Real Deal

He did, 4-5 times in a row near the end of the game. It was pretty bad...and I'm pretty sure Kobe doesn't miss 4-5 consecutive layups no matter who is in the paint, let alone Darko or Love. And...4-5 times is no exaggeration, lol.

How would Rajon Rondo get into the paint at will? Just because Harper was older? If I'm not mistaken, that's what a lot of people figured would happen when Kobe shifted over to defend Rajon, except Bryant was smarter this time around. Harper's defensive IQ was pretty high. Plus, this was a Rondo that was shooting under 41% in those playoffs, averaging four boards a game, under seven assists, 10 points per contest. Definitely not the same Rondo as the one we see today, or even last year (16/6/9 on 46% FG in the 2010 playoffs). Bryant could've kept up with Ray. With everyone always calling him overrated on defense and saying he was better in his youth...well, here's his youth. Above all that, nobody on the Celtics stops Shaq. He would have 50 points if it was just Perkins defending him, and if Garnett has to help every single time, it almost obliterates any help defense the Celtics utilize on Bryant, who was netting 23 PPG on 47% FG that season, and the same Kobe that put up three-consecutive 30s on the Kings in the first round that year. I don't think Boston beats the 2000 Lakers OR the 2001 Lakers. Yeah, those Lakers nearly lost to the Blazers. Boston nearly lost to Atlanta in the first round that season, and barely got past the Cavs as well...two seven-gamers.

If you guys start seeing small changes in the current skin, don't worry...I'm editing images. For instance, those drop-down arrows in the user navigation bar are now black...which means you probably can't see them anymore, haha. Sorry. Also, the hover on the post buttons should be red.

When I say the 2000 Lakers, I'm talking the 1999-2000 team. The season starts in 1999, but that's two months of the 7-8 that they play. When someone calls on a particular team, they use the year of that team's championship. The 2000 Lakers started the dynasty, and the 2002 Lakers ended it with the third ring. The decade, from 2000-2010, should include that 2000 Lakers squad. In fact... http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/2000.html There's your 2000 Lakers (note the URL), and that's your 1999-2000 67-win team. And because a decade lasts from 2000-2009 (ten full years) and that team played the majority of their games in the year 2000 (and won their title in 2000), they should be considered.

Niiiiitro, I know you're posting...but I'll reply later. I need to finish up the banners and team forums. Everyone else can swing their bats for a while.

You're cheating. You have to pick a specific Spurs team.

Didn't he play it off as nothing that last game? I'm 99.9% sure he was interviewed about it, said it was no big deal, and he was talking about how he just wanted less minutes to get back into playing shape, or something.

I can't say Boston because I really do think the Lakers would've beaten them had they had a healthy Bynum and Ariza (Drew didn't log a single minute, Ariza was a gimp out there). I realize what they did against LeBron that year, and how they held Bryant as well...fantastic defensive team, potent offense...but I don't think anyone can argue against a 2000 Lakers team that won 67 games, ranked 1st defensively and 5th offensively, and won an NBA championship. Kobe missed 16 games. That Lakers team could've won 70, based on their record with a full roster (46-8, .852 win percentage) and even without Bryant and having everyone else healthy, they went 16-3 (.842), which is pretty scary. They had winning streaks of 19, 16, 11 and 7 games that season. Not to mention that team was the start of the dynasty and contained the duo that is arguably as good as Jordan and Scottie. It's no coincidence they went 15-1 in the playoffs the following season. Had they not walked in thinking they were going to shut Iverson and the Sixers down easily, they would've been the first team to go undefeated.

The fact is, you don't stick the ball in LeBron's hands and still decide to start Arroyo and play him 30 minutes. House or Chalmers needs that opportunity. Arroyo is only effective when he's handling the ball. The only problem with House is that his defense sucks, and you're basically going to lack defense at two very important positions that many of the stronger contenders show their teeth at (PG and center). Chalmers is a better defender, at least every now and then, but he's a wreck back on offense...yet hasn't had the opportunity to really become completely ignored on the offensive end (if that makes sense). When you bring in three all-star to superstar caliber players that all need the ball, you can't surround them with role players that need the ball. They say a stacked team needs more than one basketball. Not always true...but the Heat need to make sure their role players aren't the ones causing that problem. If anyone, it needs to be LeBron and Wade, the two most capable of making it work and leading the team.

My concern is that some (even guests) are clicking on their team at the top, reading what is in that team forum, then browsing away from the site. I think more interest would be "forced" by not having them, basically just by that person having to scroll over the other team forums, and the NBA discussion forums. If I ever get the team sites finished (skin + banners are first priority), I will link those images over to those, and make it more convenient to reach them. As of now, though, I'll more than likely continue to link them to the team forums...but I'm really not sure if I want to go that direction much longer just based on how ineffective it's been.

Dropping a lot of the header, mainly the navigation and such, changing it up a bit to look more professional. Colors will be red and black.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20101109_DET@POR

You guys do realize how bad of shape Dampier is in, right? There's no point in trying to bring him back for a second workout. The idea isn't to bring in another six fouls, it's to acquire a legit starting center (if they aren't going to start Big Z, which should be happening right now).

Doesn't matter what ESPN says, I'm always right.

He was 2-20 before hitting those tonight.

He hit 15 threes?

Kobe has went to the rim 3-4 times in a row, no foul. What the hell...

I never understand this team when we play non-playoff teams. They won't run, won't jump for boards, won't contest shots, let guys like Telfair shoot wide open jumpers...and it's just stupid. I understand it's Minnesota, but Kevin Love WILL pull down 20 boards if you aren't going to play him like he's Rodman, and guys like Telfair WILL score the ball if you leave them open...they are pros for a reason.

Kobe's finally back in. Gasol needs to man up and keep Love off the glass. EDIT: And Odom.

They are just playing lazy. Seen it a thousand times. Sad.

Championship contenders, or playoff contenders?

Team navigation...you know, the 30 image blocks at the top of the board...do you use them, or do you just start scrolling once you arrive? If not, any idea what else could go in that space? Thanks for voting.

Haha...got him there.

Expected this to happen, but not this soon, haha.

In other words, I wasn't trying to compare the two. I was looking to see if you'd have anything to say about it without bringing up Bryant, but you didn't. Layman's terms, there are many things to say about Jordan in a positive light, but there are things I can dip into that show he wasn't invincible. However, it seems like, when I say anything in that manner, Bryant is brought up. Jordan's second dynasty Finals performances? Well, look at Kobe's! Wait, 35 other SGs shot 50% or better while Jordan played, and only 4-5 have with Kobe playing? No big deal, because Kobe never did to begin with! Jordan took 30+ FGA per series 3+ times in his career (probably more) to average those 40s, and Kobe never did? Well, Kobe could've! Role reversal, you'd see where I'm coming from.