The NBA Thread

[senorcorazon]

This makes me feel better about the Suns losing.

There it is.

I read the best article in the Washington Post this weekend arguing that LeBron, naturally, needs to be a Wizard. AND IT WAS NOT A JOKE ARTICLE.

Also, can someone find out what she's on? She is not even on the planet anymore. I should like some of that in about 25 years.

[Chris L]

LeBron's heel turn:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7xlzLOZH5c

[Andy]

Patrice O'neil had a pretty good take on it: the reason we remember Bird, Jordan, Magic is because they were super competitive, kind of hated each other and were still so great that they won rings. He argued that Lebron turned himself into ScottyPippen by going to Miami

[Gilly]

I don't agree with that argument. Did Garnett become Scottie Pippen by going to Boston? No, he's still considered one of the greatest power forwards of all time. Gilbert never brought him his Pippen to win championships so he had to go seek out players himself. Even if you're one of the greatest of all time, you're not enough to win a championship.

[Chris L]

I don't agree with that argument. Did Garnett become Scottie Pippen by going to Boston? No, he's still considered one of the greatest power forwards of all time. Gilbert never brought him his Pippen to win championships so he had to go seek out players himself. Even if you're one of the greatest of all time, you're not enough to win a championship.

The pieces were in place for him to lead Chicago for a legit run at a championship, which would have cemented his legacy regardless of how many titles he ended up with.  Instead, he chose to run to arguably the 2nd or 3rd best player in the league - who unlike LeBron has already shown he can lead a flawed team to a championship -  in a scheme to create some bogus Yankee-like superpower.  Unlike Jordan, Bird, Magic or Kobe, LeBron's mental toughness and ability to lead will always be question in now, which for now ends the conversation about him potentially being the greatest.

Also, Boston's big 3 were all in the late stages of their careers and complemented each other well, which I don't think is comparable to frontloading a team with three top guys in their primes.

[jbissell]

Unlike Jordan, Bird, Magic or Kobe, LeBron's mental toughness and ability to lead will always be question in now, which for now ends the conversation about him potentially being the greatest.

There's nothing wrong with being the next Pippen, unless you've publicly stated that you desire to be a global icon and are arguably the best player in the game. That's when we have a problem. And, as you mentioned, the fact that Wade already has a ring says quite a lot.

[Gilly]

The pieces were in place for him to lead Chicago for a legit run at a championship, which would have cemented his legacy regardless of how many titles he ended up with.  Instead, he chose to run to arguably the 2nd or 3rd best player in the league - who unlike LeBron has already shown he can lead a flawed team to a championship -  in a scheme to create some bogus Yankee-like superpower.  Unlike Jordan, Bird, Magic or Kobe, LeBron's mental toughness and ability to lead will always be question in now, which for now ends the conversation about him potentially being the greatest.

It is surprising he didn't choose Chicago since he would have been seen as the clear leader with arguably a better team.

[Cotton]

I'm pretty excited to be rooting for the Thunder now.

Assuming, of course, that my beloved Sixers fail to win 50 games.

[Andy]

Yay thunder

[Gilly]

Predictions anyone?

East:

1. Miami
2. Orlando
3. Boston
4. Chicago
5. Atlanta
6. Milwaukee
7. Indiana
8. Washington
9. Philidelphia
10. New York
11. Charlotte
12. Detroit
13. New Jersey
14. Cleveland
15. Toronto

West:

1. LA Lakers
2. OK City
3. San Antonio
4. Portland
5. Utah
6. Dallas
7. Denver
8. Phoenix
9. Houston
10. New Orleans
11. Sacramento
12. Minnesota
13. Memphis
14. LA Clippers
15. Golden State

Miami v. Chicago (East finals)
Lakers v. OK City (West finals)
Miami over Lakers (Finals)

MVP: Durant
ROY: Griffin

[Gilly]

The only way I see Miami losing it is if there is a power struggle between James and Wade. Watching interviews this preseason it seems pretty obvious that Lebron is the main guy there and as long as Wade is ok with that, they could break the Bulls record. It's a long shot but the East is about 5 deep this year and the whole bench depth thing is just not that big of a deal to me because average players get better around stars who want to win. As long as the big 3 don't have issues they'll carry the rest of the team.

The West is ridiculous this year. Everyone in the West would be a playoff contender in the East.

[jbissell]

You're more optimistic about the Bulls than I. I think Boozer missing the west coast trip might cost them a 4 seed. I'm also really not happy with the idea of Keith Bogans getting major minutes.

East:

1. Heat
2. Magic
3. Celtics
4. Hawks
5. Bulls
6. Bucks
7. Knicks
8. Pacers
9. Wizards
10. Bobcats
11. Nets
12. 76ers
13. Cavs
14. Pistons
15. Raptors

West:

1. Lakers
2. Thunder
3. Jazz
4. Blazers
5. Spurs
6. Mavs
7. Rockets
8. Suns
9. Clippers
10. Hornets
11. Grizzlies
12. Nuggets (based on Melo and maybe others getting traded, if everyone stays I say they're 6)
13. Kings
14. Warriors
15. Wolves

Lakers over Magic in the Finals.

MVP: Howard
ROY: Griffin

God I'm so excited for tonight.

[jbissell]

The only way I see Miami losing it is if there is a power struggle between James and Wade.

I don't think that's going to be a problem.

[Gilly]

You're more optimistic about the Bulls than I. I think Boozer missing the west coast trip might cost them a 4 seed. I'm also really not happy with the idea of Keith Bogans getting major minutes.

I dropped the Bulls a spot because of Boozer being out. I think they make the jump past Orlando this year in the playoffs and somebody will beat out a worn down Celtics team in the postseason. They'll sneak into the East finals I think.

[jbissell]

You're more optimistic about the Bulls than I. I think Boozer missing the west coast trip might cost them a 4 seed. I'm also really not happy with the idea of Keith Bogans getting major minutes.

I dropped the Bulls a spot because of Boozer being out. I think they make the jump past Orlando this year in the playoffs and somebody will beat out a worn down Celtics team in the postseason. They'll sneak into the East finals I think.

What makes you think the Celtics will be worn down? They could do the same thing they did last season, getting a huge cushion and then coasting through the regular season and turning it back on for the playoffs. Pretty easy to do in the East.