NBA

[Jim05]

Rondo off to the Mavs

[Grahaml]

It'll be interesting to see what picks are in that deal, because the 3 players mentioned aren't terribly noteworthy. Even the picks, you'd imagine Dallas won't be entering the lottery for a few seasons so how good could they be? Dallas look massive winners in this to me. Get a huge upgrade without giving up much while Boston wind up with a few guys who aren't playoff team calibre starters IMHO.

[jakovasaurus]

As a Mavs fan I am pretty stoked.

Agree that it appears quite lopsided in our favour. Brandon Wright could easily be a starter for a good team. But apart from him the other guys/pieces aren't really what you'd expect to round out a trade for a perennial all star.

Celtics in a tough spot with Rondo though. No way he stays in Boston and everyone knows that so no one was gonna give anything major up, and just hope he slipped to FA.

Better to get something now than nothing later I guess. Wright is a really nice piece, Crowder will have a long career as a role guy in the league. And Nelson can play meaningful minutes and has an easily manageable contract. Plus picks could be anything.

Glad we were able to nab him though (assuming there's no last minute hitches) and I hope he signs on come end of season.

If he can get back to his defensive beast ways, we are a legit shot at getting out of the toughest conference in the history of the league.

[Gozu]

Pistons release Josh Smith and eat the $35 million left on his contract.

Mavs, Rockets & Clips all interested.

[Grahaml]

And there are reports that Kirilenko (0-5FGA for the season BTW) doesn't want to turn up to the 76ers. Hoping they'll pay out 3 million or so and let him sign with a new team this season. Seems more than a little out of touch to think you shouldn't bother turning up for a 3m payout. Seems to me the rules are a little too far in favour of the players if that's not in breach of contract. So long as those reports are true Philly shouldn't have to pay him and he shouldn't be able to go somewhere else.

[Gozu]

I remember last season when Jason Terry was traded to Sacramento mid-season flat out refused to play for them yet they kept paying him.

Should've been suspended really.

[Jim05]

Happy that Big Phil is cleaning house. JR and Shump traded to the Cavs, Delembert sent packing Bargnani aswell as Amare gone end of season. Time to put Melo on ice and wait for the lottery

[jakovasaurus]

Just needed to get rid of Melo and you'd be sweet.
But also, what's the point in all of this if Jackson/Fisher keep trying to run the triangle? Ain't gonna win shit with that offence anymore no matter who you got on the floor.

[Grahaml]

Just needed to get rid of Melo and you'd be sweet.
But also, what's the point in all of this if Jackson/Fisher keep trying to run the triangle? Ain't gonna win shit with that offence anymore no matter who you got on the floor.

Interesting. I don't think the triangle has passed its use by date by any means but you need the right guys in place to pull it off. I also think Carmelo is a key piece in New York. You don't get out and out superstars that easily and you definitely don't cast them aside without being really careful. He has his issues, but with the cash from Amare's crazy contract available his presence might bring in another big name free agent which is more important for New York right now. Put the right guys around Carmelo, convince him to buy into a team philosophy and New York could definitely start pushing their case in the playoffs.

I also like the moves Cleveland have made. Getting soundly beaten by the Kings right now but Smith gives them a nice option for off guard and leaves Delladova to come off the bench. Mozgov will replace Varejao's minutes well enough and when James returns I think the balance, shooting and depth looks much better than season start. Reports they're trying to get Ray Allen too. Still think it's hard to see them gelling well enough by the end of the season to be a serious threat, but LeBron James will always give you a chance.

[jakovasaurus]

If Melo was a true "superstar". And not just a guy who looks good if you only ever check the box score for points. Then he would consistently have the Knicks going deep in the playoffs in a shitty eastern conference (it's better this year obv)

Melo would be great as a second or third guy, if like you say, he could be convinced to buy into a team philosophy. And you know, play defence.

The triangle is well past it. Unless you have Jordan or Kobe, or are a college team.
The Knicks should be looking to Pop, Bud or Carlisle's offensive schemes as they're the best three on that end of the court. But all their stuff would require Melo to suddenly transform overnight into everything he isn't.

[beef]

Melo proved he wants $$ more than winning when he signed with knicks when he could've signed with the Bulls and be a contender. As a Bulls fan im happy he didnt as Butler is better now anyway and wouldnt have gotten Gasol. Both should be All Stars and unless the fans vote for Melo he will just be watching.

[jakovasaurus]

Butler really is awesome.

As a bulls fan, what are your thoughts on Thibs?
Obviously an incredibly defensive coach. But playing guys high 30 mins a game all season, some guys like Deng previously and now Butler in the 40s, reckon that will cost the Bulls winning anything?
Can't undo those miles come playoffs and teams like the Spurs and others who rest everyone so well for the post season will have the fresh legs if you manage to handle the East.

Atlanta in the east are ticking along incredibly well while keeping minutes down. They're gonna be tough for anyone in the east to beat.

[beef]

Love thibs and jimmy. Don't think the Bulls have the luxury of resting butler when rose still misses a lot of games, doug mc buckets and dunleavey being out plus hinrich stinking it up offensively. Only time will tell if it costs us in the playoffs. I think our (at long times) terrible terrible shooting will be our biggest concern, our defence will keep us in games but aren't going to win to many times shooting 30%. Gasol will hopefully make a difference as he seems to be having his best season in years. Maybe only behind Davis as best power forward in the league. That bloke is a freak. Another loss today to Washington though, don't want to get Cleveland in the first round no matter how much they're struggling at the moment.

[jakovasaurus]

Yeah, Anthony Davis is probably the best player in the league and will only get better. Will be one of the very best to ever play by time he finishes (with the luck needed to have a long career)

[woodublieve12]

Hawks

[BZB27]

Wizards and thunder tied on 92 with 26 seconds left. Pierce has drop two clutch 3's after missng first 6 3's attempt

[BZB27]

Thunder win in OT off a Westbrook drive and lay up with .8 of a second left

[king neptune]

I'd love to see OKC miss the Playoffs cos of that Kiwi prick Steven Adams but won't happen with Durant and Westbrook fit.

[beef]

All star starters announced
East
James
P. Gasol
Anthony
Lowry
Wall

West
Griffin
Davis
Curry
Bryant
M. Gasol

[BZB27]

Klay Thompson set an NBA record by dropping 37 of his teams 41 points in the 3rd qtr he made all 13 of his shots and 2 free throws, he finished with 52 points.

Cleveland set a franchise record by scoring 75 points in the first half.