Al Jeff (and the Jazz) are about to get jobbed.

[SparzWizard]

I'm confused as to why some people are saying the Grizz could still get the 3 seed. If the Grizz win tonight, and Denver loses, they'd be tied, but Denver won the season series 3-1. So isn't Denver locked into the 3 seed and Memphis the 5?

They're locked in at 5 but could have HCA over the Clippers if they win and the Clippers lose.

Thanks for clarifying. Though it strikes me as absurd that a team could be the 4 seed but not have homecourt over the 5 seed. I wish they'd just eliminate divisions and award the 8 playoff spots to the top 8 teams in order of record.

That was us last year. We had the 4 seed and Atlanta had the 5 seed and they had homecourt advantage. Regardless, we were the underdogs and took care of business in that series in 6 games.

[CelticConcourse]

Big Al for 50

[Neurotic Guy]

I'm confused as to why some people are saying the Grizz could still get the 3 seed. If the Grizz win tonight, and Denver loses, they'd be tied, but Denver won the season series 3-1. So isn't Denver locked into the 3 seed and Memphis the 5?

Concerning L.A., I'd rather see them miss the playoffs so there's literally zero chance of them winning the title—probably most of us are familiar with Dumb & Dumber, and I don't want the Lakers having even a 1 in a million shot at a ring this season.

And before everyone starts dancing on the Lakers' grave, let's remember that this is the Lakers—regardless of what happens to them this season, and regardless of Kobe's injury, they'll probably find a way to be potent again no later than two seasons from now. There's already talk here in L.A. of a Gasol-for-Love swap, which, in spite of Love's bad defense, would overall be a boon for the Lakers, enabling them to move forward with a great frontcourt pairing (presuming they re-sign Howard). They still have their amnesty option, which would free up some cap space, and L.A. is still the most attractive destination for most marquee free agents—so they could very well be positioning themselves for a run at LeBron in 2014. Don't think for a second that this is unrealistic.

Don't get too worried about the scenario you've laid out.  First, Gasol for Love doesn't make any sense.  Love is already a better player and he'll be 25 and Gasol 33 next season.  LA doesn't have players (or picks) to sweeten the deal.  Amnestying Kobe gets them nowhere in terms of free agency if they sign Howard -- they'll be over the cap.   Yes, they probably will position themselves for Lebron.   

Hopefully, Lebron won't want to rest his last contract on the shoulders of Dwight Howard.  I really think Lebron would be a hero if he returns to Cleveland.  After earning 100's of millions and getting his 2 or 3 championships, why not make amends and dedicate his last 5 years to teaming with Irving and winnning a championship for Cleveland. 

[Yoki_IsTheName]

The Jazz got jobbed last Friday when the refs took over that Warriors-Lakers game which was completely overshadowed by Kobe's injury.

Yeah I'm not letting that one go, I feel sorry for Utah as they won their game that day, they could have been a game ahead of LA and put on a bit more pressure for the Lakers.

[fairweatherfan]

The Jazz got jobbed last Friday when the refs took over that Warriors-Lakers game which was completely overshadowed by Kobe's injury.

Yeah I'm not letting that one go, I feel sorry for Utah as they won their game that day, they could have been a game ahead of LA and put on a bit more pressure for the Lakers.

I watched that game - I'm not a big ref conspiracy guy, and the FT discrepancy was skewed significantly by a lot of Hack-a-Howard, but it was still very, very easy for the Lakers to draw fouls down the stretch.  I couldn't even tell what the call was on Blake's game-winning FTs, but that might've been because a blatant illegal screen by Dwight blocked my view. 

[Yoki_IsTheName]

The Jazz got jobbed last Friday when the refs took over that Warriors-Lakers game which was completely overshadowed by Kobe's injury.

Yeah I'm not letting that one go, I feel sorry for Utah as they won their game that day, they could have been a game ahead of LA and put on a bit more pressure for the Lakers.

I watched that game - I'm not a big ref conspiracy guy, and the FT discrepancy was skewed significantly by a lot of Hack-a-Howard, but it was still very, very easy for the Lakers to draw fouls down the stretch.  I couldn't even tell what the call was on Blake's game-winning FTs, but that might've been because a blatant illegal screen by Dwight blocked my view.

The foul on Barnes whe Kobe tore his Achilles and Harrison is not even touching him, resulted in 2 points.

MWP HELD Ezeli and Festus got called for a foul, resulted in 2 points, and Exeli, the only guy who has size to defend Dwight, fouling out.

A moving screen on Howard wasn't called, instead Steph was called for a foul, AND BLAKE SHOT THE FT's.

Granted the Warriors failed to close, but those are 6 free extra points in the 4th the Lakers got from ridiculous calls. Was a job.

And then there are these.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MhmGyZ7KF0

I feel bad for Utah, they are being screwed because "they are not marketable".

[fairweatherfan]

A moving screen on Howard wasn't called, instead Steph was called for a foul, AND BLAKE SHOT THE FT's.

Yeah, that's the "game winner" I was talking about.  It's possible Curry grabbed Blake as he got held up by the screen (I couldn't see them through Dwight), but the screen was blatantly illegal.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

A moving screen on Howard wasn't called, instead Steph was called for a foul, AND BLAKE SHOT THE FT's.

Yeah, that's the "game winner" I was talking about.  It's possible Curry grabbed Blake as he got held up by the screen (I couldn't see them through Dwight), but the screen was blatantly illegal.

After the pick, he sorta bumped into Steve Blake.

So Dwight gave Curry a hip check, Curry gets the foul, but Blake, who's not even involved in the foul play shoots the would be game winners.

Classic fix.

[Boris Badenov]

I take consolation in the fact that if the Lakers make the playoffs, they lose their first round pick.

[CelticConcourse]

Down just 2!

[BudweiserCeltic]

I take consolation in the fact that if the Lakers make the playoffs, they lose their first round pick.

That pick is traded, they don't have a pick regardless.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

I take consolation in the fact that if the Lakers make the playoffs, they lose their first round pick.

Well don't take it as fact b/c they don't have the pick to begin with, it's PHX pick... it's also not lotto protected.

[JoT]

I watched that game - I'm not a big ref conspiracy guy, and the FT discrepancy was skewed significantly by a lot of Hack-a-Howard, but it was still very, very easy for the Lakers to draw fouls down the stretch.  I couldn't even tell what the call was on Blake's game-winning FTs, but that might've been because a blatant illegal screen by Dwight blocked my view. 

This and the Kobe "foul" where he went down with his injury and Harrison Barnes was called for it yet he didn't even touch him were questionable.

[Boris Badenov]

I take consolation in the fact that if the Lakers make the playoffs, they lose their first round pick.

That pick is traded, they don't have a pick regardless.

OK, I missed the second half of the Phoenix deal:

2013 first round draft pick to Cleveland
Cleveland has the right to swap the least favorable of their own 2013 1st round pick, Miami's own 2013 1st round pick and Sacramento's own 2013 1st round pick (top-13 protected) with the L.A. Lakers own 2013 first round pick (top-14 protected). If the L.A. Lakers own 2013 first round pick is #1-#14, then the L.A. Lakers' obligation to Cleveland shall be extinguished. [Cleveland-L.A. Lakers, 3/15/2012]

2013 first round draft pick to Phoenix
The L.A. Lakers will send the least favorable of their own 1st round pick (top-14 protected), Cleveland's own 2013 1st round pick, Sacramento's own 1st round pick (top-13 protected) and Miami's 2013 1st round pick to Phoenix. If the L.A. Lakers' 1st round pick is within the top-14 selections, Phoenix will automatically receive the L.A. Lakers' 1st round pick. [L.A. Lakers-Phoenix, 7/11/2012]

http://basketball.realgm.com/nba/draft/future_drafts/detailed

So, if LA makes it, they get the Miami pick from Cleveland and then send that to Phoenix?

[slamtheking]

to the main point of the thread -- looks like Utah is shooting themselves in the foot.  only Big Al doing much on the court