Ballin’: Wiz Take Sting Out of Hornets … Again
NBA March 3rd. 2008, 11:28am
Did anyone catch the Devean George trash talk to No. 24 yesterday late in the game? What was that about? Haven’t been able to find any details on it, but we’re curious.
Los Angeles Lakers 108, Dallas Mavericks 104, OT: If Josh Howard is such a stud, why is on the bench in favor of Brandon Bass? And where was Erica Dampier, who had 16 points and 17 rebounds? (Ed. Fouled out, duh!) He who shall not be named went for 52, and old men Stack and J Kidd could not contain him. Anyone else watching this one long for the days of Bill Walton and Snapper Jones with those boobs Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson on color duties? Yuck.
Houston 103, Denver 89: The Rockets have won 15 in a row, and it’ll probably reach 16 when Indiana comes to town Wednesday, but they aren’t going to Dallas and winning Thursday. Luis Scola – can he overtake Durant for ROY? – had 18 points and 14 boards, and Houston’s D held Melo and AI to a combined 14-for-39 shooting.
Washington 101, New Orleans 84: Good luck attempting to figure out the Wizards – two losses out of the All-Star break, followed by four wins in their next five, including two triumphs over the Hornets. And still no Caron or Gilbert. The Hornets bench shot 9-for-27, and really lacks punch outside of occasionally warm Mr. Pargo.
Portland 104, Golden State 110: Fourth career start for Warriors rook Brandan Wright, and he netted 13 points in 18 minutes. Yup, the guy needs more PT.
Cleveland 95, Chicago 86: You-know-who took over in the fourth quarter and the Cavs overcame an 8-point deficit with 10 minutes left and rolled at home. Larry Hughes took more shots (20) than Ben Gordon and Kirk Hinrich combined (17), which certainly seems like an odd decision, right?
201 Responses to “Ballin’: Wiz Take Sting Out of Hornets … Again”
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March 3rd, 2008 at 11:30 am
They’re not going to Dallas and winning Thursday? We’ve won 15 in a row and we can’t get a little respect?
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:30 am
Let’s get it started:
As far as yesterday goes, Kobe > LBJ
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:31 am
I can’t figure out the Hornets. Lose to Washington twice in 7 days, sandwiched between wins vs. Phoenix (okay, that one I understand) and Utah. They went 2-4 in that important stretch I said they had to go 4-2 in, and lo and behold, they’re that many games back now.
Oh well, at least they get the Knicks for the first time in their next game.
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:32 am
The NBA is in GREAT shape right now.
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:34 am
By the way, the Lakers demonstrated one of their key flaws last night late in the 4th…can they get stops when they need them? Kobe was scoring on every possession, yet the Lakers were giving up baskets on every possession on the other end (Suprised Sasha was in the game..but they wanted his shooting apparently – and Odom was struggling defensively).
I guess you could say: In the playoffs, the Lakers would have Ariza and Bynum on the floor…much better defenders.
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:35 am
When do the playoffs start again?
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:35 am
TBL, typo on the Warriors score. They won.
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:37 am
omg the wizards won a game and beating New Orleans as well. i cant believe TBl doesnt have the wizards going to the finals today as his theme of the day.
NBA on NBC were the good ol days
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:38 am
Senor TheBigLead, Eric Dampier was on the bench because of FOUL TROUBLE. You must have been very sick yesterday to didn’t take notice of that.
BTW, as yesterday proved again “He who shall not be named” and “You-know-who” are the clear 2 best players in the NBA in this moment.
@cursed, to me the bigger problem for the Lakers is that they can’t make a play in the last seconds of a game, when the game is on the line. It happened against the Cavs at home (the Walton dribble-dribble-dribble) at Detroit losing by 1 (Odom taking a horrible shot) and yesterday at the end of the 4th quarter where they didn’t even can make a inbound pass…lucky for them Jason Kidd only had 2 seconds to shot…
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:40 am
And Sasha was in the game because Walton fouled out, Radmanovic was hurt, so Phil Jackson decided to play with Kobe at the 3 and Vujacic defending Jason Kidd (which by the way worked)
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:41 am
It’s nice to see that being traded for taking too many bad shots hasn’t kept Larry from continuing to take too many bad shots, keep that chin up.
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:44 am
He believes in himself coop
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:44 am
The Lakers can’t make a play in the last seconds? I think they still have a guy named Kobe right? And why wouldn’t Phil Jackson foul when he was up 3? Especially the second time!
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:46 am
CH4OS:
This would seem to run counter to the “Greatest Closer Ever” argument that a few on here like to make.
side note –
@cursed: From a purely competitive standpoint, the league is in great shape. Great players and teams, for sure. The playoffs will be great; the regular season has been great. But from a popularity perspective, I’d have to say the NBA is a clear 3rd. The only answer I can come up with is racism and the “thuggish” stereotype of the league, even though it’s clear that the NFL is much more hoodlum-filled and the MLB players breaks federal laws like it’s their jobs.
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:47 am
Yesterday was certainly a good day for the NBA. But they need more days like that and less late, late nights where the eastern timezone will miss what will be an exciting Western Conference playoffs.
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:49 am
Right now I would say you’re correct Nick, but if the league continues to have this kind of success over the next several years than I could easily see it surpassing the MLB in popularity. Especially with all of the negative publicity that Baseball has had over the past months, not to mention the generation of young stars playing in the NBA.
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:49 am
Larry Hughes Quote: “”I play to enjoy myself. Some people take this the wrong way, but winning a championship is not what I base everything on,” Hughes said. ”I was given an opportunity to play basketball, travel around and have fun doing it and that’s what I want to do. I wouldn’t take being unhappy and not being myself and winning. ”
good riddance loser, hope you enjoy his 30% shooting night and his indifference to your team winning Chicago
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:51 am
The Scola/Landry combination is badass. Picking up the slack of the Ming Dynasty quite nicely. Nuggets, Grizzlies and Wizards so far have had absolutely no answer to the ball-movement/aggressive defense the Rockets have been throwing out post-Yao-news.
Oh, and HeWhoShallNotBeNamed is a complete and total badass.
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:52 am
Also – if playoffs started today – Houston would HOST Utah. And “Luis Landry” would dominate that series. Unlike last year, when we had to rely on Chuck Hayes for 35 minutes.
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:53 am
Nick, the NBA is smart – there’s a reason they spend so much time oveseas promoting themselves. Do to closet (and even overt) racism, the NBA wil always find themselves behind baseball. But, they’re making tons of money overseas, much more that the baseball and football.
Nick, do YOU think Kobe is a good closer (pretty good “closer” on defense too, he stripped Kidd, stripped Dirk, blocked Dirk – although he got called for a foul…iffy call)
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:54 am
Chuck Hayes played his ass off in the playoffs last year, but I agree he should not come close to 35 minutes a game.
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:55 am
That’s right Irish, Wizards swept the Hornets. Maybe the Wizards just need to play the best teams night in and night out. I remember a discussion on here where it was just assumed the Wizards would get swept by the Hornets, nope!
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:56 am
Number 24 scores 30 in the fourth quarter and OT and he gets knocked for his closing abilities? Huh?
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:57 am
Going overseas is smart, but the way they’ve marketed individual players rather than teams since Jordan left has not worked until now, and that’s because they’ve lucked into great players and human beings like LBJ and Chris Paul. In that bad news bears era from ‘98 till ‘03, the league really faultered.
I do think Kobe is a good closer. I also think a certain Cleveland resident is a better one.
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:58 am
Actually Larry Hughes is shooting 50% better since the trade..he’s also shooting a respectable percentage from three pt range (36%). He’s getting to the line twice as much, and his assists have doubled.
I’m not saying the Cavs shouldn’t have traded him, but it’s pretty clear they were using him wrong. Cavs utilize an entire offense based around perimeter players standing and waiting for passes from LeBron, and that’s just not the style Hughes plays. Truth be told, there aren’t a ton of guys in the NBA who like to stand and wait for passes…this isn’t the era of the spot up shooter. Guys like hands in their faces..they like coming off screens, they like shooting off the “bounce”..
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:58 am
And yes, I’m talking about former tOSU standout Damon Stringer.
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:58 am
Nick it doesn’t counter anything. Where did Kobe failed in the crunch in those examples? How can a guy be penalized when his teammates failed? You can only counter that argument when Kobe misses or makes a turnover in the last posession. BTW, yesterday it only makes the argument more valid. 30 points in 4th quarter and OT…
Ah i just remembered, it was you that the first thing you said about the game, was the turnover with 30 seconds to play… you just forgot it was KObe by himself that win that game yesterday. Sasha missed open shots, Gasol was lousy after the 1st quarter and Odom had one of those games “Ã la Odom”… but still the most important thing was the turnover…sure Nick you’re the man!
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:58 am
I meant that Hughes is shooting 5% better.
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:59 am
Nick..sure you weren’t talking about Theo Dixon?
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Jason Kidd is a bum, dude can’t even hit a layup anymore. That deal for Dallas was horrendous.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:00 pm
@ch4: You’re the one that said the Lakers as a whole can’t close. Seems to me if you have the greatest closer ever, your team should be able to close, no?
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Yeah, def didnt notice that Dampier fouled out. My bad
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:00 pm
The NBA is less popular than baseball (not to mention football) because of racism? Really?
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Mike..NYC – all I can go by is the way people have talked to me about the NBA. People say things like “Those thugs”…and “Urban flavor” at games. Those are code words. I feel strongly about this.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Yeah Mike, if the NFL had more black players they wouldn’t be as popular either.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:03 pm
What other reason could you give, Mike?
A bench clearing brawl between (largely) white and fair skinned players is “part of the tradition of game; a bunch of good ol’ boys standing up for their comrades.”
Same thing in an NBA game, and it’s the downfall of modern society replete with criminals and drug dealers.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:03 pm
But then again, I’m one of those Parkersburg Liberals.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:04 pm
cursed, even by shooting better hughes is still shooting like crap.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Lakers as a team can’t make a play in the last seconds. If Kobe can’t receive the ball how can you make that argument Nick? Maybe if Kobe makes a inbound pass to himself….
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:04 pm
I feel strongly about this, also. It’s no coincidence in my mind that the NFL even with a lot of black players is more popular than the NBA in no small part because those black players have helmets on, and wear uniforms that hide (most of) their tattoos.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Hakeem is that sarcasm? The NFL is filled with black players.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Yeah it was
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Plus the marquee players in the NFL (Manning, Favre, Brady, Romo) are all white. That doesn’t hurt, either.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:12 pm
And wasn’t the NBA much more popular in the US in the 80’s, when white players were much more promiment?
Anyway, football could put robots on the field, and people would watch it. It’s aesthetically pleasing on television, with a regular season that means something. Baseball is “America’s game (of boredom)” People will always go the ballpark and eat their hot dogs in the summer.
Basketball has always had an uphill battle – I truly believe things would be different with more “relatable” players.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Well, I can give you my reasons: the pace is too slow; there’s not enough room on the court for 10 players; much of the game is 1-on-1 or 2-on-2, while the other players stand around doing nothing; the season is six months long, and the playoffs last two full months themselves; the focus (and marketing) is on individual success instead of team success; etc.
And I don’t care for baseball all that much either.
I love the NFL, and I’m sure you can come up with a list of things why that league is “bad” too (while still being more popular, though). It’s a personal preference. But hey: I’m white and I don’t like the NBA. I guess it’s because I’m a racist.
/
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:13 pm
@cursed: Probably the popularity stemmed almost entirely from having two huge markets (Boston/LA) as the superpowers of the league for most of the decade.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:14 pm
@Mike: I didn’t ask why Mike NYC didn’t like the NBA. I asked why there was a double standard between bench clearing “brawls” in both sports.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:15 pm
There is a backlash from about 5-10 years ago–when the most visible (or “newsworthy”) figures were Sprewell, Rasheed, Iverson, etc.. Kobe was in the middle of a rape trial. They set NBA goodwill in the white community back a while. The new generation of African American superstars (LeBron, CP3, Wade, etc.) are much more likeable and marketable. It won’t surprise me if they come back.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Mike, I’m not leaping to the conclusion that all whites who don’t like basketball are racists. I just think there’s a “relatable” factor that is far more prevalent in basketball than in the other sports.
Also, you can look at every sports and point to the flaws of their makeup. I’ve talked to Europeans who can’t stand American Football because the play stops every 7 seconds. They find it incredibly boring (That Giants game in England did nothing to dispel that notion).
How about baseball, which seems like nothing but pure luck to someone like me watching at home. We could go around and around and pick a part sports all day long.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:19 pm
I think the real question here is not why football is more popular then basketball. But who would be the better football player Bron or Kobe
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Good point JPG, but I’m not buying it completely. The NFL could have QB in jail, and the popularity would not wane one bit. Fantasy Football and American culture would not let it happen. Our Sunday’s are built around football in our society – the players themselves are irrelevant.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:23 pm
@YYSA: Fer serial? You have to even ask that question?
Taller-stronger-faster would outjump any D-back for jump balls in the end zone.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:23 pm
I think the NBA will eventually overtake the MLB for second in American sports popularity. All of the baby boomers who still consider baseball the American Pastime will be dead in another 20 years.
This is obviously a small thing too, but the popularity of the NFL and MLB is helped by the ever increasing interest in fantasy sports. Though I enjoy fantasy basketball, no one else seems to.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Nick: you asked “what other reasons” could I give, other than racism, that the NBA is less popular. I just gave you a list of them.
As for the “brawl” argument, you make a fair point, and I don’t have an answer for why the media presents these two seemingly similar incidents in two different lights. To me, they are both mildly entertaining, so long as nobody gets seriously injured, and nobody goes into the stands (see: Ron Artest). But you weren’t asking me what I thought, you were simply asking me to explain the rationale of the entire rest of the country, right?
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Well didn’t the NBA dig part of its own grave by marketing superstars ver teams? One reason why the NFL didn’t crumble under the Michael Vick scandal other than the reasons you mentioned is that the NFL doesn’t market itself as the “Michael Vick League.” Or, for that matter, the Tom Brady League, the Peyton Manning League, the LaDainian Tomlinson League, or whatever.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:24 pm
I don’t think the NBA’s problems are race related as much as the game is not geared towards the middle class family. First off they had a contract with NBC that expanded the popularity of the NBA and put the best teams in everyones living rooms Saturday and Sunday starting at noon. Having your best teams play at 9PM on TNT on a Tuesday doesn’t make it an easy watch. Court side seats or any reasonable seats are out of the price range of a family of four were a Baseball game is not unreasonable. And whole this might rile up the salary cap people here..the Salary Cap has KILLED the NBA in recent years. The ability to make your team better is predicated on making your team terrible and who the hell wants to watch a shit team. The Salary Cap is only a useful tool if contracts are not guaranteed. Or in NY the owner needs to compete (or so he says) and puts out a mediocre team that turns to shit and now you have an angry fan base. The NBA has dumped out of Big Markets to downgrade so they can have a new building…nothing like alienating people so billionaires can make a profit. Don’t forget the NBA with its salary rules and need for one or two Really good players to make a team is prone to dynasties which leaves more markets out of any sort of playoff contention a lot earlier. While most people that comment here are b-ball fans a lot of fans are Team fans first and if you team is mediocre and has virtually no shot in the playoffs the passion goes away and the need to see the game does as well. Football does well because of parody, gambling and fantasy teams…baseball pretty much has 4 months to itself and has a strong fantasy game that involves the day in day out minutiae of the game…plus less playoff teams means more teams in it to the end (and is why the playoff ratings are slightly lower). The NBA this season is great but remember the 10 years before it were boring and it takes awhile to get everyone back in it. The prejudice is not about race the prejudice is that the league is no longer fun so why should I watch.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:27 pm
I agree. And do you think there’s a “relatable factor” for black people and which sports they like, i.e. the NBA?
Or, how about Hispanics and their love of soccer?
Does this make everyone a racist or are they simply relating to the people are are playing the sport?
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Yawn.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:29 pm
I miss the John Tesh opening music.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:31 pm
LeBron > Randy Moss (at football)
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:32 pm
@cbh49er: Ask and you shall receive.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Allen Iverson > Lebron (at football)
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Troy Smith > Allen Iverson (at lacrosse)
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Yes, thank you Brave.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:39 pm
dwight howard > your teams center
dont be sleeping on my Magic fellas. no need to wait for next year because we ballin
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Orlando’s 2nd round opponent > Orlando
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:48 pm
# 3 seed looks a whole lot prettier right now than #5 seed
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Who’s debating that?
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:51 pm
I always love the lazy “Yawn” – often interjected by those who seek to show their discontent over a conversation that they don’t approve of or relating to a subject they don’t approve of. The problem is, it doesn’t advance the discussion and has no real meaning.
No nice job Beaver, you essentially said nothing.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:52 pm
RD- you go to the flats yet?
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:57 pm
I stick to West 6th and West 9th. I should kick my own MFing ass
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:01 pm
the only teams that can hang in the post with Orlando is Detroit, Boston and Toronto. those are the only teams i see being able to at least put up a fight against the magic in the low block. teams will double, triple young moses malone and leave hedo and rashad wide open all night long. if you dont double dwight, you in for a long night.
Who leads the league in double doubles this year? thats right
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Absolutely.
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:11 pm
How do the Magic ever lose?
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:12 pm
People seem to like Mike Breen…but I think he’s just bland. When I listen to Tirico, I feel like I’m being lecture to for 2 hours.
So again I ask, how is Marv Albert not doing the NBA finals? How? Why? What can be done about this.
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Irish…I don’t know who leads the league in double doubles, but i can tell you definitively that Nick P leads this comment section in double standards!!
I kid Nick P..I kid!!
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Orlando > San Antonio and the Lakers and Boston combined
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Dwight Howard leads the league in double doubles damnit. you should know that cursed. 52 double doubles in 61 games isnt bad for the young moses malone.
name me one big man that can hang with dwight? there is no one
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:19 pm
I’ve debunked the myth of double doubles time and time again. What do they really tell us about a guy’s personality? Or his sex drive?
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Would this make Dallas the best team as they have the leader in triple doubles?
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:24 pm
the man is the greatest center to be in the NBA since Wilt the fucking stilt. breaking records, collecting rings like russell. get teamed up with a lights out SG and its over for the east.
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:24 pm
no, they would have the best point guard RD. just my opinion.
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Nothing wrong with the NBA. Let’s not act like people were jumping at the chance to watch Cards-Tigers and DBacks-Rockies. I think baseball is ridiculously boring for the entire season, and I find it difficult to watch any regular season action before August. And the Suns-LA game regular season game got a better number than the NLCS last year. I’m guessing the game yesterday got huge ratings as well. The product is getting better now, the stars in the league are better, and there are hell of some storylines. I’d like to know what the ratings for MLB would be if the Red Sox or Yankees sucked.
And Breen-Jackson-Van Gundy is the best announcing team ever. Very knowledgeable, on point, and fuckin hilarious.
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Pau Gasol went for 12-15 FGs…30 pts 9 rbs 1 blk last when the Lakers played in Orlando last. Howard went for 19 pts 11 rbs 0 blk.
Howard > Mikan, Russell, Wilt, Kareem combined
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:30 pm
he had the flu. still had a double double though didnt he
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:32 pm
are there any videos out there of Lebron dunking on Dwight? um..no
are there any videos out there of Kobe dunking on Dwight? one, maybe two
great players, do great things
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Howard > LeBron and Kobe combined (at shooting guard)
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Double doubles means nothing to interior players. If you talk about 20pts-10rebs games then you can talk, and probably Dwight is at the top of that list also. Of course Dwight is the best Center in the league right now , i don’t think anyone would take injury prone and no defense Yao Ming instead of Dwight Howard.
If only the Magic had a decent Point Guard….
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Of course there’s one.
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:35 pm
CH 40S, big things in the offseason is expected. big things
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:37 pm
yeah that dunk is sick quin, but no lebron dunking on dwight
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:38 pm
With what? The Magic doesn’t have any cap for the next couple of years or any players that everybody wants (if you exclude Dwight and maybe Hedo) so what you are going to do?
Sign-and-trade Gilbert Arenas or Jose Calderon? Ahahahahah, to do a sign and trade you have to be under the cap or give the other team something they want, and i don’t believe JJ Redick fits that bill….
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Very sick Coke Binge.
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:39 pm
BTW in the other day i read a interview of Fran Vasquez to one Spanish newspaper, where he said that he’s not sure that he’s going to play in the NBA…ever…
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:39 pm
draft CH40S, a sleeper out of texas at PG
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:40 pm
CH4OS beat me to the punch on that one. The Magic have NOTHING to work with this summer.
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:41 pm
i really dont know CH 40S. im no fucking GM. i wish they get a legit PG out of the draft like boston did with Rondo. he was slept on at Kent and i feel the same way about DJ augustine
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Did irish just call DJ Augustine a sleeper?
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:44 pm
beaver you trying to be a dick, cause its working.
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:46 pm
kind of but COME ON! People are well aware of Augustine. Rondo dropped because he can’t shoot his way out wet paper bag. Augustine has no such issues.
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Bill Simmons would disagree and tell you Durant > LeBron.
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:49 pm
If you think a young PG is the immediate solution, you better think again. Young PG’s take at least 2 years to adapt to the NBA, so if you want to compete in the Leastern Conference you have to try and acquire a PG via trade.
I was one of the believers on Jameer, i always thought the Nuggets would regret trading him, but i was wrong. He can’t be your starting PG in a true contender.
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:49 pm
since your new to the scene, i dont want to say anything that will prevent you from coming back to the site.
have a good afternoon
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:51 pm
no…i would rather you did. but please use poor grammar.
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:52 pm
CH40S- if i were the magic, i would of at least tried for andre miller during the trade period. at least he is better than what we have
i know we are stuck with the cap, plus dwight is going to want big money. he only gets 6 per year right now. who knows
we all have dreams CH 40S
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:52 pm
and fyi…i am not new to the site. i just don’t get the opportunity to comment very often because i have to work most days away from my comp.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Beaver, there are jobs like that in America? No computer? Come on now, I thought we outsourced all those types of jobs.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:00 pm
fyi.. i like the lakers and one of the biggest Kobe supporters on this site. ask the Lebron Groupie Lovers who gives them the most shit.
Dwight howard will crush gasol, so dont give me that shit
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Delonte West > Jameer Nelson
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Phil Martelli = Overrated Basketball Coach
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Dwight Howard> Big Z and Big Ben
produces more than both those big has beens combined
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:08 pm
my point was that in their last meeting it just didn’t happen. Howard still manages to get into foul trouble every now and then, turns the ball over too much, and is an aweful free throw shooter. That being said, it seems everybody agrees he is the best big in the league. Why can’t you just leave it at that? the Magic just aren’t that good.
@cc: (realizing you were using sarcasm) i mostly driving or outdoors during the day…around the comp at night when you EST kids are sleeping.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:09 pm
@irish: I’m late to this party, but I believe you said Dwight was the best Center since Moses or Wilt. Shaq took a big dump on Moses, FWIW.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:09 pm
and Dwight
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:10 pm
*awful
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:10 pm
nick p- late, but fashionably late. True , but in your books he had a lot of help
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:12 pm
But Gasol doesn’t play center, so I doubt we’ll see them matchup again once Bynum is back, Irish.
And Howard is good, but I think you are too quick to crown him as the best post player in the league, like the Cavs fans are with Lebron. DH is sick, no question. But to take the Magic to the next level, he really needs to improve his mindset IMO. For one, everytime I see a Magic game, Dwight tends to disappear in the 4th. It turns into Hedo’s team, not Dwight’s. He needs to develop a mean streak, something I think we only see at certain times. On defense, he slacks ALOT. He tends to be out of position often, and it causes him to pick up ticky-tac fouls, then he has to sit. That was the case in the last Lakers-Magic game. I think it’ll come with time as he develops and matures, but right now he’s a genetic freak who can dominate when he wants to. But his motivation doesn’t seem like its always there, he wanders alot on defense, doesn’t always box out well which allows smaller players to get boards they never should, and he needs to be at his best in the 4th, and I just haven’t seen it.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:16 pm
But Gasol doesn’t play center, so I doubt we’ll see them matchup again once Bynum is back, Irish. beaver made that comparison Quin.
and i believe the fact that Dwight didnt snap at his coach for getting called out is because he knows how much room he still has to grow. that should be scary for every team that faces him.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:17 pm
@quin: If you had known us in 05-06 when we were saying the same thing, you maybe would have had a point about being early on LBJ, but after 3 seasons of being the best, I think we’re right on time.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:17 pm
The more irish post, the less desire I have to post.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:18 pm
and quin, dont be trying to say Bynum has a chance at guarding Howard. i dont think Kareem taught him how to deal with a power center yet
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:19 pm
dorncoch- finally crawled out this afternoon
eat a dick dorn
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:20 pm
@irish: +1
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:22 pm
all you guys know that i will talk about dwight all day. i dont see any big man in this league that can dominate the way he does. when someone can debate that fact with me, please by all means bring the debate.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Is Bynum even going to have to worry about him, if Dwight picks up his early fouls slapping cutters on the wrist because he’s out of position and then he has to sit? Right now I think Dwight is too young and immature to be a championship-level center.
I do think the Magic are better than people think, and I give them a shot in an Eastern Conference that isn’t very good. But when your starting backcourt combines for 43 minutes and zero points from the field, as they did the other night, you obviously have some holes.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:23 pm
The +1 was for the “dorncoch” line — funniest thing you’ve said on this board.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:24 pm
I think the Jameer Nelson / Carlos Arroyo PG tandem is the worst of any playoff team and possibly any team in the Association.
Jameer is, perhaps, average, but I’ve always hated Carlos Arroyo. He’s a team killer.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:25 pm
quin you lost me man with that statement saying he is too young and inmature. how is he inmature? did he snap at his coach when getting called out in the media across the nation Quin? no he didnt when you know that half the prima donnas in this league would of went ape shit on there coach so dont give me that inmature shit.
he is dominating the league right now whether you believe it or not.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:26 pm
nick- have you ever seen arroyo play for the puerto rican squad? he kills it. i agree he sucks in the pros, and trust me i know we have the worst backcourt in the league.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:26 pm
my only point was that in their ONE matchup Gasol was playing center and outplayed Howard. Just one matchup and I was just saying…
And why could Bynum not guard Howard effectively? He dominated Amare (not the exact same type of player I realize) when Bynum was healthy so I think he could play passable defense on Dwight. Oh and when they went up against each other in early December Howard went for 17pt 8rbs and 5blks. Bynum went for 10-6-7.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Arroyo is a joke. Every World Championships people get sucked into thinking he’s good cuz he puts up like 20 a game. Dude is a joke that can’t play in the Association.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:27 pm
irish, how is he dominating the league anymore than Lebron, Kobe, Paul, TD, Nash, Billups, KG, etc, etc, etc?
Nick, you and irish make a great pair.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:29 pm
dorn- Dwight is in the top 5 MVP talk right now and has been in all media outlets. Chris Paul, Lebron, Kobe, KG, and Dwight.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Immature with regards to his basketball IQ and doing what it takes to win. Personally, right now I think Dwight is too concerned with wanting to score, when his team needs him to simply focus on defense and rebounding. His points can come off put backs and easy 2’s, but I don’t think the Magic should be feeding him. And I think Van Gundy agrees.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Don’t feed Dwight? That would be inhumane.
Oh and the Celtics won so that is why Dorn is here.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:31 pm
He’s also not a good enough passer right now to be running the offense through. That’s where Shaq was underrated—best big passing big man I’ve seen.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:33 pm
you dont think they should be feeding him the ball? are you serious?
your losing me Quin. he has the most dunks for the past two years for a reason Quin. who can guard him? he needs to get the ball more
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Dwight is having a better year than Kobe.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:36 pm
quin, people were talking so much shit about his free throws. he has vastly imroved those over the course of the past three months. People were saying that was his only weakness.
best center in the league for the next 15 years.
it should be to a point where you would know that and there would be no debate but for some reason you think bynum can hang
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Feed him within the flow of the offense, but not just giving it too him and then everyone standing around watching. He has the most dunks because he is the best offensive rebounder in the league. I don’t know, I just he concentrates WAY too much on the offensive end and it hurts his team. Orlando should NEVER lose to the 76ers with that center matchup.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:37 pm
You’d know cbh, since you NEVER leave. You have to get the first word in on every TBL post don’t you?
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:38 pm
If it works out that way then sure. I leave on the weekends.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:38 pm
@quin: You may be right, but I think Philly is vastly underrated. Now if Willie Green could just get hit with a bus so they wouldn’t be able to give him minutes…
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Naw, Bynum is no where near Howard at this point. Bynum benefits from Kobe putting him in a position for easy scores. Howard is the best TRUE center right now, but for the Magic to be able to beat Cleveland specifically, he’s got to step up his defensive game. Lebron should not be able to drive as he does against the Magic. Until he gets more serious on the defensive end, the Magic can’t get to the next level.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:39 pm
And after work. Sorry Dorn but you want to shit on others when you were on here bragging about your Celtics and how they were undefeated against the West. Then they go on a losing streak and we don’t get a peep out of you. Wizards win or lose I am on here, same with Irish and his Magic. I would call you a homer but I don’t want you to take your ball and go home like Mags.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:40 pm
yeah but Quin they just beat them two days prior to that at home and then had to travel. no excuses, we got smoked that night. The backcourt loses games for us, i think. We are mismatched pretty much every night at the 1 and 2 spot. if it wasnt for our frontcourt, we would be crushed
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:41 pm
@Nick: Yea, Philly is alot better than I expected—a poor man’s GState.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:41 pm
nick- are we starting to agree again with this sleeper of a team in Philly. i think toronto is tough as well
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:42 pm
cbh don’t forget about Dornoch going off when the Lakers were 1-1 with Gasol, but when they win 10 straight he doesn’t speak about that trade…
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:42 pm
That’s what I’m talking about Irish. I think that type of let-down game shows the youth of the Orlando leadership. When your fighting for that 3 seed those are games you can’t afford to lose.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:43 pm
@ quin- trust me, i agree with you 100% on that statement about clogging up the middle. i agree with you that Lebron,by far, gets to the basket the easiest. Dwight needs to put that to a stop with a mean streak like you added. well said
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:45 pm
@ cbh- brush it off my man. welcome to my world LOL
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Not sure why you think I only come around after Celtic wins. Have I said ANYTHING about the Celtics? And if you go back to the last Celtic loss you will see in the ballin section that I was given praise by another poster for showing my face after a loss. So you are wrong.
Half the reason you think I am only here after Celtic wins is because they rarely lose. 46-12 will do that for you. If I was here to talk trash about the Celtics I would have done so with my first post. Instead I was happy to give irish some crap about Howard while continuing to read about Lebron and Kobe.
I am one of the few people that post in Ballin who can make post on a regular basis that aren’t about my favorite team. The rest of you can’t.
irish: Howard, Magic, Howard, Magic, Moses Malone, Magic, Howard
cbh: Wizards lost again (like anyone cares)
spencer, nick, cleveland: Great game for Lebron
Numerous Laker homers: Kobe is awesome
Not saying I don’t talk about the Celtics but as evidenced by my first post today, it clearly isn’t my only point in being here.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Irish, that’s what impressed me so much about the Mavs yesterday. Aside from their 7 foot “MVP”, Dallas has suddenly become a tough nosed team. Dampier getting his mean streak, Bass is a physical presence, Howard is a tough defender, Kidd is about as tough as a PG can get, and Avery enstills that same nastiness in his players. I team like that can be deadly in the playoffs. I like how they didn’t back down and fouled Kobe hard. And they weren’t rattled when the Lakers seemed to be bitching about every non-call.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:47 pm
@NBA Renaissance Man (dornoch): I think you’ll notice I talk about every team, especially random PGs on minor teams.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:47 pm
I continue to say about the Gasol trade what I said of the trade.
IT DOESN’T MAKE THE LAKERS THE FAVORITES IMO!
Why get into fights about it daily? Is that what you Laker fags want? You make me to make statements daily that you disagree with so we can have the same fights over and over and over again?
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:47 pm
I have a feeling that 3 seed will be decided in the last week between the Magic and the Cavs
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:48 pm
@quin: Agree. Dallas is my pick to represent the West.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:48 pm
I know Nick. I’m talking about the first post of the day. Not all your post.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:49 pm
@Quin, the most impressive thing to me about those Mavs yesterday was seeing Dirk Nowitzki with “FIRE”, he was playing bad but still he managed to turnaround, something he couldn’t do in last year Playoffs, and then he showed some fire. HALLELUAH!
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:53 pm
(arives late and sniffs comments….
yep, someone’s trying to start another fight…)
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Sorry Dorn, when I signed up for posting on this site I didn’t know I had to talk about things other than what interest me.
I don’t watch 8 million NBA games so I talk about what I know, I will keep in mind that I should not comment first on any post and I should not talk about the Wizards because you don’t give a crap.
Thanks for telling me how to post, Dick.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:53 pm
@Dornoch so why do you bother to give us an update on how the Celtics were without KG (7-2 if i remember correctly) and then post the Lakers with Gaso (1-1 at the time) so you can have the rights to brag of saying that the trade was not that good…..
What i criticize is that you forgot to update us with your scoreboard…and then it wasn’t any fag over here that come here to comment on Sam Cassell and how he makes the Celtics perfect. So reading this…
is a little strange to say the least…and by the way if you’re calling me a fag, what can anybody speak about you? Personal Celtics dick sucker?
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:54 pm
I bet you gave a crap when the Wizards beat your boys on back to back, I am praying the Wizards get the 8 seed so they can give your Celtics the beat down.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:54 pm
quin, i think our frontcourt is good enough to carry us.
@ point of attack- i agree with you on that
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:55 pm
adios rick
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:56 pm
@CH4OS: Yea, same here. Thought it was hilarious when the camera’s zoomed in on him after his game-tying bucket where he mouths “Take that you fuckin pussy bitches.” And anytime a Seven Foot german is poppin’ his jersey, you can’t help but laugh.
Still though, it is wierd to see a seven footer shot a six foot FADE AWAY with the game on the line, instead of takin it strong to the hoop.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:56 pm
cbh, why do I have to come around when I don’t feel like it? You are giving me shit about telling you how to post when you started this by telling me when I should and shouldn’t come around?
On that topic, I have a link for you, from the day of the last Ballin in which the Celtics lost:
http://thebiglead.com/?p=4736#comments
And here is a comment from beaverbeliever from that day:
“Props to Dornoch showing after a loss something not all (cough, irish, cough) are willing to do.”
So, what were you saying about me not showing after losses?
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Can we take this to the Simmons post and debate ‘86 C’s v. 72-10 Bulls?
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:58 pm
dorn- you know im here all the time. dont give me that. beaver is tring to be a wise ass
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:59 pm
“I bet you gave a crap when the Wizards beat your boys on back to back, I am praying the Wizards get the 8 seed so they can give your Celtics the beat down.”
I’d be praying if I was a Wizards fan too.
Maybe Arenas will be back by then so he can say something stupid that the Celtics can put on their bulletin board like when he predicted a beatdown on opening night.
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Sorry irish, had to dig up that quote to prove cbh wrong. You can do the same to prove beaver wrong if you find it neccessary.
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Irish, your backcourt is just really depressing and I hope they can get DH some help, but I don’t know how. They are loaded with contracts, but maybe ownership will be willing to pay luxury tax. I actually think the Magic best bet might be to go with a Derek Fisher-type until some contracts expire. They need someone who understands the game and how to get a big man the ball in a position where its one or two dribbles and a dunk.
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Dorn as stated above, I don’t read the site on weekends so I missed it.
I am a man and will stand corrected.
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:03 pm
one, two dribbles and a dunk LOL. Quin thats how it is right now. its too easy for dwight. he does need a go to shot, not a go to dunk. that is not always there
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:05 pm
woops. looks like i got myself in the middle of that one. oh, and i am never wrong dornoch. chew on these, Kobe is better than Lebron (as if there was any doubt):
http://freedarko.blogspot.com/2008/03/clarity-in-cataracts.html
Kobe is better than Jordan (some work to do)
http://straightbangin.blogspot.com/2008/03/24-23.html
Both good reads linked off KD’s blog today.
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Also, was Devean really trash talking? They are former teammates, he might have just been chatting?
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:15 pm
i love this fucking post, tbl probably hates it
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:24 pm
I think am fairly certain that Devean George was one of Kobe’s better friends on the team when he was in LA. My guess is they were just playing around. That being said Kobe seems a little chippier lately. He got into it with Joel Pryzbilla in Portland the other night and has picked up a few techs over the past couple weeks. I think he smells ring number four.
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Lakers winning a ring this year? No eff way! I’m a Laker fan and even I don’t believe in this media hype around the Lakers. I wouldn’t be surprised if they lose in the 1st Round. Even the Shaq-Kobe teams didn’t win at the first try, and this Lakers team will not win even with Bynum coming back at 100%…
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Don’t forget getting thrown out of a game up 31. Having your best player playing with that intensity is great for the other guys on the team. Walton was getting chippy yesterday too—you like to see that, especially from role players. I was lovin’ the mics getting some of the bench chatter yesterday. Kobe coming off in OT : “We aint losing today, we aint losing.” Gotta love that.
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:37 pm
that was a great game yesterday vs the mavs. Playoff intensity
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:37 pm
@ quin- what happened with george and Kobe? what is the word out on the west coast about that?
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:39 pm
My gosh … i really wonder what will happen come playoff time. will the world end if the Lakers are eliminated prior to the finals? What if … the Jazz win it all? Wouldn’t that be something?
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Nothing, just friends givin each other shit. George was on the bench, Kobe was standing next to Dirk while Lamar was shootin FTs. Just some back and forth in an intense game. Everyone was talkin trash yesterday. Like you said, playoff intensity.
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:44 pm
That is the thing TBL…CH4OS says the Lakers could lose in the first round but even if that happened, would it even be that big of an upset? Not really. The playoffs are going to be incredible. I say LA, SA, Dallas, and Utah could all come out of the west. I think NO is a year away and PHO killed themselves with that Shaq trade. They need to figure things out quick.
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:47 pm
TBL = charles Barkley
March 3rd, 2008 at 4:07 pm
that’s right beaverbeliever, can anybody say anything before the 1st round? After the Warriors upset last year, are you going to be surprised if any team (Spurs, Mavs, Jazz, Lakers) lose in the 1st round against the “underdog”? Unless the Rockets reach the Playoffs, i don’t see why the Suns, Warriors, Nuggets or Hornets can’t beat any team in a series…
In the Eastern Conference the fun will only begin in the 2nd Round. I only see 5 good teams in the East, and the only series in the 1st round that will matter is the 4th against 5th…
March 3rd, 2008 at 4:09 pm
I thought Van Gundy was great yesterday, especially down the stretch. He called the fact that Kobe is such a great offensive rebounder off free throws and it was a bad matchup for Bass to be checking him out (cue Kobe grabbing the rebound 5 seconds later), and immediately recognizing the play the Mavs ran to get Dirk the game-tying 3 was what the Suns have run this season for Barbosa (I’ve seen it three times – successful twice – first time was against the Bulls early in the season to win the game down 2).
March 3rd, 2008 at 4:13 pm
I like trio as well, what happened to Snapper Jones?
March 3rd, 2008 at 4:25 pm
IMO Jeff Van Gundy is a underrated coach based in a insucess with the Rockets in the Playoffs. He basically developed that defense and today Rick Adelman (not a defense guy) he’s gaining from me it.
Back in the days when the Knicks had a basketball team, Van Gundy managed to get Sprewell under control and in the strike shortened season was almost fired twice, until he get a 8th seed and then without Ewing he managed to get his team to the Finals with Chris Dudley as a 25 minute per game guy! Yes, that Chris Dudley…
Yesterday was one more case where Van Gundy shows why some opinions from guys that were inside the game are valuable.
March 3rd, 2008 at 4:29 pm
was that the year of the infamous ankle grabbing CH40S?
March 3rd, 2008 at 4:29 pm
I love that he is so critical of coaching strategies and especially certain calls from the referees. He doesn’t just say that it’s a bad call or bad coaching decision, he actually explains why and makes legitimate points. Some of his choices are off-the-wall, but you never hear anybody be as open about a lot of in-game criticisms as he is.
March 3rd, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Personally never thought I’d agree with Kelly Dwyer on anything. Until now.
March 3rd, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Nick, i would not go there…
Maybe there’s a point in you not agreeing with him…it’s because he’s usually wrong, so that’s probably the case in here also…
I will continue with my opinion, until now i will give the MVP to Chris Paul but if the Cavaliers reach the 50 wins or the Lakers reach the best record in the West, i will maybe change opinions. Which by the way has the same value has Kelly Dwyer. BTW Nick, it was you that always say that you shouldn’t go with opinions from players, coaches or writers, so…..why stop now? Uhm, oh yeah i almost forgot, because it defend your friend…
Oh boy, all day….all day!
March 3rd, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Kelly Dwyer left SI? I had no idea.
March 3rd, 2008 at 5:16 pm
@CH4: Haha. I do not care for Dwyer usually. I only posted that because cursed does like him. The only two analysts I *trust* are Hollinger and Berri. The rest can go suck an egg.
March 3rd, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Nick, come on man. You think Bron is better and that’s your opinion. But linking to that trash… An argument can be made that Lebron is better….but that was absolutely not the way to do it. Somehow since Kyle Korver also shoots FTs better than Lebron, the fact that Kobe does is mute? AI as a close equal? The fuck outta here…
March 3rd, 2008 at 6:36 pm
[Fixed]
March 3rd, 2008 at 6:36 pm
30+, 8 and 7.5 is absolutely the way to do it (and on a better FG %). The only guys who have ever done it are the big O and MJ.
The point of the game is to score and avoid being scored on, these stats are the primary way to show who does that the best.
March 3rd, 2008 at 7:28 pm
RD, the point of the game is to WIN! But this one is one more for your “Nonsense Statements” and i have to say that is growing everyday…