I saw this video from one of my favorite blogs and I can't stop being amazed. Arguably, the world's farthest basketball shot ever converted at estimated 140 feet.
Thanks to Chico for this.
Showing posts with label Basketball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Basketball. Show all posts
The Charlotte Bobcats moved closer to a first ever play-off berth by repulsing the Washington Wizards in overtime 95 - 86 in Washington.
The Bobcats are coming from two successive close losses. It seemed like they will suffer the same fate after allowing the Wizards to send the game to overtime. This time they were able to hang tough.
The Bobcats outscored the Wizards in the extension period 13 - 4 to finally secure the win. The wizards downfall aided by the fouling out of Al Thornton and Javale McGee.
Al Thornton earlier tied the game 82 - all with a step back three.
My Phoenix Suns is not really known for defense but the way they zoned out the Portland Trailblazers in the fourth quarter proved to be the key as they win 93 - 87 and strengthen their playoff seedings.
When I tuned in the Suns were staying with the Blazers in a highly defensive third quarter. So, I flicked over to some other TV program. It was the fourth quarter when I returned, Dudley scored 8 points, Nash found Grant Hill on the fast break twice and the Suns were up by 8 with a little over four minutes to go.
Brandon Roy scored on traffic to cut the bleeding after a Camby free throw. Hill answered back with two free throws to put Phoenix up by 7, 88 - 81 with a less than two minutes.
Stoudemire added a free throw with more than a minute to go. Roy attacked the inside and netted a foul from Hill, knocking in two free throws to move the Blazers closer in 6, 89 - 83.
Nash throws the ball away but the Blazers failed to connect a three on the break. Batum scored a free throw. Suns call for time with only 34.5 ticks to go.
Suns turned the ball over with another 8 sec back court violation to give hope to the blazers. Roy scores on a 3 to cut the lead to 2, 89 - 87.
Batun then fouls Nash iwith 19.5 seconds left. But Nash extends the lead to four by taking care of the free throws.
Suns once again showed their improved defense as they denied Roy the ball. Miller forced a three and Hill finished them off with two free throws, 93 - 87.
Sidelight: Nash displaying his soccer skills, to bring the ball to the referee during in bounds. Phoenix wore LOS SUNS on their uniforms.
The Ateneo Blue Eagles will face the fading UST Growling Tigers and appears to easily march into the finals. Unless, coach Pido can pull a major ace up his sleeves, his wards would stand no chance against the defending champs.
The other semifinal match will pit the FEU tamaraws and the surging UE Red Warriors. The Warriors was able to avenged their first round defeat against the Tamaraws in a convincing fashion. The Tams should be wary of an upset and must take care of the Warriors right in the first game. Otherwise, a do-or-die second game will only increase the Warriors confidence.
I am expecting an ATENEO - FEU final and wishing the Tamaraws to win.
FEU, this year's UAAP host, fed off from the crowd to take an 8 - 0 lead. But the Eagles clamped down on defense while Eric Salamat and last year's MVP, Rabeh Al-Hussaini led the Eagles counter attack. Kirk Long, Jai Reyes and 2008 Rookie of the Year, Ryan Buenafe joined the fray to give Ateneo a 17 - 11 advantage after the first quarter.
An inspired Ateneo Second unit shot gave the Eagles a big lift on the 2nd quarter as they padded the lead to 11, 34 - 23. The Eagles displayed an outside shooting they are capable off as Eman Monfort hit two and Buenafe, Niko Salva and Jai Reyes each had one three-point conversion. Only a good performance by Aldrech on the defensive allowed FEU to inch closer. Ramos blocked two shots and connected on a fade away. Ateneo took a 40 - 29 lead at the half.
Reil Cervantes of FEU scored 4 quick points at the start what would be a frenetic 3rd quarter.Last year's top swatters, Nonoy Baclao and Ramos each had defensive moments in this quarter. Stocky-built Noundu also demostrated that he can be a good on ball defender. Barroca tied it at 44 all before Eric Salamat gave the lead back to Ateneo on a fastbreak lay up of his own. The quarter ended with Ateneo still up but only be 3 points, 50 - 47.
The fourth quarter was more of a grind out defensive quarter. Ramos tied game at 54 all. But the Blue Eagles scored the next 7 points with only a little over a minute left in the game. But the Tamarraws were not yet finished. Ramos completed a three-point play on a put back basket and Reil Cervantes scored on a drive to cut the lead to two, 59 - 61. Buenafe added a free-throw before rookie Garcia missed a potential game tying trey. Hussaini finished the scoring 63 - 59 in favor of Ateneo.
FEU has two promising rookies to watch out for, RR Garcia and Nioundo (did not get the complete and accurate name).
On the first game, NU whipped UP.
Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers finished off the Denver Nuggets 119 - 92 in Game 6 of their Western Conference Finals Series and earn a return trip to the NBA Finals.
Meanwhile on the East, the Magic will try to advance to the NBA Finals since the Shaq and Penny days.
The Magic still needs the series 3 - 2 after Lebron James delivered another sublime playoff performance in Game 5 to extend the Cavs season. Finally, King James' men showed up when it matters the most - most notably Boobie Gibson.
The Orlando Magic takes a commanding 3 - 1 series lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers after Lebron James missed the potential game-winning three 116 - 114 in OT of Game 4 in their Eastern Conference Finals series in the 2009 NBA Playoffs.
King James sent the game into overtime, hitting two free throws to tie it at 100 apiece.
In overtime, Dwight Howard muscled his way inside for 10 points to lead the way and offset the spectacular James who as usual carried the Cavs including knocking in a wicked fade away three to keep the Cavs in the game.
When Lewis made only one of two free throws, 116 - 114 with 3.2 ticks to go, everyone knew that the Cavs would go to James to win the game just like in Game 2. It was a good thing that the Cavs have no timeout to call to setup a better play. James fired the shot some steps after the halfcourt line and fell short.
In the first half, King James and the King's men showed up. They even had a run before the first half ended to have a 58 - 50 lead. In the second half, the Magic knocked threes and the played good enough defense. The King's men again failed to support James.
In the end, Lebron and the Cavs facing the tall task of coming back from a 3 - 1 series deficit, last done I believe by my Phoenix Suns against Kobe's Lakers.
It is really plain to see why the best team in the regular season is on the ropes against the Magic. It's the supporting cast to James that is missing especially in the crucial moments of the game.
*****
I was putting off writing another entry about the NBA Playoffs until this game because I thought it would also be 2-2 like in the West. That way I get to write only one post for both conferences' finals series.
Well, the Magic are now closing in in returning to the NBA Finals since 1995. That seems to be apparent if Mo Williams' foray to fortune telling or the James supporting casts' performance do not improve soon.
No Escape this time for Kobe & company at the Denver Nuggets beat the Los Angeles Lakers to even up their Western Conference Championship series 1 - 1 in the on going 2009 NBA Playoffs
I just checked the game on NBA Gamecast, and here is the final score.
I was out of the house early, gone to register in a short course and pay some bills. That is why I did not catch Game 2 of the West Finals between the Nuggets and the Lakers on TV.
Good thing I went to a bank in SM City North Edsa. Because I just learned that the activity area in THE BLOCK is now one of the free wifi locations in the Metro.
After I connected to the free wifi, I went to NBA Gamecast. Chauncey Billups clinch the game at the free throw line.
With the series going to Denver, the Nuggets are riding on a big confidence boost. The series could have been 2 - 0 in their favor now.
For most of the season, the Lakers are favored to take the West again. But Houston perhaps made the Lakers doubt themselves in their conference semifinal series.
If Denver defends their homecourt for games 3 and 4, I think they will be in the finals.
Rashard Lewis knocked the game winning three as the Orlando Magic toughed out a Game 1 upset over highly favored Cleveland Cavaliers 107 - 106 to start the 2009 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals.
Coming from a great Game 7 win over dethroned champs Celtics, the Magic again displayed mental toughness throughout the second half to defeat Lebron James and the Cavs to steal home court advantage in the series.
Coach Stan Van Gundy's gameplan worked as they allowed Lebron James to work hard for the bulk of the Cavs offense and limiting James' supporting cast to standing and watching most of the game.
James just put the lead back to the Cavs with a three point play that led to Dwight Howards sixth and last foul. But Rashard Lewis knocked in the game winning three. In the Cavs final play, James passed to a teammate who failed to connect from the outside. A jump ball resulted in the battle for the loose ball with just a second left in the game between Hedo Turkoglu and Lebron James. James tapped the ball to Williams who failed to connect from the top of the key.
The Cavs are coming from a long lay-off after breezing through the first two rounds sweeping the Pistons and the Hawks in double digit wins. In their first taste of competitive playoff atmosphere, James' cast never got going like they used to do in the regular season.
James scored 49 points but it appeared that carrying cavs the entire game took its toll on him somehow. He missed 3 free throws and had cramps at the end of the game.
The Magic meanwhile had a great team effort in defense and getting great games from Lewis, Howard and Turkoglu plus solid support from Pietrus and Alson.
The Orlando Magic finally put an end to the Boston Celtics' bid for a second consecutive championship, dethroning the champs with a convincing 101 - 82 Game 7 win right at the Celtics storied homecourt.
The win was a sort of statement in itself that the Magic is indeed a contender for the crown as they have shown in the regular season. Now they have the chance to face Lebron James and the mighty Cleveland Cavaliers that many have picked to reach the NBA Finals.
This time the homecourt advantage and the game 7 pedigree of the Celtics was not enough to stage a comeback hold off the young and hungry Magic team.
Rajon Rondo just beat the third quarter buzzer to pull the Celtics within five points of the Magic, 61 - 65. But the Magic scored 8 straight points at the start of the fourth to widen the gap.
All seemed is not yet lost when Dwight Howard picked up his fifth personal foul, forcing Van Gundy to sitt him on the bench. When Ray Allen knocked off a trey to cut the lead the Magic's lead to 12, I thought the comeback is again on.
But the threat was quickly fanned out by Hedo Turkoglu 3 and I could not watch anymore.
I was so accustomed with the Celtics coming big down the stretch especially in their homecourt. Perhaps I read too much off Bill Simmon's column. I actually waited for that magic feeling that something special is about to happen for the Celtics.
There wass magic alright but not from the champs. Rather, it comes from the guys from Orlando. They have learned they lesson well. This time they were ready for the champs. Ooops... the Celtics are now just former champs.
The PBA All Star Week 2009 turned out to be one of the more entertaining renditions of the Philippine Basketball Associations annual all-star festivities in recent memory.
Paul Artadi of Baranggay Ginebra Gin Kings captured the Obstacle Challenge in style over fellow speedsters L.A Tenorio and Egay Billones. Artadi, dunking to start his turn, was a good treat for the fans. Defending champ Willie Miller failed to win the event for the fourth consecutive time.
James Yap, followed his former UE teammate Artadi by capturing the Three Point Shootout. Saving his best for last, Yap delivered a memorable performance in the finals. He shot all the balls in the first rack helping him run away with the title over hotshots Dondon Hontiveros and Gary David.
Defending champ Ren-ren Ritualo could have been in the finals but one of his 2-point shot was nullified because he shot it before completing all the 1-point balls.
Larry Fonacier started the event but unfortunately was made to repeat his turn because a ball in the fourth rack fell to the floor. If I was part of the committee, I wouldn't make Fonacier repeat his turn. Fonacier's score on his second turn was way low than the first, obviously he had already lost the rythm and some legs.
Also, I think it's a wrong decision to have a voice-over commentator while participants are completing their turn in the three point competition.
The slam dunk contest seemed destined to be a bore with the not-so-good dunks and missed dunks from the imports. David Noel, Baranggay Ginebra's import prevailed over San Miguel Beermen's G. Freeman and Sta. Lucia's Anthony Johnson.
KG Canaleta failed to follow his former UE Teammates (Artadi & Yap)as he lost in the local slam dunk division to Gabe Norwood of Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. Jarred Dilinger pumped up the crowd with his Pacman boxing attire but failed to complete his dunk.
Only the dunk off saved the event. David Noel delivered two perfect dunks over Gabe Norwood. The last one was doing a cart wheel and back flip before dunking the ball. He actually used that in winning the 2006 NCAA slam dunk competition.
Perhaps it would have been more exciting if Norwood was made to dunk first in the second round of the dunk off. Well, that's just me.
Noel capped the event with a just a step after the free-throw line dunk to the delight of the crowd.
The Talk N' Text Tropang Texters bucked off a slow start to trounce the Baranggay Ginebra Gin Kings, 103- 90 to a arrest a three-game losing skid and continue the Kings woes at the cellar of the standings in the on-going elimination round of the 2008 KFC Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
After a scintillating first quarter that saw them shoot 70% , commit a single turnover and enjoy a 36 - 16 lead, the Kings suddenly turn cold.
From a 36 - 16 deficit Talk N Text clawed their way back into game in the second quarter capitalizing on the Kings' 9turnovers to bring them back in the game and end the half down only by six, 55 - 49.
The Tropang Texters rode their momentum in the second half as they started with 8 straights points in the third quarter to take the lead for good and never look back.
Junjun Cabatu and Willy Wilson tried to carry the last stand for the Gin Kings in the fourth quarter, conspiring to trim the lead to eleven, 93 - 84.
Two big play stopped the Kings' rally. First, rookie Jared Dillinger blocked a breakaway lay-up of Paul Artadi. Then, Sunday Salvacion failed to get the possession after Cardona air-balled a trey.
Cardona scored on the next possession, Alapag converted a long trey and Cardona capped of a night with a great
The Texters' defense contained King's main man Jayjay Helterbrand to a single field goal in the second half. Macmac Cardona lead the texters with 32 points.
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