NBA Thread - 2010-2011

[Dizzy]

As a Knicks fan, the PG position is fine. Billups is a wonderful add, he still has alot of game. He can get Toney Douglas and Andy Rautins to develop into point guards.

Anthony Carter is still there as a true backup veteran PG.

Unfortunately, Corey Brewer won't stay if we can package him for a Center (Dalembert or Camby). It will happen.

Balkman is just a body on a bench. He can have some nice moments.

Sheldon Williams is a 6'9 physical body. Rebounds, Defends. Good type of player to come off behind Amare.

Azubuike is close to returning. Imagine him healthy in this system.

 

[Goliath Uterus]

Wow, I have no idea what was going through my head when I made that list. I don't actually believe Knicks won't be better than the Bulls this year, there's just not enough big bodys down low for the Knicks to beat da Bulls in a 7 game series. And also, Orlando is better than the Hawks, so they're actually 5th on ma list. Here's the non fucked up version of "Angels power rankings".

1. Heat

2. Celtics

3. Bulls

4. Knicks

5. Magic

 

[Buffalo Dave]

So the first game with Melo and Billups as Knicks is over. Knicks beat the Bucks 114-108. Melo dropped 27 points on a 10-25 shooting, 6-7 free throws, 10 boards, 1 assist, and 2 steals. Billups had 21 points on 4-12 shooting, 12-12 free throws, 6 boards, 8 assists, and 2 steals. Not bad for getting the first game jitters out of the way. The surprising thing out of this game was Tony Douglas, who will see an increase in playing time, since Billups will not be able to play the same minutes like Felton did, plus with playoffs coming up, you don't want to exhaust Billups. Douglas had 23 points, 3 boards and assists, and 2 steals. With a very important off. board at the end of the game. Amare was also charged with his 17th technical foul of the season, so that means next one he gets, he's suspended for a game. He already had 2 rescinded this year. Amare had 19 points before fouling out late in the 4th.

The Knicks will get tested after their next game, which is against the Cavs, after the Cavs, they have Miami, Orlando, and New Orleans. This little stretch will put the new Knicks to the test.

 

[Khalifa]

I honestly believe the Knicks gave up to much for Melo. I do suppose they get Billups as well, but there bench is far from strong, no where near the elites and thats whats gonna cost them in hte playoffs.

Another move that has happened (which I am quite shocked about) is Deron Williams got sent to the Nets for Favours and Harris. That is a pretty big deal. But It doesn't make either team more stronger. Harris is a down grade from Williams and Favours has yet to prove himself, and will probably find it harder with Mislap coming into his own this season. The nets also lose more bigs ( they also traded Murphy to the Warriors), however Williams and Lopez should do good, I think they are still lacking there tho.

Another move that happened was Bibby getting traded to the Wizards for Kirk Hinrich. There were some other pieces involved such as Armstrong was sent from the Wizards, and Evans and Jordan Crawford and a draft pick was sent to the Wizards. Again, this doesn't make either team stronger. It will help the Hawks with another 3 point threat but Hinrich is so incosistent it's ridiculous.

On another note, Lakers dominated the Hawks and beat Portland in Portland. Just proves they can beat any team when they want to.

 

[Goliath Uterus]

The Hinrich trade actually does make the Hawks better, Bibby is old, and doesn't know how to play defense. Hinrich is a better 3 pt. shooter, he's younger, and he's a much better defender.

And the Lakers can't beat the Heat...... even if they want too.

 

[Big Sexy]

And the Lakers can't beat the Heat...... even if they want too.

1. They may not have to. The Heat need to find a way to beat the Celtics first.

2. The Lakers are more then capable of beating the Heat. As long as Bynum is healthy and the team is motivated (which they will be in the playoffs) then the Lakers can beat anyone.

 

[Goliath Uterus]

I will respond Stormtrooper style as well.

1. True, but I think it'll happen.

2. With the way they've played this year, it doesn't look like they make the Finals. I don't think the current Lakers can beat San Antonio, OKC or Dallas in a 7 game series. If they can start playing like they did last year, then you can eliminate Dallas and OKC from that list, but not SA, they're too good.

3. I'm just talking shit, I know damn well the Lakers can beat just about anyone when they're at their best, but they haven't proved anything this year, and the Heat wiped the floor with them on Christmas.

 

[Big Sexy]

I will respond Stormtrooper style as well.

1. True, but I think it'll happen.

2. With the way they've played this year, it doesn't look like they make the Finals. I don't think the current Lakers can beat San Antonio, OKC or Dallas in a 7 game series. If they can start playing like they did last year, then you can eliminate Dallas and OKC from that list, but not SA, they're too good.

3. I'm just talking shit, I know damn well the Lakers can beat just about anyone when they're at their best, but they haven't proved anything this year, and the Heat wiped the floor with them on Christmas.

Dallas won't be any trouble as they always choke in the playoffs. The Spurs have had a great season, somewhat unexpectedly, but I like the way the Lakers match up with them and come playoff time I think they'll turn it on and be able to beat them. OKC could potentially be their biggest threat if Perkins stays healthy. I really liked the trades the Thunder made today and with those trades, when it comes to defending the paint I don't think there's a deeper team inside then OKC.

 

[Goliath Uterus]

Very true, OKC is definitely a dangerous team right now. But I'll have to get a closer look at their new lineup before saying they're better than SA, but yea, if Perkins can actually manage to stay healthy than that's a tough team to match up with all around.

 

[Goliath Uterus]

Also, not sure if this has been mentioned, or if it's even true, but SLAM ONLINE (great magazine btw) reported a while ago that the Celtics traded Marquis Daniels to the Kings for cash.... Great deal for the Kings, I really like Daniels' upside, he's another great young player for the Kings to build around. Evans/Cousins/Daniels could be lethal one day.

edit: 100% sure it's a legit deal

 

[Buffalo Dave]

Also, not sure if this has been mentioned, or if it's even true, but SLAM ONLINE (great magazine btw) reported a while ago that the Celtics traded Marquis Daniels to the Kings for cash.... Great deal for the Kings, I really like Daniels' upside, he's another great young player for the Kings to build around. Evans/Cousins/Daniels could be lethal one day.

edit: 100% sure it's a legit deal

It was Daniels and cash for a future draft pick. Daniels isn't really to young. He just turned 30 back in January. But it is definitely good for the Kings, for next year, as it's likely that he is out for the rest of the season with his back injury. He should see a lot more time with the Kings, so his numbers will probably go back up to around 10 points a game.

 

[Goliath Uterus]

That's weird, I've had it in my head for a while that he is a 3rd yr./4th yr. player. Also, the new look Nuggets look pretty decent. As a fan of that team, I really hope they can re-sign Smith, and have him be one of their main scorers - forget what I said about him to the bulls.... They should probably also re-sign Afflalo, Nene and Chandler, ship Felton for a solid player, and that team could be pretty damn good one day.

The line-up would ideally (for me) look like this:

PG: Lawson

SG: Smith

SF: Chandler

PF: Gallinari

C: Nene


Afflalo would be fantastic 6th man, Mosgov is 'sposed to be good... If Smith can finally reach his potential, and not take ridiculous shots all the time, he could be a superstar, but that's a real big if. Lawson has a lot of talent, I think he could be one of the better PG's in the league.

Chandler is still young, a great defender, and a great shooter. Gallinari is another young guy with tons of upside... Nene is one of the better low post defenders in the league, if he can get an offensive game he'll be an all star.

 

[Big Sexy]

The Miami Heat made a great move today. They signed Mike Bibby after he was bought out by the Wizards. Going into the season there were two knocks against the Heat: lack of front court depth and lack of a solid point guard. The front court still isn't remarkable but they have added some depth in Erick Dampier and now they have a solid veteran to run the point. Mike Bibby is still a talented guy and he has gone deep in the playoffs before. The Heat needed a guy at the point who could do two things: 1. Not make mistakes. 2. Make the open three pointer. That is something that Carlos Arroyo and Mario Chalmers were incapable of doing. Bibby is very capable and should thrive with the Heat.

 

[jmt225]

Well, I'm not a fan of LeBron or Dwayne Wade in the least bit, and I fucking loathed the city of Miami, but Mike Bibby, more than anyone currently in the league, deserves a championship, so damn it, I will have to jump on the bandwagon and root for the Heat. Fuck.

Bibby put on one of the greatest playoff runs of all time in 2002, only to get cheated out of a championship during the Western Conference Finals. The next season after that he broke his ankle, and he hasn't been the same ever since. Sure, he's still been productive, but his crossover and ability attack the hoop has been gone for years now. However, like BS said, he's still a wonderful mid-range and 3 point shooter, and he can run a very good half court offense and find the open man. Moreover, you can always rely on him to make big shots at the ends of games.

I really, really hope Mike Bibby becomes a major facor there, much like Jason Williams did in Miami during their championship run in 2005 (as you can tell I'm a huge fan of Sacramento alumni from 1998 to 2006).

 

[Big Sexy]

Yeah I hate Miami but if they won the title I wouldn't be completely pissed because of a similar reason. 38 year old, 16 year veteran Juwan Howard is on the team and he is the last remaining member of the Fab Five currently in the NBA. No member of the Fab Five has ever won a title despite 3 of them having long, successful careers in the league. I would love to see Howard win a title I just wish it was for a different team.

 

[Goliath Uterus]

Great move for the Heat. They really need another 3 pt shooter to spread the floor, and they got one in Bibby, and hopefully Bibby can get his much deserved (and much overdue) title.

The Heat are also looking at Troy Murphy, I honestly don't really know who he is, but my buddy tells me he's a good 3 pt shooter and rebounder, and the Heat definitely need help in both those areas, so I'm hoping the Heat can grab him.

And what's gotten into Channing Frye? Two buzzer beaters in his last two games? What a hoss.

 

[The Bearded One]

Wow, no activity in the NBA for two months. That's pretty crazy, especially since we're in the middle of a very good first round of the playoffs. There have been some great games so far, and even when some teams are up 2-0 (Bulls and Celtics), it is really much closer than the series record shows. My Magic have me nervous. The Hawks have gave them problems all season and it's continued into the postseason. They found a nice rhythm for a while in the second game, before barely squeaking out a win. Also, Dwight Howard has been a beast. If all else fails, just give him the ball.

We've also had two of the season ending awards given out. Dwight Howard was awarded at the Defensive Player of the Year for the third straight season. You can read my article on that here:

http://www.xomba.com/dwight_howard_wins_defensive_player_year

Kevin Love won the Most Improved Player award today. He really was great this season. You can read my article on this here:

http://www.xomba.com/nba_awards_most_improved_player

How is everyone's favorite team doing?

 

[Big Sexy]

Playoff predictions/discussion is in here: http://forums.wrestlezone.com/showthread.php?t=163836

As far as my favorite team goes, they didn't make the playoffs so I came into the postseason with an open mind. I dislike all of the top 3 teams in the East but I dislike Chicago less then the other two. I'm hoping OKC can pull off an upset in the West and win it all. Wishful thinking but this year the playoffs are wide open.

 

[Sykesy]

So yeah, Sadly I am a Magic supporter and we got knocked out. Any predictions for the Finals?

I gotta say Boston or Bulls Vs Mavericks

I think most will say lakers, I just don't see it. Too inconsistent at the moment. Especially Kobe and Odom.

 

[Goliath Uterus]

I'm predicting a Lakers/Heat final with the Heat coming out on top. I still don't see how any team is going to withstand LeBron and D-Wade in a 7 game series. Speaking of the Heat they played well, and for the most part dominated the Celtics tonight. D-Wade had about 40 I think

 

[RManske2]

While I'm not a fan of either team if I had to predict I would go with the Lakers taking on the Heat in the Finals. If it happens it should be an interesting matchup to see how the Lakers deal with Miami's athletic ability and how Miami deals with the size the Lakers can throw out there.

 

[Unsold Bacon]

One thing I'm currently interested in is the Grizzlies. They beat the number one seeded Spurs in six games. It might of been a Spurs team not built for the playoffs but still very impressive. Now they beat the Thunder in Oklahoma. There on a roll, I would like to see if they can keep it going. If somehow they do get to the Finals against my predicted Eastern Champs the Heat, that will be big. If it happens (somehow!), The Heat will beat them though.

 

[Nate DaMac]

So to be completely honest, I never watch the NBA regular season. I'll watch a game or 2 here and there but for the most part, I stick to highlights. However, I always get into the playoffs especially in the second round. I've been following pretty closely and here are some random thoughts/notes I have up to this point.

In my opinion, the Miami experiment is a success for it's first season. This is the first year these guys have played together and they're in the Finals playing at a high level. The funny thing is, I still think they're going to win the whole thing. Sure, it won't be easy, but the Heat are something like 23-5 in their last 28 games. It's kind of hard for me to imagine that they will drop 4 to one team.

The Chicago defense is just fun to watch. They made Atlanta look like absolute shit and they are going to give Miami fits. That being said, Miami has much better playmakers on their squad and there isn't any defense for a perfect shot. Going to be an awesome series.

Memphis & Oklahoma City are really playing hard to see who will get their asses kicked by Dallas. Not really, but I have to believe that Dallas will take care of either of these teams in the West Finals. Dallas has been there before and neither of these teams have. Experience should prevail.

I'm really looking forward to a potential Dallas/Miami Finals. I was a huge Dallas fan(still am) back when they made it back then and I was so disappointed when they fell short in the 05-06 season. Both teams have a different make up now with the exception of Dirk and Wade respectively with Miami having the edge in overall talent in my opinion. But Dallas has got to have a chip on their shoulder and I expect them to play their asses of to rectify their blunder from the last time they were in the Finals. I'll be happy with either team winning, but I think I want Dallas to win it more.

I'm happier with the results of these playoffs more than I have been in the past. Sly told me how every Final has featured one of 5 guys (Shaq, Kobe, Duncan, Jordan, Olajuwon) over the past 20 years. For the first time, none of these guys will be in it. I suppose you can just add Lebron, Wade, & Nowitski to that list now but that almost doubles it. Anyway, I'm just happy to see some new blood in the Finals. Parity is one of the things that makes the NFL the best sport in the world, so to see it in the NBA definitely makes it more enjoyable in my opinion.