Hungry, Hungry Hibbert

Photo Credit: Edyta Blaszczyk

So I just had the thrill of covering my first ever NBA game, a longtime dream of mine, and it couldn't have gone better.

The Los Angeles Clippers and Indiana Pacers battled in a double overtime game that resulted in the Clippers winning 117-109 at the Conseco Fieldhouse. I was treated to an awesome media room, locker room interviews with Baron Davis and Zach Randolph and a surprise appearance by Indiana University coach Tom Crean.

While the night went perfect for me, it could have gone much better for Indiana coach Jim O'Brien.

The game was going great for O'Brien and his Pacers as they were able to take a slight lead in to halftime despite playing without superstar Danny Granger. Roy Hibbert had 10 points and had not missed a shot going into the locker room. He was setting great screens for Jarrett Jack who ended the night with 27 points.

So with Hibbert playing great basketball and the Pacers finding their confidence without Granger O'Brien does the logical thing and lets Hibbert play some more.

WRONG

Maybe O'Brien was just so accustomed to the Pacers' frontcourt struggling that he got scared of Hibbert's success, but Hibbert only played the first half of the third quarter and did not see the floor for the fourth quarter or the 10 minutes of overtime.

O'Brien being scared of success would be a better reason for not playing Hibbert than the one he offered at the post-game press conference. O'Brien said he did not play Hibbert because he had two rookies in Josh McRoberts and Brandon Rush out on the floor and he wanted to keep Rasho Nesterovic out on the floor for experience.

Sure, experience is important to have on the floor, but there was an easy solution I am confident any coach at any level could have seen. Take out McRoberts and put in Hibbert.

The philosophy with big men in the NBA really isn't all that hard. In fact, you learn it at a very young age. When I was a child I would play the game Hungry, Hungry Hippos. The point of the game was to get your hippo to "eat" the most marbles.

Well when O'Brien has a big guy dominating, he needs to feed him the ball. With Christmas right around the corner I think I will give O'Brien Hungry, Hungry Hippos so he can start with the basics.

Taking Hibbert out did not only hurt the frontcourt, but it hurt the backcourt as well. Jarrett was no longer rolling off the screens and hitting mid-range jump shots. Instead, he was rolling off psuedo screens from McRoberts and Nesterovic and then passing back to them where they would ultimately miss an 18-foot jump shot.

It's a frustrating coaching blunder because the Pacers could have won the game had they made the right personnel decisions. I too was critical of Hibbert when he first came out of college. I thought he would be too slow or not conditioned to play a full NBA game. But when he came out and tore up defensive ace Marcus Camby with his baby hook shots from both hands, he had me believing in a bright future.

The Pacers are not going anywhere quick. O'Brien needs to see the potential in his young center just like he has seen it in rookie Brandon Rush. Rush played 54 minutes compared to Hibbert's 22.

If O'Brien goes with players like McRoberts and Nesterovic over Hibbert, he could become just another number in the NBA coaching guillotine.

Gordon torches Indy late (insert punchline here)

Photo Credit: Edyta Blaszczyk

In his first NBA game back in his home state, Eric Gordon was steady, if not unspectacular.

The rookie, who is only months removed from his one and only season at Indiana University. scored 15 points on only 5-for-13 shooting from the field in the Los Angeles Clippers' 117-109 double-overtime win against the Indiana Pacers. The No. 7 overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft struggled from beyond the arc, hitting only one of his six attempts. However, that bucket was the dagger that ended the Pacers' comeback hopes.

The clock ticked just under 2:00 to go in the second overtime period and the Clippers held on to a 111-107 lead as the Pacers were looking for a defensive stop to jump-start its offense, which struggled to score in the period. That's when Baron Davis drove down the lane and as Gordon's defender peeled off the young sharpshooter in a trap attempt, Davis found his backcourt mate open in the corner.

And Gordon delivered a sight that hoops fans in the Hoosier state know very well as he buried the 3-point jumper ... a dagger into the hearts of those who saw Reggie Miller do a similar act many times in a Pacer uniform.

Gordon, and the shot, came with mixed emotions. His family and friends were there, in fact, myself and TBDS NBA expert Jeff shared an elevator ride with the Gordon family earlier in the evening. They seemed excited to see their baby boy come home. I'm sure they cheered the big bucket. However, there was a subset of fans that were unhappy, not just because the home team came up short.

Behind us in the nortwest corner of press row, one fan constantly yelled "snitch" every time Gordon touched the ball. An obvious reference to Gordon's recent comments about how drug use effected the Hoosiers last season.

The former fabulous freshman, who will be reunited with former coach Kelvin Sampson in Milwaukee on Saturday night, said he and the former head of the Hoosiers still chat and he still has fond memories of his time at Indiana.

When asked about the comments he made about the alleged drug use, Gordon said he had no comment other than he regretted saying them in the first place.

Despite the recent comments, it sounds as if Gordon has grown up a little as he has traveled west to his new home in La-La Land. He talked about how "once you go to L.A., you become more attractive" and that he now has "plenty of friends" now that he's bringing in an NBA paycheck.

And what do his teammates have to say about him?

Zach Randolph had plenty of kind words to say about the former Mr. Basketball of Indiana.

"The young guy is tough. He came in here and made big shots. He's going to be great because he works hard."

If Gordon is going to be great, he will have The Baron to thank for part of it. Davis said he has embraced his role as Gordon's mentor.

"I'm just trying to give him as much leadership as possible when he's on the floor. He's a good kid and he works hard. That's what I see from a point guard's perspective. Slowly but surely, nothing he can't figure out on his own, but he's learning along the way."

Well, goodnight from Indianapolis. More to come eventually.

Working hard, not hardly working

Two members of The Big Dead Sidebar staff (myself and Jeff) are working extra hard on giving you, our loyal readers, quality insight of Friday night's double-overtime thriller between the Los Angeles Clippers and Indiana Pacers.

The Clippers knocked off the Pacers by a score of 117-109 as forward Zach Randolph went into beastmode to score 34 points and grab 16 rebounds. I have already posted a few videos and will bring you more insight in the coming hours.

Until then, chill out and enjoy this grand video of a pretty peeved Jim O'Brien after his Pacer ballclub fell short.

Zach Randolph Post Game Interview 12/19

Forward Zach Randolph was the most dominant player on the court in the match-up between the Los Angeles Clippers and Indiana Pacers. Randolph scored 34 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in the Clippers' 117-109 double overtime victory. After the game, Randolph spoke with the media (including us, of course) about his performance and other things.

Eric Gordon after Pacers/Clippers game 12/19

Los Angeles Clippers rookie guard Eric Gordon, who starred at Indiana University last season, speaks to the media after a homecoming, of sorts, for the former Mr. Basketball of Indiana. Gordon scored 15 points, including a 3-point field goal with 1:53 remaining in the second overtime which proved to be the dagger in the Clippers' 117-109 double-overtime victory.

Oh crap, here we go again

Brett Favre has tortured football fans, management and media types over the past few years as he has dangled retirement from the Green Bay Packers in front of them like a man holds a chew toy over his puppy.

Now, the drama queen quarterback is taking his act to New York City.

Via Bloomberg.com:

The 39-year-old told reporters a day after being named to his 10th Pro Bowl that, regardless of when his career ends, "I got everything outo f it that I wanted to."

"I'm well aware of the fact that there's two games left," he said at the team's practice facility in Florham Park, New Jersey. "I'm expecting us to make the playoffs, as I hope the rest of the team is, but it very well could be my last. It could be my last three games, last four games, I don't know."

When Favre went into his cowboy riding off into the sunset moods in Green Bay, the fans and media swooned and turned into butter as they hoped and prayed their hero would return for just one more season wearing the familiar green and gold. This year, Brett is wearing a different shade of green and guess what? That act ain't gonna fly in the Big Apple.

There are two games left in the season and I'm pretty sure that nutty New York media isn't going to shed a tear as Favre cries his crocodile tears as he ponders whether or not to return to the NFL. If the Jets don't make the playoffs, Favre won't need to ride out into the sunset as the closing credits commence because New Yorkers will treat him like a slice of deep dish pizza or a hot dog with mustard ... they will kick him to the curb like a crummy girlfriend and won't think twice about it.

In fact, these five sports storylines will rank higher than Favre's retirement:

1. Counting down the days 'til LeBron James becomes a free agent
2. What eateries will CC Sabathia spend the majority of his $160 million contract.
3. Plaxico Burress' club attire.
   
4. Mr. Met's offseason drug and alcohol abuse that followed the Metropolitans second straight season ending collapse.
   
5. Who LBJ will bring with him to New York City in 2010: D-Wade, Amare or Bosh.

The point is, Brett, you're not in Green Bay any more. So if you want to stand at a podium and play your teasing games ... call someone who gives a damn first.

And allow me to give you some words of advice that I overheard when I was in New York a month ago.

"You can't do that, this is f*cking New York."

Truer words have never been spoken.

Photo Credit: Yahoo! Sports

Rafael Furcal's word is worth as much as your stock in Enron, just ask the Braves

After it seemed as if a reunion with the Atlanta Braves was imminent, free-agent shortstop Rafael Furcal looks to have reversed his course and will likely return to the Los Angeles Dodgers.


Braves GM Frank Wren said the team and Furcal's agent came to an agreement on Monday night and apparently couldn't reach Furcal to sign the contract.

Sounds like code for "we're going to go back to the Dodgers and see if we can get some more." And it looks like they did.

Now, it's Thursday, and Furcal has agreed to a three-year deal worth $30 million to stay with the Dodgers.

This isn't the first time Furcal and his agents have played the bait-and-bail game while on the open market. Last time he was a free agent, Furcal looked to have a four or five year deal with the Cubs before his agents went to the Dodgers one last time and took the rug from right under Jim Hendry's feet as the speedy shortstop signed with L.A.

Look, Furcal is a good player and among one of the best offensive shortstops in all of baseball when he's healthy. He can hit you 10 to 15 home runs, steal you at least 30 bases and get on base at a 40 percent clip.

But if he continues to pull crap like this out of his Dodger blue ballcap, he will be forever known as a two-faced cancerous "me guy" only out for the money.

And a defensively inept shortstop.

Photo Credit: LA Times

12/17 Chris Lowery Post Game

SIU defeated Northern Illinois, 73-58, as Saluki head coach Chris Lowery picked up his 100th victory.

Google Scouting Presents: Northern Illinois Huskies

Think former SIU football head coach Jerry Kill has courtside seats for tonight's Civil War match up between Southern Illinois and Northern Illinois' basketball teams. My guess is yes!

The Huskies host the return match of last season's 88-68 drubbing at the hands of the then-No. 23 Salukis in which Northern was held scoreless for the first 10 minutes of the game. Here are some notes on tonight's match up.

Yes, I am preparing for my 330+ mile trip home to Chicago for the holiday season. But it doesn't necessarily mean that my job as a sports writer is done just yet. I'll be keeping a close eye on the Salukis of Southern Illinois University in between Christmas shopping and sleeping in.

Tonight's game is a rematch of one of last year's BracketBuster matchups as the Salukis return the favor as they hit the road on what must be their longest road trip of the year to face the Nevada Wolfpack.

Need some help trying to figure out what's up with Nick Fazekas' alma mater. Don't click next blog, just read down the page and you'll learn everything you need to know.

Location: DeKalb, Illinois. It's a hop, skip, jump and snow plow ride away from my house on the North Side of Chicago. The 1 hour 23 minute trek will hopefully go smoothly.

Mascot: Huskies. Cool. I love games which mascots are similar but different. Cue up headlines for Dawg Fights. P.S. Keep Mike Vick away!

Conference: Mid-American Conference. Better known as The MAC, but not the be confused with the football stadium SIU calls home which is also known as "The Mac." P.S. McAndrew Stadium press box needs renovation ... just saying.

Record: 4-6. Two of Northern's wins have come on its home court. SIU is winless away from the SIU Arena. Uh oh time?

Who to watch for: Darion "Jake" Anderson. The sophomore is averaging 19.7 points per game for NIU. For SIU, I'm interested to see how Nick Evans looks in person. He logged a few minutes in the loss against Nevada.

Don't worry about... Michael Turner, Ryan Diem, Garrett Wolfe. Don't worry about 'em because they're all former football greats. And while SIU is a physical squad, this game will pit the minds of Ricardo Patton and Chris Lowery against one another. Not Jerry Kill and Dale Lennon.

The 'X' Factor: Will the third time be the charm for C-Lo as he once again goes for his 100th win as the Salukis' head coach.

Notable: It's a homecoming, bitches. A hearty welcome back to the north for Bryan Mullins (Downers Grove), Ryan Hare (Chicago), Kevin Dillard (Homewood-Flossmoor), Tony Freeman (Maywood), Tony Young (Schaumburg) and Lance Irvin (Chicago).

Quotable: "What do you mean you're going to DeKalb on Wednesday?" -My mother as she wonders why I like my job so much.

Prediction: Homecomings are supposed to be sweet. I don't see SIU losing three-in-a-row, not against an in-state rival. SIU picks up its first road win since Feb. 26 and gives C-Lo his 100th win in the process. Southern Illinois 66 Northern Illinois 55

Oh Lindsey, you tease...

I'm used to girls named Lindsay being teases.

See Lindsay Lohan.

But Lindsey Willhite, who is one of the best sportswriters in Chicagoland, put together a nice lil' interview with SIU men's basketball head coach Chris Lowery.

Allow me (SIU hoops beat writer for the Daily Egyptian) to break down some highlights.

Lowery never pulls punches or fails to say what he believes. While the conversation became even better after I turned off the recorder, the on-the-record stuff was pretty good, too. Here's a sampling:

When a story starts like that, you know it's gonna be good. Just don't go Bob Kravitz on me.

Joe College: I never thought I'd see the day when Southern Illinois would be letting its opponents shoot 43.6 percent.
Chris Lowery: Well, we've never had six freshmen either. We've always been older. We've never had such an influx of young players, but we've never been able to get that good of a young player like we have right now. We have some freshmen playing a lot of minutes -- and we have freshmen come in for freshmen. It's never been that way. ... Another thing, we've played a hard schedule. We've played as tough a schedule as anyone in the country with six of our first nine being on the road.

Lowery has talked in previous media sessions (which I have been a part of) about how he has had to adjust to a young squad and how in the past he didn't "waste his time" with youngsters because they would learn as they got older. SIU is usally senior heavy and if you look at its most successful teams and you can link its success with the senior leadership provided by Jamaal Tatum, Tony Young, Darrin Brooks, Stetson Hairston, Kent Williams, etc. The combination of youth and a rugged road schedule might take its toll now, but Lowery continues to stress "it's not about now, it's about March."

JC: Do you do the schedule?
CL: Yeah. Not very smart. But I think what it does, it makes us tougher. It makes us stronger in our league. That's why our RPI over the past six years is 22. Because we played people and we've had success. That's developed who we are in our personality. But we're going to take some lumps early and we know we're going to get better because we're going to continue to coach them and work them.

Fresno State football head caoch Pat Hill became a media darling when he said his Bulldog squad would play anyone anywhere. That's the kind of fearless scheduling that makes good players want to play for you. Who wants to star against the Little Sisters of the Poor when they can show their talents against teams such as Duke and UCLA and in NBA arenas such as New York City's Madison Square Garden or Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Thumbs up to coach for not scheduling Cupcake City College.


JC: Is this the end of the NIU-SIU series?
CL: It's the end right now. Obviously we want to look at it again. How it came about is we wanted a game in Chicago and this is the closest we could get. Bryan Mullins, our senior (point guard from Downers Grove South), we wanted to bring him home in his last year. We were very fortunate to get this game.

As a Chicago kid, I want SIU to play the Chicagoland schools (DePaul, Northwestern, UIC, Loyola, NIU) not only so I can see my soon-t0-be alma mater but so the program can get exposed to the city's best hoopsters and kids who want to go to a darn good university. I hope to talk to B-Mull, Ryan Hare, Kevin Dillard and Tony Freeman and see how they feel about this pseudo-homecoming.

JC: OK, I have to ask this only because I see this on the DePaul message boards: They seem to think (Jerry) Wainwright's on his way out and they think somebody like you could come in and save them. You're not going anywhere to save people, are you?
(Note: Lowery's in the second year of a seven-year extension that pays him $750K per year).
CL: The biggest thing for me is, I want to win. That's No. 1. The only way I would leave Southern is if I thought I could go and win somewhere. I make great money. So I don't have to take a job where I feel is going to be detrimental to my career. I don't think I'm going to go anywhere that's detrimental to winning. And that's the thing: I've always been a part of winning, from high school to college to assistant (coach). Every step of the way, I've had some success. At this point, I don't need to go anywhere just for money.

Lowery's name is going to come up anytime a college job opens up. That's just the nature of a good young coach who is one win from his 100th as the Salukis head coach. At a practice before the Charlotte game, I asked C-Lo about the program and what it would mean to win your 100th so soon after following great coaches such as Bruce Weber (now at Illinois) and Matt Painter (now at Purdue) in continuingn their tradition of winning. Lowery said while the SIU job has been a stepping stone for Weber and Painter, it is different for him because he's an alum and that he wants to take the Salukis to their highest level. It sounds like his ties to Southern are strong, even if big sacks of cash come a-callin' for the 36-year-old star guard turned head coach.

That's comforting to hear, I guess.

And that's where I clicked stop on the recorder.

Oh Lindsey, you tease!