<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Wow Steph shot just 4-21 last night, who told him it was a Finals game?</p>&mdash; Joe (@BarryOnHere) <a href="https://twitter.com/BarryOnHere/status/1466179799731380227?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Looks like he stole this one from me. Usually it is the other way around.

LeBron's immune system btw beat COVID down in like a day. He's back tomorrow.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just in: Lakers star LeBron James has been cleared from health and safety protocols to return on Friday vs. Clippers, after testing positive but since registering multiple negative COVID-19 tests, sources tell <a href="https://twitter.com/TheAthletic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheAthletic</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Stadium?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Stadium</a>.</p>&mdash; Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1466543366443831303?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I don't think he ever had covid since he had conflicting test results.

He's the Magic Johnson of Covid

Thunder lost by 73 last night. :eek:

They do play the Lakers again soon though. ;)

His dick is going to be sore from you sucking it off so much.

Julius Randle has some Missing Link stuff going on

No they shouldn't. This kind of thinking needs to stop. There is almost nothing anyone can say to you that warrants you putting your hands on someone. Words. They are words.

BWillie's most underrated players in the NBA
1. Norm Powell - Portland
2. Malcom Brogdon - Indiana
3. Mikal Bridges - Phx
4. Lamelo Ball - Charlotte (just because he's a ball nobody gives him enough credit)
5. Desmond Bane & Grayson Allen - two collegey guys who turned into good scoring role players

Nah - he just got COVID from the same folks that spray-painted racist graffiti on his garage.

https://i.imgur.com/bmFoqLD.gif

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">LeBron James literally just defeated COVID. Michael Jordan could never.<br><br>LBJ &gt; MJ</p>&mdash; Joe (@BarryOnHere) <a href="https://twitter.com/BarryOnHere/status/1466548558459400192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

If they said what they were accused of saying during that game, **** 'em. Buying a ticket to a basketball game doesn't give anybody the right to say whatever the hell they want to say at these guys.

His Chinese buddies probably administered the exam.

Like your list and was hoping Bane was on there. If you're going to include a Bridges, though, you might think about Miles as well.

After that, choose a role player from GS.

This is how I am tonight. I want to watch but pretty sure I'll fall asleep the instant my head hits the pillow so why fight it.

I couldn't stay up either, I hate these west coast game times.

I see GSW beat them by 22, what is interesting is that the Suns shot 23 more FT's than GS, 35-12 LMAO

I think the refs are mad at Steph for him making fun of them getting a T the other night

Social media concerned about Zions weight.


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Zion at tonight’s game <br><br>(h/t <a href="https://twitter.com/s_helwick?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@s_helwick</a>) <a href="https://t.co/21lgxi5Csc">pic.twitter.com/21lgxi5Csc</a></p>&mdash; NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheNBACentral/status/1467709739031273481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Grizz lucked out getting Ja at 2, IMO.

Is that for real or a joke? If that’s for real… ****. He’s fatter than me.

Zion was always pushing it even when he got drafted. This was inevitable although it happened quicker than I thought it would.

He'll probably be able to take a fair amount of that back off and the sweats probably aren't doing him any favors. Additionally, he's always played a little pudgy (though there were times that he carried about 260 lbs like an adonis).

But man, you can't start playing as fat Shaq when you're 22 years old. Especially when you aren't a 7 footer and the league isn't designed inside-out anymore.

Zion just got shut down from basketball activities.

Curry should break the 3 pt record tomorrow night vs the Knicks on TNT. Had 5 3's tonight in their win so only 2 left.

Broke it early. Now they can focus on the game instead of the record.

Congrats to Curry for breaking the All time 3 pt record. He will go down as one of the most influential players ever in NBA history and probably the first since Jordan or maybe Kobe.

And before anyone takes offense what I mean by influential is that the game of basketball has completely changed (whether you like it or not) because of Curry\Klay. Not many players in the NBA have had the much influence.

Klay hasn't really changed the game, he's just a really really really good shooter. But he's more in the mold of a Ray Allen/Reggie Miller. Curry popularized the long distance three and the three "off the dribble" beyond anything we've ever seen. Also the volume and efficiency that we never thought was possible. I love Klay though, great personality and great player, especially in big games...which has been key when teams focus on Curry.

I think the league has more talent than ever, but the Warriors are one of the only teams who are consistently entertaining due to their play style.....and Curry.

This Lakers lineup of IT, Rondo, Melo, Ariza and Westbrook would have been awesome 5-6 years ago

Would they have been able to play with 5 balls? Well, I don't know about ariza but didn't ask those other guys have to have the ball in their hands all the time?

big win for the Warriors especially with 2 of their best players out with Covid. When Klay comes back..good luck

Westbrook goes 4 for 20 and somehow manages to be -23 in his 37 minutes in a game LeBron went for 39, 9 and 7 on 14/25 shooting with +9 in 40 minutes.

I don’t know if Westbrook is the worst player in the NBA, but he’s got a legitimate argument for it.

But he got a triple double, lol.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Happy birthday to <a href="https://twitter.com/KingJames?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KingJames</a> ��<br><br>—4x champ<br>—4x Finals MVP<br>—4x MVP<br>—3x All-Star MVP<br>—Only player to win Finals MVP on three teams<br>—17x All-Star<br>—17x All-NBA<br>—6x All-Defensive<br>—10 Finals appearances<br>—Playoff points leader<br>—36K/9K/9K<br><br>Appreciate greatness.<br><br>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/ADBPhotoInc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ADBPhotoInc</a>) <a href="https://t.co/DAMtxk5lgp">pic.twitter.com/DAMtxk5lgp</a></p>&mdash; Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) <a href="https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1476538561839210502?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">LeBron James celebrates his 37th birthday today, and it&#39;s clear that he&#39;s aging like a fine wine.<br><br>James leads the NBA with 387 points in December.<br><br>He would be the oldest player to lead the NBA in scoring in a calendar month, surpassing Kobe Bryant (36 in Nov. 2014). <a href="https://t.co/IJwNYC62R7">pic.twitter.com/IJwNYC62R7</a></p>&mdash; ESPN Stats &amp; Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/1476591410878955520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">LeBron James turns 37 today �� <br><br>He&#39;s averaging 28.0 PPG, by far the most by a player age 37 or later in NBA history. <a href="https://t.co/SwjoRcIjBo">pic.twitter.com/SwjoRcIjBo</a></p>&mdash; SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1476576616046374925?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">LeBron turns 37 today! <br>Happy Birthday, <a href="https://twitter.com/KingJames?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KingJames</a> ��<a href="https://t.co/rp5wk1K2Fc">pic.twitter.com/rp5wk1K2Fc</a></p>&mdash; Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ballislife/status/1476523878809837573?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Let&#39;s try this again.<br><br>LeBron in 2005 at age 20.<br>LeBron in 2022 at age 37.<br><br>The guy is a ****ing alien. <a href="https://t.co/q0sKTfJsLg">pic.twitter.com/q0sKTfJsLg</a></p>&mdash; Joe (@BarryOnHere) <a href="https://twitter.com/BarryOnHere/status/1476299007966257157?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Happy birthday to the GOAT. Enjoy it while it lasts because we will never see anything like him again.

GS with 78 in the first half vs Chicago

Yeah, they look good without Klay.

Grayson ‘white privilege’ Allen still dirty


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Grayson Allen foul on Alex Caruso. Replays included. <a href="https://t.co/1ixcve9i0s">pic.twitter.com/1ixcve9i0s</a></p>&mdash; Ⓜ️𝕒𝕣𝕔𝕦𝕤𝔻 ▶️ (@_MarcusD3_) <a href="https://twitter.com/_MarcusD3_/status/1484719656468418565?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Allen has always been trash. Caruso is out 6-8 weeks.

Completely unrelated, Cleveland is currently the 5th seed in the East.

Watched this last night. POS was smirking as he came off the court.

Little surprising to hear about the extent of Caruso’s injury given he finished the game but it also might explain his shit shooting towards the end.

I am sure we will see another overrated player who will make a shitty remake of a movie.

Incredible stats, it must kill him that he's still a distant second best after all of that

I’ll take the guy who was great for two decades over the guy who was great for one decade myself.

My Mavs are much improved this season. Jason Kidd was a great hire and he’s got Dallas playing defense.

NBA posts on an NFL Divisional Playoff weekend :whackit:

**** your thread and **** your sport.

Please drunk drive yourself to death like you're an MLB up and cummer

I’ll take the sport that didn’t all but fix last year’s SB for Tom Brady myself. Hope for the Chiefs’ sake it doesn’t happen again but there’s really very little stopping that.

Sounds like the Sixers aren't too far off on getting Harden for Simmons and whoever else the Nets desire.

They should do whatever it takes to make that trade right now IMO. Can't take for granted a season where Embiid is both healthy and playing at a MVP level. That won't happen every year.

Jalen Brunson in another guy that really shouldn't work in the Association, but he really does.

Given how bad Harden's defense has been, this might end up a straight swap.

The deed is done. Harden and Millsap for Simmons, Curry, Drummond, and 2022 and 2027 first round picks.

How long before Harden demands a trade from Philadelphia?

Probably won't. Only after Morey left and the Rockets cratered did he really want out, although some of that was self inflicted. Also can't blame him for wanting to get the **** away from Irving and his bullshit even if, again, that was a bit self inflicted.

LETS GO SIXERS!!...WE GOT JOEL AND THE BEARD TEAMING UP IN SOUTH PHILLY AND THE LEAGUE IS IN TROUBLE YALL!!...CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HOW THIS GOES...THOSE PICK & ROLLS ARE GONNA BE HILARIOUS :D

Both guys are brokedicks. Embiid is always injured and neither player is in shape for deep playoff runs.

Hasn't he feuded with CP3, Westbrook, and now the Nets all in order though? He's back with Morey but I wouldn't be surprised if Embiid and him didn't get along if/when things go south.

Still, the 76ers had to make this deal. Nets did too for that matter.

Harden won't clash with his new team until at least next year. I suppose its one of those trades that makes both teams better considering the prior teams were getting nothing from each guy, but gotta think its a bigger improvement for Philly.

Lots of crazy deals today. Unicorn out in Dallas. White out of SA.

LMAO All Star Draft on TNT was peak comedy.

So glad to get rid of broke dick KP and his contract. It obviously wasn’t working and it was time to move on. Luka responds by dropping 51 on the Clippers.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">LEBRON GAME WINNER. <br><br> <a href="https://t.co/pQAC3WDnX9">pic.twitter.com/pQAC3WDnX9</a></p>&mdash; Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheHoopCentral/status/1495607898621333507?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The GOAT.

That was a pretty cool ending. Difficult guarded shot in an unguarded game.

This guy is my age and still a top 3 player in the league. Meanwhile I can no longer get rim and I make groaning noises when I go to stand up. Lmfao

And he’s been at that level since his 2nd year in the league in 2004. The most ridiculous run in NBA history.

Magic ahead of Wilt?

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...check-our-list

They ranked them 4 and 5. Not a big deal, IMO. I'd rank Wilt higher but I can see the argument. I had the same top 10 as the ESPN list, though I'd use a different order.

Placing every PF ahead of Karl Malone is where I take issue. ESPN couldn't resist their political correctness when viewing Malone from an objective lens.

Also, there's little argument for Shaq over Hakeem. I never understood putting Shaq higher.

Wilt's a hard guy to grade because the era he played in just didn't have anyone like him. He's kinda like Babe Ruth in that regard - he was just the only guy doing what he did. Relative to his peers, Wilt should be #1 with nobody particularly close, IMO.

But the question his how much you have to adjust for era. I really can't find fault with how anyone answers that.

Regarding Shaq v. Olajuwon - I don't think there's any question that Olajuwon was more 'skilled'. But it's just impossible to overstate how physically dominant Shaq was, especially at his peak. His combination of size and athleticism made him simply an impossible question to deal with.

Olajuwon was unquestionably a more aesthetically pleasing player to watch. And if you'd have taken his skills and put them in Shaqs body you'd have essentially broken the sport. But Shaq HAD that body. And he used it damn well. Moreover, he was a gifted passer and had amazing feet in the post. Shaq was very skilled in his own right, he was just able to manifest that skill in a more physically imposing way.

I don't mind Shaq being ahead of Olajuwon.

Hakeem carried two teams to championships. Shaq had Kobe and Wade, who were both elite players. Before that, he had Penny. Shaq never carried a team by himself.

Hakeem was miles better defensively. Look at his all-NBA defensive team accolades, plus defensive player of the year. Shaq didn't have the same effect on the defensive end. Not saying he was bad defensively, but he wasn't on Hakeem's level.

Also, despite Shaq's dominance, it's not like he won scoring titles every year. He scored 29 per game three times in his career. Won two scoring titles. Yes, his free throw shooting cost him more scoring titles. Point is, his physical dominance didn't result in otherworldly numbers.

KCC is somewhere punching the air.

There's a strong argument to be made for Hakeem over Shaq but this is kind of a silly point.

Since you brought up Penny Hardaway, Akeem had Ralph Sampson during the Rockets' 1985-86 run to the Finals. The Twin Towers. Sampson averaged a double-double that year.

What about Clyde Drexler in 1994-95? Drexler took a team to the Finals in Portland.

Yet his numbers were better than Hakeems...

I don't disagree that Olajuwon was a better defender. He was - but as you said, Shaq was a very good defensive player in his own right. It wasn't merely with blocks, but simply having his presence in the paint could neutralize guys, especially in the big man era he played in where they were still looking to try to bang guys in down low.

Olajuwon was undeniably a craftier, more skilled defender, especially as a help defender given his reach and mobility. But strictly as a man defender, I think Shaq was Hakeem's equal. And his impact on the defense was significant, if not as obvious as Hakeems.

Offensively Shaq was simply a more efficient player. He scored more PPG on fewer shot attempts. He was Olajuwon's equal as a passer and was slightly more effective as a defensive rebounder given his tendency to be posted up nearer the basket than Hakeem would've been on shot attempts.

Now Hakeem was at/near his peak for longer than Shaq was because Shaq simply didn't take care of his body as well as he should've. But the Orlando/LA version of Shaq was a step beyond anything Olajuwon did. And to say "well he wasn't THAT much better than Olajuwon offensively -- he only scored 29/gm 3 times..." is a tad disingenuous when making direct comparisons.

Let's put it on more apples to apples terms. The best scoring season of Olajuwon's career would've been the 6th best of Shaqs career. His 2nd best would've been the 8th best of Shaq's career. And it just kind continues down the list.

Literally every single rank-order of their career (best vs. best, 2nd vs. 2nd, etc...) give a decided advantage to Shaq. All by more than a opint, most by more than two and many by 3-4.

And again, all of this was done on fewer shots per game. Shaq was definitely a better offensive player than Olajuwon and likely by enough to make up for Hakeem's edge on defense, IMO.

Somewhere Luca Doncic is crying to a referee for being left off the list.

Kobe, Wilt, Curry too low. Oscar Robertson too high by Russell Westbrooking. Giannis too high - he's just too young to put that high yet. Kevin Garnett way too high.

And the 93-94 team was essentially the same squad that lost the the Sonic the previous year and then won a Jordanless season in one of the more underwhelming years in league history. No 60 game winners and a real lack of punch throughout the league.

I won't asterisk it or anything, but I think it's hard to give any extra credit for it either.

Perhaps if Kobe were this low in real life, the helicopter crash wouldn't have killed him.

NBA leader in turnovers over the last few years. A tad overrated, not alot, but a tad. Needs to shoot better.

Biggest crybaby in the NBA and it’s not even close. He definitely has some talent, but watching him is like watching Putin try to play basketball. The guy thinks he should get superstar level calls every time and he’s yet to win a playoff round. He’s talented, but he won’t ever carry them in the postseason with how mentally soft he is.

Hakeem didn't win the title with Sampson. I was talking about 1994 and 1995. That's a fair point about Drexler. However, there's no doubt who was top dog on that team. It wasn't Drexler. Shaq was better than Kobe during their runs, but Kobe was more likely to have the ball in key moments.

In any case, Shaq never had a run like 1994 where Hakeem had no Drexler and carried that team.

Hakeem was on 9 All-NBA defensive teams. Shaq was on 3 (all of them second teams). Hakeem was also a 2x defensive player of the year. There's no comparing them defensively. It's not close.

Shaq was comparatively better offensively, though he had little to no skills besides dunking and doing a baby hook shot from two feet away. He had no game facing the basket. Of course, the counter-argument is he didn't need to develop skills since he could just back defenders down.

That said, I rank them both #10 to #15 all-time. So not a big difference. I just get surprised when most rank Shaq higher. I watched both of their primes and Hakeem was a more important player to his team. A better two-way player. The Lakers/Magic/Heat aren't winning titles without Shaq, but they're not a lottery team either.

I mean, if Porzingis could have stayed healthy for even one playoff series they may have gotten one. Hell, just last year I feel like they knock the Clippers off if he played. Dude is made of glass, and Luka basically was their entire offense outside of that. Regarding his turnovers, he has had some of the highest usage rate (leading the league this season) so of course the guy with the ball the most will have more turnovers.

Porzingis is a ****ing pussy.