lethalweapon3

Thanks! I didn't know CoCo was overseas, although the Dream just re-signed her to a new contract the other day. I believe Izi and Ally are both free agents, and I agree Izi is less likely to be re-signed. ~lw3

I don't think they're bound at all by position for the male players. It just seems that way since the last couple NBA winners were Horf and Dirk, but Chauncey Billups and Leandro Barbosa were participants, too. I don't think they do big-and-small pairings all the time either (David Robinson and Duncan won in 2008). From their website (http://www.nba.com/allstar/2012/shooting-stars/index.html)... The Haier Shooting Stars contest features one current NBA player, one current WNBA player and one TNT on-air talent and legend on each team. There are six numbered shooting locations of increasing difficulty, with each team attempting to make all shots in numeric order in the fastest time. The "TNT on-air talent and legend" thing I'm pretty sure was added as a qualifier for alums. Former Shooting Star champs Bill Laimbeer and The Admiral, while legends, were not on-air talents. I don't see how that rule is sustainable, since the on-air talents have to be legend in towns with a WNBA city. Reggie Miller could do it, while Chris Webber probably could not. ~lw3

Not always, as the 2009 champion Detroit had Arron Afflalo (Allen Iverson was the voted in ASG representative... haha...), and the 2004 L.A. Laker championship contingent featured Derek Fisher (instead of ASG attendees Kobe and Shaq... the latter would've been fun). If the NBA started doing that as a formal policy more recently, it could only apply to newly-formed teams. Returning champs shouldn't have their active NBA rep guaranteed to be in the following year's All-Star Game. Plus the ASG attendee couldn't be someone who can't shoot from out there, like Roy Hibbert. Probably the one major driver for which "teams" get formed are cities/states with WNBA franchises. Detroit was the only champion not invited to return the next year... that was because in October 2009 the WNBA-representative Shock left Detroit for Tulsa. ~lw3

Saw a John Drew reference on the ESPN ticker yesterday (Re: a record surpassed by Jeremy Lin) but missed what the record was. It may have been something along these lines. ~lw3

Who says Atlanta never wins anything? The defending Haier Shooting Stars champs usually get a chance to repeat, so who gives us the best chance to keep that shiny trophy in the ATL? Al is obviously out of commission, plus the Dream have some more outside shooting threats than they had this time last year. Smitty should be the TNT representative again, unless he can't do it and ex-Hawk Kenny Smith wants to turn heel on Team Texas. ~lw3

I'm just hoping it's nothing YouTubable, like, "First NBA Player to Airball ENTIRE Rack!" or something, or "NBA Three-Point Contestant Dribbles 10 Times Before Each Shot!" The Twitterati is already going in on Joe, which is nothing new, just amplified with today's selection. ~lw3

Whither the Swan? Or at least Teague, if we're saving Marvin for the Shooting Stars and they absolutely had to have a Hawk in there. The NBA can't afford ATL-MCO airfare for more than one player? Should a 35% shooter be showcased on Saturday Night? Contestants: Ryan Anderson, Anthony Morrow, James Jones, Mario Chalmers, Kevin Love, Joe Johnson ~lw3

If there was a worse shooting team anywhere in the NBA last night than the Hawks, it may have been the Suns. Ronnie Price (2-11), Shannon Brown (2-11), Marcin Gortat (4-13), Bassy Telfair (3-8), Josh Childress (1-6), and Robin Lopez (0-7) all had a hard time keeping pace in the thin Colorado air against a depleted Nuggets team. Not having Steve Nash and Grant Hill at their disposal may have had a bit to do with it. Alvin Gentry rested both last night, the second of 3 consecutive games, to help them refresh themselves, presumably after the veterans logged heavy minutes of late. Both are expected to be available tonight. Another sleeper last night to keep an eye out for is Channing Frye. Until last night he turned in 14+ points in the prior five games, a string that began last week in Atlanta. We need one of Marvin or T-Mac (4-14 last night in LA-LA-Land) to step up and give Grant Hill a reason to lay off of Joe, who himself has to find easier shots (1-8 beyond the arc last night). With better defensive positioning, Zaza slowed Bynum down better after that first quarter, which is a good lesson learned going into tonight's matchup with Gortat. 47.5% seems to be the magic number. The Hawks are 1-11 when their effective field goal percentage is at or below that 47.5% value, squeaking past the Wolves at home by 2 points being that one exception. They're 17-0 when the meniscus winds up above that level. Stop blowing layups and taking high degree-of-difficulty shots, and they should be in this game no matter what else goes on. Go Hawks! ~lw3

~lw3

Nope! I probably should've said "commentator," since "analyst" assumes there is some actual analyzing going on. Anyway, here's The Diesel's piece of NECCO heart-candy to Hawks fans... http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/breaking/sfl-miami-heat-shaquille-oneal-s021412,0,7713919.story ~lw3

Side Quiz: Which TNT "analyst" said this about the Miami Heat? "They are one of the top teams there, but we'll see," he said. "Orlando is going to be there in the East. Atlanta is still going to be there. Can't forget about Chicago. Boston is going to make the playoffs. They're going to be the underdog; I think they like being in that underdog position. So, we'll see." ~lw3

So... yeah... Keep this from being The Andrew Bynum Show. Clog the lane with our bigs, and get ready to disrupt passes out to Kobe. The Lakers have the league's worst 3-point shooting percentage. If guys like MWP and Barnes are getting a high volume of shots, it's a good night. The Lake Show is like the Magic in the sense they're not going to be a big threat defensively, other than blocks by Bynum and flops by D-Fish. They're dead last in steals and turnovers created (11.2 TOs/Game, on pace to pass the 2009 Pistons for the fewest per-game turnovers created in recorded NBA history), making it easier for LD's motion schemes to find the desired shooter. Teague should be able to get around the PGs Blake and Fish at will, but must be able to create as well as finish inside without picking up unnecessary offensive fouls. Go Hawks! ~lw3

And the winner for MOST DREADFUL PERFORMANCE of the evening goes to... The ATLANTA HAWKS! ((Nicki Minaj makes bitter beer face, cries into her Champale)) ~lw3

Bombs away! Get the second best three-point shooters in the NBA out there, and take advantage of the team that gives up as many threes as anybody in the league. Aggressive opponents like the Grizzlies, Sixers, and Heat are not going to sit back on defense and let the Hawks dictate where they want the ball to go. Taking care of the ball is a premium any time, but especially tonight. No lazy passes! When going inside, if one of the Big 3 comes to help, kick the ball out to find the open shooter not wearing #5 on the arc. If it's anyone else doubling, get to the basket, draw contact and finish the play. Make Joel Anthony have a short night. Go Hawks! ~lw3

I'm just catching this now. Wow! Best wishes to the young lady for her post-playing career. She'll have no trouble moving up in the coaching ranks. ~lw3

Then he left us all, and is now in... ORLANDO?!? ~lw3 (#overdramatic)

Diesel posted in the chat that he can't get in yet. Dolf, did you hire Marvin as assistant webmaster? ;) ~lw3

Josh, if you're reading this, LEAVE THE PURE SHOOTING TO WILL! ~lw3

Might've been some kind of regional mascot training going on on the side. ~lw3

Gotta give Zaza some love tonight. I don't even know what a yeoman is, but he did that guy's work tonight. ~lw3

Ladies and gents, I present to you the most maddening 23-19-5-3 game in NBA history! **applause** You gotta take the thorns if you want the rose! Way to go, J-Smoove! ~lw3

Zaza gets Erick Dampier backing him up versus Dwight for his birthday, cool! Since Orlando is back to bombs-away offense, play the perimeter tight, let Dwight get whatever he gets from the line, get tons of steals when he kicks out, and beat those guys down the floor in both directions. If we do it right tonight, Dwight might like what he sees. At least for a quick rental. ~lw3

~lw3

JT0+JJ2=CP3+D12 (Go Chemistry!) ~lw3

Quick, everybody, post unrealistic trade proposals! Catch y'all on the "other side!" Go Hawks! ~lw3