*NBA THREAD* Abe will be missed (8 Viewers)

[Premier]

According to Chris Broussard, the Magic are looking into trading for Camby.

Not sure how they could pull that one off. Plus, they have Earl Clark.

 

[oneohh]

Go Spurs!

It's amazing what TP can do when the refs aren't allowing L.A. to knock him on his ### every time down. And it's nice to see Georgie calling Kobe out for being the punkass that he is. Good win for the silver and black.

 

[the moops]

According to Chris Broussard, the Magic are looking into trading for Camby. Not sure how they could pull that one off. Plus, they have Earl Clark.

Camby is making 11 million this year. The only thing that seems to work is something like Richardson and Bass for Camby and Miller, or something like that. Don't like that deal for either team though.Camby for Reddick and Q? Camby for Jameer and Q?

 

[Kev4029]

According to Chris Broussard, the Magic are looking into trading for Camby. Not sure how they could pull that one off. Plus, they have Earl Clark.

I don't see anything the Blazers would really like. Earl Clark is a decent trade chip, but he can't be traded in a multiple player deal for 2 months, Daniel Orton is still a decent prospect, other than those two its either big bad contracts (JJ, Turkeyglue, Arenas) players the Magic wouldn't trade (Nelson, Bass) or tiny contracts (Williams, Allen, QRich). Their best trade chip that they would be willing to part with that has a fair sized contract is Reddick, but he is a base year compensation player making him almost worthless as a trade piece. Playing around with the ESPN Trade Machine shows how hard it will be to get the job done without trading Nelson, JRich (I don't see the Blazers taking him), Turkoglu (I don't see anybody taking him, but I've been proven wrong twice in the last 6 months), Bass, Howard, or Arenas (I don't see anybody taking him). I suppose a JRich plus maybe Orton for Camby & Fernandez is possible.

 

[Kev4029]

According to Chris Broussard, the Magic are looking into trading for Camby.

Not sure how they could pull that one off. Plus, they have Earl Clark.

Camby is making 11 million this year. The only thing that seems to work is something like Richardson and Bass for Camby and Miller, or something like that. Don't like that deal for either team though.Camby for Reddick and Q? Camby for Jameer and Q?

His contract is only worth something like $3 million in a trade.

 

[Premier]

Yea as good as a player as Camby is, he's not a good fit for the Magic anyways. Plus I love all the perimeter strength that they have now.

They really only need a big man to play 8 minutes a game in the playoffs. If Dwight gets hurt or fouls out, they're going to lose to Boston or Miami anyways.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Lakers with only 1 win this season vs a team with a .500 record or better. Ouch...

 

[Sammy3469]

Lakers with only 1 win this season vs a team with a .500 record or better. Ouch...

Very Heat-esque...at least the Heat got to play th Knicks twice though.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Lakers with only 1 win this season vs a team with a .500 record or better. Ouch...

Very Heat-esque...at least the Heat got to play th Knicks twice though.

Not really. I can count 7 for the Heat.

 

[Kev4029]

Lakers with only 1 win this season vs a team with a .500 record or better. Ouch...

Very Heat-esque...at least the Heat got to play th Knicks twice though.

The Lakers have the easiest SOS (.440) in the NBA (Even easier than the Knicks!!!!) the Heat have the 9th easiest SOS but they aren't even close to the Lakers (.493). The Lakers are really going to have to pick it up or they are gonna fall down the standings and have to win on the road all the way through the playoffs.

 

[oneohh]

Lakers with only 1 win this season vs a team with a .500 record or better. Ouch...

Very Heat-esque...at least the Heat got to play th Knicks twice though.

The Lakers have the easiest SOS (.440) in the NBA (Even easier than the Knicks!!!!) the Heat have the 9th easiest SOS but they aren't even close to the Lakers (.493). The Lakers are really going to have to pick it up or they are gonna fall down the standings and have to win on the road all the way through the playoffs.

Stern will make sure and bail them out in the playoffs. As usual.

 

[culdeus]

So went to my 4th mavs game last night (seen 2 of the losses ). I had totally forgotten Leandro Barbosa existed. Talk about making a semi-leap and then just vanishing to obscurity on an obscure team.

 

[Kev4029]

Are Lakers fans finally with me that Steve Blake is worthless and he was a bad signing?

 

[oneohh]

So went to my 4th mavs game last night (seen 2 of the losses ). I had totally forgotten Leandro Barbosa existed. Talk about making a semi-leap and then just vanishing to obscurity on an obscure team.

Is Dirk going to make it back for Thursday's game?

 

[culdeus]

So went to my 4th mavs game last night (seen 2 of the losses ). I had totally forgotten Leandro Barbosa existed. Talk about making a semi-leap and then just vanishing to obscurity on an obscure team.

Is Dirk going to make it back for Thursday's game?

Most signs point to it. The rotation last night featured lots of Cardinal and Mahimini. Seems they are resting up for the Spurs game.

 

[oneohh]

So went to my 4th mavs game last night (seen 2 of the losses ). I had totally forgotten Leandro Barbosa existed. Talk about making a semi-leap and then just vanishing to obscurity on an obscure team.

Is Dirk going to make it back for Thursday's game?

Most signs point to it. The rotation last night featured lots of Cardinal and Mahimini. Seems they are resting up for the Spurs game.

Should be a good game. Thankfully it's not a back-to-back.

 

[Gr00vus]

Are Lakers fans finally with me that Steve Blake is worthless and he was a bad signing?

There's so much else wrong with the team right now, it's hard to focus on Blake's problems.

 

[Kev4029]

Are Lakers fans finally with me that Steve Blake is worthless and he was a bad signing?

There's so much else wrong with the team right now, it's hard to focus on Blake's problems.

The game last night exposed his (and Fisher's) weaknesses. He can't NBA point guards and his only skill offensively is hitting wide open jumpers.

 

[saintfool]

Are Lakers fans finally with me that Steve Blake is worthless and he was a bad signing?

There's so much else wrong with the team right now, it's hard to focus on Blake's problems.

The game last night exposed his (and Fisher's) weaknesses. He can't NBA point guards and his only skill offensively is hitting wide open jumpers.

fisher is a gamer though, especially in the playoffs. he's proven it time and time again over the last 30 years in the association. blake? not so much.

 

[Mr. PadresLakers]

Are Lakers fans finally with me that Steve Blake is worthless and he was a bad signing?

There's so much else wrong with the team right now, it's hard to focus on Blake's problems.

The game last night exposed his (and Fisher's) weaknesses. He can't NBA point guards and his only skill offensively is hitting wide open jumpers.

Who should they have signed instead?

 

[Gr00vus]

Are Lakers fans finally with me that Steve Blake is worthless and he was a bad signing?

There's so much else wrong with the team right now, it's hard to focus on Blake's problems.

The game last night exposed his (and Fisher's) weaknesses. He can't NBA point guards and his only skill offensively is hitting wide open jumpers.

He also makes good decisions with the ball, is a solid passer, spaces the floor well, and adheres to the discipline of the offensive game plan. And that's what fits the Lakers' scheme - when it's working.Also when he, Walton and Ebanks get dealt for Chris Paul he'll be even more valuable.

 

[Kev4029]

Are Lakers fans finally with me that Steve Blake is worthless and he was a bad signing?

There's so much else wrong with the team right now, it's hard to focus on Blake's problems.

The game last night exposed his (and Fisher's) weaknesses. He can't NBA point guards and his only skill offensively is hitting wide open jumpers.

Who should they have signed instead?

They could have made a run at Felton, he got 7 million for 2 years with a team option, the Lakers could have offered a 5 year full mid level (5.9 mil?). They could have resigned Farmer (doesn't fit the "system" but can play a little defense and can create a shot from time to time), Nate Robinson (too similar to Brown I suppose), Luke Ridnour, or maybe even nobody and play Shannon Brown more. Really I don't think there was any wrong answer other than Steve Blake.

 

[Kev4029]

Are Lakers fans finally with me that Steve Blake is worthless and he was a bad signing?

There's so much else wrong with the team right now, it's hard to focus on Blake's problems.

The game last night exposed his (and Fisher's) weaknesses. He can't NBA point guards and his only skill offensively is hitting wide open jumpers.

He also makes good decisions with the ball, is a solid passer, spaces the floor well, and adheres to the discipline of the offensive game plan. And that's what fits the Lakers' scheme - when it's working.Also when he, Walton and Ebanks get dealt for Chris Paul he'll be even more valuable.

Hes not a good passer as much as he is just quick to pass the ball and he has the 9th worst TO ratio from the PG spot in the NBA and a below average assist ratio. You are right, he does adhere to the game plan, but a lot of that is because he physically can't do anything outside of the game plan. He can't beat anybody off the dribble and is absolutely horrendous at scoring around the hoop so he sits outside and if he gets the ball and he is wide open he'll shoot, if not he passes the ball quickly.

 

[Mr. PadresLakers]

Are Lakers fans finally with me that Steve Blake is worthless and he was a bad signing?

There's so much else wrong with the team right now, it's hard to focus on Blake's problems.

The game last night exposed his (and Fisher's) weaknesses. He can't NBA point guards and his only skill offensively is hitting wide open jumpers.

Who should they have signed instead?

They could have made a run at Felton, he got 7 million for 2 years with a team option, the Lakers could have offered a 5 year full mid level (5.9 mil?). They could have resigned Farmer (doesn't fit the "system" but can play a little defense and can create a shot from time to time), Nate Robinson (too similar to Brown I suppose), Luke Ridnour, or maybe even nobody and play Shannon Brown more. Really I don't think there was any wrong answer other than Steve Blake.

I think Blake and Barnes are better than all of those options.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Are Lakers fans finally with me that Steve Blake is worthless and he was a bad signing?

There's so much else wrong with the team right now, it's hard to focus on Blake's problems.

The game last night exposed his (and Fisher's) weaknesses. He can't NBA point guards and his only skill offensively is hitting wide open jumpers.

Who should they have signed instead?

They should have traded expiring contracts for Kirk Hinrich at the trade deadline last year.

 

[LHUCKS]

The Lakers will still win the West...write it down.

Orlando with Arenas/Richardson looking pretty damn good...they might actually come out of the East...as I said earlier in this thread, the world forgot how deadly Arenas is when motivated.

So basically a two horse race in the West(I don't believe in the Mavs) and a three horse race in the East.

 

[Kev4029]

I think Blake and Barnes are better than all of those options.

Farmar, Ridnour and Robinson were all signed for similar contracts as Blake. If they took any of those option they would have been in the same boat, if they signed Felton I believe they still could have signed Barnes with their biannual exception.

 

[Mr. PadresLakers]

I think Blake and Barnes are better than all of those options.

Farmar, Ridnour and Robinson were all signed for similar contracts as Blake. If they took any of those option they would have been in the same boat, if they signed Felton I believe they still could have signed Barnes with their biannual exception.

Farmar can't stay in front of Tony Parker and I really doubt Ridnour and Robinson can either. You say Blake is limited because he can only hit open three pointers when that is exactly what the Lakers have asked out of their point guards on offense for the last decade. Different playing styles does not equal better.

 

[LHUCKS]

Farmar can't stay in front of Tony Parker

Very few can

 

[Gr00vus]

I think Blake and Barnes are better than all of those options.

Farmar, Ridnour and Robinson were all signed for similar contracts as Blake. If they took any of those option they would have been in the same boat, if they signed Felton I believe they still could have signed Barnes with their biannual exception.

Farmar didn't want to play in the triangle or for Jackson. Ridnour isn't better than Blake. I don't think Robinson would fit the Laker's scheme. Felton looks great in hindsight, show me the post where you suggested this in the summer.We get it, you don't like Blake. Nobody is saying he's Derrick Rose. You're basically arguing with yourself for the sake of arguing here.

 

[EasyMorningRebel]

Don't you laker guys have your own thread?

 

[Mr. PadresLakers]

Don't you laker guys have your own thread?

Don't be intimidated.Just wipe the drool from your mouth and offer up one of your sweet takes.

 

[Kev4029]

I think Blake and Barnes are better than all of those options.

Farmar, Ridnour and Robinson were all signed for similar contracts as Blake. If they took any of those option they would have been in the same boat, if they signed Felton I believe they still could have signed Barnes with their biannual exception.

Farmar didn't want to play in the triangle or for Jackson. Ridnour isn't better than Blake. I don't think Robinson would fit the Laker's scheme. Felton looks great in hindsight, show me the post where you suggested this in the summer.We get it, you don't like Blake. Nobody is saying he's Derrick Rose. You're basically arguing with yourself for the sake of arguing here.

I didn't suggest they sign anybody during the summer, I just laughed when they paid Blake $4 million a year to compound the issues they already had at PG. I started this Blake stuff today to get a rise out of you Lakers fans, you guys have been hiding a lot lately and I missed all of you.

 

[Britney Spears]

I think Blake and Barnes are better than all of those options.

Farmar, Ridnour and Robinson were all signed for similar contracts as Blake. If they took any of those option they would have been in the same boat, if they signed Felton I believe they still could have signed Barnes with their biannual exception.

Farmar didn't want to play in the triangle or for Jackson. Ridnour isn't better than Blake. I don't think Robinson would fit the Laker's scheme. Felton looks great in hindsight, show me the post where you suggested this in the summer.We get it, you don't like Blake. Nobody is saying he's Derrick Rose. You're basically arguing with yourself for the sake of arguing here.

How dare you?Ridnour is a little slice of heaven.

 

[Gr00vus]

I started this Blake stuff today to get a rise out of you Lakers fans, you guys have been hiding a lot lately and I missed all of you.

Dude, I bumped the Laker thread after the losses and got crickets - what do you want from me?

 

[Gr00vus]

How dare you?

Ridnour is a little slice of heaven.

I hear the Sonics are still in Seattle there.

 

[Gr00vus]

I just laughed when they paid Blake $4 million a year to compound the issues they already had at PG.

They had to do something, Farmar was walking, Vujasuc was useless. Blake fits the scheme well when the other guys are doing their job, which is all they ask of the PG. I can't think of anyone in the league who can man up quick point guards - not even other quick point guards - so it's stupid ragging on Blake for not being able to do things nobody else does either. It's not that hard to figure this out.

 

[Kev4029]

I think Blake and Barnes are better than all of those options.

Farmar, Ridnour and Robinson were all signed for similar contracts as Blake. If they took any of those option they would have been in the same boat, if they signed Felton I believe they still could have signed Barnes with their biannual exception.

Farmar can't stay in front of Tony Parker and I really doubt Ridnour and Robinson can either. You say Blake is limited because he can only hit open three pointers when that is exactly what the Lakers have asked out of their point guards on offense for the last decade. Different playing styles does not equal better.

You're absolutely right, but the combo of Fisher and Blake let opposing point guards score all over them while offering nothing on offense. Why even start a PG at all if you are the Lakers if all you want is a guy that can hit a jumper or two a game and bring the ball up half the time and defend nobody on defense? Start a lineup of Kobe, Artest, Odom, Gasol and Bynum and make them defend you. I highly doubt that any combination of Artest, Odom and Kobe would do any worse defensively than the PGs they trot out there every night.

 

[Kev4029]

I just laughed when they paid Blake $4 million a year to compound the issues they already had at PG.

They had to do something, Farmar was walking, Vujasuc was useless. Blake fits the scheme well when the other guys are doing their job, which is all they ask of the PG. I can't think of anyone in the league who can man up quick point guards - not even other quick point guards - so it's stupid ragging on Blake for not being able to do things nobody else does either. It's not that hard to figure this out.

Its not that the Lakers can't guard quick PGs, its that they can't guard any point guards... at all.

 

[EasyMorningRebel]

I think Blake and Barnes are better than all of those options.

Farmar, Ridnour and Robinson were all signed for similar contracts as Blake. If they took any of those option they would have been in the same boat, if they signed Felton I believe they still could have signed Barnes with their biannual exception.

Farmar can't stay in front of Tony Parker and I really doubt Ridnour and Robinson can either. You say Blake is limited because he can only hit open three pointers when that is exactly what the Lakers have asked out of their point guards on offense for the last decade. Different playing styles does not equal better.

You're absolutely right, but the combo of Fisher and Blake let opposing point guards score all over them while offering nothing on offense. Why even start a PG at all if you are the Lakers if all you want is a guy that can hit a jumper or two a game and bring the ball up half the time and defend nobody on defense? Start a lineup of Kobe, Artest, Odom, Gasol and Bynum and make them defend you. I highly doubt that any combination of Artest, Odom and Kobe would do any worse defensively than the PGs they trot out there every night.

Stern can cover for them in the playoffs, but the lakers have to do something with their team during the regular season.

 

[Britney Spears]

How dare you?

Ridnour is a little slice of heaven.

I hear the Sonics are still in Seattle there.

Well of course they are.

 

[Kev4029]

I started this Blake stuff today to get a rise out of you Lakers fans, you guys have been hiding a lot lately and I missed all of you.

Dude, I bumped the Laker thread after the losses and got crickets - what do you want from me?

I don't look over in there much, its easier for me to pick my petty arguments here, there is a larger crowd of people that will disagree with me and keep me entertained.

 

[Kev4029]

Here is Hollinger's take on Fisher and Blake today from his Per Diem (Link)

This wasn't an issue as long as the other guys were clicking -- L.A.'s point guards are expected to be little more than initiators who make an entry pass and then spot up for a long-range jumper. Derek Fisher and Steve Blake have handled that part of their job description ably, hitting 40.0 percent and 41.7 percent respectively on 3-pointers.

But the complete lack of any additional production from the point guards becomes glaring when the other facets of L.A.'s offense struggle. Blake and Fisher are two of the league's worst 2-point shooters -- Blake has made nine 2-point baskets the entire season and is shooting 23.1 percent inside the arc, while Fisher is at 37.7 percent. And because they're so bad inside the arc and rarely draw fouls, each has a True Shooting Percentage below the league average despite the stellar 3-point shooting.

Worse yet, because they strain so much to create offense, they have high turnover rates -- a no-no for spot-up specialists. Fisher twice committed offensive fouls last night trying to use Earl Campbell stiff-arms to get himself into the paint, while Blake's forays have been even more disastrous -- 14.7 percent of his possessions end in miscues.

Finally, their per-40-minute production is downright piddling: 10.5 points and 4.0 assists for Fisher, and 9.9 points and 4.2 assists for Blake. (That's per 40 minutes played by each player, not per game.)

Add it all up, and L.A. has two of the league's bottom six point guards in PER.

 

[Gr00vus]

Here is Hollinger's take on Fisher and Blake today from his Per Diem (Link)

...L.A.'s point guards are expected to be little more than initiators who make an entry pass and then spot up for a long-range jumper. Derek Fisher and Steve Blake have handled that part of their job description ably, hitting 40.0 percent and 41.7 percent respectively on 3-pointers.

But the complete lack of any additional production from the point guards becomes glaring when the other facets of L.A.'s offense struggle...

So Hollinger is just repeating what we've been saying here. Great.

 

[Kev4029]

Here is Hollinger's take on Fisher and Blake today from his Per Diem (Link)

...L.A.'s point guards are expected to be little more than initiators who make an entry pass and then spot up for a long-range jumper. Derek Fisher and Steve Blake have handled that part of their job description ably, hitting 40.0 percent and 41.7 percent respectively on 3-pointers.

But the complete lack of any additional production from the point guards becomes glaring when the other facets of L.A.'s offense struggle...

So Hollinger is just repeating what we've been saying here. Great.

The point is WE'RE ALL RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Moe.]

According to Chris Broussard, the Magic are looking into trading for Camby. Not sure how they could pull that one off. Plus, they have Earl Clark.

I'd like to see the Thunder make this move if possible. The west is wide open and I think they can content with a little help down low. They probably won't though.

 

[Gadfly]

The worst part about Blake is he has been missing wide open 3 after wide open 3 of late. I would like to see Brown at PG. He'll provide more offense than Blake, can't be any worse defensively and Odom/Kobe bring the ball up most of the time anyway.

 

[Kev4029]

According to Chris Broussard, the Magic are looking into trading for Camby. Not sure how they could pull that one off. Plus, they have Earl Clark.

I'd like to see the Thunder make this move if possible. The west is wide open and I think they can content with a little help down low. They probably won't though.

The Thunder eventually need to trade to get some big man talent, they should try and dangle Jeff Green and Cole Aldrich (with the contracts of Peterson and Cook possibly) for a legit NBA center. McGee, Okafor, Varajao and Camby could probably all be had for Green, Aldrich and a first rounder or less.

 

[Moe.]

According to Chris Broussard, the Magic are looking into trading for Camby. Not sure how they could pull that one off. Plus, they have Earl Clark.

I'd like to see the Thunder make this move if possible. The west is wide open and I think they can content with a little help down low. They probably won't though.

The Thunder eventually need to trade to get some big man talent, they should try and dangle Jeff Green and Cole Aldrich (with the contracts of Peterson and Cook possibly) for a legit NBA center. McGee, Okafor, Varajao and Camby could probably all be had for Green, Aldrich and a first rounder or less.

Where do the Thunder sit contract-wise with Green? He's a free agent at the end of this year, correct? He's a great player but he needs to play the three imo. I'm interested to see if he remains part of Presti's plans long-term.

 

[Kev4029]

According to Chris Broussard, the Magic are looking into trading for Camby. Not sure how they could pull that one off. Plus, they have Earl Clark.

I'd like to see the Thunder make this move if possible. The west is wide open and I think they can content with a little help down low. They probably won't though.

The Thunder eventually need to trade to get some big man talent, they should try and dangle Jeff Green and Cole Aldrich (with the contracts of Peterson and Cook possibly) for a legit NBA center. McGee, Okafor, Varajao and Camby could probably all be had for Green, Aldrich and a first rounder or less.

Where do the Thunder sit contract-wise with Green? He's a free agent at the end of this year, correct? He's a great player but he needs to play the three imo. I'm interested to see if he remains part of Presti's plans long-term.

Yep, he is a restricted FA at the end of the year. I would guess he is going to get more money than he deserves in free agency as well. I picture him more as a 6th man that does a little bit of everything on a championship contender than starting 3/4 and I think the Thunder would be smart to trade him for something of more use to them.