Real Deal

Dwight needs guys knocking down shots from him passing back out of the post. Orlando can't expect him to dominate the paint like O'Neal...just not the same offensive player. Arenas would be able to benefit from it, and probably take advantage of it over guys like Lewis (who fell off the map) and Carter (who doesn't know if he wants to slash or shoot). It's one reason why Redick was so effective as a spot-up shooter in the offense. It would be up to Dwight to learn how to pass out of the post better, though.

The Magic, most definitely. Dallas doesn't need his 20+ shots a game OR his playmaking skills (when he has them on display). Orlando would welcome that.

I agree with most of that, although I really have to consider putting Jeff Green in over Davis. He's a much better overall player, especially defensively.

I don't really think it had anything to do with Cousins' attitude, to be honest. Wall and Turner were the two best players in college, and New Jersey had no reason to select a center in the draft (Cousins will be playing center until he loses weight). Because Favors seemed to be as good of a player as Cousins (and some considered him better), it was logical to take the same caliber player for a position that you need, rather than one you don't need to fill. The guy that hit rock bottom because of his attitude was Caracter. He was a projected top 10 pick in the draft a couple of years back, almost went undrafted because of the way he acted. Similar story to John Gilchrist, if anyone remembers that monster of a point guard.

I wouldn't say that. I think ESPN would be covering for their cash cow. There wasn't a massive panic attack from them when Wade injured his hamstring, and to be honest, that's a bigger concern than the Lakers losing to Barcelona in a meaningless game.

Yeah, I think if you compare both of their rookie seasons, Wall is hands down the better player. His overall skillset is much more defined, especially on the defensive end, and he's a better playmaker. I won't step out on a limb too far right now, but I wouldn't be surprised if I was saying the same thing in 2-3 seasons, discussion current play. Both should be legit franchise players, both all-stars in their primes, so it really comes down to how much Rose can improve before Wall actually surpasses him. It will have a lot to do with Rose developing new skills, while Wall polishes all of his.

Turner is doing his best to run the offense, and not break off into the individual scorer he wants to be. Good sign for Sixer fans. Ew...can't stand Farmar.

This is good to see. He really needs to put in the work. I can't really say he's a poor scorer, because he can throw down (take note of how I put that) 20 points per night. The problem is, when someone says that Howard is a poor offensive player, there's a difference. The greater offensive players do more than just score, and when they do score buckets, it's done in multiple ways. They also work extremely well out of the post, drawing doubles and finding the open shooter. Howard is still lacking post moves, still has choppy footwork, still has poor mechanics. His decision-making in the post is iffy. Scoring the ball by dunking or pulling down o-boards, he can do it. Otherwise, feeding him in the post? If the opposing team has a strong center with a solid base, you stop Howard by his physical presence, keeping Dwight over five feet from the rim. It's a problem he'll need to fix if he wants to be the go-to guy down the stretch in championship runs.

Well, the Bynum comment was so far out in left field, I didn't know what to think. A healthy Drew would pick him apart in the paint. But Favors is a little different, because there's a connection. I don't necessarily agree with Cousins coming out and running his mouth as much as he did (could've just said he feels he has something to prove, leaving it at that), but it makes a little more sense.

It's Sheldon, not Deron.

Super pissed off right now. I turned the game on, and all of my saves were gone. Not like I've been playing for months, but still...and I have no idea how it happened.

The guy that's a proven franchise player. Ask me again in three years.

Talk is cheap.

:o http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/5061867676_23a837484a_z.jpg Holy [expletive], I just realized...we are 0-2.

Nah. It would be different if it was Sports Illustrated.

Almost went to this, but my friend ditched me, last-second, because his girlfriend didn't want to go to a basketball game. It's her birthday, and she would rather go out and eat, and spend all of his money. Oh well. The living room is just fine. Cheaper food, more comfortable seats, no traffic.

Wrong. Those teams struggled because they didn't play like a team. It took a well-rounded team to win those medals. Wade and Bron were more mature, Kobe and Kidd led the way (instead of Iverson), and they were much less selfish. Everyone knows that. There are plenty of NBA/NCAA players that go overseas and dominate. I can give you tons of examples, but I think you know that as well. Haha, right, because the Lakers are a one-man show. It's Kobe, not Durant or LeBron. Bryant doesn't get to the line as much as he used to. The Lakers have too much of an inside game to have to worry about anything to begin with. Barcelona would not be able to defend Gasol and Drew both, and still keep an eye on a healthy Kobe. How is this even up for debate? The shorter three doesn't change the triangle offense, at all. The offense isn't dictated by the spots on the floor as much as it is the spacing and the actual triangle formed, while the spacing also has nothing to do with the three point line. Players will space out regardless of where the three is, and because they are so used to the 23-24 footer, it wouldn't matter where they shot the three to begin with. Haha. Should? Haha. Weird.

Barbosa > Kidd, because he's fast and stuff.

Huh? There isn't that much of a difference between the two sets of rules. Knocking the ball off the rim and a shorter three point line wouldn't sway the series that much. This Lakers team, fully healthy, would annihilate them. I'd give them one win only because I'm giving Bryant one bad game. Doesn't matter the rules.

I'm not the one that has a "Dynasty in the Making" signature of the Big Three, despite them playing just three total minutes together.

He's not going to be 100% ever again. The index finger, shooting hand, already has arthritis and it's a permanent tear, and he'll have tendinitis in that knee for the rest of his career. Not that it matters, really. It's Kobe. Drew and Walton would concern me in a situation like that, and most NBA players, especially at 30+ years old. I've seen enough of Kobe to be able to ignore it, though.

Dude, are you kidding? I don't even know what to say to that, honestly. You're going out on a limb. You might as well say that Lawson has what it takes to be a top five point guard of all-time. By the way, to add to the list of ridiculous predictions for Denver's players...I forgot about the JR Smith/Kobe Bryant comparison you made. In a couple of seasons, man, you'll have two of the best players in the league, I guess, in Lawson and Smith.

Well, they are a great team, no doubt...but if this was June, they would get ran by the Lakers.

1) Wade 2) LeBron 3) Bosh 4) Durant 5) Kobe Something along those lines.

Funny, because I tried to get 20 assists the other night on My Player (2k10), and my guys kept getting fouled at the rim, and couldn't finish (mainly Artest and Drew). That's exactly why I created this topic, lol.