Real Deal

This might be the first time since the 90s that I've turned the channel in every game of the series. The 2007 Finals series was terrible because of the blowout, but at least the Spurs were a skilled team that didn't disgrace the sport. I'm sick of the obvious flopping, the trash-talking, the blown layups, and just the overall play from both teams. Honest to God, I've never seen as many people complain about the NBA as I'm seeing right now, on Facebook and Twitter, and while I usually defend the league, I don't know what to say right now. I would've rather had a Celtics/Spurs series, which would've been the absolute worst scenario for me up until I realized how bad this series really is.

There's a big difference between Williams and Ellis. I'm pretty sure Monta is far more efficient, and that's even with him carrying a bigger offensive role on a worse team. I'm also not a big fan of Williams' defense, and while Ellis gambles quite a bit, he has had stretches where he can make life hell for the opposition (he did a good job on Kobe one game, sort of surprised me). Iggy showed signs of good team play near the end of the season, where he started throwing assists and doing everything, but he couldn't score worth a damn in the playoffs, and it killed Philly. LeBron is a big muscle, but so is Iggy, yet it was Iguodala that looked like Steve Blake against LBJ. I like Curry/Iggy in Oakland. Interesting duo.

UGH. Thanks.

Just to confirm, if I download Sonic 2, I'll lose it in 30 days? Please say I'm reading it wrong.

No way, man...you already know I can't accept that. I'm good. I really appreciate the thought, though.

Thanks for creating this topic, Sean.

Thanks for making these topics, Kyle.

Aside from the garbage I'm having to do for it all...it really sucks spending a lot of time away from the site. A week away feels like a month. I didn't get to see much of Game 1 of the Finals, was half asleep during Game 2 (because of some of the pills they were shoving down my throat), and it looks like I've missed a few interesting topics in the last week. At least I'll get to watch the game tonight, nobody bothering me. Tomorrow is going to suck ass.

As stated before, teams were allowed to play zone as long as they were committed to the double. It's one of the biggest reasons why Jordan averaged those eight assists one season. Hand-checking was tough to play against, but by statistics, the greatest NBA defenses were after the hand-checking rule was tossed (well, basically the last decade of basketball, plus another year or two), and it's because of the zone defense. No way around it. Been around the block with this over and over again, though, so I'll let everyone else discuss it.

Thanks guys.

I'm going to need to take a break from the site for a while. Last Sunday, I had a diabetic convulsion, and a lot of things came out of it. My kidneys are 45-50% gone, which is acceptable for someone in their 50's, not 27 years old. My blood pressure was recorded at 183/117, which is extremely high. Enzymes were dumped from the seizure, which helped lead to both problems. Also, I was in a convulsion for almost two minutes, which affected my eyes (that I've already had surgery on) and four of my teeth. They also found a cyst on my left kidney that is causing severe left abdomen pains, pushing up against other organs. None of this was a problem until Sunday...just a series of unfortunate events that only I could run into at once. I had an EEG, EKG, an ultrasound, stress test, 24-hour UA, blood culture, blood gases, and other tests over the last 4-5 days, and I'm SPENT. I never like to admit it, but it's appropriate to say that I'm intimidated a bit. It's a battle I never wanted to fight. I have a dentist appointment on Monday, renal doctor on Thursday, primary doc on Friday, and an appointment with an endocrinologist probably two weeks from now. There's no point in me running the show at this time. I didn't plan on saying anything, figured I would be back within a week or two, but I'm not really sure anymore. I'm not going to stay gone for good, but I have a lot of things to take care of right now, and it goes far beyond something that, I feel, you guys can maintain and operate just fine without my assistance. Discussion here is great without me posting 100 times a day. I haven't had to suspend or ban anyone in months. Much like TLN, OTR can run itself. However, Kyle (GamerGuy) has been active as an administrator, and that's something I don't have over at the Lakers site. OTR is in good hands, there's no doubt about that. You'll see me around from time to time, just not as much right now. I'm positive the site will be just fine. Hope you guys enjoy the rest of the Finals, and the NBA Draft if I'm not posting full-time by then. Gooo Mavs (until mid-June).

Wow, I can't believe you didn't take advantage of that opportunity to take pictures of and meet Gabrielle Union.

TIME: 9:00 PM ET TV: ABC

Odom played Dirk very well, for at least two of the four games. He held Dirk to 39% shooting either in the first two, or middle two. It was Gasol that was getting absolutely roasted (and Ron, on switches).

Pretty disrespectful. They need to just deal him for a pick, if they want to clear cap space.

http://twitter.com/#!/richardjustice/status/74156551430094848

I'm sure that can be argued either way, but that doesn't mean much, considering how well he played in his absolute prime. Do you believe LeBron is already the greatest player ever? Or, at least, greater than Jordan? Anyway...I found this funny: @LeBronJamesEgo

Well, it does, but there's a problem. Being a diabetic, when I play basketball, my blood sugars climb (due to adrenaline). With higher blood sugars, my blood pressure rises, and instead of falling (like a normal person's would after activity), it stays up there until I fix my blood sugar with insulin...which presents another problem because, 2-3 hours after I'm done playing, my blood sugar hits rock bottom. Really complicated how things work. I'm annoyed as ever.

So you're saying he's not going to be considered the best player in the league this season?

So Jordan didn't dominate on the defensive end, and didn't get his teammates involved? This is news.

To add to the other reply I gave you... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdvwepbKG9E

Everything seems to be a struggle lately. I had to switch to another primary doctor, mainly due to my diabetes and HBP, and this guy flipped out. He put me on three different BP meds (was already on two). My BP was 180/110 in the office, but it usually runs lower (still high, but the norm for me would be 140/90). The nurse in there knows I have white coat syndrome (BP rises in the office, no matter what). He ended up giving me two different pills while I sat in the office, and two hours after I got home, my BP reading was 97/64. Felt like I was dead...pulse was down to 61. He's freaking out because I have a lot of sodium in my diet, I am very aggressive playing basketball, and I work out, all of which cause my blood pressure to go up. I eat a lot, and I'm not a vegetarian, so obviously, I'm going to have plates filled with sodium. Also, I'm not going to stop playing ball or working out. I'm going to take a step back and consider restructuring a high protein, low sodium, low fat diet. It's just hell because I really don't have the money to spend on 30 days of healthy food each month, when most of that food has gone up in price. Eating healthy isn't too bad, but paying for it leaves your wallet empty. Plus, I'm going to have to cook much more for lunch. I don't mind cooking dinners (my girl and I take turns), but I try to avoid cooking a complicated lunch. Now, I'll have to consider it. Cold cuts are high in sodium, so 2-3 quick sandwiches won't do it for me anymore. Same with canned food. Just a hassle. I gotta see this doctor every two weeks now, for at least the next three months. He also wants blood drawn every three months. Ugh. Ridiculous.

The big three (Bosh, Wade and LeBron) scored 69 of the team's 83 points in Game 5...83% of the team's points. Just as shocking, after Mario's free throw with 2:21 left to go in the 3rd quarter, the big three scored the rest of the team's points...all 33 of them.

Here's another vid of him days before he passed away. I'm assuming he was nearly blind in both eyes (looks like completely blind in the right eye), and you can tell he has no control of any muscles.

That only means more time outside to actually play the sport. Usually, I stay home at night, when a lot of people go out and enjoy the weather...although, it really doesn't last, because it starts getting a little cold in mid-November. Still, two weeks. I'm hyped about the draft. Sad for OTR, though. We're going to struggle with the lockout (if there is one), because free agency will be suspended, and nobody will be able to make trades.