rangercal

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ May 11, 2009 -> 08:16 PM) You make great points, but seriously, Carmelo's achievements are diminished because he's 6 months older? What? You don't think 1 year of college grooming helps one's development?

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ May 11, 2009 -> 04:50 PM) Because Carmelo WAS better than Lebron in their rookie years. I don't want to take the bait. but.... you can look at their profiles for reference: 03-04 Carmelo http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/stats?playerId=1975 03-04 Lebron http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/stats?playerId=1966 You can look at the close race in scoring and rebounds, but Lebron dominated him in assists. (5.9-2.8) . What is an assist worth to you? I would say it is fair argument that an assist is worth at least 2 points in terms of production, which would mean Lebron helped produce over 6 more points a game. Carmelo edged Lebron in scoring 21.0- 20.9 and rebounds 6.0-5.5. But neither of those account for 6 points in production. I'll give you 0.1 and however you want to value rebounds, since rebounds don't always mean automatic points (like assists) I don't think you can value a rebound equally with an assist. Free Throws (77-75%) and Field Goal percentage (42-41%) edged by Carmelo. Lebron edged in blocks (0.7-0.5) and steals (1.6-1.2) . Notice Lebron has nearly a half steal edge on Melo, that should make up for the edge melo had on turnovers 3.5 for James and 3.0 for Melo. I know you will bring up production per 48 mins or just bring up minutes in general. Lebron averaged 3 more minutes a game than Melo. Even with that 3 minutes put into play, I don't know where Melo can make up for 6 points of production. I know you might bring up Cleveland's record (35-47) to Denver (43-39) a few points: Five rings does not make Steve Kerr a better player than Patrick Ewing,Karl Malone,John Stockton or Charles Barkley. I think it is fair to say Denver would have had a smilar if not better record WITH Lebron instead of Carmelo. Carmelo had Andre Miller,Marcus Camby and Nene who were all solid players. I will admit Boykins and Leonard were garbage. http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DEN/2004.html Lebron had Boozer(his 2nd year) and Z, that's it. http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/2004.html also something to think about... who was better 18 year old Kobe or 19 year old kobe? What body age is more built to compete with MEN? Kobe doubled his scoring average when he was 19(7.6-15.4), without exactly doubling his minutes (15.5-26.0). You can look at KG, Tmac anyone you want who would fit that example. Carmelo has a half year year on Lebron. That's big when you are comparing an 18 year old to 19 year old. Carmelo got off to a great start in his career with his rookie campaign, no doubt. To compare 19 year old Carmelo, and 18 year old James is ludicrous because no one ever did what James did at 18. What Carmelo did was impressive, but less impressive than James. What Carmelo did at 19 was nothing new.

wtf? How are we going to get Bay for anywhere near 3/30?

This is too early. It's May 11th. Of course I'm in. At this time in May it was way to early to analyze the 2007 and 2008 teams.

I already knew that!

good to see

Hard to believe about half of NBA fans compared Lebron and Carmelo back in 2003.

Abortions under 18 have to accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Anyone seeking an abortion would be required to have a license or Permit. A license/permit can be obtained by taking part in a 1 week course on abortion alternatives and effects of abortion. Rare cases meet for exemption of the course (rape etc)

QUOTE (WilliamTell @ May 9, 2009 -> 11:42 PM) Hopefully the Bears improved their 30th ranked passing defense from last year, even if it's just getting players healthy again, otherwise Favre could have some fun throwing the ball if he signs with the Vikes. I don't follow the Bears so I don't know who else they've gotten besides Cutler and Pace. How have the Packers improved? The Bears have improved their line by hiring a premier defensive line coach and using their highest draft pick on a defensive lineman. If the Bears do have an improved line, less pressure will be put on the secondary. The one vulnerability the Bears have (on paper at least) is the home run ball down the middle of the field which is the responsibility of a free safety. Bears coaches are excited about Craig Steltz, I'm not sure if I am. But they would know more than me obviously. Regardless, if a QB has no time to launch a home run ball, then obviously there will be a lot less responsibility for Craig Steltz. The Packers have improved by grabbing the top Lineman in the draft. However, you can make an argument for digression due for the defensive scheme switch (from 4-3 to 3-4). Usually such a switch will have an adjustment period follow afterword. Here are some teams doing such a switch http://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/2009/4/19/...o-a-3-4-defense So as you can see, there are mixed results. Grabbing Raji will likely make the adjustment period minor, if an adjustment period will take place at all. Sk Int PA Record Ravens (2006) 60 28 201 13-3 Ravens (2007) 31 17 384 5-11 Browns (2004) 32 15 390 4-12 Browns (2005) 23 15 301 6-10 49ers (2006) 34 14 412 7-9 49ers (2007) 31 12 364 5-11 Jets (2006) 35 16 295 10-6 Jets (2007) 29 15 355 4-12 Chargers (2003) 30 13 441 4-12 Chargers (2004) 29 23 313 12-4 Patriots (2003) 41 29 238 14-2 Patriots (2004) 45 20 260 14-2

QUOTE (WilliamTell @ May 9, 2009 -> 12:46 PM) If Gus Frerotte and Tavaris Jackson can manage the Vikings to a division title, Favre should be able to as long as he makes good decisions. But even if Favre leads the Vikings to the playoffs, a lot of fans will consider the year a failure if they don't win a Super Bowl. Most fans I've heard around here are already thinking Super Bowl, which is laughable as of now. Yeah , lets just ignore the fact that the Bears,Lions and Packers have all improved in the off-season.

I know it was an accident, but I want to see retaliation.

I was born and raised in Chicago for 26 years of my life and spent the last two in NJ. I can tell you right now, you will find as many retards in lincoln park, wrigleyville, rush street as you would in New Jersey.

QUOTE (whitesoxbrian @ May 9, 2009 -> 10:55 AM) After the Jets got to 9-3 or 9-4 or whatever it was, Mangini became pass happy, which is why Favre went back to vintage Favre with all his TO's. I'm afraid I agree with Mex here. how about Favre breaking down at the end like he did in the previous few seasons? I hope the queens sign favre.

QUOTE (WilliamTell @ May 9, 2009 -> 03:19 AM) How am I diminishing Jordan's talents? I couldn't see him winning 6 championships for the Sacremento Kings or the Toronto Raptors, teams like that. It's my opinion and we'll never know what it would turn out because it's not going to happen, that's why it's fun to have a decent discussion. There's no need to accuse me of "diminishing Jordan" and saying I'm pathetic. I said earlier that I don't like Jordan, but in high school I wrote a paper on how I thought he was the greatest basketball player of all time and had the most impact in the sport next to Wilt Chamberlain. I have no reason to try to diminish Jordan. This type of argument is a joke.

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ May 8, 2009 -> 11:44 PM) 1.) Don't EVER listen to any Pistons blogs. ESPECIALLY any pertaining to Lebron. They're still pissed he scored like 27 straight on them in the playoffs. 2.) Lebron came into the league at like, what, 18? 19? He's still physically maturing. He's due to get stronger/bigger/faster/etc. That's how things go. Exactly. I love Lebron and refuse to manufacture any negative information on him.

QUOTE (WilliamTell @ May 8, 2009 -> 06:23 PM) I don't like Jordan one bit, but even I'd take him over LeBron. Jordan had a killer instinct, not saying LeBron doesn't, but there are few athletes ever that probably had it as good or better than Jordan. This question can be taken many ways. Are we going with Jordan's accomplishments and LeBron's upside? I would take accomplishments over upside for my player any day. Although I highly doubt that Jordan would win 6 championships in his career if he was drafted next season. I'm not saying he wouldn't win any, but 6 would be hard to accomplish. As far LeBron, we don't know if his body will break down by the time he's 30 or whatever age. It probably won't happen, but it's hard to say because he could suffer an injury or something. Is that really the best ammo you have in Diminishing Jordan? Pathetic.

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ May 8, 2009 -> 10:56 PM) How do you not like Michael Jordan? He must be a Jazz fan

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 8, 2009 -> 03:53 PM) Yeah, I mixed up Alston and Fisher... The point still stands and I agree with that point. So would Brad Miller's dentist.

QUOTE (danman31 @ May 8, 2009 -> 03:44 PM) I'll buy Jordan pushed Scottie to be better, but the Bulls went to a conference final without Jordan and we all know how that went down. Scottie was at least a Hall of Famer on his own team. no

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 8, 2009 -> 03:48 PM) I find it interesting that the NBA has found its testicles when it comes to suspensions. There isn't a chance that Fishers slap was worse than Rondos two point takedown of Kirk Hinrich into the scorers table. Fisher didn't slap anyone. I think you mean Alston. FWIW, what Fisher did should have been 2 games.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ May 8, 2009 -> 02:46 PM) I'm just saying, having Scottie next to him shouldnt diminish the player he was. But you want to diminish the player Scottie was by playing next to MJ?

So after the game Lebron gave Urlacher his sneakers. pretty cool. Urlacher must be a big basketball fan, I read he was at the 3OT bulls game too.

Political beliefs are irrelevant. This is what the rest of the World sees.

"Most patients may hopefully improve their vision. But there may be long-term effects on the retina," That discredits the entire article fwiw

QUOTE (danman31 @ May 8, 2009 -> 01:57 AM) Anyone who says LeBron is absolutely kidding themselves. They are different types of players. Kobe is more like Michael, but still isn't anywhere near as good. Kobe needs to win a title as the best player before he belongs in the discussion. He might this year, but it's not a discussion. You can make a much, much better case for Chamberlain or Russell over Michael for sheer dominance, but at that point you are comparing apples to oranges. I agree with you at this point. Keep in mind, that this is the absolute GROUND FLOOR of these comparisons. I don't envision Lebron slowing down. I also think he is at the start of a run of titles and MVPs. If that doesn't happen, then there is obviously no comparison. My money is on Lebron dominating the NBA the next 10 seasons.