Dirk Nowitzki has been a key member of the Mavericks during the past four seasons, and much of the blame for their lack of success has often been directed at him.  As a result, it was important for him to come out strong and put together a solid performance in Game 6, and he did just that, recording a game-high 33 points, to go along with 11 rebounds and four assists.  Dirk was at his best down the stretch, hitting jumper after jumper as he helped the Mavs hold off a late charge from the Blazers, en route to the 103-96 victory.

With the win, the Mavs will now travel to Los Angeles to take on the Lakers.  That series begins on Monday at the Staples Center.  If Dallas hopes to keep their strong playoff run going, they will need big things from Dirk.  He provided that last night, and as a result, he earns our “Stat Line of the Night” for Thursday, April 28, 2011.

During last night’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers, McGee had only one block, but what a block it was!  It may show up as a block in the boxscore, but what McGee did to the Blazers’ Wesley Matthews appeared to be more of a mid-air steal.

Unfortunately for McGee, the NBA doesn’t keep track of such stats.  Then again, he should be thankful that they also don’t keep track of a stat for “desperate attempts to complete a triple-double.”

Here is a look at the block.

The fourth-year forward out of Texas was unstoppable, recording a career-high 4o points to go along with 11 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists and a block.  That performance led the way for the Blazers, who used a strong second half to beat the Spurs, 99-86.  Aldridge was not only unstoppable at the offensive end of the court, but he also did an outstanding job guarding Tim Duncan at the defensive end, limiting him to just 15 points on 6-for-9 shooting.

With the NBA set to announce the remaining All-Stars for this year’s festivities, Aldridge’s career game couldn’t have come at a better time.  You would think a season average of 21 points per game to go along with 9 rebounds and 2 assists would be enough to earn him a spot.  If it wasn’t, a 40-point effort against the best team in the league should help.  It was enough to earn him our “Stat Line of the Night” for Tuesday, February 1, 2011.

As for this incident, which occurred during Game 5 between the Phoenix Suns and the Portland Trail Blazers, let’s just say that perhaps referee Joey Crawford was a little whistle-happy.

With the Suns up by seven and just over five minutes remaining in the third quarter, an unexpected whistle echoed throughout the US Airways Center.  As the Blazer players stood around with their palms raised, as if to ask “for what?”, a fourth foul was called on Marcus Camby.

Camby had supposedly close-lined the Suns’ Grant Hill, but the odd part was that Steve Nash was sent to the line to take the free throws.  So what exactly was going on here?  Was Camby deserving of his fourth foul?  You be the judge.

That is hardly ever a good thing, It surely is not in Oden’s case.

It began when the 2007 first overall pick was snapped in a photograph with a blond female as he wore a t-shirt that some would consider to be quite suggestive.  Then, only a few days hours later, his popular donkey shlong self-portrait went viral (link NSFW or the faint of heart); an event that may catapult Oden to the top of the list of popular athlete penises (our apologies to Joe DiMaggio, Visanthe Shiancoe, and the like).

Now Oden is apologizing to his family, friends, teammates, organization, and the rest of those who have been affected negatively by this incident.

How about the hundreds of women who had to withstand that baby’s arm with a man’s fist?  They are the real heros.

Here is his public apology.

Hat Tip – [Deadspin]

We found these pics of Greg Oden out on the town clubbing.  Great to be 21, isn’t it Greg.  Well maybe not that great judging by his face.  But don’t worry.  Things will only get better.  As long as the Blazers continue to improve, it wont be long before Oden is whining and dining the likes of Queen Latifah and Missy Elliot.

Here are the pics.

Hat Tip – [Busted Coverage]

Greg Oden with a BBW

Greg Oden with a BBW