NBA Playoffs 2010

[Ridders]

And the Spurs are out in straight sets. After being San Antonio's bitches for so long, must be a nice feeling for Suns fans to sweep the Spurs.

 

[Ridders]

Can't believe the Spurs didn't get a game on their home court. Suns look good.

Anyway see them pushing the Lakers? I think it will be an intriguing series... Definitely won't be a sweep, that's for sure.

Obviously LA have to take care of business against the Jazz, but a potential Suns vs Lakers series would be very interesting. On one side the Suns (especially without Lopez) just don't have the size to match up with LA's bigs, while on the other side the Suns bench will absolutely demolish LA's bench. Plus the Suns have a couple of guys (Hill and Dudley) who could make it a difficult series for Kobe.

 

[Tiger Hawk]

Think it's only the second or third sweep in Duncan's career. Incredible, can't believe they didn't at least get one on their home court. Rumours that they'll look to trade Parker this summer, going to be interesting. Can't trade Duncan, just extended Manu and nobody will touch Jefferson.

Hat-tip to the Suns though and yes I think they stand an excellent chance against the Lakers (a pretty safe bet they'll get through). Much like their series against the Blazers, it's going to be a battle of pace. Suns will want to run as much as possible but I'm sure the Lakers will want to pound it inside. Should be fantastic, can't wait.

 

[willvillain]

Obviously LA have to take care of business against the Jazz, but a potential Suns vs Lakers series would be very interesting. On one side the Suns (especially without Lopez) just don't have the size to match up with LA's bigs, while on the other side the Suns bench will absolutely demolish LA's bench. Plus the Suns have a couple of guys (Hill and Dudley) who could make it a difficult series for Kobe.

Haha, Jazz. Nobody seriously thinks they can take more than a game off Kobe do they?

I think Lopez is likely to be back for the conf finals isn't he? He'll certainly make life easier for Amare, but Lakers bigs still have it all over Suns.

What will be interesting will be which style dictates the series, as has already been mentioned. The fast-pace that will suit Nash and the Suns, or the slow it down, measured approach that will make it a no contest which Kobe will quite simply win.

I've been seriously impressed with Grant Hill over the past couple of months (which isn't easy to say as a Magic fan), and would like to see how he would go defending Kobe.

Needless to say I think it will be a pretty fun series, and I'll be rooting for the Suns

 

[Ridders]

Haha, Jazz. Nobody seriously thinks they can take more than a game off Kobe do they?

I think Lopez is likely to be back for the conf finals isn't he? He'll certainly make life easier for Amare, but Lakers bigs still have it all over Suns.

What will be interesting will be which style dictates the series, as has already been mentioned. The fast-pace that will suit Nash and the Suns, or the slow it down, measured approach that will make it a no contest which Kobe will quite simply win.

I've been seriously impressed with Grant Hill over the past couple of months (which isn't easy to say as a Magic fan), and would like to see how he would go defending Kobe.

Needless to say I think it will be a pretty fun series, and I'll be rooting for the Suns

Lol probably not. Don't want to get too cocky though ;-)

Bynum's situation is a bit worrying. It was promising to see Artest being aggressive on offense. I mean in Game 3 against Utah, LA were actually running the offense through him for short stretches! From now on I'm going to stop riding Fisher. Sure he is a massive defensive liability but he always seems to come through in the clutch. I think he's the only guy on the team that Kobe really trusts to pass to when the game is on the line.

In the East, I'm struggling a bit to figure out whether Orlando are really this good or whether their opposition has just been substandard. Either way, they are going to take some stopping.

 

[Stonecutter]

Damn you steve Nash. Even with one eye closed he destroyed us!

 

[Tiger Hawk]

Lol probably not. Don't want to get too cocky though ;-)

Bynum's situation is a bit worrying. It was promising to see Artest being aggressive on offense. I mean in Game 3 against Utah, LA were actually running the offense through him for short stretches! From now on I'm going to stop riding Fisher. Sure he is a massive defensive liability but he always seems to come through in the clutch. I think he's the only guy on the team that Kobe really trusts to pass to when the game is on the line.

In the East, I'm struggling a bit to figure out whether Orlando are really this good or whether their opposition has just been substandard. Either way, they are going to take some stopping.

I'm not going to sit here and say that the Hawks were ever serious title contenders, but we're not "substandard" either. Third seed in a pretty good EC, beat the Celtics all 4 games this year and beat most other top teams at least once as well.

Orlando ARE that good though. Much like last year it's their defence that is pacing them, just turning the Hawks into a jump-shooting team (even more usual than normal, and much to their seeming delight), cleaning up the boards and running their sets at the other end. Be interesting to see if the experience from last year and their additions prove the difference this year.

 

[willvillain]

In the East, I'm struggling a bit to figure out whether Orlando are really this good or whether their opposition has just been substandard. Either way, they are going to take some stopping.

Me too! I was more confident before the playoffs started than I am now... Well, not really, I still love the depth and balance of this team and I think we're a great shot at going back to the Finals, but I thought Charlotte would put up more of a fight and this Atlanta series is a complete waste of time.

What happens when Orlando matches up with a half-decent team for the first time in a month? It's going to be a bit of a shock to the system!

Hopefully we really are that much better than anyone...

 

[Tiger Hawk]

Suppose it would be great if every side could afford to spend at least $20m+ over the cap so that every side is better than "substandard" or "half-decent"...

I mean, is it any wonder that 3 of the 4 Conference Finalists will be anywhere from a combined $84.25m to $85.73m over the cap this year (depending on which of the Cavs or Celtics get through)?

 

[Ridders]

It's not just the Orlando series that has me questioning the Hawks. I mean did you really expect a Bucks team missing Bogut (and Redd I guess) to not only take the Hawks to 7 games, but actually being up 3-2 and having two chances to knock them out? If the Hawks had comfortably beaten the Bucks, as expected, and then been dominated by Orlando, I'd just say that Orlando were too good.

 

[Tiger Hawk]

Orlando thrashed us in the regular season, as I've mentioned earlier. Anyone thinking this was going to be close just hadn't seen enough of the two teams to authoritatively think otherwise. The gulf in ability, depth and coaching between the two sides is just enormous.

And yes, I would have hoped we performed better against the Bucks but they also performed above their season averages in their 3 wins - 52% shooting compared to 44%, 42% from 3 compared to 36%, and 86% from the line compared to 76% over those 3 games. We also out-scored them by 26 over the 7 games so in the end it wasn't as close as all that - all 4 of our wins were by double digits whilst two of theirs were by 4 (a great fourth quarter fight-back by the Bucks) and 7.

I just find it amusing that it's supporters of teams that are spending at least 40% above the cap that are complaining about the disparity in the league - usually it's the other way around! Really hope a hard cap doesn't come in after the next CBA, that's all I'll say.

 

[Nth-Qld-Raider]

Magic have finished off Atlanta 98-84 and sweep the series.

What do you guys think Joe Johnson will do next year, i hope he stays in Atlanta, but im sure there will be some big cash thrown his way in the off-season by someone like the Knicks.

 

[Tiger Hawk]

I hope he doesn't stay, that's for sure. Reaffirmed in this series that he isn't a player that can lead a team deep into the playoffs, let alone to a championship. I hope we can do a sign and trade to get something back, but I really don't want him returning on a max deal. He should have signed that extension we offered him given his play in the playoffs, possibly a predictor of things to come given his age and mileage (thank God we didn't!).

Whilst I'm at it, so long Mike Woodson, I hope you assist Brown wherever he ends up. Please sign Tom Thibodeau now Rick Sund.

 

[Ridders]

I've read and heard some stuff about how the Hawks players supposedly don't respect Woodson. Iirc it was Ric Bucher who was saying it. From a long term outlook, I think just letting JJ go would be the best go.

LA vs Utah on atm. Kobe and Gasol have both started hot. Man I love watching Kobe work in the post.

 

[Tiger Hawk]

I've read and heard some stuff about how the Hawks players supposedly don't respect Woodson. Iirc it was Ric Bucher who was saying it. From a long term outlook, I think just letting JJ go would be the best go.

LA vs Utah on atm. Kobe and Gasol have both started hot. Man I love watching Kobe work in the post.

He and Josh have butted heads for a long time definitely, Smith has been fined more than once. But yeah, I don't like the idea of bringing back JJ, not one bit. My biggest concern is he's sabotaged his value so much these playoffs that we're unlikely to get much back even if we can get a sign and trade worked out! Something like Eddy Curry and a 2020 2nd rounder from New York - awesome.

Is there any 2-player combination that can consistently stop the Kobe-Gasol two man game?

 

[Ridders]

He and Josh have butted heads for a long time definitely, Smith has been fined more than once. But yeah, I don't like the idea of bringing back JJ, not one bit. My biggest concern is he's sabotaged his value so much these playoffs that we're unlikely to get much back even if we can get a sign and trade worked out! Something like Eddy Curry and a 2020 2nd rounder from New York - awesome.

Is there any 2-player combination that can consistently stop the Kobe-Gasol two man game?

The pickle that the Hawks are in is that, if I have this right, if they just let JJ walk, they won't really have enough cap space to make a significant splash in free agency, so maybe S&T is the way to go. As you said, JJ sure hasn't helped his stock this post-season.

They are immense. Here's a question. Who's been LA's best player so far in the playoffs? I don't think it would be too crazy to say that Gasol has been better than Kobe so far. He's definitely been more consistent. That's not a rip on Kobe, it's just that Gasol has been amazing, even in game's when the team hasn't looked for him on offense as much as they perhaps should.

 

[Ridders]

Seeing Gasol pull off that Hakeem Dream Shake made me smile.

 

[Tiger Hawk]

Gasol. And he had a better regular season as well.

And yes you're right re the Hawks. We have too much salary already committed with our only "assets" being potential sign and trade with JJ and Childress' rights. That's pretty much it. Mistakes we've made in the last 12 months or so:

1. Extend Mike Bibby. Had an immediate impact when we brought him in but his play has been spiralling downwards ever since the 2008 playoffs. Never should have extended a guard on the wrong side of 30 that couldn't guard anyone to begin with.

2. Trade for Crawford. Look, yes he was sixth man of the year, and he didn't cost us much player-wise. But as a result of his contract, we have no cap space this summer. And really, what did bringing in Crawford actually accomplish? Another second round sweep and no cap flexibility? Gee, thanks.

Perhaps we can add Marvin's extension to that, although it might be a touch early. Sooner or later though you have to give up on "potential" and it's dangerously close with Williams.

 

[McLovin]

Someone call the cops... CJ Miles just raped Derek Fisher

 

[Ridders]

:lol: You could almost see that coming. Poor Fish