Jeez, you sound serious about that, DC. You're the last person I'd ever think could get used to that idea. Why, just yesterday you were waving to everyone from the parade!

From my avatar you can see I'm a fan of the one and only Hoops!

Nets 98 Lakers 71. Nets go to 17-9 (13-1 at home)

Where to begin? Led by the incomparable Jason Kidd. who shot 12-20, and added 11 rebounds and 8 assists to go with his 27 pts, the Nets humiliated the Lakers. Nets led all the way, by as much as 17 in the third quarter. Lucious Harris added 19 on 9-17 shooting, and Rodney Rogers had 16.

The Lakers, led by Kobe's 9-29 and Devean George's 1-9, shot 31% on 29-96. They couldn't hit an outside shot all night. They got to within 67-60 I think it was, and then the Nets closed them out 31-11. Shaq looked like he was completely out of gas midway thru the fourth quarter.

So, what's wrong with LA, Don Corpuzzi? Obviously I haven't seen that many Laker games, but tonite looked like it was just a bad shooting night. The Nets played really good defense, though, and even if they had shot better, I don't think the Lakers had a chance. If I were you, I'd be more worried about them making the playoffs at all, or advancing past the first round if they do, then I would about them winning another title. Seriously. We were kidding about it the other day, but after tonite's performance, I don't know. I believe as I write this, they are 4 1/2 games out of the 8th spot in the West.

Also, DC, on the post-game radio show one of the Nets announcers suggested to Richard Jefferson that there might be dissension on the Lakers. You know, the usual Kobe-Shaq stuff. Anything doing with that?

My Utah Jazz snapped their four-game losing streak by handing the Dallas Mavericks their first home loss of the season and fourth overall in a convincing 93-81 win.

Matt Harpring hustled for 19 points on the night, and Calbert Cheaney recorded a new season-high with 17 to go with seven rebounds. Karl Malone, while still not being able to toss a ball through the Ring of Fire, still ended up with 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Greg Ostertag turned in 16 and six.

Dallas got nothing from anyone besides Steve Nash, Michael Finley, and Dirk Nowitzki and were held to 33% shooting by the Jazz, including a glistening 4-24 from behind the arc.

What's going on with this thread? It's on like page 2 or 3 now. No one wants to talk hoops anymore? Well I will! I went to go see Michael Jordan play the San Antonio Spurs on 12/21 and I gotta be honest...it was probably one of the best moments in my life! He didn't score a lot, but it was still fun to see him play. The man can move for being 39! Anyways, thanks Mike for the great memories!!

I got kind of bored, Irishman. The Nets kep winning, so that wasn't too interesting, and the Lakers look like they're out of it, so it was no fun to needle Don Corpuzzi any more.

ESPN just reported that Kobe Bryant has agreed to play in both the Olympics and the qualifying tournament. Maybe Shaq will follow him.

What's up with Yao Ming having more votes than Shaq for the all-star game? Regardless of the Lakers' record, Shaq is still the best player in the game. It's those 1 billion Chinese people that are messing up the vote!

VOTE SHAQ!

P.S. Feel free to needle me all you want. We still have 13 championships and 3 in the last 3 years. They may not win this year, but if they come back after that and win 3 more, then the dynasty will live on!

You haven't bought your plane ticket for New Jersey yet, I guess...

I blew all of my money in Vegas on Tuesday night...I'll have to start saving up again for that plane ticket...although it doesn't look certain that your team will make it either.

Who's gonna beat the Nets in the East? Especially if they have the homecourt throughout.

We haven't talked hoops in three weeks, and now the season is more than half over.

If you're around Don Corpuzzi, tonites the big one. And the way our two teams are playing...jeez.

Hey plawrence...I'm here, but haven't been focusing much on the Lakers since my other team is in a pretty important game to be played on Sunday.

I'll talk to you after the Super Bowl.

Well, it looks like your guys won! A playoff spot doesn't look too likely right now for the Lakers. But I've still got my fingers crossed.

Translate it, what does it say?

I thought I'd bump this because basketball is now in its second half and look who's making a comeback!

It's time for some FOUR-play, if you ask me. Go Lakers!

I noticed you were kind of quiet until the Lakers started playing more like the Lakers and less like the Clippers. (feel free to insert any number of bad teams for the Clippers)

I'm looking forward to seeing Kobe on the Olympic team. I'd like to see him and Iverson on the court at the same time.

Yeah, I'm definitely looking forward to seeing Kobe on the Olympic team as well. I know it's a pretty minor detail, but I always enjoy seeing a player wearing his real NBA number in the Olympics. But since FIBA rules state that numbers have to go from 4-15, most players can't do that. In 1992 and 1996, I think Stockton was the only player who wore his NBA number (12), and in 2000 Jason Kidd got to wear his #5. There might have been others, but no one I can remember off the top of my head. If Kobe plays in 2004, he can wear his #8, and I'm pretty sure that it'll be a hot seller, partially because it's still a #8 jersey.

My order form for Nets playoff tickets came today. Since they only sell about 10,000 season tickets, they allow you to order extras. So there will definitely be one with your name on it for game seven of the finals, DC.

With the Final Four set, and the NBA playoffs looming, I thought that I'd bump this guy to the top of the list.

For the Final Four, we've got Marquette vs. Kansas in one semifinal, and Syracuse vs. Texas in the other. I'm gonna take Kansas and Texas, with Kansas winning it all.

Man, it's been a long time since we talked NBA.

Nets have a 2 1/2 game lead over the Lakers, DC. That's the first thing you have to root for to get that trip to a game 7 in New Jersey.

Marquette over Kansas, but it will be a good game vs. Texas. Man, people are still sleeping on Marquette. Did people not see the game vs. Kentucky yesterday? What more do they (and Dwyane Wade) have to do? Oh well, I guess. Let people sleep on 'em cuz that's how they beat Pitt and Kentucky.

As far as NBA, the Bucks are terrible and I thought the trade would help them. GP will definetly NOT sign with the team. They are so talented, but it goes to show that defense wins games.

In the last few weeks, Utah Jazz PG Mark Jackson overtook Magic Johnson as the #2 assist man in NBA history, second only to his teammate John Stockton. My question to you is, do you think Jackson belongs in the Hall of Fame?

My opinion is that he does not belong in the Hall, even if he is #2 of all time in assists. He is in some rare company (Stockton, Magic, The Big O, and Isiah Thomas are 1,3,4,5 on the list), but he has only been selected to the All-Star team once. In many people's opinions, you must dominate your era to be considered a Hall of Famer, and apparently Jackson wasn't even one of the top 4 or 5 guards in his conference for all but one of his seasons, let alone one of the top 2 or 3 in the league.

Sorry, Mark. No place in Springfield for you. After all, it's called the Hall of Fame, not the Hall of Very Good.

Hey PW - If I were you I would not be that concerned with the Lakers - you need to be more concerned with your Nets getting past my Sixers. We have not been that great this year but we have been holding our own against the Nets. I think what a game and half between us about 6 or 7 to go. If they face each other in the playoffs, we'll may have to talk -

And you guys giving us your walking wounded in a trade

When the season started, I promised Don Corpuzzi a ticket for game 7 of a Lakers-Nets final if it was in New Jersey. The only way that can happen is if the Nets finish with a better record than L.A. That's what that reference is about.

As far as the 6ers go, I hate 'em. I find it very annoying that people from South Jersey root for them instead of the Nets, just as I hate to see North Jerseyans rooting for the Knicks.

If the Nets and 6ers should meet in the playoffs, come on up if you're a fan. I have season tickets, and can always get a couple of extras. They may be nosebleed seats, though. If you get your own through a broker or something, let me know you're coming. I live 5 minutes from the arena. If it works out with my schedule, I'm planning to try and make a game or two in Philly if they meet.

Walking wounded, huh? I guess you mean McCullough. Well, he was damaged goods last year, so caveat emptor. And the way Mutombo was playing before his injury, I'd say you got the best of the deal even if it was just straight up for Van Horn.

Well I ain't from South Jersey so I can't be annoying you than -ha. Glad to hear you hate the Sixers, if they somehow get to play each other in the playoffs, makes the trash talk more interesting Thanks for the offer though how long have you had season tickets?

Yes I meant McCullough. It is a shame though, young guy, rare disease, at some point will if not already end his career. He seems like a good guy you don't want that to happen to anyone. I actually like Van Horn, but I am in the minority as to other Sixer fans and I agree I think we came out better in the trade.

So we shall see how this all pans out - hopefully they'll meet and we'll see who will have 'braggin rights' for a year. Although the reality is I don't think anyone from the East is going to get past whoever it is from the West though.

It's interesting how things have changed in the last few years. During the 90s, the winner of the West was just looked at as Chicago's next victim, while early in this decade it's been the opposite. Over the last three years the East winner was just looked at as the Lakers' next victim, while this year the East winner will probably be looked at as the victim of whomever comes out of the very competitive West. I think that if Dallas, Sacramento, or San Antonio comes out of the West, it's pretty much a gimme. I think that if Portland, Minnesota, or Los Angeles comes out, I think that the East winner has a chance. As a Laker fan that's hard for me to say, since I'm used to my team being invincible for the last three years, but they've really been off this whole season and they've definitely got an uphill battle this year, especially if they have to face the Queens in the first round. But it's a best of seven, so it's anybody's series.

Sniff, sniff . Hey PW is that the smell of fear. I see my Sixers are within 1/2 game of your Nets and only 2 behind Detroit overall. Looks like we still have some games to be played yet in the last few games of this season. Altough I will admit I just don't think the Sixers will play consistent enough to overtake the Nets with the remaining games. We seem to lose a few games we shouldn't and that is never a good sign - but while they are close I couldn't resist taking the advantage of talking a bit of trash
Might not get the opportunity in a few days so when it knocks ....

I've been hearing the footsteps since the all-star break. Nets will hang in there, though. I do give Iverson a lot of credit. I don't see too many Sixer games, but it sounds like he's been playing great. Oh, BTW, I've been a season ticket holder since 96-97.

Unfortunately, I'm not focused on basket ball right now, and probably won't be until the playoffs start. I got involved in a time consuming baseball fantasy league (see JG's thread in "General Discussion") which has been taking up all my sports time.

I saw - seems like you are quite the confident one now - confidence is a good thing to have, especially this early in the season. I am big into fantasy football, played a lot of baseball as a 'youngin' and always followed it but about 4 years ago I just lost all interest in it - the only sport I don't follow much. This league seemed fun, I thought about joining, I guess only to try and get back into baseball in some way - plus a nice forum to talk some trash - but just haven't followed it enough to be able to make the right choices and then end up dead last. I hate to lose at anything . Sounds like fun though - somebody will have braggin rights.

So you concentrate on ramping up your team - maybe we'll talk once the playoffs start.