Jordan4life_2007

Breaking News: the Padres recorded 23 hits in an actual baseball game.

QUOTE (Brian @ May 11, 2011 -> 04:08 PM) Just saying, it was kind of sad seeing Shaq at the end of the Boston bench at the end of game 4, looking helpless. One of the most dominant players I have ever seen is done. I hope he retires. I hated Orlando and the Lakers but was a secret fan of his. Seems super cool off the court and hope he goes out on his terms. Shaq is a classic case of a guy that simply refuses to acknowledge when it's time to let go. He should've retired after last season. I wouldn't be surprised at all if he felt he still had somethin' left and tried to hook up with a team with championship aspirations. You're right, though. He looked horrible when he was out there. You could've put wite out there and not have lost anything.

QUOTE (kjshoe04 @ May 11, 2011 -> 04:00 PM) LOL no. What? Dirk is not primarily a perimeter-oriented player? That's all I was implying. Not that Bosh was on the level of Dirk. Dirk might be one of the top 3 players in the game right now. But the days of the traditional low-post PFs ala Barkley or Duncan are pretty much over. Well, outside of Zack Randolph, I guess.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ May 11, 2011 -> 03:52 PM) You asked an opposing player to hit a HR? Why? You like watching the Barons lose? Who cares what the Barons do. They have no prospects of note and everybody knows W-L records for minor league teams are fruitless.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ May 11, 2011 -> 03:31 PM) I think you're a robot. You take everything so literally. Balta is like Qwerty and Kalapse (though qwerty is a lot more human in chat) in that they're droids.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ May 11, 2011 -> 03:15 PM) I just think its pretty hard to predict next year, let alone 3-5 years from now. If the Heat are in the finals the next 2 years, Id start to agree, but as of now, they havent even made 1 NBA final. Its just way to speculative for me. Of course it's hard. Nothing is a guarantee in sports. But it'd be boring if you never looked into the future a tad. I can't guarantee you Rose won't be better next year. But isn't it fun to think about the possibility of him being even better? I hope I'm totally wrong about the Heat. You think I want to see LeBron win 5 rings? lol. But as I get older, I can leave my emotions out of being a sports fan. 5 years ago I'd be coming up with 575765765 reasons on why the Heat suck and they're not going to do anything or they're overrated or whatever. But the reality is what it is. The Heat are going to be an obstacle, save injury, for a while. But this convo is toast. Let's talk about game 6 or something.

QUOTE (onedude @ May 11, 2011 -> 03:23 PM) awesome Yeah, that was a good one by fathom. Speaking of awesome, who is that in your avy? All these sexy ass avys. In three days I will be sporting a Miranda Cosgrove avy. As she will be 18 and I will no longer feel like a predator.

QUOTE (Jerksticks @ May 11, 2011 -> 02:59 PM) That's the King Kong of generalizations. I hope you can see that. Ugh. The minute anybody brings up the idea of having a team of athletic guys who work counts and take what the pitcher gives them it gets lumped into this "we already tried this (with s***ty players mind you)" argument. Ugh again. Why always take the OBVIOUS dead-horse argument out of the archives, ya know? Is it because it's easy? I dunno. Do you people really think Ozzie wants JPs weak ass out there? Good Lord. Yes, I do. Just like he wanted Pods out there in '06 when he was sucking ass. Just like he kept overplaying Wise. Just like he was fine with Mark Kotsay and didn't want Thome because he couldn't promise Thome at bats. Just like how he refuses to sit Juan for a day when he's clearly been one of the worst players in baseball. Ozzie likes bad baseball players. Why? Don't ask me.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ May 11, 2011 -> 03:01 PM) Because you in fact did compare the Heat to those teams. You said that the Heat were going to be like the Bulls, I said that was a stretch as I did not think the Heat would win 6 titles. I then showed in the era where Jordan played basically only 5 teams won Championships and that the Heat (as of today) were not on the same level. You then went on to say that I was selling the Heat team short, by not putting them on the same level as those teams. I keep insisting on it, because that was the implication of your post. I dont see what the point in arguing about what the Heat could be in 3-5 years. All Ive said is that in 3-5 years, I would be able to say whether they are on the same level as those teams. But unlike you, Im not just going to start making championship banners for the Heat. I said they were "going to be in the way" of teams with title aspirations like the Bulls were, yes. As in be the team most likely you have to go through to win a title. Much like the Bulls were. I don't think that's unreasonable. I didn't say they were going to go on a 6 title in 8 year run. But looking at the rest of the conference, there's no team set up better going forward. With us a close second. The Celtics are done. The Knicks are thinner than the heat with inferior stars. Who knows what's going to happen with Howard and the Magic. Sixers? Blah. Who else? Get it yet?

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ May 11, 2011 -> 02:49 PM) Its just ridiculous to say that the Heat are on the same level as teams who won multiple championships. It would have been like saying that the Magic with Shaq and Penny were on the same level as the teams I mentioned. Shaq is going to be a monster, Penny is unbelievable, the Magic will never lose. How many titles did they win? You cant put the Heat in the same sentence as teams who won multiple titles, until the Heat win multiple titles. (edit) They have the potential to win multiple titles, but potential doesnt always translate to winning anything. Right now the Heat have done nothing to prove that they are on that level. Why do you keep insisting on saying I'm comparing the Heat with these teams? All I said is they have the star power to be dominant for the next 3-5 years. Of course it's not a guarantee. Of course they have to prove it. Never said otherwise.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ May 11, 2011 -> 02:50 PM) I have no reason to be defensive, the Heat are one of if not the best team in basketball this year but you and a bunch of other people have made them out to be this unstoppable force, which they're clearly not. And the bolded just made me laugh as you were the one making the Knicks out to be a "legit title contender" this season, 3 games after they traded for Melo. lol. That was knee-jerk. I never thought the Knicks were going to win a title. No team with Amare as the focal point will win anything.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ May 11, 2011 -> 02:46 PM) Really? Im selling a Heat team short who has 0 titles by not putting then on the same level as 5 teams who won multiple titles. If in 10 years the Heat has 2-3 titles, then Ill put them up there. I think you're selling their potential short, yes. Let's put it this way: if the Bulls had won the 'Bron/Bosh lottery last summer what would you think of their potential?

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ May 11, 2011 -> 02:38 PM) Heh. QUOTE (BigSqwert @ May 11, 2011 -> 02:39 PM) Translated: If you take away all of their losses, they're a great team! QUOTE (maggsmaggs @ May 11, 2011 -> 02:40 PM) Yeah, by that same logic, this year's Bulls team would have won 70. Take away our 9-8 start and injuries to Noah/Boozer. Whatever. You guys can get smart and defensive or whatever. You know what I meant. The expectations for the Heat were astronomical. The Bulls could've won 50 games and nobody would've said a thing. I wasn't that shocked by the Heat's start. You just don't throw a bunch of stars together and say play ball. Once they started to get a feel for one another, they started to look much better.

QUOTE (bmags @ May 11, 2011 -> 02:34 PM) I just don't consider Bosh anything major at this point. He's good on a team where nobody can make their own shot, but on a team with a lebron and wade, having a PF who just wants to take jumpshots is frivelous. A team of Lebron + Bosh is one I don't think would win a title. I mean, I'd definitely consider OKC from hereon to be superior to that. That's always been Bosh's game. He's a face-up/slasher that can shoot. Kinda like Dirk without the 3-point range. I'll fully concede that Bosh seems to be a dumbass. But he's a great player. I knew before the season that he was going to have the most difficult adjustment out of the three. And he's had a fine year.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ May 11, 2011 -> 02:16 PM) Going to be in the way was somewhat unique to the Bulls and Jordan years. When I hear that referred to, I think of HOF players like Karl Malone, etc who couldnt win a championship because of the Bulls. Im not sure if the Heat are going to be so good that they basically shut out a generation of superstars from winning a title. During the Jordan dominant years 2 teams won titles, Bulls and Rockets. From 1983- 1998 only 5 teams won Championships, Celtics, Lakers, Pistons, Bulls, Rockets. I just dont see the Heat on the same level as the teams I listed above. Then you're selling the Heat short, IMO. LeBron is the best player in basketball. Wade is arguably the second best. Chris Bosh is a top 3 player at his position. They're all young and in their primes. There's no reason to think they won't be a major force for years to come. Look at this year. They 'only' won 58 games and yet they were looked at as big underachievers. Yet when you take away the 9-8 start and that 5-game losing streak in March, they've been utterly dominant. They're doing this simply on talent. You can tell they're much more comfortable playing together than they were 5 months ago. And the more time that goes by, the better the chemistry will be. And you have to figure they'll be able to strengthen their supporting cast going forward. I thought they did a pretty good job this year. No way to know Mike Miller was going to fall off a cliff and that Haslem would miss 60 games.

QUOTE (bmags @ May 11, 2011 -> 02:07 PM) I am not confident that Wade will be able to last consecutive seasons from hereon without a really serious injury. I agree with the premise here. 'Bron is basically injury proof. Bosh hasn't had a legitimate injury to this point in his career that I can remember. Wade has obviously had a ton of injury issues.

I never tried to make an actual comparison between these Heat and the 90's Bulls. Just that they're going to be in the way of teams with championship aspirations for years to come, like the 90's Bulls were for the Knicks, Heat, Cavs, Jazz, etc.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ May 11, 2011 -> 12:34 PM) Or when Lebron buried the 3 as the shot clock wound down right in front of the Celtics bench? Or when Wade nailed that 23-foot turnaround shot with a defender in his face? Or when Bosh boxed out everyone down low to get the key tip-in to ice the game? Don't ya love selective memory?

QUOTE (bmags @ May 11, 2011 -> 12:33 PM) BUt all that means it will be all the more disappointing if the heat win. Unless dwade gets injured, they are going to dominate the playoffs every year. This is just a reality. These three knew what they were doing well before The Decision. The Heat, much like the Bulls of the 90's, figure to be in the way of a lot of teams for quite a while.

QUOTE (bmags @ May 11, 2011 -> 12:24 PM) The surrounding cast to the lakers during shaq and kobe was >>>>>>>>>>>> to the heat's surrounding cast. Fisher, Horry, Fox, George, Shaw vs Bosh, Bibby, Jones Z and I guess Miller? I don't see a huge difference. Especially now that Haslem is back. Though it's unclear to how much he's going to be able to give. I guess the gist of what I was saying is that depth isn't as critical, though it obviously helps, during the playoffs at it is during the regular season. Your main guys are going to be on the floor 95% of the time, regardless.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ May 11, 2011 -> 12:17 PM) Yeah I suppose that's true, Brewer and Asik were a big part of why the defense was so good in the 4th quarter. The bench mob has still been a significant letdown in the playoffs overall though IMO. The Blazers and Kings had bench mobs in the early 2000s. The Lakers had Shaq and Kobe. The end. Again, not saying the Bulls can't win. But I don't see either bench playing a huge role in the upcoming series.

QUOTE (bigruss22 @ May 11, 2011 -> 11:28 AM) It would be such huge momentum if Peavy comes back strong. That's obviously the best case scenario. But I'm not even going to be greedy here. I'd rather see Peavy give up 5 runs in 6 innings than have to leave the game with 'discomfort' in the second inning.

Hard to get excited for a 14-23 team that's 10 games back. But I'm looking forward to this one. I forgot what Jake Peavy looked like until Steve flashed those pics. Like I said, just get through this one feeling good. I'm not even worried about results right now. Though a no-hitter will suffice.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ May 11, 2011 -> 11:20 AM) Yeah, the Heat are the toughest matchup for anyone really, because they are really f***ing good. I don't understand why people think a team whose second best scorer is Tyler Hansbrough is a tougher matchup than a team whose second best scorer is a pick between Wade and James. Thank you! That's all I was saying. I was getting frustrated. lol. I'm 50-50 on this impending series. I think it's going at least 6. No doubt. If it goes 7 then I like our chances at home. Hopefully MJ, Scottie, Dennis and any other Bull from the dynasty will be there for good luck.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ May 11, 2011 -> 11:10 AM) Count me in the group that says the Heat match-up will be better for the Bulls than the Hawks/Pacers and for one reason - point guard. Collins and Teague destroyed Rose on the offensive end and the Heat have no one that can do the same. Not to mention I think it'll be easier for Rose to drive and dish on a guy like Bibby. Obviously Wade and Lebron are huge concerns, but I think Bogans/Deng do a pretty good job of containing them as much as you can. Unlike Philly or the Celtics, their impact isn't going to come as easy. I don't see Wade putting up 28 in a half in a series with the Bulls. Still, this is the conference finals, and the NBA wants as many games as possible. Regardless of how the teams play it'll go 7. The group that has one person? I'm sorry. To say the Pacers were a more difficult matchup than the Heat will be is asinine. You're telling me D-wade doesn't present a tougher challenge than Collins and Teague when it comes to dribble penetration, pick and roll? Because he's not a "PG"? Wade can get to the cup as often or more as any elite PG in the league.