Ballin’: What’s Wrong With the Lakers and Celtics!?
Miami 120, Boston 107 – The Celtics were balanced with 7 players scoring between 8 and 23 points, shot 52% from the field and 46% from behind the arc and LeBron James sat most of the 4th quarter. The end result was that the Celtics had it all the way down to a 6-point deficit in the 4th before Miami pulled away.
LeBron James went for 26 and 10 in 10 minutes before leaving the game with leg cramps. Ray Allen scored 19 off the bench against his former team, Chris Bosh had 19 and 10 and Dwyane Wade had 29. Rajon Rondo had 20 points, 13 assists, 7 rebounds, 1 flagrant and 1 technical for the Celtics. After the game, D-Wade, the recipient of the flagrant was asked about the play. From the Sun-Sentinel:
“We’re in the NBA,” Wade said after the 120-107 win. “I got my kids watching, so I stopped myself, but it was a punk play. The league will take care of it.” I asked Wade if he said the P-word to Rondo when they were nose to nose. “I just did,” Wade said with a wink. “There’s a lot of cameras here.”
Orlando Dallas 99, Los Angeles 91 – No Dirk? No problem. The new look Mavs used a balanced attack to take down the Lakers in L.A. on opening night. The Lakers modified Princeton offense was universally planned, but L.A. probably could have won if Dwight Howard shot better than 3-14 from the free throw line. Elton Brand, Brandon Wright and Eddy Curry were all effective down low against the Lakers twin towers. Kobe Bryant was at his most efficient, scoring 22 points on 11-14 shooting to go along with 1 rebound and 0 assists. Steve Nash had 7 points and 4 assists in 34 minutes. Don’t worry, I’m sure Mike Brown will help his team figure this out.
Cleveland 94, Washington 84 – What a difference a Brazilian makes, eh? The Cavaliers are back! Anderson Varejao scored 9 points to go along with 23 rebounds and 9 assists in his first regular season game since his season ended in February.
The Wizards trimmed a 16-point deficit all the way down to 2 in the second half, but the Cavs held on behind 29 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists for last year’s Rookie of the Year, Kyrie Irving.
The Cavs rookies looked good too as Tristan Thompson had 12 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists and Dion Waiters added 17.

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- ohheelyeah on Roundup: Ryan Mattheus Broke His Hand Punching a Locker, Spiderman Plays Basketball with Kids & Man Nearly Killed by Bull in Costa Rica
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- heldover on Roundup: Ryan Mattheus Broke His Hand Punching a Locker, Spiderman Plays Basketball with Kids & Man Nearly Killed by Bull in Costa Rica
- cracker jack on Roundup: Ryan Mattheus Broke His Hand Punching a Locker, Spiderman Plays Basketball with Kids & Man Nearly Killed by Bull in Costa Rica
- scripty on Roundup: Ryan Mattheus Broke His Hand Punching a Locker, Spiderman Plays Basketball with Kids & Man Nearly Killed by Bull in Costa Rica
85 Responses to “Ballin’: What’s Wrong With the Lakers and Celtics!?”
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October 31st, 2012 at 10:39 AM
Kyrie looked really, really good.
October 31st, 2012 at 10:41 AM
Just run the pick and roll. Or just keep trying to shove a 39 year old point guard into a system he would have been wasted in 15 years ago.
October 31st, 2012 at 10:41 AM
tristan thompon looks like he hit the weight room this off season.
October 31st, 2012 at 10:43 AM
I love it that the complaint about MLB is that there are no videos and alas no Yardwork. But if THESE are the videos, what’s the point? They are small, really don’t do much to add to the point of the writing, and seem kinda useless.
October 31st, 2012 at 10:45 AM
one of em aint a rookie, lawya.
October 31st, 2012 at 10:45 AM
Watching Nash get abused by OJ Mayo makes the idea that the Lakers will get pass OKC laughable.
October 31st, 2012 at 10:46 AM
Not a rookie
October 31st, 2012 at 10:46 AM
LeBron James went for 26 and 10 in 10 minutes
He had 26 points and 10 rebounds in 10 minutes?
But if THESE are the videos, what’s the point?
You just made Shamburger cry.
October 31st, 2012 at 10:48 AM
That makes me laugh.
October 31st, 2012 at 10:48 AM
Andre “The Candy Man” Drummond debuts tonight. I’m gonna make an attempt to watch a couple Pistons games this year.
October 31st, 2012 at 10:48 AM
Wake me up at Christmas. Still think the NBA should shift to a late Decemeber to early August schedule.
October 31st, 2012 at 10:49 AM
Now that the NBA has tipped off, I can go back to ignoring it until June.
October 31st, 2012 at 10:49 AM
Fire Mike Brown
October 31st, 2012 at 10:50 AM
planned or panned? if it was universally planned well…too many cooks in the kitchen. but seeing as it was a typo, looks like you mistook the salt for sugar.
October 31st, 2012 at 10:50 AM
I think the Lakers will be fine. I think the Mavs are not going away. I liked their offseason. I’d take Mayo/Collison over Kidd/Terry at this point. They’ll get Dirk back and they have a great head coach. They wont contend for a top seed but they should hold off a team like Minnesota or GS for a playoff spot.
October 31st, 2012 at 10:50 AM
No need for you to wake up.
October 31st, 2012 at 10:50 AM
If the Lakers get past OKC it was never going to be because of their defensive prowess.
October 31st, 2012 at 10:50 AM
BUT WHAT WERE THE RATINGS?!
October 31st, 2012 at 10:51 AM
Fire Mike Brown
he can’t coach an offense for a shit, but i’m still a fan of mike brown. i’m probably the only one, but the shit the cavs did defensively with him was impressive.
October 31st, 2012 at 10:53 AM
Kyrie
October 31st, 2012 at 10:53 AM
Good for Eddy Curry
October 31st, 2012 at 10:53 AM
It’s been said a thousand times on this site, but just about everyone I’ve read agrees except J-Mac. Also liked the Brand/Kaman signings and if Roddy stays healthy think he will have a big year.
October 31st, 2012 at 10:53 AM
i like how he lost to all the good teams he faced in the playoffs because his offense couldnt do shit and how lebron hated him.
/cries
October 31st, 2012 at 10:54 AM
BUT WHAT WERE THE RATINGS?!
Have the men in black suits and dark sunglasses contacted you yet?
October 31st, 2012 at 10:54 AM
As I said about a month ago, Pau for Anderson Varejao (with a third team to make contracts work) …who says no? Almost makes too much sense
October 31st, 2012 at 10:56 AM
uh…i say no.
you can point to a bunch of objective things, i can point to how every big name “star” on the downslope of their careers that comes here goes into operation shutdown. why would they trade their second best player for someone who probably wont show up, if history repeats itself?
October 31st, 2012 at 10:56 AM
Between him and Brandon Knight the pistons have two guys I’m excited to watch develop. If that happens, they could be pretty good. Monroe is ready to go beast mode this year.
October 31st, 2012 at 10:59 AM
lebron
one of my greatest sports crimes is that this jerk has a ring. oh well.
October 31st, 2012 at 10:59 AM
The Lakers would fire their coach first.
October 31st, 2012 at 10:59 AM
Tristan Thompson, sophomore, added 15 points this offseason. Samardo dropped 15 pounds.
Austin Carr was in his glory last night.
October 31st, 2012 at 11:02 AM
It’s been said a thousand times on this site, but just about everyone I’ve read agrees except J-Mac.
“dumpster fire”
October 31st, 2012 at 11:02 AM
Hope he spent some time at the free throw line in addition to the weight room.
October 31st, 2012 at 11:03 AM
/pours one out for yardwork
October 31st, 2012 at 11:03 AM
As I said about a month ago, Pau for Anderson Varejao (with a third team to make contracts work) …who says no? Almost makes too much sense
I’d guess the Cavs sit idle this season unless they take on a crap contract and a first round pick in some trade-facilitator role. Pau will be aged when the current Cavs core hits their stride.
October 31st, 2012 at 11:04 AM
damn…wish i couldve stayed on hold and this conf call didnt start. best hold music ive heard.
October 31st, 2012 at 11:04 AM
…who says no?
try to use your own phrasings in the future. This is a clear bill simmonsism. And since, you’re a “media member” I now get to call you a hack.
October 31st, 2012 at 11:05 AM
Hope he spent some time at the free throw line in addition to the weight room.
No. I think 60% is his ceiling there.
October 31st, 2012 at 11:05 AM
damn…wish i couldve stayed on hold and this conf call didnt start. best hold music ive heard.
saaaaaaaaaailiiiing, takes me awaaaaaaaaaaay, to where I’m going…doodoodoo
October 31st, 2012 at 11:06 AM
LeBron played 26 minutes.
October 31st, 2012 at 11:07 AM
Adam Morrison having rings is more of a crime to me.
October 31st, 2012 at 11:07 AM
I had one this morning with.
Call me. Whenever you need me. Call me and I’ll be there…..
October 31st, 2012 at 11:09 AM
Adam Morrison having rings is more of a crime to me.
you guys are just too young to remember world champion Chuck Nevitt.
October 31st, 2012 at 11:09 AM
LeBron played 26 minutes.
TBL clearly states that LeBron played only 10 minutes. He is never wrong.
October 31st, 2012 at 11:11 AM
seriously, chuck Nevitt “played” 9 seasons and had 251 career points.
October 31st, 2012 at 11:11 AM
No one reads the author tag.
October 31st, 2012 at 11:12 AM
TBL clearly states
JMac’s been out of business for the past couple of days. This Ballin’ is a CoRMy Joint.
October 31st, 2012 at 11:13 AM
Is Bill Simmons trying to take ownership over this? He’s the new Howard Stern “I invented everything Robin..including sports documentaries”
October 31st, 2012 at 11:16 AM
/pours one out for yardwork
//pours two out
Happy to have LeBron back in my life. In other news, Wade is still terrible. He’s gone from fun to watch to borderline get off of my tv screen levels.
October 31st, 2012 at 11:16 AM
where do we discuss lebron’s suddenly un-receding hairline?
October 31st, 2012 at 11:17 AM
Is that the reason for the dumb headline? The only thing wrong with the Lakers is lack of playing time together and guys coming off injuries. This month oughta be fun for the loons who are hoping for them to fail. This headline is as bad a J-Mac’s “Clippers are the best team in LA” garbage last season. ugh.
October 31st, 2012 at 11:18 AM
Man, Mike Brown managed to make Steve Nash look like Derek Fisher. Reminds me of how horribly he underutilized Gasol last year.
October 31st, 2012 at 11:19 AM
where do we discuss lebron’s suddenly un-receding hairline?
as a balding 29 year old… go fuck yourself
October 31st, 2012 at 11:19 AM
Is Bill Simmons trying to take ownership over this?
I don’t know, but he’s the guy that says it all the time, on the subject you said it about. If you propose an NBA trade, and then finish it off with a “who says no?” then you are doing a bill simmonsism, whether he claims that as his own or not.
So you have to stop from your end, because you sound like a guy who just uses other people’s schticks. Which is what you do, come to think of it.
October 31st, 2012 at 11:19 AM
What’s up with Wade’s hair? That ain’t a fade, that’s his hair running away from his face!
/90s
October 31st, 2012 at 11:20 AM
where do we discuss lebron’s suddenly un-receding hairline?
lbj’s hairline is holding an espn special to announce his decsion to leave the top of ljb’s head at noon.
October 31st, 2012 at 11:21 AM
Lebron was knocking mid range jumpers like it was nothing yesterday.
Uh oh.
October 31st, 2012 at 11:21 AM
“I love it that the complaint about MLB is that there are no videos and alas no Yardwork. But if THESE are the videos, what’s the point? They are small, really don’t do much to add to the point of the writing, and seem kinda useless.”
Good lord, you sensitive pussy. Maybe you should put in for a rebate from TBL? Selig knob slobberer.
October 31st, 2012 at 11:23 AM
Re: Ray Allen
I love it because its going to make the ECF that much better.
October 31st, 2012 at 11:27 AM
That Lakers 2nd unit is laughable.
October 31st, 2012 at 11:29 AM
OKC was able to win their games against the Lakers because of their defense against the Lakers. They’re able to play head up on Kobe without the double team. No one the Lakers picked up this year is going to force OKC to double team, and now their defense on the perimeter with Nash in the game is worse than last year.
October 31st, 2012 at 11:29 AM
talking like that about the writers here will get you el martillo bandillero
October 31st, 2012 at 11:33 AM
so was Cleveland’s last night—luke walton, boobie gibson, and some trash. That 16 pt lead evaporated quickly when they were on the floor.
October 31st, 2012 at 11:34 AM
How’d Waiters look last night?
October 31st, 2012 at 11:35 AM
Luke Walton is a SAINT, you hear me?
October 31st, 2012 at 11:39 AM
Why are the Wizards still a team.
October 31st, 2012 at 11:39 AM
Do you gamble, Darrell?
I am a “grey” type of guy and am rarely/never absolutely confident in my opinions. But I notice there are several people on here who “speak” with absolute confidence in their opinions. They may be correct most of the time, I don’t know. If I were that sure of my opinion I would certainly place a wager on it, especially when the odds are good. (OKC +225 to win the West)
October 31st, 2012 at 11:41 AM
I’m adding this comment to the pantheon of awful things said about my career
October 31st, 2012 at 11:42 AM
reading the comments, you’d think the Cavs are back
October 31st, 2012 at 11:42 AM
Dion looked pretty good. Had a nasty stepback jumper that cleared about 6 feet of space, he stripped Beal and took it all the way in, and finished in traffic. Very solid night.
October 31st, 2012 at 11:43 AM
if they play that Wizards squad every night, they’re easily a 60 win team
October 31st, 2012 at 11:45 AM
you can have him back if you want
October 31st, 2012 at 11:48 AM
I thought Harden defended Kobe extremely well when matched up. Also, their perimeter defense was always horrible….and now they can funnel players towards Dwight Howard.
I also think you’re not giving their offense credit, I only saw first half last night, but they got whatever they wanted…Howard was just a bit out of sorts and they looked like a team that hadn’t played together before. They also ran a bunch of triangle offense last night, yet everyone claimed like they were running Pete Carril’s version of the Princeton offense. Such an overreaction on Inside the NBA.
October 31st, 2012 at 11:49 AM
reading the comments, you’d think the Cavs are back
sorry I couldnt address this earlier. I was meeting with the county commissioner and the mayor of cleveland on the post-title parade route.
October 31st, 2012 at 11:55 AM
Rarely. I’m taking bets on Obama right about now.
October 31st, 2012 at 11:57 AM
I got sixty bucks says Obama’s black.
October 31st, 2012 at 11:58 AM
You are making assumptions after one game and you haven’t even seen the team that traded one of their key guys a week ago take the floor. I hope OKC gets past the Lakers but to think its going to be easier right now is dumb.
October 31st, 2012 at 12:00 PM
My favorite player vs my favorite team tonight. Harden goes for 30 and the Pistons win, book it.
October 31st, 2012 at 12:03 PM
Here’s my call:
Obama 281
Romney 257
October 31st, 2012 at 12:15 PM
OKC still has Durant, right? Westbrook, right? The Lakers haven’t improved their inability in defending against quick guards have they? OKC has Maynor back, plus adding Martin and Lamb, right? Perkins can still defend Dwight 1 on 1, right? Sefalosha’s is still long enough to give Kobe fits, right? Ibaka is still quick enough to stay outside with Gasol, right? Harden’s productivity decreased against the Lakers in the series last year, didn’t it? Ok. My assumption is OKC is better than the Lakers until the Lakers can show otherwise, and based on what they have, they can’t.
October 31st, 2012 at 12:22 PM
Do you give any credence to the theory that they have a better interior defender now who will help to “cover up” some of the defensive weaknesses against penetrating guards like Westbrook?
October 31st, 2012 at 12:44 PM
It also creates open shots for the man Howards helps off of, as well as the probability of foul trouble.
October 31st, 2012 at 1:10 PM
Absolutely NO WAY the Lakers can win the West …
October 31st, 2012 at 1:15 PM
I’m in the camp that thinks Harden was more a luxury than an essential piece. He’s a very skilled player but he was at his best when KD/Westbrook were not in the lineup. Basically, he’s a (very good) bench scorer, not the hardest role to fill in the NBA. Kevin Martin is a 20+ ppg scorer in the league, I think he can handle it.
October 31st, 2012 at 3:01 PM
“Kevin Martin is a 20+ ppg scorer in the league, I think he can handle it.”
Not lately. Dude is toast.
October 31st, 2012 at 4:27 PM
That and their bench is poorly constructed. A bunch of hot garbage there.