Shortened NBA off-season thread of Awesome ?

[Stmfuller]

There's been quite a bit of movement already this offseason. Everyone is going nuts right now to be ready by the Christmas start day.

The national media coverage of the NBA nixing the CP3 deal has been kind of funny, though I tend to agree with the "outrage". It's not like N.O. was being given crap in return for Paul. They would have gotten several REALLY nice mid-level players to build with.
Heck, if anyone was getting screwed, it was LA by shipping off their front court.
I mean, LA would have the star power still, but it's tough to man a basketball team if you don't have the right pieces. Houston would also have made out pretty well as well. I don't get why it wasn't approved. oh well.


Watching Detroit with very little interest. We don't really have a good team right now (though we did pick Prince back up which I like).
Got rid of Hamilton, probably was time to part ways. I do hope he comes back and retires a piston eventually, but he wasn't the type of player that team needs. I think "competitive" is the best description of the team right now

[pomeroy]

The CP3 trade has been a nightmare. Conflict of interest much, David Stern? I hate the Lakers, but that trade should have gone through. I'm dying to see the fate the Lakers resting on so many bad/old knees.

Anyway, as a Celtics fan, this free-agency period has been weird. I hated the way Ainge was treating Rondo, but love the pickups he has made so far (even if we have too many power forwards now). If Rondo's locked in, I like the team (especially if they can pick up Delonte and a viable center option).

[Hyperglide]

Raptors are in full tank mode this season. I'm surprised if they get more then 20 wins this year. Lol Mickael Pietrus and Gary 'who the hell is this guy?' Forbes and now Rasual Butler. Ha ha omg that's such a pathetic team. Even with our new head coach, this teams defense is going to be old and paper thin.

They need to trade Calderon and Bargnani and start over.

[Hyperglide]

The CP3 trade has been a nightmare. Conflict of interest much, David Stern? I hate the Lakers, but that trade should have gone through. I'm dying to see the fate the Lakers resting on so many bad/old knees.

Anyway, as a Celtics fan, this free-agency period has been weird. I hated the way Ainge was treating Rondo, but love the pickups he has made so far (even if we have too many power forwards now). If Rondo's locked in, I like the team (especially if they can pick up Delonte and a viable center option).

Ya but you just upgraded from Glen 'Big Baby' Davis to David West. The Celts are an old team but still have lots of talent.

[Vanthar]

David West is a huge upgrade for the Celts. I'm really banking on Rondo being wrecked emotionally for the season after the Celtics dangled him out for CP3 trades.

Looks like the Bulls will try and get Rip after Detroit buys him out. While he's an amazing upgrade from Bogans, I'm not sure he can still get his own shot. My fanboyish hope is that Bulls get him and Jamal Crawford off the bench. I also wouldn't mind Jrich23 instead but it sounds like Bulls can't afford him unless he takes a ton less money.

On the CP3 trade.. that was just pathetic on Stern's part. He can't cave in to whiny ass owners like Gilbert.

[Stmfuller]

Looks like the Bulls will try and get Rip after Detroit buys him out. While he's an amazing upgrade from Bogans, I'm not sure he can still get his own shot. My fanboyish hope is that Bulls get him and Jamal Crawford off the bench. I also wouldn't mind Jrich23 instead but it sounds like Bulls can't afford him unless he takes a ton less money.

lol@chicago trying to ride Detroit's coat tails again with our former players. What didn't work with Wallace probably won't work with Hamilton.
Also, Hamilton's a prima donna. Does Thibs even have the ball sack to take that attitude on?

I'm not saying it isn't interesting and couldn't be a good pickup. I just don't see it panning out and possibly ruining a solid YOUNG core.

[Vanthar]

I don't really consider this anything like the Wallace situation. The Bulls are actually pretty good right now with the obvious weakness of the 2 guard position. They're not gonna overpay him and if he doesn't want to buy in and have a chance at titles for the next 2-3 years then they can always get someone else.

And I can assure you Thibs will take no shit from any players. Rip is a vet and will be respected but the Bulls have no problem benching or trading problem players.

[Fubl]

Unfortantly I am a fan of a decent sized market team that is now acting like a small market team and we have even worse jerseys, the Washington wizards. I know John wall is decent but we got rid of anyone worth a damn 3 years ago. I became disenfranchised 5 years ago when they gave Gil that huge contract and left Caron hanging, then let some key role players go.

I can't believe the league floundered all the good will that they gained last years season with the lock out and now all the trade stuff going on. 2 big market teams met 2 small market teams in the west semi finals last year so there was a bit more parity in the small vs large market.

I started watching the grizzlies last year because they were always the late game on espn. I see there a team that could do some damage. They are the anti superstar team because if you watch them they are back to basics since there one superstar missed half the season and the playoffs.

[Clark]

I don't really consider this anything like the Wallace situation. The Bulls are actually pretty good right now with the obvious weakness of the 2 guard position. They're not gonna overpay him and if he doesn't want to buy in and have a chance at titles for the next 2-3 years then they can always get someone else.

And I can assure you Thibs will take no shit from any players. Rip is a vet and will be respected but the Bulls have no problem benching or trading problem players.


Detroit gave Rip 8 Million to NOT play for them. Dude's a cancer right now.

[Handmade.Mercury]

Didn't the league change it's mind and decide to let NO reconsider the CP3 trade?

[pomeroy]

Didn't the league change it's mind and decide to let NO reconsider the CP3 trade?

Sorta. They're making them sweeten the deal, which is ludicrous.

[Vanthar]

Detroit gave Rip 8 Million to NOT play for them. Dude's a cancer right now.

He's doesn't want to play for Detroit, but can you really blame him? Detroit completely mismanaged their team and hired lame duck coaches after having an extremely solid core for a number of years. He has wasted about 3 years with a horrible team.

[Clark]

He's doesn't want to play for Detroit, but can you really blame him? Detroit completely mismanaged their team and hired lame duck coaches after having an extremely solid core for a number of years. He has wasted about 3 years with a horrible team.

Hell yes I can blame him! He acted like a spoiled bitch instead of a professional. He faked an injury, disrespected his coach, wouldn't sit with the rest of the team, got thrown out of games on purpose to "prove a point"....should I continue?

I don't give a damn WHY he was upset. The dude is getting paid MILLIONS of dollars to play basketball. Tough shit if he didn't like the coach or was pissed his boy Billups got traded. It's a business. Let you or I try to act the way he did at our jobs because we don't like our manager. We won't get an 8 million dollar severance pay.

And how many teams in the NBA are at the same level or worse than Detroit? Plenty. So, he can act however he wants and not give a damn about those of us buying tickets to come watch the team play because HE believes the team is mismanaged? Give me a break.

[pomeroy]

Son of a...

I kinda thought West was too good to be true.

[Cyndair]

As a Cavs fan, I'm looking forward to this season. Sure, we are going to suck again, but there is a certain level of excitement around our two new draft picks. I especially want to see how Kyrie Irving develops as a point guard, and if Byron Scott can do the same thing with him that he did with Chris Paul. I don't think that Irving has the same potential as CP3, but there is always hope.

In Cleveland, we live on hope. :)

[Cyndair]

Hmm... This proposed Clippers trade is looking pretty good for both NO and LA. Stern is out of his mind if he rejects this one.

EDIT: Now it looks like it's being called off because the Clippers decided the price was too high. Ugh. Oh the drama!

[Urizen]

I have to hand it to Cuban. I like how he's playing his cards right now. He's only courting the attention that come from being a defending champ, and letting a ton go in the process. This shortened season is going to be a crapshoot. He knows it. He's holding on to cap room for 2012 and hoping either or both of Paul and Howard will come to play for him.

Very responsible. This season won't be about who has the best roster or chemistry. It'll be a lottery, just like 1999. The Heat have a great chance. Is wouldn't be surprised if the Celtics don't even make it to the playoffs. They are going to wear themselves out 1/3 of the way into the season.

As such, I'm going to call a Thunder vs. Heat Finals, with the Heat winning.

[Hyperglide]

Hmm... This proposed Clippers trade is looking pretty good for both NO and LA. Stern is out of his mind if he rejects this one.

EDIT: Now it looks like it's being called off because the Clippers decided the price was too high. Ugh. Oh the drama!

Nope went through now. It's Official. Chris Paul is a Clipper.

More here (http://tsn.ca/nba/story/?id=382765).

[Urizen]

I'm going to buy Clippers tickets tomorrow.

[pomeroy]

Well, the deal was a little better for the Clippers...they got to keep Bledsoe.

[Stmfuller]

I'm going to buy Clippers tickets tomorrow.

what kind of world will we live in now that the Clippers could be relevant.

[Hyperglide]

FYI guys New Orleans got Minny's 1st round pick so it's going to be a high one in a deep draft. So New Orleans got I would say a pretty good deal for their superstar player.

[Clark]

I'm going to buy Clippers tickets tomorrow.

Solid idea. Those things are going to be HOT.

I hate the NBA sometimes. I'm a diehard fan, but it's such bullshit that players decide where they are going to play for the most part. Odds of getting a superstar to Detroit are almost zero.

[fitbabits]

The Nuggets may actually have a shot this year!

[Stmfuller]

Solid idea. Those things are going to be HOT.

I hate the NBA sometimes. I'm a diehard fan, but it's such bullshit that players decide where they are going to play for the most part. Odds of getting a superstar to Detroit are almost zero.

pftt...
Lambeer, Dumars, Thomas, Rodman, and co in the 80-90s?
We also had Grant "I drink sprite" Hill in the 90s
Though personally, I'd take a group like the 2004 (2005 is cool too, but I wouldn't go any further) championship Pistons over the Heat or Lakers every day of the week. No superstars, just a group of guys that played well together. it was soooo much sweeter when the little guy was winning.


The NBA can have their coastal teams/superstars for all I care...

[Cyndair]

It's hard to believe that the Clippers are going to be a team to watch this year... Good trade for both teams, glad it's over.

Excited to see some preseason games tonight. Can't wait to see Kyrie Irving in that Cavs jersey.

[Hyperglide]

Solid idea. Those things are going to be HOT.

I hate the NBA sometimes. I'm a diehard fan, but it's such bullshit that players decide where they are going to play for the most part. Odds of getting a superstar to Detroit are almost zero.

Dude your team was a dynasty for half of last decade and you're bitching? Try being a Raptors fan. :p

[Clark]

Dude your team was a dynasty for half of last decade and you're bitching? Try being a Raptors fan. :p

Touche, my friend.

[Clark]

pftt...
Lambeer, Dumars, Thomas, Rodman, and co in the 80-90s?
We also had Grant "I drink sprite" Hill in the 90s
Though personally, I'd take a group like the 2004 (2005 is cool too, but I wouldn't go any further) championship Pistons over the Heat or Lakers every day of the week. No superstars, just a group of guys that played well together. it was soooo much sweeter when the little guy was winning.


The NBA can have their coastal teams/superstars for all I care...

I agree with you. I'd rather have those types of teams too. But TODAY'S NBA is all about the superstars getting together and winning. Of course this won't always work out for them, but I hate the fact that it is happening.

[Hyperglide]

I agree with you. I'd rather have those types of teams too. But TODAY'S NBA is all about the superstars getting together and winning. Of course this won't always work out for them, but I hate the fact that it is happening.

Agreed there's way to much of a gap between the big market teams (Boston, LA, New York, Orlando, Chicago, Miami, Dallas, Houston) and then all the lesser small market teams.

Look at the NFL and NHL as good examples of parity. Revenue sharing makes for an exciting league because MOST teams are competitive and you don't know who could win it. MLB if they get some kind of a Salary cap I could see coming a high parity league too.

The NBA is a joke league right now with all the superstars flocking to one of those cities I mentioned above. I don't see it changing anytime soon. I thought this strike and new CBA would fix it but it didn't change shit except put in that Amnesty clause and lower taxes a bit for small market teams. Small market teams WON'T GO over the cap anyways. Most don't even spend near the cap.

The NBA leadership is run by a bunch of amateurs.

[pomeroy]

Eh, trying to compare the NBA and NFL is an exercise in futility. The large market NBA teams don't want to share revenue, and I don't blame them. Why should the Lakers have to subsidize the Bobcats?

The league has too many teams and some need to be contracted. The Hornets and Bobcats should be the first to go.

[Vanthar]

The NBA is a joke league right now with all the superstars flocking to one of those cities I mentioned above. I don't see it changing anytime soon. I thought this strike and new CBA would fix it but it didn't change shit except put in that Amnesty clause and lower taxes a bit for small market teams. Small market teams WON'T GO over the cap anyways. Most don't even spend near the cap.

The NBA leadership is run by a bunch of amateurs.

The beauty of the new CBA is that teams are required to spend much closer to the cap than before because they're getting much more in the way of revenue sharing. It's something like 85% this year, 90% next year as the minimum cap. We might have a little more parity for the smaller market teams that are able to draft smarter and because they actually have to sign players.

[Stmfuller]

I agree with you. I'd rather have those types of teams too. But TODAY'S NBA is all about the superstars getting together and winning. Of course this won't always work out for them, but I hate the fact that it is happening.

It just mass it easier to root against them lol

I agree with the whole nba needs to get smaller. It's very apprent that the talent pool is too small for today's nba to have as many teams as it does. Maybe an alternative would be to shorten the roster size?

If I were going to make the league smaller I'd get rid of the twolves, hornets, bobcats, and ok city

[Urizen]

You would contract OKC?

The league needs to lose a few teams, and move a couple others, and restructure its understanding of East and West. It's ridiculous that the New Orleans is in the West. It's ridiculous that Vegas doesn't have a team when the demand is so great there.

[Urizen]

On another note, the Celts' Jeff Green, will miss the entire season. He pretty much missed last season, too.

[Hyperglide]

It just mass it easier to root against them lol

I agree with the whole nba needs to get smaller. It's very apprent that the talent pool is too small for today's nba to have as many teams as it does. Maybe an alternative would be to shorten the roster size?

If I were going to make the league smaller I'd get rid of the twolves, hornets, bobcats, and ok city

Seriously? Try telling that to the fans of Seattle, Vancouver and Charlotte before they had the Bobcats.

Now try telling that to those cities you mentioned above. Charlotte is going to lose 2 teams, New Orleans with what they went through with the hurricane and OKC who is one of the best teams and best attendance markets in the league? Why should fans in other cities have to suffer?

SMH..

NBA shouldn't fix their problems by burying them under the rug and contracting. They should stop being selfish and come up with a gameplan.

Having 6-8 juggernaut teams and the other 22 to 24 are crap does not make for an exciting or competitive league.

[Stmfuller]

You would contract OKC?

The league needs to lose a few teams, and move a couple others, and restructure its understanding of East and West. It's ridiculous that the New Orleans is in the West. It's ridiculous that Vegas doesn't have a team when the demand is so great there.

The clippers maybe?

[Stmfuller]

Seriously? Try telling that to the fans of Seattle, Vancouver and Charlotte before they had the Bobcats.

Now try telling that to those cities you mentioned above. Charlotte is going to lose 2 teams, New Orleans with what they went through with the hurricane and OKC who is one of the best teams and best attendance markets in the league? Why should fans in other cities have to suffer?

SMH..

NBA shouldn't fix their problems by burying them under the rug and contracting. They should stop being selfish and come up with a gameplan.

Having 6-8 juggernaut teams and the other 22 to 24 are crap does not make for an exciting or competitive league.
Charlotte and New Orleans would be losing their second teams...
When you think of Jazz, do you really think of middle of nowhere Utah?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_Jazz#1974-1979:_Pete_Maravich_and_the_early_years_in_New_Orl eans


Ok, what about making the rosters smaller?
isn't the playoff roster 15?
why not keep the roster at 15??

The talent is too spread out. To get the talent back on every team they'd have to do one of the two.

I can't even think of another way to do it other than to force players to only play for the team they're drafted from forever and ever and ever.

[Clark]

Charlotte and New Orleans would be losing their second teams...
When you think of Jazz, do you really think of middle of nowhere Utah?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_Jazz#1974-1979:_Pete_Maravich_and_the_early_years_in_New_Orl eans


Ok, what about making the rosters smaller?
isn't the playoff roster 15?
why not keep the roster at 15??

The talent is too spread out. To get the talent back on every team they'd have to do one of the two.

I can't even think of another way to do it other than to force players to only play for the team they're drafted from forever and ever and ever.

There needs to be some way to have players be way less in control of what team they play for. Tough shit if you don't want to play in Toronto for a 5 year contract where you will be making more in one year than I will my entire career. Don't play basketball if that's the case.

[Stmfuller]

There needs to be some way to have players be way less in control of what team they play for. Tough shit if you don't want to play in Toronto for a 5 year contract where you will be making more in one year than I will my entire career. Don't play basketball if that's the case.

I'm not sure the NBA could get away with killing free agency. I mean, I guess you could do a restricted free agency thing where no matter what the offer is the original team can match/keep their player. But even that could be a problem with other teams over-bidding on role players to screw with the salary cap of a division rival. I doubt that would fly with the union. The owners would have to allow players to nix all trade deals I think before the union would allow that to happen.

Another other thing would be a HARD salary cap with no ability to go above with a luxury tax. That'd make teams like Miami harder to put together. Sure, you could have a super team with max contracts, but they'd be fielding 6 players.

It is a pickle of a problem.

[pomeroy]

I guess I don't see the problem. I might if I rooted for the Raptors or whatever.

[Hyperglide]

I'm not sure the NBA could get away with killing free agency. I mean, I guess you could do a restricted free agency thing where no matter what the offer is the original team can match/keep their player. But even that could be a problem with other teams over-bidding on role players to screw with the salary cap of a division rival. I doubt that would fly with the union. The owners would have to allow players to nix all trade deals I think before the union would allow that to happen.

Another other thing would be a HARD salary cap with no ability to go above with a luxury tax. That'd make teams like Miami harder to put together. Sure, you could have a super team with max contracts, but they'd be fielding 6 players.

It is a pickle of a problem.

The NBA would still be on strike if the Owners wanted a HARD cap. It's just not gonna happen. Do I think it's wrong though? Yes. I'm all for players choosing to sign where they want to sign but it's not good for the league to have 8 stacked teams. I wish the players would see that.

Also there are already Restricted Free Agents in the NBA. They are called 'Bird Rights.'

[Hyperglide]

Charlotte and New Orleans would be losing their second teams...
When you think of Jazz, do you really think of middle of nowhere Utah?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_Jazz#1974-1979:_Pete_Maravich_and_the_early_years_in_New_Orl eans


Ok, what about making the rosters smaller?
isn't the playoff roster 15?
why not keep the roster at 15??

The talent is too spread out. To get the talent back on every team they'd have to do one of the two.

I can't even think of another way to do it other than to force players to only play for the team they're drafted from forever and ever and ever.

Agreed the league is watered down with talent. But killing franchises unless they are losing a tonne of money should only be as a last resort. I think they should cut back the rosters to 12 and only have 10 dress. Most teams only use a 9 man rotation anyways. Have 10 dress and in case of injury you can sub one in off the IR. That would take 3 players off each team so if you do the math that 90 players without a job. Those 90 players will be pushing the rest of the league to be more competitive not just with other teams but within their own ranks.

[Stmfuller]

Agreed the league is watered down with talent. But killing franchises unless they are losing a tonne of money should only be as a last resort. I think they should cut back the rosters to 12 and only have 10 dress. Most teams only use a 9 man rotation anyways. Have 10 dress and in case of injury you can sub one in off the IR. That would take 3 players off each team so if you do the math that 90 players without a job. Those 90 players will be pushing the rest of the league to be more competitive not just with other teams but within their own ranks.

I also think expanding the D League would also help with the grow lack of talent in the league. all those role players who just aren't that good would get time to improve. And they could get rid of that one and done rule that quite frankly is bad for NCAA basketball.


There are so many valid options on addressing the lack of talent.
I just wish the NBA would spend time on them.


Just read that the Clippers picked up Billups on waivers, very jealous. As a Detroit fan, I still think they traded the wrong guy. Billups should have been a Piston for the rest of his career. Excellent PG.

[pomeroy]

I'm so glad you guys aren't in charge. You would ruin what I love.

[Hyperglide]

I'm so glad you guys aren't in charge. You would ruin what I love.

Quickly becoming the worst sport in North America...

Hey whatever boats your float man. :cool:

[pomeroy]

Quickly becoming the worst sport in North America...

Hey whatever boats your float man. :cool:

Yeah, no. Last season was one of the best NBA seasons ever.

[Stmfuller]

Yeah, no. Last season was one of the best NBA seasons ever.

Pomeroy must be a lakers fan

[pomeroy]

I cannot believe you'd say something so hurtful, Stmfuller.

[fitbabits]

Pomeroy must be a lakers fan
I'm thinking Mavs, which would make sense on so many levels.

[pomeroy]

I'm thinking Mavs, which would make sense on so many levels.

I have absolutely no idea what this means.

I'm a Celtics fan. Which means I'll be spending the season hoping that the majority of my team found the Fountain of Youth during the lockout.

[Urizen]

Last season was one of the best ever. I don't know a single basketball fan who feels differently.

And really, Lakers are pissed about how last season ended. Phil Jackson's farewell ending with a blowout sweep, and a bunch of players getting ejected? Not to mention the hit to Kobe's legacy.

I feel like some of the people posting here only have a passing interest in the league, which is fine, but it's as important to have a open-minded for those people as it is for those who are more ardent fans of pro basketball.

[Hyperglide]

Last season was one of the best ever. I don't know a single basketball fan who feels differently.

And really, Lakers are pissed about how last season ended. Phil Jackson's farewell ending with a blowout sweep, and a bunch of players getting ejected? Not to mention the hit to Kobe's legacy.

I feel like some of the people posting here only have a passing interest in the league, which is fine, but it's as important to have a open-minded for those people as it is for those who are more ardent fans of pro basketball.

Based on your location I'm going to guess you are a Lakers or Clippers fan. Probably Lakers cause you mentioned their collapse in the offseason. It's pretty easy to be a fan in this league when your team is winning.

[Stmfuller]

It's pretty easy to be a fan in this league when your team is winning.Any league actually... I don't blame him for liking his team. Lakers have been good, well...always. and since they really don't have a whole lot else as far as sports are concerned all the more power to them.

However,
I can't say last season would qualify as "best ever". Lots of curiousities, but nothing special.
Did like seeing Cuban finally get his city a trophy though. They deserved it.


ok, there's also the whole Lebron has no rings still.
While Darko Milicic has more rings than Lebron...all will be right with the world.

[pomeroy]

Urizen's a Celtics fan.

Last season was great. You're pretty much completely ignoring the regular season for the playoffs. The regular season gave us: Derrick Rose's ascendancy. Blake Griffin's introduction to the NBA. The Heat's season (They suck. No they're amazing! No, they suck again!) Seeing Stat just OWN New York. Seeing Chris Paul come back from the knee injury. The elder Spurs having the best record in basketball for almost the entire season.

There were a lot of intriguing storylines. And sure, it's more fun to follow a winning team. You guys follow the Raptors and Pistons (I'm pretty sure I'm right, but correct me if I'm wrong), so it's a little lame. But it's pretty hard to blame the league when those two teams have absolute idiots in management (see: trading Billups, the Gordon/Villanueva contracts, JOSE CALDERON). Being a big market team doesn't automatically mean you'll win (god, the Knicks haven't won a title since the early 70s) and being a small market team doesn't mean you'll lose your free agents (San Antonio kept Duncan[and won 4 titles with him] and OKC seems to be the place Durant wants to play)

[Hyperglide]

Urizen's a Celtics fan.

Last season was great. You're pretty much completely ignoring the regular season for the playoffs. The regular season gave us: Derrick Rose's ascendancy. Blake Griffin's introduction to the NBA. The Heat's season (They suck. No they're amazing! No, they suck again!) Seeing Stat just OWN New York. Seeing Chris Paul come back from the knee injury. The elder Spurs having the best record in basketball for almost the entire season.

There were a lot of intriguing storylines. And sure, it's more fun to follow a winning team. You guys follow the Raptors and Pistons (I'm pretty sure I'm right, but correct me if I'm wrong), so it's a little lame. But it's pretty hard to blame the league when those two teams have absolute idiots in management (see: trading Billups, the Gordon/Villanueva contracts, JOSE CALDERON). Being a big market team doesn't automatically mean you'll win (god, the Knicks haven't won a title since the early 70s) and being a small market team doesn't mean you'll lose your free agents (San Antonio kept Duncan[and won 4 titles with him] and OKC seems to be the place Durant wants to play)

Colangelo is a 2 time winner of Executive of the Year and built the Phoenix suns. I wouldn't really consider him an 'idiot.' He has made some questionable decisions with the Raptors roster though so you got a point, however considering what he had to begin with when he came here he's done a decent job.

With that said, I'm sick of this teams mediocrity. Seriously Cav's go one season without LeBron and they get 2 picks in the top 5? Tell me you don't think this league is staged. It's a case of the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. All of the Raptors previous superstars have left and we can't attract anyone of signifcance. So I think you can understand why I'm a little bit bitter when our best players are Andrea 'I get 6 rebounds a game and i'm 7 feet tall' Bargnani and DeMar 'Compton' Derozan.

[fitbabits]

I have absolutely no idea what this means.

I'm a Celtics fan. Which means I'll be spending the season hoping that the majority of my team found the Fountain of Youth during the lockout.
Yeah, I have no idea what it means, either. I was probably thinking about something else when I posted.

Apologies.

[Fubl]

Opening day, so far have watched the heat/mavs and bulls/lakers. One thing I'm noticing and I'm sure people will blame the lock out but these guys have been playing ball at least 5 years, but seriously fundamentals.

One thing I'm actually really excited to see is how the shorter season plays in. It will make a lot more games count. In a full season it did not seem like any game before January really ment anything.

I hope Memphis is still good this year, since my team sucks (wizards)

[pomeroy]

I think less games will count, because older teams won't want to wreck their starters. Bare minimum to get to the playoffs and that's it. Guarantee teams like the Spurs, Lakers, Celtics do this.

[Fubl]

About a quarter and a half into the magic/thunder. I know these are the first games of the season but here's what I am seeing.

Magic
The magic have nothing going for then, they appear flat, slow and just disinterested. The pick up of big baby will probably be decent but the idea of using him to relieve Dwight of minutes on his body, is not really the best move possible big baby is a physical player and in Boston a lot of times had 4 fouls going into the 3rd. Next they are missing a speedy defender, this could just be an issue with their teams size they seem to be to big. They might as well just trade Dwight and get what they can.

Okc
Attacking the paint looks to be their main weakness, they have the peices for a good outside/perimeter shooting team. Size may play against Westbrook though, especially against a physical defensive team. Next is depth can Westbrook and Durant take 66games with at least 35 minutes each game, and not having the time off like they did in previous years

[Hyperglide]

Raptors beat the Knicks lol.... All the New York fans are so butthurt at RealGM it's soooo funneh. Didn't even have to rent a movie, watch some TV or play a video game. Their tears were so entertaining.

[Urizen]

Cot damn. No athlete is more fun to watch than LeBron James. Blows me away...

Funny how every one was ganging up on him for how he played in the Finals, but during the Eastern Conference Finals against the Bulls, the talking heads were saying they got the MVP vote wrong and that the award should have gone to James.

[pomeroy]

I think I like watching Blake more than Bron at this point.

Which isnt a slam on LeBron, mind you. I just love Blake's style of play.

[Urizen]

I can see that. I love seeing Blake take his J, and love the handle he can show off one on one (it's fun to watch him grow as a player...only thing he needs now is a coach), but James is hypnotic on both ends of the floor. Every time there's a broken play for or against Miami, like a tipped ball or turnover in the open floor, I have to find him ASAP. I'll stare at James regardless of what's happening elsewhere just to see what he sees. His reaction and awareness are so good, it's entertainment in itself.

To be honest, when I'm watching the Clippers, I only look at CP that way.

[Stmfuller]

Cot damn. No athlete is more fun to watch than LeBron James. Blows me away...

Funny how every one was ganging up on him for how he played in the Finals, but during the Eastern Conference Finals against the Bulls, the talking heads were saying they got the MVP vote wrong and that the award should have gone to James.

Would you rather be the ECF champion or NBA Finals champion?
Yeah, I thought so.

James making a disappearing act in the finals almost makes it seem like he's content at being the conference champion or that he can't handle a big stage. Which fits in his character since he was all about "the decision" yet was sad when people didn't love him anymore for being a turncoat.

Lastly, the MVP voting has to do with the regular season. James elevating his play during the conference playoffs does NOT make him MVP-worthy. ESPN et all are James cock-gobblers. You'd hear that even if he had a horrible accident losing his eyesight, ability to walk, and both arms. They'd all be like "James can do it!"

[Hyperglide]

I'm calling it now. Andrea Bargnani Most Improved Player of the season.

[Urizen]

Would you rather be the ECF champion or NBA Finals champion?
Yeah, I thought so.

James making a disappearing act in the finals almost makes it seem like he's content at being the conference champion or that he can't handle a big stage. Which fits in his character since he was all about "the decision" yet was sad when people didn't love him anymore for being a turncoat.

Lastly, the MVP voting has to do with the regular season. James elevating his play during the conference playoffs does NOT make him MVP-worthy. ESPN et all are James cock-gobblers. You'd hear that even if he had a horrible accident losing his eyesight, ability to walk, and both arms. They'd all be like "James can do it!"

I got your memo earlier in the thread -- you hate LeBron. Thanks.

You're welcome to repost this at RealGM, though.

[Hyperglide]

Cot damn. No athlete is more fun to watch than LeBron James. Blows me away...

Funny how every one was ganging up on him for how he played in the Finals, but during the Eastern Conference Finals against the Bulls, the talking heads were saying they got the MVP vote wrong and that the award should have gone to James.

This is why they won't win anything:

JDZROnNqd4E

Seriously, man the fuck up.

[Stmfuller]

I got your memo earlier in the thread -- you hate LeBron. Thanks.

You're welcome to repost this at RealGM, though.

wait, there are other forums?
Not trying to beat a dead horse. Just had an opinion.

[Cyndair]

I'm having a lot of fun watching the Cavs this season. They will lose plenty, but watching these young guys develop and play some genuine team ball has been a real treat. Of course, it helps that Kyrie Irving is looking more and more like the real deal with each passing game.

[Urizen]

I haven't been able to catch a single a Cavs game yet on the West Coast. Shame.

But the league's gotten really ugly over the last week or so. It was bound to happen with fatigue, travel, compressed schedule and fewer practices, but I was hoping it would have happened later.

The Celtics are dead in the water and Danny Ainge has completely lost it. Not only that, he's coming across like a complete asshole.

[Hyperglide]

Russell Westbrook will not be a RFA this season. He has signed a 5 year extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder for $78 million dollars.

I wonder if this is going to hinder them in signing Ibaka or Harden? I know as a Raptors fan I'd love to have Harden on my team.

[Urizen]

Some boards think there should be a straight swap between Wade and Deron Williams. I'd love to see that happen.

[Vanthar]

Some boards think there should be a straight swap between Wade and Deron Williams. I'd love to see that happen.

That seems like a horrible trade for the Heat, especially since the rookie Cole and super nintendo chalmers have been playing decent.

[Hyperglide]

Some boards think there should be a straight swap between Wade and Deron Williams. I'd love to see that happen.

Why would Miami do that? DWill is a UFA this season.

[Stmfuller]

Some boards think there should be a straight swap between Wade and Deron Williams. I'd love to see that happen.

Wade is going to be a lifer with Miami.
I'm not saying it's impossible, but it is unlikely to happen.

[Urizen]

Why would Miami do that? DWill is a UFA this season.

Doesn't mean he won't agree to an extension to be in Miami. And while Chalmers is finally maturing, and Cole has been a Spurs-level find, I don't think either they would be what keeps Miami from pulling the trigger.

With LBJ and DWill both able to play like true point guards but do much so differently, I think they'd get along perfectly.

And finally, Kobe is the only player in the league with the power to veto any trade involving him. Wade wanting to be a life doesn't matter.

[Hyperglide]

Doesn't mean he won't agree to an extension to be in Miami. And while Chalmers is finally maturing, and Cole has been a Spurs-level find, I don't think either they would be what keeps Miami from pulling the trigger.

With LBJ and DWill both able to play like true point guards but do much so differently, I think they'd get along perfectly.

And finally, Kobe is the only player in the league with the power to veto any trade involving him. Wade wanting to be a life doesn't matter.

There's no way that trade goes down. You don't trade your franchise player for a soon to be UFA. Even if he does extend it's massive overpayment.

If you are going to trade any of the "big three" out of Miami it's going to be Bosh that goes first.

[Urizen]

Disagree.

Deron would take wade money. Nets get an all-star. Problem with Bosh is that there won't be any good deals for him.

[Vanthar]

Disagree.

Deron would take wade money. Nets get an all-star. Problem with Bosh is that there won't be any good deals for him.

I just think Wade is too much better than Deron for the trade to work.

[Urizen]

Wade's got chronic injury problems that are - at best - going to nag throughout his career, and he and LBJ can't both play their complete game at the same time. Wade's injury history is the only thing I would balk at if I were the Nets.

[pomeroy]

Look at that! Signs of life from the Celtics! :)

[Urizen]

Let's not pop the champagne just yet. They have the Pacers coming up...

That said, given that the 3-seed is as far as Neptune, I hope they land the 3-seed or, in Chicago's bracket rather than Miami's. Miami is the team to beat out East. Chicago v Boston will be a slow, grind-it-out, defense on every possession kind of series. It'll be won more on rebounds and turnovers than anything else. It'll give Boston a chance.

On the other hand, I can't believe how I upset I was last night when the Clippers lost to the Lakers. The Lakers upcoming road trip is going to make or break their season. Either they galvanize, or freefall.

[Hyperglide]

Let's not pop the champagne just yet. They have the Pacers coming up...

That said, given that the 3-seed is as far as Neptune, I hope they land the 3-seed or, in Chicago's bracket rather than Miami's. Miami is the team to beat out East. Chicago v Boston will be a slow, grind-it-out, defense on every possession kind of series. It'll be won more on rebounds and turnovers than anything else. It'll give Boston a chance.

On the other hand, I can't believe how I upset I was last night when the Clippers lost to the Lakers. The Lakers upcoming road trip is going to make or break their season. Either they galvanize, or freefall.

The East sucks.

[Urizen]

I don't know if I'll ever get tired of the Lakers losing. Variety is the spice of life, and they've found a different way to do it 9 times already. Truth be told, I feel bad for Mike Brown. He's doing right by job.

He has to put Pau in the high post as a distributor because he's the best passer on the team. Also, he's the only one who can consistently hit the open 18-footer for when teams rush Kobe or Bynum.

They still refuse to play defense, though. And it looks like it's eating him alive in every interview. Come playoffs, they are going to get destroyed. That said, I'm sure Kupchak is going to make a move. But unless it's Howard, who can clean up so much defense singlehandedly, it won't be enough for them this season.

[Hyperglide]

I love watching the Knicks lose too. lol they are tied with the Nets in the east. Like I said before. The east sucks.

[Cyndair]

Wow, I thought that the Celtics had the Cavs' number last night, but that was quite a comeback. Fun to watch Irving hit that game winner. Even more fun to watch the team defense and hustle that made the moment possible down the stretch in the 4th quarter.

[pomeroy]

Irving's a freak.

That said, epic meltdown by the Celtics.

[Cyndair]

Irving's a freak.

That said, epic meltdown by the Celtics.

They were a bit due after the run they've had. Honestly, I don't expect the rematch to be in the Cavs' favor tomorrow night.

[Hyperglide]

Raptors beat Deron Williams for the first time in 15 meetings last night, blowing out the Nets by 21 points. Also it's the first time the Raptors won a road trip (5+ games) in 10 frickin' years, going 3-2. They also beat the Nets without their 2 leading scorers in Andrea Bargnani and Leandro Barbosa. Oh and to top it off they beat the Suns and Jazz who both have beaten them more then 12 consecutive times (going back to the Deron Williams point).

Oh the dark days. Also we are almost tied with the Knicks in the standings and I think that's funny. Hopefully they start losing again soon. I want Harrison Barnes or Michael Kidd-Gilchrist!!

[Hyperglide]

Blake Griffin with the filthiest-dirtiest dunk all year. I think it even beats out Bron Brons from last night on John Lucas. Dizzam!

Z9q8jsVQnNk

[Lance Uppercut]

Fucking posterized.

[Hyperglide]

Kendrick Porkins should be his name now cause he just got merked.

[Cyndair]

Heh heh heh... Well, the Cavs made it interesting at least, Pomeroy.

[Stmfuller]

wooooooooo Piston..oh wait.
fuck...

[pomeroy]

Heh heh heh... Well, the Cavs made it interesting at least, Pomeroy.

Kyrie is going to be so good. He finishes so well already, and he'll only improve. And Verejao has been playing out of his mind. If Gilbert can use those two as a core, he has the makings of a good team.

He still won't win a title before LeBron, though.:p

[OrangePulp]

Man, what a bunch of horseshit. Ref at half court calls a goaltend that he can't really see, gives OKC the tie, and they win it in overtime. Both teams played hard, and it was really close, but Portland should have had the win there.

[Stmfuller]

Man, what a bunch of horseshit. Ref at half court calls a goaltend that he can't really see, gives OKC the tie, and they win it in overtime. Both teams played hard, and it was really close, but Portland should have had the win there.

Goaltending is based on the arc of the ball vs where/when the player catches the ball.
It's something that can be measured from a distance. So, I see no problem with a ref at half court making that call.

That being said, in the waning minutes of a game unless it's completly egregious refs should put the whistle in their pockets.

[Vanthar]

Goaltending is based on the arc of the ball vs where/when the player catches the ball.
It's something that can be measured from a distance. So, I see no problem with a ref at half court making that call.

That being said, in the waning minutes of a game unless it's completly egregious refs should put the whistle in their pockets.

The call was that the ball hit the glass before the block. It would have been exceptionally hard to see from half court, and that ref should never make that call. Portland got a win taken away from them, but I don't think this is gonna kill their playoff chances or anything so what can ya do.

[Hyperglide]

No Love for Kevin Love from the NBA:

9SDf5QO_bko

I wonder how many games he'll be suspended. Because you know that was clearly unintentional.

EDIT: He got 2 games for his 'stomp.'

[Lance Uppercut]

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/LeBron-James-Blake-Griffin-Kendrick-Perkins-rips-tweets-020712

Kendrick Perkins is mad as fuck.

[Hyperglide]

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/LeBron-James-Blake-Griffin-Kendrick-Perkins-rips-tweets-020712

Kendrick Perkins is mad as fuck.

http://chanarchive.org/content/14_x/7750209/1306175313753.jpg

[Urizen]

Perkins isn't doing himself any favors. It's almost as if he takes some perverse joy of being part of one the greatest dunks ever - even if he's poster boy. He's doing whatever he can to stay in the headlines and keep people talking about the dunk.

He's talking about LeBron's insecurities - and James has plenty - but he's only revealing his own here. Lest Perkins forget, he was himself a core member of a championship team. If anything, he should be talking about himself, his teammates and his own experience instead of playing James up against Kobe.

Really disappointed in Love. Inexcusable. In my personal estimation, if he does something like this one more time, he's a dirty player.

[Lance Uppercut]

Thank you Based Lin

[Lance Uppercut]

Jeremy Lin apparently is now an internet meme.

http://i42.tinypic.com/2kkp6g.jpg

[DoctorFinger]

A while back I had been offered a pair of tickets for the 2/29 Knicks game against the Cavs, but declined since I don't really like NBA basketball too much. They were only OK seats, but I wonder how much I could have flipped them for in the grips of Linsanity.

[Hyperglide]

Raptors got jobbed today by the Lakers. Refs in the NBA are a fuckin' joke.

[Entropy]

Raptors got jobbed today by the Lakers. Refs in the NBA are a fuckin' joke.

You talking about the 5 second penalty? The replay on ESPN showed that it took longer than 5 for them to call the timeout...seemed like a valid call to me and I'm not a fan of either team.

[pomeroy]

The Amazing Rondo.

GODDAMN.

[Hyperglide]

You talking about the 5 second penalty? The replay on ESPN showed that it took longer than 5 for them to call the timeout...seemed like a valid call to me and I'm not a fan of either team.

Dwane Casey was calling a timeout before that. Also Kobe traveled on his game winning fadeaway. Ya I'm bitter so what. Would've been great to beat the Lakers without Bargs.

[Urizen]

Rondo put on a show today, but it's going to get swept under the rug because Rose was out. He's something else when his shot is in, but the C's were awful in the half-court in the last 8 minutes.

They need to get their show together. And they really need to dodge Miami in the first round.

K-mart has been a huge signing for the Clips. I didn't like Chauncey in the starting role. I thought it should have been Mo all along, so it's a shame that with Billups out, they moved Foye to start. If they can get J.R. Smith when he's done in China, they'll have a real shot again to steal the west.

Blake just needs to mature ASAP. They have a great shot this season.

[Cyndair]

Well, with Varejao out for who knows how long with a fractured wrist, it's time for the Cavs to tank the season. It was fun while it lasted... Hopefully Kyrie is back in action for tomorrow's game vs. the Pacers. Otherwise, this team will be difficult to watch. Even for a die hard.

[Urizen]

I feel for the Cavs, but the upcoming draft is a genuine silver lining for them. Lots of talent should be coming their way next year. They can position themselves to do something special in the offseason.

As for Lin, he's got some game-winning DNA. That was a great shot over the Raptors. The defender slipped off of him just enough, and he pulled up with perfect balance with his toes an inch behind the line. It's fundamentally-sound, textbook basketball...but it's a shot too many people players in the league don't take, and one too many others players take but don't do so properly.

The thing about Lin's magical run so far is that he seems to keep getting better. His games against the Lakers and Raptors have been absolute beauties - turnovers aside.

[Hyperglide]

Raptors 2 heartbreaking losses in a row. Good to know this is a tank season. Its very refreshing to know that the Raptors are doing all this though without their best player and their 4th overall pick though. Next year watch out!

[MalReynolds]

Jeremy Lin apparently is now an internet meme.

http://i42.tinypic.com/2kkp6g.jpg

anyone see this?1QCYys449FA

[Hyperglide]

anyone see this?1QCYys449FA

Either she is one hell of an awesome troll with nice funbags or that is the dumbest bimbo I've ever seen.

[MalReynolds]

Either she is one hell of an awesome troll with nice funbags or that is the dumbest bimbo I've ever seen.

im hoping shes a Bimbo with nice funbags :)

[Lance Uppercut]

It's gotta be a troll. Everybody knows Jerry Linn isn't even black. Right?

[Hyperglide]

It's gotta be a troll. Everybody knows Jerry Linn isn't even black. Right?

But everyone does know that he plays for the Giants.

[Urizen]

The last 9.5 secs of the Clips-Spurs in regulation was among the most infuriating stretch I've ever seen. Absolutely incredible how perfectly that played out for the Spurs. I want to lynch Del Negro for his boneheaded-ness sometimes, but I feel like he's growing. This stuff will make him a better coach.

I remember Doc Rivers was awful when he got Ray and KG. But he matured quickly when he had the talent around him, all of whom were willing to buy in.

Vinny still has a shot. I'd like to see the Clippers make some noise in the playoffs.

In other news, every analyst is missing a big trick with regards to Lin. D'Antoni should be fired regardless of how much he wins. The Knicks finally have a squad Phil Jackson would be interested in coaching.

[Urizen]

The Celtics should probably start tanking this season. They are going to get swept hard in the first round, if they make it there.

[Cyndair]

Another close one between the Cavs and the Celtics last night. It doesn't bode well for the Celtics that they are so closely matched with Cleveland, but it certainly makes for some entertaining 4th quarter basketball.

[Urizen]

Watched the Clippers v Wolves.

Love and Griffin were the second and third best PFs on the floor, respectively. Derrick Williams put on a show.

here's hoping he's got another one in the bag when they play the Lakers tonight.

[Hyperglide]

I know there's not a lot of Raptors fans but is anyone impressed that this team is keeping a lot of games close without their 5th overall pick and leading scorer? It could be that a lot of teams aren't taking games seriously vs the Raptors but I don't think so. Also I really like how this team is playing defense. Something I haven't seen from a Raptors team in a looooooong time. Probably since we had Oaktree.

Even better, Casey had the balls to bench Derozan for the entire 4th quarter last night. Ballsy move. Great coach.

[Urizen]

I hear you on that. I'm a fan of the new blood in coaching over the past few years. It's not the same guys being shuffled around. Former players, defensive coaches, even video coordinators moving up is really good for the league.

Still have a few holdovers, or just otherwise awful coaches, like Karl and Dantoni...but overall, it's a good trend.

[Hyperglide]

Deron Williams just put up 57 points. Daayyuumm.. 16 of 29, 4 of 11 from 3pt. land, 21-21 from the charity stripe., 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 5 TO's. Other then the TO"s that's an unreal statline.

[pomeroy]

The Amazing Rondo.

GODDAMN.

And again.

[Urizen]

People are making way too much of the Lakers loss to the Wiz.

They played in Detroit the night before and were on the floor until 11pm. Even if they got to a plane in 90 minutes, they had 2.5 hour flight to DC, and lost an hour in the time zone putting them in at 4am local. Don't know what time they got the hotel rooms. Morning shoot around must have been canceled.

But after an OT game, they had a 7pm tipoff. It's a miracle they built a lead and got out to a fast start at all. But you can't say they have trouble holding leads and present this as evidence.

Boston was in the same boat. OT game at Houston and early start in Philly. They lost by 31 and it wasn't even that close.

Props to the Lakers for giving what they could. Actually, Bynum was the most fired up I've ever seen him. He must hate the Wiz frontcourt. I'd never seen Seraphin play before but he is some talent.

They schedule is effed up. But you just hope it balances out, where one team that has to play a tough back-to-back, ends up getting another team on the second night of a tough back-to-back.

I feel dirty defending the Lakers.

[Hyperglide]

People are making way too much of the Lakers loss to the Wiz.

They played in Detroit the night before and were on the floor until 11pm. Even if they got to a plane in 90 minutes, they had 2.5 hour flight to DC, and lost an hour in the time zone putting them in at 4am local. Don't know what time they got the hotel rooms. Morning shoot around must have been canceled.

But after an OT game, they had a 7pm tipoff. It's a miracle they built a lead and got out to a fast start at all. But you can't say they have trouble holding leads and present this as evidence.

Boston was in the same boat. OT game at Houston and early start in Philly. They lost by 31 and it wasn't even that close.

Props to the Lakers for giving what they could. Actually, Bynum was the most fired up I've ever seen him. He must hate the Wiz frontcourt. I'd never seen Seraphin play before but he is some talent.

They schedule is effed up. But you just hope it balances out, where one team that has to play a tough back-to-back, ends up getting another team on the second night of a tough back-to-back.

I feel dirty defending the Lakers.

Don't let it happen again. :) With all due respect to Washington every dog finds a bone once in a while. I think they were due for a rare win vs. LA anyways.

[Urizen]

Lakers T'Wolves. After the Lakers bad press and another round of analysts saying Kobe shoots too much, is overrated in the clutch, and hurts his team by trying to dictate too much, I'm eager to see how he comes out.

T'Wolves should be pissed about how their last game in LA went.

[Urizen]

Poor Ricky Rubio.

Hopefully, he'll be able to make a full recovery. I mean, as far as playing his natural game goes. He's not a big leaper, or particularly explosive, but you 'd hate to see a Nash kind of career turn into a Brandon Roy kind of career...and even that prematurely.

[Hyperglide]

Raptors outtanked the Pistons last night huge. Great loss for the Raps. That's with Bargnani back in his first game in 20 games. Seems the Raptors totally forgot how to play basketball with him back in the lineup. Oh and Calderon rolled his ankle. I guess Spain is fucked in the Olympics if they got not Rubio and a hobbled old Calderon.

[Hyperglide]

Poor Ricky Rubio.

Hopefully, he'll be able to make a full recovery. I mean, as far as playing his natural game goes. He's not a big leaper, or particularly explosive, but you 'd hate to see a Nash kind of career turn into a Brandon Roy kind of career...and even that prematurely.

Well if there was any doubt, not anymore. Kyrie Irving is ROTY.

[Cyndair]

Well if there was any doubt, not anymore. Kyrie Irving is ROTY.

Yeah. I'm happy for Kyrie, but I was enjoying the semi-rivalry that was going on between the two rookie point guards. As Urizen stated, I hope that Rubio is able to make a full recovery. Minnesota deserves a good team for once.

Also, Cavs vs. Raptors on Tuesday! The Raptors have had our number so far this season. Let's see if the Cavs are able to turn it around (Though honestly, I predict a Bargnani fueled return to form for the Raps. I just don't like the matchup).

[Urizen]

Big trades are happening. Kwame Brown is on the move again.

The NBA announced the players of the week to be Monta Ellis and Ersan Ilyasova. Hopefully, the Elias Sports Bureau can tell us the last time a reigning POTW was traded to the team his counterpart plays for.

[Stmfuller]

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/7686638/new-york-knicks-coach-mike-dantoni-resigns
Mike D'Antino quits the New York Knickerbockers.
who will love poor Jeremy Lin now?

[Urizen]

D'Antoni is an awful coach. He runs his starters into the ground. The Knicks front office weren't bringing the pieces he needs, so it's not completely his fault...

But it's funny how a month ago people were saying Lin saved D'Antoni's job. Now the opposite is going to happen. The Knicks are sitting on a talent in Lin, but will try to do what's been failing for about 80 games - run crap, boring offense through Amare and Melo. They have egos and big paychecks, so let's not use the second-most effective player on the roster.

[Hyperglide]

Yeah. I'm happy for Kyrie, but I was enjoying the semi-rivalry that was going on between the two rookie point guards. As Urizen stated, I hope that Rubio is able to make a full recovery. Minnesota deserves a good team for once.

Also, Cavs vs. Raptors on Tuesday! The Raptors have had our number so far this season. Let's see if the Cavs are able to turn it around (Though honestly, I predict a Bargnani fueled return to form for the Raps. I just don't like the matchup).

You guys outtanked us :'( I want a top 5 pick damnit. But of course, the Nets picking up Gerald Wallace should help getting to the top 5. Oh and of course the Raps trading their only scoring off the bench in Leandro Barbosa.

[Stmfuller]

D'Antoni is an awful coach. He runs his starters into the ground. The Knicks front office weren't bringing the pieces he needs, so it's not completely his fault...

But it's funny how a month ago people were saying Lin saved D'Antoni's job. Now the opposite is going to happen. The Knicks are sitting on a talent in Lin, but will try to do what's been failing for about 80 games - run crap, boring offense through Amare and Melo. They have egos and big paychecks, so let's not use the second-most effective player on the roster.

the sad part is, within the last month Lin was the 8th most efficient player in the ENTIRE FUCKING NBA. http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ycn-11001264
My guess is he's either on the bench, or starting but being phased out of being a scoring option by the end of the year. unless Lin is vocal (and compared to Melo and Amare he's a complete class act) he's not going to get his.

[Hyperglide]

The recently waived Ronny Turiaf just signed with the Miami Heatles.

[Hyperglide]

Game of the year?

And god said. "let no defense be played this day."

http://www.nba.com/games/20120323/MINOKC/gameinfo.html?ls=gt2hp0021100706#nbaGIboxscore

Jaysus.

[Hyperglide]

Ha ha this gave me a good chuckle

http://img803.imageshack.us/img803/5894/dndold2.png

[Hyperglide]

Philadelphia is crashing and burning hard. Raptors just smacked them down hard in the 2nd half tonight. Only 7 points in the 4th. 76ers shot themselves out of that game hard. Raps were playing good defense but not elite level defense. Sixers missed some open layups too. Only 5 points scored till the final minute of garbage time. Ouch.

[Urizen]

Celtics might actually win the Atlantic even though they have a tougher schedule? That'll be something. Really liked what they did against the Spurs, except the last play. Should have given Ray the shot. And if had to be Pierce, it should have been something other than a 22-foot step back against a 7-footer.

The Clips losing to the Lakers last night really hurt me. So upsetting. Kobe's been ripping shit up lately - especially last night. That might have been his best game all year. He deferred to the bigs, and played efficiently. He still took a ton of very difficult shots, like the two big baseline shots late in the 4th. The ball didn't go to a big man on either of those possessions, which is criminal, and Kobe could have cost them the game trying to play hero, but he pulled it out -- both times.

Sessions is really good. That fairy tale about the Thunder going 6-0 with Fish came crashing hard. They haven't won a single game because he made a key contribution. He shouldn't teen be in their rotation.

And Good Lord did LeBron play an amazing game yesterday. You can talk about he willed himself to get layups against Perkins and Ibaka after taking Durant off the dribble, or how he forced air balls when defending Durant. The most amazing stat to me was that he was +20 in a game that was close throughout and decided by 5 points. That effort should go in the hall of fame.

[Urizen]

If the C's can find a way to rebound, they could beat anyone. And how nasty are the Spurs right now? Pop purposely throws away a win streak once it gets too long.

[pomeroy]

If the C's can find a way to rebound, they could beat anyone. And how nasty are the Spurs right now? Pop purposely throws away a win streak once it gets too long.

Celtics are looking good. Moving KG to the 5 was a great move, as well as having Ray come off the bench. It also doesn't hurt that Rondo is throwing up 15 assist games seemingly nightly.

[Urizen]

Shame it doesn't look like Indy is going to loosen its grip on the 3 spot. Likewise, I would have loved for the Lakers to drop to 4 with Kobe out. Lakers v Grizz would be one the greatest first round matchups ever.

Knicks v Heat is going to be great as well if that shakes out.

[Hyperglide]

Celtics are looking good. Moving KG to the 5 was a great move, as well as having Ray come off the bench. It also doesn't hurt that Rondo is throwing up 15 assist games seemingly nightly.

The Celtics couldn't even beat the Raptors with half of their starting line-up done for the season and 3 D-Leaguers. LOL!

They are done.

[pomeroy]

The Celtics couldn't even beat the Raptors with half of their starting line-up done for the season and 3 D-Leaguers. LOL!

They are done.

I'm not trying to be an asshole, but do you know how professional basketball works? Yes. The Celtics lost a meaningless game in April to a shit team. The Bulls lost to New Jersey back in February...are they done? The Heat haven't had a good record against the Bucks this year...are they done?

After watching the Celtics play .500 basketball in 2010 and then make a run to the Finals, I have a really hard time putting a lot of stock in what happens during the regular season. Unless, of course, you're rooting for a team that won't make the playoffs. LOL!

[Hyperglide]

I'm not trying to be an asshole, but do you know how professional basketball works? Yes. The Celtics lost a meaningless game in April to a shit team. The Bulls lost to New Jersey back in February...are they done? The Heat haven't had a good record against the Bucks this year...are they done?

After watching the Celtics play .500 basketball in 2010 and then make a run to the Finals, I have a really hard time putting a lot of stock in what happens during the regular season. Unless, of course, you're rooting for a team that won't make the playoffs. LOL!

LOL! Aww, did I push someones buttons? Dude lighten up it's just a game. The way I see it the Celtics are an aging team and they looked like it out there in that game. Once their big 3 is gone I don't see much there. They should've started rebuilding. Oh and about your poke at the Raptors.

The Raptors are tanking. It's obvious, look at the details. They signed scrubs like Aaron Gray and Rasual Butler (who sucks sooo much they actually cut him.)

Next year they are going to be much better, in fact I think they make the playoffs, they have a ton of cap space, 2 x 1st round picks and are young and talented. Oh and best of all they got an excellent coach. One they haven't had since Butch Carter left.

I guess because you live in "U-S-A! U-S-A!" the Raptors get next to no coverage, so you probably don't understand how the Raptors have not played Bargnani, Calderon, Bayless, James Johnson (traded Barbosa) and played D-Leaguers and bench players for the most of this season.

See this is how basketball really works. This is how your Celtics got Pierce and traded for K-G and Allen (they sucked and tanked it out and got lottery picks). Rondo you got lucky on as he was a late pick.

When you sit half your starters and start D-Leaguers it's obvious the team is tanking and not trying to win. And your precious C's are in a playoff battle and can't put 80 on them? I understand some teams lay an egg, but this is apparently the same team that Barkley said that Kentucky could beat (fuck Barkley TNT and ESPN are garbage). I don't consider them much of a threat in the playoffs or at all after this season.

[pomeroy]

Most wins in the NBA since the All Star Break. For an aging team...I'll take it. Even if it comes with a meaningless loss to the Raptors.

Have fun with your tanking. :)

[Hyperglide]

Most wins in the NBA since the All Star Break. For an aging team...I'll take it. Even if it comes with a meaningless loss to the Raptors.

Have fun with your tanking. :)

Thanks. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist or Bradley Beal will look great in a Rap's uni :)

[Urizen]

So there's a real battle in LA. Oh, how I'd love it if the Lakers dropped games to OKC and the Spurs and the Clips win out, securing the Division and 3-seed. Totally plausible.

Clippers get Dallas or Denver that way and the Lakers get Memphis. I'd take Lakers Memphis in the WCF if I didn't hate the Lakers so much.

Spurs look like the team to beat league-wide. They are head and shoulders above the league right now. IF someone knocks them off, it'll be wide open. I don't trust the Heat or the Bulls. I actually like the Pacers a lot right now. They have a much better chemistry, but sadly no lock-down perimeter defender, and that might prove to be their undoing.

[Zanzibar]

Still possible for the Clips, but that double-OT win over OKC by the Lakers was a pretty major setback for them. Clips will have to win both road games (ATL and NYK) and the Lakers will have to lose to Sacramento.

Really an awful play by Metta World Peace when he took out Harden. He is gonna sit for five games or more.

[Hyperglide]

Still possible for the Clips, but that double-OT win over OKC by the Lakers was a pretty major setback for them. Clips will have to win both road games (ATL and NYK) and the Lakers will have to lose to Sacramento.

Really an awful play by Metta World Peace when he took out Harden. He is gonna sit for five games or more.

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I thought it was hilarious when he said it was "unintentional." Give me a break. He knew Harden was there when he felt him bump into his hip. Then he played off the cheap shot as "emotion."

I say he gets 2 games.

[Vanthar]

I don't think it was intentional in terms of him hitting Harden in the face, but the elbow was definitely intended to hit whoever was near him out of his way.

[Stmfuller]

it's Ron Artest, he's a colorful character that enjoys creating controversy. Of course it was intentional.

[Hyperglide]

it's Metta World Peace, he's a colorful character that enjoys creating controversy. Of course it was intentional.

Fixed. :p

EDIT: Big shocker here. The douchenozzle Dwight wants out AGAIN. Jesus I really hate this man. He's worse then Lebron. First he wants out, then resigns, then wants his coach fired and now he wants a trade again. What a fool.

[Zanzibar]

SEVEN GAMES. And, as a LAKER fan, I can only feel like he got off easy. The more I read about it I thought he'd be gone for ten games.

I do hope Harden is on the floor for the Thunder's first playoff game.

...as in, I hope he plays. Not that he's prone on the floor again. (Important distinction.)

[Urizen]

League went way too easy on Artest, especially considering how he was squaring up to tumble with Ibaka immediately after the elbow. What an asshole. He's not funny, and he's an awful rapper.

Dwight's also an asshole. And LeBron shouldn't be in the same class as any of these fools. He played out his Cleveland contract like his life depended on it every single day. He could have whining and trying to sabotage his team and coaches for years. Yes, the Decision was dumb, he gave a couple dumb interviews in its aftermath, but anyone comparing him to Deron Williams, Dwight Howard, Melo, and to a lesser extent, Chris Paul should be ashamed of themselves.

LeBron is much more Tim Duncan/Steve Nash than he is Dwight Howard/Carmelo Anthony.

[pomeroy]

Ugh. Let's not compare LeBron to the absolute class that is Steve Nash.

I agree that he's not nearly as bad as D12 and 'Melo, but c'mon.

[Vanthar]

League went way too easy on Artest, especially considering how he was squaring up to tumble with Ibaka immediately after the elbow. What an asshole. He's not funny, and he's an awful rapper.

Dwight's also an asshole. And LeBron shouldn't be in the same class as any of these fools. He played out his Cleveland contract like his life depended on it every single day. He could have whining and trying to sabotage his team and coaches for years. Yes, the Decision was dumb, he gave a couple dumb interviews in its aftermath, but anyone comparing him to Deron Williams, Dwight Howard, Melo, and to a lesser extent, Chris Paul should be ashamed of themselves.

LeBron is much more Tim Duncan/Steve Nash than he is Dwight Howard/Carmelo Anthony.

Agreed except for you know.. that Boston series that he totally gave up on his team and city in.

[Urizen]

Ugh. Let's not compare LeBron to the absolute class that is Steve Nash.

I agree that he's not nearly as bad as D12 and 'Melo, but c'mon.

Barkley said something really interesting on TNT last night about this loyalty card being a complete joke. You only owe your franchise respect and professionalism, but anything deeper about 'loyalty' is fool's gold. The club has every right to trade you whenever they see fit, and you have every right to ask for and push for a trade, so long as you remain professional and don't become a distraction. The club owes you nothing beyond that, and vice versa.

This made me think of Nash, Duncan and Garnett who are fiercely loyal to their franchises. You come off as classy, but maybe that shouldn't be the case. If everyone is doing everything they can to win and pay what they think is fair, then loyalty shouldn't be a factor in any decisions. Otherwise, you're not making smart basketball decisions.

Cue the "yeah-that's-why-Barkley-never-won" chants.

Agreed except for you know.. that Boston series that he totally gave up on his team and city in.

Yeah, yeah. Half of Game 5 and all of Game 6. I'll admit he was 'out of sorts'. Maybe it was exhaustion because of all the different bodies Boston was throwing at him. Maybe it was frustration. Maybe it was the pressure. He was ground down by a historically good defense.

He always had an uphill battle, like few other NBA players. I guess Melo and KG come to mind. Perennial lottery franchise. Small markets unattractive to free agents. Questionable coaches and front office. He accomplished a hell of a lot more than those guys. I'm just not willing to present 6 quarters of evidence against 7 years saying otherwise.

[Hyperglide]

League went way too easy on Artest, especially considering how he was squaring up to tumble with Ibaka immediately after the elbow. What an asshole. He's not funny, and he's an awful rapper.

Dwight's also an asshole. And LeBron shouldn't be in the same class as any of these fools. He played out his Cleveland contract like his life depended on it every single day. He could have whining and trying to sabotage his team and coaches for years. Yes, the Decision was dumb, he gave a couple dumb interviews in its aftermath, but anyone comparing him to Deron Williams, Dwight Howard, Melo, and to a lesser extent, Chris Paul should be ashamed of themselves.

LeBron is much more Tim Duncan/Steve Nash than he is Dwight Howard/Carmelo Anthony.

Stevie Franchise is an awful rapper too.

nT1cD-N7nbw

[Urizen]

I guess the best rapper the NBA has seen is Shaq, then?

[pomeroy]

I never listened to Iverson...

[Hyperglide]

Great end to the season. The NBDL 10 dayer we signed for the remainder of the season named Ben Uzoh, got the Raptors 1st triple-double in 11 years (last one was Alvin Williams) vs. the Nets as we spanked them by 31 tonight. LOL so funny. What a way for New Jersey to end their tenure in New Jersey.

Nets totally outtanked us. In fact there were a lot of blowouts tonight. So many playoff teams resting their star players and a lot of bench players trying to prove themselves really showed a lot of lopsided games. One of those weird nights.

Did we just see the last game for the Sacramento Kings? So many things to be left decided. Off to the playoffs! I made a thread here (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=26426).