***Official NBA Thread***

[duffer]

Nah Bron's on another level right now. Last season he was great with th eball in his hands but not so without it. This year however his intensity on D is awesome and he's the complete package going forwards, his outside shot is sweet right now.

Still think when Kobe tries he's a better player but Lebron is making a team which would be sub .500 without him into a force.

Also, Shaq is playing some awesome ball right now. Looks fit active and has got some of his hops back. Apart from the usual suspects in the West I reckon they're the most dangerous to spring something. Same deal with Detroit in the East, not there yet but no team wants to face them the way they're developing.

 

[Johnners]

Anyone see Hornets v Dallas today? Looks like CP3 was a bit good. 33 points, 11 assists, 10 boards & 7 steals

 

[nightprowler10]

Although I know it hurt, but after just watching the highlights of Cavs win over the Bulls, how freaking good were some of LBJs assists NP10?

Hadn't watched that game but caught the one yesterday when we kicked his ass (yeah, yeah, I know he had an off night, but we'll take it). LBJ had some high praise for Rose apparently after the game. He's really going to get tested now as defenses around the league are starting to sit up and take notice. Hope he battles them alright and keeps adding to his assists tally.

Nice to see a fully fit Bulls lineup too. We've won two in a row since my boy Captain Kirk came back and beating the team with the best record in the NBA should definitely lift their spirits. They've got a tough schedule ahead of them so they really needed this win.

 

[ohtani's jacket]

Orlando with a bit of a surge now. Seven straight and swept their road trip. It's doubtful that they'll beat Boston or Cleveland in the playoffs, but if Howard keeps maturing the way other NBA centers did, they could push for a title in a few years time.

 

[duffer]

Their perimeter shooting is the best in the league and with Howard there the floor is always spread. Jameer has been so ridiculously good this season, he's nailing shots fom everywhere is impossible to beat off the dribble when he's guarding you and is taking over some games when the others aren't doing anything. When they get Pietrus back that starting 5 is going to be sick.

Their problem is having next to nothing on the bench, Courtney Lee looks like he'll be good, Gortat is giving them good minutes and Johnson is decent but they've got no scoring when their first unit is out. Can't see who they'll bring in via trades but if they draft really well next season could be big for them. A work in progress but they're really close now.

 

[nightprowler10]

All-Star starting line up announced.

West:

Yoa Ming
Amar'e Stoudamire
Tim Duncan
Kobe Bryant
Chris Paul

East:

Dwight Howard
Kevin Garnett
LeBron James
Dwayne Wade
Allen Iverson

 

[duffer]

Prowler did you see Tyrus' dunk on JO's head yesterday?

Enough to make a guy retire IMO. Was sick.

 

[nightprowler10]

Yeah but not much else they seem to be able to do inside, especially since they seem to be wasting Gray.

 

[duffer]

Detroit team spirit

 

[Johnners]

Loving the contribution Mo Williams has made to the Cavs this season. A career high 43 points tonight, and just 2 rebounds away from a Triple-Double, along with LBJ's triple double put their home streak out to 21.

 

[Mister Wright]

Surprised Milwaukee let him go tbh. But, I guess Raymond Sessions had a very good rookie year last season and were looking at giving him more game time. They have a great shooting guard, but really lack someone to give direction.

 

[nightprowler10]

What a game between Chicago and Phoenix from a Bulls fan POV. Everything was going right for them, abusive on the D and quick as hell on the offense. Grabbed almost 3 times as many offensive rebounds as the team with Shaq and Amar'e. Did a great job containing Nash. Pretty sure this had something to do with it as well.

NBA.com: Bulls boss unhappy with 'embarrassing' season

 

[duffer]

A bit of a quiet period now in the NBA, what with Superbowl Sunday coming up and March Madness around the corner too. Hopefully the looming trade deadline shakes things up as this is about the time of year teams start looking at what they need to do going forward. Expect an arms race of sorts from the contenders and near elite and watch the bottom feeders try and eal expirings and star players for picks and high upside project players.

Also, some shocking news for Aussie ball fans in that Paddy Mills has broken his hand and will miss at least 6 weeks which basically rules him out of the rest of the college season and the run to the Sweet 16

He was flat out ballin' this season too and I saw a survey on ESPN last week where they interviews 15 NBA team scouts where he was rated the #2 point guard in the draft class. Hope this doesn't hurt his draft stock come draft time because he was a nailed on first round pick and possibly a top 10 guy for us. Wish him well.

 

[ohtani's jacket]

It ain't that quiet -- Boston have the Lakers on Thursday.

March is the best month of the regular season with all the teams jostling for playoff spots and homecourt advantage. If it continues to be tight between Boston, Cleveland, Orlando and LA, none of them will let up down the home stretch.

 

[duffer]

Bynum and Jameer Nelson out for possibly the rest of the season.

Celtics, Cavs and Spurs all licking their lips now tbh. Season needs some more trades to liven it up.

 

[nightprowler10]

Haha. LBJ is such a gun. What a triple double.

Bulls on the other hand need to figure out how to finish off teams. Hornets within 10 aws after being 20 behind most of the game.

 

[duffer]

Yeah how good was Bron? Saw Kobe drop 61 at the Garden on Monday and decided screw that this is my house.

52-10-11. Awesome, he owns the Garden.

 

[Johnners]

Can only imagine how the Knicks would have felt. "We get to play Kobe & Lebron within 2 days of each other, yay".

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Can only imagine how the Knicks would have felt. "We get to play Kobe & Lebron within 2 days of each other, yay".

"Those sure are some points"

 

[duffer]

Can only imagine how the Knicks would have felt. "We get to play Kobe & Lebron within 2 days of each other, yay".

The team maybe, but the fans would've loved it. They cheer opposition superstars as much as or more than anyone on their team.

I found this itstl to read this morning:

The Phoenix Suns have begun exchanging trade proposals with teams for forward Amare Stoudemire, league executives told Yahoo! Sports on Thursday.

Steve Kerr apparently is determined to move Stoudemire ahead of the deadline.

“Everyone is on the table but (Steve) Nash,” one executive said.

Stoudemire is expected to opt out of his contract for the historic free-agent summer of 2010 and his relationship with the front office has reached a point where neither side wants him to be in Phoenix beyond 2010.

Amare seems to have been a bit of a cancer in the dressing room since Shaq became their go to guy. Personally wouldn't want to build a team around a guy like Amare but it'll be interesting to see how much other teams are willing to give up for his non-defending all about me ass.

EDIT: Just read about the Amare-Nash beef. Falling apart at the seams there.