Real Deal

What did you think of Kleiza's decision to drive to the rim on that last attempt, instead of kick it out for the three? I didn't think there was enough time for another round of fouling, and plus, when a team gives you the chance to tie a game with a three (instead of fouling you and forcing just two free throws), you take it.

Considering I'm hated as much as I'm loved on there, and that I run the entire board, it's a bit different. I'd do a post search and show you, but I'm busy creating our banners here, and it would probably be tough to find those topics. I was blasted for about three pages once.

Haha dude, you're going to have to just quit your job, so you can watch all of these games when we do.

So much for retaining both Gasol and Randolph after this season.

1) Basketball By a landslide. I don't miss a single Lakers game, haven't for years...but in between, I watch every game I possibly can on LP or NBATV (or WGN for Chicago, FSN Midwest for the Thunder). NBA fan first, though. In college basketball, I root for the Kansas Jayhawks, wishing K-State loses every game of the year, and I really don't give a damn about any other team. However, I'll definitely watch any college game, no problem, just to learn about the players and the game in general. 2) Football Not a big college football fan (because KU sucks), but I follow the NFL, for sure. Love the Raiders, hate the Broncos and Chiefs. I'll watch two games Sunday (and flip-flop from basketball to Sunday Night Football), and tune in every now and then to Monday Night Football (I watched the Raptors/Kings and Bulls/Blazers tonight). Even though I root for Oakland, my favorite player of all-time is Randy Moss. I was also a huge fan of Barry Sanders, Tim Brown, Rich Gannon, and two of my favorite current players (other than Moss) are Darren McFadden and Nnamdi Asomugha. 3) Baseball Hardly ever watch it...maybe just in October, and really, only teams that I find interesting (ex. the Yankees) or that have stellar pitchers (Lincecum, Lee). Favorite player of all-time is Ken Griffey Jr. and I was a big fan of the Mariners because of him. I could just never get into it as much as the other two sports. As far as everything else goes...I watch the UFC, but no boxing (since Tyson is history and the sport sucks), hockey, golf, or tennis. Just not interesting to me.

ESPN just completely screwed up their standings page (changed it), so it altered everything in my Excel sheet. Give me a little bit to re-write the damn thing.

What the hell was Kleiza doing?

Wow, nice drive. Casspi was looking for that three.

I'm pretty sure I gave you a five that would contend, balanced better than your five (by miles). You can say, "Ah, well they won't get Melo," but the idea is to stick a scorer on the team, doesn't have to be a 30 PPG scorer, but a real primary option. Start Mayo (because he doesn't deserve the bench, do you even watch the Grizz?), and...well, I already posted all of it. But, yeah, I didn't stick Haslem in there because I'm not obsessed with him. Replacing Zach Randolph with Haslem and Korver (and Raja Bell, who sucks) will not propel this team into the playoffs, especially when you move Mayo to the bench and bring BOTH shooters off the bench. No [expletive]. You're telling us that Rudy Gay should be given a chance to be their primary scoring option, and no team will contend with Gay doing that. First step's first. Here's what you said... Here's why you said it... Unfortunately, money doesn't make a player good enough to be a first-option scorer, and it's not mind-blowing if a team changes their direction (Orlando did it with Lewis, Memphis dealt Gasol because he wasn't a first option scorer, Houston dealt Ariza because of it, Minnesota found that out about Jefferson, Philly will eventually go this direction with Iggy, and there are plenty of other examples in recent years). If Mayo doesn't step into that role and play it well, Memphis needs to find someone else that can. Nobody doubles the Grizzlies. Nobody needs to, unless they are suffering from injuries and playing bench players in their five. Kobe, Pierce/Garnett, Duncan, Wade/Shaq, Kobe/Shaq, Jordan, Hakeem...champions see doubles. If Memphis wants to contend (because no borderline playoff team should be content with just snagging an eighth seed...ask Houston when they won their ring with the sixth seed), they will need to find someone better than Rudy Gay to lead their team deep into the playoffs, OR bring in one of the greatest defenses of all-time with clones of the younger Wallaces, Prince, and Larry Brown.

It has everything to do with Riley supposedly being perfect, sorry to say it. The article offended Poe from the start...why would Riley even CONSIDER someone who is not as good as anyone else on the Heat? Why would Riley go after Curry when he already has former all-star Magloire, defensive sensation Anthony, steel ankle Ilgauskas and Pitiful Pittman? No scrubs on this 2011 champion roster, guys. Looking at recent posts, and really, posts since July...it's obvious the idea is to be hated more than anyone else. Got that LeBron swag, I guess. I know a few Lakers fans that played the same game over at JBB, making enemies on purpose. It's unfortunate you are a completely changed poster. Someone else brought this up to me the other day, actually, and I didn't even answer the PM...but, quite frankly, they were spot-on.

http://premium.nba.com/pr/leaguepass/app/current/console.html?debug=false&type=lp Is it blacked out?

Gary Neal...4 minutes, 10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists...LOL. No relation.

LMAO, Cousins can't grab anything off the glass when Reggie Evans is hunting for rebounds. It's hilarious.

LOL, you stuck Haslem in that five (replacing Zach), then say they are automatically a playoff team in the West? Korver shoots the ball just like Mayo does...no point in having two spot-up shooters on the bench when you don't have Nash, Paul, Deron or someone like LeBron. Mayo off the bench? Memphis has no reason to do that. OJ is the most talented player on their roster today...he doesn't belong on their bench. That team would lose Mayo through free agency, probably lose Gasol, and would be stuck with Gay, an old Haslem that can't score, Conley and a super-bust in Thabeet. Similar to what the Raptors dealt with because they figured they could build around someone that was not a legit primary scoring option. But, okay.

Ha...Riley took Magloire. I doubt many would be surprised to see him bring in Curry. Six more fouls.

Of course, easier said than done, but that should be the blueprint.

Haha, I've only done this two other times before, and I finished both of them a handful of games under .500 (and both had spreads as well). I think I'd be far, far better just choosing the winners, lol.

Because they aren't Allen, Pierce and Garnett. You're basically asking them to get new coaches and bring in new faces to replace anyone important minus those three. I'm saying just get a scorer that will actually lead the team. If he's a two-guard, stick Mayo at the point and tell him how he's going to play. If it's a scoring four, make sure the team plays through him in the post. The Grizzlies would deal Gay and Zach for Melo, quickly. They aren't stupid. Melo, Mayo and Gasol would be a contender. They can dangle Conley out there for someone like Varejao, start Tony Allen at the two and Mayo at the point, and become a defensive-minded team (Varejao, Gasol, Allen) with a primary scorer (Anthony) and a second option shooter (Mayo). Very similar make-up for contenders. Sign a couple of bench players (people would want to play on a team with a five like that). They contend with a five of Gasol, Varejao, Melo, Allen and Mayo, and all of a sudden, Memphis doesn't end up losing their team due to a league contraction.

All contending primary options draw double teams at least a few times throughout a game. Kobe Brant Dwyane Wade Kevin Durant Dirk Nowitzki Carmelo Anthony Dwight Howard (highest PPG, they play through him as well) It was the same way with Pierce a couple of years back. Adding to that list, non-contenders... Joe Johnson Derrick Rose Monta Ellis Danny Granger And the list goes on...and Rudy Gay is not on that level. Memphis committed to him? Good. That doesn't mean they have to commit to him as a primary scoring option. They can go out and get one, if Mayo isn't going to do it, by any means necessary. Gay can go out and focus on his defense and second option scoring. This team, with Gay as the primary option, will not go deep into the playoffs. Ever. They aren't Boston...they can't stack 15-18 PPG scorers and play some of the best defense in the last 20 years. The goal is to just make the playoffs? I don't see why that has to be the goal. Sounds like what the Raptors had in mind last season. One exceptional scorer, and suddenly, you can contend. Gay, Mayo, Gasol...all three guys you want to throw around an all-star level (or superstar level) player. You'll need to trade someone to get someone, of course, but you don't have to flip the ship, either. Memphis' attendance is pathetic. They need an all-star or a superstar, a real leader. Gay and Mayo aren't going to do that for them.

The goal is to finish with a .500 record. I've never done this good on a football pick'em.

Haha, now they are saying he was never officially waived, that Childress may have acted on his own and told the players Moss is no longer with the team. WTF.

The fanbase lost a lot of fans after Shaq left, actually, and it didn't help that we had a 34-win season that first year without him. And, yeah, it's funny you mention that. Over at TLN, I have no idea how many times I've raked people in the eyes for not seeing the talent among the other 29 teams in the league, and I've stated over and over again I'm a fan of the NBA over the Lakers...and because of that, it means I'm not a true fan, according to many. I absolutely love the team, but I was watching the NBA before I was a Lakers fan. I wasn't born in Los Angeles, and my family (except for my cousin) didn't care about basketball, so it wasn't like my dad was telling me who to root for. LA was a 53-win team when they traded for Bryant, didn't even have Shaq yet, and I chose them as my team. Most Lakers fans have a problem with that. If the Lakers were wiped from the league today, I'd still be watching the NBA tomorrow.

...why?

They aren't going to be the 2004 Pistons or the dynasty Spurs. If they want to contend, they need a true offensive threat, a second option (like Gay), a legit post that plays defense (Gasol) and solid role players. Otherwise, they are going to need to start defending. Last season, they were 24th in opponent FG% and in the middle of the league in opponent 3PT%, 19th defensive rating, 13th offensive rating. Second to last in assists, by the way, despite having six guys throwing up 12+ PPG, four with more than 10 FGA a game. They also turned the ball over more than 26 other teams in the league, threw a turnover every 1.2 assists. Having a legit primary scoring option will spread the floor and open up passing lanes, drawing more doubles and making passing easier. More assists out of penetrations, better offense makes up for lackluster defense. One or the other.

Can't discuss illegal downloading on the site, fellas...sorry.