2007-2008 NBA Regular Season Thread

[Neon_Chaos]

Plus, Kobe leads the league in dodged rape charges. I mean, that's gotta count for something.

Damn straight.

[Brian Swartz]

the Cavs are 34-26. They are on pace for a 46-win season. The Lakers are on pace for a 57-win season. That's huge margin.

And if Kobe had missed six games and LeBron had played all of them for Cleveland, the Cavs would be on a 52-win pace and the Lakers on the same or worse with a superior supporting cast. That was the point. <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

[MrBug708]

Damn straight.

He didnt really dodge the rape charge, he dogged the rape conviction

[Butter]

He didnt really dodge the rape charge, he dogged the rape conviction

Oh snap, you told me!

[Arles]

I think Kobe or Lebron are fine choices. Kobe has been phenomenal this year. I just think the numbers show Lebron is more deserving, but if Kobe wins it I won't feel it is "unjust".

[Chief Rum]

kobe's supporting cast was miles ahead of lebrons, even pre-gasol.

Wow, you must have missed EVERY Laker game from 2003 until this season.

[Chief Rum]

Here's what I find is funny. Prior to this year, when Kobe was a dominating player but the only thing the Lakers had going, everyone says he can't win because his team isn't good enough. Now that his team is good enough, everyone is saying he should lose to a guy who is the only thing going for his team.

Kobe just can't win with some.

[Neon_Chaos]

And if Kobe had missed six games and LeBron had played all of them for Cleveland, the Cavs would be on a 52-win pace and the Lakers on the same or worse with a superior supporting cast. That was the point.

The sad thing is that the Cavs aren't even the best team in their division, let alone their conference. They're the fourth-best team in the East. Even if you transpose those 6 games that Lebron missed into wins, and the Cavs are still four games short of the Pistons for the Central Division lead.

Compound the fact that they already have a nice handicap by playing in the Leastern Conference, it doesn't matter if Lebron has marginally better stats than Kobe this year. He isn't going to win the MVP trophy. Kobe was in the same boat in the 2005-2006 season, the guy was averaging 35.4 ppg, broke records here and there... but he wasn't the best standout player on the best team.

This is a two-man MVP race between Garnett and Kobe, which should have been a blowout for Garnett if he hadn't missed those games.

If Lebron wins the MVP trophy this year, it would certainly be a travesty, specially since there are two candidates who, if we consider history's bias towards the best standout player on the best team, are Kobe and KG.

[stevew]

Wow, you must have missed EVERY Laker game from 2003 until this season.

I thought we were talking about this year, AKA the only one that should matter for the 07-08 mvp.

[stevew]

Lebron winning a Travesty? WTF ever.

If the award was called the "NBA Best Player on the Best Team Award" sure, then you'd have a point. But it's not.

Right now any combo of LeBron/Kobe/Garnett could win and I would be satisfied that they made the right choice. Of course the homer in me would be a bit pissed, but it wouldn't be as bad of a screwjob as the 2nd Nash MVP.

Oh, and if Chris Paul wins the award this year, I will pull my fucking hair out.

[Neon_Chaos]

Given that he's on the tenth-best team in the league, not even the best team in their division, let alone their conference, yes, it would be a big travesty is Lebron wins the MVP.

[ThunderingHERD]

Lebron winning a Travesty? WTF ever.

If the award was called the "NBA Best Player on the Best Team Award" sure, then you'd have a point. But it's not.

Right now any combo of LeBron/Kobe/Garnett could win and I would be satisfied that they made the right choice. Of course the homer in me would be a bit pissed, but it wouldn't be as bad of a screwjob as the 2nd Nash MVP.

Oh, and if Chris Paul wins the award this year, I will pull my fucking hair out.

??

Presumably you didn't find the first Nash MVP to be a "screwjob", so let's compare Paul's numbers to Nash's that season:


<pre> PTS FG% REB AST TO STL
Nash 15.5 .502 3.4 11.5 3.3 1.0
Paul 20.9 .483 4.1 10.8 2.5 2.7</pre>

[stevew]

okay, the first one was a screwjob too. But then they went and canonized Nash by giving him his second.

[Neon_Chaos]

Reality is, it is usually the best player on the best team.

To be more specific, the best standout player on one of the best teams in the league. (must at least have his team leading the league, their conference or their division).

If the Cavs snatch the Central Division from the Pistons, then Lebron has a valid argument.

[Neon_Chaos]

One of the reasons I think KG basically gave up ground on winning the MVP race is because he missed nine games. You may think it's not big... but...

Since 1980-81, only one man has won the MVP by playing in less than 75 games for the full season, that's Allen Iverson, who won it in 2000-2001 by playing only 71.

So, what would be the criteria in winning the MVP? Forget stats. If you want to give out the "Best Statistical Performance for a Season" Award, give it to Lebron.

The staggering truth is that you have to win. Winners get the nod, regardless of statistics. Why? Because everyone loves winners. Not mediocrity.

So, what does the list of previous MVP-winners show us? There is a familiar pattern that can be considered as a loose criteria for determining the MVP. They win, they drive their team to be better than their previous season, they are defined as the leader and stand-out player of their team, and they play the season out.

Loose criteria on deciding who is the MVP:
Win at least 50 games. Everyone loves winners.
Be one of the top 3 teams in your Conference, or at least win your Division.
The player must be defined as the stand-out player of the team.
Play in at least 70 games (which is why Garnett is still in the running, barely)
Have a better year than your previous year (Cleveland won 50 games last season, are you seriously considering Lebron as the MVP when his team is on pace to fall short of that mark?)

[Brian Swartz]

The MVP award is as often as not or more so a travesty. Neon Chaos is absolutely right if you are simply trying to predict who's going to actually win it. And it is true that Nash deserved neither of his, add those to the list(which doesn't mean he isn't still a damned amazing offensive point guard). However, if you were to decide for some strange reason that the Most Valuable Player Award should go to the player who is, in fact, the most valuable, and you wanted to evaluate that objectively, you might come to some different conclusions about a number of things, including the value of being on an elite team. :)

[Fidatelo]

Nash having more MVP's than Shaq is crazy. That would be like if Boomer Esiason had more MVP's than Joe Montana or something. Inexcusable.

[LloydLungs]

Oh, and if Chris Paul wins the award this year, I will pull my fucking hair out.

He won't, but why that strong reaction? Chris Paul is an incredible player. The Hornets have pretty much come out of nowhere to be 40-19 in the toughest conference in the history of the NBA. That record would be flipped without him.

[MrBug708]

Aren't the Celtics 7-2 without KG? Or something like that?

[SirFozzie]

Correct, they went 7-2 on the 9 game stretch while he was out.

Celtics can clinch a playoff birth with a win over the Pistons tonight.

[Arles]

Lebron is going to need to finish on a tear to have a chance. I will agree that if Cleveland isn't 3rd in the East and LA is a top 2 team, Kobe will win it. But, if Lebron can get the Cavs to third with 50+ wins (finish 50-32 ish or 16-6) and the Lakers end up as a 3-seed in the West, I could see Lebron stealing it.

[larrymcg421]

Imagine if LeBron was playing with Pierce and Allen, or with Gasol, Odom, etc.? The Cavs would be fucking the rest of the league up the ass.

I don't care if the award was given to the "Best Player on the Best Team" in the past, That doesn't mean it should continue that way. I mean, Jimmy Rollins won the NL MVP for "Most Outs in Baseball", but I dont think they should do the same thing this year.

I think it should go to the player who is most valuable to his team. If anyone tries to argue that LeBron doesn't fit that description, then I'm not sure what sport you've been watching this year.

[Oilers9911]

Especially when a guy like Steve Trash won it twice.

That may be the dumbest thing posted in this thread yet.

[stevew]

please.

Nash winning the award 2 times is a traveshamockery when you look at the history of the award, and the guys that never sniffed the award with much better stats. Shaq's only won it once, for instance.

[DeToxRox]

That may be the dumbest thing posted in this thread yet.

Steve Nash defines overrated. He'd be Mark Price if he weren't in Pheonix.

[stevew]

You have to go back about 30 years(77-78) to find an MVP less deserving than Nash. Walton only played in 58 games and somehow won it. And I'm sure he was still very impressive.

[Groundhog]

Nice game from the LeBron fella today.

[Logan]

Nice game from the LeBron fella today.

Not a bad stat line.

Joe Smith continues to contribute. He's always been one of my favorite players going back to his days at Maryland so I'm happy to see him on a team that could potentially go far. 11 rebounds tonight, 7 offensive. I remember a set of back-to-back games he had as a rookie where he put up 16 boards, 14 of which were offensive, and he followed that up with a 20 rebound effort, 11 coming on the offensive glass.

[stevew]

I really like the Joe Smith addition. He's basically Gooden, with a brain. But Gooden is a much better rebounder.

I really thought he was going to be a much better player overall in the NBA though. He was such a beast in college.

[Logan]

Gooden or Smith? You could probably argue both actually.

For Smith though, he's always been a bit of a tweener, preferring the jumpshot to post play. And without being incredibly athletic, it's hard being a great player when you're that size and shooting jumpers. Given his skill-set, it makes sense that he could have a greater impact on a team later on in his career.

[Logan]

26 points for LeBron at the half tonight, including buzzer-beaters at the end of each quarter.

[Groundhog]

We aren't getting the broadcast of the Cavs game down here, but looks like a surprisingly one-dimensional game from LeBron, Wallace and Varejao are stealing all his boards. :)

Larry Hughes is doing a great impersonation of the Larry Hughes we had to put with in Cleveland by the looks of things, too.

[Brian Swartz]

25%, considering they play different positions, is close enough. Why would any team want their starting SG crashing the boards? He's third in all guards in rebounding per game. That's why it's close enough. Jason Kidd is first, and Mike Miller is second.

Just FYI as a follow-up here, and credit where it's due, I did some research on this. The average difference between a SG and a SF in rebounding is big enough that Kobe actually should get credit for being a better rebounder(about 10%).

That's the good news for Bryant. The bad news is it makes James's already impressive assist numbers positively monstrous. Applying the positional difference to that gives LeBron a 95% edge -- almost double Kobe's effectiveness.

[miami_fan]

If only the writers and broadcasters were willing to do the same research. ;)

I would still choose Kobe but it would not bother me if LeBron won it...

...until next year when the voters disregard the stats and vote for the best player on the best team again.

[Chief Rum]

I thought we were talking about this year, AKA the only one that should matter for the 07-08 mvp.

the person you responded to was talking about Kobe's past years. You better pick your quotes better if that's not what you intended to mean.

[Chief Rum]

Imagine if LeBron was playing with Pierce and Allen, or with Gasol, Odom, etc.? The Cavs would be fucking the rest of the league up the ass.

I don't care if the award was given to the "Best Player on the Best Team" in the past, That doesn't mean it should continue that way. I mean, Jimmy Rollins won the NL MVP for "Most Outs in Baseball", but I dont think they should do the same thing this year.

I think it should go to the player who is most valuable to his team. If anyone tries to argue that LeBron doesn't fit that description, then I'm not sure what sport you've been watching this year.

Then you were voting for Kobe from 2004 to 2006, right? Because the Lakers are picking high lottery all three years without him. Instead, they got a low lottery pick the first year and made the playoffs the other two years. No one meant more to his team's success than Kobe those years--he was the definition of most valuable to his team.

But no one would give Kobe the MVP those years because the Lakers weren't winning championships.

Seems to me Kobe haters want to deprive him of this trophy no matter how they can do it, even with hypocrisy and double standards.

[Atocep]

Then you were voting for Kobe from 2004 to 2006, right? Because the Lakers are picking high lottery all three years without him. Instead, they got a low lottery pick the first year and made the playoffs the other two years. No one meant more to his team's success than Kobe those years--he was the definition of most valuable to his team.

But no one would give Kobe the MVP those years because the Lakers weren't winning championships.

Seems to me Kobe haters want to deprive him of this trophy no matter how they can do it, even with hypocrisy and double standards.

I'm not a Kobe hater and I don't see how anyone could possibly make a case for Kobe, KG, or anyone else to get the award over Lebron. Kobe is easily the second choice since KG missed quite a few games, but he's a very distant 2nd right now.

He's beating Kobe in just about every major stat, his team is sitting in 4th place in the east, and without him the Cavs are fighting with Miami and Minnesota for the #1 pick.

[Chief Rum]

I'm not a Kobe hater and I don't see how anyone could possibly make a case for Kobe, KG, or anyone else to get the award over Lebron. Kobe is easily the second choice since KG missed quite a few games, but he's a very distant 2nd right now.

He's beating Kobe in just about every major stat, his team is sitting in 4th place in the east, and without him the Cavs are fighting with Miami and Minnesota for the #1 pick.

I don't disagree with the stats. I disagree with the standards for the award that those arguing against Kobe are going by. Using the same standards by which you name LeBron the MVP this year, you could very easily have given that trophy to Kobe in 2006 and 2007. But fact is, it wasn't and people--these very same people, I would bet, who dislike Kobe--said he shouldn't get the MVP because his team wasn't a championship contender.

Well, now that it is, they want to use those standards to hand the trophy to LeBron? Right, no double standard there. You can't have your cake and eat it, too. Choose one standard. If someone argues for LeBron as MVP this year, they have to admit Kobe got shafted for the award before this year. If you agree the team needs to be a championship contender, sorry, but 4th in the far weaker conference isn't a championship contender, IMO, even post trade.

In fact, I would argue 7th in the West in 2006 and 2007 was at least equal to the achievement of 4th in the East this year.

[Chief Rum]

Oh, and though I respond to Atocep, since he is not a Kobe hater, that's not really aimed at him but at the ones who do unreasonably rip the guy, IMO. I am fine with LeBron as MVP--he has had a heck of a season. But I think the standards need to be the same. No changing the rules just because you don't like the guy (once again, that last not aimed at Atocep or other non-Kobe haters).

[Atocep]

Oh, and though I respond to Atocep, since he is not a Kobe hater, that's not really aimed at him but at the ones who do unreasonably rip the guy, IMO. I am fine with LeBron as MVP--he has had a heck of a season. But I think the standards need to be the same. No changing the rules just because you don't like the guy (once again, that last not aimed at Atocep or other non-Kobe haters).

I think '04-'05 it should have went to Duncan. Kobe's stat line looked solid, but he's had much better years than that.

Kobe should have easily taken the award in '05-'06. It really was a travesty that Nash got the award that year over him. This was Kobe's best season and he carried that team into the playoffs.

Last year it could have gone either way between Dirk and Kobe. I don't see Dirk as a bad choice and definitely wouldn't have seen Kobe as one had he received it.

[Chief Rum]

I think '04-'05 it should have went to Duncan. Kobe's stat line looked solid, but he's had much better years than that.

Kobe should have easily taken the award in '05-'06. It really was a travesty that Nash got the award that year over him. This was Kobe's best season and he carried that team into the playoffs.

Last year it could have gone either way between Dirk and Kobe. I don't see Dirk as a bad choice and definitely wouldn't have seen Kobe as one had he received it.

Yeah, 04-05 would have been Kobe's weakest argument, as the Lakers didn't even make the playoffs (so he didn't really carry them that far).

Glad you agree that Kobe was shafted at least one year the past couple. And that's where our issue is. MVPs have already been awarded on this "best player, best team" standard. And on that basis, LeBron simply can't receive the MVP this year. His team hasn't gotten far enough in a weaker conference.

But, yeah, based on stats alone, LeBron certainly has the edge, and if we were truly judging this as value to team, we would likely give it to LeBron this year. And if the media had done this regularly in the past, he would be the favorite. But they came up with some different standard that I suspect they borrowed from the baseball writers.

[Brian Swartz]

I am fine with LeBron as MVP--he has had a heck of a season. But I think the standards need to be the same. No changing the rules just because you don't like the guy (once again, that last not aimed at Atocep or other non-Kobe haters).

I agree with this, and I'm definitely not among the Kobe-haters. I've always thought he gets more criticism than he deserves(for example, the constant overanalysis of whether he shoots too much or not, and the issue of carrying his team farther into the playoffs, when Nash gets neither with two MVPs). I think both guys this year are more deserving than any of the last three MVPs -- but we can only choose one and I don't like the idea of taking Kobe just because he should have won one before. <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

[bulletsponge]

they should ban all MVP awards. there all political and just gives sportwriters another opportunity to verbally blow thier favorite players. and see what its done to this thread, ruined it

[TazFTW]

Who needs Yao?

[st.cronin]

To weigh in on the mvp debate, I believe that Chris Paul is the best player in the league this year. Lebron and Kobe are both good, though. My ballot would go Paul, Kobe, LBJ.

My main purpose in posting here though is to ask people to please stop comparing Kobe to Michael Jordan. He is not close to Michael Jordan. Jordan was far and away the best player in the league for about 10 years - there was no question, no debate. Kobe has never been on that level, not even now, in his best season.

[Eaglesfan27]

Who needs Yao?

The Rockets do in the playoffs, particularly if they have to play the Spurs.

[stevew]

To weigh in on the mvp debate, I believe that Chris Paul is the best player in the league this year. Lebron and Kobe are both good, though. My ballot would go Paul, Kobe, LBJ.



That's hilarious

[Brian Swartz]

Why is that hilarious? IMO he has as good an argument as Kobe, he'd probably be my third choice but he definitely deserves to be in the discussion. Good assist numbers, turns it over less and rebounds more than any other top PG, excellent defender(#1 in steals), productive scorer who shoots 48% from the field, 88% from the line -- there's nothing funny about his case.

[MrBug708]

To weigh in on the mvp debate, I believe that Chris Paul is the best player in the league this year. Lebron and Kobe are both good, though. My ballot would go Paul, Kobe, LBJ.

My main purpose in posting here though is to ask people to please stop comparing Kobe to Michael Jordan. He is not close to Michael Jordan. Jordan was far and away the best player in the league for about 10 years - there was no question, no debate. Kobe has never been on that level, not even now, in his best season.

This is a bizarre post. I didn't think people still compared Kobe to Jordan? In thirty years, people will probably be comparing players to Kobe, Jordan, and Lebron.

[MrBug708]

Why is that hilarious? IMO he has as good an argument as Kobe, he'd probably be my third choice but he definitely deserves to be in the discussion. Good assist numbers, turns it over less and rebounds more than any other top PG, excellent defender(#1 in steals), productive scorer who shoots 48% from the field, 88% from the line -- there's nothing funny about his case.

Steals is not the best measure of how good a defender is

[Brian Swartz]

Very true. But there's little in the way of stats that tell you much convincingly one way or the other, and he's got a reputation from what I can tell of being a good defender. Whether or not it's justified -- really that's just speculation from anybody who's just a fan.

[Chief Rum]

Haven't there been some decent stats developed in sabermetric style for basketball that do the job of better defining defensive ability? I don't generally follow the stats-heavy side of it, but I'm sure there is. I would think we should go to that far more than steals, which for every time you get a steal, there is probably three or four times that you played it too aggressive, got out of position and got burned by the guy you were on.

[ThunderingHERD]

which for every time you get a steal, there is probably three or four times that you played it too aggressive, got out of position and got burned by the guy you were on.

Yeh, I guess that's why the list of all-time steal leaders could double as a list of all-time biggest defensive liabilities. You know: John Stockton, Michael Jordan, Gary Payton, Scottie Pippen, Hakeem...

[stevew]

http://www.82games.com/

Site does a good job of breaking down a variety of stats/situations.

[Chief Rum]

Yeh, I guess that's why the list of all-time steal leaders could double as a list of all-time biggest defensive liabilities. You know: John Stockton, Michael Jordan, Gary Payton, Scottie Pippen, Hakeem...

You do know that defense is preventing people from scoring, right? Even the best guys stealing the ball stop the play on that possession just three or four times per game. A very good defender affects shots every single time his guy shoots--and if he is any good, he will be on the opponent's best offensive player.

And those guys aren't always great thieves.

Steals and good defense aren't exclusive, and there is, as you point out, a strong corollary between the two. That said, if you think that's the end of the argument, you must also think batting average is the best indicator for a great hitter or that interceptions makes a cornerback an all-time great.

[BishopMVP]

This is a bizarre post. I didn't think people still compared Kobe to Jordan? In thirty years, people will probably be comparing players to Kobe, Jordan, and Lebron.Jordan, almost certainly. Lebron, definitely. Kobe? I think he's too similar to Jordan. He might be as good as MJ, but he breaks no new ground.You do know that defense is preventing people from scoring, right? Even the best guys stealing the ball stop the play on that possession just three or four times per game. A very good defender affects shots every single time his guy shoots--and if he is any good, he will be on the opponent's best offensive player.

And those guys aren't always great thieves.Steals are far from perfect, but if you look at blocks, I think most would accept that the leaders in blocks also alter the most shots in the league. Beyond that, I haven't seen a defensive stat that tells us how good an individual is. If there was one widely available, I don't think Ben Gordon, Michael Redd, Kevin Martin, Jason Kidd (yes he was great, but now he's slow) or Yao would be getting 12 million a year.

[MrBug708]

Bruce Bowen is the biggest a-hole in the league

[JeeberD]

Life is good... :)

[JeeberD]

Dola-

I can NOT believe that in the three-ish weeks since I've last been on the board that there's been ZERO (well, maybe one if you count TA's "Who needs Yao?" post) mention of the Rockets streak.

Y'all suck... ;)

[MrBug708]

Would have been nice if the Lakers could have been at semi fulls trength :(

[JeeberD]

Don't EVEN go there...

Yao + Landry > Gasol + Bynum

[stevew]

maybe we'll get to see tmac win a playoff round this year.

[cartman]

I saw them win game #2 of this streak in person.

[miami_fan]

Dola-

I can NOT believe that in the three-ish weeks since I've last been on the board that there's been ZERO (well, maybe one if you count TA's "Who needs Yao?" post) mention of the Rockets streak.

Y'all suck... ;)

I would have never believed that a Western conference team could win 21 straight games and take the conference lead and get less credit for it than the Rockets have gotten so far nationally. Yes, they have not won a first round series in forever. However, to hear most people talk, you would have thought the Rockets have only played the Heat for 21 straight games.

[cartman]

scratch that. I saw them 3 games before they started the streak.

[JeeberD]

So you've seen a part of the 26 out of 27 stretch. Still not too shabby...

[Chief Rum]

Don't EVEN go there...

Yao + Landry > Gasol + Bynum

You're smoking something if you believe that.

That said, I agree that arguments about missing players is silly when each team is missing a major player.

[JeeberD]

You're smoking something if you believe that.


Have you seen Landry play? He's much better than his modest numbers indicate. In fact, I might dare say he's the best rookie on the team...

That said, I agree that arguments about missing players is silly when each team is missing a major player.


Agreed.

[Atocep]

You're smoking something if you believe that.


When all 4 are healthy its much closer than you'd think. Landry has been the most productive rookie in the NBA by far this year on a per minute basis. Yao is Yao.

If I'm thinking long term I'd take Gasol and Bynum, but as far as production at this stage I'd probably go with Yao and Landry.

[Chief Rum]

Have you seen Landry play? He's much better than his modest numbers indicate. In fact, I might dare say he's the best rookie on the team...



Agreed.

I have seen Landry play, and he's a solid player who is only going to get better. That said, Bynum is much better than he is, and has shown it over much more minutes per game, and with no help whatsoever in the post when he was on the floor. He's also a much stronger shotblocker and makes a difference to how teams play the Lakers on the interior.

I think in two years, this discussion could be more interesting, as Landry figures to make his own leaps. That said, most scouts believe Bynum is a good deal of the way to being a star-level player.

Yao is the best of the four, because of his immense size and impact in the middle, but Gasol is an All Star himself who certainly matches Yao's scoring and nearly his rebounding (surprisingly). I think the difference between Landry and Bynum right now is significantly further than between Yao and Gasol (although that latter is a tough judge, since they are really such different types of players).

One other factor to be considered--the lack of Yao removes one of the Rockets' top two options, but what was Landry--seventh option? Maybe? Him not being in the lineup just means more minutes for Scola or Battier stays out there a bit longer. The loss of Gasol (the clear #2) and Bynum (established himself as the only serious inside option pre-Gasol) means Odom jumps to #2. And anyone watching the Lakers the past few years knows there is no player less suited to a necessary team-carrying role than Odom. Odom is a terrific complementary player with all his skills. But Charmin advertises "tougher" products than Odom. He is just not a #2 guy. He wilts under that pressure. So the return of Gasol and Bynum doesn't only bring them back, it also brings Odom "back."

[Chief Rum]

When all 4 are healthy its much closer than you'd think. Landry has been the most productive rookie in the NBA by far this year on a per minute basis. Yao is Yao.

If I'm thinking long term I'd take Gasol and Bynum, but as far as production at this stage I'd probably go with Yao and Landry.

Landry was averaging 16 mpg on the year. Sorry, I need to see him do it much longer than that more consistently. There are tons of scrubs in this league who produce strong 48-min numbers. If they all produced like that over longer minutes, they would be playing those minutes.

[JeeberD]

Landry was averaging 16 mpg on the year. Sorry, I need to see him do it much longer than that more consistently. There are tons of scrubs in this league who produce strong 48-min numbers. If they all produced like that over longer minutes, they would be playing those minutes.

If Landry didn't have to split time with possible ROY Luis Scola, he would easily be getting more minutes. And he was seriously coming into his own before his knee injury.

I would have to say that he was far from the Rockets seventh option when he was out on the floor...probably second or third, depending in you're counting Yao or not. Without Yao out there he's easily our best low-post scorer, he makes a huge difference for us. If he was playing today the Lakers probably wouldn't have made that big third quarter run because they would have pounded the ball down to him instead of settling for jumpers...

[Chief Rum]

If Landry didn't have to split time with possible ROY Luis Scola, he would easily be getting more minutes. And he was seriously coming into his own before his knee injury.

I would have to say that he was far from the Rockets seventh option when he was out on the floor...probably second or third, depending in you're counting Yao or not. Without Yao out there he's easily our best low-post scorer, he makes a huge difference for us. If he was playing today the Lakers probably wouldn't have made that big third quarter run because they would have pounded the ball down to him instead of settling for jumpers...

It doesn't matter why he wasn't getting the minutes, though, Jeeber. It's the fact he wasn't. He hasn't proven anything playing so few minutes. And I'm talking full team option, so he is at best third (Yao counts). And Scola, a ROY candidate, would rank ahead of him and so would Alston, because no way third or fourth inside scorer in limited minutes is a higher option than the second perimeter scoring option and a starter. And Battier is also starting.

I'm not saying Landry didn't have his impact, nor am I saying he won't produce just as highly per minute given more minutes, but you're asking me to accept that on faith when, frankly, those numbers far often don't increase in direct propertion to minutes increased.

[Atocep]

Landry was averaging 16 mpg on the year. Sorry, I need to see him do it much longer than that more consistently. There are tons of scrubs in this league who produce strong 48-min numbers. If they all produced like that over longer minutes, they would be playing those minutes.

There aren't tons of scrubs in the top 50 for PER and Landry ranks 11th. The only other bench player in the top 50 is Leon Powe in Boston. His usage rate (which will give you a good idea of where he is as a team's option) is a little higher than Bynum's as well.

[Chief Rum]

There aren't tons of scrubs in the top 50 for PER and Landry ranks 11th. The only other bench player in the top 50 is Leon Powe in Boston. His usage rate (which will give you a good idea of where he is as a team's option) is a little higher than Bynum's as well.

Sorry, Atocep, 28 mpg trumps 16 mpg. Until I see the figure on the right rise and make them more comparable, I have a very hard time figuring Landry is somehow so much greater or even equal. Since around the time Yao got hurt, Landry was averaging over 21 mpg and his points went up appreciably as one of the interior post scoring replacements (from 8 to 12 ppg), but his rebounding numbers only went up from 5 to 5.7, and he only had two blocks in that entire stretch of games. Even if you doubled everything from his current season stats (16 mpg to 32mpg), you're looking at 17 ppg and 10 rpg--the latter of which is less than Bynum in four more mpg, and his blocks are nowhere near Bynum's numbers. The scoring is better for Landry, but then my guess is Bynum would score more on a younger team--he isn't needed to score as much on the Lakers--just enough to keep teams honest. And once again, Bynum has shown this with actual minutes--Landry's projected production isn't real until he does it and consistently on a long term basis (and the only stretch I have found of increased time actually shows a decline in his rpm rating and a lack of increase in bpm).

And Landry isn't scaring anyone coming into the paint or affecting shots. And he's 4 years older than Bynum with two years less experience. Like Thornton with the Clips, I suspect Landry is going to get a little better--but not much better, certainly not the jump in production you would expect from a player coming out of high school (and which we have already seen starting to blossom with Bynum).

[sterlingice]

Dola-

I can NOT believe that in the three-ish weeks since I've last been on the board that there's been ZERO (well, maybe one if you count TA's "Who needs Yao?" post) mention of the Rockets streak.

Y'all suck... ;)

Dammit, Jeeber. You're not supposed to jynx stuff. Geez. Now the next loss is all your fault ;)

SI

[Sublime 2]

Great game between the C's and Spurs!! C's win by 2 after being down 22 w/o Ray Allen.

[Brian Swartz]

San Antonio is dead in the water and will be lucky to get out of the first round. Their age has finally caught up to them, a year before I hoped it would(age of the role players, that is).

[molson]

Great game between the C's and Spurs!! C's win by 2 after being down 22 w/o Ray Allen.

The Celtics won 24 games last year, and have won at various times this year without Garnett and Allen. 53-13 is ridiculous. By far their best season since the '85-'86 monster. I know I'm stating the obvious here, but damn.

[JeeberD]

Tomorrow's game should be pretty freakin' awesome...

[Groundhog]

What's Houston's record this year without Yao? When is he expected back?

[JeeberD]

10-0 the last ten games.

He'll be back for the Olympics...

[molson]

Tomorrow's game should be pretty freakin' awesome...

This has been the most exciting/interesting NBA regular season I can remember, ever. Part of that is my Celtics bias, but yes, can you possibly have a better matchup than tomorrow night? The NBA is on fire.

[JeeberD]

Apparently Ray Allen won't play tomorrow night...

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/5627365.html

Conversely, Carl Landry has said that he may play tomorrow night. I'm not holding my breath, though.

[rkmsuf]

Tomorrow's game should be pretty freakin' awesome...

It will be hard for the C's to have a full tank tonite. Mentally they will be fine, physically that was all out against the spurs.

[SirFozzie]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/basketball/nba/03/18/garnett.taylor.ap/index.html

I think Garnett will be up a bit more about this. What a fucking twit.

"Oh, we didn't tank last year. KG tanked it."

After what he's done for the franchise. Just plain wow.

[mckerney]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/basketball/nba/03/18/garnett.taylor.ap/index.html

I think Garnett will be up a bit more about this. What a fucking twit.

"Oh, we didn't tank last year. KG tanked it."

After what he's done for the franchise. Just plain wow.

That's basically the type of thing that Taylor has been saying the last couple years. According to him almost nothing is the fault of the front office guys who are there, but Flip Saunders takes a lot of the blame for some of the players they've lost. Absolutely no blame will go to the guys who are Taylor and McHale's guys, which has earned the front office the nickname of The Country Club in Minnesota. This is why Dwayne Casey was fired for being inconsistent when he had the team at 20-20 and in position to compete for the 8th playoff spot, but then when Randy Wittman was consitantly bad finishing 12-30 he was given a 3 year extension, he's one of the country club guys. Nearly everyone who isn't a part of the country club has face blame from McHale and Taylor for the failures of the team.

This team is an absolute mess and impossible to root for. The guys who screwed this team up are still in charge and the team is mostly full of unlikable players with little upside.



Some previous quotes from Taylor: (http://www.citypages.com/databank/27/1352/article14853.asp?page=3)

I have never said this before, but I will be very blunt about that—Rasho only left because of [former coach] Flip [Saunders].

I can tell you that Chauncey [Billups] left not because of Kevin but because of Flip.

[mckerney]

And as far as KG being responsible for tanking, it was McHale who told Garnett he wouldn't be playing the last several games last season. And I doubt it was Garnett's idea that Mark Madsen shoot 7 3's in the Wolves' final game of the 2005-2006. To make matters even worse, the Wolves didn't get players of real value as a result of those two years of tanking.

[stevew]

Garnett sat out all those games last year at the end, and it was pretty suspicious looking. It could have easily have been the difference between them getting their first rounder, and having to transfer it to the Clippers to complete the Jaric trade(it was top 10 protected).

[larrymcg421]

Rockets streak is coming to an end. Boston up 77-56 with 8:45 left and the Rockets have nothing left in the tank.

[Chief Rum]

Rockets streak is coming to an end. Boston up 77-56 with 8:45 left and the Rockets have nothing left in the tank.

I would make more of this, except the Rockets are playing without Yao and Landry. ;)

(And if the streak does end, wow, way to go Rockets...)

[SirFozzie]

I would make more of this, except the Rockets are playing without Yao and Landry. ;)

(And if the streak does end, wow, way to go Rockets...)

And the Celtics are playing the 2nd half of a back to back, without Ray Allen :)

At least this will shut up the "Celtics would be a poor team in the west" talk.

[Chief Rum]

And the Celtics are playing the 2nd half of a back to back, without Ray Allen :)

At least this will shut up the "Celtics would be a poor team in the west" talk.

They would! :p

[SirFozzie]

They would! :p

Sure, let's not let facts get in the way or anything ;)

[Chief Rum]

Sure, let's not let facts get in the way or anything ;)

fact: Something that actually exists; reality; truth.

The Boston Celtics play in the Western Conference. i.e. Not a fact.

Thus, your sentence is not true. :D

[sterlingice]

Dammit, Jeeber. You're not supposed to jynx stuff. Geez. Now the next loss is all your fault ;)

SI

See? See??

SI

[JeeberD]

Well, that sucked. It had to end sooner or later, but I just wish it hadn't been so...ugly.

[Groundhog]

Miami Heat's starting 5 tonight:

Chris Quinn
Daequan Cook
Ricky Davis
Earl Barron
Mark Blount

Not surprisingly, 26 points at half time.

[larrymcg421]

Is there a bigger pussy in basketball than Mark Blount? The guy is 7'0" but is one of the worst rebounders I've ever seen. I was so glad to see this guy leave the Celtics.

[Groundhog]

Harris out as Bucks GM.

On paper, I thought these last two years he did a good job. Just didn't translate on the court. Lots of pieces, but the puzzle still ended up looking like crap.

Great opportunity for the next GM though, because this is a team that can make some moves in the offseason.

[stevew]

From what I've read, it seems like Harris was significantly handcuffed by Senator Kohl as to who he can trade. He may have been able to get decent value for Redd at the deadline, as well as include one of their horrific contracts. Now they are pretty well stuck in mediocre mode, getting around the 7th-8th pick in the draft the next few years. Yeah Redd puts asses in the seats, but there are some pretty good perimeter players in this years draft that will be gone when they select.

[Logan]

I'm surprised ESPN didn't sneak in a link to Simmons pitching himself as his replacement.

[Anthony]

i think after Miami scoring 54 in last nite's game, the NBA needs to do away with the lottery and just put make it one ping pong ball per team and open the odds of getting the #1 overall pick to every team. this isn't professional basketball. i had thought higher of Pat Riley, but not any longer.

[SirFozzie]

Celtics go 6-0 vs the "Texas Triangle" on the year with a victory over the Mavs

[larrymcg421]

Celtics go 6-0 vs the "Texas Triangle" on the year with a victory over the Mavs

But I thought the Celtics were going to crumble when they faced the quality teams in the West!

I don't understand...

[watravaler]

Barry Bonds has nothing on Andre Iguodala...

[BishopMVP]

From what I've read, it seems like Harris was significantly handcuffed by Senator Kohl as to who he can trade. He may have been able to get decent value for Redd at the deadline, as well as include one of their horrific contracts. Now they are pretty well stuck in mediocre mode, getting around the 7th-8th pick in the draft the next few years. Yeah Redd puts asses in the seats, but there are some pretty good perimeter players in this years draft that will be gone when they select.Michael Redd is right up there with Ben Gordon and Kevin Martin on the Shooting Guards that score 20+ a game and give up 30+. How the man is an NBA starter, let alone a borderline all-star is beyond me.

[larrymcg421]

Celtics once again showing how much they would struggle if they were in the West. Up 82-70 against the Hornets right now.

[larrymcg421]

Looks like I spoke a little too soon and jinxed the Celtics...

[MrBug708]

lol

[larrymcg421]

Shrug. Still 22-5 against the all-powerful West.

[Arles]

Looks like I spoke a little too soon and jinxed the Celtics...
Yikes, outscored 32-17 in the 4th. NO is a tough team, though.

Shrug. Still 22-5 against the all-powerful West.
Since the trade deadline, Boston is 4-5 against the top 9 teams in the West. Just an FYI.

[molson]

Since the trade deadline, Boston is 4-5 against the top 9 teams in the West. Just an FYI.

That's not bad at all - I imagine most of those top 9 beat up on each other and pad their record against the bottom half of the West, and the East.

The only numbers that really matter for the Celtics are 55-14, and #1 seed in the East. Which compared to 25-58 (their record last year), means at least one giddy Celtics fan in Boise no matter what happens from here.

[Arles]

How about Shaq and Amare tonight? Amare had 38 and 13 with 4 blocks. Shaq had 23 and 13, while hitting 7-9 free throws :eek:

[MrBug708]

That's not bad at all - I imagine most of those top 9 beat up on each other and pad their record against the bottom half of the West, and the East.

The only numbers that really matter for the Celtics are 55-14, and #1 seed in the East. Which compared to 25-58 (their record last year), means at least one giddy Celtics fan in Boise no matter what happens from here.

If they didn't win it all, you wouldnt be disappointed?

[Ajaxab]

How about Shaq and Amare tonight? Amare had 38 and 13 with 4 blocks. Shaq had 23 and 13, while hitting 7-9 free throws :eek:

If I am any team in the West, I want the Rockets in the 1st round. Facing anyone else is a crapshoot.

[Oilers9911]

hitting 7-9 free throws :eek:

Obviously the NBA was experimenting with the new hula hoop sized baskets. :)

[molson]

If they didn't win it all, you wouldnt be disappointed?

Definitely not - but I'm a glass-half-full kind of sports fan. This year's been fun no matter what. Any success in the playoffs is gravy.

[Jas_lov]

Dirk Nowitski leaves the Spurs game with an ankle injury. Spurs on a 19-0 run. When it rains it pours.

[Jas_lov]

Dirk out for at least 2 weeks as a result of the injury today. Dallas Schedule for next 2 weeks:

Clippers 3/25
at Denver 3/27
at Golden State 3/30
at Clippers 3/31
Golden State 4/2
at Lakers 4/4
at Phoenix 4/6

Denver won today so they're only 2 games in the loss column behind Dallas and GS. Denver and GS also play each other two more times this season. Who makes the playoffs as the 7th and 8th seeds?

[LloydLungs]

Yikes, outscored 32-17 in the 4th. NO is a tough team, though.

In the last couple of weeks, we've seen these fourth quarters in the New Orleans Arena:

Hornets 24, Spurs 8
Hornets 33, Bulls 13
Hornets 31, Rockets 10
Hornets 32, Celtics 17

Being a Hornet season ticket holder, it's not possible to put into words the difference in atmosphere between now and the beginning of the season when we were drawing in the 8-12,000 range. New Orleans just might be arriving as an NBA town.

[MrBug708]

Hell of a game vs GS for the Lakers...came back from down 30 and took the lead, but Jackson made two clutch three's to close the Lakers out

[Bad-example]

The next night these two teams matched up again in another very entertaining game. A terrible shame that the refs messed it up at the end and gave the game to the Lakers on a horrible call.

[Vince]

I've been meaning to ask -- I didn't get to watch the game. Was the call that bad?

[stevew]

Was violet palmer involved? They really need to fire that bitch.

[BishopMVP]

I've been meaning to ask -- I didn't get to watch the game. Was the call that bad?Yes. Derek Fisher had Monta Ellis in a bear hug and pulled him down by the back of the jersey. The ref on the baseline, who couldn't see Monta's back, called the foul on Ellis. The ref who had a perfect view from 10 feet away stood there looking like the village idiot. It was almost as dumb as Lamar Odom getting a lane violation on the 1st of 2 FT's.

[stevew]

My bad....Bob Delaney, enough said.

[stevew]

I should add that Monta Ellis is probably #3 or 4 ony my list of man-crushes for NBA players. Obviously LeBron being number one, Dwight Howard at #2, then there's 4-5 other guys I like to watch a ton.

[Bad-example]

Monta became my favorite player not long after the W's drafted him out of high school. He is very fun to watch and his game just keeps getting better. What a steal he was in the second round. If he were entering the draft this year as a junior, is there any doubt he would be a lottery pick?

[stevew]

Once Monta starts getting the D-Wade bullshit superstar calls, we'll be looking at at least a 25ppg scorer. I think he could stand to bulk up a little bit, as well. Definitely a fun guy to watch, and I think it's pretty cool how he stopped shooting threes cause he knew it wasn't the strength of his game. He needs to call LeBron and talk him out of shooting 3s as well.

[rjolley]

Looks like you Knicks fans have had your prayers answered. Isiah Thomas is out as president of the New York Knicks.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/basketball/nba/03/25/walsh.knicks/index.html?eref=mostpop

[molson]

Looks like you Knicks fans have had your prayers answered. Isiah Thomas is out as president of the New York Knicks.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/basketball/nba/03/25/walsh.knicks/index.html?eref=mostpop

So what team/sports entity does he run into the ground next? My money's on the Arena Football League.

[stevew]

That just means they'll move him back to the broadcast booth. And you thought he was bad at being a GM......

I think they should let Isiah be Hilary's VP. At least that would be a job he wouldn't be able to screw up.

[Anthony]

Knicks are controlled by Dolan. as long as he's the owner then it wouldn't matter if Red Auerbach was the GM. still, it'll be nice for a fresh change, to say the least. East is too wide open for even a cellar dwellar not to be able to turn it around in one season. in any given season the 6-8 spots are always up for grabs.

[Neon_Chaos]

If you asked me on November who would be the top 3 teams in the West at this point in the season, the Hornets, Lakers, and Rockets would not even be in the top 3.

It is indeed the Wild Wild West out there.

[Neon_Chaos]

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/h7_AlZFpsXQ&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/h7_AlZFpsXQ&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

Magnificent.

[sterlingice]

So what team/sports entity does he run into the ground next? My money's on the Arena Football League.

Actually someone should make him commissioner of the NFL. Kindof an irresistible force, immovable object sort of thing.

SI

[DaddyTorgo]

wow.

Celtics just laid a whupping on the Suns.

[Arles]

Suns shot 56% to Boston's 52% and lost by 20. Sheesh, turnovers and lack of rebounding killed them. Barbosa was horrid as well. When this team's sloppy, they can lose to anyone (esp a very good team at their place).

[Groundhog]

How about that Chemistry in Milwaukee? Bogut knocks down the FT and has to give himself a couple of high-fives:

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Zc11PUnFgkQ&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Zc11PUnFgkQ&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

[miami_fan]

Might this be the result of hard feeling from his comments last offseason?

[sterlingice]

How about that Chemistry in Milwaukee? Bogut knocks down the FT and has to give himself a couple of high-fives:

Ok, that was funny in a sad sort of way.

SI

[larrymcg421]

Celtics now have back to back 20 point wins against Western conference playoff teams.

[Groundhog]

Might this be the result of hard feeling from his comments last offseason?

I don't think he complains nearly as much as he should. We get a lot of Bucks games over here (surprise), and so often Bogut is playing well and scoring inside when suddenly Redd and Mo Williams turn in to black holes and stop passing the ball inside.

[mckerney]

I still hate the Timberwolves and want Foye and Brewer to go away.

That is all.

[MrBug708]

Lakers decided to lose to Memphis

[bulletsponge]

Lakers decided to lose to Memphis

that was part of the trade when they stole Gasol, they had to loose to them

[Arles]

The Suns-Nuggets game tonight might be the craziest I've seen all season. Phoenix was down 22 in the 2nd and 19 at half after shooting 30%. They looked terrible. In the second half, Phoenix outscored Denver 81-47 on almost 80% shooting (8-10 from 3s) and won by 15. Nash had 36 points on 8-12 shooting from 3 and Amare had 41 and 14. The Suns went on a 52-23 run through the end of the 3rd and into the 4th.

[korme]

Yes, that game was crazy. The Nugs just don't have any heart.

[Chief Rum]

19 points on a 7/15 shooting night, 5 boards and a block--and we won.

Welcome back, EB. Missed ya.

[MikeVic]

The idiotic Hawks officials should be fired after this season.

[Groundhog]

The idiotic Hawks officials should be fired after this season.

I watched the replay on Sportscentre and it looked like the right call to me at the end of regulation. Was definately close, but still, I think they got it right.

[MikeVic]

The fact that they started the clock going before the ball touched Ford's hands? If they started the clock correctly, that ball is off in time.

[Groundhog]

OK, will have to watch it again and check for that.

[MikeVic]

At least TSN harped on it for a bit this morning. They kept showing it, and it seems like 2/10 of a second are off the clock before he even touches the ball. And then it seems like he's 1/10-2/10 of a second too late to let go...

[stevew]

19 points on a 7/15 shooting night, 5 boards and a block--and we won.

Welcome back, EB. Missed ya.

Hopefully they decide to trade him to cleveland this offseason.

[stevew]

From the Beasley files.....

MIAMI -- Miami Heat forward Shawn Marion will miss the final seven games of the season because of a left foot injury.

Marion has been sidelined with back spasms that forced him to sit out 11 of the past 12 games. He will undergo treatment and will not be able to participate in basketball activity for about 30 days.

Marion appeared in 16 games for Miami after being acquired in early February as part of the trade that sent Shaquille O'Neal to the Phoenix Suns.

Marion becomes another in the long line of Heat players out for the season with injuries, a list that includes Dwyane Wade, Alonzo Mourning and Dorell Wright, all of whom have knee problems.

Marion can choose to become a free agent after the season.

The Heat have the NBA's worst record, 13-62, and are just 5-42 since Christmas.

[Arles]

It's a shame the Suns are stuck with a 14-10-61% Shaq down the stretch instead of a broken down Marion.

[Groundhog]

If Marion, Wade, and Wright were all in Phoenix right now, something tells me they'd all be playing.

[Groundhog]

BTW

Larry Hughes, if you could have strung together more than 1 or 2 games a year in a Cleveland uniform like the one you did today, you wouldn't be one of my most despised players.

[stevew]

I can't watch the cavs anymore. Too fucking frustrating right now. I'd take the screenname damnMikeBrown, but someone else is already using it.

[Arles]

If Marion, Wade, and Wright were all in Phoenix right now, something tells me they'd all be playing.
Marion missed parts of 3 games and one full game with a bad back in Phoenix. There's a good chance this is atleast somewhat legit.

[stevew]

BTW

Larry Hughes, if you could have strung together more than 1 or 2 games a year in a Cleveland uniform like the one you did today, you wouldn't be one of my most despised players.

remember, all roads lead to 40 percent. He's bound to throw some gems together in their remaining games to offset the 11/17 marksmanship.

[stevew]

Marion missed parts of 3 games and one full game with a bad back in Phoenix. There's a good chance this is atleast somewhat legit.

I guess if the funny thing about his back, is that it's on his foot.

[Neon_Chaos]

BTW

Larry Hughes, if you could have strung together more than 1 or 2 games a year in a Cleveland uniform like the one you did today, you wouldn't be one of my most despised players.

Hughes is a slasher.

Whatever that means.

:D

[Arles]

I guess if the funny thing about his back, is that it's on his foot.
I was talking about the back spasms that caused him to miss 11/12 games. The foot thing may very well be trumped up, but I think his back was in bad shape when he was in Phoenix.

[Brian Swartz]

It's a shame the Suns are stuck with a 14-10-61% Shaq down the stretch instead of a broken down Marion.

The full picture would also half to include Shaq's immense turnover rate and the fact that Marion no longer can rely on the miracle-working Suns medical staff(after all, what could possibly explain that both players are fine in Suns uniforms but can't stay on the floor for the Heat? :)).


<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

[bulletsponge]

The full picture would also half to include Shaq's immense turnover rate and the fact that Marion no longer can rely on the miracle-working Suns medical staff(after all, what could possibly explain that both players are fine in Suns uniforms but can't stay on the floor for the Heat? :)).


<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->


dont forget 2 more years of lazy Shaq at 20 mil + a year. i thought only Isiah would be dumb enough to take that contract ( it was obviously horrible when he signed it). they better win a chamionship or this trade will be a clusterfuck

[mckerney]

Is there any way David Stern would make Portland give back Brandon Roy. :(

[Chief Rum]

Is there any way David Stern would make Portland give back Brandon Roy. :(

Look at the bright side. The continued suckitude of players like Foye, acquired for Roy, ensures you don't have to give my Clips your first round pick.

[Chief Rum]

I know at this point it's too late for him to change, but for God's sake Kobe, how about bitch less and play more when things don't go your way?

Two plays in a row against the Mavs tonight. First play, he beats Kidd to his right and Kidd catches his arm from behind on the way up. It's enough to stop Kobe from scooping in the shot and the ref misses the contact (it was obvious from most cameras). Kobe throws his arms up in disgust. Meanwhile the Mavs are driving to the other end and get fouled on a transition basket.

After free throws, Vujacic has the ball near up top and telegraphs a pass to Kobe off to the side. Kidd muscles over on an angle and takes the ball (starting another break and another foul). Kobe, instead of running after Kidd (he would have caught him by half court), throws his hands up in frustration at Vujacic. Yes, it was a stupid pass, but for crying out loud, Kobe, your guy is going in for a score! This forces Vujacic to switch over on Kidd, who dishes to Howard (promptly fouled by Vujacic).

And this was in a critically close game, and I am a Kobe fan. I mean, come on, get a control of yourself, Kobe.

Thanks to Odom (who was amazing tonight), Lakers still pull out win.

[Arles]

dont forget 2 more years of lazy Shaq at 20 mil + a year. i thought only Isiah would be dumb enough to take that contract ( it was obviously horrible when he signed it). they better win a chamionship or this trade will be a clusterfuck
They weren't winning anything with Marion and Banks here. There was a story in the local papers that went through the finances pretty well:

Marion+Banks = $52 million owed (counting this year)
Shaq= $60 million owed

They article stated if you add in the additional merchandising/ratings for Suns game since Shaq got to Phoenix, the Suns will have paid for the difference Shaq's contract by the middle of next season (with only a 2-round playoff run). By the final year, the Suns will have made money by getting Shaq (compared to Marion+Banks).

Shaq's also averaged 3.0 turnovers in 30 MPG, it's not too far off other big men like Boozer (2.7 in 34) and Yao (3.3 in 37). When you factor the remarkable increase in rebounding Phoenix has had, the Suns look like a much more capable playoff team. Turnovers are still a concern, but Phoenix has won 11 of it's last 14 games including wins over SA, Golden State, Houston and Denver. In the end, this deal may end up being a huge no-brainer from a financial and on-court standpoint for Phoenix.

[MrBug708]

Hell of a performance from Odom last night. If he can do 67% of that on a nightly basis, Lakers are gold

[Brian Swartz]

Shaq's also averaged 3.0 turnovers in 30 MPG, it's not too far off other big men like Boozer (2.7 in 34) and Yao (3.3 in 37).

Actually, it's quite a bit off from those players(and anybody else of consequence, for that matter).

Shaq's turnover rate is 18.3%. Ming's is 13.6%, Boozer's 10.9%. Turning it over 35% more than Yao is a significant difference.

Another way to look at is this: there are 322 players who are on pace to average 500 minutes, 59 of them centers. Shaq is 313th(52nd among centers) in turnover rate. Only two of the big men below him average 20 mpg, and none of them have more than 25. I don't see how that's anything other than horrifically bad(the rebounding point is well taken, but far more important has been how well Amare has played at PF).

[Arles]

Actually, it's quite a bit off from those players(and anybody else of consequence, for that matter).

Shaq's turnover rate is 18.3%. Ming's is 13.6%, Boozer's 10.9%. Turning it over 35% more than Yao is a significant difference.

Another way to look at is this: there are 322 players who are on pace to average 500 minutes, 59 of them centers. Shaq is 313th(52nd among centers) in turnover rate. Only two of the big men below him average 20 mpg, and none of them have more than 25. I don't see how that's anything other than horrifically bad(the rebounding point is well taken, but far more important has been how well Amare has played at PF).
Shaq has always been a bit of a turnover machine - but I'm not sure what the big issue is. When he's in, he's the focus of the halfcourt in that the team passes in to him, the defense collapses and the guards/Amare get easy shots. Given that setup, he's going to have a lot of pressure on every touch (atleast 2 guys on him). Here's some other numbers:

Nash (Jan and Feb): 45.4% 3s
Nash (March): 56% 3s

Raja Bell (Jan and Feb): 38.5% 3s
Bell (March): 48.8% 3s

Hill's gone from 48.7% to 51.5% in FGs. Giricek has shot almost 50% from the floor and he shot in the 30s with Philly and Utah. And, of course, Amare has been scoring at 30-10 since Shaq got to Phoenix.

The Suns are seeing a rediculous number of open shots with Shaq. Instead of having their half court offense consist of Nash running around like an energizer bunny for 40 MPG in hopes of freeing up a shooters (and having the offense shutdown when he sits), the Suns now dump it in to Shaq and immediately have the option of 1-2 open wing guys or a single-covered Amare cutting to the hoop. The effort they spend on offense is significantly less, yet their results are better. Amare has also been in less foul trouble and the team is second in the NBA in blocked shots.

Phoenix (in March) changed the following stats when compared to Jan+Feb (before shaq): +4 PPG, -0.2 PPGA, +2.5% FG, +3.5% 3P and went from a -5 RPG net to a +3. All the while guys like Nash and Hill are saying how much less effort they spend creating shots. I know Marion is a good player (although his health is a bit in question), but the Suns have become a more efficient, more balanced and better overall team since Shaq got here. So, aren't all those benefits worth the extra 1-1.5 turnovers a game Shaq has over Marion?

[Arles]

Great win for the Suns on the road in SA (96-79). Amare and Shaq were in foul trouble all game, but the Suns got great production from their bench (including 11 points, 5 boards, 4 assist, 3 steals and a block from Diaw). Shaq owned the end of the third and 4th quarters. In 24 minutes, he had 16 points (7-9 FG), 9 boards, 1 block and held Duncan to 9-21 from the field. The Suns ended the game on a 35-13 run (from 3 in left in the 3rd on).

The west is now a mess. SA, Houston, Lakers and Suns are all within a half game of each other with 3-4 left. The Suns play @Hou, GS and POR. Houston plays Pho, @Den, @Utah, Clips. Lakers play @Clips, NO, SA and SAC. SA plays SEA, @LAL, @SAC and Utah. It's anyone's guess who lands in the 2-6 spots at this point. Should be a fun week.

[Neon_Chaos]

Great win for the Suns on the road in SA (96-79). Amare and Shaq were in foul trouble all game, but the Suns got great production from their bench (including 11 points, 5 boards, 4 assist, 3 steals and a block from Diaw). Shaq owned the end of the third and 4th quarters. In 24 minutes, he had 16 points (7-9 FG), 9 boards, 1 block and held Duncan to 9-21 from the field. The Suns ended the game on a 35-13 run (from 3 in left in the 3rd on).

The west is now a mess. SA, Houston, Lakers and Suns are all within a half game of each other with 3-4 left. The Suns play @Hou, GS and POR. Houston plays Pho, @Den, @Utah, Clips. Lakers play @Clips, NO, SA and SAC. SA plays SEA, @LAL, @SAC and Utah. It's anyone's guess who lands in the 2-6 spots at this point. Should be a fun week.

Even the Hornets aren't sure of the #1 spot yet. If they lose twice in their last four games, they can drop down to #4 or #5. They have @LAL, @SAC, LAC, and @DAL in their last four games.

[Vince]

The whole West is absurd. To think that the team that finishes in 9th place would have HOME COURT ADVANTAGE in the East is just mind-boggling.

It's rather frustrating to see the Warriors finally putting up an amazing season, and knowing that they may not even make the playoffs. I can't be disappointed with this season no matter what happens, and I don't think it could have gone much better, really. But I somehow wish that Nellie had played Brandan Wright a little more -- I'd like to see what the kid can really do.

[Neon_Chaos]

The Lakers have one away game and three home games in their last four.

I'd use "away" as a very loose term. They're playing in Staples Center against the Clippers.

[BishopMVP]

Warriors are done, effectively down 2 with 3 to go. Too bad as they are possibly the most exciting team to watch in the league.

On the other hand, the one positive thing coming out of Miami's tank-gate is that the only professional athlete (outside lacrosse, but who counts that?) who would recognize me on the street is finally getting a chance and showing why he should have been playing all along. Stephane Lasme's now averaging 4.7/3.5/1 steal/1.5 blocks per game and a phenomenal +6.08 efficiency on the tanking Heat. He also picked up the D-League's co-DPOY.

[Karlifornia]

Warriors are done, effectively down 2 with 3 to go. Too bad as they are possibly the most exciting team to watch in the league.



Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh! This really sucks. The Warriors are going to win close to 50 games and not make the playoffs. It hurts, it hurts reallll bad. They just seemed to run out of gas. Nellie is a great coach, but he's one stubborn son of a bitch, and he's not going to play guys that he doesn't trust. He didn't trust any of the bench guys (Matt Barnes, last years playoff darling, even fell out of favor), and so the big guns just died on the vine. It is a bitter world we live in, and candy coating only lasts for a brief moment...or some shit.

[Vince]

I was devastated to hear the news of how the game went. An ill-fated promise to my girlfriend from a while back meant that I was hanging out with her tonight, and I turned off the game right at the end of the first quarter feeling pretty damned good about a 15-point lead. To find out we ended up sucking the rest of the game was pretty brutal. Especially after having to watch "The River of No Return."

[Groundhog]

Warriors on the verge of being the most successful team ever to not make the playoffs.

[larrymcg421]

Warriors aren't done yet. They just have to win out (only one tough game left) and hope Denver loses to Houston and Utah. It's not an ideal situation, but I wouldn't say they're out of it yet.

[BishopMVP]

Warriors aren't done yet. They just have to win out (only one tough game left) and hope Denver loses to Houston and Utah. It's not an ideal situation, but I wouldn't say they're out of it yet.I'd love to be proven wrong, but they just haven't been showing the same skill to close out games they were the middle 50 games of the season. Maybe it's just shots unluckily rimming out (baron had a 3 late from the corner, and I think Monta had a couple too that could have gone down when they were making that late run) but they do look a little tired compared to earlier in the season.

[Neon_Chaos]

Lakers beat New Orleans, and they tighten that gap between NO and the rest of the pack. If Lakers beat the Spurs and Sacramento, and NO loses one more game, LA heads into the Playoffs as the #1 seed.

I also wonder how this game affects the MVP race. The final week of the NBA Season will most likely be the deciding factor between Paul and Kobe. KG is also looming constantly as an MVP favorite.

[MrBug708]

I think it nailed Kobe as the MVP with the win yesterday

[BishopMVP]

KG's a solid 3rd/4th choice for MVP behind the Paul/Kobe/LeBron trio, but he lost any chance at the award when he missed time and the Celts kept winning. KG clearly was the catalyst with his attitude, but I could see an argument that Paul Pierce has been as, if not more valuable for the Celtics during the season on the court.

[JeeberD]

The Rockets trouncing of the Suns was rather unexpected after the way they ran us off the court last time we met...

[Arles]

The Rockets trouncing of the Suns was rather unexpected after the way they ran us off the court last time we met...
Yeah, that was the perverbial "We just beat the Spurs and think we are hot sh*t" game after from the Suns. Pretty much locks Phoenix in the 6th spot, so maybe they can rest some guys down the stretch.

[Neon_Chaos]

THANK YOU SAC-TO! Hornets lost to Sacto tonight.

Lakers now have control of their destiny in the WC PLayoff race. If they win their last games against SAS and SAC, they go in as the #1 seed.

[Chief Rum]

THANK YOU SAC-TO! Hornets lost to Sacto tonight.

Lakers now have control of their destiny in the WC PLayoff race. If they win their last games against SAS and SAC, they go in as the #1 seed.

Wow, not the game I expected the Hornets to lose.

[JeeberD]

The Kings are playing spoiler lately. If the Rockets hadn't lost to them on April Fools Day, they would be in first...

[JeeberD]

Dola-


Lakers now have control of their destiny in the WC PLayoff race. If they win their last games against SAS and SAC, they go in as the #1 seed.

I'm not certain about that...the Rockets are a half game back (one less win) and have a 2-1 record against the Lakers. If (that's a BIG if) both the Rockets and Lakers win out, don't the Rockets get the higher seed?

[MrBug708]

I hate to potentially jinx the game, but it looks like the Lakers will beat the Spurs in this game.

Things looking good for LAL

[LloydLungs]

Wow, not the game I expected the Hornets to lose.

The Hornets are proving a lot of analysts' doubts about them to be well-founded. They've got a tremendous young foundation and will be around for a long time, but they might as well have "a year away" on their jerseys.

[heybrad]

I'm not certain about that...the Rockets are a half game back (one less win) and have a 2-1 record against the Lakers. If (that's a BIG if) both the Rockets and Lakers win out, don't the Rockets get the higher seed?
You're correct that if Houston wins out they are the top seed, although they are getting trounced in Denver right now.

[sterlingice]

Isn't it illegal to only score 44 in a half against Denver?

SI

[JeeberD]

Son of a bitch...

[Neon_Chaos]

Ok, now it's really in their hands. :)

If they win against renowned spoiler team Sacramento, they are #1. They can still drop to #3 if they lose, depending on how things play out with Houston, San Antonio, and NO.

[Neon_Chaos]

Warriors lose to the Suns and are knocked out of the Playoff hunt. Denver is in. Houston loses to Utah, further dimming their chances to make it to #1. San Antonio wins against Sacto in a close game and are hoping for an LA and a NO loss to sneak in for that #1 seed.

[Vince]

Sigh. I know I said that I'm happy with how the season went even if the Warriors don't make the playoffs...but damned if I don't feel like crap tonight.

[Groundhog]

Sigh. I know I said that I'm happy with how the season went even if the Warriors don't make the playoffs...but damned if I don't feel like crap tonight.

What did you think of the JRich trade when it happened, and what do you think of it now?

I thought it was an OK trade when it happened given the Warriors have an abundance of decent swingmen, and I still think that it was an OK trade, because I don't think JRich would have done much more to push them in to the playoffs in the loaded West. Interested to hear a Warriors fan's take on it though.

[MrBug708]

Good win for the 76ers tonight..er Cavs :)

[Neon_Chaos]

Here's the messy playoff scenario in the West:

Western Conference Playoff Scenario (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AnwbbbZgn9NhSBrzAppzCj28vLYF?slug=ys-playoffscenarios08&prov=yhoo&type=lgns)

Lakers seeded 1 or 2
Hornets seeded 1, 2, or 3.
Spurs seeded 2 through 6
Jazz seeded 2 through 4
Rockets seeded 5 or 6
Suns seeded 4 through 6
Mavs and Nuggets seeded 7 or 8.

[Neon_Chaos]

If Denver wins their last game, all 8 Playoff Teams for the West will have 50-win seasons.

[BishopMVP]

What did you think of the JRich trade when it happened, and what do you think of it now?

I thought it was an OK trade when it happened given the Warriors have an abundance of decent swingmen, and I still think that it was an OK trade, because I don't think JRich would have done much more to push them in to the playoffs in the loaded West. Interested to hear a Warriors fan's take on it though.Well, they started 3-8 and finished 8-10. They started slow and didn't have depth at the end.

[Bad-example]

What did you think of the JRich trade when it happened, and what do you think of it now?

I thought it was an OK trade when it happened given the Warriors have an abundance of decent swingmen, and I still think that it was an OK trade, because I don't think JRich would have done much more to push them in to the playoffs in the loaded West. Interested to hear a Warriors fan's take on it though.

I don't doubt that the Warriors would have made the playoffs had they not made the trade. He is a talented scorer that would have given the team desperately needed depth. But the trade had to happen to free up $ for Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins. I was and am still fine with the trade. If they can lock up the young talent, bring Baron back and find a good backup PG and C, they can be a good team for a while.

[Subby]

ROGER MASON JR!

Seriously...I love the Wizards' depth...the silver lining to the injury woes of Butler and Arenas and E. Thomas is that you get lots of valuable minutes for guys like Nick Young, Andray Blatche, and Roger Mason, Jr..

Can't wait for the first round to start.

Ctown: If you're reading this...suck it.

[Subby]

Holy crap Ramon Sessions went off last night.

20 points, 24 assists, 8 boards.

Sure there were 286 points scored in the game, but that's still a great line.

[sterlingice]

Here's the messy playoff scenario in the West:

Western Conference Playoff Scenario (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AnwbbbZgn9NhSBrzAppzCj28vLYF?slug=ys-playoffscenarios08&prov=yhoo&type=lgns)

Lakers seeded 1 or 2
Hornets seeded 1, 2, or 3.
Spurs seeded 2 through 6
Jazz seeded 2 through 4
Rockets seeded 5 or 6
Suns seeded 4 through 6
Mavs and Nuggets seeded 7 or 8.

This year is just nuts. A second ago, the Rockets were in control for number 1 and now the best they can do is 5th. The sheer number of important tiebreakers is crazy.

SI

[kurtism]

Holy crap Ramon Sessions went off last night.

20 points, 24 assists, 8 boards.

Sure there were 286 points scored in the game, but that's still a great line.

And Chris Duhon netted 22 and 15 assists on 8-9 shooting (in 30 minutes). Defense? We don't need no stinking defense!

[JeeberD]

There goes just about any chance at home court advantage in the first round... :rolleyes:

[Neon_Chaos]

You know what's even nuttier? Even with the ridiculous competition in the West, a Pistons win ensures that the East has the two teams with the best records in the league.

[Groundhog]

You know what's even nuttier? Even with the ridiculous competition in the West, a Pistons win ensures that the East has the two teams with the best records in the league.

And despite the inflated win totals you might presume, both have very nice records against the West. Real drop off after that however - Magic are sub-.500 against the West.

[molson]

And despite the inflated win totals you might presume, both have very nice records against the West. Real drop off after that however - Magic are sub-.500 against the West.

Both the Celtics and Pistons actually have better records against the West than the East.

Celtics v. East: 40-11 (.784)
Celtics v. West: 25-5 (.833)
Pistons v. East: 35-15 (.700)
Pistons v. West: 21-8 (.724)

[stevew]

Darius Miles' dissapointing NBA career has now come to a close. The Blazers waived him today, it is very unlikely that his knee will ever heal enough to enable him to play again.

[Subby]

According to BB Reference, he'll be just fine, thanks. :)

<table class="sortable stats_table" id="salaries"><thead><tr style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 170);" onmouseover="hl(this);" onmouseout="uhl(this);" class=""><th onclick="showPartialSeasonText(document.getElementById('advanced'))" class="tooltip sort_default_asc" align="left">Season</th> <th onclick="showPartialSeasonText(document.getElementById('advanced'))" class="tooltip sort_default_asc" align="left">Team</th> <th onclick="showPartialSeasonText(document.getElementById('advanced'))" class="tooltip sort_default_asc" align="left">Lg</th> <th onclick="showPartialSeasonText(document.getElementById('advanced'))" class="tooltip" align="right">Salary</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr style="" onmouseover="hl(this);" onmouseout="uhl(this);" class="full_table"> <td align="left">2000-01</td> <td align="left">Los Angeles Clippers (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAC/2001.html)</td> <td align="left">NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2001.html)</td> <td csk="2841720" align="right">$2,841,720</td> </tr> <tr style="" onmouseover="hl(this);" onmouseout="uhl(this);" class="full_table"> <td align="left">2001-02</td> <td align="left">Los Angeles Clippers (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAC/2002.html)</td> <td align="left">NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2002.html)</td> <td csk="3054840" align="right">$3,054,840</td> </tr> <tr style="" onmouseover="hl(this);" onmouseout="uhl(this);" class="full_table"> <td align="left">2002-03</td> <td align="left">Cleveland Cavaliers (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/2003.html)</td> <td align="left">NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2003.html)</td> <td csk="3267960" align="right">$3,267,960</td> </tr> <tr style="" onmouseover="hl(this);" onmouseout="uhl(this);" class="full_table"> <td align="left">2003-04</td> <td align="left">Total</td> <td align="left">NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2004.html)</td> <td csk="4131000" align="right">$4,131,000</td> </tr> <tr style="" onmouseover="hl(this);" onmouseout="uhl(this);" class="full_table"> <td align="left">2004-05</td> <td align="left">Portland Trail Blazers (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/2005.html)</td> <td align="left">NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2005.html)</td> <td csk="6750000" align="right">$6,750,000</td> </tr> <tr style="" onmouseover="hl(this);" onmouseout="uhl(this);" class="full_table"> <td align="left">2005-06</td> <td align="left">Portland Trail Blazers (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/2006.html)</td> <td align="left">NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2006.html)</td> <td csk="7250000" align="right">$7,250,000</td> </tr> <tr style="" onmouseover="hl(this);" onmouseout="uhl(this);" class="full_table"> <td align="left">2006-07</td> <td align="left">Portland Trail Blazers (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/2007.html)</td> <td align="left">NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2007.html)</td> <td csk="7750000" align="right">$7,750,000</td> </tr> </tbody> <tfoot> <tr onmouseover="hl(this);" onmouseout="uhl(this);" class="bold_text stat_total"> <td align="left">Career</td> <td align="left">(may be incomplete)</td> <td align="left">
</td> <td csk="35045520" align="right">$35,045,520</td></tr></tfoot></table>

[stevew]

yeah, i meant to add that he's been paid well as a footnote, I don't think he'll be hurting for money anytime soon.

Salaries
07-08 8.25m
08-09 9m
09-10 9m

Shitload of cheddar for someone who really didn't even know many of the basic fundamentals all that well.

I still wouldn't be suprised if he's broke and homeless 10-15 years from now though. 61m doesn't go far when you have poor judgement and probably quite a bit of childsupport to pay.

[kurtism]

That's nearly $27mm in guaranteed salary cut loose, folks. FANNNN-TASTIC!

[stevew]

Oh, and how about Melo getting busted for a DUI.
Classy once again.

[MrBug708]

Darius Miles' dissapointing NBA career has now come to a close. The Blazers waived him today, it is very unlikely that his knee will ever heal enough to enable him to play again.

He can always rely on his jumpshot to prolong his career...

[MikeVic]

Wasn't he in some movie? I recall seeing him in something.

[rkmsuf]

Amazing Grace and Chuck?

[Dr. Sak]

Wasn't he in some movie? I recall seeing him in something.

Van Wilder

[MikeVic]

Amazing Grace and Chuck?

What the hell are those.

[Logan]

Wasn't he in some movie? I recall seeing him in something.

Cameo in Van Wilder as a college basketball player who, along with Michael Olowokandi, was dunking on a bunch of white kids.

I also saw him in some dumb crap about cheating on the SATs.

[MikeVic]

Van Wilder

Yeah that could be it. He didn't really do anything right?

[stevew]

The Perfect Score.

He'll have plenty of time to act now.

[Subby]

What the hell are those.
Alex English, baby.

[Neon_Chaos]

yeah, i meant to add that he's been paid well as a footnote, I don't think he'll be hurting for money anytime soon.

Salaries
07-08 8.25m
08-09 9m
09-10 9m

Shitload of cheddar for someone who really didn't even know many of the basic fundamentals all that well.


Latrell Sprewell can't feed his children with only that much!

[mckerney]

Latrell Sprewell can't <s>feed his children</s> keep Milwaukee's Best with only that much!

Fix'd

[miami_fan]

so has Nellie acually explained the second half benching of Baron Davis?

[MrBug708]

First place in the West! (Or most likely)

[Groundhog]

so has Nellie acually explained the second half benching of Baron Davis?

According to Baron, the flu had sapped him of his strength.

[Neon_Chaos]

The Lakers wrap things up against the Kings and are the number one seed.

BRING 'EM ON.

[Groundhog]

Not in a million years would I have predicted Lakers and Hornets to be #1 and #2 in the West.

What's the timetable on Bynum's return? Without him, I just don't see the Lakers as a legitimate threat to take it all out.

[MrBug708]

Doubt he comes back sooner then the WCF if/when they make it that far

[stevew]

I can't wait till Bynum comes back after a 4 month layoff and is dominating like most all of the laker fans think he will be(not Bug suprisingly). I guess they'll need someone to pound on shaq or duncan, but it's silly how some laker fans are boosting him up.

[Neon_Chaos]

I can't wait till Bynum comes back after a 4 month layoff and is dominating like most all of the laker fans think he will be(not Bug suprisingly). I guess they'll need someone to pound on shaq or duncan, but it's silly how some laker fans are boosting him up.

I actually think Bynum won't be that big of a factor. He's not ready to practice and has been sidelined for a long time. He won't be in game shape within the timeframe of the Playoffs.

That said, even without Bynum, the Lakers are ridiculously good. They seem to be peaking and coming together at the right time.

[stevew]

I forget, do they reseed in the NBA playoffs for the 2nd round if a low seat wins?

Anyways, I don't think the Lakers will make it out of the west this year. I think that the Spurs or Jazz will make it(assuming they don't play in the first round).

In the East, I see the Celts/Pistons/Magic/Wizards winning in the first, and the Celts/Pistons meeting in the conference finals with the Pistons winning. I think the Spurs will beat the pistons in 5.

[Neon_Chaos]

I forget, do they reseed in the NBA playoffs for the 2nd round if a low seat wins?

Anyways, I don't think the Lakers will make it out of the west this year. I think that the Spurs or Jazz will make it(assuming they don't play in the first round).

In the East, I see the Celts/Pistons/Magic/Wizards winning in the first, and the Celts/Pistons meeting in the conference finals with the Pistons winning. I think the Spurs will beat the pistons in 5.

They don't reseed. The playoffs are bracketed per conference as an 8-team bracket.

1 v 8
4 v 5
2 v 7
3 v 6

So the winner of 1v8 meets the winner of 4v5, and so on...


Also, the Spurs' age is creeping up behind them. I think David Stern will have a heart attack if he has to endure another Spurs-Pistons bore-fest.

I am rooting for the Lakers to take the West, the Celtics to take the East, and the NBA's highest rated Finals in the past decade. Whoever wins, I'll be happy.

[Karlifornia]

Put me down for all my money on the east winning the finals. The west will beat up on each other for 3 series, and then either the Celts, Pistons, or Magic will win the finals.

[Groundhog]

Celtics vs Anybody but the Spurs would be a great finals series.

[Neon_Chaos]

PLAYOFFS!!!!

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

(1) Boston vs. (8) Atlanta
(4) Cleveland vs. (5) Washington
(2) Detroit vs. (7) Philadelphia
(3) Orlando vs. (6) Toronto

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

(1) LA Lakers vs. (8) Denver
(4) Utah vs. (5) Houston
(2) New Orleans vs. (7) Dallas
(3) San Antonio vs. (6) Phoenix

We get Spurs/Suns in the first round! Yay! :)

[Groundhog]

In the West it's entirely possible that every lower seed will advance.

My Predictions:

East:
Boston over Atlanta
Cleveland over Washington
Detroit over Philadelphia
Toronto over Orlando

West:
Lakers over Nuggets
Utah over Houston
Dallas over New Orleans
Suns over Spurs

[MrBug708]

It would be fitting if Dallas advances further as the 7 seed then when they were the 1 seed

[stevew]

man, I'm tired of playing the wiztards every year.

[Neon_Chaos]

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/3043/nbava7.jpg

[sterlingice]

Sounds about right

SI