The Post Up: Suns over Spurs
While Washington takes care of business against the Celtics
By: Holly MacKenzie
There were nine games on the schedule last night, but my focus was firmly on the match up that is waiting for us tonight. Denver @ Golden State, TNT. 8pm Est. Make sure you catch it because it will be intense.
As for last night, those Suns are looking good while the Spurs may have cause for concern as they struggled offensively in the second half again last night. It was good to see Leandro Barbosa find his game after disappearing as of late. In the fourth the Suns went up by as many as 21 points and when they are clicking they look tough to beat.
It’ll be one entertaining series to watch if the Suns do meet the Spurs in the playoffs because Bruce Bowen has managed to aggravate Amare again. Tempers were already flaring last night, so playoffs will bring with them a whole other monster.
Did you all catch that dunk Dwight had all over Andres Nocioni? That actually looked like it hurt. Dwight was huge last night.
Charlie V in Toronto, dropping in a season-high 38, including scoring 25 of the Bucks first 29 points. The Raptors still managed to win the game in the end though.
You know that stat I threw out yesterday about the Celtics being tied with the 95-96 Bulls for fewest double-digit losses in a season? Throw that out, because the Wizards took Boston down, now winning three straight against the Celts this season. Wouldn’t that make for an exciting series this postseason.
There is nothing better than seeing a healthy Gilbert Arenas pushing the ball on the break and dishing it off to his teammates. He said he was going to be an assist man as he came back. I think he’s going to do whatever his team needs of him for them to win and his presence is going to be a huge boost as the playoffs arrive.
Great to see that Bron’s back is cooperating and he is looking like himself again. Stay healthy, LeBron!
Phoenix 96 San Antonio 79
With each passing game turning into a chance to try and catch the Pacific Division title, the Suns are focused. This is why even when they found themselves down by as many as 10 in the first half against the Spurs last night, they remained calm. While down in the second quarter they used an 8-0 run to outscore the Spurs 29-21 in the quarter and tie the game at 45 at the break. In the third, the Suns had found their groove and put together an 11-2 run to take a 72-68 advantage into the fourth. The final quarter was a disastrous one for the Spurs and they were held to only 11 points while watching the Suns put in 24 points. At one point a 13-0 run extended the Phoenix lead to as many as 21 points in the final minutes of the game and the Suns went on to their second victory in as many nights. Amare Stoudemire led the Suns with 21 points while Shaquille O’Neal had 16 points and 9 rebounds, Steve Nash scored 12 points to go with 10 assists and Leandro Barbosa added 14 points. Tim Duncan scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Spurs while Tony Parker scored 20 points and Michael Finley added 10 points.
Washington 109 Boston 95
One night after an overtime victory against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Boston Celtics faced the newly healthy Washington Wizards. The result was another win for the Wizards as Washington has now won three straight games against the Celtics. With the game close and the Wizards leading 55-53 at the half, they clamped down defensively in the third quarter and held the Celtics to only 18 points, while dropping in 27 of their own and using a 10-0 run in the period to take an 82-69 lead into the fourth quarter. While the Celtics would cut the deficit down to six in the fourth quarter, the Wizards responded with an 8-0 run to keep their distance and go back up by double-figures with under two minutes to play. Antawn Jamison finished with 27 points and 11 rebounds for the Wizards as DeShawn Stevenson had 14 points, Caron Butler scored 13 points and dished 10 assists, Gilbert Arenas scored 13 points off of the bench and Brendan Haywood added 12 points. Paul Pierce led Boston with 28 points and 7 assists as Kevin Garnett had 22 points and 14 rebounds and Ray Allen added 13 points in the loss.
Philadelphia 101 Detroit 94
With the second seed locked up in the East, the Detroit Pistons opted to rest their starters and give their rookies and bench significant time against the Philadelphia 76er’s in preparation of the playoffs. The Sixers took advantage and took down Detroit 101-94 in a victory that kept them in sixth place in the East. With the Pistons hanging around in the first half and trailing 58-52 at the break, things were close in the second with Philadelphia leading 80-73 going into the fourth. In the final quarter the Pistons were unable to come back as they gave up 50% shooting to the Sixers while coming in at 43% themselves. Andre Iguodala led Philadelphia with 25 points, 6 assists and 5 steals. Andre Miller scored only 6 points but dished 9 assists on the night as Samuel Dalembert had 20 points and 13 rebounds, Willie Green scored 15 points and Louis Williams added 12 points off of the bench. Chauncey Billups scored 18 points for the Pistons, Juan Dixon had 13 off of the bench and Rodney Stuckey added 10 points.
Toronto 111 Milwaukee 93
After trading away Charlie Villanueva in the trade that brought TJ Ford to Toronto, the Raptors are fully aware of the potential that lies within him. Last night, it was on full display as Villanueva went off early and stayed hot the rest of the game, doing his best to keep the Bucks in the game. Despite Villanueva scoring 25 of his team’s first 29 points and finishing with 27 first half points for Milwaukee, the Raptors still held onto a 50-48 lead at the break. After putting together an 11-0 run to take a 12-point lead late in the third, the Raptors finished the third by outscoring Milwaukee 33-20 in the period as they took an 83-68 advantage into the fourth. The final quarter did not bring any relief for the Bucks as the Raptors did not let up and Milwaukee was unable to cut their deficit as Toronto went on for the victory. Chris Bosh led the Raptors with 32 points and 11 rebounds as Anthony Parker scored 18 points, TJ ford finished with 14 points and 7 assists and Rasho Nesterovic had 14 points. Jose Calderon added 12 assists off of the bench. Villanueva finished with a season-high 38 points and 12 rebounds for the Bucks as Michael Redd scored 17 points, Andrew Bogut had 10 points and 9 rebounds and Ramon Sessions added 10 assists.
The Rest…
Cleveland avoided losing the season series to the Nets by defeating them 103-84 as LeBron James finished with 33 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists. Wally Szczerbiak had 14 points and Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored 13 points. Vince Carter scored 19 points to lead the Nets as Richard Jefferson added 15 points and Bostjan Nachbar added 14.
The Orlando Magic routed Chicago 115-83 as Dwight Howard dropped in 30 points and 14 rebounds. Rashard Lewis scored 21 points and Carlos Arroyo added 13 points and Hedo Turkoglu scored 12 points to go with 8 assists. Kirk Hinrich led the Bulls with 19 points while Aaron Gray and Ben Gordon each scored 13 points and Tyrus Thomas added 10 points.
The Hornets bounced back from their loss against the Jazz by dropping Minnesota 122-90 in Minnesota last night. Chris Paul had 19 points and 16 assists, Peja Stojakovic scored 24 points and David West added 22 points in the victory. Corey Brewer had 23 points off of the bench for Minnesota as Randy Foye scored 20 points and Al Jefferson had 14 points and 8 boards.
The Houston Rockets managed to take down Seattle 103-80 despite playing without Tracy McGrady who was out with a shoulder injury and losing Shane Battier midway through with an injured foot. Rafer Alston scored 18 points for the Rockets as Steve Novak added 17 off of the bench Luther Head scored 16 points and Luis Scola scored 13 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Kevin Durant had 26 points to lead the Sonics as Earl Watson scored 16 points and had 8 assists and Damien Wilkins added 14 points in the loss.
The Knicks defeated the Bobcats 109-107 last night with Jamal Crawford leading New York as he scored 18 points in the game. Fred Jones scored 15 points and Zach Randolph scored 15 points to go with 11 rebounds. Emeka Okafor had 24 points and 8 rebounds for the Bobcats while Raymond Felton also scored 24 points to go with 8 assists and Jason Richardson scored 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the loss.
157 Responses to “The Post Up: Suns over Spurs”
Apr.10 at 9:31 am
H to the izzo says:
SHAQ4MVP!!!!!
Apr.10 at 9:34 am
Holly MacKenzie says:
shut it, Izzo!
Apr.10 at 9:36 am
BETCATS says:
SHAQ4GOLDFISHIN!!!!!!
Apr.10 at 9:37 am
H to the izzo says:
The Pistons young’ns are fun to watch.Holly:ahem haha.
Apr.10 at 9:39 am
BETCATS says:
Thanks for covering our loss Holly. The Bobcats are undefeated at Time Warner Arena!!!!!
Apr.10 at 9:39 am
TADOne says:
Wow, it is early and my Pistons are getting love by someone other than me (or Holly). Wait, where am I at again?
Apr.10 at 9:41 am
BETCATS says:
Amir Johnson is the next Amir Johnson
Apr.10 at 9:42 am
Holly MacKenzie says:
hahaa, I know, Tad. Crazy! Iggy was great for Philly last night. The Wizards were fun to watch.
Apr.10 at 9:44 am
Eboy says:
So now the Suns can play D when they want and grind it out ball against the best in the business. Uh oh. Dummies. And nice to see the Wiz whip the sh*t out of the Celtics. I like their squad right now. Except Deshawn.
Apr.10 at 9:45 am
BETCATS says:
Soulja Boy dat Stevenson. Yah b!tch Yah!!!!!!!!!1
Apr.10 at 9:46 am
d.Y. says:
Between the Sixers and the Wizards (Hawks next year), the East is shedding a bit of that suck. This will all be for naught when the first three picks in the draft are Warriors/Nugs, Sonics, and Wolves.
Apr.10 at 9:49 am
BETCATS says:
Bobcats get #1 d.Y. get it strait. This seasons Miami Heat are last seasons Memphis Dancing Bears
Apr.10 at 9:52 am
BETCATS says:
lucky 13
Apr.10 at 9:58 am
Holly MacKenzie says:
I think Washington may be my favorite team in the East.
Apr.10 at 10:06 am
d.Y. says:
Between Gilbert, Etan, Tuff Juice (I don’t care if you think that’s a stupid name. It’s better than CBut.) and DeShawn… I feel you on that Holly. Can they sign Paul Shirley so he an Agent Zero can have dueling blogs?
Apr.10 at 10:09 am
Spaceship Jay says:
Washington certainly IS my favorite team in the East. I hate the fact the Wizards are going to beat the Cavs this year, because I dislike Deshawn Stevenson almost on a personal level.
Apr.10 at 10:22 am
Captain America says:
Wizards make Celtics Smeltics
Apr.10 at 10:37 am
WhaHuh says:
Washington is my favourite team in the east, the only interesting player on the celtics is Rondo. Wizards could cause an upset in the playoffs
Apr.10 at 10:39 am
James AKA the artist formerly known as Krayzie Bone says:
I wonder if the raptors can trade Bargnani for Villenueva. They both play ole deffence, but one actually rebounds the ball occassionally. that would in essense mean we traded the 1st overall pick for tj ford, but thats better than what we have right now.
Apr.10 at 10:47 am
James AKA the artist formerly known as Krayzie Bone says:
Eboy is feeling vindicated. If shaq can drop maybe 10 pounds (and given the associated activity that would accompany such a drop), there could be a darkhorse out west (I’m assuming that the champs and the lakers are the favourites. Im waiting to see how the bugs will handle the playoffs)
Apr.10 at 10:48 am
Joel O's says:
Gah. Giving up Charlie V for Bargnani was stupid for the Raps, and so was drafting Yi for the Bucks. All 3 are tall dudes with pretty similar skill sets - decent handling, solid jumper. So the Raps traded Charlie V away for Bargnani, who essentially gave them about the same thing Villanueva did in his rookie year. The Bucks, on the other hand, traded for a talented combo forward in Charlie V… and went out to draft the Chinese, non-hairless version of Charlie V. Stupid lateral redundant moves all around.
Apr.10 at 10:52 am
Simone Lawy says:
i’m with ya joel O’s
Apr.10 at 10:54 am
Joel O's says:
And TJ Ford is all right, but is he giving any more right now and last year than Mike James was the year before? I know hindsight’s 20-20, but I didn’t like that trade either.
Apr.10 at 11:01 am
Joel O's says:
Yeah, Simone. TJ Ford WOULD have worked had the Raps kept to their original plan of being the pseudo-Suns of the North or something and just kept pushing the ball every possession. It didn’t work, and the halfcourt offense languishes due to Ford’s tendency to overdribble the ball. Watching Mike James’ one excellent season here in Toronto really reminded me of a young, pre-homophobic Tim Hardaway with his gutsy drives and dagger threes. He had a lot of bite and meanness and balls, something our nondescript squad of vanilla jumpshooters currently lacks.
Apr.10 at 11:17 am
DP and Free Chilly says:
76ers scare the hell out of me.
Apr.10 at 11:20 am
DP and Free Chilly says:
moderate me guys. Free Chilly is ready to drop his knowledge on you guys!
Apr.10 at 11:25 am
DP and Free Chilly says:
O.J. heading to the L. Kid is going to be super ready in the NBA. he had become more of a passer as he his freshman year went along. yall think kid has potenial to be a star in the L? free play wit it.
Apr.10 at 11:28 am
DP and Free Chilly says:
I’ve been patienly waiting for a post up to explode on.
Apr.10 at 11:31 am
DP and Free Chilly says:
we are about to have some conflicts in this b*tch if you guys don’t put me on. free play wit it.
Apr.10 at 11:35 am
DP and Free Chilly says:
……………………………………
Apr.10 at 11:43 am
Bryan says:
I told you the suns can match up with anybody now.
Apr.10 at 11:46 am
Eboy says:
Shia is prophetic.
Apr.10 at 11:51 am
Bryan says:
Indeed, why the hell is it so dead.
Apr.10 at 11:51 am
Eboy says:
It’s been odd like that lately.
Apr.10 at 11:53 am
Bryan says:
That’s annoying I rarely get to be here and when I am it’s dead.
Apr.10 at 11:56 am
DP and Free Chilly says:
I’m here! These guys just want let me get my groove on. how rude.
Apr.10 at 12:00 pm
Eboy says:
Well, It’s funny how the Suns get no respect (no mentions in the comments)after a big win. It must be fear from the Laker parade.
Apr.10 at 12:02 pm
TADOne says:
SHAQ4MVP.
Apr.10 at 12:10 pm
DP and Free Chilly says:
yeah boy! I’m on! damn, I’m bout to get off. It is a deserted island right now in this b*tch. peace jabba wokeys.
Apr.10 at 12:27 pm
TADOne says:
I refuse to give Shia any props. Pistons in ‘08.
Apr.10 at 12:33 pm
Bryan says:
F*ck the pistons.
Apr.10 at 12:33 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
The Suns need to do something in the postseason before I start slobbering all over them.
Apr.10 at 12:34 pm
DP and Free Chilly says:
Heat in 09. Memphis in ‘11. sonics in 13′. I had a dream. It’s crazy sh*t I know but do the math and you will agree with me.
Apr.10 at 12:35 pm
Bryan says:
Everyone needs to do something in the post season Russ. What have the Celtics done, or the Hornets?
Apr.10 at 12:40 pm
Eboy says:
Touche, Labouef.
Apr.10 at 12:43 pm
Bryan says:
You started that blog thing? Nice.
Apr.10 at 12:43 pm
Eboy says:
And really, the core of the Suns team has been playoff tested for a few years, and they have the ability to be second round performers without question, so really the whole picture becomes clerer if, like Russ referenced a few days ago, the Suns have to get to the Conference Finals to have the Shaq experiment pay off at all.
Apr.10 at 12:44 pm
Eboy says:
Waiting on you too, fuc*er.
Apr.10 at 12:44 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
Shia, I think the Suns are kind of like a tease, in that they’ve folded in big moments in the playoffs before. We haven’t seen the Celtics fold to the Pistons repeatedly, or the Hornets to someone else, you know?
Apr.10 at 12:45 pm
Eboy says:
Holly’s a hater.
Apr.10 at 12:45 pm
Bryan says:
I think Shaq really helps them a lot , because they still run and try and shoot as quickly as possible , but before when they didn’t have a clean shot they missed and a fast break ignited the other way , now if they don’t get a clean look they can pull it out and actually run the ball through the post. SO it doesn’t change their game that much , it just gives them an option B.
Apr.10 at 12:46 pm
Eboy says:
We haven’t seen the Celtics ANYWHERE playoff related for years.
Apr.10 at 12:47 pm
H to the izzo says:
And since Shaq came,Amare’s numbers have been crazy.
Apr.10 at 12:48 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
yeah, but they are a whole new team now haha and I’m not a hater, well, maybe a little bit of a Shaq hater because of what went down when he left Miami, but remember my Suns preview? I had them to win it all.
Apr.10 at 12:49 pm
Bryan says:
We haven’t seen the Celtics fold to anyone because they’re never been there.Same for the Hornets. We have though seen KG get knocked out in the first round a bunch , Ray Allen play well and lose in the conference finals , Paul Pierce lose in the playoffs…We have also seen Peja choke on the biggest stage more than once and witnessed Tyson Chandler in his first playoff series get his ass busted by Kwame Brown.On the other hand we’ve seen the Suns take teams to the limit only to fall short, because they couldn’t score the ball without running and jacking up shots…now they have another option.I’m not saying they will win it , I think the Lakers will , but I’m saying if I’m giving LA a 51% chance of coming out of the west I give the suns the other 49%.
Apr.10 at 12:54 pm
Eboy says:
Shia, that’s noble and all, but the Lakers have little experience with the group they have out there now too, so if we are going of past laurels the Spurs, even with their “struggles” should still be the favorite.
Apr.10 at 12:55 pm
H to the izzo says:
Shia,the only problem is that that extra option happens to be 42 years old and 486 pounds.
Apr.10 at 12:56 pm
Bryan says:
I’m not going with past laurels I just all that to make my point. I’m going with the Lakers because I like Kobe with actual help over anyone else in the league.
Apr.10 at 12:56 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
Shia, that’s my whole point. Those teams have never been there, so its not like we are expecting them to fail. Well, some are expecting the Hornets to fail, but with the talent the Suns have had they have disappointed by failing to get out of the WC before (at least, in my opinion). We may have seen KG and crew fail, but have we seen the three of them together before? Nope, so its not the same deal as the Suns, I guess that’s how I think of it. I DO think the Suns are scary now, check the post up, haha, they are looking damn good when they have things rolling and stupid Shaq has never seemed so intense and passionate. He is like a different player. I’m excited to watch them. I’m excited to watch EVERYONE this postseason. It’s going to be a crazy one.
Apr.10 at 12:57 pm
Bryan says:
He can weigh 900 pounds for all I care he gets 10 rebounds and can pass out of the double team , which is the biggest thing the suns have been missing over the years.
Apr.10 at 12:57 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
Is everyone going with the Celtics out of the EC?
Apr.10 at 12:58 pm
Eboy says:
I would still like to see GS get in and upset everyone all the way to the Finals, just because.
Apr.10 at 12:58 pm
Eboy says:
Everyone but TAD and I.
Apr.10 at 1:00 pm
Bryan says:
While I do think the Pistons are the biggest threat to the Celtics , I don’t see them actually doing anything about it.
Apr.10 at 1:01 pm
H to the izzo says:
I’m still a Celtics bandwagoneer,kind of.
Apr.10 at 1:03 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
Hey, I have to stick with Detroit regardless of what I think because I said it would be the Pistons a few months ago. I DO love what they’ve done with their rookies and bench and I think that will help a whole lot once the playoffs hit.
Apr.10 at 1:04 pm
H to the izzo says:
That was poor video editing at best.
Apr.10 at 1:04 pm
Bryan says:
I think the pistons feel too much that a finals appearance is owed to them.Their overconfidence will be their downfall.
Apr.10 at 1:05 pm
Eboy says:
Holly, I KNOW you don’t think that’s real, right? Right?
Apr.10 at 1:06 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
Sorry, haha that wasn’t the proper link, Izzo. I thought it was the one with his kids/wife from the video shoot that was pretty crazy. That one WAS bad. I’m looking for the one I wanted to show, I’ll be back.
Apr.10 at 1:07 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
the site was pretty funny playing it like it was though… this video just “APPEARS”, right. ugh. Be back.
Apr.10 at 1:09 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
Shia, it might end up being their downfall. We at least know that with Boston, KG will NOT let anyone take a second for granted.
Apr.10 at 1:12 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
Hello??
Apr.10 at 1:14 pm
Bryan says:
I think it will be the pistons play with a chip on their shoulder but its a different chip than the “I’m gonna bust ass to prove these critcs wrong” chip. It’s the “we’re the best team why doesn’t anybody else think so lets pout” chip.
Apr.10 at 1:18 pm
Eboy says:
Meanie.
Apr.10 at 1:19 pm
Bryan says:
Where is TAD so he can defend them.
Apr.10 at 1:24 pm
Eboy says:
He can’t be present every minute with his new job, Shia. I would imagine his response would venture into the territory of “and yes, Shia, the Knicks are the team we should all be fearful of if you want to model a class orginazation after.” Or a simple “fu*k you, fuc*er.” I like the latter, myself.
Apr.10 at 1:25 pm
Bryan says:
I hear the job thing I clocked 12.7 hours yesterday.
Apr.10 at 1:28 pm
Bryan says:
SO Chris Paul for MVP huh? haha
Apr.10 at 1:29 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
Long days, Shia. What are you doing? Where the heck are you again, now?
Apr.10 at 1:30 pm
Bryan says:
Back in Florida…I was managing these parks here, but I went back to an operator instead so 11:30-close are my hours haha.
Apr.10 at 1:31 pm
Eboy says:
12 hours. Damn, son. And yeah, man, the rest of the basketball world will be sorrowful when another little point guard takes the award. CP34MVP.
Apr.10 at 1:32 pm
Eboy says:
Parks? Like theme parks? Like the Youtube video thing?
Apr.10 at 1:32 pm
Bryan says:
It’s gotta be Kobe man.
Apr.10 at 1:32 pm
Eboy says:
It won’t be though.
Apr.10 at 1:32 pm
Bryan says:
Exactly that Eboy. I’m right back where I started.
Apr.10 at 1:33 pm
H to the izzo says:
At least Paul isn’t white.
Apr.10 at 1:33 pm
Eboy says:
I think the top three vote getters will be seperated by the tiniest of margins, though.
Apr.10 at 1:34 pm
Eboy says:
That can’t be too horrible though, right Shia?
Apr.10 at 1:35 pm
H to the izzo says:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2297/2382473608_e32ff5b680_m.jpg Please moderate this,it’s just brilliant.
Apr.10 at 1:36 pm
Bryan says:
No way dude it’s awesome , managing sucked…well I mean the money sucked since I make more now but I’m glad to be back. Tomorrow I go in and for the first five hours I’ll either lay on the beach or play madden 08 in the car. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Apr.10 at 1:37 pm
Eboy says:
Madden 08 in the car? Who are you, Funkmaster Flex? Did they set you up on Pimp My Ride?
Apr.10 at 1:39 pm
Bryan says:
I said it yesterday Lebrons numbers aren’t much better than Kobe’s and it’s sad that they’re so overlooked. People act like 29-7-5.5 is easy or something.Those are big time and yes Chris Paul’s team is number one in the “most competitive conference ever”, but for the season as a whole he has had more help.Who was named to the all star team with Kobe this year? Who else on the Lakers has ever been an MVP candidate?
Apr.10 at 1:40 pm
Bryan says:
I bring my 360 to work with me.
Apr.10 at 1:41 pm
H to the izzo says:
Holly please moderate my link,you will not regret it.
Apr.10 at 1:46 pm
Eboy says:
Who’s another MVP canidate on the Hornets? Please don’t say Peja.
Apr.10 at 1:47 pm
Bryan says:
We may not like it (or in my case we may hate it) but Peja was a legit (in someone’s eyes) MVP candidate.
Apr.10 at 1:47 pm
H to the izzo says:
Eboy:God?.And look at my moderated link comment.
Apr.10 at 1:48 pm
Eboy says:
Peja was nice on those Kings teams but he would have had to have shared that title with Webber and Bibby.
Apr.10 at 1:49 pm
Eboy says:
They look like they’re heading into Disneyworld for Gay Day, izzo.
Apr.10 at 1:50 pm
Bryan says:
I’m just saying the dude has been in the mvp voting. I hate the bastard and always have but he was there.
Apr.10 at 1:52 pm
H to the izzo says:
I forgot how needlessly angry Shia can be.Welcome back!!
Apr.10 at 1:53 pm
Eboy says:
Well, then, that’s a stretch, cause Pau has the type of ability to be in that “almost” MVP discussion, he’s just always been on sh*t teams.
Apr.10 at 1:54 pm
Bryan says:
Bottom line CP had more help than Kobe and has the disparity in team victories is not that large. So Kobe over CP…KObe over Lebron due to similar numbers and more team success…a lot more team success.I think KG should be second. SO my MVP KB, KG,CP, Lebron.
Apr.10 at 1:55 pm
Bryan says:
He was on sh*t teams for a reason. An MVP can make sh*t teams mediocre and a mediocre team great.
Apr.10 at 1:57 pm
Bryan says:
mvp-type*
Apr.10 at 1:59 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
Izzo, that picture is terrifying.
Apr.10 at 1:59 pm
H to the izzo says:
So are the Lakers mediocre or sh*t?I’ll give you a clue,they’re neither.
Apr.10 at 1:59 pm
Eboy says:
You didn’t just say that Paul has more help than Kobe? Seriously? Rethink that statement, Shia.
Apr.10 at 2:00 pm
Eboy says:
What are you talking about, izzo?
Apr.10 at 2:03 pm
H to the izzo says:
Bryan says @12:56
“I’m not going with past laurels I just all that to make my point. I’m going with the Lakers because I like Kobe with actual help over anyone else in the league.” Bryan says @1:54:
“Bottom line CP had more help than Kobe and has the disparity in team victories is not that large”
Apr.10 at 2:03 pm
Bryan says:
I said he HAD more help during the season… Bynum has been hurt for 50 games, pau didn’t get here til midseason did everyone forget that? Lamar Odom was ghost out there until recently..Seriously dude Paul had Peja and a f*cking all star in David West all season..plus a borderline all star in CHandler(which is more a sign of the pathetic state of the center position than a compliment to Tyson)…How could you not see this?
Apr.10 at 2:04 pm
Bryan says:
Take Kobe off the Lakers izzo…Remove him ..Pau and Lamar and Derek Fisher ..are they making noise in April? I think not.
Apr.10 at 2:05 pm
H to the izzo says:
Lakers are neither a mediocre nor sh*tty team,they’re a good one.If an MVP can make a mediocre team great,what does an MVP need to do with a good team.By Shia’s argument,the Lakers must win the chip before he can be MVP.Of course that’s impossible but you know.
Apr.10 at 2:07 pm
H to the izzo says:
Shia:Does that include taking Kobe’s contract off thier salary cap?If so they could make a few acquisitions to be able to make some noise in April.
Apr.10 at 2:08 pm
Eboy says:
If you really think David West is that great, Shia, you are cracked out, brother man. Don’t think his presence at the All-star game this season didn’t have to due with where the game was played. Politics, Sternbot, influence, realism.
Apr.10 at 2:10 pm
Eboy says:
If we are playing fantasy games, Shia, switch teams with Chris and Kobe and I guarentee you the Lakers with Chris and the rest of the squad are WAY more pertinant than the Hornets with Kobe.
Apr.10 at 2:11 pm
Bryan says:
No that does not include taking his salary…it’s funny because you’re taking an argument completely out of context and trying to prove it wrong which is in a word ridiculous. An mvp player lifts his teams to heights they wouldn’t achieve without him.Kobe gets hurt the Lakers are done. Same can be said for the Hornets, so that’s a wash between Paul and Kobe.. Kobe did more with less for longer…He has help now, but he didn’t all season if you didn’t notice that then you weren’t watching the same NBA team.
Apr.10 at 2:13 pm
Bryan says:
Say what you want Eboy but West is basically 20-10.
Apr.10 at 2:13 pm
Eboy says:
Shia has gone up in his boomerang ride one too many times.
Apr.10 at 2:14 pm
Eboy says:
One season,Shia, made possible by the MVP of the league, CP34MVP.
Apr.10 at 2:17 pm
Bryan says:
he was 18 and 8 last year. I don’t even like the guy and you have me defending him.No one will sway my opinion Kobe had less help for the majority of the year and his team is only 2 games back or something.His numbers are as outstanding as Paul’s are (they’re only not because we take for granted that Kobe is gonna score 30 defend his ass off and fill up a stat sheet so it’s not as “wow” because he’s been doing it for years).I love Chris Paul I really do, but he’s not the mvp to me he just isn’t.
Apr.10 at 2:21 pm
Eboy says:
While you are funny in your defenses, you will hate the fact that Kobe may finish 4th in the voting, and he has no one to blame but himself for being such a prick for so long. Not that he doesn’t deserve the award, he probably could, but in a tight race, the tighest on record ever, you really think members of the media are going to go out of their way to give 24 their vote? Well, except for Lang. You better recognize.
Apr.10 at 2:23 pm
H to the izzo says:
I’m going to have a sudden change of heart and say that Paul did have more help than Kobe,but I don’t think that a guy should be punished for the quality of his team.
Apr.10 at 2:25 pm
Bryan says:
So now the argument turns not into who deserves the award but who doesn’t because their assh*les. Sh*tty way to be. Kobe is the best player in the league hands down. He’s a more complete scorer than Lebron, he’s as good of a positional rebounded (6.5 from the backcourt to 7.9 from the frontcourt) He’s a good passer just not as unselfish as Lebron is, he’s a better defender and is a tougher player(My OFF HAND HURTS WAHHH).CP is great but I think he’s third in this race.Behind Winner Kobe and close second Kevin Garnett.
Apr.10 at 2:26 pm
Eboy says:
Should I remind the two of you nitwits that Kobe the poor soul plays for perhaps one of the greatest professional basketball coach in history, with one of the greatest preparatoy staffs. Look at the whole picture, boys. Byron Scott is a good coach and it ends there. Or does great coaching not contribute to a teams success?
Apr.10 at 2:27 pm
H to the izzo says:
Who deserves to win and who actually wins are an entirely different matter.
Apr.10 at 2:28 pm
Bryan says:
He’s not being punished by me izzo..I think its a close race like eboy says, but I just think Kobe deserves it more by the slimmest of margins over those two.
Apr.10 at 2:28 pm
H to the izzo says:
I didn’t change my mind about who should get MVP(KG),only on who had more help.
Apr.10 at 2:29 pm
Eboy says:
Shia, you softball, the voting consists of writers casting botes. It’s a fact not a slight. It’s been mentioned around these parts that certain members of the media won’t throw their votes 24’s way for that particular reason. It’s not a shot at him. And yes, Lebron’s hand injury was a negative, but I think playing with his current back problems negate that, so the rest of the buffons that use that argument should reconsider since they never follow through completley.
Apr.10 at 2:30 pm
Bryan says:
If Kg wins it I’ll be happy , but if Paul wins it I will call it unjust.He deserves an MVP maybe of his division or something, but he should not win over KG and Kobe.
Apr.10 at 2:31 pm
Bryan says:
Maybe he could afford to rest his back if he didn’t miss those six games earlier in the year.I like Kobe’s statement put him on the cavs and tell me he wouldn’t be putting up similar numbers and I think they would have more wins.
Apr.10 at 2:32 pm
H to the izzo says:
Also I think Kobe and KG will be happy to walk away with a chip and let Paul have the MVP.Kobe needs that post Shaq championship more than he does an MVP.
Apr.10 at 2:33 pm
Bryan says:
All right I’m out for a little while. I may be back but if not have a good weekend.
Apr.10 at 2:33 pm
Eboy says:
KG is a strong choice too, izzo. He turned a culture of losing into the best team in the league, just like CP3 turned a just missed the playoffs team to top squad in the West. That’s why those two are more impressive than Kobe’s accomplishment of leading a decent team that became really good through a trade to a nice record. Remember when the Lakers were on that tear when Pau first came on? If Kobe could have contiunued that while Pau was out and they just kept smashing teams it would have solidifed his shot. As Myles pointed out a week or so ago, when they lost the two games to Memphis and, can’t remember the other at the moment, back to back, that killed his shot.
Apr.10 at 2:37 pm
Myles Brown says:
Myles said “might”. And Myles is probably waiting until after Sunday before he decides. Myles will never speak in the third person again.
Apr.10 at 2:38 pm
Eboy says:
Myles is cool. Didn’t Myles say he would hold judgement about the Suns until the Spurs game last night? Any thoughts, Mr. Brown?
Apr.10 at 2:39 pm
Eboy says:
Sorry for the misquote, too.
Apr.10 at 2:39 pm
Myles Brown says:
Meh. Spurs disappointed me more than the Suns impressed me.
Apr.10 at 2:41 pm
Eboy says:
They did kind of sh*t the bed.
Apr.10 at 2:49 pm
Spaceship Jay says:
I second Eboy. As much as I like Kobe (on the court Kobe, not off the court Kobe), Chris Paul is MVP this year. Or at least, he DESERVES the MVP this year. I know how that goes. Truth be told though if Kobe didn’t have all of those disasters image wise earlier in his career, He’d have Undisputed, Jesus Christ Status. He’d probably be sponsered by the Catholic Church. Or something to that effect.
Apr.10 at 2:53 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
To play devil’s advocate (I’m supporting KG for the time being), if it was ALL about CP3’s supporting cast, wouldn’t Jameer Nelson be an MVP candidate? Dwight, Rashard and Hedo are just like Tyson, Peja and D. West, only better.
Apr.10 at 2:55 pm
Eboy says:
That’s pretty strong, Russ.
Apr.10 at 3:15 pm
TADOne says:
Wow, let me jump in the fray. I’m on record right now as saying my vote, by the slimmest of margins, goes to CP3. My reasoning is that while his numbers are very good and his assist to turnover ratio is unbelievable, he has led a squad not predicted by anybody to do anything, to the best record in a very tought Western Conference. While his supporting cast is decent, I wouldn’t exactly call them world beaters. He also plays for a mediocre coach and still excels. With all that said, Kobe is still a very, very close second to me and can still make a push with some strong showings in these last few games.
Apr.10 at 3:23 pm
Myles Brown says:
Why is everyone saying the Hornets werent predicted to do anything? They won 39 games last year and just missed the playoffs while two of their starters missed a combined 100 games. And his supporting cast is better than anyone wants to give them credit for. Peja Stojakovic, playoff choker that he is (and I expect him to this year too…) is still a 3 time All Star and a perfect compliment to CP3. Even more of a complimentary shooter than Nash has ever had in PHX. And David West has been improving every year by 2 points and a rebound a game. And dont get me started on Tyson, aka Marcus Camby Jr. Think Nash wouldnt like that guy too? If people wanna vote for Paul, go for it, but stop this revisionist history and a dumbing down of their roster.
Apr.10 at 3:23 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
I just don’t see why “the best record in the West” is so important when the top nine teams are separated by what, eight games? The top six teams, in particular, are more or less even. Paul shouldn’t get all that much consideration over Kobe based on a difference of two or three wins. Meanwhile, the Celtics are seven games clear of their closest competition out East. The Cavs are 19 games out of first. You know who’s 19 games out of first in the West? Sacramento! Ron Artest for MVP!
Apr.10 at 3:26 pm
Myles Brown says:
And the Celtics, despite being in the Leastern Conference, have still beaten EVERY TEAM IN THE LEAGUE. Who else can say that? Who else swept the Texas Triangle? Who else stopped a 22 game winning streak in the process? And why are KG’s teammates too good now, but when the trade went down, everyones concern was that the team was gonna be too thin? Again with the f*cking revisionist history. Stop it.
Apr.10 at 3:29 pm
Eboy says:
The Celtics don’t want it with the Wizards.
Apr.10 at 3:29 pm
Bryan says:
And what exactly were the Lakers predicted to do TAD?
Apr.10 at 3:29 pm
Myles Brown says:
The Hornets dont want it with the Jazz.
Apr.10 at 3:34 pm
Eboy says:
True.
Apr.10 at 3:35 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
The Jazz have three fewer wins than the Hornets (and a better point differential–7.2 to 5.5), yet no one on the Jazz even gets a mention in the MVP discussion. Kind of strange.
Apr.10 at 3:36 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Also, the Hawks are the only “playoff” team with a negative point differential. I love the East.
Apr.10 at 3:38 pm
Eboy says:
Russ, who get’s the Jazz nod if they had a shot at the MVP award, Boozer or Deron?
Apr.10 at 3:41 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
No idea. But why isn’t there more question about whether the Hornets MVP should be Paul or West or Chandler? Don’t get me wrong, I think Paul is fantastic, but his teammates definitely don’t get enough credit.
Apr.10 at 3:47 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
And actually Cleveland has a negative point differential, too.
Apr.10 at 3:54 pm
TADOne says:
I guess i’m a revisionist. Bottom line, you could give me the top 4 guys in the MVP discussion: CP3, KB, Bron, and KG, and I can make a legit argument for all of them. My personal preference happens to be Paul, but I was bigging up Kobe for the last 2 months. Either way it goes, i’m just enjoying the ride.