Which TX Team matches up best with the Lakers

[Indazone]

Lakers are really tough to match up with. Three seven footers in the front court who are all mobile and can score. Kobe the Shooting Guard and Fisher the point. Vujacic is a good sixth.

Rockets could have trouble with their size and with Sasha Vujacic drilling three ptrs. Yao nullified Gasol. Kobe..nobody can shut him down, probably T-Macs or Battier's job. Adleman would probably use Scola and Landry to tage team Odom or just put Artest on him. Fisher? Guess that would fall to Alston.

Spurs would have to put Oberto on Gasol, Duncan on Bynum, and who's gonna guard Odom? Kurt Thomas? T-Park and Ginobili match up well as a pair against Kobe and Fisher.

Mavs? hahahahaha

Ok, I'll try. Erik Dampier the second best center in the league and Diop Tag Team vs Bynum.
Dirk vs Kobe, Fisher vs Kidd , J. Howard vs Odom? Brandon Bass vs Gasol?

That Lakers team is gonna be really tough to beat. Jax is gonna run a triangle offense with a double post threat from Gasol and Bynum while Odom roams the baseline on either side. Kobe will be scoring from all over the place and Fisher just has to get the ball to the right place. Anytime you put a front court of 3 x 7 footers on the court, what are you gonna do to defense them?

[TomBrady]

Health, heatlh, health.

If the Lakers stay healthy only the Hornets and Rockets have the talent to compete in the WC.

[dirk4mvp]

Watching the 2 softest bigs in the league (Pau and Yao) will be horrible to watch.

[TomBrady]

Pau Gasol is 1 person

[jonnybravo]

Health, heatlh, health.

If the Lakers stay healthy only the Hornets and Rockets have the talent to compete in the WC.

Are you serious?

I'm a Laker guy but you're not giving the Spurs nearly enough credit. Manu is HUGE for your team and not having him at 100% was a crippling blow in the playoffs.

[Manufan909]

When Manu comes back to a team where players like Udoka and Mason have gotten used to the system faster than normal because of all the minutes available, they will be able to stand up to the Lakers. It would be a huge help if Ian turns out to be a stud.

And to be more on topic, I think Udoka could be put on Odom, he's the best fit(although not a perfect one) to guard Lamar.

[TomBrady]

The problem for the Spurs is not their Big 3.

It's everyone else. It's been how many years and they still don't have a decent backup for Parker? Finley is 90, Barry left, and the rest of the bench is made up of mostly unproven rookies.

I'm sorry I just don't see the Spurs contending this season. Maybe next year.

[SpurSupremacist]

The main problem with the Spurs was Manu's health first and foremost.

After that, it was coming off of a 7 game series. Sleeping on a plane before Game 1. Joey Crawford. Joey Crawford seeing foul. Joey Crawford not calling foul. And that was all she wrote.

It had little to do with what the Lakers DID do and a lot to do with what the Spurs DIDN'T do. That said, the Lakers are obviously stronger with Bynum. Somehow, though, I think they will miss that rugged player in Turiaf coming off their bench, even though Bynum is clearly the more talented player.

Rockets match up better on paper, but that is just that... paper. It isn't real life. Maybe if we're playing a video game.

[GuerillaBlack]

The main problem with the Spurs was Manu's health first and foremost.

After that, it was coming off of a 7 game series. Sleeping on a plane before Game 1. Joey Crawford. Joey Crawford seeing foul. Joey Crawford not calling foul. And that was all she wrote.

It had little to do with what the Lakers DID do and a lot to do with what the Spurs DIDN'T do. That said, the Lakers are obviously stronger with Bynum. Somehow, though, I think they will miss that rugged player in Turiaf coming off their bench, even though Bynum is clearly the more talented player.

Rockets match up better on paper, but that is just that... paper. It isn't real life. Maybe if we're playing a video game.

Seriously?

[JamStone]

They might not be the best Texas team overall, but Dallas might match up against the Lakers best, even though Kobe has been known to handle Dallas basically by himself.

Dallas has two big, long, bulky centers to combat the Lakers front court in Diop and Dampier. Now, not saying they're great players, but at least that's two big bodies at the center position to contest Bynum and Gasol. They also have multiple athletic wing players with Howard, Stack, George, Wright, Eddie Jones (if he avoids weight room equipment), Green (if he makes the team), Singleton (if he makes the team) to throw at Kobe.

Now, again, that's not to say Dallas is better than the Spurs or Rockets. They probably aren't. But, I think they might match up against the Lakers better than those two.

[Indazone]

In typical Phil Jackson manner, the guy just loves big players.
Chris Mihm is also a 7 footer
Radmanovich is 6-10"
Josh Powell is 6'9
Ariza is 6'8"
Luke Walton 6'8"
Didier Ilunga-Mbenga 7'0"
C.J. Giles 6'10"

For cryin out loud, they got five 7 footers on their squad.

Even their guards are big.

Kobe 6-6"
Fisher 6-1"
Sasha 6-7"
Farmar 6-2"
Bradon Heath 6'4"
Joe Crawford 6'5"
Dwayne Mitchell 6'5"
Sun Yue 6'9"
Coby Karl 6'5"


Just sayin, that Lakers team is really big.

[GuerillaBlack]

Being tall helps, but sure isn't everything. See Chris Paul. ;)

[Indazone]

They might not be the best Texas team overall, but Dallas might match up against the Lakers best, even though Kobe has been known to handle Dallas basically by himself.

Dallas has two big, long, bulky centers to combat the Lakers front court in Diop and Dampier. Now, not saying they're great players, but at least that's two big bodies at the center position to contest Bynum and Gasol. They also have multiple athletic wing players with Howard, Stack, George, Wright, Eddie Jones (if he avoids weight room equipment), Green (if he makes the team), Singleton (if he makes the team) to throw at Kobe.

Now, again, that's not to say Dallas is better than the Spurs or Rockets. They probably aren't. But, I think they might match up against the Lakers better than those two.

Are you kidding? The front court of Bynum, Odem, and Gasol would eat up the Dallas front court in a heartbeat.

[tlongII]

The team that matches up with the Lakers the best isn't in Texas.

:smokin

[JamStone]

Are you kidding? The front court of Bynum, Odem, and Gasol would eat up the Dallas front court in a heartbeat.


Might be true, but they'd eat up Houston's frontcourt and San Antonio's frontcourt even more. Isn't that the point of the question, to compare among the three Texas teams?

Yao is slow and the only size Houston has upfront. Their back-ups are 6-9 and shorter.

Tim Duncan is the entire front court for the Spurs. Kurt Thomas does a decent job against stronger players like Shaq at times. But, now it's not just size and strength, but youth and athleticism to boot. Kurt Thomas is still only 6-9 and about 230.

The question is which among the three Texas teams match up "best" against the Lakers. I'm not saying Dallas will do well against the Lakers. Dallas still might not be able to handle them. But, I think they match up "best" among the three teams from Texas.

[angelbelow]

i think the rockets match up the best.

[Indazone]

yeah, sizewise, the Blazers match up well with the Lakers. Front court talentwise, I think the Rockets can more than hold their own against the Lakers. As for the Spurs, the Lakers cannot defend Duncan. They can however use their size to abuse Bruce Bowen or Kurt Thomas. Spurs will be playing a lot of smallball.

[Many PackYao]

The Rockets for sure.As of recently, the Rockets have beaten the Lakers on their floor more than the other two teams.

[IronMexican]

The Rockets for sure.As of recently, the Rockets have beaten the Lakers on their floor more than the other two teams.

Haven't played LA with Gasol, so let's give that some time. Plus Bynum wasn't nearly the player in the first game of the season as he was later on.

[Many PackYao]

Haven't played LA with Gasol, so let's give that some time. Plus Bynum wasn't nearly the player in the first game of the season as he was later on.Yup and Lakers vs Rockets + Artest for this year. I can't wait to see these two teams play each other.:toast

[The Franchise]

All the Texas teams have questions to answer going into the season. I would say Rockets but that's just on paper. I'll get back to you in about 2 months.

[sook]

i love how fernandez, oden and bayless are all rookies, if they're starting it will be funny for about 2 yrs.

You honestly think the blazers match up anywhere close to the lakers.

I like Oden but Bynum will shit on him, no offense.

[RsxPiimp]

rockets


bynum vs yao
pau vs scola
odom vs tmac
artest vs kobe
alston vs d fish



:ihit

[mystargtr34]

I would say the Mavs for their 2 big bodies, but i dont see them playing Diop and Dampier at the same time, that would be playin 3 on 5 on O. It could work for short stretches because Dampier can at least finish around the rim.

Diop - Bynum
Dampier - Gasol
Dirk - Odom
Howard - Kobe
Kidd - Fisher

I dont think they could afford to play thay line up too long.....

At some point they would have to put Dirk on Gasol, and have the Diop/Damp combo on Bynum which is a tough one to deal with.

Diop/Damn - Bynum
Dirk - Gasol
Howard - Odom
Kidd - Kobe
Terry - Fisher

[mystargtr34]

An injury-free Horry would have been a good option to throw at Gasol but now id say the Spurs would go with Thomas and Oberto on Gasol and Duncan at Bynum.

[tlongII]

i love how fernandez, oden and bayless are all rookies, if they're starting it will be funny for about 2 yrs.

You honestly think the blazers match up anywhere close to the lakers.

I like Oden but Bynum will shit on him, no offense.

The Blazers are better than the Lakers. Right now. I'm serious.

Oden is so much stronger than Bynum it's ridiculous.

[BUMP]

definitely Dallas. Bynum would have a very tough time scoring on Diop (everybody does) Diop wouldnt be able to do much on offense but he usually doesnt have much of an impact but is just as athletic. Dampier although makes a fool out of himself at times, is a big body that can bang with anybody.

Dirk>Gasol
Howard>Odom
Kobe obviously torches the Mavs but we have bodies that we can throw at him.
LA usually doesnt play well in Dallas anyway

[RsxPiimp]

definitely Dallas. Bynum would have a very tough time scoring on Diop (everybody does) Diop wouldnt be able to do much on offense but he usually doesnt have much of an impact but is just as athletic. Dampier although makes a fool out of himself at times, is a big body that can bang with anybody.

Dirk>Gasol
Howard>Odom
Kobe obviously torches the Mavs but we have bodies that we can throw at him.
LA usually doesnt play well in Dallas anyway

wrong chief


la has been killing even w/o bynum playing like bynum and no pau.


kobe owns the mavs

[BUMP]

wrong chief


la has been killing even w/o bynum playing like bynum and no pau.


kobe owns the mavs


wrong chief.

they are 4-4 the last two years, including the worst
ever loss at Staples

research, kid

[dirk4mvp]

You have to take into account that Dirk has jizzed on Pau more than anybody else he's played against in his entire career.

[dirk4mvp]

You have to take in account that Kobe and the Lakers have jizzed on the Mavericks more than any team in the history of sports.:toast


:lol well that's not entirely true since the Heat and Warriors exist

also we can't forget about this


the worst
ever loss at Staples

[TheMACHINE]

Lakers are really tough to match up with. Three seven footers in the front court who are all mobile and can score. Kobe the Shooting Guard and Fisher the point. Vujacic is a good sixth.

Rockets could have trouble with their size and with Sasha Vujacic drilling three ptrs. Yao nullified Gasol. Kobe..nobody can shut him down, probably T-Macs or Battier's job. Adleman would probably use Scola and Landry to tage team Odom or just put Artest on him. Fisher? Guess that would fall to Alston.

Spurs would have to put Oberto on Gasol, Duncan on Bynum, and who's gonna guard Odom? Kurt Thomas? T-Park and Ginobili match up well as a pair against Kobe and Fisher.

Mavs? hahahahaha

Ok, I'll try. Erik Dampier the second best center in the league and Diop Tag Team vs Bynum.
Dirk vs Kobe, Fisher vs Kidd , J. Howard vs Odom? Brandon Bass vs Gasol?

That Lakers team is gonna be really tough to beat. Jax is gonna run a triangle offense with a double post threat from Gasol and Bynum while Odom roams the baseline on either side. Kobe will be scoring from all over the place and Fisher just has to get the ball to the right place. Anytime you put a front court of 3 x 7 footers on the court, what are you gonna do to defense them?

See signature below ;)

[bostonguy]

They might not be the best Texas team overall, but Dallas might match up against the Lakers best, even though Kobe has been known to handle Dallas basically by himself.

Dallas has two big, long, bulky centers to combat the Lakers front court in Diop and Dampier. Now, not saying they're great players, but at least that's two big bodies at the center position to contest Bynum and Gasol. They also have multiple athletic wing players with Howard, Stack, George, Wright, Eddie Jones (if he avoids weight room equipment), Green (if he makes the team), Singleton (if he makes the team) to throw at Kobe.

Now, again, that's not to say Dallas is better than the Spurs or Rockets. They probably aren't. But, I think they might match up against the Lakers better than those two.


:lmao:lmao:lmao Stack,George,Jones of today are not athletic.

[Spurtacus]

A healthy San Antonio. That includes Manu.

[BUMP]

:lmao:lmao:lmao Stack,George,Jones of today are not athletic.

Stack is athletic, Jones is an above average defender.

not sure how George got thrown in there tho:lol

[SenorSpur]

An injury-free Horry would have been a good option to throw at Gasol but now id say the Spurs would go with Thomas and Oberto on Gasol and Duncan at Bynum.

Are you kidding me? An injury-free Horry? Horry wasn't injured during the conference finals versus the Fakes, as much as he was virtually ineffective. How do you go from a near-spectacular Game 7 performance against the Hornets to disappearing against the Fakers.

C'mon man. The Horry of today, injury-free or not, is done. A 34 year-old Horry would've been a better comparison.

[JamStone]

:lmao:lmao:lmao Stack,George,Jones of today are not athletic.

Eddie Jones is not athletic. I was just started listing all of their wing players.

Stackhouse, even at his age, is still very athletic. And, Devean George is very athletic as well. I'm not using a LeBron James or Josh Howard or Kobe Bryant standard of athleticism. But, compared to the average wing player in the NBA, Stack and George are right there or above average athletically.

[JamStone]

See signature below ;)

I know the Lakers have been talking about experimenting with Lamar Odom at the point guard position, but your starting line-up doesn't make too much sense because it takes away any perimeter shooting out of the line-up. You already move Odom down to small forward and take out Radmanovic who is a very good outside shooter. So, if you slide Odom to point and put Ariza at the forward spot, you take away another outside shooter. That leaves only Kobe as a consistent perimeter shooter in the line-up, you can't spread the floor as well, and defenses will collapse on Bynum and Gasol a lot more. If Odom plays point, the Lakes would likely keep Fisher in the line-up for perimeter shooting and just make the appropriate switched on defense. On offense, Odom is still best at attacking the rim. Ariza is a slasher. With Bynum and Gasol, the lane will be clogged.

Sorry, but your starting line-up makes little sense, especially from an offensive standpoint with respect to having good balance and spacing the floor.

[BUMP]

What the fuck are you talking about, the Heat have a title, and so do the Warriors. The only thing the Mavs have are shit stains in their panties from choking in the finals against an inferior team. The Mavs and the Suns are the new Kings of the league. You guys are going straight into oblivion after a few years of competitive play. Maybe you can take solice in the idea that the Spurs or Miami somehow cheated you guys out of a title, just like the Kings have with the Lakers. I dont know, just go choke on one.

you missed the point entirely.

congrats

[Allanon]

I know the Lakers have been talking about experimenting with Lamar Odom at the point guard position, but your starting line-up doesn't make too much sense because it takes away any perimeter shooting out of the line-up. You already move Odom down to small forward and take out Radmanovic who is a very good outside shooter. So, if you slide Odom to point and put Ariza at the forward spot, you take away another outside shooter. That leaves only Kobe as a consistent perimeter shooter in the line-up, you can't spread the floor as well, and defenses will collapse on Bynum and Gasol a lot more. If Odom plays point, the Lakes would likely keep Fisher in the line-up for perimeter shooting and just make the appropriate switched on defense. On offense, Odom is still best at attacking the rim. Ariza is a slasher. With Bynum and Gasol, the lane will be clogged.

Sorry, but your starting line-up makes little sense, especially from an offensive standpoint with respect to having good balance and spacing the floor.

The Lakers are messing around with Odom at the point and Kobe at small forward which works pretty good if Odom can handle the PG duties.

LO - PG
Fish - SG
Kobe - SF
Pau - PF
Bynum - C

It's kind of a brilliant idea since it solves the perimeter shooting problem of LO and keeps him happy since he's still a starter. In addition, as the initiator, he brings the opposing team's big out to the perimeter which leaves even more room inside for Bynum/Pau. This also leaves Kobe on the block with a PG or SG on him. After he initiates the offense, Odom can roam.

A sub pattern of Odom/Farmar/Sun Yue at PG, Kobe/Ariza/Luke at SF and Fisher/Sasha/Coby at SG looks doable as well.

That's going to put alot of pressure on defenses, I just don't know if Odom is good enough to be a PG 24/7.

[dirk4mvp]

What the fuck are you talking about, the Heat have a title, and so do the Warriors. The only thing the Mavs have are shit stains in their panties from choking in the finals against an inferior team. The Mavs and the Suns are the new Kings of the league. You guys are going straight into oblivion after a few years of competitive play. Maybe you can take solice in the idea that the Spurs or Miami somehow cheated you guys out of a title, just like the Kings have with the Lakers. I dont know, just go choke on one.


Well, thanks for telling me that flew right over your head.

[MrChug]

If it's the REGULAR season (the real preseason) it's the Rockets or Hornets IMO. The real season? I like the Spurs chances against anyone.

[Mr.ChugDynasty]

If it's the REGULAR season (the real preseason) it's the Rockets or Hornets IMO. The real season? I like the Spurs chances against anyone.

My thoughts EXACTLY bro, The LAKERS will NOT beat THE spurs EVEN once THIS season! TAKE that SHIT to THE bank!

fuck off and die

[Allanon]

My thoughts EXACTLY bro, The LAKERS will NOT beat THE spurs EVEN once THIS season! TAKE that SHIT to THE bank!

fuck off and die

Whot? Hahaha. Sorry, but without any major trades, the Spurs cannot possibly match up with the Lakers this year, just ask Segu for the straight answer.

One of the things lost behind Manu's injury story last year was that Bowen was having a hard time keeping up with Kobe. It will be harder this year cuz Bowen is 1 year older and Fabs/Duncan will be too busy to help cuz they can't leave Pau/Bynum.

[Findog]

The Mavs match up pretty well with SMU and Baylor.

[MrChug]

Short of Fin, the homers are being pretty rediculous in this thread...

[JamStone]

The Lakers are messing around with Odom at the point and Kobe at small forward which works pretty good if Odom can handle the PG duties.

LO - PG
Fish - SG
Kobe - SF
Pau - PF
Bynum - C

It's kind of a brilliant idea since it solves the perimeter shooting problem of LO and keeps him happy since he's still a starter. In addition, as the initiator, he brings the opposing team's big out to the perimeter which leaves even more room inside for Bynum/Pau. This also leaves Kobe on the block with a PG or SG on him. After he initiates the offense, Odom can roam.

A sub pattern of Odom/Farmar/Sun Yue at PG, Kobe/Ariza/Luke at SF and Fisher/Sasha/Coby at SG looks doable as well.

That's going to put alot of pressure on defenses, I just don't know if Odom is good enough to be a PG 24/7.

What's your point? That's basically what i said, keeping Fisher in the line-up and just make switches on defense. Of course Kobe is still going to be in the line-up.

You basically tried to make it more complicated than it was when all you did was essentially reiterate what I already posted.

[Allanon]

What's your point?
What's your problem?



That's basically what i said, keeping Fisher in the line-up and just make switches on defense. Of course Kobe is still going to be in the line-up.

You basically tried to make it more complicated than it was when all you did was essentially reiterate what I already posted.

I'm agreeing with you and expanding on what you said.


It's kind of a brilliant idea

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Spurs

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

The team that matches up with the Lakers the best isn't in Texas.

:smokinI think Boston will start declining though.

[JamStone]

What's your problem?

I'm agreeing with you and expanding on what you said.

Got no problem. Was just asking what your point was. You didn't really expand on what I said. That's why I asked what your point was.

[Xylus]

I think all three Texas teams match up fairly well with the Lakers.

The Rockets are excellent defensively; they have a dominant center and one of the best SF's in the league, not to mention two of the best defenders in the league in Battier and Artest.

The Spurs, if healthy, match up well against anyone. Neither Bynum or Pau are anywhere near Duncan's level, and they always seem to fill the 5 spot with a competent defender capable of guarding 7-footers of quality. Manu is as important to the Spurs as Kobe is to the Lakers, and Parker is practically unguardable these days. If Manu was healthy in last season's WCF, we would have seen a Spurs vs. Celtics matchup.

The Mavericks are capable of beating just about anyone, but they lack the heart and, quite often, the brains to beat an elite opponent. Still, they've proven that they can beat the Spurs and the Suns in the playoffs with a very similar lineup, so I don't see why they couldn't beat the Lakers with the right amount of guidance and confidence.


This is a silly argument, though, since the Phoenix Suns match up the best against the Lakers.:hat

[Allanon]

Got no problem. Was just asking what your point was. You didn't really expand on what I said. That's why I asked what your point was.

I thought you had a good idea.

I had heard about Odom, but as you pointed out Ariza in the lineup wouldn't work, but you didn't say what would work. As you didn't give any lineups that WOULD work, I added them in, that's the expansion part.



The Rockets are excellent defensively; they have a dominant center and one of the best SF's in the league, not to mention two of the best defenders in the league in Battier and Artest.
Rockets are gonna be tough with Artest/Battier. It's really about health and chemistry with the Rockets.



The Spurs, if healthy, match up well against anyone. Neither Bynum or Pau are anywhere near Duncan's level, and they always seem to fill the 5 spot with a competent defender capable of guarding 7-footers of quality. Manu is as important to the Spurs as Kobe is to the Lakers, and Parker is practically unguardable these days. If Manu was healthy in last season's WCF, we would have seen a Spurs vs. Celtics matchup.
The Spurs have 2 holes vs the Lakers, 6'10 Fabs on 7'2 Bynum. And 6'5 Ime/Mason on 6'10 Odom. They just picked up 6'9 Gaines but he's not quick enough for Odom and more of an interior defender rather than a perimeter guy.



The Mavericks are capable of beating just about anyone, but they lack the heart and, quite often, the brains to beat an elite opponent. Still, they've proven that they can beat the Spurs and the Suns in the playoffs with a very similar lineup, so I don't see why they couldn't beat the Lakers with the right amount of guidance and confidence.

They're a streaky team, great one day and collapsible on another. Until they find some consistent cajones, I don't know if they can beat the Lakers in a series.

[BUMP]

The Mavericks are capable of beating just about anyone, but they lack the heart and, quite often, the brains to beat an elite opponent. Still, they've proven that they can beat the Spurs and the Suns in the playoffs with a very similar lineup, so I don't see why they couldn't beat the Lakers with the right amount of guidance and confidence.


thank you

honestly this a team that shouldve won a title but the reasons they didnt were what you just listed. this team was elite not too long ago and if they grow some balls they are capable of anything

[Biernutz]

A Rockets homer starts a Faker thread on a Spurs board.http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb270/systime/SMILEYS%20%20222/wtf5nx.gif

[turiaf for president]

hes seeing the light. come to lakerland

[TomBrady]

The Mavericks? Give me a break.

They were an elite team 2-4 years ago but not anymore. Time has passed them by and trading for Kidd was perhaps the worst move they could have made. The Mavericks are not a threat.

[dirk4mvp]

A Rockets homer starts a Faker thread on a Spurs board.http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb270/systime/SMILEYS%20%20222/wtf5nx.gif


It's called basketball central, you fucking idiot.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

:lmao

[Biernutz]

It's called basketball central, you fucking idiot.


You are the typical Dallas fan. You guys are losers and choke--choke--choke--chokers. Is that the best you can do. Well probably yes!!! The Mav's are a second rate team that barely out draws ice hockey and the MLS. You are about as fake as all the tits in the lower level of the AAC. Piss off loser:loser

[dirk4mvp]

You are the typical Dallas fan. You guys are losers and choke--choke--choke--chokers. Is that the best you can do. Well probably yes!!! The Mav's are a second rate team that barely out draws ice hockey and the MLS. You are about as fake as all the tits in the lower level of the AAC. Piss off loser:loser

u mad?

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

You are the typical Dallas fan. You guys are losers and choke--choke--choke--chokers. Is that the best you can do. Well probably yes!!! The Mav's are a second rate team that barely out draws ice hockey and the MLS. You are about as fake as all the tits in the lower level of the AAC. Piss off loser:loser

Was that really you can come up with?

[Biernutz]

Was that really you can come up with?

Are you taking up for your girlfriend from Dallas?

[dirk4mvp]

Are you taking up for your girlfriend from Dallas?


how do you know where i'm from? are you stalking me?

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Are you taking up for your girlfriend from Dallas?

Are you getting defensive because you don't know shit about the NBA Forum?

Oh noes, he called dirk4mvp my girlfriend!

Grow the fuck up.

[Biernutz]

Are you getting defensive because you don't know shit about the NBA Forum?

Oh noes, he called dirk4mvp my girlfriend!

Grow the fuck up.

Guess I didn't know the rules of this forum. If you don't like what someone post you throw 4 letter poo at them. Now I know.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Guess I didn't know the rules of this forum. If you don't like what someone post you throw 4 letter poo at them. Now I know.

There you go, rook.

[Tmac&Luther]

Watching the 2 softest bigs in the league (Pau and Yao) will be horrible to watch.

You watch the softest big in the league everytime you turn the home team on. :lol

[dirk4mvp]

You watch the softest big in the league everytime you turn the home team on. :lol


No I actually see one of the toughest players in the league. You come back and tell me when Yao comes starts playing again 2 weeks after an ankle injury like Dirk had just so his team can compete for a playoff spot. Nobody on your entire team is as tough as Dirk is.

[Xylus]

No I actually see one of the toughest players in the league. You come back and tell me when Yao comes starts playing again 2 weeks after an ankle injury like Dirk had just so his team can compete for a playoff spot. Nobody on your entire team is as tough as Dirk is.

I'm not sure where Dirk got the "soft" label, but I think it's completely unwarranted.

[dirk4mvp]

I'm not sure where Dirk got the "soft" label, but I think it's completely unwarranted.


Foreign whitey.

[Xylus]

Foreign whitey.

After watching Dirk win the '06 series against the Spurs, and then decimate the Suns in the very next series, I've been a fan. He's a beast.

As much of an Amare homer as I am, I would probably trade him straight up for Dirk.


...Well, maybe.

[dirk4mvp]

After watching Dirk win the '06 series against the Spurs, and then decimate the Suns in the very next series, I've been a fan. He's a beast.

As much of an Amare homer as I am, I would probably trade him straight up for Dirk.


...Well, maybe.

You're probably better off keeping him. He's gonna be beast mode with the goggles. :hat

[Tmac&Luther]

I'm not sure where Dirk got the "soft" label, but I think it's completely unwarranted.

Almost as unwarranted as calling Yao soft......all he's done since he's been here is center one of the best defenses in the league, but hey if were just going to throw out the cheap "he's soft" label all is fair.....so Dirks a big softie. :rolleyes

[Indazone]

lol I knew that this would turn into a flame war against the Lakersfans and then sniping between the TX teams fans. Maybe I'm a homer but right now in the West, I think the Jazz and the Rockets match up best against the Lakers. In the East, the Celtics.

[dirk4mvp]

He's never been punked by a player 2 feet shorter than him.

[Tmac&Luther]

He's never been punked by a player 2 feet shorter than him.

No he just got punked by Ryan freaking Bowen....crazy shit happens over the course of a season and a couple of plays don't make a players entire career.

I mean Kevin Johnson totally shit all over Hakeem.......he was soft too.

Nobody in the NBA works harder at their craft than Yao Ming, he actually works too hard (the guy pretty much plays year around basketball) and ends up running his body into the ground. The Rockets are telling him to tail it back this season

[Xylus]

I mean Kevin Johnson totally shit all over Hakeem.......he was soft too.

Best. Dunk. Ever.

Too bad we choked.

[dirk4mvp]

Nobody in the NBA works harder at their craft than Yao Ming


what a load of horseshit.

[Tmac&Luther]

what a load of horseshit.

Not really, people might work as hard as Yao, but he does not get outworked. It's the #1 thing coaches and players talk about when they meet him. So take the horse shit line somewhere else.

[IronMexican]

You always hear that word with every NBA player "Work horse" or "Gym Rat" It's a load of crap.

[dirk4mvp]

Not really, people might work as hard as Yao, but he does not get outworked. It's the #1 thing coaches and players talk about when they meet him. So take the horse shit line somewhere else.


They have to lie and say something good about him. Cuz they sure won't tell you he works on his post moves considering all he shoots is 5 foot fadeaways.

[monosylab1k]

You always hear that word with every NBA player "Work horse" or "Gym Rat" It's a load of crap.

:tu

It's like this in every city in the NBA

Rocket Fan: Yao is the hardest worker in the NBA! Maaaatt Daaaamon!

Sun Fan: Nash is, you morons!

Mav Fan: Nash used to be until he went to Phoenix, now Dirk is!

Laker Fan: Whatever, Kobe shoots 88348738748374837 fadeaways every night before going to bed!

Spur Fan: Robinson, Duncan, Parker, & Ginobili tie for the hardest working players in the history of sports.

Hornet Fan: Chris Paul is so small he has to work twice as hard as anyone else!

and so on.

[JamStone]

Nobody in the NBA works harder at their craft than Yao Ming,

I don't know how you can make a statement like that. It's not really something that can be measured and compared anyway. But, there are several players that I could easily argue work harder than Yao Ming at their craft. Kobe, KG, Gilbert Arenas (a ballhog and a chucker but all he does is play and practice and work on his game), Ben Wallace (maybe not so much anymore), Chris Paul, Bruce Bowen (how does an average athlete by NBA standards and a horrible shooter become the premier lockdown defender in the league anda 40% three point shooter?), Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, among others.

Prove that Yao works harder at his craft. What evidence do you offer that Yao works harder than any of those players? There is none. In fact, if there's one guy you can say that about in the league, it's Kobe. He works on every aspect of his game all year round, during the season and in the off-season, from shooting to defense to conditioning.

And, in no way am I saying that Yao doesn't work at his game. But, to make a blanket statement and say nobody in the league works harder than him is a complete load of shit.

[Indazone]

Steve Francis and Bonzi Wells are the hardest workers at eating donuts.

[dirk4mvp]

If Dirk wasn't one of the hardest workers in the league, we could've just called him Peja Stojakovic.

[The Franchise]

How can anyone say this person is the hardest anything without facts. Let's just say they all work hard because that's about all we can be sure of.

[BUMP]

How can anyone say this person is the hardest anything without facts. Let's just say they all work hard because that's about all we can be sure of.

Zach Randolph?

[IronMexican]

Luke Walton Works from 12 AM to 12 AM

[monosylab1k]

Zach Randolph?

he may not be as committed as the majority, but you can't be that good of a scorer in the best league in the world unless you work hard at it.

[Findog]

Both guys worked hard.

Both guys worked hard.

Both guys worked hard.

[tlongII]

From espn.com's John Hollinger...

Biggest Strength: Size
One reason the Blazers can seemingly play like such an old team is because they're so big. At every position, Portland lines up an inch or two taller than the league average, and although McMillan likes to play small he can also send out some freakishly huge lineups this year.

Up front, they have Oden, a dominating 7-footer who should control the paint, and Przybilla, the 7-foot-1 shot blocker who held down the fort a year ago. At power forward they have two softies in Aldridge and Frye, but both players are 6-foot-11 and can create problems with their length as wing defenders in zones. Some teams don't have any players that big; the Blazers have four (or five, if you still count LaFrentz as a player).

Go down the list and the size advantage gets more daunting. Small forward Webster is 6-foot-7, 230 pounds, and backup Outlaw is 6-foot-9; either can slide down to shooting guard when needed and provide an even more imposing height edge.

Roy is big for a shooting guard at 6-foot-6, 229, and what's really scary is that he is comfortable playing the point and often closed games at that spot a year ago; when he does that the 6-foot-5 Fernandez can come off the bench. Even at the point the Blazers are big: Blake, Bayless and Sergio Rodriguez all stand 6-foot-3, making them the shortest players on the team.

All that length should make the Blazers an unusually good zone defensive team, especially with Oden as a goalie in the middle and the young players on the outside gaining experience in playing NBA defense.