Matt Barnes was always an idiot, no surprises here. http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...angeles-clippers-next-part-enjoy-la-nightlife It's safe to say that the Golden State Warriors were pulling for the LA Clippers to advance past the Utah Jazz in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. Their rooting interest, however, had nothing to do with matchups on the basketball court. Rather, it had everything to do with where they will spend their leisure hours when the second-round series shifts to Games 3 and 4. Which do they prefer: The nightlife of Salt Lake City, or Los Angeles? "No comparison. There's no such thing, man," Warriors' forward Matt Barnes told ESPN. "There's no nightlife in Utah. Obviously, as players, you want to be able to have a little bit of a nightlife, but the main focus is winning games. Me personally, I want to get out there because I want to beat the Clippers. That's my former team, and my kids are out there. But as far as nightlife, there's no comparison to nightlife in Utah and L.A." The Warriors didn't get their wish, as Utah defeated Los Angeles in seven games. Game 1 between the Warriors and Jazz is Tuesday at Oracle Arena. The defending Western Conference champs land in Utah on Friday and depart late Monday night. "The problem with Utah is that you're just sitting there and your mind is, like, dead, because in L.A., you still got energy for the game," Andre Iguodala said. "Because you're in L.A., you're like, 'Man, this is just the vibe in L.A.' but in Utah, it can kind of lull you to sleep. And then you've slept too long or I'm bored out of my mind and now you got to try to pump yourself up for the game. You know you're in the playoffs and you're supposed to be pumped anyway, but the vibe is just like, 'Man, let's just get out of here.'" "I'm sure it's probably clubs, but I've never been to one in Utah," Kevin Durant told ESPN. "It's a few restaurants close to the hotel, but you're not scattered out. L.A. is just bigger. That's the only difference. But preparation wise, my approach is the same as in any other city." Acting head coach Mike Brown has Utah's back. "See, I disagree," Brown said of Salt Lake City's "boring" perception. "I think if you really want to find something to get into, I don't care where you are, you can find something to get into." Barnes doesn't know what he'll do with his spare time on the road this series. "You sit in your room," he said on Sunday. "I think there's an Olive Garden out there and then a Benihana. So you'll definitely be locked in [on the game] all the way. L.A., you have a few more dinner options. You've got the beach right there and the sun, and I got family. I think as players, we're pulling to go to L.A." Jazz forward Joe Ingles gave a tongue-in-cheek response when asked about the Warriors' comments about Utah's nightlife. "They can still go to L.A. between games if they want," Ingles said to reporters Monday. "They've got enough money to pay for a jet and go home and come back on game day, so... If they want the entertainment, they can drive to Vegas too if they really want. I'll hire a car for them if they want." League security officials have termed visiting Salt Lake City as "security heaven." Unlike big markets, security personnel don't have to keep tabs on players as often in smaller cities. And should a player choose to go out, the small city landscapes make it easier for security to survey. "Right, they can sleep [in Utah]," Barnes said of team security. "They can't rest in L.A. You have to stay on your toes. But this is a team that's been there and done that and know what it takes to win. I don't think you have to worry about us getting in trouble. It's just a preference for us."
They are in bad cap shape? Damn, I assumed they would have room for a max with a little creativity. Saying Blake would not help the team sounds a little bit like a hater. He would help any team he joins. Injuries aside, he is a good player.
WTF Isiah Thomas, where did this guy come from. Makes no sense, he was never this good before. Players don't just become elite mid-career
lol how is that sounding like a hater? it's the truth.. I don't think he's a bad player but without shooters to stretch the floor its just another player that is going to allow defenses to clog the paint on us and make us force things. Roberson's man can just sag way off and help play D on russ, and so can Adams's defender, and our PF isn't a stretch 4 (neither is Blake) so his defender can also give Russ some attention defending as well. And Oladipo just doesn't look comfortable doing anything so he's not helping much. Now with shooters we'd have a spaced floor and a pick n roll with russ and blake would be a beautiful sight to see on the regular. We're in horrible cap shape though, Russ making 27M Dipo 21M Adams 25M Kanter 17M Singler 5M already puts us over the cap.. add the few others under contract we're about 24M over I believe. That's why I laugh when people bring up these big names in free agency.. Russ's "help" will have to come via trade and draft.
Thomas was nice going back but the Kings are so dysfunctional that you couldn't even tell. He was being sat down for Aaron Brooks lmao and in Phoenix he was caught up in a log jam of guards. Boston is the first team to really allow him to showcase his talents
Spurs win in a blowout but lose Parker to a knee injury. Leonard 13/16 shooting, 8 rebounds, 7 assists
Sucks about Tony, he was having a good playoffs. Hopefully he just sprained a ligament. Patty will probably stay with the second unit and they'll give more early minutes to Murray like they did during the regular season. This was a nice win, but the Spurs are feeling the transition year blues. Manu and Tony are too old, future starters like Murray and Bertans are too green, and the transitional bandaid players like Pau and Aldridge are too soft to be effective. Lee and Dedmon are my surprise players this year. Lee was a guy I expected very little from and he's been one of the most effective adds of the past couple years and Dedmon just came out of nowhere, but he's a sure goner, just like Mills. Spurs may come out of this to play the west finals but they'll get handled by the Warriors if they do. They're 2 years away from being real. Thankfully, i think 2 years from now Kawhi will hit his ceiling.
I think Dedmon has showed promise for the last 2 years or so, it's not surprising to me. It was a good, very needed bounce back win, but for this season, I think the Rockets are the better team. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series no matter how it plays out.
Good call I guess, his signing seemed like an afterthought since there was really no competition for him.
He was struggling to even get 10 day contracts, but he did well on the glass when given the chance. I doubt he'll ever be some big name big man, but especially on that team, he can flourish in a bench role.
I think he'll be a max contract player at some point. He grew up in a Jehovah's Witness family and he begged his mother to let him play sports in his senior high school year. The guy just loves what he is doing now and he has zero distractions. I really hope the Spurs pay him right now, not a max but definitely an intermediate contract, because he's going to be a high tier center that will end up getting a couple of max contracts. The guy is just learning the game, and he's impressive. He actually forced Pau Gasol to the bench. The bench. I guess you already knew that though, so kudos.
I didn't know all that backstory, so thanks for sharing. He's an easy guy to root for though, so I hope he does well. That's high praise thinking he'll get max contract down the road. I guess we'll see in time.
Sometimes it's the system, remember Chauncey Billups? He was drafted by the Celtics and was not that good, once he moved on he developed into a very good guard.
Billups was an odd story. Drafted third overall in 1997, traded during his first season, then traded again in his second season, then traded again in his third season, then released by the Magic, then signed by Minnesota, where he finally started to look good. Then Detroit signed him and that's where he became well-known.
The more I have watched him, the less I think it has to do with the system. I always said the IT was the perfect player for the players and coaching staff the team has right now. His year was no joke, and he elevated his play this post season. Every player can get better numbers in a certain system, just look at James Harden.... But the system is not what makes IT a great player. Like someone said earlier, he needed the opportunity and he is taking full advantage of it.
