Portland deserves a breakthrough .... but a reality check's coming once Crash goes down with concussions
Kobe is going to crash so hard this season. His unwillingness to take it easy will be his undoing. He refuses to admit to himself that he can't carry a team for 82 (or 66) games AND then through the playoffs. And I find that hilarious.
I don't think Kobe knows what "taking it easy" means. That's what separates the good from the great. That's the difference between Tmac and Kobe. His mentality that he thinks he can carry a team is what makes him one of the best to ever play. I definitely don't think he's content without having adequate help surrounding him though as evidenced by him calling out Bynum several times throughout his career, the loss of Odom, trade demands etc. With all that said if the Blazers and Lakers face each other in the playoffs. I'm taking the Blazers easily.
Bynum went off hot 7/7 in first half, but 2/9 in the second half. He just doesn't have the condition to run a whole game. Once Portland sends him double team, he didn't know where to pass. The guy had total 2 assists in 4 games. Not having a PG that can create and defend is causing Lakers games. Kobe should be working down low, but Blake can't even get the ball to him there. Plus Gasol's getting abused by Aldridge.
Right now Portland is down 42-26 in the 2nd quarter in Phoenix. They've looked bad. Dead legs after last night's game against the Lakers. I still believe they will come back and win this game. I'll be surprised if they don't make a huge run in the 2nd half.
Well, they blew it off. I don't think Felton ran one break all night after cramming it down the Lakers throat on Thursday. I'm pretty sure it was dead legs. They looked fatigued.
Lakers have a much better chance to come out of the West than the Blazers who are not battle tested at all in the playoffs. The legits in the West are OKC, LAC, Lakers thats it, rest are in tier 2
the Lakers only weakness thus far has been 3 point shooting and point guard production, they have some assets to address the need as the trade deadline comes closer. They're not dealing yet. Kobe's 3s have stunk but once the shooters start spacing the floor Kobe will eat up that mid range area all day like hes doing right now. Most of his shots right now in the 13 to 18 foot area
It's called hitting the hand/wrist/ body contact. You and I don't have the close up view as the ref does, but even looking at the replay most of them were legit calls. You can question Kobe's mentality regarding his team, and that's it. The man KNOWS how to play
I agree with your Lakers comment. Don't agree about OKC and the Clippers. OKC is fatally flawed. They're probably the most talented team. But when the pressure is on, Westbrook blows up. I do not believe they will make it because of this. His mentality is wrong and until he changes that, they are going to lose in the 2nd round, at best the Conference finals. But they can't make it to the Finals or win the Finals without a significant adjustment on his part. I don't think he can do it. I think they are going to have to make a major trade for a true top 10 point guard before they mount a serious run at a championship. The Clippers are too thin and inexperienced. Sure that high-wire act is entertaining and it makes for a lot of cushy wins in the regular season. The playoffs are a different story. They are a dog fight, dirty, nasty, brutal, grind it out matches. The Clippers haven't been there. They will fade in the 2nd round.....if they get to the 2nd round.
But whatever Westbrook can do, Harden and Maynor can make up for it. Some games last year Westbrook was benched in 4th q and Maynor/Harden got it done. I wouldn't rule them out quite yet. As for LAC even though they dont play any defense you got a very experienced backcourt handling the ball and running the plays...Paul, Billups and Mo,they make things for Blake Griffin really easy and Caron is playing his role very well. If they have some health issues that might keep them from being a top tier team but they're legit. They have the right combo of experience, youth and fresh legs. They need some depth in the C position though
no. Miami and who.... Chicago? Seriously, stop. Drose is a monster, but the bulls aren't that good. You shut down rose(which is nearly impossible, i admit), the bulls have nobody else that could put up 20 on a nightly basis. Deng is not the kind of player that is reliable to give you even 15 a night. I would pick OKC over Chicago anyday. 2 all stars are better than one(boozer and noah aren't all star caliber palyers)...
*excuse me, 20 a night. and he isn't much of an iso player either that can take pressure off of rose.
You obviously haven't watched Chicago this year. The balanced scoring is what they lacked in the playoffs last year. Rose's scoring and shot attempts are both down but they look much better on the offensive end than last year's squad. And their defense is still unbelievable. I wouldn't be surprised if Chicago ends up with the best record of the NBA again. Yet Miami is going to beat them in five. This is how scary the Heat has become. Adding a few nice role players (instead of the old and washed up veterans from last year) makes all the difference in the world. Nobody in the West comes close to these two. Sorry but the West has become the weaker conference.
Another big difference is Lebron doing less in the 4th and letting Wade do more in the 4th. Last year it was 50/50
