L.A. Lakers - Oklahoma City Series Thread.

[nuraman00]

Creating a proper thread (since the other posts were in the Denver thread).

Lakers off to a shutout early in game 3.

[nuraman00]

Thunder are doing a horrible job on the boards.

[nuraman00]

Joey Crawford separates Westbrook from instigating a fight.

[IowaSacKing93]

OKC leading now 33-32. Last time I checked, it was 18-6 LA

[IowaSacKing93]

Joey Crawford separates Westbrook from instigating a fight.

Who was he trying to fight with? What had happened?

[nuraman00]

Who was he trying to fight with? What had happened?

There was a loose ball, and Artest and everyone was scrambling for it. I don't think Artest did anything, but Westbrook got emotional and was about to fight him. Crawford just jumped in and pushed Westbrook back.

Jeff Van Gundy said Westbrook over-reacted.

It was probably like Danny Granger yesterday.

[IowaSacKing93]

There was a loose ball, and Artest and everyone was scrambling for it. I don't think Artest did anything, but Westbrook got emotional and was about to fight him. Crawford just jumped in and pushed Westbrook back.

Jeff Van Gundy said Westbrook over-reacted.

It was probably like Danny Granger yesterday.

Maybe Westbrook should've done the choke signal (like DeShawn Stevenson did yesterday) but he should've done it because he literally wanted to choke Artest lol, not because the other team was choking.

[IowaSacKing93]

Gasol throw down! 56-53 LAL. Second half has been kind of slow so far.

[IowaSacKing93]

Kevin Durant pulls up. 56-55

Gasol and Bynum miscommunication on the other end

[IowaSacKing93]

That was an impressive drive by Westbrook.

Sometimes I feel let down by LA..they give up points that they shouldn't. That's why OKC has been able to come back in these past two games.

[nuraman00]

LA is just older now, IMO.

And Bynum is not that good on defense. He's ok.

Even the Spurs give up some points that they didn't used to 4 years ago.

[IowaSacKing93]

Perkins hits the outside shot.

[IowaSacKing93]

1 missed FT combined between these two.

Still kind of low scoring, I wanted high scoring games between these two :(

[IowaSacKing93]

Westbrook hits the transition jumper. LA needs to step up now

[IowaSacKing93]

See, LA's defense is decent but Durant just gets that crazy shot to go.

[nuraman00]

1 missed FT combined between these two.

Still kind of low scoring, I wanted high scoring games between these two :(

Not tonight I guess, lol.

Denver-OKC would have been very high scoring.

[nuraman00]

Snoop Dog had weird glasses.

[IowaSacKing93]

What the hell is Van Gundy blathering about..

[IowaSacKing93]

Snoop Dog had weird glasses.

Very weird. I don't know who JEremy Renner is though

[IowaSacKing93]

Perkins looks like a cranky person lol

[nuraman00]

Is your ESPN feed having some glitches?

[IowaSacKing93]

Look at the guys next to Nicholson. Holy shit what am I watching

[IowaSacKing93]

Is your ESPN feed having some glitches?

If you consider them showing all these wacky celebrities 'glitches', then yes.

[IowaSacKing93]

Another silly LA turnover.

[nuraman00]

If you consider them showing all these wacky celebrities 'glitches', then yes.

No, my TV feed is choppy. :(

[IowaSacKing93]

Mohammad thinking he's Westbrook with the pull-up

[IowaSacKing93]

No, my TV feed is choppy. :(

Weird. I would think that if ESPN was having problems, all people viewing it would have those problems.

Of course it could be your tv or cable provider.

[IowaSacKing93]

That's the type of three Artest would hit in earlier year (in terms of location/opennes, but also based on the point of the game/scoring situation.

[IowaSacKing93]

Late in games, when it was close like this, he hit those threes that helped put the games away.

[IowaSacKing93]

I think van gundy is right...there are too many stats, generally speaking. They can be misleading too (even done on purpose sometimes)

I wish there was more analysis of actual game footage when breaking down a team or player or series. I like how they do the TNT post-game..not only is there good analysis..but the guys aren't too formal with each other. They're not afraid to scream out something if it's their opinion..not necessarily politically correct

[nuraman00]

I think van gundy is right...there are too many stats, generally speaking. They can be misleading too (even done on purpose sometimes)

I wish there was more analysis of actual game footage when breaking down a team or player or series. I like how they do the TNT post-game..not only is there good analysis..but the guys aren't too formal with each other. They're not afraid to scream out something if it's their opinion..not necessarily politically correct

I don't think there's too many stats, but I wish the broadcasters would move beyond the basic ones.

I actually heard Ralph and Mike, the Clippers broadcasters, refer to PER during a game once or twice this year.

I agree though, I wish there was better footage of game tape.

You know when I see the best breakdowns? During the NBA Finals. I think with those extended TV timeouts, they have more time to prepare stuff and break it down.

[nuraman00]

I agree though, I don't really watch ESPN's halftime or postgame show. Or if I do, I don't learn anything, lol. I just listen for quick takes on what they think.

[IowaSacKing93]

Yeah, i've seen a difference during the Conf. Semis too. And there's more focus on the game itself (the broadcasters are talking less about 'around the league news' and stuff not directly related to the game being shown.

Van Gundy is doing a good job getting in-depth with his analyis. He's not always saying the stuff that the average fan will see with their own eyes. During the 3rd, he kept mentioning Perkins' screens and how they help the offense.

[nuraman00]

I like Van Gundy and Hubie Brown. They are the best on ESPN.

[IowaSacKing93]

I agree though, I don't really watch ESPN's halftime or postgame show. Or if I do, I don't learn anything, lol. I just listen for quick takes on what they think.

The only time I fully pay attention to the half show is if a team i root for is playing. But when you watch a team you like, you pay even more attention. So the stuff they say, doesn't cover everything, or is too obvious.

One could watch for entertainment/highlights but I want to understand the game better too. Why did Player A do this well? Why did Team B lose by 20?

[IowaSacKing93]

I like Van Gundy and Hubie Brown. They are the best on ESPN.

Agree. Van Gundy can kind of be a sassy loudmouth sometimes, but Hubie is the best. Sometimes he even cuts off the other guy when he starts in with his analysis.

[nuraman00]

Hubie Brown was doing the Spurs-Jazz game in 2007, when he replayed a clip, and showed how Bruce Bowen ran into a Derek Fisher screen so badly, that he flew off the court. It was during an out of bounds play, and Fisher set the screen near the baseline. Bowen didn't see it coming, and when he ran into it, he flew out of bounds.

Brown did his Hubie Chuckle, and made sure to point out that it wasn't Boozer, Okur, or Millsap that set the screen, but Fisher.

[IowaSacKing93]

LOL Harden fan with the beard in the stands doing some dance.

[nuraman00]

The only time I fully pay attention to the half show is if a team i root for is playing. But when you watch a team you like, you pay even more attention. So the stuff they say, doesn't cover everything, or is too obvious.

One could watch for entertainment/highlights but I want to understand the game better too. Why did Player A do this well? Why did Team B lose by 20?

TNT does a little better job with the halftime show. But Kenny Smith gets a bit repetitive. He uses the same material for too many games, IMO.

I'm sure Barkley does too, to an extent, but Barkley usually has more original opinions too.

[IowaSacKing93]

What were you saying about Blake's 3point shooting, nuraman00 :)

[nuraman00]

All the people that bashed Blake's Twitter, and his wife's Twitter, must be feeling stupid now. He just scored 5 points.

[IowaSacKing93]

OKC just has a hold on this game. When they need a bucket, they somehow get one even if its ugly. They manage to lead by 2,3,4 even after giving up the lead (Which also translates to LA no being able to go on a run at home.

[nuraman00]

What were you saying about Blake's 3point shooting, nuraman00 :)

It wasn't just about his 3-point shooting, but his overall play. He misses FTs, turns it over, etc, during crunch time.

We're not late enough in the game yet.

I remember reading multiple threads about people who came back from Portland games, and they'd mention how there was groaning everytime Blake missed another late-game FT.

[IowaSacKing93]

How can the announcer tell that his toe was on the line? Do they make it a prioerity to look at the foot when someone is taking a deep 2/or 3?

[IowaSacKing93]

Westbrook takes it away from Kobe. Jams it on the other end. La just now showing up in the last 3 minutes.

[nuraman00]

Someone needs to make a BOLD PREDICTION next time about how many dunks Westbrook will have in a series.

[nuraman00]

How can the announcer tell that his toe was on the line? Do they make it a prioerity to look at the foot when someone is taking a deep 2/or 3?

They might. Don't they sit far away though at STAPLES?

Or, because it's a nationally televised game, do they sit closer?

I heard broadcasters at STAPLES sit really far, because STAPLES needs all of that extra space to sell their courtside tickets to rich people.

[IowaSacKing93]

So what is your method of posting nuraman..do you just post between commercials, or do you sometimes even post when the game is on.

Sometimes, i'll have the tv on mute with the game on and I'll be on the computer or just not watching TV but every once in a while I'll look over and watch a play or to, check the score and look away. Typically I'll do that a lot throughout the first half, and then try to watch the 2nd half.

[IowaSacKing93]

LA 35/36 FT's.

[nuraman00]

So what is your method of posting nuraman..do you just post between commercials, or do you sometimes even post when the game is on.

Sometimes, i'll have the tv on mute with the game on and I'll be on the computer or just not watching TV but every once in a while I'll look over and watch a play or to, check the score and look away. Typically I'll do that a lot throughout the first half, and then try to watch the 2nd half.

Sometimes during commercials, sometimes when something exciting happens (like a Westbrook dunk).

If I really want to focus on the action, then I'll stay on my couch and wait longer before posting).

[nuraman00]

Wow, Thunder get the offensive rebound but lose it.

[nuraman00]

I was surprised Perkins made that layup. He's just not a good offensive player.

Good for him.

[IowaSacKing93]

Why take that long 3 with 5 seconds left, Durant?

The shot selection has been questionable in these late-game situations.

[nuraman00]

I'm surprised the Lakers won this game. I thought the Thunder had it.

It makes tomorrow's game from a "don't care" to a must-watch.

[nuraman00]

Why take that long 3 with 5 seconds left, Durant?

The shot selection has been questionable in these late-game situations.

Remember how I didn't like Durant's shot in game 1 against Dallas this year? I just think with their talent, they can take better ones.

Oh well, these things happen to all teams.

[IowaSacKing93]

Remember how I didn't like Durant's shot in game 1 against Dallas this year? I just think with their talent, they can take better ones.

Oh well, these things happen to all teams.

I think the pressure just got to him. I gave that shot a 5% chance of going in.

They should've saved a timeout for the end though, and taken it after Kobe's last two FT's.

[nuraman00]

I think the pressure just got to him. I gave that shot a 5% chance of going in.

They should've saved a timeout for the end though, and taken it after Kobe's last two FT's.

Make sure I'm not posting in OT threads during tomorrow's game between these teams. Because if I'm posting in those, then I'm not paying as close attention, lol.

[IowaSacKing93]

Westbrooks with a jumper. Good. 2-0

Kobe draws a shooting foul on Sefolosha. 2/2 from the line.

[IowaSacKing93]

Good start from both teams. 14-14, 5:50 to play in the 1st.

[IowaSacKing93]

Westbrook loves that transition jumper, and always from the same spot.

[nuraman00]

Westbrook loves that transition jumper, and always from the same spot.

Did he make it? He's gotten good at it this year.

26-36 early in 2nd.

Time for a lot of beer.

[nuraman00]

35-45, 5:32 left.

[nuraman00]

58-68, midway through 3rd.

[nuraman00]

67-74, late in 3rd.

[nuraman00]

Westbrook is just insane with his pull-ups.

92-96.

[IowaSacKing93]

Kobe with a fade away as the shot clock hits 0. 96-92 LAL

[IowaSacKing93]

Did he make it? He's gotten good at it this year.

26-36 early in 2nd.

Time for a lot of beer.

Made his 1st. Missed his 2nd.

Then I stopped watching 6 minutes into the game and played more The Show.

Now I'm watching the end.

Why a lot of beer? Is it a special occassion?

[nuraman00]

Blake with a great offensive rebound. That's the kind of stuff that wins games.

92-96, Thunder will go to the line.

[IowaSacKing93]

They were talking about Westbrook's jumper yesterday on the ESPN game. The announcer said that 'Brooks cant be happy when Westbrook takes that shot' but Van Gundy answered with 'He's made a good amount of them this year..he should keep taking it'

I'm sick of these teams sucking inside of 3 minutes left. Kobe misses at the hoop trying to draw the foul. Durant draws the foul at the other end.

92-96

[nuraman00]

Kobe with a fade away as the shot clock hits 0. 96-92 LAL

The Lakers are taking a bunch of garbage shots, but Bryant is making them.

[nuraman00]

Made his 1st. Missed his 2nd.

Then I stopped watching 6 minutes into the game and played more The Show.

Now I'm watching the end.

Why a lot of beer? Is it a special occassion?

Playoffs basketball on a weekend. :)

I didn't end up having a lot though. :(

I don't know if I will tomorrow, it depends.

I'm going to finish watch the Italian Open after this. I was watching late in the 2nd set, and FED had finally broken Djokovic. He lost the 1st set easily.

[nuraman00]

They were talking about Westbrook's jumper yesterday on the ESPN game. The announcer said that 'Brooks cant be happy when Westbrook takes that shot' but Van Gundy answered with 'He's made a good amount of them this year..he should keep taking it'

I'm sick of these teams sucking inside of 3 minutes left. Kobe misses at the hoop trying to draw the foul. Durant draws the foul at the other end.

92-96

Yeah, these shots are just terrible.

Run a pick and roll.

Brown's team is looking like those Cleveland teams, but he has good bigs now.

[IowaSacKing93]

World Peace fouls Durant after he grabs the rebound.

[nuraman00]

Seems like this game will come down to rebounding, with all of these missed shots, lol.

[IowaSacKing93]

The Lakers are taking a bunch of garbage shots, but Bryant is making them.

You're right. The last 3-4 possessions...the shots have sucked. Kobe was fouled on one, hit one at the buzzer, and I think they missed on the other 2 possessions. And no extra possession.

Durant misses both FT's.

[IowaSacKing93]

Another crap shot from World Peace. Wow

0.1 on the shot clock.

[nuraman00]

Metta World Airball.

He had a ton of airballs last night too.

What's wrong with him? He's shooting like Andris Biedrins.

[IowaSacKing93]

Durant ties it. Impressive shot.

[IowaSacKing93]

Perkins off the miss! Thunder lead

Kobe missing another shot late in the game.

[nuraman00]

Hey so I went to that store Euromix. But I don't want to post about it right now, I'll do it tomorrow. :)

[IowaSacKing93]

Kobe clutch from the free throw line again.

Tie game. 1:04 to go.

[nuraman00]

98 all.

Even if the Thunder win this game, these last 3 games have been competitive. So game 5 will probably be another close one.

But, even if the Lakers won game 5, I could see game 6 being a Thunder blowout, just because there's bound to be another blowout in this series.

[IowaSacKing93]

Hey so I went to that store Euromix. But I don't want to post about it right now, I'll do it tomorrow. :)

Are you too drunk to post right now? :) LOL Jk.

Cool, I hope you found something you were looking for.

[IowaSacKing93]

Durant should've attacked after the turnover..so OKC could've gotten a 2 for 1.

Doesnt matter, he nails a 3 :)

Too bad I'm downloading Doodle Jump ARGH

[nuraman00]

Durant swishes a shot. I liked it a lot more, because at least he was open.

Bryant is taking contested shots. He's still swishing some of those, but I'll take an open rhythm shot over a contested but make-able shot.

[nuraman00]

Are you too drunk to post right now? :) LOL Jk.

Cool, I hope you found something you were looking for.

No, but you know me, it's not going to be a one-line post. It's going to be a well-thought post.

[nuraman00]

Durant should've attacked after the turnover..so OKC could've gotten a 2 for 1.

Doesnt matter, he nails a 3 :)

Too bad I'm downloading Doodle Jump ARGH

LOL!

[IowaSacKing93]

I would probably have a problem with any other team (besides OKC, and maybe SA) taking pull-up shots so frequently

[IowaSacKing93]

Kobe misses again.

1-8 in the 4th quarter. 'The best closer in the game'.

[IowaSacKing93]

LOL Kobe hits the 2 at the buzzer and there was a little cheer from the crowd?

[PackfanMatt_12]

Thunder will win Game 5 by 7+
KD and Harden will make some more shots. Bynum and Kobe will struggle

Spurs vs. OKC
Spurs take that in 6

[nuraman00]

I wouldn't be surprised if Spurs beat Thunder in 5, but I want to see both series finish first.

Spurs have been too good on the road, to have them dropping two road games. But they're also bound to lose one at home too.

[PackfanMatt_12]

I wouldn't be surprised if Spurs beat Thunder in 5, but I want to see both series finish first.

Spurs have been too good on the road, to have them dropping two road games. But they're also bound to lose one at home too.

I think ti will be relatively close. ut Spurs are just to sound of a team with their maturity, game plan and how they play as a team. Meanwhile OKC still has their weaknesses and will have to grow

[IowaSacKing93]

"The only team that can beat this [SA] team is a team with two superstars playing better than Parker and Duncan, and that has a better system. That team is not around" - Shaq

[PackfanMatt_12]

"The only team that can beat this [SA] team is a team with two superstars playing better than Parker and Duncan, and that has a better system. That team is not around" - Shaq

yup was about to post that as well haha

[IowaSacKing93]

This is like the 3rd game in a row that Barkley has called Kawhi Leonard 'Kwame' or 'Kwamey'

[IowaSacKing93]

"You know you gave us 'Kwame' again" - Ernie

"That boy can play though..Y Leonard" - Charles

[PackfanMatt_12]

Russell Westbrook had a paintball game before the PC

[IowaSacKing93]

I'm somewhat convinced that Shaq, Ernie, Kenny, and Charles get together before the shows and smoke a fat bowl lol.

[IowaSacKing93]

Keep me posted on the Italian Open nuraman00

[IowaSacKing93]

OR Not

crapstrorm

[nuraman00]

Keep me posted on the Italian Open nuraman00

hey

[nuraman00]

I'm somewhat convinced that Shaq, Ernie, Kenny, and Charles get together before the shows and smoke a fat bowl lol.

Yeah, I was watching the post game show.

For the most part, I don't like the Shaq's fit. Sometimes he says some good things, but he just isn't an eloquent speaker. His delivery is just terrible, and it sounds like he's mumbling.

[nuraman00]

OR Not

crapstrorm

Starting another thread about it. Then, I'm bumping another thread. :) You'll see.

[nuraman00]

OR Not

crapstrorm


Make sure you catch up on this thread (go to page 1):

http://kingsforum.net/live/showthread.php?542-Kentucky-Derby-Predictions-Thread/page2

[PackfanMatt_12]

he isn't terrible. He is turrible (Charles Barkley voice)

[nuraman00]

he isn't terrible. He is turrible (Charles Barkley voice)

I think Webber is a little better in studio.

Even Payton. Payton has a dry style, but he's easier to understand than Shaq IMO.

[IowaSacKing93]

Yeah, I was watching the post game show.

For the most part, I don't like the Shaq's fit. Sometimes he says some good things, but he just isn't an eloquent speaker. His delivery is just terrible, and it sounds like he's mumbling.

i know what you mean. charles will be be in the middle of explaining and shaq will cut him off and just say something abrupt 'cut it out chuck cut it out' or something. And he's serious too

[nuraman00]

Westbrook with one of those impossible fastbreak runners, after getting a steal!

[bloatedmaniac]

Thunder got the flow of energy back.

[nuraman00]

bloatedmaniac (http://kingsforum.net/live/member.php?16-bloatedmaniac)'s first game in over a week. :)

[bloatedmaniac]

Yeah I've only been able to catch the end of games lately :(

[bloatedmaniac]

Westbrook coming up big. 14-6 run for Thunder after the Kobe 3.

[nuraman00]

Yeah I've only been able to catch the end of games lately :(

I'm using the DVR more for the early start games. Such as the Boston-Philly one, since it was a 2-2 series, so I wanted to watch as much of game 5 as possible. It was a good game, Philly lead for most of the first 3 quarters. Also got to see Brand have a throwback game, 19 points. Boston ran away with it from near the end of the 3rd, until the end.

[nuraman00]

Westbrook coming up big. 14-6 run for Thunder after the Kobe 3.

Watching any of these playoffs teams has made me realize how untalented the Kings are. And how much they lack in coaching.

Jazz, Philly >> Kings.

[bloatedmaniac]

Collison gets the ball down low but never gets a handle of it. Kobe tries to hero ball it to end the 3rd but does not make it happen. Gasol's basket being reviewed, but looks like it won't count.

[bloatedmaniac]

Watching any of these playoffs teams has made me realize how untalented the Kings are. And how much they lack in coaching.

Jazz, Philly >> Kings.

The Kings seem to lack in every area. Ball movement isn't consistant. Energy isn't consistant. Rebounding isn't consistant. Shooting isn't consistant. No player on the team is consistant. Smart has dopey moments. The only consistancy is the fact that the team has zero defense.

Some of the problems have to be fixed internally, but they seriously need a balanced roster. Too many similiar players with the same liabilities. That doesn't mix.

[bloatedmaniac]

Timeout within a minute into the 4th. Lakers had nothing.

[nuraman00]

Wow, this turned into a blowout fast. I wasn't expecting that.

[bloatedmaniac]

The Lakers have gone into full "HerpesSimplex""HerpesSimplex""HerpesSimplex""HerpesSimplex""HerpesSimplex" Moore Meltdown mode.

[bloatedmaniac]

16 point game. Lakers take their second timeout within 4 minutes of the 4th.

[nuraman00]

I do like how the Lakers are talking to each other, during these timeouts, about what adjustments to do.

It's better than seeing yelling or finger pointing or angry looks, by a team.

[nuraman00]

Overall, I while I don't think Brown is a great coach, he's not why the Lakers are losing. The Lakers are beatable now, if you play very carefully and can play your game.

[bloatedmaniac]

I do like how the Lakers are talking to each other, during these timeouts, about what adjustments to do.

It's better than seeing yelling or finger pointing or angry looks, by a team.

or looking oblivious as to whats going on *cough Evans cough*

[nuraman00]

or looking oblivious as to whats going on *cough Evans cough*

:(

Evans' thoughts: Why are we losing? Durrr, I don't know.

[bloatedmaniac]

Overall, I while I don't think Brown is a great coach, he's not why the Lakers are losing. The Lakers are beatable now, if you play very carefully and can play your game.

Yep they showed last year that they really lack a mental toughness. Kobe is Kobe. He just lacks the strong secondary help that he had in the past. Paul is way too soft and inconsistant. Bynum shows up once a series. Metta is too inconsistant and full of himself. Sessions was a nice pickup but he is hardly involved so far in the playoffs since Kobe dominates the ball. Their bench is pretty much useless. Very weak team that has a legend keeping them around.

[bloatedmaniac]

:(

Evans' thoughts: Why are we losing? Durrr, I don't know.

Evans: How many points do I have?

Smart: 16 on 5 for 17 shooting and our team is down by 14 right now.

Evans. Alright, I had a good night. Whats for dinner?

[nuraman00]

Yep they showed last year that they really lack a mental toughness. Kobe is Kobe. He just lacks the strong secondary help that he had in the past. Paul is way too soft and inconsistant. Bynum shows up once a series. Metta is too inconsistant and full of himself. Sessions was a nice pickup but he is hardly involved so far in the playoffs since Kobe dominates the ball. Their bench is pretty much useless. Very weak team that has a legend keeping them around.

I think Gasol is just older now, and inconsistent. I don't think he's soft, but still a solid team defender overall, just a step slow and can't bang as hard as he used to.

[bloatedmaniac]

Westbrook put the dagger even further into the Lakers. Now the Spurs - Thunder will be quite an interesting series.

[nuraman00]

Evans: How many points do I have?

Smart: 16 on 5 for 17 shooting and our team is down by 14 right now.

Evans. Alright, I had a good night. Whats for dinner?

Lol. Evans does care about winning, he just seems to lack knowledge of how to fix the losing. Remember, he shared All-Star honors with DeJuan Blair, voluntarily, at the rookie-sophomore game. So he does have some sense of a team concept.

I'm hoping a different coach, like Stan Van Gundy, can get through to him.

I think he needs a coach that can spell out every step of the way.

[nuraman00]

Westbrook put the dagger even further into the Lakers. Now the Spurs - Thunder will be quite an interesting series.

Interesting, yes. But I'm not too sure it will be a long series. I could see the Spurs winning that one in 5 or something. Should be a lot of close games though, like some of the other shorter series, such as this one or Dallas-OKC.

[Sir Harry]

winner of that will be Champs

[nuraman00]

winner of that will be Champs

I think SA beats Miami, with or without a healthy Bosh.

But Miami vs. OKC, that's a tossup to me if Bosh is healthy.

SA or OKC should be able to beat Indy or Boston too.

[Sir Harry]

I'll say it again....Sessions isn't even a starter on a bad team
won't be a Laker for long

[nuraman00]

With respect to Pau, it's not like Elton Brand is tearing it up at the same age. Most post players, when they reach his age, are long diminished. Jermaine O' Neal was another one that was done well before 31.

Pau has lasted a bit longer, to his credit.

[bloatedmaniac]

I'll say it again....Sessions isn't even a starter on a bad team
won't be a Laker for long

After the playoff run, Sessions value $$$ wise has dropped. I do like him, and think he is a solid point guard compliment. His performance during the playoffs has a lot to do with Kobe playing hero ball like Allen Iversion with way too many force field goal attempts.

[nuraman00]

After the playoff run, Sessions value $$$ wise has dropped. I do like him, and think he is a solid point guard compliment. His performance during the playoffs has a lot to do with Kobe playing hero ball like Allen Iversion with way too many force field goal attempts.

I'd still like to see what Sessions does with a full year of starting, agree.

[bloatedmaniac]

With respect to Pau, it's not like Elton Brand is tearing it up at the same age. Most post players, when they reach his age, are long diminished. Jermaine O' Neal was another one that was done well before 31.

Pau has lasted a bit longer, to his credit.

Big difference is that both players mentioned dealt with serious injuries that had serious effect on their game since their prime. Pau's problem has carried with him during his Memphis days. Top 10 talent, but lacks the drive to be a number 1 caliber player. Thats why he gets knocked on so much. He still is a major asset to have if he is your 2-3 best. Bynum is the one that deserves the most criticism though imo.

[bloatedmaniac]

I think SA beats Miami, with or without a healthy Bosh.

But Miami vs. OKC, that's a tossup to me if Bosh is healthy.

SA or OKC should be able to beat Indy or Boston too.

Agree. Spurs are just playing way too good. They have a great balance and big game players who know how to play a team game. The Thunder are young, lots of energy and skill but they play very uneven. They tend to force a lot of shots. The Spurs can force them to take a lot of low percentage shots with their defense and make them pay for it on the other end.

Miami has a chance against the Spurs based on pure talent, but they don't have a great team. Boston/Philly/Indy would be outmatched by the Spurs easy.

[nuraman00]

Big difference is that both players mentioned dealt with serious injuries that had serious effect on their game since their prime. Pau's problem has carried with him during his Memphis days. Top 10 talent, but lacks the drive to be a number 1 caliber player.

I think he's just had to sacrifice a lot, to play with Bryant.

He put up 20 every year for Memphis, with good shooting percentages, 3-4 assists, and 2 blocks. He was a better player than someone like Stoudemire or Bosh.

As for Bynum, not only is he mentally flaky (I think he puts in less effort on defense than Gasol), but I just don't like his offense. He's still a little clunky, I don't think he can keep playing like this.

Even someone like Dwight Howard, who has less moves than Bynum, still looks more natural, IMO.

[nuraman00]

Westbrook vs. Parker is going to be fun.

[bloatedmaniac]

I think he's just had to sacrifice a lot, to play with Bryant.

He put up 20 every year for Memphis, with good shooting percentages, 3-4 assists, and 2 blocks. He was a better player than someone like Stoudemire or Bosh.

As for Bynum, not only is he mentally flaky (I think he puts in less effort on defense than Gasol), but I just don't like his offense. He's still a little clunky, I don't think he can keep playing like this.

Even someone like Dwight Howard, who has less moves than Bynum, still looks more natural, IMO.

Bynum has all the makings of a guy who thinks he is already good enough. He'll get his money, he has his title, he just doesn't put that extra intensity or committment. He talks so much crap, but he doesn't back up his words. That makes him so frustrating. He can be one of the best natural centers, but he doesn't want to.

[nuraman00]

Bynum has all the makings of a guy who thinks he is already good enough. He'll get his money, he has his title, he just doesn't put that extra intensity or committment. He talks so much crap, but he doesn't back up his words. That makes him so frustrating. He can be one of the best natural centers, but he doesn't want to.

I agree.

I normally think players do try and put in that extra effort (even if it doesn't show in the results), but he's one exception.

[Sir Harry]

I would put Bynum under the "something ain't quite right with that dude" category..
not a fixable situation

Cousins is already way ahead of Bynum mentally

[Eze]

Ego's bigger then his game, which says something. lol

[Sir Harry]

you give him too much credit IMO....I think he's just not very bright