2005-2006 NBA thread

[Whack Arnolds]

LeBron and Larry Hughes beasted the hell out of the Wizards last night. LeBron for mvp.

 

[Whack Arnolds]

Phil Jackson kept it real..that's all. He still is one of the top 3 coaches of all time.

 

[Equint77]

Phil Jackson kept it real..that's all. He still is one of the top 3 coaches of all time.

he kept it real... real pu$$y.

he can't take the heat so he went back to his woman.

 

[Whack Arnolds]

he kept it real... real pu$$y.

he can't take the heat so he went back to his woman.

It seems more like you're a little over-sensitive b/c Phil didn't want to coach the Knicks. He has every right and reason to not want to work there. It's his choice. And who wouldn't want to run back to their woman? Especially as fine of a woman that Phil has.

 

[NOFX]

he kept it real... real pu$$y.

he can't take the heat so he went back to his woman.

Majority of coaches would have picked the Laker job than the Knicks

 

[Equint77]

It seems more like you're a little over-sensitive b/c Phil didn't want to coach the Knicks. He has every right and reason to not want to work there. It's his choice. And who wouldn't want to run back to their woman? Especially as fine of a woman that Phil has.

First off... I've never wanted Phil here.. and this goes back to when they fired Don Nelson back in 1995.. or when they wanted to fire Jeff back in 1999... and I wasn't really interested in him coming over here this summer.

The whole god damn world knows he doesn't wanna coach NY.. but he needs to shut up about Red Holtzman already... and stop using NY as his leverage.. which goes back to his time in Chicago...

You're right though.. it's his choice... he's so sensitive he can't cope with the NY media. Like they're gonna take away his 9 rings or something.

 

[Whack Arnolds]

He copped with them when he played there. Maybe that just his public excuse.

 

[JMT]

LeBron and Larry Hughes beasted the hell out of the Wizards last night. LeBron for mvp.

Lebron? yes.
Hughes? SHH needs a laughing icon.

Hughes played absolutely awful almost as bad as Arenas, trust me I watched the whole game, Hughes was shooting under 20 percent I believe with like 13 points until the last 2 minutes when the wizards put the backups in. Then he made a bunch of layups after the game was already won.

 

[Whack Arnolds]

Lebron? yes.
Hughes? SHH needs a laughing icon.

Hughes played absolutely awful almost as bad as Arenas, trust me I watched the whole game, Hughes was shooting under 20 percent I believe with like 13 points until the last 2 minutes when the wizards put the backups in. Then he made a bunch of layups after the game was already won.

He still dropped like 22.

 

[JMT]

Yeah he scored 12 points during the first 29 minutes and had like the final 10 in the last 3 against the wizards backups.

I dont know what was wrong with Arenas he missed everything, even his free throws

 

[NOFX]

If the Knicks dont beat the Lakers tonight, i'll mail you a dollar

I want my dollar!!!

Kobe's initials on this KOBy Royce Webb
ESPN.com

It was billed as a heavyweight fight: Larry vs. Phil. The Bench Battle of the Century. Love 'Em and Leave 'Em Larry vs. the Zen Master.

But instead of LB vs. PJ, the real deal was the duel between LB and KB.

And the winner by KO: Kobe Bryant.

As Los Angeles polished off New York 97-92, Kobe was, by the end of the night, everything he strives to be: dominant, self-reliant, spectacular ... and vindicated.

Took a while, though.

For 24 minutes, Larry was living large. Lakers coach Phil Jackson might have been the philosopher king with nine rings on the court, but it was Knicks boss Larry Brown's coaching philosophy that ruled the first half.

At Brown's prodding, the Knicks played what seemed to be a perfect "Pound for Pound" half on the offensive end. They moved the ball with unusual precision and unselfishness, finishing the half with an amazing 18 assists, highlighted by a second-quarter sequence between point guard Stephon Marbury and rookie forward David Lee that went like this: Marbury drives and dishes to Lee, who drives and dishes to Marbury, who makes a move and feeds Lee for a dunk. Three passes, one basket ... and one fine example of playing the Larry way.

And, while dropping those 18 dimes, the Knicks made only six turnovers in the half, solving, for a spell anyway, their usual carelessness with the ball.

Still, somehow, they trailed the Lakers, despite a rather ugly 5-for-18 half by Bryant. The score: 49-47. And that was as close as Kobe let Larry get.

Early in the third quarter, the Mamba (that's his nickname, folks -- just ask him) struck the Knicks with two quick baskets, then two free throws ... and then he got rolling: two FTs, layup, jumper, jumper, layup, two more FTs. When he was done with his 18-point barrage, the Lakers led 76-62.

Kobe loves to take his own temperature, so he started the fourth quarter with two more made jumpers, and then the heat check really went into effect: another (missed) jumper, and then, with the shot clock ticking down, a crazy 28-foot jumper that might have felt good but missed badly.

But wait, there's more: Two made FTs and a runner that hit bottom gave Kobe eight points and eight shot attempts (six FGA, two FGA) before a single other player on the court -- for either team -- scored a point in the quarter.

By this time the score was 86-70, and the game was over with 7:54 remaining.

Kobe's final count: 15-for-36 shooting, 42 points.

In case you didn't get the message, here's Kobe's memo to us all, including Phil and Larry: No matter how tightly coaches try to button down their teams, it's ultimately a players' league (a point Jackson's detractors never tire of making).

For Brown, this was just another school day. Sure, his team is 2-6, but in a way Brown likes that: After all, that's when the challenge is toughest and the teaching matters most. The events of the last six months make it clear he's happier -- if that's the word -- providing remedial instruction to a losing team than presiding over a title contender.

Meanwhile, Jackson, it appears, has hooked his wagon to his star, whether he likes him or not, and as we found out again last night, on any given Wednesday, that's enough to beat a road-weary team that's doubly tired from trying to learn to play the right way.

 

[The Riddler]

of course the lakers beat the knicks.

knicks are a sorry excuse for a team.

god i drafted marbury on my fantasy team and he did sh|t for me yesterday. at least he had 10 assists.

 

[Equint77]

you're all twisted...

you know what I saw last night? The Knicks future... LA had no answer for Frye.. and Lee had 11 rebounds in 24 minutes. Which is why I'm not looking at wins or losses. I knew it was gonna be slow but damn.... everyone is changing their games. JC is controlling his game more and more each game. Steph needs to know when to take over the game.. and right now he's struggling with leading the team the right way.

Not only that but I didn't realize the Knicks lead the league in Opponent FG%. They're 3rd in the league in Opponent PPG and leading the league in rebounding. They're a much better defensive team than you all wanna give them credit for... and as I've said.. the FT% is killing them...

They lost because LA kept getting too many second chance points... as well as making bad turnovers... which is expected when you play your rookies as much as they did last night.

The Knicks are still looking for chemistry offensively which will take time.

Plus.. I love how Phil kept his starters with 3 minutes left up by 13 against the Knicks B team. LA hit their shots... I'll give them credit.

 

[Kipobe]

I gotta say, I watch basketball like Equint does. I really hate to say this, but that was NY's game to lose... they could've won it... BUT, LA having the second chances that they did, executed well... as did they when it came to to's (which some were forced... not all of them were bad Knick plays).

Bottomline, I see good things in both team's futures. It's gonna be a while before this is a real heavyweight matchup... but they both look promising. Kobe shouldn't have to go off like that to win a game... he has the team... but no one else can promise anything more than 15... if that.

Odom breaking 12 is a dream, and that's sick. Odom should be putting up 25-12-8 every night.... and occasionaly he should have a breakout game. There's no chance of that happening unless he adapts his game and applies himself to this structure... and I don't even mean the triangle... I mean the NBA. He's useless and unfocused. I'd like to see him traded for someone workable... a good strong p. fwd who can play the low post like a piano.

Either that, or I'd like to see him become like putty in Phil Jackson's hand. Three months from now, he may be everything that he should be.... and of course, no one will recognize the excellent coaching he's recieved... but that's where Phil Jackson shines; making good players, GREAT!

I dunno... we'll see, I guess.

 

[Equint77]

I gotta say, I watch basketball like Equint does. I really hate to say this, but that was NY's game to lose... they could've won it... BUT, LA having the second chances that they did, executed well... as did they when it came to to's (which some were forced... not all of them were bad Knick plays).

Bottomline, I see good things in both team's futures. It's gonna be a while before this is a real heavyweight matchup... but they both look promising. Kobe shouldn't have to go off like that to win a game... he has the team... but no one else can promise anything more than 15... if that.

Odom breaking 12 is a dream, and that's sick. Odom should be putting up 25-12-8 every night.... and occasionaly he should have a breakout game. There's no chance of that happening unless he adapts his game and applies himself to this structure... and I don't even mean the triangle... I mean the NBA. He's useless and unfocused. I'd like to see him traded for someone workable... a good strong p. fwd who can play the low post like a piano.

Either that, or I'd like to see him become like putty in Phil Jackson's hand. Three months from now, he may be everything that he should be.... and of course, no one will recognize the excellent coaching he's recieved... but that's where Phil Jackson shines; making good players, GREAT!

I dunno... we'll see, I guess.

You're right Kip... it was NY's game to lose.. the second quarter they looked amazing... they were rebounding, playing solid defense, and executing their offense. The problem is they go through spurts where they can't get into an offensive flow. And that goes with still finding chemistry.

If Phil can turn Kwame into "good".. I'll shut up about him.

 

[Kipobe]

KB is gonna be alotta work... but Phil doesn't like to make a bunch of huge trades... he prefers getting all the little pieces in place according to his style and then promoting the key players. I think Smush Parker is so key to this team... he could well become the x-factor just like Robert Horry or Derek Fisher once was (no, I'm not high). Stanislav Medvedenko is gonna need more minutes... but he's a good guy to pull off the bench. Devean George is gonna need to pick up that old Rick Fox role (back when Fox was needed)... and Kobe is gonna have to become the ultimate playmaker, second to only Jordan. Odom is gonna have to learn how to apply skill to the league, and if those are addressed, then there'll be no need to make any major trades... a few good aquisitions would be nice though.

 

[NOFX]

Big Game tonight Lakers vs. Clipper!!! I dont know who to Root For

 

[Equint77]

I hope the Clips win.....

And someone throws a brick at phil jackson's head.

 

[NOFX]

And someone throws a brick at phil jackson's head.

So Much Hate....

 

[Kipobe]

I'm going for the Lakers. I'll always pull for the Clips vs other teams (even Miami) but the Lakers are just #1 in my heart.

Edit: or something less gay

 

[NOFX]

The Clips just keep winning!!! 7-2

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The NBA's balance of power in Los Angeles seems to be shifting.

Led by Elton Brand, the Clippers beat Kobe Bryant and the Lakers 97-91 on Friday night.

Bryant, making some of his off-balance, high-arcing jumpers but missing more often, scored 36 points on 12-of-35 shooting.

The win extended the Clippers' franchise-best start to 7-2 and was their third victory in a row over their city rivals dating to last season.

"The wins keep piling up. It's not about a rivalry," said Brand, who had 23 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks. "If you ask us, we think we're a better team. We have a better record, we're in the same division, and it feels good to get out of here with this one."

Bryant noted the Clippers' improvement.

"They made a lot of big changes this year. Their management team went out there and made some big acquisitions and brought in some very talented players along with the players that have been here," Bryant said. "It is a good team."

Corey Maggette added 21 points, Cuttino Mobley had 20, and Sam Cassell had 17 for the Clippers, who never trailed.

Both Cassell, who turned 36 Friday, and Mobley are newcomers this season.

"Lakers versus Clippers is great for the fans and the community and we just want to keep it going," Maggette said. "We wanted it. It's great to beat the Lakers, so maybe we have some bragging rights."

Lamar Odom had 18 points for the Lakers, who dropped to 4-5.

The Clippers and Lakers split their series 2-2 last season. The Lakers lead the series 78-22 since the Clippers moved to Los Angeles, and 124-42 in all games against the franchise.

The Clippers were ahead 74-65 heading into the fourth quarter, and increased the lead to 78-65 before the Lakers began a comeback that cut it to 87-82 with 2:54 remaining. But they got no closer.

Bryant scored 12 points in the fourth, but 10 of those came on 11 free throws. He was good on only one of his nine field goal tries in the quarter.

"I think we are relying on me way too much and I am taking way too many shots to try to keep us competitive," Bryant said. "We really have to get back to the basics."

The Clippers shot 44 percent to the Lakers' 39 percent.

Bryant scored 13 points for the Lakers in the third, but his teammates totaled only seven points in the period.

The Clippers were up 53-45 at halftime after leading 27-21 at the end of the opening period.

Although they never led, the Lakers pulled even four times in the first half, the last at 43 on Bryant's drive and free throw 4:03 before halftime.

Brand hit a 14-footer to put the Clippers back in front, and they went on to open an eight-point lead over the closing four minutes of the half.

Game notes
Lakers F Kwame Brown left in the third quarter with a right hamstring strain. He had two points and eight rebounds. ... The game drew a sellout crowd of 18,997 to Staples Center, where both teams play, but it was the Lakers' home game. ... Lakers C Chris Mihm has been playing on a sore left ankle, but didn't appear to be slowed much. He had 12 points and nine rebounds. ... The Clippers last won a season series against the Lakers in 1992-93, and had done it just once before that, in 1974-75.

 

[NOFX]

I thinks its safe to say that Elton Brand is a Legit Superstar!!! Hell he's my vote for MVP so far!!!

 

[Equint77]

the clips are doing really good... I hope they keep it up... they've got a solid team.

On a side note.. I'm glad Chicago beat LA yesterday.

 

[NOFX]

the clips are doing really good... I hope they keep it up... they've got a solid team.

On a side note.. I'm glad Chicago beat LA yesterday.

Why cant both L.A. Teams do well in the same season

 

[Whack Arnolds]

And someone throws a brick at phil jackson's head.

Bitter... lol

Come one now Equint. Man has 10 championship rings, and a hot wife. Show some respect. lol