Real Deal

LOL.

Knew it right when he fell, clutching the knee and screaming. Shades of Bynum. When I saw it happen to Rose, I posted about it on my Facebook...knew before he was helped off the court. Once you've seen it so many times throughout the years, and you've had a similar (yet less severe) injury yourself, it's really not as difficult as people make it seem to point it out on the spot, and when you combine how Shump's knee looked when he took that step + the fact that he was in a significant amount of pain, you knew he was done. I didn't have the Knicks winning the series, but without Shump (who is their best perimeter defender), this one is definitely over, unless they somehow bring back Jeremy Lin, never turn the ball over (funny how those two things don't go together), and score like the old Phoenix Suns used to (which won't happen). EDIT: And maybe ask Josh Harrellson to take out LeBron on a drive to the rim.

I'm going to say the lockout was a big issue, and my reason actually involves a superstar center out in Orlando, who has been as healthy as Rose (actually, more) since his draft day. I don't necessarily think that the two situations relate any further than that (Rose may have returned early, Howard just never really stopped playing until it was too late), but you can point to the lockout on these two cases, that's for sure.

Trade the pick (what most others are saying). You could get a pretty good player from the trade, especially if you take in a contract, and falling down just a bit (but still in the top ten) can land you a decent rook, too. After Davis, it's really hard to say if you're going to draft a guaranteed franchise player, so you might as well see what you can get out of the #2, snag the opposing team's pick, and go from there. Yeah, Davis isn't a guarantee, either, but he's closer than everyone else in the draft.

You do realize that both Breen and SVG have been slobbering all over the Heat all season long, right? Even after all of the complaining about the bad calls, they started to do it again. Usually a fan of his? Ah, well, you're seeing the point...I think. I'll be sure to delete your posts when you complain about Blake Griffin's flopping, then. Don't ever do it again. The irony is that you emphasized the word "act" in that post. The thing I know about you is...if the Heat did flop all game long (like they were doing today), you would never be disgusted with it...but God forbid the Clippers do such a thing. If Miami is going to win a championship, they need to do it without pulling a 2006 Dwyane Wade flop-fest. If LeBron was really rocked on that screen set by Chandler, he wouldn't have been able to throw his hands up, and there would have not been a delay hitting the ground after the "whiplash" he supposedly suffered, either. That's the shit that makes me hate LeBron (among other little things), not how good he is as an overall player, or Kobe struggling. You assuming otherwise every single chance you get (because I know you do) is also a problem, and that's really why I don't praise him here.

Most of the hate on OTR, you mean? I doubt Breen is a fan of a particular team. Same with JVG. Add Boston to your list above, because Bill Simmons came out and called the game rigged (which surprised the hell out of me). I can give you more examples, actually...but you get the picture. Everyone hates the Heat, and it's not because of a dynasty or because of the rings they have won (obviously)...it has a lot to do with the way they act, and that includes SOME of their fans. By the way, just for kicks, I've been calling LeBron the best player in the league since January. I've been doing it over at TLN, also, which is quite stupid unless I actually believe it...arguing with a lot of Laker fans over there. If you truly think I hate the Heat because LeBron is the best player in the NBA...well, you're oblivious. That's not the reason, and I'm probably speaking for a LOT of people, also.

Won't happen in the playoffs. The Miami Heat should beat these Bulls in five, without Rose (barring just an off night from LeBron or Wade, and a stellar one from anyone in Chicago, to make it six games).

Stars are aligning. The basketball gods are breaking kneecaps to pave the road for a Heat championship. Rondo next? Sadly, that argument hasn't held water in years. You're better off using Durant now.

I hope nobody believes the Knicks would be winning without the refs helping Miami, because NY is playing bad...but still, this is kind of sad to see. Honest to God, I'm not going to be THAT mad if the Heat win it all, but I just don't want them to do it flopping their way to a ring. Blake Griffin was my third favorite player in the league last year, and now, I can't stand him OR CP3.

LOL. This is [expletive]ing ridiculous. Expected, but not like THIS. Sorry Knicks fans. JVG is a boss, by the way...dude is just straight up laughing.

Son of a bitch.

Ah, damn...forgot about Valanciunas. Him and Davis would be the two I'd keep, but yeah, depending on the player I could get, I guess I'd consider trading anyone (of course). I'd just like to see a Valanciunas/Davis frontcourt, with a solid playmaking PG (to create for both) and a primary scoring option. Dreaming, yes (if I were a Raptor fan)...but the team just isn't where it should be after all of those years, and it sucks that they didn't get a damn thing for Bosh, but what can you do?

Hard to say. Davis, Drummond, Robinson, MKG, Beal, Sullinger and Barnes could be gone by the time the pick rolls around (just taking the first seven names that come to mind, really), and I mean, you're guaranteed to lose at least five of those above. How much of a reach is it to say that Steve Nash will land in Toronto? That makes Calderon expendable...can't remember what he makes, but I do remember hearing that he would be in his final year, so he's an expiring. Probably not the popular opinion...but I would put everyone on the block, with the exception of Ed Davis.

Wow, didn't realize that. He has to be disappointed, big time, after what he did last year at UConn...probably thought he was going to come in and dominate the league.

I heard Gruden say something remotely good about the Chefs. Pisses me off.

WHY?

Is John Wall available?

Raiders coming up. WHO IS THE FASTEST GUY ON EARTH? We want him.

I actually like that idea. Regarding the Bobcats, they were a playoff team (with a winning record AND the best defense in the NBA) just two seasons ago, and it wasn't because of a #1 overall pick. They had help from the expansion draft (Gerald Wallace), but with him, they put together a solid team with a defensive-minded core, coached by an elite defensive-minded Larry Brown. I do believe small-market teams have disadvantages in free agency (which is obvious), but a lot of their problems arise because of other things you hinted at in your first post. The Milwaukee Bucks had PLENTY of chances to trade away Brandon Jennings. They have selected poorly in the draft, when they could have just dealt their picks, instead of failing to accept the fact that their scouts are below average. I can't feel sorry for most of those teams. And yes, the Thunder drafted to get where they are at...but Duncan wouldn't have four rings without the international talent they stacked around him, and while that was all due to the draft, those picks were late draftees, and that's where other things come into play. Personally, I think Toronto should have traded their #1 back in 2006. I thought it was so ignorant of them to take Villanueva over Bynum in 2005...never, ever understood that pick, because the general idea was to snag a true big man, and it was clear (at least to me) that he wasn't going to be a true big. No point in really digging that back up, though...but you understand what I'm saying, since you're mentioning something similar in the initial post.

How long is it going to take for teams like that to actually develop into contenders, though? Maybe if they did more than just focus on getting their high draft pick, they would actually have a meaningful season every once in a while. Right now, it doesn't seem like the system is doing much for any of the bottom-feeders. By the time they rack up 3-4 consecutive lottery picks, their best player is already out the door because they would rather do that than actually hire good coaches, scouts, and attempt to negotiate with every team in the NBA.

Did anyone hear Jeff Van Gundy talking about how he would change the lottery? Basically, he said that he would take the bottom 14 teams (the lottery teams) and give them the first 14 picks (like what is done now), but instead, giving the #1 to the BEST lottery team (by record). So, for instance...the Houston Rockets would have the #1 pick in the draft (as they have the best record among the bottom 14), with the Phoenix Suns drafting #2 (second best record), and so on. Then, you throw in the last 16 teams, in reverse order (keeping the same idea used in the past). His explanation is that this keeps teams from tanking, which makes a lot of sense to me...doesn't completely stop the tanking, because some teams will want to miss the playoffs, just barely, rather than make it as an 8th seed...but it's better than letting the worst teams tank for months, right?

Read the rest here: http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7861414/david-stern-vince-mcmahon-lebron-james-john-cena-wwe-guide-nba Thought this was pretty cool, actually. Some of you that used to watch wrestling (and don't anymore) will still get a laugh out of this, as it's making comparisons to wrestlers that you should know. LeBron is Cena, Kobe is Flair...pretty funny stuff, and most is accurate.

Chandler can be LeBron's worst nightmare.

Corey Maggette didn't want to be playing near the end of the season. He may not even have an injury, just didn't want to be part of the embarrassment, lol.

I figured he would have already dropped off by now. I'm surprised that CP3 isn't up higher. Then again, you need a lot more than just 500 people in your fanbase, if you're looking to sell jerseys. Shaliq, I know you'll be in here...would you rather buy a CP3 jersey, or a Corey Maggette Bobcats jersey (one that has the Cats' 7-59 record in the top right corner)?