NBA Playoffs 2010

[Ridders]

This Utah crowd is hot. A reverse-Artest may be on the cards.

 

[Ridders]

So we have another sweep. Lakers win 111-96. Gasol and Kobe both dominant.

Lol at those "Fisher Lied" girls

 

[willvillain]

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)?

Yep, very fair points. I was far too quick to trash the Hawks - did a great job and won a lot of games against all opposition.

But the match-up against the Magic just didn't work. It's not because the Magic entered into luxury tax for the first time....ever? (I think it is the first time the Magic have gone over the luxury tax, can someone confirm?)

Because the Hawks beat plenty of other teams who were over the cap, but the styles were never going to allow for close contests.

Hawks clearly would've done a better job and more than likely taken games off either Cavs or Boston.

Calling them half-decent was harsh, but I was just trying to point out the difficulties from a Magic perspective.

 

[Tiger Hawk]

Yep, very fair points. I was far too quick to trash the Hawks - did a great job and won a lot of games against all opposition.

But the match-up against the Magic just didn't work. It's not because the Magic entered into luxury tax for the first time....ever? (I think it is the first time the Magic have gone over the luxury tax, can someone confirm?)

Because the Hawks beat plenty of other teams who were over the cap, but the styles were never going to allow for close contests.

Hawks clearly would've done a better job and more than likely taken games off either Cavs or Boston.

Calling them half-decent was harsh, but I was just trying to point out the difficulties from a Magic perspective.

I completely agree - as I've pointed out several times previously in this thread. The Magic's average margin of victory during the regular season was 22 points against us - that's not 22 total, 22 per game. Yes, we're a damn good team and pose problems for probably 80% of the league. Unfortunately against the Magic, we're just completely out-classed.

Good article from John Hollinger pointing out how hot the Magic have been, pretty much since the beginning of February.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playo...st=hollinger_john&page=magicsweepgame4-100510

And a nice comment on the Hawks that could almost have been taken straight off these pages :

And before you dismiss the most recent opposition so easily, remember that the Hawks team they handled so easily won more games than Boston, San Antonio and Portland and as many as Denver and Utah. In fact the Hawks beat all of those teams at least once, as well as the Lakers and Suns, and swept Boston 4-0.

 

[ByRd]

the Celtics are giving it to the Cavs right now, Lebron looks like he doesnt give a sh!t and if i hear about his elbow one more time, im gonna lose it. He is good enough to run down and make those blocks but all of a sudden he is hurting, seriously the guy has no heart and i cant stand him, hope Boston knock them out.

 

[Special K]

I'd love to see the Suns win this. They have gone through so much and it would be great to see Nash get a ring.. Come on a Magic/Suns final

I don't want to see LA win again though I think it is most likely.

 

[Tiger Hawk]

Brutal beat-down by the Celtics. Didn't get to see the game today but seems like it was just a bad shooting night by the Cavs - would be good to see the film to see what the Celtics did defensively.

A lot of talk about Joe Johnson stinking up these playoffs (and rightfully so) but Mo Williams, for the second year in a row, is playing well below his regular season standard. Shooting numbers down across the board, getting shown up defensively, just playing "worse" all around.

Just for fun, my All-Decline Playoffs Team for this year (players that had strong regular seasons but have vanished for the big games):

PG - Mo Williams
SG - Joe Johnson
SF - Paul Pierce
PF - Carlos Boozer
C - Jermaine O'Neal

JJ, Booz and JO are free agents this summer I think - sucks to be the team that signs them. I can just see JJ and Booz lining up for the Knicks next year though, after Bosh joins Wade in Miami & LeBron stays a Cav!!

 

[willvillain]

Come on a Magic/Suns final

True dat. I think this would be a really interesting series that would capture the imagination of a lot of fans.

 

[Ridders]

Wow. Didn't see that coming. Damn I wish I could have watched the game just to see how the Cavs crowd reacted.

 

[Ridders]

Gee checking the boxscores Lebron threw up a stinker in this one. It's been a wierd series for him. He's looked great in some stretches yet has absolutely disappeared in stretches as well.

We're going to find out alot about Lebron in Game 6. Backs against the wall. Everyone's hating on his play, which doesn't happen very often. Will be fascinating to see how he reacts in Game 6.

 

[McLovin]

I hope the Celtics win this series. Lebron is the cockiest player in the league. I love seeing him lose...

 

[Tiger Hawk]

Hey Shaq, quick question - if SVG is the "Master of Panic", as you described him a while back, what is Mike Brown? I know I called for Bassy Telfair to have a go checking Rondo (very much tongue in cheek) but come on, Boobie Gibson!?

Saw some footage of the game last night and the Celtics just offered up James the jumper on pretty much every pick and roll, although he didn't seem confident taking the shot. Just seemed hesitate all game for some reason, not wanting to attack, and his shot was way off.

Have a feeling this game 6 tomorrow is going to be a classic one way or the other - either the Celtics roll through the Cavs againto clinch the series (and throw up a wild summer for the Cavs) or James dominates, drops 40, 50 on them or something to force a game 7. Hopefully one for the ages.

 

[Mr Saab]

I saw the game last night after i taped it and the LeBrick was exactly that. I hope the celts close it out in Bean town and move on to play the Lakers in a re match of 08....87...85....84.

 

[ByRd]

I was watching the game yesterday and honestly couldnt believe what i was seeing from James. He just did not look interested at all and there were a number of possessions where he would just give up the ball and hang around a few feet back of the 3pt line just watching the play doing nothing.

Then there were times he would just run down with 15-20 secs on the shot clock and throw up LeBricks and his defence was not there, he has been copping it from Cavs fans and watching sportscenter, they are for once giving it to the "king".

I hope the Celtics win the series and like you Saab, get to a rematch with the Lakers.

 

[The Dodger]

geez.

whats the go with lebron?

is it his elbow or bad blood?

its a bit upsetting because i wanted the celtics to beat the cavs with lebron at his best.

 

[Mr Saab]

If Le Brick leaves Cav town then this franchise will blow up harder than when the Bulls lost MJ in 1998.

 

[Stranger]

Dude, your pun for Lebron is just not funny.

 

[Ridders]

So pumped for todays game!

 

[Ridders]

This whole Shaq guarding KG may not end so well.

 

[GGOA]

Shaq slows the whole Cleveland offense down to a grinding halt.
Even if they are lucky enough to get past Boston, they aint going far.
Farewell King James - see you in NY.