2008-09 NBA Thread

[A.J.]

From ESPN.com

The Lakers gave up Kwame Brown, rookie Javaris Crittenton and two first-round draft picks for Gasol. The Spaniard is certain to help a Lakers team reeling from recent injuries to inside players, including blossoming center Andrew Bynum.

Gasol, averaging 18.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.44 blocked shots in 39 games this season, can fill in at center until Bynum returns in mid-March and then move to power forward.

The Grizzlies will get the Lakers' first-round draft choices in 2008 and 2010; guard Aaron McKie, signed earlier Friday for salary cap purposes; cash considerations, and the rights to Gasol's brother Marc, a 2007 second-round pick of Los Angeles.

The Lakers also receive the Grizzlies' second-round pick in 2010.

I have to say this is not that bad of a deal for the Lakers at all. They get rid of Brown who lets face is nothing more than a bench player and a bust as a 1st round pick. Javaris Crittenton wasn't getting much playing time anyways with Farmar backing up Fisher. Losing the two future 1st round picks is not that bad since it is alternating years. Lakers should do well with gasol as not much will be asked of him and I think that is perfect for him

For the Grizz I have to say what the hell are they doing I mean they could have gotten a better deal elsewhere and why they get another guard in the deal is beyond me. But the Grizz will be singing the blue still as this deal will not help them right now but maybe in the future. That is still a push as if the Lakers do well their 1st round picks will be at the end of the 1st round so ya.

Nice deal for the Lakers if Gasol stays healthy.

 

[THe WHoLe FuCKiN SHoW]

so what does everyone think of this ridiculous trade the heat and suns just made today. wow, shaq to the suns for shawn marion. thats insane. personally, as a suns fan im not sure what shaq has left in the tank but if he can win us a championship this year it'll definitly have been worth giving up shawn marion.

any thoughts?

 

[X]

I like the big Shaq trade. But the Heat didn't just get Shawn Marion, they also got Marcus Banks.

I think both sides are gonna benefit from this trade. Marion is a great player, Banks has the potential to be, and both are fairly young. The Heat need more young players to build around Dwayne Wade, and considering this season is most certainly already over for the Heat, they might as well start building that future now while they can still get good value for Shaq.

And the Suns got an instant force on defense and in the post, something they need (defense that is). Not to mention he's such a veteran and coupled with Steve Nash I can only see fantastic things for that Suns team.

Watch out for the Suns now. They went from contender to powerhouse real quickly with this trade in my book.

 

[Grymes]

The Shaq trade was a lil weird at first but now I can see the big picture. D-Wade needs a supporting cast thats young and the Heat need to be young if they want any chance to keep Wade, who can opt out is contract the end of next season. The Suns want to win NOW and Shaq has a proven track record. I still don't think they'll get out of the west this year tho, the Spurs are still too strong. But they will be the team to beat next year obviously.

 

[Frank the Frowner]

The Hawks got Mike Bibby for 3 horrible players with expiring contracts and a project in Sheldon Williams.

This was a great move for both teams. The Kings are going to have some very nice cap relief, and I still think Williams can be a pretty good player with some nurturing. The Hawks now have a very potent starting 5, which could be the best in the league:

PG Bibby
SG Joe Johnson
SF Marvin Williams
PF Josh Smith
C Al Horford

As far as the Celtics go, I really hope Sam Cassell is a Celtic by the end of the month. After Rondo, there isn't much depth at all.

 

[RBH]

Take a look at the Lakers everyone! They have only lost 1 game since Gasol came aboard and Bynum will be back in a few short weeks. The Lakers have instantly become top contenders just by adding Gasol and now the Mavericks, Spurs and Suns really have to watch out. Detroit I believe is still the team to beat in the east until the Celtics prove otherwise.

 

[lapel8533]

Shaq didn't let tim ducan help him up in his last game against the spurs. I think it was because tim ducan rudely slapped the ball out of his hands when shaq was on the ground. I would have gotten a little upset if someone slaped something out of my hands too. I think tim ducan is to blame for that whole thing not shaq. Ducan started it. I just kinda think it's rude to just come up to me and knock something out of my hands.

 

[lapel8533]

Take a look at the Lakers everyone! They have only lost 1 game since Gasol came aboard and Bynum will be back in a few short weeks. The Lakers have instantly become top contenders just by adding Gasol and now the Mavericks, Spurs and Suns really have to watch out. Detroit I believe is still the team to beat in the east until the Celtics prove otherwise.

I have to disagree. The Celtics have the best record in the east right now and with the addition of sam gasel the Celtics have just made there foundation even more sturdy. I think they are the team to beat in the east. But I do agree with you on the lakers thing. The Lakers are looking soooo good this year. They are the spurs top contenders imo. I really hope the spurs do not win again this year. They really revealed there hand this last sunday in there game against the rockets. They are definitely not down for the count and mean business still. I really thought that the spurs had no chance of winning this year with the creation of all these super teams that have been formed. But I was surprised by there performance on Sunday. They are not kidding around and have elevated there game to keep up with all of these super teams that have been forming. They're definitely planning on shocking everyone this year. At least that's me prediction.

 

[Cage917r]

The Spurs are not to win it this year, too many teams in the West have passed them. Although i am a huge Nuggets fan, I dont see them winning it either, in my opinion it is going to come down to the Lakers and the Suns in the West, although any team from the West could win it, them are my two favorites. When you look at the Lakers, they have the best player in league in Kobe Bryant, by the time the playoffs come around they will have two dominant big men, a vetran point guard and a great bench, all things that are needed to make a title run. When you look at the Suns, they have the best point guard in the league, a dominant power forward in Stoudamire, and in Shaq they have a defensive presence and big man they have missed for the past several years. When its all said and done, i would expect the Lakers to come out of the West to face the Celtics, the Celtics are by far the best team in the East, nobody is beating them.

In the Finals that would put Lakers vs. Celtics, talking about good old times. That would be one hell of a series, between two great teams. I would probably give the Edge to the Lakers at this point for one reason, Kobe Bryant. He is the best player in the league and I cant see anybody from Boston or anybody else in the league stopping him. Pau and KG will cancel each other out, and even though Pierce and Allen are great, Kobe can outscore them, he is that good, which is why the Lakers will be winning the NBA Championship.

 

[lapel8533]

Well I can't wait to see the spurs vs the lakers in the western conference if that happens. I really hope the lakers can beat them. They got all of the weapons to pull off a big victory over them. Although just brace yourself for the possibility of the spurs to shock everyone. After all nobody thought they were going to win over the pistons 2 years ago. I for one was really surprised at there victory. I thought they had no chance and would get swept in 5. I think it is possibly that they could sneak a championship win this year. Although I would really not like to see that. Pleeeease spurs do not win!

 

[Lil Wes]

^^

What are you complaining about? First off, why would the Spurs winning the championship be a surprise? Experience in the clutch and playoffs wins championships, right? Yup and the Spurs are just that. Experienced and clutch. They know how to win a big series to jump start them to the title, see last year's over the Suns. Just because the Spurs actually play defense doesn't make them underrated or "sneaky". They are just that good with all the right peices to the puzzle.

 

[X]

In the Finals that would put Lakers vs. Celtics, talking about good old times. That would be one hell of a series, between two great teams. I would probably give the Edge to the Lakers at this point for one reason, Kobe Bryant. He is the best player in the league and I cant see anybody from Boston or anybody else in the league stopping him. Pau and KG will cancel each other out, and even though Pierce and Allen are great, Kobe can outscore them, he is that good, which is why the Lakers will be winning the NBA Championship.

While Kobe is indeed that much of a difference maker, he hasn't been able to stop the C's this year. Celtics are undefeated against the Lakers this year.

I also don't understand what you mean by Gasol & KG canceling eachother out. You don't honestly think Gasol is even half the player that KG is do you? Please, let's not kid ourselves.

Pierce, Allen, and Garnett can more then outscore Kobe, Gasol, Bynum, and anyone else they have.

^^

What are you complaining about? First off, why would the Spurs winning the championship be a surprise? Experience in the clutch and playoffs wins championships, right? Yup and the Spurs are just that. Experienced and clutch. They know how to win a big series to jump start them to the title, see last year's over the Suns. Just because the Spurs actually play defense doesn't make them underrated or "sneaky". They are just that good with all the right peices to the puzzle.

I totally agree with you here about the Spurs, but I honestly also cannot see them making it to the finals this year. I'd take the Lakers or Hornets over them. People are really understimating the Hornets.

 

[Lil Wes]

Agreed X, this year will be ALOT tougher for us too make it, but like I said, they have the championship experience to do so but that doesn't always mean someone will win it, See: The Pistons.

As for the Hornets, completely agreed, they are alot of young guys that play as a team but never get talked about. Why Paul isn't being hyped as a MVP contender is beyond me. The guy is incredible. Like you though, even though DIAR is going to call me a hypocrite and bash me to hell, I really like the Lakers come playoff time BUT, someone will give them a run for their money and possibly beat them. I like the Spurs there, Hornets just don't do it for me yet. I'll need to see a solid 1st round performance.

 

[Cage917r]

The Hornets are a very good young team, but they are not a team that I can see winning a seven game series vs. the Lakers, Spurs or Suns. They have a lot of talent and will be a force for the next several years, but I think they are still a year away from competing with the Lakers, Spurs or Suns in the a seven game series.

Regarding my statement about the Lakers vs. the Celtics, I just think that the Lakers are the better team. When looking at Pau vs. KG, yes KG is a much better player, but the fact that the Lakers have both Pau and Bynum, whenever KG helps out on Bynum, whom Perkins or anybody else on the Celtics will not be able to guard, the ball will wind up in Gasol's hand for a throw down. In regards to Pierce, Allen, and KG outscoring Kobe, Pau, and Bynum, if Bynum is healthy, there is no way that the Celtics will be able to stop them. The Celtics may be undefeated vs. the Lakers, but they have not played them with a healthy Pau and Bynum, if Bynum is healthy nobody is stopping the Lakers, they will be way too big.

Now I want everybody to know that I am not a Lakers fan, I have cheered against the Lakers for as long as I can remember, I just feel when healthy, they are the most talented team in the NBA, but honestly anybody from the West can win it, there will be no upsets, GO NUGGETS!

 

[RBH]

Keep in mind gentlemen that when the Celtics first played the Lakers, Bynum was barely coming into his own and there was no Gasol! No Gasol! Gasol makes a huge diference and if you say he doesnt Xfear then u are only paying attention to the Celtics buddy. Gasol can rebound and block shots...sure he is not the toughest player but with gasol and Bynum, u can put them at any of the 4 or 5 spots. Bryant is probably the best player in the NBA right now and the Lakers are a much better team then they were in November and December. The Celtics have slowed down somewhat since their great opening surge. Their last accomplishment was the Texas sweep but there have been games here or there where they have stumbled so there definately are glitches in the system. And lets just see if they can beat Detroit in a 7 game series shall we? I know for a fact that the Lakers can beat the Suns and Utah Jazz, they know how to contend with the Rockets and Spurs and they own the Hornets and Mavs, nuff said on that subject.

 

[Lil Wes]

Alright seriously the C's bashing is just ******ed. Xfear you would know this better than I, but aren't the C's undefeated against Western Conference teams and if not undefeated, maybe drop 1 game or 2? All I know is I was sold on the Celtics when they handed Dallas, SA and Houston their asses on a silver platter. Anyone that says they can't win it all is in denial or biased.

Also Gasol, a rusty Bynum and Kobe over Allen, Pierce and Garnett? Laughable. Completely laughable.

Bryant is probably the best player in the NBA right now

Chris Paul for MVP.

 

[X]

Keep in mind gentlemen that when the Celtics first played the Lakers, Bynum was barely coming into his own and there was no Gasol! No Gasol! Gasol makes a huge diference and if you say he doesnt Xfear then u are only paying attention to the Celtics buddy. Gasol can rebound and block shots...sure he is not the toughest player but with gasol and Bynum, u can put them at any of the 4 or 5 spots. Bryant is probably the best player in the NBA right now and the Lakers are a much better team then they were in November and December. The Celtics have slowed down somewhat since their great opening surge. Their last accomplishment was the Texas sweep but there have been games here or there where they have stumbled so there definately are glitches in the system. And lets just see if they can beat Detroit in a 7 game series shall we? I know for a fact that the Lakers can beat the Suns and Utah Jazz, they know how to contend with the Rockets and Spurs and they own the Hornets and Mavs, nuff said on that subject.

Hey I'm not discounting Gasol at all man, but just like Wes says (am I still drunk from last night or is Wes helping me in an argument? ) I think some of you are in denial about the C's.

Everyone keeps saying "Oh they haven't proven anything to me yet". Really? The best record in the NBA, 60+ wins, and nothing has been proven? Number one in virtually every single defensive category? That isn't proving something?

Obviously I'm a bit biased talking about the C's considering I'm a New England man, but I just don't think any team can stop them this year. They're too damn good, and they've got something even more important then having talent on your team, something the Lakers most certainly don't have---unity, and teamwork. You won't see a breakdown in communication among the Celtics players, but with egomaniac Kobe over in LA it happens.

How have the Celtics slowed down? They're winning percentage is over .700 for god's sake! The Celtics have not slowed down at all, if anything it's the opposite-- they've picked up speed, with the addition of Sam Cassel on the bench.

And yes, the C's can easily win a 7 game series against Detroit. Detroit is a great team, don't get me wrong, but the C's are simply better from top to bottom IMO. We've beaten them before this year, we can do it again without a doubt.

Now what is up though, with everyone acting like Andrew Bynum is even in the same LEAGUE as players like KG, Pierce, Allen, or his teammates Kobe and Gasol? He's not. He's young, he's injury-prone, and he's very inexperienced. Match him up against KG and he'll be made to look like a fool the entire game. So I don't see why it matters that he was injured when we swept the Lakers.

Gasol will contribute nicely, but I still don't see the Lakers as being able to beat the Celtics. Ain't gonna happen.

 

[RBH]

u know what they say, playoffs are where it matters....thats what I meant by let them prove it...remember before they aquired Garnett and Allen, they were a horrendus team...at least the Lakers were plausable...and the Lakers have picke dup steam from when they aquired Gasol...Kobe has NOT led the Lakers in scoring in every game...other players have stepped up..Walton is a better player now because of Gasol and so is Odom...Sasha Vujucic is much better now this year and he has become a 3 point machine off the bench...

What I meant by the Celtics slowing down is I been noticing them losing games to teams they should be beating...weaker teams in the east...yes they have dominated the west but they also went 1-2 against the Magic and Wizards each and after starting 26-3 have gone 34-12 since so yes that is a drop even tho they are still very good...very Old school Bullisk if u ask me. The Celtics so far are 2-1 against the Pistons so that is fairly decent to say the least but at least Detroit can beat them.

But a healthy Lakers team is a very dangerous team in the west and I want to play the Celtics in the Finals so me and u can square off.

 

[RBH]

another thread I must save...geez! WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING TO THE CELTICS? They have lost 2 games in a row to the freaking Hawks!!! The Hawks!!! Xfearbefore.....what is happening to your beloved Celtics? They are losing their flair (nopun intended)...I would have forseen a sweep but the Boston Three Party is actually utting lower numbers than they usually do in Game 4. Will they win in Game 5? Who knows. The Lakers are in after sweeping the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers are gonna go all the way to the Finals mark my words and we want the Celtics to meet us. Lakers-Celtics=matchup everyone wants to see. The match that will save the NBA. Hell even Larry Bird and Magic would watch this series.

 

[X]

I have no excuse for how the C's have played over the last two games. Just flat out lazy. They weren't taking Atlanta serious, and now they are. Alot of it had to do with the home court advantage, and I see the C's taking the next two games back home in Boston (where we beat them by 20 points in each of the first two games) to win the series. No way are the Hawks good enough to sustain what they did over the next two games.

This does worry me though. They need to buck up and stop sleeping on the Hawks. Still don't see the Hawks winning it though.

 

[RBH]

I have no excuse for how the C's have played over the last two games. Just flat out lazy. They weren't taking Atlanta serious, and now they are. Alot of it had to do with the home court advantage, and I see the C's taking the next two games back home in Boston (where we beat them by 20 points in each of the first two games) to win the series. No way are the Hawks good enough to sustain what they did over the next two games.

This does worry me though. They need to buck up and stop sleeping on the Hawks. Still don't see the Hawks winning it though.

oh yeah there is no chance in hell (again no pun intended) that the Celtics are gonna lose to the Hawks but this has become ridiculous....I am still waiting for that team that dominated in Games 1 and 2 to show up...The Celtics would have a date with Lebron when they advance and they cannot take the Cavaliers lightly either....tho on my show I said it would be 4-2 Celtics in the next round if it did occur.

The Lakers dominated Denver as many knew they would but I thought the Nuggets would put up at least a little fight at home...guess I was wrong. Looking forward to Lakers-Jazz tho. We dominated them during the season and I expect that to continue.

 

[wzf2]

Well, I hope the hornets stop the spurs. Chris paul has the potential to get the job done. Chris paul is such a great player, he reminds me of the great legends of basketball. I do like his intensity and quick action thinking. I sooo hope the hornets beat the spurs.
I feel like the spurs have a sense of entitlement or something.
BTW is tony parker friends with chris paul? I heard the guy interviewing parker last night at the end of the game say that chris paul is parkers buddy.

I'm nervous about the Celtics game tonight. What killed the Celtics was Johnsons shot. His shot was devastating them. I fear his shot could give them trouble tonight again. They just couldn't stop that shot of his. If they loose cause of Johnsons shot then that's going to be horrible.
They need to find some way to stop and quite Johnson.
I feel like teams like the hawks, wizards and sixers just won't be able to stop the spurs if the spurs make it to the finals. I almost feel like they're there to beat all the good teams in the east and then come finals, just pretty much hand the spurs the win. I think the more famous teams have a better chance against the spurs than these other Brooklyn brawler status teams who want to win by fluke and then come finals just hand the spurs the win.

No No coolhayek, the celtics definitely should not take the cavs lightly, you are completely right about that. I remember everybody underestimated the cavs last year, even myself. Which was one of the biggest mistakes ever. I don't know about you guys but I was shocked that the cavs beat the pistons last year and made it to the finals.

I'm actually watching the cavs/wizards game right now. It's funny seeing the wizards struggle not to foul. I love all of these fouls being called on them, it's hilarious. I can't believe how many fouls they've already gotten in just the 1st quarter. If they keep this up, then at this rate they're all gona be fouled out by the end of the third quarter. LOL!

 

[strafro]

I'm actually watching the cavs/wizards game right now. It's funny seeing the wizards struggle not to foul. I love all of these fouls being called on them, it's hilarious. I can't believe how many fouls they've already gotten in just the 1st quarter. If they keep this up, then at this rate they're all gona be fouled out by the end of the third quarter. LOL!

That's because the NBA wants certain outcomes in certain series, what would it do for ratings if Lebron's team lost in the first round?? Last year the Pistons did take Cleveland lightly and didn't deserve to win, but if you watch Game 5, there are so many ludicrous calls for Lebron, the NBA fired that ref for fixing games, but it doesn't matter because the NBA fixes games themselves to try and boost ratings in the playoffs.

That's why it sucks being a Pistons fan, cuz the NBA hates them and both times Detroit was in the finals it killed ratings. The NBA wants to see Boston and the Lakers in the finals, because it will make them the most money. But I declare right now, that will not happen, Boston won't make it, after seeing them lose again tonight to Atlanta, I don't think they can get through both Cleveland and Detroit. Which means the NBA now will probably try to screw the Pistons again to get a Lebron/Kobe finals.

Stupid NBA and favorable calls.

 

[wzf2]

When you say fixed, are you refering to just the refs? I sure hope it's not fixed. Although the way the spurs are losing to the hornets makes it seem like it is. Also, I kind of felt like the hawks threw that game 7 against the celtics. Well, you know what they say, power corrupts. Mabye the nba has finally gotten corrupted by secrect crime lords. It didn't use to be this way you know. This really stinks, because i've been thinking the same thing for the past 2 years. I have been fighting the belief that the nba is fixed, trying to convince myself otherwise but there are so many games where one team seems like it's not even trying. Can they make it any more obvious? I really hope I'm wrong about the nba possibly being fixed.

O yeah, finally! someone other than me has posted here! Please stay, I beg of you!!!!!!!

 

[strafro]

And the Detroit have gone into Boston and taken Game 2!! Hello NBA Finals here we come, back again. And like always the key and yet underappreciated player is Rodney Stuckey, he was running show at the end of that 3rd Quarter and gave the Pistons that added boost, he is awesome I loved how the commentators were calling him the "poor man's Dwayne Wade" the whole game.

Also, I didn't see the West Game 1, but what is up w/ SA blowing a 20 point lead??