*NBA THREAD* Abe will be missed (4 Viewers)

[TobiasFunke]

Lakers aren't going to make it.To hit 46 wins, they're going to need to win 2 out of 3 the rest of the way. Not impossible, but their schedule has been fairly easy to date.

They've had the 8th hardest strength of schedule (.515) to date and have an 18/17 home/road split. Not a hard schedule but I would be surprised if it gets any tougher for them from here on. Its looking more and more bleak for Lakers fans by the game though.

If they do wind up missing the playoffs, will there have ever been a bigger disappointment in NBA history? Would it even be close? I'm not talking about upsets like a #1 losing to a #8; I mean a team's level of play falling so far off what was expected of them.Even when extending it out to other sports, they would have to be near the top. Off the top of my head, the 2011 Eagles and maybe the 2000 Redskins come to mind. And there have been a handful of stocked/high priced baseball teams that have had poor seasons.

If they don't make the playoffs they would be the most disappointing team in any sport in my lifetime, as far as I can remember. Football teams are automatically eliminated IMO because the season is so short and the differences between the teams are so small. For example the 2011 Eagles were actually really good in my opinion, just had some bad break losses and a terrible turnover margin. Trying to think of a baseball disappointment, but I can't come up with one that seems nearly this big.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Lakers aren't going to make it.To hit 46 wins, they're going to need to win 2 out of 3 the rest of the way. Not impossible, but their schedule has been fairly easy to date.

They've had the 8th hardest strength of schedule (.515) to date and have an 18/17 home/road split. Not a hard schedule but I would be surprised if it gets any tougher for them from here on. Its looking more and more bleak for Lakers fans by the game though.

If they do wind up missing the playoffs, will there have ever been a bigger disappointment in NBA history? Would it even be close? I'm not talking about upsets like a #1 losing to a #8; I mean a team's level of play falling so far off what was expected of them.Even when extending it out to other sports, they would have to be near the top. Off the top of my head, the 2011 Eagles and maybe the 2000 Redskins come to mind. And there have been a handful of stocked/high priced baseball teams that have had poor seasons.

If they don't make the playoffs they would be the most disappointing team in any sport in my lifetime, as far as I can remember. Football teams are automatically eliminated IMO because the season is so short and the differences between the teams are so small. For example the 2011 Eagles were actually really good in my opinion, just had some bad break losses and a terrible turnover margin. Trying to think of a baseball disappointment, but I can't come up with one that seems nearly this big.

Angels missing the playoffs last year? Lots of hype. Big signings. Disaster to start the season and could never recover.

 

[timschochet]

Lakers aren't going to make it.To hit 46 wins, they're going to need to win 2 out of 3 the rest of the way. Not impossible, but their schedule has been fairly easy to date.

They've had the 8th hardest strength of schedule (.515) to date and have an 18/17 home/road split. Not a hard schedule but I would be surprised if it gets any tougher for them from here on. Its looking more and more bleak for Lakers fans by the game though.

If they do wind up missing the playoffs, will there have ever been a bigger disappointment in NBA history? Would it even be close? I'm not talking about upsets like a #1 losing to a #8; I mean a team's level of play falling so far off what was expected of them.Even when extending it out to other sports, they would have to be near the top. Off the top of my head, the 2011 Eagles and maybe the 2000 Redskins come to mind. And there have been a handful of stocked/high priced baseball teams that have had poor seasons.

If they don't make the playoffs they would be the most disappointing team in any sport in my lifetime, as far as I can remember. Football teams are automatically eliminated IMO because the season is so short and the differences between the teams are so small. For example the 2011 Eagles were actually really good in my opinion, just had some bad break losses and a terrible turnover margin. Trying to think of a baseball disappointment, but I can't come up with one that seems nearly this big.

Angels missing the playoffs last year? Lots of hype. Big signings. Disaster to start the season and could never recover.

Very different. Angels ended up with a better record than Detroit, who went to the WS. Angels were in an incredibly tough division.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Lakers aren't going to make it.To hit 46 wins, they're going to need to win 2 out of 3 the rest of the way. Not impossible, but their schedule has been fairly easy to date.

They've had the 8th hardest strength of schedule (.515) to date and have an 18/17 home/road split. Not a hard schedule but I would be surprised if it gets any tougher for them from here on. Its looking more and more bleak for Lakers fans by the game though.

If they do wind up missing the playoffs, will there have ever been a bigger disappointment in NBA history? Would it even be close? I'm not talking about upsets like a #1 losing to a #8; I mean a team's level of play falling so far off what was expected of them.Even when extending it out to other sports, they would have to be near the top. Off the top of my head, the 2011 Eagles and maybe the 2000 Redskins come to mind. And there have been a handful of stocked/high priced baseball teams that have had poor seasons.

If they don't make the playoffs they would be the most disappointing team in any sport in my lifetime, as far as I can remember. Football teams are automatically eliminated IMO because the season is so short and the differences between the teams are so small. For example the 2011 Eagles were actually really good in my opinion, just had some bad break losses and a terrible turnover margin. Trying to think of a baseball disappointment, but I can't come up with one that seems nearly this big.

Angels missing the playoffs last year? Lots of hype. Big signings. Disaster to start the season and could never recover.

Very different. Angels ended up with a better record than Detroit, who went to the WS. Angels were in an incredibly tough division.

Not at all. Lakers could end up with a better record than the 8th seed in the East and still be a complete failure.

 

[timschochet]

My cousin has been a diehard Clippers fan (and Lakers hater) for decades, and this is shaping up to be his favorite NBA season ever.

 

[Abraham]

They have four hall of famers in 5 starting spots. 99% of nba teams that have at least 2 top 25 players make the playoffs. Kobe has made the playoffs with less. Same with Howard. And Nash. Injuries or age or whatever should not be an excuse.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Lakers aren't going to make it.To hit 46 wins, they're going to need to win 2 out of 3 the rest of the way. Not impossible, but their schedule has been fairly easy to date.

They've had the 8th hardest strength of schedule (.515) to date and have an 18/17 home/road split. Not a hard schedule but I would be surprised if it gets any tougher for them from here on. Its looking more and more bleak for Lakers fans by the game though.

If they do wind up missing the playoffs, will there have ever been a bigger disappointment in NBA history? Would it even be close? I'm not talking about upsets like a #1 losing to a #8; I mean a team's level of play falling so far off what was expected of them.Even when extending it out to other sports, they would have to be near the top. Off the top of my head, the 2011 Eagles and maybe the 2000 Redskins come to mind. And there have been a handful of stocked/high priced baseball teams that have had poor seasons.

If they don't make the playoffs they would be the most disappointing team in any sport in my lifetime, as far as I can remember. Football teams are automatically eliminated IMO because the season is so short and the differences between the teams are so small. For example the 2011 Eagles were actually really good in my opinion, just had some bad break losses and a terrible turnover margin. Trying to think of a baseball disappointment, but I can't come up with one that seems nearly this big.

Angels missing the playoffs last year? Lots of hype. Big signings. Disaster to start the season and could never recover.

Yeah but they won 89 games in the toughest division in the league. A letdown, but doesn't hold a candle to these Lakers if they finish under 45 wins or so.

 

[Premier]

16 of 30 NBA teams make it. 12 of 32 nfl teams make it. No comparison.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Lakers aren't going to make it.To hit 46 wins, they're going to need to win 2 out of 3 the rest of the way. Not impossible, but their schedule has been fairly easy to date.

They've had the 8th hardest strength of schedule (.515) to date and have an 18/17 home/road split. Not a hard schedule but I would be surprised if it gets any tougher for them from here on. Its looking more and more bleak for Lakers fans by the game though.

If they do wind up missing the playoffs, will there have ever been a bigger disappointment in NBA history? Would it even be close? I'm not talking about upsets like a #1 losing to a #8; I mean a team's level of play falling so far off what was expected of them.Even when extending it out to other sports, they would have to be near the top. Off the top of my head, the 2011 Eagles and maybe the 2000 Redskins come to mind. And there have been a handful of stocked/high priced baseball teams that have had poor seasons.

If they don't make the playoffs they would be the most disappointing team in any sport in my lifetime, as far as I can remember. Football teams are automatically eliminated IMO because the season is so short and the differences between the teams are so small. For example the 2011 Eagles were actually really good in my opinion, just had some bad break losses and a terrible turnover margin. Trying to think of a baseball disappointment, but I can't come up with one that seems nearly this big.

Angels missing the playoffs last year? Lots of hype. Big signings. Disaster to start the season and could never recover.

Yeah but they won 89 games in the toughest division in the league. A letdown, but doesn't hold a candle to these Lakers if they finish under 45 wins or so.

Yeah. I'm looking back at their schedule and they weren't as terrible early in the year as I thought.

 

[timschochet]

They have four hall of famers in 5 starting spots. 99% of nba teams that have at least 2 top 25 players make the playoffs. Kobe has made the playoffs with less. Same with Howard. And Nash. Injuries or age or whatever should not be an excuse.

There are no excuses.

 

[saintfool]

At this point, the most important question for Lakers fans is: will Dwight Howard stay? If he does, we can forget about this awful year and concentrate on building a new team around him. New coach, new supporting players. Better bench. We can win it all next year- maybe. If Howard leaves of course, there may be bleak years to come. Obviously, I'm EXTREMELY disappointed. Perhaps it's naive, but when Howard and Nash were signed without losing Gasol, I expected to win the whole thing. Not in my wildest dreams did I believe that it would be likely we wouldn't make the playoffs. Even most of the worst Laker teams, between the years of Magic retiring and Kobe arriving, somehow made the playoffs. To think that THIS team wouldn't make it- it's unbelievable.

sedale threatt > kobe bryant

 

[Britney Spears]

Lakers aren't going to make it.To hit 46 wins, they're going to need to win 2 out of 3 the rest of the way. Not impossible, but their schedule has been fairly easy to date.

They've had the 8th hardest strength of schedule (.515) to date and have an 18/17 home/road split. Not a hard schedule but I would be surprised if it gets any tougher for them from here on. Its looking more and more bleak for Lakers fans by the game though.

Who gets their lottery pick?

The Suns.

Awesome. They must be loving this even more than the rest of America.

To be fair, Cowboys and Yankees fans aren't loving it.

 

[Britney Spears]

What is the mathematical chances of LAL making it in with that loss?Still feels so impossible they fall short. Half the freaking league makes it.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Who would have cap space or might be able to clear cap space to sign Howard if he walked?

 

[Abraham]

Who would have cap space or might be able to clear cap space to sign Howard if he walked?

Dallas, Houston, jersey, Atlanta, quite a few teams really.

 

[saintfool]

Who would have cap space or might be able to clear cap space to sign Howard if he walked?

Dallas would be an obvious candidate. They have whiffed on the big FA's to this point and Dirk isn't a bad holdover.

 

[saintfool]

Who would have cap space or might be able to clear cap space to sign Howard if he walked?

Dallas, Houston, jersey, Atlanta, quite a few teams really.

You have to think where he would like to go. I don't see him chasing cash to the point of signing with any old team. He wants to be the show in a NBA market.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

What is the mathematical chances of LAL making it in with that loss?Still feels so impossible they fall short. Half the freaking league makes it.

It's difficult to quantify, given the injuries. The sooner Howard/Gasol get back, the better of a chance they're going to have. But even another bad month and the hole's just going to be too deep, unless the 6-7-8 teams just completely fall apart.How awesome would it be if Phoenix gets a top 3 pick in the lottery?

 

[Juxtatarot]

Who would have cap space or might be able to clear cap space to sign Howard if he walked?

Dallas, Houston, jersey, Atlanta, quite a few teams really.

Jersey? With Deron's, Joe's, and Brook's contracts, there is no way.Edit: Brooklyn.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Who would have cap space or might be able to clear cap space to sign Howard if he walked?

Dallas, Houston, jersey, Atlanta, quite a few teams really.

You have to think where he would like to go. I don't see him chasing cash to the point of signing with any old team. He wants to be the show in a NBA market.

None of these teams would be "any old team" with Howard in the fold, if he's anywhere near as healthy and capable as he was in Orlando. Plus they're all pretty huge markets. None are LA-sized other than Brooklyn obviously, but they're not tiny. And Atlanta is his hometown.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Who would have cap space or might be able to clear cap space to sign Howard if he walked?

Dallas, Houston, jersey, Atlanta, quite a few teams really.

Jersey? With Deron's, Joe's, and Brook's contracts, there is no way.Edit: Brooklyn.

Yeah... they're on the hook for almost $90M next year. No hope in hell they can sign Howard. Even if they gave away Humphries, Wallace and Lopez, they wouldn't have the cap space. Hell, they can't sign anyone until 16/17 unless it is for exceptions.

 

[timschochet]

Who would have cap space or might be able to clear cap space to sign Howard if he walked?

Dallas, Houston, jersey, Atlanta, quite a few teams really.

You have to think where he would like to go. I don't see him chasing cash to the point of signing with any old team. He wants to be the show in a NBA market.

He can't chase cash. Under the new rules, no team can pay him as much as the Lakers can. So if he leaves, it will be because he's willing to take slightly less money to be somewhere else.

 

[Moe.]

What is the mathematical chances of LAL making it in with that loss?Still feels so impossible they fall short. Half the freaking league makes it.

It's difficult to quantify, given the injuries. The sooner Howard/Gasol get back, the better of a chance they're going to have. But even another bad month and the hole's just going to be too deep, unless the 6-7-8 teams just completely fall apart.How awesome would it be if Phoenix gets a top 3 pick in the lottery?

Only team I can see them catching is Portland, and they'll have to pass Utah and Minnesota in the meantime. The top 7 are either too good or too far gone. The playoff odds that ESPN has (how much longer will they be able to keep Hollinger's name attached to stuff?) has them at 28%, which is good for ninth. It's starting to really feel like the Lakers missing out is going to happen.

 

[the moops]

He can't chase cash. Under the new rules, no team can pay him as much as the Lakers can. So if he leaves, it will be because he's willing to take slightly less money to be somewhere else.

Unless the Lakers throw in the towel and trade him at the deadline.

 

[saintfool]

Who would have cap space or might be able to clear cap space to sign Howard if he walked?

Dallas, Houston, jersey, Atlanta, quite a few teams really.

You have to think where he would like to go. I don't see him chasing cash to the point of signing with any old team. He wants to be the show in a NBA market.

He can't chase cash. Under the new rules, no team can pay him as much as the Lakers can. So if he leaves, it will be because he's willing to take slightly less money to be somewhere else.

yes, tim, i know.

 

[saintfool]

Who would have cap space or might be able to clear cap space to sign Howard if he walked?

Dallas, Houston, jersey, Atlanta, quite a few teams really.

You have to think where he would like to go. I don't see him chasing cash to the point of signing with any old team. He wants to be the show in a NBA market.

None of these teams would be "any old team" with Howard in the fold, if he's anywhere near as healthy and capable as he was in Orlando. Plus they're all pretty huge markets. None are LA-sized other than Brooklyn obviously, but they're not tiny. And Atlanta is his hometown.

atlanta is a terrible NBA town. any team would be likely be vastly improved with him on board and the focus of the team (except the lakers). some markets and frachises are simply better though. mark cuban has made the Mavs and Dallas a premier nba franchise.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Who would have cap space or might be able to clear cap space to sign Howard if he walked?

Dallas, Houston, jersey, Atlanta, quite a few teams really.

You have to think where he would like to go. I don't see him chasing cash to the point of signing with any old team. He wants to be the show in a NBA market.

None of these teams would be "any old team" with Howard in the fold, if he's anywhere near as healthy and capable as he was in Orlando. Plus they're all pretty huge markets. None are LA-sized other than Brooklyn obviously, but they're not tiny. And Atlanta is his hometown.

atlanta is a terrible NBA town. any team would be likely be vastly improved with him on board and the focus of the team (except the lakers). some markets and frachises are simply better though. mark cuban has made the Mavs and Dallas a premier nba franchise.

Right. That's kind of my point- none of the listed teams are "any old team." They're all top ten markets and all have rosters that are already better than the supporting casts he dragged to elite status in Orlando.Atlanta is a terrible sports town generally, true. But I believe it's also a pretty popular place to live for young, single black people. And like I said, it's also his hometown, which is a big deal for some people (come home, KD!). It's not like someone suggested Seattle or Cleveland or something; I could see those being written off based on what you're saying.

 

[SoCalBroncoFan]

Who would have cap space or might be able to clear cap space to sign Howard if he walked?

Dallas, Houston, jersey, Atlanta, quite a few teams really.

You have to think where he would like to go. I don't see him chasing cash to the point of signing with any old team. He wants to be the show in a NBA market.

He can't chase cash. Under the new rules, no team can pay him as much as the Lakers can. So if he leaves, it will be because he's willing to take slightly less money to be somewhere else.

Not sure what the new rules allow, but is a sign and trade viable? Could Brooklyn trade the Lakers Lopez + other stuff to make it work? Not a Lakers fan at all, but I know Dwight wanted to go to Brooklyn and if he has any sort of leverage at all this could be a viable scenario.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Interesting...http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8832157/greg-oden-former-no-1-overall-pick-plans-resume-playing-career-sources

 

[Instinctive]

Dallas Salaries

Realistically (and I don't have the best handle on NBA salary cap stuff, but I think I understand the gist of it...) Dallas should be able to sign Howard. They could come into next year with:

Dirk

Dwight

Collison

Carter

Crowder

Bernard James

Cunningham

And I have no idea how Marion and Mayo would go. I think we can avoid paying Marion's early termination, keep his $9 million on the cap, and still sign Dwight plus make the qualifying offer to Collison. After that, I'm assuming Mayo declines his player option - that is where I lose it. I'm not sure how much we can resign him to (especially if we must go over cap at that point) or even if we can. But adding Marion and Mayo to the above is a solid start - and who knows what Kaman would do. I assume we'd renounce his rights to eliminate his cap hold in order to sign a max guy in Dwight.

That roster (with Mayo/Marion) has starters covered, Crowder and Carter off the bench, James to spell Howard, and needs something at point and to back up Dirk. I think that's doable.

 

[saintfool]

Right. That's kind of my point- none of the listed teams are "any old team." They're all top ten markets and all have rosters that are already better than the supporting casts he dragged to elite status in Orlando.Atlanta is a terrible sports town generally, true. But I believe it's also a pretty popular place to live for young, single black people. And like I said, it's also his hometown, which is a big deal for some people (come home, KD!). It's not like someone suggested Seattle or Cleveland or something; I could see those being written off based on what you're saying.

among the 2nd tier NBA cities that could take him, Atlanta might move near the top for the reason you enumerate. given the supporting cast, it would give him a chance to compete in that division with miami and in the East. i just don't think a player like him wants to play for a team/market that seems to consistently rank near the bottom in attendance. no way in hell he plays for cleveland, detroit, minnesota, or sac/seattle, imo.i'm calling dallas here. good city, great fans, good coach, great FO/owner and pretty decent situation.

 

[Kev4029]

I'm amazed that Indiana was dumb enough to give Hibbert $60 million. Hes shooting 40% from the field for a 7'2" center, that's incredible.

 

[Sea Duck]

I'm amazed that Indiana was dumb enough to give Hibbert $60 million. Hes shooting 40% from the field for a 7'2" center, that's incredible.

They should have known the decline was coming once Portland showed interest in him.

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

Did Bosh clench up or was it the smart play to pass out?

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Nice win for Portland. They'd be a contender if they had any depth at all. Worst bench in the league IMO.With all the bad luck they've had with Roy/Oden, they deserved to finally hit on someone like Lillard.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Did Bosh clench up or was it the smart play to pass out?

Statistically speaking, a 3 is better than a long 2 when down 2 on your last possession. Bosh's chances of hitting that shot are a bit better than Chalmers hitting a 3, but Chalmers shot wins the game, whereas Bosh merely gets you to OT, obviously.So, yes, it was the smart play. So Bosh was either smart, or he was a dumb to consider a long two and he clenched up.

That play to get the three out of the timeout was awesome.

 

[the moops]

Did Bosh clench up or was it the smart play to pass out?

I think Chalmers makes that wide open three for the win more often than the combination of Bosh making that long jumper + Miami winning in overtime.Good pass. That ball was in and out.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Heat on the verge of a collapse at this point. Might be time for Riley to come down from the front office and pick up a whistle.

 

[Abraham]

Heat on the verge of a collapse at this point. Might be time for Riley to come down from the front office and pick up a whistle.

I think they are rationalizing it though. "We are the champs and everyone knows we are the best so we get everyone's best shot...we are going to lose a few games due to that. It's ok, we can turn it on when it matters". And I think they can/will. They have the best player, and their 2 and 3 aren't that bad either. Plus they only have to play one western team (finals). Not sure Miami will win the whole ball of wax, but ill be surprised if they don't win the east.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Heat on the verge of a collapse at this point. Might be time for Riley to come down from the front office and pick up a whistle.

I thought they were done when they lost to the Wiz a month or so ago?

 

[Dought Man]

Heat on the verge of a collapse at this point. Might be time for Riley to come down from the front office and pick up a whistle.

Blow it up and get rid of Lebron while you can still get a great player in return, like JJ Redick.

 

[the moops]

Heat on the verge of a collapse at this point. Might be time for Riley to come down from the front office and pick up a whistle.

I think they are rationalizing it though. "We are the champs and everyone knows we are the best so we get everyone's best shot...we are going to lose a few games due to that. It's ok, we can turn it on when it matters". And I think they can/will. They have the best player, and their 2 and 3 aren't that bad either. Plus they only have to play one western team (finals). Not sure Miami will win the whole ball of wax, but ill be surprised if they don't win the east.

Miami is 12-4 against the west,FYI

 

[Juxtatarot]

Heat on the verge of a collapse at this point. Might be time for Riley to come down from the front office and pick up a whistle.

I thought they were done when they lost to the Wiz a month or so ago?

They were done two years ago when they were all crying in the lockerroom.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

CSN Bay Area basketball guy Matt Steinmetz is reporting that the Kings deal is done for $525mm. No Maloof control.

 

[saintfool]

CSN Bay Area basketball guy Matt Steinmetz is reporting that the Kings deal is done for $525mm. No Maloof control.

i read that they will have a small stake in the franchise still. they're not out of there completely, are they?

 

[sjslacker]

Interesting breakdown of Kobe's defense this year.http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2013/1/11/3864814/kobe-bryant-is-ruining-kobe-bryants-historic-season

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Interesting breakdown of Kobe's defense this year.http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2013/1/11/3864814/kobe-bryant-is-ruining-kobe-bryants-historic-season

Look, I'm not going to get on a guy for choosing to daydream once in awhile. It happens to the best of us.

 

[Short Corner]

Interesting breakdown of Kobe's defense this year.http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2013/1/11/3864814/kobe-bryant-is-ruining-kobe-bryants-historic-season

Look, I'm not going to get on a guy for choosing to daydream once in awhile. It happens to the best of us.

He is a below average off-ball defender and has been for several years. Too often he tries to play free safety without maintaining vision on his man and gets torched on basket cuts or uncontested put backs.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Mark Mastrov (24 hour fitness founder) is said to be jumping into the Kings race, and to keep them in Sacto. He came in 2nd to Lacob/Guber for the Warriors.

 

[Premier]

Mark Mastrov (24 hour fitness founder) is said to be jumping into the Kings race, and to keep them in Sacto. He came in 2nd to Lacob/Guber for the Warriors.

Timely!