NBA Discussion - The Stretch Run

[tomalak301]

Things are getting very exciting in the NBA these days. The Wild West is still up in the air and things can only get better as we head towards the final months of the season. How is your team doing, what did you think of the trading deadline, and is your team just preparing for the Draft.

I'm a warrior fan, so this run is going to be interesting. It's so chatoic in the west right now with only 5 games separating first from 8th. I'm glad they have the 8th seed, but I really hope they get the 7th seed or something. I really don't want to play the Lakers (Who stole Paul Gasol by the way) in the first round.

 

[1001001]

I really don't want to play the Lakers (Who stole Paul Gasol by the way) in the first round.

That was definitely the trade of the year in the NBA. The Lakers have been on fire. Once Bynum comes back and Gasol moves into the PF slot, it's gonna be beautiful! The Lakers are 24-9 against the Western Conference.

The Warriors have had a nice season so far. Winning road record, winning conference record. They're just a bit lost in the mix, with so many good teams out here.

 

[Daedalus12]

The western conference playoffs race is looking like another close and tight contest. The difference between 1st and 8th place right now is only 5 games! I found that to be insane in contrast to the Eastern conference playoff race. Boston is about 20 games ahead of New Jersey. Golden State would be challenging Orlando for the 3rd place spot if they were in the East.

Philly has had another mediocre season. They would make the playoffs if the season ended today but only because the East is so poor. I suspect this team will continue to be that way for a few years until we can pick up another Iverson. A great win over Phoenix though over the weekend.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Poor Philly. I almost wish the Sixers didn't make the playoffs because they aren't going to do anything worthwhile.

 

[tomalak301]

Poor Philly. I almost wish the Sixers didn't make the playoffs because they aren't going to do anything worthwhile.

It's that reason why just taking the top 16 teams in the league and having the playoffs that way makes a whole lot of sense. Unless you're Boston or Detroit, the Eastern Conference doesn't have much of a chance this year.

 

[Mallory]

I'm going to enjoy this stretch run, at least watching the Western Conference. Just a few key games could completely scramble the seeding. I just wish the Blazers were still in the running, but it's a year or two too early for that.

 

[Capt. Vulcan]

Nice that the Lakers are back in contention. It also looks like Kobe is headed for his first mvp.

 

[Deadpool]

Fire Isiah

Knicks in 2020 my friends

 

[Jack Bauer]

Fire Isiah

Since he hasn't been fired yet (and deserves to be fired btw) he must have some pretty damaging photographs of his boss.

 

[gblews]

I really don't want to play the Lakers (Who stole Paul Gasol by the way) in the first round.

That was definitely the trade of the year in the NBA.

Trade of the decade so far, I think.

The only team in the west I have worries about is the Spurs. Instead of looking at what the Lakers did and trying to get more athletic and add scoring, what do those fargin iceholes do? They go out and get even more Spur-like by trading for another wiley veteran big, who can defend inside, rebound, and score a bit.

I don't know if my Lakers can match the heat the Spurs would bring to the conference finals (assuming the two get there), but any team with Kobe (the real league MVP for the past 3 seasons) has a chance.

 

[Jack Bauer]

Another Lakers win. :thumbsup::thumbsup: Awesome trade!

 

[Neroon]

Count me in as another who rates the Lakers' picking up Gasol as a case of thievery even Henry Gondorf would love. Of all the trades so far, that has had the biggest impact and really makes you wonder what the other club was thinking.

I have never been - and probably will never be - a fan of Kobe's. Far too much water under that bridge, on and off the team. However, he has impressed me this year with the way he has played more of a team game since Gasol came along. To my mind he probably is the #1 candidate for MVP, edging out LeBron and KG. All three players have been lights out as leaders for their respective teams, guys who are not afraid of taking that big shot, who will get in the faces of teammates or show them how the game is supposed to be played. KG has probably been the best in this regard, but his overall stats are not as impressive as the other two guys. LeBron has the edge over the other two when it comes to stats, and he has the weakest supporting cast by far - not that it's miserable mind you - which makes his achievements this season all the more impressive. But at the end of the day, Kobe probably has the most impressive overall performance, offensively, defensively and psychologically just based upon where he was and where he is.

 

[Neroon]

Poor Philly. I almost wish the Sixers didn't make the playoffs because they aren't going to do anything worthwhile.

It's that reason why just taking the top 16 teams in the league and having the playoffs that way makes a whole lot of sense. Unless you're Boston or Detroit, the Eastern Conference doesn't have much of a chance this year.

That's what everyone thought last season - well, minus the Celtics of course. No way Cleveland surprises folks this year, but any team with LeBron on it always has a chance.

 

[mrcoaster]

Well, a chance against the weaker Eastern Conference anyway. Even with LeBron, the Cavs had no prayer against the Spurs last year.

 

[Capt. Vulcan]

Wow, Lakers just murdered the Clippers by 37. Spurs are down 10 in the 4th. If the Spurs lose, the Lakers own the West again for now.

 

[tomalak301]

Wow, Lakers just murdered the Clippers by 37. Spurs are down 10 in the 4th. If the Spurs lose, the Lakers own the West again for now.

Big wins tonight appearently. Warriors beat the heat by 35. I hope the Spurs do win because Denver and Golden State are fighting for that 8th playoff spot.

 

[Capt. Vulcan]

Yeah, talk about a fall from grace for the Heat. They've got to be in full tanking mode at this point. The coach is talking about missing games to do some scouting, and the team only has like 7 active players on the roster. Kind of shameful.

 

[Michael Chris]

And the Suns just keep on losing

 

[Gaseous Anomaly]

Seems that the Spurs are on a hot streak.

 

[1001001]

Wow, Lakers just murdered the Clippers by 37.

It's Showtime again in Los Angeles!

:thumbsup: