HERO OF THE WEEKWhat is there to think - Kobe Bryant ! He also attracted attention at the site, gaining 65 points against Portland, 50 against Minnesota and becoming one of the top scorers. The whole of America was discussing his overly long arms, which somehow fell into the face of his opponents - then Ginobili, then Yarich, then Corvera. The league ordered Kobe two disqualifications already, and Phil Jackson has already paid a second fine (this time - $ 50,000) for claiming that the NBA had set up a “witch hunt” against Kobe.
LEGIONARY OF THE WEEK
How many can become the most productive player in a match involving Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony? You say this is only possible on All - Star Game ? Linas Cleise proved the opposite. The Denver striker’s personal performance record (29 points) came right at a meeting with the Lakers, during which the young Lithuanian made 10 of 13 shots, including 5 of 6 three-pointer. “I didn't even know about his existence when I changed teams,” Iverson admitted. “But after this match, shown on national television, many found out about him.” Kleisa was not outstanding in a couple of other Nuggets fights last week, but this is rather the exception - this season Linas’s game has already made him if not the sixth, then the seventh player of the “nuggets”.
TEAM OF THE WEEK
Yesterday, they made fans scratch their heads in perplexity in search of the reasons for the obscure performance of the star collective, and now the Denver raced at full speed, crushing the Lakers and Phoenix convincingly (even too much) along the way. Four consecutive wins is a good “energy injection," according to Iverson, before a five-match field trip. Its results will make it possible to evaluate the progress of the Nuggets more efficiently.
CONFUSES OF THE WEEK
Scott Pollard has always been extravagant in appearance and non-standard in quotes. But SUCH from him no one expected. " Hey kids ! Do drugs , ”he said into the camera during a timeout meeting his“ Cleveland ”with“ Indiana. ” Not getting into the center, he assured that he was just joking unsuccessfully, and the Cavs management explained in surprise that Scott always participated in various social events, including promoting a healthy lifestyle ... “ Hey , kids , take drugs ! ”- here So a joke ...
TOPIC OF THE WEEK
The dismissal of Terry Stotts from Milwaukee and the long-term contract for his assistant Larry Kristovyak could be a topic in itself. It would be possible to talk for a long time about how many personnel losses during the season the Bucks suffered so that the Stotts had the right to count on leniency. But Kristovyak took a too rapid start. “Deer” on the move (not in the optimal composition!) Won twice in a row with the new coach, with San Antonio becoming their first victim!
The failure of the Spurs is part of another topic of the week. Immediately after the defeat from one outsider of the East, they lost the house and the other to Boston. It is curious that since 1997, when Tim Duncan turned pro, the Celtics have never won against the Spurs, and this has not happened at all in San Antonio since 1990. Gregg Popovich will have to think long about excuses. The Phoenix table neighbors, who have also lost twice in a row, can at least refer to a duel with Dallas that exhausted them.
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
03/15/2007. Milwaukee - San Antonio. Mo Williams thought Tony Parker would be foul for this clash. Was wrong. I bet. Received a second technical and further aggravated the personnel issue. So what? The Bucks won anyway.
Chasing the week
The match, which many had previously considered not only an early end of the Western Conference, but also a duel of the main contenders for the MVP title, did not disappoint. First, the Phoenix took a 16-point lead over the Dallas, then the Mavs were 15 points at the beginning of the fourth period. And it all ended in two overtime - 129: 127 in favor of the “solar”. If the conference finals turn out the same, we will only be happy.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“I never had to take part in something like that. It’s just that there’s not enough time left before the playoffs, we need to prepare ... ”- Tracy McGrady after the defeat of the Philadelphia Houston away 128-178 .
FIGURES OF THE WEEK
Two consecutive outstanding matches of Kobe made basketball historians rummage through the almanacs. It turned out that the Lakers last time managed to score more than 50 points in a pair of matches in a row 44 years ago (!) - it was the great Elgin Baylor. In the NBA over the past decade, two players have succeeded in this - Anton Jamison (2000, 51 + 51) and Allen Iverson (2004, 54 + 51). 115 points in the sum of two matches over the past 40 years are second only to 118 points of Michael Jordan in 1990 and the same 118 points of Bryant last season. Before that, Wilt Chamberlain was in the league ...
Another curious fact. After meeting with Minnesota, Kobe not only took the lead in the list of scorers, but for the first time in this championship exceeded 30 points of average performance. To reach the grandmaster mark he needed 62 matches - and this is the longest “climb” in history. Before that, the record belonged to Oscar Robertson (1963/64) and Alain Iverson (2000/01), who spent 49 games on overcoming the “thirty”.
MOMENT OF THE WEEK
Ball Corey Maggetty - as the quintessence of all the incredible shots obtained by the NBA players last week. It’s a pity that it was not possible to track down Linas Kleisa from Kwame Brown's embrace.
WAITING FOR THE WEEK
Denver will hold a blitz trip in the East: New Jersey, Chicago, Toronto, Cleveland and Detroit are not the most pleasant company. Those who love a bright attacking game, we propose not to turn on the TV on Friday, when San Antonio and Detroit converge in the rematch of the 2005 finals. Better that day, tune in to the Golden State - Washington. And don't forget to see the statistics of the Lakers ’meeting with Memphis on Thursday. Kobe is always good against outsiders - why not the third time in a row at the fifty dollars?
Yes, where's Scotty Pippen?
Nikolai TSYNKEVICH