What were the odds of Kevin Love’s double- double streak ending at 53 Sunday with a reeking, 100-77, thud — six points, a dozen rebounds in 33 minutes — against an escort service like the pedal-to-the-metal Warriors?
Can Kurt Rambis and the Timberwolves’ ball handling play-callers rationally explain how Love merely managed to get six shots — making one and 4-of-6 free throws?
Oh, I see, guardian angel David Lee deserves full credit. Apparently he became an overnight defensive sensation — The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance!
Shame on Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni and team president Donnie Walsh for not being conscious of this neat little feature of Lee’s when they were scared off by his free-agent sticker price.
Seems like the Knicks might be able to use a big man who can rebound (and defend) to accompany Amar’e Stoudemire on the keyboard.
But enough of this folderol; the raucous reality is you would presume Rambis possesses the presence of mind and the coaching aptitude to get Love a few more field goal attempts, if not a couple more baskets, in hopes of prolonging the solitary positive attention-grabber Minny Ha Ha has going for it this season — the sole reason for drawing thousands more home fans on a nightly basis.
Instead, Rambis removed his team’s crowd pleaser (the Timberwolves were on the road, after all) and money maker with 4:07 left on the game clock — yet continued to play starters Michael Beasley (hit a three) and Luke Ridnour until the 2:50 mark.
Owner Glen Taylor cannot be happy with how Rambis handled the matter or how he has coached, period. In fact, I know he’s not remotely happy. I can assure you, the Timberwolves will be looking for a new head coach and a full bench of assistants as soon as the season is over.
For my edification, forever 76ers’ statistician Harvey Pollack provided clarifications (corrections) and amplifications concerning Wilt Chamberlain’s double-double record.
Chamberlain hit double doubles 968 times out of 1,045 games played. His longest streak was 220 (not 227) starting in 1959-60 with 15, 1960-61 with 79, 1961-62 with 80, all with the Philadelphia Warriors. His streak continued with San Francisco in 1964-65 with 46.
Battling Nate Thurmond for rebounds when he was with San Francisco, Chamberlain also had a streak of 219 starting with 52 for the Warriors and 76ers in 1964-65. He had 79 in 1965-66, 81 in 1966-67, and ended with seven in 1967-68, all with 76ers.
I asked Pollack if he knew which team ended Wilt’s longest streak? And whether it ended because of lack of rebounds or points? After doing some research for an hour or so, he supplied the answer.
“I learned that the game was at St. Louis and Wilt was thrown out with four minutes elapsed,” he said. “He had one rebound and six points when ejected. I’m trying to find out what referee heaved him. However, my source hasn’t let me know if he can get that information.
“I can tell you this, in 1962 when Wilt played every minute of every game, except one. I found out that Norm Drucker (still going strong in Florida) was the referee who threw him out with seven minutes to play — with three technical fouls against the Lakers.
“Richie Powers was the ref who called three technicals on Kevin Loughery and Bernard King in the early ’80’s, and David Stern ruled the final seven minutes of that game had to be replayed since three technical fouls are illegal.
“Flash: I just heard from my source Red Oates was the referee who ejected Wilt for protesting too vehemently a foul called on teammate Wayne Hightower.”
By the way, adds column contributor Vince Aversano, “Wilt is the lone player with a double triple double. That occurred when Philadelphia played Detroit (poor Joe Strawder) on Feb 2, 1968. If Wali Jones hit a few shots he might’ve had 30 assists.”
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Apparently, what’s banned in Boston is scoring.
The Celtics — in New Orleans last night and at the Garden tomorrow — lost 93-77 at Houston Friday, making it three consecutive road repulsions. They hit the French Quarters averaging just 84.2 points in their last five games.
If the Vitamin C’s go as far as Rajon Rondo takes ’em I wouldn’t be packing an overnight bag.
Over the last quartet before last night, Rondo was 4-for-29 from the field, and his aversion to the free-throw line (1-for-2 over the past eight games — 270 minutes) isn’t exactly unfathomable. When you’re downright shaky at the welfare line (.545) the last thing you want to do is stand there by your lonesome and try to hit an unmolested 15-footer.
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The Hawks have lost a couple in a row, six-of-eight (margin of defeat 14) and are 9-11 over the last 1½ months. Friday night’s 31-point nesting loss to the Heat in The Mike Bibby Invitational was so ugly, LeBron James out-whistled Dixie all by himself (23-20) in the third quadrant.
It’s corrupt enough for the team to quit on Mike Woodson, who had been in place for six seasons, but for Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Jamaal Crawford, Marvin Williams and, to some degree, even Al Horford, to bail on Larry Drew so soon after he took the head job, especially because the team started out 30-18 is unconscionable.
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So, I’m watching the final seconds of Nuggets-Magic — as was just about everyone on the floor — and here’s the deal: If Ty Lawson would have forced Jameer Nelson either left or right and hoist a last ditch shot he didn’t want to take (or make him pass) vs. allowing him to step into a game-winning 3-pointer, pointer, the two teams might still be balling.
This just in from column castigator Frank Drucker: After the Spurs won in Dallas, Charlie Sheen stopped taking calls from Mark Cuban.