MacGuyver

I'm a little surprised we don't have a 09 NBA playoffs thread up. So here it is.

I'll start by being a complete and total homer (PS - don't flame me for this because I'm absolutely admitting that I'm about to be a total obnoxious Boston fan, but at least I've come to terms with it, and there is no way my opinion will change.):

So everyone is down on the Celtics because they're not quite the same team as last year, KG is out, lost to the Bulls at home, blah blah blah. Well it's my duty to be up on the Celtics so here I go: The C's are still the defending champs. Never underestimate the swagger of a champion. Everyone thinks that KG is the man in Boston, but I've been here for the bad days when Paul was the only one doing anything, and Paul knows how to lead that team better than anyone else. KG is certainly the catalyst for the defense, but that team belongs to an underrated Paul Pierce. Just because we aren't dominating teams doesn't mean we're not going to win it. Look at last year, we went 7 in every series, cept the finals. I'm not generally worried about the first two rounds. I am, and I think every series has the potential to go to 7 again, but all it takes is that last second shot to win a game. I think we do have what it takes to beat the Cavs and Lakers, it's just going to be MUCH harder than last time. We can certainly defend LBJ and KB but unfortunately for us, the supporting cast around each is much stronger, so that is what will make it difficult. I suppose it depends on who can put in the late season performances that they need, because the regular season means nothing now. I don't care who only lost once at home, or who had the best record where. As KG so eloquently put it: ANYTHING IS POSSSSSSSIBBBBLLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

[/homer]

So anyways as far as the rest of the playoffs are concerned...

I'm a little surprised at Dallas being up on SA. I don't like either of them, but I'd rather SA win. I think the Spurs have a better chance of beating the Lakers, though I'd like to see LA/Boston again. I could watch that shit every year, I eat it up, it'll be like the 80s again.

I want to say that I'm surprised the Hornets are getting trounced but I'm really not. They've disappointed and underperformed all year. Combine that with a #2 Denver that really has something to prove this time around without AI and it's going to get ugly for New Orleans.

I've been pulling for Philly over Orlando, and I'm glad it's happening so far, Stan Van Gundy is a shitty coach, so this is what they get, because they have tons of talent, but it's not going to happen with him at the helm. Also, I love Igoudala and Thad Young.

The Heat will prevail over the Hawks, the Hawks can surprise anyone with their talent but I feel like they're missing a piece to be on the next level. Plus, though most people aren't really getting on the DWade for MVP train, his numbers are undeniable, and retardedly good.

The Pistons are nothing but a shell of their former self. They have been for the past 2 years, now it's just more noticable that Chauncey is gone. Nevermind the fact that they're up against the Cavs. Fucking LeBron. I wish he wasn't so good because I hate it.

I love Utah in the west, but they can't match up with everything that the Lakers have. If Millsap produced consistently like he did midseason, then we'd really have something to talk about but unfortunately its not the case.

Honestly I haven't been watching the Blazers Rockets, but I love the Blazers minus Greg O-verhype-den. I'm just waiting for his next bruise so Pryzbilla can have full playing time again.

So lets hear it from you? Little late for picks, but go for it.

__________________
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.
---Aristotle

Deeds, not words, shall speak [for] me.
---John Fletcher

coyote

If my Blazers could make better decisions down the stretch, I think we would have a serious. I guess it ain't over yet, but it will be a tough uphill climb

laconic1

I'm excited that Denver will most likely be getting out of the first round for the first time since 1994. I don't think they have anything for the Lakers if Denver gets to the conference finals, but at least they have a shot at getting there. And last nights game was just comical. 58 point margin of victory, it looked the the Nuggets were playing a high school jv team.

djtestudo

I really don't have a rooting interest, but there are two things I'm rooting for:

1) A Cavaliers championship, mostly because I think it will make the 2010 off-season slightly more interesting than it would be if they didn't win.

2) For Portland to go as deep as they can, both because I like seeing young teams defying expectations, and because fellow Terp Stevie Blake is the Man.

__________________
"Final thought: I just rented Michael Moore's Bowling for Columbine. Frankly, it was the worst sports movie I've ever seen."
--Peter Schmuck, The (Baltimore) Sun

MacGuyver

Nuggets look fantastic... I guess the NBA is investigating suspensions for Rondo and Dwight for flagrant fouls in their respective games. I didn't see Howard's, but Rondo's wasn't an intentional flagrant. He was going for the ball except Brad Miller is like a whole foot taller than him at least, so the hand ended up hitting him in the mouth instead. Little man can't reach that far I guess.

__________________
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.
---Aristotle

Deeds, not words, shall speak [for] me.
---John Fletcher

snowy

Steve Blake made some great plays last night in the game against Houston. I feel like he's getting some of his confidence back.

I'm really pulling hard for my Blazers to win these last two games in the series. The first game was a real disappointment, as were those two we dropped in Houston--though the officiating was horrendous. I'm proud of Nate McMillan for stepping up, speaking out, and taking the fine. Last night was a sigh of relief, but we'll see what happens when the Blazers head back to Houston. Overall, I'm excited for the future this young team has!

I hated it when the Houston fans chanted "Portland sucks." You think they could get some class.

__________________
If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

powerclown

MacGuyver

HAHA. Fantastic. Now I just need KG on the floor and LeBron to be Sigourney Weaver.

__________________
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.
---Aristotle

Deeds, not words, shall speak [for] me.
---John Fletcher

laconic1

Now the Nuggets are there and I think they might be able to pull it off. If they do it will be a hard fought 6 or 7 game series and each game will go right to the wire, but they might actually make it to the NBA Finals.

QuasiMondo

Another clutch moment in NBA playoff history:

__________________
Cameron originally envisioned the Terminator as a small, unremarkable man, giving it the ability to blend in more easily. As a result, his first choice for the part was Lance Henriksen. O. J. Simpson was on the shortlist but Cameron did not think that such a nice guy could be a ruthless killer.

-From the Collector's Edition DVD of The Terminator

dlish

that was a great shot. whoah!

__________________
An injustice anywhere, is an injustice everywhere

I always sign my facebook comments with ()()===========(}. Does that make me gay?
- Filthy

powerclown

Nothing he does surprises me anymore. It was an unbelievable shot. The phenomenal thing is that he's 24 years old.

Lindy

The NBA is, at this point, truly tiresome...
fifteen hours of daylight
light at 8:30 pm (in Boston)
it's spring, nearly summer
Basketball is a WINTER sport
We should NOT still be playing basketball the last week in May.

Am I the only one that feels this way???

Lindy

dlish

quite frankly..Yes

B'ball is not just a sport...it's a way of life

__________________
An injustice anywhere, is an injustice everywhere

I always sign my facebook comments with ()()===========(}. Does that make me gay?
- Filthy

Cross-Over

George Karl is a terrible coach.

When his team botches the inbound pass down the stretch in game 1, it ultimately is on him (had a small guy in-bounding the ball), but you can shift some blame to the player. To have it happen again in game 2, immediately AFTER a timeout due to their inability to inbound the ball, the blame is entirely on George Karl.

Additionally, in the best case scenario, he should have been substituting J.R. Smith in for offense, but keeping him out on defense. In the last two minutes, he fouls Kobe sending him to the line, and does not even put a hand up when Kobe pulls up from 3 point range. This is the same J.R. Smith the turned the ball over in the final minute in game 2, nearly costing them the game. He is young, inexperienced, has poor shot selection, and a low basketball IQ. Yet, brilliant George Karl has him guarding Kobe when Jones, Carmello, and Billups are all better defenders.

Carmello did not touch the ball at all on the critical possessions in the final two minutes. Partly on Chauncey, but ultimately on Karl. Foul trouble was a non-factor at that point, and he is clearly the team's best player.

Bill Simmons (Sports Guy from ESPN) said it best when saying that the nuggets are the more talented team, playing better now, and should win the series. Yet, it will be mental errors and poor coaching that loses this series for them.

I give credit to the Lakers for fighting tough and being competitive in all 3 games, please don't interpret this as a laker hatred rant. Rather, I fume when dumb coaching mistakes lead to a loss in highly competitive games, as it has in games 1 and 3.

powerclown

When is the last time the *same* guy stole the ball on the *same* play, at the *same* time in the game? I agree that technically, the 2nd time was on Karl, but Kenyon Martin is a 9-year vet and should know better.

Makes you wonder doesn't it...although Smith was guarding Kobe last year when the 2 had words, those 3 guys you mentioned are indeed better Kobe defenders than Smith, especially Jones...who drives Kobe nuts with his hyper-physical defense. Maybe Jones had fouled out I forget. Another thing with Smith: the last month or so, he's been on a roll as an unconscious 3-point shooter. He broke open many, many close games coming off the bench and hitting 3 after 3. Suddenly he's not getting any passes, and going 4-15 for the first time in months. Its like he's a different player, because he was one of - if not THE - hottest shooters in the league up until this series.

I think its a no-brainer that Denver is a deeper, more efficient, more talented team. I just think the appeal of a Kobe-LeBron Final is too good to pass up. It sucks because Denver is a fun team to watch, while Cleveland and LA have one guy getting fouled every other play and doing most of the scoring.

Cross-Over

I should have added this to my original post...Kenyon Martin also has a low basketball IQ (He fouled Kobe away from the basket late in game 1, is foul prone overall, and a hot-head), and I don't think he should have been in-bounding the ball. I realize that this doesn't leave Karl a lot of options (Odom is long), but then he never should have burned the timeout after the lakers hit their second free throw. There was still enough time on the clock, so he did not need to advance the ball. He already had JR Smith in the game, so he did not need to make a substitution for offense. Again, I think George Karl is a terrible coach that would have had another first round exit had Chauncey not been dumped in his lap.


I agree with you, we are inevitably heading to Lakers vs Cavs. Even if Lebron doesn't hit that incredible shot, I think the Cavs with that series (Dallas lost first 2 games at home, and beat the Rockets several years back).

MacGuyver

What a bitch LeBron is. Nobody likes losing, but everyone still shakes hands out of respect, which LeBron obviously has none. Maybe he'll win once he can stop doing the junk and act like a winner. Everyone loves LeBron, and I'm so glad that someone has beat him. Thanking my lucky stars that 'team ball' is winning out over 'superstar shows'. Even if Dwight is a superstar, he's at least a team player. Saw on ESPN that Sunday Conversation with Dwight. He's much more respectful than LeBron, and he could have blasted him for popping out right after the game, but he said he understands even though he was hoping he'd say something. Good guy. Also does a hilarious Van Gundy.

__________________
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.
---Aristotle

Deeds, not words, shall speak [for] me.
---John Fletcher

Xazy

LeBron sticks around every game always, if one game he gets disappointed after the end of a season and leaves, I can understand.

MacGuyver

He sticks around every game because he's winning. Then when he loses he can't handle it. Theres something to be said for being a good sport. I will never excuse anyone for doing that to an opponent that beat you fair and square. Obviously you don't hear about it if JJ Redick skips out, but LeBron is the face of the NBA, sorry buddy, people will notice when you do that. You're not required to do any of these things, but why don't you have some respect and do it.

__________________
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.
---Aristotle

Deeds, not words, shall speak [for] me.
---John Fletcher

powerclown

I don't have a problem with LeBron's behavior...the kid's only 24. I think Jordan was older before he won his first championship...I think LeBron will win multiple rings before the end of his career but I think he needs to get out of Cleveland to do it. Great players don't want to come to The Rust Belt, so year after year LeBron has to make do with a good, but not great supporting cast. Your not winning a title with Anderson Varajao and Zydrunas Ilgauskas as your big men in the middle even if God Himself was a Cavalier. Its not chemistry with the Cavs, so it must be skill set. They simply need better players (better defenders primarily) around LeBron. I hope Rashard Lewis and Turkoglu can continue to play at a high level, but Lakers in 6.

MacGuyver

24 or not, show some sportsmanship. I learned to do the high five lineup in tee ball, little leagues, merchant basketball, pop warner football, whatever it was, you're taught to show some respect before you even hit double digits. He didn't even apologize today when he actually spoke.

Great, except it is being a poor sport, and showing that you really are NOT a winner. I have zero sympathy for him, and his comments only made him seem more pompous, obviously sounding like he has no regret. So he's 24 and being compared to Jordan. I'll bite, lets compare then. Jordan lost to the Pistons over and over again in 88-89 and 89-90, and went over and shook their hands. 90-91 when the Bulls steamrolled Isaiah Thomas and Bill Laimbeer, they walked out without handshaking, and never saw a championship again. Now look at the kind of dude Isaiah Thomas is.

Yes, LeBron has been exceeding expectations. But this one was a big letdown. Not because he lost, because he acted worse than a loser acts. Doing the 'shoulder lean' every time you stuff the ball down, and demanding respect the way he does, it should be a simple thing to shake hands even if you don't mean it. Other teams shook his hand each other 66 times the Cavs won over the regular season, and even the first two series when they swept ATL and Detroit right out of the playoffs.

Enjoy the offseason, don't forget to book your plane tickets to the next Yankees game so you can negotiate your Knicks contract.

__________________
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.
---Aristotle

Deeds, not words, shall speak [for] me.
---John Fletcher