Weekly Whistle 3

So the third issue of the Whistle is up. I’ve been trying to figure out how I can get photos up here to make the column all the more bouncy. But alas, my technical incompetence has once again harpooned any chance of me ever figuring out how to do it. So if there are any willing souls that can assist ‘moi, I’ll be more than grateful.

The Weekly Whistle III, ladies and gentlemen!


The Booze-dozer

Anybody surprised with how the Jazz have fared so far this season?

This kind of strong start isn’t new to Carlos Boozer. Two years ago, when the Jazz went 7-3 in their first 10 games, Boozer was playing like a wild animal. After signing a big, fat contract earlier that summer, Boozer seemed to validate the Jazz’s faith in by not only posting up career numbers, but also giving the Jazz faithful visions of a Karl Malone redux.

Unfortunately for Utah, Boozer’s stay with the team has been a mix of glimpses of superstardom as well as long stints on the shelf. In his first two years in Utah, he’s missed a total of 80 games.

As much as Okur, Williams, and Kirilenko have all been huge in Utah’s resurgence this year, the main cog still has to be Boozer. He’s that one dominant low post guy they can go to when plays bog down. It helps that he’s a beast on the boards this year, too. So far this year, he’s been averaging 23 points, 13 boards, and three assists pre game. Mailman-esque numbers indeed.

The whole equation, however, still lies with his health. How long can he keep this torrid pace before his body bogs down again?

Utah may be playing some sweet jazzy sounds now. But their track will last for only as long as Boozer’s health does.

Here’s to hoping he plays past January.

(Editor’s note: I totally made up that Booze-dozer nickname, but that’s just for the purposes of this column. I’m still digging his immortal NT tag, Carlos “Verbal Agreement” Boozer. Now, that ‘nick should go to the Nickname Hall of Fame.

P.S. If you want the background story on how he got that nickname, just ask.)

Players of the Week:

East: Dwight Howard – Can you say man-child? In the past week, Howard has had two 20-20 games. Against Memphis, Howard rang up 24-23 and had a 24-21 against Charlotte, in less than 30 minutes! The past week has seen him average 21.3 points and 18.3 boards per game.

Every time I see this guy play, he’s just toying around with whoever tries to guard him as if it’s like a man playing against boys. The problem is, age-wise, Dwight Howard IS the boy! That goes to show you how much this kid is beastin’ right now.

West: Dirk Nowitzki – Lost in all the hype of Utah’s fast start and San Antonio’s resurgence are the Mavericks, who have won eight straight after a 0-4 start. Leading the way, as he’s always done is Dirk Nowitzki, who is also having a quiet MVP type season. In three games last week, Nowitzki averaged 26 points, 14 rebounds, and four assists per game, not to mention a giddy 26 for 28 from the free-throw line.

The Gangbusters

Every year, there are a handful of players who come out of the scene and play their way into public consciousness. Previously rotting on their respective benches, the increased playing time has given these guys a chance to shine and with it they’ve certainly put the league on notice:

Kevin Martin – His shot is ugly, but you can’t complain with the results. Heading into the weekend, lil’ K-Mart is averaging 25 points (from 10.8 last season!), five rebounds, and shooting a ridiculous (for a two-guard) 54% shooting from the field. All that despite an eye-sore looking shot that looks like he’s throwing the ball in a sidewinder motion from his waist.

Can’t imagine it? Call yourself lucky.

Monta Ellis – I always love the story of an overlooked player coming out and proving the critics wrong. It’s a fascinating read every time. This year’s winner of the I-Told-You-I-Can-Ball award has to be Monta Ellis. Taken in the second round of last year’s draft (40th overall), Ellis was seen as being too small to play the guards position (he’s actually 6’3, but he does look like a lot smaller than his height). Unfortunately for the GM’s, and I always never understood this, they overlooked one thing and that guys like Ellis may not be the prototypical basketball player, but they can flat out play.

Ellis has rewarded the Warrior’s taking a chance on him by averaging a sweet 17 points, five dimes per game this year.

Deron Williams – For all the raves Carlos Boozer has had for Utah’s early success, Williams has quietly established himself as the legitimate John Stockton successor at Utah. Averaging 18 points and 9 assists per game this year, he and Boozer are slowly starting to look like a modern day “Stockton-to-Malone” combination.

Maybe the Jazz weren’t all that cuckoo selecting Williams over CP after all.

David Lee – He may not light up the scoreboard like the previous three guards, but Lee has been an absolute maniac on the glass. Averaging only 24 minutes a game but grabbing nine rebounds in those minutes, Lee has Dennis Rodman written all over him, minus all the baggage of course.

But this being the Knicks, I’m sure Isiah Thomas will find a way to screw this up. Maybe he can trade Lee to the Hornets for Marc Jackson. That would be awesome.

Zaza Pachulia – His name may sound funny, but he’s game is certainly no laughing matter. Anchoring the suddenly improved Hawks frontline is this Georgian (the country, not the state) center who has averaged a pretty impressive 16 points and seven rebounds in his second year as the Hawks’ middleman.

Not bad for a dude named Zaza.

Video of the Week

Nate on Yao - This vid reminded me of Muggsy Bogues doing Patrick Ewing dirty some years back. Unbelievable.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqlaN31OzDs

Quote of the Week

“I was blocked by a 5’3 guy before, so that’s not a record.” -Yao Ming, after 5’9 Nate Robinson rejected his dunk attempt.