Jannero Pargo Signs with Moscow Dynamo

New Orleans Hornets guard Jannero Pargo is the latest player who opted not to play in NBA this coming season. According to reports, Pargo signed a one-year deal, worth almost $4 million with the Dynamo Russia of the Russian League. Pargo joins a growing number of NBA players lured out of the league with higher salaries and contract flexibility.

Josh Childress of the Atlanta Hawks started this “movement” when he signed with Greek club Olympiakos few weeks ago. A string of NBA players soon followed his bold decision and left the NBA for European ball clubs. Carlos Arroyo, Earl Boykins, Carlos Delfino, Jorge Garbajosa, Bostjan Nachbar and Nenad Krstic have all signed deals with several teams in Europe. Nachbar is also under contract with Dynamo.

Jannero Pargo, a valued sixth man of the Hornets, is a six year NBA veteran out of Arkansas. He averaged 8.1 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists for the Hornets last season.

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Celtics Soar Above Hawks in Game 2

Defensive Player of the Year Kevin Garnett scored 19 points and grabbed 10 boards to lead the Boston Celtics to a 96-77 win over the Atlanta Hawks. Ray Allen finished with 15 points and Paul Pierce contributed 14 points after getting knocked down in the first period.

Rajon Rondo outplayed Hawks‘ Mike Bibby and had another stellar game. Rondo’s stats were across the boards as he finished with 12 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals in 34 minutes of action. Bibby, who called the loyal Celtics supporters bandwagon fans, only had 12 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist.

Bibby was hounded the entire game by the Celtics fans. He was heavily booed every time he touched the ball and non-stop chants of “Rondo’s Better” can be heard throughout the arena. Even when Bibby sat on the bench in the fourth period, the Celtics fans continued to jeer him with “Where is Bibby?” chants.

Josh Smith and Marvin Williams led the Hawks with 13 points apiece. Joe Johnson only had 11 points and had 5 turnovers. Rookie guard Acie Law, who was perfect from the field (4-4) and charity stripe (4-4), chipped in 12 points but committed 4 errors.

The Boston squad turned up their defense for the game. The Celtics forced 21 turnovers, had 15 steals and 3 blocks.

The Celtics will head to Atlanta on the 26^th where the Hawks will play a crucial two-game homestand.

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Hawks Ends Their 9-Year Playoff Drought

The Atlanta Hawks returns to the playoffs stage for the first time in nine long years.

The Hawks clinched the eighth and final spot in the Eastern Conference after the Washington WizardsIndiana Pacers 117-110 defeated the and effectively ending the their bid for a playoff spot. The Hawks clinched the final spot while enjoying a day-off.

“It’s a great feeling, but we still have to worry about ourselves right now. We have to handle our business for these last two games to get ready for the playoffs. Just because we’re in doesn’t mean we can relax.” said Joe Johnson, Atlanta’s leading scorer.

They better enjoy it while they still can. The Hawks (37-43) will probably be the biggest underdog in the league as they are set to face the league-leading Boston Celtics (65-16) in the opening round. The Celtics won all regular-season meetings against the Hawks including the 99-89 victory in Atlanta last weekend.

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