HERO OF THE WEEKIt’s good that the hero of the week and the player of the week are not necessarily the same in our understanding. Otherwise, one would have to follow the NBA, which rightly called the best Allen Iverson and Carlos Boozer - the leaders of the most winning teams of the week.
Where to them Lamar Odom - far from such a spectacular and stellar guy, a modest left-hander, always taking universalism, and not the ability to accumulate an incredible number of points. Yet Lamar is a true hero. This summer he had to endure very difficult moments after the death of his infant son. It was not easy to focus on basketball, but Odom didn’t show it, according to American folk tradition, only marking his own sneakers with memorable signs.
The Lakers comrades didn’t show either, but served (or rather, presented) to Lamar the balls that he sent with accuracy to the ring. 23.8 points (53.6% from the game, 10 of 15 “three-ruble notes”, 83.3% of the penalties), 8.0 rebounds, 6.3 assists in four matches - excellent statistics.
In addition, the two “start-ups” of the “lake” were held without Kobe Bryant, and therefore Odom, the most deserved of the remaining players, rivals paid twice as much attention. True, the return to service of the attacking defender also brought defeat, partly due to the reduced activity of Odom, who threw only 6 times in the ring. “You need to understand what to do in the attack. Give the ball to those who are ready to score,” the obvious forward said perplexed.
TEAM OF THE WEEKWith a finishing spurt due to Monday's matches, Utah broke out of the company of 100% Philadelphia and New Orleans. Only “jazzmen” in this segment managed to achieve four victories, with the last injured being “Detroit”, and before that, “Phoenix” and “Houston” intensified in the offseason were defeated. At the same time, “Utah” remains the best league difference in goals scored and goals conceded.
Fans of the club from Salt Lake City hope that the misfortunes of their favorite team, which in recent years due to injuries of leaders did not get to the playoffs, were left behind. Now “Jazz” is a well-balanced team in which five players (Buzer, Okur, Williams, Fisher, Harring) have double-digit average performance, and three more (Kirilenko, Miles, Girichek) are approaching it.
LEGIONARY OF THE WEEKSteve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, Tim Dankan, Tony Parker and Yao Ming could alternate from week to week in this column. But the start of the championship for superstars was not so favorable - largely due to their fault. Therefore, the recent reservist Mehmet Okur was out of competition, who is still not ranked among the cohort of the league’s best heavy forwards. In vain: the Turk became one of the heroes of the brilliant start of Utah. His average statistics for the week are 18.5 points (49% of the game, 4 out of 10 “three-ruble notes”, 90% of penalties) and 9.5 rebounds. At the same time, Mehmet saved the only truly difficult match for the “jazzmen” match, at the last second with the help of Andrei Kirilenko blocking the throw of Detroit Rip Hamilton. "+2" - "Jazz".
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
San Antonio - Cleveland. Manu Ginobili does not save his strength until the playoffs, diving for draws, even in ordinary matches of the regular season. Left is David Wesley.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK"I was reborn. There is no more Mark Cubean, a benefactor. There is Mark Cubean, a follower of David Stern. Now I have other goals: besides getting the title, study at David Stern University. I will obey any decision. Yes, it will be difficult at first to cope with instinctive desire with gestures to show a run or “three seconds.” But I can handle it. After all, this is a great opportunity to learn from the best, to become the same as my friends who own other clubs. ” Mark Cuban, the host of the Dallas Mavericks.
The sarcastic remarks of the most rebellious of all the bosses caused the news that the NBA commissioner David Stern is looking for an opportunity to introduce a dress code and rules of conduct for club owners - a measure directed exclusively against the explosive Kyuban, who paid more than $ 1 million in fines for criticizing arbitrators in one of the seasons and leagues. For the next match, Mark put on a T-shirt with the inscription "He fines me" on his back.
TOPIC OF THE WEEKThe day before the start of the championship, “New York” fired Jalen Rose. For any other team, the rejection of the services of an experienced basketball player, gaining an average of about 15 points per match during his career and receiving $ 16.9 million (!) Salary this year, would be a shock. But not for the “Knicks,” which, thanks to the generosity of the owners, the impatience of the fans and the hasty determination of the president (now the coach), Isaiah Thomas made them get used to the rides of unprecedented generosity, signing contracts with everyone who looked like a star, and then parting without regret. With a limit to the club’s fee ceiling of $ 53.1 million, New York has $ 141.7 million in the “Total” column. Moreover, huge amounts of money are transferred to the account of guys who are not already in the Knicks account — in addition to Jalen Rose, this is Allan Houston ($ 20 , 7 million, completed his career), Maurice Taylor ($ 9.8 million, Sacramento), Shandon Anderson ($ 8.5 million), Jerome Williams ($ 6.4 million, both are free agents).
Thomas Club pays dollars for rash management actions, but now Isaiah’s steps for once make sense. The last "victims" - Rose and Taylor - rather, prevented young people and other stars from feeling confident: there is not always competition for the good. Yes, and both contracts end next summer. Why wait in vain?
And Jalen will not be lost. According to the latest reports, he will soon sign up for Phoenix, where he will have a great chance to compete for the championship ring. Without a ring, a veteran is uncomfortable to retire.
CONFUSES OF THE WEEKSuch disgrace is even difficult to comment on. Both finalists of the playoffs for the week managed to lose with a crushing score (October 31, “Miami” - “Chicago” - 66: 108. November 4, “Houston” - “Dallas” - 107: 76). And if the “Hit” in the remaining days managed to get hold of at least one victory, and in the last match did without Shaquille O'Neill, then the three defeats of the Texans in three matches are sufficient reason for the separation in the locker room and a tough conversation between the leadership and the head coach.
Chasing the weekThe first meeting of Ben Wallace and Ron Artest in two years - after the infamous fight in the Detroit Palace of Auburn Hills (then they represented the Pistons and Pacers, respectively) - ended with the arms of former enemies and a beautiful battle on the site. 1.10 before the siren, “Chicago” led 83:77, but squandered the advantage. The chase was organized by Artest, who scored 7 points in this segment and made an effective pass to Mike Bibby, and the young Kevin Martin finished with a calm veteran from the corner. The hosts in decisive moments shocked the fans with a couple of stupid losses.
FIGURES OF THE WEEKFor this nomination, you can choose something rounder and more fun. But the 19 rebounds of Paul Pierce in a meeting with “New Orleans” - a personal record for light forward (!) “Boston” and the best achievement of the season so far for the entire league - the statistics are indicative. The captain of the “Celts” never disdained the rough work and now is forced to work out for the entire young team, which has not become skilled in the fight on the shields. Through the efforts of Pierce, while with an indicator of 13.0 taking second place in the list of NBA pickers, the Celtics are not inferior to the rivals rebound, but the leader’s strength is not enough to attack. Three defeats in three matches - this is the result of the week for the legendary team.
MOMENT OF THE WEEKThere seems to be nothing extraordinary in this slam dunk. Probably, Chris Kaman in a victory over “Phoenix” scored more effectively through two defenders, and Bobby Jackson flew more against “Houston” and darted more elegantly. But LeBron James hit the ball from above, almost jumping over Tim Duncan himself! The participation of two superstars, the first Cleveland victory in San Antonio since 1988 and the symbolism of the superiority of the new generation over the previous one, give this fragment a special status and first place in our charts.
WAITING FOR THE WEEKThe hottest days of the upcoming game will be Wednesday and Thursday. With a difference of one day, the finalist of the Western Phoenix conference will meet with two of the strongest clubs of this conference following the results of the previous regular season - San Antonio (away) and Dallas (home). On Thursday in Cleveland, LeBron James and Co. will be tested by Ben Wallace: Chicago will come to visit. According to forecasting analysts, this is a duel of future leaders of the Central Division.
Nikolai TSYNKEVICH