2012-2013 NBA Season Thread

[Phlip]

Originally Posted by ManoNegra

One thing you guys are forgetting about Shaq: his heart
He would take criticism personally and make it a point to destroy centers perceived to be 'better' than him.
There's none of that in Dwight.

And the only one he never managed to best was Olajuwon.

[zooopreme]

I agree with all the Shaq replies, I will add this though:

Dwight was coming off back surgery, they removed a chunk from it. Played through it and end up resorting to his arms (as opposed to his legs which for a while, he couldn't feel) to create offense for himself which a lot of times ended up in fouls.

I don't think Dwight lacks "heart" but I think with his free agency lingering somewhere in his mind, he didn't want to ruin the value of which teams view him at. I strongly believe he didn't give 100% due to the uncertainty of his future which a terrible injury could ruin if he had been injured during this season.

My take on the coming roster decisions: Dwight doesn't stay. Pau does. Jimmy and Mitch pick up more old people. We never get to see the WCF until Kobe and Nash retires. Lol, no but seriously, I don't feel optimistic about the offseason for the Lakers at all. D'Antoni is going to switch up his offense but I hope to the basketball gods that he enforces/teaches some D. You would think being a offensive minded coach, that you would be able to also find weak links in other teams offenses and formulate ways to be aggressive on D.

I hope the Rockets and Celtics both make history. I told all of my NY buddies that Carmelo would be the Knicks demise. And I was wrong about OKC, I didn't value Russ as much as I should've. OKC on both sides of the floor are struggling. There's one go to person and last night, he shot 0-5 in the 4th.

I don't give a damn about Hack-A-Player whatsoever, it's a smart strategy. But c'mon Scott, Asik was making his FT's...As a coach, how are you going to stick with that strategy? Unless I'm missing something here but OKC can defend. So why slow the tempo like that? I think OKC needed a guy like Russ and came up short when nobody else stepped up. May be the reason why OKC will never win a championship.

[Phlip]

Originally Posted by zooopreme

Dwight was coming off back surgery, they removed a chunk from it. Played through it and end up resorting to his arms (as opposed to his legs which for a while, he couldn't feel) to create offense for himself which a lot of times ended up in fouls.

I don't think Dwight lacks "heart" but I think with his free agency lingering somewhere in his mind, he didn't want to ruin the value of which teams view him at. I strongly believe he didn't give 100% due to the uncertainty of his future which a terrible injury could ruin if he had been injured during this season.

I invite you to remember the Lakers/Magic finals...
In the post, Dwight STILL didn't clear his space in the lane with his hips and butt like he should, and when the ball came to him - even though he was already in the paint and simply needed to establish a pivot foot and work from there - he would invariably bring the ball down below his waist or dribble it, and Kobe or Artest would invariably be RIGHT on time with the double team and knock the sumbitch away from him.
He has STILL not unlearned this problem, and that was even before back surgery.

[FRpilot]

Originally Posted by Phlip

And the only one he never managed to best was Olajuwon.

Olajuwon was at his peak during the early-mid 90s. He schooled everyone! Made David Robinson look like a fool with his Dream Shake and dominated Ewing in the 94 Finals.

Olajuwon had 10+ years of experience on Shaq, who was only in his 3rd year in the league, so I kind of give him a pass on that.

I think young Shaq learned a lot from Olajuwon schooling him in 95.

[FRpilot]

Originally Posted by Phlip

I invite you to remember the Lakers/Magic finals...
In the post, Dwight STILL didn't clear his space in the lane with his hips and butt like he should, and when the ball came to him - even though he was already in the paint and simply needed to establish a pivot foot and work from there - he would invariably bring the ball down below his waist or dribble it, and Kobe or Artest would invariably be RIGHT on time with the double team and knock the sumbitch away from him.
He has STILL not unlearned this problem, and that was even before back surgery.

To add, Dwight has always gotten a lot of TO's before becoming a Laker. (That and his sub par 50% ft shooting at 10+ attempts a game is why it's almost impossible to win with him in a roto league). I don't understand how a center could pick up so many when the PG usually handles the ball and feeds the center. Then I watched Dwight play and it's like he doesn't know what to do with the rock if he can't jump over someone and dunk it. He wants to create something so bad, but he can't because he doesn't have the skills (limited post game, no footwork, no hook shot or bank shot), until someone takes the ball away from him or he simply loses it.. Turnover.. Again, "mucking around with the ball"

For someone who can't create his own shot, instead of trying to make something out of nothing, he really should be passing it back out and letting the PG give it back to him to repost when he gets in a better position (I guess he doesn't know how to do that either since it drives Phlip crazy that it's something Shaq did that D12 doesn't).

[Phlip]

Don’t get it wrong, it was mostly non basketball reasons (well, until he started desperately chasing rings) that I tend to not like Shaq. As a personality, he was often LAME like someone no one would really want to be around. His refusal to mind his conditioning was unnerving as well, but still. I never found his schtick endearing. His music was terrible and his movies were worse. One thing he was, though, was smart about his marketing and owning his brand (HE owned that logo, not Reebok, that is why they can’t retro his shoes without cutting him a big check). He maximized what he COULD do compared to those since him and I can’t take that from him.

[FRpilot]

Originally Posted by Phlip

Don’t get it wrong, it was mostly non basketball reasons (well, until he started desperately chasing rings) that I tend to not like Shaq. As a personality, he was often LAME like someone no one would really want to be around. His refusal to mind his conditioning was unnerving as well, but still. I never found his schtick endearing. His music was terrible and his movies were worse. One thing he was, though, was smart about his marketing and owning his brand (HE owned that logo, not Reebok, that is why they can’t retro his shoes without cutting him a big check). He maximized what he COULD do compared to those since him and I can’t take that from him.

I think everyone can agree that Shaq Fu: Da Return wasn’t one of the best albums produced and Kazaam was quite possibly one of the worst movies of all time. His personality is cheesy as hell, but I think he intended it that way so he could likeable to both children and the general public so that he can market himself to a wider audience than if he were to become a gangster rapper (imagine that lol) or action movie star. I also can’t hate the fact that he was smart enough to know he had to look out after himself for life after basketball and built his brand while there are guys like Scottie Pippen and Allen Iverson who broke as a joke after earning hundreds of millions of dollars, but at the same time I feel like he robbed basketball fans of how much GREATER of a basketball player we could have all seen if he had worked on his conditioning and continually improved his game like Jordan or Kobe. Ditto for guys like LBJ and D12.

[theronin]

Dat Bulls game!

[MikeisNissan]

So whats the deal with the marc jackson 25 k fining? I know jackson is such a humble guy, who doesnt curse and is usually always calm. Guy is a pastor ffs pretty ridiculous to fine him 25 k for comments about the other teams dirty antics.

[FRpilot]

This is a warning to all! David Stern doesn't like anyone else trying to "influence the refs" besides himself.

[Goofs]

Fucking Nuggets... The Warriors just had more heart than them. The Spurs should have a hard time with the Warriors next round.

[Gnnr]

Originally Posted by MikeisNissan

So whats the deal with the marc jackson 25 k fining? I know jackson is such a humble guy, who doesnt curse and is usually always calm. Guy is a pastor ffs pretty ridiculous to fine him 25 k for comments about the other teams dirty antics.

I rooted for the Warriors, but Jackson is just trying to manipulate the officials here. His claims are unfounded. Curry doesn't drive to the basket in such a manner to get a high amount of foul calls. And Curry is a great player, but he's not at the elite level where he'll get "star calls".

Originally Posted by zooopreme

I don't give a damn about Hack-A-Player whatsoever, it's a smart strategy. But c'mon Scott, Asik was making his FT's...As a coach, how are you going to stick with that strategy? Unless I'm missing something here but OKC can defend. So why slow the tempo like that? I think OKC needed a guy like Russ and came up short when nobody else stepped up. May be the reason why OKC will never win a championship.

It's not just that Russ is gone. Its that they have absolutely no experience playing without him, before his injury he hadn't missed a single game. Everyone is out of position and feeling like a fish out of water. In the playoffs, the teams that have been able to win in every fashion in the regular season are the ones who prevail in the playoffs because they're prepared for any adjustments that need to be made.

Statistics are favoring OKC and NYK right now, but records are meant to be broken.

On the Shaq/Dwight comments, it is really creepy how Dwight actually tried to copy Shaq. Someone, his agent, I don't know, must have told him that it would be a good idea. Its why he called himself Superman, tries to do the whole goofy act, and went from Orlando to LA. Hell, I guess he'll end up in Miami next so let me not throw him under the bus, lol.

[Phlip]

Originally Posted by Riq

Holyshit, when did Keyon Dooling come back into the league? Last time I checked he was working with the Celtics in the front office or something because of his issues. Memphis got a good one. Wish he would have comeback to the Heat instead but good for him.

Originally Posted by Gnnr

On the Shaq/Dwight comments, it is really creepy how Dwight actually tried to copy Shaq. Someone, his agent, I don't know, must have told him that it would be a good idea. Its why he called himself Superman, tries to do the whole goofy act, and went from Orlando to LA. Hell, I guess he'll end up in Miami next so let me not throw him under the bus, lol.

I swear, you Miami guys want EVERYONE'S leftovers
You know it'd be dumb to try to afford him though, lol\

[FRpilot]

Originally Posted by Goofs

Fucking Nuggets... The Warriors just had more heart than them. The Spurs should have a hard time with the Warriors next round.

Idk, when the Warriors were still fighting for playoff seeding, I recall some fans on a local warriors forum posting something like "we need to keep the 6th seed. we don't want the Spurs. Duncan will face fuck us and Popavich will school Mark Jackson"

To which I agreed. I think even with Bogut, Duncan will get his and Tony Parker is just as quick as Stephen Curry. I was hoping we could play the Clippers, but the bracket...

[SharkMan]

Originally Posted by Phlip

I swear, you Miami guys want EVERYONE'S leftovers
You know it'd be dumb to try to afford him though, lol\

As it seems everyone wants everyone's left over the NBA isn't the same kind of game anymore its let's stack superstars together and see if we can get them to work as a team. If they do they dominate, which in a way is a good thing cas it makes the rookies have to play better and be better to go up against them.

Miami will take it again this year.

[FRpilot]

Originally Posted by Gnnr

I rooted for the Warriors, but Jackson is just trying to manipulate the officials here. His claims are unfounded. Curry doesn't drive to the basket in such a manner to get a high amount of foul calls. And Curry is a great player, but he's not at the elite level where he'll get "star calls".

Yes, Curry doesn’t drive to the hoop enough to shoot 8-10 FTs a game like Harden or LBJ (which I prefer since the kid has glass ankles and is a good enough of a shooter that I don’t mind him not driving all the time), but I don’t think it was a matter of Jackson trying to get more calls for Curry. I think Jackson was trying to tell the officials to just watch out for the dirty plays against Curry instead of letting it go. I understand it’s the playoffs and teams tend to play a little bit rougher, but Denver was definitely playing dirty and trying to intentionally hurt Curry and that has no place in the game.

Btw, I’m not being biased because the Warriors are my local team and I have been knocking on Curry since he’s been drafted because I think he is too small to be what I want in a PG, but after all these years I think he has finally started to change my mind and I actually think he is playing at an elite level. Despite being a big market, for whatever reason Golden State just doesn’t get the attention as the other big teams (I think it has to do with 20 years of sucking) and probably why Curry doesn’t get the “star calls.” IMO, I think this was most evident when he got robbed by the coaches in the All Star voting. Any other year, I would have agreed with the “this guy is just putting up big numbers on a shitty team” argument, but the Warriors had a winning record so I don’t buy that, especially when Aldridge got in and Portland was losing. I’m kind of surprised and respect this kid for keeping his composure and being so humble and modest instead of blaming others for the way things go like when he was playing lights out against the Lakers, but didn’t blame the loss on the 50-16 free throw disparity.

Originally Posted by Gnnr

It's not just that Russ is gone. Its that they have absolutely no experience playing without him, before his injury he hadn't missed a single game. Everyone is out of position and feeling like a fish out of water. In the playoffs, the teams that have been able to win in every fashion in the regular season are the ones who prevail in the playoffs because they're prepared for any adjustments that need to be made.

Statistics are favoring OKC and NYK right now, but records are meant to be broken.

I agree that OKC is out of sync and they really miss Westbrook. It might be because some guys are playing out of position, but you can tell that without Westbrook taking some of the pressure off of him that Durant has to work harder with the defense focusing solely only on him. In a way, it kind of opened my eyes because I’ve never been a fan of Westbrook, but now I’m seeing how important Westbrook is to this team. Only someone as stubborn and stupid as Skip Bayless would continue to bash Westbrook despite seeing this.

I’m kind of rooting for Boston, but indifferent between OKC and HOU.

Originally Posted by Gnnr

On the Shaq/Dwight comments, it is really creepy how Dwight actually tried to copy Shaq. Someone, his agent, I don't know, must have told him that it would be a good idea. Its why he called himself Superman, tries to do the whole goofy act, and went from Orlando to LA. Hell, I guess he'll end up in Miami next so let me not throw him under the bus, lol.

I don’t know if he was trying to copy Shaq intentionally, but a lot of things about him are similar to Shaq either by chance or coincidence. In the dunk contest, I thought the red cape with the blue Orlando uniform was pretty clever and just screamed the epitome of Superman. My first recollection of Shaq as Superman was when he was in LA, but he could have very well had that Superman persona in Orlando. I think D12 being naturally goofy is just a coincidence and the LA situation was just by chance. Even though LA was part of his list of teams he would be willing to be traded to, I think it was his last choice because he said himself that he didn’t want to be seen as trying to follow in Shaq’s footsteps. Who knows though, maybe it’s all a smoke screen.

[Phlip]

Ladies and gentlefolk, your MVP:


Let the record show, the people who thought Melo had a chance were delusional.

[Gnnr]

Originally Posted by Phlip

I swear, you Miami guys want EVERYONE'S leftovers
You know it'd be dumb to try to afford him though, lol\

Dwight is too greedy to take a pay cut. Although, Pat Riley loves big man but also very strict about the types of personalities he picks, especially after the whole Shaq fiasco. I love how he's also notorious for conditioning requirements to play (8% or less body fat), which would be something the Knicks should pick up. I can't wait to kick their ass if the Pacers don't do away with them.

[jamg]

Originally Posted by Phlip

Ladies and gentlefolk, your MVP:


Let the record show, the people who thought Melo had a chance were delusional.

clear foul though.. didn't get the call on that. i'd probably flop too. it's all part of the game, (until this year)

[SharkMan]

Originally Posted by Phlip

Ladies and gentlefolk, your MVP:


Let the record show, the people who thought Melo had a chance were delusional.

LoL, never the less still MVP... (numbers do not lie)besides we all know that basketball is now the soap opera of sports right next to soccer.

[Riq]

Originally Posted by Phlip

Ladies and gentlefolk, your MVP:


Let the record show, the people who thought Melo had a chance were delusional.

Lets also keep in mind that right now Lebron is better than Kobe ever was... Just saying

[Riq]

Originally Posted by Gnnr

Dwight is too greedy to take a pay cut. Although, Pat Riley loves big man but also very strict about the types of personalities he picks, especially after the whole Shaq fiasco. I love how he's also notorious for conditioning requirements to play (8% or less body fat), which would be something the Knicks should pick up. I can't wait to kick their ass if the Pacers don't do away with them.

Nothing would give me more pleasure then to knock those scrubs out of the playoffs for a second year in a row. But I must admit, I rather the Knicks have gone down in history for losing a 3-0 lead in a series. I can't wait to see the Knicks try that Iso-Melo crap on that Heat defense

[Phlip]

Originally Posted by Riq

Lets also keep in mind that right now Lebron is better than Kobe ever was... Just saying

Flag on the play, the penalty is unsolicited change of subject. You may report to the penalty box and shut the hell up for approximately 4 days

[Gnnr]

Great, now we get another boring series for the Heat. I was looking forward to the Nets series as being a fun one. Now for more regurgitive, paint drying-esque style of play being mustered out of a hobbled team that is ugly to watch.

So, I guess Derrick Rose has to play now? Am I rite? Rite?

[zooopreme]

^No way, man.

Originally Posted by Gnnr

On the Shaq/Dwight comments, it is really creepy how Dwight actually tried to copy Shaq. Someone, his agent, I don't know, must have told him that it would be a good idea. Its why he called himself Superman, tries to do the whole goofy act, and went from Orlando to LA. Hell, I guess he'll end up in Miami next so let me not throw him under the bus, lol.

The Lakers brought him into LA. He didn't "copy" anyone in that aspect. If he had been a Forward and dominant, the Lakers would have taken him to go along with Pau.

He does copy his D on the P/R though, haha, Shaq never really came out to help his man, instead he hung around the back of the lane.

Anyway, I think the Nets organization threw money away with their roster. Deron and Brook fell short when it counted late in the 4th. And don't even get started with Joe Johnson. Deron's great but I put him 6th best PG in the league behind Conley of the Grizz's.

The Bulls grit is great and I do believe they have a shot against the Heat. It'd be great if D. Rose came back. I got Pacers moving on to the Finals.

Originally Posted by Riq

Lets also keep in mind that right now Lebron is better than Kobe ever was... Just saying

Lol, no. Lebron and Kobe deserve to be of their own categories. I believe Lebron is dominant but he will never achieve the winning accolades that Kobe has accomplished. Plus you're comparing an old man to a guy in his prime. I would love to see Lebron playing in his 17th season.

[theronin]

The more I think about it, the Spurs have a legitimate shot at the title. Just seems everything is coming together for them at the right time. The 2 weeks rest they've had (I'm a Lakers fan but we hardly gave them a challenge) prob didn't hurt either.

[FRpilot]

Originally Posted by zooopreme

The Lakers brought him into LA. He didn't "copy" anyone in that aspect. If he had been a Forward and dominant, the Lakers would have taken him to go along with Pau.

Exactly. The only thing I think he tried to copy is the Superman persona. Shaq went to LA for the money and fame, Dwight was traded to LA. The goofy personality is just him.

Originally Posted by zooopreme

Anyway, I think the Nets organization threw money away with their roster. Deron and Brook fell short when it counted late in the 4th. And don't even get started with Joe Johnson. Deron's great but I put him 6th best PG in the league behind Conley of the Grizz's.

Well, before the playoffs started I stated the Nets COULD redeem themselves by going deep into the playoffs for being overpaid underachievers. I guess there's no redemption.

Originally Posted by zooopreme

The Bulls grit is great and I do believe they have a shot against the Heat. It'd be great if D. Rose came back. I got Pacers moving on to the Finals.

I don't think they have a shot at the Heat, but they did impress me without Derick Rose. I guess this roster DID win 60+ games two seasons ago with Rose, so they shouldn't be underestimated.

Originally Posted by zooopreme

Lol, no. Lebron and Kobe deserve to be of their own categories. I believe Lebron is dominant but he will never achieve the winning accolades that Kobe has accomplished. Plus you're comparing an old man to a guy in his prime. I would love to see Lebron playing in his 17th season.

Different players. LeBron looks like he will be great for the next few years though.

[FRpilot]

Originally Posted by theronin

The more I think about it, the Spurs have a legitimate shot at the title. Just seems everything is coming together for them at the right time. The 2 weeks rest they've had (I'm a Lakers fan but we hardly gave them a challenge) prob didn't hurt either.

Yea, what luck. With Westbrook being out for the season it looks like they have a chance to go into the Finals (not that Memphis or OKC will be easy, but I think they can take either one). I don't know if they can defeat the Heat, but I'd like to see what calculated maneuvers and strategies Popavich will try.

[FRpilot]

What a weak first round. Every series was either a sweep or a 4-2 win.

Playoffs seem weak this year with all the major injuries to Rondo, Kobe, Westbrook, Gallinari, Amare, and even less severe injuries to David Lee and Griffin.

[Riq]

Originally Posted by zooopreme

Lol, no. Lebron and Kobe deserve to be of their own categories. I believe Lebron is dominant but he will never achieve the winning accolades that Kobe has accomplished. Plus you're comparing an old man to a guy in his prime. I would love to see Lebron playing in his 17th season.

Actually I am talking about Kobe in his Prime, at his very best. Yes they get their own categories but that is more about Kobe not being able to match up with Lebron's natural gifts, size and speed. As far as accolades go, I can't think about anything that Kobe has done that can't be done by Lebron. Maybe the 81 point game but that is alot more about play styles. The numbers Lebron put up this year have never been duplicated in NBA History. The Defense that Lebron plays has never been seen from Kobe. I speak as a fan of Kobe's game. I have never seen Kobe do what Lebron is doing right now. Obviously Lebron in his 17th season won't be Lebron of today but given how he is constantly changing his game, who is to say that he won't be as good if not better than Kobe in his 17th season? Again I said Lebron now versus Kobe at any point of his career not Lebron when he is ready to retire. You give Lebron the rosters that Kobe was lucky enough to be a part of and he wins as much rings as Kobe has while in Cleveland.