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Dirk Nowitzki is averaging 29.6 points a game, a total to be reckoned with by any estimation. He’s easily one of the best offensive players in the NBA. However, what he accomplished last night turns the description “one of best” into “downright scariest.” When the fourth quarter of Dallas’ game against Utah started last night, the Mavericks trailed by 16 points. While deficits like that are commonplace in the NBA, the way in which the Mavericks came back is not. Sure, Dallas rode their best player, but I doubt even they figured Nowitzki would be as effective as he was. Let’s put it this way, during their fourth quarter comeback, Dirk Diggler matched his season scoring average by dropping 29 points.
In one quarter.
The flop-haired German with the exquisite outside shot finished with 40 points, but it was his sterling fourth quarter that’s getting headlines, and rightfully so. 29 points in one quarter is more than a number of teams can muster as a whole. To wit, the Jazz, as a team, scored 18 in the fourth against Dallas last night.
In fact, a quick glance at last night’s scores reveal only one team, besides Dallas, that is, outscored Nowitzki in the fourth quarter and that was the Boston Celtics with 36. The rest of the NBA could only match, if not score less, than Dirk’s final stanza explosion. StatSheet.com has a nifty little chart showing just how effective Nowitzki was last night. His contribution is designated by the pinkish-flesh colored bar:
If you don’t want to pass Teddy Ginn, Jr the ball, that’s OK. He’ll just take opposing kick off kicks and return them for touchdowns instead. Just ask the New York Jets. Ginn’s performance was a record-breaker, making him the second offensive player to get record book recognition.
Redemption comes in all shapes and sizes, apparently.
It’s hard, however, not to imagine what Ginn would be capable of if he could catch the ball on a consistent basis. His natural talent is obviously jaw-dropping. Unfortunately for Ginn, that same “dropping” aspect applies to his ability to catch the football as well.
Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson was a beast against the Jacksonville Jaguars yesterday. 24 carries for 228 yards and two touchdowns has a way of receiving such a designation, not to mention doing so during the team’s first win of the season. However, during one of Johnson’s touchdown scampers, CBS play-by-play ace, Gus Johnson, made a questionable comparison of Johnson’s blazing speed.
“Watch out! He’s got ‘getting away from the cops’ speed.”
Now, while I find such a phrase worthy of a smile, some will undoubtedly be offended by the “racial overtones” of Johnson’s call. I’m sorry, are NFL running backs the only folks who run from cops? Are white people not allowed to have “getting away from the cops” speed? Yes, I get the implication — if you decide to look at it that way — a young black male with blazing speed should be compared to something other than police evasion. But folks, people run from the cops. Not just ridiculously talented running backs who happen to be black.
Don’t you think the guy with the meth lab wouldn’t appreciate being as fast as Johnson, especially when said meth lab/trailer gets raided?
For me, it’s much ado about nothing. Johnson made a fantastic football play and announcer Johnson got a little exuberant in describing the skill on display. It’s not the first time Gus Johnson’s been excited after a play and I certainly hope it won’t be the last. With all that in mind, I’d expect an apology from Gus any day now.
Not only is DeSean Jackson getting mentioned alongside past NFL greats for his long touchdowns, the routes he runs to get open are so slick, he’ll even bust the ass of the occasional referee who is trying to keep up with Jackson’s blazing speed and quickness, much like he did when his Eagles beat the blank out of the New York Giants yesterday.
Just wait, if Jackson’s route-running antics keep happening, the NFL will make it illegal to run such ankle-breaking routes. We already know they protect their officials. Making such a rule seems like a natural progression.
The most visible star of the surprising Cincinnati Bengals — 5-2?!?!?! — made the media rounds yesterday thanks to the luxury of a well-placed bye week. After doing stints on First Take and Cowherd’s show, Chad Ochocinco made his way over to the Ed Sullivan Theater and did David Letterman’s Top 10.
In what feels like a preemptive strike aimed at Mark Richt and the Georgia Bulldogs (and Lane Kiffin, of course), SEC Commissioner Mike Slive informed the AP that any coaches who complain about the quality of SEC referees would face a fine and possible suspension. No longer will Slive admonish his coaches for complaints — even if they are legitimate apparently.
It’s straight punishment for those who bitch.
Is this a preemptive strike for the The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party Georgia/Florida game? Considering how both teams have either benefited or been hurt by some horrible calls, I think the answer is pretty clear. If you complain, Slive will bring the fine/suspension hammer down on your head.
“We fully expect and anticipate that we will have the full cooperation of our coaches from this day forward,” he said.
Perhaps if Slive was as committed to quality officiating as he was keeping his coaches in line and quiet, there wouldn’t be any complaining. I mean, why on earth would Mark Richt be mad at this:
That’s a perfectly reasonable way to decide a football game, no?
