2011-2012 NBA Playoffs Discussion Thread

[SAL]

Blake doesn't have to learn how to play one on one D. He can just learn how to flop on that end like Chauncey and Paul do ever play. They get you in enough foul trouble that you can't defend them and you can't attack them.

Flop City

Goddamn those grapes are sour. Lakers fans are not allowed to complain about flopping. Actually, nobody should be allowed to complain, because every team has a guy or guys who flop.

And I agree with your half-joking sentiment. Blake doesn't need to become an elite defender. What the Clippers need is a coach who can teach good team defense. When Sterling picked Del Negro over Dwayne Casey he just might have cost his team a shot at a championship down the road.

 

[Showtime]

Griffin becoming a great defender would be huge for the Clippers because having two great interior defenders basically makes you a lock for at least one title and multiple titles. The twin towers should be proof of this. Team defense is great and all, and they sure do need it because they do have some great defenders on their team. Paul, Chauncy, Bulter, and Jordon are all actually good/great on defense and yet they're still one of the worst teams on that side of ball and that is the coach's fault. Like you said, the sooner they get a coach that stresses defense, because with CP3 and Billups you really don't need much teaching on the offensive side of the ball, the sooner they will get championships.

 

[PHX]

I will be stunned if Blake doesn't become at least a pretty good shot blocker. He is too quick and athletic not to be.

 

[Showtime]

Shot blocking doesn't exaclty make you a good defender though, it is improvement and helpful, but it's only one part of defense. Otherwise McGee would be considered more than just a joke that goes for highlights over team play.

 

[PHX]

I know hence why I said at least have that added to his game not thats all he needs to be a great defender. I feel Blake with his physical ability should already have it in his game to be a 2 block per game type shot blocker.

 

[SAIYANS]

If Blake wants to be a good defender he needs to watch Karl Malone tapes. Position defense, moving your feet, and quick hands. Rodman, Horace, and the Mailman didn't have to block shots but were great post defenders

 

[Killswitch]

Dwight Howard is the best center in the NBA, but that's not saying much. The NBA doesn't produce dominant centers anymore. Dwight Howard isn't even as good as Shaq at the same age.

 

[Showtime]

Shaq was one of the dominant big man of all time in his prime, he could have been the GOAT had he not been a lazy fat fuck that was content with his game and would rather rap and focus on shit like that instead of getting into shape all offseason and just training hard.

But yeah, Dwight isn't even close to compable to Shaq, Shaq was dominant on both ends of the floor and had go to moves on offense and was a beast on that end as well while Dwight is in a league with subpar centers and yet still cant get a great offensive game going.

 

[Kiffy Lube]

If you ever heard Shaq RAP you'd know he cared more about basketball.

And that is with saying I love the album Shaq Diesel.

 

[SAIYANS]

Shaq wasn't as good as Dwight on defense and no where close at rebounding. Lets not rewrite history. Shaq was on a whole different level for offense, passing, and dominance as a whole, nut Dwight is the better defensive center and rebounder. He also accomplished more if you compare their Orlando careers. I mean the fact Shaq isn't top 10 all time in rebounding and won't be top 5 in scoring shows how he underachieved in proportion to his actual potential (which is world's bigger than Dwight's)

 

[PHX]

I think that sums it up perfectly though I would give Shaq more credit than that for his rebounding. I'll take Dwight's D and rebounding over Shaq's and of course will take Shaq's offense over Howards. Also am not gonna hold the fact that there isn't any other real dominate centers to oppose him in the league as he can only play in the league he is in. I still don't think we've seen the best of Howard as I can see him getting better with his offense over these next few years. I also rather he be naturally gifted at defense than offense cause offense is easier to teach than defense.

 

[SAL]

Shaq wasn't as good as Dwight on defense and no where close at rebounding. Lets not rewrite history. Shaq was on a whole different level for offense, passing, and dominance as a whole, nut Dwight is the better defensive center and rebounder. He also accomplished more if you compare their Orlando careers. I mean the fact Shaq isn't top 10 all time in rebounding and won't be top 5 in scoring shows how he underachieved in proportion to his actual potential (which is world's bigger than Dwight's)

Sure, but it's not a battle of each player vs. his potential. It's player vs. player. And as much as I want to make the argument for Dwight, Shaq in his prime was a more dominant player overall. It's completely unfair to compare their Orlando careers, seeing as how Shaq's only lasted four years. Compare Shaq's first four years to Dwight's first four (or, if you want to be fairer to Dwight, his 2nd-5th years). Dwight needed a couple of years to become almost as good as Shaq was immediately.

 

[Kiffy Lube]

But Howard hasn't put out a RAP album. That is the one thing he needs to get to Shaq's early levels.

 

[Showtime]

Shaq's rookie season is better than any season Dwight has had thus far. That should say all that needs to be said.

Also, Dwight has not had one rebounding player on his team so far in his career. He gets all the boards since there really is no competition for them, not saying Shaq had great boarders on his multiple teams, but they were better than Lewis and Anderson by far.

It still makes me MAD how much unfulfilled potential Shaq had.

 

[PHX]

What kind of dumb ass defense was that. How do you have NO ONE on Terry on the 3 line.