Open Court

[Andrew]

Introducing a new feature inspire by ESPN's Pardon the Interruption: Open Court, where Matthew and I discuss the latest events around the NBA, as well as a few historical questions and comparisons. In this first instalment, we discuss Kwame Brown's future, Kobe's first half season as The Man in LA, the fallout of the Webber trade and much more. Check it out here.

Some of the statistics and standings are a little outdated; we're a little late in posting this one. Hope you enjoy it.

[Null17]

sounds interesting. i'll go check it out

[Fresh8]

Great stuff matt and drew. it was a good read. I disagree however... Kobe does have leadership but what he lacks is natural leadership because he doesnt mix with his teammates as hgood as other guys could. Kobe was never known to hang or chill with his teammates after practises or on breaks. Kobe does lack patience as u said and that is true!

I also agree that the Wizards arent needing Kwame right now. I think Los Angeles might tryu to birng him in.

And about Minny... I must say that it looks grim that they may miss out on the playoffs... damn!

[Jona]

Real nice read, esp. the Toss Up! parts.

A thing that caught my eye is that you guys rarely disagree on your arguments. That took a little of the fun away, but still, it was a great article.

Keep it up!

[air gordon]

yeh disagree more at least for disagreement's sakes

[Indy]

good stuff!!

and i do agree with air gordan. notice how at the end of around the horn, when its down to 2 people, they never agree no matter what. it makes for a better debate.

[ShivaSquad]

nice stuff andrew. its 12:27 AM and i hav school tomorro and am dog tired but i still read all the toss ups. that proves its a good read interesting point of views... good points... most importantly its very clear and easy to read but at the same time very informative and shows that u guys def kno wat ur talkin bout

cool that u spent the time on that... thanks

[c0nr4d]

awesome read gentleman, i hope u guys keep it up!

[XianeX]

I enjoyed the read but it seemed you two often got off your original point and bought into what the other person said.

[Andrew]

We've done another instalment which we'll post up soon where we've tried to pick topics that we'll disagree on.

Thanks for the comments guys.

[Andrew]

Second instalment now up:

The second instalment of Open Court is now up - thanks for all the comments on the first one! In this episode, Matthew and I discuss the Sixers' performance a week after the Webber trade, the firing of Maurice Cheeks and rank the players who are most important to their team's success in the postseason. Check it out here.

[Fresh8]

Excellent read fellas!

Props!

[kmartin1982]

As the title of the question is

We rank who is the most important to their team's chances at winning in the playoffs

and andrew himself said

You take any of these guys off their teams, their teams will struggle, but the Suns just can't play the game that's making them successful without Nash

hence making nash, the number 1 mst important player if the suns are to have any chance of winning the playoffs, he actually says it himself, the other teams will struggle, suns will have no hope.

So surely you have to put Nash at number 1 on the list.

[Andrew]

(Merged from General Talk thread)

As I said, in my opinion he's not valuable to the Suns the same way Duncan is to the Spurs or Shaq is to the Lakers. In a literal sense, you might argue that his situation makes him the most important, but in terms of what I consider to be MVP criteria and the ability to carry a team in the playoffs, I rank him top five because of the Suns' depth chart moreso than his abilities.

[ManuGinobili!!!]

(Merged from General Talk thread)

As I said, in my opinion he's not valuable to the Suns the same way Duncan is to the Spurs or Shaq is to the Lakers. In a literal sense, you might argue that his situation makes him the most important, but in terms of what I consider to be MVP criteria and the ability to carry a team in the playoffs, I rank him top five because of the Suns' depth chart moreso than his abilities.

Hey Andrew I'm not sure how fast news from here reaches Australia but Shaq doesn't play for the Lakers anymore, he plays for Miami.

[air gordon]

very well done. i'm willing to do a cameo or a 5 good minutes segment with you all

[Andrew]

(Merged from General Talk thread)

As I said, in my opinion he's not valuable to the Suns the same way Duncan is to the Spurs or Shaq is to the Lakers. In a literal sense, you might argue that his situation makes him the most important, but in terms of what I consider to be MVP criteria and the ability to carry a team in the playoffs, I rank him top five because of the Suns' depth chart moreso than his abilities.

Hey Andrew I'm not sure how fast news from here reaches Australia but Shaq doesn't play for the Lakers anymore, he plays for Miami.

Yes, I do know that. Obviously I meant the Heat, since Matthew and I were talking about his importance to the Heat in that last instalment. A simple mistake, a mental blank.

[#12]

first i thought it was lame as shit, but as it went on, I enjoyed reading it

[Ruff Ryder]

I wonder who's gonna become the Wilbon in this and just disagree at the most obvious things to be different. More emotion!

"Matthew, you're an idiot. You never know anything that you're talking about. In fact your just talking to be talking."

"The truth is I'm right and you can't handle the truth! You've always been-"
(ding)
"Time to move on. Who is the most important role player between Damon Jones, Eddie Jones, and Udonis Haslem for the Heat?"



Just a question. Can you add pics? Make it a bit more elaborate. If it's too time consuming don't sweat it.

[Andrew]

Another edition, we've decided on the time frame for updates now. We're also trying to disagree a bit more. I'll see about adding some pics in future editions, too.

After the positive reponses to the first two instalments, Matthew and I have decided to publish Open Court twice a week; for now, a Tuesday and Friday edition. In the latest edition, we focus on the playoff race and the fortune of a couple of the lower seeds in the Eastern Conference.

[ManuGinobili!!!]

I was just messing with you Andrew, it was obviously just an oversight. Great article. Who cares if you agree too much if those are your real opinions? It's nice to hear some bball talk.

[The X]

yep it's a nice read....maybe you could spice it up by adding a 3rd person who has more abstract views on the NBA....

[Fresh8]

Yeah fellas... you need a third wheel!

[Null17]

damn, there are 3 editions already? i should check the front page more. or you should update the title of this thread so we know if new installments are up.

[Sauru]

wohoo i am good at being a 3rd wheel