Suns @ Blazers

[Xylus]

Tlong, your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries.

Suns face the Blazers in Portland tonight. If the Suns win, they come within 2.5 of the Blazers. If they lose, it's extremely unlikely they'll make the playoffs.

Blazers won the last meeting against the Suns thanks to a 52-point performance from Roy, But the Suns had an 11-game winning streak against Portland before that game. Suns won both home games this season against the Blazers.

Suns are 8-8 on the 2nd of back-to-backs.

[RonMexico]

This is for all the marbles. I'm nervous. And excited.

[Texas_Ranger]

Tragic goes for 30 tonight!!
Go Suns!

[pauls931]

This one has me worried. Portland is tough at home like Utah and the suns are probably tired after last night. With no Amare and Barbosa, that's more minutes on the remaining players who are mostly all older. Their only hope is for Oden to be playing.

[Agloco]

Tlong, your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries.

Suns face the Blazers in Portland tonight. If the Suns win, they come within 2.5 of the Blazers. If they lose, it's extremely unlikely they'll make the playoffs.

Blazers won the last meeting against the Suns thanks to a 52-point performance from Roy, But the Suns had an 11-game winning streak against Portland before that game. Suns won both home games this season against the Blazers.

Suns are 8-8 on the 2nd of back-to-backs.

Your boys better win one up there Xylus. We're pulling for you too :toast

[lil_penny]

this is a big game for both teams but a bigger one for the suns, they have been playing very good as of late being as their season is on the line. I just hope the blazers can some how put this game away early so the suns dont have a chance to get the W. suns have always given the blazers trouble. although i expect this game to be close the whole way.

[sribb43]

if the blazers lose this one, then it would be interesting to see how a young team responds as they step closer to not making the playoffs

[tlongII]

Big game tonight. I'm nervous about this one as the Suns always give us trouble. It's the Suns' 3rd game in 4 nights so hopefully they're tired.

[Red Hawk #21]

"Tlong, your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries"

[turiaf for president]

this is gonna be a great game. high scoring

[Strike]

Not that I want to take the side of TLong or anything but I'm rooting for the Blazers to crush the Suns for two reasons:

1: I'm a Portland boy, born and raised.

2.: I dislike the Suns more than any other team in ALL of professional sports.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

My guess is the Canadian Cancer fucks up the game while Goran "White Magic" Dragic has a great game and should be taking over the starting role if not for Alvan Gentry's fetish with letting Barnes and Nash think they're a lot better than they are.

The only way they win this game is if Shaq gets the touches he deserves, and if he gets the touches via entry pass, not this high pick and roll garbage Nash repeatedly runs with Shaq since the Canadian Cancer only knows one type of half court play and can't run a traditional offense.

Gentry has done stuff for them that D'antoni and Porter weren't able to do (i.e. develop a bench), but unless he develops better defense and a better half court offense, he needs the boot.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

If you're a Steve Blake fan look out tonight cause your boy is gonna set a career high.

[lil_penny]

sons i just got tickets for this game.. i will be kicking back drinking $8 beers from a suite.. dont let me down portland like the last game i went to!!(mavs).. should be a great game though.

[tlongII]

Not that I want to take the side of TLong or anything but I'm rooting for the Blazers to crush the Suns for two reasons:

1: I'm a Portland boy, born and raised.

2.: I dislike the Suns more than any other team in ALL of professional sports.

What the....???

Why the hell are you a Spurs fan???

[Lars]

sons i just got tickets for this game.. i will be kicking back drinking $8 beers from a suite.. dont let me down portland like the last game i went to!!(mavs).. should be a great game though.

What kind of shithouse suites do they have in Portland. Rockets suites everything is free.

[Morg1411]

What the....???

Why the hell are you a Spurs fan???

Perhaps he prefers teams that are worth a fuck?

[lil_penny]

What kind of shithouse suites do they have in Portland. Rockets suites everything is free.

They have a buffet and drinks for free like pop and water but its our bosses season suite so he doesn't allow us to drink his booze we have to pay for our own haha..

[crc21209]

Can't believe I'm saying this two nights in a row but....Go Suns! :lol

[sribb43]

I hate TNT games...damn PHX/POR game wont start till 9:45 and be over till 12:15 at the earliest. I dont understand why they cant start the first games at 6:00 CDT...in most cases the first game is on the east coast which would start over there at 7pm EDT

[sribb43]

Can't believe I'm saying this two nights in a row but....Go Suns! :lol

im pretty indifferent as to who wins..if PHX wins mavs tie Blazers and still would be up 3 on the suns. If POR wins then Mavs are up 4 in the loss column on the suns. As long as the Mavs go 9-2 or 8-3 rest of the way, I hope PHX beats all the teams ahead of the Mavs

[Xylus]

So who starts for the Blazers these days, Przybilla or Oden?

Steve Blake
Brandon Roy
Nic Batum
LaMarcus Aldridge
Greg Oden

vs.

Steve Nash
Jason Richardson
Grant Hill
Matt Barnes
Shaqovich

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

So who starts for the Blazers these days, Przybilla or Oden?

Steve Blake
Brandon Roy
Nic Batum
LaMarcus Aldridge
Greg Oden

vs.

Goran Dragic
Jason Richardson
Grant Hill
Matt Barnes
Shaqovich

[Xylus]

White Magic isn't ready for primetime yet.

Though it's been interesting to see Goran come in and positively affect the game. With Porter, I was always afraid to take the starters out, but I actually feel more comfortable now with the bench in.

[SpursDynasty]

This game is completely winnable for Phoenix. All Phoenix needs to do is keep winning, win the remaining game vs. Dallas (for both staying close in the standings and knocking Dallas down one game closer, tying the season series with Dallas, and maintaining a better conference record that they currently have to tiebreak with Dallas). All Phoenix needs is to end up with the same regular season record as Dallas. Each team has 11 games remaining.

Dallas has these 7 losable games in their schedule remaining: Denver, at Cleveland, PHOENIX, Utah, New Orleans, New Orleans, and possibly Houston.

Freebies for Dallas: Minnesota twice, Memphis, Miami

Phoenix has these 9 very winnable games in their schedule: Portland, Sacramento twice, Houston, Dallas, Memphis twice, Minnesota, Golden State. EASY EASY EASY. Sacramento twice and Memphis twice? Phoenix, don't screw this up!

Of concern in Phoenix's remaining schedule: Utah and New Orleans.

Phoenix has already won 6 straight. Come on Phoenix, we want a 7 game series with LA, we don't need to see Dallas make it just to get swept.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

White Magic isn't ready for primetime yet.

1) That nickname, as awesome as it is, gives Magic Johnson way too much credit.

2) White Magic got under D-Willy's skin when they played each other and actually is playing like a man now. Nash is in full next contract mode and could care less about how this team does.

[Allanon]

Suns have no business winning this game...but Portland's due for a home loss so I think the Suns take this one.

[sribb43]

Suns shouldn't win this game...but Portland's due for a home loss so I think the Suns take this one.

I dont know, they just come off a loss to Philly. I cant expect them to lose 2 in a row, especially when PHX is coming in on a B2B

[Morg1411]

I dont know, they just come off a loss to Philly. I cant expect them to lose 2 in a row, especially when PHX is coming in on a B2B

It could go either way. Portland does NOT want to lose 2 home games in a row, especially considering how strong they've been there all year. That said, the Suns have got hot momentum going right now, and they're coming into town like the freakin' roadrunner. Should be a great game!

[Xylus]

Once again, I'll take full responsibility for whatever happens tonight.

My last two game threads (Denver, Utah) were successful, and I'm sure this one will be too.

[balli]

Utah really shot themselves in the foot making PHO scrap so hard last night. Because now PHO is going to be worn out for the game against our division rivals. I wish we'd lost by 40.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Utah really shot themselves in the foot making PHO scrap so hard last night. Because now PHO is going to be worn out for the game against our division rivals. I wish we'd lost by 40.

It would have been easier if one of the Jazz players just stuck their foot under Nash as he was coming down from a shot so he'd be injured against Portland and Goran Dragic could make it rain.

[BUMP]

i want PHX to win because im pretty confident they wont be catching us, and i want out of the 8th seed (aka sacrifice to the Lakers)

[jack sommerset]

Who are Mavs fans wanting to win this game? Suns Loss it helps them keep 8th spot. Portland loss gets the Mavs out of 8th spot?

[Ghazi]

Blazers seem like they've been getting fatigued lately or something. Perhaps the wall young teams experience late into the season?

But Suns themselves should be tired tonight too.

One plus for Phoenix is that Blake is the Blazers PG, which kinda masks Nash's defensive liabilities.. it's abig reason our guys in blue are 3-0 v the Mavs this year. They don't have a PG that can make us pay and Wright/Kidd have done a pretty good job on Roy.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

One plus for Phoenix is that Blake is the Blazers PG, which kinda masks Nash's defensive liabilities..

You'd think so but Nash wanted to make sure he proved that wrong by letting Blake have a career night the last time they played.

[sook]

lol the suns are seriously my 2nd Fav team in the west right now..beating Utah and Denver was just priceless

[RonMexico]

I hate TNT games...damn PHX/POR game wont start till 9:45 and be over till 12:15 at the earliest. I dont understand why they cant start the first games at 6:00 CDT...in most cases the first game is on the east coast which would start over there at 7pm EDT

Don't even get me started on this because (a) you're right and (b) it's usually a shitty eastern conference game that goes into overtime or generates 30 timeouts in the final minute and then we're stuck with score updates of the western conference game at the bottom. TNT just hates cutting away from a 91-87 Bulls-Cavs game with 2 seconds left.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

TNT just hates cutting away from a 91-87 Bulls-Cavs game with 2 seconds left.

:lmao:lmao:lmao


I really hate all the dumb people in this country that enjoy the fact every other Cavs game is on national TV. MJ probably roles his eyes everytime he sees Lebron play.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

So if the Suns lose tonight, would you guys say it would be the nail in the coffin for their playoff hopes?

[Spursmania]

Should be a great game. I'm pulling for the Suns.

[Jeremy]

So if the Suns lose tonight, would you guys say it would be the nail in the coffin for their playoff hopes?

Not if the Mavs lose tomorrow night. Then we're right back where we are now.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

So if the Suns lose tonight, would you guys say it would be the nail in the coffin for their playoff hopes?

Matt Barnes is starting tonight, that's the nail in their coffin.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Well the Canadian Cancer and Barnes are still in "ME ME ME" mode.

[lurker]

Well, this is off to an ugly start. :(

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Barnes and Nash: 0-6
Rest of team: 2-4

[IronMexican]

Big Aristotle in this bitch!

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Big Aristotle in this bitch!

I feel bad for him. I would hate to play with brickin Barnes.

[IronMexican]

Pony tail douche is a baller.

[lurker]

I was about to say "Eww, Robin Lopez minutes"...but then he scored.

[ImmortalD24]

LOL @ the early foul.. Just dumb.

[cobbler]

This game is completely winnable for Phoenix. All Phoenix needs to do is keep winning, win the remaining game vs. Dallas (for both staying close in the standings and knocking Dallas down one game closer, tying the season series with Dallas, and maintaining a better conference record that they currently have to tiebreak with Dallas). All Phoenix needs is to end up with the same regular season record as Dallas. Each team has 11 games remaining.

Dallas has these 7 losable games in their schedule remaining: Denver, at Cleveland, PHOENIX, Utah, New Orleans, New Orleans, and possibly Houston.

Freebies for Dallas: Minnesota twice, Memphis, Miami

Phoenix has these 9 very winnable games in their schedule: Portland, Sacramento twice, Houston, Dallas, Memphis twice, Minnesota, Golden State. EASY EASY EASY. Sacramento twice and Memphis twice? Phoenix, don't screw this up!

Of concern in Phoenix's remaining schedule: Utah and New Orleans.

Phoenix has already won 6 straight. Come on Phoenix, we want a 7 game series with LA, we don't need to see Dallas make it just to get swept.


Talk about the kiss of death.... Sorry Phoenix, I was rooting for you to make it.

[IronMexican]

DoK, Memphis fucked us.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Fuck this fuckin zone defense shit

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

DoK, Memphis fucked us.

Yeah they did.

[IronMexican]

I'd do Dragic for Farmar in a heartbeat.

[pauls931]

man, that yellow fever pic freaks me out... skin looks bleached.

That said, this is going to be a rough game... portland has some serious offense.

[Lars]

Phoenix needs to play with a little more desperation.

[Jeremy]

We may have been able to win this game if we hadn't given away Rodriguez and Fernandez to them...

[lurker]

Back to backs this late in the season are inhumane.

[Jeremy]

Stromile with a 3!!!!

[IronMexican]

Shaq is carrying them

[Jeremy]

Stromile Swift's 2nd career 3-pointer (1 of 26--3.8%--prior to this one)

[IronMexican]

Never seen a 37 year old big play this great. Everyone(Including myself) left him for dead this time last season.

[lurker]

That was an unfortunate fumble by Shaq.

[lurker]

Never seen a 37 year old big play this great. Everyone(Including myself) left him for dead this time last season.
What's most impressive is that he's played really well all season.

[pauls931]

the suns are getting a lot of calls on the road here.

[lil_penny]

Good game so far getting my drink on in the suite

[pauls931]

man it's bad when oden is scoring haha... amundson is still rockin' though.

Also I haven't seen much of portland, but they're LONG.

[pauls931]

damn that quarter didn't end well...

[Ghazi]

Dagger

[tomtom]

that was awesome!

[JoeTait75]

Well, tlong just came in his pants.

[Ghazi]

To think the Suns GAVE Rudy to the Blazers!

[lil_penny]

Thanks for phoenix for rudy!!

[lil_penny]

Hey Penny, is it me, or does Portland have a ticking clock that starts at the 5 second mark on the 24 second clock to remind them to shoot? I cant tell if it happens to the Suns too because they always shoot with 15 seconds left.


They don't have one.. I wish they did during the mavs game though they got hella violations haha.. bulls have one I think that's annoying as hell.

[pauls931]

I hope they give dragic and the terminator extended play time tonight. I'm not sure if there's any point in bringing the starters back unless the subs get it within 12 or so.

[ducks]

suns look older then spurs

[lil_penny]

Sttaight circus shit

[pauls931]

Looks like Lopez made it on Shaq's shit list.

[tomtom]

pure rape at this point not too sure why the starters were still in for so long

[Bob Lanier]

Suns are getting their trails blazed.

[BUMP]

are the Mavs still "holding on for dear life" now?

[dirk4mvp]

Thanks a bunch, xylus :toast

[Jeremy]

are the Mavs still "holding on for dear life" now?

If you lose to Denver tomorrow night, yes.

[BUMP]

If you lose to Denver tomorrow night, yes.

http://www.hawaiiphotoblog.com/wp-content/gallery/hawaii-sunset/sunset-kona.jpg

[Shank]

Can the Suns just play the Clippers 10x in a row?

[Borosai]

So... I have a question that has been bugging me for some time: has Amundson revealed yet what exactly he won't do for love?

[cobbler]

Never seen a 37 year old big play this great. Everyone(Including myself) left him for dead this time last season.

Kareem played significantly better at 40.

[cobbler]

are the Mavs still "holding on for dear life" now?

Nope. Just preparing for the inevitable sweep or possible 1 win and out series prior to going fishing.

[DeadlyDynasty]

Nope. Just preparing for the inevitable sweep or possible 1 win and out series prior to going fishing.
:lmao

[Xylus]

Fuck. My bad.

[Cry Havoc]

129 points in regulation....

Just wow. I fully understand the Suns want to play "fun" basketball....

What's fun about scoring 109 and being beat by 20? That entire team needs to be blown up. They don't have one consistent defender among them. The only one worth keeping is Grant Hill.

[RonMexico]

129 points in regulation....

Just wow. I fully understand the Suns want to play "fun" basketball....

What's fun about scoring 109 and being beat by 20? That entire team needs to be blown up. They don't have one consistent defender among them. The only one worth keeping is Grant Hill.

I was already pissed about the night... I've stayed up way past my bedtime, and then I read this garbage from you. Suns are playing a lot better right now than they did under Porter, but yes, defensive philosophies need to be stressed to the players and a lot of that rests on the coaches.

I just don't see Pop allowing Rudy Fernandez to hit 4 3-pointers in the first half because he would have called a timeout and ripped into his guys. While Gentry is a nice guy and fairly sharp to have remained in the league this long, he's sometimes a little too laid back I think to force that kind of fear or intensity. And some assistant coach has to step up and tell them not to load all 5 guys to the strong side in a 2-3 zone and leave wide open jumpers and teach Robin Lopez how to defend the post. Not to mention Joey Crawford was pretty quick on the whistle this evening...

I'm just really pissed because the Suns lost this game tonight as much as Portland won it - they had too many turnovers, allowed too many open jumpers, and didn't capitalize on opportunities or mismatches. The last 6 mins of the 3rd quarter showcased a pretty disheartening lack of intensity (and skill) from the Suns' veterans.

[Cry Havoc]

I was already pissed about the night... I've stayed up way past my bedtime, and then I read this garbage from you. Suns are playing a lot better right now than they did under Porter, but yes, defensive philosophies need to be stressed to the players and a lot of that rests on the coaches.

I just don't see Pop allowing Rudy Fernandez to hit 4 3-pointers in the first half because he would have called a timeout and ripped into his guys. While Gentry is a nice guy and fairly sharp to have remained in the league this long, he's sometimes a little too laid back I think to force that kind of fear or intensity. And some assistant coach has to step up and tell them not to load all 5 guys to the strong side in a 2-3 zone and leave wide open jumpers and teach Robin Lopez how to defend the post. Not to mention Joey Crawford was pretty quick on the whistle this evening...

I'm just really pissed because the Suns lost this game tonight as much as Portland won it - they had too many turnovers, allowed too many open jumpers, and didn't capitalize on opportunities or mismatches. The last 6 mins of the 3rd quarter showcased a pretty disheartening lack of intensity (and skill) from the Suns' veterans.

The problem is that I don't think Steve Nash has the lateral quickness to be a defensive player.

And I'm not even sure that Pop could get J-Rich to play more than 5 minutes of actually decent ball on both sides of the court.

Suns can save themselves though... they have lots of cap room clearing soon when Shaq rides into the sunset.

[pauls931]

Kareem played significantly better at 40.

He must have went downhill fast from then because his last 2 years he could barely do anything. I don't remember kareem being dominant in his later years.

[Strike]

What the....???

Why the hell are you a Spurs fan???

3 reasons:

1. David Robinson was a Navy man like my dad. I started following the Spurs during the 89-90 season. My love for the team grew from there. I was never much of a Blazers fan because I didn't start following basketball until Robinson's rookie year. I rooted for them based on their "home team" status but that's all.

2. The Jail Blazers era and Trader Bob Whitsitt left me very disillusioned with the franchise. Though that's all over and done with, I still don't really care about the team.

3. The way they did Bill Schonely. The Shonz was Portland's Chick Hearn, Harry Carey, Vin Scully, Johnny Most, whoever. And the organization did him wrong, period.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

He must have went downhill fast from then because his last 2 years he could barely do anything. I don't remember kareem being dominant in his later years.

Number wise, Shaq's season this year is around the same as Kareem's 40 year old season. Cobbler is just hating on Shaq.

[sonic21]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Blogs/CourtsideBlog.asp?GAME_ID=29263&LEAGUE_CODE=NBA (http://www.hoopsworld.com/Blogs/CourtsideBlog.asp?GAME_ID=29263&LEAGUE_CODE=NBA)



So what did Shaq think of Oden?


"I don't. I'm a Shogun. You can't ask me about a low level ninja. I still have to worry about Yao Ming, Dwight Howard."

Hard to beat a good Shaq quote.

[RonMexico]

The problem is that I don't think Steve Nash has the lateral quickness to be a defensive player.

And I'm not even sure that Pop could get J-Rich to play more than 5 minutes of actually decent ball on both sides of the court.

Suns can save themselves though... they have lots of cap room clearing soon when Shaq rides into the sunset.

No he doesn't, so if you're going to try and hide him in these zone sets, you have to make sure that someone isn't allowing Rudy Fernandez to shoot like he's in his backyard.

Besides, Fernandez looks a lot like a Spanish Dan Majerle.

[cobbler]

He must have went downhill fast from then because his last 2 years he could barely do anything. I don't remember kareem being dominant in his later years.

Actually, for kareem at 40 and shaq at 36, their numbers as DOK stated are almost identical. Kareem did actually play in 80 games though and didnt take off back to backs. Kareem was never dominant in respect to say dunking or overpowering opponents. He just won. And he led the Lakers to the title at 4O as opposed to the 9th seed. He retired the following year. Ohhhhh, and he was never a clown!

[RonMexico]

Actually, for kareem at 40 and shaq at 36, their numbers as DOK stated are almost identical. Kareem did actually play in 80 games though and didnt take off back to backs. Kareem was never dominant in respect to say dunking or overpowering opponents. He just won. And he led the Lakers to the title at 4O as opposed to the 9th seed. He retired the following year. Ohhhhh, and he was never a clown!

Still can't admit that you're being a homer. Sure, when you're Kareem and all you have to do is protect the rim, grab rebounds and spark a fast break that involves Magic Johnson, Byron Scott, Michael Cooper and James Worthy, you can play until you're 40. Then, when the team asks that you slow it down, you get to post up and use your height and patented sky hook to an advantage to average a decent amount of points per game. You're failing to recognize that he played a supporting role on these extremely deep teams. He also had a lean frame that wouldn't break down as much as a guy who is carrying 330 pounds and getting his ass beat down upon by players every night. Kareem was always a ninny, who bitched to the officials A LOT so you can't compare him and Shaq at all based upon role and supporting casts.

[cobbler]

Still can't admit that you're being a homer. Sure, when you're Kareem and all you have to do is protect the rim, grab rebounds and spark a fast break that involves Magic Johnson, Byron Scott, Michael Cooper and James Worthy, you can play until you're 40. Then, when the team asks that you slow it down, you get to post up and use your height and patented sky hook to an advantage to average a decent amount of points per game. You're failing to recognize that he played a supporting role on these extremely deep teams. He also had a lean frame that wouldn't break down as much as a guy who is carrying 330 pounds and getting his ass beat down upon by players every night. Kareem was always a ninny, who bitched to the officials A LOT so you can't compare him and Shaq at all based upon role and supporting casts.

Suggesting that Kareem played just a supporting role is just plain ignorance on your part. As was stated by KOD and later acknowledged by myself, their numbers were almost identical. Let's not forget that Kareem was also 4 years older. And there is absolutely no doubt that Kareem had the better players surrounding him. IMO that makes the numbers he got even better as he had to contend with his teamates and wasnt the "go to" guy. So you are suggesting because he had a lean frame you cannot compare his numbers with Shaqs? I say just the oppposite. He got his numbers with skill and basketball IQ as opposed to just bowling over people and dunking. There is no doubt Shaq has taken a lot more physical play against him. Possibly the most of any player to play the game and I admire his ability to not get pissed and take someone out. He has also benefited from it as well. While Shaq definetly has a larger frame, he certainly didnt have to carry the poundage he has throughout his career. Come on, he has never been know for his work ethic or being in shape and that is his own fault. If he had, he would have gone down as the best center ever to play. He's not even close.

Ohhhhh, and when did i ever not admit to being a homer? I am just as everyone else is. Is that not what a fan is?

And by the way, I never liked Shaq and dissed him just as much even when he was a Laker. The big underachiever!

[Jeremy]

Not if the Mavs lose tomorrow night. Then we're right back where we are now.

See?

[RonMexico]

Look at the pace the Lakers of the 80s played at. They were averaging over 110 throughout that period, so of course Kareem is going to get his and put up some numbers. Nothing you provided changes my opinion and so I'm going to assume you're about 15 yrs old and started watching the Lakers in 1998. Maybe you've seen a game or two from Kareem on ESPN Classic

[cobbler]

Look at the pace the Lakers of the 80s played at. They were averaging over 110 throughout that period, so of course Kareem is going to get his and put up some numbers. Nothing you provided changes my opinion and so I'm going to assume you're about 15 yrs old and started watching the Lakers in 1998. Maybe you've seen a game or two from Kareem on ESPN Classic

Well, you know what the say about assuming. I have held Laker season tix since 1974-75 and actaully watched Kareem when he was Lew, live at Pauley Pavillion in his UCLA days.

And I realy don't care about your opinion to be honest. Just telling it like it is. Only a fool would state that Kareem was a role player and not a significant factor in the Laker championships. And as far as great Centers go, I'm sorry to burts your bubble, but Shaq is not in Kareems league.

[pauls931]

Well, you know what the say about assuming. I have held Laker season tix since 1974-75 and actaully watched Kareem when he was Lew, live at Pauley Pavillion in his UCLA days.

And I realy don't care about your opinion to be honest. Just telling it like it is. Only a fool would state that Kareem was a role player and not a significant factor in the Laker championships. And as far as great Centers go, I'm sorry to burts your bubble, but Shaq is not in Kareems league.

What I find impressive is the timespan over kareem's titles. Most players get theirs in bursts, but Kareem got his first title in 71 and last in 88, that's a 17 year timespan! That said, I wish he would have retired about 2 years earlier.

[Cry Havoc]

Look at the pace the Lakers of the 80s played at. They were averaging over 110 throughout that period, so of course Kareem is going to get his and put up some numbers. Nothing you provided changes my opinion and so I'm going to assume you're about 15 yrs old and started watching the Lakers in 1998. Maybe you've seen a game or two from Kareem on ESPN Classic

What the hell are you talking about?

The Suns slowed their game down BECAUSE of Shaq. A team Shaq's on isn't going to average 110+ because he's too damn slow to get up and down the court. Kareem put up numbers because he took care of himself and could run with a team. Shaq got fat, quit on his team, and then decided that he suddenly wanted to play again, only he's relied on knocking people over instead of basketball skill his entire career, so he can't do it for long.

I realize you're a Laker homer, but don't excuse the fact that it's SHAQ's fault he can't run. You should give LESS credit to his stats because he's been a lazy ass who has to play a slow tempo to stay on the court.