?QuestionMark?

Ironically, they have the same amount of wins in Portland in the post-season during this time.

Sad part is Orlando's best trade chip was Courtney Lee and they wasted it on Vince Carter. Otis Smith pretty much shot himself in the foot. Orlando was also a victim of Stern buying the Hornets. As I recall, Orlando was really close to making a Jameer Nelson for Chris Paul deal when Shinn was looking to sell the Hornets. Then the NBA bought the franchise and pretty much killed that deal. Tough luck for Orlando.

It can be taught but there's a limit to how good a player can be. A lot of times it's not just about effort. Effort is needed to be good defensively, but effort alone doesn't necessarily mean you'll be a good defender. You'll find lots of guys who play hard defensively, but they just can't keep players in front of them. Sasha Vujacic is a classic example. Physically he's not strong enough nor does he have the lateral speed, and he's kind of a dumbass defensively too. Derek Fisher is another guy. Plays hard, the mind is willing but physically he's done. A guy like Blatche is the opposite. He has the tools to be a solid defender, just doesn't seem to care about playing at that end of the court. He either isn't being challenged to play harder defensively, or he hasn't suffered any reprecussions for his poor defensive play to get the message. But it can be learned. Greg Popovich even got Glenn Robinson to play defense in his time with the Spurs.

I'd like to say that I can't wait for this game... but I'm not looking forward to the massacre the Bulls are gonna lay on the Lakers. No Bynum, injured Kobe. Noah always gives Gasol problems. Fisher guarding Rose is a freakin nightmare. Expect Rose to get 30. LA still adjusting to a new offense against one of last year's best defensive teams. I expect Chicago to blow LA out at least by 15...and that's being generous. Another Christmas ruined.

Irving. I think he gets more minutes and scoring opportunities.

Chris Paul or Kevin Durant.

No wonder they signed Eddy Curry. They needed a 300 pound offensive lineman.

No Kobe, Fish is back. I expect the same confusion offensively and no one who can get to the rim. It'll get ugly offensively. Hopefully the defense shows signs of life.

On the floor, Fisher has become a liability at both ends. And I fear that the fact he's a SG in a PG's body will be exposed even more this year without the triangle. But he's a locker room guy. Too bad he can't stay in the locker room. Or at least on the bench. One thing I will say about Fish....at least he's not Luke Walton...or Smush Parker.

LMAO at Mike Brown's offense.

http://www.terezowens.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Oden.jpg

Look at those purple t-shirts they've handed out... Nevermind . Those are empty seats.

Co-sign! Prime example: Wolves had a HOF big man for a over a decade and could not build a contender around him. Small market owners worry too much about big markets getting FA's instead of focusing on what they can control...like good drafts or smart trades.

Nice pickup but as of now this is a step backwards. LA still needs a big or two in case Bynum has his annual injury where he misses 20+ games. Some more speed in the backcourt is now desperately needed. And another player that can create his own shot off the dribble. Mitch needs to pull off some of his magic.

[expletive] you Stern. Good for the Clips.

Give it up already.

Yeah that's possible. Assuming Stern even allows for an LA-NO trade. Although I wouldn't want to give that rat bastard anything if I'm Buss. No pick, no cash, no nothing. I'm hoping LA gets something done. I think the team as constructed (pre-Odom trade) could compete if they filled a few holes. Now, not so sure. Getting Paul or Howard was great even if they gave up their entire front line...better to deal them a year too early than a year too late. Mitch has 13 days to fill out the roster. Hope he waives his magic wand and pulls something off.

And Mitch needs to give up on Paul for now. Stern might as well as for a kidney and his first-born. I hope CP3 walks for nothing at the end of the year, doesn't matter to who, just to show Stern how much franchise value the Hornets have.

Can't use a TPE to sign a FA. But I like the idea of Landry for the mini-MLE if he's willing to take it. Guy is a Laker killer, might as well have him on the squad so he doesn't always abuse us. LA desperately need size right now. It's Bynum and Gasol and nothing else except Derrick Caracter who is closer to playing in the D-League than in LA's rotation.

That's what I'm thinking too. But Stern and the rest of the NBA just screwed LA out of getting both CP3 and D12. The rest of the owners shit their diapers at that thought and decided to get into Stern's ear. If LA does get D12 I'm a bit concerned about keeping him long-term. Yeah LA is attractive, but not long-term with an old Kobe, no Odom, and 31 year old Gasol.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-wojnarowski_lakers_out_of_paul_trade_talks_121011 [expletive] you, Stern.

Yeah this just makes no sense. The Trade X they just got for Odom doesn't help they take Turk's contract. If they wanted to go after Howard, a Howard + Hedo for Bynum + Odom would have worked. Only rationale is that LA is acquiring picks for Paul and trying again w/o Houston. Or just Bynum + Dallas's picks for Dwight. Hopefully Mitch knows what he's doing because this is a head scratcher.

I think teams HAVE to give something in return in trades. Even if it's a BS right to swap picks...or a protected top 55 pick. Either way, chances are high Turiaf is better than any potential 2nd rounder. Great get for the Wiz.

If this doesn't make Dwight want to stay, I don't know what will.

Is that really true? Granted I've had limited internet for the past two days so I've only read few reports. What I understood was after the Paul trade, then go for Dwight, and then LA would use their TPE for Rony Turiaf, if they didn't use it to acquire Duhon or Richardson from Orl.