RDF
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 8,835
|
Post by RDF on May 12, 2008 23:45:50 GMT -5
I thought the Celts played a good 3 quarters, were in position to win, and then the arrival of the garbage came to start the 4th quarter=--Big Tubby getting minutes over Powe? Come on Doc--that is garbage. It's not fair to Davis or the team--he was awful in his time and then seeing guys go under screens when Gibson was left open--and he's one of few threats Cavs had on court to make a shot from outside-geez.
First 3 quarters were best Boston has played on road in Playoffs--Cavs are superior to Hawks--which has to be taken into account--but that lineup to open the 4th--yikes.
2-2 and now Lebron comes into play even more--he's the one guy on both teams who can just will a win with scoring/domination. Boston is the superior team--but they had this game where a top seed/contender would want it entering the 4th--and Doc Rivers Editeded it away with wasted minutes to open the quarter. Still think Celts win in 6--but Rivers has to make some adjustments in his substitution patterns and never have 2 of the 3 out at start of 4th that lineup was disgusting. It allows Cavs to get away with empty possessions/maintain lead and those are trips that with your best players--you should be taking the lead/extending it. Lakers did this in Game 4 Sunday as well--and they still rallied to send game to OT-but they wasted too much time with garbage on court--and if you don't fall behind/get those empty trips--you likely win by half a dozen in regulation.
|
|
DanMcQ
Moderator
Posts: 32,083
|
Post by DanMcQ on May 13, 2008 8:49:21 GMT -5
Doc's decision to give major 4th quarter minutes to PJ Brown and Sam Cassell (if he's not making all the shots he's taking, what does he offer that Eddie House doesn't?) was very questionable, especially considering that neither of those guys was used in that manner in the regular season. I can see giving KG a minute or two to recharge at the beginning of the 4th, but not playing pretty much the first half of the 4th? Huh?
I think you are right on target RDF. I see the allure of going with the playoff veterans over the untested young players, but it's clear that Cassell in particular is not getting it done and Powe needs to play over Davis.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 15, 2008 8:00:59 GMT -5
SportsGuy actually wrote a pretty good piece about Rivers' mismanagement over on ESPN.com. Of course, he all but ruined it trying to be cute, but his points were spot-on.
I can't see THIS Celtics team getting past the Pistons. Far too inconsistent.
Although I DO hope they beat the Cavs. This will set up the "RDF Bowl" of KG vs. Flip Saunders. Heads will explode!
|
|
RDF
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 8,835
|
Post by RDF on May 16, 2008 15:06:47 GMT -5
Is anyone going to win a road game besides the Pistons? I know the "parity" talk is the reason analysts are using-but it's been embarrassing how poorly some players are playing away from their homecourt. I will say Celtics breakthrough tonight-but in all honesty-this series should've ended already--and the longer you keep playing in early rounds--it can come back and bite you in Conference Finals or Finals--even with homecourt advantage. Pistons seemed to have stepped away from pack a bit and shown they are top contender--now will Boston join them with a nice road win to close out Cavs? I will say yes--thought they played 3 good quarters Monday night and then Doc had wrong group out there to begin 4th.
Lakers--their role players are disappearing--Walton has stunk most of this series, Farmar makes 2 shots and Doug Collins had basketball viagra attack, and Radmanovic is being too one dimensional. Turiaf and Vujacic have been good/aggressive--although Sasha couldn't hit the ocean the other night.
Spurs--Hornets--that series has been so predictable-I've not even watched-home team blows out the road team. I will watch Game 7-but nothing about Spurs tells me it'll be different. They struggled to score all year--and while they looked great against Suns--I'd look good with 4 other posters on the board against Suns "defense".
I say Lakers-Jazz goes 7--and we've got a Western Conference Doubleheader on Monday Night.
Celtics will break trend and win--and the winner of Celts-Pistons wins it all this year--with my pick being Pistons. I liked the Lakers with Bynum-without him--they will lose in Finals after beating Hornets--who are disgusting away from their homecourt. Paul is great, rest of that team disappears.
The NBA Playoffs are about stars going to another level--and this year--despite some fun games to watch--it's been pretty ho-hum. Would love for it to change--but see no reason it will based upon the performances we've seen so far. Hopefully, I'll be pleasantly surprised.
|
|
hoyarooter
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 10,443
|
Post by hoyarooter on May 16, 2008 18:12:58 GMT -5
I think the parity argument applies only to the Laker/Jazz series. Those teams are reasonably evenly matched, and the home court edge (particularly in Utah, where the Jazz have lost all of 5 games this year) is enough to tilt the balance. I'll be rooting hard for the Lakers tonight, but I expect the Jazz to win, and the Lakers to win on Monday.
As for the other series - Detroit was better than Orlando, winning twice without Billups. Home court advantage meant nothing. The Celtics have been flat out abysmal on the road against mediocre competition. If we are dealing with parity here, it is because the Celtics have ceased playing like a 66 win team, and begun playing like a 46 win team. I too think they will win tonight, particularly with Gibson out, but it wouldn't shock me if they don't. The Pistons will definitely beat them if they don't rediscover their offensive flow. The Hornet/Spur series mystifies me. How could every game be a blowout? And crazily, all three games in New Orleans have followed identical patterns. Since the Spurs have yet to show that they can play 3 competitive quarters in New Orleans, much less 4, I look for a similar result on Monday. But it's not parity when every game is a blowout. I wonder if there has ever been a seven game series like this before in the NBA.
|
|
kchoya
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Enter your message here...
Posts: 9,934
|
Post by kchoya on May 16, 2008 18:25:34 GMT -5
I think the parity argument applies only to the Laker/Jazz series. Those teams are reasonably evenly matched, and the home court edge (particularly in Utah, where the Jazz have lost all of 5 games this year) is enough to tilt the balance. I'll be rooting hard for the Lakers tonight, but I expect the Jazz to win, and the Lakers to win on Monday. It'll be hard for the Lakers to lose at home on Monday if the refs are so one-sided again. These teams ARE evenly-matched - let's let them decide the outcome, not the zebras.
|
|
RDF
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 8,835
|
Post by RDF on May 17, 2008 3:24:11 GMT -5
Well I couldn't be more wrong--good thing I don't gamble or I'd be asking for loans from everyone. Celtics had the game where you would want it being on road--and couldn't get it done--Rondo doesn't even look like same player away from Boston--and can't figure out why he'd change his offensive approach--but he does.
Lakers took care of business-and give them credit-finally a team stepped up and won on the road--in a tough place. Kudos to them and Detroit and anxious to see how the Spurs and Cavs handle the road. Spurs--I see them being better--but still losing--the Cavs will get blown out unless LeBron has a huge game--and then they'll lose close.
|
|
kghoya
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 5,049
|
Post by kghoya on May 18, 2008 13:57:51 GMT -5
i really missed the nba playoffs yesterday...
the cavs winning game 7 would be a miracle today
but it would be freaking brilliant!
|
|
vcjack
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,875
|
Post by vcjack on May 18, 2008 20:26:01 GMT -5
SportsGuy actually wrote a pretty good piece about Rivers' mismanagement over on ESPN.com. Of course, he all but ruined it trying to be cute, but his points were spot-on. I can't see THIS Celtics team getting past the Pistons. Far too inconsistent. Although I DO hope they beat the Cavs. This will set up the "RDF Bowl" of KG vs. Flip Saunders. Heads will explode! Well its happening, hopefully Marcus Camby and George Karl will be in attendance drinking milkshakes and dancing to Zombie Nation to make it perfect
|
|
kghoya
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 5,049
|
Post by kghoya on May 19, 2008 8:58:07 GMT -5
i thought yesterday was game 7 of the nba finals the way everybody celebrated and went nuts...
nope.
just second round
|
|
RDF
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 8,835
|
Post by RDF on May 19, 2008 11:44:56 GMT -5
The only thing yesterday's Game 7 did for me--was justify just how great LeBron James truly is--he did what REAL FRANCHISE PLAYERS DO--and my respect for him in defeat is far superior to many who win. The game can be summed up on two plays: 1. LeBron is getting heated up--hits a jumper, buries a 3, and then Cavs get rebound--LeBron screams for outlet--but it goes to DeLonte West and he drives and stumbles, falls down, loses the ball--and on ensuing possession-Pierce buries a 3. One team gets ball to right guy--the other who is basically a 1 man team ignores him. 2. Boston is clinging to a 1 pt lead and as seen repeatedly--a KG team needing a big hoop sees the ball end up in the hands of the last guy you would want shooting (PJ Brown) in a big possession--only Brown buries it--if you are Cleveland you live with that--and if situation repeats itself, which it likely will in a tight game considering the source and past history--get ready to yell defense because that's not going to go in again. The behavior at end of that series was interesting--especially from Eddie House and his kid--get the damn kid off the court--did we not learn anything from Barry Bonds son almost getting blown up at homeplate? Time and place--and seeing House's son running out into huddles-- No onto the Pistons-Celtics in ECF and I'm quite certain Celtics know they have to play better basketball then we've seen in opening two rounds or they not only will be done for season--it won't be a long series. I expect them to play better--think Allen will shoot better--but you have to get to FT line against Detroit--and if you don't--you won't win. Boston's reliance on jumpshooting is going to have to be altered to win this series. They can do it--but will they? Maybe House's kid will take the ball and drive to the hole.
|
|
TBird41
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
"Roy! I Love All 7'2" of you Roy!"
Posts: 8,740
|
Post by TBird41 on May 19, 2008 12:38:31 GMT -5
The only thing yesterday's Game 7 did for me--was justify just how great LeBron James truly is--he did what REAL FRANCHISE PLAYERS DO--and my respect for him in defeat is far superior to many who win. The game can be summed up on two plays: 1. LeBron is getting heated up--hits a jumper, buries a 3, and then Cavs get rebound--LeBron screams for outlet--but it goes to DeLonte West and he drives and stumbles, falls down, loses the ball--and on ensuing possession-Pierce buries a 3. One team gets ball to right guy--the other who is basically a 1 man team ignores him. 2. Boston is clinging to a 1 pt lead and as seen repeatedly--a KG team needing a big hoop sees the ball end up in the hands of the last guy you would want shooting (PJ Brown) in a big possession--only Brown buries it--if you are Cleveland you live with that--and if situation repeats itself, which it likely will in a tight game considering the source and past history--get ready to yell defense because that's not going to go in again. The behavior at end of that series was interesting--especially from Eddie House and his kid--get the damn kid off the court--did we not learn anything from Barry Bonds son almost getting blown up at homeplate? Time and place--and seeing House's son running out into huddles-- No onto the Pistons-Celtics in ECF and I'm quite certain Celtics know they have to play better basketball then we've seen in opening two rounds or they not only will be done for season--it won't be a long series. I expect them to play better--think Allen will shoot better--but you have to get to FT line against Detroit--and if you don't--you won't win. Boston's reliance on jumpshooting is going to have to be altered to win this series. They can do it--but will they? Maybe House's kid will take the ball and drive to the hole. I'd add a third play, personally, which happened right after Brown hit his jumper. Cavs moved the ball around (read, LeBron created) and found Delonte West open for three. He shoots a brick. Game. Also, I enjoyed Brown catching two (maybe three) airballs by an open Rondo that were missed so badly that the Cavs had no chance of getting the rebound without knowing that he'd airball it.
|
|
kghoya
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 5,049
|
Post by kghoya on May 19, 2008 12:39:36 GMT -5
2. Boston is clinging to a 1 pt lead and as seen repeatedly--a KG team needing a big hoop sees the ball end up in the hands of the last guy you would want shooting (PJ Brown) in a big possession--only Brown buries it--if you are Cleveland you live with that--and if situation repeats itself, which it likely will in a tight game considering the source and past history--get ready to yell defense because that's not going to go in again. that reminded me of knicks/heat when the heat would have a loser like clarence weatherspoon take a big shot
|
|
hoyarooter
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 10,443
|
Post by hoyarooter on May 20, 2008 12:38:54 GMT -5
So the Spurs and Lakers both did the unexpected. I had picked the Spurs to come out of the west at the start of the playoffs, but I doubted my choice after seeing them get manhandled three times by the Hornets. I'm now back to thinking the Spurs will beat the Lakers (although I'm obviously not rooting that way). I foresee another Spur/Piston final, and of course we have caught that act before.
|
|
RDF
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 8,835
|
Post by RDF on May 22, 2008 11:31:46 GMT -5
Well Spurs gave away a game last night--as Reggie Miller pointed out--that was their game and they just didn't score in 2nd Half. I don't think Spurs are in trouble--and I think they should be encouraged by how easy they were scoring--when they moved the ball--then they settled for long jumpers and rested Parker too much in my opinion. He's the guy Lakers don't have an answer for--he can dominate the game--and was--and then they go to Vaughn/bench and it was a disaster.
Kobe was Kobe--and took over at key time--but that game should've been over and never closer then 8-10 points if Spurs kept moving the ball. Key to series from here on out--which Lamar Odom shows up--the guy who played great against Utah or the guy who played last night and looked timid, taking fadeaways, not going strong to rim/basket, and looking like he never saw a missed shot rebound before? If he plays like he did last night--Spurs in 6.
|
|
hoyarooter
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 10,443
|
Post by hoyarooter on May 22, 2008 11:59:00 GMT -5
Actually, the Spurs stopped scoring in the last 18 minutes. In the first six minutes and ten seconds of the third quarter, they outscored the Lakers 14-2. In the last 17:50, they were outscored by Kobe, who had 23 to the Spurs' 20. I don't think I heard any of the announcers point that out. Truly bizarre. However, if any team can shrug that off, it's the Spurs.
Odom definitely had a bad game, and I'm hopeful it's just one bad game, and not a trend. Of course with Lamar, you never know. Lots of people in LA got on Gasol after his poor game 3 against the Jazz, which I thought was ridiculous. Anybody can have a bad game, and Gasol bounced back after that. Hopefully Odom will do the same.
|
|
vcjack
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,875
|
Post by vcjack on May 23, 2008 8:57:53 GMT -5
Pistons in 6 (and I hope I'm jinxing them)
|
|
moe09
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,101
|
Post by moe09 on May 23, 2008 15:39:07 GMT -5
Can jinxes actually work if you openly acknowledge trying to jinx the team?
|
|
kghoya
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 5,049
|
Post by kghoya on May 23, 2008 17:53:39 GMT -5
Can jinxes actually work if you openly acknowledge trying to jinx the team? nope...sorta like telling everybody your birthday wish before blowing out the candles it simply doesnt work
|
|
DanMcQ
Moderator
Posts: 32,083
|
Post by DanMcQ on May 25, 2008 7:42:31 GMT -5
|
|