World Championships Day One - Kirk Penney

Of course, the big news of the day was the shocking loss of all-White Spain to the heavily Black squad from France. France actually started a White player at guard, who then got a grand total of 8 minutes playing time. We have seen that pattern of "starting only to sit on the bench" far too often in the NBA. It is hard to know what motivates it.

There were a number of incredible performances by White players at the Worlds today.

Kirk Penney, SG (NZL) -- 37p (20 shots and 16-20 FTs)
Linus Kleiza, SF (LTH)-- 27p (15 shots), 8r
Carolos DelFino, SG (ARG)-- 27p (18 shots), 8r
JJ Barea, PG (PUR) -- 25p (17 shots), 4a, 4r
Aleks Maric, C (AUS)-- 23p (14 shots), 9r
Derek Anderson, PF (AUS) -- 22p (10 shots), 9 r, 4a
Aleksandar Rasic, SG (SRB) -- 22p (9 shots), in 18 minutes
Ioannis Bourousis, C (GRK) -- 21p (12 shots), 8r
Luis Scola, PF (ARG) -- 20p (12 shots), 4r
Guilherme Giovannoni, PF (BRZ) -- 17p (10 shots), 7r
JC Navarro, SG (ESP) -- 17p (13 shots)
Ersan İlyasova, PF (TRK) -- 17p (8 shots), 8r, 3a, in 21 min.
H. Haddadi, C (IRN) -- 16p, 9r, 5 blocks
Goran Dragic, SG(SLO) -- 16p (9 shots), 8a, 5r
Marko Popovic, PG (CRO) -- 16p (8 shots)
Levon Kendall, PF (CAN) -- 11r (4 offensive)
Kevin Love (USA) -- 10r in 11 minutes.
Marcelo Huertas, PG (BRZ) -- 10p (5 shots), 9a in 22 min.
A. Ponkrashov, PG (RUS) -- 10p (5 shots), 11a

David Andersen to Rockets

The Houston Rockets have signed center David Andersen(notes) to a multiyear contract to help make up for the loss of Yao Ming(notes).
The Rockets acquired the rights to the 6-foot-11 Andersen in a trade with Atlanta on July 14. Houston scrambled to find a center after announcing in June that Yao was out indefinitely with a hairline fracture in his left foot.
Yao announced last month that he would have surgery to repair the injury, a decision that will likely keep him out all of next season. The seven-time All-Star underwent the procedure the following week.
Andersen was a second-round draft choice of the Hawks in 2002. He has spent his career in his native Australia and in Europe, most recently in the Spanish League with FC Barcelona, where he averaged 11.1 points and 4.1 rebounds last season.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=As9ZctOlp9MgS27iCSEf_bmLvLYF?slug=ap-rockets-andersen&prov=ap&type=lgns

Whites of the Night: Turkoglu & Nowitzki

Scalabrine starting at C seems to be just the thing the Celtics needed to get back on the winning track. Great for Brian, and great to seem him get more comfortable in his starting role, as his points are trending up!

The Italian rookie Gallinari (Knicks) finally gets back from injury. Can't wait to see him in regular action.

The co-Whites of the Night are Nowitzki and Turkoglu, for their equally spectacular offensive nights. Kleiza was also fantastic, and deserves recognition as well. Kleiza is a superb athlete and scorer, and deserves to be getting major minutes.


Nowitzki: 39p (20 shots) - 8 reb -- 39 min
Turkoglu: 31p (16 shots) - 4 reb - 5a -- 30 min
B Lopez: 28p (17 shots) - 10 reb -- 41 min
Kleiza: 26p (13 shots) - 5 reb -- 36 min
Okur: 23p (15 shots) - 11 reb -- 39 min
Ginobili: 21p (11 shots) -6 reb - 4a -- 31 min
Nocioni: 17p (8 shots) - 15 reb -- 31 min
Lee: 15p (9 shots) - 11 reb -- 39 min
Fernandez: 15p (11 shots) - 4 reb -- 33 min
Bonner: 12p - 11 reb -- 29 min
Kirilenko: 12p - 3 reb - 4a -- 34 min
Scalabrine: 11p (8 shots) - 4 reb -- 29 min
Rodriguez: 10p (7 shots) - 5a -- 21 min
Stojakovic: 10p - 6 reb -- 37 min
Alexander: 9p (6 shots) -- 9 min
Scola: 9p (5 shots) - 5 reb -- 26 min
Andersen: 5p (2 shots) - team high 9 reb -- 27 min
Przybilla: 2p (1 shot) - team high 10 reb -- 28 min

White of the Night: Dirk Nowitzki

Look at Birdman Anderson continuing his spectacular play, leading the team in boards and blocks, to go with 3 steals, in his 21 minutes. Oh yeah, and 15 points on 8 shots. The complete game!

Redick also continues his torrid pace, playing well, as usual, and trending up in minutes.

Nice game by Stevie Nashty, but his fellow MVP gets the prized White of the Night for his spectacular 44p-14r game! Monster game for Dirk!

Nowitzki: 44p (26 shots) - 14 reb -- 42 min
Nash: 23p (13 shots) - 5 reb - 6a -- 35 min
Turkoglu: 17p - 8a -- 35 min
Redick: 15p (9 shots) - 2 reb -- 26 min
Andersen: 15p (8 shots) - team high 10 reb - 3 stl - 2 blk -- 21 min
Hawes: 14p - 4 reb -- 27 min
Radmanovic: 12p (6 shots) - 6 reb -- 19 min
P Gasol: 11p - 7 reb - 4a - 2 stl - 2 blk -- 41 min
Pachulia: 10p - 11 reb (7 off) -- 31 min
Barry: 9p (5 shots) - 5a -- 17 min
Love: 8p - 9 reb - 3a - 2 blk -- 24 min
Udrih: 8p - 2 reb - 3a -- 17 min
M Gasol: 6p - game high 11 reb -- 39 min

White of the Night: Mehmet Okur

Some very nice games in limited game action on Monday, Jan 5.

The Birdman actually led his team in rebounding in only 12 minutes of play, and Biedrins continues to rip down massive doses of rebounds, but the White of the Night goes to Mehmet Okur, for his efficient and high powered game manning the post for the Jazz.



Bargnani: 21p (13 shots) - 8 reb -- 36 min
Okur: 20p (12 shots) - 11 reb - 2 stl -- 33 min
Kirilenko: 15p (10 shots) - 5 eb - 3a - 2 blk -- 27 min
Murphy: 15p (10 shots) - 12 reb - 4a - 3 stl -- 31 min
Biedrins: 14p (10 shots) - 17 reb (6 off) - 3a -- 36 min
Bonner: 11p (7 shots) - 5 reb -- 31 min
Ukic: 11p (8 shots) -- 18 min
Koufos: 11p (6 shots) - 5 reb -- 19 min
Kleiza: 11p - 4 reb -- 21 min
Ginobili: 10p - 5 reb - 3a - 3 stl -- 26 min
Korver: 9p - 6 reb -- 24 min
Foster: 9p - 4 reb - 4a - 2 blk -- 16 min
Quinn: 8p (4 shots) -- 14 min
B Miller: 8p - 7 reb - 8a -- 32 min
Andersen: 6p (2 shots) - team high 9 reb -- 12 min

White of the Night: Brook Lopez

Congratulations to Brook Lopez for a spectacular breakout game, starting at C for the Nets, earning the coveted White of the Night honors for the first time in his young career.

Barely beating out a very solid game from Andrea Bargnani, who performed spectacularly in his return to the starting lineup, including 5 blocks!

And let us not forget a tip of the hat to for Jose Calderon, continuing a very solid streak of play lately for the Raptors.

It is also really nice to see that Gortat has earned a spot in the regular rotation, after showing his worth while Howard was briefly down for the Magic.

Dec 31
Bargnani: 26p - 6 reb - 5 blk -- 41 min
B Lopez: 23p (13 shots) - 12 reb - 3a - 2 blk -- 37 min
Turkoglu: 18p - 9 reb - 4a -- 30 min
Calderon: 18p (9 shots) - 11a - 5 reb -- 34 min
Biedrins: 15p - 13 reb (6 off) - 2 stl -- 35 min
Gortat: 14p (9 shots) - 7 reb -- 18 min
Ridnour: 11p - 7 reb - 11a -- 34 min
Bogut: 11p - team high 9 reb -- 40 min
Scola: 11p - team high 10 reb - 2 stl -- 32 min
Nocioni: 10p - 5 reb - 4a -- 29 min
Andersen: 10p - team high 10 reb -- 16 min
Kleiza: 10p -- 14 min
Davis: 8p (3 shots) - 3 reb -- 16 min

White of the Night: Chris Andersen

Chris Andersen, 6 BLOCKS, in only 21 minutes of play, wow! Chris is currently third in the league in blocks, at 2.4 pg, while averaging only 17 minutes. Keep up the great play, Birdman, you will be free eventually.

Props to Kleiza for a beautifully efficient night, 17 on 8 shots, and to Pau Gasol, for leading his team in rebounds, blocks, and assists.

Other White games of note the last couple nights:

Nowitzki: 23p - 9 reb -- 35 min
Kleiza: 17p (8 shots) - 4 reb -- 28 min
Lee: 17p - team high 8 reb - 4a - 4 stl -- 43 min
P Gasol: 15p - team high 7 reb - team high 6a - 2 blk -- 33 min
Blake: 14p - 3 reb - 4a -- 29 min
Udrih: 13p - 4 reb - 4a - 6 stl -- 36 min
Belinelli: 12p - 6 reb -- 29 min
Turkoglu: 12p - 5 reb - 7a -- 29 min
Andersen: 11p - 3 reb - 6 blk -- 21 min
Milicic: 11p (5 shots) - game high 8 reb - 3 blk -- 33 min
Scola: 11p (7 shots) - 4 reb - 4a -- 28 min
Songaila: 10p (5 shots) - 3 reb -- 24 min
Ginobili: 10p - 5 reb - 3a -- 23 min

White of the Night: Marco Belinelli

Belinelli breaks out, playing a team high 42 minutes, racking up a career high 27 points, and earning the prestigious White of the Night award.

Nelson had some kinda fit of temporary insanity, starting 3 Whites (Belinelli, Biedrins, Kurz). It looks like someone whispered in his ear right after the game started, though, as Kurz only played 12 minutes...

Chris Andersen lead the team in rebounds and swats 3 shots in his mere 23 minutes. WTF??? Somebody, please, free the Birdman!

For games Friday:


Belinelli: 27p - 6a - 2 stl -- 42 min
Okur: 26p - 12 reb -- 47 min
Nowitzki: 24p - 6 reb - 3a -- 36 min
Scola: 23p - 10 reb (5 off) -- 3 stl -- 30 min
Ilgauskas: 23p (14 shots) - 6 reb -- 27 min
B Miller: 17p (9 shots) - 11reb (5 off) -- 35 min
Nesterovic: 16p - 8 reb -- 35 min
Nocioni: 16p - 6 reb -- 33 min
Bargnani: 16p - 5 reb -- 28 min
Lee: 14p - 14 reb - 36 min
Biedrins: 14p - 15 reb - 6a -- 32 min
P Gasol: 13p - 11 reb -- 34 min
Kirilenko: 12p - 6 reb -- 37 min
Milicic: 11p (5 shots) - 2 blk -- 23 min
Collison: 10p (5 shots) - 9 reb -- 26 min
Carroll: 10p (6 shots) -- 16 min
Andersen: 6p - 10 reb - 3 blk -- 23 min

White of the Night: Dirk Nowitzki

After a long season with mostly DNPs, Rob Kurz gets the start for the Warriors tonight, and demonstrates the high quality of his game! There are so many White gems in the league, who shine when polished off and given the PT. God bless you, Kurz, here's hoping we see a lot more of you.

Chris "Birdman" Andersen is officially getting the shaft. Playing in only 9 minutes (WTF!!!), Chris blocks 4 shots, plus 5 rebounds, with 6 points (on 3 shots) . One of the best defensive players, one of the most athletic, and extremely efficient on offense, and he is the 10th man off the bench??? What universe are we living in?

Gortat gets the start tonight for the Magic at C, performing admirably. While hesitant on O (only 5 shots), quite the monster on D, blocking 4 shots in his 30 minutes.

Bogut puts up a very solid 20-20, but how can we not reward Nowitzki with the White of the Night? Way to go, Dirk, for an incredible game.


Nowitzki: 46p (30 shots) - 8 reb - 4a -- 39 min
Turkoglu: 23p (15 shots) - 5a - 3 stl -- 40 min
Bogut: 20p (11 shots) - 20 reb (6 off) - 2 blk -- 41 min
Kurz: 20p (11 shots) - team high 7 reb - 2 stl - 2 blk -- 32 min
Lee: 17p (9 shots) - 19 reb - 2 slt -- 35 min
Kirilenko: 17p (8 shots) - 6 reb -- 30 min
Korver: 15p (9 shots) - 2 reb -- 29 min
Belinelli: 14p (8 shots) - 6 reb -- 21 min
Foster: 14p (10 shots) - 5 reb (4 off) - 3a - 2 stl -- 25 min
Udrih: 13p (12 shots) - team high 6a - 4 stl -- 27 min
Ridnour: 13p (7 shots) - 6a - 3 stl -- 31 min
Okur: 12p (12 shots) - 6 reb -- 33 min
Varejao: 11p (10 shots) - 8 reb (4 off) -- 37 min
Biedrins: 10p (7 shots) - 7 reb - 2 blk -- 24 min
Murphy: 9p (10 shots) - team high 11 reb -- 34 min


Games of Extreme Beauty (at least 2 points per shot): Kirilenko (17 on 8), Andersen (6 on 3), Pachulia (8 on 4), Croshere (7 on 3)

Injury Updates

Chris Andersen will not be playing much until December, out with a broken rib. He left the game last Sunday during the third quarter with a fractured rib after taking a charge.

Zaza Pachulia suffers a set back in his quest to regain the starting role, coming up with a strained left shoulder against the Celtics.

Zaza revealed a persistent anti-white racist double standard in the pregame, as Garnett refused to acknowledge Zaza because of their tough confrontation in last year's playoffs. As long as whites are submissive, they are accepted, but under no circumstances can they stand up for themselves. Whites who play with passion and stand up for themselves are for some reason vilified, usually by fans (exhibits one and two: JJ Reddick or Christian Laetner), and often commentators, and of course by black players, although that same behavior and attitude are applauded and respected in blacks.

Kirk Hinrich has a torn ligament in his hand, and will not be back until the spring.

Calderon is fighting a sore hamstring, hopefully he won't miss much time.

Troy Murphy is down with the flu, missing the Pacer's last game.

On the good side, Oberto's heart problem has settled down, and he is now back in the game, starting at C for the Spurs.

White of the Night: Luke Ridnour

Luke Ridnour is the White of the Night for his very solid night leading the Bucks to victory tonight: 20p (13 shots, 6-7 FT) - 11a - 7reb - 2 stl -- 42 min

Jose Calderon was close second: 24p (12 shots) - 8 a - 4 reb -- 35 min

A number of whites played well the in the battle of the whitest teams: Utah vs Portland.
Blake: 16p (10 shots) -- 35 min as starter
Pryzbilla: 7p (3 shots) - 16 reb (6 offensive) - 2 blk -- 37 min as starter
Rudy: 14p (8 shots) - 3 reb - 3 a -- 27 min off bench
Okur: 22p (14 shots) - team high 9 reb -- 36 min as starter
Kirilenko: 17p (8 shots, 7-8 FT) - 4a - 4 reb - 2 stl - 1 blk -- 32 min off bench


Other notables:

Mike Miller: 25p (19 shots) - 7 rebs - 6 assists -- 48 min

K-Love also posted a solid game making progress off the bench: 14 p - 9 reb - 3 blk -- 36 min

Andersen: 9p (5 shots) - 4 reb - 2 blk -- 18 min off bench

Bargnani: 12p (6 shots) - 4 reb -- 21 min off bench

Bogut had a solid game in support, bagging 10p (7 shots), 13 reb - 2 blks -- 37 min.

Biedrins: 12p - 11 reb (5 offensive) - 5 blks -- 34 min

Songaila played a surprising number of minutes tonight for Bullets, woops, I mean, the Wizards and put together some solid numbers: 9p (5 shots) - 2 blks -- 23 min.

Amundson also played some strong but limited minutes for a deep Suns squad: 6p (3 shots) - 5 rebs -- 10 min

White of the Night: Andris Biedrins

Tonight demonstrates why I have been hyping Biedrins: 23 points (11 shots), 11 boards, 2 steals, 2 blocks, all team highs, in his 33 minutes. What a stud. Remind me again, why wasn't he starting for the past year or two?

Other notables:

The Nash Rambler scores 20p (10 shots) - 7 a -- 31 min

Rudy, in the same game, scores 20p (13 shots) -- 22 min

Walter Hermann, back in action! 16p (9 shots) - 7 reb (3 off) - 4 a -- 23 minutes of play! Coach, here's a suggestion: start the man! There's no law against starting a white scorer in Detroit, I promise.

Jose Calderon puts his talents on full display tonight, 25p (15 shots) - 9 a - 5 reb, in his 43 min. of play.

Hinrich finally realizes he is now a SG, putting up 13 shots, for 18 points, in his 25 minutes off the bench. And STILL led the team in assists, with 4!!! (Supposed "PG" who took his spot took an astounding 20 shots, to go with a paltry 3 assists, in 37 minutes. )

Birdman Andersen led his team in blocks (3) and rebounds (7) in his less than 16 minutes, but got into foul trouble, picking up an early 5. Play smart, Chris, and you will force them to play you!

Troy Murphy led his team tonight in.... steals (3) and assists (5)! Ha, didn't expect that one, did ya? To go along with his 10 points and 8 boards, not a bad night for the starting PF.

Hedo continued his torrid shooting, scoring 21 on 13 shots.

Zaza continues his magician-like work on the boards, clearing 8 rebounds, 7 of them offensive, in his 21 min of play.

Kapono also had a nice night for Toronto, scoring 9 on only 5 shots in his 25 mins. Shoot, Jason, shoot!

Szczerbiak put in a very nice 12 points for his 7 shots, playing 21 minutes off the bench. Also, for Cleveland, Ilgauskas scores 18 on 11 shots.

From the WTF!!! department:
Matt Carroll: DNP-CD

Whites of the Night: Bargnani and Turkoglu

Bargnani is one of the co-Whites of the Night, scoring 19, on only 10 shots, and blocking 3 shots, along with 5 rebs, in his 30 minutes. He clearly outplayed the washed up J. ONeil (2-10 for 5 p - 6 reb - 34 min), who for some reason, took his spot at starting C. Have you ever heard off an up-and-coming 1st overall draft pick having his development shut down, being replaced by washed-up old guy from another team? Only when the guy is white, obviously. What a joke. Way to show 'em tonight, Andres!

Turkoglu is my other co-White of the Night after he put together a fantastic night: 18 p (10 shots) - 9 reb - team high 7 a - 40 min

Caveman Kaman came alive tonight, with 15 p - 15 reb - 4 blk in his 44 min. He needs to keep his game at that level if he wants to make the jump to all-star status, and he was the closest American white to reach that level last year.

In the same game, the Birdman Andersen showed his skill, but despite outplaying both of them in the preseason, continues to play small minutes behind two lesser skilled blacks at PF and C. In only 15 minutes, Andersen had 5 p (2 shots) - 5 reb (2 off) - 3 blk. Free the Birdman!

Looks like nothing is going to hold Biedrins back now. He actually led the Warriors in minutes, producing 17 p (on 13 shots) and team high 13 rebs (5 off). Has Nellie had a momentary flash of sanity? Doubtful, since Belinelli continues to ride the pine, with another DNP-CD.


Kopono, only 4 shots in 21 minutes? Come on, give him the green light, coach!

Hinirch, only 3 shots 25 minutes? Dude, you've already been displaced at PG, you now need to shoot if you want any minutes at all. Wake up, Kirk!

At least the monster in the middle Aaron Gray got off the bench in Chicago, cleaning up 6 boards and 3 blocks in his 18 minutes. Compare the starter D. Gooden's 4 boards and zero blocks in 20 minutes. Meanwhile, starting PF Tyrus Thomas goes 2 for 17, with only 6 boards, yet plays 29 minutes. Are you kidding me? Nope, no double standard here, move right along, please.

Udrih: 1-7 for 2 p - 5 TOs - 21 minutes??? You better step up, Beno, only blacks can get away with numbers like that an expect to keep their spots in the NBA. Don't believe me, just look at the boxscore, when his own teammate at G went 2-8 with 5 TOs, but played 10 more minutes, as well as the above mentioned Thomas who starts and never gets pulled even while going 2-17.

Seriously, have you ever seen a white go 2-17? Number one, they are better shooters than that, and two, they would pass it off if they were having such a bad night, but three, they are never given the chance! The only high-volume white shooter in the league is Dirk! Time to start jacking up shots like the blacks that surround you, white men, or you will never get the publicity.

Chris Andersen should be starter

Chris Andersen put together a fabulous preseason for the Nuggets, and has clearly earned a starter's spot, outplaying both the starters at PF and C (Martin and Hilario).

In playing just about the same mpg each, Chris averaged more total rebounds, more offensive rebounds, more free throw attempts, and way more blocks, than either Martin or Hilario. He scored less, but only because he took less shots. His scoring efficiency, points per shot, was higher.

Rebounds: CA 8.3, KM 5.6, NH 5.3
Offensive Rebs: CA 2.5, KM 1.4, NH 1.2
Blocks: CA 2.2, KM 0.4, NH 1.0
FTAs: CA 5.5, KM 3.4, NH 5.0
Scoring Efficiency (points / FGA): CA 1.5, KM 1.25, NH 1.4

When a guy is a better scorer, rebounder, and defender, that usually means he is the starter, right? So why isn't he starting? Hmmm, why could it be??? Is it because Chris is missing the one most vital ingredient for playing in the NBA, dark skin?

Chris Andersen returns

Chris Anderen returns to the Nuggets and to the league, with a strong performance last night. He led the team in rebounding, with 11 boards, blocked two shots, and scored 12 points on 7 shots, while playing only 17 minutes.

Fly, Birdman, fly!