NBA

ORDoubleBlues · Post by **ORDoubleBlues** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 10:48 pm

For any NBA fans on here, what a start to the season by the Los Angeles Clippers who currently sit at the top of the Pacific division with a 10-4 record, while the more celebrated rivals the Lakers are sitting at the foot of the division. Sam Cassell has been a good pick up for the Clippers because he is a player that knows how to win and hit clutch shots. Elton Brand would have to be one of the most underrated players in the league and Maggette and Mobley are no slouches either. For the Lakers Kobe Bryant is averaging 34 points a game but is taking an almost absurd 29 shots a game and is only avering .438 from the field. While I respect the fact that he is a good player, I am actually a little surprised he is still there given the problems Jackson had with him during his previous stint as coach. His trade value would be at an all time high and Jackson would have to be seriously considering the possibility.
Like the Golden State Warriors 10-6 start for the fact that the selection of former Stanford (college) coach Mike Montgomery was roundly criticised just over a year ago. Hope they can keep it going for his sake and to prove the experts wrong.
Andrew Bogut has done enough so far to suggest that he will be more than handy in the future for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Is still only very early in the season though.

Magpiespower · Post by **Magpiespower** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 5:12 am

You don't get better by trading All-Stars like Kobe.

Witness the debacles of Chamberlain, Barkley and more recently, Shaq.

The Lakers have to build around Kobe much in the same way the Bulls did with Jordan.

At the moment, the talent just isn't there in LA - Odom's a nice complimentary player but that's about it.

BTW, what the hell are Bob Weiss and Brian Hill doing coaching again?

And why the hell are Mutombo, Hardaway and Dale Davis still on rosters?

Can't wait for Miami to implode, either.

ORDoubleBlues · Post by **ORDoubleBlues** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 5:10 pm

Do actually agree with you regarding trading superstars MP but in Barkleys case, the 76'ers had no choice in the end and with O'Neal it was either him or Bryant. I just don't think Bryant is good enough (I think he is a bigger Allen Iverson - great player but not one capable of winning a championship with him as the No.1 option) or smart enough to be able to keep his ego in check when he has to, to be the main player on a championship contender. Given the current Lakers roster, there is going to have to be some fancy work done to improve it.
Agree regarding Hill especially. I think this proves that team owners are very unwilling to take chances on young coaches with no experience ( save the Warriors and Cavaliers).

Magpiespower · Post by **Magpiespower** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 5:42 am

My boss used to work for Reebok and had to look after Shaq when he came to Australia years ago on a promotional tour - the one when he said "They don't pay me enough to watch this s@#$" in reference to an NBL match he was at.

Not only dumb, but the biggest pain the ar$e, according to my boss. One night, the Big Aristotle asked the limo driver to get him some hookers. The limo driver told him to pick up the Yellow Pages and ring an escort but Shaq wanted to go kerb-crawling. So the limo driver took him to a corner on William St (just down from the Cross) notorious for transvestite hookers. The limo driver pulled up said: "Mate, these are the best hookers in Sydney." "Keep driving," Shaq mumbled.

Shaq didn't get a hooker that night but he did knock the back out of a current blonde Channel 7 host after she followed him around like a puppy all night long. She retired from competitive swimming shortly after her one-nighter with Diesel suffering chronic fatigue. Read into that what you will.

Jimmy · Post by **Jimmy** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 7:41 am

Magpiespower wrote:My boss used to work for Reebok and had to look after Shaq when he came to Australia years ago on a promotional tour - the one when he said "They don't pay me enough to watch this s@#$" in reference to an NBL match he was at.

Not only dumb, but the biggest pain the ar$e, according to my boss. One night, the Big Aristotle asked the limo driver to get him some hookers. The limo driver told him to pick up the Yellow Pages and ring an escort but Shaq wanted to go kerb-crawling. So the limo driver took him to a corner on William St (just down from the Cross) notorious for transvestite hookers. The limo driver pulled up said: "Mate, these are the best hookers in Sydney." "Keep driving," Shaq mumbled.

Shaq didn't get a hooker that night but he did knock the back out of a current blonde Channel 7 host after she followed him around like a puppy all night long. She retired from competitive swimming shortly after her one-nighter with Diesel suffering chronic fatigue. Read into that what you will.

******* classic!!!!!!!!!!!! :lol:

pleaes pm me the name of this chick, i have to know...cant think of any female aussie swimmers!!!

getting back to the topic, my cavs are moving along nicely after knocking off the clips but they need to beat the top 3 as in indy, pistons and the spurs to be a chance...the pieces are there...

ORDoubleBlues · Post by **ORDoubleBlues** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 4:18 pm

That is a good story Magpiespower, once again proof that women will happily do the chasing if they are keen. Admire his ability as a basketballer but I am certainly not silly enough to think that because he is a good basketballer, he is a good person. Apparently early on in his career, he was in Greece and was asked if he had been to the Parthenon - "No, we didn't have enough time to check out any of the clubs" was his response.

ORDoubleBlues · Post by **ORDoubleBlues** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 11:06 pm

Clippers still humming along nicely at 13-5

Elton Brand
24.8 points per game (9th in the NBA)
10.7 rebounds per game (7th)
2.94 blocks per game (3rd)
.562 field goal percentage (2nd)

Superb numbers and will be considered as an MVP candidate if they keep winning.

Sam Cassell
16 ppg
7.6 assist pg (6th)
1.0 steal pg
.444 three point percentage (14th)

Still going strong as a 36 year old point guard.

plus solid contributions from Cuttino Mobley and Chris Kaman.

Phoenix Suns have won 8 on the trot as well and I like the contribution of a guy called Boris Diaw Riffios who is a 23 year old from France who has a good all around game as a 6 '8 forward and is already considered one of the best defensive stoppers in the NBA. The Atlanta Hawks as good as gave him away after doing the hard part and unearthing him in the first place, no wonder they are so shit!!!!

ORDoubleBlues · Post by **ORDoubleBlues** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 11:08 pm

Boris Diaw Riffiod, that is.

ORDoubleBlues · Post by **ORDoubleBlues** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 11:18 pm

OOps!!! Forgot to mention Corey Maggette for the Clippers as well, who is 18th in the NBA at 21.7 points per game.

Magpiespower · Post by **Magpiespower** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 6:48 am

You reakon the Bulls ever regret trading Elton's solid 20/10 every night for 'tremendous upside?'

JK · Post by JK » Fri Dec 09, 2005 4:14 pm

I regret trading Elton John in a fantasy comp so I'm sure the Bulls would be feelin it too ... Although I must admit I picked up T-Mac in the exchange so it's not all bad!

OrdB, any news on whats up with Livingston?? Roundly tipped to be a breakout year for the kid who by all reports has plenty of ability but appears somewhat fragile bodywise, he's still yet to suit for the clips this season!!

Pistons still look the ones to beat imho ...

ORDoubleBlues · Post by **ORDoubleBlues** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 5:34 pm

Livingston is another quality player of course and he is due back on the active roster in about a week. Without having my finger right on the pulse, I think his main problem is he needs to put on weight. He's 6'8 but weighs only 90 kilos. The lad is still only 20 years old though so if he can get over this back problem, he will be a good player for them who will probably see minutes at small forward with Sam Cassell doing so well at his preferred point guard position.

Elton Brand will go down as one of the better trades in Clipper history (for Tyson Chandler and Brian Skinner).

Like the Pistons as well Constance but the Spurs will be around the mark again.

JK · Post by JK » Fri Dec 09, 2005 5:38 pm

Agree with all of that, especially the deal the Clips were able to pull off ... Chandler isn't too bad, but Elton John is top shelf!

I also think many people might be writing the Heat off a little too quickly .. If Shaq's on his feet come finals time, any team he's in will always be a chance!!

JK · Post by JK » Wed Dec 21, 2005 6:21 pm

Lakers beat the Mav's by 22 today, with only one player scoring in double figures ... Just happened to be a lazy 62 point effort for Kobe!! :shock:

ORDoubleBlues · Post by **ORDoubleBlues** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 6:44 pm

Gotta admit that is a great performance by Bryant who went 18-31 from the field and 22-25 from the free throw line.
Good performance by the Bucks to get over the Spurs 109-107. Bogut scoring 19 points, nabbing 9 rebounds and blocking 2 shots in only 23 minutes on court. Admittedly his direct opponent Tim Duncan scored 34 points and grabbed 13 rebounds but he did foul out and Bogut will only get better by learning what it's like to play against Duncan's ilk.
Lakers, Mavericks and Spurs have all had 8-2 records or better in the past ten games and the Clippers are still holding on to a 15-9 record despite only going 5-5 in the last ten games.

Magpiespower · Post by **Magpiespower** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 4:10 pm

I see the Lakers are trying to trade for Ron Artest.

Jackson must get off on having dysfunctional teams or something.

Pretty handy backcourt if they pull it off - Kobe and Mad Ron.

Also, welcome back Riles!

duncs7 · Post by **duncs7** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 10:31 pm

Bogut on the buzzer to beat the defending champs!!!!
How spickin sweet was that?

ORDoubleBlues · Post by **ORDoubleBlues** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 11:53 pm

Magpiespower wrote:I see the Lakers are trying to trade for Ron Artest.

Jackson must get off on having dysfunctional teams or something.

Pretty handy backcourt if they pull it off - Kobe and Mad Ron.

Also, welcome back Riles!

See that Indiana did end up trading Artest to the Sacramento Kings for Predrag Stojakovic.
Sacramento has been playing .500 ball since (record is 19-26) and Indiana have started to nosedive.
Looks like 2004's number 1 overall draft choice Dwight Howard (15.8ppg, 12.6rpg) of the Orlando Magic is the real deal and despite having just turned 20 he leads the NBA in rebounding.
The Dallas Mavericks have won 10 on the trot to move only 1 game behind the Spurs in the West but the Spurs went 9-1 during this time so they are hardly losing any ground.
My sentimental favourite for the year, the Clippers, are still cruising along nicely at 26-17. Elton Brand is 2nd in the league for the efficiency ranking, which gives a guide to the quality of a player's all around game. Solid contributions are coming from Sam Cassell, Chris Kaman, James Singleton and Cuttino Mobley. Corey Maggette is currently out injured and promising 20 year old Shaun Livingston is getting back into it after missing the first quarter of the season.
Despite what he may have lost, Miami's Alonzo Mourning must still be a superb reader of the game. He is 2nd in the NBA for blocks per game (3.02bpg) but he only plays 21 minutes a night.
Utah's Andrei Kirilenko posts superb all around numbers - 15.6ppg, 8.4rpg, 4.4apg, 2.75bpg and 1.7spg.

ORDoubleBlues · Post by **ORDoubleBlues** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 5:53 pm

Atlanta (14-32) 99 Defeated Detroit (39-7) 98.

Crikey !!! The apocalypse must be upon us.

Jimmy · Post by **Jimmy** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 8:51 am

cavs all the way baby...get hughes back soon i hope....AV is a monster inside....

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