Nitro

Yep, they've pretty easily been the best division this season. As for the West vs. East thing, while the West is stronger top-to-bottom, I really don't think there's a WC team that would knock out Miami or Chicago in a 7 game series.

Of course Garnett and Allen wanted to leave...Garnett hadn't even made the playoffs since 03-04, and I'm pretty sure the surprising 04-05 Sonics run was the last time Allen made it as well. They didn't demand a trade specifically to Boston, and them wanting to get out of pretty bad situations to go to a legit contender certainly wasn't them "ring-chasing." It just so happened that they were all paired with each other. My point is that whether you considered Gasol a superstar that season, he certainly played like it, especially in the Finals. There were plenty of games in those post-seasons that Gasol out-played Kobe, and without it Kobe wouldn't have his 4th and 5th championships. Point being, it really isn't any different than Pierce needing another star by his side to win, or any combo of the Big 3. When the Lakers were successful that series it was with the offense running through Gasol in the post, and I think the fact that Gasol out-assisted Kobe in 2 of those wins, and tied him in another speaks volumes to that. He was dominant at times in that series, enough to where people were putting him over Dirk and into top 10 lists. IMO he was the most important player in that series, if not the best player. A fringe All-Star doesn't do that for you...he truly played like a superstar. If Kobe didn't throw a fit in the 2007 off-season, and throw the Lakers under the bus for not pulling the trigger on the Bynum for Kidd trade (when Kidd was still All-Star caliber), he wouldn't have 2 of his rings, and I GUARANTEE would have formally demanded a trade to a better situation by 2009 the latest. IMO, there is nothing worse for a superstar to have his prime wasted on teams that don't have a serious chance at contending. 82 games, with each game individually meaning very little, and a quick knockout in the playoffs is miserable for a player the caliber of Kobe. He wants to perform on the biggest stage, and wants to be put in a class above the likes of LeBron/T-Mac/VC/AI by winning championships. It's what seperates the greats from the truly elite. And in order to do that, you need a lot of help, usually with another star that can carry the team on your off-nights.

Oh my...

At least in the context of the quote, that's not how I interpreted it. I took it as, "You won't see me play in this league being a fringe 20PPG guy." In other words, he wants to go out being viewed as one of the best in the game, putting up big stats. I respect that, and wish MJ never came back to be a 40 year old, 20PPG guy on an awful Wizards team. I kinda get the LeBron and Wade thing, but how were Pierce/KG/Allen ring-chasers? Pierce was drafted with the Celtics and was under contract when those moves were made in 2007, and KG and Allen were traded to the Celtics, didn't sign there. And don't act like there weren't plenty of games where Gasol carried the Lakers during their 2-peat (especially in the 2010 Finals, where Gasol outplayed Kobe in at least half those wins).

Got this from RealGM... https://twitter.com/#!/stevekylerNBA

Melo strained his groin 5min into the game and won't return. With Amare also out, and Jared "The Caramel Mamba" Jeffries being an apparent focal point on offense (he's had like 5 shot attempts already lol), this could get ugly pretty quickly for the Knicks. On the bright side, I like what Jeremy Lin is doing out there. It's my first time seeing him get significant minutes, and his passing ability off the PnR has been quite impressive. What I find weird about his game is that while he seems to be a steady, capable ballhandler, it almost looks like he doesn't have control of the ball when he dribbles...like he's slapping at it to dribble like you'd see from a middle schooler. Regardless, he definitely won't make the Knicks a contender, but he should make the offense considerably better. And lol @ Toney Douglas. 2 shots, 2 airballs.

I wouldn't trust him defensively against the PG's he will likely face in the playoffs (Westbrook, Parker, Paul, Lawson, etc...), and having him in the starting lineup doesn't really fix their need for a starting playmaker, 'nor does it bolster their bench.

Can't believe this hasn't gotten more attention, an extremely dirty play that could have seriously injured Scola. It's worse than the Ndamukong Suh stomp which got a ton of attention nationally.

Assuming he is healthy, this is a huge signing for the Clippers. They really were in desperate need of depth in the frontcourt, and Martin will be a tremendous bench player for them. He's tough, a very good rebounder, tremendous and versatile defender, great finisher around the rim, has a passable jumper, an underrated passer, and is a high IQ veteran. Definitely a big upgrade from the likes of Brian Cook, Solomon Jones, Trey Thompkins, and even Reggie Evans. If they get a legit SG from the FA pool or from dangling one or both of Bledsoe/Billups, the Clippers will go from a dangerous playoff team to a legit title contender IMO.

Yeah, the Knicks are in a very dangerous position...they've had one of the easiest schedules in the league and still have to go 25-18 just to finish .500 for the year. Because the 8th seed is so up in the air, they still have a good shot at that, but all that would mean is getting curb stomped by the Bulls or Heat in the 1st round. This is ugly and MAJOR changes are needed. I really hope I go online tomorrow and see "Pringles Fired" as the NBA headline...for the Knicks' sake. This is [expletive]ing DISGUSTING, and really a travesty. I actually feel awful for Knicks fans and the city of New York. They spent a decade of god-awful basketball and moves to gut the roster to get a star-studded foundation, and this is the result. Pitiful.

Just got back from the game, had a wonderful time. I'll post some pics that I took with my phone tomorrow, I'm really high and don't feel like it right now. Some notes... -Sold out crowd at about 20,600. The entire night the crowd was very loud and into the game, which I am not used to being a regular at Nets games the last 2 decades. Meek Mill was there, as far as celebrities go, and Rick Mahorn as well. -Both teams played very good the first 3 quarters. Even when they weren't hitting shots, both teams played tough as nails defense, energy, and had very good ball movement. Eventually Miami locked down defensively, and Philly just didn't have that 1-on-1 player to keep them in the game. -Dwyane Wade was brilliant the entire night, except for not getting back on defense early on, which led to a few early Meeks 3's. Against Philly's tough defense, he was generally getting to all the spots he wanted and made some very nice shots, including the sick split of the double team and dunk in the 4th. LeBron started out awfully on offense, but played extremely solid defense throughout, then he caught fire with his jumper in the 3rd. Chalmers and Miller were hot from deep the entire game. Joel Anthony was awful. -Tonight was the first time I tried the Cadillac Grill, which I believe is only for people with VIP tickets. It's on the club seat level, and it's a very nice restaurant with superb food and clear views of the court and seating bowl. If anyone attending the game gets the chance, I highly suggest it.

I'll be at this game, 3rd row once again. So pumped! I'll snap some pics and post them tonight.

As Steve Kerr mentioned earlier, Clippers look like they have dead-legs. It was quite clear when Mo Williams shot two straight wide-open 3 pointers short. Denver's balance and ball-movement is quite impressive, and defensively they are forcing LA into a bunch of 3 pointers and forced plays near the basket. Mozgov's size has actually been a big impact on both sides of the floor tonight. If LA wants to get back in this game, they really need to get penetration and some easy ones near the rim.

http://mikelitten.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Letter-D.jpg + http://www.globalfenceandgate.com/images/products/narrowpkt_01.jpg AND http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L3V2xFARAoA/Ts9yrglM6XI/AAAAAAAABRc/qrEbjELJnXk/s400/running.jpg + http://sfappeal.com/news/images/gun.jpg

An Amare 3 with 10 seconds left on the clock...really? Yeah, it was a good look, but that should not be your go-to option in that situation. Got a feeling this is the last time we'll see D'Antoni on the Knicks sideline.

And IMO the credit goes to what Fields was doing early on. He was aggressive and made a few passes that got Amare going, and it sort of carried on with the rest of the team the entire game.

WTF was that play between Shumpert and Amare. Shumpert dribbles towards Amare, clearly hell-bent on shooting, Amare walks right up to Shumpert, who now picks up his dribble, Amare still doesn't move away, and Shumpert takes the awful fadeaway. Just awful.

I saw Julia Stiles in the audience, I'm sure she can hit a few wide open jumpers, or at least show some titties which could distract the defense and offer the spacing necessary for Melo and Amare to get to the rim. Bottom line is she'd provide a bigger offensive impact than Jeffries. Knicks need to get the ball out of Rose's hands and force someone else to beat them. He's torched them in the 4th so far.

Why is Jared Jeffries getting extended minutes? Scoring against Chicago is hard enough, and when they play zone it instantly makes the game 4-on-5.

And because the guy he dunked over was a foot taller..and because the guy he dunked over went at him and sort of attempted to block him...and becaus of the insane wind-up Blake did in mid-air...and because of the authority Blake dunked it with...and because...

[expletive]. Firstrowsports has been my go-to site for streams this season. -_-

Blake and it isn't even close. I wasn't overly impressed with LeBron's...he's jumped higher before and had more impressive dunks, it's just that Lucas happened to be in the way this time. And, after all, Lucas is not even 6ft and kind of ducked when Bron jumped over him. Idk if Bron's dunk is even the 2nd best of the year, or even his own personal best of the year.

What a crossover and dunk by Amare.

If Joel Anthony, who is no taller than 6'7'' and can't rebound, can play center, then K-Mart can. Bosh and Haslem get virtually all the other minutes at center, and neither of them are more capable than Martin at center, either.

Center. Anthony/Bosh/Haslem get virtually all the minutes at center for the Heat, and Martin is as much of a center, in terms of style and size, as any of them.