NBA 2011-2012 Season Thread 2

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701

[quote]scj119 wrote:
Kobe playing in a meaningless game tonight to go for the scoring title. I feel like that sums up his character pretty well.

Honestly I don’t root for injuries, but if I did, I would root for him to break his ankle tonight. Every other starter is resting, he just recently was injured bad enough to miss games (and therefore could use a night off), but he wants to jack up 30 shots for one more scoring title on his resume.[/quote]

Outside of Durant scoring 60 he already has the title locked up. You REALLY dislike Bryant.

702

[quote]scj119 wrote:
^^ For the record, I think Kobe has had a remarkable season. But this is just silly. It’s important enough to win the scoring title that you’re willing to take a chance at being in worse shape for the playoffs? (Freak injury, etc. are unlikely but possible). The TEAM has nothing to gain from a win.[/quote]

Oh yeah, not only does he already have the scoring title sewn up, but this is only his third game back after missing 7 games due to an injury. Not sure you noticed, but he was a little off his last 2 games. This is a rhythm game, nothing more.

EDIT: Spoke before I saw Durant just passed him. My bad. Still not sure why that matters to you though. Durant would do the exact same thing.

703

[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:

[quote]scj119 wrote:
^^ For the record, I think Kobe has had a remarkable season. But this is just silly. It’s important enough to win the scoring title that you’re willing to take a chance at being in worse shape for the playoffs? (Freak injury, etc. are unlikely but possible). The TEAM has nothing to gain from a win.[/quote]

Oh yeah, not only does he already have the scoring title sewn up, but this is only his third game back after missing 7 games due to an injury. Not sure you noticed, but he was a little off his last 2 games. This is a rhythm game, nothing more.[/quote]

He’s behind Durant by 0.1 points per game genius.

I’m not the only one saying it either.

704

Top of the page:

Durant 28.0ppg
Kobe 27.9ppg

http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics

705

[quote]scj119 wrote:

[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:

[quote]scj119 wrote:
^^ For the record, I think Kobe has had a remarkable season. But this is just silly. It’s important enough to win the scoring title that you’re willing to take a chance at being in worse shape for the playoffs? (Freak injury, etc. are unlikely but possible). The TEAM has nothing to gain from a win.[/quote]

Oh yeah, not only does he already have the scoring title sewn up, but this is only his third game back after missing 7 games due to an injury. Not sure you noticed, but he was a little off his last 2 games. This is a rhythm game, nothing more.[/quote]

He’s behind Durant by 0.1 points per game genius.

I’m not the only one saying it either.[/quote]

Already corrected myself jackass. It’s still just a rhythm game, and every other player in the league would do the same thing if in that position. It’s competitive nature.

706

[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:

[quote]scj119 wrote:

[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:

[quote]scj119 wrote:
^^ For the record, I think Kobe has had a remarkable season. But this is just silly. It’s important enough to win the scoring title that you’re willing to take a chance at being in worse shape for the playoffs? (Freak injury, etc. are unlikely but possible). The TEAM has nothing to gain from a win.[/quote]

Oh yeah, not only does he already have the scoring title sewn up, but this is only his third game back after missing 7 games due to an injury. Not sure you noticed, but he was a little off his last 2 games. This is a rhythm game, nothing more.[/quote]

He’s behind Durant by 0.1 points per game genius.

I’m not the only one saying it either.[/quote]

Already corrected myself jackass. It’s still just a rhythm game, and every other player in the league would do the same thing if in that position. It’s competitive nature.[/quote]

Haha, I posted before you corrected, it’s not like I edited out your EDIT note… that would be pretty lame of me.

Agree to disagree, I don’t think every player in the league would. I am curious to see how hard he’ll try for that 38th point though (that’s how many he needs to get it).

My question is, how is playing without the other starters going to help his rhythm for the playoffs? Playing with McBobs and Troy Murphy is way different than Gasol and Bynum… if anything I’d think he would want to get his timing down with those guys, but with the reserves in, you really can’t.

It’s specifically BECAUSE he’s coming off injury that I think it’s dumb. Why risk reaggravating it in a meaningless game?

707

I’m a huge dork for random shit like this… a picture showing who shoots the most often, and who’s the best/worst from the left elbow: https://twitter.com/#!/kirkgoldsberry/status/195535167140540416/photo/1

Not shocked at John Wall… very shocked by Steve Nash.

708

[quote]scj119 wrote:

[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:

[quote]scj119 wrote:

[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:

[quote]scj119 wrote:
^^ For the record, I think Kobe has had a remarkable season. But this is just silly. It’s important enough to win the scoring title that you’re willing to take a chance at being in worse shape for the playoffs? (Freak injury, etc. are unlikely but possible). The TEAM has nothing to gain from a win.[/quote]

Oh yeah, not only does he already have the scoring title sewn up, but this is only his third game back after missing 7 games due to an injury. Not sure you noticed, but he was a little off his last 2 games. This is a rhythm game, nothing more.[/quote]

He’s behind Durant by 0.1 points per game genius.

I’m not the only one saying it either.[/quote]

Already corrected myself jackass. It’s still just a rhythm game, and every other player in the league would do the same thing if in that position. It’s competitive nature.[/quote]

Haha, I posted before you corrected, it’s not like I edited out your EDIT note… that would be pretty lame of me.

Agree to disagree, I don’t think every player in the league would. I am curious to see how hard he’ll try for that 38th point though (that’s how many he needs to get it).

My question is, how is playing without the other starters going to help his rhythm for the playoffs? Playing with McBobs and Troy Murphy is way different than Gasol and Bynum… if anything I’d think he would want to get his timing down with those guys, but with the reserves in, you really can’t.

It’s specifically BECAUSE he’s coming off injury that I think it’s dumb. Why risk reaggravating it in a meaningless game?[/quote]

Remember in '94 [I think?] when David Robinson needed whatever number to pass Shaq on the list and played a meaningless game against the Clips and wound up putting up 71 to clinch it? It’s just competition. As far as Bryant, think it’s just getting individual timing and rhythm back. He was at 28.1 before the layoff, had 2 games where he didn’t play much or well and dropped. Durant passed him during that time so I think it’s fair to try and get it back. And, this game poses no more potential risk than anyother in the immediate future. I’d personally love to see him go off, but he might just play a half then rest. Who knows?

709

[quote]scj119 wrote:
I’m a huge dork for random shit like this… a picture showing who shoots the most often, and who’s the best/worst from the left elbow: https://twitter.com/#!/kirkgoldsberry/status/195535167140540416/photo/1

Not shocked at John Wall… very shocked by Steve Nash.[/quote]

Very interesting. That happens to be my favorite spot as well. I was always a low post/high post guy. It’s one of the reasons I always loved Tim Duncan. He’s money from that spot.

I was surprised Kevin Garnett wasn’t up there. But thinking about it, he likes taking them a few feet back so they must mean exactly right on the elbow.

710

[quote]sam_sneed wrote:

[quote]scj119 wrote:
I’m a huge dork for random shit like this… a picture showing who shoots the most often, and who’s the best/worst from the left elbow: https://twitter.com/#!/kirkgoldsberry/status/195535167140540416/photo/1

Not shocked at John Wall… very shocked by Steve Nash.[/quote]

Very interesting. That happens to be my favorite spot as well. I was always a low post/high post guy. It’s one of the reasons I always loved Tim Duncan. He’s money from that spot.

I was surprised Kevin Garnett wasn’t up there. But thinking about it, he likes taking them a few feet back so they must mean exactly right on the elbow.[/quote]

Forgot to mention the Spurs game the other night. Even though the Blazers were playing nobody’s, the Spurs looked fantastic. Their ball movement, spacing, chemistry and ability to drill open shots is really impressive, especially live. I’d like to see 'em against top flight comp before I make any crazy claims, but they look better than any team I’ve seen this season. Also, Danny Green is absolutely automatic when open. Think he didn’t miss all night.

711

[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:

Remember in '94 [I think?] when David Robinson needed whatever number to pass Shaq on the list and played a meaningless game against the Clips and wound up putting up 71 to clinch it? It’s just competition. As far as Bryant, think it’s just getting individual timing and rhythm back. He was at 28.1 before the layoff, had 2 games where he didn’t play much or well and dropped. Durant passed him during that time so I think it’s fair to try and get it back. And, this game poses no more potential risk than anyother in the immediate future. I’d personally love to see him go off, but he might just play a half then rest. Who knows?[/quote]

Oh, I’m not saying NO ONE would do it, I’m just saying not everyone would. There was a famous game a long time ago when George Gervin’s Spurs played… um, someone… they came into the game neck and neck for the scoring title and each threw up a bunch of shots and scored (I think) 40-50ish points trying to win it.

Regardless, news is Kobe is now going to sit, I think it’s the right call, kudos to him for forgoing the individual title.

712

[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:

[quote]sam_sneed wrote:

[quote]scj119 wrote:
I’m a huge dork for random shit like this… a picture showing who shoots the most often, and who’s the best/worst from the left elbow: https://twitter.com/#!/kirkgoldsberry/status/195535167140540416/photo/1

Not shocked at John Wall… very shocked by Steve Nash.[/quote]

Very interesting. That happens to be my favorite spot as well. I was always a low post/high post guy. It’s one of the reasons I always loved Tim Duncan. He’s money from that spot.

I was surprised Kevin Garnett wasn’t up there. But thinking about it, he likes taking them a few feet back so they must mean exactly right on the elbow.[/quote]

Forgot to mention the Spurs game the other night. Even though the Blazers were playing nobody’s, the Spurs looked fantastic. Their ball movement, spacing, chemistry and ability to drill open shots is really impressive, especially live. I’d like to see 'em against top flight comp before I make any crazy claims, but they look better than any team I’ve seen this season. Also, Danny Green is absolutely automatic when open. Think he didn’t miss all night.[/quote]

There’s reason they’re number 1 in the West despite resting all their key guys several times and losing Manu for a good chunk of the year.

I do think the Jazz are a bad matchup for them though - big physical frontcourts give them problems. Should be a fascinating series to watch, I can’t wait.

713

from ESPN -
Kobe Bryant will sit out the Los Angeles Lakers regular season finale on Thursday against the Sacramento Kings and concede the chance to catch Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant for the NBA scoring title. Bryant, averaging 27.86 points per game, would have needed 38 points to catch Durant and win the title outright. Durant finished the regular season averaging 28.03 points per game…

Bryant already has said that capturing the third scoring title of his career in this, his 16th season, was “not very important.”

from Grantland -

Q: What are the odds that Kobe isn’t really hurt, just sitting out the last few games because he doesn’t want to lose the scoring title?

SG: Are you crazy? Don’t you realize that every time Kobe misses a game, he thinks to himself, I just lost 29 more career points? I wouldn’t be surprised if his office at home has a wall covered with some sort of Beautiful Mind?type scribbling that calculates in great detail every single scoring checkpoint he needs to hit from now until 2018 to catch Kareem. Kobe cares about two things and two things only: winning a sixth ring (to tie MJ) and breaking that scoring record (which would make him immortal, and he knows it). Don’t let anyone tell you differently.

714

LOL@ the Kobe hate.

Spoke too soon huh? Kobe isn’t even playing tonight.

715

[quote]scj119 wrote:

[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:

Remember in '94 [I think?] when David Robinson needed whatever number to pass Shaq on the list and played a meaningless game against the Clips and wound up putting up 71 to clinch it? It’s just competition. As far as Bryant, think it’s just getting individual timing and rhythm back. He was at 28.1 before the layoff, had 2 games where he didn’t play much or well and dropped. Durant passed him during that time so I think it’s fair to try and get it back. And, this game poses no more potential risk than anyother in the immediate future. I’d personally love to see him go off, but he might just play a half then rest. Who knows?[/quote]

Oh, I’m not saying NO ONE would do it, I’m just saying not everyone would. There was a famous game a long time ago when George Gervin’s Spurs played… um, someone… they came into the game neck and neck for the scoring title and each threw up a bunch of shots and scored (I think) 40-50ish points trying to win it.

Regardless, news is Kobe is now going to sit, I think it’s the right call, kudos to him for forgoing the individual title.
[/quote]

It was David Tompson, and it was over 60 a piece. Thompson scored 73 I believe, Gervin had 60-something and ended up winning the title.

Also, I don’t like that he’s sitting. He’d be [I think] the oldest guy to ever win a scoring title, so why not do it? If he didn’t get it, no one would remember. But if he did, it’d be one more thing with his name in the books. I do believe that Bryant has never really cared about personal achievement. If he did, he would’ve asked to be traded when he was sharing the floor with Shaq so he could put up 35+ a night for several seasons in a row. He just wants to win, and to be the best.

716

Heh good to see gregron swing thru

Also WF, that’s some good looking dogs right there

717

Fucking Uzoh had a triple double tonight!

718

Well I pretty much agree with everything scj has said in his conversation with WF.

Nice to see WF acknowledge the Spurs though.

719

[quote]chillain wrote:
Heh good to see gregron swing thru

Also WF, that’s some good looking dogs right there
[/quote]

Greg coming outta the woodwork!!! Thanks man, those are my two little mama’s. They’re inseparable.

720

Alright, so the playoffs obviously start tomorrow night and it’s lokking like it’s gonna be a good posteason. Let’s get predictions.

This is gonna sound crazy, and I don’t think they WILL, but the Lakers COULD take this if they can pull their heads outta their asses. I think ultimately lack of depth, strange chemistry and Gasol’s shattered ego will prevent them from winning, but if they can figure that out they’re pretty scary. They’re problem is they’re down to beat themselves.

San Antone looks awesome. If they’re firing on all cylanders they’re gonna be tough to beat. Watching 'em live gave me a whole new appreciation for what they’re doing.

OKC looks damn good, but the more I watch the less I’m sure they have what it takes [this year]. I honestly think that Laker comeback rattled 'em a l’il, and a championship team needs a short memory.

Out East, I like the Bulls. Not sure how Wade is gonna be after dislocating his finger, and obviously Miami isn’t getting anywhere without him. I ot the Bulls coming out of the East.

So right now, I got a Bulls vs SA/OKC/ outside shot Lakers Finals.

Y’alls picks?