Games: 17th November

So…another great day in the world of Basketball! There were 11 games played today all across the mass of land known America.

First up…you know I have to say this…Lakers! They pulled off a 103-89 victory over their Staples Center co-habitants, the Clippers. Ok, so the Clippers aren’t exactly a team with great depth…hell, they aren’t exactly a team with great anything. Nevertheless, the Lakers, with a hobbling Kobe Bryant (foot injury, but he played through it), pulled the win, thanks to some fantastic contribution from the bench. Chris Mihm (13 pts), Lamar Odom (11 pts), Chucky Atkins (17), Caron Butler (14). Bryant shot 9 for 16. The Lakers pulled off a strategy that Kobe articulated before the game - "We have to have great balance, so when teams want to double-team me we have everyone involved and that makes it very difficult for them to guard us." The Lakers are obviously doing quite well for themselves, thank you very much. They are 5-4 (.556), and 8th in the Western Pacific Conference. Ok, it’s not that great. But it’s better than what everyone expected after the Shaq trade!

So…in other NBA news.

Wizards swatted the Celtics 110-105. Who would’ve thunk? The last few season, the Wizards have been, well, the joke of the NBA. And they beat the Celts?! Well, well, well…what do you know? It’s almost like the Pistons crushing the Lakers 4-1 in last season’s finals! (Yes, I am still bitter).
Speaking of the Pistons, Wallace & Wallace Defence Co. (Sheed and Ben) managed to lock down their game against the T-wolves. Detroit finished with a 93-85 smash over KG’s team.

Shaq’s anger at being traded is obviously fueling his game. His Miami Heat beat up the Milwaukee Bucks 113 – 106. Speaking of the big man, he was featured in this month’s “Slam” magazine. A great article, which the “Man of Steel” dictated to the magazine himself. You heard that right. The article is straight from the horse’s mouth, metaphorically speaking, of course! The magazine also features Ron Artest, the lesser known Wallace (Gerald), as well as a look at the prospects for this season’s college ball. A great read as always, go pick it up! Shaq talks about how Mitch Kupchak made “the dumbest move in sports history” by trading him. I would have to agree. Mitch, when you have THE MOST DOMINANT CENTER IN THE GAME ON YOU TEAM, YOU GIVE THEM WHATEVER THEY WANT, ESPECIALLY IF THEY’VE WON YOU 3 BACK-TO-BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPIONSHIPS!!!!

So…moving swiftly on…

Melo and his Nuggest beat up the lacklustre Raptors from Toronto, 112-106.
Obviously acclimatizing well in Phoenix, Steve Nash hit up the New Orleans Hornets for 16 points, but the man of the match had to be Amare Stoudamire, who let loose and garnered a career high 38 points in the match, taking the Suns to a convincing 95-84 win.

Lastly, in NBA news, Peja Stojakovic, a key player of the Sacramento Kings has lashed back at reports about a possible trade. Rest assured, the Serbian pinch shooter should be staying in Sacramento…they would be stupid to trade him!

That’s about it for this edition of NBAdiaries.
This is Gayatri signing out.