2007-2008 NBA Regular Season Thread

[MrBug708]

Go Lakers.

The West's #8 seed could very well be playing .600 ball by the time the playoffs come.

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Go Lakers.

The West's #8 seed could very well be playing .600 ball by the time the playoffs come.

I've really enjoyed watching the Lakers this year, even without Bynum. They've been playing a pretty solid, team-orientated brand of bball.

[mckerney]

Somebody please make Corey Brewer, Kevin McHale, Glen Taylor, Randy Foye, Gerald Green and Marco Jaric all go away.

[MikeVic]

http://www.nba.com/games/20080127/NYKGSW/boxscore.html

26 rebounds, nice.

[Chief Rum]

Can someone explain to me how Camby and Chandler get to even All Star snub status, but Kaman doesn't even get mentioned? Do the writers covering the sport even bother to pay any attention to any team that doesn't have a superstar or isn't a lock for the playoffs?

[Schmidty]

Hey CR, that was a great game, I must admit. Pistons played like crap the second half, and Kobe was......good. I hate saying that.

Oh, and that goaltending at the end was kind of a factor.....

[larrymcg421]

Rondo just punked Nowitzki on the boards. Celts (without Garnett) up by 4 with 10 seconds left.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Schmidty

Hey CR, that was a great game, I must admit. Pistons played like crap the second half, and Kobe was......good. I hate saying that.

Oh, and that goaltending at the end was kind of a factor.....

Hate to say it, but I actually missed the game. Between running Werewolf and doing stuff around the place, I forgot to turn it on (but then I am a Clippers fan first...). I have been waiting for the UCLA game.

Now I'll have to go find highlights. And, yeah, I think that Bryant character might make a name for himself in this game.

Here's the crappy news for us locally. Local sports talk radio will now be split between more boring Super Bowl hype and talk about this game, meaning absolutely nothing else will be discussed at all and making my hour long commute torturous in the afternoon (in the mornings I am listening to national shows, so I generally only have to listen to the Super Bowl hype).

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by larrymcg421

Rondo just punked Nowitzki on the boards. Celts (without Garnett) up by 4 with 10 seconds left.

Heh...either way, I get a board for my fantasy team!

[cartman]

Pau Gasol to the Lakers is a big surprise. This definitely helps them out this season.

hxxp://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/feb/01/gasol-traded-lakers/

[rjolley]

Big pickup for the Lakers. Shame the Bulls couldn't get it done. Gasol would've been the low post scoring threat they need, even if it meant moving Noccioni(sp?) or Gordon.

[Warhammer]

I'm actually surprised that the Griz got what they did for him. Two #1s is more than I expected.

[Young Drachma]

Wow, big pickup for the Lakers. Kobe must be stoked.

[Groundhog]

Two #1s is biggish, but they'll probably be mid-to-late picks. I'm surprised they didn't have to give up Odom.

I actually think this is a pretty damn good trade for the Lakers.

[MrBug708]

Lakers rotation looks to be very scary right now

Bynum
Gasol
Odom
Kobe
Fisher

That's a hell of starting 5

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

Two #1s is biggish, but they'll probably be mid-to-late picks. I'm surprised they didn't have to give up Odom.

I actually think this is a pretty damn good trade for the Lakers.

+1

Nice deal for the Lakers

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

+1

Nice deal for the Lakers

+2. Ugh.

[Young Drachma]

Bill Walton is so annoying.

[Arles]

Lakers may be the favorite in the West after this deal. Although, NO looks pretty scary right now too.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by Warhammer

I'm actually surprised that the Griz got what they did for him. Two #1s is more than I expected.

I agree. Definitely a need move by the Lakers and a nice one, but they certainly didn't get him cheap.

[miami_fan]

BTW I like the deal from Memphis's perspective as well. Win-win deal for both teams.

[Young Drachma]

I liked Kobe's comments about the deal, basically realizing that the onus is now on him to deliver and they were smart to recognize that with San Antonio banged up and no real clear favourite in the West, that this was their time to go ahead and try to make something happen deep into the playoffs. Should be fun to watch down the stretch, especially with Boston doing what they're doing.

[bhlloy]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Lakers rotation looks to be very scary right now

Bynum
Gasol
Odom
Kobe
Fisher

That's a hell of starting 5

Not a lot of shots for Odom in that lineup. A lot of Lakers fans at work hope he gets dealt for a more defensively minded SF.

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

Not a lot of shots for Odom in that lineup. A lot of Lakers fans at work hope he gets dealt for a more defensively minded SF.

I don't know. Odom gives them a lot of things outside of scoring that not many other SFs can.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

Should be fun to watch down the stretch, especially with Boston doing what they're doing.

There would be worse things for the NBA than revisiting the Lakers-Celtics rivalry.

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

Not a lot of shots for Odom in that lineup. A lot of Lakers fans at work hope he gets dealt for a more defensively minded SF.

I thinkt he belief is that Ariza will come in and give them some defensive minutes at the SF. Luke Walton was def. the loser of this deal

[Neon_Chaos]

Nice deal for both teams and almost everyone involved.

I think the only individuals getting slighted are Kwame and Crittenton.

But, man, it's put up or shut up time for Kobe. They got him a solid big man to run with... let's see how he responds.

[nfg22]

I think the lakers might be better than boston, and mabe for years to come. The triangle with bynum, gasol and kobe is better than what phil had in chicago. I know jordan was better but overall I think those three are huge. Of course odom might ruin it all if he doesnt gel with reduced role. Imagine going from a legit 2 to what looks like a 4 in a month.

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by Neon_Chaos

Nice deal for both teams and almost everyone involved.

I think the only individuals getting slighted are Kwame and Crittenton.

But, man, it's put up or shut up time for Kobe. They got him a solid big man to run with... let's see how he responds.

The Grizzlies now have three decent youngsters at PG with Lowry, Conley, and Crittenton.

As for Kobe, well, he's already had a pretty good big man to run with for most of the year, and the results were pretty darn good.

[ace1914]

Originally Posted by nfg22

I think the lakers might be better than boston.

Uh...no. The Lakers are the 4th best team in the league behind, Boston, Detroit, and Utah even with Gasol.

[nfg22]

Problem...Lakers had a better record than two of those teams when they had Bynum...when Bynum gets back its pretty easy to say they will be better than all of the last 3 and maybe even Boston.

[Neon_Chaos]

Originally Posted by ace1914

Uh...no. The Lakers are the 4th best team in the league behind, Boston, Detroit, and Utah even with Gasol.

Detroit and Utah!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH.

Hahahahaha.

Good one there.

[bhlloy]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

I don't know. Odom gives them a lot of things outside of scoring that not many other SFs can.

When he wants to, Odom is a good rebounder and decent defender. The key is "when he wants to". As somebody mentioned, Lamar is probably now the 4th option on offense (When Bynum gets back anyway) on this team. He has shown absolutely nothing in his career to make me believe that he is going to be happy with his reduced role.

The more I think about it, the more it makes sense to move him now. Try to get a good, young defensive SF you can platoon with Ariza. You don't need much more scoring with Kobe, Gasol and Bynum and all the guys they have coming off the bench.

[nfg22]

maybe odom for Corey Brewer, Randy foye, ratliff and a 2nd rounder? Of course im a Minnesota fan. Then again Im tired and that doesnt look good for either team...I basically just am throwing it out there...

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by nfg22

maybe odom for Corey Brewer, Randy foye, ratliff and a 2nd rounder? Of course im a Minnesota fan. Then again Im tired and that doesnt look good for either team...I basically just am throwing it out there...

I'd do that if I were the Lakers. They need a true backup at the 5, Foye and Brewer too?

I think Lamar will be fine with the fourth option at this point. Hell, he didn't care about going from second to third option this year and it would be nice to see if he gets pissed and shows some fire.

[MikeVic]

Originally Posted by nfg22

I think the lakers might be better than boston, and mabe for years to come. The triangle with bynum, gasol and kobe is better than what phil had in chicago. I know jordan was better but overall I think those three are huge. Of course odom might ruin it all if he doesnt gel with reduced role. Imagine going from a legit 2 to what looks like a 4 in a month.

Are you saying the Lakers are better than the Jordan Bulls? Or just that you think they have better pieces to run the triangle?

[nfg22]

Originally Posted by MikeVic

Are you saying the Lakers are better than the Jordan Bulls? Or just that you think they have better pieces to run the triangle?

Just a better triangle.

[watravaler]

Nice deal from Memphis' perspective? I'm beyond pissed, they sold Gasol, an elite big man entering the prime of his career with a reasonable contract, for 1c on the dollar. Those draft picks are crap, as are any late 1st rounders due to the guarenteed contracts, and Crittendon and Gasol will both be lucky to be in the league 5 years from now. I think they could have received a better deal from EVERY other team in the league. These kind of deals are terrible for the sport, but good for Stern, of course...

[korme]

Got to like (and be surprised on the whole this year) what the Lakeshow have done.

[Warhammer]

Originally Posted by watravaler

Nice deal from Memphis' perspective? I'm beyond pissed, they sold Gasol, an elite big man entering the prime of his career with a reasonable contract, for 1c on the dollar. Those draft picks are crap, as are any late 1st rounders due to the guarenteed contracts, and Crittendon and Gasol will both be lucky to be in the league 5 years from now. I think they could have received a better deal from EVERY other team in the league. These kind of deals are terrible for the sport, but good for Stern, of course...

Draft picks are what the team needs. How good was Gasol? He was a soft player that averaged 19-21 PPG and 8-9 RPG. The guy whined about not being surrounded by talent when he did nothing to really help the situation. What about defense? He looked like he had a cape and a sword and just let the bulls he was guarding go straight to the basket. He got max money, but he is not a max money player. Let's not forget, they were 3-3 on the year with no Gasol. Additionally, would Gasol let the team become Gay's team? I'm not so sure. Might as well deal a malcontent rather than let him influence the young core they are developing.

Crittendon gives them a good young PG with some potential. Sure, they have two other promising young PGs, but that enables them to trade one of the PGs for some other pieces.

The move that makes no sense for me is dealing Swift for Collins. With Gasol out of the lineup, you could put a team on the floor that could absolutely fly up and down the court.

What the Grizzlies need is a player along the lines of a Shane Battier. I think moving Battier for Gay was the right move, but they need a player like Battier to provide some solid defense and intangibles.

[korme]

Dude why is no one talking about Chris Webber to the Oakland Warriors?

[Brian Swartz]

Because it's not a particularly important move. Webber is done and won't help GS much, espescially with the style they play, and the Warriors aren't as good as they were last year with Jason Richardson gone, so it's really a non-issue unless you are a GS fan.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by ace1914

Uh...no. The Lakers are the 4th best team in the league behind, Boston, Detroit, and Utah even with Gasol.

lol...Utah?

Lemme guess, you have a purple gunrack signed by Karl Malone in the back of your pickup, don't you?

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by watravaler

Nice deal from Memphis' perspective? I'm beyond pissed, they sold Gasol, an elite big man entering the prime of his career with a reasonable contract, for 1c on the dollar. Those draft picks are crap, as are any late 1st rounders due to the guarenteed contracts, and Crittendon and Gasol will both be lucky to be in the league 5 years from now. I think they could have received a better deal from EVERY other team in the league. These kind of deals are terrible for the sport, but good for Stern, of course...

Crittendon is going to add backcourt depth, nothing more unless his development spikes. The two draft picks are going to be in the 20s and offer good value and draft flexibility.

Where this trade is fantastic for the Grizzlies is after this season they have enough room to go after a restricted free agent or 2. Someone like an Iguodala, Monta Ellis or Biedrins. So you can't look at the deal being Kwame, 2 draft picks, and Crittendon. Instead it should be seen as whoever they get with the added cap room, 2 draft picks, and Crittendon.

The Grizzlies were going nowhere with Gasol. That point has been driven into the ground over the past 6.5 seasons. They have a nice combo in Rudy Gay and Mike Conley and it just doesn't makes sense to pay Gasol what he makes over the next couple years as you wait for those two to hit their peak. Now they can add a player either this offseason or next that will be able to compliment those two while they're playing at their peaks.

I'm sure the Grizzlies could have gotten a deal that made them a better team right now, but in the Western Conference exactly what does that get them? 30 wins instead of 25?

[korme]

Originally Posted by Brian Swartz

Because it's not a particularly important move. Webber is done and won't help GS much, espescially with the style they play, and the Warriors aren't as good as they were last year with Jason Richardson gone, so it's really a non-issue unless you are a GS fan.

I need to work on my sarcasm

[Icy]

Great news for the Spanish fans like me, as we have now a player in a possible title contender, besides Calderon in Toronto that is more a "maye playoffs" team than a real title contenders.

Let's see what can do Gasol now surrounded by better players as he wanted. It must help Kobe a lot as Gasol is not the usual PF but more of a playmaker who can help Kobe a lot.

[nfg22]

Originally Posted by Icy

Great news for the Spanish fans like me, as we have now a player in a possible title contender, besides Calderon in Toronto that is more a "maye playoffs" team than a real title contenders.

Let's see what can do Gasol now surrounded by better players as he wanted. It must help Kobe a lot as Gasol is not the usual PF but more of a playmaker who can help Kobe a lot.

The thing about Gasol for Kobe at least is the versatility he brings. He is a good, and maybe better, passer. He can bang down low a little but prefers the high post. For Kobe this is key as the triangle works off of passing and versatility. With Bynum on the low post, Gasol on the high post, a Kobe wherever he wants, this brings a new dimension. Add in Odom who can drive and shoot. Then the 3pt shooters in Walton, Fisher, Farmar, Radmonovic. Energy and hustle in Turiaf. They have a lot versatility and Gasol will really look to open it up more.

[MrBug708]

Speaking of the Lakers, they cruised today against the District.

Looking at the Shaq trade, they traded Shaq for Gasol, Odom, and Farmar

[nfg22]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Speaking of the Lakers, they cruised today against the District.

Looking at the Shaq trade, they traded Shaq for Gasol, Odom, and Farmar

I was under the impression that somehow the Bynum pick came from that too, either from Miami directly or from the Butler trade.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by nfg22

I was under the impression that somehow the Bynum pick came from that too, either from Miami directly or from the Butler trade.

Nope, the Lakers picking #10 or #11 or whatever it was came from them sucking.