OT: Christmas Day NBA Games Thread

Submitted by Mr. Yost on

 

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     ABC
Oklahoma City at Miami 5:30 PM     ABC
Houston at Chicago 8:00 PM CSN Houston WCIU ESPN
Denver at LA Clippers 10:30 PM Altitude Sports FSW2 ESPN

 

*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!

NateVolk

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.

NateVolk

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.

Mr. Yost

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.

 

NateVolk

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.

panthera leo fututio

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.

Mr. Yost

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.

NateVolk

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.

 

Needs

December 25th, 2012 at 6:01 PM ^

No one will take Amar'e because it's impossible to hedge his contract. His knees are so bad that no insurance companies have been willing to insure his contract. If he suffers a career ending injury, his team is on the hook for the whole thing.

Big_H

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????????????

Mr. Yost

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.

NateVolk

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?