2010 NBA Playoffs

Off Topic
261

[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:

[quote]USMCpoolee wrote:

[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
The thing is with your examples [outside of Walker], they all added new wrinkles to their games each year. James is just a bigger, stronger, more polished version of what he was when he came in. Right now it’s enabling him to do what he’s done.

But - and you can quote me on this - when his physical gifts start to deteriorate his numbers and effectiveness will take a drastic hit. His game is bull his way to the hole over and over or shoot the deep ball. There’s no real inbetween, and when he’s too old to bull around anymore his shot’s not consistent enough to rely on it exclusively. Dwyane Wade will be somewhat like this as well.[/quote]

I really don’t know a whole lot about bball, so I don’t want you to think Im implying that- but Lebrons 3 point % has to have gone up. I think he is adding a better than decent outside shot to his game. Did not check stats, so if Im wrong, my bad.[/quote]

That’s why I said he’s a more polished version of when he came in, but he’s still the same basic player. He hasn’t added much if anything, he’s just bigger and more physically mature.
[/quote]

lebron is a way better player. Kobe is just a way better finisher.

262

[quote]AndrewG909 wrote:
^ Really surprised by the suns. I figured they’d do well in the regular season and be eliminated fairly early in the playoffs, now here they are blowing out San Antonio. Tough break Spurs fans.[/quote]

+1. I always see PHX being similar to the Mavs with a good regular season and bum postseason. Good for them, tough for Spurs fans. Just not their year. PHX-LAL WCF would be nice!

263

[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:

I don’t think it’s a foregone conclusion that James will be regarded as the best regardless of playoff success, it’s just that the media sucks his dick so much that I wouldn’t be surprised if THEY start calling him the GOAT within the next few years.

I think Red feels the same way. To be perfectly honest with you, outside of winning several championships and developing a killer instinct [which won’t happen] I don’t think there’s anything James can do to surpass Bryant in my eyes.

James game is based on his size, athelticism and his ability to get every call to go his way. Once his athletic ability starts to fade his game will fall off unbelieveably quickly. But, he’ll still get every call going his way so that will help keep him towards the top.[/quote]

I’m away from the computer for 12 hours and I miss all this great commentary. I’m in complete agreement with you on LeBron so far. It’s funny, his temperament reminds of his teammate Shaq actually. Shaq’s physical gifts are something I don’t know if I’ll ever see again in a center any time soon.

He was a freaking beast from 1996 through 2003. But I always had a problem with his lack of killer instinct and will to get better. He rested on his gifts. Will he be in the hall of fame? Yes. Did he accomplish near what he should have imo with gifts he was given? Hell no. And that’s what bugs me about him.

What bugs me most about James is that he won’t shut up. He has a big freakin mouth and needs to do a lot of maturing still. He also seems to lack that killer instinct as well.

264

[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:

[quote]Gettnitdone wrote:
We could be sitting here talking 'bout Bron and Mamba while Kevin Durant creeps in and becomes MVP, NBA Champ, scoring champ and new NBA stud in a few years. What about John Wall? Brandon Jennings? Dwight Howard dominating? We’ll see…[/quote]

Alright, I’m putting this out here right now. If anyone aside from Kobe Bryant leads the league in scoring it’s 'cause Kobe Bryant didn’t feel the need to lead the league in scoring, ok? It drives me crazy when you hear “so and so is the best scorer in the league…” Bullshit.

Bryant is the best scorer we’ve ever seen, and probably ever will see, and playing less minutes, with a bum hand on a loaded team where he can conserve himself he’s still putting up 27 a game. If he were on the Thunder he’d get 35 a night. Believe that.[/quote]

I know I’m tired of reading this crap too. The man scored 62 points in 3 quarters when the Dallas Mavericks scored 61 points as a team! He scored 81 points in a game.

He is, by far, the ultimate scorer in NBA history. He doesn’t need to do this anymore with the team he has. I don’t understand why this man doesn’t get more respect by the fans. I think its because he’s disliked either because a) of his personality and/or b) he’s on the Lakers.

265

[quote]nomorewar wrote:
lebron is a way better player. Kobe is just a way better finisher.
[/quote]

Ummm…WAY better? Mmmkay.

266

[quote]randman wrote:

[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:

[quote]Gettnitdone wrote:
We could be sitting here talking 'bout Bron and Mamba while Kevin Durant creeps in and becomes MVP, NBA Champ, scoring champ and new NBA stud in a few years. What about John Wall? Brandon Jennings? Dwight Howard dominating? We’ll see…[/quote]

Alright, I’m putting this out here right now. If anyone aside from Kobe Bryant leads the league in scoring it’s 'cause Kobe Bryant didn’t feel the need to lead the league in scoring, ok? It drives me crazy when you hear “so and so is the best scorer in the league…” Bullshit.

Bryant is the best scorer we’ve ever seen, and probably ever will see, and playing less minutes, with a bum hand on a loaded team where he can conserve himself he’s still putting up 27 a game. If he were on the Thunder he’d get 35 a night. Believe that.[/quote]

I know I’m tired of reading this crap too. The man scored 62 points in 3 quarters when the Dallas Mavericks scored 61 points as a team! He scored 81 points in a game. He is, by far, the ultimate scorer in NBA history.

He doesn’t need to do this anymore with the team he has. I don’t understand why this man doesn’t get more respect by the fans. I think its because he’s disliked either because a) of his personality and/or b) he’s on the Lakers.[/quote]

We talked about this last year as Kobe is the black sheep superstar of the NBA. I guess maybe he’s not respected by the fans because of his personality (he doesn’t party or go out a lot, just basically plays ball and that it.

That’s cool, I respect his privacy), maybe the fact that the fans feel Kobe “owes” them something (public appearances, etc) and when he doesn’t do it, people are mad, or just the fact that he’s so good, people just wanna hate on him just on the basis of being a hater.

267

Alright, time for a Kobe Youtube video for everyone whose brain has somehow forgotten what this man has done the last 14 years in this league. At the 3.5 minute mark you’ll see all his ridiculous Lebron-like defensive blocks. Around 5.5 minutes in you’ll see some of his last second shots. About 7 minutes in you’ll see all of his Jordan-like finishes at the rim.

It’s a weird thing with human nature. We always want to crown the new and forget the recent (and still going strong). It’s retarded.

268

Oh and for everyone sucking Durant’s dick this year when he broke out this year and scored 29 25 plus point games in a row…

Kobe’s nine-game scoring streak of at least 40 points per game in 2003 matched one of equal length by Michael Jordan in the 1986-87 campaign.

Kobe joined Chamberlain, Baylor and Jordan as only players to score 50 points in 3 straight games in the 2006-2007 season.

And…

81 points on 61% FG in a single game (2nd To Wilt Chamberlain)
65 point on 59% FG in a single game
62 points on 58% FG in just 3 quarters
56 points in just 2 quarters (2nd To Wilt Chamberlain)
ONLY PLAYER TO SCORE 10 50+ POINTS OTHER THAN WILT IN A SINGLE SEASON
13-straight 35+ points (2nd to Chamberlain)
9-straight 40+ points (2nd to Chamberlain)
4-straight 50+ points (2nd to Chamberlain)
4-straight 45+ points (2nd to Chamberlain)
Lakers holder with most total points in a single season!
27 40+ points in a single season (Lakers record holder)
62-straight FT without a miss (Lakers record holder)
12 3-point shot in a single game (12 out of 18, tied with Marshall)
9-straight 3-point shot without a miss (tied with Sprewell)

Also, some more Kobe factoids:

Kobeâ??s 56-point game against the Grizzlies in January of 2002 was the highest total ever recorded by any of the 20+ players who have gone directly from high school to the NBA. He bettered that mark in january of 2002 when he scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors.

Kobeâ??s 2,832 points in 2005-06 was the seventh-highest total in history. Only Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan have scored more.

Kobe had 10 50-point games during the 2006â??07 season.

Kobe and Elgin Baylor are the only Lakers to string together three 50-point games. Kobe and Wilt Chamberlain are the only players in NBA history to do it four games in a row.

Here you have a couple of records set by Kobe Bryant in his 81 point game:

  • 81 points in one game, 55 points in one half, 30 points in one quarter: all are Lakers records.

  • by missing a free throw he ended his streak of 62 consecutive free throws, also a franchise best.

  • for most players, a 60-point performance is a one-in-a-career achievement but Kobe became one of 4 players in NBA history to score 60 or more points at least twice. Wilt Chamberlain did it an incredible 32 times, Michael Jordan 5 times, Elgin Baylor did it 4 times.

The Quotes:

“Yes, it was (more impressive than Chamberlain’s 100 points), that’s because of the wide variety of shots that he used, driving, pulling up, behind the three-point line, it was an incredible feat of versatility.”

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (NBA All-time top scorer)

“I wasn’t keeping track on what he had, and when I turned to (assistant Frank Hamblen) and said, ‘I think I better take him out now,’ he said, ‘I don’t think you can. He has 77 points’… I’ve seen some remarkable games, but I’ve never seen anything like that before”

Phil Jackson (Lakers Coach)

“That’s wild, that is really wild. That’s a lot of points, I’m telling you. There’s no question how good he is, but when you start throwing numbers around like that, it’s unbelievable. It would be hard to believe if you didn’t know it was true.”

Larry Bird (former NBA superstar)

269

Nobody is saying Lebron is the better player overall it’s too young in his career to say that. But this year and last year he was the better player and is currently the best player in the league. Kenny Smith, Reggie Miller, NBA players the rest of the logical world>randman and laker fans.

270

[quote]drewh wrote:
Nobody is saying Lebron is the better player overall it’s too young in his career to say that. But this year and last year he was the better player and is currently the best player in the league. Kenny Smith, Reggie Miller, NBA players the rest of the logical world>randman and laker fans.[/quote]

I actually agree with you. Don’t misread what I’m saying. Am I saying Kobe is the “better player” right now over Lebron. No, I’m not. I’d still say at 31 years of age he’s pretty darn close though.

Kobe and Lebron are different points in their career so it’s hard to compare. I do have some definite criticisms with Lebron and he has a lot to prove before he deserves the “crown” everyone is so willing to bestow on him however.

271

[quote]drewh wrote:
Nobody is saying Lebron is the better player overall it’s too young in his career to say that. But this year and last year he was the better player and is currently the best player in the league. Kenny Smith, Reggie Miller, NBA players the rest of the logical world>randman and laker fans.[/quote]

Actually most players I’ve heard speak aren’t ready to put anyone over Bryant just yet. Even with the fucked up finger, bum knee and whatever else he has wrong he’s still the most dangerous guy in the league.

272

most dangerous isn’t best and just watch tnt and you will hear plenty of players say LBJ has surpassed Kobe.

273

To me the most obvious torch pass would be for Lebron to outplay Kobe in the finals and win the championship this year. Other than that we are at the precipice of a torch passing between the two players but there is a lot more grey areas to argue about right now on whose better and why. I have heard a lot of current players still say Kobe’s the best so it’s not a clear cut argument drewh.

As for the Cavs/Lakers finals matchup, I think the Lakers have lot surer chance to make it to the finals this year than the Cavs. I still think the Magic have their number this year. We’ll see…

274

I hope to see a Suns vs. Magic finals. Fuck Kobe and LeBron and all the media hype they bring with them.

275

Magic wouldn’t be an upset over the Cavs really. The Suns over the Lakers? Definitely.

276

[quote]strungoutboy21 wrote:
I hope to see a Suns vs. Magic finals. Fuck Kobe and LeBron and all the media hype they bring with them.[/quote]

You know what man? I want to see Bryant get another ring just 'cause of the respect I have for his game, but a Suns/Magic finals would be awesome.

277

[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:

[quote]strungoutboy21 wrote:
I hope to see a Suns vs. Magic finals. Fuck Kobe and LeBron and all the media hype they bring with them.[/quote]

You know what man? I want to see Bryant get another ring just 'cause of the respect I have for his game, but a Suns/Magic finals would be awesome.[/quote]

David Stern would hate this. This would be the worst possible outcome. Although he’ll never admit he definitely wants Lakers/Cavs - Kobe/Lebron. He’s trying to compete with the eyeballs and can’t even beat the NFL draft with NBA playoff games.

Look, I like the NFL a lot but I’m not going to freakin watch the NFL draft over NBA playoff games. Shit man, the NFL has taken on mania like proportions.

278

Tim Tebow has the highest selling jersey right now that’s how bad it is.

279

[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:

[quote]drewh wrote:
Nobody is saying Lebron is the better player overall it’s too young in his career to say that. But this year and last year he was the better player and is currently the best player in the league. Kenny Smith, Reggie Miller, NBA players the rest of the logical world>randman and laker fans.[/quote]

Actually most players I’ve heard speak aren’t ready to put anyone over Bryant just yet. Even with the fucked up finger, bum knee and whatever else he has wrong he’s still the most dangerous guy in the league.[/quote]

When most NBA people OUTSIDE the game (analysts, etc.) are asked who the best player is, they say LBJ. When people INSIDE the game are asked (players, coaches, etc.) they say Kobe. To me, value of inside the game > outside the game, so Kobe > LBJ.

280

[quote]randman wrote:

[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:

[quote]strungoutboy21 wrote:
I hope to see a Suns vs. Magic finals. Fuck Kobe and LeBron and all the media hype they bring with them.[/quote]

You know what man? I want to see Bryant get another ring just 'cause of the respect I have for his game, but a Suns/Magic finals would be awesome.[/quote]

David Stern would hate this. This would be the worst possible outcome. Although he’ll never admit he definitely wants Lakers/Cavs - Kobe/Lebron. He’s trying to compete with the eyeballs and can’t even beat the NFL draft with NBA playoff games.

Look, I like the NFL a lot but I’m not going to freakin watch the NFL draft over NBA playoff games. Shit man, the NFL has taken on mania like proportions.[/quote]

Of course Stern would hate it,but fuck him haha. I still want the Lakers to make it out of the West but a Magic/Suns finals would be a lot of fun to watch. That would probably be the highest scoring finals of all time.