Poe

The Heat take way too many threes for the options they have. Quentin Richardson should be the only guy to ever take more than 5 threes, not Rafer or Wade. I'm tired of seeing this team chuck when losing.

We have a disagreement on whether the Raptors' closing the lead was due to Chalmers' poor play or the Raptors' defense picking up, and you resort to calling us homers.

It felt that way during the game against the Cavs. It's not like the Heat don't have other options, it's just inconsistency. Beasley is young and his game comes and goes, O'Neal is old and the same story. Dorell is up and down depending on his involvement. The rest are just specialists and role players. BTW, Toronto has played pretty good D this second half. Their D isn't spectacular, but they've played with more "heart". Outrebounding and getting more 50/50 balls. Very disappointing at my end.

He's saying that all blacks are thugs and all whites are civilized people. He wants to control the world and separate races by skin color into different categories of lifestyle. Obviously he likes the sport of basketball but is tired of seeing all those tatted up [expletive]ers making up the majority of the players. I know this because my grandfather is the same way. It's a sick way to think, but that's the environment they grew up in and they've learned to associate skin color to the person itself, instead of content of character and all that jazz. But it's really nothing to worry about. Most people like this are old... and dieing. It won't be too long before their generation is replaced by a new, more open minded and hopefully more sensible generation.

I'm talking about what is a direct affect of Chalmers. The fact that the ball wasn't moving and getting in the right hands. There is a reason why Chalmers was pulled so quickly. I'm not arguing any further.

I'm too tired to argue about Chalmers and the Raptors defense. Let's just say the second quarter slump is something we normally see when Chalmers is running the point.

Notice how Chalmers was taken out of the game on that time out. Chalmers 4 minutes, -6 in his +/-. Not 100% to do with Toronto.

Exactly. What pisses me off more was how completely uninvolved Dorell Wright was. With Beasley out of the game, Dorell is the #1 option with O'Neal and Wade sitting. There were 4 straight possessions Dorell does not even get a touch, and big surprise, not a single point was scored by the team. 5th possession, Wright gets the ball and gets an assist to Haslem. Again, what a big surprise.

Nice thread idea. I decided to choose two players for some teams. Atlanta - Mike Bibby/Joe Johnson Boston - Paul Peirce/Ray Allen Charlotte - Stephen Jackson Chicago - Derrick Rose Cleveland - LeBron James Dallas - Dirk Nowitzki Denver - Chauncey Billups/Carmelo Anthony Detroit - Ben Gordan Golden State - Monta Ellis Houston - Aaron Brooks/Shane Battier Indiana - Danny Granger LA Lakers - Kobe Bryant/Derek Fisher LA Clippers - Baron Davis Memphis - Michael Conley Miami - Dwyane Wade/Udonis Haslem Milwaukee - Luke Ridnour Minnesota - Johnny Flinn New Jersey - Courtney Lee New Orleans - Chris Paul New York - Danilo Gallinari Okla City - Kevin Durant Orlando - Rashard Lewis Philadelphia - Andre Iguodala Phoenix - Steve Nash Portland - Brandon Roy Sacramento - Tyreke Evens San Antonio - Roger Mason Jr/Tim Duncan Toronto - Hedo Turkoglu Utah - Deron Williams Washington - Caron Butler

Good stuff once again. I liked the pacing, it mostly felt smooth enough and flowed pretty well. One thing I've noticed from Carl Landry's game is that he always, always looks to attack the basket when looking to score. He uses his aggression and footwork to get as close to the rim as possible before releasing the ball. A lot of players fall in love with the jumper or use a fadeaway jumpshot over the defender, but Landry's game is completely based on aggression and attacking, which I personally think is even better. First off, the closer you are to the basket, the higher the percentage of the shot. Second of all, you are more likely to create contact, draw fouls, and make and-1 plays, whereas in a jumpshot you either make or miss. I liked your points on Yi's improvement with his indecisiveness and Detroit's messy offense that needs a better mix of players. No objections or anything that I can really think of at the moment other than good job on that. I look forward to the next episode

I wouldn't say your chances are very high. The Heat normally play better after losses, and considering Wade's poor night in his last game.... he's going to be looking for blood. I don't think there will be much DeMar would be able to do if he could play.

The only time people are being given credit is now. So, from what I'm understanding, it's kind of unfair to make the most valuable and the most underrated poll at the same time.

Is Rubio really THAT good, or is he just overhyped because of his Nash/Maravich comparison?

This.

I still don't understand what most underrated poster is supposed to mean.

Wade this year: 27.1 points (46.6% FG, 31% 3PT), 6.2 assists, 4.9 rebounds, 1.8 steals, 1.2 blocks. Wade's career: 25.4 points (48% FG, 29% 3PT), 6.6 assists, 4.9 rebounds, 1.8 steals, 1.0 blocks. Damn coaster.

It's pretty much the same for me as Dr. F. Haven't been here too long, though I have enjoyed this site on my short stay so far and congrats on keeping it alive for this long.

Let's just say... my prediction for this game is that Wade will have a big night

KEEP READING

Despite what happened last game.. I think this team is starting to come together. Everyone is figuring out their role out there, especially Beasley and O'Neal. Wade and Haslem have been consistent the whole year, and Joel and Wright are always ready to fill in. The only problems have been two positions. PG and SF. We all know how Chalmers is getting worse, yet somehow he and the coaching staff still think they can eventually work him back into the starting unit. So, unfortunately, we're going to have to deal with him for a while longer, instead of securing the position by having Alston and Arroyo to hold their veteran presence full time at point. The problem with the SF spot is Q-Rich's inconsistency, and the fact that Dorell has clearly outplayed him recently. Not to take away Q's job against LeBron, but as a whole for this month, Dorell has done a lot more in less time. Comparing numbers for the past five games, Dorell has averaged 9.4 points, 2.4 assists, 3 rebounds, 1.4 steals, .6 blocks in 24 minutes shooting 45% and 6/12 from 3 (which includes Dorell's 3 point, no assist, 2 rebound, 17 minute game against the Cavs). Q-Rich in the past five games has averaged 5.2 points, .8 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 1 steal, .4 block in 24.6 minutes 39% and 5-16 from 3. It's not just a random slump for Q and a rise to Dorell's game. Quentin has been getting steadily worse as the year goes by while Dorell's confidence has been growing. I think it's about time Dorell gets his starting position back. He'll probably need a few more solid performances to prove it.

Thing about LeBron is that he didn't deserve it last year... Now there's no doubt, but Wade deserved it last year, and Kobe deserved more than one for his career, so it makes me feel like they need theirs to make up for it.

That's a good comparison.. with Dragic mentored by Nash and Barea mentored by Kidd. Barea is quicker, but Dragic is bigger. Barea is younger and been in the league for more years, yet Dragic has developed just as much in less time. I think I'll have to go with Dragic for shooting percentage and producing similar numbers in less minutes. Edit: NVM. Dragic is both younger and developing faster. Another reason to pick him.

Yea, cause chucking threes proves that he's such a good defender.

Ridnour is a surprising choice, and a good candidate... but nowhere near the most improved. My choice would either be Landry or Gallinari. I agree with the sixth man... at midseason, it's too obvious. Like everyone says, he's played out of his mind. ROY is easily Tyreke. Jennings has steadily gotten worse as defenses have payed more attention to him, while Reke is growing into an unstoppable force in the league. DPoY is an interesting choice... personally, I'm going with 'Crash' Wallace. Dude is having an amazing year. Funny how he couldn't even find a spot in the HM for him. Larry Brown or Rick Adelman for COY. Both are very deserving. MVP is clearly LeBron. Like Ron said, the Cavs are nothing without him (okay, maybe 30 wins or so, but nowhere near the top in the East). Obviously the most valuable to his team.