NBA thread

[cpt.mars]

Upon seeing that one other person even mentioned the NBA, I created this thread to discuss all things related to the NBA.

Capt.Mars' Regular Season Picks:
Western Conference:
1- San Antonio Spurs
2- Los Angeles Lakers
3- Denver Nuggets
4- Portland Trailblazers
5- New Orleans Hornets
6- Utah Jazz
7- Houston Rockets
8- Dallas Mavericks

Eastern Conference:
1- Boston Celtics
2- Cleveland Cavaliers
3- Miami Heat
4- Philadelphia 76'ers
5- Atlanta Hawks
6- Orlando Magic
7- Chicago Bulls
8- Indiana Pacers


San Antonio made a great move by getting SF Richard Jefferson, adding yet another strong scoring option who loves to play team defense and has no history of personnel issues. Age and remaining healthy will continue to be San Antonio's greatest problems, but by adding another strong component to their team, they have set themselves up to continue their dynasty.

Boston also landed a huge piece to its puzzle by acquiring PF Rasheed Wallace. Anytime you can add a player of Rasheed's ability and have him still only be the 5th best player on the team is a huge statement. Just like San Antonio, age and health will be the biggest concern. However, consider that they still have young potential superstar Rajon Rondo at the Point, that Garnett's injury last season was the first that severe ever incurred in his career, and that Boston is incredibly deep and simply will not need to have their starters on the floor as long as many other teams might.

Ron Artest will fit in just fine with the Lakers. He and Kobe are close friends and Phil Jackson has made his career out of balancing different players' egos. Their problem actually lies with Derek Fisher and whether his age will start to catch up with him. Without a viable option at the point, Kobe's already heavy workload only increases, which only hurts the team further.

Shaq will work well with LeBron, the problem arises with the fact that Cleveland has surrounded Lebron with too many "role players". Even Shaq himself, at this point in his career, is more of a role player than not. Attempting to find a good starting lineup and rotation will be nothing short of a headache for coach Mike Brown as he simply will not be able to balance the minutes properly between each player to keep them at their optimum performance level. As such, they will struggle to find a team identity and will lack a focus of either Offense or Defense at any given time.

Denver will continue to develop nicely as a team. As long as they can continue to play defense at a high level and keep their superstars Chauncey Billups and Carmello Anthony healthy, they will be a threat to the entire league.

Orlando will greatly miss Hedo Turkgulu as well as Rafer Alston. Vince Carter will add some scoring, but he does not fit particularly well into their system. Getting Jameer Nelson back for the entire season will help them, but their offense ran on a system of distribution for open three point shots, and Nelson can find himself looking to get his own shot going instead of passing. Dwight Howard will continue to be the most dominant big man in the league, and if he is able to find an offensive-post game, he is capable of winning the MVP.

Portland is the most exciting team in the West to watch. They have an incredible nucleus of talent that has some good experience behind them. They were already a very deep team, but by adding veteran PG Andre Miller they addressed their only weakness, and stand to make huge strides this season. Greg Oden's health for the entire season will be paramount for the organization, but not necessarily for the team's success.

Counter to Portland in the East is Miami. With an annual MVP candidate in Dwayne Wade, they always stand a chance. However, with a re-energized Jermaine O'Neil and good supporting cast, they are very likely to improve upon last years 43-39 record. Michael Beasley's development this season is their greatest measurement of their success throughout. They will almost certainly make the playoffs even without him, but his natural physical abilities will be a needed element if they are to keep other teams off balance.

Finally, I'll comment on the New Orleans Hornets. By adding defensive superstar Emeka Okefor, they have created a presence inside the Key that will only add to a defensive mindset led by Chris Paul and James Posey. Offensively, they suffer by losing Tyson Chandler. But they have enough players capable of scoring for Chris Paul to be able to facilitate them. Without Paul, though, they suffer greatly.

[Moe_Rahn]

my flawless plan to play nba 2k10 and learn about basketball is thus far a failure because all i've been doing is playing "my player" mode

[cpt.mars]

my flawless plan to play nba 2k10 and learn about basketball is thus far a failure because all i've been doing is playing "my player" mode

Yeah, that'll happen. How are the controls for the PC on that, btw? I saw it was 20 bux and considered buying it.

Basketball's a pretty easy sport to pick up, though. It's the sport I've kept watching my entire life.

[Moe_Rahn]

if you have an xbox controller (which i do) it's exactly the same as on xbox (which is pretty good)

don't even try playing it with a keyboard

i'm very slowly but surely learning the rules of basketball; generally how it works is i will get called for a certain violation repeatedly in a game (say, three seconds) and then go on wikipedia and look that up and figure out how to not do it again

[cpt.mars]

if you have an xbox controller (which i do) it's exactly the same as on xbox (which is pretty good)

don't even try playing it with a keyboard

i'm very slowly but surely learning the rules of basketball; generally how it works is i will get called for a certain violation repeatedly in a game (say, three seconds) and then go on wikipedia and look that up and figure out how to not do it again

Damnit. I had a 360 controller, but my friend broke it and refuses to replace it.

And you're already ahead of 68% of the Basketball Public because it seems like few actually know how defensive 3 seconds is supposed to be called.

The thing about the NBA is, you really can't pay attention to the rules that much, otherwise you'll drive yourself insane when they never get called.

[Moe_Rahn]

Damnit. I had a 360 controller, but my friend broke it and refuses to replace it.

i looked at the manual online to see what the keyboard controls were before i bought it and it's seriously the most bizarro fucking control layout on the planet, i guess that's what happens when you try to emulate two analog sticks with only buttons

i was planning on getting a 360 pad anyways just to have a gamepad around for my pc so it all worked out in the end

And you're already ahead of 68% of the Basketball Public because it seems like few actually know how defensive 3 seconds is supposed to be called.

The thing about the NBA is, you really can't pay attention to the rules that much, otherwise you'll drive yourself insane when they never get called.
i only ever got called for offensive 3 seconds but i get what you mean

fortunately i don't have cable anymore so i can't get angry at live sports these days unless i go to a bar or something

[attistTuddy]

Artest was wrongfully ejected. Ko8e should be suspended but obviously the nba doesnt want to jeopardize the Fakers chances of making the finals.

Ko8e talking all that smack outl oud to a class act like Battier was sickening. Where the heck was he in game 1? Dude you aint Mike, keep your mouth shut and play.

[SWATJester_os]

Lol Gilbert Arenas was in a mexican showdown guns drawn in the locker room over a $15 gambling debt.

[Moe_Rahn]

kinda interesting to see what david stern does here, if this were the nfl arenas and crittenton would both probably be gone for the rest of this season plus the next at minimum

the way crittenton's career is going, he better start learning how to speak italian if he wants a chance to play anywhere ever again

[SWATJester_os]

I don't think the punishment will be too bad; especially as bad as the Redskins are doing right now, Washington can't handle another terrible team.

[Moe_Rahn]

the new york post keeps it classy (http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/nba_gunpoint_R52AnT76DRgTSuVKDQ8XBO)

Guess they're still the Bullets at heart.

[BAS]

lol

[BAS]

kinda interesting to see what david stern does here, if this were the nfl arenas and crittenton would both probably be gone for the rest of this season plus the next at minimum

the way crittenton's career is going, he better start learning how to speak italian if he wants a chance to play anywhere ever again

I agree with thats what SHOULD be done. But this is David Stern we're talking about here.

[SWATJester_os]

lol

^^^

[Moe_Rahn]

gilbert arenas suspended indefinitely without pay (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Breaking-news-Gilbert-Arenas-suspended-indefini?urn=nba,212133)

[cpt.mars]

Bottom line is that I'm not good at picking winners and losers in the NBA

[BAS]

normally I'd be pretty pissed by what happened last night with the Celtics but as a life-long Cleveland sports fan, I'm pretty used to soul-crushing playoff defeats

[Polish Hill]

As a Pittsburgh fan I should want to drink the tears of all Cleveland sports fans. However, there are a lot more cities than Cleveland that deserve to have that sort of shit happen to them. The only thing I can be happy about is that for someone who doesn't care for the NBA I sure will be excited to hear about this ridiculous free agency for LeBron.

Sorry BAS :(

[cpt.mars]

Okay, my picks were awful. But I'm going to blow myself here and say damned if I didn't completely call the Cavs properly:

Shaq will work well with LeBron, the problem arises with the fact that Cleveland has surrounded Lebron with too many "role players". Even Shaq himself, at this point in his career, is more of a role player than not. Attempting to find a good starting lineup and rotation will be nothing short of a headache for coach Mike Brown as he simply will not be able to balance the minutes properly between each player to keep them at their optimum performance level. As such, they will struggle to find a team identity and will lack a focus of either Offense or Defense at any given time.

That said, I hate LeBron James so goddamn much, so CHUG IT DOWN CLEVELAND, CHUG IT DOWN

Bill Simmons had a great article when talking about James, his image and how he compares to other great players before him: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/100514&sportCat=nba

[BAS]

All I know is I have and forever will HATE boston teams, so I hope Orlando punches them in the faec

[cpt.mars]

All I know is I have and forever will HATE boston teams, so I hope Orlando punches them in the faec

That's fair. I really just want to see Suns/Magic in the finals to piss off David Stern

[Rabbit]

I could have called the Spurs not going. Their game has been slipping steadily since their last championship. It's time for a lineup change, but San Antonio has this tendency of loving their team---- too much. I mean, it's great to support your team, but they love their players to the point that letting them go would be political suicide in this town, even if they're past their prime and need to be replaced. Trading with San Antonio is pretty much never an option, so their only hope is the draft.

Also, I like their composure and professionalism, but I will say they're not a very physical team either.... Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili specifically.

[cpt.mars]

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[Polish Hill]

He'll go to Miami or else ILL BE SURPRISED

[Moe_Rahn]

it's miami

[Polish Hill]

I'm not an NBA fan (fortunately because I'm sure the Pittsburgh Pipers would blow ass) but the teams who can possibly win next year are what...Lakers, Heat, Bulls, Celtics, Mavs, Spurs?

Any others?

[BAS]

Change Spurs to Magic and, yeah pretty much,

[cpt.mars]

I'm not an NBA fan (fortunately because I'm sure the Pittsburgh Pipers would blow ass) but the teams who can possibly win next year are what...Lakers, Heat, Bulls, Celtics, Mavs, Spurs?

Any others?

Lakers, Heat, Celtics and Magic are the only ones I'd legitimately buy-into, depending on how Rose develops in Chicago, and how Howard develops in Orlando. Parity is an extraordinarily rare thing in the NBA.

Also; until Chris Paul joins them in Miami, I hope they all choke and die. I might actually find myself rooting for the goddamn lakers, what the fuck is happening??? :(

[BAS]

yeah seriously, LeBron has forced the unthinkable: I have to route for Boston now.

[BAS]

also, Dan Gilbert actually says what we all think and does it in a hilarious way

http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/gilbert_letter_100708.html

[DasHuhn]

man, why does anyone care if lebron stays in cleveland and why is he a traitor when he leaves?

No really I want to know whats so god damned fascinating to have 40+ LEBRON SUCKS ZOMGZ on my facebook page.

[Moe_Rahn]

Comic Sans: when you have a Serious Message to get across, accept no substitutes

man, why does anyone care if lebron stays in cleveland and why is he a traitor when he leaves?

No really I want to know whats so god damned fascinating to have 40+ LEBRON SUCKS ZOMGZ on my facebook page.

HOMETOWN BOY WHARGARBL

more like "the only good thing to come out of ohio in pretty much its entire history oh god someone please pay attention to our shitty state jesus christ without this guy what the fuck are we going to doooooo"


like, if albert pujols went to the yankees or somewhere next year as a free agent, i'd for sure be pissed, be disappointed, maybe rant about it on the internet a little. but if the team ownership put out a letter on the official team website (in fucking comic sans lol, i still can't get over that part) calling him out as "heartless and callous", referring to his actions as "cowardly" and a "shameful display of selfishness and betrayal" and basically taking a giant shit all over the one man who made people actually care about the team again, then i would have to take a step back and be like "god damn people it's just a fucking game"

[Moe_Rahn]

more from the Dan Gilbert Is Really Mad files


Dan Gilbert is also an owner of Fathead (http://www.fathead.com/)

Benedict Arnold was born in 1741

LeBron's Cavs Fatheads are now on clearance (http://www.fathead.com/search-results/lebron-james/)

[Polish Hill]

I'd say that just makes sense from a business viewpoint. Do you think people want to buy Bosh Raptors jerseys more this week than they did a year ago? The demand falls through the floor when a player is no longer on that team.

I also think what really pissed a lot of people off is how LeBron handled the situation. He has every right to go to a place he thinks he can win the most championships (though most agree Chicago would have been a more solid fit in that circumstance). But joining forces with ESPN so it could be a mutual tug party was like watching a car crash in slow motion. What a travesty it all was to just SELL SELL SELL this product or that. Although I'm sure Cleveland fans would have been furious regardless of who he chose outside of Cleveland.

Only thing I'm upset with is it would have been much more interesting had he gone to Chicago/New York/New Jersey because that would have increased the teams likely to win. Realistically its probably between the Lakers and Heat now but it would have been much more interesting to see LeBron have to face the Heat to make it to the Finals or something. Oh well.

[cpt.mars]

like, if albert pujols went to the yankees or somewhere next year as a free agent, i'd for sure be pissed, be disappointed, maybe rant about it on the internet a little. but if the team ownership put out a letter on the official team website (in fucking comic sans lol, i still can't get over that part) calling him out as "heartless and callous", referring to his actions as "cowardly" and a "shameful display of selfishness and betrayal" and basically taking a giant shit all over the one man who made people actually care about the team again, then i would have to take a step back and be like "god damn people it's just a fucking game"

If Albert's choice was talked about 2 years before it was ever going to be made, and ceaselessly so the few days before it would be made, and finally announced via a 1-hour special that only serves his ego? I'd hate him too.

But yeah, it's just a game. Nothing worth crying over, burning anything or dragging racial tension into. I just think LeBron is a tasteless asshat.

I still love Wade for helping Riley pull this off, though.

[Moe_Rahn]

I'd say that just makes sense from a business viewpoint. Do you think people want to buy Bosh Raptors jerseys more this week than they did a year ago? The demand falls through the floor when a player is no longer on that team.
the clearance part makes perfect sense

the price point is what pushes it into the realm of Blatantly Childish (in case you didn't get it the first time around, all the lebron fatheads are priced at $17.41, which is the year of benedict arnold's birth)

[DasHuhn]

and the MVP is priced at 17.76

[Polish Hill]

the price point is what pushes it into the realm of Blatantly Childish (in case you didn't get it the first time around, all the lebron fatheads are priced at $17.41, which is the year of benedict arnold's birth)


hahaha I wish I could +rep Gilbert for that piece of hilarity

[BAS]

I was at an Indians game today (hey we won!) and saw a guy wearing this
http://gvartwork.myshopify.com/products/lebron-the-lyin-king-t-shirt

[BAS]

apparently we didnt watch basketball last season. resurectin this.



Who else is with me on the Clippers bandwagon?

[cpt.mars]

apparently we didnt watch basketball last season. resurectin this.



Who else is with me on the Clippers bandwagon?

I'm glad the Clippers got Paul rather than the Lakers. NO actually got some good pieces too. Pretty good deal overall.

Also, I'm actually excited for the prospect of a Wolves season for the first time since 2003 :)