NBA Playoffs

[alfdogg 0]

FO', FO', FO'~!

 

Also the '89 Lakers swept through the West (Portland, Seattle, Phoenix), then were swept themselves by the Pistons in the finals.

[Dangerous A 0]

FO', FO', FO'~!

 

Also the '89 Lakers swept through the West (Portland, Seattle, Phoenix), then were swept themselves by the Pistons in the finals.

Being a Bad Boys fan from that era, I have had to defend that team against Laker fan boys who said that IF Magic and Byron hadn't been hurt, the Lakers would've 3 peated. I disagree and feel that the Pistons were the better team and while they might not have swept the Lakers that year, they would've beaten them in 5-7 for sure. It was just the Pistons year in '89.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Shaq can go off and score 35(doubtful with his injuries) and the rest of the starters will score like 5 apiece and Wade will score like 12 if the Pistons do it right.

 

Unless they put Tayshaun on Wade (obviously not), Wade will have the stats he wants. Billups is a questionable defender, which leaves Hamilton to guard Wade. Now, with Hamilton being pimped as the "best conditioned player" in the NBA, would Van Gundy put Wade on Hamilton on the defensive side? No. Hamilton has had struggles this year with his shooting, which is why you'll see Eddie Jones on him. Jones, despite losing a step over the past three years, is a superb defender (unlike any of the Laker guards), limiting Hamilton to the shots he wants to take. Hamilton will run circles around anyone on the Lakers OR Heat, but the Lakers didn't have a shred of defense to contain him...the Heat will. On the offensive side, Wade will take advantage of Hamilton's frustrations.

Obviously not? Why WOULDN'T they put Tayshaun on Wade? Best perimeter defender against their best perimeter player. Only seems logical to me.

 

Remember what they did against the Lakers? They let Shaq go off and shut the rest of the team down.

 

Derek Fisher is not a scorer. Nor is Gary Payton, a hobbled Karl Malone, Medvedenko, Walton or George. Kobe needed to step up, and he didn't. THAT is why the Pistons won so handily against the Lakers.

Wait... So because Kobe was being doubled (note I didn't disagree with your earlier sentiment about him taking shots while being doubled- although I'd argue that had it been any other team Kobe would have still made the shots but the Pistons just play great D, especially last year) and noone else could score except for Shaq who wasn't being defended, it's his fault? Your logic is self-defeating. Malone didn't even play in the Finals, and Payton was lost in Phil Jackson's offense. The Lakers lost for a variety of reasons, but you can't pin the blame on Kobe not stepping up when he needed to; he did what he could, with the exception of making a few bad shot selections. Last year's Pistons figured out Jackson's triangle offense, and the Lakers failed to re-adjust their strategy. Simple as that. Walton, George, and Fisher were all very capable roleplayers who helped them get to that point for a reason. Medvedenko, however, is worthless.

 

As for the Heat, Wade WILL step up. As I've stated, he has a easier matchup on offense than Kobe had with Prince and Hamilton. Damon Jones, thusly, will get his shots on Billups, while Tayshaun might be wasted in the early games against a roleplayer (Eddie or Dooling). The Pistons matched up PERFECTLY against the Lakers; this year's Heat? No dice. The series will depend on the adjustments Larry Brown makes to guard Wade. If they feel Prince should be up to it, then it's a different argument on how the Heat will do. But Brown has no reason to make a premature adjustment, because he has all the reason to believe Wade can be stopped by his guards.

 

EDIT: This isn't taking into account the bench the Heat has. Laettner, Dooling and Mourning smoke the cheerleaders the Lakers had last year.

Who are you, Larry Brown? What makes you so sure Wade isn't going up against Prince? That only seems like the most logical defense. I was the first to say that the Heat are deeper than last year's Lakers; no question about that. And the Pistons are thinner on the bench now, to boot. Wade's in his sophomore campaign; while he's done a marvelous job all season, and especially all throughout these playoffs but I think in the NBA, moreso than any sport, experience counts more all around in the playoffs.

 

Being a Bad Boys fan from that era, I have had to defend that team against Laker fan boys who said that IF Magic and Byron hadn't been hurt, the Lakers would've 3 peated. I disagree and feel that the Pistons were the better team and while they might not have swept the Lakers that year, they would've beaten them in 5-7 for sure. It was just the Pistons year in '89.

This is true, although I was really young, I remember thinking along the same lines. Last year was deja vu for that reason.

[Ripper 0]

Dwayne Wade has lived off of getting in the lane and hitting high percentage shots, just like the rest of the team. Detroit doesn't give up that many high percentage shots at the basket.

 

Hell, even last year, all of shaqs shots were heavyly contested. He was just man handling the front line.

 

Eddie Jones would have to cover Prince, simply because there is noone else to do it. He would DESTROY wade or jones on the block and fly by haslim at will. That leaves jones or wade to cover Hamilton, and I am sure you don't want Wade chasing Hamilton all day and Jones has one good leg. The mismatch will be in the backcourt people. The heat can't Matchup with Billups/Prince/Hamilton. One of those three are going to dominate. Wade will be able to score, but not as easily as he has the first two rounds with NO inside presence. The shot blockers at the rim will be able to do some damage.

 

Chauncy Billups not a defender? HA!!!! HAAHAHAHAHA,. The all defensive second team player that was one first team vote away from taking Larry Hughes spot is a iffy defender? Not saying he is going to shut Wade down, because I am pretty sure that he is unstoppable, but Billups will be the best defender to lineup against Wade in these playoffs(if they play the Pistons)

 

This will be one HELL of a evenly matched series. I think Detroit will take it, but it is alot more even than people pretend it is.

[lomasmoney 0]

Can we first at least make sure the Pistons put away the Pacers. Those guys will just not die.

[Brett Favre 0]

I'd be surprised if the Pacers LOST the series.

[iggymcfly 0]

If Reggie Miller was smart, he'd stick around one more year. I'd think that when they get Artest back, and have all the motivation of having their team back together, they'd have a great chance of winning it all.

 

This year though? There's no way they get by the Pistons.

[Brett Favre 0]

You haven't watched many Pacer/Piston games if you think they have no chance.

[Guest news_gimmick]

It does seem that this season the Pacers have had both Miami's and Detroits number, they've beaten them both more times than any other team. Didn't Pacers sweep Miami in the regular season? And split with the Pistons?

[Brett Favre 0]

I think the only game Indy lost to Miami was the last game they had with each other, and I don't think Shaq played in that game. I believe he did in the other 3.

[iggymcfly 0]

You haven't watched many Pacer/Piston games if you think they have no chance.

Well, you've got me there. I try, but they bore the shit out of me.

 

Still though, it's like the Sonics/Spurs series. Seattle may pick up a couple games here and there, but you know San Antonio will win it in the end.

 

For the record, I actually predicted the Pistons and Pacers would go seven, so I'm not surprised to see Indiana pick up a couple wins, but I just can't see the defending World Champs losing to an old team that's missing one of their two best players.

[Guest news_gimmick]

And I do believe the Pacers won both games in Detroit and lost both at home. I just wish they'd get their act together for more than one game and finish them off.

[alfdogg 0]

The Pacers are not an "old team." Reggie and Dale Davis are the only guys over 30.

[Brett Favre 0]

Plus, it's not the exact same team as last year without Artest. This year they have Davis, who's still a solid defender and rebounder, and Stephen Jackson, who's been their leading scorer in the playoffs this year (I think). James Jones is also getting more playing time.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Not to mention Jackson's a scrappy fella, as we all know by now.

 

Still though, it's like the Sonics/Spurs series. Seattle may pick up a couple games here and there, but you know San Antonio will win it in the end.

 

You sure about that? I think Seattle is feeding off the "no one gives us any respect" thing pretty well and are showing San Antonio what they're capable of. I don't mind the Spurs, but they're such a boring team sometimes. And I don't mind good defense since I'm digging the Pacers/Pistons series, it's just San Antonio's style of play is boring. I mean, their best player's signature shot is a simple low post manuever into a bank into the hoop.

[Dangerous A 0]

Actually I think Seattle is more boring to watch then SA. Parker and Ginobili can be fun to watch and when he wants, I've seen Duncan posterize a few people. Seattle has a bunch of spot up shooters and bruisers, although Jerome James has been fun to watch these playoffs. I don't particularly find Fortson and Evans to be the most exciting players and Ray Allen is only exciting when his shot is on. The rest of the Sonics are kind of bleh.

[bobobrazil1984 0]

wow this 3rd quarter is just nuts, i haven't seen defense like that from detroit since the finals. only now in the last like 2 minutes are indy managing to get a few good looks.

[razazteca 0]

Not to mention Jackson's a scrappy fella, as we all know by now.

 

Still though, it's like the Sonics/Spurs series. Seattle may pick up a couple games here and there, but you know San Antonio will win it in the end.

 

You sure about that? I think Seattle is feeding off the "no one gives us any respect" thing pretty well and are showing San Antonio what they're capable of. I don't mind the Spurs, but they're such a boring team sometimes. And I don't mind good defense since I'm digging the Pacers/Pistons series, it's just San Antonio's style of play is boring. I mean, their best player's signature shot is a simple low post manuever into a bank into the hoop.

The Spurs signature spot is the high pick & roll by the power forward which is usually Duncan and guard which is usually Parker. The major problem with the Spurs right now is when the team gets in a shooting slump which was the case in the last blowout loss. So when the Sonics want to play physical defense against say Parker, Ginobili, Rasho, Duncan, Horry the Spurs have problems. Problem #1 is when Tony loses his head and tries to do stupid shit like fancy passes off the pick & roll or worse case scenerio give the ball to RASHO. Problem #2 is the fact that RASHO is worthless on the offensive end of the game, yeah, he can get rebounds but the guy is afraid to make tip ins or dunks and tries to pass the ball to Duncan every time. Problem #3 is GINOBILI~ taking too many bumps....I don't know how many times he took an elbow while trying to do a layup. WTF are the offensive options when Parker goes inconsistent, Ginobili is floppin and not getting foul calls, Rasho throwing ways rebounds, and Duncan is getting tripled teamed.....go to Big Shot Rob for the 3?

 

Oh the drama~

[Damaramu 0]

Wow.....Indiana got bitch slapped. And Darko scored 3 points!

[razazteca 0]

Nazr needs to get the easy points off the offensive rebounds.

[razazteca 0]

Now in the 3rd Quarter the Spurs have a nice 14 point lead whose credit should go to Muhammond for being the offensive threat in the paint and getting those important rebounds.

[Guest Crazy Dan]

Man, I have been so busy with school that I have not had time to watch the games as much as I have in the past. At least 3 of the series have turned out to be closer than the first game blow outs indicated. Miami has suprised me how well they have gelled, part in do to Wade elevating his game to the next level. I also think that a key reason for their success was that Alonzo has been healthy. He was always one of the better centers in the league prior to his kidney problems. Now that he is healthy, he has been able to fit the void left by a hurt Shaq. With Alonzo, Miami can let Shaq heal. With the sweep, Shaq should be ready to play.

 

Pacers-Pistons - Man, this is the ideal defensive series, but man this is the definition of ugly. I am kind of glad that I have not seen too much of this series, because I have a feeling that I would be channel surfing often. Still, I must give props to the Pacers for getting this far and actually leading 2-1 at one point. I think that the Pistons will win this one, but imagine if the Pacers have Artest, who for all his mental problems, still is one of the best defenders. (Please take the intense anger management classes over the summer, Ron) Also, it has been cool to see Reggie actually retire while still being able to make a huge contribution. Not many players can say that. Still, this series has been less than thrilling and definately not one for the ages.

 

Spurs - Seattle - Well I was definately suprised to see Seattle tie it up at 2-2. I must admit I trully underestimated them and they have played the Spurs tough. Also, I think this series shows that the Spurs are not going to just waltz through every team, as they too have weaknesses. The Spurs problem is that they often let teams come back in series, when they clearly should have put their opponents away. Sometimes they are able to win the series and sometimes a last second Fisher shot is all that is needed to send them home. Well regardless, I think the Spurs will not let this series get away from them, but I could see a 4-3 series win.

 

Suns-Mavs - I believe that this has been the most fun series, because both teams love to run it and often forget to play defense, well not as much as years past. The Mavs actually developed a winning strategy by allowing Nash to score at will but not get double digit assists. This strategy ended up working as Nash couldn't get Amare and Marion involved, which the Suns need to have happened in order to win. So tonight's game is critical for both teams. Will the Mavs employ the same strategy again and will the Suns be able to react? This series could go either way, but we will have fun along the way.

[iggymcfly 0]

So basically, it looks like San Antonio and Detroit did exactly what I thought they would. I think at this point, we can be reasonably sure they'll both make the conference finals.

 

The Dallas/Phoenix series is a different story though. The Mavs are actually more talented and more experienced than the Suns. The Suns just have home advantage and a tendency to work harder throughout the season. I really think that even if the Mavs were to lose Game 5, they'd take the series in 7.

 

Still though, this is the only series that is truly capable of going either way.

[Guest pinnacleofallthingsmanly]

My Thoughts:

 

I think the Mavericks have been fun to watch this postseason because they've been all about making adjustments. That's why they've been the team whose games I've wanted to watch the most so far. They get whipped up on and then they have something new to win the next game with.

 

The Sonics have shown me that their regular season record was no fluke because they've gone toe-to-toe with the team most people thought would come out of the West.

 

Damn shame that Joe Johnson's done because the Suns have shown that they don't have a surplus of ballhandlers.

 

The Heat better thank their lucky stars that they were the 1 seed, because I can see their role players disappearing against the Pistons at Auburn Hills.

 

What are the chances that we'll get to see Shaq and Zo in the lineup next to each other against the Wallace Boys? I really think that Alonzo Mourning going to the heat ws the impact move this season just like Rasheed going to the Pistons was last season. They were already good, but ading the right player made them a legit contender.

 

Someone needs to teach Ron Artest how to speak.

 

I think that right now, nobody should be discussing lockouts, strikes or any kind of money issues. Right now should just be about who wins the championship. Let that other stuff come afterwards.

[iggymcfly 0]

Speaking of adjustments, the Mavericks need to bench Jason Terry right now.

 

I thought Avery Johnson figured it out in Game 4. When Darrell Armstrong's in the game, he handles the ball well, gets everybody involved, and plays solid defense. When Jason Terry's in the game, he jacks up lots of shots that should go to other people, turns the ball over, and plays TERRIBLE defense on Nash.

 

Terry's a great player for a team that desperately needs a scorer, and he's a servicable point guard on the offensive end, but he can't guard the MVP of the league.

 

I'm telling you, if Armstrong doesn't log at least 15 or 20 MPG from here on out, Nash will keep lighting up the Mavs, and the Suns will advance to play San Antonio.

[Guest Vitamin X]

I don't know how you could call the Mavs more talented than the Suns. Their bench, absolutely, but Phoenix's starting 5 is much better than Dallas'. I don't see how you could even make such a comparison. Marion/Stoudamire/Nash > Nowitski/Stackhouse/Finley.

[Ripper 0]

And Nash scorched Armstrong too. Noone has had any luck at stopping nash, at least Terry makes him pay on the other end.

 

Suns win last night with pretty great performance from 4 out of the 5 starters. Barbosa and Q were non existant and the rest of the team were the cheerleaders they usually were.

 

I think guys like Jake Voskal, and Bo Outlaw are going to be useful against the Spurs(if that ends up being the matchup. not counting Seattle or Dallas out) but for now, they are just useless and the team is 6 deep and still beating a very good Dallas team.

[iggymcfly 0]

I don't know how you could call the Mavs more talented than the Suns. Their bench, absolutely, but Phoenix's starting 5 is much better than Dallas'. I don't see how you could even make such a comparison. Marion/Stoudamire/Nash > Nowitski/Stackhouse/Finley.

How, exactly is the Suns starting five "much" more talented than that of the Mavericks.

 

Nash has had a great year, but when he and Dirk were together in Dallas, there wasn't much doubt that Dirk was the more talented one. Marion and Stoudemire just rebound and get open dunks when no one guards them. Neither one's really capable of creating their own shot.

 

Stackhouse meanwhile can still rebound fairly well, but can create off the dribble and dish the ball out as well. He may not be as good as Stoudemire all around, but he's at least as good as Marion.

 

As for Finley, if you go by natural talent, he's probably third on the floor behind Nash and Nowitzki. However, he is getting a little older and he's not quite as versatile as he once was. Still though, he's absolutely deadly on the mid-range jumper, and if he needed to get open and get a shot in 4 seconds to win the game, you could count on him to do it.

 

As a unit, the Phoenix starting five may be a hair better than Dallas's crew, but if you count in the bench at all, Dallas is definitely there. Marquis Daniels, Josh Howard, Devin Harris, and Darrell Armstrong would all start over Jim Jackson at this point.

 

I guess the thing that gets me about Phoenix is that only two guys on their team can shoot. (Quentin Richardson and Steve Nash) Everybody else on their team relies on getting dunks and layups, and it just seems like if the Mavs would play to their potential on defense, their would be nothing Phoenix could do.

 

When Nash can run the screen and roll five plays and a row, and have a wide open shot without a hand in his face on four of them, that's not a talent difference, it's an effort difference. If Terry really is that incompetent on defense, they should just take him out and put someone in who won't give the game away.

[Ripper 0]

Nash has had a great year, but when he and Dirk were together in Dallas, there wasn't much doubt that Dirk was the more talented one. Marion and Stoudemire just rebound and get open dunks when no one guards them. Neither one's really capable of creating their own shot.

 

Nash is more talented than the current dallas point guards. Amare is more talented than Dampier and can create his own shot just fine. He has a huge number of low post moves is a damn fine ball handler for a big man and uses his quickness to blow by other big men. He has a accurate jumper out to 15 feet and uses it constantly. Marion also is quick as hell and has proved for years that he can get to the basket and create his own shot at will. What makes the Suns work this year is that they don't HAVE to create their own shots. Nash sets them up. But nash only averages 11 assist agame. They are hitting 40-50 field goals. How else are they getting their points.

 

 

Stackhouse meanwhile can still rebound fairly well, but can create off the dribble and dish the ball out as well. He may not be as good as Stoudemire all around, but he's at least as good as Marion.

 

Marion is one of the best scorers, rebounders, steal men, shot blockers in the league. He shoot a better percentage, he is abetter defender...what exactly is Jerry Stackhouse remotely better at than Marion. There is a reason that Marion is a Allstar. He was an Allstar last year. He Should have been a few years before that. Outside of Dirk, noone on Dallas roster is on Shawn Marion's or Amare Stoudimire's level. No one.

 

 

I guess the thing that gets me about Phoenix is that only two guys on their team can shoot. (Quentin Richardson and Steve Nash) Everybody else on their team relies on getting dunks and layups, and it just seems like if the Mavs would play to their potential on defense, their would be nothing Phoenix could do

 

Now you are showing that you have never watched the Suns play because this is laughable. First of all Quentein Richardson is the worst shooter on the team. Absolutely worse. Amare Stoudimire scores alot of his points from his 15 foot jumper that he hits at over 50%. Shawn Marion is a better three point shooter that Richardson and scores most of his field goals from his midrange shot. Joe Johnson is the best shooter on the team, and he, by the way, is better than Jerry Stackhouse and up there with Michael Finley seeing as the guy legititmately plays 3 positions.

 

Like I have said, Phoenix has no bench. They gave it away for Jim Jackson. But every member of their starting five is better than every member of Dallas starting five minus Dirk. Oh, and Q isn't better than Finley. But Phoenix won 60+ games this year with their starting five all averaging over 40 minutes agame. THIS is the starting five that won those 60+ games. And its not because of layups and dunks, its because they are all ridiculously skilled players.

[Guest news_gimmick]

Ripper speaks the truth, Phoenix's starting five is the most productive in the league this season, and I dare say the last ten years. From Stoudemire to Nash, I haven't seen 5 guys produce so much that they barely use a bench even. They are lucky they signed Jackson now that Joe Johnson got hurt, because there wouldn't have been much help otherwise. While Dallas does have a great starting lineup, having Dampier, Howard and Terry are the softer spots of their starting 5. Dallas' bench is superior however, and Stackhouse coming off the bench is the big reason why. I still see this series going 7 though, Dallas will most likely make another adjustment for game 6.