NBA Play-offs

[CodeSlinger]

Anyone else following the play-offs? I'm watching the Lakers-Nuggets game right now. Lakers had a huge lead when I first tuned in, but the Nuggets have been steadily chipping away at it. A lot of star power in this game: Kobe, Gasol, Iverson, Carmelo. It's quite the show, even though I don't think the Nuggets will be able to overcome their deficit.

[Tinaa]

Go Spurs Go! As a Spurs fan you know I hate the Lakers. I really like Dallas if the Spurs lose...but only if the Spurs lose!

[Kaptain K]

What she said!

[CodeSlinger]

Well, I'm afraid I share only 1/3rd of your sentiments. I also dislike the Lakers, but I'm actually rooting for Phoenix and New Orleans to beat San Antonio and Dallas, as I'm a big fan of Steve Nash and Chris Paul. Apparently I have a thing for point guards :)

[Spock Jenkins]

What? The playoffs started already? When did that happen?

The Pistons

[Trebuchet]

I live in the Seattle area. What's an NBA?

[Lord Jubjub]

Saturday was the first game of the playoffs and the Rockets did not do well. Yao Ming is being missed.

[hockeyref88]

NBA is soft.......................NHL hockey is the best!!!!:lol:

[Kaptain K]

Yeah, and one more mid-season strike and it'll be the best exsport!

[hockeyref88]

Yeah, and one more mid-season strike and it'll be the best exsport!

Nobody watches it now except true hockey fans which are few and far between. They could strike 10 more times..............we always come back!!!:lol: Now as for those overpaid millionaires who for the most part can't hit an open jump shot 3 out of 10 times, well whatever floats your boat.

[Spock Jenkins]

Nobody watches it now except true hockey fans which are few and far between. They could strike 10 more times..............we always come back!!!:lol: Now as for those overpaid millionaires who for the most part can't hit an open jump shot 3 out of 10 times, well whatever floats your boat.

But they can generate revenue, unlike those overpaid millionaires who occasionally brake out in a game of hockey between fights.

[hockeyref88]

Yeah the <...> that can't shoot <...> can generate revenue. Thats a great reason to watch. Hockey still the best......Fights and all...:lol:

[CodeSlinger]

Apologies in advance to any Wizards fans...

I greatly enjoyed waking up this morning and seeing that King James and company won against the Wizards again. Actually, "won" isn't strong enough; flat out dominated. 30 point score differential, with LeBron putting up 30 points, 12 assists, and 9 rebounds (plus 2 blocks and a steal for good measure). So much for Gilbert "we want the Cavaliers" Arenas and DeShawn "LeBron is overrated" Stephenson. I love it when trash-talking bullies (I'm referring here to Brendan Haywood's foul on LeBron last night) get their just desserts.

Also, just saw that Hornets beat the Mavs again, and quite convincingly too. Go CP3!

[Maksutov]

Boston's doing pretty well against Atlanta, up 50-36 late in the second quarter. UConn alum Ray Allen (you folks in Seattle remember him, right?) is close to double figures in scoring along with Paul Pierce. Go Celts!

[hockeyref88]

Boston's doing pretty well against Atlanta, up 50-36 late in the second quarter. UConn alum Ray Allen (you folks in Seattle remember him, right?) is close to double figures in scoring along with Paul Pierce. Go Celts!


ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.............Boring!! !

[CodeSlinger]

hockeyref88,

We all get that you don't like basketball. Time to live and let live. Enjoy hockey, and post in threads about that and anything else that you don't find boring, but in the meantime, enough.

[hockeyref88]

Wow . Excuse me. Pretty sensitive there. No prob. Don't want to ruffle any feathers. Although I was watching the game and that was my observation...............I just thought it was a snooze fest of a game. Now the laker game is a bit more interesting, at least in the early going. But because I like hockey better I probably shouldn't give my opinion. Sorry

[CodeSlinger]

My apologies. I incorrectly assumed that you were just making a disparaging remark about the play-offs in general. How's the Lakers game going? (I don't get ESPN or even TNT on my basic TV service, can only watch the games when I head over to someone else's place)

[hockeyref88]

No prob bro. Last I looked it was 40-36 lakes. been close the hole game.

cheers Rick

[Spock Jenkins]

One team that "can't shoot .... (hockeyref88 - just as an FYI - baut frowns on hiding swear words through spelling changes as well. Not a big deal, just for future reference. I'm not a moderator but I have seen such things dealt with in the past.)" shot 55% from the field last night and seem to have realized the playoffs started.

Go Pistons!

[hockeyref88]

One team that "can't shoot .... (hockeyref88 - just as an FYI - baut frowns on hiding swear words through spelling changes as well. Not a big deal, just for future reference. I'm not a moderator but I have seen such things dealt with in the past.)" shot 55% from the field last night and seem to have realized the playoffs started.

Go Pistons!

Touche'

Thanks for the heads up on the ...............well you know. cheers

[Spock Jenkins]

YAWN!!!!!!

"Uh - what? :confused: It's still the first round and we're still playing Philly? Okay, we'll play hard for the next 24 minutes. Will the series be over then, or do we have to play more games? Can somebody just wake us up for the finals and give us a free pass during these early rounds?" - The Pistons (again)

[Tinaa]

Poor Dallas. I really like Avery. Too bad Mark Cuban can't let a coach coach.

ETA: And why in the world did they trade to get Kidd back?

[AGN Fuel]

Can someone explain how Celt-Hawks are locked at 2-2???

Can someone explain why the only points Marcus Camby scored in 2 games on his home floor were a 3-pointer from the corner???

Can someone explain why Detroit don't seem to have realised that the Sixers can actually play, Iguodala notwithstanding???

And can someone, anyone, explain why the Suns are perennially incapable of knocking over the Spurs?????? :eh:

[Kaptain K]

Unlike most of the NBA, the Spurs play as a team, not five "gimme the ball" individuals!

[Spock Jenkins]

Can someone explain how Celt-Hawks are locked at 2-2???

Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen are perennial play-off chokers. Collectively – they are like a giant black hole of play-off choke. If not this round, it will happen eventually. The only thing that might be able to offset this is Flip Saunders ability to choke in the play-offs.

Can someone explain why the only points Marcus Camby scored in 2 games on his home floor were a 3-pointer from the corner???

Enver Thuggets stink. The spelling is intentional. There is no “D” in Enver. But there are also two other black holes on this team that absorb all the offense. Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony are primarily why Camby can’t get involved in the offense.

Can someone explain why Detroit doesn’t seem to have realised that the Sixers can actually play, Iguodala notwithstanding???

It took the Sixers themselves until after the all-star break to figure out that they could play. Can’t blame the Pistons for taking four games. They’re not your typical seventh seed. They have among the best records in the league after the break beating Detroit twice in the regular season, Phoenix once, among others.

And can someone, anyone, explain why the Suns are perennially incapable of knocking over the Spurs?????? :eh:

The Spurs are really good. Shaq is a shadow of his former self. The Suns play no defense. Dantonio is a very bad playoff coach. Pop is an outstanding playoff coach.

[Chuck]

Well, The Suns just had the ugliest endgame that I've ever seen.

[Graybeard6]

The Orlando Magic have advanced past the first round for the first time in 12 years, and are being studiously ignored by ESPN. I don't know how far they'll go, but they've already done enough for a successful season.

[AGN Fuel]

Wow, what did Houston just do to Utah? Anyone see that game?

[AGN Fuel]

The Orlando Magic have advanced past the first round for the first time in 12 years, and are being studiously ignored by ESPN. I don't know how far they'll go, but they've already done enough for a successful season.

Actually, I like the odds of The Magic reaching the conference finals - I'm not sure that either the Pistons or the Sixers can slow down the flow of possession Howard delivers off the boards, and Turkoglu and Lewis are clicking.

If they make the finals, even ESPN will have to show them! :)

[Spock Jenkins]

Actually, I like the odds of The Magic reaching the conference finals - I'm not sure that either the Pistons or the Sixers can slow down the flow of possession Howard delivers off the boards, and Turkoglu and Lewis are clicking.

If they make the finals, even ESPN will have to show them! :)

No way do the Magic beat Detroit in a seven game series. Match ups like Howard actually wake Sheed up. It's the unknowns that he doesn't take seriously that give him trouble. Howard will get his, but he'll have to work. Sheed will also pull him away from the basket with the three ball.

The biggest problem the Magic have with Detroit is at point where Billups is too big and strong for Nelson or Arroyo. He abuses them in the post and they can't shoot over him.

Philly gave Detroit an early run because they have size at the point and length and athleticism at every position. That, and Detroit didn't realize the playoffs started yet. Philly's done now. Detroit didn't show up in game three, they quit after three quarters in game one, and took the first half off in game four. Other then that, they've thoroughly dominated Philly.

[AGN Fuel]

No way do the Magic beat Detroit in a seven game series. Match ups like Howard actually wake Sheed up. It's the unknowns that he doesn't take seriously that give him trouble. Howard will get his, but he'll have to work. Sheed will also pull him away from the basket with the three ball...

I agree that Detroit has a significant advantage at the point. But to me Howard seems to have more purpose in his game and I think he will dominate Wallace. I have also been impressed with the way Turkoglu and Lewis have been playing - I know they won't have it so easy against Prince & Hamilton, but I still see that as an even match up. It may come down to the benches - Magic's is shorter, but may have more impact. The series may well go to a Game 7.

(Of course, that assumes that the Pistons will get the job done against Philly...they're not there yet! ;) )

[Spock Jenkins]

I agree that Detroit has a significant advantage at the point. But to me Howard seems to have more purpose in his game and I think he will dominate Wallace. I have also been impressed with the way Turkoglu and Lewis have been playing - I know they won't have it so easy against Prince & Hamilton, but I still see that as an even match up. It may come down to the benches - Magic's is shorter, but may have more impact. The series may well go to a Game 7.

(Of course, that assumes that the Pistons will get the job done against Philly...they're not there yet! ;) )

Oh, Philly's done alright.

Wallace understands defensive positioning far better than Bosh or Rasho. Keep Howard more than five feet away from the basket and you've limited his offensive production (because he has no range) and you've greatly reduced his rebounding impact. Wallace and McDyess both shoot quite well outside of 15 feet to pull Howard away from the basket on defense. Detroit also has Ratliff, Maxiell, and Amir Johnson just waiting with 18 fouls to test Howards Shaq-like freethrow ability. The key here is limiting Howard. Clearly he can't be stopped. You only hope to contain him and get the rest of the team focused on trying to get him going which will take them out of their offense. If he is limited to 20 and 10 - I'll consider that a job well done as long as he's got to work for it.

I give Turkoglu and Lewis the edge in being able to shoot over Hamilton - but neither will be able to chase him around screens for an entire game on defense. Prince has the length to give either of them trouble on their shooting.

All that said - I'm glad you're a fan. It'll be fun to get some activity in this thread next round. I'm a fan of the Magic as an organization and like some of their players - they just aren't there yet. By the way - thanks for Ben Wallace and Chucky Atkins. Both those guys were a big part of the turn around in Detroit. To think we could've been paying millions to a guy spending the last five years nursing injuries. Can't imagine what that's like. :lol:

[Spock Jenkins]

I'm an NBA analytical genius. Now if the Pistons can just stay awake for the rest of the series, they'll be all set. I hate winning by 19 in the first game, that's the kind of win that causes Detroit to lose focus.

[AGN Fuel]

I don't read too much into that win, other than it confirmed the significant advantage Detroit have with Billups. I was most surprised by how ineffective the Magic's bench was - they need to contribute more.

Today will be a better test.

[AGN Fuel]

Again the bench for the Magic was completely ineffective. Combined to shoot 1-7 from the floor (2-4 from the line) for 4 points, 4 boards and a dime.

Mind you, it helps when you are allowed to run a 6-second play when there's only 5.1 seconds on the clock... :whistle:

[Spock Jenkins]

Again the bench for the Magic was completely ineffective. Combined to shoot 1-7 from the floor (2-4 from the line) for 4 points, 4 boards and a dime.

Mind you, it helps when you are allowed to run a 6-second play when there's only 5.1 seconds on the clock... :whistle:

Refs were in a no win on that one. The clock keeper was from Minnesota so it wasn't home cooking. If the clock was rolling, Stuckey looks up and shoots rather than making the extra pass so you can't know what the outcome would be. It would have been just as unfair to not count the basket as it was to count it. That was a heck of a shot no matter how much time is left and you can't just re-run it and expect to make it again. I'm just glad they won by more than three points to at least limit the controversy.

Howard had a heck of a game as did the three point shooters. Detroit was fortunate to survive. I only hope they close out on the shooters better in Orlando.

Orlando can beat Detroit - I just don't think they can do it four out of five times.

[AGN Fuel]

Refs were in a no win on that one. The clock keeper was from Minnesota so it wasn't home cooking.

:) Yeah, I know - I was just teasing. The result of the game certainly did not hinge on that single play. In particular, I have been surprised at how ineffective the Magic bench has been.

Orlando can beat Detroit - I just don't think they can do it four out of five times.

I agree that a 0-2 obstacle is probably impossible to overcome. Magic needed to steal one of the opening two games in Detroit. By failing to do so, they're in too big a hole now to get out.

[Spock Jenkins]

No Billups? No problem.

Up three games to one heading back to the 'D'. The question is do they sit Billups for game five and see if they can close it out, or do they play him and risk further injury?

Nelson seems to think it's going six games regardless, so Detroit might as well rest him.

[AGN Fuel]

No Billups? No problem.

Up three games to one heading back to the 'D'. The question is do they sit Billups for game five and see if they can close it out, or do they play him and risk further injury?

Nelson seems to think it's going six games regardless, so Detroit might as well rest him.

Rest him. The Pistons have this series locked up, needing only one more win and with two games left at home. I think the C's and the Cavs will be locked at 2-2 going back to Boston, so that series will go for at least two more games, allowing Billups time to completely get over his hamstring strain.

Detroit will need him fit against Boston or the Cavs, more than they need him to close out against Magic.

Oh, and kudos to the Spurs. I thought that New Orleans would steal one in San Antonio, but the Spurs showed they really are a tough, quality squad.

[Maksutov]

Geez, Celts, what's going on? Where's that 31-10 road warrior spirit?

[mike alexander]

They're just teasing you.

[Maksutov]

Yeah, I know, holy Moses, it's just Cleaveland after all...

[Spock Jenkins]

Geez, Celts, what's going on? Where's that 31-10 road warrior spirit?

It's the power of the playoff choke^3. What to you get when you take three superstars that could never get it done in their entire careers and put them all on the same team? Combine that with Doc Rivers, and it's like a choke black hole! Doc Rivers was coaching Orlando when they had a three games to one lead on Detroit in the first round in 2003 and they choked that series away. You might recall Tracy McGrady saying, "It's nice to finally be in the second round." Doc also never had much in the way of playoff success in Atlanta running the point when he was teamed up with Dominic Wilkins.

[AGN Fuel]

Congratulations, Spock Jenkins - another conference final! :clap:

This mini-dynasty of yours takes me back to the Thomas/Dumas/Laimbeer days. That really was some team back then.

[Maksutov]

At the end Rip waved his wand and the Magic was gone!

WTG, Pistons!

[Spock Jenkins]

Deeeee-Troit Basket-baalllllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And we did it with one all-star point guard tied behind our back just to make it fair!

Speaking of Thomas. Rip Hamilton passed Thomas and is now the Pistons all time franchise leader in playoff points scored. Who would have thought?

Hopefully they can play with the same energy and passion in the conference finals that they did three years ago. At least they'll have a chip on their shoulder this time. Revenge against Cleveland or matched against the team with the better regular season record. Either way, it's the kind of motivation this crew needs.

Oh, and Stan VanGundy needs to quit trying to coach the refs in the media after the games. It just comes off kind of sad.

[Spock Jenkins]

And the lead goes to Boston. Crazy how only one team has one road win in the entire second round.

[Maksutov]

And the series. Way to hang in there, Celts! Now for the Pistons.

And another Cleveland team goes home without a championship.

[Spock Jenkins]

Hopefully Detroit can come out motivated and firing. They've got among the worst records in the league with more than two days rest. Not that there is much of a sample size.

They went down two games to one to Philly after taking the last three weeks of the season off. They were hammered by Orlando after the all-star break. I'm sure there are more examples, but I do know they are a rhythm team. If Detroit takes one in Boston, game two will be the game. Boston has played pretty much every other day since the playoffs started without a break. It will show this series.

[AGN Fuel]

Wow - you gotta hand it to the Spurs. They know how to win. They'll need to pick it up a notch or three more to take out the Lakers though.

I thought Pargo was going to drill that open three from the corner, tie the scores and the Hornets would run away with it. Instead, the shot rims out, Parker scores at the other end, and instead of a tie score, you suddenly trail by 5 with 50s on the clock. She's an unforgiving game.

[Maksutov]

Tinaa must be celebrating right now, at least until the next game.

[Kaptain K]

Tinaa must be celebrating right now, at least until the next game.

She is not the only one! Go Spurs! :clap:

[Spock Jenkins]

Rest vs. Rust. Rust wins out. Hopefully Boston comes off their series win rush and shows more fatigue tomorrow. Hopefully Detroit looks to regain some rhythm.

[Maksutov]

Yo Spurs, you had a 20 point lead in the 3rd quarter. What happened?

[Tinaa]

Same thing that always happens.

[Spock Jenkins]

They had a perfect opportunity too. The Lakers looked like they were struggling with the same rust the Pistons had.

20 point lead, start burning clock and chucking long jumpers to get out with the win. Jumpers don't fall. Lead evaporates and the team can't find the rhythm they had that got them the 20 point lead.

[Spock Jenkins]

82 Games to earn home court advantage throughout the playoffs. Just one game to lose it.

Go Pistons!

[Maksutov]

That wasn't much of a game. Looks like the Spurs will be glad to stroll back to San Antone.

[Spock Jenkins]

D'Oh! And one more game to give it back! All knotted up a two heading back to Boston. I do love it when Maxiell makes the hard blocks on Garnett! Get that stuff outta here!

Best of three now.

[Tinaa]

Well I'm crying this morning. Hate when a game ends with a controversial call.

[orionjim]

Well I'm crying this morning. Hate when a game ends with a controversial call.

The ref closest to the play was none other than Joey Crawford. If you watched the playoffs last year you will remember he was the ref that gave Tim Duncan two technical’s and ejected him from the game for laughing. Here’s a YouTube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGeNWwBN5bQ

Crawford was reprimanded and suspended a game for his actions. His actions last year really didn’t affect the outcome of the series, but the lack of a call last night most certainly will cause the Spurs to miss the finals this year. Coming back from a 3-1 deficit is hard to do.

Like Spock Jenkins I’m a Pistons fan and Piston fans know Joey Crawford well. When he is one of the refs for a game you know there will be some bad calls.

Last night’s non-call was as bad as it gets.

Jim

[Spock Jenkins]

The Pistons nemesis is Dan Crawford. Larry Brown a few years ago indicated that our record in the playoffs was extremely bad with three specific refs and amazingly good with all others. It really was an obvious difference in the way they called the game. But Joey is the Spurs nemesis.

Regarding the call last night, the Spurs aren't being too vocal about it because Fisher's previous shot grazed the rim. The Lakers rebounded, but the Spurs got possession because a shot clock violation was called when none should have been. The Spurs are also grateful that Kobe didn't shoot one free throw all night. They have a legit complaint about the last call, but they wouldn't have had an attempt if the right call had been made at the other end.

I give the Spurs a lot of credit for their composure. The difference between a team that's been there before and one that hasn't. I'm speaking of Orlando's constant whining about one third quarter call in a series they lost four games to one in the last round.

[orionjim]

The Pistons nemesis is Dan Crawford. Larry Brown a few years ago indicated that our record in the playoffs was extremely bad with three specific refs and amazingly good with all others. It really was an obvious difference in the way they called the game. But Joey is the Spurs nemesis.
.
.
.


You’re right about Danny Crawford; I cringe when he’s a ref for one of our games. I do remember Larry Brown’s complaints. But I also cringe when Joey Crawford or Ken Mauer is a ref for a game.

Last night’s Spurs/Lakers game was one of the worst officiated games I’ve seen in a long time. The refs need to be consistent, last night they weren’t! Both sides have legitimate complaints.

You’re right about Orlando complaining. I think you’re talking about the clock not starting when Detroit inbounded the ball and Chauncey hit a three pointer after the end of the 3rd quarter. I think whining is a part of the growth process. Detroit went through a spell of constant whining but they do very little complaining now. Now Boston is a different story. Doc Rivers and the Celtics starters complain about any and every call that goes against them.

Jim

[AGN Fuel]

It's the power of the playoff choke^3. What to you get when you take three superstars that could never get it done in their entire careers and put them all on the same team? Combine that with Doc Rivers, and it's like a choke black hole!

Someone should have warned Sheed it might be infectious.....

Lakers - Celtics match-up. This takes me back to Larry & Magic, who are the guys who made me fall in love with basketball.

Commiserations Spock Jenkins, but I have to admit that this is a match up that I really wanted to see.

[Maksutov]

Commiserations Spock Jenkins, but I have to admit that this is a match up that I really wanted to see.Same here. Should be a fun series with lots of historical references.

[Spock Jenkins]

I don't want to talk about it right now.

*goes back to pouting....

[Maksutov]

Great game 1. Gutsy performance by Paul Pierce. What a pair of 3-pointers! Defense smothered Bryant.

Go Celts!

[Maksutov]

WTG, Celtics! Great way to finish!

Word is the Lakers won't be taking a plane back to LA. Instead they're be riding the shock wave created by the blowout.Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen are perennial play-off chokers. Collectively – they are like a giant black hole of play-off choke. If not this round, it will happen eventually.Nope.

WTG, Celtics!

[sarongsong]

The NBA has gone green! :lol:

[Maksutov]

Good one, sarongsong! :clap:

[sarongsong]

A great last few days of Sports:
Boston
Tiger (and Rocco!) at the U.S. Open (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/golf/pga/2008-06-18-tiger-adjustments_N.htm)
Le Mans (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/06/16/somans116.xml)...

[Spock Jenkins]

Yeah! The Pistons are still the only team to beat Boston on their home court!!! Your 2008 NBA Champion Detroit Pistons!!!!

No? Okay, back to pouting.

Oh, and congrats Boston fans! Way to represent the Eastern Conference.

[Doodler]

A great last few days of Sports:
Boston
Tiger (and Rocco!) at the U.S. Open (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/golf/pga/2008-06-18-tiger-adjustments_N.htm)
Le Mans (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/06/16/somans116.xml)...

That US Open was absolutely unbelievable. Rocco Mediate was at the absolute bottom of the standings list for the year and jumped 111 places as a result of that show. I don't care if he didn't beat Tiger, that's still one heck of a cinderella story.