News & Notes Manu Ginóbili is Back
- Rudy Fernandez scores 23 points for the Blazers, defeating the Suns 129-109, and dimming Phoenix’s playoff hopes. The game marked Rudy’s first 20 point game since November 12th, 2008 – Fernandez’s quick start of the season.
- Behind Dirk Nowitzki‘s 26 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, the Mavericks hammer the Warriors 128-106. Puerto Rican waterbug and 5-10 guard Juan Jose Barea also blistered Golden State for 20 points, 7 assists, and 3 steals last night.
- Jose Calderon (19 points, 11 assists) and Andrea Bargnani lead the Toronto Raptors over Milwukee Bucks 115-106. Andrea Bargnani scored 23 points and averages 19 points, 6 rebounds, and shooting 47% this year when he starts at the center position.
- Steve Nash scored 12 points and passed out 14 assists in the Phoenix’s 118-114 win over Utah. Slovenian Goran Dragić had 11 points, 2 assists, and 2 rebounds as Phoenix took out Utah. The former Olimpija Ljubljana point guard (who, by the way, was signed by TAU Ceramica before joining the Suns) is averaging 8 points and 3 assists in the past 6 games, all victories for Phoenix. In the 5 games prior to this win-streak, Dragić did not score a single point. Coincidence?
- Argentina’s Gold Medal winner Manu Ginóbili played for the first time since February 11 after injuring his ankle. He scored 2 points, but missed 6 shots in 11 minutes. Said Manu: “I felt a little rusty and slow tonight.” I’ll say. Fortunately for Manu and the Spurs, Tony Parker had a fantastic game against the Atlanta Hawks, scoring 42 points and 10 assists while shooting 72%. The former Paris Racing Basket star still isn’t get the “props” he deserves. After his 42 point explosion last night, Tony Parker has averaged 27.5 points and 8.6 assists in the Spur’s last ten games…
- Australian Nathan Jawai, also of the Toronto Raptors, got 34 seconds of court time for Toronto. It was Jawai’s 6th NBA appearance for the Torres Straight Islander who was diagnosed with a cardiac condition earlier in the season, forcing him to sit for a number of months. Jawai was recalled from his NBDL team to play for Toronto on March 23.
- The Cavs’ Anderson Varejao scored 16 points and 11 rebounds in a win over the New Jersey Nets. He might add a Most Improved Player of the Year trophy to his bookshelf next to his 2003 Pan-Am Games Gold Medal. If he does win the MIP trophy, expect Greece to close their embassy in Brasilia.
- Only 6 days ago, we posted a comment that George Karl wants Linas Kleiza to get more time on the court. He played 6 minutes last night. Is the egg on George Karl’s face or ours?
