Remember when Vince Carter was an absolute physical freak who dunked on EVERYBODY.

Remember Frederick Weis?Yeah, me too.

I’m just happy that Vinsanity is long gone, because Boston would be in trouble if tomorrow, they were playing the guy who did this: (Notice KG going crazy, and being the first and only player to congratulate/ celebrate with Carter…

House stole the show in the fourth quarter

The Boston Celtics treated the New Jersey Nets like their little brother tonight, on the way to a 96-87 final. You know the way it goes: You let him score some easy hoops and make some nice plays. You try to keep the score close without looking too lazy or too bad, and then, when the game is on the line, you make the plays necessary to win.

Boston gave up 55 first-half points on 63% FG’s, but they allowed only 32 points to New Jersey in the second half, only 14 in the final period.

Besides Eddie House’s shooting barrage in the fourth-quarter, after starting  0-5, the game was uneventful, and even quite boring. If you chose to go out and celebrate Friday night and the start of the weekend instead of watching the game, you didn’t miss much.

And if you did? Here are the game’s highlights for you…

Keys Stats of the Game:

• New Jersey Nets shot 63% in the first half.

• 4th straight double-double for Rajon Rondo- 17 points, 11 assists

• Back-to-back good games for Ray Allen- 26 points, 7 rebounds

• 32 bench points for the Boston Celtics

Unusual Stats of the Game:

• Rasheed Wallace had a season-high 6 assists

• Bill Walker received 10 minutes of playing time, sinking two free-throws and grabbing a rebound

Player of the Game:

• Eddie House- 10 fourth-quarter points ( would have been 13, but they inexplicably called a shot clock violation on one of the 3-point shots)

I saw it coming, but couldn’t do anything but yell at the tv, “Double, Kobe! Double, Kobe!”

We didn’t. I foresaw the rest. Read more »

Normally, I put a lot of thought and effort into my game previews. Today, however I’ve already missed class and work because I’m sick. Sickness can’t stop me from writing the preview, but it’s going to be a damn brief one. My apologies. Without further ado, three keys to tonight’s big game in Atlanta.

Read more »

With the Boston Celtics ahead 66-51 in the third quarter, I texted my brother,” All we needed was KG. We’re back.”

“I know. They’re back,” Jay responded.

Read more »

With the season halfway over, I thought it’d be a good time to hand out some mid-season awards. If the season ended yesterday, this is how I would distribute the awards…

MVP

• LeBron James- While this may seem like a completely obvious choice, until the Cavs recent tear that vaulted them to 35-11, the best record in the NBA, I would have given the award to either Kevin Durant or Dirk Nowitzki. But James has averaged 29.9 ppg, 7.8 apg, and 7.2 rpg while shooting 50% from the field WHILE leading a Cavs team that would be in the lottery without him to the best record in the NBA. Good enough for MVP in my book.

Rookie of the Year

• Tyreke Evans- It’s been a two-man race so far between Evans and Bucks guard Brandon Jennings, but after Jennings’ hot start he has fallen back to earth, shooting only 38% from the field for the season. Meanwhile, Evans has been the Sacramento Kings best player, averaging 20.8 ppg, 4.9 apg, and 4.8 rpg, and shooting nearly 46%.

Most Improved Player

• Rajon Rondo- Maybe I’m a homer, but Rondo has taken his game to the next level this season; he’s been Boston’s MVP so far and has established himself as the best PG in the Eastern Conference, and maybe the whole NBA (this season only). Rondo  is having a career-year in points, assists, steals, mpg,  and FG%. Rondo leads the NBA in steals and ranks third in assists, behind only Steve Nash and Chris Paul. Just compare Rondo’s production from last season to this season: Last Season: 11.9 ppg, 8.2 apg, 5.2 rpg, 1.9 spg, 50% FG.  This Season: 14.2 ppg, 9.7 apg, 4.2 rpg, 2.5 spg, 53.4% FG.

Most Underrated Player

• Danny Granger- As it usually goes, Joe Johnson WAS the most underrated until everybody started calling him underrated. But how often do you hear about Danny Granger? Granger averaged 25.8 ppg and 5 rpg last season and this season, despite being hobbled by injuries, is still averaging 23.6 ppg and 5.7 rpg. It’s time this kid got a little love.

Most Underappreciated Player

• Carmelo Anthony- Yes, there is a difference between underrated and underappreciated. Everyone judging Anthony’s talents knows how talented he is, but for some reason he doesn’t get the superstar treatment some other players get. Anthony is second in the NBA in scoring at 29.7 ppg, while also adding 6.5 rpg and 3.3 apg AND his team is 30-14, second in the Western Conference. Yet somehow, Anthony never gets mentioned in the same breath as D-Wade, LeBron, or Kobe and a lot of media credit Chauncey Billups and not Anthony, for the Nuggets’ success! Anthony is one of most versatile scorers the NBA has ever seen, and it’s about time everybody starts appreciating his talent before it’s too late.

Biggest Surprise

Who knew former JailBlazer Zach Randolph, would one day lead a playoff push in Memphis? Not Z-BO.

• Zach Randolph- Renowned coach-killer, GM-killer, and selfish thug, Randolph has shocked the league with his fantastic play. Randolph is putting up a nightly 20-10, while leading the surprise Grizzlies to a potential playoff birth. I’m as baffled as the next guy as to WHY Randolph has emerged as the Grizzlies leader, but he’s kept it up long enough to earn an all-star bid.

Coach of the Year

• Lionell Hollins- Who?? Hollins is the coach of the aforementioned Memphis Grizzlies. Any coach that can get gunners Randolph, OJ Mayo, and Rudy Gay on the same page and contending for the playoffs has earned COY.

1st Team All-NBA

1. Steve Nash
2. LeBron James
3. Kevin Durant
4. Dirk Nowitzki
5. Dwight Howard

1st Team All-NBA Defense

1. Rajon Rondo
2. Gerald Wallace
3. Shane Battier
   
4. Josh Smith
5. Dwight Howard

If you disagree with my choices, or think I’m a complete moron who doesn’t know anything about the NBA, or if even if you like my choices, please comment on who YOU would hand out the midseason awards to. Looking forward to your responses!