Real Deal

Kobe bombed this game...but holy shit, our bench scored just seven points. Not that surprised, I guess. They had a four-point game earlier in the season. I'm getting sick of Ron's inconsistency, by the way. One good game, 10 pathetic ones. He and Fisher are ruining us in the five.

Kobe with the black mask, before switching back to the clear one (he was seeing shadows): http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/427626_400215933338423_100000500589161_1616922_131011061_n.jpg Not even sure why he tried something else.

Rodney Stuckey is tearing the Lakers apart. Ugh. Detroit has doubled Bryant more than any other team this season, by the way.

Kobe sends it into OT. Can't believe we're struggling.

Andrew Luck knew he would be a Colt once Manning started missing games. I don't see why one of my friends is shocked about it...just think he's a bit upset right now, lol.

Howard will be able to go wherever he wants, and it really doesn't matter the opposing team's cap room because Orlando won't walk out of this empty-handed, no matter where he goes. "Where he wants" is really the debate. That's all that matters. LA has the salary and picks to trade. If Howard approaches Otis Smith, in June, and tells him he's walking...well, Orlando will then ask where he wants to go, and once he gives them an answer (doesn't matter the team), Orlando will get on the phone and work a sign-and-trade, while Howard sits back and awaits the confirmation. Only problem is, Orlando is in a bind. Howard isn't necessarily saying anything about signing extensions, so his value isn't as high as it could be. However, post-deadline, his value will hit rock-bottom in trade talks in July, because some teams (like New Jersey) could get him without dealing a single pick or player (assuming Howard doesn't want to give back to the organization, which I doubt he is that much of an ass). If he stays with Orlando until July, you're going to see the same teams showing interest, and Orlando will be entertaining offers in a sign-and-trade situation, which gives all of them a chance at Howard. Thing is, more teams will show interest at that point...because the extension would be part of the trade (obviously), but at the same time, Howard would probably have his list of teams he wants to play for.

Just adds to more confusion for me. The Hornets just moved their team to New Orleans. Sonics moved to OKC. If the Hornets end up changing their names to the Sonics (assuming they would move to Seattle), and the Bobcats change their name to the Hornets...well, you're going to have two teams that are using former team names that, basically, have nothing to do with their team history.

I have to laugh... http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2012/3/5/2847217/the-los-angeles-depth-is-so-much-worse-than-you-think-it-is

Your first post included this: Then I actually replied, ready to leave your topic open. Then you said this: And that's when I locked the topic. Now, discuss THIS topic, or don't post in it again.

What was the name and contents of your topic? Would you like for me to show you all of the Kobe/LeBron topics I have left open over the years? I will find them and make you look like a fool, if you please. How about your ignorant MJ topics I left open? Go ahead and push the button, dude.

Billups took a lot of stupid shots...but he played defense, and he could hit the three. The Clippers desperately need both. They are letting teams hit threes throughout the game, leaving them open on the perimeter, and aside from any of that, Billups also got to the line five times a night...not THAT big of a deal at first, but realize he is second on the team in free throw attempts a night (and he hits his at almost 90%). He was playing out of position, but still a quality starter. Now they are forced to play Mo and Foye more, and while Mo was fire for a few games, he has cooled off quite a bit, and neither play defense.

Count how many players this topic is about, and reply to my post.

Never thought of it before, but Durant really has missed a lot of threes at the end of games. Quite a few of them are taken about 26-27 feet away, though...takes those long Jimmer threes, with someone in his face.

What I'm saying is, to build for the future, you're going to need a big free agent to sign, or else you're telling me you'll be doing that with top draft picks...meaning, you're going to endure a few more horrible seasons. If you're okay with that, fine. A 6th-place team? Are you talking about having Dwight and Deron? I'm pretty sure that duo would give you a top four in the East...the best center and arguably the best PG in the NBA, both playing defense. Melo and Amare, with no backcourt, no defense, and no bench...that's a much different story (just a comparison).

Lakers Nets Mavericks Celtics Warriors Bulls Rockets Hawks Didn't have to think too hard for that one. Lakers, Nets, Mavs, Warriors, Celtics and Bulls are your top six...all confirmed to be interested in December. Bulls may be less interested, now that they have acquired the best record in the NBA, but I'm thinking they still know they need something to get them over the top. I imagine the Kings have picked up the phone as well, and so has Cleveland. Surprisingly enough, I'm not really sure if the Clippers have been interested. I did see a rumor that said they would ask, but it wasn't a reliable source, and really, Sterling got what he wanted with CP3, so I doubt he tries to alter the team right now (in a big way).

Unless Brooks turns into Kobe Bryant, you're basically going to be praying for that top five pick to be at least an all-star player. Even in the best drafts in league history, there's always 1-2 guys in that top five who turn out to be nothing like they are projected to be (ex. Darko, Shareef, Bowie). I love Thomas Robinson, but if the Nets select him, that's one player that could have some trouble playing against pro players that are as athletic (or much more athletic), and then you have the Nets diving into Brooklyn with Lopez, Brooks, a struggling rookie and...? Let me just put it this way: Deron Williams, who is a superstar and arguably the best PG in the NBA, can't even propel this Nets team into the East playoffs. Small sample size, but with Lopez, they are 2-3...and looking at the top eight teams, I'm not so sure that D-Will and Lopez could get it done. If there's no Howard, and no Deron...personally, I would be worried sick for my team, and crossing my fingers for a draft lottery victory.

Teams can trade (or can trade for) injured players, if that's what you guys are talking about. All that has to be done is the team receiving that player must waive the physical (what would be a failed physical). If you're talking about Orlando not wanting Lopez because of the struggles this season, then yeah, that's a different story. If they are turned off by all of this, and they still want to deal Dwight by the March 15th deadline, this does put a variable into play, regardless of what anyone else seems to think (even Dwight, for that matter). Let's assume the Magic are ready to deal him before the deadline, rather than to lose him with nothing in return in July. Well, the main piece from the Nets is Brook Lopez. There is nothing else of value, other than picks, and we all know that only ONE of those draft picks will be of value, not the other first-rounders. There's no doubt that the injury does make things a bit more complicated, even a little bit. A slight glimmer of uncertainty from Otis Smith only delays the process, if the Magic were looking to deal him to the Nets, and if that delay makes its way to March 16th, all of a sudden, Dallas and both LA teams open the gates for Howard in July (Dallas more than anyone else not named New Jersey). The Nets seem to be so close, but if they don't land Howard, it can go from championship duo to NBA disaster in a matter of months, and given the circumstances, I wouldn't be able to show as much confidence if I were a fan. Brook is a good scoring center, but he is not a franchise player. The Magic are not dying to get him. When Yao Ming first fell to injury, teams were still asking...and while it would have been a bad idea (as you can see, he's done), it only made sense because Yao was a franchise player. Lopez is your second or third option, and aside from the two injuries possibly being unrelated, it's still a growing concern any time you're prepared to deal arguably the MVP of the league AND possibly the best player you've ever had (argue Shaq) for a guy that's injured and has barely played this season, especially after you see what went down in New Orleans with Eric Gordon.

CP3 with the ultimate bricked free throw after Williams' ignorant foul. Lakers in sole possession of first place in the Pacific.

Impeccable timing.

Hellllllll no. Be honest...would you rather carry those Jordan bags, or that small leather purse? You know better.

http://blacksportsonline.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Lebron-Man-Purse.png Like?

-_-

Haha, yeah...I knew the guy was going to try and sell jerseys, but figured ECN was saying he was a spambot (two different things, sometimes). Usually, spambots will just post the link, or stick it in their signatures, or have it in their profiles. Looking back, ECN didn't specify, so I'll assume he knew the guy was a real person, just trying to advertise for his jerseys.

Don't PM my members and spam them, trying to sell jerseys. Do it elsewhere. EDIT: Fun topic, though. Thanks.

I didn't really say you were. One of our members suggested you should be banned, and I stated that you rarely see bots post without links (and you didn't provide us with links). But for entertainment purposes, you're posting from China, two entirely different IP addresses, with an Akron team rep. I'm just curious...why Akron?