NBA playoffs musings - 75% in

[cranrab]

say what you will about the eastern conference, but the more exciting playoffs race is happening there.

with the pacers and magic starting to fade, i'd like to see them drop out of the 7th and 8th spots. i'd MUCH prefer the nets and the knicks (who are knocking on the door) take those last 2 spots in the east.

the heat are only 3 games back of the wizards (thanks to the simultaneous injuries to caron butler and antwan jamison and the return of shaquille o'neal), but they still face each other TWICE this season. those 2 games could very well be the difference for who takes the southeast division title. and more importantly, the automatic 1st round home court advantage that comes with it.

note: the heat have only 10 road games left (out of 22), so heat fans catch a break. the wizards have 13 road games left (out of 22), so wizards fans might be getting nervous right about now.

in the west, the top 4 spots are definitely locked. just a question of whether san antonio or utah will flip flop at some point.

the fakers are fairly safe in 6, but how long will the tail spin continue? fakers fans can be happy they only have 9 more road games, with 8 of those 9 coming against sub .500 teams. and the 9th game is a late season matchup against the suns, who will probably be resting their starters for the playoffs.
for that matter, their home games are a string of WORSTern conference tomato cans too. only 3 of the remaining home games are against teams with winning records.

i'd like to see denver and the clippers stay in just so AI and elton brand can make it to the first round, but if they can't, i'd like to see the hornets and timberwolves make a run so chris paul and kevin garnett can get a taste.

 

[Rollie_Fingaz]

say what you will about the eastern conference, but the more exciting playoffs race is happening there.

with the pacers and magic starting to fade, i'd like to see them drop out of the 7th and 8th spots. i'd MUCH prefer the nets and the knicks (who are knocking on the door) take those last 2 spots in the east.

the heat are only 3 games back of the wizards (thanks to the simultaneous injuries to caron butler and antwan jamison and the return of shaquille o'neal), but they still face each other TWICE this season. those 2 games could very well be the difference for who takes the southeast division title. and more importantly, the automatic 1st round home court advantage that comes with it.

note: the heat have only 10 road games left (out of 22), so heat fans catch a break. the wizards have 13 road games left (out of 22), so wizards fans might be getting nervous right about now.

in the west, the top 4 spots are definitely locked. just a question of whether san antonio or utah will flip flop at some point.

the fakers are fairly safe in 6, but how long will the tail spin continue? fakers fans can be happy they only have 9 more road games, with 8 of those 9 coming against sub .500 teams. and the 9th game is a late season matchup against the suns, who will probably be resting their starters for the playoffs.
for that matter, their home games are a string of WORSTern conference tomato cans too. only 3 of the remaining home games are against teams with winning records.

i'd like to see denver and the clippers stay in just so AI and elton brand can make it to the first round, but if they can't, i'd like to see the hornets and timberwolves make a run so chris paul and kevin garnett can get a taste.

With the Lakers they are safe with the Nuggets blowing games. BTW, if the seedings hold up, it would be them against the Jazz? I personally think the Lakers will make that a competitiver series. I was hoping that the Nuggets couild go up one spot to face them for reasons other than matching up with the Suns. There is a rivalry brewing there, and that's what the league needs.

 

[cranrab]

damn i just looked at the clippers remaining games. they may as well call it a wrap.

the clippers have a big road trip coming up, 12 road games left on the season altogether, and they've got a lot of games against strong WORSTern conference teams. sucks to be elton brand right about now.

the nuggets don't have it easy. 14 road games left, with a handful of games against powerhouse clubs.

the nuggets and clippers are tied right now, but they probably feel some breath on their necks from the teams looking to come up.

who might overtake them? i'm thinking the new orleans hornets have a good shot. and call me crazy, but if minnesota can get their shit together, they can make a nice little run here at the end of the season to grab a playoff spot.

 

[Rollie_Fingaz]

who might overtake them? i'm thinking the new orleans hornets have a good shot. and call me crazy, but if minnesota can get their shit together, they can make a nice little run here at the end of the season to grab a playoff spot.

Honestly, I was noticing that the Warriors have a shot to make the playoffs.

If the Nuggets don't make the playoffs, Melo will be the scapegoat for the year..

 

[RunawaySlave]

the nuggets and clippers are tied right now, but they probably feel some breath on their necks from the teams looking to come up.

who might overtake them? i'm thinking the new orleans hornets have a good shot

The Nuggets falling out of contention?? Carmelo Anthony (who
was having an MVP type season) is to blame?? Why am I not
surprised?

Anyway, it would definitely restore my faith in the NBA if the
Hornets made it in and gave the #1 seed hell in the 1st round

 

[Rollie_Fingaz]

The Nuggets falling out of contention?? Carmelo Anthony (who
was having an MVP type season) is to blame?? Why am I not
surprised?

Anyway, it would definitely restore my faith in the NBA if the
Hornets made it in and gave the #1 seed hell in the 1st round

Personally, Melo IS to blame. He's the face of the team:

The fight happened BEFORE A.I. got there.
A.I. still defers to Melo.

Whether they make the playoffs or not, this team is judged by Melo. He has to step his game up.

 

[cranrab]

Honestly, I was noticing that the Warriors have a shot to make the playoffs.

they have a shot, but i don't like their chances.

only 1.5 games back of the clippers. doable.

only 9 road games left on their schedule. doable.

but almost half of their remaining 18 games are against the best of the WORSTern conference. mavericks twice, spurs twice, jazz twice, rockets and suns. they have 2 important games against the timberwolves too.

 

[RunawaySlave]

Sixers won their 6th straight game tonight. Couple of good teams too

 

[cranrab]

Sixers won their 6th straight game tonight. Couple of good teams too

actually, it was the 7th straight. you're being pretty generous about the quality of opponents. they've all been losing squads except for the suns (minus nash).

BTW, the knicks took over the 8th spot for the playoffs tonight.

the nets are in a position to be the masters of their own fate. their schedule isn't that bad and they just got richard jefferson back in the lineup. it should be a good race down the stretch.

 

[cranrab]

miami fans, mark your calendars.

march 28, march 30 and april 3 could be HUGE games in determining playoff seedings in the east.

 

[Rollie_Fingaz]

Lakers got the cheap American beer beaten out of them last nit. (And Kobe gets another suspension.)
Denver won
Clippers lost
Golden State lost

Houston is just grinding. He won't win, but Jeff Van Gundy has to get some consideration for coach of the year..

The Rockets/Suns game should be interesting tonight.

cranrab/RunawaySlave-who do you think gets knocked off first, the Jazz or the Spurs? I still don't think the Spurs are contenders no matter how big the winning streak gets..

 

[cranrab]

cranrab/RunawaySlave-who do you think gets knocked off first, the Jazz or the Spurs? I still don't think the Spurs are contenders no matter how big the winning streak gets..

for the record, i dislike both teams... i can't stand watching all those euros on the court at the same time...

utah hasn't had the long streaks as of late, but they've been winning... A LOT... downside? most of those wins were against tomato cans...

san antonio has the streak, and they've been beating playoff contenders from the east...

to answer your question, if the playoffs were to start today, i'd have to REALLY like the spurs chances. they'd get the fakers first round, and seeing as how both squads are headed in opposite directions, the spurs would be playing a half dead, wounded team...

utah on the other hand, would get the recovering rockets, though i'd guess the jazz would win, because houston has been playing suspect ball as of late...

so that would leave presumably dallas v. eurotah, and presumably the suns v. the speuros. jazz get bounced first, but maybe not by much...

 

[cranrab]

Lakers got the cheap American beer beaten out of them last nit. (And Kobe gets another suspension.)

i heard today that the league simply ugraded the (what should have been called an) offensive foul on kyle korver to a flagrant. no suspension this time around.

i'm fine with that. tobe's use of the elbow off the dribble is prep level chicken shit, but certainly not something you suspend someone for.

i'm still LMAO @ these writers who are suggesting that tobe is doing these things because he's trying to "show some toughness" for his team. are the writers (and his fans) really so stupid that they refuse to accept that tobe's just not really all that talented?

 

[Rollie_Fingaz]

for the record, i dislike both teams... i can't stand watching all those euros on the court at the same time...

utah hasn't had the long streaks as of late, but they've been winning... A LOT... downside? most of those wins were against tomato cans...

san antonio has the streak, and they've been beating playoff contenders from the east...

to answer your question, if the playoffs were to start today, i'd have to REALLY like the spurs chances. they'd get the fakers first round, and seeing as how both squads are headed in opposite directions, the spurs would be playing a half dead, wounded team...

utah on the other hand, would get the recovering rockets, though i'd guess the jazz would win, because houston has been playing suspect ball as of late...

so that would leave presumably dallas v. eurotah, and presumably the suns v. the speuros. jazz get bounced first, but maybe not by much...

The underlying story there is that T-Mac has never gotten out of the first round.This is the best team he's been on. If he fails here, he should be prepared for the criticism.

At first I could see the Lakers beating the Spurs in a long series. Now I think to myself, "will the calls that the officials are giving him going to affect his game?" Bruce Bowen plays him well enough, imagine playe Kobe without all the pushing off and elbows.

i heard today that the league simply ugraded the (what should have been called an) offensive foul on kyle korver to a flagrant. no suspension this time around.

i'm fine with that. tobe's use of the elbow off the dribble is prep level chicken shit, but certainly not something you suspend someone for.

i'm still LMAO @ these writers who are suggesting that tobe is doing these things because he's trying to "show some toughness" for his team. are the writers (and his fans) really so stupid that they refuse to accept that tobe's just not really all that talented?

I'm suprised they never call him when he shoots a jumper and kicks out his leg.

 

[RunawaySlave]

cranrab/RunawaySlave-who do you think gets knocked off first, the Jazz or the Spurs? I still don't think the Spurs are contenders no matter how big the winning streak gets..

I can't call it. It would depend on the matchups. And
right now I don't even have any idea who is seeded where

I do know that Tim Duncan is the healthiest he's been in
some time. As long as TD is healthy, the Spurs will be a
tough out for anybody in a 7 game series. I do think Phoenix
might finally get over the hump against them, so they'd better
hope Dallas matches up with the Suns first

I guess Utah goes home earlier. Experience is everything in
the playoffs. Deron Williams, who is the key to that offense,
has none

 

[Rollie_Fingaz]

The Heat just had a nice come from behind win over the Jazz..

The Spurs with a nice win over the Clips..Denver up at the half.

I'm really paying attention to the Hornets. They are down late against the Nets..

EDIT..I'm real dissappointed in how the Celtics year has gone..

 

[SpiritualPorn]

86-88.. 5 games over 0.500

Record: 34 - 29
Standings: First, Southeast
At Home: 22 - 10
On Road: 12 - 19
Streak: W 7


13th straight home win

7th straight win


Haslem 10 rebounds and 10 points
Jones 7 rebounds, 2 ast and 12 points
Shaq 9 rebounds and 13 points
Walker 3 rebounds, 3 ast and 13 points
williams 3 ast and 15 points
Posey 5 ast and 4 points
Mourning 5 rebounds and 6 points
Payton 1 rebound, 1 ast and 9 points
Wright 4 rebounds and 6 points

Star man for me was Walker he out scored Utah Jazz in the 4th and won us the game.

 

[SpiritualPorn]

i heard today that the league simply ugraded the (what should have been called an) offensive foul on kyle korver to a flagrant. no suspension this time around.

i'm fine with that. tobe's use of the elbow off the dribble is prep level chicken shit, but certainly not something you suspend someone for.

i'm still LMAO @ these writers who are suggesting that tobe is doing these things because he's trying to "show some toughness" for his team. are the writers (and his fans) really so stupid that they refuse to accept that tobe's just not really all that talented?

It's kinda hard for these writers and fans to accept that they were very wrong about Kobe yet....

After this years first round exit and possible sweep...they will have no choice...

Some fans on Insidehoops have been questioning wether or not to trade Bryant now and build around Bynum......

There is also a thread there that says Kobe is a racist because he only elbows white guys........

If you put Shaq on the Lakers now with no Kobe and the exact same players, they would get to the second round.........

 

[TimRock]

There is also a thread there that says Kobe is a racist because he only elbows white guys........

Some fans on Insidehoops have been questioning wether or not to trade Bryant now and build around Bynum......

Starting to feel that way too.

If you put Shaq on the Lakers now with no Kobe and the exact same players, they would get to the second round.........

Even if they played the Suns or Mavs?

 

[Rollie_Fingaz]

BIG win for Phoenix tonight..

Clippers and Sac-Town lose again..

Utah suprisingly lost to Orlando..

Knicks lost again as well

Big game coming up with the Lakers and the Nuggets. The Lakers ahead of the Nuggets for 6th place by one game.

 

[RunawaySlave]

BIG win for Phoenix tonight..

Clippers and Sac-Town lose again..

Utah suprisingly lost to Orlando..

Knicks lost again as well

Big game coming up with the Lakers and the Nuggets. The Lakers ahead of the Nuggets for 6th place by one game.

No Crawford


No David Lee


No come from behind victories

Just Stephon and his brick brotha the Franchise taking all the shots.
Eddie Curry is not a happy guy right now.


Meanwhile, over in Dallas, Mr. MVP got owned in the 4th quarter
and overtime......I knew Phoenix was gonna win the minute Josh
Howard, who is the Mavs best big man, fouled out. Then Dampier
fouled out a few second later. Leaving Mr. MVP , who is all of
7 ft tall, to man the lane....

Notice I said MAN the lane. Which this 7 ft tall human being did not
and CAN not do

 

[xfactor]

No Crawford
Meanwhile, over in Dallas, Mr. MVP got owned in the 4th quarter
and overtime......I knew Phoenix was gonna win the minute Josh
Howard, who is the Mavs best big man, fouled out. Then Dampier
fouled out a few second later. Leaving Mr. MVP , who is all of
7 ft tall, to man the lane....

Notice I said MAN the lane. Which this 7 ft tall human being did not
and CAN not do

Quit being a Dirk hater man. You know he's the best player in the league and the best shooting big man of all time. Who else could stretch defenses like him? Without him on the court, the Mavericks dont have a chance.

It's kinda hard for these writers and fans to accept that they were very wrong about Kobe yet....

After this years first round exit and possible sweep...they will have no choice...

Some fans on Insidehoops have been questioning wether or not to trade Bryant now and build around Bynum......

There is also a thread there that says Kobe is a racist because he only elbows white guys........

If you put Shaq on the Lakers now with no Kobe and the exact same players, they would get to the second round.........

What is the site to insidehoops? Insidehoops.com? Think I'll have to make it over to that site myself.

 

[xfactor]

say what you will about the eastern conference, but the more exciting playoffs race is happening there.

Although I think the Eastern Conference is the better conference, Im more interested in seeing how the playoff picture enfolds in the West.

Between the top 6 teams (San Antonio, Phoenix, Dallas, Utah, Houston, Denver) I'm interested to see how close those matchups will be come playoff time. Are there any potential upsets there? Maybe.

To be honest, I dont think Dallas has what it takes to get back to the Finals as long as they have to depend on Dirk.

I'm rooting for a Phoenix-Miami final.

 

[Rollie_Fingaz]

Quit being a Dirk hater man. You know he's the best player in the league and the best shooting big man of all time. Who else could stretch defenses like him? Without him on the court, the Mavericks dont have a chance.

I remember when Steven A. Smith said that Dirk was above average and not one of the elite big men in the league and got crucified for it. I have yet to see Dirk do it big in a game of importance.

 

[Rollie_Fingaz]

I just noticed that the Warriors are now the 8th seed and 3 games behind the Lakers. Minny, OK, Sac-Town and the Clippers are not that far behind them. This makes for an intresting weekend out west for the bottom teams.

Detroit gets Phoenix and Dallas this weekend. We'll see if that can run with the big dogs.

There is parity in the east as well with NJ, Orlando, NY and Indiana within a game of each other..

Speaking of which, how bad has Indy gotten?

 

[Rollie_Fingaz]

Wow...Detroit handily beat Phoenix..They get Dallas, Houston and San Antonio next.
Philly beating Utah helps Denver..
Warriors are looking good..tied with Clippers.

Kobe needed a big game last night..

 

[TimRock]

Detroit handily beat Phoenix..

So did Denver. I guess some agressive defense and forcing them to play as half court team can do that to you. Too bad it took this long into the season to figure that out. Who's got the Suns winning it all? Nash looked pretty upset in that Denver game.

Philly loses to Houston by 50. Horrible. How far will Houston go? Seems as though they will play Utah in the first round.

The other night, Boston upset San Antonion as well. Maybe they should have looked at a trade for Maggette. No doubt he would get them some more points on the board.

Miami's streak at home is snapped by Orlando.

And to top off a Sunday night, Elton Brand gets posterized by Nachbar.

 

[SpiritualPorn]

So did Denver. I guess some agressive defense and forcing them to play as half court team can do that to you. Too bad it took this long into the season to figure that out. Who's got the Suns winning it all? Nash looked pretty upset in that Denver game.

Philly loses to Houston by 50. Horrible. How far will Houston go? Seems as though they will play Utah in the first round.

The other night, Boston upset San Antonion as well. Maybe they should have looked at a trade for Maggette. No doubt he would get them some more points on the board.

Miami's streak at home is snapped by Orlando.

And to top off a Sunday night, Elton Brand gets posterized by Nachbar.

The whole team did a charity event the night before at Shaq's

I wont fine them for the lackluster effort...

UD and GP didn't play

Your boy is on fire........thats what he needs to do.......

Get the scoring title.....The team is going nowhere

 

[TimRock]

Get the scoring title.....The team is going nowhere

Why would you assume he's trying to get the scoring title? They won both those games. It's obvious that Luke and Lamar aren't 100%, so what is he supposed to do? They both have some of their strengths which is the passing game, and Kobe is feeding off of that. I don't think he is playing selfishly at all. If he were, i would be the first to say so. Smush also played a great game as well.

I could see if he put those numbers up and we lost the games, then going after the scoring title would be a clear assumption. But they are winning and have a half game lead for the 6th spot. You know whats funny, i didnt even realize he past Carmello with those two games.

UD and GP didn't play

SP, come on now. You know better than this. Haslem did play, for 13 minutes. But still, they had Shaq. That's all that counts right?

 

[SpiritualPorn]

Why would you assume he's trying to get the scoring title? They won both those games. It's obvious that Luke and Lamar aren't 100%, so what is he supposed to do? They both have some of their strengths which is the passing game, and Kobe is feeding off of that. I don't think he is playing selfishly at all. If he were, i would be the first to say so. Smush also played a great game as well.

I could see if he put those numbers up and we lost the games, then going after the scoring title would be a clear assumption. But they are winning and have a half game lead for the 6th spot. You know whats funny, i didnt even realize he past Carmello with those two games.


SP, come on now. You know better than this. Haslem did play, for 13 minutes. But still, they had Shaq. That's all that counts right?

Dude...I am not a Shaq fanboy....I just know that in the Kobe/Shaq fued....Kobe and the Lakers played themselves....

BTW who has won a Title without who...dont forget

The Lakers more than likely will go nowhere this playoffs......they are not even in the Finals picture.........Miami is.........

UD played?...I came in on the third.....9-1 in last ten games?...No Wade....??? I'll take that........

Kobe is now in the Iverson leauge....score a lot......no Titles on his own...and will not share the ball to develop others............

 

[TimRock]

The Lakers more than likely will go nowhere this playoffs

I'm aware of this. I have been aware since we traded Shaq. I never said i agreed with the decision. But what can I do?

no Titles on his own

Aight man, i'm worn out from the Kobe debates. I can't go on any longer.

One last thing, this isnt directed at any one person. I just want to know, when did everyone become Heat fans? Because i was a Heat fan back in the days of Hardaway, Mourning, Mashburn, Brown, Ike Austin (he had potential), Askins, Veshon, and Thunder Dan. Those were my boys. I was a Heat fan, because I hated the Knicks (yes i'm from NY). But we all know how those series turned out. But i'm just curious, when did everyone else make this leap?

 

[cranrab]

One last thing, this isnt directed at any one person. I just want to know, when did everyone become Heat fans? when did everyone else make this leap?

to my knowledge, SP is the only heat fan that frequents the SPORTS board.

who else has indicated a liking for the heat?

 

[SpiritualPorn]

I'm aware of this. I have been aware since we traded Shaq. I never said i agreed with the decision. But what can I do?


Aight man, i'm worn out from the Kobe debates. I can't go on any longer.

One last thing, this isnt directed at any one person. I just want to know, when did everyone become Heat fans? Because i was a Heat fan back in the days of Hardaway, Mourning, Mashburn, Brown, Ike Austin (he had potential), Askins, Veshon, and Thunder Dan. Those were my boys. I was a Heat fan, because I hated the Knicks (yes i'm from NY). But we all know how those series turned out. But i'm just curious, when did everyone else make this leap?

I have lived in Miami since before there was a franchise

Did I always like the Heat....I went to alot of games....however being originally from Chicago I was obviously a Bulls fan...........

The Heat were always a team that was hard for me to root for....I never liked Hardaway...I always felt he was a dumb ass trouble maker that could not lead a team......Riley was a waaayyy different coach then also.....

I really could not see them winning much....Shaq and Kobe were my team for the time......

Then someone told me to watch Wade in his rookie season. I swear I had seen the next great thing on both sides of the floor. I really didn't say too much because the pressure of being the "next jordan" is a bit much.

Thank Godness for Kobe's ego....

Now we have Shaq down here....I knew his presence in the locker room would pay dividens........

SHAQ that makes these points look like superstars.....they would be that on their own...however getting to the Finals gets the HOF talk started.......

Not jumping on your main man however the"I thought Shaq was all you needed" comment brought out the sniping

 

[KAS]

with a little bit of luck the t-wolves is right back in...fuck kevin mchale!

 

[cranrab]

Re: NBA playoffs musings - 80% in

just about 1 month left to go and still a bit of jockeying left to do... the most significant of the jockeying to be done in the east, where home court seedings are up for grabs and the last couple spots are undecided. in the west, home court looks to remain sewed up, but the last couple spots are also up for grabs, but not as competitively.

a little bit of history to look out for:

in the 7 seasons from 1995 to 2001, there were only 3 scoring leaders: michael jordan, shaquille o'neal, and allen iverson. they all took their teams to the NBA finals during that time, in the season(s) in which they were the scoring leader.

in the 5 seasons that followed from 2002 to 2006, there were also only 3 scoring leaders: allen iverson, tracy mcgrady, and tobe. but this time, these scoring leaders shared disappointing common threads. this time, they all had VERY mediocre win/loss records, from the low 42-40 (.512) to the high 45-37 (.549). AND, they all were knocked out of the playoffs in the FIRST round.

with tobe, carmelo anthony and gilbert arenas lining up as 2007 scoring leader, i wonder if that's a distinction they shouldn't be so eager to have.