[Azyiu]

Yo, s'up my fellow ballerz, where the hell have y'all been? I can't believe it's been a month since any of us posted here.

Did any of you get to watch round 2 of the Celtics / Pistons on Saturday night? What a great game, and the way the Pistons trapped the Celtics in the second half of the first qtr thru the second qtr was some of the best D I've seen all year! I understand the Celtics took round 2. Hear me now people, unless something major happens, I fully believe the Pistons would eventually beat the Celtics if they meet this spring!

Some of the things I observed from that game:

- The Pistons were total capable of guarding the Celtics one-on-one.
- They seem to cover the weak side much better than anyone in the L
- The Pistons were willing to give up on offensive rebounds early on. And immediately ran back on defense once a shot went up. That competely shut down the Celtics of any chance for a fast break.
- Only until very late in the 4th, the Pistons didn't make that much mistake at all (they commited just 6 TOs in such a tight game). I think the Celtics only have 6 fast break points in that game!
- Either the Celtics have trouble guarding Jason Maxiell, or he is a new Barkley. He is a bad news to the Celtics!
- Glen Davis will need to figure out something other than scoring off on offensive rebounds in the Spring. The Pistons will not allow him to get close to the basket comes Spring.
- Rondo never seemed comfortable facing Billups. I understand he is still young, but you never show your fear to a killer like Billups!

@ Mr.Blackcock

Off topic. So how's your 2K8 season so far? You've got the PS2 version, correct? Are the controls totally different from the 2K7? I HATE the controls for the PS3 version, man. Little things like calling a pick, it used to involve pressing just ONE buttom, now you need to press two!!! And I can go on and on about it...

[GH0STrider]

Sorry dude. I'm in total boycot mode until john paxon is fired.

All the stupid shit paxon has done as gm of the greatest franchise in the world-

-traded eddy curry who last I checked is A ok. (he then waived off the best player he got in that deal).

-passed on lamarcus aldridge and brandon roy for tyrus thomas!???

-Traded tyson chandler who last I checked is fucking killing down in new orleans. (insert skiles fault for tyson's poor play in chicago line here).

-Sign big ben wallace to a 4 year 60 million dollar deal.( ben must have thought the contract was for one year since he has pretty much stopped trying.)

-Drafted a tyson chandler clone in noah. Great another 7 footer with no offensive game that is so fucking thin that a strong wind would knock him on his ass.

-Didn't give luol deng the extention he asked for. What a dumb fuck you are pax.

-Fired scot skilles and replaced him with his right hand man. Gotta say... I see the exact same team out there. wonder why?

-Did not trade for pau gasol

-Did not trade for kobe

Pax- if you love this group of guys so much and believe in them so much then you yourself need to become the next head coach. Fuck pax, if you can't get this beautiful creation of yours to win then I'm willing to put my life on the fact that no one can.

End john paxon hatred rant.

[Jason]

Noah Benched in Vote by Teammates - AOL Sports

[Azyiu]

Hey, I hear you and I agreed with most of your frustrations, Mr. Blackcock. When you couldn't sign both Deng and Gordon for an extension, you should've at least try hard to get rid of one of them QUICKLY! About not drafting Roy or Aldrige, well, it is a tough call, man. At the time, at least on paper, Thomas looked decent enough. It is easy to critize a draft choice after the fact, dude. I would at least cut him some slack on that one. You are right on pretty much everything else though.

By the way, someone needs to tell Noah it ain't down in FL anymore. He needs to shut the hell up and just play!

Oh, King James in Needs For Speed: Cleveland for the PS3? SI.com - NBA - LeBron ticketed for driving 101 mph on highway - Sunday January 13, 2008 11:29PM

Finally, Bynum went down tonight against the Grizzlies, and my first thought was: oh God, not again... the Lakers NEED Bynum's production badly... And Kwame, you'd better show people you are worth that $9M! Ha! Who am I kidding?

[GH0STrider]

I always thought aldridge was the better talent. He provides a post presence and can step back and make long shots. Why paxon traded for thomas when aldridge clearly addressed their needs pisses me off. You didn't need to see either of them play a single nba game to know that aldridge was the smarter choice.

[Azyiu]

Originally Posted by GH0STrider

I always thought aldridge was the better talent. He provides a post presence and can step back and make long shots. Why paxon traded for thomas when aldridge clearly addressed their needs pisses me off. You didn't need to see either of them play a single nba game to know that aldridge was the smarter choice.

Right, I don't doubt your opinion here. Again, I think their coaching philosophy also played a role in the draft. I believe Pax and Skiles both are firm believers in playing nothing but D at all time. At least on paper, Noah seemed to be a better defender, and is a better fit to address their overall needs. I doubt neither Pax or Skiles wanted a big guy making midrange shots most of the time, or they would've traded for Gasol ages ago. I am NOT here to beat a dead horse, but at least on paper I thought it wasn't a bad pick... IF things all work out the way they hoped.

I think for YOUR Chicago Bulls (pretending to sound like Ray Clay), the biggest question mark is how are you going to really utilize Ben Gordon and Ben Wallace. Man, I am confused too. One is awesome in the 4th and one can't seem to do much in the 4th these days. You guys need to either figure that one out or will HAVE to trade Gordon. Also, someone needs to remind Big Ben his contract is a 4-yr deal. He plays like he was only signed for one!

Slightly off topic. Now with Bynum out for 8 weeks (ouch!), Odom must play like the way he played in 03-04 in Miami. I don't expect Kwame to do much at all, but please, just get the damn rebounds and don't turn the damn ball over! You know? Sometimes I wish I am 7" like Kwame and does nothing on the court and collect a $9M contract for this season. With that all said and done, I expect to see more 40-pt games from Kobe in the next two months. Laugh at me all you want, but IF the Lakers can somehow maintain a decent record when Bynum returns, say a .600 or above record, I think Kobe deserves a serious consideration for the MVP award!

[GH0STrider]

Originally Posted by Azyiu

Right, I don't doubt your opinion here. Again, I think their coaching philosophy also played a role in the draft. I believe Pax and Skiles both are firm believers in playing nothing but D at all time. At least on paper, Noah seemed to be a better defender, and is a better fit to address their overall needs. I doubt neither Pax or Skiles wanted a big guy making midrange shots most of the time, or they would've traded for Gasol ages ago. I am NOT here to beat a dead horse, but at least on paper I thought it wasn't a bad pick... IF things all work out the way they hoped.

Noah was the best pick for us at the nine spot in this year's draft. I bitch about him a lot because of how similar he is to tyson chandler. But the truth is noah plays with more passion that tyson ever will. Noah has earned my respect. When the rest of the bulls are playing half assed he is still going. Even if they are down by 20. That earns respect.

Originally Posted by Azyiu

I think for YOUR Chicago Bulls (pretending to sound like Ray Clay), the biggest question mark is how are you going to really utilize Ben Gordon and Ben Wallace. Man, I am confused too. One is awesome in the 4th and one can't seem to do much in the 4th these days. You guys need to either figure that one out or will HAVE to trade Gordon. Also, someone needs to remind Big Ben his contract is a 4-yr deal. He plays like he was only signed for one!

I want both wallace and gordon out of town. Gordon asked for 14.9 million a year. The BEST thing pax ever did as our gm is not re-sign him. Just look how piss poor he has come out and played. He has had 2 good shooting games this year and that's it. He has never proven to be a 15 million a year guy. He is to damn small to be a shooting guard and is a shitty ball handler and playmaker. So that rules out the pg spot. His best performances come off the bench. He can't deal with the pressure of starting and is best suited playing off the bench against the opposing teams second unit. A real star would not need to sit on the bench disecting the game and then making an impact when the other teams second unit comes in. Gordon is nothing but a glorified role player. Pax offered him ten million a year. Even that is overpaying him. I would offer 7. He's as inconsistent as they come. Fuck paying this guy. trade him. He has value. If nothing else trade him to a shitty team and get the lottery pick and this time dont pass on a brandon roy PAX!

As for wallace.... I saw this coming. He has pretty much thrown in the towel and it's time to trade him now while he is still appealing to some team. He is turning into a kwame brown. Just collecting a paycheck and not doing much on the court. This guy is a shell of what he once was. DO you know how many times I've watched this guy let people walk all over him in the paint and get easy dunks and layups this season? far to many. 15 million a year and he has pretty much gone fishin'. He has become a disgrace. I can't tell you how disgusted people here in chicago are with him. All out sports radio guys do is bash him. For 15 million he should still be pulling down 15 boards and 3 blocks a night.

Originally Posted by Azyiu

Slightly off topic. Now with Bynum out for 8 weeks (ouch!), Odom must play like the way he played in 03-04 in Miami. I don't expect Kwame to do much at all, but please, just get the damn rebounds and don't turn the damn ball over! You know? Sometimes I wish I am 7" like Kwame and does nothing on the court and collect a $9M contract for this season. With that all said and done, I expect to see more 40-pt games from Kobe in the next two months. Laugh at me all you want, but IF the Lakers can somehow maintain a decent record when Bynum returns, say a .600 or above record, I think Kobe deserves a serious consideration for the MVP award!

Kobe already is the mvp in my book. He has learned to trust his team and damn are they good right now. Talk about overachieving. Pax should have pullled the trigger when he could have. There is no way this guy wants to be in chicago now. 25-11??? I thought the lakers would be a shitty .500 club at best. IF this team cracks 50+ then he is the mvp for sure. Lamar just isn't the lamar I saw in miami years ago. Don't know why he hasn't been able to recapture that glory there isn't much else on that team other than kobe to steal his fire. Bynum has been great. That kid is going to be the center of the future. His work with kareem has really paid off. I'm actually watching lakers games and enjoying them. the team is fun to watch and I think they could do some real damage come playoff time.

[Azyiu]

Originally Posted by GH0STrider

Noah was the best pick for us at the nine spot in this year's draft. I bitch about him a lot because of how similar he is to tyson chandler. But the truth is noah plays with more passion that tyson ever will. Noah has earned my respect. When the rest of the bulls are playing half assed he is still going. Even if they are down by 20. That earns respect.

Still, you do not argue or piss off your coaches. I know this kid wants to win, but obviously he needs to learn HOW to win.

Originally Posted by GH0STrider

I want both wallace and gordon out of town.

I see Gordon being traded before the deadline. If he is still with the team after the deadline, Paxson is an idiot! I would get rid of him and do everything I could to keep Deng in the off season. As for Big Ben, well, I guess you are stuck with him, dude.

Originally Posted by GH0STrider

Kobe already is the mvp in my book. He has learned to trust his team and damn are they good right now. Talk about overachieving.

Cool! Ok, as always, I know people on gamefaqs are mostly 14-yr-olds... but man, have you visited the 2K8 board lately? How could some people are so blind about what Kobe has improved since the start of the season? I don't know, I guess some people just hate the Lakers for no reasons.

Oh hey, so how's your 2K8 season so far? I ain't doing well, dude. Am at 0-9 right now But I am improving every game, and a W should be coming soon. But man, I frigging HATE the controls on the PS3 version!!!

[GH0STrider]

Originally Posted by Azyiu

Still, you do not argue or piss off your coaches. I know this kid wants to win, but obviously he needs to learn HOW to win.

Noah knows how to win. That's one of the things that sold pax on drafting him. The bulls NEED to play him more. When he is out there he is playing hard on both ends of the court, something a lot of the bulls aren't doing. The coaching situation here is a joke anyhow. I side with noah. Boylan is nothing better than a lead assitant. Another stupid paxon move. They need to get a real coach in here. I agree with waiting till the end of the season so that all avenues can be explored but you don't suspend this kid. And if you do only one game and you don't let ben wallace and adrian griffin decide he deserves another. Boylan is the coach not big ben. If boylan wants that job he has to get control of his players. Issolating noah like that could really mess up his great attitude and personality. I agree he deserves to be punished- but what message were the team captains(griffin,wallace) trying to send by suspending him for a second game and the getting blown out by the misserable atlanta hawks?

Originally Posted by Azyiu

I see Gordon being traded before the deadline. If he is still with the team after the deadline, Paxson is an idiot! I would get rid of him and do everything I could to keep Deng in the off season. As for Big Ben, well, I guess you are stuck with him, dude.

That really depends. Keep in mind both deng and gordon are restricted free agents. this means the bulls have the right to match any offer another team might give them. They could also work out a sign and trade like they did with jamal crawford if there is a team that really wants either of them that bad. If the bulls can get a good starting sg that has some size and address that issue then they should make the trade by the deadline. But if they can't address the issue in full and the team is making strides then I say keep gordon. There is no use in throwing him away unless the bulls get what they want in terms of a large starting guard.

I will tell you this- deng will get his money this summer. Pax low balled luol and overshot gordon. He needs to give luo 12-13 million/year. He's worth every penny. He can rebound, defend, hit open jumpers, slash to the basket, everything. He is a future all-star in the nba. [/quote]

Originally Posted by Azyiu

Cool! Ok, as always, I know people on gamefaqs are mostly 14-yr-olds... but man, have you visited the 2K8 board lately? How could some people are so blind about what Kobe has improved since the start of the season? I don't know, I guess some people just hate the Lakers for no reasons.

Oh hey, so how's your 2K8 season so far? I ain't doing well, dude. Am at 0-9 right now But I am improving every game, and a W should be coming soon. But man, I frigging HATE the controls on the PS3 version!!!

I stay off the 2k8 boards for the most part man. It's a bunch of kids who know nothing and thinkt they know everything. Even when you set them straight they still sit there and argue over some of the dumbest shit ever. I think there is something wrong with the school systems in this world. Kids seem to be getting stupider thess days.

My 2k8 season is going good. I'm currently 25-10 with the hornets. the control configuration is actually different on ps2 this year as well. they reverted back to the old configuration that you would find in the earliest versions of 2k basketball games. Took a little gettting used to but it's cool. Im annoyed by the fact that all the rookies aren't in the game. the bulls don't even have aron gray for example. I' m also annoyed by the fact that they still have not changd toronto's home jersey. It still has the purple in it! The raptors changed that like 2 seasons ago! IS it like that in the ps3 version as well? And they don't have all the alternate jerseys available for the teams that do have them. There aren't codes out there for them either. What gives?

[Azyiu]

Originally Posted by GH0STrider

I agree he deserves to be punished- but what message were the team captains(griffin,wallace) trying to send by suspending him for a second game and the getting blown out by the misserable atlanta hawks?

True, I think the coach or management gave a little too much power to the captains this time. As for the Hawks, hey, they ain't that bad this year! Acie Law + Haford seem to be playing very well as rookies, and guys like Joe Johnson can now focus on getting the ball to the hole. Oh, Marvin Williams has been playing very well thus far too, and I think he is one unsung guy on the Hawks roster.

Originally Posted by GH0STrider

My 2k8 season is going good. I'm currently 25-10 with the hornets. the control configuration is actually different on ps2 this year as well. they reverted back to the old configuration that you would find in the earliest versions of 2k basketball games. Took a little gettting used to but it's cool. Im annoyed by the fact that all the rookies aren't in the game. the bulls don't even have aron gray for example. I' m also annoyed by the fact that they still have not changd toronto's home jersey. It still has the purple in it! The raptors changed that like 2 seasons ago! IS it like that in the ps3 version as well? And they don't have all the alternate jerseys available for the teams that do have them. There aren't codes out there for them either. What gives?

Nice for you. I haven't played in like 3 - 4 nights now, and am still sitting at a pityful 0-9 record. I am stubburn, I guess, cuz I insist on playing on the HOF level. But hey, I do see my defense improving (only lost my last game on a last second shot!); and now it is a matter of me not hitting the wrong buttoms, and not to screw myself up on the offensive end.

Based on what I read and what you told me, I think the PS3 version is slightly improved. For one thing, the rosters are more complete on the PS3, but I still don't think Aaron Gray is in the game either (will check and confirm). I will need to keep an eye on the Raptors' jersey, thanks for pointing that out too. Meanwhile, I do have some minor complains about some of the courts. Like the Nuggets and Kings both have new courts (with a new center court logo), but the game still has the one from last season. Also, the Pistons now have this 50th anniversery thingy on their home floor, and it is not there either. Otherwise, everything looks pretty good as far as graphics is concerned. Players movement is another issue though. I keep on seeing guys "flowing" instead of dribbling the ball.

Another topic now. The Wiz seem to be playing pretty well WITHOUT Arenas (the real ballhog, ladies and gents), and he is still saying he plans to opt out of his deal by the end of the season. Good move? What do you think? Also, if you were Eddie Jordan, and if the Wiz make the playoffs, do you keep Arenas on the active roster? And how would you play him? Keep in mind your team has been playing pretty damn well without him.

I wish Nene well.