The Association

A Few Links To Get You Caught Up

by Brett Edwards

To get you caught up coming out of the holidays, here's a sampling of what's been going on around the Association:

Kobe Bryant is considering a new type of surgery. Personally, I hope he doesn't try it, I think he's good the way he is.

Charlie Bell is having the worst season in NBA history. On the bright side, the Bucks only lost by 45 to the Pistons, so it's not all bad. Oh wait...

Lamar Odom received a one-game suspension for the flagrant on Ray Allen. Feel free to rest your starters there, Doc.

Chris Bosh going used car salesman to beg for All-Star votes. Funny? Sure. Will it work? Probably not.

Scottie Pippen is mouthing off in hopes of getting the Bulls head coaching gig. Yeah, I'm sure "obnoxious" is the first quality that the organization is looking for in their next coach.

The Bucks And The Warriors Handle Close Losses Differently

by Brett Edwards

I know, who gives two shits about the Milwaukee Bucks or the Golden State Warriors, right? After all, neither one is expected to make the playoffs this season, so it may seem pointless to pay attention to their team trends, not to mention write a whole piece about them. But to me, tonight's games show the two ways that a team can handle a crushing defeat: you can mail in the next game, or get pissed off and beat somebody that you're not supposed to.

The Milwaukee Bucks chose the former. After Michael Redd scored 52 points in yesterday's duel with the Bulls, he only managed 15 in Orlando on a woeful 3-16 from the field. Yeah it was a tough overtime loss yesterday, but I didn't know the Bucks were a bunch of chicks that take a week to get over things. They didn't even bother to show up for this game, scoring only 10 points on the first quarter, and missing 8 of their first 10 shots on their way to a 32% first half shooting performance. If you're not going to try, why not just stay home?

The Warriors on the other hand, came to play against the Pistons. They had an absolutely horrible loss in Washington yesterday, getting jobbed by the refs and having their coach's meltdown ultimately cost them the game. But did they dwell on it? No. They rolled into The Palace and beat (arguably) the best team in the East, and did so easily. They were angered by yesterday's loss, and took it out on a Pistons' team that took them too lightly.

I don't know if it's coaching, player personalities, or some combination of the two. But if I'm a fan of a particular team, I want the players to at least care a little bit about what happens to them on the court, and not be a bunch of whiny bitches who fold right after a tough loss. After tonight's games, I may have to trade in my Bucks gear for some Golden State swag.

Seniorgee!

By Craig Kwasniewski

A very disturbing trend is sweeping the Eastern Conference... senior citizen dance squads.

Well, count the fans of the Milwaukee Bucks as the next group to collective throw up in their mouths during timeouts. Ladies and gentleman, your Seniorgee Dance Team!!!!

Are the winters that rough that the fans are dying to take a gander a the gyrating torsos of 60-year old women? Is this what's left after all the hot chicks have moved to Miami, Vegas and Los Angeles to pursue a (cough-cough) professional modeling career? Who's the "marketing genius" that came up with this? Thankfully the Lakers lack such vision and have stayed with the Laker Girls all these years.

Anyway, here's what was said on the Bucks website:

The Milwaukee Bucks have officially selected members for the first-ever Senior Dance Team, Seniorgee! The 21-member squad consists of men and women who are at least 60 years of age. They will be performing at select home games during the 2006-07 season. Bookmark this page for more future information and specific game dates.

Dude, you don't need to tell me to bookmark the page!

As far as I know, the trend has hit Milwaukee, Chicago and New Jersey and it needs to stop. (BTW - I can't believe I spent 10 minutes searching for other senior dance teams!)

Okay let me just clarify, this will be the last senior dance squad post here at TAB. One more makes a trilogy along with innuendoes that I'm secretly obsessed with the aged. That stops now!

Now excuse me while I run down to 7-Eleven for a copy of Granny Gummers.

Gilbert Arenas' Sick Three Buries Bucks

by Brett Edwards

Gilbert Arenas has been extra-ridiculous this season, and last night's three to beat the Bucks was no exception. Watch the video closely, and you'll see he doesn't even watch the shot go in -- he KNOWS it's in. Awesome.

[via NBA Fanhouse]

Wednesday Wrap Up

by Brett Edwards

Lots to talk about after last night's games, so here are some thoughts on what went down:

- Kobe dropped 40 on NOOC in what he deemed a "playoff game" in basketball's return to New Orleans. Unfortunately for you gamblers out there, Mr. Bavetta was unavailable and three no name refs were assigned to work the game. Yesterday's prediction inspired a wide variety of responses, including Gary Coleman bashing, references to xxx films, and people losing their house on the game. Maybe we should leave point spread picks to the professionals.

- Paul Pierce is going crazy. He survived the flying birds from two nights ago to get his 6th career triple double and lead the Celtics to a come from behind home win against the Sixers. Pierce is trying to single-handedly carry the Celtics into the playoffs, and he just might if this keeps up. BOS is only 3 1/2 games behind the struggling Bucks for the final spot in the East. Pierce is averaging over 33 a game over his last 14, second only to Kobe. Definitely make some time to watch Pierce in the next few days, he's playing at an incredible level right now.

- In a game facing teams heading in opposite directions, Sacramento went and beat Milwaukee, and finished their 5 game road trip with a 4-1 mark. Sacramento has won 8 of their last 11 games, while the Bucks have lost 7 of their last 9. I did predict that SAC would make a run and get into the playoffs, which they are on their way to doing. I also picked the Bucks as a surprise team that could make a run, so hey what do I know?

- There's no D in Washington. The Wizards gave up 118 in a close road loss to the Heat. D Wade dropped 40, and was pretty much unstoppable in the Heat win. In their last 5 games, the Wizards have allowed an average of 111 points and have gone 1-5 in those games. I know the Wizards pride themselves on their scoring ability, but come on guys, you gotta play a little D if you want to get into the playoffs.

- The Pistons got back to their winning ways, taking out the Bulls. This game was very un-Piston-like, as DET trailed by 7 at the half before storming back in the third. This was a pretty entertaining game, as CHI was able to put up 37 in the 4th quarter on the league's best D. This is where David Stern sent Dick Bavetta, no doubt to ensure the Pistons would stop getting screwed by the refs. Not surprisingly, there were no technicals this time around.
- For the second time in two games, the Cavs beat the Raptors. Toronto's MoPete hit a 3 with 5 seconds left to put the Raptors up 2, and proceeded to whoop it up with the rest of his team like they had just won the title. Maybe they should have saved some energy for defense on the last possession, as the Cavs' Damon Jones got a wide open look from the corner to win it. Hopefully Damon was able to get some consensual sex after the game.

There Was A Football Game Last Night?

by Brett Edwards

Kidding, but I wish I wasn't. Here in Los Angeles there was no escaping the fact that a college football game of apocalyptic proportions involving a local team was being played last night. In case you were distracted by this event as well, here are some things that went on in the nine NBA games last night:

- Toronto won their fourth straight game by dropping 121 points on Orlando. This brings TOR's season win total to 10, and reminded me that bad teams like to run up the score whenever possible on other bad teams.

- Lebron James is good. He went for a triple double in leading the Cavs to a comeback win at Milwaukee. CLE outscored the home team by 12 in the 4th quarter to get a nice win on the road.

- Dwyane Wade also had a triple double, but it didn't matter as the NOOC Hornets blew out the Heat. Chris Paul is having a great rookie season, and the Hornets remind me of some of the Clippers teams from the past couple of years that were not that great, but often stepped up and beat the upper echelon teams at home.

- Minnesota caught a tired and disinterested Dallas team on the second night of a back-to-back, and beat them easily. Marko...Jaric....Marko....Jaric played out of his mind, and MIN was quicker to every loose ball and REALLY wanted this game, while DAL played like they didn't give a crap. KG, the overrated bitch that he is, was guarding Dirk at and beyond the 3-point line. Maybe Dirk should have gone VC against Kobe on him.

Lakers Surprise Bucks

by Brett Edwards

So you may have noticed that the Lakers took the first game of their six-game roadie seriously, by playing some above average defense en route to a 19-point win at Milwaukee. MIL has been a good team thus far, with quality wins over Indiana and Dallas. The Lakers, well, not so much.

The defense was truly the story for the Lakers. They forced 18 turnovers, which they converted to 26 points (compared to only 12 points off turnovers for MIL), and that pretty much was the difference. The other thing that stood out is that while Kobe got his 33 (14-24 from the field), his teammates actually helped him seal the game after 3 quarters. Lamar Odom and Smush Parker played well at both ends of the court, which is the real reason the Lakers won this game so easily.

Now, let's see if the Lakers can keep the effort consistent tomorrow night in Toronto.

The Mo Show

by Brett Edwards

The Bucks beat the Wizards tonight on a three-pointer at the buzzer by Maurice (Mo) Williams. This was the culmination to an *amazing* offensive performance by Williams. He scored 17 points in the last 7 minutes of the game, capped off by the 3 as time expired. Mo was ON FIRE!

After giving back all of a 9-point fourth quarter lead, the game was tied with about 30 seconds left, when Arenas for WAS tried driving to the basket, but was called for an offensive foul, pushing off TJ Ford to create space for the shot. It was a questionable call, but right as the whistle blew Jamaal Magloire was blocking his shot anyway. So MIL gets the ball with 13 seconds left, and of course they let Mo handle it 'cause he's been raining. He dribbles the clock down, and he's about 5 feet behind the 3-point line, and I see the clock down to 4, 3, 2, and I'm thinking "oh God, this is going to be a horrible shot," but Mo calmly pulled up and nailed it. He ended up with a career high 35 points.

It's not the first time this season Mo Williams has hit a trey at the buzzer to win a game, but that was a little different. He was coming off the bench that game, and had 19 points. Tonight he started in place of the injured Michael Redd, and he definitely did not disappoint.