College Basketball Power Rankings

Just a few games into the season, we’ve already seen some major movement in HoopsAddict’s College Basketball Power Rankings. With the holiday tournament schedule upon us, we will learn a lot more about most of these teams this week.

Wizards Fire Eddie Jordan

The last time I saw Eddie Jordan was Friday evening after the Washington Wizards lost to the Houston Rockets, 103-91.  His tie was undone, his steps were slow and deliberate and about 20 members of the media, including myself, were waiting to ask him why his team lost yet another game. With poise, he told the media that they were getting closer to playing a complete game.

He stepped down from the podium, kissed his wife and daughter, and disappeared down the hall. This would be the last time I’d see him at the Verizon Center as head coach of the Washington Wizards because Monday morning he was fired.

Harris Epitomizes Mental Toughness

Devin Harris is often the smallest player on the court but there’s no doubt he has one of the largest hearts in the league. This season the 6′3″ point guard has put the New Jersey Nets on his back by averaging 23.2 points and a team high 6.2 assists. While those numbers are impressive, the stat that jumps out at you are the 11.4 free throws per game he’s attempting which ranks him first in the NBA.

Cleveland State Shedding its Anonymity

In the classic movie, Major League, a comedy about the hapless Cleveland Indians, there is a hilarious dinner party scene.  The team’s catcher, portrayed by Tom Berenger, is asked by one of the guests what he does for a living.  When he explains that he is a player for the Indians, an elegant elderly woman replies, “Here in Cleveland?  I didn’t know they still had a team.”  That moment helps define the team’s futility and near anonymity – a concept that is critical to the success of the film. Cleveland State University Vikings could very easily star in a similar movie.

An Ominous Cloud Hangs Over Bosh’s Season

Heading into the game against Boston this afternoon, Chris Bosh was posting monster numbers and was third in the league in scoring (26.9) and sixth in rebounding (10.8). Looking at his gaudy stats you would think it would be reason for celebration, however this couldn’t be further from the case as the only stat Bosh is worried about is Toronto’s shrinking winning percentage.

Game Notes: Boston vs. Toronto

Kevin Garnett is known for the outpouring of his emotions on the court but this afternoon it was Chris Bosh who drew attention to himself by showing some additional emotion on the court. As the Raptors were trounced 118-103 at the Air Canada Centre, it was the normally jovial Bosh who was visibly upset and unable to hide his frustration over his teams recent struggles.

Buzzer Beaters

In this weeks Buzzer Beaters I wax nostalgic about Gilbert Arenas and provide you with all the NBA news you need.

Game Notes: Houston vs. Washington

It’s getting painful to watch Eddie Jordan talk to the media after these losses.  By the time he gets to the podium for the post game press conferences, his tie is undone, he rarely makes direct eye contact with the journalists and you can tell he’s running out of reasons for his team’s futility.  To his credit though, he never abruptly ends a post game press conference a la Bob Knight. And when he’s done, he kisses his wife and kids and heads out of the room.  This is a side of the NBA I had never seen before this year, and I must admit it is tough to watch. While Coach Jordan seems to be handling it alright, you can definitely see the toll losing is taking.

Game Notes: New Jersey vs. Toronto

If you missed the game tonight at the Air Canada Centre you missed a classic game. Despite Toronto holding an 18 point advantage in the second half, New Jersey fought back due to win the game in overtime thanks to some big shots by Vince Carter and the gutsy play of Devin Harris. New Jersey’s point returned after vomiting in the locker room during the third quarter and finished the game with 30 points, five dimes and a much needed win.

One-On-One With Ryan Anderson

When Ryan Anderson was in Toronto this weekend he talked with Hoop Addict about leading the NBA in three-point shooting percentage, how Gus Armstead helped him prepare for his rookie season and he shared some of his highlights from his rookie season.

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