NBA Playoffs

[Neuqua]

What is a Clipper?

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by Neuqua

What is a Clipper?

Some kind of a ship, IIRC.

[miami_fan]

Very weak call by Stu Jackson with the Terry suspension IMO.

[Logan]

What's with all these guys hitting each other in the jewels?

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Neuqua

What is a Clipper?

It made a lot more sense when the Clippers were in San Diego.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

FT disparity means very little when discussing how good or bad the refs were

He's complaining about one team getting the (unfair) majority of the calls. And I was merely pointing out that in Game 2 the Pistons got a majority of the calls.

[Ajaxab]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

Very weak call by Stu Jackson with the Terry suspension IMO.

I'm not sure what choice Jackson has given the precedent he set earlier in the playoffs. The suspensions started in round one. To be consistent, he has to suspend Terry if there's video evidence. The video evidence clearly shows Terry punching Finley in a place where no man wants to be punched. If Jackson hadn't been so strict up to this point, a fine would be a just punishment. Besides, would a fine be enough of a punishment for this kind of thing?

I love Cuban's description of the event. Finley performed a pile driver and a hip check to Terry. I wonder what an appropriately exaggerated Spurs' take on the same events might be. Terry forcefully smashed Finley's left testicle into a bloody pulp such that Finley's new nickname is Cyclops? Spare us the WWE interview material Mark.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

Very weak call by Stu Jackson with the Terry suspension IMO.

teh NBA is riggd an da leage want give de Spur anotrhe chanc.

[stevew]

dola,

Seems very poor to give someone a supension way after the fact, based on video evidence.

[Neon_Chaos]

Originally Posted by Ajaxab

I'm not sure what choice Jackson has given the precedent he set earlier in the playoffs. The suspensions started in round one. To be consistent, he has to suspend Terry if there's video evidence. The video evidence clearly shows Terry punching Finley in a place where no man wants to be punched. If Jackson hadn't been so strict up to this point, a fine would be a just punishment. Besides, would a fine be enough of a punishment for this kind of thing?

I love Cuban's description of the event. Finley performed a pile driver and a hip check to Terry. I wonder what an appropriately exaggerated Spurs' take on the same events might be. Terry forcefully smashed Finley's left testicle into a bloody pulp such that Finley's new nickname is Cyclops? Spare us the WWE interview material Mark.

But I thought there was no clear shot of Terry's fist actually hitting Finley? The NBA "assumed" that what Finley said happened, happened.

Stu suspended Terry not because he saw the fist connect, but because he saw the fist after the supposed contact. You throw a closed fist and wether it connects or not, you're bound to get suspended. If Terry had an open palm in the video, there wouldn't be any merit for the supposed "punch"

[Wolfpack]

Originally Posted by stevew

dola,

Seems very poor to give someone a supension way after the fact, based on video evidence.

Wake Forest did it to Chris Paul after he sucker-punched State's Julius Hodge in a similar fashion in the final game of the year in 2005. Didn't even draw a foul for it in the game. Adding insult to injury, he beat State with a buzzer-beater that game.

[JeeberD]

I would have been pissed too if I were Terry. He had possession of the the ball and was starting to call for time when Finley and Ginoblli dove onto him. The refs really blew that call all the way around...

[Arles]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

Suns get roasted by Brand and co today. The Suns style of ball can be deadly, but they just can't stop the likes of Elton Brand. I see the Clippers moving on to the next round.

The Suns just didn't have much sense of urgency or energy last night. They knew they had game 7 in their back pocket and had played 12 games in 22 nights. If the Suns hit their shots in game 7 (like they did in games 1 and 5), they win. If they don't, they probably lose. Having the home court and crowd will help their energy, not to mention almost 4 full days of rest.

I wouldn't count Phoenix out, but these teams are pretty evenly matched (5-5 in 10 games this season). Since the game is in Phoenix and not until Monday night, I give the Suns a slight edge. Still, it's almost a coin flip.

[miami_fan]

Based on the video I saw from the baseline, I could not tell you for sure if he did punch him or not. At least there was less evidence this case when you compared it to the case of Reggie Evans earlier in the playoffs. Evans only received a fine.

Either way what is done is done and there is a game to be played tonight. I suspect after Cuban's comments about the crowd intensity for tonight's game, the refs are going to call the game extremely tight early on to make sure things don't get too emotional.

[cmp]

This is getting ridiculous, you breathe on LeBron and it's called a foul.

[bob]

I'm still trying to figure out how you can fall backwards holding the ball, no foul called, and no travelling is called.

Also, Lebron gets away with a lot of pushing on the court - but if you come near him, there will be a whistle.

[cmp]

Originally Posted by bob

I'm still trying to figure out how you can fall backwards holding the ball, no foul called, and no travelling is called.

Also, Lebron gets away with a lot of pushing on the court - but if you come near him, there will be a whistle.

Yeah, I'm not sure how in the hell Z didn't get called for a travel right there. And LeBron probably could be called for an offensive foul every single time he has the ball.

[stevew]

*yawn*

[TheOhioStateUniversity]

yeah stevew this game is definately boring....

[cmp]

Pistons will not lose Game 7 at home.

[TheOhioStateUniversity]

Why didnt Lebron just attempt a three?

[stevew]

Originally Posted by TheOhioStateUniversity

yeah stevew this game is definately boring....

No, the game was exciting, but the crying from the pistons fan base is a bit tiresome.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by TheOhioStateUniversity

Why didnt Lebron just attempt a three?

He had jones in the corner for a wide open 3.

[Gary Gorski]

Originally Posted by gold101

Pistons will not lose Game 7 at home.

Nope, tonight was the Cavs shot - unless LeBron comes up with a 50 point MJ like performance Detroit should advance. Then again had Detroit played games 3 and 4 like the last two minutes of this one the series would have been over after game 4. If the real Pistons show up at The Palace, King James is going to have to wait until next year. But if the Cavs manage to keep him and get him a little help they're going to be scary good for the next decade. Its just sick to think that possibly the best player in the league is only 21.

[jbmagic]

Originally Posted by jbmagic

I still think the Spurs and Detroit will end up winning there series and advancing to the NBA finals.

My prediction looking good so far.

[Passacaglia]

So no games on Saturday? Someone screwwwwed up on that one!

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Passacaglia

So no games on Saturday? Someone screwwwwed up on that one!

I have been trying to figure out for a week now why there are four days between Game 6 and Game 7 of the Suns-Clips series. The fact those four days include a weekend, too, only makes it more mind-boggling.

[cmp]

Originally Posted by stevew

No, the game was exciting, but the crying from the pistons fan base is a bit tiresome.

Well when LeBron gets away with every thing he does out there it gets very annoying.

[cmp]

An obvious offensive goaltending and then a push off by LeBron.

[SackAttack]

How is it that there are 3 minutes left in the third quarter and neither team has fifty yet? Is the defense on both sides that good, or has the offense been that atrocious?

[Deattribution]

Originally Posted by SackAttack

How is it that there are 3 minutes left in the third quarter and neither team has fifty yet? Is the defense on both sides that good, or has the offense been that atrocious?

It's been pretty bad offense, about the only player scoring consistently is Lebron. Very sloppy game.

[SackAttack]

Can't we just declare that neither team gets to advance?

[miami_fan]

7-34 at the end of three for the Cavs not named LeBron. OUCH!

[Deattribution]

These playoffs have been fun to watch, there's no better way to cap it off than with another Spurs/Pistons borefest.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

7-34 at the end of three for the Cavs not named LeBron. OUCH!

Gotta overhaul the bench. I thought that LeBron got blinders too often, should have at least tried to kick out to Marshall and Jones for a few more 3's. I know they weren't making them at first, but they are both streak shooters.

[Passacaglia]

Man, ESPN sucks. Today I've heard that a low-scoring game favors Detroit, and that a low-scoring game favors Cleveland. I've heard that Tayshaun Prince usually does really well in Game 7s, but did even better than usual today, and that Tayshaun Prince doesn't usually do well in Game 7s, but did have a good game today.

I'm a big David Byrne fan, but I can't stand talking heads.

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

7-34 at the end of three for the Cavs not named LeBron. OUCH!

I thought Lebron made his teammates better...?

[TheOhioStateUniversity]

He cant shoot the ball for them....

[Deattribution]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

I thought Lebron made his teammates better...?

I think it was because Kobe was sitting courtside.

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by Deattribution

I think it was because Kobe was sitting courtside.

Hey, I was just pointing it out...

[Groundhog]

That the Cavs even made it to game 7 is a miracle, but today really showed what everyone already knew anyway; the Cavs need depth. Larry Hughes had a rough year, but hopefully he can stay healthy next season and give the Cavs a little scoring. Still, they need a PG, a PF, and a bench - the first two being very difficult to come by.

The Cavs are drafting at #25 and nbadraft.net has the following guys still around then that might help: PGs Rajon Rondo (seen him play once - wasn't impressed), Quincy Douby (never heard of him), Kyle Lowry (like him, but not a great shooter) and PF/Cs Josh Boone (no thanks), and Paul Millsap (too short). Not a very exciting crop, and Lowry is the only one who has me the least bit excited.

[TheOhioStateUniversity]

I think the tandem of Varajeo and Gooden is good enough at PF, I think we need a very solid point guard and a guy that is deadly beyond the arc.

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by TheOhioStateUniversity

I think the tandem of Varajeo and Gooden is good enough at PF, I think we need a very solid point guard and a guy that is deadly beyond the arc.

Gooden might get 12 points and 10 boards every so often, but his lack of basketball IQ gives me fits, and Varajeo is a good energy guy, but that's about it at this stage. You don't really want him starting. Combine this with inconsistent Z and you have an unreliable frontcourt badly in need of an upgrade. There's no question that we need shooters too, but hey, Damon Jones and Donyell Marshall were brought in just for that. We need good basketball players above all else.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

Quincy Douby (never heard of him), Kyle Lowry (like him, but not a great shooter) and PF/Cs Josh Boone (no thanks), and Paul Millsap (too short). Not a very exciting crop, and Lowry is the only one who has me the least bit excited.

Quincy Douby is JJ Redick without the hype. I hope he goes back to school for his senior year, but it sounds like he could be the answer for one of the Cavs needs (outside shooter.)

[Neon_Chaos]

Where's the criticism for Lebron? Nothing? He disappeared in the 2nd half... *shock* much like how Kobe did!

[Antmeister]

Originally Posted by Neon_Chaos

Where's the criticism for Lebron? Nothing? He disappeared in the 2nd half... *shock* much like how Kobe did!

Being that I am a Lakers fan, I actually understand why Lebron doesn't get as much criticism for the loss of this series.

For one, Detroit is overall a better team than Phoenix overall.

Two, Lebron has been a team player throughout most of the season. Kobe only showed flashes of being a team player for a few games in the last series, but he pretty much is not interested in making the team better, he just expects them to be better and grows frustrated when they can't perform as well as he can.

Other than that, they are in similar situations of being on teams with no depth.

[Groundhog]

Every Cavalier not named Lebron James shot .220 from the floor tonight. With the entire roster playing like crap, it makes it much easier to lockdown on LeBron. In Kobe's "give up" game, his team mates shot just .320, but knocked down 24 shots compared to just 9 by LeBron's team-mates.

LeBron didn't give up, he just got his ass shut down and no one was able to bail him out.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by TheOhioStateUniversity

I think the tandem of Varajeo and Gooden is good enough at PF, I think we need a very solid point guard and a guy that is deadly beyond the arc.

Stupid 90 is a dumb motherfucker and I hope to god that they don't resign his stupid ass this offseason.

I Repeat, FUCK Drew Gooden.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Neon_Chaos

Where's the criticism for Lebron? Nothing? He disappeared in the 2nd half... *shock* much like how Kobe did!

He was getting triple teamed every trip down the floor practically. At least he tried to score, unlike the 3 shot prima donna.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

That the Cavs even made it to game 7 is a miracle, but today really showed what everyone already knew anyway; the Cavs need depth. Larry Hughes had a rough year, but hopefully he can stay healthy next season and give the Cavs a little scoring. Still, they need a PG, a PF, and a bench - the first two being very difficult to come by.

The Cavs are drafting at #25 and nbadraft.net has the following guys still around then that might help: PGs Rajon Rondo (seen him play once - wasn't impressed), Quincy Douby (never heard of him), Kyle Lowry (like him, but not a great shooter) and PF/Cs Josh Boone (no thanks), and Paul Millsap (too short). Not a very exciting crop, and Lowry is the only one who has me the least bit excited.

Hopefully Ferry can work out some decent Sign and Trade for stupid90, perhaps one which brings back a competent PG. Even if they find an undersized shooting guard that can play D, I think it will work. Basically that guy needs to run am offensive set every so often, and be able to hit an open Jumper. Hell, Hughes might even be the answer at PG for our team, although we'd need to find a competent SG to start there.

I'd like to see them draft a frontcourt guy in the first, and possibly add a shooter type in the 2nd. Someone like Pittsnoogle could fall, and he'd be a solid 8-10 min reserve for us.

They still have the MLE, I'd be tempted to offer it to Reggie Evans or Nazr Mohammed. I don't think I want them to bring back Flip either.