Ok, so technically Antonio and Rip didn’t crash Mo Evan’s wedding since they were groomsmen but I needed an excuse to make the above crappy photoshop.
That’s quite a savage beard Ripper’s working on. It’s gotta look killer with some stunner shades. He’s going the give the Baron Davises and DeShawn Stevensons of the league a run for their money. To check out the real wedding pics see: DBB via Need4Sheed via The Sports Culture
Lindsey (and apparently Rip Hamilton) are saying what many fans have been saying about all the “love” between Rasheed Wallace and Kevin Garnett during these Eastern Conference Finals. We love Sheed, but there’s a time and place for that stuff.
From the NBA’s “There Can Only Be One” playoff campaign. I assume there will be a commercial to accompany this, if there’s not one already.
For McGrady’s eyes this has to be like an obese person looking into one of those carnival funhouse mirrors that stretch you out and make you look thin. Cruel.
(finders fee to The Dream Shake)
Rip has missed 6 of the last 7 games due to a sore hip and as a fan that worries me. Here’s an update on Rip’s hip from Chris McCosky’s Detroit News blog:
The problem is the joint that connects the left hip and groin. Hamilton said he was encouraged, said that he could feel it getting better, finally, the last couple of days. Physical therapist Arnie Kander said the rest will do Hamilton a world of good, giving him fresh legs for the playoffs.The plan, for now, is to have Hamilton play Wednesday at Philly.
Hmmm? That’s not an injury that is all that common to the best of my knowledge. Kinda sounds like a groin pull more than a hip injury. Usually when you talk about hip injuries it’s on the outside, like a hip pointer. But what do I know. I’m no Arnie Kander, actually just the opposite, I hate seeing injuries.
I just hope it’s not more than they’re leading on. He seemed fine in the Cleveland game.
If he is indeed feeling better I hope he gets 20-25 minutes over the last six regular season games. Rip is a rhythm shooter and will need those minutes to stay on the rest side of the rest vs. rust argument. Remember how long it took him to get into rhythm at the beginning of the season after a series of events kept him in and out of the line up? Remember it even had some calling for Rippers benching? It’s one thing to work through a slump to start a season, but an entirely different animal to do it to start a playoff run.
You can’t tell me that this was an accident. It’s badass is what is was and he needs to keep this jersey. Matter of fact, I’m going to get me a custom Hamiltion jersey. (Sure, I know it could use another “i” before the “t”, but you get the idea…demolition, Hamilition)
If Rip can do this in the comp he might just have a chance.
Rip Hamilton got his wish, he’ll be competing the the NBA’s Foot Locker Three Point Shootout at All-Star Weekend. He’ll also have another forum in which he can try to best high school rival Kobe Bryant who’s also in the star studded field. It’ll be a real test for Hamilton. As teammate Chauncey Billups could probably tell him being a good 3 ball shooter is only half of it, the other big part is endurance. We’ll see if Rip’s arms can match what his legs do in an NBA game.
Kapono will attempt to become the first back-to-back winner of the Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout since Peja Stojakovic won the 2002 and 2003 titles. Stojakovic will return to the competition representing the hometown New Orleans Hornets for the first time since finishing as runner-up in the 2004 competition. Stojakovic and Kapono will be joined by Western Conference starter and 10-time All-Star Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, Daniel Gibson of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Richard Hamilton of the Detroit Pistons and two-time MVP Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns. (via: NBA.com)
UPDATE: (Via Detroit News)
“I am excited. I’m geeked,” Hamilton said. “It just tells you what kind of success we’ve had as a team. And it’s a great opportunity going with Billups again. I feel like we kind of came in together and we’ve accomplished a lot together. I just feel blessed.”
Billups and Hamilton combined are averaging 36.9 points a game, fourth best among guard combinations in the league.
“I would be surprised if they didn’t make it,” coach Flip Saunders said. “I think they’ve clearly been one of the most productive combos in the league, as far as how they’ve played this year. They’ve both been very consistent and our team continues to be one of the elite teams in the league. I think they should be rewarded for that.”
Also selected as Eastern Conference reserves were Toronto’s Chris Bosh, Washington’s Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison, Boston’s Paul Pierce and Atlanta’s Joe Johnson.
Via Detroit News:
Brezec wants to stay with the Pistons for the long haul. His contract expires after this season. He is moving his wife and young daughter to Detroit, at least for the rest of the season, starting Monday.
“I can’t wait until I sell my house here in Charlotte,” Brezec said. “It’s time for me to move on. Detroit is my home. I hope 10 more years. I hope to retire here.”
Detroit’s secret weapon for keeping Brezec?
Snow. Really.
“We love the snow,” Brezec said. “It is like being at home in Slovenia. We have snow there, too. We like seeing it.”
I’d love to play poker with Primo. I really like how much Brezec loves being a Pistons and I think he’s really going to endear himself to the fans but he might want to dial it down a notch. At this rate Joe D will be able to re-sign him for ball boys salary and an autographed Rip mask.
FSN is doing a 30 minute special on the Pistons sharp shooting guard entitled “In My Own Words” hosted by FSN’s John Keating. It debuts tonight following the Pistons/Knicks game at 10 p.m.
He injures his ankle in preseason. He misses a couple of games with the birth of his son (that’s not actually a bad thing). He then gets the flu or flu like symptoms right when he’s mired in a shooting slump that has fans calling for Flip to bench him and now…
Flip Murray did make it to Milwaukee in time for the shoot-around Saturday morning. He had left the team Friday to attend a family funeral. The news on Rip Hamilton isn’t as cut and dried. Rip said his hyperextended right elbow is still hurting, especially when he tries to follow through on his shot. He has taken treatment the last two days and will wait until game time to decide if he can play.
Poor guy can’t catch a break.
