Gäste Forum » Especially in the first quarter. We want to get off

As Michael van Gerwen dominates the world of darts, Rod Studd picks out five other Dutch players who have made their mark in the sport. World No 1 Van Gerwen can strengthen his reputation as the sports current top player when he faces Phil Taylor on night seven of the Premier League in Glasgow this Thursday, live on Sky Sports.But Studd has selected five other Dutch stars, including a man with a 100 per cent record against Van Gerwen. Raymond van Barneveld Van Barneveld remains one of the popular figures in darts Van Barneveld is obviously the doyen of Dutch darts, with five world titles which puts him up there with the very best, and just an iconic figure.None of the watching fans can ever forget that 2007 final against Phil Taylor when he famously won from three sets to nil down, winning the sudden death leg, and it was just a spine-tingling sporting occasion. It was something that I still get misty-eyed about.Van Barneveld has continued to stay at the top, despite all of the challenges that have been presented by numerous players. When people thought he was a fading force, Barney won the 2012 Grand Slam of Darts final, beating Van Gerwen in the final. Two years ago Raymond van Barneveld managed to pip compatriot and world champion Michael van Gerwen to the Premier League title Perhaps an even finer hour was the 2014 Premier League win when he beat Taylor and Van Gerwen on the same night and at last years World Championship, he became the Rocky Balboa of darts, who was coming back for one more title shot. Coming off the canvas to knock out Van Gerwen, I would say it was one of the greatest games ever played at Alexandra Palace. Hes just part of so many great moments and great games in the modern history of darts. Jelle Klaasen Jelle Klaasen defeated Raymond van Barneveld to win the BDO world title Everyone remembers when Jelle Klaasen burst onto the scene as this youngster in the 2006 BDO World Championship. He became the youngest winner at 21 years and 90 days when he memorably shocked Van Barneveld.This stylish young star, with real panache and a speedy throw was catapulted to the top, and everyone expected him to be the face of darts. But he would lose to compatriot Co Stompe in the first round at Lakeside in 2007, switched across to the PDC and almost disappeared off the darting map. Sixteen-time world champion Phil Taylor is out of the World Darts Championship after a 4-3 defeat to Jelle Klaasen in the third round Klaasen handed out roses during his ill-fated stint as El Matador in the Premier League in 2009, but then he changed his nickname to the Cobra and really struck back on the darting scene. He could have beaten Gary Anderson in the 2015 PDC World Championship, when Gary went on to win it. But he had a memorable run to this years semi-finals, with thrilling wins over Taylor and Alan Norris, using the most obscure routes to checkouts. The speed and idiosyncrasy of his throw make him such an attractive watch. Roland Scholten Roland Scholten celebrates with the UK Open title Scholten was one of the great characters in the early days of the PDC. You always felt the man nicknamed Tripod would be there or thereabouts in big tournaments. He won the UK Open in 2004 and beat John Part in the final.Probably his most memorable match was the 2005 semi-final of the Premier League against Phil Taylor, who was unbeatable at that time. Roland had him on the ropes at 11-7 up, but Phil then reeled off six legs to win 13-11. Scholten pushed Taylor to the brink in the Premier League He had that purple patch of 2005-06 when he was right up there and the great shame for Roland was he developed neck and shoulder problems which first hampered his game and then destroyed it. He never really recovered, despite operations, and it was a star that burned brightly for a quite a short period of time. Co Stompe Co Stompe was a firm favourite with the fans Co is a charming man. His pre-match and post-match celebration, that Karate Kid mimickry, makes him look like a stork and its wonderful, isnt it? The chant that used to go round the Alexandra Palace to the tune of the Pompey Chimes of play up Stompe, Stompe play up, is the finest darts chant of them all. Those patches of brilliance were too few and too far between for Co, but he was a character and always entertaining to watch. Rod Studd Co did play up at the Palace, he had some good runs there to the quarter-finals. His finest hour was arguably at the 2010 German Darts Open, where he beat Phil in the final with an average of 107. It was one of those games when Phil Taylor had to turn round and say you were too good for me today, Co. Those patches of brilliance were too few and too far between for Co, but he was a character and always entertaining to watch. He had a curious, stacatto throwing style which saw him jab his hand forward twice before releasing, which was not one to mimic. But it certainly worked for Co. Toon Greebe Toon Greebe holds two proud victories over Michael van Gerwen If you say to someone: name the only darts player who has a 100 per cent record against the great Michael van Gerwen? I think you would get down a lot of guesses before you got to the answer. And the answer is 27-year-old Toon Greebe, who has beaten Michael on both occasions they met. Its an amazing statistic and the fact that Toon has disappeared and plays local events in Holland, means its unlikely to be broken. Rod Studd In the first of their two tour matches, Greebe defeated Van Gerwen 6-2 in Austria, and he would complete another 6-5 win over Mighty Mike in Spain in 2012. Its an amazing statistic and the fact that Toon has disappeared and plays local events in Holland, means its unlikely to be broken. As a teenager in 2008, he played in his first PDC World Championship and had Peter Manley in a spot of bother before going down 3-2. He again played at Alexandra Palace two years later, losing to John Part, before he gradually drifted off the PDC circuit. Watch Premier League Darts on Thursday live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7pm. Or watch for £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV. Also See: Sky Live: PL Darts night seven WATCH: Glasgow glory Jarrett Stidham Jersey . The defending champion beat Gael Monfils of France 7-6 (6), 6-3, while second-seeded Andy Murray of Britain dispatched Edouard Roger-Vasselin, also of France, 6-3, 6-3. 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HOUSTON -- It marked another blistering start in a young season full of them for the Rockets, a burst from the starting gate that both propelled Houston to victory and put its opponent in a hole that proved impossible to escape from.The Rockets attempted to blitz another foe when they host the Brooklyn Nets on Monday.Even on the second night of a back-to-back the Rockets (17-7) found the energy to muster a 36-point first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night, a surge strong enough to carry them through lulls in the second and third periods en route to a 109-87 home victory.Houston has made a habit of fast starts and paces the NBA in first-quarter scoring at 31.5 points per game, nearly a full point ahead of the Cavaliers who rank second averaging 30.8 points in the first quarter this season.We played well in the first quarter, said Rockets reserve guard Eric Gordon, who tallied six points in six minutes off the bench in the opening period. I think teams are trying to figure us out. We score a lot in the first quarter.With James (Harden) being the point guard, its always going to be trouble for the other team.Harden played the entire first quarter against Dallas and posted 13 points (on 3-of-4 shooting) and seven assists to lead the Rockets on their opening kick. In nine home games this season Harden is averaging 11.4 points (on 67.4 percent shooting) and 3.7 assists in the first period.Setting such a blistering early pace has enabled the Rockets to weather all variations of opposing storms, and that consistent first-quuarter production is behind their fast start out of the gate.ddddddddddddYeah, were starting to find (balance). Were getting better but were still not where we want to be, Harden said. Especially in the first quarter. We want to get off to a really good start.The Nets (6-16) dropped to 1-9 on the road with their 130-101 loss in San Antonio on Saturday night. They continue to trudge on without guard Jeremy Lin, who has been sidelined for 17 games with a left hamstring strain. The Nets have missed 50 games due to injury this season.Lin was off to a solid start in Brooklyn, averaging 15.0 points and 6.2 assists over five games before being sidelined. He returned to practice late last week but the Nets have not set a date for his return, choosing instead to follow a cautious path.I wanted to come back as early as I can obviously but were taking a healthier approach in terms of making sure that this wont bother me again, Lin said. Sometimes that takes a little bit longer.I really appreciate this staff and what theyve done to try to help me in terms of everything.While showcasing patience, Brooklyn also needs the reinforcements. The Nets have dropped 11 of 13 and are struggling mightily to pair their hastened style of play with any semblance of defensive functionality. Brooklyn leads the NBA in pace at 101.6 possessions per 48 minutes and ranks 29th in defensive rating at 112.1 points allowed per 100 possessions. ' ' '