Real Deal

1) There's a topic about it already: http://www.otrbasketball.com/forums/topic/22035-espn-fab-five/page__view__getnewpost 2) OTR is for discussion, not spamming links. You can place the link to the blog/site in your sig space, but you'll need to post and actually add to the discussions we have to promote that site.

This thing has to be powered by inAccuScore, because in my last two tries, I had the Grizzlies beating the Pacers in the NBA Finals (how the hell is that even possible?) and then the Hawks beating the Hornets to win it all. It's fun and meaningless, of course, but ESPN (or whoever created it) has to do a better job.

LOL, I have no bias towards the skinny bully. What makes you think I do? Just because I said something about him being a brother? That makes no sense. Me relating it to family shows that, if there was a bias, you'd change your mind. Me? It doesn't matter if he's my blood or not...what happened to him was very, very dangerous. If I was Casey's dad, I'd jump his ass. He needs to realize that there are other ways to handle it. I wouldn't want my son locked up until he was 18 (or beyond that). All I'm stating is that it's very immature to support the actual bodyslam. You say you don't, but you were pretty damn excited about it. It was horrible.

Pippen didn't specifically say how. Under Phil, Jordan wouldn't...doesn't matter what anyone says or thinks. The triangle offense wouldn't present that opportunity. Kobe still played within the triangle when he averaged his 35 a game, ditched it a few times, but if the coach was someone like Flip Saunders, Bryant could've easily reached the 37 PPG plateau that Jordan touched, and more. Not a single player had an answer for Kobe in his ultimate prime, and if Phil didn't hound him about getting Odom involved (which eventually led to the Game 7 meltdown against the Suns), Bryant could've done whatever he wanted. Bryant has more turnovers because he had the ball more. Pippen actually facilitated half the time. The Odom experiment was a huge, huge failure, and everyone who watched the Lakers in 2005 realized it, and Phil didn't take too long to figure that out, either (less than a full season). Plus, turnovers are a two-way street. Kwame Brown was losing passes 2-3 times a game, off his hands or not even recognizing the ball was going in to him. Same with Odom, who we would call "Odumb" because of his mental lapses. Kobe's highest TO season was 2004-05, ironically. There's substance in them if the player has played against those he's talking about. If this player is Pippen, I'll invest in it a bit. If it's Magic, someone who has never had the opportunity to defend Bryant, it's different. Ron Artest? Not even him, because he never held a prime Jordan. You can say what you want, but there's no denying that Kobe has faced more doubles than any player not named Shaq. His percentages have gone down, and he has averaged more turnovers (partially due to that, the other being his teammates). Jordan had Scottie and shooters that were netting 47% or better from the floor, drilling open shots, some of the best three-point specialists in the league as well. Teams lost to Chicago because they had no idea how to defend ANYONE on that team...couldn't double Jordan because they'd leave a shooter open (illegal zone otherwise), and couldn't play anyone face-up because Jordan would go nuts. You have a lot to learn about the game, dude...a lot that those Youtube clips won't explain to you. Mike is an incredible player, and the GOAT, but Kobe is tailing him, and overall, one could make the argument that he's a better overall player. I think you're a bit obsessed with the idea that has been spoon-fed that Jordan was invincible, but I've seen Michael at his best and worst. He was more selfish than Bryant, taking 24+ shots per game 4-5 times in his career (Kobe just once), going through spurts where he would completely disregard his teammates (just as Kobe has done), and having pretty bad games both early and late in his career. Did you see how many turnovers he averaged before he won his first ring? In all five seasons before that (I don't consider his sophomore season because he played 18 games), Jordan averaged over 3.0 TO a night, which is 0.1 under Kobe's average. I'm sorry.

That's obviously not what that meant. It means that both are right there. I grew up watching Jordan as my favorite player, and aside from Kobe, I saw Jordan play more than anyone else. And, unlike most, it was live...not Youtube clips and DVDs. I saw Jordan when he was incredible, saw the games he sucked in, saw him dominate Detroit and get owned by Payton, saw him win his first championship live on my TV. I'm pretty sure I would have an idea.

That's exactly what I said...the achievements. Nash won two MVP awards. I wonder how many people think he's greater than Karl Malone (or as great). Chauncey Billups and Tony Parker both have Finals MVP awards. Kevin Garnett didn't get one in 2008. Billups and Parker are nowhere near Garnett. Had Bryant not ran the offense AND took the most shots in five of six championship seasons (took more than Shaq in two of three), I'd agree that he wasn't the man...but he did a lot of heavy lifting, as well as defending the best player on the opposing team and being the clutch player when Shaq was sitting the bench late in games (teams wanting to foul him, so Phil would put him on the bench). Two Batmans in Los Angeles, from the second championship up until 2004. The only time Kobe could be considered a Robin was the first championship.

By the way, I believe one of those teammates is Scottie. He is on record saying that Jordan is greater than Bryant due to his team accomplishments. And, Pippen has defended BOTH during his career, Jordan in practices all the time (according to him and MJ, and even Phil) and Kobe back in the LA/Portland days (Scottie was an excellent defender in Portland), and that wasn't even Kobe's best days. However, it's not a stretch to think that Pippen would remain anonymous about that. He has no reason to dive into a war of words with his teammate, the guy who basically won him six championships. They are seen as one of the greatest duos of all-time, and would probably like to stay away from a Kobe/Shaq situation, especially since both are retired and recognized for what they did together.

Wilt is the GOAT because of his numbers. Game over! ... If people really can't consider the fact that Kobe has more offensive skills than Jordan, and that it's pretty damn close when talking about the overall player, I feel sorry for you. Jordan is the greatest due to the combination of his talent + achievements, but Kobe is arguably the best player to touch a ball. More range than MJ, more offensive skills, Jordan the more tenacious defensive player, and it all fits together like a puzzle. Today, I'll tell you Kobe. Tomorrow, I'll give you Jordan. It's that close. I'm not the super Kobe homer to bash Jordan, and I'm not a major Jordan homer to deny Kobe's talent (and, typically, you're one or the other...or you hate one or the other).

Stupid idea. If they keep it like that, I hope we play them in the first round.

Link: http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/predictions First try: http://i56.tinypic.com/2rp9qm9.jpg Haha. I would laugh my ass off if Denver found their way into the WCF.

I pinned the old topic in the gameday forum.

Blake has to work on his defense. I know it's Randolph, who has proven he can drop 20+ against good bigs, but he was just clueless out there. He has too much athleticism and strength to be a poor defensive player.

...you compare this to someone pointing a gun at my head, and me shooting them with my own gun? Not even sure what to tell you, then. In that case, he should've punched him right back...so even using the worst comparison possible, you can still prove the kid did wrong. Anyway...here's all I needed to read: Cool...so you're saying you're ignorant to what happened to the skinny kid (the threat of him being handicapped) because you can relate to Casey? Or is it because you feel bad for Casey? If the bully was your brother, it would open your eyes? Of course it would. You'd be irate to see someone nearly kill your own brother. That's the point. And finally... That's exactly what he didn't do. To reply to you, personally...you supported it. You thought it was awesome that he slammed him the way he did. THEN, you turn around and admit that, if that kid was your brother, you wouldn't approve of it. Why? Because it was life-threatening. The bully was wrong, and the other kid was wrong. Kids that are bullied should fight back? Nah, that's a big mistake most of the time. You rarely see bullies being skinnier and not as strong as their opposition. Most are older and larger, stronger, more muscular, etc. There is no good message sent by this. It's just REALLY COOL because it's something we see on professional wrestling and UFC events. The fact is, if Casey causes major damage, he's DONE. He ends up worse off than he was before he slammed the kid. Have you ever taken care of a disabled person? I'm just curious. Someone that's mentally challenged? Someone that is paralyzed? It's really something I don't want you to bother answering...if you have, you wouldn't have posted what you did. If not, I suggest you look at the world a bit differently. Not much more for me to say, really. You can give your thumbs up if you want, that's your call. I sincerely hope nothing personal changes your outlook later on in life.

If you were the brother of the skinny bully...but you knew what I was talking about.

In the same light, threaten someone's life, and you'll get the same sooner or later. Being a big kid or guy doesn't mean jack. He's lucky he didn't get beat down for nearly putting the kid in a wheelchair. You guys are funny, though. If this skinny kid was your own blood, you'd be backing him up...probably against the bullying, but definitely talking about how Casey could've done unforgivable bodily harm. Unless you're a heartless coward, you'd back him if he was your brother, and that's really all that matters in the end. No denying it. It's absolutely disgusting that people are making this kid out to be a hero for nearly paralyzing another. If anything needs to be said, it needs to be directed to the cocky bully and the bystanders. Casey is big enough to grab him and contain him. Grab his arm, bend it backwards, and make him look like a fool. Do something different. Do you want to know what happens to Casey if that kid were to die due to severe head trauma? I'm sure he wouldn't give a shit if he were some internet hero, at that point. Guess it's because I'm an old man compared to most everyone else, who knows. It takes brains to do the right thing, and this kid didn't have any, and neither did the other.

Why are you acting like you're the chubby kid in the video? It doesn't take much to be paralyzed. Land on your spine? You can land on your tailbone, hip, neck...anything remotely close or connected to your spine, and landing THAT hard will do the trick. A relative of mine (my dad, actually) broke his neck when he tried a backflip on a trampoline, landed on his head, ruptured two discs and, fortunately for him, it wasn't the two or three that would've left him paralyzed (seven in your neck). If that skinny kid was my brother (I wouldn't have let him go that far to begin with, but that's beside the point right now), and that dude did that to him, I would've kicked his ass. Like I said, there are ways to deal with it, including getting physical and fighting, but you don't pick up a kid and throw him down, as hard as you possibly can, like a dart in the ground. If the kid died from severe head trauma, or was in a wheelchair for the rest of his life, nobody would be able to say a damn thing and not look like a dumbass. That's not how it works, though. I can't stand a punk trying to bully another kid around, doesn't matter if it's in grade school, high school or in college. I would step in, doesn't matter the situation. However, what that dude did was uncalled for. Grab and throw him to the ground, hit him in the face, punch him in the gut, whatever...but throwing him into the ground like he's a dart? No...no excuse for it.

Somewhat related, I laughed my ass off when The Miz came out as The Rock. That was actually pretty entertaining, and for a few seconds and a few steps away, it looked identical to him.

K-State will go into Pullen mode, and he's not going to be able to go ballistic on every team he faces. He has been inconsistent this year, and still can't find that balance between being a facilitator and a scorer.

He doesn't call Kobe soft, he says that Kobe tries to bring out Gasol's toughness (title fixed). He went on to say something about how Gasol thinks he's tough because he's playing alongside Bryant.

It was very good and detailed, for the most part. I'm glad they brought up the "crack house" incident, too, and the racist letters. I'm with you, though...C-Webb not being a part of it was disappointing. I knew the story, of course, and I really didn't expect him to speak on it, but not seeing him anywhere at ALL in the special...it was sad.

Good for him, but he could've paralyzed/killed that kid. He should've just grabbed him by the throat and choked him out, something that would hurt him but not threaten his life. The way the kid landed, he was a few inches away from being a vegetable.

http://apps.facebook.com/cbssports/groups/group/235087

I'm curious how the hell Love managed to attempt just six shots this game, against a Golden State team that has no defensive frontcourt. You'd think K-Love would go off.

On a contending team, he wouldn't get these opportunities on the offensive end unless he were to prove himself in that type of environment. However, he's shooting very well (compared to how he has done throughout his career). He could be a bit more efficient, but I can't complain because, not too long ago, other coaches and teams declined to give him a chance on the offensive end, and he wasn't showing any improvements. Being on the Nets, he's going to get his numbers. Brook isn't a great rebounder...just not physical enough this season (looks like he lost muscle, but I don't know), and he doesn't have the skills that Gasol has (boxing out effectively, getting to the boards quickly, to make up for the physicality) to be able to pull down a consistent 11-12 boards a night. What I do like about Humphries, though, is that he has always been a good rebounder, even in limited minutes back in Utah and Toronto. Outside of the boards, though, he's not that good of a defender, and he needs to learn how to pass the ball. If he goes into this offseason and works on his post play, and he becomes a better on-ball and help defender (he's improving, no doubt, and even fouling less, but he has a way to go), he can be a legitimate starter on a playoff-bound team. I don't expect him to become a Tim Duncan, though. It may sound that way, but all he needs to do is expand the skillset, not necessarily reach peaks in every aspect of his game.

Kansas will be in the Final Four. I don't see how the Morris twins will fail in this tourney. It would be different if we were relying on Sherron Collins again, but we aren't. I'm not sure what's up with the love-fest for Notre Dame, either. Hansbrough is going to play selfish basketball all the way through, just like he did last game. I hate Duke, but Nolan Smith is a monster. I figured he would be out for the tourney after that toe injury, but hell, the dude didn't even play like he was hurt earlier. I hope K-State gets their asses kicked, too. It would be nice if it happened in the first round. I have a gut feeling it'll be an OSU/KU championship game, and it's going to take the twins to contain Sullinger.