[GH0STrider]

well Houston's streak is over and now they've started a new one- a losing streak. haha, 2 in a row where they fail to score over 70. What the hell Houston?

[Azyiu]

I am not really surprised by the Rockets' losing streak. Seriously, without Yao or a real low post scorer, your jumpers will eventually stop falling. They barely beat the Warriors just now, but I think tomorrow's game @ Phoenix is going to be a real test for these guys. Even without Raja Bell, I think the Suns should have more than enough to beat the Rockets soundly.

Onto the eastern side of things. I think the Nets really have no interest in making the playoffs whatsoever. After beating the Hawks in the last game and got the head-to-head tie-breaker in the process, they gave one away to the Nuggets. I checked out the Hawks and the Nets' remaining schedule, and it looks like the Hawks have a MUCH easier one down the road. The Nets have 8 more road games, they only play non-playoffs teams 4 more times; while the Hawks have only 6 more roadies and they have EIGHT more games against non-playoffs teams. After tomorrow against the Magic, they have 5 in a row against non-playoffs teams. Seriously, I am rooting for the Hawks right now.

[GH0STrider]

Dude, I don't understand why anyone gives a shit about the 8th playoff spot in the east. That team is going to be beaten to death in the playoffs. Honestly the 8th seed in the east won't even have a .500 record. It won't even be good basketball to watch. It's going to be a blood bath. Boston will destroy them. de-fucking-stroy.

[Azyiu]

Of course, we all know the #7 & 8 seeds in the east mean nothing, and they both have sweep written all over them. I am rooting for the Hawks to make it, since I think they really deserve some sort of winning (and for their fans, all 3 of them ) or "reward", if you will.

On the other hand, I sincerely don't want to see guys like Carter who, plays with such a half ass effort for 2/3 of the season, and somehow make it. Whether getting the #7 & 8 seed mean anything at all, at least the Hawks and the Sixers worked hard to earn them. See, the point here is not about beating the Celtics or Pistons; it is about working hard for some sort of a reward. If more teams think the way you do, I see a sad sad league and absolutely boring product...

[777timesgod]

Wow thats a low blow right there with the "all 3 of them" about the hawks fans. Who knows maye things will improve and more fans will come in, maybe they'll reach the number 4 or even 5(dare i be so optimistic).

I agree with the bloodbath comment, the Celtics mean business and won't screw up from the beginning at least.

[GH0STrider]

Originally Posted by Azyiu

On the other hand, I sincerely don't want to see guys like Carter who, plays with such a half ass effort for 2/3 of the season, and somehow make it. Whether getting the #7 & 8 seed mean anything at all, at least the Hawks and the Sixers worked hard to earn them. See, the point here is not about beating the Celtics or Pistons; it is about working hard for some sort of a reward. If more teams think the way you do, I see a sad sad league and absolutely boring product...

The 76ers deserve it. They were supposed to be a lotery team again this year and instead are sitting at .500 with a winning season in hand. They wil be fun to watch. Andre miller and igodola are both great players. they will at least compete hard. If more teams think the way I do? Dude, teams do think the way I do. Have you ever heard of a team "tanking". Watch the shitty teams the last few weeks of the season. Notice how even though most of them were losing throughout the season they were at least competetive at some point and now are getting blown out on a nightly basis? Also you clearly have missed my point- My thought on the 8th seed being a waste of time was a point I made for my chicago bulls. I don't have any interest in seeing them getting their asses handed to them in the first round. I don't have any interest in seeing a sub .500 club in the playoffs. It's bad basketball. I want my team to win a championship and at this point a lotery pick will help a milion times more than being blown out 4 games in a row. I said "let the hawks or nets have that spot". Those teams don't have the managment to win anything anyway. They will throw their picks away on someone not deserving and make idiotic trades anyway in the off-season. At least the bulls have a managment team that has rebuilt a bad team successfully before and could do it again.

Sure I get your concept of working towards something, Yeah that's all good. In that case I would rather see the Hawks get there too because they haven't been in the playoffs since what? 01? But like I said, I feel that if you don't have a winning record you have no business in the playoffs in any sport. Especially in the nba when there are so many good teams in the west.

[Azyiu]

Originally Posted by 777timesgod

Wow thats a low blow right there with the "all 3 of them" about the hawks fans. Who knows maye things will improve and more fans will come in, maybe they'll reach the number 4 or even 5(dare i be so optimistic).

I don't know, man, if they keep playing the way they do like tonight against Orlando? They may reach 8 faster than we ever imagined!

Originally Posted by GH0STrider

My thought on the 8th seed being a waste of time was a point I made for my chicago bulls. I don't have any interest in seeing them getting their asses handed to them in the first round. I don't have any interest in seeing a sub .500 club in the playoffs. It's bad basketball. I want my team to win a championship and at this point a lotery pick will help a milion times more than being blown out 4 games in a row. I said "let the hawks or nets have that spot". Those teams don't have the managment to win anything anyway. They will throw their picks away on someone not deserving and make idiotic trades anyway in the off-season. At least the bulls have a managment team that has rebuilt a bad team successfully before and could do it again.

Don't get me wrong there, dude, I agreed with this concept all the way. It is just that, when your record isn't too far off from the #8 spot, yet you are not bad enough to win the top 5 picks, IMO, might as well get the #8 and give my guys some more experience in some playoffs games.

Originally Posted by GH0STrider

Sure I get your concept of working towards something, Yeah that's all good. In that case I would rather see the Hawks get there too because they haven't been in the playoffs since what? 01? But like I said, I feel that if you don't have a winning record you have no business in the playoffs in any sport. Especially in the nba when there are so many good teams in the west.

The Hawks haven't been to the playoffs since 1999... and yes, perhaps, maybe, possibly, the NBA should think about a change in the playoff seeding and stuff. We will probably see a team with 35 wins going to the playoffs in the east, while a 46 wins team out west is home watching the playoffs.


I watched the Rockets @ Suns game tonight. What an amazing game! The Suns (except for Shaq) were a 100% at the FT line!!! Amare was 20 for 20, and he is a guy who shot only 66% when he first came to the league Even for Shaq, his FT shooting has been improved since he got to Phoenix as well. I thought the Rockets actually played pretty well, and if they were playing most other teams, they could have pulled out a W out of it. Meanwhile, is it just me or did Nash look tired in this game? He made like 3, 4 unforced TOs. All in all, a pretty good game.

Can't wait til next week when the Hornets @ Celtics!

[GH0STrider]

Originally Posted by Azyiu

Don't get me wrong there, dude, I agreed with this concept all the way. It is just that, when your record isn't too far off from the #8 spot, yet you are not bad enough to win the top 5 picks, IMO, might as well get the #8 and give my guys some more experience in some playoffs games.

The past few years the league's worst teams have not won the lottery. The Bucks won it a few years ago while winning 30 something games. It's very likely the bulls could end up with a top 5, especially since they seem to be tanking like no tomorrow. Up 13 in the 4th last night only to blow another 4th quarter double digit lead. Getting your ass handed to you by a much better team isn't going to help these guys. A lot of these guys won't be back next year. Expect off-season trades and a few simply just not being re-signed. There has already been serious talks here in Chicago about moving newly aquired Larry Hughes, especially if Gordon does stay with the team.

Originally Posted by Azyiu

The Hawks haven't been to the playoffs since 1999... and yes, perhaps, maybe, possibly, the NBA should think about a change in the playoff seeding and stuff. We will probably see a team with 35 wins going to the playoffs in the east, while a 46 wins team out west is home watching the playoffs.


I watched the Rockets @ Suns game tonight. What an amazing game! The Suns (except for Shaq) were a 100% at the FT line!!! Amare was 20 for 20, and he is a guy who shot only 66% when he first came to the league Even for Shaq, his FT shooting has been improved since he got to Phoenix as well. I thought the Rockets actually played pretty well, and if they were playing most other teams, they could have pulled out a W out of it. Meanwhile, is it just me or did Nash look tired in this game? He made like 3, 4 unforced TOs. All in all, a pretty good game.

Can't wait til next week when the Hornets @ Celtics!

I agree with the playoff seeding needing change yet again. I think If a team qualifies for the playoffs with a sub .500 record than a club for the opposing conference should take their place. It would mess up the whole east vs. west concept but at least it would give the fans decent basketball to watch.

As for Nash- he usually does turn the ball over 3-4 times a game. He is on top of the list for turnovers per game. It's because the ball is always in his hand and he is always trying to do something with it. he dishes 12 assists to 3 turnovers a game, still not bad at all.

edit: Anyone else wonder how good the Washington Wizards would be if their big 3 actually all played 82 games?

[Azyiu]

Originally Posted by GH0STrider

There has already been serious talks here in Chicago about moving newly aquired Larry Hughes, especially if Gordon does stay with the team.

I am not sure about this talk regarding Hughes, but I also heard the Bulls are considering Rick Carlisle as their next head coach. He is a good coach and all, but he is NOT the right guy for the Bulls. His style is too much like Scott Skiles, and if Skiles didn't work out in Chicago; I don't think Carlisle is going to change things by much. Your thoughts?

Originally Posted by GH0STrider

I agree with the playoff seeding needing change yet again. I think If a team qualifies for the playoffs with a sub .500 record than a club for the opposing conference should take their place. It would mess up the whole east vs. west concept but at least it would give the fans decent basketball to watch.

A change is needed for sure. I really do not have any good idea on this matter.

Originally Posted by GH0STrider

As for Nash- he usually does turn the ball over 3-4 times a game. He is on top of the list for turnovers per game. It's because the ball is always in his hand and he is always trying to do something with it. he dishes 12 assists to 3 turnovers a game, still not bad at all.

Yeah, I know. Still, he is awesome when he is on... a bit scary actually.

Originally Posted by GH0STrider

edit: Anyone else wonder how good the Washington Wizards would be if their big 3 actually all played 82 games?

You know? I actually thought about that before the season, and the Wiz were one of the teams on my to-keep-an-eye-on list. That said, I think for the Wiz's long term future, Arenas' injury is actually a good thing. He is too much of a ball hog, man. All their younger guys do not have a chance for development with he is on the floor. And I don't think Butler would have the kind of year he had (before he got hurt) if Arenas was still running the show either.


Speaking of injury, man, I would hate to be a Mavs fan right around now. With Dirk out and 7 out of their next 12 games on the road, while you still have teams like the Jazz, Hornets, Warriors etc coming to your home court... man, suddenly the Mavs could actually drop out of the playoffs entirely!!! Amazing, just amazing.

[GH0STrider]

Originally Posted by Azyiu

I am not sure about this talk regarding Hughes, but I also heard the Bulls are considering Rick Carlisle as their next head coach. He is a good coach and all, but he is NOT the right guy for the Bulls. His style is too much like Scott Skiles, and if Skiles didn't work out in Chicago; I don't think Carlisle is going to change things by much. Your thoughts?

There is nothing to not be sure about regarding hughes. The bulls and most of the fans are pleased with what he brings to the table, but they could find a player who does many of the things he does for a much cheaper price. From day one chicago sports media has talked about how great it was to get hughes because his contract will be much easier to deal that wallace's. He makes about 3 mil less and is much more productive. Pax would never come out and agree or specualte this (cause he is such a professional) but he has hinted at it during conferences. Hughes isn't worth 12-13 mil, especially when you have a guy on your roster like sefolosha. thabo has really improved this season. He has been consistent with his shot and on the ball defesivly. He is also a big 2 guard (larger than hughes) that can distribute and knock down the long range shot. Also keep in mind for a shooting guard hughes can't shoot for shit. He's averaging 37 percent this season and has never gone over 43 for his career. trust me- If Thabo continues to develop like this - hughes will be nothing more than an after thought.

Carlisle- Azyiu- Another thing the media has been on fire about here is the firing of scot skiles. Here is the thing about skile's system. Everybody needs to be aboard with him. All it takes is one player to not follow along and the system is weakend. That is why he would be a great college coach. In the college game the coach is king. In the nba the player generally make more money and feel they utimatly have control. Which is fucked up in its own right, but that is another debate. that being said- don't blame the bull's disapointing season on skiles. It is not his fault. Blame the players. They let stupid trade rumars get into their heads. They let money get in the way. Inuries happened- but like you and I always say, that is just part of the game. But the other two examples should not be. Unlike their coach- they did not behave like the professionals that they were supposed to be. Skiles did everything he could to right the ship, utimatly he went to pax and said that this team was not listening and maybe needed a new voice. He was then fired. the players let their egos control this season, which is bullshit. these guys' have done nothing to garnish having egos. They haven't won anything. They are headed to the lottery- but keep this mind. Skiles would have at least given that team a .500 season and another playoff push. Boylan could't even keep this team within contention.