Real Deal

Had to change the topic title a bit, for our Twitter feed. Dupri must think that the Nets are going to give up Brooks and uh...maybe Farmar. Orlando would jump all over that, I bet.

The worst part about this game? Paul Millsap and Carl Landry, two of the most talented players on the floor in this meeting, had 11 total shot attempts tonight.

Need more Jon Leuer. Note to Bucks: stop running plays for Stephen Jackson. He sucks.

Just felt like an off-night for the Thunder. They were playing far too much one-on-one, didn't really come out to play defense, and both Durant and Westbrook were on and off the entire game. Despite Dallas' early troubles in the first few they have played, they will win games by capitalizing on very simple mistakes, and that is exactly what happened. I'd still take OKC in a seven-gamer, almost feels like a fluke loss, but in a compressed season, these types of losses are bad news.

D-Will minimized the turnovers, but still jacked a lot of threes in this game...yet, aside from him and Brooks (and Anthony Morrow, lol), you don't get the feeling anyone really wants to score, as if they fear the rest of the league. Paul George is for real. The dude continues to take smarter shots, improving each game. It's going to be interesting to see him put on some muscle (if he does) and just how he will play at that point. I can see him being an all-star in a few years, maybe even the cornerstone of this franchise.

Just 14 shots for Dwight, against a Pistons team that has nobody that can, even barely, contain him. Trade deadline is in March!

He's finally using the length to his advantage, other than what he did with it in the dunk contest (lol). And WHOA, Greg Stiemsma! He didn't look too bad out there, surprisingly. Gotta hand it to the guy. He was in full control of his game, did what he was supposed to do on the glass, and contributed as good as one could expect. He looked a bit lost on defense, and he wasn't able to really get in there and push his weight around, but with more playing and practicing, he could be a decent backup (won't step out there and say he's a permanent starter yet). Hey Umair, where is John Wall?

The Warriors didn't have an answer for Markieff Morris, which isn't surprising when you consider Biedrins plays like a damn high school bench player out there. Also...where is Klay Thompson? Is he just not getting any burn because of Monta? I'm liking what I see out of B-Rush, still. I'm so glad he's away from the Pacers.

TIME: 1:00 PM ET TV: FOX

TIME: 4:30 PM ET TV: CBS

TIME: 8:00 PM ET TV: NBC

TIME: 4:30 PM ET TV: NBC

Well, a dislocation and a fracture are two different things. I've dislocated my pinkie and index finger on my shooting hand, haha...but when I broke my pinkie, I was done for a while. Now, if I was making millions of dollars a year, in the pros, with incredible trainers and medical staff...maybe I would have tried to play, but you have to be a very damn good shooter to play with a broken finger (any finger) because of the swelling and pain.

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It's a pinkie fracture, the same thing Kobe had (plus, he also had a tear). I don't see why he'll miss much time. You don't use your pinkie to shoot the ball.

Well damn, I won't assume the Heat are going back to the Finals again. It's only five games into the season. Battier won't be remembered because of who he's playing behind. He's not going to log the minutes he deserves, and while it makes sense to play him less due to who he's backing up, it's unfortunate for him, and he should've known.

You guys have to understand that, with more preparation, your opponents are more likely to beat you. This is assuming you're a team that's capable of a 72-10 (or 60-6) record. Plus, the rest of the league will tire quicker in that 66-game season, and the best teams (your team) will take advantage of that. When teams are getting rest, more time to practice, and more time to watch film, they are going to find ways to beat you, and they'll have the legs to pull it off.

The 72-10 record, because of the duration (1.5 months more) and the fact that you play ALL opposing conference teams twice, and almost ALL of your conference teams four times. The 71-72 Lakers won 33 consecutive games, the longest winning streak in pro sports history...but would a 33-0 record be better than 72-10? I wouldn't think so, and that was proven when that team finished 69-13.

I don't get why the Clips take so many threes. Some of the shots that CP3 and Blake create for their teammates...I just don't know. Those teammates could step in a bit, make the shot a higher percentage jumper, or even take off to the rim and receive the pass much closer to the painted area.

Because it was 54-28 at the half, he was getting boxed out (badly) by Boozer, he wasn't making any shots, and he couldn't defend. Reminded me of the old Zach (everyone knows who I'm talking about). The Grizz were screwed from the start. With Rudy Gay in there, there's no team chemistry because, sadly, Gay thinks he's a bad ass. Also, there's no Conley (second game missed), Tony Allen has a lesser role on the defensive end (because of the superstar, Rudy), and there's no Shane Battier.

Nah, you're right. I basically said the same exact thing (going through the motions) in one of those first game topics (could have been a preseason game, don't remember). I can't say the guy is out of shape, can't say he's having trouble working his way back to where he was last year...because the guy is a freak of nature, and like LeBron, he's not the kind of person to stack on fat or stay out of the weight room over the summer. It really is sad. Sure, I want him in LA, but I just think it's absurd not to play your hardest, at least for your teammates. I'm sure he still has beef with Jameer (I've always thought that), but guys like Redick and Anderson work their asses off to improve their games, and to be a good fit around him. I'm actually noticing that he doesn't complain as much. Last year, it's all he ever did...complain about fouls. Now, it just doesn't seem to be a concern of his as frequently as it was when he wanted to lead Orlando into the ECF's.

That late run they went on, where they couldn't miss a damn shot, was awesome. I was cheering, and I really didn't care about the game (guess I do, since it's Dallas, but yeah). Plus, I'm rooting for the Wolves to turn that Hornets pick into a late lottery. That would make me so damn happy.

LOL, Shane Battier is wasting away in Miami. If the Heat win it all, he sure won't be remembered as one of the contributors.

D-Will and a bunch of average to below-average role players...not going to win very many games with that. This is the problem with trying to land the big free agents. Teams are now willing to shatter their entire roster, instead of having the best seasons possible, making due with what they have, and going about building a complete team through free agency, draft, AND trades. The owners have been bitching about how the money is spent, where it's at, and sales going down...but it's all on their shoulders. They put themselves in this situation. to where they have to overpay for players to fill out their roster and make them look decent enough for fans to come and watch. It's the owners having to find that middle ground...suck quite a bit, but not too much, yet try and look like a good franchise that's dedicated to winning (to attract very good players). Just play the game, make due with what you have, and spend your money wisely. Bring in excellent scouts, international scouts, very good assistant coaches, and instead of trading all of your picks for washed-up scorers, use them to bring in fresh, young talent. Blah...done with the rant.

Rondo is carrying this team. If it wasn't for him, I don't think Ray, Pierce or Garnett would be able to do as much out there on the floor. That triple double proved it even more tonight. Andray Blatche is so pathetic, by the way. Garnett lit him up, he can't rebound, doesn't know how to box out...sad stuff seeing a guy his size and with that versatility play that way.