This week in the NBA

[alfdogg 0]

Sun, Apr. 9

Indiana @ Detroit, 1:00 ABC

Atlanta @ Minnesota, 3:30

Charlotte @ Toronto, 3:30

New Jersey @ Milwaukee, 3:30

New York @ Boston, 4:00

Orlando @ Miami, 6:00

Memphis @ San Antonio, 7:00

Houston @ Sacramento, 9:00

Phoenix @ Seattle, 9:00

LA Clippers @ LA Lakers, 9:30

 

Mon, Apr. 10

Atlanta @ Orlando, 7:00

New York @ Indiana, 7:00

Washington @ Philadelphia, 7:00

Cleveland @ NO/OK, 8:00

Houston @ Utah, 9:00

Denver @ Portland, 10:00

Dallas @ LA Clippers, 10:30

 

Tue, Apr. 11

Toronto @ Miami, 7:30

Minnesota @ Memphis, 8:00

New Jersey @ Chicago, 8:30

Seattle @ San Antonio, 8:30

Phoenix @ Sacramento, 10:00

Golden State @ LA Lakers, 10:30

 

Wed, Apr. 12

Boston @ Indiana, 7:00

Chicago @ Atlanta, 7:00

Toronto @ Orlando, 7:00

Memphis @ Charlotte, 7:30

Philadelphia @ New Jersey, 7:30

Cleveland @ Detroit, 8:00 ESPN

Seattle @ NO/OK, 8:00

Washington @ Milwaukee, 8:00

Minnesota @ Houston, 8:30

Denver @ Utah, 9:00

Dallas @ Golden State, 10:30 ESPN

Portland @ LA Clippers, 10:30

 

Thu, Apr. 13

New York @ Cleveland, 8:00 TNT

Orlando @ San Antonio, 8:30

Dallas @ Phoenix, 10:30 TNT

 

Fri, Apr. 14

Charlotte @ Atlanta, 7:00

Detroit @ Toronto, 7:00

Milwaukee @ New York, 7:30

New Jersey @ Boston, 7:30

Philadelphia @ Miami, 7:30

Minnesota @ Indiana, 8:00

Utah @ NO/OK, 8:00

Washington @ Chicago, 8:00 ESPN

LA Clippers @ Seattle, 10:30

Phoenix @ Golden State, 10:30 ESPN

Portland @ LA Lakers, 10:30

 

Sat, Apr. 15

Philadelphia @ Orlando, 7:00

Indiana @ Charlotte, 7:30

Atlanta @ Milwaukee, 8:30

Memphis @ Houston, 8:30

Sacramento @ Denver, 9:00

Golden State @ Portland, 10:00

[Rendclaw 0]

I hate to say it to you, alfdogg, but your Pacers are downright imploding.

 

I expected to see them give the Pistons a lot today, instead they get blown right out of the Palace. What's going on with your boys??

[mike546 0]

Jamal Crawford > Celtics.

 

Hes been terrific latley.

[Brett Favre 0]

Maybe Pierce will shut his mouth now.

[alfdogg 0]

I hate to say it to you, alfdogg, but your Pacers are downright imploding.

 

I expected to see them give the Pistons a lot today, instead they get blown right out of the Palace. What's going on with your boys??

I left for work after the first quarter was over and the Pacers had a one-point lead. I felt fairly confident that no matter how horrible Stephen Jackson played, the game would be a close one and would make me feel a little better about this team, even if we didn't win...then I stop in BW3's after work to see that we ended up losing by 25. The Pistons shoot *eight* free throws for the game to our 28, and win by 25 points. Inexcusable, I don't care how good the Pistons are. Just a horrible effort all around. Even Peja had a bad game, the number of which can be counted on one hand since the trade.

 

I hate to keep harping on this, but that Harrington trade is looking worse with every game. What makes it worse is Jackson refusing to acknowledge how horrible he's been as of late.

[Dangerous A 0]

Kings magic number is 3 to clinch, which means practically nothing since there are only 4 games left.

[Gert T 0]

What'd Pierce say?

[Brett Favre 0]

The Celtics blew out the Knicks about a week or two ago, and he was talking about how the Knicks are a bad team, and that them clashing with each other is good for the NBA because it gives him something to read about. I know the Knicks are a bad team, but when you're like 10+ games under .500 yourself, you should keep your mouth shut.

[Brett Favre 0]

Jamal Crawford wins player of the week for the East, and Chris Wilcox for the West.

 

http://www.nba.com/news/pow_060410.html

 

Good shit Jamal.

[Rendclaw 0]

I hate to say it to you, alfdogg, but your Pacers are downright imploding.

 

I expected to see them give the Pistons a lot today, instead they get blown right out of the Palace. What's going on with your boys??

I left for work after the first quarter was over and the Pacers had a one-point lead. I felt fairly confident that no matter how horrible Stephen Jackson played, the game would be a close one and would make me feel a little better about this team, even if we didn't win...then I stop in BW3's after work to see that we ended up losing by 25. The Pistons shoot *eight* free throws for the game to our 28, and win by 25 points. Inexcusable, I don't care how good the Pistons are. Just a horrible effort all around. Even Peja had a bad game, the number of which can be counted on one hand since the trade.

 

I hate to keep harping on this, but that Harrington trade is looking worse with every game. What makes it worse is Jackson refusing to acknowledge how horrible he's been as of late.

 

Stephen Jackson just sucks. There's no way to sugarcoat that. He's another example of a player who had a decent year and cashed in with another team, only to go right into the toilet.

[Dangerous A 0]

Stephen Jackson isn't absolute shit or anything. I've seen him have some pretty good games, but he definitely isn't worth the money he received. I think he's still pouting about losing Artest.

[Ripper 0]

For the love of GOD could the Lakers PLEASE ge the 7 seed so they can be swept in the first round. Seriously, if the SUns get the Kings, Brad Miller is going to be the reason for the Suns going home early. If they get the Lakers, is Western Conference Finals bound.

[alfdogg 0]

I just remembered that SAR is likely playoff bound for the first time in his career. I hope so, so I'll be spared of all the curse jokes that are likely to come should the Kings fall out somehow.

[mike546 0]

Yea, Lebron isn't clutch.

[CanadianChris 0]

I don't think it's that he's not cluch, it's that he doesn't give himself enough chances to be clutch. If he takes enough last shots, eventually he going to be like MJ, where you're shocked when it doesn't go in.

[naiwf 0]

Serious question, why is LeBron playing 42 minutes in a meaningless game? They can't improve their seed, or drop to the 5 so why not give him some rest?

[Ripper 0]

I don't think it's that he's not cluch, it's that he doesn't give himself enough chances to be clutch. If he takes enough last shots, eventually he going to be like MJ, where you're shocked when it doesn't go in.

 

 

MJ hit like 25 game winners in his 16(or 17 NBA seasons) Seriously... people...MJ passed the ball on the final possesions more times than not. And by his third season he had 7 for his career. Lebron has 6. People...please let it go.

 

By the way, by GAME WINNER, I mean the go ahead basket that wins the game, not that dumb "hit the shot with the clock running out is the only game winner crap"

 

The fact that people don't count him single handedly dismantleing the Nets the other night or basically this tear he has been on of late where he is pretty much killing people in the fourth is just sad.

[Edwin MacPhisto 0]

The fact that people don't count him single handedly dismantleing the Nets the other night or basically this tear he has been on of late where he is pretty much killing people in the fourth is just sad.

Yeah. He did insane things while Hughes was out, played incredibly while Z was out...he's been playing better in the second half of the season than even Wade. Get over the "needs to be clutch!" nonsense. I'm all for making tough shots, but you give me 34, 6, and 6 and basically will your team to victory in the second half of games, and you're more than fine by me.

[Guest Vitamin X]

For the love of GOD could the Lakers PLEASE ge the 7 seed so they can be swept in the first round. Seriously, if the SUns get the Kings, Brad Miller is going to be the reason for the Suns going home early. If they get the Lakers, is Western Conference Finals bound.

 

Who would the Lakers get if they get the 8th seed? (since I doubt they can move up to the 6th, correct?)

[CanadianChris 0]

San Antonio.

[Kurt Angle Mark 0]

For the love of GOD could the Lakers PLEASE ge the 7 seed so they can be swept in the first round. Seriously, if the SUns get the Kings, Brad Miller is going to be the reason for the Suns going home early. If they get the Lakers, is Western Conference Finals bound.

 

Who would the Lakers get if they get the 8th seed? (since I doubt they can move up to the 6th, correct?)

 

Right now the Lakers would get the Spurs if they were the 8th seed.

 

Technically the Lakers can still get the fifth seed but they would have to win all their games and have Memphis lose all their games and have the Clippers go 1-4 with their only win being against Memphis, The Kings woud also have to lose a game.

 

The Lakers could pass the Clippers for 6th if the Lakers go 4-0 and Clips 1-4 or Lakers 3-1 and Clips 0-5

[Rendclaw 0]

That would take one hell of a collapse by the Clippers... I'm fine with the Spurs getting the Lakers in the first round, because that means that the Spurs will advance in six, tops. I can;t see the Lakers going any further than that with the squad they have. Kobe would have to average at least 50 a game just to give them a chance and with Bowen guarding him, I doubt that is going to happen.

 

30, sure.

 

40, maybe.

 

And Rip, stop worrying about the "Brad Miller curse", or whatever the hell it is. I would worry more about Artest.

[Dangerous A 0]

Actually, Rip is correct to worry more about Brad Miller since he is a true center who actually does more damage from the perimeter than in the paint. Since the playoffs tend to slow down more into a halfcourt game, with Kurt Thomas still on the shelf, he becomes more of a factor than before.

 

Plus, Artest excels defensively against guys who can go one on one and get their own shots. Marion, who Artest would primarily guard, isn't the greatest one on one guy. Not saying he's garbage one on one, but Marion's game is in the open floor and in transition. One thing the Suns would have to watch for is Artest's steadily improving back to the basket post up game.

[Ripper 0]

Actually, Rip is correct to worry more about Brad Miller since he is a true center who actually does more damage from the perimeter than in the paint. Since the playoffs tend to slow down more into a halfcourt game, with Kurt Thomas still on the shelf, he becomes more of a factor than before.

 

Plus, Artest excels defensively against guys who can go one on one and get their own shots. Marion, who Artest would primarily guard, isn't the greatest one on one guy. Not saying he's garbage one on one, but Marion's game is in the open floor and in transition. One thing the Suns would have to watch for is Artest's steadily improving back to the basket post up game.

 

But Artest doesn't have the strength to kill them with his back to the basket game.

 

Brad Miller is about a non athletic as it gets but he uses his size better than most guys in the league. And Size is something the suns cant defend all that well. Notice how Chris Kaman, Nazer Mohammod killed the suns.

 

Brad Miller would be the difference, although if Bibby keeps playing defense like he has lately, it might be alright.

[Dangerous A 0]

Actually, I've watched just about every Kings game since Artest has come aboard and he is starting to kill teams on the block. I'm not saying he's Duncan on the blocks or anything like that, but it's becoming an every game thing now, especially in the fourth.

 

The Kings have reversed things where Artest and Wells have become the post threats while Miller, Thomas, and Abdur-Rahim have become more mid range perimeter threats. (although Shareef still does a lot of low post work)

[Ripper 0]

Shit...forgot about Bonzi....yeah...Lakers...get on your shit.

[Dangerous A 0]

Well, there ya go Rip. A gift from the Kings to you.

 

The Lakers and the 7th seed. Send thank you cards and gifts to...

 

Kings Offense

Disappearance Rd.

Sacramento, CA 95610

 

 

Well, Suns made a statement there that they can take one in Arco if need be. Listening to Artest and other Kings post game comments, it's nice to know they know they still aren't a shoo-in for the playoffs yet. Too bad they didn't play that way tonight.

[iggymcfly 0]

I doubt it's intentional given their schedule, but the Clippers certainly picked the right time to lose three in a row. They've now slipped into a juicy 3/6 matchup against Denver, whereas if they were a 5 seed, they'd likely get swept by Dallas or San Antonio.

 

Let me go on record as saying that I hate this three division crap in the NBA. There's no way that Dallas deserves a 4 seed with what could be a 63 win ball club. It's different in baseball with the tradition of hot pennant races, but when everyone makes the playoffs anyway, there's no need to punish the Mavs every year for being stuck with San Antonio.

[Dangerous A 0]

I think you'll see the NBA playoffs amended here soon. It doesn't take much really. I think you need to reward teams for having good regular seasons and at the same time, make winning the division worth something, just not worth a better seeding.

 

You basically have it where all divisional winners are guaranteed a playoff spot, but regular season record determines where you are seeded. You'll find there won't be scenarios where a division winner has a worse record than 8 other teams from the conference. That's the best I can think of right now under the new divisional structure of the NBA.

[Kurt Angle Mark 0]

I doubt it's intentional given their schedule, but the Clippers certainly picked the right time to lose three in a row. They've now slipped into a juicy 3/6 matchup against Denver, whereas if they were a 5 seed, they'd likely get swept by Dallas or San Antonio.

 

 

Some of us Clipper fans are having fun with this "tanking" situation.

 

We are losing games, Maggette has "back spasms" that don't even allow him to drive to the arena, Cassell now has "flu like symptoms", and Radmanovic has "an injured groin".

 

However I'm sure those are all true especially considering that we still haven't locked up the 6th seed and might fall to 7th or 8th if some crazy stuff happens and they want to have homecourt against the Nuggets who are 1/2 game back.