Jordan4life_2007

I can't take anything away from Chauncey Billups. The guy has had an excellent year and is a no doubt mvp canidate. However, when word came out Amare was gonna miss atleast the first half of the season, what did you predict the Suns would do? Many predicted they would fall apart. Many predicted they would struggle to maintain a .500 record. Well, they're 26-13 and argubly the second best team in the west behind the Spurs. Who's the main reason for this? Steve Nash. Who the hell was Boris Diaw before this year? Who the hell was James Jones before this year? Who the hell was Eddie House before this year? All these guys are flourishing playing with Nash. It looks like Ben Wallace might be out for a while. Let's see how the Pistons can hang without him. If they struggle, I think that will play a big role in who wins the mvp this year.

QUOTE(rventura23 @ Jan 21, 2006 -> 01:46 AM) I dont know that it was overrated, I think Hernandez really helped Contreras and made him feel more comfortable with how he pitched. I think Contreras certainly will continue to dominate without Hernandez, but El Duque was a great guy to have on a team, in the clubhouse, and in the big game situations. I think Uribe can hit in the #2 spot with some work, although I think Tad is a great #2 hitter and should be #2, Well, Contreras had Hernandez in NY and that didn't do much for him. I think it's cool that they were close and all. I just don't see how him not being there can potentially effect Contreras. If Jose flops in 06, it won't be because El Duque wasn't there.

QUOTE(2nd_city_saint787 @ Jan 20, 2006 -> 10:38 PM) just wondering how you guys think Contreras will do without Hernandez around? I believe there was talks that one of the main reasons for Jose's success last year was thanks in part to him being around his best friend el duque. Do ne of you see a drop off in stats since he is no longer here?? also how was uribe with puttin down bunts last year...i really like the idea of putting tad in the 6 but do u think uribe will do good in the 2? I think the whole Contreras/Hernandez friendship thing is overrated. Contreras didn't dominate like he did because of the presence of Hernandez. It was simply a case of a guy realizing his talent. Even Don Cooper has said as much. As far as Uribe goes? I think he's capable of hitting in the 2 slot. He's gonna definitely have to learn to be more selective at that plate. He can't go up there tryin to kill the ball every at-bat. Spring training is gonna be very interesting this year.

I'm just goin through the motions with this team right now. We're either gonna sneak into the playoffs as a 7th or 8th seed and get swept by the Pistons or Heat, or not make them at all. Paxson has about 15 million and possibly two first round picks to work with this year. This off-season will be pivotal in getting this team back on the right track.

Is there any doubt that Steve Nash is the MVP of the league? The difference in the overall play of the team when he's out of the game compared to when he's in the game is incredible. They lose Joe Johnson, Q. Richardson and have been without Amare all year, yet here they are at 26-13 and starting to distance themselves from everybody in the Pacific division. Nash has got my vote.

Happy b-day to the man who brought the championship home.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jan 20, 2006 -> 06:54 PM) The Lakers were actually doing all right last year too..until Kobe got hurt in January and missed a couple weeks. By the time he was back, Rudy T was gone, and the team was in shambles and had basically quit. That's true to an extent. But even with Kobe and Rudy, their longest winning streak of the year was 3 games. And they only did that once. They totally fell apart the last 6 weeks when their schedule got tough. I don't care if he cares. I think it was a dumb move. It wasn't about money. He pulls the same s*** every 2-3 years. The guy is a walking soap opera. In two years, he'll get bored and want to go somewhere else.

Wow, if Uribe can handle the 2 slot, our offense is argubly the best in the league. I think Gooch is capable of .290, 20-25 HR'S, 90+ RBI. Spring training is actually gonna be interesting this year.

QUOTE(hammerhead johnson @ Jan 20, 2006 -> 02:24 PM) So, what are the 5 teams that have surprised you the most? 1. Charlotte/Oklahoma City 19-19 Overall, and 7-2 thus far in the month of January. Who in their right mind saw this coming? Chris Paul is a stud PG as a rookie, David West is one of the frontrunners for "Most Improved Player In The NBA", etc. I figured that Byron Scott would be one of the last guys capable of righting this ship, but he has done a tremendous job so far. If only they had some more beef down low. In retrospect, what a sissy move by Jamal Magloire to demand a trade. They've been the surprise team of the year. Paul should easily win the ROY. West has been a surprise. Another guy, who I feel is one of the most underrated players in the game, has been a godsend for them. That guy is Speedy Claxton. I've always loved him. Mike Fratello is a very underrated coach. I don't know how this guy is always in and out of coaching. He took some HORRIBLE Cavs teams in the mid 90's to the playoffs. He's a definite coach of the year canidate. I think they're overachieving right now. Like you said, outside of Kobe and Odom this is an nbdl type roster. Kobe's not gonna keep up this current pace he's on. However, I'll give them credit for what they've been able to accomplish to this point. They've been pretty average since that 14-5 start. They definitely miss Maggette. To bad it looks like they won't be getting Artest. That would make them a top 4 team in the west. I still pick Larry Brown for "idiot" of the year. The Pistons make him look dumber every week.

She's not one of the options, but my choice is queen Steff. I think she would be a funny ass drunk. I could see her tellin everybody off. Snappin on everybody. Wait, she does that sober.

QUOTE(YASNY @ Jan 20, 2006 -> 01:39 AM) From following the team closely during Harris' time here, I think if he would work at being damn good instead of thinking he's damn good, he could be damn good. Agreed.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jan 20, 2006 -> 12:12 AM) Can someone out there please tell me why exactly Kobe Bryant is allowed to touch the basketball without an immediate double team? Especially in the latter part of the 4th quarter? Well, the triangle has a little somethin to do with that. It's a lot harder to double when everybody is movin. But yeah, it seems teams are content with Kobe getting 40+ and shutting everybody else down.

I hope Willie does well. I think there's a lot of talent there itchin to come out.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Jan 19, 2006 -> 02:15 PM) ^^^ Very near the upper echelon in the league when concering farm systems, and our minor leagues got ravaged this year...in a good way obviously, with callups and trades. I'm wondering where it is had KW not traded Young, Gio, and Haig. I think it would easily be in the top 5.

QUOTE(rventura23 @ Jan 18, 2006 -> 03:35 PM) SI graded baseball offseason sox and jays get As link Atleast this article realizes that the Twins and Indians did nothing to improve.

I didn't get a chance to see the game. How did Pruitt look tonight anyone? I see he had a nice stat line. I've been calling for him to get more touches.

The 2006 White Sox are now complete. Let's get this title defense thing started.

QUOTE(NUKE_CLEVELAND @ Jan 16, 2006 -> 01:27 AM) Tillman. Thats the word that describes the Defense today. How bout our "vaunted" pass rush?

Does "Pathetic" even begin to describe the defense today? I'm trying to think of some better words. Somebody help me out.

Just got back home from what's turned out to be a LONG day. First off, words can't express how dissapointed I am at how the Bears played, especially on defense. I could accept losing because of inept offense. But to lose because of a defense that was so pathetic it made me want to literally gag myself makes it hurt so much more. I have no problem with players talking a little trash every now and then. But, if you choose to go that route, YOU BETTER f***IN BACK IT UP! They looked like little pussy b****es out there. Charles Tillman? WTF happened to you? Our pass rush? UM, IT'S THE PLAYOFFS! IT'S NOT A SIN TO ACTUALLY SHOW UP WHEN THE STAKES ARE THE HIGHEST! Whenever we scored, the defense gave it right back up. Pathetic! Oh, yes, I didn't forget about the offense, either. What in the hell is Rex Grossman doing throwing 41 times? I realize part of it is because we were playing from behind the whole game. But why the hell did we almost abandon the run? Thomas Jones was rackin up some decent yards for the most part. Besides that, I can't be too critcal of the offense. Everybody said the magic number for this team was "21" points. As long as we score "21" points our defense will take care of the rest. Anyway, I'm gonna stop now before I break something.

QUOTE(nitetrain8601 @ Jan 14, 2006 -> 09:28 PM) Heard about this. Just makes me believe we probably could've held out for more for Damaso Marte like Edwin Jackson. I would agree with this if we were talking about the Marte of 02/03.

QUOTE(Spiff @ Jan 13, 2006 -> 06:20 AM) haha, ok. Maybe it's just the fact that I realize that a) the NBA already gets the second-most coverage to the NFL and B) if people don't watch the finals, it's not because ESPN paid more attention to Kobe vs LeBron in January. But hey if you wanna sound like an elitist asshole, go right ahead. Sound like an asshole? lol. I can show you an asshole if you really want. Believe me, you don't want to see what an asshole I can really be. This is a mesaage board. And I can share my opinion anytime I feel like it. If you don't like it, you know what you can do. And not marketing teams does have an effect on ratings, especially for non superstars or teams not in the big markets. This isn't a problem when it comes to the diehards. But for the casual bandwagoners, it certainly is.

QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Jan 13, 2006 -> 05:50 AM) So your saying Spiff isnt a "true fan?" Hell id rather see Kobe vs Lebron too so does that mean im not a "true fan" Wow you really are something It's not about who you would rather see. If a match-up between 2 guys on 2 average teams gets you excited, that's fine. The point is not to ignore the team game in an attempt to shove a 1 on 1 match-up down are throats. Like Lebron and Kobe don't get enough hype as it is. The ratings for the finals get lower every year because nobody knows anything about guys like Chauncey Billups or Manu Ginobili. I think it's a shame.

QUOTE(Spiff @ Jan 13, 2006 -> 03:12 AM) I don't see why you feel the need to whine about something like this. Any true fan of the game would have a problem with a individual match-up getting 3 times the coverage of a match-up between the two best teams in the league. Notice I said "true" fan. So you probably don't qualify.

QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Jan 12, 2006 -> 10:34 PM) idonno maybe 5-10 years ago it would be but I think now with all that s*** they can do that he will play again but maybe it just wont be next season..... whatevr happens I wish him the best of luck. I was about to say the same thing. I'd be SHOCKED if this was a career ending injury for Palmer. I think he's gonna be a special qb. I hope and pray he'll be ready to go come next season.