[Tournament] The 2006-2007 NBA Season Discussion Thread

Houston killing Philadelphia by 50 points was something as well.

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

Kobe scores 60 again.

He now has four 60+ games in his career, tying MJ for second place all-time.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Yeah, holy shit.

Kobe has scored 225 points this week: 65-50-60-50. And with that the Lakers are finally winning again. Guess if ridiculousness is what it takes for them to win...

Wow.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

As much as I can't stand the guy, I have to admit that watching these scoring streaks he goes on is very entertaining. He probably isn't finished yet either.

For the Lakers to stand a chance in that loaded Western Conference, he has to put up numbers like this, or close to it. I guses after that losing slump they were going though, PJ told everybody to give the ball to Kobe and get out of his way.

FELIPE NO

I don't like Kobe as a person, but he's very entertaining as a basketball player. He is in an incredible offensive rhythm right now -- the basket must seem like a giant bucket to him these days.



And how about those Raptors, wow. They spanked the Nuggets last night. It was Chuck Swirsky Bobblehead Night at the Air Canada Centre.

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

Golden State was able to limit Kobe to 43 points on Sunday, but the Lakers still won.

The Lakers are on the rise in the ranking, but, ironically, they'd be better off getting away from that sixth spot. You don't want the Spurs in the first round. Instant lose.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Here's an interesting article comparing Kobe and MJ on ESPN:

Putting Kobe in perspective

Kobe falls in that same category as A-Rod, I think. He, like A-Rod, wants and tries so hard to be respected and admired. They both care about their image greatly. While, I don't like the guy's attitude off the court, he's definitely amazing to watch on it.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

I do agree with the article that some people refuse to acknowledge the greatness of Kobe (the player) simply because they don't like him (the person). But some of the assertions the articles makes, they're certainly... interesting.

She claims that the NBA is "tougher" now, but fails to acknowledge that the game today is officiated differently. Wing players like Kobe have a much easier time getting to the basket in the modern NBA. You lay an arm on them and it's a whistle. MJ was routinely hacked on the way to the basket (Pistons and Knicks specifically).

Quote:

Yesterday's NBA player certainly was more fundamentally sound, but there's no question that today's player is bigger, stronger and faster. When Jordan played, he was a singular force that could not be equaled. Jordan was guarded by the likes of John Starks and Joe Dumars, who were fine players but weren't nearly as skilled or physically imposing as LeBron, D-Wade, Tracy McGrady or even Vince Carter.

I don't know what she's trying to prove here -- the fact remains that Joe Dumars was still a better defensive player than Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter combined. Physical gifts and athleticism only get you so far.

Quote:

Phoenix, Dallas and San Antonio are all better than the Utah, Portland and the Charles Barkley-led Phoenix team that Michael met in the NBA Finals.

This is very debatable. How can she even make such comparisons without backing them up with valid arguments.

Quote:

Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson and Patrick Ewing will be among the best centers ever, but none of them affected the league the way Shaq and Tim Duncan have.

This statement just reeks of a lack of sense of history. David Robinson perhaps, but Hakeem never affected the league the way Shaq and Duncan have?? She can't be serious.

Quote:

There are two two-time MVPs in Kobe's own conference (Duncan, Nash), which is a problem Jordan never faced during his championship runs. Seven-footers weren't launching 3s back then. Magic Johnson and the Lakers were on a downward spiral, and the Pistons were on their last legs. It was Michael and everyone else. That's not the case for Kobe.

Michael and everyone else?

Everyone else as in Charles Barkley? Karl Malone & John Stockton? Patrick Ewing? Shawn Kemp & Gary Payton? Shaq & Penny?

It was "Michael and everyone else" because Michael was head and shoulders above all the other hall-of-famers of his day.








In other news -- did everyone see Rasheed Wallace's 62-foot heave to force overtime yesterday? I watched the entire game, and I almost jumped out of my chair when it happened.

How ya doing, buddy?

I agree with you on every single thing you said about that Kobe-MJ article.

Originally Posted by Timberwolf

In other news -- did everyone see Rasheed Wallace's 62-foot heave to force overtime yesterday? I watched the entire game, and I almost jumped out of my chair when it happened.

I didn't see the game, just the highlights. It was an amazing shot. The fact that the Pistons took the game in OT made it even cooler.

You wouldn't happen to have a video of that shot, would you, T-Wolf?



Lastly, the Mavs won their 60th game last night in a win over the Bucks. They're the 3rd fatest team to reach 60 wins, only behind the 95-96 and 96-97 Chicago Bulls teams.

To say they've been on a tear this season is an understatement.

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

Originally Posted by bishop743

You wouldn't happen to have a video of that shot, would you, T-Wolf?

Yup, I do Here you go, off NBA.com: http://www.sendspace.com/file/hd01id

Originally Posted by bishop743

Lastly, the Mavs won their 60th game last night in a win over the Bucks. They're the 3rd fatest team to reach 60 wins, only behind the 95-96 and 96-97 Chicago Bulls teams.

To say they've been on a tear this season is an understatement.

They are very impressive. I'm sure they're still motivated by blowing an 0-2 lead last year in the Finals against the Heat.

Do you think they'll win 70 games? That requires them to go 10-1 (or 11-0 to finish 71-11) in their final 11 games.

Looking at the remaining schedule, they still play against Phoenix, Denver, San Antonio, and Utah.

It's gonna be close, I think.

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I can't see the Washington Wizards going far in the playoffs with both Caron Butler and Gilbert Arenas being out. They were having a pretty promising season too.

In any case, looking forward to the playoffs - should be another great one this year.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by Timberwolf

Yup, I do Here you go, off NBA.com: http://www.sendspace.com/file/hd01id





They are very impressive. I'm sure they're still motivated by blowing an 0-2 lead last year in the Finals against the Heat.

Do you think they'll win 70 games? That requires them to go 10-1 (or 11-0 to finish 71-11) in their final 11 games.

Looking at the remaining schedule, they still play against Phoenix, Denver, San Antonio, and Utah.

It's gonna be close, I think.

I'm not sure if they will reach 70 wins. They definitely have a shot at it though. With the teams you just listed, it's going to be hella tough to get there.

And thanks a lot for that video.

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by Ryuu

I can't see the Washington Wizards going far in the playoffs with both Caron Butler and Gilbert Arenas being out. They were having a pretty promising season too.

In any case, looking forward to the playoffs - should be another great one this year.

Ugh. Don't remind me. ;_;

Those two getting injured in the past week was quite a dagger to the Wizards' awesome season. I was ready to get playoff tickets the next day too, but then they announced Arenas' injury.

Dagger.

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

We're on the final stretch. The Clippers, Lakers, Warriors and Hornets are fighting for those two last spots in the West. It's gonna be interesting to see who wins out. The Clippers won a huge game over the Lakers last night. They overcame a double-digit deficit and 50 points from Kobe Bryant to come back and get the victory.

Also, the Mavs won't make it to 70 wins, but they've still had an amazing year. Now, let's see how that'll carry over into the postseason.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

What about those Raptors! They're 9 and 2 in the last 11 games, and are up against 'Sheed and Detroit tonight. They way the Raps have been playing lately (and this season overall) makes me pumped to see how they fare in the playoffs. As long as Bosh and Bargnani stay healthy, the other teams will have a hell of a time finding a challenging matchup.

In addition, Bargnani, after a few weeks of recovery from appendicitis, still won't be able to play in the game tonight against Detroit, due to a severe sinus infection.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Fiddlegoof

What about those Raptors! They're 9 and 2 in the last 11 games, and are up against 'Sheed and Detroit tonight. They way the Raps have been playing lately (and this season overall) makes me pumped to see how they fare in the playoffs. As long as Bosh and Bargnani stay healthy, the other teams will have a hell of a time finding a challenging matchup.

In addition, Bargnani, after a few weeks of recovery from appendicitis, still won't be able to play in the game tonight against Detroit, due to a severe sinus infection.

Yeah, the Raptors are the suprise, feel-good story of the year as far as I'm concerned. After Vince Carter's messy departure, that team was in shambles for awhile. Their coach and management have done an excellent job at turning things around so quickly. I think they definitely can make a run in the East.

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

Raptors Playoff tickets went on sale (for the general public) today at noon through Ticketmaster.

I got mine. I'm going to Game 2 of the first round. The Raptors may end up playing New Jersey, which will be a hot-blooded series.

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Originally Posted by Timberwolf

Raptors Playoff tickets went on sale (for the general public) today at noon through Ticketmaster.

I got mine. I'm going to Game 2 of the first round. The Raptors may end up playing New Jersey, which will be a hot-blooded series.

Damn you're a lucky guy! If I lived closer to Toronto, I'd definitely spend the money.

It will be extremely exciting to watch them play the Nets. Vince Carter will either be hot and kobe-like, or a complete discrace. There'll certainly be a few boo's though

Enjoy the game, Timberwolf! Try to take some pics that you can share.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by Fiddlegoof

Damn you're a lucky guy! If I lived closer to Toronto, I'd definitely spend the money.

It will be extremely exciting to watch them play the Nets. Vince Carter will either be hot and kobe-like, or a complete discrace. There'll certainly be a few boo's though

Enjoy the game, Timberwolf! Try to take some pics that you can share.

My ticket is on the low end, as I can't afford anything too pricey right now. So my seat it pretty hight up. The main thing is that I just want to be there in person.

The great thing about the ACC is that the arena is designed very well, and you can see the action clearly no matter where you're sitting.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Man, that's really cool, T-Wolf. I hope you have a good time and enjoy the game. And, as Fiddlegoof mentioned, please bring back some pics to share with us.

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by bishop743

Man, that's really cool, T-Wolf. I hope you have a good time and enjoy the game. And, as Fiddlegoof mentioned, please bring back some pics to share with us.

I will

I hope whatever photos I take will turn out decent, considering where I'll be sitting. This is the least expensive ticket I've never purchased (I believe it's in the section called The Sprite Zone), so I'm really hoping the view won't be too bad.

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

Man, the Wizards are getting the tar beat out of them by the Bulls today. It really sucks to see this. They had such great promise this season. Hopefully, Arenas and Butler will come back even better next season.

The Spurs-Mavs game coming up should be a good watch though.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

whos is better, Lebron or Kobe

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by bishop743

Man, the Wizards are getting the tar beat out of them by the Bulls today. It really sucks to see this. They had such great promise this season. Hopefully, Arenas and Butler will come back even better next season.

The Spurs-Mavs game coming up should be a good watch though.

Wizards finally won one tonight, avoiding a first round match-up with Detroit. They will play Cleveland -- but without Agent Zero and Butler, things don't look good.

Chicago blew a big game tonight against New Jersey, knocking them all the way down to the fifth seed. Their road to the Eastern Conference Finals looks very tough (they would have to go through Miami and likely Detroit).

The East match-ups are in:


Detroit (1) vs. Orlando (8)
Chicago (4) vs. Miami (5)

Cleveland (2) vs. Washington (7)
Toronto (3) vs. New Jersey (6)



Now we wait for another two hours to find out what happens in the West.

I'll have my predictions and brackets tomorrow.



EDIT: I made a mistake last night, Chicago is the 5th seed and Miami is the 4th -- not the other way around. (But Chicago will still have homecourt since they have the better record.)

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

Originally Posted by Timberwolf

I will

I hope whatever photos I take will turn out decent, considering where I'll be sitting. This is the least expensive ticket I've never purchased (I believe it's in the section called The Sprite Zone), so I'm really hoping the view won't be too bad.

You should hold a big sign saying "Onions baby, Onions from GFF", so we can spot you out in the crowd if the camera ever falls on you.

I'm excited to see New Jersey play Toronto. With Carter there, it'll be just like old times. My bet is that he gets hurt in the first game, third quarter, and Toronto completely owns the series.

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