2009 NBA Playoffs

[mykalberta]

Great Billups article here.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/etick...090511/billups

[StrayBullet]

The Mavs survive to play another day. They needed Dirk to pour in 44 points to get it done and withstood a physical, dirty game. 7 techs and 2 flagrants were called during the game and some hard fouls, but I guess that's playoff basketball. It's been an ugly series where the classy Dallas fans were yelling at K-Mart's mother and pouring beer on her. Apparently, Melo's girl, LaLa has been subject to some obscenities as well.

Cuban apologizes for it in his blog, including his comment to K-Mart's mother after Game 3.

http://blogmaverick.com/

[D to the iddy]

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

I don't think the Knicks will lose another game until 2016. (after summer 2010)

Fixed

[StrayBullet]

I would love to know what is going on inside that Orlando locker room. Dwight Howard was outright critical of his coach, Stan Van in the post-game conference. Demanding the ball, ensuring the offense goes thru him...

This is not the first time Stan Van's players have called him out in the media. Howard's back-up, Marcin Gortat called him out in the First Round saying that he panics in crunch time.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playof...ory?id=4162728

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by StrayBullet

I would love to know what is going on inside that Orlando locker room. Dwight Howard was outright critical of his coach, Stan Van in the post-game conference. Demanding the ball, ensuring the offense goes thru him...

This is not the first time Stan Van's players have called him out in the media. Howard's back-up, Marcin Gortat called him out in the First Round saying that he panics in crunch time.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playof...ory?id=4162728

Shaq also called him something like Captain Panic and was the main reason that grease ball Riley got the job in Miami after Fats Gundy got fired.

The only reason Fats Gundy wouldnt feed it it through Howard is that he doesnt think he could fight through the expected double team and not be able to find the open jump shooter.

Personally I think both have to do with bratty players. Look where Orlando was before Fats took over. And look where Miami was, and where they are now.

[malcolmk14]

Fully expect the Celtics to advance, I don't see the Magic beating them two games in a row now. I also fully expect the Cavs to sweep the Celtics in the Eastern Final.

Lakers vs Nuggets should make for a great series.

Cavs over Lakers in the Finals.

[Iggyscoresgoals]

The cavs over showtime? No way, we are the only team to go into Clevland and beat them at home, I don't even care about that 2nd loss, because that game was worthless, and Bron Bron was out. The Lakers beat the Cavs twice, and beating them at home on a 7 game road trip in which they also beat Boston and went 7-0.

The Lakers are not cruising to the finals like they did the previous year, the playoffs are not supposed to be easy, the only problem is they are having problems dealing with a quick point, which Billups is not. The Lakers will eat the Nuggets.

[malcolmk14]

Are you watching? This is the blueprint of how to break down this Lakers team. 23-9 Rockets late in the first quarter. If only they could execute like this consistently. The Lakers arrogance is coming back to bite them.

They have no chance against a team like Cleveland that is just hungrier and better.

[StrayBullet]

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

Are you watching? This is the blueprint of how to break down this Lakers team. 23-9 Rockets late in the first quarter. If only they could execute like this consistently. The Lakers arrogance is coming back to bite them.

They have no chance against a team like Cleveland that is just hungrier and better.

You know, it's not really what Houston is doing to the Lakers. It's more of what the Lakers do to themselves. They're a team that motivates themselves. When they are scoring, their intensity goes up. When they are hitting jumpers and getting to the lane and making plays, they get the job done on the defensive end.

If you're saying the blueprint to beat the Lakers is hit 50% of your shots and have them only hit 4-for-16, then obviously, you're going to be up and could possibly win. It's a matter of how the opposing team reacts to the Lakers when they start playing well and when Kobe starts to turn it on. What do the Rockets (Or any team) do when that happens? - Hope for the Lakers arrogance to come back and bite them? Consistently hit every shot and hope the Lakers go cold?

Saying they don't have a chance against Cleveland is ridiculous. The only team to beat the Cavs at home, other than the 76ers and they disposed of them in Los Angeles.

The Lakers still gotta beat a good Rockets team and should they win, they've got to beat an even tougher Denver team with an incredible point guard. As long as there's still gas in the tank, the Cavs ain't gonna cakewalk to a title.

[malcolmk14]

No, I'm saying the blueprint to beating the Lakers is keep the intensity up and execute a gameplan that involves a physical inside game and a lightning-quick point guard. Take advantage of their sometimes lackadaisical approach and try to keep Kobe in check.

Obviously if a team like the Lakers start playing well and Kobe turns it on, it's going to be hard to beat them. But if the opposing team matches up as well as the Rockets do and can keep the intensity up they can clearly take the Lakers to a 7th game, as proven in this series.

It's a stretch to say they don't have a chance against Cleveland, I agree. But the team that showed up tonight doesn't have a chance. I think they can take a couple games, but they need to be consistent to beat Cleveland, and I don't think that's what this Lakers team is.

I can't see the Lakers having much trouble with Denver if they're able to get past Houston, Billups is not the type of point guard they struggle against.

[Regorium]

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

Fully expect the Celtics to advance, I don't see the Magic beating them two games in a row now. I also fully expect the Cavs to sweep the Celtics in the Eastern Final.

Lakers vs Nuggets should make for a great series.

Cavs over Lakers in the Finals.

I don't know why you expect the Celts to advance. Only a complete magic collapse and a lucky shot from a 3rd string power forward is keeping the celtics in this series. The two teams have played equally awfully, so who really knows what will happen in game 7.

Funny enough, I think that the Magic have the best chance against the Cavs, because they have someone that can slow down James' drives to the net. Sure, James has found his shooting touch, but if you take away his rhythm that he usually gets from blowing past the whole team and throwing down, it might work. Not to mention the magic have beaten them by 20 in the regular season as well.

Yes, I am an Orlando fan that was very choked they blew a 14 point lead, and played the last play perfectly only to be beaten by Glen Davis. I fully expect Dwight to once again dominate in Boston, and missing 100 open jumpers can't keep going on right?

[malcolmk14]

you're probably right to some degree about the Magic. After Game 5 I figured they'd be crushed and frustrated, but they showed last night that they're not done yet. Game 7 should be excellent and I can't wait.

If Orlando gets through I can see them maybe pushing the Cavs to six games. They do match up very well with them, although nothing in that series would surprise me except Magic in 4 or 5. Any other result though I would not be shocked.

If the Celtics were able to win more than one game against the Cavs, I would be shocked. As a Cavs fan, i'm hoping for a celtics win tomorrow just for an easier Eastern Final.

[JohnnyFlame]

The Rockets are the feel good story of the NBA playoffs. Top two players out and yet they just keep on rolling. They have just plain out hustled the Lakers to win and get a game seven shot. Nobody would have seen that coming once Yao joined McGrady on the sidelines. Be a great upset win if they could pull it off. I'm sure every non-Laker fan is hoping they can get er done!!!!

[oxygen]

Interesting to see the Lakers/Rockets match up. There was an article on Shane Battier written in Febuary by Michael Lewis titled "The No-Stats All-Star" http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/15/ma...Battier-t.html

It's a great read, if you haven't already seen it, since it talks about how Battier goes about trying to neutralize Kobe.

[mykalberta]

After last nights Celtics/Magic game, I dont think Howard should be complaining to much as to why they dont give him the ball when the game is on the line.

The word is simple and it is FREE THROWS.

[StrayBullet]

Sorry Houston, you fought hard and pushed LA to Game 7, but in the end you showed what you really are without Yao and Tracy. Not to downplay your accomplishments or how much you achieved this year, but you're just not on that level quite yet. An applause is deserved for another decent season.

Big decisions for the Rockets with Ron Artest being an UFA and finding a back-up for Yao since Deke is going to retire.

Denver and Los Angeles start Tuesday

[Machiavelli]

Wow, Orlando is schooling the Celtics right now.



Oh and, go Nuggets.

[Regorium]

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

Wow, Orlando is schooling the Celtics right now.



Oh and, go Nuggets.

Hell ya! Go Magic! I knew they couldn't miss open 3 pointers and shots forever!

[Flamesguy_SJ]

I didn't really know where else to put this.

Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers are scheduled to be at the Pepsi Center in Denver next Monday night.

Problem is, so are John Cena and a bunch of wrestlers -- and they called it first.

World Wrestling Entertainment said it is booked at the arena for an episode of Monday Night Raw, the same night the Nuggets are slated to host the Lakers in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals.

WWE chairman Vince McMahon told The Associated Press he doesn't believe there was "any malice, just ineptness," on the part of Kroenke Sports, which owns the team and the building, but can't tolerate the company "just simply throwing us out on our ear."

Without a quick resolution, McMahon plans to send his trucks to Denver.

"That's what we intend to do," he said. "We're going to show up."

ESPN article

Seems game 4 of the Nuggets series has been scheduled for the same date as a televised WWE broadcast that was booked almost a year ago. Should be interesting to see how things play out.

[CMPunk]

Originally Posted by Flamesguy_SJ

I didn't really know where else to put this.

ESPN article

Seems game 4 of the Nuggets series has been scheduled for the same date as a televised WWE broadcast that was booked almost a year ago. Should be interesting to see how things play out.

Change the first game to L.A and play a 2-3-2 series to make up for it