.
Well, damn... I guess at least LA still have their future in their own collective hands. It's hard to believe that less than a fortnight ago, the discussion was "can the Lakers catch San Antonio" and get the best record in the NBA?
What a difference
Mere game/games left to go, depending on what NBA team you are. Houston could've helped out with a defeat of Dallas, but they stumbled in OT, and now Dallas is half a game in front of LA, stealing the 2 seed. Likewise, Sacramento could have helped out with a defeat of OKC on the next-to-last game ever at Arco. OKC are now half a game back from LA.
The battle for 2-4 in the West is on, and it looks like this:
Sacramento... the Lakers should have more than their measure. But there've been more than a few teams recently that LA should've beaten, and haven't. And the stakes are high.
- Finish 2nd, LA will most likely play Memphis (seeds 6-8 are still in a similar state of flux to 2-4), who whilst presenting a challenge, that challenge won't quite be of the same magnitude as that of Portland or Denver.
- Finish 3rd, and it's Portland... who are still the preferred option over Denver.
- Finish 4th (and if LA loses both games, this is likely) then it's Denver, who would be perhaps the toughest first round opponent LA have faced in the past 3 years (although they're now not without their issues, having Nene now day-to-day with a groin strain, and Afflalo still having hamstring issues).
So win both, 2nd. Lose 1: 3rd (assuming the Mavs beat NOLA). Lose both? Ugh... probably 4th.
Kobe even said through the win-streak that he didn't care where LA finished. That he believed that whoever/wherever LA faced, they'd win through (funnily enough, Boston appears to have a similar self-belief). Coasting lead to a loss, then two... then blinked and it's five.
Time to start the playoff run tho'. Time to win. It's all going to depend how vital the Lakers see the games. And maybe it's arrogance, but I kinda do agree with Bryant: if the Lakers are on, who the opponent is, or what court it's played on is irrelevant.
But that's heavily dependant on which Lakers team of the past ten days shows up.
In a few short days, we'll know.
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Well, damn... I guess at least LA still have their future in their own collective hands. It's hard to believe that less than a fortnight ago, the discussion was "can the Lakers catch San Antonio" and get the best record in the NBA?What a difference
Mere game/games left to go, depending on what NBA team you are. Houston could've helped out with a defeat of Dallas, but they stumbled in OT, and now Dallas is half a game in front of LA, stealing the 2 seed. Likewise, Sacramento could have helped out with a defeat of OKC on the next-to-last game ever at Arco. OKC are now half a game back from LA.
The battle for 2-4 in the West is on, and it looks like this:- Dallas are at #2, and have a solitary game left against a Westless New Orleans. It is likely they'll take that (sending a now hapless Hornets to 8th place) and finish at 57-25.
- The Lakers are currently #3... and have two to play. They'll face San Antonio in Staples, and travel to Sacramento to play the Kings in the last ever game at Arco Arena. They win both, they finish at 57-25.
- Oklahoma City are #4, and have one more game: playing host to Milwaukee. They win, they're 56-26.
Sacramento... the Lakers should have more than their measure. But there've been more than a few teams recently that LA should've beaten, and haven't. And the stakes are high.
- Finish 2nd, LA will most likely play Memphis (seeds 6-8 are still in a similar state of flux to 2-4), who whilst presenting a challenge, that challenge won't quite be of the same magnitude as that of Portland or Denver.
- Finish 3rd, and it's Portland... who are still the preferred option over Denver.
- Finish 4th (and if LA loses both games, this is likely) then it's Denver, who would be perhaps the toughest first round opponent LA have faced in the past 3 years (although they're now not without their issues, having Nene now day-to-day with a groin strain, and Afflalo still having hamstring issues).
So win both, 2nd. Lose 1: 3rd (assuming the Mavs beat NOLA). Lose both? Ugh... probably 4th.
Kobe even said through the win-streak that he didn't care where LA finished. That he believed that whoever/wherever LA faced, they'd win through (funnily enough, Boston appears to have a similar self-belief). Coasting lead to a loss, then two... then blinked and it's five.
Time to start the playoff run tho'. Time to win. It's all going to depend how vital the Lakers see the games. And maybe it's arrogance, but I kinda do agree with Bryant: if the Lakers are on, who the opponent is, or what court it's played on is irrelevant.
But that's heavily dependant on which Lakers team of the past ten days shows up.
In a few short days, we'll know.
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Sheesh... looks like the Lakers are coasting to a point of it being problematic! Anyway, NBA questions for this week... asked by Jeff Fox of Hoops Manifesto, answered by yours truly.
1) The San Antonio Spurs have had the league's best record all season long, yet you'd be hard pressed to find a pundit that is predicting them to win the NBA title (let alone beat the Lakers) – are the Spurs being underestimated?
Don: To an extent... maybe... but over the last few months, they've - at least at times - looked somewhat fragile. Additionally, Timmy and Manu - two of the guys they are going to rely on - aren't exactly "spring chicken" any more. Pop's there, and so are Timmy/Manu/Tony - so I wouldn't bet against them. But they don't fill me with confidence as to their ability to make the Finals.
If it all stays "as is", Memphis would be a tough match up round one, and the winner out of OKC/Denver would be a nightmare for whoever gets 'em.
2) The Knicks have won five straight – have they turned the corner after slumping immediately after adding Melo, and is there any chance they can make some noise in the playoffs?
Don: Quite possibly. I wouldn't pick 'em to make the Finals, but as far as "being noisy" goes... absolute chance of that.
As it is now, they'd face Boston. Honestly? Of all the teams ranked 5-8 in the East, the Knicks are the last team I'd want my team matched up against.
3) Chris Mullin – Hall of Famer – really?!
Don: Sheesh... if you only look at his NBA career, hell no. But the HoF is for his entire basketball career... and then, yeah: maybe. But it's a near thing. The two Olympic gold medals probably push him over. Just.
4) Game of the Week – pick the winner – Tues, Apr 12th – San Antonio @ Lakers.
Don: The Lakers. 11 point margin. no comments
1) The San Antonio Spurs have had the league's best record all season long, yet you'd be hard pressed to find a pundit that is predicting them to win the NBA title (let alone beat the Lakers) – are the Spurs being underestimated?
Don: To an extent... maybe... but over the last few months, they've - at least at times - looked somewhat fragile. Additionally, Timmy and Manu - two of the guys they are going to rely on - aren't exactly "spring chicken" any more. Pop's there, and so are Timmy/Manu/Tony - so I wouldn't bet against them. But they don't fill me with confidence as to their ability to make the Finals.
If it all stays "as is", Memphis would be a tough match up round one, and the winner out of OKC/Denver would be a nightmare for whoever gets 'em.
2) The Knicks have won five straight – have they turned the corner after slumping immediately after adding Melo, and is there any chance they can make some noise in the playoffs?
Don: Quite possibly. I wouldn't pick 'em to make the Finals, but as far as "being noisy" goes... absolute chance of that.
As it is now, they'd face Boston. Honestly? Of all the teams ranked 5-8 in the East, the Knicks are the last team I'd want my team matched up against.
3) Chris Mullin – Hall of Famer – really?!
Don: Sheesh... if you only look at his NBA career, hell no. But the HoF is for his entire basketball career... and then, yeah: maybe. But it's a near thing. The two Olympic gold medals probably push him over. Just.
4) Game of the Week – pick the winner – Tues, Apr 12th – San Antonio @ Lakers.
Don: The Lakers. 11 point margin. no comments
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Over the past few weeks, it was very easy to get extremely excited about how the Lakers were playing.
Andrew Bynum was back, healthy, and playing like a voracious monster, swallowing entire backboards whole in his rebounding efforts. Kobe was playing well enough to get his name mentioned - albeit briefly - in MVP conversations. Lamar Odom was solidifying his position as the preeminent name on the 6th Man Award lists. Pau Gasol was looking confident and comfortable away from the basket, his 15 footer looking like money every time. The Killer B's were playing in a way that merited the name. And Ron Artest was flexing/kissing his way further into the hearts of Laker-fans the globe over.
What fan wouldn't become invested in that ride?
And... the San Antonio Spurs went on a well-advertised slide. Dropping six straight, and with every game the spiral downwards seeped further and futher into a destined fall from grace.
All of a sudden, the number 1 seed in the West - perhaps the whole association - began to look not only attainable, but inevitable.
I thought... scratch that. I knew that LA was going to continue to roll, and take the 1 seed. It was kismet.
Then simultaneously, LA lost and SA didn't. Worse yet, the Laker-players didn't look like they really cared, and Phil Jackson certainly didn't. Tight games, and yet the starters weren't playing the minutes they could be.
Talk about deflating.
It takes a bit of exploration as to some of the other motivating factors before the 'reasons why' begin to be apparent.
Now - preemptively - I am not suggesting that the Lakers intended to lose games, nor am I saying that they're tanking at all. Just... that the games/losses aren't as important as late season losses usually are. And this thought process is definitely the reason why these losses haven't bothered me overly.
LA are firmly intrenched at the second seed for the Western Conference. San Antonio clinched the top seed, and Dallas are two games behind with four games to go and LA holding the tie-breaker should they finish equal. OKC are a full game behind them in 4th place, and Denver sold at 5th. Portland, NOLA, Memphis are possibilities for some flux, but in all likelihood the Grizzlies will be 8th.
So... LA will likely face either Portland/New Orleans for the first round (at the moment it's the Hornets), and working on the assumption that they win that, they would have the Dallas Mavericks as a second round match up.
If they had scraped through to win the 1st seed, the first round series would be Memphis, followed up by the winner of the OKC/Denver series.
I would much rather see LA face NOLA or Portland than Memphis. Memphis match up rather well with both LA and SA. And of the teams ranked 6-8, I see the Grizz as the toughest opponent.
New Orleans sans West? I think LA would eat 'em alive.
Portland... whilst the Rose Garden has in the past provided a serious impediment to the Lakers, they seem to have gotten over that hoodoo this season. Another team that simply lacks the size to trouble LA.
This issue of match-ups becomes even more pronounced in the second round. Two teams that are very intriguing at the moment are Denver and OKC. That is going to be a series for the ages. Definitely the marquis matching of the first round for both conferences.
Wanna play the winner?
Preferably not. Whilst I think that LA would most likely get past either, I'd rather Dallas.
So in short: winning the 1 seed'd be great... but the path to the Western Conference Final becomes a whole lot bumpier.
LA will finish second. And I'm fine with that.
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Over the past few weeks, it was very easy to get extremely excited about how the Lakers were playing.
Andrew Bynum was back, healthy, and playing like a voracious monster, swallowing entire backboards whole in his rebounding efforts. Kobe was playing well enough to get his name mentioned - albeit briefly - in MVP conversations. Lamar Odom was solidifying his position as the preeminent name on the 6th Man Award lists. Pau Gasol was looking confident and comfortable away from the basket, his 15 footer looking like money every time. The Killer B's were playing in a way that merited the name. And Ron Artest was flexing/kissing his way further into the hearts of Laker-fans the globe over.
What fan wouldn't become invested in that ride?
And... the San Antonio Spurs went on a well-advertised slide. Dropping six straight, and with every game the spiral downwards seeped further and futher into a destined fall from grace.
All of a sudden, the number 1 seed in the West - perhaps the whole association - began to look not only attainable, but inevitable.
I thought... scratch that. I knew that LA was going to continue to roll, and take the 1 seed. It was kismet.
Then simultaneously, LA lost and SA didn't. Worse yet, the Laker-players didn't look like they really cared, and Phil Jackson certainly didn't. Tight games, and yet the starters weren't playing the minutes they could be.
Talk about deflating.
It takes a bit of exploration as to some of the other motivating factors before the 'reasons why' begin to be apparent.
Now - preemptively - I am not suggesting that the Lakers intended to lose games, nor am I saying that they're tanking at all. Just... that the games/losses aren't as important as late season losses usually are. And this thought process is definitely the reason why these losses haven't bothered me overly.
LA are firmly intrenched at the second seed for the Western Conference. San Antonio clinched the top seed, and Dallas are two games behind with four games to go and LA holding the tie-breaker should they finish equal. OKC are a full game behind them in 4th place, and Denver sold at 5th. Portland, NOLA, Memphis are possibilities for some flux, but in all likelihood the Grizzlies will be 8th.
So... LA will likely face either Portland/New Orleans for the first round (at the moment it's the Hornets), and working on the assumption that they win that, they would have the Dallas Mavericks as a second round match up.
If they had scraped through to win the 1st seed, the first round series would be Memphis, followed up by the winner of the OKC/Denver series.
I would much rather see LA face NOLA or Portland than Memphis. Memphis match up rather well with both LA and SA. And of the teams ranked 6-8, I see the Grizz as the toughest opponent.
New Orleans sans West? I think LA would eat 'em alive.
Portland... whilst the Rose Garden has in the past provided a serious impediment to the Lakers, they seem to have gotten over that hoodoo this season. Another team that simply lacks the size to trouble LA.
This issue of match-ups becomes even more pronounced in the second round. Two teams that are very intriguing at the moment are Denver and OKC. That is going to be a series for the ages. Definitely the marquis matching of the first round for both conferences.
Wanna play the winner?
Preferably not. Whilst I think that LA would most likely get past either, I'd rather Dallas.
So in short: winning the 1 seed'd be great... but the path to the Western Conference Final becomes a whole lot bumpier.
LA will finish second. And I'm fine with that.
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With Rob still MIA (I don't think that's "Miami"), flyin' solo again on this: as per the norm, Jeff Fox of Hoops Manifesto asks 'em, I throw out some answers...
1) With the NBA playoff picture pretty much set now, which team are you most surprised at being on the outside looking in? On the flipside, which team are you most surprised at making the playoffs this year?
Don: Milwaukee. I really thought they had the roster not only to make the playoffs, but to make some noise once in there. Other side of that coin would be Philadelphia. Just quietly, be wary of those 76ers!
2) Who's your darkhorse/sleeper team to make some noise in the playoffs?
Don: The Lakers. Just kidding. Anyway... sleeper? Honestly (and this will upset a few people)? Whoever plays San Antonio. At this point in time, they are not looking at all like the team that swept aside all comers in the first half of the season. Memphis are there at the moment, and I honestly think they'd be interested in STAYING at #8.
3) One of the Philadelphia papers recently wrote that part of the Sixers resurrengce this season is due to coach Doug Collins habit of hugging players. Do you believe in the power of the hug?
Don: Ummm... no. Well... whatever works. Come crunch time tho', I'll put more faith in the guys who will put someone else's ass on the floor, than someone whose coach is all touchy-feely.
4) Game of the week - pick the winner - Thurs, April 7th - Boston @ Chicago.
Don: Da Bulls. no comments
1) With the NBA playoff picture pretty much set now, which team are you most surprised at being on the outside looking in? On the flipside, which team are you most surprised at making the playoffs this year?
Don: Milwaukee. I really thought they had the roster not only to make the playoffs, but to make some noise once in there. Other side of that coin would be Philadelphia. Just quietly, be wary of those 76ers!
2) Who's your darkhorse/sleeper team to make some noise in the playoffs?
Don: The Lakers. Just kidding. Anyway... sleeper? Honestly (and this will upset a few people)? Whoever plays San Antonio. At this point in time, they are not looking at all like the team that swept aside all comers in the first half of the season. Memphis are there at the moment, and I honestly think they'd be interested in STAYING at #8.
3) One of the Philadelphia papers recently wrote that part of the Sixers resurrengce this season is due to coach Doug Collins habit of hugging players. Do you believe in the power of the hug?
Don: Ummm... no. Well... whatever works. Come crunch time tho', I'll put more faith in the guys who will put someone else's ass on the floor, than someone whose coach is all touchy-feely.
4) Game of the week - pick the winner - Thurs, April 7th - Boston @ Chicago.
Don: Da Bulls. no comments
That... was profound.
LA's complete dismantling of a Dallas Mavericks team that - until this game - possessed almost as much momentum. A veritable demolition.
It had to sting. Probably about as much for Mark Cuban as Phil Jackson's dismissal that amounted to
The Spurs with 7 to go, the Lakers with 8.
...
...
Should be an interesting finish.
Now... on the free-for-all that nearly developed in the 4th.
I get why Jason Terry was frustrated, but that was as cheap a shot as I've seen in a while.
Completely and utterly a BS play.
In no way, or form was that remotely in the action of playing basketball, it was nasty, and possibly dangerous. Steve Blake was off-balance from Terry's foul... and it should earn Jet a sit down out of the action. Barnes' stepping remonstrate wasn't necessarily the right thing to do, but it was the "right thing to do", if you get my drift. You don't come into someone else's house and smash-mouth like that.
The following incident with Dallas coach Terry Stott was unfortunate, but Stott had no place grabbing an opposition player in the first place. Look after your own guys.
Fines should be levied, and possibly hefty at that... but the only suspension should be Jason Terry. Punk.
Here's what a cool, calm and collected Matt Barnes had to say post game:
Love the attitude - "this is family, you don't do that in this house." There's some real physicality with the Lakers now... something I can't remember for a ... well, forever. Toughness. You betcha, toughness.
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LA's complete dismantling of a Dallas Mavericks team that - until this game - possessed almost as much momentum. A veritable demolition.
It had to sting. Probably about as much for Mark Cuban as Phil Jackson's dismissal that amounted to
"Mark was never a player, so all he can do is sit behind the bench and... talk."
The entire team was impressive, and no matter which way you cut it, Dallas fell far, far short of where they need to be. To make matters even more interesting, more tantalizing, the Spurs lost their match-up with Boston - leaving LA a mere 2-and-a-half games shy of SA's total. ight game tear... SA on a 5 game free-fall.The Spurs with 7 to go, the Lakers with 8.
...
...
Should be an interesting finish.
Now... on the free-for-all that nearly developed in the 4th.
I get why Jason Terry was frustrated, but that was as cheap a shot as I've seen in a while.
Completely and utterly a BS play.
In no way, or form was that remotely in the action of playing basketball, it was nasty, and possibly dangerous. Steve Blake was off-balance from Terry's foul... and it should earn Jet a sit down out of the action. Barnes' stepping remonstrate wasn't necessarily the right thing to do, but it was the "right thing to do", if you get my drift. You don't come into someone else's house and smash-mouth like that.
The following incident with Dallas coach Terry Stott was unfortunate, but Stott had no place grabbing an opposition player in the first place. Look after your own guys.
Fines should be levied, and possibly hefty at that... but the only suspension should be Jason Terry. Punk.
Here's what a cool, calm and collected Matt Barnes had to say post game:
Love the attitude - "this is family, you don't do that in this house." There's some real physicality with the Lakers now... something I can't remember for a ... well, forever. Toughness. You betcha, toughness.
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There's been a bit of talk lately about the possibilities that Kobe Bryant might be in the running for MVP this season (I find it poignant that LeBron comes out and says that Rose is the front-runner when the talk on Kobe started, but that's another story)... and he certainly stepped it up against the Mavs.
This was clearly the highlight of his game tho':
Jason Terry, you suck. But we'll get to that later... no comments
This was clearly the highlight of his game tho':
Jason Terry, you suck. But we'll get to that later... no comments
Just completed moving house. Hate that... thus, this is late. Still, better late than never! Rob's been busy this week too, so did not participate - just Jeff Fox's questions (via Hoops Manifesto), and my answers!
1) The Lakers have gone on a 13-1 tear since the All-Star break. Are they still the team to beat this year?
Of course. Until someone else wins the title, they're the reigning champion. Two things: this roster is better than the one that won the title, and Andrew Bynum's never been healthy for a playoffs. LA looking hot to trot at the moment.
2) The Magic have vowed as a team to not shave again until their playoffs end. Who is going to end up with the craziest/best beard?
Wow... news to me. That's awesome, cannot wait to see some wild 'n' hairy basketballers out there for Orlando. Craziest facial hair? I'm gonna go with Brandon Bass. He's gonna be caveman hirsute - fear the beard.
3) Larry Brown recently revealed that he tried to get Michael Jordan to add Allen Iverson to the Bobcats' roster. Brown feels it is a crime that Iverson finished his career in Turkey and that a NBA team should give him the chance to finish his career in the NBA - agree or disagree?
A crime? That's strong language there, and A.I. worked himself out of an NBA gig - let's not forget that. His ability is undeniable. As is the fact that he was considered a canker in the locker-room.
4) Game of the week - pick the winner: Thurs, Mar 31st - Dallas @ Laker...
The Lakers of course! no comments
1) The Lakers have gone on a 13-1 tear since the All-Star break. Are they still the team to beat this year?Of course. Until someone else wins the title, they're the reigning champion. Two things: this roster is better than the one that won the title, and Andrew Bynum's never been healthy for a playoffs. LA looking hot to trot at the moment.
2) The Magic have vowed as a team to not shave again until their playoffs end. Who is going to end up with the craziest/best beard?
Wow... news to me. That's awesome, cannot wait to see some wild 'n' hairy basketballers out there for Orlando. Craziest facial hair? I'm gonna go with Brandon Bass. He's gonna be caveman hirsute - fear the beard.
3) Larry Brown recently revealed that he tried to get Michael Jordan to add Allen Iverson to the Bobcats' roster. Brown feels it is a crime that Iverson finished his career in Turkey and that a NBA team should give him the chance to finish his career in the NBA - agree or disagree?
A crime? That's strong language there, and A.I. worked himself out of an NBA gig - let's not forget that. His ability is undeniable. As is the fact that he was considered a canker in the locker-room.
4) Game of the week - pick the winner: Thurs, Mar 31st - Dallas @ Laker...
The Lakers of course! no comments
Now that... was a game.
Both teams had more than ample opportunities to win the game earlier, and PHX had their chances right at the end... but in the end the Lakers held on to win a marathon of a game at the end of three overtimes.
LA move to 51-20, and the homeward stretch is pretty good. no comments
Both teams had more than ample opportunities to win the game earlier, and PHX had their chances right at the end... but in the end the Lakers held on to win a marathon of a game at the end of three overtimes.
LA move to 51-20, and the homeward stretch is pretty good. no comments
Been over a week now since the tsunami ravaged Japan's shores, and slightly longer than that since I've posted anything NBA-related. Time to get back into it... thanks for sticking with me over the last week - was pretty cathartic to be able to write on it.
So... as per usual: Jeff Fox of Hoops Manifesto asks the Qs, Rob & I answer 'em.
1) The Chicago Bulls have streaked their way to the best record in the East – should they be viewed as a legit title contender this season, or are they at least another year away?
Don: Legit. Behind MVP-favourite Derrick Rose, the Bulls are easily one of the most defensively-intense teams in the NBA. And that's without being completely healthy. Teams that play good defense trend towards doing well in the playoffs. Chicago's no different.
They have just as much chance as Boston in my book, and more chance than either Miami or Orlando.
Rob: The Bulls are having an incredible year behind D-Rose. But..... there is no way they are winning the East this season. They need to finish with the best record to have any chance at progressing to the Eastern Conference finals. The Knicks will be tough, the Sixers won't be pushovers and the Heat are starting to find a groove. A few hiccups in the past week not withstanding, the Celtics are still the team to beat in this conference and they have proven that they can do it on the road as well as at home. The Bulls could be interesting next year though.
2) Meanwhile, out west the Denver Nuggets have gone 9-2 since trading away Carmelo Anthony – aberration or are they still a solid team?
Don: Well... sure, they're a "solid" team, but I don't think they're scaring anyone in the playoffs. If it stays as is, I think OKC'll sweep, or only lose one.
Rob: The Nuggets look like a more balanced team without Melo. George Karl is a very good coach and this team is now allowing itself to be coached. Not a lot of downside in Denver over this trade.
3) Grant Hill was in the news this week defending himself from the Fab Five's insults, so now is as good a time to ask this question – given his body of work up to this point, is Grant Hill a Hall of Famer?
Don: You know... I think he is. Given that the Basketball Hall of Fame is assessed for the entire basketball career, and not just the NBA, I think Grant Hill has the pedigree. In addition to the NBA RoY, 7 All Star berths, 5 All-NBA teams, Hill also has an Olympic Gold Medal, went to the NCAA Final 3 times out of his four years there, winning twice. Hill was also the first player in ACC history to collect more than 1,900 points, 700 rebounds, 400 assists, 200 steals, and 100 blocked shots.
That's HOF territory there.
Rob: Not even close. Given the injuries he has suffered, Hill has done well to achieve as much as he has, but his career is in no way worthy of inclusion in the HOF.
4) Game of the Week – pick the winner – Fri, Mar 25th - San Antonio @ Portland...
Don: Gonna go with Portland. I have a feeling (to be honest, that could be the curry tho').
Rob: Spurs continue to roll. no comments
So... as per usual: Jeff Fox of Hoops Manifesto asks the Qs, Rob & I answer 'em.
1) The Chicago Bulls have streaked their way to the best record in the East – should they be viewed as a legit title contender this season, or are they at least another year away?
Don: Legit. Behind MVP-favourite Derrick Rose, the Bulls are easily one of the most defensively-intense teams in the NBA. And that's without being completely healthy. Teams that play good defense trend towards doing well in the playoffs. Chicago's no different.
They have just as much chance as Boston in my book, and more chance than either Miami or Orlando.
Rob: The Bulls are having an incredible year behind D-Rose. But..... there is no way they are winning the East this season. They need to finish with the best record to have any chance at progressing to the Eastern Conference finals. The Knicks will be tough, the Sixers won't be pushovers and the Heat are starting to find a groove. A few hiccups in the past week not withstanding, the Celtics are still the team to beat in this conference and they have proven that they can do it on the road as well as at home. The Bulls could be interesting next year though.
2) Meanwhile, out west the Denver Nuggets have gone 9-2 since trading away Carmelo Anthony – aberration or are they still a solid team?
Don: Well... sure, they're a "solid" team, but I don't think they're scaring anyone in the playoffs. If it stays as is, I think OKC'll sweep, or only lose one.
Rob: The Nuggets look like a more balanced team without Melo. George Karl is a very good coach and this team is now allowing itself to be coached. Not a lot of downside in Denver over this trade.
3) Grant Hill was in the news this week defending himself from the Fab Five's insults, so now is as good a time to ask this question – given his body of work up to this point, is Grant Hill a Hall of Famer?
Don: You know... I think he is. Given that the Basketball Hall of Fame is assessed for the entire basketball career, and not just the NBA, I think Grant Hill has the pedigree. In addition to the NBA RoY, 7 All Star berths, 5 All-NBA teams, Hill also has an Olympic Gold Medal, went to the NCAA Final 3 times out of his four years there, winning twice. Hill was also the first player in ACC history to collect more than 1,900 points, 700 rebounds, 400 assists, 200 steals, and 100 blocked shots.
That's HOF territory there.
Rob: Not even close. Given the injuries he has suffered, Hill has done well to achieve as much as he has, but his career is in no way worthy of inclusion in the HOF.
4) Game of the Week – pick the winner – Fri, Mar 25th - San Antonio @ Portland...
Don: Gonna go with Portland. I have a feeling (to be honest, that could be the curry tho').
Rob: Spurs continue to roll. no comments
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Now, the human element is coming to the fore. Before, it was just numbers, and the earthquake and ensuing tsunami were the story. But in the aftermath, the survivor stories are begining to be told.
On TV tonight, I watched as one elderly man told of how he and his wife hurried as fast as they could from the oncoming tsunami. Both aged, her left leg was somewhat crippled. He tried to carry her, then pull her along... but the tsunami ripped her from his grasp. He told us his tale from the ruins of a town, pointing to where he last saw his wife.
Another man sat in the gymnasium of a local school with all the other survivors, and told a camera crew of how he and his wife were running, and he looked around and she just wasn't there any more.
We watched a man searching the remains of his house for signs of his son.
A woman at the base of almost a mountain of rubble and debris, screaming, sobbing the name of her child.
Evacuated people holding signs for TV cameras, hoping that their husbands, wives, sons or daughters still live.
A friend of mine is still right in the middle of all of this. Victoria worked in Soma, Fukushima. It was one of the worst hit by the tsunami, and is now within the 30 km warning radius of the distaster-struck Fukushima Daichi nuclear plant. Her situation is ... well... her words (with her permission):
Lastly, cannot forget the brave souls who have remained at Fukushima Daichi plant, putting themselves directly in harm's way in an effort to stave off complete ruin.
I wish there was more I could do, but beyond donations - there's very little any of us can do.
Below is a list for Red Cross.
International Red Cross Appeals for Earthquake/Tsunami Relief:
Australia
Canada
Ireland
New Zealand
Singapore
UK
USA
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Now, the human element is coming to the fore. Before, it was just numbers, and the earthquake and ensuing tsunami were the story. But in the aftermath, the survivor stories are begining to be told.
On TV tonight, I watched as one elderly man told of how he and his wife hurried as fast as they could from the oncoming tsunami. Both aged, her left leg was somewhat crippled. He tried to carry her, then pull her along... but the tsunami ripped her from his grasp. He told us his tale from the ruins of a town, pointing to where he last saw his wife.
Another man sat in the gymnasium of a local school with all the other survivors, and told a camera crew of how he and his wife were running, and he looked around and she just wasn't there any more.
We watched a man searching the remains of his house for signs of his son.
A woman at the base of almost a mountain of rubble and debris, screaming, sobbing the name of her child.
Evacuated people holding signs for TV cameras, hoping that their husbands, wives, sons or daughters still live.
A friend of mine is still right in the middle of all of this. Victoria worked in Soma, Fukushima. It was one of the worst hit by the tsunami, and is now within the 30 km warning radius of the distaster-struck Fukushima Daichi nuclear plant. Her situation is ... well... her words (with her permission):
"...not evacuating now. we have nowhere to go. half a million ppl in evac shelters in region, not enough supplies to help them. just have to stay inside and wait wait wait.... can't go outside, Too dangerous. There are no assisted evacuations taking place from Soma. As I said before, can't get to Tokyo! Also cant get to fukushima airport. It's 3 hours away, not enough fuel... "
"Scared"
Lastly, cannot forget the brave souls who have remained at Fukushima Daichi plant, putting themselves directly in harm's way in an effort to stave off complete ruin.
I wish there was more I could do, but beyond donations - there's very little any of us can do.
Below is a list for Red Cross.
International Red Cross Appeals for Earthquake/Tsunami Relief:
Australia
Canada
Ireland
New Zealand
Singapore
UK
USA
no comments
