NBA 2008 - the home stretch

[bobobrazil1984 0]

I've got:

 

Boston in 4

Cleveland in 6

Detroit in 5

Orlando in 6

 

 

(followed by Boston and Detroit in 6 each, and Detroit in 7)

 

 

I honestly have no clue about the west.

[Guest Teal-y Dan]

My only clue about the West is that the Phoenix Suns go out in the first round. I'm so tired of the Phoenix Suns. All they've ever done is get white people excited about basketball for a while and then lose in the playoffs to a superior team. I support the idea of faster-paced basketball, but I don't support the Phoenix Suns.

[MFer 0]

Pretty curious move for Don Nelson to bench Baron Davis for the entire 2nd half last night. Granted, Davis wasn't playing well and the Warriors still had a good shot of winning but why rest your star and leader now with a possible playoff spot on the line?

[The Niggardly King 0]

Boston in 6

Washington in 7

Philadelphia in 7

Magic in 6

[CanadianChris 0]

Boston in 4

Detroit in 5

Cleveland in 6

Orlando in 6

[Guest Tzar Lysergic]

Boston in 5

Cleveland in 7

Orlando in 5

Detroit in 4

[Ripper 0]

You aren't going to beat first round Pistons. Maybe in the second round you might catch them getting bored, but not in the first round. Philly had a strong year but:

 

A: Andre Miller isn't going to be able to big boy the point guards in this game like he has been doing in the Sixers run.

 

B: Samuel Dalembert still fouls to much when a good big man is on him and he hates leaving the paint....he is going to have a good big man and a guy that can hit the three.

 

Just ain't gonna happen.

 

Orlando should kick the shit out of Toronto. 4-5 games honestly.

 

Cleveland/Washington...Depends on how hurt Stevenson is. And how hurt Lebron is. And how much they try to shove gilbert Arenas back to the forefront when it should be the Jamison/Butler show. Washington SHOULD be able to win this series, but it depends on a lot of things.

 

Celtics in 5-6. I think they will catch a cocky team for at least one game, then just straight up beat them in another. But I think their defensive abilities are going to be too much, although Al Horford and Josh Smith going nuts on them in the last gave me all kinds of hope.

 

I was especially happy they didnt' move up to play the Pistons or Orlando. Even though I think they could have won those series, they would have been on NBA TV. I need Josh Smith to get some national TV coverage.

[C Dubya 04 0]

Dalembert actually only fouled out of 3 games this year (and it should have only been two, with that fucking bullshit call at the end of the last game fouling him out). He's played well enough that he's no longer over paid.

 

I still don't think the Sixers win the series, but I can see them taking it to six games.

[alfdogg 0]

OK, my awards.

 

MVP: Kobe Bryant. Like Ripper said, though, it could go either way. You won't hear a word of complaint from over here if Chris Paul gets it. I just think Kobe has had to overcome more adversity, with Bynum going down, and then the trade for Gasol, having to work an All-Star into the system at mid-season, and still looking to have the #1 seed.

 

ROTY: Al Horford. Durant's going to get it, of course; he's been penciled in ever since Oden was declared out. But honestly, outside of a few noteworthy games, Durant had a pretty meh rookie season. I actually thought Al Thornton, once he started to get minutes, was a more impressive all-around player. Durant's only going to get better, of course, but this season Horford was a more efficient player and a key commodity for a playoff team.

 

Defensive POTY: Kevin Garnett. I think Josh Smith will get his due here one day, but the thing that separates Garnett from him and Marcus Camby is the way his mindset has rubbed off on the rest of his team. You look at Denver...their defensive capabilities as a team have been well documented. Atlanta...they're certainly no Denver, but still not a particularly good defensive team. "Paul Pierce's defense has really been the difference here in the first half" is something I never thought I'd hear before this season.

 

COTY: Rick Adelman. When it comes down to it, a 22-game win streak despite losing arguably your best player right in the middle of it has got to be worth something.

 

6MOTY: For me, this is a toss-up between Kyle Korver and James Jones. Utah was looking like they might miss the playoffs before making that trade, now they can get as high as the 2 seed, depending on how that NO/LAC game ended up. And in the case of Jones, his ability to spread the floor was a huge X-factor for the Blazers, and his absence for a few weeks really killed all their momentum after that 13-game win streak. But, honestly, I don't know why this award even exists anymore, or why they don't rename it "The Guy Who Scores The Most Points Coming Off The Bench Award". Because that's always what it ends up being. Ginobili is one of my favorite players, but like Ripper said, he's not a true sixth man.

 

MIP: Mike Dunleavy. All the other candidates "improved" because they got more playing time. After largely being considered a bust, Dunleavy has become a bonafide go-to-guy for the Pacers, and is finally looking like a guy drafted with the #3 overall pick. Oakland's trash is our treasure.

 

I'll have my All-league teams in a bit.

 

I was thinking there was seven of these awards...which one am I forgetting.

[Precious Roy 0]

As far as Ginobili not being a "true 6th man" I think that's bs.

 

John Havlicek is considered the prototypical 6th man, the freaking term was coined in regards to him, and Ginobili is to the Spurs exactly what Hondo was, a player good enough to start, a team leader and go to guy, but willing to come off the bench for the benefit of the team. The "6th starter".

 

Kevin McHale is the other guy I think of, one of the best players in the game, could start for any team in the league, but came off the bench on a great team. He was like the poster boy for the award it's first few years in existence.

 

So no, what Ginobili has done this year is exactly why we have the award in the first place. There's no one even close to him in that role.

[Rendclaw 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.

 

Those are exactly my worries. Their bench is much better *and* Saunders is actually using them more this year (I think Joe Dumars ordered him to), but it all comes down to focus. They need to simply choke out any team in front of them. I am also of the opinion that it is going to be Boston and Detroit in the ECF and its going six games at the very least, if not seven. Stuckey is developing nicely, he's pretty fearless inside, and he has proven veterans in Billups and Hunter mentoring him. He is the future leader of the Pistons as Chauncey ages, and with a few decent draft players and trades in the coming years, the Pistons can stay on top or near it.

 

I am not going near the West. It is a total tossup and dogfight, as teams 1-8 can win any series. I just pray the Jazz don;t make it to the Finals if the Pistons win through the East.

[alfdogg 0]

I had a counterpoint for Roy's post, but I couldn't put it into words without it sounding stupid, so I'll go ahead and concede this argument.

 

I guess there are only six individual awards. Unless you count Executive of the Year, which I don't.

 

In non-playoff news, the Blazers waived Darius Miles yesterday. Enjoy life after basketball.

[alfdogg 0]

As far as All-NBA teams go...my first and second teams are actually the same as Ripper's. The first team is pretty much indisputable, although I could understand if Amare made first team over Howard. On the third team, I'd probably go with Carlos Boozer in Jamison's spot, and Marcus Camby in Wallace's. Unbelieveable that Dirk could go from being the MVP to being shut out the next season.

[Agent_Bond34 0]

Lakers have clinched the #1 seed.

[Damaramu 0]

How does Kobe deserve MVP again? Didn't the Lakers turn it around after they got Gasol? Wouldn't Gasol be the MVP of that team? They got better when he joined them.

[Precious Roy 0]

How does Kobe deserve MVP again? Didn't the Lakers turn it around after they got Gasol? Wouldn't Gasol be the MVP of that team? They got better when he joined them.

 

They were in I guess a mild slump after Bynum got hurt, but there was nothing "turned around". They were among the best in the west before and after the Gasol trade.

 

And Kobe's been playing with an injury deemed worthy of surgery since before the all-star break.

 

The Lakers taking the #1 seed clinches the MVP for Kobe

 

[Damaramu 0]

I don't care if he wins it or not. He'll still have one less than Steve Nash(which makes me laugh). I really don't know if I can bring myself to watch the NBA Finals if the Lakers are in it. I'm praying for a Suns/Spurs vs. Pistons/Celtics series. Any combination of that would have me glued to the TV for every minute of every game. Anything else would draw a big "eh" and anything involving Lebron or Kobe would probably warrant total non-watch from me.

 

I guess I'm the anti-NBA fan because everyone goes on about how anything involving the Spurs or Pistons is death for ratings. I don't care about ratings. Those four teams are the most fun to watch for me, and the least offensive as far as insane one-player hype goes.

 

Not to mention it's pretty annoying that ESPN has decided Kobe deserves the MVP. I hate it when they do that. They decide one player deserves an award and then hype it until they win it. Like with Bush and the Heisman. They did everything possible to push him in front of everyone. Now they've got Kobe for MVP stuff plastered all over their webpage. Jeez just write a column about how ESPN is sports and they have the only sports opinion that matters. That's what they really want to do. Chris Paul deserves it more than Kobe, but whatever. Can't fight the machine. I'm glad they finally figured out who they wanted to get behind though(for a while there they couldn't figure out if it was Kobe or Lebron they wanted to throw all their MVP hype into). I do like it when it backfires. Like when Steve Nash won it those two years. They were totally against him being MVP and were pushing hard for Shaq and Kobe. I wonder if Kornheiser or Wilbon get in trouble for not towing the company line as far as MVP goes. If they suddenly have a radical shift in opinion then you know they did.

 

Too bad the teams at the bottom of the Western Conference aren't good enough to beat the Lakers. Seeing a Dirk exit would be hilarious. But, I'll settle for a WCF loss.

[Guest]

I was pretty worried about Sacramento playing the spoiler, but things worked out in the end. Hell yes.

 

I know Kobe's going to get the MVP, but that isn't important to me. Winning a title is.

[Precious Roy 0]

I don't care if he wins it or not. He'll still have one less than Steve Nash(which makes me laugh). I really don't know if I can bring myself to watch the NBA Finals if the Lakers are in it. I'm praying for a Suns/Spurs vs. Pistons/Celtics series. Any combination of that would have me glued to the TV for every minute of every game. Anything else would draw a big "eh" and anything involving Lebron or Kobe would probably warrant total non-watch from me.

 

I guess I'm the anti-NBA fan because everyone goes on about how anything involving the Spurs or Pistons is death for ratings. I don't care about ratings. Those four teams are the most fun to watch for me, and the least offensive as far as insane one-player hype goes.

 

Most hardcore NBA fans love the Spurs and Pistons. You're not an anti-NBA fan, you're an irrational NBA fan.

 

[Damaramu 0]

I don't care if he wins it or not. He'll still have one less than Steve Nash(which makes me laugh). I really don't know if I can bring myself to watch the NBA Finals if the Lakers are in it. I'm praying for a Suns/Spurs vs. Pistons/Celtics series. Any combination of that would have me glued to the TV for every minute of every game. Anything else would draw a big "eh" and anything involving Lebron or Kobe would probably warrant total non-watch from me.

 

I guess I'm the anti-NBA fan because everyone goes on about how anything involving the Spurs or Pistons is death for ratings. I don't care about ratings. Those four teams are the most fun to watch for me, and the least offensive as far as insane one-player hype goes.

 

Most hardcore NBA fans love the Spurs and Pistons. You're not an anti-NBA fan, you're an irrational NBA fan.

 

How exactly does that make me irrational? Because they aren't the "sexy teams" or whatever? Because I don't care about ratings? This isn't the WWE. The best teams win and move forward, not who draws the most. I'm just a little confused about what's so irrational about that.

 

I don't like Kobe Bryant or Lebron James. I don't like their teams or the hype that surrounds them. I like the Boston Celtics. I like Tim Duncan. I like Steve Nash. I like the Pistons starting 5. Seeing them all play each other would entertain me. Seeing the others wouldn't entertain me. I don't see what's so irrational about that either.

[Precious Roy 0]

It's hypocritical. You have an irrational hatred of Kobe and LeBron due to the media hype or fan hype or whatever. It's fine to like all those teams and players you like, I like them too, but saying you won't watch if if the Cavs or Lakers are in it is just as bad as the fans who don't watch because the Spurs or Pistons or whoever are "boring", it's just a different side of the equation.

 

As I said, most hardcore NBA fans love the Spurs and Pistons, and they also love Kobe and LeBron. I didn't say shit about sexiness or ratings. If you can't separate the talent of those players from the hype that surrounds them, and you won't watch a playoff series because of that, well, that's the definition of irrational.

[alfdogg 0]

Since acquiring Shaq, the Suns have gotten more media fellatio than any team in the league. I don't see how you can cite the media as a reason to not want the Lakers or Cavs in the Finals, and then say you want the Suns there.

[Damaramu 0]

It's hypocritical. You have an irrational hatred of Kobe and LeBron due to the media hype or fan hype or whatever. It's fine to like all those teams and players you like, I like them too, but saying you won't watch if if the Cavs or Lakers are in it is just as bad as the fans who don't watch because the Spurs or Pistons or whoever are "boring", it's just a different side of the equation.

 

As I said, most hardcore NBA fans love the Spurs and Pistons, and they also love Kobe and LeBron. I didn't say shit about sexiness or ratings. If you can't separate the talent of those players from the hype that surrounds them, and you won't watch a playoff series because of that, well, that's the definition of irrational.

 

 

I think Lebron is good but I don't think he's as good as he's hyped to be. Plus he gets a lot of calls so that kind of helps that point total.

 

And I don't really see all the media hype for the Suns you do alf. I really don't.

 

Oh well, whatever. People tried to discount the MVP when Nash won it and now they're trying to pump it up again since Kobe's winning it. Whatever. I'm with King. Let's just play some basketball and see who wins the championship. Whatever. May the best team win. If it's the Lakers then so be it. They've been the best plenty of other times, I'll live.

[Guest]

I don't really care about the media discussion, but the media hype for the Suns is there...definitely there.

[alfdogg 0]

Yeah, it doesn't really matter. If the Finals is Hawks/Nuggets, I'll still watch.

[Damaramu 0]

I'm actually kind of relieved we can finally play the playoffs. I was getting tired of the shuffle in the West and all that. Everyday it was a new playoff scenario.

[alfdogg 0]

OK, here's the situation in the West.

 

The Lakers and Hornets have locked up the #1 and #2 spots, respectively.

The winner of the Utah/SA game tommorrow locks up the #3 spot.

If the Spurs lose and the Suns (vs POR) win, then the Suns would move into 4th, the Spurs would fall to 5th and the Rockets (vs LAC), win or lose, would fall to 6th. The Rockets can not move higher than 5th.

If Denver (vs MEM) wins and Dallas (vs NO) loses, Denver would move into 7th, and Dallas would fall to 8th.

[Damaramu 0]

Oh man....it's still not over. I'll just sleep throughout tomorrow until it's ready.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Portland clinches its first winning season tonight in 5 years. Would've been nice to see Greg Oden suit up tonight though, even if just for like, 15 seconds to stand around or whatever. Can't wait till next season!

 

In the meantime though, I have pretty little interest in the playoffs. I guess a part of me still would like to see the Lakers succeed, but preferably I'd like to see them give the MVP to Kobe and have the Suns finally win a championship. Oh wait. That'd mean Shaq gets another ring. No Warriors in the playoffs, either. Ah, fuck it. Make it mean something this time, L.A.

[CanadianChris 0]

If the Spurs lose and the Suns (vs POR) win, then the Suns would move into 4th, the Spurs would fall to 5th and the Rockets (vs LAC), win or lose, would fall to 6th. The Rockets can not move higher than 5th.

The Spurs would drop to 6th in this scenario, according to the NBA.