Official 2008-09 NBA Thread

[Etienne]

^I was surprised about how well Marion was playing from the looks of you and Mister J's past posts I wasn't expecting much.

[Go Web Go!]

^I was surprised about how well Marion was playing from the looks of you and Mister J's past posts I wasn't expecting much.

He had a pretty good game, but I won't be purchasing a Marion jersey anytime soon. He's been terrible since Miami acquired him & I'm crossing all that can be crossed in hopes of him being dealt by next month's deadline. He just doesn't fit in.

[Etienne]

^He's definitely missing Nash who was spoon feeding him.

[Mister J]

That one was there for the taking, but Miami just couldn't get over the hump. Nice to see B-Easy's first double-double.

Marion's play in the 2nd and 3rd was shocking. If that kind of effort was the usual, my trade requests would decrease by about 34%.

7-game road trip coming up, with a faint possibility of James Jones getting on the court. His shooting would definitely help.

[Silver Knight]

Im suprised Marion hasn't been traded yet..

[MoPlaYa]

Hopefully he will before the Trade deadline.

[Venom'sDad]

I don't know if Miami can get anything worth while in return though.

[Go Web Go!]

I don't know if Miami can get anything worth while in return though.

The one rumored deal that comes up every couple of weeks is Marion to Sacramento for Brad Miller. I'll take it.

[gogetter0587]

The one rumored deal that comes up every couple of weeks is Marion to Sacramento for Brad Miller. I'll take it.

Good lord would that be a good trade for the heat.

B -rad is not much but Haslem is not a center.

[Silver Knight]

The one rumored deal that comes up every couple of weeks is Marion to Sacramento for Brad Miller. I'll take it.

Bad deal for both teams.

[gogetter0587]

Bad deal for both teams.


yeah bad move for a team who has absolutely no center who is getting rid of a player they aren't going to keep at the end of the season and who is getting paid ridiculous money the rest of this one.

i see your point

[Darthphere]

The Kings are one of the 23 teams Silver Knight roots for.

[Silver Knight]

The Kings are one of the 23 teams Silver Knight roots for.
I guess your still liveing in the past.

I only support the Hornets. Accept it and move on.

[Go Web Go!]

Bad deal for both teams.

How so? Unload an expiring contract and get a player that'll fill Miami's gap at center? I'd do it in a heartbeat.

On a side note, the Heat released Shaun Livingston.

[Etienne]

A HUGE block by Manu on Wade
ot0-lZGAqFQ

[Darthphere]

That was goaltending. :csad:

[Etienne]

:huh: That ball was still in his hand.

On a side note, I hear Melo may be out with a fractured hand.

[Go Web Go!]

You heard right. He's likely out for a while, including tomorrow's game. Speaking of which, the fact that Dick Vitale's doing the Heat/Nuggets game tomorrow night makes me not want to watch it.

[Double Down]

Well, no one agreed with me that the Boris Diaw/Raja Bell-Jason Richardson trade was a good move for Charlotte, but here you go:

The Bobcats' record before the trade:
7-16 (and they scored more that 100 points in five out of 23 games)

Their record after the trade:
5-6 (and they have scored more that 100 points in five out of 11 games)

http://forums.superherohype.com/showthread.php?t=305018&highlight=richardson&page=90

[Excel]

you phonies get outta here, what have you done with the real celtics!

[Immortalfire]

Charlotte beat the Celtics? LoL

[Bond]

I'm going to see the Mavericks play the Heat on the 31st of this month. *brushes shoulders off*

[Venom'sDad]

Charlotte beat the Celtics? LoL

They are still the team to beat in the East... I wouldn't sweat it... it's the first week of January

[Mister J]

I want to see how this Friday's trip to Cleveland. Should be good.

[Silver Knight]

Charlotte beat the Celtics? LoL
Lol. Celtics suck thease days..

[Go Web Go!]

They are still the team to beat in the East... I wouldn't sweat it... it's the first week of January

No sweating, but there should be some concern. They've lost to some pretty bad teams.

[Darthphere]

I just think they lost some focus and they don't have the same desire they did last season.

[Venom'sDad]

No sweating, but there should be some concern. They've lost to some pretty bad teams.The NBA season is a marathon, they will tank some games. They are not going to tank against good team because of possible tie-breaker scenarios; but against team that have no shot... well you can figure what I'm saying.


I just think they lost some focus and they don't have the same desire they did last season.Oh come on... they have the same if not a greater desire to win it all again...the season is a marathon people. The season is for positioning, but May and June is when it counts.

[Darthphere]

I'm all for taking a game off but lets be honest, the Celtics bench should be able to beat the Bobcats.

[Docker2.0]

If they sign Marbury, then they better get use to losing games. :o But hopefully Miami will sign him. :up:

[Darthphere]

Hell no, we don't need any more guards.

[Silver Knight]

I want to see how this Friday's trip to Cleveland. Should be good.

Cavs will win.

[Go Web Go!]

But hopefully Miami will sign him. :up:

The only player they'll be picking up is Mourning, thank you.

[Silver Knight]

CP3 killed the Lakers single handedly..

Cavs wearing a new retro tonight.

[Raiden]

Tough loss by the Lakers, and although they are 1-2 vs the Hornets it's clear that the addition of Posey has really helped the Hornets, esp. during 4th Quarter. I'm more concerned about Lakers' growing list of injured players, with Odom now joining Walton and Farmar on the IR. Hopefully Lakers will be all healthy toward the end of the season, when every player counts during the playoff.

[gogetter0587]

Tough loss by the Lakers, and although they are 1-2 vs the Hornets it's clear that the addition of Posey has really helped the Hornets, esp. during 4th Quarter. I'm more concerned about Lakers' growing list of injured players, with Odom now joining Walton and Farmar on the IR. Hopefully Lakers will be all healthy toward the end of the season, when every player counts during the playoff.


If the Lake show does not win it all this year it may never win with kobe again , the cavs continue to improve every year and the west is still really good and improving. The lakers have all the pieces and need to win this year.

Celts last year as the top eastern conference team is this year.

[MoPlaYa]

I hope the celtics dont sign Marbury but if they did i`m sure KG could keep him in check for 1 year.

[Venom'sDad]

There nothing to lose and much to gain in signing Marbury. He is a good scorer, solid defensive players, assist machine, a rebounding guard, great in the open court, and give Boston another goto player at crunch time. Otherwise, they can just cut him... no loss. It's a win-win situation imo.

[ih8nyy]

Cavs wearing a new retro tonight.

One of the 20 uni's they will wear this year.

[Raiden]

If the Lake show does not win it all this year it may never win with kobe again , the cavs continue to improve every year and the west is still really good and improving. The lakers have all the pieces and need to win this year.

Celts last year as the top eastern conference team is this year.

I don't think this is Kobe's last year with the Lakers if they don't win the championship. The team is still relatively young and has alot of depth, and Kobe will only turn 30 this year. Kobe knew that he has the best chance to win a title with Lakers than any other ballclub, so he won't leave.

[Mister J]

Josh Howard to Toronto? (http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=11144)
The Toronto Raptors have been looking for a small forward, and HOOPSWORLD has learned that they may have finally found their man. A deal being discussed would send troubled forward Josh Howard to the Raptors in a deal that would land Andrea Bargnani and Anthony Parker in Dallas, with a combination that could involve DeSagana Diop and Antoine Wright headed back to Toronto.
Probably another in the long list of supposed deals that don't bleeping happen, but whatever.

[gogetter0587]

Josh Howard to Toronto? (http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=11144)

Probably another in the long list of supposed deals that don't bleeping happen, but whatever.


I agree probably wont happen but being a dallas fan i sure as heck hope it does i love the big 7 footers potential and anthony parker is basically the same player as j ho anyway

[Double Down]

Those Cavs uniforms are so different that I need to keep remembering that it's them.

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g39/doubledown44/cavfanatic_jersey_175.jpg

The Cavs are up 13-4 over Charlotte midway through the first quarter.

[Mister J]

Dickie V. doing do the Heat/Nuggets game tonight. It's gonna be awesome, baby!

[Bond]

I say the Mavs keep Howard until 2010 and get one of the big name free agents out there with him as bait.

[Double Down]

Juwon Howard just got tossed from the Cavs-Bobcats game. I didn't even know he was on the Bobcats.

The Cavs are up 60-40.

[Immortalfire]

Dickie V. doing do the Heat/Nuggets game tonight. It's gonna be awesome, baby!

There are very few sports people I would actually say I hate. Dick V is one of them.

[Go Web Go!]

Juwon Howard just got tossed from the Cavs-Bobcats game. I didn't even know he was on the Bobcats.

The Cavs are up 60-40.

You & me both.

There are very few sports people I would actually say I hate. Dick V is one of them.

I can't stand the guy. It's 5 minutes into the game & I'm tempted to eat a bullet.

[Double Down]

Cavs won 111-81. The Celtics are next.

[Double Down]

The Celtics lost again tonight.

[Mister J]

Awful interior defense from Miami in the 1st half. Great Scott, this team needs a center. Sloppy with the ball too.

Denver's getting great contributions in lieu of Melo's absence. Knock that **** off!

I'm loving the commentary. :applaud

[Mister J]

Pathetic. Entirely and completely bloody pathetic. They just got outworked.

Surprisingly big effort from Marion. Where's that been?

[Silver Knight]

Celtics lose again. What a great week.

[Darthphere]

Celtics losing is a good thing for the Celtics.

[Caped Crusader]

Win streak comes to an end for my Pistons :(

[ih8nyy]

Celtics losing is a good thing for the Celtics.

I hope that is true. They've been really sloppy as of late. That 4th quarter shooting last night was just ugly. 11 points??? Oh well, no biggie it's a marathon not a sprint. If they can't get up for Cleveland and play well then something is def wrong here.

[ih8nyy]

Anyone else see the Story on Yahoo about Kings Rookie Jason Thompson? He kept forgetting to bring bagels and cream cheese to practice for the veterans, so they filled his car with popcorn. Ahhhh rookie hazing. Is there anything more fun than that?

YKP-ysd4VEU

[Silver Knight]

I hope that is true. They've been really sloppy as of late. That 4th quarter shooting last night was just ugly. 11 points??? Oh well, no biggie it's a marathon not a sprint. If they can't get up for Cleveland and play well then something is def wrong here.

True that.

[Trainwreck2100]

Anybody following the Portland/Darius Miles situation the Blazers are threatening legal action to anyone who signs him
The Portland Trail Blazers have issued an unusual warning to rival NBA teams who are thinking about hiring their former player, Darius Miles: Put Miles on the court, say the Blazers, and we may sue you.

"The Portland Trail Blazers will take all necessary steps to safeguard its rights, including, without limitation, litigation,'' wrote Blazers president Larry Miller in an e-mail addressed late Thursday night to all NBA team presidents and general managers. SI.com was provided access to the memo by an NBA team executive.

Miles underwent microfracture surgery to repair his right knee as a member of the Trail Blazers in November 2006. He was released by Portland last April after his injury was judged to be "career-ending'' by an independent medical examiner appointed by the NBA and the players union.

Miles, 27, has attempted a comeback this season, playing a total of eight exhibition and regular-season games with the Boston Celtics and Memphis Grizzlies, who waived him Tuesday to avoid having to guarantee his contract for the rest of the season. The 6-foot-9 Miles had two rebounds and two blocks in seven minutes during his final game with Memphis on Tuesday.
If Miles were to be picked up by an NBA team and play in two more NBA games, his original $9 million salary for this season as well as next season would be reinstated to Portland's official payroll, pushing the Blazers over the luxury tax threshold this season -- costing them millions of dollars -- while hurting their chances to sign a major free agent this summer.

Here is the full text of Miller's statement that was dispatched to rival teams Thursday:

"Team Presidents and General Managers,

"The Portland Trail Blazers are aware that certain teams may be contemplating signing Darius Miles to a contract for the purpose of adversely impacting the Portland Trail Blazers Salary Cap and tax positions. Such conduct from a team would violate its fiduciary duty as an NBA joint venturer. In addition, persons or entities involved in such conduct may be individually liable to the Portland Trail Blazers for tortuously interfering with the Portland Trail Blazers' contract rights and perspective economic opportunities.

"Please be aware that if a team engages in such conduct, the Portland Trail Blazers will take all necessary steps to safeguard its rights, including, without limitation, litigation.''

A team executive said it was "unprecedented'' for an NBA team to threaten a lawsuit against a rival for signing a player who is a free agent.

The executive speculated that Miles may seek legal action of his own against the Blazers, by claiming that Portland is limiting his right to work.

Miles's agent, Jeff Wechsler, said he could not comment Thursday as he had not yet seen Miller's letter.


http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/basketball/nba/01/09/Blazers.Miles/index.html

[Double Down]

That's strange ... but interesting.

[Mister J]

I knew about the Miles 10 game deal, but only found out today that the preseason games counted toward that total.

**** Portland. I hope someone signs Miles and plays him for the two games (likely through a 10-day contract). If not, I hope Miles sues, because this dumbass thinly-veiled threat is impacting his right to work. I could see a number of teams deciding to not want any part of this drama, even if it is a bogus claim. The Blazers wouldn't be pulling this if those preseason games didn't count toward the total.

Miles was an overrated, overpaid and underperforming headcase who appeared only concerned about himself. I didn't want to see anyone pick him up so Portland's cap space wouldn't get jammed; they could make some nice moves and become a real power before next season. However, to hell with all that now. I hope the league office rebukes them for this garbage and Miles is on a roster before the end of next week. *******s. :down

[Go Web Go!]

Miles should give his acting career a second look

[ih8nyy]

Miles should give his acting career a second look

He deserved an oscar nod for his role in Van Wilder.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg277/cpoconnor/vanwilder.jpg

[Go Web Go!]

I preferred him in "The Perfect Score"

[Trainwreck2100]

This whole sign Miles thing makes perfect sense for any team under the cap they sign him to 2 ten day contracts (so it looks legit) and then they get back $250,000 when Portland goes over. Portland is telling other teams to put the Blazers interest over themselves.

[Double Down]

From a RotoWorld columnist:

The Blazers sent out an unprecedented email to the other 29 NBA teams this week threatening legal action if a team signs Darius Miles for the sole intention of burdening the Blazers' financially. If Miles is active for two more games this season the Blazers will have $9 million added to their cap in each of the next two seasons. While I understand the team's goal here, I'm not sure sending out a threatening email to the rest of the league was the right way to go. That may just prompt someone to challenge the Blazers to see if they'll follow through. You don't think that a letter like that isn't an intriguing challenge for a guy like Cuban? He probably got excited when it hit his inbox, sorta like you or I would be if someone had just handed us courtside seats to an NBA game. How do you prove in court that Miles was picked up specifically to hurt the Blazers financially? That's right – you can't. In addition, as the Toronto Star's Doug Smith pointed out this morning, doesn't this clear the way for Miles to file his own grievance against the Blazers for effectively making him untouchable? Blazers' president Larry Miller sent the e-mail and you have to wonder if he had full support on it from Kevin Pritchard.

[Venom'sDad]

He's a free agent... how can Portland win that case. They have the burden of proof... which BTW is not easy to prove intent.

[Double Down]

Portland would not win. In court, they would have to fight that team, the player's union and the NBA.

[Etienne]

Anyone else see the Story on Yahoo about Kings Rookie Jason Thompson? He kept forgetting to bring bagels and cream cheese to practice for the veterans, so they filled his car with popcorn. Ahhhh rookie hazing. Is there anything more fun than that?

YKP-ysd4VEU
I was more surprised that Beno Udrih was at practice and not stuffing his face with breakfast tacos. :hehe: :oldrazz:

[Venom'sDad]

Portland would not win. In court, they would have to fight that team, the player's union and the NBA.

Exactly

[Venom'sDad]

What is everyone's feelings on tonights game between Boston/Cleveland? Personally, I think Boston will rebound tonight and win.

[Double Down]

What is everyone's feelings on tonights game between Boston/Cleveland? Personally, I think Boston will rebound tonight and win.

I really wish Z was playing tonight.

[Double Down]

From a Yahoo columnist:

The Portland Trail Blazers’ threat to possibly sue any team that signs free-agent forward Darius Miles has created a firestorm of reaction around the league.

Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert emailed Blazers president Larry Miller to say he took exception with Portland’s threat.

Yahoo! Sports obtained Gilbert’s email because it was carboned to the rest of the league’s owners and executives.

“With all due respect…although the Cleveland Cavaliers have no interest in signing Darius Miles and will not be signing Darius Miles,” Gilbert wrote, “I find your email quite peculiar from two standpoints:

“1. It’s dead wrong. I believe that all 30 NBA teams were and are fully aware of the terms and provisions of the collective bargaining agreement as to which all teams and the NBA are a party to, including the Portland Trailblazers.

“2. Are legal threats through a mass email the best way to circumvent the known potential consequences that could result from the Trailblazers decisions and actions they took with respect to Darius Miles?

“I fully understand the frustration you and your team’s ownership must be feeling in regards to this situation, but a preemptive threat of ‘litigation’ directed at all of your partners through a group email does not sit well with me and seems to be incongruent with the spirit of keeping a ‘fiduciary duty’ and good ‘partner-like duty’ to your ‘NBA joint venturers.’

“I would think there has got to be a better tactic than this one.”

[Venom'sDad]

Well DD, he's averaging what 13-14 points, about 6 or 7 rebounds, plays about half a game(about 20-25 minutes) I'm not sure he would be missed or not.

[Double Down]

Well DD, he's averaging what 13-14 points, about 6 or 7 rebounds, plays about half a game(about 20-25 minutes) I'm not sure he would be missed or not.

Do you watch every Cavs game? I have watched all but two Cavs games this year. Z is a very important part of the team.
The Cavs have a 24-4 record when Z plays and they are 4-2 without him. I will let you figure out whether he is important.

[gogetter0587]

Do you watch every Cavs game? I have watched all but two Cavs games this year. Z is a very important part of the team.
The Cavs have a 24-4 record when Z plays and they are 4-2 without him. I will let you figure out whether he is important.


Seriously

VERY important to Lebrons success

[Venom'sDad]

Oh DD... i'm not saying he's not important... I just didn't think he was that important. But no, I don't watch every Cavs game, so you no doubt know more than I about the Cavs.

[Double Down]

Oh DD... i'm not saying he's not important... I just didn't think he was that important. But no, I don't watch every Cavs game, so you no doubt know more than I about the Cavs.

When you play a team like the Celtics, you want all of your weapons. Z is one of the most important.

[Venom'sDad]

Yeah... you're certainly right about that

[Mister J]

League Sends a Message About Darius Miles (http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-38-28/League-Sends-a-Message-About-Darius-Miles.html)
The NBA sent an e-mail to NBA teams this morning.

The most obvious information was that as of 10 a.m ET, Darius Miles has cleared waivers and is a free agent.

The less obvious, but most meaningful, part of the message came a sentence or two later:

The NBA has received the email sent last night by Portland to all teams. Under league rules, teams are free to sign Darius Miles to a Uniform Player Contract if they wish to secure his services as a player, and any such contract would be approved by the NBA.

Normally e-mails about players clearing waivers do not have those last ten words, the part about the NBA's approval. That certainly could be interpreted as a signal from the NBA to teams that if they sign Miles, they will have the League's backing over any Portland objection.

ESPN's Chad Ford has already talked to one general manager, who says he took it that exact way: As sign that the League would be supportive of any team that wants Miles to play for them.

Pure conjecture, but I also wonder if the extraneous "if they wish to secure his services as a player" could be a signal the other way -- indicating that signing Darius Miles to a contract not to play him, but to mess with Portland -- would not be so warmly embraced.

Union Vows To Hit Blazers With Grievance (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3822392)
NEW YORK -- The NBA players' association plans to file a grievance against the Portland Trail Blazers, who have threatened litigation against any NBA club considering signing Darius Miles.

The former Trail Blazers forward is attempting a comeback -- a potentially very expensive one for the Blazers -- from major knee surgery.
lastname
Miles

If Miles plays in two more games this season, Portland would be on the hook for $18 million -- the amount remaining on Miles' contract, which would count against Portland's salary cap and force the team to pay luxury tax.

"We are shocked at the brazen attempt by the Portland Trail Blazers to try to prevent Darius Miles from continuing his NBA career," players' association director Billy Hunter said in a statement.

"Their attempt to intimidate the other 29 NBA teams by threatening frivolous litigation merely for signing this capable NBA veteran is a clear violation of the anti-collusion and other provisions of our Collective Bargaining Agreement. We will vigorously defend Darius' rights."
Greg Oden's old-guy look, explained at last:
http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/8464/eptsportsnbaexperts9857hu1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

:lmao:

[Venom'sDad]

That's how you know the econnmy is bad ^

[Docker2.0]

I'm surprised teams haven't figured out that Lebron CAN'T POST UP! He's a great player and is strong going to the basket and outside shooter, but with the guns this guy has, he has no moves downlow at all.

[Double Down]

I really enjoyed that win tonight.

[Silver Knight]

Cavs are whipping the Celtics.

YEAH BOY!

[Go Web Go!]

Say what you want about the season being a marathon, but there's some trouble a-brewin' in Beantown.

[Silver Knight]

Say what you want about the season being a marathon, but there's some trouble a-brewin' in Beantown.

Cavs really want home court in the playoffs. Thats the only reason they lost to Boston last year.

[Mister J]

Boston has lost 7 out of 10 and 4 straight. Yikes.

Good to see James Jones finally take the court for the Heat. :up:
It'd be even better if the team decided they were going to play any ****ing defense tonight.

[Docker2.0]

Cleveland's biggest threat in the east is going to be Orlando, who continue to win and noone even mentions these guys! Plus every team goes through these stretches and soone or later, Cleveland will as well.

[Silver Knight]

Cleveland's biggest threat in the east is going to be Orlando, who continue to win and noone even mentions these guys! Plus every team goes through these stretches and soone or later, Cleveland will as well.

Cavs got the East on lock.

[Go Web Go!]

Nearly choked that one away, but Wade & Co. closed it out in OT. Nice game by Beasley as well.

[Mister J]

I'm actually tired after that one.

Supreme effort by Wade, Beaz with 23/10 on his birthday. Hardly a hallmark win, coming against a bad team, but it's good for a young team tough that one out. Needed it too having dropped the last 2 and going to L'Centre Staples next.

[Double Down]

The Grizzlies have signed Darius Miles to a ten-day contract.

[Silver Knight]

How old is Wade now? 25?

[Go Web Go!]

The Grizzlies have signed Darius Miles to a ten-day contract.

Good. Suck on that one, Portland.

[ih8nyy]

Cavs really want home court in the playoffs. Thats the only reason they lost to Boston last year.

That and they didn't score more points and 4 out of the 7 games. :oldrazz:

[ih8nyy]

The Grizzlies have signed Darius Miles to a ten-day contract.

Good for them. I hope he plays 2 games and gets cut. Screw Portland.

[Darthphere]

I don't think we should be that worried about the Celtics.

[Silver Knight]

Good. Suck on that one, Portland.
Your hate for Portland is strong. Why is that?

[Darthphere]

Because what they're doing is incredibly *******ish.

[Double Down]

Sending out that letter was incredibly stupid. They basically dared other teams to do it.

[ih8nyy]

I don't think we should be that worried about the Celtics.

Why panic until playoff time? No big deal. They are 29-9, the only reason some people are panicing are cause they have lost 4 in a row and what 7 of the last 10. If those loses were spread out nobody would be talking about it. They'll be fine in the long run.

Sending out that letter was incredibly stupid. They basically dared other teams to do it.

Yes it was. You can't take legal action against a team cause you said Miles injury was a career ender when it turned out your information was wrong. They should have done more homework on this one. It's there own darn fault.

To quote Airplane: "Shanna, they bought their tickets, they knew what they were getting into. I say, let 'em crash."

[Go Web Go!]

Your hate for Portland is strong. Why is that?

There's no hate. It's just a real idiot (& unprofessional) move by the Blazers to send out a chain e-mail to the 29 other teams in the league telling them not to sign Miles...or else. Who does that? They're going to regret making any threats of taking 'litigation' for several reasons.

1. The NBA isn't going to block Miles from signing elsewhere.
2. The Players Union is going to file a greivance
3. Miles is likely going to take legal action of his own

Not to mention how bad this looks on Blazers management. I'm glad that Cavs owner Dan Gilbert responded to that e-mail & hope he wasn't the only one:

“With all due respect…although the Cleveland Cavaliers have no interest in signing Darius Miles and will not be signing Darius Miles,” Gilbert wrote, “I find your email quite peculiar from two standpoints:

“1. It’s dead wrong. I believe that all 30 NBA teams were and are fully aware of the terms and provisions of the collective bargaining agreement as to which all teams and the NBA are a party to, including the Portland Trailblazers.

“2. Are legal threats through a mass email the best way to circumvent the known potential consequences that could result from the Trailblazers decisions and actions they took with respect to Darius Miles?

“I fully understand the frustration you and your team’s ownership must be feeling in regards to this situation, but a preemptive threat of ‘litigation’ directed at all of your partners through a group email does not sit well with me and seems to be incongruent with the spirit of keeping a ‘fiduciary duty’ and good ‘partner-like duty’ to your ‘NBA joint venturers.’

“I would think there has got to be a better tactic than this one.”

[Venom'sDad]

I wish the Lakers sign him to a Ten-Day Deal and play him 4 minutes a game for just two games. That would be "Priceless".

[Go Web Go!]

He signed with Memphis late last night incase you missed it ;)

[Venom'sDad]

He signed with Memphis late last night incase you missed it ;)

I must have because I thought Memphis just let him go, yesterday.

[Etienne]

The Grizzlies have signed Darius Miles to a ten-day contract.
:funny: It's like their doing it just to **** with the Blazers. Never mind, that's exactly why their doing it.

[MoPlaYa]

I hope D Miles plays his 2 more games.

[fu manchu]

i hope one of those games are against the blazers.

[Venom'sDad]

LOL... yeah, that would be sweet

[Silver Knight]

I hope D Miles plays his 2 more games.
He will.

[Go Web Go!]

i hope one of those games are against the blazers.

That'd be great, but they don't play the Blazers until after the All-Star break. :csad:

[MoPlaYa]

When is the Trade Deadline?

[Lobo]

Feb. 19

[Mister J]

The game was there for the taking, but LA's frontcourt is just too damn big. Better stated, Miami needs a center ...badly.

[Go Web Go!]

They did have a quite a few opportunities down the stretch to build on a 1 or 2 point lead, but they couldn't nail shots or free throws when they needed them most. It was also nice to see Beasley come alive for 14 in the 4th. That's what they drafted him for.

You gotta like the fact that Miami's hanging with teams that are far better than they are & winning some of those games as well. They just really need to learn how to close games out - and a big man, likle you said J. Zo couldn't make his comeback soon enough. They need to close this road trip out on a high note, even with back to backs. They're playing some bad teams. If they can hang (& beat) the good teams, they need to just that with the Minnesota's & Milwaukee's of the world.

[Go Web Go!]

Saw this & thought it was funny. Pretty much sums up Marion's time in Miami.

LOS ANGELES -- As it turns out, Heat forward Shawn Marion wasn't benched during the fourth quarter and overtime of Miami's victory Friday night at Sacramento.

Instead, he was a forgotten man.

Marion said he spoke with coach Erik Spoelstra about the end of Friday's game, and both agreed that Marion's absence was an oversight.

''[Spoelstra] said he forgot about me,'' Marion said before Sunday's game against the Lakers.

``Mistakes happen. It wasn't supposed to happen. He said the team that was out there, they were on a run. Might as well see if they could finish.''

The Heat finished Friday's game with Mario Chalmers, Dwyane Wade, Daequan Cook, Michael Beasley and Udonis Haslem.

Spoelstra said Marion handled the situation professionally.

''He was great,'' Spoelstra said. 'We talked, and he said, `Hey, no worries.' He was up there cheering and encouraging his teammates. It's about the team, and sometimes it's going to be a different mix.''

[Double Down]

^ Ouch.

[Silver Knight]

There might be a big trade in the works involveing the Mavs, Bobcats and the Thunder..

[Go Web Go!]

Care to elaborate there, friend?

[Silver Knight]

Care to elaborate there, friend?
Sure, friend.

Raymond Felton, Nazr Mohammed and Sean May from Charlotte to Dallas.
Watson and Diop to the Bobcats and Stackhouse and a 2nd rounder to the Thunder.

[Mister J]

Three-Way Felton Trade Now 'Dormant' (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3826213&campaign=rss&source=NBAHeadlines)
The Charlotte Bobcats, Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder put the pieces in place for a three-team trade late last week, but NBA front-office sources said Sunday that those talks have gone "dormant."

Sources told ESPN.com that the full deal, as originally constructed, would have sent Raymond Felton, Nazr Mohammed and Sean May from Charlotte to Dallas, landed Earl Watson and Dallas' DeSagana Diop with the Bobcats and shipped Jerry Stackhouse to the Thunder along with a future second-round pick.

The Boston Globe reported in its Sunday editions that a trade headlined by Felton and Watson was "in the works," but sources with knowledge of the talks told ESPN.com on Friday and again Sunday that the discussions have gone quiet.

"Dormant is a good word," one source said.

It was unclear Sunday night if the trade can still be resurrected or revised, but sources say one impediment is an injury suffered in Tuesday's victory over Boston by Bobcats rookie guard D.J. Augustin, which could suddenly make Charlotte reluctant to part with Felton. Augustin is expected to miss at least 10 days after he aggravated the abdominal injury in Saturday's victory over Washington.
They've been babbling about this since last week.

[Mister J]

They did have a quite a few opportunities down the stretch to build on a 1 or 2 point lead, but they couldn't nail shots or free throws when they needed them most. It was also nice to see Beasley come alive for 14 in the 4th. That's what they drafted him for.

You gotta like the fact that Miami's hanging with teams that are far better than they are & winning some of those games as well. They just really need to learn how to close games out - and a big man, likle you said J. Zo couldn't make his comeback soon enough. They need to close this road trip out on a high note, even with back to backs. They're playing some bad teams. If they can hang (& beat) the good teams, they need to just that with the Minnesota's & Milwaukee's of the world.
There seriously does not need to be a time when neither Wade or Beasley is on the floor. Mike has played some damn good ball, in all phases, as of late.

I was looking for Magloire down the stretch. He was the only thing at the 5 that didn't let Gasol or Bynum play volleyball on the damn offensive glass. I suppose it is a good sign that I'm getting greedy with how competitive they've been in games against good teams. A couple of moves by Feb. 19 and this thing could really be fun.

[Double Down]

CP3 will win the MVP. Mark my words.

Shut up. Cavs suck, dude.

Cavs got the East on lock.


Well, which is it?

[Go Web Go!]

Sure, friend.

Raymond Felton, Nazr Mohammed and Sean May from Charlotte to Dallas.
Watson and Diop to the Bobcats and Stackhouse and a 2nd rounder to the Thunder.

Jesus Christ monkey balls had this trade gone down. Flat out robbery. WTF is Jordan doing? Seriously. Why he isn't mentioned in the same breath as Kevin McHale as one of the worst player personnel guys in the league is beyond me. I mean, I don't personally think either of the 3 players Dallas would have acquired are anything better than "Meh", at least at this point, but still.

[Go Web Go!]

Well, which is it?

Ha.

[Docker2.0]

I think Jordan wants to get rid of May cuase of his weight and lack of effort, Muhammed cuase of his contract, and Felton becuase of his bad attitude. And before some people say what bad attitude, I dare you to watch a Bobcats game and a Bobcat player miss a shot.....any shot. Felton tends to not hide his feelings well when it comes to other's mistakes. Now he's probably this way cuase he wants to win but still I'd be po.

[Mister J]

Chris Paul is noted to brandish the same type of behavior. The only difference is he's a star and plays for a better team. If Charlotte was putting up 50 wins/season, people would hold that attitude as laudable. A change of scenery will probably do Raymond good anyway.

[fu manchu]

That'd be great, but they don't play the Blazers until after the All-Star break. :csad:

Feb. 18 to be exact.

[empire]

That Cavs/Celtics game last Friday was awesome. First time ever I rooted for the Cavs.

BTW, those uni's they wore made them look like GSW. For a sec' there, I thought, "WTF is GS doing playing the Celts".

[Raiden]

It appears that Lakers may lose Sasha for their two games in Texas against Rockets and Spurs. These mounting injuries are really thinning out their bench, and Lakers will have to face Magic and then Cavs after their Texas trip. I hope the players will be prepared for the challenge ahead.

[Docker2.0]

That Cavs/Celtics game last Friday was awesome. First time ever I rooted for the Cavs.

BTW, those uni's they wore made them look like GSW. For a sec' there, I thought, "WTF is GS doing playing the Celts".

Glad someone brought up that Celtics game. I realized that KG didn't post up at all that game. No wonder they are losing! You have a 6'14 guy taking jumpshots! :cmad: And yeah, I meant to say 6'14! If you think Garnett isn't 7'2 then I have swamp land I want to sell you. :o

[Silver Knight]

Anyone see those pics of LeBron in a Browns jersey? Dude looks like a monster..

[Asgard]

http://www.nypost.com/seven/01122009/news/regionalnews/knicks_sex_scandal_shock_149861.htm
Knicks center Eddy Curry was slapped with a shocking sex-harassment suit Monday by his former driver, who claims the 6-foot-11 hoopster tried to solicit gay sex from him.

The stunning court papers claim Curry, a married father of three, repeatedly approached chauffeur David Kuchinsky "in the nude," allegedly telling him, "Look at me, Dave, look" and "Come and touch it, Dave."

Curry also made Kuchinsky perform "humiliating tasks outside the scope of his employment, such as cleaning up and removing dirty towels [Curry had ejaculated into] so that his wife would not see them," the Manhattan federal court suit says.

Kuchinsky, who is straight and Jewish, also alleges racial discrimination, saying that Curry hurled slurs at him including "f---ing Jew," "cracker," "white slave," "white devil" and "grandmaster of the KKK."

The sex allegations hark back to the bad old days of Isiah Thomas running the team, when the team's VP of marketing, Anucha Browne Sanders, filed a 2006 sexual harassment suit claiming the general manager made advances toward her and even said he "loved" her. He also allegedly called her "ho" and "*****."

She also complained the team was allowed to become a sleazy old-boys club, in which Stephon Marbury had sex with a female intern in an SUV. In the end, Sanders was awarded $11.6 million in punitive damages and the Knicks settled with her.

And in a disturbing episode reminiscent of some of the evidence in the manslaughter case against former Nets star Jayson Williams, Kuchinsky further claims in his suit that Curry pointed a "fully loaded" gun at him on at least two separate occasions to keep him from complaining about his treatment.

"Look, I have one in the chamber," Curry allegedly said.

Kuchinsky, who worked for Curry from October 2005 through October 2008, says he was initially hired as an around-the-clock chauffeur for Curry and his family at their Burr Ridge, Ill., mansion.

But shortly after starting work, he soon found his duties fell well outside his job description and "progressively became Curry's "house-boy,'" his suit says. He is seeking $98,000 plus compensatory damages from the injured Knick, whose contract pays him $9.4 million this year.

Kuchinsky says he is owed $68,000 in unpaid wages, as well as $25,000 in expenses for which Curry never repaid him.

"Instead of paying him, they discriminated against him, figuring that it would keep him there," said Kuchinsky's lawyer, Matthew Blit. "Imagine going into your boss's office ... and he stands up and drops his pants and he asks you take care of him. Those actions are unacceptable whether it's in a corporate office or a private home."

Curry, who has played just 2 minutes, 38 seconds this season because of knee injuries, declined to comment late Monday in New Orleans, where he was expected to sit out the Knicks' game against the Hornets.

His lawyer, Kelly Saindon, denied all of Kuchinsky's allegations, calling them "absolutely untrue," and saying he began making a series of claims for unpaid wages several months ago, upping the ante each time.

Saindon said Curry took a chance on hiring Kuchinsky despite a criminal record that includes a three-year prison sentence for a 1992 burglary in New Jersey. He also got three years' probation in a 2004 resisting-arrest case in the Garden State, records show.

"It's shocking that Eddy opened his home to a convicted felon out of prison, and gave him a job when he couldn't find a job, and this is what comes out of it," she said. "The entire thing is preposterous."

Kuchinsky's lawyer conceded his client's "troubled past," but said that was all behind him.

Additional reporting by Marc Berman
What is it with the Knicks and sexual harrassment as of late?

I love how Eddy Curry allegedly refers to Kuchinsky as white slave and grandmaster of the KKK.

I laughed out loud at "Look at me Dave, look" and "Come and touch it Dave"

[Double Down]

I'm withholding judgment on this. It may prove to be true, but there are so many people looking to get paid. Would it surprise anyone if he tried to blackmail Curry and failed?

[Venom'sDad]

http://www.nypost.com/seven/01122009/news/regionalnews/knicks_sex_scandal_shock_149861.htm

What is it with the Knicks and sexual harrassment as of late?

I love how Eddy Curry allegedly refers to Kuchinsky as white slave and grandmaster of the KKK.

I laughed out loud at "Look at me Dave, look" and "Come and touch it Dave"

Key word here... ALLEGED. Let's not assume anything.

[ih8nyy]

http://www.nypost.com/seven/01122009/news/regionalnews/knicks_sex_scandal_shock_149861.htm

What is it with the Knicks and sexual harrassment as of late?

I love how Eddy Curry allegedly refers to Kuchinsky as white slave and grandmaster of the KKK.

I laughed out loud at "Look at me Dave, look" and "Come and touch it Dave"

Yes I heard that on the drive in this AM and I spat coffee out laughing.

Key word here... ALLEGED. Let's not assume anything.

You know what happens when you assume....... you make an a** out of U & Me.

[Mister J]

League Blocked Blazers' Bid To Claim Miles (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-milesupdate011209&prov=yhoo&type=lgns)
Before the Portland Trail Blazers resorted to a threatening email to frighten rival NBA teams from signing Darius Miles, team officials late last week made a brazen bid to claim the forward off waivers only to be stopped by the league, multiple front-office sources told Yahoo! Sports.

So determined to salvage the salary cap space that would come with the foiling of Miles’ comeback from a devastating knee injury, Portland president Larry Miller and general manager Kevin Pritchard apparently were willing to stash Miles on the sideline and keep him away from other NBA teams.

In denying the Blazers’ move to control Miles, NBA front-office sources say that league executives in New York denied the waiver claim because they believed the Blazers were merely trying to circumvent league salary cap rules.

Once the NBA rejected Portland’s waiver claim, Miller sent an unprecedented threat of legal action for any team that signed Miles as a free agent. Several league executives were aware of the bid on Miles and reacted angrily over what they considered hypocrisy.
Wow. I've said this before, but **** Portland.

[Go Web Go!]

According to NBA Insider Sam Smith, there could be a big trade that could go down in the upcoming days. Steve Nash from Phoenix to Toronto

The Deal could look like this:

Steve Nash, Leandro Barbosa, and Robin Lopez to Toronto for Jose Calderon, Andrea Bargnani, Anthony Parker, Jason Kapono and possibly Jamario Moon. Although right now this is rumor and speculation.

[Venom'sDad]

Interesting... cutting salary maybe

[Mister J]

Smith's track record isn't all that great. I've begun to ignore most of the rumors he circulates unless they originate elsewhere.

[Etienne]

According to NBA Insider Sam Smith, there could be a big trade that could go down in the upcoming days. Steve Nash from Phoenix to Toronto

The Deal could look like this:

Steve Nash, Leandro Barbosa, and Robin Lopez to Toronto for Jose Calderon, Andrea Bargnani, Anthony Parker, Jason Kapono and possibly Jamario Moon. Although right now this is rumor and speculation.
EDIT: Interesting

[Go Web Go!]

I know it's only 3 minutes into the game, but this Minnesota crowd is as rowdy as it would get at a Vanilla Ice concert.

[Go Web Go!]

Smith's track record isn't all that great. I've begin to ignore most of the rumors he circulates unless they originate elsewhere.

This is true. The guy is notorious for starting rumors (like Wade being shopped by the Heat) & pulling stories out of his ass. This just may be another example, but I thought I'd share after seeing it on another board.

[LastSunrise1981]

According to NBA Insider Sam Smith, there could be a big trade that could go down in the upcoming days. Steve Nash from Phoenix to Toronto

The Deal could look like this:

Steve Nash, Leandro Barbosa, and Robin Lopez to Toronto for Jose Calderon, Andrea Bargnani, Anthony Parker, Jason Kapono and possibly Jamario Moon. Although right now this is rumor and speculation.

Hmm, interesting. That would really hurt Phoenix though and I doubt Shaq would want to stay if Nash left.

Would be nice if we got Nash back though. :cwink:

[Mister J]

Decent road win against a surprisingly streaking T'Wolves squad. I'm still waiting to see what fruit a Wade/Cook/Jones setup can bring. What the deuce is up with the latter two?

Randy Foye is starting to show some of the promise he had coming out of Villanova. He was ridiculous in the 4th.

All this trade talk is agreeing with Raymond Felton. He looked pretty good against Detroit tonight.

[Double Down]

L. James: 30 Pts, 11 Reb, 10 Ast

The Cavs win, and the Pistons lose to the Bobcats. Great night. :up:

[Mister J]

I see Orlando hit a couple of 3-pointers last night. Jeebus.

[ih8nyy]

I see Orlando hit a couple of 3-pointers last night. Jeebus.

They hit one or two.

[Mister J]

Time To Address Which Players Might Change Zip Codes (http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/11255525#)

Last February gave us Shaquille O'Neal, Shawn Marion, Mike Bibby and Jason Kidd changing teams in the days and weeks leading up to the trade deadline. Then there was Cleveland's three-team, 11-player blockbuster that reshaped LeBron James' supporting cast and became the impetus for the final piece -- Mo Williams -- to be acquired during the summer.

Buckle up for another wild six weeks of speculation, rumors, scenarios, proposals and stunners. You never know, some of them might actually happen before the Feb. 19 deadline.

If November, December and January were any indication, this could be one of the wildest trading periods in recent NBA history. The Nuggets traded a Hall of Famer (Allen Iverson), the Knicks cleared out their top two scorers (Zach Randolph, Jamal Crawford) with an eye on 2010 cap space, and the Suns sent Raja Bell and Boris Diaw to Charlotte for Jason Richardson ... all before Christmas. The first two weeks of 2009 have brought an influx of money-driven deals -- teams like Denver and Miami maneuvering under the punitive luxury tax, and the penny-pinching Clippers offering to make just about any trade that will bring cash in return.

Now it's time for the serious wheeling and dealing to begin. Most team executives believe at least a dozen players will change teams in the next six weeks. Falling revenue and league-wide fear about the economy could push that number higher as teams try to cut costs to make up for empty or heavily discounted seats -- not to mention years of largesse -- while simultaneously gearing up for the next two sparkling free-agent classes.

If you play for the Oklahoma City Thunder, for example, you should rent, not buy. Earl Watson thought he was headed to Dallas last week in a three-team trade in which the cap-clearing Thunder would get Jerry Stackhouse and likely buy him out to create even more room to go free-agent shopping next summer. Nick Collison, Chucky Atkins (who just got to OKC in a trade with Denver) and Joe Smith (an annual trade-deadline favorite) all could be on the move, too.

"This is a young team, a team in transition," Watson said after the Thunder lost to the Nets 103-99 in overtime Monday night, falling to 6-33. Watson said he told his agent, Dan Fegan, "'Don't call me unless I'm moving.' We talk about everything, but when it comes to that, I don't want to hear about scenarios because then you get into the waiting game."

So we don't need to wait any longer before revealing our list of the 10 players most likely to be traded before the deadline. We'll exclude Watson, Stackhouse, and DeSagana Diop, who still could be part of a reworked scenario once Charlotte's D.J. Augustin is ready to return from an abdominal injury that contributed to scuttling the Raymond Felton deal.

Here's the rest of the NBA's most appetizing trade bait. Bon appétit:

1. Shawn Marion, Heat: League insiders have been trying to figure out Miami's intentions with Marion for a couple of months. But every team executive I speak with now has the same impression: Marion is being seriously shopped.

No player finds himself in a more perfect trade storm -- a mammoth ($17.2 million) expiring contract combined with versatile talent on both ends of the floor that could push a contending team over the top or a borderline playoff team into the postseason. Marion, of course, could do the same for the Heat, but things obviously aren't working out in Miami. Marion's predicament is such that he was relieved to learn coach Erik Spoelstra hadn't benched him in the fourth quarter last Friday in Sacramento. Nope, Spoelstra just forgot Marion was on the team.

2. Mike Miller, Timberwolves: Who wouldn't want a 28-year-old, 40-percent career 3-point shooter on a short contract? The Timberwolves, who are heading nowhere but the lottery with or without him. Miller is getting healthy again after missing time with an ankle injury, and his shooting touch will be in demand. The Knicks need someone to make 3s to free up Mike D'Antoni's system, and Miller's contract ($9.75 million next season) satisfies the Knicks' desire not to add long-term money.

Just thinking out loud here, but couldn't the Celtics use Miller's shooting touch off the bench with losses and injuries mounting? If Doc Rivers could find a way to hide Miller's defensive deficiencies, his shooting and rebounding could be just what Boston needs to replace James Posey. Miller turns 29 on Feb. 19. What could be a better birthday present than a trade to the defending champs?

3. Raef LaFrentz, Trail Blazers: One thing is certain -- the Blazers will make a trade before the deadline, especially now that they're motivated by the financial implications of the Darius Miles debacle. And if the Blazers are dealing, LaFrentz will somehow be involved. His $12.7 million expiring contract is insured, making it even more appealing.

In addition to LaFrentz, the Blazers could package Travis Outlaw, Sergio Rodriguez, Jerryd Bayless and/or Channing Frye in a big deal.

4. David Lee, Knicks: This is just simple math. The Knicks can't clear the cap space necessary to make a run at LeBron James and/or Chris Bosh in two summers and re-sign Lee at $8 million to $10 million a year. "They will trade him," an Eastern Conference GM told me. It's just a matter of when.

Donnie Walsh is as shrewd and patient as they come. So if he doesn't get the ideal offer before the deadline -- say, a first-round pick to replenish the one going to Utah in 2010 from the ill-fated Stephon Marbury trade, plus a young player -- he'll wait until the summer and do a sign-and-trade.

5. Charlie Villanueva, Bucks: Milwaukee GM John Hammond would prefer not to trade Villanueva. But reality is what it is: The Bucks can't afford to re-sign both Villanueva and Ramon Sessions. One of them has to go, and Villanueva is a versatile, established presence who is attractive to a lot of teams. He's also a restricted free agent after the season, so a summer sign-and-trade is a possibility.

6. Luther Head, Rockets: If not for the Rockets' persistent injuries, Head would be gone by now. He's eager to find a new team because there aren't enough minutes for him in Houston with Rafer Alston and Aaron Brooks at the point. The Nets are looking for a backup point guard, so New Jersey could be a fit.

7. Rashad McCants, Timberwolves: Randy Wittman made McCants a reluctant sixth man, and his role hasn't changed much under Kevin McHale. McCants becomes a restricted free agent in July. His best chance to increase his value would be to find a new team before the deadline and prove he finally is ready to tap into his potential.

8. Gerald Wallace, Bobcats: Seen this story before. Larry Brown falls in love with Player X; persuades Team Executive Y not to trade him. Brown quickly falls out of love with Player X; inflicts a punitive benching on him (in the fourth quarter Saturday against Washington).

Wallace is expected to be actively shopped before the deadline, but economics stand in the way. Wallace's contract extends beyond the summer of LeBron and also beyond the current collective bargaining agreement, with big numbers -- $10.7 million in 2011-12 and $11.4 million in '12-13.

9. Josh Howard, Mavericks: Off-the-court distractions notwithstanding, the Mavericks finally appear ready to move Howard. Word throughout the league is that the Mavs are talking to everybody about everything, and Howard figures to be a pawn in every discussion. Despite his damaged reputation, Howard is low-risk; his contract has a team option for 2010-11.

10. Jermaine O'Neal, Raptors: Toronto is eager to make a high-impact trade and show Bosh it'll be worth sticking around. Yes, $23 million next season for a declining player is a mammoth number to move. But it's no coincidence that former No. 1 overall pick Andrea Bargnani has come on lately, shooting 53 percent over his last eight games with five 20-point games. The eight-game stretch coincides with O'Neal being out with a right knee injury instead of on the floor, clogging up the offense.

Latest word off the grapevine, which hasn't really amounted to jack squat, is J. O'Neal for Marion. Let us get rid of Marcus Banks' albatross of a contract and it's a go for me. Banks actually fits in with the rumored design for Toronto to get younger and more athletic on the wing. Just don't ask him to run the offense.

[Darthphere]

We need a big man, and we needed him 3 months ago.

[Mister J]

The Daily Dose: Houston Grows Weary of Waiting on T-Mac (http://www.nba.com/2009/news/features/01/13/daily.dose.011309/)
If this were someone else, it probably wouldn't be that big of a deal. But it's McGrady, who disclosed on the Rockets' media day, four months after his May knee surgery, that the knee was about "75, 80 percent," and also said he would probably need shoulder surgery after the '08-09 season was over, despite having had that cleaned out in the offseason, too.

Hence, no offseason conditioning program.

The Rockets are putting a positive spin on this, but Waiting for Tracy is a play that nobody in Houston wants to see anymore -- up to and including the big man, Yao Ming.

"They don't speak," an extremely plugged-in person tells me. "And Yao wants him out."

That's not likely this season, as McGrady's $20.3 million is toxic to too many teams' luxury tax plans. Next summer, though, when McGrady will have an expiring, $22.4 million contract, teams may well circle the Rockets looking to make a deal.

It's not personal between Yao and McGrady. They like one another. But Yao's frustration is real. And Yao is not the only person that's grown tired of McGrady's self-diagnosis, his up-to-the-last-minute decisions on whether he'll play or not. This isn't questioning his toughness; McGrady took a bunch of pain-killing shots just to get through the first round of the playoffs. And it's unfair of anyone to judge McGrady on his ability to play well in pain; some can, some can't. Ron Artest wanted to keep playing on what the team is now calling a "stress reaction" in his ankle after gutting it out for a month, but he's been shut down for a week to 10 days.
I don't know how accurate this is and I don't care. :lmao:

Also, from the Department of Random News That Makes Me Laugh, Darius Miles put up 13 points in 13 minutes last night and only needs only more game to **** up Portland's cap situation. :lmao:

[Go Web Go!]

McGrady's a good player, but he's not worth waiting around on year after year. The Rockets can be good with Yao & Artest if it came down to it. I'd say trade him and make sure you get a couple of solid pieces to your puzzle in return.

[Mister J]

Next year is more likely to move him, but I don't know how much quality they could get in return. The guy is perpetually hurt and underachieving during winning time.

Given that Wade was far below superhuman, surprising win tonight. Best Miami bench play I've seen in ages. They can finish this road trip with a winning record.

[Double Down]

Spurs up by eight over the Lakers after three quarters. It would be nice to see the Lakers lose. That would give the Cavs the best record in the NBA. :up:

And the Pistons lost again. :up: :up:

[Bond]

Muck the Favericks.

[Mister J]

Chris Paul nearly showed Jason Kidd what a quadruple-double looks like, putting up 33 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds and seven steals in the New Orleans Hornets' 104-97 victory over the slumping Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night.
Mercy.

[Bunker]

How many all-star votes does CP3 have?

Not that it matters...

[NewYorkSpider]

Great game in San Antonio.

[Double Down]

Fantastic finish. ^

[Venom'sDad]

:(:(:(

[Mister J]

I only caught it from about midway through the 4th, but that was a damn entertaining ending.

[NewYorkSpider]

I'm surprised they didn't call a 5 second violation on Bonner. It was very close.

[Double Down]

How many all-star votes does CP3 have?

Not that it matters...

Paul trails McGrady in the All-Star balloting by more than 150,000 votes. Obviously, Kobe is a lock to be the other starter at guard.

[Double Down]

The Cavs have the best record in the NBA.

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g39/doubledown44/hapdance.gif http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g39/doubledown44/excited.gif

[Etienne]

Great game in San Antonio.

Fantastic finish. ^
Wow. :wow:

[NewYorkSpider]

The Cavs have the best record in the NBA.

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g39/doubledown44/hapdance.gif http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g39/doubledown44/excited.gif

:up:

They have a big test coming up Monday night when they head to Los Angeles. Should be a good game.

[Double Down]

:up:

They have a big test coming up Monday night when they head to Los Angeles. Should be a good game.

Since Z will still be out, hopefully Big Ben will be back to health by then.

[NewYorkSpider]

Since Z will still be out, hopefully Big Ben will be back to health by then.

I've been hearing rumors for awhile now about Cleveland trading for Gerald Wallace of the Bobcats. It would probably have to be done with a three way trade though. I said in the off-season that he would've been a great addition to the lineup. I think cap room prevented the Cavs from persuing him.

[empire]

Tuff lost for my Lakers. Defense gotta get better and we need Farmar, Walton, and The Machine back. :cmad::cmad::cmad:

[Double Down]

I've been hearing rumors for awhile now about Cleveland trading for Gerald Wallace of the Bobcats. It would probably have to be done with a three way trade though. I said in the off-season that he would've been a great addition to the lineup. I think cap room prevented the Cavs from persuing him.

There is a radio host in Cleveland named Michael Reghi. You may have heard of him, as he did the Cavs cable broadcasts as of three years ago (and he is still in good with the team). Anyway, he broke down what the Cavs are likely to do:
1. Nothing (why mess with team chemistry)
2. Go for Marcus Camby
3. Go for Brad Miller
4. Go for Mike Miller
5. Go for Joe Smith
6. Make another run at Michael Redd

It seems like if they do anything, it most likely will be to get another big man. The problem is that teams are asking for JJ Hickson and/or Daniel Gibson in addition to Wally and his expiring contract. The Cavs are really high on both Hickson and Gibson, and Gibson is like LeBron's little brother (so you know he isn't going anywhere). I think I'd prefer they not do anything, unless they could get Miller for Wally, pretty much straight up.

[NewYorkSpider]

There is a radio host in Cleveland named Michael Reghi. You may have heard of him, as he did the Cavs cable broadcasts as of three years ago (and he is still in good with the team). Anyway, he broke down what the Cavs are likely to do:
1. Nothing (why mess with team chemistry)
2. Go for Marcus Camby
3. Go for Brad Miller
4. Go for Mike Miller
5. Go for Joe Smith
6. Make another run at Michael Redd

It seems like if they do anything, it most likely will be to get another big man. The problem is that teams are asking for JJ Hickson and/or Daniel Gibson in addition to Wally and his expiring contract. The Cavs are really high on both Hickson and Gibson, and Gibson is like LeBron's little brother (so you know he isn't going anywhere). I think I'd prefer they not do anything, unless they could get Miller for Wally, pretty much straight up.

If we trade for Camby, we'll probably going to have to give up Wally and a first round draft pick. I kinda like where they're at for the moment. Having the best team in the league, we shouldn't mess with anything. There's also been talk about trading for Dunleavy. I don't know what Larry Bird's motive is in Indiana.

[Double Down]

If we trade for Camby, we'll probably going to have to give up Wally and a first round draft pick. I kinda like where they're at for the moment. Having the best team in the league, we shouldn't mess with anything. There's also been talk about trading for Dunleavy. I don't know what Larry Bird's motive is in Indiana.

I don't want to mess with anything either, unless some team wants to give us a gift, a la Gasol.

[Double Down]

Let's just say it's safe to assume that the much talked about Mike Conley (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/8017)-for-Travis Outlaw (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4380) deal between Memphis and Portland will always be met with a telephone busy signal from here on out. The Grizzlies (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4569) signing Darius Miles (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4253) to a 10-day contract Saturday with the potential to adversely affect Portland's salary cap likely ends any chance the two teams will ever deal in the future. But that doesn't mean Conley is now untouchable. The Grizzlies (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4569) and Milwaukee Bucks (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4555) have talked about a deal that could send Conley to Wisconsin for guard Ramon Sessions (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/7947) and swingman Joe Alexander. It is not known what other components, if any, are in the proposed trade but a deal would work under NBA rules with those three players. A deal involving Conley appears more imminent now than ever because his most ardent supporters within the organization no longer fight for his stay in Beale Street Blue. The Griz turned down a deal before the start of the season that would have sent Conley to Portland for swingman Travis Outlaw (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4380). Memphis tried to revive those trade talks to no avail.
Memphis Commercial Appeal (http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/jan/11/grizzlies-mike-conley-still-on-trading-block/)


I know the Cavs were very interested in Conley before the draft. But I haven't really seen him play. Is he not doing well?

[LastSunrise1981]

Damn, Dallas is really in a major slump. Chris Paul is a beast on the floor and is probably the best pure point guard in the NBA today. The man is just amazing to watch and while he tore Dallas a new one, he's still fun to watch and I have nothing but respect for him.

If he continues to play like this he'll definitely win the MVP this year.

Hate that Dallas is struggling to get wins though. :csad:

[Mister J]

Let's just say it's safe to assume that the much talked about Mike Conley (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/8017)-for-Travis Outlaw (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4380) deal between Memphis and Portland will always be met with a telephone busy signal from here on out. The Grizzlies (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4569) signing Darius Miles (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4253) to a 10-day contract Saturday with the potential to adversely affect Portland's salary cap likely ends any chance the two teams will ever deal in the future. But that doesn't mean Conley is now untouchable. The Grizzlies (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4569) and Milwaukee Bucks (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4555) have talked about a deal that could send Conley to Wisconsin for guard Ramon Sessions (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/7947) and swingman Joe Alexander. It is not known what other components, if any, are in the proposed trade but a deal would work under NBA rules with those three players. A deal involving Conley appears more imminent now than ever because his most ardent supporters within the organization no longer fight for his stay in Beale Street Blue. The Griz turned down a deal before the start of the season that would have sent Conley to Portland for swingman Travis Outlaw (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4380). Memphis tried to revive those trade talks to no avail.
Memphis Commercial Appeal (http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/jan/11/grizzlies-mike-conley-still-on-trading-block/)


I know the Cavs were very interested in Conley before the draft. But I haven't really seen him play. Is he not doing well?
Not from what I've heard. The organization was constantly backing him over the last season or so, but a number of guys on the team reportedly spoke up to get Kyle Lowry more PT; perceived lesser talent, but better fit in terms of getting Ws.

He just hasn't been the playmaking kind of point they wanted and some seem to question his desire. He has his decent periods of play, but Mayo has made him even more expendable, especially since Conley has been in a funk as of late. He's certainly talented and is still extremely young. It could just be a case where a change of scenery, and more surrounding talent, is needed.

[Double Down]

Not from what I've heard. The organization was constantly backing him over the last season or so, but a number of guys on the team reportedly spoke up to get Kyle Lowry more PT; perceived lesser talent, but better fit in terms of getting Ws.

He just hasn't been the playmaking kind of point they wanted and some seem to question his desire. He has his decent periods of play, but Mayo has made him even more expendable, especially since Conley has been in a funk as of late. He's certainly talented and is still extremely young. It could just be a case where a change of scenery, and more surrounding talent, is needed.

I bet he would have loved to play for Portland. His best friend is Greg Oden.

Damn, Dallas is really in a major slump. Chris Paul is a beast on the floor and is probably the best pure point guard in the NBA today. The man is just amazing to watch and while he tore Dallas a new one, he's still fun to watch and I have nothing but respect for him.

If he continues to play like this he'll definitely win the MVP this year.

Hate that Dallas is struggling to get wins though. :csad:

Paul isn't even in the top two of the MVP race. It's LeBron's award to lose, with Wade right behind him.

[Raiden]

Damn, that loss to Spurs last night really sucks. Lakers were up two thanks to Kobe's 3 pointer, then Fisher's foul that gave Mason to make a 3-point play, and the question call on Ariza's traveling gave Spurs the win. However, with Lakers depleted in the back court against a healthy Spurs team in San Antonio, nobody really expect Lakers to win anyway. What's disappointing is that Lakers had a chance to win, but didn't. The next two games (vs Magic and Cavs) will be another tough test.

[gogetter0587]

Mercy.
Chris Paul nearly showed Jason Kidd what a quadruple-double looks like, putting up 33 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds and seven steals in the New Orleans Hornets' 104-97 victory over the slumping Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night.


I scored some lower level seats to the game. Paul was incredible. He was just taking the ball from people. I am more of an NBA fan than a mavs fan, I would like to see the mavs win but would rather see great basketball. Paul was ridiculous but i really have to put much of the blame for that on Carlisle, he kept dampier on west when dampier was in the game and damp gave him an open shot nearly every time west touched the ball. Also he never changed the defense in regards to the pick and roll paul was running with chandler, just totally bent dallas over with it last night.

[Double Down]

CHICAGO (AP)—Cleveland forward Ben Wallace was sidelined for the second consecutive game because of intestinal flu when the Cavaliers visited the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night.
A former Bull, Wallace is averaging 3.4 points and 7.0 rebounds.
With center Zydrunas Ilgauskas missing his sixth game because of a fractured left ankle, the Cavaliers were missing 40 percent of their starting lineup and two of their main contributors down low.

[Mister J]

That was an ugly fall that West took. Hope his wrist isn't jammed up as badly as it looked.

[Mister J]

That was an ugly fall that West took. Hope his wrist isn't jammed up as badly as it looked.

[Double Down]

CHICAGO (AP)—Cleveland Cavaliers guard Delonte West left Thursday’s game against the Bulls with a fractured right wrist after a nasty collision with Chicago’s Derrick Rose.
West was off to a blazing start, with 11 points, when he tried to block Rose’s layup with 1:36 left in the first quarter. Both players crashed to the court, but while Rose quickly popped up, West stayed down clutching his wrist with a non-displaced fracture. He also had a cut above his left eye that required two stitches.
The Cavaliers began the night with the league’s best record. Now, they’ll have to make do without a key piece in West, who was fourth on the team at 12.3 points per game.

[Venom'sDad]

The Cavs have the best record in the NBA.

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g39/doubledown44/hapdance.gif http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g39/doubledown44/excited.gif


NO.... That would be the Los Angeles Lakers. :hehe:

[Double Down]

^ Touche.
That was a bad game for the Cavs. Two starters were already missing and a third got injured. Plus, LeBron had a severe head cold. And they still almost pulled it out (LeBron missed a shot to win the game, sending it to overtime).

[Venom'sDad]

:confused: Touche..... man don't hate, congratulate. :p

[Immortalfire]

Mark Cuban fined again http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AqWJUng6x0XkuEZ3TlJjgyC8vLYF?slug=ap-mavericks-cubanfined&prov=ap&type=lgns

Mark Cuban is in trouble with the NBA again.

The league fined the Dallas Mavericks owner $25,000 Friday for “improper interactions with Denver Nuggets players” at halftime and his conduct immediately following the Mavericks’ 99-97 loss on Tuesday.

The penalty was the 14th the league has announced against Cuban, who has been penalized about $1.5 million over the years and suspended from three games.

Cuban went onto the court at halftime to complain to J.R. Smith about an elbow he saw the Nuggets player throw at the Mavs’ Antoine Wright. Denver coach George Karl criticized Cuban following the game, then again the next day at practice, for coming onto the court and yelling at one of his players.

The league informed teams before the 2006-07 season that club personnel other than coaches was prevented from going into huddles or the floor—a ruling Cuban felt was aimed at him.

There was no action against Smith.

Cuban didn’t respond to an e-mail request for comment, but wrote about the fine under an item titled “Me and JR Smith” on his blog.

After beginning the letter by apologizing to Smith for not accepting his offer of a signed pair of sneakers, Cuban continued: “The NBA tells me a tech should have been called on you for throwing the elbow and that I should pay a 25k dollar fine because owners aren’t supposed to get mad. Ever.

“In the spirit of the joy of my getting fined and your not getting the tech, have the Nuggets PR folks contact the Mavs PR folks and I will donate 25k to the charity of your choice.

“Unless of course your coach thinks that the wrong thing to do, or the NBA says I can’t because it would be a violation of a rule. In which case, I will find a charity that I think you would like and make the donation in your name.”

Cuban was angered at the end of the game after a disputed foul called on Jason Terry led to the go-ahead free throws by Chauncey Billups with 2.2 seconds left. The Mavericks felt that Billups created the contact.

A frequent critic of the officiating, Cuban was fined twice during the 2006 playoffs, including after Game 5 of the NBA finals, for his conduct.

[Double Down]

So far, Chris Paul and James Posey have been thrown out of the Cavs-Hornets game. The Cavs already had the game in hand before they were tossed, though.
It's a good win for the Cavs.

[NewYorkSpider]

So far, Chris Paul and James Posey have been thrown out of the Cavs-Hornets game. The Cavs already had the game in hand before they were tossed, though.
It's a good win for the Cavs.

It was a good win, but New Orleans played like ****. 20-0 at home this season. I think if they get the #1 seed, they have a good shot to get back to the finals.

[Double Down]

It was a good win, but New Orleans played like ****. 20-0 at home this season. I think if they get the #1 seed, they have a good shot to get back to the finals.

Considering two starters are out injured and just about everyone on the team is sick, a win over the Hornets was great to get. I'm not going to complain about how it happened.

[Mister J]

LeBron logged some time at center. :funny:
Cavs are lights out at home.

Based off what Paul said about the late ejection, it seems pretty weak.

[LastSunrise1981]

Mark Cuban fined again http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AqWJUng6x0XkuEZ3TlJjgyC8vLYF?slug=ap-mavericks-cubanfined&prov=ap&type=lgns

Not really surprised. I was wondering what happened to Cuban because he has been more quiet than usual.

But overall I think the team struggling has a lot to do with Cuban venting his frustrations out. Of course I think losing may've humbled him somewhat, but you cannot take away that he's a passionate owner and is very hands on with the team compared to some owners.

@Gogetter- Chris Paul is an amazing player. If he stays healthy he'll be a monster for years to come. Whenever I watch him play I see flashes of Walt Frazier, Earl Monroe, and even Pistol Pete in his play. He can do it all and he brings it to the court every single game he plays. In all honesty, I've never seen him have an off night nor have I seen him just phone it in.

Chris Paul may very well be the best pure point guard in the NBA today.

[Mister J]

Damn, that was a good game at L'Centre Staple.

[Double Down]

NO.... That would be the Los Angeles Lakers. :hehe:

And guess who is back on top?

The Cleveland Cavaliers

[Excel]

LeBron is a total boss (shoulda been last years (& will be this years) MVP) as well as my favorite player, but this is funny:

http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/ept_sports_nba_experts__19/ept_sports_nba_experts-862200434-1232130712.jpg?ymYampADD1tdVuP1

[Excel]

Btw, the C's game vs Orlando next Thursday is gonna be a show stopper. Hopwfully we can win this one after big game losses to Cleve n LA.

[Go Web Go!]

From Yahoo
As Jermaine O’Neal and his troublesome right knee returned to the Toronto lineup on Friday night, perhaps no one studied the Toronto Raptors center more closely than Pat Riley.

The Miami Heat president has been seriously considering a trade package for O’Neal that would send Shawn Marion to Toronto, multiple league sources said. Yet Riley first needs to see O’Neal’s progress before he’ll make the leap of faith on a trade.


Nevertheless, O’Neal, 30, was telling league associates as recently as Friday that he believes there’s a good chance he’ll end up in Miami.

“If he’s healthy,” one source close to O’Neal said Friday, “it could very well happen.”

League executives say that Riley has been determined to make a deal for a center, and has had substantive talks with Toronto GM Bryan Colangelo.

No GM has seemed more determined to overhaul his team than Colangelo, and several league executives say he won’t hesitate to take Marion – whom he drafted in Phoenix – and his expiring $17.1 million contract for O’Neal.


Miami would need to include another player, or two, to make the salaries match. O’Neal makes $21.3 million this season, and has a player’s option for $23 million for the next season.


Colangelo has been willing to move everyone on his roster but Chris Bosh, Jose Calderon and Andrea Bargnani. In fact, the emergence of Bargnani, the 2006 No. 1 overall pick, has made an even stronger case for moving O’Neal. Before returning to the struggling Raptors on Friday, O’Neal had missed nine straight games with a sore right knee. He’s averaging 14 points and 7.2 rebounds a game.


For Miami, the core choice is difficult: How much does the 7-footer have left in that battered body? The Heat had been believed to be a favored destination for Utah’s Carlos Boozer, but there are increasing questions about Boozer’s appeal because he has knee problems of his own.

Riley “doesn’t seem as interested in cap space this summer,” said a rival executive who exchanged trade proposals with him recently. “He just seems concerned with having space in 2010.”

The NBA trade deadline looms on Feb. 19.

[Silver Knight]

So far, Chris Paul and James Posey have been thrown out of the Cavs-Hornets game. The Cavs already had the game in hand before they were tossed, though.
It's a good win for the Cavs.
What did they do wrong?

[Double Down]

Paul for complaining and Posey for a cheap shot after a foul was called. But received two technicals during the game.

[Double Down]

Darius Miles played in his second game yesterday.

[Silver Knight]

Darius Miles played in his second game yesterday.
Portland will be pissed!!

[LastSunrise1981]

Maybe it's just me but I feel Lebron is very, very overrated. There's no denying that the kid is talented for his age and has shown a great understanding of the game.

But I definitely don't think he's better than a Paul, Kobe, Dirk, Dwight, or even Amare. But I do give Lebron credit for being able to carry the team that he has to success, however, he'll eventually become like Iverson due to the carrying of the team and his body will start breaking down. In order to see how great Lebron really is, he needs some help on the team and it has to be consistent help.

[Silver Knight]

But I definitely don't think he's better than a Dirk, Dwight, or even Amare.
You my friend are a fool.

[LastSunrise1981]

You my friend are a fool.

This coming from the guy who supports 40% of the NBA. That's gold.

Explain to me how he's better than Dirk, Dwight, and Amare? I'm all for difference of opinion. I remember T-Mac was considered great too and you see how his body has begun to break down due to carrying teams. So since I'm the fool and since I don't know anything. Care to explain to me why Lebron is better than Dirk, Amare, and Dwight?

[Venom'sDad]

Well, he's better than everyone except Kobe Bryant.

However, has anyone notice the Minnesota has been playing some good strong basketball as of late. This team has been coming on the last few weeks. Good for them and good win against the Suns.

[ih8nyy]

Good luck signing any big ticket FA's Portland. Hahahahaha.

[Silver Knight]

This coming from the guy who supports 40% of the NBA. That's gold.

Explain to me how he's better than Dirk, Dwight, and Amare? I'm all for difference of opinion. I remember T-Mac was considered great too and you see how his body has begun to break down due to carrying teams. So since I'm the fool and since I don't know anything. Care to explain to me why Lebron is better than Dirk, Amare, and Dwight?
I support the Hornets buddy. Get that right. How on earth is Dirk and Amare better then King James? He single handedly got them to the finals in 07. Without Lebron the Cavs would not even be a playoff team. You seriously have no idea of anything Basketball related. I can not take your opinion seriously anymore. Lebron is hands down the best player in the league.

[Docker2.0]

I believe I understand what Sunrise is trying to say. LBJ is good but the hype the NBa gives him or gave him is more than his skill. He's a great player but dude was hyped up more than anything. I will give him his props and say that his defense has been unbelievable this year. I think with all the media hype, trying to blow LBJ up, it sometimes backfires on him. I know people like myself who thinks he's a fantastic player but due to the NBA giving him the Jordan mantle, it makes a lot of people have disdain for the guy. I don't get how people can say this guy is better than Kobe...and this is coming from a Kobe hater!

[Double Down]

I believe I understand what Sunrise is trying to say. LBJ is good but the hype the NBa gives him or gave him is more than his skill. He's a great player but dude was hyped up more than anything. I will give him his props and say that his defense has been unbelievable this year. I think with all the media hype, trying to blow LBJ up, it sometimes backfires on him. I know people like myself who thinks he's a fantastic player but due to the NBA giving him the Jordan mantle, it makes a lot of people have disdain for the guy. I don't get how people can say this guy is better than Kobe...and this is coming from a Kobe hater!

Well, you have never given the Cavs the credit they deserve, why would you give LeBron the credit he deserves. Such as:

Cavs lose tonight. :) Honestly, I'm not surprised nor am I impressed with their run. Their winning streak came against mostly teams that were garbage. I think they are an ok team but I don't see them beating Orlando, Boston, or Detroit(eh) in a 7 game series.

Since your quote, the Cavs have gone on to beat New Orleans, Boston, Houston and Denver en route to the best record in the NBA. And yet, we have heard nothing from you except that the Celtics lost because Garnett didn't post up and that LeBron "CAN'T POST UP!"
Some day you will give the man and the team their due.

[NewYorkSpider]

The Cavaliers have allowed 89.0 PPG. That's lowest in the NBA. Some people just aren't giving the Cavaliers enough credit.

[LastSunrise1981]

How come no one gave Dallas any credit for their success? A lot of teams have had much better success compared to the Cavs. Allen Iverson got the Sixers to the Finals in 2001 as well.

Let me put it this way. I like Lebron. I think he's a fantastic player with an amazing skill and a great understanding for the game. But in my opinion he is in a situation where he has to play at such a high intensity because he literally has no consistent help. I believe in order for Lebron to be great he needs to be on a team where the talent around him can flourish and he can be his own player.

Jordan was like Lebron until he got surrounded with a better cast and he became one of the greatest players to ever play the game.

But I definitely feel Lebron is nowhere near as good/great as Kobe, Amare, Duncan, Dwight, or Dirk. Lebron has a long way to go before that happens.

[LastSunrise1981]

Well, you have never given the Cavs the credit they deserve, why would you give LeBron the credit he deserves. Such as:



Since your quote, the Cavs have gone on to beat New Orleans, Boston, Houston and Denver en route to the best record in the NBA. And yet, we have heard nothing from you except that the Celtics lost because Garnett didn't post up and that LeBron "CAN'T POST UP!"
Some day you will give the man and the team their due.

Best record in the NBA means nothing. Dallas had the best record in the NBA and it got them a first round exit. So no, the Cavs don't deserve credit at all.

[Mister J]

The Cavaliers have allowed 89.0 PPG. That's lowest in the NBA. Some people just aren't giving the Cavaliers enough credit.
They're the only team not allowing more than 90 PPG and have the highest point differential in the league (no one else even has a double digit win margin). They've beaten good teams, have gone undefeated at home, currently hold the league's best record and, for the first time since he was drafted, it's more than just LeBron, who is the odds-on favorite for MVP.

Most of the slights I've seen come from fan blogs/forums. I don't see how anyone with any semblance of objectivity comes to a conclusion other than Cleveland is one of the best teams in the NBA. There's only so much attention you can pay to obviously biased takes.

[Excel]

LeBron James is the best player on the planet, and has been so the past 2 years. Nobody has ever been able to explain to me how Kobe, with worse numbers and much better players on his team, was the true MVP last year over LeBron.

Please. People get sick of the LeBron James hype, but its legit. You must have missed his last game where he one handed a 3 pointer from 80 feet away, or few games before that and all his circus shots, or his game vs the Celtics a few weeks ago?

LeBron James is a tripple double threat every night while leading the league in scoring (or currently being #2) while being a serious contender for defensive player of the year. The only way somebody can deny that he has the best all around game since Jordan (though he isnt at Jordans level yet) is out of complete stuburness.

The only way somebody can honestly think LeBron isnt the best player alive is if they have literally never seen him play.

Best record in the NBA means nothing. Dallas had the best record in the NBA and it got them a first round exit. So no, the Cavs don't deserve credit at all.

Wait, what? Winning the most games means nothing?

Explain to me how you can hold it against a team for not winning a championship that hasnt been played yet. Yes, there is a chance they might have the best record and not win it all, but we dont know that yet so that is irrelevant. What we do know is that Cleveland has the best record in the NBA, therefore that logically means right now they are the best team, and until that changes, attempting to argue otherwise is idiotic.

But in my opinion he is in a situation where he has to play at such a high intensity because he literally has no consistent help.

Well, Kobe was in the same sutation for a while. But unlike LeBron, the teams Kobe had to carry ****ing sucked. LeBron teams hes carried have gone to the NBA finals 2 years ago and came closer to beating the would be champs than any team last year.

I believe in order for Lebron to be great he needs to be on a team where the talent around him can flourish and he can be his own player.

How can you possibly argue LeBron isnt great? He is a human stat machine on the nba's current best team.

Explain to us please how he isnt great.

But I definitely feel Lebron is nowhere near as good/great as Kobe, Amare, Duncan, Dwight, or Dirk. Lebron has a long way to go before that happens.

Ok, you clearly just dislike LBJ because it is "cool" to like him. LeBron could play any position in basketball and DOMINATE it.

Kobe: LeBron has got better #'s all around and undoubtedly done more with less than Kobe every did.

Amare: wtf...this isnt even an argument watch them play. LeBron is 10x faster than Amar'e despite being bigger, Amare has no passing ability to speak off or a 3 point shot, and LBJ averaged more points in less minutes.

Tim Duncan: wtf 2.0...maybe 5 years ago this would have been an argument.

Dwight Howard: WHATTT! He has rebounding on LeBron. Thats it. LeBron owns every part of the game.

Dirk: oh you gotta be kidding me on this one.

Chris Paul: I dont know how you can compare the two, but...Lebron has the better all around game. Paul has steals and assists on him, but LeBron has everything else.

Bro, defending LeBron is easy. Lets see you explain how in blue hell these guys with worse numbers on worse teams are better than LeBron.

Explain to me how he's better than Dirk, Dwight, and Amare? I'm all for difference of opinion. I remember T-Mac was considered great too and you see how his body has begun to break down due to carrying teams. So since I'm the fool and since I don't know anything. Care to explain to me why Lebron is better than Dirk, Amare, and Dwight?

Theres no need for explanation, do you even watch basketball? Do you know who LeBron James is? The media doesnt hype him up because its fun, they do it because he is ****ing nasty. I dont even know how you can possibly compare LEBRON JAMES to DWIGHT HOWARD other than to say LeBrons game game is 10x more devleoped in every area outside of rebounding, which LBJ does pretty ****ing well. How is Dwights jump shot, passing, ect? Close to LBJ's? Gtfo.

I don't get how people can say this guy is better than Kobe

Well, its pretty easy. Things LeBron has on Kobe:

-scoring (he does it a different way, but it work better than Kobes)
-rebounding
-passing
-defense
-court vision
-the ability to carry a team

Thing Kobe has on LeBron:
-3 point shot
-free throws

Id be interested to hear an argument as to why kobe is better than LeBron.

[Ziggyman]

O'neal for Marion...Interesting...

[Silver Knight]

O'neal for Marion...Interesting...
Ive heard Marion for Josh Howard.

[Ziggyman]

Well over here in Toronto...The deal is said to be almost done...

Jermaine O'neal for Marcus Banks and Shawn Marion

[Mister J]

In the wake of a sorry effort in Houston last night, which resulted in Yao Ming looking like he was playing against the flippin' junior varsity, the Heat trade rumors persist:
Ive heard Marion for Josh Howard.
Howard and Stackhouse. It doesn't make much sense. Howard's numbers are down across the board, he's had nagging injuries this year and he's not as good as a rebounder or defender as Marion. He's a decent enough player offensively, especially compared to the Matrix, but more perimeter offense isn't a concern right now. Stackhouse, even though only guaranteed 2M next year, does nothing but add to the current glut at SF. Absolutely none of this has anything to do with Miami's two glaring holes; a need for a legit big man and/or a backup/veteran PG.

The Heat would be a little better offensively, but still praying to every known deity for a solution when they face a decent frontcourt and scratching their head when Chalmers struggles. Unless Josh Howard can grow about 4 or 5 inches in a few weeks, I don't put any stock in this at all.
Well over here in Toronto...The deal is said to be almost done...

Jermaine O'neal for Marcus Banks and Shawn Marion
Essentially what I'm hearing, with the delay being Riley wanting more time to evaluate Jermaine's knee(s). Getting rid of Banks' deal makes this worth the risk, IMO. Leading up to all this, I felt he was milking it while his people looked into possible trades. The funny thing is O'Neal himself is being the one reported by sources to be perpetuating the Miami deal. :funny:

I'm wondering what happened to the Brad Miller-related stuff. He's good pretty damn good lately. Riley's trade moves aren't usually so well-publicized before taking place. I wonder if that crafty ****er doesn't have something else brewing. :ninja:
I have no clue what it could possibly be, but still. :ninja:

[Lobo]

I gave up on the NYK season weeks ago, but with Gallinari starting to play I'll be interested to see how he does.

[Ziggyman]

In the wake of a sorry effort in Houston last night, which resulted in Yao Ming looking like he was playing against the flippin' junior varsity, the Heat trade rumors persist:

Howard and Stackhouse. It doesn't make much sense. Howard's numbers are down across the board, he's had nagging injuries this year and he's not as good as a rebounder or defender as Marion. He's a decent enough player offensively, especially compared to the Matrix, but more perimeter offense isn't a concern right now. Stackhouse, even though only guaranteed 2M next year, does nothing but add to the current glut at SF. Absolutely none of this has anything to do with Miami's two glaring holes; a need for a legit big man and/or a backup/veteran PG.

The Heat would be a little better offensively, but still praying to every known deity for a solution when they face a decent frontcourt and scratching their head when Chalmers struggles. Unless Josh Howard can grow about 4 or 5 inches in a few weeks, I don't put any stock in this at all.

Essentially what I'm hearing, with the delay being Riley wanting more time to evaluate Jermaine's knee(s). Getting rid of Banks' deal makes this worth the risk, IMO. Leading up to all this, I felt he was milking it while his people looked into possible trades. The funny thing is O'Neal himself is being the one reported by sources to be perpetuating the Miami deal. :funny:

I'm wondering what happened to the Brad Miller-related stuff. He's good pretty damn good lately. Riley's trade moves aren't usually so well-publicized before taking place. I wonder if that crafty ****er doesn't have something else brewing. :ninja:
I have no clue what it could possibly be, but still. :ninja:

Yeah...It's all up to his knee really...O'neal has been injured for awhile now...but for the most part, he made quite the difference when he played...and he's expendable right now since Bargnani is playing amazing...Marion would play sf which would help our starting line a lot, when Calderon comes back, me thinky that Marion could score maybe like 16-19 points a game with us...

J...You can expect at least 12-14 points a night from Jermaine if healthy and maybe 9-11 boards...If the knee holds up.

[Mister J]

Yeah...It's all up to his knee really...O'neal has been injured for awhile now...but for the most part, he made quite the difference when he played...and he's expendable right now since Bargnani is playing amazing...Marion would play sf which would help our starting line a lot, when Calderon comes back, me thinky that Marion could score maybe like 16-19 points a game with us...
O'Neal was looking like a decent contributor prior to going on the shelf for those 9 games. I think Marion works better for Toronto because he won't be crowding the frontcourt and can use the space that defenders give while paying attention to Bosh. That'll let him slash and Calderon can facilitate things. Reports are you guys want to get more open court and transition oriented. That's Marion's game down pat. The Heat has no PG or post presence and play mainly halfcourt, so his stay has been less than stellar.

I'll give him credit though. He's really brought it in the new year. The good defense and rebounding have been fairly consistent, but he's been more aggressive offensively and it's worked out. I'd be lying if I said I didn't think it has something to do with the rumors that he's asked his agent to see what teams are interested.
J...You can expect at least 12-14 points a night from Jermaine if healthy and maybe 9-11 boards...If the knee holds up.
That's light years beyond what Miami has going now. I'll take it.

[Ziggyman]

We lose some toughness and interior D but we gain in mobility, shooting and perimeter D

Miami the last few years have been pretty soft inside and we have basically no perimeter D anyways...Seems like a win-win deal...But don't know Banks very much...

Marion will hopefully be the solution at sf that we needed with constantly starting mediocre bench players over the years at that position...!

I'm looking forward to the 09/10 season...:dry:

[Ghostvirus]

I don't know if this has been said yet, but I wouldn't say Dirk is the best player on his team. Let alone better then Lebron.

[Bond]

I don't know if this has been said yet, but I wouldn't say Dirk is the best player on his team. Let alone better then Lebron.
Uh, srsly? Who is the best player on the Mavs then? Josh Howard? Lol. Jason Kidd? Better, but still a lol in comparison. Jason Terry? Also good, but still a lol. And there's really no one else.

[Go Web Go!]

Was there really a discussion about Amare & Dirk being superior to LeBron up there? I thought this was the NBA thread.

Anyway, I don't know if I'm digging this Heat/Raptors deal. As badly as I want Marion out of town I don't want a broken down, tissue-soft Jermaine O'Neal in return. If this is what they're going to get for Marion & Banks then they might as well have held on to the other O'Neal.

[Darthphere]

Frankly, we (The Heat) just need someone over 6'10" to stand near the basket.

[Mister J]

I don't know if this has been said yet, but I wouldn't say Dirk is the best player on his team. Let alone better then Lebron.

Was there really a discussion about Amare & Dirk being superior to LeBron up there? I thought this was the NBA thread.
You have to consider the source, then the folly of the statement make more sense. :o :funny:

[Lobo]

Frankly, we (The Heat) just need someone over 6'10" to stand near the basket.

Take Eddy Curry, we'll trade him for a box of cereal

[Darthphere]

Take Eddy Curry, we'll trade him for a box of cereal

He'd trade himself for a box of cereal. Man eats lots of cereal.

[Go Web Go!]

Take Eddy Curry, we'll trade him for a box of cereal


No fatties! :cmad:

[LastSunrise1981]

Was there really a discussion about Amare & Dirk being superior to LeBron up there? I thought this was the NBA thread.

Anyway, I don't know if I'm digging this Heat/Raptors deal. As badly as I want Marion out of town I don't want a broken down, tissue-soft Jermaine O'Neal in return. If this is what they're going to get for Marion & Banks then they might as well have held on to the other O'Neal.

Yes, I said that Dirk and Amare are better than Lebron. But after discussing it with another basketball fan who follows the sport like I do I came to the conclusion that I was wrong. But it's also wrong for anyone to say that Lebron is the best player in the NBA today.

Now if you want to talk about best all around player? Then that title goes to Kobe Bryant. He's the best in the league right now because he has the all around game. Now if you want to say Lebron is the best offensive player? That argument can be made. However, it'll be a while before Lebron can hold the title of "best in the league".

I find it kind of amusing how Mister J throws his little sarcastic statements at me. But if a mod has to act like a child now then so be it. I'm not worried about it anymore.

Once again after discussing it with other basketball fans I wouldn't even rank Dirk up at the top of the list as being the best.

[Darthphere]

There was really no point in having that discussion in the first place. It's painfully obvious.

[LastSunrise1981]

LeBron James is the best player on the planet, and has been so the past 2 years. Nobody has ever been able to explain to me how Kobe, with worse numbers and much better players on his team, was the true MVP last year over LeBron.

Please. People get sick of the LeBron James hype, but its legit. You must have missed his last game where he one handed a 3 pointer from 80 feet away, or few games before that and all his circus shots, or his game vs the Celtics a few weeks ago?

LeBron James is a tripple double threat every night while leading the league in scoring (or currently being #2) while being a serious contender for defensive player of the year. The only way somebody can deny that he has the best all around game since Jordan (though he isnt at Jordans level yet) is out of complete stuburness.

The only way somebody can honestly think LeBron isnt the best player alive is if they have literally never seen him play.



Wait, what? Winning the most games means nothing?

Explain to me how you can hold it against a team for not winning a championship that hasnt been played yet. Yes, there is a chance they might have the best record and not win it all, but we dont know that yet so that is irrelevant. What we do know is that Cleveland has the best record in the NBA, therefore that logically means right now they are the best team, and until that changes, attempting to argue otherwise is idiotic.



Well, Kobe was in the same sutation for a while. But unlike LeBron, the teams Kobe had to carry ****ing sucked. LeBron teams hes carried have gone to the NBA finals 2 years ago and came closer to beating the would be champs than any team last year.



How can you possibly argue LeBron isnt great? He is a human stat machine on the nba's current best team.

Explain to us please how he isnt great.



Ok, you clearly just dislike LBJ because it is "cool" to like him. LeBron could play any position in basketball and DOMINATE it.

Kobe: LeBron has got better #'s all around and undoubtedly done more with less than Kobe every did.

Amare: wtf...this isnt even an argument watch them play. LeBron is 10x faster than Amar'e despite being bigger, Amare has no passing ability to speak off or a 3 point shot, and LBJ averaged more points in less minutes.

Tim Duncan: wtf 2.0...maybe 5 years ago this would have been an argument.

Dwight Howard: WHATTT! He has rebounding on LeBron. Thats it. LeBron owns every part of the game.

Dirk: oh you gotta be kidding me on this one.

Chris Paul: I dont know how you can compare the two, but...Lebron has the better all around game. Paul has steals and assists on him, but LeBron has everything else.

Bro, defending LeBron is easy. Lets see you explain how in blue hell these guys with worse numbers on worse teams are better than LeBron.



Theres no need for explanation, do you even watch basketball? Do you know who LeBron James is? The media doesnt hype him up because its fun, they do it because he is ****ing nasty. I dont even know how you can possibly compare LEBRON JAMES to DWIGHT HOWARD other than to say LeBrons game game is 10x more devleoped in every area outside of rebounding, which LBJ does pretty ****ing well. How is Dwights jump shot, passing, ect? Close to LBJ's? Gtfo.



Well, its pretty easy. Things LeBron has on Kobe:

-scoring (he does it a different way, but it work better than Kobes)
-rebounding
-passing
-defense
-court vision
-the ability to carry a team

Thing Kobe has on LeBron:
-3 point shot
-free throws

Id be interested to hear an argument as to why kobe is better than LeBron.

I've watched Lebron play more most people. Let it be known that I don't hate Lebron. I've given him credit and I truly find him to be a fantastic player who is very intense, focused, and has a will to win. But he's not the greatest player or the best player in the NBA today.

I truly believe that honor goes to Kobe. Kobe has the better all around game due to his scoring abilities, his passing abilities(something he never used before), defense, rebounding, and clutch performance. As much as I despise Kobe I have to give him credit as well. There's no other player I'd want with the ball in crunch time than him.

Let Lebron mature a bit more before throwing the title of "best player in the league."

Cleveland having the best record means nothing. When Dallas had the best record everyone on here scoffed and ignored them, but when Cleveland or Boston does it everyone praises them. I don't care what kind of record a team has they stand as much chance of losing than the next team. Dallas had the best record in the NBA and got embarassed by Golden State, so don't tell me that having the best record makes you the best team. In my opinion no one is the best team until they win the championship. That's why teams like Boston, Los Angeles, San Antonio, Chicago, Houston, and Miami won championships. They were the best teams at the time and they deserve it.

And yes, I know who Lebron James is. For you to say that media doesn't hype him shows that you don't know what you're talking about. Maybe you need to start following more basketball and understanding the game. Lebron is a fantastic player and he's shown great talent for a kid his age. I remember when he first came in I thought he was going to be one of those players who was all hype and no substance.

I was wrong because his first game he played great and he showed his willingness to pass to his teammates.

Cavs came close to beating the would be champs than any team last year? Umm, so did you forget that Atlanta took Boston to a seven game series? Please just stop.

[Mister J]

Curry did look mighty rotund, even more so than usual, in the one game he played this season. That'd be disastrous. Although, the extra money Eddy would get in his paycheck from Florida having no state tax, would likely all go to Dairy Queen, so the South Florida economy would get a boost. I suppose there is an upside.

I'm not wholly sold on J. O'Neal's health, but **** it. If something can't be swung involving Camby or Miller, bring the achy, breaky knees on. It's a season and a half, we get rid of Banks' contract and it all sets up nicely for Riley to do whatever he thinks he's going to do in 2010. Marion isn't going to re-sign and I don't see any point in just sitting on cap space for next year (the FA market isn't exactly booming). Even if it failed miserably, it's all short term and Arison is footing the bill. *shrugs*
I find it kind of amusing how Mister J throws his little sarcastic statements at me. But if a mod has to act like a child now then so be it. I'm not worried about it anymore.

When statements are cast about, defying all semblance of basketball knowledge, you can best believe the laughter is coming from this direction. 'Dirk and Amare are better than LeBron'. I'm surprised your keyboard let you get that one out. :lmao:

What puzzles me is that if you're as ...wise ...and knowledgeable ...and intelligent about basketball as you claim ...I mean, to the point that people are jealous of you, ..because that's what you like to cite in these threads, right? ...Who could have possibly changed your mind on the matter? Clearly, it had to be John Wooden, Bill Walton or someone. Maybe Lenny Wilkens. This intrigues. :ninja:

But I just act like a child every now and then. Lollipops and Pokemon, FTW! :up:

[gogetter0587]

I've watched Lebron play more most people. Let it be known that I don't hate Lebron. I've given him credit and I truly find him to be a fantastic player who is very intense, focused, and has a will to win. But he's not the greatest player or the best player in the NBA today.

I truly believe that honor goes to Kobe. Kobe has the better all around game due to his scoring abilities, his passing abilities(something he never used before), defense, rebounding, and clutch performance. As much as I despise Kobe I have to give him credit as well. There's no other player I'd want with the ball in crunch time than him.

Let Lebron mature a bit more before throwing the title of "best player in the league."

Cleveland having the best record means nothing. When Dallas had the best record everyone on here scoffed and ignored them, but when Cleveland or Boston does it everyone praises them. I don't care what kind of record a team has they stand as much chance of losing than the next team. Dallas had the best record in the NBA and got embarassed by Golden State, so don't tell me that having the best record makes you the best team. In my opinion no one is the best team until they win the championship. That's why teams like Boston, Los Angeles, San Antonio, Chicago, Houston, and Miami won championships. They were the best teams at the time and they deserve it.

And yes, I know who Lebron James is. For you to say that media doesn't hype him shows that you don't know what you're talking about. Maybe you need to start following more basketball and understanding the game. Lebron is a fantastic player and he's shown great talent for a kid his age. I remember when he first came in I thought he was going to be one of those players who was all hype and no substance.

I was wrong because his first game he played great and he showed his willingness to pass to his teammates.

Cavs came close to beating the would be champs than any team last year? Umm, so did you forget that Atlanta took Boston to a seven game series? Please just stop.

You lost a lot of credit when you mentioned that possibly Dirk or Amare are better than Lebron. You have since regained slightly, some of that because you are now arguing for the only other viable option and that is KOBE. I think it is a very close call and I think this may be the last year Kobe will hold the title best player in the NBA. Lebron is getting better and Kobe is no longer doing that. Kobe is losing (although slowly) athleticism but as of now he still hold the title of best player in the NBA.

[Darthphere]

To lose credibility, you must have some in the first place.

[gogetter0587]

To lose credibility, you must have some in the first place.

yeah , im easy though, i like to think your innocent until proven guilty

[Double Down]

He'd trade himself for a box of cereal. Man eats lots of cereal.

:hehe:

[Ghostvirus]

Uh, srsly? Who is the best player on the Mavs then? Josh Howard? Lol. Jason Kidd? Better, but still a lol in comparison. Jason Terry? Also good, but still a lol. And there's really no one else.

Yes I would put Jason Terry, & Kidd above Dirk Nowsoftchokezki.

[LastSunrise1981]

You lost a lot of credit when you mentioned that possibly Dirk or Amare are better than Lebron. You have since regained slightly, some of that because you are now arguing for the only other viable option and that is KOBE. I think it is a very close call and I think this may be the last year Kobe will hold the title best player in the NBA. Lebron is getting better and Kobe is no longer doing that. Kobe is losing (although slowly) athleticism but as of now he still hold the title of best player in the NBA.

I lost credibility for stating an opinion? Interesting. If that's the case then everyone should lose credibility for having an opinion. As for Dirk and Amare being better than Lebron? After discussing it with another basketball fan I found out how wrong I was in making that statement.

As for Kobe? I believe that he still holds the honor of being the best despite slowly losing the athleticism that you point point out. Obviously no one remains young, vibrant, and intense forever. But as Shaq once said, if Kobe learned to pass the ball and make the team better he would be the greatest player in the league. Since Kobe has started passing the ball you see how the talent prospers and how the Lakers are impossible to beat when Kobe is passing and scoring.

I still don't believe Lebron is the best in the league though. He's great for his age, but I still believe he needs to a few more years to mature and he needs a better cast around him. He's in a situation where he doesn't have any choice but to score like he does and to play like he does, it's sad because I truly believe if he had more consistent and better talent around him he would already have a ring. But I give Lebron credit though. He hasn't lose his head and he has remained healthy despite carrying the team.

[LastSunrise1981]

Curry did look mighty rotund, even more so than usual, in the one game he played this season. That'd be disastrous. Although, the extra money Eddy would get in his paycheck from Florida having no state tax, would likely all go to Dairy Queen, so the South Florida economy would get a boost. I suppose there is an upside.

I'm not wholly sold on J. O'Neal's health, but **** it. If something can't be swung involving Camby or Miller, bring the achy, breaky knees on. It's a season and a half, we get rid of Banks' contract and it all sets up nicely for Riley to do whatever he thinks he's going to do in 2010. Marion isn't going to re-sign and I don't see any point in just sitting on cap space for next year (the FA market isn't exactly booming). Even if it failed miserably, it's all short term and Arison is footing the bill. *shrugs*

When statements are cast about, defying all semblance of basketball knowledge, you can best believe the laughter is coming from this direction. 'Dirk and Amare are better than LeBron'. I'm surprised your keyboard let you get that one out. :lmao:

What puzzles me is that if you're as ...wise ...and knowledgeable ...and intelligent about basketball as you claim ...I mean, to the point that people are jealous of you, ..because that's what you like to cite in these threads, right? ...Who could have possibly changed your mind on the matter? Clearly, it had to be John Wooden, Bill Walton or someone. Maybe Lenny Wilkens. This intrigues. :ninja:

But I just act like a child every now and then. Lollipops and Pokemon, FTW! :up:

Maybe not jealous, but I do believe that many people hate the fact that I stand my ground and I don't sugarcoat my words. I know what I'm talking about and I've followed the sport of basketball longer than you and most "fans" in this thread. So no, I don't believe ANYONE is jealous of me at all.

I've never said that anyone is jealous of me. Now you're making stuff up to suit your own blind ideals about me and that's fine, you can keep your opinion of me and I won't lose any sleep over it.

As I've stated it was an opinion and an opinion I believed in until I discussed it with another fan who follows the sport. We discussed it for a good hour and he showed me the error of my opinion. I wholeheartedly admit that I was wrong. Can you admit that you're wrong? I doubt it.

[gogetter0587]

I lost credibility for stating an opinion? Interesting. If that's the case then everyone should lose credibility for having an opinion. As for Dirk and Amare being better than Lebron? After discussing it with another basketball fan I found out how wrong I was in making that statement.

As for Kobe? I believe that he still holds the honor of being the best despite slowly losing the athleticism that you point point out. Obviously no one remains young, vibrant, and intense forever. But as Shaq once said, if Kobe learned to pass the ball and make the team better he would be the greatest player in the league. Since Kobe has started passing the ball you see how the talent prospers and how the Lakers are impossible to beat when Kobe is passing and scoring.

I still don't believe Lebron is the best in the league though. He's great for his age, but I still believe he needs to a few more years to mature and he needs a better cast around him. He's in a situation where he doesn't have any choice but to score like he does and to play like he does, it's sad because I truly believe if he had more consistent and better talent around him he would already have a ring. But I give Lebron credit though. He hasn't lose his head and he has remained healthy despite carrying the team.

Credibility- worthy of belief or confidence; trustworthy

opinion?

and i said that Kobe is still better. I was actually the one agreeing with you. Not for long though. With bron getting better by the game and kobe slightly declining. Lebron will dethrone him soon enough

[gogetter0587]

Yes I would put Jason Terry, & Kidd above Dirk Nowsoftchokezki.


This is more absurd than the guy who said Dirk or Amare might be better than Lebron

[Darthphere]

Maybe not jealous, but I do believe that many people hate the fact that I stand my ground and I don't sugarcoat my words. I know what I'm talking about and I've followed the sport of basketball longer than you and most "fans" in this thread. So no, I don't believe ANYONE is jealous of me at all.

Yes, that's it, you nailed it dude.

[Lobo]

No fatties! :cmad:

Quiet or he'll eat you :csad:

[LastSunrise1981]

Credibility- worthy of belief or confidence; trustworthy

opinion?

and i said that Kobe is still better. I was actually the one agreeing with you. Not for long though. With bron getting better by the game and kobe slightly declining. Lebron will dethrone him soon enough

Well see I don't know about that. You cannot forget about Chris Paul. Lebron will definitely get better. I'm just glad he didn't end up like Kwame Brown. Let me be the first to say that I honestly thought Lebron would be like Kwame when the sports media was hyping him up. Man, I'm so glad that Lebron showed how much he's worth and that he has exceeded expectations.

With the way Chris Paul is playing I don't think it's farfetched to state that he and maybe even Lebron will be the best in the league.

[LastSunrise1981]

This is more absurd than the guy who said Dirk or Amare might be better than Lebron

I find it amusing that people throw the word "choke" around. I hate that term because it shouldn't be applied to any player. None of us are out there in the heat of the moment when the pressure is at its highest.

We sit around criticizing and making fun of players like a Dirk, Webber, and etc for not being big time clutch players. I doubt any of us would be able to perform under the pressure that some of the players are under when a championship is on the line.

GhostVirus is entitled to his opinion. He, much like a lot of fans in this thread have always hated Dallas. It is what it is and I take responsibility for that due to my constant whining and moronic conspiracy theories during the whole 2006 Miami/Dallas championship. While I still believe calls were made in favor of Miami, Dallas still lost the championship match and Miami showed they wanted it more. I was wrong in 2006 and I'm not going to pretend I didn't make those ridiculous claims.

[gogetter0587]

Well see I don't know about that. You cannot forget about Chris Paul. Lebron will definitely get better. I'm just glad he didn't end up like Kwame Brown. Let me be the first to say that I honestly thought Lebron would be like Kwame when the sports media was hyping him up. Man, I'm so glad that Lebron showed how much he's worth and that he has exceeded expectations.

With the way Chris Paul is playing I don't think it's farfetched to state that he and maybe even Lebron will be the best in the league.


Well Chris Paul is a point guard. And I love Chris Paul. I really do. I just do think he will be able to average enough rebounds to be in that category, also Lebron can gaurd 4 positions and CP3 cannot

[Darthphere]

I find it amusing that people throw the word "choke" around. I hate that term because it shouldn't be applied to any player. None of us are out there in the heat of the moment when the pressure is at its highest.

We sit around criticizing and making fun of players like a Dirk, Webber, and etc for not being big time clutch players. I doubt any of us would be able to perform under the pressure that some of the players are under when a championship is on the line.

Here's the difference, we're not paid millions of dollars to play a game.

[Double Down]

Well Chris Paul is a point guard. And I love Chris Paul. I really do. I just do think he will be able to average enough rebounds to be in that category, also Lebron can gaurd 4 positions and CP3 cannot

Actually, in some recent alignments, LeBron has been acting as the center in some small lineups for the Cavs. Five positions!

[Lobo]

Stephon is getting paid 21.9 million not to play a game :mad: :(