2006 / 2007 NBA Thread

[svosen]

I think it's a load of crap that people say he's been playing down. Shaq purposely scales back his efforts all season long, and people applaud him for his genious approach. LeBron employs a calculated scale of effort, and people crucify him for trying to throw games etc. It's a joke. Like you said, his numbers are huge.

LeBron's just the opposite of Kobe. Everyone says he needs to score a bazillion points a night, because his team mates aren't capable of helping that much. Kobe gets nailed for not trusting his team... Whatever. I get weary of all the washed up never-weres (or, better yet, non-players) who wright these articles.

Looks like the Lakers are lottery-bound. Except they probably already won too many games to get any benefit from losing the rest... Oh well, at least I won't have to worry about scheduling my spring around the playoffs

What's your take on Kobe's latest arm-swinging? Sounds like they want to suspend him for it again. Stupid. It was clearly a foul, but to call it a suspendable offense is obsurd.

[Cowboy22]

Agreed on all accounts. On the plus side, it's shaping up to be a really good draft, so the Lakers will have a decent chance of getting someone who can contribute if they wind up in the lottery.

I didn't see the Kobe elbow. I'm sure he'll get a suspension. He's developed a bit of history with this sort of thing the last couple years, so I don't think he's getting the benefit of the doubt anymore.

[Cowboy22]

Kobe's response to being suspended for throwing elbows? To immediately pop Kyle Korver in the face with one upon his return! I don't think it was intentional and he won't get any trouble, but it's still pretty funny. He appears to be an a mission to eliminate every white shooting guard in the league, one by one.

Also, the Mavs lost. I wasn't sure I would ever been able to say that again. And the way things are going, I may not get another chance this year, so I figure I better get it in now.

[svosen]

Originally Posted by Cowboy22

He appears to be an a mission to eliminate every white shooting guard in the league, one by one.

I hadn't looked at it that way, but that's pretty funny...

I actually haven't seen the Korver elbow, but I read that Kyle thought it wasn't a big deal. Whatever. Phil Jackson went on record this morning to say the NBA is conducting a "witch hunt." That oughtta be good for $25k.

I think I'll start rooting for Utah now. No, not just to make you happy. I'd still love to see the Lakers pull something out, but realistically it ain't gonna happen. I'm pulling for Nowitzki for MVP, Utah to come out of the West, and Detroit to come out of the East (I'm a Webber fan since the early 90s, when he was at Michigan - too bad he didn't come to the Lakers; I think that woulda been a good fit - maybe over the offseason).

I think I'd barf myself if San Anotnio came out of the West, and I know I would if they won the title. I'm so sick of hearing how they're one of the modern "dynasty" teams. It gets more ridiculous each year: "You know, they've won three of the last 17 titles." Seriously...

[Cowboy22]

Glad to have you on the Jazz bandwagon, even if I don't think they have a shot at doing anything serious in the playoffs. They're not better than the Mavs, Suns, or Spurs. Your love of Detroit and, ugh, Chris Webber confuses me though.

Holy crap, did you see that Mavs/Suns game last night? Best NBA game I've seen in awhile. 2 OTs, Suns made a huge comback in the fourth, Amare dropped 41 on 16/19 shooting (yeah, so, uh, I was sorta wrong about him at the start of the year), and Nash had 32 and 16 (!) assists while scoring like 10 points in the final minute of regulation and making huge plays all nigh. Just an awesome game. I would be perfectly fine watching these two teams play every night until the end of time, it's always great.

[svosen]

Well, I couldn't stomach Miami coming out of the east, and I really don't think Cleveland deserves it, as a team. I'm also starting to think LeBron needs a little humbling (based on his recent interview about being a "Global Icon"). I don't have any ill-will toward him, I just don't want him to end up with an unmanageable ego... I think it'd be better for him in the end if he has to work hard for another year or so.

Yup - I saw the Mavs/Suns game last night. Dallas had it, but they got too sloppy and loose at the end of regulation. Can't believe Dirk missed 3 of his last 5 regulation free throws. And Dallas' last play of the first OT was horrendous, absolutely horrendous. They didn't really deserve to get out of that first OT.

[farfus]

Steve Nash = MVP 2007

[svosen]

I almost have to agree. The thing that really sucks is that he didn't deserve it last year, and would hate to be party to his elevation to the rare status of 3-time MVP (especially consecutive), because he hasn't really earned it.

Lakers = *sigh*

Another season shot. One last glimmer of hope: Walton and Odom both looked good during the first quarter-and-a-half last night; if they both get back into shape, they may still give someone a first-round struggle.

But nothing more than that, I'm afraid. Especially based on Phil's insistance that Kwame get minutes and Smush's disappearance as a productive player.

[Cowboy22]

Originally Posted by svosen

I almost have to agree. The thing that really sucks is that he didn't deserve it last year, and would hate to be party to his elevation to the rare status of 3-time MVP (especially consecutive), because he hasn't really earned it.

That's the only reason I can see for not giving it to him. He won it two years in a row when he didn't deserve it, and now that he really does, I don't want to see it because I'm not sure he deserves to be known as someone who won 3 straight MVPs. Which is a silly reason not to give it to him this year, but it legitimately does bug me.

[svosen]

Yes, it's a certifiable conundrum, and I think it will cost him the title this year (that's my hunch as well as my hope).

Watched some college ball yesterday. I was pretty disgusted that CBS insisted on showing us the Illinois-UCLA game while the UNC/MSU game was on, since the latter was so much more fun to watch. But then in the end (after UNC finished beating MSU), that UCLA game turned amazing - in the last three minutes. Quite a finish.