NBA Roundup - January
Feb 1
NBA.com
All-Star Weekend Report
- The NBA has announced that Rap/Hip Hop group ‘OutKast’ has been invited to join in the All-star festivities in Colorado. The duo which goes by their alter egos of ‘Andre 3000’ and ‘Big Boi’ will perform during half time for the All-Star game on the Sunday. R ‘&’ B sensations Usher and Alicia Keys will perform at the Friday event of the Rookie vs. Sophomore game. The League is currently looking for someone to sing the national anthem before the All-star game. It is reported that William Hung is at the top of that list.
- The Denver Nuggets have reported to the League that it has taken all precautionary measures and is heavily equipped with staff and equipment to be able to combat any threat of terrorism. A Nuggets’ spokesperson said, “We (Denver Nuggets) have and will be able to protect all patrons from any threat of an attack, brawl and also are able to protect Kobe Bryant from any abuse which may occur.”
- It is reported that the Rising Stars Slam Dunk competition has been changed this year so that it will include players who have competed in it before.
- The NBA has announced that 40% of earnings during All-star weekend from all NBA merchandise sold will be donated to the Tsunami cause in Asia. David Stern yesterday announced, “As a league which captivates a lot of global attention, we can’t stand and watch such a large number of nations rebuilding with limited aid. We’ve come to the decision that we want to support them in any way possible.”
ALL-STAR GAME
As the All-star voting is about to close in two weeks, the race to grab a starting spot in the premiere February game is therefore finishing.
Minnesota forward Kevin Garnett is currently leading all NBA players and forwards in voting with 1, 534, 424 votes. Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers is leading all guards in the NBA with 1, 479, 472 and Miami centre Shaquille O’neal leads all centres with 1, 368, 931 votes.
Kevin Garnett is joined by Mike Dunleavy Jr. (1, 238, 756) of the Golden Sate Warriors being atop the Western Conference voting list for their position. The forwards with the next most amounts of votes are Clippers forward Elton Brand (1, 143, 722) and Spurs forward Tim Duncan (1, 022, 894). The Eastern Conference forwards receiving the most votes are Magic Forward Grant Hill (1, 321, 665) and Hawks Forward Antoine Walker (1, 252, 148), followed by Pacers team mates Ron Artest (1, 111, 825) and Jermaine O’neal (1, 108, 771).
Kobe Bryant looks like he will be joined by Sonics Guard Ray Allen (1, 001, 678) but it looks like a tight race as Potland’s Damon Stoudamire (1, 000, 993) has had a sudden influx of votes and Hornet Baron Davis (994, 824) also has a very slight chance to take over the starting position. Steve Francis (1, 398, 772) of the Orlando Magic may have switched conferences but his fan pulling power is immense as he leads all Eastern guards. Allen Iverson (1, 178, 992) is coming second while Lebron James (1,143, 682) and surprisingly Cuttino Mobley (1, 136, 992) are close behind.
As Shaq is the unanimous choice in the East, Ben Wallace (702, 002) is the next closest player to him. In the West, Yao Ming and Brad Miller are in a tight battle as the 7’7” Rockets center has 1,006, 724 while Miller sits on 1, 005, 294.
January Players of the Month
Jason Kidd led his Nets to a 6-4 record over the month of January including a 4 game winning streak. The veteran has surprised most NBA watchers with his much improved jump shot in his return from surgery. The Nets have returned in the running for a Playoff berth thanks to Kidd. He averaged 24.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 7.7 apg and 1.8 spg for January.
His award winning month included unbelievable clutch performances in many games. Including a game clinching steal in an 89-85 win over the Houston Rockets, scored important jump shots to keep the Lakers at bay in an 89-87 win, scored a clutch three pointer with 2.1 seconds against Sacramento in a 110-105 win over the Kings and had the game winning assist against the Seattle Supersonics in n 79-78 triumph. Alonzo Mourning was quoted as saying, “Kidd is the true League MVP. He makes our whole team better.”
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers repeated his December performance with another amazing month as the Lakers are in the race for a playoff spot. With injuries to important role players Chris Mihm and Lamar Odom, Bryant was left to lead his team with less help. His scoring dipped from December (38.4 to 35.9) but he has played a more unselfish style of basketball which shows in his assists count going up (8.4 to 9.0). Bryant’s Lakers re-entered the playoff hunt with his contributions in the form of 35.9 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 9.0 apg and 3.5 spg over January. Bryant had huge performances in many games including a triple double of 43 points (17-22 FG, 9-12 FT), 13 rebounds and 10 assists against the Detroit Pistons earlier in the month.
“Kobe has elevated this team so much higher with his game. Kudos to him for involving everyone on the team,” Coach Rudy Tomjanovic congratulated him.
Other Candidates: Elton Brand, LAC Andrei Kirilenko, UTH Kevin Garnett, MIN Antoine Walker, ATL Grant Hill, ORL Cuttino Mobley, ORL Kwame Brown, LAL Damon Stoudamire, POR Mike Bibby, SAC Tim Duncan, SA Ray Allen, SEA Kirk Hinrich, CHI LeBron James, CLE Ron Artest, IND Michael Redd, MIL
GotMilk? Rookies of the Month
Bobcats’ big man Emeka Okafor finally won the award beat writers tipped him to win every month. After a month which saw him average less points and rebounds than his season averages thanks to the arrival of Keon Clark, the 6’11” UConn product still had what it took to be consistent enough to keep his head up despite an ongoing 6 game losing streak. When I first got here, I knew we were going to (lose)… I’ve learnt how to deal with it because the franchise owners will get it right in two or three years.” Devin Harris won the rookie of the month award for the third month in a row. Even though the rookie had an out of form month with 9.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg and 2.2 apg, the Dallas Starter was able to notch up the honurs again. “I think Devin keeps on winning through his maturity for the game. He deserves the minutes he’s getting,” Dallas assistant Avery Johnson said.