Super Monday?

Huge night for sports tonight the day after the biggest game of games in the US (the Super Bowl if anyone was wondering). 9 games around the Association and some big news elsewhere as well.

In NCAAB, Bobby Knight of Texas Tech, more famous for his years at Navy Academy and Indiana University, resigned from the Red Raiders to leave his son, Pat Knight, as Head Coach. Knight's coaching career was highlighted by 3 national titles (all at IU) and 4 final fours even though he only had one eventual HOF player on all of his squads, Isiah Thomas (clearly not the coach/talent-evaluator his mentor was). Knight was known just as well for his antics off the court, repeatedly losing temper with his players and sometimes physically "harming" them due to his fiery nature. I've always loved Knight's attitude towards the game. He was always passionate and need to win. He got the best out of his players because they understood how much he loved the game. He now goes out of the game on top, with 902 career wins and tied for 3rd all-time in national titles (3) only behind John Wooden's legendary 10 (probably won't ever be surpassed, the college game is just too deep) and Adolph Rupp's 4. Knight has to go down in history as one of the top 3-5 greatest coaches ever at his sport.

That had to be the news of the day (and perhaps week) with such a legendary character in the sport, but there were some professional games as well:

- The 1st game of the night took place in Orlando between 2 good teams. Dallas went into Florida on the road and took this game. Dirk struggled in the 1st half, but still finished with 20pts, 9rebs and 5 dimes, while Josh Howard was solid for the whole game (28pts, 7rebs). Jose Juan Barea got the start (not Jason Terry), but played under 20mins. Terry did play close to 30mins and scored 20pts. Dallas won the game after leading for most of it, 107-98. For Orlando, Carlos Arroyo got the start at guard and scored 12pts in 28mins.

- The next game was also in the southeast, where Josh Smith came close to having the fantasy game of the year. He had 8blks in the 1st half and finished with 19pts, 9assts, 6rebs, 4stls and 9blks. He was one steal away from the rare 5x5 game (5pts, rebs, assts, stls and blks) and an assist and block shy from the 2nd pts-rebs-blks triple-double of this season (Marcus Camby). The potential a guy like Josh Smith has is just crazy fantasy-wise, he helps you in so many ways and if he ever figures out a way to shoot a higher percentage, he would have virtually no weakness in his game. For Philly, Thaddeus Young got the F start again and he scored 11pts and grabbed 6 boards. He's worth picking up in deeper leagues because I think he'll continue to start. Andre Miller also had a huge game with 29pts, 6rebs, 6assts. Atlanta pulled out this one in the end, 96-91.

- In the NYC, that other LA team was in town for a visit and showed the Knicks to be the Knicks once again, winning 103-94 after NY was up 9 at the half. David Lee returned back to the bench with the return of Eddy Curry at center (19pts in 30mins). For the Clips, they got back both Corey Maggette and Chris Kaman in this one, their 2 best players. Both of them came off the bench, but played well in the win. Kaman had 15pts, 9rebs and Maggette led the Clips in scoring with 19pts and also grabbed 6 boards. I fully expect both guys to return to the starting rotation soon, Kaman for Josh Powell and Maggette for any of Cuttino Mobley (G), Tim Thomas (F) or Quinton Ross (F). Elton Brand will be back soon as well for the Clips so plan accordingly, which means maybe move Kaman while he's still at the height of his value.

- There was another Florida game tonight. This one wasn't so close with the Raptors beating the Heat down on South Beach 114-82. The Raps got solid games from multiple players including Andrea Bargnani, who had 22pts, while the Heat as a squad just struggled. They got a solid game from Dorell Wright (17pts, 8rebs) off the bench, but not much else anywhere.

- There was a dogfight in Minnesota, where the Rockets were visiting. The Rockets are a team who are finally getting healthy with both T-Mac and Yao starting and playing solidly in this defensive game. T-Mac hit big shots down the stretch, a 2 to lead (87-86) and another three about a minute later to ice the game (90-86) as he finished with 26pts, 6rebs and 7assts while Houston ended up winning 92-86. Rick Adelman had Yao, Tracy, Rafer, Luis and Shane starting in a lineup that many people thought would be the opening day roster. I think this is a sign that he's finally figuring his team out and this lineup should be relatively consistent for the rest of the season barring injuries. Minnesota got another huge game out of their future, Al Jefferson, who had 33pts, 16rebs, 3stls and 3blks.

- In Utah, we once again have the Chris Paul/Deron Williams matchup that every writer in America loves for whatever reason. I don't really see a comparison, but that's just me. I honestly don't believe Deron even belongs in the same breath as Paul, but I will hand it to him. He outplayed CP3 like crazy tonight. The Jazz killed the Hornets and Deron's play versus Paul's non-effectiveness was a main component of the 110-88 score. Deron finished with 29pts, 11assts on 11-13 shooting from the field while Paul had 6pts and 6assts on 3-11 shooting on a rare poor performance. Jannero Pargo was the lone guy who did decent for NO (24pts on 9-14 shooting)

- Phoenix won again to extend their 1st place lead in the West with a home win over the always feisty Bobcats. Leandro Barbosa was explosive off the bench with a game-high 30pts, while Nazr Mohammed has regained his starting spot at center, moving Emeka Okafor back to power forward. Nazr has good value when he's starting so go get him if he's available. Gerald Wallace is gonna be out for over a week with a foot sprain.

- There was a good one in the northwest between two talented playoff hopefuls and divisional foes. Denver went into Portland pushed an OT victory in dramatic fashion. Melo and AI were both huge in this one (28-15-5 and 25-6-8 respectively). I think Melo might also be turning a corner in terms of his game. He's been rebounding the ball better recently than he ever has in his career and that will only boost his fantasy value. He's always had the size to rebound well (6'8, 240lbs), but has always played away from the basket, but now it seems like he's making it a point to rebound the ball better (career high 7.1rpg and double digits in 6 of his last 9 games played). For Portland, they got gutsy games from Brandon Roy, as usual (26pts, 7rebs, 8assts), and Jarrett Jack, who came close to a triple-double (17pts, 9rebs, 9assts, 3stls).

- Chicago @ Seattle was the last start of the night. Chicago is starting to get healthy again (Ben Gordon and Joe Smith are both back with Luol Deng returning soon). Joe Smith got the start at forward, while Joakim Noah returned to the bench. Smith was back to his pre-injury form with 25pts, 10rebs and the Bulls had a solid all-around game from multiple contributors (9 players scoring 6+pts) and won 118-108. Seattle started Damien Wilkins for the injured Jeff Green again and got no production from that forward spot as usual. Whoever is playing at that spot right now isn't producing so there's no point to own the Sonics' starter at that spot at this point.