By Kyle Soppe

They say everything is bigger in Texas. so it only makes sense that four quarters wasn’t enough for these two top teams. The Mavericks defended home court, beating the aging Spurs 101-100 in overtime on Sunday night.

The Spurs that were beaten weren’t your every day Spurs. Ten players saw at least 20 minutes of action, while no one logged 30 minutes. On the other hand, the Mavs saw four players total at least 30 minutes. The top three Spurs in terms of minutes played (Garry Neal, Matt Bonner, and Danny Green) all came off of the bench. But who could blame Greg Popovich, his Spurs were outscored by 10 points when Tony Parker was on the court while they were +17 when second year man James Anderson was in the game.

Building on the bench production theme, Neal and Jason Terry led their respective teams in shot attempts and points, despite watching the opening tip from a comfortable courtside seat. Dallas’ best player (Dirk Nowitski) and San Antonio’s consensus top two (Parker and Tim Duncan) combined to score 31 points, while Terry poured in 34 by himself.

The Spurs made more three pointers (12) than field goals attempted by Parker (11) or Duncan (10).

San Antonio struggled from the line in this contest, as their best free throw shooter on the day was only 66%.

Turning things over to the victorious Mavs. They shot 20% from deep, the lowest percentage by a winning team in last nights eight games.

For the sixth straight game, Dirk recorded more rebounds (13) than free throw attempts (0). It was the first time in 26 games in which Nowitski had attempted 0 free throws.

Statistically speaking, Vince Carter played his best game of 2012, yet the Mavs were outscored when he was on the court. In fact, in terms of team production, he wasn’t even the best ex Tar Heel in this game. The Spurs were eight points better than Dallas when Danny Green was on the floor.

Lesser known Rodrigue Beaubois of Dallas, who averages a shade over two assists per game, was the teams top playmaker on Sunday. His seven dimes accounted for 47% of the teams total assists. Those seven helpers also gave him 64% of the starters assists.

The Mavs once led this game by 18 points, and were fortunate not to lose it on a Danny Green buzzer beater that was overturned in regulation. Since half time, the Mavs were outscored by 10 points, yet managed to win the battle of Texas

by Patrick ‘Rey’ Reynell

At the 1997 NBA All-Star weekend, the league introduced its 50 greatest players in commemoration of its 50th anniversary. The selection process had actually been completed several months earlier by media personnel, former players and coaches, and former and current general managers and team owners.

As its web site boasts at NBA.com, the list – at the time of its release – consisted of “one hundred and seven NBA championship rings. More than 400 hundred NBA All-Star Game selections. Nearly one million points scored.”

Some of its members reach back to the late 1940s such as George Mikan and Dolph Schayes. Others were more recent retirees such as Larry Bird and Isaiah Thomas. The list also included active players at that time such as Karl Malone and Patrick Ewing. Even Shaquille O’Neal, though only playing in his fifth NBA season, found a place amongst the 50 greatest.

The list rightfully spans both the foundation, innovation and modernization of the game.

No true guidelines exist for its compilation. For one, the names were presented sans-position, which allows only the best on the list. Secondly, statistics dominate the selections but can differ greatly from player-to-player.

32,172 points separate the list’s top and bottom scorers (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 38,327; Bill Walton 6,215).

44 MVP awards appear, but 33 of those awards have gone to just 9 of the players (Jabbar 6, Jordan 5, Russell 5, Chamberlain 4, Magic Johnson 3, Bird 3, Moses Malone 3, Karl Malone 2, Bob Pettit 2).

Of the over 100 NBA championships on the list, 9 of those players never won (Gervin, Ewing, Thurmond, Maravich, Baylor, Barkley, Karl Malone, Bing, Stockton).

The reasons various, the accolades vast, the selection venerable.

Thirteen NBA seasons have now passed since the 50 greatest were chosen. Two more NBA seasons will complete the NBA’s 65th year, so why not start thinking about adding 15 players to expand the greatest list to 65 – one for each year of the NBA’s existence.

Now, this is not a novel idea and has been done at the 60th anniversary by TNT. If you so choose, you can view their 10 additions at Hoopedia. That list, however, is not an official addendum to the NBA’s, so don’t feel obligated to include any of their picks should you decide to take a gander.

And because 15 is a lot to keep track of, let’s do this in three parts, 5 players at a time.

For this first part, pick the 5 players who you think absolutely, 100%, indisputably must be added. And remember: these players may still be active, or you may feel that someone long-retired just missed the cut the first time in 1997 and finally gets his due.

After a few days of discussion, we’ll tally the votes and move on to the next 5. As always, explaining your picks is a welcome form of discussion.

Here are my first 5 additions:

Bob McAdoo - Hall of Fame, 2X NBA champion, won an MVP in 1975 with Buffalo with whom he also won Rookie of the Year in 1973. An innovator at the post position because of his ability to shoot from the outside consistently (at 6’9″ tall). Though his total points and rebounds put him near the middle of the list of 50 greatest, remains the last player to average 30 points and 15 rebounds in a season.

Kobe Bryant – 5X NBA champion, three of those as the team’s No. 2 guy and the last two as the No. 1. Won a regular season MVP and last two Finals MVPs. Scoring champion twice who averaged just over 35 ppg in 2005-2006. Has over 25,000 career points, which would put him at eleventh on the 50 greatest list.

LeBron James – Over 15,000 career points in just seven NBA seasons. Back-to-back MVPs in that time. Averages 27.8 ppg, 7 assists and 7 rebounds (just a note: his playoff averages in each category are better). 34 career triple-doubles with 6 of those coming in the playoffs (had a triple-double in first career playoff game).

Tim Duncan – 4X NBA champion, 3X Finals MVP, 2X MVP. Only other plays to win multiple MVPs in regular season and Finals are Jabbar, Bird, Jordan, Magic. Great passer (3.2 apg) for a big man and even better defender (2.3 bpg). Easily a double-double for career (21.1 ppg, 11.6 rpg).

Allen Iverson – In less than 1,000 career games: 24,368 points (26.7 ppg), 5,624 assists (6.2 apg), and over 2 steals per game. Won MVP award in 2000-2001. Helped modernize the game today by creating an east-to-west style of play that opened the floor and encouraged ball-handling and penetration like never before. Today’s point guards break down defenses with crossovers Iverson mastered at Georgetown and the NBA. Uncanny ability to score around the basket despite often being smallest player on floor.

So there are my first 5 additions. You can agree, refute, or (in the spirit of Mt. Otsego) just add your ‘splinters.’

Part 2

(AP Photo/Laura Rauch)

What Happens In Vegas…

Summer is in full swing, and that means Summer League basketball. Thanks to NBA TV basketball junkies can catch some hoops in the month of July.

Devoid of the pomp and circumstance that goes along with the regular season, Summer League hoops has a throwback feel to it. There are no player introductions prior to tip-off. The coverage is not state of the art – the audio mix isn’t always optimal. Commentators and play-by-play guys don’t follow a script. To top it off, commercials are minimal and sideline interviews seem less intrusive. All of that makes for rather enjoyable viewing on a rainy day.

Watching Summer League games lends a deeper appreciation to the level of play in the NBA. These games are a mix of rookies and youngsters trying to earn a contract. Several minutes can tick off the clock before a semblance a half-court offense shows up.

Managed to catch a little of the Bulls / Oklahoma City game. Good to see DeMarcus Nelson on the floor for the Bulls. Nelson still works hard on his defense. He played limited minutes for Golden State last season. Here’s hoping the Duke alum finds a bench to ride for the season.

Word has it that Hasheem Thabeet is struggling in Sin City. No surprise there. But with time Hash should contribute in the NBA.

It’s all about location.

Prior to the NBA Draft, many thought DeJuan Blair would be a lottery pick – if not, at least in the middle of the first round. Draft day arrived. The first ten picks came, and Blair waited. The first round ended, and still Blair did not have a team. Not until the 37th pick (San Antonio) did Blair hear his name.

Blair may not have been a lottery pick, but he landed in a great location. While many youngsters will struggle on weak teams, Blair will have the chance to learn from a bunch of veterans and experience playoff basketball. Wonder if a Tim Duncan / Blair commercial with the gnomes is in the making.

The Spurs who looked a step slow the second-half of the season have rebuilt themselves into contenders. Adding Richard Jefferson prior to the draft gives the Spurs a perimeter presence they lacked when Manu Ginobili went down with an injury.

Jefferson should enjoy a return to the playoffs. It’s been a while since he helped the Nets get to the finals. Jefferson on the floor with Tony Parker, Duncan, and Ginobili should provide more than just a threat for the Los Angeles Lakers.

San Antonio also drafted Jack McClinton from Miami. Although he is unsigned as yet, McClinton is a three-point threat who, along with Roger Mason, can provide a complement to the Spurs offense.

Cleaning out the skeletons.

What a summer for Derrick Rose.  He’s fended off more allegations than the Cambridge police department. First, we read about the bogus SAT scores. Then came the story about his high school grades.  Now, Rose is dealing with a picture from high school that portrays a less-than flattering image.

What’s a guy to do? Rose is spending time in the gym working with the USA National team. Sporting News reports that Rose is taking 500-800 shots a day.

That’s one way to avoid the negative press.

Got some insights? Take a seat on the Pine and share some wisdom.

(AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

By Paul Casey Gotham

Spring Break provided the opportunity to enjoy PNC Park for the first time.  Ah, the sights and sounds of downtown Pittsburgh.

Monday signalled a return to work.  Construction workers greeted us as we walked through the parking lot.  Utility fencing enclosed pallets of 100 gallon drums, roofing materials covered in shrink wrap, and a crane to boot.

Imagine working with our future leaders  as they try to ignore materials being hoisted past their classroom window on the top floor of the building.

Picture light fixtures rattling and dust raining from overhead.

Like teenagers need an excuse for distraction.

As the pounding persisted, Chicken Little offered survival.  References to the sky falling provided just enough comic relief to make the experience endurable.

Little did I realize the influence wielded by that plaintive poultry.

I left work expecting to settle into my comfy retreat.  That is until everything in the sports world turned upside-down.

After all there are few absolutes in life.  Everyone knows the old saying: death, taxes, and….for San Antonio fans?  A trip to the second round of the playoffs as long as Timmy Duncan wears a Spurs’ jersey.

That is until last night.  Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks toppled the Manu Ginobili-less Spurs 106-93.

If that wasn’t bad enough everything that I have come to know about playoff hockey did a back flip.  Prior to last night if there was one goalie I would want in the net when my team is at home, protecting a one-goal lead, with less than 2:00  on the clock it would be Martin Broduer.  Right?

Not anymore.

Maybe Chicken Little has been trying to get our attention for a while.  After all the Montreal Canadiens officially fell from grace when eliminated from the playoffs.  For nine decades puck heads have come to expect the Habs taking the Cup at least once a decade.

That is until now.

Gee – that kinda makes having to cheer for Tar Heel seem like nothing.  That’s all right UNC alum, Lawrence Taylor, brought a resurgence to the Big Blue  Wrecking Crew.  I suppose I can find it in my heart to applaud the Giants’ first-round pick – Hakeem Nicks.  It’s not like I haven’t thrown props to the Heels from time to time to time.

Recent events on the diamond are causing the most level-headed of spectators to consider the power of jinxes.  Hey it’s not like Mo hasn’t blown a save before in the ninth.

And gee things must be really shaky with the Bronx Bombers.  They are cutting ticket prices?!?  By 50%?!?  Not like I can take advantage of the slash when considering the new tag is $1,250 per seat!

The Yankees cutting ticket prices makes the Tribe finally beating the Sox seem rather normal.

Head Scratchers:

The NBA recently released their attendance figures.  The league averaged 17,520 fans per game (up from last year’s 17,395) with Detroit leading the way with 21,877.  Hmmm…I guess auto workers don’t attend basketball games.

Don’t know what to make of Virginia Tech hoopsters, A.D. Vassallo and Chris Tucker.  The Hokie pair are enduring a trip through the court system.  Their crime?  Shoplifting…a twelve-pack of Dr. Pepper?  Was it worth it?

Chris Paul accounted for four points and six turnovers as the Hornets got blitzed at home Monday night.  Can that happen again?  Are the Nuggets that good of a defensive team?  If so, what could ‘Melo and gang do against the Lakers?

Wait and See:

Amar’e Stoudemire might have a keen interest in Dwight Howard’s future.  After all it was Stoudemire who was suspended during the playoffs for leaving his seat during an on-court melee.  How does Stoudemire’s infraction compare to Howard’s elbowing incident?

Speaking of the Suns – is it safe to say the Shaq experiment didn’t work?

Peace.