LeBron might be a nice guy and all, but he lacks that killer mindset Bryant has (or at least had in his prime years). Kobe's work ethic is unmatched and he pushes other players to the limit, tries to make them better. If that deters other good players from joining the Lakers, so be it. It was obvious from the beginning Howard wouldn't fit in there. I think Bryant likes to work with players who are 200% professional like Fisher for example. I'm not questioning LeBron's professionalism, far from it, but I think you'll have a better chance to win rings building your team around Bryant than James (both in their prime of course 'cause Bryant is too old now to build anything around).
NBA 2014-2015
- Thread starter Eboue
- Start date
And then? When the going got tough? The problem with Lebron is that he lacks the leadership and the mental strength needed to build a franchise around.
Also I think a lot of the credit for the harmonic relationship between James, Wade and Bosh has to go to Wade and Bosh, and especially Wade. I don't think James and Shaq (at his prime) wouldn't have had any problems.
For how long did you ask him to write that article?
I recall you and someone else arguing about CP3's legacy to date.
It was perfect timing wasn't it? Zach Lowe is really the best basketball writer around. Combines analysis and thoughtfulness with a love for the game that shines through. The only articles I skip over are the ones with Bill Simmons in them because I can really do without hearing how Harden being traded to Houston is exactly like this Modern Family moment or that Desperate Housewives plot. Simmons is a hack and I know Grantland is his site but I wish he would leave Barnwell and Lowe alone to continue writing great stuff.
The Raptors are the real deal people. Holy feck.
Also, that Carter tribute makes me cringe. What he did to the raptors was the worst I've seen from a player.
Also, that Carter tribute makes me cringe. What he did to the raptors was the worst I've seen from a player.
I got some money on:
Pacers at 1.71
Clippers at 1.46
Celtics -6.5 at 1.91
Rockets -8.5 at 1.53
The one time I need the Lakers to lose (big, like they always seem to do against the Rockets), they feck up. Typical.
Pacers at 1.71
Clippers at 1.46
Celtics -6.5 at 1.91
Rockets -8.5 at 1.53
The one time I need the Lakers to lose (big, like they always seem to do against the Rockets), they feck up. Typical.
Pau is a first ballot Hall of Famer for his international record alone. Not to mention he is one of the best bigs of this era in the NBA. And he was a decent defender in his prime.
I was talking more about Kobe's era. Of course there are exceptions like the '94 Rockets, the '04 Pistons (who didn't have a single bonafide star), and '11 Mavs, but for the most part, Batman had at least a Robin.
Similar to Man Utd in that respect, who doesn't have the NBA numbers a HOFer usually has (though Pau has a better case based on his NBA stats), but his international career will push him over the line.
I would consider Ben Wallace a bonafide star. Dude was the best defender in the league for a five year stretch.
I don't want to get too deep into a debate about whether Ben Wallace was a bonafide star. He was certainly a great defensive player and rebounder who anchored the Piston's defense. However, he wasn't a headline act (since the spotlight's on offensive players), and he was waaayy too limited on offense for a team to ride on the back of.
And it wasn't like he stopped Shaq who averaged 26.6/10.8 on 63.1% shooting while Wallace averaged 10.8/13.6/1.0 block on 47.8% shooting (which is subpar for a center) in that series. Those are decent numbers but not superstar level. Plus his career line of 5.7/9.6/2.0 blocks (6.6/11.1/2.3 blocks if you want to only count his tenure with the Pistons) backs my statement up.
That championship was a collective performance won through will, determination, and teamwork (along with the capitulation of the Lakers), moreso than the others of the past decade. I even remember the build up to the Finals was all about the glitz and glamour of the Lakers with their super team of four HOFers versus the gritty underdog Pistons who stood little chance of stopping them.
And it wasn't like he stopped Shaq who averaged 26.6/10.8 on 63.1% shooting while Wallace averaged 10.8/13.6/1.0 block on 47.8% shooting (which is subpar for a center) in that series. Those are decent numbers but not superstar level. Plus his career line of 5.7/9.6/2.0 blocks (6.6/11.1/2.3 blocks if you want to only count his tenure with the Pistons) backs my statement up.
That championship was a collective performance won through will, determination, and teamwork (along with the capitulation of the Lakers), moreso than the others of the past decade. I even remember the build up to the Finals was all about the glitz and glamour of the Lakers with their super team of four HOFers versus the gritty underdog Pistons who stood little chance of stopping them.
Wallace didn't just play one on one with Shaq though, he routinely covered both players on the pick and roll and at his peak was the most disruptive defensive player in the last 15 years at least.
Anyway, I came here to post that since we last checked on Kobe he had a good game in a win over Atlanta but followed it up by shooting 10/28 and 6/22.
Anyway, I came here to post that since we last checked on Kobe he had a good game in a win over Atlanta but followed it up by shooting 10/28 and 6/22.
What do you have against Kobe that you feel everytime he makes a mistake or does something you dont like, you feel you have to come in here and post it?
What's the problem? This is an NBA thread. Kobe is one of the biggest players in the NBA. When other players take ridiculous 30 footers with 7 seconds on the shot clock and airball them, I'll be happy to post them. When other players chuck bricks all game and hurt their teams, I do post about them. Look up what I've said on Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings.
So a homophobe, a rapist, and a black guy walk into a bar, and everyone's like "Can I have your autograph, Kobe?"
He's still a fraud yeah?
Kobe shot 6/22, which is 27% last night. The rest of the Lakers shot 38/63, which is 60%.
OK, so he's a fraud yeah?
I actually agree with you that he's playing selfishly this year, more so than ever before. LAL aren't goung anywhere even if he starts dishing, he is just going for that scoring record this year. Chasing MJ.
But you seem to want to write off things he's done his whole career. Atleast that's what I get when you say he's a fraud.
Anyway I've said in this thread before, Kobe splits opinion. He always has. He has rings to back himself up. He'll still go down as one of the greatest players and competitors in the NBA.
I actually agree with you that he's playing selfishly this year, more so than ever before. LAL aren't goung anywhere even if he starts dishing, he is just going for that scoring record this year. Chasing MJ.
But you seem to want to write off things he's done his whole career. Atleast that's what I get when you say he's a fraud.
Anyway I've said in this thread before, Kobe splits opinion. He always has. He has rings to back himself up. He'll still go down as one of the greatest players and competitors in the NBA.
I would put him in the top 25 players of all time. So he's obviously really great. But the idea of him being MJ's apprentice or better than Lebron, which his fans have said for so many years. That's what I take issue with. That's why I say fraud.
Yea, the Pistons had the best defense for a good few years, and I know Ben Wallace wasn't the only one on Shaq (Campbell and Rasheed switched off with Wallace as well). I just don't consider him a star who'd be one of the first players you'd build your team around. You could build your defense off him, but he isn't someone to consistently carry a team on his back to victory (which is what I meant by bonafide star) like Lebron, Kobe, Duncan, Dirk et al. could, and I don't see how you can argue that. The Piston's team was composed of above average to high quality players where everyone shared responsibility compared to a team that would rely on one or two players to do most of the work.
The book on Kobe is closed, his legacy is set. Lebron has something left to write though. As for the above post, MJ himself said that Kobe is the only one who deserves to be compared to him, fwiw.
I think defense is severely undervalued. It's half the game and the recent focus on it is one of the things the nba sabr community gets right. Ricky Rubio, for example, is too harshly criticized because much of his value is on the defensive end.
Why aren't Cleveland good yet?
Early days. They suck defensively.
It's only Charlotte at home, and it's only the regular season, but boy that was tense!
Miami needs to win every game they're supposed to win right now, and Charlotte at home is a game they should win, and they ..... baaaarely did. Phew!
Let's hope Wade comes back healthy against New York (after losing the next game against the Warriors).
Miami needs to win every game they're supposed to win right now, and Charlotte at home is a game they should win, and they ..... baaaarely did. Phew!
Let's hope Wade comes back healthy against New York (after losing the next game against the Warriors).
Marc Gasol is the best center in the league right now, and an MVP candidate.
No he's not, that title goes to DeMarcus Cousins.
Sorry, only saw this now. We should have won that game if it weren't for three incorrect calls at the end of that Grizzlies game.
As for Stauskas, he has no confidence right now and is way too passive. Hard for him to shoot himself out of the slump too as the Kings are actually good this year and can't afford to have him in there making mistakes. Defensively he is too weak and other teams post him up constantly, but his lateral quickness isn't bad and he's smart so he knows where to be and how to rotate for the most part. I'm sure he'll get more confidence soon and his shot will start to feel and he can become a solid contributor off the bench. In the future he will be a good player. He can really pass the ball.
Don't know what I'm supposed to be looking at?
Look at Harden
He's right.
Called it near the start of the thread, raptors on the warpath!
Ok, I get it. Week Of Footlocker sounds like it could be fun aswell.
Curry is insane.
I started watching at 95-95 so I've mostly been seeing Chalmers feck up.
Now I know why the Heat lost.Seriously though, didn't expect them to put a fight without Wade, they did well despite the big loss. When a guy like Curry just takes two dribbles and fires threes from everywhere and all you hear is "splash!", there is really nothing you can do.
Why didn't he go 5 for 15 like last game?!
Gerald Green is awesome.
He's gonna get paid next season, if Suns wont do it, then another team will. When he get hot, there are very few players in the league that can stop him
He's gonna get paid next season, if Suns wont do it, then another team will. When he get hot, there are very few players in the league that can stop him
Posted in the newbies by mistake;
I'm still choosing a team to support as I get back into the sport properly. I love watching the Cavs passing game, and also enjoy watching the Nuggets. San Antonio and the Rockets also. Need to watch more of all the teams. Still not seen any Golden State games like @Eboue advised.
I'm still choosing a team to support as I get back into the sport properly. I love watching the Cavs passing game, and also enjoy watching the Nuggets. San Antonio and the Rockets also. Need to watch more of all the teams. Still not seen any Golden State games like @Eboue advised.
Westbrook returns to the Thunder line-up tonight. Durant expected to be back in a week. Might be just in time for OKC to turn things around.