Im betting on an East Final between Chicago and Miami with D Rose MVP. Only thing IMO to preclude his winning MVP would be if Lakers win the championship and then I would have to go with Kobe as MVP
I feel the same too in the East, Steve. My son and I were looking at the possible opponents of Boston in the first round and both of us feel any of the bottom 4 teams can upset the C's given their ability to beat strong teams on a given night. This may indeed be the best season yet in the NBA where anything can happen.
I am a die hard Lakers fan and have been for at least 40 years so I obviously want to see them win again. Having said that and having watched most every important game involving every major team this year I believe that there is amazing parity across the entire league. What also impresses me is the teams of tomorrow with all of their young players. Most now have a run and gun offense that the Lakers and most of the other top 4 teams in East and West will find difficulty keeping up with. So whatever happens I agree that this has been one heck of a basketball season with the finals starting in less than 2 weeks
Portland has an amazingly fast team as does Chicago, OKC to name but a few. All of their players look as if they haven't even started to shave yet
Watch for the Clippers to gain momentum in the next few season with Blake Griffin
I am a die hard Lakers fan and have been for at least 40 years so I obviously want to see them win again. Having said that and having watched most every important game involving every major team this year I believe that there is amazing parity across the entire league. What also impresses me is the teams of tomorrow with all of their young players. Most now have a run and gun offense that the Lakers and most of the other top 4 teams in East and West will find difficulty keeping up with. So whatever happens I agree that this has been one heck of a basketball season with the finals starting in less than 2 weeks
Portland has an amazingly fast team as does Chicago, OKC to name but a few. All of their players look as if they haven't even started to shave yet
Watch for the Clippers to gain momentum in the next few season with Blake Griffin
Agreed on all points, Steve. The young ones are really fun to watch. And Blake, yes, I am looking forward to him and his team prosper the next few years.
Same thing is happening in Golf. These twenty somethings are coming out of their shells early.
For basketball, I believe it is due in big part to getting a lot of playing time right away whereas in the past rookies had to play for years behind veterans to earn their places in the rotations. I wonder what the long term effect will be on the length of their playing careers.
Same thing is happening in Golf. These twenty somethings are coming out of their shells early.
For basketball, I believe it is due in big part to getting a lot of playing time right away whereas in the past rookies had to play for years behind veterans to earn their places in the rotations. I wonder what the long term effect will be on the length of their playing careers.
That's true, Jack. And I feel it depends on the coach and his confidence on a young player. A good friend and Spurs fan laments why Tiago Splitter who he claims plays so well and has good potential past the Duncan era. Well, I told him he has to ask Coach Pop. LOL
I wouldn't worry about the length of the playing careers for young guys - when you're good, you're good. Alcindor, Bird, Magic, Jordan all had good performances past their 10 years of play, and I think it's more of injuries that will destroy the career of young great players, like Sam Bowie and Greg Oden. Still to me, the biggest loss was that of Len Bias, who died because of OD a few days after draft day, though many felt he would have been a good one in the NBA.
My mistake, I thought the other night's loss of LAL to Utah was just a game. It didn't occur to me that they've lost a previous game as well, making tonight's loss to the Warriors a 3 game losing streak. Now the question of peaking is daunting again. It would be nice to end up winning the last couple of games into the start of the playoffs, for confidence building. Mental toughness is key now. And practices on the hardwood may not be enough to hone that to the fullest. I see Chicago shining because a good coach like Coach Tibs who had been on playoff games for years and actually being assisstant coach of the WC Celtics in '08. They are going to be tough to beat. And their fans are one of the loudest in the NBA.
I think the Lakers weaknesses have been exposed again in this 3 game losing streak in much the same way as they were exposed before the All-Star break. Other than Odom, they have no bench and they have no talent at the guard position (other than you know who). When Kobe sits, they struggle to find any offense. And it is painfully obvious that Kobe has lost a lot of lateral quickness, to state nothing of about 6 to 8 inches in his vertical leap. Kobe can be and is defended by the better defensive players in the league now, something which could not be stated in years past. This team is ripe for the picking.
I do agree about Kobe missing some quickness and elevation in his jump shot but when the tough get going there isn't another player that I would want on my team and give the ball to for the final shot.
As to the Lakers bench I agree about Lamar however the 3 B's when they are on are also tough to beat even if one of those B's is a "thug" according to you.
I just think that this will be an amazing playoff season and remain hopeful that the Lakers prevail in the West and then we shall see Ron
In the first 20 games or so Shannon Brown was shooting the ball very well. Since then his shooting percentage has dropped to below 30 percent. Matt Barnes has no offensive game to speak of. Steve Blake is slow and passive. Odom is the only player coming off the bench with any scoring capability. Bottom line is this team is very defensible. Kobe is the only perimeter player on the team who can break down a defense. That makes it very hard to score and puts a heavy burden on Kobe.
All of this discussion highlights the team's shortcomings on offense. On defense, any team running a high pick and roll eats up the Laker's defense. In all of Phil Jackson's run as head coach of the Lakers, his team has never, ever, been able to defend well against quick point guards.
The Lakers may do it, but it will be harder this year that last or the year before. This team is beatable.
Chicago has just about clinched home court ad in the East by beating the C's big time tonight. Their defense is tough, swarming and they did that to an already tough Celtic team that prides on their D. Their offense is great and the defense has greatly improved from the past few years. This may be their year, they just need to play with consistency and poise in the playoffs and they will get far.
Chicago has just about clinched home court ad in the East by beating the C's big time tonight. Their defense is tough, swarming and they did that to an already tough Celtic team that prides on their D. Their offense is great and the defense has greatly improved from the past few years. This may be their year, they just need to play with consistency and poise in the playoffs and they will get far.
As a longtime Celtic fan, I can see the writing on the wall too, Steve. Much like the last year of the Bird, McHale, Parish era. They played 'old', and the present Big 3 plays 'old' as well. Slow, calculated, and now stifled by opponents' defense. Allen simply cannot get those open looks after the screen anymore. Garnet is not the same aggressive attacker that he was 3 years ago, and Pierce at best is hitting 15 to 20 points a game. And most glaring is no impact player in the 6th man role, like what they had with Posey then. Sports scribes still harp on the Perk deal but whatever Perk's presence could have done, the void of a 'microwave 6th man' that produces instant offense is missing. Green was supposed to be that man, but so far, his confidence isn't there despite being a starter at OKC. It looks gloomy for the C's.
Unfortunately I feel the same about the Lakers as this year could be their last big hurrah. If you look around the league, those teams in the bottom 4 have virtually all young players who can run and gun. It is these bottom 8 teams who are going through a rebuilding process and have great young players Also I am struck by how important it is to have 1-2 reliable 3 point shooters on a team. If you look at teams bringing the ball up the court there is always one player who goes to the side to catch the ball and shoot the 3 pointer. Lakers and Celts have 3 point shooters (duh Ray Allen...but as you said, he isn't getting the looks) but not like these younger teams
Perfect example is Lakers opponent tonight, the Trail Blazers who are young, fast and very talented....much the same as OKC
There is a reason why teams like the Lakers and the Celtics seem to be always in the hunt: Their Front Offices. They have been able consistently able to see greatness where others see just good talent and to trade or pay for it. Focusing on the Lakers my favorite team... How in the world did they get Kareem? Then Magic, then Kobe, then Gasol? Last Hurrah ? I am not so sure They are not a young team but hardly a team of old people with their nucleus of Gasol, Kobe, Odam around 30 and people like Bynum being less than 25 years old .. Too much is being made of the Lakers players age .. The biggest unknown is the Coach and from the look of it, Brian Shaw seems to be ready to move to that spot ...
Lakers will likely not be as dominant ... still a force for a few more years I think
And the Celtics have Raja Rondo .. One can build a serious team around that kid ...
That was basically what I was saying but the parity in the league now is terrific
I agree about Brian Shaw but heck why not Doc Rivers. He would teach them some defense
As for the players you mention I agree, but who will replace Fisher and Artest off their bench...so some trades would be expected in the off season
Lastly Kobe remains IMO the best player in basketball still but many are close behind. I agree with Ron Party who recently said he has lost his jump and is just a bit slower than prior years. I agree
IIRC Doctor Jerry Buss isn't obligated to hire Brian Shaw so we shall see
Unfortunately I feel the same about the Lakers as this year could be their last big hurrah. If you look around the league, those teams in the bottom 4 have virtually all young players who can run and gun. It is these bottom 8 teams who are going through a rebuilding process and have great young players Also I am struck by how important it is to have 1-2 reliable 3 point shooters on a team. If you look at teams bringing the ball up the court there is always one player who goes to the side to catch the ball and shoot the 3 pointer.
Agreed absolutely on the bottom 4 teams being run and gun type. And boy are you so right about the need for 3-point shooters, reliable and consistent ones. An offense with such players make the defense spread out too to chase these 3 ball shooters and when the they see an open guy in the middle, bang. An added option to go to the inside game if they choose not to shoot it. Such great weapons.
