OT: The Lone NBA 2008-2009 Thread...(4 people unite)

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 12:20 pm

Just hope somebody denies the Lakers.

The top 3 in the East are going to knock each other off in the playoffs.

The West overall is stronger but the top 3 in the East are title contenders.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 5:48 pm

FYI,

NBA LEAGUE PASS is having a mid-season free preview January 19 - 25, 2009 on most providers. Watch up to 39 live out-of-town games during the free preview.

lexbur · Post by **lexbur** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 6:15 pm

Cavs have it rough the next couple weeks, four games on the west coast this week and at Orlando next week, all without Z or Delonte West. I'll be shocked if they're still in first place by the end of the month.

macsomjrr · Post by **macsomjrr** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 3:40 am

Great basketball double header tonight on TNT (at least on paper anyway) with Celtics/Suns and Lakers/Cavs. The Celtics absolutely manhandled the Suns. Nash looked terrible but I guess the Celtics can make anyone look that bad. Cavs looked pretty lethargic against the Lakers D which gets better every time I see them. They could've really used Delonte West out there.

lexbur · Post by **lexbur** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 12:46 pm

Three out of four on the west coast without Z or West, WOW!!!

Time to change the old avatar, things are really starting to get exciting around here!!!!

This team could be something special.

EZSnappin · Post by **EZSnappin** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 1:11 pm

The Cavs are definitely playing this year as a team, which will make them much more dangerous come playoff time (having Mo and Delonte initiate the offense once in a while, and having Z be more of a focus when he's healthy, should keep teams from double zoning Lebron like the C's did last year). However, the aforementioned Celtics have really torn up some good teams in this last stretch. Orlando looked hopeless, Dallas was decimated and Phoenix looked like the pretenders they've proven to be time and again.

Can't wait to see the East playoffs - Cavs v. Magic or Celtics v. Magic or Celtics v. Cavs in the second round, with whomever takes the top seed sitting in the catbird seat. Vicious.

lexbur · Post by **lexbur** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 2:49 pm

EZSnappin wrote: Can't wait to see the East playoffs - Cavs v. Magic or Celtics v. Magic or Celtics v. Cavs in the second round, with whomever takes the top seed sitting in the catbird seat. Vicious.

I like that second scenario, Celtics/Magic would be a GREAT second round matchup!

It was interesting they said on the Lakers game yesterday that the Lakers have way more road games left than anyone else in the league. There's a good chance the top seed in the East might have home court all the way.

But I'm doing right now what Mike Brown has been preaching against all year, looking ahead. There's a long way to go. Gotta take it one game at a time.

jLp vAkEr0 · Post by **jLp vAkEr0** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 4:16 pm

lexbur wrote:
EZSnappin wrote: Can't wait to see the East playoffs - Cavs v. Magic or Celtics v. Magic or Celtics v. Cavs in the second round, with whomever takes the top seed sitting in the catbird seat. Vicious.
I like that second scenario, Celtics/Magic would be a GREAT second round matchup!

Yeah, as a Celtics fan, I would happily avoid a matchup with the Cavs. If it's going to happen, let it be in the ECF.

bdoughty · Post by **bdoughty** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 7:05 pm

For any Knicks fans. I thought it was funny and kinda sad at the same time.

http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketbal ... ?track=rss

As he stepped to the line in the second quarter to take his first free throw of the night, Nate Robinson offered up a salute. This wasn't a shout-out to someone in the military, though.

Robinson, an avid player of "Call of Duty" on Xbox 360 Live, recently played someone who didn't believe it really was the diminutive guard when he identified himself.

So to prove it indeed was Robinson, he said he would salute his "Call of Duty" opponent when he went to the free-throw line last night - and he made good on his promise.

macsomjrr · Post by **macsomjrr** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 7:52 pm

bdoughty wrote:For any Knicks fans. I thought it was funny and kinda sad at the same time.

http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketbal ... ?track=rss

As he stepped to the line in the second quarter to take his first free throw of the night, Nate Robinson offered up a salute. This wasn't a shout-out to someone in the military, though.

Robinson, an avid player of "Call of Duty" on Xbox 360 Live, recently played someone who didn't believe it really was the diminutive guard when he identified himself.

So to prove it indeed was Robinson, he said he would salute his "Call of Duty" opponent when he went to the free-throw line last night - and he made good on his promise.

Sad? That is freakin awesome!

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 10:40 am

macsomjrr wrote:
bdoughty wrote:For any Knicks fans. I thought it was funny and kinda sad at the same time.

http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketbal ... ?track=rss

As he stepped to the line in the second quarter to take his first free throw of the night, Nate Robinson offered up a salute. This wasn't a shout-out to someone in the military, though.

Robinson, an avid player of "Call of Duty" on Xbox 360 Live, recently played someone who didn't believe it really was the diminutive guard when he identified himself.

So to prove it indeed was Robinson, he said he would salute his "Call of Duty" opponent when he went to the free-throw line last night - and he made good on his promise.
Sad? That is freakin awesome!

Yea, why is that sad? I'll tell you what was sad though, was my Hawks getting thumped by NY and Miami this week. This team goes up and down
like a..... (PK, please give me an analogy).

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 11:18 am

Been having some fun with this today, trying to land a reasonably decent PF for the Bulls.

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/trademachine

macsomjrr · Post by **macsomjrr** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 1:07 am

Brando70 wrote:Been having some fun with this today, trying to land a reasonably decent PF for the Bulls.

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/trademachine

This just in! The Clippers get LeBron James for Zach Randolph!

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 2:22 pm

My Sixers are playing great of late. 9 of their last 11 under Dileo. Since the Cheeks firing the Sixers are 2 back of the Celtics. Obviously the Celtics are the team to beat but that is a nice indication of how positive things are going. 7 straight home games coming up also. The Celtics game next week should be a fun one. Brand looked like he was almost 100% against the Rockets on Wed. night. I really love the direction Dileo has the team going. ED STEFANSKI, DON"T TRADE ANDRE MILLER.

EZSnappin · Post by **EZSnappin** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 3:51 pm

Sixers are playing much better, and should challenge the Hawks and Pistons for the 4 or 5 seeds if they can keep it up. The thing is, their rise has come with Brand on the sideline. It will be interesting as he gets his legs back under him if they can integrate his strengths with the rest of the team.

Here's a question - would you trade Brand and maybe one of the good young wings (say, T. Young) for Amare? Stoudamire would fit around the rest of the personnel better, and Brand would be a better fit on the aging, slowing Suns (plus, he plays some post defense once in a while).

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 7:17 pm

The Suns don't want Brand and his $80m contract, he's well past his best.

EZSnappin · Post by **EZSnappin** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 7:45 pm

Because of how Brand plays I don't think he's past his prime (he's not yet 30, and has always been more technique than athletic in style) or overpaid; he'll average 20 and 10 for another six years. If they don't want Brand's $80 million they aren't going to give Amare the $100 million he'll want the end of next year.

The Suns have to decide ASAP if they want to try to win now or rebuild; either way, I don't think Amare is their future, and Brand would give them more consistent (if less occasionally spectacular) numbers at less cost. Young would give them the wing player they haven't had since Joe Johnson left.

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 7:56 pm

He'll be in 30 in less than two months, and has suffered from injuries the past two seasons. He's averaging less than 15 points for the 76ers this season so I'm not sure why you think he'll be averaging 20 PPG all the way to 2014. As a Suns fan, I hope they don't go anywhere near him.

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 8:05 pm

Why would Philly trade Brand in the first 4 months of contract? That would send an odd message to fans.

EZSnappin · Post by **EZSnappin** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 8:26 pm

Philly might do it because they're playing better without him; he doesn't really fit the style they're best at, so unless they can move something else (except Miller, nobody wants any of their parts) he's their biggest asset to trade. I think the reason he's only getting 15 this year is the team around him; the Sixers have no outside shooters so it is easy to clamp down on him in the paint. As far as injuries, the shoulder is a total fluke; the heel has healed, and he has been very durable.

I'd make the trade in a heartbeat if I was Steve Kerr; get rid of the malcontent, bring in a quality guy and a building block. If I'm the Sixers, I roll the dice that a year and a half of Miller, Iggie and Amare getting up and down the floor shakes things up in the East and gets the fans in the building.

Amare's gone in 2010 if the Suns don't do anything, so try to get something now.

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:47 pm

EZSnappin wrote:Philly might do it because they're playing better without him; he doesn't really fit the style they're best at, so unless they can move something else (except Miller, nobody wants any of their parts) he's their biggest asset to trade. I think the reason he's only getting 15 this year is the team around him; the Sixers have no outside shooters so it is easy to clamp down on him in the paint. As far as injuries, the shoulder is a total fluke; the heel has healed, and he has been very durable.

I'd make the trade in a heartbeat if I was Steve Kerr; get rid of the malcontent, bring in a quality guy and a building block. If I'm the Sixers, I roll the dice that a year and a half of Miller, Iggie and Amare getting up and down the floor shakes things up in the East and gets the fans in the building.

Amare's gone in 2010 if the Suns don't do anything, so try to get something now.

I think that might be the 1st time I've seen Brand referred to as a "malcontent".

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:58 pm

greggsand wrote:
EZSnappin wrote:Philly might do it because they're playing better without him; he doesn't really fit the style they're best at, so unless they can move something else (except Miller, nobody wants any of their parts) he's their biggest asset to trade. I think the reason he's only getting 15 this year is the team around him; the Sixers have no outside shooters so it is easy to clamp down on him in the paint. As far as injuries, the shoulder is a total fluke; the heel has healed, and he has been very durable.

I'd make the trade in a heartbeat if I was Steve Kerr; get rid of the malcontent, bring in a quality guy and a building block. If I'm the Sixers, I roll the dice that a year and a half of Miller, Iggie and Amare getting up and down the floor shakes things up in the East and gets the fans in the building.

Amare's gone in 2010 if the Suns don't do anything, so try to get something now.
I think that might be the 1st time I've seen Brand referred to as a "malcontent".

That's because he was talking about Amare, not Brand.

And no way the Suns trade Amare. He just can't coexist with Shaq, running Porter's offense. They need a new coach. For some reason Reggie Theus keeps calling the Suns front office. Not sure why.

EZSnappin · Post by **EZSnappin** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:59 pm

Especially since I was talking about Amare - unless Steve Kerr is now running the Sixers too.

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 10:03 pm

EZSnappin wrote:Especially since I was talking about Amare - unless Steve Kerr is now running the Sixers too.

my bad. missed the kerr ref.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 2:49 pm

Got another one last night

10 of last 12

As far as trading Brand, that is ridiculous. Did the Sixers play well without him? Yes, but there was this other little thing that happened while he was hurt - they fired Mo Cheeks. Tony Dileo has been doing an awesome job. His prior job to being head coach entailed a TON of research and scouting of players for the draft. Basically he has a handle on most players in the league...strengths and weaknesses. Not that other coaches don't its just that most people outside of Philly (and even in Philly) don't know who the hell Tony Dileo is. Brand has been back 4 games and has done well. His defense has been great. He has been meshing with the team well. He will be starting soon, have a great 2nd half and be the "Elton Brand" everyone was hoping for. The Celtics game this week could be a great stage for Brand to make his first start and show the Sixers, and Brand, are for real.

The guy being mentioned in trades is Andre Miller. Man, I hope they don't do that but it is a possibility. Lou Williams would then take over at PG and he has come a long way from the guy "Stephen A. Jackass" all but called a joke on draft night a few years ago.