24 HOURS ON HARDWOOD: 2.6.08

by HP, Hardwood Paroxysm.

Pau-Wow Off To A Great Start, Nets Choke On Pipe: Pau Gasol made his appearance for the Los Angeles Lakers, beginning what will surely be a streak of 2,765 undefeated games for the Lakers. Gasol fit nicely into the offense, scoring 24 points, with 12 rebounds in a 105-90 win over the New Jersey Nets. Derek Fisher led the Lakers with 28 points, while Kobe had a quiet night, shooting only 3-13 after jamming his finger in the 1st quarter. The Nets hung until late in the third, when the Lakers decided they'd had enough of the pesky Nets, and demolished them. Lamar Odom looked like the kid who'd just been bumped out of the spotlight by the new kid in town and was now doing crappy magic tricks to try and get attention. This is better, of course, than the New Jersey Nets, who looked like a pathetic waste of space in the 4th quarter. Antoine Wright was especially horrendous, shooting 1 for 5 in 15 minutes of play while netting 3 turnovers. The Lakers continue their march to 17 consecutive talents due entirely to Pau Gasol tomorrow night in Atlanta.

They're Actually Going To Rename Chinese Water Torture, "Playing The Spurs": The Spurs let the Pacers shoot 78% in the first quarter, and keep it within 9 at the half. Then they decided the game wasn't fun anymore and lowered the hammer 116-89. Tim Duncan had 19 points and 15 rebounds. And newly acquired point guard Damon Stoudamire had 11 points. Indiana was led by Danny Granger, who should not be a stranger, though he's not the Lone Ranger.

Man, If Only They Had A Big, Powerful, Hall Of Fame Power Forward: The Celtics were without Garnett again, and they still almost pulled it off. They would have got away with it, too, if it weren't for that pesky LeBron James and his near triple double (33 points, 12 Assists, 9 ReboundsOHMYGODAREYOUFUCKINGKIDDINGME?!). Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo were terrific for the Cs, but it wasn't enough, as the Cavs outlasted the Ticketless Celtics 114-113. By the way, Kobe Bryant is totally the MVP. After all, he needed a franchise forward-center who's top 20 in PER over the last 5 years just to be considered a title contender, and LeBron is playing with Powder and a guy named "Boobie" and looking to return to the Conference Finals. Yup. Totally MVP. 82-0 next year, baby!


Elsewhere In The Grand World Of The Association: The Wizards somehow managed to lose to the Sixers. Wait, Caron Butler got hurt again. Oh, that explains it. Also, the Bucks beat the Grizzlies after Rudy Gay missed an open game-winning three pointer at the buzzer. Why? Because God has decided Cleveland's had enough, and now hates Memphis.