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[PhoSita]

I think this Tim Duncan (C) + Tiago Splitter (PF) is pivotal to San Antonio's chances of winning an NBA Title. If they can make this work, I'll become a lot more optimistic about their title chances.

They need Splitter in there alongside Duncan to give their interior defense and rebounding more of a boost. The unanswered question so far is how much will it cost them offensively.

I'd love to see San Antonio put Ginobili back in the starting lineup. I still do not think he is playing enough minutes. And now with Splitter starting alongside Duncan, Ginobili could give a more offensively challenged Spurs starting unit that offensive boost they need to make it work. If there are problems, I hope Popovich at least tries Ginobili alongside the twin towers before deciding to go back to his smaller lineup.

Probably with starting Splitter is it means the bench is Diaw + Bonner / Blair

[Who]

Blake Griffin's jump shot looks so much better this year.

That is a game-changer for him offensively.

[Who]

Cousins needs to post up closer to the hoop. There is no reason for him to be posting up 15-16 feet from the rim with Lamar Odom on him and trying to face up against Odom. He has to go get his butt closer to the rim and use his power and heft to out-muscle Odom in the post.

It's pitiful watching Aaron Brooks and now Isiah Thomas try to defend Chris Paul. A.Brooks is a pathetic defender.

[Edgar]

Blake Griffin's jump shot looks so much better this year.

That is a game-changer for him offensively.

but his turaround jumper isnt there yet... :p

[Who]

Beautiful play by Odom. Stole the outlet pass, drove in, tricky dribbling, spin move and an over the head (or around the neck) pass to a trailing Turiaf for the slam dunk.

[Who]

Bledsoe is a freak physically. The types of he can make. Incredible blocked shot from behind on the fastbreak. Doing a great job forcing turnovers.

Ronny Turiaf was a minimum contract, right? He'd be a nice backup center right now.

[GreenFaith1819]

Looks like Nash MAY be a go tonight:

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/8773307/steve-nash-return-los-angeles-lakers-lineup-vs-golden-state-warriors-source-says

"IF" he comes back tonight, this would be a great test for him vs GSW.

And speaking of GSW - how about the "New Run-TM3", lol...Step Curry, Klay Thompson, and Harrison Barnes.

Steph Curry = Tim Hardaway

Klay Thompson = Chris Mullin? That's a HUGE stretch, but perhaps one day.

Mitch Richmond = Harrison Barnes? Not quite yet.

[Who]

I love Ezeli.

He is playing so physical with Dwight Howard right now. Banging him early and hard in transition. Tough box outs on the defensive glass keeping him away from rebounds. Great overplay on a post up to deflect the entry pass away.

Heck, he even initiated the contact on offense and looked for a post up. Bang! Smacks into him at the elbow, pushes him down low, then makes Dwight fight for post position. They were never giving Ezeli the ball in the low block against Dwight but he went down there and he made Dwight work. Man, I'd love to see Sully do that when he is on the court. He is so bloody passive offensively. Just stands there gawking at the other players waiting for them to do so something.

Ezeli has set a couple of bone crunching screens on Nash and Morris too. Real hard screens. Terrific. I love this guy.

How many rookie big men out of the NCAA play with this type of physical toughness and defensive tenacity? This guy really is something.

Edit: Now Dwight is called for an offensive foul for shoving Ezeli out of the way with his off arm. Frustration foul. He doesn't like how hard Ezeli is going at him. Ezeli is a ROOKIE! Physical and mental toughness. This guy is a fighter. Now he deflects the post entry pass to Pau Gasol out of bounds. Brilliant. It's only the 6 minute mark in the first quarter. Now he alters and helps force a miss on a Kobe Bryant baseline driving layup. Terrific.

[Who]

I think Mark Jackson is doing a great job with the young players in Golden State. Unusual for a head coach. To be so comfortable with and confident in so many youngsters. Getting results too.

M.Jackson has them playing within the structure of the team. Well organized. Competing as defender/rebounders as well as offensive players. Good overall team basketball. Impressive to have so many young players performing well and playing like veterans.

[GreenFaith1819]

If Bogut ever comes back healthy for GSW...wow.

That could be enough to really push GSW into a playoff spot.

They are already a whopping 18-9...sleeping on the NBA. They just had a 7-1 road trip, too.

Nice to see them playing well under Jackson.

[Who]

4 on 1 for LA on the fastbreak. Three guys run for threes (Kobe, Artest, Meeks). Only one guy goes to the rim (J.Hill). Wasteful. 

The Warriors have very little interior defense out there with Carl Landry and Draymond Green as their big man combo. Kobe Bryant has smelled blood for the last few minutes and is looking to attack the rim at every opportunity. The Warriors' defense will be so much better when they can keep one of Bogut + Ezeli on the floor at all times. Avoid these situations.

Klay Thompson is a really impressive ball-handler, passer and decision maker off the dribble. He has a very impressive skill-set as a tall sweet shooting two guard at 6 foot 7.

[KCattheStripe]

Remember when Cleveland wouldn't give up Hickson for Amar'e, that almost seems reasonable now.

[European NBA fan]

@Who: I have to give you a TP. I just agree about everything you have said about this Lakers@Warriors game.

Also great credit to the Warriors front office for putting this team together.

[CelticSooner]

Kobe went 16-41 tonight. 

He's taking ballhog to a whole new level.

[Kiorrik]

Kobe went 16-41 tonight. 

He's taking ballhog to a whole new level.

No no no no no no! You're getting the story all wrong! He's the first guy who, after age 34, scored 30+ points 8 times in a row!

There. Glad that's settled.