NBA 2010

[ghost]

Mavs are going to give the Spurs a run for the top spot, particularly with Parker being out for 2-3 weeks. 

[ghost]

Bibby to the Heat

This isn't too surprising, and if he plays up to his potential this could be the final piece for the Heat. 

[Paelos]

I wish nothing but bad things for him and the Heat. He was notoriously inconsistent in Atlanta and actually had the balls to play the "disrespect" card when he got traded. Have fun in south beach, douchebag.

[ghost]

I've never been a big fan of him either, but he'll probably do very well with the Heat.

[Paelos]

Rose and the Bulls are just ridiculous.

One of the all-time funny quotes from the Hawks announcers. "Derrick Rose pulls up and...(disgusted sound) hits at the buzzer. The Bulls have just put up 72 points on the Hawks in their own building in the first half. For the love of God!"

It was a Major League type moment.

[ghost]

Donny Walsh-  Trades didn't fix the Knicks.

I'm not sure why this surprises him.  When you trade for two "superstars" who refuse to play any defense at all this is what you get.  What a laugher. 

[Cyrrex]

Not only that, but Denver seems no worse for losing Carmelo.

Also, I've not been much of an NBA fan over the past several years, but I've lately taken to watching the Bulls plays now and then.  Derrick Rose is one of the best players I've seen in a long time.  When he puts in the effort on defense, he's murder.  There's just nothing like a (relatively) small guy who consistently takes it to the hole and makes everyone else look fucking stupid.  He's Jordan-like in that respect.

[Paelos]

Donnie Walsh better expect to get fired after this season. I bet he's the kind of guy who believes that having a kid can fix a troubled marriage. 

[ghost]

Carmelo is just like Stevie Franchise and Stephon Starbury.  They were all about their points and being bigger than the team.  I've never liked him. 

Here's a list of the NBA All Defensive teams in the past. 

Notable names include MJ (9 times ), Dwight Howard, Tim Duncan, Koby Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Chris Paul, LBJ, Rajon Rondo, CPIII,  Ron Artest, Jason Kidd and so on.  The best players in the league play defense.  The Knicks would have been better off with Gerald Wallace than fatty Carmelo.

[Mosesandstick]

I think at this point Walsh wants to get fired.

[Threash]

There is a several month back order on Melo jerseys and the knicks raised ticket prices by 40% for next year, and honestly no matter how bad they are doing now the team with two real superstars will be better off than the team with a bunch of good roleplayers eventually.

[Paelos]

There is a several month back order on Melo jerseys and the knicks raised ticket prices by 40% for next year, and honestly no matter how bad they are doing now the team with two real superstars will be better off than the team with a bunch of good roleplayers eventually.

Reminding us once again that New York fans are idiots.

[Malakili]

There is a several month back order on Melo jerseys and the knicks raised ticket prices by 40% for next year, and honestly no matter how bad they are doing now the team with two real superstars will be better off than the team with a bunch of good roleplayers eventually.

Reminding us once again that New York fans are idiots.

NY is a basketball town and they've got 2 big names to draw people to the arena.  They knicks have been irrelevant for years and still near the top in ticket sales. This is obviously going to blow the top off, even if the results aren't great.

[Threash]

My point is that basketball teams are actually in the business of making money, like any other business.  Wins and losses matter some, but there is no way in hell getting Carmelo Anthony can be seen as a bad move, even if the knicks end up in the lottery for years to come.  Which they shouldn't, Miami sucked for stretches too and they've managed to turn into a scary team.

[Paelos]

My point is that basketball teams are actually in the business of making money, like any other business.  Wins and losses matter some, but there is no way in hell getting Carmelo Anthony can be seen as a bad move, even if the knicks end up in the lottery for years to come.  Which they shouldn't, Miami sucked for stretches too and they've managed to turn into a scary team.

So your point is that Melo puts asses in the seats, even if they lose?

[Threash]

No, the asses were already there.  It does allow them to charge a ton more for the seats though.  And i don't think long term they will be worse off than Denver, specially after the new CBA makes it harder for stars to dictate where they want to play.

[Paelos]

I don't see how this doesn't make NY fans bigger idiots to pay more for the same crap.

It's flashier crap, I'll give them that.

[Threash]

I hate this time of the season, there is like three teams left that give a shit about any remaining games.

[Azuredream]

I am pulling for the Bulls in the postseason this year. Derrick Rose, while I don't think he should be the MVP (it should be Dwight Howard), is incredibly fun to watch. In the West I'm pulling for the Thunder, mostly because I really like watching Kevin Durant and Brian Westbrook.

[Paelos]

I am pulling for the Bulls in the postseason this year. Derrick Rose, while I don't think he should be the MVP (it should be Dwight Howard), is incredibly fun to watch. In the West I'm pulling for the Thunder, mostly because I really like watching Kevin Durant and Brian Westbrook.

The East is even more laughable than ever this season. Best case scenario, a team that's 5 games under .500 is going to make the playoffs. The 6 and 7 seeds could very well go .500 on the season.

Compare that to an 8 seed out of the West that's 10 games over .500, hmmmm.

[Azuredream]

It is pathetic, I believe the thinking would be that eventually this will start evening out but I have to think maybe we should start restructuring which teams are in which conference? There's been a huge disparity for years, and it's really unfair to those 9 or 10 seeds out West that would easily make the playoffs in the East.

[Paelos]

It is pathetic, I believe the thinking would be that eventually this will start evening out but I have to think maybe we should start restructuring which teams are in which conference? There's been a huge disparity for years, and it's really unfair to those 9 or 10 seeds out West that would easily make the playoffs in the East.

All I've ever heard out of the NBA is that it's an anomaly and it will work itself out. Except that's total horseshit. Compare the last team getting in over the last 8 seasons against a .500 record. You'll notice that if anything, it's not working itself out, it's getting ridiculously worse!

2010 - even in the East, 18 over in the West - +18 West
2009 - 4 under in the East, 14 over in the West - +18 West
2008 - 7 under in the East, 18 over in the West - +25 West
2007 - 2 under in the East, 2 over in the West - +4 West
2006 - 2 under in the East, 6 over in the West - +8 West
2005 - 2 over in the East, 8 over in the West - +6 West
2004 - 10 under in the East, 4 over in the West - +14 West
2003 - 2 over in the East, 6 over in the West - +4 West

[ghost]

I wonder why that is happening?  It makes no sense, particularly when the west has such shitstains a the Golden State Warriors, the Sacramento Kings, and the Clippers. 

[Threash]

Having those worthless teams actually inflates the record of the good teams in the west.

[Paelos]

Having those worthless teams actually inflates the record of the good teams in the west.

It's equal opportunity though, unlike the overall records. In the last 10 years (counting this one) the worst team in the league has come out of the East 4 times, the West 3 times, and 3 times it's been a tie.

Pretty damn even on cellar dwelling.

[ghost]

If there's a discrepancy it's because the west teams are generally beating their eastern counterparts more.  There are dogs in the east as well.

[ghost]

The Bulls are starting to look like the real deal after a shaky start to the season.  Good, I like the Bulls.

[Paelos]

The Bulls are starting to look like the real deal after a shaky start to the season.  Good, I like the Bulls.

I wouldn't fall in love with them. They are destined to break people's hearts in the playoffs by losing in the second round. They are the new Cleveland, I think.

[Rasix]

Cleveland was one badass with a bunch of has beens and roleplayers badly mashed together. I would think these Bulls have a better core with which to advance.

Still, it's a hard prospect when you've got to beat Orlando in the playoffs in a 7 game series.

[KallDrexx]

It's going to be sad when Dwight Howard becomes a free agent next year (I think?) and Orlando goes back to being a nobody for another 20 years.  If only they could learn to be consistent, they might actually win a championship.

[ghost]

Teams with a shot at the title, in my opinion and in order:

1.  Lakers
2.  Bulls
3.  Celtics
4.  Orlando
5.  Heat
6.  Spurs


I really don't think the Spurs have it in them, but they've surprised me before.  The Lakers have the engine to do it.  I think they'll threepeat. 

[Morfiend]

It's going to be sad when Dwight Howard becomes a free agent next year (I think?) and Orlando goes back to being a nobody for another 20 years.  If only they could learn to be consistent, they might actually win a championship.

Maybe the Heat could pick him up too.  

Seems like pretty soon the East is going to be Boston and Miami and no one else.

Here is the playoff picture if it started today. NBA Playoff Picture. If things stay roughly the same, the second round looks like it could pretty amazing.

Oh yeah. Go Lakers.

*Edit*

1.  Lakers
2.  Bulls
3.  Celtics
4.  Orlando
5.  Heat
6.  Spurs

I really dont think that Bulls or Orlando have it in them to take any of these teams in 7 games. The Lakers have the ability to play absolutely fantastic, and just destroy these teams, if they are playing well. I just hope they didnt peak too early. Consistent is something the Lakers have always struggled with.

[Paelos]

Here's my list:

1. Lakers

[KallDrexx]

Orlando will progress through the playoffs like they always do, but they will do something fuck-stupid and not get to the championship (like lose the first 3 games of the series, like last year against Boston).

Really, the only interest I have in the championship game is if some new teams get into the final round.  I'm bored of both Celtics and Lakers.  

[Zetleft]

I love how no one gives props to the Spurs year after year.  That said I was more confident of them a few weeks ago before their slide but I still think they have it in them to go all the way.  LOS SPURS