Great game between the Lakers and Warriors. LA led most of time, but late rally by the Golden State helped them get the victory. Baron Davis with 5 fouls came at the end and hits the 3 pointer to win it. Big performance and the arena was jam-packed with 20,000 people.
108-106
Man, that hurt. Lakers really had the game and just handed it over. Incredible trey from Davis though. He really is a showstopper.
REgardless, Lakers have a good record. I pray and pray no injuries occur, this team stays healthy and snabs a 5th seed.
Bynum is progressing nicely but still has a long way to go. Farmar is really improved and Walton is bearable. Odom still too inconsistent. He really needs to be more aggressive on the boards against bigger, stronger teams.
Ariza was a nice addition and I am really loving the strategy employed where Kobe doesn't take too many shots and then takes over in the 4th. He really needs to STOP pump-faking though. DEfenders are staying dowm so you might as well shoot straightaway.
Road record is the only worry but they should improve on that against the Cavs, Sixers and Knicks (Lol).
Christmas will be a real treat and that Phx game is gonna show how good they really are and being on Stoudemaire is gonna show how far Bynum has really progressed.
One would think that Suns will the one to dunk and show aggressiveness in the game, but it was the Lakers who came in with a mission. Dunks after amazing dunks, reboundings and team work. Lakers are coming around courtesy of Kobe Bryant is now trusting his teamates, Phil Jackson, who is getting the chemistry to work and Andrew Bynum, Odom, Fisher and others are playing their cast in the supporting roles.
Blazers have won 11 straight by defeating the Sonics.
Bulls fired their coach Skiles after miserable start. Miami is still struggling, Celtics are going strong.
Spurs and Mavs both have 19 wins, Hornets with 17 and Rockets with 13. Southwest is the most competative division in the NBA.
NBA season is in its full swing as we look forward to All Star game. Many teams have come out as surprises, namely New Orleans Hornets who have won 11 of 13 and are tied for the first in the Southwest Division. PG Chris paul, C Tyson Chandler and David West are leading the Hornets with the winning streak. David West is averaging 22 points with 7 double-doubles over a nine-game stretch.
Celtics had their back to back losses at the hands of Wizards, but still are leading their division.
Mavericks, Suns and Spurs have their own problems. Mavs are complaing about the schedule, people were saying Suns lack chemistry and Spurs's offense is having troubles, but these teams are and will be competing for the top spot and if any of the teams want to make it to NBA finals than they have to go through them.
Lakers were going so well, but after injury to Andrew Byum, they are sure to face some trouble times. Kwame Brown isn't Bynum, who is out for a while, which puts a lot of burden on Bryant to keep his team in contention for the playoffs. Blazers and Nuggets are first and second in their division. Portland is playing well on road, OT loss against Toronto, tough game against the Celtics and routed Nets.
There are many other teams such as Detroit, Cavaliers, Orlando, Jazz, Warriors and Rockets, which are competing with their division rivals. All in all NBA season should be looking for an absorbing end.
^ Kwame has been a scrub all his career while Shaq is on downhill but won't retire 'cause he would like to have 40 mill for next two years.
Anyway, Lakers shipped Kwame to Memphis for Pau Gasol. While pundits are saying that Lakers could contend in the West, I will watch and see how the chemistry develops. But certainly a good trade..The Shaq trade of 2004 is now
Go rockets. A true fan I am. They are one of those teams that I will support no matter how bad things get. :)
On another note, it doesn't matter how good boston is now, how strong dallas is or who the lakers acquire. More talent in the nba just means, it'll take more games for the San Antonio spurs to win the championship again. Its inevitable and it will continue for at least the next two years. Expect a new champion two years from now, but sure as heck not this year.
Of course, this is just an opinion. An educated one.
Go rockets. A true fan I am. They are one of those teams that I will support no matter how bad things get. :)
On another note, it doesn't matter how good boston is now, how strong dallas is or who the lakers acquire. More talent in the nba just means, it'll take more games for the San Antonio spurs to win the championship again. Its inevitable and it will continue for at least the next two years. Expect a new champion two years from now, but sure as heck not this year.
Of course, this is just an opinion. An educated one.
West has improved this season. Just looking at the standings, only 4 games separate between a 1st and 6th seed. Spurs are champs but will have their hands full this season.
Dallas has been a disappointment so far. Hornets have been a breathe of fresh year. Looking forward for the All-Start in the Big Easy.
Man cmon dude. Face it. It doesn't matter who does what. It seems the spurs will win it. With Duncan, Ginobli and parker being healthy...one can't help but predict them winning again.
Man cmon dude. Face it. It doesn't matter who does what. It seems the spurs will win it. With Duncan, Ginobli and parker being healthy...one can't help but predict them winning again.
Injuries do play in part of how team goes in the post-season but you can't deny the fact that West has many good teams this year..and Spurs aren't the team above head and shoulders.
The godawful disease that was Kwame "I can't catch, I can't hit open dunks" Brown is gone, GONE!!!
Gasol, Odom, Bynum (when he returns), Kobe, Fish- Damn!! That is a good line-up.
Gasol fitting in right away- a cool 24-12 game.
Re Spurs beign the absolute best, I have to agree with Talha. The West is loaded to the brim and it'll be real interesting to see which 2 teams miss out on the playoffs. My bet'd be Portland and Houston.
As for Lakers, if Bynum comes back at full strength, I predict we make it to Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals.
Oh, and speaking of Shaq, rumours are Suns will trade Marion for him. That is a horrendous move! Why pick up a 40 mill, 2 year contract and give away an All-Star forward. Shaq can't keep up with their high-octane offense. For Suns' sake, I hope this ain't true!
Good game last night between Lakers and Suns. Kobe was just incredible. There's no other way to describe it. Gasol's offensive game fits perfectly with Kobe. The guy finishes well, can make the jumper, solid passer. I still can't believe Lakers have him.
Francis? Steve Francis?? LOL. That guy is a waste.
But you're right, Houston really doesn't have a shot in the West. They MIGHT win he first round but I doubt that too. This year its going to be really exciting for that conference though. I have to give the edge to the Lakers right now.
Spurs- Easy pick every year but they never win back to back? Is this the year they do it? Adding Kurt Thomas makes this team much better and stabilizes the interior paint.
Suns- With the addition of Shaq, the defense has gotten much stronger and will make them competitors in the West for the first time IMO. But the question is can Shaq give the Suns 15ppg and 10+ RB? Actually, the biggest question is, can Shaq play 35 minutes a game and take up space?
Dallas- Kidd is a huge addition but I think we'll see that trade pay its dividends next year when he gets more comfortable in that system.
Lakers- Ko8e is the best player in the NBA. If the team sucks him and James are the only two players who can win games by themselves in the playoffs. The good thing for Ko8e is that he finally has players around him who are playing at a high level. My pick to win the west.
It'll definitely be between Lakers and Spurs ofr Western Conference. The East has a dark horse in the Cavs but I'll be surprised if it's not the CEltics or Pistons that emerge.
PS: If I was David Stern, I'd hire another Tim Donaughey and get him to make sure it's not another Spurs-Pistons matchup.
I think the winner of the Eastern Conference has a great shot at winning it all. Obviously the top 2 teams are Detroit and Boston so that'll probably be the Eastern finals. The West is going to be so tough this year, teams will be beating the crap out of one another and the team that'll come out of it will have to face an elite team in the East. It's going to be one hell of a playoff year though. I've been following bball since 1993, and this might be the most competitive playoff year i'll witness.