RDF
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by RDF on Apr 14, 2011 14:24:36 GMT -5
Starts Saturday after one of the most entertaining regular seasons in years--expect more of the same in Postseason! For those who casually follow it--here's the matchups:
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
#1-Chicago vs # 8-Indiana #2-Miami vs #7-Philadelphia #3-Boston vs #6-New York #4-Orlando vs #5-Atlanta
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
#1-San Antonio vs #8-Memphis #2-Los Angeles vs #7-New Orleans #3-Dallas vs #6-Portland #4-Oklahoma City vs #5-Denver
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kghoya
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by kghoya on Apr 14, 2011 17:17:45 GMT -5
ABM
Anybody But Miami
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RDF
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by RDF on Apr 17, 2011 17:37:03 GMT -5
Not too shabby of a start--the Spurs and Lakers get beat in Game 1/lose homecourt. Who says there are no upsets in Pro ball?? Spurs have no inside game and Lakers have no bench--it's going to be tough for either team to win--although I like LA's chances more then Spurs to win this series--I think they just lack the bench to win the West this year.
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Nevada Hoya
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Post by Nevada Hoya on Apr 17, 2011 17:38:22 GMT -5
First two games today were upsets with Memphis and NO beating SA and LAL. Amazing stat in the NO vs LAL game: Okafor, center, -16; Aaron Gray, sub center, +25.
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RDF
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by RDF on Apr 17, 2011 18:00:49 GMT -5
Okafor's job isn't to score though--he did a good job on defensive end and Landry/Gray/Jason Smith provided good minutes. Jarrett Jack's play was huge off the bench as well but Lakers can't handle PG's-and Chris Paul is going to win his matchup--but the lack of Pau Gasol at times this year has been strange? Guy averaged 23 and 13 against Hornets all year--and resorted to being a jumpshooter who played outside? Kobe is still Kobe--but he needs help and the only guy who played well aside from Bryant was Ron Artest. Can't count on him to score consistently.
Spurs-they can't defend and have no interior options. Tony Parker is their lone interior scorer and Duncan can't beat anyone scoring anymore--too old.
I really like winner of OKC/Denver series to make WCF and face Lakers---who I think will get it together--but I'm not sold Lakers can make it to Finals this year--especially if they have to work this hard in RD 1. Remember--OKC never won a game at Staples--Hornets already have--so that's more impressive to me. This has makings of a 7 game series because Lakers lack of focus aside from Bryant/Fisher.
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hoya95
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Post by hoya95 on Apr 17, 2011 18:42:16 GMT -5
So far, the top 4 seeds have either lost at home or looked really shaky in Game 1. If this were one and done like the tournament, there would be a lot of screaming going on right about now. (Do NBA message boards melt down like the ones for college?)
That said, this does look like the first NBA playoffs in forever that could be really wide open. Doesn't look like there is a truly dominant team in either conference at the moment.
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hoyainspirit
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
When life puts that voodoo on me, music is my gris-gris.
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Post by hoyainspirit on Apr 18, 2011 10:47:56 GMT -5
While I hope these playoffs producing exciting basketball and a few upsets, I also think that the least important game in a seven game series is the first.
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Apr 18, 2011 13:23:52 GMT -5
While I hope these playoffs producing exciting basketball and a few upsets, I also think that the least important game in a seven game series is the first. Good point--but a series starts when road team wins--and for top 2 seeds in West to lose homecourt--that makes it a series.
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hoyainspirit
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
When life puts that voodoo on me, music is my gris-gris.
Posts: 8,398
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Post by hoyainspirit on Apr 18, 2011 14:07:12 GMT -5
While I hope these playoffs producing exciting basketball and a few upsets, I also think that the least important game in a seven game series is the first. Good point--but a series starts when road team wins--and for top 2 seeds in West to lose homecourt--that makes it a series. Yep. Go Hornets. Just trying not to get too hyped over that win.
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RDF
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by RDF on Apr 19, 2011 23:17:03 GMT -5
BTW--a complete admission of being wrong on my part--never saw what others did about Russell Westbrook or Tyler Hansbrough--and in regards to Hansbrough--was pretty certain he'd never translate to NBA-and couldn't have been more wrong. Hell--I'd take him over any Hoya in the league right now--and just saddened by how awful Jeff Green looks--and the early return of his "Playoff career" is not pretty--he's been beneath awful.
Celtics are having to play their frontline guys a lot and tonight it's a joke-Knicks were without Stoudemire most of game--and anytime they tried to go with bench--Knicks wiped out lead/took the lead. While they are up 2-0 (which is always good--no matter how ugly) it's down the line where having to play the older players will hurt. Heat are going to coast against an overmatched Philly team and when you have to fight/claw to win as Boston is against Knicks--and in the 1st Round--it's not a good sign--mainly due to the age of the frontline players. Bulls are going through same thing--but they just lack talent around Rose--they are a defensive minded team who has the MVP and role players. They also don't have to face Heat/Celtics until ECF--while Celtics have Heat upcoming and with original Roster--I'd take Boston in 5 games--now I like Heat in 6-7.
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hoyainspirit
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
When life puts that voodoo on me, music is my gris-gris.
Posts: 8,398
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Post by hoyainspirit on Apr 20, 2011 11:07:14 GMT -5
I hope the Celtics win, but I believe that this group's window of opportunity closes permanently after this year, barring some major changes to the roster. The O'Neals are not the answer in the middle, and the Celtics bench leaves much to be desired.
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RDF
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by RDF on Apr 22, 2011 23:43:24 GMT -5
Celtics take care of business--that is how they need to play/should've been playing and an absolutely pathetic showing by the Knicks. The crowd/homecourt don't win games for you--and the level of defensive attention given was not worthy of a playoff team tonight.
Hawks-Magic turning into a fun series to watch. 2 dumb teams-but they are entertaining because you get to see one of the worst PG in basketball (Nelson) about to get his Coach fired as the star (Howard) will be on his way out next year, against the chaotic Hawks. Good head butt/slap fight tonight and Crawford called that bank shot. LOL
Lakers take back control--no surprise--with size and defense. Hornets need to get up and down more--but also need Paul to score late in game--and distribute early instead of vice versa.
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DanMcQ
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Post by DanMcQ on Apr 23, 2011 7:36:06 GMT -5
Rondo 15-11-20 is all you need to know.
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Nevada Hoya
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Post by Nevada Hoya on Apr 23, 2011 13:42:31 GMT -5
Rondo 15-11-20 is all you need to know. Dan, what happens in Europe on Nov. 15, 2020??? Local papers in the Celtics-Knicks story today didn't even mention this triple double, although it mentioned the 20 assists as a Celtic playoff record.
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kghoya
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Post by kghoya on Apr 25, 2011 0:35:56 GMT -5
Knicks now with 3 first round exits in the 11 seasons without Patrick Ewing.
The Ewing Theory my ass Sports Guy.
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RDF
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by RDF on Apr 29, 2011 1:26:34 GMT -5
How long until teams figure out that when you get Andre Miller--you'll be the "hot team" everyone expects to pull the upset and then go home in Round 1 with a large problem being....Andre Miller. So fake Jim Carrey (Rick Carlisle) defeats Richard Pryor (Miller) in the celeb lookalike series.
Atlanta Hawks beating Orlando--say goodbye Hedge Hog--you're done. Dwight Howard is gone too---he's been surrounded with fading stars (Carter last year, now Arenas, Hedo,) and wasted--ironic that Ewing is on this staff--he must be having flashbacks to the Knicks having stiffs around him for years/wasting his talent. At least his "cast" was tough--these guys are a jumpshooting team that never improved PG. Why Van Gundy loves Jameer Nelson, I'll never know? Volume shooting, small pg who doesn't distribute or understand how to run a team and situational basketball.
Hawks will get destroyed by Bulls in 4-5 games. They are too stupid of a team and against a locked in defensive team, they are done. Carlos Boozer has sucked so far this postseason but he should get some confidence against the Hawks. Rose is going to dominate with ease and put these guys away quick. Hawks have nobody that will make him work on defensive end at all-he will roam and just rest on defense.
Hornets had a helluva postseason--and Monty Williams did a great job with that team. I'm one of the few--but actually like them a lot more without David West--think he's a soft wimp who doesn't defend and one of reasons Gasol shot 70% against them in regular season and Lakers rolled with ease. Once he got hurt--they went with Landry--who brought toughness and like he did with Rockets 2 years ago--gave Lakers fits. Paul was brilliant but just got worn down as is to be expected. Ariza showed strong and Emeka Okafor/Dwight Howard debate is now looking quit foolish--although I like Okafor as a role player--would be a great bench guy for right team. Just not a frontline starter--he provides no offense and cant' defend big men--he's a weakside shot blocker--not straight on and poor rebounder for a big too.
Will Gary Neal's shot turn the series against Grizzlies? I think it might--but still shaking my head at the idea of defending the paint up 3 with 1.7 seconds left? Who cares if Spurs are running around and moving? I'd even have 4 guys off the inbounds man turn back to him as those guys cut--so they gave up any 2 pt shot Spurs wanted--they needed the 3 with no more timeouts left--and just a complete breakdown. Stuff like that can cost you 2 games--which in this case--would cost the Grizzlies the series, they don't win Game 6--they aren't winning a Game 7 in San Antonio. Very anxious to see how they respond in Game 6.
Heat--what a bunch of clowns. Wade dunking with Sixers conceding the game/series but it did put the over/under at 188 and it was set at 187. Bosh jumping into arms of assistant coach to celebrate his Playoff Series win and looking like a Gay Avatar prancing around. Nice fake emotion to the white t-shirt covered seats at the less then full dump aka Miami Arena--with him pumping fists as he was playing "well" against small Sixers team-who dusted off Tony Battie!
Nuggets were most disappointing team in Round 1 though--they were just too dumb (common trait with George Karl teams) and wilted down stetch. That series should've gone to a Game 6 but his mentally soft team found a way to lose---AGAIN. Credit to Durant and Serge Ibaka--who has been best player on Thunder aside from Durant. They will be in WCF with ease over Spurs or Grizzlies--who I think would be a tougher matchup for them-due to Battier/Tony Allen being good perimeter defenders and having some inside game--with offensive ability--while Spurs are on last legs and have no inside threats or defensive presence inside.
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Post by nashvillehoyas on Apr 29, 2011 14:27:57 GMT -5
The Grizzlies let a big game get away. Winning game 6 at home will be big. The Grizzlies have exceeded expectation , especially after losing Rudy Gay for the season. Need one more consistent scorer.
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Post by nashvillehoyas on Apr 30, 2011 9:04:47 GMT -5
Big win for the Grizzlies. Definitely didn't want to go back to San Antonio....Now lets take care of Oklahoma City......Go Grizzlies!!!
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RDF
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by RDF on Apr 30, 2011 11:36:25 GMT -5
Big win for the Grizzlies. Definitely didn't want to go back to San Antonio....Now lets take care of Oklahoma City......Go Grizzlies!!! Really impressive win--because Spurs had the lead and Grizzlies looked a bit rattled and then Hollins took the timeout (one of my favorite coaches-and it has to do with his rant about the decline of CBB to MPLS Star Tribune) and got the ball inside to Z-Bo and GAME OVER! Going to be a fun series (wish Gay was playing-because Grizz really would give OKC more fits with him) because Allen/Battier can be thrown at Durant and make things harder for him--never can stop offensive talent-just make it hard and they've got bodies to challenge OKC upfront--but Ibaka is going to be tough for Randolph and Westbrook is key figure in series. If he is off--Memphis can push them hard/upset them--if he's not--it's over quick.
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Post by nashvillehoyas on Apr 30, 2011 13:18:50 GMT -5
Two very good young teams. I believe that the play of Gasol will be very important in the series. Mayo, Battier, and Arthur will be counted on to produce of the bench.
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