Real Deal

I did that up until December or so, then I added the sidebar because it took me forever to update team forums with records, standing numbers AND re-ordering them. The sidebar code is re-written a bit, but identical to the one last season (from the old skin). Then, mid-April, I started doing that for the team forums again for the playoffs...had 1-8 in the East and West, and non-playoff teams below, set up the playoff teams in sort of a bracket order.

SOURCES!

I think most saw this coming. It's smart for Portland, because Oden would be restricted (as stated in the article), so it's a win-win situation as of now. I say "as of now" because, possibly, this just pushed Oden out of Portland. I doubt it, but it's possible he's ready to leave...and if he comes back and stays healthy this season (don't remember when he's set to return), Portland may have screwed up. Unlikely, though.

Added the standings to the right sidebar, under the scoreboard. Look okay?

I was talking about how much Vince can open things up for his teammates, and how Orlando would've found room to benefit from it, eventually, instead of forcing up shots. That's 24 points in the first quarter, 25 points total in the second half. Five threes attempted in 18 minutes before his injury, 19 threes in the remaining 30 minutes. I shouldn't have to say that the Heat are the better team. We know. I clearly stated that Orlando lived and died by the three, just like they have every season for a few years now. They shot 4-24 (or something close to that) from downtown. Howard had all 19 of his points in the first half. The entire team was missing open shots like the Heat were missing them against the Celtics (and I distinctly remember those comments). But, well...Heat defense!

Arthur is really playing some good ball right now. I'm impressed. No Xavier Henry? Only two players shot 40+ percent for the Wolves, one being Love (under 43%) and Pekovic, who shot just five total baskets.

The scoring will drop once Boozer returns, obviously, but his assists may go up. Less of a role on the offensive end, yet having the ability to turn it on whenever you want...it's what a superstar player desires.

Lowry's defense, negated by his pathetic offense. Scola's offense, negated by his pathetic defense. In Houston, the Rockets needed this win. Harrington toyed with them, Houston decided they were going to chuck threes, and that's game.

Big three by Jennings. Dude is playing.

LOL, that's right, because saying I think they can make the Finals is really slapping the team in the face. Miami played some of the best defense I've ever seen in NBA history, and if they didn't let their foot off the pedal, they would've defeated the Magic by 60. Hope that's good enough for you guys.

That lob was way too easy. The Wizards have to pay more attention.

We want you guys to express your feelings towards sports and other things, but it's probably in the best interest of the site (and some of the members here) that we stay focused on OTR, like we always have. No need to discuss anyone else unless we have an affiliation with them.

Didn't think Cleveland would stand a chance even against the Kings, but hey...

Are we going to try and get our Philly collection back? I THINK I remember you, from somewhere. Too hard to say, though, because I've been around so many different forums. Welcome to the best.

1a) Dirk 1b) Gasol Then everyone else.

The Delonte suggestion...it was a joke, fellas.

Delonte West is making a million this season, and he can run the point. With the current troubles he's having in Boston with Wafer, he should be on the block.

Kobe by forfeit. LeBron and Wade wouldn't want to beat each other.

Mediocre? 2000 - 21.1 PPG on 44.2% FG, 4.5 RPG, 4.4 APG 2001 - 29.4 PPG on 46.9% FG, 7.3 RPG, 6.1 APG 2002 - 26.6 PPG on 43.4% FG, 5.8 RPG, 4.6 APG 2003 - 32.1 PPG on 43.2% FG, 5.1 RPG, 5.2 APG 2004 - 24.5 PPG on 41.3% FG, 4.7 RPG, 5.5 APG 2006 - 27.9 PPG on 49.7% FG, 6.3 RPG, 5.1 APG 2007 - 32.8 PPG on 46.2% FG, 5.2 RPG, 4.4 APG 2008 - 30.1 PPG on 47.9% FG, 5.7 RPG, 5.6 APG 2009 - 30.2 PPG on 45.7% FG, 5.3 RPG, 5.5 APG 2010 - 29.2 PPG on 45.8% FG, 6.0 RPG, 5.5 APG

Prime Shaq. Howard is an average on-ball defender, and he doesn't have a post game that can actually expose O'Neal's weaknesses on the defensive end. Howard puts on a show when he's able to establish deep post. There's no way he can do that against a 355-pound Shaq, and no way he keeps O'Neal more than three feet away from the rim. It wouldn't even be close.

The +/- stats are one of the worst things to look at in the league. http://www.nba.com/games/20101029/LALPHX/gameinfo.html Scroll down to Phoenix, and compare Grant Hill to Channing Frye...looking at both +/- and overall production. Worthless stat.

That could be a problem, though, because the Spurs will continue to enter the playoffs without home court advantage against strong competition. They had winning seasons of 58, 59 and 60 when they won their last three championships. The 37-13 record they had during their first ring was on pace to being a 61-win season, without the lockout. While this particular team still has talent, Duncan is declining defensively, and Manu seems to be playing injured every year. They need a strong season, home court advantage against at least six other playoff teams out West, and a healthy big three to break into the WCF and actually make a run against the defending champs. I just can't say it's going to work out that way, though. I actually wouldn't mind, and I don't hate the Spurs as much as I used to...but without a legit perimeter defender to slow Bryant down even a little bit (like Bowen), and Duncan being a couple of steps slower defensively, it's a reach asking guys like Hill, Blair and Splitter to step into larger roles and contribute against the top teams in the NBA, and additionally, expect success in the form of a Finals appearance.

The dude is very likable nowadays, but a lot of that is because he has suddenly become a huge part of the LA community. He'll go out and play volleyball with members of TLN, go eat at their houses for dinner, and do some off-the-wall [expletive] I've never seen any athlete do before, in regards to interacting with fans. Plus, hell, we have to like him because, pre-injury (last season), he was dropping buckets like it was nothing. Even through injury, he played defense better than any other perimeter defender, including Thabo (in my opinion, at least), and he was a catalyst in that series against Boston, mainly on the defensive end (and back on offense in Game 7). In this case, I feel like he's going too far with it, if indeed he's doing this for his image. I'm not so convinced of that, though, because he's got more support in LA than he ever had on any team.

Pretty exciting for the Knicks fans, but I really have to say, it would be much more effective if it were a trio of all-star players saying it. Seriously...my only complaint is that Amare sucks at performing the Garnett scream.

It's not about starting the balanced player that doesn't do anything too well, it's about starting the player your five needs. If you want an example of why that's so effective, you should look no further than the Lakers and Derek Fisher. Steve Blake is a better overall player today, but Blake will come off the bench because he's most effective running the second unit. Odom, who is a starter on every team in the league minus Boston, will eventually come off the bench because Drew is a physical, true center, and Odom is versatile enough to contribute everywhere on the floor (even though I think Drew should come off the bench, but that's for another discussion). Right now, with Boozer out, you have... C - Noah PF - Gibson SF - Deng SG - ? PG - Rose Bogans starts, but the question is who should start, so I'll leave that empty. Once Boozer returns, you'll lose a little defense, so it'll be ideal to have a bit of help from the perimeter. How well does Rose defend at the point right now? Has he really improved his jumper? How well does Deng shoot? Those are things you also have to consider. Deng is a good defensive player, not better than Noah, Gibson or Brewer, but he's no slouch. Rose's defense has improved slightly, but this is a guy who was one of the worst defenders on the team last year. If I were coaching Chicago, I start Korver right now. Once Boozer returns, I throw in Brewer. That way, the Bulls bring in a shooter that can provide them with another 8-10 PPG on a high percentage, and when Boozer appears (and puts out his usual 18-20 a game), they can sacrifice offense in the starting five for a defensive-minded Brewer, bring Korver off the bench at the three with Gibson, Watson, Bogans and Scal, and run with that second unit.