*NBA THREAD* Abe will be missed (3 Viewers)

[Kev4029]

Gotta suspend Pittman there. That's ridiculous. I'd just take him out for the payoffs and eliminate his eligibility for a ring since a game or two would mean nothing for a scrub.

That Pittman elbow got the same call as Artest's "shove" last night.

I'm on board with you saying this was drastically worse. Artest had a run of the mill flagrant. Pittman needs to have a nice season, guy.

Yea, not sure how he doesnt get ejected for that. I imagine he will miss a game or two now though

Yeah, that was a multiple game suspension elbow but I think people are overreacting with the rest of the season.... not that it would matter anyway because he blows.

 

[Britney Spears]

Gotta suspend Pittman there. That's ridiculous. I'd just take him out for the payoffs and eliminate his eligibility for a ring since a game or two would mean nothing for a scrub.

That Pittman elbow got the same call as Artest's "shove" last night.

I'm on board with you saying this was drastically worse. Artest had a run of the mill flagrant. Pittman needs to have a nice season, guy.

Yea, not sure how he doesnt get ejected for that. I imagine he will miss a game or two now though

I agree and I don't understand how the officials decided to let him stay in the game at that point. Just stupid and welcomes an opportunity for more retaliation.

 

[Moe.]

1. Red Auerbach2. Pat Riley3. Larry Brown4. Gregg Popovich5. Bill Sharman6. Billy Cunningham7. Phil Jackson8. Don Nelson9. Chuck Daly10. Lenny Wilkens

No bias in that Brown pick I'm sure(1).1. Just kidding. Please don't rip me a new #######.

 

[Kev4029]

Wilt as #2? Come on...

He may have been the most talented player to ever play in the NBA, I think the difference between him and most of the other all time greats is that his life wasn't controlled by basketball. Most of the other all time greats were much more motivated than he was, at least from what I've gathered in everything I've read. Hes done things on the court that nobody else has done or could do from the center position. It seems he was the better player than Russell, just not necessarily the more effective one.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

I feel like im fairly even about the whole thing and have watched enough basketball to have a valid opinion. I don't know how anyone could have anyone other than Jordan or Russell as 1. Magic, Kareem, bird, and wilt have to hold 4 of the next fiche spots. Put on wilt and thats a top 7 that is hard to argue with. Thereafter is Kobe, Duncan, shaq, and Hakeem with about 10 other guys with good arguments (west, Baylor, mchale, Cousy, etc.)

Sorry Abe but I would not have Wilt in my top 5, Kareem either. 1. JordanLarry BirdMagic JohnsonBill RussellKobe BryantShaqTim DuncanKareemHakeem...in some orderWilt played in an era where no one could really stand up to him, I just discount a lot of his years and I don't know that he would have been quite as elite had he played in the modern era of the NBA.

Interested in why you have Kobe so high and Kareem do low. Not arguing, truly interested.

7 trips as the main piece or part of a two man monster and 5 rings in what I feel is the most competitive era we have seen in the NBA. Jordan/Bird/Magic...those guys set the bar for this generation and the sheer number of elite athletes in the sport that have poured in now from all over the globe just amazes me. Kobe has his issues off the court and with the media but he is excellent on defense and offense, in his prime he could take over a game without a lot of help. Every night the Lakers have had a chance to win, just about every night for the last 12-15 years the Lakers and their fans have always felt like they could win any game because of Kobe taking the floor. You cannot say that about very many players.

 

[Abraham]

I feel like im fairly even about the whole thing and have watched enough basketball to have a valid opinion. I don't know how anyone could have anyone other than Jordan or Russell as 1. Magic, Kareem, bird, and wilt have to hold 4 of the next fiche spots. Put on wilt and thats a top 7 that is hard to argue with. Thereafter is Kobe, Duncan, shaq, and Hakeem with about 10 other guys with good arguments (west, Baylor, mchale, Cousy, etc.)

Sorry Abe but I would not have Wilt in my top 5, Kareem either. 1. JordanLarry BirdMagic JohnsonBill RussellKobe BryantShaqTim DuncanKareemHakeem...in some orderWilt played in an era where no one could really stand up to him, I just discount a lot of his years and I don't know that he would have been quite as elite had he played in the modern era of the NBA.

Interested in why you have Kobe so high and Kareem do low. Not arguing, truly interested.

7 trips as the main piece or part of a two man monster and 5 rings in what I feel is the most competitive era we have seen in the NBA. Jordan/Bird/Magic...those guys set the bar for this generation and the sheer number of elite athletes in the sport that have poured in now from all over the globe just amazes me. Kobe has his issues off the court and with the media but he is excellent on defense and offense, in his prime he could take over a game without a lot of help. Every night the Lakers have had a chance to win, just about every night for the last 12-15 years the Lakers and their fans have always felt like they could win any game because of Kobe taking the floor. You cannot say that about very many players.

Good argument. But you don't feel the same could be said of kareems teams?

 

[timschochet]

I feel like im fairly even about the whole thing and have watched enough basketball to have a valid opinion. I don't know how anyone could have anyone other than Jordan or Russell as 1. Magic, Kareem, bird, and wilt have to hold 4 of the next fiche spots. Put on wilt and thats a top 7 that is hard to argue with. Thereafter is Kobe, Duncan, shaq, and Hakeem with about 10 other guys with good arguments (west, Baylor, mchale, Cousy, etc.)

Sorry Abe but I would not have Wilt in my top 5, Kareem either. 1. JordanLarry BirdMagic JohnsonBill RussellKobe BryantShaqTim DuncanKareemHakeem...in some orderWilt played in an era where no one could really stand up to him, I just discount a lot of his years and I don't know that he would have been quite as elite had he played in the modern era of the NBA.

So let me get this straight- Wilt is not in your top 5 because of the era he played in, yet Bill Russell IS in your top 5. What era did Russell play in exactly? Was that a different era (in your mind) than Wilt?

 

[timschochet]

1. Red Auerbach2. Pat Riley3. Larry Brown4. Gregg Popovich5. Bill Sharman6. Billy Cunningham7. Phil Jackson8. Don Nelson9. Chuck Daly10. Lenny Wilkens

Curious: 1. Why Jackson so low?2. Why Brown so high?3. What makes Red # 1 for you? 4. Would another title for Pops move him up your list?

 

[Britney Spears]

I didn't see the first half, but for the replay it didn't look like Haslem's was as bad as Pittman's...?

Pittman's looked like an assault, while Haslem's seemed at least to be sort if a "play"?

 

[Britney Spears]

1. Red Auerbach2. Pat Riley3. Larry Brown4. Gregg Popovich5. Bill Sharman6. Billy Cunningham7. Phil Jackson8. Don Nelson9. Chuck Daly10. Lenny Wilkens

Curious: 1. Why Jackson so low?2. Why Brown so high?3. What makes Red # 1 for you? 4. Would another title for Pops move him up your list?

Yeah I am curious about Ferris' list also. Is this based on their Xs and Os, wins, etc?I rank Jackson extremely high because I think the task of managing those egos and focusing the drive of those elite performers is an amazing display of management skill. I literally picked up Jackson's book because I wanted to read some of his insight on management (I manage people for a living) despite the fact that I've rooted against his teams forever.

 

[timschochet]

1. Red Auerbach

2. Pat Riley

3. Larry Brown

4. Gregg Popovich

5. Bill Sharman

6. Billy Cunningham

7. Phil Jackson

8. Don Nelson

9. Chuck Daly

10. Lenny Wilkens

No bias in that Brown pick I'm sure(1).1. Just kidding. Please don't rip me a new #######.

It's all good.I've got Brown that high because he's near the top both as a tactician and as a teacher of the game. A lot of folks see all of the different jobs he's had and see it as a negative because of the instability from it, but all those different stops showed he could win with completely different rosters, front offices, budgets, and styles of play.

He took the Nuggets to the ABA Finals and NBA conference finals.

He got the Nets into the playoffs.

He got the Clippers into the playoffs twice.

He orchestrated a +35 W/L improvement in one year in San Antonio.

He took a team with Rik Smits and Derrick McKey as starters within one game of the NBA Finals in Indiana.

He helmed perhaps the least-talented team ever to appear in an NBA Finals in Philly.

He annihilated Phil Jackson in the 2004 Finals by so much Jerry Buss should have sued Jax for coaching malpractice, winning the title in Detroit.

He got the Charlotte ####### Bobcats to lead the league in defense.

He won with running teams and walking teams, won with teams built around big men and with teams built around guards, won with teams that tried to outgun the opponent and with teams that tried to choke the opponent out.

Other coaches won more games. Other coaches won more titles. Other coaches could stand still for a lot longer. but no coach has ever demonstrated he could win in as many different environments using as many different approaches to the game as Larry Brown.

And none of that argument included the NCAA title he won at Kansas or taking UCLA to the Final Four.

Actually, he took them to the final game. And that was pretty talented team, featuring Kiki Vanderweghe.

 

[timschochet]

Thanks for answering all my questions. I disagree with you on Jackson. I think you overlook coaching efforts that he should be given credit for. You claim he was outcoached by Doc twice and I don't see that. I thought the Celtics were the better team on both occasions and the Lakers managed to win one of those. There was also a series in against a much better Phoenix a few years back in which the Lakers somehow managed to win 3 games with Kwame Brown and Smush Parker. IMO, that was all coaching.

The defeats of San Antonio, Portland, Sacramento were all great accomplishments IMO, as were the Bulls' victories. You wrote that he lost control of Rodman in '98- I don't recall that- I do recall them winning the championship. You also wrote that Kobe ran Phil out of town twice- I question this interpretation as well.

 

[Moe.]

It's probably much tougher to rank coaches. Looking at Brown's resume I don't know how you could even begin to compare that to someone like Popovich, who has only coached since 1996. He's 63, I could see him retiring at the same time as Duncan. Brown on the other hand has been at it every year since the early 70s, excluding the successful NCAA stint for 6 years in the 80s. It will be interesting to see what he does at SMU.

 

[tommyGunZ]

It's probably much tougher to rank coaches. Looking at Brown's resume I don't know how you could even begin to compare that to someone like Popovich, who has only coached since 1996. He's 63, I could see him retiring at the same time as Duncan. Brown on the other hand has been at it every year since the early 70s, excluding the successful NCAA stint for 6 years in the 80s. It will be interesting to see what he does at SMU.

I know exactly what he'll do at SMU - exactly what he's always done. I think Brown is > Pop. Rightly or wrongly, all of Pop's success coincides with Tim Duncan. Brown did it with different teams, on different levels, during different basketball generations.

 

[Daywalker]

Thanks for answering all my questions. I disagree with you on Jackson. I think you overlook coaching efforts that he should be given credit for. You claim he was outcoached by Doc twice and I don't see that. I thought the Celtics were the better team on both occasions and the Lakers managed to win one of those. There was also a series in against a much better Phoenix a few years back in which the Lakers somehow managed to win 3 games with Kwame Brown and Smush Parker. IMO, that was all coaching. The defeats of San Antonio, Portland, Sacramento were all great accomplishments IMO, as were the Bulls' victories. You wrote that he lost control of Rodman in '98- I don't recall that- I do recall them winning the championship. You also wrote that Kobe ran Phil out of town twice- I question this interpretation as well.

The year after Jordan left may be his best coaching performance. Three rings already in the bag for many of those players and Phil still got everything out of that team.

 

[Daywalker]

It's probably much tougher to rank coaches. Looking at Brown's resume I don't know how you could even begin to compare that to someone like Popovich, who has only coached since 1996. He's 63, I could see him retiring at the same time as Duncan. Brown on the other hand has been at it every year since the early 70s, excluding the successful NCAA stint for 6 years in the 80s. It will be interesting to see what he does at SMU.

I know exactly what he'll do at SMU - exactly what he's always done. I think Brown is > Pop. Rightly or wrongly, all of Pop's success coincides with Tim Duncan. Brown did it with different teams, on different levels, during different basketball generations.

It's close but I easily take Brown over Pop. Due to the above mentioned reasons as well as his 2004 championship is singularly greater then any of Pop's championships. Then Brown goes back to finals and takes the Spurs to seven games.

 

[GroveDiesel]

Screw the Heat. They've been playing dirty all series with Wade's shove in the back that should have been suspended and Lebron throwing elbows.

I hope the Pacers take s page out of the Saints playbook and put Stevenson in early to make sure the next game is Lebron's last playoff game this year.

The really sucky thing is that this is going to end up doubly benefiting the Heat. Not only will Haslem not end up getting suspended, but now the refs will be super tight in Game 6 which will inevitably benefit the Heat. I bet Wade and James go to the line 40 times in Game 6.

 

[Todem]

Screw the Heat. They've been playing dirty all series with Wade's shove in the back that should have been suspended and Lebron throwing elbows.

I hope the Pacers take s page out of the Saints playbook and put Stevenson in early to make sure the next game is Lebron's last playoff game this year.

The really sucky thing is that this is going to end up doubly benefiting the Heat. Not only will Haslem not end up getting suspended, but now the refs will be super tight in Game 6 which will inevitably benefit the Heat. I bet Wade and James go to the line 40 times in Game 6.

Playing dirty all series? The Pacers have been nothing short of punks with their antics.

Pittman should be sitting for the rest of the year. Awful what he did.

Haslem retaliated.....finally. He may get a game suspension for it.....but it was about time. West has been elbowing in the paint and pushing off all series. Granger's antics have been laughable. Pure school yard BS.

What is laughable is your sheer hate for the Heat. The better team is going to win this series. And they are a key player down.

And the bolded statement. Really? Seriously?

Dude.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

So let me get this straight- Wilt is not in your top 5 because of the era he played in, yet Bill Russell IS in your top 5. What era did Russell play in exactly? Was that a different era (in your mind) than Wilt?

Russell was a more complete player IMO. And I didn't ever list a #2...I said in some order. I have a lot of respect for this era we are in right now. Many of the top15-20 players come from the last 20 years.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

I feel like im fairly even about the whole thing and have watched enough basketball to have a valid opinion. I don't know how anyone could have anyone other than Jordan or Russell as 1. Magic, Kareem, bird, and wilt have to hold 4 of the next fiche spots. Put on wilt and thats a top 7 that is hard to argue with. Thereafter is Kobe, Duncan, shaq, and Hakeem with about 10 other guys with good arguments (west, Baylor, mchale, Cousy, etc.)

Sorry Abe but I would not have Wilt in my top 5, Kareem either. 1. JordanLarry BirdMagic JohnsonBill RussellKobe BryantShaqTim DuncanKareemHakeem...in some orderWilt played in an era where no one could really stand up to him, I just discount a lot of his years and I don't know that he would have been quite as elite had he played in the modern era of the NBA.

More evidence of insanity.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Screw the Heat. They've been playing dirty all series with Wade's shove in the back that should have been suspended and Lebron throwing elbows.I hope the Pacers take s page out of the Saints playbook and put Stevenson in early to make sure the next game is Lebron's last playoff game this year.The really sucky thing is that this is going to end up doubly benefiting the Heat. Not only will Haslem not end up getting suspended, but now the refs will be super tight in Game 6 which will inevitably benefit the Heat. I bet Wade and James go to the line 40 times in Game 6.

Oh shut up you just hate the Heat, it wouldn't matter what they do on the court. You can't be objective for even a minute. What Pittman did will earn him a long suspension but don't act like the Pacers have not been trying to start these little scuffles and Vogel never misses an opp to try and dig at the Heat in these press conferences...it boiled over last night. I do not condone the flagrant fouls but the Pacers and Vogel have been running their mouths and they got smoked. It wasn't a couple of flagrant fouls that propelled Miami to win by 30.

 

[thecatch]

I didn't see the first half, but for the replay it didn't look like Haslem's was as bad as Pittman's...? Pittman's looked like an assault, while Haslem's seemed at least to be sort if a "play"?

Really? I have never seen someone defend a jump shot by hitting the shooter in the face with both arms.

 

[GroveDiesel]

Screw the Heat. They've been playing dirty all series with Wade's shove in the back that should have been suspended and Lebron throwing elbows.I hope the Pacers take s page out of the Saints playbook and put Stevenson in early to make sure the next game is Lebron's last playoff game this year.The really sucky thing is that this is going to end up doubly benefiting the Heat. Not only will Haslem not end up getting suspended, but now the refs will be super tight in Game 6 which will inevitably benefit the Heat. I bet Wade and James go to the line 40 times in Game 6.

Oh shut up you just hate the Heat, it wouldn't matter what they do on the court. You can't be objective for even a minute. What Pittman did will earn him a long suspension but don't act like the Pacers have not been trying to start these little scuffles and Vogel never misses an opp to try and dig at the Heat in these press conferences...it boiled over last night. I do not condone the flagrant fouls but the Pacers and Vogel have been running their mouths and they got smoked. It wasn't a couple of flagrant fouls that propelled Miami to win by 30.

And you're nothing short of a Heat apologist that can't be objective. Yeah, the Pacers have been running their mouths and I wish they weren't. And yeah they've committed a lot of fouls, but that's been their MO all season. They don't flop to take charges, they always go for the block. Something I actually already blasted them for more than once in this thread. But there's no question who has actually been the more dirty team. The Heat have consistently escalated the dirty play all series starting with Wade's garbage.And yeah, I do hate the Heat. They're a bunch of cowardly immature punks that don't deserve a title. They'll lose to whoever they play in the Finals because the Spurs and Thunder are both better TEAMS than the Heat.

 

[TobiasFunke]

I can't imagine how demoralized Stevenson is these days. "Born Ready" getting mop up duty in a blow out at 21 years old. Can't imagine how badly his pride is hurt after 18 years of everyone telling him how great he is.

He's three years in to a four deal earning him an average of 750k per year, which means he's making more in four years than you will make in 20. I imagine he will sleep fine tonight.

If you think that, you didn't hear or don't remember the hype on this kid in high school just a few years ago. He was projected as a future star. Here's a writeup. Four years ago he probably thought he'd be making $750K a month in salary and endorsements by now, and lots of people would have agreed.

 

[thecatch]

Screw the Heat. They've been playing dirty all series with Wade's shove in the back that should have been suspended and Lebron throwing elbows.I hope the Pacers take s page out of the Saints playbook and put Stevenson in early to make sure the next game is Lebron's last playoff game this year.The really sucky thing is that this is going to end up doubly benefiting the Heat. Not only will Haslem not end up getting suspended, but now the refs will be super tight in Game 6 which will inevitably benefit the Heat. I bet Wade and James go to the line 40 times in Game 6.

Oh shut up you just hate the Heat, it wouldn't matter what they do on the court. You can't be objective for even a minute. What Pittman did will earn him a long suspension but don't act like the Pacers have not been trying to start these little scuffles and Vogel never misses an opp to try and dig at the Heat in these press conferences...it boiled over last night. I do not condone the flagrant fouls but the Pacers and Vogel have been running their mouths and they got smoked. It wasn't a couple of flagrant fouls that propelled Miami to win by 30.

I haven't seen the pacers take shots at people like the heat have, even if they have been mouthing off (not just last night, but wade on collison earlier in the series as well).

 

[GroveDiesel]

I didn't see the first half, but for the replay it didn't look like Haslem's was as bad as Pittman's...? Pittman's looked like an assault, while Haslem's seemed at least to be sort if a "play"?

Really? I have never seen someone defend a jump shot by hitting the shooter in the face with both arms.

I'm by all those defending Haslem. He clearly made no attempt at the ball.

Yeah, the ESPN Daily Dime writeup says that the Hansboro and Haslem foul are the same. That seems ridiculous to me. Hansboro initially went for the ball and even got part of the ball. But he then escalated it by following through and raking Wade's face. Seems like the exact right call was made. Haslem very clearly retaliated and never even came close to going for the ball. Should have been a Flagrant 2 with ejection.Seems like people want to upgrade Hansboro's foul because the Heat retaliated and it wouldn't be "fair" to treat Haslem and Hansboro differently. And everyone seems to want to downgrade what Haslem did just because it wasn't as bad as what Pittman did.

 

[Workhorse]

I didn't see the first half, but for the replay it didn't look like Haslem's was as bad as Pittman's...? Pittman's looked like an assault, while Haslem's seemed at least to be sort if a "play"?

Really? I have never seen someone defend a jump shot by hitting the shooter in the face with both arms.

I'm by all those defending Haslem. He clearly made no attempt at the ball.

Yeah, the ESPN Daily Dime writeup says that the Hansboro and Haslem foul are the same. That seems ridiculous to me. Hansboro initially went for the ball and even got part of the ball. But he then escalated it by following through and raking Wade's face. Seems like the exact right call was made. Haslem very clearly retaliated and never even came close to going for the ball. Should have been a Flagrant 2 with ejection.Seems like people want to upgrade Hansboro's foul because the Heat retaliated and it wouldn't be "fair" to treat Haslem and Hansboro differently. And everyone seems to want to downgrade what Haslem did just because it wasn't as bad as what Pittman did.

Look at Hansbrough's eyes: He's clearly looking at the ball through the entire play. Haslem didn't look at the ball once. The two plays are very different in terms of intent.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Screw the Heat. They've been playing dirty all series with Wade's shove in the back that should have been suspended and Lebron throwing elbows.I hope the Pacers take s page out of the Saints playbook and put Stevenson in early to make sure the next game is Lebron's last playoff game this year.The really sucky thing is that this is going to end up doubly benefiting the Heat. Not only will Haslem not end up getting suspended, but now the refs will be super tight in Game 6 which will inevitably benefit the Heat. I bet Wade and James go to the line 40 times in Game 6.

Oh shut up you just hate the Heat, it wouldn't matter what they do on the court. You can't be objective for even a minute. What Pittman did will earn him a long suspension but don't act like the Pacers have not been trying to start these little scuffles and Vogel never misses an opp to try and dig at the Heat in these press conferences...it boiled over last night. I do not condone the flagrant fouls but the Pacers and Vogel have been running their mouths and they got smoked. It wasn't a couple of flagrant fouls that propelled Miami to win by 30.

And you're nothing short of a Heat apologist that can't be objective. Yeah, the Pacers have been running their mouths and I wish they weren't. And yeah they've committed a lot of fouls, but that's been their MO all season. They don't flop to take charges, they always go for the block. Something I actually already blasted them for more than once in this thread. But there's no question who has actually been the more dirty team. The Heat have consistently escalated the dirty play all series starting with Wade's garbage.And yeah, I do hate the Heat. They're a bunch of cowardly immature punks that don't deserve a title. They'll lose to whoever they play in the Finals because the Spurs and Thunder are both better TEAMS than the Heat.

Such a load of horse manure. Look back in this thread, I was super critical of Wade. You're just being belligerent for whatever reason.

 

[Mr. Soup Nazi]

1. Michael Jordan - Almost undisputed here...hard to make a case for anyone over him.

2. Wilt Chamberlain - He absolutely dominated his era. Only knock is lack of championships, but at his best he was unstoppable.

3. Kareem Abdul-Jabar - 6x MVP, 6x Champ, career scoring leader

4. Bill Russell - I'm not as high on him as others, but hard to ignore the hardware any longer

5. Larry Bird - 3x MVP, 3x Champ, Averaged a double-double with over 6 assists per game for his career.

6. Magic Johnson - 3x MVP, 5x Champ, Averaged a double-double with over 7 rebounds per game for his career. Only reason he's under Larry is because one of his teammates is already on this list.

After those six, I go to a tier of Olajuwon, Duncan, Shaq and Oscar.

I don't put Kobe in until the next tier with Dr.J and the Malone's.

No way does he sniff top 5. I personally think he needs to do more to get into top 10, but he just isn't ever going to crack those top 6...not enough time left for him.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Not that it matters, but his name is "Hansbrough". It's only two syllables.If you're deliberately misspelling his name to stay under Ripleys's radar, don't sweat it. He doesn't know either spelling.

Also, "Stephenson." Although that's a more forgivable mistake considering his quick slide into irrelevance.

 

[Todem]

What has been pretty amazing is how Lebron has adjusted and sliced and diced the Pacers getting everyone involved. There was a 2 game adustment. When you lose a guy like Bosh who is a critical piece to the puzzle and your entire gameplan goes out the window....you must make adjustments. Spo, Lebron and Wade have answered the call.

What is getting lost in all the banter is how Lebron has adjusted and now has complete control of his game and getting everyone else on the same page.

Brilliant basketball by a brilliant talent.

Screw the haters....we are watching an artist at work here. And Wade has answered the bell after two sheer days of warranted hell after game 3.

The Heat are back and when they get Bosh back healthy.....they are going to battle again for another title.

Championships are earned....the Heat fell short last year in a great series to Dallas. They will fight hard again in the Eastern Conference Finals, and the Finals. For all the haters and there are so many, who expects teams in the post season to roll over? The Heat sure plays hard, knowing they have to earn that ring. Those guys give 100%, hustle and play hard all the time. I am so tired of the BS contrived hate on this team. They work hard. They don't feel entitled. they are laser focused. Those of us who have rooted for this team since inception (1988) are thrilled and elated we have such quality basketball ever since Riley came down and remolded this team not once, not twice, not three times....but now for the 4th time. It's been a joy watching Heat basketball for over 15 years. Some tough lean years sprinkled in during Rileys tenure as coach and GM some extreme heartbreak. But nothing short of hard nosed, disciplined basketball.

Go Heat!!!

 

[Mr. Soup Nazi]

What has been pretty amazing is how Lebron has adjusted and sliced and diced the Pacers getting everyone involved. There was a 2 game adustment. When you lose a guy like Bosh who is a critical piece to the puzzle and your entire gameplan goes out the window....you must make adjustments. Spo, Lebron and Wade have answered the call.What is getting lost in all the banter is how Lebron has adjusted and now has complete control of his game and getting everyone else on the same page.Brilliant basketball by a brilliant talent. Screw the haters....we are watching an artist at work here. And Wade has answered the bell after two sheer days of warranted hell after game 3.The Heat are back and when they get Bosh back healthy.....they are going to battle again for another title.Championships are earned....the Heat fell short last year in a great series to Dallas. They will fight hard again in the Eastern Conference Finals, and the Finals. For all the haters and there are so many, who expects teams in the post season to roll over? The heat sure plays knowing they have to earn that ring. Those guys give 100%, hustle and play hard all the time. I am so tired of the BS contrived hate on this team. They work hard. They don't feel entitled. they are laser focused. Those of us who have rooted for thisteam since inception (1988) are thrilled and elated we have such quality basketball ever since Riley came down and remolded this team not once, not twice, not three times....but now for the 4th time. It's been a joy watching Heat basketball for over 15 years. Some tough lean years sprinkled in during Rileys tenure as coach and GM some extremem heartbreak. But nothing short of hard nosed, disciplined basketball.Go Heat!!!

I'm looking forward to the OKC/SAS series and then the winner facing the Heat in the finals. Any of those three teams can do it and I have no idea who I like best right now.(If I had to rank, I'd go 1. SAS, 2. Heat (w/ Bosh healthy) 3. OKC)

 

[Cliff Clavin]

I can't imagine how demoralized Stevenson is these days. "Born Ready" getting mop up duty in a blow out at 21 years old. Can't imagine how badly his pride is hurt after 18 years of everyone telling him how great he is.

I'm too big a believer in the free market to logically want to impose greater age restrictions on the draft, but both the college game and NBA would improve if the NBA went to the NFL or MLB model, or even the NHL's. The spillover benefit of marginalizing guys like Born Ready and his handlers would be some flavorful gravy.Maybe the Pacers can sign Stevenson's dad as an assistant coach to light a fire under him. The whole world deserves the chance to see Daddy Stevenson take a call on his Bluetooth while the ball is in play.

I'm all for Pittman getting suspended for the shot he gave Born Ready, but part of me thinks BR had it coming.

I'd love to see them follow Canada's junior hockey model.For those that don't know, players are drafted after their 2nd year of bantam hockey (15 years old) into their region of the CHL. If they make the team the kid is sent off to live with billets in that town. Helps the kids grow/mature faster by being away from home and a guest in someone else's home. Gets them playing vs the best of the best at an early age and has programs/tutors to help them through high school. The only downside is that it takes away NCAA eligibility because the players are paid a living expense (few hundred a week).

 

[TobiasFunke]

Not that it matters, but his name is "Hansbrough". It's only two syllables.If you're deliberately misspelling his name to stay under Ripleys's radar, don't sweat it. He doesn't know either spelling.

Also, "Stephenson." Although that's a more forgivable mistake considering his quick slide into irrelevance.

I'm not proud of the part of me that actively roots against 18- to 22-year-old young men to fail, especially those who grew up in poverty and carry the burden of raising their family's economic and social class. But I'm not sad about Born Ready's lack of pro success, and I feel fortunate for the unlikely chain of events that led to Xavier Henry accepting the KU scholarship offer that kept Stephenson out of Lawrence.

I hear you. Feel the exact same way. It's hard to root against any of these kids, but a small percentage of them make it really hard to root for them too, and he's definitely one of those.

 

[shake zula]

What has been pretty amazing is how Lebron has adjusted and sliced and diced the Pacers getting everyone involved. There was a 2 game adustment. When you lose a guy like Bosh who is a critical piece to the puzzle and your entire gameplan goes out the window....you must make adjustments. Spo, Lebron and Wade have answered the call.What is getting lost in all the banter is how Lebron has adjusted and now has complete control of his game and getting everyone else on the same page.Brilliant basketball by a brilliant talent. Screw the haters....we are watching an artist at work here. And Wade has answered the bell after two sheer days of warranted hell after game 3.The Heat are back and when they get Bosh back healthy.....they are going to battle again for another title.Championships are earned....the Heat fell short last year in a great series to Dallas. They will fight hard again in the Eastern Conference Finals, and the Finals. For all the haters and there are so many, who expects teams in the post season to roll over? The Heat sure plays hard, knowing they have to earn that ring. Those guys give 100%, hustle and play hard all the time. I am so tired of the BS contrived hate on this team. They work hard. They don't feel entitled. they are laser focused. Those of us who have rooted for this team since inception (1988) are thrilled and elated we have such quality basketball ever since Riley came down and remolded this team not once, not twice, not three times....but now for the 4th time. It's been a joy watching Heat basketball for over 15 years. Some tough lean years sprinkled in during Rileys tenure as coach and GM some extreme heartbreak. But nothing short of hard nosed, disciplined basketball.Go Heat!!!

 

[tommyGunZ]

Championships are earned....the Heat fell short last year in a great series to Dallas. They will fight hard again in the Eastern Conference Finals, and the Finals. For all the haters and there are so many, who expects teams in the post season to roll over? The Heat sure plays hard, knowing they have to earn that ring. Those guys give 100%, hustle and play hard all the time. I am so tired of the BS contrived hate on this team. They work hard. They don't feel entitled.

I don't get the stuff about the Heat not deserving a championship or being built the wrong way. There have been plenty of dues paid.LeBron went to the Finals in 2007 with one of the weakest 2-9 rotations to go that deep in the playoffs.Wade won the 2006 NBA title as an alpha and was named MVP of the Finals, and was also the alpha of a Final Four team from a midmajor conference.Bosh is a 7-time All-Star who played for some forgettable teams before signing with Miami.Chalmers played three years of college ball, won a title at Kansas, and was named Final Four MOP.Haslem is a 9-year-pro who played four years of college ball, and was the second-leading scorer on a Final Four team at Florida. (1)Miller is an 12-year-pro who was the leading scorer for a Final Four team at Florida, took a share of NBA ROY, and toiled for some bad/mediocre teams.Battier is an 11-year-pro whose game has never been accused of being selfish,played four years of college ball, won a title at Duke, and was named Final Four MOP.Turiaf graduated from Gonzaga, and is back on the court after that little heart surgery thing.After all the theatrics and negative press the Heat got last season, they still went to the Finals and got beat by a disciplined, veteran team peaking at the right time with outstanding coaching and a great game plan at both ends of the floor. Then LeBron realized he didn't play better when he gave into the hate, abandoned his heel turn, and morphed into a more authentic leader and teammate.You wouldn't think a veteran-laden team filled with players who took less money than they could have gotten elsewhere to play with their friends and try to win a title together would be so reviled by the general public. But it happened. Go figure.-----(1) If you had told me 10-12 years ago that three members of the 2000 Florida Gators would be rotation players on NBA teams making deep playoff runs in 2012, not only would I not have believed you, I wouldn't have been able to guess which three players you were talking about on my first couple of tries.

It's not really that hard to figure. The theatrics were historically bad.

 

[Abraham]

As much as I want to see the Heat lose, I really want to see how a series with Boston plays out and then a series with SA.

 

[matuski]

What has been pretty amazing is how Lebron has adjusted and sliced and diced the Pacers getting everyone involved. There was a 2 game adustment. When you lose a guy like Bosh who is a critical piece to the puzzle and your entire gameplan goes out the window....you must make adjustments. Spo, Lebron and Wade have answered the call.

What is getting lost in all the banter is how Lebron has adjusted and now has complete control of his game and getting everyone else on the same page.

Brilliant basketball by a brilliant talent.

Screw the haters....we are watching an artist at work here. And Wade has answered the bell after two sheer days of warranted hell after game 3.

The Heat are back and when they get Bosh back healthy.....they are going to battle again for another title.

Championships are earned....the Heat fell short last year in a great series to Dallas. They will fight hard again in the Eastern Conference Finals, and the Finals. For all the haters and there are so many, who expects teams in the post season to roll over? The heat sure plays knowing they have to earn that ring. Those guys give 100%, hustle and play hard all the time. I am so tired of the BS contrived hate on this team. They work hard. They don't feel entitled. they are laser focused. Those of us who have rooted for thisteam since inception (1988) are thrilled and elated we have such quality basketball ever since Riley came down and remolded this team not once, not twice, not three times....but now for the 4th time. It's been a joy watching Heat basketball for over 15 years. Some tough lean years sprinkled in during Rileys tenure as coach and GM some extremem heartbreak. But nothing short of hard nosed, disciplined basketball.

Go Heat!!!

I'm looking forward to the OKC/SAS series and then the winner facing the Heat in the finals. Any of those three teams can do it and I have no idea who I like best right now.

(If I had to rank, I'd go 1. SAS, 2. Heat (w/ Bosh healthy) 3. OKC)

Is there a time table on this?This could bite them in the ### against even the C's. Without him I'd say a top tier team would crush them.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

What has been pretty amazing is how Lebron has adjusted and sliced and diced the Pacers getting everyone involved. There was a 2 game adustment. When you lose a guy like Bosh who is a critical piece to the puzzle and your entire gameplan goes out the window....you must make adjustments. Spo, Lebron and Wade have answered the call.

What is getting lost in all the banter is how Lebron has adjusted and now has complete control of his game and getting everyone else on the same page.

Brilliant basketball by a brilliant talent.

Screw the haters....we are watching an artist at work here. And Wade has answered the bell after two sheer days of warranted hell after game 3.

The Heat are back and when they get Bosh back healthy.....they are going to battle again for another title.

Championships are earned....the Heat fell short last year in a great series to Dallas. They will fight hard again in the Eastern Conference Finals, and the Finals. For all the haters and there are so many, who expects teams in the post season to roll over? The heat sure plays knowing they have to earn that ring. Those guys give 100%, hustle and play hard all the time. I am so tired of the BS contrived hate on this team. They work hard. They don't feel entitled. they are laser focused. Those of us who have rooted for thisteam since inception (1988) are thrilled and elated we have such quality basketball ever since Riley came down and remolded this team not once, not twice, not three times....but now for the 4th time. It's been a joy watching Heat basketball for over 15 years. Some tough lean years sprinkled in during Rileys tenure as coach and GM some extremem heartbreak. But nothing short of hard nosed, disciplined basketball.

Go Heat!!!

I'm looking forward to the OKC/SAS series and then the winner facing the Heat in the finals. Any of those three teams can do it and I have no idea who I like best right now.

(If I had to rank, I'd go 1. SAS, 2. Heat (w/ Bosh healthy) 3. OKC)

Is there a time table on this?This could bite them in the ### against even the C's. Without him I'd say a top tier team would crush them.

Bosh won't be much help vs the C's anyway. KG makes him none existent.

 

[Captain Quinoa]

Thanks for answering all my questions. I disagree with you on Jackson. I think you overlook coaching efforts that he should be given credit for. You claim he was outcoached by Doc twice and I don't see that. I thought the Celtics were the better team on both occasions and the Lakers managed to win one of those. There was also a series in against a much better Phoenix a few years back in which the Lakers somehow managed to win 3 games with Kwame Brown and Smush Parker. IMO, that was all coaching.

The defeats of San Antonio, Portland, Sacramento were all great accomplishments IMO, as were the Bulls' victories. You wrote that he lost control of Rodman in '98- I don't recall that- I do recall them winning the championship. You also wrote that Kobe ran Phil out of town twice- I question this interpretation as well.

SMUSH!

 

[Gr00vus]

Wilt as #2? Come on...

He may have been the most talented player to ever play in the NBA, I think the difference between him and most of the other all time greats is that his life wasn't controlled by basketball. Most of the other all time greats were much more motivated than he was, at least from what I've gathered in everything I've read. Hes done things on the court that nobody else has done or could do from the center position. It seems he was the better player than Russell, just not necessarily the more effective one.

I think he's the best basketball player of all time. Jordan's a close second.

 

[Abraham]

Wilt as #2? Come on...

He may have been the most talented player to ever play in the NBA, I think the difference between him and most of the other all time greats is that his life wasn't controlled by basketball. Most of the other all time greats were much more motivated than he was, at least from what I've gathered in everything I've read. Hes done things on the court that nobody else has done or could do from the center position. It seems he was the better player than Russell, just not necessarily the more effective one.

I think he's the best basketball player of all time. Jordan's a close second.

To each his own. I actually think Magic is/was better than Jordan.

 

[Mr. Soup Nazi]

Wilt as #2? Come on...

He may have been the most talented player to ever play in the NBA, I think the difference between him and most of the other all time greats is that his life wasn't controlled by basketball. Most of the other all time greats were much more motivated than he was, at least from what I've gathered in everything I've read. Hes done things on the court that nobody else has done or could do from the center position. It seems he was the better player than Russell, just not necessarily the more effective one.

I think he's the best basketball player of all time. Jordan's a close second.

To each his own. I actually think Magic is/was better than Jordan.

And you'd be wrong.

 

[Gr00vus]

Wilt as #2? Come on...

He may have been the most talented player to ever play in the NBA, I think the difference between him and most of the other all time greats is that his life wasn't controlled by basketball. Most of the other all time greats were much more motivated than he was, at least from what I've gathered in everything I've read. Hes done things on the court that nobody else has done or could do from the center position. It seems he was the better player than Russell, just not necessarily the more effective one.

I think he's the best basketball player of all time. Jordan's a close second.

To each his own. I actually think Magic is/was better than Jordan.

And you'd be wrong.

I put Magic as a distant 3rd.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Also, want to get all of you guys opinion on this: where does Gregg Popovich rank among the greatest coaches of all time? Because I'm wondering if he's not the very best, even better than Phil Jackson or Red Auerbach. Thoughts?

He's better than Jackson. Unequivocally.Hard to compare vs. Auerbach, given that theyw were much different eras.

 

[GDogg]

Using those specs, magic is my no brainer number 1.

Me, too.

 

[GDogg]

I feel like im fairly even about the whole thing and have watched enough basketball to have a valid opinion. I don't know how anyone could have anyone other than Jordan or Russell as 1. Magic, Kareem, bird, and wilt have to hold 4 of the next fiche spots. Put on wilt and thats a top 7 that is hard to argue with. Thereafter is Kobe, Duncan, shaq, and Hakeem with about 10 other guys with good arguments (west, Baylor, mchale, Cousy, etc.)

Because Russell wasn't as good at the game of basketball as Kareem?

 

[GDogg]

1. Red Auerbach2. Pat Riley3. Larry Brown4. Gregg Popovich5. Bill Sharman6. Billy Cunningham7. Phil Jackson8. Don Nelson9. Chuck Daly10. Lenny Wilkens

You're missing my boy, Alex Hannum. He should be above Wilkens, Nelson, Cunningham, and Sharman, at the very least.

 

[tommyGunZ]

IMO, last night's shenanigans should result in:

Flagrant 1 for Hansborough. It was a hard foul, but Psycho T was clearly going for the ball and I don't see malicious intent.

Flagrant 2, and 1 game suspension for Haslem. I don't think Udonis was going for the ball at all, but he at least tried to fake it.

Flagrant 2, and 6 game suspension for Pittman. This was worse than Artest or Bynum's elbows, IMO. He intentionally went for a head shot away from the ball.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Also, want to get all of you guys opinion on this: where does Gregg Popovich rank among the greatest coaches of all time? Because I'm wondering if he's not the very best, even better than Phil Jackson or Red Auerbach. Thoughts?

He's better than Jackson. Unequivocally.Hard to compare vs. Auerbach, given that theyw were much different eras.

I think you have to define the terms here. "Best coach" as in what they did with the talent on the roster and how they managed the team in season is obviously way different than "best coach" as in what they contributed to the team. My understanding is that Pop and obviously Auerbach both played a much larger role in sculpting the roster than Jackson, who inherited most of the elite talent he coached. Is a personnel role part of being a good coach, or is that just a coach who takes on a separate front office role in addition to being a coach?