alfdogg

I love watching Michael Finley shoot. I can't think of too many players that have a stroke like he does.

I think he's referring to how Baron forced his way out of New Orleans much the same way Carter did in Toronto.

He left so he wouldn't get fined again, not because it was "common sense." Please.

I wish I could get a .gif of Sarunas Jasikevicius on the bench after the alley-oop to J-Rich.

Patience. We've got to get everyone else off Baron's first.

Ha. Hit the showers, Stephen Jackass. There's the MVP chants. Now if we can get him to play like that for 48 minutes instead of 2, Dallas will be alright.

Dirk must have read that post.

Even I have to admit, that was a fucking horrible call.

Well, Terry probably just iced this series for the Warriors, surely that'll be a suspension. What a little bitch.

[i]Magnum Opus[/i] hits, and Alfdogg makes his way out to the ring, drawing boos. Alf is accompanied by two lovely escorts. COLE Heartland title on the line next, and Alfdogg on his way out to the ring! BUFFER [i]The following contest is for the OAOAST Heartland championship, scheduled for one fall! First, introducing the WDW World heavyweight champion...ALFDOGG!!!!![/i] Alf walks down the aisle, and climbs into the ring. COLE And Alf is here, I presume, to announce the newest acquisition of World Domination Wrestling, and Thunderkid's opponent in the forthcoming match! ALF Boy, I got some BIG news tonight! *crowd boos* ALF Before I get around to introducing the man who will bring the OAOAST Heartland title into the fold, I have another very important announcement. COACH What could this one be, Cole? ALF I'm here to announce that next Monday, May the 14th, World Domination Wrestling will return to your television set! *crowd boos* COLE A big announcement indeed! Now, let's hear that other announcement! ALF And now, if I may, here is the challenger for the OAOAST Heartland title, and the newest acquisition of World Domination Wrestling! Weighing in at 218 pounds, and hailing from Thunder Bay, Ontario..."AFTER HOURS" FELIX STRUTTER! [i]Girls, Girls, Girls[/i] by Jay-Z hits, and the lights go out. Pink lights shine around the arena, and a pink light illuminates the entryway, as the escorts make their way out to meet Strutter. Strutter walks out confidently, and takes one girl in each arm, making his way to the ring. COLE And this is a big acquisition for WDW, this guy's got a bright future in this business, "After Hours" Felix Strutter! COACH New look for Felix, and he could walk out of here tonight with an OAOAST championship on his way to WDW! Strutter climbs into the ring and poses on the buckles, drawing boos. The ladies remove his vest, and he stretches in the corner as [i]God of Thunder[/i] hits and Thunderkid makes his way down the aisle. COLE Well, I'm sure Thunderkid will have something to say about that! BUFFER [i]His opponent...hailing from Green Bay, Wisconsin, and weighing in at 250 pounds...he is the OAOAST Heartland champion...THUNDERKID!!!!![/i] TK slides into the ring, where Strutter attacks! *DING DING DING* COLE And a sneak attack by Felix Strutter! COACH That's what he's gotta do! He wants that title for WDW! Strutter picks up TK, and lays in a CHOP~! Crowd: WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO~! And another! Crowd: WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO~! Strutter pulls TK out, and whips him into the ropes, but TK ducks a clothesline, and floors Strutter with one of his own! TK yells out to the crowd, which responds in kind. TK then whips Strutter into the ropes, and picks him up in a PRESS SLAM~! COLE And TK showing off that tremendous power! TK holds him for a few seconds, then tosses him down to the mat! Strutter gets up, holding his back, and TK follows him in, clotheslining him over the top to the floor! COACH And Felix Strutter in big trouble, he needs to get it together! COLE Alf and Axel can't be liking the looks of this match! Strutter walks around a bit and gains his senses, then climbs up onto the apron. TK catches him coming up, and suplexes him back inside! COLE Great execution on that suplex by TK! Cover... 1... 2... Kickout! TK backs into the ropes, and drops an elbow! COACH BIG elbow! TK measures, then backs in and drops a second, and then a third! Cover... 1... 2... Kickout! COLE And TK going for quick covers, he wants to end this one quick! Strutter gets up and crawls over to the ropes, as TK follows. COACH Break it up, ref, he's in the ropes! COLE Hey! Whose side are you on, anyway? COACH Well, that's the rules, isn't it? COLE This match is for the Heartland title, there are no disqualifications! The ref backs TK off, then when he moves, TK charges, but Strutter delivers a BIG backdrop right to the floor! COLE WOW, TK took a LONG fall on that one! COACH He's hurtin' right now, and Strutter needs to take a breather! Strutter catches his wind, then slides out to follow TK. He reaches under the ring, and finds a kendo stick! COLE And Felix Strutter bringing out the hardware! The crowd gasps as Felix lifts the stick overhead, and brings it down across TK's back! COLE And a hard shot across the muscular back of TK! Strutter tosses TK back into the ring, then backs into the ropes and drops a big knee to the sternum! COLE And a big kneedrop, and a cover! 1... 2... Kickout! Strutter then picks up TK, hooks him, and delivers a DOUBLE-ARM DDT~! COACH And Strutter may be setting him up early here! Cover... 1... 2... Shoulder up! COLE But TK not done yet! Strutter waits for TK to get up, then delivers a foot to the gut, and sets up the THUNDER BAY THROTTLE~!!!111 COACH Here it comes now! Strutter stops to pose, and gets backdropped by TK! COLE Strutter took too long, and TK able to escape! TK charges Strutter, who trips up TK, and hooks the STF~! COLE STF locked in by Felix Strutter! COACH This could be it for TK! TK screams in pain as Strutter cinches in on the hold. TK tries to fight the pain, but eventually starts to fade. COACH It looks like the lights are starting to go out! COLE And Alf has got to be giddy in the back, along with Axel! The referee raises TK's arm... ONE!!! TWO!!! TK keeps the arm up on the third lift! COLE But TK refusing to die! TK puts his free hand on the mat, scoots over slowly, and grabs the bottom rope! COLE And he reaches the ropes! Strutter breaks the hold and allows TK to pull himself up on the ropes. Strutter delivers a knee to the back, then chokes TK on the ropes. He holds for a few seconds, then picks up TK and whips him into the ropes...but puts his head down, and TK executes a sunset flip! 1... 2... NO! Kickout! Strutter pops right up and clotheslines TK to the mat! COACH And Felix Strutter right back on the offensive! Strutter slides back to the outside, and grabs the kendo stick! COLE And Strutter bringing the stick back into play! Strutter measures TK, then brings the stick into his gut! Strutter raises the stick once again, and brings it across his back! Strutter then positions TK, and goes to the top rope... COLE Could be that outstanding legdrop by Felix Strutter! COACH Well, if it is, and it connects, we'll have a new champion! Strutter gets his balance, and goes for the SHOOTING STAR LEGDROP~!!!...but TK rolls out of the way! COLE But nobody home! TK gets up slowly, and starts delivering right jabs, then floors Strutter with a clothesline! Then a second! TK follows up with a BELLY-TO-BELLY~! Cover... 1... 2... NO! Strutter gets the shoulder up! TK picks up Strutter and executes a Fallaway Slam! TK then measures, and hits Strutter with a BICYCLE KICK~!, then looks down at the kendo stick! COLE And now it's TK going after the weapon! TK grabs the stick, as the crowd cheers, and slams it across Strutter's chest! COACH What a shot! TK looks down at Strutter, then raises the stick up in the air, as Charlie Moss and Quentin Benjamin run to the ring and attack from behind! COLE Team Heyross is here! Moss and Benjamin stomp away on TK, to boos from the crowd. Moss picks up TK, and holds him back for Benjamin, who grabs the kendo stick. COLE Come on now! Benjamin points out to the crowd, then takes a home run swing...which hits Charlie Moss, as TK had ducked out of the way! COACH He hit his partner! TK creeps behind Benjamin, and takes him all the way over the top rope with a belly-to-belly! COLE And NOW, maybe TK can finish this defense off! TK picks up Strutter, and hooks him for the THUNDERBOLT DDT~!!!!!11111 However, Alfdogg slides into the ring, grabs the kendo stick, and BLASTS TK right between the eyes! COLE OH NO! TK is out, thanks to Alf! DAMN IT! Alf slides out of the ring, with a smile on his face, as a dazed Felix Strutter picks up TK, hooks him, and delivers the THUNDER BAY THROTTLE~!!!111 COLE No, don't tell me... 1... 2... COLE Kick out! KICK OUT! ... 3!!! *DING DING DING* COLE DAMN IT! We've got a new Heartland champion...and he's under contract with WDW! BUFFER [i]The winner of the match...and NEWWWWWWWWWWWWWW OAOAST Heartland champion..."AFTER HOURS" FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIX STRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRUTTERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!! COACH What does this mean, Cole? COLE A WDW wrestler owns an OAOAST championship! What does this mean for the Heartland title? Your guess is as good as mine, Coach! Alf holds Strutter up in the aisle as he holds his belt in the air, while a groggy, bloodied TK stares them down from the ring. Team Heyross joins Alf and Strutter, their arms raised. COLE I don't know what to think here...I just don't know. Let's go to Josh.

84 teams have jumped out to 3-0 leads in a best-of-seven. Of those teams, none have ever lost the series, and: 51 have gone on to complete the sweep. 1959 Boston Celtics over Minneapolis Lakers, NBA Finals 1968 Los Angeles Lakers over San Francisco Warriors, West Finals 1969 New York Knicks over Baltimore Bullets, East Semis 1970 Los Angeles Lakers over Atlanta Hawks, West Finals 1971 Milwaukee Bucks over Baltimore Bullets, NBA Finals 1972 Los Angeles Lakers over Chicago Bulls, West Semis 1974 Milwaukee Bucks over Chicago Bulls, West Finals 1975 Golden State Warriors over Washington Bullets, NBA Finals 1977 Portland Trail Blazers over Los Angeles Lakers, West Finals 1978 Philadelphia 76ers over New York Knicks, East Semis 1980 Boston Celtics over Houston Rockets, East Semis 1981 Boston Celtics over Chicago Bulls, East Semis 1982 Los Angeles Lakers over Phoenix Suns, West Semis 1982 Los Angeles Lakers over San Antonio Spurs, West Finals 1983 Philadelphia 76ers over New York Knicks, East Semis 1983 Milwaukee Bucks over Boston Celtics, East Semis 1983 Philadelphia 76ers over Los Angeles Lakers, NBA Finals 1985 Philadelphia 76ers over Milwaukee Bucks, East Semis 1986 Boston Celtics over Milwaukee Bucks, East Finals 1987 Los Angeles Lakers over Seattle SuperSonics, West Finals 1989 Detroit Pistons over Milwaukee Bucks, East Semis 1989 Los Angeles Lakers over Seattle SuperSonics, West Semis 1989 Los Angeles Lakers over Phoenix Suns, West Finals 1989 Detroit Pistons over Los Angeles Lakers, NBA Finals 1991 Chicago Bulls over Detroit Pistons, East Finals 1993 Chicago Bulls over Cleveland Cavaliers, East Semis 1995 Houston Rockets over Orlando Magic, NBA Finals 1996 Seattle SuperSonics over Houston Rockets, West Semis 1996 Chicago Bulls over Orlando Magic, East Finals 1998 Utah Jazz over Los Angeles Lakers, West Finals 1999 San Antonio Spurs over Los Angeles Lakers, West Semis 1999 Indiana Pacers over Philadelphia 76ers, East Semis 1999 New York Knicks over Atlanta Hawks, East Semis 1999 San Antonio Spurs over Portland Trail Blazers, West Finals 2001 Los Angeles Lakers over Sacramento Kings, West Semis 2001 Los Angeles Lakers over San Antonio Spurs, West Finals 2002 Los Angeles Lakers over New Jersey Nets, NBA Finals 2003 New Jersey Nets over Boston Celtics, East Semis 2003 New Jersey Nets over Detroit Pistons, East Finals 2004 Indiana Pacers over Boston Celtics, East 1st Round 2004 New Jersey Nets over New York Knicks, East 1st Round 2004 San Antonio Spurs over Memphis Grizzlies, West 1st Round 2005 Miami Heat over New Jersey Nets, East 1st Round 2005 Phoenix Suns over Memphis Grizzlies, West 1st Round 2005 Miami Heat over Washington Wizards, East Semis 2006 Dallas Mavericks over Memphis Grizzlies, West 1st Round 2007 Detroit Pistons over Orlando Magic, East 1st Round 2007 Chicago Bulls over Miami Heat, East 1st Round 2007 Cleveland Cavaliers over Washington Wizards, East 1st Round 2007 San Antonio Spurs over Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA Finals 2008 Los Angeles Lakers over Denver Nuggets, West 1st Round 24 teams were able to pull off one win before being finished off. 1947 Philadelphia Warriors over Chicago Stags, NBA Finals 1958 Boston Celtics over Philadelphia Warriors, East Finals 1964 Boston Celtics over Cincinnati Royals, East Finals 1967 Philadelphia 76ers over Boston Celtics, East Finals 1969 Boston Celtics over Philadelphia 76ers, East Semis 1970 Atlanta Hawks over Chicago Bulls, West Semis 1971 Milwaukee Bucks over San Francisco Warriors, West Semis 1973 New York Knicks over Baltimore Bullets, East Finals 1973 Los Angeles Lakers over Golden State Warriors, West Finals 1980 Los Angeles Lakers over Phoenix Suns, West Semis 1983 Los Angeles Lakers over Portland Trail Blazers, West Semis 1983 San Antonio Spurs over Denver Nuggets, West Semis 1984 Boston Celtics over Milwaukee Bucks, East Finals 1985 Los Angeles Lakers over Portland Trail Blazers, West Semis 1985 Boston Celtics over Philadelphia 76ers, East Finals 1986 Boston Celtics over Atlanta Hawks, East Semis 1987 Los Angeles Lakers over Golden State Warriors, West Semis 1996 Orlando Magic over Atlanta Hawks, East Semis 1997 Chicago Bulls over Miami Heat, East Finals 2000 Los Angeles Lakers over Phoenix Suns, West Semis 2000 Portland Trail Blazers over Utah Jazz, West Semis 2001 San Antonio Spurs over Dallas Mavericks, West Semis 2005 San Antonio Spurs over Phoenix Suns, West Finals 2008 San Antonio Spurs over Phoenix Suns, West 1st Round 6 teams won twice before getting eliminated. 1947 Chicago Stags over Washington Capitols, Semifinals 1949 Minneapolis Lakers over Washington Capitols, NBA Finals 1962 Los Angeles Lakers over Detroit Pistons, West Finals 1996 Chicago Bulls over Seattle SuperSonics, NBA Finals 2000 Indiana Pacers over Philadelphia 76ers, East Semis 2007 Detroit Pistons over Chicago Bulls, East Semis 3 teams were able to come back and force a Game 7, but couldn't get that last one. 1951 Rochester Royals over New York Knicks, NBA Finals 1994 Utah Jazz over Denver Nuggets, West Semis 2003 Dallas Mavericks over Portland Trail Blazers, West 1st Round I'll try to post some more tommorrow. It's getting late.

Only teams have won series after losing games 1 and 2 at home. 1969 Los Angeles Lakers over San Francisco Warriors, West Semis (6 games) 1994 Houston Rockets over Phoenix Suns, West Semis (7 games) 2005 Dallas Mavericks over Houston Rockets, West 1st Round (7 games) And 8 have ended up getting swept. 1970 Los Angeles Lakers over Atlanta Hawks, West Finals 1977 Portland Trail Blazers over Los Angeles Lakers, West Finals 1983 Milwaukee Bucks over Boston Celtics, East Semis 1985 Philadelphia 76ers over Milwaukee Bucks, East Semis 1995 Houston Rockets over Orlando Magic, NBA Finals 1999 New York Knicks over Atlanta Hawks, East Semis 2001 Los Angeles Lakers over San Antonio Spurs, West Finals 2003 New Jersey Nets over Detroit Pistons, East Finals

IIRC, Kobe was a standout defender when the Lakers first started winning. When he started becoming a big-time scorer, though...I don't want to say he stopped trying, but you never really noticed him that much on that end. Much like McGrady when he got to Orlando.

The all defense teams are determined almost entirely on reputation, and have been for several years. Kobe and Kidd continually making it is proof positive of this. I'm not surprised at all. The only first-timers were Prince and Hinrich, both second-team. Here are the teams: 1st G: Kobe Bryant G: Raja Bell F: Bruce Bowen F: Tim Duncan C: Marcus Camby 2nd G: Jason Kidd G: Kirk Hinrich F: Tayshaun Prince F: Kevin Garnett C: Ben Wallace EDIT: Bell is a first-timer, too. I thought he had made it last year on second team.

So much anger! Being a Pacer fan, I would have been happy just to have not been cheated out of game 7 by the refs, and just be in that Finals.

You know, I was thinking about this just before the playoffs started...I don't think anyone in the league, between national (TV) and print media, takes more shit for having a bad game than Dirk does. But, he's done pretty much everything to earn it in this series. He's getting his points, but you never really feel like he's doing anthing, and he's not being aggressive at all. He especially needs to quit deferring to Jason Terry, because he's sucked throughout this whole series except for parts of game 2, and pretty much flushed Stackhouse's terrific effort down the shitter with his boneheaded turnover at the end. I did like that on the next inbounds, he started to throw it to Terry, then stopped as if to say "fuck that" and threw it to Harris instead. Yeah, I'm still mad at Terry for losing me money on the finals last year.

He said that Dallas would win four in a row after losing Game 1, and the Oakland fans went all Patriot fans on him. They showed about 10 anti-Barkley signs in the crowd before the game, then at halftime, he was wearing the jersey. I wouldn't have any problem at all cheering for Golden State if Jackson wasn't there, and if I knew everyone wasn't going to tear us apart forever for the trade. It's so maddening watching him in this series, because he was missing ALL those open threes he was getting tonight against New Jersey last year, and it pretty much singlehandedly cost us that series. Which Reggie obviously didn't watch, because he labeled Stephen Jackson a great defender. Vince Carter averaged 30 a game in that series. It's OK, though. We're talking Stephen Jackson. In Oakland. That can't end well for anyone. This series is probably over in 6, but if Dallas does somehow get it to a Game 7, they won't lose. I'd bet money on that.

Oh basketball gods, why do you hate me so.

So, who has more of a chance of coming back...the Lakers, or the Raptors?

Can't tell if that's sarcasm or not, but that was exactly my point.

Never thought I'd be reduced to rooting for the Nets, but I'm still kind of bitter at the league for trying to give LeBron and the Cavs a cookie-laden path to the conference finals, when they're clearly not that good of a team. Washington wins this series if they have Arenas and Butler.

That was PJ Brown on James Posey, and it was rescinded after league review.

It was a flagrant. It was the same foul that Mardy Collins gave to Smith in the brawl game, although not quite as hard. Pavlovic's foul on Jamison early in that game was worse, though. I mean, he smacked Jamison right in the face on the way to the basket.

Guess I was wrong, and happy to be so.

Dick Bavetta is doing the Miami game tonight, so they shouldn't have to worry about going down 0-3.