Game 1

Final Score

103-93 Atlanta

_________________

He's basically Carmelo Anthony in a larger body.

Top 5 last 20 years.

_________________

Are you trying to provoke me?

_________________

I've already given you a list that debunks that.

_________________

Melo may be a DB but he can score and wants to win. With the game on the line the numbers say Melo is the guy you want with the ball in his hands. Even more than my guy Kobe.

_________________

Dwight's as good as anyone on that list who doesn't have a ring. After tonight, seeing him plant position every offensive possession, using that short bank hook off the glass, he's on his way to being a dominant scorer. Also on his way to a 3rd defensive player of the year award. C'mon Hov. ADMIT IT.

_________________

He's not better than any of those guys. He's also not playing against any real competition.

_________________

No way Mutombo could do anything against him. Smits? No way he could stop Howard. Alonzo would have the best shot, but Dwight's height advantage would ultimately win that battle.

_________________

He can't be the best player on a chamionship team. He's a loser cut from the mold of LeBron.

_________________

He's nowhere near the defender Mutombo was even against inferior competition. Also Mutombo had a better offensive game and that really says a lot. Smits would have him in foul trouble all game. Considering his offensive moves Smits wouldn't have a problem with him. He's not even in the same class as Alonzo.

_________________

We'll never agree on any of that, but I hope your opinion changes when Dwight gets that inevitable ring.

_________________

I will if that happens when he is the best player on a team.

_________________

So you didn't respect Kobe until he won again 2 years ago?

_________________

I'm sure you're not really trying to make that comparison.

_________________

Is it not the same argument? A great player has to win a ring as the best player on the team?

I don't really buy that argument personally, but I'm not gonna try to change your philosophy.

_________________

Series Update:

Atlanta leads 1-0

By exposing Orlando's lack of bench scoring options, the Hawks showed the world why they won 3 of 4 against Orlando during the regular season. They also may have begun to expose Otis Smith (Orlando GM) overplaying his hand this year and shuffling the Magic lineup to a point where continuity may be unachievable. Atlanta also shuffled their lineup this season, but if the 1st game of the series is any indication on which team is gelling quicker Orlando should be worried.

Key Players:

Dwight Howard (ORL): 46pts, 19reb

Jameer Nelson (ORL): 27pts, 4-7 3PT

Joe Smith (ATL): 25pts, 5reb, 5ast

Jamal Crawford (ATL): 23pts, 4-7 3PT, 5ast

_________________

My thoughts

- Mutumbo would absolutely be effective against Dwight Howard. He was an awesome defender. Zo would have been effective against him also. Conversely, it's far fetched to be kind to say Mutumbo had a better offensive game. It's just plain wrong actually. Dwight is a better player right now than Mutumbo ever was. Ditto for Zo, and I know how good he was. It's ridiculous that you keep invoking Smits with with the previous three.

- Dwight can easily be the best player on a contender, to say otherwise is absurd. He's still young, has a mess of a team and an overrated coach. Still, he got significantly better offensively and has a much more all around feel to his game this year than before. There's really no reason to doubt his abilities as a franchise player except for some personal bias or something.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Thanks man. Hova just will not see the light on this. I can't understand why Smits was ever brought up.

Rik Smits career season: 18.5ppg, 6.9rpg, 52%FG..... WTF? Garbage. I know he gave the Bulls fits, but that was cus Luc fucking Longley was trying to play defense on him. Dwight would hurt him. Emotionally and physically.

_________________

Game 2

32-27 Atlanta

7 and a half left in 2nd quarter.

_________________

Dwight has 11pts. Jameer has 8. No one else on Orlando has above 2.

_________________

39-34 Hawks

4 and a half minutes in 1st half.

_________________

Dude I got hailed on too. I'll keep my eye on the game. Knicks/Celtics is peaking my interest for now.

_________________

It's like D.Howard heard Hova talking shit about him.

18pts 8reb

At the foul line.

_________________

39-38 Atlanta

2 and a half left in 2nd quarter.

_________________

48-42 Orlando

Halftime

Howard: 24pts 11reb

_________________

Brent Barry said Orlando looked tired walking to the locker room.

_________________

Yeah throughout the season him and D3 sometimes looked like they were ripping bongs at halftime.

_________________

Not sure of his name, but I think I know who you're talking about.

_________________