Of course they aren't. I just wanted you all to click on the post.

I, like all of you, can't wait for tomorrow night's game, so let's talk about it. 

The Great Wall is back this season, and he looks like his old form. His conditioning level isn't there yet, but 24 mins a game shouldn't be too tiring. His post moves and shot blocking have returned, which gives us an instant upgrade in the middle. With Bynum out, it looks like Gasol will have to guard Yao.

1. Are you guys concerned or confident with Gasol guarding Yao?

Kobe hasn't had the greatest pre-season, but I saw him play a lot of minutes against the Warriors, which is encouraging.

I always look forward to watching Battier guard Kobe. Battier has lost a step, but he is still an elite defensive player. Hopefully with Kobe being injured Battier may be able to keep up with him.

2. Are you guys concerned with Kobe's injury?

The Lakers and Rockets had two of the best benches last year, and that is one of the most important things to have in order to win a title. Our bench hasn't missed a beat this pre-season.

3. How is the bench looking for you guys thus far?

Our SG, Kevin Martin, has been lights out this pre-season. He had 21 points against the Mavericks on only 8 shots, further defining how efficient he is. Kobe is amongst the NBA's top defenders on the perimeter, so it should be a good match up.

4. Are you guys concerned or confident with Kobe guarding Martin?

Aaron Brooks had a hell of a season last year, but it's going to be hard to duplicate with teams now knowing he is a scoring threat. AB has torn up Fish in their previous meetings, but things may change.

5. Are you guys concerned or confident with Fisher guarding Brooks?

6. Which of these match ups(or any other match ups) are you guys most concerned with and most confident about heading into this game?

Thanks for taking time to read this, and make sure to sound off in the comments below before leaving.

Good luck tomorrow night.

Take it easy.

According to ESPN.com, Cushing may be stripped of his award. This does not surprise me, considering he tested positive in September. And now I need words to complete post. Ignore this words words words words words words words words words words words words words   words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words

The reason I ask this question is this: There hasn't been a team that has won the title with a scoring point guard for some time now. Lets take a look at the title holders this decade:

2008-09 Los Angeles Lakers
2007-08 Boston Celtics
2006-07 San Antonio Spurs
2005-2006 Miami Heat
2004-2005 San Antonio Spurs
2003-2004 Detroit Pistons
2002-2003 San Antonio Spurs
2001-2002 Los Angeles Lakers
2000-2001 Los Angeles Lakers
1999-2000 Los Angeles Lakers

The Spurs and Lakers have dominated this decade. Derek Fisher is not the number 1 or 2 option like Chauncey Billups or Tony parker were in Detroit or San Antonio. But he was not a dominant scoring point guard. He does not rack up assists like Nash or Rondo, but he plays excellent D(as of now he does not), can spot up, and make good passes. Two much better examples are Tony Parker and Rajon Rondo. Parker was the quickest point guard in the paint and could dish it as well as anybody. Right now, Rajon Rondo is the best point guard in the league. He will give you 13-17 points a game, 10+ assists, 2+ steals, and at least 4 or 5 boards a game. Chauncey Billups has been thought of as a scoring point guard throughout his career, he is averaging about 7 assists for his career, which is a stat that does not jump out at you, but is above average for a point guard. Most of you are going to say, "But Aaron Brooks is averaging 6 or 7 assists per game." True, but Chauncey did not dominate the amount of shots taken by the Pistons during their prime years. I know Yao is returning next year and he will be thought of as the number 1 scoring option, but lets face the facts, Yao probably won't ever be the player he used to be. Even if we have Kevin Martin, Brooks will usually get more shots.  

Even if we get Chris Bosh, I don't think we have as good of a chance winning a title as say the Thunder do next year. Russell Westbrook has a high PPG average, but he also averages around 8-9 assists per game too. The Thunder have a premier scoring threat in Durant, and a great passing(and if needed, scoring) point guard. With AB, he looks to score, not pass. That is what separates him from the rest of the pack. The Thunder may be a weak example of a team who could do better than us in the playoffs, but they almost took the Lakers to seven with a bunch of young players, and a rookie coach. Even though this will never happen, I would prefer to see Lowry start over Brooks. So Brooks can be that electric spark off the bench along with Bud and whoever else. As most of you have seen in games, Lowry looks to pass first, not score.

I'm not trying to be a debbie-downer, but this thought occurred to me and it made sense to talk about it.

Hello Wizards fans,

Over at The DreamShake(houston rockets blog) we are still recovering from tears of not getting Butler and Haywood. But, our GM has talked to yours over the weekend about a deal that would send Antawn Jamison to Houston. We do not have many details surrounding the deal other than expiring contracts and maybe a first round pick being in it. If you guys can fill me in on anything you have heard that would be great. Also, if you could tell me in what players you would like to have for Jamison. Thanks for your time.

Well I've got some bad news.ESPN's Marc Stein has reported that the wizards and mavericks are closing in on a deal that would send Brendan Haywood, Caron Butler, and Deshawn Stevenson to Dallas, then Josh Howard and Drew Gooden would go to Washington. The only positive for us is that Dallas is not thrilled by Stevenson being in the deal so it is not a sure thing yet. From what i have heard, Morey isn't making much of an effort to contact teams about a deal. I know he is waiting til the last minute so that we get the best deal that we can possibly get but our best deal right now is Caron Butler and Haywood coming here for t-mac and whoever else. If Butler goes to dallas, and not here, then we may have to do the iggy trade which is not as good as the butler trade is. Morey needs to pull the trigger and make this 3 way trade (NYK, WAS, HOU) happen. The wizards and knicks have given the OK for this deal to happen. Now Morey needs to give it the OK. The trade gives us Butler and Haywood (Stevenson not in deal) and fills our two gaps of need(size and a scoring wing). If dallas gets them, they will most likely rise up in the west and put them as an elite team. Cmon Daryl make this trade happen! And now i need more words so this can be published, disregard this. word words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words sgfdsssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

Earl Thomas.

Todd Mcshay on ESPN.com predicts that we land the 14th pick and take Earl Thomas.

I'd like to have Taylor Mays or just draft a CB, preferably Joe Haden. Unfortunately  he may not last long outside of the top 10.

Taylor Mays has had a pretty crappy year but if our coaches can improve him, he can be a LaRon Landry type player. Bernard Pollard seems to have fit that role so drafting Thomas makes sense. I love Eugene Wilson but he is getting old and it's time to get an upgrade. BUT, if Joe Haden is somehow there at 14 or wherever we pick, we MUST pick him. When you do a dam good job against Julio Jones, you deserve to be picked highly.

He is a speed guy who can also play the run well. Dunta needs to go, plain and simple. I'm sure i speak for everyone when i say that.

Quin is a solid #2 corner for now.

So, what do you guys think?

I know most of you are thinking, ahh wow..... another non legitimate TMAC trade via fanpost. This time it is legitimate. I was talking to my cousin and he has a friend that is involved with all of the Houston sports teams trade rumors, FA signings, etc. The trade involving TMAC would be:

Toronto gets: TMAC, possibly battier or scola, not both though

Houston gets: Chris Bosh

When i heard this i was a believer due to us being one of the front runners for Bosh in the 2010 FA, and we only have the best GM in basketball and one of the best coaches in the last decade as well.

I'm all for this trade because Bosh doesn't have any chemistry issues from what I've heard. (as long as scola and TMAC go, not battier.)

Slight problem: We would have to trade Yao. I would rather have Bosh than Yao because Bosh is only 25 or 26 and is not injury prone like Yao is. Plus Bosh is just as good of a scorer, rebounder, post player as Yao. He also has a very good perimeter shot.

What do you guys think?