Multi-Billionaire

You can relax JJ isn't going to be an outstanding PG he doesn't have that ceiling... he's very good though... can be a starter but the downside is he still lacks size to be a starter and is suitable for a backup PG. Starting I think is a stretch for him.

Yes I agree with you man^ although defense is hard it is obtainable through hard work and the diligence to find out the know how... Defense is commitment, hard work and just knowing what to know to do and not do to execute perfect defense. But offensively, if you're not blessed with natural talent, no matter how hard you work, it's not going to be there... You can get there, but you won't be as offensively talented as those guys who are born to score. Defense is very hard but at least you can be a very good defender if you hard on it... but there's no guarantee you can be a good scorer even if you work hard at it.

http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_12737490 Interesting... I wonder what # will J.R. wear.

I have my reasons to rate him as a bust, but maybe not Michael Olowokandi/ Stromile Swift bust, just a Joe Smith #1 bust that does not live to expectation.

Just curious, how much is Marion asking?

Not really into fighting games, but might actually buy it if ign scores that high...

1a. Melo - When he's lazy, takes stupid shots, have lazy body language, it's not even close... 1b. Kobe - really can't stand when he shakes his head, "nobody can stop me" 2. Odom - can't stand his smile and out of nowhere tough guy attitude... I still remember he wanted to fight Posey last year in 2008 Finals, Posey would have walloped him 3. Nene - [expletive]es to refs too much, if he's on another team, easily my most hated player... he's usually the most physical man on the floor, but get all sensitive when people play physical to him and want to fight them... hey Nene you can give, you can take too.

It's no coincidence all the clear lanes and paths to the basket, open threes were assisted... because teams focused their defense on Kobe and Pau. I want to see the percentage of his baskets... how many of them were assisted, I bet it's high. Ariza can stop and pop a little bit, but it's not really within his range of arsenal... for all game long, he can't do that. Without Yao, without T-Mac/ Artest, you're going to see him have to create more... it's going to be ugly imo... At least you still have Brooks who can penetrate and kick out to him... I mean I hope he has a great career, I'm not a Ariza hater, but I don't see it happening. His talent is role player-ish... someone who did not shine as much like Shannon Brown has higher ceiling than Ariza imo.

If he turns down, I see him join the Nuggets this season... Melo has been wanting his dog for a while, he'll lobby for him.

I think he'll be back with Artest on the team now...

Lakers defense should be better definitely... their zone, their man to man should be a lot improved...

If we are able to resign Bird and get Marion (maybe half MLE for Birdman and half for Marion)? With Marion, we get an above average rebounder, an above average finisher (esp around the rim), an above average defender in one package. I think it'd be a great move... but some people think Marion is on the decline. My questions are is he on the decline or is he just missing Nash/ D'Antoni system? Would he be a good fit on Nuggets (we have good passers in Billups, Melo, Nene, J.R., and maybe Lawson... offensively, we need cutters who can help Melo on offense, and defensively we need a committed rebounder). It also pushes KMart out of starting lineup, made our bench stronger... and he can be that big guard to guard the perimeter. C - Nene/ Andersen PF - Marion/ Martin SF - Anthony/ Balkman SG - Smith/ Jones PG - Billups/ Lawson

Ariza is a role player, I would be surprised if he can elevate himself into a star status. It's not happening... this is not a good signing for Houston. With Yao out most of season, they're not going to contend for a championship... why use all MLE to get a role player?

Shannon Brown can evolve too Josh Powell is a candidate to step up, he can play, hit shots. And you never know about Sun Yue, kid can play, but never got a chance to show it.

Is that extra one game from playing against Laker girls team. Wow I want to sign with Lakers I'd say about 56 games tops. This team reminds me of 2000-01 Lakers where they're a bit drunk from winning a championship a season before and got more talent.

He can't guard SFs come on now...

Where do you live?

I think he would play anywhere except Memphis. ATDI is right, it's about money... but to him Grizzlies are personal. Pau Gasol and Navarro had a "fantastic" time there so he would not consider them.

^I wouldn't be pessimistic, Hedo is a very good playmaker your team needs. It puts the load too much on Calderon to make plays, with Hedo who can slash, stop and pop, catch and shoot and find others, it makes your offense a lot more dangerous. And DeRozan might just be able to play right away (imo he will)... the Raps got Bosh, Calderon, Turk and DeRozan as offensive threats. Throw in Bargnani who can knock down threes and you're looking at 40 wins at least. But it's Turk's ability to attack the defense is what's most important.

It's not Nuggets who make improvement (although I think they should), but I don't think Lakers can win 65 games with Artest. You have to put the right players around Kobe and Gasol. I am not saying Artest is going to destroy them but he is not exactly the right fit for the reasons I stated. At least on the offensive end. But Lakers are offense first team anyway, if they don't click on that end, they won't have the same focus on the other end. Ariza is a very underrated loose ball hustler, for everytime Artest dives down to get a loose ball, Ariza has done the same thing 10 times. He's the perfect role player, again I'm not saying Ron will spoil this, but I'm not convinced yet they can do as well as when they had Ariza. Surely Artest is a superior individual player than Ariza but does not mean he is the better fit.

What the heck? lol

I'd have to go with: 1. Nuggets 2. Spurs 3. Lakers Yes I'm skeptic of Ron's addition to the Lakers mix, Ariza was a HUGEEE part of their run in the playoffs, just ask his 47.6 3PT%, spot up three pt shooter. I don't think anyone can make Ron shoot without dribbling first. It's outside his comfort zone... thing is when Kobe kicks it out to Ron, Kobe does not want Artest to dribble first... he wants him to shoot it. Defensively, there should be no problem Spurs will be great with RJ... I think he will be very motivated and the Big Three will also be rejuvenated to acquire someone who's hungry for a championship and they feed off each other. He will be great in their system. Nuggets, we retain all players (Andersen virtually locked to return) and still have the same philosophy. Chauncey gets his protege who he can teach but the student also gives the teacher some rest... with Chauncey playing 30 mpg, we might actually be better. We need his leadership and save his legs.

lol I'm pretty sure it's you who gushes Ariza's 3PT% in playoffs (47.6%!) compared to Ron's pedestrian 27.7% Wow that's a huge difference. Artest is the better off-the-dribble shooter, but Ariza is the better spot-up/ catch-and-shoot shooter, which is what the Lakers need. When Kobe penetrates, the first option he looks for when he kicks out is Ariza. It is increasingly obvious as the playoffs goes on... in the Finals he did this a lot. Kobe is going to handle the ball a lot... I know Artest is not really comfortable in shooting before dribbling first. Remember we're talking about the offensive end, not defensive.

Post defender - fat bastard (I heard that's Kendrick's nickname) Perimeter defender - Shane Battier

Hill's slashing ability is the only positive that we see can help us but he's done it less frequently as he's getting older and we're getting that from J.R. and Melo and maybe Lawson too. His passing? We got J.R., Billups, Melo and Nene who all can pass and Lawson too. And this team is not selfish to share the rock, we don't really need his passing. I don't know, $2-3 mil is a not a lot but we should put it for better use considering we don't have much to spend.