Posted on 28 April 2010 by Mookie Schiralli
Bango, the Milwaukee Bucks‘ mascot, put on what was possibly the dunk of the year yesterday.
As the Bucks took on the Atlanta Hawks in their first round playoff series, Bango decided he would entertain the crowd by, quite frankly, doing something completely crazy. Watch the video, as the mascot completes a reverse dunk from a 20 foot high ladder.
Posted on 30 March 2010 by Jamjam365
Editor’s Note: Today we take a look at five players who are gunnin’ hard for that number one spot. Which number one spot, you ask? The number one Most Improved Player in the NBA — that’s what. These guys have all picked up their game as compared to last season and look to legit to quit.
Trying to “hook” into the MIP race
Even though including a sophomore is unusual, Marc Gasol has increased his numbers across all major categories and is in the top five in the league in FG% (58%). His scoring has gone from just 12ppg to almost 15ppg (21% increase) , his rebounding from 7.4rpg to 9.4rpg (21%), and his minutes played from 30 to 36 per game. And all this within an offense that has gone from bottom five in the league in scoring to top five (and league leader in offensive rebounding). Besides the scoring and rebounding numbers, at 7’3″ he is a good defensive center who also is a great passer out of the post.
“Hey, Brandon, have you heard I’m second in MIP… no offense, 2nd-place ROY?”
The Milwaukee Bucks are not all about the John Salmons trade, as they have been a playoff contender thanks to Andrew Bogut. His scoring has improved by 4.2 per game to 15.9 PPG (24% increase), and his blocks are at 2.5 after just 1 per game last year, a huge 150% increase. And this is despite the main scoring threat Michael Redd being down with a season-ending injury.
Pointing towards rebounding as important in the MIP.
The Chicago Bulls improved last season with Derrick Rose, but this year’s inside game has been the “Arc of Noah“. That has him improving from 7.6 rebounds per game to 11 RPG, making him in the top 5 of the NBA’s bounders in only his second season. And unlike others like M. Gasol and A. Bogut, he is the “sole provider” of rebounds (10.7 RPG, a 35% increase) down-low as Chicago is comparably weak inside. The scoring has gone up (10.3 PPG, a 35% increase) as well, and the Bulls are still a playoff contender. Noah this year makes a strong run as a young, third-year player who averages a double-double.
“Charging” towards a strong MIP finish
Almost 26 PPG? Seriously, those numbers are MVP-type. So it’s no surprise he should be in the Most-Improved-Race. Last year 19.0, this year 25.5 PPG (21%); not to mention assists up almost 2 a game to 5.4 APG(38%). Even with a team that’s crazy-wild with offense, that’s still an improvement (Golden State Warriors were wide-open last year, too, so the numbers are a valid comparison).
Strong drive towards the finish..
The speedy “Mr. Brooks” has compiled great numbers on an injury-decimated team that was supposed to be a basement-dweller this year. With Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, both perennial all-stars, hurt this year the Rockets needed more punch and Brooks delivered. His assists numbers through the roof (5.2 APG, a 42% increase) and his scoring numbers a career high (19.7 from last years’ 11.1, 43% increase) With his speed to the hoop and great talent for finding teammates in a good spot to score, Brooks can almost single-handedly take credit for Houston’s unexpected run towards a playoff spot. He’s my choice from the combination of huge statistical increases, a depleted supporting staff, and a good record which at least contended for the playoffs.
What do you think? Do you have another candidate for Most Improved Player attention? Let us know in the comments!
All Statistics through Sunday’s (March 28) games.
Posted on 16 March 2010 by Jamjam365
Editor’s Note: Today jamjam365 brings you the second edition of the Stacheketball NBA Playoff Predictions for 2010. Those at the top of the heap are easy to predict, rather, we’re looking at the contentious positions here: the final four seats at the table. We present to you the last four teams who will make the Eastern Conference playoffs and the four who will miss out — accompanied by a fine dose of themed ’80s music! You can check out the Western Conference predictions here.
Best in the East : Last Four In
Milwaukee Bucks (Waylon/Brandon Jennings “Trouble Man”, Highwayman Tour edition)
Thanks to the Salmons trade with the Bulls, they now have a finisher in the paint besides the rookie Jennings. They will be a threat for an older, slower team (don’t pretend you’re not listening, Boston)
Toronto Raptors (From the Great White North, the Bob & Doug & Hedo and Demar mix)
With Turkoglu and a now-veteran Bosh, expect these guys to “Take Off” if the shooting holds up.
Posted on 14 March 2010 by Patrick Lo
He took the unconventional route, opting to play overseas instead of college hoops. His stock fell as his inconsistent minutes led many critics to believe he couldn’t hang in the Euroleague, much less the NBA. Many felt he would’ve been a top 5 pick in 2008 draft and yet he fell all the way to 10th in the weaker, PG-heavy draft. Then the season started and he absolutely blew everyone away. Bandwagons were being jumped, tweets were being tweeted, and Jennings was being touted as the next big thing. Some were quick to point out that his widely popularized failure in Italy was actually not all that bad. He learned the rigors of traveling and practicing for a hard-nosed coach all while living thousands of miles away from his family. It wasn’t long before he was the frontrunner for ROY after his near triple-double debut and his double nickel against the Warriors. Then December happened. Then January and February. Now March.
So who is the real Brandon Jennings? The brilliant, electric guard that was leading the bucks to an impressive 8-3 start? Or is he hitting the mythical rookie wall (albeit a rather large one)? His splits for each month are as follows:
November: 42.0 FG%, 49.3 3PT%, 78.5 FT%, 22.1ppg, 3.8rpg, 5.6apg, 1.1stls, 3.3tos
December: 37.6 FG%, 32.4 3PT%, 84.8 FT%, 16.7ppg, 3.4rpg, 6.5apg, 0.9stls, 2.2tos
January: 32.4 FG%, 35.2 3PT%, 84.0 FT%, 14.2ppg, 3.3rpg, 6.6apg, 1.5stls, 2.2tos
February: 30.7 FG%, 31.1 3PT%, 79.1 FT%, 10.7ppg, 3.6rpg, 5.5apg, 1.5stls, 1.9tos
March: 37.3 FG%, 41.7 3PT%, 84.2 FT%, 14.0ppg, 3.2rpg, 6.0apg, 1.2stls, 3.0tos
From this we can see a consistent downward trend in his FG%, 3PT%, and ppg while everything else has either remained unchanged or improved (stls, TOs). While a drought in scoring may not be the end of the world for most, Jennings has always been a scorer in a point guard’s body.
Let’s take a look at some advanced shooting statistics by the wonderfully resourceful Hoopdata. Here I’ll sort among point guards who play meaningful minutes (25+mpg) to put things into a more insightful perspective. Just for fun let’s throw in a few mystery players to spice things up. Continue Reading
Posted on 23 February 2010 by Jamjam365
Here are my top ten winners at the NBA trade deadline. The first five are Talent Winners; they upgraded their squad for the stretch run. The second five are the Cap Winners, they downgraded talent or mortgaged their future via deals which lowered their payroll and will help with the pursuit of Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, or other top-tier free agents. Continue Reading
Posted on 01 December 2009 by Mookie Schiralli
This is day 11 of the Stacheketball 100 days of NBA mustaches. All of the Staches will be cataloged in our NBA Mustache Hall Of Fame. If you have any tips on some power forward follicle follies please email us the tip @ Stacheketball-at-gmail.com.
The Father of the Sky Hook, The NBA’s All Time points leader, and the owner of one UGLY stache! Beard’s look cool unkempt. Staches have to be maintained.
Each day we describe the days stache in one word.
Kareem Abdul Jabbar’s mustache = Scraggly
Posted on 19 November 2009 by Ethan Jaynes
Brandon Jennings Highlights, KG sinks a 75 footer, and LeBron gets nasty on Ellis. These videos I posted on NESW, but had to share them here as well.
Brandon Jennings is special.
Hat tip Sports By Brooks
KG’s shot did not count, but who cares?
Hat tip Dime Mag.
LeBron is unconscious
Hat tip Baller Blogger, and Ball Don’t Lie.
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