Basketball Thread

[theeboredone]

Florida Marlins? Beat Yankees one year, miss playoffs next.

 

[tko112]

T'Wolves getting busy in free agency, just signed both Nicolas Batum and Brandon Roy

 

[CableCho57]

anyone else HELLA excited for Brandon Roy? He was one of my favorite players in the league and and i'm stoked to see him play again

 

[theeboredone]

I really hope the Kobe surgery helps Roy with the rest of his career. I really like the guy, and he easily could have been a top 3 SG were he healthy.

Btw, I remember reading that the competition committee at one point were discussing if the Kobe surgery should be deemed illegal lol. Cause it's essentially regeneration with one's own blood.

Anyone find it weird that the surgery was considered 50/50, but now everyone is doing it since it worked on Kobe?

 

[The Real Gamer]

Well, I didn't use the term moron to start off. However, I will say I was being overly harsh. Mainly because I would never do such a thing. Rings or not. Nevertheless, that still doesn't eliminate the point that I am still disappointed in Nash for doing what he did. If Ray does the same thing, I'll be disappointed in him too.



No, I still would have. I just wouldn't have been as harsh at best. In all honesty, I read the Nash article after I read the Ray Allen stuff. So anything Nash related was irrelevant at the time.



Like I said, I never used the word "moron".

Fair enough.

Could have sworn you used the word moron but whatever.

i am still a clippers fan. and for like the 5th time, i had the bulls avatar two years ago because it was MY FIRST YEAR EVER PAYING ATTENTION TO THE NBA. i had no team at the time, but i really like drose, hence me having the avatar.

i'm not "bandwagoning". i'm not jumping ship, i'm supporting my number one favorite player. i want him to get the ring he deserves (even if its not in the most honorable way).

If you are a hardcore Clippers fan you should have no business rooting for the Lakers in any way shape or form, but like you said you just started watching the NBA so I guess it's okay. Just don't let any other Clippers fans know. haha

In other news, rumors are going around that the Lakers with the acquisition of Nash are now in the lead in the Dwight Howard sweepstakes instead of the Nets. The Magic could pull the trigger anytime soon. If that trade goes through, the rest of the NBA is screwed.

Nash
Kobe
(filler SF)
Gasol
Howard

That's 2 superstars and 2 All Stars in one lineup (I wouldn't call Nash a superstar at this stage in his career). Offensively that lineup would be nearly unstoppable with Nash at the helm, and that interior defense with Gasol and Howard just wouldn't even be fair for the rest of the league. Their only weakness would be a weak bench with some semi-slow perimeter defense but with a core like that it doesn't even matter.

 

[Malice Chains]

If lakers get howard also its seriously a wrap, thats something stern really shouldnt let happen

kobe/nash/dwight>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>bron/bosh/wade

 

[theeboredone]

Well, Dwight has previously said he doesn't want to play second fiddle to Kobe. With Nash there, you can make the case he'd be third fiddle. On top of that, we all know he doesn't like the "legacy" sort of pressure. No way he wants to follow in Shaq's footsteps.

Then again, the dude is a total flip flopper so wouldn't surprise me if he wanted to go to LA.

 

[The Real Gamer]

kobe/nash/dwight>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>bron/bosh/wade

This is highly debatable. Talent wise the Heat trio is better but that hypothetical Lakers trio would probably compliment each other's talents much better.

What tips the Lakers over the edge is the fact that they would have 2 very talented big men in Gasol/Howard when there are hardly even any in the NBA at all. Bynum is good too but he's definitely no Howard defensively. Add in Nash's play-making ability and Kobe's scoring and you pretty much have a recipe for disaster for the rest of the NBA.

 

[theeboredone]

Too bad LA has no bench/3 point shooters. It's like the Heat and LA are polar opposites. Heat with no bigs inside, but they got 3 point shooters galore. Blake and MWP are super inconsistent. Troy Murphy disappeared, and Barnes is shaky as well.

Btw, I'm surprised no team has made a play for Delonte West. He has some baggage and injury issues, but you can get him for cheap, and he contributes really well to any team he's on. If the Lakers didn't have Blake, I'd beg for them to go get West.

 

[Malice Chains]

Nash isnt good at 3's anymore?

 

[theeboredone]

Nash doesn't score much, and is a guy who is distributing the ball. He needs someone to pass out onto the 3 point line.

 

[Jane]

If you are a hardcore Clippers fan you should have no business rooting for the Lakers in any way shape or form, but like you said you just started watching the NBA so I guess it's okay. Just don't let any other Clippers fans know. haha

there are two other clippers fans in this thread, both of them FROM the LA area. ask me about how many ****s i give.

i'm a fan of basketball first and foremost. i love this sport and the NBA happens to be the pinnacle of the sport. oh and fun fact: i am also a suns fan. same division as the clippers. another fun fact: my goal in life is to WORK for the golden state warriors. if i fulfill my goal, will i become a fan of GS? you bet. in fact, they'll probably eventually move to team #1 in my heart. cuz, you know, i'll work for them. oh yeah and theyre in the same division as the clippers. but ohhh noooo i wont be a real, hardcore fan...! **** all that. and more importantly, **** the term "bandwagon".



i guess you could say i'm a pacific division fan, with clippers and suns being my favorites, and lakers being my least least favorites. but because of this very abrupt and unexpected occurrence, i'm sort of being forced to root for them. because i love steve nash that much. more than these invisible lines of fandom.

If lakers get howard also its seriously a wrap, thats something stern really shouldnt let happen

kobe/nash/dwight>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>bron/bosh/wade

pretty sure stern blocked the CP3 trade because he kind of owned the hornets at the time, and it was a horrible deal for NOLA. he cant do **** about this one, but yeah, it will absolutely be broken.

 

[Malice Chains]

Howard should just come to Houston so he can play with Lin. Opposite of Steve Francis and Yao /racist

 

[The Real Gamer]

Jane chill bro you took my post too seriously. -.-

Honestly the Magic should just send Dwight to China. I'm getting tired of hearing about the dude.

 

[Jane]

sorry man, i just had to say my piece. you're good though.

 

[Malice Chains]

Jane put TRG in the fetal position

 

[Deleted member]

Nash/Kobe/Pau/Dwight vs. Wade/Ray/Lebron/Bosh

thats a win for the lakers. buuuut i guess lebron at the 3 would cause a lot of problems though. the lakers best chance would be letting offense go through nash, pau, and d12 and forcing kobe to use his energy to play D all game.

i hope kobe gets injured and the rest of the lakers get a ring. i dont want kobe to have 6. you just KNOW people would be calling him the MVP of that team/league, and i would die.

 

[theeboredone]

Hypothetically, if Lakers did win the Finals, Kobe would not even be close to Finals MVP. Something tells me it would be Bynum/Howard. Rebounds, probably average 17-20 ppg, a lot of blocks, and possibly anchor the defense.

I even said last season if LA were to win the Finals, the Finals MVP would most likely be Bynum. I'm pretty sure Bynum would "try" 100% of the time rather than taking games off in the Finals.

 

[The Real Gamer]

Ray Allen is signing with Miami!!

**** yeah baby! It's time to repeat!

 

[theeboredone]

Yeah, was about to post that. Makes sense I suppose if you consider playing time with Terry, Rondo and Bradley as your guards, his minutes would be reduced.

At the same time, it's no secret that Wade is gonna be on the floor in crunch time as well...so yeah.

Everyone knows how I feel about this, so meh. Shoulda gone to OKC/Seattle.

 

[The Real Gamer]

Not necessarily. They could easily go with a lineup that looks like this:

Wade
Allen
Battier
James
Bosh

It's the same small ball lineup the Heat went with throughout the playoffs but with Wade as the primary ball handler instead Chalmers. That floor spacing would be ridiculous offensively.

 

[Jane]

wow, so many shooters. i assume they want this so bron bron can dominate the paint. gaygay


in other news, its **** like this that makes me love this ****er.

 

[tko112]

I don't know if I should even be doing this, but f it, I'm calling it:

2013 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Heat

anyone in 7

 

[The Real Gamer]

I called OKC/Heat Finals before last season started so hey it could happen...

3 NBA Finals in a row would be amazing to say the least. Awesome time to be a Heat fan right now.

Plus ever since LeBron was drafted into the NBA everyone was drooling over the possibility of a LeBron/Kobe Finals match up. Looks very possible now, but unfortunately Kobe is just out of his prime... The narrative would still be pretty sweet though. 2 teams with former rivals teaming up to overcome the rest.

 

[theeboredone]

Not necessarily. They could easily go with a lineup that looks like this:

Wade
Allen
Battier
James
Bosh

It's the same small ball lineup the Heat went with throughout the playoffs but with Wade as the primary ball handler instead Chalmers. That floor spacing would be ridiculous offensively.

Maybe, but remember that Allen is also a defensive liability. It might work for them in the season and even the playoffs, but defensively speaking it could get them in trouble down the road. I'm also worried that having James play at the 4 or 5 spot would wear him down all season long. Haslem was their best or second best rebounder sides LBJ. You are literally having no rebounding edge if you have Bosh and LBJ as your bigs. It won't cost them much against 90% of the teams, but say against the Lakers with two bigs, or OKC with Ibaka and Collins/Perkins, it can hurt.

Offensively though, they really are loaded with 3 point shooters so James is gonna have a field day deciding if he wants to score or pass.

I'd still say their best lineup is...

Wade
Battier
LBJ (point forward)
Haslem
Bosh

LMFAO. Poor Dirk.

Spoiler

 

[ahchoomattchu]

http://espn.go.com/olympics/summer/...arden-andre-iguodala-us-men-basketball-roster

Team USA has been finalized. What do you guys think?

 

[theeboredone]

Harden is not going to really play, but wise choice nonetheless, barring he doesn't choke again.

I'm a bit hesitant on Blake even though they need a big man. He has no perimeter game, terrible free throw shooter, and defense is bad too. He's pretty much their highlight player.

Love and Chandler should be getting the most minutes, with LBJ playing spot 4 duty.

Crunch time lineup should be...

Deron Williams
Kobe
Durant
LBJ
Chandler/Love.

Edit: I meant CP3 for my PG. For some reason, I thought he wasn't playing.

 

[Deleted member]

im glad iggy made it. he's a highly underrated player imho (in terms of market value anyway).

assuming 'crunch time' means last 5 minutes of a game,

kobe's crunch time numbers are awful. worse than lebrons actually. replace kobe with Carmelo (who is actually very clutch) and put Love on the floor instead of chandler, and you've got a killer 'clutch' lineup

i heard chris paul just sprained his thumb or something

it very well could end up being deron

 

[theeboredone]

Melo doesn't play any defense though. Whether he is at the 3 or 4 spot. I'd question Love's defensive abilities as well.

Honestly though, there's only one team that they are gonna need crunch time for most likely, and it's gonna be Spain. The Gasol brothers are gonna be tough down low, Fernandez is their SG, though it sucks Rubio is out.

Oh yeah, Ibaka is on their team as well.

Btw, Kobe was pretty darn clutch in the 2008 Olympics when it mattered most. It wouldn't surprise me it's because he gets a chance for more one on one player rather than taking the dumb shots he does with LA.

 

[The Real Gamer]

Heat are close to getting a verbal agreement from Rashard Lewis for the veteran minimum. I don't have any expectations from Lewis but if he can at least give 80% of what he once was this is a solid signing. The Heat are loaded with shooters now...

Chalmers/Cole
Wade/Allen/Miller (if he stays)
LeBron/Battier
Haslem/Lewis
Bosh/Anthony/Pittman

That's already a pretty damn solid bench rotation. Has a lot of flexibility and all of the 1-4 role players (minus Cole) can help spread the floor. As always though the Heat's interior defense will really suffer.

 

[theeboredone]

At least Camby is leaning towards the Knicks. Heat are already OP as it is.

His numbers will probably improve from the last two years, but he has been rather injury prone.

Btw, what about Elton Brand?

 

[Deleted member]

kobe was still a legitimately great player in 2008 though. he's not the same player anymore.

 

[theeboredone]

I won't disagree with that. I still think in iso situations, KD will get the ball, and LBJ will be setting up others. However, Kobe is still a legitimate spot up shooter, which people do not give him credit for. This is something from Synergy last season.

When Kobe was left open, he shot 51.3 percent, which ranked 11th of the 113 players with at least 75 unguarded catch-and-shoot jumpers last season. It was the highest such percentage of the nine Lakers players with at least 20 attempts last season.

Edit: Anyone pissed at Dan Gilbert helping Brooklyn get Howard? The same guy who vetoed the CP3 trade? The same guy who hated on LBJ going to the Heat? The one who led the CBA charge to tax teams more for being over the cap, to enforce competitive balance?

 

[Deleted member]

dan gilbert is definitely an idiot, but i will forever be thankful for the clips grabbin cp3

i don't doubt kobe is a great catch/shooter. its not really his game though.

whats your starting lineup for Team USA like?

mine is a little crazy, but its like this:

my starters would be the team chemistry guys (because i chemistry is our weakness, not talent):
1: deron. passes more than westbrook. i'm a selfish clips fan and want cp3 to be healthy for the season.
2: iggy. offense will take care of itself, so give us some defense, rebounding, and willingness to pass. he showed the ability to spot up from 3 this season and postseason too.
3: durant. because he's amazing.
4: lebron. because he's the best.
5: chandler. the two best scorers in the world are already in the lineup. lets get some D.

my 2nd string is full of demoralizers:
1: WB's energy off the bench against europe would be killer
2: kobe hitting silly fadeaways
3: melo being melo, putting his head down and killing it in the midrange
4: griffin jumping over people for ridiculous dunks
5: love going 3-5 in 3pt daggers and grabbing 32 offensive rebounds in 20 minutes

 

[The Real Gamer]

Gilbert is a hypocritical *****.

Nets are gonna have their own superteam now once they get Dwight... Not sure how lethal they can be though because their role players are kinda meh.

 

[Deleted member]

posted, then quickly deleted....

 

[theeboredone]

I don't think WB is gonna really play unless it's garbage time or they need a spark plug on offense.

Same with Harden.

Starting lineup for me would be...

1. CP3: More of a passer than D-Will
2. Kobe: Good ranged shooter.
3. Durant: Can shoot from anywhere.
4. LBJ: Have him in the post and set people up.
5. Chandler: Rebounds

Second Unit:

1. Deron Williams: More of a scorer pg, but can still pass. Second unit needs a bit more scoring
2. Iggy/Harden/WB: Iggy for defense. Don't trust his shot. Harden or WB for instant offense.
3. Melo: He's your primary scorer with this unit.
4. Griffin: Rebounds
5. Love: Rebounds

But that second unit seems a bit shaky defensively as well. Especially at the 4-5 spot.

 

[VictoryIsMudkipz]

Well next season will be interesting, the thing that has hurt me the most is losing Ray Allen, I mean JET is cool & all, but it messes up everything, not to mention now that my man Dirk is alone on that Dallas team now, If Dwight leaves Orlando (which he probably will) That will be three of my favorite teams done, although it is looking good for my Clippers & the Lakers, I'm just upset they got rid of Mo Williams for Marcus Camby, (I think) Lamar Odom only there temporaily which may be nice, & MY MAN Chauncey is BACK, but still Ray Allen on the Heat is really bad smh

 

[Deleted member]

iggy upped his 3 point game this year. 38% season, ~40% postseason. i trust him from deep, but not at all from midrange.

 

[mood4food77]

Gilbert is a hypocritical *****.

Nets are gonna have their own superteam now once they get Dwight... Not sure how lethal they can be though because their role players are kinda meh.

wait...you mean the nets still have role players left?