New Orleans 110 - Clippers 102 - A Lackluster Effort
by Steve Perrin on Nov 17, 2009 10:32 PM PST
in Game Recaps
58 comments
Here's all you need to know about this game. Coming in, the Hornets were the third worst rebounding team in the league by differential at -5.6. Only Golden State and New York were worse. Yet they outrebounded the Clippers by 15, 51 to 36, and 19 to 11 on the offensive glass. To put that further into perspective, the Hornets got 19 offensive rebounds, while the Clippers got 25 defensive rebounds. Meaning that when New Orleans missed a shot, they got the ball back for another try over 43% of the time. Aside from Marcus Camby who had 11 defensive boards, no other Clipper had more than 3 rebounds on the defensive end. But David West had 6 offensive rebounds and Emeka Okafor had 5. So West and Okafor each had more offensive rebounds than Chris Kaman had defensive rebounds, despite the fact that Kaman is (a) bigger and (b) supposed to be able to establish inside position by virtue of being on defense.
The extra possessions turned into 12 extra free throws, from whence the Hornets outscored the Clippers by 11. And that was the ball game. The Hornets maintained the lead between 3 and 14 points from late in the first quarter until the end and won 110-102. The Clippers never led.
It's hard to imagine losing wire-to-wire to the Hornets without Chris Paul, but one imaginative way would be to simply not rebound.
For all the raving everyone has been doing about Kaman's scoring this season, there's also a dirty little secret to his performance so far: he's rebounding at a career low level. During his Kaman 2.0 breakout season two years ago, he averaged 12.3 rebounds per 36 minutes. In the 05-06 playoff season, he averaged 10.5. He has never in his career averaged fewer than 9 rebounds per 36 minutes for a season. He is averaging 8.4 per 36 right after tonight. Now, I've heard it said that his rebounding is down because his offense is up. He now has a face up game, which pulls him further away from the basket, and besides it's much harder rebounding your own miss than rebounding someone else's. That's all true; and it would explain a decrease in offensive rebounding. But guess what? Kaman's defensive rebounding average of 6.2 per 36 minutes is also a career low. So I guess the next reason is that there are fewer rebounds available playing next to Marcus Camby. And that's true to a point as well - it might explain a drop off versus 07-08. But in 05-06 Kaman was playing next to a pretty decent rebounder whose name escapes me and he averaged almost 8 defensive boards per 36. So Camby doesn't really explain it either. Besides, I'm not asking him to get rebounds away from Camby - but I would like him to get them away from West and Okafor.
Is it possible that Kaman is pulling a Kobe on us? Loafing on the defensive end so that he can save his energy for scoring points? Not to put everything here on Kaman, but his rebounding deserves more scrutiny, which I hope to be able to do soon.
The shame of tonight is that Al Thornton had by far his best game of the season, and indeed his best game in a very long time, scoring 30 points on 12 for 17 shooting - but no one else provided much help. Baron had a terrible shooting night until the game was already out of reach - he was 0 for 7 from three point range before making 3 'too little too late' shots in the final minutes. Kaman shot 8 for 18 and only got to the line once, putting him at less than a point a shot which is way off his efficiency level to date on the season. No one on the team aside from Thornton had a good game.
As for bad games, check out Sebastian Telfair's plus/minus. In fewer than 9 minutes of playing time, Bassy was -17. That's a lot of points in an 8 point game. I honestly don't remember Telfair looking terrible - I may have to go back to the DVR to see what he did wrong - but for every minute that Bassy was on the floor, New Orleans scored two points more than the Clippers. Ouch.
So just like last week when the Clippers were on a three game winning streak and the Hornets were struggling, New Orleans has once again beaten LA, although they seem incapable of beating anyone else. It runs the Hornets' win streak over the Clippers to eleven. Given how they've played against everyone else lately, they must have loved to see the Clippers coming to town.
A couple quick notes to close:
- Kareem Rush left the game in the second quarter after his knee appeared to buckle inward on a move to the basket. Usually season ending injuries are reserved for the marquee Clippers, but Paul Davis will tell you not always. X-rays were negative, but of course ligament damage wouldn't show up on an x-ray. [Note by Steve Perrin, 11/17/09 10:42 PM PST ]: I was writing this recap when I should have been reading Twitter. Lisa Dillman tweets that indeed Rush has a torn ACL. I thought it was strange that Milph called the x-ray results good news - it wasn't like he broke his leg. It looked exactly like an ACL injury to me, and that's what it was, but you have to have an MRI to know that. Tough, tough break for KRush, who made the team in the 15th slot when no one thought he would, and who had just started getting some serious burn.
- There was a strange play in the third quarter which happily did not end up affecting the outcome. Baron Davis was at the line for a free throw, which he appeared to miss. However the ref whistled a goal tending violation, pointed at Okafor and clearly signaled basket good - but the point never went on the board. Now, there appeared to be a subsequent conversation, and from the look on Okafor's face (which is where the camera was trained) it seemed that possibly the call had been changed. And in the play by play, it reads as a basket interference on Camby. But if that was the call, it was never explained to Milph and therefore not to us watching at home. Like I said, the point wouldn't really have mattered - but from the replay it certainly appeared as if the original call was correct - if it was touched on the rim, it was Okafor who did the touching, as Camby clearly came in later after it was off the rim.
0 recs |
58 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
Terrible game
we shot at a good FG%, but when you get out rebounded by +10 the end result usually is not favorable.
Novak is finally playing.
Honestly, I feel badly for Rush
He seemed to put forth effort out there and was starting to get things going. It’s too bad he was injured and I hope he gets well soon.
AT played great in my opinion.
IF Rush is done for the season
Does that open a roster spot for the clippers?
Attacking the rim
(this post excludes AT because I thought he played well despite the TOs)
I truly believe had the team attacked the basket in the 4th (especially when the Hornets ran out of fouls with 8 mins left) the outcome of the game would have been different.
Agreed
but I think the issue of “playmakers” was a topic in offseason. We have good individual talent, but we are lacking in the playmaking department. Currently, the only 2 players who can create their own shot and shot for others are EJ and BD.
Agreed but unfortunately
BD can create his own shot but tonight and many if not most nights his wide open shots are not even close to the basket. Just when the Clippers had a couple runs going & the game was getting close, NOH pulled away & it was because of dumb shots many by BD. Key in point: 3rd quarter down 5 after NOH just scored & Baron still fisting because his jammed his finger he threw up a terrible 3ball. NOH rebounds and makes a 3 and what was a 3 point lead became a 14 point lead in 3 minutes. Attacking the rim is 1 thing but taking bad shots is another big problem we had aside from Thorton.
Waiting for Griffin
We won’t have these sorts of problems with rebounds, effort, and attacking the rim when he’s around. It may be a miserable autumn until then. I can wait it out.
It's like Xmas eve
You want to open the present but you have to wait a lil longer.
return is sooner
Blake Griffin will be cleared towards the end of next week. That’s my belief.
by Takebb909 on Nov 18, 2009 8:29 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
IT'S A BAD TEAM WITH AN AWFUL COACH
Bad teams find different way to lose every night. Some nights if free throws, some nights rebounding, some night the bench etc.. Al starts to play well and something else goes wrong. Kaman’s rebounds may be down because he exhausted. He’s never had to carry this heavy of load and he gets very little rest because MDSR doesn’t trust DJ.
I am going Friday and pray that we will have a new coach.
Praying doesn't help
I’ve prayed for a new coach for a long time & it never helps, the Bill Fitch days included.
Nothings going to change with MDSR as the coach. DTS is too cheap to fire him.
MDSR won’t do what’s good for the team and step aside – too much ego (something he and the owner have in common). Seriously, how many wins would be deducted from the Lakers total if MDSR was their coach?
And as for Kaman, do you think Dunleavy even remembers a few years ago when he rode Kaman into the ground and he was then injured for most of the year?
Seriously, how many wins would be deducted from the Lakers total if MDSR was their coach?
I don’t know. How many?
by Michael White on Nov 18, 2009 9:31 AM PST up reply actions
I think he's just saying that to emphasize a larger point
Not to be literal. Could be wrong.
But since you asked – 37.256 wins would be deducted based on my trusty “coaching importance” algorhythm.
Hey, they should do what the Hornets did
Fire the coach & replace him with the GM :)
God, I need another drink
Thankfully, I stop watching clipper games on TV.
Not Surprising
We lose by 30 at home w/ Paul, We lose by about 10 on the road. Was Pauls absence going to mean a 40 point switch?
They have too many shooters for us to keep track of, and their bigs are more than effective against us. Kaman v.s. Okafor, we have learned, is not a good matchup for Chris. And as Steve points out, Chris doesn’t make up for it on the boards. There was an early Offensive Rebound by West that really infuriated me, slipping right by Kaman as he did many times to us last week. It’s tough to see your team get out-worked.
Al showed us what we’ve always known about him. He’s special around the basket, and a really good finisher. He’s not a gifted outside shooter by any stretch, and as Kevin points out at ClipperBlog, the more he can get his ratio of outside to inside looks down, the more he’ll help the team, and that’s what he did tonight.
BD’s clunkers were hard to stomach. After a lot of indecision, it seemed like Butler found his shot, but he was either taken out of the game in favor of Novak, or not looked upon by his teammates. The game was there for the taking near the end, but we had to watch BD’s bricks.
to be fair, no one else wanted to create or take shots late. Baron were forced to launch long jumpers which he is inept at.
http://www.clipperscurse.com/
by ClippersCurse on Nov 17, 2009 11:07 PM PST up reply actions
Steve, I'm just curious...
I’m a little naive with this blogging stuff. Do you travel with the team? Do you get paid to do this blog? God I hope so, having to watch the Clippers for free would be a terrible crime.
If either question is too personal, just pretend you didn’t see the post. No worries.
I've got nothing.
Answers
Don’t travel – I do have a credential to cover them at Staples this year, though in years past that has not been the case.
Don’t get paid much. I make a little from advertising.
In this world, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant. Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. - Elwood P. Dowd
by Steve Perrin on Nov 17, 2009 11:18 PM PST up reply actions
Thanks man, was just curious.
I enjoy your insight and writeups. I’m glad to hear you get something out of this hard work.
As for having a credential to go to the games, I’m not sure if that’s a blessing or some kind of test of your own masochism. Those crowds can make a funeral look lively.
I've got nothing.
God I hope so, having to watch the Clippers for free would be a terrible crime.
Um, don’t we all do that?
by Michael White on Nov 18, 2009 7:43 AM PST up reply actions
Not for free...
We season ticket holders pay a bunch to watch this.
Amen to that
I still have some fun going to the games but its tough to watch sometimes. Thankfully the Clipper Spirit are there to soothe my pain.
FA in 2010.
by ClipperChuck on Nov 18, 2009 3:22 PM PST up reply actions
Griffin
honestly, i have been very hopeful when we got that first overall pick Blake. Reading some comments that everything will be fine as we will definitely fix the rebounding issue; however, i hoenstly do not think WE will improve that much! I know it sounds bad coming from a clippers fan, but so far the way we’ve been playing on good days and bad, it doesn’t seem to give me much hope anymore. Blake will definitely fill up the spots in rebounding/points, but we still have yet to see him play in a season game. How good will he be starting as a starting 5? I question how we will be when blake is back and EJ being fine. 4-8, at least over a .500 team possibly? playoffs? Not sure!
Clips' Nation
Eagles!
The team's confidence will already be shot
by the time Griffin gets back the other players won’t have the heart anymore. it’s not going to be easy to get to .500 let alone a playoff, but at least NOH is playing terrible when they aren’t playing us & without Paul they will have an even worse start than we should on paper. Again, on paper we should be fine but that piece of paper is as good as the coach executing it.
In the immortal words of Jim Mora - "playoffs? Are you talking about, playoffs? Playoffs? I just hope we can win a game."
All kidding aside, we have no chance of making the playoffs. We have had a pretty cushy early-season schedule, and we are playing at .333 ball. That is an embarrassment.
Just look at the teams we beat – Memphis, Oklahoma City, Golden State, and Minnesota.
And the only game we really dominated was Golden State, and that team is in complete disarray.
Blake Griffin might help a little, but he isn’t going to be a game changer. Not this year anyway.
We are just bad, real bad.
I think we’ll be lucky to win 30 games.
I've got nothing.
Ha
When we won the game against the Thunder everyone was being positive and talking about playoffs. Now we lose one game to the Hornets and suddenly Playoffs are out of the question. We are playing without two of our impact players, I’d like to see how we fair with Gordon back and eventually Griffin before calling it quits on the season.
by C's Up on Nov 18, 2009 12:37 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Ha
NOH was playing without Chris Paul who is more important to that franchise than Gordon & Griffin together. Griffin hasn’t played a regular season game for us, he will be great but still, they lose Chris Paul & we lose Gordon & the team doesn’t try.
Everybody thinks the Clippers "should" be good on paper, but,
we keep losing. All the nba fans, scouts, press, Clipper fans say this yet we still keep losing. Sorry to beat a dead horse that isn’t going anywhere, but the only possible reason behind this is the coach who is unable to execute & deliver what is on the “paper.” We should be good, last year we should’ve been good, but without a good leader, our coach, we have no chance (yes, this is also a slight dig at Baron).
Dunleavy gives the first win away
to some guy who hadn’ t coach a team in his life. That’s the ultimate joke. What a coach!
On another note, no way Baron is going to be in better shape. That’s all he got. So take advantage and trade him now for Monta. Get something in return while he can run a bit. Start rebuilding as the season is lost. 30 wins is a stretch, it hurts but it’s the truth.
Trade Baron for Monta
It’s a win-win for both teams, we get a younger better scorer and they get that piece they clearly miss and we won’t. The trade actually works straight-up. Monta is an extra year but he costs less every year than Baron which may actually open up some more money, albeit small, for 2010 when we can go after Joe Johnson to be our starting SF.
PG Monta Ellis
SG Eric Gordon
SF Joe Johnson
PF Blake Griffin
C Chris Kaman
+ new coach
= playoffs
Ellis? Really???
We already have a short sg in Eric Gordon and don’t need another one.
Especially if that guy’s got a huge contract and isn’t nearly as explosive as he’s been before his moped accident.
I’d rather trade Baron for a bag chips then Ellis at this point.
Not because Ellis can’t play, but only because him and Gordon won’t fit next to each other and we wouldn’t be able to defend at all.
BTW: A guy that would fit next to Gordon is Kirk Hinrich of the Bulls. Though, he’s playing well for them and they surely won’t trade for Davis with Derrick Rose around.
Therefore trading Baron would most likely be something for another semi-crappy contract or combined with Kaman to create some more cap space while also adding a pick or younger/talented player.
Re Hinrich
In addition to the fact that the Bulls wouldn’t trade for BD’s contract, Hinrich’s contract doesn’t fit (at least I can’t imagine that it would).
Monta is much more than just a short SG. He can play point. He is however short.
Effort
You are correct on the effort . When the team is playing well, the defensive effort stands out. What was driving me crazy in this game was the wide open looks the Hornets were getting.
In the first five games of the season, they were doing a good job of denying the 3 pt shot and being close to their men to not allow a good look.
Bobby Brown, Marcus Thorton, and Darius Songalia combined for 30 pts off the bench for the Hornets. Most of them were open looks. When you let supporting players from the other team hurt you, you lose. Our bench played far fewer minutes than theirs and were outscored 36-16 and out rebounded 15-5. Lack of defensive rebounding has been killing us lately.
Bright spots: AT was a monster, hopefully a sign of things to come. He is getting much easier baskets and moving well without the ball. DJ made two free throws after getting picked off the bench to shoot for Rush. Camby diving all over the floor and showing a lot of heart and rebounds.
Hey Steve if MDSr is to get the boot - DTS needs some ammo
Something you have touched on before is MDSr and his substitutions. This inconsistency in lineups has been something that has always been there with this coach. How about an in-depth analysis of MDSr and the way he is always mixing up the lineups for “matchup” purposes? I’d be curious what other successful coaches do it to this extent.
It seems that every game I see lineups never seen before – it’s got to make the player’s heads spin!
I know we have injuries but that excuse doesn’t hold water anymore.
Sorry I renewed this season. Won’t get fooled again.
Haven't the Clippers had basically the same starting lineup all season?
The only changes have been moving Butler into the starting lineup instead of Thornton (performance related, not matchup related) and starting Butler at SG with EJ out (injury related.)
by Michael White on Nov 18, 2009 8:23 AM PST up reply actions
Starters yes, rotation no
Where’s the consistency in the substitutions. MDSr is usually adjusting to the other teams lineup. How about forcing the other team to adjust, especially with Kaman playing the way he is. Fortunately, I’m seeing a better job of it this year than in previous ones.
At the NOH home game, either in the 1st quarter, or very close to it, we noticed that MDSr was already 11 deep, with only Novak having not played. This wasn’t on the front or back end of a back-to-back and I don’t recall anyone being in foul trouble at the time. Most teams don’t go that deep in a week.
This comment seems like its from last year
because I haven’t noticed anything of the sort this year.
by Michael White on Nov 18, 2009 11:24 AM PST up reply actions
Kaman's rebounding
I do think the higher shot attempts and Camby on D are robbing CK of rebounds. Sure he played next to EB in 05/06, but that year was Brand’s career low in rebounding (well, at least until this sad Philly debacle).
Becoming more of a focal point on offense does come at an expense on the glass. It may be further exacerbated when BG comes back. I expect him to be a rebounding monster.
Still, Kaman should be able to grab more than 6 NO MATTER WHAT.
Otherwise, I think the coaches need to reevaluate the way they had been using Al Thornton. He is a great finisher if he gets the ball on the way to the rim. They dont’ have to post up EVERY PLAY. Rather than putting the ball in Al’s hands on the wings, they should put it in his hands on the way to the hole.
Do not worry. (Matthew 6:27)
I agree
What happened to Kaman last night. I did not see the game.
On the point about giving the guy his first coaching victory, while that’’s true, Tim Floyd is on the bench in NO.
Kaman started slow
But he started hitting his shots eventually. Made some great moves in the post. His scoring ability is becoming more refined.
However, when he puts the ball on the floor…BAD THINGS HAPPEN. He had a few sloppy turnovers.
Steve Novak had a bad shooting night, mostly due to rust. If he hits on just two of those wide open threes down the stretch, it changes the entire game. I think he will start hitting those. If I’m Dunleavy, I would be inclined to play Novak at least 15 minutes per night. Sure he is a siev on D, but he gives the Clippers a legit floof spacer, which opens things up for the slashers. Al had a monster game going to the rack late in the game. in large part becuase Novak was drawing so much attention.
Do not worry. (Matthew 6:27)
Novak minutes
When Novak hit a couple of shots the Clips pulled within three. He had two good looks to get it down to 8, but at that point the Clips were running on fumes. It still would have been nice, obviously, if the shots had gone down, but he’s not going to make all of them. He’s very human, and is only going to make 40% or whatever it is, but he can still shoot. There was also at least one play, maybe more, where BDavis was jacking up threes and if he had made one more pass Novak might have hit it.
Had more to say about this, but got distracted and gotta go. Don’t have my Tivo set either—we get to move on to the next one shortly. The main thing is to keep trying new things and see if something works. Too bad about Kareem Rush, but Gordon will be back, and then we’ll be able to start watching for Griffin.
by citizen zhiv on Nov 18, 2009 4:12 PM PST up reply actions
I feel that Novak was missing the last 3 shots do to fatigue, his legs weren’t under him like he is used to. He does not normally get that high volume of mins.
by Takebb909 on Nov 18, 2009 7:22 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Floyd is in NO?
Didn’t know that. Why don’t they give him the job?
Or why don’t we? THAT would get me on the fire-Dunleavy-bandwagon.
Let's play a game
For purposes of simplification to better evaluate our demise, let’s play this game called: “Problem, Not the Problem”. Since we have a good evaluation of each player individually, this game will work. In this game of “Problem, not the Problem”, all you do is look at the player by himself and determine if they are the problem or not the problem, in this game they don’t even have to be considered the solution…per se, we just need them to not be the problem. Ok, here we…and I’ll just label them with a P for problem and an N for not, so we can save some ink and some trees:
Kaman= N
Baron(this season)= N
Thornton= N (not this last week)
Camby= N
Smith= N
Novak= N
Telfair= N(barely, mainly because he’s only a backup)
Gordon= N(his production so far grants him much leway)
Griffin= P(lol. only because he has yet to play and we are banking a lot on him, yet he has not earned the leway Gordon has thus far. However MOST of us anticipate that to definate change from P to N, but until he steps on the court and produces for the 09-10 season it will not)
DJ= N (can’t say we expected much at this point, we almost thought we could)
Mardy= incomplete
Ricky= P
Rush= N
Skinner= incmplt
Rasual= N(unfortunately this man is walking the tightrope and until he finds his fit and the team finds him, he will continue. I think this is less of a problem of it being him as it is the plays called and ball movement).
There are the numbers. If you agree with it like I do, does that mean we trade or bench Blake and Ricky to fix our problems? But two players being the problem can’t hold that much weight right? Come to think of it one of those players was last years collegiate player of the year that comes packed with winning mentality and a work ethic that would put Rocky to shame. Not to mention the he has already rubbed that off on most of the team. Is Ricky our Judas Iscariot? If so, even he did not thwart one of the most wide spread movements of the last 2000 years. So what’s the remedy?
by Takebb909 on Nov 18, 2009 9:53 AM PST via mobile reply actions
If Ricky is a problem
then so is Butler.
Ricky is poor defense, but we already knew that so we can’t really count that against him (similar to why DJ is not a problem). Ricky just isn’t getting buckets like he used to, just like Butler. Watching him play you can tell that he is trying his hardest to get into it and get back to where he once was (offensively). In the game (even last year on the sidelines), he always cheered on his teammates. Clapping, trying to get him and others pumped, etc. Didn’t he have a team high in points (with Kaman) against NO the first time around (although they were in garbage time)?
The only problem that we expected from Ricky was his “corrupt mind/ways” and ball hog tendencies…so far none of that has shown itself. Last year he was like a mentor to Mike Taylor. This year he seems to be trying the stay positive and motivate the young guys. He is being a team player. He is coming off an injury and in a new role, give him a chance to shake the rust of and find his niche as as our 7th man (6th man should either be Butler or Thornton…each would drop down a slot when Griffin returns). At least he knows he is not the same as who he was the majority of his career, he understands his limitations and he is not demanding more PT or even starter minutes. He knows his role and is still adjusting. At least he’s not like Allen Iverson, then he would be a problem.
The only problem is the team as a whole, not each individual problems. We have the players, we have the motivation, we just need confidence…something the Clippers organization hasn’t had in a LONG time, if ever. Baron has the swagger for it, but its not like Cassell’s Godly “I’ll take and make the game winner rather than pass to Michael Jordan who is wide open” swagger. The team needs time to develop together. Last year was major, this year is minor, I fear next year will be major with all the expiring contracts we have…
Teams like the Lakers or the Spurs are good year-in year-out because they have mostly the same players year-in year-out. If we can do the same (and i’m sure are young core will allow us – we just need a good bench that will be here more than this year) then we will no longer have problems.
Ricky just isn’t getting buckets like he used to, just like Butler.
Ricky simply hasn’t been playing so saying he’s a problem seems like a stretch.
Minutes Played
Ricky Davis: 62
Butler: 368
PER
Davis: 10.4
Butler: 8.7
TS%
Davis: .531
Butler: .480
by Michael White on Nov 18, 2009 11:11 AM PST up reply actions
In that game it should be showing that the problems are not the players.
by Takebb909 on Nov 18, 2009 11:40 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
It seems to me Butler is a problem
the numbers above say he sucks. You are the one who listed Davis as a problem and not Butler, so if you are arguing that the problem is the wrong people are getting playing time that would be a pretty significant departure from your post above.
by Michael White on Nov 18, 2009 11:51 AM PST up reply actions
As I recall you were on the Butler BAND WAGON before the season started, what happened?
Oh, Butler happened?
Everything starts out New, Gets Old and Dies or is Destroyed.
The archives are easy to use
feel free to post any comment I made indicating I was on the Butler band wagon.
by Michael White on Nov 18, 2009 1:02 PM PST up reply actions
Telfair?
What do people think of him? I’m not sure… he makes some nice passes, his shooting is alright, and he’s quick enough. But everytime he comes in, then usually BD goes out, and I start to tense up. I didn’t see the game last night, but I’m not too surprised by his -17. Of course, it could have been the squad he played in.
I started thinking this morning, for the very first time, about signing AI after all. If he were the 2nd string pg and sg, he’d be getting plenty of playing time, and perhaps he’d see the overwhelming logic in starting BD and EJ. It would mean consigning Telfair to the boondocks, though.
This is a thought experiment. I’m not yet advocating.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
