The Lakers rule.

Discuss...

steadyb

I'm sorry, only the current champion rules.

Oh wait, that's the Lakers. I guess the Lakers really do rule, don't they?

GO LAKERS

While I'm always happy to see my second favorite team (the Lakers) win a championship, I'd be even happier if my favorite team won.



GO SUNS!!!

Best,

Geoff

Really? The official 2009-2010 NBA Thread? Aren't Magic fans entitled to at least a little time for the body to cool?

Noah

P.S. I'm not one of the aforementioned Magic fans.

Noah

Umm... I've never actually met a Magic fan, but I've read about them, and other people tell me they exist. I'm just saying I haven't personally witnessed them.

I saw the late night infomercial for the Magic Fan. It's $19.99 plus tax and shipping. (Attachment not included.)

Best,

Geoff

Magic Fans will be irrelevant.

SteadyB guarantees a Celtics championship in 2010.

You must have misread, I said in 2100.

I can't say that I'm a Magic fan (nor a Magic Man ) but I am looking forward to watching Dwight Howard next season and hope he continues to improve.

Meanwhile, I hope whoever is a Rocket next season manages to stay healthy throughout. I'd be stunned if I never see T-Min with that grimace on his face again, but who knows if he'll even play.

AMEN BROTHER!

...and I'd be even happier if ice cream and candy bars caused fat loss, clear skin, and cured diabetes.

...I mean, as long as we're wishing for things.

While we're at it, I wish booze didn't cause hangovers or liver damage, and that super hot looking girls ALWAYS went for the keyboard player.

Dude, with all the posts you make in these threads, how are you below 10,000 posts???

While admittedly a Suns championship is more of a long shot now than it has been in the recent past, at least it has a much better chance of happening than those things!

In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Phoenix won the NBA Finals at some point within my lifetime.

After all, Phoenix has been growing at such a fast rate that it's already one of the biggest cities in the country. It won't be long before the NBA decides that a Phoenix victory means great revenue.

Best,

Geoff

You know I'm just teasing you, Geoff.

Well, at least a better chance than the one about hot chicks choosing keyboard players.

That I do, my friend.




Best,

Geoff

Heading over to the championship parade...



Go Lakers!!!

Best,

Geoff

Sources: Suns not willing to give Shaq away

Best,

Geoff

McHale got dismissed like an old pair of torn underwear.

And it got accidentally announced to the world by Kevin Love's Tweet, oops.

He avoids the pesky music threads...

dB

Hey! What the fu...?!?!?!

You have music threads here???

A few. But I like your NBA posts, so stick around here. You amuse me.

Agreed, even though your a Fakers fan.

Remember The Keyboard Corner? What a great forum! I really must try and post there more often.

Best,

Geoff

They talk about Keyboards in corners? Hmmmm. I'll give it a look soon.

The what?

Jeff, I believe it's "What The...?"

Best,

Geoff

I think this is a good way to start next season's thread.

WOW!

You're right.
He's a pro!

http://sports.yahoo.com/sportsminute

Shaq calling out a Korean MMA fighter

Yao Ming says Cleveland move "unknown"

Gawd, I hope not. Not unless the Rockets get Dwight Howard or something.

Maybe Cleveland could sign Yao and Shaq...

How's that for twin towers?!?!

Maybe monkeys could fly out of my ass...

Where's Bruce Nolan when you need him?

That's the way the cookie crumbles.

If you're Cleveland, you'd almost have to get both, they get injured so much.

Although Sun Yue didn't play in the post-season at all...

Really. I mean, I'm sure Yue's a nice guy and all, but how could Yao feel any jealousy toward a guy who will have a ring that he knows he made zero contribution toward? Yao's team is built around him, while Yue has made almost no impact on the Lakers at all. It's a silly thing to think.

Yue is better than you think. In practice he plays the role of LeBron, Wade, Carmelo, Howard, Chris Paul, Dirk, Garnett, etc., ...whomever the opposing star is for that game. He is the Laker's secret weapon. Until just now, the best kept secret in the NBA. Definitely deserving of a ring. He's actually better than all of the guys listed above.

LOL

I know he's supposed to be promising, and no one's saying that he sucks. But he didn't play. At all. Just sayin'.

And about him being better than all the guys on your list: LeBron, Wade, Carmelo, Howard, Chris Paul, Dirk, Garnett. Well, damn, shhhhh....you just let the cat out of the bag. Now they'll be on to us!!!!!!!!

No, it's true. He's like the Chinese Bill Russell.....

FYP.

Celtics shop Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen to the Pistons

Best,

Geoff

Thank God the Pistons didn't do it. Almost had a heart attack there.

I think we're going to see a lot of trade stories before draft day on Thursday. Here's another:

Source: Bucks agree to trade Jefferson to Spurs for Bowen, Thomas & Oberto

Best,

Geoff

No truth to this, after Ainge's press conference.

He said no one on the roster is "untradable" but that he "doesn't even know what a 'low level executive' is, never mind that one shopped Rondo to Detroit"

Ainge is just covering his ass, because the Pistons said "no".

The Celtics are in meltdown/panic mode. But give 'em 22 years and they'll be right back in the mix.

ESPN seems to be standing by their sources and continuing to report this as if it were a legitimate story.

I questioned ESPN's sources when it came to Brett Favre and the Vikings -- especially after Brad Childress's denial -- but then Brett Favre went on Joe Buck's show and confirmed a lot of what ESPN's sources had said all along.

So, I trust ESPN a little more now, even if I don't like what they're reporting. I still don't think they're infallible, but I'm not sure Ainge is being entirely forthcoming either.

Best,

Geoff

I'm going to enjoy watching you grouse as the last two years of non-stop play (finals, then olympics, then finals) catches up with Kobe and he winds up sitting out most, if not all next season with a major injury.

Hey, RJ to the Spurs would make my day! And for Bowen (who's done), Thomas (who's done) and Oberto (who, um, has a heart condition...)

Well, it's a cap move for the Bucks, obviously, who were so disappointing last year--and for the Spurs it would be an investment in a youngish, really athletic player who is not far out of their mold, character-wise, and who brings another legit scoring option and great defense.

Man I would love it! The Spurs FINALLY attempting something like a legit win-now hail mary in Timmy's declining years. (Roger Mason?)

Of course, I speak as a "Spurs fan" who almost certainly will not be a "Spurs fan" once the era of Timmy, Pop, Tony and Manu has passed.

May it happen! May it!

I kind of thought you might like that, John.

However, as you might have guessed, it didn't exactly make my day.

Best,

Geoff

Ainge is performing due diligence hoping lightening strikes.

If he can move Allen's 24 million dollar contract for two starters with young legs he'll do it. Powe's injured and they need a solid 3 backup to Pierce and have one lousy pick (number 58).

Hamilton and Stuckey -- Ainge would take them straight up for Allen and Rondo in a hearbeat. Like Allen, Hamilton is an ex-UConn wing but several years younger and much cheaper on the wallet earning what a 19 points a game wing should get paid.

It all makes perfect sense - they didn't play him this year because Kobe wanted to make sure that this championship would be credited to him, and him alone.

Next year they'll go 96-0 with this superhuman monster on the block and Kobe up top.

I'd hate for the Rockets to lose Landry, but if it meant getting something good and unloading McGrady, I can't argue with that one bit.

Unless the SOB suddenly stays healthy the rest of his career.

And it did happen--RJ to the Spurs.

Very exciting. Manu won't be playing international ball this offseason. The early elimination from the playoffs means less wear and tear. If there were ever a time for a last run, here it is. The Lakers are a mighty hurdle, but the stage is set. I am already psyched for next year's Western Conference Finals.

Seems to me that, with all the injury problems the Rockets seem to have, that an overhaul in the training department is in order...

Of course, they have to play the regular season games and the semifinals first; and rare is the season that goes as expected.

That said, it would make a pretty good series.

Best,

Geoff

It would seem. McGrady of course has a legendary history of injury, dating back to the back injury in Orlando (or even TO) that so compromised the player he might have become.

And with Yao, there are a certain amount of musculo-skeletal woes that accrue to those those over 7'2", or so, to pick a spot. Smits was big with the stress fractures too, as I recall.

That team/city deserves one season of the two of them healthy, especially with the excellent supporting cast in place--a "supporting cast" that took the eventual champs 7. The combo of Artest, Battier and Hayes makes them a relentless defensive team, and if there is anything Adelman has always been masterful at, it is designing a halfcourt offense, so if all their parts are in working order and Artest stays on his meds...

If you are wondering where the challenge to the Lakers is coming from next year, the answer--one way or the other--is Texas.

Smits was an idiot who didn't realize he could ask for shoes that fit his feet...

I should add that that was a shame, as he was a hell of a center

While other teams will ramp up in order to be competitive next year, the Wizards are making a trade with the T-Wolves.

The team needs a real center and another player with some grit.

Oh well, it is still early in the off-season. I guess they stand a chance of winning a few games.

Rik, Reggie, Mullins, The Antonio and Dale Davis, McKey, Mark Jackson -- gotta be one of the best teams never to win a title--just more Jordan roadkill in the annals of history

'
I didn't want to start a new post on sport issues (as this supposed to be a keyboard forum!), but I'm from the UK,
and football is our main sport
(proper football, where you play the ball with your feet [ie: 'foot' ball], not the stop-start grid-iron 'throw & catch' stuff!!!)

The greatest current football team in the world is my hometown team - Manchester United.

Winners of the English league (the highest quality -and most watched- league in the world) 11 times in the last 16 seasons
(including this season just finished in May).

Only recently deposed holders of the European Champions title (by Barcelona - another fantastic team)

Current official World Champions.

Winners of the FA Cup (the worlds biggest football KO competition) a record 11 times.

Millions upon millions of fans around the globe... etc, etc!


Football - the worlds most viewed & supported game!

I bet this post either generates total apathy, or, maybe, puts the cat amongst the pigeons? !!!!!!

.

You must be talking about the USA team that beat Spain today and is ready to take on Brazil.

In typical US fashion they slacked off by losing 3 quick ones and lulling Spain into over confidence. The perfect time to stike is when a team is 0-3. I think it's great the US will win that championship this weekend with a 2-3 record.

soccer is NOT a sport.

We get a post like this about once a year, although people usually post about it in the NFL (American football) thread rather than in the NBA (basketball) thread, as you have done.

Keyboard forum or not, "the occasional sports thread" is actually on-topic here.

If you want to start an "Official FIFA 2009 Thread" or an "Official IFAB 2009 Thread" or something else of that nature, I doubt our esteemed moderator Dave Bryce would object.

Best,

Geoff

True in one way, 'cos the only people who refer to football as 'soccer' are from the US !

But, please explain - in whay way is football (ok, 'soccer') not a sport???


Quote (Cambridge Dictionary)
"sport (GAME)
noun
1 [C] a game, competition or activity needing physical effort and skill that is played or done according to rules, for enjoyment and/or as a job"

Ps - what does "I am an enemy of the Pats" mean? I don't know if it has a different connotation where you come from,
but over here 'the Pats' usually is regarded as referring to Irish people
(of which there are many good folks here in Manchester)
and could be interpreted as derogatory/racist.
Please correct me if I'm wrong?
.

It's not a sport because the only sport in this particular thread is NBA basketball. That having been said, Go USA!

I like, though, that we're discussing a sport in which there's practically no scoring in a thread about a sport in which there's scoring almost every few seconds.

Best,

Geoff

Shaq in deal to go to the Cavs.

He's just dying to sing 'Kobe, tell me how my ass taste' again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3zYUmF-ww8

As a Celts fan Shaq will be a real PIA to the East again.

Link here:

Sources: Shaq to Cavs for Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic (Deal awaiting final owner approval.)

Best,

Geoff

Moving Zydrunas Ilgauskas to the 4 spot with Joe Smith gives Cleveland a couple 34 year old guys at the 4.

Delonte West is a good off the bench SG not a great starter. I expect to see Cleveland try one more trade or signing at those two positions.

Wally Sezerbiak won't be back. His 13 million dollar contract is a done. I expect a solid 2/3 will be the next signing and a PG drafted.

One things for sure: They'd let Joe Smith (PF) go and sign Odom if the price is right which means the Lakers will have to pay Odom some dollars to keep him. Given that Odom's dollars count double due to the salary cap paying him 10 million is obscene but its pro basketball. Everyone's overpaid.

Cleveland Free Agents
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (team option)
Joe Smith
Wally Szczerbiak
Anderson Varejao (Player option)
Lorenzen Wright

Soccer is not a competition - things that are competitive do not have "extra time" arbitrarily added to them at a ref's discretion. Things that are competitive do not have major championships decided by free kicks in the event of a tie. The only kind of physical effort one sees in a game of soccer are the lame attempts at faking horrific injuries that these guys miraculously recover from in mere minutes. People get carded for buying alcohol - they do not get carded in real sports. The only thing enjoyable or interesting that ever breaks out at a soccer game is a riot. Now rioting, THAT's a sport, but soccer, merely a game designed to incite riots, and not in fact a sport in its own right...

In the US, the Pats are a football team, the football that is a sport, i.e. not soccer. That said, if any football team had the lack of self respect to be a soccer team, it would be the Pats. Pats is short for Patriots. They are the chief rival of my hometown team, the Indianapolis Colts. In an NFL thread a couple of years ago one of the other forum members (a Pats fan), while discussing a little border war I was having with Pats fans, said he understood why I was saying what I was saying because he knew I was "an enemy of the Pats"

You'll never get that minute back...

looks like this will actually happen...wow...Shaq/LeBron...wow

That really is an ignorant sounding statement. Especially considering soccer is the most popular sport in the world.

It can't be the most popular sport in the world as it is NOT a sport...

The greatest current basketball team in the world is my hometown team -

The Los Angeles Lakers!!!



Just like The Los Angeles Lakers!!!



Well, you got me there.

Foot fracture yet to heal for Yao

Crap.

Oy, false grail, I'm afraid, by a team that does this over and over. Desperation heave. It will produce some very entertaining moments (especially the potential Shaq/Howard playoff matchup).

How high did Shaq elevate the Suns last year? Squarely into the 9 seed...

The foul idea here is that because LeBron is LeBron, someone like Shaq should be just enough to make the difference. NO! LeBron needs another multi-dimensional star in his prime. Shaq is not either.

It will not produce a championship. Put me on the record with that...Ferry is just trying to save his job--and his city--right now, and he was out of options. I hear th Cavs had as many as six different deals on the table. I would love to hear what some of them were.

I believe the Cavs just insured LBJ signs a new contract. This year, they get Shaq. Next, it will be D. Wade. The 'heat' is moving to Cleveland.

So you decided to put it in next year's basketball thread. Infallible logic.

By the way, we all know what football is.

This is almost like performance art to you, isn't it?

I think the blame for that lies mostly off the court. The front office deliberately slowed down a successful run and gun team that was playing at least close to championship level ball and traded away half of the starters. Then, when they fired Terry Porter and finally took the restraints off, the Suns played some of the best offense the league has ever seen, including some of the best offense Shaq has ever played.

Phoenix's lack of defense remains a glaring problem; but if the Suns had been allowed to play run and gun all season long (and Amar'e Stoudemire had remained healthy), I think it's safe to say that they would have at least advanced to the playoffs.

Best,

Geoff

Just demonstrating the obvious flaw in steadyb's argument

I gotta say here, LeBron/Mo/Shaq is a much more appealing combination to me than any they fielded this year.

And if it doesn't work, they're only stuck with him for this season, and they didn't give up much to get him.

If it doesn't work, LeBron is probably out this offseason anyway, whether they get into the Bosh sweepstakes or not...

If Orlando picks up Vince Carter they field Carter, Turkoglu, Lewis, Howard, and Nelson (An all-star before his injury this year).

Cleveland is missing a piece or two. They can't get away with Delonte West as their SG or aging players like Joe Smith as their PF. A healthy Celts team with Davis, Garnett and Perkins can outscore a Shaq/Smith front court. A healthy Ray Allen owns Delonte West and Rondo is up to the task of matching of Williams.

I don't think Shaq, Smith and Ilgauskas can beat Lewis, Howard and Gortat straight up. Vince Carter or Delonte West? Carter hands down. Nelson and Mo williams? A wash. Cleveland has to land a great swingman 2/3 to replace wWally Szerbiak and start in place of West.

This is awesome news. I was pretty concerned about the Cavs being a contender for next year's finals, but now... not so much.

Shaq isn't what he was but still a monster, LeBron/Shaq will be a hell of a one-two punch if they can gel. Yes, the Cavs will still struggle in areas but look what they did in the regular season and against Orlando without Shaq. They should be the favorites in the East next year, I would love to see The Lakers beat a Shaq/LeBron led team in the finals.

It's way too early to make any solid predictions but I can't imagine LeBron/Shaq being anything less than awesome to watch.

I can.

Steve, I think you've got the "old Shaq" blinders on. You'd love to see LeBron and 2002 Shaq play together. Did you see him with the Suns this year? Shaq doesn't have anything left to prove, and his physical skills aren't even close to what they were 7-8 years ago when he was in his prime. I do not see this as a good move for the Cavs. And I really like Shaq! Just being realistic here.

The Vince Carter (21 pts a game) trade to Orlando is official. They also got 21 year old PF Ryan Anderson (7.4 pts a game) in exchange for the aging Battie.

That's the real news. The Shaq deal is old news :>

Now the Magic need to resign Gortat and Turkoglu. They verbally commited to matching anything Turko gets as a free agent.

Hmmm...did the magic team we just watched for four series REALLY need another perimeter player in love with the 3? Vince isn't the slasher he was ealry in his career, and in truth he always shied away from that aspect of his game, at which he could be so gifted.

Well...it will be interesting that's for sure. I guess--with Courtney Lee and JJ Reddick--that was their weak spot.

I enjoyed the Kidd Nets, and now all traces are gone--Kidd, RJ, M-Mart and now Vince

Uh - Mags?

I watched Vince this season - he sure looked like he was still slashing pretty well...

Cavs and Magic have one year to do something. Shaq should consider playing every-other game and saving himself for the playoffs. The Nets may have gotten the best deal in the long run if Lee keeps improving.

What's up with Danny Ainge? You don't normally hear a manager trash talk an active player like that. Especially if you want to trade that player. I'm starting to think he cannot handle success.

Believe me, I've watched a lot of Vince over the years. He is a great talent, but another guys who needs a lot of time with the ball in his hands.

To me, the Magic already have a problem with a lack of coherence in the halfcourt offense, continually bailed out by a ridiculous assortment of good shooters

Hey, Howard/Carter could be a great combo if everybody's attitude is right.

Easily and unquestionably. I agree that it has more to do with management.

Also, Shaq put up really good numbers, probably going beyond expectations. You can't pin their not making the playoffs on him. If he puts up these sorts of numbers with the Cavaliers, that will help a team quite a bit...a team that made it to the Conference Finals.

Regardless, Shaq always makes things more interesting!!!

Yeah, this struck me as an odd deal.

Also, I don't know Orlando's situation really well. Since they've gotten Carter, do they have enough money to keep the other major players? What's the situation here?

I don't if or what college basketball you guys pay attention to. I am pretty attentive to the Big East, and tis year I watched DeJuan Blair (pick #36, San Antonio) aboslutely dominate UCONN's Thabeet (pick #2) on several occasions.

Now, calling Blair 6'7 is generous, and hes had major surgery on both knees, but what a score for Buford and the Spurs at #36

It was Thabeet's revenge.

Thabeet locks up the second pick and a 12 million dollar salary (24 million if he makes it 5 years).

Dejuan Blair is guaranteed nothing but he's got a cool video on youtube where he tosses Thabeet wrestling style without a foul.

Orlando took Carter as a hedge against Turkoglu's exploring free agency. It gives them more options in signing free agents besides Turkoglu. Orlando's owner (the founder of Amway) is on record as saying he's going over the cap this year. At age 84 it appears he wants to go out big.

Also Orland moves into the new event center in 2010 (after next season). They want to male a splash. It has more seats but more importantly many more premium $$$$ seats (Corporate boxes, club seats, etc). They think they can sell these out if the right team is on the court and the additional revenue justifies a higher payroll.

Well, that's the Pitt way.

Whereas UCONN prefers its players to be involved in industrious extra-curricular activities such as laptop theft rings...

And in other Big East news, Syracuse fans cried when Jonny Flynn declared. We laughed when Devendorf did.

Yao gone for next year and maybe longer.

And maybe forever. Doesn't look good.

This is unfortunate. The Rockets appeared to be a very serious contender. I hope things work out well for him.

That seriously sucks.

Great guy on a great team. The Rockets have some thinking to do.

Here's some comments from a team physician responding to the Yahoo! article. He's basically agreeing that it could be really, really bad, but at the same time, Yao feels fine and he was as surprised as anyone that it had not healed yet. There is some hope here.

After seeing how Yao practically forced his way back into the game when his knee was banged up, and how much he wanted to play after he did hurt his foot, more than for the Rockets, I feel really bad for the guy. I'd hate for basketball to be taken away from him like this.

SUCKS!

Yaouch.

That's a shame. I like Yao. Good player, good guy.

He really does seem like a good guy. And I really liked his winning spirit.

Curry should have known better than to make that trade for Iverson. That was a rushed, depserate reaction to a bad season.

I always thought that was a poor decision...especially considering how good Billups is.

Teams really have to watch these big dramatic trades for players who don't make their offense run. Trades like Iverson or Vince Carter are rather dubious ones. I'm sure they hope that the person will not be a ball hog and will break down other teams' defenses, but it's a real crap shoot.

I'm taking off for a 3-week trip to Brazil tomorrow morning. I hope everyone has a good summer.

Cleveland's looking to sign Charlie Villanueva next week at PF to replace Ben Wallace. Feee agent signing period begins next Thursday.

Pretty good front court right there--Lebron, Shaq and Ex-UConn player Charlie V.

I guess we'll see about that.

I'm telling you, don't be surprised if Shaq becomes a huge (literally) liability rather than an asset. And I am NOT a Shaq hater. I like the guy.

Trading for Iverson couldn't have just been Curry's decision. GM makes that decision ultimately.

IMO, his firing resulted from not being able to get consistent offensive play out their roster of talent.

nah, Shaq will play great next year, he won't close to 2001 Shaq but he'll out play most centers and physically dominate all

not a liability, quite the opposite

The Rockets are trying to land Marcin Gortat.

Cleveland is courting Ron Artest.

wow, that would be something

EPSN reporting that Charlie Villaneuva and Ben Gordon have an agreement with the Pistons.

The UConn boards lit up as Detroit would be the first team to start 3 ex-Uconn players -- RIP Hamilton is at SF, CV at PF and BG at SG.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4301111

That was my point, in a sarcastic way.

It looks like it or something is a done deal.

Ariza To The Cavs?

Could that mean... Artest to Lakers?

?

weird, wild stuff

I'm bummed about Chicago losing Gordon for nothing in return, but does anyone see him as a good fit in Detroit??? That lloks like a mess to me.

It's not looking good in Chicago. I don't see an improvement. Some nice draft picks but the rich are getting richer in the East.

Detroit is letting Iverson and his 20 million go as of last rumor. They can still deal a piece of two to shore up the C spot. Likely they re-sign Mcdyess and go with what they have and try to find some time for Gonzaga's Austin Daye at SF.

I am not a big Ben Gordon fan. He requires the ball too much, he's a way undersized 2 defensively. He's insanely streaky. That said he can be a dynamic scorer by all means. I'd LOVE him as a microwave type, but the basketball world is miscasting him as a franchise player.

Ariza would be a HUGE loss for LA. No way they win the title this year without his unique talents. He is a one man defensive wrecking crew. And his three point shooting makes him no liability on that end either. Who knows? Maybe's he's close to developing a multi-dimensional offensive game. Then he IS a young Ron Artest...without the paranoid schizophrenia.

I trust Kupchak and the rest of the management to do what they need to do, but I really do not want to lose Ariza. I hope that's salvageable. The story says they don't want (or can't) pay him above the mid-level exception, and his value went way up this year (duh). It's not a promising situation.

I'm a Bulls fan, and I agree with you on Gordon. I'm not at all sorry to see him go (especially for $11M/year).

It would seem only the Pistons are miscasting him as a franchise player.

I agree...Ariza's success this season is no fluke, he is the real deal and will get better. Chemistry is also so important, yes Artest would be a good fit for the Lakers and can do a lot of what Ariza does but c'mon, too risky. Ariza should feel insulted, he's practically a franchise player already and is just getting started...show him the money.

Gotcha mayne.

With the current flurry of trades taking place, I think we'll see more heads on the chopping block next year. Especially if the high priced moves do no bear fruit, er, hardware.