NBA discussion thread

Originally posted by koolruningz
The Spurs are rolling at the moment and with our terrible defense i would hate to see us try and contain Parker, but the playoffs are full of surprises so i am optimistic whoever we play. Remember we got housed by the Suns all through the regular season last year and nearly pulled an upset in the playoffs. The Spurs are a much better defensive team that Phoenix though and they are battle tested so it will be a much tougher challenge than last season. If we can take anything from the regular season though its that we have beaten the Spurs at Staples and in their arena to.
Our defense really worries me, there is just no urgency in the rotations and we just have no idea of how to stop penetration. Last night for example Monta Ellis went off on us and got to the rack at will against Smush and Williams, now im no NBA scout but i know Ellis is not known as an outside threat so can anyone tell me why our PG's are playing up on him like he is Redd or Allen? Its those kind of errors that just leave you speechless, do they even study their opponents and their tendencies? I think we have the personnel to be solid defensively, Kobe can be incredible when he tries, Lamar is quick enough and versatile enough to guard LeBron and Melo to KG and Brand, Kwame is a solid post defender but he doesnt intimidate anyone on help defense when they drive the lane, Bynum has the tools to be a great shot blocker and Turiaf shows that energy and knack for blocking shots that will make him a solid contributor in the future. Unfortunately most of our guys dont seem to take pride in their defense or really want to play it, thats what makes a good defensive team. We need to find a defensive PG in the off season because Smush just cannot keep his man in front of him and that leads to fouls on our frontline and eventually easy scores. I hope they can do something to fix that problem before next season, thats all i ask.

All I know is that this team does not have the type of players to make us a great defensive team. Our best defenders are Kobe, Kwame, and perhaps Evans on a great night. Point is, we are one of the best offensive teams in the league when our triangle offense is clicking. For now, that's what we should count on. I dont expect us to win any championships unless our defense gets better. That means a better point guard is needed and consistancy is very important as well.

Rasheed put one right in Denver's eye with that half court shot to tie the game at the buzzer, than Detroit stole it in overtime. BAM!!!

Originally posted by koolruningz
Maybe you could link me to these pro Kobe media outlets Rec, most of the ones i have been reading cant resist a backhanded compliment even in the midst of a historic scoring spree. The fact is if LeBron or Wade had just had the type of week Kobe had they would have had a holiday named after them and had lunch with the President. Kobe while he has many die hard fans has just as many who hate him and its usually perpetuated by the media.

I ran across this one this morning.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AsBuQhsw46VmG7WyorU1UDK8vLYF?slug=aw-kobe032407&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Thanks wuTa, i'll add that one to the small pile. 🙂

Originally posted by wuTa
Rasheed put one right in Denver's eye with that half court shot to tie the game at the buzzer, than Detroit stole it in overtime. BAM!!!

I ran across this one this morning.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AsBuQhsw46VmG7WyorU1UDK8vLYF?slug=aw-kobe032407&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Yes this man gives kobe his due but it also states what we've been arguing, there are people and problems that try to put kobe down but he just plays through it. Notice how the guy brings in the Colorado case and the feud with Shaq in the beginning of the article. Many people still do that, which is pointless because that was three years ago.

Originally posted by Smasandian
****,

First, Bargnani is gone for 4 weeks, now Garbajosa is gone for nonbody knows. Calderon is out. Parker is off and on.

Luckly, Bosh and Ford are still healthy.......

Well, atleast we have some depth and that trade for Dixon is working out.

Glad Juan is working for you. Fred doesn't get to play too much for the Blazers, but he does really pump up the team and the home crowd with much needed power dunks. I say needed because all of the Blazer go to guys don't entertain the fans that are non-appreciative of the plays that are without dunks.

Originally posted by koolruningz
Thanks wuTa, i'll add that one to the small pile. 🙂

Anytime.

Originally posted by teampac08
Yes this man gives kobe his due but it also states what we've been arguing, there are people and problems that try to put kobe down but he just plays through it. Notice how the guy brings in the Colorado case and the feud with Shaq in the beginning of the article. Many people still do that, which is pointless because that was three years ago.

People did the same thing to Iverson when he was in his prime. They said he didn't deserved the MVP because he gives the NBA a bad image, he has too many tattoos, he's a thug, blah blah. I'm not saying that people don't put Kobe down, because I know some do, but ESPN did nothing but highlight and celebrate his historical week, and accomplishment so not all media outlets are against him.

Originally posted by Myth
Glad Juan is working for you. Fred doesn't get to play too much for the Blazers, but he does really pump up the team and the home crowd with much needed power dunks. I say needed because all of the Blazer go to guys don't entertain the fans that are non-appreciative of the plays that are without dunks.

Why did Blazers get rid of Dixon? He seems like a decent player and provides some nice scoring options at the SG position.

Originally posted by wuTa
Anytime.

People did the same thing to Iverson when he was in his prime. They said he didn't deserved the MVP because he gives the NBA a bad image, he has too many tattoos, he's a thug, blah blah. I'm not saying that people don't put Kobe down, because I know some do, but ESPN did nothing but highlight and celebrate his historical week, and accomplishment so not all media outlets are against him.

Kobe has been the best player in the world for quite some time now. He's done crazier things last year like 81 points in a game or outscored a team by himself through three quarters. More and more analysts are finally admitting that he's the best player due to this historical week. Thing is, it shouldnt just hit them right now. They shouldve already acknowledged that he's the best player in the world. He was dominating teams in a worse fashion last year and people were still putting guys like lebron over him. He has the most complete package on the offensive end and he's still considered an elite defender. There's not that many people who are great on both ends of the floor like that. You do know that people are still putting him down to the point that it's just ridiculous, right? They look at his offcourt decisions and use that as a factor to decide how great he is on the court. It doesnt matter what he's done off the court, that shouldnt decide his basketball legacy. Look at Jordan, the man has cheated on his wife numerous times and has a gambling problem. We dont even put Jordan down once, right? Which is good, because we're not judging their moral decisions but what they are capable of on the court.

Originally posted by Smasandian
Why did Blazers get rid of Dixon? He seems like a decent player and provides some nice scoring options at the SG position.

He is decent, but he wasn't getting any time behind Roy, Webster, Outlaw, and Udoka. With his limited time, he never could find his shooting touch, which was the only reason the Blazers got him in the first place. Fred Jones also gets limited minutes, but he at least creates an energy boost off the bench with his hustle and dunks. On top of that Jones went to the University of Oregon so just his presence creates excitement for the Portland fans and it comes at a cheap price.

😆 @ Rasheed's shot.

I'm happy to say that that is the only NBA score I know within the last 2 weeks.

Damn Garbajosa's injury was sickening, Al Jefferson's reaction to it just brought home how bad it was. Hope the guy can make it back from that.

Originally posted by teampac08
Kobe has been the best player in the world for quite some time now. He's done crazier things last year like 81 points in a game or outscored a team by himself through three quarters. More and more analysts are finally admitting that he's the best player due to this historical week. Thing is, it shouldnt just hit them right now. They shouldve already acknowledged that he's the best player in the world. He was dominating teams in a worse fashion last year and people were still putting guys like lebron over him. He has the most complete package on the offensive end and he's still considered an elite defender. There's not that many people who are great on both ends of the floor like that. You do know that people are still putting him down to the point that it's just ridiculous, right? They look at his offcourt decisions and use that as a factor to decide how great he is on the court. It doesnt matter what he's done off the court, that shouldnt decide his basketball legacy. Look at Jordan, the man has cheated on his wife numerous times and has a gambling problem. We dont even put Jordan down once, right? Which is good, because we're not judging their moral decisions but what they are capable of on the court.

Great post bro, but until Kobe wins another title there will still be some who deny his place in the league. Same with Jordan, he had to show that he could lead a team to a championship before everyone crowned him. I can see why people need to see that before given a player his due but championship success has more to do with a collective team effort than how great your superstar is. As great as Jordan was he couldnt have won it all without Pippen and the other quality role players he had around him, but skill wise Jordan was the best player in the league a few years before he won it all. Same with Kobe, but to be unanimously considered the top player in the league he has to win it all.................again.

Originally posted by DanZeke25
😆 @ Rasheed's shot.

I'm happy to say that that is the only NBA score I know within the last 2 weeks.

So far, the only thing I know is Lakers 6 game winning streak, and Kobes tear for points. 😄

Originally posted by Myth
He is decent, but he wasn't getting any time behind Roy, Webster, Outlaw, and Udoka. With his limited time, he never could find his shooting touch, which was the only reason the Blazers got him in the first place. Fred Jones also gets limited minutes, but he at least creates an energy boost off the bench with his hustle and dunks. On top of that Jones went to the University of Oregon so just his presence creates excitement for the Portland fans and it comes at a cheap price.

True. Well, hopefully he works out for the Blazers later on.

Blazers need to make a change this year.

Originally posted by teampac08
Kobe has been the best player in the world for quite some time now. He's done crazier things last year like 81 points in a game or outscored a team by himself through three quarters. More and more analysts are finally admitting that he's the best player due to this historical week. Thing is, it shouldnt just hit them right now. They shouldve already acknowledged that he's the best player in the world. He was dominating teams in a worse fashion last year and people were still putting guys like lebron over him. He has the most complete package on the offensive end and he's still considered an elite defender. There's not that many people who are great on both ends of the floor like that. You do know that people are still putting him down to the point that it's just ridiculous, right? They look at his offcourt decisions and use that as a factor to decide how great he is on the court. It doesnt matter what he's done off the court, that shouldnt decide his basketball legacy. Look at Jordan, the man has cheated on his wife numerous times and has a gambling problem. We dont even put Jordan down once, right? Which is good, because we're not judging their moral decisions but what they are capable of on the court.

Yeah Kobe was amazing taking over the playoffs while shooting .700 for a series against arguably the best defensive team in the league and doing something in the playoffs that nobody since Jordan had done. Oh wait, that was Wade.

Until Kobe leads his team to the Finals like Wade did, he is not the best player in the league. Putting up consecutive 50 point games against terrible defensive teams in the regular season won't change that. Kobe is the best scorer in the L, but scoring isn't everything.

And people were putting Lebron over Kobe last year because he was a team player unlike Kobe and a more deserving MVP. The playoff series against Phoenix only cemented that he was hurting his team more than helping with his ball hogging in the regular season.

Originally posted by Dr. Strangelove
Until Kobe leads his team to the Finals like Wade did, he is not the best player in the league.

As long as Kobe shoots a decent % from the field which he is doing, I have no problem with him taking 30-35 shots or more. I was just annoyed when I visited NBA.com once and literally saw every video link, 4 news links, and several picturesall about Kobe is some way or fashion (and these were all complimentary, no criticisms). I was only joking with the "wallpaper" rant, KR.

I like how a few days ago, 3-4 days would pass by without a single post, and now, it only takes a few hours to fill an entire page.

Originally posted by koolruningz
Thats exactly what i was talking about earlier, for some people that is the way to define the best player in the league. But Jordan was the best player in the league while Detroit were winning titles in the late 80's he just didnt have a good enough team to win it all.
Its easy to forget the playoff games Kobe has been involved in over the years, he was having huge games against the Spurs, Kings and Blazers during the 3peat years (the Spurs being a formidable defensive team with Duncan and Robinson as the anchors).
To make it seem like he is only a scorer is just not true, he lead the Lakers in assists during the 3peat years and facilitated the offense through Shaq. He is a scorer by nature and that is what he does best but ultimately he does what is needed to win as evidenced by his play earlier in the season when we at full strength and playing good team ball. He could have tried to play that way all last season but i am certain we wouldnt have made the playoffs with Kobe passing up shots to players like Sasha and Smush.
Its never unanimous as to who the best player in the league is, in the 80's a case could be made for Magic and Bird. Jordan was head and shoulders above the competition in his era but im sure you could find people making cases for Hakeem or Barkley if you looked hard enough (they probably kept those opinions pretty quiet). The same is true in this era, Kobe is my choice as the best player in the game (and not just because of his scoring spree, i've been saying this for a while now) but there are people who would put LeBron, Wade, Duncan, KG or even Nash above Kobe. Thats there choice but what it says about the league is that there is a wealth of talent on show, may as well enjoy watching them now because they wont be around forever.

He was great during the Lakers three peat and was spectacular at times. But Kobe didn't have to dominate during the three peat as Shaq was going to put up huge numbers one way or another. Wade HAD to put spectacular performance after spectacular performance to just have a chance at winning the games in the ECF and the Finals.

I never said he was only a scorer. He's a very good in other areas. My main point is Kobe shooting was excessive to say the least. I'm not expecting him to become Steve Nash all of a sudden and always try to find guys like Sasha and Smush. But why would they not make the playoffs if they played team ball instead of Kobe ball? They are pretty much the same team as last year and before all the injuries, they were a lock for the 5th seed..

Of course, I am stating my opinion that Wade is a better player than Kobe. I just don't put the IMO in there because it would be in almost all of my posts here and would be too much of a hassle.

Originally posted by TaZ#12
Blazers need to make a change this year.

How so? You don't think Roy and Aldridge are promising enough? The team will be back in the playoffs in two years, maybe even next year.

Originally posted by Dr. Strangelove
Wade HAD to put spectacular performance after spectacular performance to just have a chance at winning the games in the ECF and the Finals.

I never said he was only a scorer. He's a very good in other areas. My main point is Kobe shooting was excessive to say the least. I'm not expecting him to become Steve Nash all of a sudden and always try to find guys like Sasha and Smush. But why would they not make the playoffs if they played team ball instead of Kobe ball? They are pretty much the same team as last year and before all the injuries, they were a lock for the 5th seed..

Of course, I am stating my opinion that Wade is a better player than Kobe. I just don't put the IMO in there because it would be in almost all of my posts here and would be too much of a hassle.