NBA 2010-11

[MarkGrace]

Uh, Houston? Wow. Most had this team pegged as a playoff team, and some thought they'd challenge for a top 4 seed. Certainly injuries are having a major impact, but 3-10?

[MartyFunkhouser]

I watched the second half of the Heat game while on the treadmill. U.G.L.Y. Bron was disinterested. I think he took maybe 1-2 shots in the 4th quarter and one of those was a 3 in the final minute and a half. But Wade looked horrible. I don't know if his wrist is still hurting or what, but if I were him I'd definitely blame that game on it. I have never seen a game like that out of him ever. He wasn't even close on shots.

Riles has to be taking over by Christmas now.

Also, Roy Hibbert didn't have a great game, but he doesn't look like the same player I remember form Georgetown. He was active. Getting low into a defensive position when Bosh or Anthony would stretch him out away from the hoop. I was impressed.

Bron Bron just doesn't have a good enough supporting cast, it is all Wade's fault, Bosh is soft defensively, etc. Just be 100% sure that none of this on Bron Bron. He is dragging this team to the playoffs without any help, just like he did in Cleveland.

[MarkGrace]

McGee-Blatche-Wall could be a solid core going forward. We'll see if anything becomes of them.

[MarkGrace]

I keep thinking NJ will turn over the starting PF spot to Favors, but it doesn't seem to be happening. That said, Humphries is playing surprisingly well.

[TripletDaddy]

I wonder how this Mia experiment is going to affect the potential repeat of the same thing in NYC. Carmelo, CP and amare.

Which trio would be better suited to win quickly.

Neither trio would have any defensive presence in the paint, but you could make an argument that the Knick trio may have a slight edge. Maybe.

Mia currently one game above .500. Is it still to early to write them off? Meanwhile, the spurs keep creeping below the radar.

[cougjunkie]

I wonder how this Mia experiment is going to affect the potential repeat of the same thing in NYC. Carmelo, CP and amare.

Which trio would be better suited to win quickly.

Neither trio would have any defensive presence in the paint, but you could make an argument that the Knick trio may have a slight edge. Maybe.

Mia currently one game above .500. Is it still to early to write them off? Meanwhile, the spurs keep creeping below the radar.

Spurs in a battle with resurgent Minnesota tonight. Down 3 with 19 seconds left with the ball.

Darko has been lights out lately and Kevin Love has 30 and 20 right now.

[cougjunkie]

Spurs down 21 in the 3rd quarter come back to beat the T-wolves in OT. Their first lead came with 41 seconds left in OT.

Now 13-1 on the season best start in franchise history.

[MarkGrace]

Felton is having a mini-breakout playing some uptempo NY ball.

[smokymountainrain]

Mia currently one game above .500. Is it still to early to write them off? Meanwhile, the spurs keep creeping below the radar.

I don't think it is too early. They have no PG, no big men and a poor head coach.

It's interesting that LeBron's unselfishness - his putting the chance to win over stats, money and personal accolades has ended up costing him both. If he were with Cleveland right now - a decent Cleveland team, btw - they would probably be sitting at about 13-2 right now and he might be leading the league in scoring, getting his 30, 8 and 8. Instead he's having his worst season statistically and Miami is at .500.

[Jacob]

I recall some (Bill Simmons) deriding Amare's early stats in NY and suggesting that such stats, along with Marion's decline are just more proof of Steve Nash's greatness. I though it was a bit early in the season to make such a declaration. Plus, both Amare and Marion were great before Steve Nash came along.

Anyway, Amare has already increased his statistical output to match last year's numbers.

[TripletDaddy]

Since the NBA guys on this board that purposely refrain from discussing the Lakers are now the same NBA guys on this board that purposely refrain from discussing the Heat, I will have to raise this issue myself (I assume mpfunk is currently busy, otherwise he would have beat me to the punch)

Lebron pushes his coach in the middle of a game and gives rise to Bump-gate, a players only meeting after a blowout loss to Dallas, Wade telling the media that Spoelstra "isn't his guy" but he is "[his] coach," and Wade also telling the media that he doesn't want Riley to be the new coach.

What is going on down in South Beach? Will this experiment last an entire season? I am not sure it will last until the All-Star break, let alone the entire season. Also, how does this bode for Lebron's current public image? Does his Q rating continue to drop or can he somehow escape this unscathed? It seems that he will bear the brunt of all of this if it manages to get blown up.

I saw a breakdown of a previous encounter wherein Lebron purposely bumped into his old coach when he was playing for the Cavs. I don't see this story going away anytime soon.

[fusnik]

I think once DWade concedes the mantel of alpha to Bron, who is the greatest baller on the planet, the Heat will be fine.

Wade can be Pippen to Bron's Jordan, but he can't be Jordan, LeBron is just too good.

[MarkGrace]

The Mavs are looking like a pretty good squad with a rejuvenated Chandler. Bench looks solid with good size (Haywood) and some scoring options (Marion, The Jet). They appear to be a team that could make a run in the West.

[TripletDaddy]

Saw this latest piece from Whitlock and thought of MarkGrace. Whitlock calls LBJ "King Blames," which is pretty good.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/l...-change-113010

According to an ESPN story, the Heat players, particularly LeBron, are bothered that Erik Spoelstra is demanding that LeBron conduct himself in a more professional demeanor. Spoelstra has committed the felonious crime of yelling at LeBron in front of his teammates. Spoelstra won’t let LeBron be LeBron the way a parent won’t let a child be an unbathed child day after day.

The story appears to be intentionally leaked by members of Team LeBron -- the clueless group that brought you The Decision — to undermine Spoelstra. In reality, it undermines James.

I enjoy a good LBJ piece but this quote puzzled me.

LeBron James thinks he’s as dedicated to the game as Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Steve Nash and Tyler Hansbrough.

Tyler Hansbrough?

[MarkGrace]

http://www.inflexwetrust.com/2010/12...-james-return/

We'll see how well Cleveland can organize their cheers.