pantaloons

Forgive the Melbourne supporter in me when I get a little jumpy that our #1 pick was considered a "mild surprise". Need to get the Fat Albert deal done now.

One of Thursday night games you may be referring go, Macca, could be KC at Philadelphia. More importantly, it's Andy Reid's return to Philly, so there's a bit of a storyline there, even though its not a true blockbuster. NFL season can't come quick enough.

Interesting stuff from Salisbury. We need to make sure we don't starve Howard and Pau of shots. That's still our best route to easy points. But without Kobe (and no, we are not a better team without him) it does make us less predictable and gives the likes of Blake, Jamison and Meeks more shots and responsibility. I expect us to lose in 5. The Spurs are banged up too though, so that may help.

Gutsy, gutsy win at Staples today. Starting backcourt of Blake and Meeks meant that the backup guards were Darius Morris and Chris Duhon. Hoping dearly that Nash can get himself back pronto.

Well, that's devastating.

Just trying to keep it realistic!! We'll likely face OKC, which is a terrible matchup. We could probably extend the Spurs to 6 or 7 but having seen LA at the top of the Western Conference for most of this century, I'm giving us about as much chance as I gave our first round opponents in previous years. Not much at all.

I think we'll get there (just) but have zero chance of reaching the second round. Just making the playoffs and avoiding the humiliation of missing out is enough for me after a disastrous campaign. Nice to see Golden State make it for just the second time in 19 years.

Love your work, gents. It was pretty much Murphy's Law for the first half of the season but the team has played well the last 20 games (14-6). The same record over the last 20 will see us make the playoffs. Once in there, we won't get past the first round, but would have a better shot against San An. Yesterday's game was ridiculous. Out scored them 25-2 over the last 8.30. With our generally dismal D, that's just crazy. Utah does have a tough run home and I don't know how they win so many games as it is.

Today has been a very sad one for the NBA and of course for the Lakers. I'll forever be grateful to Jerry Buss for all he did for the franchise, and for the enjoyment he brought to my life. Following this team has been immensely rewarding and he gets the credit for a lot of that. So many owners in US sports are more interested in making a profit than winning championships, but Buss had such a genuine understanding of the importance of winning, and the dollars followed. He was tremendously good and loyal to his own, a visionary, an entertainer, but most of all, a winner. Dr Jerry Buss, thank you.

I think the genuine gripe Niners fans would have is that Baltimore was gifted a pass interference penalty on third down to save their final FG drive and wipe minutes off the clock. If you're going to be consistent, call the Crabtree one too. Oh well, it only cost a team the Super Bowl I suppose.

I'm not getting too excited, Jack. While yesterday was our only impressive win of the season, we've seen what appeared to be LA turning the corner a few times this season only to revert to losing to rubbish teams. This has to turn into some momentum for LA to make the playoffs.

Thanks Jack. What a season indeed. If Howard goes, he goes. He's been a poor man's Bynum this season and there's no guarantee at all that he'll get anywhere near his best ever again. As currently constructed, this team was built for a two-year run. Unfortunately it looks like they'll just give me the runs for two years, but most of our contracts come off the books after the 2013/14 season (all bar Nash), when the plan will be to splash on a couple of big name free agents (ie. LeBron, though it would disgust me to have to support him if that eventuated, and then there are other names like Deng, Iguodala, Landry). I'd be reluctant to make any moves now that weren't designed to help us get younger and better for the 2014/15 season and beyond. If you trade Pau and/or Dwight, you have to get quality youth in, whether players and/or picks. Either way, and sorry if this is the 30th time I've mentioned it in this thread, but what the heck were we doing hiring D'Antoni? Totally wrong for our roster, not to mention Jackson's availability. I don't care when we kick him to the kerb, so long as he's not there in a couple of years. Things are always interesting in Hollywood.

Good luck to the Niners fans on here. My day's a long time San Fran follower so I've been right behind them these playoffs. He might be waiting a while for Melbourne to salute so hopefully his boys get the job done in a fortnight.

Ha! The hurry up offense works well for them. Very annoying when you've recorded the game and like to fast forward between plays though!!

Unforgivable performance from Seattle today. Turning down two simple first half field goals cost them dearly. I know they were down badly, but on the road you need to put points on the board when they are gifted to you. Going for it on 4th and 1 on the 11 is one some would agree with, but in that situation I thought it was desperate. And whatever the heck happened at the end of the first half was an utter farce. Great game though, and a great weekend of football. Can't see the Niners getting beaten. They've looked to me the team to beat since Week 1, and nothing has changed for me since then except the positive QB change. Pats to meet them in the SB.

We've got a couple other issues as well, Macca. Our choice of coach was silly. The team needs time to gel. We are old. But yes, we need time with the side intact. Not to be this season.

I've tried to ignore most of this season but it's pretty difficult when every second person wants to talk to me about the Lakers and my twitter feed is exploding with LA talk. Macca, with five on a court it's impossible to have great results with significant injuries. I've never seen a season like this for LA in terms of injuries. We've just learned today that Hill is out for the season - another massive hit. Out of 36 games, this is the games missed due to injury this far: Nash: 24 Gasol: 11 Howard: 3 Hill: 7 Blake: 29 I won't go into other injuries to players not in our usual best 8 or 9. That doesn't take into account that Howard has been playing injured. This was a team that needed a chunk of the start of the season to gel, and that just never happened. Our record in close games is extremely poor so that's also skewed our win-loss record downwards. I don't mean to sound like I'm making excuses, but that's just the simple reality of the situation. If I'm angry about one thing though it's hiring D'Antoni. I don't care what Jackson was asking for, shelve your ego and sign him. Uncharacteristically poor move from LA. Bring on NHL season.

No real news on Crennel's replacement yet, Macca. They'll talk to some college coaches. I'd be happy with both Reid or Lovie - they've both had good records and made the Superbowl. But Crennel had to go, as does GM Pioli. There's no mucking around in the NFL. I know part of it is a slightly unhealthy desperation to win right now and appease fan bases, but at least we didn't stuff around like Melbourne with Bailey for 4 years when it was clear after 2 games he had no idea. And yes, it seems it's not the best year to have the #1 pick. Depending on what pick the first QB will be taken, it might be worth trading down to a pick in the 10-15 range plus another pick or three for the #1 pick. It's a huge indictment on Crennel and our QBs that the side had 5 Pro Bowlers this year and still had our worst ever season. Bring on the playoffs though. I can't wait.

Good riddance, 2012. My football teams were a combined 6-32.

What a horrid day in KC. Very sad.

Worst team = KC. Utter disgrace. Division winners two years ago, injury plagued last year, upgraded the roster in the offseason and got a few back from injury and now 1-8. Complete lolfest.

I was sending off #firemikebrown tweets a few days ago. This had to happen. You can't have one of the best lineups assembled since Showtime and have Brown at the helm. It's like having Stevie Wonder driving a Ferrari. Phil Jackson or Jerry Sloan would be unreal. Great stuff.

"Then again: As we’ve seen above, the lottery does not assure that tanking ended in 1984. Not even close." Thanks for the link, Macca. I read this one when it came out. I totally agree with the above quote, and it needs to be a caution for people thinking a lottery will completely eliminate all queries over teams out of the hunt going at it 100%.

Thanks Hipster. I don't follow NCAAF so that's a name I'll look out for!

Yep Dave, it's a club riddled with poor decisions and cheapskate behaviour. We haven't recognised the need for on elite QB despite rule changes making it an even more QB focused league.