TOPIC OF THE WEEK
Dwayne Wade knocked out his shoulder and dropped out for a long time . Maybe until the end of the season. And talking about the chances of “Miami” to repeat the champion's success is practically meaningless. To get to the playoffs ...
When Wade was taken away from a playground on a gurney last Wednesday, Heath fans sank their hearts. And it has not yet thawed: there is no information on how much one of the league’s most striking basketball players will have to miss. The Flash is facing a dilemma. Operation probably means the end of the season, and for the team - farewell to hopes. So the gloomy Dwayne sits at home, wondering if it is worth risking his health and taking a lightened rehabilitation course, when the Miami, which is completely dependent on him, is in trouble. In the latter case, he has a chance to return to duty in a month and a half, at the end of the regular season.
Now, without Wade, “Hit" can no longer afford to relax. It's time for Shaquille and O'Neill to recall that he, too, is the team leader. In fact, a lot is not required from Miami. At least half of the remaining matches to win. Competitors, after all, are not so hot. Not enough youthful enthusiasm, which, among the "oldies", perhaps, was preserved only by Zo Mourning.
TEAM OF THE WEEK
Now, “Detroit” - not just the best club of the East in the standings. Getting rid of the shadow competitor in the person of “Hit”, “Pistons” have become a real favorite. Iron. Who else? “Cleveland” on Sunday managed to “Miami” even without Wade lose, the guys from “Toronto” are too inexperienced, and “Chicago” can not cope with difficulties, even in successfully developing matches. Meanwhile, the Detroit team spent the best February in club history (10 wins in 11 matches), successfully entered Chris Webber’s team and are ready to argue with the hegemony of the “West”.
Chasing the week
If you choose the match of the week, it would be just a meeting of “Detroit” and “Chicago”, marked by the first visit of Ben Wallace to the City of Motors in guest form since leaving Pistons. Big Ben had a hard time: the audience obstructed him, his new team missed the 16-point leadership gained in the third quarter, and Webber who came in his place scored 21 points (no one scored as many in the Palace of Auburn Hills against Ben), including the victorious the ball 2.2 seconds before the siren.
HERO OF THE WEEK
The last hours before the deadline on transitions were boring. A couple of small exchanges instead of the planned megatrades ... Not solid. But the stars, which stubbornly sent from their homes, calmed down. Vince Carter , for example. On Wednesday, a few hours before the X-hour, a man who once wore the proud nickname Air Canada shot 46 points against the Hornets (though his team lost), and on Sunday again reached the mark of “40” - this time with other success. His statistics turned out to be magical: in three matches - 37.3 points (with 55.9% of hits from the game and 93.5% of penalties!), 7.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists.
The management of “New Jersey”, perhaps, should think about how to keep the leaders in the summer. At least Vince, whose contract is about to expire. He has not forgotten how to fly.
LEGIONARY OF THE WEEK
For the second time in a row awarding this title to Dirk Nowitzki , we note that it’s a shame to offend little ones. “Dallas” German again smashed not the most powerful rivals. However, for the league leader, almost all clubs now fall into this category. But Dirk looked even more impressive compared to the pre-All-Star week. 29.7 points, 10.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists - MVP statistics.
CONFUSES OF THE WEEK
In this nomination another legionnaire was noted. And three times. Vladimir Radmanovich at first blurted out stupidity in an interview with Radio Liberty, demanding that Serbian national team head coach Dragan Shakota have substantial playing time at Eurobasket 2007, literally a couple of days later violated the terms of the contract, having ridden on a snowboard in Utah - it ended with a broken shoulder, and finally lied to the leadership of the “Lakers" that just slipped on the ice. Thank God, the striker had the conscience to confess a lie.
MOMENT OF THE WEEK
This is the factor of Steve Nash - with him, “Phoenix” is effective and effective. Who else would give such a pass to Amar Staudemair ?
A little earlier, Amar received a “pot” from Josh Smith, who almost jumped at that moment. But the center Suns was too good that day. 43 points, 16 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 block shots - and this guy was lying in the infirmary with operated knees a year ago.
FIGURES OF THE WEEK
Having defeated “Atlanta”, “Dallas” became the first team in the history of the league to issue three series of 12 victories over the season (12, 13, 12). Three more clubs managed three series with a double-digit number of victories - “Lakers” -1999/2000 (16, 19, 11), “Philadelphia” -80/81 (12, 10, 10), “Milwaukee” -70/71 (16 , 10, 20). At the same time, of the 30 teams currently playing in the NBA, 11 have never won 12 times in a row!
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"When you win and succeed, the team should not be tired. The guys from Chicago in their great years did not even know that it was cold outside. We feel so right now. We can’t wait for the next match," - Jerry Stackhouse after the victory of “Dallas” over the “Atlanta” on Monday.
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Actually, this photo dates back to March 1979. She is wearing Dennis Johnson, the MVP of the final series of 28 years ago, a three-time NBA champion. DJ died of a heart attack last Thursday. He was only 52 ...
WAITING FOR THE WEEK
We continue to see if Scottie Pippen decides to return. He has already received offers from several clubs, but now the advantage for the 41-year-old striker - “Miami” - has lost its appeal. Perhaps Scotty is waiting for Wade's words, who must decide whether to surrender to the surgeons or not.
Of the matches of the week, we highlight the meeting of “Cleveland” and “Toronto” on March 3 - in fact, this is a duel for the title of the second East team. We will carefully glance at Houston - six weeks, marked as the closest deadline for Yao Ming's return to duty, have expired.
Nikolai TSYNKEVICH