OT: Christmas Day NBA Games Thread
Tuesday, December 25 | ||||
RESULT | WINNER HIGH | LOSER HIGH | ATT. | |
Boston 93, Brooklyn 76 | Rondo 19 Pts |
Lopez 15 Pts Wallace 15 Pts |
17,732 | |
MATCHUP | TIME (ET) | AWAY TV | HOME TV | NAT TV |
New York at LA Lakers | 3:00 PM | |||
Oklahoma City at Miami | 5:30 PM | |||
Houston at Chicago | 8:00 PM | CSN Houston | WCIU | |
Denver at LA Clippers | 10:30 PM | Altitude Sports | FSW2 |
*I really started this thread to ask - "has Darius Morris been starting at SG recently?!" He's started the Lakers/Knicks game WITH Nash and Kobe and it made no sense. They had him guarding Carmelo and he got owned. Why would they start him over Metta World Peace who's a MUCH better defensive matchup? Seems like a terrible coaching move.
I could see playing him with Nash when the Knicks have Felton and Kidd on the floor and Kobe is out...but not having him guard Carmelo who's playing PF!
December 25th, 2012 at 3:33 PM ^
He gives them a little more athleticism. It's a good move from that stand point against a very old Knicks team. It also frees them up to get Jordan Hill more into the rotation. Again, more athleticism.
I can see where you are coming from on Artest, but he's no longer much better than a good or slightly above average defender.
December 25th, 2012 at 3:39 PM ^
Put throwing Morris out there was giving them 2 free points every trip down. I'm glad he's getting more run though, I think he's going to play well in D'Antoni's offense.
December 25th, 2012 at 3:48 PM ^
I agree. I think it goes to the larger issue with the Lakers. The coach knows after a month of watching that they have glaring weaknesses amid all the star power and he's trying to patch those up. It just isn't a very talented bottom 2/3 of the roster.
The height advantage he has in most games gives him some wiggle room to experiment at the 2 and 3 positions. I just don't see the supporting cast.
On the positive, we can see already Nash will make the offense much better. If Howard is actually an All Star dominating center defensively, they could be tough. He may not be anymore though.
December 25th, 2012 at 3:53 PM ^
With that said, I think the Lakers will be just fine as long as Nash stays healthy.
He's the only player that can run this offense how it needs to be run.
I don't think they'll be better than the Thunder though - even at their best. I'm not even sure they're better than the Clips, Spurs and Griz. I would throw them in there with those teams if they can continue to improve.
December 25th, 2012 at 3:58 PM ^
Yeah. Right on. I do think that people who throw them out with morning trash because they are old and can't run this system, need to watch the games. Dantoni has his faults such as pedestrian knowledge of defense, but he is already taking the offense and molding it to the size and age issues. Nash is the key and he'll set the pace and it doesn't have to be Phoenix 6 years ago to be devastating.
December 25th, 2012 at 3:43 PM ^
The Lakers went with the same lineup in Nash's first game back against Golden State. For whatever reason, it looks like they prefer bringing Artest off the bench. I wouldn't read too much into Morris starting -- it looks like he's still destined to top out at around 10-15 minutes a game. But he does seem to have carved out a legitimate role for himself as a perimeter defensive specialist. He was a much bigger contributer in that Golden State game than his stat line indicates, as he was really disruptive on the defensive end, and the Lakers always stick him on the other team's best perimeter scorer when he's in the game.
At some point, Morris is going to have to improve on the offensive end, but his defensive has improved to the point that I think he's a pretty safe bet to keep getting minutes until it does.
December 25th, 2012 at 3:46 PM ^
The NBA is going smaller so I don't have a problem with starting him. Just not in this game and having him guard the opposing PF. I think Kidd would be a great matchup for him, but they've got to put Kobe on Kidd to keep him out of foul trouble - or Nash on Kidd because they're both slow and Nash can't defend.
With that said, I think Morris can certainly find a role with the Lakers.
December 25th, 2012 at 3:51 PM ^
If he can defend and give them 15 high energy minutes, him nailing that 3 or scoring at all is just gravy.
December 25th, 2012 at 3:43 PM ^
I'm not sold on the Knicks at all. Especially once Amar'e comes back. He and Melo can't be on the floor at the same time.
December 25th, 2012 at 3:49 PM ^
Because I don't think he'll start. I think he'll play when Chandler is out. If they start losing when he gets back...they'll just trade him for young pieces.
December 25th, 2012 at 4:00 PM ^
They tried to trade to everyone in the league in the off season. No one wants him. His contract makes me unmovable. Not to mention how he can't hold up anymore.
December 25th, 2012 at 4:04 PM ^
I am wracking my brain on where he'd fit in. I actually like him as a 6th man for Oklahoma City. He gives them a post option. I am talking limited minutes though. He's too much of a black hole and plays no defense to log heavy minutes for a good team with promise.
December 25th, 2012 at 4:14 PM ^
Somone's always willing to take on a contract like Amare, the Knicks will just have to take back expiring contracts and draft picks in return.
Hey, my Pistons will take him for Maggette and Villaneuva! C'mon NY...do it.
December 25th, 2012 at 4:18 PM ^
I actually like him on Detroit. They need a post scoring option and he'd be their best offensive player right off the jump. So it's an upgrade. Unload those trash contracts you speak of too.
Now just find a way to convince the Knicks to do it..... Since Isiah isn't running things anymore, I have my doubts.
December 25th, 2012 at 6:01 PM ^
December 25th, 2012 at 6:58 PM ^
Great point...with that said, Detroit, Charlotte and Washington can afford the risk.
December 25th, 2012 at 3:49 PM ^
Plus they don't rebound well. I just don't see them shooting like this to win meaningful series in May. Teams get out and play tighter and with more energy then in a random game in December.
December 26th, 2012 at 1:39 AM ^
December 25th, 2012 at 4:11 PM ^
December 25th, 2012 at 4:30 PM ^
Thought this was interesting..while reading a little background information on Kobe Bryant on wiki...yeah, yeah wiki say what you want, but it's still a good place to find some info. Anyways before deciding to go straight to the NBA, Kobe had Duke, N.C, Villanova, and MICHIGAN on the top of his list of schools to play ball at.
COULD YOU IMAGINE????????????
December 25th, 2012 at 5:03 PM ^
December 25th, 2012 at 7:02 PM ^
Kevin Garnett was COMING to Michigan before he decided to go pro. He's openly said he would've gone to Michigan if he didn't enter the draft.
December 25th, 2012 at 5:18 PM ^
Last game against the Knicks Artest got abused by Carmello repeatedly so that probably wasn't a much better defensive matchup.
December 25th, 2012 at 5:22 PM ^
Those Knicks unis - is it firearms deer season at MSG? Talk about attack of the safety orange....
December 25th, 2012 at 5:47 PM ^
Very telling...
December 25th, 2012 at 9:12 PM ^
December 25th, 2012 at 6:55 PM ^
But today's games have been AWESOME. It started in last year's playoffs and has continued through this year.
I just want guys playing like it means something. If you saw Bos vs. NJ, there was a scuffle in that game...guys fighting for the win. The LAL/NYK game was one of the best NBA games I've seen in the past few years. And now LeBron and co. are going at it.
I'm not sure what it is, but the NBA has gotten a lot better IMO. It's not college, but it's a least watchable.
I've enjoyed all 3 games thus far.
December 25th, 2012 at 10:59 PM ^
It has been good today. A lot less of the old schtick of super stars playing iso and then drawing a call on a drive to the hole.
The Lakers showed more than a pulse. What are your impressions of them and do you think they have the upside with this roster to be a threat come May?