Nitro

I love his defense and the kid has a lot of talent, although I do question if he can be an elite scorer or playmaker at the PG position. He is rather inefficient scoring the ball because he simply doesn't get to the line often enough, and I just don't think he has the court awareness and IQ to be an elite playmaker. So, I think he will end up more in the Chauncey Billups realm as opposed to the Nash/Williams/Paul realm when he's in his prime.

That idea got canned (although Nas' new solo album will probably be sick judging by the 1st single). Also, no way is WTT better than this, and I prefer it to Section 80. Haven't listened to Random Axe or The Greatest Story Never Told. My 2nd favorite album this year was W.A.R by Pharoahe Monch.

LeBron. What kills Wade in the career department is his health. He missed over 20 games his rookie year (when LeBron won ROTY), he missed the biggest game of his career (up until that point) in the 2005 ECF, and he missed over 30 games in two of his prime seasons, one of which his team had the worst record in the league. LeBron has never missed more than 5 games in any season, has always been the better player (except maybe 1 season, 05-06), and has more individal accolades. He also did some brilliant things for those Cavs teams, including bringing them to their first NBA Finals with Drew Gooden or an older Big Z as his 2nd best player, and multiple deep playoff runs.

People underrate Rondo a helluva lot. He's not a franchise player (at least until he develops his jumper), but neither are guys like Westbrook, Ellis, etc... Yes, he does have the players around him right now that maximize his abilities, but he still is a very elite playmaker, great finisher around the rim, and a very good rebounder and defender for his position. All of those things will translate no matter what team he is on, although he's obviously in a tremendous position on a team suited for his talents. However, his teammates don't make him the player he is, he does.

Depends on the improvements DeAndre Jordan makes and if they make any decent FA signings to give them some depth and veteran leadership. As it stands now, I'd say no, but they are very close to having a really good team.

I agree he's too high for the simple fact it was one season and his team missed the playoffs, but make no mistake about it...he had probably the best season statistically of any PF in the league. Stats don't mean everything, but 22.5PPG/12.1RPG/3.8APG with a 50%+ FG percentage is ridiculous.

I agree they deserve to be compensated to a degree, just like when you take any other job on a college campus (however, do not forget many of these kids are getting scholariships, whether partial or full-ride, which adds up to a TON of money). Though, where does the line get drawn in what they can accept and be "compensated" with, and who they can receive these benefits from? It can definitely snowball to the point where you get the scanarios you see listed in the article...for example, if a mid-level player who knows he won't make it to the NFL gets an offer for 25K to follow through on a "hit" against an opposing team's star player, then the game is corrupt and loses its purity. That's why I said I don't necessarily agree with it, or disagree with it. Outlawing it totally keeps the NCAA from liability, and is the "safe" route. It's a business like anything else. And even though it may be unfair to a degree, these athletes have the opportunity to have their tuition paid for, a chance to do what they love on a big stage, and a chance to prove themselves to NFL scouts which can net them millions of dollars. So, I don't feel too bad for either side. If they don't like, their are other pro and amateur leagues they can take their talents to.

So, basically you are saying that you randomly blurted out a statement that, as you admit, doesn't pertain to this specific case, which is what this topic's about? Amazing. And it's about keeping the integrity of the college game and it's "purity." I don't necessarily agree with it, but I can definitely understand why they care and make those rules and regulation. The average fan doesn't give two shits, but the people running the business do, and that's what matters.

The NCAA. And if you read the whole story on Yahoo, you'd realize it goes way beyond simply players receiving benefits.

Yeah, that's a great song, although I don't like the Game immitating Jeezy's voice...I couldn't tell who the [expletive] was who when I first listened to it. I'm also really, really feeling California Dream right now.

Nelson and Hedo shot 23% from 3 that series. J-Rich shot only 32%. Arenas was at 25%. Reddick was at 7% (yes...7%). Andersen was at 30%. All of those players, besides Arenas, shot below 39% overall from the field that series. In other words, when your team is built on 3pt shooters (none of whom except maybe Nelson are effective at taking players off the dribble) and they are shooting so God-awfully, then it makes it extremely easy to collapse on Dwight. That explain Dwight's TO's (doesn't necessarily excuse it totally). Regardless, he averaged 27/16 on a ridiculous FG% (and TS%, which factors in FT's), and held down one of the worst defensive supporting casts I can ever remember.

So, a few hours ago I downloaded this album, burnt it onto a CD, and went to the car to ride around and bump it (the only way to truly appreciate an album IMO). My verdict... Instant classic (or very, very close to it). The album is excellent. Keep in mind that I am a very, very tough critic when it comes to rap, and this album really took me off-guard and impressed me in a way that no other album has in the last few years (besides Distant Relatives, which isn't pure rap..this blows Watch the Throne way out of the water). First off, Game's lyrics are top-notch, and he goes through a bunch of different ideas and themes throughout the album. The production for 90% of the songs is crazy, and has kind of a darker Documentary feel to it. Most of the guest appearences are very good, although there's 1 or 2 chorus' that I'm not a fan of. Even the Dre skits where he narrarates the album fit very well and definitely add to the whole concept. I hate making quick decisions after a first listen-thru, but I really can't recall the last time I took to an album quite like this one. Must-listen. Favorite songs: Martians vs. Goblins Heavy Artillery Born in the Trap

Tracy McGrady is a 7x All-Star and had a better season than Roy last year (4 less points but was more efficient, had more rebounds and assists, better PER, and when he was a starter was very effective at PG), yet didn't make the top 100.

Kobe was also awful against the Mavs, and Wade was terrible against the Bulls and needed LeBron to carry the team that series (from overall dominance to being 'the man' in clutch situations). The Finals were a terrible look for LeBron, but before that he was far and away the clear best player in the league. As for Dwight, his team (as well as that Hawks team) was different from the 09-10 squad. It is a miracle that he got a supporting cast of J-Rich, Hedo, Arenas, Nelson, and Reddick to be the 3rd best defensive team in the league, and while they lost he still dominated the Hawks (27/16/2 on 63% shooting). I'm not sure I'd put him above Wade, but he is easily above guys like Durant. Roy had an awful season, 2 terrible playoff games, 1 playoff game where he made a minimal impact, 1 decent game, and 1 great game. That 1 great game doesn't warrant much considering the overall picture. I do kind of agree about Varejao, though. Because he's a better player. Durant has had much greater playoff success in a much shorter timespan than Deron? Deron led his team to the WCF in his 3rd season, and has been past the first round multiple times, losing to the eventual WC champion Lakers those times. Durant has been to the post-season only twice, and out of the first round only once. The fact that he got that team to the playoffs and dominated the way he did when he got there is enough (along with the fact that his usage was way down last season from when he was averaging 23/11/6/3 on a .600 TS% in 08-09...he's still capable of that when he needs to).

"Next time I'm in church please no photos" ~Kanye West

That's precisely what I'm talking about

Haha that's really sick, reminds me of when he hit the GW in the Team USA exhibition back in 2007.

There's a lot of things I could dissect from this, but I won't bother...I'll say the top 10 isn't bad, and besides Gasol (who I'd replace with Melo) I think the players they included there are correct, and the order isn't far off. After that, at quick glance, some of the rankings are ridiculous (Aldridge and Westbrook at 11 and 12? Nene and Horford at 24 and 25? Gay over Iggy, Ellis and Johnson?, etc...).

LeBron jumped like 10 inches off the ground and just tried to swipe it from behind. Definitely not a poster, although the whole sequence of events isn't a good look by any means.

You seriously couldn't sit through the entire 20 seconds? Anyway, this is stupid.

As a person or a rapper? As a person he's a douche, but he's a very good rapper.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zGZ3fWHJ9Q Good shit.

I really don't think it matters. If the Celtics entered the playoffs last year around 50-60 games in, both O'Neal's would have been down to injury, rather than just one (JO was a key contributor in the playoffs). Basically, injuries happen, the older guys will still be worn down and require some days off at the end of the regular season, and in the end they will still be a step slower than the Heat.

Yeah, it seems fine since I woked up today, but it was really weird.

Wow this is REALLY weird...a part of one of my tattoo's is all of the sudden raised/slightly swollen and burning. It's only the area that's inked, the non-tat'd skin around it is fine. And it's burning a bit. Keep in mind, it's only the one tattoo that's like this, and it's only part of that tattoo, not the whole thing. Oh, and I've had this tattoo for 2 years.