At 6′9”, 266 lbs., Carlos Boozer has powered his way into the NBA elite’s upper echelon. Last month, Boozer was named to the Western Conference NBA All-Star team for the second consecutive year. As an explosive presence in the low post, the Utah Jazz power forward has helped his team to first place in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference after leading the squad to a division title and the Western Conference Finals a season ago. With staggering force, determination, and will to win, Carlos has the Jazz primed for a similar run in the playoffs this year. After his quest for an NBA Championship concludes, the Alaska native has his sights set on competing on an even larger scale — the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
Coach K and Team USA cruised through last summer’s FIBA Americas Championship with a perfect 10-0 record. Although Boozer had a spot on the initial 33-man roster, he stayed home with his family to care for his son Carmani, who has been battling sickle cell anemia. As Team USA prepares to play against the world’s best this summer, Boozer could play an integral role in helping Coach K win the Gold medal just seven years after teaming with the Hall of Famer to win the 2001 NCAA title.
In January, USA Basketball Director Jerry Colangelo stated that Boozer will be part of Team USA’s 17 or 18-man training camp in late June. From this camp, the final 12-man roster will be selected. Said Colangelo about Carlos, “His game is something we don’t have much on that roster — you know, a power forward with an inside post-up game. We really wanted him last summer. It would have been a great addition. And he just couldn’t do it.” Additionally, Boozer has the experience of playing in the 2004 Olympics. His background, combined with his robust improvement and success since 2004, could help make Boozer an invaluable contributor for Team USA.
Four years ago in Athens, Carlos was a young, developing talent. Playing behind Tim Duncan, Boozer still managed to provide valuable contributions. Averaging 17 minutes per game, the former Blue Devil was sixth on the team in scoring with 7.6 points per game. Veterans Allen Iverson and Duncan led the team in scoring as emerging stars like Boozer, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire came off the bench. Carlos led the team in rebounds in three of the eight Olympic matchups and was second on the team in rebounding overall. Even more impressive, Boozer was only finishing his sophomore campaign in the NBA.
The two-time All-Star has since experienced leading an NBA team to a division title and conference finals. Boozer’s progression and experience since the Athens games suggest he could add great value to this summer’s gold-medal pursuit. Averaging an identical 34.6 minutes per game, Boozer has increased his total scoring average by 5.4 points, from 15.5 in 2003-04 to 20.9 in 2006-07. Moreover, he improved his average assists (3.0), rebounds (11.7), and field-goal percentage (.561) in the three-year span. The power forward has also battled his way to nine more double-doubles this past season, for a total of 50 in his 77 games played. The 26-year-old Jazz star overcame a pair of injury-plagued seasons (2004-05 and 2005-06) and appears to be approaching the peak of his career.
Boozer has also proven himself as a sensational team player, earning accolades from fellow teammates and coaches. Assistant Coach Tyrone Corbin said of Boozer, “I think first of all, he’s a great individual, he wants to win, he knows how to win, and he’s in great shape himself. He’s a really, really talented guy and just wants to do whatever it takes for the team to be successful.” His sentiments are echoed by that of star teammate Deron Williams, who stated, “He gets me a lot of assists. I can throw it to the big fella and I know he’s going to go to work. Boozer’s played like an All Star, like an MVP in my opinion. He’s a guy who we can just throw the ball into and he’s going to get us baskets. He’s going to be there to rebound for us and he’s a leader on the court.”
Just about the only statistical area in which Team USA did not completely dominate the Americas Championship was in rebounding, ranking second in rebounds per game and last in offensive boards per game. Boozer’s knack for rebounding and scoring around the bucket could help USA excel in the paint. ESPN analyst Kiki Vandeweghe succinctly captures Boozer’s strengths. “He’s emerged as one of the dominant players every night. He’s become such a force on both ends of the court — he’s always been a great rebounder and scorer.”
As Boozer carries the Jazz through the final stretch of the NBA regular season and other Team USA candidates finish out their seasons, Jerry Colangelo and the USA Basketball staff will be closely monitoring the action. Choosing a 12-man team from a rich talent pool boasting some of the world’s best is a huge challenge. Since coming together in 2006, the USA staff has sought to establish a balanced and cohesive roster with strength in all areas of the game as opposed to assembling a group of All-Stars in the weeks leading up to the Olympics.
Should the staff opt to bring Boozer to Beijing, they will add a strong power forward with great hands, a reliable jumper, and a knack for scoring and rebounding. Carlos ranks third in the NBA in field goals made, defensive rebounds, and double-doubles. The former Blue Devil is 14th overall in scoring (21.8 PPG), sixth in rebounding (10.8 RPG) and 10th in field-goal percentage (.549). He also earned Western Conference Player of the Month honors in November and recorded him first career triple-double in the NBA in February (22 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists).
Carlos is looking forward to competing for his spot on the 12-man roster, making an impact in Beijing and reuniting with his college coach. Boozer said about making the Olympic roster, “I’m going to go out there and play hard, and have fun, and hopefully be on the team. Playing for Coach K again, man, that’s something I want.”
NBA.com Duke Stats
Line of the Week
The Utah Jazz remain one of the hottest teams in the NBA these days, currently sitting only two games out of first place in the ultra-competitive Western Conference and on top of the Northwest Division. At the head of the charge is All-Star forward Carlos Boozer, who continues to establish himself as one of the most dominant power forwards in the game. Friday night against the Clippers, Carlos had his full arsenal on display, as he overpowered the Clips’ frontcourt to the tune of 34 points on 16-of-22 (.727) from the field, 17 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and one block. After leading the Jazz on an impressive post-season run last summer, Boozer and his teammates are looking forward to doing themselves one better this year and making it to the NBA Finals.
Carlos Boozer drives to the basket March 28th in a win over the Clippers.
Top Performer
It has taken Elton Brand longer than expected to come back from his Achilles tendon injury, but if there is a silver lining for the L.A. Clippers, it’s the emergence of Corey Maggette as a consistently dominant scorer. Corey is averaging a career-high 22.4 points per game and has scored 20 or more points in his last seven consecutive games and all but four of his last 36 games, including eight games with 30 or more points.
It has taken Elton Brand longer than expected to come back from his Achilles tendon injury, but if there is a silver lining for the L.A. Clippers, it’s the emergence of Corey Maggette as a consistently dominant scorer. Corey is averaging a career-high 22.4 points per game and has scored 20 or more points in his last seven consecutive games and all but four of his last 36 games, including eight games with 30 or more points.
Dunleavy Continues to Excel
Mike Dunleavy, Jr. continues to solidify himself as an NBA star in his breakout season with the Indiana Pacers, breaking the 30-point mark with regularity while leading the team on a late playoff push. Most recently, Mike finished with 33 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists Thursday night against the New Jersey Nets, and for the month of March, Dunleavy is averaging 21.9 points on a remarkable 57.4% shooting from long range and 50.8% from the field. Those numbers don’t even include late February games in which he scored 34, 25, and 36 points in a one-week stretch to end the month. Thanks to Dunleavy’s stellar performances, Indiana has won five of their past seven games and is currently 2.5 games back of the final playoff spot in the East.
Elton Update
Elton Brand’s return from a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered over the summer has taken longer than originally projected, but the All-Star forward has nailed down a potential return date. After going through a full practice last Monday, including a full-court scrimmage, Elton awoke on Tuesday morning with no soreness. He is now aiming for the Clippers’ final six games to make his return, which would have him back for L.A.’s game against Houston and former Duke teammate and fellow National Collegiate Player of the Year Shane Battier on Sunday, March 6th.
Duke Blue Planet NBA Fantasy League Update
With Brand still out of the lineup for the Blue Devil team, Duke hasn’t been able to make the push for the top spot it otherwise may have. Still, established and rising stars like Boozer, Maggette, Dunleavy, Grant Hill, and Luol Deng have kept Duke firmly in the top three throughout the season.
With Brand still out of the lineup for the Blue Devil team, Duke hasn’t been able to make the push for the top spot it otherwise may have. Still, established and rising stars like Boozer, Maggette, Dunleavy, Grant Hill, and Luol Deng have kept Duke firmly in the top three throughout the season.
1. Connecticut Huskies: 18,049.0
2. North Carolina Tar Heels: 18,020.0
3. Duke Blue Devils: 15,320.0
4. Arizona Wildcats: 12,261.6
5. Florida Gators: 12,135.4
6. Kentucky Wildcats: 10,455.3
7. Kansas Jayhawks: 9963.1
Scoring summary: one point for each point scored, 1.5 point for each rebound, two points for each assist, steal or block, 0.5 points for each 3-pointer made, and -1.2 points for each turnover. Field-goal percentage is included by subtracting 0.2 points for each field goal attempt and adding 0.5 points for each field goal made, which would mean you break even by shooting 40% from the field.
2. North Carolina Tar Heels: 18,020.0
3. Duke Blue Devils: 15,320.0
4. Arizona Wildcats: 12,261.6
5. Florida Gators: 12,135.4
6. Kentucky Wildcats: 10,455.3
7. Kansas Jayhawks: 9963.1
Scoring summary: one point for each point scored, 1.5 point for each rebound, two points for each assist, steal or block, 0.5 points for each 3-pointer made, and -1.2 points for each turnover. Field-goal percentage is included by subtracting 0.2 points for each field goal attempt and adding 0.5 points for each field goal made, which would mean you break even by shooting 40% from the field.
Quote of the Week
“If Shane Battier is not on the All-Defense team, I’m protesting. I’m boycotting the All-Defense team. Seriously, because this guy, he did a phenomenal job on the best scorer in our league. That’s what he brings to us every night — he guards the opponent’s best player and he gives them hell.”
- Tracy McGrady, Houston Rockets forward, on teammate Shane Battier (March 18, 2008)
The scorching-hot Houston Rockets are the proud owners of the NBA’s second-longest winning streak all-time, with their 22-game run concluding on March 18th at the hands of the Boston Celtics. The historic streak is truly remarkable, especially considering the Rockets lack of “star power” and their injury issues. Winning nearly half of the 22 consecutive games without six-time NBA All-star Yao Ming, Houston searched for players to step up and aid superstar Tracy McGrady. Fortunately, the Rockets found fuel in Shane Battier and his contagious toughness, tenacity, spirit and defensive prowess. Battier’s performances on the hardwood have propelled the Rockets into the history books and the Michigan native is beginning to garner long-overdue recognition as one of NBA’s premiere all-around players.
Battier will never lead the league in scoring. His SportsCenter appearances for flashy dunks will be few. However, the tangibles and intangibles of Battier’s game have elevated every team he has been a part of, and every step in Battier’s basketball career has been a story of earning recognition by excelling in the most important statistical category: winning. He proved it in high school and certainly while at Duke. Now, the Rockets’ remarkable run has given him the national acclaim he deserves in the NBA.
Shane entered Detroit Country Day High School in the shadows left by the stellar career of alum Chris Webber. Battier said of his high school experiences and the challenge of following Webber, “I had faith in myself and I knew in my heart that I was going to work and even though I wasn’t blessed with the talent that Chris was and a lot of guys out of Detroit, I knew that nobody could stop me from working hard.” He worked hard and left high school with three state championships and was crowned Mr. Basketball in Michigan, exactly as Webber.
Battier carried his successes and exemplary work ethic with him to Duke. The effort that Battier put into every game, every practice, and every play of each day led him to one of the most illustrious Duke careers of all-time. Still, he had to fight to earn his spot in Duke’s rafters. Battier joined a squad as a freshman that was loaded with the talents of Roshown McLeod, Chris Carrawell, Trajan Langdon, Elton Brand, and Steve Wojciechowski. This competitive environment taught the forward many invaluable lessons. Reflecting on his first year at Duke, Battier said, “I learned that you couldn’t go through Duke University without being tough and without bringing it every single day.”
Battier’s legacy as a tough, hardworking hustle player was reflected by three National Defensive Player of the Year awards, National Player of the Year honors in 2001, two Final Four appearances and a National Championship in 2001. Furthermore, Battier left Duke ranked first all-time in career steals and charges taken, second in blocked shots, and third in three-point field goals and three-point percentage. He is the only player in college hoops history to win every major college basketball award and the national championship in a single season.
Shane may not have been Duke’s all-time greatest athlete, but no player has brought greater intangibles. Coach K accurately captured Battier’s contributions that can’t be found in the stat book, saying, “Shane is the ultimate team player who generates an enthusiasm and work ethic that helps everyone. He’s very selfless but still had a huge impact on the game.” Undoubtedly, Battier had a huge impact on his Duke teams in winning a total of 131 college games, making him the winningest player in college basketball history. His jersey was retired in his third-to-last regular-season game as a senior and No. 31 now hangs atop Coach K Court as a testament to one of the ultimate Duke players in history.
As the Memphis Grizzlies embarked on their first season in Tennessee after relocating from Vancouver, they were looking for a player who would shine on and off the court. And with the sixth pick in the first round of the 2001 NBA Draft, Memphis found their guy. Battier’s highly-regarded character and offensive and defensive capabilities showcased at Duke made him an easy choice for Grizzly executives looking to promote and improve the franchise. Former General Manager Jerry West described Battier’s pivotal role with the Grizzlies, saying, “Shane embodies everything a basketball player should be: hardworking, a good teammate, and a positive role model. His attributes both on and off the court epitomize what we as an organization value and look for from our players.”
Battier’s task of improving the Grizzlies was a formidable challenge for a team that sported the NBA’s worst record over the six seasons prior. However, West’s expectations came to fruition in 2003-2004 as Battier helped the Grizzlies reach the NBA Playoffs for the first time in franchise history. The Grizzlies had added what they needed on the court — a solid team player that contributed with points, rebounds, steals and defensive stops. As Sports Illustrated noted in 2005, “Battier is doing for the Grizzlies what he did for the Blue Devils: helping them win… At 26, he has emerged as one of the league’s most sophisticated handymen, making vital contributions in every phase of the game.”
Battier found similar success off the court within the Memphis community. In just his first year in the NBA, Battier was honored with the NBA Community Assist Award. He served an active role on the board of St. Jude’s Hospital and the Memphis Zoo as well as being a regular participant in Grizzlies reading events. The Memphis star proved that good guys do not have to finish last as the same year the Grizzlies debuted in the Playoffs, he was awarded the divisional NBA Sportsmanship Award. Later that year, he was even named Outstanding Young Tennessean by the local Chamber of Commerce.
In 2006, it came as a surprise to many in the league when the Houston Rockets proposed to trade forward Stromile Swift along with the draft rights to Rudy Gay for Battier. Certain Rockets fans were not thrilled by the move, overlooking Shane’s multi-dimensional game and instead focusing on the highlight-reel potential of standout athletes Swift and Gay. Rockets GM Carroll Dawson said, “We were very excited when we heard that Shane was available. We made the deal without hesitation. I got all kinds of calls from people in the basketball world who congratulated us on a great pickup because they know want Shane can do for us.” Battier responded to the fan criticism of the trade in his typical confident and well-mannered fashion, saying, “I wasn’t really upset about the reaction. I’m just going to work hard, play the right way and help this team win some basketball games. If I do that, fans will come around.”
Now, less than two years later, fans have certainly come around. Houston Chronicle headlines tagged Battier as the “Face of the Historic Run,” the Houston Press declared “Batman Forever” (his nickname), and signs boasting “Battier for President” are appearing all over Houston’s Toyota Center. Battier’s March 16th national-TV performance against the Western Division-leading Los Angeles Lakers drew rave reviews from columnists, fans, and television sportscasters.
In the win, Battier scored 14 points while holding the phenomenal Kobe Bryant to a meager 11-33 from the field, along with only four free throw attempts and two assists, ushering the Rockets to their 47th consecutive day without a loss. The Houston forward’s secret to stopping Kobe? “Go to church more. That’s probably the only way that you can slow him down.” Joking aside, Battier’s uncanny ability to get a hand in Kobe’s face and contest every shot helped the nation recognize the strength of his game and the impact of his presence on the court. Bryant acknowledged Battier’s defensive ability saying, “He’s a smart defender. He’s a position defender. He obviously does his homework. He’s not going to go out there and rely on his athletic ability; he’ll try to outthink his guys, see what spots they like on the floor and try to take them away.” After the game, Battier quipped, “I’m not feeding my family and my dogs on my athletic ability and my highlights and dunks. So I gotta feed them somehow and defense it as good as any.” Luckily for the Rockets, he definitely defends better than most.
Teammate Tracy McGrady agrees. After Shane locked up Kobe, McGrady stated, “If Shane Battier is not on the All-Defense team, I’m protesting. I’m boycotting the All-Defense team. Seriously, because this guy, he did a phenomenal job on the best scorer in our league. That’s what he brings to us every night — he guards the opponent’s best player and he gives them hell.”
A variety of recent news stories have touted Battier’s defensive intensity, hustle and leadership. But the real story is that his performances are nothing new; his character and passion have never changed; his desire to win is unwavering. It’s just Shane being Shane.
Former Rockets head coach and current ABC analyst Jeff Van Gundy has repeatedly spoken of Battier’s contributions in Houston. “There is no question Battier is the finest competitor I ever coached. He comes ready to play every single day — practice, games. He plays for the team, he plays for his teammates. If there is any NBA player that is egoless, it is Shane Battier. He is winning-driven. He has a knack for making the defense and offense work. He has an ability to impact the game very much without the ball.”
He has an ability to impact the game. Sound familiar? That’s exactly what Coach K said about Battier’s four years at Duke. It is what his Detroit Country Day coaches said prior to that. Battier has always been an impact player both on the court and in the community. He has proved his worth at every stage, earning recognition as one of the best-ever at Duke and now as one of the NBA’s most outstanding all-around players, while making those around him better.
After Battier won his 20th in a row, he offered one of the great “Shane-isms.” Asked if he was surprised the Rockets were able to win 20 straight given their roster of unheralded players and the injury to Yao Ming, Shane responded, “I’m willing to concede we’re the worst team in NBA history to have a 20-game winning streak. I’m willing to concede that. People ask ‘why?’ I ask ‘why not?’ Why can’t you? There is no rule in sports that just because you don’t have the superstars, you don’t have a certain look that other teams have, it doesn’t mean you have to be a certain team. Our team is still developing. It is fun to see the growth of this team together. We’re playing so well together and we have such great chemistry, anything is possible.”
Shane has adopted the “anything is possible” motto his entire basketball career and then pursued it with as much heart, commitment and imagination as anyone in basketball. The result has been wild and uncommon success in the win column.
At Detroit Country Day, Battier won three state titles. The Michigan native left Duke with two Final Fours, seven of a possible eight ACC regular-season and tournament titles (only falling short in the ACC Tourney finals his freshman year) and as the winningest player in NCAA history. Drafted by an NBA franchise with an NBA-worst 101-359 record (.220) in the six seasons prior to his arrival, Memphis reached the playoffs by Shane’s third year. Now in Houston, Shane and the Rockets recently pulled off arguably the most improbably win streak in NBA history and sit one game out of first in the NBA’s rugged Western Conference despite playing without Yao Ming.
Indeed, it is not the highlight reel dunk, a high-scoring game or earning hefty paychecks that motivates Shane Battier. It is not about garnering the well-deserved national attention as a standout player. For Shane, it has always been about winning, whether nobody is watching or massive national TV audiences are eyeing a big game, and no one does it better.
NBA.com Duke Stats
Line of the Week
There are breakout seasons, and then there are revelations, and Mike Dunleavy, Jr. is clearly becoming the latter for the Indiana Pacers this season. Dunleavy has quite simply exploded these past few weeks, taking no more than one game to match his career-high 36 points set on February 29th against the Toronto Raptors with another 36-point effort two nights later in a win against the Bucks. Then Tuesday night against Seattle, Dunleavy again led the Pacers to a victory with his fourth 30+ point game in the past three weeks, recording 32 points on 10-of-16 (.625) from the field and 4-of-5 (.800) from long range, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal. Mike is averaging 23.6 points in his past ten games and shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.
There are breakout seasons, and then there are revelations, and Mike Dunleavy, Jr. is clearly becoming the latter for the Indiana Pacers this season. Dunleavy has quite simply exploded these past few weeks, taking no more than one game to match his career-high 36 points set on February 29th against the Toronto Raptors with another 36-point effort two nights later in a win against the Bucks. Then Tuesday night against Seattle, Dunleavy again led the Pacers to a victory with his fourth 30+ point game in the past three weeks, recording 32 points on 10-of-16 (.625) from the field and 4-of-5 (.800) from long range, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal. Mike is averaging 23.6 points in his past ten games and shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.
Top Performer
Dunleavy may be putting up the best individual stat lines recently, but it’s pretty hard to match Corey Maggette these days for consistent performance. Corey has topped the 20-point mark in all but three of his last 27 games and has scored over 30 points five times in that stretch. He’s continuing to light it up from long range as well, hitting 6-of-9 (.667) three-point attempts in his past two games while still managing to get to the free-throw line with regularity, having made 78 free throws in his last eight contests!
Battier and Rockets Still Rolling
Despite losing superstar center (and recent Cameron visitor) Yao Ming for the season a couple of weeks ago, the Houston Rockets remain on an historic streak, having won 19 straight games despite playing in a Western Conference that may be the strongest top-to-bottom conference the NBA has ever seen. Houston is two wins away from the second-longest winning streak in league history and one game behind San Antonio and L.A. for the top overall spot in the West. It’s not hard to see starting small forward Shane Battier’s influence on this team. Numerous NBA analysts have cited Houston’s competitiveness, unselfishness, teamwork, and defensive tenacity as the foundation of their success, and no player in the game today exemplifies those principles better than Battier. Shane’s ability to put up good numbers in every line of the stat sheet doesn’t hurt either. He’s averaging 8.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 1.0 steals per game for the season and leading the team in three-point percentage, minutes played, and, of course, hustle. Here’s more on the Rockets’ hustle from the Houston Chronicle, and here’s an article from last week focusing on Battier’s contribution to the team.
Shane Battier drives to the basket March 8th
Shavlik Back in Action in Philly
Shavlik Randolph was playing his best basketball when he went down last season with a broken ankle, having started six straight games for the Sixers and averaging 6.7 points and 6.5 rebounds a game in that stretch. The severely broken ankle set him back for over a year, but Shavlik is finally starting to see action on the court again, having played in Philly’s past two games.
Shavlik Randolph was playing his best basketball when he went down last season with a broken ankle, having started six straight games for the Sixers and averaging 6.7 points and 6.5 rebounds a game in that stretch. The severely broken ankle set him back for over a year, but Shavlik is finally starting to see action on the court again, having played in Philly’s past two games.
Elton Getting Closer
The season-long waiting game may be nearing an end for Clipper fans as Elton Brand continues to participate in full practices with the team and hopes to return to the lineup next week. As a precautionary measure, Clippers’ coach Mike Dunleavy, Sr. has said that he may be held out longer, but Brand seems to be itching to get back on the court as soon as possible. This article from the L.A. Times talks about Elton’s motivation to return and his options heading into the off-season.
Last Stop for Grant
After stumbling out of the gate to start the Shaquille O’Neal era in Phoenix, the Suns are getting back to their winning ways, thanks in large part to the continued strong play of Grant Hill, whose durability this season has been a very pleasant surprise for the team. In fact, Hill’s strong season has some wondering if he plans to opt out of his contract to become a free agent again this summer. According to this article, however, Grant insists that he’s found a home in Phoenix and is not interested in seeking more money elsewhere.
Duke Blue Planet NBA Fantasy League Update
At this late point in the season, it appears that a comeback to take back the lead in the fantasy league will require more than Elton Brand’s eventual return. Brand scored 3578.4 fantasy points for the squad last season, a number which would put the Blue Devils comfortably in the lead in this year’s contest, but with only 20 games remaining on the Clippers’ schedule, the best the Duke team can reasonably expect is to close the gap. Still, it will be interesting to see how the teams match up when healthy.
1. Connecticut Huskies: 15,792.5
2. North Carolina Tar Heels: 15,677.6
3. Duke Blue Devils: 13,359.6
4. Arizona Wildcats: 10,727.6
5. Florida Gators: 10,653.3
6. Kentucky Wildcats: 9213.6
7. Kansas Jayhawks: 8582.6
Scoring summary: one point for each point scored, 1.5 point for each rebound, two points for each assist, steal or block, 0.5 points for each 3-pointer made, and -1.2 points for each turnover. Field-goal percentage is included by subtracting 0.2 points for each field goal attempt and adding 0.5 points for each field goal made, which would mean you break even by shooting 40% from the field.
Quote of the Week
“That’s Shane [Battier] every day, all season long. He’s a pro. He’s got to guard the best player every night, and then on the other end he is able to give us 15 points. Tonight, he gave us 20 points, and he did a good job on Carmelo Anthony.”
-Rockets point guard Rafer Alston, Houston Chronicle, March 6, 2008
NBA.com Duke Stats
Line of the Week
This is not a reprint of a previous column, although it may feel that way after reading that Mike Dunleavy, Jr. once again matched a career-high with another 30+ point game Monday night in a win against the Knicks. This time Mike did it with some serious flair, as evidenced by this play which was named both the #1 play on Sportscenter’s Top 10 Plays and the Play of the Day on NBA.com. For the night, Dunleavy finished with 36 points on 12-of-20 (.600) from the floor and 4-of-7 (.571) from long range, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, and one steal.
Mike is now averaging 22.5 points and shooting 49.1% from the field in 14 games since the All-Star break. Monday’s outburst marks the fifth time in the last 13 games that Dunleavy has scored at least 32 points, a feat only surpassed by two players in the NBA during that stretch… Kobe Bryant and Lebron James.
Mike Dunleavy finishes off Sportscenter’s #1 play of the day with this acrobatic shot against the Knicks for two of his 36 points.
Top Performer
Shane Battier hasn’t gotten enough recognition in this column (or any other for that matter) for his selfless play, terrific outside shooting, and amazing defense. But this week he has more than earned Top Performer status, as he has played a vital role in the Houston Rockets’ 22 consecutive wins; the second-longest winning streak in NBA history, which finally came to an end Tuesday night against Boston. The streak is even more impressive considering that not only do the Rockets play in one of the most competitive conferences the league has ever seen, but they also won 10 straight games after losing All-Star center Yao Ming to injury. In Sunday’s win against the Lakers, Battier earned plenty of recognition for his outstanding defense against perhaps the best player in the NBA, Kobe Bryant. Shane defended Bryant one-on-one, allowing his teammates to concentrate their efforts on the rest of the Lakers lineup. It took Kobe 33 shots to get his 24 points, and the Rockets walked away with the victory. During the game, the ABC commentators Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy, and Mike Breen couldn’t stop raving about Battier, and you can read the multitude of complimentary quotes in this recent Duke Blue Planet column. Here are some more articles focusing on Shane’s contribution to the winning streak:
Boozer/Jazz Tie Record Home Win Streak
The Utah Jazz made an impressive run through the NBA Playoffs last season, led by some remarkable performances by Carlos Boozer. If the recent results out of Utah are any indication, they may be preparing to do themselves one better this year. No one can top Houston as the hottest team in the NBA right now, but Boozer and Co. are coming fairly close, matching the longest home winning streak in Jazz history, a streak previously accomplished by Hall of Fame duo Karl Malone and John Stockton. Utah has won 19 straight games at home led by the continued inside dominance of All-Star Boozer, who is averaging 21.6 points and 10.4 rebounds on the year.
Corey Still Soaring
Mike Dunleavy isn’t the only Blue Devil who is making 30+ point games a habit recently. Corey Maggette continues to step up for the Clippers in the absence of Elton Brand, leading the team in scoring with a career-high 22.4 points per game (11th in the NBA). His last two games are even more impressive, scoring 34 points in each while shooting a combined 20-of-34 from the floor. Corey has been the biggest bright spot in the Clippers’ difficult season. The team has struggled without All-Star Brand in the lineup, but Maggette certainly gives the fans in L.A. something to look forward to whenever the two former Duke teammates are able to team up again for the Clips.
Luol Back on Track
Luol Deng has not had a smooth season for the Bulls. After getting off to a rough start for a team that was expected to compete for the top of the Eastern Conference, Luol had to deal with a nagging Achilles tendon injury that kept him off the court for weeks, then came back to a lineup that had been dramatically altered by a mid-season blockbuster trade. However, in the last eight games, Deng has stepped back up to the level that had him leading the Bulls on a playoff run last summer, averaging 18.6 points per contest during that stretch, including a 20-point (on 65.1% from the field), 9-rebound, 2-assist, 2-steal effort on Tuesday in a win against New Jersey.
Duke Blue Planet NBA Fantasy League Update
While it’s not clear that the Blue Devils are ever going to field a fully healthy team on the fantasy court this season, they have still managed an impressive performance despite missing perhaps their top fantasy producer in Brand. The breakout seasons from Mike Dunleavy, Jr. and Corey Maggette, as well as the resurgence of a healthy Grant Hill in Phoenix have kept the Blue Devils comfortably in the top three all season.
1. Connecticut Huskies: 16,616.0
2. North Carolina Tar Heels: 16,524.2
3. Duke Blue Devils: 14,149.0
4. Arizona Wildcats: 11,289.7
5. Florida Gators: 11,260.1
6. Kentucky Wildcats: 9784.2
7. Kansas Jayhawks: 9124.5
2. North Carolina Tar Heels: 16,524.2
3. Duke Blue Devils: 14,149.0
4. Arizona Wildcats: 11,289.7
5. Florida Gators: 11,260.1
6. Kentucky Wildcats: 9784.2
7. Kansas Jayhawks: 9124.5
Scoring summary: one point for each point scored, 1.5 point for each rebound, two points for each assist, steal or block, 0.5 points for each 3-pointer made, and -1.2 points for each turnover. Field-goal percentage is included by subtracting 0.2 points for each field goal attempt and adding 0.5 points for each field goal made, which would mean you break even by shooting 40% from the field.
Quote of the Week
“I’m willing to concede we’re the worst team in NBA history to have a 20-game winning streak. I’m willing to concede that. People ask ‘why?’ I ask ‘why not?’ Why not? Why can’t you? There is no rule in sports that just because you don’t have the superstars, you don’t have a certain look that other teams have, it doesn’t mean you have to be a certain team. Our team is still developing. It is fun to see the growth of this team together. We’re playing so well together and we have such great chemistry, anything is possible.”
-Shane Battier, Houston Chronicle, March 14, 2008, on the 22-game win streak by the Rockets
