Author Topic: Official NBA Thread (Read 600288 times)

daigong · « **Reply #3100 on:** February 07, 2011, 08:59:21 AM »

^ MJ HOW

DAMN. if they get OJ Mayo for Shannon? be interesting..................someone that can make a shot. Hornets down, road trip lookin aight

LOGO! getting his props finally

WHO IS GOING?!

Quote

One-of-a-kind Jerry West gets a statue

With an aura that hasn't dimmed since he came to Los Angeles five decades ago, West will be honored outside Staples Center.
Mark Heisler
8:17 PM PST, February 5, 2011

Fittingly, if belatedly, Jerry West's statue will be unveiled outside Staples Center next week alongside Wayne Gretzky's (2002), Magic Johnson's (2004), Oscar De La Hoya's (2008) and Chick Hearn's (2010)....

Even if they're drawing names out of a hat to determine the order.

Star Plaza has only five greats, compared to the Hollywood Walk of Fame's 2,431 movie stars ... and theater owners, costume designers, makeup artists and cartoon characters Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Shrek and the Simpsons.

"I really don't know what to make of it," said West, pleased and embarrassed, as usual.

"I really, honestly did not play basketball to have a statue. I loved to compete. Days of games were probably the most special times in my life....

"I did the same thing every day because of the excitement of having the opportunity and what it felt like sitting in the locker room, antsy, nervous....

"It was really, really different. We were so close as teammates.

"It's unbelievably flattering that somebody would want to do this, unbelievably — but candidly, I wish Elgin Baylor would be right there beside me."

If West is special to young people, it's because of the glow he never lost ... and because in 1969, some bumpkin in the low-wattage NBA office took an old action picture, reversed it so West was driving left into the middle of the design and used the silhouette for a new logo.

Had anyone given any thought to who it was, using a white player to represent an ever-more African American league would have set off a furor.

The NBA now insists it doesn't know who the player is.

West was more than a trademark silhouette or a hero for white fans with his heart-on-his-sleeve game and personality in addition to his feats that made him as beloved by peers as fans.

The NBA no longer has nights like the one for West at the Forum in 1972, when retired, unapproachable Bill Russell flew in and announced: "If I had could have one wish granted, it would be that you would always be happy."

And now, Mr. Clutch in winter, at 72, at peace, in bronze, on the sidewalk.

If West remains close to owner Jerry Buss and protege-as-GM Mitch Kupchak, he has no formal connection to the team.

Forget sentiment, this is Jerry West, whose whirling mind remains one of the NBA's keenest.

Seeing things in degrees of horror, West could never win enough, never thought he was home free ... and wasn't even invited back as $1-a-year consultant after retiring as Memphis GM in 2007.

West would never ask, they knew he didn't need a job or money ... and Jerry and Jim Buss liked it the way it was.

Thus the Feb. 17 unveiling follows the unveiling of West's unsparing views on the Lakers' age, inability to defend and day of reckoning.

Players didn't like it and fans were dismayed but Magic Johnson added his voice ("We're looking old and playing old.")

Meanwhile, Coach Phil Jackson now plays three guards at the end with Steve Blake in and Ron Artest out.

Unfortunately for the Lakers, the new reality just dawned on them:

Their days of being so good they could mop up the West and win a title at 75% of their potential are over.

Minimally athletic before, they're less so since Trevor Ariza's agent, David Lee, messed up a slam-dunk deal in 2009.

Stunned at hearing they had to pay more — because Ariza was from here — the Lakers jumped on Artest as if it was a coup.

Actually, it was like dropping a cannon ball on a puzzle with one piece missing.

They almost lost Lamar Odom that summer when Jerry Buss withdrew his three-year $27-million offer — $54 million, including luxury tax — before yielding to pleas to bring him back.

More failure to understand where they were has continued this season.

With the Lakers 13-2 and Theo Ratliff out, Jackson couldn't get the Jake Voskuhl-level backup he wanted at a cost of $70,000 a week in salary and tax.

With courtside seats at $2,600, the Lakers make $70K every game from 27 of their total of 136.

Pau Gasol wilted playing heavy minutes and has yet to un-wilt as they went 21-14.

On Dec. 15, they gave New Jersey a No. 1 pick to take Sasha Vujacic's $5.4-million salary, which looked good until Lakers' fortunes and energy levels sank.

If Sasha looks better in retrospect, that pick, which could have brought a young athlete, looks better still.

But that was then and this is now, after a week of running around in circles, debating Artest's desire to stay.

Actually, with Artest, at 32, having two seasons left worth $14 million, West may not go out as a Laker, but Ronnie will.

If someone like Washington's Kirk Hinrich is possible, salvation must come from within.

Bryant — who singed teammates after the Miami rout ("I'm going to kick some ... in practice") and invited a press rip after the Memphis rout ("It builds great tension for us and you sell a lot of papers") — issued a different invitation to critics.

Of course, the line to accommodate Bryant would include West, Johnson and, of course, Kobe.

Bryant, the angriest, most invested critic, is now sticking up for his teammates, the right thing to do, no matter how many faces he has.

If he's scorching them privately, he'd better get it under control, because it'll be a long, hard slog to April.

Even if he's supportive, no one does it like Bryant, as when ESPN's Colleen Dominguez asked the mandatory lost-to-all-the-good-teams question.

"You heard what I said," said Bryant, staring the other way. "My feelings haven't changed."

Actually, for someone concerned with his legacy, withdrawing from public life might be better than presenting yourself as a bigger and bigger jerk.

Ask West, who brought Bryant here: Everything is really, really different.

source: http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-0206-heisler-20110206,0,1122092,print.column

daigong · « **Reply #3101 on:** February 08, 2011, 10:09:19 AM »

THAT'S WHAT IM TALKiNG ABOuT

so much extra passes. swarming defense. Lamar running the floor on a Ron Artest fastbreak. Pau Gasol and Bynum playing the 1-2 punch inside LIKE THEY SHOULD. loving this road trip, nothing fancy - just grind it out wins where its balanced all around. THATS LAKERS BASKETBALL!!!!

Kobe being Kobe. Just took em to task!!

daigong · « **Reply #3102 on:** February 10, 2011, 10:18:43 PM »

JERRY SLOAN RESIGNED? !

The fuck. And he just signed a contract extension earlier this week. Shit that sounds so fucking familiar.

one of the real hard working coaches, always a challenge to go up against his endless wave of pick and rolls.

Lakers appeared on an episode of NBA Unscripted

more here: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheLastCaCHooKaMan

Lakers vs Celtics tonight!! gotta get Ron Artest all wild again like he chewed up Marc Gasol the other nite.

daigong · « **Reply #3103 on:** February 10, 2011, 11:44:46 PM »

Legendary. Mad respects to Coach Sloan.

Press Conference still going on: http://www.ksl.com/?sid=14330127&nid=165

Bring on the gossip.

daigong · « **Reply #3104 on:** February 11, 2011, 04:53:51 AM »

FUCK FLOPSTON!!!

Kobe to ray Allen: "you're my (bleep)"

Ray Allen: "I know"

Kobe and Fish = CLASS of the NBA congratulating him after the game on beating Reggie Miller's all time 3 pointers made mark.

Man that's a good win, just locking em up defensively and Kobe coming alive. Bench got their shots in, tho shit up by 3 shit was tense GET KOBE BACK IN lol

Slack · « **Reply #3105 on:** February 11, 2011, 05:24:07 AM »

That's how the Lakers are gonna get it done. Dominance in the paint like there was tonight.

That's why I never bought into the Bynum for Melo trade talk. CAN'T TEACH SIZE!

And holy shit did Ray Allen make a lotta 3s in his career.
He and Reggie Miller are like 1,000 away from the next highest, Jason Kidd.

daigong · « **Reply #3106 on:** February 11, 2011, 09:38:08 PM »

lol esp him and Reggie park on the 3 point line. who'd thunk J-Kidd? maybe Nash

don't expect them to get into the paint much or BLOCK! BLOCK!!!

or just get owned by 24

cetrainly bynum's best game last nite too.

daigong · « **Reply #3107 on:** February 12, 2011, 05:24:16 AM »

KOBE DOMINANCE IN MSG

LOL what a first quarter just jacking shit up. FUCK FELTON Shannon Brown RIDICULOUS DUNK!

THE BLEEDING IS OVER FOR THE CAVS

Holy shit, was feeling really sorry for Byron Scott. They nearly blew it against the Blakers too

thatonezombie · « **Reply #3108 on:** February 12, 2011, 05:57:03 AM »

I swear those throwbacks are magical.

storyboard · « **Reply #3109 on:** February 12, 2011, 08:13:03 AM »

Lol maaan I wanted the Cavs streak to continue at least one more game. They could have had the longest losing streak across all sports!

AND that Dunk by Shannon Brown WOW. Why couldn't he do stuff like that during the dunk contest last year?!

daigong · « **Reply #3110 on:** February 13, 2011, 01:14:25 AM »

Shannon be unscripted

werd zomb, i gots to get me some of dat shit. and it ain't all hugnutter either

Mailman speaks the Truth!

ETA:

PISSED!

daigong · « **Reply #3111 on:** February 14, 2011, 12:06:58 AM »

^ The Best part of the Karl Malone Rant is that he mentioned Phil Johnson as being so loyal "oh you resigning? me too?" Brotherhood

FUCK A SUPERMAN!!!

Holy shit, lemme know when Pau Gasol gets his head outta Dwight Howard's ass JEEEEEEEEEEEZUS. At least Lamar took time off from pimpin his perfume to elbow him in the eye

Wonder if MJ is gonna suit up tmr for The Bobcats lol

daigong · « **Reply #3112 on:** February 14, 2011, 10:53:31 AM »

Some thoughts watching that Heat at Boston.

The only point I saw with the last play: Celtics Defense = flopping to defend a last second 3, Lebron still afraid to take the last shot. Not to mention clanking his FT.

What a tough loss with the Magic, when deep inside u know Lakers can dominate. Just one of those nights.

daigong · « **Reply #3113 on:** February 15, 2011, 06:11:59 AM »

the fuck man

Just hope they never face the Kats in the NBA Finals lol

daigong · « **Reply #3114 on:** February 17, 2011, 07:56:44 AM »

Really. Sessions? The Fuck

Pity win for Byron Scott, thanks buddy now we can't laugh at the Clipp no more

daigong · « **Reply #3115 on:** February 19, 2011, 06:04:26 AM »

nice dunk contest!!

Oh it was just the Rookie Sophomore Challenge lol

JERRY WEST THE LOGO

statue unveiling

daigong · « **Reply #3116 on:** February 20, 2011, 04:35:59 AM »

LOOOOOOOOOOOL DAMN McGee with the double dunk but Blake Griffin tore the fuckin house

360 DEGREE POWER!!!!!!!!!!!!

storyboard · « **Reply #3117 on:** February 20, 2011, 07:46:07 AM »

I was ready for the dunk contest to be bad...but WOW what a difference from last year!!!
Blake Griffin *bows down* lol...his dunks were nasty! I wish he was able to complete his 2nd dunk...the off the edge of the backboard 360.
And the build up for his last dunk was sooo entertaining lol.

J-Triumf · « **Reply #3118 on:** February 20, 2011, 01:14:49 PM »

Just saw the dunk contest highlights on Youtube...not surprised that Griffin won, but damn, I don't know if I could even pick a winner; everyone came up with some great work.

I don't know if it's because I've seen so many dunk contests already or I'm just getting old or what, but most of the dunks I had to rewatch to really appreciate, like they didn't hit me at first until I gave more thought and attention to how crazy this year's dunks really were. Maybe it's because Griffin's 360 wasn't as flashy as he originally intended, or because I simply saw a photo of the car and immediately knew what happened.

Mad respect to this year's participants; I'm glad it's not Nate Robinson winning for being short again.

I think these two are my favorites:

Also great to see the Warriors continue to remind the league to stop snubbing their stars for the All-Star Game:

Hardwood Classics needs to go away already...such ugliness...

Or at least bring back some of the more recent discontinued jerseys instead of '60s/'70s crap.

MochaNutz · « **Reply #3119 on:** February 20, 2011, 07:53:08 PM »

Derozan got robbed!!!

This years contest looked so fixed, like they weren't even denying it.
Griffin is still a beast tho =)

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if you haven't seen the full trailer for black mamba yet