[quote]tmoney1 wrote:
Stud of the Night: Dirk Nowitzki. The Mavs desperately needed a win to stay in the series, and they got it thanks to a huge game from their star, and are now in the series with some momentum.[/quote]
Co-stud of the Night: Tony Parker. 41 points was actually his CAREER high. Not just Playoff career high. But the way he was moving made the Suns efense look like that wasn’t a typo.
But yes, Dirk had a huge game. Incredible performance.
[quote]tGunslinger wrote:
PHX went 3-1 vs. the Spurs; however, they’re 0-3 vs. the Borg. SA terminated the Suns with extreme prejudice in PHX tonight. Game 4 is merely a formality.
Frightening development for the rest of the league that rumors of the Spurs’ demise proved to be premature. Assuming NO will hold off Dallas, the Hornets will be running into a machine in the 2nd round. I don’t like their chances at all, regardless of the regular season results. Frankly, I don’t much like Utah’s (or Houston, if they pull off the improbable) or LAL’s chances down the road either, but we’ll see.
Between Detroit’s stumbles vs. Philly and SA’s resurgence, a Celtics-Spurs Finals looks a lot more likely now then it did a couple of weeks ago.[/quote]
It is pretty remarkable how good the Spurs are looking right now. Compared to how poorly they were looking in the latter half of the season. They truly are a bunch of grizzled old veteran pros to be able to switch on playoff level intensity so methodically. Watching them against Los Suns tonight was reminiscent of watching them send the Cavaliers back to grade school last finals.
Of the potential match-ups though, I still think LA will prevail should they face SA in the Conf. Finals. Obviously I’m biased, but after the way The Lakers completely shut-down the Spurs offensively and defensively last time they met, I’m not too worried going into that match-up.
But that’s all a ways away, many series to be played and still a high level of unpredictability. But the Spurs are playing championship ball right now, that is undeniable.
The Spurs are the only team in the West that worry this Laker fan.
[quote]Xeneize wrote:
The Spurs are the only team in the West that worry this Laker fan.[/quote]
For good reason, I guess Shaq wasn’t the missing answer to deal with the Spurs? lol
I do hope someone takes them out.
[quote]Kalle wrote:
Xeneize wrote:
The Spurs are the only team in the West that worry this Laker fan.
For good reason, I guess Shaq wasn’t the missing answer to deal with the Spurs? lol
I do hope someone takes them out. [/quote]
That Shaq deal was one of the most boneheaded deals I’ve seen recently.
The Suns were very competitive with SA before. After the Shaq deal, they’re road kill.
The Raptors ruined my day again.
And Gunslinger:
That Shaq deal has made the Suns a much better team. Their points in the paint have gone up, as has their rebounding and FG %. Shaq gives them the inside presence that they need, something that Marion was not providing this year.
Marion checked out, plain and simple. Do I think they could have gotten something better for him? Yes, probably. Do I think they could have gotten something better after he handcuffed them demanding a trade, then dogged it for the first half of the season? No, probably not.
Look at what he accomplished in Miami, post trade. The guys is another Quinten Richardson. Whine whine whine that you’re not the #1 guy on a star studded team. Demand a trade or insinuate that you won’t resign and then play like shit once you’re on a new team.
Shaq has been solid, there is really no arguing it. The only way you can talk shit about him is if you’re still delusional and you think that he’s going to be LSU Shaq, or Orlando Magic Shaq.
Didn’t mean to be harsh, like I said - the Raps ruined my afternoon.
[quote]Tyler123 wrote:
The Raptors ruined my day again.
And Gunslinger:
That Shaq deal has made the Suns a much better team. Their points in the paint have gone up, as has their rebounding and FG %. Shaq gives them the inside presence that they need, something that Marion was not providing this year.
Marion checked out, plain and simple. Do I think they could have gotten something better for him? Yes, probably. Do I think they could have gotten something better after he handcuffed them demanding a trade, then dogged it for the first half of the season? No, probably not.
Look at what he accomplished in Miami, post trade. The guys is another Quinten Richardson. Whine whine whine that you’re not the #1 guy on a star studded team. Demand a trade or insinuate that you won’t resign and then play like shit once you’re on a new team.
Shaq has been solid, there is really no arguing it. The only way you can talk shit about him is if you’re still delusional and you think that he’s going to be LSU Shaq, or Orlando Magic Shaq.
Didn’t mean to be harsh, like I said - the Raps ruined my afternoon.[/quote]
0-3.
Damn, Lakers looked strong today! No road letdown. Just dominated the McNuggets from start to finish.
As lakers fan I don’t fear the spurs, the suns are just out of it game one really messed with their heads. I don’t think the suns were that great of a team either. The lakers can match up really well with spurs also, especially if they get baynum back.
Wow. that’s a really nice win for the Hawks. Still won’t win the series, but they controlled this game throughout and kept the Celts in check. That’s a solid response at home from a prohibitive underdog who was blown out in the first two games.
Now let’s see what the Rockets can do in Utahland…
[quote]shizen wrote:
As lakers fan I don’t fear the spurs, the suns are just out of it game one really messed with their heads. I don’t think the suns were that great of a team either. The lakers can match up really well with spurs also, especially if they get baynum back. [/quote]
If Bynum were back, and, in a groove, and had the chemistry going with Kobe, Gasol, et. al., shit, I wouldn’t be worried about ANY team.
[quote]Xeneize wrote:
Wow. that’s a really nice win for the Hawks. Still won’t win the series, but they controlled this game throughout and kept the Celts in check. That’s a solid response at home from a prohibitive underdog who was blown out in the first two games.
Now let’s see what the Rockets can do in Utahland…[/quote]
What an awful game by Boston. I don’t think they got any 50/50 rebounds or any hustle plays all night long. Does anybody box out anymore? Hell, pay me a few hundred thousands dollars and I’d go snag a few rebounds for you.
I mean yeah, Atlanta was just totally on fire from outside; they’re a very young, athletic team that the C’s probably weren’t going to keep down forever; you’re not gonna win 'em all, so on and so forth and all that stuff.
But I HATE the attitude Boston showed tonight. It was the exact same attitude Detroit’s been showing all playoffs long, that “We can just show up and win because we’re Boston.”
Beyond the fact that it’s just so damn pretentious (I mean really, who are you, Boston, to get all high and mighty? Where are your rings?), it’s a horrible habit it get into this late in the season.
You can’t just turn it on when you want to. You need to get focused and stay focused all throughout the playoffs. Tonight, Boston was sloppy and lazy, and that’s no good come playoff time. Even against a pretty cruddy Atlanta team.
True but its not that common for this boston team, they did get a little cocky I suspect them to come back strong and continue that hunger they have for championship.
[quote]tGunslinger wrote:
Tyler123 wrote:
The Raptors ruined my day again.
And Gunslinger:
That Shaq deal has made the Suns a much better team. Their points in the paint have gone up, as has their rebounding and FG %. Shaq gives them the inside presence that they need, something that Marion was not providing this year.
Marion checked out, plain and simple. Do I think they could have gotten something better for him? Yes, probably. Do I think they could have gotten something better after he handcuffed them demanding a trade, then dogged it for the first half of the season? No, probably not.
Look at what he accomplished in Miami, post trade. The guys is another Quinten Richardson. Whine whine whine that you’re not the #1 guy on a star studded team. Demand a trade or insinuate that you won’t resign and then play like shit once you’re on a new team.
Shaq has been solid, there is really no arguing it. The only way you can talk shit about him is if you’re still delusional and you think that he’s going to be LSU Shaq, or Orlando Magic Shaq.
Didn’t mean to be harsh, like I said - the Raps ruined my afternoon.
0-3.
[/quote]
Meh. Though purely speculative, if they still had Marion I don’t think they’d be leading this series. Just because they’re down 0-3 doesn’t mean the Shaq trade was a bad one.
If the Celtics were down 0-3 I’m sure you wouldn’t be saying that the Garnett deal was the worst trade you’ve ever seen.
Man the suns are getting all up in that ass.
Go Diaw?
suns game total blowout, spurs starters on bench probably for rest of the game in third quarter.
Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn. hahahahahahah Tim Duncan’s normal pouty bitchface is actually warranted.
Saturday April 26th Recap:
Magic defeat 6) Raptors 106-94: Rashard Lewis had a monster game with 27 and 13 boards, and the Magic take a 3-1 series. Chris Bosh had a ridick game, finishing with 39 and 15 boards, but the team only made two 3s the whole game.
Lakers defeat 8) Nuggets 102-84: Kobe Bryant went for 22 and 8 dimes, and the Lakers cruise to victory and a 3-0 series lead. Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony struggled from the field and combined for only 31 points, and the Nuggets are all but done.
Hawks defeat 1) Celtics 102-93: Josh Smith had 27 points and 9 boards, and the Hawks get a huge win in their first playoff game since 1999 and make the series 2-1. Kevin Garnett added 32 and 10 boards for the Celtics, and the game saw all 10 starters score in double figures.
Jazz defeat 5) Rockets 86-82: All five Jazz starters scored in double figures, led by Deron Williams’ 17, and the Jazz open up a commanding 3-1 lead. Tracy McGrady had 23 and 10 boards, and Rafer Alston added 15.
Stud of the Night: Josh Smith. His 27 points, 9 boards, 6 assists, and an array of dunks for the home crowd gave the underdog Hawks a much needed win and some momentum going into Game 4.
Sunday April 27th Recap:
Cavaliers defeat 5) Wizards 100-97: LeBron James scored 34, and Delonte West added 21, including the game-winning 3-pointer, and the Cavs take a 3-1 lead on the Wizards. All five Wizards scored in double figures, led by Antawn Jamison’s 23 and 11 boards.
Suns defeat 3) Spurs 105-86: Raja Bell had 27 points and Boris Diaw had a near triple-double (20 pts/10 rebs/8 dimes), and the Suns stave off elimination for the time being. Tony Parker had 18 points for the Spurs in defeat.
Pistons defeat 7) Sixers 93-84: Tayshaun Prince had 23 points, including making all but one shot from the field, and the Pistons finally put together a good second half and tie the series at 2-2. All five Sixers scored in double figures, led by Thaddeus Young’s 15.
Hornets defeat 7) Mavericks 97-84: David West had 24 points and 9 boards, and Peja Stojakovic added 19 and the Hornets go up 3-1 on the Mavs. Dirk Nowitzki had 22 and 13 for the Mavs, but couldn’t regroup after Jason Kidd got tossed.
Stud of the Night: Delonte West. His 21 points, including his dagger 3 with 5.4 seconds left in the game sealed the deal for the Cavs, and pretty much sealed the Wizards playoff run.