# NBA: December 2008. **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [December 3, 2008, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-december-2008/475454 "2008-12-03T04:00:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2008, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-december-2008/475454/41 "2008-12-19T03:19:12Z")
> [@Ataraxy](#): > > Interestingly, on John Hollinger’s computerized[Power Rankings](http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/powerranking) on ESPN-dot-com, Sacramento is the worst team in the NBA, below Minnesota and OKC. And, the Clippers ranked 20th! He’s got the Clippers ahead of the Heat. The Heat have struggled the past 3 games as Wade has come back down to earth. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2008, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-december-2008/475454/42 "2008-12-19T03:27:21Z")
The Magic just made the Spurs look old. Which i guess they are. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2008, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-december-2008/475454/43 "2008-12-19T15:02:18Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > While he played a great game and practically carried the hawks the last few minutes missing that free throw is just unforgivable. That game should have gone to overtime. Well, even the best free throw shooters in history missed one out of twenty times. I can’t say that missing one throw (even in a critical situation) is more evidence of poor performance than of bad luck. ---
**Author:** ![Kiros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/439d5e/32.png) [@Kiros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiros)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2008, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-december-2008/475454/44 "2008-12-20T03:17:09Z")
> [@Quercus](#): > > Well, even the best free throw shooters in history missed one out of twenty times. I can’t say that missing one throw (even in a critical situation) is more evidence of poor performance than of bad luck. Under the radar stat of the year so far: Jose Calderon is currently 59 for 59 from the free throw line, obviously on pace to crush the single season record (which as you noted is around 95 or 96 percent; the career record is just over 90 percent). ---
**Author:** ![Invisible\_Chimp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@Invisible\_Chimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Invisible_Chimp)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2008, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-december-2008/475454/45 "2008-12-20T07:35:31Z")
Did Brandon Roy dropping 52 on national TV officially elevate him to “Superstar” status, alongside the Kobes, Wades, LeBrons, etc.? As a Blazer fan, I am biased. ---
**Author:** ![Kiros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/439d5e/32.png) [@Kiros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiros)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2008, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-december-2008/475454/46 "2008-12-20T16:01:07Z")
> [@Ataraxy](#): > > Did Brandon Roy dropping 52 on national TV officially elevate him to “Superstar” status, alongside the Kobes, Wades, LeBrons, etc.? As a Blazer fan, I am biased. LeBron, Paul, and Wade are pretty far clear of the rest of the league right now - we’ll call them the SuperDuperStars. Roy lines up pretty well in the group of Mortal Superstars that comes right after that, though. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2008, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-december-2008/475454/47 "2008-12-20T16:21:37Z")
Another decent win for the Clippers last night. Zach Randolph with another good night. Clippers have won 5 of their last seven. Dec 6. Win over Minnesota Dec 8. Loss to Orlando Dec 12. Win over Portland Dec 13. Win over Houston Dec 16. Win over OKC Dec 17. Loss to Chicago in OT Dec 19. Win over Indiana in double OT ---
**Author:** ![Invisible\_Chimp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@Invisible\_Chimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Invisible_Chimp)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2008, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-december-2008/475454/48 "2008-12-21T02:55:22Z")
The Clippers, on paper, were better than they were playing earlier in the season. Now, with the addition of Z-bo, they should be OK for the rest of the season. As a Blazer fan, I believe Z-bo isn’t bad on the court, but it’s his off-court issues that make fans and teammates not like him. Here is my 2008 Western Conference All-Star team: Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady(he shouldn’t, but will get voted in by the fans), Tim Duncan, Amare Stoudemare, Yao Ming, Chris Paul, Brandon Roy, Steve Nash, Carmello Anthony, Dirk Nowitzki, Shaquille O’Neal, and David West. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2008, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-december-2008/475454/49 "2008-12-21T14:38:18Z")
The magic overcome 41 points by Kobe and 27 by Fisher to post another statement win, hopefully they’ll be seen as contenders now. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2008, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-december-2008/475454/50 "2008-12-21T19:36:32Z")
That was a horrible loss for the Clippers last night. Ugh, the Clippers getting cocky? 😛 At least the Suns game was entertaining. Steve Nash showed up when it counted. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2008, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-december-2008/475454/51 "2008-12-21T20:18:04Z")
Raptors under Sam Mitchell: 8-9 Raptors under Jay Triano: 2-8 The wisdom of this coaching change is not apparent to me. ---
**Author:** ![tds1273](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/df705f/32.png) [@tds1273](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tds1273)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-december-2008/475454/52 "2008-12-22T21:04:55Z")
I just wanted to point out how well WA-grown basketball is being represented right now… Brandon Roy Spencer Hawes Nate Robinson\* Jamal Crawford\* Marvin Williams Aaron Brooks Am I forgeting anyone? Morrison and Webster deserve mention, I suppose. …Sure would be nice if we had an NBA team to talk about as well. I just can’t bring myself to root for the Blazers, but I am a huge Roy fan; Denver is my other home, so go Chauncey! \*-Neighborhood favorites; both played at Rainer Beach, just a couple blocks from my house. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-december-2008/475454/53 "2008-12-24T13:14:42Z")
What a lousy defeat for the Clippers on Monday night. Yes, for all to see on NBA network. To top it off, Zack Randolph might be hurt. At least there are some excellent Christmas Day games. ---
**Author:** ![Invisible\_Chimp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@Invisible\_Chimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Invisible_Chimp)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-december-2008/475454/54 "2008-12-24T17:41:01Z")
Denver and Portland split the back-to-back home and home two game series to stay tied atop the NW Division. Utah is nipping at their heels. With Seattle gone, there are rumors of realignment. I think putting Portland with the California teams would make sense. Phoenix, Denver, Salt Lake City, and San Antonio would make another division. Houston, Dallas, New Orleans, Minneapolis and OKC would make another. I don’t like breaking up the Texas trio, but I don’t know how else it could fit geographically. Does my realignment make sense to y’all? ---
**Author:** ![Invisible\_Chimp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@Invisible\_Chimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Invisible_Chimp)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-december-2008/475454/55 "2008-12-24T18:15:34Z")
:smack:I forgot Memphis! Put another TX team in the second division and Memphis in the last division. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-december-2008/475454/56 "2008-12-24T21:49:12Z")
I don’t think we’ll see realignment in the NBA for a year or so because I don’t think the franchise shifts are over. I’ve seen some very low crowds at a lot of game this year. The Seattle situation was a mess, but just don’t see the NBA lasting in OKC. I would not break up the Texas trio though. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2008, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-december-2008/475454/57 "2008-12-25T19:55:19Z")
Well Orlando managed to score only 27 points in the second half, yet still beats New Orleans by 20. I guess i can live with that :). ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2008, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-december-2008/475454/58 "2008-12-25T20:16:44Z")
Yeah, New Orleans didn’t show up at all this am. The Magic mailed it in during the second half. I do get the feeling that teams really don’t like playing on Christmas Day. I heard the Lakers bitching about it earlier. I figure, you’re making millions of dollars to play in the NBA and every NBA team was off yesterday. I’m sure there are a lot of hospital workers making 10 dollars an hour who wish they were off today as well. The Suns started off dominating the Spurs, but looks like the Spurs have come back to life. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2008, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-december-2008/475454/59 "2008-12-25T22:16:53Z")
That was just a bad loss by the Suns. Don’t choke away games. This is not a game you should have lost. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2008, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-december-2008/475454/60 "2008-12-25T22:19:55Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > That was just a bad loss by the Suns. Don’t choke away games. This is not a game you should have lost. They pulled the exact same play with Grant Hill vs Orlando a couple weeks ago, cept we didn’t have time for a last shot in that one. Say what you will about the Spurs, they always find a way to win those close games. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-december-2008/475454.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-december-2008/475454.md?page=4)