Nitro

I find it wrong. They were losing, there's been a lot of controversy surrounding the team and their immaturity, and up until that point his FGM-FGA was as awful as the team's record. It's just a bad look for an organization that is really struggling right now to have a positive identity.

He's averaging over 4 TO's and has an awful TS% of .490. In other words, no, he's not the most underrated player in the league. Especially since he's getting paid $11M this season and has been in so many trade rumors as the centerpiece to acquire an all-star caliber player. Bottom line is he is super talented, but his stats are overblown because of volume. He's taking over 21 shot attempts and doing the bulk of the ballhandling/playmaking for the Warriors, so of course he'll get his 20/7. However, the inefficiency he does both at is what makes him impossible to ever build around, and what makes other contending teams hesistant to trade for him.

He shots 10+ free throws in 10 of the 17 playoff games. And yes, Melo has a more versatile game, but it's inefficient (.544 TS% this season). Melo has too quick of a trigger a lot of times, and too often he bails out his defender with jumpers. Durant's game is much more efficient and doesn't stop offensive rythym like Melo's game can at time.

Memphis had Allen and Battier to throw at Durant, though...that's a helluva combo defensively. He still scored over 33pts 3x in that series, and had only 2 inefficient games (games 3 and 6). And yes, you're right when it comes to the assists, but he also grabbed 9 boards or more in half his playoff games, which is sensational for a SF.

Durant has actually improved his playmaking this season, and his defense continues to improve. He could definitely add some one-on-one moves to his arsenal, but as it is he's a great iso scorer, and probably the most dangerous off-ball player in the game. His efficiency is ridiculous. Rose is still inefficient (under 44% shooting, 33% of those shots being 3's which he shoots below 32%), and as he was exposed last year in the ECF, if he can't get to the rim and can't hit the step back jumper, he's pretty useless scoring the ball. He needs to learn to play off-ball, and still needs to continue to improve his jumper. His defense is also still suspect, though with his athleticism and strength he has all the tools to be a great defender. Between the two, I'd say Durant is the better player. He's more consistent, and IMO harder to effectively take out of the game.

I don't know why Rose keeps being mentioned with LeBron/Dwight instead of Durant/Melo. 11-12 Durant: 27.4PER, 26.0PPG, 6.8RPG, 3.4APG, .609 TS% 11-12 Rose: 23.7PER, 20.8PPG, 8.7APG, 3.5RPG, .555 TS%

Rose? Meh. Him and Durant are on the same level. Dwight is the only player that deserves to be in the same "start a team" debate with LeBron.

Pierce is untradable, and I doubt either side wants to part ways. Allen is the most enticing trade option of the 3. He has a fair contract that is set to expire, and of the 3 he's the closest to being at the top of his game. He's still got an amazing 3pt shot, can still free himself for those shots, and he's still got the stamina to be working his ass off in the 4th quarter to catch and drain a clutch 3. Of the fringe contending teams, OKC, LAC and NY could definitely use his services. If the Celtics got a first rounder and a few decent role players, I'd consider that a win. If KG is traded for, it will be for his expiring contract. This season his contract FAR outweighs his productivity on the court, and the PF position is probably the most saturated position in the league. Nearly every team has an effective PF. I don't know if there is a playoff team out West where he'd be an upgrade on, and there's only a handful of teams in the East playoff picture where he'd be an improvement. So, a team will only want him likely for his expiring contract, and I am not sure if the Celtics wouldn't like to hold on to his $21M expiring contract and open up the FA market a bit this summer.

Yes...in CHINA! Where washed-up NBA players spend their final days. Fundementals? Lmao. I can see it now..."Listen, you get the ball, go across half court, dribble the ball for 23 seconds, chuck the 3, and walk back on defense as the other team gets the easy layup. That's what will get you to the NBA!!!" Seriously, though, if he knew what it takes to be in the NBA he'd, well, be in the NBA. He wouldn't have been ran out of the league. He was a better player than Francis and dealth with less injuries, so I'd take him in this debate, but I wouldn't want either one on an NBA team. I'd take AI over either right now.

Howard is a better player than Bynum, and it isn't too close. Bynum is the better post scorer than Dwight due to his hands/touch, footwork and ability to keep the ball high at all the time. However, despite that, Howard still scores nearly 3 more points than Bynum does, and he does so on less shots. His FG% and TS% (which has been much lower than last year) are both better than Bynum. He does this as the Magic's unquestioned go-to scorer, while Bynum has the luxory of playing with the game's leading scorer as well as one of the best post players in the league in Gasol. So, the defensive pressure they face is NOT the same, and if Bynum was the #1 option, it is a good assumption that his scoring efficiency and TO's (which are high already) would plummet. Bynum is actually worse and less willing than Howard to pass out of the post, also. Defensively is where Howard makes this a no-brainer. Bynum is a good defensive big man, but he isn't great on PnR's, gets lazy with rotations, and he doesn't change every shot around the rim like Howard does. Year after year Howard is teamed up with god-awful defenders and still makes the Magic a top 5-10 defense. His impact is unreal and special, and it could be even scarier if he ever gets some help on that side of the ball.

What a sloppy, inefficient and low-scoring game by both clubs through 3 quarters. Hopefully the game picks up a more exciting, consistent rythym and flow in the 4th.

IMO the best defensive PG in the NBA.

Agreed. And besides, Ariza gives them too much of what Gay does, he just doesn't score as well or as efficiently. EDIT- Although, I will say, Tony Allen pretty much is an offensive liability.

I won last year's tournament, and have no time this year, so I wish everyone the best of luck. And if anyone wants to use me as a consultant, just shoot me a PM :glasses:

Including tonight, it's been over 2 weeks since the team scored at least 90pts in a game. They are 29th in the league in rebounding, with an old KG leading the team with 7.1RPG. All of the big 3 are getting old and unathletic, and Rondo still doesn't have the jumpshot to carry the team. They are barely top 20 in both offensive and defensive rating. The team is now 4-8, and with this compressed schedule, it's going to be extra hard for them to get back on track without some major moves. It looks like the end of the line for this club.

You're the transvestite prostitute that Danny Bonaduce beat and robbed. And you're fat. Seriously, stop with the random insults.

Quietly, I have watched about 3/4 of the Nets games this season, and MarShon Brooks has been extremely impressive each game I have watched, Thus far, per 36min, he's averaging 19.1PPG/5.1RPG/1.4APG/1.4SPG and shooting 46.3% from the field, 39.5% from 3 and 75.0% from the FT line for a TS% of .557. Oh, and less than 2 TO's as well. For a rookie, those are tremendous numbers because he's doing everything at a good volume right out the gate, but he's also been very efficient for a backcourt rookie who's getting 25+ minutes a night right out the gate. What makes him special, beyond the numbers, is how polished he is for a rookie. He actually reminds me of a smaller, less athletic version of 2000-2001ish Kobe. He can get to the rim, is very good in the midrange game, has an impressive (and surprising) post game, and can hit the open or contested 3pt shot. He also hustles a lot defensively and on the boards, though he has a lot of room for improvement in terms of technique defensively. The one area I feel he can definitely improve on is his playmaking, though with Deron Williams he obviously doesn't get much chance to show off what he can do there. Overall, I really love how this kid plays, especially for a rookie. I feel he definitely has all-star potential, and I don't say that a lot about non-lottery draft picks. With Lopez recovering from injury, his emergence could actually save the Nets in the Dwight Howard sweepstakes, and make the Magic a little more comfortable with Lopez knowing they'd also get a rising young player in Brooks as well. Video of one of his recent games: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh7jioO_VNY

That's his biggest issue at the moment. He only plays at one speed, and that makes him out of control at times. I love his aggressiveness on the fast break, but too often he goes full speed and wildly throws himself at the rim with a turnover or missed shot as a result. Or, he goes full speed, stops on a dime and takes a pull-up jumper, which is not his game and is EXTREMELY difficult to pull off even if he was a great shooter. Besides that, and his shaky jumper, he's an incredible talent who just needs a better coach and smarter, more mature teammates. PG's rarely can maximize their talents with crap teammates, just look at Deron Williams on the Nets. Once he is placed in a situation with a solid playoff-caliber team around him, he has all the talent and ability in the world to be an elite player in this league.

I was fine with R Kelly pissing on an underage girl, so obviously I have no issue with this.

The window is completely shut for a Finals run. They are too old, unathletic, aren't deep and lack rebounding. IMO it is time to trade KG and Allen (both are expiring contracts I believe), and build around Rondo and whatever draft picks and role players you get in return for those 2 former stars.

So? If he causes problems, he can ride the bench. if he causes a LOT of problems, at that price, he can be easily waived without doing much damage.

What if the parents are wealthy and are in a great relationship, minus the wedding bands, which is money that could go towards the kid's college funds?

He's a low-risk, mild-reward signing. He'll probably go wherever at the vet minimum, so it's not like you're risking a whole lot to sign him. The Celtics could definitely use some offensive firepower, and Arenas can offer that spark from time to time. The Knicks have little backcourt talent, and in D'Antoni's system he could actually have a chance to shine as much as his knee will allow. You could give him some of Fisher/Blake's minutes at PG for the Lakers if they don't plan on filling that void elsewhere through trade. With Maynor out for the season, the Thunder could use him for depth at the PG position. And the Bulls could use another scoring punch off their bench, which is pretty offensively challenged. So, yes, I do think a few teams could definitely use his services in ideally a limited backup role.

Huh? He still has nearly a 20 PER this year, still averaging 16/10/2 on great percentages, and is still the most skilled post player in the NBA. He's playing next to a dominant offensive and rebounding big man, and the leading scorer in the league, so those numbers are really dumbed down compared to what he's still capable of. There's still a LOT of teams that would love his services. Trading Bynum and Pau is way too much for just Howard, despite my personal opinion that at very worst he's a top 4 player and arguably the most impactful player in the league. Bynum is a better post scorer than Howard and not a far worse rebounder, and also good defensively. Pau, as I mentioned before, is the most skilled post player in the NBA, a great passer for his position, and a good rebounder and solid defender. That's a LOT of talent and size to be giving up. Orlando knows if they don't trade Howard he'll be gone for nothing but cap relief, so they don't have the leverage, especially since LA will be contenders regardless and they have the best prospect of all the teams Howard wants to be dealt to. If LA is to be giving up both their big men, they will need at least 1-2 other good role players in return. Hedo would actually wouldn't be a bad fit on the Lakers and would fill a need at SF, although if I were the Lakers I'd make a push to get Jameer in the deal. Then they could use the TPE and maybe a guy like Ebanks to sure up their frontcourt depth.

About damn time. Blatche is a super-talented, but absolutely retarded player. Doesn't use his post ability near enough, is an inefficient scorer who is a volume chucker, an awful defender, has a terrible attitude, and is TO prone. However, because of his talent, it wouldn't surprise me if a team like the T-Wolves made a move for him. Khan loves taking on these kind of projects, and the Wizards actually might get a bit of return for him. He DOES have a lot of talent, and I'm sure there will be a few teams out there that believe they have the coaching personel to tap into his potential, so he there might be a market for him.