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Top 10 NBA studmuffins for Friday, April 10, 2009
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CP3--top studmuffin in the league, Friday, April 10, 2009.
1. Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets--42 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, as the Hornets lost in Dallas. David West was the only other Hornet in double figures with 20 and 14, going 8-for-20 from the floor. Tyson Chandler isn't ready to return yet, and New Orleans is in trouble heading into the playoffs. Meanwhile, Josh Howard's return from injury has energized the Mavs, who are playing for a six seed in the West. The Hornets, despite Paul's heroics, are challenging Orlando for my vote as the Home Team Most Likely to Get Bounced in the First Round.
2. Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs--31 points, six rebounds and seven assists in the Spurs' home win over the plummeting Jazz, who have now lost five of their last six. The Spurs have won only three of their last seven, but started higher in the standings, and still have a shot at home court advantage in the first round. Duncan has been playing hurt for awhile, but claims to be feeling better. Regardless, the Spurs are old, and this season may be their swan song.
3. Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks--30 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, joined by (#5) Al Horford with 22 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists in Atlanta's home win over Indiana. The Hawks clinched fourth place in the East while the Pacers were eliminated. Joe Johnson added 24 points, and Marvin Williams returned from injury just in time for the playoffs, giving Atlanta a chance to advance into the second round. They have a great backcourt, and if their bigs can stay healthy and play well, they could be in the hunt for awhile.
4. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat--31 points, three rebounds and nine assists as the Heat drop a close one in Boston. Michael Beasley moved into the starting lineup for the Heat and delivered 23 and 13, and Jermaine O'Neal had an uncharacteristically productive evening with 16 and 9. But it was too much Paul Pierce, too much Glen Davis (subbing again for Garnett), too much RayRay, and too much Rondo. The Heat will go as far in the playoffs as Wade can carry them, which seems like a lot to ask from one guy. Even the MVP of the league.
6. Luis Scola, Houston Rockets--28 points, nine boards and four assists as the Rockets dump the Warriors in Oakland. Dikembe Mutombo started in place of Chairman Yao and registered 36 minutes, a week for him, with 10 points and 15 boards. Houston guards Brooks and Artest played well, but Houston fan must be shaking in his boots over word that Yao is experiencing "pain in his foot." Without their big center, Houston had better not buy any green bananas heading into the playoffs. Kalenna Azubuike continued his strong play of late with 32 points, but didn't do enough else to make the top ten.
7. David "Lunchbucket" Lee, New York Knickleheads--20 points, 16 rebounds and four assists, as New York shocks the Magic in Orlando. Selfless Al Harrington added 27, and Wilson Chandler notched 22 for the Knicks who, in a major surprise, are still playing as if they give a damn, long after being eliminated from the playoffs. Orlando got 24 from Hedo and a 16 and 14 doubler from Superman, but missed 8-of-26 free throws and went 7-for-28 from the arc, and will finish the season in the 3 spot in the East. Either the Magic or New Orleans will lose in the first round, that's for sure.
8. Kobe, Los Angeles Lakers--32 points, five boards and two assists in a tough loss to the Blazers in Portland. The Lakers basically kissed home court throughout goodbye in this one, now trailing Cleveland by two in the loss column with only two to play, although they hold the tiebreaker over the Cavs. Other than Kobe, no Laker reached 20 points in this one. Brandon Roy led Portland with 24, and five other Blazers reached double figures. No one wants to face Portland in the playoffs; they're going to be a tough out.
9. Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers--35 points and four rebounds in the Pacers loss to Atlanta. Granger will probably finish second to Devin Harris in the Most Improved Player competition this season, and there's plenty of room for optimism in Indianapolis. Roy Hibbert (16 and 8) has started for the past month, and Brandon Rush is the best athlete on the team. They have six players capable of double figures every night, are young, and appear to be modeling what the Blazers have done in Portland over the past few years. Bravo, Danny!
10. LeBron, Cleveland Cavaliers--27 points, two rebounds and 10 assists leading Cleveland over the sagging Sixers in Philly. The Cavs clinched the top seed in the East in this one, and with their next win (Sunday versus Boston, or Monday at Indiana) will clinch homecourt throughout, which is huge. Mo Williams and Wally Szczerbiak helped out, and Andre Iguodala collected 26 for the Sixers. Ben Wallace is back for Cleveland, one of the most over-rated players in the league.
11. Deron Williams, Utah Jazz--25 points, four rebounds and 10 assists in another discouraging loss, this one to the Spurs, deep in the heart of Texas. Yeah, I know, it's dumb to have 11 players in the Top Ten, but on a night when there was a four-way tie for 8th, what are you going to do? Utah is playing poorly at the wrong time of year, and figures to make an early exit from the playoffs. As a 7 or 8 seed, that's not an upset. Just a disappointment for Jazz fan, who thought they could sneak into the finals a few weeks ago when they were winning 12 straight.
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