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Good blog,agree with you

There's nothing wrong with having the Spurs in the Finals again, Adam. They may not run up and down the floor ala the Suns, but they do everything required of a championship team. The only reas last year's Finals was a snore fest was because it was over in four games.

Also, I was a bit confused when you had that list of major title contenders but didnt have the Pistons in that. They may not have disposed of the 76ers as quickly as they should have, but they are still as legit of a contender as the C's.

And I agree with you... the two most impressive squads have been the Lakers and Hornets. Chris Paul is electrifying out there, but he's also getting consistent help out of Chandler on the boards (Bulls fans gotta be perplexed at that) along with West and Peja. LA really is the only other team I think can make the Finals outside of San Antonio. I like the Spurs and their 3-way attack and veteran leadership, but Gasol/Kobe and Company are looking incredibly unstoppable. They made their series against the Nuggets look TOO easy.

I'm done. Great blog, Mr. Lee.

*reason

Oops.

Nice blog, I think in order, the Spurs, the Hornets, and the Lakers have been the most impressive so far

Very good blog.

"There have to be points on the court where he thinks "So, THIS is what it would have been like had I been a team player the last 5 years!" "

Excellent post except for that little excerpt. Have you looked at the Lakers roster before this season and the Kwame Brown to Pau Gasol trade?

It was like a d-league plus Kobe. Smush Parker and Kwame Brown are now out of the league so Kobe being able to carry his past roster to the playoffs is just a testament to how good Kobe really is.

Yeah, the Lakers are substantially made over from last year. Add Gasol, Fisher, Ariza, & Mbenga (the last 2 are great PJ role players) while you subtract B. Cook, Smush Parker, Kwame Brown. Then check out the significant improvements in Ramanovich, Farmar, Vuchavich, Turiaf & BYNUM!!
L.O, comes alive with the arrival of Gasol and the Lakers are 180 degrees from where they were last year. Kobe's emergence as a "Team Player" is directly attributable to having a "team" around him. But he is no different than any other player of his caliber who is so forcefully driven to win. Kobe is a "team player" this year because that is where his best chances of winning lay. Last year his best chances of winning were vested more in his ability to take over a game than in being able to trust his team to perform at a winning level.
As far as the playoffs go, this year will be no different than any other...the team that plays the best defense will win it all. That has to favor the Celts, Spurs, and Pistons. The Lakers & Jazz have shown they are capable of raising their d-game to the necessary level. Unfortunately the Hornets, Rockets, Hawks, Cavs, and Orlando are just not there.
Spurs in the West (unless their old legs break down) and Pistons in the East are the toughest D-Teams (I can't trust the Celtic's stats---their division is too weak offensively to measure the Celt's true Defensive skills).

Laker's chances are left to their ability to come together defensively. Their romp of Denver cannot be attributed to great D as the Nugs just bombed offensively missing so many layups and easy baskets.......Lakers will get a real test against Utah...who will close out the Rockets tonite.

Two points- First, Mac, I agree with you that the Pistons are a threat. We saw them dismantle the 76ers last night and perhaps they are just waiting to turn it on in the playoffs. I wasn't impressed with their regular season instability, but we all know that means nothing. Look at the Spurs, a perfect example of a team who knows to save their best for the end.

Second, LimChori, I will readiloy admit that the Lakers' squad this year is superior to any it has had since the 4 Hall of Famer squad that imploded versus the Pistons in the Finals. However, there is no way you can tell me that Kobe didn't look out for himself. His throwing Andrew Bynum under the bus still ranks as one of the biggest "all about me" moments this decade.

Look at Lebron James and his Cavs team the past few years. Granted, they are in the Eastern Conference. Still though, can you imagine Lebron mugging for some fanboys in a mall and dropping F bombs about his team? Never. That to me is a leader, something Kobe has failed to be until this year. He deserves credit for sucking it up. Maybe now he realizes that good things come to good teammates.

Great blog, Adam. I now remember what I've been missing in your absence from this site.

" 'So, THIS is what it would have been like had I been a team player the last 5 years!' " I don't know why, but that particular line made me crack up. haha

Nice analogies. The Spurs in the Finals would be boring as hell; I agree with you there. Shaq's and Dirk's new nicknames are sweet, by the way. haha

Great blog sir. I liked all of the arguments and quips (Shaq Ethanol - now THAT'S funny). I gotta disagree with you on one thing though:

"However, there is no way you can tell me that Kobe didn't look out for himself. His throwing Andrew Bynum under the bus still ranks as one of the biggest 'all about me' moments this decade."

You seem to have missed or forgotten Kobe's post-game comments mid-season regarding Bynum recovering from injury. Kobe openly praised his teammate, stating that he "wished him all the best" and that "the sky is the limit for him."

Granted, Kobe did his share of whining, but you have to believe that some of his rants had a purpose behind them. Nothing motivates an athlete to perform better than hearing criticism from his teammate, especially if that teammate is the franchise player. Case in point: Bynum had a stellar season this year, and is showing signs of greatness.

My point is, the "all about me" Kobe has disappeared...for now.

Pennwjr, I respect your opinion. However, would Kobe have maintained that position if his team wasn't doing well? I doubt it. This is the same guy who said Fu** Andrew Bynum. Get rid of his ass. If I am Bynum I take his well wishes a little less than seriously after he says that to random fans in a mall.

You're right about the fact that Kobe has quit being the all about me guy. Divas usually do that when they are getting their way though.