<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">We have beaten the Rockets, who everyone thought would be near the top of the West...and we beat the Clips, who is the only team to pull away with a win over the Sonics.</div> True, we did beat the Rockets and held them to 79 points, our best defensive game so far this year, but that was without Tracy McGrady. And to beat the Los Angeles Clippers is nothing exciting to me. Sure they have a 5-4 record right now, and things may be turning in the right direction for their horrific franchise, but one losing streak away can put them back down to where they're used to be, the cellar of the Pacific Division with the Warriors. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">Nine games, Emo. Come tell me how we can't beat an elite West team once we play 40 games, and then I'll agree accordingly. :thumbsup:</div> Maybe I do need to loosen up a bit, but if we still continue to struggle against other elite teams in the West competing for playoff positioning in the months to come, we just can't use that excuse that we're trying to recognize ourselves as a team anymore. Either there's a problem with our style of play, or people just can't read between the lines. (Not you realdeal, just people in general.) :thumbsup:
WEll, I don't think anybody thought we were gonna win 60 games (at least I hope not) ... 40-47 games is a reasonable estimate, and 5-4 is right on par with that . 5-4 is pretty good for me. We should've had the game in Orl, but what's done is done. The schedule gets light for the next few weeks, so hopefully we can pad our win total before we face the big boys.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Emo:</div><div class="quote_post">The stat that I found particularly amazing was Kobe is averaging 4.6 assists a game? Now I realize Kobe is the focal point of the team as he should be, but if you don't get four other players involved in the ballgame, how are you going to be looked at and respected in this league?</div> Dude, Kobe Bryant is no point guard. 4.6 assist is lower then it should be, true(i'd expect him to get around 7 assist per game at the least) but its not too bad either. If you're gonna point at Kobe for his low apg, then what about Chucky Atkins, our starting point guard? (3.7 apg) - even if Kobe is our "leader". Michael Jordan was the leader for the Bulls, he didn't always get the most assist, or always average out to the highest, did he? Edit: And keep thinking he isn't trying to get his teammates involved. Kobe Bryant is just a ballhog, I completely agree. Once a ballhog, always a ballhog. (You can attempt as many passes/assists per game as you want, but they don't count if shots are not made.)
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Cody 7k:</div><div class="quote_post">And keep thinking he isn't trying to get his teammates involved. Kobe Bryant is just a ballhog, I completely agree. Once a ballhog, always a ballhog. (You can attempt as many passes/assists per game as you want, but they don't count if shots are not made.)</div> Well, actually...the last game, Kobe shot 56% (I believe) and still handed out 11 assists. I understand what you're saying. See, what really ticks me off is the fact that he's leading the team in assists. Sure, it's nice...but where is Atkins and Brown? Those are the two that should be throwing passes...and yet, neither are doing their job (Atkins FINALLY turned it up in the 4th quarter last night, though). Kobe is actually at 5.1 assists per game...so let's say we had Jason Kidd as our PG. He would be easily getting 9 or 10 a game, with Kobe possibly STILL averaging his 5. What would be wrong with that? We'd have a true PG, and Kobe would be getting more open looks. Right now, Atkins can't find anyone open AT ALL...when everyone should be playing off the ball. However, how is Kobe supposed to get open and play off the ball...when he has to do both his AND Atkins' job on the floor?
Guys in Rudy T's offense have never put up huge assists numbers (i.e. Cassell, Smith, Francis) so I'm not too concerned about Atkins assists totals. Besides, he only handles the ball some of the time, so u can't expect it as high as other full-fledged PGs.
^ So you're agreeing with me then, 5.1 assist per game is an okay amount for Mr. Bryant. And trust me, Atkins gets the ball plenty enough to get more then 3 assist per game.
