SB Nation communities are supposed to be like internet sports bars, but even within a "sports bar", you still have options. If you want privacy, one-to-one conversation, and the opportunity to engage in specific debate about a single topic, you grab a booth. If you want to shoot the shit with friends and strangers alike, you take a seat at the bar. "At The Bar" is your one-stop shop for all the daily randomness that makes SSR such a joy. If you want to discuss something specific, you'll have nice, quiet "booths" in which to have focused conversations. But if you just want to kick back and enjoy the company of friends and strangers, with a little sports and current events on the side, then saunter on up and grab a seat.

Please do not rec this post.

Number 5: Kevin Love.

Coming in at number five is Kevin Love. Kevin love has being playing phenomenally well this year.

With a PER of 25.87 he is not only efficient but a rebounding machine.

With statistics eye popping statistics that are grandiose enough to attract the causal viewer, Kevin Love is posting 25ppg, to go along with 13 boards while shooting 89% from the stripe and nearly forty percent from long range.

What hinders Love from rising any further on this list is the win column, while I don't exactly agree with best player from the best team always winning the award. The amount of losses are too much to just cast aside right now.

via www.inquisitr.com

Number 4: Chris Paul.

Next on the list is Chris Paul.

Chris has been stellar both on and off the court. On the court he is posting 19 ppg, 9 assist a game and 2.5 half steals per contest. Nothing to far from his career numbers but coupled with his leadership I say its safe ot say he is having a MVP season.

Not to mention the majority of Chris Paul's points have been in clutch situations when his team desperately needing a bucket. Chris isn't piling it up when it comes to scoring or rebounding but he doesn't have to his job is to set up his teammates. He is doing his job to near perfection from my view point.

His PER average is 27.82 while leading the Clippers to a 13-6 record that is good enough for a 2 seed in the Western Conference.

Unless Chris starts piling on more stats he has pretty much ascended as far as he can go because the rest of the field are putting out pretty heavy stat lines.

via sports.cbsimg.net

via images.askmen.com

Number 3 : Lebron James.

Now we have Lebron James. HIs position on this list will be refuted by many of you and for good reason. However I have some points I have to make that supercede the ESPN media mind control system.

First things first we will give credit where it is due. His PER is 33.39! No that isn't a typo, he's playing out of his mind. He's dropping 29 points a night while pulling down 8 boards which really isn't much considering he is 6'8 260 lbs. What is impressive is that he's handing out 7 dimes a game.

There's a couple of things PER doesn't take into consideration. First thing is the amount of help that you have. A player with least help has to play longer and shoot the ball more which effects his PER. A player with least help will get less assist due to blown offensive assignments which would also effect his PER.

I think its safe to say that Lebron has the most help in the league.

He has and needs the closer in Wade who is posting 20 points a game, 5 assist , 4 rebounds and 2 steals. Wade also has a PER of 23.51.

In addition to a solid bench Lebron has Chris Bosh who adds another 20ppg. 8rpg and 1 block.

To Lebron's credit he's shooting above 50% again but so is evey other 6'8 260 pounder.

The main deciding factor outside of all of that was Lebron's play when his team needed him most. He seems to break down again and again when the pressure is on. The PER doesn;t hold one accountable for that. NBA fans on another hand do.

via www.djbobbytrends.com

Number 2 Kevin Durant.

Kevin Durant's typical numbers are down, However the wins are up. What else is up is Russell Westbrook's production.

Its risen so much on some nights where the consensus that Durant is by far the better player is sometimes challenged.

Durant is dropping 26ppg, along with 8 boards and 1 block and 1 steal a game.

He has a 26.54 PER and shooting 50% from the field while averaging a decent 35% from the three point line.

What has Durant so high on the list is his teams record thus far. At 17-4 Durant has his team sitting atop the Western Conference. With the older teams starting to gel now we will see how long that last.

Why isn't Durant number one? To be quite honest in a 66 game season and as athletic as OKC is they would be able to maintain without Durant come playoffs.

via api.ning.com

Derek Rose and Kobe Bryant.

I know you guys are like wait a minute a tie!

I'm sorry I just couldn't bring myself to choose between the two.

While Rose has lead the Chicago Bulls to a better record, Kobe has been keeping the Lakers afloat pretty much singled handily. I use that phrase loosely considering that that hand is attached to a wrist with damaged ligaments.

Rose has also been impressive with a 24.30 PER posting 21ppg, 7 assist, 4 rebounds and 1 steal a game.

Kobe's numbers are a surprise to everyone considering he is battling yet another injury to his shooting hand with the damaged wrist. After last year's early exit many wrote Kobe off as being washed up.

To their dismay Kobe has not only been breaking franchise records left and right, he is currently having a significantly better year then last year leading the league in scoring with 30 points a game, 5 rebounds and 6 assist a game. His PER is 26.58. If the he can get some type of consistent help where he doesn;t have to shoot some much to stay in games expect a increase in the PER stat.

Both players have proven that they have to play their best every night for their teams to be competitive.

Due to the Lakers not being able to maintain a lead to save their lives,Kobe ets the slight advantage at this juncture seeing that he is posting more minutes then players far younger then him this year.

Also for the first time in a long time the Laker's are significantly better when Kobe takes more shots which points to one thing he needs help.

Rose had a couple hiccups in the clutch but I still consider him a clutch player because unlike Lebron James, Rose's short comings is not something that hasbeen happening his whole career.

Rose's has a edge when it comes to shot selection due to his athleticsm he can get to the paint when ever he see's fit.

Both players are having a fantastic year and while it clear that their teams need them the most. Its almost certain that the Media will chose the sexiest story or the player on the team with the most wins.

I'm looking foward to see what list's you guys come up with.

via www.insidesocal.com

The Lakers are struggling to say the least. This is no surprise to anyone if they have been keeping up with basketball. However the reason for their struggles is finally coming to the fore front.

For years when the Lakers lost it was blamed on Kobe by default. Cast off as another night that Kobe decided to go one on five.

For the first time analyst are finally doing their job, and they've come to the conclusion that the Lakers are actually more sucessful this year when Kobe is aggressive. To go further in detail this season Kobe has to score on a average of 35 points a game for the Lakers to even be competitive.

That is insane!

Yes it is insane that Kobe is doing it at his age with such a injury as a damaged ligament in his shooting wrist. What is even more insane is that he has to do it at all!

Kobe plays with arguably the second best center in the game next to Howard and the games most skilled power forward. Just one problem they are LAZY!

When the game is going their way they can be complete beasts! When the calls aren't going their way and they feel they are not getting enough touches they disappear altogether.

Especially Pau Gasol!

To support my claim I will go to the stats. In the Lakers first loss against the Chicago Bulls, Gasol a power forward and I used the term "power" very loosely had a disheartening 8 rebounds, a very pedestrian 14 points to his credit he did have 3 blocks. However Gasol has to put up better numbers playing along side Bynum down low between the two of them they should dominant every game on the boards.

In the second lost of the season Gasol had 15 points and 9 rebounds, these are numbers that are acceptable for a solid small forward or a bench player not a perennial all-star.

Then to make matter worse Dwight Howard doubled both Gasol's and Bynum's productions by himself in the Laker's loss to Orlando.

Gasol is averaging 13 attempts this year which matches his career attempts so its not like he is used to having more touches he is just doing less now with his touches then he used to.

Bynum is averaging 12 touches a game, for his career he is only used to getting 7. So what is his complaint. Kobe's assist are up this year also and would be even higher if players would convert wide open shots.

So why is Kobe taking more shots then both combined? Because they fail to get proper position and they fail to get offensive rebounds. If you take away Kobe's ungodly 14 rebounds against Minnesota. The Lakers would of have had the same amount of total rebounds as Minnesota's offensive rebounds.

What the Laker's will get with the acquisition of Dwight Howard is hard work, athleticism, and toughness. Also Howard is a true big man in every sense of the word. He plays tough defense and rebounds every game. Not when he feels like it.

Howard averages 20 points and 15 rebounds with 2 blocks a game. He only gets one more touch a game then Gasol and Bynum gets, so how is it that he averages more points by such a significant margin. It's simple, he is averaging 4 offensive rebounds a game. Unlike Gasol and Bynum when Howard gets a offensive rebound one or two things are guaranteed to happen. He will either score or get fouled.

This trade is a no brainer for the Laker's. They should try to trade for Howard and retain one of their big's. but if they can't get rid of both of them the upside to having Howard is way better than the down side without him.

via www.insidesocal.com

SB Nation communities are supposed to be like internet sports bars, but even within a "sports bar", you still have options. If you want privacy, one-to-one conversation, and the opportunity to engage in specific debate about a single topic, you grab a booth. If you want to shoot the shit with friends and strangers alike, you take a seat at the bar. "At The Bar" is your one-stop shop for all the daily randomness that makes SSR such a joy. If you want to discuss something specific, you'll have nice, quiet "booths" in which to have focused conversations. But if you just want to kick back and enjoy the company of friends and strangers, with a little sports and current events on the side, then saunter on up and grab a seat.

Please do not rec this post.

The most polarizing question in all of sports. The only question that can turn a barbershop immediately on its head. The only question that has the potential of destroying the honeymoon night of two virgin newly weds.

That question is who is better Kobe "The Black Mamba" Bryant or "The King" Lebron James?

Before I explore the question at hand I would like to speak for a spell about to similar players before Kobe and Lebron.

Those players are Oscar Robertson and Michael Jordan.

Oscar Robertson better known as the "Big O". The Big O was King of the stat lines. He was before his time,being able to score with the best with them while simultaneously setting up his counterparts was nothing short of spectacular.

His career stats were 25.7 points per game, 1 steal a game, 9.5 assist per game, 7.5 rebounds a game. He was a 83% percent free throw shooter and shot 48 percent from the field.

Oscar once averaged a triple double for a whole season with 30.8 points a game, 11.4 assist per game, and a whopping 12.5 rebounds a game. Statistically in his prime he is the best player to ever pick up a basketball.

The question that might be asked is, why isn't he known as the best? With all of the numbers Oscar put up night in and night out, How did Michael steal Oscar's glory?

With elite players being so close statistically the deciding factors comes down to intangibles. Those qualities of a player that there are no statistical categories for.

Drive, dedication, discipline. Heart, focus attention to detail. It's the intangibles that separate a star player from a champion. A one time champion from a multiple champion player.

Though basketball is a team game, the leader of said team is the drive of that team. Regardless of the numbers he puts up if he doesn't have a heart of a champion the team will not win the championship.

So even though Michael Jordan was a better scorer than Oscar with a 30.1 avg. He falls significantly short in other categories with only 6 rebounds a game, and 5 assist a game.

However what sports analyst the world wide fail to put in consideration are the things that really drive basketball. The things that don't reflect on the stat sheet. Which Jordan takes in a landslide over the great Big O.

So it is with Kobe and Lebron. Lebron puts up slightly better numbers than Kobe. Kobe is the better scorer if you discount the years where he came off the bench. While Lebron takes the assist category and rebounds which he should being a 6'8 260 lbs forward.

Now for a break down. Kobe is flat out the better shooter his mid range game is the best the NBA has seen since Jerry West.

Passing ability goes to Lebron. While Kobe has the ability to pass with the best of them and has the flashier passes between the two.

Lebron does it more efficiently partly because he looks to pass first which is not fundamental basketball from a forward who should be looking to score the ball.

Defense equal Lebron is a better help defender Kobe is a better one on one defender.

Rebounding goes to Lebron with a slight edge even with the significant height and weight advantage.

Basketball IQ goes to Kobe in a landslide.

Fundamental goes to Kobe while Lebron is great he is not a fundamentally sound player. He struggles from the freethrow line. He is a 6'8 260 pound forward who has a very weak post game. He has very few go to moves however what he does have he makes due with.

Kobe as far as fundamentals far exceeds expectation not only can he do it all on the perimeter, he has even added and perfected low post moves. Kobe has the skills set that Lebron should have given his size.

Clutch play goes to Kobe just check the resume.

Lebron doesn't even stand a chance in the intangibles, like Jordan, Kobe's life is basketball.

Kobe hates to lose, he is furious after a loss whether it be playoffs or regular season. Kobe plays every game like it is his last. His dedication is second to none.

He is the most accomplished player in the league and still the hardest working. That alone speaks volumes.

It is these things that go unnoticed to the causal basketball fan that elevates Kobe over Lebron. The fact that this is even a debate is further evidence why Lebron's name shouldn't even be mentioned next to Kobe's.

During Jordan's prime no one in the league was able to challenge him as far as pure skill.

The same with Kobe, in his prime it was a far gone conclusion that he was the best hands down. When Nash won the two MVP's during Kobe's prime it was the equivalent of John Stockton winning a MVP during Jordan's prime. Bull-Shit.

Everyone knew it was politics because of Kobe's predicament more so than Nash being the better of the two.

However in Lebron's prime not only has Kobe won a MVP award, he has won two championships along with two finals MVP awards.

Ironically the same years Lebron won his MVP awards and was apart of the best regular season teams in both respective years.

This isn't coincidence this is a direct reflection of what you do not see on tv. The hardwork, the sweat, the tears. Among other things the reason why Kobe is better at basketball then Lebron comes down to one thing. Heart. Kobe loves this game even more than he loves himself.

He sacrifices his body while playing injured. He sacrifices his career stats by taking the crucial shots his teammates shy away from.

He sacrifices his career by not playing the NBA politics unapologetic he always been the same person even when it gets him crucified by the media.

It is the same stubbornness that allows Kobe to still dominate in Lebron's era. Unlike Lebron Kobe doesn't concede to anything.

He refuses to let a bum knee stop him. He refuses to let a damaged finger stop him. He refuses to let torn ligaments in his shooting wrist stop him.

So we must ask ourselves is this really a debate? Kobe should not be a front runner for MVP in a Lebron era. He should not be leading the league in scoring in a Lebron era. Yet in the face of adversity Kobe is his best, while Lebron is his worst.

That's what separates them. That's why Kobe is better than Lebron and quite possibly the best player to ever play the game.

via images.freshnessmag.com

Kobe: Good morning Lebron, I am Kobe Bryant and this is The Kobe System.

Lebron: I know who you are Kobe.

Kobe: Do you really?

Lebron: Sure I do! Everyone does.

Kobe: Have we met in the playoffs?

Lebron: ummmmmmmmmmm

Kobe: Moving On! Right now you are wondering why do they call you King James? You're wondering if I can provide you one legitimate reason for such a gesture?

Lebron:Come on now Kobe I know you can come up with at least one!

Kobe:No

Lebron: No?

Kobe: I don't make excuses.

Lebron: I'm confused

Kobe: You should be.

Kobe: Lebron this particular segment is called Successfully Succeeding at Statistics.

Lebron: Oh we can skip this one,check my PER I am the epitome of Succeeding at Statistics.

Kobe: Precisely! However from experience its a much better feeling to succeed as a basketball player.

Lebron: You're losing me again Kobe. From my understanding I am successful.

Kobe:You're attempt to humor me is further indication of your failure to do the impossible. The Kobe System's aim is to raise you to a level where impossible tasks become routine..

Lebron: NO! Kobe I am successful! I have scoring titles. Multiple MVP awards. I'm always near the top in PER.

Kobe:Did your MVP award come with a ring?

Lebron: No.

Kobe: Exactly how many rings did your scoring titles and top PER average get for you?

Lebron: None.

Kobe: So what you are left with appears to be a handful of excuses. When you are ready to lay down those excuses, I Kobe Bryant will give you first hand advice on how to obtain your first ring.

Lebron: Really?

Kobe: No.

Lebron: You know I'm better than you right?

Kobe:Statistically, perhaps depends on your view. Are you statistically successful or a successful statistic?

Lebron: I don't know what I am anymore.

Kobe: Your Welcome.

SB Nation communities are supposed to be like internet sports bars, but even within a "sports bar", you still have options. If you want privacy, one-to-one conversation, and the opportunity to engage in specific debate about a single topic, you grab a booth. If you want to shoot the shit with friends and strangers alike, you take a seat at the bar. "At The Bar" is your one-stop shop for all the daily randomness that makes SSR such a joy. If you want to discuss something specific, you'll have nice, quiet "booths" in which to have focused conversations. But if you just want to kick back and enjoy the company of friends and strangers, with a little sports and current events on the side, then saunter on up and grab a seat.

Please do not rec this post.

via cbsdetroit.files.wordpress.com

Alright, ladies and gents. We've had two weeks of talk, and now it's time for both teams to prove on the field who is the best in the world. This year's Super Bowl gives us the New York Giants from the NFC, led by quarterback Eli Manning and a ferocious defensive line, against the AFC's New England Patriots, who put their hopes on quarterback Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick. For those of you who have lived under a rock for a past two weeks, this is pegged as a rematch of Super Bowl XLII, when the Giants ended the Patriots' run at perfection and gave us maybe the most improbable catch in Super Bowl history.

Breaking down the matchup after the jump.

Continue reading this post »

I'm going to let the this post speak for itself, so......

In honor of our past winners, and past champions:

4C 1.1 Champion - C.A. Clark
4C 1.2 Champion - bluexfalcon
4C 1.3 Champion - Joshua S
4C 1.4 Champion - AJackson729

....I present you with the 4C HoF.


Enjoy!

Continue reading this post »

SB Nation communities are supposed to be like internet sports bars, but even within a "sports bar", you still have options. If you want privacy, one-to-one conversation, and the opportunity to engage in specific debate about a single topic, you grab a booth. If you want to shoot the shit with friends and strangers alike, you take a seat at the bar. "At The Bar" is your one-stop shop for all the daily randomness that makes SSR such a joy. If you want to discuss something specific, you'll have nice, quiet "booths" in which to have focused conversations. But if you just want to kick back and enjoy the company of friends and strangers, with a little sports and current events on the side, then saunter on up and grab a seat.

Please do not rec this post.