2005-2006 NBA thread

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

I don't understand why everyone is hating on Kobe dropping 81? If Jordan dropped 81 everyone would be slurping him with wreckless abandonment. And don't give me that **** about Jordan was all about the team, bull****. Jordan wanted to win first. He was all about the team huh? Then why did he retire early? Why did he retire again to come back with another team?

I am sure he did it because he put the team first. Look the difference between Jordan and Kobe (other than their game) is how they handle the media/fan attention.

People brining up Kobe being selfish is ******ed. Of course he is selfish to drop 81 points, you have to be! You think Jordan wasn't selfish dropping 69 points?

And everyone needs to stop comparing Kobe to Jordan in terms of their game bing the same or Kobe's being better. Yes Jordan had Pippen, not Shaq!

Let's get this straight everyone. Who would you rather build a Franchise around in their prime? Pippen or Shaq? Exactly.

Who would you rather pick as your running mate if you could only have one? Pippen or Shaq in their prime? Exactly.

It takes nothing away from what Kobe did with Shaq and although Pippen may have been a far better all around player than Shaq ever was, Shaq was as far beyond Pippen in being a, no sorry THE dominate player he was.

Not to mention the fact that Kobe is playing in an era where the NBA is not what it used to be. Jordan played in the majority of the 80's (arguable one of the best decades ever for the NBA) and the 90's (an equally tough era.)Let's face it, there are few players that could hang with the teams of those years, many of which could run and gun with the Suns and play hard nosed D like the Pistons and Spurs.

Kobe is propelling/willing himself into that Jordan/Magic like category. He is already mentioned in the same breath but until he wins at least 1-2 more championships without Shaq (and hopefully a better running mate than Odom) he won't be able to eclipse Jordan's legacy.

I am not a Kobe fan nor have I ever been, and I am not jumping on the bandwagon, but I will not deny nor have I ever, that the guy is just ridiclously talented.

A friend of mine and I were talking about Kobe's 81 and he said "I have mix feelings about it, did I miss something about Kobe's 81?"

I couldn't believe that he doesn't realize how amazing a feat that is. I personally put it above Wilt's 100, yes that's right I said it.

1) Wilt was the Shaq of his era by far, if not even more dominate.

2) Add that to the fact that there was no Shot clock in 62

3) There was no 3 second violation.

4) Kobe was 28/46 NOK tonight were 27/76 and only scored 78

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Kobe is undoubtedly better than Jordan at 27. Jordan didn't have any of his titles nor 90 percent of his accomplishments. That was a very excellent point.

Jordan did not win his first until he was 28. Kobe's 3up.
Player vs Player comparison: Jordan has the edge overall obviously because of the mental aspect and his unique ability to close games consistently.

Kobe has the edge if you compare their statistics by age.

Guess what's even scarier? Lebron has both of them beat in a statistical age comparison.

First of all I don't understand how people always say he did this by this age or did this by that age. What about by how many years they have been in the league? Kobe jumped in right out of highschool, Jordan didn't get there until he was what? 21? 22?

So talk years in the league not age. Also in Kobe's tenth year in the league how many scoring titles does he have? 0. Jordan retired with 10, and it would have been 12 no doubt.

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Few means: not many, but more than one.

couple means two, so a few can't mean two a few is three or more

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Well it is very easy to get 81 points when you dont pass the ball. I mean come on now out of that whole time he only passed the ball twice.

HAHAHAHAHA LMFAO!!! HAHAHAHA! Take a look at how many shots Iverson has jacked up in his highest shooting performances then come back and tell me it's easy to score 81 points. No knock to Iverson, just an example of how ignorant you are.

 

[Super_Ludacris]

No one is hating Kobe's 81, it's just when the ryders dissmiss the next man because there boy scored 81.

on a side note Mcgrady had 40+ points on consecutive nights today and yesterday. He outscored the Bucks by himself in 3rd and 4th and last night it was a close against detroit and his 43 points are the most the Pistons have allowed on a player this season

 

[MSwift]

That's very easy to say if you never saw the game. The stat sheets don't say how many times he passed the ball, and how many times everyone else missed. He could've had 10 assists EASILY. Most of that is evident by the fact that the first half was spent trying to do what everyone else says he SHOULD do.... get his teammaetes involved... only, they weren't doing anything.

Normally, I'd mock a performance like this.... but it was a perfect example of doing what's needed for the win. The Lakers have a problem... but it's NOT Kobe Bryant. Smush Parker is fast becoming the #2 man because stupid Odom won't step up and do a damn thing. The reason why Jordan never did what Kobe did because he always had Pippen. Kobe can score 81.... hell, he can score 100 on a good night... but until he has someone to pass the ball to, his points will stay up, and his assists will stay low. Doesn't mean he doesn't pass the ball.

You're right on the money with this. In order to get assists, your teamates have to make shots. When Sasha Vujacic is your 6th man, your team is definitely EXTREMELY low on talent. It's very hard for Kobe to get assists when the NBDL bunch A.K.A. his "supporting cast" are all missing the wide open shots that he creates for them. The only guy that can make an open jumper (Puppy Crap A.K.A. Brian Cook) isn't playing too much right now. Kwame Brown can't even make an open layup. Against Sacto, he got an open look (off a Kobe pass) and shot a "Air-layup." But i guess it's Kobe's fault cause apparantly everything is. If Mitch Cupcake can wake up and somehow bring in a 2nd option, Kobe's shots will go down, and his assists will go up.
Y'all really need to get of this kid's back, I'll be the 1st to critique Kobe when he forces shots and plays selfish ball. I ripped him to shreads during the Finals in 03-04 because that was the most selfish display of basketball I had ever seen. That was then, when he did have talent around him. This year (and every year other than 03-04), he tries to get his teamates going and involved early, but when they start missing and falling behind, he takes over. Isn't that what all the greats do? Will ur team to a win?
I'm sure a lot of u don't watch every Laker game, you all just go along and base ur opinion on what ESPN and all the Woody Paige's, Jay Marrioti's, Michale Wilbon's in the world (who by the way don't watch these games cause they're on so late for them) tell you. To say that anybody can score 81 points is just ridiculous. it's only happened....hmmmm....lemme count it.......um.....once b4!!! What an amazing game that was to watch. U really should appreciate it cause u might not ever see it happen again.
anyway, this is a good read that Jordan's former teamate Steve Kerr wrote for Yahoo. Enjoy.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=sk-kobe012306&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

 

[DarthRekal]

You're right on the money with this. In order to get assists, your teamates have to make shots. When Sasha Vujacic is your 6th man, your team is definitely EXTREMELY low on talent. It's very hard for Kobe to get assists when the NBDL bunch A.K.A. his "supporting cast" are all missing the wide open shots that he creates for them. The only guy that can make an open jumper (Puppy Crap A.K.A. Brian Cook) isn't playing too much right now. Kwame Brown can't even make an open layup. Against Sacto, he got an open look (off a Kobe pass) and shot a "Air-layup." But i guess it's Kobe's fault cause apparantly everything is. If Mitch Cupcake can wake up and somehow bring in a 2nd option, Kobe's shots will go down, and his assists will go up.
Y'all really need to get of this kid's back, I'll be the 1st to critique Kobe when he forces shots and plays selfish ball. I ripped him to shreads during the Finals in 03-04 because that was the most selfish display of basketball I had ever seen. That was then, when he did have talent around him. This year (and every year other than 03-04), he tries to get his teamates going and involved early, but when they start missing and falling behind, he takes over. Isn't that what all the greats do? Will ur team to a win?
I'm sure a lot of u don't watch every Laker game, you all just go along and base ur opinion on what ESPN and all the Woody Paige's, Jay Marrioti's, Michale Wilbon's in the world (who by the way don't watch these games cause they're on so late for them) tell you. To say that anybody can score 81 points is just ridiculous. it's only happened....hmmmm....lemme count it.......um.....once b4!!! What an amazing game that was to watch. U really should appreciate it cause u might not ever see it happen again.
anyway, this is a good read that Jordan's former teamate Steve Kerr wrote for Yahoo. Enjoy.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=sk-kobe012306&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

good post

 

[The Punisher]

I'm a big fan of the NBA and this is my first post. I agree with what you said MSwift.

 

[Equint77]

If Detroit dominates the league and one of there players doesn't win the MVP something's wrong.

actually it shows that there isn't one player the DEPEND soley on to win... that's the true mark of a team.

If you take Nash out of Phoenix they're lotto... when Shaq was MVP and if he was taken out, they'd be no where, same thing with Duncan in SA.

In Detroit, they can win missing Chauncy, RIP, Prince... hell they can even make up losing Ben with their depth.

 

[DarthRekal]

I'm a big fan of the NBA and this is my first post. I agree with what you said MSwift.

welcome to the HYPE!

 

[NOFX]

2005-06 Power Rankings: Week 12
RANK (LAST WK) TEAM REC. COMMENT
1 (1) Pistons 33-5 In case you've stopped paying attention, Pistons could soon match Tigers' famed 35-5 start in 1984. Which figures to reignite the 70-win talk, like it or not.
2 (3) Mavericks 31-10 The cynic would say Mavs waited too long to sit Dampier. Life was good before the benching, but now look: Dallas is 5-0 since with an average victory margin of 21.
3 (2) Spurs 31-10 With four quality wins after the Detroit debacle, Spurs don't drop because of their play. They drop because their second most important player keeps getting hurt.
4 (4) Suns 26-14 Check that. If you want to beat these guys, taking them to double overtime works, too. Seattle didn't need a third to heap more OT misery on Suns.
5 (14) Nuggets 23-19 On second thought, this month's 9-2 record -- all without Camby -- might indeed be enough to make 'Melo an All-Star. Even in the West, are there five better Fs?
6 (5) Grizzlies 24-15 It'll be interesting to see how Grizz deal with their first crisis of the season. Not that slipping to sixth (and out of the SA-DAL bracket) would be so bad for them.
7 (9) Nets 22-16 Just for fun, let's assume Nets beat Heat out for the No. 2 seed and home-court advantage in Round 2. Would you still pick Miami to win that series?
8 (6) Heat 24-17 It was Riley, not me, who called Miami a ''41-game disappointment.'' But the ''new'' East is so disappointing that Heat probably snare the No. 2 seed no matter what.
9 (10) Lakers 22-19 Even before Kobe's 81, Zenmeister wasn't lowering expectations. Says Phil, regarding Artest: ''We're like a player away from really stepping into another level.''
10 (11) Cavaliers 21-17 Only downer about those skid-halting 51 points in Utah: LBJ played so well in those compression tights that he'll have to keep wearing them.
11 (16) Hornets 20-20 Folks are actually starting to ask where Hornets would stage playoff games, Which is another way of saying things are going too well to mess with Artest. Aren't they?
12 (8) Jazz 20-21 Uh-oh. After all the fuss over their record with (17-8) and without (2-8) their star, Jazz go on to drop four of five with no Kirilenko injury to blame it on.
13 (13) Clippers 21-16 Clips are a passable 4-2 since dropping within three games of .500. Tough, though, to get noticed in L.A. when Kobe's going for 50-something every other game.
14 (12) Bucks 21-18 How does a team get over its first loss in a tight game? In Bucks' case, games against Hawks and Bobcats couldn't have come at a better time.
15 (7) Pacers 21-18 If it's up to Pacers to lift the city spirits, post-Colts ... uh-oh. They're 9-11 since Artest's trade demand and down to a month left before the deadline to swing a deal.
16 (15) 76ers 20-20 Team of the Week? Try Roller Coaster of the Week, with Webber and Iverson blowups, then the OT win over Memphis and the comeback in Minny.
17 (20) Warriors 19-20 Warriors insist their recent slump was the byproduct of a rough schedule stretch. Fine. Prove it to us with six of the next eight games at home.
18 (17) Timberwolves 19-19 A national TV audience saw firsthand why we call them the anti-Bucks. Blowing a 19-point lead to Philly dropped Minny to 0-6 in games decided by three or fewer points.
19 (18) Wizards 17-21 Like Toronto's Mitchell and Atlanta's Woodson, Wiz coach Jordan manufactures a winning run -- 6-3 since an embarrassing rout at NY -- when he needs it most.
20 (23) Kings 17-23 Good times/bad times: Routed Suns, welcomed back Peja and Reef, upped their win streak to three ... then opened a six-game trip with an OT loss at Orlando.
21 (27) Magic 16-22 Slick trick from Magic management, which unsuspended Francis and assured him he won't be traded. Not a tough promise to make when interest is so low.
22 (22) Bulls 17-23 One big reason for Bulls' struggles: Before Saturday's 15 points and 14 boards in a victory at Indy, Chandler had 10 points ... for the entire month.
23 (19) Raptors 14-27 You're not alone. We, too, wondered whether the Pape Sow recall from the D-League was made solely to persuade the committee (of one) to keep Raps in the teens.
24 (24) Trail Blazers 14-25 Giving my Zach rants a rest this week has enabled me to notice that, hey, Nate's Blazers have pretty much caught his old team in the standings, too.
25 (26) SuperSonics 16-24 Third time hasn't been so charming for Hill. After winning records as an interim coach in NY ('86) and Indy ('90), he's only 3-7 here even after Sunday's thriller in PHX.
26 (25) Celtics 16-24 Not what my man Simmons or any other Boston Sports Fan wants to hear right now, especially so soon after Patriots' demise ... but Ainge says Doc is going nowhere.
27 (29) Rockets 13-26 This has become something bigger than a problem. Houston hasn't won a home game since Dec. 6, which shouldn't happen even without T-Mac.
28 (21) Knicks 13-26 He might not be the best point guard in the league, as Steph famously claimed last season, but Knicks are clearly worse without him. A lot worse.
29 (30) Hawks 10-28 There was never any great fear someone would challenge the all-time futility record of 9-73. Hawks are relieved just the same to make it official.
30 (28) Bobcats 11-30 Houston ain't the only one with beaucoup injury problems. Bobcats just lost another key name when Wallace, finally looking like the November Wallace, went down again

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

actually it shows that there isn't one player the DEPEND soley on to win... that's the true mark of a team.

If you take Nash out of Phoenix they're lotto... when Shaq was MVP and if he was taken out, they'd be no where, same thing with Duncan in SA.

In Detroit, they can win missing Chauncy, RIP, Prince... hell they can even make up losing Ben with their depth.

Agreed

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

No one is hating Kobe's 81, it's just when the ryders dissmiss the next man because there boy scored 81.

on a side note Mcgrady had 40+ points on consecutive nights today and yesterday. He outscored the Bucks by himself in 3rd and 4th and last night it was a close against detroit and his 43 points are the most the Pistons have allowed on a player this season

Sure they are, tons of people are, hell even people here have posted they disapprove of it or one aspect of his performance in one way or another.

And as far as T-Mac goes, I still stand by all my earlier statements.

 

[Alpha and Omega]

The East is obviously Detroit's. Who do you think will come out from the West? I'm not sure the Spurs can do it, unless everyone is healthy. If Amare comes back, and he gels relatively quickly w/ his teammates, Phoenix could make some real noise in the west. (Well that, and they need to play better D, or any kind of D for that matter.)

 

[Alpha and Omega]

actually it shows that there isn't one player the DEPEND soley on to win... that's the true mark of a team.

If you take Nash out of Phoenix they're lotto... when Shaq was MVP and if he was taken out, they'd be no where, same thing with Duncan in SA.

In Detroit, they can win missing Chauncy, RIP, Prince... hell they can even make up losing Ben with their depth.

That's basically why the MVP talk is for Nash and Kobe this season. Detroits great players sort of cancel each other out as unfair as that may be. Everyone may not agree, but ESPN, CSN, and USA Today only mention those two (Steve and no.8) on a frequent basis.

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

The East is obviously Detroit's. Who do you think will come out from the West? I'm not sure the Spurs can do it, unless everyone is healthy. If Amare comes back, and he gels relatively quickly w/ his teammates, Phoenix could make some real noise in the west. (Well that, and they need to play better D, or any kind of D for that matter.)

The Spurs are going all the way, Phoenix, Dallas and Memphis prove the only problems for them unlike The Pistions who have no one to challenge them. But don't look at the Spurs right now as playing at their best, they are pretty much coasting right now. Take a closer look at them when it becomes March or April, then you will see how they really play ball. Granted Health is a concern but not as big as one as people might think for them. They are still pretty deep.

And unless Shaq gets very healthy the Heat are worse off this year than they were last year.

 

[Super_Ludacris]

But see I dont think so. Because one of the reasons the Pistons play so well is there ball movement from transition defense to offense. If Arroyo is running the point that doesn't happen
Have you watched a lot of the Pistons games this season? In the early part a lot of there wins came from come from behind runs. Led by Chauncey. His handling of the ball is at the core of why they are so dominate. Flip letting Chauncey run the plays with more fluidity is one of the reasons you gotta consider him as an MVP candidate.
You guys watch ESPN and TNT, a month ago they were talking about Chauncey being considered a candidate.
It's not that far of a reach

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

But see I dont think so. Because one of the reasons the Pistons play so well is there ball movement from transition defense to offense. If Arroyo is running the point that doesn't happen
Have you watched a lot of the Pistons games this season? In the early part a lot of there wins came from come from behind runs. Led by Chauncey. His handling of the ball is at the core of why they are so dominate. Flip letting Chauncey run the plays with more fluidity is one of the reasons you gotta consider him as an MVP candidate.
You guys watch ESPN and TNT, a month ago they were talking about Chauncey being considered a candidate.
It's not that far of a reach

You may be right but the fact that is on the best starting 5 lineup hurt his chances.

 

[NOFX]

Has there ever been a player who won the mvp on an average team???

 

[Equint77]

But see I dont think so. Because one of the reasons the Pistons play so well is there ball movement from transition defense to offense. If Arroyo is running the point that doesn't happen
Have you watched a lot of the Pistons games this season? In the early part a lot of there wins came from come from behind runs. Led by Chauncey. His handling of the ball is at the core of why they are so dominate. Flip letting Chauncey run the plays with more fluidity is one of the reasons you gotta consider him as an MVP candidate.
You guys watch ESPN and TNT, a month ago they were talking about Chauncey being considered a candidate.
It's not that far of a reach

I agree. I guess it's not as cut and dry as I thought. But honestly if you look at the last 5-6 MVP's. If you took them away from their teams would the win? Would the even function? I sorta believe that even if you take Chauncey away that Detriot still has enough to have a respectable season.

 

[Alpha and Omega]

And unless Shaq gets very healthy the Heat are worse off this year than they were last year.

Yeah, the games after the All-Star break are the real competitive ones, because teams know the playoffs are close.

For all of Miami's trades, they were better last year. Maybe they haven't learned how to play together. Maybe Stan Van Gundy shouldn't have been railroaded by tricky Pat.

I favor a healthy Spurs team, but if they're not, it will be a challenge. Duncan has an injury that will plague him all year. I can't remember the technical term, but it deals w/ the lack of arch in his foot.

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Has there ever been a player who won the mvp on an average team???

In the NBA or sports in general?

 

[Equint77]

Has there ever been a player who won the mvp on an average team???

Nah... luckily the people who award this thing acknowledge that team success is a huge part of what makes an MVP.. who cares if a guy averages 50 points a game for a year and their team has only one 20 games?

And also... who wants to see an MVP not even make the playoffs and continue his season? I think I'd be weirded out if that ever happened.

 

[Alpha and Omega]

Has there ever been a player who won the mvp on an average team???

You have to at least make it to the playoffs(the deeper the better), and have phenomenal overall statistics.

 

[NOFX]

In the NBA or sports in general?

NBA of course because I dont recall any players in the NBA winning the mvp on an average team. There teams are usually title contenders!