Malone & G.P.

[MrChristo]

I don't want to jinx any prop bets that anyone might have....BUT:

Is anyone else laughing at these two old has-been leeches?!

Early call, but they are embarrasing at best!

You want a ring guys??...Here's an idea....DO SOMETHING TO DESERVE ONE! :nono:

 

[Scott4USC]

You might not be aware but Malone is playing with a bad knee. Also, I think Malone has contributed greatly in the playoffs. He defended Garnett and Duncan extremely well and both are considered #1 and #2 at their positions and top 5 in the league. Pretty damn good job and tough as well.

Now Payton is completely worthless. He is playing better defense tonight, but he missed a wide open 3pt shot in 1q and contributes very little offensively.

George also contributes nothing. The guy continues to miss wide open shots. Unbelievable. Pistons better watch out though, George always has 1 good game in every series and then he is done.

This is not great Pistons defense. Lakers are missing open shots. Great defense is putting a hand in every shot attempt.

I think Pistons are in a lot of trouble. This is 2nd straight game 2 starters on Lakers contribute ziltch on offense. Pistons still down by 8 at half? Not very good.

 

[MrChristo]

Yep...I think LA will win this game now too.

Great defense is putting a hand in every shot attempt.

Wallace, Wallace and Prince are all in the top 10 players for blocked shots in the play-offs. (Wallace x 2 both with more blocks than Duncan. EDIT: Blocks per game that is.).
Also Pistons averaging nearly 7 blocked shots a game for the season...number 1 in the league.
I dunno, but I'd say that was pretty good defense....and not relying on teams to miss shots? :shrug:

So he has a bad knee? Is he still LA's best option as starting PF?
Again, you (and others) are assuming Malone will hit the majority of those 15 ft jumpers!
He won't hit more than 40% of them contested or not.
So why then do you expect the LA starters to ever start contributing??

 

[Scott4USC]

I am not gonna say I think Payton hurts the Lakers more than he helps them. It is unbelievable how bad Payton is as a player. Through this whole playoffs, I think he has only had 1 really good game (and that was only 1st half of that game). Amazing.

If Malone would have had his normal shooting % last game or normal offensive game, Lakers would have beat Pistons in game 1. In addition, NO LAKERS stepped up other than Shaq and Kobe. I be very worried if I am the Pistons. Lakers still don't have team contribution tonight. NO FISHER, NO PAYTON, and NO GEORGE and Lakers are up double digits in 3rd. Pretty sad for Pistons.

*EDIT

Payton really does suck. Geesh. I gotta give Rasheed Wallace credit, he is taking Malone to basket and exposing Malones sore knee. Smart job on his part. Lakers now down by 3. Wow! If Lakers lose this game, blame Payton and Fisher (although he is injured too) for zero production and George for no outside game at all.

 

[MrChristo]

Yeah. Always dangerous to talk in-game like this!!

If Malone would have had his normal shooting % last game or normal offensive game, Lakers would have beat Pistons in game 1

Can't agree with that tho!
He went 1-9.....at BEST he goes 4-9, gives them an extra 6 points? :shrug:

Again, I don't know why you are expecting the starters to step up, after saying how bad they are??

Anyway...68-68...I'm just hoping for the over atm!

 

[Bombs]

Karl Malone is a fuqing choke as$hole. The notion that he is going to step up in the NBA finals really makes me want to laugh. When he had the chance to win one himself, he got his pocket picked by Jordan. What is even worse is this "Karl is the greatest guy" parade everyone is on. How many faces has he broken? You think anyone who played against him cries when he tweaks his knee. Hell fuqing no. He deserves it, after busting Isiah in the face and ending his career. Screw Karl Malone, he is a fuqing liability and a piece of chit.

Payton, on the otherhand, has descended so far in terms of ability in just one year. He was pretty good last year, and now he doesn't even look like a top 20 pg in the league. I mean he looks brutal. Awful, terrible, horrible. Brian Shaw was better than him and I mean that. He can't guard his shadow, he can't shoot, and he can't run an offense. Sounds like some point guard to me. For him, I just kind of feel sad.

 

[Scott4USC]

Payton, on the otherhand, has descended so far in terms of ability in just one year. He was pretty good last year, and now he doesn't even look like a top 20 pg in the league. I mean he looks brutal. Awful, terrible, horrible. Brian Shaw was better than him and I mean that. He can't guard his shadow, he can't shoot, and he can't run an offense. Sounds like some point guard to me. For him, I just kind of feel sad.

Agree 100%. I cannot understand why he cannot give the Lakers 10pts a game. That is all they need from him. Play defense and get them 10pts. HE does nothing for the Lakers. Why does Phil start Fish? Maybe if the did that, Payton wouldn't even play if he knew he was coming off the bench. Blame this aquisition on Kupcheck. Horrible evaluation.

 

[Bombs]

Phil should start Fish, but I am pretty sure Fisher is banged up more than he is letting on. There is no other explanation for his limited minutes.

 

[Bombs]

But if he starts Fisher, Billups will work him to death too, because he is simply too small to guard him. I'm not sure over the course of the game that this would work out in the Lakers' favor.