2006 / 2007 NBA Thread

[Cowboy22]

I finally got a chance to see some video and read up more on the brawl. My thoughts on the suspension are that Carmelo's (15) was just right, Marty Collins' and JR Smith's (6 and 10, respectively) are too high, and Nate Robinson's (10) is too low. Carmelo punched a guy, which you can't do, so I'm okay with his. Plus, he was complete ***** about it and ran away after he did it (which might offend me more than the actual punch) Marty was basically a hired hitman, so I'm not sure why he deserves to be punished, especially for what was, basically, "just" a flagrent foul. If you're a rookie fighting for playing time and your coach tells you to foul a guy hard, you do it (which appears to be what happened, and it's a joke that Isiah didn't get suspended at all. George Karl said it best, Isiah is a complete jackass). JR is the one who got fouled and reacted pretty much how I think just about anyone would, he should get five or so for starting the pushing and shoving and all that, but it's not really his fault that it got out of control like it did. The blame for that lies with Robinson, who went nuts and should be suspended more like 15 for causing things to escalate like they did.

[svosen]

That's great. Is Karl really on the record with that quote? Hilarious.

I haven't really studied the whole mess too closely, so I can't react to your assessment intelligently. Other than to say I agree with you about Carmelo. What a retard.

[Cowboy22]

Originally Posted by svosen

That's great. Is Karl really on the record with that quote? Hilarious.

Yup. In his press conference today he said that the whole thing was obviously premeditated, and then straight up called Isiah a jackass. It was pretty awesome. I love George Karl.

[Cowboy22]

So, Iverson to Denver. Not sure what I think about that. Carmelo isn't going to take a back seat to AI, but if Iverson is willing to take a back seat to Carmelo, it might work out okay. It's an interesting situation to say the least. I guess we'll see.

[svosen]

It almost seems like it was a knee-jerk reaction to Carmelo missing 15 games: "We gotta get someone in here while 'melo's out!"

I don't know. I would hope there was more thought put into it than that, but I really don't see how it can work well. Granted, I think Iverson is more inclined now than ever to defer to another star player (for the sake of winning), but I still wonder how it will work.

An interesting side note: there is talk of a possible trade between Philly and La La. Not sure who would got to Philly, but reportedly Phil and Tex Winters have both expressed interest in Andre Miller in the past...

By the way, sorry to say it, but I think the Cavs took a step backward from last year.

Lastly, got any thoughts on the Heat/Lakers Christmas-day game? I think Wade will go huge, Kobe will put up nice numbers (above his average for the year), and the Lakers will win by 9.

[Cowboy22]

Originally Posted by svosen

It almost seems like it was a knee-jerk reaction to Carmelo missing 15 games: "We gotta get someone in here while 'melo's out!"

I don't know. I would hope there was more thought put into it than that, but I really don't see how it can work well. Granted, I think Iverson is more inclined now than ever to defer to another star player (for the sake of winning), but I still wonder how it will work.

An interesting side note: there is talk of a possible trade between Philly and La La. Not sure who would got to Philly, but reportedly Phil and Tex Winters have both expressed interest in Andre Miller in the past...

By the way, sorry to say it, but I think the Cavs took a step backward from last year.

Lastly, got any thoughts on the Heat/Lakers Christmas-day game? I think Wade will go huge, Kobe will put up nice numbers (above his average for the year), and the Lakers will win by 9.

I don't think it was a reaction to the Carmelo suspension. They were working on trying to get him for a long time, and it happened to go through right around the same time as the fight. It's just a weird coincidence.

Andre Miller would be a big pick-up for the Lakers, though I'm not sure who they'd give up in exchange.

I agree on the Cavs. Luckily the East is bad enough that it doesn't really matter.

I think the Lakers win big on Christmas Day. And I think that I don't really care and am really sick of seeing the same two teams play every year. It was fine the first year after Shaq left, but at this point, that story as been done to death. It'll pop a big rating again I'm sure, but long-term I think the league would be better off showcasing some other teams.

[svosen]

Agreed, most definitely.

I think Stern & Co. are lucky that Shaq's hurt, personally. The promise of "Wade vs. Kobe" is much more marketable at this point that is Kobe vs. Shaq.

I'm with you - let's get an annual Christmas day rematch of one of the best series from the previous playoffs. I could have gotten behind Suns/Lakers, Mavs/Spurs, Pistons/Cavs, or Heat/Wiz. Lakers/Heat is silly.

[svosen]

Lakers up 100-98 with 16 seconds to go. Jason Terry is driving the lane for a tying layup. The Lakers' bigs don't want to leave Dirk Nowitzki. It's a done deal. And then, in a flash, it isn't, thanks to Smush Parker, who witnesses will tell you was actually wearing a purple-and-gold cape when he came flying in and palm-blocked the shot as it left Terry's hand.

- ESPN Daily Dime, 1-8-07 (bold added).



I have to say, I'm pretty impressed with the Lakers this year. Looks like their a legitimate playoff threat. They stand a decent-to-good chance of scaring someone in the second round, or even better. I wouldn't have believed it going into the season.

I agree with an article I read today that pointed out how Luke Walton has notched up his game in Lamar's recent absence; this could prove to be a good thing when Lamar comes back. I've even been hearing noise about "Walton for most-improved player" lately. Not sure if I can endorse that, as I haven't been able to follow many other teams, really. But it's interesting that someone is thinking it.

[Cowboy22]

Originally Posted by svosen

- ESPN Daily Dime, 1-8-07 (bold added).



I have to say, I'm pretty impressed with the Lakers this year. Looks like their a legitimate playoff threat. They stand a decent-to-good chance of scaring someone in the second round, or even better. I wouldn't have believed it going into the season.

I agree with an article I read today that pointed out how Luke Walton has notched up his game in Lamar's recent absence; this could prove to be a good thing when Lamar comes back. I've even been hearing noise about "Walton for most-improved player" lately. Not sure if I can endorse that, as I haven't been able to follow many other teams, really. But it's interesting that someone is thinking it.

I wouldn't call him THE most improved player (that's Kevin Martin), but he's done well. So has the whole team really, I've been impressed as well.

I'll admit, I haven't really been paying attention the NBA lately. With College football and the NFL winding down, this is usually the time of the year when I tune out.

[svosen]

Now that you mention that, I had heard Kevin Martin is doing really well. Isn't he the leading scorer of the Kings this year? Or am I thinking of someone else?