A Week of Bad Behaviour

Most players, well, those who were on the brink of being selected to the All-Star Team, sometimes dedicate the next game after the break to prove the fans and coaches wrong for not selecting them. Michael Finley has decided to go one step further, and dedicate the rest of the season to proving that he should have been part of that elite group.

Michael has taken the Dallas Mavericks on his shoulders of late, averaging a league best of 41.3 minutes per game, as well as posting a career-high 12 assists (along with 20 points - March 15) and four 30+ point games since the break.

Other players who did not make the elite 12, but are still making their mark:

Rod Strickland - Rod was the league leader in assists when balloting was finished, and he still is. Averaging a consistent 10.3 assists per game, Rod was passed over - much to my disappointment. If you look at the stats, though, as well as his 10.3apg, he also averages 17.8 points per game, as well as having 40 double-double games, and two triple double games (ranked 4th and 2nd respectively). Sounds like All-Star calibre to me.

Dennis Rodman - OK, he hasn't gotten the best reputation, but he is averaging a league best (again) 15.1 rebounds per game, and has been behaving himself all year. What more can you ask for? The man needs to be recognised as the All-Star that he is.

Speaking of improvement, how about Philadelphia guard Allen Iverson? I can't find any stats on his turnovers at all, but from what I remember from somewhere, they have dropped considerably since his rookie season. He's got very solid stats, 20.9ppg, 6.4apg in addition to 2.19spg, all in 39.6 minutes per game. It's a pity that with such a talented team, they are only 26-45 (NB: all statistics current as of March 30th, 1998). If you look at the team, on paper, they have some big name players that, if they were ending up their current contract, will be demanding a lot of money, like Joe Smith. Derrick Coleman is another. How much is he getting paid nowadays? How many wins has he brought to the team? Where is his name on the league leaders board? Oh well, enough of the down side of the NBA. Well, maybe one more.

The NBA must be putting something in the water lately. There has been a sprouting of general bad-boy antics arising in the league of late. Consider Olden Polynice being fined and suspended two games for "going off" at coach Eddie Jordan, Gary Trent and Marcus Camby being suspended for one game each for coming of the bench to participate in a fight against the Cleveland Calaliers, and the Pacers having to play San Antonio without All-Stars Reggie Miller and Rick Smits. Miller got a one-game suspension for elbowing Charlotte center Vlade Divac, Smits due to sore feet, which ultimately resulted in the Pacers recording a new low in scoring, 55 points.

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