NBA Playoffs 2007

[StrayBullet]

Originally Posted by moon

Are you saying that the Bulls reserves as a whole are not as good as the Pistons reserves or that Deng, Nocioni and Thomas are not as good? Because Deng is 10x better than any reserve Detroit has and Thomas is much better as well.

The problem for the Bulls is that they have to many very good players and no great players. They have maybe 8 guys who could start in the league but no gret players. They should move some of those guys to try and get a star guy to be the go-to-scorer at the end of games.

The problem I see against Detroit is who is going to make the shot when needed as you know that Billups, Hamilton or Wallace will make it for Detroit more times than not.

Yes. That is what I'm saying. Detroit's bench and support players are better than Chicago's bench and support players.

We'll say that Chauncey and Ben Gordon cancel each other out, even though I'm almost positive that you would agree Chauncey is better than Gordon. Those are your primary players. Chicago has Ben Wallace - Detroit has Rasheed, a revitalized Webber and Nazr (who may or may not necessarily be a good thing, but someone who will guard Ben Wallace and give up 5 fouls.) Chicago has Luol Deng (who is absolutely playing well) - Detroit has Tayshaun. I really can't see him overcoming Tayshaun and his defense. He'll definetly have spurts of scoring, but Prince is an excellent and smart defender. He will find a way to bottle a Luol Deng-type surge. Chicago has Tyrus Thomas - Detroit has Rip. Now Thomas has the athleticism and the raw talent, but Rip has proven year after year, playoff after playoff that he is money. I never liked him in UConn and I really, I've never liked him throughout his career, but you have to give him credit where it is due and he gets it. He understands how to win. Thomas can't do that yet. Besides, Rip is a better defender. Chicago has Hinrich (whom I believe will struggle), Nocioni, Duhon, Griffin; These guys are getting the bulk of the PT, especially Kirk Hinrich, but there's a reason he's not out there in the last minute of the game. There's a reason he doesn't touch the ball when the game is on the line - AND HE'S THE STARTER!! Detroit's back-ups include, Antonio McDyess, old man Lindsey Hunter and Delfino. There's champinonship experience, poise, grit and skill. Chicago is more athletic and they're definetly quicker and Detroit isn't going to win every loose ball battle or box out, but Chicago just doesn't have enough to win this series. They're not the better the team. Their support roster is not enough.

[flames_1987]

I think the Warriors just blew there chance to win this series. Up 9 with only 2 minutes left, I really thought the upset was about to happen.

[O_M_A]

Originally Posted by flames_1987

I think the Warriors just blew there chance to win this series. Up 9 with only 2 minutes left, I really thought the upset was about to happen.

Yeah, no doubt. That said, the real test is going to be Game 6. The Oracle has been a complete nuthouse and Dallas is going to be in tough to get that game. It sounds silly, but game 6 is the series for both clubs IMO.

That said, it really doesn't matter as everybody knows that the Suns are coming out of the West anyways

[flames_1987]

Excited to watch the Suns knock off the Lakers tonight and move on.

The Warriors had there chance to knock the Mavs out as I said before and if they win game 6 the series is over. What a horrible call on Baron Davis last night, should not have fouled out

[flames_1987]

Phil Jackson said something along the lines of some players on his team had the mind power of a slug. Charles Barkley response before going to break "I got a call from a Slug saying he was offended". Classic

[flames_1987]

That Suns/Spurs series is going to be one of the best the NBA has to offer. Can't wait

[Philly06Cup]

Originally Posted by flames_1987

That Suns/Spurs series is going to be one of the best the NBA has to offer. Can't wait

Assuming that Dallas loses to Golden State, once again, the best matchup in the entire NBA playoffs appears in the second round. Must feel like shooting themselves in the foot, again.

They need to take a page from the NHL and reseed teams. Brackets are popular for fantasy purposes, but c'mon. This shouldn't be happening.

[flames_1987]

For some reason I forgot about the stupid NBA bracket and thought it was just like the NHL. What a stupid format to say the least.

Wow I've never seen a team dominate all season long like the Mavs did and then just get whooped in the playoffs. Cuban's reaction should be good

[dionfan]

Originally Posted by flames_1987

Wow I've never seen a team dominate all season long like the Mavs did and then just get whooped in the playoffs. Cuban's reaction should be good

That was exactly my thought after the final buzzer went.
After the Mavs finish the season with the 6th best record in NBA history, they lose to a team that finished 25 games back of them during the season, and get absolutely embarrassed in the process. I am not a huge follower of basketball, but I do watch once in a while and I know that this is a massive upset. Some have even called it the biggest upset in NBA history. What happened?

[I_H8_Crawford]

LOL, good job Nelson and the Warriors!

What a showing by "MVP" Nowitski!!!

Mavs got OWNED... if the Flames had a no-show against Ana last playoffs game 7, what do you call an almost 30 point blowout in an elimination game???

I SOOOOO can't wait to hear what Cuban has to say!

[Flames4LifeFLA]

[quote=dionfan;880135]Some have even called it the biggest upset in NBA history. quote]

Absolutely, no question. Biggest NBA Playoffs upset EVER. EVER. The only number 8 seed in the history of the NBA Playoffs to beat a number one seed in a best-of-seven series.

And Golden State embarrassed Dallas, not just beat them. Did you see the look on Cuban's face late in the 4th quarter sitting behing the Maverick bench? Wow, his glare could've chizzled granite.

EVER.

[O_M_A]

Originally Posted by dionfan

That was exactly my thought after the final buzzer went.
After the Mavs finish the season with the 6th best record in NBA history, they lose to a team that finished 25 games back of them during the season, and get absolutely embarrassed in the process. I am not a huge follower of basketball, but I do watch once in a while and I know that this is a massive upset. Some have even called it the biggest upset in NBA history. What happened?

It probably is the biggest upset of all-time. It's the first time an 8 seed has taken out a #1 since the NBA switched to a best of 7 format. The Mavs were considered heavy favorites by most to take the title this year.... Cuban has to be foaming right now.

As for what happened...who knows. Golden State took all the regular season games from the Mavs too. First of all, the Warriors were able to compeletely make Nowitzki a non-factor. He didn't have ONE good game all series. Once that happened, they suckered Dallas to play a Golden State type of game (aka Phoenix Suns basketball). Once that happened, it was over.

You can't say enough about Baron Davis. That guy is clutch.

I can't wait for the Phoenix/San Antonio series.. that's going to be great ball. The winner of that series is winning the title this year IMO.

[I_H8_Crawford]

My favorite was the Oakland crowd chanting "O-ver-rate-ed!! clap clap clapclapclap" at all the home games.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by I_H8_Crawford

My favorite was the Oakland crowd chanting "O-ver-rate-ed!! clap clap clapclapclap" at all the home games.

LOL, Jim Rome had a good point about crowds that do this. You're basically saying "Wow, you guys are so bad you can't even beat our crappy team!"

[I wanna be like Miikka]

Raps game 6 is about to start, win or go home for the raps. I really hope they force a game 7 but it will be tough with the injuries to the two top PG although calderon is starting and TJ will be available

[brownstown24]

Another T. Dot team bites the dust....I feel a little bad but I hate Toronto....Go Suns Go

[flames_1987]

Wow Raptors got horribly out coached at the end of that game. With the exception of Bosh's isolation against Moore when he hit that jump shot, there last 4 or 5 possesions were pure crap. Barnigani air ball with the shot clock almost over, Parker having to throw it up with the shot clock almost over, Bosh from just inside the 3 point line with the shot clock almost over and then a turnover to end the game.

[I wanna be like Miikka]

Yeah the coaching was bad the last bit but it was still the players fault. Mitchell was yelling at Jose to get the ball to barnani but he didnt listen and then finally when andrea gets the ball he threw it up which was a poor decision on his part not a drawn up play. The final play of the game should have been planned out better, I dont know what was going on with that. Still a good season for the raps, a lot of youth to build on for next year.

[flames_1987]

It was just pretty obvious who was the young unexperinced team and coaching staff. I usually don't like to resort to "it was still a good season" after a loss in the playoffs, but this team has come sooo far in the matter of one year.

The offseason I think rebounding and defense will be on the top of the list for this team. BC got the offense in place in Phoenix and then went after above average defenders (Bell, Diaw, Thomas) so I think we'll see the same here. I wouldn't be suprised if Mitchell isn't back next year either. I just have a feeling by the way he talks when the subject is brought up that he's off to the Bobcats

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by I wanna be like Miikka

Yeah the coaching was bad the last bit but it was still the players fault. Mitchell was yelling at Jose to get the ball to barnani but he didnt listen and then finally when andrea gets the ball he threw it up which was a poor decision on his part not a drawn up play. The final play of the game should have been planned out better, I dont know what was going on with that. Still a good season for the raps, a lot of youth to build on for next year.

It was tough watching it end like that here in Toronto, but this team was a pleasure to watch this year. Seriously not one dislikeable player on this team from top to bottom all class and that is never seen in any team that is good. That Calderon play looked like a pure throwaway at the end, but upon replay, it was close (why don't teams just go for the allyoop?). Anyway, I do believe Sam got outcoached in a lot of situations in this series, and I really think he's a great guy with a young team, but he should be parting ways with them this offseason (which is a shame), for a more systematic coach to take them to the next level. As for personnel, one thing that was lacking sorely at every moment was the fact that there were no rebounders in the key at ANY time against NJ (a relatively medium sized team). Toronto was pushing the parimeter game uncontrollably and Bosh was never getting in the paint which was frustrating to watch. I'd like to see Bargnani as a Centre in next year (for mismatch purposes) or two, move Bosh to SF (weird I know), but bring in a PF for rebounding and banging at both ends. As much as scoring would have been nice to have in the regular season with a SG, that under the basket banger was exposed bigtime in the playoffs. But again, an excellent job by the organization from top to bottom. A very nice classy team to watch and a day of mourning in Toronto by all sports fans after this loss.