Tim Duncan has been the best "old guard" player in the NBA this year.

[midnightpulp]

Among the pre-00's draft picks, he's been unquestionably the best.

[Suspect]

go back upstairs

[Brunodf]

Grass is green thread

[DMC]

Shaq was ok this year.

[Arnold Toht]

Kobe.

[Latarian Milton]

a healthy dirk says hi

[Thread]

Kobe: 5

the tired old shit bag Duncan: 4

[NASpurs]

He's doing on both ends of the court and is a top candidate for DPOY. It's not even close.

[Arcadian]

Kobe: 5

the tired old shit bag Duncan: 4

Only pussies and assholes ignore the present and cling to the past to make themselves feel better.

Spurs: 55-17

Tired old shitbag Fakers: 37-36

So fuck you, faggot.

[Thread]

Only pussies and assholes

lmemulatedao!!!

[Thread]

He's doing on both ends of the court and is a top candidate for DPOY. It's not even close.

Tramp stamp & all.

[NASpurs]

Tramp stamp & all.

Quit the fucking parakeeting or we're going to put your ass back in the abyss. I'm in no mood for playing stinky finger motherfucker.

[Brunodf]

a healthy dirk says hi
Gotta play on both ends son

[midnightpulp]

Tramp stamp & all.

10/10 from the stripe.

And the Spurs needed each and every one of them. Too bad your Howard isn't capable of the same.

[Thread]

10/10 from the stripe.

And the Spurs needed each and every one of them. Too bad your Howard isn't capable of the same.

Go back and fuck your mother some more.

[Thread]

Quit the fucking parakeeting or we're going to put your ass back in the abyss. I'm in no mood for playing stinky finger motherfucker.

You'll shit & fall back in it.

[NASpurs]

You'll shit & fall back in it.

Keep prodding the hornet's nest and we'll see where you'll be by the time the Ellis girl returns.

[Thread]

Keep prodding the hornet's nest and we'll see where you'll be by the time the Ellis girl returns.

I'll give her a 14 incher she won't soon forget.

[midnightpulp]

Go back and fuck your mother some more.

Hehehe. I can tell you're salty tonight.

Lon Babby is firing up the grill and getting ready to broil Kupchak's ass until it's crispy.

And this is the face of a man who looks hungry:

http://cdn2.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/6696645/lon-babby.0_standard_352.0.jpeg

[Thread]

Hehehe. I can tell you're salty tonight.

Lon Babby is firing up the grill and getting ready to broil Kupchak's ass until it's crispy.

And this is the face of a man who looks hungry:

http://cdn2.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/6696645/lon-babby.0_standard_352.0.jpeg

Kobe: 5

the tired old shit bag Duncan: 4

[midnightpulp]

Kobe: 5

the tired old shit bag Duncan: 4

Lon Babby

[Latarian Milton]

dirk has been a solid defenda for quite some years and he also rebounds well. sure his strength is still his offensive game but anyone who still says dirk is a liability of shit at the defensive end must be fooling himself tbh

[Thread]

Lon Babby

Kobe: 5

the tired old shit bag Duncan: 4

[midnightpulp]

Kobe: 5

the tired old shit bag Duncan: 4

Are you irritated tonight, Cully?

[Thread]

Are you irritated tonight, Cully?

Go back and fuck your mother some more.

[rayjayjohnson]

Go back and fuck your mother some more.
Saltine ass cracker

[racm]

Cubby probably had too much of this for dinner tonight:

http://www.oliverthring.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/spam.jpg

[Thread]

Saltine ass cracker

black person

[Dunc n Dave]

Culburn's just mad that his Lakers dropped out of the 8th spot tonight. I can only imagine how worked up he's gonna be after the Mavs hand Kobe another loss on Sunday...

[rayjayjohnson]

black person
Sexless old man

[Thread]

Culburn's just mad that his Lakers dropped out of the 8th spot tonight. I can only imagine how worked up he's gonna be after the Mavs hand Kobe another loss on Sunday...

Kobe: 5

the tired old shit bag Duncan: 4

[rayjayjohnson]

:lol cully. Salty like my balls

[Thread]

:lol cully. Salty like my balls

rockhead

[Thread]

Cubby, gassing up that windowless van, bout to make a run up to a random daycare facility

Kobe: 5

the tired old shit bag Duncan: 4

[Dunc n Dave]

Kobe: 5

the tired old shit bag Duncan: 4

Hey Cully, whatcha think of our TOSB's stat line tonight vs the best team in L.A.?

[Thread]

Hey Cully, whatcha think of our TOSB's stat line tonight vs the best team in L.A.?

Kobe: 5

the tired old shit bag Duncan: 4

Looks perfect, snatch-wipe.

[Dunc n Dave]

Kobe: 5

the tired old shit bag Duncan: 4

Looks perfect, snatch-wipe.

Chill out, cully. Just tryin to have a civil discussion about the game. Damn, your ass is salty tonight.

Call your shot. Lakers, Jazz, or Mavs as the 8th seed? I'm thinking the Mavs have a shot at it.

[Thread]

I'm goin' to couch. I ain't fit company tonight.

Nite fellows.

- Pappy

[Sean Cagney]

a healthy dirk says hi

How long has he been healthy this year and what are his year numbers? NO....... Sorry but you are not even right there.

[Fergie The Florists]

Dirk by far.

[jag]

a healthy dirk says hi

The entire season says hi

[rayjayjohnson]

I'm goin' to couch. I ain't fit company tonight.

Nite fellows.

- Pappy
Fuck off and die

[Sean Cagney]

Dirk by far.

17.5 and 10 or so, 2.7 BPG......... 50% FG or so, yeah I am f in sure he is by far the best this year. Fuck outta here.

[Latarian Milton]

didn't know you were such a douchebag tbh :rolleyes and if you sincerely wanna start a trash talk you at least ought to learn to write something in full sentences before all tbh. i can find a 7yr old nig to play a riddle game with him and have more fun doing that than quarrelling with a foreign dumbass over the internet.

[Splits]

Oh Mid...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?hl=en&gl=US&client=mv-google&v=-_lDfZnXEvk&nomobile=1

[midnightpulp]

Oh Mid...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?hl=en&gl=US&client=mv-google&v=-_lDfZnXEvk&nomobile=1

Pure, unrefined truth.

Man knows his basketball.

[midnightpulp]

31, 14, 3 dimes and 4 blocks in 32 minutes. By far the best old guard player in the league. No one else really comes close, tbh.

[DMC]

31, 14, 3 dimes and 4 blocks in 32 minutes. By far the best old guard player in the league. No one else really comes close, tbh.

No caveats needed, he's the best big in the league.

[Bynumite]

31, 14, 3 dimes and 4 blocks in 32 minutes. By far the best old guard player in the league. No one else really comes close, tbh.

Do not worry, soon he will come back to earth in the playoffs and be exposed as the TOSB that he truly is.

[Bynumite]

31, 14, 3 dimes and 4 blocks in 32 minutes. By far the best old guard player in the league. No one else really comes close, tbh.

Do not worry, soon he will come back to earth in the playoffs and be exposed as the TOSB that he truly is. Stat padding in regular season games won't change his fate.

[midnightpulp]

Do not worry, soon he will come back to earth in the playoffs and be exposed as the TOSB that he truly is. Stat padding in regular season games won't change his fate.

Talking about Kirby?

[DMC]

Do not worry, soon he will come back to earth in the playoffs and be exposed as the TOSB that he truly is.

Tim's a playoff machine. He's always doing better in the post season. It's what separates the superstars from the popular.

[DMC]

Talking about Kirby?

Nah, he said playoffs.

[Robz4000]

Tim (and Kawhi) is the only positive thing about the Spurs right now. It's truly a pleasure watching him dominate like this at his mileage.

[whitemamba]

:lolduncan

[DMC]

:lolduncan

:lolclinched

[midnightpulp]

:lolduncan

:lolKirby

[Juggity]

Duncan is honestly the third or fourth best player in the league right now.

[Johnny RIngo]

Duncan's definitely the best two-way player of the old guard. Kobe doesn't even play defense anymore - all the advanced numbers say the Lakers defense is better when he's not on the court.

[Arcadian]

Duncan is honestly the third or fourth best player in the league right now.

I agree. He's third after James and Durant.

:lol Still a top 3 player at 37 years old
:lol Current NBA
:lol 90s NBA players would generally shit on current NBA players

[Arcadian]

PER rankings for 2012-13 (minimum 50 games):

1) Lebron James 31.3
2) Kevin Durant 28.0
3) Chris Paul 26.2
4) Tim Duncan 24.5
Brook Lopez 24.5
5) Dwyane Wade 24.1

[Robz4000]

The hell? Didn't think CP3's PER was that high.

[Sean Cagney]

Duncan's definitely the best two-way player of the old guard. Kobe doesn't even play defense anymore - all the advanced numbers say the Lakers defense is better when he's not on the court.

Kobe played D when he wanted to, I will not go over again why he is such an overrated Defender anymore or was. He could play some D yes, but dude was always way overrated on D, he usually played the PG or so on when so called locking it down! If he was that great of a defener he gets off Prince in 04 and locks up Billpus or Hamilton who were going off, he never did that! He switches off Rondo to Pierce or Allen who are going off in 08, he never did that! He was always overrated on D, period.

[dunkman]

Bigman dependant has been solid too, tbh.

[TDMVPDPOY]

he will turn it off in the first round after collecting his dpoy award...no point turning up without iniesta and messi

[Koolaid_Man]

My contribution to this thread is simple:

I dedicate this to Timmy and the Spurs :lol

Play with my bone, would ya Timmy
It seems like you're good for makin jokes about your jimmy
But here's a jimmy joke about your mama that you might not like
I heard she was the 'SA dyke
But fuck your mama, I'm talkin about you and me
Toe to toe, Tim M-U-T
Your bark was loud, but your bite wasn't vicious
And them rhymes you were kickin were quite bootylicious
You get with Laker Fan oh is you crazy?
With ya mama and your daddy hollin' Bay-Bee
So won't they let you know
That if you fuck with Laker fan you're knocking on Death's door
And I ain't even slangin them thangs
I'm hollin' one-eight-seven with my dick in yo mouth, beeyatch!!!!

[Killakobe81]

My contribution to this thread is simple:

I dedicate this to Timmy and the Spurs :lol

Play with my bone, would ya Timmy
It seems like you're good for makin jokes about your jimmy
But here's a jimmy joke about your mama that you might not like
I heard she was the 'SA dyke
But fuck your mama, I'm talkin about you and me
Toe to toe, Tim M-U-T
Your bark was loud, but your bite wasn't vicious
And them rhymes you were kickin were quite bootylicious
You get with Laker Fan oh is you crazy?
With ya mama and your daddy hollin' Bay-Bee
So won't they let you know
That if you fuck with Laker fan you're knocking on Death's door
And I ain't even slangin them thangs
I'm hollin' one-eight-seven with my dick in yo mouth, beeyatch!!!!

gfunk at it's finest... grew up on dat shiznit ....

[DPG21920]

Then you should want Kool banned for butchering that in such a terribly un-funny way. DPG ain't having it.

[Brunodf]

TD average in the last 10 games: 22pts(53% FG)/11 rebs/3ast/3blks in 32 minutes

[Killakobe81]

Then you should want Kool banned for butchering that in such a terribly un-funny way. DPG ain't having it.

hey Kool can get corny from timetotime, Im just thankful for the pleasant memory ...

Funny thing is Duncan is playing well ...but third best player?! GTFO!

I do agree best bigman though ... and easily top 10 nice ressurrection year tbh ...not that he was dead but he was not top 10 or close to it.

[irishock]

ESPN will still list Howard as a top 5 player, Chandler as a top 15 player and Duncan as a top 30 player no matter what

[LkrFan]

Hey mid, what do you make of this BSPN statement:


Bryant was winding down from what can only be described as an epic performance by the 17-year veteran -- a season-high 47 points, eight rebounds, five assists, four blocks and three steals with just one turnover, a statistical line never before recorded in the league, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

17th year in the league. Millions of mileage on his body. 2nd night of a b2b. must win situation. this was clutch son.

He won't do this every night, but he's proven that he can still put the Lakers on his back when called upon. I just hope he saves some of that for the playoffs.

[wanggi]

Jordan:6
Kobe:0 without Shaq and Pau

[Thread]

^O & 45!

[midnightpulp]

Hey mid, what do you make of this BSPN statement:



17th year in the league. Millions of mileage on his body. 2nd night of a b2b. must win situation. this was clutch son.

He won't do this every night, but he's proven that he can still put the Lakers on his back when called upon. I just hope he saves some of that for the playoffs.

I agree. Takes nerves of steel to make all 18 of your freethrow attempts, especially considering the "millions of miles" Kirby has on his arms from all the freethrows he's shot over his career.

What was also incredible about the performance is that he did it against defensive stalwart Will Barton.

[Thread]

I agree. Takes nerves of steel to make all 18 of your freethrow attempts, especially considering the "millions of miles" Kirby has on his arms from all the freethrows he's shot over his career.

What was also incredible about the performance is that he did it against defensive stalwart Will Barton.

That 14 incher Denver stuffed in your keester has ya a smidge flat-earred this mornin', Midst.

tee, hee.

[midnightpulp]

That 14 incher Denver stuffed in your keester has ya a smidge flat-earred this mornin', Midst.

tee, hee.

Nope. I wanted the loss. Notice how after the conclusion of the Lakers game, Denver conveniently went on a 10-0 run?

Pop's maneuvering for that 2nd seed, intent on avoiding your boys and sending them to their doom versus OKC.

[Thread]

Nope. I wanted the loss. Notice how after the conclusion of the Lakers game, Denver conveniently went on a 10-0 run?

Pop's maneuvering for that 2nd seed, intent on avoiding your boys and sending them to their doom versus OKC.

Yep, Poop and his considerable machinations. If he'd put as much time in otherwise he wouldn't be holding the shit end of this:::

Kobe: 5

Poop: 4

[midnightpulp]

Yep, Poop and his considerable machinations. If he'd put as much time in otherwise he wouldn't be holding the shit end of this:::

Kobe: 5

Poop: 4

His machinations are precisely why he has 4.

If you'd like to leave the catchphrases at the door for a moment and talk basketball, he's angling into that 2nd seed because he knows Houston is the better matchup for the Spurs. Your guys have the size to bother our bigs inside, and with Parker hobbled and Manu sidelined, the Spurs no longer have a huge speed/athleticism advantage on the perimeter. Against Houston, the Spurs can pound it inside and go through Duncan/Splitter, taking the pressure off Parker/Manu as they recover. Against the Lakers, however, Parker/Manu would have to be the focal point of the offense, and with their injuries, there's not much of a matchup advantage to be had there.

The more confident Spurs fans will scoff, but the Lakers pose a legitimate threat to the Spurs right now all things considered.

[Thread]

If you'd like to leave the catchphrases at the door for a moment and talk basketball,

No thanks. I'm gonna go watch Green Acres.

[LkrFan]

I agree. Takes nerves of steel to make all 18 of your freethrow attempts, especially considering the "millions of miles" Kirby has on his arms from all the freethrows he's shot over his career.

What was also incredible about the performance is that he did it against defensive stalwart Will Barton.
:lmao - you refuse to give Kobe his props.

[midnightpulp]

:lmao - you refuse to give Kobe his props.

I'll give him props when they're deserved.

Last playoff team he faced:

6-19 shooting.

:downspin:

[LkrFan]

I'll give him props when they're deserved.

Last playoff team he faced:

6-19 shooting.

:downspin:
:lol - Golden State blew us out last game (& made a statement per Coach Jackson). We'll be playing with revenge on the mind. Matter of fact, the last 3 games we have are v. WC Playoff teams. Same circumstances as last night. Difference: all at Staples... I'm interested to see what he'll have in store for what makes out to be 3 playoff games to close out the season.

i actually like it that my boys had to battle through inconsistency all year that was caused by the injury bug. This also caused lack of chemistry. It's well documented that our big 4 haven't actually played on the court together all that much. Despite it all, we're playing meaningful games right now - instead of coasting and resting players like other teams are doing. I like going into the playoffs on edge. We won't have to ratchet up any intensity because we've been playing catchup since our 17-25 hole we dug for ourselves.

I'm looking forward to the 2nd season tbh. The way you are playing going into the playoffs matters more to me than your collective body of work. We've seen 6-seeds win titles. We've also witnessed 8, etc. Anything can happen in the playoffs mid. Although Spur Fans are talking all this shit, but I guarantee you Pop would rather play Utah in the first round than the underachieving Lakers. ;)

[midnightpulp]

:lol - Golden State blew us out last game (& made a statement per Coach Jackson). We'll be playing with revenge on the mind. Matter of fact, the last 3 games we have are v. WC Playoff teams. Same circumstances as last night. Difference: all at Staples... I'm interested to see what he'll have in store for what makes out to be 3 playoff games to close out the season.

i actually like it that my boys had to battle through inconsistency all year that was caused by the injury bug. This also caused lack of chemistry. It's well documented that our big 4 haven't actually played on the court together all that much. Despite it all, we're playing meaningful games right now - instead of coasting and resting players like other teams are doing. I like going into the playoffs on edge. We won't have to ratchet up any intensity because we've been playing catchup since our 17-25 hole we dug for ourselves.

I'm looking forward to the 2nd season tbh. The way you are playing going into the playoffs matters more to me than your collective body of work. We've seen 6-seeds win titles. We've also witnessed 8, etc. Anything can happen in the playoffs mid. Although Spur Fans are talking all this shit, but I guarantee you Pop would rather play Utah in the first round than the underachieving Lakers. ;)

Nothing like a couple of down-to-the-wire wins vs. shitty teams to renew your hope, eh?

Clippers sweeping your sorry asses should've been the proverbial straw, but you're a homer till the end, ain't ya?

[Clipper Nation]

The way you are playing going into the playoffs matters more to me than your collective body of work.
Then you're an idiot, because research shows there's not a major correlation between playing well right before the playoffs and playing well IN the playoffs.... not to mention, even if it were true, the Lakers haven't even played that well lately, getting blown out by playoff teams and eking by bad teams who flat-out tank the games....

[ShinerBlack]

dirk has been a solid defenda for quite some years and he also rebounds well. sure his strength is still his offensive game but anyone who still says dirk is a liability of shit at the defensive end must be fooling himself tbh

Gotta disagree with you on this one. Dirk has never been a solid defender. At best he average. Average doesn't equal solid. A solid defender has his moments when he shuts someone down. Dirk had never done that. Imo if he had ever learned post defense he would be far closer in the goat pf race even with only one title.

[LkrFan]

Nothing like a couple of down-to-the-wire wins vs. shitty teams to renew your hope, eh?

Clippers sweeping your sorry asses should've been the proverbial straw, but you're a homer till the end, ain't ya?
This again mid? We've discussed this ad nauseum already. I always have hope.

[LkrFan]

Then you're an idiot, because research shows there's not a major correlation between playing well right before the playoffs and playing well IN the playoffs.... not to mention, even if it were true, the Lakers haven't even played that well lately, getting blown out by playoff teams and eking by bad teams who flat-out tank the games....
Are you salty? :lol

Anywho. 2008. Lakers were favored over Boston (SMDH). We played really well going into the Finals (including pushing the Spurs' shit in :lol). Meanwhile Boston was going damn near 7 games in all their series. None of that shit mattered in the Finals. And no, I'm not saying we're on our way to the Finals. I'm just proving a point that sometimes even favored teams don't win.

[Thread]

^Perkins & that other guy up front with him beat our brains in. Perkins was having none of our happy horseshit. Fuckin' animal.

[Clipper Nation]

Are you salty? :lol

Anywho. 2008. Lakers were favored over Boston (SMDH). We played really well going into the Finals (including pushing the Spurs' shit in :lol). Meanwhile Boston was going damn near 7 games in all their series. None of that shit mattered in the Finals. And no, I'm not saying we're on our way to the Finals. I'm just proving a point that sometimes even favored teams don't win.
You're actually proving my point: momentum doesn't matter nearly as much as you claim, tbh.... the Lakers' better play leading up to the Finals didn't stop the C's from whooping that ass.....

[Suspect]

:lmao Best old guard

:lmao Dunked on by Chandler

:lmao Swatted twice in 3 seconds

:lmao Helps open game with 12-0 run, loses by 10

[LkrFan]

Kobe Defying Age
By Jay Cipoletti

The Lakers' recent surge into playoff contention has been driven, unsurprisingly, by the play of Kobe Bryant. In his 17th year, "Vino" is playing his best basketball when his franchise needs him the most. At least that is storyline -- like wine, Kobe is improving with age.

Is that accurate? Not really. That does not make what Kobe is doing this year any less remarkable, however. His current effective field goal percentage of 51.7% would be a career high if he maintains it through the end of the season. At first glance that might suggest he is playing better than ever, although coming off a career worst 46.2% eFG last year might also suggest this year is a reversion to his career mean of 48.8% eFG.

What you may also notice is how narrow that 17-year range is. For a high usage player to never vary between 46.2% - 51.7% eFG is a testament to that player's consistency. Then consider that these past two seasons represent his shooting book ends. Through his first 15 years, Kobe's eFG never dropped below 46.8% or climbed above 50.3%.

That sustained level of consistent excellence presents itself again and again when looking at Kobe's career. He followed a rookie season in which he posted an Offensive Rating of 103.1 in 16 minutes per game, with a sophomore season 109.5 OffRtg in 26 minutes per game. This season Kobe is producing 107.1 points per 100 possessions -- matching his career median output.

No, Kobe is not getting better with age ... he is defying age. For a player in his 17th season to show no discernible decline in performance, usage or minutes played is unheard of. To understand how rare that consistency triumvirate is, we can compare Kobe with a couple of his fellow '96 draftees.

Allen Iverson and Marcus Camby were taken No. 1 and No. 2, followed shortly after by Ray Allen (5th), Kobe (13th) and Steve Nash (15th). Iverson and Allen provide the best comparison, both for the combination of production, usage and minutes played, and for the context they provide on the impact of age.

After a Usage Rate of 21.1% in his rookie year, Ray Allen's usage hovered between 24.1%-29.3% for a decade. Beginning with the 2007-08 season at the age of 32, his usage dipped to 21.6%. Allen has seen his usage rate drop steadily each year since, bottoming out at 18.6% last year. While his offensive production has remained steady and his defensive production has actually improved, he is shouldering less of the offensive load in nearly 11 fewer minutes per game than he has averaged over his career.

Iverson followed a similar path. After a decade of 40+ minutes per game and eight consecutive seasons of Usage Rates exceeding 32.3%, his usage dropped to 29.1% in 2006-07. That decline was followed by seasons of 26.6%, 26.1% and finally in 2009-10, in his final season at the age of 34, a usage rate of 22.7% in only 30 minutes per game.

Through 62 games Kobe's Usage Rate stands at 31.8%, higher than nine of his previous 16 seasons. He has played more than the 38 minutes per game he is averaging this year in only five seasons, and through March 6th he had logged more minutes than any other player in the league.

At 34 years old, despite playing more minutes and using more possessions than he has averaged over his career, Kobe Bryant is displaying the same offensive efficiency he has shown throughout his outstanding career.

He is not getting better with age. Kobe is stamping his name amongst the all-time greats by not showing any signs of aging at all.

More at LINK (http://stats.nba.com/featured/kobe_defying_age_2013_03_08.html)

:downspin:this shit mid.

[midnightpulp]

Kobe Defying Age
By Jay Cipoletti

The Lakers' recent surge into playoff contention has been driven, unsurprisingly, by the play of Kobe Bryant. In his 17th year, "Vino" is playing his best basketball when his franchise needs him the most. At least that is storyline -- like wine, Kobe is improving with age.

Is that accurate? Not really. That does not make what Kobe is doing this year any less remarkable, however. His current effective field goal percentage of 51.7% would be a career high if he maintains it through the end of the season. At first glance that might suggest he is playing better than ever, although coming off a career worst 46.2% eFG last year might also suggest this year is a reversion to his career mean of 48.8% eFG.

What you may also notice is how narrow that 17-year range is. For a high usage player to never vary between 46.2% - 51.7% eFG is a testament to that player's consistency. Then consider that these past two seasons represent his shooting book ends. Through his first 15 years, Kobe's eFG never dropped below 46.8% or climbed above 50.3%.

That sustained level of consistent excellence presents itself again and again when looking at Kobe's career. He followed a rookie season in which he posted an Offensive Rating of 103.1 in 16 minutes per game, with a sophomore season 109.5 OffRtg in 26 minutes per game. This season Kobe is producing 107.1 points per 100 possessions -- matching his career median output.

No, Kobe is not getting better with age ... he is defying age. For a player in his 17th season to show no discernible decline in performance, usage or minutes played is unheard of. To understand how rare that consistency triumvirate is, we can compare Kobe with a couple of his fellow '96 draftees.

Allen Iverson and Marcus Camby were taken No. 1 and No. 2, followed shortly after by Ray Allen (5th), Kobe (13th) and Steve Nash (15th). Iverson and Allen provide the best comparison, both for the combination of production, usage and minutes played, and for the context they provide on the impact of age.

After a Usage Rate of 21.1% in his rookie year, Ray Allen's usage hovered between 24.1%-29.3% for a decade. Beginning with the 2007-08 season at the age of 32, his usage dipped to 21.6%. Allen has seen his usage rate drop steadily each year since, bottoming out at 18.6% last year. While his offensive production has remained steady and his defensive production has actually improved, he is shouldering less of the offensive load in nearly 11 fewer minutes per game than he has averaged over his career.

Iverson followed a similar path. After a decade of 40+ minutes per game and eight consecutive seasons of Usage Rates exceeding 32.3%, his usage dropped to 29.1% in 2006-07. That decline was followed by seasons of 26.6%, 26.1% and finally in 2009-10, in his final season at the age of 34, a usage rate of 22.7% in only 30 minutes per game.

Through 62 games Kobe's Usage Rate stands at 31.8%, higher than nine of his previous 16 seasons. He has played more than the 38 minutes per game he is averaging this year in only five seasons, and through March 6th he had logged more minutes than any other player in the league.

At 34 years old, despite playing more minutes and using more possessions than he has averaged over his career, Kobe Bryant is displaying the same offensive efficiency he has shown throughout his outstanding career.

He is not getting better with age. Kobe is stamping his name amongst the all-time greats by not showing any signs of aging at all.

More at LINK (http://stats.nba.com/featured/kobe_defying_age_2013_03_08.html)

:downspin:this shit mid.

Sure.

- One of the worst starting defensive 2s in the league.

- Other playoff teams consistently hold him at or below season averages.

- Leads the league in TOs.

- Not hard to fill up a stat sheet in D'Antoni's system, especially if you dominate the ball as much as Kobe.

- Terrible in crunch time this year.

- Despite his "resurgence," ranks only 11th in PER.

He's having a solid year, but nothing extraordinary. In fact, the stats suggest he's playing as expected given his age and mileage.

[midnightpulp]

Sure.

- One of the worst starting defensive 2s in the league.

- Other playoff teams consistently hold him at or below season averages.

- Leads the league in TOs.

- Not hard to fill up a stat sheet in D'Antoni's system, especially if you dominate the ball as much as Kobe.

- Terrible in crunch time this year.

- Despite his "resurgence," ranks only 11th in PER.

He's having a solid year, but nothing extraordinary. In fact, the stats suggest he's playing as expected given his age and mileage.

Kobe has averaged 24.9 points on .416 shooting against plus .500 West and East playoff teams (including Utah) since January 1 (I used the New Year as my cutoff, since Kobe was indeed "Vino" for the first two months of the season. The turning point was that New Years loss against the Sixers, after which the Lakers started playing like Magic's infected ass, Kobe included). Not bad at all for a 34 year old, but nothing to really raise eyebrows at, either. Easy to be "Vino" against shitty tanking teams.

[LkrFan]

??
Sure.

- One of the worst starting defensive 2s in the league. False. Best situational SG defender in the league. Can he do it for 48 like he used to? No. Does he ignore lesser names and roam? Yes. But he's hardly the worst defensive starting .SG.

- Other playoff teams consistently hold him at or below season averages. False

- Leads the league in TOs. Not necessarily bad. Not comparing them per se, but Magic averaged about 4/game. No one holds that against him.

- Not hard to fill up a stat sheet in D'Antoni's system, especially if you dominate the ball as much as Kobe. LBJ dominates it way more. Difference is his shooters are making their shots at a much higher clip. No one holds it against him. Double standard much?

- Terrible in crunch time this year. False. Misses shots at times (who doesn't?), but hardly terrible.

- Despite his "resurgence," ranks only 11th in PER. Fuck PER.

He's having a solid year, but nothing extraordinary. In fact, the stats suggest he's playing as expected given his age and mileage. Trollish at best:


Bryant was winding down from what can only be described as an epic performance by the 17-year veteran -- a season-high 47 points, eight rebounds, five assists, four blocks and three steals with just one turnover, a statistical line never before recorded in the league, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

[midnightpulp]

A PER below 25 has never once been considered an "extraordinary" year. It's an all-star year, nothing more. Just because Kirby can fill it up against the Blazers and Pelicans doesn't make him the exception.

Lol. James doesn't dominate the ball more than Kobe, at least as far as shot attempts go. His usage percentage is two points lower while his pace is 4 points lower. As for who has the ball in his hands for a greater amount of time on average, I don't know. But I would be willing to bet it's about equal.


"Other playoff teams consistently hold him at or below his season averages"

To which you replied:


False

Say it again:


'Kobe has averaged 24.9 points on .416 shooting against plus .500 West and East playoff teams (including Utah) since January 1 (I used the New Year as my cutoff, since Kobe was indeed "Vino" for the first two months of the season. The turning point was that New Years loss against the Sixers, after which the Lakers started playing like Magic's infected ass, Kobe included). Not bad at all for a 34 year old, but nothing to really raise eyebrows at, either. Easy to be "Vino" against shitty tanking teams."

And looking at the stats, even if I were to factor in the first two months of the season, he'd still rate below his season averages against the better teams. Kobe's done an exceptional job of padding against bottom feeders. Props :tu

[midnightpulp]

And looking at the stats, even if I were to factor in the first two months of the season, he'd still rate below his season averages against the better teams. Kobe's done an exceptional job of padding against bottom feeders. Props :tu

First two months of the season against playoff teams:

29.2 on .426 shooting.

"Vino."

Still not gonna hate too much, though. Pretty solid for his age. If he played some defense, it'd be even more impressive.

[LkrFan]

A PER below 25 has never once been considered an "extraordinary" year. It's an all-star year, nothing more. Just because Kirby can fill it up against the Blazers and Pelicans doesn't make him the exception.

Lol. James doesn't dominate the ball more than Kobe, at least as far as shot attempts go. His usage percentage is two points lower while his pace is 4 points lower. As for who has the ball in his hands for a greater amount of time on average, I don't know. But I would be willing to bet it's about equal.

To which you replied:

Say it again:

'Kobe has averaged 24.9 points on .416 shooting against plus .500 West and East playoff teams (including Utah) since January 1 (I used the New Year as my cutoff, since Kobe was indeed "Vino" for the first two months of the season. The turning point was that New Years loss against the Sixers, after which the Lakers started playing like Magic's infected ass, Kobe included). Not bad at all for a 34 year old, but nothing to really raise eyebrows at, either. Easy to be "Vino" against shitty tanking teams."

And looking at the stats, even if I were to factor in the first two months of the season, he'd still rate below his season averages against the better teams. Kobe's done an exceptional job of padding against bottom feeders. Props :tu

Kobe shoots - that's in his DNA - and I never denied that. James has tried (and failed) at trying to outdo Kobe (i.e. the very next game after Kobe set the record for points at MSG, LBJ put up around 50). That's not James' game, but like he said a few years back he could lead the league in scoring if he wanted to. I don't think he ever did IIRC.

Let's look at the context of the bolded paragraph and be honest here: Kobe can score on any team he wants whether they are elite or not. Just like Shaq before him, he had to sacrifice his game for Howard to get off so that he would guard the yard. The Lakers' record is much better when Howard scores 20+. During their last 6 games Kobe is averaging 28.0 points, 9.2 assists, 7.7 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 1.2 blocks.

That is hardly indicative of someone in his 17th year playing against guys a decade or more younger than he is. I doubt LBJ is balling like Kobe is when LBJ is in his 17th year.

Kobe is right there where MJ was at the same age:

MJ at 34: 28.7ppg, 5.8rpg, 3.5apg. 46.5%
Kobe at 34: 27.3ppg, 5.6rpg, 6.0apg. 46.3%

So yeah, he's having an average year. :lol

[midnightpulp]

Kobe shoots - that's in his DNA - and I never denied that. James has tried (and failed) at trying to outdo Kobe (i.e. the very next game after Kobe set the record for points at MSG, LBJ put up around 50). That's not James' game, but like he said a few years back he could lead the league in scoring if he wanted to. I don't think he ever did IIRC.

Let's look at the context of the bolded paragraph and be honest here: Kobe can score on any team he wants whether they are elite or not. Just like Shaq before him, he had to sacrifice his game for Howard to get off so that he would guard the yard. The Lakers' record is much better when Howard scores 20+. During their last 6 games Kobe is averaging 28.0 points, 9.2 assists, 7.7 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 1.2 blocks.

That is hardly indicative of someone in his 17th year playing against guys a decade or more younger than he is. I doubt LBJ is balling like Kobe is when LBJ is in his 17th year.

Kobe is right there where MJ was at the same age:

MJ at 34: 28.7ppg, 5.8rpg, 3.5apg. 46.5%
Kobe at 34: 27.3ppg, 5.6rpg, 6.0apg. 46.3%

So yeah, he's having an average year. :lol

Lol. Kobe isn't sacrificing his game at all for Howard. He's playing 45 minutes a game (and don't give that shit that the Lakers "need" him playing that many minutes. Artest was the only injured wing during minutegate) and shooting to his heart's content. And Howard doesn't seem too thrilled in the many post-game conferences I've watched, always stating how the Lakers "need to play the right way" and "move the ball."

And no, Kobe can't score at will "against any team in the league," as the stats clearly show, unless you consider near 40 percent shooting "at will." I don't.

The MJ comparison fails because he played in a grind-it-out system. Kobe plays in SSOL 2.0. You know, the same system that had Nash averaging just as many assists as Magic.

Magic in '88 (a championship year; 28 years old): 19.6ppg, 11.9apg, 6.2rpg, .492

Nash in '10 (reached the WCF; 35 years old): 16.5ppg, 11.0apg, 3.5rpg, .507

So I guess a past his prime Steve Nash is on a similar level as Magic in his prime?

I don't think you guys appreciate the kind of boost D'Antoni's system can give to a player's offense. Comes with a sacrifice at the defense end, of course, a side of the ball that Kobe rarely visits these days, unless it's blocking scrubs like Will Barton.

Kobe isn't having an "average" year. He's having a solid, all-star year worthy of an aging superstar player. But there's nothing really exceptional about it that it'll one day wind up as a featured exhibit in Springfield.

[LkrFan]

Lol. Kobe isn't sacrificing his game at all for Howard. He's playing 45 minutes a game (and don't give that shit that the Lakers "need" him playing that many minutes. Artest was the only injured wing during minutegate) and shooting to his heart's content. And Howard doesn't seem too thrilled in the many post-game conferences I've watched, always stating how the Lakers "need to play the right way" and "move the ball."

And no, Kobe can't score at will "against any team in the league," as the stats clearly show, unless you consider near 40 percent shooting "at will." I don't.

The MJ comparison fails because he played in a grind-it-out system. Kobe plays in SSOL 2.0. You know, the same system that had Nash averaging just as many assists as Magic.

Magic in '88 (a championship year; 28 years old): 19.6ppg, 11.9apg, 6.2rpg, .492

Nash in '10 (reached the WCF; 35 years old): 16.5ppg, 11.0apg, 3.5rpg, .507

So I guess a past his prime Steve Nash is on a similar level as Magic in his prime?

I don't think you guys appreciate the kind of boost D'Antoni's system can give to a player's offense. Comes with a sacrifice at the defense end, of course, a side of the ball that Kobe rarely visits these days, unless it's blocking scrubs like Will Barton.

Kobe isn't having an "average" year. He's having a solid, all-star year worthy of an aging superstar player. But there's nothing really exceptional about it that it'll one day wind up as a featured exhibit in Springfield.
They are hardly playing SSOL - they don't have the age or personnel - and you know it. :lol Kobe avg 27.9ppg, 5.4rpg, and 4.6 apg for MB just last year. :lol at your theory of Kobe needing MDA system to inflate his stats.

Who would compare Nash to Magic? I wouldn't even compare ringless Stockton to Magic. But the Kobe comparison with MJ at the same age is legit.

[midnightpulp]

They are hardly playing SSOL - they don't have the age or personnel - and you know it. :lol Kobe avg 27.9ppg, 5.4rpg, and 4.6 apg for MB just last year. :lol at your theory of Kobe needing MDA system to inflate his stats.

Who would compare Nash to Magic? I wouldn't even compare ringless Stockton to Magic. But the Kobe comparison with MJ at the same age is legit.

05 Suns pace: 95.9

13 Lakers pace: 94.5

The Lakers are one-and-a-half possessions slower than the team that defined uptempo basketball in 00s. Yeah, they are hardly playing SSOL at all.

The reason Kobe averaged close last year to what he's averaging this year is because he shot 23 times per game. Even though Brown's system is deliberate, Kobe was playing at a personal high pace, proving my point of how a higher pace/usage percentage can inflate stats. That said, I should've clarified my statement better and mentioned assists as part of that "offense boost." Assists have always been easy to come by playing under D'Antoni, so it's no surprise Kobe's averaging a career high. My essential point is that Kobe's "resurgence" has more to do with the system than with him "turning back time," which I guess you can somewhat do under D'Antoni since you're not required to play defense.

Not hating. Kobe's having a great year for a 34 year old. I just don't think it's worthy of the hype.

[LkrFan]

05 Suns pace: 95.9

13 Lakers pace: 94.5

The Lakers are one-and-a-half possessions slower than the team that defined uptempo basketball in 00s. Yeah, they are hardly playing SSOL at all.

The reason Kobe averaged close last year to what he's averaging this year is because he shot 23 times per game. Even though Brown's system is deliberate, Kobe was playing at a personal high pace, proving my point of how a higher pace/usage percentage can inflate stats. That said, I should've clarified my statement better and mentioned assists as part of that "offense boost." Assists have always been easy to come by playing under D'Antoni, so it's no surprise Kobe's averaging a career high. My essential point is that Kobe's "resurgence" has more to do with the system than with him "turning back time," which I guess you can somewhat do under D'Antoni since you're not required to play defense.

Not hating. Kobe's having a great year for a 34 year old. I just don't think it's worthy of the hype.
You make it sound like we are Showtime 2.0. I'm sure we are in the bottom 10% in fast break ppg which is hardly comparable to the 110.4 ppg they averaged. Pace my ass. :lol

Kobe's averaging 1.4 more apg than last year. I equate that to Howard being a better finisher than Bynum and Nash being a better shooter than Fish ever was (among other factors).

[midnightpulp]

You make it sound like we are Showtime 2.0. I'm sure we are in the bottom 10% in fast break ppg which is hardly comparable to the 110.4 ppg they averaged. Pace my ass. :lol

Kobe's averaging 1.4 more apg than last year. I equate that to Howard being a better finisher than Bynum and Nash being a better shooter than Fish.

Pace =/= scoring.

If the Lakers were equal to that Suns team in FT% and 3PT%, they'd be averaging around 106 points per game. Not that far off. Pace is not defined by fast-breaking and high-flying. It's how many possessions a team has in a 48 minute game. And the Lakers average well above 90, which would classify them as a fast paced team.

[Thread]

:lmao Helps open game with 12-0 run, loses by 10

I usually hate this shit, but, that one is a hoot.

tee, hee.

[Bynumite]

Nope. I wanted the loss. Notice how after the conclusion of the Lakers game, Denver conveniently went on a 10-0 run?

Pop's maneuvering for that 2nd seed, intent on avoiding your boys and sending them to their doom versus OKC.

"Maneuvering"... right :lol Call it like it is, the spurs are tanking and faking injuries to avoid the Lakers. The same shit you say bottom feeders like the Pelicans, Kings etc. do when they play LAL, except those are lottery teams and the spurs are at the top of the western conference standings, they should fear no one, especially a team you constantly label a "fool's gold" team that needs "game 7 efforts" to beat the league's worst teams :lol

I bet spurfan feels really good about the spurs coming to Staples next sunday to tank :lol Like i said before, spurs being a chicken shit, unclassy organization per par. There's nothing classy about tanking and faking injuries, especially when you're at the top of the standings.

[Thread]

^Poop.

[midnightpulp]

"Maneuvering"... right :lol Call it like it is, the spurs are tanking and faking injuries to avoid the Lakers. The same shit you say bottom feeders like the Pelicans, Kings etc. do when they play LAL, except those are lottery teams and the spurs are at the top of the western conference standings, they should fear no one, especially a team you constantly label a "fool's gold" team that needs "game 7 efforts" to beat the league's worst teams :lol

I bet spurfan feels really good about the spurs coming to Staples next sunday to tank :lol Like i said before, spurs being a chicken shit, unclassy organization per par. There's nothing classy about tanking and faking injuries, especially when you're at the top of the standings.

So fuckin' mad right now that you're going to likely have to play OKC instead of the Spurs, who are banged up and a much better matchup for the Lakers.

And that's what your rant is about. Whereas the Lakers had a chance against the Spurs, they have ZERO chance against the Thunder. You of course know this, and it scorches your ass.

[Thread]

^Midst, runnin' just as fast as he can.

[midnightpulp]

^Midst, runnin' just as fast as he can.

Just like Pop. Running to that second seed for the more favorable matchup with Houston or Golden State, while the Lakers get to play the Thunder and get their shit handed to them on silver platter personally polished by Kevin Durant.

[Thread]

^Crawl, motherfucker, crawl!!!

[midnightpulp]

^Crawl, motherfucker, crawl!!!

What Artest did that night outta Staples Center after Durant sighted in that 3 off the crown of Artest's head.

Cold fuckin' Blooded.

[Bynumite]

So fuckin' mad right now that you're going to likely have to play OKC instead of the Spurs, who are banged up and a much better matchup for the Lakers.

And that's what your rant is about. Whereas the Lakers had a chance against the Spurs, they have ZERO chance against the Thunder. You of course know this, and it scorches your ass.

It's more of a testament to how much the spurs fear dem Lakers tbh. They prefer to give up home court advantage to OKC (a team that backdoor swept the spurs last season) than to play the Lakers in the first round.

You couldn't get it done last season with HCA, without it the spurs have the same amount of chance you say the Lakers have against the Thunder... ZERO. It will most likely end with a sweep if the spurs and thunder meet again.

Like i said before, the 2nd team in the west should not fear an 8th seeded team that you constantly label a "fool's gold team" but it's pretty obvious that the spurs truly fear the Lakers.

[midnightpulp]

It's more of a testament to how much the spurs fear dem Lakers tbh. They prefer to give up home court advantage to OKC (a team that backdoor swept the spurs last season) than to play the Lakers in the first round.

You couldn't get it done last season with HCA, without it the spurs have the same amount of chance you say the Lakers have against the Thunder... ZERO. It will most likely end with a sweep if the spurs and thunder meet again.

Like i said before, the 2nd team in the west should not fear an 8th seeded team that you constantly label a "fool's gold team" but it's pretty obvious that the spurs truly fear the Lakers.

:madrun Why you have to tank Pop and match us up with the Thunder :madrun

And yeah, the Spurs "fearing" the Lakers doesn't change my opinion that the Lakers are a shitty team. Golden State was a pretty bad team in '07 but happened to match up perfectly with the one team favored to win it all. With Parker and Manu hurt, the Lakers aren't the best match up presently, thus the tank.

[Thread]

What Artest did that night outta Staples Center after Durant sighted in that 3 off the crown of Artest's head.

Cold fuckin' Blooded.

You've nary room. You sat right next to me and shined shoes.

Let us proceed...

[LkrFan]

mid :downspin: shit again. :lmao

[Bynumite]

Lakers are a fool's gold team that needs game 7 efforts to win against lottery teams.

Pop obviously disagrees :lmao

[Thread]

& if Poop would just go for it instead of these tortured machinations. Over 5 years of this silly shit. And he still ain't learned.

[midnightpulp]

Pop obviously disagrees :lmao

Lol at Lakers fans searching for moral victories whenever they can find them.

"T-The Thunder kicked our asses, b-b-but the Spurs had to tank to avoid us!"

Here's your "Spurs tanked to avoid the Lakers" championship trophy, Bynumite. You can put it on the shelf next to your "Kobe blocked Lebron" trophy.

[Suspect]

Spurs scared of lakers :lmao

[LkrFan]

Spurs scared of lakers :lmao
And mid is maaaaaaaaaadd about it too. :lol

[LkrFan]

***BUMP***

Up to date stats from the best "old guard" player in the NBA this year...Tim Duncan was 2-12 for just five points and a -25 in the second half and overtime. Here's what that looks like:

http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/visual/whatshot/Shotchart2.png

:lol

[TrainOfThought5]

Still better than Dwight Howard.

[DAF86]

Spurs scared of lakers :lmao

lol son, you have made some trully awful pre-playoffs predictions/analisis, tbrh. :lol

[Durant82]

***BUMP***

Up to date stats from the best "old guard" player in the NBA this year...Tim Duncan was 2-12 for just five points and a -25 in the second half and overtime. Here's what that looks like:

http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/visual/whatshot/Shotchart2.png

:lol
At least he still has two functioning Achilles tendons.

[LkrFan]

At least he still has two functioning Achilles tendons.
Don't forget ACL's son. I hear you need them too. :lol

[Suspect]

lol son, you have made some trully awful pre-playoffs predictions/analisis, tbrh. :lol
not really. Spurs being scared of lakers was just a run on joke that I didnt even start just played along with. My post was laughing at the spurs for being scared when they shouldn't be. It doesn't say "spurs gonna lose to lakers"
and Houston lost regardless and was GOING to lose regardless 1st round. Like I said before, cant judge how they would of done against a team if they didnt play the team or just cause that team lost to the warriors.

stop going through old posts ms cleo

[DAF86]

not really. Spurs being scared of lakers was just a run on joke that I didnt even start just played along with. My post was laughing at the spurs for being scared when they shouldn't be. It doesn't say "spurs gonna lose to lakers"
and Houston lost regardless and was GOING to lose regardless 1st round. Like I said before, cant judge how they would of done against a team if they didnt play the team or just cause that team lost to the warriors.


It doesn't matter. You shouldn't need to see how they do in the playoffs to know that is much better to face Denver than OKC or SAS.


stop going through old posts ms cleo

Why? :lol