Basketball Thread!

[SamLoi888]

Who plays? Who's a fan? Who followed the recent World Championships in Turkey and the Czech Republic?

Melbourne v Sydney in the first match of the season this Friday night on free-to-air.

[jazzcomp]

Fan and player (i.e.,the neighbourhood type comp only).

And tried to follow the WC but it wasn't shown on One HD :(

I'll watch that on friday.

[jazzcomp]

I put on this on i need to vent but I'll add it here.

Refereeing sucks in NSW basketball. A NSW BBall rep comes to the games and explains that 3 secs is something they shouldn't actually call. So no use complaining about it. He says that a guy camping out in the lane is of no consequence. No consequence(my a$$), then all the center and tall forwards have to do is position themselves for offensive rebounds and put backs. Grrr....

I've been playing since I was a kid and this is no way to call a game. It's lousy enough that they don't have shotclocks and you can keep the ball on your side of the court for more than a minute (no time limit actually). So if I have a 1 pt or minimum lead in the last few minutes, all you have to do is pass the ball around until time runs out and you win. Crap :(

I'm pretty sure this isn't how you run a comp even for female basketball. Why do it for adult comps where you pay to play?

[SamLoi888]

I put on this on i need to vent but I'll add it here.

Refereeing sucks in NSW basketball. A NSW BBall rep comes to the games and explains that 3 secs is something they shouldn't actually call. So no use complaining about it. He says that a guy camping out in the lane is of no consequence. No consequence(my a$$), then all the center and tall forwards have to do is position themselves for offensive rebounds and put backs. Grrr....

I've been playing since I was a kid and this is no way to call a game. It's lousy enough that they don't have shotclocks and you can keep the ball on your side of the court for more than a minute (no time limit actually). So if I have a 1 pt or minimum lead in the last few minutes, all you have to do is pass the ball around until time runs out and you win. Crap :(

I'm pretty sure this isn't how you run a comp even for female basketball. Why do it for adult comps where you pay to play?

Great points. I've heard of refs justifying not calling 3 seconds with that but in my opinion it is bullshit and the FIBA rules haven't changed to allow it so it should be called everytime even if a player has one toe in.

In domestic comps with no shotclocks I've seen alot of time wasting to run down the clock and win the game. Especially in finals. It isn't really fair but there's not a lot that can be done about it unless there's a paid, official timekeeper on the bench and your association introduces the shotclock as a rule.

[jazzcomp]

Great points. I've heard of refs justifying not calling 3 seconds with that but in my opinion it is bullshit and the FIBA rules haven't changed to allow it so it should be called everytime even if a player has one toe in.

In domestic comps with no shotclocks I've seen alot of time wasting to run down the clock and win the game. Especially in finals. It isn't really fair but there's not a lot that can be done about it unless there's a paid, official timekeeper on the bench and your association introduces the shotclock as a rule.
I actually heard that you can't escape 3 sec rule by going out of bounds on the baseline. :)

In my comp, there's table officials from the players and 2 paid refs. You do incur penalties if there's no rep at the table.

The refs are saying 2 isn't enough. I think I play with just 2 refs overseas. There's even a new rule that 3 reps doing duty should be available in case another ref is needed. So just use the 3rd rep to referee (you don't pay them anyway).

I wonder why there's no one trying to improve on these rules. Maybe in the post season (after first round), the shot clock should be added. Those are knockout games.

By the way, I play in the lower division since I have injuries in the past. I play in social basketball for fun. I play at leagues for the competition.

I also hate that they call intentional fouls at end of games when you are just trying to stop the clock in a close match and get the opponent to the free throw line (hoping they'd miss) and get a chance to get another shot. That's 2 free throws plus ball possession. :(

Intentional foul should have the intention of hurting the player. Remember hack a shaq? All you have to do is touch his shirt or hold him and he doesn't even have the ball.

[gekisou]

I used to watch a lot of NBA til about the time Jordan retired. Played a bit too and then recently again though an injury has made that impossible.
Watched the last season of NBA and was disappointed when the Lakers won (go Suns!).
Workin' for PRIME TV who support the Canberra Capitals (local Women's team) so I will be watching more of their games when they play at home cos the Womens' Basketball season has started up again.

[SamLoi888]

I wonder why there's no one trying to improve on these rules. Maybe in the post season (after first round), the shot clock should be added. Those are knockout games.



I also hate that they call intentional fouls at end of games when you are just trying to stop the clock in a close match and get the opponent to the free throw line (hoping they'd miss) and get a chance to get another shot. That's 2 free throws plus ball possession. :(

Intentional foul should have the intention of hurting the player. Remember hack a shaq? All you have to do is touch his shirt or hold him and he doesn't even have the ball.

If you've got a separate, impartial table official then the shotclock could be used but where they are team supplied officials the potential for cheating is too high.

I disagree on the intentional fouls. If it's not accidental it is intentional and should be thus penalised. It's poor form to give away a foul to run down or stop the clock and not in the spirit of the game.

[SamLoi888]

And tried to follow the WC but it wasn't shown on One HD

That was a ridiculous decision not to show it on free to air. These are our national teams playing at the highest level and doing relatively well. Everybody should have access to it especially seeing as basketball is the number one sport in Australia in terms of participation.

[i_amtrunks]

Local area comps are usually lucky to have 2-3 refs with more than the most basic ref training. Amateur comps = amateur refs.

I've played in three local area comps in Sydney and the standard of reffing is pretty low across all three, but since they are doing it for very little money you cannot complain, at least they turn up week in and week out (unlike soccer/league refs!)

Worst comp I have ever been in was a trial summer comp (8 weeks and finals) at Castle Hill where each team had to provide a ref to the game before or after your own, some teams made really dodgy to ensure that other teams didnt make the finals. My team ended up losing the final (thankfully reffed by proper officials) but it was the worst comp I played in for all the cheating and carrying on that occurred.

[jazzcomp]

If you've got a separate, impartial table official then the shotclock could be used but where they are team supplied officials the potential for cheating is too high.

I disagree on the intentional fouls. If it's not accidental it is intentional and should be thus penalised. It's poor form to give away a foul to run down or stop the clock and not in the spirit of the game.
everyone complains on the fouls/points to correct the table officials anyway.

the penalty is two free throws plus ball possession. I'd rather see it as unsportsmanlike foul or a flagrant foul.

I've got 3 guys running on a fast break, and the guy with the ball is fouled from behind to prevent a fast break. That's a clear path foul. 2 free throws plus ball possession or advantage foul = 2 free throws. (never got called right)

Then a ref will call with seconds left in the game with 1 pt difference that intentional foul for a guy trying to reach the ball from behind. Is that really intentional? He wants to foul to stop the clock but he was reaching for the ball.

That kind of intentional foul is never called where I played overseas. An intentional foul = to an unsportsmanlike and almost never called in a close game unless it was really a vicious foul.

I'm not sure which spirit you are talking about. But the team from behind only wants to foul you to stop the clock and make you shoot free throws. That's it. To give them a chance for a shot to win.

Plus you only have 2 timeouts a half or a whole game (in some comps) anyway. No inbounding in half-court, etc.

[jazzcomp]

I used to watch a lot of NBA til about the time Jordan retired. Played a bit too and then recently again though an injury has made that impossible.
Watched the last season of NBA and was disappointed when the Lakers won (go Suns!).
Workin' for PRIME TV who support the Canberra Capitals (local Women's team) so I will be watching more of their games when they play at home cos the Womens' Basketball season has started up again.
Laker fan here. Suns are fun to watch but probably couldn't beat the celts.
Love Nash and Hill.

[SamLoi888]

I'd rather see it as unsportsmanlike foul

There is no such thing as an unsportsmanlike foul anymore. It has been taken out of the rulebook. Any unsportsmanlike foul is called as an intentional foul.


I'm not sure which spirit you are talking about. But the team from behind only wants to foul you to stop the clock and make you shoot free throws. That's it. To give them a chance for a shot to win.

Basketball is a NON-CONTACT sport. 'Wanting' to foul under any circumstances is not in the spirit of the game. It's a poor strategy to foul to stop a fast break.

[jazzcomp]

There is no such thing as an unsportsmanlike foul anymore. It has been taken out of the rulebook. Any unsportsmanlike foul is called as an intentional foul.

Basketball is a NON-CONTACT sport. 'Wanting' to foul under any circumstances is not in the spirit of the game. It's a poor strategy to foul to stop a fast break.
It's still being called now (unsportsmanlike).

When I play against a bigger guy and more skilled player, the only recourse is to foul with no help defense. That's why you have penalties for having too many fouls. I guess it's a cultural difference.

Poor strategy worked when the pistons beat LA. :) Shaq was so dominant that Hack a Shaq defense was created and employed by many teams.

I would never call basketball a non-contact sport. Even netball has that :)

[SamLoi888]

Basketball is officially a non-contact sport and if you're playing in a comp that still has unsportsmanlike fouls then the association and the referees need to go back and read the rulebook.

[i_amtrunks]

Basketball is officially a non-contact sport and if you're playing in a comp that still has unsportsmanlike fouls then the association and the referees need to go back and read the rulebook.

Unsportsman and professional mean the same, who really cares what name they use, it is the same thing, and results in the same penalty.

There is nothing wrong with an intentional foul to waste time/ win a game, as long as that intentional foul is not dangerous (hand contact on arm, rather than a head shot).

Netball, hockey and soccer are also non contact sports, but anyone who has played them knows that they are full contact, just that the intention of any contact is meant to be the ball, rather than the player (ala the football codes).

[jazzcomp]

http://basketball.net.au/index.php?id=359

2010 rules still have unsportsmanlike fouls

I guess officially and reality differ in calling basketball a non-contact sport. :D

[SamLoi888]

http://basketball.net.au/index.php?id=359

2010 rules still have unsportsmanlike fouls

I guess officially and reality differ in calling basketball a non-contact sport. :D

My apologies. I had it backwards. There is no such thing as an intentional foul anymore. Referees have been instructed to deem all intentional fouls as unsportsmanlike.


If a defensive player causes contact with an opponent from behind or laterally
in an attempt to stop a fast break and there is no opponent between the
offensive player and the opponents’ basket, it is an unsportsmanlike foul.

[jazzcomp]

What do you think about those power ERG wristbands? Do they work?
Where to buy decent knee supports?

[i_amtrunks]

What do you think about those power ERG wristbands? Do they work?

I think they may be a mental thing, if they truly worked eve a fraction as well as they say they should, every athlete would wear them / they would be banned in any formal competition.

Cant wait for the Rockets vs. Nets game in China tonight, Yao is finally getting some game time.

[jazzcomp]

they are expensive ($55 rebel sport) and I did see NBA players wear them during the post-season.

[SamLoi888]

they are expensive ($55 rebel sport) and I did see NBA players wear them during the post-season.

I asked a guy wearing two at b'ball the other night. He said the first night he put them on he banked 8 out of 9 threes. I think it's mainly a placebo effect but if it works it works. Just expensive for a placebo.

[i_amtrunks]

they are expensive ($55 rebel sport) and I did see NBA players wear them during the post-season.

And I've seen an ever increasing number of amateurs at soccer, touch footy, and even Broomball wearing them ever since Benji Marshall and his Tigers (NRL) teammates started wearing them.

An expensive placebo they may be, but whoever marketed them to the NRL, AFL and NBA stars sure knew what they were doing.

[blackie]

buy the cheap ones theyll do the same thing ;)

[Sharky]

Where to buy decent knee supports?

talk to your local sports physiotherapist about that one, they should be able to get anything that is needed, be warned tho good knee support is very expensive

they ones you get at chemists or sports stores (Thermaskin etc) are very generic but then again, that is maybe all you need...

either that or some good old fashioned strapping tape

[jazzcomp]

buy the cheap ones theyll do the same thing ;)
Where? :)


talk to your local sports physiotherapist about that one, they should be able to get anything that is needed, be warned tho good knee support is very expensive

they ones you get at chemists or sports stores (Thermaskin etc) are very generic but then again, that is maybe all you need...

either that or some good old fashioned strapping tape
I've been wearing the ones from rebel sport Mc(xxx) with metal hinges and the ones without but have metal stabilizers. After a few months, the springs are going to make holes on the material and start to fall off :(

All the straps are wreaking havoc on my shorts :) one brand of ankle supports have the straps damaging the inner lining of my kobe Vs :(

I see a lot of brands in US websites but none locally. Even the more expensive here just about looks the same with the same quality.

[blackie]

ebay mate
theyre like $5 apparenrly

[jazzcomp]

And I've seen an ever increasing number of amateurs at soccer, touch footy, and even Broomball wearing them ever since Benji Marshall and his Tigers (NRL) teammates started wearing them.

An expensive placebo they may be, but whoever marketed them to the NRL, AFL and NBA stars sure knew what they were doing.

Even those metal wristlets/bracelets that are marketed on TV that are supposed to take some pain away. Do they work?

I also have a pain in my elbow that it hurts when I fully bend it or extend it. Must be similar to Lebron's injury :D

[SamLoi888]

ebay mate
theyre like $5 apparenrly

Looks like most of them are about 10-20 +shipping. I'm buying one now. Will let you know how it goes.

[jazzcomp]

Thanks. The KO pics sure look like it's not going to have any effect.

What happened after your buddy's first game? On his succeeding games?

I've got a game tonight. hOpe we win and I have a better offensive output. Haven't had a chance to shoot the last two games I played.

[SamLoi888]

What happened after your buddy's first game? On his succeeding games?



Ah he wasn't my buddy. Just a random. There's ten courts at our stadium and a different association/competition every night of the week and both days on the weekends with all courts full so there's thousands of folk there through the week and I can't even remember who he was. He actually did say himself that he thought it was in the mind but it still worked for him so he was sticking with it.
Good luck tonight. If your offense is suffering focus on a tough defense. In the end it's just as, if not more, important.

[jazzcomp]

Thanks! We won coz they only had 5 guys & 1 got a sprain late in the game. 0/4 but all my shots just rolled in & out. Played decent defense, a few rebounds and assists. 0 turnovers. Not bad just didn't score.

Next week is the real test. Our opponent next week just scored 60 pts tonight in their game.

[jazzcomp]

Garnett (Green/Black Away) and Kobe Jerseys (Purple Away) are available at Adidas outlet for $60.

[i_amtrunks]

Garnett (Green/Black Away) and Kobe Jerseys (Purple Away) are available at Adidas outlet for $60.

The one at Auburn? Thats a good price, even with the $AU near parity, with shipping jerseys are barely cheaper to ship here from the NBA store than buying them straight from Rebel and other retailers.

[jazzcomp]

The one at Auburn? Thats a good price, even with the $AU near parity, with shipping jerseys are barely cheaper to ship here from the NBA store than buying them straight from Rebel and other retailers.
yes, saw them last weekend. All sizes available I think (there were a lot).

[jazzcomp]

Do you think there's a way to weed out troublemakers on the court? :D

[i_amtrunks]

Do you think there's a way to weed out troublemakers on the court? :D

Shotgun to the kneecaps/head?

I wonder how the Miami jersey sales are going this season, say in comparison to the year they won the championship (2006)?

[jazzcomp]

I am just at awe at how right referees think they are. I don't know how long they have been at it, but I've been playing so long that I know I'm right as far as rules go. :)

But some of the amateur ones I didn't know till it happened in a game because I always watch pro leagues. Like the airball shot, it is legal to catch your airball if it was a considered a shot and not a pass to yourself. In the pros, that's a violation.

OT: sorry loss for Aus at netball. They had their opportunities and didn't take it. Double overtime. What a rule, first to win by two goals - table tennis, tennis, volleyball?

[jazzcomp]

Shotgun to the kneecaps/head?

:D I just remembered a good block that was called a foul and he reacted with a little frustration (they were losing/behind), all the members of the other team chest bump him like they wanted a fight including a spectator.

He was the one reprimanded when all the other aholes were trying to start something :confused:

He was a ref as well (you'd think the refs would side with him) hahaha

[Sharky]

*SNIP*

OT: sorry loss for Aus at netball. They had their opportunities and didn't take it. Double overtime. What a rule, first to win by two goals - table tennis, tennis, volleyball?

yeah they had the chance to win the game early in the sudden death O/T the aus shhooter rushed her shot
missed then the kiwis hit back intercepted and took the lead.. a costly miss...

a good effort tho

and the comm games in general i dont htink they should let anyone on the plane home that didnt get a medal... 170 odd medals....... its almost discracful....

[SamLoi888]

OT: sorry loss for Aus at netball. They had their opportunities and didn't take it. Double overtime. What a rule, first to win by two goals - table tennis, tennis, volleyball?

With Oz dominance in the games overall so complete I was happy to see NZ win Gold. Also a loss can be good for character building and increase hunger and determination to better yourself so there's positives to be taken from it.



I am just at awe at how right referees think they are.

Referees are always right...even when they're wrong. ;)

[jazzcomp]

a good effort tho



With Oz dominance in the games overall so complete I was happy to see NZ win Gold. Also a loss can be good for character building and increase hunger and determination to better yourself so there's positives to be taken from it.

Exciting game :) They've already lost 2 straight commonwealth games. That NZL girl was really great. Those were long shots that she was taking and making. I don't think she missed one at the end. :cool:



Referees are always right...even when they're wrong. ;)
Is that like women? hahaha

How come presidents/premiers aren't in that same boat? Maybe because of the news/reporters. :)

Maybe because we don't vote for them. Back home if we complain to the committee, they could replace the refs for being lousy :D

[i_amtrunks]

NBL is back tonight, be interesting to see the crowds through the season, with free to air coverage (digital tv at least) and maybe some space in the papers, the NBL might just survive another few years...

[gekisou]

Watched my first live game of the WBL. Canberra Capitals vs Sydney Flames. Canberra won (yeah!) even though they were down by the end of the first half. Looking forward to watching more live games but I have to admit, I am shocked with some of the contacts they get away with. And then when nothing happens, they get called for it. The refs need their eyes re-examined.

[jazzcomp]

Sydney won over Melbourne :)

[SamLoi888]

Sydney won over Melbourne :)

I only caught the last quarter and a half. Melbourne looked like crap. Missing 3's from everywhere and weak defence. I've seen better domestic teams.

[jazzcomp]

they showed game 6 Miami Dallas finals game on one HD. Looks like they're looking at miami in the finals again.

[jazzcomp]

What happened to NBL on sunday? I was out and wasn't able to see it.

[jazzcomp]

Jordan Hallowed Ground White/Blk/red $45 - size 12 (Call first and verify if there are any left)

[jazzcomp]

Lost game with 10 pt margin to an undefeated team. They're all physical and quick with a big center who knows how to play down low.

1/3 from 3pt land. I got to improve this percentage but I need more shots.

I don't get this strategy of trying to get fouls on the inside when you can't make free throws hahaha

[jazzcomp]

8-2 (W-L) - 3rd in the comp.

[blackie]

ffs
sick of waiting for new season to start

[jazzcomp]

boston vs miami and lakers vs rockets. Should've been Oklahoma :)

[jazzcomp]

1 pt win for Wollonggong :) exciting but shouldn't have one. It wasn't a miraculous comeback but folly of the Townsville to keep the lead.

[gekisou]

Logans beat the Capitals by 1. Capitals almost made a comeback.
So excited! I'm filming vision of the Captials vs Adelaide game this upcoming Friday for work. Something different.

[SamLoi888]

I went to the Melbourne v Perth game last night. Gold seating so wasn't worth it with the Tigers going down by 25 points. A massive lack of offensive options, poor shooting and passing and the uselessness of the talls all made for a very one sided game.

[jazzcomp]

NBA opening night :D

[gekisou]

Is it on ONE HD?

[jazzcomp]

yes. Boston ahead by 15 vs Miami - half time

[jazzcomp]

Miami lost to Boston. My team won but again I was 0/2. played around 15-18 minutes with just 2 shots and I felt disgusted so I left & played again diff league same night, scored 9 pts. Felt better.

[jazzcomp]

WTF? :) Lost by 20 or more points and you still have the arrogance to brag making a layup and what not.

Brag when you win or when your ahead. When you're behind by so much, running your mouth isn't really appropriate. Is it?

[SamLoi888]

WTF? :) Lost by 20 or more points and you still have the arrogance to brag making a layup and what not.

Brag when you win or when your ahead. When you're behind by so much, running your mouth isn't really appropriate. Is it?

Who did what now?

[jazzcomp]

Who did what now?
This was during my team's game last night. I think my teammate was heckling the opponent for a turnover or missing the ring completely. I may agree that my teammate was an ass for doing that as well.

They were behind by so much (like last 3 or 4 minutes) but he was so arrogant like making a layup was something to brag about. Even if he blocked someone on my team with so much ummph :D, it still wouldn't matter.

Why do you want to talk smack? It's not like if we reset the game and face each other again, that their team would win (given the same players - no recruiting new players).

[i_amtrunks]

Miami lose to Boston, Boston lose to Cleveland... :D

Chicago off to a losing start... and my team is 0-2, poor Rockets, at least they were close...

[jazzcomp]

Miami lose to Boston, Boston lose to Cleveland... :D

Chicago off to a losing start... and my team is 0-2, poor Rockets, at least they were close...
It's a loong season, 80 more games. The rockets are looking good.

[jazzcomp]

triple double for kobe wooot...

[jazzcomp]

Nice games by Utah Jazz. Beating Heat and Magic back to back :)

[Vector Prime]

I didn't even know this thread existed! :eek:

Time to dig it back up again guys... NBA's getting pretty interesting (trade deadline, win streaks, losing streaks, injuries)

Thoughts on the upcoming Carmelo trade?

Heat (LeBron) fans/haters?

[blackie]

def heat hater
lakers ftw

[Vector Prime]

def heat hater
lakers ftw

See you in June at the NBA Finals and we shall see! :D

[i_amtrunks]

Not a Miami hater, but still not sold on their trade deal for this year. Doubt they will get past Boston in the East.

Lakers will probably make it through for the West, they are not the best team in the West at the moment, but they always lift in the finals.

[Vector Prime]

Not a Miami hater, but still not sold on their trade deal for this year. Doubt they will get past Boston in the East.

So little faith? :p

Yeah they've already dropped two to the Celts this year, but that was earlier on before LBJ/D-Wade/Bosh started clicking on offense.

I still don't think the three of them are still working perfectly together yet.

The problem I don't think is with them, it's with their coaching.

They should replace Spoelstra with Riley and I reckon they'll be unstoppable then since he'll know how to extract the best out of them.


Lakers will probably make it through for the West, they are not the best team in the West at the moment, but they always lift in the finals.

Agreed.

My money's on a Spurs/Lakers Western Conference Final showdown, with the Lakers taking it in 7 with Kobe hitting a last second shot. :D

[i_amtrunks]

Dont count out Utah or the Mavs in the west. Thunder are playing great, but lack of finals experience will hurt them.

The East is a two horse race, I really like the Bulls, but I cant see them or Orlando threatening Boston or Cleveland, and Atlanta are too injury depleted.

[Vector Prime]

Dont count out Utah or the Mavs in the west. Thunder are playing great, but lack of finals experience will hurt them.

I think Utah and Dallas are great teams, but depending on who they draw in the first round will determine if they advance further.

OKC have been playing great - Durant's having another great year, but the key to it all this year is Westbrook and whether he can continue his stellar in the playoffs.


The East is a two horse race, I really like the Bulls, but I cant see them or Orlando threatening Boston or Cleveland, and Atlanta are too injury depleted.

The only threat Cleveland's going to have is whether they finish with the worst or 2nd worst record. :D

I know you mean the Heat mate... as long as they can stay healthy, they'll be there come June - just look at the past few games... LBJ injures his ankle and they drop 3 games in a row :eek:

[jazzcomp]

Big trades - Melo to Knicks, D-Will to Nets.

The east is getting stronger!

[Vector Prime]

Big trades - Melo to Knicks, D-Will to Nets.

The east is getting stronger!

I think the Nets will improve, but I don't know about the Knicks though - their 'success' so far this season has not been because of Amare, more rather due to the play of Raymond Felton, who they now traded away :confused:

[i_amtrunks]

East only gets stronger by taking West players... :D

A mate of mine is in NY, and has tickets to the game next week, lucky bugger, he doesn't even like the Knicks, but loves Melo.

[blackie]

pfft
knicks traded off height to get melo, who wont do *that* well in the end.
loss for both denver and knicks
knicks should have worked on getting derron williams, a good PG and PF/C combo is what made the suns a great team for so many years, and of course propper bench players, which is why miami wont make the finals :rolleyes:

[i_amtrunks]

pfft
knicks traded off height to get melo, who wont do *that* well in the end.
loss for both denver and knicks
knicks should have worked on getting derron williams, a good PG and PF/C combo is what made the suns a great team for so many years, and of course propper bench players, which is why miami wont make the finals :rolleyes:

Bang on.
I think the Celtics and Lakers in the past 5 years have shown that not only do you need to have a healthy roster in the finals to make it, but you have to have 3-5 bench players who can step up and score 20 points and make 10 rebounds if a starter has a slow day.

Knicks are lacking in the post now, much like my team the Rockets who are a very small team, but to try and cover they play a way NY won't be able to, a fast running game (which has been hampered by even more injuries to Brooks and Lowry).

NY should make semis if they remain injury free, but I cant see them beating the Bulls, Heat or Celtics deeper into the finals, and they'll likely have to fight hard to beat the Magic or Hawks as well.

[blackie]

hawks made a good trade getting rid of bibby for henrick, will help them play a faster game, and gives them more transition options, where bibby lacked (even though ive always been a fan of bibby)

im still undecided about the lakers this year (even though theyre the team i support)
im expecting a spurs-thunder conference champ series atm

one more bit of interesting news was the rumours going around that portland were looking for a backup point guard, what happened to mills?? he was playing quite well i thought....

[dirge]

So did anyone expect Utah to trade Deron? The first _he_ heard of it was on TV in the locker room!

[blackie]

saw it coming
just not to the nets
good deal for the nets :P

[Vector Prime]

saw it coming
just not to the nets
good deal for the nets :P

+1 totally agree with all the above

[blackie]

green and kristic to boston for robbinson and perkins
cant say i saw that one coming.....

[jazzcomp]

4 straight losses for the Cry-ami and LA with a winning streak.

[Vector Prime]

5 straight losses now.... Miami, you suck! :mad:

Time to replace Spoelstra with Riley as head coach IMO.

[blackie]

has nothing to do with the coach
would help if their bench scored more than -20 when compared to the opposition.
would also help if they actually had a decent big man.....
when the team has 90 odd points and 2 players have scored 60+ of the points, there is a problem

[jazzcomp]

defense i think is what's lacking.

[i_amtrunks]

defense i think is what's lacking.

Bingo. You cant just attack in a comp like the nba, it's too tiring and leads to injuries, LeBron is very lucky he has been so fit his whole career, what with the workload he has had at Cleveland and now Miami.

Just look at Boston and orlando, two strong defensive teams, who can also attack when needed to. Bulls have been far better when they start to defend as well.

[sideswipes brother]

Im a big basketballer and have been my entire life. Started playing U10 and still play mens A grade today. Made some rep teams growing up too.
I was a huge Dominique wilkins fan so used to follow the Atlanta Hawks until that infamous day they traded him for.....Danny Manning (are you kidding me!!):confused:
Anyway, i pretty much follow players and their movements and not an actual team. Im a Vince Carter fan so currently go for the Suns. I also love Blake Griffin, so i will probably be a Clippers fan when Vince retires.
I also LOATHE the Miami heat and all their players for trying to buy a championship.:mad:

[jazzcomp]

lakers doing well after all star break.

Celtics losing a few games.

Anyone here play ball? Am interested to join social games and comps :)

[blackie]

i played untill i destroyed my ankle
now i go and abuse my own team :P

[Vector Prime]

Anyone here play ball? Am interested to join social games and comps :)

I occasionally do - Friday nights at Riverwood.

Half court 4 on 4 up to 11, winner stays on.

Usually a turnout of about 20 people, but I haven't been going since I injured my ankle a few months back.


i played untill i destroyed my ankle

Torn something?

[blackie]

Torn something?

bits that hold the leg bones together are damaged
screw put in leg a month ago to keep it together
6 months off

[Vector Prime]

bits that hold the leg bones together are damaged
screw put in leg a month ago to keep it together
6 months off

:eek: That sucks mate!

Thankfully I've never had any major injuries bar severe sprains, but a mate of mine has had them all - torn ACL and torn achilles - and he's still playing nowadays (just can't jump as high or cut as quickly though)

[Fungal Infection]

Just played a game in a mixed comp (guys/gals) and wont be doing so ever again. First time ever, I have fouled out of a game and the inconsistencies in the rules (which totally favour the girls) totally kill any enjoyment I have for the game.

[jazzcomp]

where's the comp? can i sub for you? :)
The mixed comp I tried - in the first half, guys can't go inside the key :(

[blackie]

where's the comp? can i sub for you? :)
The mixed comp I tried - in the first half, guys can't go inside the key :(

the mixed comp i played
guys were never allowed in the key

i still managed to average 6-9 points a game :P

[jazzcomp]

the mixed comp i played
guys were never allowed in the key

i still managed to average 6-9 points a game :P
The problem with that kind of rule in a mixed comp is if you play with girls that are not in competition level, your team will get behind by 20+ pts and you won't have enough in the second half to overcome that lead. Even if I personally have a good game, you still lose anyway. :(

For your rule, you need to play with girls who have a bit of game :)

I prefer just not having too much contact with the girls although some of them are pretty physical as well :)

[blackie]

i played for a whole season and never had to guard a girl
i just tagged their best male player instead :P

[jazzcomp]

i played for a whole season and never had to guard a girl
i just tagged their best male player instead :P
I didn't guard girls as well, but sometimes they want to mix it up inside or guard you outside :)

[Vector Prime]

Can't believe the Heat lost to Cleveland yesterday despite LBJ's triple double. :(

At least they beat the Wizards today. :)

[blackie]

not surprised one bit

still shows you cant buy your way into success :P

[Vector Prime]

not surprised one bit

still shows you cant buy your way into success :P

Hater! :D

[blackie]

nope
not a hater
i lol at the amount of money they wasted on lbj and cb

[Vector Prime]

nope
not a hater
i lol at the amount of money they wasted on lbj and cb

LBJ's worth max dollars... Bosh? I don't think so.

They should have kept what they spent on Bosh and invested in other supporting players to complement Wade and LBJ instead.

Bosh is a 'soft' player and only stood out cause he was the lone 'star' in Toronto.

I don't think Stoudemire and Joe Johnson are worth that much either - they're pretty much one dimensional players and aren't 'franchise' players that you can build a team around.

[blackie]

miami didnt need to spend big bucks on someone like lbj when they won their last championship....
just sayin:rolleyes:

[Vector Prime]

miami didnt need to spend big bucks on someone like lbj when they won their last championship....
just sayin:rolleyes:

They did have Shaq remember? He wasn't cheap either... but I guess it's kinda different since they traded for him, but still, it's money.

[blackie]

agreed
however
he wasnt worth anything like lbj, and decent players actually wanted to play at the team to win a championship, like boston was for the past few years.

[Vector Prime]

agreed
however
he wasnt worth anything like lbj, and decent players actually wanted to play at the team to win a championship, like boston was for the past few years.

:confused:

Shaq signed a contract extension in 2005 after he arrived in Miami (and before they won the championship) for a 5-year-extension with the Heat for $100 million.

LBJ took a $15 million pay cut and his contract is 6 years for $110 million... do the maths, LBJ's was obtained cheaper than Shaq and is worth every cent and then more.

[jazzcomp]

Can't believe the Heat lost to Cleveland yesterday despite LBJ's triple double. :(

At least they beat the Wizards today. :)
Haha :) Nba team always has a chance to win no matter how weak the team is.

They beat Wizards without Wall.

McGee's blocks were great though.

[jazzcomp]

:confused:
Shaq signed a contract extension in 2005 after he arrived in Miami (and before they won the championship) for a 5-year-extension with the Heat for $100 million.
LBJ took a $15 million pay cut and his contract is 6 years for $110 million... do the maths, LBJ's was obtained cheaper than Shaq and is worth every cent and then more.

agreed
however
he wasnt worth anything like lbj, and decent players actually wanted to play at the team to win a championship, like boston was for the past few years.
Shaq was different then. Just having won with the lakers :)
Joe Johnson isn't worth that much but it's Atlanta's fault.

LBJ had the #1 team (W-L) in cleveland and just couldn't get over the hump.

[Vector Prime]

McGee's blocks were great though.

+1

Bosh keeps getting denied... lol

(and if you can't tell by now, I'm a Bosh hater :D)

[Vector Prime]

LBJ had the #1 team (W-L) in cleveland and just couldn't get over the hump.

LBJ should win another MVP based purely on the fact that Cleveland's gone from championship contenders to the worst team in the league - if that doesn't show that he's the leagues Most Valuable Player, I don't know what does. :D

[blackie]

D Rose by far

[i_amtrunks]

Boston seem to be in a bit of a form slump in the East and Chicago more than any other team need to remain injury free to make an impact in the finals.

I still don't think Miami can make the Final against whoever makes it through in the West, they can be so hot and so cold, and it goes in streaks, not the kind of form you want in a best of 7 series. Bosh has improved, and LBJ is one of the best in the game. Miami have been lucky this season that some teams looking up in the East have gone backwards this year (Atlanta, Milwaukee to name the main 2) did not put up as much of a challenge to them earlier in the season, and really push them hard when they were still gelling and getting their collective feet.

East finals will be a snooze-fest until the conference semi's, the West however could easily see some upsets in the first round.

[GoktimusPrime]

Was watching Chinese basketball on TV last night... half the players are black. :p At first I thought I was watching a broadcast of the NBA, but then soon realised that they're Chinese teams playing in China!

I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with this - I know sports teams poach players from around the world all the time. Took me a bit by surprise is all. ;)

[jazzcomp]

Guess you have to play against more gifted athletes to improve. What I don't like is the local players not given a chance to play and replaced by imports.

Did you see AI yet? Who else is from the NBA playing in China right now?

[Vector Prime]

D Rose by far

I think you may be right on that one mate.



I still don't think Miami can make the Final against whoever makes it through in the West, they can be so hot and so cold, and it goes in streaks, not the kind of form you want in a best of 7 series. Bosh has improved, and LBJ is one of the best in the game. Miami have been lucky this season that some teams looking up in the East have gone backwards this year (Atlanta, Milwaukee to name the main 2) did not put up as much of a challenge to them earlier in the season, and really push them hard when they were still gelling and getting their collective feet.

Miami Vs Lakers Final - 7 Game Series with Miami winning game seven 143 to 140 in triple OT with LBJ hitting a half court shot with 0.03 left on the clock to win it.

I've looked into my crystal ball and that's what it shows me. :D



Did you see AI yet? Who else is from the NBA playing in China right now?

AI's playing in Turkey, not China. :confused:

I think Stephon Marbury and Steve Francis are playing in China.

[jazzcomp]

AI's playing in Turkey, not China. :confused:
I think Stephon Marbury and Steve Francis are playing in China.
my bad. :)
steve already quit china coz he can't get into shape.

[Vector Prime]

steve already quit china coz he can't get into shape.

Yeah I wonder whatever happened to Steve Franchise?

He used to be an All Star and was pretty exciting to watch in his younger days - kinda like D-Rose and then it all went downhill...

[i_amtrunks]

Yeah I wonder whatever happened to Steve Franchise?

He used to be an All Star and was pretty exciting to watch in his younger days - kinda like D-Rose and then it all went downhill...

Yeah I wonder if his links with Yao got him a gig in China after he lost all his speed due to surgery...

I wonder if Yao will head back to China after his career is over/now. His foot will never stay healed (no pun intended) as long as he keeps trying to play elite level games.

[GoktimusPrime]

Did you see AI yet?
"Don't hurt me, I'm David, I'm real!"


Who else is from the NBA playing in China right now?

Sorry dude, I don't know anything about basketball... we were having dinner at someone's place last night and the TV was on with the basketball on. :p

[Vector Prime]

"Don't hurt me, I'm David, I'm real!"

Lol :D

[jazzcomp]

Didn't get to see any of the march madness games :( Come on, One HD it's time to show some more games.

[jazzcomp]

End of regular season. Let's start the Playoffs :)

[Trailer Park Ninja]

Since we have some ballers here and it's NBA playoffs time, thought we could post our predictions for 1st Round Playoff winners.

My predictions as follows:

Eastern Conference:

Indiana Pacers vs Chicago Bulls: Bulls (4-0)
Philadelphia 76ers vs Miami Heat: Heat (3-1)
New York vs Boston Celtics: Boston (4-3)
Atlanta Hawks vs Orlando Magic: Magic (4-1)

Western Conference:

Memphis Grizzlies vs San Antonio Spurs: Spurs (4-0)
New Orleans Hornets vs LA Lakers: Lakers (4-1)
Portland Trailblazers vs Dallas Mavericks: Portland for the upset (4-3)
Denver Nuggets vs Oklahama City Thunder: OKC (4-2)

[blackie]

Eastern Conference:

Indiana Pacers vs Chicago Bulls: Bulls (4-0)
Philadelphia 76ers vs Miami Heat: Heat (3-2)
New York vs Boston Celtics: Boston (4-2)
Atlanta Hawks vs Orlando Magic: Magic (4-1)

Western Conference:

Memphis Grizzlies vs San Antonio Spurs: Spurs (4-0)
New Orleans Hornets vs LA Lakers: Lakers (4-0)
Portland Trailblazers vs Dallas Mavericks: Mavs (4-2)
Denver Nuggets vs Oklahama City Thunder: OKC (4-2)

[Vector Prime]

Eastern Conference:

Indiana Pacers vs Chicago Bulls: Bulls (4-0)
Philadelphia 76ers vs Miami Heat: Heat (4-0)
New York vs Boston Celtics: Boston (4-1)
Atlanta Hawks vs Orlando Magic: Magic (4-2)

Western Conference:

Memphis Grizzlies vs San Antonio Spurs: Spurs (4-2)
New Orleans Hornets vs LA Lakers: Lakers (4-0)
Portland Trailblazers vs Dallas Mavericks: Portland (4-3)
Denver Nuggets vs Oklahama City Thunder: OKC (4-3)

[Vector Prime]

:eek: Wow!

Both the Spurs and the Lakers went down in the first games of their series.

[jazzcomp]

2-2 Dallas vs Miami :)

[i_amtrunks]

2-2 Dallas vs Miami :)

Phew.
No come on Dallas!

Im not a Miami hater per se but I really dont want them to win the championship.

[gamblor916]

I haven't followed NBA for a while but why all the hate for Miami and Lebron in particular?

I'd like to see a Dallas win, I remember watching Jason Kidd make amazing plays as a rookie.

[jazzcomp]

I haven't followed NBA for a while but why all the hate for Miami and Lebron in particular?

I'd like to see a Dallas win, I remember watching Jason Kidd make amazing plays as a rookie.


Phew.
No come on Dallas!
Im not a Miami hater per se but I really dont want them to win the championship.
For this finals, i'm supporting dallas as well.

I think it's more of a hate for Lebron. What he did to cleveland was really bad. And that's why he has less support. But what the finals is showing is that Dwade is the real star/MVP.

[blackie]

i hate both teams equally......

[jazzcomp]

i hate both teams equally......
why?

[blackie]

j terry + dirk on mavs
bosh and lebron on the other

[jazzcomp]

j terry + dirk on mavs
bosh and lebron on the other
bosh & lebron i can understand. What's the hate with dirk? Terry is just supporting role anyway.

[blackie]

terry is a dog
not going to derail thread further

[i_amtrunks]

Im actually fine with James, he left Cleveland in an ugly fashion, but that reflected badly on him only, and really does anyone blame him for leaving Cleveland, look what happened to them after he left, he needed to go to a team that would at least try to support him.

I'm more against Miami because the 'big 3' collaborated to try and buy a championship, they have not built a team, they just forced themselves onto one.

That and Kidd needs a championship, can't let him become the next Barkley!

[jazzcomp]

Im actually fine with James, he left Cleveland in an ugly fashion, but that reflected badly on him only, and really does anyone blame him for leaving Cleveland, look what happened to them after he left, he needed to go to a team that would at least try to support him.

I'm more against Miami because the 'big 3' collaborated to try and buy a championship, they have not built a team, they just forced themselves onto one.

That and Kidd needs a championship, can't let him become the next Barkley!
He was supported and Cleveland tried to give him whoever would play for him. He can leave cleveland but he could've been traded for another superstar so that the cavs won't be in last place. But he chose to let them think he was staying so that he won't be traded to a team he doesn't want to play for.

The Cavs gave him everything. In other teams, rookies would be riding the bench or be subs. He's a starter for them and allowed him to have unbelievable stats. The Cavs were the #1 seed. They just can't get over the hump. It's his team. I think he promised them a championship.

His star is shining less next to dwade now :D

[dirge]

He can leave cleveland but he could've been traded for another superstar so that the cavs won't be in last place. But he chose to let them think he was staying so that he won't be traded to a team he doesn't want to play for.

I think he promised them a championship.



These reasons sum up why I want to see LeBron miss out on a ring. Wade's the real star in Miami and I'm fine with him getting another ring (and it'd be nice to see Bibby get one).

LeBron was of course perfectly entitled to sign with whoever he wanted to in free agency. But after promising Cleveland a championship, when he left the Cavs hanging on & hoping rather than paying them the respect of indicating that he's going, he left them with nothing. This to a club that gave him everything they could in their quests to win the championship & retain LeBron.

Contrast this with Carmelo Anthony, who plainly told the Nuggets he wasn't going to stick around and wanted to head to the Knicks. Aside from the fact that this actually allowed Denver to plan for life after Melo, it also allowed them to cash him in for some decent assets when they traded him to New York. Sure he wanted out, but he paid some respect to Denver at least.

[Vector Prime]

I'm a big LBJ fan, but I agree that he pretty much represents everything wrong with the NBA nowadays (over-hyped, over-paid, selfish prima donnas).

Whilst he has all the talent and ability to be one of the best players to have ever played the game, he lacks the one key element that made his predecessors (MJ, Dr J, Magic) endearing and perennial fan favourites - humility.

Same with Kobe, these guys know they're good, they know they've got the talent and they know they're got pretty much the NBA and the media in their hands, so they think they can do whatever they want.

I hated that he went to the Heat - even if they win a championship (or multiple ones), he's tarnished and diminished his own legacy by not doing it on his own and joining up with Wade.

What he should have done was joined the Knicks and done it on his own there - he's got an ego bigger than Broadway, so it should only be fitting that he plays there in the presence of one of the biggest markets in pro sport.

LBJ has pretty much disappeared in the past couple of the Finals games and has left it to Wade and Bosh to win the championship - so for that, he doesn't deserve to win it all.

[Fonecrusher]

Wow didn't even know we have basketball fans here, I live, sleep, eat and breath the NBA!

Anyway I see all this LBJ hate and while I think some of it is justified, some of you are taking the "Cleveland judas" stuff a bit too far "he promised them a championship?" I mean really? When LBJ went to Cleveland they were a joke (much like now) he single handedly took them from cellar dwellers to being legit contenders and an Eastern Conference Final. Yes Cleveland had faith in him to select him at no.1 but he repayed that faith by bringing them success all on his own. He did this with with a team full of nobodies. Every season Dan Gilbert promised he would build a good supporting cast around LBJ who did he get? Moe Williams, Antoine Jamison, a washed up Shaq?

Am I the only who doesn't have a problem with what LBJ did? This is an age where small market teams will always struggle to hold onto their superstars, what LBJ did is no worse than what Melo did to Denver or what Chris Paul will do to the Hornets when his contract expires.

There's only one villian in Cleveland and that's Dan Gilbert, what did he do when he knew LBJ would leave? Nothing, absolutely nothing, Cleveland sat with their hands up their ass all off season, signing a bunch of smucks and look at the season they just had. He looks even more foolish for that little promise he made Cleveland fans this season that "the Cavs would win a championship before Lebron does".:cool:

Btw I'm a Celtics fan so shoot me!:p

[jazzcomp]

In a league where you hope that your pick will somehow make your team relevant, you wait for years to get that chance: Tim Duncan, Lebron, Melo, etc....

He's a hometown hero. He's from Ohio. You bend over backwards to give the man what he wants. Cleveland gave the most money for the superstar to stay. If you don't want to play for cleveland, then ask for a trade. If you are leaving, I think it's decent to inform your employer so that they can plan for your departure. I remember when Kobe was complaining and that getting to the playoffs wasn't enough because of the early exits. But Cleveland was #1 and reaches the conference finals and finals and just couldn't get over the hump.

I think you're alone in your view of what lebron did compared to the others like Amare, Melo, etc.

It's not just the team but the fans. The cleveland natives had so much heartbreak from their teams. This was their saving grace so you can understand the hate from them.

He was supposed to be batman and that a good team was enough to support him and doesn't need a robin. Right now, he's not even the robin to Dwade in the finals.

For someone so great that pulls his team from the cellar to contender, he doesn't seem to be the greatest in his new team now. At least in Cleveland, he was superman.

[Fonecrusher]

In a league where you hope that your pick will somehow make your team relevant, you wait for years to get that chance: Tim Duncan, Lebron, Melo, etc....

He's a hometown hero. He's from Ohio. You bend over backwards to give the man what he wants. Cleveland gave the most money for the superstar to stay. If you don't want to play for cleveland, then ask for a trade. If you are leaving, I think it's decent to inform your employer so that they can plan for your departure. I remember when Kobe was complaining and that getting to the playoffs wasn't enough because of the early exits. But Cleveland was #1 and reaches the conference finals and finals and just couldn't get over the hump.

I think you're alone in your view of what lebron did compared to the others like Amare, Melo, etc.

It's not just the team but the fans. The cleveland natives had so much heartbreak from their teams. This was their saving grace so you can understand the hate from them.

He was supposed to be batman and that a good team was enough to support him and doesn't need a robin. Right now, he's not even the robin to Dwade in the finals.

For someone so great that pulls his team from the cellar to contender, he doesn't seem to be the greatest in his new team now. At least in Cleveland, he was superman.

Cleveland gave him everything he wanted but a decent team around him... On a personal level, yes I think his decision was questionnable, but on a professional one?

Like I said I consider Dan Gilbert the real villain here, he basically thought Lebron was his "get out of jail free" card, that somehow one player could carry his entire team, and bring it success and he wouldn't have to lift a finger or contribute anything at all... And it backfired, Lebron left and Gilbert had egg all over his face. IMO his handling of the post Lebron era has only confirmed my opinion of him: LBJ leaves and what does Gilbert do? Nothing absolutely nothing, he expects the team "to win a championship before Lebron does", with Moe Williams and J.J. Hickson.... And Moe's gone already by the way.

He's gonna do the same thing this year when the Cavs draft Irving/Williams, expect them to carry his sorry ass team which he can't be bothered investing in.

[Vector Prime]

Anyway I see all this LBJ hate and while I think some of it is justified, some of you are taking the "Cleveland judas" stuff a bit too far "he promised them a championship?" I mean really? When LBJ went to Cleveland they were a joke (much like now) he single handedly took them from cellar dwellers to being legit contenders and an Eastern Conference Final. Yes Cleveland had faith in him to select him at no.1 but he repayed that faith by bringing them success all on his own. He did this with with a team full of nobodies. Every season Dan Gilbert promised he would build a good supporting cast around LBJ who did he get? Moe Williams, Antoine Jamison, a washed up Shaq?

Am I the only who doesn't have a problem with what LBJ did? This is an age where small market teams will always struggle to hold onto their superstars, what LBJ did is no worse than what Melo did to Denver or what Chris Paul will do to the Hornets when his contract expires.

There's only one villian in Cleveland and that's Dan Gilbert, what did he do when he knew LBJ would leave? Nothing, absolutely nothing, Cleveland sat with their hands up their ass all off season, signing a bunch of smucks and look at the season they just had. He looks even more foolish for that little promise he made Cleveland fans this season that "the Cavs would win a championship before Lebron does".:cool:

Btw I'm a Celtics fan so shoot me!:p

I have no issues with what LBJ did - it was the way he did it.

C'mon, a half hour telecast on ESPN to announce his decision?

Cleveland's a nowhere franchise, always have been, always will be - he brought relevance to a team that nobody cared about.

I agree that's it's not his fault for jumping ship since Dan Gilbert and the Cleveland execs didn't exactly give him a Robin to his Batman.

As previously mentioned, I'm an LBJ fan, but my biggest gripe is the way he did what he did and chose to go to Miami and joining Wade.

He should have gone to the Knicks and built on his legacy further by leading that team to the championship.

Yes, granted the Knicks are also rebuilding, but they would have rebuilt around him quite quickly - James Dolan has very deep pockets and NY is a massive market that would attract other players once they've seen LBJ make the Knicks relevant again.



He's a hometown hero. He's from Ohio. You bend over backwards to give the man what he wants. Cleveland gave the most money for the superstar to stay. If you don't want to play for cleveland, then ask for a trade. If you are leaving, I think it's decent to inform your employer so that they can plan for your departure. I remember when Kobe was complaining and that getting to the playoffs wasn't enough because of the early exits. But Cleveland was #1 and reaches the conference finals and finals and just couldn't get over the hump.

I think you're alone in your view of what lebron did compared to the others like Amare, Melo, etc.

It's not just the team but the fans. The cleveland natives had so much heartbreak from their teams. This was their saving grace so you can understand the hate from them.

He was supposed to be batman and that a good team was enough to support him and doesn't need a robin. Right now, he's not even the robin to Dwade in the finals.

For someone so great that pulls his team from the cellar to contender, he doesn't seem to be the greatest in his new team now. At least in Cleveland, he was superman.

LBJ's from Akron, not Cleveland - that's like the equivalent of Sydney Vs Newcastle or Wollongong.

Akron has always been considered a lower class city than Cleveland with many residents of Cleveland looking down upon the people and the town - so no, Cleveland's not his hometown and he had no firm allegiance to them.

While it's not widely reported, after announcing his decision to take his talents to South Beach, LeBron accepted less money than what Cleveland had on the table.

He also agreed to a sign and trade (http://www.google.com.au/#hl=en&safe=off&q=lebron+james+sign+and+trade&oq=lebron+james+sign+and+trade&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=s&gs_upl=-1307661620052l-1307661620052l0l0l0l0l0l0l0l0l0l&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=2b1b9a27c2b8c171&biw=1280&bih=905) so that Cleveland was not left without anything to show for losing him - it's just the media and Dan Gilbert who has made it out that he left them high and dry without anything.

I think it was quite obvious and Cleveland should have been bracing themselves that he was intending on leaving anyway, even before 'The Decision' - I mean, if he planned on staying, would he not have bothered to entertain the idea of a contract extension (which they offered)?

It's ignorant to blame him or hate him for leaving when the obvious signs were there that he was going to depart.

If you're going to hate on him, hate on him for the way he did it ('The Decision' show) not what he did (leaving).

As for the Batman/Robin/Superman comparisons - every team that has won championships in recent history has a Batman & Robin(s).

In Cleveland, he had nothing - Mo Williams, Antawn Jamison, past-his-prime Shaq were definitely not anywhere near being Robin or Robins.

MJ had Pippen, Duncan had Ginobili/Parker (multiple Robins), Kobe and Shaq, Garnett/Pierce/Allen, Kobe and Gasol/Odom/Zen-Master Phil Jackson, etc

Dan Gilbert and Cleveland weren't exactly putting the right pieces around him in order for them to win a championship - LBJ still had to carry the entire team pretty much unsupported, no wonder he left.

[jazzcomp]

LBJ's from Akron, not Cleveland - that's like the equivalent of Sydney Vs Newcastle or Wollongong.

Akron has always been considered a lower class city than Cleveland with many residents of Cleveland looking down upon the people and the town - so no, Cleveland's not his hometown and he had no firm allegiance to them.

It's still Ohio. It's not like Ohio had another team. It's the closest to a hometown hero that you can get.



While it's not widely reported, after announcing his decision to take his talents to South Beach, LeBron accepted less money than what Cleveland had on the table.

He also agreed to a sign and trade (http://www.google.com.au/#hl=en&safe=off&q=lebron+james+sign+and+trade&oq=lebron+james+sign+and+trade&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=s&gs_upl=-1307661620052l-1307661620052l0l0l0l0l0l0l0l0l0l&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=2b1b9a27c2b8c171&biw=1280&bih=905) so that Cleveland was not left without anything to show for losing him - it's just the media and Dan Gilbert who has made it out that he left them high and dry without anything.

I think it was quite obvious and Cleveland should have been bracing themselves that he was intending on leaving anyway, even before 'The Decision' - I mean, if he planned on staying, would he not have bothered to entertain the idea of a contract extension (which they offered)?

It's ignorant to blame him or hate him for leaving when the obvious signs were there that he was going to depart.

If you're going to hate on him, hate on him for the way he did it ('The Decision' show) not what he did (leaving).

I don't know about the sign and trade. Well, it's up to the media on what they want to do. Signs? - if the signs were clear, then they should've just traded him. I know about the less money. If money wasn't the biggest thing, then get the other players so that he would sign.



As for the Batman/Robin/Superman comparisons - every team that has won championships in recent history has a Batman & Robin(s).
In Cleveland, he had nothing - Mo Williams, Antawn Jamison, past-his-prime Shaq were definitely not anywhere near being Robin or Robins.
MJ had Pippen, Duncan had Ginobili/Parker (multiple Robins), Kobe and Shaq, Garnett/Pierce/Allen, Kobe and Gasol/Odom/Zen-Master Phil Jackson, etc

Dan Gilbert and Cleveland weren't exactly putting the right pieces around him in order for them to win a championship - LBJ still had to carry the entire team pretty much unsupported, no wonder he left.

HE had the coach he wanted and every year they added pieces. It's not like this team was seeded 8th every playoff run. It shows on their record. I can understand if this team was struggling to get to the playoffs but they were considered top seeds. It's just that during the playoffs/finals, the team doesn't perform. I remember when the laker bench was called the bench mob and everyone had high praises except for some players. But when they don't play well, they're scrubs. :)

Look at Dallas/Phoenix, they revamp/rebuilt the teams they had just trying to get over the hump. They were perennial contenders who were trying to get the formula they wanted.

How much did they pay to get Shaq? I don't remember. He wasn't the savior but just another piece.

The Cavs look pretty much unbeatable during the regular season. But somehow is a different team in the post season.

[jazzcomp]

3-2 Dallas, back to south beach.

[k.wong23]

Poor Miami heat :( lol

Jason Terry pulling off some ridiculous 3 pointers!!

[bassbot]

darn. miami down... I've been a fan since Alonzo was there back in the day...

[k.wong23]

So game 6 coming up ladies, what's your verdicts? I think Dallas will pull through but I want Miami to run this series to 7 :D

[k.wong23]

It's all over Miami nooo!!!

Shizennnnnnn! but lol Dirk pulling off his infamous fadeaway jump shot in the 4th.

Also only realised how small Barea really is its quite funny haha

[blackie]

either way i was never going to be happy with the result :P

[autobreadticon]

REVENGE !!! Dirk so handsome :)

[jazzcomp]

Hahaha!

[i_amtrunks]

Yay for Miami not winning!

And I guess hooray to the Mavs? Should make an interesting title race next year.

[Fonecrusher]

Congrats to the Mavs and especially Dirk, I'm so glad he shut the haters up who said he "could never be a real franchise player". As it is he's probably the best all round big man of the 2000's and making a case for being potentially the best foreing player ever.

[jazzcomp]

Macy's ran an ad congratulating Miami :D

[Fonecrusher]

Macy's ran an ad congratulating Miami :D

Is there a facepalm big enough for this?:p

[i_amtrunks]

here's a nice ESPN commercial featuring Mark Cuban:

Featuring a Prime new signing! (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/new-espn-commecial-featuring-optimus-prime/22088/) :p (sorry for the lame).

[jazzcomp]

why are NBL games shown late? Was watching the Cairns-Sydney game, saw some blatantly wrong calls. Commentators were really ripping the ref for a few minutes then stopped.

NBA is back on Christmas day! :) At last :)

[i_amtrunks]

Commentators were really ripping the ref for a few minutes then stopped.

I love that the NBL Commentators rip on bad decisions, the NRL and cricket refs are far too protected and the commentators just let most things slide, or say one comment and elave it be.

I think that the NBL is a non rating entity is why it is shown so late. Might also be a choice by the NBL to show games on 2-3 hours delay to entice people to go to the match rather than watch it at home.



NBA is back on Christmas day! :) At last :)

Hooray for a season. Heres hoping ONE hd continues to show a few games a week!

[jazzcomp]

Hooray for a season. Heres hoping ONE hd continues to show a few games a week!
Are there any games on OneHD? All I see is Hopman cup tennis :(

[i_amtrunks]

Are there any games on OneHD? All I see is Hopman cup tennis :(

Nope ONE has decided to throw their money behind NFL and MLB and no longer show the NBA.

Wish they'd cull some of the gridiron and baseball even to show just one basketball and hockey match a week.

[jazzcomp]

Bulls beat Heat without D Rose.

[i_amtrunks]

And Howard stayed in Orlando! :eek:

Glad the Rockets bought out the rest of Fishers contract, would have been better to have never had him, but ah well.

[jazzcomp]

Does that mean fisher is heading back to the lakers? :)

[i_amtrunks]

Does that mean fisher is heading back to the lakers? :)

Not for a few months, if at all. A few teams will be interested and Fisher has demanded that he play for a title contender (thus the Rockets are out, Yay!) so he might end up somewhere like Miami, OKC etc.

Kind of a joke that the Lakers can get rid of Fishers cost, then possibly buy him back for the finals and pay less tax next season.

[jazzcomp]

Not for a few months, if at all. A few teams will be interested and Fisher has demanded that he play for a title contender (thus the Rockets are out, Yay!) so he might end up somewhere like Miami, OKC etc.

Kind of a joke that the Lakers can get rid of Fishers cost, then possibly buy him back for the finals and pay less tax next season.
I've seen this happen with the Spurs and some other teams. Trading them and getting the players back.

Funny news about the Spurs/Tim Duncan.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/tim-duncan-missed-sunday-night-spurs-game-because-081218158.html

http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/7gLhfrKvUH2HtnW4eF2umQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTYzMA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/sptusnbaexperts/DNP32512.jpg

[jazzcomp]

On Dwade ....
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/olympics-fourth-place-medal/dwyane-wade-thinks-nba-players-paid-playing-olympics-231237631.html

and by the way, Bynum got 30 rebounds :)

Outside the NBA, Lebanese player hits 113 points

http://sg.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/sportsaholic/lebanese-player-hits-113-points-093358055.html

[Jetfire in the sky]

For anyone who would like to see NBL grand final games streamed live you can find them at firstrowsports.eu Being a mad Crocodiles supporter I wish I had been given this earlier. It also has NBA games plus many other sports. Have a look, it's bloody good. Some people say that there is a risk of virus but I have been doing this stuff with an older laptop but with good Antivirus and Internet protection and never had a problem. The site is all free streams, you just have to wade through the pop up ads, but it's worth it. :)

[i_amtrunks]

NBA Finals have begun, only real upset was Atlanta beating Celtics, but they have done it before this season.

Bulls not looking good now that Rose is gone for the post season. Miami should cruise through to the conference finals.

West looks tough, might all wear themselves out before they face the Heat/ east winner.

[i_amtrunks]

Spurs/Thunder win in 4 and 5 game series, manage to stay fresh for the finals against whoever wins through in the East.

Boston and heat should win through, but I expected them to have already won through!

[jazzcomp]

That's right. Should've been Lakers vs Spurs though. I think LA was a better team in terms of personnel. Just feel like they didn't want to win.

It would've been the same. Star power vs Experience on both east and west. Instead it's youth vs experience in the west.

Most likely Spurs vs Celtics if Ray gets his groove. If Bosh comes back, it may be Heat vs Spurs.

[jazzcomp]

Spurs get game 1 thru 4thQ comeback.

Wonder what the results will be for the East finals game 1?

[jazzcomp]

OKC wins game 1 and today is game 2 :) Go Durant!

[i_amtrunks]

1 a piece, I thought OKC were going to rally enough to win.

Heres hoping that the Thunder can win in 5.

And why did Houston sell Battier? he has been raining threes all season, and Houston have need for a perimeter shooter!

[jazzcomp]

2-1 now for miami :(

[jazzcomp]

Got NBA league pass so I'll be able to watch the games now :)

No one told me that the legends team basketball from my country was playing in Australia - in Liverpool last Jan 27. Would have drove down just to watch it.

:(

[jazzcomp]

Steph Curry for 54 pts. 11/13 from 3pt land.... just insane :eek:

[jazzcomp]

Kyrie Irving has been great too. The little guys are really taking the spotlight away from the big guys.

[jazzcomp]

Lakers in the 8th spot. Hope they make the playoffs.

[jazzcomp]

playoffs without Kobe due to torn achilles tendon is just not the same.

[jazzcomp]

No NBA sports news on Aussie TV even if Bogut is playing. :(

Bulls/Memphis and GS is making this playoffs interesting.

I hate injuries.

[jazzcomp]

Game 7 for the Finals and the Heat are back to back champions.

The Spurs should have won this in game 6. Very unSpurslike.

[Kazza]

Damnit, i despise miami heat. Here's hoping next season bulls beat them with derrick rose coming back. (yeah i'm a bulls fan)

[jazzcomp]

Haha! Wrong champion ad :)

http://tv.yahoo.com/video/playlist/daytime/dint-tv-ad-crowns-wrong-200649628.html

[k.wong23]

Poppovich shouldn't have had Duncan out in Game 6 in the final 20 seconds; boshosauros grabbed that board too easily.

Anyways, I was content with game 7, means it was an extra game to watch instead of Spurs winning after game 6! win win for me as i'm not a heavy heat or spurs supporter haha

[jazzcomp]

Didn't know Irving was in Melbourne?

http://abovetherim.com.au/nba/the-kyrie-experience/

[sideswipes brother]

I despise the cHeat!!

[jazzcomp]

I just felt that the Spurs won that series.

Up 3 with a few seconds to go, smart coach would've fouled to prevent the game tying 3 to send the game to overtime. This was the coach that employs hack a shaq/howard. Not sure why they let the game go into overtime. And sat down his two hall of famers at critical times at the end of regulation and overtime :mad:

[doublespy]

Can't believe I just found this thread.

Been a big basketball fan and a player myself since I was very young. To this day I still vividly remember that Monday morning when I came home from school to witness Michael Jordan's jumpshot over Bill Russel Byron Russell in finals game 6 1998. (Boy do I feel old:rolleyes:)

Melbourne basketball lovers where do you usually play ball? I play on a team in Dandenong league and on weekends I sometimes go to MSAC for casual games. Not many decent outdoor courts in Melbourne I have to say...

[Kazza]

Can't believe I just found this thread.

Been a big basketball fan and a player myself since I was very young. To this day I still vividly remember that Monday morning when I came home from school to witness Michael Jordan's jumpshot over Bill Russel in finals game 6 1998. (Boy do I feel old:rolleyes:)

Melbourne basketball lovers where do you usually play ball? I play on a team in Dandenong league and on weekends I sometimes go to MSAC for casual games. Not many decent outdoor courts in Melbourne I have to say...

If your familiar with city rd, there's an open half court at Boyd library/hub. I play on that occasionally.

[doublespy]

Is it asphalt or concrete Kazza?

P.S. I just realized I said Bill Russell in my last post....Maybe I was still thinking about the finals MVP:(

[Kazza]

Is it asphalt or concrete Kazza?

P.S. I just realized I said Bill Russell in my last post....Maybe I was still thinking about the finals MVP:(

Asphalt

[jazzcomp]

you just gotta love haters :) Talking about luxury tax.

Just read more instead on replying on just one data point.

[jazzcomp]

My country qualified for the FIBA world championships in Spain next year! Yahoo!

[jazzcomp]

Who will play basketball with this?
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1753394-this-is-what-a-13000-basketball-looks-like?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national

[Kazza]

Who will play basketball with this?
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1753394-this-is-what-a-13000-basketball-looks-like?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national

That's just insane...:eek::rolleyes:

[jazzcomp]

That's just insane...:eek::rolleyes:
I'd get all the legends to sign that ball and just put it in a display case :)

I wonder if NBA superstars have this. It's nothing for them.

[jazzcomp]

just signed up for nba league pass :) another year of my basketball fix since it's not shown on aussie tv. i hope the nba creates an app for LG tvs

[jazzcomp]

I played my first social game in 2 years post ACL reconstruction last night. I was so scared and it felt exhilarating.

My game sucked. :D No warmup 1/4 FG including a wild 3 pt shot that hit nothing but the backboard - a few rebounds, some defense and a few assists. I didn't think I could rebound again. But I didn't really jump that high. :D

Now, I'm waiting how the knee's going to feel the following day. So far so good.

[jazzcomp]

Good for Bogut (http://au.sports.yahoo.com/news/article/-/19558014/bogut-signs-new-nba-deal-with-golden-state/)

[i_amtrunks]

Good for Bogut (http://au.sports.yahoo.com/news/article/-/19558014/bogut-signs-new-nba-deal-with-golden-state/)

Agreed. I love what he did at Milwaukee when he was the only one there (stars, staff and front office) trying to boost crowd numbers, and I love his toughness. I doubt there are many US raised players who would've bounced back from that arm/wrist/hand injury so quickly.

Golden State are looking very good this year, a top 4 finish in the West is not beyond them. Spurs, Thunder, Clippers, Memphis and Rockets will make it tough for them.

[jazzcomp]

Season has started....

[jazzcomp]

This is just sick :eek: (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1832388-58-dunker-puts-on-show-for-adams-state-basketball-team-with-crazy-360-slam?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national)

[jazzcomp]

My ALDI bauhn android table shows blackout area on NBA Gametime App :confused:
Ipad is ok. It was working last season.

[doublespy]

The 76ers are doing well from the get go. I'm a fan of MCW already. He's like a stronger Shaun Livingston with better scoring capability.

I'm also glad that the Rockets are showing some good chemistry. J Lin and Harden are both excellent passers on the back court which definitely benefits Howard.

[jazzcomp]

Thanks to Pizza Hut! (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1961717-wcu-student-drains-crazy-half-court-shot-to-win-10000)

[jazzcomp]

Funny Derrick Rose Toy (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2033420-action-figure-unintentionally-trolls-derrick-rose-with-leg-assembly-required?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national)

and by the way regular season is over and the playoffs is starting soon :)

[jazzcomp]

The first and second round have exciting down the wire games. Hope it continues all through the finals :)

Clippers just made a great comeback in the 4th qtr to even the series 2-2.

[BruiseLee]

Good game by the Clips. Wish my Dubs got past them in round 1 though :rolleyes:

[jazzcomp]

Would've been a different series if Bogut wasn't injured. It'll be all different next season since Mark J is no longer the coach.

[BruiseLee]

Shame about Bogut. Hopefully next year. Bit torn about Mark J as coach. Reckon he did a good job managing some players and this will be missed but his Xs and Os drove me up the wall at times...

[dirge]

Meanwhile Indiana seem to be plugging away. Unfancied & a mess for the last few months, but they've a 3-1 series lead against Washington. Not sure how long they can keep doing just enough but they're hanging around.

[i_amtrunks]

Whichever West team makes their way through the gauntlet will be facing a fairly fresh Miami, or Indiana team on the rise. The Wizards played amazingly well againt the Bulls, but have lost that magic in the second round.

Out West has been the real playoffs, I know I'd personally prefer a Spurs/Thunder or Clippers (or Portland, but they look done) overall final, rather than against Indiana or Miami.

My team was knocked out by a combination of a red hot Aldridge and the complete lack of any coaching, so I'm cheering for the Spurs and the West in general!

[dirge]

Yeah the West is far tougher than the East. While that's usually the case, Miami have had the East to themselves for a while (what with Derek Rose's knees being made of glass & all). I'm hoping my Spurs can get a fairly easy ride in the WCF (no disrespect to Portland, but realistically they're not winning the next 4) & be fresh enough to take our Miami.

Last season's finals were an even match (and the Heat let Miller which struck me as odd) so I think whoever emerges from the West has a damn good chance against a Miami team that hasn't been quite as good as they were last year.

[BruiseLee]

Cavs with the number 1 draft pick again?!? Man Nick Gilbert's bow tie must be loaded with something. I wanna borrow that thing the next time I buy a lotto ticket! 1.7% odds of landing that pick where they were.

[dirge]

Nba must be getting sick of small-market cavs winning the lottery every year...

[i_amtrunks]

Nba must be getting sick of small-market cavs winning the lottery every year...

And the draftees must be sick of being sent there!

[jazzcomp]

Hope they don't get another Bennett and more like Irving :). I mean they could get a rookie version of the big three with those 1st picks.

[BruiseLee]

Hope they don't get another Bennett and more like Irving :). I mean they could get a rookie version of the big three with those 1st picks.

They probably can't go too wrong with one of the top 3 choices. Only if they try to get too 'clever' and swing for someone like in last years draft which really was one of the worst from recent memory...

[jazzcomp]

Go Spurs!!! :)

[i_amtrunks]

Go Spurs!!! :)

Agreed, the better team all year and I'd love to see Duncan get one more championship!

[jazzcomp]

Missed free throws :(

[i_amtrunks]

I'm amazed that there were not more free throws attempted, its nice to see the refs were pretty fair on letting almost anything go in the first half, then as the fouls got sloppier they started calling more.

Hopefully the Spurs recover well and win both games in Miami, the longer the series goes on, the more likely the heat are to win.

[jazzcomp]

Image link for the Spurs Championship T-shirt :)
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BqOJyEpCcAAJRSc.jpg

[dirge]

The finals were, from a neutral standpoint something of an anticlimax, but the Spurs put on a clinic. And as a Spurs fan, I'd rather an easy win for the sake of my blood pressure!

The gulf between the East & West seems to be apparent now. Lebron was class but Miami's easy path through the East masked the difference.

Australia just doubled it's NBA rings BTW (and 3/4 are Spurs). Andrew Gaze did more than Austin Daye at least...

[BruiseLee]

Given the journey through the west to get to finals, the finals itself was a bit meh save for the enjoyment of seeing a great basketball team just play the game to perfection.

Now that's all good and done, time to turn attention to the draft.

So with the number one pick, the Cleveland Cavaliers select.....???

[dirge]

I love the fact that the draft is in Brooklyn & neither the Nets or Knicks have any picks this year! Both kinda mortgaged their futures (on The Truth/KG and Melo) & have nothing much to show for it. They could learn a lot from the champs who managed to get where they are and still have 3 picks in this draft.

Word is Cleveland like Embiid. Surely they can't mess up #1 in a loaded draft*. I'm quite interested in where Exum ends up (hoping he doesn't go to Charlotte at #9). On that note hoping that the Knicks don't get Mills. Sure the Spurs fan in me wants him to stay in Texas, but I still don't want him going to that dysfunctional club with their impatient owner who never builds.

*not counting a player who ends up losing career to injury here, just bad pick like Bennett.

[i_amtrunks]

On that note hoping that the Knicks don't get Mills. Sure the Spurs fan in me wants him to stay in Texas, but I still don't want him going to that dysfunctional club with their impatient owner who never builds.

Patty would be better off staying with the Spurs on less money than moving to a larger market, the last thing he needs is to the next Lin style flash in the pan.

I would happily watch any finals series like the 13-14 ones to watch a loaded team like Miami be completely outclassed by a team that does the little things right and defends hard. I like Lebron, but buying championships is not the way to do it.

[jazzcomp]

Spurs Parade (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2102116-spurs-parade-2014-twitter-reaction-photos-videos-gifs-and-more?utm_source=http://facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national)

[jazzcomp]

Draft Day-MJ 30 years ago (http://voices.suntimes.com/sports/michael-jordan-was-drafted-by-the-bulls-30-years-ago-today/)

[i_amtrunks]

Draft Day-MJ 30 years ago (http://voices.suntimes.com/sports/michael-jordan-was-drafted-by-the-bulls-30-years-ago-today/)

But Chicago didn't want him, they wanted Hakeem the Dream (who is the reason I follow the Rockets!)

[BruiseLee]

But Chicago didn't want him, they wanted Hakeem the Dream (who is the reason I follow the Rockets!)

Everyone wanted the Dream that year. He was a can't miss prospect in the era where a good centre was crucial to a championship. No one knew at the time that Jordan was going to be this good.

Interesting that potential number 1 pick Embied (think I misspelled this) has been compared to the Dream for his footwork. With the latest injury report though wondering where he'll get drafted now. Could be a steal if he drops a bit. Just hope Portland don't somehow end up with him. Their track record with Cs has been hit with terrible luck...

[dirge]

Interesting that potential number 1 pick Embied (think I misspelled this) has been compared to the Dream for his footwork. With the latest injury report though wondering where he'll get drafted now. Could be a steal if he drops a bit. Just hope Portland don't somehow end up with him. Their track record with Cs has been hit with terrible luck...

Embiid. It's not an easy one.

He's gunna slide I reckon. Teams seem paranoid about injury prone draftees. Cavs could do worse (and did last year!) than take the risk on him. I'm not saying he should slide, but I just think he will.

I read an article today that Cleveland are starting to look at Exum. I'd love the Aussie to go #1, but with Irving already there they don't need him. It'd be like with Irving, Exum & Dellavedova they're trying to corner the market for Australian born Point Guards (hey, Patty Mills is a free agent :D).

[BruiseLee]

Cavs may trade down to grab Jabari perhaps. Think they need to win now to keep Kyrie and keep that pipe dream alive of Lebron coming back :rolleyes:

Would love to see Patty lead the second unit for my Warriors.

[i_amtrunks]

Cavs may trade down to grab Jabari perhaps. Think they need to win now to keep Kyrie and keep that pipe dream alive of Lebron coming back :rolleyes:

Would love to see Patty lead the second unit for my Warriors.

Good fit for him too if the Spurs don't want him.

[i_amtrunks]

LeBron out of Miami?

Where will he go? Who can provide him another realistic shot at a ring, afford him and another few names to surround him with? Miami will be lucky to make the finals now.

And Duncan is back for his 18th season at the Spurs! Was not expecting that.

[dirge]

LeBron's opted out; which means either he, Bosh & Wade & will redo their deals or LeBron is jumping ship again. If Wade & Bosh don't opt out in the next 48 hours, Miami's done (and the east could get even weaker).

If I was Wade I'd be staying put; no way he's getting anything like the money Miami have him signed up for.

If LeBron does go, expect it to be East. The West is too strong and LeBron's bailing on Cleveland proved it's all about personal glory. The Clippers have been spoken about but I suspect LBJ wont want to have to deal with GSW, Spurs, Thunder etc just to get to the finals.

To me the most likely landing spot aside from the Heat is the Cavs. Bulls seem to be going in a different direction, Nets & Knicks are both a mess & not gunna have the rosters to contend for the next couple of years. I just can't see him going to Indiana - even if their starting SF is a free agent. Boston is still at the front end of a rebuild... but the Cavs have good young talent & the #1 pick.

I'm also surprised but (on a selfish note) happy that Duncan is back. I wouldn't begrudge him going out a winner; he's delivered us 5 championships. To put that in context; that's more than the Knicks, 6ers, Warriors or Kings who are 20 years older than the Spurs - and Denver who joined the NBA at the same time as San Antonio still have yet to even make the finals. Duncan's done more than enough for the franchise already & I'd eagerly wish him the best had he rode off into the sunset.

[i_amtrunks]

I'm also surprised but (on a selfish note) happy that Duncan is back. I wouldn't begrudge him going out a winner; he's delivered us 5 championships. To put that in context; that's more than the Knicks, 6ers, Warriors or Kings who are 20 years older than the Spurs - and Denver who joined the NBA at the same time as San Antonio still have yet to even make the finals. Duncan's done more than enough for the franchise already & I'd eagerly wish him the best had he rode off into the sunset.

If Houston don't win the championship next year, I'd be more than happy to see Duncan go out a champion again. Not sure if it will happen, as they went fairly injury free through the back end of this season, mostly from great player management.

As for Jame, Bosh and Wade, Wade cannot go to another team, he needs to stay at the Heat for the money. Bosh and James are most likely going to opt out, take minor pay cuts over longer contracts and try to get some more backup players to help out. James may have needed to do everything in Miami, but except for teams like the Thunder, Clippers, Warriors, Spurs and Rockets, he will still be the one and only.
I agree he will stay in the East, where due to rebuilding or terrible management, there are only 3 or 4 decent teams, whereas the West has about 12, with some teams only getting better next season.

[Trailer Park Ninja]

I reckon it's time to scrap the East vs West format and just have the best 8 teams on record play off against each other. I know it shifts through the ages but as a fan I'd rather have the best of the best play.

It's really just been a 2 horse race in the East whilst every round of the West is stacked.

[dirge]

If Houston don't win the championship next year, I'd be more than happy to see Duncan go out a champion again. Not sure if it will happen, as they went fairly injury free through the back end of this season, mostly from great player management.


Yeah I'm not sure a repeat is on the cards either. Let's face it, to win the west you need to be healthy AND have a great roster. Spurs have the roster but a late season/playoff injury to the wrong player will end the challenge. Just ask 2013 OKC!



As for Jame, Bosh and Wade, Wade cannot go to another team, he needs to stay at the Heat for the money. Bosh and James are most likely going to opt out, take minor pay cuts over longer contracts and try to get some more backup players to help out. James may have needed to do everything in Miami, but except for teams like the Thunder, Clippers, Warriors, Spurs and Rockets, he will still be the one and only.


Wade would be nuts to opt out. He's past it & not worth the money. Noone's going to offer him anything like the money he's getting & so he may as well take the $ and retire in Miami.



I agree he will stay in the East, where due to rebuilding or terrible management, there are only 3 or 4 decent teams, whereas the West has about 12, with some teams only getting better next season.

The scary thing about the disparity is that Phoenix finished 9th in the West with a record that equaled 3rd in the East (Raptors). Phoenix had to play more Spurs/OKC/Clippers/Grizzlies games while Toronto got extra games against Orlando/76ers/Bucks.

You're right about management; the Knicks & their perennially impatient owner; Toronto making money & (until recently) owned by a pension fund who couldn't care less about what happens on court, Hawks with their market issues & horrible ownership group (if you wanna see how bad, read up on the Atlanta Thrashers), the Bobcats (nuff said!); Brooklyn's owner who's too busy trying to grab headlines with big transactions to bother building a roster (I think they've traded away their draft picks until the end of time...). The west has Portland who can't seem to take a break with draft picks (Roy, Oden) & Minnesota who can't attract players to a cold midwestern hockey town, but now that NO have a better owner (the last guy got run out of Charlotte) & Sterling's actually bothered to build around Griffin the west has 15 franchises that are being run as they should be.


I reckon it's time to scrap the East vs West format and just have the best 8 teams on record play off against each other. I know it shifts through the ages but as a fan I'd rather have the best of the best play.


East has been poor for a long time; but unfortunately any re-alignment would have to be voted on by the owners. I can't imagine an owner of a team like (say) Charlotte would vote for a realignment that makes it harder to make the playoffs.

The other issue TPN is that the conferences aren't just about travel; they're about TV times. The local TV deal in (say) Orlando wouldn't be worth as much if the affiliate had to broadcast a lot more away games on the west coast; the 10pm tipoff games would finish at midnight (assuming no overtime). In the west the 7pm eastern games would tip off at 4pm while Angelinos are still at work.

The NHL recently went through an awfully difficult realignment after Atlanta moved to Winnipeg. The move was only 1 time zone but as they moved west Detroit, Columbus (both eastern time zone) and Nashville (central) all wanted out of the west. It ended up with a 16 team east & 14 team west because that's all the commissioner could get past the owners in a vote.

[BruiseLee]

Exum to the Jazz at 5. Interesting, looks like they'll be playing him off the ball a bit with Burke. Could be good for him as the Jazz are a young team and it'll give him time to develop his nba game with less pressure.

[jazzcomp]

Australia's getting a lot of flak for tanking the game against Angola and avoiding a match with the US dream team. Link (http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/basketball/andrew-gaze-phil-smyth-and-andrew-bogut-say-fiba-probe-into-boomers-a-joke/story-fni2u9cl-1227052061551?nk=9ef258cd1bc7abeca1481675adaf76b7)

I guess Dragic's comment/interview had a lot to do with it.

Tweet from Bogut -

“So u can naturalize a plyer who has nver stepped foot in a country, but you cant rest players in a game 2 better a draw 4 youself? Ok @fiba.

This is targetted at the Philippines which had a very low chance of advancing but most other countries use NBA players and naturalize Americans to help their team improve. One player doesn't make you an automatic winner. The Philippines played their hearts out.

[i_amtrunks]

It's FIBA, they are doing the bare minimum to look like they actually have any real power or relevancy. In a few weeks they will either give Autralia an undeserved slap on the wrist or say they found no evidence of intentional tanking. (As long as money is not involved, if a team tanks, that is their perogative.)

It's not like most of the world truly cares about this tournament. Most games not involving Spain are all but empty which is a terrible look for the sport.

The final will be good, as may the semi finals, but otherwise lets just get to the new NBA season already.

[jazzcomp]

There are a few nice and exciting games :)

[jazzcomp]

Joe Ingles is suiting up for LA ......

...... Clippers next season :D

[jazzcomp]

Nash is out :( It's really difficult to be a ring chaser at the end of your career. Lost all his opportunities.

[jazzcomp]

For the NBA fans here - Discount on League Pass (https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/173291)