Real Deal

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20121126_POR@DET

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20121126_SA@WAS

We traded Derek Fisher, who is basically Kobe's brother from another mother...who shares all five of Bryant's championships with him. We would trade Gasol, if we found the right deal. At the end of the day, Kobe wants to win. If Gasol is in the way, it doesn't matter how close those two are.

He'd fit better, but I think the Buss family has a plan for 2014, considering the way they set up these contracts. Amare would make all of that impossible, unless we lost Dwight...and I doubt that's the plan. If Amare didn't have that one extra year, I'd definitely consider it.

It feels like he's trying to be different. I hate when he looks for contrasting artists to collab with...makes little sense to me. That's just not him, doesn't fit him.

Bargnani is one of my least favorite players in the NBA, and Calderon is another. I'd scream if this happened. We have enough trouble with Gasol being soft, wanting to take jumpers, and not playing defense. Bargnani thinks he's Dirk, is as soft as a marshmallow, and he probably doesn't know how to stand in a defensive position, let alone play it. Won't even bother talking about Calderon and his matador defense. Plus, if we bring Jose here, he takes up Darius Morris' minutes, and at this point, I'd rather see Morris running with us, even though he's still a bit reckless and inexperienced. Don't see why Toronto would ever turn this one down, even with Gasol's age...just to get rid of Bargnani and Calderon. You'd think they'd do it for any batch of players, as long as their contracts expired or they were unselfish players that knew how to play defense.

I don't blame any Eagles fans for not wanting to talk about that game...or any game. Dead crowd tonight, too...still heard boos, but there were points in the game where you were expecting at least a few cheers, and there wasn't much at all.

Just had to post this for ECN, lol.

UCLA hasn't done much to impress me so far...I agree, but I did notice a lot of people were already being hard on Shabazz. He didn't shoot well in that game against Cal Poly, but he did other things to win (crashed the glass, played some defense). Not that he reminds me of Kobe, but that's what players have to do when they aren't hitting any of their shots, like Bryant in Game 7 vs. Boston, and Muhammad did just that. Losing to Cal Poly is never good, though...came out of nowhere. I didn't watch most of the game, since I figured it would be a waste of my time, but I had to go back and see the second half after I heard about the upset. -------- The Jayhawks aren't looking that bad, but they have me worried. I don't like how they tend to let those leads slip, and it seems like they always struggle to come out of the gates, even against teams they should really be blowing out ten minutes into the game. Look what happened when we played Chattanooga...we were down 36-28 at the half. I don't know. I had confidence in last year's team, even when most thought we would be an early elimination in the tourney (didn't expect us in the championship, but maybe the Elite Eight, at least, lol)...but this year feels different. We really miss a guy like Thomas Robinson. Hopefully, Ben McLemore continues to develop, and becomes that one guy we can rally behind in big games. It would be nice to see Withey involved a bit more, but his offense is still shaky, and I'm just happy he's still our anchor on the defensive end.

This is going to be tough for me. Some of the players I like on these teams didn't stick around long enough to matter (ties with the Jayhawks, for instance). L.A. Lakers: Kobe Bryant Chicago Bulls: Michael Jordan Philadelphia 76ers: Charles Barkley Toronto Raptors: Vince Carter New York Knicks: Patrick Ewing Orlando Magic: Grant Hill Brooklyn Nets: Jason Kidd Minnesota T’Wolves: Kevin Garnett (and only in Minny) Boston Celtics: Rajon Rondo Golden State Warriors: Wilt Chamberlain Houston Rockets: Hakeem Olajuwon L.A. Clippers: Danny Manning Miami Heat: Mario Chalmers Phoenix Suns: Charles Barkley Atlanta Hawks: Dominique Wilkins Charlotte Bobcats: Emeka Okafor Cleveland Cavs: Kyrie Irving Denver Nuggets: Antonio McDyess San Antonio Spurs: Tim Duncan Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Durant (and Shawn Kemp if it's the Sonics, Durant overall) Dallas Mavs: Dirk Nowitzki Indiana Pacers: Reggie Miller Portland Trail Blazers: Brandon Roy Washington Wizards: Michael Jordan Sacramento Kings: Jason Williams Utah Jazz: Karl Malone Memphis Grizzlies: Jason Williams Milwaukee Bucks: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Detroit Pistons: Ben Wallace New Orleans Hornets: Alonzo Mourning

It's destined to go into OT, or end in a game-winner.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20121125_SA@TOR

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20121125_DET@NY

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20121125_NO@DEN

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20121125_BOS@ORL

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20121125_PHO@PHI

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20121125_POR@BKN

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20121124_CHA@WAS

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20121124_CHI@MIL

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20121124_UTA@SAC

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20121124_MIN@GS

See, I used to struggle defending players on the perimeter, once I started to slow down (getting older, lol), so today...if I'm in a men's league (won't play this year because of my knee, but yeah)...I use my teammates, mainly the bigs. But it's not really all on them, either. It's pretty difficult leading your man to the exact spot you want him on the floor, especially a dynamic guard that just wants to rain buckets on you. They find ways to get where they need to be, no matter how you position your feet and/or body. Even with Dwight back there, if Kobe doesn't lead his man to the baseline and into the help (we're talking four defensive zones on the court, two baselines and two sides of the paint), Howard will have to step clear away from his assignment OR just stay at home...both being problems. People have been praising Shane Battier for his defense, and still do despite losing so much quickness, and it's because of that. At one point, you could believe that Battier and Artest were making Yao Ming look pretty damn good as a defensive anchor, and yes, they also found that they could benefit by using his size to assist them in keeping their guys out of the paint (for the most part, he was no Dwight though).

http://i.imgur.com/JUIBw.gif http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lybvlgJ2YS1qzcw19.gif