N.b.a. (1 Viewer)

Yes, well Houston decided to gamble... I am curious to see how it will go.

But right now what I am following closely is the US Olympic team. Looks like their recipe is we're not that big so we are going to use our defence and fast break skills... Yesterday against GB it was nice to watch, speedy stuff indeed. But how will they fare against tougher opposition, like Spain? I will try to follow the exhibition games against Argentina and Spain but what I am really looking forward to is the Olympic competition, the real deal, some heavy competition to bring out the real best of the American team I hope...

Paulo
 
It's always about the money isn't it. The reason the Knicks declined to sign him because the third year of the contract was backloaded and would have put the Knicks about the cap and would have subjected them to a penalty which would have increased the cost of the agreement to them from about $25 million to $50 million. He's just not worth that much.

In this particular case the Knicks should have kept their mouth shut. When he signed the original offer sheet with the Rockets, the contract was going to be about $14 million. Then the Knicks said we'll match that. The Rockets, knowing that, redid the contract to make it cost prohibitive for the Knicks -- the third year being the so called "poison pill." Had the Knicks not said anything until the offer sheet was delivered to them, Lin would still be a Knick.
 
jazzeum said:
It's always about the money isn't it. The reason the Knicks declined to sign him because the third year of the contract was backloaded and would have put the Knicks about the cap and would have subjected them to a penalty which would have increased the cost of the agreement to them from about $25 million to $50 million. He's just not worth that much.

In this particular case the Knicks should have kept their mouth shut. When he signed the original offer sheet with the Rockets, the contract was going to be about $14 million. Then the Knicks said we'll match that. The Rockets, knowing that, redid the contract to make it cost prohibitive for the Knicks -- the third year being the so called "poison pill." Had the Knicks not said anything until the offer sheet was delivered to them, Lin would still be a Knick.
Click to expand...

I guess you're right, not a very clever move.

Paulo
 
lancer said:
Chris, Lin just signed with the Houston ball club for $25 million. Knicks declined to match the offer, so Linsanity has moved to Texas. -- Al
Click to expand...

Thank you Al, guess I should stick to the UFC and NFL.....doesnt seem to be the thing to get all worked up about but what do I know???? :wink2:
 
well...if you're a Laker's fan...and turn on any of the ESPN channels...we got good news last night...

I'm kind of sorry to see Bynum leaving...as I thought he had great potential as a future (for years to come) dominant offensive and defensive center for the Lakers...

but I was always skeptical that he couldn't seem to grow up and mesh into the organization...his sometimes childish and especially bullying behavior...makes his trade a lot easier for me to accept...and I'm not even gonna start talking about Metta World Peace now that I have mentioned bullying...

his tirades...his poor relationship with Brown...his overly aggressive retaliations on the court...his inabilities to mesh with the line-up and his reckless perimeter shooting were all detriments to his potential abilities...

I think Howard will fill his shoes more than nicely...especially defensively...

with Nash moving the ball...I think the Lakers will return to more fast break points...which is how I think Oklahoma dominated them in the playoffs last year...also I think Nash will give Kobe much better looks with his handling the ball...what Nash lacks in defensive ability...I hope Howard will assist more around the basket...

I'm looking for them to be more competitive with Oklahoma...I'm hoping for a Lakers/Miami finals...

should be interesting...I like the Howard trade and the acquisition of Nash...

now if we can only get Gasol to step up...stop MWP from trying to kill people with his elbow and get some production out of the bench...
 
mikemiller1955 said:
well...if you're a Laker's fan...and turn on any of the ESPN channels...we got good news last night...

I'm kind of sorry to see Bynum leaving...as I thought he had great potential as a future (for years to come) dominant offensive and defensive center for the Lakers...

but I was always skeptical that he couldn't seem to grow up and mesh into the organization...his sometimes childish and especially bullying behavior...makes his trade a lot easier for me to accept...and I'm not even gonna start talking about Metta World Peace now that I have mentioned bullying...

his tirades...his poor relationship with Brown...his overly aggressive retaliations on the court...his inabilities to mesh with the line-up and his reckless perimeter shooting were all detriments to his potential abilities...

I think Howard will fill his shoes more than nicely...especially defensively...

with Nash moving the ball...I think the Lakers will return to more fast break points...which is how I think Oklahoma dominated them in the playoffs last year...also I think Nash will give Kobe much better looks with his handling the ball...what Nash lacks in defensive ability...I hope Howard will assist more around the basket...

I'm looking for them to be more competitive with Oklahoma...I'm hoping for a Lakers/Miami finals...

should be interesting...I like the Howard trade and the acquisition of Nash...

now if we can only get Gasol to step up...stop MWP from trying to kill people with his elbow and get some production out of the bench...
Click to expand...

Mike-
You beat me to it. Good news for LA fans. Nash and Howard are going to make this team a real contender again. Bynum had talent but he was injury prone and increasingly an egg head. I remember him taking a 3-pt shot this season and telling the coach he would continue to do so whenever he felt like it. Hope he enjoys Philadelphia. And the Lakers keep Gasol. Not bad. I'm ready to predict LA and Miami in the finals next year. :)
 
Doug...

yea...I hope Kobe and Howard can mesh...I don't think Howard will see himself as "the leader" on this team...so Kobe will not get his ego checked...and Nash knows his role...I really think we will see more fast breaks on defense with Nash...

my only concern (excluding injuries) is Howard's commitment...I hope he sees this as his best chance for a ring and fully commits...we was laxidasical at best in some games with the Magic...

I'm a little focused on football right now...hoping the Cowboys new cornerbacks and the possibilty of getting Plexico Burress will give them some extra defense and offense this year...but this is great news for Laker's fans...

another banner would be nice...
 
The Lakers go from old, slow and done to who's going to beat them.

This sets up a Heat vs Thunder/Lakers final for the next four years, most likely Heat vs Lakers as Perkins is too slow and beat up to guard Howard in a seven game series.

@#$%ing wonderful.

Call me in four years when the playing field levels out again and other teams have a legit shot at winning.

NBA excitement; catch it.....................
 
Warrior said:
The Lakers go from old, slow and done to who's going to beat them.

This sets up a Heat vs Thunder/Lakers final for the next four years, most likely Heat vs Lakers as Perkins is too slow and beat up to guard Howard in a seven game series.

@#$%ing wonderful.

Call me in four years when the playing field levels out again and other teams have a legit shot at winning.

NBA excitement; catch it.....................
Click to expand...

hehehe...they are "still old" George...

Nash should be drawing social security in 4 years...
 
mikemiller1955 said:
hehehe...they are "still old" George...

Nash should be drawing social security in 4 years...
Click to expand...

Mike,
On another note, I've got a great deal of respect for all the players who are on the US olympic team; they all gave up their summer and to some extent, shorten their own career with all the extra games and practices, no attitude, no cockiness, no chest thumping, just playing the game and winning for their country.

As much of a fan as I am of pro sports, I especially like the Summer and Winter Olympics, a lot of great athletes giving it all for their countries, pretty inspiring to be honest.

And Bolt is not human, he is otherwordly, blazing speed, a man among boys.
 
Warrior said:
Mike,
On another note, I've got a great deal of respect for all the players who are on the US olympic team; they all gave up their summer and to some extent, shorten their own career with all the extra games and practices, no attitude, no cockiness, no chest thumping, just playing the game and winning for their country.

As much of a fan as I am of pro sports, I especially like the Summer and Winter Olympics, a lot of great athletes giving it all for their countries, pretty inspiring to be honest.

And Bolt is not human, he is otherwordly, blazing speed, a man among boys.
Click to expand...

George...I have never been a fan of the winter Olympics...my climate is just not condusive to learning, playing or understanding these sports...the last time we had snow down here...there was a guy on Ebay selling snowballs he collected and stored in his freezer for $50...for real...neither myself or my friends even understand the rules in ice hockey...I have never seen a luge in my life...

there was a funny story on Yahoo Sports the other day...about a Spaniard...punching an Argentenian opponent in the testicles to draw a foul in a basketball elimination round...I may have the their nationalities mixed up...but the player was incensed that the other team was "flopping for fouls" so badly...that he wanted to make sure they earned this one...hehehe...true story...

good point...you gotta admire the professional atheletes playing for their country...obviously the American basketball roster is playing for glory and country...not money...made up entirely of well paid NBA atheletes...they could certainly stay home and pass on this...

Bolt...they should test his DNA...I think he's an alien...his breakaway speed at the end is ridiculous...

I personally liked the double amputee South African..."The Blade Runner"...Oscar Pistorious...he is an inspiration...

I should at least go to the gym...or find a more physically grueling game than golf...golf is mentally grueling!!!
 
Doug...never thought I would say it about the Lakers...

but I'm really glad to see them back at 500 after Sunday's win against New York...

with Nash returning after missing 24 games...and a modest 5 game winning streak...even though some of that streak was against some pretty weak opponents...Charlotte and Washington...a win is a win...

most recently beating Golden State and now the Knicks back to back...really gives me some hope that they may be gelling a little...

hoping to extend it to an 8 game run with Denver, Portland and Philly on the horizon...

they really look like they are playing with some confidence with Nash in the line-up...
 
mikemiller1955 said:
Doug...never thought I would say it about the Lakers...

but I'm really glad to see them back at 500 after Sunday's win against New York...

with Nash returning after missing 24 games...and a modest 5 game winning streak...even though some of that streak was against some pretty weak opponents...Charlotte and Washington...a win is a win...

most recently beating Golden State and now the Knicks back to back...really gives me some hope that they may be gelling a little...

hoping to extend it to an 8 game run with Denver, Portland and Philly on the horizon...

they really look like they are playing with some confidence with Nash in the line-up...
Click to expand...

Nash is a tremendous player, his impact on the Lakers has been immediate. But still the Golden State and Knicks games were very close ones that might have been lost (albeit against great top form teams). I believe they will keep improving but the key now is to win enough to get into the playoffs. A tough match tonight at Denver awaits them.
Gasol is also looking better but I have seen him play much better (at the Olympics for instance). Is he being out of position because of playing with Dwight Howard an unsolvable problem? At the Olympics he did great while playing for Spain with another big (his fantastic brother Marc).

Paulo
 
i wouldn't get carried away just yet as they are way down in the Western Division and have a lot of teams to leapfrog. The good news is they have time as the season is only about a third done. Remains to be seen how well they will do under D'Antoni.
 
VIRIATO said:
Nash is a tremendous player, his impact on the Lakers has been immediate.
Gasol is also looking better but I have seen him play much better (at the Olympics for instance). Is he being out of position because of playing with Dwight Howard an unsolvable problem? At the Olympics he did great while playing for Spain with another big (his fantastic brother Marc).

Paulo
Click to expand...

jazzeum said:
i wouldn't get carried away just yet as they are way down in the Western Division and have a lot of teams to leapfrog.
Click to expand...



Gasol has always been a mystery to me...and now...he's averaging at least 5 points less per game this year than previous years...with his height...his understanding of the game...his European background in the fundamentals...I have always expected more from him...he rarely seems to be a leader...not as dominant a player as I hoped he could be...more of a follower...a role player...I sometimes feel that Kobe stifles his spirit and his role...or maybe the organization itself keeps him in check...dangling him as trade material all last year must weigh on him...and speaking of weight...listed at 7'1"s tall...and from various sources between 237-275 pounds...this has always made him too light in my opinion...

I really think an aging Nash can still help...I hope he can...while maybe he is no Iverson on scoring...he is game savvy, fearless in the paint, handles the ball well and seems to blend in this system...throughout his career...I have been amazed at his offensive interior play in attacking the basket while surrounded by all these "big men"...

okay...I'm not planning a parade yet...if the finals ended today...even with the NBA's generous format...they wouldn't make the playoffs...but right now it is a milestone for a Laker's fan to reach the 500 mark finally...

I seem to remember someone exhibiting a little over-exuberance about a certain Knicks player last year...I know I saw the phrase "Linsanity" on this thread about 100 times until they crashed and burned...
 
The Knicks weren't all that good last year and after the players sabotaged D'antoni Lin really had no place as Woodson plays a different system. At any rate, they played well down the stretch but had the bad luck to draw the Heat in the first round. Hardly crashing and burning.

This year different story. Since they have some older players, it's hard to say if they can keep it up. However, Shumpert should be back sometime next year and that will be a plus. Hopefully, they can make it to the conference finals.

I know there's a good team in LA but think it's the Clippers :D
 
yea...I don't know...lol..."crash and burn" pretty much nails it...their plane hit the tower on takeoff and there were no survivors...losing the first game of the series by 33 points...their playoff hopes were quickly disposed of in 5 games...
 
Yes, it wasn't a good series that's for sure (2nd year in a row) but they did lose to a very good team.
 
The Lakers remind me of all-star team at this point. They look great on paper but don't play an effective team game. That has to be developed over time with new players at key roles. The coaching has improved for sure. If they stay healthy, I think they finish in the top half of the west, but then don't make it past the second round of the playoffs. Conference finals at best. Next year will be another story.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)
Community platform by XenForo® © 2010-2024 XenForo Ltd.
Back
Top