MexSoxFan#1

When I think about St. Louis, I think beer so it can't be that bad...

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Jan 13, 2012 -> 02:23 PM) I have no recollection of the specific instance you're referring to. I agree that KD should always be the first option at the end of games (depending on what the defense throws at you). But Westbrook gets way too much crap for playing with Durant. Statistically, standard and advanced, he was every bit as good as Rose last year save 3-pointers. His shot-selection and decision-making is suspect at times. But so is Rose's. You got a good point there but Rose doesn't have anyone like Durant alongsides him, sometimes he needs to force a shot up since he's basically the player who can create his own shot on the Bulls. All I'm saying is Westbrook shouldn't be jacking up forced shots while he has KD on the floor with him...

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Jan 13, 2012 -> 01:56 PM) KD has won the last two scoring titles. How many more shots is he supposed to take? It would help OKC if the more efficient and better scorer would get more shots at the end of a game...I remember a game last year when OKC rebounded the ball during the final seconds, Westbrook pushed the ball up, had Durant open at the wing and still Westbrook forced up a shot (he bricked it) while KD had this look to his face like "there you go again", lol. I wish I could remember what game it was (maybe the Grizzlies series?) but Durant's dismayed expression stuck with me...

QUOTE (Felix @ Jan 13, 2012 -> 01:37 PM) 1. Derrick Rose 2. Derrick Rose 3. Omer Asik 4. Derrick Rose 5. Derrick Rose 6. Derrick Rose 7. Derrick Rose 8. Derrick Rose 9. Derrick Rose 10. Luol Deng Even in top 10 lists, Luol Deng is underrated. Aw, come on dude, you're not gonna get flamed for not putting DRose at #1 At least not by me, I have Rose at #5 while most lists I've seen by NBA analysts on the net have him near the top...

QUOTE (MexSoxFan#1 @ Jan 13, 2012 -> 10:26 AM) Don't know if anyone saw it but ESPN's Ric Bucher came out with his top 7 NBA players list and it goes like this... 1.Kobe Bryant 2.Derrick Rose 3.LeBron James 4.Dwight Howard 5.Dwyane Wade 6.Dirk Nowitzki 7.Russell Westbrook Personally I think his list is crazy, (Westbrook, really?) mine would go like this... 1.LBJ (really, there shouldn't be a debate about #1) 2.Kobe (I'll give the old guy the nod at 2) 3.Durant (not even in Bucher's top 7 list, which is insane) 4.Howard (the best big man in the game has to be in the top 5) 5.Rose (the way he's improving each year, he'll be top 3 very soon) 6.Wade (yup, I think Rose is better than Wade now) 7.Paul (not the player he was a few years ago but still one of the best) and to round out the 8-10 spots in my opinion... 8.Carmelo Anthony (acoring machine but a big minus on D) 9.Russell Westbrook (my beef with him is that he takes too many shots away from KD) 10.Deron Williams (I won't hold it against him that he has garbage to play with)

QUOTE (Felix @ Jan 13, 2012 -> 01:05 PM) Zach Randolph rebounds in a similar way as Kevin Love. It's not about getting the ball when it's at it's highest point, it's about using your legs, hips and strength to get your opponent out of the way, then catching the ball on it's way down. Love is probably the best in the NBA in getting in position to make a rebound and if you watch him consistently, his rebounds in traffic usually involve either tipping it to himself or grabbing it without actually jumping. Love will also always lock arms with the opponent which causes it to look as if they're fouling him, which the refs have somehow yet to notice but routinely call on the other player. I haven't watch Z-Bo as much as some, but he seems to be in the same school of rebounding. It's more about brute strength and positioning than actually jumping to the highest possible point. For this reason, he always gives Love fits on the glass. He's one of the toughest matchups in the league for Love when it comes to glass cleaning. As far as the top 10 lists go, I'm not sure I'd put Love in there. He's definitely top 15, but his inability to create his own shot (and his lack of a great post game) really holds him back. I wouldn't be surprised if he shows up next year with a highly refined post game, though. He's made significant offseason improvements to his game every year since entering the league. Felix, who would be in your top 10 NBA players list?

Don't know if anyone saw it but ESPN's Ric Bucher came out with his top 7 NBA players list and it goes like this... 1.Kobe Bryant 2.Derrick Rose 3.LeBron James 4.Dwight Howard 5.Dwyane Wade 6.Dirk Nowitzki 7.Russell Westbrook Personally I think his list is crazy, (Westbrook, really?) mine would go like this... 1.LBJ (really, there shouldn't be a debate about #1) 2.Kobe (I'll give the old guy the nod at 2) 3.Durant (not even in Bucher's top 7 list, which is insane) 4.Howard (the best big man in the game has to be in the top 5) 5.Rose (the way he's improving each year, he'll be top 3 very soon) 6.Wade (yup, I think Rose is better than Wade now) 7.Paul (not the player he was a few years ago but still one of the best)

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Jan 12, 2012 -> 01:22 PM) I honestly wouldn't be surprised if smoking too much weed during the lockout has had some effect on him so far. I'm just not seeing anything physically wrong with him that would explain his problems this season. I'm hoping as the season drags along that Noah will work himself into the energy freak we all have come to know and love, but yeah, more Asik.

QUOTE (Felix @ Jan 12, 2012 -> 12:01 PM) Since everyone can get behind LeBron bashing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32o8uHmX36o Oh I wouldn't call it LeBron bashing, more like constructive criticism and that travelling is more on the refs.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Jan 12, 2012 -> 10:37 AM) Part of Lebron's post game problem comes from the Heat's lack of C who can really hit a jump shot. As soon as Lebron gets below the free throw line its almost an immediate double team from the big who isnt guarding Bosh. If Miami could run the swing offense and have a big man who could threaten from around the arc area, it would be pretty difficult to beat. As of now though you just simply double Lebron and let the other non-Bosh big try and beat you. But you really don't need a C who can hit jumpers, say Anthony's man leave's him to doubleteam Bron, all Anthony has to do is cut to the rim for a lay up or dunk.As soon as you double LBJ, the D will be scrambling and you'll get a open shot swing the ball, it's basic basketball 101, especially considering LeBron is an excellent passer. The Heat were running Wade on ISO last night, totally unnecessary and stupid when you should have LBJ down in the post.If I were a Heat fan, I would be yelling at my TV screen, lol

QUOTE (WHarris1 @ Jan 12, 2012 -> 10:33 AM) It's truly baffling that here we are, his 9th year in the league, and he still doesn't have a dominant low post game. Should be money in the bank down the stretch. The number of little s***s you see defend him in crunch time off of switches and he still can't take them to the post. Latest example, Chauncey Billups last night. EDIT: Yes, I realize we are talking about a guy averaging 29 points on 57% FGs. The point is he still has the same damn problems in crunch time, and a strong post game would be the easiest way to correct that. Instead of attempting 2 shots in 4Q + OT against GSW and going 1-6 in 4Q + OT against LAC, he should be beasting mother f***ers on the low block. Yeah, he still tries.to blow past his defender (Billups last night) and he did beat him once but he's making it easier on the defense because the help can step in and he usually puts up a tough shot but LBJ should be telling his team to clear the f*** out ad back his man down, he'll get a much better shot for himself or for an open teammate if the double team him. It's knda infuriating to see LBJ not use his God given talents to maximum use... His menatlity gives the rest of the league a chance at beating him (hello Mavs).

Only one who can stop LeBron is LeBron, his post game, even with his lack of fundamentals is basically unstoppable. Watching yesterday's Heat/Clippers game, if I'm Spo I tell , f*** that, I demand LBJ get into the block on every posession at the last 2-3 mins of the game, who's gonna stop that??

QUOTE (WHarris1 @ Jan 12, 2012 -> 10:07 AM) That would be why I CLEARLY stated: "in terms of winning, competitiveness, drive, and pure determination that we may ever see." None of the disparities you pointed out fall under any of those categories. My bad, I thought I was gonna have to set straight another KB=MJ, I reread your post and I agree... Imagine if you could combine KB's drive, killer instinct and will to win with LBJ's athletic talent...that would be unfair to the rest of the league.

QUOTE (WHarris1 @ Jan 12, 2012 -> 09:22 AM) Crazy how premature all the "Kobe is done" talk was. I've never felt such a way about a professional athlete before. I so badly have always wanted to dislike him, but it's just too amazing to watch him play and too easy to respect the fact that he is the closest thing to Jordan in terms of winning, competitiveness, drive, and pure determination that we may ever see. The numbers he is putting up given the severity of his wrist injury, as well as the other nagging injuries, combined with the condensed schedule...truly amazing. He just scored 88 points in a back-to-back on a little over 50% shooting. I hate to nitpick but Kobe is nowhere near MJ in terms of reg season stats, playoffs avg. and Finals accomplishments...the only thing he has is a similar style of play (he modeled his game after 23) but KB is nowhere near MJ. Ok, reread your post and you mention his competitive drive, will to win etc., and I agree. :lol

QUOTE (GoSox05 @ Jan 12, 2012 -> 08:14 AM) Just so you know ESPN is doing an hour long show on Tim Tebow at 11am. Also tomorrow night NFL Network will have "Tebow Time" another hour long special. That's at 7pm. For all you Tebow fanatics. When is ESPN and the NFL Network running the special on Rodgers/Brees?You know, real QBs that were amazing this past season?

QUOTE (The Critic @ Jan 11, 2012 -> 06:13 PM) When I was a kid, no Hawks home games were televised (many of us can relate). However, the Red Wings were on the national Game Of The Week all the time. I just fell in love with them. My dad couldn't care less about hockey, so there was no one to steer me to hate them (I'm very glad about that, for what it's worth). I love their white jersey (in my opinion, the Red Wings white jersey is the best-looking in any sport), so that was another reason. Semi-related: since I almost never saw the Hawks' white jersey, it became almost a mystical thing to me. I would get so excited when I got a hockey card of a Blackhawk in the white jersey. I happen to think the Red Wings have the ugliest unis in sports, next to the Green Bay Packers but that just may be the homer in me

QUOTE (The Critic @ Jan 11, 2012 -> 05:52 PM) Blackhawks White Sox Red Wings How the heck can you like the Blackhawks and the Red Wings?

QUOTE (Harry Chappas @ Jan 11, 2012 -> 04:29 PM) IMO Ruskell has the job the firing was a Phillips CYA same with the presser a couple of years ago when he stated everyone's job was on the line. The Bears FO is a mess with Phillips at the helm. Ole George McCasky... meet the new boss same as the old boss. Would be nice to have a football guy running the show instead of Teddy Bear and George. The Bears are the Cubs of the NFL, a complacent ballclub that it knows it has it's fanbase by the balls.

WhiteSoxBearsBullsBlackhawks

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jan 11, 2012 -> 03:42 PM) The excitement of Jerry Angelo getting fired definitely tapered off when Phillips said "Our new GM will work with Lovie Smith as head coach & Jay Cutler as quarterback." Basically, we want someone new to take over, as long as he can work with these people we choose. (Note: I love Cutler as QB, just saying that if a new GM were to decide the Bears need a change at QB, you have to let him do what he wants) I agree mostly with your post but if there is a GM who thinks he'll get a better QB than Cutler either through the draft, FA or trading, I would be iffy on that...the starting QB position on the Bears is the least of our problems.

I wonder if J4L still thinks the Clippers can contend, after all he said VDN never had a roster like the one he has in LA...lol

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Jan 11, 2012 -> 01:19 PM) NO WAY!!! That makes me glad I moved out of the country

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jan 11, 2012 -> 08:22 AM) Oh my goodness, would anyone actually want this guy to be GM of the Bears? And Al Davis' son reminds me of Harry from Dumb and Dumber... Raiders Press Conference I know that press conference was brutal since he seems to struggle with the English language but if he is a moron, what the heck was he doing in the Packers FO?The Packers have one of the best if not the best football organization...I'm gonna wait to see what he does before passing judgement.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Jan 10, 2012 -> 03:52 PM) NO has put up 40+ in 4 of its last 6 and have won 8 in a row. They're the best offense in the league right now. San Fran's strength is a good D and a running game. If they get down early, like the will, it's gonna be a looooooong game. 30-13 N.O. I agree with this... On the flip side, if SF can run the ball and keep Brees on the sidelines, they have a good shot. I'm taking NO because they are the hottest team right now and they've been there before and frankly you gotta take Brees over Alex Smith if it comes down to that.

QUOTE (SOXOBAMA @ Jan 10, 2012 -> 03:50 PM) My picks for this weekend: Ravens, Pats, 49ers and Packers. Although, I hope NY wins so the Niners can get home field advantage I wouldn't mind a NY/SF NFC champ game...means the Pack are out