2009-2010 NBA Thread

[pjfan]

If any team can go on the road and win a game 7, I think this team can do it. They have a lot of experience in game 7's and I think (hope) that will help them.

I can't see them shooting 33% again. Losing Perk is going to hurt, but this is the reason they got Sheed. As other's said, Bynum hasn't been much of a factor either, so hopefully it's a wash.

The Lakers bench was outstanding last night. You can tell they just feed of the home crowd, after being non-existant the last couple games.

I think the refs will let both teams play on Thursday night, and I think that favors the Celtics. Sounds simplistic, but they just have to hit some open shots and play loose. I think they can do it.

And, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Sheed can still get a T in game 7 and not be thrown out. So, we have a little wiggle room there at least.

[Snatch Catch]

Yeah, I definitely agree that this Celtics team, on the roll that they are, has as good a shot as any to go on the road and win a Game 7.

[DRobertsonNYY]

KG is such a overrated player it's crazy. This is the 2nd NBA Finals where's pretty much failed to show up. He's arguably been the 5th best Celtic in this series.

[dabomb2045]

Here's a list of the last ten road Game 7 winners:

2009 East Semifinals.....Orlando beats Boston 101-82
2008 West Semifinals....San Antonio beats New Orleans 91-82
2007 West Quarters......Utah beats Houston 103-99
2006 West Semifinals....Dallas beats San Antonio 119-111 (OT)
2005 East Finals.........Detroit beats Miami 88-82
2005 East Quarters......Indiana beats Boston 97-70
2002 West Finals........LA beats Sacramento 112-106 (OT)
2000 East Semifinals....NY beats Miami 83-82
1995 East Semifinals.....Indiana beats NY 97-95
1995 West Semifinals....Houston beats Phoenix 115-114


Last team to win a Finals Game 7 on the road? 1978....Washington beat Seattle 105-99 in OT.

[Axon]

Boston did not come out with a big effort last night. They were on cruise control.

However, I think the Celts win game 7 unless the Lakers players, other than Kobe, can duplicate their game 6 level of play. If Gasol and Artest contribute on the same level, LA will be hard to beat. But that's a big if. Both of those guys have disappeared in this series.

Perkins being out also hurts the Celtics badly. Big Baby is solid offensively but does not have that same killer instinct on defense. Not nearly as scary a presence. Perkins takes their defense from "good" to "stifling."

[SalingerNY]

So what's the over/under on the number of burned cars in downtown LA after tomorrow night's game?

[b_joseph]

[Kluivert4Ever]

Good luck b_joseph Im also pulling for the Lakers tonight. Mostly because I want Kobe to catch Jordan in championships won, as a Knick fan I will always hate MJ more than any other player so come on Kobe creep closer to best of all-time!

[dabomb2045]

This game will be tied with 3 minutes left in the game. Kobe will hit 4 or 5 big shots in a row, and there will also be a huge 3-point shot by Fisher somewhere in the middle of all this as well. Celtics wont have an answer for this down the stretch.

Lakers win 96-90.

[TheManKnownAsMecca]

Good luck b_joseph Im also pulling for the Lakers tonight. Mostly because I want Kobe to catch Jordan in championships won, as a Knick fan I will always hate MJ more than any other player so come on Kobe creep closer to best of all-time!

Even if Kobe passes Jordan in terms of rings he isn't better than Jordan. Kobe is an incredible player and one of the best ever but he's not MJ.

[yankeesAZ]

Even if Kobe passes Jordan in terms of rings he isn't better than Jordan. Kobe is an incredible player and one of the best ever but he's not MJ.

The only thing that stopped MJ from 8-9 rings was his baseball career.

[TheManKnownAsMecca]

The only thing that stopped MJ from 8-9 rings was his baseball career.

Yeah that definitely hurt him.

[YanksFan1992]

Boston just needs to hang with the Lakers until the half. It seems like quite a few of the Lakers have a tendency to play better when they have a bit of a lead, so I don't think Boston can afford to have any big dry spells in this game.

[yankeesAZ]

Refs are letting them play. Bad news for the Lakers. Celtic thuggery is in effect.

Maybe in the 2nd half the refs start blowing the whistle more.

[dabomb2045]

Kobe seems to be in one of his "do it on my own" modes....which when you are double and tripled teamed, isnt exactly what you wanna do. He's taken some awful shots early with multiple defenders in his face. He's gotta take what the defense gives him, and run the offense. Have faith in your supporting cast.

[Brick Tamland]

Kobe seems to be in one of his "do it on my own" modes....which when you are double and tripled teamed, isnt exactly what you wanna do. He's taken some awful shots early with multiple defenders in his face. He's gotta take what the defense gives him, and run the offense. Have faith in your supporting cast.

Yep. That's just Kobe's speed."I'm the best and I can win it on my own. Everyone else is just in the way." Let's hope it continues.

[BroadwayBomber55]

I bet Laker fans are watching the 2000 Western Conference Finals between them and the Portland Trail Blazers for some inspiration.

[YanksFan1992]

I bet Laker fans are watching the 2000 Western Conference Finals between them and the Portland Trail Blazers for some inspiration.

Somehow I doubt that most Lakers fans are watching that instead of the actual game.

[b_joseph]

Quite possibly the worst half of Basketball I have ever seen this team play.

This is one of those times where the coaches give their players a gameplan and the players go, ''nah, we'll do completely the opposite''.

And Kobe cant keep playing like this. Bad games are bad games but he is on pace to have one of the worst games of his career. Dude gotta wake up and smell the situation.


BUT, Down 6.

[Philip Hughes Fan]

This has been an ugly game.

[Brick Tamland]

This has been an ugly game.

I like it. I'm sick of people talking about Kobe like he's da sh!t. He's a scorer and a selfish player and this type of game is conducive to him struggling. I dare you to prove me wrong Kobe.

[yankeesAZ]

Good news: Lakers are shooting 27% and only down by 6.

Bad News: They are shooting 27%.

[YanksFan1992]

Celtics by 11. Kobe is now 3-16 from the field, wow.

[Jace]

kobe's weird sometimes. when its obvious to everyone in the world that the game depends on him getting to the rim or at least getting creative in the paint, and that he's not hitting his jumpers, he takes even tougher jumpers instead of driving at all

[yankeesAZ]

Call a wheelchair for Pierce!

[YanksFan1992]

Rondo's been fantastic so far tonight.

[b_joseph]

I like it. I'm sick of people talking about Kobe like he's da sh!t. He's a scorer and a selfish player and this type of game is conducive to him struggling. I dare you to prove me wrong Kobe.

He's kinda proven you wrong for 14+ years but whatever.

[YanksFan1992]

He's kinda proven you wrong for 14+ years but whatever.

Yeah, he's unarguably one of the top 2 players in the league, as well as one of the better players of all time.

Luck seems to have started falling the Lakers way these last few minutes.

[Brick Tamland]

He's kinda proven you wrong for 14+ years but whatever.

Eh. I'd say Shaq "proved me wrong" but whatever. Kobe 3/14 with 1 assist after 3. Prove me wrong Kobe. Double dare you.

[YanksFan1992]

Someone on the Celtics needs to get hot or they're in trouble.

[YanksFan1992]

What is Rondo doing?!?

[YanksFan1992]

And it takes three minutes for someone to finally make a basket in the quarter.

[Brick Tamland]

What is Rondo doing?!?

trying to distribute the rock?

[just-blaze]

Kobe is horrible. Way to step up holmes.

And that was a blocking foul.

[YanksFan1992]

trying to distribute the rock?

Sorry, couple of possessions in a row where I thought he made somewhat foolish passes and was ignoring the shot clock.

[YanksFan1992]

Naaaaaaaaate. Time to become a legend.

[Brick Tamland]

Fisher has ice water in his veins

[dabomb2045]

This game is exactly where I thought it be w/6 mins left. I said it before....I'll say it again....LA has Fisher and Kobe, Boston doesnt. Fisher always hits big shots in these games--and while Kobe's been off, I dont think anyone would be surprised to see him step up and deliver down the stretch. Thats why they'll pull out a win here.

[YanksFan1992]

There have been five made field goals in the fourth so far.

[dabomb2045]

Fisher has ice water in his veins

Between Horry and Fisher, LA sure has lucked out the past 10 years to have guys who are essentially non-factors during the reg season, but turn into very good players in the playoffs...and almost become stars late in close playoff games.

[JohnnyEllis]

Hey, Mike D'Antoni, look at the score.

[RYMASTER or Ryan_Yankees]

Well, they owed us a good game, and we're getting it.

[RYMASTER or Ryan_Yankees]

Hey, Mike D'Antoni, look at the score.

Reminds me of the Knicks/Heat playoff series from the 90s where it seemed like the score never got above the mid 70s.

[dabomb2045]

There's your first clutch Kobe jumper. This is what these guys do. Where is Boston gonna get offense down the stretch? Who will step up?

[dabomb2045]

Reminds me of the Knicks/Heat playoff series from the 90s where it seemed like the score never got above the mid 70s.

People used to complain about those games.....watch nobody complain about it now just cuz it involves Boston-LA.

Personally, I like these types of games. Hard defense w/the offense having to earn every point they get.

[JohnnyEllis]

Reminds me of the Knicks/Heat playoff series from the 90s where it seemed like the score never got above the mid 70s.

Heat/Bulls/Pacers...

[YanksFan1992]

There's your first clutch Kobe jumper. This is what these guys do. Where is Boston gonna get offense down the stretch? Who will step up?

Nate Robinson.

[Brick Tamland]

There's your first clutch Kobe jumper. This is what these guys do. Where is Boston gonna get offense down the stretch? Who will step up?

It's gotta be Pierce

[dabomb2045]

Nate Robinson.

Honestly....he might have to the guy. Allen is off, KG looks gassed and Artest is smothering Pierce.

And Pierce just misses a wide open 3.

[JohnnyEllis]

Big miss by Pierce.