Real Deal

People are marching in Tehran, chanting "Death to the Dictator." I wouldn't object. I hope someone puts him to sleep.

Not now, unless both sticks went out. I wonder if it's overheating...or if it's the graphics card. It could also be the CMOS battery, but you'd have to pull the laptop apart to change that. I guess you can still try the memory issue. If it's anything else, you have bigger problems, and you'll have to take it to a tech (which sucks). It's tough to diagnose a problem like this when you aren't physically there.

Great, great news. Made my morning, believe it or not.

Were there two sticks of memory? Either way, you can take that stick of memory over to some place like STAPLES, let them match it with a new one, and see how much it may cost. I THINK your laptop is an Acer Aspire 2000. If so, that means you have 512MB of DDR333 RAM. Check this out: http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=DDR333+PC2700+RAM&_sacat=0&_trksid=p3286.m270.l1313&_odkw=Acer+Aspire+2000+RAM&_osacat=0 If I'm right, you can fix that laptop for less than $20. If I'm wrong, you blow less than $20. Hell, you may even want to upgrade the memory if the cheap one you buy works. Otherwise, you'll be taking it to a tech that will charge you for $50+ worth of memory and $60 worth of labor.

I think I question Bynum more than I do Bryant, in that discussion. Kobe can run the offense as much, or as little, as Phil asks him to. I'm just not sure how well that will translate, either way, with Bynum on the floor. As I said on TLN, Bynum is quicksand. You throw the ball in, and it's a point of no return...one of the bigger flaws in his offensive game, to be honest. And basically, I think that our problems lie with that (Bynum's lack of aggression on the defensive end due to less touches offensively), in addition to Fisher's inconsistency on the offensive end, and how both of those hurt us as a team. That's why we are 9th in points per 100 possessions this season, compared to 3rd last year. Of course, I left out Fisher's mental and physical roadblocks on defense, but that's a given.

You sure do paint the perfect picture, but I just don't see that happening. You know I want Bynum coming off the bench...but you're spot on about his attitude if that were to happen (hell, look at it now). So that kills the Gasol/Odom combination. In fact, Odom was playing EXCELLENT basketball as a starter the first year we had Gasol, to the tune of all-star numbers, if I remember right. I posted it somewhere, either on OTR or TLN...but he was shooting almost 60% and giving us a clean double-double, almost playing like Gasol is now. I know Bryant is reluctant to pass to his teammates a bit more this season. For me, that's a no-brainer. However, I feel it's warranted after watching these guys disappear in second halves of games, and it was Bynum, Gasol, Artest, Fisher and even Phil Jackson who all stated that the bigs need to be more aggressive and shouldn't be complaining about shots. Bynum admitted he was more focused with Gasol out, Pau admitted he needed to be more demanding of the ball, and Phil questioned our frontcourt physicality, as did Artest just a week or two ago. I will say one thing, though: I'm extremely proud of Ron Artest. His shot attempts have dropped significantly from where they were last season, and the season before, and he's not hogging the ball...yet, he's still working just as hard (if not harder) than anyone else on the team when he's back on defense. I just hope we come out of the All-Star break a new beast.

And you really believe that will happen in a year's time? Technically, that's five free agents signing contracts in 2010...all legit starters, by the way.

He can't because the mindset with this team is that if you don't get your 15 shots per game, you just don't have to play defense, and you don't have to be aggressive at all. Kobe, after 51 games last season... 27.5 PPG on 47.6% FG, 5.0 APG, 21 FGA, 3.8 3PT FGA After 51 games this season... 28.0 PPG on 46.1% FG, 4.6 APG, 22 FGA, 4.2 3PT FGA Not much of a difference, at all. Last season we were champs, and people wanted to win. This season, I have no idea what their problem is...but it has nothing to do with Bryant's play.

Not only the lack of fans...but did anyone else notice that both teams scored just four points in 3:09?

The Heat won't have the money to pay Joe Johnson after they give Wade and Amare their contracts. You still need money for other players...can't just let them all expire. And if there was a possibility that Amare takes less, or Wade, or even Joe...Jermaine doesn't return, and Haslem is definitely history as well. If the Heat want Wade, Amare and Joe Johnson...they will be signing minimum contracts the rest of the way. No Jermaine, no Haslem, no Chalmers, and no Wright. McGrady is an option, sure...but I doubt he'll do much for Miami. He's a point-forward by instinct and design. You have no choice but to put the ball in his hands OR Dwyane Wade's hands...and I don't think there should be any debate regarding who to pick. Rudy Gay will get paid. With Memphis playing decent basketball, if they don't snag a big-name FA, they will give Gay the longer (and possibly most expensive) contract among all the active teams during the FA period.

Gasol has been that way all year, rebounding and giving us 15 points or so. The real guy stepping up BIG is Lamar Odom, and honestly, it's a big surprise for me.

No. And how would a stat like that tell you the impact of the individual player in a game with other teammates? The best way to build a team is by using your eyes. You don't dive into a book of college basketball statistics to draft a player. Instead, you send scouts, and you use pre-draft workouts. Stats are nearly insignificant in that regard. As far as raking in professional players that have actually had the opportunity to play alongside others for a few years, it looks to me like the Lakers haven't used a statbook for a couple of their players. Shannon Brown was a nobody with every team he played on until now. Trevor Ariza was getting pushed aside in Orlando and New York. Both have rings. On the other hand, stats would tell everyone how good Smush Parker was with the Lakers, offensively (not that bad). He left, contributed nothing after that, and now he's not even in the league. A GM using his brain and his eyes would've been able to tell that Parker, Brown and Ariza all benefit from the systems they are in. Trevor actually retained what he learned in Los Angeles, but given the role he has now (as a primary or secondary scoring option), he's struggling with his shot and would probably rather be back in LA. Advanced statistics aren't so advanced. They don't stick the individual out on an island, like a scout would. Big difference.

In an 82-game season, I'm sure it would be much different, wear and tear due to increased roles. Everyone saw how good the Rockets were to start the year, as well as the Heat...and now look where both are after 50 games or so.

The screen is black because if your memory is shot, it won't load anything up to begin with...so you see nothing. I have no idea what it would cost in your area. Memory runs anywhere between $30-60 if you buy it online (unless you're needing 2-4GB or more of memory). Flip your laptop over and give me all the numbers on it (serial number, product number, mainly). Maybe we can avoid a big bill by having you fix it yourself. In fact, flip it over and look for panels that you can unscrew. See if you can find the memory stick(s) in the laptop by unscrewing one of those panels (usually in the middle). Don't remove the entire bottom...you shouldn't have to. If you need to know what a memory stick looks like, just Google it (laptop sticks are usually taller, but not as long, more of a square). When you find them...if there are two, remove one. Flip it back over and turn the laptop on and see what happens. If it does the same thing, remove the second one and put that first stick back in it's place, and try again.

Depends on the team, definitely. But if we're wanting to find out who the better overall player is, I'd take Brown, as he's got a more complete game (mainly pointing at his defense here).

Different rosters ask for different player scenarios. Kevin Martin looked like one of the better players in the NBA when he was healthy and holding it down in Sacramento, but he and Tyreke Evans can't co-exist because Martin isn't a team player. I'm sure advanced statistics will say otherwise. And for the record, Houston isn't a contender, and they really haven't been since Olajuwon and the Rockets split ways. Same with Toronto.

I had a feeling Wallace would bow out. He's been out of the Bobcats lineup a few times due to that injury.

25 consecutive games with 25 or more points. The Thunder are 17-8 during that streak, and Durant is averaging 32 PPG, 8 RPG, 52% FG. If he keeps that up, he better get the MVP award. Yes, even over Kobe and James.

Kevin Martin, because he's the most selfish and would hurt Dallas in the long run.

Lamar resides on the moon 95% of the time, no matter where he's at physically...so I'm not surprised.

He's pulled off some sick in-game dunks, more explosive than creative...but once he went for the Statue of Liberty dunk, you could tell he has the flash to go with it...and that's what made guys like Vince and Dominique so great: explosiveness + creativity. I've never been high on Nate. He's a glorified Spud Webb. The only dunk I can see Nate doing is jumping over players...and if Dwight didn't let him do that last year, Howard would've had the victory. Shannon will win among those already entered. If LeBron gets in, he'll more than likely take it just based on the fact that he's LeBron, and he can throw it down harder than everyone else.

The 2010-2011 Miami Heat will be led by Daequan Cook...I can see it now.

Damn man, KEEP THAT STUFF OUT OF THE WEST. I would rather not see Dallas or Houston get better. Butler and Haywood on either of those teams would make them a tough play in the West. Stupid Wizards.

Three beeps is most likely a memory problem. You won't have to spend too much if you take it to a local shop (assuming you don't have a warranty).

Jamison, Butler, Arenas and Stevenson for picks and expiring contracts, simple as that. If you're gonna go out like this, go big.