2009-2010 NBA Thread

[dabomb2045]

I'd feel a lot better if it weren't for those late runs. Gotta fix that real quick.

As much as I dislike James and everything about him - he is no question the best player in the universe and I will not sleep well until the C's can win 4 games. He can overcome terrible teammates. Too good.

Without a doubt. I just think this is at least a 6...probably 7 game series either way. Alot of people were saying a Cavs sweep or Cavs in 5, and that they would win easily....which is something I didnt quite get. This Cavs team still has much to prove against the upper echelon teams in the playoffs. Its one thing to beat Chicago, Atlanta, Washington etc. like they have done the past few years....but they really havent dispatched a real good team other then Detroit in 2007.

[Joba-Walkee]

I think betting that heavily against a team with Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, KG, and Rondo in the playoffs is asinine. I saw this series going at least 6 games. Too much of a talented vet presence on this team. Sure they're slowing down, but they're still damn good.

[dabomb2045]

I taped the game. Literally by VCR. I'm old school. I'll watch parts of it before Friday. I just couldn't wrap my head around a team winning by 18 but getting outshot at the line by 20 attempts. When I saw Dick frigging Bavetta was one of the refs, I could have guessed how the game would go.

Don't get me wrong - I'd love for the home team to get all the calls the rest of the way.

Its kinda sad when you hear a certain ref is working the game.....you know how it will be called. Its an indictment on the sport.

Yeah if it wasnt for the foul disparity you guys would have won by 40. Your defense was suffocating.

[YanksFan1992]

Glad to see that the Suns won. I'd love it if either the Jazz or Suns were able to come out of the West.

[dabomb2045]

Glad to see that the Suns won. I'd love it if either the Jazz or Suns were able to come out of the West.

I'm rooting for the Suns. They've had some damn good teams the past 10 years that have fallen short--some of it their own fault, a good portion of it bad luck.

[chanman7483]

I'm rooting for the Suns. They've had some damn good teams the past 10 years that have fallen short--some of it their own fault, a good portion of it bad luck.

Steve Nash is just too nasty - gets to wherever he wants on the court, takes and makes some ridiculous shots and is tough as nails. What a career. Would love to see him get a crack at the title this season.

[b_joseph]

I know, I know. Laker fans shouldn't moan.

But the foul stuff is tedious. Not from fans complaining but from the standpoint of knowing exactly when and where a foul is going to be called in every game. Those possessions where you can anticipate the ref getting all excited to put the whistle to his lips....tedious.

Watch some games from the 80's and watch how guys who lean into the defender absolutely never get the foul call in their favor. These days, I hear announcers talk about how ''this player initiated the contact''...OH REALLY? Then why does the defender get called for the foul if he didnt even touch the offensive player?? Douche.
The rules state that a foul is called when the ball carrier has his progress impeded. Not when the ball carrier decides to throw his body into a defender.

Steve Nash is a prime example of the bias referees have. He always drives into the paint and he gets fouled a ton, on more or less every possession. But he never gets the the line as much as the type of player who the refs expect to get to the line.


That all being said.............10+ free throws for Kobe would be nice tonight

[pjfan]

LeBron, much like Jordan playing in his heyday, are pretty much the same. If he takes it to the hole (especially in the 4th quarter) and doesn't get the basket, you can guarandamntee he's getting a foul called.

And, he rarely will get a foul called against him. The Celtics ended up 2X as many fouls last night and still won the game by 18 points. You don't see that too often.

Also, it was funny to hear TNT talking about "the elbow" constantly through the end of the 3rd and 4th quarters last night, after barely mentioning it Saturday night.

[Snatch Catch]

LET'S GO CELTICS!

[bnorris85]

I have a man crush on Rhondo...I feel kinda weird wearing his t-shirt jersey thing , but whatever.

[Joba-Walkee]

Looks like Spoelstra will be getting the boot. I'd love to have him on the Nets, he's the 2nd best coach on the open market, in my opinion.

[YanksFan1992]

Good lord, the Magic ran train on Atlanta tonight.

[b_joseph]

6 down...10 to go

[RYMASTER or Ryan_Yankees]

LET'S GO CELTICS!

1)
2) I agree

[chanman7483]

Wow, Spurs shooting 52% vs 38% for the suns and are still tied. The diff? Couple of 3's and a 10 FT advantage for Suns.

Looks like the Spurs are really pounding it into Duncan. As I'm not able to watch these games, it looks like they aren't doubling him, letting him get his shots, and keeping all the other guys as out of it as possible (high FGA, low FTA, low FGA for everyone else). And why did Parker lose his starting job? I loved Manu off the bench.

[S2]

They are probably going to lose to the Lakers in 5 games, but the Suns have put together a nice little run. Steve Nash is just amazing. He's had his best years after turning 30. That's unheard of in the NBA.

[Snatch Catch]

I put this in another thread, but it deserves to go here, too...

[S2]

Officials for Game 3: Bennett Salvatore, Ken Mauer, Zach Zarba. about 3 hours ago via web
PDcavsinsider

[b_joseph]

His teammates killed him for that photo-shoot...the 1st pic is killed, killed I say with photoshop.

Problem is that when you gave to his kind of star status, you can do whatever the eff you like.

[Snatch Catch]

You've got me legitimately pulling for you. Don't f*ck this up Boston.

[dabomb2045]

Nobody is talking about Orlando. Very quietly, they have looked like the best team in the postseason so far. I still have my doubts about Vince Carter w/the ball in his hands, late in close games (they havent really had any close games yet)....but they look damn good. Solid defensive team and just many offensive weapons.

All the attention is on the Cavs, Celtics, Lakers. I think everyone forgets Orlando made the Finals last year.

[b_joseph]

Orlando will get judged once they play a quality club....meaning the next round. Its kinda like Cleveland last season, they breezed through the first couple of rounds and everyone thought they were the 2nd coming of Russell's Celtics. Then they played a real team and got served....not saying Orlando will get served but we have to wait a while.

[Joba-Walkee]

Atlanta is a quality club.

[b_joseph]

They're a reg season team. Did anyone really feel like they would do anything in these playoffs?

3 teams in the east, CLE, BOS and ORL. Just like last year...ATL have talent but they aint winning anything.

[Snatch Catch]

Atlanta has some quality talent, but right now they are hardly a quality team, seeing as they've quit on their coach.

[YanksFan1992]

Please come to New York LeBron. That is all.

[dabomb2045]

That was a Jordan-esque performance by LeBron tonight. What I mean by that....is certain times in the past when the Bulls would lose a playoff game, you would see Jordan come out and just take control of the game right away, put up 20+ points in the 1st quarter and send a message to the other team "it aint happening tonight fellas. I am not allowing my team to lose...and this game will be a blowout".

Thats the type of 1st quarter James delivered in this game.

[YanksFan1992]

Dragic has turned into a monster.

[dabomb2045]

Dragic has turned into a monster.

Impressive performance by the Suns tonight. Down 18 in the 2nd quarter....you figured they might just mail in it, saying hey we're still up 2-1 lets look forward to Game 4. Past Suns teams would have done this. Instead they fight all the way back and are now blowing the Spurs away in the 2nd half. And its not even Nash and Amare doing the damage tonight. Its Drajic, Barbosa, Hill and J-Rich.

I believe this Suns team has what it takes to beat the Lakers. If you forced me to pick....I would say LA in 7. But the Suns can win that series.

[YanksFan1992]

I believe this Suns team has what it takes to beat the Lakers. If you forced me to pick....I would say LA in 7. But the Suns can win that series.

The Suns are really the only team left that I like (although I don't mind Orlando and Atlanta), so hopefully they can keep this up.

[dabomb2045]

The Suns are really the only team left that I like (although I don't mind Orlando and Atlanta), so hopefully they can keep this up.

Yeah I would like to see an Orlando-Phoenix Finals....win-win for me. I like both teams. I'm rooting for the Cavs to dispatch Boston...but I'll def root for the Magic again vs Cleveland. Everyone else left I have no use for really. I like LeBron but I dont wanna see him win--until in NY in 2010-2011

[YanksFan1992]

Way to go Suns!

[thebigmami]

Someone get out the dust bin, Tim Duncan is about to get swept into the trash!

[26 and counting]

Yeah I would like to see an Orlando-Phoenix Finals....win-win for me. I like both teams. I'm rooting for the Cavs to dispatch Boston...but I'll def root for the Magic again vs Cleveland. Everyone else left I have no use for really. I like LeBron but I dont wanna see him win--until in NY in 2010-2011

Orlando vs. Phoenix would be a fun series to watch.

[pjfan]

So, does the elbow hurt or not?

Complete ................ effort from the Celtics last night. No effort, no energy. They had a great chance to really put some pressure on Cleveland, and completely laid an egg. Just awful. It'll be interesting to see how they come out tomorrow.

LeBron was fantastic, and what you would expect from the best player in the league.

[chanman7483]

[S2]

So, does the elbow hurt or not?

Complete ................ effort from the Celtics last night. No effort, no energy. They had a great chance to really put some pressure on Cleveland, and completely laid an egg. Just awful. It'll be interesting to see how they come out tomorrow.

LeBron was fantastic, and what you would expect from the best player in the league.

I don't know about his elbow, but my ass hurts. "Games" like this make me happy I work most nights.

[b_joseph]

Someone get out the dust bin, Tim Duncan is about to get swept into the trash!

Whoa Nelly!!! Duncan is a class act, he doesnt deserve disrespect like that.

[yankeesAZ]

16 years ago today was the 2nd worst day in Seattle Sonics history (losing the team is #1):

http://blog.seattlepi.com/davidnelso...ves/205051.asp

May 7th, 1994 was a horrible day for Seattle Supersonics fans. If the date doesn't ring a bell, the image will:

The Sonics were 63-19 that season and were thought by many as the favorite to win the NBA Championship. Michael Jordan announced his first retirement prior to the 1993-1994 season which would've been the perfect opportunity to hoist the Larry O'Brien NBA Championship Trophy through downtown Seattle. Instead, the Houston Rockets won the NBA Finals that season and the rest is history."

[S2]

Are the Magic going to go Fo Fo Fo Fo?

[b_joseph]

no no no no

[b_joseph]

Nothing quite like the refs trying to give Utah a game...oh well.

7 down and 9 to go. Single digits.

[dabomb2045]

Crazy that 3 of the 4 series are 3-0. I fully expect Orlando to sweep Atlanta. I think the Spurs have enough heart to at least win a game. Wouldnt be surprised to see LA sweep.

Cleveland's only up 2-1 but after the way they manhandled Boston in Game 3....it feels like a bigger lead.

[pjfan]

Crazy that 3 of the 4 series are 3-0. I fully expect Orlando to sweep Atlanta. I think the Spurs have enough heart to at least win a game. Wouldnt be surprised to see LA sweep.

Cleveland's only up 2-1 but after the way they manhandled Boston in Game 3....it feels like a bigger lead.

I figured Orlando would handle Atlanta, but I at least thought Atlanta would put up a fight. They've been awful.

And you're right about Cleveland/Boston. If Boston doesn't win today, I think they're done. Even with how well they play on the road, LBJ appears to have gotten over his "injury" and is firmly in control. I expect a better effort from the C's today, but I think we'll see a rematch of last year's ECF.

[dabomb2045]

Is it crazy to say Rondo is now the best player on the Celtics?

[dabomb2045]

Also....I know some of you guys have joked about LeBron's elbow...but IMO there is no doubt he is less then 100%. Other then late in Game 2 and the 1st quarter of Game 3....he has played VERY passively and almost seems afraid to take over the game. This is not the way he played all season--not even the way he played in the playoffs last year or vs Chicago in Round 1.

He just had Garnett 1 on 1 w/no double....and he passed off to Varejao for a 15 footer. That is not the real James.

[b_joseph]

Erm......

Rajon Rondo and the pips out there. I dont ever wnat to hear about a big 3 anymore, they all should bow down to Rajon Rondo because he is by far the best player on that team.

I doont know what to say, he is just amazing. If he develops a soft shooting touch he will be rather unstoppable...oh look and perfect game for the A's.


Didnt take long for the Lebron excuses, my friend. Got to suck it up like Kobe has done over the years.

[dabomb2045]

Im not making excuses for LeBron....I'm simply making an observation. If anything, it shows how weak his supporting cast is because unless James is totally dominant...the Cavs cant beat a good team.

Which is why he needs to leave, sign w/NY and bring a friend w/him

[YanksFan1992]

Heck of a game by Rondo.

[dabomb2045]

I cant remember the last time I've seen a PG grab 18 rebounds. Good grief. Thats like Jason Kidd in his prime stuff.

If Boston can get ANYTHING from Pierce and a bit more from KG....they will win this series.