2007 NBA Playoffs Thread

[kingfc22]

pass the ball Jackson!!!

[kingfc22]

How is that a flagrant foul? A foul, hell yea. Flagrant??? Please.

[kingfc22]

This is a fucking joke! How do you not give a T to Boozer?

[kingfc22]

I love how Boozer can give a full two-handed shove under the basket every fucking time and not get a foul called on him.

[stevew]

I hate the Jazz, but the Warriors have way too many turds on their team for me to root for them.

[Karlifornia]

Well..that was an interesting last minute of the third quarter...the Warriors are lucky to still be down 4....They're gonna need to hit some outside shots if they want any shot of winning this game and staying alive.

[Jas_lov]

Very surprising only being down 4 after all these T's and the flagrant foul. Especially only shooting 4-20 from the 3 point line. Free throws have kept them in the game.

[kingfc22]

what a game...

[Karlifornia]

Warriors just can't get over the hump right now...can't take the lead. These playoffs are driving me to drink...in a good way, though.

[Jas_lov]

Doesn't look good for the Warriors. The 3s just haven't gone down all night. Derek Fisher has made a big impact here in the 4th quarter.

[kingfc22]

Kirilenko flew half way across the court. Nice acting buddy.

[kingfc22]

Well it was a fun ride while it lasted. Here's hoping that the Suns can somehow survive the suspensions so that we are not stuck with boring, unwatchable, foul crazy basketball

[Karlifornia]

Well..shit..looks like Utah's gonna take this game and the series. Very tough way for it to end. 3 losses that could have been wins. Well, at least I finally got to experience some playoff basketball as a fan. It's been a fun ride.

[Arles]

First, I don't have a major issue with the reasoning - it certainly is defensible. But, the entire argument for the rule gets lost while trying to adhere to some "precedent" from a decade ago. I think Chris Sheridan put it best:

"But just because a rule was enforced with a lack of common sense in the past does not mean it must be enforced unreasonably in perpetuity."

There have been poor rule precedents throughout the league's history, but that doesn't mean you have to continue down this road leading in the wrong direction.

David Stern could have easily said "the spirit of the rule was not to reward cheap shot attacks and therefore we need to relook at its implementation when it relates to these events. For this reason, no suspension will be levied for the Robert Horry incident."

Outside of bitter Knick fans and Spurs fans, I don't know of many NBA fans that would have felt the above response was unfair. Instead, Stern once again lacked the intestinal fortitude to do what is right. And, to make it even more laughable, he immediately cancelled his trip to Phoenix on Wednesday - instead choosing to now go to Cleveland. That's a commissioner with courage in his convictions...

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by Arles

And, to make it even more laughable, he immediately cancelled his trip to Phoenix on Wednesday - instead choosing to now go to Cleveland. That's a commissioner with courage in his convictions...

LMAO.. Now that's funny.

[Brian Swartz]

Well it was a fun ride while it lasted. Here's hoping that the Suns can somehow survive the suspensions so that we are not stuck with boring, unwatchable, foul crazy basketball

A great description of the Dallas-GS series if you ask me.

David Stern could have easily said "the spirit of the rule was not to reward cheap shot attacks and therefore we need to relook at its implementation when it relates to these events. For this reason, no suspension will be levied for the Robert Horry incident."

Outside of bitter Knick fans and Spurs fans, I don't know of many NBA fans that would have felt the above response was unfair.

Eh, I'm a Spurs fan and I don't think it would have been unfair. Horry should be suspended, but the rest of the stuff in this series has been much ado about nothing. And Stoudemire and Diaw should play -- San Antonio blew the series by failing to finish an otherwhise excellent game 4, and Phoenix showed how good they are -- at least an equal if not the better team. They deserve an unfettered shot, and now they aren't going to get it. Now, if San Antonio wins the next two and goes on to win the title, it'll have an asterisk by it. The NBA really ticks me off sometimes.

[Crapshoot]

Seriously - the only people defending those actions are Spurs fans.

[Brian Swartz]

I dunno, a lot of people are defending the worse actions by Golden State.

[Vince]

[standing ovation]

Great season, Warriors. Keep the improvement up, pick up a big man, and we'll see you in the postseason again next year.

[/standing ovation]

[miami_fan]

I am happy this did not situation did not involved a Ron Artest or Stephen Jackson personality. I don't want the player personality/reputation to cloud the debate over this ruling.

[MacroGuru]

Woot! Go Jazz Go!

Warriors played hard and tough, I have to be honest, these past 2 series have had to wear on the Jazz, I don't see a good series for us against either teams.

[miami_fan]

David Stern is on fire on Dan Patrick show right now. Wow.

[Arles]

"The Robert Horry play will not impact the outcome of the series"

Wow

[Logan]

Love or hate the Sports Guy, he nailed this column:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2...6&sportCat=nba

[Arles]

I agree with Simmons on that. Although, I do think Stern has more leeway when it comes to suspensions than everyone seems to state.

[Logan]

How? To my knowledge, there is exactly one rule on the books that lists a clear "act committed - discipline issued" guideline, and this is it. Fighting or hard fouls on the court don't have any such interpretation, and it's why we don't see suspensions for things like the Richardson and Davis plays discussed before.

Earlier in the thread, after hearing about the suspensions, someone said "The NBA is now admitting to fixing their games." But who would have a better claim of a fix? The team who now has to go up against two players who clearly violated a stupid rule, but weren't punished, or the team who loses two players who clearly violated a stupid rule, but were punished?

[pennywisesb]

Well, I have to tip my hat to the Jazz, they really proved me wrong. They proved they were a more mature team than my Warriors, but for a team that shouldn't even have been there, the Warriors sure surprised alot of people. Good job this year boys.

[miami_fan]

I agree with Glen Beck and Bill Simmons all in the same week. Ack!

[Young Drachma]

I keep hearing that if the Nets lose this series, that the team ought to get blown up. I wonder what they'd do with it. I mean, Carter is a free agent and can't Kidd opt out? Or maybe not? I dunno. In any case....I can't see what they'd do, save for spending money to get better.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

I keep hearing that if the Nets lose this series, that the team ought to get blown up. I wonder what they'd do with it. I mean, Carter is a free agent and can't Kidd opt out? Or maybe not? I dunno. In any case....I can't see what they'd do, save for spending money to get better.

The Nets' whole offseason revolves around what they can get for Jason Kidd.

[amdaily]

Why is Larry Hughes still taking shots at this point??

1 for 14, fuck

[Groundhog]

Yeah, come on Larry, you can shoot your way out of this slump! Law of averages has to work out for you sooner or later.

Just a lame ass 3rd Q, no matter how you look at it... at least score 10 points guys.

[Young Drachma]

Damn. I had the game off and all of a sudden, I turn it back on and the Nets are up by 22? Shit. They could win this series. 3-1 down doesn't really mean much when the team they're playing against is younger and not necessarily better.

I'd rather them not win it, only because Deeeetroit will slash them on the way to the Finals.

But still, I appreciate the fact that they're not quite ready to go home yet.

[Young Drachma]

And let me just say, I've seen probably a half dozen or so of Nets games this year. Miki Moore has impressed me.

I don't like him a starter on a team that's probably thinks of itself as a serious contender, but off the bench? He'd be a heck of a guy.

Or maybe he's one of those guys that only plays well when you let him get the rust off, meaning he needs 20 or 30 minutes a game to get going.

I dunno. But he's played well from what I can tell most of the year. Nice pickup. Too bad Kristic is out.

[amdaily]

Originally Posted by amdaily

Why is Larry Hughes still taking shots at this point??

1 for 14, fuck

And Marshall catching up at 0-7! This is sickening to even watch.

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

And let me just say, I've seen probably a half dozen or so of Nets games this year. Miki Moore has impressed me.

I don't like him a starter on a team that's probably thinks of itself as a serious contender, but off the bench? He'd be a heck of a guy.

Or maybe he's one of those guys that only plays well when you let him get the rust off, meaning he needs 20 or 30 minutes a game to get going.

I dunno. But he's played well from what I can tell most of the year. Nice pickup. Too bad Kristic is out.

Mikki Moore has bounced around the league for a long time now, and it's been a head scratcher for me. Whenever he gets time he seems to do well, but then he winds up forgotten come FA time.

As you say, he's not a guy I'd start on a contending team, but he's a rotation guy on most teams IMO, just solely for his ability to score.

He isn't particularily great at any one other area of the game, but he does hit the boards and challenges shots, too.

[Young Drachma]

Bron Bron is young and all, but...he should have some sort of sixth gear to turn it up. If he doesn't go to New Jersey, put down 50 and will the Cavs to victory, I'll sincerely believe that Kobe is the single best player in the NBA.

Because seriously...Kobe seems to just will his team to win. Bron has more parts around him and they just languish at key moments when they need to shine.

They should've closed this Series out tonight and instead, they got smoked. J Kidd is a beast and I know he wants the playoffs BAD, because I think he feels like if he gets to the Finals, they have a shot to win it all and that if he wins the title in Jersey, that it'll cement his legacy with the all-time greats..because he knows that he's synonymous with Jersey, given how this whole stint has redefined his career.

But as bad as I want it for him -- for that reason alone -- I just can't see a starting five that includes Jason Collins and Miki Moore delivering him to the promised land.

I root for him and KG to end up somewhere together to really put it down.

[Groundhog]

Good first half for the Suns but, man, can they really play a 6-man rotation all game? Could be an interesting 2nd half...

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

Bron Bron is young and all, but...he should have some sort of sixth gear to turn it up. If he doesn't go to New Jersey, put down 50 and will the Cavs to victory, I'll sincerely believe that Kobe is the single best player in the NBA.

Because seriously...Kobe seems to just will his team to win. Bron has more parts around him and they just languish at key moments when they need to shine.

They should've closed this Series out tonight and instead, they got smoked. J Kidd is a beast and I know he wants the playoffs BAD, because I think he feels like if he gets to the Finals, they have a shot to win it all and that if he wins the title in Jersey, that it'll cement his legacy with the all-time greats..because he knows that he's synonymous with Jersey, given how this whole stint has redefined his career.

But as bad as I want it for him -- for that reason alone -- I just can't see a starting five that includes Jason Collins and Miki Moore delivering him to the promised land.

I root for him and KG to end up somewhere together to really put it down.

LeBron is not the type of guy who can score 50 at will. He's not a good enough of a shooter for starters. And then everyone packs it in, runs a box and one, he more or less has to pick his spots to drive, since he pretty much can't in the zone era. I wish we had Redd or Allen or Joe Johnso, as Larry Hughes is a fucking disgrace. If he can't shoot well enough to break apart the 3 guys that are guarding LeBron at any moment, they'll lose the next two games and go home for the offseason.

[Crapshoot]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

Good first half for the Suns but, man, can they really play a 6-man rotation all game? Could be an interesting 2nd half...

Good to see Ginobli is back to flopping...

[Crapshoot]

Dola,
"". The 6-man rotation isn't exactly easy to pull of in a run-n-gun, especially when Barbosa has 5 fouls. I fear Phoenix is going to run out of gas here.

[JeeberD]

Jeff Van Gundy has been axed and the Rockets are going to most likely bring in *gag* Rick Adelman...

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4816337.html

Van Gundy dismissed as Rockets coach

y JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

Jeff Van Gundy was fired as Rockets coach on Friday, less than two weeks after the Rockets' first-round loss to the Utah Jazz.

After initial ambivalence about returning to the team as coach, Van Gundy had made his desire to be back clear. The Rockets, however, had already begun an extensive interview process with former Kings, Warriors and Trail Blazers coach Rick Adelman who is considered the only candidate to replace Van Gundy.

Van Gundy had told the Rockets that he would not object to the team looking into its coaching options.

On Thursday, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey offered Van Gundy another position with the team, expected to be in a consulting role. Van Gundy has turned down that role.

Van Gundy was 430-318 in 11 seasons as an NBA coach, 182-146 in four seasons with the Rockets. He has a 44-44 postseason record, losing in the first round to the Lakers in 2004, the Mavericks in 2005 and the Jazz this season. Their trip to the 2004 post season was their first since 1999. The Rockets' 52-win season this year was their best since 1996-97

[miami_fan]

Listening to some reports earlier today, the Rockets' owner wants the new coach to run a style similar to the system the Suns run. Yao Ming has a lot of conditioning work to do if he is suppose play Amare to.....ummmm....... who exactly would be that Steve Nash wanna be? Mike Bibby?

[MikeVic]

Wow, Kidd is averaging a triple-double these playoffs...

[bulletsponge]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

Listening to some reports earlier today, the Rockets' owner wants the new coach to run a style similar to the system the Suns run. Yao Ming has a lot of conditioning work to do if he is suppose play Amare to.....ummmm....... who exactly would be that Steve Nash wanna be? Mike Bibby?

Les Alexander is dreaming if he thinks the Rockets can be a run and gun team. the Rockets are the exact opposite of the Suns. they would have to completly rebuild to do that. what they really need is a PG, PF, and an athletic slasher

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by bulletsponge

Les Alexander is dreaming if he thinks the Rockets can be a run and gun team. the Rockets are the exact opposite of the Suns. they would have to completly rebuild to do that. what they really need is a PG, PF, and an athletic slasher

A better model would be the Trailblazers of the early 90's.

[Logan]

Originally Posted by bulletsponge

Les Alexander is dreaming if he thinks the Rockets can be a run and gun team. the Rockets are the exact opposite of the Suns. they would have to completly rebuild to do that. what they really need is a PG, PF, and an athletic slasher

Hey, same as the Knicks! Both our squads must be in good shape.

[Young Drachma]

The Nets suck. Ugh. I hope they implode that team and do something useful. Not that it'll matter much.

[Young Drachma]

Doesn't seem like Cleveland wants this Series bad enough.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

A better model would be the Trailblazers of the early 90's.

Hell, or the Houston Rockets of the mid 90s.

SI