NBA Playoffs

[stevew]

Lebron grabs a triple double in his first career playoff game.

San Antonio Destroys the Kings in game one.

Discuss.

[Neuqua]

Bulls gonna take down Miami tonight! W00T!

[Franklinnoble]

I think the Kings will be more problematic for the Spurs than you give them credit for.

I'm not saying they're gonna win the series... but San Antonio is gonna wish they'd drawn the Lakers instead.

[miami_fan]

Tough win for the Heat. WTF was Haslem thinking? Of all the refs in the NBA, he pulls that shit with Joey Crawford? What a dumb ass reaction. The Heat did not play well in the second half but a win is a win. Now to move on to Game 2.

[miami_fan]

Oh yeah thank you Andreas Nocioni for taking that three pointer with about 15 seconds left instead of holding the ball on the catch and setting up something for Hinrich or Gordon.

[Coffee Warlord]

I can see Miami-Chicago going down to the wire.

Were it not for a few mistakes that were total inexperience down the stretch, Bulls had that game.

edit: And you know, the Bulls are just fun to watch. They play with so much damn energy and passion. A rarity in the Thug Basketball Association.

[ice4277]

I can see Miami-Chicago going down to the wire.

Were it not for a few mistakes that were total inexperience down the stretch, Bulls had that game.

edit: And you know, the Bulls are just fun to watch. They play with so much damn energy and passion. A rarity in the Thug Basketball Association.

I think the Bulls are the only team in the East that could have given one of the top three teams trouble in the first round. I don't think they can win that series, but Miami is not the team they were last year, and could have some trouble.

[stevew]

Oh yeah thank you Andreas Nocioni for taking that three pointer with about 15 seconds left instead of holding the ball on the catch
and setting up something for Hinrich or Gordon.


Yeah, that was a really stupid play.

[stevew]

48-Minute Man? LeBron Might Not See Bench
In the PLAIN DEALER, Jodie Valade writes that "it's quite possible, Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said, that LeBron James could play all 48 minutes of every playoff game that Cleveland appears in during the team's postseason run. That means, of course, Washington will have another full game to try to stop James. In Game 1, the Wizards alternated between double-teams and single coverage, jumping out on James after screens and easing back to give him space for an outside shot. Nothing worked effectively and he's not afraid of whatever the Wizards come up with next."

[Eaglesfan27]

I know the MVP Award shouldn't take into account playoff performances, but after watching Lebron's masterpiece vs Kobe's weak performance in their first playoff games this year, I'm even more convinced Lebron should win it (I think he should based on his regular season stats as well.) I can't wait to watch Lebron's next game, and it has been several years since I've felt that way about any NBA Player not playing for the Sixers.

[miami_fan]

MIAMI -- Miami forward Udonis Haslem will miss Monday's playoff game against the Chicago Bulls, serving a one-game suspension for throwing his mouthpiece toward referee Joey Crawford in the series opener.

Haslem will sit out Game 2 of the Heat's first-round series with the Bulls on Monday night. The NBA announced the sanction after the Heat's morning shootaround practice.

Haslem was unavailable for comment. Heat coach Pat Riley also declined comment after the morning practice, saying he was waiting for the NBA to publicly announce its decision.

"He's really down," said Jason Levien, Haslem's agent. "I think he really feels like he let the team down. He's disappointed in the league's call, but he's accepting of it. ... He'll be on pins and needles tonight, because if the Heat don't win he'll take that very personally."

Levien said Haslem learned of the decision around the time that Miami's morning practice ended.

Haslem was ejected with 4:11 left in the opening half of the Heat's 111-106 win in Game 1 on Saturday night. He wound up on the floor after jostling with three Bulls for an offensive rebound, and -- apparently incensed over no foul being called -- reached for his mouthpiece and threw it in Crawford's direction.

Crawford immediately signaled Haslem's ejection. Haslem apologized after the game, yet insisted that he was throwing the piece of plastic at the ground -- not with the intent of hitting Crawford.

While there now is clarity over Haslem's status, that of another Miami big man -- Alonzo Mourning -- remains unknown.

Mourning has missed Miami's last 15 games since tearing a calf muscle in an 82-73 loss at Detroit on March 22. He has been rehabilitating and said last week that the muscle was healed, but his strength and conditioning level weren't were they needed to be for him to return.

Mourning's status will be decided at game time, Riley said.


SAN ANTONIO -- Ron Artest's reputation might have caught up to him at a terrible time for the Sacramento Kings.

The NBA suspended Artest on Monday for Game 2 of the Kings' first-round playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs.

Stu Jackson, the league's top disciplinarian, said Artest's elbow to Manu Ginobili's head in the series opener was egregious enough to warrant another suspension for the man who missed 73 games and the playoffs last season after one of the most infamous brawls in sports history.

But after their difficult playoff task got exponentially harder, the Kings suggested Artest was punished simply for being Ron Artest, possibly the most notorious player of his generation.

"You know with Ron's questionable past, they're going to look for a way to get him," said Bonzi Wells, who will get many of Artest's defensive assignments. "Whether it's minor or major, they're going to look at it in a different way."

The one-game suspension caught both Artest's teammates and the Spurs completely by surprise, because neither club thought the personal foul was even worthy of postgame comment, much less a suspension nearly 48 hours after the fact.

Artest was at the AT&T Center for practice Monday, but the focal point of Sacramento's midseason turnaround won't be in uniform Tuesday night when the Kings play Game 2 against the defending league champions.

"I talked to Stu Jackson, which was encouraging," Artest said in a brief, apologetic statement after his usual post-practice shooting workout. "There have been a lot of things that have happened in my career which [were] unfair. I support my teammates, and hopefully they'll win the game, and I'll be back Friday [for Game 3]."

The league cited Artest for his foul on Ginobili in the third quarter of the Spurs' 122-88 victory. Ginobili caught Artest's elbow in his jaw while attempting to run through the lane, and the Argentine star fell to the ground as Artest got a personal foul.

Though Spurs coach Gregg Popovich jumped off the bench to argue for a flagrant foul, Ginobili got right back up, and the game continued. Afterward, Ginobili said he wasn't injured on the play and didn't consider it particularly serious, while Popovich said he had no problem with Artest's aggressive style of play.

"I didn't even see the play, but it couldn't have been that bad," said Mike Bibby, who declared himself "amazed" by the league's decision.

"There was no flagrant foul or technical foul on the play. They look at things differently for certain people, you could say."

Popovich said the Spurs didn't even contact the NBA about the play, something many teams -- including the Kings -- will do for any questionable play, particularly in the playoffs.

Ginobili was shocked when he heard about the suspension after practice at the Spurs' suburban training complex.

"For us it's good, because he's a great player, but we don't have much to do with it," Ginobili said. "It didn't hurt me. I said it after the game. But the league [watches] everything we do."

Artest was injured on the game's opening possession when Ginobili inadvertently elbowed him hard in the face while driving to the hoop. Artest's feet flew out from under him, and he stayed down for several moments before jogging around the court in pain from a cut that required three stitches to close.

Ginobili alluded to the Kings' theory that Artest was being punished partly for his history of misbehavior and hard-nosed play, which also included aggressive shots to Tim Duncan and Tony Parker in Game 1.

Popovich wouldn't speculate on such ideas, instead finding a way to worry about how the absence of the Kings' emotional leader and defensive star actually could hurt the Spurs.

"Sometimes it can be your worst nightmare when a good player is out on another team, because everybody else can pick up their games," Popovich said. "We're not going to change a whole lot. I'm more concerned about the mental part of the deal for us."

Artest mostly guarded Ginobili in Game 1 and scored 16 points on 7-of-21 shooting. The Spurs routed Sacramento with a 41-point second quarter, taking a quick 30-point lead and turning the entire second half into garbage time.

Kevin Martin will move into the Kings' starting lineup at guard, with Wells moving to small forward. Martin probably will get the unpleasant task of guarding Parker, who burned the Kings for 25 points in three quarters.

Artest's defense made little difference while the Spurs scored 73 points in the first half of Game 1, making 68 percent of their shots and cruising to a 34-point lead. And perhaps his absence will inspire the passion that was missing in his teammates while San Antonio won Game 1 -- or perhaps the Kings are headed for an 0-2 deficit heading home.

"I think the Spurs are going to play the same no matter who's out there," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "When I looked at the tape, I thought it's possible they'll send a message and [upgrade] it to a flagrant foul, but I had no idea they would suspend him."

[Franklinnoble]

Wow. Lame. Artest got elbowed a LOT harder than that. I think the NBA got a little heavy-handed with this one.

[Coffee Warlord]

Artest actually does not deserve a suspension for once.

Haslem absolutely does.

[MrBug708]

I know the MVP Award shouldn't take into account playoff performances, but after watching Lebron's masterpiece vs Kobe's weak performance in their first playoff games this year, I'm even more convinced Lebron should win it (I think he should based on his regular season stats as well.) I can't wait to watch Lebron's next game, and it has been several years since I've felt that way about any NBA Player not playing for the Sixers.

Huh? Kobe did whatever said he could never do, and it just happened to fall on a day where his shot didnt fall and he's not a very good player? He's terrible when he passes the ball and he's terrible when he shoots the ball.

[TargetPractice6]

Huh? Kobe did whatever said he could never do, and it just happened to fall on a day where his shot didnt fall and he's not a very good player? He's terrible when he passes the ball and he's terrible when he shoots the ball.Yeah, EF was calling Kobe a terrible player while debating whether he deserved the MVP award. :rolleyes:

[Eaglesfan27]

Huh? Kobe did whatever said he could never do, and it just happened to fall on a day where his shot didnt fall and he's not a very good player? He's terrible when he passes the ball and he's terrible when he shoots the ball.

Huh? He shot the ball 21 times. He shot 33%. He played poorly. He played very poorly in comparision to Lebron.

[Eaglesfan27]

Dola -

Kobe is a very talented player, but Lebron has done more for his team this year.

[MrBug708]

Huh? He shot the ball 21 times. He shot 33%. He played poorly. He played very poorly in comparision to Lebron.

WHat;s that compared to his average? Kobe did whatever said he couldnt do, which was make his teammates better, and he did. It just happened on a night where he himself was cold.

But then again, I guess one game is enough to give it to a player?

And Eaglesfan27, looks like there is a lot of smoke coming from South Central. :) We all know what happens when there is smoke...;)

[vex]

Yeah, EF was calling Kobe a terrible player while debating whether he deserved the MVP award. :rolleyes:

winner!

[Eaglesfan27]

WHat;s that compared to his average? Kobe did whatever said he couldnt do, which was make his teammates better, and he did. It just happened on a night where he himself was cold.

But then again, I guess one game is enough to give it to a player?

And Eaglesfan27, looks like there is a lot of smoke coming from South Central. :) We all know what happens when there is smoke...;)

I'm not worried about USC :)

He didn't make his teammates better enough. Scoreboard.

[JeeberD]

Mavs looked good last night, I can't wait to see them beat the Spurs... :)

[primelord]

What are the refs looking at that they would wave off Wade's dunk at the end there? I slowed it down on my Tivo and you can clearly see the ball moving the net back out of his hand with .1 left on the clock. They can do a more detailed frame by frame slow motion there. I can't see any reason for them waving it off unless they called him on a travel or something.

[primelord]

Never mind. They ended up counting it. :)

[miami_fan]

My goodness! Chicago is shooting lights out and still is losing by 11. Heat is playing better than they did on Saturday.

On a sidenote, I am really curious to see the moves the Bulls make this offseason. Two first round picks and at least $20 million in cap space without any major resignings to be done.

[watravaler]

Dola -

Kobe is a very talented player, but Lebron has done more for his team this year.

It doesn't matter, Dirk or Nash will take the award.

[Neon_Chaos]

Kobe had an off night.

God, what I would pay to see Bryant drop 81 on these Phoenix chumps.

[Blade6119]

Kobe had an off night.

God, what I would pay to see Bryant drop 81 on these Phoenix chumps.
Neon, i think next time we talk on AIM you might hear some things on my mind. Check my location, and know whats coming ;)

[Neon_Chaos]

Neon, i think next time we talk on AIM you might hear some things on my mind. Check my location, and know whats coming ;)

Lol. Most of my relatives are LA-based so, you know. Haha. Rooting for the two LA Teams in the playoffs.

And Kobe is bound to lay the smack down on the Suns for at least one game.

edit: I'm online on AIM right now, you Sun-fan you.

[miami_fan]

Looks like the Wizards are determined to make LeBron pay for going to the hoop tonight. Let's see how far the refs allow the physical play to go.

[Groundhog]

Big game from James today, just 1 rebound shy of another triple-double! Oh, wait... turnovers don't count... ;)

As much as I dislike Gooden and his basketball IQ (or lack of), big game from him today, but James looks like he played awful. Wish I could have watched the game.

[Neon_Chaos]

Caron Butler has been amazing all season for the Wizards.

The Lakers certainly shouldn't have given him up.

[stevew]

Big game from James today, just 1 rebound shy of another triple-double! Oh, wait... turnovers don't count... ;)

As much as I dislike Gooden and his basketball IQ (or lack of), big game from him today, but James looks like he played awful. Wish I could have watched the game.

You wouldn't have wanted to see the game. All of the shots that Lebron usually makes rimmed out. He just got some bad glass angles, missed a dunk, not his night. Tried to force too many passes. Butler drew a couple questionable charges on Lebron, but he did play pretty decent defense. Lebron played like shit, the Wizards should have won by about 15. The Cavs were in it to the end with the majority of their players shooting less than 33%.

Gooden played well, but of course still managed to do pretty much the ultimate in dumbass plays.....giving up a 4 point play. You NEVER want to foul someone shooting a 3. Drew was a lot more active on the boards and on the defensive(!) end than normal.

[Neuqua]

Horry time?

[stevew]

dola

Abdur-Rahim misses a wide open look from 17 that would have given the Kings an upset.

[stevew]

SAR is like the anti-Horry.

[TroyF]

You wouldn't have wanted to see the game. All of the shots that Lebron usually makes rimmed out. He just got some bad glass angles, missed a dunk, not his night. Tried to force too many passes. Butler drew a couple questionable charges on Lebron, but he did play pretty decent defense. Lebron played like shit, the Wizards should have won by about 15. The Cavs were in it to the end with the majority of their players shooting less than 33%.

Gooden played well, but of course still managed to do pretty much the ultimate in dumbass plays.....giving up a 4 point play. You NEVER want to foul someone shooting a 3. Drew was a lot more active on the boards and on the defensive(!) end than normal.


He was terrible tonight. Forget the missed shots. That happens to everyone. 10 turnovers is unacceptable. And he had the chance to take the game tying 3 and put it in the hands of Varejo. I understand the thought process, but he needs to learn that he MUST take that shot. Kid's a terrific, terrific player, but those are the times he needs to step up. It's disturbing that he still won't take that shot a majority of the time.

It really reminded me of the game in Denver this year. Game down to th efinal seconds and Melo not only wanted the ball, he demanded to be put on Bron. (forget for a minute he can't gaurd Bron if he had three people helping him). Melo drove and dunked (Bron was busy D'ing up on Greg Buckner in the opposite corner). Bron gets the ball, gets free off of a screen and is standing in the corner of a three point game with 7 seconds left and the basket wide open. He passed.

He's not a choke artist like some are portraying him. And he's the biggest star of that draft class. (an OUTSTANDING draft class). But he has to step up and take that shot. He just has to.

In other news, the Nuggets have suspended Kenyon Martin, I believe for the rest of the playoffs.

[stevew]

He was terrible tonight. Forget the missed shots. That happens to everyone. 10 turnovers is unacceptable. And he had the chance to take the game tying 3 and put it in the hands of Varejo. I understand the thought process, but he needs to learn that he MUST take that shot. Kid's a terrific, terrific player, but those are the times he needs to step up. It's disturbing that he still won't take that shot a majority of the time.

It really reminded me of the game in Denver this year. Game down to th efinal seconds and Melo not only wanted the ball, he demanded to be put on Bron. (forget for a minute he can't gaurd Bron if he had three people helping him). Melo drove and dunked (Bron was busy D'ing up on Greg Buckner in the opposite corner). Bron gets the ball, gets free off of a screen and is standing in the corner of a three point game with 7 seconds left and the basket wide open. He passed.

He's not a choke artist like some are portraying him. And he's the biggest star of that draft class. (an OUTSTANDING draft class). But he has to step up and take that shot. He just has to.

In other news, the Nuggets have suspended Kenyon Martin, I believe for the rest of the playoffs.


The dumbass-ness of that play with 20 seconds was that they had a timeout left, and could have tried to set up something better. But if Arenas doesn't close out on that pass like he did(came from out of nowhere), or Varejao finishes better, its a quick 2. You still can foul, and still have a time out.

[TroyF]

The dumbass-ness of that play with 20 seconds was that they had a timeout left, and could have tried to set up something better. But if Arenas doesn't close out on that pass like he did(came from out of nowhere), or Varejao finishes better, its a quick 2. You still can foul, and still have a time out.


Again, I understand the thought process there steve. . . but the game is on the line and Bron has an open look. You want to win/lose games with your stars, not with Anderson Varejo. (who I like FWIW). He has to take that shot. It wouldn't bother me nearly as much if he hadn't exhibited this same type of play before.

There is a point to being a team player here. Lebron IS the king. He has to take that shot and let the chips fall where they fall. Lebron would not have had a better look in that ball game. He'll realize that eventually. And he'll drill the shot. And when that happens and he figures out the other end of the floor? Watch out.

[stevew]

In other news, the Nuggets have suspended Kenyon Martin, I believe for the rest of the playoffs.

If Martin didn't have such a miserable contract, he'd be someone that I would like for the Cavs. They don't really have an "enforcer" type and it shows in their general soft play.

I like Anderson Verejao a lot, although he has a ways to go before he can become a solid starter. Missing all of the offseason due to injury hurt quite a bit. He does the small things you love on defense, but he's basically a nobody on offense right now, an "energy guy."

[MrBug708]

Caron Butler has been amazing all season for the Wizards.

The Lakers certainly shouldn't have given him up.

Lakers didnt give up on him, they just didnt have anyplace to put him as the Lamar Odom as a 4 didnt work in the West

[TroyF]

If Martin didn't have such a miserable contract, he'd be someone that I would like for the Cavs. They don't really have an "enforcer" type and it shows in their general soft play.

I like Anderson Verejao a lot, although he has a ways to go before he can become a solid starter. Missing all of the offseason due to injury hurt quite a bit. He does the small things you love on defense, but he's basically a nobody on offense right now, an "energy guy."


I was a pretty big Kenyon Martin fan and was one of the few Nuggets fans who supported him throughout most of the past two seasons.

But the reality is, he's a turd. The guys in the locker room hate his guts. He doesn't show up every night. He plays when he wants to and when things aren't going well, he will always choose not to.

The Nuggets are going to move him this offseason, probably for some garbage contract (ok, not probably, certainly). The only hope is that the guy they deal him for can actually shoot the basketball more than ten feet from the hoop.

[Neuqua]

To think, didn't NJ receive three first rounders for him?

Not bad...

[Neon_Chaos]

Lakers didnt give up on him, they just didnt have anyplace to put him as the Lamar Odom as a 4 didnt work in the West

True. Everything is clearer in hindsight. :)

case in point: Borris Diaw. I bet the Hawks never imagined he could be a skillful PF/C. :)

[Blade6119]

True. Everything is clearer in hindsight. :)

case in point: Borris Diaw. I bet the Hawks never imagined he could be a skillful PF/C. :)
Im just disagreeing becuase your neon and i can...so whatever your point was, i vehemently disagree. Kobe-lover;)

[miami_fan]

LeBron absolutely has to take that shot. There is a certain amount of "selfishness" that a great player has to have at that point in the game. If he misses that shot he will get criticized for not passing to a wide open guy etc., but he definitely has to take the shot.

How about the Spurs-Kings game? Forget Abdur Rahim's open look. The Kings were up 3 points. How the hell do you collapse on Manu in the lane going for a layup (2 points) so that you leave Brent Barry open behind the arc(3 points)?

[TroyF]

To think, didn't NJ receive three first rounders for him?

Not bad...

The funny thing is the Nets all admitted they made a MISTAKE two months after the trade. The owner said he regretted it. Thorne just flat out admitted they blew it.

Kenyon has had a very tough time in Denver overall. His baby was deathly ill most of last season. He's been hurt. He has to be frustrated with a lot of things. But that's no excuse for acting like an ass so much of the time.

I look for the Nuggets to ship him to the Knicks this off season and get back one or two of the Knicks ridiculous G contracts.

[JeeberD]

What the hell is this three days between games bullshit? Give me some more Mavs already, dammit!

[stevew]

I hate the first round because of this delay. The Finals are in mid june IIRC.

[stevew]

What the hell is this three days between games bullshit? Give me some more Mavs already, dammit!

You sound like Jesus Quintana.

[Subby]

Huge road win for the Bullets last night.

Getting Caron for Kwame (rhymes with lame) Brown might actually undo the bad mojo of all the bad Washington trades of the past.

I love when they get Michael Ruffin on the floor. That guy is as tough as they come.

[Young Drachma]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2422255

Nash for MVP? How? Because Amare is out? Who votes on that thing? The media?

[Young Drachma]

The funny thing is the Nets all admitted they made a MISTAKE two months after the trade. The owner said he regretted it. Thorne just flat out admitted they blew it.

Kenyon has had a very tough time in Denver overall. His baby was deathly ill most of last season. He's been hurt. He has to be frustrated with a lot of things. But that's no excuse for acting like an ass so much of the time.

I look for the Nuggets to ship him to the Knicks this off season and get back one or two of the Knicks ridiculous G contracts.

Well, he was a pretty big part of the success when Kidd was there and the real problem was, Kidd and Co. wanted to leave after the team got rid of him, so they had to damage control. But yeah, in hindsight it was probably a good move for the Nets.

[JeeberD]

The Mavs are kicking some serious Grizz ass tonight... :)

[JeeberD]

94-79 with the Mavs on cruise control for most of the second half. Off to Memphis for another win or two...

[MrBug708]

What the hell has Kwame been eating?

[kingfc22]

Heck of a game right now in Phoenix.

[jbmagic]

Go Lakers.

If they hold Phoenix under 100 points a game they have a great chance to win the series

[Neon_Chaos]

And the Lakers pull even. Sucks to be a PHX fan today.


;)

[Franklinnoble]

Suns fans remember the '93 playoff series against the Lakers.

[Coffee Warlord]

Posey better be suspended for that shit.

Literally just ran into Hinrich, lowered his shoulder, and dropped him.

[Young Drachma]

Boy, I'd love for the Bulls to pull the upset in this series. Not gonna happen..but hey..one can hope.

[kingfc22]

Boy, I'd love for the Bulls to pull the upset in this series. Not gonna happen..but hey..one can hope.

I'd love to see Shaq and Co. go home in the first round.

[stevew]

Miami is straight up thug. I hope the Bulls win this one too.

[Coffee Warlord]

I can see this going 7, though. After the way thugorific Miami looked out there today, don't see them doing well Sunday (again, what's with the damn 800 day layoffs between games. Fucking $$$)

Of course, I'm not sure I can see the Bulls taking a game in Miami, though they've come close.

[IwasHere]

Why are these games starting so late?

Did Denver have a local 9PM start time? That means it will end some time around 3AM on the East Coast?

[stevew]

Miami has a bunch of assholes on that team, never really had paid attention before. You got Zo, Posey, JWill, Payton, Antione Walker.....its like a collection of players coaches tell kids to either not act like or play like or both. If John Starks coached the Heat it would be even better. I'm suprised they didnt sign Spree.

[MrBug708]

Why are these games starting so late?

Did Denver have a local 9PM start time? That means it will end some time around 3AM on the East Coast?

Phssst! Denver isn't on the West Coast!

[IwasHere]

Phssst! Denver isn't on the West Coast!
I know, that is why I can't believe this game had a 9PM start time. (MST)

It is 11PM in Colorado and we are still in the 3rd quarter!

[stevew]

This game is just about over, and it's 1:45

[stevew]

Chris Kaman has got to be one of the ugliest players in basketball.

[bosshogg23]

Chris Kaman has got to be one of the ugliest players in basketball.

Billups, Nash, Bogut. The man has company at least :D

[miami_fan]

Miami has a bunch of assholes on that team, never really had paid attention before. You got Zo, Posey, JWill, Payton, Antione Walker.....its like a collection of players coaches tell kids to either not act like or play like or both. If John Starks coached the Heat it would be even better. I'm suprised they didnt sign Spree.

Why would you tell kids not to play or act like Zo?

[Groundhog]

Why would you tell kids not to play or act like Zo?

Yeah, I find that puzzling, too. I've always liked Zo.

[stevew]

Why would you tell kids not to play or act like Zo?


Zo plays ball like a thug, he's been a cheapshot artist his whole entire career, elbows, etc. And then that whole deal with the Nets and Raptors pretty well soured me on him. The whole "I'll only play if I go somewhere I want to, otherwise my kidneys are bad" fiasco where he pretty much stole 20 million. He has done some nice work in the community I suppose

[miami_fan]

What a game between the Cavs and the Wizards!

[miami_fan]

Lebron takes the big shots at the end of the game and makes them. The kid is learning. The kid is learning

[stevew]

Sounds like I missed a helluva game. Man, that Arenas guy is so damn good.

[Deattribution]

There have been some good games but I really dislike the 7 game series for the first round.

[stevew]

There have been some good games but I really dislike the 7 game series for the first round.
7 games over 20 days or somesuch is what the hell kills it for me.

[Franklinnoble]

Awesome finish in the Kings-Spurs Game 3 tonight...

[Fouts]

Just got home to see the last 11 seconds of the Lakers second win. I love the Lakers game plan for this series.

[Arles]

Steve Nash has to be the MVP. I'm simply amazed he got this Suns team with absolutely no front court to 54 wins and a 2nd seed in the west.

[Young Drachma]

Zo plays ball like a thug, he's been a cheapshot artist his whole entire career, elbows, etc. And then that whole deal with the Nets and Raptors pretty well soured me on him. The whole "I'll only play if I go somewhere I want to, otherwise my kidneys are bad" fiasco where he pretty much stole 20 million. He has done some nice work in the community I suppose

No, I'm with you. I mean, I'm okay with the Nets deal in the end because we managed to get Vince Carter out of the deal. And Toronto didn't HAVE to settle with him. But...yeah, I'm not really impressed with him either, bum kidneys or not, for the way his comeback was orchestrated and how ungracious he was, thinking that a team owed him something.

I'd love to see them lose for that and of course, to see Sportscenter clips of Micheal Jordan cheering on the Bulls, where he belongs.

[MrBug708]

Steve Nash has to be the MVP. I'm simply amazed he got this Suns team with absolutely no front court to 54 wins and a 2nd seed in the west.

That makes no sense? I think the Suns are a good team, but your basically giving him the award for the fact that he can find the open man who can hit an open shot. You can replace Nash with Kobe, Lebron, Wade, and Billups et al and you'd still have a hell of a team.

One thing is for sure Phil >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Mike D

[Deattribution]

That makes no sense? I think the Suns are a good team, but your basically giving him the award for the fact that he can find the open man who can hit an open shot. You can replace Nash with Kobe, Lebron, Wade, and Billups et al and you'd still have a hell of a team.

One thing is for sure Phil >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Mike D

Billups maybe, but the rest are more shoot first, pass second players. They're all great players, but Nash looks to make his team better first. There is almost no way the Suns are a 2 seed without Nash.

[MrBug708]

Like I said, =Nash is blessed with players who can shoot the ball well. Kobe can pass the ball 20 times to an open player who shoots, but if that said player only knocks it down 3 times, Kobe only gets 3 assists regardless of how good of a chance he gave his teammates to score

[Neon_Chaos]

LA up 2-1 now. :)

Kobe's undergone an amazing transformation during this series... because he probably knows that the only way you can beat the Suns is by getting the big mean involved.

Kwame and Lamar have stepped up big time.

[jbmagic]

LA up 2-1 now. :)

Kobe's undergone an amazing transformation during this series... because he probably knows that the only way you can beat the Suns is by getting the big mean involved.

Kwame and Lamar have stepped up big time.

They are looking great. The gameplan is working great.

If the Lakers can continue to hold Phoenix under 100 points they win the series.

And I really believe the Lakers can beat either Denver or Clippers in the next round too.

Then i hope the Mavs beat San Antonio, because Lakers match up well vs Dallas.

[JeeberD]

Mavs pulled out a thriller tonight to go up 3-0 on the Grizz. Hopefully they can sweep 'em and have a chance to rest while the Spurs battle the Kings...

[miami_fan]

I was expecting Gasol to play so much better in this series. He has really come up small

[MrBug708]

I was expecting Gasol to play so much better in this series. He has really come up small

He must be out with Shawn Marion

[IwasHere]

Great another Midnight Denver Nuggets game tonight.

[Young Drachma]

Woo..Nets tie the series.

[miami_fan]

I never would have believed the Bucks could shoot 60% against the Pistons in the playoffs.

[MrBug708]

Wow Kobe

[cmp]

It's funny that a couple years ago I absolutely hated the Lakers and Kobe. Now I find myself cheering them on and now I'm actually a Kobe fan.

[jbmagic]

What a steal by Smush Parker on Nash.

[MrBug708]

Vintage Kobe

[jbmagic]

Yes Kobe. What a shot.

Nice tie up against Nash in overtime.

[Fouts]

Freakin amazing!

[DeToxRox]

RECOUNT

Nash for MVP = A Joke

KOBE FOR MVP

Signed,
Pistons Fan

[cmp]

RECOUNT

Nash for MVP = A Joke

KOBE FOR MVP

Signed,
Pistons Fan

I second that.

[jbmagic]

Wow

Its amazing what they did to Nash at end of regulation and again at end of overtime.

[korme]

Kwame (rhymes with lame)

No it doesn't.. lol


But the ending in the 4th qtr, capped off by the ending in OT, made LA/PHX Game 4 the most exciting game yet.

[Franklinnoble]

Kings even up the series against the Spurs, and have really played three very good games since getting blown out in the opener. If they can steal one on the road on Tuesday, San Antonio is in big trouble...

[MrBug708]

That would be a trip, albeit unlikely one, if the Kings win. The top three seeds in the west would likely be out

[Young Drachma]

Kenyon Martin suspended for the rest of the playoff series? Well...he's outta there

[MrBug708]

He was going for a handful of nuts

[Franklinnoble]

That would be a trip, albeit unlikely one, if the Kings win. The top three seeds in the west would likely be out

It's not terribly unlikely. All the lower seeds were really playing much better basketball late in the season. The Kings have been an entirely different team since the Artest trade, and Bonzi Wells got healthy.

[digamma]

I'll start by saying that Nash broke a cardinal basketball rule by dribbling to the corner of the court, setting himself up to be trapped, but does any other superstar in the league not get a foul call there (end of overtime)? Kobe does. LeBron does. Jordan would have. Bird would have.

[stevew]

I dunno, LeBron isn't really getting the calls like he was during the regular season. Something like 6 offensive fouls in the last 2 games I've watched. These Wiz guys are pretty good at flopping when it is questionable.

[Fouts]

I'll start by saying that Nash broke a cardinal basketball rule by dribbling to the corner of the court, setting himself up to be trapped, but does any other superstar in the league not get a foul call there (end of overtime)? Kobe does. LeBron does. Jordan would have. Bird would have.

I was shocked they didn't get a timeout called by anyone. I know Nash tried, but I guess the ref missed it. What about the other Suns?

[MrBug708]

Kobe had something like 4 fouls in 9 minutes

[Fouts]

Just saw Nash's comments about the game. He attributed the loss to bad luck. If Lakers take the series, they face the Clippers-Nuggets winners?

[MrBug708]

I believe so. The second round goes 2/3 vs 1/4

[heybrad]

I was shocked they didn't get a timeout called by anyone. I know Nash tried, but I guess the ref missed it. What about the other Suns?
Actually, in the press conference afterwards, Nash said he did not call a timeout although he said he thought one of his teammates did.

[Neon_Chaos]

LA Clippers vs. LA Lakers

It should make for an intersting series if both teams close out their respective games.

What's the ratio of Laker fans to Clipper fans that are going to attend the games? (which will all be held in Staples)

[MrBug708]

3-1 and that's at the CLippers home game

[miami_fan]

Congrats to the Mavs for moving on to the next round. The only upper seed to do what they are supposed to do. Kick the low seeds' ass

[JeeberD]

Easiest. Series. Ever. (for the Mavs)

Come on Kings and Spurs, beat the hell out of each other! :D

[Pumpy Tudors]

Time to bring up the same joke I made in the NHL playoff thread, except I'm talking about my own favorite team this time:

Just like when they were in Vancouver, the Grizzlies stop playing after 82 games. :(

[stevew]

Time to bring up the same joke I made in the NHL playoff thread, except I'm talking about my own favorite team this time:

Just like when they were in Vancouver, the Grizzlies stop playing after 82 games. :(

Yeah, i'm kind of dissapointed. I expected more out of the Griz as well.

[jbmagic]

If Lakers can take care of business tonight, I really think they can beat the Clippers.

I am hoping the Mavs make the western conference final. The Lakers match up well versus them.

[Arles]

Just another example of the extremely poor officiating in this series. I don't see how either ref missed Walton's foot (a good 5-6 inches out of bounds) on the tie up:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y7/HatchettMan/walton.jpg

[Warhammer]

I really hate the Lakers white unis, bring back the yellow of the glory days.

Plus, what the heck is wrong with the Grizzlies in the playoffs. Granted, they have faced a juggernaut each year, but dang guys, win a game!

[heybrad]

Just another example of the extremely poor officiating in this series. I don't see how either ref missed Walton's foot (a good 5-6 inches out of bounds) on the tie up:
Where were you after game 1. About 2 minutes to go in the game and the Lakers can cut it 2. Kobe gets clanked on the head by Tim Thomas producing a very noticable knot on his head. What does Tim Thomas have to say about it....

PHOENIX (AP) -- Tim Thomas admits he got away with whacking Kobe Bryant in the head at a critical point in Game 1 of the first-round playoff series between the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers.

It was that kind of day for Thomas, whose season has gone from banishment from Chicago to a starting spot with the Pacific Division champion Suns.

Thomas made his first eight shots -- and finished 8-of-10 -- for 22 points and grabbed a career playoff best 15 rebounds in the Suns' 107-102 victory over the Lakers on Sunday. He also acknowledged responsibility for the knot on Bryant's head.

"I definitely fouled him," Thomas said Monday. "I got away with one but I didn't do it intentionally. It wasn't like I threw a jab at him."

So please, let's stop with pointing out one side of the officiating.

[JeeberD]

I am hoping the Mavs make the western conference final. The Lakers match up well versus them.

They do, Kobe seriously has their number. But watching the Mavs play lately they are looking like a team on a mission. They're making tons of crisp passes to find the open man, they're hustling and diving for loose balls, and they're playing tough defense. I really think they have a good shot at taking the whole thing.

[larrymcg421]

On the tie up, Walton's foot does go out of bounds, but it goes immediately in bounds and the whistle is blown while it is in bounds. I'm not sure what the exact rule is, but that picture doesn't really tell the whole story.

[Arles]

Where were you after game 1. About 2 minutes to go in the game and the Lakers can cut it 2. Kobe gets clanked on the head by Tim Thomas producing a very noticable knot on his head. What does Tim Thomas have to say about it....

PHOENIX (AP) -- Tim Thomas admits he got away with whacking Kobe Bryant in the head at a critical point in Game 1 of the first-round playoff series between the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers.

It was that kind of day for Thomas, whose season has gone from banishment from Chicago to a starting spot with the Pacific Division champion Suns.

Thomas made his first eight shots -- and finished 8-of-10 -- for 22 points and grabbed a career playoff best 15 rebounds in the Suns' 107-102 victory over the Lakers on Sunday. He also acknowledged responsibility for the knot on Bryant's head.

"I definitely fouled him," Thomas said Monday. "I got away with one but I didn't do it intentionally. It wasn't like I threw a jab at him."

So please, let's stop with pointing out one side of the officiating.
Where did I say it was one-sided? I just said it's been very poor. I think the Suns have been hurt more (esp late in game 4), but they've gone against the Lakers at times too.

The Lakers deserve to be up in the series, but the officiating has been a major disappointment. If Joey Crawford does another game in the this series, it will be unwatchable. Whistles every 5 seconds, no game flow - just ugly.

[Neon_Chaos]

Let's go Lakeshow.

[Neuqua]

Hopefully the Bulls can ride their momentum and take one down in Miami today.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Plus, what the heck is wrong with the Grizzlies in the playoffs. Granted, they have faced a juggernaut each year, but dang guys, win a game!
Yeah, I'm with you. I have never expected the Grizzlies to win a playoff series, but being unable to win a playoff game is pathetic. They went from being a doormat in Vancouver to becoming a pretty good team over the past three years in Memphis. The playoffs just turn them back into their old Vancouver selves.

Maybe I should find video of their 10 playoff games just to make sure that Bryant Reeves and Pete "Chili Pete" Chilcutt didn't somehow re-materialize in Grizzlies uniforms when the playoffs started. This is getting ridiculous.

[Groundhog]

Yeah, I'm with you. I have never expected the Grizzlies to win a playoff series, but being unable to win a playoff game is pathetic. They went from being a doormat in Vancouver to becoming a pretty good team over the past three years in Memphis. The playoffs just turn them back into their old Vancouver selves.

Maybe I should find video of their 10 playoff games just to make sure that Bryant Reeves and Pete "Chili Pete" Chilcutt didn't somehow re-materialize in Grizzlies uniforms when the playoffs started. This is getting ridiculous.

There aren't nearly enough references to Pete Chilcutt here at FOFC. Not by a long shot.

[Pumpy Tudors]

There aren't nearly enough references to Pete Chilcutt here at FOFC. Not by a long shot.
I aim to please.

[wade moore]

Wholy crap.

Did anyone else see Bell absolutely clothesline Kobe?!

[cmp]

Bell better be suspended.

[wade moore]

Bell better be suspended.

Totally agreed. Completely blatant and uncalled for.

[MikeVic]

I aim to please.

Heh. Pete Chilcutt. I remember Theodore "Blue" Edwards... and that's it from that expansion team.

[Neon_Chaos]

Not just a clothesline. A clothesline, a grab and a throwdown to the floor. Wow.

[MrBug708]

Just another example of the extremely poor officiating in this series. I don't see how either ref missed Walton's foot (a good 5-6 inches out of bounds) on the tie up:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y7/HatchettMan/walton.jpg

The whistle had already been blown at that point...so what difference does it make?

[MrBug708]

Dola, Raja Bell probably has the lowest basketball IQ, maybe even below Darius Miles. His team is cruising for the most part and might have momentum going into Los Angeles so he decides to piss of the best player in the league by clotheslining him? Whose going to guard Kobe next game? Steve Nash? Shawn Marion?

[Wolfpack]

Wow. A Pete Coldcuts reference. Another player who got into the NBA on the basis of playing at UNC (see Eric Montross, Joe Wolf, Kevin Salvadori, etc).

[albionmoonlight]

Bryant Reeves

There's Country.

And then there's Big Country.

You can't teach height--but you can sign it to an ill-advised $65 million extension.

[stevew]

Friggin' Otis Thorpe.

Imagine if you had an inside outside combo of Gasol and Wade or Melo. Stu Jackson is horrible.

[stevew]

Bibby for White Chocolate wasn't too smart either...Hell, the Grizz transaction list pre-Logo is absurd. Francis nightmare, etc.

[Arles]

The whistle had already been blown at that point...so what difference does it make?
If the whistle had been blown, why were the refs looking so intently at the play while crouching? Also, when the whistle blew, Boris Diaw was right next to the ref calling timeout. In this image, Boris isn't even in the picture yet which means it was well before the whistle blew. At any rate, the game's over and history now.

As to the Bell issue, he should be suspended. We'll see what happens in game 6, but I think the Suns could win this game without Bell. First, Kobe's going to want to one-up Phoenix and figure he can abuse Barbosa or James Jones (combo guarding him). Barbs is pretty quick though, so it will probably mean a lot of Kobe jumpshots. Which, IMO, works right into Phoenix's plans for transition. Plus, how are guys like Smush, Walton, Kwame and Sasha going to handle all the pressure coming with this game. If they lose game 6 at home (with Phoenix missing Bell), the LA media will kill them. You have to wonder how loose this team will be in this game.

But, we'll see. It will be a tough game - no doubt about that.

[stevew]

Boris Diaw is one of my favorite players in the league to watch. I think he's better than Joe Johnson, even before you factor in 2 #1 picks.

[wade moore]

Dola, Raja Bell probably has the lowest basketball IQ, maybe even below Darius Miles. His team is cruising for the most part and might have momentum going into Los Angeles so he decides to piss of the best player in the league by clotheslining him? Whose going to guard Kobe next game? Steve Nash? Shawn Marion?

Not only that, did you see how PROUD he was that he did it?

idiot.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Bibby for White Chocolate wasn't too smart either...Hell, the Grizz transaction list pre-Logo is absurd. Francis nightmare, etc.
Things have been pretty bad for the Grizzlies, but they're turning it around (in the regular season, anyway). When Hubie Brown joined the team, he really made Jason Williams into a textbook point guard. Could he help take over a game like Bibby? No, but Williams didn't turn the ball over, and he really reeled in those crazy passes and didn't complain. I don't think they lost much by having Williams at point guard instead of Bibby.

With that said, now that Williams is gone, the Grizzlies need a point guard again. Chucky Atkins was decent, but when he's your best PG, something's wrong. Damon Stoudamire only played a third of the season, and Bobby Jackson was just horrible when asked to play the point. Not counting Stoudamire's mini-season, Pau Gasol led the team in assists. :(

Anyway, I guess what I'm saying is that Jerry West has just lost his mind over the past two or three years. Lorenzen Wright is an average center, but he made $7.7 million this year. Brian Cardinal still has four years left on his unfathomable contract at an average of just over $6 million per year. Eddie Jones is still a pretty good player, but he's scheduled to make $15.6 million next year, which is just too much for him. Can we get a point guard down there? Please? The only credit I can give Jerry West is that he let Stromile Swift leave, and a 6-year-old would have enough basketball savvy to make that move.

After analyzing the team this way, I almost want Pete Chilcutt back. :(

[Warhammer]

Actually the Williams trade made a ton of sense. Williams was a malcontent and for his performance had a terrible contract. They got all the malcontents out of town, and brought in Jones whose contract will expire after next year and then they'll have the money to bring in some big name free agents.

Lorenzen Wright will be allowed to walk after this year, but who they are going to replace him with I don't know.

Also, their record before Stoudamire went down was 26-10 I believe. After he went down, they went into a free fall. They really missed his leadership and he could create his own shot and was not afraid to take one at the end of games. Once he went down, they were a .500 team.

[stevew]

Things have been pretty bad for the Grizzlies, but they're turning it around (in the regular season, anyway). When Hubie Brown joined the team, he really made Jason Williams into a textbook point guard. Could he help take over a game like Bibby? No, but Williams didn't turn the ball over, and he really reeled in those crazy passes and didn't complain. I don't think they lost much by having Williams at point guard instead of Bibby.

With that said, now that Williams is gone, the Grizzlies need a point guard again. Chucky Atkins was decent, but when he's your best PG, something's wrong. Damon Stoudamire only played a third of the season, and Bobby Jackson was just horrible when asked to play the point. Not counting Stoudamire's mini-season, Pau Gasol led the team in assists. :(

Anyway, I guess what I'm saying is that Jerry West has just lost his mind over the past two or three years. Lorenzen Wright is an average center, but he made $7.7 million this year. Brian Cardinal still has four years left on his unfathomable contract at an average of just over $6 million per year. Eddie Jones is still a pretty good player, but he's scheduled to make $15.6 million next year, which is just too much for him. Can we get a point guard down there? Please? The only credit I can give Jerry West is that he let Stromile Swift leave, and a 6-year-old would have enough basketball savvy to make that move.

After analyzing the team this way, I almost want Pete Chilcutt back. :(

He inheireted the Wright contract IIRC. The Cardinal one made little sense, although chances are that someone else was chomping at the bit to offer him that much. After all, he had just shot 44% from 3. Of course it looks horrible now. Eddie Jones's contract came over from the Heat...maybe he'll bring back something good next year as he's expiring.

[miami_fan]

First off, I am not looking specifically at the Raja Bell foul/assault. I am just curious what everyone's thoughts on the general idea of a "playoff hard foul". In the past the mantra was no lay-ups in the playoffs. You were supposed to put a guy on the floor before you allowed a lay-up/dunk. The reasoning was twofold. First, you made him earn the two points at the line. Second, you made him think about whether it was in his best interests to enter the lane again. That was a part of the game that was understood by all in the game though not necessarly like by some. It just the way the game was played. I don’t see that being an acceptable part of the game anymore. It reminds me of the way a brushback pitch was viewed in the past and the way it is viewed today. So is there a place for the hard foul?

[larrymcg421]

That was a terrible call against LeBron.

[wade moore]

First off, I am not looking specifically at the Raja Bell foul/assault. I am just curious what everyone's thoughts on the general idea of a "playoff hard foul". In the past the mantra was no lay-ups in the playoffs. You were supposed to put a guy on the floor before you allowed a lay-up/dunk. The reasoning was twofold. First, you made him earn the two points at the line. Second, you made him think about whether it was in his best interests to enter the lane again. That was a part of the game that was understood by all in the game though not necessarly like by some. It just the way the game was played. I don’t see that being an acceptable part of the game anymore. It reminds me of the way a brushback pitch was viewed in the past and the way it is viewed today. So is there a place for the hard foul?

They were pretty rough on LeBron in game 2... and even in the Lakers game before the Bell hit, they were getting away with a lot...

[wade moore]

One heck of a comeback to take it to OT by the Wiz.

[Vince]

Wow, that was an amazing layup by Snow.

[Vince]

Damn, that was some pathetic defense by LeBron -- I know it's tough to stop Gilbert Arenas one-on-one, but he just backed down the entire way and almost didn't even contest that layup.

[stevew]

Holy shit, thats why he doesnt want to foul out Vince.

[Vince]

That was amazing.

[wade moore]

Wow.

Defense could have been better by the Wiz, but still.. that was just incredible. I can't believe he's 21 years old.

[wade moore]

although.. as they replay it, it seems like he took 4 or 5 steps.. but i guess that's normal in the NBA ;)...

[stevew]

although.. as they replay it, it seems like he took 4 or 5 steps.. but i guess that's normal in the NBA ;)...

There's that one dribble that is hard to see.

Jamison lived up to his rep as one of the worst defenders in the league on that one.

[Vince]

Holy shit, thats why he doesnt want to foul out Vince.

I only caught the end of the game, and I didn't realize he had 5 fouls. Amazing presence of mind to not contest that layup when you're only up by 1 in OT...

[stevew]

The Wiz also apparently had 2 timeouts left there at the end. Seems like they could have at least had a chance to win instead of launching a 65 footer. Don't know what the hell they were thinking.

[cmp]

Another good game between the Suns and Lakers going on right now. This has been a fun series to watch.

[Young Drachma]

Ok Kobe. Go ahead and take their lives away. Show 'em why Steve Nash isn't the MVP.

[Groundhog]

Yup, time to see if Kobe can do what he's done 6 times before - hit a game winner.

[Groundhog]

dola

Nope, off to OT.

[jbmagic]

The Lakers is Making Tim Thomas into an all star.

A foul to give, they should of foul him at the end.

[kingfc22]

Kobe looked like he short amred that last second shot.

[Groundhog]

Suns playing well in OT, Diaw turning it up.

[Groundhog]

If they kept an "Aley-oops Per Game" stat, surely Shawn Marion would lead the league by a Wilt Chamberlain-esque margin?

[kingfc22]

Only Odom or Bryant should be shooting the ball in OT. And Kwame if it's a dunk.

[Young Drachma]

Suns are hungry, Lakers better close this thing out.

[Young Drachma]

Not looking good..

[Young Drachma]

ballgame.

[kingfc22]

Game 7

[Groundhog]

Lamar Odom's regular season stats: 14.8ppg, 9.2rpg, 5.5apg
Lamar Odom's playoff stats vs suns: 20.0ppg, 12.2rpg, 4.6apg (excl. today)

[Crapshoot]

What a game - seriously. This series singlehandedly is rekindling my interest in the NBA.

Is anyone else impressed as heck by Kobe Bryant ? Some of the shots he's made tonight (that little twirl, twirl the other way, sit back on one foot and shoot) hve been .. surreal.

[Crapshoot]

Another Kobe 3 - how the hell is he making these ?

[kingfc22]

I can't wait for the Kobe vs. Bell battle to resume on Sunday.

[kingfc22]

Somehow this game is still not over especially if George hits all 3.

[Young Drachma]

What a game - seriously. This series singlehandedly is rekindling my interest in the NBA.

Is anyone else impressed as heck by Kobe Bryant ? Some of the shots he's made tonight (that little twirl, twirl the other way, sit back on one foot and shoot) hve been .. surreal.

First game I've watched this playoffs, all because of the highlights I kept missing of Kobe.

Now if only he had real help on that team. No one else is getting it done. And the fans are expecting to be let down.

[jbmagic]

First game I've watched this playoffs, all because of the highlights I kept missing of Kobe.

Now if only he had real help on that team. No one else is getting it done. And the fans are expecting to be let down.


The Lakers had this game. Up by 3 and they didnt foul Tim Thomas with a foul to give was a big big mistake. Kwame Brown ran away from him.

Why the hell the Lakers let Tim Thomas shoot that 3 at end of the game?

Damn. This sucks big time.

[stevew]

Tim Thomas has done a lot to rekindle his reputation in this series. I really like watching Diaw play.

[stevew]

dola
I do wish that these games could start at an earlier time, 1:45 finishes suck for those of us on the east coast.

[Fouts]

The Lakers had this game. Up by 3 and they didnt foul Tim Thomas with a foul to give was a big big mistake. Kwame Brown ran away from him.

Why the hell the Lakers let Tim Thomas shoot that 3 at end of the game?

Damn. This sucks big time.

Nah, Kwame made a huge mistake by leaving his feet. Thomas may have a big nose, but he has hit some big shots this series.

[stevew]

There is no way they could have fouled Thomas there at the end. He'd have been shooting 3, or hell, may have gotten a 4 point play. And I don't think they had a foul to give at that point, IIRC parker had fouled Nash previously.

[jbmagic]

I am very disappointed.

This took the air out of me tonight.

For Lakers to win game 7, they need to hold Phoenix under 100 points or the Lakers will lose.

[Neon_Chaos]

Great match. Great series. Can't wait for Game 7! Go Lakers! :)

[stevew]

Man, I can't believe Arenas just hit that 32 footer to send the game into overtime.

[Terps]

Arenas is god. Go Wiz!

[Crapshoot]

Caron Butler, as a SF, has 20 boards. How the hell did that happen ?

[stevew]

Caron Butler, as a SF, has 20 boards. How the hell did that happen ?

He's good, Cleveland hasn't had much of a rebounding package on the floor tonight, Butler is playing the 4 all night pretty much, also.

[wade moore]

Man.. The Wiz are giving me heartaches.. they really should have won in regulation before they let the cavs catch up. I hope they pull it off in OT.

[Crapshoot]

He's good, Cleveland hasn't had much of a rebounding package on the floor tonight, Butler is playing the 4 all night pretty much, also.

Cool - didn't realize that. I thought Jamison's playing the 4, with Haywood at the 5.

[stevew]

Haywood has been clutch when he's been in there.

[wade moore]

OMG. What the crap kind of pass was that?!

[wade moore]

Don't get me wrong, it makes me happy, but wow.

[stevew]

Costly misses there.

[stevew]

I tell you what, pound for pound Hubie Brown is the best sports analyst period.

[stevew]

Damon JONES~!

Best shooter on the planet.

[Vince]

That three that Arenas hit at the end of regulation was amazing.

The pass by Snow and the missed free throws by Arenas near the end of OT were also amazing, but not for the same reasons. That ending was so anti-climactic.

[miami_fan]

I tell you what, pound for pound Hubie Brown is the best sports analyst period.

Agreed! He does a tremendous breaking down the game and gives you a true insight into a coach's mind in every game situation. All that with out stupid catch phrases and such.

[miami_fan]

How was that a flagrant foul on Brad Miller? He jumped up to block Manu's shot? A foul? yes but definitely not flagrant.

[stevew]

How was that a flagrant foul on Brad Miller? He jumped up to block Manu's shot? A foul? yes but definitely not flagrant.
Hit to the face I would assume, looked like a flagrant to me(the lower one).

[stevew]

So not suprisingly it looks like we'll be getting A Stupid matchup in the West for round 2. When the top 2 western conference teams(Spurs and Mavs) play. Meanwhile the Clippers and Lakers/Suns will play. They better fix this shit for next year, this system is rediculous. I'd give each division one playoff team, but disregard who won the division for seeding purposes. They already disregard the record for homecourt, this isn't a stretch.

[bosshogg23]

So not suprisingly it looks like we'll be getting A Stupid matchup in the West for round 2. When the top 2 western conference teams(Spurs and Mavs) play. Meanwhile the Clippers and Lakers/Suns will play. They better fix this shit for next year, this system is rediculous. I'd give each division one playoff team, but disregard who won the division for seeding purposes. They already disregard the record for homecourt, this isn't a stretch.

Put it the NBA's way, does this decrease your interest in viewership in round 2? No way. Thats the bottom line.

[jbmagic]

So not suprisingly it looks like we'll be getting A Stupid matchup in the West for round 2. When the top 2 western conference teams(Spurs and Mavs) play. Meanwhile the Clippers and Lakers/Suns will play. They better fix this shit for next year, this system is rediculous. I'd give each division one playoff team, but disregard who won the division for seeding purposes. They already disregard the record for homecourt, this isn't a stretch.

agreed.

They should just let the top 8 teams in the west and top 8 teams in the east and seed them #1-#8 by record.

Each playoff round, you just reseed the teams.

This way it makes the top teams play the lower seeds and makes the regular season mean something.

[Blade6119]

Put it the NBA's way, does this decrease your interest in viewership in round 2? No way. Thats the bottom line.
Actually it prob. increases viewership in round 2

[miami_fan]

I have more of a problem the disregard for the division champ(Denver this year) not getting homecourt advantage than I do with the DAL-SA matchup. If you are going to have divisions, then winning your division should have certain rewards. IMO those rewards should include home court advantage and a guaranteed spot in the top three seeds. If the NBA takes the top seeding away from the division, they should get rid of the divisions all together, balance the schedule so team face every other team in the conference the same number of time. Then take the top 8 from each conference.

[Chief Rum]

I have more of a problem the disregard for the division champ(Denver this year) not getting homecourt advantage than I do with the DAL-SA matchup. If you are going to have divisions, then winning your division should have certain rewards. IMO those rewards should include home court advantage and a guaranteed spot in the top three seeds. If the NBA takes the top seeding away from the division, they should get rid of the divisions all together, balance the schedule so team face every other team in the conference the same number of time. Then take the top 8 from each conference.

So arbitrary placement in a division should outweigh quality over an 82-game schedule? IMO, giving home court to the better team was the one thing the NBA did that is right with the playoff seeding.

[miami_fan]

So arbitrary placement in a division should outweigh quality over an 82-game schedule? IMO, giving home court to the better team was the one thing the NBA did that is right with the playoff seeding.

Again, what is the point of having a division then if there is NO benefit to winning the division title? Get rid of all the divisions. There would be nothing wrong with just going with the Eastern and Western conferences and no divisions. However if you are going to have divisions and place an importance on division play by scheduling those team more often than the other teams, there needs to be some reward for being successful within that division.

[Chief Rum]

Again, what is the point of having a division then if there is NO benefit to winning the division title? Get rid of all the divisions. There would be nothing wrong with just going with the Eastern and Western conferences and no divisions. However if you are going to have divisions and place an importance on division play by scheduling those team more often than the other teams, there needs to be some reward for being successful within that division.

Divisions are only used because the league wants to make sure that there is at least one "hope" for every geographical region represented by that division. That brings them more ratings and money. Personally, I think intelligent placing of teams and a good system that ensures that all teams can compete fairly equally would end up working better. I don't think there should be divisions at all, unless the size of the league is such that an equal schedule for all is essentially impossible (such as the NCAA).

[stevew]

Kobe needs to score about 35 points this second half to save their season.

[Rizon]

Is Barkley drunk or stoned?

[stevew]

Is anyone doing any kind of betting on the playoffs? I'm just curious what kind of Odds cleveland is getting vs the Pistons.

[Crapshoot]

Why is Nash in there with a 20 point lead ? Hell, give him a little rest.

[stevew]

It's time for the Suns to break out the "Mercy Rule." Empty the benches.

[Young Drachma]

Well..that stinks.

[stevew]

So, Kobe shoots 3 times in the 2nd half. Seems like a bad time for him to start acting unselfish. If he was trying to prove a point, that's a pretty silly time to do such.

[Young Drachma]

Yeah, that's what Dee Brown was just saying that he was trying to prove a point. But I'd prove a point to him. Trade him.

Ridiculous.

[amdaily]

So, Kobe shoots 3 times in the 2nd half. Seems like a bad time for him to start acting unselfish. If he was trying to prove a point, that's a pretty silly time to do such.

God I hate that son of a rapist bitch :mad:

[Young Drachma]

God I hate that son of a rapist bitch :mad:


:rolleyes:

[Young Drachma]

Well, you can tell based on the press conference that Phil and Kobe really have mended their fence, because they're giving him a chance to throw him under the bus and he refused to do it. Instead, he just talked about how the role players failed to give him the help he needs.

[Young Drachma]

Clippers v. Mavericks in the Western Conference finals.

[amdaily]

Well, you can tell based on the press conference that Phil and Kobe really have mended their fence, because they're giving him a chance to throw him under the bus and he refused to do it. Instead, he just talked about how the role players failed to give him the help he needs.


:rolleyes:

[Ajaxab]

Heartbreaking loss for the Mavs. If they win this series, they will have definitely earned it after this last game. This kind of loss is one of those games that gives an opponent a lot of confidence. S.A. has to be thinking that if Dallas can't beat us when we're at our most vulnerable, they're not going to beat us in this series. The Mavs also have to be wondering what they're going to need to do to beat the Spurs now as well.

[jbmagic]

I bet the Clippers and Phoenix hope Dallas wins the series.

Both the Clippers and Phoenix match up better vs Dallas.

[stevew]

I love the Cavs, but they are going to be lucky to win more than 1 game in this series. Besides Lebron, everyone else is a big question mark shooting wise.

[Eaglesfan27]

So, Kobe shoots 3 times in the 2nd half. Seems like a bad time for him to start acting unselfish. If he was trying to prove a point, that's a pretty silly time to do such.


Yep. Based on the first 6 games, I was all set to say that Kobe was finally starting to impress me. Then, he goes and acts childish in game 7 at a critical time for the team.

[stevew]

God, surely they can't hit 91% from 3 forever.

[Blade6119]

I really didnt like the lakers walking off the court without shaking hands and what not. 1 laker stuck around, not sure who it was(not kobe)...i think that made it worse, as on TV they have the whole suns team talking to this one laker and then showing the others just walking off the court. Poor class from a team i prob. shouldnt have expected more from.

[jbmagic]

I really didnt like the lakers walking off the court without shaking hands and what not. 1 laker stuck around, not sure who it was(not kobe)...i think that made it worse, as on TV they have the whole suns team talking to this one laker and then showing the others just walking off the court. Poor class from a team i prob. shouldnt have expected more from.


It was only Jim Jackson former Suns player. He played for them part of this season before he got release and Lakers pick him out.


Eaglefan27

It was not Kobe fault he didnt shoot much in the 2nd half. They were double teaming Odom and Kobe everytime they touch the ball. The others players need to step up and make there open shots. If they do that it frees up Odom and Kobe to do there thing.

[stevew]

Eaglefan27

It was not Kobe fault he didnt shoot much in the 2nd half. They were double teaming Odom and Kobe everytime they touch the ball. The others players need to step up and make there open shots. If they do that it frees up Odom and Kobe to do there thing.

Keep on drinking the Kobe flavored Kool Aid.

[Groundhog]

Nets playing well thus far vs Heat. My main thought about the game however is a big "WTF? John Thomas (AKA: Penis) is still in the NBA?".

[Young Drachma]

Nets sure are putting it on the Heat. Good on 'ya guys. Let's take Detroit's swagger down a notch and sneak a NBA title back to the swamp.

[DeToxRox]

Nearing the end of the third, the Pistons are up 20 and Lebron only has 12 points. Remarkab

[miami_fan]

Do the Cavs come within 10 points of the Pistons in any of the 4 games? Unless the Pistons feel charitable, the Cavs won't win a game.

[stevew]

This free throw differential is a bit silly. I don't expect to win more than 1 game this series. But it's nice to know that the Pistons do not foul.

[miami_fan]

Do the Cavs come within 10 points of the Pistons in any of the 4 games? Unless the Pistons feel charitable, the Cavs won't win a game.

Under 10 points! Maybe I should try that for the Heat's next game:mad:

[MrBug708]

Yep. Based on the first 6 games, I was all set to say that Kobe was finally starting to impress me. Then, he goes and acts childish in game 7 at a critical time for the team.

It was a lose lose situation for Kobe. He shoots the ball trying to generate some offense and the media blames him for taking too many shots and not passing the ball enough. Kobe will always be an enigma in the NBA

[stevew]

Well, at least they came back to make it interesting. Larry Hughes is not what I hoped he would be. He made a couple of world class boners towards the end which killed the Cavs(that stupid ass charge, and allowing the 3 point play). At least they got Slowgauskus off the floor at the end of the game.

[JeeberD]

The Mavs are looking damn good tonight... :)

[Vince]

It was a lose lose situation for Kobe. He shoots the ball trying to generate some offense and the media blames him for taking too many shots and not passing the ball enough. Kobe will always be an enigma in the NBA

I'm far from a Kobe apologist, but this rings pretty true. He finally doesn't take all the shots, and he still gets panned for it. Tough crowd.

[Eaglesfan27]

That is BS. Kobe had over 20 points and he only takes 3 shots in the second half. He packed it in, perhaps to make a point. Jordan and the other greats would never do that.

[MrBug708]

He packed it in? Hardly would call that, but once his teammates stopped trying, far be it for Kobe to isolate them even more by shooting it every time

[JeeberD]

Mavs beat the Spurs in San Antonio by 22 points and folks here are still talking about the Lakers instead. Unbelievable...

[Neon_Chaos]

From the press conference, I heard PhilJax say that he told the Lakers that if they were going to come back, Kobe wouldn't be the guy who would do it for them... unfortunately, the Lakers didn't respond.

[miami_fan]

Maybe it is just me but I am getting really sick of the Spurs. All the theatrics whenever someone gets close to them is almost as annoying as the constant whininng they do when they commit the most obvious fouls. The Spurs are a good check that a great team. All the acting and crying is really below them.