NBA 2007-2008 Season Thread - Page 15

**SammyG** · 02-08-2008, 05:18 PM

Haha, Navarro and Gasol are a little toooooo close.

**alvarado52** · 02-08-2008, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loose Cannon

exactly. The guy's got Nash, Stad and Barbosa around him. He should do just fine

honestly, i dont know what you guys expect Shaq to do. I mean, the west has changed since his departure. Its not longer land of the bigs really. I mean, dont get me wrong, Timmy D, Yao, and etc. are great players, but honestly, Shaq had 2 things on them: quick feet and weight. He doesnt have those feet anymore.

I dunno, i mean, i love Shaq and all, but a 36 year old 300 pounder with a bad hip doesnt exactly strike fear into anyone.

I just think it wont work because Shaq wont run up and down with the Suns, effectively doing the defenses job for them which is, slow down the suns game. Not to mention, The Suns lost arguably their best defender and most versatile front court player. Whos gonna fill the spot, Hill? Diaw? Cant see them doing too hot againt a Mike Finley, Odom, Josh Howard, etc.

But thats just me...maybe im wrong.

**Hanso Amore** · 02-08-2008, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alvarado52

honestly, i dont know what you guys expect Shaq to do. I mean, the west has changed since his departure. Its not longer land of the bigs really. I mean, dont get me wrong, Timmy D, Yao, and etc. are great players, but honestly, Shaq had 2 things on them: quick feet and weight. He doesnt have those feet anymore.

I dunno, i mean, i love Shaq and all, but a 36 year old 300 pounder with a bad hip doesnt exactly strike fear into anyone.

I just think it wont work because Shaq wont run up and down with the Suns, effectively doing the defenses job for them which is, slow down the suns game. Not to mention, The Suns lost arguably their best defender and most versatile front court player. Whos gonna fill the spot, Hill? Diaw? Cant see them doing too hot againt a Mike Finley, Odom, Josh Howard, etc.

But thats just me...maybe im wrong.

I dunno, I think they are getting him BECAUSE they know he will work a slow game. When the Spurs clamp down on D and stop them running, they think Shaq will work with Amare to Grind it in and open up the outside for the Speed Guys.

I honestly think Shaq will play like a man possessed....then after they win a title he will fade again. Shaq + Motivation = Scary. I know he isnt the Shaq of old, but if he tries he can still be a 18 and 10 guy. He is still 7 foot 300 pounds, that comes in handy down low.

**Crimson** · 02-08-2008, 09:22 PM

Yea I agree with above post. People keep saying Shaq won't work in phoenix because they keep thinking that they will keep running their up tempo offense and Shaq won't keep up. But in the playoffs it is a different game, now the Suns CAN afford to slow it down and run some inside/out offense. Can't blame Kerr for making this trade, even if it doesn't work out in the end you can't fault him for trying.

**Hanso Amore** · 02-08-2008, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crimson

Yea I agree with above post. People keep saying Shaq won't work in phoenix because they keep thinking that they will keep running their up tempo offense and Shaq won't keep up. But in the playoffs it is a different game, now the Suns CAN afford to slow it down and run some inside/out offense. Can't blame Kerr for making this trade, even if it doesn't work out in the end you can't fault him for trying.

He lost a malcontent, and gained a leader too.

**SammyG** · 02-08-2008, 09:35 PM

VERY exciting game tonight, pretty huge win for us. Kobe and Pau with 30+

**alvarado52** · 02-08-2008, 09:37 PM

from a basketball stand point, i just cant see it. I can see what you guys mean by slowing it down and working from the inside out, but losing Marion who is a decent outside threat and a energetic rebounder for Shaq whos certainly not the energizer bunny still dont make sense to me. Not to mention people will do hack-a-shaq against the Suns who are without a doubt a team based on runs. When anyone plays the suns, they know a 10 point lead is nothing because they go on these spurts, but think about it...now when people see the spurts about to go off, they'll just foul shaq and call it a day.

**DaveWadding** · 02-09-2008, 12:05 AM

WAlly Szczerbiak

**Jesus Shuttlesworth** · 02-09-2008, 12:15 AM

LEON POWE

**Juan** · 02-09-2008, 01:14 AM

**SammyG** · 02-09-2008, 03:23 AM

way to beat the Sonics by 4 at home.

**Juan** · 02-09-2008, 04:26 PM

**SammyG** · 02-09-2008, 04:29 PM

Huge win. Amazing.

**tman220** · 02-09-2008, 06:31 PM

The lakers are okay. Once Shaq comes back the Suns will be dominating teams. If Lakers dont get home court they could be one and done

**SammyG** · 02-09-2008, 06:56 PM

lol

**alvarado52** · 02-09-2008, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tman220

The lakers are okay. Once Shaq comes back the Suns will be dominating teams. If Lakers dont get home court they could be one and done

this HAS to be a Wadding sock. Nobody else would make such a ridiculous statement.

**Juan** · 02-10-2008, 06:25 AM

Lakers-Heat Preview
By DAN PIERINGER, STATS Writer, NBA.com

Last week, the Los Angeles Lakers made a trade that potentially made them the team to beat in the Western Conference. The Miami Heat have more modest expectations after pulling off their own blockbuster deal.

After acquiring Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks in exchange for Shaquille O'Neal, the last-place Heat hope to avoid their 22nd loss in 23 games as both newcomers are expected to make their debuts against the new-look Lakers in Miami on Sunday.

With the worst record in the NBA thanks to one of the worst stretches in franchise history, Miami (9-39) shook things up on Wednesday, when it sent O'Neal to Phoenix for Marion and Banks. The Heat lost a 14-time All-Star that helped deliver the franchise's first championship in 2006, but they acquired two pieces for what coach and team president Pat Riley hopes is a quick rebuilding process.

"Today is really about change, it's about moving on, it's about getting on with what's going to happen in the Miami Heat's future," Riley said Wednesday. "And these are two people who are going to start that."

Marion, a four-time All-Star, has career averages of 18.4 points and 10.0 rebounds, and has a reputation as one of the most versatile defenders in the NBA. Banks, a fifth-year guard, has seen limited playing time since he was a lottery pick in the 2003 draft, but is expected to see an increased role in Miami.

"The sky's the limit," Marion said of the Heat's potential. "Can't get any worse. We can only get better now."

The Heat will likely need immediate improvement to compete with the Lakers (32-17), who feel they solidified their status as NBA title contenders when they acquired Pau Gasol from Memphis on Feb. 1.

Los Angeles has won two of three games with Gasol, who's averaging 22.0 points and 9.3 rebounds while shooting 61.4 percent from the field in those games. He had 30 points and nine boards in the Lakers' 117-113 victory over Orlando on Friday night.

"With all (Gasol's) skills, it's going to be a seamless transition for us," said Kobe Bryant, who had 36 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. "He has the ability to do everything on the floor, whether it's pass, shoot, rebound or defend. Adding him makes us a very strong team."

Bryant had struggled in his previous two games, combining to go 7-for-29 from the field while playing with a dislocated pinkie finger on his right hand, but he appears to be back on track.

"Having Kobe takes a whole lot of pressure off my shoulders," Gasol said. "This is an amazing opportunity for me and I want to make the very best of it every single night."

Marion will have his own superstar teammate in Dwyane Wade. However, Wade is averaging 16.6 points and shooting 37.7 percent from the field in his last five games after averaging 32.6 points in his previous five contests. He went 5-for-17 and had 19 points as Miami fell to 1-21 since Christmas with a 101-84 loss to Philadelphia on Thursday.

"I don't look at the standings," Wade said after that game. "I know we are at the bottom."

Wade, though, is encouraged by Wednesday's trade.

"They'll add to our team, that's for sure," he said.

**Juan** · 02-10-2008, 06:47 AM

Just to be a dick:

To be fair:

I can't wait for game four on the 20th. By then, Shaq should already be playing and our frontcourt will be in full force once Mihm is back.

**DaveWadding** · 02-10-2008, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juan

I can't wait for game four on the 20th. By then, Shaq should already be playing and our frontcourt will be in full force once Mihm is back.

OH NOES! NOT CHRIS MIHM!!!

**SammyG** · 02-10-2008, 06:13 PM

Mihm sucks. He's tall and can block a shot maybe, that is the only thing he brings to the team. Overall, he is terrible.

**DaveWadding** · 02-10-2008, 06:23 PM

Nice to see Matrix succeed outside the Suns system.

15 points, 14 boards, 3 dimes, 3 blocks, 3 steals.

**SammyG** · 02-10-2008, 06:24 PM

And a Lakers W.

**SammyG** · 02-10-2008, 06:25 PM

I just got tix, going to Staples for a Laker game. Over spring break. Too bad it's against a shitty team, Charlotte.

**Jesus Shuttlesworth** · 02-10-2008, 06:50 PM

Celts with a big win over the Spurs without Garnett. To be fair SA didn't have Tony Parker either. Still though, Celtics are undefeated against the Western Conference, pretty hot

**SammyG** · 02-10-2008, 07:49 PM

Yeah that is ridiculous. 16-0 against the West or something? Sick.

**Juan** · 02-10-2008, 08:50 PM

Mihm has been plagued by injuries, but terrible???? C'mon now.

**Crimson** · 02-10-2008, 08:55 PM

In other words, he doesn't make a shit of difference

**SammyG** · 02-10-2008, 08:56 PM

He is, man. At the most he is a defensive presence, ONLY because of his height. That's it. He is way too soft, as well. We need to ship him and Walton out.

**Juan** · 02-10-2008, 09:55 PM

**Juan** · 02-10-2008, 10:04 PM

Sammy, watch that video and tell me he's terrible.

He was averaging around 10 points, 6 rebounds and about 25 mins per game before he got injured. I'm not saying that now we're a lock for the championship because he's coming back, but I wouldn't wanna mess with a front court of Bynum, Turiaf, Mihm and Gasol. IMO, Mihm is a contributor.

**SammyG** · 02-10-2008, 10:07 PM

I would put Mihm on the floor only to rest Gasol and Bynum, for like 5 mins a game MAX.

ANYWAY, argument over.

**IC Champion** · 02-11-2008, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveWadding

Nice to see Matrix succeed outside the Suns system.

15 points, 14 boards, 3 dimes, 3 blocks, 3 steals.

I think people forget this guy was always one of the better players in the league befores the Suns even played this style of offence, and long before Nash arrived.

**IC Champion** · 02-11-2008, 04:34 PM

I just want to state that Jose Calderon's the best PG in the East, and that he's going to be a great PG. He came over from Spain so it took him some time to get used to the NBA which is expected. He doesn't do anything fancy, and isn't a great athlete, though he never seems to get tired, he is just a solid player, who is very effective at what he does. Great shooter, shooting something like 45% from 3, hes 3rd in three throw PCT, shooting around 50% from the feild on the season, along with his 10 ast. per game since replacing TJ Ford as the starter, and he very rarley turns the ball over, with an assist to turn over ratio of about 6-1. Not to mention he is exremely consistent and never has a bad game, Of the 45 games or so I've seen, he's had maybe one off night.

I would also like to say he should be going to the All Star in place of Joe Johnson, he isn't on a winning team, and the fact that Jose is a key contributer on a winning team should play into it.

**SammyG** · 02-11-2008, 05:15 PM

PHOENIX (AP) - Shaquille O'Neal has gone through his first practice with the Phoenix Suns.

O'Neal said after Monday's workout that he was winded but otherwise felt fine.

He says it's going to take some time, though, for him to learn where he fits in the Suns' system.
He says at this point in his career, he considers himself a role player. No date has been set for his first game with Phoenix.
O'Neal was able to run the floor with the team without any signs of the hip injury that has sidelined him for several weeks. He came to the Suns last Wednesday in a blockbuster deal that sent Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks to the Miami Heat. Phoenix has two games before the All-Star break — at Golden State on Wednesday night and at home against Dallas on Thursday.

**alvarado52** · 02-12-2008, 10:51 PM

shameless, i know...but i figured id put up the NBA mix tape i did a couple years back. Holla.

NBA - I Love This Game

Add to My Profile | More Videos

**Juan** · 02-13-2008, 12:46 AM

**SammyG** · 02-13-2008, 02:08 AM

Going to watch LAL CHA in Staples in March babayyyyyyyyyy

If we beat Minny tommorrow, we will have a 7-2 road trip, Ridiculous. Shoulda been 9-0 too, We lost by 1 @ Detroit, and just had a letdown against the ATL.

**IC Champion** · 02-13-2008, 02:57 PM

Kidd, and Malik Allen to Dallas in exchange for Harris, Diop, Stackhouse, Ager and George. If I'm Jersey I have to be relishing this deal, nice young very taleneted PG, and big stong center, something they can use. I wonder if they will look to move Carter or Richardson.

**IC Champion** · 02-13-2008, 02:58 PM

No way Dallas does this deal if the moves that were made the last couple weeks werent made.

RP · 02-13-2008, 03:30 PM

Its an arms race in the West. I bet Boston or Detroit still win it all. I really wanna see Boston vs San Antonio in the finals.

02-10-2008, 06:47 AM	#578
Juan Doin' It Right Posts: 35,461	Just to be a dick: To be fair: I can't wait for game four on the 20th. By then, Shaq should already be playing and our frontcourt will be in full force once Mihm is back. Last edited by Juan; 02-10-2008 at 07:10 AM.

02-13-2008, 02:57 PM	#598
IC Champion They/Them Posts: 15,331	Kidd, and Malik Allen to Dallas in exchange for Harris, Diop, Stackhouse, Ager and George. If I'm Jersey I have to be relishing this deal, nice young very taleneted PG, and big stong center, something they can use. I wonder if they will look to move Carter or Richardson. Last edited by IC Champion; 02-13-2008 at 03:25 PM.

02-08-2008, 05:18 PM	#561
SammyG LAKE SHOW HOES Posts: 25,764	Haha, Navarro and Gasol are a little toooooo close.

02-08-2008, 09:22 PM	#564
Crimson Posts: 6,108	Yea I agree with above post. People keep saying Shaq won't work in phoenix because they keep thinking that they will keep running their up tempo offense and Shaq won't keep up. But in the playoffs it is a different game, now the Suns CAN afford to slow it down and run some inside/out offense. Can't blame Kerr for making this trade, even if it doesn't work out in the end you can't fault him for trying.

02-08-2008, 09:35 PM	#566
SammyG LAKE SHOW HOES Posts: 25,764	VERY exciting game tonight, pretty huge win for us. Kobe and Pau with 30+

02-08-2008, 09:37 PM	#567
alvarado52 Two weeks. Posts: 6,406	from a basketball stand point, i just cant see it. I can see what you guys mean by slowing it down and working from the inside out, but losing Marion who is a decent outside threat and a energetic rebounder for Shaq whos certainly not the energizer bunny still dont make sense to me. Not to mention people will do hack-a-shaq against the Suns who are without a doubt a team based on runs. When anyone plays the suns, they know a 10 point lead is nothing because they go on these spurts, but think about it...now when people see the spurts about to go off, they'll just foul shaq and call it a day.

02-09-2008, 12:05 AM	#568
DaveWadding LIMITLESS Posts: 32,276	WAlly Szczerbiak

02-09-2008, 12:15 AM	#569
Jesus Shuttlesworth Posts: 42,765	LEON POWE

02-09-2008, 01:14 AM	#570
Juan Doin' It Right Posts: 35,461

02-09-2008, 03:23 AM	#571
SammyG LAKE SHOW HOES Posts: 25,764	way to beat the Sonics by 4 at home.

02-09-2008, 04:26 PM	#572
Juan Doin' It Right Posts: 35,461

02-09-2008, 04:29 PM	#573
SammyG LAKE SHOW HOES Posts: 25,764	Huge win. Amazing.

02-09-2008, 06:31 PM	#574
tman220 Posts: 219	The lakers are okay. Once Shaq comes back the Suns will be dominating teams. If Lakers dont get home court they could be one and done

02-09-2008, 06:56 PM	#575
SammyG LAKE SHOW HOES Posts: 25,764	lol

02-10-2008, 06:25 AM	#577
Juan Doin' It Right Posts: 35,461	Lakers-Heat Preview By DAN PIERINGER, STATS Writer, NBA.com Last week, the Los Angeles Lakers made a trade that potentially made them the team to beat in the Western Conference. The Miami Heat have more modest expectations after pulling off their own blockbuster deal. After acquiring Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks in exchange for Shaquille O'Neal, the last-place Heat hope to avoid their 22nd loss in 23 games as both newcomers are expected to make their debuts against the new-look Lakers in Miami on Sunday. With the worst record in the NBA thanks to one of the worst stretches in franchise history, Miami (9-39) shook things up on Wednesday, when it sent O'Neal to Phoenix for Marion and Banks. The Heat lost a 14-time All-Star that helped deliver the franchise's first championship in 2006, but they acquired two pieces for what coach and team president Pat Riley hopes is a quick rebuilding process. "Today is really about change, it's about moving on, it's about getting on with what's going to happen in the Miami Heat's future," Riley said Wednesday. "And these are two people who are going to start that." Marion, a four-time All-Star, has career averages of 18.4 points and 10.0 rebounds, and has a reputation as one of the most versatile defenders in the NBA. Banks, a fifth-year guard, has seen limited playing time since he was a lottery pick in the 2003 draft, but is expected to see an increased role in Miami. "The sky's the limit," Marion said of the Heat's potential. "Can't get any worse. We can only get better now." The Heat will likely need immediate improvement to compete with the Lakers (32-17), who feel they solidified their status as NBA title contenders when they acquired Pau Gasol from Memphis on Feb. 1. Los Angeles has won two of three games with Gasol, who's averaging 22.0 points and 9.3 rebounds while shooting 61.4 percent from the field in those games. He had 30 points and nine boards in the Lakers' 117-113 victory over Orlando on Friday night. "With all (Gasol's) skills, it's going to be a seamless transition for us," said Kobe Bryant, who had 36 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. "He has the ability to do everything on the floor, whether it's pass, shoot, rebound or defend. Adding him makes us a very strong team." Bryant had struggled in his previous two games, combining to go 7-for-29 from the field while playing with a dislocated pinkie finger on his right hand, but he appears to be back on track. "Having Kobe takes a whole lot of pressure off my shoulders," Gasol said. "This is an amazing opportunity for me and I want to make the very best of it every single night." Marion will have his own superstar teammate in Dwyane Wade. However, Wade is averaging 16.6 points and shooting 37.7 percent from the field in his last five games after averaging 32.6 points in his previous five contests. He went 5-for-17 and had 19 points as Miami fell to 1-21 since Christmas with a 101-84 loss to Philadelphia on Thursday. "I don't look at the standings," Wade said after that game. "I know we are at the bottom." Wade, though, is encouraged by Wednesday's trade. "They'll add to our team, that's for sure," he said.

02-10-2008, 06:13 PM	#580
SammyG LAKE SHOW HOES Posts: 25,764	Mihm sucks. He's tall and can block a shot maybe, that is the only thing he brings to the team. Overall, he is terrible.

02-10-2008, 06:23 PM	#581
DaveWadding LIMITLESS Posts: 32,276	Nice to see Matrix succeed outside the Suns system. 15 points, 14 boards, 3 dimes, 3 blocks, 3 steals.

02-10-2008, 06:24 PM	#582
SammyG LAKE SHOW HOES Posts: 25,764	And a Lakers W.

02-10-2008, 06:25 PM	#583
SammyG LAKE SHOW HOES Posts: 25,764	I just got tix, going to Staples for a Laker game. Over spring break. Too bad it's against a shitty team, Charlotte.

02-10-2008, 06:50 PM	#584
Jesus Shuttlesworth Posts: 42,765	Celts with a big win over the Spurs without Garnett. To be fair SA didn't have Tony Parker either. Still though, Celtics are undefeated against the Western Conference, pretty hot

02-10-2008, 07:49 PM	#585
SammyG LAKE SHOW HOES Posts: 25,764	Yeah that is ridiculous. 16-0 against the West or something? Sick.

02-10-2008, 08:50 PM	#586
Juan Doin' It Right Posts: 35,461	Mihm has been plagued by injuries, but terrible???? C'mon now.

02-10-2008, 08:55 PM	#587
Crimson Posts: 6,108	In other words, he doesn't make a shit of difference

02-10-2008, 08:56 PM	#588
SammyG LAKE SHOW HOES Posts: 25,764	He is, man. At the most he is a defensive presence, ONLY because of his height. That's it. He is way too soft, as well. We need to ship him and Walton out.

02-10-2008, 09:55 PM	#589
Juan Doin' It Right Posts: 35,461

02-10-2008, 10:04 PM	#590
Juan Doin' It Right Posts: 35,461	Sammy, watch that video and tell me he's terrible. He was averaging around 10 points, 6 rebounds and about 25 mins per game before he got injured. I'm not saying that now we're a lock for the championship because he's coming back, but I wouldn't wanna mess with a front court of Bynum, Turiaf, Mihm and Gasol. IMO, Mihm is a contributor.

02-10-2008, 10:07 PM	#591
SammyG LAKE SHOW HOES Posts: 25,764	I would put Mihm on the floor only to rest Gasol and Bynum, for like 5 mins a game MAX. ANYWAY, argument over.

02-11-2008, 04:34 PM	#593
IC Champion They/Them Posts: 15,331	I just want to state that Jose Calderon's the best PG in the East, and that he's going to be a great PG. He came over from Spain so it took him some time to get used to the NBA which is expected. He doesn't do anything fancy, and isn't a great athlete, though he never seems to get tired, he is just a solid player, who is very effective at what he does. Great shooter, shooting something like 45% from 3, hes 3rd in three throw PCT, shooting around 50% from the feild on the season, along with his 10 ast. per game since replacing TJ Ford as the starter, and he very rarley turns the ball over, with an assist to turn over ratio of about 6-1. Not to mention he is exremely consistent and never has a bad game, Of the 45 games or so I've seen, he's had maybe one off night. I would also like to say he should be going to the All Star in place of Joe Johnson, he isn't on a winning team, and the fact that Jose is a key contributer on a winning team should play into it.

02-11-2008, 05:15 PM	#594
SammyG LAKE SHOW HOES Posts: 25,764	PHOENIX (AP) - Shaquille O'Neal has gone through his first practice with the Phoenix Suns. O'Neal said after Monday's workout that he was winded but otherwise felt fine. He says it's going to take some time, though, for him to learn where he fits in the Suns' system. He says at this point in his career, he considers himself a role player. No date has been set for his first game with Phoenix. O'Neal was able to run the floor with the team without any signs of the hip injury that has sidelined him for several weeks. He came to the Suns last Wednesday in a blockbuster deal that sent Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks to the Miami Heat. Phoenix has two games before the All-Star break — at Golden State on Wednesday night and at home against Dallas on Thursday.

02-12-2008, 10:51 PM	#595
alvarado52 Two weeks. Posts: 6,406	shameless, i know...but i figured id put up the NBA mix tape i did a couple years back. Holla. NBA - I Love This Game Add to My Profile \| More Videos

02-13-2008, 12:46 AM	#596
Juan Doin' It Right Posts: 35,461

02-13-2008, 02:08 AM	#597
SammyG LAKE SHOW HOES Posts: 25,764	Going to watch LAL CHA in Staples in March babayyyyyyyyyy If we beat Minny tommorrow, we will have a 7-2 road trip, Ridiculous. Shoulda been 9-0 too, We lost by 1 @ Detroit, and just had a letdown against the ATL.