Does anyone have the ESPN Tom Tolbert Chat?

[JPlay]

Please post if you can.

 

[Azlen]

Peter (L.A.): Tom, if the season ended today, the Clippers would have a better shot at the playoffs than the Lakers! Is the Earth spinning backwards on its axis or what??

Tom Tolbert: No, 'fraid not. The world is still right, in fact, the Lakers didn't make the playoffs as a result of Shaq not wanting Kobe and Phil on his team. Maybe he got sick of the playoffs. I mean, I heard Tahiti is nice in May and he's never been able to experience that... soo ... Now, if the Clippers made it and the Lakers didn't, then we may have some serious world haywire. But, the Clippers are still out, and so are the Lakers -- as they should be -- so everything is right with the world.



Timothy (Minneapolis): Hey Tom, will LeBron ever get some rest?

Tom Tolbert: No. Not until they make the playoffs he won't -- not even then! 49 minutes a night! I guess we figured out one think - it wasn't all Paul Silas' fault. The grand nose dive continues. At least he can take solace in that.



Fritz (Ewin NJ): To the ever punctual Tom,Can the Nets overtake the sixers for the eighth spot in the east? They get close and then fall on their faces every time.

Tom Tolbert: Can they, yes. Does it matter? No. The 7 and 8 are doomed to face Detroit and Miami. ... While the 7 and 8 spots in the West have a shot -- albeit small. Denver could do some damage. In the East, the 7 or 8 would be lucky to win two games in the playoffs. If that's all you're looking for -- to be lambs led to the slaughter -- sure, you're Nets could be those little lambs.



Mike (Chicago): Tom, Agree with me that the bulls are going to win there first playoff match up

Tom Tolbert: Yeah, I mean, I love the Bulls. I played with Scott in Orlando. He's done a great job coaching that team. I don't check out the stats everyday but they are 1 or 2 in the league in field goal percentage againts. That's phenomenal. Ben Gordon's been the man -- especially in the fourth quarter. Deng is on the shelf. Curry has stepped up and played. Harry Potter has done a great job running the point. It's great to see the Bulls back in biz. I like this team, they are fun to watch and I think they've proven they can beat just about anyway. Yeah. First round win? I could see it.



BOSTON: IF THE CELTICS PLAY TO THEIR POTENTIAL IN THE PLAYOFFS, DO YOU THINK THEY CAN BEAT MIAMI? IN AN EASTERN CONFERENCE SHOWDOWN?

Tom Tolbert: No. If Miami would have to play pretty far below their potential and Boston would have to be pretty far above their po. -- Far above like out of their heads! Bringing back Walker obviously helped the club. I like them, but defensively, they are just not good enough. They can score, but they can't beat a team like Miami four times. Can they??

Tom Tolbert: I would be shocked if Miami and Detroit didn't meet in the Eastern Conf. Finals.



Art, Detroit: The Pistons are back firing on all cylinders. They are riding another 4 game winning streak and are looking like the defending champs that they are. Do you really think that anyone in the east can unseat them from their perch. Miami is getting all the publicity for one obvious reason-SHAQ. But one or two players does not a team make. Detroit has the best starting 5 in the NBA and they all know their roles. No team is less selfish and that is why I think they will be there in the end. NBA finals here we come. Your thoughts Tom.

Tom Tolbert: Detroit can absolutely beat Miami. They have experience. OUtside of Shaq, there's not a lot of playoff experience on that Miami team. I love Larry Brown, I love the way the Pistons play, I've been very impressed with Price as the season has moved along. I think it's a coin flip. But it wouldn't surprise me at all to see the Pistons back in the Finals.



Matt (Rochester, NY): Do you see the Nuggets overtaking the Rockets for the 6th seed? And, if so, do you they they have a good chance of taking out Seattle in round 1??

Tom Tolbert: I think the Nuggets could beat anybody with they way they are playing right now. What George has done is amazing. Probably the only team they couldn't beat in the first round is San Antonio. Duncan and Co. would probably be too much for them. But, Denver, oh yeah. Nobody wants to play the Nuggets in the first round. Denver is a rare type 7 seed -- if they do end up a seven. They could beat Seattle, they could be Phoenix. They are dangerous without a doubt.



Ryan (Los Angeles): I read that Phil Jackson will be Buss' guest at the Lakers game tonight? Please comment on the mountain of comments about Phil coming back that I'm sure will follow.

Tom Tolbert: Did anybody read PHil's book? I mean, Phil doesn't want to coach Kobe again. He tried to get Kobe traded. Unless Kobe is not in a Lakers uniform, how in the world could Phil come back. He wants to coach a team that is close to winning a championship. Lakers are no where near that. I know about the girlfriend, still with the Lakers. But, I just don't see it. Can't imagine Phil back in LA. Not with Kobe.



Clive (KC): Which Carolina players do you see blessing up with their presence in the NBA next year?

Tom Tolbert: I don't know. I think Marvin Williams might come out. He's only a freshman but that guy is pretty damn good. He's long. Sean May says he's coming back. I'll believe that when I see it. I think it changes things when you win a national championship and you have the kind of tournament he did. Maybe he will stay, he did sound pretty convincing. Who knows. Those are the two guys I think would make the best pros. I think Felton and McCants -- I don't know. I'm not huge fans. Williams will be a stud, and I like May and the way he uses his body. May has such soft hands. I don't know if he's dipping them in Palmolive or what, but damn, he's got soft hands.



Mike (Milwaukee): Do you think that Steve Nash is going to get hosed this year with the MVP award? Please tell me they are not going to give it to Shaq this year.

Tom Tolbert: Wow. Angry anti-Shaq guy, ay Mike. Those are the two guys, they both mean a great deal to their team. I'll be very honest here. That's a hard one to figure right there. And don't forget about Tim Duncan and what he means to San An, but assuming it comes down to Nash and Shaq -- I don't know! Nash is the key to the Suns, if you take him off the team, they may win a first round series, but not a second round. The same could be said about Shaq and Miami. They certainly do it in different ways, but they both make their teammates so much better. I HATE to be on the fence, but I woudn't be disapointed in a co-MVP this year. PUrely on talent, Shaq's a better player, but for what they do FOR their teams and what they've been able to accomplish, gosh. they are right there. Both of them. And THAT is my Waffle House answer of the day.



Mitch Kupchack (Whipping post in L.A.): Help me out here Tom. What player/coaching moves should I make this off season to avoid the guillotine next season?

Tom Tolbert: That's a real good question, Mitch. I think you need an inside power forward guy. That's the problem. I like Lamar but he needs the ball in his hands to be effective and that's not going to happen with Kobe on the team. I like Caron Butler ... I like Chuckie Atkins. I don't know, you have a lot of solid guys, but those frontline guys aren't going to get you where you want to be. Where do you want to be? In The Finals! You're the Lakers! Where else. You definitely have your work cut out for you. Good luck with that.



Justin (NYC): What's your take on Vince? Do you think this success in NJ is real or will he start complaining and playing bad once he realizes the Nets aren't going to the finals anytime soon?

Tom Tolbert: I don't know, I think he's just happy to be out of Toronto ... and Toronto is happy to be rid of Vince! So it worked out. Once Richard is healthy that will be a nice three headed monster in Jersey. If you're a Nets fans, that's a nice vision. I don't think Vice will go back to his old tanking ways. If they can get some help in the draft and get a good inside guy ... and if they can convice Jason to stick around, it's an OK team. I give them credit, they went up there and got Vince and has kind of resurrected his spirit. They are a few steps away, but starting an equation with Richard Jefferson, Vince Carter and Jason Kidd is never a bad thing.



jim (brooklyn): next years nets(kidd, carter, jefferson) will end up being this years wizards

Tom Tolbert: Is that something to aspire to?? The Wizards? I mean, c'mon!



Chris (NYC): Do you think the wizards will escape the first round? They are banged up but really can score on some teams if everyone is healthy.

Tom Tolbert: The Wizards have come a long way. I've been a Wizards fan all year -- Gibert A is from the U of Arizona! Of course I love them. But if they face the Bulls in the first round, I pick Chicago. I think Chicago just plays better defense than Washington.



william: la crosse, Wi: do you think that dwayne wade is better then kobe bryant now, or do you think he someday will?

Tom Tolbert: You know, it's hard to tell now, b/c that tells you how great Shaq is -- and I know it's a simple way to look at it -- but look how much better Wade has gotten and how ineffective Kobe has gotten. I don't know. Is Dwyane better now -- no, I don't think so. Not now. Someday, we'll see what a little experience will do. He has such a great game, he can run the point, play the off-guard, get to the rim, he doesn't take horrible shots. He's not better than Kobe right now, but do I think he can get there? Yes.



Mike (Milwaukee): Dwayne is a better team player, but will never be the individual talent that Kobe is.



Ryan (SF): How the hell did you get this job?

Tom Tolbert: Ryan, I have no idea.



Bill (Houston Texas): Does Glenn Robinson help the Spurs? What's the skinny around the league about him?

Tom Tolbert: I've never been a huge Glenn fan. He's a me-first type guy. It surprised me when he signed. He's all about offense, he can flat-out score. But he's doesn't offer much defense. Pop does a great job at getting people into his system, but this one was a little surprising. A guy that really doesn't play defense is going to the team that's known for its defense. ?? We'll see how that one works out.



Mike (Omaha, Ne): Who will win the Frozen Four hockey tournament? Denver, Colorado College, Minnesota, or North Dakota?

Tom Tolbert: I'm going with the College of Colorado!



MileHighMelo (Denver): Tom, Why does ESPN hate all things Denver?

Tom Tolbert: What are you talking about? Altitude has gotten to your head. Shut up. How come everybody thinks everybody bags on their team. Love this, respect that. Shut up!



Chad (New Castle, DE): Tom, Rookie of the year. Has there ever been a case when three guys are deserving of it like this year (Okefor, Gordon, Iguodola). Being an Zona guy you like A I, right?????

Tom Tolbert: I'd give it to Gordon. What he's been able to do when the game is on the line is so impressive. When I look at all those awards, I tend to look at a player on a team that's winning. Okafor has had a hell of a year, no doubt about it. But Gordon is such a huge reason why the Bulls have turned this around. Iguodola is an Arizona guy -- I know! It pains me to say it! But I have to. Ben Gordon is the rookie of the year.



Tom (Chicago): Ben Gordon should get Rookie of the Year and the Sixth Man Award. Has that ever happened?

Tom Tolbert: I don't know if its ever happened. It could ... but it won't. Maybe the give Okafor the RoY and Gordon the 6th. I don't know, Ben is certainly deserving of either -- or both.



RL (NY): You should apply to be the next GM of the Knicks.

Tom Tolbert: No thanks. I'm much happier talking to you stiffs. That's it for this week! See you next time!

 

[JPlay]

Thanks

 

[cardsunsfan]

If the Nuggest can beat us and not the Spurs in a seven game series than why haven't they been beating us? I think we'd beat the Nuggets and I'd be willing to bet on it. I just don't see them beating us...

 

[jandaman]

If the Nuggest can beat us and not the Spurs in a seven game series than why haven't they been beating us? I think we'd beat the Nuggets and I'd be willing to bet on it. I just don't see them beating us...

Thats because even though Suns have beaten Nuggets, its always been close.
Suns will not shut down Nuggets, and vice versa, its gonna be close games against them and who ever sneezes first will find themselves in the losing end. Suns will need everyone playing their usual selves, Nuggets have a very good and experienced coach in Karl.

Camby, Martin, Boykins those 3 are potential threaths to us, Carmelo is not really gonna trouble us since he's very inefficient in him getting his 20 points. But players like Camby who can average 15 points and 15 rebounds against us while effectively guarding Amare is very possible. Boykins is such an energizer, he's like Barbosa but only more effective. K-Mart and Marion will cancel each other out. Hopefully Q and JJ steps it up... and if they do... we should win the series in 5-6.

 

[Joe Mama]

I believe the first time the Phoenix Suns beat the Nuggets in Denver the Nuggets were without several of their key players. Don't feel like looking it up right now, but I'm pretty sure they haven't beaten the Nuggets with both Kmart and Marcus Camby in the lineup. That's nothing against the Suns. They can only play the teams that take the floor against them.

I'm going to be uneasy about any playoff series, but only Dallas and San Antonio scare me as much as the Nuggets.

Joe