ON A ROLL

From a deep slumber, the sleeping giant is finally awake! After a poor take off from the starting gates, the San Antonio Spurs are currently on a roll, winning seven of their last ten games and riding high on a 3-game winning streak to go 2 games above .500 at 8 wins-6 loss card. Their latest victims were the road-weary Chicago Bulls, as rookie George Hill scored 19 points and pulled down 11 caroms to lead the Alamo outfit to a 98-88 win last Wednesday night (yesterday, Manila time).

The game marked the home debut of Spurs guard Manu Ginobili, who is coming off a long stint in the injury list. Ginobili actually played his first game this season in the Spur's road win over Memphis last Monday. The game also saw the emotional return of Chicago Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro in the city of San Antonio. Del Negro, who is in his first year as Bulls coach, spent the best years of his NBA playing career with the Spurs.

Hill had an outstanding game against the Windy City outfit and San Antonio mentor Gregg Popovich likes what he saw in the 6-2 guard out of IUPUI. "I think fans see that he scored 15 points or something like that, I don't even remember. He got 11 rebounds. He got some steals, and he made some defensive plays that will go unnoticed, but he help teams win. He plays an all-around game and does a great job for us", Popovich said in the post-game interview.

With TD21's consistent performances game after game, Ginobili's comeback, new weapons in Roger Mason and Hill and the imminent return of ace quarterback Tony Parker, the Spurs had once again become a tough nut to crack and that certainly is not a welcome news for the rest of the league.

*****

Among the four American Basketball Association (ABA) clubs which were absorbed by the NBA during the 1976-77 season, only the Denver Nuggets had not seen action in an NBA final series. The San Antonio Spurs had already collected four NBA titles in 1999, 2003, 2005 and 2007. The New Jersey Nets had two runner-up finishes in 2002 (against the LA Lakers) and 2003 (against the Spurs), respectively. While the Indiana Pacers fell short to the Lakers in the 2000 NBA finals. Despite missing the finals boat so far, the Nuggets had made several play-off appearances in the past. Many outstanding players also saw action for the Mile High City squad in the past like Dan Issel, Alex English, Kiki Vandeweghe, Lafayette (Fat) Lever, T.R. Dunn, Bill Hanzlik, Danny Schayes, Dikembe Mutombo, Chris Jackson, LaPhonso Ellis, Antonio McDyess, Wayne Cooper and Michael Adams and in recent years the likes of Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, Marcus Camby and Chancey Billups.

With the team's present core under coach George Karl, it looks like they will gatecrash again in the 2009 play-offs but seeing action in the NBA finals is another story. It will remain as it is, an elusive dream.

*****

"The Answer" is at it again! Allen Iverson missed the team practice of the Detroit Pistons on the morning of Thanksgiving day and will not start or may not see action at all in Friday's (Saturday, Manila time) homestand against the Milwaukee Bucks. He also face a hefty fine for missing the said practice. This man really had not grown up after many years in the league. AI should better come to his senses right now or else find himself again in another blockbuster trade. I can almost see a wide grin in the faces of George Karl, Mo Cheeks and Larry Brown.

JKIDD STILL GOT GAME

Jason Terry starred anew as he scored 16 of his 29 points in the final canto to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a come from behind 109-106 victory over the visiting Indiana Pacers last Tuesday night (Wednesday morning, Manila time). However, I believe the night belongs to Jason Kidd. The 35 year-old, 14 year veteran, once again proved to his critics that he is far from over the hill, as he played his best down the stretch to bail out the Mavericks from falling two games below .500. JK02 contributed 11 points and dished out 13 assists but it was his two crucial 3-point baskets in the last two minutes of the game that squeezed the dagger into the heart of the Pacers.

Kidd had been widely criticized since coming over to Dallas via a trade with former Mavs starter Devin Harris midway through last season. He was further ridiculed when the Mavs were eliminated in the first round of the 2007 play-offs. Cage pundits did not gave him the chance to adjust to then coach Avery Johnson's scheme of things. It seems everyone is looking for an instant success with Kidd's arrival. After a successful campaign with gold medalists Team USA in the Beijing Olympics, Kidd endured a short-lived rest and came to Mavs training camp, under new coach Rick Carlisle, oozing with newly-found vigor and fully revitalized.

The 6-4 dynamic point guard from Oakland, California, had so far posted averages of 10.2 ppg, 7.4 rpg and 8.4 apg in 14 games this season. Those numbers are an indication that another all-star game selection is in the work for Kidd due to his all-around contributions to the Mark Cuban-owned franchise. No wonder Kidd is at peace with the Maverick diehards this early in the season.

MY TOP 5 NBA TITLE CLINCHERS

There are tons and tons of memorable NBA final games no doubt about it. But to choose the top five title clinching games of all time is not an easy task even for someone who consider himself an NBA junkie. It requires great nostalgic recollection of games as it happens.

Herewith are my top five most memorable NBA title game clinchers of all-time:

5. Game 6 of the 1977 NBA finals, Portland vs. Philadelphia. The Philadelphia 76ers, led by former ABA legend Julius "Doctor J" Erving and George McGinnis won the first two games of the series. The Portland Trailblazers had their backs against the wall as the series heads back to their homecourt, the Memorial Coliseum for games three and four. Cage pundits had already written off the Rain City squad, who is led by a sensational readhead center named Bill Walton. The Blazers shock the Sixers as they swept the next four games, clinching it all in game six, 109-107.

4. Game 6 of the 1980 NBA finals, Los Angeles vs. Philadelphia. With the Lakers leading the series, 3 games to 2, Lakers captain Kareem Abdul Jabbar was left behind in LA due to severe migraine and will miss the crucial game six at the Spectrum in Philadelphia. Without the 7-2 center, everybody had began talking of a game seven. A rookie pointguard named Earvin "Magic" Johnson started at center for the Lakers and the rest is history. Johnson played one of the most memorable games in finals history as he poured in 42 big points, hauled down 15 rebounds and dished out 7 assists as the Lakers clinched the diadem with a stunning 123-107 rout of the 76ers in game six.

3. Game 7 of the 1978 NBA finals, Washington vs. Seattle. I can still vividly remember that the deciding game seven of this championship series was shown live on local theaters in Metro Manila. The Washington Bullets had just demolished the Seattle Supersonics in game six, 117-82, to send the series back to Emerald City for game seven. But despite the lopsided win, the Bullets enter the deciding game as underdogs, as the Sonics host the decider at the Kingdome. And then came the shocker, the Bullets defied the odds as Elvin Hayes and Wes Unseld took charge in leading them to a 105-99 upset victory over the Sonics.

2. Game 4 of the 1975 NBA finals, Golden State vs. Washington. A story of rags to riches, a Cinderella-like finish for the Golden State Warriors as they swept the heavily-favored Washington Bullets, 4-0 to win the NBA tiara. Rick Barry displayed his legendary wares in leading the Warriors to game four win, 96-95.

1. Game 5 of the 2004 NBA finals, Detroit vs. LA Lakers. The Detroit Pistons entered the series as longshots to win the title. The LA Lakers paraded a star-studded squad in Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, Karl Malone and Gary Payton and the so-called experts are predicting a sweep by the powerful Tinseltown outfit. But Detroit coach Larry Brown and his bunch of gritty "Bad Boys II" had other plans as they manhandled the Lakers in five games, capped by an 87-75 win in game five.

IS MO WILLIAMS THE ANSWER TO LEBRON'S PRAYERS?

LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers are flying high. They had won 9 of their last 10 games to zoom into the lead in the Central Division with a 10-win, 3-loss slate to date. Last night, they lambasted the visiting Atlanta Hawks, 110-96.

Are the Cavs for real? And what makes the team thick this early in the season? It was evident that the reason behind their sudden transformation, from their former tag as up-and-coming to title contenders can be attributed to a transaction they made last summer. In a three-way deal with Oklahoma City and Milwaukee, the Cavs acquired point guard Maurice "Mo" Williams. Williams had been a revelation with Cleveland so far, as he currently averages 17.2 ppg and 4.6 apg in 13 outings.

Williams had been so effective tending the backcourt for the Cavs and is partly the reason why King James is off to a blazing start with his scintillating per game norms of 29.1 ppg, 7.8 rpg and 7.0 apg, respectively. LBJ23 had long been talking of the urgent need of a top-flight court general who could help them get over the hump and return to the NBA finals. It is still too early to tell but it seems Williams is the answer to King James' prayers for an outrageous season.

*****

The Golden State Warriors had finally let go of disgruntled power forward Al Harrington. Harrington had been hugging the limelight the past few weeks with his desire to leave the Bay City outfit. Last Saturday (Sunday, Manila time), Big Al's wish had been finally granted as he was traded to the New York Knicks for guard Jamal Crawford. The trade saw a rare occurence as both players are submitting identical scoring averages so far of 14.7 ppg. And both Harrington and Crawford will easily fit into their respective new team's styles of play. The Knicks and the Warriors are both well known for their open-court style of game.

In Crawford, the Warriors added another player with a scoring mentality (the team already boasts of high scoring duo of Corey Maggette and Stephen Jackson). With the Crawford trade, it seems the team did not cure their need for a big man with an intimidating presence in the paint. A Harrington trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Big Ben Wallace makes sense than adding another scoring guard. The Warriors are already loaded in the backcourt with CJ Watson, Marcus Williams, Jackson, Marco Belinelli and is waiting for the return of ace pointguard Monta Ellis this coming January. Chris Mullin and the other Warrior thinktanks could have patiently waited for the right deal to come than wasting an opportunity to land the team's immediate need.

*****

Vince Carter still loves the City of Toronto. Carter proved to the Raptor fans that he is far from being over the hill as he powered the New Jersey Nets to a thrilling 129-127 overtime win last Friday night (Saturday morning, Manila Time).

Carter pumped in 39 big points, made a crucial trifecta with 0.8 ticks left to send the game into overtime and then capped his amazing night with an incredible alleyhoop reverse dunk with a 2.1 seconds to go in the extension period to finish off his fomer team. It was really a statement game for the former Raptor ace as he drilled in the final 12 points of the Nets in the regulation.

The Toronto fans were nevertheless thrilled with Carter's exploits which brought back memories of his early days in the league while strutting his wares at the Air Canada Center. He is indeed truly "Half-man, Half-amazing!"

*****

I went to the airport for two consecutive days last week. But for purposes that were completely contrasting in nature. It was mixed emotions. I was excited to fetch up my wife, Lorna, who came from a 3-day business trip in Fuyong, China, last Thursday at Terminal-1, NAIA. But on a 360-degree turn around the following day, sadness creeped in, as I had to bade goodbye to my loving sister, Ate Sonia, on her return flight to Australia, last Friday at Terminal-2, NAIA, after a 2-week whirlwind-like vacation. I am so happy to see my wife back safely and on the other hand, I'm sad to see my sister go. Well, that's life. And on a positive note, I am looking forward for Ate Sonia's return next summer so that bonding can be renewed with rest of the family once again.

MAKE WAY FOR ROGER MASON, THE "NEW MICHAEL FINLEY"

As Michael Finley's career slowly approaches "father time", his heir apparent has come in the person of Roger Mason, a 6'5 swingman and NBA journeyman, whom the San Antonio Spurs signed as a free agent last summer. The 29 year old former 2nd round draft pick of the Chicago Bulls in the 2002 draft had been dishing out outstanding plays since the start of the 2008-09 season. His shooting had been his best weapon, hitting at .471 so far of his trifectas. And not only that, Mason had been a tremendous clutch player and is not afraid to take the game winning shots.

Last night as I watched the replay of the Spurs-LA Clippers game on BTV, Mason came to the rescue once again after the Clippers rallied from an 11 point deficit in the last 6 minutes to tie the game at 83-all. Mason drilled a three pointer with 8.4 seconds to go to give the Spurs the nail-biting win, 86-83. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was all praised with Mason after the game and quipped, "he was the guy, we wanted the ball in his hands to make the decision. He had the green light". On his part, Mason confidently said "coach just drew a play for me, i felt good all the game, I knew a lot of attention will be on Tim (Duncan). I got an opportunity and I made the most of it.That's a shot I work on quite a bit. For me, it was just like practice". Mason top scored for the Spurs with 21 points.

Now, who says there's no room for journeymen like Mason to blossom late in his NBA career? I'm very sure Popovich is not one of those!

"THE TRADE" BEHIND THE BIG UPSETS; MAGAZINE GALORE

Allen Iverson and Chauncey Billups, the main characters in the recent blockbuster trade, were behind the big upsets last Friday evening (Saturday morning, Manila time). It was a rare and weird night as both NBA finalists last season went down on their respective homecourts.

Iverson scored 25 big points to lead the Detroit Pistons over the erstwhile undefeated Los Angeles Lakers, 106-95 at the Staples Center. It was the Lakers' first defeat of the season after seven successive wins. It is nice to hear from Iverson that defense did it for the Pistons, which means "The Answer" is responding to the team's call for more emphasis on defensive basketball.

Over in the east coast, Billups had 18 points, 7 assists and a clutch 3 point play which was crucial to the Denver Nuggets' 94-85 victory over the defending champs, Boston Celtics at the TD Banknorth Garden. The Nuggets had won four out of five games since Billups arrival. Even Celtic main man, Kevin Garnett acknowledged the great contributions of Billups to the cause of the Mile High City squad, "you see the difference in this team with Chauncey the talking, and the activity and him directing on both offense and defense".

So far so good for both Iverson and Billups. I can't wait for the Pistons-Nuggets game.


*****

Over the recent weeks, I acquired six magazines and a book leading up to the 2008-09 NBA season. I got the Athlon Sports Pro Basketball Preview (International Cover with Yao Ming, Andrew Bogut and Dirk Nowitzki), SLAM featuring CP3 on the cover, Handle (Australian-Published hoop mag) with Paul Pierce, ESPN NBA preview (Deron Williams and Chris Paul), SLAM NBA Preview (Kobe cover) and NBA HOOP NBA Preview (again, its Kobe on the cover). Additionally, I just bought the ESPN 2008 SPORTS ALMANAC, which is a collection of all the results and highlights of all major sporting events in the world for the year. Now I can just sit back, read, relax and enjoy the 2008-09 NBA season right there in my living room.

SHORT NOTES: ON OJ MAYO, MCDYESS, THE TRADE AND KJ

In the early run for this season's rookie of the year race, O.J. Mayo of the Memphis Grizzlies had taken an early lead. The 3rd pick over-all is currently leading all newbies in scoring, 21.0 ppg and in minutes played, 39.5 mpg, after 8 games played. The 6-4 guard out of the University of Southern California had been displaying an all-around game so far, which had left a lasting impression among basketball pundits with his veteran-like numbers. With his current pace, he may not only make it to the rookie game but also the all-star game in Phoenix this coming February.

*****

The Denver Nuggets' waiving of veteran Antonio McDyess had left everyone guessing on what team the former Piston banger will end up with this season. It seems every team (except the Nuggets of course) wants McDyess to be a part of their frontline rotation. The Cleveland Cavaliers, unhappy with Big Ben's game, is strongly bidding for the services of the grizzled veteran. The Pistons also wants him back. The Celtics had already sent feelers to his agent.

The coming days, for sure, will very busy for McDyess and his agent and the team which finally signs him up would definitely shore up its frontline brigade.

*****

Allen Iverson had finally nailed down a win for the Detroit Pistons. Even with the win (after 2 successive setbacks), the Pistons are having difficulty adjusting to AI's game. Piston coach Michael Curry should better talk immediately to Iverson and advise "The Answer" to minimize his one-manship antics and instead jive with the team ball concept of the Motor City squad. Well, that makes sense, right?

On the other hand, the Denver Nuggets had won three straight games ever since Chauncey Billups joined the team after the celebrated trade with the Pistons for AI services. Billups' game seems tailor-made for the Nuggets with his unselfish brand of court generalship. Expect the Nuggets surge deep in the play-offs with Billups leading the charge.

*****

It is not only Barack Obama who made history during the recently-concluded US National elections. In Sacramento, California, former NBA guard Kevin Johson likewise became the first ever black Mayor of the State Capitol. Johnson garnered 58% of the votes as against incumbent Heather Fargo's 42%.

Sharing KJ's triumph is the NBA, where he played many years for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Phoenix Suns. Lets get it on KJ!

NEVER-ENDING WOES FOR THE WARRIORS; KNICKS ON THE REBOUND

The team was doomed from the start. First, the Baron Davis defection, followed by the Monta Ellis injury/ suspension and now Al Harrington wants out. The Golden State Warriors are facing a blank wall on their 2008-09 campaign.

Coach Don Nelson got his contract extension but had so far guided the Bay City outfit to a poor 2-5 win-loss slate early in the season. Ellis' absence is definitely not helping the team. CJ Watson and Marcus Williams are dishing out mediocre performances in tending the backcourt for the Warriors. Ellis won't be reactivated until December 12 at the earliest, as he continues to serve his 30-game suspension brought about by his lying on the real reason behind his ankle injury during the off-season. And Harrington's latest brouhaha compounds further woes for the fast-sinking Warriors.

It is sad to see this team deteriorates after a successful play-off run during the 2006-07 campaign, which was capped by the biggest upset in post-season history with their 4-2 conquest of the number one seeded Dallas Mavericks in the first round. Warrior top honcho Chris Mullin should make his move right now and try to find immediate solutions to these seemingly never-ending problems. I wonder now if the Warrior diehards can still flash their ever-famous battlecry 'WE BELIEVE!".

*****

There is life after "Zeke" este Isiah Thomas after all for the New York Knicks. After seasons of frustrations, anger, disappointments and lingering in the basement of the Atlantic Division, the Knicks had finally redeemed themselves. At the forefront of their redemption is the new front office duo of Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni.

D'Antoni, the former Phoenix Suns mentor, had led the Gotham City squad to a 4-2 record so far early in the season, capped by their stunning 107-99 win over the erstwhile unbeaten Utah Jazz last Sunday night (Monday morning Manila time). According to reports, his style of coaching promotes confidence among his players and he is not likely to pull anybody out for making a mistake and prefers to send valuable messages during timeouts. This is the same coaching philosophy that had established the Suns as one of the elite teams in the league.

There were lot of questions when D'Antoni decided not make a massive restucture of the Knicks roster during the off-season. Most of the current players were still from the Thomas regime but D'Antoni declared that he can win with this line-up. Definitely, there is renewed vigor in the respective games of Zach Randolph, Stephon Marbury, Quentin Richardson and David Lee among others in the Knicks squad. At this point, the Knicks seems ready to challenge the best in the east.

THE IVERSON TRADE

Me and my brother-in-law Arnold had a short discussion the other night on the blockbuster trade which occured early in the day between the Detroit Pistons and the Denver Nuggets. The trade saw the Nuggets sent superstar Allen Iverson to the Pistons for veterans Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess.

Initially, Arnold's reaction was the Nuggets got the short end of the deal due to age factor. But I explained to him that Iverson himself is no spring chicken anymore with his 33 years of age. And I also told him that the Nuggets got what they wanted all along, a true pointguard and a veteran presence in the slot.

Iverson is widely known in the NBA circles as a great scorer but also a headache to his past coaches. He had his run-ins with his previous coaches in Philadelphia in Larry Brown and Maurice Cheeks. It will be very interesting to see if he will fit into Detroit's concept of team basketball. The Pistons had become a powerhouse team in the east mainly due to its defense and equal distribution of points on offense. it is still a big puzzle why Joe Dumars opted for a gunner-type of a backcourtman rather than going after the likes of Jason Kidd and Tony Parker, both of whom were known for their unselfish style of court generalship. There will be questions on whether Pistons resident shooting guard Rip Hamilton will play sweet music with the trigger-happy Iverson.

On the other hand, George Karl and the Nuggets are long craving for a true pointguard who could effectively feed the ball to its post players and of course, someone who could make the team's heart and soul Carmelo Anthony happy. Billups is the right man for the job no question about it. His vast experience in the past, which includes an NBA championship ring with the Pistons in 2004, will be a big factor in elevating the Nuggets style of play. McDyess shall off-set the loss of Marcus Camby. His intimidating presence in the paint shall also go hand in hand with the team's young frontliners like Nene and the "birdman", Chris Andersen.

It is a given that debates regarding the trade will not end here and the final result can only be determined on how both teams, the Nuggets and the Pistons, would fare by the end of the regular season. For now, their fans can only hope for the best.

PREMIERE WEEK: GAY, COLLISON AND PACERS SHINES

As I feast on loads of NBA games during the past weekend, two individuals and one team caught my fancy during the premiere week of the 2008-09 NBA season. First is Rudy Gay of the Memphis Grizzlies. This 6-9 forward's improve play brought back memories of Doctor J and Larry Nance. It was his incredible display of power and grace throughout their game against the visiting Orlando Magic , which was punctuated by a buzzer-beating jumper in the corner to give the Grizzlies an 86-84 victory. Gay led the team in scoring with 29 big points. With Mike Miller 's departure to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Gay had assumed the leadership position of the Memphis squad. I will not be surprise at all if Gay makes it to the next All-Star game.

Next is Nick Collison, the 6-9 power forward of the upstart Oklahoma City Thunder. The former Kansas standout had a double-double performance with 10 points and 10 rebounds as the Thunder recorded their first ever NBA victory with an 88-85 cliff-hanger over the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves. I was amazed with his late game heroics as he pumped it two crucial baskets during the homestretch. Not to take anything away from rookie Russell Westbrook, who played a good all-around game and finished with 14 points, but it was Collison's strong post plays which was crucial to the historic win.

It was a holiday-like atmosphere in Conseco Fieldhouse as the Indiana Pacers played host to the visiting defending NBA champs, the Boston Celtics last Saturday night (Sunday morning Manila time). There were lots of festivities in Indianapolis leading off to their first home game of the season. The Pacers are starting a season sans erstwhile All-Star Jermaine O'Neill, who was traded to the Toronto Raptors during the off-season. Even on the road, the Celtics are always the team to beat, and nobody gave a chinaman's chance for the Pacers to pull off a Houdini-like kind of win. But the Pacers did not want to disappoint the hometown fans and elevated their game to an almost perfect kind of game brilliance as they scored a big upset win over the men in green, 95 to 79. Old hand Danny Granger led the Pacers with 20 points and new recruit T.J. Ford, who came in from the O'Neill trade, added 19 points.

Hey, this is just the first week and what a premiere week it was!