The Official NBA Thread 2011-12

[roaches]

where do you people find rondo to be "inconsistent"?

Fisher will have to keep rondo out of the key and make him shoot

this he won't be able to do.

 

[_streethop101]

Watch Rondo all last season, he fell off from he did in their championship year. I call that inconsistent.

Rondo the second best all around point guard? Eh, that's a stretch. I want to argue it, but I can't think of too many (active) point guards to choose from...not saying he is that great, just that there aren't many good point guards anymore. Arenas is better, when healthy, but that's a rare occasion. Maybe Deron Williams, but that's a stretch, too...and I don't like Williams at all, so I'm disagreeing with myself.

Who does everyone think the CURRENT best player is at their position?

 

[Killuminatii 71]

At the top of the PG list is (in no particular order): Dwill, CP3, Tony parker, DRose, JNelson.

 

[_streethop101]

I wouldn't put Nelson DRose or Parker in the top...Parker is past his prime, Rose will be an elite PG but it's too early to call him one right now, Nelson wasn't ever as good as everyone expected him to be. Magic made it pretty far without him...

 

[roaches]

Watch Rondo all last season, he fell off from he did in their championship year. I call that inconsistent.

you're so fucking wrong it makes my head hurt worse than what stephon marbury is doing on his webcam did.

rondo's scoring, shooting percentage, 3pt percentage, rebounding, assists, steals, number of shots, minutes, free throw attempts, free throw percentage, number of games played, and even fouls per game all improved compared to last year. and that's not even counting what he did in the playoffs. there is no way in the WORLD you can say rondo was worse last year than he was the year before. you should be banned from discussing basketball until you get off that angel dust.

best:
pg: cp3 / rondo
sg: d-wade / b-roy
sf: lebron / kevin durant
pf: kg / lamar
c: dwight howard / pau gasol

 

[Killuminatii 71]

you're so fucking wrong it makes my head hurt worse than what stephon marbury is doing on his webcam did.

you should be banned from discussing basketball until you get off that angel dust.

lmfao, wow.

best:
pg: cp3 / rondo
sg: d-wade / b-roy
sf: lebron / kevin durant
pf: kg / lamar
c: dwight howard / pau gasol

What, no Kobe? No Stoudemire? I'm kind of surprised at your Lamar pick for PF. He's not really a "power" forward, he just causes really crazy mismatches against the real "power" forwards.

 

[S O F I]

you picked lamar.


if you say lamar is consistent, roaches, I'll fuck that deer you found in the road.

 

[michael823]

Rondo practically averaged a triple double in the playoffs, and the one thing I love about his game, is that he never turns the ball over. He definitely needs to become a better shooter, no questions about that. People let him sit wide open from 3, knowing he couldn't make a shot, and that bothers me. But I say he's the #2 all around PG, because he sometimes out rebounds the big's, has top end speed and athleticism, and is just a great offensive and defensive player. He'll get better at shooting, and he is definitely way better this year than last.

As for a list of the top players of each position.

PG) Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Rajon Rondo

SG) Dwayne Wade, Kobe Bryant, Brandon Roy

SF) Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Danny Granger

PF) Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Al Jefferson

C) Dwight Howard, Yao Ming (injured?), Pau Gasol

 

[roaches]

What, no Kobe? No Stoudemire? I'm kind of surprised at your Lamar pick for PF. He's not really a "power" forward, he just causes really crazy mismatches against the real "power" forwards.

amare fell off last year year and now he's blind or whatever.

as far as lamar and roy goes: i definitely do think roy did more for the blazers did than kobe did for the lakers, but if i included kg on the assumption he'll be healthy i should've been consistent with my logic and put manu instead of roy.

odom spent most of the season playing at the 4 and while he has his bizarre moments of underachieving, the things he does when he's on and the fact that he contributes when it counts means a lot. if "consistency" was that important to me troy murphy would've been there. there aren't a lot of great 4s in the nba anymore.

my #3s at each position:
kidd/calderon (kidd is clearly better but he's old and shit), kobe, gerald wallace, milsap/dirk (see kidd), david lee/tim duncan (kidd)

this is all annoying for me to decide because this isn't baseball or football where your position is your position and that's it. we've seen lebron playing 5 and turkoglu running the pt and some people still like to pretend tim duncan is a power forward even though david robinson's been retired for ages.

 

[yak pac fatal]

I wouldn't put Nelson DRose or Parker in the top...Parker is past his prime, Rose will be an elite PG but it's too early to call him one right now, Nelson wasn't ever as good as everyone expected him to be. Magic made it pretty far without him...

please tell how the fuck parker is passed his prime? hes only 26 years old with a finals mvp. i really hope you confused parker with someone else.

 

[Killuminatii 71]

please tell how the fuck parker is passed his prime? hes only 26 years old with a finals mvp. i really hope you confused parker with someone else.

That's what i was thinking. lol

 

[michael823]

I think people forget that Parker is still young, he hasn't even reached his prime, let alone pass it. The only reason why he's not on my list is because there are others who I think are better, not because I don't think he's great. He is very quick, and knows the game better than most PG's. Fundamentally he's a top PG, I just think Rondo, Paul, and Williams have a much bigger ceiling, and play better defensively.

 

[roaches]

LAS VEGAS -- Kevin Durant became a lock, and Rudy Gay improved his stock.

Beyond that, one enduring image lingered as Team USA closed its minicamp late Saturday night with 20 young hopefuls leaving the Thomas & Mack Center an hour before midnight: There is a supply and demand issue here, with so much talent now in the USA Basketball pipeline that it's not only going to be super tough to crack the 2010 roster, it might become even more difficult to earn a red, white and blue uniform for the 2012 Olympics in London.

"Nobody really wants to talk about it," Gay said. "It's a sensitive subject around here because there's only about four spots, and there's 20 of us. So we're just going to let them do what they have to do."

"Them" would be Team USA managing director Jerry Colangelo and the coaching staff of Mike Krzyzewski, Mike D'Antoni, Nate McMillan and Jim Boeheim, who now will take several months to absorb and digest what they witnessed over the past several days. The plan is to announce a 25-man national roster sometime in November.

That list will be subject to change over the course of the NBA season, and invitations to training camp will go out sometime in the early spring.

Come mid-July of next year, competition will be open again to make the team that will travel to Turkey for the World Championship -- although the number of spots that will be open will depend on how many of the eight core members of the Redeem Team follow through on their pledges to play.

"I'm a simple guy, and if you tell me 'I'm in,' I'm going to take you at your word and not keep checking back," said Colangelo, who said he heard those two words from Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Chris Bosh and Deron Williams back in February.

Assuming all eight are present and healthy, they will remain the key components of what may come to be known as Redeem Team II -- the version of Team USA that will try to win the World Championship for the United States for the first time since 1994.

Team USA has tentative plans to play two exhibitions on American soil -- one in Las Vegas, the second in either Chicago or New York -- before heading across the pond for a pre-tournament tour that could include stops in England, Spain, Italy and/or Greece before the Americans settle down somewhere in Turkey and work their way toward the medal round in Istanbul.

"I don't know too much about ," Durant said. "One of my good friends that plays for Texas, Dogus Balbay, he's from Turkey. But that's all I know is him. Hopefully I get to see what it's all about."

Based upon conversations with several members of the Team USA hierarchy, Durant should expect to receive from Mr. Balbay a personal tour of the city where Europe meets Asia.

Durant stood head and shoulders above the rest of his comrades over the course of the three-day camp, and the three years of equity he has built up will result in a payoff next summer. Equity is a big thing with the USA Basketball honchos. Those who put in the time and show their faces from summer to summer (Jeff Green, Andre Iguodala, Greg Oden) have built positive equity. Those who chose to attend a teammate's wedding rather than attend camp (raise your hand, Rajon Rondo), and those who were no-shows for two straight summers for whatever reason (that would be you, Brandon Roy), have accumulated what is known as negative equity.

And with the Team USA house now more crowded than it has ever been in the post-Dream Team era, it's going to take plenty of positive equity -- along with some keen competition in camp next July -- to make the final cut for the 12-man roster in Turkey.

One spot will go to a point guard, because the coaching staff is more comfortable carrying three playmakers instead of two. Another spot will go to a spare big man, because you can't fly halfway around the world without some kind of low-post insurance in case Howard or Bosh gets hurt. And with Durant filling the shooter's niche that Michael Redd inhabited last summer, the last spot will likely go to someone with the versatility to play multiple positions, defend and score.

With those factors in mind, here is a report card on how the 20 Team USA hopefuls, listed alphabetically, fared over the past several days (there were 21 players in attendance, but David Lee did not play because of his unresolved contract status).

D.J. Augustin: Did not especially distinguish himself (four points, one assist, two turnovers in Saturday night's public scrimmage), and his lack of size will work against him in a crowded field for that third point guard spot.

Ronnie Brewer: His six steals Saturday night stood out more than any single stat (except Gay's 11-for-12 shooting) in the box score, but he'll still be lucky to be a bubble guy when the roster is pared to 25 in November.

Kevin Durant: Displayed a maturity that belied his age (20), and the USAB guys want to make him a mainstay of the program for the long-term. He actually came within a whisker of being the 12th man (over Tayshaun Prince) on the 2008 Olympic Team.

Rudy Gay: Already has FIBA experience (played for the under-21 and the Global Games teams in 2005) and vastly improved his stock by going for 27 points in 27 minutes, but will have to keep excelling a year from now when the competition for spot No. 12 becomes fiercer.

Eric Gordon: One of the guys brought into the pipeline with an eye toward 2012, 2014 and 2016, he didn't help his cause by being the only player to miss all his shots (0-for-4) Saturday night.

Danny Granger: Was expected to attend camp and watch from the sidelines due to an injury, but a personal situation forced him to cancel at the last minute. His absence was excused, but his equity certainly did not rise.

Jeff Green: The USAB honchos like him a lot, especially for his versatility in being able to play the 3 or 4 position, and he was described as one of the most consistent players over the course of the three days of practices. He'll be on the final 25 list in November.

Devin Harris: A swollen left ankle kept him out of Saturday night's scrimmage, and it'll be an uphill battle for him to win the third point guard spot. How he performs over the 2009-10 NBA season will impact his chances of being invited to camp next April.

Andre Iguodala: Another guy who has built up a wealth of positive equity by playing with the Select Team for the past three summers. Let's see if he can lock down Rudy Gay in scrimmages next July to improve his odds for roster spot No. 12.

Kyle Korver: One team insider described him as a huge long shot prior to Saturday night's scrimmage, but he left a positive lasting impression with his 5-for-11 shooting and by being especially active defensively (game-high three blocks).

David Lee: Definitely in the mix among the big men, and his presence at camp despite being unable to play earned him huge brownie points. A lock for the List o' 25 in November, but needs to show defensive improvement in '09-10 to have a crack at Turkey.

Brook Lopez: His laid-back nature sometimes leaves folks thinking he lacks intensity, and that was the impression some had in Vegas before he broke out with a 7-for-8 shooting performance Saturday night. He's in the big man mix for Turkey.

Kevin Love: Like Lee and Lopez, he's more of a long-term national team project. (A phrase that was added to the Team USA lexicon last week was "12-14 guys" -- a reference to players being eyed for the 2012 Olympics and 2014 Worlds.)

O.J. Mayo: His stock may have dropped more than anyone's among those who have been with the Select Team for more than one summer. He went 3-for-10 on 3s Saturday night, and one team insider said he seemed "distracted" all week.

JaVale McGee: His length and shot-blocking prowess stood out, especially because that latter component has been conspicuously absent from the Americans' arsenal. Still, he's a long-term project at the bottom of the big man pecking order for now.

Paul Millsap: A bubble guy for the cutdown to 25 that'll be announced in November. He may be too undersized and slow, and not a good enough shooter, to be a strong FIBA player.

Greg Oden: Perhaps more than anyone else, how he plays over the course of the upcoming NBA season will determine whether he is that bona fide big man who will backup Bosh and Howard in the middle. Still, he's a lock to get an invite next April.

Anthony Randolph: Probably one of the more pleasant surprises from this year's camp. The coaches loved his attitude and intensity, and his inside-outside game, his length and his speed are all huge plusses in measuring whether his game is suited to the FIBA style.

Derrick Rose: He is very much in the running for the third point guard spot in Turkey. "He seems to be a killer" was one telling comment from a USAB bigwig, who meant it in a positive way. A lock for camp in Vegas next summer.

Josh Smith: Appeared to be packing on a few extra pounds, and his game still seems too unrefined for him to be seriously considered in the big man mix for next summer. But if he shoots 80 percent at the line and 50 percent from the field in '09-10, he'll help his cause.

Russell Westbrook: Probably should be listed as a co-favorite with Rose for that third point guard spot. His size and ability to defend either guard position are plusses; and twice on Saturday night he stole inbounds passes following made baskets by his team.

Thaddeus Young: He did not distinguish himself over the first two days of drills and scrimmages, but played very well Saturday night (6-for-9, three steals) to get himself into the big man mix for next summer.

Others: An injury forced Blake Griffin to withdraw, but a standout rookie season would likely earn him a camp invite for next July. When the subject turned to guys from recent Team USAs who could re-enter the mix, you couldn't ignore how the names of Lamar Odom and Tayshaun Prince came up. Also, if Jason Kidd wants to put his personal undefeated Team USA record at risk, he might beat out every other point guard candidate simply for the leadership qualities he displayed in Beijing (every team needs one wise old man, the line of thinking goes).

Chris Sheridan covers the NBA for ESPN Insider. To e-mail Sheridan, click here.

lol at OJ getting "distracted" in Vegas.

 

[_streethop101]

you're so fucking wrong it makes my head hurt worse than what stephon marbury is doing on his webcam did.

you should be banned from discussing basketball until you get off that angel dust.

I love how everyone is so wrong and should be banned from anything if they don't agree with the holy Roaches. You should rewrite everything in history to your likings. I have something for you ::: Fuck you.


And, everyone believes that age determines someones prime? So, Kobe is in his thirties, does that make him past his prime since he isn't 26 anymore?
I still believe Parker is past his prime, I'm not blasting you guys for disagreeing with me, what in the hell gives you all the right to be the judge of my opinions?.. Also, he just fucked up his thigh and ankle, you can all thank yourselves for jinxing him

Pg - Chris Paul
Sg - Kobe
Sf - LeBron
Pf - Garnett, but seeing that he is injured, Amare. Fuck if he fell off for one year, he is young, extremely talented, and willing to lead a team. I would take him over Bynum and would damn sure take him over Lamar.
C - Howard. No competition there.

 

[Snowman]

i see the Hornets are finally trying to trade Chandler, him to the Bobcats for Okafor.

ESPN is showing Shaq's appearance on WWE RAW, he actually was entertaining tonight. he could have a career there if he chooses too. dk if its made the youtube video yet.

(yes i do watch wrestling) and i know its fake.

 

[roaches]

I love how everyone is so wrong and should be banned from anything if they don't agree with the holy Roaches.

you said rondo was worse last season compared to the year before. if you say 1 + 1 = 3 and i say you're an idiot for it, it isn't a difference of opinion, it's you being wrong.

if you can show me how rajon rondo in 08-09 was worse than rondo in 07-08, i'll never post in this thread again.

i see the Hornets are finally trying to trade Chandler, him to the Bobcats for Okafor.

finally? they tried to trade him to the thunder during the season, remember? okc's doctors nixed the trade because of TC's toe.

 

[yak pac fatal]

ricky rubio passed his prime before putting on a NBA uni. i wish chandler was sent to the thunder. durant westbrook, green, and him would a nice group of players to build around.

 

[roaches]

ricky rubio passed his prime before putting on a NBA uni.

He's past his prime before his 19th birthday. I love it.

 

[michael823]

Yeah, past his prime! That makes zero sense, he hasn't even played NBA ball, and he's the youngest person in the league, yet he's past his prime.
I agree that Oklahoma would've been a great team for Chandler, but this works out way better for New Orleans than the previous offer. Okafor is a promising young talent, but I would still have kept Chandler. It's hard to get a good center, and he's still fairly young. He has good offensive and defensive skills, and is over 7', I don't see Okafor filling that role.

 

[yak pac fatal]

okafor is great on d, i personally dont think he'll ever develop offensively. i like the trade for both teams. chandler has no post moves, only way he scores is by ally oops thrown by cp3 or put backs. hesa better help defender than 1 on 1.