That was a rather solid game with lots of promising moments and the completion of a very nice back-to-back.

Sucks about Delon Wright (we may find out something much later today but it could be tomorrow at shootaround) but, other than that it was an entirely successful two nights.

Now, still lots to work on and tons of games to come but, for now, they seem to be getting it.

And there was this:

THREE POINTERS

Taking charge

Literally.

It was a tough night for Kyle Lowry, who has looked more like himself the last two games than he had at any point in the first 11. He was hammered by Cousins (“I know it was a love tap from a big teddy bear,” he said of that hit) and knocked down by Davis and basically took a beating most of the night.

But some of it was his own doing.

When he stood in and took a charge in the first half, it was the 10th offensive foul he’d drawn this season, which is the most of anyone in the league.

It’s part and parcel of the way he plays and while he didn’t get off to the greatest of starts, he seems to be more Lowry-like this year.

Pleading his case

Watching Mount Cousins get ready to explode as any game goes on is one of the truly entertaining things about seeing him play.

I’m sure it’s something that happens more often than not with any number of players, but the ability of Jonas Valanciunas to get under his skin is hilarious to watch.

The best thing about Valanciunas is that he doesn’t back down, he’ll hit as often as he gets hit and when Cousins starts storming around, slamming the ball and waving his arms after every call or non-call, it’s a classic moment.

The Pelicans spent most of the post-game media session whining about the officials and there were about three times in the game when Cousins was thisclose to having a full-on meltdown thanks to Valanciunas, who had a far bigger impact on the game than just his 21 points.

Getting going

We’ll get to more on C.J. Miles either later on today or tomorrow but he had another big one last night with 17 points and five three-pointers after having 19 points and six threes in Houston.

Easy explanation, he said:

“The guys are looking for me for one thing. We are doing a lot of things and moving the ball and because guys are being assertive in what they do it’s allowing me to find gaps and spaces and guys can’t just stay hugged up.”

We’ve got a little bit more before a long writing day ahead.

Of course, right?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyLjbMBpGDA

Further to yesterday, yeah we had a wee blip in the posting process but Tash bailed me out again and who cares about Breakway Blog or whatever.

And further, further to yesterday, of course I’d put Booker T. Washington at the top of the Booker T rankings, ahead of the MGs one and the grappler but we were going to for entertainment, not legitimate contributions to the world.

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Seriously, folks, we could use some mail that’s full of probing, interesting, wide-ranging questions.

Drop them off at askdoug@thestar.ca so I can get a jump on the weekend stuff, okay?

Thanks.

I see my pucks guys might be getting the big guy back tonight?

Hope he doesn’t disrupt all the good that’s going on.

(I joke)

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Can’t say anyone’s entirely surprised that whatever appeals board it was upheld the red-card suspension for Jozy Altidore that’ll keep him out of the first leg of the TFC-Columbus conference final whenever they get around to playing it.

It struck me right from the start that it was a “he-said, he-said” situation and regardless of what the team said or what its fan video showed, there was no doubt something went on that was not good and worthy of an ejection and the penalty that comes with it.

It didn’t seen like much of it was Altidore’s fault but when things happen, there are repercussions. Heavy ones, as it seems.

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I think it’s entirely cool that Carl English has signed with the new National Basketball League of Canada in his St. John’s home and will likely play out the end of his career in front of friends and family.

Carl has, quietly, been one of the best basketball players the country has ever produced. Scoring leader one year in the ultra-good Spanish League, a Spanish League champion, he played in a host of other good leagues and the EuroLeague and spent almost a decade and a half over there.

It was at a time when there wasn’t an awful lot of interest in, or knowledge of, the European basketball scene but, trust me, he was really, really good.

Have to get out to see him whenever the St. John’s team comes through southern Ontario if I can. You should, too.

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