Lakers

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

Pretty much.

The 4-0 sweep of the defending champ isn't without precedent. IIRC, the Bad Boys got swept as did the Rockets after their back to back titles. Threepeats are tough to come by.

So the Pistons got swept by a dynasty team, the Laker team referenced later got swept by a Pistons team that was clearly tough, and the Rockets got swept by one of the most talented teams to never win a title.

The fact that some past champions have gotten swept before doesn't mean it isn't an impressive feat, especially when the defending champs' roster looks like it did for LA this year.

The point remains: what the Mavs did on the court in the series says far more about their "toughness" than the lack of preening and posturing following Bynum's foul. I've been really pissed off in the past when the soft Jazz stood and did nothing when Deron took a hard foul, but that was in a regular season game when suspensions wouldn't matter as much and went to just validate the already overwhelming proof about how soft the team was. It doesn't mean nearly as much when your team is killing it on the court, were just presented with a situation a minute earlier where an opponent took a cheap foul in a game that was over, and when you've got to prepare for the WC finals.

[Surfah]

So the Pistons got swept by a dynasty team, the Laker team referenced later got swept by a Pistons team that was clearly tough, and the Rockets got swept by one of the most talented teams to never win a title.

The fact that some past champions have gotten swept before doesn't mean it isn't an impressive feat, especially when the defending champs' roster looks like it did for LA this year.

The point remains: what the Mavs did on the court in the series says far more about their "toughness" than the lack of preening and posturing following Bynum's foul. I've been really pissed off in the past when the soft Jazz stood and did nothing when Deron took a hard foul, but that was in a regular season game when suspensions wouldn't matter as much and went to just validate the already overwhelming proof about how soft the team was. It doesn't mean nearly as much when your team is killing it on the court, were just presented with a situation a minute earlier where an opponent took a cheap foul in a game that was over, and when you've got to prepare for the WC finals.

What the Mavs did says more about the Lakers than their own team. And by acknowledging the sweeps I am not trying to diminish the accomplishment, so much as saying it happens. For whatever reason runs come to an abrupt end it seems. See the Spurs as another example.

[TripletDaddy]

That was a weird question in Phils interview. Asking about Douglas Fairbanks? Was that guy authorized to be in there?

Here is the video from that weird question. Turns out the guy goes by the name "Scoops" Callahan. He is a Dallas guy that uses a 1920's style vernacular when interviewing teams. Kind of a funny schtick.

[YOUTUBE]KOdyiRlSxzk[/YOUTUBE]

Here is couple of other clips interviewing Brady and the Hoodie

[YOUTUBE]UZTGJKnwIu8[/YOUTUBE]

[FN Phat]

Center?

[Jacob]

Is this some sort of prognostication for the Lakers? LOL.

The statement speaks for itself.

As for my prognostication for the Lakers, that all depends on how management reacts and whether they over-react, under-react, or are able to swindle someone like the Magic.

My own hope is that they keep starting Fisher and Artest. That would assure their demise. There's no way they get anyone to take Ron Artest in a trade, so the Lakers will have to figure out what to do with him for the next 3 years he's under contract. Only 2 more years of Derek Fisher.

In retrospect, would you agree that it was a bad decision to sign Artest to replace Ariza, who they could have re-signed for the same contract they gave Artest? Especially considering that Ariza is 25 and Artest is 31? Ariza is no world-beater, but the next 3 years of Artest are not going to be pretty. This one certainly wasn't.

But really, I wouldn't blow up the team. Lakers need 2 players. 1) a backup post player to allow Odom to spend more time at the 3 and point forward; and 2) an athletic point or combo guard who can shoot 3s and defend. they thought they were getting a 3 point shooter in Blake, who decided to have the worst season of his career. Now they have 3 more years of Blake, who is also 31.

I'm changing my mind as I write this. I thought LA would be fine, but with Artest, Blake and Fisher signed long-term they don't have the flexibility to add the contributors they need. Maybe they will have to trade one of the main 4.

[Surfah]

The statement speaks for itself.

As for my prognostication for the Lakers, that all depends on how management reacts and whether they over-react, under-react, or are able to swindle someone like the Magic.

My own hope is that they keep starting Fisher and Artest. That would assure their demise. There's no way they get anyone to take Ron Artest in a trade, so the Lakers will have to figure out what to do with him for the next 3 years he's under contract. Only 2 more years of Derek Fisher.

In retrospect, would you agree that it was a bad decision to sign Artest to replace Ariza, who they could have re-signed for the same contract they gave Artest? Especially considering that Ariza is 25 and Artest is 31? Ariza is no world-beater, but the next 3 years of Artest are not going to be pretty. This one certainly wasn't.

But really, I wouldn't blow up the team. Lakers need 2 players. 1) a backup post player to allow Odom to spend more time at the 3 and point forward; and 2) an athletic point or combo guard who can shoot 3s and defend. they thought they were getting a 3 point shooter in Blake, who decided to have the worst season of his career. Now they have 3 more years of Blake, who is also 31.

I'm changing my mind as I write this. I thought LA would be fine, but with Artest, Blake and Fisher signed long-term they don't have the flexibility to add the contributors they need. Maybe they will have to trade one of the main 4.

I am hoping Fisher does the Lakers a solid and retires. The Blake signing was for one season too many. Same with Artest. Going back I wouldn't redo the Artest signing. Artest won the Lakers a ring last year. I am not sure the Lakers win it last year with Ariza. That alone was worth it. Besides, Ariza had his chance to re-sign and thought he was worth a lot more than the market proved. Artest came in and signed the same contract he was offered, then got the same thing from Houston.

The first thing the Lakers need to do is settle the coaching situation. I think B Shaw gets it, mostly because I think Kobe will push for it so they keep the triangle. But we'll see.

[LiveCoug]

Never really caught onto the Rangers. Always felt like they were more from Fort Worth than Dallas. In the "old" days, Arlington felt really far away vs. getting on Central Expwy and getting to Reun Arena or getting to Irving.

Reggie was my favorite ball player, so easy to love the Yankees

So, you are a Fort Worth Cowboys fan, but not a Fort Worth Rangers fan?

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=rangers+ballpark+in+arlington+tx&daddr=925+N+Collins+St,+Arlington,+Texas+76011+(Cowboys+Stadium)&hl=en&geocode=Fee98wEdVKM2-iHJ5vYIIDNoxw%3BFZix8wEdqng2-iHr-1B70-ORPQ&mra=pd&sll=32.825502,-97.053369&sspn=0.483528,0.883026&ie=UTF8&ll=32.750175,-97.088375&spn=0.015123,0.027595&t=h&z=15

[Surfah]

So, you are a Fort Worth Cowboys fan, but not a Fort Worth Rangers fan?

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...27595&t=h&z=15

To be fair to Viking that is a 13 minute walk. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...27595&t=h&z=15

[Blueintheface]

So, you are a Fort Worth Cowboys fan, but not a Fort Worth Rangers fan?

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...27595&t=h&z=15

For what it's Fort-Worth, I grew up a Dallas fan until I realized that it was the NFL forcing me to like them.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

Man I missed the second half. Sounds like I would have rather watched that half than the first.

Anyway, Bucher on Mike and Mike is saying he's hearing Rick Adelman. :igiveup:

He also is talking about who comes in. He said the Lakers of course will be going after CP3 and Dwight. He said the problem with Orlando is they have salary issues and want to get talent with cap space. Orlando and every other team Bucher. He said the issue though with Dwight, and he said speaking as a friend, is that he hasn't made it known to Orlando yet that he isn't coming back. Until he does that talks aren't going anywhere. But he said Dwight will do that.

Someone else he mentioned that he's heard some chatter about is Rudy Gay to LA. Not sure I like that one either.

I did like Jax leaving the possibility of coming back postgame. I think he may take a year off still. He's probably hoping for a lockout. But if we can get CP3 and DHoward, Buss can buy another year for a buttload of money.

Gilbert Arenas is going to be attached to the hip of Dwight Howard. Bynum + either Gasol or Odom will be packaged up -- most likely Odom.

Getting Howard and CP3 is a pipe dream. Howard is very realistic. The Lakers have better trade bait than any other team that Howard would care to go to. Howard will be the priority. There won't be any trade bait left after Howard. Ideally, the Lakers would trade Bynum + Odom for Howard and Kobe for CP3. That would leave a lineup including CP3, Howard and Gasol which = more championships. Unfortunately, Kobe has a no trade clause and there's no effing way he'll allow himself to be traded to the Hornets or the Magic for that matter (perhaps a three team trade could be engineered?). But I also think Kobe has some left in the tank and Gasol+Howard and Kobe means they're championship contenders again for the next couple years. Obviously, the Lakers have to upgrade the PG position, but I've never understood the idea of pairing Kobe up with some of the guys that have been mentioned over the years -- Kidd, Williams and now CP3. I can't recall when MJ, Kobe or Wade (all very similar players) ever played with an all-NBA point guard. These guys need the ball in their hands.

Speaking of a three team trade -- how about this one -- Kobe to Boston, Rondo and Allen to New Orleans and CP3 + salary to LA. Ainge is the type of guy to pull the trigger on that. I'm not sure, but maybe NO would think that's enough compensation for CP3. Kobe has to go to a contender, otherwise he won't accept the trade. So that leaves Boston, Chicago, Dallas, OKC and Miami. Miami is out of the picture. I can't see Rose and Kobe paired up. OKC wouldn't trade for Kobe. That leaves Dallas and Boston as the only possible destinations -- and I think a Boston team with Kobe, Pierce and KG would be contenders in only the loosest sense, but I could see Kobe thinking they'd be contenders.

With all of that said, Orlando also has Jameer Nelson who would be a nice upgrade over what the Lakers have. Perhaps he could get thrown in the pot along with Howard and Arenas in a trade.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

Right, so now everyone knows that you can punk the Mavs all you want without repercussions (not that it was any secret before - see Artest game 3). It just speaks volumes about that team's toughness. But I suppose being scared of be suspended for Game 1 at home against OKC/Memphis is legitimate.

This is a ridiculous argument. Phoenix may have lost a championship because of their reaction after the Horry to Nash body check. I can promise you that it's drilled in every team's mind to mind their manners after a cheap shot. LA had nothing to lose with the cheap shots while Dallas had everything to lose. You can make assumptions on Dallas's toughness, but the fact is they just kicked your team's ass 4-0 and it was Dallas, not LA, that made critical plays in the two games that were close in the fourth quarter.

[MartyFunkhouser]

I finally saw the plays. Calling that a flagrant foul on Odom was pathetic. I saw the Mavs do that and worse against the Blazers on screens and not get a damn foul called. I say good on Odom for giving Dirk a little bit of pain for the illegal screens that he sets. If Dirk can literally grab someone and move them to a new place on the floor without a foul, the only way to combat that is to hit him. The problem is that Odom should have done that in game one. It was a foul, nowhere near a flagrant foul. Now start calling the illegal shit that Dirk does on every screen he has set in his career. Dirk's next legal screen will be his first. More players should do what Odom did to him.

The play by Bynum was straight up dirty play and he knew it. He was looking to get tossed in that game and he knew it was dirty. You can tell by the way he reacted that he was trying to take him down and hurt him. Bynum should get a 10+ game suspension for that.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

I finally saw the plays. Calling that a flagrant foul on Odom was pathetic. I saw the Mavs do that and worse against the Blazers on screens and not get a @#!*% foul called. I say good on Odom for giving Dirk a little bit of pain for the illegal screens that he sets. If Dirk can literally grab someone and move them to a new place on the floor without a foul, the only way to combat that is to hit him. The problem is that Odom should have done that in game one. It was a foul, nowhere near a flagrant foul. Now start calling the illegal @#!*% that Dirk does on every screen he has set in his career. Dirk's next legal screen will be his first. More players should do what Odom did to him.

The play by Bynum was straight up dirty play and he knew it. He was looking to get tossed in that game and he knew it was dirty. You can tell by the way he reacted that he was trying to take him down and hurt him. Bynum should get a 10+ game suspension for that.

No you didn't.

But the rest was good.

[TripletDaddy]

Since we are talking trades now (NOW you are talking to me, baby...THAT I like! Keep it coming!) a bit of clarification.....what leverage does ORL have that would require the Lakers to trade 2 of their big pieces for Dwight? That seems to be the prevailing sentiment from several folks here.

The entire trade is predicated on Dwight walking away and leaving ORL with nothing. Bynum and Dwight have fairly similar salaries. I think it will be Dwight and junk for Bynum and junk.

I agree that an all-star PG isn't needed.

[Maximus]

I finally saw the plays. Calling that a flagrant foul on Odom was pathetic. I saw the Mavs do that and worse against the Blazers on screens and not get a damn foul called. I say good on Odom for giving Dirk a little bit of pain for the illegal screens that he sets. If Dirk can literally grab someone and move them to a new place on the floor without a foul, the only way to combat that is to hit him. The problem is that Odom should have done that in game one. It was a foul, nowhere near a flagrant foul. Now start calling the illegal shit that Dirk does on every screen he has set in his career. Dirk's next legal screen will be his first. More players should do what Odom did to him.

The play by Bynum was straight up dirty play and he knew it. He was looking to get tossed in that game and he knew it was dirty. You can tell by the way he reacted that he was trying to take him down and hurt him. Bynum should get a 10+ game suspension for that.

video of a mavs player decking a blazer in the face?