NBA 2008 - the home stretch

[Damaramu 0]

I'm having trouble getting up for these playoffs. On one hand I'm glad the Celtics are awesome and may go all the way. On the other hand I'm not really wanting to see the Lakers at all and they may go all the way. I doubt I'd watch the finals if they were in it. Ugh. Hopefully the Spurs or Suns can reach the finals to entertain me.

Are you serious? The West playoffs could be one of the all-time greatest. The East playoffs will be good at least once they get to the second round. And you can't possibly tell me you wouldn't watch a Celtics-Lakers Finals.

 

 

Well yeah I guess that'd be alright. I'd prefer the Lakers didn't have any success at all, but I suppose if they made it to the finals just to lose to the Celtics that would be fine. I just really don't want to listen to the Kobe/LeBron suck-fest that will go on during these playoffs. You can say to avoid ESPN but damn the announcers are getting in on the action too. I'd prefer both to make early exits so I can enjoy basketball.

[Agent_Bond34 0]

I think a Kobe/LeBron series would make for some pretty entertaining basketball. A series with two of the best in the NBA? It's hard to turn down the possibility.

 

Just mute the announcers, I've been doing that more and more in recent time, as it's really done nothing to ruin my viewing, personally.

 

I can enjoy a game without their bullshit.

[Damaramu 0]

I have trouble watching a game in total silence. I like to at least hear the crowd.

 

I really wouldn't enjoy watching a series with two of my most hated players. Although my dislike for LeBron has reached astronomical heights lately.

 

I'm hoping for any combination of Spurs/Suns vs. Pistons/Celtics. I LOVED the SA/Detroit series from a few years ago.

[Agent_Bond34 0]

I understand where you're coming from, hearing a crowd is pretty nice, because hot crowds can make it that much better. Completely understood.

 

I hope the Rockets can get it done here today, and also hoping the Warriors can beat Phoenix tomorrow night.

[naiwf 0]

I'm hoping for Lakers vs Pistons or Celtics myself. I don't like the Spurs or Suns, and don't believe any of the other Western teams will make it to the end, I despise LeBron and the East is the drizzles outside of the big 2. If Yao hadn't been hurt I'd probably be rooting for the Rockets too.

[Mr. S£im Citrus 0]

I'm personally against seeing star players win it all early in their careers, as a matter of principle; it just seems like a bigger deal to me when you see someone who has had to struggle for years, trying and failing, finally win it... My sentimental pick would be for it to be Houston and Boston in the Finals, with Houston pulling out the major upset to finally get Coach Adelman his championship. But, all things being equal, I'd be happy with either Detroit or Boston versus anybody in the West not named the Lakers.

[Guest]

Like I said would happen, Houston lost. Now the Lakers just have to win against Sacramento to get the #1 seed.

[Agent_Bond34 0]

I had some feeling that when they were down about 15 or so, that it wasn't gonna get any better after that.

[Ripper 0]

You know, if the Nuggets were to convince Carmelo to be a little less "superstarish" they would be a incredible team. Iverson is clearly their best player by a long way, but Carmelo is one of the heat killingist players I have ever seen. He simply needs his shots, hot player be damned, while Iverson not shooting the ball for a quarter to get the ball to a hot guy is not something that would shock anyone.

 

Between him and that asshole JR Smith who will either win you a game or get a T with the game time with .1 seconds left, they just aren't going to get it done.

 

That and they don't believe in actually playing anything resembling any kind of defense.

[Brett Favre 0]

And 'Melo just got arrested; DUI.

[Damaramu 0]

Here's what the AP wire says:

 

Nuggets’ Anthony arrested on suspicion of DUI

Eds: APNewsNow. Will be led.

DENVER (AP) — NBA star Carmelo Anthony has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Police say the Denver Nuggets forward was arrested early Monday on Interstate 25. He was pulled over for weaving and failing to dim his lights.

Detective Sharon Hahn says Anthony failed a series of sobriety tests. He was ticketed and released at the scene, but Hahn does not know how he got home.

Anthony is due in court on May 14.

The Nuggets said they are aware of the situation but declined comment.

[Ripper 0]

How about a few award guesses/opinions here?

 

MVP - Opinion - Chris Paul Guess: Kobe Bryant

 

I really can't be upset with Kobe winning it though. But I think Chris Paul's season was just amazing and that he is the MVP, at the same time I don't think there is clear cut MVP winner. So I prefer Paul, but if Kobe wins, thats okay too.

 

Defensive Player of the Year - Opinion - Josh Smith Guess: Kevin Garnett

 

Josh Smith is a one man wrecking crew on D. He is top 15 in steals, number 2 in blocks, and often times has to play guards at the end of the game defensively for stops and does a great job on bigs. But realistically, Kevin Garnett is going to win it. Now the fact that Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, James Posey, Kedrick Perkins and Rajon Rondo are all playing out of their minds defensively is the real reason that Boston has the best defensive team, but I guess you have to admit that it is probably Garnett that is the reason behind that because of his passion and his motivation to them. I am a little tired of Josh Smith not being in anyones top 3-5 with the writers though. Hopefully he gives me one of those 20 point, 6 block, 11 rebound, 4 steal, 7 assist games in the playoffs and has his coming out party and people take notice next year.

 

Rookie of the Year - Opinion - Al Horford Guess: Kevin Durant

 

I honestly don't think anyone can make a realistic argument for Durant here besides the fact that he is Kevin durant. Yes, he is averaging twice as many points as Horford(while shooting more than twice as much) but that is the only stat he outdoes Horford. Horford is more efficient offensive player, and better defender(I won't list things like rebounder because Horford is supposed to be a better rebounder). Scoring wise, Horford has a teammates averaging 21, 18, 15, 14, and 13 points per game on his team so yes, he is going to average less points. The next closest guy to Durant is a 15 point per gamer and after that you drop below double digits. He gets alot of shots, scores more points...impressive. But I think Horford has clearly been the better player.

 

Coach of the Year - Opinion - Rick Adleman Guess: Byron Scott

 

Yeah, Byron will win, but Rick deserves some love for that win streak even though they lost Yao and Landry and were in the running for best record in the West until yesterday. that is impressive.

 

 

Most Improved Player: Opinion - Mike Dunlevey Guess: Hedo Turk"i am not going to spell his name correctly" alu

 

Here is something that should automatically win Mike the award. He is no longer a bad contract in my eyes. People keep calling it a bad contract because they haven't paid the Pacers any attention, but he played to his contract this year. that alone should garner him the award.

 

Don't get me wrong, Hedy Turkoglu has had a impressive season and all, but at the same time, he is playing almost 7 more minutes a game this year. His jump in stats from last year can be at least in a small part be attributed to that. Mike has jumped his numbers almost the same amount while playing the same minutes. So bascically Turk has better numbers because he has more minutes/better coach. I personally think the Pacers moved pretty laterally coaching wise.

 

Sixth Man of the Year: Opinon: Louis Williams or Josh Childress Guess: Manu Ginobli

 

I just don't consider Manu a 6th man. he is a starter that happens to not play for the first 3 minutes of the game. Lou and Chill are both true 6th men in the NBA. I have a hard time deciding which one though. I am leaning towards Lou because he really has been the difference maker in the Sixers unexpected run in the playoffs. Chill, I guess I see him more, but he really is a extremely solid player. I think I will go with Lou on this one though. JR Smith deserves some love but I refuse to vote for that fucker on anything.

 

ALL NBA TEAMS

 

1st team:

 

G: Chris Paul

G: Kobe Bryant

F: Lebron James

F: Kevin Garnett

C: Dwight Howard

 

2nd Team

 

G: Steve Nash

G: Manu Ginobli

F: Paul Pierce

F: Amare Stoudimire

C: Tim Duncan

 

3rd Team

 

G: Baron Davis

G: Allen Iverson

F: Tracy McGrady

F: Antwain Jamison

C: Rasheed Wallace

 

All defensive team:

 

G: Chris Paul

G: Rajon Rondo

F: Josh Smith

F: Kevin Garnett

C: Marcus Camby

 

 

 

 

[Guest Teal-y Dan]

Coach of the Year: Jim Boylan

 

Much like Time's Man of the Year, this doesn't mean best.

[Steviekick 0]

Bullshit finish in tonight's Sixers/Cavs game.

[alfdogg 0]

Well, given that

 

1. We were picked to finish second to last in the East by ESPN

 

2. We played half the season without two starters

 

3. We didn't have Mike Bibby fall into our laps at the All-Star break

 

I'm surprisingly pleased with the way our season ended up. We should have a lot of confidence built up going into next season, depending on what the offseason brings. Maybe Ron Artest will come back.

 

Congrats to the Hawks though, srsly. I'm glad they got the spot if it had to be someone besides us; they deserve it after everything ownership has put that team through. Plus, if they missed, we were looking at the Suns having a shot at the #1 pick.

[Mr. S£im Citrus 0]

Clubber Lang, any predictions on what the Hawks can expect in the first round?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pain.

[Boon 0]

Defensive Player of the Year - Opinion - Josh Smith Guess: Kevin Garnett

 

Josh Smith is a one man wrecking crew on D. He is top 15 in steals, number 2 in blocks, and often times has to play guards at the end of the game defensively for stops and does a great job on bigs. But realistically, Kevin Garnett is going to win it. Now the fact that Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, James Posey, Kedrick Perkins and Rajon Rondo are all playing out of their minds defensively is the real reason that Boston has the best defensive team, but I guess you have to admit that it is probably Garnett that is the reason behind that because of his passion and his motivation to them.

To lend some credence to your Josh Smith argument, I'd give Tom Thibodeau more credit than Kevin Garnett for the Celtics D. Garnett may be able to influence the likes of Rondo, Perkins and Tony Allen, but Pierce, Ray and Posey have been around long enough to not need KG to motivate them. Thibodeau has done wonders getting those guys to buy into that defense.

[Damaramu 0]

Bullshit finish in tonight's Sixers/Cavs game.

 

I didn't see. Did LeBron get a call?

[naiwf 0]

So Golden State made a huge comeback in the 3rd and then blew it in the 4th which means Denver's in.

[Mr. S£im Citrus 0]

Fear not, Golden State; you still have the opportunity to become the first team ever to finish sixteen games over five-hundred and not make the playoffs...

[lomasmoney 0]

Here is one question I have. Why is everyone so sure that Boston is going to beat Detroit come playoff time. Detroit has way more big game experience, they have a hilariously deep bench, and they don't have to run into Lebron James and the 11 Dwarfs come second round. Detroit can throw size at KG, they have the defenders on the perimeter to contain Pierce and/or Allen, and they can play any kind of ball. I think that Detroit is honestly the favorite to win it all, simply because everyone out West is going to be exhausted. I wouldn't be shocked if every single series of every round out West went 7 games. I'm not even joking. Denver, with the way they score, can easily push anyone out West to 7, all the other matchups will be dogfights, and then you get to repeat it again come next round. Meanwhile, Detroit gets a cakewalk to the ECF, while Boston probably has a tougher road. Sure they get the Hawks in round 1. But then you run into a somewhat hot Washington team with Gilbert who can win a game or two by himself or Lebron and the Standarounds in Round 2. Meanwhile , Detroit gets the winner of Orlando-Philadelphia, and Detroit's guards will absolutely murder Jameer Nelson and Keith Bogans or whoever starts at the 2 for Orlando, and the big men will mop up Philly's front line if they play them. As long as Detroit doesn't see Utah in the Finals, I see them winning after going 7 with Boston.

[naiwf 0]

I don't think anyone is sure that Boston is going to beat Detroit. Everyone seems to be sure Boston/Detroit will be the ECF and then it's pretty much a coin flip.

[MFer 0]

Obviously I'd love to see Detroit win it all, but I'm just worried about their mindset. Ever since 'Sheed left Horry wide open in the '05 Finals, it's been pretty disappointing times for the Pistons in the playoffs. You could argue that they were better than Miami in '06 and especially Cleveland in '07 but imploded both years. Detroit gets too arrogant at times, thinking they can just "turn on the switch" at any time plus they whine a lot on the court (not all 'Sheed either). I am encouraged by the bench play this year though.

 

As far as the West goes, I wouldn't mind seeing anyone in the Finals minus the Spurs (don't like them) or Jazz (bad matchup for Detroit). I'm really looking forward to these matchups.

[Damaramu 0]

You could argue that they were better than Miami in '06 and especially Cleveland in '07 but imploded both years.

 

It's kind of hard to win when you get called for a foul when you breath on the other teams star.

 

Ok that's not fair, LeBron didn't get too many calls against then. '06 was still atrocious throughout the playoffs and finals though.

[milliondollarchamp 0]

Sixers were screwed if the refs are gona look at a replay look at the whole damn play, and you'll see a few things.

 

> LeBron walked.

> LeBron lowered his shoulder into Lou Williams' chest, a charging foul.

 

So, two missed calls would have negated the play before Brown even got a chance to travel or make a shot. Now, onto Brown:

 

> As Sammy Dalembert comes down from his block, he lands in front of Ilgauskas, who uses his left arm to shove Sammy into the lane, and (of course) send him reeling into Brown's chest, which really looked like a rewind of what LeBron did to Lou in the lane just a second earlier, except that it got a call.

 

[alfdogg 0]

FYI, all first-round matchups in the East are set.

 

-1- Boston vs -8- Atlanta

-4- Cleveland vs -5- Washington

-3- Orlando vs -6- Toronto

-2- Detroit vs -7- Philadelphia

 

I'll post my awards tommorrow night, but it looks like they're mostly the same as Ripper's.

[Guest Teal-y Dan]

Every lower seed is done in 4 or 5. Greatest playoffs in history.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Actually, Boston over Atlanta is maybe the closest thing to a lock the East has. Detroit can get lazy, and Philly has been playing as well as anyone in the East lately, and the other two could be anyone's game. Gilbert Arenas is looking like his old self again, and with Caron helping out, they're definitely a match for LeBron and Co. And Toronto-Orlando could probably be a fairly physical matchup as well.

 

Of course, what pisses me off is the fact that there's two, maybe three teams in the West (including Portland!) who could have all easily gotten into the playoffs in the East, at around 5th-8th spots.

[treble 0]

I think the Raptors could maybe win 2 games against Orlando!

 

At least the Magic don't have any red alternate uniforms they could wear to mess with Toronto's marketing plans.

[Guest Teal-y Dan]

Detroit gets lazy, but not blow-it-in-the-first-round lazy. They'll take Game 4 off and then beat the fuck out of the Sixers to send them home. The Cavaliers will get star-called all the way to a 4-1 series win. Boston and Orlando sweep.

 

But yeah, that's what I always hated about the Bulls and Pistons over the previous two seasons. The Bulls had to try-hard-try-hard-try-hard and be at their absolute best to win games. The Pistons can slack to wins, and can't even be arsed to do THAT.