Wednesday, April 13th, 2011 at 9:06 am  |  139 responses

The Post Up: Center of Attention

Lakers win, but their big man goes down.

by Sam Riches / @sam_riches

Chicago 103, New York 90

After starting the third quarter with a 26-2 run, the Bulls snapped the Knicks seven-game winning streak and kept the race for the League’s best record alive. Derrick Rose led all scorers with 26 points. Carmelo Anthony was the high man for the Knicks with 21, followed by Bill Walker with 18. Amar’e Stoudemire sat out his third straight game with a sprained ankle and is likely to rest in the season finale tonight against the Celtics. Carlos Boozer brought some Windex to MSG and cleaned the glass for 22 rebounds, to go alongside 14 points. Ronnie Brewer sprained his thumb diving for a loose ball in the second quarter and Joakim Noah tweaked his already sprained right ankle, but neither injury appeared to be too serious. With the win, the Bulls have now defeated every team in the League.

Portland 102, Memphis 89

With Z-Bo and Tony Allen watching from the Grizzlies bench, the Blazers cruised to victory and clinched the sixth seed in the West. LeMarcus Aldridge led the way with 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Mike Conley paced the Grizzlies with 17. Rudy Fernandez broke out of a shooting slump, wetting four of five from deep and tallying 18 points off the bench. Andre Miller attempted to convert an alley-oop in the second quarter but failed miserably, much to Blake Griffin’s delight.

Los Angeles 102, San Antonio 93

Andrew Bynum got hurt. The big fella came crashing to the floor early in the second quarter after stepping on DeJuan Blair’s foot and hyperextending his already surgically repaired right knee. An MRI later today will determine his fate. With Greg Popovich opting to rest his starters, Gary Neal led the Spurs with 16 points. Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 27 points, while Lamar Kardashian added 23 and Pau Gasol doubled up with 17 and 17. With the loss, the Spurs are now tied with the Bulls for the League’s best record at 61-20; the winner will be decided tonight as the San Antonio visits the Phoenix Suns and the Chicago hosts the New Jersey Nets.

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  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    lol I knew that was coming. But it sure does help its case as a useful tool when used at the end of a series of other data. The one knock against PER that everyone, including me, and even John Hollinger will admit, PER doesn’t account for everything on the defensive end…..and Jordan is still 4 points better. Jordan was far and away a better defender then Kobe, Kobe’s only place in this argument is on offense, and even that doesn’t work out.

  • SpursFan

    Jordon made more shots, well shooting a better %, thus making him better. Jordon has more championships, again making him better. Jordon is Jordon, while Kobe is Shaq’s sidekick, and a crybaby that threatened to leave his city if they didn’t get another good player… SMH that this even a debate. On a sidenote, Hill should get 6th man…

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    on to more pressing matters, how many of you Laker fans have been having a heart attack since about 9 oclock last night?

  • http://nobulljive.com Enigmatic

    Oh yeah, no doubt nbk. Jordan (and Pippen) on defense was a thing of beauty.
    Even Jordan’s tongue-sticking-out > Kobe’s crazy jaw/ constipation face

  • thawindy

    I didn’t think this would happen. I wanted to talk trash about the bulls beating the knicks..stay in the present. Mike is the greatess. DRose is the youngest mvp in NBA history. It feels good to be a bulls fan again. We use to joke about the how many years it would take the bulls to win another one after his greatness departed from us. I gotta say I like our chances.

  • JTaylor21

    Holla at me when KB puts up 41/8/5 in the Finals!!! or drops 43/6/5, 45/5/5, 43/6/7, 45/10/7 in playoffs series. It will be a discussion when he scores in double digits for 866 straight games. When KB drops 50+pts in back to back playoff games, holla. Until then keep living in la la land thinking that KB is f*cking with MJ.

  • http://slamonline.com Kap

    So since Amare put those numbers up against the spurs in a playoff series does that mean he’s effing with MJ?

  • http://www.slamonline.com Eboy

    I just re-watched the Shaq vs. Brad Miller fight from years ago….damn, Shaq was MOVING bodies to get to Brad. Dude was lucky he was spared.

  • http://slamonline.com Kap

    @nbk…Kobe couldn’t put up those numbers because of the team he played for. Could he of put those numbers up if he was in a different circumstance? Hell yes. So the stats mean nothing bc of their situations. We see what Kobe did when Shaq left and put up numbers somewhat similar. You simply despise everything Kobe. Everyone has some bias on here towards Kobe whether good or bad.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    I have a dog named Kobe. So no I don’t despise anything about Kobe, one bit. I just don’t like people vehemently overrating people. You wanna have a conversation, talk about whose career has been better between Kobe and Duncan, that’s a debate. Kobe couldn’t put up those numbers, if he could, he would. Shooting % is the most glaring proof possible. And when you have 20,000+ shots to your name its not like you can argue anything aginst a guy with a similar number that made a much higher %. Jordan did what Jordan did because he could, Kobe did what Kobe did because he could. Kobe works harder then everyone in the league, plays in a time of no handchecking, any hard foul is flagrant, and he still can’t shoot 50% from the field. Jordan would have eaten this generation. Ask Phil Jackson about Jordan. Ask anyone who has been around Kobe and Michael, ask Tim Grover. Ask anyone that doesn’t own a Laker jersey if Kobe is really in the conversation.

  • http://nobulljive.com Enigmatic

    As big and strong as Shaq is, I’m convinced that circa 2007 Ben Wallace coulda stood toe to toe with circa 2007 Shaq.
    That Miami/Chicago first round series, I’ve never seen anyone else able to hold their own in the paint guarding Shaq. And Wallace was curling like 300 pounds back then. CURLING!
    If him and Shaq had put hands on each other, I honestly think whoever woulda gotten the first clean hit woulda dropped the other dude.

  • http://nobulljive.com Enigmatic

    nbk, naming your dog Kobe doesn’t prove you don’t dislike Kobe, especially if you’re dog’s a b*tch. lol

  • http://thetroyblog.com Teddy-the-Bear

    People ALWAYS ignore Jordan in ’95, as if Mike never played that year. He DID play, and he played extremely well too–statistically, he even amassed better numbers than in the ’96 playoffs. So no, he wasn’t struggling in ’95; the Bulls were simply beaten by a BETTER TEAM in 6 games, convincingly.
    The real reason the Bulls couldn’t get over the hump in ’95 was probably due to Horace Grant playing for the opposition, and having no Rodman to shut guys down and rebound. Also, certain issues with chemistry, I suppose, but that speaks more about the Bulls’ lack of depth than anything else.
    Oh yeah, and the team that beat the Bulls? They were swept by the Rockets. SWEPT. I doubt Chicago could have beaten the Rockets in the Finals that year, or the year before. Even if they had Mike.
    No Horace, no Dennis = No chips.

  • http://www.rich-imaging.com Dutch Rich

    @Nick Flemming. Remember when Bron joined the Cavs and felt compelled to share limelight with Ricky Buckets. Well, Mike joined Orlando Woolridge in Chicago and had no qualms whatsoever to let the whole league know, through his play, that he was taking over the team. Kobe’s rookie year was somewhat of a disaster filled with stubbornness mixed with a bunch of air balls late in the clock. Forced coexistence with Eddie Jones etc etc. I couldn’t stand him then and only since about three years have I come to respect dude’s game. More so for his work ethic than his god given ability.
    Mike had the whole package, no one comes close. It’s like comparing Da Vinci with Raphael.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    my b*tch is named Weezy hahahaha. Kobe is my big mastiff/german shepard mix and he’s a he. And I really don’t understand how saying Kobe isn’t in the conversation with Jordan is hate, he’s right after him. If I say Shaq is great but he isn’t in Wilt Chamberlain’s class am I hating on Shaq? There’s no hate here, just a rational opinion.

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    Kap
    You should dead that “Kobe had a different situation” argument.
    You’re right, he did. He played with the most dominant center of his era, Shaq. Which is why he has an outside shot at 6 rings.
    True, Mike had Scottie, the best defensive swingman of the era, but nobody with half a brain would compare playing with Scottie to rolling with the Diesel on your squad. Kobe wouldn’t even be in the discussion with Mike if he didn’t have Shaq making life easier and getting him rings. Period.
    Kobe has a less efficient game. That’s it. No need to get pissy about it. Dude is inefficient. he’s never exceeded 47 percent shooting in a season despite having Shaq to get him easier shots. And that’s not just a team talent thing because LeBron has had better years from the field despite having worse teammates.
    Kobe stans are weird. It’s not close. And? He’s still number two.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Mars

    wow MJ & Kobe? Seriously. How many guys FEAR Kobe…ummm I’ll wait… How many guys feared MJ? When you FEAR a great player, it’s more than respect. It’s respecting the beast, like a Great White Shark. Kobe may be the Black Mamba, but MJ was by no comparison, a killer in the league, an assassin. Lebron is a another one in the league. Dwight Howard could even be considered.

  • JTaylor21

    Kobe put up similar numbers? I must have been getting my geico caveman on when that ish happened.

  • http://slamonline.com Bryan Crawford

    I like how Teddy always likes to bring up MJ and the Bulls in ’95 while at the same time refusing to acknowledge that taking a year and a half off to play another sport DOES matter.
    Hilarious and yet, oh so ridiculous at the same time.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Mars

    *Can’t be mad at Kobe for taking the opportunity*. I’ll even give the people’s champ a star and say DRose is feared more than Kobe in the league. And Stats wise LeBron will shatter all of them. Being in the league at 18 is huge advantage, but you have to be good at the same time.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Mars

    The competition is always going to be great, regardless of the ERA. Athletically, Kobe and MJ aren’t even close.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Mars

    Magic is wayyy better than Kobe, and Magic aint better than MJ.

  • feez22

    “Kobe couldn’t put up those numbers because of the team he played for.” … Kap you are truly an idiot for that statement. Kobe plays on the goddamn LAKERS for christ sakes (2nd most winningest franchise in the history of the NBA)… he had been playing SOLO from 04-05 to mid 07-08 yet he didn’t put up numbers even comparable to what jordan put up. Not to mention he is the WORST FINALS PERFORMER of the top 10 players in the nba… EVER. 41%. Thats what kobe shoots in the finals. Kobe’s level of play actually DECREASES in the playoffs. Check his #s. I don’t have all of them on hand but jeez as a great your numbers should INCREASE come playoff time no? i know one thing… during the laker 3 peat SHAQ’S NUMBERS INCREASED especially in the FINALS where it COUNTS. in terms of defense, MJ won DPOY once. Kobe hasn’t even been close in DPOY voting. In terms of offense, MJ avg’s 30+ppg… kobe avg’s 25ppg. MJ has shot 50% in 6 (or 8) seasons. Kobe has NEVER shot 50% in any season. Night and day. Apocalypse and day. The big bang and day. seriously…

  • http://www.slamonline.com Mars

    88′ MJ VS. 95′ MJ , 98′ KOBE VS 03′ KOBE

  • http://nobulljive.com Enigmatic

    Damn, MJ shot 50% for so many seasons, it can’t even be put in numerical terms!
    It’s written as a smiley face with glasses!
    8)
    LOL

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    lmao

  • http://thetroyblog.com Teddy-the-Bear

    Bryan: Of course it matters, but judging by how he played, it obviously didn’t impact him THAT much. You really think he would have lit the Magic up for more than he already did (keeping in mind that he actually played an incredible series), even though he played at a similar level the next season? The Bulls were a weaker team that year. That’s it.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    Jordan was turning the ball over 4 times a game in the playoffs in 95, and he was the least efficient he ever was in the playoffs outside of 1984-85. – whether the team was worse or whatever is kind of irrelevant, when your best player is playing worse then he ever had since he lost in round 1 a decade previous your teams in trouble. Even if its michael jordan.

  • http://www.slamonline.com melvin ely

    Chicago gets the league-best record tonight I think. If the Spurs were willing to rest the starters in LA, they’ll be resting tonight vs Phx. And I don’t think Thibs is going to let up on his guys just because this is the last game of the reg. season.

  • http://twitter.com/smileyoufckers Bryan

    Kobe is overrated by his die hards, but underrated by a lot of people. If we look at Kobe’s first two years when he didn’t start as sort a college type experience, his numbers are a little closer. Starting he put up 27.3, 5.7 and 5.1 with 1.6 steals. I mean I know Jordan is better and it’s not as close as some would have you think, but it’s also not nearly as far as his detractors would have you believe. He can’t ever be better than the second best shooting guard ever, but he can steal pass the other people ahead of him in the G.O.A.T. list.

  • http://twitter.com/smileyoufckers Bryan

    Still* Dang typos. I also think the biggest difference between Kobe and MJ is more mental than physical. MJ took some bad shots, but I think Kobe is almost Iverson-esque in his shot selection. You never really saw Jordan jacking up 25 footers over double teams, or even really 22 footers like that. That speaks to the difference in field goal percentage and I definitely attribute it to brains, or lack thereof.

  • http://Slam Jasmine

    Lamar changed his last name! hahaha wow

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    Bryan
    You actually rarely saw iverskn jacking up 25 footers. His height and penchant for overdribbling is what really hurt him.
    Kobe does stupid stuff. It.is almost all mental in my opinion. His actual skillset might surpass jordan’s but his mindset is inferior it is crazy. Jordan was probably the most efficient chucked of all time behind wilt.

  • http://Slamonline.com Nbk

    Oh Kobe is probably the most skilled scorer I’ve ever seen. But that’s a loose thing, Pete Maravich might have had as many different little moves. I think Kobe’s issue is he thinks he has no limit and will literally never miss. Which may have helped him over the long term but hurts him consistently in individual games Consistently

  • http://Philosophervision@blogspot.com The Philosopher

    Kobe’s skill set might surpass Jordan’s…
    When?

  • http://www.triplejunearthed.com/dacre Dacre

    nbk – I hope you aint kicking that dog you own.

  • dsleepy

    I’m pretty sure the only people who would ever (EVER) consider kobe over MJ are the people who never saw MJ play. Period. If you saw Jordan when he was on the Bulls, everything else seems to pale by comparison. Kobe is a great HOF player too, but he will never touch G.O.A.T. status unless he can go back in time and convince a young Michael Jeffrey Jordan to never pick up a basketball. Also, you wanna talk skill sets or whatever, maybe you’re forgetting that Kobe has PATTERENED his game off of Jordan since 1998.

  • dsleepy

    spelled patterned wrong. blast..

  • http://www.slamonline.com Tae

    I have to agree with Allenp, i think Kobe is more skilled than Jordan offensively. Better jumper, better post game, better ball handles, ect. If u add tha accomplishments, sure its Jordan. But take away all of those and stats, just based off of skills i would take Kobe over Jordan anyday. Just my opinion but love both players

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