CAHoya07
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Post by CAHoya07 on Apr 21, 2010 11:20:16 GMT -5
NBA basketball ... yawn ... even now that the playoffs have started, it's still rather boring somehow. Yeah, but IMHO it's usually kinda boring in the opening rounds. I think it will pick up.
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hoyarooter
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Post by hoyarooter on Apr 21, 2010 11:39:22 GMT -5
Not necessarily. If memory serves, there was a pretty fair first round series last year between the Celtics and the Bulls.
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Apr 23, 2010 0:14:41 GMT -5
Tonight Durant did exactly what great players--do and it was first time I've seen him do it--albeit when he had to which makes it more impressive. He took over the game on both ends and then his shot came to him. Kobe played like a rookie and got into the "contest" of trying to top Durant--got suckered into it.
Great game tonight and just impressed with Russell Westbrook--but knew he'd destroy the Lakers guards--but he's played great ball.
Wonderful atmosphere too! That was first game that felt like an NBA playoff game this year, at least to me.
As for Jeff---well if you have nothing nice to say about a guy's game--don't say anything. GET INTO THE GYM JEFF--you are too talented to be this bad in the series and Thunder are going to need you to step up and join the postseason.
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hoyarooter
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Post by hoyarooter on Apr 23, 2010 11:47:41 GMT -5
Tonight Durant did exactly what great players--do and it was first time I've seen him do it--albeit when he had to which makes it more impressive. He took over the game on both ends and then his shot came to him. Kobe played like a rookie and got into the "contest" of trying to top Durant--got suckered into it. Great game tonight and just impressed with Russell Westbrook--but knew he'd destroy the Lakers guards--but he's played great ball. Wonderful atmosphere too! That was first game that felt like an NBA playoff game this year, at least to me. As for Jeff---well if you have nothing nice to say about a guy's game--don't say anything. GET INTO THE GYM JEFF--you are too talented to be this bad in the series and Thunder are going to need you to step up and join the postseason. Also, RDF, note that Durant had four blocks in game 2 and 19 (!!) rebounds yesterday, which also weakens your argument that he doesn't do anything to help the team if his shot isn't falling. This kid is a superstar in the making. I wouldn't put him there yet (although he's already getting the treatment from the refs - that foul call on Artest when Durant set the pick in the final minute was a total joke), but he's damn good for 21. Westbrook was the best player on the floor yesterday. Considering the situation, it was probably the best game of his career. As for Kobe, he did what he always does, except, as has been the case so much lately, he was laying bricks. He killed the Lakers in the fourth quarter, but you have to weigh that against the dozens of times he has bailed them out doing the same thing. Oh, and the Lakers shot 31 threes (wtf). And the Thunder shot 34 free throws to the Lakers 12, but that's more a function of the Lakers repeatedly settling for long jumpers than anything else.
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SFHoya99
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Post by SFHoya99 on Apr 23, 2010 12:06:07 GMT -5
Westbrook wasn't the best player on the floor, and Westbrook isn't any more of a star today than he was a week ago. I have always been a fan (and actually argued with several here on how good a pick that was), but let's be clear:
Westbrook is a good player playing against one of the worst defensive PG duos I can remember. If he's not lighting them up, he sucks.
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Apr 23, 2010 15:06:25 GMT -5
Tonight Durant did exactly what great players--do and it was first time I've seen him do it--albeit when he had to which makes it more impressive. He took over the game on both ends and then his shot came to him. Kobe played like a rookie and got into the "contest" of trying to top Durant--got suckered into it. Great game tonight and just impressed with Russell Westbrook--but knew he'd destroy the Lakers guards--but he's played great ball. Wonderful atmosphere too! That was first game that felt like an NBA playoff game this year, at least to me. As for Jeff---well if you have nothing nice to say about a guy's game--don't say anything. GET INTO THE GYM JEFF--you are too talented to be this bad in the series and Thunder are going to need you to step up and join the postseason. Also, RDF, note that Durant had four blocks in game 2 and 19 (!!) rebounds yesterday, which also weakens your argument that he doesn't do anything to help the team if his shot isn't falling. This kid is a superstar in the making. I wouldn't put him there yet (although he's already getting the treatment from the refs - that foul call on Artest when Durant set the pick in the final minute was a total joke), but he's damn good for 21. Westbrook was the best player on the floor yesterday. Considering the situation, it was probably the best game of his career. As for Kobe, he did what he always does, except, as has been the case so much lately, he was laying bricks. He killed the Lakers in the fourth quarter, but you have to weigh that against the dozens of times he has bailed them out doing the same thing. Oh, and the Lakers shot 31 threes (wtf). And the Thunder shot 34 free throws to the Lakers 12, but that's more a function of the Lakers repeatedly settling for long jumpers than anything else. What part of "he took over the game on BOTH ends" didn't make that clear? He contributed when his shot wasn't falling and that is what GREAT PLAYERS do. I just hadn't seen him do this in his career much--and to me that is what makes a great player--not some guy that scores. Any guard is going to kill Derek Fisher and Farmar. They should just play Shannon Brown to have an athlete capable of defending him--but they need Fisher to take shots when Kobe drives/kicks. Kobe gets a pass--he's playing hurt--has all year, doesn't use it as an excuse and doesn't back down. His pride hurt the team last night--but he's done enough that his legacy won't be tarnished by a season with a broken finger that alters how his shot is taken. 100% agree--too many 3-pt shots and Phil Jackson said same. It was like watching a Hoya game circa '08-10 seasons.
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hoyarooter
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Post by hoyarooter on Apr 23, 2010 19:50:05 GMT -5
I was just rubbing it in.
Good point by SF about the defensive inadequacies of Fisher and Farmar. Fisher used to be at least an adequate defensive player, but those days are gone. That's another reason why Farmar's failure to improve has been so frustrating. Fisher defensively this season has reminded me of Gary "the Sieve" Payton in his one season with the Lakers (and of course Payton was a great defensive guard in his prime). He can't keep anyone in front of him.
As for Westbrook, if all he was doing was driving to the basket, I would agree, but he was also nailing 3's and mid-range jumpers (not his forte as a rule) and sneaking in for offensive rebounds. I thought he played a terrific all around game. If he hadn't, the Thunder most likely would have lost.
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MCIGuy
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Post by MCIGuy on Apr 23, 2010 22:01:53 GMT -5
Even though his team lost it was an HONOR to watch LeBron play in the fourth quarter of game #3 with the Bulls. Some folks like to take shots at LBJ for some reason and that's fine. But you can't knock the guy's game.
Kenny Smith looks stupid saying Durant wil be better than LeBron in three years. Please. Durant can't handle the ball as well, can't pass nearly as well and can't even post anyone up. All he does better is hitting long jumpers. No offense against KD because he is a stud, but LBJ will stil be king three years from now.
Two good games last night and its as if none of the happened because of the NFL Draft.
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Apr 24, 2010 0:21:42 GMT -5
Anyone notice the tale of two banged up stars tonight? D Wade was on the bench with cramps at the end of the game. Manu Ginobli was getting the bleeding stopped as quickly as possible to get back into the game. Now I'm not bashing Wade. In fact I like the guy. And I know that "cramps" sounds kind of wussy but as most all of us know, they can be incredibly painful for stretches. Still, that did jump out at me. And for the record, any chance of Miami making a series of it ended when Miami didn't take the foul that they had to give. I know they didn't want to send anyone to the line, but you have to be aware of the situation there. I think that has to fall on the coaching staff.
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Apr 24, 2010 3:16:44 GMT -5
Anyone notice the tale of two banged up stars tonight? D Wade was on the bench with cramps at the end of the game. Manu Ginobli was getting the bleeding stopped as quickly as possible to get back into the game. Now I'm not bashing Wade. In fact I like the guy. And I know that "cramps" sounds kind of wussy but as most all of us know, they can be incredibly painful for stretches. Still, that did jump out at me. And for the record, any chance of Miami making a series of it ended when Miami didn't take the foul that they had to give. I know they didn't want to send anyone to the line, but you have to be aware of the situation there. I think that has to fall on the coaching staff. Wade, Pierce, and Vince Carter all suffer from the same "ailments" come Playoff time. Get out the wheelchairs--they are dead--only to come back and play. Miraculous Recovery!!! BTW--any takers that Michael Beasley is moved by Heat this offseason? They tried to dump him last offseason and think they'd take a bag of basketballs for him right now.
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MCIGuy
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Post by MCIGuy on Apr 24, 2010 10:36:54 GMT -5
You can't compare Wade's and Ginobli's situation. When you have cramps there is NOTHING you can do until the cramps are gone. Besides the cramps came up during the last minute of the game. There wasn't enough time for Wade to come back. But for Ginobli there was more than enough time to go to the locker room, et checked out a bit and go back to the court. I'm not taking away from Ginobli's courage to go back on the floor, but if that injury had occurred with a minute left to go in the game he wouldn't have been on the floor either to finish the game.
Anyway that game between the Mavs and the Spurs was a war. Seriously. But the huge storyline to come out of it was that Caron Butler didn't even play in the second half. Wow.
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jgalt
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Post by jgalt on Apr 24, 2010 11:32:55 GMT -5
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Apr 24, 2010 11:35:58 GMT -5
MCI, I know what you are saying about cramps, but they didn't come on only at the end of the game. He was wincing all game. At least twice I saw trainers massaging the back of his left calf. I'm not saying he was faking, but I still think that the almost instinctual responses from Manu and D. were conspicuously and dramatically different.
RDF, I don't know about Beasley. I honestly haven't followed the Heat that much, since we always get the Magic games instead, but I was watching the game last night with a good friend who is a big Miami fan. He's pretty much down on the team right now, and Wade is his favorite player! Last night he said they needed to "clean house." I think he said they need to keep Wade, Chalmers, Beasley and Haslem and get rid of everyone else. Then as the game played on, he added that backup guard that had a good game -- forget his name ...
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Apr 24, 2010 14:40:01 GMT -5
MCI, I know what you are saying about cramps, but they didn't come on only at the end of the game. He was wincing all game. At least twice I saw trainers massaging the back of his left calf. I'm not saying he was faking, but I still think that the almost instinctual responses from Manu and D. were conspicuously and dramatically different. RDF, I don't know about Beasley. I honestly haven't followed the Heat that much, since we always get the Magic games instead, but I was watching the game last night with a good friend who is a big Miami fan. He's pretty much down on the team right now, and Wade is his favorite player! Last night he said they needed to "clean house." I think he said they need to keep Wade, Chalmers, Beasley and Haslem and get rid of everyone else. Then as the game played on, he added that backup guard that had a good game -- forget his name ... Pat Riley has tried to get rid of Beasley since Beasley came to camp. He will be GONE. Wade has always had a lot of "theatrical" abilities--so he's known to milk any boo boo he has. Great player--as is Pierce--but they are so damn over dramatic about the times they get bumps/bruises.
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kghoya
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Post by kghoya on Apr 24, 2010 21:35:21 GMT -5
is kobe pouting tonight?
2 shots taken with 3 left in the first half
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SFHoya99
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Post by SFHoya99 on Apr 25, 2010 9:11:54 GMT -5
Yes, because Wade has a history of not playing hurt, never taking and making the big shot, and walking away from high pressure situations.
Hifi once again demonstrating how much his brain works like dumb sportstalk radio. Let's make something out of nothing! Over and over!
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Apr 25, 2010 12:03:27 GMT -5
I think Wade is a lot like Pierce--they aren't afraid of a big moment, but they milk their boo boos to get more credit--they are only players I've ever seen carted off in wheelchairs to return to same game. Wheelchairs? Seriously?
They are not Vince Carter who acts like he was shot if someone slaps his hand too hard.
Will say that I honestly think Wade hates being on same team with Michael Beasley--think he just can't wait for this season to end to get some new teammates-which I expect Heat to get him--if they don't--he'll leave.
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MCIGuy
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Post by MCIGuy on Apr 25, 2010 17:40:37 GMT -5
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MCIGuy
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Post by MCIGuy on Apr 26, 2010 7:34:56 GMT -5
Still surprised what's going on in the West.
The Lakers looked like garbage on Saturday night against the youngest team in the NBA making its first post season appearance. Why did the Lakers stop pounding the ball inside btw? NBA teams are terrible at feeding the post although most NBA teams don't have two high quality bigs like the Lakers.
The Suns are allowing a banged up, depleted Trailblazers team to hang around. If the Suns somehow lose I'm going to blame the presence of Grant Hill.
The Jazz are as banged up as the Blazers although its two best players are healthy and playing. Still I would have thought the Nuggets would have won this in five given their experience from last season and their relative superior health. Adrian Dantley's chances of getting a head coach gig has taken a hit whether its fair or not.
And the Mavs? This is arguably their best lineup ever and now they are in danger of losing in the first round as a #2 seed. How could they lose game 4 when Duncan only makes one field goal for the Spurs? How do they let George Hill go off for 29 points against them?
Was it my imagination or did the Miami arena look partially empty yesterday?
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Post by HoyaSinceBirth on Apr 26, 2010 8:05:15 GMT -5
Not a single higher seed is leading their series in the west 4 games in. That's crazy.
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