Who deserves a championship?

What player do you guys think deserves a championship the most?

I would assume it would be someone older, who hasn't quite gotten there, but has been close.

Up for consideration:

Mutumbo
Barkley
Iverson
Nash
Kidd
Kemp
Stockton and Malone

Who will rise out of the Southwest?

The Rockets’ win Sunday gave them a half-game lead over San Antonio in the race for the Southwest Division title. The two rivals’ remaining games:

Rockets (10)

Tuesday at Utah; Saturday vs. L.A. Clippers; April 1 at Phoenix; April 3 at L.A. Lakers; April 5 vs. Portland; April 7 vs. Orlando; April 9 at Sacramento; April 10 at Golden State; April 13 vs. New Orleans; April 15 at Dallas.

Opponents’ combined record: 332-321 (.508)

Spurs (13)

Tuesday vs. Golden State; Wednesday at Atlanta; Friday vs. L.A. Clippers; Sunday at New Orleans; March 31 vs. Oklahoma City; April 3 at Indiana; April 5 at Cleveland; April 7 at Oklahoma City; April 8 vs. Portland; April 10 vs. Utah; April 12 at Sacramento; April 13 at Golden State; April 15 vs. New Orleans.

Opponents’ combined record: 335-364 (.479)

Damn Hou!

They should called Yao Ming, Yao Ca-Ching!

Can anyone really beat the Lakers?

After watching the Lakers demolish everyone over the last few weeks, I'm not sure we need a power rankings or a standings or really any more games. they should just call this one early and give em the rings. They always say that getting hot at this time of year is really huge, and I think this season is going to be a perfect barometer for that adage.

Kobe is possessed. I hate to bet against some of these other teams; I really think there are more solid teams this year than there have been in a while. But do any of em look as good as LA right now?

Of course, as always, injuries are a huge part of this.

KG and Manu are the big stories here for me. Unless they get healthy 3 weeks ago and start getting into rythm, UTA, HOU, and CLE may be the only legit contenders left with enough depth to compete. And to be honest, I see all of these teams as underdogs. As much as I like these other teams, LA looks like they are in a league of their own to me right now.

jer? gonna take the bait? heh

Marbury a good idea?

Was adding Marbury a good idea? Apparently not.

Since he signed, Boston is -28 with Stephon Marbury on the court and +24 with him on the bench.

Also, what is up with the Celtics still in the to 10 of the power rankings? They've been terrible without KG. Stupid media.

Dwade is the best

That's right! I been leaning more and more this way for the last 6 or 8 weeks. and have long been considering making this post.

I been watching Wade a lot this season and he is basically incredible every single night. A year ago, i wouldn't have thought this discussion was possible. But, to me, he truly does seem better than Lebron and Kobe the last couple months. He just decideds he wants to win, and does whatever crazy things are neccesary to do so.

shane

been meaning to post this for a few weeks but had hoped to have time to write more when I did.  glad you guys are keeping the faith!  

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/15/magazine/15Battier-t.html

sheck it out

if you like coach pop, this article is pretty neat

Raef Lafrentz' Expiring Contract

So the following is a link for a very long article about how broke much of the NBA is, and other doomsday type talk. Some of is pretty speculative, but there are some real eyeopeners too . Below is a short excerpt of the part that probably shocked me the most. I recommend reading the whole articlem though. It's interesting.


"..Even trade talk -- normally a staple of any All-Star Weekend -- revolved more around themes such as, "They have to cut payroll," "They can't take on any money right now" and "They're too terrified of the tax to do anything.

"You know who was mentioned in more "Where do you think he's going?" scenarios than anyone besides Amare Stoudemire? Raef LaFrentz's Expiring Contract. That thing got mentioned so many times it could have hired a PR staff and an agent. Here's the kicker: Raef can't play. He's a basketball invalid. He has been injured since something like 1973. Portland's insurance company repays the Blazers 80 percent of his salary, making him a cap figure and little else. In the No Benjamins Association, that makes him a freaking commodity. Teams wanted to dump clearly superior players on Portland at the deadline just to get Raef's insurance money. Phoenix would have traded Shaq for Raef and Channing Frye's expiring contract in a heartbeat. Jersey supposedly offered Vince Carter and two protected No. 1's for Raef's contract, and Milwaukee supposedly would have given up Richard Jefferson and either Joe Alexander or a future No. 1 for it. Incredibly, the Blazers turned everyone down. And this is a team bankrolled by Paul Allen."

Billups coming home.

Alright. Billups finally coming home! I been eager for this game since the trade. I can't wait to see all the love he is gonna get during intros.

It was awesome when Iverson returned to Philly for the first time. This should be as big as that at least.

Lebron James, sweet pass

check it.

A Brooks.

I asked this on an old thread, but i wanna know what you think so i am giving it a thread.

How do you (patrick or any other houston fan that may read this) feel about sending alston to orlando and promoting Brooks? Brooks said he thought it was a joke when he heard it on the news, heheh. I remember a while back, you speaking highly of brooks. All i know is that he is fast as heck. Is he ready? whats the deal?

wtf happened in Detroit, Tom?

when Cleveland DEMOLISHED the Piston's 2 weeks ago, i wrote them off. i figured, ok there's always next season for Tom. I guess the AI thing isnt gonna work out. whatever.

i mean, i called it (the loss to CLE) a coach-canning loss i think. and i stand by that. it was a pitiful performance and there's no excuse to play at that low of a level in the NBA. Rasheed was just acting like a child (again) and nobody in a blue jersey wanted to play D.

But today in Boston i saw a completely different Pistons team. Detroit played well together and beat Boston in a really good game. in Boston. I'm interested in Tom's take on this as our resident Detroit insider.

first of all, i think it needs to be said that Boston was playing without KG and a few of their bench guys. Also they gave Mikey Moore and Stephon a lot of minutes, trying to introduce them into the Celtic's system. but even still, Boston was playing at home, and they are clearly playing at a higher level recently than the Pistons, even without KG.
and Detroit was playing without AI (back injury i think).