The 2005-2006 NBA Season Discussion Thread

Yeah, Tayshaun Prince is one of the best defenders in this league. His season stats (blocks and steals) don't tell the story of just how great he is defensively. He gets his long arms in the passing lanes, and alters so many shots.

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Originally Posted by Goubot

All-Defense teams tend to lag a couple years based on reputation (Payton got it a few years ago and then was murdered by Billups in the Finals a few years later). Kidd has been a great defender over the years, but he's lost a step (he got his ass torched by Anthony Johnson ). I also have my misgivings on Artest, since he only really played half a season.

Lots of people wanted Bruce Bowen winning DPOTY as well. It'd be fairly impressive, since most of the winners have been shot blocking big men (Artest won it a few years ago, and I think Payton is one of the few guards within the last decade to win it). Bowen's lock-down defense is impressive, but I dunno. The fact that Wallace is always around to block shots and work the glass, is able to step out against guards, and generally scare the bejeezus out of anyone who comes near the basket seems more valuable to me.

Oh well. When do the All-NBA teams get announced?

Ben Wallace is my choice. Wallace's defense is much more respected and legit around the league -- and around the media I'm sure -- than Bruce Bowen's is.

Bowen's tactics borderline dirty. He likes to crowd a player taking a jumpshot, and sometimes even plants his feet underneath the landing spot of the jumpshooter. It's a surefire way of making sure someone rolls an ankle.

And then there's crap like this ... (which I posted earlier in this thread)



FELIPE NO

Yeah, I read about Larry Hughes' brother. It's unfortunate.

The Cavaliers won one for him, though. Lebron came through huge in the fourth quarter, and finished with another triple-double.



How ya doing, buddy?

More:






So yes, the Spurs closed that gap in a hurry. Should be a good second half.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Thanks, I'll post good photos as I come across them


In addition to Duncan's fouling out, that late turnover between Horry and Ginobili really, really hurt them.

Stackhouse's deliberate freethrow miss didn't draw iron, and gave the Spurs another shot. Too bad the inbounds pass lob was nearly impossible to catch cleanly.

Originally Posted by bishop743

Oh man! Yeah, Stackhouse nearly cost his team the game, but they were able to pull it out. You expect more from an experienced, veteran player like that.

Dirk didn't hold back in the immediate post game interview with ABC. He said Stackhouse, being a 10-year vet, should've known to draw iron, and that he didn't know what the hell Stackhouse was thinking. Hahaha.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Cleveland just knotted the series at 2-2, with momentum and confidence going into Game 5.

Detroit still has homecourt advantage, though.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by SILBER-3

Well, the Spurs have never gotten past the second round after they won the championship the previous year, so this is nothing new really, I was just hoping that they wouldn't fall into that same pattern this year.

Interesting observation.

And, other than last year's Finals Game 7 win, The Spurs have lost every single game when facing elimination. They're not known as a comeback team.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Suns and Clips currently slugging away in double-OT.

Is this a great series or what.

How ya doing, buddy?

Cavaliers are for real. Up 3-2.


Now they have the Pistons' attention.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by bishop743

Also, the All-NBA teams have been annoucned:

2005-06 ALL-NBA FIRST TEAM
Position Player, Team 1st Points
Forward LeBron James, Cleveland (116) 610
Forward Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas (105) 584
Center Shaquille O’Neal, Miami (45) 402
Guard Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers (110) 597
Guard Steve Nash, Phoenix (106) 583


2005-06 ALL-NBA SECOND TEAM
Position Player, Team 1st Points
Forward Elton Brand, L.A. Clippers (15) 309
Forward Tim Duncan, San Antonio (17) 277
Center Ben Wallace, Detroit (44) 363
Guard Chauncey Billups, Detroit (21) 378
Guard Dwyane Wade, Miami (13) 373


2005-06 ALL-NBA THIRD TEAM
Position Player, Team 1st Points
Forward Shawn Marion, Phoenix (4) 270
Forward Carmelo Anthony, Denver 97
Center Yao Ming, Houston (30) 261
Guard Allen Iverson, Philadelphia (1) 104
Guard Gilbert Arenas, Washington 79 79

LeBron Jams led all recipients with the most first-place votes, followed by Kobe Bryant, then Steve Nash.

A lot of players deserving on this year's All-NBA Teams. But...


Iverson should be higher than the 3rd Team.

Duncan should be lower than the 2nd Team. He had his worst individual season of his career. If it weren't for Parker, the Spurs wouldn't have been as good as they've been this season. A case can be made that Duncan probably shouldn't even be on the list at all. That spot should've been given to Shawn Marion, Carmelo Anthony, or Kevin Garnett.

FELIPE NO

They're not your daddy's Paper Clips.

3-3.

Originally Posted by bishop743

To play devil's advocate, the reason for Duncan's "decline" can also be contributed to the acquisitions of guys like Michael Finley and Nick Van Exel. Alos, seeing how well Parker was playing, Popovich may have wanted to give him more plays and such in the offense. But trust, without Duncan, the Spurs would be nothing. He deserves to be on the 3rd team, at least. Carmelo's ineffectiveness in the playoffs probably hindered him from getting on either the 2nd or 1st team. They may say that these awards are for the regular season, but since these things come out after the playoffs have started, I'm sure some voters look at that as well.

That's true. Parker, Finley, and Van Exel have taken a lot of the burden off Duncan. Duncan had also been slowed by nagging injuries this season, so maybe that contributed to his being a little off this season.

It's kind of weird not seeing him on that 1st Team, which he's been on previously all eight years of his career.

Originally Posted by bishop743

Kevin Garnett had another stellar year, as usual. He didn't get as high because of how bad his team was this year. It's crazy, really. The guy turns 30 tomorrow. It only seems like yesterday that he was coming out of college. As much as you may disagree or go against it T-Wolf, I really hope the Timberwolves do the right thing and trade him this summer. He's done all he can do for that franchise. When it comes right down to it, the management didn't do a good enough job of putting guys around him to make a championship team. So, please move him and start rebuilding. He's a humble, devoted, class act. I don't want him to finish his career without a ring.

KG's streak (and NBA record) of 20-10-5 ended this year. His assists were down this season, due to the fact that the Timberwolves no longer had jumpshooters to hit shots when KG kicked it out of double-teams. Wally's gone. Hoiberg's gone. Troy Hudson's hurt.

Instead, they had slashing-type players like Ricky Davis and Rashaad McCants, who would drive the ball after KG passed to them, and nullifying the assist.

Other than the lower assists, KG still had a terrific individual year. He shot a career-high 52.6% from the field, and still led the league in rebounding after a slow start this year.

It's his birthday today. Da Kid is 30 years old.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Originally Posted by bishop743

I hope the Pistons blow the Cavs out.

Aw, Game 7 blowouts are never fun for me to watch ... it's like anti-climactic.

I want the three Game 7's to be tightly contested and down-to-the-wire

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Yeah, I'm watching it right now too.

Pistons are blowing this one wide open. Cavs can't buy a basket.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by bishop743

The Pistons are a juggernaut, but if they play against the Heat the way they did against the Cavs, they won't be making it to their 3rd straight NBA Final. What's amazing is, since 2003, the Pistons are 11-1 in playoff elimination games. That one loss, of course, coming at the hands of the Spurs in Game 7 of the finals last year (a game that they should have won, btw). That's an incredible stat. As far as LeBron James goes, he had a great rookie playoff campaign.

11-1 in elimination games, with the sole loss being last year Game 7 Finals loss -- that IS really incredible.

I remember all these Pistons comebacks. Remember back in 2003, when they were down 3-1 to the Orlando Magic, and Tracy McGrady was already looking and talking about the next round. Man, T-Mac got owned when the Pistons won it in 7.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Goubot

Speaking of McGrady, here's hoping that he makes a recovery from his injuries (same with Amare). I always hate to see great players have their careers cut short by injuries (Grant Hill was one of my favorites for a long time. He'd probably be a Hall of Famer if not for injuries. Same probably goes for Penny Hardaway).

McGrady's back is a chronic problem. He probably doesn't have too many years left in him -- even he has said so himself.

It's too bad. Because T-Mac, when healthy, is a damn beast. He gets more lift on those jumpshots than anybody I've ever seen, even on shots from way beyond the arc -- he shoots 30-foot bombs like he's shooting regular jumpers. His arms are insanely long, and he's got massive hands. He's got a blindingly quick first step, and sick athleticism. The only weakness in his game is his defense, which is more of a mental thing than physical.

I smell an animated .gif coming...





I always tell people that the Raptors kept the wrong cousin.

December 9th, 2004 - Rockets vs. Spurs: One of the most amazing things I'd ever seen in basketball.



Edit: This is not McGrady related. But does anyone love the TNT crew as much as I do. Peanut butter jelly time ... Peanut butter jelly time...

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Okay, so I'm a little late to this thread, since I just finished watching the two Game 7's on tape delay. So, the Western Conference Finals will be the Mavericks-Suns. Should be another exciting series.

Does anyone else find Jason Terry annoying when he talks.


My predictions for the Conference Finals:

Pistons-Heat: Pistons in seven
Mavericks-Suns: Mavericks in six

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by bishop743

To be honest, I have never really listened to him. What's so annoying about him?

It's the way he forcefully spits out words, there's so much arrogance and pomp there. I just can't stand his halftime/postgame interviews.

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by Goubot

I'm struggling to think of a player who gives interesting interviews right now.

Off the top of my head ... Manu Ginobili, Andrei Kirilenko, Shaquille O'Neal, Tracy McGrady, Kevin Garnett, Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant, Ron Artest, Rasheed Wallace. Even Tim Duncan can be quite funny when he wants to be.

And none of these guys come off as obnoxious as Jason Terry.

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by bishop743

heh, I like how Tim Duncan looks, acts and talks the same way whether it's after a Game 7 win or a Game 7 loss. His demeanor.. like.. never changes. But he can be funny and engaging when he wants to be.

Yeah, Duncan's teammates can attest to the fact that Duncan indeed has a sense of humor. He doesn't show it around the media, around whom he shows little emotion. But he supposedly is a funny and intelligent person.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Poor Josh Howard:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUHIfOicCbU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLV3a4CgYLE

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Man, most improved player Boris Diaw came up huge -- and clutch -- with a career high 34 points.

Awesome.

Double Post:
Pistons tied it up. Heat still has homecourt advantage, though.



Non-Playoff related: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pf90YzWV42E

There's nowhere I can't reach.

I just found out that Keith Van Horn is pocketing nearly $16 million this year.

That's just about as much as Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan.

That's almost $2 million more than Dirk Nowitzki.

That's $7 million more than league MVP Steve Nash.

That's $12 million more than Lebron James.


I wish I could make $16 million playing 13.8 minutes a game in the Playoffs while averaging 5.6 points, 2.0 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 3.4 fouls, and shooting 34.5% from the field.

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And then you have bargain players who make very little money (relative to the league average of about $4 million): Boris Diaw makes $1.1 million this year. Tayshaun Prince makes $1.8 million (but it'll be a nice $7.8 million next season).



Random quotes:

"For some reason I could never play well against Popeye Jones. I have no idea why, but he just kicked my butt every time we played."
-- Charles Barkley




"For the Clippers, three guys are the...ka, key. Kaman has to play well. That means that the tempo can slow in the terms of for the Clippers. Also, Cassell and Mobley has to have a good game as well."
-- Magic Johnson, on TNT

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by Goubot

Those are rookie contracts, to be fair. Those contracts vary by the position in the draft (so first pick would earn more than the second pick and so on) and I think the amounts are set, so naturally there'd be bargains (and stinkers, conversely). Off the top of my head, a good bargain that isn't a rookie contract is Chauncey Billups, who is making 5.90 million this year.

Yeah, I know rookies sign for contracts based on their draft position. But I just wanted to point out the general salary disparity in the NBA, which is messed up.

You're right about Billups. He should be making Van Horn money.

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by bishop743

That shot when he was falling away from the basket and flipped the ball up for an AND-1 was phemomenal. He's really letting the game come to him and his shooting efficiency is downright scary.

Yeah, this guy is shooting %69.5 from the field in this series, not simply on drives. But also on fadeaways, and shots like ones above.

Amazing.

And did anyone enjoy Shaq's block-to-handle-the-ball-by-myself-coast-to-coast-for-a-layup as much as I did.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?