Averaging 20+ points in a 6 game series and doing so in an 82 game season is a major difference. I just don't see it with Dwight Howard. As previously noted, first of all, all superstars need a co-star in today's league and a strong supporting cast as well... but a guy like Dwight Howard, IMO, will never be able to "lead" his team to a title unless he becomes the second option on offense. His post game is EXTREMELY limited. I think Section pointed it out earlier, it's as limited as Zo's was coming out of Georgetown, but the only difference is that Zo improved upon that drastically. Sure Dwight Howard is still merely 24 years old, but I have seen no signs to lead me to believe that he will ever become a dominate post player offensively. Once again, like you said, I can't read into the future... however, I have to base what I think will happen on the future with what I've seen thus far. I don't see Dwight Howard winning a title without a big time perimeter player by his side, and I'm not talking Parker/Gibobili... I'm talking Kobe/LeBron/Wade/Durant/Melo.
Didn't take offense to any of your posts, bro... we were having fun in my eyes. That's what sucks about message boards. The "tone" behind these posts are unknown. That's why I'm misunderstood on here; I'm a crazy dude who says a lot of things that can be taken out of context. Rarely ever do I mean any harm. I've been called a "Magic Hater" several times on these boards, so I was just addressing how I really feel.
Well, the deal with Orlando is with Howard and Nelson there, they will be a great team moving forwards, the problem is the fillin pieces around those two. Vince Carter lived down to Sect's expectations for him, but he cannot be moved as his contract is massive, so whom they have, they will have for the next couple of years and while really good, will they be great? I did notice Howard started using a baby hook ala Ewing and he looked good while doing so, and the good big men in the NBA are growing old or are injured often..Ming/Oden come to mind, Duncan is beginning to decline, there just aren't that many good bigs in the NBA anymore.
Please keep up your stellar predictions. Feed the hate...Mamba is fueled by it. That shot over Grant Hill with less than a minute left was absolutely criminal. Straight up dirty. I am pretty sure Kobe just ruined everyone's life that plays for the Suns. I expect 12-15 bankruptcy filings tomorrow morning and at least 4 divorces. The best part was when Kobe was sitting on the bench and L.A. started unraveling. He basically assessed the situation, went and checked in, and took over. I love his mantal makeup right now. Lakers-Celtics again. Maybe not as sexy this time around, but hopefully a better outcome for us Lakers fans.
Beat L.A chants here we go.... This has the makings of a classic 7 game series, in wich the best "closer" in the NBA (Kobe who is 0-2 in the playoffs in GW shots) is bailed out again by G-ASSol, or Artest. Expose these guys Celtics.
OK, so? I never said he had to be the 1st option on offense. And he doesnt have to be in order to lead his team to a title. He can be the 2nd option and lead his team to a title. Second, Dwight DID average 20+ for an 82 game season the previous 2 years, in 07-08 and 08-09. And he doesnt need another MVP candidate to win a title bro. But he needs what VC was SUPPOSED to be... in a guy that can create his own offense and take guys off the dribble.
Boston vs LA Lakers Boston (Series) (165) Lakers (Series) (-190) Championship Game 1 / On ABC 701 BOSTON (100) 702 LA LAKERS -5.5 (100)
You do realize that Kobe closed out the Suns pretty much by himself in the second half yesterday right? In fact, he had to go up against his own teammates (Vujacic) and double/triple teams, and STILL rose above and sank impossible shots. Even Suns coach Alvin Gentry could only laugh as Kobe killed his team directly in front of him. He may have missed two buzzer beaters in these playoffs, but he is, without a doubt, STILL the best closer in the game. You know you would take him on your Knicks in a heartbeat.
He is really making progress with that. Another move he makes that is nice, but he doesnt do enough of (and needs to continue to improve upon) is after the spin, a pump, and then step through once the defender is committed. Dwight does the spin and hook/layup pretty nicely, but after the spin, defenders know whats coming. A couple of times this series, he spun, did a pump faking his normal hook/layup right there, got the defender to committ, and stepped through for a layup/dunk. He keeps working on that move, and it will make him more versatile down low. I know Hakeem contacted him during this series, and I think Dwight is going to be working with him a lot this summer. Hopefully Dream can help him take his offense to the next level...
Exactly, and he has to learn how to draw the continuation foul while still getting off his shot, he is so talented that once that defender is comitted he should be able to draw that foul at will. Hmm, imho Howard isn't the athlete Dream was, Hakeem was more mobile and fluid imho.
I'm sure he reads these boards, especially to follow your postings on how awesome the lakers are.............after they win of course.
Oh please, like my Laker fandom has ever been in question here. If you check this very thread, you will notice that I predicted a Laker loss in the Finals. I make no bones about what I think of my team. Don't get mad because your Sonics failed to make the playoffs...again.
Fun Fact: The 78-79 Sonics were the last team to win a championship without an All NBA player. The 09-10 Boston Celtics do not not have one on the roster.
My point is that essentially he needs to become the second option... and I truly believe that and haven't seen to lead me to believe otherwise. And I was talking about this season. Dwight's offensive post game is still weak. He's only dominate on one side of the ball. Again, there is nothing that leads me to be confident in him ever being as dominant as guys in the Shaq/Duncan class. He's a Robin to me... a great Robin... but definitely not a Batman. I don't see it.
My point was that hes done it in consecutive years very recently, so he is quite capable of it. So, to say he cant be that is just inaccurate... especially considering he is improving in that area, not regressing. And when you say nothing leads you to be confident that he'd be as dominant as Shaq/Duncan... do you mean only on the offensive end? Or are you talking about overall? B/c Dwight's defense is already much more dominant than either of those 2 were. And again, when you call him a Robin... are you talking about on the offensive end only? B/c as a team leader and overall tone setter for the team, he absolutely is already a Batman. I dont feel a guy needs to be a dominant offensive player to "lead" his team to a title. Especially when the guy can already put up 20+ points as is... and is still getting better in that respect.
It would be the first time ever that an MVP is named from a losing team, right? Actually, if you ar elooking at Kobe's last 11 games in the playoffs, I am not sure he has ever had a better stretch in his career, postseason or otherwise. He his hitting an INSANE percentage on long range two's and is up across the board with his stats. If he keeps that up, it will be impossible to stop the Lakers. Especially since if they come even close to scoring like how they did against Phoenix, Boston will be done by halftime.
Damn good bet. Fisher will be toasted by Rondo... Celtics win... Pierce has to deal with Artest and his fouls... Allen won't score enough... Garnett is a defensive presence now... Makes perfect sense.
That is why I said IF L.A. comes close to their scoring output against the Suns. That zone got figured out relatively quickly. Boston is much tougher, but if Kobe's streak continues in these playoffs, it won't really matter what they do. Let him post up, let him shoot long range jumpers, or foul him and hope he misses. If L.A. averages around 100 points a game, I think they win handily. If they are in the 80's and 90's...it plays to Boston's strengths, obviously. And I ABSOLUTELY HATE the 2-3-2 set up for the finals. It makes zero sense to switch for the finals.
If you truly believe that, 15 to 1 odds right now on him. I think if Boston wins, Rondo has a great chance at being the reason why.
What a stupid post. You point out that Kobe is 0-2 in game-winning shots and Gasol and Artest "bailed him out".......well how about Kobe bailing them out how many times in these playoffs with Ron's bad shooting % jacking up all those 3's and Gasol always disappearing in the 4th quarter. You don't think Kobe is the best closer in the NBA? So then who is? And you better not say some dumb **** like Wade. Don't get me wrong, I believe Wade is top 3 in the NBA, but no one is remotely close to being clutch like Kobe is.
As a Celtics fan, I think Gasol is the key to this series. I want to see if he's developed any toughness over the past 2 seasons. If he has, I don't think Garnett (with his declining skills) has the lateral quickness to stay with him. However, if he continues the trend of playing like a euro-weenie against a big, physical defense, I think the Celtics win. Clearly, Kobe's the best player on the floor and he's going to get his, but if Gasol is playing a soft, passive game, and Boston limits Kobe (from destroying them), where are LAs points going to come from? I'm not convinced LA has enough scoring options to stay with Boston over a seven game series.
I'm taking the Celtics for game 1 (+5.5) and the series. Haven't placed my mvp bet yet but still probably going with Rondo. Sent from my SPH-M900 using Tapatalk
Byroan, Rondo has dropped to 5/2 on Bodog for MVP. I am not feeling the series props...the numbers are right on. Tough to take one side or another. I just put one bet down...Boston to win the series. +160 One interesting one I saw if you like to lay some money....-200 if you think the Finals will be decided at Staples center. I wouldn't touch it. The numbers are tight for these finals.
One bet I liked was over 5.5 games, I forget the odds off the top of my head though. I would be weary of taking the Celtics for the series. I don't see Stern letting the Lakers lose this series. Would really tarnish Kobe's legacy if he loses to them twice in the finals. I'm guessing LAL in 7. But I'm on the Celtics tonight and will probably be on them a lot this series.
it would make more sense to put kobe on rondo. that could help allen score both teams can be caught on switches because. rondo is too small to guard kobe. this also will allow rondo to take a breath defensively against DF or farmar hard to pick against kobe though gasol has gotten better while KG has slipped
