I love Billups. Beast.
Would love it if Lakers didn’t make it out of 1st round. Dallas is a choker of a team, too, even though they’re solid as a team, they choke in these situations.
^^you traitor! you’re from Cali and not rooting for the Lakers… I thought we were internet friends.
I’m not worried about the Lakers right now. The two games they lost were games where CP3 had career nights. The other two nights where he had a normal stat sheet they won. He cant do that two more times in this series IMO.
I thought the Lakers would win this series in 6 games so I expected them to lose twice to the Hornets. They swept em in the regular season and the Hornets werent going to lose 8 in a row to the Lakers. Its hard to beat any team 8 times in a season, much less 8 in a row against a team with players like CP3.
I’m more concerned with the Spurs and the Magic. Looks like Orlando isnt gonna make it out of the first round (which is crazy) and Memphis has given SAS all they can handle so far. they could just ride their momentum into a crazy first round upset.
I wish Indy coulda held on to grab one of their first two games against Chicago, that would have made this a much more interesting series but I expect the Bulls to close it out in game 5.
So far this is one of the best first rounds I can even remember! I love the playoffs
oh yeah and I know there has been talk about CP3 going to the Knicks to join up with Stat and Melo… that would be insane. Their offense would be out of control if that happens. Wonder where Howard will go next season? He’s definitely gonna be dealt at the trade deadline (which seems to be the new trend. Teams dont want to get shafted when their stars roll out in free agency) so I bet CP3 and Howard are traded next season at the deadline.
Its gonna be a crazy bidding war for those two.
Missed last nights game, but I really don’t like Gasol’s energy. Landry has traditionally played well against him, but it’s more than that. He looks almost disinterested out there, like he’s not willing to put in the required work to make another title run. Not sure why Bryant has been so passive for 2 games. I know he’s trying to establish his bigs, but being disinterested in scoring for 2 games is a little excessive. Heard he sprained his ankle, but I still expect a big game from him. Think the Lakers win this series, but the more things unfold the less likely I think their 3-peat is. They just don’t look that good, and that bums me out.
Also, unless the Magic sign some better pieces around him this off-season, Howard’s gone. While it’s no secret that I’m not a fan of his game, if a team could get him and Paul they would be instant contendors. Howard might literally get 10 lobs a game. With that, I think NY’s gonna try and find a way to get Paul. If they can do that the Knicks have to be the on paper favorites.
Who thinks LAL will lose another game against NOH?
[quote]therajraj wrote:
Who thinks LAL will lose another game against NOH?[/quote]
If Kobe’s 100%, I say the Lakers win the next 2.
[quote]sam_sneed wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
Who thinks LAL will lose another game against NOH?[/quote]
If Kobe’s 100%, I say the Lakers win the next 2.[/quote]
Kobe hasn’t been 100% in the last 5 years.
Hornets take game 6 at home, Lakers win series in 7.
Also CP3’s ‘career games’ aren’t some anomaly, he DESTROYS anyone defending him from LA not named Bryant, and Kobe can’t stay on him all night without giving up some of his offensive game, even Kobe is subject to old fashioned fatigue(especially playing 105-110 game seasons every year for the last 3, more the year of the Olympics).
At this point I wouldn’t be SHOCKED(anymore) to see New Orleans straight up win the series. Lakers look like a team that has drawn from the well too many times and just run out of water to pull up.
On the plus side for them, at least Dallas/Portland are in a grind it out series too, so it’s not like they’re about to face a rested and waiting Thunder squad.
[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
OKC is definitely David Stern’s pet project. They get away with whatever they want. Denver should be down 2-1, and if you count the shit fest that was the reff’ing in game 2 possibly up 2-1. That is ridiculous.[/quote]
I hate that shit…of course it’s the refs blowing 1 or 2 calls, not the five empty offensive trips in crunch time, that decide the game.
DEN had plenty of chances to win both games.
[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
[quote]scj119 wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
[quote]scj119 wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
Do you guys think this team will push it to 6 games?[/quote]
No, they almost blew a 16pt 4th quarter lead at home with Rose playing on 1.5 ankles[/quote]
That is true, but they’ve held their own against the bulls basically until the last 5-6 minutes of the game.
I was thinking perhaps now that they’ve won, they’ll have the confidence to close out the game. Or maybe I’m just being optimistic :P[/quote]
I just think their offense can’t execute in the closing minutes of the 4th when the Bulls bear down on D.
That being said - I shouldn’t be assuming Rose will be 100% healthy next game until we hear more about his ankle. That would be the only thing that could change my mind.[/quote]
Couldn’t disagree more. Indiana has been playing Chicago to a standstill until the last few minutes of every game where [my take is] their inexperience and jitters take over and they freeze up. If Collison hadn’t gone down in game 2 I’m convinced they win that game, and they were right there for games 1 and 3 as well. Also, even though Rose is putting up good scoring numbers he is taking an awfullot of shots to get there. This doesn’t look like the same team that was kicking the rest of the leagues asses.[/quote]
I agree with your point wholeheartedly - they got nothing from Deng most of the series and have gotten zero from Boozer completely. But after saying you disagree…it sounds like you’re agreeing Indiana hasn’t executed in the stretch yet. Am I misinterpreting you?
Honestly, I don’t see why Thibs isn’t playing Korver 30mins/game (this PARTICULAR series). Bulls need his floor spacing, they seem to score a lot more easily when he’s in and I’m not overly worried about giving up 1 or 2 extra buckets to Paul George each half.
[quote]scj119 wrote:
[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
OKC is definitely David Stern’s pet project. They get away with whatever they want. Denver should be down 2-1, and if you count the shit fest that was the reff’ing in game 2 possibly up 2-1. That is ridiculous.[/quote]
I hate that shit…of course it’s the refs blowing 1 or 2 calls, not the five empty offensive trips in crunch time, that decide the game.
DEN had plenty of chances to win both games.[/quote]
Are you serious? Did you watch the first 2 games? Denver should’ve won game 1 but the refs handed OKC several calls and non-calls down the stretch and game 2 started with OKC being allowed to do whatever they want, henche the 27 point lead that the Thunder had. How you’re even trying to argue that is absurd.
Man, I wish I had been more aggressive when I mentioned off-the-cuff that MEM could give SAS problems. I thought Rudy Gay’s missing offense would end up costing them in a best-of-7, but man they are good.
im a bucks fan but since they cant make the play offs ever I become a Celtic fan at play off time.
Any ways imo its the Celtics year. With Shaq back and Jermainh Oneal playing lights out D the celtics wont be stopped in the east. The Two oneals and big baby davis make the Lakers size advantage of last year non existent. The Celtics are prolly bigger to be honest when KG is considered the PF vs Odom or Gasol.
In the east
Heat- Wade and Lebron stand around and watch each other with the ball. No off ball movement. they are fucked IMO. wrong fit. Lebron should of went to the Bulls. Bosh was the wrong big for those two as well. Should of been patient and waited for Howard.
Bulls-Good team, great record, I hate the fucking bulls. To young, best shot at knocking celtics off but not enough size and Drose is awesome but Rondo is also a beast.
NO other east team has a shot IMO
West-No one from the west can handle the Celtics in seven games. I would love another Celtics/Lakers final so I hope Lakers get it done.
What bball fan doesnt love celtics lakers finals?
[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
[quote]scj119 wrote:
[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
OKC is definitely David Stern’s pet project. They get away with whatever they want. Denver should be down 2-1, and if you count the shit fest that was the reff’ing in game 2 possibly up 2-1. That is ridiculous.[/quote]
I hate that shit…of course it’s the refs blowing 1 or 2 calls, not the five empty offensive trips in crunch time, that decide the game.
DEN had plenty of chances to win both games.[/quote]
Honestly I can’t remember which games I’ve watched front-to-back and which I’ve just caught the end of - but the game with the Perkins goaltend… yeah that was an atrocious call but DEN played like absolute dogshit the last bunch of possessions and easily could have made it not matter.
Game 3, OKC did everything it possibly could to lose that game and DEN didn’t take it from them. I kept waiting for KD to say in the postgame interview “actually we sucked bad but we got lucky they sucked worse”… but he couldn’t
Are you serious? Did you watch the first 2 games? Denver should’ve won game 1 but the refs handed OKC several calls and non-calls down the stretch and game 2 started with OKC being allowed to do whatever they want, henche the 27 point lead that the Thunder had. How you’re even trying to argue that is absurd.[/quote]
[quote]jj77 wrote:
im a bucks fan but since they cant make the play offs ever I become a Celtic fan at play off time.
Any ways imo its the Celtics year. With Shaq back and Jermainh Oneal playing lights out D the celtics wont be stopped in the east. The Two oneals and big baby davis make the Lakers size advantage of last year non existent. The Celtics are prolly bigger to be honest when KG is considered the PF vs Odom or Gasol.
In the east
Heat- Wade and Lebron stand around and watch each other with the ball. No off ball movement. they are fucked IMO. wrong fit. Lebron should of went to the Bulls. Bosh was the wrong big for those two as well. Should of been patient and waited for Howard.
Bulls-Good team, great record, I hate the fucking bulls. To young, best shot at knocking celtics off but not enough size and Drose is awesome but Rondo is also a beast.
NO other east team has a shot IMO
West-No one from the west can handle the Celtics in seven games. I would love another Celtics/Lakers final so I hope Lakers get it done.
What bball fan doesnt love celtics lakers finals?[/quote]
Me. Get some new teams in there I’m tired of Lakers-Celtics (not really but I’d love to watch some new teams get a chance - Bulls-Thunder anyone?)
Btw, Shaq isn’t back and I won’t believe it till I see it, and Jermaine played “lockdown D” because he was guarding Ronny Turiaf.
[quote]scj119 wrote:
[quote]jj77 wrote:
im a bucks fan but since they cant make the play offs ever I become a Celtic fan at play off time.
Any ways imo its the Celtics year. With Shaq back and Jermainh Oneal playing lights out D the celtics wont be stopped in the east. The Two oneals and big baby davis make the Lakers size advantage of last year non existent. The Celtics are prolly bigger to be honest when KG is considered the PF vs Odom or Gasol.
In the east
Heat- Wade and Lebron stand around and watch each other with the ball. No off ball movement. they are fucked IMO. wrong fit. Lebron should of went to the Bulls. Bosh was the wrong big for those two as well. Should of been patient and waited for Howard.
Bulls-Good team, great record, I hate the fucking bulls. To young, best shot at knocking celtics off but not enough size and Drose is awesome but Rondo is also a beast.
NO other east team has a shot IMO
West-No one from the west can handle the Celtics in seven games. I would love another Celtics/Lakers final so I hope Lakers get it done.
What bball fan doesnt love celtics lakers finals?[/quote]
Me. Get some new teams in there I’m tired of Lakers-Celtics (not really but I’d love to watch some new teams get a chance - Bulls-Thunder anyone?)
Btw, Shaq isn’t back and I won’t believe it till I see it, and Jermaine played “lockdown D” because he was guarding Ronny Turiaf.[/quote]
I was thinking more his help d and the charges he was taking. Shaq isnt going to be shaq of old. just a 7’2" 325 pound guy to give 5 fouls.
I guess Stodomire and Anthony really arent good scorers. ONeal actually played porus D its why Stodomire was 1 for 11 when I left for easter dinner. lol
[quote]red04 wrote:
[quote]sam_sneed wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
Who thinks LAL will lose another game against NOH?[/quote]
If Kobe’s 100%, I say the Lakers win the next 2.[/quote]
Kobe hasn’t been 100% in the last 5 years.
[/quote]
Let me clarify that. By 100%, I mean in the same condition he was before he twisted his ankle last night. He refused MRI’s and X-Rays so who know what’s up with him at this point.
[quote]scj119 wrote:
Me. Get some new teams in there I’m tired of Lakers-Celtics (not really but I’d love to watch some new teams get a chance - Bulls-Thunder anyone?)
[/quote]
[quote]johnman18 wrote:
I’m gonna go with Bulls-Thunder in the Finals. With the Bulls winning in 6.[/quote]
I’m with you scj119. I’m not gonna lie though this first round series has me thinking Boston might be coming out of the east instead but we’ll see, I stand by my first prediction.
[quote]gregron wrote:
I’m more concerned with the Spurs and the Magic. Looks like Orlando isnt gonna make it out of the first round (which is crazy) and Memphis has given SAS all they can handle so far. they could just ride their momentum into a crazy first round upset.
I wish Indy coulda held on to grab one of their first two games against Chicago, that would have made this a much more interesting series but I expect the Bulls to close it out in game 5.
So far this is one of the best first rounds I can even remember! I love the playoffs[/quote]
I agree, very intriguing 1st round. I love this game.
1)Poor Dwight Howard. Gonna need some magic 4 ORL to win that series with all those stragglers that they have
2)I’ve always been a Z-Bo fan, so I want Memphis to roll the Spurs out of the playoffs
3)Nice try NY
4)CP3. That’s all I’ll say
5)Derrick Rose has been spectacular, but Bulls r lucky 2 be up 3-1
6)Did Dallas 4get Roy was an All-Star 2 yrs ago?
7)Miami, what happened last game???
8)OKC for West Champs
[quote]scj119 wrote:
[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
[quote]scj119 wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
[quote]scj119 wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
Do you guys think this team will push it to 6 games?[/quote]
No, they almost blew a 16pt 4th quarter lead at home with Rose playing on 1.5 ankles[/quote]
That is true, but they’ve held their own against the bulls basically until the last 5-6 minutes of the game.
I was thinking perhaps now that they’ve won, they’ll have the confidence to close out the game. Or maybe I’m just being optimistic :P[/quote]
I just think their offense can’t execute in the closing minutes of the 4th when the Bulls bear down on D.
That being said - I shouldn’t be assuming Rose will be 100% healthy next game until we hear more about his ankle. That would be the only thing that could change my mind.[/quote]
Couldn’t disagree more. Indiana has been playing Chicago to a standstill until the last few minutes of every game where [my take is] their inexperience and jitters take over and they freeze up. If Collison hadn’t gone down in game 2 I’m convinced they win that game, and they were right there for games 1 and 3 as well. Also, even though Rose is putting up good scoring numbers he is taking an awfullot of shots to get there. This doesn’t look like the same team that was kicking the rest of the leagues asses.[/quote]
I agree with your point wholeheartedly - they got nothing from Deng most of the series and have gotten zero from Boozer completely. But after saying you disagree…it sounds like you’re agreeing Indiana hasn’t executed in the stretch yet. Am I misinterpreting you?
Honestly, I don’t see why Thibs isn’t playing Korver 30mins/game (this PARTICULAR series). Bulls need his floor spacing, they seem to score a lot more easily when he’s in and I’m not overly worried about giving up 1 or 2 extra buckets to Paul George each half.[/quote]
No, you’re not misinterpreting it, but it’s more like I think Indiana’s inexperience is shooting themselves in the foot more than anything the Bulls are doing. I hate to use the term “luck” when talking about a team as good as the Bulls have been, but I do believe they’re lucky that they’re up 3-1. This series could easily be in Indy’s favor.
[quote]red04 wrote:
[quote]sam_sneed wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
Who thinks LAL will lose another game against NOH?[/quote]
If Kobe’s 100%, I say the Lakers win the next 2.[/quote]
Kobe hasn’t been 100% in the last 5 years.
Hornets take game 6 at home, Lakers win series in 7.
Also CP3’s ‘career games’ aren’t some anomaly, he DESTROYS anyone defending him from LA not named Bryant, and Kobe can’t stay on him all night without giving up some of his offensive game, even Kobe is subject to old fashioned fatigue(especially playing 105-110 game seasons every year for the last 3, more the year of the Olympics).
At this point I wouldn’t be SHOCKED(anymore) to see New Orleans straight up win the series. Lakers look like a team that has drawn from the well too many times and just run out of water to pull up.
On the plus side for them, at least Dallas/Portland are in a grind it out series too, so it’s not like they’re about to face a rested and waiting Thunder squad.[/quote]
I doubt Bryant is going to cover CP3 tonight, according to ESPN he’s been diagnosed with an ankle sprain.
Someone is going to have to step up defensively and cover him, or CP3 is going to have to have a bad night.