Real Deal

Granger is the overall better player, but he hasn't had the season Jamison has, individually. Lots of things factor into that, including injuries, but that's for another discussion. I would stick Jamison in there before Granger. Josh Smith Paul Pierce Gerald Wallace Chris Bosh In no order...those four get the nod over Jamison.

Who would you guys start at the three? Martin would be an undersized SF, and I'm not sure if you have anyone else capable of starting at that position (without hurting your team, at least).

The Kings are on a seven-game losing streak, and while they were never really that great of a team to begin with, what is Martin really doing for them? This guy has been their primary scorer for a few years now, but since his return... Kings @ Heat (115-84 L): 5 PTS, 1-7 FG (14.3%) Kings @ Magic (100-84 L): 5 PTS, 1-7 FG (14.3%) Kings @ Hawks (108-97 L): 23 PTS, 8-18 FG (44.4%) Kings @ Bobcats (105-103 L): 9 PTS, 3-9 FG (33.3%) Kings @ Wizards (96-86 L): 23 PTS, 6-17 FG (35.3%) Kings @ Sixers (98-86 L): 19 PTS, 4-10 FG (40.0%) All road games, yes, but I'd like to think that the Kings, led by Tyreke Evans instead of Martin, would fare better against a few of those teams. I really think a backcourt of Evans and Beno Udrih was more dangerous than any other. Evans is now forced to play more point, and for me, he was more effective as a two-guard. Should the Kings try and deal Martin before it's too late?

He's definitely not making a good case for himself with his recent play. In three of his last five games, he shot 12-41 from the field, 29 points, 17 rebounds, 0-9 from three (SAC, DAL and MIA, all home games). Two of those games, he scored eight points or less, grabbed five boards or less. He also shot terribly against bad teams, especially in December, against Philly, Toronto, Detroit and Golden State. His inconsistency, lack of defense, and inability to lead the Wizards to anything better than the fourth worst record in the NBA is what keeps him out of contention for the all-star spot.

Yeah, but you left out Varejao, West and Ilgauskas. Those three are pretty good players, and capable starters. The Cavs wouldn't win 50 games without LeBron, probably wouldn't reach the 40-win plateau to be honest...but I think they'd come really close to 40. And as far as the Nets are concerned, they are tanking. There's no way that team loses 70+ games if they really wanted to win.

Haha, I honestly skipped over the Heat by accident. I have no idea why I didn't see them...and hell, they are even first on the list.

Memphis isn't a bad team. In fact, I believe they have a better record at this point of the season, if I remember right, and they have a physical defender up front in Gasol that Bosh may not like by the end of that game. But other than the Grizzlies, the rest of those teams should all lose to the Raptors.

When were the Suns good last year? They were 28-23 when coached by Porter, and that's when they centered around Shaq. That's on pace to win 45 games, which is out of the playoffs. With Gentry back in and running a fast-paced offense, they went 18-13 to finish the season, despite the problems with Amare and his eyes. And Steve Nash is more talented, and a better basketball player, than any two players not named LeBron James on the Cavaliers' roster, bro.

The only non-call I remember was when Bynum went up for a layup...but then again, he's a softie and he should've just dunked the ball, so I have no remorse. The Raptors kept letting the Lakers do what they wanted in the paint, though, especially in the first half. They were loose on Kobe in the first half, and he did what he wanted. In the second, they decided to double him more, try and shut him down, and while he still put up good numbers, it forced his teammates to get involved in one-on-one situations even more, and that's how we failed. Drew had 15 points at the half, six points in the second half. Gasol had 16 points in the first half, six in the second half. When Kobe was feeding them, they were converting...but once it was their time to shine in their own spotlight, they crumbled as they usually do, and by the end of the game, it was Kobe vs. Toronto.

Hedo was actually bailed out at the end of the game on a call that ultimately won it for Toronto...but it's still no excuse. We gave up a lead, so we deserve to lose.

Solid choke job by the Vikings, especially Favre and Peterson. I have supported Adrian the entire season as one of the best backs in the NFL, but with the lack of big break-out runs all season long, in addition to the butterfingers and all of his fumbles tonight, I don't know what to think about him. And Favre just kept forcing the ball into tight spots. If things were going better for the Saints' secondary, they would've had five or six interceptions by the end of the game, but a few slipped right through their hands. Coin flip for me, didn't really care who won the game. I just don't want to see the Colts win it all.

Kobe nearly gives us a perfect game and we STILL LOSE. 27 points, 15 rebounds, nine assists, and it doesn't matter. For being the defending champs and having what was the best record in the NBA, we sure are packed with stupid ass players. Disgusting.

Both seven-footers are playing well together because Kobe is spoon-feeding Bynum, and Drew isn't trying to establish post and hold the ball for 15 seconds. DeRozan looks nervous out there.

I figured I'd play the role of Brett Favre and run up the score a little. But yeah, voting is officially over. The winner: Guru and his Jordan signature. http://www.backstagegfx.com/forum/uploads/U141-1263540505.png

Bryant should just facilitate, force the ball down low all game. But, just in case, I've got the DVR ready. 50 points? Wishful thinking. Jokes aside, just get the damn win.

Nevermind, it's 53 right now.

Weren't the Mavs up by 53 earlier? This is terrible. Thank God for League Pass, though. I'd be pissed if I didn't get to see this beating, haha.

Nets' current W-L: 3-40 (.070) Worst W-L in NBA history: Philadelphia 76ers, 1972-73 season, 9-73 (.110) The Nets are on pace to win five games this season, finishing with a 5-77 record. Can they do it?

He's actually second, behind Duncan...but it's definitely worth arguing, as he's one of the greatest scorers in NBA history and a very, very good defensive player.

Yeah man, this upcoming week is going to be interesting. Other than winning, I want us to just crush K-State.

Vote now. First to ten wins, or the most votes in three days.

I actually don't like hearing about the number of rings a player has, and I doubt anyone can find me talking about that when it comes to Bryant. Charles Barkley is one of my all-time favorite players...and I really don't need to explain anything beyond that point in regards to rings. Karl Malone is arguably the greatest power forward of all-time, also...and he has as many NBA championships as I do. Bryant has been in fortunate and unfortunate situations. His teammate was Shaquille O'Neal, and in the middle of last decade, he was carrying the likes of Smush, Kwame and Walton in the starting five. Now he has Gasol. LeBron has had an excellent team since 2007, packed with defense and shooters, sort of what Iverson had in 2001 and Hakeem had in the mid 90s...but he's not with someone like Dirk or Garnett, either. As far as those records go, yes...I agree. LeBron started out posting 20+ every game, while Kobe didn't hit that mark for a few years. Advantage LeBron, as long as he doesn't break down or jump to a team that forces him to score much less, because the 4,000 point differential is only worth a couple of 24-25 PPG seasons. Youngest to X scoring? LeBron will get them all. Overall scoring by the end of their careers? I won't go that far just yet.

Parkinson's disease (as Andre said). But that's uncommon in younger people, I believe. I've never met anyone under 40 with Parkinson's.

Are you a drinker? Drink less, and also don't consume so much caffeine. See if that helps. Could be a lot of things. Could be your thyroid, could be essential tremor (although I think that happens more when you're working your hands), could be anxiety.

I don't have a problem discussing Bryant's flaws, either. I just take offense to those who call his recent struggles effects of aging, when it's not. Sure, Bryant doesn't have the athleticism he had five years ago, but he has more than made up for that with his expanded post game and excellent range. I still think Bryant is the best player in the league, and that will probably change come next season (or the season after), and I won't have a problem admitting that. I don't have a problem admitting that both LeBron and Wade are closing in. However, again, Kobe's struggles aren't because of age, it's because he's shooting with a cast on his finger, and his back spasms aren't helping. As far as the Lakers' recent struggles, that's because of a lot of things, not just Bryant's inconsistent shooting. The blame goes from Fisher and his amazingly terrible defense, to Bynum and his inability to play in the triangle offense with another big, Gasol and his soft play, even to Phil Jackson and his odd rotations.