Fire & Ice: Speed Y4 1-1

[megarover]

The signing paid of Boozer has really paid off. That rookie with the weird name that I'm too lazy to write has good game. Especially in 7 minutes

[kibaxx7]

18 dimes for Rubio, is that a season-low?

[Oznogrd]

18 dimes for Rubio, is that a season-low?

lol i think it ties his season low

[Oznogrd]

Speed Team News

Today before their game against the Nuggets the St. Louis Speed announced an injury report, and some better news.

The training staff has evaluated Morris Peterson and concluded he will be out for 19 days with his Strained achilles injury he suffered after a "karma" foul in the game against the Pistons. Coach Raoul Duke said "Well it sucks because we like mo, but we've got luke and a couple other guys who can eat the minutes. We're not too worried" Peterson was recently acquired in a trade that sent Desagna Diop out of town to help the Speed bring some non big men in. The Speed have yet to get a big game out of him as he adjusts to the new style of play in St. Louis.

In some better news, two Speed Players have been named Players of the Week for the past 2 weeks. Last week, sophomore point guard Ricky Rubio received the honor while averaging 4.9 ppg and 21 assists per game this season. This week, Carlos Boozer received the award while averaging 35.8 ppg and 7 rebounds. The Speed's dynamic duo has been making opponents work for their wins this year as the pick and roll has become a go to play for the duo.

(game being played and updated on when this OSU-Illini game is over...2OTs....)

[Oznogrd]

Melo and 3 pters eventually Sink Speed
St. Louis 94 - Denver 105

Despite jumping out to a shocking first quarter lead: eventually the Nuggets woke up. That is to say: Carmelo woke up. Despite keeping the game close till the start of the fourth quarter the Speed eventually succumbed to Carmelo's 50 pts franchise record and the Nuggets 7/10 3 pt shooting.

"I just got hot and guys kept feeding me the ball. Some nights, that's how it goes. The Speed played me tough, I just had the shot gods on my side tonight" said Anthony shooting 4-4 from 3 pt land and managed 21-27 over the course of the game.

"Its hard to defend a guy who doesnt miss. I'd pick him up at half court and it'd still be too late" said Speed forward Trevor Ariza who was assigned to guard Carmelo most of the game. "I'm usually decent at shutting the other guy down...but Melo just smoked me like a joint. He ran me ragged, and I still hadn't stopped him. Props to him for playing great. But you better believe I'll be in the film room and gym getting ready for next time"

Team leaders Ricky Rubio and Carlos Boozer sustained their usual success but it wasn't enough to overcome the Nuggets 2nd half surge in which the Speed were outscored by 14.

"I feel bad for Trevor man, there's just nothing you can do when playing a guy like 'Melo. We did all we could to help him and make sure we stayed in the game but it wasn't quite enough." said Boozer.

Player of the Game
Carmelo Anthony
50 pts 2 reb 4 ast 2 stl
'Melo had his way with the Speed and scored a little under half his team's points.

Notable Speed Performances
Carlos Boozer 36 pts 8 reb 2 ast 2 stl 1 blk
Stromile Swift 17 pts 6 reb 2 ast 1 stl 3 blk
Trevor Ariza 11 pts 2 reb 1 stl
Ricky Rubio 10 pts 17 ast 1 stl 1 blk

Notable Nuggets Performances
Chauncey Billups 15 pts 2 reb 12 ast 1 stl
JR Smith 11 pts 3 reb 1 ast
Nene 10 pts 3 reb 4 ast 1 stl 1 blk
Ty Lawson 5 pts 9 ast

Screenshots or It Didn't Happen Images of the Game


Rad Drobnjak slams it through BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIRDMAN


Melo lets Ariza know that the size of your dunk is directly proportional to your dick



Up Next: Philadelphia 76ers: Do the Speed have enough gas after a hard fought game with the Nuggets to come out on top?

[Oznogrd]

30 point 4th quarter defeats Speed
St. Louis 81 - Philadelphia 86

Tonight at home the Speed dropped to .500 for the first time this season as the Sixers surged back with a 30 point 4th quarter that led them to the win 86-81. With the game on the line, durable veteran Allen Iverson who many thought was "washed up" the past few seasons took over in a way few players can. The Speed threw everything they had at Iverson: Rubio, McCants, Ariza. Iverson played like the future hall of famer he is by creating his opportunities, coming up with big time defensive stops (a key steal), and sinking everything he threw at the basket, no matter how ridiculous it looked.

"I felt great tonight. I know we're not doing so hot in the standings but I wanted to show the guys what happens when you practice" said Iverson jokingly. "That game kinda felt like practice in the fourth honestly."

"We have to learn how to hold on to leads" said Speed Coach Raoul Duke "This is the 2nd straight big lead we've blown second half. I especially hate it because we're not losing as a team: we're letting 1 guy beat us. We'll have to plan better and play tighter D from her on if we want a shot at the playoffs." Even though its still early in the season, the Speed are 7th in the Eastern Conference meaning they could sneak into the playoffs "We're only a game back of Boston in the division which is great, but right now we need to just focus on us. Its too early to plan for the postseason."

In other Speed News: tonight before the game the Speed announced trading their 2nd round pick with New York Knicks in what many are assuming to be a trade up. Dr Gonzo had this to say "Well, we were only better than 2 teams last year. We hope to do a little bit better than that this year. The Knicks however were willing to trade down so we took them up on the offer" The Speed hope to steal a early 2nd round pick hoping to find the next steal ala Manu or Gilbert.

Player of the Game
Allen Iverson
18 pts 1 reb 15 ast 3 stl
His steal in the last minute put the Sixers within 1 and eventually led to the win.

Notable Speed Performances
Carlos Boozer 33 pts 7 reb 2 stl 3 blk
Stromile Swift 15 pts 2 reb 1 ast 1 stl 2 blk
Chris Mihm 11 pts 3 reb 1 ast 1 stl 1 blk
Radoslav Drobnjak 10 pts 1 blk
Ricky Rubio 1 reb 21 ast 1 stl

Notable 76ers Performances
Elton Brand 18 pts 3 reb 1ast 1 stl
Thaddeus Young 13 pts 3 reb 1 ast 1 stl
Samuel Dalembert 12 pts 10 reb 1 ast 6 blk
Willie Green 10 pts 1 reb 1 ast

Screenshots or it Didn't Happen Images of the Game


Thaddeus Young believes he can fly


The first word radoslav learned in English was Dunk


Up Next: Can the Speed stop this losing skid against Minnesota?

[kibaxx7]

Carmelo killed you and Iverson and Dalembert had nice games. Tough losses man!

[megarover]

And I thought Ariza was a good defender. Melo and Iverson destroyed him. Minny should be a easy win though

[Oznogrd]

And I thought Ariza was a good defender. Melo and Iverson destroyed him. Minny should be a easy win though

To be fair Ariza wasnt guarding AI. He was guarding Iggy. Rubio and Mccants (as controlled by me) can be blamed for the fall to the Answer.

[Oznogrd]

T'Wolves put Speed Below .500
St. Louis 78 - Minnesota 90

The Speed have once again cooled off midseason as the T'Wolves destroyed them in the 4th. Jerry Bayless set a career high and Minnesota cruised to an easy win over the recently struggling St. Louis Team.

"We have got to play better perimeter D" said Speed Coach Raoul Duke. "No one's beating us in the paint and post. But those open jumpers are sinking us each and every game. Its time to put a stop to that. Watch out for the bats."

Team leader Ricky Rubio only had 15 assists in the loss and agreed with Coach Duke. "We're doing fine with our offense, we're doing fine with our post D: but we just arent stopping open jumpers well enough. If we wanna win, we gotta have a hand in the face. Its time to nut up or shut up."


Player of the Game
Jerryd Bayless
31 pts 4 reb 1 ast 1 stl
Heating up in the 4th, he pretty much singlehandedly finished off the Speed with key jumpers

Notable Speed Performances
Carlos Boozer 32 pts 4 reb
Rashad Mccants 17 pts 1 reb
Chris Mihm 12 pts 3 reb 1 stl 2 blk
Stromile Swift 11 pts 8 reb 2 ast 2 blk
Ricky Rubio 1 reb 15 ast 1 stl 1 blk

Notable T'Wolves Performances
Al Jefferson 18 pts 8 reb 7 ast 1 stl 4 blk
Corey Brewer 17 pts 3 reb 5 ast 2 stl 1 blk
Tyrus Thomas 10 pts 11 reb 1 ast 6 blk

Screenshots or It Didn't Happen Images of the Game


Jefferson says Boomshakalaka

Up Next: Can the Speed Recover against the Kings and keep from losing 4 in a row?

(Sorry bout the Short Recap, I may start shortening games that aren't amazingly epic. Haven't decided yet.

[kibaxx7]

What a game by Bayless Tough loss.

[megarover]

Bayless just did you dirty. You really should work on your perimeter D I cant even remember the last time a big man tore you up.

[Oznogrd]

Probably Tim Duncan as far as offensively goes.

Al Jeff almost pulled a triple double on me...

I possibly need to work on mccants defense...its the SG's that have truly torn me up.

[Oznogrd]

Ball Control Central Role in Speed back to .500
St. Louis 102 - Sacramento 85

The Sacramento fans were feeling great at half. They were hanging with the Speed and for once they had something to cheer about. Then the third quarter happened. The Kings hot hands cooled down and the Speeds heated up as an insurmountable 14 point lead was opened up.

When asked how the collapse happened Kings star Kevin Martin answered "Well we had 9 turnovers; they had 3, got beat on rebounds 23-13, and we gave them 16 FTs...which they hit all of. That pretty much sums it up."

Speed stars Carlos Boozer and Stromile Swift dominated inside the lane scoring a massive 74 points while the Kings only produced 46 inside.

"We always look for those matchups. If we win them, we know we have a pretty good shot at winning the game" said Boozer who set a career high with 45 points. "Plus our guards were hitting the jumpers when we got doubled. It was just one of those days the shot gods were with us."

Stromile Swift added "We just clicked today man, only 3 turnovers? You pray for games like that. It was just a great day to be on this team and hopefully we can keep it up."

The Speed clawed their way back to .500 after a 3 game skid and hope to keep moving up in the playoff hunt. They're currently tied for 8th in the Eastern Conference

Player of the Game
Carlos Boozer
45 pts 7 reb 3 ast 2 stl 2 blk
Offensive, defensive, and all around pwning. PotG no problem

Notable Speed Performances
Stromile Swift 18 pts 4 reb 1 blk
Chris Mihm 10 pts 3 reb 1 blk
Ricky Rubio 10 pts 2 reb 20 ast 1 stl

Notable Kings Performances
Kevin Martin 33 pts 2 ast 3 blk
Tyreke Evans 11 pts 2 reb 10 ast 1 stl 1 blk
Sergio Rodrigues 10 pts 6 ast 1 stl

Screenshots or It Didn't Happen Images of the Game


If you poke Chris Mihm in the stomach, he always dunks. Sorta like a whiter pillsbury doughboy


Ariza Pulls a Lebron style run like hell upcourt Block

Up Next: Can the Speed keep up their winning ways against a 3-9 Jazz? Can Booze get revenge on his old team?

[Oznogrd]

Speed Ride their Big Men for the Win
St. Louis 109 - Utah 93

For the first time ever in EnergySolutions Arena, the noise of BOOOOOOOOOZE...were actually boo's and not the Jazz faithful cheering for star power forward Carlos Boozer. The booing quickly turned to silence as Boozer put up 28 first half points and helped his new team easily dispatch the Utah Jazz. Despite 6 players in double figures, the Jazz defense just couldnt slow down the Speed PF/C rotation, who all had double figures.

"Our big men just played great tonight" said Speed Coach Raoul Duke "Thats how we want to play every night. Once they got going, it was easy to just pop to Rashad or Ricky and have open jumpers to hold the lead when the double team came. And i know for a fact Carlos thoroughly enjoyed this game."

When asked how it felt Boozer laughed it off "What can I say? These fans gave me hell while I was here, I'm glad I got to pay them back a little."

The Speed win their 2nd straight and hope to keep the success going as they try to earn the team's first playoff spot in their history
Player of the Game
Carlos Boozer
44 pts 3 reb 2 ast 1 stl 2 blk
Not alot of defense tonight but his scoring kept the Speed pulling ahead and cruising to victory.

Notable Speed Performances
Stromile Swift 18 pts 5 reb 3 blk
Radoslav Drobnjak 12 pts 1 reb 1 stl
Rashad McCants 11 pts 3 reb 1 ast 1 stl
Chris Mihm 10 pts 2 reb
Ricky Rubio 5 pts 19 ast

Notable Jazz Performances
Deron Williams 20 pts 2 reb 11 ast 2 stl
Ronnie Brewer 15 pts 1 ast
Mehmet Okur 14 pts 8 reb 1 ast 1 blk
CJ miles 13 pts 1 reb 2 ast 1 blk
Paul Millsap 12 pts 6 reb 2 ast 1 blk
Will Bynum 10 pts 1 reb 5 ast
Andrei Kirilenko 5 pts 5 reb 4 blk

Screenshots or It Didn't Happen Images of the Game


Stromile Swift tells Paul Millsap to let him through

Up Next: Can the Speeds big men keep this hot streak going against Durant and the Thunder? Find out Next time (may be tonight, maybe later this weekend havent decided yet)

[Oznogrd]

Crazy Middle Quarters Lift Thunder Over Speed
St. Louis 89 - Oklahoma City 105

The Thunder rolled at home over the visiting St. Louis Speed. Despite a weak 1st quarter, during the 2nd and 3rd the Thunder outscored the Speed 59-38: a lead the Speed couldn't overcome.

"We just couldnt slow them down in those middle quarters. I think the guys were a little beat from the other games this week: i dont know how we got this bullshit schedule but Mr. Stern and I need to have a chat." said Speed Coach Raoul Duke. The Speed had 3 games this week, all on the road but managing to win their first 2.

"Its hard to play your best when you havent slept in a week" said Ricky Rubio who despite 23 assists shot 0-5 and turned the ball over 4 times. "We were all kinda feeling it and Kevin and the other guys capitalized on that. We just gotta play better from behind. We shot too many 3s and missed too many opportunities"

The Speed fall back to .500 and third in the Atlantic Division

Player of the Game
Kevin Durant
31 Pts 6 reb 1 ast 1 stl 1 blk 13/16 Shooting
Durantula shot the lights out and helped stop the surging Speed.

Notable Speed Performances
Carlos Boozer 43 pts 2 reb 1 ast
Stromile Swift 20 pts 4 reb 2 stl 2 blk
Rashad McCants- 13 pts 2 reb 3 ast 1 stl
Ricky Rubio 1 reb 23 ast 1 stl

Notable Thunder Performances
Jeff Green 16 pts 4 reb 2 ast 1 stl 1 blk
Russel Westbrook 10 pts 2 reb 17 ast 2 stl
Thabo Sefolosha 10 pts 3 reb 3 ast 1 blk
Ronnie Price 10 pts 3 ast 1 stl

Screenshots or It Didn't Happen Images of the Game

None (forgot to take any, sorry guys)

Up Next: The 5-6 Blazers. Will there be a repeat of the insanity that was the Speed's very first game last year? Also: after the Blazers Game: halfway point checkup! (Player evals etc.)

[Oznogrd]

Speed choke in 4th
St. Louis 87 - Portland 92

The Speed once again choked away a lead in the closing minutes of the game to fall to the Portland Trailblazers tonight. Despite almost identical stat lines, the Speed turned the ball over 4 more times and allowed 16 fast break points to their own 8. St. Louis struggled to pull away despite several small leads in large part due to LaMarcus Aldridge's stifling defense of star Carlos Boozer by constantly rejecting his shots and boxing him out.

"You change either of those things and we win this game" Said Speed Coach Raoul Duke "We just have to play crisper, less sloppy ball if we want in the playoffs. This isnt how we wanted this game to go. Yeah Boozer got contained, but we gotta be able to win even when he had a bad night"

Aldridge commented "Carlos is a great player, I just got the better of him tonight and I'm glad i helped my team win. Nate just told me to go out there and go hard. So I Did."

"We gotta stop these little skids" said starting Speed Center Stromile Swift. "Win one, lose 3, win two, lose 4. We're supposed to be getting better as the season goes on, not worse"

The Speed with this loss fall to 10th in the Conference and third in their division, effectively putting them out of the playoff picture in this short 29 game season if they can't find a way to turn things around.


Player of the Game
LaMarcus Aldridge
14 pts 9 reb 2 ast 3 stl 6 blks
Aldridge was everywhere, boxing out and making defensive stops: essentially neutralizing Carlos Boozer leading his Blazers to the Late win

Notable Speed Performances
Carlos boozer 22 pts 8 reb 2 ast 1 stl 1 blk
Stromile Swift 22 pts 4 reb 1 ast 3 stl
Rashad McCants 18 pts 4 reb 4 ast 2 stl 1 blk
Chris Mihm 13 points 1 reb 1 stl 1 blk
Ricky Rubio 2 pts 2 reb 17 ast 1 blk 6 TO

Notable Blazers Performances
Brandon Roy 23 pts 6 ast 2 stl
Andre Miller 14 pts 5 ast
Linas Kleiza 12 pts 4 ast 1 stl

Screenshots or It Didnt Happen Images of the Game


Oden/Swift compare dick sizes.


Up Next: Toronto Raptors at 4-6 and only half a game behind the Speed. Can the Speed manage to get back within scratching distance of the Playoffs?

[Oznogrd]

Player/Team Evaluation

It's halfway through the 29 game season and it's time to look at where the players stand and how their year has gone. The Speed despite a hot start have sputtered as the season went on. No decimating streaks like last year's 14 straight losses (yet), but they just cant seem to string more than a couple of wins together. They're Currently 1 game back in the division and in third. For the conference, they're tied for 10th.

Overall Team
The Good: The highest points per game in the league, FG%, FT% APG, 2nd in BPG, FGM, and points and one of the lowest amounts of turnovers in the league (4th)
The Bad: Despite the killer offense, it hasnt resulted in a winning record as the Speed have hovered around .500 for the past bit of the season.
The Ugly: 2nd in the league in Points Allowed Per game, only beating the NBA's worst Knicks in this category.

Players

Carlos Boozer
36.1 PPG 6.3 RPG 1.7 APG 1.3 SPG 1.0 BPG
The Good: Obvious go to guy for this team. Has busted out several Career highs in points this year.
The Bad: Rebounding isnt as high as it is for others in his position and his kinda of contract in the league
The Ugly: Not a great defender although improving with each game. Needs to become more physical against bigger guys.
Grade: A-: Yes he's our go to guy and largely responsible for our wins. But sometimes, he's as ineffective as a butter knife on a live cow: especially against bigger men. Needs to step up his physicality.

Stromile Swift
15.3 PPG 4.3 RPG 1.0 APG 2.1 BPG
The Good: Despite offensively falling off a bit from last year, he's got some great defensive presence and is always there to go for the block. A daunting defensive force on a team that sorely needs it. Also a threat to dunk anytime down the floor
The Bad: Rebounding Numbers are low for a starting Center in this league
The Ugly: Misses easy passes quite often. Needs to work on receiving then shooting rather than going up for the dunk after the pick.
Grade B: Naturally his stats took a hit with presence of Boozer and splitting C minutes with Chris Mihm but is still performing well above the expectations when the Speed picked him up in their Free Agent draft when they began

Chris Mihm
10.3 ppg 2.6 RPG 1.1 BPG
The Good: Despite a severe cut in minutes is still scoring and taking his role in stride. Really is starting to become that Sixth Man threat.
The Bad: Not great rebounding this year. Tends to get boxed out easily
The Ugly: Consistency: one game he puts up 16, the next night 0. Needs to find his game every single Night
Grade B-: If he added that consistency, this would be the most solid Sixth man the Speed could ask for

Rashad McCants
6.7 Ppg 1.4 rpg 1.1 apg
The Good: When he's hot, he's lights out: threes, layups, freethrows. Can become very dangerous in just a few possessions
The Bad: Consistency: puts up 18...then 2-4 pts
The Ugly: His defense is atrocious and he tends to get destroyed by quality SGs
Grade C: He's gotta find a way to slow down the opposing SGs. Sometimes, constant scoring isnt enough

Radoslav Drobnjak
6.5 ppg 1.0 rpg
The Good: Is very productive for his extremely limited minutes.
The Bad: Poor Defender
The Ugly: Consistency. One day comes in scores 12 in 7 minutes shooting 5-6. The next goes 0-6 in the same amount of time.
Grade C: Limited minutes may have to do with his odd stats but this isnt what the Speed expected out of their #3 draft pick. They hope to see more development out of him soon.

Trevor Ariza
6.2 ppg 2.0 rpg .7 APG .5 SPG .6 SPG
The Good: Great on the fast break and nights he does well usually result in a win. Aside from a game against Carmelo Anthony: decent defender.
The Bad: Extreme choking. Wide open shots and layups miss regularly.
The Ugly: Consistency: there seems to be a running theme with the Speed and it holds true for Ariza also. One night he's an integral roleplayer, the next you forget he's on the floor.
Grade C-: has to stop choking for the Speed to start using him as a go to guy with the game on the line.

Ricky Rubio
4.4 ppg .7 rpg 20.0 APG .9 spg 3.5 TOPG
The Good: Obviously Ricky's passing just gets better the longer he's in the NBA. His perimeter D is also improving, getting burned by far fewer PGs as compared to last year.
The Bad: Still hasnt developed much of a shooting touch. When Boozer/Swift/Mihm get hot, Rubio cant make others pay for the double team.
The Ugly: Misses layups. Alot. Most of his scoring has come in close games with fouling towards the end.
Grade B+: When he gets that shooting touch and that fast break going, he's going to be a very very dangerous player.

Luke Walton
1.7 ppg
The Good: Not alot of good to Luke this year but is at least consistently non present: possibly having to do with a sever cut in minutes with the additions of rasual butler and Morris Peterson
The Bad: A severe falling off from last year.
Ugly: Seriously: barely has any stats
Grade D: He's not bad but in severely limited minutes hasnt really produced much. The Speed hope to be able to figure out a way to use him more effectively

Morris Peterson
1.4 ppg .5 rpg .8 apg
The Good: Actually a great passer and a good sub at PG if Tyronn and Ricky are struggling
The Bad: Doesnt do much Else
The Ugly: same as the Bad
Grade D: The Speed didnt expect domination from him especially in a limited role, but they expected more than they're getting. At least it was a money move in their acquisition.

Jerry Stackhouse
.9 PPg
The Good: There's not really much other than he's not a sieve defensively
The Bad: is woefully unproductive
The Ugly: The Speed have had him on the trading block all year and cant seem to get any legitimate offers for him.
Grade F: Jerry is so full of fail this year despite getting more minutes than some of the other SFs. It may be time for him to call it career.

Tyronn Lue
.6 PPG 3.2 APG .8 TOPG
The Good: A great passer as always and although not the best a feisty defenser
The bad: doesnt do anything other than whats mentioned in the Good.5 apgThe Ugly: Hasnt made any shots that weren't layups or FTs this year. Tends to TO even in limited minutes
Grade D: sure he's a serviceable backup, but it'd be nice to give ricky some longer rests without worrying.

Rasual Butler
1.4 ppg .7 rpg .5 apg
The Good: not a liability: will hit that open j fast break and defensively sound
The Bad: not producing enough to justify more playing time. Needs to show he belongs on this team to get an increase in minutes
The Ugly: With the durability of ricky rubio and trevor ariza this year Butler isnt getting many minutes as usual. He seems ok with that for some odd reason
Grade D+: isnt a liability but doesnt do much.

[kibaxx7]

Half season already? Boozer is a monster man.

[Oznogrd]

Half season already? Boozer is a monster man.

Somehow im through half the season. Not sure when that happened. How is boozer up for MIP but not MVP? my record? lol

If i pull off 10 wins im happy

[megarover]

What is with your teams rebounding numbers. They are pretty low

[Oznogrd]

i dont miss much (due to constant basket driving) and due to poor D, neither do they. That'd be my guess.

[hova-]

Havent been here for a while. 7-8 is solid but I was hoping for a playoff spot. You need to start a streak. Good player evals. Boozer and Rubio are the sickest pick n roll duo ever (better than Stockalone)

[puttincomputers]

isnt anything better than stackhouse at this point?

[Oznogrd]

Just realized i skipped rasual butler...will go back and fix that soon.

Expect a game later today after i watch terminator 3 and finish some homework up.