by Zettler Clay IV
Darren Collison takes the J.R. Smith’s buzzer-beater and one-ups it with one of his own against the Thunder on Thursday night:
ss
ss
Collison finished with 32 points, so this was just his night (although the Mavs lost). This tied the game, so no Horry Scale consideration here. But best buzzer-beater of the year so far? No doubt.
by Micah Hart
For the complete Bragging Rights rules and to vote for other matchups, click here. We continue the Sweet 16 in the West region, where two towers of college basketball power square off for a chance to move on to the Elite Eight.
 |
VS |  |
UCLA Bruins
Starters (all stats per 48 minutes):
Russell Westbrook, Thunder: 30.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 11.5 assists, 0.5 blocks, 2.4 steals
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Bucks: 11.6 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.7 blocks, 1.8 steals
Kevin Love, Timberwolves: 27.2 points, 20.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.5 blocks, 0.8 steals
Baron Davis, Cavaliers: 21.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, 11.1 assists, 0.8 blocks, 2.4 steals
Jrue Holiday, Sixers: 18.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 8.6 assists, 0.5 blocks, 2.1 steals
Missed the cut: Matt Barnes, Lakers; Darren Collison, Pacers; Jordan Farmar, Nets; Dan Gadzuric, Nets; Ryan Hollins, Cavaliers; Jason Kapono, Sixers; Trevor Ariza, Hornets; Earl Watson, Jazz; Arron Afflalo, Nuggets
Team synopsis: As the school with the most current players in the NBA, the UCLA Bruins will be a tough out. Several different players could make the starting lineup, but I went with Mbah a Moute’s all-around contributions over those of rising studs like Collison and Afflalo. When Davis is nearly left out of the starting five, you know you’ve got some firepower to work with. Love’s per-48 rebounding stats are absurd, and Westbrook’s scoring is only a few ppg behind his scoring-champion teammate, Kevin Durant. (more…)
by Micah Hart
Are the Pacers legit? Their record sits at only 8-7, but after last night’s shocking surprising 95-92 win over the Lakers in LA, I’m beginning to talk myself into it. Indy had a pretty good week, sandwiching a close loss in Oklahoma City between pummeling the Heat in Miami and last night’s win.
Almost every year there is a team that comes out of nowhere to make a run towards the top of their conference, and I’m starting to talk myself into the Pacers being said team. Top flight scorer? Check, Danny Granger. Top flight big man? Roy Hibbert had 24-12-6 last night against arguably the best pivotman in the league in Pau Gasol. Check. I already thought they stole Darren Collison from the Hornets to be their distributor. The rest of the roster is filled with guys who already know their roles and don’t try to do too much, which is more than many NBA franchises can say.
I’m not predicting an Eastern Finals appearance or anything, but if this team can stay healthy (a big problem in the past), I’m not sure homecourt advantage in a first-round playoff series is out of the question.
Am I crazy?
Seen something that belongs on All Ball? Let us know via email or Twitter.
by Micah Hart
Today is Monday, which means it’s time for another fabulous edition of Extend, Trade or Cut. It’s not just any Monday though, it’s the Monday before the start of the 2010-11 season. That being the case, I thought today we’d take a look at three players who start this new season in similar places — as the projected starting point guard for their team for the first time in their careers. The nominees: the Sixers’ Jrue Holiday, the Bobcats’ DJ Augustin, and the Pacers’ Darren Collison.
Just to refresh you on the rules, picture yourself as the GM of a mythical NBA franchise, and pretend that you have to choose between three players. One player you can extend with a new contract, one player you have to trade for some mythical asset(s), and one player you must cut from your roster for eternity (it’s a harsh world). You may choose each option only once.
Let’s take a look at your options:
- Jrue Holiday: Holiday had an up and down rookie season in Philadelphia a year ago, but came on strong toward the end and established himself as the team’s starting PG going into the new season. Known for his sticky defense (many think he can be in the Rajon Rondo class of lead-guard stoppers), his offense is still a bit of a work in progress. A teammate of Collison’s at UCLA, Holiday — who is 20 — is the youngest of this trio.
- DJ Augustin: Larry Brown and Michael Jordan saw fit to let Raymond Felton leave for New York, handing the reins to Augustin in Charlotte this season. Augustin ain’t the tallest cat in town (the Bobcats generously list him at 6-foot), but he makes up for it with the ability to use the angles to get shots in the paint over taller defenders. He’s also an excellent shooter from distance and from the charity stripe.
- Darren Collison: Many were surprised to see the Hornets trade their Chris Paul insurance in the offseason, but Collison was so impressive in relief of Paul last season that the Pacers dealt for the UCLA product and immediately installed him as their starter. Better known for his his defensive capabilities at UCLA, Collison surprised the league by averaging 18.8 ppg in 37 games as a starter during his rookie season.
Them’s the choices. How do you vote?
Seen something that belongs on All Ball? Let us know via email or Twitter.
Catch up on every single game-winning buzzer beater during the season and see how it rates on the Horry Scale.
