Class of 2014!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Oh boy. I can't believe I missed this.

nobody talks about paul pierce as god's gift to mankind, so no, i don't think the truth is as overrated as kobe
PP is probably appropriately rated right now. He's probably the 2nd or 3rd worst Finals MVP of the last decade, though. Not so shabby when the others were Duncan, Shaq, Kobe, and Wade (I'm ranking him ahead of Billups and Parker)
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also, rating a player by how many championship rings he has is one of the dumbest ways to judge a player, unless you're going to argue that trent dilfer is a better qb than dan marino. kobe won most of those rings on the back of shaq in his prime
True to a certain extent. But when you're talking about great players who had solid supporting casts, you have to consider championships. As you say, it's a star's league, and more than in any other league, the team's superstar is what determines if they can/do win a title.
i might also add that comparing kobe to paul pierce is like trying to comapare randy moss to michael strahan, they don't play the same position.
There are effectively 3 positions in basketball these days: point guard, wing, and post. Trying to draw a distinction between SG and SF or PF and C is usually splitting hairs.
tim duncan is no more a superstar than say billups.

duncan the center or duncan the PF? wilt probably has to be the best center of all time, followed by shaq

i'll admit i don't watch the spurs much (can't say anyone should blame me though) but i could have sworn they used him a lot at C. but i'll concede that point.

edit: one thing to note, even if we do consider him exclusively at PF, the 4 position is kind of light on great players, since it's kind of a hybrid
😱 :wow: :boom:

File this part of my post away as TLDR if you're not a huge bball junkie.

Honestly, if you don't know what position a guy who has won 4 titles plays, I think that strips you of any right to an opinion 🙄 Duncan is unquestionably one of the top 10-15 players of all time, and Billups may only get some fringe consideration for the Hall of Fame.

I do wonder where Duncan would go on a list centers, since he does play that position too. Kareem and Wilt are, I think, unquestionably the top two. Then I think Shaq, Duncan, and Hakeem are all somewhere in the next group. Russell is hard to evaluate because he played in such a different era, but he's probably somewhere in that group too. At the end of the day, I'd say that for his whole career Duncan has been better than Shaq (never missed the playoffs, only once eliminated in the first round, and Shaq's numbers fell off dramatically after he turned 32-33), but Shaq's peak was higher. So I think my list would be Kareem/Wilt, Duncan/Russell, Shaq, Hakeem.
I don't either, I personally sleep before they play due to the whole time zone thing. But it's fine. I think the main argument is the definition of overrated and there are types of people who are optimistic and always overrate players while realistic people understand where a player actually fits in the scheme of things. Kobe is one of the most and may just be the most dominant player in the league currently. However, Lebron and Durant are both rising superstars and although they play a different game than Kobe, they may surpass Kobe in the near future. As of right now though, I still take Kobe over them both when the pressure is on.
My only argument is that I think that people really underestimate how much the finger injury is hurting Kobe right now. 2 years ago and even last year, Kobe could just take a game over at will if he wanted to; I don't think he quite has that ability considering how he's banged up.
Undoubtedly. Lebron has the potential to be the best ever. His size and speed as well as his abilities to do everything are like none other. However, his 3 point shot still isn't consistent enough to be taken as a serious threat every single game. He is definitely getting better and can go on a hot streak for sure with his shots. I would like to see him more poised under the pressure of last second shots personally. I must agree though, if and when he rounds out he will be unstoppable. 6'8" 270lbs, with his speed and hops, that is unreal in and of itself.

Kevin Durant at 6'10" with his agility and grace and shooting skills can definitely be formidable 🙂D) as well.
The next decade will be a battle to see who can win more titles between LeBron and Durant. Those two are clearly lightyears better than the rest of the league, IMO. The only thing is that I'm not sold on Durant's supporting cast and I'm a little worried he might wind up a little like Garnett back in Minnesota--an all-time great stuck in a bad market where he could never get any help.
Billups is a superstar.
Just... no.

IMO, superstar=can be "best player on a championship team" good. At any given time, there are only ~10 players who are that good in the league, and Billups is not one of them.
I am not a Lebron fan but he passed up Kobe last year IMO.
True story. Kobe is a great player, but I don't think you can penalize LeBron's greatness when Kobe got to play with Young Shaq and Pau Gasol, and LeBron got Mo Williams, Antawn Jamison and Old Shaq.
 
18 yr olds is broke, yo.

Naww man girls have the power to make you pay for stuff no matter how much debt your in, believe me I have been a victim to it first hand. My girl is rolling around in a benz on dubs (not actually on dubs) and I'm paying for everything whilst working 40 hours a week and I can't keep up to even pay my own gas cause of her. Then I figured out the power that men have. And we started becoming a more evenly monetarily dispersed couple.

The moral of the story is make him buy until he can't no more $$$$$$$$$$$$$$
 
Naww man girls have the power to make you pay for stuff no matter how much debt your in, believe me I have been a victim to it first hand. My girl is rolling around in a benz on dubs (not actually on dubs) and I'm paying for everything whilst working 40 hours a week and I can't keep up to even pay my own gas cause of her. Then I figured out the power that men have. And we started becoming a more evenly monetarily dispersed couple.

The moral of the story is make him buy until he can't no more $$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Keep finances separate; it makes it easier when you get sued 👍
 
Spurs, where have you been? Also, are you in a 5 year program (forgive me for not reading 800,000 pages of thread to seek the truth), or are you not really 2014?

I may or may not be 2014. Depends on if I take a year off for research. But I poke my head in every now and then 🙂

Aaaaand about my last post... I forgot that nobody cares 😛
 
It's cool. Def not my parents house though, they actually have a pretty modest house.

Did you ever end up going to Athens high school or the city named high school or did u go to high school in the RO?
 
Just a couple of things in here I wanted to respond to:

Oh boy. I can't believe I missed this.

There are effectively 3 positions in basketball these days: point guard, wing, and post. Trying to draw a distinction between SG and SF or PF and C is usually splitting hairs.

ITA.


I do wonder where Duncan would go on a list centers, since he does play that position too. Kareem and Wilt are, I think, unquestionably the top two. Then I think Shaq, Duncan, and Hakeem are all somewhere in the next group. Russell is hard to evaluate because he played in such a different era, but he's probably somewhere in that group too. At the end of the day, I'd say that for his whole career Duncan has been better than Shaq (never missed the playoffs, only once eliminated in the first round, and Shaq's numbers fell off dramatically after he turned 32-33), but Shaq's peak was higher. So I think my list would be Kareem/Wilt, Duncan/Russell, Shaq, Hakeem.

I think your Duncan bias is strong here. 😀

I don't see him ahead of any of those guys at the C position.



The next decade will be a battle to see who can win more titles between LeBron and Durant. Those two are clearly lightyears better than the rest of the league, IMO. The only thing is that I'm not sold on Durant's supporting cast and I'm a little worried he might wind up a little like Garnett back in Minnesota--an all-time great stuck in a bad market where he could never get any help.

ITA.
 
Oh boy. I can't believe I missed this.


PP is probably appropriately rated right now. He's probably the 2nd or 3rd worst Finals MVP of the last decade, though. Not so shabby when the others were Duncan, Shaq, Kobe, and Wade (I'm ranking him ahead of Billups and Parker)

True to a certain extent. But when you're talking about great players who had solid supporting casts, you have to consider championships. As you say, it's a star's league, and more than in any other league, the team's superstar is what determines if they can/do win a title.

There are effectively 3 positions in basketball these days: point guard, wing, and post. Trying to draw a distinction between SG and SF or PF and C is usually splitting hairs.





😱 :wow: :boom:

File this part of my post away as TLDR if you're not a huge bball junkie.

Honestly, if you don't know what position a guy who has won 4 titles plays, I think that strips you of any right to an opinion 🙄 Duncan is unquestionably one of the top 10-15 players of all time, and Billups may only get some fringe consideration for the Hall of Fame.

I do wonder where Duncan would go on a list centers, since he does play that position too. Kareem and Wilt are, I think, unquestionably the top two. Then I think Shaq, Duncan, and Hakeem are all somewhere in the next group. Russell is hard to evaluate because he played in such a different era, but he's probably somewhere in that group too. At the end of the day, I'd say that for his whole career Duncan has been better than Shaq (never missed the playoffs, only once eliminated in the first round, and Shaq's numbers fell off dramatically after he turned 32-33), but Shaq's peak was higher. So I think my list would be Kareem/Wilt, Duncan/Russell, Shaq, Hakeem.

My only argument is that I think that people really underestimate how much the finger injury is hurting Kobe right now. 2 years ago and even last year, Kobe could just take a game over at will if he wanted to; I don't think he quite has that ability considering how he's banged up.

The next decade will be a battle to see who can win more titles between LeBron and Durant. Those two are clearly lightyears better than the rest of the league, IMO. The only thing is that I'm not sold on Durant's supporting cast and I'm a little worried he might wind up a little like Garnett back in Minnesota--an all-time great stuck in a bad market where he could never get any help.

Just... no.

IMO, superstar=can be "best player on a championship team" good. At any given time, there are only ~10 players who are that good in the league, and Billups is not one of them.

True story. Kobe is a great player, but I don't think you can penalize LeBron's greatness when Kobe got to play with Young Shaq and Pau Gasol, and LeBron got Mo Williams, Antawn Jamison and Old Shaq.

I have no disagreement with anything you said.


My only thing is that right now this second I feel Kobe is more clutch and has more poise and more intangibles than Lebron. Kobe's experience probably helps with that and I feel as though one day Lebron could easily surpass Kobe if he lives up to his own potential. IMO I would rather have Kobe right now, after this playoffs I might change my mind due to what happens. But Kobe was huge last playoffs and was the main reason the Lakers won the title. I agree he is wearing down and getting banged up. But until I see Lebron hitting game winners left and right and coming through in the clutch to the extent that Kobe does, then I will be ready to say Lebron has surpassed Kobe. Can Lebron be more physically dominant and more of an intimidating force than Kobe? Absolutely, but he has to work on his consistency and his finishing and then I think he will have me sold.
 
Does this count? 😀

Honestly I was just skimming for bball stuff, sorry if I missed something super-important. How have you been, Taty? 🙂
just had myself a shopping spree
this website has insane sales (like 80 dollar dress for 4 bucks no joke)....its like being a kid in a toy store, where you want everything....and you can get it!
ahhh I can't wait to see my stuff!
 
toomuchresearch and oakland:

my boy actually does pretty well for himself and is threatening to buy me a RAM upgrade....so I am perfectly ok with spending my own 50 bucks on my freakout shopping lol
 
I went to the city name HS.

Nice. My ex was zoned to go that school, but of course her rich parents sent her spoiled a** to a private Christian school that I just so happened to be at and she continued to haunt my dreams and ruin my sex life from there on. I feel like the businessmen in that area have a sort've cockyness to them. I've had friends work at restaurants on that like 16 mile strip with the bahama breeze, kona grill, benihana, champps, etc. and they say that the businessmen can be real d-bags sometimes. I like that though, I feel like every businessman should be cocky and rub you the wrong way. I dunno. I'm drunk and rambling.
 
toomuchresearch and oakland:

my boy actually does pretty well for himself and is threatening to buy me a RAM upgrade....so I am perfectly ok with spending my own 50 bucks on my freakout shopping lol

Just take advantage of it when you can. I'm only saying this because it is what girls do. You have to train your bf for the norm. 😀😀😀

Seriously though, let him know your not his sugar momma.
 
Seriously though, let him know your not his sugar momma.
oh he def doesn't want that...he wouldn't let me buy him stuff with my leftover dinning dollars (he used up all of his because apparently guys eat 3 tons of food daily). I had like 200 left and a week of school....what else was I going to spend that shiz on?!
 
I think a distinction can be drawn somewhat between SF and SG tho. After a missed shot, the guards usually get back on defense while the SF goes for the rebound. So SFs are usually taller and hang around the basket more.
 
oh he def doesn't want that...he wouldn't let me buy him stuff with my leftover dinning dollars (he used up all of his because apparently guys eat 3 tons of food daily). I had like 200 left and a week of school....what else was I going to spend that shiz on?!

Haha, I always take advantage of girls' dining dollars. I don't get how girls don't eat at all. They just run on gossip and lust.
 
i think most guys would pay the girls to drink :laugh:
lol well he doesn't need to....have me drunk....he IS my bf and all
i think it just looks funny cause he can't drink himself
Haha, I always take advantage of girls' dining dollars. I don't get how girls don't eat at all. They just run on gossip and lust.
yea...well I am not sure how it happens because 480 bucks isn't that much for a semester and everything on campus is overpriced....
 
lol, Grant Hill's first time ever in the second round of the playoffs.

bastard deserves it, i hope he gets to the finals and get crushed by the magic for some poetic justice.
 
I think a distinction can be drawn somewhat between SF and SG tho. After a missed shot, the guards usually get back on defense while the SF goes for the rebound. So SFs are usually taller and hang around the basket more.

Kobe is slightly larger than average for a guard though and doesn't mind going up for the offensive board, probably not as much as the average SF, but probably just as much as Lebron or Pierce.
 
lol well he doesn't need to....have me drunk....he IS my bf and all
i think it just looks funny cause he can't drink himself

I wish more girls had that attitude. The whole, "hey baby since your my gf and all maybe I can dress up like a Pirate this time?" Yeah, that doesn't exactly work on too many sober girlfriends, or drunk ones for that matter.
 
I think your Duncan bias is strong here. 😀

I don't see him ahead of any of those guys at the C position.
Oh, I'm totally biased 🙂

I think those 4 players are close. If you put a gun to my head, I'd probably put Russell third, just out of deference for how he owned the league. Then you can make an argument for any of Duncan, Shaq and Hakeem. Duncan has more MVPs than Shaq and has aged better, and he was always a much, much superior defender. He has more MVPs and titles than Hakeem, and has a higher lifetime PER. But I think most people would agree that at their height both of those players were utterly dominant. Just don't forget how dominant of a player Duncan was in the first half of the decade as well; you don't put up 21-20-10-8blk in the Finals without being an all-time great. I think picking between those three is a matter of personal preference.
I have no disagreement with anything you said.


My only thing is that right now this second I feel Kobe is more clutch and has more poise and more intangibles than Lebron. Kobe's experience probably helps with that and I feel as though one day Lebron could easily surpass Kobe if he lives up to his own potential. IMO I would rather have Kobe right now, after this playoffs I might change my mind due to what happens. But Kobe was huge last playoffs and was the main reason the Lakers won the title. I agree he is wearing down and getting banged up. But until I see Lebron hitting game winners left and right and coming through in the clutch to the extent that Kobe does, then I will be ready to say Lebron has surpassed Kobe. Can Lebron be more physically dominant and more of an intimidating force than Kobe? Absolutely, but he has to work on his consistency and his finishing and then I think he will have me sold.

That's fair, though I think again, at this stage due to Kobe's injuries, we'll see how much he's still able to do that.

I guess I see LeBron as Jordan, in that whenever he finally does get his first taste of a championship, he's going to become almost impossible to deny. Just about the only thing he hasn't completely mastered is how to win in the playoffs.
 
I wish more girls had that attitude. The whole, "hey baby since your my gf and all maybe I can dress up like a Pirate this time?" Yeah, that doesn't exactly work on too many sober girlfriends, or drunk ones for that matter.
haha....not quite what I meant....I would laugh so hard at that.
 
I think a distinction can be drawn somewhat between SF and SG tho. After a missed shot, the guards usually get back on defense while the SF goes for the rebound. So SFs are usually taller and hang around the basket more.

Yeah I feel like a lot of guys can play one position on either side of their natural. So a PF can often play C/SF, a SG can often play SF/1, etc.
 
and they say that the businessmen can be real d-bags sometimes. I like that though, I feel like every businessman should be cocky and rub you the wrong way. I dunno. I'm drunk and rambling.
It is a somewhat snobby city, but I think a lot of places with money are like that. It's a pretty nice city overall though.
 
I wish more girls had that attitude. The whole, "hey baby since your my gf and all maybe I can dress up like a Pirate this time?" Yeah, that doesn't exactly work on too many sober girlfriends, or drunk ones for that matter.

As I've said before, maybe you're doing it wrong? :shrug:
 
yea...well I am not sure how it happens because 480 bucks isn't that much for a semester and everything on campus is overpriced....

Oakland is different. There's a food court for those who live on campus (commuters can eat there but it's like 10$ a meal) and then a food court for commuters. The food plan has meal points and dining dollars. There's 3 different options, one is like 75% meal points 25% dining $$$. The other is like 50/50 and the other is 25/75. Most of the time people use the meal points at the on campus food court and they can even take food to-go, so they will have left over dining $$$. Plus the dining $$$ has special rules and it can be charged as a meal point if you spend under 7$ and go after 1 p.m. or something like that. Basically, from what I've learned in college, girls are attractive, they eat nothing, and they love to talk crap about each other. I learned all of this in Gen-Chem II.
 
just had myself a shopping spree
this website has insane sales (like 80 dollar dress for 4 bucks no joke)....its like being a kid in a toy store, where you want everything....and you can get it!
ahhh I can't wait to see my stuff!
Good times :laugh:
I haven't seen Sammich since the weekend :eyebrow:. Not that I'm accusing you of anything 😡
Lol I'm not surprised. Last I heard she was uber-busy trying to live up these last few weeks before she starts med school.
I think a distinction can be drawn somewhat between SF and SG tho. After a missed shot, the guards usually get back on defense while the SF goes for the rebound. So SFs are usually taller and hang around the basket more.
Sure, there are some minor differences. But they occupy the same position on the floor and can generally guard each other interchangeably.
lol well he doesn't need to....have me drunk....he IS my bf and all
i think it just looks funny cause he can't drink himself
I kinda wish I hadn't missed this entire conversation. But it sounds like you are awesome 🙂
 
Oh, I'm totally biased 🙂



That's fair, though I think again, at this stage due to Kobe's injuries, we'll see how much he's still able to do that.

I guess I see LeBron as Jordan, in that whenever he finally does get his first taste of a championship, he's going to become almost impossible to deny. Just about the only thing he hasn't completely mastered is how to win in the playoffs.

I mean I hope Kobe can fight thru this finger and be successful. If it's Lebrons time it will become obvious soon enough. He has the ability to be unstoppable, I mean the speed for his size is unreal. Just everything about him, he just needs to be able to harness it in the playoffs like you mentioned.

haha....not quite what I meant....I would laugh so hard at that.

Sometimes making girls laugh is better than purchasing them alcohol... alcohol is always the safer bet though.

As I've said before, maybe you're doing it wrong? :shrug:

Nahh, I get lucky enough. I'm just down because I can't find anymore girls with dads who have ferraris. Man I miss that yellow Maranello.
 
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