2009 NBA Playoffs

[HOOT]

I will be cheering for Orlando if Cleveland can't come back to win this series. Howard is even better than Kobe.

[StrayBullet]

Originally Posted by ResAlien

As far as real reasons to dislike him, unless he does it this year, he has never been able to win anything without Shaq. His ability to look and whine to the ref for a foul after every single shot he takes is infuriating. He's comes off as a selfish player, and assists or not doesn't really make the people around him better.

If we're really going to talk about the whole, "Kobe can't win with Shaq" thing, then my reply has always been, Shaq or the Lakers, wouldn't have ever won anything without Kobe and Shaq definitely wouldn't have won if Dwyane Wade wasn't there. I don't discredit O'Neal for winning away from Los Angeles, but he did need Wade to play out of his mind (30-6-5 in the playoffs) to beat Dallas. I'll also say that at that point in his career, Shaq was on his last legs for dominance and he had learned how to be a leader with a great guard in order to win. I can't hate on that.

Whining to the refs - It's an art. Michael did it all the time. Charles would always talk about how Michael would manipulate the refs when they went against them in the Final and how he learned that you needed to do it just for an extra push. Larry was a master of complaining to the refs and getting calls to go his way later in the game and down the road in his career. Everyone's favorite player, Lebron is only learning now how to complain to refs in order to get calls. I don't condone it, but obviously it's something that NBA players are bred to do. I'll also say that some players will get the benefit of the call more times than other players. Steve Nash and Jason Kidd will always get to the line with minimal contact on a lean-in jump shot. It's garbage, but they get those calls.

I honestly get all of the Kobe-hatred by people. He wasn't a likeable person early in his career and alot of what's said in the media drives the public's viewpoint and opinions about the guy. The thing is, he is easily the best player in the league and over time he has matured as a player and has done incredible things to lift his team and the Lakers' organization to the top of the league. I just don't get when people don't like an athlete, they can't give them any credit for their accomplishments or when they display greatness. I don't really like Lebron, but I understand and realize that he is awesome and a freak with incredible athleticism and grand skill. I'll always admit when someone I don't like does something good. I'm positive that if you were to ask him who he needs to be better than, he would still say, "Kobe". If you asked him, Carmelo, KG or anyone in the NBA what standard they've set themselves for greatness, I would guarantee they would've still said, "Kobe". The players know this. They understand how hard a guy works in the off-season and how much he does during the season to maintain the type of shape he is in.

[corporatejay]

Bill Simmons had an interesting point about Kobe Bryant and that "mock"umentary Kobe doin work.

His point was, Jordan never tried to pretend he was a nice guy, or the best buddy of all his teammates. He demanded perfection from them, and as such there was a mutual respect. Now, players, and Kobe are so concerned about their image for marketing etc... that I just think people can't stand the hypocrisy. I think it's the phoniness that turns people off Kobe.

To that point, aside from everything that happened with the alleged rape, I think what pissed me off the most was the whole "I love vanessa(?) here's a trillion dollar ring, now come out with me wherever I go and show everyone we're in love" bullcrap.

If he just got out of the spotlight for 30 seconds and said "i'm taking some private time to be with my wife/gf" I think more people would have respected that, instead of parading her around like a show dog.

[HOOT]

Kinda disappointed in LeBron for the way he acted at the end of the game with not shaking hands with any players and heading straight to the bus. I wanted to hear what he had to say. Of course shaking hands is not the same in the NBA as the NHL, but still.

Orlando was 2-0 vs LA this year. GO MAGIC GO!!!

[I_H8_Crawford]

I hope Howard makes Gasol and whoever else guards him his personal bitch.

Go Magic.

I want to hear Shaq rap and ask Kobe the question again this year.

[killer_carlson]

I have always really liked Gasol's game. I like the big men who actually have skills. I think the Gasol / Howard matchup will be a lot of fun to watch. I don't know how much they will guard each other though.

Peitrus on Kobe means that Turkolou, who came in the top 5 for defensive poy, can match up on Odom.......

Pretty even match up.

<removed>

[Iggyscoresgoals]

Pau Gasol did not play the type of basketball needed for a while, but in games 5 and 6 of the Nugget series he showed the edge. Demanding the ball, being more physical, driving to the hole, he played really really good in the thoose games, and thats why we dominated the Nuggets.

Dwight Howard is a different matchup, im very impressed with him, his post game, his shot making, he has really developed into possiblly the best big man in the game right now.

Phil Jackson is not Mike Brown, there will be no need to double team Howard in the post and leave the open 3's, the type of ball the Magic play launching 3's not going to work.

Lakers in 6

[Regorium]

I'm so happy =D

The finals format really favors the home team which kind of sucks, but I still believe in Magic.

The key really is how the games are officiated. If Howard gets all of the 50-50 calls going his way (like game 6) the Magic are unstoppable. If Kobe gets the superstar treatment, then Lakers will win.

I think the Lakers really benefited from playing Denver and Houston, which makes the finals a really interesting one to watch.

Magic in 6.

[FlamingLonghorn]

Gasol will not be covering Howard. if he is Magic win this series in 5, because he'll be in foul trouble all series long. They are going to rotate Bynum with there other scrub centers to cover him and play "hack a howard".

[moon]

Originally Posted by socalwingfan

I get the hatred for Kobe, but why Odom?? He may be a space cadet but he is relatively harmless and is a pretty decent dude away from the court.

I don't hate Odom but if the poster is talking about "trash" like Andersen and Martin than certainly a guy who cheated and took money while in college isn't exactly the moral compass of the league.

[FlamingLonghorn]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playof...ory?id=4219606

Big trouble for LA if a healthy Nelson shows up. He absolutely dominated them in Orlando's wins this year.

[JohnnyFlame]

I loved seeing Lebron shoved to the sidelines and the no class act wasn't an unexpected thing either. Magic and Howard are a much more likeable bunch and I'm hoping for them to pull off another upset win.

[mykalberta]

I'm torn as to who I want to win this series.

On one hand I want the Lakers to win so Kobe can give Shaq the big FU
On the other hand, I want Orlando to win so Van Gundy can give Shaq the big FU.

In other words, no matter who winds, Shaq gets a big FU from someone. Very sweet

[StrayBullet]

I am surprised not alot of people are criticizing Lebron for walking off the court after losing to Orlando and using, "Being a winner" as an excuse for it. "Being a winner"??? I know I've said that I'm not a Lebron fan, but I think he's great. I'm not a Lebron fan, but I respect his game and what he brings to the league - No longer will I be willing to say that. All I know is that if Kobe didn't shake hands, all of the haters would be using it against him and screaming the same sentiments they've always used... "selfish", "obnoxious", etc... Isaiah did the same thing to Michael after being swept in ECF and he was crucified for the rest of his career because of that. Weak on Lebron's part and I hope he realizes that his comments the day after were not enough to explain his disrespect to Orlando.

How can Lebron call himself a winner when he's never won anything? Carmelo has won more than Lebron and he was respectful enough to show the Lakers love after being swept last season and putting up a great 6-game series this season. This leader and unsportsmanlike action is a great example being a poor sport.

[moon]

Originally Posted by StrayBullet

I am surprised not alot of people are criticizing Lebron for walking off the court after losing to Orlando and using, "Being a winner" as an excuse for it. "Being a winner"??? I know I've said that I'm not a Lebron fan, but I think he's great. I'm not a Lebron fan, but I respect his game and what he brings to the league - No longer will I be willing to say that.

I am not sure if you mean nobody on here or nobody in general but there has been a ton of talk about it in the sports world down south. As for on here NBA isn't exactly the top topic so I am not that surprised it hasn't been mentioned yet.

All I know is that if Kobe didn't shake hands, all of the haters would be using it against him and screaming the same sentiments they've always used... "selfish", "obnoxious", etc... Isaiah did the same thing to Michael after being swept in ECF and he was crucified for the rest of his career because of that. Weak on Lebron's part and I hope he realizes that his comments the day after were not enough to explain his disrespect to Orlando.

Thats because up until now Lebron has done everything right and Kobe has done nothing except show that he is a huge ###### bag.

It certainly looks bad on Lebron but based on his history people are going to give him the benefit of the doubt.

I am not so sure it would be a big deal if Kobe did it as it would be expected from a guy like him.

[StrayBullet]

Originally Posted by moon

I am not sure if you mean nobody on here or nobody in general but there has been a ton of talk about it in the sports world down south.

Thats because up until now Lebron has done everything right and Kobe has done nothing except show that he is a huge ###### bag.
I am not so sure it would be a big deal if Kobe did it as it would be expected from a guy like him.

There was a bit of a peep about it on ESPN. The West Coast writers are a different story, so I won't include them because their opinions are skewed since they are mostly Lakers writers. I enjoy Lebron's new name, Lebron Shames.

I would guarantee that if Kobe were to not shake hands after losing, he would catch fire for it until the end of his career. Just like how people hold on to rape allegations as a gauge of how great of a ball player he is and just like how people assume that Kobe as a child (circa-2002) in the NBA is the same guy today and still hold a hatred for him.

Like how I used Isaiah as an example before, Michael was the new golden boy and he finally beat Detroit after years of punishment and losing. Mark Aguirre, Bill Laimbeer and Zeke decided to walk-off the court without shaking hands and Isaiah is known until this day of how much of a sore loser he was after that. With exception to his tenure of destroying the Knicks, that is the one image people have imprinted in their brains of Zeke's career.

[StrayBullet]

GAME 1 of the NBA Final starts Thursday evening and it should be a dandy. Rumours are swirling that St. John's alum, Jameer Nelson will be inserted into the line-up, but the Magic organization are hesitant to give him the green light.

For Magic fans, they want to believe that Jameer Nelson can come back on Thursday and pick-up right where he left off before getting injured, but that's a little far-fetched. To his credit, Nelson did hit a last second 3-pointer to ice the Lakers in their first meeting of the season, but poor performances from Odom, Pau, Ariza and Bynum were essentially what hurt the Lakers. Even Fish had a strong game and Kobe was unstoppable that night.
The second meeting was a little different. All the starters on Orlando had solid games and Nelson was hitting unbelievable shots down the stretch. You had to respect him that night because Fish and Vujacic were constantly in his grill. If he does play, I expect Shannon Brown to be on him over Vujacic and Farmar.

We'll have to see on Thursday what the call is.

[Regorium]

Ouch, the Magic got steamrolled.

However:

1) The Magic probably missed 20 wide open jumpers - that is, not contested, not rushed, etc. etc. If they make even half of those, this is a game instead of a blowout. And probably 10 more that were open, but rushed/contested that were falling in the Cavs series, but just didn't go today.

2) Kobe was an animal. I thought the D played really really well on him, but he just hit shots falling down, going up, left, right, 3 guys on him, whatever. Just an animal.

Other thoughts:

1) Bynum can't guard Howard. Gasol manages to draw offensive fouls (questionable at best), but those calls aren't going to go Gasol's way every game. Although Howard had a bad game, I think this matchup can really be exploited.

2) Rashard Lewis is useless in this series. Gasol can guard the 3 better than Lewis can guard the post. This is actually the only point that I got from the game that really scares me in terms of the Lakers dominating. I had hoped that Lewis would torch Gasol, and they'd have to play small instead of 2 bigs, but Orlando was the one to make the adjustment due to how the game was turning out.

I have faith still. Nelson coming back is a great thing, a split in LA probably isn't too much to ask for!

[FanIn80]

Historically, I haven't been a Kobe fan... so I may be wrong on this one...

Has he reinvented his game somewhere along the way over the last couple seasons? He looks like PG out there, sometimes, rather than a SG. I definitely don't remember him paying as much attention to his teammates before as he seems to now.

[JohnnyFlame]

Originally Posted by Regorium

Ouch, the Magic got steamrolled.

However:

1) The Magic probably missed 20 wide open jumpers - that is, not contested, not rushed, etc. etc. If they make even half of those, this is a game instead of a blowout. And probably 10 more that were open, but rushed/contested that were falling in the Cavs series, but just didn't go today.

2) Kobe was an animal. I thought the D played really really well on him, but he just hit shots falling down, going up, left, right, 3 guys on him, whatever. Just an animal.

Other thoughts:

1) Bynum can't guard Howard. Gasol manages to draw offensive fouls (questionable at best), but those calls aren't going to go Gasol's way every game. Although Howard had a bad game, I think this matchup can really be exploited.

2) Rashard Lewis is useless in this series. Gasol can guard the 3 better than Lewis can guard the post. This is actually the only point that I got from the game that really scares me in terms of the Lakers dominating. I had hoped that Lewis would torch Gasol, and they'd have to play small instead of 2 bigs, but Orlando was the one to make the adjustment due to how the game was turning out.

I have faith still. Nelson coming back is a great thing, a split in LA probably isn't too much to ask for!

I didn't see it as this time of year there are just way too many things to do that top sitting indoors. But I suspect that this being year number two for the Lakers in the final will be a huge bonus for them. Magic sounded like they were happy just to be there when I caught clips of them coming in. Perhaps they will get into the series back in Orlando and hopefully not too late to make a battle of it. After all I might feel like watching some if it's going to snow this weekend.