NBA 2012-2013 Thread

[screech]

I do love the Suns' retro jerseys.

[screech]

Or is it Suns's? Different English teachers have given me different answers on that one.

[DaveBrawl]

Or is it Suns's? Different English teachers have given me different answers on that one.


Pretty sure it's Suns'. But I never really cared for English class so I am probably wrong.

[Nark Order]

http://enzomusikero.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/kobe-elbow-game-61.jpg?w=549

[DaveWadding]

It's Suns'. if a word ends in S or is plural, the apostrophe goes after the s and nothing else is added.

[DaveBrawl]

That's what I thought. Thanks for clearing that up.

[RoXer]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Your Suns will be "Back in Black" Wednesday against the Lakers. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23EclipseLA">#EclipseLA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23SunsVsLakers">#SunsVsLakers</a> <a href="http://t.co/pgR4VHMz" title="http://on.suns.com/1nm">on.suns.com/1nm</a></p>&mdash; Phoenix Suns (@Suns) <a href="https://twitter.com/Suns/status/296400926556692482">January 29, 2013</a></blockquote>
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[RoXer]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Its not Thursday but I'm throwing it back at work for @<a href="https://twitter.com/suns">suns</a> Lakers game tonight <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23BeatLA">#BeatLA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23EclipseLA">#EclipseLA</a> <a href="http://t.co/yru8jOYy" title="http://twitter.com/RobElderton/status/296624974301626368/photo/1">twitter.com/RobElderton/st…</a></p>&mdash; Rob Elderton (@RobElderton) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobElderton/status/296624974301626368">January 30, 2013</a></blockquote>
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[RoXer]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>@<a href="https://twitter.com/suns">suns</a> Also wearing a black jacket. <a href="http://t.co/YO5ZRYWS" title="http://twitter.com/spotz777/status/296645953333645312/photo/1">twitter.com/spotz777/statu…</a></p>&mdash; John Richard (@spotz777) <a href="https://twitter.com/spotz777/status/296645953333645312">January 30, 2013</a></blockquote>
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[RoXer]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>ready for tonight's game! @<a href="https://twitter.com/suns">suns</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23SunsBlackout">#SunsBlackout</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23EclipseLA">#EclipseLA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23SunsVsLakers">#SunsVsLakers</a> <a href="http://t.co/PWA2fINY" title="http://twitter.com/arevalothebosss/status/296646174243450880/photo/1">twitter.com/arevalotheboss…</a></p>&mdash; Sebastian Arevalo (@arevalothebosss) <a href="https://twitter.com/arevalothebosss/status/296646174243450880">January 30, 2013</a></blockquote>
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[RoXer]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Sharp! “@<a href="https://twitter.com/brentw27">brentw27</a>: @<a href="https://twitter.com/suns">suns</a> I have my black shooting shirt and black <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Suns">#Suns</a> jacket on <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23GoSuns">#GoSuns</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23EclipseLA">#EclipseLA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23SunsBlackout">#SunsBlackout</a> <a href="http://t.co/OmhssnKI" title="http://twitter.com/BrentW27/status/296649756321660928/photo/1">twitter.com/BrentW27/statu…</a>”</p>&mdash; Phoenix Suns (@Suns) <a href="https://twitter.com/Suns/status/296650447790432256">January 30, 2013</a></blockquote>
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[RoXer]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>@<a href="https://twitter.com/suns">suns</a> Let's go Suns! Greetings from <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Poland">#Poland</a> <a href="http://t.co/flTxM4EL" title="http://twitter.com/gozdagno/status/296651471670370304/photo/1">twitter.com/gozdagno/statu…</a></p>&mdash; Adam Gozdowski (@gozdagno) <a href="https://twitter.com/gozdagno/status/296651471670370304">January 30, 2013</a></blockquote>
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[RoXer]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>@<a href="https://twitter.com/suns">suns</a> Supporting the <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23SunsBlackout">#SunsBlackout</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23EclipseLA">#EclipseLA</a> <a href="http://t.co/hUU0FEFR" title="http://twitter.com/MistahKing_/status/296665436404215808/photo/1">twitter.com/MistahKing_/st…</a></p>&mdash; STEPHRON (@MistahKing_) <a href="https://twitter.com/MistahKing_/status/296665436404215808">January 30, 2013</a></blockquote>
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[RoXer]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Tonight is statement game for Suns fans. You can prove how great PHX sports fans are by coming and drowning out any Lakers fans. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23EclipseLA">#EclipseLA</a></p>&mdash; Espo (@Espo) <a href="https://twitter.com/Espo/status/296662206328741888">January 30, 2013</a></blockquote>
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[RoXer]

"A statement game."

The statement is this:

- Even though we, the Phoenix Suns, are pretty awful this year, we still hate the Lakers and will do everything we can think of to keep the rivalry going.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Technically the sun doesn't eclipse anything. It either gets eclipsed itself or it just chills there while one body eclipses another. But the sun never does the eclipsing. It's a big ball of light that doesn't move.

So as you can see your hash tag, just like your team's basketball skills, has several flaws.

[screech]

It's Suns'. if a word ends in S or is plural, the apostrophe goes after the s and nothing else is added.

That's what I thought. I knew my degree in communication would help me learn something!

[RoXer]

http://blog.suns.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/BestAllTime.jpg (http://blog.suns.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/BestAllTime.jpg)

[James Steele]

#CRUSHTHEIRSOULS

[alvarado52]

so after tonight can we stop this?

[alvarado52]

Technically the sun doesn't eclipse anything. It either gets eclipsed itself or it just chills there while one body eclipses another. But the sun never does the eclipsing. It's a big ball of light that doesn't move.

So as you can see your hash tag, just like your team's basketball skills, has several flaws.

http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/400x/27621827.jpg

[RoXer]

so after tonight can we stop this?

That's right.

From now until Thursday you can only post in Purple and Orange and talk about how badly the Suns will embarrass the Lakers.

[Droford]

Lakers win by 15

[RoXer]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>We love all the creative <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23SunsDoodle">#SunsDoodle</a> art, but our judges have selected their favorite: <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23SadKobe">#SadKobe</a> by @<a href="https://twitter.com/christianaromo">christianaromo</a> [ <a href="http://t.co/nfqzFWdu" title="http://bit.ly/TTTdIw">bit.ly/TTTdIw</a> ]</p>&mdash; Phoenix Suns (@Suns) <a href="https://twitter.com/Suns/status/296750440085864449">January 30, 2013</a></blockquote>
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SAD KOBE

[RoXer]

I dropped a pretty substantial Suns Doodle this morning. Like clockwork.

[Emperor Smeat]

<s>Supposedly there is a Greg Oden sweepstakes going on currently with San Antonio, New Orleans, Charlotte, Indiana, Miami, Cleveland, and Dallas all interested in signing him once his current injury rehab is done but wouldn't play until next season.


Grzziles and Raptors agree to a trade which would send Rudy Gay to the Raptors and eventually becomes a three team trade once its all done.

Grizzles get:
Ed Davis
Jose Calderon (gets traded again either to Dallas or Detroit)
2013 2nd Round Draft pick

Raptors get:
Rudy Gay
Hamed Haddadi


David Stern announces Brook Lopez from the Nets replaces Rondo's spot for the East's All-Star team. </s>

[RoXer]

Technically the sun doesn't eclipse anything. It either gets eclipsed itself or it just chills there while one body eclipses another. But the sun never does the eclipsing. It's a big ball of light that doesn't move.

So as you can see your hash tag, just like your team's basketball skills, has several flaws.

But if LA is the entity and the Suns eclipse them then they're all up in their way and shit block them out.

[alvarado52]

So what happens if the Suns lose?

[RoXer]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BB5x-QXCMAEVMOc.jpg:large

[alvarado52]

The laker girls are <s>pretty hot</s> fugly as shit and hecka old too probably

[RoXer]

HERE WE GO!!!!!

[RoXer]

shut up Jon Barry

[Droford]

not sure you can turn the ball over 9 times in the first quarter and win..gonna be hard

[alvarado52]

Always bothers me when basketball players get injured then fall to the floor like they just got shot. Im sure your shoulder hurst Dwight, but stay on your feet like a man.

*can you at least fix my typos when you edit my post?

nigga that aint my job

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Good Game

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Oh shit Suns lead!!

Superman talking to his shoulder?

[alvarado52]

Way to blow the game LA. Ah well.

[alvarado52]

Beautiful final play you drew up there Dantoni...

http://cdn2.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/7196797/20130124_mjr_su5_310.0_standard_352.0.jpg

[RoXer]

FUUUUUUUUUUUUCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK


YOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Kobe steals an assist from Nash!

[alvarado52]

So happy Jim Buss has managed to run down the potential of this season with his shitty FO decisions. Let's hire Pringles instead of Phil or someone who has actual coaching talent, great idea.


http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/08ostZlrjJh7yg3mwW3PXg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9aW5zZXQ7aD01MTI7cT04NTt3PTM3Mg--/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/Sports/ap/201301310012007207662-p2.jpeg

[Skippord]

should have kept double B

[OssMan]

#lestgosuns

[Nark Order]

Congrats to the Suns on the Lakers horrible season. High fives all around.

http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Jared+Dudley+Denver+Nuggets+v+Phoenix+Suns+tT9Do1eg1XKl.jpg

[RoXer]

http://www.nba.com/suns/sites/suns/files/imagecache/image_gallery_default/beasley2_3.jpg

[RoXer]

http://www.gannett-cdn.com/media/USATODAY/USATODAY/2013/01/31/usp-nba_-los-angeles-lakers-at-phoenix-suns-3_4_r536_c534.jpg?1b79b3da202957124496e3768cfb7b67cdb10c81

[RoXer]

http://www.foxsportsarizona.com/common/medialib/271/738891.jpg

[RoXer]

http://cdn3.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/7395269/20130130_mjr_su5_144.0_standard_352.0.jpg

[RoXer]

http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/article/media_slots/photos/000/703/840/ScreenShot2013-01-30at9.48.14PM_original.png?1359611310

[RoXer]

http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site513/2013/0131/20130131_125446_BKN-Lake_500.jpg

.

[DaveWadding]

#tellmehowmypicktaste

[RoXer]

That'll do it for now

...until Feb 12th

[RP]

Paul George v Lebron/Wade Pt. 2 tonight. If he shuts them down tonight, the league is on notice.

[RP]

http://www.obsessedwithsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Lance-Stephenson-Born-Ready.jpg

[RP]

So everyone in Indy wonders who Wade will put his cheap shot on tonight. He does it every game between Indy and Miami. Lance Stephenson is locked in as the overwhelming favorite right now.

BORN READY

( Love Lance so much right now )

[Emperor Smeat]

:-\ Jared Sullinger (back injury) out for the season. If Rondo was considered as the assist machine for the Cs, Sulligener was theirs for rebounds.

Fab Melo got called up to replace his spot.

[owenbrown]

so is the Lakers-Suns madness over now? At least until the next time they play each other?

[RoXer]

Can you not read?

[RoXer]

Text message from Nerf says: At "the garden". Pls call narc a huge faggot, bad sports fan and a homo4me

Nerf: He luvs dick

[The Condor]

Bucks beat the Magic. Fear the Deer.

[Keith]

Ladies and gentlemen, the San Antonio Spurs have the best record in the NBA, 38-11.

How does this team not win the Championship every year?

[Juan]

Text message from Nerf says: At "the garden". Pls call narc a huge faggot, bad sports fan and a homo4me

Nerf: He luvs dick

jaja

[Triple Naitch]

Ladies and gentlemen, the San Antonio Spurs have the best record in the NBA, 38-11.

How does this team not win the Championship every year?

Because they're the dullest team in the history of sports.

[screech]

I like the Spurs :(

[Skippord]

no one likes the Spurs

[screech]

So the spurs are milhouse?

[Skippord]

Yes, the Spurs are Milhouse, in every possible way.

the Nuggets are Thrllhouse

[DaveWadding]

WELCOME, THRILLHO

[Keith]

I like The Spurs. I like how no one ever talks about them, yet they always end up with one of the best records in the NBA.

[RP]

HUGEEEEEEEEE game tonight. Chicago at Indy. Indy has a 13 game home winning streak. First place in the Central on the line.

[OssMan]

World Peace suspended

[alvarado52]

Omg Kobe with the throw down!

[The Condor]

A 34 year old man is carrying this team tonight. WAtching this game and laughing at how flat the Lakers could be for periods.

[The Condor]

Poor Kobe is this team.

[alvarado52]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bdi7ZJ_swU8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Emperor Smeat]

According to Stern, the new ownership group for the Kings have officially filed a relocation request to move to Seattle. Won't be long till its approved from the way Stern hinted it.

[Emperor Smeat]

:cool: Cs gave a beat down to the Lakers.

[Keith]

LOL Lakers got blown out of the TD Garden.

21-point loss.

[Bad News Gertner]

Pacers just caught The Gay

[Supreme Olajuwon]

lol @ LeBron throwing the ball back at that fan last night

[SammyG]

Mamba doe

[Classy and Gassy]

Toronto Raptors are the best 18-32 team of all time.

[Kris P Lettus]

D-Wade is one of my favorite players of all time..

[RoXer]

That'll do it for now

...until Feb 12th

I think we should prepare ourselves

[Juan]

Really?

[Triple A]

wtf

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8937595/golden-state-warriors-unveil-modern-short-sleeve-jerseys

http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2013/0211/nba_e_warriors_gb1_400.jpg

http://hiphopwired.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130211__0212warriorsjersey1_300.jpg

[Keith]

San Antonio beat the Bulls 103-89 tonight.

Oh, yeah. Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker? Neither of them played.

[Ruien]

Liking the new jerseys. Would be more stylish to wear to the bar.

[Triple Naitch]

Looks like a sweet team handball uniform.

[RoXer]

tuned in just now

75-75 about 7 mins left

[RoXer]

shit, i'm bad luck

[Bad News Gertner]

My Jazz whipped the Thunder. Jefferson is a beast.

[Emperor Smeat]

Magic F Turkoglu suspended 20 for positive test

Orlando Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu has been suspended 20 games by the NBA for violating the league's drug policy by testing positive for methenolone.

According to Bill Simmons, only 8 guys have been punished for PEDs since the NBA started testing for them and none have ever involved any stars players.

[Droford]

At 10 games back of the Bucks, call me crazy but I think the wizards could sneak in and get the 8 seed the way they've been playing

[The Condor]

Bucks beat the Sixers. Fear the Deer

[Droford]

And the wizards went out and looked awful vs the pistons

[Bad News Gertner]

Lol Wizards aren't making it bud. Raptors have a shot the way they've been playing.

[alvarado52]

Jerry Buss isn't doing so great apparently :(

[Kris P Lettus]

CP3 and Mr Big Shot back to back..

2sicccccc

[RoXer]

Eastern Conference
Team GB
1. * Miami --
2. * New York 3.5
3. * Indiana 5.0
4. Brooklyn 6.0
5. Chicago 6.5
6. Atlanta 7.0
7. Boston 8.5
8. Milwaukee 10.0
9. Philadelphia 14.0
10. Toronto 16.0
11. Detroit 16.5
12. Cleveland 21.0
13. Washington 21.0
14. Orlando 21.5
15. Charlotte 24.5


Western Conference
Team GB
1. * San Antonio --
2. * Oklahoma City 2.0
3. * LA Clippers 4.5
4. Memphis 7.5
5. Denver 9.0
6. Golden State 11.0
7. Utah 12.0
8. Houston 13.5
9. Portland 16.5
10. LA Lakers 16.5
11. Dallas 18.0
12. Minnesota 21.0
13. New Orleans 22.5
14. Sacramento 23.0
15. Phoenix 24.5


The only team in contention in the East is Philadelphia. Anyone under them is not going to make the playoffs. The West is what's going to be wild down the stretch. 5 through 11 can all shuffle around from now until the end of the season. Not only are the Lakers not out of it but I wouldn't write off Dallas either to sneak in at a 7 or 8.

[Kris P Lettus]

13th seed represent!!

[Emperor Smeat]

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2170501/deairdre.gif

[Emperor Smeat]

CBSSports.com has learned that the Lakers have engaged in preliminary trade discussions with an unlikely trade partner regarding Howard: their fierce rival, the Boston Celtics. The centerpieces of the possible deal, which hasn't gained any traction, would be Howard and Rajon Rondo.

The imagination runs rampant with the tantalizing possibilities.

Other significant pieces would have to be involved, since Rondo's $11 million salary is substantially less than Howard's $19.5 million. If the Lakers dealt Howard for an All-Star point guard who is out for the rest of the season following ACL surgery, they'd effectively be throwing in the towel on this miserable, underachieving season and looking to next year.

The Celtics would be going all-in for a quick rebuild centered around Howard, with the hopes they could find a point guard in the draft or in free agency to capably run their offense – which they've managed to do in Rondo's absence anyway. Celtics president Danny Ainge has flirted with several trade possibilities for Rondo over the years, and the point guard's hyper-competitive drive and strong personality have proved difficult for coach Doc Rivers to manage.

There are at least two significant impediments to a Howard-Rondo deal. First, as Howard said Friday, the Lakers continue to insist they won't trade him, which sources say is the impression the Celtics have gotten, too. Second, Celtics president Danny Ainge would not trade Rondo without an assurance that Howard would re-sign with Boston as a free agent this summer, a league source said. Howard has shown no inclination to commit to anyone, including the Lakers, until the season is over.

Already hate that trade if its actually made.

Cs are really undervaluing how important Rondo is now and for the future if they get rid of him. A huge reason why they became good recently was due to them finally realizing Rondo was doing way too much work while everyone else half-assed it.

[Juan]

Do it, Mitch!

[alvarado52]

I'd love to have Rondo on the squad. Would also like Kevin Love in the jersey

[SammyG]

Definitely looking forward to tonight.

[Dragon]

Definitely looking forward to tonight.

Apparently Houston wasn't. There is nobody in the arena.

[Keith]

That fucking crowd is dead.

They didn't cheer Sam Cassell, they didn't cheer Robert Horry, and they didn't even cheer Jeremy Lin.

[owenbrown]

League Leaders through All-Star Break

Minutes Played: Kobe Bryant (2072)
FGs Made: Lebron James (521)
FGs Attempted: Kobe Bryant(1108)
3 pt FGs Made: Ryan Anderson (159)
3 pt FGs Attempted: Ryan Anderson (396)
FTs Made: James Harden (455)
FTs Attempted: James Harden (532)
Offensive Rebounds: Tyson Chandler (224)
Defensive Rebounds: Omer Asik (451)
Total Rebounds: Omer Asik (634)
Assists: Greivis Vasquez (499)
Steals: Chris Paul (114)
Blocks: Serge Ibaka (149)
Turnovers: James Harden (200)
Personal Fouls: Amir Johnson (196)
Points: Kevin Durant (1548)
FG %: Tyson Chandler (.673)
3 pt FG %: Kyle Korver (.460)
FT %: Kevin Durant (.907)
Minutes/game: Luol Deng (39.6)
Pts/game: Kevin Durant (29.2)
Rebounds/game: Dwight Howard (11.8)
Assists/game: Rajon Rondo (11.1)
Steals/game: Chris Paul (2.6)
Blocks/game: Larry Sanders (3.2)

[Emperor Smeat]

NBA teases next year's All-Star game is going to be in New York but they haven't decided between MSG and Barclays Center.

Rumor is Stern is pushing for MSG to be picked as one of his last major acts as the commish and because of his personal history with the city.

[Keith]

Hopefully it's MSG, so we have a good crowd. This Houston crowd tonight has been terrible.

[Droford]

Lol red Mamba

[Keith]

Red Mamba moving on!

[Droford]

For a sec I thought Irving was gonna have like 28

[Keith]

Do we really need a musical presentation before each event?

[Droford]

That rapper was arrested for drugs about an hour from where I live

[owenbrown]

I went to a concert and a basketball game broke out :shifty:

[Droford]

How was that 50?

[Droford]

If he had jumped over the flight attendants..

[Droford]

Let's score all the dunks 50! Yeah

[Droford]

East coast bias

[Droford]

Let's have a 7 ft 3 guy sit on a box

[Droford]

This is just embarrassing now

[Triple A]

Charles Barkley is mad annoying, huge hater

[Keith]

This is going downhill fast.

Crowd isn't into it, nothing special going on, a lot of misses, former players laughing at what's going on, the current players doing the same.

Geez.

[Triple A]

blipsters

[Keith]

Charles Barkley is mad annoying, huge hater

I like the back and forth between him and Shaq, tho.

[DaveBrawl]

Wanted to see Mutombo block all the dunks and just wave the finger at them all.

Or at least see Faried move on.

[Droford]

Lol Barkley saying he'd rather be watching homeland

[Keith]

LOL this has been a total wreck, not even TNT is on top of its game.

[owenbrown]

all Stern cares about is money and ratings anyway

[Droford]

Final dunks have been much better at least

[Bad News Gertner]

Crazy that someone who runs a business would care about money and ratings.

Owenbrown, you're a dumb nigger. Keep your comments to yourself.

[Emperor Smeat]

Anyone else notice they handed the announcer the envelope with the winner's name on it while there was still time on the clock for voting.

[Keith]

LOL

Nick Cannon: "What do you want to say to your people?"

Terrence Ross: *Inaudible*

[Droford]

Anyone else notice they handed the announcer the envelope with the winner's name on it while there was still time on the clock for voting.

Making a pretty big deal about this actually.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Maybe it was a landslide victory and whatever was left wouldn't have changed who won.

[owenbrown]

Playoff Probabilities/Draft Lottery Chances

<table class="sortable margin_top stats_table wide_table" id="E-standings"><thead><tr class=""><th class="ranker sort_default_asc show_partial_when_sorting" align="right">Rk</th> <th class="tooltip" align="left">Eastern Conference</th> <th class="tooltip" align="right">W</th> <th class="tooltip" align="right">L</th> <th class="tooltip" align="right">W-L%</th> <th class="tooltip" align="center">Current</th> <th class="tooltip" align="center">Remain</th> <th class="tooltip" align="center">Best</th> <th class="tooltip" align="center">Worst</th> <th class="tooltip" align="right">Playoffs</th> <th class="tooltip" align="right">Division</th> <th class="tooltip" align="right">Top Seed</th> <th class="tooltip" align="right">Win Conf</th> <th class="tooltip" align="right">Win Finals</th> <th class="tooltip" align="right">Win Lottery</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr data-row="0" class=""> <td align="right">1</td> <td align="left">Miami Heat (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIA/2013.html)</td> <td align="right">58.0</td> <td align="right">24.0</td> <td align="right">.708</td> <td align="center">36-14</td> <td align="center">22-10</td> <td align="center">66-16</td> <td align="center">50-32</td> <td align="right">100.0%</td> <td align="right">100.0%</td> <td align="right">96.5%</td> <td align="right">50.4%</td> <td align="right">22.4%</td> <td align="right">
</td> </tr> <tr data-row="1" class=""> <td align="right">2</td> <td align="left">New York Knicks (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/2013.html)</td> <td align="right">51.1</td> <td align="right">30.9</td> <td align="right">.623</td> <td align="center">32-18</td> <td align="center">19-13</td> <td align="center">59-23</td> <td align="center">42-40</td> <td align="right">100.0%</td> <td align="right">89.3%</td> <td align="right">3.1%</td> <td align="right">23.7%</td> <td align="right">7.6%</td> <td align="right">
</td> </tr> <tr data-row="2" class=""> <td align="right">3</td> <td align="left">Indiana Pacers (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/IND/2013.html)</td> <td align="right">48.3</td> <td align="right">33.7</td> <td align="right">.589</td> <td align="center">32-21</td> <td align="center">16-13</td> <td align="center">55-27</td> <td align="center">39-43</td> <td align="right">100.0%</td> <td align="right">72.7%</td> <td align="right">0.3%</td> <td align="right">10.5%</td> <td align="right">2.1%</td> <td align="right">
</td> </tr> <tr data-row="3" class=""> <td align="right">4</td> <td align="left">Brooklyn Nets (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BRK/2013.html)</td> <td align="right">46.3</td> <td align="right">35.7</td> <td align="right">.565</td> <td align="center">31-22</td> <td align="center">15-14</td> <td align="center">55-27</td> <td align="center">36-46</td> <td align="right">99.8%</td> <td align="right">9.6%</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">4.7%</td> <td align="right">0.7%</td> <td align="right">
</td> </tr> <tr data-row="4" class=""> <td align="right">5</td> <td align="left">Chicago Bulls (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHI/2013.html)</td> <td align="right">46.0</td> <td align="right">36.0</td> <td align="right">.561</td> <td align="center">30-22</td> <td align="center">16-14</td> <td align="center">53-29</td> <td align="center">38-44</td> <td align="right">99.8%</td> <td align="right">26.6%</td> <td align="right">0.1%</td> <td align="right">4.5%</td> <td align="right">0.6%</td> <td align="right">
</td> </tr> <tr data-row="5" class=""> <td align="right">6</td> <td align="left">Atlanta Hawks (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/ATL/2013.html)</td> <td align="right">45.0</td> <td align="right">37.0</td> <td align="right">.549</td> <td align="center">29-22</td> <td align="center">16-15</td> <td align="center">54-28</td> <td align="center">37-45</td> <td align="right">99.3%</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">2.6%</td> <td align="right">0.3%</td> <td align="right">
</td> </tr> <tr data-row="6" class=""> <td align="right">7</td> <td align="left">Boston Celtics (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/2013.html)</td> <td align="right">42.7</td> <td align="right">39.3</td> <td align="right">.521</td> <td align="center">28-24</td> <td align="center">15-15</td> <td align="center">52-30</td> <td align="center">33-49</td> <td align="right">98.0%</td> <td align="right">1.1%</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">1.9%</td> <td align="right">0.1%</td> <td align="right">
</td> </tr> <tr data-row="7" class=""> <td align="right">8</td> <td align="left">Milwaukee Bucks (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIL/2013.html)</td> <td align="right">40.3</td> <td align="right">41.7</td> <td align="right">.492</td> <td align="center">26-25</td> <td align="center">14-17</td> <td align="center">48-34</td> <td align="center">32-50</td> <td align="right">85.8%</td> <td align="right">0.7%</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">1.5%</td> <td align="right">0.2%</td> <td align="right">0.2%</td> </tr> <tr data-row="8" class="blank_table no_ranker partial_table"> <td colspan="15">
</td> </tr> <tr data-row="9" class=""> <td align="right">9</td> <td align="left">Philadelphia 76ers (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/2013.html)</td> <td align="right">35.0</td> <td align="right">47.0</td> <td align="right">.427</td> <td align="center">22-29</td> <td align="center">13-18</td> <td align="center">43-39</td> <td align="center">27-55</td> <td align="right">7.8%</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">1.7%</td> </tr> <tr data-row="10" class=""> <td align="right">10</td> <td align="left">Toronto Raptors (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/TOR/2013.html)</td> <td align="right">34.9</td> <td align="right">47.1</td> <td align="right">.425</td> <td align="center">21-32</td> <td align="center">14-15</td> <td align="center">42-40</td> <td align="center">26-56</td> <td align="right">7.1%</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">0.2%</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">2.1%</td> </tr> <tr data-row="11" class=""> <td align="right">11</td> <td align="left">Detroit Pistons (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DET/2013.html)</td> <td align="right">33.5</td> <td align="right">48.5</td> <td align="right">.409</td> <td align="center">21-33</td> <td align="center">13-15</td> <td align="center">41-41</td> <td align="center">25-57</td> <td align="right">2.4%</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">2.3%</td> </tr> <tr data-row="12" class=""> <td align="right">12</td> <td align="left">Washington Wizards (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/WAS/2013.html)</td> <td align="right">28.0</td> <td align="right">54.0</td> <td align="right">.342</td> <td align="center">15-36</td> <td align="center">13-18</td> <td align="center">36-46</td> <td align="center">21-61</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">9.7%</td> </tr> <tr data-row="13" class=""> <td align="right">13</td> <td align="left">Cleveland Cavaliers (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/2013.html)</td> <td align="right">26.9</td> <td align="right">55.1</td> <td align="right">.328</td> <td align="center">16-37</td> <td align="center">11-18</td> <td align="center">35-47</td> <td align="center">20-62</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">11.4%</td> </tr> <tr data-row="14" class=""> <td align="right">14</td> <td align="left">Orlando Magic (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/ORL/2013.html)</td> <td align="right">25.0</td> <td align="right">57.0</td> <td align="right">.305</td> <td align="center">15-37</td> <td align="center">10-20</td> <td align="center">33-49</td> <td align="center">18-64</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">17.1%</td> </tr> <tr data-row="15" class=""> <td align="right">15</td> <td align="left">Charlotte Bobcats (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHA/2013.html)</td> <td align="right">20.5</td> <td align="right">61.5</td> <td align="right">.250</td> <td align="center">12-40</td> <td align="center">8-22</td> <td align="center">31-51</td> <td align="center">13-69</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">25.7%</td> </tr> </tbody> <tfoot></tfoot></table> <table class="sortable margin_top stats_table wide_table" id="W-standings"><colgroup><col><col><col><col><col><col><col><col><col><col><col><col><col><col><col></colgroup> <thead> <tr class=""> <th class="ranker sort_default_asc show_partial_when_sorting" align="right">Rk</th> <th class="tooltip" align="left">Western Conference</th> <th class="tooltip" align="right">W</th> <th class="tooltip" align="right">L</th> <th class="tooltip" align="right">W-L%</th> <th class="tooltip" align="center">Current</th> <th class="tooltip" align="center">Remain</th> <th class="tooltip" align="center">Best</th> <th class="tooltip" align="center">Worst</th> <th class="tooltip" align="right">Playoffs</th> <th class="tooltip" align="right">Division</th> <th class="tooltip" align="right">Top Seed</th> <th class="tooltip" align="right">Win Conf</th> <th class="tooltip" align="right">Win Finals</th> <th class="tooltip" align="right">Win Lottery</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr data-row="0" class=""> <td align="right">1</td> <td align="left">San Antonio Spurs (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAS/2013.html)</td> <td align="right">61.9</td> <td align="right">20.1</td> <td align="right">.755</td> <td align="center">42-12</td> <td align="center">20-8</td> <td align="center">68-14</td> <td align="center">55-27</td> <td align="right">100.0%</td> <td align="right">99.9%</td> <td align="right">76.8%</td> <td align="right">36.9%</td> <td align="right">25.9%</td> <td align="right">
</td> </tr> <tr data-row="1" class=""> <td align="right">2</td> <td align="left">Oklahoma City Thunder (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/OKC/2013.html)</td> <td align="right">59.1</td> <td align="right">22.9</td> <td align="right">.721</td> <td align="center">39-14</td> <td align="center">20-9</td> <td align="center">66-16</td> <td align="center">51-31</td> <td align="right">100.0%</td> <td align="right">99.7%</td> <td align="right">20.3%</td> <td align="right">35.1%</td> <td align="right">25.1%</td> <td align="right">
</td> </tr> <tr data-row="2" class=""> <td align="right">3</td> <td align="left">Los Angeles Clippers (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAC/2013.html)</td> <td align="right">56.5</td> <td align="right">25.5</td> <td align="right">.689</td> <td align="center">39-17</td> <td align="center">18-8</td> <td align="center">62-20</td> <td align="center">49-33</td> <td align="right">100.0%</td> <td align="right">100.0%</td> <td align="right">2.9%</td> <td align="right">16.2%</td> <td align="right">9.9%</td> <td align="right">
</td> </tr> <tr data-row="3" class=""> <td align="right">4</td> <td align="left">Memphis Grizzlies (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MEM/2013.html)</td> <td align="right">50.9</td> <td align="right">31.1</td> <td align="right">.621</td> <td align="center">33-18</td> <td align="center">18-13</td> <td align="center">60-22</td> <td align="center">42-40</td> <td align="right">100.0%</td> <td align="right">0.1%</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">4.2%</td> <td align="right">1.5%</td> <td align="right">
</td> </tr> <tr data-row="4" class=""> <td align="right">5</td> <td align="left">Denver Nuggets (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DEN/2013.html)</td> <td align="right">50.1</td> <td align="right">31.9</td> <td align="right">.611</td> <td align="center">33-21</td> <td align="center">17-11</td> <td align="center">58-24</td> <td align="center">42-40</td> <td align="right">100.0%</td> <td align="right">0.3%</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">5.2%</td> <td align="right">2.3%</td> <td align="right">
</td> </tr> <tr data-row="5" class=""> <td align="right">6</td> <td align="left">Houston Rockets (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/2013.html)</td> <td align="right">45.8</td> <td align="right">36.2</td> <td align="right">.559</td> <td align="center">29-26</td> <td align="center">17-10</td> <td align="center">53-29</td> <td align="center">37-45</td> <td align="right">96.2%</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">1.9%</td> <td align="right">1.1%</td> <td align="right">
</td> </tr> <tr data-row="6" class=""> <td align="right">7</td> <td align="left">Golden State Warriors (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/GSW/2013.html)</td> <td align="right">45.9</td> <td align="right">36.1</td> <td align="right">.559</td> <td align="center">30-22</td> <td align="center">16-14</td> <td align="center">54-28</td> <td align="center">37-45</td> <td align="right">94.7%</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">0.1%</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">0.1%</td> </tr> <tr data-row="7" class=""> <td align="right">8</td> <td align="left">Utah Jazz (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/UTA/2013.html)</td> <td align="right">43.5</td> <td align="right">38.5</td> <td align="right">.531</td> <td align="center">30-24</td> <td align="center">14-14</td> <td align="center">53-29</td> <td align="center">35-47</td> <td align="right">82.5%</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">0.3%</td> <td align="right">0.1%</td> <td align="right">0.3%</td> </tr> <tr data-row="8" class="blank_table no_ranker partial_table"> <td colspan="15">
</td> </tr> <tr data-row="9" class=""> <td align="right">9</td> <td align="left">Los Angeles Lakers (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/2013.html)</td> <td align="right">40.2</td> <td align="right">41.8</td> <td align="right">.491</td> <td align="center">25-29</td> <td align="center">15-13</td> <td align="center">48-34</td> <td align="center">31-51</td> <td align="right">20.8%</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">0.1%</td> <td align="right">0.1%</td> <td align="right">0.6%</td> </tr> <tr data-row="10" class=""> <td align="right">10</td> <td align="left">Dallas Mavericks (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DAL/2013.html)</td> <td align="right">36.9</td> <td align="right">45.1</td> <td align="right">.450</td> <td align="center">23-29</td> <td align="center">14-16</td> <td align="center">45-37</td> <td align="center">29-53</td> <td align="right">2.8%</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">1.3%</td> </tr> <tr data-row="11" class=""> <td align="right">11</td> <td align="left">Portland Trail Blazers (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/2013.html)</td> <td align="right">36.6</td> <td align="right">45.4</td> <td align="right">.447</td> <td align="center">25-28</td> <td align="center">12-17</td> <td align="center">45-37</td> <td align="center">28-54</td> <td align="right">2.9%</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">1.0%</td> </tr> <tr data-row="12" class=""> <td align="right">12</td> <td align="left">Minnesota Timberwolves (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIN/2013.html)</td> <td align="right">32.9</td> <td align="right">49.1</td> <td align="right">.401</td> <td align="center">19-31</td> <td align="center">14-18</td> <td align="center">42-40</td> <td align="center">25-57</td> <td align="right">0.1%</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">2.4%</td> </tr> <tr data-row="13" class=""> <td align="right">13</td> <td align="left">New Orleans Hornets (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NOH/2013.html)</td> <td align="right">32.6</td> <td align="right">49.4</td> <td align="right">.398</td> <td align="center">19-34</td> <td align="center">14-15</td> <td align="center">40-42</td> <td align="center">24-58</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">2.2%</td> </tr> <tr data-row="14" class=""> <td align="right">14</td> <td align="left">Phoenix Suns (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHO/2013.html)</td> <td align="right">27.9</td> <td align="right">54.1</td> <td align="right">.340</td> <td align="center">17-36</td> <td align="center">11-18</td> <td align="center">35-47</td> <td align="center">21-61</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">9.7%</td> </tr> <tr data-row="15" class=""> <td align="right">15</td> <td align="left">Sacramento Kings (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAC/2013.html)</td> <td align="right">27.6</td> <td align="right">54.4</td> <td align="right">.337</td> <td align="center">19-35</td> <td align="center">9-19</td> <td align="center">35-47</td> <td align="center">20-62</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">
</td> <td align="right">12.2%</td></tr></tbody></table>

[Emperor Smeat]

Clippers rumored to be considering a potential deal involving the Jazz after the previous potential deal with the Cs fell apart (Bledsoe for KG).

Several players, picks, and/or cash would swap around but the main piece would involve Eric Bledsoe going to the Jazz in return for the Clippers getting Paul Millsap..

[Kris P Lettus]

all Stern cares about is money and ratings anyway

"all he cares about is the success of the nba"

[Juan]

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2183379/kobereturns_medium.gif

[owenbrown]

the best chance Kobe has of blocking Lebron because he won't be doing it in the NBA Finals

[Juan]

the best chance Kobe has of blocking Lebron because he won't be doing it in the NBA Finals

Yeah, I can see the Heat being eliminated in the 2nd round.

[owenbrown]

I truly miss this theme... every time I hear it I get chills

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UooitEU6AtE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[SammyG]

LAKERS RECOVERY BEGINS WEDNESDAY

[alvarado52]

Hearing news that Jerry Buss passed away but haven't gotten any confirmation from reputable sources. Sad day if is true.

[DaveBrawl]

ESPN's app just sent it out unfortunately.

[alvarado52]

:( rest in peace Dr Buss.

[The Condor]

That's a bummer. He was the kind of owner you'd like, not like Jerry Jones.

[Juan]

RIP Dr. Buss

[Keith]

Maybe this will give the Lakers the kick in the pants they need.

[Juan]

Doubtful

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

I don't think it will. It'll probably just anger the fan-base even more since this pathetic team performance is the last one of Buss's life. Something like this to overblow the horrible performance is the last thing they need at this point.

RIP Dr. Buss.

[alvarado52]

Lots of trade talk regarding D12. Sucks that my favorite player isn't meshing in the purple and gold, but I'm a Laker fan first and foremost and if trading him betters this team so be it.

Though I still think firing our shit coach is the best decision.

[DaveWadding]

The Lakers need to keep sucking. :y:

[Keith]

Though I still think firing our shit coach is the best decision.

LOL they picked Mike D'Antoni over Phil. They're getting what they deserve for breaking Phil's heart.

[RP]

"It's tough to stay focused when we come to Indianapolis," said a visibly exhausted Carmelo Anthony. "This city is crazy. Did you know there's a Champps Americana Sports Grill downtown that's open till two in the morning six nights a week? The place serves its whole menu late. Burgers, sandwiches, patty melts, everything. It's totally insane. We don't have anything like that in New York."

lol

[RP]

GIVE ME YOUR JJ REDDICK

[Emperor Smeat]

"It's tough to stay focused when we come to Indianapolis," said a visibly exhausted Carmelo Anthony. "This city is crazy. Did you know there's a Champps Americana Sports Grill downtown that's open till two in the morning six nights a week? The place serves its whole menu late. Burgers, sandwiches, patty melts, everything. It's totally insane. We don't have anything like that in New York."

lol

:lol:

[Kris P Lettus]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9i6ikcAQmDg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[The Condor]

Hopefully the Bucks can unload Monte Ellis in the offseason(he has a player option for 12 mil so he'll probably opt out) and we can use Reddick and Jennings next year as our back-court. Should be much better shot selection than Ellis. Fear the Deer

[Emperor Smeat]

Celtics trade Leandro Barbosa and center Jason Collins to the Wizards in return for Jordan Crawford. Celtics got the better end of that trade considering Barbosa is out for the year and Collins was barely used in games.

Hawks ended up backing out of every deal involving Josh Smith at the last moment while the potential Clippers-Jazz deal ended up not getting done (Bledsoe for Millsap).

[The Condor]

3 straight heartbreaking losses this week. Pity the deer

[SammyG]

Jesus Christ, that game.

[Scott Roberts]

What happened?

[SammyG]

Amnesty THAT.

[Juan]

Denver is gonna be a real test

[Juan]

Not looking good

[Juan]

Lakers allow 78 points in the paint. Yuck

[Skippord]

everyone allows that to the Nuggets

[Juan]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ituuEBdkZfY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Triple Naitch]

Is there a gif of Lindsey Hunter staring down Michael Beasley yet?

[Triple Naitch]

Yup

http://www.mlbgifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/LindseyHunterMichaelBeasleyStare.gif

[Juan]

lol

[RP]

The Pacers are for real.

[The Condor]

Adding salt to the wound opened by Derek Fisher, the Bucks beat the Mavs 95-90. Fear the Deer

[RP]

What a cunt Derek Fisher is

[The Condor]

Agreed, a totally douchebag move on his part

[screech]

What did he do?

[The Condor]

Asked the Mavs for his release to spend time with his family and his daughter who has health issues, took a little time off and then joined the Thunder without giving the Mavs so much as a courtesy call.

[Emperor Smeat]

Did something similar when he was with the Jazz. Asked for his release because he had to move his daughter to LA for better medical care and teased he was taking some time off for next season.

Within a week or so he ended up rejoining the Lakers.

[screech]

What a cock chugger

[The Condor]

Bucks beat the Rockets. Fear the Deer

[RP]

amazing article

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/indiana-pacers-danny-granger-paul-george-very-close-on-team-022713

Granger, George like 'brothers'
Bill Reiter
Share This Story
Updated Feb 28, 2013 8:33 AM ET


INDIANAPOLIS

The most dangerous threat to the Miami Heat’s chances for Eastern Conference domination is the relationship on display at a downtown hotspot full of gawking fans, two men talking without a hint of the rivalry so many predict. In the good-natured barbs, in the private and quiet moments of respect over the buzz of the bar, and in the ease of mentor and protégé sharing a night out on the town, the friendship between a blossoming superstar and his 29-year-old mentor says everything about why the Indiana Pacers have a better chance than anyone to beat the Miami Heat in a seven-game playoff series.

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REGIONAL REPORTS

Bobcats: Lessons in losses
Bucks: Making room for Redick
Cavs: Surge helps growing pains
Grizzlies: Adapting to new reality
Hawks: Smith 'surprised' to stay
Heat: Dynamic duo's best game yet
Kings: Salmons unhappy with role
Magic: Ex-Bucks excited by trade
Mavs: Blow Dirk's 20/20 monster
Rockets: Will Changes help push?

Paul George, 22, has his Steelers hat on backward. His black Nike sweater with the hoodie. And his jokes about Danny Granger’s “old-man game.” Granger, his finger wrapped after having it drained at a hospital a few hours earlier, switches between marveling “wow!” as Stephen Curry goes off for 54 points on the big screen above them and boasting loud and confidently that he owns George in the Xbox matches that mark Pacers’ road games.

“I dominate FIFA,” Granger boasts.

“I’m by far the best on FIFA,” George says at the exact same moment.

“I dominate!”

They are talking over one another, at one another, laughing, so it’s hard to keep up with the smack talking. Suffice it to say it is intense, continuous and really funny.

“A bunch of us play, there’s like four or five of us on the team who play,” Granger offers.

“And I dominate most of the time,” George says.

“I dominate,” Granger says.

They go down the list: Who bests whom at FIFA, at Call of Duty, at the outdoor paintball course they head to in the offseason in the Los Angeles area, where they live and often hang out. These are friends, comfortable together and genuinely close, and so the mood seems so normal and down to earth it’s hard to remember you’re with two NBA stars every time a fan sheepishly approaches asking for a photo.

It’s also why Granger’s return, far from the narrative being crafted that he and George cannot co-exist, is a boon to a team with a real chance at a postseason run.

All season, quietly, the Pacers have played postseason-style basketball with the grinding, intense, team-first effort that makes them Miami’s greatest threat. They are the best defensive team in the league, they have the NBA’s second-best rebounding rate, they own the third-most blocks per game, and they play an intense and all-in style that has led to wins with gritty final scores like 82-81, 81-75, 80-76. It has also led them to a record that puts them second in the Eastern Conference.

This has all happened without Granger, who returned two games ago – and has struggled with his shot, as he tends to early in seasons – after a nine-month hiatus from a knee tendon injury. Last season, Granger was the team’s leading scorer. Now he returns needing to fit into a world in which the younger George has assumed a leading role at the very position he plays.

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The two men are side by side, at a table with George’s brother and a few friends, but they get serious – and protective of the other – when the question of their supposed chemistry issues comes up.

“Danny’s been like a big brother to me,” George says. “He’s really been a mentor to me. He’s been a big brother. Anything that I needed to learn or that I needed help with or getting adjusted to, Danny was there. So early on I felt like we had a brother relationship.”

There’s no doubting that the two men, in many NBA locker rooms, would be rivals. Rivals for playing time, for the spotlight, for the leadership role, for the glory, for the next big contract or the ego-driven need the Lakers keep exhibiting to simply feel like The Man. But the Pacers are different. It’s why Roy Hibbert said Wednesday he’d pay Lance Stephenson’s $35,000 fine for being a good teammate and having his back during the Wednesday shoving match that got Hibbert and Golden State’s David Lee suspended. It’s why Indiana’s defense is so focused and intense. It’s why the Pacers rotate so well, why they buy in, why George feels a genuine ease with every guy on the roster, why Granger seems so comfortable with the idea of turning over his role to the others.

These guys – led first and foremost by George and Granger – actually really like each other.

“I think the biggest deal about it is the assumptions since I was coming back that there’d be a competition between us, when it’s actually the opposite,” Granger says. “The way he can break defenses down, the way he can create, I can just stand, catch and shoot, drive – it makes my job easier. He’s coming in at such a young age – he’s 22 now – I’m going to be 30 in a month and a half.

“So I’m about to have a mid-life crisis,” Granger says. George laughs at him. “So I’m 30, you know, I have no problem – I’ve been in the league eight years – I have no problem passing the mantle to him, to leave the team to Roy and George.” Granger looks at George, right in the eye. “Those guys really, even David, those are the nucleus of this team. I’m getting older now, and the fact that we drafted Roy, then we drafted PG, I was drafted here, Lance Stephenson was drafted here, Tyler was drafted here. My whole team I watched get drafted. I’ve watched all of them grow. So I have no problem passing the mantle. At all.”

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This is a handover – no, a sharing of responsibility and opportunity and, yes, a sharing and passing on of glory – that began with Granger’s blessing two years ago, when George was a 19-year-old kid getting ready for the NBA draft.

“We had gone through the draft and we were working out together,” Granger said. “It was the day of draft day, and – we have the same agent – I’d been working out with him for about a month. So I got about five calls from Larry Bird. Larry Bird never calls me. And he’s like, ‘Danny, I need you to call me back. Danny, I need you to call me back.’

“Finally, I call him back, and he’s like, ‘Ah, what do you think of this kid Paul George?’

“I’ve been working out with Paul.”

“He’s like, ‘Yeah, tell me what you think.’’’

Granger stops the story to laugh, loudly, and as he does he looks again at George, and George, almost embarrassed, looks down and laughs, too. He obviously has heard this story before, and the moment seems as far from Kobe-Dwight as you can possibly get in the NBA.

“I say, ‘You better take him.’ That’s what I’m saying. ‘Dude, you gotta take him.’

“Is he good?” Bird asked.

“Dude. He’s really, really good.”

“All right, that’s all I wanted to hear,” Bird said. “Bye.”

“And that was it,” Granger says. “And later that night we selected him.”

The green light Granger gave to bring in George two years ago has the Pacers now primed for a deep postseason run.

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“Honestly, I think we’re selling ourselves short if we don’t think we can win it all this year,” George says. “Across the whole board we have the whole makeup of a championship team. I think we’ve got the experience, we’ve got the size, we’ve got the shot-making ability, our defense is phenomenal. We play great team ball. Just everything just ties in together in terms of us having a shot at winning it all this year.”

Granger helps that lofty goal. He’s a catch-and-shoot player who can benefit from George’s ability to create with a handle that’s stunning for a guy who’s 6-9. George’s size and defensive ferocity mean he can D-up on LeBron, but Granger, at 6-8, can also help. And Granger is a leader, a vet who commands respect from refs and other players, and another weapon for a Pacers team that while great needed the added layer of depth.

None of this is to say the Pacers will beat the Heat. Miami is a force right now, playing so well – LeBron’s all-time greatness, Dwyane Wade’s continued excellence, Chris Bosh also great – they will be tough for anyone. For everyone.

In fact, before Granger showed up at the bar, George and his friends had the can-LeBron-be-better-than-Jordan argument. It was far from decisive – some said yes, some said, no, George was respectful but non-committal of LeBron’s chances – but it was also clear that all of them know just how historically great LeBron James is playing, George included.

In Granger, the Pacers have more than a scoring threat, or the team’s leading scorer from last season, or another physical body to throw at King James. They have a leader and friend who fits seamlessly into – and helped create – perhaps the most copasetic locker room in sports.

“Sometimes on NBA teams you’ve got guys competing with each other,” Granger says. “That’s the thing about our team. We compete against the other team. Whoever’s scoring, whoever’s playing, whoever’s passing the ball, whoever’s doing whatever, we’re rooting for that person. I think Frank Vogel, he did a good job of instilling that in all of us. Play for your teammates.”

After some more banter, Granger leaves, and everyone says their goodbyes. This is when the fans come, seeing an opening, asking George for photos, showing him pictures of their pets, telling him how much they appreciate him, rooting on him and his Pacers as they shyly walk away, stunned they’ve met him.

But George, his star clearly rising, still has his mind on Granger. His friends are watching more of Curry’s magic, but George looks toward the door, to where Granger was a few minutes ago.

“I think,” he says, almost to himself, “that the reason we’ve been the team we are is Danny. Whatever you call it, our franchise guy, he’s been so open. He’s been a really, really good guy.”

And that’s the key: Granger’s return isn’t the threat of one star wanting to take back what’s his. It’s a friend returning to the fold, a guy who has known since he trained three years ago with George that this day would and should come.

[Krimzon7]

How does the best team in the NBA who just so happen to have ran roughshod over the NBA during the month of February relax on the last day?

THIS IS HOW.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Dz5K6zultek" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Juan]

How does the best team in the NBA who just so happen to have ran roughshod over the NBA during the month of February relax on the last day?

THIS IS HOW.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Dz5K6zultek" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I didn't see anything in that video about the San Antonio Spurs

[Keith]

I didn't see anything in that video about the San Antonio Spurs

There ya go. Best team in the NBA.

[Krimzon7]

You all are so disrespectful. The Miami Heat have put together the best Month of basketball that you've seen in your lifetime. Lebron damn near set a record for effeciency, and DWade has found his smile. Chris Bosh is continuing a career year. And you wanna talk about the Spurs???? They do deserve credit, but Lebron and the Heat are the best in the game right now.

[OssMan]

calm down

[Krimzon7]

calm down

I am calm. Also, Miami and Memphis is actually gonna tee it up tonight. If I'm not mistaken, these two teams are on the two longest active winning streaks. One of their 0's gotta go!

Should be a great matchup

[thecc]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wIa0d4nAdUE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Krimzon7]

Magic Johnson just put a million dollar ransom for Lebron to enter and win a dunk Contest...but Blake Griffin has to be his opponent.

Magic Johnson is absolutely the man.

[SammyG]

Fuck LeBron's bitch ass. The fact that a LEGEND has to offer a million dollars for that prima donna to do the dunk contest is ridiculous.

[Skippord]

did a legend really have to do anything? why does anyone care if he does the dunk contest or not?

[Emperor Smeat]

Lebron's ego at the time made this become a bigger mess than it should have been. Foolishly decided to interrupt the 2009 Dunk Contest to make a guarantee he was going to be in the following year only to later back out once the deadline got near.

Basically pulled an "A-Rod" by making himself be more important than the event itself (A-Rod interrupted the 07 World Series for his new deal announcement).

After that its been speculated he either didn't want to embarrass himself if he ended up losing or pulled a fast one on everyone and never was serious to begin with.

[screech]

did a legend really have to do anything? why does anyone care if he does the dunk contest or not?

This. Who gives a shit?

[SammyG]

Look. If LeBron is gonna send tweets out like "Dunk Contest..." just to get everyone excited about him doing it, then he says LOL NO, he can fuck off. He knows that everyone wants to see him do it. The dunk contest sucks because no big names do it anymore. Who the hell wants to see Terrence Ross and Jeremy Evans? Get Bron, get Dwight, get Blake Griffin. That's what fans want to see. Give back to the game, entertain the fans.

[The Condor]

Buck beat the Raptors in OT. Fear the Deer

[Juan]

Look. If LeBron is gonna send tweets out like "Dunk Contest..." just to get everyone excited about him doing it, then he says LOL NO, he can fuck off. He knows that everyone wants to see him do it. The dunk contest sucks because no big names do it anymore. Who the hell wants to see Terrence Ross and Jeremy Evans? Get Bron, get Dwight, get Blake Griffin. That's what fans want to see. Give back to the game, entertain the fans.

Hate to say it, but I agree. I wish more big names would enter the dunk contest

[Kris P Lettus]

Is there a gif of Lindsey Hunter staring down Michael Beasley yet?

What happened?? Hunter went to my high school..

[Juan]

Michael Beasley air-belled a wide open jumper and Hunter looked at him like "WTF was that???"

[Triple Naitch]

What happened?? Hunter went to my high school..

What about my boy Mo "Peanut" Williams?

[Kris P Lettus]

Yeah, he used to ride to school with me.. I never met Lindsey Hunter though..

[RoXer]

What about my boy Mo "Peanut" Williams?

*??

[Kris P Lettus]

jesus christ you guys are fucking losers

[Juan]

KOBE

[RoXer]

some really shitty defense those last 2 plays

[RoXer]

that last play should have worked easily for the hawks

[Juan]

some really shitty defense those last 2 plays

Yeah. They totally let Kobe iso and no one came over to help once Kobe ran to attack the basket

[SammyG]

That Mamba dunk was nuts.

[RoXer]

Yeah. They totally let Kobe iso and no one came over to help once Kobe ran to attack the basket

I'm talking about the Lakers, when Dwight just stood around in the key and was not a threat at all

[Juan]

Don't even get me started on Dwight/defense

[Juan]

But still, Hawks defense was really bad on these two plays

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8Z9aTJCVUYE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JTBn68YqsNA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[RP]

Lebron's ego lol. If he doesnt want to dunk, he doesnt want to dunk. Get over it. He's the best player in the world and I personally am a fan.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

He doesn't have to dunk, but his actions definitely support my theory that LeBron is pretty clueless and kinda naive.

But whatever man, the Lakers are gonna win the championship this year and nobody will care who's in the dunk contest.

[Innovator]

http://i.minus.com/ih2qhX6Capdj5.gif

[Kris P Lettus]

I guess Blake Griffin's cup checking is garnering some retaliation..

http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/229/files/2013/03/ibaka_nutslap2.gif

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/O7IWtAsNVGY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[The Condor]

Bucks beat the Jazz in OT. Fear the Deer

[Emperor Smeat]

Cs beat the 76ers but more important got within 1.5 from a potential #4/#5 seed.

They are currently have the #7 seed with tomorrow vs Pacers (#2) acting as a nice playoff preview match.

[McLegend]

There is no way The Lakers can win this game.

[McLegend]

Dwight Howard can't grab a rebound.

[Juan]

Dwight is really starting to grind my gears

[Krimzon7]

The Heat have won 15 in a row. Dwade is playing like Flash Wade. Heatstroke in full effect

[Innovator]

How does the best team in the NBA who just so happen to have ran roughshod over the NBA during the month of February relax on the last day?

THIS IS HOW.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Dz5K6zultek" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/cVW-ZeMeh5E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[screech]

Dwight is really starting to grind my gears

Is he injured? Or has he just gotten so lazy?

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

What a win for the C's against the no2 team in the Eastern Conference. Stupid refs tried to give it to the Pacers, but fuck that shit.

[Emperor Smeat]

Cs beat the Pacers in a somewhat ugly game shooting-wise. Held the Pacers scoreless for a good chunk of the 4th Q.

[SammyG]

VINO

[Kris P Lettus]

Rivers broke his hand and is out for the season..

Look out west, 2013-14 is the year(s) of the PELICAN!!

[Juan]

Is he injured? Or has he just gotten so lazy?

To be honest, it's probably a little of both.

[McLegend]

Penny Hardaway and Shaq being on TNT right now is kind of cool.

[SammyG]

Kobe Bryant is not human.

[Krimzon7]

Kobe Bryant is not human.

And Lebron James is not Mortal

[The Condor]

Bucks beat the Warriors, Fear the Deer

[McLegend]

I don't think Derrick Rose should play this year.

They aren't going to win the title this year with him anyway so there's no point to risk anything.

[The Condor]

That seems reasonable, I can support that.

[The Condor]

Bucks beat the Kings. Fear the Deer

[Innovator]

http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/18h639y3w5bgbgif/ku-medium.gif

[Keith]

Is he injured? Or has he just gotten so lazy?

To be honest, it's probably a little of both.

Yeah, I think Dwight's body may be in a Laker uniform, but his head is in Brooklyn.

[CSL]

http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/18h639y3w5bgbgif/ku-medium.gif

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/sIDS3q3F0H4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Juan]

Western Conference Player of the Week

[ClockShot]

Dear New York Knicks,

WHAT THE FUCK?!


Best wishes,

The Knicks fanbase.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/18h639y3w5bgbgif/ku-medium.gif

Sploosh

[Juan]

Dwight went nuts in Orlando today. 39 points, 16 rebounds and 3 blocks

[Keith]

That, in turn, has to drive Kobe and the Lakers nuts.

They gotta be like "Why can't he give us this everyday?"

[The Condor]

That, in turn, has to drive Kobe and the Lakers nuts.

They gotta be like "Why can't he give us this everyday?"

I really don't think the injury crutch can be used when he does stuff like this. It really is an attitude issue with Dwight. He does not want to be there

[Keith]

Yeah, I don't think he's that injured at all.

He may have some aches and pains like any regular big man playing in the NBA, but I don't think it's anything that serious. Like you said, he just doesn't want to be in LA, for whatever reason. Maybe he finds it hard to show interest when he's not the man, when it's not his team.

It would really suck if he just decided to actually show some interest in playing well just so he could end up having good individual numbers just because it was Orlando (which is what I think actually happened). That would take him to a whole 'nother level of selfishness.

People want to get on LeBron? They should take a good, hard look at Dwight Howard.

[Emperor Smeat]

Cs beat the Raptors by 24 points but the bigger news was both KG (15th) and Pierce (20th) moved up in the All-Time scoring ranks.

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>BREAKING: Kobe Bryant suffers severe ankle sprain in closing moments of tonight's loss to Hawks.Lakers say he is "out indefinitely".</p>&mdash; SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/312029917451788288">March 14, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Juan]

Shit