Sports Talk with MC

We’ve entered week 2 in NBA 2007-2008. There exist some unbeaten teams, and some winless teams. Some players have stayed healthy, and some have been hit by the injury bug.

Now before you dismiss this as just another typical article about commonplace basketball, read on and revel at these milestones.

1) 9.0 points per game, 1.7 blocks per game, and 5.0 rebounds per game isn’t exactly all-star material, but they do represent a body of work that, after 3 games, fans/followers of Bucks rookie Yi Jianlian can be optimistic about. He scored 16 markers in his last game and showed the outside touch which has made him a much coveted player amongst his peers. He may not win the ROY award, but he looks poised to make an impact. The Bucks are a team of the rise in the weak East, and the Chinese phenom looks ready to pounce.

2) In his Celtic debut last Friday, Kevin Garnett got 20 points and 20 rebounds. Talk about making a statement. If I’m not mistaken, the last player to do a 20-20 while debuting for a new team was when Charles Barkley first suited up for the Houston Rockets back in 1996 (he got 20 points and 33 rebounds in that game).

3)  Kevin Durant is getting a lot of looks, and although his field goal percentage isn’t exactly sterling, he is scoring in bunches. Right now, he reminds me a lot of a more slender version of Alex English or Bernard King. This kid slithers through defenses like a snake in water. Once he becomes more selective with his shots, gets stronger, and once the Sonics get a more legit post presence and/or a better point guard, look out.

4) I like Al Horford right now. He may not be scoring ala Shaquille O’Neal in his youth, but he is rebounding with a vengeance. After 10 and 11 rebounding games, I think that it’s safe to say that he’s got one up over the injured Zaza Pachulia as the Hawks’ starting center. He has to cut down on his fouls, though.

5) The Dallas Mavericks and the Golden State Warriors will be playing each other for the first time since May this November 8th in Oakland. Look for this game to have a playoff like atmosphere. Dirk and co. will have revenge on their minds. The Warriors just, really, need to survive.

6) Who is beginning to get sick of all this Kobe Bryant trade talk? I know I am.

7) Did you see Greg Oden in crutches on the Blazers bench during a recent Portland game? Because of the number one pick’s absence, and because, also, of the team’s relative youth, the franchise that once featured hardwood greats Bill Walton and Clyde Drexler have yet to nab a win in the 2007-2008 season.

The New York Knicks charge $70.51 USD for tickets to watch the most dysfunctional team in basketball, not to mention, to breathe relatively the same air as the most unsuccessful and controversial coach and president of basketball operations in recent history (Isiah).

9) 60 games, say AI and ‘Melo? 55 says George Karl? More like 45-48, say I.

The Denver Nuggets have been pegged by experts, and well, those within the organization, as a team that is on its way to elite status. I’d beg to disagree, though, as the squad plays too little defense, relies too much on 1 on 1 plays and jumpers, has bigs that are either stiffs or injury prone (Nene and Marcus Camby), and have a lot of mismatched, talented, cagers (a bit like the Knicks). If Nene can suddenly become Patrick Ewing, and if Carmelo Anthony can become half as aggressive as Allen Iverson when it comes to attacking the rim, then maybe we can talk about the Nuggets past April. MAYBE.

10) And finally…

The Anderson Varejao stalemate has yet to finish. The tree-haired center is asking way to much than he’s worth. Even the one year offer gig isn’t working. Maybe Andy ought to go to Europe, with all due respect to Europe. The Cavaliers might as well sign Shawn Kemp to a deal. Now there’s a guy who, after all he’s been through, at least, knows what his market value is. Am I beginning to sound like Stephen A. Smith? I have high blood pressure. I don’t want to go the route of the neutoric sports pundit. My sincerest apologies to you all.

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