Real Deal

There are still a couple of guys who need to start respecting everyone else around here. Yeah, the internet is truly serious business when it consumes your time and money. It may be free for all of you to post here, but it's not free for me to allow it.

Sure. Charlotte was picking for the Lakers, really.

The Lakers would first have to waive their rights to him, which won't happen unless he's got an attitude problem (and that's even a question).

Build teams through the draft, complete your team through free agency.

The Paul, Amare and Carmelo trio is possible. In fact, I see it happening...especially after the way Melo and Paul have been acting lately (Melo won't sign that extension, Paul wants out).

In other words, the Hornets won't be trading Paul to the Knicks unless they get Amare in return, because the Knicks have nothing that interests them other than STAT. And if the Knicks deal Amare for Paul without getting another big (ex. Okafor), they will struggle even more due to the fact that they won't have any defense up front...like Amare actually plays defense to begin with, but he still has the ability to grab d-boards and contest shots. ------ Of course, the kicker is that the Hornets will want to trade Emeka as well...and this could be a good thing for the Knicks, if they can snag Paul without trading Amare (which is the idea, according to the topic title). Emeka isn't the offensive player he hoped to be, and he's not Dwight Howard on defense, but he's still a better defensive player than Amare, and he's also more of a center. If the Knicks want Paul without trading Amare, I assume the Hornets will try and shove Emeka's contract down their throats. Good for New York.

He's pesky, and while he's not as thick and strong as a prime Billups, Blake is a physical defender. He's not Hinrich, but when people actually look at Kirk, they probably don't see a defensive specialist. And yes, Blake is a good defender, which is three times the defense we get from Derek Fisher.

Granted it was only the Summer League, what are your thoughts on Evan Turner today? Do you feel he's going to be an all-star, superstar, solid franchise player, bust, etc? How has the SL changed your opinion on him compared to your initial predictions before, during and right after the NBA Draft? Was he the right selection for Philly?

They blew up their team to try and get LeBron...might as well stick in another land mine and do everything to team CP3 with Amare.

Depends on who they have to trade. That bench may not be so deep after the deal. If it had anything to do with the original rumors, I think the deal would've already been made...but New Orleans is wanting more.

Blake has been a good defensive player since college, honorable mention All-Defensive team in 2000. In 2009... Blake's problem is mental. That will change with Phil Jackson. Plus, a change in defensive strategies will help Blake as well. LA is one of the best defensive teams in the NBA, and has gotten better with the additions of Matt Barnes, Theo Ratliff, Devin Ebanks and possibly a healthy Andrew Bynum (and of course, Steve Blake). He's a good defender, not a great one. He's a 6/10. That's as good or better than most point guards in the league. Nash has been sitting at rock bottom (zero) for his entire career, so don't compare the two. Yes, we all know.

Phil already re-signed for next season.

A- Blake is going to be a great fit. He gives us defensive intensity at the one, a point that can make the post entry pass, and someone that can knock down shots as well...exactly what we were looking for. Caracter is amazing for being nearly the last pick in the draft. His post play is very solid, and I'm happy with what he can do on the glass as well. First-round material. Ebanks is a poor man's Ariza. I like that. Even looks like him, in a way...haha. Another first-round pick that was selected in the second. Barnes and Ratliff give us defense at positions we need it. We let Farmar go...and that's a good thing. He was a bad defender, poor decision-maker in the triangle, and belongs in an uptempo system that lets him run up and down the floor as if he were in Phoenix. Can't say I'm disappointed.

I would've loved Hinrich (one of the best defensive guards in the league), but Blake is a great consolation prize. And I actually wanted Barnes more than Bell. I'm just not so sure about Bell's health.

60 days for Matt. Next one is a permanent ban. It's too bad it has to come to that, really.

Pretty disappointing. Looks like I'm going to have to re-evaluate the entire community, and just hope for new posters from Twitter and possible mergers.

Good signing. He's better than Powell on the defensive end, is an actual center, and plays his role well. Barnes is next. Blake, Ratliff, Barnes...just adding defense to every hole we had last season.

http://www.nba.com/news/features/aldridge.2010.freeagency/?ls=iref:nbahpt1#Ratliff?ls=iref:nbahpt2

Well, of course, you can put them in the fridge to keep them good for a day or two. Milk is never bad at my house. I drink three glasses a day. Go ahead and try it...just leave them on the counter and check back in 24 hours. Keep the house the same temp as it always is (I'm sure you don't keep it 80 degrees in there).

Good offensive game, no defense...so he's perfect for Golden State. Pretty good signing, really. He could be big for them off the bench.

Makes you wonder what else they'll be doing this summer, and before the trade deadline in February.

Scottie Pippen is one of the greatest perimeter defenders in league history. Rodman is the greatest defender of all-time (at least according to me and many others who watch basketball). Harper is a better defender than Fisher, by miles, and a better overall player. The 1996 Jordan and today's Kobe...it's a wash. Andrew Bynum barely contributed in the Finals, had trouble in the WCF. The bench? Not even close. Los Angeles had one of the worst benches in the league. I love our team, but it doesn't touch the 1996 Bulls. Gasol would absolutely hate trying to play against Rodman, and because Rodman is also one of the greatest rebounders in league history, our rebounding advantage wouldn't be as significant, and that's a big problem when Bynum isn't healthy. Can't pretend like he's 100% either, because he just isn't.

Nope, 24 hours just sitting on our counter top, covered, doesn't matter the temperature/season. I know this because I fixed dinner once, had an emergency and ran out the door...drove three hours, didn't come back until the following day, and that wasn't even 24 hours. Almost killed me...I could smell them right when I stepped into the house, it was so bad.

That's why you have to watch what you say, simple as that. I'm done with the topic if your own words can't hit home.

Day-old mashed potatoes. The next time you have them, cover them up and let them sit for 24 hours. They are so bad, you won't be able to smell them twice.