Hawks-Jazz

Mustache is finally living up to his promise of covering Atlanta teams. After attending a Falcons, Hawks, and three Braves games, I am a fully integerated Atlanta sports denizen.

Anyway, I went with a small group of people to Phillips arena last night to catch the latest come-from-behind Jazz victory (although the margin was much smaller last night than in Florida). The arena is sort of connected to the CNN center, and in an indoor courtyard between the two is the world's best food court.

What makes it world class? They had enormous beers (I'm pretty sure they were 36 ounces) for like $8. Needless to say, we were a little late for the game.

Oh, did you want actually game commentary? Josh Smith didn't shoot threes very well, Joe Johnson is pretty good and Kirilenko of the Jazz gets a lot of rebounds.

Also, according to some kids in the elevator, the Falcons are going to the Superbowl.

After I got home I watched some of the Thunder-'Blazers game. Russell Westbrook for MVP.

Josh Smith's Buzzer Beating Putback Dunk

Just a week ago, Josh Smith was on the "NOT List" of Dank Games's HOT or NOT Column (I know this doesn't exist, but it could?) for his busy hands rubbing all over Mike Bibby. This week, he put his busy hands to good use with a buzzer beating putback dunk to defeat the Magic. It's hard for me to say this play should vault Josh Smith from the NOT List to the HOT List, but it is an amazing play.

Josh Smith's Busy Hands

So this is probably the weirdest NBA-related video that I've seen in a long time. During a timeout, Atlanta's Josh Smith gets a little too friendly with teammate Mike Bibby. As Hawks' coach Mike Woodson talks to the team, Josh Smith gently touches Bibby's shoulders and head. You definitely see borderline homoerotic stuff in the NBA on the sidelines during timeouts quite a bit, but usually it doesn't seem so affectionate and drawn out. Typically it's just a quick pat on the head or butt, or an arm resting on a teammate's shoulder. Clearly this isn't normal conduct, as Smith's gentle caress eventually makes Bibby uncomfortable, prompting him to push Smith's hand away and say something to the effect of "Stop touching me!"

Upon further inspection of this video, it seems the rest of the Hawks must have been fucking with Bibby, because after he pushes Josh Smith's hand away, Zaza Pachulia picks up right where Smith left off. When the camera angle cuts to a wider shot at the end, Pachulia begins massaging Bibby's shoulder, who looks back at Pachulia in disgust.

via Trey Kerby of Ball Don't Lie