Is there any team in the league that pisses off basketball fans more than Atlanta? In reality though, why should we get so aggravated when they struggle? As Reggie and Charles pointed out, you’re only as good as your best player. Despite that, with LeBron and Dwyane Wade dressed up (What the hell was that shirt ‘Bron had on?) on the sidelines, the Heat rode Chris Bosh (33 points, 14 rebounds) and a bunch of role players to a surprising 116-109 win in triple OT. After barely surviving two overtimes, the Hawks finally succumbed, never scoring a point in the last frame. Even with Joe Johnson (20 points) and Josh Smith (17 points, 13 rebounds) putting up big stat lines, it felt like they wilted under the pressure from so many young guys putting in work for Miami. Bosh might’ve hit the killer shots – like the 30-foot three he made to send it to overtime – but it was Mario Chalmers (29 points, 22 after the third quarter) and Terrel Harris (nine points, 14 rebounds) who made the difference. And who caught Reggie on that Bosh three-pointer straight up calling the Hawks “not a very smart team” because they didn’t foul? … People complain about ‘Bron and Wade not celebrating their teammates, but when that three went down, both of them looked like Nicki Minaj had just said “I do” to them … Kevin Harlan really called Ivan Johnson “Drago.” Thing is, Drago never rocked a diamond grill during an NBA game … We told y’all the Lakers almost never win in Portland. Last night was no different as the Blazers ate ’em and spit them out during the second half of their 107-96 win. Kobe dropped 30. Andrew Bynum made his first eight shots and finished with 21 and 12. And yet, because TNT screwed up and didn’t show the first half on a sister network, all we started with was a third quarter dominated by the Blazers. A 24-8 run in the third ended it for the Blazers. How did the Lakers finally stop the run? They posted up Bynum after ignoring him again for a stretch. But soon, Jamal Crawford (17 points) ended the quarter with a 30-foot splash. LaMarcus Aldridge was unstoppable inside (28 points, 10 rebounds) while Gerald Wallace (31 points) was the real star. He was a pinball offensively, and took his matchup with 24 personally. The two went at it all night long, but the defining moment came after Bryant bricked a long wing three. Wallace leaked out, and finished with an easy windmill on the break … Did Andrew Bynum just suddenly put it all together? Well… not exactly. Laker fans will tell you he’s been killing it for a while now. It’s just he can’t ever stay healthy, and his injuries always happen almost exactly when it starts clicking (In other words, watch out right now.) … The playoff series we really want to see? Portland and Denver. The Blazers play like a bunch of 10 year olds finally getting outside after the teachers held them in line for being too loud. The Nuggets are just plain crazy, shooting every 10 seconds and tossing no-look lobs. That series would be fun … Keep reading to hear how the Kings reacted to their coach getting fired …
When a guy balls outta control the night after his coach gets fired, he’s either trying to show management they made a mistake, or he’s happy as hell to be rid of a horrible boss. While we didn’t catch Tyreke Evans‘ take on Paul Westphal (note: He IS a big fan of Keith Smart though) getting the axe before Sacramento hosted the Bucks on Thursday, ‘Reke was at his rim-attacking, circus-layup-making best, then came through in the clutch like an All-Star in the Kings’ 103-100 W. Evans posted 26 points, 10 boards and five assists, but his teammates were sleepwalking most of the time. Marcus Thornton (27 points) and DeMarcus Cousins (19 points, 15 rebounds) almost waited too long to wake up and help stage a huge comeback from a 21-point halftime deficit … Down by one with 18 seconds left, Tyreke stepped to the line and hit the go-ahead free throws. Evans then smothered Brandon Jennings (31 point, 7 assists, 5 steals) on the other end, leaving Stephen Jackson to brick a fadeaway for Milwaukee. Evans hit two more free throws with two seconds left, and the Bucks missed a three at the buzzer … During the pre-game interview with interim coach Keith Smart, the interviewer never specifically asked about Cousins. Wonder if that had anything to do with the Kings’ PR corps. Cousins, by the way, was in the starting lineup and the team’s first possession was a designed play for him. The crowd didn’t noticeably boo Cousins, but they weren’t cheering him extra loud, either … Travis Outlaw‘s hairline is running away from his face faster than Yohan Blake. He’s getting close to Jerry Rice territory. Meanwhile Drew Gooden looks like LeRoy Bell, the 60-year-old contestant from this season’s “X Factor.” Except Gooden looks a little older. The fact that Gooden (18 points) and Jack aren’t wearing headbands means Scott Skiles must have a no-headbands rule. It’s like watching Wiz Khalifa and Snoop Dogg without the weed … Dallas is lucky no one was watching them with such good games on TNT, because we probably would’ve gone off on them. They were blown out again, this time by 22 to a Spurs team who’s missing their best player. Dirk had absolutely nothing left (three made shots, six points) after six games in eight days. Is this the poorest defense of a title ever? We know it’s early but c’mon… they are getting blown out every other game. With so many great teams in the West, they seriously need to pick it up. Now. Matt Bonner drops 17 on you, and you get run out of the gym, shooting 27-for-77? We can’t have that happen … The Dime crew was spread out all over the country yesterday. Aron Phillips was out getting the celebrity treatment in L.A. for the exclusive launch of Chris Paul‘s new signature sneaker, the Jordan CP3.V, and he detailed everything (including exclusive photos) that went down. Sean Sweeney was down in Phoenix for the day chilling with Steve Nash, kicking it about everything from his lap dance from Nicki Minaj to the most embarrassing moments of his life … And who caught this cat at the Hawks’ game breaking it down? … We’re out like Westphal.
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