Ep. 315: The Mamba Waits To Strike
The Basketball Jones — The Fix — Episode 315 (.mp3)
On today’s show, Tas and I discuss Kobe’s second-half brilliance, the Lakers’ deep bench and other thoughts on one of the best games of the ‘08 playoffs. We also explore this ‘Melo-to-New Jersey rumor, yell at a caller who questions Duncan’s career, and much, much more. Enjoy.
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16 Responses to “Ep. 315: The Mamba Waits To Strike”
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The Basketball Jones is a NBA blog and podcast, written and recorded five times a week by J.E. Skeets, Tas Melas and Jason Doyle. Comments, questions and cold hard cash are always welcome and much appreciated. Contact us.
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Spurs :They’re robots, but they still feel emotions? Maybe they’re actually cyborgs. Think about it.
You guys are 100 percent correct. Denver has no intention of dealing their franchise player. Melo may not be at the level where they need him just yet, but his value extends beyond the court - jersey, shoe and ticket sales among other things.
Tas- yes, Melo is the next T-Mac. All the talent int he world + zero dedication to the game = a lifetime of 1st round exits.
Also, I have no clue why you guys think Karl needs to “move over” for an idiot who’s done nothing other then put together a string of bad off court decisions since entering the NBA. He needs to take the Jamario Moon tour de hard knocks and no paychecks for a little wake up call.
Justin, you keep saying there’s time.. I think the door is closing faster then you think. He hasn’t figured it out by now, he never will.
*any podcast that includes weezer = muy bien!!
Tas, I can honestly say I have no interest in watching Kobe “get off”. But I know there are likely plenty of people in LA who are there hoping to see it.
Yes, it must have stuck with me when I read this Kobe quote before the show.
“I can get off at any time. In the second half I did that.”
It can be sticky, ya know.
Is it possible that getting too big a lead on the road can be a bad thing? It seems like once that leads gets cut to single digits, it’s over. I would bet that 85% of 15+ leads that get cut to single digits result in a loss for the road team. It’s just a human, emotional thing.
Wow Tas, that’s really mature haha
Why not trade AI?
who the hell is gonna take a 32 year old shoot first guard with 22 million due next year?
Don’t trade Melo, he’s only going to get better. He’s got so much skill, just needs to develop the mentality to go with it- don’t forget how young he is. I wouldn’t want any players off the Nets. Melo just needs a veteran who does things the right way to learn from and defer to at times. As much as I love Iverson he isn’t the guy to do that.
How refreshing it was to see the Spurs blow a big lead for once
man I need to start listening to the show before I post. Good points about Melo Tas that’s exactly what I think as well
George Karl has to go, he has given up on this team. Their roster is full of the types of players that Karl hates. They need to get a hip young coach, who’s not long retired, that the players will respect and listen to.
As far as the trade- that’s the worst group of players for a legit superstar I’ve ever heard- and the number 10 pick in a weak ass draft? Please, don’t want little girl voice Richard Jefferson anywhere near the Nugs. Is Jefferson a eunuch?
It’s a real shame the Cleveland Lebrons are out. Here’s something for you to think about- his supporting cast is not NEARLY as bad as everyone makes out- if he wasn’t so selfish, took better shots, didn’t turn the ball over like crazy, and played better D, they would still be playing. They play great team defense, they bail out Lebron who plays Ole defense, they knock down shots, they rebound extremely well. I’m going out on a limb here that all the media and Nike ad puppets will disagree with, but I think Lebron cost them that series with the Celtics
@Tas: (i’m paraphrasing) “We’re watching the NBA finals right now. whoever comes out of the East will not beat either of these teams.”
Granted, I’m being a homer here, but I’m pretty confident that the Pistons will take the Lakers. Here’s why:
Historically, Kobe doesn’t match up well with Detroit. Hamilton knows Kobe from high school, has size on him, and has consistently given him problems. In the last two years, Kobe has broken 20 points against Detroit once. Prior to that, he’s had some strong games, but in the post-season against detroit he’s shot 38%.
Between Boston, San Antonio and Detroit, no one can shut down Kobe like Detroit can.
Let’s talk Gasol. Since Detroit parted ways with Ben Wallace, Gasol’s only good game against Detroit (22/15) came when he was guarded by Chris Webber and his knees. This season, playing against Rasheed he’s shooting 38% for 14/9 in two games. Granted, this was as a Memphis Grizzly, but he’ll still have to deal with Sheed’s defense…
Lamar Odom? The only game he’s played well in, Detroit was without Antonio McDyess, who would likely guard Odom in the finals. In the three other games LA has faced Det, Odom has shot 20%, 25%, and 43% from the field. That’s pretty poor for a guy who shot 52.5% from the field this season.
Derek Fisher? I’ll take Chauncey at 90% over Fisher at 100. Chauncey owns, owns, owns Fisher, who has played like dogshit in each meeting against Detroit in the last two seasons.
Who is left, V-Rad? Please. LA’s bench? Meet Maxiell and Stuckey, sprinkle some Ratliff and Herrmann for good measure.
Here’s my point– Since Detroit has had Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince, they’ve posed the greatest matchup challenge to LA than any other team in the league, which is precisely why Detroit swept LA in ‘04. No Ben Wallace, No Shaq, but the key matchups remain. Pistons in 6, maybe even 5– especially since Detroit would have home court.
All this is for nothing, of course, if Detroit doesn’t do its job tonight against Boston.
And one more thing, if DET meets San Antonio in the finals, you won’t see the Jekyll/Hyde Detroit with the flip going on and off between games. We’ve still got a fiery vendetta against that team, and the fire under DET’s collective asses would be so bright you’d see it up in Toronto.
Between the three teams remaining, Boston provides the biggest hurdle, followed by SAS, then LA.
I’m ending my homerism now, but I had to defend the boys in blue. You can write the East off if you like, but Phil and Kobe are likely praying right now that Boston overtakes Detroit, which is very possible…
in my first post, this was supposed to read “nearly swept”:
“which is precisely why Detroit swept LA in ‘04″
Man, thanks for ripping into that asshole Ryan. What a ridiculous fucking guy. Duncan is the best big man in the league right now–center or PF. I mean…come on, dude.
- In the eyes of the media, Bruce Bowen is like the Pistons: they never get beat by someone.
Whenever Detroit loses, its ‘their minds werent in the game’. That’s NOT a fucking excuse. Saying they didnt turn the switch on is actually the WORSE excuse.
- As for Bowen’s 4th quarter against the alleged rapist, I watched the 4th again (thank you Bit Torrent) and loved the looks on his face. There was one point where Mamba zoomed by Bowen, then got held up by a pack of bodies, Bowen caught up and went to face him again just to see Kobe zoom by him again and finishe at the net.
No one talked about Bowen’s famed defence.
- Duncan is amazing how he makes everything look simple and effortless, you have the feeling he could play up to his 40s.(but I still cant get over his 2005 playoffs MVP.) But I understand how his game doesnt get credit: no dunking, no chest beating or WWE staredowns, no Sportscenter moments,… that’s so ‘unprofessional’ of him!
- Gasol is proving that Memphis was right: he is not a franchise player. Perfect complimentary guy though, high IQ, no defense.
@Tas/Skeets: Why dont you guys do a list of who you consider to be franchise players? There definitely isnt 30 of them in the league, so it shouldnt take long. Too many Iguodala types (1a players) get miscast simply because they are the best their team has.
- You know how you can tell fanbois? Anytime one of them uses the name Theo Ratliff and its not a punchline to a expiring contract joke. I expect that the Keith Van Horn expiring contract will make its appearance soon…