Seattle Sonic fans must be especially pissed seeing how great Durant is now.
[quote]LarryDavid wrote:
[quote]sardines12 wrote:
[quote]randman wrote:
^ I can’t agree with you on Dwight Howard. He is not able to carry his team to a championship. He just doesn’t have that special something. I think Rose does, I think Durant does, and I hate to say it but I think Lebron may have it too especially with the team he’s on now. This is a strange year for me. I guess I’m finally starting to cede the torch to the new generation from (Kobe, Shaq, Duncan) to (Rose, Durant and “gulp” Lebron). Although I still hate Lebron with a passion personality-wise.
All that beings said, I think the Lakers can still win it this year. It’s just Kobe is not the best player in the league anymore but his supporting cast is damn good when they decide to play well. Yep, I said it.[/quote]
THE APOCALYPSE!!! HAHA he said it, he said it!!! LBJ baby[/quote]
QFR
[quoted for randman][/quote]
I’m waiting for the playoffs to start and once the Lakers lose more than 1 game I can call him on his prediction of them being the greatest laker team in the last 15 years.
[quote]LarryDavid wrote:
Who do you think has next?
Lets say Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and Shaquille O’Neal were the best/most successful players of the last decade. I think it’d be hard for anyone dispute that. If we had to pick one guy from those three, take Kobe, but Duncan comes CLOSE.
Which player from the new generation of superstars will get there?
I really like Derrick Rose. Chicago was getting overshadowed by Orlando and Miami in the east, but as it’s become obvious this season, if they keep their core together they are going to be perennial contenders in the NBA. And it looks like the next few years will be great era for PGs as well.
Durant is also a candidate, and of course so is LeBron especially if the Heat really do win multiples. Dwight Howard as well. Honestly I think LeBron can only get that recognition if the Heat establish a dynasty OR the other players I mentioned never win anything. I think either Rose or Durant will be the best of this current generation.[/quote]
Lots of promising talent out there that’s definitely not limited to LBJ, Rose or Durant. Watch out for Blake Griffin and my favorite player John Wall (well not my favorite but he’s cool). Also Kevin Love is becoming this stat monster and the only bad thing about him is that he has to play on a garbage team. I’d like to see some sort of Gasol like trade involving him to a good team where we can really see what he can do.
The Grizzlies also have a pair of really good talents in OJ Mayo and Rudy Gay. I keep hearing repeatedly year in and out that OJ Mayo has the potential to become a poor man’s Kobe Bryant.
[quote]therajraj wrote:
[quote]LarryDavid wrote:
[quote]sardines12 wrote:
[quote]randman wrote:
^ I can’t agree with you on Dwight Howard. He is not able to carry his team to a championship. He just doesn’t have that special something. I think Rose does, I think Durant does, and I hate to say it but I think Lebron may have it too especially with the team he’s on now. This is a strange year for me. I guess I’m finally starting to cede the torch to the new generation from (Kobe, Shaq, Duncan) to (Rose, Durant and “gulp” Lebron). Although I still hate Lebron with a passion personality-wise.
All that beings said, I think the Lakers can still win it this year. It’s just Kobe is not the best player in the league anymore but his supporting cast is damn good when they decide to play well. Yep, I said it.[/quote]
THE APOCALYPSE!!! HAHA he said it, he said it!!! LBJ baby[/quote]
QFR
[quoted for randman][/quote]
I’m waiting for the playoffs to start and once the Lakers lose more than 1 game I can call him on his prediction of them being the greatest laker team in the last 15 years.[/quote]
A few things.
-
I’d have to have my head examined if I was going to sit here and say THIS YEAR that Kobe is playing BETTER than Lebron. That’s just not true. It was bound to happen. It’s called Father Time and simple physics. There’s only so long Kobe could go as “THE MAN” in the league and to me this year is the first year where the torch has definitely been passed as far as output on the court and overall “greatness”.
-
This should not be confused with the fact that I rank Kobe one of the top 6 or 7 players of all time. His legacy is cemented and another championship (or two), if its in the cards, could raise him in the top 5 on my list. Lebron isn’t even top 20 yet IMO. And he better win some championships if he wants to get in that premier list.
-
Therajraj, I’ll be waiting for you to call me out. Ha ha. I really thought, and still think it’s possible, that this team is better than last year for sure. Hell, they upgraded their bench in my opinion quite a bit. As for being the best Lakers team in the last 15 years, I think I did get a little giddy with the latest and greatest type thinking when the Lakers did upgrade their bench and they were already a championship squad.
That being said, when I did go back to “The Book of Basketball” and reviewed the 2001 team’s accomplishments I was blown away with what they did from 10 games left in the regular season all the way through the playoffs going 15 and 1. Even though they had a mediocre 56 and 26 regular season I have to say I don’t see how this current Lakers team could top that so I guess I’m already calling myself out. There you go…
So, in summary, Kobe is top 7 all time, Lebron isn’t in Top 20 as of yet. However, Lebron is better than Kobe IMO from this point forward in their respective careers because of career trajectory, age, etc. And lastly, this Lakers team better really bring it in the playoffs so I don’t look like a fool! ;0 However, I don’t care if all their series go to game 7 if the end result is that Lakers still win a championship!
[quote]randman wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
[quote]LarryDavid wrote:
[quote]sardines12 wrote:
[quote]randman wrote:
^ I can’t agree with you on Dwight Howard. He is not able to carry his team to a championship. He just doesn’t have that special something. I think Rose does, I think Durant does, and I hate to say it but I think Lebron may have it too especially with the team he’s on now. This is a strange year for me. I guess I’m finally starting to cede the torch to the new generation from (Kobe, Shaq, Duncan) to (Rose, Durant and “gulp” Lebron). Although I still hate Lebron with a passion personality-wise.
All that beings said, I think the Lakers can still win it this year. It’s just Kobe is not the best player in the league anymore but his supporting cast is damn good when they decide to play well. Yep, I said it.[/quote]
THE APOCALYPSE!!! HAHA he said it, he said it!!! LBJ baby[/quote]
QFR
[quoted for randman][/quote]
I’m waiting for the playoffs to start and once the Lakers lose more than 1 game I can call him on his prediction of them being the greatest laker team in the last 15 years.[/quote]
A few things.
-
I’d have to have my head examined if I was going to sit here and say THIS YEAR that Kobe is playing BETTER than Lebron. That’s just not true. It was bound to happen. It’s called Father Time and simple physics. There’s only so long Kobe could go as “THE MAN” in the league and to me this year is the first year where the torch has definitely been passed as far as output on the court and overall “greatness”.
-
This should not be confused with the fact that I rank Kobe one of the top 6 or 7 players of all time. His legacy is cemented and another championship (or two), if its in the cards, could raise him in the top 5 on my list. Lebron isn’t even top 20 yet IMO. And he better win some championships if he wants to get in that premier list.
-
Therajraj, I’ll be waiting for you to call me out. Ha ha. I really thought, and still think it’s possible, that this team is better than last year for sure. Hell, they upgraded their bench in my opinion quite a bit. As for being the best Lakers team in the last 15 years, I think I did get a little giddy with the latest and greatest type thinking when the Lakers did upgrade their bench and they were already a championship squad.
That being said, when I did go back to “The Book of Basketball” and reviewed the 2001 team’s accomplishments I was blown away with what they did from 10 games left in the regular season all the way through the playoffs going 15 and 1. Even though they had a mediocre 56 and 26 regular season I have to say I don’t see how this current Lakers team could top that so I guess I’m already calling myself out. There you go…
So, in summary, Kobe is top 7 all time, Lebron isn’t in Top 20 as of yet. However, Lebron is better than Kobe IMO from this point forward in their respective careers because of career trajectory, age, etc. And lastly, this Lakers team better really bring it in the playoffs so I don’t look like a fool! ;0 However, I don’t care if all their series go to game 7 if the end result is that Lakers still win a championship![/quote]
Top 7 is a pretty specific number…out of curiousity, who are the 6 you have ahead?
I also need to read that Simmons book eventually, you keep mentioning it.
Most of these are in line with Simmons ranking with the exception that Bryant gets into the top 7 now after winning another 2 championships and why he’s one ahead of Duncan.
1.Jordan 2.Russell 3.Jabbar 4.Johnson 5.Bird 6.Chamberlain 7.Bryant 8.Duncan 9.West 10.Robertson 11.Olajuwon 12.O’Neal
I should mention that Simmons wants to make an addendum to the book. He originally had Kobe at 15 in the hardcover which I own and when he was releasing that first version hardcover book is when Kobe won his 4th championship. I think he wanted to make the changes in his paperback version where he does stick Kobe at 7 I believe and as of right now that’s where I think he belongs as well.
For anyone who loves basketball, they will LOVE this book. I read it cover to cover. It’s a huge book. Very entertaining. And provides a comprehensive look at the evolution of basketball.
Michael Jordan could have won 7 or 8 Championships but he decided he didn’t want to “show off.”
True story.
[quote]Gettnitdone wrote:
Michael Jordan could have won 7 or 8 Championships but he decided he didn’t want to “show off.”
True story.[/quote]
Seriously, who goes and plays another professional sport in their prime? Like wtf
That is one of the biggest “what if” stories in sports. What if he didn’t retire? Would he have won 8 championships in a row??? He’s already GOAT, but if he did that it would have been insane to pull that off in the modern NBA with more playoff rounds, teams, etc.
[quote]therajraj wrote:
Seattle Sonic fans must be especially pissed seeing how great Durant is now.
[/quote]
Does anyone know why the Seattle Supersonics dissolved and relocated to Oklahoma City?
NBA doesn’t feel right without them.
[quote]LarryDavid wrote:
[quote]randman wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
[quote]LarryDavid wrote:
[quote]sardines12 wrote:
[quote]randman wrote:
^ I can’t agree with you on Dwight Howard. He is not able to carry his team to a championship. He just doesn’t have that special something. I think Rose does, I think Durant does, and I hate to say it but I think Lebron may have it too especially with the team he’s on now. This is a strange year for me. I guess I’m finally starting to cede the torch to the new generation from (Kobe, Shaq, Duncan) to (Rose, Durant and “gulp” Lebron). Although I still hate Lebron with a passion personality-wise.
All that beings said, I think the Lakers can still win it this year. It’s just Kobe is not the best player in the league anymore but his supporting cast is damn good when they decide to play well. Yep, I said it.[/quote]
THE APOCALYPSE!!! HAHA he said it, he said it!!! LBJ baby[/quote]
QFR
[quoted for randman][/quote]
I’m waiting for the playoffs to start and once the Lakers lose more than 1 game I can call him on his prediction of them being the greatest laker team in the last 15 years.[/quote]
A few things.
-
I’d have to have my head examined if I was going to sit here and say THIS YEAR that Kobe is playing BETTER than Lebron. That’s just not true. It was bound to happen. It’s called Father Time and simple physics. There’s only so long Kobe could go as “THE MAN” in the league and to me this year is the first year where the torch has definitely been passed as far as output on the court and overall “greatness”.
-
This should not be confused with the fact that I rank Kobe one of the top 6 or 7 players of all time. His legacy is cemented and another championship (or two), if its in the cards, could raise him in the top 5 on my list. Lebron isn’t even top 20 yet IMO. And he better win some championships if he wants to get in that premier list.
-
Therajraj, I’ll be waiting for you to call me out. Ha ha. I really thought, and still think it’s possible, that this team is better than last year for sure. Hell, they upgraded their bench in my opinion quite a bit. As for being the best Lakers team in the last 15 years, I think I did get a little giddy with the latest and greatest type thinking when the Lakers did upgrade their bench and they were already a championship squad.
That being said, when I did go back to “The Book of Basketball” and reviewed the 2001 team’s accomplishments I was blown away with what they did from 10 games left in the regular season all the way through the playoffs going 15 and 1. Even though they had a mediocre 56 and 26 regular season I have to say I don’t see how this current Lakers team could top that so I guess I’m already calling myself out. There you go…
So, in summary, Kobe is top 7 all time, Lebron isn’t in Top 20 as of yet. However, Lebron is better than Kobe IMO from this point forward in their respective careers because of career trajectory, age, etc. And lastly, this Lakers team better really bring it in the playoffs so I don’t look like a fool! ;0 However, I don’t care if all their series go to game 7 if the end result is that Lakers still win a championship![/quote]
Top 7 is a pretty specific number…out of curiousity, who are the 6 you have ahead?
I also need to read that Simmons book eventually, you keep mentioning it. [/quote]
QFT, I read the book and highly recommend it to anyone who’s an NBA fan
[quote]Gettnitdone wrote:
[quote]LarryDavid wrote:
Who do you think has next?
Lets say Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and Shaquille O’Neal were the best/most successful players of the last decade. I think it’d be hard for anyone dispute that. If we had to pick one guy from those three, take Kobe, but Duncan comes CLOSE.
Which player from the new generation of superstars will get there?
I really like Derrick Rose. Chicago was getting overshadowed by Orlando and Miami in the east, but as it’s become obvious this season, if they keep their core together they are going to be perennial contenders in the NBA. And it looks like the next few years will be great era for PGs as well.
Durant is also a candidate, and of course so is LeBron especially if the Heat really do win multiples. Dwight Howard as well. Honestly I think LeBron can only get that recognition if the Heat establish a dynasty OR the other players I mentioned never win anything. I think either Rose or Durant will be the best of this current generation.[/quote]
Lots of promising talent out there that’s definitely not limited to LBJ, Rose or Durant. Watch out for Blake Griffin and my favorite player John Wall (well not my favorite but he’s cool). Also Kevin Love is becoming this stat monster and the only bad thing about him is that he has to play on a garbage team. I’d like to see some sort of Gasol like trade involving him to a good team where we can really see what he can do.
The Grizzlies also have a pair of really good talents in OJ Mayo and Rudy Gay. I keep hearing repeatedly year in and out that OJ Mayo has the potential to become a poor man’s Kobe Bryant.
[/quote]
I think what makes the league so great right now is there is no clear cut One Next Guy. I mean just look at ONE POSITION, point guard, where you have Rose, Paul, Deron Williams and John Wall.
Blake reminds me of a young Shawn Kemp/Chris Webber. I wonder if his knees will hold out longer with modern sports medicine practices though.
For the guy who mentioned Rose… I have to say, he is an ENTIRELY different level of player now that he has a respectable 3pt shot. And he was a pretty darn good player before that happened, so for him to step it up a notch from there…yeah.
[quote]Gettnitdone wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
Seattle Sonic fans must be especially pissed seeing how great Durant is now.
[/quote]
Does anyone know why the Seattle Supersonics dissolved and relocated to Oklahoma City?
NBA doesn’t feel right without them.[/quote]
Their owner is from there. He was only allowed to buy the team after he publicly promised he wouldn’t relocate them from Seattle to OKC… then he did it anyway with a wink and a nod from David Stern. One of the shadiest happenings in sports since the Colts left Baltimore.
[quote]scj119 wrote:
[quote]Gettnitdone wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
Seattle Sonic fans must be especially pissed seeing how great Durant is now.
[/quote]
Does anyone know why the Seattle Supersonics dissolved and relocated to Oklahoma City?
NBA doesn’t feel right without them.[/quote]
Their owner is from there. He was only allowed to buy the team after he publicly promised he wouldn’t relocate them from Seattle to OKC… then he did it anyway with a wink and a nod from David Stern. One of the shadiest happenings in sports since the Colts left Baltimore.[/quote]
I did a quick skim of the wiki article on the move and it said it was more about arena issues in Seattle.
[quote]therajraj wrote:
[quote]scj119 wrote:
[quote]Gettnitdone wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
Seattle Sonic fans must be especially pissed seeing how great Durant is now.
[/quote]
Does anyone know why the Seattle Supersonics dissolved and relocated to Oklahoma City?
NBA doesn’t feel right without them.[/quote]
Their owner is from there. He was only allowed to buy the team after he publicly promised he wouldn’t relocate them from Seattle to OKC… then he did it anyway with a wink and a nod from David Stern. One of the shadiest happenings in sports since the Colts left Baltimore.[/quote]
I did a quick skim of the wiki article on the move and it said it was more about arena issues in Seattle.[/quote]
Yeah the arena sucks, but if they really wanted to stay they would have found a way to make it happen. They used it as a front (NBA wouldn’t just let them leave SEA without a compelling reason).
People were talking about a move to Oklahoma City if Bennett owned the team BEFORE he bought it. If you can see it coming, it’s not an accident.
Breaking News:
Lakers and Nuggets are talking trade.
Bynum for Melo straight up.
Knicks, twolves, and nuggets still talking as well
[quote]TommyGunz32 wrote:
Breaking News:
Lakers and Nuggets are talking trade.
Bynum for Melo straight up.
Knicks, twolves, and nuggets still talking as well[/quote]
That’s not breaking news, that’s called rumours.
[quote]TommyGunz32 wrote:
Breaking News:
Lakers and Nuggets are talking trade.
Bynum for Melo straight up.
Knicks, twolves, and nuggets still talking as well[/quote]
That’s retarded, they trade their only true center for another forward? We would have some epic Kobe-Melo battles for crunch time shots too.
[quote]therajraj wrote:
[quote]TommyGunz32 wrote:
Breaking News:
Lakers and Nuggets are talking trade.
Bynum for Melo straight up.
Knicks, twolves, and nuggets still talking as well[/quote]
That’s not breaking news, that’s called rumours.[/quote]
Unlikely, sure.
The nuggets are going to move melo its just a matter of where.
knicks or lakers either one would be awesome.
I hope Melo stays in the West though