NBA Playoffs 2008 - Round 1

[Rendclaw 0]

There was an column in the Salt Lake Tribune today implying that the Jazz tanked last night's game in order to get the Rockets in the first round instead of the Spurs.

 

Eh, I could care less either way. We haven't beaten the Spurs in San Antonio since '99 and I preferred not to play them in round one anyway.

 

On another note, I'll root for Denver to take out LA but I'm not going to be delusional like Skip Bayless and say that they'll win that series.

 

I wouldn't worry about anything Skip ever says anymore, because he is so obviously slanting his opinions and views to pander for a reaction, and the more negative the better. He's a waste of oxygen.

[Ripper 0]

You know....I am picking Denver as my first round upset pick.

 

I think they might be able to do it. Yes, Kobe could score 16 billion points against them a game, seeing as their defense sucks and all, but this is what I like about the Nuggets.

 

A: They have been bad boys lite the past few years. They have been smacking mutherfuckers down for coming in the lane the past two seasons. I expect more of the same.

 

B: Marcus Camby can do a good job against Gasol. And he won't have to roam as much.

 

C: Allen fucking Iverson.

 

Their problems are of course, Jr Smith is a psycho, Carmello don't play no muthafucking D, there is no one on the team that can even think about guarding Kobe or Odom for that matter.

 

HOWEVER, I think the Lakers are a worse team when it is the Kobe Bryant scoring show. And if he falls into that trap, they COULD lose. Plus watching Allen Iverson assrape them earlier this season was a treat. then they doubled him and the entire team missed every easy assist he gave them. if that doesn't happen, they could pull it off.

 

 

Ripper - realizes there really isn't a upset going to happen this year but if one does happen, this will be it.

 

 

 

[Guest]

Lakers with Gasol: 25-4

 

Somehow I doubt that the Nuggets of all teams are going to match the win total of the rest of the league vs. the Kobe-Gasol Lakers. Just sayin'. Kobe hasn't fallen into the trap of playing dumb to the detriment of his team when Gasol's in the lineup.

 

On another note, Bynum's probably not coming back until the Western Conference Finals, if at all. We've made it this far without him...as long as Ariza comes back, I'm fine with Bynum not playing, I guess.

[Golgo 13 0]

I don't believe JR Smith and Anthony are poor individual defenders. They've improved a lot over the course of the season and aren't as bad as they once were. The Nuggets just have no concept of team defense and this goes for a majority of them. They don't run at shooters and contest, close out, switch quickly, defend pick and rolls, double team and trap, or help each other out when needed. They do have decent one on one defenders, but no one to cover for the poorer ones like Anthony when they get beat, except for Camby and Nene. If not his defense, which he's gradually improved in, but still isn't as good as it can and should be, then his rebounding is an even bigger improvement and good for 8+ a night, so he at least adds that much. They could really use Nene down low on defense and offense, but who knows if he'll even heal up enough to be a factor in his 5-10 minutes.

 

I've said all season that Smith should be starting in place of the black hole Carter. He's had a few good scoring games, but is largely a drain who offers nothing that someone else couldn't. He's basically a very, very poor man's Miller, and that's not a compliment. Give it to him at 10 feet and he'll throw up a brick. Bring him in for 2nd team stability and control and nothing more. I'd rather have a gimpy, non-defense playing Atkins out there. If only Atkins had gotten more playing time to shake off the rust at the end of the season, because Carter as third option should be reality. While Smith isn't a defensive stud and loses his way occasionally, he's arguably one of the best on the team, offers more size, and makes up for what he does lack with his athleticism, energy and offense. I've always felt he should be out there with Melo and AI as much as possible because he'll either be left open or he'll make things easier for AI and Anthony.

 

Throw Smith on Kobe and Martin on Odom, Camby on Gasol, and switch when needed. Anthony can handle Radmanovic.

 

I don't seriously believe the Nuggets will do damage, however. It'd be great if they do, but I'm not holding out hope given the way LA handled us this season. If I get anything out of this I'm hoping it's Karl being shown the door.

[MrRant 0]

You know....I am picking Denver as my first round upset pick.

 

I think they might be able to do it. Yes, Kobe could score 16 billion points against them a game, seeing as their defense sucks and all, but this is what I like about the Nuggets.

 

A: They have been bad boys lite the past few years. They have been smacking mutherfuckers down for coming in the lane the past two seasons. I expect more of the same.

 

B: Marcus Camby can do a good job against Gasol. And he won't have to roam as much.

 

C: Allen fucking Iverson.

 

Their problems are of course, Jr Smith is a psycho, Carmello don't play no muthafucking D, there is no one on the team that can even think about guarding Kobe or Odom for that matter.

 

HOWEVER, I think the Lakers are a worse team when it is the Kobe Bryant scoring show. And if he falls into that trap, they COULD lose. Plus watching Allen Iverson assrape them earlier this season was a treat. then they doubled him and the entire team missed every easy assist he gave them. if that doesn't happen, they could pull it off.

 

 

Ripper - realizes there really isn't a upset going to happen this year but if one does happen, this will be it.

 

Denver's D must drive George Karl nuts.

 

I miss George Karl, I remember meeting him and talking to him a few times when I did the Sonics Hoops camp for two summers.

[Ripper 0]

I don't know. I think that people are kinda forgetting that Allen Iverson is not just all world talent. That guy is a fucking warrior. He will be the 2nd best player on the court and can take over a game just as much Kobe.

 

I think how Carmello handles his drunkedness will be a key. remember last year when he came back from girly slapping Marty Collins? Played out of his fucking mind. Was a lockdown defender, was scoring at will...but also was trying to do too much and turning it over alot. What is he going to do? Play the offense with focus or try to do too much?

 

And king, I think its a little silly to throw out the Lakers record with Gasol. This is the playoffs. its alot easier to plan for them. There was this team that won over 60 games last year....didn't work out to well for them.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

Denver doesn't stack up as well against Los Angeles as Golden State did against Dallas. Not to mention, for whatever reason, Dallas tried to play Golden State's type of game instead of the kind of game they had played the entire season. Remember that lineup change Avery Johnson made prior to Game 1? By the time they decided "Well shit, we should go back to our normal lineup" they were holding up much better, but it was just too late.

[Ripper 0]

It doesnt matter what the hell Dallas would have done. They would have lost. And I understand this is a different situation, but pointing at a regular season with Gasol is just plain silly. This isn't the regular season.

 

Oh, and Lebron should get suspended for that elbow to Blatche. It was obviously on purpose and there was nothing basketball about that. And I don't all for suspensions much, but elbowing people in the face is pretty fucked up.

[Ripper 0]

Jesus Gilbert...

[naiwf 0]

I'm glad to see Arenas back, and I'm hoping the Cavs get KO'ed in this round just so I don't have to see anything LeBron related until next year.

 

[Ripper 0]

Jesus Lebron!

[Mr. S£im Citrus 0]

Damn that: I demand Cleveland/Boston. Plus, I can't stand the Wizards.

[Ripper 0]

Because it wouldn't be as cute watching washington beat the Celtics.

 

And yeah, they would win that series. They match up too well with them. Garnett/Jamison, Pierce/Butler, Stevenson to chase Allen, Gilbert/Rondo, Haywood = Perkins, and their benches are = only the Wizards are better shooters.

 

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus 0]

If you say so... I wouldn't put money on Washington to beat Boston.

[Ripper 0]

That was the biggest non-fight ever.

[naiwf 0]

Looks like LeBron threw an elbow there, but I'm sure nothing will come of it because he's LeBron. Nice to see that someone learned from last year's brawl to stay on the bench.

[Ripper 0]

If you say so... I wouldn't put money on Washington to beat Boston.

 

 

Much like the Mavs/Warriors, I am not saying it because of the regular season series, I am saying it because of the matchups.

 

Just like I couldn't see how the Mavs could beat the Warriors, I don't see how the Celtics could beat the Wizards. And I don't think the Wizards could beat anyone else in the East playoffs in a series. Including the Hawks. Thats just how important matchups are in the NBA.

[Lt. Al Giardello 0]

Because it wouldn't be as cute watching washington beat the Celtics.

 

And yeah, they would win that series. They match up too well with them. Garnett/Jamison, Pierce/Butler, Stevenson to chase Allen, Gilbert/Rondo, Haywood = Perkins, and their benches are = only the Wizards are better shooters.

 

Are you high? Garnett would abuse Jamison... Pierce and Butler would be a very good even match up, and Allen would make Stevenson look like an absolute fool.. And I would rank Celtics bench higher then Wizards.

 

Cavs have a much better chance at beating the Celtics in the East... But right now, I'm thinking that the Pistons go the finals.

[Kurt Angle Mark 0]

Series Predictions

 

Wizards in 6

Boston in 5

Orlando in 7

Detroit in 6

 

Lakers in 5

Mavs in 6

Spurs in 7

Utah in 6

[Damaramu 0]

Looks like LeBron threw an elbow there, but I'm sure nothing will come of it because he's LeBron. Nice to see that someone learned from last year's brawl to stay on the bench.

 

Of course. Lebron could pull out a gun and shoot Gilbert Arenas and he'd probably be given the MVP.

 

21 free throws to 7.......a discrepancy? In favor of the stars team? Nah.....not in the NBA!

[Mr. S£im Citrus 0]

Much like the Mavs/Warriors, I am not saying it because of the regular season series, I am saying it because of the matchups.

 

Just like I couldn't see how the Mavs could beat the Warriors, I don't see how the Celtics could beat the Wizards. And I don't think the Wizards could beat anyone else in the East playoffs in a series. Including the Hawks. Thats just how important matchups are in the NBA.

Yeah, but Nelson having mind control over Avery Johnson also had a little to do with it. I think that Eddie Jordan and Doc Rivers are washes as coaches, and Jordan certainly doesn't have the history with the Celtics to give him that psychological advantage the way that Nelson did with Dallas.

[Damaramu 0]

Well hello Agent 0. He seems to be the lift Washington needs right now.

[Damaramu 0]

I'm glad I have theater tickets tonight so I'll avoid ESPN because every other word is going to be about Lebron. The end of this game is making me sick. I hope he's suspended or reprimanded somehow for that elbow. Then again this is the NBA and it works by the star system, he'll probably be given a medal.

 

If I were the Cavs I'd mug Arenas everytime he drives. He couldn't get a call down the stretch. Meanwhile if I were Lebron I'd never take a jump shot. Just drive and turn into Dwayne Wade. The refs are willing to make it happen.

[Damaramu 0]

Does anyone feel like the only team in the East that can beat what the West has to offer is the Celtics? I feel like even if the Nuggets(yeah right) were to somehow make it to the finals they'd pound whoever they faced aside from Boston.

[CanadianChris 0]

Consider this thread Dama's webiste.

[Ripper 0]

Because it wouldn't be as cute watching washington beat the Celtics.

 

And yeah, they would win that series. They match up too well with them. Garnett/Jamison, Pierce/Butler, Stevenson to chase Allen, Gilbert/Rondo, Haywood = Perkins, and their benches are = only the Wizards are better shooters.

 

Are you high? Garnett would abuse Jamison... Pierce and Butler would be a very good even match up, and Allen would make Stevenson look like an absolute fool.. And I would rank Celtics bench higher then Wizards.

 

Cavs have a much better chance at beating the Celtics in the East... But right now, I'm thinking that the Pistons go the finals.

 

 

Ray Allen couldn't make Stevenson look like a fool. the only thing that Stevenson can do play shooting guards off of screens. He is a great defender. His BS about lebron is dumb because Lebron is too big and strong to guard him, but don't confuse what that kid can do.

 

Garnett/Jamison would just about be even. Garnett doesn't abuse anyone because he depends on fade aways too much and none of his game is about punishing a bad defender(which is why he and Amare were always a good matchup when he should have been able to score 200 points on him).

 

As for the benches. Roger Mason = Eddie House. Andray Blatche is a damn good pench player as is Posey. Songalia is also a underrated guy off the bench. Antonio Daniels is a solid back up point. I give a slight edge to the Celtics bench, but how much PT do you think Leon Powe and glen davis will be getting in the playoffs.

 

Jumpshooting PF that will take Garnett out he paint? Check. Ultra defensive SG to chase Allen around the court? Check. Small forward that is no slouch defensively and will make Pierce work HARD on the other end, Check.

 

I am not saying the Wizards are a better team obviously. The Celtics are obviously a superiour team, but matchup wise, The Wizards are just a nightmare matchup.

 

Its simple as this defensively, all the things that the Celtics do to embarass everyone else in the league,

[MFer 0]

Does anyone feel like the only team in the East that can beat what the West has to offer is the Celtics? I feel like even if the Nuggets(yeah right) were to somehow make it to the finals they'd pound whoever they faced aside from Boston.

Pistons...22-8 vs. the West this season, experience, much improved bench, plus I think they would be more in their element as the underdog (which I would imagine they'd be against most of the West teams) if they made the Finals.

 

On another note, FUCK that Wizards/Cavs game earlier.

[Ripper 0]

depends on who makes it out the West.

 

If its the Spurs, then I would say only the Celtics and Pistons stand a chance.

 

If its the Suns, then I would toss the Cavs in with them as teams that stand a chance.

 

The Lakers?...Those teams plus the Magic(not that I think Orlando has a chance to make the finals or anything)

 

All about matchups.

 

 

[Guest]

Maybe I'm a douche, but the only one of these other Western Conference series I can bear to watch is New Orleans-Dallas. I'm not one of those guys who gets a kick out of watching future opponents and seeing their weaknesses. In fact, whenever I watch other teams play, I always think of the bad and feel like any of these teams can destroy the Lakers.

 

Isn't good for my psyche.

[Ripper 0]

So what about the New Orleans Dallas series doesn't give you pause?