Expect the Expected
Kobe (photo. Chris Sembrot)As crazy and unpredictable as the ’07-08 NBA regular season was, already in these playoffs we’ve seen some pretty predictable events. For example, was there any doubt the Wizards would lose their collective heads and starting acting a fool once LeBron and the Cavs started embarrassing them? Did you ever question whether the Spurs would be able to withstand double-digit first half deficits to Phoenix? Also, we all knew that as soon as the Mavs and Rockets lost games, Dirk and T-Mac would immediately get the skewer treatment from critics saying they have no heart. And after the Pistons gave away Game 1 to the Sixers, it was a foregone conclusion (around here at least) that Detroit was going to demo Philly in last night’s Game 2 … Flipping the “ON” switch a little earlier than usual, the Pistons looked like a hungry team, but also one displaying a steely focus and sharp execution. Rip Hamilton hamster-wheeled his way to 20 points, and Rasheed Wallace, Tayshaun Prince and Antonio McDyess scored 16 apiece while putting Philly’s front line on smash. Andre Iguodala, Thaddeus Young and Sam Dalembert combined for 18 points, while Reggie Evans (13 pts, 11 rebs) was really the only guy who came to play … Note to announcers and sportswriters everywhere: We know the Sixers are young. We get it. You don’t have to use the word “young” every single time you want to throw out an adjective for the team … We like Jason Smith‘s “I just got dunked on” strategy after Jason Maxiell crushed one on him late in the fourth quarter. Just act like nothing happened, inbound the ball immediately and sprint down the court. It was like Smith was trying to get away from the stench of being on YouTube … What’s the one thing that has to be worse than Kobe Bryant lighting you up? Kobe Bryant lighting you up and telling you about it THE ENTIRE TIME. The Nuggets woke up the beast in Mamba and got smoked, as Kobe put up 49 points and 10 dimes (he wasn’t ball-hogging) in a blowout. Along the way, Kobe was yapping at K-Mart, J.R. Smith, Eduardo Najera, Linas Kleiza, George Karl, Stacey Augmon, Robert Pack, Reggie Williams, LaPhonso Ellis, Bryant Stith and whoever else in blue was trying to check him. It was ugly. And leave it to J.R. to be the one guy still running his mouth right back at Kobe until the bitter end. He’s lucky Phil Jackson took Kobe out with a couple minutes to go and he didn’t get that Curtis Jackson dropped on his back-neck … Also from the No One’s Surprised files, the Nuggets defense was terrible. And not just on Kobe, but on everyone; they gave up 122 points in the loss. Denver’s man-to-man D was lackadaisical at best, but then when they went zone, L.A. sniffed it out and would play a much better brand of team basketball, making the extra pass and continually finding the open man. Soon it became clear the Nuggets were better off playing their crappy man-to-man D and just hoping Kobe would pass towards the end of the shot clock … It’s that poor Denver defense, by the way, that made it really tough to vote for Marcus Camby as the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year. Sure, last night’s 17-rebound, 4-block stat line was normal for Camby, but if he blocks four shots and watches 30 others drop in front of him in the paint, how much of a difference is he really making? … When did Reggie Miller start calling Kobe “Triple Ocho”? … Funny how right after the final buzzer, when Kobe stiffed Craig Sager on the post-game interview, Sager had to settle for Luke Walton and — clearly disappointed — would only ask Luke questions about Kobe … Did you hear that bizarre Kimbo Slice discussion between the announcers? Sager was talking about George Karl showing the Nuggets a Kimbo fight before the game to convey a “take it to the streets” mentality, but kept referring to him as “Kimbo Coles.” After Sager corrected himself, Reggie reprimanded him for being afraid by taunting, “Don’t by scurrrred, Craig! Don’t be scurrred!” That sparked this e-mail from Andrew: “Reggie Miller was just demoted below Suzyn Waldman on the list of color commentators.” … As the Celtics were picking apart the Hawks late in the fourth quarter of their Game 2 win, the e-mails from Dime’s Boston contingent started flooding in — all of them ranging from annoyed to apoplectic that Doc Rivers was keeping Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo in the game with his team up by 20. Then when Doc finally emptied the bench, Boston fan Jed sent this: “Doc f****d it up. He did it during a timeout where KG didn’t get the ovation.” THAT’S what was bothering the C’s fans? And you wonder why so many non-Giants fans became Giants fans for the last Super Bowl … As for the game itself, the Hawks just aren’t ready for this level of play yet. That’s perfectly understandable — Orlando went through the same thing last year — but the frustration started to show down the stretch as Game 2 got pretty chippy. Al Horford was whistled one time for basically jamming his forearm into Garnett’s throat, and it felt like a fight could happen any second … If you missed it on DimeMag.com yesterday, we posted the behind-the-scenes video from our photo shoot with Rajon Rondo in Issue #39 (the Kobe “MVP” cover). Check out Rajon the fashion maven HERE … Also, be on the lookout this morning for the first of a new feature we’re rolling out called “Pass the Mic.” In an effort to give you guys, our readers, more of a voice on DimeMag.com beyond the “Comments” section, we’re handing the reigns over to one of our more active and entertaining readers for his own column. If you’re a regular here you know him as “GEE,” the die-hard Rockets fan with a new nickname every day. One of our favorite commenters debuts his new column today … We’re out like trash-talking Triple Ocho …
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April 24th, 2008 at 1:46 am
marcus says:
numero uno!
April 24th, 2008 at 1:55 am
bill says:
come on wizards and suns!!!!!!!
April 24th, 2008 at 2:42 am
smotpoker says:
Kobe’s jumper is cold blooded
April 24th, 2008 at 3:04 am
SayItAintSo says:
Best part about the Lakers game:
Final couple of minutes and J.R. is word-sparring with Mamba. Mamba takes it STRAIGHT AT J.R. who gives the hard foul but only after KB beasts in the bucket. J.R. proceeded to feel worthless so shortly after he takes his best to the whole only to be turned away (via a foul mind you) by MBENGA! I felt for J.R. after that sequence…he’s got heart, hops and a sick stroke but should stay of the lawn if he can’t run with the big dawgs.
Props to Mbenga for finally avoiding being on a poster or youtube highlight…even if he had to foul to do it.
April 24th, 2008 at 3:49 am
Leandro says:
Mamba was mesmerizing…
http://www.squidoo.com/KobeBryantOnNash
April 24th, 2008 at 3:52 am
What is this!? says:
Damn, nothing but blowouts tonight. SMH
Anyhow, its official, Iverson needs to opt out and leave Denver. I don’t want to see that guy waste the rest of his career on a team that doesn’t seem to be 100% commited to winning. I never thought I would say this, but maybe he was better off in Philly, even if that team is just mediocre, at least they seem to play with some heart. Because this is ridiculous. This has to be the most undisciplined team in the league. And Coach Karl better be fired after this lackluster season. Why? Because regardless if people like it or not, discipline starts with the Coach. And the Lakers aren’t winning because they are a more talented team then the Nuggets..they are winning because Phil Jackson has them playing disciplined and as a TEAM. That Nuggets team had 12 asst tonight. 12! And Iverson had 6 of them. I can not count how many times I seen Coach Karl say one thing in a time out and a player go out on the floor and do another. My god. Yeah, if they don’t get someone in there that can set up proper offensive and defensive sets, then Iverson needs to just opt out and leave because as a b-ball fan, I do not want to see that guy waste the rest of his career on a team that doesn’t seem to be 100% commited to winning. He’s too legendary for that. I know Iverson makes his mistakes in the game, but his pros far outwiegh his cons. Iverson went from carring one team onhis back to another.
And another thing, Carmelo Anthony is a fraud. I don’t want to hear nothing else about anyone calling that dude a “Superstar” or a real “Franchise player” when he has yet to even have a breakout playoff series. I can’t even remember him being out on the floor these past two games. I remember Charles Barkeley saying that Carmelo wasn’t a “Superstar” that he was an “All-Star” and theres a differense. He was right. Carmelo is a solid player and thats it. I have watched enough Nuggets games to know that he has yet to even take his game to the next level and the guy is in his 5th year in the league. His peers he came into the league with seem light years ahead of him. His time to step up is now. He has no more time, in a few years he will be considered a veteren.
Melo is big enough to play solid defense, but just doesn’t seem commited. His b-ball IQ at times seems well below average. And he coasts through entirely too many games. He’ll show up for a big game every now and then like when he plays Lebron on national t.v, but thats about it. Other then that he does his part to fill up the stat sheet and thats it, never anything extra. I’m over it. I don’t care how talented he is at scoring when he doesn’t do sh*t else. And then takes stupid shots and not proper shots to try to get his team back in the game or to try to slow down the opposing teams route. Dude just shoots the ball just because. People say Iverson has had poor shot selection, which sometimes is true, but at least he takes proper shots to help get his team back into things or help to slow down the opposing teams momentum. Steve Nash does the same thing. They know the proper moments to take over the game. I swear if it wasn’t for Iverson this year that Nuggets team would be a .500 team this year in the West and wouldn’t even be in the playoffs. And i’ve seen some Nuggets fans online have the nerve to question Iverson? A player that is already proven and is going to the hall of fame? Give me a damn break. AI opt out, that team doesn’t deserve you and Carmelo can stay in Denver because thats the only place that will continue to cheer for a player that gives half effort. Melo couldn’t play in a place like New York or Philly…the fans and press would eat him alive.
April 24th, 2008 at 3:55 am
Willis says:
Oh so Gee gets a column but I dont? Haha just kidding. Or am I? Wouldn’t mind though. Yeah, you guys need some Kings flavor up in here anyway.
April 24th, 2008 at 4:02 am
What is this!? says:
Anyhow onto the games, LOL!! The Pistons and Celtics did what I thought they would do. I thought Denver would make it more of a game, and at some points they did, but they continue to beat themselves. I had already picked the Lakers to win this series, but I though Denver would give them some trouble, which they still might. But Laker fans have to be the most annoying/bandwagon fans on the Internet right now. LMAO! You folks are everywhere. Calm down. Kobe looked great tonight. But he should remember that he has no street cred and no one respects him off the court, so he might want to be careful mouthing off to people like KMART or JR Smith unless he wants to get his @ss whooped on national t.v again…now thats a fight that the Nuggets will win. ROTFL!
I have to give props to Phil Jackson, because he does have his team playing somewhat smart basketball. I pick them to win this series, but I still don’t think they will make it past the Jazz, because the Jazz play way smarter then Denver and the Lakers do have some weaknesses that their fans don’t want to admit to. Also, they said Bynum will not return during the playoffs. I think the Lakers have a nice future, but this won’t be their year. They won’t get passed teams more disciplined like the Jazz or Spurs, and certainly wouldn’t get passed teams like the Celtics or Pistons. Sorry.
April 24th, 2008 at 5:20 am
for real says:
I’m convinced that the only person that could handle the Knicks coaching position would be Charles Oakley.
I could see him cold-cocking one of his players on the sideline during a timeout, just to get his point across.
The Knicks have NO DISCIPLINE – Oak would demand it.
OAK FOR COACH !!!
April 24th, 2008 at 5:29 am
K Dizzle says:
@ What is this
put down the hatorade, dude
Kobe has no street cred? who cares? This ain’t hip hop so calm down with the thug life. First rule of ball is if you can talk it up and back it up, you don’t need street cred. Where’s Magic’s street cred? Where MJ’s street cred? Where’s Lebron’s street cred? Where’s Duncan’s street cred? It’s on the court. Only a true hater can cry about 49 and 10 in a playoff game while backin it up.
Appreciate the kobe show
Gee
props, dude. and just to help you out, you can add JKidd and Dre Iguodala to the list of dudes who ain’t showin up to the party cuz i know TMac been catchin hate somethin fierce
Peace KB24 – MVP : 2 down, 14 to go
April 24th, 2008 at 5:37 am
for real says:
tell me you can’t see Coach Oak bitch-slappin’ Nate or Jamal Crawford down into the players seats, then turning around and growling at the team – “THAT’S what happens when you Don’t Play Defense !!!”
Props GEE – Column Up !!!
April 24th, 2008 at 6:05 am
What is this!? says:
K Dizzle, for the love of god get off of Kobes nuts already. Whenever someone in these forums has anything remotely critical to say about Kobe…here you come with your cape on playing “CAPTAIN SAVE A HO”. Did I not say Kobe had a good game? Damn can’t even tell a joke without the nut huggers coming in here crying. I swear Kobe has the best fans in the world…only dude I know that could be accused of RAPE and still have people defending his honor. SMH
April 24th, 2008 at 6:19 am
QQ says:
To all trash talkers out there that can’t back their smack with their game, just see the last 4 minutes of the LA-Denver Game 2.
Damn.
Mamba MIND RAPED JR Smith! Poor little bitch.
April 24th, 2008 at 6:23 am
for real says:
J.R Smith probably went and got a tattoo of Kobe after the game while singing “Sometimes I dream, that he is me….”
April 24th, 2008 at 6:25 am
foscheezeeee says:
Yeah, I agree with Dizzle, u can’t hate on Kobe pimp.. He the nicest baller in the league…. I do agree with you about Melo though, he need to turn that corner and become more than just a scorer
April 24th, 2008 at 6:37 am
Eric says:
I wonder if the Nuggets wish they had brought in Ron Artest who, while a loose cannon, would lock up the “D” in Denver.
Totally agree with the above comments regarding Carmelo. He’s a scorer – that’s it. He’s the only dude to rock his own retro jersey (he visited ‘cuse a few years ago wearing it). Def All-Star but maybe the 2nd or 3rd best player on his own team.
AI is a leader, HOF player and an icon.
Kobe is also (now) a leader, HOF player and an icon – they are just different and its great to watch.
April 24th, 2008 at 6:42 am
sdeezy says:
the wizards are dumb…they just f—d themselves for the next 30 years by trying to throw down lebron…if anyone missed it, check out inside the nba’s replay…the kenny smith commercial (impersonating kobe’s jump over aston martin) is hilarious
April 24th, 2008 at 6:46 am
Fish says:
Damn, you caught me on “Robert Pack”. Before I looked at the other names I checked to see if he somehow got back in the league in disbelief!
Good point on Marcus Camby. Funny how you would never hear that comment in the regular season when he is killing on fantasy stats.
April 24th, 2008 at 6:56 am
What is this!? says:
@ foscheezeeee
Yeah, I was just joking about Kobe (not sure how many times I have to say that, LOL)I am not a fan of him, but I am a fan of his game…
I was serious as hell about Carmelo though. I’ve tried to hold out hope for that guy, but now i’m over it. He might as well had not even been on the floor tonight. He’s a good player, a solid player…but thats it. So no more “Superstar” and “Franchise” titles for him. LOL!
@Eric…Melo really rocked his own jersey? LOL!
April 24th, 2008 at 7:12 am
word says:
well Iverson got another technical, he knows the deal. They are going to lose 4-1, maybe even swept.
Detroit made sure they won last night lol. Iggy was off.
April 24th, 2008 at 7:27 am
doc says:
K-Dizz In Philly we dont overhype dudes we all know Iggy a good second player over here.Like I said plenty of times on here, dudes who dont watch our games wouldnt know that Dre Miller is our star.Iggy aint the one.We like them Barkley, AI warrior type dudes as our star.Some of these so called stars could never play for the Sixers without being sent home with they tail between they asses.As long as Iggy play hard D we good.If he heated thats a bonus.And he better not ever say he tired from getting bodied.You seen when they interviewed Kobe they tried to ask him how much trouble Kenyon was giving him and what he could do to combat it.He said Kenyon giving him no trouble and he dont have to change shit.Thats the mentality I want.
April 24th, 2008 at 7:35 am
Celts Fan says:
And you wonder why so many non-Giants fans became Giants fans for the last Super Bowl …
well ya, that, the fact we’re the team of the decade and have a HUGE target on our backs (a less-likeable version of the Spurs), the complete arrogance they carried themselves the whole year – eventually letting it cost them a historic SuperBowl (let’s be real, on paper that should have been a beat-down. Eli vs. Brady, Bill thinking his ish don’t stink and not going for the FG instead of 4th & 13 it could’ve been tied, single covering Plax in the redzone at the end, celebrating on the sidelines like it was over after we took the lead w/ 2 min to go, etc., we all know what happened. they ate humble pie all season then got full of themselves in the last 2 weeks and blew it, costing a classy legend -Seau- his best shot at a ring in the process.) and oh ya, the cheating probably doesn’t help, especially when it’s against a team we could’ve easily stomped without it…
Trust me, I LOVE the Pats, but it’s tough to not feel a little different after this past season.
Not ALL Boston sports fans are that ridiculous and annoying.
April 24th, 2008 at 7:53 am
Prof. TX says:
A good read for McGrady fans, and for McGrady critics:
http://hoopsaddict.com/2008/04/22/tracy-mcgrady-pleasure-and-pain/
April 24th, 2008 at 7:55 am
BALLZ says:
For Gee’s first feature, an in-depth look at T-Mac entitled: “Humanitarian. Warrior. Hero. Champion.”
Just effin wit you Gee. Light it up son.
April 24th, 2008 at 7:58 am
GEE...straight audacity & unmitigated gall says:
What up tho! First off preshate all support. Don’t really know none of yall but I can imagine most of yall prolly some cool dudes.
Won’t lie its all surreal to a plaiya but just preshate DIME for the opp.
On to the work.
It’s not often but every now and then my wife watches a some games with me. She claims it’s hard to watch them with me sometimes cause of how I be screaming at the tube as if the players can hear.
Anyway she sucked it up and watched and wanted me to say some stuff on the post, so all these comments are on her behalf. She ain’t in to the whole compute postin ish.
Man what the hell?!?!
She can’t stand Kobe, mostly because I really or overly as she puts it enjoy dude. Last night she had to give playboi his due.
Last night you knew from the first quarter it was going to be a 50 or 60 night. 49 ok close enough.
First off the horrible Coach K. (who my wife pointed out looks like the dude (the owner) off that bunny ranch show on HBO Dennis).
KIMBO SLICE CAN’T SAVE YOU! How bout showing a video on defense and how to stop the drive and dish, cause that is all the Lakers were doing outside of when Kobe was just ish on cats.
So G.K’s playoff tatics are: Game 1 him and his assistants do the mosh pit rumble in the lockerroom trying to get hype. Meanwhile his team can’t play D.
Game 2 show videos of Kimbo Slice to “Take it to the streets” …meanwhile his team can’t play D and the only one who looked street was Kobe in the way he had his swag and was talkin his ish and getting his gun tote on.
Then some of the rotations of players G.K. had coming in and out were ridiculous. You take A.I. out for an extended period of time when he was the only one creating and making plays.
Then the best part of last night was the lip reading, which my wife does way better than me, and it was funny seeing Smith tell Kobe “I wish you would” and “Shut the f up” and all the while Kobe got dude locked up as a prisoner of war.
Granted Denver may go home and win 2 to tie it up…not. Still George Karl has dropped to won of the most horrid coaches in the L. to me, I don’t care what he has done. As my wife said, the Denver players are basically raising themselves. Cause ain’t no leadership coming from his goofy A.
Kenny Smith’s commercial was hilarious!
If Kobe didn’t lock up the MVP on that performance then I don’t know what to say.
You could tell LuKe was tired of the Kobe questions.
Philly = Shut A.I. 2 down and you got pretty much got it.
A lot of players are starting to over act in the playoffs when they are getting pushed and shoved, it’s teeter tottering between annoying and funny.
Last night in my view Al Horford didn’t push K.G. that hard for real, K.G. kept his feet planted and did the back bend to add to it more so. If K.G. backs up and comes back in on D, that is not even a big deal.
The crowd gave Bibby the buisness, was it cause of his people are on the Boston bandwagon comments are what?
Watching Atl. play is really a case for Stern to give the best 16 a shot instead of 8 from each conference.
Have to think Golden State would have tried harder till Nellie sits BD with the game on the line.
1
April 24th, 2008 at 7:59 am
GEE...straight audacity & unmitigated gall says:
BALLZ that was funny! You got me though lol.
April 24th, 2008 at 8:07 am
Logan Light says:
Kobe was ridiculous last night. On that play where he crossed Ed up, head faked, and then drove in for the and-1, I almost lost my Coke Zero. I’ve seen guys do that on the court over and over, but when Kobe does it, it looks like he wants to hurt your feelings along with your ankles.
It can’t be possible for JR Smith to have any friends on the Nuggets. Watch the next game, even when he scores his teammates shake their heads… He’s that one dude from around the block that you hate playing with, but you call him cause you need numbers. ROUGH.
Big up to GEE.
Here’s to the Hawks, Rockets, Mavs, and the Raps getting swept… and maybe Denver.
LL
April 24th, 2008 at 8:09 am
Big Al says:
good luck,Gee. i’ll be readin you.
April 24th, 2008 at 8:23 am
POW says:
@ what is this
You really think Kobe gives a fuck about street cred? I don’t think so, last time I checked it dont win you no games in the nba jackass!!
April 24th, 2008 at 8:27 am
Big Mike says:
Triple Ocho was Flo Rida last night,
He had them trapped in his elevator..
Congrats Gee
April 24th, 2008 at 8:29 am
What is this!? says:
^^@POW (Kobe is that you?)
You might want to take time out of your ranting nuthugging schedule to read the rest of the comments where I said I was JUST JOKING!!! Its official, Kobes bandwagon fans are the most annoying fans on the internet. SMH
Alright I take it back, Kobe already caught a case, so he does have some “street cred” LMAO!!!
April 24th, 2008 at 8:34 am
What is this!? says:
Oh yeah and while some of you are up in here talking about “Hater” this and “Hater” that…some of ya’ll need to stop hating on the Nuggets, real talk. Thats all people been up in here doing the entire season (and this is coming from a Spurs fan). Regardless if people like that teams style of play or not, they still ended the season with a great record. And although JR Smith got owned lastnight, the guy has been playing great for that team.
And I also must say congrats to “GEE”!!
April 24th, 2008 at 8:35 am
Brown says:
It’s good to see a real bball head gettin’ his props. I was worried Dime might give a column to one of the many “I love talking out of my ass”-type posters on here. Gee, since you’re a Rockets fan, I’d like to know what you think they need to do in the offseason to improve, cuz we all know they’re just a middle of the pack playoff team right now and not getting any better the way they’re currently constructed. The win streak was nice, but the playoffs is a completely different story and they’re looking pretty overmatched.
April 24th, 2008 at 8:37 am
Suciniac says:
You think maybe that was George Karl’s last trick out of the hat.He’s tried both Iverson and ACarter at the point.He’s giving more minutes to JR than last year.He’s tried K-mart on Kobe.He tried the Mosh Pit.Now, the Kimbo video(Really???).What do you think is the number of coaches in the League laughing at GK right now.
QUESTION what are the odds Avery replaces GK if both of them get fired???
April 24th, 2008 at 8:39 am
What is this!? says:
^^ I would LOVE for Avery to replace GK! LOL!
April 24th, 2008 at 8:45 am
IGP says:
Nice work GEE. JR Smith is definitely the guy that you call cuz you need numbers haha…I remember that list everyone was making about the different types of players…the guy with the ipod, the guy with the change in his pockets, the guy with the watch on, haha love that shit.
I’m about to move to Boston this weekend…wheres a good place to ball this summer?
April 24th, 2008 at 8:56 am
PALakerFan says:
I watch that series and I worry about 3 guys on Denver before Carmelo. AI is uncoverable. Kleiza and JR seem to be able to get to the rim at will. Melo just likes to fake the dribble drive and shoot the J. Pussy! You’re 6’8″ with strength and ups – drive to the hoop!
Nobody on the Nuggets even listens to Karl. Definitely should be fired. AI should wait to see if the new coach can inspire them to play harder and if not, opt-out. AI for Baron Davis would be a good trade for both teams.
KG for MVP??? I’ll admit that he gets his team fired up and takes them to another level, but when you’re the 3rd or 4th option at the end of games, you are not the MVP. I watched a good portion of that exhibition (ATL might be the worst playoff team EVER) and KG seemed to miss every single shot. 6 for 18 when he faced single coverage most of the time and missed a ton of open looks.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:00 am
PALakerFan says:
Jeff Van Gundy would be a good replacement for George Karl. At least his teams play hard and play defense.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:02 am
control says:
JR Smith is definately that guy, and to add to IGP’s comment, he’s also wearing the ugly fake gold chain, rockin an Ipod, shoe laces untied, wearing a clock on his wrist and yelling for the ball every possession.
BTW, what is up with Toronto games only being on NBA TV? I don’t get that shit on my office tv, so of course I can’t watch the damn game. Toronto didn’t play on Thursday (TNT games) even ONCE this season, I think they are the only team that didn’t get a nationally televised game. Fuck TNT, they suck.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:04 am
GEE...straight audacity & unmitigated gall says:
Brown and everyone else for real I preshate cool words. LOL yall gone make it hard for a plaiya to debate with you all in the future being all cool and ish. But you all know better than that hahaha.
I don’t want the wrong impression to go down though. DIME was nice enough to give a dude a time to convey some thoughts. I am not an employee although I have wondered what that would be like (getting to customize shoes and play video games and go to different events lol). This was just them reaching out and it was real cool on their parts.
I will try not to be on no Erykah Badu stuff (I am an artist and I am sensitive about my ish) but I do hope you all enjoy the read and comment. I didn’t try to go hard I just really tried to have fun with it.
Anyway Brown that is slightly difficult being that I don’t know contracts so this is all on the basis of no knowledge of money situations.
Offseason for Houston: Ok before we even go any further I don’t think they should trade T-Mac or Yao. Cause I know that is the first swing a lot of dudes want to take.
With that said, They have to get another player SF or PF that can create their own shot and score. Also as much as I like Skip and Bobby and the gamut of other guards, we have to get an Dre Miller or DERON WILLIAMS (as much as I detest Utah I am enjoying him right now) type of PG that can control the game and bring heat. I would most def. get a back up center that is agile and can score some and play some type of D.
Players to trade: Head, Hayes, Bobby, Mike Harris,
Player possible to retire : Deke
Player to hopefully get more burn : Novack
April 24th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Remy says:
I concur with #6, Carmelo isn’t a “Superstar.”
Carmelo had the hangover look.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:20 am
foscheezeeee says:
Avery is a good coach, the team just don’t have life after the previous 2 playoff experiences. And just to think Dallas prolly could have got Kobe for Dirk, and Devin Harris/or Terry. Avery will def land somewhere else soon as he gets canned.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:23 am
What is this!? says:
@PALakerFan
You might be onto something about Jeff Van Gundy (look I like anybody but Karl, LOL). Karl is a good Coach, but he has failed to get his team to buy into whatever concept he was trying to sell. And you’re right, at this point i’m not sure if anyone is listening anymore. When they wire up Coach Karl, and you can hear him talk to his team, they sometimes come out and do the exact opposite of what he told them to do.
Example:
In game one he told them to not fall in love with their jumpshots and continue to drive to the basket. When they got back into the game, the only ones that listened and continued to stay aggressive and drive to the basket were AI, JR and Klieza…Carmelo came right out that timeout and shoot a J. There was another time when Denver was playing the Rockets and Karl told them to stop shooting 3′s. And what did Melo do right after the timeout? He came right out and shot a 3! That was when I knew GK had lost his team. If that was Larry Brown or Avery Johnson, Carmelo would have been sitting on the bench for not listening and better hope he didn’t get cursed out infront of the crowd by either of them. That team needs a hard nosed Coach regardless of who it is.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Jay says:
Yessir!
Just having on your team, you are a winner!
Ya’ll n**** got me really confused out there
I win 3 championships with Shaq or one of those seasons I average 40+ points a whole month
Ya’ll hail me as the greatest player of the 21st Century
My GM make some thought-provoking shit by getting Pau Gasol
Ya’ll question whether I’m falling off
I’m a really confuse ya’ll on this one
Follow…49 points (unstoppable)
April 24th, 2008 at 9:27 am
daquest?on says:
nuggets should bench carmelo… he is being a ball hug and he isnt playing team basketball.. i hate kobe and his trash talking..george karl should put steven hunter in the game just to punch kobe in the eye to set him straight
April 24th, 2008 at 9:30 am
DaPro says:
Congrats are in order to Gee….Put in work family
On another note, Coach Karl knows this is his last run with Denver. He’s trying to give his team moral victories saying they played hard in spurts or they played Kobe as well as he can be played-that’s bs yo. Its true Kobe is hard to guard but you have to game plan dude for real. Match up and make adjustments and coach your team. They need a coach who will force them to be accountable and make better choices with the ball.
To the dude who mentioned JVG- Van Gundy is not the coach for Denver as much as I like him. He concentrates on defense but neglects offense plus Denver doesn’t have a big who can post which is what he prefers. He slows the ball down too much. What the Nuggs need is a new philosophy and approach to the game. Melo has to play like a “superstar” if he wants to be called one. AI is laying it out there but he needs soldiers around him to battle. They should have made the trade for Artest and fired Karl. I don’t see them getting swept but then I don’t see them winning 2 at home either.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:30 am
chris says:
i guess most teams choose to only start playing defense in the playoffs (makes sense, it is a loong season); some can (LA, houston and utah, NO,SA,detroit and boston) and some can’t (PHX, dallas, enver, TO ). PHX trading shawn for shaq only works if hill is healthy (he ain’t), and the rest of the team works their butt off to cover nash’s inability to guard anybody (they ain’t either). it will be fun to watch when LA/utah/NO/SA start kicking the crap out of each other in the western semi’s, and detroit/boston do the same in the eastern finals. till then, i think i’ll go play with my kids, cos i ain’t gonna miss much.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Logan Light says:
I will say this about Melo – if he is going to play weak and shoot jumpers all day, he at leasts hits them consistently… but for real, he is playing like a 35 year old. Someone who has lost his step and hops. He still has those, but I have seen nothing that would tell me that he has any heart… that sucks for him.
GEE – you think that T-Mac can do what Kobe is doing and become a facilitator without having to worry about scoring? It just seems like he is going to be that player that never gets over the top. He’s an amazing player, but I don’t think he can be THE centerpiece of a championship team…
April 24th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Austin Burton says:
T-Mac hasn’t gotten as much leeway as Garnett for having subpar teams surrounding him most of his career. Remember, in Minnesota KG only got past the 1st round once (when he had Cassell and Sprewell), and you could say McGrady’s never had a team that was as good as that ’04 Minnesota group. And if you put McGrady in KG’s current situation – on a team with two potential Hall of Famers – he could be the #1 guy on a title team.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:48 am
GEE...straight audacity & unmitigated gall says:
Logan Light a healthy, injury free T-Mac yes. I am talking no back, and no shoulder probs and a solid group around him. Yes I think he could.
This is just GEE but I honestly think with the right group he could do it now. Time and experience have to count for something. I feel if healthy and with what he has learned, the only thing missing would be the right group around him.
Houston’s GM should be stoned!
April 24th, 2008 at 9:53 am
QQ says:
Denver needs a take-no-prisoners coach, someone like Pop or Scott Skiles.
Jeff van Gundy?
He’ll be Melo’s whipping boy in no time. Do you honestly think he can yell “Stop shooting those fucking J’s and play some D!” and knock some sense into Melo’s head to straighten up that kid’s lame-ass game?
Didn’t think so.
April 24th, 2008 at 10:01 am
downtownFreddyBrown says:
I can’t believe no one is talking about the real story of the LA v. DEN game…
the crazy dreaded-out white dude behind the Nug’s bench!
Did anyone else notice that shit. It might be worse than Axl Rose on the All Time Turrrrrible White Dude Hair List.
I don’t know, haven’t been on here in a while, maybe it’s been mentioned before, but…cotdamn. dude even had some kinda pattern workin out there too.
thanks Turrrrrible-Dreaded-Out-White-Guy, thanks a lot.
April 24th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Suciniac says:
@Austin
Do you really think over their primes duo of Spree and Cassel is a bigger factor than Yao,Battier,Skip,Bonzi,Scola,Hayes and Landry.
Even the 40 year old Mutombo is a better big than the bums KG played with.Skip despite all his flaws is way better than Hudson/Jaric.Battier is a better Hassel with a Jump shot.Heck, even Scola is better than the Kandi man.This BS is right there with folks who say CP3 has more help than Kobe.
In closing no superstar has played with a more worthless supporting cast in their primes than Garnett not even AI.It’s not even close.
April 24th, 2008 at 10:11 am
girlybballluver says:
I’m glad someone else can see how bad Reg Miller is as a commentator. Dude’s just awful…I’d rather listen to Bill Walton talk recklessly, at least then I could laugh at the foolishness he says.
Can Doug Collins cover every game?…I’m starting to miss Steve Kerr.
April 24th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Austin Burton says:
The ’04 Wolves had Kevin Garnett in his prime (27 years old), Sam Cassell in his lone All-Star season (19.8 ppg, 7.3 apg), Latrell Sprewell playing at a very high level (16.8 ppg), Wally Szczerbiak when he was still good, Fred Hoiberg (shooter) and Trenton Hassell (defensive stopper who Ron Artest once told me he’d take any day on a team if he wanted to win a championship) as your man principles. That doesn’t sound like a very good team to you?
April 24th, 2008 at 10:17 am
control says:
Who has said CP3 has a better krew than Kobe? That is just straight crazy. Pau, Lamar and eventually Bynum is actually a pretty good base to build on, even without Kobe. WITH Kobe though, it’s pretty damn good.
April 24th, 2008 at 10:23 am
GEE...straight audacity & unmitigated gall says:
I would think it’s a hard case between AI an T-Mac on having a horrid team around you in the playoffs. Funny both A.I. and T-Mac have or had Mutumbo.
I think A.I. wins out though as having the worst squad to roll with in the playoffs.
Girly I don’t know about Walton over Miller. I really almost can’t stomach a Walton announced game for real.
Reggie ends up corny, Walton is corny throughout.
April 24th, 2008 at 10:23 am
PALakerFan says:
There are obviously better coaches out there than JVG, but he got the Knicks to the Finals with Camby at center and reigned in Sprewell pretty good along the way. I was just mentioning a coach who is actually available.
They definitely need a hard nosed, take-no-bullshit kinda coach for that group of playgrounders.
April 24th, 2008 at 10:31 am
control says:
Maybe the Nuggets should get Fat Joe as a coach, he’s used to dealing w/ the playgrounders eh?
April 24th, 2008 at 10:37 am
SWAT says:
@GEE always nice to see a rockets fan up!!
As far as the game tonight hopefully Skip will be back. He went thru a full practice yesterday so he should be good for tonight. He just brings more stability to the starting five and the half court offense and B-jax is a better 6th man.
April 24th, 2008 at 10:38 am
QQ says:
Great crew KG had there, but during the 22 win streak of the Rockets, T Mac’s supporting crew also showed up and played as one of the best (if not the best) support groups out there. Isn’t that what the media were raving about during the streak? How good the Rockets were, not considering Mcgrady? How good everyone else were playing?
And I can’t fault them. A 22 win straek is a 22 win streak. A shitty supporting cast can’t give you a 22 win streak. (Kobe didn’t have a 22 win streak when he had Smush and Kwame in his team)
My point is: T Mac’s crew is good, and if someone’s killing em just for the sake of defending Mcgrady, it’s just not right.
April 24th, 2008 at 10:48 am
control says:
QQ, did Kobe even have a winning streak with Smush on his team? Has Smush ever had a winning streak? That guy is the worst nba player.
April 24th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Suciniac says:
@Austin
Right KG was in his prime but Cassell was 35 and Spree was 34.Hassell and Battier cancels each other out.Hoiberg was to Minny what Bob Sura was to Houston.That leaves Sczerbiak whom I’ve always said was the best player to play with KG(not counting the 1 year of Cassell and Spree).
Sczerbiak made it as an all-star in Minny and Cassell made his only all-star appearance in Minny.Although some people like to twist it around and say Cassell made KG a MVP how could you argue about Wally World,all he could do was shoot.
It’s not a question about wether that team is good or not.You said T-mac never had as good a supporting cast as 04 Minny KG had and I just think it’s ridiculous.O.K,so,Casell and Spree gave 1 year to Minny….How long T-mac has had Yao,Battier and Skip for.
April 24th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Celts Fan says:
true, PLUS, KG gets more leeway cuz his team was stripped of FOUR FIRST ROUND PICKS in his prime because McHale wanted to break the rules. That’s something that deserves SOME leeway, not a complete free pass, but more leeway than you’d normally give someone for not getting out of the first round very much.
April 24th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Smitty313 says:
When the hell did you need street cred to play basketball. M.J., Magic, Barkley, and tons of other superstars are not from the streets. Lebron is not from the streets.
April 24th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Dennis Castro says:
What Is This? – That’s what I’ve been saying about Melo. One dimensional and not a leader. I’d rather have Caron, I think he’s a more complete 3 than Melo by light years.
Tough game for the Sixers. I didn’t get a chance to catch the game, but sounds like Detroit came out focused and the Sixers didn’t come out aggressive. Did Evans start?
Iguodala has to step up, find ways to score. Prince is really doing a good job of locking him down. This is where a post game by Dala would be ideal. Punish Prince on the block and draw contact.
By the way, I have to comment on CP3. I dont think I’ve seen anyone play the point this well since Magic. Nash played it extremely well when he won his MVP’s, but he didn’t truly dominate a game like Paul. I feel like Paul can score anytime he wants, his lateral movement is one of the best in the game, but he creates opportunities for his teammates.
And lets be real, Nash had Amare and Marion, Paul has West(a very good player), but that’s it, role players everywhere else.
This year’s MVP vote should be the closest in a while.
April 24th, 2008 at 11:38 am
dh says:
daaaang!
i forgot about smush and kwame and i’m a lakers fan! i’d probably want to be traded from that team too!
congrats Gee…!
April 24th, 2008 at 11:38 am
for real says:
Rockets peaked at the wrong time. No one could touch them during that streak, but it faded. Just bad timing. It happens.
Do like Spurs do; lay low, find your groove late in the season and collect those Finals paychecks and bling.
April 24th, 2008 at 11:43 am
PALakerFan says:
Castro – you nailed it on CP3. I’ve tried not to over-react to how well he’s playing but Magic is the last PG to truly dominate this way. Kobe’s gonna win this MVP because this is really the first year he’s been a leader to go along with his amazing ability. Call it a “make-up” MVP or whatever you want, but he’s deserving and Paul’s gonna win like 3 or 4 of em in the next 10 years anyway.
April 24th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
POW says:
@ WHAT IS THIS
you are the definition of what p. diidy means when he says no bitchassness.
April 24th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
doc says:
We not trying to hear about if T-Mac had thisperson or that person they would win BS.Give Lebron T-Mac team he got now I bet you he get out the 1rst round.
April 24th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
GEE...straight audacity & unmitigated gall says:
doc I wish we could re-arrange players cause I would certainly take you up on that bet?
Not dismissing LeBron cause he is a better player currently than T. Still against what Utah was doing, naw I don’t see Bron advancing.
April 24th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
K Dizzle says:
Celts
good point on McHale screwin KG. I almost forgot about the 5 first rounders, probably lottery that McHale lost for tryin to get Joe Smith? KG a bigger man than me cuz I’m askin for a trade right then.
Doc
I seen Dre Miller play since high school and he’s always been good on the quiet.You can’t lead the league in assists by accident so I know he’s the key for the sixers but Iguodala has gotta bring something. 10pts, 6rbs, 5as is great for a 3rd option or even first dude off the bench, but this team needs 25 a game from dude just to stick around. They goin back to Philly so we’ll see what he brings at home
Gee
Deke don’t need to retire. He’s the most effective back-up center in the L. Yeah, he’s like 55 or 62, but he gives you good minutes…once again, sorry about the whole Rudy Gay trade jk
Nuggets prolly wishin they still had Greg Buckner cuz dude actually d’d up
April 24th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
GEE...straight audacity & unmitigated gall says:
No K Dizz I think he is going to retire. I agree I hope he doesn’t retire.
LOL yea that Rudy Gay thing really hurts right about now lol.
Hey remember that 1 on 1 deal with Kobe winning. Some of you should back track to yesterdays post of Kobe winning and check the latest convo between me and AB.
We are talkin on a true story where the legend himself “MJ” got beat in one on one by a player you all may remember.
I guess true 1 on 1 would all be time and chance on who’s shot was falling and on if it was make it and take it or not. Never know.
April 24th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
doc says:
yeah but they said mike was bullshitting until rauf hit his 4th straight j and had point.Then he pumpfaked mike and went in for the layup.I bet you would make that Lebron for T-Mac trade.
April 24th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
GEE...straight audacity & unmitigated gall says:
Naw I am loyal to the point of stupidity sometime doc. Trust me, it has not done me well sometime in life.
I would roll with T till the wheels fall off. He is only running on about 2 out of 4 good wheels now so, in time. LOL
Can’t turn the back on T-mac! Just wish he could have stayed healthy.
April 24th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
GEE...straight audacity & unmitigated gall says:
oh yea and if he was playing around or not, the story will always be that Mike lost still. Not many who wouldn’t mind saying they beat Mike whether he was playing hard or not.
I guess that is why I heard Kobe goes hard regardless. I know a dude that met Kobe and was playing around like lets go 1 on 1. Dude said Kobe’s response was “I don’t have no mercy (on anyone)” .
Always keep ya legend on point I guess.
April 24th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
djKianoosh says:
from the “this might be a dumb question” department, why is JR Smith still getting any playing time for Denver? He’s a turnover waiting to happen! He only does one good thing, and like 10 bad things. on each possession! I’m with you guys. AI will have to move on. This team is wasting his time. Can he really opt out this summer? He should do it if he can, but what team would fit him best?
as for the Sixers, I told ya’ll that even though they won game 1, it was more of a Detroit loss than anything. I don’t see this getting to 6 games, unfortunately.
The West is ready for the 2nd round already.
April 24th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
for real says:
damn, A.I. can come play the 2 guard for the Spurs. There’s always room on the bench when you have 15 unselfish players.
April 24th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
isotope says:
Larry Brown just resigned from the sixers.
perfect timing!
April 24th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
daquest?on says:
r u kidding me iverson on the spurs bench u have got to be out of ur mind…when it comes to the nuggets coach i love george karl but he isnt cutting it they need someone like jeff van gundy unfortunatly if he gets on carmelo too much they gonna fire him cuz he wont get along with his star player…. n e wayz nuggets are gonna win 4-2 baby yeaaaaaa gooo nuggets
lebron is unstoppable
dwight”supaman” howard is a beast
the sixers woke up the sleeping giant
hawks…………….
mavs are done
houston is gonna orbit in space
suns are burnt
NUGGETS GONNA WIN 4 – 2 4 IN A ROW !!
April 24th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
What is this!? says:
@Smitty313 and POW (Kobe is hat you?)
I’m not sure how many times or in what language I have to say “street cred” was a joke…but you nuthuggers are pushing it. And POW, I think you would actuallt fit Diddys definition of what BITCHASSNESS is right about now, hell you and Kobe both would. LMAO!!
@Dennis Castro-
Yeah, I just think Melo is going to be an All-Star and thats it. Nothing more. I’ve seen Nuggets fans try to hate on Lebron for all the attention he gets…but the fact is, Lebron deserves that attention, the guys a freakin’ workhorse! Melo gets a lot of hype, which is why people look over guys like Caron Butler…guys that actually try to get things done for thier teams on both ends of the court and actually step up and become leaders of their teams when needed. All Carmelo’s been doing this season is hiding behind Iverson. Having Iverson on that team hasn’t messed up with Carmelo’s game…its exposing him.
@for real
It will be a cold day in hell before Iverson comes off of anyones bench.
April 24th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
daquest?on says:
word 2 carmelo..stop shooting soooo many j’s ur fking the team’s chemistry and u cant hit i havent been hitting in a while
April 24th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
ML says:
Jeff Van Gundy? Is not the Answer. Solid Coach. But he can’t seem to get out of the 1st round either. Kind of funny you Dude’s haven’t mentioned Paul Silas as the New Denver Coach. He was a decent ooach.
April 24th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
daquest?on says:
wowwwwwwwwww u havent heard n e thing about him in a minute
April 24th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
daquest?on says:
i*
April 24th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
daquest?on says:
oh and the nuggets should do 2 kobe what the wizards 2 to lebron, everytime he penetrates punch him, shove him, do something a hard foul so that kobe thinks twice of entering the lane and to do that hot hand sht again
April 24th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
nuggetsfan says:
No one on the nuggets team plays defense but Kenyon Martin people look at blocks,steals and think iverson and camby plays defense but the truth of the mattter is they don’t play defense at all they just like to gamble and sometimes they get the steals or blocks but if they dont the other team usually scores.
April 24th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
for real says:
@what and daq?
damn, I didn’t mean A.I would come off the bench, I just meant he has a place on the Spurs roster (not a literal bench like 6th man on down, but on the team), i.e. we got plenty room for A.I. – but he would MOS DEF be the Spurs starting 2-guard
April 24th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
sick of them bitches says:
Antawn Jamison was miked up on TNT Inside Trax, but all I heard was him recommending a girl at the salon who specializes in waxing eyebrows
sissy punk
April 24th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
sick of them bitches says:
and Wesley Snipes looks REAL THICK.
I guess he’ll get time to slim down in the next three years
April 24th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
daquest?on says:
oh ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh whats happening lebron???? ahahahahahaha the lebroniers suck
April 24th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
daquest?on says:
OVERRATED AHAHAHAAHA lebroniers got blown out
April 24th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
for real says:
LeBron’s crew got LeBitch Slapped
Didn’t McDonald’s use to sell a 50 Piece McNugget meal?
Damn Cavs are gettin’ close to being served one
April 24th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
What is this!? says:
@ nuggetsfan
Leave it up to a nuggets fan to not point out that Carmelo Anthony is one of the main culprits when it comes to not playing defense. You mentioned Iverson and Camby yet Carmelo who is 6’8 and 250 lbs and couldn’t gaurd my 5 yr old niece. Pathetic. Regardless if its gambling or not at least Camby and AI do something to contribute to the defense at times.
@for real,
As a Spurs fan, nothing would give me greater pleasure then to see Iverson next to Tony P in the backcourt tossing a lob to Timmy, at least he would have a shit at getting a ring (unlike in Denver). And Coach Pop would be a great Coach for Iverson.
April 24th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
What is this!? says:
Oh yeah and f*cked Westly Snipes up…file your taxes folks!
April 25th, 2008 at 12:44 am
GEE..straight audacity & unmitigated gall says:
Houston up!
What a day! First the article and then Houston wins!
Prayer works! Hahahah GOD loves me. lol
No for real it’s been a real beautiful day, beginning to end.
Can’t wait to get the hate on Houston winning tomorrow.
OH LORD I done fount my swag!
April 25th, 2008 at 6:50 am
nuggetsfan says:
@ What is this!?
I said no one the nuggets plays defense but martin and that included Carmelo. My problem is people look at stats and think Camby and Iverson play defense but they don’t.When they gamble and don’t get it it puts the rest of the defense in a very bad postion and the other team normally score thats really not helping.The Nuggets have given up 109 points a game in the regular season and 125 in the playoffs.No one on the nuggets is playing defense, No one especially in this series.
So until the nuggets two best players(Melo,AI) and the rest of the team commit to playing defense this nuggets team isn’t going anywhere now or in the future.
April 25th, 2008 at 9:54 am
stophatin says:
AI needs to go back East. AI and Lebron could be interesting together.
April 25th, 2008 at 10:16 am
for real says:
I always wanted to be 100th