Official NBA thread

[See Red]

You can argue the Philly, Detroit, and Pacers teams were guard oriented, but not many more. The Mavs are built around Dirk. The Spurs are built around Duncan, the Jazz were built around the combo. The Lakers were built around Shaq, not Kobe. The list goes on.

 

Yes, that is true. Your team does need good guards, you need a complete team. But tell me right now, how many teams in the NBA do you know that have dominant centers? 1, 2? Those teams ALREADY have the advantage over any other team. Point guards and wing players are so much easier to replace, and even get than dominant big men.

 

Finding complimentary pieces to a dominating center is ten times easier than finding complimentary pieces for a wing player.

 

Trust me, when your team gets deep into the playoffs, the Center position will be exploited if you don't have a top notch one, especially in the Western Conference.

 

2006: Suns lost out to Mavs, Pistons lost out to Heat

2005: Suns lost out to Spurs.

 

Just in the last two years, 3 of the four teams who lost in the conference finals lost because the other team dominated them with big men. Its a simple concept, especially since you can find talented wing players on the free agent market every year.

 

From what I remember watching, D-Wade and the officials in the fourth quarter of game three won the Heat that Championship last year. The Suns have lost because they don't have defense. That's the top reason the Mavericks took so long to get to become a great team -- they've started playing defense.

 

I'm not going to argue that a good big man isn't very important. Here's what I'm saying, I guess... if you could look into your crystal ball and see if both players are going to be great, take Oden. But I think that Durant is going to be the better player, period. He hasn't had the physical advantages and when he does get an NBA body, he's going to be a force -- but when everyone else catches up with Oden, and he's playing guys as big as he is, is he going to be as dominant? You're right in that you can find good guards and forwards on the free agent market... you won't find the Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade types available. I think Durant will be in that class once he reaches his potential.

 

I guess what I'm saying is, since I think Oden will be a very good, but not great NBA player, and Durant will be noticably better, at what point does being a Center not make up for the difference in talent? I could be wrong, Oden could be a top 50, or whatever, NBA Player by the time he's done, but I've honestly never gotten that feeling watching him play in college. I just see an NBA body playing with college athletes, really.

[YanksHater213]

Then if that's all you see, then you're missing a lot. Fact is, is that he's still recovering from his wrist injury, and has been dominating down low playing with his LEFT hand. He's shooting an insane 64% shooting with his OPPOSITE hand. You must be missing something though.

 

Buy I agree with you, statistically Durant will be a better player. He's got the potential to average 30/10 if he wants to. But Durant isn't the kind of player who will win you championships. Oden is. How many dominant centers have there been that have just rotted on bad teams? Not many. How many great point guards or wing players (or in Durant's case, a hybrid who can play inside and out, like KG), have rotted on bad teams. Pierce, Garnett, Vince, and I think eventually we will be adding LeBron to this list.

 

I won't refute your point that Durant will be better, because, well, statistically he will have more chances to succeed. He's a flashy player that's going to demand (not like in a douche way, but you know what I mean) 15-20 shots a game, and is going to score a lot, and will be on "Top 10" a lot, which is what a lot of people look at, "Top 10" and their statistics. No doubt he is a special player and will be a great one, its just that if he doesn't get placed on the right team I don't think he will ever win championships unless he leaves said team, or the other team brings in a big man. If Durant goes to Memphis, and Memphis doesn't deal Gasol, that could be a great team, but odds are that Memphis will deal Gasol and start over.

 

And why would the Celtics get Durant anyways? LOADED with wing players. I realize this isn't the topic of conversation but I wanted to bring it up regardless. Tony Allen, Gerald Green, Paul Pierce, etc. are all very good wing players. Why get another, when we can get a great center in Oden who will be the perfect compliment to Al and Paul because he won't demand a Durant number of touches on the offensive end, and will completely dominate ont he defensive end.

[See Red]

And why would the Celtics get Durant anyways? LOADED with wing players. I realize this isn't the topic of conversation but I wanted to bring it up regardless. Tony Allen' date=' Gerald Green, Paul Pierce, etc. are all very good wing players. Why get another, when we can get a great center in Oden who will be the perfect compliment to Al and Paul because he won't demand a Durant number of touches on the offensive end, and will completely dominate ont he defensive end.[/quote']

 

Touche. I can't do the little accent thing over the 'e', but you get the idea.

[Manny Goes Boom]

Buy I agree with you' date=' statistically Durant will be a better player. He's got the potential to average 30/10 if he wants to. But Durant isn't the kind of player who will win you championships. Oden is. How many dominant centers have there been that have just rotted on bad teams? Not many. How many great point guards or wing players (or in Durant's case, a hybrid who can play inside and out, like KG), have rotted on bad teams. Pierce, Garnett, Vince, and [b']I think eventually we will be adding LeBron to this list[/b].

 

I've been saying this for a few years now. I just don't get that feeling from him. I know he's a fantastic player, but he doesn't have that championship swagger. I was telling this to my friend last night and he thought I was basing it on that horrible three LeBron took at the end of the game, but I said I've felt that way awhile. Obviously not a popular opinion because of all the LeBron slurpers, but I don't think he'll win a championship.

[BoSox34]

Arguments aside, the fact is that either Durant or Oden would instantly give drastic help to the Celtics and we'd be lucky to get either one of them. On one hand, Durant is going out there every night and dominating in every aspect of the game while Oden is also dominating with one hand. Things will be much more clear a few months from now when

A. The NCAA season/tournament is finished

B. The lottery is decided

C. Durant and/or Oden declare for the NBA Draft.

 

A frontcourt of Pierce/Jefferson/Oden or Pierce/Durant/Jefferson is enough to make a Celtics fan dream of a 17th banner. Also, hopefully with an early 2nd rounder we can pick up a decent guard or maybe solve that problem in free agency. Telfair hasn't lived up to his potential or anywhere near it, at that, and we can only be optimistic about a successful return of Tony Allen and his athleticism. The bottom line is the more we lose this season, the better we are next season.

[Manny Goes Boom]

Arguments aside, the fact is that either Durant or Oden would instantly give drastic help to the Celtics and we'd be lucky to get either one of them. On one hand, Durant is going out there every night and dominating in every aspect of the game while Oden is also dominating with one hand. Things will be much more clear a few months from now when

A. The NCAA season/tournament is finished

B. The lottery is decided

C. Durant and/or Oden declare for the NBA Draft.

 

A frontcourt of Pierce/Jefferson/Oden or Pierce/Durant/Jefferson is enough to make a Celtics fan dream of a 17th banner. Also, hopefully with an early 2nd rounder we can pick up a decent guard or maybe solve that problem in free agency. Telfair hasn't lived up to his potential or anywhere near it, at that, and we can only be optimistic about a successful return of Tony Allen and his athleticism. The bottom line is the more we lose this season, the better we are next season.

 

Woah! Hold on their mister pipe dream...you think the Celtics are Oden or Durant away from a title?

 

I think either one would help, but not make you guys NBA champs in the near future.

[BoSox34]

Woah! Hold on their mister pipe dream...you think the Celtics are Oden or Durant away from a title?

 

I think either one would help, but not make you guys NBA champs in the near future.

 

I said dream of a 17th banner. It wouldn't make us instant contenders but it'd definitely put us in a better position than we are now.

[Manny Goes Boom]

I said dream of a 17th banner. It wouldn't make us instant contenders but it'd definitely put us in a better position than we are now.

 

Gotcha.

[YanksHater213]

Durant showed flashes of brilliance, and he started off the second half on fire, but then he kind of faded away for the last 8-10 minutes of the game. Nothing to worry about, the kid is dynamite in crunch time for the most part, but tonight A&M did a good job of denying him the ball late in the game. I know Dicky V said that, but it's true. Durant had a very nice first half and he scored in many ways (off penetration, the 3's, mid-range floaters, etc.).

 

Despite all of those brilliant hot flashes on the offensive end, he was a pushover on defense and let Josh Carter have the best game of his career. He was pretty bad manning up on Carter and his help defense was nearly non-existant. He didn't make anyone else on his team better, and only made plays for himself.

 

Makes you think if he will come in like, say LeBron did, and put up consistent numbers right away, or if he will start out pretty inconsistent. Oh and if anyone else watched this game - Acie Law IV is and has been my fav. college player for a while. I'd love him to be a Celt but 1) he won't be one, and 2) I'm happy with Rondo and D.

[See Red]

Durant showed flashes of brilliance, and he started off the second half on fire, but then he kind of faded away for the last 8-10 minutes of the game. Nothing to worry about, the kid is dynamite in crunch time for the most part, but tonight A&M did a good job of denying him the ball late in the game. I know Dicky V said that, but it's true. Durant had a very nice first half and he scored in many ways (off penetration, the 3's, mid-range floaters, etc.).

 

Despite all of those brilliant hot flashes on the offensive end, he was a pushover on defense and let Josh Carter have the best game of his career. He was pretty bad manning up on Carter and his help defense was nearly non-existant. He didn't make anyone else on his team better, and only made plays for himself.

 

Makes you think if he will come in like, say LeBron did, and put up consistent numbers right away, or if he will start out pretty inconsistent. Oh and if anyone else watched this game - Acie Law IV is and has been my fav. college player for a while. I'd love him to be a Celt but 1) he won't be one, and 2) I'm happy with Rondo and D.

 

I like Acie Law IV too. More importantly, I love how he's got the IV on the back of his uniform. Guy's clutch, too.

[Manny Goes Boom]

I like Acie Law IV too. More importantly' date=' I love how he's got the IV on the back of his uniform. Guy's clutch, too.[/quote']

 

More importantly... I don't know alot about him but one of my friends told me he's really good. Is he NBA ready, and not talked abuot as much because of Oden and Durant?

[Mr Crunchy]

he can shoot like crazy thats for sure

and a/m plays decent perimeter defense

 

durant is a stud

i saw him play earlier in the year and he hung 35 on ?? i forget but hes getting 30 a nite every nite

the other guy from ohio state is ready now

he looks like hes 28 and had the body to match,just like lebron did coming out of high school

this kid isnt lebron but he is a better option than the forward from texas i feel because of the defensive skills he brings to the table

 

the celts need a bigman

its been a long long time since we had the likes of

 

eric montross and acie earl

 

jesus christ

i saw this team win with 6'8 dave cowens at center

i always wondered how good montross wouldve been if he had cowens heart

 

its been a long long time since i gave a s*** about the nba but this guy from ohio state would get me back into the fold in june if we get him

[See Red]

Meant to bring this up the other day... did anyone see the video of Gilbert Arenas' contest with Deshaun Stevenson? Gilbert bet Stevenson that he could make more one-handed college three-pointers than Stevenson could make regular three pointers. Stevenson made 68 of 96 (he didn't take his last four since he had no chance of winning or tieing), but Arenas beat him by making 73 out of 100.

 

Arenas once said he could score 84 points against Duke, and that he would give up an entire season in the NBA just to get to play against Duke once. That, the 84 points, could be possible. :dunno:

[BoSox34]

Am I the only one who noticed that the Raptors...yeah...the TORONTO RAPTORS have won 5 games in a row and have a 3.5 game lead over the Nets for 1st place in the Atlantic...wow. Imagine them getting the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference.

[ARod2212]

Am I the only one who noticed that the Raptors...yeah...the TORONTO RAPTORS have won 5 games in a row and have a 3.5 game lead over the Nets for 1st place in the Atlantic...wow. Imagine them getting the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference.

Well, as crazy as one may think it sounds, I think the Knicks will catch them.

[See Red]

I already want the All-Star break to be over... every time I see a shot of Vegas it makes me want to go even more... and since I still have about a four month wait... ugh...

[BoSox34]

GERAALLLLLLLD!!!

[Cocos Disciples]

That last dunk was definitely not a 50.

 

Anyone know what the sticker said?

[See Red]

I just know it was a picture of him smiling.

 

Gerald deserved it but Dwight Howard got screwed. The sticker dunk should've been 10's. He should've been the one that lost to Gerald Green in the Finals.

[YanksHater213]

gerald is my nigga.. love the kid.

[redsoxrules]

how about them mavs first team in NBA history to have 3 winning streak of 12+ games ... its too bad they started 0-4 cause they would of have made a run at the bulls of 96 who finished 72-10

[Mr Crunchy]

yeah theyre great

best team ive ever seen in my life

 

who will they gag against this year??

[redsoxrules]

yeah theyre great

best team ive ever seen in my life

 

who will they gag against this year??

 

no one this is the year

[TheKilo]

I'd watch out for the Rockets when Yao comes back.

[BoSox34]

http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/notes/notes022807-szczerbiak-surgery.html

 

Wally's done for the year.

[redsoxrules]

I'd watch out for the Rockets when Yao comes back.

 

i wouldn't , he's not gonna be 100 percent when he comes back , he's gonna be playing with a brace , plus he dosent play alot of minutes to begin with , so he'll be playing less for sure with that brace on

[See Red]

yeah theyre great

best team ive ever seen in my life

 

who will they gag against this year??

 

In the past, they've fallen victim to the fact that they don't play defense. This year, they're the third best defensive team in the League, based on points against.

[Mr Crunchy]

lots of room to fail in the potent west

while it seems detroit will walk thru the east

 

this used to be the celts issue

they'd have to get by detroit philly ny nj milwaukee or chicago

while the lakers would have cake walks over san antone denver dallas or occasionally struggle against houston

 

the lakers would be fresh

the celts burnt

 

dallas will be the chalker starting the playoffs but they'll have their hands full

[Mr Crunchy]

tonite the mavs were a 9.5 pt fav against lebron and the cavs

howard is banged up

 

the money line was 5-1

 

dallas is getting a lot of respect

[See Red]

Up 10 in the second. This is an extremely good basketball team.

 

Imagine if this team didn't start 0-4. They'd be giving the 72-10 Bulls a run for their money.