2009-2010 NBA Thread

[dabomb2045]

It wasn't that they lost 2 games in OKC, it was the way they lost. They looked old, slow, and just not interested.

Obviously, 3 days of hearing that they are "old and maybe done" lit a fire in this team.

Will they win in OKC?

'

Heard the same stuff last year when they lost badly to the Rockets in Games 3 and 4 in Houston. LA came back won by 40 in Game 5, lost Game 6 in Houston, then blew them out at home in Game 7. I think we'll see a similar result here.

[yankeesAZ]

'

Heard the same stuff last year when they lost badly to the Rockets in Games 3 and 4 in Houston. LA came back won by 40 in Game 5, lost Game 6 in Houston, then blew them out at home in Game 7. I think we'll see a similar result here.

Probably. The Thunder will have their day, but not this year.

[b_joseph]

With a normal team, you'd say ''oh well, They'll win it in 6'' But with this Laker team, you just know and egg will be laid because they have game 7 in their back pockets.

You have to be invested because its your team but you have to take a step back and see the big picture. Its annoying, exciting and tedious all at the same time.

[dabomb2045]

With a normal team, you'd say ''oh well, They'll win it in 6'' But with this Laker team, you just know and egg will be laid because they have game 7 in their back pockets.

You have to be invested because its your team but you have to take a step back and see the big picture. Its annoying, exciting and tedious all at the same time.

We've seen it from the NBA for years though. LA is no different then championship type teams over the years. Even Jordan and the Bulls (96 being a rare exception) had duds on the road, but always took care of business at home.

For whatever reason, home court just changes the game in the NBA playoffs so much. It means hardly anything in the NHL and MLB. Means something in the NFL. But in the NBA its EVERYTHING.

[26 and counting]

How many Game 7's have been won by the road team in recent years? It can't be too many. I can't recall any right now.

[b_joseph]

How many Game 7's have been won by the road team in recent years? It can't be too many. I can't recall any right now.

Last season, Magic vs Celtics.

Bomb - I'm spoiled. The Shaq-Kobe era teams would always take care of business when the door was open for them. In fact, they won 8 straight series by winning the very first potential close out game from 2001 to 2002.
But this current team is talented enough to win these games on the road and they need to get into the groove of winning road games because we only got the 3rd best record in the L this year.

Oh and surely everyone but Bomb has Kobe's jersey by now...
http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angele...ory?id=5142370

[dabomb2045]

Last season, Magic vs Celtics.

Bomb - I'm spoiled. The Shaq-Kobe era teams would always take care of business when the door was open for them. In fact, they won 8 straight series by winning the very first potential close out game from 2001 to 2002.
But this current team is talented enough to win these games on the road and they need to get into the groove of winning road games because we only got the 3rd best record in the L this year.

Oh and surely everyone but Bomb has Kobe's jersey by now...
http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angele...ory?id=5142370

Well to be fair....the Shaq-Kobe teams were some of the best in league history. Esp 2001. Hate to admit it--but the 2001 team was just sick. They just ran thru the playoffs w/ease and barely broke a sweat. It was the perfect storm---Shaq was still at the top of his game and it was Kobe's first real superstar season after his coming out party in the 2000 playoffs. Even last year's title team couldnt hold the Shaq-Kobe era teams jockstrap.

You guys are the team to beat out West but a) you arent on the dominant level the way the Shaq-Kobe era teams were and b) the rest of the conference is pretty damn good. It might take you 7 to get by OKC. Next round, it might take you 7 to get by the Spurs or Jazz or whoever.

I still fully expect a Lakers-Cavs finals. And no I do not own a Kobe jersey

[S2]

I want all the potential FAs to be as unhappy with their teams as possible.

I can't imagine Wade woke up this morning feeling great about Miami's chances the next few years as is. He needs big time help.

As for the C's: they need to steal one of the first two in Cleveland or it'll be over real soon. Not feeling great about their chances but anything is possible.

[RayBeFree]

Last season, Magic vs Celtics.

Bomb - I'm spoiled. The Shaq-Kobe era teams would always take care of business when the door was open for them. In fact, they won 8 straight series by winning the very first potential close out game from 2001 to 2002.
But this current team is talented enough to win these games on the road and they need to get into the groove of winning road games because we only got the 3rd best record in the L this year.

Oh and surely everyone but Bomb has Kobe's jersey by now...
http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angele...ory?id=5142370

I'd rather cut off my arms than buy a Kobe jersey. King James, well that's a different story.

[RYMASTER or Ryan_Yankees]

Now I remember why I hated Jamal Crawford sometimes.

[YanksFan1992]

Huge win by the Bucks tonight.

[dabomb2045]

Huge win by the Bucks tonight.

First legitimate surprise outcome of the playoffs so far

[BroadwayBomber55]

Non-NBA related: this is hilarious!

[JohnnyEllis]

Donnie Walsh chose Jordan Hill over Brandon Jennings.

[b_joseph]

Mavs vs Spurs is a great game right now.

Dirk has 4 fouls and had them ever since the first half. They were down 20 but have to to a 2 possession game at the moment.

[b_joseph]

Dallas are gone. San Antonio have some life in them, more life than I thought they had all year.

[YanksFan1992]

Spurs knock off the Mavs, and are the first team to advance in the West.

[RYMASTER or Ryan_Yankees]

Has any team been as good for so long and not won a championship like the Mavs have for the last 10 years?

[dabomb2045]

Kidd is finished....he looked absolutely awful in this series. Hill and Parker ran circles around him.

[b_joseph]

Has any team been as good for so long and not won a championship like the Mavs have for the last 10 years?

Yankees before last season....San Jose Sharks.

I know what you mean though. They are always so talented but never get over the hump...2006 will be looked upon as the worst season ever when Dirk leaves them and they become lottery fodder.

[dabomb2045]

I wonder why the NBA doesnt re-seed after each round the way the NHL does? I mean the Spurs advanced as the #7 seed....IMO they should be facing the highest seed left--which will be LA once they get done w/OKC. Instead they'll face the #3 seed Phoenix...just because thats the way the brackets are setup.

The NHL has the highest seed left matched up with the lowest seed left--like in the East #4 Pittsburgh has #8 Montreal.

Just makes sense to me do it that way IMO but I dont know why the NBA doesnt.

[b_joseph]

I hate re-seeding. It stinks of favoritism and desperation to make sure the better seeds get the easiest match-ups.

CLE vs BOS is going to be great. CLE vs MIL ( if they hang on ) would be an embarrassment of a series.

[Philip Hughes Fan]

Has any team been as good for so long and not won a championship like the Mavs have for the last 10 years?

Utah Jazz, although not really the same since they had to deal with the Jordan Bulls.

[dabomb2045]

I hate re-seeding. It stinks of favoritism and desperation to make sure the better seeds get the easiest match-ups.

CLE vs BOS is going to be great. CLE vs MIL ( if they hang on ) would be an embarrassment of a series.

Thats the way it should be IMO. You should be rewarded for having the higher seed and better regular season. Why should Phoenix get (in theory anyways) an easier matchup then the Lakers?

[dabomb2045]

Utah Jazz, although not really the same since they had to deal with the Jordan Bulls.

Its amazing when you think about some of the great teams and players that Jordan and the Bulls denied championships.

The Knicks of 92-93 were a fantastic team. Barkley's Suns were an awesome team, so were Drexler's Blazers. Malone/Stockton Utah's 97 and 98 teams were outstanding.

I mean thats 5 HOF'ers (Ewing, Barkley, Drexler, Malone and Stockton) that Jordan alone was responsible for denying championships. Luckily for Drexler, he found his way to Houston when Jordan was off playing baseball...and was able to ride Hakeem to a ring.

Btw looking forward to Spurs-Suns....can the Suns finally overcome their demons and take out SA?

[chanman7483]

Well there goes my Mavs pick right out the window. Had no idea Marion has absolutely nothing left(esp w/o Nash), Butler is a massive ballhog that stalls the offense (which apparently has been the case but he's never been in the public spotlight as he is on the Mavs), and Kidd is done. Poor Dirk.

[dabomb2045]

Well there goes my Mavs pick right out the window. Had no idea Marion has absolutely nothing left(esp w/o Nash), Butler is a massive ballhog that stalls the offense (which apparently has been the case but he's never been in the public spotlight as he is on the Mavs), and Kidd is done. Poor Dirk.

Its time for them to rebuild. Keep Dirk and work your way out from there. I still like Terry off the bench....but they need to find a way to dump Kidd and Marion. I'd start Beaubois at PG next year.

[chanman7483]

Btw looking forward to Spurs-Suns....can the Suns finally overcome their demons and take out SA?

Normally I would say yes, but it's the Spurs. They just find ways to win. Cliche, but it's true.

[b_joseph]

Thats the way it should be IMO. You should be rewarded for having the higher seed and better regular season. Why should Phoenix get (in theory anyways) an easier matchup then the Lakers?

My view is that if you are going to win the title, then you will beat whoever is put in front of you.
If you need the easiest possible match-up in each round, then you arent going to win the Championship because you will get exposed by a good team at some stage.

I've always felt that way. Especially in the Western Conference where every team is capable of beating another.


Credit to the Suns for winning a game 6 on the road. Always shows good toughness and mentality when you can do that in a building like the Rose Garden. I think they can take the Spurs because unlike in previous years, this Spurs team isnt a machine on offense and you need to play good solid offense against PHX to stop them from running on you.

[thebigmami]

Well there goes my Mavs pick right out the window. Had no idea Marion has absolutely nothing left(esp w/o Nash).

Of course Marion has nothing left without Nash. He can't shoot, he can't drive, he can't create, he can't ball handle. Offensively, he is the small forward equivalent of Ben Wallace. And a very old Ben Wallace at that. Did he really think he was going to maintain his totals or percentages? After the Suns he was a non factor for Miami, Toronto and now Dallas.

If you think of the Suns back then as a bicycle, Steve Nash is the pedals, Amare is the wheels. Shawn Marion was the tennis ball in the spokes. Worthless, unnecessary and carried by every other part of the bike. Now, that tennis ball has been removed and left out in the rain to grow mildew.

[djhitman01]

Lebron james just won his 2nd straight mvp. Don't see any reason why he cant make it 3 in a row next season even if he goes to the Knicks.

[S2]

I see the Jazz closing it out tonight, the Bucks freezing up a bit with a chance to close out, sending the series to a 7th game and the Thunder winning tonight but getting blown out on the road in Game 7.

[dabomb2045]

I see the Jazz closing it out tonight, the Bucks freezing up a bit with a chance to close out, sending the series to a 7th game and the Thunder winning tonight but getting blown out on the road in Game 7.

Definetly agreed on Utah and OKC. I do think the Bucks can close this out tonight--honestly I could even see them losing tonight yet winning Game 7 in Atlanta. The Hawks are impossible to figure out.

[dabomb2045]

38-36 midway thru the THIRD quarter? What is this...2000 Knicks vs Heat? Good grief

EDIT: Hawks went on a run...now 57-38. Milwaukee scored FOUR points in the 3rd quarter. Wow.

[texasyankee]

Has any team been as good for so long and not won a championship like the Mavs have for the last 10 years?

I dont expect my Spurs to advance any further......but, this win over the Cuban Mavs is the suuweeeestest so far..............

I love watching Cuban pout.............

LMAO @ the Mavs!

[RYMASTER or Ryan_Yankees]

Lakers were winning 91-84 in the mid-late 4th quarter, cruising...and now the Thunder are on an 8-0 run, 92-91 with 2:41 left.

[YanksFan1992]

Hahahahahahahahaha.

[RYMASTER or Ryan_Yankees]

Wow, how do you not box out Gasol?

F***ing Lakers.

[b_joseph]

Wow...that was too close for comfort. I just, wow.

[dabomb2045]

Thunder have nothing to be ashamed of. They gave LA all they could handle...and more. That team has a bright of a future as one could imagine. Durant, Westbrook and Green will only get better. Its a championship team in the making.

Just think if they could add someone like Boozer to that team next year?

[YanksFan1992]

Wow, how do you not box out Gasol?

Probably thanks to a sixth man known as karma.

[b_joseph]

Thunder has 50+ more free throws than us in the 3 games at their place.

Think about this..Durant had more FT attempts than made field goals.

[YanksFan1992]

Thunder have nothing to be ashamed of.

I can think of something.

And before anyone asks "bitter much?" the answer is yes, I am indeed quite a bit bitter.

[dabomb2045]

Probably thanks to a sixth man known as karma.

Oh stop. You werent even a Sonics fan! Knicks...remember? OKC will be raising a championship banner within the next few years. Sorry.

[dabomb2045]

Thunder has 50+ more free throws than us in the 3 games at their place.

Think about this..Durant had more FT attempts than made field goals.

They went to the basket a TON at home. What happens to most young teams on the road...they go to the basket a few times, maybe dont get some calls....then they sit on the perimeter the rest of the game. We saw it in Game 5.

[b_joseph]

They went to the basket a TON at home. What happens to most young teams on the road...they go to the basket a few times, maybe dont get some calls....then they sit on the perimeter the rest of the game. We saw it in Game 5.

I'll gather the stats and you can make your own call.

[YanksFan1992]

Oh stop. You werent even a Sonics fan! Knicks...remember? OKC will be raising a championship banner within the next few years. Sorry.

Eh, I was somewhat of a Sonics fan when I was a kid. My dad had a friend who used to work in the front office before the whole fiasco, so we got great tickets every so often. And despite the fact that I'm more of a Knicks fan, I've lived most of my life here, and Bennett pulled off one of the worst sporting heists of the modern era. Although the Thunder are going to be a very good if not great team for a long time, that doesn't mean I can't delight in their misfortunes.

[dabomb2045]

I'll gather the stats and you can make your own call.

So the point you are trying to make...is you believe the refs are biased towards OKC? Dont buy it. If anything, its a case of the home team getting most of the calls, which has only been happening in the NBA for probably 75 years or so.

Plus...the Lakers have certainly gotten their share of calls their way over the years.

[b_joseph]

Game 1 in LA - OKC 24 - LAL 22

Game 2 in LA - OKC 33 - LAL 32

Game 3 in OKC - OKC 34 - LAL 12

Game 4 in OKC - OKC 48 - LAL 28

Game 5 in LA - OKC 24 - LAL 31

Game 6 in OKC - OKC 31 - LAL 14

That isnt fair, my man. That trend is fishy.

[dabomb2045]

Eh, I was somewhat of a Sonics fan when I was a kid. My dad had a friend who used to work in the front office before the whole fiasco, so we got great tickets every so often. And despite the fact that I'm more of a Knicks fan, I've lived most of my life here, and Bennett pulled off one of the worst sporting heists of the modern era. Although the Thunder are going to be a very good if not great team for a long time, that doesn't mean I can't delight in their misfortunes.

Bitterness is not good. We see it when someone like ARod STILL gets booed in Seattle and Texas...or Tex gets booed in Anaheim (even though he was there for like 3 months) and Baltimore.

I hope the people of Seattle move on. Its one thing to hate Bennett--but no reason to hate the actual team. I doubt Durant was actually packing a moving truck