Real Deal

Kobe doesn't miss free throws at the end of games unless there's something wrong. Both fell pretty short. He should've gotten the surgery on his finger and missed games a long time ago. But yeah, expected the trash-talking. As if people actually know this team, of course. It's all good.

I have no idea how he does it. Six straight points from Kobe, a mean three from deep and a layup + free throw. Terrible all game, except in the last minute or two. Don't even care.

I HATE... 1) Derek Fisher 2) Screen and rolls 3) Lamar Odom's defense

Damn man. 1) Kobe is [expletive] up. Don't play him again for the rest of the season, don't care about HCA in the Finals right now. 2) Fisher is the worst defense player starting for an NBA team. Worse than Nash, Calderon, and anyone else. 3) Gasol's pick and roll defense is pathetic, and it's killing us. If Kobe plays like this during the playoffs, we're done. Write it down. It's over.

Just take Kobe out, now.

Fisher sucks, man. Kobe isn't shooting well again. I'm a bit worried about it.

I like Weems and all of my Raptors fans, but I can't root against Hinrich and the Bulls. I gotta see them in the playoffs.

That's weird he said that, because NBA.com says otherwise, in "Playoff Tie-Break Procedures" http://www.nba.com/statistics/playoff_picture.html EDIT: Misleading by the NBA, actually. It should be the Lakers and Magic's record vs. the opposing conference in the NBA Finals, which would give LA the lock.

No we don't. They aren't in our division, so they ask for overall conference records. Orlando is 37-13 in their conference, and we're 34-15.

Well, nevermind. THANKS LEBRON.

Glad Orlando is losing, but I have no idea HOW they are losing. Cleveland is scary good.

Blah, this slipped my mind. I'll take a look TODAY.

I don't see why the Magic wouldn't play their starters. All they have to do to win home court over the Lakers is win their last three games, and it's locked up (they have the better conference record). So, tonight, I'm rooting for the Cavaliers. LeBron needs to play.

Whoa, that's a huge, huge chunk of their government leaders. That has to be pretty devastating to not only the families, but the entire country as well.

If any team picked anyone else in the draft over Wall, or even Turner, they should just sell their franchise. Word is that there are a couple of teams that would select Cousins at #1. Something makes me think the Raptors is one of them, and it may be their way of replacing Bosh if they learn that he's leaving.

Paul Millsap - 15 PTS, 12 REB, 6 AST, 5 STL, 2 BLK Pretty impressive, aside from Deron's 27/16.

Aren't the Phillies and Flyers (and maybe even the Eagles) more watched than the Sixers nowadays?

Happens to most centers at some point in their careers, and even non-centers (Ron Artest comes to mind, this season, with his plantar fasciitis, and Kobe also lost weight a couple of years ago).

Yao has actually improved over the last 2-3 years, defensively. I'd be worried about his help defense, though, and maybe even his one-on-one post defense, because while he may be healthy enough to play, that doesn't mean that foot will support his weight AND the weight of another player. If centers didn't use their legs and feet so much, it would be different...but having guys posting up on them every single possession, it's a big deal. Shaq would have to drain his hamstrings every few days when he was playing after "healing" from an injury, and that went on for a while. Bynum has to wear braces on his knees. Ilgauskas was lucky to continue his career after he got pins in his ankle. Yao may need to lose a little weight. He's put on more muscle, but some of that weight might need to come off for about a year.

Yeah, that was pretty bad of everyone to just keep playing. Smith should've called the timeout.

Couldn't tell it was a Friday night.

Boston is lucky they are playing a depleted Bucks team in the first round. While Milwaukee can win a game or two, it's going to be tough without Bogut. However, the worst part of it is that the Celtics will be going to Cleveland for the second round, and that's where they are going to get destroyed. Better change their ways. Sheed hasn't done jack for this team, more of a burden than anything else, and the squad relies on Rondo more than ever now, instead of stretching the floor and getting guys open looks.

Ariza did well, but his defense has dropped off from where it was in November and December, both by the numbers and visibly. Defensive spurts are expected, especially against Wallace, who he really shouldn't have a problem defending. If Houston had made the playoffs, and you stuck Ariza on Melo, I think Anthony would light him up for 30+ every game. He had his way with him last post-season, even with Ariza having the limited role. Back in December, Ariza and Battier did a good job defending Melo, but just last month, it was Anthony who just killed Trevor. November to March is a tough stretch to play second option basketball. Ariza isn't an all-star caliber player on offense, so it'll tear into his overall game eventually. Kevin Martin will help a bit, but getting Yao back will give Ariza tons of open shots.

LOL. Don't really care if Portland is 8th or not. I would rather Dallas be the second or third seed, though. I don't want to see them in the second round. Let them battle San Antonio for that WCF spot.

Didn't see this part of the game, I guess... http://www.dailycamera.com/sports/ci_14842282#axzz0kbFqMjzw http://espn.go.com/nba/dailydime/_/page/dime-100408/daily-dime