be Brooklyn Nets.

Now in the playoffs, the nation finally gets to see the Hornets, and what's their reaction? Boy, this Chris Paul guy can play and is sure fun to watch. And Wow!, when did David West become such a great shooter.


Well, David West gets his props because Chris Paul creates open shots for West. Paul has West and one time Lotto bust Tyson Chandler playing like All Stars. Reggie Miller said it best going into the Spurs/Hornets Series: "Let Chris Paul get 35 points. It's when he gets his teammates involved is when he's most deadly." Hhmmm...MVP?

Paul just keeps getting better. Last year, the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets didn't make the playoffs. The Hornets didn't even have a legitimate home. Now, they're the number 2 seed in one of the toughest conferences in NBA history.

What's even more, Paul has better stats than the back to back MVP seasons Steve Nash had.

Even if you didn't (don't be ashamed, no one else really did either) see Chris Paul play this season, at least you could look at the box scores and see something special.

You're probably thinking I just jumped on Chris Paul's bandwagon now. Sorry, I've been pimpin the true MVP all year. Well, take a look.

And once again, here's CP3's website.

My 2007-08 MVP voting:

1. Chris Paul
2. Lebron James
3. Kevin Garnett
4. Kobe Bryant

Thank You!

All time NBA MVP's:

NBA POSTSEASON AWARDS
Most Valuable Player

Maurice Podoloff Trophy
2006-07 - Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas
2005-06 - Steve Nash, Phoenix
2004-05 - Steve Nash, Phoenix
2003-04 - Kevin Garnett, Minnesota
2002-03 - Tim Duncan, San Antonio
2001-02 - Tim Duncan, San Antonio
2000-01 - Allen Iverson, Philadelphia
1999-00 - Shaquille O'Neal, Los Angeles Lakers
1998-99 - Karl Malone, Utah
1997-98 - Michael Jordan, Chicago
1996-97 - Karl Malone, Utah
1995-96 - Michael Jordan, Chicago
1994-95 - David Robinson, San Antonio
1993-94 - Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston
1992-93 - Charles Barkley, Phoenix
1991-92 - Michael Jordan, Chicago
1990-91 - Michael Jordan, Chicago
1989-90 - Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers
1988-89 - Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers
1987-88 - Michael Jordan, Chicago
1986-87 - Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers
1985-86 - Larry Bird, Boston
1984-85 - Larry Bird, Boston
1983-84 - Larry Bird, Boston
1982-83 - Moses Malone, Philadelphia
1981-82 - Moses Malone, Houston
1980-81 - Julius Erving, Philadelphia
1979-80 - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Los Angeles
1978-79 - Moses Malone, Houston
1977-78 - Bill Walton, Portland
1976-77 - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Los Angeles
1975-76 - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Los Angeles
1974-75 - Bob McAdoo, Buffalo
1973-74 - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Milwaukee
1972-73 - Dave Cowens, Boston
1971-72 - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Milwaukee
1970-71 - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Milwaukee
1969-70 - Willis Reed, New York
1968-69 - Wes Unseld, Baltimore
1967-68 - Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia
1966-67 - Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia
1965-66 - Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia
1964-65 - Bill Russell, Boston
1963-64 - Oscar Robertson, Cincinnati
1962-63 - Bill Russell, Boston
1961-62 - Bill Russell, Boston
1960-61 - Bill Russell, Boston
1959-60 - Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia
1958-59 - Bob Pettit, St. Louis
1957-58 - Bill Russell, Boston
1956-57 - Bob Cousy, Boston
1955-56 - Bob Pettit, St. Louis

NBA Line of the Week for 3/17 to 3/23

Vinsanity is back? Well, for one night at least. Now, that Jason Kidd is gone and the soon to be Jay Z's New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets are in shambles, Vince Carter is trying to prove he can still lead a horrible team into the playoffs.

Earlier this season, Carter had been rumored to be traded across the Hudson to the NY Knicks, but even the Knicks would not render his services. Scary, huh! Carter showed some flashes of Vinsanity last Wednesday (3/19) when he led the depleted Nets to victory over the Atlanta Hawks 125-117.

The win kept the Nets within striking distance of the eighth seed and a first round sweep by the Celtics.

VC's line: 39 points, 8 assists, 10 rebounds, 17-26 from the field.

In a tribute to Carter, the video of him dunking completely over a 7 foot guy in the Olympics never gets old.



Other high rollers last week:

Kobe Bryant put up 36 points, 14 rebounds, 8 assists in a losing effort to Golden State. You can only hope these two teams meet in the first round...heck any round of the playoffs. NBA action! It's Fantastic!

Finally, I've been pimpin this guy for awhile. No, not Lebron, but Chris Paul. Right now, the man is this year's MVP. I mean, how many other people can you name on his team. What team does he play for (City and mascot)?

CP has been willing the Hornets to the top of the Wacky West Conference. Last Monday, Paul led his team with 37 points and 13 assists to come from behind and beat the Chicago Bulls. The Hornets were down big most of the game but finished on a 24-4 run in the final 7 minutes. CP and the Hornets went 3-0 last week with wins over Chicago, Houston and Boston.

Paul has even been making Tyson Chandler actually look like a Lotto Pick.
Check out CP's highlights from just that one game.

NBA Line of the Week for 3/3 to 3/9

Tracy McGrady receives this week's honor. I'm not a huge Rockets fan, but living in Houston, you can help but watch the Rockets winning every night. Out at the local pubs, the entire bar stands up and cheers for their home team's continued winning ways.
Maybe the Rockets have been beating mediocre teams, but hey, they play in the Western Conference, they've won 7 in a row without Yao Ming, and like Rick Adelman said, "Hey, we all play the same schedule." It's a lot of fun seeing a team's momentum carry night after night, total reminiscent of the Colorado Rockies.
It's also nice to see Tracy McGrady gain a little respect. After the Hawks, the Rockets have upcoming games against the Lakers and Celtics. I'm sure once the Rockets lose to a good team, they'll go flat just like the Rockies. This win streak doesn't even guarantee a playoff spot for Houston, so let's not talk about T-Mac getting out of the first round yet.
Here's T-Mac's averages for the week while the Rockets went 3-0:
32 points, 8 dimes, and 5 rebounds.

Bron-Bron watch:

King James continues to carry the Cavs basically by himself. Last Wednesday (3/5) on the world's biggest stage, Madison Square Garden, James put up 50, 10 dimes and 8 boards as he single handily helped the Cavs avoid the embarrassment of getting beat by the Bricks. Cleveland was 2-1 and the "blockbuster trade" hasn't made them any better. It was pretty much an even swap.


Also, Chris Paul continues his candidacy for MVP. This guy is willingly the (nobody watches) New Orleans Hornets to the top of the Western Conference.
Paul averaged 28 points and 13 assists to lead the Hornets to a 3-1 mark for the week.

NBA Line of the Week for 2/18 to 2/24

I'm tempted to call this section King James' Line of the Week or Chris Paul's "Pimpin ain't easy." These guys constantly puts up crazy numbers. Also, James and Paul are quickly becoming my two favorite ballers and both are two of the best players in the game. Lebron finally got some help he so desperately needed (we'll see how much help it really is), and Chris Paul has brought the New Orleans Hornets to the top of the high flying Western Conference. Both players get the nod for last week, although I feel kind of bad leaving Manu Ginobili out, he's really stepping up.

Lebron had back to back triple doubles on the road last week. Here's what he averaged for the week: 28.8 points, 10.5 assists, 12.3 rebounds helping the Cavs go 3-1. This guy will some day average a triple double for the year.
As for Paul, Wednesday night (2/20), he put up 31 points, 11 assists, 5 rebounds, 9 steals!, and only 1 turnover in a huge 104-93 over the Dallas Mavericks (With Jason Kidd).

NBA Line of the Week 2/4 to 2/10

This one was pretty much a no brainer. Chris Paul (Wake Forest), maybe one of the top 5 players in the NBA, helped his New Orleans Hornets improve to 3-0 against the pre-Shaq (still not sure if this is good or bad, the jury's still out) Phoenix Suns.
The Hornets won a 132-130 double OT thriller last Wednesday (2/6) night. The 2005 NBA Rookie of the Year's line read: 50 minutes, 18-33 fg%, only 2-3 from the line, 9 assists, 8 steals, 5 rebounds, 42 points and only 1 turnover! Pretty sick!


His official website is pretty sweet too.