It's NBA time

[gmoneyak]

Welcome to the West, Jason Kidd...

*DOH!!!

[gmoneyak]

This is the western conference standings as of tonight. Shouldn't the Jazz be ahead of the Suns since they lead their division???

Yeah, that is kind of screwed up. I guess they haven't figured in the tie-breaker for separating Phoenix and L.A. apart.

[suprefan]

No, division leaders do not get higher seeds, its just by record. compare it to the east where if those teams and their records in the west would barely get them a 5 seed at best.

[kreutz2112]

are you sure?? If that was the case San Antonio would be above the Jazz because they have a better record, but since Jazz lead their division they are seeded higher.

[kreutz2112]

I found my answer. From wikipedia

The team that has the best record in each of the three divisions in each conference is declared division champion. The three champions, and the one other team in the conference with the best record are seeded one through four by their records. This guarantees that the division champions will be no lower than fourth seed, and also ensures that a conference's two best teams (by record) are ranked as the top two. Of the remaining 11 conference teams, the four with the best records are seeded fifth through eighth based on their records.

so it's only the top four teams that the rule applies to.

[gmoneyak]

4 seed = vs. San Antonio... ouch

[traviscanada]

That game was pretty intense tonight (Suns/Lakers) Shaq makes the funniest facial expressions, like his little summersault when pushed(Gasol?)into the kinda what the fuck yet determined look.

[kreutz2112]

4 seed = vs. San Antonio... ouch

yeah right now. that could change tomorrow. there are still 28 or so games to play. Every seed in the west is up for grabs and it is going to come down to the last few games of the season for all teams.

[gmoneyak]

That game was pretty intense tonight (Suns/Lakers) Shaq makes the funniest facial expressions, like his little summersault when pushed(Gasol?)into the kinda what the fuck yet determined look.

I'm staying up to watch the replay.

[gmoneyak]

yeah right now. that could change tomorrow. there are still 28 or so games to play. Every seed in the west is up for grabs and it is going to come down to the last few games of the season for all teams.

Yeah, you gotta love it. It's like that every year in the West, the sad thing being that the 9th seed would probably rank 3rd in the East..

[TomAz]

Who won tonight? WHO WON?!?!?!? Yeah you guys rule so hard....... Kobe ftw 41 down your throat!

I guess with the Lakers' playoff woes in recent years a February win is a big deal.

[thestripe]

I guess with the Lakers' playoff woes in recent years a February win is a big deal.

Don't be bitter Tom.

[downingthief]

Yeah. Laker fan, talk to us when you beat us in the palyoffs. IF that happens, I will be the first to congratulate you, and take my lumps. Until that happens, the SUNS have the scoreboard (and, for the love all that is holy, don't be a douche bag and bring up the championships, blah blah blah...that was years ago. Talking about the current era).

[JSam67]

The past is what it is, but what matters is the Lakers won the season series vs. Phoenix 3-1, and that may be a bigger deal this year. The Lakers are no 7 seed anymore, either.

I'm more excited about the NBA this year than probably ever, and my fave team (Sonics) is having its worst season I can remember and is almost surely moving to OKC. But the West is so good now, and so many blockbuster trades...I have no idea who the top 4 seeds will be, or who the team on the outside looking in will be (Warriors, Nuggets, Rockets? I think "no way" about all of them, but somebody's not gonna make it). It should be awesome.

It sounds like Kidd struggled last night against Paul. Anybody see the game? (I was working.) I'm getting ready to watch the Lakers/Suns game I DVRed. Tell me the best 2 quarters to skip, because I can't justify watching it in its entirety already knowing the outcome.

[downingthief]

The past is what it is, but what matters is the Lakers won the season series vs. Phoenix 3-1, and that may be a bigger deal this year. The Lakers are no 7 seed anymore, either.

I'm more excited about the NBA this year than probably ever, and my fave team (Sonics) is having its worst season I can remember and is almost surely moving to OKC. But the West is so good now, and so many blockbuster trades...I have no idea who the top 4 seeds will be, or who the team on the outside looking in will be (Warriors, Nuggets, Rockets? I think "no way" about all of them, but somebody's not gonna make it). It should be awesome.

It sounds like Kidd struggled last night against Paul. Anybody see the game? (I was working.) I'm getting ready to watch the Lakers/Suns game I DVRed. Tell me the best 2 quarters to skip, because I can't justify watching it in its entirety already knowing the outcome.

I would skip the 2nd and 3rd.

[TomAz]

so apparently the Suns are trying to work a deal for Rod Artest.

[JSam67]

Thanks downing. Also, sounds like everyone wants in on Artest action. Spurs, Suns, Nuggets... Where does he land?

I say Denver.

[TomAz]

I don't know if I even want him on the Suns. I guess it depends on what we give up. Diaw and a draft pick, ok. But not Bell.

[TomAz]

Marc Stein on espn.com today:

All signs in the early hours of Thursday morning pointed to Denver not making the much-discussed move for Ron Artest.

It sounds like the Kings would indeed rather move Artest than keep him at this point, given that they're unlikely to re-sign him in the summer and could use the final 29 games to get an even better feel for what John Salmons and their three point guards (Beno Udrih, Anthony Johnson and Tyronn Lue) can do. But Denver is still showing reluctance.

One factor, naturally, is Sacramento's insistence that it gets Nuggets forward Linas Kleiza in the exchange along with Eduardo Najera's expiring contract. Kleiza is not only one of the league's best bargains at the paltry salary of $1 million but also a big favorite of Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke after playing college ball with Kroenke's son at Missouri.

to which Chris Ford adds:

The dark horse in the Artest discussions may be the Suns. According to two league sources, the Suns have some interest in Artest. The team feels like it needs to replace Shawn Marion's perimeter defense, and Artest would fit the bill. His ability to guard four positions makes him coveted, despite the concerns about his personality.

[downingthief]

I don't know if I even want him on the Suns. I guess it depends on what we give up. Diaw and a draft pick, ok. But not Bell.

If they can dump Diaw, I'd be all for it. Anyone else, no. Seriously doubt they will get him, though. I agree that Denver is the more logical choice.

[thestripe]

Fuck Artest.

[JSam67]

Honestly, what happened to Diaw?

[downingthief]

The plot thickens...

They could definitely use his defense. Their perimiter defense (or lack thereof) is what cost them last night. Way too much easy penetration.

[downingthief]

Honestly, what happened to Diaw?

Good question. Nobody really knows. He's just too passive most of the time. He'll show flashes, and then go right back into his shell. If he could stay agressive, he'd be a hell of a player.

[JSam67]

We're only like, what, 2-3 years from him being Most Improved or something? Currently he's playing at a level that is a very steep decline from the guy I saw in those playoffs. If I were a Suns fan, I'd be happy to deal him, too. Bell, though, I'd like his defense too much. A defense of Artest, Bell, Amare, Shaq, and Nash is potentially excellent.

[ShyGuy75]

Snaq.......AHHHHAAAAAAAA>>>> he'sthesavioroftheuniverse............

OWNED

[TomAz]

Loaf of bread > ShyGuy's intelligence.

[ShyGuy75]

ShyGuy posts = TomAz jumps

[JSam67]

I just saw on ESPN2's bottom line that the Rockets are trading Bonzi Wells and Mike James to the Hornets for Bobby Jackson and I think a 2nd round draft pick.

[TomAz]

ShyGuy posts = TomAz jumps

don't flatter yourself.