THe NBA Thread for December

[Flannel Boy]

Apparently Iverson is demanding a trade from the Sixers. I don't know why a decent team would want a $20 million player on their team who shoots 40% from the floor and turns the ball over nearly five times a game. That's just not a winning formula. He may have made the Finals several years ago, but if he played in the west at the time he wouldn't have made it out of the first round.

He'll take plenty of shots for you, just don’t ask him to play any defense, grab a rebound, give up the ball early in a possession or attend practice. He's also in the latter part of his prime. He hasn't dropped off yet, but when he loses his quickness he'll be worthless. 

[Flannel Boy]

Watch Nash and Kidd go nuts

http://broadband.nba.com/cc/playa.php?content=lpintl&url=http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/nba/lp_archives/20061207_271.asx&gid=271

I can't

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[Phoenix Dark]

Allen Iverson is essentially the Michael Vick of the NBA: all style and flash, yet don't bet on him to get you anywhere. When Iverson took a bunch of nobodies to the finals he was awarded with the MVP. Now, he's got even better players and can't win shit - but that doesn't stop people from pulling the "oh he doesn't have any teammates" card. God dammit you've got Chris Webber; I know he's meh, but he's still a presense. Then you've got Kyle Korver hitting just about every open shot he has. Add a shotblocking center and Andre Igudala, and you should have a winning team. Yet even in the LEASTERN conference (Malek made that), they can't win shit. Good luck with that trade; they should have traded his ass last year.

This season started off pretty odd. The Sixers started 3-0, the Hawks got off to a fast start, as did the Jazz. Now the Sixers and Hawks are back to their losing ways but the Jazz are looking like contenders. Damn.

[Flannel Boy]

 Webber isn't nearly the same player that he was just two or three seasons ago. How much is that a result of playing in a system that is not tailored to him and how much is it a result of a decline in ability? I don't know. Without Iverson in the lineup tonight he had one of his better games all season, as he put up 20 points, 10 boards and 5 assists.

Dalembert is a solid center and Iguodala is a good all-around player. Korver is a 1 dimensional player. He does his job well, making open shots, but nothing else. The team isn't very deep. Nevertheless they shouldn't be struggling so much.

If I were a basketball player I would not want to play with Iverson. I don't want to be standing around watching Iverson take 30 shots a game and passing to me only when the clock is running out so he can get a possible assist and pat his stats some more. I've been against Nash's MVPs, but there's no question you'd rather play with him than with a player like Iverson. Nash can score, but he instead gets everyone else involved while shooting when he has to. When he does shoot, he makes over 50% of his shots. Shooting 40% should be looked at like hitting .200 in baseball. It's pathetic and it hurts your team.

edit:
Jesus, Adam Morrison 1 for 11? 1 for 10 yesterday?

[Phoenix Dark]

I agree; my point is just that even though they aren't a good team, they

A. are better than the team Iverson lead to the finals
B. should be at least at .500, AT LEAST lol

Iverson always shows some kind of growth but in the end he just takes two or three steps backwards. The Sixers should trade him and join the Greg Oden lottery

Leastern conference

I knew Morrison was going to be a dangerous fantasy player. He's one dimensional in the sense that all he can do right now is score. He's not big enough to bang down low to get rebounds, he's not interested enough to play defense (I'll never forget seeing him literally standing flat on the defensive side while at Gonzaga, waiting to run to the other side of the court), and he's not great at passing out of coverage. So when he goes 1-10, that's 3 points, 0 rebound, 0 assists, and maybe a couple turnovers. When I played fantasy basketball (NBA Rookie Challenge) I always knew that even if LeBron James had a poor shooting night, he'd still go out and get lots of rebounds and assists. Same with D Wade, Carmelo, Chris Bosh, Josh Howard, and the other awesome rookies from that year. That was a fun year

[Flannel Boy]

I agree; my point is just that even though they aren't a good team, they

A. are better than the team Iverson lead to the finals
B. should be at least at .500, AT LEAST lol

Iverson always shows some kind of growth but in the end he just takes two or three steps backwards. The Sixers should trade him and join the Greg Oden lottery

Leastern conference

I knew Morrison was going to be a dangerous fantasy player. He's one dimensional in the sense that all he can do right now is score. He's not big enough to bang down low to get rebounds, he's not interested enough to play defense (I'll never forget seeing him literally standing flat on the defensive side while at Gonzaga, waiting to run to the other side of the court), and he's not great at passing out of coverage. So when he goes 1-10, that's 3 points, 0 rebound, 0 assists, and maybe a couple turnovers. When I played fantasy basketball (NBA Rookie Challenge) I always knew that even if LeBron James had a poor shooting night, he'd still go out and get lots of rebounds and assists. Same with D Wade, Carmelo, Chris Bosh, Josh Howard, and the other awesome rookies from that year. That was a fun year

You forgot about Darko, lol.

[Phoenix Dark]

 

Pistons lol. It's still funny hearing radio ass kissers here justify that pick. They seem to be under the impression that the decision was between just Darko and Carmelo. In reality, we had the fucking #2 pick. Outside of LeBron James EVERYONE was on the table. I perfectly understand why we didn't take Carmelo (Tayshaun Prince), but why not get Chris Bosh? That would have been the most logical thing to do.

[Flannel Boy]

GM's are shocked when they see a tall white guy jump more than two inches off the ground. But who wouldn't want an unproven backup from Serbia? Regardless, he should be starting over Tony Battie. Fuck it, I should be starting ahead of Tony.

[Phoenix Dark]

Dude came off the bench in Serbia and didn't average 8 points a game. Brilliant Dumars!

Dumars is great at finding players who aren't appreciated and watching them become stars (Billips), but his drafting is pretty spotty.  Mateen Cleaves? Rodny White? Prince has been great though

[Van Cruncheon]

speaking of minstrel shows

[rocketman]

wow, the NBA sucks. Get with the program, you heathens.

[etiolate]

If Iverson wants a ring, he'll need to learn to play a role and not be the star. 

Webber just looks old and he can't athletically overcome the lack of lateral movement.  In a system where he sits at the high post and runs the offense, he's a great passer and orchestrator, but outside of that he is a liability just because of his body not being able to keep up. Plus, you can't trade him to anyone at this point.

[Van Cruncheon]

hoot hoot

[Flannel Boy]

Fucking Cuban. Looks like the Mavs are trying to get AI. Dirk is not getting enough shots as it is. He's taking just 16 shots a game, that will be down to 10 if Iverson is on the team.

The Wolves are out of it.

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/basketball/16199928.htm

[Phoenix Dark]

Why the hell would Cuban want AI? He already has Jason Terry and Devin Harris, who's turning into a great player. Plus they have Maurice Ager (from Michigan State ) waiting in the wings for his turn. Makes no sense.

I wouldn't be suprised if Isiah Thomas finds a way to get AI. That would be the final blow

[Flannel Boy]

Terry and or Harris would be sent to the Sixers according to the rumors going around.

[Loki]

Iverson is not a good fit on Dallas.  They need a post scorer if anything, not a ball-dominant perimeter scorer.  Bad move.  Iverson would've been great on Minnesota, though.

[etiolate]

You know he'll end up a Knick.

[Flannel Boy]

You know he'll end up a Knick.

Francis, Marbury and Iverson on the same team? I guess Francis would go to the Sixers.

[Phoenix Dark]

Terry and or Harris would be sent to the Sixers according to the rumors going around.

If Cuban makes that trade he's fucking distinguished mentally-challenged. Harris is the future of that team, and Terry is a clutch player and very good guy.

The Knicks will get Iverson before the Mavs, and I will laugh at Zeke for being such a dumbass

[etiolate]

I just hope he doesn't end up with the Kings.  I'd rather have gimp Bibby than Iverson and Artest on the same team.  I can just imagine the ugliness. Kevin Martin is averaging like 21ppg for my fantasy team now and with Iverson... he might get 21 shots the whole rest of the season.

[Takuan]

You know he'll end up a Knick.

It could actually happen. I don't think Marbs and/or Francis would really mind playing with C-Webb, Iggy and Dalembert.

[Flannel Boy]

LOL @ Morrison's shooting
Last 4 games:
1-5   
1-10   
1-11
1-8

[etiolate]

The Hawks are a horrible team without Joe Johnson.  Tyron Lue sucks haaaaaaaaaaard.

[etiolate]

I think the best place for Iverson would be Phoenix.

[Phoenix Dark]

What?

[Flannel Boy]

Dallas getting blown out by the Jazz.
Terry 2 for 7
Howard 2 for 10
Harris 2 for 9
Buckner 0 for 5


Dirk shows up pretty much every game, and he already had 26 and 10.

[Flannel Boy]

Devean George is also a piece of shit. People talk about how deep Dallas is. The bench sucks outside of Brickhouse.

[Phoenix Dark]

What's everyone's opinion on the Jazz right now? Are they the real deal?

I saw them play this year for the first time since the Malone/Stockton era ended; up until this year it was rare to see them on TV lol. They were playing the Lakers, and although they got blown out I couldn't help but be impressed with their core. I always knew Boozer would be a great NBA player; he was one of my favorite college players during his Duke days. The addition of Deron Williams really makes it easy to see why some feel this is the next Stockton/Malone tandem.

This year I don't expect them to go far in the playoffs. They have little post season experience on that team, and I expect the Spurs/Mavs/Suns to be geared up for war. But they definitely are the future of the west. The Spurs' time is running out, unless of course they get a young gun (or big man) to compliment Duncan.

[Flannel Boy]

Boozer has turned into a great power forward. He's a low post presence who can get you a ton of rebounds and he is a tremendously efficient scorer. Deron Williams has quickly turned into an elite point guard. Okur is not a traditional center, but he can score pretty well. With Okur and Boozer you have a front court that is not capable of blocking shots, but they are so good in other areas it doesn't really matter. AK47 is however capable of blocking shots and he used to be the star of the team. Now he's like another guy. If he returns to form watch out. Harping is also a nice player and an efficient scorer.

Jerry Sloan has worked with next to nothing for a number of years, now that he has some talent again you can see what a great coach he is.

The Jazz might need a few years, but I see them being a great team for a while.

[Phoenix Dark]

I've always respected Sloan. When I was little the Jazz were my second favorite team (behind Shaq's Magic), and I hated seeing the almighty Jordan take them out. Karl Malone was one of my favorite players as a kid, perhaps because he looks so much like my dad (in the face at least lol).

The Jazz definitely have the pieces right now. All they need is a more defensive attitude. They're already tough (they lead the NBA in rebounding) and very active. And Boozer is a freaking beast.

[Flannel Boy]

I have to come out of the closet.

I was a Bull's fan until Jordan's second retirement. I never liked Malone or his fucking elbows.

[etiolate]

What?

Iverson on the Suns would mean Iverson just running and gunning, while having a guard in the backcourt with him that can do all the ballhandling and distrubiting.

[Flannel Boy]

What?

Iverson on the Suns would mean Iverson just running and gunning, while having a guard in the backcourt with him that can do all the ballhandling and distrubiting.

The ball belongs in Nash's hands. With Iverson on the team he'll never see the ball, and thus neither will the rest of the Suns. Also that will be the worst defensive backcourt in the history of basketball.

[Phoenix Dark]

Morrison: 7-17, 16pts

Maybe they should just bring him off the bench everynight like they did tonight. Perhaps it takes some of the pressure off him to score score score.

Mavsm Spurs rollings as usual. And Orlando...wtf

[Flannel Boy]

I thought Dirk was going to get a triple double.

Morrison isn't very tough, I don't know if he can take the pressure of the starting position. 

[Phoenix Dark]

Physically he looks like Tayshaun Prince, but apparently weaker. Next year he's going to need to add more muscle.

[Takuan]

Physically he looks like Tayshaun Prince, but apparently weaker. Next year he's going to need to add more muscle.

No one looks like Tayshaun Prince. That dude's his own sub-species of human, seriously - but he can play.

Yeah, I'm not sure if we'll be hearing much about Morrison five years from now. He's not fast, he's not strong, he can't create his shot, he can't defend, and he's not a great NBA shooter. Maybe if he works really hard at it he can find himself a good role on the still-developing Charlotte squad, but I'm not seeing that kind of potential in him just yet.

In other news, that kid Bargnani's going to be pretty good. The fundamentals and confidence are there, he just needs playtime to hone his basketball instincts and plenty of hard work the next few years to be an all-star.

[Takuan]

NBA CHAT NOW PAPANGUS

One thing I hate about the GAF NBA thread is that the posters only talk about their own teams and players, the actual *basketball* talk that goes on there is minimal! It's just posts of funny pics or one-sentence quips about Kobe, T-Mac, or Yao. It can be hilarious, but at the same time, I wish there was REAL ball chat in there instead of a bunch of dudes pimping their own team.

So c'mon, talk about the state of basketball, up-and-coming players, trades, whatever! Real talk.

[Flannel Boy]

I'm pretty sure the only three teams that exist are the Lakers, Rockets and Raptors.

[Cyanista]

I'm pretty sure the only three teams that exist are the Lakers, Rockets and Raptors.

Then ur a tard, because the Spurs and the Mavs are my babies.  My giant, multi-colored babies.

[Flannel Boy]

I'm pretty sure the only three teams that exist are the Lakers, Rockets and Raptors.

Then ur a tard, because the Spurs and the Mavs are my babies.  My giant, multi-colored babies.

How the hell do you have two teams in the same division?

[Cyanista]

Why do men always ask me that?  Is it really that weird?  I like both teams.  When they play each other I am happy either way, though I root for the Mavs.  Underdog.

[Flannel Boy]

though I root for the Mavs.

Good enough

[Flannel Boy]

Checking the ESPN scoreboard and Dark was right about Morrison, 7 of 12 and 22 points with 7 boards off the bench.

[Phoenix Dark]

Carmelo Anthony

Everytime he fights back and fixes his image he ruins it again. It's pretty sad considering how fun and upbeat he always seemed in college. Once he got to the NBA things slowly changed. I mean, he's having a MONSTER season, leading the NBA in scoring and was by far the best player on Team USA this summer...now this.

He may make up for it in the league's eyes, but he'll never live down running away from Nate Robinson, AKA Ghetto Frodo

[Flannel Boy]

15 games? Not bad.

[Flannel Boy]

There are so many stars who are out right now. With Yao out it looks like Nash will get his third straight MVP.