Nba 08/09

[Tiger Hawk]

Yeah, 20/20 is amazing. He's not been attacking the rim as much this year, his free throw attempts are down a bit from recent seasons. I suppose it's also the Knicks, bad defence + fast pace = more high percentage shots. Geez it would be awesome if the Suns grab 8th spot and face LA in the first round (assuming LA keep top seed), I know the Suns have been average this year but without Bynum, or 50% Bynum, you'd have to think the Suns could win that series. Wonder if Terry Porter is going to keep his job.

The door has opened for the Spurs to grab top seed, they've been quietly gathering steam, Duncan is having a great year (vintage Duncan), throw in Chris Paul picking up an injury today, this group might have one more ring in them yet.

 

[Ridders]

No one loves Kobe jump-shot more than Kobe himself, which could explain his lack of going to the line. I think that the fact that his right hand is mangled could also play a part. Phoenix would crush us, in the play-offs, if we didn't have Bynum. Shaq would look like the Shaq of 2000, Gasol will be brutalised, it'll be like 2008 Finals all over again.

Spurs have done great considering Parker's and Ginobli's injuries at the start of the year. Duncan did a phenomenal job of holding the fort while those guys where out. If the Spurs could add another good big man, they would be in with a serious shot. It would't be too big a surprise as well - 03, 05, 07, .....

 

[Tiger Hawk]

Anybody who can, turn on LeBron vs the Knicks. He's got 20 points in the first quarter, might be chassing Kobe's record of 61 at MSG from the other night.

 

[Noa]

Bron probably just misses out on an insane triple-double.

 

[Noa]

LMAO

Got the rebound off the final shot to get the triple.

Suck on that Kobe.

 

[Tiger Hawk]

Didn't get there in the end, "only" put up 52 to go with 10 boards and 11 assists. This guy is honestly a freak.

Speaking of freaks, anybody noticing Durant this year. On the year, he's averaging 25 a game on 47.6% shooting, 41.8% from 3 (while taking 3 a night from there) and 6.6 boards. Since January he's upped it to 28.1 a game on 50% shooting, 40% from 3 (3.5 a game) to go with 8.5 boards. And he's 20 and in his second year. This guy could be scary good in a couple of years.

 

[Noa]

In the near future Durant will be the premier offensive player in the NBA. Once he gets a bit more strength he will be unstoppable.

 

[Ridders]

Durant along with Big Al were the biggest all-star snubs. Jeff Greens been playing pretty well as a side-kick.

Actually watched the Lebron game. You could see from the first quarter that he was looking to score and beat Kobe's 61. Offense waned a bit as he became a bit more of a playmaker. Played some bad D on Harrington, who went off, but hey no one can do it all. I'll always be biased towards Kobe but i can't deny greatness when i see it right before my eyes. If he can consistently hit his outside jumper like he did today, he will be unstoppable for the next 6 - 7 years.

On an related note, how bad is the Knicks defense. When was the last time a team conceded back to back 50 point performances.

 

[Ridders]

:lol::lol::lol:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3889674

Upon review by the NBA, Lebron had his triple double taken away as his second last rebound was reviewed to have been Wallaces', even though it was credited to Lebron during the game.

Now i'm off two minds here. Firstly its the correct decision as during the game, i clearly thought Lebron's second last rebound was taken by Wallace, who then immediately passed it off the Lebron. On the other hand, once the game is over and the box score has been filed, surely the NBA can't go around changing stats.

Edit: Just found out that the NBA does it quite often, just not this public very often. Poor Bron Bron.

 

[Noa]

:lol::lol::lol:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3889674

Upon review by the NBA, Lebron had his triple double taken away as his second last rebound was reviewed to have been Wallaces', even though it was credited to Lebron during the game.

Now i'm off two minds here. Firstly its the correct decision as during the game, i clearly thought Lebron's second last rebound was taken by Wallace, who then immediately passed it off the Lebron. On the other hand, once the game is over and the box score has been filed, surely the NBA can't go around changing stats.

Edit: Just found out that the NBA does it quite often, just not this public very often. Poor Bron Bron.

Save your Bron pity for the next couple of teams he plays. I wouldnt be suprised if he goes out and gets another 50-10-10 twice, just to prove a point.

 

[Ridders]

Save your Bron pity for the next couple of teams he plays. I wouldnt be suprised if he goes out and gets another 50-10-10 twice, just to prove a point.

Don't worry, Kobe won't allow that to happen. At least not the 50 part.

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

107-102 win over some team called the "magic"

granger made the all star team, but hey, he plays for the all star team every night

 

[Ridders]

Lakers sweep Cavs with a 101-91 win in Cleveland. Kobe aparently played with the flu, what a man. Credit has to go to Odom, he easily had one of his best games in a Laker uniform.

Lebron James, what a game. In 40 mins of game time he went 5-20 from the field, 2-8 from three point range, and 4-8 from the FT line. Ouch. The guy really should work on his shooting this coming off-season.

 

[Tiger Hawk]

The more impressive victory yesterday came earlier, when the Spurs topped the Celtics in Beantown. Manu & Parker are nearly back to their best, Timmy is having his best season for 3 years, Bonner is doing his job (a massive understatement, he's been great), and they're getting good contributions from Mason, Finley & the ever reliable Kurt Thomas.

If they can stay healthy the rest of the way, I'd be backing them to come out of the west.

 

[Ridders]

Ginobli is the X-factor for the Spurs. They folded badly against the Lakers last year primarily because Manu was far from his best. If Spurs face the Lake Show without Bynum at close to his best, Spurs would have to be favourites for that match up.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3894938

Bad news about Big Al, tearing his ACL in his right knee, hopefully he can return to his best once he recovers.

The Suns are a team that still amaze me. How can a team with Shaq, STAT, Nash, Richardson, Barbosa, Hill, be so mediocre. Will be interesting to see whether the Suns move Amarie before the trade deadline.

 

[Tiger Hawk]

Problem with the Suns is a simple one, individually they are all average (at very best) defenders and collectively they are bad. Porter was supposed to address that but they've actually regressed since he took over from D'Antoni - at least under Mike D they had an identity, now they look unmotivated, boring etc etc. Shame, really thought Shaq would elevate Amare to new highs but Amare is too busy pouting about not getting enough touches, pathetic really. Would love to see them move Shaq, if only because I want him to get one more ring and I don't see him doing it with the Suns.

 

[General Knight]

Al Jefferson out for the season.

There goes my fantasy season. Lost Redd, Nelson, Bogut, Jefferson in a space of a few weeks.

 

[Ridders]

Problem with the Suns is a simple one, individually they are all average (at very best) defenders and collectively they are bad. Porter was supposed to address that but they've actually regressed since he took over from D'Antoni - at least under Mike D they had an identity, now they look unmotivated, boring etc etc. Shame, really thought Shaq would elevate Amare to new highs but Amare is too busy pouting about not getting enough touches, pathetic really. Would love to see them move Shaq, if only because I want him to get one more ring and I don't see him doing it with the Suns.

Wierd thing is that last year, with D'Antoni, that seemed to be happening to an extent. I remember that STAT's scoring went up once Shaq got to Phoenix. Amarie was playing like a beast at the start of the season as well, but for some reason has really dropped off in recent times. I supposed thats co-incided with Porter deciding to focus his offense around Shaq.

Trading Amarie would be sad, would be the final nail in the coffin of the "7 Seconds or less" Suns that were so damn good to watch.

 

[Tiger Hawk]

It's a poison pill almost with Shaq these days. He's still a guaranteed double double shooting an excellent percentage and nobody can play him one on one. On the other hand, even though he's been in his best shape for probably half a decade or so, he's just physically not capable of defending at a high enough extent to cover the inability of Nash & co to stop dribble pentration or be even remotely competent on pick and rolls. Individually he's playing fantastic, it's just this team has too many holes to carry a 36 year old guy with his sort of mileage.

 

[Ridders]

It makes it pretty hard defending pick and rolls when the two players guarding them are Nash and Shaq. Like you said, it would be cool if they traded Shaq to a possible contender, i don't think he's going to want to get stuck in Phoenix during their rebuilding phase.

Lol i've even heard rumours of Shaq back to L.A :lol:.