He cracked a couple Shaq jokes. The whole thing started with a taped video intro from Kobe, then some words from Phil Jackson (who was showered with "We Want Phil!" chants) and Jeannie Buss. Jerry West was there too. I don't know when this ceremony was planned but doing it in front of Dwight Howard is pretty smart.
Well I guess the Mavs are pretty much out of it now. It's between Utah and the Lakers to get that final spot.
John Wall bringing it again yesterday. That's an understatement -- 27 points on 17 shots, 9 assists, 8 boards, 3 blocks, 1 turnover. He was borderline brilliant. If you play off him, he pulls up for the midrange jumper, if you press him he drives, if you collapse he passes. Much calmer and better than he was 2 years ago. He's might be the most underrated player in the NBA. Alright he is the most underrated player.
Ah, Melo. Knicks should worry me more than they do, because they're pretty good this year. But they never play like that against Chicago. I don't even believe in the matchup theory, I know it's basically bogus, but it's easy to get lulled into thinking that way when your team whups on another in the regular season.
Hmm - I personally think there's something to it - some teams just have another team's number for no other explicable reason.
We may find out soon enough, because the Bulls probably will finish as the #6 seed and face either NY or Indiana in the first round. Bulls now have Rose (of course), Noah, Rip, Marco, and Taj on the sidelines. They'll be a pretty good playoff team if they get most of those guys back, but this being the Bulls that's probably a long shot.
But dude, the anemic Heat were right up there with them until the fourth. That guy always has some crazy signs. I actually like this one. Typical LA'ish rich Laker fan dude. See benni's post. Not only did not thank any of his players, but then again gives a shot out to all of the celebrities Lulz. We want Phil! We want Phil! Good to see him back. How weird and awkward for DAntoni. Bu tI hope that lits a fire in his ass that he has the expectations of winning rings like Pat Riely and Phil. Smart effin move. I hope it lits a fire under his candy ass and realizes the expectations of putting on the purple and gold. If he is gonna stay, then he must accept the challenge and bring us at least ring. If he runs with this tail behind and goes somewhere else, then he could not deal with the pressure. I also thought it was a planned move to play the Superman theme. Curry. But then again, I have not seen John Wall play this season yet. I just know he is putting up some really good numbers.
Curry gets props from NBA fans who realize he belonged in the All Star game. Wall does not. On the other hand, Wall wasn't this good until 2 months ago. Call it a draw then.
I watched the Shaq speech just wondered if I missed thanking Kobe - I mean the dude does a video for you and you can't even give him props but you thank Diane Cannons' altered face? WTF? We all know he's a clown but just seemed in poor taste to me especially since their Laker's success was tied to the hip.
That was Shaq's team. Kobe has five rings and two of them are Shaq's. I exaggerate a bit, but only a bit- to say that their success was tied at the hip is ignoring the impact on the league that Shaq had.
Joe Smith and Joe Barry Carroll were #1s, too, and they weren't much good. People were starting to say that John Wall belonged in that group. For example, from a year ago - http://www.examiner.com/article/john-wall-failed-to-improve-significantly-his-second-nba-season I don't know anybody who thought that John Wall was a Top 50 NBA player entering the 2012-13 season.
I don't remember Smith or Carroll ever being considered underrated. A #1 pick is either a bust or lives up to his potential. I'd say the least you can expect from a #1 is that he gets his team in the playoffs by the end of his rookie contract (unless the team's FO is a disaster). Sure, Wizards are getting wins now but they're getting them when they don't matter. If he stays healthy most of next season then they should get in the Eastern Conf playoffs no problem. My rating for him is incomplete.
Just was on a board where a guy placed Wall, Lowry, Lin, and Teague in the 4th rank of NBA point guards, and nobody argued the point. So don't use the word underrated, say disrespected. That man is disrespected. Lin? Lowry? Teague? Are you kidding me?