Poe

The team around a player is definitely a factor to how well they play. Especially a team like the Lakers. When you've got good passing big men in Pau, Odom, and Walton, and having arguably one of the best players in the NBA, plus having one of the best coaches in NBA history, while being personally trained by a Hall of Famer... you can't say that it doesn't help, haha.

Bynum is also on a much better team, so less attention is drawn to him making it easier to score. Also, one more stat that favors Brook is that he is an 80% FT shooter and Bynum is 70%.

Who is better? 08-09 Andrew Bynum: 14.3 PPG (56%), 8.0 RPG, 1.8 BPG, 29 minutes 08-09 Brook Lopez: 13.0 PPG (53%), 8.1 RPG, 1.8 BPG, 30 minutes

Whether that is a travel or not, it's not obvious. The ref's perspective may have been that Kobe does a behind the back dribble and takes a step back, landing on two feet, then takes a left step forward for a right handed short bank shot. Two steps. Looking closely at this angle a few times, I see that he took a step back on his left first, then shifted his pivot to his right, but it's definitely not clear enough for it to be a blatant travel. I wouldn't call it.

I think the Raptors are sure to make the playoffs, at least somewhere in the bottom four seeds, but I can't see them becoming title contenders. With Turk at the prime point of his career, I think it's a good goal for him. It's pretty doubtful, though, when he's in the same conference as LeBron, Granger, Iguodala, Caron, Pierce, Lewis, Tayshaun, and Gerald Wallace.

I agree. If Wade wasn't a member of the Heat, then I'd be all for them getting AI. I'd rather see the Heat use their money on a player that fits better with their system.

I wonder how many Laker-Haters will be sending him prank calls..

Now I know why they call him "Big Baby"

Most people seem to disagree, but I think the Heat will be a solid team this year, despite not making any moves this summer. With two first round picks and plenty of cap space next year in 2010, that will be a much better time to make upgrades. Remember, the Heat are a young team filled with players that have plenty of room left for improvement. Aside from the young guys on the bench, I think we'll find Wright, Haslem, and O'Neal to be an excellent defensive frontcourt, who all three are capable of getting double-doubles on any given night, with a backcourt that has two of the top five ball-hawks in the league. Offensively, aside from D-Wade, the Heat have a rising scorer in Beasley, O'Neal who is starting to find his old rythm back, a good slasher in Dorell who has a solid midrange J, great shooters in Cook and Jones, and Chalmers who will continue to improve from his solid rookie year. It would be great if the Heat can grab a veteran PG, but even if they don't, I'm still expecting a strong season.

This looks like the Raptors are turning into a fun team to watch. Lots of offense with good passers, shooters, and slashers. Everyone can create shots, for themselves and for their teammates. Maybe not so much on the other end of the floor, but they will be tough to guard as well. I look forward to seeing them play.

I think Miami already has enough depth. Although I would like to see a veteran PG join the team who could take some pressure off of Wade, I think they can still pull off at least a good 50 win season if everyone stays healthy.