Nba High Five

1. Big Z sets big mark

Zydrunas Ilgauskus place in folk lore was officially cemented last night as he became the all-time Games played leader of the Cavaliers. Z's Cavs game mark of 724 eclipses the mark set by former player, and now general manager, Danny Ferry. No wonder Ferry flirted with trading him.

Big Z's career has been one of perseverance - showing promise at an early age and then struggling with a series of foot injuries that saw many wonder whether he would effectively play basketball again. But the Cavs sure did, and they stuck by their big man, with Zee rewardng them with some solid years of play. He's also been a key friend of LeBron James. With both Z and James' contracts expiring could they both fly the coop?

2.  Hawks sticking with the Magic

While I under-estimated Orlando's talent pre-season (perhaps due to me praying that the Lakers don't win the title this year), they have been the premier Eastern Conference team. And they have done all this with a number of key injuires. Make no mistake about it Orlando are deep.

Equally deep and perhaps even more suprising has been the play of the Atlanta Hawks. These guys led the Eastern Conference for a while, and after dipping briefly are still soaring alongside the Big 3 in the East. Are the Hawks deserved of inclusion in the big 4? Well all-signs point to yes. They are consistently beating teams on their home floor and waltzed into the Boston's TD Garden and showed that they are a team not to be taken lightly.

This team used to only have one star. A youthful Joe Johnson, who while not technically an all-star at the time, had the talent to elevate his game to carry the offensifve load. The Hawks have continued to bring in talent eah year, smart draft choices and good development has seen the Hawks rise to new heights. Al Horford is quietly going about the best year of his young career, Josh Smith seems to have settled down hi9s game too.

The big addition for this eam is Jamal Crawford. He's had a petty negative stigma attached to him over his time with Golden State and the Knicks. Off the bench he sparks the offense, much in the same way a Jason Terry does for the Mavericks.

However, despite all these positives I'm still putting the Hawks just outside the big 3. I can see any of the other three winnning a title, but I jsut don't see the Hawks winning it all - this year at least. So in short don't expect the Hawks to win it all this year, but don't be suprised if they make the conference finals either.

3. Jerry Sloan resigns with the Jazz for season 23.

While his Hal-of-Fame status has already been granted, yu can be sure that Jerry will only feel the Hall-of-Fame admission is validated is if he wins an NBA title. For years the Jerry Sloan led Jazz have been a top-calibre team - his career mark 1137-751 (as of the end of the 2008-09 season) is a testament to his success and resiliance. He's even seen the coming and going of over 240 coaching changes throughout the league.

All tat remais for Jerry Sloan is the thing that will in his mind justify his Hall-of-Fame induction - an NBA Championhsip. he would have already had one or possibly two if it wasn't for Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. I'd love to see him win one, but unfortunately I don't want the Utah Jazz win anything. Bit of a pickle huh?

4. The 2009-10 Dunk Contest

Lebron James during the 2008-09 Dunk Contest - Yes! You will see me in Dallas next year throwing some down in the dunk contest"
Lebron James Dec 02 2009 - "Meh - I'm 50-50 on this dunk contest thing'

What the....? - Good thing he has not publicly committed to the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 10-11 season. This guy really needs to start putting up or do some serious shutting up. He's the heir apparant for the NBA and needs o produce. Much in the same way that the NBA ha become a marketing juggernaut under David Stern - all positives so has Lebron James. His brand has grown through endorsements and promises of things to come. Start fulfilling on your promise. Win something! Dunk something! Are you signed on with Nike? If so. Just DO IT.

5. Andrew Bogut's 6th man squad

Andrew Bogut is becoming qjuite the philanthrapist. Having already donated money to the Australian Basbetkall leauge to ensure the compeititn's survival, he's committed to shelling out $100,000 fo the season which equates to 100 tikets every game. Bogut donates these tickets to hardcore fans who in return for a fee basketball game must cheer the Bucks on like hell, stand, chant and wear Bucks Merchandise. Any fan not doing there job does not get to go to the next game.

Bogut was sick of seeing the Bradley Centre sound more like the State Library, and after seeing a bunch of fans singing in Huston decided to implement his '6th man idea'. hats off to Bogut for shelling out 1% of his sallary to donate something back to the fans of Milwaukee - and improve the culture of their home-floor. My only question. Why didn't the team owner do something like this?

Mr Bogut you continue to suprise me.

Top Performers

Andre Igodula - 28 pts (8-15), 3/5 3ptrs, 6 rebs, 5 asts, -9 rating
Tyreke Evans - 26 pts (7-14), 12/14 FT, 5 rebs, 6 asts, +1 rating
Dirk Nowitzki - 24 pts (9-15), 7 rebs, 8 asts, +30 rating
Jason Kidd - 16 pts (5-6), 2-2 3ptrs, 8 rebs, 10 asts, 5 stls, +24 rating

The MAYNE MAYNE is

Kevin Durant - 33 pts (10-21), 5/7 3ptrs, 5 rebs, 3 stls, +4 rating

A lock for the all-star game. Could even make the starters.

NBA High Five

1. Philly has 'The Answer'

After announcing his retirement not more than 2 weeks ago, Allen Iverson's brief basketball hietus is over. Coming to terms on a one year deal with the Sixers, Iverson will suit up on Monday in Philidelphia against the Nuggets.

It appeared Iverson's services were not needed by any team, but the Sixers (the team for which he has played the majority of his career) are missing Lou Williams, and are languishing near the bottom of the ladder. Put it this way..it can't get any worse for the Sixers - so bringing in a one man offense should improve a team who is not winning anyway. Sure his game is not suited to championship winning team basketball, but currently the Sixers are no where near a playoff calibre team.

It's a good fit for everyone, the ony other possible team, the Knicks, made their intentions clear that Iverson wouldd not be part of their plans. So the circle of basketballl is complete. Iverson returns to the place where he made a name for himself, rejuvinating the franchise after the post-Barkley era and ensured his entry into the Hall of Fame. On Monday he'll dust off his ol' number three jersey and take on the team he was traded to as part of the deal for Andre Miller. Iverson helped bring the Nuggets into the playoffs but they could not make it out of the first round.

Not only that, but he'll match up against Chauncey Billups, the player Denver traded A.I for as part of a deal that sent Iverson to the Pistons and brought Billups to the Mile High City. The Nuggets have flourished wiwth Billups while the Pistons went south quicklly with Iverson in the lineup - creating the stigma that team's are better off without Iverson in their line-uo.

To say this game on Monday night vs the Nuggets  and Billups means something to A.I is a massive under-statement.

2. Andrew Bogut's impact

I am an Australian. Therefore I should love Andrew Bogut. Do I love him? Yes. I hope he becomes an all-star and wins a championship. Do I think it will happen? Probably not. But my oh my would i love to see it and that is why I'm so critical of the man.

For an Australian to be drafted number one is a massive deal. Not only faced with the pressure of being a key franchise guy, Bogut has to break, what I call, 'The Luc Longley Assumption'. That is that Aussies only make it to the NBA if they are big, they don't need to have any coordination and are just required to play solid defense, put back a few missed shots on the boards - and are supposedly excellent passing big-men becuase of their international experience.

Bogut is slowly but surely breaking that trend. While I'm still not convinced of his overall athletic ability - although compared to Luc Longley Bogut looks like Kobe Bryant, Bogut is beginning to demonstrate how valuab le he is. Without Bogut in the line-up the Bucks lost all of their games. Bogut comes back early from injury and immediately his impact was felt. Not only did was he key to the Bucks win vs the Bulls (most importantly), he also put up some big numbners - 24 points, 15 rebounds and 2 blocks.

What this clearly demonstrates to me is that Bogut can play. He just needs to be given the ball in better spots and needs to be integrated into the offense more effectively. That is why I['m all for a Michael Redd trade. I'll take anyone. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Redd is too much of a one man offense - a shoot first volume shooter. While I think his play is more adaptable then Iverson's and I think he'll succeed and help a team if put in the right situation, it's pretty clear that Redd is no longer a good fit for the Bucks.

Brnadon Jennings and Andrew Bogut are a great combo for the two man game. Both feed off each other and look comfortable on the floor together. Redd on the floor causes everyone to look uncomfortable. Is it a pho-par to suggest a Ray Allen for Michael Redd trade? What about sneding him to the Pacers for Mike Dunleavy and Troy Murphy? Meh. maybe not. But there has to be a deal that the Bucks can work. Move Michael Redd, build around Bogut and Jennings, bring in some role players and look to have some cap room to make a play on a free-agent this summer.

3. Records are made to be broken

Tonight could be the night.

The New jersey Nets, currently tied for the worst start in the history of the NBA at 0-17, tonight host the Dallas Mavericks. If they lose they will be the sole holders of the record.

 While it's not a 'oh that's awesome' someone broke Wilt's scoring record kind of deal it is still a record. And I'll still be thinking 'oh, awesome!' closely followed by a 'Man they suck!'.

Truth be told the Nets aren't that bad a team. Don't be suprised if they set two records in two years. Firstly this year for the worst start to an NBA season and possibly the worst season record ever, but next year they could set the reocrd for the biggest turnaround - eclpsing the 2007-08 Boston Celtics.

The Nets have a lot of parts, have been decimated by injuries and have major salary cap space. Imagine this team next year with Devin Harris (insert James, Wade, Bosh here), Brooke Lopez, Courtney Lee and Yi Junlian as a starting five.Thats a good team. In fact - better than good - you could say it could be th ebest starting five in the league. Then you have Rafer Alston as the backup PG and Douglas-Roberts to provide a scoring punch off the bench.

So remember this moment NBA fans - the New Jersey Nets - perhaps embarking on the beginning of history, Everything for them starts tonight. Pity Lawrence Frank, won't be around to see it.

4. The All Nba Drunk-stars

In celebration of Ron Artest admitting he used to drink at half times in his early Chicago Bulls days let's roll out the all-time best.

PG - Jamal Tinsley
SG - Vernon Maxwell
SF - Ron Artest
PF - Carlos Boozer (haha)
C - Vin Baker


5. The All Nba Weed-stars

PG - Allen Iverson
SG - Josh Howard
SF - Rasheed Wallace
PF - Chris Webber
C - Charles Oakley

Top Performers

Antawn Jamison - 30 pts (12-22), 12 rebs, +15 rating
Danilo Gallinari - 27 pts (10-19), 6/12 3ptrs, 10 rebs, 2 blks, +19 rating

The MAYNE MAYNE is

Ray Allen - 27 pts (6-9), 5/6 3ptrs, 10/10 FT, 5 rebs, 5 asts, +20 rating

All hail Jesus Shuttleworth!