[46-36]History in the Making ※ Playoffs Preview!

Let's go KD!!!!

Damn, West again? That sucks.

Let's go KD!!!!

He went on fire in the fourth, I think Kobe should've gotten the MVP though

Damn, West again? That sucks.

Haha for a while I thought the East could pull it off, D-Wade and Rose were making all these tough shots

Division need some work, not too much, but overall good job so far

Division need some work, not too much, but overall good job so far

Yeah the Southwest is probably the toughest division to play in, with the three texas powerhouses (not so much Spurs this season) + new orleans, basically almost always all playoff teams

Wait was Monta Ellis wearing his Sig And 1?

I'm glad to see an actually close All-star game for once. The past few all-star games in real life have been incredible snooze fests.

Wait was Monta Ellis wearing his Sig And 1?

Good eye man didn't even notice it myself

I'm glad to see an actually close All-star game for once. The past few all-star games in real life have been incredible snooze fests.

Well the most recent one in Orlando was pretty close, as was the one in Dallas if I remember correctly

Panthers add Mbenga to Roster
Feb 25th, 2012



The Panthers have successfully agreed to terms with Free Agent center
D.J. Mbenga on a deal that will add him to the Panthers squad for the rest of the
2011-12 NBA season, according to a source close to the team.

An 8th year veteran out of Congo, Mbenga last played in the NBA for the Los
Angeles Lakers in the 2009-10 season.

The deal is reportedly worth $1.28 million, with a team option attached for
a second season.

Monthly Recap: February 2012
Part One: New Zealand Panthers Monthly Recap

February Results - 5W 7L



February 2nd @ Denver Nuggets
Win 121-118
Outstanding Players:
Denver: Ty Lawson - 25 points, 9 assists; Wilson Chandler - 21 points; JR Smith - 20 points
New Zealand: Allen Iverson - 30 points, 9 assists; Harrison Barnes - 30 points (career high); Steve Nash - 17 points, 13 assists

February 4th vs Milwaukee Bucks
Win 111-108
Outstanding Players:
Milwaukee: Stephen Jackson - 29 points; Chris Douglas-Roberts - 21 points
New Zealand: Allen Iverson - 36 points, 6 assists; Harrison Barnes - 27 points; Steve Nash - 18 points, 9 assists

February 5th @ Dallas Mavericks
Loss 99-103
Outstanding Players:
Dallas: Jason Kidd - 21 points, 13 assists; Vince Carter - 23 points; Dirk Nowitzki - 18 points, 10 rebounds; Tyson Chandler - 7 points, 16 rebounds, 2 blocks
New Zealand: Allen Iverson - 28 points; Harrison Barnes - 19 points, 7 rebounds; Yi Jianlian - 17 points, 13 rebounds

February 7th vs Los Angeles Lakers
Loss 93-107
Outstanding Players:
LA Lakers: Kobe Bryant - 32 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals; Andrew Bynum - 12 points, 20 rebounds; JJ Barea - 24 points, 6 assists; Pau Gasol - 12 points, 14 rebounds
New Zealand: Allen Iverson - 29 points, 6 assists, 3 steals; Harrison Barnes - 20 points

February 8th @ Minnesota Timberwolves
Win 114-82
Outstanding Players:
Minnesota: Michael Beasley - 25 points, 11 rebounds; Kevin Love - 11 points, 12 rebounds; Ricky Rubio - 4 points, 10 assists
New Zealand: Allen Iverson - 20 points, 5 assists; Harrison Barnes - 17 points, 10 rebounds; Steve Nash - 13 points, 8 assists

February 11th vs Chicago Bulls
Loss 89-92
Outstanding Players:
Chicago:
New Zealand:

February 13th vs Oklahoma City Thunder
Loss 90-102
Outstanding Players:
Oklahoma City: Kevin Durant - 36 points, 6 rebounds; Russell Westbrook - 17 points, 12 assists, 4 steals; James Harden - 16 points
New Zealand: Allen Iverson - 20 points; Steve Nash - 12 points, 10 assists; Omer Asik - 14 rebounds, 3 blocks

February 15th vs Philadelphia 76ers
Win 104-103
Outstanding Players:
Philadelphia: Andre Iguodala - 26 points; Elton Brand - 14 points, 14 rebounds; Evan Turner - 10 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals
New Zealand: Allen Iverson - 20 points, 9 assists, 4 steals; Yi Jianlian - 22 points, 9 rebounds; Steve Nash - 18 points, 7 assists

2012 Rookie Challenge
Rookies 107-116 Sophomores Game Recap

2012 NBA All Star Game
East 119-121 West Game Recap

February 22nd @ Oklahoma City
Loss 98-122
Outstanding Players:
Oklahoma City: Kevin Durant - 34 points; James Harden - 24 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists; Wesley Johnson - 12 points
New Zealand: Allen Iverson - 25 points; Steve Nash - 15 points, 9 assists; Kenneth Faried - 6 points, 12 rebounds, 2 blocks (career high reb)

February 23rd @ Denver Nuggets
Win 109-94
Outstanding Players:
Denver: JR Smith - 29 points, 4 steals; Ty Lawson - 17 points, 6 assists, 4 steals, Andray Blatche - 10 points, 10 rebounds
New Zealand: Steve Nash - 18 points, 11 assists; Yi Jianlian - 19 points, 13 rebounds; Allen Iverson - 23 points

February 26th vs Los Angeles Clippers
Loss 103-105
Outstanding Players:
LA Clippers: Chris Paul - 20 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals; Blake Griffin - 12 points, 17 rebounds, 5 steals (career high stl); Rudy Gay - 15 points, 8 rebounds
New Zealand: Allen Iverson - 26 points; Steve Nash - 20 points, 9 assists; Harrison Barnes - 19 points

February 27th @ San Antonio Spurs
Loss 107-108 (OT)
Outstanding Players:
San Antonio: Tony Parker - 23 points, 8 assists; Manu Ginobili - 22 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists; Stephen Jackson - 18 points; Dejuan Blair - 10 points, 14 rebounds
New Zealand: Allen Iverson - 29 points, 11 assists, 5 steals; Steve Nash - 17 points, 5 rebounds, 13 assists; Kenneth Faried - 11 rebounds, 2 blocks

Monthly Recap: February 2012
Part Two: Around the Association

Playoffs still aren't a lock for the Panthers. Good luck in the stretch run and congrats on having the two league leaders in turnovers.

You're gonna be screwed soon when AI and Nash retire.

Playoffs still aren't a lock for the Panthers. Good luck in the stretch run and congrats on having the two league leaders in turnovers.

Thanks man, turnovers are definitely our Achilles heel right now, but when your main scorers and distributors are both little midgets, nothing you can do really (especially with 2K11 AI having eyes at the back of their heads and are somehow able to teleport in at the last second to steal it...I swear they have better hands than a wide receiver....)

You're gonna be screwed soon when AI and Nash retire.

don't remind me
At least I'll still have Yi! He's plenty young!

Monthly Recap: February 2012
Part Three: Rookie Ladder

Monthly Recap: February 2012
Part Four: Race to the MVP

A (relatively) down month by Rose and the Bulls unseated him from the top spot

Race to the MVP: It's all business
By Adrian Nelson, NBA.com
Posted Feb 29 2012 09:28PM

The month of February is an intriging one for a number of reasons. One, it's the shortest month of the year; Two, it's when the NBA All Star Weekend festivities occur; three, it's when all the wildest trades come into place at the trade deadline; and finally, it's when all the playoff hopeful teams begin their last push for a place in the top 8 of their conference.

This, of course, affects us here at the Race. The eternal debate is whether we define Most Valuable as being most valuable on their own team, or the best player on the best team. I take it as this, if the player cannot take his team to that next level, he's not a MVP-caliber player. I'm sorry, but winning is important around here.

That being said, as of now there really isn't any competition for those that have been in our top two for the last few months. That's Kobe and D-Rose if you haven't been paying attention.

While we recognize that there are other great players in the league that are also putting up numbers night in, night out, and carrying their team to success. There is simply no competition for what is by far the two best records in the league (both the Bulls and Lakers have a winning percentage of over 72%) and the best statlines across the board.

Unless something crazy like the Rockets' 22 game winning streak back in '08 (self reminder: the Thunder are at 10. Just sayin...), there really isn't any reason as to why either one of these two shouldn't walk away with the Maurice Podoloff Trophy at season's end.

Now, on to the rankings.

Love the Race 2 MVP articles as always. I think Rose will end up taking the MVP.

Love the Race 2 MVP articles as always. I think Rose will end up taking the MVP.

Cheers man, I hope he does but both Durant and LeBron have been making a good push so far so we'll see what happens

Eric Maynor Ahead of Schedule, Cleared To Return From Broken Ankle
Feb 21, 2012 2:19 PM EST



Panthers point guard Eric Maynor is poised to return from a broken right foot.

Maynor, who has been out since late December with a broken ankle, took part in every aspect of the Panthers training
session this morning. He was originally expected to miss the remainder of the regular season.

"I'm running well, cutting well with no signs of discomfort" Maynor said, "The doctors and training staff cleared me so
I should be ready to go."

Maynor has missed 17 games since the injury, and while he will be playing, it will be in limited minutes as the Panthers
staff wants to monitor his situation carefully.

"Anytime you have a player ahead of schedule in terms of their rehab, it's good news," Larry Brown said, "but it's also
worrying because it might not really be fully healed yet and it might get worse, so we'll be careful with Eric here"

Prior to the injury, Maynor was having a career year with 8.9 points and 5.9 assists averaged as the starting
point guard. Since then the Panthers had acquired former MVP Steve Nash to fill the vacancy.

Shawn Marion Out 4-6 Weeks With Torn Meniscus
Mar 3, 2012 11:04 PM EST



Mavericks forward Shawn Marion will miss reportedly 4-6 weeks after suffering a torn meniscus.

Marion came down awkwardly following a rebound just 6 minutes into the game in
Sacramento and limped off the floor with the aid of the training staff.

The 13th year veteran is averaging 8.4 points and 5.2 rebounds in 56 games played thus far.

Enes Kanter Out For Remainder Of Regular Season
Mar 5th, 2012 9:41 PM EST



Suns' rookie big man Enes Kanter will miss the rest of his rookie campaign with a broken back.

Kanter fell awkwardly onto his back in the third quarter of Phoenix's 110-100 win over the Bulls yesterday.

Drafted 20th overall by the New Zealand Panthers in the 2011 Draft, Kanter has averaged 4.7 points and
3.7 rebounds in 56 games played.

Battier Sidelined With Concussion Symptoms
Mar 8, 2012 11:07 PM EST



Panthers forward Shane Battier is suffering from concussion symptoms and will be out
of the Panthers lineup indefinitely.

Battier was the recipient of an inadvertent elbow from teammate DJ Mbenga during practice
earlier this afternoon.

The captain of the Panthers, Battier has averaged 7.8 points and 4.0 rebounds per game
over the last 65 games played, shooting just over 38% from the field and 36% from beyond
the arc.

In accordance with the league's concussion policy, Battier will be sidelined until he successfully
passes all of the mandatory tests.

"This is a big blow for us" Iverson said, "Shane's a big presence for us, especially on the
defensive end. We just hope he can come back healthy asap."

Thabo Sefolosha is expected take Battier's spot in the starting lineup.

Kyrie Irving Out For Season With Broken Foot
Mar 12, 2012 7:57 PM EST



Number 1 overall pick Kyrie Irving will miss the rest of the season with a broken foot.

The Cavaliers point guard has played a spectacular rookie season thus far, leading all rookies
in scoring with 16.6 points per game alongside 5.6 assists.

He has won all four of the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honors so far this season
and was one of the favorites to win the Rookie of the Year honors.

Dammit, Irving is out, that means Rubio will be ROY, unless your boy Barnes can continue his hot play.

Dammit, Irving is out, that means Rubio will be ROY, unless your boy Barnes can continue his hot play.

Barnes has already hit the wall...he's got no shot for ROY in my opinion really sucks that Irving is out though, race was getting tight

LeBron Too Much As El Heat Takes Down Panthers
Game Story | Box Score | Team Stats | Player of the Game


There was no stopping LeBron James on this night

Miami, FL – The final score, like Lebron James’ statline (or hairline), doesn’t do them justice.

Behind their MVP candidate LeBron James, the Miami Heat took down the visiting Allen Iverson and his New Zealand Panthers, 105-100 for their 43rd win of the season, and snaps the Panthers win streak at 3.

James finished with 39 points and 7 rebounds on 14 for 22 shooting, numbers, like the 5 point margin victory, that still doesn’t tell the whole story.

From start to finish, the Panthers never had a chance, as James drove down the lane at will, finishing plays in traffic with ease and dominated the paint. For the game, Miami scored a total of 58 points in the paint to the Panthers’ 32; and while the final score was close, it was a product of a garbage time run by the Panthers’ reserves.

The game was essentially over at the start of the fourth, after the Heat, led by James, overcame their offensive woes to rally back from a 7 point deficit at the half and took a 3 point lead heading into the fourth quarter. From then on it was all Miami.

“He did a great job leading the charge” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said, “His aggressiveness led the other guys to a much better second half”

It was especially notable since Dwyane Wade was struggling all game long to find his shot, he finished with just 6 makes of 23 attempts for 18 points, but had 10 assists in the victory.

“Didn’t have my shot tonight so I just played the role of facilitator” Wade said, “That’s the benefit of having a guy like Lebron on your team, you don’t have to be the guy every night”

For the Panthers, they were once again led by the efforts of Allen Iverson, who finished with a team high 29 points on 8 for 20 shooting, but had 5 turnovers as he struggled against the Miami defense.

Likewise, Panthers PG Steve Nash struggled with ball control, as he had 4 turnovers of his own, overshadowing a 15 point, 10 assist performance.

“It’s on us, obviously” Nash said, “When you’re the guy controlling the ball, you have to protect it better than we did tonight”

However, Nash and Iverson didn’t receive much help either. Aside from the 18 points from Harrison Barnes and the 11 rebounds from Kenneth Faried, the team’s play just bad in general. All Star forward Yi Jianlian continues his recent slump, as he finished with just 14 points and 6 rebounds, while Eric Maynor is still trying to shake off the rust coming back from a broken ankle.

The Panthers now drop to 38-29, and will now head back home to face the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.



Game Highlights
Flash





Player of the Game Highlights
Flash

LBJ killed you guys. Almost 40 points and 7 rebounds, dang

Iverson out with Separated Shoulder
Mar 15, 2012 3:45 PM EST



Panthers All-Star guard Allen Iverson will be out of the lineup
for 2-4 weeks with a separated shoulder.

Iverson suffered the injury in a collusion with Kings forward Zach Randolph
in the third quarter of the Panthers-Kings game last night. Iverson's left arm
got caught in Randolphs in a mid air collusion and the arm gave.

Randolph suffeerd a sprained wrist as a result of the injury, but is not
expected to miss any time.

Currently playing in his 16th NBA Season, the 36 year old former MVP managed
to recapture his All-Star form after returning to the NBA following a brief stint
in Turkey.

For the season, Iverson has averages of 27.6 points and 5.3 assists per game
over 68 games played.