Fakers @ Rockettes Game Thread 3/16

[TDfan2007]

When Battier was contesting jumpshots he was not fouling Kobe. But everytime Kobe took it to the rack he was getting hacked left and right, the refs were letting it go because the NBA probably wants to see this streak continue.

you're an idiot

[Hank the Tank]

congrats houston!

keep that streak goin! :clap

[TampaDude]

Suck it, Fakers!!! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! :lmao

[Warlord23]

:lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol

Ok pal, I'll tell you why he's a center (again).

Seven feet height? Check!

Plays with back to the basket? Check!

Can't shoot free throws? Check!

Can't take his man off the dribble? Check!

Go-to move is a hook shot? Check!


Ok...now go through that list and ask those same questions for all the other TRUE power forwards. Now go and ask those same questions for all the great centers in the league.

Magic 6'9", played in the post in the NBA Finals with 42 points PG or PF?
Oscar 6'5", averaged 10+ rebounds over his first 5 seasons PG or SF?
Pippen 6'9", defended PGs and handled the ball ... SF or PG?
Ben Wallace, 6'7" no back to the basket game ... C or SF?

See, it isn't that hard to post idiotic takes when you pick up arbitrary criteria. Go watch some basketball before you bring that weak shit in here.

[Flopper]

What does Duncan have to do with the fakers and rockettes?

[sribb43]

10 of rox last 16 games are on the road

[Gino]

I love how Duncan keeps geting Shorter and Shorter!!!

Six foot ten Bonner Dynasty? REally?

Doesn't play with his back to the basket? Thats funny, because every Spurs game Ive ever seen, the Spurs have one play:

Give it to Duncan with his back to the basket and wait for the double team.

Seventy percent? Nice try:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/stats?playerId=215

Duncan taks his man off the dribble? LMFAO!!! YOU HOMERS ARE PATHETIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Duncan's go to move is his running hook shot. You should know this as a Spurs fan. Every team in the league is now backing off and just daring him to shoot that bank shot.

[sribb43]

when any NBa team shoots that well against the 3 point line no way they will lose.

not even the bulls of the 90's could have over come that

[DazedAndConfused]

At least we didn't lose to Philly with our team fully healthy!

With Pau we win this game by a few points, with Pau and Bynum it's a blowout.

[Kori Ellis]

Man, the Rockets destroyed the Lakers in the last few minutes. I didn't want them to win, but damn they are fun to watch.

[TampaDude]

So Dirk is a center too then right?

:lmao pwned!

[Gino]

So Dirk is a center too then right?

Nope!

See the checklist! Dirk shoots amazingly well from the outside. Takes his man off the dribble. Shoots an amazing free throw percentage. Never plays with his back to the basket. Isn't really big man who likes to bang.

In fact, he's closer to a SF than a C.


You guys are MORONS if you don't understand this. Its not that hard! Go down the checklist! I made it EASY for ya!

[1Parker1]

Oh shit. Say what you want about the Rockets win streak, but this is eerily similiar to what the Warriors brought to the NBA last season. Excitement is back, the unlikely Cinderella story is back, this is good basketball.

I loved seeing how into the game every single member of the Rockets were. They're all playing with a chip on their shoulders.

And man do I wish the Spurs had somehow gotten Shane Battier :pctoss

[Hank the Tank]

At least we didn't lose to Philly with our team fully healthy!

With Pau we win this game by a few points, with Pau and Bynum it's a blowout.
76ers are pretty good actually. 15-4 last 19.


also gino is pretty much a dumbass.

[TampaDude]

Man, the Rockets destroyed the Lakers in the last few minutes. I didn't want them to win, but damn they are fun to watch.

The 3s were falling like rain...that was an amazing performance by the Rockets! :toast

[Gino]

Right because he can't make that bank shot? And Duncan can't shoot from the outside either correct? I didn't know Tim turned into Kareem thanks for letting me know :lol


Ready for the mother of all ownage?

http://www.nba.com/hotzones/popup.html

Bring up Duncan and then cry because your ass just got owned!!


:lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol

[Warlord23]

At least we didn't lose to Philly with our team fully healthy!

With Pau we win this game by a few points, with Pau and Bynum it's a blowout.

Maybe you can write in your season W-L in the record books that way too, with all the ifs and buts.
Example:

50-16 (With Pau + Bynum)
48-18 (With Pau, no Bynum)
46-20 (If Odom has more than half a brain)
45-21 (Actual)

[Gino]

Lets look inside the numbers shall we?

Duncan shoots 57% from within three feet of the basket and 30% in almost all other areas.

The only other area he is effective is the paint area extending to the free thow line.

Which COINCIDENTALLY is exactly where he releases that running hook shot!!!!

[1Parker1]

Man, the Rockets destroyed the Lakers in the last few minutes. I didn't want them to win, but damn they are fun to watch.


Seriously, that's why I'm saying they remind me of the GS Warriors from last season in that sense. They're bringing back excitement to the game, are insanely fun to watch right now, and are playing with a passion similiar to what GS displayed last season. Even when the Lakers cut the lead to 2 points, they didn't panick.

What's scary is the Rockets are winning with defense. In this win streak they're holding teams to 88 ppg and 41% shooting or something equally ridiculous. :wow

Imagine if they still had Yao...

[peskypesky]

Great win for the Rockets. That win streak is pretty impressive. But let's keep things in perspective before we start crapping all over the Lakers. They were on the road and missing their TWO best big men. Anyone betting on the Lakers to win either had a lot of money to throw away, or they weren't paying attention to significant details.

[DazedAndConfused]

All I'm saying is you really can't talk shit about a team that is missing their best defender, 2nd option on offense, and best perimeter defender. Especially when they are all coming back this season. Enjoy the win Rox fans, your team deserved it. But get ready for an early playoff exit because that 3pt chuckfest I saw won't translate into playoff success.

Did anyone talk shit about the Spurs being a shitty team when Duncan/Parker/Ginobli were out? Didn't think so.

[DazedAndConfused]

Great win for the Rockets. That win streak is pretty impressive. But let's keep things in perspective before we start crapping all over the Lakers. They were on the road and missing their TWO best big men. Anyone betting on the Lakers to win either had a lot of money to throw away, or they weren't paying attention to significant details.

Amen, it was a good win for the Rockets. But in perspective this win wasn't indicative of anything. We had no bigs to take advantage of their weak interior defense, Odom could have had a field day if he were more assertive.

[Fabbs]

It's time for the Kobe Bryant show, folks...
Sure was. The pouting, the scowling at teamates, the 1 on 5 b.s. leading to 11-33 shooting and 0-4 on treys.

Kobeball 2005-7 is back.

[Gino]

WOW!!!

http://www.nba.com/hotzones/popup.html

Bring up Dirk an then tell me how Diuncan can shoot from the outside.....


STOUDEMIRE TOO!!! MUCH better shooter than Duncan...bring him up! See for yourself!!!!

Garnett?

YOU KNOW IT BABY!!!

Is it that surprising? I would think most power forwards are better shooters than Duncan since he's really a center!

[Gino]

wow..most of his shots are from close range because he can take people off the dribble..you got me their with that ownageKg is better than Duncan


Your right
And Duncan is now a center
and Kg is better than Tim

Shit I believe that Baby Davis is better than Tim too! :lol


Now youre just embarrassing your whole fan base!

YOU'LL SAY ANYTHING!!! :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol


Why don't you go to youtube and find me some footage of Duncan taking his man off the dirbble. :lol

[Gino]

Most power forwards can't post up like Duncan they is why they have to better shooters

AL Jefferson is exactly the same as Duncan as he is power forward who can post up well...but with your stupid logic you believe he is a center too. And Kevin Mchale was the best power forward in the post, but your your logic he must have been a center right?

:toast


WHAT DONT YOU GET?!!!

Whats so hard about it? Go down the list?

McHale was too small to be a center. Just ask Amare Stoudemire!

:lol

btw - Most power forwards can't post up? Are you serious?

Tell that to Charles Barkely and Karl Malone.

The Difference? That wasn't the EXTENT of their gams. They were able to shoot from outside, take their man off the dribble, shoot free throws etc.

Duncan can't do that. Like most centers, he's completely dependant on his height for his effectiveness.

[Gino]

I love the new argument about how Duncan can't shoot because he doesn't NEED to (since he posts up).

This was too easy. Thanks Spurs fans!

[Gino]

btw Adam.....LOVED the Al Jefferson analogy!

Since they list him as a CENTER!!!

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3832

And THAT is what you call OWNAGE!!!!!

[TampaDude]

And man do I wish the Spurs had somehow gotten Shane Battier :pctoss

WERD...he owned Kobe all day...

[TampaDude]

Sure was. The pouting, the scowling at teamates, the 1 on 5 b.s. leading to 11-33 shooting and 0-4 on treys.

Kobeball 2005-7 is back.

Exactly... :lol

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

What's scary is the Rockets are winning with defense. In this win streak they're holding teams to 88 ppg and 41% shooting or something equally ridiculous. :wow

Imagine if they still had Yao...

IF they still had Yao, they definitely would have had a shot at the title this year. Right now it looks like the title is up for grabs.



Seriously, that's why I'm saying they remind me of the GS Warriors from last season in that sense. They're bringing back excitement to the game, are insanely fun to watch right now, and are playing with a passion similiar to what GS displayed last season. Even when the Lakers cut the lead to 2 points, they didn't panick.
Yeah, Rockets are playing pretty entertaining ball.
They really gelled in the second half the season. The ball movement and energy was great.


I wish the Spurs were playing like them.
:lol

[Gino]

they list has center because they have no one else on that team he is the tallest guy on the team..he is power forward you should know that since he is from boston!

And the Spurs play Tim Duncan at PF because they like to start two centers.

See? You can do it! I feel like Im teaching some kid a basic algebra problem!!! :lol

[Roxsfan]

All I'm saying is you really can't talk shit about a team that is missing their best defender, 2nd option on offense, and best perimeter defender. Especially when they are all coming back this season. Enjoy the win Rox fans, your team deserved it. But get ready for an early playoff exit because that 3pt chuckfest I saw won't translate into playoff success.

Did anyone talk shit about the Spurs being a shitty team when Duncan/Parker/Ginobli were out? Didn't think so.


its only a chuckfest if they don't go in and if they are forced, all those threes were in the flow of the game. We were making them and the fakers were not defending the 3, and when they did try to d it up--it did not matter.

Lakers are fakers.

[DaDakota]

The Rockets won 2 championships with 3pt shooters surrounding a dominant big man....the 3pt shot can and does win...

DD

[DazedAndConfused]

Roxfan do you believe your team as constructed can beat the Lakers when they get back Pau, Bynum, and Ariza? You need to put things into perspective.

Oh yea and congrats on Reefer being such a class act at the end of the game. I guess you can take the player off the street but you can't take the street out of the player.

[1Parker1]

Lakers fans using the excuse that the Rockets shouldn't really take much out of this win since the Lakers were missing Gasol and Bynum is complete BS. Lakers still had arguably the best player on the court on their team today. That's all that matters.

This was an impressive win for the Rockets...Gasol or no Gasol. :tu

[DazedAndConfused]

The Rockets won 2 championships with 3pt shooters surrounding a dominant big man....the 3pt shot can and does win...

DD

Newsflash YOU DONT HAVE A DOMINANT BIGMAN PLAYING FOR THE REST OF THIS SEASON.

[Banzai]

Roxfan do you believe your team as constructed can beat the Lakers when they get back Pau, Bynum, and Ariza? You need to put things into perspective.

Oh yea and congrats on Reefer being such a class act at the end of the game. I guess you can take the player off the street but you can't take the street out of the player.
Don't worry :smokin

[DazedAndConfused]

Lakers fans using the excuse that the Rockets shouldn't really take much out of this win since the Lakers were missing Gasol and Bynum is complete BS. Lakers still had arguably the best player on the court on their team today. That's all that matters.

This was an impressive win for the Rockets...Gasol or no Gasol. :tu

Bullshit. Gasol+Bynum is a pretty big fucking piece. Kobe can't carry a team on his own to victory, especially not against a good defender like Battier......tonight was a night when we needed all our horses.

For fuck sakes if Duncan and Ginobli both were injured for a game do you think anyone would expect them to win? So why do you expect the Lakers to just because Kobe is? Idiot.

[1Parker1]

Roxfan do you believe your team as constructed can beat the Lakers when they get back Pau, Bynum, and Ariza? You need to put things into perspective.

Oh yea and congrats on Reefer being such a class act at the end of the game. I guess you can take the player off the street but you can't take the street out of the player.


Are Lakersfan that completely confident in their team that they have no doubt Pau, Bynum, and Ariza will come back healthy in time for the playoffs and all magically gel and pick up right where they left off?? Speaking of putting things in perspective... :rolleyes

22 wins is 22 wins. You say the Lakers were disadvantaged because they were without Pau and Bynum...well the Rockets were without Yao Ming....

Going from the 10th seed to all alone in 1st place in the tough Western Conference is impressive no mater what way you look at it. I don't know if the Rockets can win the championship without Yao this season, but I do think they have a great chance getting out of the first round against whomever they play this year.

[1Parker1]

Bullshit. Gasol+Bynum is a pretty big fucking piece. Kobe can't carry a team on his own to victory, especially not against a good defender like Battier......tonight was a night when we needed all our horses.

For fuck sakes if Duncan and Ginobli both were injured for a game do you think anyone would expect them to win? So why do you expect the Lakers to just because Kobe is? Idiot.

:lmao at Lakerfan. You do realize the Rockets were playing with a "pretty big fucking piece" in Yao Ming right?

[DazedAndConfused]

:lmao at Lakerfan. You do realize the Rockets were playing with a "pretty big fucking piece" in Yao Ming right?

So what? Yao Ming ISNT coming back this season. Bynum and Pau are.

[Spuradicator]

Bullshit. Gasol+Bynum is a pretty big fucking piece. Kobe can't carry a team on his own to victory, especially not against a good defender like Battier......tonight was a night when we needed all our horses.

For fuck sakes if Duncan and Ginobli both were injured for a game do you think anyone would expect them to win? So why do you expect the Lakers to just because Kobe is? Idiot.

Lakers were without Pau, Rockets were without Yao. Face it, you talked shit and you lost.

Rockets are the best team in the West right now and have been for a few weeks now.

[DazedAndConfused]

Lakers were without Pau, Rockets were without Yao. Face it, you talked shit and you lost.

Rockets are the best team in the West right now and have been for a few weeks now.

OK so I have you on record right now that you believe the Rockets are the best team in the Western Conference?

[DaDakota]

Wait, the Rockets were without their ONLY post player in Yao, and their best off the bench PF in Landry.

If anything it evens out....

The Rockets are 2-1 against the Lakers this year.......and hold the tie breaker so this was like 2 wins in one.

DD

[DazedAndConfused]

Do you believe the Rockets as presently constructed without Yao can beat the Lakers when they get back Bynum, Pau, and Ariza? It's a simple question.

[DaDakota]

The Lakers are still going to be tough, but I don't think there is a favorite in the Western Conference right now....it could be any of the top 8 that come out of it.

And Yes, the Rockets can beat the Lakers as assembled right now, because they match up with them, when all those guys get back.

DD

[GuerillaBlack]

Do you believe the Rockets as presently constructed without Yao can beat the Lakers when they get back Bynum, Pau, and Ariza? It's a simple question.
Lakers aren't getting them all back.

[DazedAndConfused]

They are getting back Gasol and Bynum for sure, Ariza is iffy but he is not nearly as important a piece.

[DaDakota]

They are getting back Gasol and Bynum for sure, Ariza is iffy but he is not nearly as important a piece.

Gasol is a big piece, but how has he done in the playoffs up to date?

LOL

DD

[TampaDude]

Compare Duncans numbers to Boozer:

outside of the circle Duncan shot 115 out 262 which was 43.8%

Boozer shot 120 out 269 which was 44.6%

so they both basically took the same amount of shots from outside the 3 foot circle and shot about the same from the floor. Then I guess by your logic Boozer is a center right?

:lmao The pwnage continues!

[DazedAndConfused]

Are you really gonna talk smack about playoff experience?

[ludda]

Gasol is a big piece, but how has he done in the playoffs up to date?

LOL

DD

Sorry, but I had to comment on this. Are rocket fans REALLY going to insult other players who haven't gotten past the first round now??

[DazedAndConfused]

The Rockets will struggle against any quality team that has an interior presence. The Lakers were without both of their post options tonight so they struggled to take advantage and settled for a lot of contested outside shots.

Unless the Rox get matched up with DAL or GSW I don't see them doing anything in the post season.

[Roxsfan]

Are you really gonna talk smack about playoff experience?

It takes REAL defense in the playoffs, you didn't learn that today :rolleyes
http://images.china.cn/images1/200707/398779.jpg

http://assets.espn.go.com/media/apphoto/c39264fd-e7f5-4561-b014-2ecaf04e2ab6.jpg

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/1703/shanekobeqe2.jpg

[DazedAndConfused]

The Rox can play good perimeter defense, but they will struggle against any team with an interior presence. It just so happened they played another good team that was without their post players.

I mean no Dirk, no West, no Bynum/Gasol. Next KG is going to fall down a flight of stairs and break his leg.

[bobbyjoe]

Dirk and West are post players?!?!?!?!?

[Roxsfan]

The Rox can play good perimeter defense, but they will struggle against any team with an interior presence. It just so happened they played another good team that was without their post players.

I mean no Dirk, no West, no Bynum/Gasol. Next KG is going to fall down a flight of stairs and break his leg.

And yet you think next year when we have a healthy Yao + the Rocket squad that kicked the Laker's ass today that we won't be better than the team that pathetically layed down today + gasol and bynum

[Obstructed_View]

Are you really gonna talk smack about playoff experience?
The Rockets have about as much recent first round success as the Lakers do and have played more playoff games in the last three seasons than the Lakers have.

[Roxsfan]

The Rockets have about as much recent first round success as the Lakers do and have played more playoff games in the last three seasons than the Lakers have.

and........the rox have had to overcome MUCH more injuries than the Fakers

[bobbyjoe]

This is comical. Yao and Landry were both out. BOTH teams were short-handed.

If you are going to foolishly pound your chest before a game and talk noise to a team who's won 21 in a row, take it like a man when it doesnt end up your way.

With Gasol out and Bynum hurt, the Lakers are having horrible luck at the wrong time. It'll be a challenge just to make the playoffs in the West. And if it takes playing Kobe 46-48 mins a night, it's going to be tough to grind out a couple more months of great ball in the playoffs.

This is a season in the West marred by injuries to key players. Otherwise, it'd almost certainly be a Rockets-Lakers WCF and man, would it have been great if Gasol, Bynum, and Ming and Landry were all healthy. Would be one helluva series.

[wireonfire]

This is comical. Yao and Landry were both out. BOTH teams were short-handed.

If you are going to foolishly pound your chest before a game and talk noise to a team who's won 21 in a row, take it like a man when it doesnt end up your way.

With Gasol out and Bynum hurt, the Lakers are having horrible luck at the wrong time. It'll be a challenge just to make the playoffs in the West. And if it takes playing Kobe 46-48 mins a night, it's going to be tough to grind out a couple more months of great ball in the playoffs.

This is a season in the West marred by injuries to key players. Otherwise, it'd almost certainly be a Rockets-Lakers WCF and man, would it have been great if Gasol, Bynum, and Ming and Landry were all healthy. Would be one helluva series.

:clap There are some classy lakers fans after all.

[1Parker1]

The Rockets have about as much recent first round success as the Lakers do and have played more playoff games in the last three seasons than the Lakers have.


:lol Exactly.

I think Dazed and Confused is just bringing Dazed and Confused arguments that don't even make sense...

This has NOTHING to do with the playoffs, this has NOTHING to do with how the Rockets will fare in the playoffs, or if they're the best team in the West, etc, etc.

You were trying to undersell this Lakers loss and the Rockets win tonight as due to the fact that since Gasol and Bynum were out, it doesn't mean anything. More than that, you're trying to undersell the fact that the Rockets have won 22 straight games by claiming that it was ALL based on Luck (i.e they played without Dirk, without Gasol,etc.) While that may be partially true, 22 wins is 22 straight wins. Own up and appreciate it. Lakers still had a chance to win the game today without Gasol against the Rockets and they couldn't get it done.

I don't know how the Rockets will play in the playoffs. All I know is right now, they are playing the best basketball out of any team in the league. And when you look at all the great teams, especially in the West, that's saying a lot.

[1Parker1]

This is comical. Yao and Landry were both out. BOTH teams were short-handed.

If you are going to foolishly pound your chest before a game and talk noise to a team who's won 21 in a row, take it like a man when it doesnt end up your way.

With Gasol out and Bynum hurt, the Lakers are having horrible luck at the wrong time. It'll be a challenge just to make the playoffs in the West. And if it takes playing Kobe 46-48 mins a night, it's going to be tough to grind out a couple more months of great ball in the playoffs.

This is a season in the West marred by injuries to key players. Otherwise, it'd almost certainly be a Rockets-Lakers WCF and man, would it have been great if Gasol, Bynum, and Ming and Landry were all healthy. Would be one helluva series.


:tu

[DazedAndConfused]

LOL, we all know the Houston Rockets led by T-Mac and Yao Ming will never win a championship. They have been together for almost half a decade, if not longer, and have still yet to get out of the 1st round. It doesn't matter what cast of characters or coach you put around them, the results are always the same. I'll be laughing my ass off at you bobbyjoe when the Rockets suffer another early playoff exit.

This same ol' song and dance happens every year. The Rockets get hyped up as the year they finally break out only to lose again and again in the 1st round.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

It takes REAL defense in the playoffs, you didn't learn that today :rolleyes
http://images.china.cn/images1/200707/398779.jpg


http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/1703/shanekobeqe2.jpg
:lol

But does Shane Battier really have to do that to make his face look like that?

[1Parker1]

LOL, we all know the Houston Rockets led by T-Mac and Yao Ming will never win a championship. They have been together for almost half a decade, if not longer, and have still yet to get out of the 1st round. It doesn't matter what cast of characters or coach you put around them, the results are always the same. I'll be laughing my ass off at you bobbyjoe when the Rockets suffer another early playoff exit.

This same ol' song and dance happens every year. The Rockets get hyped up as the year they finally break out only to lose again and again in the 1st round.


Again, you really have no basis to be hypocritical considering the Lakers have either not made the playoffs or have been outed in the first round the past 3-4 seasons themselves.

[DazedAndConfused]

^^Do you honestly believe HOU will be a threat come playoff time? Do you think they will be more of a threat than the Lakers? Who would you rather face in a 7 game series?

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

^^Do you honestly believe HOU will be a threat come playoff time? Do you think they will be more of a threat than the Lakers? Who would you rather face in a 7 game series?
The only reason why fans stopped taking Houston seriously was their chemistry issues and their losing streak in the beginning of the season. (and Tmac's lack of success in the last playoff)

They were projected to be really successful, at the beginning of the season, and everyone acknowledged the team as being pretty deep and talented as a roster. They're definitely a team to not fall asleep on in the playoffs.

Now that they have a different coach, they probably won't choke away their 2-0 leads at least.

[Roxsfan]

This is comical. Yao and Landry were both out. BOTH teams were short-handed.

If you are going to foolishly pound your chest before a game and talk noise to a team who's won 21 in a row, take it like a man when it doesnt end up your way.

With Gasol out and Bynum hurt, the Lakers are having horrible luck at the wrong time. It'll be a challenge just to make the playoffs in the West. And if it takes playing Kobe 46-48 mins a night, it's going to be tough to grind out a couple more months of great ball in the playoffs.

This is a season in the West marred by injuries to key players. Otherwise, it'd almost certainly be a Rockets-Lakers WCF and man, would it have been great if Gasol, Bynum, and Ming and Landry were all healthy. Would be one helluva series.

wow, an adult on these boards :clap

[Roxsfan]

^^Do you honestly believe HOU will be a threat come playoff time? Do you think they will be more of a threat than the Lakers? Who would you rather face in a 7 game series?

seriously dude shut up already.

[DazedAndConfused]

The only reason why fans stopped taking Houston seriously was their chemistry issues and their losing streak in the beginning of the season. (and Tmac's lack of success in the last playoff)

They were projected to be really successful, at the beginning of the season, and everyone acknowledged the team as being pretty deep and talented as a roster. They're definitely a team to not fall asleep on in the playoffs.

Now that they have a different coach, they probably won't choke away their 2-0 leads at least.

Answer the question. Do you think the Rockets as presently constructed are a more significant threat than any other WC team out there? If they can't win with this team in the playoffs then this 22 game win streak is completely meaningless.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

Answer the question. Do you think the Rockets as presently constructed are a more significant threat than any other WC team out there? If they can't win with this team in the playoffs then this 22 game win streak is completely meaningless.

I don't think they're more of a significant threat, but which team can you argue has the most edge out of all the teams?
It's not the Lakers. It's not the Spurs. It's not New Orleans. Nor Dallas or Phoenix...Utah, maybe?
Houston is hte number one seed now. I think it's pretty even and the WC advancement is for any team's taking. If Rockets were to get very far, it'd be a cinderella story. Not having Yao actually keeps the west pretty even, if they stil had hhim and the streak going, the other teams would be pretty worried.

[DazedAndConfused]

I don't think they're more of a significant threat, but which team can you argue has the most edge out of all the teams?
It's not the Lakers. It's not the Spurs. It's not New Orleans. Nor Dallas or Phoenix...Utah, maybe?
Houston is hte number one seed now. I think it's pretty even and the WC advancement is for any team's taking. If Rockets were to get very far, it'd be a cinderella story. Not having Yao actually keeps the west pretty even, if they stil had hhim and the streak going, the other teams would be pretty worried.

The only teams capable of getting out of the WC are the Spurs, Lakers, Mavs, and Suns.

[Dreamshake]

Roxfan do you believe your team as constructed can beat the Lakers when they get back Pau, Bynum, and Ariza? You need to put things into perspective.

Oh yea and congrats on Reefer being such a class act at the end of the game. I guess you can take the player off the street but you can't take the street out of the player.

OK read all the pages. Lets start with this quote first.


Is your dumbass really going to whine over Rafers dribbling, calling it a no class action when you got Kobe Rape on your team? I didn't think so. Class....lol... rape and pay off vs dribbling by your man and getting a karate chop for it.

[bobbyjoe]

Exactly.

With a healthy Yao given how Rafer and Scola have stepped up, Houston would have emerged as probably the favorite if they were fully healthy. They are playing great defensively and as a team offensively.

As it stands now, it's completely wide open.

LA has injury issues. So does Houston and New Orleans (David West keeps getting his ankle hurt). SA has the track record but is struggling for some reason. Utah is playing great, great ball, but they are struggling badly on the road and likely to not have HCA in a single round. Ouch. Dallas can't seem to beat a good team after Kidd. GS just doesnt have the typical makeup of a deep playoff run team.

Mocking any team as if they have no chance to do anything in the West is just stupid. If you make the playoffs in the West this yr, you have about as good a chance of getting out as the #1 seed. There's a reason there are 8 teams within 4 games of each other. Absolutely no dominant team this year. No SA of 2005 or 1999, no LA of 2000-2002.

[George Gervin's Afro]

Nice game by the rockets today.. nice fade for the lakers..today' game is proof that LA is to young to win the west..

the west is WIDE OPEN

[Dreamshake]

This Rocket team doesn't impress me. Their entire offense has become T-Mac ISO and 3pt shot. When you need Reefer Alston to hit 8 threes in a game you aren't going very far in the playoffs.

I thought we played them OK in the 2nd half tonight. It would have been nice to have Pau or Bynum in the game but what can you do. The Rockets played well and deserve the win.

Well whats that say about your team perimeter defense? Think your team could learn to go over the pick and have a defender roll with Rafer just once maybe. And lets see, did it take Rafer hitting 8 three's for the rox to win the other 21 games in a row dumbass?

[bobbyjoe]

The only teams capable of getting out of the WC are the Spurs, Lakers, Mavs, and Suns.

Funny, considering that if you had to pick 3 teams who are playing the best ball right now in the West it's: New Orleans, Houston, and Utah.

Excluding Utah from this discussion is short-sighted. They are playing just as well as Houston the last 3 months. Just been overshadowed by the streak.

New Orleans just crushed the Mavs, Lakers, and Spurs in the last 2 weeks and aren't capable?!

The Mavs are probably the team right now LEAST likely if you had to pick one of getting out of the WC. Not strong defensively, weak inside presence, 0-5 against winning teams post-Kidd, and lots of playoff demons to exercise from the disastrous endings to the 2006 and 2007 postseasons.

I do think the Suns are a nice sleeper pick. Really picking it up lately.

[Gino]

Compare Duncans numbers to Boozer:

outside of the circle Duncan shot 115 out 262 which was 43.8%

Boozer shot 120 out 269 which was 44.6%

so they both basically took the same amount of shots from outside the 3 foot circle and shot about the same from the floor. Then I guess by your logic Boozer is a center right?

Ive tried and tried but you just don't listen.

Boozer is not big enough to be a center. If Boozer was a seven footer, he would also be a center. No doubt about it. He just doesn't have the height so he plays power forward.

I gave you a list....a checklist the generally defines what a center is. One of these things was being around seven teen tall. Boozer isn't pushing seven feet. Boozer also doesn't shoot the hookshot and isnt' completely dependant on his height for his game. You know why? Because he can't be....he's not tall enough. Boozer actually plays very similar to Kevin McHale.

Duncan meets ALL the criteria to a tee.

Duncan has the height, he just wants to be called a power forward. He says he likes it because he doesn't want to "limit" his game to things a center does, but Duncan doesn't do anything outside what the stereotypical center does so why does he care?

He does these things well, but he doesn't have the speed, shooting ability or ball control of a KG, Amare or Dirk. He's a seven footer who plays with his back to the basket, shoots the vast majority of his shots from within three feet, and most of the time won't shoot outside ten feet given all the space in the world. If it looks like a center, plays like a center, and is LISTED as a center:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=215

Then it probably IS a center.

How bizzare that ESPN lists him as a center yet ranks him as the best power forward of all time?

btw - only a complete moron wouldn't realize that the data you just pulled up is incorrect. Tim Duncan and Boozer have already shot 1000 attempts each this season. Over 60% of those attempts will be within three feet. Hotzones doesn't get updated as often as it should, thus you have to go back to last season to get any relevant data.

Why don't you just give up?

[Dreamshake]

Like I said before the way the Rockets are winning this game right now is not going to translate into playoff success. No team in the history of the NBA has won without some sort of interior presence, which they don't have. Chucking 3 balls works when you hit them, but when those shots don't fall you're in deep shit.


And once again, you are a moron. Unless you wan't to forget about Jordan and the Bulls. Im sure you aren't going to argue the merits of Bill Cartright. Horace grant was a nice player, but not an "interior precence" by any stretch. And Dennis Rodman was a superior rebounder, with zero offensive game. Kind of evened it out a bit. Not only that, I believe Magic Johnson might have words with you also, when Kareem went down for their finals. And are we going to call Sheed the outside threat, an "inside presence" for the Pistons run?

[Dreamshake]

Basically I just want to say you are a tool, with little to no actual basketball knowledge. Will I say the Rox, as constructed, are better than the Lakers....NO. Mostly because Im a not some douche who doesn't understand that there are a lot of very good teams in the West right now.

I will tell you this though. Bynum isn't the key to the Lakers, and makes little to no difference in any of their championship desires, nor does Ariza. Turiaff (sp) gave you everything that Bynum would of tonight against the Rox. A handful of points, a few blocks and good rebounding.

You wan't to crap on the Rox run as "luck". Well those same players were out for the rest of the league, who else is getting 22 game winning streaks. Did the Rox not Beat the Cavs twice, the Hornets twice, the Mavs, the Lakers, a pretty good Denver team, and Golden State in that stretch? You wan't to do the winning percentage math on those teams you johnson?

Sorry, the Lakeshow better hope that they keep homecourt over teams like the Spurs, Mavs, Suns, and yes G.S. Because I would seriously doubt they would have a chance against those teams in a 7 games series from the road.

[ludda]

TRUTH is, no one knows who's getting out of the West, it's wide open and any homer would have to conceive that point. But to the people acting like they know EXACTLY who has the best chances, who's not making it etc etc should give me a heads up about the Lotto numbers, thanks.

[DazedAndConfused]

Basically I just want to say you are a tool, with little to no actual basketball knowledge. Will I say the Rox, as constructed, are better than the Lakers....NO. Mostly because Im a not some douche who doesn't understand that there are a lot of very good teams in the West right now.

I will tell you this though. Bynum isn't the key to the Lakers, and makes little to no difference in any of their championship desires, nor does Ariza. Turiaff (sp) gave you everything that Bynum would of tonight against the Rox. A handful of points, a few blocks and good rebounding.

You wan't to crap on the Rox run as "luck". Well those same players were out for the rest of the league, who else is getting 22 game winning streaks. Did the Rox not Beat the Cavs twice, the Hornets twice, the Mavs, the Lakers, a pretty good Denver team, and Golden State in that stretch? You wan't to do the winning percentage math on those teams you johnson?

Sorry, the Lakeshow better hope that they keep homecourt over teams like the Spurs, Mavs, Suns, and yes G.S. Because I would seriously doubt they would have a chance against those teams in a 7 games series from the road.

I love it, you call me a tool and then proceed to make the dumbest statement I've ever heard.

Bynum's stats this year
----------------------
13.1 ppg
10 rpg
2.1 bpg
1.7 apg
64% FG

He is our defensive anchor, nobody on the team is capable of anchoring the paint the way he can. He alters shots and completely changes the dynamics of our team on defense. Players think twice about penetrating and throwing up weak shit against him. It allows our perimeter players to play tighter defense because they know who is waiting behind them. It's no coincidence the Lakers were playing much better defense when Bynum was playing. To say that Turiaf, who is really a PF, playing the C spot is as good as Bynum is the dumbest thing I've ever heard.

As far as Ariza goes, he is one of our best perimeter defenders. We can stick him on T-Mac the entire game and let Kobe save his energy and guard Battier. When he is not playing we are stuck with two matadors, Vlade and Luke Walton. Big difference in defense when Ariza is not there.

So the two guys you think are non-factors for the Lakers are in fact the BIGGEST factors on defense, which as you know is what wins rings. So please STFU and do some research before you post nonsense.

[Dreamshake]

I love it, you call me a tool and then proceed to make the dumbest statement I've ever heard.

Bynum's stats this year
----------------------
13.1 ppg
10 rpg
2.1 bpg
1.7 apg
64% FG

He is our defensive anchor, nobody on the team is capable of anchoring the paint the way he can. He alters shots and completely changes the dynamics of our team on defense. Players think twice about penetrating and throwing up weak shit against him. It allows our perimeter players to play tighter defense because they know who is waiting behind them. It's no coincidence the Lakers were playing much better defense when Bynum was playing. To say that Turiaf, who is really a PF, playing the C spot is as good as Bynum is the dumbest thing I've ever heard.

As far as Ariza goes, he is one of our best perimeter defenders. We can stick him on T-Mac the entire game and let Kobe save his energy and guard Battier. When he is not playing we are stuck with two matadors, Vlade and Luke Walton. Big difference in defense when Ariza is not there.

So the two guys you think are non-factors for the Lakers are in fact the BIGGEST factors on defense, which as you know is what wins rings. So please STFU and do some research before you post nonsense.

Ok stupid....lets dance.

What did Turiaf give you tonight?????

13 Points
8 rebound
2 Assists
and 3 Blocks.


2 less rebounds, and one more block and a slightly better assist number. I don't know....hmmmmm............seems you just went and proved me right when I said that Turiaf gave you exactly what you would of got from Bynum tonight. Thanks for the lesson in stupid. LOL.


Secondly, you better thank your lucky starts that Kobe was guarding TMac and Tmac played like a guy who logged two near 50 minute games recently. Because Ariza would of got smoked out by Tmac.


And thanks for acknowledging that "defense" wins titles. Seems to me only two teams in the West play real, hardcore Defense. The Spurs and Rox. Your lakers are nowhere near, not even a sniff of doo doo in your grammamma's undies close to playing real Team Defense....with our without your non D playing star Gasol, and Bynum. Nuff said.

[Dreamshake]

OH and uh....BTW






OWNED!!!

http://m1.cdn.spikedhumor.com/1/27449_13403223_l_vw.jpg

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=280316010

[DazedAndConfused]

Are you really this dumb Dreamshake? Are you really trying to prove that Ronny Turiaf is in any way equal to Andrew Bynum at the C position? Please answer these questions first before I completely and utterly own you.

[Findog]

The Mavs are probably the team right now LEAST likely if you had to pick one of getting out of the WC. Not strong defensively, weak inside presence, 0-5 against winning teams post-Kidd, and lots of playoff demons to exercise from the disastrous endings to the 2006 and 2007 postseasons.



The Mavs are a good defensive team. Not a great defensive team, but they can get stops. How you slight their defense and then tout Phoenix as a sleeper pick I don't know. As for "weak inside presence," they have four guys who can post up. They don't have a dominant back to the basket scorer, but they can get points in the paint, especially now that Kidd is here. Keep on touting that 0-5 record, it will change pretty soon. I don't put any stock in losing to the Rockets without Dirk, losing to the Hornets in Kidd's first game, and the other three were on the road and went to the wire. They could've easily gone the other way, and that was with Josh Howard beyond awful because of that back injury. Now he's back to form, and if we had that Josh in those games, we would've won them. I don't know how you can point to losing to the Spurs and Lakers on the road on their final possession, and going to the wire in Utah in their fourth game in five nights as evidence that they can't hang with the elite teams, especially since they're one themselves.

And as for the pop psychology, you have no idea what those guys are thinking. The idea that they're too fractured to do anything is belied by the fact that they're continuing to play hard and haven't packed anything in. They lost to Miami and Golden State because they couldn't stop Wade and Baron, and they couldn't run an effective half-court offense late in games. I'm not sure Kidd helps with the former but he damn sure helps with the latter.

[The Franchise]

Hate. It's what's for dinner. :p: 22-0 bitches!!!!!!

[bobbyjoe]

I strongly disagree that the Mavs are a good defensive team.

They are certainly no where on the level of a DET, SA, HOU, BOS, or even a NO.

Tim Duncan scores points against the Mavs as if he's playing a video game on his couch.

As you noted, they've been killed by Baron and Wade the last 2 yrs. The problem is to go through the west you have to stop or at least contain terrific guards, be that a NOH with Chris Paul, a HOU with TMac, a SAS with Manu/Parker, a Utah with Deron Williams.

Teams like Houston have Battier to throw at elite wings, SA: Bruce Bowen, LAL: Kobe Bryant.

The Mavs have never had this because they've been so focused on getting scorer after scorer after scorer. They have a team that's very poorly constructed. The Sum of the whole has never been more than the sum of the individual parts because they've never gone after role players to complement a couple stars. It's always been guys with very similar, redundant skill sets.

I really dont think you'll find any objective NBA fan who considers the Mavericks a good defensive team. I understand they are improved and are not awful as they were in the Don Nelson days, but they are just not going to scare any elite team with their D.

If you look at the history of the NBA, almost every championship team had a dominant big or was outstanding defensively. The Mavs are simply neither. Yes, Stack and Howard can post up. That just doesnt impact the game like a Duncan or a Gasol can in the post.

I applaud your devotion to the Mavs and I do agree that any team CAN win in the West. I just see the Mavs as the team least likely to. Maybe you are right and they'll catch fire. We shall see.

BTW, the Dirk out for the Houston game take is pretty weak given that:

1) The game was at home
2) It was a blowout (18 points or so I think)
3) Yao Ming was out for Houston.

You are right that the other games were close and down to the wire. I don't expect anyone to blow the Mavs off the floor but I dont see them having a run like 2006. Their schedule heats up IIRC. We'll see how they are in a few weeks.

[Findog]

I strongly disagree that the Mavs are a good defensive team.


Ball don't lie. They rank 10th out of 30 teams in defensive efficiency. That isn't great, but it certainly doesn't make them a bad defensive team.


Tim Duncan scores points against the Mavs as if he's playing a video game on his couch.

He does that to everybody. He put up 32 and 15 in the playoffs two years ago and his team still lost to Dallas.



The Mavs have never had this because they've been so focused on getting scorer after scorer after scorer.

Right, which is why they used Nash's salary slot to sign Dampier. He's obscenely overpaid, but he has made Dallas a better defensive team.



They have a team that's very poorly constructed.

Right, which is why they win 60+ games almost every year and have a Finals appearance with their current nucleus.


The Sum of the whole has never been more than the sum of the individual parts because they've never gone after role players to complement a couple stars. It's always been guys with very similar, redundant skill sets.

So guys like Dampier, Devean George, Antoine Wright, Tyronn Lue, these are star players with skillsets similar to Dirk, Josh and Jet?



I applaud your devotion to the Mavs and I do agree that any team CAN win in the West. I just see the Mavs as the team least likely to

Dallas will come out of the West before Golden State, Houston, Denver and Phoenix does. Again, you slam the Mavs for being a bad defensive team, which they aren't, and Phoenix of all teams is your sleeper pick to win the West? Either defense is important or it isn't.

[DazedAndConfused]

Bobbyjoe you are flat out wrong when you say DAL is such a poor defensive team. They may not be at SAS level, but they are by no means a poor defensive team. Certainly no worse than PHX or NOH. Their problem IMHO has always been their offense has been too ISO oriented. Kidd seems to be a step in the right direction in that regard.

You don't win 67 games in the regular season or get to the NBA Finals with POOR defense. The Mavs playoff woes has largely been due to outcoaching IMHO, Avery simply got worked by Nelson last season.

[Purple & Gold]

:lmao :lmao @ Rockets fans that think 22 game winning streak = NBA Championship

[bobbyjoe]

Ball don't lie. They rank 10th out of 30 teams in defensive efficiency. That isn't great, but it certainly doesn't make them a bad defensive team.



He does that to everybody. He put up 32 and 15 in the playoffs two years ago and his team still lost to Dallas.

.

Right, which is why they used Nash's salary slot to sign Dampier. He's obscenely overpaid, but he has made Dallas a better defensive team.



Right, which is why they win 60+ games almost every year and have a Finals appearance with their current nucleus.



So guys like Dampier, Devean George, Antoine Wright, Tyronn Lue, these are star players with skillsets similar to Dirk, Josh and Jet?



Dallas will come out of the West before Golden State, Houston, Denver and Phoenix does. Again, you slam the Mavs for being a bad defensive team, which they aren't, and Phoenix of all teams is your sleeper pick to win the West? Either defense is important or it isn't.

Besides 2006, the Mavs have been a very dissapointing team in the playoffs. They've been the classic great regular season team which underwhelms in Spring.

On Dampier, Devean George, Wright, Lue, etc: Dampier is simply not a good or impactful basketball player. He's not a shotblocker, not a great rebounder, a 0 offensively, and basically a stiff. You know very well that Lue (has he even played yet?) and Wright are not even rotational players on Dallas so they just aren't a factor in how the team is built. George is a good role player, I will give you that and I do really like Brandon Bass' game.

However, dont let the rankings fool you. The Mavs may be 10th defensively but they do not have a strong perimeter defender or a strong post defender. And after Dampier, who is always in foul trouble or cant be kept on the court for heavy minutes (35-40) because he's so bad offensively, big frontcourts like SAS, LAL, probably even HOU (with Scola and Landry if he comes back) will pound Dallas inside.

Look at every big matchup Dallas had in the 5 game stretch with Kidd. They were embarassed defensively. That was the common thread. Like it or not, the Kidd trade made them weaker defensively. Harris could stay with quicker PG's, didnt get beat off the dribble as much or often as Kidd.

While Phoenix also has issues defensively, the reason I have them as a sleeper is they are really coming on lately. And they arent doing it only against the sisters of the poor like Dallas has been. Phoenix has had 2 very impressive wins against GS and SA.

Also, they DO Have a very good perimeter defender in Raja Bell who can affect the Kobe's, Manu's, TMac's, etc. They also have Shaq, who unlike Dampier, can still be intimidating defensively. Ultimately, the reason I pick the Suns over Dallas is Steve Nash: The guy has the heart of a champion and he will not go down without a fight. Kidd is a great PG too, but Nash is closer to the top of his game than Kidd is IMO. I also have a hard time ever betting against Shaq in the playoffs. The guy steps it up come May and June, always has.

[DazedAndConfused]

:lmao :lmao @ Rockets fans that think 22 game winning streak = NBA Championship

Let them have their fun. They certainly deserve it, their teams have sucked for over a decade.

[Purple & Gold]

Let them have their fun. They certainly deserve it, their teams have sucked for over a decade.

I'd expect this from Mavs and suns fans that haven't won anything. But Rockets fans should know better.

[resistanze]

I'd expect this from Mavs and suns fans that haven't won anything. But Rockets fans should know better.
They should be ashamed of being in the midst of the second longest win streak in NBA history?

[bobbyjoe]

Bobbyjoe you are flat out wrong when you say DAL is such a poor defensive team. They may not be at SAS level, but they are by no means a poor defensive team. Certainly no worse than PHX or NOH. Their problem IMHO has always been their offense has been too ISO oriented. Kidd seems to be a step in the right direction in that regard.

You don't win 67 games in the regular season or get to the NBA Finals with POOR defense. The Mavs playoff woes has largely been due to outcoaching IMHO, Avery simply got worked by Nelson last season.

I'm not talking about 2006. In 2006 Diop was effective in guarding Duncan and later Shaq. He didnt play a ton of minutes but was still important as a rotational player.

Kidd improves the Mavericks offensively, no doubt. But it takes time to completely change from an ISO offense to one with better ball movement. I dont think a couple of months is enough. Kidd also makes them worse defensively because he can be beat off the dribble easier than Kidd. Who would you rather have containing a PG like Parker, Paul, or Deron Williams? Harris or Kidd?

I dont put a lot of stock always in stats. I know the Mavs rank slightly above avg in D, but what teams do you see having bigger trouble getting key stops in the playoffs? I grant you GS. Throw in Phoenix if you'd like. But after that, they are probably the weakest of the field. Not having a strong post defender and wing defender are problems in the playoffs in the 2008 West when you are going to be facing teams with Superstar/Allstar options across the board.

How would DAL possibly match up if they had to face a Duncan, Boozer or Gasol in the playoffs? I just dont see it...They'd have to win in shootouts night in and night out and that is tough come May and June, even with Kidd and Dirk.

I dont have the game scores, but I remember the Mavs really struggling on D when they faced that 5 game stretch of LAL, NOH, SAS, HOU after the Kidd trade. It seemed like they were giving up 100 plus each night.

[Purple & Gold]

They should be ashamed of being in the midst of the second longest win streak in NBA history?

Who said anything about being ashamed?? :wtf

But they should know that 22 game winning streak doesn't equal NBA Championship.

[Matchman]

Who said anything about being ashamed?? :wtf

But they should know that 22 game winning streak doesn't equal NBA Championship.

who said 22 game winning streak = championship? :wtf
sour grapes :lol

[DazedAndConfused]

Uh Matchman go log onto your clutchcity website or whatever the hell its called. Half the idiot posters in their think they are going to win a ring because they beat a depleted Laker squad.

[Purple & Gold]

who said 22 game winning streak = championship? :wtf
sour grapes :lol

The way Rockets fans are blowing their load left and right, you'd think they were on the verge of winning Team of the Decade.

[Dreamshake]

The way Rockets fans are blowing their load left and right, you'd think they were on the verge of winning Team of the Decade.

The way your team has been blowing big games lately you'd think you actually have a chance at a Ring this year.

Oh and unless your the spurs, your team hasn't dont jack over the last half decade. The Lake has more rape trial/payoffs then they do playoff series wins since Diesel left. Suck on that. I kinda hope that by some twist of fate the Lakers and suns play in the first round again with the roles reversed. Cause when Shaq and the Suns roll this team again in the playoffs, I can't wait to see Kobe's tirade in the summer.

[Purple & Gold]

The way your team has been blowing big games lately you'd think you actually have a chance at a Ring this year.

:blah :blah :blah :blah


Wait till the Lakers are healthy then we'll see what happens.

[Dreamshake]

:blah :blah :blah :blah


Wait till the Lakers are healthy then we'll see what happens.


Last I checked this game gives the Rockets the Series...this year. Suck on dem eggs.

[Dreamshake]

Uh Matchman go log onto your clutchcity website or whatever the hell its called. Half the idiot posters in their think they are going to win a ring because they beat a depleted Laker squad.

Thats like somekind of irony isn't it. You calling anyone else a idiot poster...lol.


Funny that the guy who called out the Rockets for losing their streak tonight even "without" your superstar Turiaf center Bynum, created a post on it, is calling anyone an idiot.


Lastly, I could see if you were a spurs fan talking junk, with multiple titles recently. Hell a suns fan due to their multiple high win seasons and deep playoff runs, or shit even a mavs fan who got to the ticket a few seasons ago, but a first round every year Lakers squad who could only win by buying shaq and since then have been the mid 2000's version of the Minnesota Timberwolves????

[Purple & Gold]

Last I checked this game gives the Rockets the Series...this year. Suck on dem eggs.

Don't forget to add that trophy to your case :blah :blah :blah :blah

[DazedAndConfused]

Damn Rocket fans are annoying as fuck. Not only do they talk shit, they're fucking dumb as rocks.

LMAO at anyone who thinks Ronny Turiaf = Andrew Bynum at the C position. Goddamn you are stupid.

[Dreamshake]

Don't forget to add that trophy to your case :blah :blah :blah :blah

We got a couple to hang our head on. No sweat. Ill take beating up on the crappy wish they were Lakers for a this year.

[DazedAndConfused]

Thats like somekind of irony isn't it. You calling anyone else a idiot poster...lol.


Funny that the guy who called out the Rockets for losing their streak tonight even "without" your superstar Turiaf center Bynum, created a post on it, is calling anyone an idiot.


Lastly, I could see if you were a spurs fan talking junk, with multiple titles recently. Hell a suns fan due to their multiple high win seasons and deep playoff runs, or shit even a mavs fan who got to the ticket a few seasons ago, but a first round every year Lakers squad who could only win by buying shaq and since then have been the mid 2000's version of the Minnesota Timberwolves????

HAHHA, man the idiocy never stops with you. Now 2 rings is some how greater than 14? HAHHAHA, please this is too much.

[DazedAndConfused]

Damn I need to start logging some of these idiotic posts by DreamShake.

[Flopper]

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

I'm loving the smack talk b/w fans of two team that's not gonna win shit this season.

[Dreamshake]

Damn Rocket fans are annoying as fuck. Not only do they talk shit, they're fucking dumb as rocks.

LMAO at anyone who thinks Ronny Turiaf = Andrew Bynum at the C position. Goddamn you are stupid.


Moron. Can you not read. I told you that you were overrating Bynum and that not having Bynum didn't cost you this game, as Turiaf gave you exactly what Bynum would of.

Now, for a good example of good basketball stupidity..."You can't win a Chip without a dominant inside presence"

As already noted, you were way off, which you haven't addressed yet. Jordan, Johnson, and Pistons. Also....LOL...to you for thinking Bynum is an "inside" presence.

[Findog]

Besides 2006, the Mavs have been a very dissapointing team in the playoffs. They've been the classic great regular season team which underwhelms in Spring.

They have a track record that every team in the West lacks except San Antonio. I don't count the Lakers because the Shaq/Kobe team isn't in existence anymore



On Dampier, Devean George, Wright, Lue, etc: Dampier is simply not a good or impactful basketball player. He's not a shotblocker, not a great rebounder, a 0 offensively, and basically a stiff.

He's a good rebounder and he does a good job of bodying up and defending opposing centers, and his offensive impact with Kidd has been bolstered. We don't beat the Spurs without him in 2006, he's that important. Dallas fans like to bitch about him because 7 points and 7 rebounds a game in 30 minutes for $10 million a year, but he is absolutely a big part of the reason Dallas is a better defensive team than they were in the Shawn Bradley days.



You know very well that Lue (has he even played yet?)

Yes, he has, and he's Kidd's backup. He's been exactly as advertised: a great 3-point shooter who can run the offense better than JJ Barea when Kidd is getting a breather.


and Wright are not even rotational players on Dallas so they just aren't a factor in how the team is built.

Tell Avery that, because he's using them and they're playing well off the bench.




However, dont let the rankings fool you. The Mavs may be 10th defensively but they do not have a strong perimeter defender or a strong post defender.

I don't let the rankings fool me, I watch the games. Dallas is a decent to good defensive team, not a great one.



And after Dampier, who is always in foul trouble or cant be kept on the court for heavy minutes (35-40) because he's so bad offensively,

He's that bad huh? Great offensive rebounder who can keep possessions alive, having more of an offensive impact with Kidd, can defend opposing bigs as well as anybody not named Marcus Camby, can't stay on the court?




Look at every big matchup Dallas had in the 5 game stretch with Kidd. They were embarassed defensively.

97 points given up to San Antonio? 93 points given up to LA in regulation? That was the common thread? They were embarrassed? Those other three games, Kidd's first game as a Maverick after one practice with his team, missing Dirk Nowitzki, or playing at Utah for the fourth time in five nights, those are mitigating factors.



Like it or not, the Kidd trade made them weaker defensively. Harris could stay with quicker PG's, didnt get beat off the dribble as much or often as Kidd.

Deron Williams went for 17 points and 20 assists against J-Kidd, whereas he put up 41 on Devin Harris. Chris Paul put 33 points and 11 assists on Devin Harris. Harris' speed is great for a one-man fastbreak. Why don't you ask Baron Davis or Dwyane Wade if they think Devin Harris can guard them?


While Phoenix also has issues defensively, the reason I have them as a sleeper is they are really coming on lately.

Sacramento and Memphis don't count. Golden State was on the 2nd night of a back to back. They simply outhustled San Antonio with their entire season on the line. Funny how defense doesn't matter for Phoenix, but it does for Dallas. Kidd is a lousy defender who can't keep quick PGs in front of him? Well, what about Steve Nash?




Also, they DO Have a very good perimeter defender in Raja Bell who can affect the Kobe's, Manu's, TMac's, etc.

And it used to be that he didn't have to take the opposing team's best winger scorer the entire game, he had Marion to take turns on his man. Raja Bell is not the same player he has been, he's clearly struggling to hold up without Marion to alleviate some of that burden.



They also have Shaq, who unlike Dampier, can still be intimidating defensively.

And he has to sit out half the time in foul trouble and is of no use against up-tempo teams. He helps them in their one matchup against a team they couldn't handle, San Antonio. They didn't even bother to use him in crunchtime against Golden State. They've basically got Shaq for San Antonio, and against everybody else, they have to hope Boris Diaw can give them what Marion did. That aint gonna work.



Ultimately, the reason I pick the Suns over Dallas is Steve Nash: The guy has the heart of a champion and he will not go down without a fight. Kidd is a great PG too, but Nash is closer to the top of his game than Kidd is IMO.

Kidd is just as much the competitor Nash is, and it's ridiculous to suggest Kidd's defense is down in the depths with Steve Nash. Nash is a better outside shooter, Kidd is a better defender. That's the difference.



I also have a hard time ever betting against Shaq in the playoffs. The guy steps it up come May and June, always has

1999-2002 Forum. Tell it to the Chicago Bulls.

[Dreamshake]

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

I'm loving the smack talk b/w fans of two team that's not gonna win shit this season.

Says the fan of the team with Zero trophies in their case, and no shot this year...again.

[Flopper]

They have a track record that every team in the West lacks except San Antonio. I don't count the Lakers because the Shaq/Kobe team isn't in existence anymore



He's a good rebounder and he does a good job of bodying up and defending opposing centers, and his offensive impact with Kidd has been bolstered. We don't beat the Spurs without him in 2006, he's that important. Dallas fans like to bitch about him because 7 points and 7 rebounds a game in 30 minutes for $10 million a year, but he is absolutely a big part of the reason Dallas is a better defensive team than they were in the Shawn Bradley days.


Yes, he has, and he's Kidd's backup. He's been exactly as advertised: a great 3-point shooter who can run the offense better than JJ Barea when Kidd is getting a breather.



Tell Avery that, because he's using them and they're playing well off the bench.




I don't let the rankings fool me, I watch the games. Dallas is a decent to good defensive team, not a great one.



He's that bad huh? Great offensive rebounder who can keep possessions alive, having more of an offensive impact with Kidd, can defend opposing bigs as well as anybody not named Marcus Camby, can't stay on the court?



97 points given up to San Antonio? 93 points given up to LA in regulation? That was the common thread? They were embarrassed? Those other three games, Kidd's first game as a Maverick after one practice with his team, missing Dirk Nowitzki, or playing at Utah for the fourth time in five nights, those are mitigating factors.



Deron Williams went for 17 points and 20 assists against J-Kidd, whereas he put up 41 on Devin Harris. Chris Paul put 33 points and 11 assists on Devin Harris. Harris' speed is great for a one-man fastbreak. Why don't you ask Baron Davis or Dwyane Wade if they think Devin Harris can guard them?



Sacramento and Memphis don't count. Golden State was on the 2nd night of a back to back. They simply outhustled San Antonio with their entire season on the line. Funny how defense doesn't matter for Phoenix, but it does for Dallas. Kidd is a lousy defender who can't keep quick PGs in front of him? Well, what about Steve Nash?





And it used to be that he didn't have to take the opposing team's best winger scorer the entire game, he had Marion to take turns on his man. Raja Bell is not the same player he has been, he's clearly struggling to hold up without Marion to alleviate some of that burden.



And he has to sit out half the time in foul trouble and is of no use against up-tempo teams. He helps them in their one matchup against a team they couldn't handle, San Antonio. They didn't even bother to use him in crunchtime against Golden State. They've basically got Shaq for San Antonio, and against everybody else, they have to hope Boris Diaw can give them what Marion did. That aint gonna work.



Kidd is just as much the competitor Nash is, and it's ridiculous to suggest Kidd's defense is down in the depths with Steve Nash. Nash is a better outside shooter, Kidd is a better defender. That's the difference.



1999-2002 Forum. Tell it to the Chicago Bulls.

hey man...this thread is about the Rockettes and the Faking whiners. :spin

[Findog]

[QUOTE=bobbyjoe]I'm not talking about 2006. In 2006 Diop was effective in guarding Duncan and later Shaq. He didnt play a ton of minutes but was still important as a rotational player.


:lmao

Yeah, Dampier wore Duncan down for the entire regulation of Game 7, then Diop comes off the bench after having not played, and all of the sudden Diop is the Duncan Stopper. Diop with fresh legs vs Timmy who had played the entire game. Dampier did the work but Diop got the glory.


Who would you rather have containing a PG like Parker, Paul, or Deron Williams? Harris or Kidd?


Considering they've lit up both Harris and Kidd, I'd rather have Kidd. Jason Kidd > Devin Harris period. This is still 2008, not 2010.



I dont have the game scores, but I remember the Mavs really struggling on D when they faced that 5 game stretch of LAL, NOH, SAS, HOU after the Kidd trade. It seemed like they were giving up 100 plus each night.

97 to San Antonio, 93 in regulation to LA, 101 to New Orleans, 116 to Utah, 113 to Houston. Keep masturbating over those games, things are going to change.

[Purple & Gold]

We got a couple to hang our head on. No sweat. Ill take beating up on the crappy wish they were Lakers for a this year.

:lol :lol


No Michael = *

[bobbyjoe]

So they allowed an average of 104 PPG. That's not good.

Besides the LA game, I'd say they sucked defensively every game.

97 Points is a good offensive game for SAS. 113 to Houston is ridiculous.

Your whole argument seems to be that the Mavs are not terrible defensively, but are average. I don't disagree. Problem is they have trouble defending good teams as the 104 ppg during the tough strech shows (as does last yr's playoffs and the 2006 playoffs).

Average to slightly above avg teams dont win championships. Very good to Great defensive teams do.

I think it's funny you mock Nash's D so much when your team's best player is Dirk Nowitzki. He's a 7 foot Steve Nash defensively, more or less.

I dont know why you'd mention Harris' inability to guard Wade given that the role for that should fall to your 2 guard or small forward. Is it Harris' fault that Stackhouse, Terry, and Howard are just not good enough to slow down Kobe/Tmac/Wade/Manu, etc?

[DazedAndConfused]

Moron. Can you not read. I told you that you were overrating Bynum and that not having Bynum didn't cost you this game, as Turiaf gave you exactly what Bynum would of.

Now, for a good example of good basketball stupidity..."You can't win a Chip without a dominant inside presence"

As already noted, you were way off, which you haven't addressed yet. Jordan, Johnson, and Pistons. Also....LOL...to you for thinking Bynum is an "inside" presence.

You clearly haven't watched a single game Bynum has played all year. You wouldn't make that statement if you did. Bynum dominates against midget front courts, which is exactly what the Rockets are sans Yao.

Lets look at some of his stats against teams with weak front courts shall we:

12/9 against GSW - 20 pts, 11 rebounds, 5 blocks
12/14 against GSW - 17 pts, 16 rebounds, 1 block
12/23 against PHX - 28 pts, 12 rebounds, 2 blocks
1/6 against IND - 23 pts, 13 rebounds, 4 blocks

This is just a snippet of what I was able to find in 5 minutes, if you go here you can see his full stat sheet this year.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/gamelog?playerId=2748

And we all know stats don't tell you the whole story. It doesn't tell you about all the altered shots and offensive adjustments teams had to make when we had him anchoring the paint. Quite simply he made life easier for our perimeter defenders because they knew that with him down low they could afford to play defense a little tighter. It's no coincidence that our defense was significantly better when he was playing than it is right now.

And I haven't even begun to talk about Gasol. If Odom was able to dominate in the paint, Gasol would have a field day in there. You have nobody that can D him up, unless you want to play Deke > 20 mpg which ain't happening. Quite simply your team does not matchup well with the Lakers when we have our post options.

Next year when you get Yao back, it will be a much different story. Both our teams will be very good and it should make for an exciting matchup anytime we play.

[Findog]

I think it's funny you mock Nash's D so much when your team's best player is Dirk Nowitzki. He's a 7 foot Steve Nash defensively, more or less.

OMG, are you serious? He'll never be an All-Defensive team candidate, but Dirk has worked his way to being a solid defender.

Dirk is willing to get his nose dirty and smart enough to usually be where he's supposed to be on defense. He's better than he's ever been at contesting shots at the rim. Yes, Dirk will need a lot of help against Amare Stoudemire if the Mavs see the Suns in the playoffs, but name a power forward that wouldn't. And Dirk has become a good help defender.

Remember how many layups and dunks the Mavs gave up against the Rockets? I doubt they would have been pounded in the paint like that if Dirk weren't suspended.

He gets more steals and deflections and bothers more shots these days and his rebounding has consistently been just under 10 per game (yes, rebounding is a key part of defense).

You don't have to take my word for Dirk's defensive improvement. Just check the stats. The Mavs allow 95 points per 48 minutes when Dirk is on the court. That's lower than every other Mav starter except Josh Howard (94.7). Nash's rep is well-deserved. Dirk's is simply outdated.

[resistanze]

The way Rockets fans are blowing their load left and right, you'd think they were on the verge of winning Team of the Decade.
Has any Rocket fan on this forum blown their load bigger than D&C has after the Gasol trade?

He makes threads lambasting the Rockets and guarantees their defeat today, then continues to talk shit AFTER the Lakers lose.

[Dreamshake]

:lol :lol


No Michael = *


Yeah because M J didn't play about 50 games that second season.

He didn't make it all the way to the eastern conference finals.

He just got beat by a good Orlando team.

So you = the fail.


Not to mention. The Dream had a winning record against Jordan. Even for as mediocre as the Rockets were in the late 80s and very early 90s, Dream still I believe is the only player to have a team with a winning record against MJ.

[DazedAndConfused]

Please you cant even begin to compare the Rocket franchise to the storied Lakers. We've won in nearly every decade of the NBA, had two different dynasties, won 14 championships, been in half of all NBA Finals, and have the highest winning percentage of any NBA franchise. If you take away all the rings BOS won when there were like 10 teams in the league we are the best by far. Since 1970 we have been the most dominant franchise in the NBA.

[DazedAndConfused]

And Dreamshake why aren't you replying to my post you stupid fuck? Please tell me how Ronny Turiaf = Andrew Bynum.

[Flopper]

Man I love those fakers and their history....LOVE IT.

[DazedAndConfused]

I love the Jazz and their stunning number of NBA championships. When was the last time you were in the Finals again?

[ludda]

So they allowed an average of 104 PPG. That's not good.

Besides the LA game, I'd say they sucked defensively every game.

97 Points is a good offensive game for SAS. 113 to Houston is ridiculous.

Your whole argument seems to be that the Mavs are not terrible defensively, but are average. I don't disagree. Problem is they have trouble defending good teams as the 104 ppg during the tough strech shows (as does last yr's playoffs and the 2006 playoffs).

Average to slightly above avg teams dont win championships. Very good to Great defensive teams do.

I think it's funny you mock Nash's D so much when your team's best player is Dirk Nowitzki. He's a 7 foot Steve Nash defensively, more or less.

I dont know why you'd mention Harris' inability to guard Wade given that the role for that should fall to your 2 guard or small forward. Is it Harris' fault that Stackhouse, Terry, and Howard are just not good enough to slow down Kobe/Tmac/Wade/Manu, etc?

How can you even write with a straight face about the Mavs being "average" defensively and then laud the Suns as a sleeper team when they also got worse defensively with Snaq and are comparable to the Denver Nuggets in their defensive abilities :rolleyes
But you are right in saying great defensive teams win championships, that's why the Mavs, Suns, Nuggets, Jazz, Hornets will not be sniffing a title this season. :smokin

[robbie380]

:lol :lol


No Michael = *


last time i checked jordan was around for the rockets 2nd championship.

[Purple & Gold]

:lmao :lmao @ Rockets fans trying to erase that second * by saying Jordan played at the end of the year after a 1 1/2 year layoff. Face it if Jordan would have never left Rockets would own 0 rings.

[The Franchise]

Please you cant even begin to compare the Rocket franchise to the storied Lakers. We've won in nearly every decade of the NBA, had two different dynasties, won 14 championships, been in half of all NBA Finals, and have the highest winning percentage of any NBA franchise. If you take away all the rings BOS won when there were like 10 teams in the league we are the best by far. Since 1970 we have been the most dominant franchise in the NBA.
This :donkey team loses the game he said was a slam dunk and then treats his wounds with Laker history. Your team lost get over it. If Bynum was healthy. If Gasol was healthy. If Bynum,Gasol,Yao,and Landry were healthy we would still piss down your throat so STFU PLEASE!!!!!! A healthy Rockets >>>>> than a healthy Lakers. Any way you slice it they are still our bitches. :smokin

[Purple & Gold]

A healthy Rockets >>>>> than a healthy Lakers.

Wrong. A healthy Lakers team >> a healthy Rockets team.

[Banzai]

This :donkey team loses the game he said was a slam dunk and then treats his wounds with Laker history. Your team lost get over it. If Bynum was healthy. If Gasol was healthy. If Bynum,Gasol,Yao,and Landry were healthy we would still piss down your throat so STFU PLEASE!!!!!! A healthy Rockets >>>>> than a healthy Lakers. Any way you slice it they are still our bitches. :smokin
game is done..focus on Boston. :wakeup

[George Gervin's Afro]

This :donkey team loses the game he said was a slam dunk and then treats his wounds with Laker history. Your team lost get over it. If Bynum was healthy. If Gasol was healthy. If Bynum,Gasol,Yao,and Landry were healthy we would still piss down your throat so STFU PLEASE!!!!!! A healthy Rockets >>>>> than a healthy Lakers. Any way you slice it they are still our bitches. :smokin


sorry dude.. Healthy Lkaer team is better than a healthy Rocket team..

[Indazone]

I really do hope we meet the Lakers in the playoffs.

[George Gervin's Afro]

I really do hope we meet the Lakers in the playoffs.


why?

[DazedAndConfused]

why?

He's a masochist. He enjoys the pain of seeing his team continually lose in the 1st round. For all the shit we talk about the Mavs choking, the Rockets have got to be worse. They have had the league's best C and a premier SG for the past half decade and haven't accomplished a damn thing.

[Dreamshake]

If a healthy Laker team is better than a healthy Rocket team why did a Rocket team minus 24, 10, 2 Yao Ming and Landry just beat up on a Laker team minus Gasol and Bynum. I KNOW your not going to try to equate Gasol and Bynum as being the equal of Yao and Landry. .... ....... ............... Or are you?

[The Franchise]

If a healthy Laker team is better than a healthy Rocket team why did a Rocket team minus 24, 10, 2 Yao Ming and Landry just beat up on a Laker team minus Gasol and Bynum. I KNOW your not going to try to equate Gasol and Bynum as being the equal of Yao and Landry. .... ....... ............... Or are you?
Yea, they will. :depressed

[The Franchise]

sorry dude.. Healthy Lkaer team is better than a healthy Rocket team..
That might be true. :p:

[DazedAndConfused]

If a healthy Laker team is better than a healthy Rocket team why did a Rocket team minus 24, 10, 2 Yao Ming and Landry just beat up on a Laker team minus Gasol and Bynum. I KNOW your not going to try to equate Gasol and Bynum as being the equal of Yao and Landry. .... ....... ............... Or are you?

Basketball is not all about stats and PER and Hollinger statistics. Something you clearly don't understand. I've seen your posts over on LG and you have been flat out humiliated and exposed as the idiot you are.

[Dreamshake]

Basketball is not all about stats and PER and Hollinger statistics. Something you clearly don't understand. I've seen your posts over on LG and you have been flat out humiliated and exposed as the idiot you are.


You are exactly right about stats. And Gasol and Bynum together don't hold Yao's left testicle on the Basketball court combined. As I said, healthy to healthy Rockets >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Lakers.

[DazedAndConfused]

Too bad your own fans over at ClutchCity don't even agree with you.

[dirk4mvp]

This new Rocketfan/Lakerfan beef is fuckin hiliarious.

[GuerillaBlack]

Laker fans are idiots. They think Battier will be on the Lakers squad next year, and the Rockets would take Odom:

http://forums.lakersground.net/viewtopic.php?t=58099