OFFICIAL 2010-2011 NBA PLAYOFFS THREAD : VOL. MOST. ANTICIPATED. PLAYOFFS. EVER?

[doublejs07]

CP...or any other Lakers fan. Question: Why do folks correlate the age of the Lakers w. their struggles on defense etc.? Reason I'm asking is that card has yet to be played w. the C's. Yeah...folks are waiting for the wheels to fall off, but those vets in Boston have seemingly found the fountain of youth.

 

[doublejs07]

CP...or any other Lakers fan. Question: Why do folks correlate the age of the Lakers w. their struggles on defense etc.? Reason I'm asking is that card has yet to be played w. the C's. Yeah...folks are waiting for the wheels to fall off, but those vets in Boston have seemingly found the fountain of youth.

 

[CP1708]

Originally Posted by DoubleJs07

CP...or any other Lakers fan. Question: Why do folks correlate the age of the Lakers w. their struggles on defense etc.? Reason I'm asking is that card has yet to be played w. the C's. Yeah...folks are waiting for the wheels to fall off, but those vets in Boston have seemingly found the fountain of youth.

Jerry West was doing the media ploy thing.  But it's true, age means nothing in that type of discussion.  All the Lakers are 30 or so.  Pau, Odom, Ron, Barnes, Blake, etc.  Fish is the only one truly at an "advanced" age of 36.  Kobe is 32, an old 32, but still, 32.  The main Celts are all older then that.  Ray, Paul, KG, Shaq. 

Difference is.  Rondo, Perk, Davis, Nate.  4 guys that run wild all over the floor and make plays.  Add the couple wise rangy vets, they can play D without issue.  Their roster is more balanced then ours in terms of vets mixed with enough youth. 
 
LA's kids are Bynum (perma hobbled) Brown, and then 2 rookies who never play (maybe next year they'll get off the bench)  We moved guys like Farmar, Sasha, etc that had some spring in their step, even if they weren't as good as the Celtics young guys.  It's part of the reason I didn't want to move Ariza for Artest, but Ron did show his need vs Durant and Pierce last season.  (with an eye towards a much heavier Lebron who would pummel Ariza) 

Our defense is fine, when we decide to play it.  The team is doing the same ol Laker thing, which is sleep walk thru the season.  Part of that stems from the 3 straight finals, ie, an extra 90+ games or whatever the total is.  They are pacing themselves, and will attempt to "turn it on" in April.  Will they be able too?  That is another question. 

The questions and such are the same thing as people asking "what's wrong with the Yankees" when they are like 85-50, but 2 games out of first place. 

  

 

[CP1708]

Originally Posted by DoubleJs07

CP...or any other Lakers fan. Question: Why do folks correlate the age of the Lakers w. their struggles on defense etc.? Reason I'm asking is that card has yet to be played w. the C's. Yeah...folks are waiting for the wheels to fall off, but those vets in Boston have seemingly found the fountain of youth.

Jerry West was doing the media ploy thing.  But it's true, age means nothing in that type of discussion.  All the Lakers are 30 or so.  Pau, Odom, Ron, Barnes, Blake, etc.  Fish is the only one truly at an "advanced" age of 36.  Kobe is 32, an old 32, but still, 32.  The main Celts are all older then that.  Ray, Paul, KG, Shaq. 

Difference is.  Rondo, Perk, Davis, Nate.  4 guys that run wild all over the floor and make plays.  Add the couple wise rangy vets, they can play D without issue.  Their roster is more balanced then ours in terms of vets mixed with enough youth. 
 
LA's kids are Bynum (perma hobbled) Brown, and then 2 rookies who never play (maybe next year they'll get off the bench)  We moved guys like Farmar, Sasha, etc that had some spring in their step, even if they weren't as good as the Celtics young guys.  It's part of the reason I didn't want to move Ariza for Artest, but Ron did show his need vs Durant and Pierce last season.  (with an eye towards a much heavier Lebron who would pummel Ariza) 

Our defense is fine, when we decide to play it.  The team is doing the same ol Laker thing, which is sleep walk thru the season.  Part of that stems from the 3 straight finals, ie, an extra 90+ games or whatever the total is.  They are pacing themselves, and will attempt to "turn it on" in April.  Will they be able too?  That is another question. 

The questions and such are the same thing as people asking "what's wrong with the Yankees" when they are like 85-50, but 2 games out of first place. 

  

 

[proshares]

Rondo is the fountain of youth in Boston. Check out their games and see how little penetration the PG's he sticks get. He keeps them at bay and leaves KG to just stick to the 4 he's defending. Plus they have capable bench players who have really bought into what Doc is preaching. Rondo has added another 3 or 4 years to careers that might have stalled by now on both sides of the ball TBH. Just how I see it.

 

[proshares]

Rondo is the fountain of youth in Boston. Check out their games and see how little penetration the PG's he sticks get. He keeps them at bay and leaves KG to just stick to the 4 he's defending. Plus they have capable bench players who have really bought into what Doc is preaching. Rondo has added another 3 or 4 years to careers that might have stalled by now on both sides of the ball TBH. Just how I see it.

 

[airmaxpenny1]

Originally Posted by Proshares

Rondo is the fountain of youth in Boston. Check out their games and see how little penetration the PG's he sticks get. He keeps them at bay and leaves KG to just stick to the 4 he's defending. Plus they have capable bench players who have really bought into what Doc is preaching. Rondo has added another 3 or 4 years to careers that might have stalled by now on both sides of the ball TBH. Just how I see it.

QFT

 

[airmaxpenny1]

Originally Posted by Proshares

Rondo is the fountain of youth in Boston. Check out their games and see how little penetration the PG's he sticks get. He keeps them at bay and leaves KG to just stick to the 4 he's defending. Plus they have capable bench players who have really bought into what Doc is preaching. Rondo has added another 3 or 4 years to careers that might have stalled by now on both sides of the ball TBH. Just how I see it.

QFT

 

[buc em]

Originally Posted by JapanAir21

That trade sucks for the 76ers.

Clippers get a legit star wing while the Sixers get an oft-injured Center and a mid-level prospect at best.

How is Kaman oft-injured? Besides this year and two seasons ago he's never really missed too much time his whole career. As long as you have a legit post game in the East you can compete with the top teams.
But if the Sixers would be looking for a wing player instead, what about Mayo, Thabeet and Tony Allen for Iggy and some fillers?

 

[buc em]

Originally Posted by JapanAir21

That trade sucks for the 76ers.

Clippers get a legit star wing while the Sixers get an oft-injured Center and a mid-level prospect at best.

How is Kaman oft-injured? Besides this year and two seasons ago he's never really missed too much time his whole career. As long as you have a legit post game in the East you can compete with the top teams.
But if the Sixers would be looking for a wing player instead, what about Mayo, Thabeet and Tony Allen for Iggy and some fillers?

 

[bhzmafia14]

Originally Posted by Buc Em

Originally Posted by JapanAir21

That trade sucks for the 76ers.

Clippers get a legit star wing while the Sixers get an oft-injured Center and a mid-level prospect at best.

How is Kaman oft-injured? Besides this year and two seasons ago he's never really missed too much time his whole career. As long as you have a legit post game in the East you can compete with the top teams.
But if the Sixers would be looking for a wing player instead, what about Mayo, Thabeet and Tony Allen for Iggy and some fillers?

OJ, Thabeet, Tony, Sam for Iggy, Speights/Brackins and Kapono and you have yourself a deal.

We get our knockdown shooter, versatile big man and athletic swingman who can handle the ball.
  

 

[bhzmafia14]

Originally Posted by Buc Em

Originally Posted by JapanAir21

That trade sucks for the 76ers.

Clippers get a legit star wing while the Sixers get an oft-injured Center and a mid-level prospect at best.

How is Kaman oft-injured? Besides this year and two seasons ago he's never really missed too much time his whole career. As long as you have a legit post game in the East you can compete with the top teams.
But if the Sixers would be looking for a wing player instead, what about Mayo, Thabeet and Tony Allen for Iggy and some fillers?

OJ, Thabeet, Tony, Sam for Iggy, Speights/Brackins and Kapono and you have yourself a deal.

We get our knockdown shooter, versatile big man and athletic swingman who can handle the ball.
  

 

[pmatic]

Originally Posted by DoubleJs07

CP...or any other Lakers fan. Question: Why do folks correlate the age of the Lakers w. their struggles on defense etc.? Reason I'm asking is that card has yet to be played w. the C's. Yeah...folks are waiting for the wheels to fall off, but those vets in Boston have seemingly found the fountain of youth.

In the halfcourt defense, I don't think the age issue shows. It's when teams get out in transition that the Lakers get killed. Maybe we can chalk it up to effort, but I think a lot of it has to do with age. Rondo said on Sunday he knew they could run on the Lakers after turnovers and rebounds.

 

[pmatic]

Originally Posted by DoubleJs07

CP...or any other Lakers fan. Question: Why do folks correlate the age of the Lakers w. their struggles on defense etc.? Reason I'm asking is that card has yet to be played w. the C's. Yeah...folks are waiting for the wheels to fall off, but those vets in Boston have seemingly found the fountain of youth.

In the halfcourt defense, I don't think the age issue shows. It's when teams get out in transition that the Lakers get killed. Maybe we can chalk it up to effort, but I think a lot of it has to do with age. Rondo said on Sunday he knew they could run on the Lakers after turnovers and rebounds.

 

[nicedudewithnicedreams]

Originally Posted by bhzmafia14

Gasol won't hurt us. Zbo may or may not hurt us depending on how many years we give him. If we give him a 3 yr deal, it won't be bad. 
I don't want to keep the ENTIRE team together. But, I've come to find out that our front line is the reason we win most of our games. Sometimes Zbo can revert back his old self, but that's mostly the coach fault for feeding him so many possessions. You notice how that changes, the team is starting to win now? Its hard to just give up on Zach's productivity. I still want a veteran PG in the backcourt, but I don't see it happening. 

OJ's situation isn't any better than Beasley's last season. We misuse him and keeping him on the team won't do us any good because he really doesn't make a difference out there on the court anymore. That's part OJ fault and part Hollins fault. People barely realizes he's not playing. I know when he leaves he will play a lot better, but its not much you can do about that as long as our coach is Hollins. 

The team is a legit shooter or two and another versatile big man that can split minutes between Marc and Zbo from being very good. Teams won't be able to stop us in a 2-3 zone anymore because we will have shooters and teams with length won't be able to use that to their advantage because we will have more athleticism and length ourselves. Those are our weakest spots.

I feel you. But I guess my thinking is championship or bust. The current Grizz can make the playoffs and adding some role players will help. But I don't see them being successful enough with that core to make much noise in the future in the playoffs. Gay is the franchise player, but he is not even the best player on the team right now. He has improved tho. Time will tell, but we've been saying that for years now. 

 

[nicedudewithnicedreams]

Originally Posted by bhzmafia14

Gasol won't hurt us. Zbo may or may not hurt us depending on how many years we give him. If we give him a 3 yr deal, it won't be bad. 
I don't want to keep the ENTIRE team together. But, I've come to find out that our front line is the reason we win most of our games. Sometimes Zbo can revert back his old self, but that's mostly the coach fault for feeding him so many possessions. You notice how that changes, the team is starting to win now? Its hard to just give up on Zach's productivity. I still want a veteran PG in the backcourt, but I don't see it happening. 

OJ's situation isn't any better than Beasley's last season. We misuse him and keeping him on the team won't do us any good because he really doesn't make a difference out there on the court anymore. That's part OJ fault and part Hollins fault. People barely realizes he's not playing. I know when he leaves he will play a lot better, but its not much you can do about that as long as our coach is Hollins. 

The team is a legit shooter or two and another versatile big man that can split minutes between Marc and Zbo from being very good. Teams won't be able to stop us in a 2-3 zone anymore because we will have shooters and teams with length won't be able to use that to their advantage because we will have more athleticism and length ourselves. Those are our weakest spots.

I feel you. But I guess my thinking is championship or bust. The current Grizz can make the playoffs and adding some role players will help. But I don't see them being successful enough with that core to make much noise in the future in the playoffs. Gay is the franchise player, but he is not even the best player on the team right now. He has improved tho. Time will tell, but we've been saying that for years now. 

 

[bhzmafia14]

I agree for the most part. A lot depends on how some of these guys do once they age. Conley is still a dice roll.
But, I do think adding the key things we need to our roster will put us somewhere at the top of the West in about 2 years. Some of those teams won't be up there forever and teams like Utah may lose Deron. New Orleans is also a toss up with whether they can keep CP3. Spurs probably won't be the same in 2 years either. 

Keeping this team together is a dice roll as well. After a few more years together, will they be legit in the West to possibly make it to the West Finals? Probably, probably not. I think our frontline can get it done though. I basically HAVE to say that because I know we aren't getting rid of Gay, Zbo and Marc which is fine. I would prefer to keep OJ around, but its probably not going to happen.

So, our best bet is to work with our frontline which is one of the better ones in the league scoring wise and build around that. Do that trade with Philly I posted above and I like our chances being a top 5 seed in the West at the very least. We just have trouble finishing late in games and allowing teams to come back. Somebody had a stat that if we took care of business in the MAJORITY (not all) of those games, we would be around 32-17.

 

[bhzmafia14]

I agree for the most part. A lot depends on how some of these guys do once they age. Conley is still a dice roll.
But, I do think adding the key things we need to our roster will put us somewhere at the top of the West in about 2 years. Some of those teams won't be up there forever and teams like Utah may lose Deron. New Orleans is also a toss up with whether they can keep CP3. Spurs probably won't be the same in 2 years either. 

Keeping this team together is a dice roll as well. After a few more years together, will they be legit in the West to possibly make it to the West Finals? Probably, probably not. I think our frontline can get it done though. I basically HAVE to say that because I know we aren't getting rid of Gay, Zbo and Marc which is fine. I would prefer to keep OJ around, but its probably not going to happen.

So, our best bet is to work with our frontline which is one of the better ones in the league scoring wise and build around that. Do that trade with Philly I posted above and I like our chances being a top 5 seed in the West at the very least. We just have trouble finishing late in games and allowing teams to come back. Somebody had a stat that if we took care of business in the MAJORITY (not all) of those games, we would be around 32-17.

 

[pmatic]

@sportsguy33FYI: @jimmykimmel and I are the coaches for next month's NBA Celeb game. Drafting teams that day. Doing it for a column. Who gets Bieber?
ESPN really pushing Simmons these past few months.

 

[pmatic]

@sportsguy33FYI: @jimmykimmel and I are the coaches for next month's NBA Celeb game. Drafting teams that day. Doing it for a column. Who gets Bieber?
ESPN really pushing Simmons these past few months.

 

[kevin cleveland]

Originally Posted by PMatic

@SpearsNBAYahoo Hornets center Emeka Okafor suffered a Grade 2 left rectus oblique strain an MRI revealed. Okafor is expected to be out one-to-three weeks.

RIP KLJ.

Time for a trade (Nazr Mohammed).

 

[kevin cleveland]

Originally Posted by PMatic

@SpearsNBAYahoo Hornets center Emeka Okafor suffered a Grade 2 left rectus oblique strain an MRI revealed. Okafor is expected to be out one-to-three weeks.

RIP KLJ.

Time for a trade (Nazr Mohammed).

 

[durden7]

Aaron Gray starting now?  

 

[durden7]

Aaron Gray starting now?  

 

[kevin cleveland]

He's hurt, too (high ankle sprain). Not that it would have been him, anyway; he's played in like ten games.