Now is the time when you have to take a really hard look at your team. Most people do that right at the beginning of the season, many even before a single game is played. But now is the time when you have to know your team, know what you need, and know how to get it.
Who’s stepping up?
Line of the Night: Pau Gasol (5.80) led things with his 30/10/4, 2 steals, and 3 blocks. I’ve said it before, the NBA.com Player Rater likes defense. Of course, when you also shoot 10/15 and 11/13, there’s not much left for the NBA.com Player Rater to not like.
Honorable Mentions: Joe Johnson (5.75) was quick on the heels of Gasol by leading all scorers with 38. In that 38, he had 5 threes, to go with 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Kirk Hinrich (5.72) got to play against Memphis last night, and he took advantage with 19/4/12 and 4 blocks. 6 foot 3 inches, 4 blocks; seriously, what is Memphis doing out there? Anyone?
Chauncey Billups (5.57) had a game worth mentioning with 20 points, 9 assists, 5 steals, and 4 threes. He was also a perfect 8/8 from the line. Stephen Jackson (5.44) had 29/4/6 with 6 threes. Teammate Mickael Pietrus (5.32) came off the bench for 19/12/2 with 5 threes. Teammate Baron Davis (5.25) had 35/2/9. Any wonder the Warriors won 135-118?
Waiver Wire Line of the Night: Matt Carroll (4.38) may be available in some leagues still. His average for the season is 23 minutes per game, but he’s played 30+ in the last 4 in place of the concussed Gerald Wallace. Last night he had 15/6/4 with 3 steals and 3 threes. Don’t let him sit out there any longer.
The Biggest Loser: I’m going to pick one before I even look down the list and see how close I was. Mike Bibby was about the only Hawk who didn’t do much last night to help them win. He had 6 assists, but also 3 turnovers. He only shot 2/7, ending with 5 points. To his credit, his +/- of -14 was only the second worst on the team after Marvin Williams’ -22.
Turns out Bibby was only 92 out of 166 players last night with a 2.37. So, your real Biggest Loser is…
take your pick between: Jordan Farmar (2.02), who went from LotN last week to 18 minutes, totally 4 points, 3 rebounds, a steal, and a turnover; and Luke Walton (2.06) who went 3/13 from the field, for 7 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal, and a turnover. Good thing Derek Fisher (4.87) and Lamar Odom (4.37) were there to keep Show Time on the air.