Real Deal

Their best, our best. I don't really see the issue. If we sent college basketball players over to play Spain, we'd get destroyed by 50.

So you believe JR Smith's defense on a 100% Kobe Bryant would force him to shoot 3-17 from the floor? Really? And it makes sense for Bryant to shoot 9-23 against DeShawn Stevenson? Bryant dislocated a finger against Cleveland last season, first quarter, and stayed in the game. He played with back spasms this season. Most every player sits. Come on dude, do you really think Kobe would sit if he wasn't over 75% for this game? He attempted just five shots in the first half. That's not Kobe, no way. He doesn't do that, even if he's struggling. We've been watching him for almost a decade and a half, and we all should know Bryant would not pass up destroying JR Smith if he was healthy, especially after Smith's Twitter comment. Kobe missed a lot of easy shots, a few open shots, and was actually standing around much more than usual, at the top of the key. He was declining to post up in the first half, didn't really do much of it in the third, either. After having one of the worst shooting performances of his career, yet shooting one of the best season averages of his career...you'd think there was something wrong if it wasn't against a prime Bruce Bowen, Shane Battier or Raja Bell. By the way he was moving around and not even contesting a lot of Afflalo and Smith's shots, it should be a no-brainer that he should still be sitting, but we can't afford that, not in the second half of the season. Yeah, yeah...people don't want to admit it, but Bryant doesn't have trouble with the Nuggets if he's not hurt. Just three weeks ago, he scored 20 points in the first 15 minutes of the game against them, before his ankle started swelling up. He plays hurt. If he wasn't playing hurt today, there's no way on Earth he would've shot 3-17 against Smith. Not a chance. The last time he did something like this, it was against the Bobcats two games before he decided to sit out for the following five, and right after he screwed up his ankle. In previous seasons? He hasn't shot under 20% since 2004, against the Grizzlies. http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=241220013 We know what healthy Kobe does to them in the playoffs. It wasn't that long ago...had just one of those six games shooting under 46%. Lakers fans know better.

Orlando is still a contender, about as much as Denver and Dallas...and I'd go ahead and give the Celtics the green light, because if Cleveland and Orlando somehow meet in the second round, and Cleveland loses, that might propel Boston into the Finals, and with Rondo playing the way he is, and Pierce back in the five, they would be a tough match-up for any West team. The two biggest threats in the NBA are the Lakers and Cavs, though. There's a gap between those two and the rest, but Denver and Dallas both have the potential to pull off an upset, and I think Orlando can probably knock off Cleveland. We thought this last season, actually, and we were waiting for that Kobe/LeBron Finals...but Orlando did them in.

This won't hurt Cleveland at all in the regular season...but if they play the Bobcats in the first round, and Shaq isn't back by then, I really don't know. Charlotte has all the goods to beat the Cavaliers, especially without the big force underneath the rim.

So players don't play hurt? LOL, Kobe played with a torn finger for most of this season (and it's still that way), and he played with back spasms. That didn't mean he was 100%. In fact, I believe he stated he was 80% or less, and also that it would be the best he was going to get for the rest of the season. Injured Kobe is better than no Kobe. He plays through his injuries. We've known this forever now. That doesn't make him 100%.

I never said it was all blocks and steals. I'm simply saying that he blocks shots and steals the ball just as well as LeBron. There's no "timing" statistic. Either you block the shot through good timing and anticipation, or you don't block the shot. Well, my proof is through watching as well. How many games have you watched of Brown? I've seen every single one of them this season. How many of LeBron? I've also watched every single Cavaliers game, because it's Jessica's favorite team. So...not sure where you want to go with your observations now, but Shannon Brown is every bit as athletic as LeBron James, and there's nothing you can say to disprove that.

No see-through tops, fellas.

You have no proof that James is a better help defender, and that's all that counts, in my book. Both trail the opposition and time blocks perfectly at the rim, both read the passing lanes very well, both are decent on-ball defenders, so for all you know, Brown is just as good of a defender as LeBron. Same with Josh Smith, who many would say is actually a better defender. So, yep, agree to disagree.

So Shannon's blocks and steals aren't quality defense? It's just making the highlight reel? I don't get that, at all. I think that's your way of not comparing the two. If you're going to call one defense, might as well call the other the same thing, since both are the same. Doesn't have the timing and anticipation? A blocked shot is a blocked shot. A steal is a steal. There is no half-block or half-steal. Nash makes better passes than Calderon, and that's VERY evident. Can you give me proof that LeBron's blocks and steals are better than Shannon's? I have a nice video, if you'd like to see it...maybe you can compare the two? Look identical to me. And yes, I know what help defense is. I also know that LeBron is not a defensive anchor, but you're making him sound like Dwight Howard and Kevin Garnett. Simply put, you are telling us that LeBron is fantastic at everything on the defensive end but his on-ball defense, at which you say he is good at. Basically, he's the DPOY. Dwight Howard's man defense isn't even as good as Gortat's, so he's sitting right there with LeBron James, and because the majority will say it's either Dwight or LeBron, I'd say it would be your argument that it's true. LeBron, or Howard, is the DPOY. I think you're overrating him on defense, period. Yeah, he did defend Melo. Anthony lit him up in crunch time, with quick release jumpers that LeBron couldn't handle. It's the same thing Rafer did to LeBron, and it was the same thing Kobe was doing to him when he decided to take on Bryant last year, and that was with his dislocated finger he suffered that same game. LeBron is a good defensive player. He's not elite. Hell, Kobe isn't even elite this season. Until players start fearing him and getting locked up, and he becomes notorious for locking guys up, he won't be elite.

I'm taking the Jack signing. His impact on the team has been huge, in my opinion. It gave the Raptors the option to put Calderon on the bench. Toronto is 22-13 with Jack starting over Calderon, 9-13 with Jose in the five. I know it's not fully telling the story, but for me, that's enough.

LOL, yeah...but I doubt you'd want all nine of those guys standing up for what they did, and taking you on in the street. I know you beat up on Jer and Ben all the time, but these nine guys could've had cattle prods.

The Warriors just need to get rid of Monta.

Yeah, well it was a joke. No need to act like a big [expletive] about it, but hey, I should've expected it. We all try to do something with our lives. I already have a career. Good luck trying with yours.

Either miss one exam out of the many you take per year, or miss one gold medal hockey game you get to see once every four years...and it's USA vs. Canada, at that. Not a tough decision, really.

Annnnnnd, we suck.

Like I said a while back, Gallinari is going to do that because, with the green light, he will shoot all night long. With a teammate that can score better than he can, though, he becomes just that: Darko. Gallinari is meant to be the main guy on a terrible team, and that's why he'll never be a star.

SUCKS. They run this game during Sunday afternoon's basketball games, and I believe the Lakers start at the same time (give or take 30 minutes). Figures.

Good point...but he did add Barkley, Kenny and EJ in there. Probably because they are awesome, and Cheryle is the most annoying thing walking the Earth.

Yeah, I wish they made his face the same way...that's my only gripe. His voice is changed a little, but not that big of a deal. His face actually looks like that of a burn victim's, now...but again, just not the same Freddy.

Pretty comfortable win by the Thunder...no real threat the entire game. Durant was taking a backseat a few times. He could've caught fire and shot for 30+ points, I'm sure, but the game was over at halftime.

S-Jax and Co. stepped it up to end the game. I figured Memphis had this in the bag, being a home game for them (and the Bobcats are terrible on the road), but Charlotte wouldn't stay away. The Grizzlies need these wins, badly, if they want to snag that 8th and final seed before mid-April.

He didn't mention Cheryle Miller. I'm seriously disappointed. I was hoping for an earful.

There could be more interest in Collison this off-season, since he's so cheap for such a good talent. The Hornets could explore that and try to bring in an all-star that's not exactly fitting in with his team.

Will Bynum only plays 10 minutes? And wow, Ben Gordon will eventually want traded. He's not cut out to be on a bad team.

Way too many shots for Martin, but it's still a win. No Parker, and you might as well say no Manu, either, since he was a complete waste out there. Why did Finley and Bogans start? Didn't make much sense to me.