hoops forum

The Lakers lost a close game on Wednesday night to the San Antonio Spurs. The Lakers were down the majority of the game, but with 7 minutes to go in the game, Kobe took over. He nailed a long three from the corner, found Lamar Odom cutting to the basket, ran the pick n’ pop to perfection with Josh Powell, blew by Roger Mason for 2 points and then ran the pick n’ pop with Gasol for another 2 points. He hit the go ahead three to give the Lakers a 111-109 lead with under 20 seconds left in the game. You can’t ask your superstar for much more. Kobe was like a puppet master out there, reading the defense and setting up teammates for easy baskets. But I do have some beef with Kobe. With 12 seconds to go, Kobe walked the ball up the court, allowed the double team to come and then put the game in Trevor Ariza’s hands who was promptly called for a traveling. Although Trevor didn’t travel and was clearly fouled, I can’t blame the refs for not giving him the call. Who is Trevor’s Ariza? He is not getting superstar calls. That loss was on Kobe. Seconds earlier he hit a long three with Roger Mason right up under him. The night before he hit the same three maybe 2 feet further with Shane Battier on him like a winter coat. For some reason Kobe decided not take the shot, which was very disappointing. MJ would have taken that shot and passing would have been the furthest thing from his mind.

The Boston Celtics rebounded this week after losing 7 of 9 games. It always helps when you have a back to back against Chris Bosh and the Toronto Raptors.

The Hawks continue to lose games against quality teams. After getting embarrassed by the Orlando Magic in back to back contests, they followed that up with a loss to the now surging Philadelphia 76ers and then to the Phoenix Suns. If the Hawks are going to get to the next level as a ball club, they have to understand those are the games they are supposed to win. The rest of the month’s schedule will be easy and the Atlanta Canaries can rake up some wins.

Friday Night: Orlando Magic vs. L.A. Lakers.
The road wins stop here for the Orlando Magic as the Lakers win this game easily.

New Orleans Hornets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers. I got the Cavs in this one. I don’t see the Hornets having an answer for LeBron

Saturday Night:
Orlando Magic vs. Denver Nuggets.
Orlando will begin their new road winning streak in this one. Without Carmelo Anthony, Jr. Smith moves into a starting role I don’t quite think he is ready for.

Sunday:
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Arizona Cardinals.
The Cardinals had a magical season and Kurt Warner showed he has a little something left in the tank. Larry Fitzgerald emerged as one of the premier receivers in the league and Anquan Bolden is expected to play. The Cardinals are playing at home, with all these intangibles but I have to go with the Philadelphia Eagles. It is Donovan’s year, and he has been one of the top three quarterbacks in the NFL over the last 5 years. I’m glad to see him playing in his 6 NFC Championship. Go EAGLES.

Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Stealers
They say three times is a charm, but not in the Ravens case. I got the Steelers beating them a third time at home.

MLK Day:
Hold on to your seats
LeBron vs. Kobe
This is probably the best match up NBA fans can see since Magic vs. Bird. These two players are that good. Last year LeBron won the battle playing stone cold defense on Kobe Bryant. I don’t think Kobe expected LeBron to play defense with so much intensity last year in the match up, I believe he caught Kobe off guard. After watching Kobe for the last 10 years or so, I can say with 100% certainty the he will be looking for pay back. I got the Lakers by 10 this one. Until next week.

Name	Comment
Stu Parker	wow. after reading this blog....You are spot on. I do not deny Kevin Garnett's ability as a player but HATE the BS stuff he does...All negative crap.
	This is a very unfair article. Garnett is an Olympic Gold Medalist, an MVP, an ALL STAR MVP, an ALL NBA member and an NBA Champion... you know how many current players can say that? 2 others (Shaq & Kobe) and they are all considered among the best players at their respected positions in the HISTORY of basketball. The same should be said for K.G.
	This is a very unfair article. Garnett is an Olympic Gold Medalist, an MVP, an ALL STAR MVP, an ALL NBA member and an NBA Champion... you know how many current players can say that? 2 others (Shaq & Kobe) and they are all considered among the best players at their respected positions in the HISTORY of basketball. The same should be said for K.G.
Ra	This is blasphemy. I hope a Celtics fan did not write this article.
KWAPT	How old is that clip of KG? C'mon..of course that was a punk move, but what was that, 10 years ago? It's simple: KG is a fierce competitor who uses intimiadation and mental toughness to strike fear in the heart of his opponents. If he is on your team, you LOVE him. If he is not, you may loathe him. But either way, he is a great player. You cannot deny that.
Alex	Wow, now we are going to call an Olympic Gold Medalist, an MVP, an ALL STAR MVP, an ALL NBA member, an NBA Champion, a player that has more 20-10-5 seasons than Larry Bird, Defender of the Year (2008 and most likely, this year) overrated? Hmm, right now I'm kind of smelling a bit of jealousy mixed with stupidity in this article.
Tweedster	This blog is poorly written, scattered and incoherent. Thankfully, someone else already tackled the inconsistencies and leaps of logic. Check it out hear: http://celticshub.com/2009/10/22/did-you-hear-kg-is-overrated/
Tweedster	Some actual statistics, and not just conjecture and strange conclusions based on the number of 'chips KG has. http://www.celticstown.com/is-kevin-garnett-clutch.html
SP	ron campbell must love the Lakers. Or the Cav's. Or the Magic. but he doesn't know @$@@ about basketball!
Ed The Sports Fan	I'm sorry, there's no way in life Allen Iverson isn't in the starting 5, especially ahead of Nash. Give a damn about MVP's, Iverson's done more with much much MUCH less and totally revolutionized the game. Other than that, I think your decade team is cool. -Ed.
Lebron is the King	The way you analyzed your stats is flawed. If your saying Bird is better because he hits more 3 pointers, scores more, and passes more, your wrong. Bird had exceptional teammates which explains some assists. Now Bird was a great 3 point shooter and you said Duncan was a "center playing a power forward". Now if he does this, why would you bash it? All it shows is how versatile Duncan is in his position on the court. Duncan although not a flashy player, showed dominance under the goal. Duncan didnt need to pass because he could school anyone under the goal. Duncan is better because he has more rings. End of story. And to your comment on "We will never see another Larry Bird." Well we see a better one now, he goes by Ray Ray.