I was going to say something but you all have it pretty well covered.
Nba 2008-2009
- Thread starter Alex
- Start date
Can't believe he made that shot - Cnut.
Not normally a bball fan, but nothing was on the telly and i had this on... what a moment
Amazing.
Good post, agreed for the most part.
What do you think about this new trend of American players skipping their last year of high-school and going pro in Europe, then entering the NBA Draft a year early? It seems like something that is bending the rules, but Brandon Jennings seems to be the best of the bunch and some say with a College coach moulding him in he would be with Griffin for the #1 pick.
Good lord that was sick, won me 100 bucks too
Better than Kobe, maybe, but he's still 4 rings away from MJ
Although you could say this season is just as impressive of any of MJ's titles, IF they win it.
Good post, agreed for the most part.
What do you think about this new trend of American players skipping their last year of high-school and going pro in Europe, then entering the NBA Draft a year early? It seems like something that is bending the rules, but Brandon Jennings seems to be the best of the bunch and some say with a College coach moulding him in he would be with Griffin for the #1 pick.
Good lord that was sick, won me 100 bucks too
Better than Kobe, maybe, but he's still 4 rings away from MJ
Although you could say this season is just as impressive of any of MJ's titles, IF they win it.
I think they are doing it because they want money, it is a load of shit though that an 18 year old European can enter the draft but not an American. Look at the top 4 players in teh playoffs now, LeBron, Kobe, and DHoward didnt play college ball they seem to be doing fine, Melo played a year and was MOP at the Final Four which Syracuse won.
MJ won 6 titles and it would have been 8 had he not taken those two years off; possibly the most exciting day in my sports life that didnt involve a game was when he announced he was coming back the first time,
I say 4 rings away from MJ for consideration
Fair enough, I actually think it would be best for him to say in Cleveland. If he goes to New York, they are one of the worst run operations in the NBA, he is a brilliant player who can/does carry a team on his back, but I dont see New York improving his sidekicks especially considering they will break the bank for LeBron.
If I was LeBron, I would stay in Cleveland or move to Miami and play with Wade, and live in Miami!!!, and try to break Wilt Chamberlain's record, yeah that one ahhaa
If I was LeBron, I would stay in Cleveland or move to Miami and play with Wade, and live in Miami!!!, and try to break Wilt Chamberlain's record, yeah that one ahhaa
There are only so many miracles that LeBron can pull off. Big Z and Varejao are a joke and are not good enough to start in a team hoping for the championship Those two are not really good either at offense or at defense and slow.
Orlando are the biggest match up nightmare for Cavs and the Lakers and thats even with their all star guard injured.
And when will the media stop with the 'Kobe is the best closer'...all of the last 29 points for his team to defeat the Pistons, game winning clutch 3 pointer now...what more does LeBron need to do ? He may not have the rings but he doesn't have a Shaq on the team either and a far inferior support cast than Kobe has.
Orlando are the biggest match up nightmare for Cavs and the Lakers and thats even with their all star guard injured.
And when will the media stop with the 'Kobe is the best closer'...all of the last 29 points for his team to defeat the Pistons, game winning clutch 3 pointer now...what more does LeBron need to do ? He may not have the rings but he doesn't have a Shaq on the team either and a far inferior support cast than Kobe has.
Thats the thing though IK, Cleveland have been blowing them out in each game, they are the better team, they just keep switching off, and going runs too early in the game
Credit where credit is due, Kobe is the Black Mamba for a reason. I would take him over any player since MJ to take the last shot to win a game. And that performance at the end of Game 2 v the Piston in 2004 was MJesque he was brilliant, especially the 30 ft trifecta that he swished to send the game into overtime.
Credit where credit is due, Kobe is the Black Mamba for a reason. I would take him over any player since MJ to take the last shot to win a game. And that performance at the end of Game 2 v the Piston in 2004 was MJesque he was brilliant, especially the 30 ft trifecta that he swished to send the game into overtime.
The Cavs were only blowing the Magic out because both Hedo and Lewis have gotten off to very slow starts in both games. Also, they are more of a 3 point scoring team and will score in spurts. Being up by 23 points is still not safe against the Magic and LeBron had to play from the start of the 4th quarter when he normally gets a rest.
Other than LeBron, the other Cavs starters will not start in any top team. Cavs are not the better team but is LeBron great enough to carry them to a championship on his own is the question that remains.
The 4 games in the conference finals so far have been brilliant and evenly matched. When everyone thought that Kobe vs LeBron was a certainty a week ago, neither may reach the finals.
Other than LeBron, the other Cavs starters will not start in any top team. Cavs are not the better team but is LeBron great enough to carry them to a championship on his own is the question that remains.
The 4 games in the conference finals so far have been brilliant and evenly matched. When everyone thought that Kobe vs LeBron was a certainty a week ago, neither may reach the finals.
For your first point: Agreed, and I think Cleveland would be smart to flex their contractual muscle when it comes to these 2... no bullshit, if they want more then they're worth, good riddance.
For your second part,
NASTY
Now now now, Mo Williams would run my Raptors in a heartbeat, and I think other than Rondo and Paul he's the most valuable PG in the L.
LeBron has already carried this team to a Eastern Conference title (And took them to the second round twice with Game 7's)... you'd be laughing if you thought that team a few years ago was better than this team, I think that alone gives merit to how well LeBron has improved, and how much better (Or tight knit) the team around him is.
I think it's unfair to judge this LeBron v Kobe debate on rings, simply because there's some out there who consider LeBron winning one title > Kobe's multiple rings, because he didn't have a Shaq... LeBron has a cast, a cast he's happy enough with to suit up everyday and play his heart out for... he doesn't play for himself, he plays for the other 11-14 dressed players a game and it shows by the amount of love that team shows for each other.
By the logic of the neutral, they're pretty much even, a valuation I can't disagree with despite Kobe's senior.
But as I say that, I think in the grand scheme of Basketball history, Kobe Bryant will be the best overshadowed player in the history of this league... he started in the backend of MJ's career, and ends at the beginning of LeBron's career... he isn't the star (Yet) of any titles and has one MVP award... numbers will never lie, and neither does talent, but I think we looks back a few decades from now and we remember the MJ and LeBron domination of the NBA, and forget Kobe.
Looks like the Rubio camp is trying to use our favorite Spanish newspaper to tap up the Kings and drive away the Thunder and the Grizzlies.
http://www.marca.com/2009/05/21/baloncesto/nba/1242931598.html
I can't say I'm too upset about it either.
You guys have mentioned how cautious you are about taking a European player in the top 5. I totally understand. Darko was a disaster. Bargnani is getting better but we're still unsure about him. I'd have to agree for the most part.
But to me there's something different about Rubio. I could be totally delusional, but hear me out. Rubio's been a youtube sensation ever since his performance against team USA in the Olympics. Everyone seems to focus on the flashy stuff, but that's not what is going to translate to the NBA. Just like watching a video of Blake Griffin dunking over and over again isn't going to help you scout, because he's simply not going to be able to dunk over and over again on NBA guys.
What you have to look at with Rubio is his ability to see the court and his ability to pick out teammates for passes in much the same way that we find Scholes and Carrick so valuable for United. When it comes to that skill, Rubio is absolutely fantastic and that's something that isn't particularly easy to teach. NBA defenders are going to do more to help limit that vision than European ones, but being able to spot teammates is the hardest part. Everything else is easily taught, and for the most part he already has those skills. He'll just have to adjust them to the NBA. If the Kings can put together a good enough coaching staff, then I think he'll definitely turn out to be a good player.
He's also a very good defender and has won awards for his defense in Europe. That certainly doesn't mean that he'll be a brilliant defender in the NBA because the players are better here, but it shows that at least the effort is there, which I can't say is true for most of the point guards the Kings have had for the last few years.
And think of the potential marketing implications of drafting a guy like Rubio. The Kings definitely need that in order to stay in Sacramento.
Geoff Petrie has been a master at scouting European players. This was the guy that drafted Peja Stojacovic and Hedo Turkoglu. Peja the sharpshooter and Hedo the would-be-hero-if-not-for-LeBron. He wasn't responsible for drafting many other Euro players, because there weren't many other good ones, so he's definitely smarter than the other executives that have completely taken the bait. I trust his judgment and if he decides that Rubio is worth the risk at #4, then I stand behind him 100%.
http://www.marca.com/2009/05/21/baloncesto/nba/1242931598.html
I can't say I'm too upset about it either.
You guys have mentioned how cautious you are about taking a European player in the top 5. I totally understand. Darko was a disaster. Bargnani is getting better but we're still unsure about him. I'd have to agree for the most part.
But to me there's something different about Rubio. I could be totally delusional, but hear me out. Rubio's been a youtube sensation ever since his performance against team USA in the Olympics. Everyone seems to focus on the flashy stuff, but that's not what is going to translate to the NBA. Just like watching a video of Blake Griffin dunking over and over again isn't going to help you scout, because he's simply not going to be able to dunk over and over again on NBA guys.
What you have to look at with Rubio is his ability to see the court and his ability to pick out teammates for passes in much the same way that we find Scholes and Carrick so valuable for United. When it comes to that skill, Rubio is absolutely fantastic and that's something that isn't particularly easy to teach. NBA defenders are going to do more to help limit that vision than European ones, but being able to spot teammates is the hardest part. Everything else is easily taught, and for the most part he already has those skills. He'll just have to adjust them to the NBA. If the Kings can put together a good enough coaching staff, then I think he'll definitely turn out to be a good player.
He's also a very good defender and has won awards for his defense in Europe. That certainly doesn't mean that he'll be a brilliant defender in the NBA because the players are better here, but it shows that at least the effort is there, which I can't say is true for most of the point guards the Kings have had for the last few years.
And think of the potential marketing implications of drafting a guy like Rubio. The Kings definitely need that in order to stay in Sacramento.
Geoff Petrie has been a master at scouting European players. This was the guy that drafted Peja Stojacovic and Hedo Turkoglu. Peja the sharpshooter and Hedo the would-be-hero-if-not-for-LeBron. He wasn't responsible for drafting many other Euro players, because there weren't many other good ones, so he's definitely smarter than the other executives that have completely taken the bait. I trust his judgment and if he decides that Rubio is worth the risk at #4, then I stand behind him 100%.
First game in Denver has started.
I wouldn't be surprised if LeBron hits the game winner in this game too. Stranger things have happened.
I wouldn't be surprised if LeBron hits the game winner in this game too. Stranger things have happened.
Great play by Anthony there, LA had a 3 on 1 and Anthony strips Ariza gets the loose ball and gets fouled
The game is getting pretty good, back and forth atm, 85-83 Denver atm
Denver too amped up, fouling far too much and losing. Carmelo was a let down in the second half.
Billups had his 1st poor game of the playoffs and Denver missed a ton of 3s
Denver had this game and the series by the scruff... LA are great bounceback artists.
As for LeBron in Cleveland beyond next season... if this goes through, expect it:
Essentially the marketability of King James will go through the roof.
As for LeBron in Cleveland beyond next season... if this goes through, expect it:
Essentially the marketability of King James will go through the roof.
Cavs are in serious trouble.
My thoughts as well, Orlando has them figured out; and on the otherhand Cleveland has no idea to stop the pick and roll with Hedo
There were 86 fecking free throws in the game last night, that is ridiculous.
Yeah both teams got into BAD foul trouble.
Dwight Howard does alot of shit talking down the stretch for an average 4th quarter player... he's 2 techs and one flag from a suspension.
He is young and learning, top player though. still want cleveland to win
I've got money on Orlando and so it's looking good.The 3rd match was shit compared to the first 2
Once he can learn to drop a tear drop, 8-9 foot jumpshot, he'll be the most complete big man in the L...
Wonder if he jumps ship and leaves Orlando ever, like the Shaq daddy did
VERY different situations, Orlando had promise but not a good team really, this team Howard has around him is affordable and talented... I reckon he's there for the long-term.
Just wish T-Mac was back there.The team would be really complete
T-Mac is bitch. He is a very talented player, but what a twat, who the feck just decides to have season ending surgery without consulting with a team that is paying him nearly $21 million a season. He reminds me of A.I. in his selfishness, he just has never been as good as AI was.
I was obviously talking about him in his prime.
He is 30 years old, it is inexcusable this drop off he has gone on over the past few years. Talk about a lack of desire and waste of talent, I used to really like him as a player, had a great jump shot and was uber talented offensively, but feck me never out fo the first round that is pathetic.
That kind of attitude McGrady carries is fairly common in the NBA. But some will put that aside for the good of the team.
Aaah, I think what both the Magic and Houston have continuously proven this season is he's an above-average squad player... Yao jumped leaps and bounds this season without T-Mac being the image of the team... expect him to be traded if he has a bad year.
For the record, there was a health clause in his contract, one of the first to be done in NBA history... I wish I could find a link or citation to back this up.
He wanted to leave Toronto because he wasn't the star, but he would have started, and we probably would have won a title... probably.
Chris Anderson Is The Shit !!!
Birdman is on fire
Haven't watch NBA for years. But I got to say I love it.
Ahh the Chris Anderson, the coke man..
Melo is hurt feck
Melo esta backo!!!!!