NBA Games Discussion Thread

Upper Decker · Post #1021 » by **Upper Decker** » Sat Apr 13, 2013 1:25 pm

The overwhelming sentiment on twitter, blogosphere, and RealGM is that D'Antoni is to blame for Kobe's injury because he played him so much down the stretch. Is an achilles tear more likely because a player plays 46MPG over 10 days? If he only played 40 minutes per game would it not have happened? From what I know about achilles tears, admittedly very little, is that they just happen for no real rhyme or reason. I recall Fred Davis' injury last year against the Gnats and their cheating owner. It was a non-contact injury that just happened. It seems way too reactionary to blame D'Antoni for this especially when I believe Kobe and D'Antoni spoke a few weeks ago and Kobe basically said he wants to play every minute so they can make the playoffs. D’Antoni is culpable for a zillion other things, but this doesn’t seem like one of them.

FAH1223 · Post #1022 » by **FAH1223** » Sat Apr 13, 2013 4:17 pm

nate33 wrote:The only two Achilles injuries I recall were Chauncey Billups and Elton Brand. Both players were shadows of themselves after coming back.

Dominique Wilkins suffered the same injury at age 32 in 1992. He came back the next season and averaged 30 points a game, 2nd to Jordan.

From that interview last night and his rant on facebook, Kobe doesn't seem like he is retiring anytime soon. This might actually have him play beyond next season due to this injury probably costing him ATLEAST half the season next year.

But then again, its Kobe and he's done crazy stuff before. I wouldn't even put it past him to be back by opening night which is almost 7 months away. Doesn't mean he will be putting up the same numbers obviously.

Post #1023 » by **nate33** » Sat Apr 13, 2013 7:46 pm

Upper Decker wrote:The overwhelming sentiment on twitter, blogosphere, and RealGM is that D'Antoni is to blame for Kobe's injury because he played him so much down the stretch. Is an achilles tear more likely because a player plays 46MPG over 10 days? If he only played 40 minutes per game would it not have happened? From what I know about achilles tears, admittedly very little, is that they just happen for no real rhyme or reason. I recall Fred Davis' injury last year against the Gnats and their cheating owner. It was a non-contact injury that just happened. It seems way too reactionary to blame D'Antoni for this especially when I believe Kobe and D'Antoni spoke a few weeks ago and Kobe basically said he wants to play every minute so they can make the playoffs. D’Antoni is culpable for a zillion other things, but this doesn’t seem like one of them.

I agree, Upper Decker. People always like a scapegoat, and they always blame their scapegoats using 20/20 hindsight. The same people would have complained that D'Antoni should have played Kobe more if it so happened that the Lakers missed the playoffs by one game with Kobe just playing 37 minutes a night.

Kanyewest · Post #1024 » by **Kanyewest** » Sat Apr 13, 2013 10:05 pm

Barkely compared the Kobe situation to RG3 situation the day before the Kobe injury. On Thursday, he said it was the responsibility of the coach to take out the player because the player was often going to suck it up and think that they are tougher than they are.

That being said, the Kobe and RG3 situations are completely different. Kobe was playing great before his injury. Still, not taking any rest at all was a bit reckless. But yeah, people want to put the blame on someone in this situation but I agree that the injury is just unfortunate.

pancakes3 · Post #1025 » by **pancakes3** » Sat Apr 13, 2013 10:11 pm

My take on the injury is that yes, the achilles is a freak accident that can strike at any time but you aren't doing yourself any favors by playing so many minutes. Beyond just the minutes - when the body gets tired it compensates and those awkward compensations in posture/movement often result in some pretty nasty injuries.

hands11 · Post #1026 » by **hands11** » Sun Apr 14, 2013 12:34 am

nate33 wrote:
hands11 wrote:http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400278865

Looks like I missed a good game here. OKC taken down my NY

Wow. Melo is just lighting it up

Past 4 games

50, 40, 41 and 36 pts

Wonder how many players have done that.

Last year, Kobe scored 48, 40, 42, 42 in consecutive games.

In 2003, Kobe scored 46, 42, 51, 44, 40, 52, 40, 40, 41 in 9 consecutive games.

Kobe has scored 40 or more in 3 or more consecutive games 7 times. Melo is the first person other than Kobe to do it since Iverson went for 54, 51, 40 in 2004.

Pretty impressive.

Oh to walk down memory lane. I remember when Melo was looking to move teams and talking about him being one of a handful of front court players that will dominate the coming years and people going nahh, you don't want him. Same think I heard about Kobe when he was looking to get moved.

Wait a minutes. Whats this.

NBA Rumors: Knicks Sign Solomon Jones, Not James Singleton; Waive Kurt Thomas

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1602 ... urt-thomas

hands11 · Post #1027 » by **hands11** » Sun Apr 14, 2013 12:42 am

sfam wrote:Pretty amazing that a team with the best big man (Dwight Howard), one of the best SG's of all time (Kobe), a two time MVP PG (Nash) and an all star big (Pau Gasol) won't be making the playoffs. Its not a certainty, but right now its Utah's to lose. If Mike D'Antoni isn't fired 5 minutes after the regular season ends, something is truly amiss.

Reminds me of the MN football team back when they have Hershel Walker and tones of All Pros.

Sometimes, you can have to much top shelf talent.

I always like the model that was, some vets, some mid agers, some youth. A nice blend.

On a side note....

Monta-Ellis-Likely-To-Opt-Out-Of-Final-Year-With-Bucks
http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/22 ... With-Bucks

Why ?

Post #1028 » by **nate33** » Tue Apr 16, 2013 2:03 pm

This guy is amazing:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NajKT1wPaI[/youtube]

But hey, at least we got to rent Mike Miller and Randy Foye for a season.

pancakes3 · Post #1029 » by **pancakes3** » Tue Apr 16, 2013 2:57 pm

He's got one of the best contracts in the league. 4 years 44 mil.

Nivek · Post #1030 » by **Nivek** » Tue Apr 16, 2013 4:02 pm

The play at 24 seconds in is EXACTLY the reason why the NBA needs to get photographers from under the basket. Curry stepped on the guy's foot. If his angle had been just a little different, it would have been a sprained or broken ankle.

Yeah, Curry is terrific.

MikeTheKid · Post #1031 » by **MikeTheKid** » Wed Apr 17, 2013 5:56 pm

Knicks sign Earl the Pearl Barron Lulz

pancakes3 · Post #1032 » by **pancakes3** » Wed Apr 17, 2013 6:32 pm

Big games tonight. Houston/LA, both will gain in winning. Houston potentially moves up a spot if GSW lose and get to play Denver instead of the Spurs and of course LA clinches with their win. Our tank game with Chicago has playoff seeding implications as well as lotto seeding implications. Sac faces the Clippers who will face the Grizzlies no matter what, so SAC could feasibly win, tying us in the lotto (assuming we lose tonight). Also, the Warriors - whose loss will help the Rockets are playing the Blazers and Curry is 2 three-pointers short of tying Ray Allen's single-season record.

FAH1223 · Post #1033 » by **FAH1223** » Thu Apr 18, 2013 2:33 pm

Pau Gasol looks to have turned the clock back to 2010. He's played great basketball in April with 17 pts 20 rebounds and 11 assists last night. D'Antoni finally figured he can play the two bigs together. Spurs should still beat Lakers in 5-6 games IMO.

Rockets vs. OKC should have a lot of games like 118-111 type scores.

I also hope Memphis can exact revenge on the Clippers for last season.

Western Conference playoffs looks to be more exciting than the East where we already know Miami will be crowned East champions for the 3rd straight season. Miami shouldn't even play their starters vs. the Bucks after the first couple games. Seriously lol

verbal8 · Post #1034 » by **verbal8** » Thu Apr 18, 2013 6:40 pm

FAH1223 wrote:Western Conference playoffs looks to be more exciting than the East where we already know Miami will be crowned East champions for the 3rd straight season. Miami shouldn't even play their starters vs. the Bucks after the first couple games. Seriously lol

They might win, but Stern's head would explode lol

DaRealHibachi · Post #1035 » by **DaRealHibachi** » Fri Apr 19, 2013 6:58 am

Byron Scott and Lawrence Frank fired because there's no sign of improvement... Both have had a worse/equally worse season as we had..

The Wizards on the other hand, continue in mediocrity with Grunfeld.. :nonono:

Why do we support this team??

pancakes3 · Post #1036 » by **pancakes3** » Fri Apr 19, 2013 3:07 pm

Those coaches were fired but the GM's stood pat. I'm glad Wittman didn't get the axe but it's essentially EG saying "Look, it's not Randy's fault. It's mine, but I'm sure as hell not going to fire myself."

Nivek · Post #1037 » by **Nivek** » Fri Apr 19, 2013 5:01 pm

pancakes3 wrote:Those coaches were fired but the GM's stood pat. I'm glad Wittman didn't get the axe but it's essentially EG saying "Look, it's not Randy's fault. It's mine, but I'm sure as hell not going to fire myself."

That didn't stop him from firing Eddie Jordan or Flip Saunders. Just sayin'.

MikeTheKid · Post #1038 » by **MikeTheKid** » Sat Apr 20, 2013 7:51 pm

Something that completely slipped my mind.....................Big Balls is playing in the playoffs!!!

sfam · Post #1039 » by **sfam** » Sun Apr 21, 2013 2:59 am

Wow, the Brooklyn game was brutal. If Rose doesn't come back, Chicaco could be swept.

Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using RealGM Forums mobile app

Post #1040 » by **montestewart** » Sun Apr 21, 2013 5:53 am

MikeTheKid wrote:Something that completely slipped my mind.....................Big Balls is playing in the playoffs!!!

Also Blatche and McGee. Call it Revenge of the Knuckleheads II (straight to cable)