Nitro

1) Give me a break...LeBron faced the best, 2nd best and 8th best defenses in the league this post-season, and faced arguably the 3 best defensive SF's (besides himself) in Iguodala, Pierce and Deng. So, do NOT give me the arguement of the tough defense Dirk has faced to show he's been more impressive than LeBron considering LeBron has faced much more difficult defense so far. 2) Ok, let's throw away the stats...Dirk has been the better scorer this post-season and I don't argue that. However, LeBron has been the primary ballhandler and playmaker for the Heat (and done a damn good job), has rebounded better than Dirk despite playing SF, and has been arguably the best defensive player this entire post-season. In other words, he's dominating other areas of the game in a way that Dirk has not, and it's not stat-stuffing...he's literally winning games with those other abilities in a way that Dirk cannot. For christ's sake he locked down the league MVP, who's a PG, to win the last 2 games of the ECF. Dirk doesn't make that kind of impact when he himself is not taking the shot. 3) Dirk has been amazing in the clutch this post-season, but so has LeBron...he dominated Boston in Games 4 and 5 of that series in the 4th quarter, as well as Chicago in Games 2, 4 and 5. Not only was he scoring, but he was playing lockdown defense and making plays with the pass.

Because for over half the season and the entire post-season he tucked his tail between his legs and played a level of basketball that would have made the Mavs a 7th/8th seed and first round exit if Dirk duplicated his performances. It also doesn't help that Dirk's less talented Mavs swept Gasol's Lakers, and also dominated the individual matchup. Even if you use last year's Gasol in the debate, I'd still take Dirk, just as I did before the season started. He's simply more consistent, reliable and can single handedly dominate and win games in the 4th quarter in a way Gasol cannot. He's also a good rebounder, good passer and solid defender...good enough to where the difference in their abilities to score and lead a team give Dirk the clear edge.

Scola is a very good player, but he has two things working against him... 1) He's 30 years old. 2) By my count, there are roughly 15 teams in the league who have a comparable/better PF on their roster, or have young PF's whose teams want to develop. Therefor, I do not see him having a whole lot of value on the market, even though he is a very good player and often underrated.

...and how Gasol never won a single playoff game as the #1 guy, including getting ripped apart head-to-head by Dirk in the 2006 playoffs. As I said before the season started, Dirk is clearly the best PF in the league. Unless you have a prime KG all-around type game, then give me a legit #1 scoring option who is at least average everywhere else over the #2 option who is above average/good at everything else (which doesn't even really apply to Gasol besides his rebounding and passing).

I think you guys are mis-interpreting the quote. I didn't listen to the interview, but by those quotes posted here it just seems like the 2nd part where he says all that stuff about what LeBron does was NOT direct comparison to MJ, but just an analysis of LeBron's game.

http://heddalettuce.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/vaseline.jpg

No, it happens to everyone. However, when those mistakes become a trend for that player, that's when I hold a grudge.

It strictly seems like speculation on the writer's part as a possibility, and not something the Blazers are actually considering. Either way, this is Roy's first big deal since coming into the NBA, and since he won't get another big contract the rest of his career, he won't just forfeit that money to help the Blazers out.

It's not about the Bulls losing to the Heat, it's how poorly Rose has played individually...from horrible shooting percentages every game, to poor decision making, to awful defense, to choking in the clutch. And it wasn't just in the Miami series, either. He shot under 40% overall for the entire post-season, with the Pacers and Hawks not exactly being elite defenses.

Well, with Arroyo instead of Bibby and Haslem out, like was the case midway through the season, I don't think they would have reached the Finals either...

Freedom of religion simply allows you to follow any religion you want, but doesn't force that relgion to change their beliefs and practices to fit current laws and your wants/needs. If they can find a church that supports the whole 'love-love' idea as opposed 'man-woman', then go right ahead and get married. However, I think it causes much more trouble than its worth to give gay marriages that religious backing.

Why? Dirk's scored better, but LeBron has done EVERYTHING else better...rebound, pass, defend. And according to regular season Drtg, LeBron has had to face the best, 2nd best and 8th best defenses in the league this post-season.

There won't be a lockout for a full season, there is far too much money to lose. If there is a lockout, I highly doubt it will last by the time 2012 rolls around.

...that LeBron is the best player in the league?

^ BTW, is there still any doubt that LeBron is unquestionably the best player in the NBA?

Meh...they should be able to be together and get the same legal rights as married couples, but I think the religious aspect of it should be taken away completely in gay 'marriages' (and I am not a religious person). Having that thrown in there just causes way too much controversy and rifts.

Bingo, although I think LeBron's been better overall than Dirk this post-season.

Eh, LeBron is still pretty useless in the post, aside from occasionally attracting defensive attention which opens up some looks for Bosh/Haslem/3pt shooters. The one thing Spo has done more of is give LeBron the ball on the wing below the 3pt line more often, which make him a lot more effective than constant iso's/PnR's at the top of the key. I do like making him set more screens as well.

I thought Spo should have been gone at the beginning of the season, and for good reason; the team was dysfunctional, not performing, and he refused to implement offensive sets until over a month into the season (and no, it wasn't that they weren't running the plays, he admitted he didn't implent them before the season started). Luckily for him, the team pulled together, started performing, and he finally started to make the kind of adjustments that win you a championship.

Haha, after 4 months in Florida today felt like a brisk spring day.

I can't believe the Heat won this game either...that was a complete and utter meltdown by the Bulls. They had everything going for them; Brewer was hitting shots, Wade was being shutdown, LeBron had missed 9 straight shots, they had a double digit lead with the crowd going crazy, all the momentum, and they blew it. Rose choking and some bad fouls on Wade/LeBron buried Chicago.

Drop it. The main reason, IMO, it was implemented was to change the 'thug' image of the NBA, much like the dress code, respect for the game rule, etc... With the majority of the league being black, having immature 18 year olds looking past education and personal growth for the big bucks just adds to the unfair stereotype the league has. But, bottom line is that these guys are adults, and should be able to make the HS to NBA jump if they want to.

www.thesportsroadtrip.com That's the site I use for very, very indepth rankings and reviews of each stadium in the NBA, MLB, NFL and NHL.

I just don't see how you can say that with Rose, and not the same for LeBron, yet LeBron is still dominating while being defended by an equally strong defense (also being defended one-on-one by Deng, who some here felt should have been DPOY). Also, as mentioned before, he's struggled all post-season, shooting just 40%.

That's ridiculous, Rose isn't scoring 35PPG like Kobe back in 2006. LeBron actually averaged more minutes than Rose did during the season, 2 more points than Rose, averaged about the same number of assists, and LeBron has a FAR bigger responsibility on the boards and defensively than Rose does...all that applies to what has gone on in this Heat-Bulls series as well. Rose has decent supporting offensive help, and while LeBron has considerably more, Rose also has far more help on defense and on the boards than LeBron does. Anthony and Haslem are very good defenders, but they don't anchor that defense....Wade and LeBron do. Besides Boozer, Rose is the worst defensive player in the Bulls starting lineup, and there's 4 guys on that bench (Gibson, Watson, Asik and Thomas) who are all better defensively. Meanwhile, LeBron is the Heat's best defender, defends the 1-4 positions, and sometimes the 5 as well. In this series, Rose has had easy defensive assignments in Bibby and Chalmers, and occasionally Wade (who has forced double teams in those situations because Rose can't defend him). Meanwhile LeBron has defended Deng, and last night locked down Rose, who is the most explosive player in the league. He's also grabbing rebounds at a PF's rate. Also, the fact that LeBron is so much older and has more mileage should be extra incentive for fatigue to not be a viable excuse for Rose.