Keeping an eye on the enemy

It's March, and its time to start focusing on the playoffs and our potential roadblocks to Banner 18.  Every day we'll bring you what's making news in enemy territory.  This way we know what they're up to when it comes time to take 'em out.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Daily Dime:  "For the third time in eight days they blew a big lead against a potential playoff opponent and for the third time they didn't execute on offense in the closing stretch, despite having two of the greatest offensive players in history."  

Hot Hot Hoops:  "Put aside the statistics and think about if this team has any heart in them. Any fight. Who is the Alonzo on this team? …who is going to step up on this team when the going gets tough?"

Sentinel: "Trailing by 24 points several minutes into the third quarter, the Orlando Magic stormed back against the Miami Heat and pulled out a pulse-pounding 99-96 road win."

OrlandoPinstripedpost: " it's worth noting that in the fourth quarter, with his team needing anything he could provide in order to prevent a near-historic collapse, James took just two shots in 9 minutes, missing them both and going scoreless. Howard scored just 4 points (on 4-of-4 free-throw shooting, without any shot attempts from the field), but blocked three shots and pulled in 10 rebounds. Again, that's three blocks and 10 rebounds in one period of play for Howard."

Tribune:  "Rasual Butler, who signed with the Bulls on Thursday, wants to make one thing perfectly clear.  "Look, this is already a successful team," Butler said by phone Thursday. "They're third in the East for a reason. I'm just looking to fit in wherever."

ESPN Chicago: "Just embarrassing," [Noah] said. "Sometimes you think you're playing hard but you're really not. When you see it on film, there's no lying in the tape and just disappointing."

WESTERN CONFERNECE

Project Spurs:  "Right now the San Antonio Spurs are at 50-11 for the 2010-11 season, and are 18 games ahead of the two teams tied for the ninth seed (Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz). The magic number for the Spurs is now just three, meaning three Spurs wins, or a combination of Spurs wins and the other two teams posting losses, would clinch a playoff spot for San Antonio."

Project Spurs: "I understand the Lakers are the defending champs and own the crown but shall I remind Nowitzki and Terry the Spurs are 2-0 against Los Angeles. Also, it's the Spurs the Mavericks are chasing for the number one seed and not the Lakers."

The Lakers Nation:  Matt Barnes will be ready to suit up for tomorrow nights game against the Charlotte Bobcats. Barnes successfully ran a full practice today in El Segundo.  Barnes tore his knee cartilage earlier in the year against the New Orleans Hornets. Early reports had Barnes out of action for an expected 8 weeks.

The Lakers Nation: "In the season and a half that Ron Artest has played in Los Angeles, he’s been called many things by media and fans alike; ‘Triangle Offense Guru’ isn’t one of them. Phil Jackson had a rather strange (but considering it’s Phil, not so strange) comment to make regarding Artest’s grasp of the offenseafter Tuesday nights 90-78 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves: “He’s probably a little better at it than Kobe is, because Kobe ignores the offense,”

Mavs Money Ball: "(Brewer's) different in terms of his body type than anybody else we have," Carlisle said. "He’s a deceptively tall kid, he’s got long arms. I think probably his tenacity is as, or more, important than any of those other attributes." With a team that older legs, acquiring the former Florida Gator should go a long way in helping the team now and going forward. "It’s a very good move for the franchise both short term and long term." Carlisle said

Dallas News: "this, essentially, is Beaubois’ preseason. He’s working his way into game shape and knocking off six months worth of rust in the meat of the season. It’s not the way the Mavericks would prefer to do it, but they have no choice."

Daily Thunder: After spraining his left ankle Wednesday against the Pacers, Kevin Durant did not practice Thursday and according to the team is listed as doubtful for Friday night’s game against Atlanta.

Welcome to Loud City: [Podcast] "Was signing Kendrick Perkins too aggressive? Will Jeff Green become "the one that got away"? Your hosts discuss many questions and have a great time doing it."