60http://probasketballscoop.comen BruskiBruskiaaron@custom-tech.netnohttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/03/03/dallas-is-done-live-blog-at-utah-jazz.aspxaaron@custom-tech.net (Bruski)I hate the term "must-win games" because they should all be must-win games, but I get it. Sometimes a particular game can be bigger than another. Like game 4 of a 2-1 best of seven series. Or like when you're the Dallas Mavericks and you've just traded your franchise for an aging savior in Jason Kidd, lost every meaningful game you've played, had coach Avery Johnson called the carpet by every analyst in the nation, and now you're on the road to play the Utah Jazz. Must win doesn't even begin to describe what is going ...Utah JazzDallas Maverickshttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/03/03/dallas-is-done-live-blog-at-utah-jazz.aspx#Comments91e764b7-5c5c-4801-be9d-8826092da17fMon, 03 Mar 2008 20:33:24 GMThttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/03/01/12-games-in-a-chase-for-the-west.aspxaaron@custom-tech.net (Bruski)Leave it to the leap year to provide a head-scratching night of NBA action. Here's a quick rundown of how each game went down and all of the important stuff.Indiana 122 @ Toronto 111: After a handful of disappointing games (and disappointing calls against the Pacers) they came back with a vengence in Toronto where teams have not had much success. Playing short-handed without Granger, Tinsley, and O'Neal Indiana took advantage of the injury to Bosh. Those who have been observing Indiana (all 3 of us) have seen that they have offensive talent. Warriors fans would ...http://probasketballscoop.com/2008/03/01/12-games-in-a-chase-for-the-west.aspx#Comments63a0148c-989d-4053-bae6-75b6ad901398Mon, 03 Mar 2008 19:29:39 GMThttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/02/27/utah-pull-one-out-in-thriller-against-detroit.aspxaaron@custom-tech.net (Bruski)After looking like the walking-dead and going down by 15 in the first quarter the Utah Jazz showed why they have the league's best home record. This game had the feel of a playoff game going down the stretch as Utah prevailed 103-95. The most interesting thing about this game was the way team's deployed their offenses. While Utah feels like they can play both half-court and full-court basketball they chose to walk the ball up initially. You had to guess that Utah wanted to play under control against the veteran Detroit squad. The result ...Utah JazzDetroit Pistonshttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/02/27/utah-pull-one-out-in-thriller-against-detroit.aspx#Commentsb60b73ea-fd95-46ff-9332-4cd29db4f34bWed, 27 Feb 2008 22:05:39 GMThttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/02/27/is-steve-nash-an-mvp-fraud-ps-shaq-still-sucks.aspxaaron@custom-tech.net (Bruski)After another loss to a contender (and being swept for the season series against the Hornets) the Phoenix faithful have to be holding their heads in dismay. On the other side of the desert Kobe Bryant fans everywhere have to be enthralled by the recent performance of Steve Nash since the acquisition of Shaq (and more importantly the loss of The Matrix). Why? Because for all of his greatness Kobe Bryant has never won an MVP award. Personally, it makes me sick to think that MVP voters are so dumb as to ignore how important ...Los Angeles LakersPhoenix SunsMiami Heathttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/02/27/is-steve-nash-an-mvp-fraud-ps-shaq-still-sucks.aspx#Comments6c8dd449-695e-4d93-819d-b7a2c849e47eWed, 27 Feb 2008 21:38:27 GMThttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/02/27/portland-in-big-trouble-without-roy.aspxaaron@custom-tech.net (Bruski)Tonight the stuggling Portland Trailblazers came out and made a statement to Los Angeles Lakers and the rest of the league...for one half.Portland carried a 51-44 lead going into halftime having accumulated a 14 point lead in the first quarter. Forward LeMarcus Aldrige was having his way inside against Pau Gasol and Steve Blake orchestrated the offense aptly. But a Laker charge at the end of the first half highlighted by a Rony Turiaf 3 point play carried over into the second half as the Laker defense picked up.What did they do? Not a whole lot if ...Los Angeles LakersPortland Trailblazershttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/02/27/portland-in-big-trouble-without-roy.aspx#Comments812880b6-0be5-41fd-b818-28fc106fbc30Wed, 27 Feb 2008 01:14:03 GMThttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/02/26/warriors-defend-like-a-bunch-of-girls.aspxaaron@custom-tech.net (Bruski)The Golden State Warriors are known for their ability to push tempo and outrun their opponents. Their undoing will be their inability to play defense on a night-in night-out basis.Aside from not getting back on defense one of their main liabilities will be Monte Ellis. He just got shook by Kevin Durant at the perimeter and while the rook is better than most Monte has to be able to keep a taller player in front of him.We thought that Golden State would have trouble with Wilcox, Collison, and Durant inside as they normally have trouble with quicker, physical ...Seattle SupersonicsGolden State Warriorshttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/02/26/warriors-defend-like-a-bunch-of-girls.aspx#Comments3ad669f4-f5fe-4ffc-bbd9-e7aa07d8884aTue, 26 Feb 2008 21:15:59 GMThttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/02/26/whoever-coaches-the-grizzlies-is-an-idiot.aspxaaron@custom-tech.net (Bruski)I don't know who coaches the Grizzlies and I will not do them the justice of looking their name up.Mike Conley Jr. is an excellent player who by all rights should be in his sophomore year in college. HOWEVER, he stands 6 feet tall with extra foam in his shoes and is, and always will be, a defensive liability. Enter the Phoenix Suns, the masters of the high-pick and roll. So this seems simple if you're Memphis and have a small guard in Conley who by all means should be able to keep Steve Nash in front ...Memphis Grizzlieshttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/02/26/whoever-coaches-the-grizzlies-is-an-idiot.aspx#Comments470b8838-3ff9-4269-a39c-6db7d98782e8Tue, 26 Feb 2008 19:16:08 GMThttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/02/25/trade-deadline-review-the-results-are-in-sort-of.aspxaaron@custom-tech.net (Bruski)We wrote a few weeks back about the blockbuster trades that happened and now that we've seen a couple games under our belt PBS weighs in on the good, the bad, and the just plain ugly.THE SHAQUILLE O'NEAL MISTAKEAlright, we can say it now. The Shaq trade will go down in Suns history as the straw that broke Steve Nash's back. After a luke-warm but inspired performance in Shaq's first game, the Suns are struggling to find rhythm without Shawn Marion and the new poor-man's Dwight Howard clogging up the middle. It seems elementary now that you ...Los Angeles LakersDallas MavericksMiami HeatNew Jersey NetsSeattle SupersonicsPhoenix SunsNew Orleans HornetsCleveland CavaliersMemphis GrizzliesChicago BullsHouston Rocketshttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/02/25/trade-deadline-review-the-results-are-in-sort-of.aspx#Comments55856a53-57cc-49e7-ba1a-ef6781f18a2dWed, 27 Feb 2008 01:24:58 GMThttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/02/25/all-is-not-well-for-the-1-seed-in-the-west.aspxaaron@custom-tech.net (Bruski)Ah....to be back. I had to do my real job for the past couple of days so my fun job had to wait. Although I wasn't writing I did get to watch the first few games of the second half. Among many other trends I've seen emerge, the New Orleans Hornets are intriguing because of their place atop the Western Conference standings.Simply put, they're struggling big time right now. We all knew that what comes up must go down but you have to be concerned about a younger team with newfound success. These types of ...New Orleans HornetsHouston Rocketshttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/02/25/all-is-not-well-for-the-1-seed-in-the-west.aspx#Comments0febd50f-62b6-4f9e-8d11-82ccd3397dc2Mon, 25 Feb 2008 20:22:30 GMThttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/02/20/current-bruski-rankings-are-up--you-might-want-to-complain.aspxaaron@custom-tech.net (Bruski)Since I'm not a part of the mainstream media I can say what I truly think. Note where I've put the Suns and Mavericks. Enjoy. San Antonio Spurs: Until somebody knocks them off the hill I have to put them here, although my heart says that they should be somewhere between 2-4. Los Angeles Lakers: Their big lineup is the best in the league. Their bench is playing as good as anyone's. This ranking is based on both Kobe Bryant's greatness but also the Scottie Pippen factor in that Gasol, Odom, and ...Dallas MavericksBoston CelticsDetroit PistonsLos Angeles LakersGolden State WarriorsUtah JazzPhoenix SunsPortland TrailblazersNew Orleans HornetsCleveland CavaliersSan Antonio SpursHouston RocketsToronto RaptorsOrlando MagicDenver NuggetsBruski Rankingshttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/02/20/current-bruski-rankings-are-up--you-might-want-to-complain.aspx#Commentsfe124362-bda5-4cdd-8d92-f39baa210b49Wed, 20 Feb 2008 23:36:52 GMThttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/02/20/bonzi-wells-to-new-orleans-for-bobby-jackson.aspxaaron@custom-tech.net (Bruski)The Houston Chronicle reports late tonight the Rockets have traded Bonzi Wells and Mike James to get Bobby Jackson from the New Orleans Hornets, pending league approval. The Memphis Grizzlies were a minor part of the deal with players that you don't know nor care about.Our first take is that this deal works out great for both teams. Bonzi Wells was never really a fit in Houston primarily due to his run-ins with previous head coach Stan Van Gundy (he sat out the entire second half of last year). He is a 2-guard with the ability to ...New Orleans HornetsHouston Rocketshttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/02/20/bonzi-wells-to-new-orleans-for-bobby-jackson.aspx#Comments725537ed-68ae-4e4a-b419-89386a1a6b98Wed, 20 Feb 2008 23:36:52 GMThttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/02/20/live--eastwest-battle-boston-celtics--golden-state-warriors.aspxaaron@custom-tech.net (Bruski)Boston is in their 2nd game of their 5 game West coast road trip where they've already lost to Denver last night and are in a dog-fight tonight. Andres Beidrins just got shoved to the ground. Boston continues with games at Phoenix Friday and Portland on Sunday. Admittedly, I'm not sure what happened in the first half as I was blogging the Dallas and Phoenix games but it seems that the game started at Golden State's pace in the first quarter (ending 29-32 GS) but played more to Boston's pace in the 2nd (28-18 Bos). Both ...Boston CelticsGolden State Warriorshttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/02/20/live--eastwest-battle-boston-celtics--golden-state-warriors.aspx#Comments2fefb6b7-f930-4f15-a6c5-f31421688e28Wed, 20 Feb 2008 22:32:41 GMThttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/02/20/shaq-and-kidd-trade-live-blog.aspxaaron@custom-tech.net (Bruski)Perhaps it's too early to speak to the wisdom of these trades but it's not too early to see how each team is going to utilize each player.The early exit polls are in....For Shaquille O'Neal.....One quarter into the Laker/Suns matchup Shaq started with a raquous entrance and left halfway through the first quarter having played 3 minutes with no points and no rebounds. Trainers reported to ESPN that they plan on letting him go for 5 minute spurts, which makes sense. They involved Shaq in the high-post game (and so did LA offensively) and he has yet to ...Phoenix SunsDallas Maverickshttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/02/20/shaq-and-kidd-trade-live-blog.aspx#Comments3d739e7e-3e64-4119-9085-0b3b6d66eb20Wed, 20 Feb 2008 20:57:04 GMThttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/02/18/after-the-break--5-trends-to-watch.aspxaaron@custom-tech.net (Bruski)We here at PBS hopes that Dwight Howard's Superman dunk doesn't result in an increased playtime for Soulja Boy's Crank Dat because I might just have to go out to the shed and shoot myself (and thus no more stellar NBA analysis for yooooooouuuuuu).So as we head into the what is arguably the most exciting Western Conference landscape...ever....we take the time to point out what we believe are the 5 trends to watch going into the playoffs.1. THE SAN ANTONIO SPURS WILL LOSE ONLY 5 OF THEIR REMAINING GAMESScrew the Full Tilt Poker lineup, the San Antonio Spurs are ...Utah JazzGolden State WarriorsPhoenix SunsPortland TrailblazersDallas MavericksDenver NuggetsMiami HeatLos Angeles LakersOrlando MagicAtlanta HawksWashington WizardsHouston RocketsBoston CelticsNew Jersey NetsNew Orleans HornetsDetroit PistonsSan Antonio SpursCleveland Cavaliershttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/02/18/after-the-break--5-trends-to-watch.aspx#Comments55085b0c-50c5-45b1-bd33-51820c7b009cMon, 18 Feb 2008 23:50:51 GMThttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/02/17/dirk-diggler-is-dead.aspxaaron@custom-tech.net (Bruski)Oh how times change....Once an MVP, oh how the mighty have fallen. Like most nights, Dirk Nowitzki has to be asking himself where did the magic go? Pro Basketball Scoop has been driving this bandwagon since last year's embarassing playoff exit when Golden State gave the rest of the league the blueprint for how to defend the once-proud Hasselhoff fan club president.So how come this story doesn't have legs yet? Probably because he's averaging 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assisstss per game. That alone should justify his all-star selection this year and should indicate a ...Dallas Maverickshttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/02/17/dirk-diggler-is-dead.aspx#Commentsb1d14f75-da0d-4da8-ba13-acf8c3094e53Sun, 17 Feb 2008 22:34:01 GMThttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/02/09/western-conference-trades--after-the-dust-settles.aspxaaron@custom-tech.net (Bruski)Just when you think you've narrowed it down to about 9 or 10 teams with a legitimate shot to make some noise in the Western Conference playoffs, a Cold War style arms race changes everything.The WinnersLos Angeles Lakers, Golden State WarriorsThe LosersDallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs_________________So the big deal of the day didn't involve one of the NBA's top 50 players of all time. It involved a young upstart, a Spaniard, and a villain. That's right, the combo of Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol, and Kobe Bryant made headlines when the Lakers sent chumpy Kwame Brown and ...Los Angeles LakersSan Antonio SpursPhoenix SunsDallas MavericksGolden State Warriorshttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/02/09/western-conference-trades--after-the-dust-settles.aspx#Comments767efd0d-3ae9-463f-82fc-afcb8f9e1fa2Sat, 09 Feb 2008 16:29:11 GMThttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/01/31/rondo-key-to-celtics-d-outplays-terry.aspxaaron@custom-tech.net (Bruski)Being on the West Coast I don't get to see enough Boston Celtics games and I like most people have attributed their "D" to the arrival of Kevin Garnett. Wrong I am again. Rajon Rondo's on-ball defense clearly is the difference-maker in this equation. Don't get me wrong. Even Paul Pierce's new slimmed down version of himself has bought into Doc River's scheme which features excellent jump-traps, pick & roll defense, but most importantly gritty foot-shuffling by their bigs on even the quicker, smaller offensive opponents. Brian Scalabrini (tell me that the red-headed, D-playing, Irish-looking ...Boston CelticsDallas Maverickshttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/01/31/rondo-key-to-celtics-d-outplays-terry.aspx#Comments9008cb88-8047-4fe8-87f0-433a02f63b75Thu, 31 Jan 2008 20:03:01 GMThttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/01/28/deron-williams-passes-tony-parker-on-the-depth-chart.aspxaaron@custom-tech.net (Bruski)I will resist making any Eva Longoria comments because they're so strikingly obvious. Of course the next thing I'll say is that she could eat crackers in my bed. After tonight's game she might be eating crackers in Deron William's bed. DW posted yet another 10+ assist game and regularly outplayed Parker on both ends of the floor. I know the announcers kept referring to Tony Parker's "bone spurs" but watching this game I couldn't help wonder if all the hooplah around Eva, their wedding, and having her around has hurt his game. He's still ...San Antonio SpursUtah Jazzhttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/01/28/deron-williams-passes-tony-parker-on-the-depth-chart.aspx#Comments2e22af50-3760-46ae-ba87-d41484a8064bMon, 28 Jan 2008 22:01:01 GMThttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/01/27/lebron-v-kobeand-the-winner-is.aspxaaron@custom-tech.net (Bruski)In what would have proven to be a game for all ages had Kobe been able to tie the game with a 3, it might have at least proven to be the first sign that Lebron is ready to challenge Kobe for the title of the NBA's best player. On a side note, the fact that Kobe has not won an MVP award is simply ludicrous. He has been the NBA's best player for the last 10 years and might be the only player in the next few decades to have a rightful place in the Jordan debate.But ...Cleveland CavaliersLos Angeles Lakershttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/01/27/lebron-v-kobeand-the-winner-is.aspx#Commentscfd89981-51c8-4d4a-b348-b76d46772bb2Sun, 27 Jan 2008 22:26:33 GMThttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/01/27/turkoglu-has-arrived.aspxaaron@custom-tech.net (Bruski)There's too much talk about when or how a player arrives but it makes sense. For those Sacramento Kings fans who had Gerald Wallace and Hedo Turkoglu coming off the bench as your 8th and 11th guys back in the glory days, you can sit back and wonder how good that team really was (and also how much you hate Robert Horry).Today in a thrilling 96-93 victory over Boston, Hedo Turkoglu finally got his shot off in the national spotlight--and he buried it with no time left on the clock. For years PBS has watched Hedo blossom into ...Orlando Magichttp://probasketballscoop.com/2008/01/27/turkoglu-has-arrived.aspx#Commentsd50d3fe7-097f-4178-aea8-0eb7f2bf139fSun, 27 Jan 2008 13:34:26 GMT