Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls and O.J. Mayo of the Memphis Grizzlies were unanimous selections to the 2008-09 T-Mobile NBA All-Rookie First Team, the NBA announced today.
Rounding out the T-Mobile NBA All-Rookie First Team are Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook (53 points), New Jersey’s Brook Lopez (49 points) and Miami’s Michael Beasley (44 points)…
The T-Mobile NBA All-Rookie Second Team consists of the Los Angeles Clippers’ Eric Gordon (39 points), Minnesota’s Kevin Love (34 points), Miami’s Mario Chalmers (29 points), Memphis’ Marc Gasol (25 points), Charlotte’s D.J. Augustin (tie, 17 points) and Portland’s Rudy Fernandez (tie, 17 points).
Archive for April, 2009
Gordon Snubbed
On April - 30 - 2009
Liberation Conversation
On April - 29 - 2009
My NBA playoff-watching habits might best be described as mercurial. It’s not unusual for those who come over for a viewing session to ask, “Who the hell are you rooting for?” The answer, with a few exceptions, is generally, “Basketball.” It’s not even so much a “good game,” though that’s always a bonus. The Mavericks-Spurs contests haven’t been terribly competitive, but watching Dallas perfect its offense over the past week or so — dribble-attack, moving Dirk around in the halfcourt, swinging weak side for Josh Howard when the Spurs overcommit — has been one of the early pleasures of the postseason. Seeing Houston use Luis Scola to full effect, the probing of Tony Parker and Rajon Rondo, Josh Smith and LaMarcus Aldridge learning how to fill out their games, Chauncey Billups teaching the Nuggets what it means to run a set offense? These are the things that excite and, by and large, the events that have defined the opening round of the 2009 NBA Playoffs. We’ve seen the triumph of basketball — actual on-court machinations — over sidebars.
Afternoon Roundup
On April - 27 - 2009
- The day following their season-ending loss to Oklahoma City, the Clippers contributed $25,000 to Budget Reform Now. The group supports Propositions 1A-1F, which would overhaul the budgetary process in Sacramento. The Warriors kicked in $25,000 of their own [Hat Tip: John Wildermuth]
- Smart post from Steve Perrin that explores the market value of Chris Kaman. Perrin takes a thorough inventory of what big men around the league earn, and concludes that “it’s hard to argue that Chris Kaman is overpaid based on his on court productivity.” With a high pick in hand, three starting big men [one of which has an attractive expiring contract], and a curio like DeAndre Jordan in the stable, it will be interesting to see how the Clippers manage their frontcourt assets this offseason.
- We love to muse about Sofo Schortsanitis, but have you ever actually seen him play? Sofo isn’t getting a lot of burn for Olympiacos, but if he checks in, you can watch him on your computer Friday at lunch as Olympiacos takes on Panathinaikos in the Euroleague Final Four.
- I don’t know what’s weirder about DeAndre Jordan’s YouTube channel — his in-room videos [including prominent face time from Clippers trainer Jasen Powell], or his collection of favorites. [UPDATED LINK...which makes Jordan's favorites slightly less weird.]
- Brett Pollakoff tips us off to a TMZ report that Zach Randolph has had his charge reduced. He’ll now face a misdemeanor reckless driving rap rather than a DUI — which will make Zach’s defense less of a priority. Randolph’s attorney is Blair Berk, fixer to the stars.
Clippers Add Maccabi Tel Aviv to Preseason Schedule
On April - 23 - 2009
Maccabi Tel Aviv announced on Wednesday that it will play the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers during October in two preseason exhibition games.
Maccabi will face the Knicks at Madison Square Garden on October 18, and will face the Clippers in Los Angeles two days later in what will be the 20th time it faces an NBA team.
Tel Aviv has beaten five NBA teams in the past and became the first international side to ever defeat a NBA side on North American soil, beating the Toronto Raptors 105-103 in 2005.
Gordon Finishes Fifth in ROY Voting
On April - 22 - 2009
From the NBA official release:
O.J. Mayo’s second place finish is my only strong objection to the tally. Mayo finished behind Eric Gordon in PER, Value Added, Estimated Wins Added, True Shooting Percentage, Assist Rate, Turover Rate. Mayo had the edge in Rebounding Rate, points per minute, usage, and hype.
Like many awards, the criteria for Rookie of the Year is nebulous. Is the question, “Which rookie had the statistically best year?“ Or “Which member of the rookie class would you most like to build a team around?” Or “Who was the best rookie on a relevant team?”