RDF
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Post by RDF on Apr 19, 2008 13:29:52 GMT -5
A little kitten skirmish between Brenda Haywood/LeBron James-I'm sure the ACC fans all want LeBron suspended and thought this "fight" was awful. Just hearing Dave Pash trying to explain a reference of DeShawn Stevenson-LeBron James talking mess with "Jay-Z and Soulja Boy" story was beyond funny--I can't stop laughing. It is unreal. Watchout DC--Soulja Boy is supposed to be decked out wearing a Wizards jersey at Game 3!!! If Rick Carlisle chimes in with "Yaa-Trick Yaa"--this officially will be an unintentional sitcom. I love AI--but why is Carlisle saying Denver can beat the Lakers? that is 4 game sweep-at most 5 games. Denver plays no defense and Lakers play too smart to lose to the chaos that is Denver basketball. Gasol could have 50 against Camby in a game if he wanted. Just go to the paint and shoot in Camby's face. Think Nuggets wish they'd have traded for Ron Artest now? With Artest--I'd give them a chance to go 6, even full 7 for having a big body to rebound/defend and scare people--literally. It would've been the craziest, most entertaining team in a while--but Linas Kleiza is the "future"--I guess. Spurs-Suns--this is what Kerr built the Suns for--with Shaq--but my question--does this help Suns get to Finals? Or does it help them beat Spurs and then lose in 2nd Round? Rockets over Jazz--not that I believe it--but have to stay committed to Houston since I rode them since Day one--and when McGrady loses again--then I can unload upon him. Celts in 4 Pistons in 5--though Flip could make it 6. Wizards in 6 Magic in 5. Lakers in 4--5 if AI carries them to victory for a game. He had 51 and Karl told him to quit shooting--or he'd have had 60 in that game and they still LOST. Rockets in 7--only chance--as Rockets won't win on road--but Jazz aren't as good away from home this year and miss Derek Fisher. Spurs in 7--Grant Hill factor will show up--and I hate Shaq tanking on Heat and being rewarded for it. Hornets over Mavs--in 7 (I hope--I really hate the Mavs--sorry to the lone Mav fan here who was on my case last year prior to Playoffs--he's a loyal good fan and if they win-happy for him but I hate the Mavs-they bore me)
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MCIGuy
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Post by MCIGuy on Apr 19, 2008 15:31:55 GMT -5
Can't decide on Denver-LA. I could see the 4 game sweep or 5 game win by Lakers, but, as they proved almost all season, when Denver has its back against the wall and needs to win it has proven it can do so against even the top teams. The question is whether AI gets back to his post season form after the disaster against the Spurs last year. If he does this should be a tougher series than people are expecting.
I still don't get why some folks say Denver has the most talent in the NBA. What? The Nuggets don't even have one guy who can demand a double team in the post. I mean when folks were saying that about the Lakers during the three-peat run with Shaq and Kobe an argument could be made for them being the most talented team. But Denver? Please.
I'm rooting for the Cavs because the Wizards talk too much for a team that has not done anything.
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Apr 19, 2008 18:07:19 GMT -5
For those who think the NBA is "awful to watch"--hope they got to see some of Suns-Spurs game 1--that is why these are the best players in the world and it's the best level of basketball to watch. Guys hitting big shots--and BIG TIME PLAYERS doing what BIG TIME PLAYERS ---SHOULD DO--taking on the responsibility.
I'll ask you MCI--did Grant Hill's performance today register with his ranking in the MVP/top players poll put together by "Boston" Bill Simmons at 47?? I mean today is exactly why I am all over Grant Hill's sorry behind--he is a 6'8 guy who didn't have a reliable jumpshot in college and it's 14 years later and you know what? Grant Hill still can't shoot the basketball. He's supposed to be the stopper for Tony Parker--and yet he's on the bench in critical moments--until Diaw fouls out and then he is allergic to anything--other then calling a timeout his team DID NOT HAVE--but the officials ignored it. This guy is G-A-R-B-A-G-E!!!
Duncan once again showing why he's the best PF to play--he's just sick. I thought he was slowing down last year during regular season--and learned my lesson. Today--he was sick.
Nash was unreal, Stoudemire was great--but again with the silly fouls/decisions--he gets "Hibbert-ian" fouls--where he's in the backcourt and reaches and it's not how you want someone of his caliber to get his fouls.
Phoenix is more talented--but if they lose Game 2--they are in DEEP TROUBLE as Grant Hill, Raja Bell, and company's elbows will get tight. Good for them Spurs have trouble scoring-but a long series doesn't bode well for them to make a deep run in Western Conference. Spurs would be able to handle that better then Suns--because they are built on defense--Suns are built on --well I don't know--but they should win this series--but get feeling that Grant Hill will get his chance to silence those of us who have little respect for his game--see Van Gundy chastising Michael Finley for staying with Hill and not allowing him to shoot a jumper wide open--(yeah--that's who I think is a top 50 player in league) and if Hill like McGrady, like KG--who I hope watched Duncan hit that big shot to tie the game today--which is the most pressure any shooter faces--being BEHIND having to hit a tough shot--so will we see KG take it this year or pass to a wide open Eddie House/Rajon Rando on a ball rotation?
This is what seperates the ELITE from the good in NBA--and I love this time of year.
BTW--numbers aside today-Antawn Jamison killed the Wizards. Those 3 straight possessions in 4th quarter with Washington ahead by 2pts and having chance to extend the lead and he takes every shot--2 of them 3pt attempts--just stupid shots--and why is he an All Star? He's reaching the Jermaine O'Neal level of "why is this guy important?"
LeBron--he's something and carried his team of crap to a Game 1 win--I think Wizards are better team but if it's close--you know James will play big--Arenas has to have ball as Jamison is unreliable and Carron Butler isn't a good enough offensive player to count on.
Now to the nightcap and tomorrow the butt kicking day in Playoffs---I say SWEEP for Lakers due to the fact Carmelo Anthony is terrible at understanding how to play. He will force shots when Iverson is hot or JR Smith is hot or he'll get stupid fouls in frustration of not getting calls on other end--and his man will score some easy hoops--well not his fault--ALL Denver opponents score easy hoops. Nene is out--that means no post up players outside Melo and AI having to carry load--Fisher gives him fits--Fisher torches him with open jumpers and then plays him tough/makes him work. AI will never have a great shooting series--he'll have one huge scoring game if he's right--and then score but on volume of shots--the Nuggets need AI to play PG with Smith at 2G to keep the scores competitive--not win--they have no chance to win this series--without Bryant getting injured. Even then--I'd say they lose in 7.
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MCIGuy
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Post by MCIGuy on Apr 19, 2008 19:08:44 GMT -5
I hear ya but with all due respect this isn't Atlanta against Boston. Denver trailed the Lakers by 7 games. The gap wasn't that deep. Yes, the Lakers swept the Nuggets. But the Lakers D couldn't hold Denver. The problem was that Denver's defense was so poor that one or two of those games turned into blowouts. Also I don't think Iverson is going to jack up a ridiculous number of shots. But regardless of how many he takes I predict his shooting percentage will end up being the same as it was during the regular season which was roughly 46%. You know what? Kobe shot around 46% himself this year and no one complains about his fg percentage. He has at least 6 inches over Iverson and at least 35 pounds. He has the advantage then of being able to get to the basket and finishing better among st the trees. So why can't the best player in the world shoot better than that, why can't he shoot better than AI? This is why Kobe never belongs in the "like MJ" conversation IMO. The guy can't shoot like Jordan did. Even with Shaq to draw most of the defense Kobe could never come close to 50%
Here's another thing. Kobe has yet proved he can carry a team in the post season. And I think his ppg average, at least since Shaq left, has gone down whenever the playoffs start, not up. He has certainly has had less explosive playoff games than AI though i Kobe's defense he had to share the scoring load with Shaq for most of his career. But in the same token in fairness to AI he never had a great teammate like Shaq to ride to championship glory.
IF AI is playing well, who guards him? Kobe? If so he is gonna be darn tired and it may affect his O. Its one thing for Kobe to check AI for the final 7 minutes; its another to do so for an entire game.. And if Kobe guards AI then players like Carmello and JR could go off. Pick your poison. Outside of Kobe there is not one other Laker known for his defense. The Lakers aren't exactly the Pistons or the Spurs. But if there inexperienced guards (other than Fisher or Bryant) keep knocking down threes it could be a very quick series. And of course the interior could get real ugly for Denver. I have the Lakers winning but I think it goes six games.
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MCIGuy
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Post by MCIGuy on Apr 19, 2008 20:52:07 GMT -5
Duncan is great but the Spurs continued success in the post season should be an end to all the bashers that the NBA is rigged for its stars because we all know the Spurs equal death for the ratings. I'm rooting hard for my Suns but they let one get away and many of their key players aren't spring chickens. Shaq may not have much for game two and Nash could be affected as well. Yeah, Grant was on the floor when the game counted right? Jamison is a reliable horse for the Wiz during the regular season. But come playoff time...he's horrible. Same ol' thing. And after seeing Steven's box score...he needs to Shut. Up. Caron just had an off game. Still the Wiz and the Suns can take their lead from, of all teams, the 2001 Sixers. Those Sixers were eliminated the two previous years in the playoffs by the Pacers. When 2001's post season arrived it was supposed to be the Sixers' (the #1 seed) time to get past the Pacers. However they lost game one and plenty of people thought it was going to be more of the same. The Sixers though won the next three games to advance. Man, talk about a collapse on offense by the Mavs in the second half. Paul is just a revelation. West is having the type of career Sweetney should have had.
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Post by hoyasaxact on Apr 20, 2008 0:08:12 GMT -5
The Suns-Spurs game was amazing, and Duncan's shot was positively Hibbert-esque.
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moe09
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Post by moe09 on Apr 20, 2008 5:48:04 GMT -5
MCI, you don't think Kobe can guard Iverson? See 2001 NBA Finals. Sure, they brought in Tyronn Lue every once in awhile to stick like glue on AI, but he was an offensive liability, limiting his time. Majority of it went to Kobe, and maybe AI put up 48 in game one, but the others didn't turn out so well for him.
I'm not saying he'll shut AI down, but I don't think it'll fatigue Kobe as one would think. He's guarded him before, and still had enough left in the tank for the offensive end.
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MCIGuy
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Post by MCIGuy on Apr 20, 2008 8:16:02 GMT -5
MCI, you don't think Kobe can guard Iverson? See 2001 NBA Finals. Sure, they brought in Tyronn Lue every once in awhile to stick like glue on AI, but he was an offensive liability, limiting his time. Majority of it went to Kobe, and maybe AI put up 48 in game one, but the others didn't turn out so well for him. I'm not saying he'll shut AI down, but I don't think it'll fatigue Kobe as one would think. He's guarded him before, and still had enough left in the tank for the offensive end. I have every game of that series on tape and used to watch them time to time and Phil Jackson put Kobe on AI sporadically from what I can recall. Only one game in Philly did Kobe really play AI a huge amount of minutes and I think that may have been Kobe's worst offensive showing as a result. But even if that had been the case, even if Kobe had been the main guy to guard AI during the 2001 Finals, back then at least Kobe was not the main focal point on offense for the Lakers. Shaq was. To now ask a 30 year old Kobe to be the main scorer for the Lakers, the main distributer AND be the main defender to guard AI who plays more minutes per game than any NBA player would be sillly. Jackson has always picked his pots for when Kobe was to guard Iverson. He never puts Kobe on AI the majority of a game. No one at Kobe's size can be asked to do that for four quarters and then be asked to score 25 to 30 points to boot.
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kghoya
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Post by kghoya on Apr 20, 2008 10:56:06 GMT -5
i like watching tracy mcgrady lose in the playoffs
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Apr 20, 2008 11:35:15 GMT -5
i like watching tracy mcgrady lose in the playoffs Did you notice the "Make Sure everyone knows I'm hurt--not 100%" gear McGrady rocked last night? This guy is such a......I won't say what I'm thinking but it's not flattering. His comments after the game--this series is over. What a punk.
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MCIGuy
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Post by MCIGuy on Apr 20, 2008 13:46:33 GMT -5
Like I wrote in another thread....fluke 22 win streak. It basically got them in the playoffs and even worse gave them a high seed. What as waste.
I do hope Phil Jackson doesn't outcoach Karl too badly.
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vcjack
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Post by vcjack on Apr 20, 2008 14:27:19 GMT -5
Is the Nuggets' coaching staff on crack? wtf was that lockeroom thing?
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Apr 20, 2008 15:41:38 GMT -5
Nuggets are better when Camby and Anthony are on the bench today--and last month when I watched. Anthony is a disgrace when doubled--he can't see the floor, telegraphs passes and has ball stolen. Kobe Bryant is stinking on offensive end--and Lakers will win by double digits simply due to fact: 1. Karl insists on playing Anthony Carter for some reason--why? 2. Anthony is a stupid player 3. Iverson missing FT's and just gagging at the FT line 4. Camby being a terrible defensive player I take that back--Camby is a terrible PLAYER--not just on defense. This guy should be casterated because he doesn't play with any balls anyways--so why have them attached to the body? What a FEMALE BODY PART!!! Is there a way you can fire a coach during the Playoffs? I'd fire Karl now--as in the 3rd quarter. Van Gundy is basically pointing out how Denver can be more competitive/win and Karl does the exact opposite. I don't think Denver can win this series-but you have to give your team their best chance and he refuses to do that. Disgraceful.
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Nevada Hoya
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Post by Nevada Hoya on Apr 20, 2008 16:40:52 GMT -5
The Lakers are killing the Nuggets inside. Gasol is unconscious.
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Apr 20, 2008 17:06:38 GMT -5
The Lakers are killing the Nuggets inside. Gasol is unconscious. When you give NBA caliber bigs wide open dunks/layups--they'll score every time. Lamar Odom even looked like he wanted the ball--which is beyond scary if you are opposing team--this guy wants no part of a tough game--so fact he wanted the ball tells you all you need to know about Denver. May I add that if you are truly the "Most valuable player to my team" as George Karl consistently blows out his rear about Camby--why is he such a non factor on defense? Why is he such a female body part on offensive end? He goes up like a punk, plays like a punk, and if they look, play, talk, and act like something--they ARE a PUNK. Get that clown off the court and get someone with heart. Hell--Nene with one ball and a sore groin is tougher then friggin Camby. Put in Steven Hunter--put in Chucky Atkins--I could care--just put someone in who competes and has some toughness. Carmelo Anthony is an idiot when it comes to how to play basketball. He has no clue. It's too much a "get mine" thing with him and he's just a moron on the court. He has a nice jumpshot, and a nice jumpshot, and.....nice collection of tats--so that is going well for him. Learn to play the game and maybe you'll win a playoff series. Iverson's disgusting FT shooting aside--and it's contagious--and this now makes 2 straight Playoff clunkers from FT line for Iverson at Staples Center--he killed Sixers chances to steal Game 2 with some bricks--he played his butt off and battled--but until the moron that is George Karl learns you have to play Iverson at the one with Smith and bench Carter/spot him minutes--today is closest they'll get. Defensive Player of Year my ASS--that Camby is officially the biggest FEMALE DOG I've ever seen set foot on a court. What a punk.
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FewFAC
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Post by FewFAC on Apr 20, 2008 17:43:42 GMT -5
Chris Paul should put up 40 every night on Jason Kidd. It was scary watching how thoroughly Paul toyed with the Mavericks. If Paul takes over offensively the way he is capable of doing, the Mavs will be lucky to win one at home. Jason Kidd is probably a HOFer, but he has no business on the court with Paul. And I'm NOT a Chris Paul fan, though I am undecided on whether the Hornets could get past San Antonio.
I picked, what, a Spurs-Cs Final before the season, though I think the Gasol trade may have tilted the West in the Lakers favor, especially if Bynum can return to defend the Duncans/Shaqs of the world with any type of efficacy after such a long layoff.
Conference Finals in a just world would be Cleveland v. Orlando and LA v. Phoenix.
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MCIGuy
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Post by MCIGuy on Apr 20, 2008 18:40:20 GMT -5
I thought Iverson had an off game. His 30 point 7 assist effort was arguably the most meaningless in NBA history. He missed some midrange jumpers that he should have hit. The good news though is that he didn't take a bunch of useless three-point attempts. But, man, if you want to win you gotta dig down deep and play better. You can't miss that many free throws. You don't want more than two turnovers and you have to keep driving more and make smarter passes as you dra the defense. If he has it in him to actually play a really good game then the Lakers won't be able to contain him. Oh, and he has to stop whining to the refs. Just stop it.
Carmelo has to stop taking jumpers in the halfcourt and mix it up with more drives. He's playing right into the Lakers' hands by staying away from the hoop.
What's up with Kobe posing after every shot in the 2nd half. Act like you've scored before, Mr Bryant.
If the Lakers cruise in game 2 RDF will be right in that this series won't go past five, maybe not four. Because Denver has not proven it has the professional pride to bounce back from such a deficit against a quality team.
Michael Lee of the Washington Post came up with his three All NBA team list (15 players total of course). On his third team, as the lone Nugget representative, was Marcus Camby. Just stop it already. Camby can't be blamed for perimeter guys blowing past defenders towards his direction. But my God he can't really guard a talented big man one-on-one. His blocks mostly come from being a help defender. The dude though is not a true defensive force. The Lakers don't think twice about taking it to him. He ain't Zo. He ain't Deke. But he's on his way to winning more defensive player of the year awards than each of them.
At least Kleiza and JR looked as if they were playoff ready. But I concur with RDF on another point: Karl must start the game with the bigger lineup.
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vcjack
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Post by vcjack on Apr 20, 2008 18:50:51 GMT -5
Watching Gasol butcher the Denver interior made me sad. He could have been in Chicago if Pax had had realized that Memphis would part with him for cap space
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MCIGuy
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Post by MCIGuy on Apr 20, 2008 18:57:26 GMT -5
It is criminal that Memphis gave Gasol to the Lakers for nothing. And it will be illegal when Bynum returns.
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MCIGuy
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Post by MCIGuy on Apr 20, 2008 20:05:17 GMT -5
Oh, goody. The Sixers won. Ain't my day.
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