Real Deal

It was Andrew Bynum for me...which proves that you can hate an all-star player from your favorite team (and Lakers fans will understand). Right now, I can't say anyone in particular, but I'm sure that will change during the season. I mean, I don't really like Steve Blake, and I dislike Darius Morris because our fanbase has been overrating him for a long time now (that's one thing that bothers me)...but to say that I hate someone on today's roster...nah. EDIT: I don't like Duhon, and even better, I would have told you Nash for years.

I thought he was going to try and play the entire season without the surgery? I swear I read that just 2-3 days ago. Dallas is going to struggle...not really sure how else to put it. I mean, the team is pretty damn new (Brand, Mayo, Kaman, Collison), and I'm assuming all four of those guys will be landing big roles with Dirk out. Brand and Kaman aren't all-stars anymore. I suppose this is Mayo's big opportunity in this league...could be the biggest two months of his career. By the way, I edited the poll. You had >5 (greater than) instead of "less than" five games.

If Odom gets back into shape, him...but word is he hasn't improved, and he's really not in basketball shape right now (which is bad, when you consider the month). So, I have to go with Crawford simply because he's quick to pile up the points off the bench. I realize Bledsoe had a few good games in the playoffs, but his regular season (nearly all of it) was pretty upsetting, and he's going to have to play consistently before I consider him better than a good sixth man in Crawford OR a healthy/fit Odom.

Impressive.

Yeah, he really raped the NBA, for his one championship. You (not SRV) are starting to sound like those Boston fans in 2008. But whatever.

Probably the newer bandwagon fans, but I doubt most of us that have been following Kobe's career since 1996 (or have been Lakers fans pre-Kobe) would say that. Kobe is widely known by our fanbase as being the greatest Laker of all-time now, and most of us were waiting for him to win that fifth ring, and to set Lakers records, before he surpassed Magic. You'd be surprised. You've read some of the things I put about LeBron most recently, even before he won it all (but during this season). I'm on record saying he's the best in the league, saying that I am happy he changed his attitude, and that I respect how he finally added a post game (which is one thing that won him that ring, honestly). The Lakers fans who actually care about more than just one team (there aren't THAT many, but I can name a few off the top of my head from LakerNation) have respect for LeBron's game, and growing respect for how he acts (especially how humble he started becoming), and that's what matters to us. We either win a championship, or consider our season a failure. If LeBron and Dwight bring us a ring, that's another banner hanging over our court, and that's really all we care about.

That's not the only reason, though. Wade may still be a superstar right now, but in two years, pending Dwight's back injury (he's fine), there will be no doubt that Howard will be the better superstar. The fact that Wade will retire with the Heat could be a bad thing for LeBron down the stretch, because Miami won't toss him aside to make room for another big name, just like Boston has refused to do the same to an aging Pierce. He put in one season of maturity. That's all. He was celebrating a fake championship in the summer of 2010, and before that, he was laughing at players on the court, dancing around before and during games, and acting like he was putting in the greatest career we've ever seen. ------- With all of that said, I never stated that he would leave. I'm just saying that it's not that big of a stretch to say it's impossible. I don't see why he would leave a team after four seasons, though...not that they will be bad if Wade shatters his knee, and Bosh ruptures vertebrae in his back...but most superstars, despite their attitude, will put in work on a bad team for at least 2-3 seasons. If he left the Heat, fans would assume he really did jump ship to win a ring, and decades later, that Heat team will be known as Wade's again, despite the numbers James put up. But, if the Lakers make it happen...if he explores free agency, and they convince him to leave, I'm not going to be shocked.

Can this bullshit NOT happen when I'm busting my ass working on team schedules, rosters, the front page, history pages, plans for a podcast, bulk email, t-shirt and merchandise designs for the new DH store, and adding Twitter followers? I'm [expletive]ing serious.

I honestly doubt anyone is five steps ahead of our GM. We weren't supposed to get Dwight OR Nash, let alone keep Gasol and get Jamison as well. We basically swapped Andrew Bynum for Dwight, Nash and Jamison. I agree that LeBron has all he needs in Miami...now. In two years, how will Wade be playing? Bosh has peaked, in my opinion...and he may not lose much of what he has right now, but he's not going to make up for Wade's losses. LA will lose Gasol and Nash, and Kobe's big contract will come off the books. Whether Kobe takes less money, or retires...well, one will happen (as he has stated multiple times), and that leaves room for the Lakers to afford a max deal AND offer Kobe another $15 million or so (doubt he'd play for less). In 2014, LeBron would be dumb to decline a max deal from LA, if it meant teaming with Howard and Kobe. It's true that Bryant won't be the same player, but he won't be a scrub, either...and he'll still be able to put up all-star numbers. Let me put it this way: LA has raked in a LOT of doubters over the years. People said they couldn't get Garnett...so they found a way to take Gasol, who was pretty good for a consolation prize, and we kept Bynum in the process. We weren't supposed to get Ron Artest, but we did...not the offensive player he was in his prime, but his defense was amazing in our 2010 championship run (ask Pierce). We flipped Walton for Ramon Sessions...which was supposed to be impossible. We could have made a deal to send Vujacic to Chicago, for Kirk Hinrich...but we declined only because of the money. Now, we end up with a superstar that didn't want to follow in Shaq's footsteps, and another franchise player that absolutely hated the Lakers before this summer...basically all because we traded a player that has played just one productive, all-star season since 2005. Most NBA fans laughed at the idea of a Bron/Wade/Bosh trio, also. Even I did. But it happened.

From those above, I'm going to say Jrue Holiday, for a number of reasons: 1) He doesn't have a history of injuries, and his team won't be loaded with guys that are wanting the ball in their hands (Lee, Bogut, Barnes, Jefferson, Rush, Klay, Landry, Jack...there's a LOT going on there). I'm starting to think Curry is going to suffer through an ankle injury for the rest of his career, anyway...seems like it will never heal. 2) Evans and the Kings are going to get a divorce, and I don't think it will happen until mid-season (or he will leave via FA). That means, he'll be playing part of his season for a team he just doesn't want to play for, and the other half on a new team he'll need to adjust to. Josh Smith may apply here, also. 3) I don't think Mayo will get the ball enough in Dallas, and I have a feeling that team will be dysfunctional this upcoming season. Just a hunch. For the others, I don't know...I just think Jrue may find it easier to score with a true post player (and the second best center) down low, and he may rack up more assists, without Iguodala facilitating most of the offense. He put up 14/5 on 43% FG last year, and you know his FG% may very well shoot up. Will Nick Young screw that up? I don't know...you tell me, lol. I'd like to see a Nick Young that doesn't think he's Kobe.

That, or he takes less money. He keeps talking about retirement after two seasons, but the truth is, he did previously state 3-5 years, and if it means he continues to play at an all-star level (at least) while winning rings, he'll probably do it.

What was that story, from a LONG time ago, about LeBron giving Jerry Buss tapes of his high school games, hoping the Lakers would find a way to take him in the draft (eventually)? I know it was never posted here, since we opened up in 2005, but I remember the huge talk we had over at JBB...but now I can't find the discussion (on S2).

I really don't know where I'm going with this...not sure if this looks good or not, but here's the Hawks schedule page. http://www.discusshoops.com/hawks/schedule.php I'd like to add more, but then I realize that even NBA.com's pages are pretty simple and bare, so I don't know. I gotta go to sleep though, it's 7 AM...lol. EDIT: And yes, I've linked every single game to the gameday topics.

Dwight Howard Anthony Davis Shane Battier Tony Allen Andre Miller By a mile, because there's nobody to stop Howard down low from the second team, and the team above has defensive specialists to lock up four of the five opponents (and Calderon isn't quick enough, or strong enough, to run over Dre...so in a way, Miller's defense will shine brighter). It's not even close.

He's one of those players that can make something out of nothing (being undrafted), that's for sure. He just has to be able to adjust for halfcourt play, now that Drew is on the roster...slowing the game down a bit. That might be the one thing that can hurt him in Philly. As a spark plug off the bench, though, and on the break...he could be that guy. When Leandro Barbosa was a speed demon, he came in and dumped points on other teams in the same manner, even shooting from long range (like Wayns can)...and if he turns out to be Barbosa, in that sense (not exactly saying they have the same style, but you know what I mean), that's perfect for this Sixers team.

Good question. I was assuming he would be, but I don't know. EDIT: Maybe December. Hmm... http://aol.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2012-09-07/ricky-rubio-injury-update-torn-acl-minnesota-timberwolves-kevin-love

We could try a member of the month, but anything else would be tough to do. Post of the month, topic of the month...things like that, they don't work out all that well, and there's no point in wasting time digging through the board, trying to find them...I'd rather see people posting. Plus, nominations would be based on many different kinds of posts and topics. Some would think the funny posts are good for the site, and some would vote in the serious posts. Some would completely leave out the off-topic forum, and some don't care enough about basketball to find one in the team forums.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8515898/nba-puts-pregame-routines-90-second-clock Well, this is pointless, in my opinion. The next thing you know, you'll have three seconds to get to the foul line, to shoot your free throws, after a foul.

Right now, I'm working on schedules for every NBA team, and I've decided to redo our keywords and description. These things will help us in search engine listings. I gotta get back to where I was. It's all on me, really. I haven't done enough over the last few years.

Yeah, I guess it gives you a list of your repped posts, and who repped them (maybe). It would be nice to have a points system here, so we can place bets on games...but IPB doesn't have one, and I honestly have no idea how to code one for the board (sad to say, since I should be able to...but I'm more familiar with general programming than coding programs compatible for IPB -- much different).

It's his binder full of women.

Bradley plays the two. He was the backup PG last year, but did see a lot of minutes at the SG slot, and plans were to have him start in the backcourt with Rondo this season, anyway (once they got rid of Ray Ray). He would have been defending Wade in the playoffs, and I think Boston would have won that series. Also, Lee isn't that bad of a defender. He's no Bradley (arguably the best perimeter defender in the league), but still...

http://www.sheridanhoops.com/2012/10/17/kevin-love-out-6-8-weeks-with-broken-hand Good luck without him, Minnesota. Rubio time?

Uh... Rajon Rondo Jason Terry Avery Bradley Leandro Barbosa Courtney Lee Scariest backcourt five ever? And where do they come up with the extra minutes for Jet, Blur and Lee?

LOL.