Real Deal

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20130219_CHA@ORL

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20130213_SAC@DAL

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20130213_UTA@MIN

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20130213_POR@NO

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20130213_PHI@MIL

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20130213_WAS@DET

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20130213_CHI@BOS

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20130213_CHA@IND

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20130213_ATL@ORL

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20130212_OKC@UTA

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20130212_SAC@MEM

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20130211_ATL@DAL

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20130211_NO@DET

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20130211_MIN@CLE

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20130211_BOS@CHA

I don't understand why Golden State is doing this, but I can only wonder who the Hornets want in return.

Maybe I knew before anyone. http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-prn1/c0.13.180.180/s160x160/26745_10150141728760290_6342920_a.jpg

Might as well include the Lakers, because if they don't make the playoffs, they will next season...and we won't go 3-4 years without contending again. I'm not trying to sound like a jackass of a fan, either...it's just the truth. Will Houston rank up there with a team like the Thunder (as long as OKC has their core)? I can't say they will, but that's because I don't believe in Lin and Asik. Is Chandler Parsons a legitimate second scoring option on a contender? I don't know...personally, I don't think he can. I can't say Josh Smith is, though. To me, on a contender, Smith can be that third option that gets a lot of points off the break, but focuses mainly on the defensive end. The Rockets can be a better team than the Nuggets, who don't have an all-star to rely on when things go wrong (like Houston has with Harden), but the "power teams" in the West have experience OR superstar/all-star combinations that are tough to overcome in a playoff series. With Harden, Smith, and Parsons...those Rockets can be a team to worry about going to a seven-game series with, but I can't say I'd bet on them getting to the Finals with that core.

I don't think a one-on-one tournament would work, because you'll end up having an issue with players not wanting to go into a situation where they could go at each other FAR too hard in the post, or try to embarrass each other a bit too much (ex. Irving and Knight). Plus, you won't get Kobe vs. LeBron, or Durant vs. Melo, more than likely. Why not a 3-on-3 tourney instead? Select four PG's to participate, and have them choose two teammates (players NOT from the same team AND someone they have never teamed with before), and have mini games to 16, win by two. That can replace the shooting stars contest.

Dude is around Kobe's age.

Pretty sure most everyone will say no, but if you did, why? And if not, how else would you do it? I simply hated that they pulled the best performance out of each conference, and matched them up in the second round. That made decent events like the 3PT contest much shorter, and it also could have ruined the dunk contest, if it was actually good. Just think...if they were to have LeBron, DeRozan, and Ross out there...with Faried, Bledsoe, and Evans, you're going to eliminate possibly two of the three best dunkers in the contest IN THE FIRST ROUND. Same with the skills challenge and 3PT contest. Why not just go back to the way it was, and still give points to the winning conference (ex. Ross wins, the East gets the points?)...and for every 50 point dunk, or every 18+ point 3PT make, or every skills challenge run under 30 seconds, you add points to that particular player's conference?

Boredom, and seeing how many more times he checks in, which is probably the best part.

Bosh had the ball dribbled between his legs by both CP3 and Parker...after two airball jumpshot attempts in the ASG. He also had to face the music with this: Did I feel bad for him? Nah.

These questions are always difficult for me to answer, with a player in this situation, because... 1) He thinks he deserves the max...and he said so. 2) The team he's playing for right now declined his extension. 3) He's a small, hybrid PF. 4) He is having issues with his attitude, and was previously suspended for it. 5) He won't necessarily re-sign with that team once he's traded (if it's at the deadline). So, if you have these five things...you're basically looking at a DeMarcus Cousins issue (something similar) if he were a free agent, and it's so hard to pinpoint which franchise feels that they need him AND that can get away with paying him less than max (because any team giving him max is a team that doesn't deserve extra cash for another player, simply put). Washington is interesting, only because I'd love to see how Wall and Smith would work. Just out of curiosity, of course. However, does Smith sign with ANY of these guys if they decline the big money contract? Probably only if they were a big market + had someone like Dwight (who is Josh's friend), but the Lakers won't have a shot at him unless Atlanta takes Gasol.

Hmm...with every list I write, if you asked me to write it again the following day, you'd see changes...lol. Here's mine, based on the last two seasons (so I can include D-Rose): 1) Chris Paul 2) Rajon Rondo 3) Derrick Rose 4) Tony Parker 5) Kyrie Irving 6) Russell Westbrook 7) Deron Williams 8) Jrue Holiday 9) Stephen Curry 10) Steve Nash In fact, this could be the list I produce every time. I know people will hate on me for selecting Rondo over Rose, but my top two players have to be able to play defense AND be on top of their games as facilitators. On that list, CP3 and Rondo are the best defenders AND passers. Also, I like Curry, but not over Jrue...mainly because of defense and health. Curry can shoot the rock, but Jrue does more on the court.