The 2005-2006 NBA Season Discussion Thread

Originally Posted by Timberwolf

I think Kobe was trying to do his Steve Nash impression, by passing a lot. Too bad he failed miserably in Game 1.

You really don't know much about Kobe's game, or the Lakers for that matter, do you? He was playing according Phil's game plan, and it almost worked. KB gets railed for 'allegedly' playing selfish ball. I swear he's damned if he does, and he's damned if he doesn't. BTW, how well is KG and the T-Pups doing in the playoffs? Oh snap, that's right.... hahahaha.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Kobe suddenly playing according to "Phil's game plan" after 80 games of jacking up 27.16 shots per game? It almost worked?

So it's Phil Jackson's idea for Kobe to shoot 7-21, right.

Here's Phil Jackson's quote after the game:

Quote:

Our game plan was to exploit the middle and do the things we wanted to, but he [Bryant] was still supposed to be a force over on that side of the offense. I just felt he never really got in rhythm until the end, and we said 'Just go after it'

Oops.

Kobe's game is no mystery. With all that talent, he still has trouble being an effective playmaker and a dominator at the same time. He doesn't know how.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Timberwolf

Kobe suddenly playing according to "Phil's game plan" after 80 games of jacking up 27.16 shots per game? It almost worked?

If it weren't for that, we probably would not even be in the playoffs. Kobe had to take most of the offensive load because Kwame and Lamar were too passive for most of the season because they just didn't understand the triangle offense.

So it's Phil Jackson's idea for Kobe to shoot 7-21, right.

[QUOTE=Timberwolf]Here's Phil Jackson's quote after the game:

Quote:

Our game plan was to exploit the middle and do the things we wanted to, but he [Bryant] was still supposed to be a force over on that side of the offense. I just felt he never really got in rhythm until the end, and we said 'Just go after it'

That's precisely what they did. What's your fucking point? Kobe did facilitate the lane by drawing double teams, unfortunately we missed many easy lay-ups that could have won us the game. He tried to take over during the fourth quarter, but he couldn't get his rythm going because of the facilitator role he was playing. Sometimes when you exert yourself too much on one end, you can't get it going on the other. It happens to all greats.

Originally Posted by Timberwolf

Oops.

Kobe's game is no mystery. With all that talent, he still has trouble being an effective playmaker and a dominator at the same time. He doesn't know how.

You have got to be bullshitting me. You lost all credibility there. I'll admit, that Kobe doesn't have good court vision like Bron, but that's what Lamar's for.

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by Frylock

If it weren't for that, we probably would not even be in the playoffs. Kobe had to take most of the offensive load because Kwame and Lamar were too passive for most of the season because they just didn't understand the triangle offense.

Kwame and Lamar were too passive for most of the season because they played with a ball dominator who didn't know how to involve them in the offense.

And I heard a rumor that Lamar Odom is a pretty good player. He even makes good decisions when the basketball is in his hands.

Too bad he only sees the ball when Kobe kicks it out.

Originally Posted by Frylock

That's precisely what they did. What's your fucking point?

My point is that Kobe doesn't know how to be a facilitator and a dominant force at the same time. He tried to "facilitate" in Game 1, but couldn't get his own offensive game going when he needed to.

Because, precisely as you said, he couldn't get his rhythm going because of the facilitator role he was playing. He was trying too hard to be something he had no idea how to be.

He doesn't know how to be both a playmaker and a dominant force simultaneously.

Originally Posted by Frylock

Sometimes when you exert yourself too much on one end, you can't get it going on the other. It happens to all greats.

We're talking about offense. Being a facilitator on offense can exert yourself so much that you can't get your own offensive game going?

Are you even serious.

Originally Posted by Frylock

I'll admit, that Kobe doesn't have good court vision like Bron, but that's what Lamar's for.

Too bad Lamar doesn't see the ball until there's two seconds left on the clock.

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

Kwame Brown has really shown me something these last few weeks. Halfway through the season, I was officially ready to call this guy a complete bust... then he suddenly just flips the script on me. I'm actually glad to see to see him doing well. Maybe MJ was right after all? (He still should have taken Shane Battier in that draft though

Also, Luke Walton is another guy that needs to keep picking it up. He's a versatile player who can shoot from long-range and is also a great passer. He had a pretty good Game 1 but he needs to give them more.

The Clippers are well on their way to ending their long, long road of futility. They straight up mobbed the Nuggets last night. All 5 of their starters scored in double figures, led by Mobley's 21 points, and Maggette added 12 off the bench. Carmelo got two early fouls in the game and he was never really the same after that. After having a damn good reg. season, 'Melo has picked one hell of a bad time to fall into a rut.

Miami is also now up 2-0 on the Bulls. Like the Clippers, all 5 of their starters also scored in double figures, with 3 of them scoring 20+ points (Shaq and Walker with 22; Wade with 21). The Bulls were down big, fought their way back late, but D-Wade again closed the door on them with great, clutch play down the stretch.

I'm not gonna get into this Kobe Bryant discussion, but it will be interesting to see how he responds in Game 2. By all standards, he didn't have a very good game. It was a quiet game for him, even. It's proven that if he dosen't get his points, 8 times out of ten, the Lakers lose. Watch him try to drop fiddy tonight.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Game 2 between the Lakers and Suns is tomorrow night. I also see Kobe dropping 50 in one of these games. He averaged 42.5 against the Suns this season. It's what he knows.

Denver will have to win both home games to get back in this series. It's hardly impossible, but their confidence and body language seem to say otherwise.

But all eyes on Lebron once again tonight.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by Timberwolf

Game 2 between the Lakers and Suns is tomorrow night. I also see Kobe dropping 50 in one of these games. He averaged 42.5 against the Suns this season. It's what he knows.

Yeah, my bad. I thought the game was tonight. But yeah, Kobe torched the Suns during the regular season.... no pun intended.

Originally Posted by Timberwolf

Denver will have to win both home games to get back in this series. It's hardly impossible, but their confidence and body language seem to say otherwise.

The Nuggets seem to already start the games with defeatist attitudes. L.A. has controlled both games from the outset. At the end of the regular season, the Clippers said they wanted the Nuggets, so now I guess we are seeing why. The series isn't over but it ain't far from it.

Originally Posted by Timberwolf

But all eyes on Lebron once again tonight.

LeBron should have yet another marvelous game tonight. I wouldn't be suprised if he got yet another triple double. The Wizards have no answer for him..... but who does, really?!

FELIPE NO

Quote:

Kwame and Lamar were too passive for most of the season because they played with a ball dominator who didn't know how to involve them in the offense.

And I heard a rumor that Lamar Odom is a pretty good player. He even makes good decisions when the basketball is in his hands.

Too bad he only sees the ball when Kobe kicks it out.

I like how you completely overlooked the part about them NOT understanding the triangle offense. Also, did you catch Lamar's recent comment where he states that he is just starting to get comfortable running the triangle? Of course not, you're just a blind hater who hasn't seen many Laker games this season.

Quote:

We're talking about offense. Being a facilitator on offense can exert yourself so much that you can't get your own offensive game going?

Are you even serious.

I guess I should have been more specific.... Did you see Kobe on the defensive end helping against the pick and roll? And at times, he was even guarding Nash. You gotta take in to consideration that KB averaged 42 minutes a game this season, and he DID carry the team for the most part. He can only do so much. You can't expect miracles from him every time.

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WOW! You wanna talk about polar opposites, LeBron has a spectacular Game 1 then turns around and has a subpar Game 2. He had 26 points on 25 shots and had 9 turnovers, 2 of which came back-to-back in a critical portion late in the game. I know that stars can't be super 24/7 but I definitely did not expect this. I'll give some credit to the Wizards though. They really turned their defensive intensity up in this game. So, the series is now tied 1-1.

The Nets-Pacers series is also tied up now after the Nets throttling of Indiana, 90-75. Obviously, not having Peja in the game really hurt the Pacers, but Vince Carter had a great game scoring 33 points, dishing out 5 assists and pulling down 5 boards. According to reports, Peja was out with a sore right knee. Hopefully he'll be back in the lineup for Game 3, else Indy will be in big trouble.

And with all the Kobe Bryant jabbering, I guess I'll go ahead and post this article about him wanting to change his jersey no. to 24 starting next season. Here's the link: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2421874

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Frylock

I like how you completely overlooked the part about them NOT understanding the triangle offense. Also, did you catch Lamar's recent comment where he states that he is just starting to get comfortable running the triangle? Of course not, you're just a blind hater who hasn't seen many Laker games this season.

Kobe's ball dominating tendendy is a big reason why Lamar and Kwame needed so much time to understand the Triangle.

And it's no secret that Kobe himself strays from the principles of the Triangle time and time again.

I don't like Kobe as a person, but I've got mad respect for his basketball talent. Believe it or not, I actually like watching him play basketball. I'm not a blind hater -- I call it as I see it.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by bishop743

And with all the Kobe Bryant jabbering, I guess I'll go ahead and post this article about him wanting to change his jersey no. to 24 starting next season. Here's the link: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2421874

I guess I see the point of him wanting to change, but I wonder why he just didn't get 24 instead of 8 in the first place.

It's a close game for the Spurs right now. Hate to be a pessimist, but I don't think they're going to win. Of course I want them to, though.

How ya doing, buddy?

Sacto almost had it. If only they stayed with the shooters on that Spurs possession.

Kind of a lucky bounce for Barry, but give him credit.

How ya doing, buddy?

Whew, I'm glad I was wrong. It was a great game, and both teams were pretty good throughout. I was surprised though by how many shots Bibby missed, especially since he only made one shot out of all the regular quarters.

I think now that this series may wind up being over faster than most people think.. I don't think there will be a sweep, but probably no more than five games.

I was speaking idiomatically.

I really thought the Kings had a shot at making this a long series. It's starting to look like I was wrong. The Kings played well without Ron Artest last night. Kevin Martin, the guy who replaced Artest, had a great game though, with 26 points and 8 rebounds. Despite that, the Kings were hurt bad without Ron Ron's defensive intensity. I'm with you Rockgamer, the Kings may get one of these games in Sactown, but this series shouldn't go any longer than 5 games.

Originally Posted by Timberwolf

Kind of a lucky bounce for Barry, but give him credit.

Yeah, I give him credit, but that shot should either never have happened in the first place or should have been a highly contested one. Why, up 3, would you sink in your defense to let outside shooters get an open look like that? It's ridiculous. Let them get the easy layup, get a good free throw shooter on the line and knock down your free throws. That mistake cost them the game... and probably any chance of winning this series as well, which was already slim.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by bishop743

WOW! You wanna talk about polar opposites, LeBron has a spectacular Game 1 then turns around and has a subpar Game 2. He had 26 points on 25 shots and had 9 turnovers, 2 of which came back-to-back in a critical portion late in the game. I know that stars can't be super 24/7 but I definitely did not expect this. I'll give some credit to the Wizards though. They really turned their defensive intensity up in this game. So, the series is now tied 1-1.

Everyone (at least Wizards fans) has been saying that after Haywood hit LeBron, it shook him up enough to take him out of his game. He had been running up to the basket like it was his throughout Game 1 and up to that point in Game 2, but after the Wizards showed some physicality (something they lack greatly usually =/ ) it put that little worry into his head.

Just happy to see that the Wizards can definitely contend though. With the series going to Washington now, I'm hoping for some more of the same result as yesterday.

FELIPE NO

The Washington series is fun to watch. And watching Lebron play is history in the making.

I'm trying to get tickets to one of the DC home games. A lot of floor seats going off on eBay for a little over $200 right now. I might go! Well, I'll make a friend eBay it and just pay him off if he actually gets them. I'm too busy to put that effort in. :/

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

Originally Posted by Rollins

Everyone (at least Wizards fans) has been saying that after Haywood hit LeBron, it shook him up enough to take him out of his game. He had been running up to the basket like it was his throughout Game 1 and up to that point in Game 2, but after the Wizards showed some physicality (something they lack greatly usually =/ ) it put that little worry into his head.

Yeah, I could see that. You just can't let a player walk all over you like that. I remember a game in the playoffs last year, the Sonics and the Kings. Ray Allen was simply having his way with the Kings' "defense". He ran all up the lane whenever he wanted, he got any jumpshot whenever he wanted... not a single hard foul. It's not about hurting anybody, but you gotta let 'em know that they just can't carve you up anyway they want. So, I don't blame Haywood for that.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Nash FTW.

The official announcement won't be for another two weeks, but reports out of Arizona name Nash the MVP. Good stuff. Kings James was the runner-up.


Crazy fun as the Suns made it close near the end. Good games.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

I took the Wizards in the series, so I hope they win just so I can be right.

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by nazpyro

Nash FTW.

The official announcement won't be for another two weeks, but reports out of Arizona name Nash the MVP. Good stuff. Kings James was the runner-up.


Crazy fun as the Suns made it close near the end. Good games.

Yeah, congratulations go out to Steve Nash. Even though both Kobe Bryant and LeBron had phenomenal years, I think Nash really deserved this honor the most. After losing his most dominant player, he was still able to orchestrate a largely successful season for his team.

Congrats also go out to Avery Johnson for winning the Coach of the Year award. While I felt that Flip Saunders should have won, Johnson was deserving as well. So much respect goes out to him.

The Pistons and Mavs owned the Bucks and Grizzles AGAIN!... So, nothing new there.

The Lakers-Suns game was really good. I can't believe it: Kobe scores under 30.... AND THEY WIN!! Incredible!!! It looks like the guys around him are starting to get the hang of that triangle offense and improving on their continuity. But that dunk....dayum!! Kobe Bryant dunked all up in Nash's grill!! (Timerwolf: I'm counting on you to get me a pic of that! )

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

Originally Posted by bishop743

The Lakers-Suns game was really good. I can't believe it: Kobe scores under 30.... AND THEY WIN!! Incredible!!! It looks like the guys around him are starting to get the hang of that triangle offense and improving on their continuity. But that dunk....dayum!! Kobe Bryant dunked all up in Nash's grill!! (Timerwolf: I'm counting on you to get me a pic of that! )

That dunk was something.





Sorry, no animated .gif this time. I'm searching for it, though.


So the Bulls won Game 3. Interesting.

I was speaking idiomatically.

haha Timberwolf, I knew you'd come through. If you aren't able to find an animated gif though, don't worry about it. DAMN! Kobe straight up baphtized the MVP. SICK!

Yeah man, the Bulls dominated the Heat last night. More specifically, they dominated Shaq. Dude was completely ineffective the whole game, pretty much. He only had 8 points. In the 4th quarter, Miami just imploded. Posey got called for a flagrant 2 on Hinrich, and got tossed for it. Both Udonis Haslem and Antoine Walker got called for techical fouls. And, as time was winding down, all the players on the bench had sad, pitiful looks on their faces. I still think the Heat will win out but the Bulls are quickly closing the gap.

Also, the Nuggets defeated the Clippers without Kenyon Martin, to make the series 2-1. Carmelo Anthony is starting to look like his old self again, scoring 24 points and pulling down 7 rebounds. He also had 4 assists.

Indiana is up 2-1 in their series now after beating the Nets. Vince Carter had a brilliant first half with 21 points, but he cooled off in the second half, and only had 4 points. He also took a hard elbow to the fast when he was trying to go for a loose ball. Jermaine O'Neal tied his career high with 37 points and Peja Stojakovic returned from his injury to chip in with 10 points. I'm gonna stick with Indy in this series. They've underachieved all season long and they're peaking at the right time.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

It was also a charge. :/ Fucking Kobe.

I was surprised the Bulls won. Other than that, I was actually kind of uninterested in the games last night. I was watching hockey playoffs more last night. I only caught most of the Bulls-Heat game, and saw the end of the Clippy Clips. Interesting wins, though last night. We're in for a long first round.

Let's go Wiizards.

FELIPE NO

<3 how Sacramento is playing well now, it was long since i watched Nba, ever since jackson and peja left i have lost interest but now i have seen their game, i was amazed how good ron artest is.

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

Didn't go this Wizard's game, but I might go to Sunday's. ;_; But what an amazing fourth quarter. Lebron James was biting his nails like no other in the final seconds. Lebron James with the BARREL ROLL. Lebron James continuing to make history. Classic. This series is gonna be a battle (like almost all the other ones).

OSNAP THE KINGS WON. I expected them to win at some point. It seemed like a great game, and I wish I could've seen it. Saw the final highlight though. What a ridiculous buzzer beater. KEVIN MARTIN WITH THE BARREL ROLL.

Saw the Suns-Lakers game instead. Double digit scoring for all the starters. O_O. Wow. I also liked Phoenix fast break points: 22, Lakers: 0.

Mike Miller got the Sixth Man Award, and I completely forgot about him when considering who it would be even though he was on many of my fantasy NBA squads. Who knew? I definitely has Speedy Claston in mind. I guess a lot of other candidates I had in mind did become starters by the end of the season.

How ya doing, buddy?