*NBA THREAD* Abe will be missed (5 Viewers)

[Kev4029]

So who is the biggest snub? Curry?

Brook Lopez.

 

[No. 16]

So who is the biggest snub? Curry?

Probably, but it's hard to quibble with Parker/Harden/Westbrook. I think Curry's had a better half than Bryant, but the Purple Legion saw otherwise.

Westbrook was a no brainer. Harden was pretty close to one and the host city thing made him a lock. Hard to quibble with Parker. Agreed.

Should have made it over Aldridge.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

If I didn't know better (I don't know better) I'd say the magic are trying to throw games. Vucevic had 19-14 through 3 quarters, and if he played in the 4th it was brief and I missed it. No foul trouble for him and the Magic lose at the buzzer.

I don't think he saw the floor. He must have had some unreported health issue. Otherwise it's indefensible.ETA: Apparently it was just a coaching decision and the defense is that the Magic did come back from nine down.

 

[Premier]

Yea, just a coaching decision. Jacque is an odd coach.

 

[Instinctive]

This is silly. Of course Howard hasn't signed an extension in LA yet - it would be foolish financially as he can get better terms by waiting to re-up with LA this summer.

Can he really get better terms by waiting until the summer?

Yeah. If he waits until summer, the terms of his deal can include things like "Playing for the Dallas Mavericks" or "Playing for the Atlanta Hawks"...

 

[Zaxxon]

This is silly. Of course Howard hasn't signed an extension in LA yet - it would be foolish financially as he can get better terms by waiting to re-up with LA this summer.

Can he really get better terms by waiting until the summer?

Goofy rule but yes.

 

[the moops]

This is silly. Of course Howard hasn't signed an extension in LA yet - it would be foolish financially as he can get better terms by waiting to re-up with LA this summer.

Can he really get better terms by waiting until the summer?

Goofy rule but yes.

Weird. So they want players to stay with their current team and they do this by saying only your current team can give you the most money for the most years, But, we are going to make both of you wait until free agency hits so it is a bigger spectacle than it needs be?

 

[Raider Nation]

For those of you with HBO, Real Sports had a segment on Royce White tonight.

Such a weird story. :(

Starting again right now for those who missed it.

 

[Limp Ditka]

For those of you with HBO, Real Sports had a segment on Royce White tonight.

Such a weird story. :(

Starting again right now for those who missed it.

dude needs a Xanax

 

[tommyGunZ]

Bummed that Curry didn't get in, but I have a feeling he's going to end up taking Paul's spot.

Yeah, I love Curry, and would much rather see him there than Lee.

 

[Raider Nation]

For those of you with HBO, Real Sports had a segment on Royce White tonight.

Such a weird story. :(

Starting again right now for those who missed it.

dude needs a Xanax

You know, I was kinda wondering about that. Can't they let him lay down on the plane, then the team doctor gives him something that will basically knock him out for as long as that particular flight takes? It seems like an easy fix.

 

[Zaxxon]

This is silly. Of course Howard hasn't signed an extension in LA yet - it would be foolish financially as he can get better terms by waiting to re-up with LA this summer.

Can he really get better terms by waiting until the summer?

Goofy rule but yes.

Weird. So they want players to stay with their current team and they do this by saying only your current team can give you the most money for the most years, But, we are going to make both of you wait until free agency hits so it is a bigger spectacle than it needs be?

They have the ability to sign an extension but can sign a longer deal with a higher level of annual increases by waiting.

 

[Limp Ditka]

For those of you with HBO, Real Sports had a segment on Royce White tonight.

Such a weird story. :(

Starting again right now for those who missed it.

dude needs a Xanax

You know, I was kinda wondering about that. Can't they let him lay down on the plane, then the team doctor gives him something that will basically knock him out for as long as that particular flight takes? It seems like an easy fix.

This guy's brows are creeping me out. Might have to change the channel

 

[Good Posting Judge]

For those of you with HBO, Real Sports had a segment on Royce White tonight.

Such a weird story. :(

Starting again right now for those who missed it.

dude needs a Xanax

You know, I was kinda wondering about that. Can't they let him lay down on the plane, then the team doctor gives him something that will basically knock him out for as long as that particular flight takes? It seems like an easy fix.

This guy's brows are creeping me out. Might have to change the channel

Oh real nice.

 

[Limp Ditka]

For those of you with HBO, Real Sports had a segment on Royce White tonight.

Such a weird story. :(

Starting again right now for those who missed it.

dude needs a Xanax

You know, I was kinda wondering about that. Can't they let him lay down on the plane, then the team doctor gives him something that will basically knock him out for as long as that particular flight takes? It seems like an easy fix.

This guy's brows are creeping me out. Might have to change the channel

Oh real nice.

I said browS

 

[Raider Nation]

For those of you with HBO, Real Sports had a segment on Royce White tonight.

Such a weird story. :(

Starting again right now for those who missed it.

dude needs a Xanax

You know, I was kinda wondering about that. Can't they let him lay down on the plane, then the team doctor gives him something that will basically knock him out for as long as that particular flight takes? It seems like an easy fix.

This guy's brows are creeping me out. Might have to change the channel

He ruined the entire segment. http://picload.org/image/ardppoa/1-26-201312-09-1.jpg

WTF

 

[Limp Ditka]

ANTI TRUCK

 

[tommyGunZ]

This is silly. Of course Howard hasn't signed an extension in LA yet - it would be foolish financially as he can get better terms by waiting to re-up with LA this summer.

Can he really get better terms by waiting until the summer?

Goofy rule but yes.

Weird. So they want players to stay with their current team and they do this by saying only your current team can give you the most money for the most years, But, we are going to make both of you wait until free agency hits so it is a bigger spectacle than it needs be?

They have the ability to sign an extension but can sign a longer deal with a higher level of annual increases by waiting.

 

[BRONG]

They're all yappin and Barkley's sayin how he really thinks Mark Jackson is second right now, in the running for coach of the year. One of the other dudes asks who he has at first. Barkley deadpans, Phil Jackson. And he's serious; you know he'll argue it, too. lolLove Barkley.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

They're all yappin and Barkley's sayin how he really thinks Mark Jackson is second right now, in the running for coach of the year. One of the other dudes asks who he has at first. Barkley deadpans, Phil Jackson. And he's serious; you know he'll argue it, too. lolLove Barkley.

I like Barkley, but there are long stretches where I don't think he and the crew know a game is going on.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Why does Gunz completely disregard the possibility of a sign and trade for Howard? Isn't that a viable option for him to get paid and leave?

 

[BRONG]

They're all yappin and Barkley's sayin how he really thinks Mark Jackson is second right now, in the running for coach of the year. One of the other dudes asks who he has at first. Barkley deadpans, Phil Jackson. And he's serious; you know he'll argue it, too. lolLove Barkley.

I like Barkley, but there are long stretches where I don't think he and the crew know a game is going on.

Which is fine by me, really. It's the Clipper sans Paul vs the Suns. And we can see for ourselves anyway.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Why does Gunz completely disregard the possibility of a sign and trade for Howard? Isn't that a viable option for him to get paid and leave?

B/c I don't think the Lakers have any desire to get rid of Howard. He IS the franchise for the next 5 years starting in 18 months. And although he's disappointed thus far, it's clear that he's not healthy. Mitch usually sees the forest for the trees. I doubt he'll be swayed by 1/2 of a season with a new coach, new team, new system, and all the injuries and completely sour on Dwight.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Sign and trades are usually driven by the player wanting to go, no?

 

[DrJ]

Why does Gunz completely disregard the possibility of a sign and trade for Howard? Isn't that a viable option for him to get paid and leave?

B/c I don't think the Lakers have any desire to get rid of Howard. He IS the franchise for the next 5 years starting in 18 months. And although he's disappointed thus far, it's clear that he's not healthy. Mitch usually sees the forest for the trees. I doubt he'll be swayed by 1/2 of a season with a new coach, new team, new system, and all the injuries and completely sour on Dwight.

Yeah, but Dwight plays a factor in the whole thing as well. Liking what you do for a living is worth something, that's why so many liberal freaks spend hundreds of thousands being educated for jobs that don't pay anything.

 

[tommyGunZ]

And while I'm all about patience with Dwight, does it surprise anyone that his shoulder was completely cleared today, despite him immediately asking out of the game last night and not returning?Guy is the softest beast I've ever seen.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Why does Gunz completely disregard the possibility of a sign and trade for Howard? Isn't that a viable option for him to get paid and leave?

B/c I don't think the Lakers have any desire to get rid of Howard. He IS the franchise for the next 5 years starting in 18 months. And although he's disappointed thus far, it's clear that he's not healthy. Mitch usually sees the forest for the trees. I doubt he'll be swayed by 1/2 of a season with a new coach, new team, new system, and all the injuries and completely sour on Dwight.

Yeah, but Dwight plays a factor in the whole thing as well. Liking what you do for a living is worth something, that's why so many liberal freaks spend hundreds of thousands being educated for jobs that don't pay anything.

Facts are also important, something that conservatives seem to ignore these days. Dwight can get more money from the Lakers than anyone else, and NO ONE leaves the Lakers by choice. It is the #1 free agent destination in the NBA.

 

[the moops]

Sign and trades are usually driven by the player wanting to go, no?

SIgn and trades are no longer as lucrative to the player as they once were. The most money and years he can get is from LA (and apparently this can only happen in June, not now). Sign and trades work just like regular free agent signings.The one benefit is that Howard could go to a team that is over the cap though, with a sign and trade. So if he wanted to go to Brooklyn, the only way he could do it would be for a sign and trade, but he would still be taking less money and fewer years than if he signed outright with LA.I think it is like a 1% chance that he is not in LA next year (unless of course the Lakers lose like 10 in a row and he is traded at the deadline)

 

[DrJ]

And while I'm all about patience with Dwight, does it surprise anyone that his shoulder was completely cleared today, despite him immediately asking out of the game last night and not returning?Guy is the softest beast I've ever seen.

Could be a problem with motivation. That happens when you hate your job.

 

[BRONG]

And while I'm all about patience with Dwight, does it surprise anyone that his shoulder was completely cleared today, despite him immediately asking out of the game last night and not returning?Guy is the softest beast I've ever seen.

You seen his interview about the team meeting, right fool? That clown wasn't going to play even if he did play, if you know what I'm sayin.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Sometimes you don't come back from a back injury. Just saying.

 

[DrJ]

Why does Gunz completely disregard the possibility of a sign and trade for Howard? Isn't that a viable option for him to get paid and leave?

B/c I don't think the Lakers have any desire to get rid of Howard. He IS the franchise for the next 5 years starting in 18 months. And although he's disappointed thus far, it's clear that he's not healthy. Mitch usually sees the forest for the trees. I doubt he'll be swayed by 1/2 of a season with a new coach, new team, new system, and all the injuries and completely sour on Dwight.

Yeah, but Dwight plays a factor in the whole thing as well. Liking what you do for a living is worth something, that's why so many liberal freaks spend hundreds of thousands being educated for jobs that don't pay anything.

Facts are also important, something that conservatives seem to ignore these days. Dwight can get more money from the Lakers than anyone else, and NO ONE leaves the Lakers by choice. It is the #1 free agent destination in the NBA.

Yeah, and not too many health players in contract years call themselves out of games because they're not motivated to play, either. Dwight's going to set a lot of precedents before all is said and done, I guess. He hates being a Laker that much.

 

[DrJ]

And while I'm all about patience with Dwight, does it surprise anyone that his shoulder was completely cleared today, despite him immediately asking out of the game last night and not returning?Guy is the softest beast I've ever seen.

You seen his interview about the team meeting, right fool? That clown wasn't going to play even if he did play, if you know what I'm sayin.

Yup. Even trade me Kobe continued to show up to work. That's how bad this has gotten.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Sign and trades are usually driven by the player wanting to go, no?

Dwight's got a 20M crib in Newport Beach. LA is an awesome city if you're young, rich, and famous. And the Lakers own the city. Again, no one leaves the Lakers by choice.

 

[DrJ]

Sometimes you don't come back from a back injury. Just saying.

Other times you do, but then your team has you stand around and watch Kobe shoot 22 times a game. Hard to tell the difference sometimes, we'll need to see the post Kobe version of Dwight in a few months to really get a better picture.

 

[BRONG]

Now Barkley cuts away again -- as the officials take too long like always on these ridiculous reviews -- to ask if any of them seen Shag's commercial and if they really believed that he fit in that car. Cracks me up.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Sign and trades are usually driven by the player wanting to go, no?

Dwight's got a 20M crib in Newport Beach. LA is an awesome city if you're young, rich, and famous. And the Lakers own the city. Again, no one leaves the Lakers by choice.

Dwight's kind of an odd bird.And, I'm sorry, but the chances of LA being his best chance at a ring come this summer are woefully slim.

 

[Premier]

Sometimes you don't come back from a back injury. Just saying.

I can't believe nobody talks about this. I think there is a really good chance we've already seen that guy at his best. He doesn't have a game like Hakeem or Ewing where he can step back and hit a jumper. And he's not like Shaq where he just physically overpowered people. Dwight's whole game was explosiveness and now he has a creaky back.

 

[thecatch]

Sign and trades are usually driven by the player wanting to go, no?

Dwight's got a 20M crib in Newport Beach. LA is an awesome city if you're young, rich, and famous. And the Lakers own the city. Again, no one leaves the Lakers by choice.

Everything you said is true, but he clearly hasn't enjoyed playing with Bryant and d'antoni, and the Lakers dont have a particularly bright future as currently constructed. I could see Howard wanting out for sure. Likely? No, but possible.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Howard isn't going anywhere, either via trade or in the offseason in FA.

Agreed. The Lakers can offer him the most money. If his back is bad (and it looks that way) he's only getting one more max deal. It's LA. He'll take some tours and be in the headlines for a while. He might even do some stupid stunt like Lebron in announcing where he's going to sign. But he isn't leaving the LA Lakers for the friggin Atlanta Hawks...

It's always so silly when people do this. None of us have ANY idea what motivates the guy. None. You can't apply what you would do if you were in his shoes to his thought process. All we know is that he doesn't want to be in Orlando playing for Stan Van Gundy. And we know that he was OK with being traded to L.A. but that he hasn't signed an extension there. And we kind of heard that if he had his druthers he would have been traded to Brooklyn or maybe Dallas, but that's mostly gossip. That's it. That's all any of us know about how his mind works. What part of that makes you think he'll stay in LA for sure, or that there's no way he'd want to play for his hometown team? If you haven't noticed, the Lakers kind of suck at basketball, and there's obvious path for them to get better in the next few years. I'm sure he likes money and an extra year of income security, but I'm also sure that he doesn't enjoy playing for a team that sucks at basketball.

This is silly. Of course Howard hasn't signed an extension in LA yet - it would be foolish financially as he can get better terms by waiting to re-up with LA this summer.And while no one can say the know exactly what motivates any particular athlete, we can look at history and get a pretty good idea of what is going to happen. Athletes very, VERY rarely turn down more money from one organization to play for another. And no one turns down more money from the Lakers to take less money from another franchise. It simply doesn't happen. To ignore the realities of the situation and act as if we're clueless as to where Dwight will go is crazy talk.

Good points. Sounds like it's 100% certain that Dwight will be in a Lakers uniform for 2013-2014. Still, I wouldn't mind a small wager if you'll give me long enough odds. 3-1?

 

[Abraham]

Sometimes you don't come back from a back injury. Just saying.

I can't believe nobody talks about this. I think there is a really good chance we've already seen that guy at his best. He doesn't have a game like Hakeem or Ewing where he can step back and hit a jumper. And he's not like Shaq where he just physically overpowered people. Dwight's whole game was explosiveness and now he has a creaky back.

I agree completely. I have seen no evidence that its getting better. None. If they are stuck with old Nash, old Kobe, and never-to-heal Howard for the next few years.... Oof.

 

[Kev4029]

Sometimes you don't come back from a back injury. Just saying.

I can't believe nobody talks about this. I think there is a really good chance we've already seen that guy at his best. He doesn't have a game like Hakeem or Ewing where he can step back and hit a jumper. And he's not like Shaq where he just physically overpowered people. Dwight's whole game was explosiveness and now he has a creaky back.

And hes still arguably the most productive center in the NBA this year in a situation where he has clearly not been giving it his all for whatever reason. He has been so far and away the best center in the NBA the last 5 or so years that even when he has a bad back and hes not trying he is still the best center in the NBA. He may never be the best center by a wide margin ever again, but he will certainly continue to be the best center in the NBA after this season.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Sometimes you don't come back from a back injury. Just saying.

I can't believe nobody talks about this. I think there is a really good chance we've already seen that guy at his best. He doesn't have a game like Hakeem or Ewing where he can step back and hit a jumper. And he's not like Shaq where he just physically overpowered people. Dwight's whole game was explosiveness and now he has a creaky back.

I agree completely. I have seen no evidence that its getting better. None. If they are stuck with old Nash, old Kobe, and never-to-heal Howard for the next few years.... Oof.

I've heard plenty of people talking about the possibility that Dwight is already on the downhill side of his career because of the back. Simmons has discussed it with multiple podcast guests. I agree, if he can't regain that explosiveness I don't see how he's a special player going forward. Still a solid center, but not a guy you can build a team around and assume a 50 win floor like he was in Orlando.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

For those of you with HBO, Real Sports had a segment on Royce White tonight.

Such a weird story. :(

Starting again right now for those who missed it.

dude needs a Xanax

You know, I was kinda wondering about that. Can't they let him lay down on the plane, then the team doctor gives him something that will basically knock him out for as long as that particular flight takes? It seems like an easy fix.

Or just trick him like the A-team did with Mr. T.

 

[B-Deep]

Clearly the lakers problems are numerous, but clearly their coach is high on the listSOOOOwhat do people think the team's record looks like had they hired Phil?

 

[gmbacm]

Clearly the lakers problems are numerous, but clearly their coach is high on the listSOOOOwhat do people think the team's record looks like had they hired Phil?

They've played what 42, 43 games? Id guess around 57-0.

 

[B-Deep]

Clearly the lakers problems are numerous, but clearly their coach is high on the listSOOOOwhat do people think the team's record looks like had they hired Phil?

They've played what 42, 43 games? Id guess around 57-0.

 

[Abraham]

Sometimes you don't come back from a back injury. Just saying.

I can't believe nobody talks about this. I think there is a really good chance we've already seen that guy at his best. He doesn't have a game like Hakeem or Ewing where he can step back and hit a jumper. And he's not like Shaq where he just physically overpowered people. Dwight's whole game was explosiveness and now he has a creaky back.

And hes still arguably the most productive center in the NBA this year in a situation where he has clearly not been giving it his all for whatever reason. He has been so far and away the best center in the NBA the last 5 or so years that even when he has a bad back and hes not trying he is still the best center in the NBA. He may never be the best center by a wide margin ever again, but he will certainly continue to be the best center in the NBA after this season.

I'm not suggesting he's a bad player or is in the downside. He has been very good this year when hurt. But he's nowhere near the best defensive center in the league at the moment. And in a guard driven league, your center has to be a plus defensive presence, especially if he's on a five year max deal for a team with zero flexibility.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

Or just trick him like the A-team did with Mr. T.

A-Team tricks are always useful. I hear Dwight Howard is trying to use garbage bags and hair dryers to float out of LA now.

 

[Kev4029]

Sometimes you don't come back from a back injury. Just saying.

I can't believe nobody talks about this. I think there is a really good chance we've already seen that guy at his best. He doesn't have a game like Hakeem or Ewing where he can step back and hit a jumper. And he's not like Shaq where he just physically overpowered people. Dwight's whole game was explosiveness and now he has a creaky back.

And hes still arguably the most productive center in the NBA this year in a situation where he has clearly not been giving it his all for whatever reason. He has been so far and away the best center in the NBA the last 5 or so years that even when he has a bad back and hes not trying he is still the best center in the NBA. He may never be the best center by a wide margin ever again, but he will certainly continue to be the best center in the NBA after this season.

I'm not suggesting he's a bad player or is in the downside. He has been very good this year when hurt. But he's nowhere near the best defensive center in the league at the moment. And in a guard driven league, your center has to be a plus defensive presence, especially if he's on a five year max deal for a team with zero flexibility.

I just think that the demise of Dwight Howard has been a bit overstated. And while he may not be the best defensive center in the NBA, he's still managed to keep the Lakers an average defensive team with an awful set of defensive players around him, other than MWP. He's 1st in the NBA in rebounding, 5th in blocks, 4th is FG%, scoring 17ppg (5th for centers). Hes still the best all around center in the NBA. Maybe Tyson Chandler is better defensively or Lopez is better offensively but no other center in the NBA combines his defense, offense and rebounding like Howard. Plus he's playing with a dreadful coach, a ball hog guard and it definitely seems to me he doesn't want to be where he is at right now. Even if he never regains what he had two years ago, his back should get better from where it is now, he only had this surgery something like 8 months ago. I have no doubts that he'll be the best center next year through his 30th birthday and very possibly beyond.