Real Deal

Wow, so you're telling me they didn't want Sun Yue? :o Surprise, surprise. Gabe Pruitt is having a hard time fitting in. I would've thought he'd find a team by now.

Wizards and Pistons should actually be interesting, because truthfully, it's difficult to tell what either of these teams will do this season, depending on who they start and if they stay healthy.

As said many times before, Ariza's play depended on Bryant and Gasol. Stick him on a team with lesser talent and superstardom (ex. the Knicks when he was in New York), and you'll find that he becomes less relevant because he's a better spot-up shooter than he is a primary or secondary scoring option.

I'm too lazy to do it, but someone go through the Lakers games from last season, list a few of Kobe's +/- stats, and compare them to other players on that team during those games. Go ahead and do the same with Wade. The +/- stats consider the players you're in the lineup with just as much as they do the player they supposedly match. A lineup of Farmar, Vujacic, Bryant, Powell and Mbenga would lower Bryant's +/- statistic because they would score less than they allow...meaning, all five of them in the game at once. Durant plays the bulk of the minutes with lesser talent, and the Thunder struggle, and that's reasonable. It's really that simple.

There's no primary option out there that can carry the team, and there isn't anyone who can actually run the offense. If McGrady returned to full health after November, things could change...but I can't sit here and say I think that's going to happen. Not that I want the Rockets to be good, but I don't like player injuries, and I wish him the best.

I won't even read your first reply, because the second reply is the only one that matters, because it mentions Iverson. And the fact is, if you want to criticize Allen Iverson as much as you do, be ready for others to criticize Chauncey Billups, or just shut up about it. Is that hard to understand, sir? Discussion is over.

On The Real would work, but having the site name as the podcast name makes it a bit redundant, especially if others start calling it "OTR's On The Real Podcast" (which would be saying, "On the Real's On The Real Podcast").

Right. I will definitely remember this come the regular season, by the way. When things start to warm up even the slightest bit in a topic, I'll be in there shutting everyone up and handing out suspensions, since we can't criticize a team anymore. And if you were around last season, I believe you'd realize just how bad it gets for Lakers fans...but you'll find out yourself. As far as people leaving the site goes, just because your player gets bashed? Just go already. Don't spend your time bashing Allen Iverson for a month, then cry about someone picking on one of your guys, and expect to get sympathy from me. Same with Kobe Bryant, same with any player in the league, doesn't matter who.

Thicken your skin then, buddy. Us Lakers fans deal with it every day during the season, but we don't go running elsewhere. Nobody is attacking your Nuggets. You were criticizing them before anyone else, in fact. If you can't handle it, then that's not my problem. I simply stated two things: that Melo shouldn't have acted like he was in a playoff game, and that Billups was sucking (as you stated) and JOKED about him not applying that leadership you praised SO much and making it an effective factor in the way Melo was acting towards Dahntay Jones. It pissed you off that I brought up your argument you were using against Iverson, that's all. Maybe the personal shots you were taking against Iverson were pissing others off, also...so think about that before getting butt-hurt about someone attacking Billups.

Farmar still lacks lateral quickness, exposing him on defense. Offensively, he belongs on a run and gun team, such as the Suns. Truth is, he's a shoot-first PG that doesn't need to be featured as a potential starter or sixth man in an offense that relies heavily on passing the ball, simple as that.

Let me re-word it, then. Billups HAD SUPPOSEDLY set an example, and the Nuggets followed it. That, according to you, is why they won four more games last year, because of his leadership. I distinctly remember you telling me how Melo and the others were dressing before games. I remember you saying how Melo stopped smiling and laughing when they were losing. I remember you saying that Billups was yelling at Nene for the poor start of a game, at the beginning of the first quarter. I remember you saying it was all Billups. Now, I'd rather not have to go and dig it all up, dude. You know you said it. You know you're wrong. And aside from all that, it was still a joke...but the guilty cry loudest.

Actually, the first part was a joke, although you DID tell me that Billups was supposed to be keeping all of these guys in check, and turning them away from the Thuggets label, teaching them how to win and be competitive. And the second part was a serious post. I actually think it was more of Melo just hogging the ball, because you don't attempt 19 shots, and go to the line for 17 free throw attempts, in 24 minutes of play of a preseason game. No point in it, ever.

Wow, Wright had some good games. I can give you some good games by Smush Parker, if you'd like. Check this out, from 2005-06 alone: 24 PTS, 12 REB, 6 AST, 3 STL vs. GSW, 1/14/06 24 PTS, 2 REB, 3 AST, 3 STL vs. PHI, 1/6/06 22 PTS, 1 REB, 4 AST, 1 STL vs. MIN, 12/2/05 21 PTS, 5 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL vs. UTA, 12/1/05 21 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST, 3 STL vs. ATL, 11/8/05 21 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST, 4 STL vs. PHX, 11/3/05 20 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST, 7 STL vs. MIL, 12/6/05 20 PTS, 4 REB, 6 AST, 1 STL vs. DEN, 11/2/05 18 PTS, 6 REB, 2 AST, 4 STL vs. GSW, 4/11/06 15 PTS, 5 REB, 10 AST, 1 STL vs. HOU, 4/2/06 How about in 2006-07? 26 PTS, 4 REB, 5 AST, 3 STL vs. ORL, 1/12/07 25 PTS, 5 REB, 6 AST, 2 STL vs. PHX, 4/8/07 ...six other 20+ point games... 19 PTS, 7 REB, 9 AST, 0 STL vs. MIN, 3/18/07 18 PTS, 4 REB, 8 AST, 3 STL vs. POR, 2/21/07 How about some Luke Walton, in 2006-07? 25 PTS, 4 REB, 6 AST, 1 STL 22 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL 21 PTS, 3 REB, 6 AST, 1 STL 20 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST, 2 STL 19 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST, 0 STL 19 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST, 0 STL 18 PTS, 5 REB, 8 AST, 0 STL 18 PTS, 5 REB, 7 AST, 1 STL 15 PTS, 8 REB, 11 AST, 2 STL Wright isn't an all-star, and he never will be.

Shouldn't Billups use his leadership to calm Melo down, if he's getting testy and throwing elbows? And on a more serious note, Melo scored 45 points in 24 minutes of play, 16 points coming from free throws, against the likes of Solomon Jones and Dahntay Jones. Good for him, but what does that do for Denver, exactly? While Billups is sitting around doing jack for the team, Melo decides he's gonna drop 40+ in a preseason game? Come on.

That's not saying average, that's saying he had at least 20 and 8. Eight boards...that's decent rebounding. Six boards? That's not, not for Jermaine. And don't ever call Wright a potential all-star. It will never, ever happen. Chalmers is my boy, but he'll never be an all-star, either. Beasley a superstar? A superstar like Kobe, LeBron, Wade and Howard? Well...okay. As far as the Iverson/Billups argument, that's comparing two all-stars. Jermaine is far from that, and Magloire doesn't even exist. Big difference. So all Magloire brings to the table is...what exactly? Experience in the Finals? Experience as a winner? Or just experience as a mediocre pro? I guess every single veteran can do that, then...every single one of them. Isn't Jacque Vaughn up there in age? I'm sure he'd be a great asset to the Heat.

Wow, a bit offensive, are we? 1) Jermaine O'Neal is still a third of what he used to be, and no, he won't propel your team into the ECF's. It's going to take much more than that. You're making it sound like O'Neal is still a good player, but he has plenty of defensive lapses and is inconsistent on offense. Do I watch the Heat? Yeah, I do. I had League Pass. Wade was one of my favorite players to watch last season. You may want to take your own advice about assumptions. 2) Magloire doesn't bring ANYTHING to the table in Miami. Stop overrating him. He played less than 13 minutes a game last season, played in less than 60 games. His numbers were terrible, he shot under 50% as a center, and he sucks. His "mentoring" will only negatively alter any intelligence Beasley has picked up since the first game he played in the pros. 3) What does superstition have anything to do with Wade going to a team with better players and a better chance to win it all? Riley didn't break a mirror, and Arison didn't walk under a ladder. It has more to do with the Heat not making any moves towards bringing Wade a team he can contend with, while the Bulls just opened up a spot for him to play alongside who will soon to be the best point guard in the NBA. Wade isn't an idiot. Doing the RIGHT thing would be to go to his hometown and contend for a title. Superstition has absolutely nothing to do with it. Mental toughness and experience does nothing if you aren't a consistent contributor. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar brought that every day when teaching Bynum, but that didn't prevent Andrew from missing all the games he did, playing lackluster defense in his return, and eventually decreasing his time with Kareem as a mentor (practically getting rid of him). Three consecutive games of 20+ PTS and eight or more boards? When? GM1: 5 PTS (2/5 FG), 2 REB GM2: 19 PTS (6/9 FG), 6 REB GM3: 22 PTS (7/14 FG), 10 REB GM4: 20 PTS (7/11 FG), 6 REB GM5: 14 PTS (6/11 FG), 3 REB I don't see the streak...but I do see where he must have had a concussion in Game 1, also.

Who will have a better game: JaMarcus Russell or Eli Manning? And don't pick based on your hate for Oakland. Tell the truth.

Do I know you? Welcome to the BEST.

I've had four consecutive games with A's on my report card, earning at or above 1500 points each game, and I've yet to leave the Stampede, or even start for them. I've also been cut after every single one of those games, then re-signed by them. I really do think it's a glitch of some sort. I'm in my 16th game with Idaho.

Nick Collison, Robert Swift, Etan Thomas, BJ Mullens...not going to cut it. If Krstic were to go back to his old self, it would possibly propel the Thunder into the playoffs within a year or two. With Durant, Westbrook, Green and Harden, all OKC needs are big men who can score and somewhat protect the rim. While Swift was supposed to be this magnificent shot-blocking machine out of high school, and Collison was an All-American before double shoulder surgery, it's either Krstic's health, or Mullens' development.

Jermaine isn't in Jonathan Bender mode yet, but he's never going to get back to that all-star level he was at. It's amazing to think that he's Kobe's age, and he was a strong candidate for an MVP award at one point, yet now he's just hanging around in Miami, calling for the ball and not getting it, and playing at about 1/3 of his abilities. But yeah, Miami needs him. They also need to stop experimenting with injured bigs. Magloire didn't work out for them, Jermaine won't, and it wasn't too long ago that they were after Elton Brand in a sign and trade situation with the Clippers. Heat fans just need to cross their fingers on Beasley and pray to God that Wade doesn't go to Chicago.

Too many question marks up front. I gotta take Thompson as well. Chalmers and Augustin would be good picks, but they'd play behind Harris, and Devin has to run the point. All three need the ball in their hands. I like Rush here as a second option, no bias. He plays defense and did show signs of improvement in the second half of the season last year (for Indiana). But the Nets were smart to take Lopez in the real draft, and they would be smart to pick up Thompson if this were a real-life situation.

Great, looks like the Lakers fans are going to have to resort to the silent treatment again, since I don't have a corner to sit anyone in.

The problem is that the people that blast Obama have NEVER said anything positive about him, ever...while I can say that I like him, like what he is doing for the most part, but come in here and say that he doesn't deserve this Nobel Peace Prize. Things like that show the difference between two people.

LOL, Iraq was fine? When? And before Obama, I distinctly remember gas prices being the highest I've ever seen them, and before Obama, I distinctly remember the stock market on the verge of crashing, and Dow tickers all over the news, showing the quick decreases right before our eyes. But I guess nobody else remembers that. This [expletive] is getting old already. Everyone THINKS they have a solution, but they don't say anything because, truthfully, they don't. Nobody on this site is qualified to run this country, and nobody on this site will ever be qualified to run it, so all the rambling everyone does about a President that has been in office for less than a year is irrelevant, especially seeing the devastation we were in when he took office. Boo hoo. Get over it, or move to Mexico and cry about your wages and freedom.