Real Deal

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20120208_CHI@NO

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20120208_DET@NJ

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20120208_IND@ATL

Foreshadowing what will soon happen. 2012!!!!! ^_^

Well, there's a huge difference between your first two scorers, and Carmelo Anthony. You're not going to be able to go to those two all game long, like you would Melo. Logically, you're going to think that your go-to guy should always be a big man, all because of his efficiency, but that's not the case because your advanced guards and forwards can actually do more with the ball (most of these cases), and the majority of your bigs will struggle from the free throw line, have trouble creating out of the post, struggle significantly against double teams, turn the ball over, and/or tire quickly.

Austin Rivers may be a registered member on OTR, and reads these topics from time to time.

Why start this shit again? This wasn't an outstanding prediction, and I don't need people bumping your 12-4 Niners prediction, or your undefeated 2011 Patriots prediction, or one of your teams (Pats or 49ers) winning the SB this season statement, among many other inaccuracies. Thread closed.

You know...I really do wonder if LeBron had said the same thing to Alonzo Mourning, one of the greatest defensive centers of the last two decades, when Vince Carter baptized him.

Wow...I've never seen this video before. The kid may not be doing everything perfectly, but he's very intelligent and is saying all of the right things. This guy has always annoyed me, not just because of the sound effects, but because he's not as good as he thinks. That crossover in his clip wouldn't put very many elite defenders (at a high school level, let alone college) on their heels.

Not surprised at this. He was ready to go. The Larry Bird I saw on live TV wasn't the same as the one in the early and mid-80's, and while he was still playing at a high level, he was definitely struggling a bit, needing to rely on McHale more (who is one of the most underrated PF's ever). He had another beast of a season before the end of his career, but his injury just popped back into play, and if I recall correctly, he was missing half of every season until he retired (2-3 seasons). Len Bias was going to be a monster of a player.

Will LeBron jump through him, or over him? Will Perkins even contest? Maybe Ibaka will be there, or he'll just stand back and let natural selection take place. I'm excited.

The Raiders, doesn't matter if he's not a fit. We need anyone who can just throw the ball without having six INT's a game.

Sort of a different situation, though. Perkins doesn't like LeBron, and I doubt LeBron likes him, so when LBJ goes on Twitter (as a superstar) and makes a big deal out of Perk getting absolutely destroyed by Griffin, I'm sure it's not going to sit well with the big man (or little big man, since he lost 500 pounds).

I just wanted to see Goudelock and Cole on ANY team, lol.

Too many shooters to tell, it's just you basically shooting quickly and getting very little elevation due to the lack of arm strength (most that lack that strength tend to jump very little on their shot, and release on the way up, which makes it tougher to aim because of the momentum). Keep your head up when you dribble, and I notice you probably have trouble with your left hand. Always pretend there's a defensive player ready to rip the ball when it is dribbled above your chest...even pushing the ball on the break, you never want it to get that high without being wide open and pushing it in front of you. When you receive a pass, catch it and establish a pivot foot by taking a small jab step out. What I do (kind of imitating Kobe) is catch the ball and, at the very same time the ball is centimeters away from my fingertips, I take a small two-step hop (pivot goes down first, and split-seconds later, my other foot hits to the left/right and above it), to establish both feet, one in front of the other, shoulder width apart. Try stepping into the pass as well. That puts me into a triple-threat, allows me to move my non-pivot wherever I please and makes my defender aware I have more options than just a jumper. More elevation on your shot means you have to shoot the ball with more arm strength, and one arm at that (you're almost shooting with two), while using your left arm as a guide more than anything else. Bend your knees more. Tough to do for some players...but it boosts your accuracy and gives you a better chance of making shots over defenders. Finally, left-side layups, left-handed. Right foot hits last (think that in your head). If you're having trouble with rhythm as you go to the rim, take a day or two and practice dribbling left-handed, and have the ball hit the ground with every step your right foot makes. Speed it up a bit, and as you approach the rim, think in your head, "Right and, right and, catch jump." On "catch" during the sequence, you'll be planting your left foot (the first of your two steps) as you gather the ball with both hands. The "jump" part of the sequence is you planting your right foot for the final time, lifting your left knee, and elevating with your left hand. Don't worry, it's not that big of a deal to need so much help with jumpshooting and ball-handling. I've been teaching it in camps since I was 19 or 20, and that was to high school kids, some seniors. There are college players that need coaching, and how many shooting coaches (like Chuck Person and Craig Hodges) are there in the NBA? Plenty.

TEAM SHAQ Blake Griffin, LA Clippers Jeremy Lin, NY Knicks Ricky Rubio, Minnesota Timberwolves Markieff Morris, Phoenix Suns Kemba Walker, Charlotte Bobcats Landry Fields, NY Knicks Norris Cole, Miami Heat Brandon Knight, Detroit Pistons Tristan Thompson, Cleveland Cavaliers Greg Monroe, Detroit Pistons TEAM CHUCK Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings Derrick Williams, Minnesota Timberwolves Paul George, Indiana Pacers MarShon Brooks, NJ Nets John Wall, Washington Wizards Tiago Splitter, San Antonio Spurs Evan Turner, Philadelphia 76ers Gordon Hayward, Utah Jazz Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs Derrick Favors, Utah Jazz

January SOTM (The Future): Guru http://i43.tinypic.com/2ih02g7.png http://www.otrbasketball.com/forums/topic/27678-january-sotm-voting -----------------

Winners: Guru and #linsanity http://i43.tinypic.com/2ih02g7.png http://i44.tinypic.com/k0k0v6.png

March 25th, 2012.

I'm assuming it's just going to be like a draft, picking from a pool of rooks and sophomores. Would be nice if both had to have five of each, though (I think last year's teams had nine players, but whatever). I'm sure there will be some sort of requirement set.

That has actually been discussed as well. I'll have to find the link later. According to a few people, the Celtics believe in Avery Bradley. Big time. And they feel that Bradley won't be THAT big of an offensive threat to keep the ball out of Rivers' hands, which is why they are willing to shop Rondo, a traditional PG that needs the ball to be effective and to create for others. I mean, looking at Bradley...he's not special on offense, but his defense? He has the potential to be the best defensive PG in the NBA. I think Boston feels they can rake in a high enough pick, with their expiring contracts (or veteran leaders, whatever teams want to see them as) and their draft pick, to get Rivers and play him under his father. I'm not sure if Ray Allen will ever decline (joking, of course...but yeah), and he's a player that will either give your team a $10 million cut from the payroll, or provide them with excellent off-ball player that is still arguably among the best in the league...just an example. Would a team give away a top pick for Allen and Brandon Bass? Most certainly.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/218857/Rising_Stars_Challenge_To_Feature_Rookies_Sophomores_On_Same_Teams I'm not sure if I like this or not. Could be a bit more competitive compared to the other games over the years, but still...

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20120207_UTA@IND

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20120207_CHA@BOS

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20120207_SAC@MIN