I don’t know if Karen Carpenter was a basketball fan, but she aptly described how it feels to be a San Antonio Spurs fan, right now, when she sang the line: “Such a feelin’s comin’ over me.”
A 14 wins and 2 losses feeling.
Creole Blues: Entering Sunday afternoon’s much-anticipated Spurs vs. Hornets game, in New Orleans, the Spurs and Hornets were the only remaining undefeated road and home teams, respectively. Each at 6-0. After trailing 61-44 at halftime, the Spurs outscored the Hornets by 31 points in the second half and won by a final score of 109-95. In fact, the Hornets’ scored a measly 34 second half points, matching their high-octane first quarter output.
The Spurs’ victory in New Orleans stopped the losing streak at one game. More importantly, it was retribution for losing to the Hornets, in San Antonio, 99-90 on October 30.
During the writing of this post, the Hornets lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Consequently, the Hornets sit at 12-5. After starting the season 8-0, the Hornets have lost 4 of their last 5 games.
Power Up: According to today’s newly-released ESPN, NBA.com, and Pro Basketball Talk weekly power rankings, the San Antonio Spurs are No. 1. NBA.com wrote, “They have the best record in the league with Tim Duncan averaging just 29.3 minutes and 14 points per game.”
Los Angeles Fakers: An emphatic, “Just kidding!” The Lakers are the two-time defending NBA Champions, lead by Kobe Bryant, who may not even be the best player on their roster (Pau Gasol). Nonetheless, the Lakers are currently 13-4, losers of two in a row. The Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy isn’t gifted in late November, but it’s worth noting for the sake of at least boosting my typing proficiency, that 3 of the 4 teams the Lakers lost to, the Spurs beat. Those three teams being, the Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers. (The Lakers earned their first loss of the season against the Denver Nuggets, a team the Spurs have yet to play.)
(Obligatory LeBron reference goes here.): A fan-made mash-up of LeBron’s recent “Rise” commercial and one of Michael Jordan’s "Become Legendary" commercial is going viral on Youtube. Regardless of your Post-Decision stance, it’s certainly thought-provoking. Check it out.
(“Witness Protection”, otherwise known as, Obligatory LeBron reference # 2.): Thursday night is homecoming for LeBron James. Tune into TNT at 7PM as Lebron and the Miami Heat return to Cleveland, facing the Cavaliers.
According to ESPN’s Chris Broussard, the Cavaliers organization is increasing security, using uniformed and undercover officers inside and outside the Quicken Loans arena. Including, heightened security presence by the Heat bench and player tunnel.
Cleveland fans’ T-shirts will be monitored, as they enter the arena, for any vulgar references to their former prince who left them championship-less.
In other words, LeBron will have his very own TSA.
Ice: Sunday, December 5, marks the 23-year-anniversary of the San Antonio Spurs retiring George “Ice Man” Gervin’s # 44 jersey. Reminisce.
