NBA Discussion Thread*

noel · Post by **noel** » March 20, 2008, 12:44 am

Dude, your NBA posts are the best! (no offense Winnow)

Also, that was the game I saw, and his play was exactly as you described. I've learned from watching Kobe over the years that if you look at his line, sometimes it will look like he had a good night, but if actually saw the game or if you look at his line in detail, he really played like shit. That was the type of bad performance I saw. Totally reminded me of a 'bad Kobe' night where he scores a lot of points or something, but does it by jacking up a billion shots, or doesn't play well on defense or turns the ball over a lot (meaning Kobe). Lebron is still super young, but I don't think he's truly manifested his killer instinct like MJ or Kobe.

Aardor · Post by **Aardor** » March 20, 2008, 11:26 am

In the past month, the Sixers have beat Denver, San Antonio, Detroit, Phoenix, and Orlando. Maybe they do deserve that playoff spot!

Zamtuk · Post by **Zamtuk** » March 20, 2008, 1:18 pm

As Sueven said, Chris Paul absolutely deserves MVP. He is rediculously efficient at the PG position and literally makes his team better (hello, David West).

He was also good enough to score on me during a pick up game at Wake Forest a few years back.

noel · Post by **noel** » March 20, 2008, 4:18 pm

Zamtuk wrote:He was also good enough to score on me during a pick up game at Wake Forest a few years back.

No offense to you at all, but...

That's SHOCKING.

That's like me saying Lance Armstrong beat me up my local 2000 foot climb a few years back. Hate when that happens!

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » March 20, 2008, 8:15 pm

Another view of Shaq's pwnage block (may red-x)

Look how high up Shaq got...sky shaq!

Article from SI reevaluating the Shaq trade:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/w ... index.html

noel · Post by **noel** » March 21, 2008, 2:07 am

I'm assuming the Lakers are going to hold on and beat the Jazz tonight. I'm really impressed with the Lakers going 2-2 on a pretty tough road trip without Bynum or Gasol. Turiaf played out of his mind.

Pherr the Dorf · Post by **Pherr the Dorf** » March 24, 2008, 11:28 am

2 things here...

Does anyone really want to play Golden State in the first round?

A great way to look at a line is to compare number of shots taken to points scored... anything around 1.3 to 1.7 is an ok to good game.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » March 24, 2008, 11:21 pm

The Suns were robbed of their 8th win in a row. Detroit didn't beat the Suns, the refs did. Shaq was mauled and no calls.

Thug mentality. The Suns need to step up to even dirtier play like Detroit plays. Grats Stern. The league continues to digress into who can foul the most without getting caught.

Sueven · Post by **Sueven** » March 24, 2008, 11:33 pm

Winnow wrote:The league continues to digress into who can foul the most without getting caught.

This is like the opposite of reality.

Aardor · Post by **Aardor** » March 25, 2008, 12:22 am

Sixers beat the Celtics!

Leonaerd · Post by **Leonaerd** » March 25, 2008, 4:43 am

Winnow wrote:The Suns were robbed of their 8th win in a row. Detroit didn't beat the Suns, the refs did. Shaq was mauled and no calls.

Thug mentality. The Suns need to step up to even dirtier play like Detroit plays. Grats Stern. The league continues to digress into who can foul the most without getting caught.

Shaq is a brawler just like anybody else. Your team lost again. Lucky I didn't bet you another avatar!

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » March 25, 2008, 12:35 pm

Leonaerd wrote:
Shaq is a brawler just like anybody else. Your team lost again. Lucky I didn't bet you another avatar!

I understand that some fouls don't get called but this one was so obvious that it should be reviewed by the league. More cheating refs I guess. We'll probably hear about it at the end of the season.

Zamtuk · Post by **Zamtuk** » March 25, 2008, 1:40 pm

From you.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » March 26, 2008, 5:53 am

TEMPE, Arizona (AP) -- Shaq wants to give the Tempe Police Department a big assist.

Shaquille O'Neal, acquired by the Phoenix Suns in a trade in February, visited the police station March 20 and filled out an application to be a volunteer, department spokeswoman Sgt. Cindy Davies said Tuesday.

Davies added that she didn't know if the Suns center planned to start volunteering during the National Basketball Association season or why he chose Tempe.

"I imagine he's probably busy," Davies said. "But if his schedule allows it, we're not going to turn him away and say 'Oh no, it's basketball season, you need to go to the games."'

Police department volunteers assist in a range of activities, from handing out flyers to acting as an interpreter.

O'Neal, acquired from the Miami Heat on Feb. 6, would be given a volunteer assignment based on how the skills he could provide fit with the department's current needs, Davies said.

O'Neal previously served as a reserve officer with the Miami Beach Police Department while playing for the Heat.

"Certainly we're very grateful he's going to be volunteering and giving back to the community," Davies said. "It's fantastic for such a leader like him."

Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » March 26, 2008, 10:38 pm

So how did you enjoy your ass whipping tonight Winnow?

Leonaerd · Post by **Leonaerd** » March 27, 2008, 2:35 am

East > Winnow

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » March 27, 2008, 2:50 am

lock this thread!

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » March 27, 2008, 4:54 pm

In case you missed it shit-talker, let me throw up some refreshers.

Hell....the Celtics can beat you while playing on their knees.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » March 27, 2008, 5:11 pm

Detroit can talk shit because they swept the Suns this year but the Celtics are only 1-1.

MVP! Gotta love the suit!

Garnett too scared to try and block Shaq!

Zamtuk · Post by **Zamtuk** » March 27, 2008, 10:39 pm

Hrmm, that is odd, he even looks like Sam Perkins in that pic!

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » March 27, 2008, 11:32 pm

Zamtuk wrote:Hrmm, that is odd, he even looks like Sam Perkins in that pic!

yeah, I was looking for KG too...

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » March 28, 2008, 12:49 am

He's cowering in a corner of the court because he doesn't want to be posterized!

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » March 28, 2008, 8:48 am

In reality he is on the bench because they are up by 20 and it is scrub time.

Leonaerd · Post by **Leonaerd** » March 28, 2008, 9:46 am

Or racing up the court to get a one man advantage for the full 24 seconds it takes Shaq to travel basket to basket.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » March 28, 2008, 12:40 pm

The Suns had won the last ten meetings in Boston and had won the last five game against Boston. Enjoy your win!

See you in the finals if you can get by Detroit! The Suns know they can take out Boston so best to let them secure the #1 spot in the East to help eliminate Detroit who would be a tougher matchup for Phoenix. Genius!

Aardor · Post by **Aardor** » March 28, 2008, 12:48 pm

Winnow wrote:The Suns had won the last ten meetings in Boston and had won the last five game against Boston. Enjoy your win!

Those Celtic teams really don't count. The Suns are 1-1 against the current Celtics this year, which is the only thing that matters.

See you in the finals if you can get by Detroit! The Suns know they can take out Boston so best to let them secure the #1 spot in the East to help eliminate Detroit who would be a tougher matchup for Phoenix. Genius!

And we'll see if the Suns can make it past Golden State, or the Lakers, or the Spurs. I hope they do, unless the Nuggets somehow get into the playoffs and manage to stay in =)

Zamtuk · Post by **Zamtuk** » March 28, 2008, 1:09 pm

heh, I have a bet with my friend that the Suns won't make it past the first round.

Sueven · Post by **Sueven** » March 28, 2008, 1:24 pm

Every day that passes, the Hornets look better and better. Chris Paul is playing out of his mind, David West and Tyson Chandler are doing great and combine to make an imposing frontcourt, Peja Stojakovic is actually contributing, Bonzi Wells can create serious matchup problems off the bench...

When you compare them to the other West contenders, I think they match up well. The Lakers have health issues and will be trying to reintegrate Bynum and Gasol. San Antonio is old, especially on the perimeter, and the Hornets frontcourt is good enough to match up reasonably with Duncan. Utah struggles on the road and probably isn't quite as good. Phoenix would suddenly be playing a team that can deal with their size in the frontcourt, and would be on the losing end of the point guard matchup for the first time since Nash arrived. Steve Nash cannot even pretend to guard Chris Paul-- that would be brutal. A Suns/Hornets series might very well involve the passing of the point guard torch to the new generation.

At the moment, they'd be my pick to make the finals.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » March 28, 2008, 2:58 pm

I agree with what you say about the Hornets. As a Suns fan, I don't want anything to do with them.

I do think other teams (not San Antonio) match up better with the Hornets so I'm hoping someone knocks them out.

Too early to know how the first round (and entire playoffs) teams will be seeded.\

I also agree that Chris Paul is the best PG in the NBA with Nash 2nd but not close.

Aardor · Post by **Aardor** » March 28, 2008, 3:06 pm

Winnow wrote:I also agree that Chris Paul is the best PG in the NBA with Nash 2nd but not close.

Woah, I had to reread that 6 times to make sure you said what you actually said. Anyways, Chris Paul is a monster.

Leonaerd · Post by **Leonaerd** » March 28, 2008, 3:07 pm

Deron Williams is also better than Nash. If you're going to cred Paul you have to credit Williams!

Sueven · Post by **Sueven** » March 28, 2008, 4:48 pm

This year, Chris Paul is far and away the best point guard in the NBA, with no real competition from either Nash or Williams (or anyone else). If anybody tries to argue otherwise, I will laugh in your face and tell you that you clearly either (1) know nothing about basketball or (2) have not watched the NBA this year.

I've always been a Deron Williams fan. I thought he played better than Paul last year, and his performances with the U.S. team were impressive. I have argued that I'd take him over Paul, long-term, due to his size and the fact that he doesn't rely on speed, but the way Paul is playing now, that argument is getting tougher and tougher to make.

Williams v. Nash this year... real tough question. It's kind of like the Kobe v. LeBron debates. At this point, the young guys (LeBron and Williams) are more gifted and athletic and can do more things, but the old guys (Kobe and Nash) have better understandings of the game of basketball, make better decisions, play with more consistency, etc. I think it's really a toss-up as to whether you'd prefer Nash or Williams this year, although obviously Williams is the pick over the next five or so.

Anyway, Chris Paul >>>>> Steve Nash = Deron Williams >>> everyone else.

Edit: Whoops, I forgot, Baron Davis deserves some credit on that list too. Those 4 are by far the best points in the NBA this season.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » March 28, 2008, 10:52 pm

Red hot Sixers no match for the Suns!

Phoenix already led by double digits and buried the Sixers with 20 points in the paint in the first. O'Neal and Stoudemire had uncontested dunks - O'Neal sometimes humorously swatting Samuel Dalembert off him like a buzzing fly - and Bell was left open for some 3-pointers.

A little Friday Night Suns action!

Another in your face block!

Followed up by:

lol@Sixers. They're still one game over .500 which is some kind of miracle in the East.

Pherr the Dorf · Post by **Pherr the Dorf** » April 1, 2008, 1:02 am

Shaq getting called for 3 seconds 2 seconds into a quarter is a pretty funny stat

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » April 1, 2008, 1:52 am

Wow, I turned this game off in disgust at halftime with the Suns down 19 to the Nuggets. Down 22 at one point, final score:

Nuggets 117
Suns 132

Suns win by 15! (3rd biggest comeback in Suns history)

Amare 41 pts, 14 rbs
Nash 36 pts, 8 3PT FG
Shaq 20pts, 12 rbs

Amare is the MVP of the second half of the season. He'll be a candidate for MVP next year for sure.

Last five games: (not counting tonight's 41pt/14rb game) 31.6 pts, 9.2 rbs, 2.2 asts, 2.4 blks .625 FG%, .892% FT (was 24/24 in one game for free throws,third best in NBA history) That .625 FG% is insane for someone that also takes jumpers. Check the leaders.

Tied with the Lakers for first in the Pacific! Shaq's stats (with Suns) are up to 12+ pts, 10+ rbs/game and he started off really bad. He's steadily improving.

----

Before tonight's game, Amare is up to #2 in the league in efficiency rating, right behind LeBron:

http://www.nba.com/statistics/player/Ef ... ll%20Teams

All of that and only one person in the top 23 players in efficiency plays less minutes than Amare (Garnett, ranked 10th). If you take his efficiency per minutes played, Amare's off the fucking charts.(see same linked stats) He's #1 by a mile. As it stands, he's #2 in the entire league.

Take into consideration that he's had two microfracture surgeries, both knees have had surgery and he's a living god.

noel · Post by **noel** » April 1, 2008, 9:55 am

Last night's comeback was extremely impressive by the Suns. I wish I'd been able to watch the game.

Spang · Post by **Spang** » April 2, 2008, 4:00 pm

I haven't followed the NBA since the pre-thug era. Is this true?

''It's a failure. We have one of the best defensive players to ever play the game in myself. We have Brad [Miller] and Kevin [Martin], up and coming first and second team All-NBA guys, and we have some good point guards, so it's a failure that we didn't make the playoffs.''

--Kings forward Ron Artest summing up Sacramento's season.

Sueven · Post by **Sueven** » April 2, 2008, 4:04 pm

Might be a bit of an exaggeration, but when he's playing at his peak, it's probably a fair statement. Unsure if he's playing at his peak right now or not.

Regarding the "pre-thug" era comment... give me a fucking break. NFL players are, in general, worse than NBA players (Pacman Jones? Michael Vick? Chris Henry? Jared Allen? Leonard Little? DeAngelo Hall? Warren Sapp? Randy Moss? This list goes on for a really really long time). MLB is just exiting an era in which probably half of its players were blatantly cheating, including the best hitter and best pitcher of the era. And the NBA's the league with the behavior problem?

Spang · Post by **Spang** » April 2, 2008, 4:10 pm

You're 100% correct. My comment still stands.

Sueven · Post by **Sueven** » April 2, 2008, 4:13 pm

Fair enough

noel · Post by **noel** » April 2, 2008, 4:17 pm

Yeah I disagree too (edit: with Spang's comment). The 'Malice in the Palace', Carmelo Anthony's idiocy and the "OMG BLACK PEOPLE!" appearance of some of the players notwithstanding, the NFL is far thuggier than the NBA. If they wore the same gear to play football as they do in basketball, there'd be no contest.

Aardor · Post by **Aardor** » April 2, 2008, 4:20 pm

noel wrote:Last night's comeback was extremely impressive by the Suns. I wish I'd been able to watch the game.

After the past 2 games, I'm not sure the suns could win a playoff series against the Nuggets. The Nuggets really should have won the first game, but amazing play by the Suns (no way they can play that way all the time, and if you think they can, why don't they, Winnow?), and bad play by the Nuggets allowed them to come back. Then the next night, the Nuggets smoke the Suns again, but no comeback this time (they couldn't do it again).

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » April 2, 2008, 4:24 pm

What are you talking about? The Nuggets coach accused the Suns of running up the score the first time these two teams met this year. That's how bad they beat them.

The Suns will beat the Nuggets in a playoff series although almost no western conference playoff will be easy for anyone.

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » April 2, 2008, 4:26 pm

The Suns do not have to play well to win the Winnow Championship. All they have to do is play in Arizona....the playoffs are obviously rigged.

Sueven · Post by **Sueven** » April 2, 2008, 6:20 pm

The challenge for the Suns here is that there are now teams which play the run-and-gun better than Phoenix, specifically Denver and Golden State. At least one of those teams will make the playoffs. Without Marion, and with Diaw and Bell playing at less than their peak, it'll be tough to outrun those teams. They'll have to throw Shaq in there, slow it down, and hope that they can force the game into more of a half-court mode, which could be extremely challenging.

Golden State is an even worse matchup than Denver. At least with Denver, Nash can guard Anthony Carter and Bell can guard Iverson. Against Golden State, Nash is going to have to guard either Baron Davis or Monta Ellis, and either one of those players will absolutely humiliate Nash on the defensive end.

Pherr the Dorf · Post by **Pherr the Dorf** » April 2, 2008, 7:32 pm

Sadly Monta is getting a little gun shy. He is taking a lot of hits and seems to be shying away and not finishing like he did 20 games ago. He hits the floor far too much as well. GS should edge out Dallas (tonight is HUGE) for the 8 spot... I pray for a Lakers/Warriors round one... for sheer entertainment value.

*edit* -What a fucking crushing loss last night, the W's are running on empty at this point

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » April 7, 2008, 1:16 am

Both Denver (lost to Seattle, lol) and Golden State (lost to New Orleans) didn't help their cause tonight

Dallas is looking safe after beating the Suns today.

From what I can see, it's shaping up to be something like: #3 Lakers vs #6 Suns in the first round.

Pherr the Dorf · Post by **Pherr the Dorf** » April 7, 2008, 12:20 pm

Steven Jackson could not suck more than he has these past 5 games... my god! As whacko jacko goes so go the W's. I am going to tomorrow nights game, they best not suck.

Aardor · Post by **Aardor** » April 7, 2008, 12:25 pm

Pherr the Dorf wrote:Steven Jackson could not suck more than he has these past 5 games... my god! As whacko jacko goes so go the W's. I am going to tomorrow nights game, they best not suck.

Make sure to cheer like a real GSW fan, not a bandwagon jumper! No clue which one you are, but I have read numerous articles and it sounds like last years playoffs killed their home crowds, with bandwagon fans and skyrocketing ticket prices. It's a shame you're not going to Thursdays game (Denver vs GS, no clue where though), I am extremely excited for the game.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » April 10, 2008, 1:04 am

Suns 98
Spurs 79

Bowen was a thug once again throwing elbows. It would be nice if the league suspended him for a game...again.

In a game that had huge importance with the 2-6 seeds so close, the Spurs didn't show up.

Both Shaq and Amare owned Duncan.