[Venge™]

Originally Posted by phoenixnash

Are you serious bout this comparison? Duncan vs Kobe now? I like Tim Duncan, I think he's the most underrated PF in the game. But when you talk about Kobe, you talk about the best player to play ever pound for pound. Tim is not even on my mind the best PF ever, I give that to Karl Malone. You cant compare team accomplishments, because of the obvious word team. They both have their share of great teammates. You said it yourself TD did it with different partners… TD is fundamentally sound but you have to give credit to the Spurs organization being a consistently a good team.

Lebron – Do you want to know why some people call him overrated? I don’t think he is, but the Cavs going to the finals last year that propelled Lebron as this “ONE-MAN TEAM” is just crazy to me. Name one team last year in the East that were serious contenders aside from the Pistons? Heat was old, Wizards were hurt, Magic was too young. They didn’t even put up a fight in the finals against the Spurs. Lebron said it himself, his improvement this year was because of his experience playing and watching Kobe play for team USA... that like Kobe he wants to guard the best players. Lebron looking up to him means the respect...if he's as cocky as you described him to be...he would not get along with these guys.

You like comparing stats against Tim Duncan? The only reason why Tim’s point average is better than Kobe’s is because you counted when his first 2 years after coming out of HS and coming off the bench. Its funny how you leave some other stats like assists, steals, 3 pointers, FT% and most importantly a number of last second winning baskets.

Let me ask you one question…to finish this argument … if you have Tim Duncan, Lebron James and Kobe Bryant playing in one team (could be Team USA)… who would you depend on taking the last shot? I rest my case.

No disrespect, but I don't think you know what you're talking about. You've provided no reasons as to why Kobe is better than Duncan. Instead you rely on a bunch of random hypotheticals as your arguments. Tim Duncan isn't the best PF ever? Ok, who gives a damn. Kobe isn't the best SG ever.

Basketball is a team sport no matter how you look at it. Kobe has had his share of partners. In fact, without Shaq, Kobe was unable to lead the Lakers to the playoffs in 2004, and had 2 straight first round exits in 05 and 06. It wasn't until this year that Bynum and Odom stepped up, and they stole Gasol from Memphis. That's what made Kobe an "MVP" player. Kobe even said it was his team that allowed him to win MVP/

Some of the stuff you say just doesn't make me want to take you seriously. The Heat were old? Since when? A few old players doesn't change the fact that the whole team was based around Dwyane Wade.

[phoenixnash]

Originally Posted by Venge™

No disrespect, but I don't think you know what you're talking about. You've provided no reasons as to why Kobe is better than Duncan. Instead you rely on a bunch of random hypotheticals as your arguments. Tim Duncan isn't the best PF ever? Ok, who gives a damn. Kobe isn't the best SG ever.

Basketball is a team sport no matter how you look at it. Kobe has had his share of partners. In fact, without Shaq, Kobe was unable to lead the Lakers to the playoffs in 2004, and had 2 straight first round exits in 05 and 06. It wasn't until this year that Bynum and Odom stepped up, and they stole Gasol from Memphis. That's what made Kobe an "MVP" player. Kobe even said it was his team that allowed him to win MVP/

Some of the stuff you say just doesn't make me want to take you seriously. The Heat were old? Since when? A few old players doesn't change the fact that the whole team was based around Dwyane Wade.

LOL. Random hypotheticals? You keep going back in circles saying that Kobe hasn’t won it without Shaq, now he has Gasol, Bynum…bla bla bla. Take that argument out and just focused on 2 players head to head. Yes TD has 2 MVPs to Kobe’s 1…but MVP is given to best regular season team. How many scoring records have Duncan broken? How many scoring titles did he won? He’s good at rebounding, did he ever win the rebound title? He’s won defensive player of the year once…big deal when you have that quickness and height. Kobe has to jump over people to block and rebound.

YOU CAN GO BACK TO HISTORY AND FIND OUT THAT NOBODY IN THIS LEAGUE CANT DO IT ON HIS OWN TO WIN A TITLE… NOT EVEN KOBE, LEBRON OR DUNCAN. But being the best player is more than just numbers and titles…its about being the toughest guy to defend, a player with no weakness. Duncan is smart and skilled…BUT can he hit 3 pointers, can he blow by a defender off the dribble, can he even go 80% on the FT line? Now let me ask you…what is Kobe’s weakness? If you know that answer…you might wanna share that to Bowen and Bell, because as good as they are they have not figured him out. You have not even answered my 1st question on who would you want to have the ball in the last second Duncan or Kobe? Face it… its tough to swallow bec you are a Kobe hater and in the next 2-3 years you will hate him more…because like it or not, he will be more dominant and will win more awards and titles because the Lakers are serious contenders again… the Spurs however have reached its peak and will start to decline.

As for the Heat not being old? Then explain how a crappy undersized Bulls team beat them in the first round as defending champs? They double teamed Wade and they pick and rolled the hell out of a slow and aging Shaq and Zo. Riley admitted it, he went for the old proven guys because it’s a short term plan. No team has ever fell down that quick after winning a championship.

[DDMac]

Prediction:
Spurs - 90
Hornets - 85

Chris Paul has a stellar game ... but David West is a non-factor due to injury, Peja disappears again, and the big three of San Antonio carry the Spurs to another Western Conference Finals.

[Killswitch]

I say the Hornets will defeat the Spurs tonight in OT with the home crowd advantage, New Orleans will move on to face LA and we will have Paul vs. Bryant to salivate over.

[nukeinyourhair]

The Boston Celtics vs. the Cleveland LeBrons Game 7 was pretty exciting. Seriously though, LeBron showed no faith in his teammates, probably why they lost. People tell me the rest of the team wasn't shooting well, I say "how can you tell?" how many shots did they get to take?

[phoenixnash]

It will be a great game tonight. Honestly I dont mind who wins this game, because I think both will be equally tough for the Lakers. Spurs on the otherhand have history with the Lakers and Derek Fisher, so as much as I dont want Spurs to go to the finals...I like their matchup against the Lakers. Bowen vs Kobe, Pau vs Tim.

I like NOH, but as they say to be the champ you have to beat the champ. Hopefully it goes back and forth like yesterday's game.

[NCIH Damage]

I'm nervous for tonight's game.

I dont even like the Hornets...I just hate the Spurs that much.

I think the three days off, plus their experience will help them.

Spurs 94 - 87 Hornets

[sirdilznik]

Originally Posted by DDMac

Prediction:
Spurs - 90
Hornets - 85

Chris Paul has a stellar game ... but David West is a non-factor due to injury, Peja disappears again, and the big three of San Antonio carry the Spurs to another Western Conference Finals.

According to the Hornets (or the press guy, whatever) David West participated in all the practices yesterday and will be 100% for the game. I'm not saying I believe that, but that is the statement released.

[KiNgoFKiNgS23]

Originally Posted by phoenixnash

Are you serious bout this comparison? Duncan vs Kobe now? I like Tim Duncan, I think he's the most underrated PF in the game. But when you talk about Kobe, you talk about the best player to play ever pound for pound. Tim is not even on my mind the best PF ever, I give that to Karl Malone. You cant compare team accomplishments, because of the obvious word team. They both have their share of great teammates. You said it yourself TD did it with different partners… TD is fundamentally sound but you have to give credit to the Spurs organization being a consistently a good team.

Lebron – Do you want to know why some people call him overrated? I don’t think he is, but the Cavs going to the finals last year that propelled Lebron as this “ONE-MAN TEAM” is just crazy to me. Name one team last year in the East that were serious contenders aside from the Pistons? Heat was old, Wizards were hurt, Magic was too young. They didn’t even put up a fight in the finals against the Spurs. Lebron said it himself, his improvement this year was because of his experience playing and watching Kobe play for team USA... that like Kobe he wants to guard the best players. Lebron looking up to him means the respect...if he's as cocky as you described him to be...he would not get along with these guys.

You like comparing stats against Tim Duncan? The only reason why Tim’s point average is better than Kobe’s is because you counted when his first 2 years after coming out of HS and coming off the bench. Its funny how you leave some other stats like assists, steals, 3 pointers, FT% and most importantly a number of last second winning baskets.

Let me ask you one question…to finish this argument … if you have Tim Duncan, Lebron James and Kobe Bryant playing in one team (could be Team USA)… who would you depend on taking the last shot? I rest my case.

Tim Duncan does what a PF is supposed to do. Duncan Dominates the paint and controls the game. Thats what separates him from KG and Malone who never did that. Tim Duncan has won 4 rings and Karl Malone has won nothing. You can't compare team accomplishments? Thats all that matters winning. Why is Joe Montana widely considered the greatest QB of all-time? Because he was the best when it counts. Why is Brady better than Manning because Peyton Manning has played one good half in a big game. Numbers don't tell the whole story, winning is all that matter. Tim Duncan has won more than Karl Malone. Tim Duncan > Karl Malone in a landslide. LMAO that Kobe is the best pound for pound player of all-time. Again Kobe Bryant hasn't won a championship without Shaq. Tim Duncan wins with anyone. Tim Duncan > Kobe Bryant.

Lebron James single handedly defeated the Pistons. Kobe Bryant has never single handedly won a playoff series in his career. If Kobe was the best player he should of been good enough to close out a 3-1 lead against the Suns. Lebron does more for his team, and has better numbers when everyone is just geared to stop him. He has no talent around him and averaged 30-8-7.

If the game was on the line I would give the ball to whoever is having the best game. Did you see this year when Lebron took the last shot in the qualifier for the Olympics? They are all great players and whoever is having the best game will take the last shot. To think Kobe will take the last shot 100% of the time is laughable.

[DDMac]

Originally Posted by KiNgoFKiNgS23

Tim Duncan wins with anyone.

Are you kidding me? He won championships with one of the greatest centers of ALL-TIME, and two of the best players in the game today. If that's what you mean by 'anyone' then sure.