NBA Basketball!

[Lorini]

As in NBA playoffs. Anyone else here a fan? Which team is your favorite team? How many Laker haters are there out there? (So I can know who to put on ignore :)

Who is going to make the finals? Who's going to win?

And most importantly, Alan, why is your Maverick team so wussy? Afraid of the Lakers? Not surprising that Dirk was the one who voiced this fear ;)

[Funkman]

Huge NBA basketball fan over here and this has been one of the best seasons for the league in a long time. As I said in one of the other bball threads floating around right now, there have been so many amazing storylines this year and now going into the playoffs there is so much intrigue.

The Spurs and Suns are playing each other in the first round! The Mavs could play first round spoilers this year! The Celtics could go all the way.. and face the Lakers!

For the record, I'm a Raptors fan and while my team just completely collapsed the last two months, they did get the matchup they wanted against Orlando. If, somehow, our shooters get hot (I'm looking at you Kapono, Delfino and Bargnani), we can shoot our way into the second round. I'm trying to stay optimistic.

[Alan Dunkin]

Lakers suck.

--- Alan

[graller]

As I live in Boston obviously I am very excited about the playoffs. When the KG trade was announced last summer I thought they would be good but nothing prepared me for just how awesome a season they have had and the fact they are the odds on favorite to win it all is just amazing!

[dwinn]

As a Pistons fan I'm a little anxious that the clock is winding down on the greatness of the core team (Billups, Wallace, Hamilton, McDyess); they finally started to develop the bench this year, so it will be interesting to see if they can make it 6 straight ECFs and another trip to the Finals.

[fire]

Since Golden State dropped the ball, the Suns or Lakers better win. Amirite?

[Gladguy]

For the record, I'm a Raptors fan and while my team just completely collapsed the last two months, they did get the matchup they wanted against Orlando. If, somehow, our shooters get hot (I'm looking at you Kapono, Delfino and Bargnani), we can shoot our way into the second round. I'm trying to stay optimistic.

I think they tanked it on purpose so they would draw the Magic instead of Detroit.

Though, I agree... Kapono better find his shot again, or they're screwed.

[Midnight Son]

I got the basketball jones.........

[Hawkeye Fierce]

Go Celtics, I guess. I don't really like the NBA all that much. *shrug*

[BlueJackalope]

I got the basketball jones.........

ewww baby ewweeeewwww....

Seeing as this is the last Playoffs I will be watching if the Sonics move (bitter bitter grumbling) its going to be awesome!

Suns / Spurs is must see stuff. The Suns will get every call, the league has got to be desperate to keep them out of the finals again.

Feh Lakers - Feh! Quick note: I saw Kobe play in Portland this year, amazingly talented, cold blooded shooter, underated passer, great defender (when he needs), and a complete ass. Hard to imagine a more unlikable...well...wait there was Karl Malone...

BlueJackalopes Most Unlikeable All Stars: Point - Isiah/Stockton SG - Kobe SF - Vince Carter PF - Malone C - Laimbeer(was he a center? I'll have to think on it.)
Anyway, if Bynum can come back and gel they are going to be a bitch.

Speaking of coming back love, to see Agent Zero sit out most the season and triumphantly return and win a playoff series single handed.

[rjcc]

As a Pistons fan I'm a little anxious that the clock is winding down on the greatness of the core team (Billups, Wallace, Hamilton, McDyess); they finally started to develop the bench this year, so it will be interesting to see if they can make it 6 straight ECFs and another trip to the Finals.

Flip's coaching always concerncs me, as well as our team's inevitable loss of focus costing a game or two here just 'cause. You take the good with the bad. I am soooooo impressed with the rookies, stuckey is a man beast, afflalo cna do anything asked of him, and amir & jason have really grown up. It's a beautiful thing

[Elton]

Go Cavs. Although they've been playing so inconsistently since the big trade, I could see them doing anything from losing to the Wizards, to going all the way to the next round and putting a minor scare into Boston, maybe taking it to six games.

[Funkman]

Go Cavs. Although they've been playing so inconsistently since the big trade, I could see them doing anything from losing to the Wizards, to going all the way to the next round and putting a minor scare into Boston, maybe taking it to six games.

Cavs are done first round. I'm calling it. Lebron is unreal but the rest of the team is a complete mess and every single guy they brought in at the trade deadline has been a complete bust. On top of that, Pavlovic (who was sucking anyway) is injured, Gibson isn't what he was, and Ilgauskas is running out of gas.

I think its going to be really hard for them to contain Butler and Jamieson AND then you add a fired up Arenas (coming off the bench no less!), it is going to be tough. That being said, I have this suspicion we will see a lot of calls go Lebron's way, so you never know.

On another note, Gladguy, I don't think the Raptors tanked, I really think they just started to play like shit. I just can't see Sam Mitchell telling his guys to miss shots, telling TJ Ford to pout, and telling them to play poor defense. The big problem is that they live and die by jump shooting. When they are hitting shots and 3s, they can keep in the game with anyone, but man, when they are missing.. it gets ugly. That being said, Raptors in 6. Let's go!

[Elton]

Yeah, a first-round Cavs exit wouldn't be too surprising. I wonder if (and maybe hope that) Mike Brown gets fired if that happens. LeBron's supporting cast isn't great but there are still lots of role-players on the team (bangers, inside scorers and outside shooters) who I suspect aren't being maximized. (The Cavs sure could use a defensive stopper at guard though -- quick guards like Agent Zero slay them.)

[BlueJackalope]

Whaaa?? Having LeBron pound the ball 25 feet from the basket and then heave it up at the last second in every pressure situation isn't a sound strategy? Brown may be the worst coach to ever reach the finals.

[Hanacker]

So who's the MVP? As biased as I am towards the Lakers and Kobe, I' ve been leaning towards Chris Paul lately. But there's no doubt that Kobe is the most talented player in the league right now.

And I guess I'm the only one pushing for Camby over Garnett for a second straight Defensive Player of the Year award. Yes, the Nuggets have awful team defense, but it's tough when you only have one guy actually playing defense.

And when are Bynum and Ariza coming back to the Lakers? They were both supposed to be back weeks ago.

And I won my fantasy league by outscoring the other team by 3 points. Was worried Baron Davis wouldn't play but he put up 21 points in what looked like a surprisingly good GS-Seattle game.

Edit: Note to self - Don't start every paragraph with the word "and" next time.

[Funkman]

I was going to say Paul for MVP, but I don't know, I've been reading all these great articles laying out the case for Garnett. He really has completely changed that team around. The team culture, the attitude, the offensive and defense outlook, hell, you think Rondo, Powe and Perkins would be developing as they are if it's not for Garnett?

[rjcc]

kobe. kobe. kobe.

[Hanacker]

I've been seeing those too, but if Garnett is so great how come the players in Minnesota never developed like that? By the time he was ready to become a leader he was just so sick of the situation there?

And I have no idea how much of it is due to them, but Chris Paul and Kobe have both had players around them see huge improvement this year. Look at David West, Tyson Chandler, Sasha Vujacic, Jordan Farmar, and Andrew Bynum.

[Midnight Son]

Gotta be Garnett, will probably be that jerk in LA.

[BlueJackalope]

I was going to say Paul for MVP, but I don't know, I've been reading all these great articles laying out the case for Garnett. He really has completely changed that team around. The team culture, the attitude, the offensive and defense outlook, hell, you think Rondo, Powe and Perkins would be developing as they are if it's not for Garnett?

Gotta go with Paul, they would be nothing without him.
Garnett is great, but you can't believe everything Simmons writes, they would have been a 50 plus win team without him.
Um Kobe, yeah...they were a good team but didn't get scary until they were gifted Gasol. Plus, he's an ass*.

*and will probably win it - lifetime achievment award time

[Banzai]

Resident Spurs fan here - don't discount the old guys just yet.

[rjcc]

I've been seeing those too, but if Garnett is so great how come the players in Minnesota never developed like that? By the time he was ready to become a leader he was just so sick of the situation there?

And I have no idea how much of it is due to them, but Chris Paul and Kobe have both had players around them see huge improvement this year. Look at David West, Tyson Chandler, Sasha Vujacic, Jordan Farmar, and Andrew Bynum.

because the guys he played with in Minnesota sucked?

Jesus, Jordan and Bird couldn't make Joe Smith more than a role player, michael olowokandi useful, or make marko jaric an effective point guard.

Kobe's still the MVP, but it ain't KG's fault those minnesota teams went nowhere

[Hanacker]

Um Kobe, yeah...they were a good team but didn't get scary until they were gifted Gasol.

They were in and out of the number 1 spot in the West a few times before picking up Gasol. He made them the favorite to reach the Finals, but they were near the top before his arrival. Before this season started, I think most people had the Lakers maybe sliding into the 7th or 8th spot and getting bounced in the first round. By the All-Star break they were a contender for the top seed.

[Lorini]

For once, I actually agree with Charles Barkely's analysis of the MVP situation. He has said that since the East was so less competitive than the west, he doesn't think a league MVP should come out of the East because honestly it was easier to be a great player in that conference. He thinks it should either be Kobe or Chris Paul because they had to play harder to get where they are. Of course I think it should be Kobe. It puzzles me why you wouldn't want the league's best player to be its most valuable player, but what do I know :) And I think they have to restore credibility to the award anyway, we all know how "valuable" Dirk turned out to be :)

Actually if there is an upset in the West conference, I think it will be the Mavericks upsetting the Hornets. The Hornets were great in the regular season, but the Mavericks have been there and done that, so they could be the big surprise this playoff. Because I only see the East coast teams twice, I don't have a feeling for that conference and if there's a good team that is lower in the seeding than perhaps they should be given their talent/coaching. Anyone think so? I do really like Gilbert Arenas, I love his energy and the way he plays. Assuming the Wizards are on national TV, I will be keeping an eye on them.

[graller]

Garnett, then Paul in my world. A selfish player like Kobe just is not the MVP. Best player in the league sure. Most Valuable? No.

[Hanacker]

I don't see how you can penalize Garnett when the Celtics went 25-5 against the West. Maybe he should be MVP, but I hate the Celtics and could never bring myself to put him higher than 3rd after CPaul and Kobe. But I don't have a problem if any of those three win.

[Hanacker]

Garnett, then Paul in my world. A selfish player like Kobe just is not the MVP. Best player in the league sure. Most Valuable? No.

Who cares if he's selfish if he's the best player on the court and makes his teammates around him better? You can't argue that almost everyone on the Lakers this year has performed better than expected. After the first few weeks there's been little grumbling or any kind of dysfunction. Was Jordan any less selfish than Kobe?

[Funkman]

Who cares if he's selfish if he's the best player on the court and makes his teammates around him better? You can't argue that almost everyone on the Lakers this year has performed better than expected. After the first few weeks there's been little grumbling or any kind of dysfunction. Was Jordan any less selfish than Kobe?

Listen, without a doubt, Kobe is the most talented player in the league. He can score at will, shoot from anywhere, defend anyone, rebound and share the ball (sometimes). BUT, with Kobe there will always be this element to his game where he is happy and a good teammate only when everyone is playing well.

A guy like Garnett wouldn't tolerate shitty play either, but you get the sense he would try to help improve there play and encourage them however he could (see this season and the players I mentioned earlier as an example).

With Kobe, he has sulked, insulted his teammates, played selfishly, etc. Sure, when they are winning and everything is going well he is all smiles and super friendly, but I don't know.

[BlueJackalope]

Kobe might be the most talented (Bron Bron has a case too), but he plays with joyless self entitlement, he is the Hillary Clinton of the NBA.

And, like Hillary he is trying to steal the prize from a more qualified black man.

A case can be made that Kobe did not make his team any better, his teammates played better, Bynum in particular, but that wasn't anything Kobe facilitated.

[Funkman]

Kobe might be the most talented (Bron Bron has a case too), but he plays with joyless self entitlement, he is the Hillary Clinton of the NBA.

And, like Hillary he is trying to steal the prize from a more qualified black man.

A case can be made that Kobe did not make his team any better, his teammates played better, Bynum in particular, but that wasn't anything Kobe facilitated.

This is exactly true. And I think if Paul and the Hornets had finished the season stronger and held on to the top spot in the West, we wouldn't even be having this discussion.

Guys, I am excited for Saturday. The playoffs this year are going to be crazy.

[rjcc]

selfish? joyless? didn't make his teammates better?

I don't care if he was having brett favre levels of fun out there, he's the best, he's had the best season, he's played the last what, three months with a broken hand and still dominated, he HAS made his team better and he's carried them to the top of the toughest conference race probably ever -- he's the MVP.

[Hanacker]

Listen, without a doubt, Kobe is the most talented player in the league. He can score at will, shoot from anywhere, defend anyone, rebound and share the ball (sometimes). BUT, with Kobe there will always be this element to his game where he is happy and a good teammate only when everyone is playing well.

A guy like Garnett wouldn't tolerate shitty play either, but you get the sense he would try to help improve there play and encourage them however he could (see this season and the players I mentioned earlier as an example).

With Kobe, he has sulked, insulted his teammates, played selfishly, etc. Sure, when they are winning and everything is going well he is all smiles and super friendly, but I don't know.

I mostly agree, but after that rough patch of the beginning of the season, I haven't seen much negativity from Kobe. This isn't a lifetime achievement award (and the irony of using that to argue for Kobe is noted), and this year I think Kobe's been on pretty good behavior. Maybe there's been some off the court stuff I've missed, but on the court and in interviews it seems like he's been going out of his way to support his teammates.

[Alan Dunkin]

I think the Mavs pretty much got the best 1st rounder they could hope for, and despite the seed differentiation it wouldn't be much of an upset (and is probably one of the two most predicted upsets of the 1st round, the other is the Wiz over the Cavs).

I still think the Hornets are a bit of a paper tiger, and the Mavs have a bit more resiliency than many believe. It's been a wild season, but the Mavs I think have a few edges, not to mention psychological, for this series. Going to New Orleans isn't a huge road trip and I have a much better feeling for this series than, say, last year against the Warriors, who were the perfect matchup against Dallas and that disaster was written all over them from the get-go.

--- Alan

[Lorini]

So what does the man have to do to get some respect? Geezus, if his teammates didn't improve it's because he didn't help them enough. If they do improve, he didn't help them. If they got worse, then clearly that would be his fault too. I'm just not getting it here. The team gets the first seed in the most competitive division ever, but clearly he had nothing to do with it. <throws up hands>

[graller]

So Kevin Garnett taking a 24 win team a year ago. A team with no bench and no defensive work ethic and turns them in to a 66 win juggernaut that kicked the crap out of that oh so great Western Conference is not the most VALUABLE player in the league but Kobe playing with a much better supporting cast is?

Rajon Rondo was a stud last year?

Kendrick Perkins?

Powe?

KG transformed the Celtics. The had a win margin of +10 and played the best defense in the league and it all came from KG. It may not show up in points assists and rebounds but it does show up in the results. In my opinion it is the definition of Valuable. No one made his teammates better then KG.

[Funkman]

Ok, since I don't want to derail this thread anymore with MVP talk, let's make some first round playoff predictions.

For the East:
Boston beats Atlanta in 4 (no kidding)
Detroit beats Philadelphia in 5 (they get one home win for their efforts)
Toronto beats Orlando in 6 (maybe 7, the Raptors have got to get hot sometime)
Washington beats Cleveland in 6 (Lebron can't beat the Big Three on his own)

For the West:
Los Angeles beats Denver in 5 (the Nuggets can't play D)
Dallas beats New Orleans in 6 (Kidd isn't what he was, but these guys are too savy)
Phoenix beats San Antonio in 7 (Shaq is there for a reason)
Utah beats Houston in 7 (They've got so much firepower and lots of momentum)

So there you go. My dream finals would be Phoenix vs. Boston (because I really want Nash to win that title) but I have a suspicion that the Lakers will make it all the way (against Boston).

[Trey]

Resident Spurs fan here - don't discount the old guys just yet.

Go Spurs Go.

<fanboy>
You guys keep squabbling about the regular season hardware. We'll keep collecting the finals hardware.
</fanboy>

Seriously though, this western conference playoffs is going to be amazing. Spurs' offense was tepid towards the end of the season but the finale was an offense showcase. So many questions for us, though.

I love Duncan but it looks to me like he's finally on the discernable downside of his amazing to this point career. Up to this point, you could say he's lost some lift, naturally, compared to the Duncan of old, but he was still as effective as ever, since so much of his game was based on solid footwork and having his opponent beat before he even took the shot. But now, it seems like the maybe his athleticism has dipped to the point it's finally starting to affect his ability to beat his man. If I were in fanboy mode, I'd just say he's bored with the regular season, though.

Will Tony ever give up the ball? Which bench players are actually going to come through with big shots (filling the gaping Steve Kerr/Robert Horry hole)? Why the hell does Pop love Jacque Vaughan as Tony's backup so much? Will Pop play infuriatingly small lineups which have no scoring and no rebounding and, oh yeah, no defense?

The optimist in me is hoping that the big 3 really can "step it up" now that it's the playoffs and the offensive malaise we've been seeing is due to injuries plus Pop's limiting of their minutes in the regular season. There's a wealth of playoff experience on this team so if it really counts for anything, it gives us an edge over every other team.

[Stroker Ace]

Yeah, KG can totally take credit for Ray Allen too. He was only doing 26pts/5rebs/4assts last year before KG kicked him in the ass and taught him how to play.

[rjcc]

So Kevin Garnett taking a 24 win team a year ago. A team with no bench and no defensive work ethic and turns them in to a 66 win juggernaut that kicked the crap out of that oh so great Western Conference is not the most VALUABLE player in the league but Kobe playing with a much better supporting cast is?

Rajon Rondo was a stud last year?

Kendrick Perkins?

Powe?

KG transformed the Celtics. The had a win margin of +10 and played the best defense in the league and it all came from KG. It may not show up in points assists and rebounds but it does show up in the results. In my opinion it is the definition of Valuable. No one made his teammates better then KG.


Yeah cuz ray allen and paul pierce aren't any good. Are you on crack rock?

[Dave Long]

Sixers/Pistons will go at least six games. These teams split during the regular season. The Sixers are younger, healthier and wilder while the Pistons are older, slower and calculating.

I think it will be one of the best first round series next to Suns/Spurs.

I really don't see Dallas or Denver going anywhere other than right out the door. The Mavs got worse with the trade and still don't have a real big man inside. Denver is still too disjointed (like most Iverson teams) to make any kind of run at the Lakers.

I suspect Iverson will win a championship before his career ends, but it'll be when he's only able to be a bit player on a better team.

EDIT: I mean really, who are the Mavs kidding by still having Erick Dampier on the roster?!

[Elton]

I suspect Iverson will win a championship before his career ends

I was all set to contest this statement -- in my mind, Iverson's waaaaaay overrated because his shot selection is so poor. But I checked his numbers (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/allen_iverson/career_stats.html) and he actually had what I'd call his best season this year, with a much better shooting percentage and assist-to-turnover ratio than a typical Iverson year in Philly (where he never had a teammate as good as Carmelo, I'm pretty sure). He's better now than in his MVP year -- although looking at that team (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/2001.html), man, he (and Larry Brown and a tough D) carried a really offensively challenged roster to the finals that season.

[graller]

I grew up in CT and watch UConn basketball always. I love Ray Allen he is also 33 with two bad wheels <ankle surgery> Paul Pierce was a part of that 24 win team remember. 24 > 66 is a huge jump regardless. In the last 4 games they did not even play the big three and they won everything. The scrubs have become studs over the course of the year thanks to KG's passion and never quit attitude and his "willing" the team to improve itself. I am not saying that Pierce and Allen are no good. Its the impact on the others that is stunning.

[Hanacker]

I guess I just don't buy into the idea that when young players on the Lakers show marked improvement this season it's natural player development and when young players on the Celtics also show similar improvement it's purely because KG is such an inspiration.

[Bill Dungsroman]

I guess I just don't buy into the idea that when young players on the Lakers show marked improvement this season it's natural player development and when young players on the Celtics also show similar improvement it's purely because KG is such an inspiration.

Can't say I do either.

[Funkman]

People are probably thinking this way (myself included) because Kobe has been teammates with these guys for a few years now, and in between angrily trying to take over games all by himself he did take the time to insult his teammates and demand for a trade. But now they are winning, so he loves his teammates.

KG shows up and the entire culture of a basketball organization improves instantly. Just saying.

But come on, playoff predictions guys..

[Stroker Ace]

Ray Allen for MVP!

[BlueJackalope]

So what does the man have to do to get some respect? Geezus, if his teammates didn't improve it's because he didn't help them enough. If they do improve, he didn't help them. If they got worse, then clearly that would be his fault too. I'm just not getting it here. The team gets the first seed in the most competitive division ever, but clearly he had nothing to do with it. <throws up hands>

For what it's worth Kobe will probably win the MVP this year and it wont be a travesty (love to see it split between KG and CP though).

Kobe is a remarkable athlete, amazing to watch. But he will never be loved. He drove Shaq out of LA because he couldn't bear to share the spotlight (after throwing Shaq and his teammates under the bus during the whole rape thing) - that is a team that should have won two or three more championships. The Shaq Lakers were unstoppable, the Kobe Lakers rarely (if ever?) have made it out of the first round. That has something to with the leader of the team. I specifically remember him refusing to take a shot in the second half of a deciding game (against Phoenix? ) to prove some retarded point.

As to helping his teammates be better, he just doesn't. It isn't really his fault, he doesn't need them. He can get his own shot anytime he wants, he mostly needs his team to stay out of his way. He can drop dimes all day long, but Phil would kill him, cause the best shooter on the floor should do the shooting after all.

The main problem is he reeks of insincerity. He's Eddie Haskell. Which is fine for LA fans who are the definition of front running weasels (Lorini excepted, I'm sure she's wearing her Michael Cooper throwback jersey right now), but its annoying to everyone else. He's wearing 24 now...what's that about? Is he the evolution of Michael? Who does he think is going to buy that?

[Funkman]

The main problem is he [Kobe] reeks of insincerity.

We have a winner.

[Dave Long]

West
Lakers over Nuggets (AI: "We need another piece to this puzzle." Karl: "We need to play defense.")
Hornets over Mavericks (Kerr: "The team didn't have enough time to gel. We'll be back.")
Spurs over Suns (Shaq talking in his low voice about coming back and trying again next year. Disappointment. etc.)
Rockets over Jazz (The Jazz looked really bad against San Antonio on Wednesday. Home court doesn't hold up. McGrady wills Houston to the second round.)

East
Celtics over Hawks (Series goes 6 games because the Celtics don't take them seriously.)
Pistons over Sixers (Last gasp for Detroit's current roster.)
Magic over Raptors (Turkoglu becomes the star of the series.)
Cavaliers over Wizards (This one probably goes seven games and the talk of LeBron heading to New York when his contract expires heats up.)

[BlueJackalope]

Ok, since I don't want to derail this thread anymore with MVP talk, let's make some first round playoff predictions.

For the East:
Boston beats Atlanta in 4
Yup.

Detroit beats Philadelphia in 6

Detroit is going to show its age a little, look for Philly's rookie PF Young to make some noise before Detroit puts them down.

Orlando beats Toronto in ...mmm 6

Tough one, lets see Lewis earn his money(s), Toronto is ironically hurt by the return of T.J. Ford

Washington beats Cleveland in 6 -

Cleveland isn't playing well and nobody can match Agent Zero off the bench.

For the West:
Los Angeles beats Denver in 5

Who's guarding Kobe? Camby might hold down Bynum/Gasol, but nobody is touching Kobe.

New Orleans beats Dallas beats in 7

Dallas can't take game 7 pressure and they have given up on Avery, on the other hand Byron Scott is no Mike Brown (hee hee)

Phoenix beats San Antonio in 7

Lets hope for an awesome series. I hesitate to go against the Spurs, but the officials are going to have Stern giving them the stink-eye everytime they blow a foul against the Suns. Shaq will be allowed to carry a lead pipe to use against Duncan. Plus, who's got Amare?

Houston beats Utah in 7

T-Mac finally gets one.

[Lorini]

Ok here's a template (seeding order):

West:
Lakers vs Nuggets
Hornets vs Mavericks
Spurs vs Suns
Jazz vs Rockets

East:
Celtics vs Hawks
Pistons vs Sixers
Magic vs Raptors
Cavaliers vs Wizards

[Alan Dunkin]

Mavs can't handle game 7 pressure... you know this how exactly? The 05-06 Miami Heat series you say? Okay, but I can counter that against an equally important Game 7 victory against a pretty good Spurs team too.

You can say a lot about the Mavs, but "can't handle game 7 pressure" is kinda dumb.

--- Alan

[Lorini]

West:
Lakers vs Nuggets
Hornets vs Mavericks
Spurs vs Suns
Jazz vs Rockets I'm taking the Jazz here, I just think that without Yao, the Jazz will beat them again. It'll probably go 7 games again, but I do think the Jazz will prevail.

East:
Celtics vs Hawks
Pistons vs Sixers
Magic vs Raptors
Cavaliers vs Wizards The Wizards are not seeded as high as they would have been with Gilbert Arenas playing all year. Now that he's back coming off the bench, they will be a lot tougher I would think.

[BlueJackalope]

Mavs can't handle game 7 pressure... you know this how exactly? The 05-06 Miami Heat series you say? Okay, but I can counter that against an equally important Game 7 victory against a pretty good Spurs team too.

You can say a lot about the Mavs, but "can't handle game 7 pressure" is kinda dumb.

--- Alan

I offer you Golden State.

EDIT: But I'll give you that J.Kidd is likely to inspire more confidence than The Big German or Avery in a crisis.

[Lorini]

Mavs can't handle game 7 pressure... you know this how exactly? The 05-06 Miami Heat series you say? Okay, but I can counter that against an equally important Game 7 victory against a pretty good Spurs team too.

You can say a lot about the Mavs, but "can't handle game 7 pressure" is kinda dumb.

--- Alan

I think Avery Johnson is going to call a lot of plays to break Chris Paul down. We'll see what B. Scott does in response, but I think this series is going to show folks exactly how close the Western conference actually is. There just isn't that much difference between 2nd and 7th.

[Alan Dunkin]

Golden State didn't go to 7 games.

--- Alan

[BlueJackalope]

Golden State didn't go to 7 games.

--- Alan
Zingo!

[Hanacker]

Which is fine for LA fans who are the definition of front running weasels (Lorini excepted, I'm sure she's wearing her Michael Cooper throwback jersey right now), but its annoying to everyone else.

Hey, I liked the Lakers when Cedric Ceballos was their best player (and apparently he managed to get one fifth place MVP vote one year). And Vlade was my favorite player in the league. Those weren't great years but Vlade was always entertaining...

Anyway,

West:
Lakers over Nuggets in 5
Hornets over Mavericks in 6
Spurs over Suns in 6
Jazz over Rockets in 7

East:
Celtics over Hawks in 4
Pistons over Sixers in 5
Magic over Raptors in 6
Wizards over Cavaliers in 7

Guess I like the top seeds in the West.

[Funkman]

Guys, Dirk has been playing out of his mind to end the season after killing his ankle. I think Dallas wants to prove the doubters wrong and while Kidd isn't as quick a player as he was, he is still as savy and tough as they come. On top of that, Golden State is a very different team than New Orleans, they had a lot of run and gun players who just completely intimidate the Mavericks. I don't think anyone is going to push the Mavs around this year. But we'll see.

[rjcc]

If Dirk has finally located his testicles, then sure the Mavs have a chance.

That's a big, soft, 7-foot tall soft ass Euro jumpshooting bitch of an if though.

[Funkman]

If Dirk has finally located his testicles, then sure the Mavs have a chance.

That's a big, soft, 7-foot tall soft ass Euro jumpshooting bitch of an if though.

These last two years have been tough on the guy, but you remember when the Mavs beat the Spurs in 7 in San Antonio, and the winning basket was a drive and 3 point play by Dirk? It happened.

[rjcc]

These last two years have been tough on the guy, but you remember when the Mavs beat the Spurs in 7 in San Antonio, and the winning basket was a drive and 3 point play by Dirk? It happened.

yeah but what happened in the next series?

The mavs folded and dirk went on the silliest rampage this side of danica patrick stomping off the racetrack.

[Funkman]

yeah but what happened in the next series?

The mavs folded and dirk went on the silliest rampage this side of danica patrick stomping off the racetrack.

Hence, he is finally looking to make up for that collapse (see: the end of the season dirk playing out of his mind).

[rjcc]

Hence, he is finally looking to make up for that collapse (see: the end of the season dirk playing out of his mind).

Hence, I think it won't last. You are who you are, and he's soft.

[BlueJackalope]

Hey, I liked the Lakers when Cedric Ceballos was their best player (and apparently he managed to get one fifth place MVP vote one year). And Vlade was my favorite player in the league. Those weren't great years but Vlade was always entertaining...


Ceballos, jesus, tough one. Show us your Rambis Youth membership and there's no doubt You and Lorini are the exceptions - everyone else in LA - Weasels.

[rjcc]

Ceballos, jesus, tough one. Show us your Rambis Youth membership and there's no doubt You and Lorini are the exceptions - everyone else in LA - Weasels.

the one good thing about being a Lions fan is no one ever questions how real you are. (just your sanity.) -- and yes, I was a piston fan during the teal-jersey years of which we will not speak.

[Bill Dungsroman]

Hey, I liked the Lakers when Cedric Ceballos was their best player (and apparently he managed to get one fifth place MVP vote one year). And Vlade was my favorite player in the league. Those weren't great years but Vlade was always entertaining...

Anyway,

West:
Lakers over Nuggets in 5
Hornets over Mavericks in 6
Spurs over Suns in 6
Jazz over Rockets in 7

East:
Celtics over Hawks in 4
Pistons over Sixers in 5
Magic over Raptors in 6
Wizards over Cavaliers in 7

Guess I like the top seeds in the West.

Not bad picks IMO. I'm partial to the Rockets and Cavs advancing, though.

And, as much as I hate to admit it, I think it's Lakers all the way.

[Hanacker]

Re: Mavs - I've been underrating the Hornets all year so maybe I'm compensating by overrating them now. But I think the Mavs just gave away too much of their bench in the Kidd trade to survive a 7-game series. But I could be wrong.

And I think with as good as Caron Butler has been this season, if Arenas is healthy enough to play up to his potential Washington have a pretty good team right there.

[Qenan]

I'm a Bulls fan. This was a sad year.

[Funkman]

I'm a Bulls fan. This was a sad year.

Jesus.. some predicted them to come out of the East or at the very least to make it to the conference finals. They had such a good foundation, its amazing they managed to fuck it up so fast. But I guess that's what happens when you give Ben Wallace 60 million.

[Hanacker]

I'm so happy that the Bulls weren't willing to part with Luol Deng for Kobe.

[Funkman]

I'm so happy that the Bulls weren't willing to part with Luol Deng for Kobe.

Yeah, but he and Ben Gordon left lots of money on the table when they turned down those contracts. Who is going to offer big money to Deng and Gordon now when the both completely regressed? (especially Deng, and I had him on my fantasy team!)

[runesword forger]

Pacer fan. Baaaaad year. Bonus for just missing playoffs in weak East and likely missing out on a high draft pick.

Also, worst attendance in league this year.

All this can be traced to a tossed cup of ice. That you, Dame Fate.

[rjcc]

Yeah, but he and Ben Gordon left lots of money on the table when they turned down those contracts. Who is going to offer big money to Deng and Gordon now when the both completely regressed? (especially Deng, and I had him on my fantasy team!)

We'll see what happens, you wouldn't think any team would give gordon $60m right now, but I constantly underestimate the stupidity of NBA GM's. explain whatshisname getting $100m from orlando last year. it is unexplainable

[Hanacker]

6 more games of Phoenix-San Antonio please. Best game of the season so far right there.

[Lorini]

Ok so that was utterly ridiculous (Spurs-Suns). Amare Stoudemire will never be one of the elite in the NBA unless and until he learns some basketball intelligence. That's what makes Tim Duncan so great is that Tim does not make stupid plays like an obvious charge when you have 5 fouls. I mean geezus.

And what about Shaquille O'Neal? He can't even play the first half because he tries to take a charge like he's 6'1 or something. They didn't trade for him to take charges, they traded for him to block shots, like a real 7'.

Sorry, just a little peeved with the Suns, but that's ok, I hate them anyway, just not as much as I hate the Spurs:)

[BlueJackalope]

6 more games of Phoenix-San Antonio please. Best game of the season so far right there.

That, was amazing, its a shame I no longer follow NBA basketball.

EDIT: One of the things I will not miss is arenas Playing Music - During the GAME!!! I hate that, I hate it worse than those retarded inflate-a-sticks they bang together.

[mk56]

And what about Shaquille O'Neal? He can't even play the first half because he tries to take a charge like he's 6'1 or something. They didn't trade for him to take charges, they traded for him to block shots, like a real 7'.


This is a good point, I can't stand big men that try and take charges. Play some real defense! I guess I'm biased, I hate charge calls in general, and the fact that is has become a popular defensive play.

[Kool Moe Dee]

Jay-Z 1, Souljah Boy 0.

Spurs-Suns was ridiculous. If the Suns can't get over this loss and steal game 2, then I think it's over for them.

Mavs just folded like a paper airplane. Shameful.

[Qenan]

This is a good point, I can't stand big men that try and take charges. Play some real defense! I guess I'm biased, I hate charge calls in general, and the fact that is has become a popular defensive play.
I don't get that, presuming the refs call it correctly. The alternative to calling charges is to let offensive players go wherever they want.

[Lorini]

I don't get that, presuming the refs call it correctly. The alternative to calling charges is to let offensive players go wherever they want.

All he is saying is that instead of playing real defense(i.e. blocking a shot or harassing a player), the defenders just step in front of people; the same kind of cheese play that brings you the throw-the-ball-at-the-other-team out of bounds play. Shaq shouldn't be doing it anyway, particularly since he doesn't seem to know where the restricted line is.

Well, the Jazz were the only team today that were able to maintain a hlaftime lead, all the others lost the game after leading at halftime. This would seem to speak to coaching as an issue. Honestly, I'm glad the Jazz won, I'd rather the Lakers play them (assuming the Lakers get ouf of the first round of course) than the Rockets.

What was funny is that during the Sun-Spurs game, teams that won the first game won the series 83% of the time, but during the Hornets-Mavs game, it became 86%, and then during the Jazz-Rockets game, it became 78%. I guess the math changes during the day or something. At any rate, certainly the team winning the first game has an advantage, so I'm sure that's why we saw a lot of intensity out there.

[Hanacker]

Well, the Jazz were the only team today that were able to maintain a hlaftime lead, all the others lost the game after leading at halftime. This would seem to speak to coaching as an issue. Honestly, I'm glad the Jazz won, I'd rather the Lakers play them (assuming the Lakers get ouf of the first round of course) than the Rockets.

I'm not sure I understand the math behind it, but some ESPN stat thing (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/playoffodds) has the Jazz as by far the most likely in the West to make the Finals at 31%. Based on that, at least, I'd much rather see the Rockets.

What was funny is that during the Sun-Spurs game, teams that won the first game won the series 83% of the time, but during the Hornets-Mavs game, it became 86%, and then during the Jazz-Rockets game, it became 78%. I guess the math changes during the day or something. At any rate, certainly the team winning the first game has an advantage, so I'm sure that's why we saw a lot of intensity out there.

That's a bullshit stat anyway. The home team should win most game ones and the reason they're the home team is because they were better during the regular season. You can't include matchips like Celtics vs. whoever the awful Eastern Conference team they're playing into the analysis when you're trying to figure out the 4-5 and 3-6 matchups in the West.

[Trey]

I love Duncan but it looks to me like he's finally on the discernable downside of his amazing to this point career. Up to this point, you could say he's lost some lift, naturally, compared to the Duncan of old, but he was still as effective as ever, since so much of his game was based on solid footwork and having his opponent beat before he even took the shot. But now, it seems like the maybe his athleticism has dipped to the point it's finally starting to affect his ability to beat his man. If I were in fanboy mode, I'd just say he's bored with the regular season, though.

Haha, what idiot posted that. Duncan's line for game 1:


Min FG 3Pt FT +/- Off Reb Ast TO Stl BS BA PF Pts
50:40 16-24 1-1 7-12 +3 6 15 5 4 1 3 3 3 40

16 of 24, geez. Even with the W there's a lot of worrisome stuff to take away from this one. It took a hell of a comeback, massive Suns foul trouble, a Tim Duncan 3 pointer and 2 overtimes to win this one. I have a hunch there'll be a lot of Suns complaining in the media about the calls which will result in the refs giving them free reign in game 2.

I didn't catch the end of the 4th or the 1st overtime, sadly, but it looked like Pop made some good calls, from hack-a-skinner/shaq, to not using a timeout on the final play so the Suns couldn't sub in Shaq to defend the rim. Also, limiting Jacque Vaughan to 2:50 of playtime.

[Trey]

Oh yeah be sure not to watch the Spurs games because the Spurs are boring. You know it's true because the media keeps saying so.

[Hanacker]

I never had a problem watching the Spurs, but that was the most boring 40-point performance I've ever seen. Duncan only had one really exciting play and that was only because it was at the end of overtime and he's usually such a terrible 3-point shooter (his 40% in '05-'06 notwithstanding). It seemed like Shaq did a decent job guarding him, but Shaq was out of the game so much and Duncan had no problem throwing in chip shots over and around everyone else. It was a very efficient performance, but I wouldn't even have known he went for 40 if I didn't check the box score. Gionobli and Parker (and occasionally Barry and Finley) more than made up for the lack of excitement, though.

[Lorini]

I'm not sure I understand the math behind it, but some ESPN stat thing (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/playoffodds) has the Jazz as by far the most likely in the West to make the Finals at 31%. Based on that, at least, I'd much rather see the Rockets.


That ESPN stat thing is certainly strange. The Jazz are in the Lakers bracket, meaning that the two will play each other before the conference finals. They are saying that even though the Lakers got one of the four Jazz home losses, and the Lakers beat the Jazz 3-1, the Lakers will have home court advantage when they meet, the Jazz will still beat the Lakers in the semi-finals. Why? We even beat them on their home floor after the All-Star break, which is after both teams had picked up new players. I think I'd be looking for a new algorithm if I were ESPN. I'm not saying it's impossible to happen, I'm just saying based on previous numbers, it doesn't seem nearly twice as likely to happen.

[BlueJackalope]

Jay-Z 1, Souljah Boy 0.

Spurs-Suns was ridiculous. If the Suns can't get over this loss and steal game 2, then I think it's over for them.

Mavs just folded like a paper airplane. Shameful.

I actually feel better about the Suns winning the series after that game, the Spurs needed two overtimes and a Duncan 3 pointer to win at home.
As long as the Suns don't get a "how do we beat these guys" vibe.
Duncan, man...wow, love that guy. Really want to see he and Shaq go at each other for a 7 game series.

Paul's line - ri-freakin'-diculous - 35pts 10 asst 4 steals 3 rb 1 blk 65% fg%

[Funkman]

Jesus, the Raptors make me furious. I love them but I hate them. God damn.. wake up guys!

[Lorini]

Man that was a nice game by the Lakers. Although I disagree with George Karl; while his son Coby might have been able to score the way Gasol did, Kwame Brown certainly couldn't have, and that was the point of the trade :). Yes, we gave up too many points, but when you are facing a team where "our defense is our offense" (G. Karl quote) that may be expected. We'll have to see what happens Wednesday; I would expect that Camby will see more play.

[Hanacker]

Interesting that with all the talk of how wild the first round would be, the only home team to lose the first game was in one of the only two series that everybody thought the lower seed had no chance. I still like Detroit in that series, but Philly was impressive.

[Malcolm Tucker]

Jesus, the Raptors make me furious. I love them but I hate them. God damn.. wake up guys!

They did wake up, they just took like twenty precious minutes to do it.

I'm still with them to win the series, so long as they smarten up.

[Diddums]

Well, the Rockets lost at home too, thanks to an abysmal performance by Bobby Jackson (I never thought I'd say this, but the Rockets need Rafer Alston back) plus T-Mac deciding not to show up in the 4th quarter (I think he scored maybe 2 of his 20 in the 4th). T-Mac looks demoralized and dispirited out there, which is understandable when the next best scoring options are Shane Battier and Luis Scola.

Lorini, I'm curious as to why you'd rather the Lakers play the Jazz over the Rockets, unless you're worried about McGrady throwing in 50+ every game (which he's going to have to do just to get out of the first round). Utah is better both defensively and offensively, compared to Houston.

[dwinn]

Interesting that with all the talk of how wild the first round would be, the only home team to lose the first game was in one of the only two series that everybody thought the lower seed had no chance. I still like Detroit in that series, but Philly was impressive.

Agreed; they're young and hungry and fun to watch. Detroit needs to slow them down to the halfcourt and, while they're at it, execute in the fourth quarter.

[fire]

So I was pretty upset that the Nuggets did as badly as they did. I was rooting for them in the 3rd and 4th quarters. They were the underdogs and LA were so mean. Plus, they had blue uniforms which looked way better than white.

I have some suggestions for trades for the Nuggets. They have the two black guys with braids in their hair and blue sweatbands and tatoos all over their shoulders. Those guys look pretty much identical, except that one of them makes these terrible facial expressions and I don't like him for that. Luckily, he got kicked out of the stadium in the 4th quarter (but I hear he led the team in points, which sucks for the team, but he should really practice in front of a mirror and try not to be so ugly). The other guy has a nice smile. Then, there are two other black guys who don't yet have the whole tatoo thing going, but they have matching blue sweatbands and their hair is growing long. I predict that by this time next year all four of them will look the same and I'll have a hell of a time watching the game and figuring out who has the ball. It'll be infinitely more confusing. They'll all be running around with braids and sweatbands and tatoos and those terrible expressions on their physiognomies and all I can do is read the backs of their jerseys rather than watching the ball.

On a side-note, also relating to fashion, the least they could do is give the players shorter shorts to show off their legs. That would make the game so much more enjoyable for women to watch.

But I digress. Back to the Nuggets...

Then, they've got the Spanish guy with the shaggy hair that, on every single close-up, looks like he's about to burp. He's so sweaty he's got a personal raincloud coming off his head. If you're going to keep your hair long -- Spanish guy, I'm talking to you -- tie it back in a pony-tail. Or get it braided like those other dudes. Again, a little practice in front of a mirror could go a long way.

The only guy that's remotely decent-looking is the white guy who I hear is Ukranian but I could be totally wrong on that. I call him Prince Andrei because he's got such sensual lips, and in War and Peace, Dolokhov has sensual lips but I confused him with Prince Andrei when naming him.

So I was thinking of trading the one braided dude with the terrible facial expressions for Kobe Bryant. He's so much cuter, and would do a lot for the general appearance of the Nuggets. The shaggy Spaniard we could trade for Nash. See how the team has cleaned up? Oh, also, we'd have to get rid of Dirk because he's lanky and funny-looking.

[Enidigm]

The Feng-Shui of basketball management.

[fire]

The two guys with the braids: the one on the left with the awful mimicry (he got kicked out) and on the right with the nice smile. To the untrained eye, THEY LOOK THE SAME!
http://images.tsn.ca/images/stories/20070228/iverson_53197.jpg

Shaggy Spaniard (sans sweat like a rainforest in his hair):
http://www.theblog.es/mt/archives/fotos/gasol2.jpg

Prince Andrei:
http://foto.inna.lt/Photos/Sportas/mid/S6300_mid_76029005884415593591.jpg

Also, what's with trimming/shaving the armpit hair? I approve, just is weird.

[Hanacker]

Well, the Rockets lost at home too...

True. I didn't see the game and keep forgetting that Houston is the higher seed.

[Lorini]

True. I didn't see the game and keep forgetting that Houston is the higher seed.

Houston just has home court, they aren't the higher seed. Why do I want Houston over the Jazz? Houston beat the Lakers 2-1. Shane Battier is certainly the Kobe stopper, much more than Deron Williams. The Lakers beat the Jazz 3-1 over the season. The Lakers just match up much more favorably with the Jazz than with the Rockets.

If the cameras would ever properly show the players, you would see that Carmelo is significantly bigger than Allen. Carmelo is 6' 8" and 230 lbs. Allen is 6' (probably more like 5'11") and 170 lbs wet. I love the Spaniard, if I could only lose 20 years and 50 lbs, I'd be doing everything I could to get a date (he's single). I would hate it if Gasol wore a headband or something like that, he just looks so sexy with his hair loose!

[Diddums]

Houston just has home court, they aren't the higher seed. Why do I want Houston over the Jazz? Houston beat the Lakers 2-1. Shane Battier is certainly the Kobe stopper, much more than Deron Williams. The Lakers beat the Jazz 3-1 over the season. The Lakers just match up much more favorably with the Jazz than with the Rockets.


I confess, I haven't seen the Jazz-Lakers games this year. Jerry Sloan has Deron guarding Kobe? That's madness--I figured it'd be Ronnie Brewer, with AK coming over to help on the weak side.

I looked up the Houston wins against the Lakers; for the first they had Yao, and for the second Rafer Alston went nuts, hitting 8 of 11 3s (consider he's 35% career), while the Lakers were sans Gasol. I got nothin' for why the Jazz got dominated by the Lakers :)

[Lorini]

I confess, I haven't seen the Jazz-Lakers games this year. Jerry Sloan has Deron guarding Kobe? That's madness--I figured it'd be Ronnie Brewer, with AK coming over to help on the weak side.

I looked up the Houston wins against the Lakers; for the first they had Yao, and for the second Rafer Alston went nuts, hitting 8 of 11 3s (consider he's 35% career), while the Lakers were sans Gasol. I got nothin' for why the Jazz got dominated by the Lakers :)

As we know, matches are fluid particularly with Kobe as he frequently will play small forward. Yes, Houston had Yao in the first Houston-Laker game, but the Lakers had Bynum. It's certainly not a definite that Bynum will be back for any of the playoff games. The Jazz didn't stop Kobe, in fact I believe the 2nd game they played against the Lakers, Kobe scored 50+ points. While the last game that Houston played against the Lakers, Kobe's shots were so bad, he was practicing shooting at 9:30 that same night. If a team can take Kobe out of the equation the way Houston has, the Lakers are not a first seed team. Jazz haven't been able to do that, Houston has. Therefore I'd rather see the Jazz than Houston.

[Hanacker]

They're seriously gonna call an offensive foul on Scola with such an obvious acting job by Kirilenko? Maybe there was a tiny foul there but I wouldn't have given it to him just on principle. Houston should have tied it there but now they get the loss.

[Morkilus]

woo jazz

[BlueJackalope]

They're seriously gonna call an offensive foul on Scola with such an obvious acting job by Kirilenko? Maybe there was a tiny foul there but I wouldn't have given it to him just on principle. Houston should have tied it there but now they get the loss.

They have to start thinking about a "no blood no foul" rule for these European Soccer-playing flopsters. I'd love to see no-calls go way up, not to Pat Reilly Knicks level of thuggery, but give everyone the benefit of the doubt and let the game flow.

[BlueJackalope]

Tonights games look awesome - so many questions -

Can Dallas come back? Has Dirk been completely punked? Can Chris Paul walk on water?

Has Orlando gelled? Does T.J. Ford somehow doom the Raptors? Will anyone watch this? (On NBA TV - what?)

Spurs - Suns I think the Suns have to win this game, have to. Even though it is an away game, they have to win this or they will start doubting themselves. Really looking forward to this.

[TheSmokingManX]

Houston just has home court, they aren't the higher seed. Why do I want Houston over the Jazz? Houston beat the Lakers 2-1. Shane Battier is certainly the Kobe stopper, much more than Deron Williams. The Lakers beat the Jazz 3-1 over the season. The Lakers just match up much more favorably with the Jazz than with the Rockets.

If the cameras would ever properly show the players, you would see that Carmelo is significantly bigger than Allen. Carmelo is 6' 8" and 230 lbs. Allen is 6' (probably more like 5'11") and 170 lbs wet. I love the Spaniard, if I could only lose 20 years and 50 lbs, I'd be doing everything I could to get a date (he's single). I would hate it if Gasol wore a headband or something like that, he just looks so sexy with his hair loose!

Pau never played in any of the three games against Houston, and in at least two of those games, Yao played. I think the Lakers actually match up much better with Houston, but it looks like they'll end up playing the Jazz anyways.

[Lorini]

Yeah I guess if Tracy is this tired now nearly anyone would want to play them, although in both games I believe Houston was leading before losing, and who knows what may have happened in the last game without that call.

I have finally figured out those ESPN rankings I think. The Jazz only lost one out of ten home games. The Lakers lost one out of four home games, much worse (relatively) than the Jazz. Even though the Lakers have home court, they would be likely to lose a game at home according to the stats. And once they lost a game at home, they would not be likely to win at Delta Center (or whatever the hell the Jazz home court is called; it will always be Delta Center to me). This still doesn't take into account that out of the four Jazz home losses, one of them was to the Lakers, and significantly and with the basically the same line up both teams are putting into the playoffs, but that's statistics for you.

This all pre-supposes that the Jazz and Lakers will meet in the semi-finals; however I can't see much else happening unless the Lakers completely break down against the Nuggets. I'm sorry, but the Nuggets play no defense and will not learn how to overnight, while the Lakers have nearly as good an offense and better defense. I'm not sure that the Nuggets or the Rockets will win a single game in this early series given the way things are going.

I'm really looking forward to tonights games too, should be a bunch of fun!

[BlueJackalope]

I used to love and hate (hate's strong, get frustrated with lets say) in equal measures George Karl when he was the Sonic's coach.
The Nuggets are fun to watch but I find myself screaming at George for weird substitutions, sigh, feels like old times.

I expect the Lakers and the Jazz to advance pretty easily at this point.

[Funkman]

My poor, poor Raptors. One day.. maybe.. they'll figure out that the game starts at the beginning of the first quarter not at the beginning of the second. They've gone into 20 points holes in both games 1 and 2. Tonight they somehow managed to battle back.. only to lose it on a last second miss by Bosh. I am teh sad.

Hopefully the Suns win tonight to make me feel a bit better.

[VegasRobb]

Hm ... can't believe Dallas is this bad. Perhaps a full year with Kidd will get it done.

[Funkman]

Hm ... can't believe Dallas is this bad. Perhaps a full year with Kidd will get it done.

Kidd will just get a bit slower. If Dallas loses first round (and its starting to look that way), Avery maybe has to go and look for Cuban to start tossing around trades... again.

[fire]

Have you ever watched Steve Nash shoot free-throws? He's got this thing where he licks does a practice no-ball shot, licks his fingers, and repeats a few times. Then, he licks his fingers and shoots.

I had a math professor do that. He wrote with chalk and would lick his fingers pretty often. One of the guys in the class counted that he licked his fingers 86 times in the first hour of class. Further calculations yielded that he consumed an entire box of chalk every quarter. The professor assigned grades based 100% on the final, with no feedback throughout the quarter. He failed me and I hate him for that.

[Lorini]

Kidd will just get a bit slower. If Dallas loses first round (and its starting to look that way), Avery maybe has to go and look for Cuban to start tossing around trades... again.

Um, I don't know that it will be Avery looking for Cuban.....Maybe the Mavs can lose fast enough so Avery can interview for the Knicks job after Cuban fires him.

[Greg Williams]

Man Lorini, why ya gotta hate on my beloved Spurs?

Kobe for MVP...have to say no. Good player (would argue he is no longer the best with LeBron around), but wouldn't give him MVP.

Can't also talk much about the rankings in the west either. The difference between 1 and 6 was what? 1 or 2 games? Almost had a 4 way tie for 3rd? Ranking means little except two of the top three teams have to play in round 1. Next good series will be when the Suns/Spurs meet the Lakers: which might as well be the finals. Will be fun to watch though!

[rjcc]

Kidd will just get a bit slower. If Dallas loses first round (and its starting to look that way), Avery maybe has to go and look for Cuban to start tossing around trades... again.


I'm sayin, Jason Kidd ain't going to get a year younger and find that jumpshot he's been missing for the last 15 years in the offseason.

You traded your frontcourt depth and one of the few very good young point guards for an old diva. I like cuban, but it was a dumb move.

[Diddums]

If Dallas loses first round (and its starting to look that way), Avery maybe has to go; and look for Cuban to start tossing around trades... again.
I had a tough time parsing that as well until I added the semicolon.

I don't like Cuban, and the Kidd trade was a terrible move (although I'm sure Cuban's going to blame it on Donnie Nelson, the nominal GM). The best move Cuban's ever made is selling Broadcast.com to Yahoo! for billions. Other than that--the de facto trade of Dampier for Nash, Dennis Rodman's cup of coffee, changing the logo--meh.

As a long-time, embittered Mavericks fan, I can't root for Jason Kidd after he quit passing the ball to Jimmy Jackson and took years off Dick Motta's life. Hopefully Cuban will buy the Cubs and leave the day-to-day operations of the Mavs alone.

[Trey]

Spurs game was very physical and there were a lot of no-calls both ways that really had me amazed. Thankfully it was pretty evenly called though so I have no complaints about the refs letting them play on. I couldn't figure out wtf the Suns were thinking at the end there when they let the Spurs run off 20 seconds from the shot clock and then the Suns hit a 3, and THEN started thinking foul.

[Sarkus]

Can't also talk much about the rankings in the west either. The difference between 1 and 6 was what? 1 or 2 games? Almost had a 4 way tie for 3rd? Ranking means little except two of the top three teams have to play in round 1. Next good series will be when the Suns/Spurs meet the Lakers: which might as well be the finals. Will be fun to watch though!

I wouldn't discount the Hornets just yet.

[Hanacker]

I don't think I'd even discount Utah. Any of those 5 can take the West, and Boston would be the favorite for the finals (sorry rest of the East but as much as I hate them, Boston is taking it).

[Lorini]

Man Lorini, why ya gotta hate on my beloved Spurs?

Kobe for MVP...have to say no. Good player (would argue he is no longer the best with LeBron around), but wouldn't give him MVP.

Can't also talk much about the rankings in the west either. The difference between 1 and 6 was what? 1 or 2 games? Almost had a 4 way tie for 3rd? Ranking means little except two of the top three teams have to play in round 1. Next good series will be when the Suns/Spurs meet the Lakers: which might as well be the finals. Will be fun to watch though!

Cuz the Spurs are boring as shit, that's why. Although this series they've been a bit more lively, being that they've scored more than 100 points each game. The Spurs like to win games scoring less than 85 points and that's just boring. I love basketball because there is a lot of scoring; watching the Spurs is like a bucket of cold water being poured on me. The Lakers play up tempo ball and that's a lot more fun to watch than Bruce Bowen hugging his man and Manu Ginobli flopping everywhere.

I still think Kobe will be MVP since the scores were tabulated before the playoffs. Chris Paul will be MVP next year maybe.

Yes, the teams were close, but it still took work, one can assume more work, to be the #1 seed. On the other hand, the #1 seed can't be assumed to be the favorite to go to the finals because it is so close. And as we've been discussing, the Jazz are favored in ESPN's power rankings to go to the finals, not the Lakers.

[Banzai]

The spurs play a pretty up-tempo game these days. Ginobli does take charges/block players a fair bit, but he also does things on offense that make even Plastic Man do a double take. Parker drives to the basket all the time, typically on pick and rolls with Tim. Sure, they'll feed it into Tim for isolation when the matchup is favorable, but what team doesn't do that?

The days with The Admiral, a stifling defense, and a halting half-court offense are more than a few years in the past. We led the Suns in fast break points 23-4 last night after all.

[BlueJackalope]

Kidd will just get a bit slower. If Dallas loses first round (and its starting to look that way), Avery maybe has to go and look for Cuban to start tossing around trades... again.

I think they are stuck with Kidd, what Dallas needs is an enforcer, someone who would have torn off West's fingers and ate them after he slapped Dirk, they need to bring Charles Oakley out of retirement. The Duncan/Admiral Spurs didn't win anything until Mario Ellie toughened them up.

Have you ever watched Steve Nash shoot free-throws? He's got this thing where he licks does a practice no-ball shot, licks his fingers, and repeats a few times. Then, he licks his fingers and shoots.

Is there anyway we can replace Hubie with fire in the broadcast booth. (Stay out of Marv's bite radius though).


As a long-time, embittered Mavericks fan, I can't root for Jason Kidd after he quit passing the ball to Jimmy Jackson and took years off Dick Motta's life. Hopefully Cuban will buy the Cubs and leave the day-to-day operations of the Mavs alone.

Toni Braxton! A young Toni Braxton man!


The days with The Admiral, a stifling defense, and a halting half-court offense are more than a few years in the past. We led the Suns in fast break points 23-4 last night after all.

No doubt, the Spurs be ballin'! Manu single handedly kept them in the game the first half. I hope the Suns can shake off these loses and give them a good run.

[Lorini]

The spurs play a pretty up-tempo game these days. Ginobli does take charges/block players a fair bit, but he also does things on offense that make even Plastic Man do a double take. Parker drives to the basket all the time, typically on pick and rolls with Tim. Sure, they'll feed it into Tim for isolation when the matchup is favorable, but what team doesn't do that?

The days with The Admiral, a stifling defense, and a halting half-court offense are more than a few years in the past. We led the Suns in fast break points 23-4 last night after all.

Um, the Spurs averaged 95 points and allowed 90. The Lakers averaged 108 and allowed 101. I'll take this years Lakers. Completely different offensive philosophies, which is my point.

As the commentators continue to mention, this series has been an anomaly for the Spurs. Notice how Bowen is hardly playing? His minutes have gone from 30 to 22. Why is that? Because the Spurs are trying to play a more offensive game. He has defense not offensive. I certainly haven't missed him either. The fact he's not on the court probably has a direct correlation to why the Spurs out fast breaked the Suns, along with the Suns having Shaq. Neither Shaq nor Bowen is about fast break basketball, after all.

I don't think their playing philosophy has changed at all. Pop is making the adjustments he thinks he needs to make, which is what the playoffs are all about. It doesn't change the basic nature of the teams though.

[Banzai]

Fair enough, but the Spurs are much more fun to watch these days than they were even five years ago, which was more exciting than ten. I think the last time the Spurs were more fun to watch, the Iceman and Captain Late were still playing.

Edit: Just wanted to add that I really enjoy watching Bowen take on the best offensive players in the league, even if all he can do on offense is chip in some threes now and then. I certainly understand that not everyone enjoys that aspect of the game. Bowen on defense isn't boring in my book, pretty much the opposite.

[Jakub]

I just love watching Duncan play. I don't know that much about basketball, especially the post game, so it's amazing to see him score - with apparent ease - in situations where other big men simply can't. And he doesn't do this by being physically overpowering like Shaq or Howard.

[Mysterio]

I've been a Suns fan since moving to Phoenix in '83, but they've always been a team that lacked heart. They'd do well in the first half, disappear in the 3rd and first quarter of the 4th, and then decide to play, again. It's the same old story with them, different year.

If I see one more Spurs player score on an uncontested layup, I'm gonna suit up and show the Suns how to stop the damn ball! For cryin' out loud, that's one of the cardinal rules of basketball: MAKE THE GUY WITH THE BALL PICK UP HIS DRIBBLE!

This series will be over in 4 if the Suns continue to allow the Spurs to score in the paint at will.

[BlueJackalope]

I had some hope when Shaq hip checked Parker that the rest of the Suns would start laying wood to he and Manu every time they came down the lane. Message not received.

[Lorini]

I've been a Suns fan since moving to Phoenix in '83, but they've always been a team that lacked heart. They'd do well in the first half, disappear in the 3rd and first quarter of the 4th, and then decide to play, again. It's the same old story with them, different year.

If I see one more Spurs player score on an uncontested layup, I'm gonna suit up and show the Suns how to stop the damn ball! For cryin' out loud, that's one of the cardinal rules of basketball: MAKE THE GUY WITH THE BALL PICK UP HIS DRIBBLE!

This series will be over in 4 if the Suns continue to allow the Spurs to score in the paint at will.

But that's Tony Parker's game. Everybody has this problem with him because he's very good at slipping by the backcourt guards. By the time he gets into the paint, it's usually too late to stop him. Shaq was supposed to be the Sun's answer to defending the paint, and maybe he is, but he's too slow to stop Parker. The guards have to keep Parker in front of them, and if they don't do that, then he has a layup. That simple in a sense but not easy to do. In that vein, did anyone see Barkley last night talking about stopping Ginobli when you know Ginobli's going right? Barkely said that in his day, the coaches would tell him that Magic Johnson was going left, so why couldn't Barkely stop him? Barkley is like "Hell you stop him! We can't stop him!". And that's how it is sometimes in the NBA.

[Greg Williams]

I will agree with Lorini about watching the Spurs. It is a lot like watching tennis or golf...unless you are into it there is just no entertainment. But you have to agree they make a good lesson for mastering the fundamentals of b-ball and where it can and will take you.

Not ruling out the Hornets or Jazz either, but I think the experience that LA, Spurs, and even the Suns bring will be the tilting factor in beating the "new kids".

Ginobli, Parker, Nash, Kobe (and others I know!): there is no real guarding them, they are all just too damn good...Unless you are Bruce, who can piss off anyone with his D. Say what you will, if Bruce played for your team you would sing his praise too!

[Lorini]

End of the first quarter, Kobe has 20 points. 20 x 4=80!! Yeah! Might be time for the popcorn, folks :)

[Hanacker]

Maybe I was just really tired but that Lakers game was pretty boring. Got nervous for a second in the third when the Nuggets pulled ahead, but I was still confident the Lakers would pull away. At least I won lunch from a guy at work...

[Dave Long]

I hope the Sixers come to play on Friday. I've got tix!

[BlueJackalope]

I hope the Sixers come to play on Friday. I've got tix!

Well, they should be rested anyway. Hopefully angry.

[Hanacker]

Wow, Cleveland just got blown the f&%* out. Hope Washington can keep the momentum through the next two games at least.

And Lebron actually had a decent, if a bit subpar, game. The rest of the Cavs were pretty terrible.

[Funkman]

RAPTORS!

Finally the whole team shows up at the same time. Finally the PGs both play the way they are supposed to with Ford starting the game really well and Calderon anchoring the team down the stretch. Finally Moon and Bargnani both shoot and rebound well. Finally Kapono, Parker and Delfino hit shots and make big plays all in the same game. This is the Raptors team that I know, the Raptors team that is going to tie this series up at 2-2 on Saturday.

Man, it was so glad to see the Sea of Red back too. I love it.

[Jakub]

Umm, what?

Bargnani never rebounds well. There are point guards who rebound better, and that list extends far past Jason Kidd. The box score even shows 0 boards for bitchnani.

[Funkman]

Ok Ok, but Moon made up for it. Stop ruining it.

[Jakub]

I'll be fair then. Bargnani doesn't actually play like a bitch, he's just a bad rebounder and interior defender, not to mention lacking a post game. He has a build that can be a center but he's never played that position before in his life. He's got small forward skills, but we already have a power forward with that skill set. Too bad he doesn't have small forward speed.

[Funkman]

I'll be fair then. Bargnani doesn't actually play like a bitch, he's just a bad rebounder and interior defender, not to mention lacking a post game. He has a build that can be a center but he's never played that position before in his life. He's got small forward skills, but we already have a power forward with that skill set. Too bad he doesn't have small forward speed.

I will say this: Watching him, Moon and Bosh start was quite something. Those guys can all fly (relative to their size) and can all shoot. Sure, there isn't a lot of power in the bunch, but it does present all kinds of match up problems. Hopefully, Moon grows in the offseason, and Bargnani gets back on track and they give us a very dynamic frontline.

Also, I thought Bargnani did a pretty good job on Howard, either giving him solid fouls when needed or simply staying in front of him. I mean, there are maybe 3-4 guys in the league that can guard him, so that was encouraging.

[rjcc]

DAT 'GNANI

[Jakub]

Hacking Howard four times in 20 minutes isn't really what I call good defense. It's just the modern version of hack-a-shaq.

These dominant big men really need to learn free throw shooting so this isn't an issue for them. Imagine Shaq could complete even 70% of his FTs. He'd have averaged 40 points for at least a couple of seasons.

[Lorini]

Hacking Howard four times in 20 minutes isn't really what I call good defense. It's just the modern version of hack-a-shaq.

These dominant big men really need to learn free throw shooting so this isn't an issue for them. Imagine Shaq could complete even 70% of his FTs. He'd have averaged 40 points for at least a couple of seasons.

That's the unmentioned thing in the Pau Gasol trade. Kwame Brown's free throwing % was about 40. Gasol's is 81% (although he missed a few at the start of the last game). The Lakers upgraded their free throwing percentage by around 40%, which is huge for a team that depends on getting to the line to win.

[Jakub]

That's a really great point, I totally missed it.

[rjcc]

That's the unmentioned thing in the Pau Gasol trade. Kwame Brown's free throwing % was about 40. Gasol's is 81% (although he missed a few at the start of the last game). The Lakers upgraded their free throwing percentage by around 40%, which is huge for a team that depends on getting to the line to win.

fuck that bullshit. they upgraded to a BIG MAN WHO COULD CATCH A FUCKING ENTRY PASS.

everything else is gravy. the FT shooting is not what makes pau gasol better than kwame brown.

there's a reason why four teams have wanted shaq over the last 15 years despite his abysmal free throw shooting.

tim duncan is just as bad, but the spurs still win consistently.

[Kool Moe Dee]

fuck that bullshit. they upgraded to a BIG MAN WHO COULD CATCH A FUCKING ENTRY PASS.

everything else is gravy. the FT shooting is not what makes pau gasol better than kwame brown.


No kidding. If Pau shot 20% from the free throw line, and shot underhanded, he'd still be a big upgrade over Kwame.

[Funkman]

Duncan being a somewhat poor freethrow shooter (not as bad as Shaq and Howard, but still) is pretty odd considering how solid he is in pretty much every other aspect of the game.

As for the other big men, the hack-attack works to a certain extent but it has the potential to burn you big. The Spurs started hacking Shaq off the ball (Collins is right, they should change the rule and not allow that) and he hit 6 or 7 of 8 FTs. In Game 1 of the Raps/Magic series, Howard went 9 for 11 (and those were just hard shooting fouls) and it hurt the Raps.

The thing is, with guys like Shaq and Howard there really is only so much you can do. Howard is a perfect example of a freak athlete (Amare is in this catergory too). He can jump and run and move like a smaller guy but then he happens to be like 280 pounds or whatever. I'll never forget the play in the regular season where Howard went up for a shoot and Bosh hung off his back with both arms trying to keep him from completing the shot.. and he completed the shot anyway. I mean, how do you stop that?

[Lorini]

Sorry if I implied, thought, wrote, or dreamed, that we made the Gasol trade because of free throwing. Although re-reading what I wrote, I don't think that I implied, thought, wrote, or dreamed that. All I was saying is that in discussion of the trade, we ALSO got a much better free thrower, no one has mentioned this, AND I was implying that not all big men (Gasol is 7') are poor free throwers. Is that better? Geezus:)

[BlueJackalope]

The Rockets showed tons of heart last night.

Really fun game with Houston's role players making the difference down the stretch. Alston, Scola, Landry (after getting his grill adjusted by Carlos Boozer) and Battier (role player?) all playing their guts out.

T-Mac moved the 4th quarter monkey down off his shoulders a little bit, but he still seem shakey and tentative, not really confidence inspiring. Next game should be a war.

[rjcc]

Sorry if I implied, thought, wrote, or dreamed, that we made the Gasol trade because of free throwing. Although re-reading what I wrote, I don't think that I implied, thought, wrote, or dreamed that. All I was saying is that in discussion of the trade, we ALSO got a much better free thrower, no one has mentioned this, AND I was implying that not all big men (Gasol is 7') are poor free throwers. Is that better? Geezus:)

I didn't think you did, what I'm saying, it doesn't matter that much.. shaq, ben wallace and tim duncan have played on more championship teams this decade than anyone else and can't shoot free throws to save their lives. gasol, 80% ft shooting and all, had never won a playoff game, ever, until this week. this is not a coincidence.

[Hanacker]

Of course it's a conicidence. Gasol has never been on a decent team. You can't be saying that poor shooting centers have a better chance to win the championship than those that can make free trrows.

[rjcc]

Of course it's a conicidence. Gasol has never been on a decent team. You can't be saying that poor shooting centers have a better chance to win the championship than those that can make free trrows.

no, it's not a coincidence. all three of those big men improve their team's interior defense.

pau gasol does not.

it is infinitely more important that you play good D than whether or not you can hit free throws down the stretch.

this doesn't just go for big men.

[Funkman]

Guys, what the hell are we talking about here? Gasol helps the Lakers. Period.

The question is, does he help them enough to get them past the Suns or the Spurs without Bynum? Gonna be tough.

[Jakub]

Guys, what the hell are we talking about here? Gasol helps the Lakers. Period.

The question is, does he help them enough to get them past the Suns or the Spurs without Bynum? Gonna be tough.
Yeah, tough's the word.

vs either the Suns or Spurs, the Lakers are more or less hoping that Odom's contributions cancel out Parker's or Amare's. With Bynum in the picture things would be much more comfortable, but I have doubts he'll be back this season.

[Lorini]

All those great things Duncan, Shaq, other big men do, rjcc, have zero to do with whether or not they can hit free throws. They get away with having poor percentages, but they could have great percentages if they wanted to. And I can tell you there were a good number of games that either the Lakers lost because Shaq couldn't hit his free throws in the fourth quarter or P. Jackson had to take him out because of the hack a shaq. So being a shitty free thrower is certainly not a boon to your team, I promise. Olajawon and Adbdul-Jabbar are two fantastic examples of big men who could hit their free throws.

And just as a note, Gasol held Tony Parker to fewer layups than Shaq did, I don't know why you think Gasol doesn't have good interior defense or that Shaq has great interior defense.

[Lorini]

Yeah, tough's the word.

vs either the Suns or Spurs, the Lakers are more or less hoping that Odom's contributions cancel out Parker's or Amare's. With Bynum in the picture things would be much more comfortable, but I have doubts he'll be back this season.

So we continue to discount New Orleans as having a chance to get to the conference finals eh? They play tonight, we'll see. CP3 is looking mighty awesome!!

[rjcc]

All those great things Duncan, Shaq, other big men do, rjcc, have zero to do with whether or not they can hit free throws. They get away with having poor percentages, but they could have great percentages if they wanted to. And I can tell you there were a good number of games that either the Lakers lost because Shaq couldn't hit his free throws in the fourth quarter or P. Jackson had to take him out because of the hack a shaq. So being a shitty free thrower is certainly not a boon to your team, I promise. Olajawon and Adbdul-Jabbar are two fantastic examples of big men who could hit their free throws.

And just as a note, Gasol held Tony Parker to fewer layups than Shaq did, I don't know why you think Gasol doesn't have good interior defense or that Shaq has great interior defense.

sure, because there's no difference in being defended by derek fisher and steve nash. hint: one of these players has a d in their name, and the other is a fraudulent two-time league mvp. If being able to hit free throws down the stretch is so key, why hasn't gasol consistently anchored winning teams? Because he's a soft Euro bitch who can't defend the post, and sans-bynum, the lakers can't win it this year barring an absolutely herculean effort by kobe.

I really don't see how you cna fault shaq for tony parker getting layups consistently. it boggles the mind. if you want to blame him for being too old and slow to hedge properly on the pick and roll, sure, but inside? it's because TP has a 24 hour gate pass signed by one s. nash

[Funkman]

Oh.. you're one of these guys. The anti-Nash guys. That's a shame.

[Hugin]

76ers are no joke.

[Hanacker]

If being able to hit free throws down the stretch is so key, why hasn't gasol consistently anchored winning teams?

Is this a trick question? The answer is because he's been on some pretty bad teams. Name one good player he's played with besides Rudy Gay, who really picked it up this year.

[Funkman]

76ers are no joke.

If someone had told me a week ago that the Sixers would take a 2-1 series lead after winning game 1 in Detroit I would have told them they were crazy. You have to admire the hustle, because that is really what it is.. just pure hustle.

I should add that I'm glad that its Andre Miller and Mo Cheeks running the show. Those are two of my favourite people in the whole NBA.

[Lorini]

Hey rjcc, how about that Shaq huh? Great that he can't hit free throws so they do Hack a Shaq so he has to go out of the game. Real value there. I'm sure the fans are so happy they have a big man that can't hit free throws. And those missed free throws? They didn't mean a thing, right? They could have come closer to the Spurs at the end of the quarter had the Hack a Shaq not worked, but hey, Shaq couldn't hit his free throws. But he's still a great center, right? Even on the bench???

[BlueJackalope]

I had thought the Lakers would make it to the Finals because the Spurs and Suns would wear each other out. Now, not so much.

Spurs are ballin'. Not boring.

[Dave Long]

Sixers are younger and faster while the Pistons are older and slower. That was clear last night. Rip Hamilton was all the Pistons had last night, and the Sixers made sure he racked up the fouls.

Iguodala hasn't even really had a good game yet, either. Dalembert is just one more guy who's nearly seven feet tall and super athletic.

The place was electric. I really hope the Sixers win game four because I don't see Detroit coming back if they do that.

[Funkman]

The Raptors make me sad.

[Hanacker]

They were looking good until Orlando finally started making some threes at the end.

And the Nuggets bore me. Bring on the second round.

[Bill Dungsroman]

Hey rjcc, how about that Shaq huh? Great that he can't hit free throws so they do Hack a Shaq so he has to go out of the game. Real value there. I'm sure the fans are so happy they have a big man that can't hit free throws. And those missed free throws? They didn't mean a thing, right? They could have come closer to the Spurs at the end of the quarter had the Hack a Shaq not worked, but hey, Shaq couldn't hit his free throws. But he's still a great center, right? Even on the bench???

^lol^

[rjcc]

Hey rjcc, how about that Shaq huh? Great that he can't hit free throws so they do Hack a Shaq so he has to go out of the game. Real value there. I'm sure the fans are so happy they have a big man that can't hit free throws. And those missed free throws? They didn't mean a thing, right? They could have come closer to the Spurs at the end of the quarter had the Hack a Shaq not worked, but hey, Shaq couldn't hit his free throws. But he's still a great center, right? Even on the bench???

you clearly didn't watch the game. Cuz the suns game I saw, was the one where tony parker ran by the man guarding him at will. And that was the reason the suns got blown out. Shaq was IN the game when the spurs went on their run. Your argument that he's being forced to the bench is so much bullshit I'm surprised you cna bear to type it.

If you want to tell me what channel had the game where whether or not shaq could make free throws was on in your bizarro world where pau gasol has ever won a playoff series, I'd love to tune in sometime. till then, I can't hear you, shaq's rings are too loud.

[Hanacker]

There's really no point in arguing with you if you can't see that going 8-17 from the line isn't helping your team. Shaq used to be good enough to work around that, but he's no longer so dominant that his positives vastly overshadow his negatives. Was his free throw shooting the sole reason they lost game 3? Nobody's saying anything remotely like that. But it didn't help.

[Hugin]

If someone had told me a week ago that the Sixers would take a 2-1 series lead after winning game 1 in Detroit I would have told them they were crazy. You have to admire the hustle, because that is really what it is.. just pure hustle.

I should add that I'm glad that its Andre Miller and Mo Cheeks running the show. Those are two of my favourite people in the whole NBA.

Growing up in Philadelphia I was already a Cheeks fan, then he had that Star Spangled Banner incident and that put him over the top for me. I desperately hope we never get some wife beating type story about him.

[wildpokerman]

Gogo Jazz. they're ahead at the half and haven't lost a game at home this season yet in that situation. Houston has been terrible at O-rebounds this series. Motumbo is one of my favorite players from way back but he's never been good at rebounding. Those young guys around him should be showing some hustle and get the ball.

I'm anxiously waiting to see if the Jazz can beat the Lakers. If not I predict another historical Lakers/Celtics series.

[Hanacker]

Well, Houston almost came back but couldn't quite pull it off. They're actually not in that bad of shape. They have to win both at home and just get one more on the road. I don't think they'll do it, but it could be worse...

[rjcc]

There's really no point in arguing with you if you can't see that going 8-17 from the line isn't helping your team. Shaq used to be good enough to work around that, but he's no longer so dominant that his positives vastly overshadow his negatives. Was his free throw shooting the sole reason they lost game 3? Nobody's saying anything remotely like that. But it didn't help.

First, that's exactly what Lorini said, unless I missed the part where he talked about any other contributing factor to the Suns loss.

It wasn't in any way shape or the reason they lost game 3. If the team could play defense at all, it wouldn't matter. They can't, they can't win. It's weird how it wasn't a problem before, but now, when OTHER THINGS DON'T HAPPEN, it's a problem. Being blind, deaf and dumb isn't a fatal condition until you combine it with a heart attack.

Have you considered that maybe those OTHER THINGS are more important to the outcome of the game.

just an incredibly odd coincidence that teams who play defense but shoot free throws poorly have been winners of multiple championships, meanwhile teams that don't play defense well never win championships, ever. what are the odds of that shit?

If you'll excuse me, I'll be at home searching for reasons why the pistons are down 2-1 despite shooting free throws well. It's so fucking mystifying.

[Lorini]

First off, I'm a she, thanks. Secondly you really believe that having an opportunity to get points and not getting them is better than getting them. I'll tell the Suns to shoot a lower percentage, I'm sure that will win them lots of championships. I never ever said that the reason they lost the game is because of Shaq's poor free throw shooting. I'm saying that his poor free throw shooting affected the game because of the other team's ability to hack him effectively. If he was an 80% free throw shooter that wouldn't have happened and the Suns would have had a better chance to win the game. More points are better. Having Shaq on the floor is better. Why is that rocket science to you, rjcc? Puzzling.

Turning to other things, I think if the Pistons lose the series, Flip Saunders' job will be in less jeopardy than Avery Johnson's or Mike D'Antoni's. Which is sad because the Pistons losing to a much lesser team is more of a travesty than anybody losing to any other team in the West.

Carmelo Anthony said the entire Nuggets team quit in the third quarter. Which is interesting because I think he and Iverson quit before the end of the first quarter. The Lakers seem to have their number, so to speak, just as the Spurs seem to own the Suns. I'm predicting sweeps in both series.

[rjcc]

First off, I'm a she, thanks. Secondly you really believe that having an opportunity to get points and not getting them is better than getting them. I'll tell the Suns to shoot a lower percentage, I'm sure that will win them lots of championships. I never ever said that the reason they lost the game is because of Shaq's poor free throw shooting. I'm saying that his poor free throw shooting affected the game because of the other team's ability to hack him effectively. If he was an 80% free throw shooter that wouldn't have happened and the Suns would have had a better chance to win the game. More points are better. Having Shaq on the floor is better. Why is that rocket science to you, rjcc? Puzzling.



You should tell the suns to properly defend the pick and roll. That will win them championships. Shooting a specific percentage will not win them a championship. Causing the other team to consistently shoot a lower percentage than they usually do will win them a championship.

You didn't watch suns/spurs game 3, but you claim to know what affected the game. Shaq's inability to consistently hit free throws had nothing to do with the loss.

[BlueJackalope]

Not surprised the Suns were able to win in a laffer, they should have won the first game and were very much in the second game. They might even win the next game, if Parker is hurt.
I have a hard time believing they can really get back in this though.

[Hanacker]

So raise your hand if you predicted that the only two series to get to 2-2 would involve Detroit and Boston. Anyone? Didn't think so.

And how does Orlando play game 5 on the same day Boston and LA play game 4? That's some weird scheduling.

Also, Reggie Miller is awful.

[rjcc]

JR Smith just went 1-on-5...and scored

[Lorini]

Looks like the Celtics may be late for our date!

Waiting in Lakerland!

Fortunately LA gets the local feed for games during the week so we can skip Reggie.

[Hanacker]

Nice work Atlanta! You're now officially my favorite Eastern Conference team (but Hedo is still my favorite player). I can sort of see two players scoring all your points in the fourth quarter, but how does the defense let those two players take every single shot in the fourth? Nobody else even got off a foul shot. I didn't get home in time to see the game but it seems like something went horribly wrong there.

Edit: About the Lakers, they really need to get Andrew Bynum back ASAP. Gasol's 79% free throw shooting is way too high for the Lakers to win a championship with him at center.

[Lorini]

You guys think it's the coaching that has the Celtics tied at 2-2? I sure wish I would have bet on this, I'd have a brand new Porsche!. I was thinking last night about the lack of playoff experience that Doc Rivers has. If the Celtics do get to the finals, Doc will undoubtedly face a coach that has a lot more experience in the playoffs than he does. Out of the coaches left in the West, Rick Adelman is the only one left who hasn't coached in the NBA finals but he has a ton of playoff basketball experience. Jackson, Sloan, and Popovich have even more experience. There's just no excuse for them to lose two games to a team with less than 40 wins. I'm going to say that on paper, the Celtics are a better team than the Lakers, but the Lakers swept a team with 50 wins, first time that's ever been done. Celtics are all knotted up. How ridiculous is that?

Oh, and I'll tell Kobe to go 1 for 15 from the line next game too. Absolutely.

[Funkman]

Well, the Raptors gave it the old college try but they just did not have enough rebounding and perimeter defence. If things go differently in games 2 and 4 (Bosh hits the shot at the end, and they hang on to the lead, respectively) then we wouldn't be here right now. As it is, the team has some serious questions to ask itself in the offseason.

But, as always... In Colangelo We Trust.

[BlueJackalope]

Growing up in Philadelphia I was already a Cheeks fan, then he had that Star Spangled Banner incident and that put him over the top for me. I desperately hope we never get some wife beating type story about him.

Cheeks is a great guy, I'm glad he is winning in Philly (as it should be). That Anthem incident got kept him around when it was obvious that he wasn't the right coach for Portland. He is still very well liked here (and Portland found a way to unload - get off the salary cap anyway - his nemesis, Darius Miles).

[Funkman]

Cheeks is a great guy, I'm glad he is winning in Philly (as it should be). That Anthem incident got kept him around when it was obvious that he wasn't the right coach for Portland. He is still very well liked here (and Portland found a way to unload - get off the salary cap anyway - his nemesis, Darius Miles).

I always thought he got a raw deal in Portland. He would be a great coach for that team now (though MacMillan is great too) but he had to deal with the tail end of the Miles/Randolph/Wallace era which I think took a lot out of him.

It would be great if the Sixers win the series, but I don't know, I just don't see them beating the Pistons again in Detroit. Same goes for Atlanta, although there are apparently a lot of suspensions still up in the air regarding game 5.

[Hanacker]

Out of the coaches left in the West, Rick Adelman is the only one left who hasn't coached in the NBA finals but he has a ton of playoff basketball experience. Jackson, Sloan, and Popovich have even more experience.

Are you counting Adelman in and Byron Scott out or you just didn't mention him? He did have two Finals appearances with the Nets so maybe it's the latter.

[mdowdle]

I've been a fan of both the NJ Nets and Jason Kidd for years, but I have come to the opinion that the Nets made a big mistake when they kept Kidd and let Scott go.

[Lorini]

Are you counting Adelman in and Byron Scott out or you just didn't mention him? He did have two Finals appearances with the Nets so maybe it's the latter.

Two finals? I don't remember two finals but that's probably because the Shaq-Kobe Lakers only met the Nets in the finals once. At any rate though, Adelman, Pop, Jackson, and Sloan still have a ton more experience than Scott does as coaches both in and out of the playoffs. Scott still has more playoff coaching experience than Doc Rivers, but not appreciably more compared to the others.

[Lorini]

Had to post this--

"WALTHAM, Mass. -- The Boston Celtics (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=bos) and Atlanta Hawks (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=atl) escaped discipline for a Game 4 skirmish in which Kevin Garnett (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3007) pushed off a referee while players on both benches stepped onto the court.
NBA spokesman Tim Frank said Tuesday there would be no fines or suspensions. Four technical fouls resulted in a game Atlanta won 97-92 to tie the best-of-seven series at two games apiece.
The confrontation started when Garnett cleared out Zaza Pachulia (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3745) with an elbow, and the Hawks forward went forehead-to-forehead with the Celtics star. A referee grabbed Garnett, but he, too, got a push as Garnett struggled to break free.
Celtics center Kendrick Perkins (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3730) and Atlanta forward Marvin Williams (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3928) acknowledged they stepped onto the court as they strained to see what was going on. Such actions are barred in the NBA, especially with commissioner David Stern looking on.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press""


So it's perfectly fine for KG to push a ref and for players to come off the bench as long as the series is getting good ratings. What a bunch of bullshit. Last year I stopped watching the NBA because of the horrible officiating (which we now know was horrible at least partially for a reason) and the disrespect the league has for the game. This is even worse. How can they justify suspending Amare for coming off the bench onto the court
and not suspend these guys for doing the exact same thing? And then KG pushing a ref but that's fine because what would happen to the advertising revenues if KG didn't play? OMG!

[BlueJackalope]

What? Are you saying David Stern can be less than honest and even handed?
Pish.

[Funkman]

Whatever. They need to get rid of that stupid rule. If the outcry about this gets them to drop that rule then I don't care if Garnett punched Zaza and was still allowed to play.

[Stroker Ace]

Yeah, no one liked the rule last year. It's not like the Spurs winning another title was good for business anyway.

[Lorini]

Whatever. They need to get rid of that stupid rule. If the outcry about this gets them to drop that rule then I don't care if Garnett punched Zaza and was still allowed to play.

Assuming you mean the rule where a player gets suspended if he comes off the bench, they can't get rid of that rule. Years BEFORE the infamous Auburn Hills incident, the Knicks and the Pacers got into it, and both benches emptied and they started fighting. Unlike football or hockey, the players are completely unprotected and fist fights could actually lead to someone getting really hurt. I don't have a problem with the rule myself. Just enforce it fairly.

[Funkman]

Listen, players should get suspended if they fight, but players should not get suspended for standing up and maybe taking a step or two on to the court when one of their teammates gets attacked.

Nash got hipchecked by Horry last year and Stoudamire and Diaw stood up and took a couple of steps in that direction. Wouldn't you do that if your best player and team leader was attacked in a completely dirty way? I can see what the league is trying to do in the sense that they obviously don't want any fights or anything breaking out. But at the same time, you can't expect these guys to be robots, if someone plays dirty, they should expect some kind of reaction.

[Lorini]

As we've seen, things can easily get out of control if the players leave the bench. It's a lot more controllable when players who are not involved stay with their teams. I realize that there's always this feeling that 'men need to be men' but having some sense is probably better for everyone around. And if the players don't want to have any sense, then the league needs to help them out.

[fire]

TNT has been giving no signal for the last hour and a half, so I'm listening to the audio of the HD channel. Who is winning? Why is Kobe so annoying?

[Lorini]

Kobe played last night. The Pistons and Houston won, but still have more games to play. The Spurs will meet the Hornets in the next round. Naturally had Shaq missed some more free throws, the Suns would have won.

[Hanacker]

That was pathetic. The Suns gave that game away. Amazing that turnovers by Nash (and others) cost them that game. And yeah, Shaq's 45% FT shooting was way too high.

[Greg Williams]

Why is there no love for the Spurs? They pull of (another) win against a hard team, and the other guys gave it away. It has been said over and over (in this thread too)...the basics win games. Yeah my team is not fun to watch, and they don't pull in the numbersr; but you have to at some point agree that they are in fact one of the best teams in the NBA (recent history only). Always seems to get overlooked.

Before the outcry starts, yes the Suns flubbed it in the last 3 minutes, but so did the Spurs in the 3rd quarter. Thankfully we should see another great series in the finals (LA and Spurs...don't see much coming out of the East).

[Bill Dungsroman]

Why is there no love for the Spurs?

Greg, they're essentially a quasi-dynasty. Nobody loves winners that keep winning outside of their home town/state (cf. New England). Eh, what are you gonna do? Haters are always going to hate.

Have to say I was pretty impressed with the way Orlando took care of Toronto yesterday, in terms of both the series as a whole and especially the end of game 5. Just great ball control in the waning minutes of the fourth period.

And I think some props are due to Atlanta as well, for putting up a legitimate fight against Boston.

[Hanacker]

Why is there no love for the Spurs? They pull of (another) win against a hard team, and the other guys gave it away.

The Spurs were the better team and their defense probably had a lot to do with it, but do you disagree that with their season on the line, that was an incredibly inept display by the suns in the last 3 minutes? Or that the Suns choked in Game 1?

And yeah, nobody outside San Antonio wants the Spurs to win again. Although I would definitely take them over Boston.

[Funkman]

Have to say I was pretty impressed with the way Orlando took care of Toronto yesterday, in terms of both the series as a whole and especially the end of game 5. Just great ball control in the waning minutes of the fourth period.


Dammit.. they played a good game, but fuck those guys. I am bitter.

Ah well, D'Antoni is getting fired today and I will bet money that Mitchell gets fired and then Colangelo reunites with D'Antoni in Toronto. Then we can have the all-Italian front office with the Italian #1 pick! Come on.. who else is excited about this?

[Lorini]

Why is there no love for the Spurs?

I thought we already went over this. Your team is boring as hell:) So you think getting past New Orleans is a given huh? Why? CP3 is just going to roll over in the face of all that dull greatness? :) :)

Don't forget about Houston! Great win there, although I don't have NBA TV and didn't see it. And they've now won twice at Utah, so you can't count them out just yet.

[Banzai]

Go Spurs Go.

[Greg Williams]

I don't think N.O will beat the Spurs this year mainly due to playoff experience. Next year though...nasty nasty team for sure!

Also have to give huge props/cred to Altanta for keeping pace with Boston, did anyone call that happening?

Don't think the Suns are going to fire anyon. D'Antoni has been there 5 years (iirc), and has taken them to the playoffs 4 of those years. Just bad timing for them sadly: Lakers, old Mavs, Spurs and Suns coming into their own at the same time.

And lastly to Bill. Quasi-dynasty? The only other team in recent history in the NBA that has anywhere near the same amount of rings as the Spurs would be the Lakers. And in the last 9 years they Sours) have won 4, and made it to the western finals 2 or 3 (I forget) of the the other years. Name another team in ANY sport that can stand up to the Spurs playoff record over the past decade (Lakers included Lorini...I don't support em but you gotta respect em).

All in all, Go Spurs Go...wish we had a better battlecry.

[Bill Dungsroman]

I don't think N.O will beat the Spurs this year mainly due to playoff experience. Next year though...nasty nasty team for sure!

Also have to give huge props/cred to Altanta for keeping pace with Boston, did anyone call that happening?

Don't think the Suns are going to fire anyon. D'Antoni has been there 5 years (iirc), and has taken them to the playoffs 4 of those years. Just bad timing for them sadly: Lakers, old Mavs, Spurs and Suns coming into their own at the same time.

And lastly to Bill. Quasi-dynasty? The only other team in recent history in the NBA that has anywhere near the same amount of rings as the Spurs would be the Lakers. And in the last 9 years they Sours) have won 4, and made it to the western finals 2 or 3 (I forget) of the the other years. Name another team in ANY sport that can stand up to the Spurs playoff record over the past decade (Lakers included Lorini...I don't support em but you gotta respect em).

All in all, Go Spurs Go...wish we had a better battlecry.

Dude, I'm not arguing. It's just that nobody is using the D-word in regards to them. I happen to think they qualify.

[rjcc]

I don't think N.O will beat the Spurs this year mainly due to playoff experience. Next year though...nasty nasty team for sure!

Also have to give huge props/cred to Altanta for keeping pace with Boston, did anyone call that happening?

Don't think the Suns are going to fire anyon. D'Antoni has been there 5 years (iirc), and has taken them to the playoffs 4 of those years. Just bad timing for them sadly: Lakers, old Mavs, Spurs and Suns coming into their own at the same time.

And lastly to Bill. Quasi-dynasty? The only other team in recent history in the NBA that has anywhere near the same amount of rings as the Spurs would be the Lakers. And in the last 9 years they Sours) have won 4, and made it to the western finals 2 or 3 (I forget) of the the other years. Name another team in ANY sport that can stand up to the Spurs playoff record over the past decade (Lakers included Lorini...I don't support em but you gotta respect em).

All in all, Go Spurs Go...wish we had a better battlecry.

eh, no repeat championships. comparing other sports isn't a valid argument because winning a one game elimination tourney like the patriots or gators is a totally different animal. going to the championship/conf championship but not winning doesn't count for anything.

[Funkman]

Don't think the Suns are going to fire anyone. D'Antoni has been there 5 years (iirc), and has taken them to the playoffs 4 of those years.

Whoops.. he was fired today. Now get in their Raptors and get this guy as your coach!

EDIT: Heh. Ok, SI is reporting that D'Antoni has been fired but now Kerr has come out and denied the report on NBA.com. So I guess it's still up in the air, but I would bet against him coming back next year.

[BlueJackalope]

Assuming you mean the rule where a player gets suspended if he comes off the bench, they can't get rid of that rule. Years BEFORE the infamous Auburn Hills incident, the Knicks and the Pacers got into it, and both benches emptied and they started fighting. Unlike football or hockey, the players are completely unprotected and fist fights could actually lead to someone getting really hurt. I don't have a problem with the rule myself. Just enforce it fairly.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/danpatrick/streamingaudio/

Check out the first hour - Patrick plays an interview with Stern from a year ago where he defends suspending Diaw and Amare.

Also, Stern is an ass.

[dwinn]

Go Spurs Go.

By the way, what's the deal with the whiny announcer voice in San Antonio? He makes me want to shoot out my TV after about 15 minutes.

(In fairness, my team has Mason do the intros, which is probably looked at by the rest of the world in the same way.)

[Greg Williams]

Its San Antonio...all the manly cowboys are out being cowboys. That guy is the best they could find.

Have to agree with rjcc that the lack of repeat championships is a dark stain on their run; just adds to my crazy support of them. But not sure why you can't cross compare. Football (and soccer as far as I know) is the only major sport that has single elimination playoffs. Add to that in recent NBA there is no team that has repeated. Last I can recall is the Lakers back in the 90s.

Also would disagree about 2nd not counting. Get a nice little bonus for that, though in the end can't argue that 2nd place is the first loser.

Hope D'Antoni does not get fired, he has done too much with the Suns. Amazed that Cuban fired Avery...how I hate Cuban. I swear he has done more to destroy a good team than anyone I can think of. Hope somebody smart picks him up. Go Hawks!

[Stroker Ace]

Lakers won 3 in a row from 2000-2002, right?

[Kool Moe Dee]

Hope D'Antoni does not get fired, he has done too much with the Suns. Amazed that Cuban fired Avery...how I hate Cuban. I swear he has done more to destroy a good team than anyone I can think of.

You clearly don't remember the Mavericks in the pre-Cuban era.

[Lorini]

Lakers won 3 in a row from 2000-2002, right?

You are correct. Don't know where Chumly got his 90's stuff from :) I seriously doubt the Spurs will repeat this year. If you believe ESPN's Power Rankings for playoff odds, as referenced earlier in this thread, they are less likely to make the finals than the Suns, Hornets, Lakers, and Utah. Well one has bitten the dust, we'll have to see about the rest.

[Bill Dungsroman]

Have to agree with rjcc that the lack of repeat championships is a dark stain on their run; just adds to my crazy support of them.

Don't agree with that shit, man. Hell I'd argue the ability to keep coming back and taking the glory without having to rely on the 2-year span you manage to keep the same roster of players in the increasingly mutable world of professional sports lineups is more worthy of praise than scorn.

My ex-fiance's dad used to be the timekeeper for the Spurs, woot. He used to tell me wacky shit, like when the home team was losing at the end, he and other the guys would rapidly cycle the start-stop trigger for the time clock, so the waning seconds would last longer - a trick that sadly died out when they started using the fractional second clock at the end of games.

[Lorini]

Well it turns out that the actual rule is that a player can't leave the vicinity of the bench if he's not already on the court for play (regarding fights). Which I guess is why the two players didn't get suspended this year. And that rule is actually a good one, so that if a player tries to get involved in a fight, the rest of the team can hold him back and he won't be suspended.

All the NBA has to do is properly call games and the Spurs wouldn't be going anywhere. The NBA cries and moans about the low ratings the Spurs generate, but it's their game and they deserve what they get when they allow the Spurs bullshit (Bowen hugs, Ginobli flops) play.

[rjcc]

Don't agree with that shit, man. Hell I'd argue the ability to keep coming back and taking the glory without having to rely on the 2-year span you manage to keep the same roster of players in the increasingly mutable world of professional sports lineups is more worthy of praise than scorn.

My ex-fiance's dad used to be the timekeeper for the Spurs, woot. He used to tell me wacky shit, like when the home team was losing at the end, he and other the guys would rapidly cycle the start-stop trigger for the time clock, so the waning seconds would last longer - a trick that sadly died out when they started using the fractional second clock at the end of games.

I'll give you that that's more respect for the organization and coaching staff to keep doing things their way over the years, however I think a traditionally defined sports dynasty needs at least one back-to-back, because now you've extended the period where no one else has a championship. having that absolute chokehold means something.

[Hanacker]

Wow, I guess Philly ran out of gas. They were fun while they lasted... I (sadly) predict Boston is going to take care of business tomorrow too.

[Bill Dungsroman]

I'll give you that that's more respect for the organization and coaching staff to keep doing things their way over the years, however I think a traditionally defined sports dynasty needs at least one back-to-back, because now you've extended the period where no one else has a championship. having that absolute chokehold means something.

You know, I have to agree with that, too. I guess that's why a back-to-back with a one year skip to another championship feels more like a dynasty than 3 one on one off wins.

[Lorini]

Wow, I guess Philly ran out of gas. They were fun while they lasted... I (sadly) predict Boston is going to take care of business tomorrow too.

Personally, I think the first round will wrap up entirely tomorrow night. I don't see Houston winning in Utah a third time. And I guess the mood of the Lakers is to hope Houston wins, which is still puzzling to me, but I'm just a fan:)

[Banzai]

You know, I have to agree with that, too. I guess that's why a back-to-back with a one year skip to another championship feels more like a dynasty than 3 one on one off wins.

All of this is true, but a dynasty lasts for a while. I'd say that winning championships in back-to-back years is impressive domination for those two years, but in no way is a dynasty. Ask yourself which team you'd have most feared playing in the post-season over the last 10 years and I think the Spurs are the only team that could possibly be at the top of that list. Nobody else has consistently been at the top of the game like that. In my book, that is a dynasty, much like the Celtics, Lakers, and Bulls in their respective decades.

[Greg Williams]

Lakers too. Nobody wants to play them in the playoffs.

Dirty tricks Lorini? Nothing others teams don't do Lorini, even your Lakers. Everyone has a flopper, everyone has a hard defender. Bowen is no saint by any means, but the man has been one of the top defenders for years. If he was honestly as bad ya claim, he would foul out in the first 5 minutes...refs KNOW to watch him; cause you know, he is a bit dirty. =)

PS: Thought the Laker 3 year run was late 96-98...dunno why. Wasn't as much into the NBA back then.

[Hanacker]

If the Lakers win the championship this year, they'll have as many championships as the Spurs in the last ten years. Yes, they were pretty terrible for the three years after Shaq left, but I'd argue their 2000-2002 teams were more dominant than anything the Spurs have ever put together. I'm not sure you can have a co-dynasty. But if the Spurs win this year, I think you'd have to consider them a dynasty. If the Celtics or someone else wins? I dunno.

[Hanacker]

Hotlanta! I'd say they have no chance to win in Boston, but I also would have given them about a 0% chance to take the series to game 7. Would it be the greatest upset of all time if they could pull it off?

[Lorini]

Lakers too. Nobody wants to play them in the playoffs.

Dirty tricks Lorini? Nothing others teams don't do Lorini, even your Lakers. Everyone has a flopper, everyone has a hard defender. Bowen is no saint by any means, but the man has been one of the top defenders for years. If he was honestly as bad ya claim, he would foul out in the first 5 minutes...refs KNOW to watch him; cause you know, he is a bit dirty. =)

PS: Thought the Laker 3 year run was late 96-98...dunno why. Wasn't as much into the NBA back then.

Too bad the Spurs didn't patent the flop, since they invented it. Bowen should foul out in the first five minutes but the NBA needs its stars with street cred, so there ya' go.

The Celtics could so easily choke the last game, so easy. We'll see how it goes, but I am way unimpressed with Doc River's coaching.

[Diddums]

Rafer Alston leaving the game, to be replaced with the abominable Bobby Jackson, should seal the deal for the Jazz. Houston...well, there, they just put Aaron Brooks in. He's not going to help but maybe I won't kick the TV in.

[Bill Dungsroman]

Someone explain to me how you give a guy the MVP award after giving him better teammates. (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3379397)

[Funkman]

Someone explain to me how you give a guy the MVP award after giving him better teammates. (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3379397)

Wow. Here is a guy who played on a spectacularly much worse team (they started Smush Parker AND Kwame Brown) and put up great numbers and cajoled them to 45 wins and didn't win MVP. But put him with a whole bunch of really good players and he puts up the same numbers and wins 11 more games and he wins the MVP. Amazing.

[Hanacker]

Garnett's put up worse numbers on a much better team than his 02-03 MVP season and he's a top 3 candidate this year too. It's a very arbitrary award (Nash two years in a row? Really?). I can't think of the last time it didn't go to someone on a team with over 50 wins. A lot of the Kobe vote this year is probably reaction to the fact that arguably the best player in the world post-Jordan has never won the MVP.

[Funkman]

Garnett's put up worse numbers on a much better team than his 02-03 MVP season and he's a top 3 candidate this year too. It's a very arbitrary award (Nash two years in a row? Really?). I can't think of the last time it didn't go to someone on a team with over 50 wins. A lot of the Kobe vote this year is probably reaction to the fact that arguably the best player in the world post-Jordan has never won the MVP.

It's funny you mention Garnett again, because I think that since he won it that other year, it hurt his chances to win it again. Also, what is with all the Nash hate? The guy ran a team like no one has done since, I don't know, Magic Johnson and single handedly revitalized offense in the NBA. People thought he was done once he turned 32-33, with his back problems, but was more valuable to his team's success than anyone else in the league, easily. I mean, come on, he went to the third round of the playoffs with a front line of Diaw, Marion and Thomas.. that is amazing.

[Bill Dungsroman]

It's funny you mention Garnett again, because I think that since he won it that other year, it hurt his chances to win it again. Also, what is with all the Nash hate? The guy ran a team like no one has done since, I don't know, Magic Johnson and single handedly revitalized offense in the NBA. People thought he was done once he turned 32-33, with his back problems, but was more valuable to his team's success than anyone else in the league, easily. I mean, come on, he went to the third round of the playoffs with a front line of Diaw, Marion and Thomas.. that is amazing.

Well, the way I look at is, Nash winning it once is groovy. Twice, with the league the way it has been in the past few years (with obvious stars on many teams, clearly recovered from the post-Jordan hangover)? Maybe not so much.

Then again, it seems the NBA is famous for giving back-to-back MVP awards. (http://www.nba.com/history/awards_mvp.html) Look at that, Bob Pettit is the only multiple MVP winner who didn't win at least two of them back-to-back, and there have been only 14 single-time winners in the fifty-one years the award has been handed out (and looking at some of the single-time winners may explain the Nash hate as well: Dr. J, Shaq, Olajuwon, Iverson).

[Hanacker]

Lakers-Hornets should be a fantastic Western Conference Finals :P

(Yes, it was only one game and the Spurs might be tired, but that was a good whooping. Think I'll take Hornets in 7. Spurs aren't going to lose every game by 20.)

And Orlando played well for two quarters and awful for two. If they can get a consistent game going, they can beat Detroit.

[Lorini]

Spurs looked just plain tired tonight. They will need to find some energy at some point, otherwise things might become very interesting. I hope they do, the Hornets played well in the 2nd half (I didn't see the first half).

[Sarkus]

I wouldn't discount the Hornets just yet.

Just saying.

:-)

[Hanacker]

My grandma is adamant that there was a guy named Phil Jackson playing during the Boston-Atlanta game Friday who got big minutes. I told her maybe it was Joe Johnson on Atlanta or Bobby Jackson in the Houston game. She got offended that I doubted her and said she was pretty sure it was either the son of the Lakers coach or someone named after him. I love my grandma.

[Funkman]

So I think the Celtics just beat Atlanta, finally. Did I say beat? I meant destroyed.

What a bizarre series. The home team wins every game, the Celtics struggle like crazy in Atlanta and completely embarass the Hawks in Boston. And Game 7 is a complete laugher with the Hawks scoring 26 points in the first half (26!).

And for their troubles.. they get Lebron.

[Kool Moe Dee]

If nothing else, this has proven that the Celtics aren't nearly as unbeatable as some may have claimed.

[Hanacker]

Yeah, the East with one super great team, one great team, two good teams, and four awful teams had a surprisingly competitive first round. I'm not sure what that means but I definitely wouldn't rule out Orlando or Cleveland at this point.

And could the Lakers please grab a few defensive rebounds? This is embarrasing.

[Tyjenks]

I love Garnett and have since his long, lonely years with the Wolves. Damn it is weird pulling for the Celtics. All those years worshipping Jordan has left me a little flat where the NBA is concerned. That said, I am excited about the Boston/Cleveland match-up and I can't say I have felt that feeling in quite some time.

[wildpokerman]

Someone explain to me how you give a guy the MVP award after giving him better teammates. (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3379397)


It's because the prior years he could have been MVP he was a suspected rapist in years when the NBA was having a horrific time keeping their players out of jail.

[Lorini]

It's because the prior years he could have been MVP he was a suspected rapist in years when the NBA was having a horrific time keeping their players out of jail.

I don't remember that time. I don't remember that any other NBA player was in trouble with the law. I believe the Auburn Hills incident happened while Kobe was on trial, but that's it. Are you sure you aren't thinking of the NFL?

He was the best player on the best team in the best conference, just like Dirk Norwistki was last year. So why shouldn't he get it? And clearly Dirk didn't make the other players around him any better (see early playoff exit 2007).

[Hanacker]

There's a reason Portland's nickname a few years ago was the Jailblazers...

[BlueJackalope]

There's a reason Portland's nickname a few years ago was the Jailblazers...

Shawn Kemp - lots of drugs lots of babies

Rasheed Wallace - smoking dope with Damon Stodamire, threatened referee after a game, lead league in technicals, threw a towel at a teammate (the bewildered Sabonis), refuses to just stay on the goddamn blocks where he is unstoppable and drifts to the 3 point line.

Damon Stodamire - in addition to the busted smoking dope in a humvee with 'Sheed (see above) his house alarm goes off and the cops discover a pound of dope in his house, his father(?) (or some other hanger-on, underling) claims it was his and Damon didn't know about it. He was cleared, later tried to smuggle a oz of dope wrapped in tinfoil! onto a plane. Undersized shoot first guard with a tattoo of his grandma on his arm (that's gotta just kill the mood when he is looking to get sexy)

J.R. "EZ Wider" Rider - busted smoking dope out of a coke can, in his car. He was making about 6 million a year when this happened - buy a pipe and go to your condo.
He also spit on an airport worker when she told him he had missed his flight.
Habitually late to meetings and shoot arounds. Talented, ill tempered stoner who eventually assholed his way out of the league.

Gary Trent - smacked a dude with a pool cue in a bar fight.

Darius Miles - called Marice Cheeks the n-word in a meeting, made off with 80 million dollars of Paul Allen's money.

Zach Randolph - once hit (can't remember his name right now, raped his baby-sitter when he was playing in Seattle) in the eye while his teammates held him. A hooker called the cops on him when he refused payment. 1/2 oz of dope in the door of his SUV, claimed by a member of his entourage (they were shooting paint guns, or racing or some shit when they got pulled over) Complete black hole on offense, plays no defense.

Help me out here folks....I know there are more

[Kool Moe Dee]

Zach Randolph - once hit (can't remember his name right now, raped his baby-sitter when he was playing in Seattle) in the eye while his teammates held him.

The teammate in question was Ruben Patterson, self proclaimed "Kobe Stopper."

[BlueJackalope]

The teammate in question was Ruben
Patterson, self proclaimed "Kobe Stopper."

Ah yes, thank you. He did play Kobe pretty tough.

[Funkman]

Ah yes, thank you. He did play Kobe pretty tough.

No he didn't and I got so angry when he said that because I knew that meant Kobe was going to make a point of embarassing him. I think that year the Blazers got swept out of the first round and I was really sad.

Really, the franchise went completely down hill after that disasterous game 7 collapse in 2000 that set off the Lakers dynasty and eventually caused Pippen to retire (he did everything he could).

Now, of course, is there a team with a more positive future right now than the Blazers? They've got a huge amount of cap space, the number 1 pick, the reigning rookie of the year, and a solid cast of young players. I mean, that is amazing.

[BlueJackalope]

As time has proved, nobody is a "Kobe Stopper". He played him alright, he at least made him work for his shot.

They were swept by the "Shaq Lakers" Not the Kobe Lakers.

Pippen, Sabonis, Schremp, ...there were a lot of good players who's careers were ended (more or less) in that collapse.

EDIT: Oh yeah, the Blazers are in a very nice place right now.

[Lorini]

I don't think N.O will beat the Spurs this year mainly due to playoff experience.

Hmm, it looks to me like the Spurs have had too much playoff experience (old) and the Hornets are young and fresh and energized. Where the hell does the Spurs offense go in the third quarter? Although both games the Hornets have scored over 100 points, way more than the Spurs normally gave up during the season.

We'll see what happens in the third game, but the Spurs better find their offense in the second half next time, otherwise it's bye-bye and no repeat this time. Pop seems awfully angry and Parker seems to have lost his vision to the lane. See that's the thing when you are a one-trick pony. Once they cut the lane off, Parker becomes just an average NBA player.

[Sarkus]

Now, of course, is there a team with a more positive future right now than the Blazers? They've got a huge amount of cap space, the number 1 pick, the reigning rookie of the year, and a solid cast of young players. I mean, that is amazing.

I'm a bit worried about Brandon Roy's health issues, but otherwise they are in a great position. I'm kind of hoping they get a max pick this year as well.

[Tyjenks]

Shawn Kemp - lots of drugs lots of babies

Man I loved Kemp, though. I can't believe they blew their chance when he was there.

[BlueJackalope]

Man I loved Kemp, though. I can't believe they blew their chance when he was there.

I was the worlds biggest Kemp fan. I loved him in Seattle but I had no idea how much damage he was doing to himself in Cleveland. (btw - it was Jim Fucking McIlvene's 33 million dollar contract that pissed Kemp off so much that he left Seattle - nice move Whitsett) He got fat (claimed he had to be bigger to play center) and got himself a drinking/drug problem.

But, he torched the Blazers in a couple of games and Whitsett, now GM for the Blazers, took on his huge contract and brought him to Portland.

He was out of shape, physically, and a mess vis a vis the drugs. There were stories of him doing coke in the locker room before games ect. Eventually he walked away from 12-18 million dollars to avoid triggering a clause in his contract that voided it if he got busted with drugs 3X.

It was tragic, you only have to do a little YouTube search to see how amazing his game was (and what the NBA looked like there were no taunting rules) when he was healthy. I see flashes of him in Howard or Stodamire, but nobody makes you hold your breath everytime he gets the ball like (young) Kemp did.

[Jakub]

LeBron is a video game character. It's like if God decided to play NBA 2K8 and create a super player to fool around with.

He leads the Cavs in all three major categories this post-season: points, boards, and assists.

How can you be that big, that strong, that fast, and that skilled? It's just not human.