Phightins

Brett Favre's last play as a Packer: INT Brett Favre's last play as a Jet: INT Brett Favre's last play as a Viking: INT?

Holy [expletive].

Carlos Ruiz signed a 3 year $9 million extension today. Hell of a bargain for the guy who is IMO the most underrated catcher in baseball, and I'd argue one of the most valuable guys on this roster. This means that our entire starting 8 (except for Jayson Werth) and our entire starting rotation is locked in beyond this year. Ruben Amaro, you are the man.

Matt Cooke bit Arron Asham's hand today. I have not seen any pics of his hand but apparently there are clear bite marks. I do remember the scrum where this happened, and I guess this explains why Asham was so pissed off. Also it will be interesting to see how the league handles this, since they did not discipline Scott Hartnell after he supposedly bit Kris Letang earlier in the season (although a lot of people claim that Letang made that up). Anyway, I do know one thing, the Penguins and Flyers have one game remaining this season and it will be nasty. Also, looks like Penguins fans may want to rethink those "Hartnell bites" signs for the next game.

Also has anybody else noticed that there are always a TON of penalties during the NBC games? It's as if the NHL thinks lots of special teams is the only way to lure new fans. And when it's the league's most penalized team against the team that is on the power play more than anybody else, it is a pretty bad combination. I know the Flyers had more power plays than the Penguins today so this is kind of a moot point, but quality of penalty should be more important than quantity. The refs were responsible for a 2-goal swing that was the difference in the game. Also there are several rules I'd like to see taken out of the game, or edited at least. One being the double minor for drawing blood on a high stick. This is just flat out the dumbest rule in pro sports. Also I'd like to get rid of the delay of game call for flipping a puck out of play from your own end. If it is clearly an intentional delay of game then fine give a delay of game or unsportsmanlike conduct or something, but this gets called so much and it's just unnecessary IMO.

The Penguins with yet another completely undeserved 2 points against the Flyers. Thanks refs! I'd like to get a copy of that two-sided rule book.

The NHL is officially a [expletive]ing joke. Anybody watching this game knows what I am talking about. Just wow.

http://thebsreport.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/pot-calling-the-kettle-black-734818.jpg

Phillies folk-hero Matty Stairs signed with the Padres today. I knew he was not coming back here, but I am happy he is going to a place where he should get a chance to play.

That may be true, but I am only playing Real Deal's game. Get personal and toss aside stuff that doesn't support my argument...he is the king of that. Anyway like I said I am done here as far as arguing over Kobe goes.

Kobe is a professional athlete. If he is out on the floor I am expecting his A-game. Even Kobe has said in interviews. There you have it. Kobe himself said he is fine and the injuries don’t affect him. I will take Kobe’s word over some guy on the internet. Kobe doesn’t expect there to be any excuses and neither should anyone else. Kobe is getting old. With his back, knee, constant finger injuries we are seeing the toll of 1000 NBA games played plus all the playoff games. And are my eyes playing games on me? Is this “Real Deal” complaining about someone ignoring points. Even if I was Goro from Mortal Combat I wouldn’t be able to count the times Real Deal ignored someones points on my fingers. Let’s take a look at just one of yours posts in this very thread. -Failure to counter argue anything about LeBron wrecking the Lakers in last nights game. - Failure to accept that Kobe made zero plays off the dribble in last nights game. -Completely ignoring the recent streak of games when you ignored the terrible Orlando game and still having no mention of it whatsoever. Only looking at one of your posts too, for the record, this is a common Real Deal occurrence. You get the point, and you do this in EVERY argument. So I'd say you are the pot calling the kettle black. Effective FG% was all I needed to see to be able to tell you were stretching things. Once again let’s see how LA fares against those Houston Rockets at the end of the year when their ratio of home/road games is evened out. Also Houston’s defensive rating is actually better this year with Ariza instead of Artest too. See anyone can pull some weird defensive stat to help their argument. Also just in Lakers defensive rating is 101 while Houston of last year was 104! Owned!!! Yeah now you can see why using stats from a season that is only halfway through is laughable in its own right. Wow Kobe had a good 4th quarter tonight! CALL THE PRESSES! He shot 8-24 which is 33% from the field. But wait they had to be playing a good defensive team right? Nope they played the No D’Antoni Knicks. Great Job Kobe allow me to finish you off for your amazing 33% shooting performance. Kobe is posting up even now with Gasol more than any other guard in the league has in a long time. It is apparent that Kobe has lost his quickness off of the dribble and he is now a jump shooter trying to emulate what Jordan did in the late 90’s although he isn’t nearly as good. He isn’t being able to get to the rim as easily anymore and he is looking old. Kobe Bryant has turned into a volume scorer needing 20+ shots to get 20+ points. I am looking forward to the moment the refs stop fellating him however and don’t save him by sending him to the line. The Danilo foul was laughable tonight. But I'd say this is probably my final post on this subject. It is a futile argument considering I am arguing with "Kobe's uncle".

I think Eddie is sticking with the same starting lineup as last night. For once he has gotten something right.

Yes.

I think we should all stop arguing and just bow down to Kobe. Anything less will get you nowhere around here.

The first scene of the first episode is going to be great, just to see where they take the series. The way they ended season 5 was probably the best cliff hanger I have ever seen.

Kobe's 1000 games played is finally taking it's toll on him and he is becoming brittle with all of these injuries. Better order that LeBron jersey soon! How about a shot chart for his game against the Magic on Monday? LA was a superior team without him on the floor and that’s when LA made it’s big run with Shannon Brown and Jordan Farmar leading the Lakers to victory. Anyway here is his shot chart from that game where he shot an atrocious 4-19 to complete your collection. http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g96/philsphan1210/KobeShotChart.png So yeah, a shot chart is supposed to show me he doesn't post up? Posting up doesn't only mean shots around the basket, it can culminate in free throws, shots at the basket, and players can post up 10 ft away as well. Kobe had a good first half against Cleveland. Nowhere did I say he didn’t. However I am going to look at the big picture here including his 4-15 shooting 2nd half. Only 4 more misses and he would have matched the Orlando game! Kobe was healthy enough to play through the injury so I don’t want to hear it. If he’s so hurt he can sit out. However I’m not giving him a break because of it. It’s part of the game. Effective Field goal%? Not even the NBA cares about that stat. I don’t rely on statistics when I’m talking about defense. The only evaluation tool I use is my eyes. I have seen both Ron Artest and Trevor Ariza and their roles with the Lakers. Trevor Ariza is quicker and more disruptive. This is a fact. As someone who actually watches the games (if you can believe that!) I can confirm this. Effective field goal %? That takes all kinds nonsense into account such as a guy missing a wide open jumper and other things that the defender doesn’t affect at all. I wouldn’t be so quick to pull “Effective Field Goal %” when deciding who’s a better defender. Settle down there John Hollinger. But still give me the Rockets everytime. Show me these stats at the end of the year after LA doesn’t have 75% of their games at Staples and then we’ll see if they keep that up. Yup it isn’t out of the question for this year's Kobe. Did I not recall the point in the Orlando game where Kobe posted up and then Gasol came over with a pick and then Kobe passed it to Gasol for an easy bucket? One of the few good plays by Kobe in that game. Better late than never, eh?

New starting lineup tonight. Jrue Holiday and Elton Brand in, Lou Williams and Thaddeus Young out. It's about [expletive]ing time.

That is such a cop-out. You are discrediting my opinions before I even post them because in your mind I do not know what I am talking about. It's fine that you feel the way you do about Kobe Bryant, many people agree with you, just as I am sure many agree with me. That is the beauty of arguing sports. But the way you are manipulating this is pretty laughable, and you do it ALL the time. I now realize why most arguments with you end after 2 or 3 posts (if the thread isn't locked before that). So yes, you are going against what you claim OTR is. If you find that annoying, tough [expletive], but it is the truth. If His Greatnesss or N4S or any of a variety of other guys would have posted the same things I did, would you respond the same way? Well, you probably wouldn't since I know you respect all of their basketball knowledge, but I do know you'd find some other way to drag them down to make them look like fools and make you look like you come out on top. I will reply to your most recent Kobe-related post as soon as I can sit down at the computer for a solid 20 minutes, so don't take this as me quitting that debate.

Where did I say I know more about the Lakers than you? I am simply pointing out some of my observations. I happen to think LeBron James is better than Kobe Bryant. Well, so do a bunch of other people. I am not embarrassed at all, I stand by what I said. Also, there is plenty to discuss. I also realize that this is a futile fight, since I can't recall one instance of you changing your opinion on something or admitting you are wrong, but that is the beauty of arguing sports. You telling me I am not allowed to post my opinions or civilly argue with you is hypocritical on so many levels and goes against everything you claim to want OTR to stand for. But I guess the rules are a bit different when it comes to discussing Kobe Bryant.

I have to leave now and will respond to the technical stuff later when I get more time, but I take issue with you saying I "don't watch games" and am "only doing this to rile up the fans". False and false.

Oh yeah and you can't forget Kobe's blown layup that would've tied the game and his 1-6 fourth quarter shooting.

The Phillies signed Jose Contreras to a one year contract today.

Oh really? Alright since you are obviously smarter than Phil Jackson regarding matchups why didn’t Kobe play this “good defense” on LeBron all game? Yeah I saw that Kobe jumper, I also saw Kobe miss nearly 20 shots shooting 12-31 for 31 points. Cleveland turned him into a volume shooter. The amount of positive plays Kobe made off the dribble can be counted on one hand. In fact there aren’t even any memorable enough to come to mind. His entire game consisted of posting up and getting owned by the help defense, and shooting jump shots. LeBron on the other hand won this game with his play off the dribble including the easy lay-up with the game tied 87-87 where he blew right by the entire “LA #2 ranked defense”. LeBron showed who the best player in the NBA is. And Houston of last year easily > LA this year defensively. Ron Artest looks really bulky and sluggish this year. He is clearly a downgrade from Trevor Ariza as he isn’t nearly as quick and disruptive forcing turnovers. Ron Artest doesn’t even look half as good as he did last year defensively. Andrew Bynum needs to learn how to play defense without fouling and Gasol got destroyed by Shaq last night. Kobe is nice when he tries, but he is often guarding someone like Michael Pietrus on the three point line who just stands there and waits for his shot. Fisher tries, but he is no match for fast point guards. I don't think it's any question that last year's Houston team is superior to this year's version of the Lakers on defense. The only time Kobe doesn’t post up is when he’s on the same side of the court as Bynum….. Also, feel free to come to the Sixers forum and trash them any time you'd like. It's not like you'll be hurting any feelings, we trash them plenty ourselves.

I would hope for a first round pick, obviously haha. Also I don't know why a team like Cleveland or St. Louis would be interested. They are so far off from competing, I don't know why they'd want to pay Donovan the money he is going to want when he probably won't make much of a difference anyway. I'd think he'd be a good fit on a team like Carolina, that could be decent but is clearly lacking a good proven quarterback. But I also heard somebody suggest that Mike Vick would be better for Carolina. Who knows. It will be interesting as hell to see the Eagles pretty much control the QB market this offseason though, lol.

Kobe is looking slow, he is injured, and has lost explosiveness and quickness. Did you see him trying to guard LeBron only to get completely owned, steamrolled, and pick up the Blocking foul? You like to complain about Artest guarding LeBron, but Kobe got owned just as bad. Kobe posts up with Gasol and Bynum in the game. He seems to post up on roughly half of his touches. I can recall an instance where Kobe posted up right next to Gasol, Gasol came over for the pick LOL, and then kobe passed it. I believe that was against Orlando, but Kobe only posting up without Gasol or Bynum in the game is laughable. LA always has at least one of them out there. Kobe is posting up because of his nagging injuries, showing age is catching up to him and he can't use his quickness to blow by guys anymore. As far as referring to the Houston games, no team has a duo like Battier/Artest which is way better than Kobe/Artest also. They also had a prime guy in Yao back there backing them up as well as a great cast of players that all know how to play help defense. Just a terrific defensive team overall. How about we look at how LA's double teams worked once LeBron stormed into the paint? Pretty pathetic honestly and LeBron made the Lakers look like a middle school team with his 37 points, 9 assists, on 50%+ shooting. Anyway I am done for tonight, we can continue this tomorrow sweetheart.