2008 NBA Playoff Thread

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[quote]tmoney1 wrote:
x2. The game was in hand, the Spurs stopped playing defense, it was over. I don’t remember if it was Doug Collins or Marv Albert (I think DC), but he said Finley shot Vujacic a dirty look after he took the shot.

Even if the shot didn’t go in, it was totally unnecessary to even attempt a shot at that juncture in the game.[/quote]

Cmon now fellas, let’s not overblow that shot by Sasha. Sure it wasn’t necessary, but it did give LAL a nice even 100pts for the night and made the final score look kind of pretty. That shot was actually pretty huge for the gambling line (LAL was favored by 8 or 7.5 depending on where/when you booked it) and the over/under on the total pts scored.

Besides, Sasha’s headband was reportedly given to him by the Laker girls’ head cheerleader. Maybe she also gave him his nickname.

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[quote]Eielson wrote:
tGunslinger wrote:
I’m quickly reminded of why I’ve never liked the show-boat Lakers.

It’s a couple of backups that made those shots. I’m going to guess that you’re like most people and just don’t like the Lakers because they’re good.[/quote]

Get over yourself. These current Lakers aren’t exactly a dynasty.

Tell me why I don’t dislike the Spurs, then? They’ve won a hell of a lot more than the Lakers have recently, yet I actually admire and respect the Spurs, even if I don’t root for them.

Yes, they were backups. But how many teams have you seen rub the opponents noses in it like that in the playoffs? The Lakers did it twice this series alone, in Games 2 and 5.

It obviously was not one renegade knucklehead who got caught up in the moment when it happens twice in three games.

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[quote]tGunslinger wrote:
Get over yourself. These current Lakers aren’t exactly a dynasty.[/quote]

That doesn’t mean you can’t still dislike them from when they won three championships in a row not too long ago.

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An amazing statistic:

Phil Jackson-coached teams are now 41-0 when winning game 1 of a best-of-7 series. Just mindboggling.

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[quote]Xeneize wrote:
An amazing statistic:

Phil Jackson-coached teams are now 41-0 when winning game 1 of a best-of-7 series. Just mindboggling.[/quote]

Yeah I read that the other day and was floored, that’s impressive.

Apparently, in this case, if past performance is an indicator of future outcome, the Lakers will be in good shape if they win game 1.

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That Paul Pierce 3-pointer when Rip ran into him was sick, even though it got waved off. Upon further review, the ref made the right call, looks like The Truth leaned into Rip and gave him a shoulder bump before the shot.

And Rasheed throwing the towel on the camera was awesome. Classic Rasheed.

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David Stern must be wetting himself over the Celtics-Lakers finals.

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[quote]Xeneize wrote:
David Stern must be wetting himself over the Celtics-Lakers finals.[/quote]

So are millions of old-school nostalgic NBA fans from the 80s, who have been waiting to see this for a long time.

If the Celtics hold on, I predict the TV ratings for the NBA Finals will be the highest since the Jordan era (not really a bold statement, but probably will hold true).

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I’ve been slack on pics tonight, work has been hell, but this guy seems happy (and relieved).

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Friday, May 30th Recap:

  1. Celtics defeat 2) Pistons 89-81: Paul Pierce had 27 points and 8 boards, Kevin Garnett had 16 points, and the Celtics are on their way to the NBA Finals. Chauncey Billups had 29 points, Richard Hamilton had 21 points, and the Pistons lose in the Eastern Conference Finals for the third straight year.

Stud of the Night: Paul Pierce. 27 points, 8 boards, and a HUGE victory on the road, and the C’s are heading to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1987.

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Well well well…

We are at the NBA Finals, and ironcially enough, the 1-seeds from each conference have emerged victorious and will face off.

I can already feel the nostalgia and memories emerging from millions of fans who watched the Lakers and Celtics battle it out many times for championships.

In the coming days and weeks, I’m sure we will see a lot of Magic, Larry, Kareem, DJ, and hot pants to go around for a lifetime.

I remember when Pau Gasol was traded to the Lakers, someone (I think Shizen) mentioned that the conspiracy theory was that the Lakers and Celtics were going to meet in the Finals. Theory or not, it has held true.

Look forward to an exciting matchup.

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[quote]Malevolence wrote:
I am worried that the West will cannibalize itself and hand the trophy to Boston(or Detroit) on a silver platter.

This was an incredible season of basketball, and the post season is looking even better.

First round predictions:

Varsity:

Lakers in 4. Lakers have decimated Denver all season long, and they’ve been playing better than ever recently.

Utah in 6. I think Utah has been playing some really good ball recently, And they got home court, which they are historically very good on.

Suns in 7. The Spurs have not been playing very well lately, I think that the Suns acquired Shaq specifically to defeat the Spurs in the Playoffs. Additionally, all season long the Suns have edged the Spurs.

Hornets in 7. Actually, I have no clue about this one. The Hornets fell apart in the last week of the season, and Dallas has a lot more experience than they do handling Playoff basketball. Hornets do seem to have a knack for not giving up and for making surprising comebacks. This might be the most interesting Series in the first round.

J.V… I mean the East:

Doesn’t really matter, it will come down to Celtics v. Detroit in the end.

Lakers have surprised me very much this season. Kobe has become a team player, Odom is not injured, Sasha is dropping treys with the best of them. Obviously the theft of Pau Gasol has been immeasurably important, but even before that the Lakers were playing championship caliber ball.

Lakers V. Boston in the Finals does not seem at all unlikely at this point.

[/quote]

wow, you called it almost right. Unbelievable

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[quote]tmoney1 wrote:

So are millions of old-school nostalgic NBA fans from the 80s, who have been waiting to see this for a long time.

If the Celtics hold on, I predict the TV ratings for the NBA Finals will be the highest since the Jordan era (not really a bold statement, but probably will hold true).[/quote]

Well, I’m one of those old fans. Although I just want the Lakers to win. It really makes no difference to me who the opponent is in the finals. Of course, beating the Celtics makes victory that much sweeter.

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please let Kobe lose in the finals to shut up any comparisons between him and MJ, that’s all I ask.

It happened this year with Brady losing in the SB (Montana never lost :smiley: ). One more to go

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[quote]jehovasfitness wrote:
please let Kobe lose in the finals to shut up any comparisons between him and MJ, that’s all I ask.

It happened this year with Brady losing in the SB (Montana never lost :smiley: ). One more to go[/quote]

Yah, if you saw the interview Kobe doesn’t even like the comparisons. Let Kobe be Kobe, Mike be Mike.

Great game by the Celtics, guys like Perkins, Posey and Rondo really stepped up. The Big 3 had good games too…incredible playing by Pierce.

If you haven’t see the interview with Garnett and Bill Russell…watch it.

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Alright, what’s it gonna be: Celtics or Lakers, and how many games does it take?

As much as I love KG, I’m going with the Lakers in 6 games.

Lakers take Game 1
Celtics take Game 2
Lakers take Games 3 and 4 in LA
Celtics take Game 5 in Boston to stave off elimination
Lakers take Game 6 and the crown on their home floor

The Lakers are playing well as a team, and are coming together at the right time. As long as Kobe keeps scoring, as well as making his teammates around him better, the Lakers should defeat the Celtics. Even though it won’t be easy, I think the Lakers are too strong at this point to lose.

With the Celtics Big Three, all three have to fire on all cylinders, and if one has a bad game, Rondo, House, Perkins, someone else better step up, or the C’s are in for a long Finals series. The Celtics will definitely bring the house, and obviously have a very good team, or else they wouldn’t be in the Finals.

This should make for an exciting NBA Finals, loaded with star power and exciting basketball.

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Rondo takes one to the rack.

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Celtics in 7.

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Great win for the Celts. Deservedly so. It felt from the tipoff that they were going to win this game no matter what.

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[quote]tmoney1 wrote:
Alright, what’s it gonna be: Celtics or Lakers, and how many games does it take?

As much as I love KG, I’m going with the Lakers in 6 games.

Lakers take Game 1
Celtics take Game 2
Lakers take Games 3 and 4 in LA
Celtics take Game 5 in Boston to stave off elimination
Lakers take Game 6 and the crown on their home floor

The Lakers are playing well as a team, and are coming together at the right time. As long as Kobe keeps scoring, as well as making his teammates around him better, the Lakers should defeat the Celtics. Even though it won’t be easy, I think the Lakers are too strong at this point to lose.

With the Celtics Big Three, all three have to fire on all cylinders, and if one has a bad game, Rondo, House, Perkins, someone else better step up, or the C’s are in for a long Finals series. The Celtics will definitely bring the house, and obviously have a very good team, or else they wouldn’t be in the Finals.

This should make for an exciting NBA Finals, loaded with star power and exciting basketball.[/quote]

It’s really hard for me to throw a pick out there. My heart obviously says Lakers, but I do not now and have not ever underestimated the Celtics. My guess is, if it goes 6, then LA, 7, then probably Boston.

Another thing, for me personally, I don’t feel the intense dislike for this Boston team as the ones in the 80s. I HATED those fuckers. But KG, Ray, Pierce and Co., seem a likeable bunch of guys. And their Big Three, other than Pierce, feel more like hired guns than true Celtics. It’s a little different than those long-time Celtic icons like Bird, McHale, Parrish, et al.

I think the difference in what will be a very even series might be Kobe. His level of play and will to win have been downright scary.