Real Deal

Haha, Jessica was pissed off during that fourth. LeBron sat forever, and Washington was scoring with basic high school basketball plays, while Cleveland was struggling to even get a shot off. So many defensive lapses in this game by the Cavaliers...just not used to seeing that.

It's sometimes hard to come in here and comment DURING the game, especially when you're throwing shoes at your TV. Johnson did well. Chalmers didn't do a bad job on Bibby defensively, but you have to score if you're the Heat, and they didn't get the norm from Wade, and Jermaine was a bit slow out there, missed some crucial rebounds when I was watching.

Bargnani isn't going to play defense. He never has, never will...has nothing to do with the effort. BUT...how can you not get him shots? I see him open every now and then, but it's like Calderon has blinders on. This kind of stuff will be the death of the franchise. Bosh won't want to stick around with these guys. Calderon is an idiot.

Haha, I remember how Hedo suddenly became an overrated defender that one block on Bryant in the Finals, when he attempted a game-tying or game-winning jumper. Hedo is a facilitating, shooting forward...and that's about it. Love his clutch shots, love how he can handle the ball sometimes, but a defender he is not. And as far as Carter goes...I can't say he's a good defender. Probably better than Hedo, but still not that solid. Defensive ratings are odd, just as eFG% allowed numbers, and +/- stats. They always take into account help defense, or the lack of team defense on the floor, making players like Shane Battier seem like they are less defensively-talented than that of, say, Derek Fisher.

Maybe in the article I read earlier, they meant to say Rip. The preview doesn't have it now...like they just did a quick edit, hahaha.

It's all Iverson's fault the team is hunting John Wall...and it'll be his fault in April, also.

Lee maybe, but not Alston. I think we already ran that course.

We did have another one, dude...but I think he's busy with his baby now. Do you remember his name? And by the way, previously banned member, using proxies won't do much good...just get you busted. Ever heard of Visual Route?

I'm sure Cleveland would give LeBron a shot. Look at their team. They would probably give me a legitimate shot at playing QB for them. Would LeBron succeed? Probably not...not as a top receiver in the league (OL is out of the question). But he'd be able to handle the "punishment" as he's a top athlete in professional sports, and it's not like there are no pads or helmets involved.

It's more difficult to stay in the game and play good defense when your team is hit by the injury bug. More guards/forwards attack the rim, you don't get enough help defense down low, and you're wearing yourself out getting the ball more as the primary option, covering for guys like Shard and Carter (and now Nelson). Plus, I still think not having Courtney Lee playing defense hurts Orlando. That puts more on Pietrus, and once he wears out, it's "attack the rim" time again, and it puts Howard in foul trouble. Despite some popular belief in Orlando, Vince Carter is not a good defensive player, and never will be.

Wow, weak. Maybe they will both have dinner together after the game?

The most impressive part about the shot was the kiss off the glass, actually. There are plenty of players who throw it up and get lucky after the foul (ex. Wade), and yeah, there's skill involved also...but sometimes, I think that it's just guys getting the shot up and out of the hands to get to the line. This one, Kobe kisses the glass...so it was either pure luck, or just knowing where the backboard was at that time, and watching Kobe all of these years, I'll take the latter, haha.

Detroit is full of surprises, but I can't say they'll pull out a victory here, even though I'll be rooting for them. Roy and Prince will be interesting, but Detroit just isn't that defensive-minded team they were a few years back, while the Blazers are doing well on both sides of the ball, with more and more contributing from Oden (10 PPG, 8 RPG, 61% FG, 24 minutes).

Both Duncan and Parker returned to the lineup last game, losing to the Thunder. San Antonio has yet to win on the road, and it may not happen tonight against a better Dallas Mavericks team, who have won three games after losing to the Spurs in San An.

Toronto just played last night, so you'll see some fatigue. Utah is at home, and as the season progresses, you may see that they play better in Salt Lake City. I'm not sure if you'll see it tonight, but if the Jazz want to win this game, they are going to have to defend the three much better. It seems they love giving it up, sacrificing it for their interior defense (lack of, with Boozer and Okur as their matadors), and teams are fighting them by launching those long-range bombs. Toronto won't have a problem with that.

Houston fought the Suns tooth and nail, could be a bit tired tonight...but I can't imagine them losing to the Wolves. I have to consider the lack of defense Minny plays, especially up front, and that's going to be something for Carl Landry to feast on tonight. Plus, is Hayes defending Jefferson? I'm sure he will. That may not be a pretty sight, as Hayes will get physical with him and help force Flynn and the other guards into playing small ball all night.

Big chance for the Nets to finally win a game, even though the Bucks have been playing well lately. But...if Brandon Jennings wants another 40-50, this would be his game, even though Alston tries to play defense every once in a while. I wonder how much the Bucks will go to Bogut tonight, after seeing how difficult it was for Lopez to defend Hibbert.

Thornton decided he was going to be the Clippers' LeBron James last night, which probably helped them lose the game. LA has to move the ball, and this will be a great game to prove to them why. Memphis isn't lacking in talent, but the also have trouble with shot distribution, so this game may come down to who plays the better defense in the end.

Boston will try and avoid a third-consecutive loss tonight, after dropping games to the Hawks and the Pacers. Um...good luck, Warriors.

Charlotte should take this one, although I wouldn't be surprised if it takes them a little longer to adjust to Stephen Jackson in the offense. They are probably the better team on paper, just more versatility, but chemistry didn't seem to be so apparent last game.

Monster beating in the making, especially if Westbrook decides to play reckless basketball. The crazy thing is, the Magic aren't sitting so well at the point with Jameer gone, and ball movement won't be so fluid without Turkoglu, so they could be in a situation that suits the Thunder better. All OKC has to do is force Dwight to catch the ball out of the paint area, and defend the perimeter. Sounds easy, but it never is.

Please tell me Shaq and Gilbert are both playing in this game tonight...

This will be a tough, tough game for the Knicks...but it depends on how tired the Pacers are after their game last night. Granger didn't play well, and Brandon Rush was desperate just to get a few shots to fall, so you'd have to wonder if they'll come out energetic and determined early at home, or if the Knicks will jump on this opportunity as a team down and out in a back-to-back.

Let's see if the Heat bounce back after their loss against the Thunder last night. Atlanta is right there with Boston as the best team in the East, and it seems they've been clicking pretty well lately, getting up and down the court with all of their guys contributing on either offense or defense (or both, of course). Miami needs more out of Beasley, and Chalmers has to play better defense.

Rose had a tough time shooting last night, and Hinrich struggled just as much, if not more...but it was nice to see the rest of the team pick it up and beat up on a Kings team that has won their last 4-5 games.