Stockton gets 11,000th NBA assist..

On this day in 1996, the Utah Jazz’s point guard John Stockton gets his 11,000th assist in the NBA. When Stockton retires from basketball in 2003, he leaves with 15,806 career assists, a record that still stands.

Stockton attended Gonzaga University and in 1984 was drafted by the Utah Jazz, where he would spend his entire career. The 6’1” point guard was the 16th overall pick in that year’s draft, which also included Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley. Stockton got his first NBA assist on November 26, 1984, and his 1,000th assist on April 5, 1986. During the 1987-1988 season, he made 1,128 assists, setting a record for most assists in one season. Isiah Thomas had previously held the record with 1,123 assists.

On February 1, 1995, Stockton shattered the NBA record for career assists--9,921--which had belonged to Magic Johnson. Stockton earned a reputation as hard-working, consistent and the ultimate team player. During his 19 seasons with the Jazz, he and forward Karl Malone led the team to the playoffs every year, although they never won the championship. Stockton was also known for wearing short basketball shorts throughout his career, even when most players began sporting a longer, baggier style in the 1990s.

In addition to Stockton’s 10 All-Star game appearances, he played on the U.S. men’s Olympic basketball teams that won gold in 1992 in Barcelona and 1996 in Atlanta.

When Stockton retired from the NBA in May 2003, he was known as one of the greatest point guards in the history of basketball and was the all-time leader in assists, with 15,806, a record he still holds. He had 19,711 career points and led the league in career steals, with a total of 3,265. In November 2004, the Utah Jazz retired Stockton’s jersey--number 12.

Watching him play was a complete enjoyment, waiting for his quick shots and razor sharp passes were two of the many weapons that he brought to the court. When they played the Bulls they brought all of their attacks hard and on point, not once did I ever think that the Bulls can walk through this team and move on. Congrats to Stockton for an achievement worth remembering.

Trading for a future...

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. Marcus Williams, temporarily replacing Jason Kidd, scored six of his 25 points in overtime Wednesday, leading New Jersey past Chicago 110-102.

After the multi-player trade that sent Kidd to Dallas this week, the Nets plan to use newly acquired Devin Harris as their point guard. But with Harris out of action with an ankle injury, Williams filled in and produced a season-high point total. He made nine of 18 shots from the field, including three of five from three-point range. Vince Carter also delivered a season-best 33 points, helping the Nets to their fourth win in five games. Richard Jefferson added 24 points.

Chicago, losers of three out of four, was led by 17 points from Joe Smith -- one of eight Bulls to score in double figures. Carter made a free throw with 49 seconds left in the fourth period to tie it and neither team could score another point in regulation.

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Having Chicago lose by that small margin isn't too bad but it's a loss nonetheless. After the trades between Chicago and Cleveland I'm looking forward to an interesting outcome for the second half of the season. It was tough lossing Wallace but with the new guys in play maybe we can get a wave of talents together and become "The" team to beat.

Just one of the many reasons why I support him...

Great results and a great team...

NEW ORLEANS - Ray Allen scored 28 points and LeBron James 27, powering the East over the West 134-128 in the NBA All-Star Game Sunday. Cleveland's James -- who just missed a triple-double with nine assists and eight rebounds and scored the go-ahead points -- was named MVP of the game for the second time. HE previously won the honor in 2006.

Allen, of the Boston Celtics, sank three three-point shots in the closing stages of the game at the New Orleans Arena. Orlando's Dwight Howard made all seven of his shots from the field and added 16 points for the Eastern Conference. Miami's Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh of Toronto added 14 points each.

Denver's Carmelo Anthony, Portland's Brandon Roy and Amare Stoudemire of the Phoenix Suns each scored 18 points for the Western Conference. Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant played about three minutes at the start of the contest. Bryant, who has a torn ligament on the little finger of his right hand, is considering whether to have surgery -- which would keep him out of the Lakers' lineup for six weeks.

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While watching the game I found myself seeing that the East Team would be an awesome team to have. The way they were able to flow and make things happen and completing the drive and push just made me watch even closer. I would of loved to see James get that triple double during the game because that would of definitely put him in the bracket with all the other great players especially in the All Star Weekend. Great game fellas.

Something worth sharing...

A video that had me from day one. I hope that those of you here will spend some time and watch it.

Viewing the incredible...

While on a trip to Gran Rapids Ohio on Thursday I noticed that some of the roads were closed due to flooding. Now when I finally got to the village I had a chance to get a few pictures of a home that was near the river and as you can see it didn't turn out so good for that family. Then on Friday when I went to make a delivery to one of our affiliates I noticed the Maumee river was way over it's height. I have not had a chance to go back and see what the level looks like now but I plan on going over tomorrow and seeing what the river looks like now.

Taking a lose hurts but it's okay...

SALT LAKE CITY - Carlos Boozer had 22 points and 12 rebounds Saturday night and the Utah Jazz beat Chicago 97-87. Deron Williams and Andrei Kirilenko each scored 15 points and Williams had 11 assists for the Jazz, who have split their last two games but have won 10 of their last 12. Ronnie Price scored 10 off the bench for Utah and Mehmet Okur had seven points and eight rebounds.

Thabo Sefolosha led the Bulls with 22 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Joe Smith and Andres Nocioni scored 14 points apiece and Chris Duhon had 11 points and eight assists for the Bulls, who played with three starters -- Ben Gordon, Kirk Hinrich and Luol Deng -- out due to injuries.

The Jazz jumped out to an early start, but the Bulls closed the gap to 22-20 with a 9-4 run at the end of the first period. Utah led 49-39 after a 13-2 run at the end of the first half. The Jazz went up 57-43 late in the third before Chicago put together a 12-4 surge, but the Jazz practically owned the fourth quarter -- going up 83-69 with a little more than nine minutes left to play.

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With the score ending the way it did I'm surprised they didn't end up losing by a lot more then 10. I mean I love my Bulls and all but they did show some heart by getting closer to the lead. I mean come on the score in the fourth was 83-69 and if you do the math the Bulls came from being down from 14 to being down by 10. That may not mean anything to those of you reading this but for a sports fanatic that is a great deal. Let's see what their next performance will be. Until then - See ya.

Gotta work on the winning streak...

PORTLAND - Jarrett Jack put Portland ahead from the free throw line with six seconds left Wednesday and the Trail Blazers downed Chicago 100-97.

Portland finished off a 3-3 homestand by surviving a Chicago comeback that saw the Bulls take a one-point lead with 14 seconds left on Chris Duhon's jumper. Jack was then fouled by Andres Nocioni and Jack gave Portland a 98-97 advantage with two free throws.

Nocioni then missed a three-point attempt and Brandon Roy completed the scoring with two free throws with two seconds left. Roy led Portland with 28 points, LaMarcus Aldridge had 18 and Jack 17. Chicago was paced by Nocioni and Thabo Sefolosha with 22 each.

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Well I'm hoping that the Bulls would pull off a win but as you can see they were just three points short. I just want them to keep focused and continue to hold together as a team and as a family. They are scheduled to face the Warriors tonight at 10:30pm on the national channel TNT. I hope to see some push and force against Golden State because after losing to only three to Portland I anticipate some hunger for a win.

Going through the motions...

SEATTLE - Joe Smith scored 25 points and the Chicago Bulls pulled away in the final 8:41 Monday to pocket a 118-108 road victory over the Seattle SuperSonics. Smith also had 10 rebounds as Chicago broke a two-game streak while ending the Sonics' three-game win streak -- their longest this season. Ben Gordon added 20 points for the Bulls.

Seattle got 21 points from Wally Szczerbiak and 20 from Kevin Durant. Chicago pretty much led from start to finish, going up 27-25 after the first quarter, 56-49 at halftime and 83-73 going into the final period. Seattle hung around and trailed just 91-84 after a Luke Ridnour three-pointer with 8:41 remaining but could pull no closer the rest of the way. With Chicago setting a pace they might keep this streak going, seeing that they're heading to Portland tomorrow to face them at 10:00pm. I hope that a win their will propel them to continue the current streak.
GO BULLS!

Third brother feeling proud...

Just watched an interview with Cooper Manning regarding his reaction to his brothers' accomplishments. Cooper Manning is a great man and very outspoken. He is proud of his brothers both Eli and Peyton. The question of him possibly being jealous of his siblings' goal setting success was asked and as a stable and self aware gentleman he quickly answered by saying that what his brothers have done now and in the past are moments that places him in a proud and privileged to have them as part of the family. He is a strong son, brother, husband and above all a great father. My hat goes off to the Manning family in all of their successes as well as the NY Giants for achieving what many said they couldn't do

Cooper Manning Interview