The 2010/2011 NBA Season Thread

[D]

That was a terrible game.

Dirk statistically outplayed Kobe but as i have been preaching in this thread, Dirk doesn't have Bynum,Odom or Gasol.

Let us also not forget Dallas was on 2nd night of back to back AND their 2nd best player, Caron Butler is injured.

[Bodhi]

That was a terrible game.

Dirk statistically outplayed Kobe but as i have been preaching in this thread, Dirk doesn't have Bynum,Odom or Gasol.

Let us also not forget Dallas was on 2nd night of back to back AND their 2nd best player, Caron Butler is injured.

you should save some of those excuses for Dallas' mid may meltdown.

[D]

honestly, if I had to breakdown why Dallas lose, it is coaching and front office mostly.

people can call dirk soft or whatever they want, but 2 people in NBA over past 20 years have averaged 25pts and over 10rebs in their playoff career. Dirk and Shaq thats it

so Dirk is far from why they lose in the playoffs.

Dallas' problem which they finally fixed with Tyson Chandler, was never having a capable big man. Also, Rick Carlisle's rotations are just disastrous and ridiculous. I think players need defined roles/minutes etc. Carlisle throws shit against the wall and sees what sticks and that doesn't work.

first huge mess up was not trading Caron Butler's expiring contract for Gerald Wallace. Wallace is EXACTLY the player Dallas has needed for a decade to get over the hump. tough,physical,athletic,extremely versatile and great defensively. He's a guy that could guard the Kobe's etc in the playoffs.

Next mistake was not inquiring about Deron Williams. Executives have to know if a name like that is available. Williams is from Dallas, would've been a perfect fit. No idea why Roddy Beaubois is considered "Untouchable" he is decent but I'd give him up for Deron Williams.


Next mistake is the PG position. I've never liked the Devon Harris for Kidd trade. Kidd is old, doesn't score and is a defensive liability at his age. When Dallas got to the finals, they were one of the lowest assist teams in the league.

Next problem is JJ Barea. FUCK i hate this guy. he can score here and there but once again, defensive liability, makes 2 stupid plays for every one good play.

[faldor]

One more thing on Carmelo being overrated for not being able to take his teams deep into the playoffs.  There have been plenty of GREAT players in the past that haven't had much success in the playoffs.  It's hard to build a championship team in the NBA.  You need great players, and that's plural, meaning more than just one.  Kevin Garnett never accomplished much in the playoffs in Minnesota.  Was he garbage back then and then all of a sudden became a good player when he joined Paul Pierce and Ray Allen?

Just saying, you can't put too much weight on a guy for not winning in the post-season.  It mean a lot, but not everything.

[D]

once again Faldor

Basketball is a team game

compare KG's Minny teams to what Melo has in Denver.



On a great note

my favorite player of all time Dennis Rodman elected to Hall of Fame! One of the greatest players of all time, I don't care what anyone says. people who really know the game, understand there is way more to winning and being great than just scoring. I'll take Rodman over a 20 and 10 guy anyday of the week.

[faldor]

once again Faldor

Basketball is a team game

compare KG's Minny teams to what Melo has in Denver.

I understand that.  I just don't think Denver had THAT great a TEAM.  One year they did and they made it to the Conference Finals.  What's so bad about that?  What's wrong with KG and Stephon Marbury.  Did they not underachieve?

[AxlsMainMan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHWWV6-njbc

[D]

once again Faldor

Basketball is a team game

compare KG's Minny teams to what Melo has in Denver.

I understand that.  I just don't think Denver had THAT great a TEAM.  One year they did and they made it to the Conference Finals.  What's so bad about that?  What's wrong with KG and Stephon Marbury.  Did they not underachieve?

Im not a KG fan either. I got hundreds of post on 2ksports years ago where I was the only one calling KG overrated and not a Superstar. I always said KG is more of a superstar role player and he can't be the man. I said with a Kobe or Iverson or big time scorer he'd be a monster and i was proven right on that.

Melo is a GREAT scorer. one of the best to ever do it. but he is an overrated 'Basketball" player. 

My favorite player and newly elected to the Hall of Fame Dennis Rodman proved there is way more to basketball than scoring. Melo does one thing great but the rest of his game is just a bit above average. defense below average.

[faldor]

once again Faldor

Basketball is a team game

compare KG's Minny teams to what Melo has in Denver.

I understand that.  I just don't think Denver had THAT great a TEAM.  One year they did and they made it to the Conference Finals.  What's so bad about that?  What's wrong with KG and Stephon Marbury.  Did they not underachieve?

Im not a KG fan either. I got hundreds of post on 2ksports years ago where I was the only one calling KG overrated and not a Superstar. I always said KG is more of a superstar role player and he can't be the man. I said with a Kobe or Iverson or big time scorer he'd be a monster and i was proven right on that.

Melo is a GREAT scorer. one of the best to ever do it. but he is an overrated 'Basketball" player. 

My favorite player and newly elected to the Hall of Fame Dennis Rodman proved there is way more to basketball than scoring. Melo does one thing great but the rest of his game is just a bit above average. defense below average.

I don't disagree with you, but I think if he was put in the right situation, as with anyone, he could succeed and look a lot better in doing so.  If he's on a flawless team, then we wouldn't be having this discussion, since this is a TEAM game.  He's not flawless and he's never been on the BEST team in the league, so I don't see any reason to get on him for not taking his team to new heights.  There's only so much ONE man can do.

[D]

well for me, the indictment on Melo is how well Denver has done without him.

How can a team lose a superstar and be better?

Look at Cleveland without Lebron for instance? Utah without Deron Williams etc.

[faldor]

well for me, the indictment on Melo is how well Denver has done without him.

How can a team lose a superstar and be better?

Look at Cleveland without Lebron for instance? Utah without Deron Williams etc.

I hear that, but there can be a lot that goes into that.  I mean, Denver played this entire season knowing that Carmelo was going to leave,,, eventually.  That can be quite a burden on a team.  They probably expected him to be traded sometime during the year and had that in their minds the whole time.  It's tough to stay focused in that situation.  So when he was eventually traded, the burden was lifted, and they were free to play without any outside disturbances.  It's not necessarily that they're a better team without him.  It might look that way on paper, but I think that's far from the truth.

[D]

Melo is definitely a ballstopper though. he gets tons of isolations and the rest of the team is left to just watch. i think that greatly impacts energy levels, defensive intensity etc.

now with Melo gone, guys are just running up and down, everyone is playing super hard.

[LongGoneDay]

I'd say KG is far from overrated. If you want him to jack up 30 shots to score 30 points a night like Kobe, he's not your man. If you want someone to anchor your defense, play every game like it's his last, and make sure his teammates do the same, KG is your guy. Part of what makes KG as good as he is is the fact that he is so unselfish. He makes his teammates better. Think about how much easier he makes Doc's life. He's the biggest reason C's went from Lottery picks to NBA champs.

I agree Melo is overrated, just for the simple fact that he is a defensive liability, which could change if he put in the effort. As much as he wanted to play for NY, he didn't put himself in the best situation. He's playing for an incompetent owner, the worst possible coach to motivate him to play defense, playing alongside another high paid defensive liability, with not much financial flexibility to add more talent. Even if they do add Deron, or Paul, it's going to come down to Melo and Amare drastically altering their games to have any chance of competing with elite teams. Still plenty of time to turn it around though. If Melo was playing with KG as opposed to Amare, things would probably be a lot different.

Denver is certainly a fun team to watch right now. I agree they are a more complete team. Everyone knows they are going to get touches now, so they're more focused on both ends.

[faldor]

Shaq came back last night for the C's, for 6 minutes.  Then he strained his calf muscle and hobbled off the floor.  They're "saying" it's nothing major and he should be fine in a few weeks.  But he just returned after missing a few months and lasted 6 minutes, so I don't think you could expect much of anything out of him from here on out.  And that's a huge blow to the C's.  Now they have to rely on Jermaine O'Neal, if he can stay healthy, and Nenad Kristic, who is a sieve on defense.

I guess that's what happens with old teams though.  Probably the most talented team in the NBA when completely healthy, but old teams have trouble staying healthy.

[LongGoneDay]

Yeah that was painful to see. Hopefully it heals quick, but tough to be too optimistic about it.
I'm not counting them out yet though, even though they look horrible. I'm just not ready for the Sox yet!

They should be able to get out of the first round w/o Shaq regardless, so he should have time to heal. Hopefully he can contribute.
C's were the best team in the NBA when healthy, but that didn't last long.

[LongGoneDay]

Sad part is, they weren't confident with Perk being able to stay on the floor, and felt odds were better going with Shaq, JO and Krystic.
Can't seem to get more than 1 of em healthy at a time!

[Bodhi]

Just saw Carmelo Anthony and Spike Lee outside my work, like 5 feet away from me, he just finished taking pictures with people outside the Garden.  Eastern Conference Player of the week!

1. Led Knicks to a perfect 3-0 week
2. Knicks clinch first playoff berth since 2003-04 season
3. Averaged league-best 34.4 points to go along with 8.3 rebounds & 3.3 assists

[LongGoneDay]

3. Averaged league-best 34.4 points to go along with 8.3 rebounds & 3.3 assists

Nothing wrong with those stats!

[LongGoneDay]

Looks like Shaq, Murphy and Nenad are all due back this week, so all of a sudden, C's have length if they can stay on the floor.
I love their chances if they do. Still gotta find a way to get Ray Ray more involved, and Green has to get aggressive when he's out there.

[faldor]

I'd be pleasantly surprised if Shaq is ready to go this week.  I was figuring on the playoffs at best, if not the second round (if they were to advance).  And if he does play, can he stay healthy for the full grind of the playoffs?  It's hard to imagine he could the way his health has been this year.  Unless he's not all that injured and they're just playing it safe this whole time.