Time to hand the Laker's the title

[MrBug708]

Killed the Queens on Wednesday and now destroying the T-Wolves (knock on wood). The Lakers managed to go through rough parts with only Payton in the lineup at various times and still are 2 and a half out of Home Court through the playoffs.

Haters can post now :D

[Neuqua]

And Lakers fans wonder why people hate them?

[Franklinnoble]

The Kings were playing better without Chris Webber.

[sovereignstar]

The T-wolves were playing better without a-Serb-who-yacked.

I'll save the trouble of having to translate that. Sczerbiak.

[GoldenEagle]

Hand the trophy to the Grizzlies. It is all over with.

[kcchief19]

Let me get this straight -- there are people who are not in prison who follow NBA basketball? Huh. Who'd figure that. Something's not quite right here.

[k0ruptr]

hand it to the cavs. i mean who cares if they are under .500

[oykib]

The NBA's the joke that everyone mistakenly thinks MLB is.

[Desnudo]

The NBA's the joke that everyone mistakenly thinks MLB is.

Watch five players run around on offense and defense at the same time during the NCAAs last night reminded me how interesting basketball can be.

[Neuqua]

The NBA bashing is getting old.

:(

[Buccaneer]

Let me get this straight -- there are people who are not in prison who follow NBA basketball? Huh. Who'd figure that. Something's not quite right here.
I think you forgot the gang elements. j/k :D

Yes, college basketball is pretty cool.

[JeeberD]

What's the Fakers record versus the Rockets this year? :)

[Alf]

What's the Fakers record versus the Rockets this year? :)You need to reach the playoffs to compete for the NBA title :D

[JeeberD]

Ahem

1 x-Sacramento 51 21 .708 -
2 x-Minnesota 49 24 .671 2 ½
3 x-LA Lakers 49 23 .681 2
4 San Antonio 47 25 .653 4
5 Memphis 46 26 .639 5
6 Dallas 44 28 .611 7
7 Houston 41 30 .577 9 ½
8 Denver 38 36 .514 14

[Vince]

Memphis is ahead of DALLAS in the standings? What the hell happened there?

[MrBug708]

What's the Fakers record versus the Rockets this year? :)

Worse than the teams who actually have a shot at the title

[Vince]

Worse than the teams who actually have a shot at the title
By my tally, the Lakers are pretty close to having to play the Rockets in the first round...so that might be something to note.

[MrBug708]

The only way the Lakers would play the Rockets is if the Rockets moved to 6th and the Lakers stayed at 3rd. Lakers won't be second unless the Kings far enough to fall behind the Lakers and the Lakers are unable to catch Minnesota

[Daimyo]

Pacers have the best win percentage of any team against western conference teams (20-8) and lead the league in wins yet get no respect from any of "experts." Must be nice to play in a major market.

[GoldenEagle]

Is Memphis in a major market?

[tucker342]

okay if the Pacers win the NBA Championship, then they'll have my respect. I'm sorry, but the Eastern Conference is too medicore to even come close to challanging the West in the Finals.

And the Lakers are looking pretty damn good right now!:D

[MrBug708]

Whose gonna guard Shaq and Kobe on the Pacers? They have the closest thing to a center and I doubt they'd be Top 3 in the West

[k0ruptr]

lakers are in second now.

[AgPete]

The NBA's the joke that everyone mistakenly thinks MLB is.

Except baseball isn't predominantly black like the NBA so it doesn't make for an easy scapegoat. That's right, I pulled out the race card! *cha-ching* :p


Daimyo, I agree with Tucker. It's not playing for a small market, it's the fact that no one takes Eastern Conference competition serious. It's amazing how lopsided the conferences are now but I will say this: I think Indiana has a better chance than any Eastern Conference team of the last few years to finally upend a Western Conference team in the NBA Finals.

[Honolulu_Blue]

It's amazing how lopsided the conferences are now but I will say this: I think Indiana has a better chance than any Eastern Conference team of the last few years to finally upend a Western Conference team in the NBA Finals.

Except for the fact that they wont make the finals...

GO PISTONS!

[JeeberD]

lakers are in second now.

Word. Bring 'em on...

[MrBug708]

lakers are in second now.

Are you sure? According to ESPN, it says that the Kings have 51 wins, T-Wolves have 50, and the Lakers have 49. The Lakers would need to pass the Kings and stay behind the T-Wolves to clinch second place.

Remember, the NBA has each of the division champions receive the 1 and 2 seeds, so even if the Lakers finish ahead of the T-Wolves and behind the Kings, they still get a 3 seed.

[PraetorianX]

Whose gonna guard Shaq and Kobe on the Pacers? They have the closest thing to a center and I doubt they'd be Top 3 in the West

Have you heard of Ron Artest? Perhaps the best defender in the NBA...he can deal with Kobe. As for Shaq, they'll do no worse then most western conference teams do against him.

They still have the best winning precentage of any team against western conference teams (20-8) and have the best record in the NBA. I think the main thing that may hurt Indiana is their habit of getting large leads only to allow the other team to get back in it, most of the time they've held on at the end and won...sometimes (like against Sacto, where they didn't have Artest) they don't. And Reggie Miller is always dangerous in the playoffs, aswell the playoffs are the only time Austin Croshere remembers how to play up to his massive contract. :rolleyes:

[Sharpieman]

So the Lakers beat the Kings pretty badly. I guess that means we give the Lakers the title since they beat the Kings ONCE. Yea, and since the Kings didn't have Bobby Jackson that made them so much better. They have no chance against the Lakers. LA fans are a sorry bunch.

[MrBug708]

Have you heard of Ron Artest? Perhaps the best defender in the NBA...he can deal with Kobe. As for Shaq, they'll do no worse then most western conference teams do against him.

If by stopping Kobe you mean keeping him to 25 points, then sure.....


So the Lakers beat the Kings pretty badly. I guess that means we give the Lakers the title since they beat the Kings ONCE. Yea, and since the Kings didn't have Bobby Jackson that made them so much better. .

Since when was Bobby Jackson going to make a difference? Before this game, when the Kings won, all there was talk of was how when Webber gets back, the Kings will be unstoppable. Well, Webber is back and the Kings are losing ground. Your biggest problem in that game was heart and Mike Bibby shooting 2 for 14.

They have no chance against the Lakers.

Glad you agree....

LA fans are a sorry bunch

Spoken like a True Queen

[Sharpieman]

If by stopping Kobe you mean keeping him to 25 points, then sure.....




Since when was Bobby Jackson going to make a difference? Before this game, when the Kings won, all there was talk of was how when Webber gets back, the Kings will be unstoppable. Well, Webber is back and the Kings are losing ground. Your biggest problem in that game was heart and Mike Bibby shooting 2 for 14.



Glad you agree....



Spoken like a True Queen
First of all, I'm not even a Kings fan. Second of all, The Kings didn't say they were unstoppable once they get Webber back.

[Craptacular]

The NBA bashing is getting old.

:(

It can never get old!

[MrBug708]

Spoken like a True NorCal fan. Is that better?

[Alf]

Ahem

1 x-Sacramento 51 21 .708 -
2 x-Minnesota 49 24 .671 2 ½
3 x-LA Lakers 49 23 .681 2
4 San Antonio 47 25 .653 4
5 Memphis 46 26 .639 5
6 Dallas 44 28 .611 7
7 Houston 41 30 .577 9 ½
8 Denver 38 36 .514 14
Oops. Noted. Will see you in LA then ;)

[MrBug708]

After tonight, the Lakers are a half game better then the T-Wolves, and still are in third.

[GoldenEagle]

Memphis clinched the playoffs tonight.

[Abe Sargent]

Have you heard of Ron Artest? Perhaps the best defender in the NBA...


Ben.

Wallace.


-Anxiety

[sterlingice]

It's amazing how lopsided the conferences are now but I will say this: I think Indiana has a better chance than any Eastern Conference team of the last few years to finally upend a Western Conference team in the NBA Finals.
Unfortunately, every season someone says that and it's never true.

JeeberD, I'd love to see Houston beat the Lakers in the playoffs, but I'm scared of the refs in the postseason, particularly against LA. For that reason, I'd rather have the Timberpuppies in the first round. Tho, we'll see if I've revised that after tomorrow night's game.

SI

[Vince]

After tonight, the Lakers are a half game better then the T-Wolves, and still are in third.
MrBug - That was a good point...I forgot about the T-Wolves keeping 2nd since they're in the other division. I'm not a big fan of the Lakers, but then again, I don't really hate them. I'm just a bitter Warriors fan :)

[Sharpieman]

Spoken like a True NorCal fan. Is that better?
Yea its much better. One thing that I can be happy about is that the Kings are 2-1 against the Lakers this year. And their still in first place. But it really doesn't matter because I don't really watch the NBA until the playoffs. And by then the Warriors season is over ever year. Can we go for #9 next year? Lets see if St. Jean can do it!!!!

[StormcloudCreations]

MrBug - That was a good point...I forgot about the T-Wolves keeping 2nd since they're in the other division. I'm not a big fan of the Lakers, but then again, I don't really hate them. I'm just a bitter Warriors fan :)

Me too...though..did they really think they'd be BETTER minus the 40 points or so provided by Jamison and Arenas every night (and not replacing them with much offense to speak of)?? Jeez.

At least Erick Dampier is finally playing decently. Even well at times. That shocked me more than anything. :)

[Daimyo]

Whose gonna guard Shaq and Kobe on the Pacers? They have the closest thing to a center and I doubt they'd be Top 3 in the West
They must have lucked into that 20-8 record. No team from the West has even been that successful against the West right?

[Neuqua]

I learned a long time ago to throw logic out the window when talking with Bug.

[Alf]

Vince, stormcloudcreations : you have a French guy there. Mike Pietrus. Apparently, he is having more playing time at the end of the season. This guy is explosive and quite reliable from 3pts. Like a mini Richardson !

[druez]

It really doesn't matter does it? Its whoever the commish scripts to win the playoffs this year. NBA basketball is just like the WWE, they just don't admit its fake or scripted.

The sad thing is I love basketball, but watching Jordan get scripted to his LAST NBA TITLE in Chicago and that was enough for me. Anyone remember the Indiana and Bulls series that year?

Assuming its not scripted, I would really have to lean towards Detroit this year.

[The_herd]

At least Erick Dampier is finally playing decently. Even well at times. That shocked me more than anything. :)

Its amazing how well a player can play when he's a potential free agent.

[Daimyo]

Ben.

Wallace.

Wallace is a great weak-side defender, but if you're talking about a pure defensive stopper it has to be Artest.

[The_herd]

Ben Wallace gets attention as a defender because he puts up the "defensive stats", such as steals and blocks. However, just like Mutumbo and many other big men that are seen as good defenders, his on the ball defensive skills, although better than most big men, aren't that great.

Ron Artest frustrates players like noone else in the league. The big guys get most of the attention on the defensive end, but Artest is the best defender in the NBA, hands down.

[Vince]

Alf - I'm not sure what to say about Pietrus. He was injured most of the year, apparently, and didn't play much. Then said something really stupid about wanting to leave. He immediately recants, and apologizes, and says it was just frustration at losing so much. Now he's getting more PT, and it seems like he could be good. I was a little excited when we drafted him (still wish we would have gotten Hienrich)...but I really don't know now.

[korme]

If some East team can pick up a waiver-trade for him, they can beat LA.

Any team can beat LA if they acquire the Kobe Stopper..

Ruben Patterson is the key.

[IMetTrentGreen]

oooooooooooooooooooooooooops

[sovereignstar]

oooooooooooooooooooooooooops
What? Tommie Harris isn't overated?

[IMetTrentGreen]

im glad i made sure to note this thread way mack in march. like la ever had a chance against the steamroller that is san antonio

los angeles can play the best 12 minutes in basketball, but 48? no chance in hell. i bet david stern feels pretty silly about all those championship t-shirts he printed up for la already

i'd say mrbug feels silly too, but that guy just doesnt learn, he probably still thinks the lakers are shoe-ins

[IMetTrentGreen]

please save that weak smack for a thread where i wasn't 100% right. too bad i didnt post my thoughts i had at the time

but this isn't about me. its about the prophetic mr bug tonight

[MrBug708]

*yawn*

Still the dumbass I see.

66-3; 66-17. That's all I can say about that.

[sovereignstar]

*Cannot resist* *Must attack*

Raaarrrr!

[Neuqua]

Let's wait for things to become official before we harp on the Laker fans. Otherwise god knows how annoying they'll be if they come back and win.

[Alf]

At least Tony is playing awesome basketball in the playoffs. WooT !

I am torn because I am a Lakers fan, but I am French and enjoy seeing Tony Parker play. However, seeing jackass Payton attitude makes me want him to retire without a ring !

[Danny]

I dont like Kobe, and I've never liked Payton or Malone. Duncan is my favorite NBA player. So, while I am still rooting for the Lakers, I cant say I'll be too upset when the Spurs sweep them.

[Neuqua]

Oh and just for the record, Bug will NEVER admit to being wrong.

Right buddy?

:)

[MrBug708]

Sometimes I get too confident, but never wrong.

Phil Jackson needs to go. That or the Lakers need to get faster and better shooters for the triangle

[Franklinnoble]

Sometimes I get too confident, but never wrong.

Phil Jackson needs to go. That or the Lakers need to get faster and better shooters for the triangle
It's not that simple.

The problem with the Lakers is chronic and nothing short of a full colonic is going to fix it. Malone and Payton need to retire. Kobe is either going to jail or going to another team. Shaq is never happy, and rarely healthy. I can't name anyone else on that squad, but they need to purge and re-build. Jackson is the least of their problems.

[MrBug708]

This doesnt help them either though. They suck at picking draft picks after the Kobe pick.

2002 – Chris Jeffries (27) instead of Carlos Boozer (35)
1999 – Devean George (23) instead of Andrei Kirilenko (24)
and John Celestand (30) instead of Manu Ginobli (57)
1998 – Sam Jacobson (26) instead of Rashard Lewis (32)

[rkmsuf]

It's not that simple.

The problem with the Lakers is chronic and nothing short of a full colonic is going to fix it. Malone and Payton need to retire. Kobe is either going to jail or going to another team. Shaq is never happy, and rarely healthy. I can't name anyone else on that squad, but they need to purge and re-build. Jackson is the least of their problems.

Agreed; with Jackson who knows what chaos would have gone on.

It's just stale there. Surprising in the sense that you'd think that Malone and Payton would have been a spark.

[MrBug708]

Payton, not as much of a spark. Malone because the Lakers havent had a decent PF in forever and Malone can be effective and he rebounds, another weak spot.

Lakers lost last night night because they stopped going to Shaq. After Shaq made his 13th of the past 14th in a row shot, you saw the Kobe, Fisher, George, and Payton all shoot and miss, moving the Lakers from only being behind 2 points all the way down to 8 points with 3:45 to go

[MrBug708]

Dola

I might add that Jerry Buss alienating the greatest Laker of them all, Jerry West, from the organization was another smooth move.

[rkmsuf]

If you feel like changing coaches I hear M.L. Carr is free.

[MrBug708]

It'll be Byron Scott followed by Kurt Rambis

[rkmsuf]

It'll be Byron Scott followed by Kurt Rambis

not much better than Carr

[MrBug708]

Well, instead of Kidd forcing him out, it'll be Kobe.

[HornedFrog Purple]

I heard Quinn Buckner has been hitting the pavement for work.

[rkmsuf]

Someone needs to hire The Chief as a head coach. He'll get stuff done.

[Neuqua]

There are a few problems with LA now. One problem is that Shaq is winding down, he's not the player he was 2-3 years ago, and is almost becoming an afterthought on defense. Tim Duncan in my opinion has taken the title of most dominating big man in the game from him this past year.

The Lakers are simply, much like their fans ( :) ) way too overconfident. They all want to have a bigger role on the team and nothing brings more joy to my eyes than seeing a group of 5 individuals playing basketball get obliterated in the first two games by what is the best _team play_ I have seen in a long time. I have a lot to say about San Antonio but I won't until they actually win the series, needless to say, they have completely won me over as a fan.

[Leonidas]

Haven't read eveyone's post, felt it was a waste of time considering current events. Just wanted to right in to formally laugh my ass off at the title of this thread.

Lakers = collection of selfish, egotistical superstars
Spurs = collection of excellent role players surrounding Tim Duncan to make a great team

[MrBug708]

I say scrap the team and build around Kobe.

[EagleFan]

Didn't you hear? The NBA is awarding the Lakers the title no matter what the outcome of this series is.

[IMetTrentGreen]

66-3; 66-17. That's all I can say about that.

texas is currently better than ucla in every sport, including the hardwood (and will be for awhile). say something about that

then say something about how i'm a dumbass? not sure where that came from. probably from you having the intellectual reasoning powers of my left foot. the right one is the smart one, too

the lakers still suck. nobody but you is suprised. say something about spurs in 5

i'll hang up and listen

[Sharpieman]

UCLA may be worse than Texas in every sport, but there is only one team that has won the Sears Cup (given to the college that is best ranked in all sports based on National titles, rankings, wins various regional titles etc.) 9 years in a row. Can anyone name that school?

[Sharpieman]

Dola, the answer is the Harvard of the west, Stanford University, right here in Palo Alto.

[Franklinnoble]

I say scrap the team and build around Kobe.
Kobe's a free agent after this season, and he's not staying in LA with Shaq.

[sterlingice]

This doesnt help them either though. They suck at picking draft picks after the Kobe pick.

2002 – Chris Jeffries (27) instead of Carlos Boozer (35)
1999 – Devean George (23) instead of Andrei Kirilenko (24)
and John Celestand (30) instead of Manu Ginobli (57)
1998 – Sam Jacobson (26) instead of Rashard Lewis (32)
To be fair, there were quite a few other teams who passed on those players, too. Hindsight is always 20/20.

SI

[korme]

Go Rockets!

[MrBug708]

texas is currently better than ucla in every sport, including the hardwood (and will be for awhile). say something about that


Lemme know when you guys win something worth mentioning......You can have your "Recruiting title"

[Sharpieman]

This is a rare time when I actually agree with you MrBug.

[MrBug708]

Stanford has won the Sears trophy every year Sharpieman, UCLA generally finishes top 3, even when we win more total titles then you. The formula is rather confusing.

[Sharpieman]

Stanford has won the Sears trophy every year Sharpieman, UCLA generally finishes top 3, even when we win more total titles then you. The formula is rather confusing.
Its not me, its Stanford. I agree the formula is confusing, but if UCLA has more titles than Stanford, there must be another reason why Stanford wins each year.

[MrBug708]

Might be something to do with GPA and such of the athletes

[digamma]

Stanford has won the Sears trophy every year Sharpieman, UCLA generally finishes top 3, even when we win more total titles then you. The formula is rather confusing.
You get points for your ten highest scoring men's sports and ten highest scoring women's sports. Points are determined based on the number of teams competing in the sport or the number of teams in the championship bracket for the sport.

[digamma]

texas is currently better than ucla in every sport, including the hardwood (and will be for awhile). say something about that

in EVERY sport?

Maybe the big three, but I'm pretty sure UCLA's soccer, tennis, swimming and track programs are better than Texas's.

(For the record, I have absolutely no stake in this argument (i'm not a Texas or UCLA fan, I just thought the breadth of your statement was humorous.)

[Cecil Fielder]

Mr. Bug, when will you be opening up your psychic hotline? I'd like to know what you forsee for me so I'll at least have some sort of a clue as to what NOT to expect...

[MrBug708]

Don't expect UCLA to win a National Championship this next yera in football. Softball, count on it

[Kodos]

Now if the Spurs can win on Saturday, we can just about write off the Lakers... :D

[MrBug708]

Well, if they beat us, it'll be surprising. Lakers wont roll over til game 5 IMO

[Leonidas]

Kobe's a free agent after this season, and he's not staying in LA with Shaq.

Yeah, I think Kobe will have a pretty good year at Colorado Correctional.

[MrBug708]

bump

[LionsFan10]

I fucking HATE L.A, for no other reason then the fact that they win to damned much. Everytime I see L.A win, or winning, I grind my teeth. Like the Bulls of the '90's it just makes sports so damn boring to watch the same team win over and over again.

Nevermind me, I'm just whining because the Pistons haven't won anything since '90, the Tigers are always a laugher and I hate the Dead Wings just as much as the next guy does so ... oh well, /sigh. Maybe your right, Bug. They took game five, I have lost hope in the Spurs now.

[Fouts]

This is one funny thread. And for the record, the Lakers didn't draft Kobe, straight up deal Vlade Divac for rights to Kobe. Used to hate the Celtics long ago, they were just too damn good.