vcjack
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Post by vcjack on Apr 15, 2010 8:36:16 GMT -5
Its the mostest wonderful time of the year again, playoffs!
Make your first round predictions
Eastern Conference
Bulls vs Cavs In 6 (that's the extent of my optimism)
Magic vs Bobcats in 5
Bucks vs Hawks in 4
Heat vs Celtics in 6
Western Conference
Thunder vs Lakers in 7 (Jeff hits a backwards halfcourt shot to win game 7)
Spurs vs Mavs in 5
Blazers vs Suns in 6
Jazz vs Nuggets in 7
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Post by HometownHoya on Apr 15, 2010 11:21:28 GMT -5
Its the mostest wonderful time of the year again, playoffs! Make your first round predictions Eastern Conference Bulls vs Cavs In 6 (that's the extent of my optimism) Magic vs Bobcats in 5 Bucks vs Hawks in 4 Heat vs Celtics in 6 Western Conference Thunder vs Lakers in 7 (Jeff hits a backwards halfcourt shot to win game 7) Spurs vs Mavs in 5 Blazers vs Suns in 6 Jazz vs Nuggets in 7 Eastern Conference Bulls vs Cavs In 5 Magic vs Bobcats in 4 Bucks vs Hawks in 6 Heat vs Celtics in 7 Western Conference Thunder vs Lakers in 7 Spurs vs Mavs in 6 Blazers vs Suns in 5 Jazz vs Nuggets in 7
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hoyarooter
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Post by hoyarooter on Apr 15, 2010 11:46:17 GMT -5
The Lakers are a mess and I wouldn't be at all surprised if they lose to the Thunder, but if they do, I don't think it will be in seven games. If that series goes seven the Lakers will find a way to win at home. So I'll throw in my predictions.
Cavs in 5 (at the most) Magic in 6 Hawks in 5 Celtics in 7
Thunder in 6 Mavs in 7 (I look for a war here) Suns in 5 Nuggets in 7
I honestly have no clue who is going to come out of the West this year. I'm leaning toward the Mavs, but I think you can pretty much throw these teams into a hat and pull out a name.
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CAHoya07
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Post by CAHoya07 on Apr 15, 2010 11:48:43 GMT -5
Let's go Thunder, shock the world! Being from Northern California, the fact that they are playing the Lakers makes me root even more for them... Prediction? Durant averages 50, Jeff averages 30, Westbrook averages 15 assists per game, the 8th-seeded Thunder make NBA history by becoming the first time to sweep the top-seeded, defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. DO IT! ;D I honestly think they have a chance to at least win a few games. While the Lakers have the experience and the pedigree, they only won 7 more games than the Thunder this year. If the Thunder can win one of the first two games in LA, look out. NBA.com Series Preview: www.nba.com/2010/news/04/14/westseries1_preview/index.htmlI'm biased, but most intriguing first round matchup by far for me. All starts at 3pm EST on Sunday on ABC.
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MCIGuy
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Post by MCIGuy on Apr 18, 2010 13:55:32 GMT -5
Kevin Garnett is an idiot. If it was A, Mourning who threw that elbow or one of the old school Pat Riley Knicks the media would come down hard. But punk*** KG has been getting a pass for ten plus years.
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Post by HometownHoya on Apr 18, 2010 14:25:26 GMT -5
Jeff and the Thunder are facing the Lakers on ABC right now. Hard game from Jeff because he is forced to defend one of Bynum, Odom, or Gasol, to whom he gives up 3-4 inches. Hopefully he will be able to take advantage of the same mismatch.
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MCIGuy
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Post by MCIGuy on Apr 18, 2010 14:41:48 GMT -5
He will have to be more aggressive on offense to take advantage of his speed and quickness.
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Apr 18, 2010 15:45:01 GMT -5
Jeff Green is playing like a 35 year old man--get your ass to the basket and use the dribble--these broke deep jumpers remind me of washed up Derrick McKey. Jeff really needs to get in gym and work on his mid range jumpshot and ball handling.
Thunder are a horrendous offensive team and really remind me of one of those teams who get hyped but never "reach the level" they are hyped to supposedly be. Durant hoists jumpers and if he's not hitting shots-he does NOTHING. He's not a good defender, he doesn't rebound, he doesn't drive or post.
Lakers in 5 out of assumption they want to give Thunder a game to "thank the fans". Lakers are not playing well this year either--and they won't win the championship and don't see them getting there if they continue to get nothing from anyone other then Odom off the bench.
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Apr 18, 2010 16:45:36 GMT -5
Watched 5 playoff games and I wouldn't classify any as quality. This is shaping up to be the single worst basketball season I can remember. Nobody is that good, nobody can make shots, it's NOT great defense--it's horrific offense, and you have people hyping teams/players that aren't backing up any of the hype.
Kevin Durant has been placed on a pedestal that he's not earned. Let's have him EARN it before he/his team is talked of beating the Lakers--who have a guy who is proven to be one of the greatest to play--by his play in Postseason--not just regular season.
Russell Westbrook showed up--and that's it. He was only guy who didn't look like he wanted to crap himself and played tough/playoff worthy basketball. Only fault with him--how many times do you have to see Derek Fisher hit big shots to not sag off him? Just don't get players today--and never will. Maybe it's because I am a middle aged guy who watches basketball and doesn't just play and then play video games--but if you watch--you can tell who can/will take/hit shots and who doesn't want any part of it.
NCAA Tournament was awful for most part in terms of lacking quality basketball--and I don't consider a close game a great game--there were very few great games this year and so far the Playoffs are off to a start that has me wondering if anyone takes a game off a good, not great Cavs team--that will be hyped as being "Great" when they go 16 and whatever they finish-I'll say 2 losses.
This hoop season can't get over fast enough for me. Just very mediocre level basketball.
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MCIGuy
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Post by MCIGuy on Apr 18, 2010 19:14:06 GMT -5
That game was garbage. This was one game I was looking forward to this weekend and what we got was a snoozer between the Thunder and the Lakers.
First of all much my enthusiasm had waned long before tip-off because ABC proves once more that they can put together the most boring telecast ever. The music, the graphics, the announcers/hosts. Terrible. But then the actual game started and it got worse.
This game wasn’t even a true contest. The Lakers controlled it all the way. But that doesn’t mean the game had to be boring. A great team can still entertain even when its dominating an inferior team. Problem is this Lakers team ain’t entertaining. In fact none of the Phil Jackson Lakers teams have been thrilling to watch. The only times they become exciting is when they play an opponent who is fun to watch because they push the pace. The Sacramento Kings of the early 200s and the Denver Nuggets of last year come to mind. But when the Lakers face an overwhelmed team that they can force into a halfcourt game? Zzzzzzzzzzz. The last time the Lakers came close to playing exciting was game 5 of last year’s NBA Finals. Seriously one reason why I always shot down any comparisons between Jordan and Kobe (and there are many reasons to shoot it down) was because when Jordan and the Bulls were at their peak even I had to admit they were an exciting team to watch. But when Kobe was at his peak (whether you consider it to be during the Shaq years or two seasons ago when he was MVP) his Lakers teams fail to entertain. And now that Kobe is mostly a jump-shooter now there is even less reasons to watch him and his minions.
As for the Thunder….what the heck was that? I know it’s the team’s first game in the post season but where was the energy and execution? Where was the competency? First of all Westbrook deserves his props for his performance but I was shocked to learn that the guy shot under 42% from the floor and 22% from the three point line. That’s horrible for a guy considered to be one of the up and coming stars of the future. Basically his game right now appears to be all drives to the hoop. You know maybe it would have served him better to stay in school longer to develop a jumpshot. But I guess that’s just crazy talk.
Durant was shut down. But I a way he did it to himself because he settled on the jumper rather than the drive. Supposedly he went to the free throw line more than any other player this year. How? Were guys fouling him from beyond the three point line? He needed today to put the ball on the floor and dribble to the hoop. Is his handle not good enough? Is he too frail to get knocked around when heading to the basket? I can’t believe the way he played today. Brandon Jennings goes for 34 in his first playoff game but Durant goes for only 24 on 7 for 24 shooting? Okay, first game jitters. I’ll give him that. And I’m sure he’ll bounce back. But what a disappointing display he put on for a network audience on ABC.
Speaking of ABC….you’re telling me that the network only aired two out of the eight games this weekend and both involved the #1 seed against the #8 seed? Wouldn’t there be more competitive games than those to pick? Oh, yes. Stupid me. Kobe and LeBron. How could I be so ignorant.
Back to the game…..Jeff. Sigh. In the first half he looked as if he was hiding in a corner whenever his team had the ball. Didn’t look like he wanted to shoot. In the second half he thankfully got more aggressive but his shots for the most part weren’t falling. Hey, it happens. Just ask Durant. But if Jeff isn’t careful this series could expose some holes in his game as PF for the Thunder. The poor guy was at a physical disadvantage defending and trying to box out Gasol. But that wouldn’t be so bad if Green could make Gasol pay on the other end. But Green couldn’t take advantage of his quickness on offense because he doesn’t have the ability to drive smoothly pas even bigger opponents on a consistent basis. Its one thing to be a tweener, its another to be a tweener without a go-to move. Jeff can’t blow past anyone; he doesn’t post up well against other PFs, he can’t shoot while on the move (ex: a pullup jumper) and he too often can’t even hit shots when left opened. I’ve been ,making this point for a long time now because I want Jeff to be the player I think he can be. But three years into his NBA career and he still hasn’t improved in these areas. Or at least he hasn’t improved nearly enough. And he isn’t really contributing much in the rebounding or assist departments. 15 points per is nothing to sneeze at and sure enough he plays arguably the best defense on the team. But he is capable of more than being just a “glue guy” (which is just a description given to players who produce more intangibles than boxscore results). Jeff should be busting his butt every summer to add to his game. There is no excuse not to. If the Thunder don’t present much of a challenge to the Lakers then you can bet that those who run the club will at least start considering trying to move Jeff for someone who could help the team more. And I realize that the people who run that organization love Jeff and his high character. But right now Jeff is the third option on that team and that’s a shame considering Westbrook shots so badly he should never be a second option of any team with high aspirations. How did this team win that many games in the wild west conference? If Jeff isn’t going to add the drive to his game he better at least work on his jumper to the point that he become automatic every time he is left open on the floor. Antwaan Jamison added that jumpshot to his repertoire, so can Jeff.
I agree with RDF that the games have mostly been boring without any suspense. The Nuggets-Jazz game was probably exciting but I didn’t catch that one. If the Thunder don’t put up a challenge than the only first round series I may end up caring about are the Nuggets-Jazz one and the one involving the Phoenix Suns.
Bad basketball indeed. They need to make the one year rule a three year rule so at least the NBA gets players who have better all-around games (although I know there’s no guarantee of a player being any good after three years either).
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RusskyHoya
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Post by RusskyHoya on Apr 18, 2010 22:50:53 GMT -5
It is not auspicious for Durant's potential to become a true franchise cornerstone/galactic superstar that he allowed himself to be drawn into one of Phil Jackson's psychological operations. Durant playing like the series is about him vs. The World, as opposed to Thunder vs. Lakers, plays exactly into Phil's hand. Having a guy as aggravating as Artest defending him only adds fuel to it.
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Apr 19, 2010 0:13:53 GMT -5
Russky, Artest didn't even have to defend Durant-he defends himself hoisting stupid shots and showing no want to.
Don't know--just feel when someone is hyped as one of the "greats"--you see it in them. They don't want to blend in-they do whatever it takes to win and Durant gives me the "If I can't score--screw it--I'm done". He was half assing it on boards, didn't help on defense, looked like he had just learned how to dribble, and it was painful. He doesn't make sound basketball plays that great players do--like draw/kick--he just doesn't strike me as a dominant guy in the future--nor does this team. Talent--yeah. But they have too many "nice" guys who want to "blend in". Duncan and Ginobili are nice guys too--but on the court they play like killers.
Jeff Green has ability to be better then he is-and he's too happy being relegated to standing in corner or around 3pt line and being an easy cover for opponents. He plays like Derrick McKey did and fittingly--most of his years were in Seattle.
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MCIGuy
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Post by MCIGuy on Apr 19, 2010 7:03:08 GMT -5
Thank you Suns- Blazers and Mavs-Spurs for putting on good displays. 3 of the Western conference series seem to be interesting enough to watch. Will Lakers-Thunder join the party?
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kchoya
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Post by kchoya on Apr 19, 2010 11:36:21 GMT -5
Wow. Glad to see we're writing off a 21-year-old kid in his first playoff game, going up against players and coaches that have played in hundreds of playoff games.
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hoyarooter
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Post by hoyarooter on Apr 19, 2010 12:01:14 GMT -5
Yeah, I'm with kc on this. And while RDF may not agree, my answer to MCI's question is absolutely yes (although I would rather it were otherwise). Kobe shot 33% or less for what seems like about his tenth consecutive game. He won't make excuses, but the fact is, he's just a physical mess. If he can't shoot better than that, the Lakers are going to lose this series. I fully expect Durant to make adjustments and perform far better in game 2. As for Jeff, well, I don't know. That was a pretty good comparison to the old Derrick McKey. That was the way he played yesterday. He has to be more aggressive.
Perhaps I'm prejudiced (actually, not perhaps - I am), but until this season, I haven't found Phil ball to be boring at all. In fact, each of the last two years the Lakers have been near the top of the league in scoring. But this year, almost the entire year the Lakers have played as though they were wallowing in mud. It's been excruciating to watch. One thing I won't do is blame Artest (although his shooting has gone totally into the tank - while he's getting praised for his defense yesterday, he also shot 1-8 on threes, and most of those shots were uncontested) - there's a lot more going on there that has nothing to do with Ron-Ron.
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Apr 19, 2010 12:27:36 GMT -5
Wow. Glad to see we're writing off a 21-year-old kid in his first playoff game, going up against players and coaches that have played in hundreds of playoff games. That has nothing to do with my assessment. You can't talk of Durant as being one of the all time greats--and he comes out and plays like that. It goes to what makes a "great" player? Points tend to be where most people today judge it--and reality is that I think there is a lot more to making someone a great player then scoring. Durant--he doesn't score-what does he do? Does he help set up teammates and get them going? No. Does he defend/rebound? No. Does he post up and try to take his game down low and use his height/length? No. The fact he's quoted as saying "Playoffs didn't feel any different to me" sure as hell didn't surprise me-he played like it. That is my problem with him/Thunder--they as a whole didn't play with urgency you need if you understand what is at stake. Maybe he'll show that and it was just opening jitters--but the great ones don't treat the big stage like it's "just another game"--they live for the higher stakes and to prove themselves. Jeff looked awful--just awful on offensive end and same that he looked when I saw him as a rookie--standing in corner/behind arc and when he finally stepped in and took better shots--he contributed--but game was over. He's got to understand his advantage and use his quickness against their size. Kobe is battered to all hell-but he still plays defense and makes plays that show how great he is--there is no way this Laker team comes out of West with him shooting like he is--he's missing shots he routinely makes and what I like--no excuses--but that finger has changed his shot--he's shooting far more flat and missed more FT's in last week then I've seen him miss most years combined in big stages. Artest has been solid on defense--but he hoists too many 3's and isn't a good 3pt shooter. Laker problem is their crappy bench and Jordan Farmar in particular. He never gets others going-just looks for his shot and he's a backup point. Brown is energy guy but he's not that good he can be counted on consistently, and Walton/Sasha V are beaten to hell.
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kchoya
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Post by kchoya on Apr 19, 2010 13:16:32 GMT -5
Wow. Glad to see we're writing off a 21-year-old kid in his first playoff game, going up against players and coaches that have played in hundreds of playoff games. That has nothing to do with my assessment. You can't talk of Durant as being one of the all time greats--and he comes out and plays like that. It goes to what makes a "great" player? Points tend to be where most people today judge it--and reality is that I think there is a lot more to making someone a great player then scoring. Durant--he doesn't score-what does he do? Does he help set up teammates and get them going? No. Does he defend/rebound? No. Does he post up and try to take his game down low and use his height/length? No. No one is saying he is one of the all time greats. They're saying he can be one of the all-time greats. He does some things better than almost anyone else, and some things not very well. Unless your Jordan and dropping 63 on the Celtics in your second season, or you're Magic beating the Sixers, you can't say whether someone is an all-time great in their first playoff run. You point to Kobe as a comparison. Today's Kobe is a lot different than the Kobe that was playing for the first time in the playoffs 13(?) years ago. I bet Durant (going against Artest) had better numbers than Kobe did in his first playoff game. Hell, Kobe had crappy number in this most recent game. My point is you can't judge Durant one way or the other this early on.
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757hoyafan
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Post by 757hoyafan on Apr 19, 2010 14:54:38 GMT -5
Kobe was shooting airballs as a younging. It happens.
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hoyarooter
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Post by hoyarooter on Apr 19, 2010 21:04:46 GMT -5
The Laker bench is a big problem this year. Not their biggest problem, but a big one. I love Shannon Brown, I really hope the Lakers work out something to keep him, but he's also playing with a messed up shooting hand. He got hurt back in February, and his shooting just hasn't been the same since, although he did do pretty well in the last two Laker regular season games, while Kobe sat out.
Farmar is just an enormous disappointment. When the Lakers re-signed Fisher for three years, the idea was that his minutes would gradually be phased down, with the strong likelihood by year 3 (this year) that he would be a reserve, with Farmar starting. But Farmar just hasn't improved, so 36 year old DFish keeps dragging himself out in a starting role, and keeps getting his head handed to him on defense by the Westbrooks of the world. I love DFish, he and Horry are two of my favorite non-superstar Lakers ever, but he's now limited in what he's able to do, and Farmar isn't capable of stepping in to replace him.
Sasha is out with a badly sprained ankle, but he has really shown that his season two years ago was a total fluke. The Machine appears broken beyond all repair.
And those are the Laker backcourt reserves. Bleah.
At least there's Odom in the frontcourt. Luke Walton is now back, but he's missed like 50 games this year with back problems, so who knows what he'll contribute. Also, there's no way he can guard Durant.
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Apr 21, 2010 11:14:45 GMT -5
NBA basketball ... yawn ... even now that the playoffs have started, it's still rather boring somehow.
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