Real Deal

Didn't think Cleveland would stand a chance even against the Kings, but hey...

Are we going to try and get our Philly collection back? I THINK I remember you, from somewhere. Too hard to say, though, because I've been around so many different forums. Welcome to the best.

1a) Dirk 1b) Gasol Then everyone else.

The Delonte suggestion...it was a joke, fellas.

Delonte West is making a million this season, and he can run the point. With the current troubles he's having in Boston with Wafer, he should be on the block.

Kobe by forfeit. LeBron and Wade wouldn't want to beat each other.

Mediocre? 2000 - 21.1 PPG on 44.2% FG, 4.5 RPG, 4.4 APG 2001 - 29.4 PPG on 46.9% FG, 7.3 RPG, 6.1 APG 2002 - 26.6 PPG on 43.4% FG, 5.8 RPG, 4.6 APG 2003 - 32.1 PPG on 43.2% FG, 5.1 RPG, 5.2 APG 2004 - 24.5 PPG on 41.3% FG, 4.7 RPG, 5.5 APG 2006 - 27.9 PPG on 49.7% FG, 6.3 RPG, 5.1 APG 2007 - 32.8 PPG on 46.2% FG, 5.2 RPG, 4.4 APG 2008 - 30.1 PPG on 47.9% FG, 5.7 RPG, 5.6 APG 2009 - 30.2 PPG on 45.7% FG, 5.3 RPG, 5.5 APG 2010 - 29.2 PPG on 45.8% FG, 6.0 RPG, 5.5 APG

The +/- stats are one of the worst things to look at in the league. http://www.nba.com/games/20101029/LALPHX/gameinfo.html Scroll down to Phoenix, and compare Grant Hill to Channing Frye...looking at both +/- and overall production. Worthless stat.

That could be a problem, though, because the Spurs will continue to enter the playoffs without home court advantage against strong competition. They had winning seasons of 58, 59 and 60 when they won their last three championships. The 37-13 record they had during their first ring was on pace to being a 61-win season, without the lockout. While this particular team still has talent, Duncan is declining defensively, and Manu seems to be playing injured every year. They need a strong season, home court advantage against at least six other playoff teams out West, and a healthy big three to break into the WCF and actually make a run against the defending champs. I just can't say it's going to work out that way, though. I actually wouldn't mind, and I don't hate the Spurs as much as I used to...but without a legit perimeter defender to slow Bryant down even a little bit (like Bowen), and Duncan being a couple of steps slower defensively, it's a reach asking guys like Hill, Blair and Splitter to step into larger roles and contribute against the top teams in the NBA, and additionally, expect success in the form of a Finals appearance.

The dude is very likable nowadays, but a lot of that is because he has suddenly become a huge part of the LA community. He'll go out and play volleyball with members of TLN, go eat at their houses for dinner, and do some off-the-wall [expletive] I've never seen any athlete do before, in regards to interacting with fans. Plus, hell, we have to like him because, pre-injury (last season), he was dropping buckets like it was nothing. Even through injury, he played defense better than any other perimeter defender, including Thabo (in my opinion, at least), and he was a catalyst in that series against Boston, mainly on the defensive end (and back on offense in Game 7). In this case, I feel like he's going too far with it, if indeed he's doing this for his image. I'm not so convinced of that, though, because he's got more support in LA than he ever had on any team.

Pretty exciting for the Knicks fans, but I really have to say, it would be much more effective if it were a trio of all-star players saying it. Seriously...my only complaint is that Amare sucks at performing the Garnett scream.

It's not about starting the balanced player that doesn't do anything too well, it's about starting the player your five needs. If you want an example of why that's so effective, you should look no further than the Lakers and Derek Fisher. Steve Blake is a better overall player today, but Blake will come off the bench because he's most effective running the second unit. Odom, who is a starter on every team in the league minus Boston, will eventually come off the bench because Drew is a physical, true center, and Odom is versatile enough to contribute everywhere on the floor (even though I think Drew should come off the bench, but that's for another discussion). Right now, with Boozer out, you have... C - Noah PF - Gibson SF - Deng SG - ? PG - Rose Bogans starts, but the question is who should start, so I'll leave that empty. Once Boozer returns, you'll lose a little defense, so it'll be ideal to have a bit of help from the perimeter. How well does Rose defend at the point right now? Has he really improved his jumper? How well does Deng shoot? Those are things you also have to consider. Deng is a good defensive player, not better than Noah, Gibson or Brewer, but he's no slouch. Rose's defense has improved slightly, but this is a guy who was one of the worst defenders on the team last year. If I were coaching Chicago, I start Korver right now. Once Boozer returns, I throw in Brewer. That way, the Bulls bring in a shooter that can provide them with another 8-10 PPG on a high percentage, and when Boozer appears (and puts out his usual 18-20 a game), they can sacrifice offense in the starting five for a defensive-minded Brewer, bring Korver off the bench at the three with Gibson, Watson, Bogans and Scal, and run with that second unit.

YES SIR. I'm actually surprised. This is a shocker. For one, I never thought Conley would be clutch in any moment of any game, and it's amazing that a team like Dallas couldn't get a shot off. So, props to Memphis for their late game heroics, especially on the road.

Well, I wasn't exactly clear when I stated I was afraid he'd gain weight. What I meant was that he needs to gain weight, in both muscle and fat, but not TOO much. The extra weight gain (much like how Bosh put on his extra) will help him in the post, where the Pacers will need him to play more often. Either that, or he's going to have to develop a post game like Hakeem Olajuwon's, and I would bet a year's paycheck that'll never happen with the guy (or anyone in the league at the center position, at least this season). If Hibbert was a bigger threat inside, even slightly, the Pacers will feed off of him even more, take even more off of Granger's shoulders, and open the court up for guys that need to be shooting wide open shots (ex. Dunleavy), and [expletive] will get real in Indiana.

Posted in the Thunder forum.

It's Wafer's third incident, just in case few of you know this. There was one back in college or HS (can't remember exactly), then he intentionally elbowed someone and punched them in the face when he was practicing with the Lakers, and now this. As for West, you can't be surprised. He's just as bad, if not worse. Both should be booted from the league for a while.

Just to point something out here, the raffle brought in $120,000 in just the first 12 hours. Not really sure how much he'll end up getting for it (to donate), but how many athletes actually donate a million dollars or more, of their OWN money, for a particular cause? I don't blame Ron for not wanting to write a million dollar check, pulling from his contract. That's actually quite a bit of money. I think the idea is unique. I would never do it, because it would be a championship ring I'd want to keep for life...but still, unique and generous.

Man, I didn't see the game...but is Weems really playing like that? Dude has to try and play above the rim more, even if it means playing Corey Maggette basketball and getting to the line 60 times a night. Sucks to hear that.

I was looking for this comment, actually. But, he should be given the most credit for it...along with Ben Wallace. It was basically cutting off circulation in the triangle offense. Stick Prince on Kobe, double him before he gets within 23 feet of the rim, and ask Rip and Sheed to play the passing lane between Bryant and Shaq, really the only two offensive threats the Lakers had during Malone's injury. Ben Wallace comes into play for how he played Shaq down low, and how he positioned himself to stop Bryant on any screens. He basically baited Shaq to get deep into the post, because he knew the deeper he got, the longer the pass, and the more likely Shaq would not step back out and set a screen. Give credit to one of the greatest defensive coaches of all-time, Larry Brown, as well. Sorry for my rant. But, yes, Prince was a huge part of that. His length bothered Kobe's jumpers, and Detroit's help defense kept Bryant from driving in. Perfect recipe to defeat the triangle, and it was a way teams looked to do this when Winter was running it at K-State with a post and a facilitating wing back when he created it.

Durant is looking for another streak of 30+ points, I'm guessing. Hopefully, he starts shooting the ball better on his way to 30, because it's really hurting the Thunder. Detroit shot 47% from two, 67% from three. OKC shot 39% from two, an ugly 13% (2-15) from three. 44-20 FT margin, though. Can't be surprised by the win.

Hibbert looked great, but he's gotta play a little more in the post. I'm just afraid that if he gains weight (meaning fat and muscle), he's going to be less effective out there for the Pacers. Good all-around game for Indiana, though, on the road.

Good point. I worried about this a little before the season started (only a little because it's not the Lakers, haha). Turner has to have the ball. If Philly wants to be successful, they need to stick the ball in Turner's hands, tell him to make plays for everyone else, and go from there. It's starting to look like he'll be leading this team for the next few seasons, especially after the Iggy-Deng rumors hit the air once again (true or not). Turner was most effective in college when he was facilitating his offense. He won't average seven or eight assists, of course, but he's going to get guys open looks, or help swing the ball to an open man. They just can't play him as a spot-up shooter. He needs to be exclusively involved in the offense, or he'll be ineffective most of the night.

THE JORDAN RULES! Cousins and Favors racked up a total of 11 fouls in a combined 41 minutes. LOL. Favors did play better, though. As I said in the other game topic, Harris is playing like he wants to win again...haha.

The Clippers are ignorant. Blake Griffin is going to be a 34 year old veteran by the time he's 25, if they keep expecting him to do everything out there. And by everything...I mean literally everything.

New Orleans has been looking for that perimeter defender for quite some time now, and they may have him in Ariza. Posey was well over the hill when they picked him up, and while Melo toyed with Trevor early, it was Ariza who didn't look so intimidated when it mattered most.