Yay, It's the 2010 NBA Playoffs thread!

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by jbergey22

Lucky for the Celtics/Cavs matchup as the rest of this 2nd round has been a complete joke.

Despite the 3-0 lead the Lakers-Jazz has been entertaining. I still can't believe Matthews' tip-in didn't fall.

[whomario]

The games itself were great in the west ...

Steve Nash !!! Great 4th quarter despite basically just having 1 eye functioning.
Hope the jazz extend the series so that he can get some rest and have that heel a bit and maybe for Robin Lopez getting healthy enough to contribute.

Stoudemire with a pretty good game as well and this time Dudley was hot off the bench.

Very classy reactions by the Spurs to the loss. Tony Parker with great game on a bum shoulder.

[RainMaker]

The sad thing about the Celtics is they have the "big 3" who sort of won't turn the reigns over to Rondo. Celtics by 5 with 2 minutes left and the ball. Pierce calls for the ball and they post up Garnett who misses an awkward shot. Thankfull for them Rondo grabs a rebound and puts it back up.

Boston has a shot to win this series if those guys can check their egos and realize Rondo is the best player on the team.

[Groundhog]

This series Rondo is really reminding me of Tony Parker in that horrible Spurs-Cavs final a few years ago. Just so damn annoying when he's playing against your team.

[Big Fo]

Orlando sweeps Atlanta and cruises into the Conference Finals. They set a record for point differential (+101) in a four game series.

I hope they don't get overconfident, whether it's Boston or Cleveland they'll be playing a pretty decent team next round. Boston (without Garnett) actually gave Orlando (without Nelson) a tougher time than Cleveland did last year, Rondo was great for most of that series though it was against the less than spectacular point guard combo of Rafer Alston and Anthony Johnson.

[Big Fo]

The Lakers are up 20 just before halftime, looks like we'll have three sweeps in round two. Crazy.

If Cleveland - Boston goes seven will they start the Western Conference Finals before that series is over or will three teams be waiting for that series to end?

[whomario]

As far as i know they start on Sunday no matter what. Game 7 Bos/Cle would be Saturday anyway, so it won´t be that much of a delay, propably Sunday West and then Monday/Tuesday game 1 in the east.

The Jazz looked so much better with a real Center in there tonight, i stand by my claim that with Okur theýd have had a legit shot to at least win 2 games...
Bynum doesn´t move well, if i´m the Suns i pick and roll him early and hard with whoever he´s guarding.

Gasol with 20/13 for the Playoffs so far including 4+ offensive boards a game.

[Danny]

Lakers and Suns should be a good series.

[larrymcg421]

[Neon_Chaos]

Lakers vs. Suns should be fun. Lakers in 7 games.

[Neon_Chaos]

In four games, Dwight Howard shot 84.3% against the Hawks. No, not FT%... FG%.

WTF.

[larrymcg421]

Originally Posted by Neon_Chaos

In four games, Dwight Howard shot 84.3% against the Hawks. No, not FT%... FG%.

WTF.

A: The Hawks got too used to playing a team that did not have a Center.

i think it's clear now that there's no way the Hawks beat the Bucks if Bogut is healthy.

[Arles]

Originally Posted by TroyF

I still think the Suns will beat the Lakers. They are playing crisply, getting production from bench players and even have Collins coming back for extra size.

It's going to be a tough matchup for the Suns. If they can get Lopez back for 10-15 MPG, it will help. At the end, Phoenix's best chance is to play the Amare-Frye combo and hope the Lakers switch and their guards can get the bigs in foul trouble. Nash and company abused McDyuess and Blair in SA on those switches even though they were smaller.

Imagine if they hadn't screwed themselves over multiple times by not signing Johnson and trading for Shaq and going into slowdown mode for two seasons.

I don't know. Joe Johnson turned into Diaw who turned into J-Rich and Dudley - who have been 2 of their top 5 players for the past month. Given how Joe would disappear routinely in big games for Phoenix - I'm not sure I'd want him over those two. The Porter/Shaq thing was a bit of a debacle and that cost them a year though.

[Galaril]

It really looks like the Cavs are getting "psyched out" with the foul calls all going against them right now. And what is up with The King and no FGs and just 2 points at the 3 minute mark of the 2nd?

[RainMaker]

It seems like Lebron isn't even trying. Just kind of standing off to the side. This is where a superstar is supposed to take over.

[larrymcg421]

We'll probably find out after the game that his elbow/shoulder/knee/foot/pinky toe was hurting.

[larrymcg421]

Sugar Ray!

[RainMaker]

I can't believe how bad of a coach Brown is. Why they have not gone small against the Celtics is beyond me.

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by Arles

It's going to be a tough matchup for the Suns. If they can get Lopez back for 10-15 MPG, it will help. At the end, Phoenix's best chance is to play the Amare-Frye combo and hope the Lakers switch and their guards can get the bigs in foul trouble. Nash and company abused McDyuess and Blair in SA on those switches even though they were smaller.


I don't know. Joe Johnson turned into Diaw who turned into J-Rich and Dudley - who have been 2 of their top 5 players for the past month. Given how Joe would disappear routinely in big games for Phoenix - I'm not sure I'd want him over those two. The Porter/Shaq thing was a bit of a debacle and that cost them a year though.

1) Shaq cost them two playoff years.

2) Johnson turned into Diaw (who had one decent season and sucked horribly after that) and JRich. JRich is having one hell of a playoffs this year. 21.9 points per game, 50% from the field and three point land. 1 assist and 6.3 boards per game.

Here is Joe Johnson's final year in the playoffs with Phoenix: 18.8 points per game, 56% on threes, 3.3 assists, 4.3 boards.He was a 24 year old just about to enter his prime and he was the THIRD option. As he still would be.

They wasted 4 years before they A) Found a replacement for him and B) started to play fast again with a SG who had some game.

I'm convinced they would have won a title during that four year period. Hell, they almost did anyway if the NBA hadn't suspended half the team while allowing TD to get off with a free pass. Joe and choking in big games really didn't start until the last two playoff years.

[RainMaker]

Don't forget them selling their draft picks over the years.

[TroyF]

This is an amazing game. I spoke of being worried about Cleveland before the playoffs. I talked ad nauseum about how badly I thought they looked against Chicago. I said if they played like they did against Chicago, i wasn't sure they could beat Boston. I'm sure I came off to some as a Cavs hater and a Magic fan.

Well, they have major, major issues. If Lebron is average, they simply can't win. And it doesn't matter if it's an elbow, a shoulder, a leg or his head. . . he's playing incredibly average. If we didn't know how good Lebron could play, we'd all be calling this series over right now. We know Bron could explode in the fourth quarter of this game or dominate the next two games and carry the Cavs on his back. We know he could lead em to the title.

The problem for Cleveland is that's the only way it's going to happen. he's going to have to play 1 on 5 and hope it's enough to get by the Celtics, Magic and then the Suns/Spurs. I'm sorry. . . Bron isn't showing me any signs that he can do that right now and I'm seriously doubting he will. Even if they somehow come back and pull off a miracle win, the entire team should be ashamed of their performance tonight.

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Don't forget them selling their draft picks over the years.

Yup, no question there. Very good point.

[MrBug708]

The Blazers made a nice living on the Suns draft picks

[RainMaker]

I think the problem is simpler than that. The Cavs are playing a style that doesn't cater to their best player. Why they continue to sit Hickson and not run on the Celtics with a small lineup is beyond me.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

The Blazers made a nice living on the Suns draft picks

The Bulls got Luol Deng which was nice.

[Big Fo]

I'm starting to wonder if I've been making a mistake by rooting for Boston throughout this series. If they advance and keep playing like this they'll give Orlando some problems in the conference finals.

[RainMaker]

You would rather play Boston. Lebron is still the best player in the world and they have more talent than anyone in the league.

[Galaril]

Originally Posted by Big Fo

I'm starting to wonder if I've been making a mistake by rooting for Boston throughout this series. If they advance and keep playing like this they'll give Orlando some problems in the conference finals.

Totally agree. If you are Magic fan you should be rooting for the Cavs. the Celts aren't all that but the Cavs are still a joke.

[Galaril]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

You would rather play Boston. Lebron is still the best player in the world and they have more talent than anyone in the league.

Well the best team in the league is down at home in game five by 20 right now.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by Galaril

Well the best team in the league is down at home in game five by 20 right now.

I've been watching the entire season and know that you want to avoid Lebron at all costs. I'd rather take my shot against a good team who I have more talent than over a team with the greatest player in the world who can be unstoppable at times.

[DeToxRox]

So how do Cavs fans mourn LBJ's last home game?

[Big Fo]

LeBron might be the league's best player but I don't rate Mo Williams, Jamison, 2010 Shaq, and the rest of that team very highly. Boston has four good to very good players who have won a title together recently. It's hard to say which team would give Orlando a more difficult series.

Originally Posted by Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter

The Cavs are making Atlanta's effort look like Herb Brooks' kids in Lake Placid.

This is pretty good imo.

edit to add another one that just popped up:

Originally Posted by same guy

As job security goes, the CEO of BP is feeling better about things than Mike Brown right now.

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

You would rather play Boston. Lebron is still the best player in the world and they have more talent than anyone in the league.

1) Best player in the world? Correct.

2) More talent than anyone in the league? ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FREAKIN MIND?

Are you even watching the games this playoffs? Forget the regular season, look at the post season. Exactly where are these other talented players? Shaq? Moe? Jamison? Delonte? Parker? Are some of these guys stepping up when I've been asleep?

The funny thing is, I'm not sure the Magic have to worry about either of these teams because it's clear to me THEY are the most talented team in the league.

Chicago got any shot they wanted on the Cavs for most of the series. As Chicago's offense sucks and they can't shoot, they didn't score enough to beat the Cavs. Boston is getting everything they want this series.Orlando is better than Boston or Chicago on offense and actually better than both of those teams on defense.

At any rate, your second statement is plain wrong. I've been saying it all playoff long, if lebron isn't in THE KING mode, Cleveland has no chance. If they truly had the best talent in the league, that wouldn't be the case. They have the best player in the world (who is playing like the second best player on the floor against Boston) and they have a team of spare parts who Lebron makes whole. They don't have the best talent in the league.

[larrymcg421]

Heh. Midway through the 3rd quarter, Bill Simmons tweeted:

Breaking news: ESPN's Ric Bucher reports that Cleveland has fired head coach Mike Brown.

[SirFozzie]

Man, if you're the Cavs coach, there's only two real ways you can handle this... either go absolutely apenutters at them in the lockerroom, or walking in saying "Ok.. this only counts as one game. We can still win" and then walking out before you put the first option into play.

[RainMaker]

They have talent. Jamison is a 20ppg scorer in the post. Mo is one of the better outside shooters in the league. Their bench has a little depth too. And don't forget the best player in the world who just had one of the most dominating seasons in NBA history.

And I haven't said that I think the Cavs have been great, I'm saying that I'd rather play a Celtics team who I know I'm better than vs a Cavs team that could see Lebron go into God mode for a couple weeks and destroy us.

You may forget that I'm the one who was shit on for saying Lebron doesn't have that killer instinct and focuses too much time on bullshit dances and showboating. The Cavs have more talent than Boston. Boston is using theirs better, playing harder, and has a competent coaching staff leading the way.

All Cleveland has to fucking do is go small against Boston. Everyone in the league did this in the 2nd half of the season. EVERYONE. Why you have Lebron James and don't run him is beyond me.

[McSweeny]

I think I need to see my doctor about this erection...

Holy shit that was fun!

[stevew]

I could write a sprawling essay about how much LeBron isn't a winner. But I'll just simplify. He doesn't have the look of the champion. You can't see it in him. Guys like Bird, Magic, Isiah, Chauncey, Duncan, Wade, Kobe, Hakeem etc.....they all had this from time to time. He doesn't. He wants to be the 2nd option on a team, and the only way he will ever win a title is if he gets on a team with another legitimate superstar.

[MrBug708]

Sign and trade for Artest and Bynum

[stevew]

I'm like seriously >thisclose< to melting down.

I keep getting angrier and angrier.

[Neon_Chaos]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Sign and trade for Artest and Bynum

Sold! Throw in a couple of 1st rounders.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by stevew

I could write a sprawling essay about how much LeBron isn't a winner. But I'll just simplify. He doesn't have the look of the champion. You can't see it in him. Guys like Bird, Magic, Isiah, Chauncey, Duncan, Wade, Kobe, Hakeem etc.....they all had this from time to time. He doesn't. He wants to be the 2nd option on a team, and the only way he will ever win a title is if he gets on a team with another legitimate superstar.

I remember the days when Jordan was never going to win a title too.

[stevew]

I don't remember the days when Jordan was anything but the best player on the court and had the most heart/desire to win PERIOD.

[SackAttack]

Originally Posted by TroyF

The problem for Cleveland is that's the only way it's going to happen. he's going to have to play 1 on 5 and hope it's enough to get by the Celtics, Magic and then the Suns/Spurs. I'm sorry. . . Bron isn't showing me any signs that he can do that right now and I'm seriously doubting he will. Even if they somehow come back and pull off a miracle win, the entire team should be ashamed of their performance tonight.

Two things.

1) The Spurs got swept out of their series before you ever posted this.

2) Did you mean Lakers/Suns, or was that more in the vein of "whoever the Lakers play in the conference finals is going to beat them"?

[stevew]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

The Bulls got Luol Deng which was nice.

That was the same Deng they didn't want to trade for Kobe, right?

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by stevew

That was the same Deng they didn't want to trade for Kobe, right?

And Garnett and Gasol.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by stevew

I could write a sprawling essay about how much LeBron isn't a winner. But I'll just simplify. He doesn't have the look of the champion. You can't see it in him. Guys like Bird, Magic, Isiah, Chauncey, Duncan, Wade, Kobe, Hakeem etc.....they all had this from time to time. He doesn't. He wants to be the 2nd option on a team, and the only way he will ever win a title is if he gets on a team with another legitimate superstar.

I don't know if it's about a look. I just think it's not his top priority. Or his reason for winning it is his legacy and not because he's a competitive guy.

I just look back at the stories about Bird, Isiah, Jordan and it's obvious that winning consumed them. It's all they cared about and all they strived for. For Lebron, I think it's something he wants but it's just part of a big puzzle. He wants to choreograph dance routines and throw chalk in the air as people take photos.

He'll be a Hall of Famer and I'll be shocked if he doesn't win a title in his career. But he's a rare physical specimen who should probably be winning title after title. I don't count him out just yet this year, but it's looking like Lebron just doesn't have that killer instinct needed to survive. This is a guy who should probably have won 5+ titles in his career and it's looking like he won't even have one and he's past his midpoint in his career.

[whomario]

wow, i´m kind of shocked still ... And i´m not even a Cavs Fan beyond some kind feelings after living there for a couple months ...

First off : How you don´t play Varejao and Ilgauskas more is beyond me. Those are 2 guys that will kill themselves on the floor, 2 guys that get others involved and 2 guys that have chemistry together. Plus those are 2 guys that were on the floor for most good stretches Cleveland had in the first half, see Ilgauskas +9 in +- ... They are also like a million times better defensively than Shaq/Jamison against a team like the Celtics. Against the Magic both have a role defensively (Howard/Lewis), against the Celtics not so much (Jamison can´t guard Garnett or even Big Baby, Perkins doesn´t need to be guarded)
Sure Shaq produced, but he didn´t help his teammates on either end. You have to see that as a coach or at least have someone on your staff that is asked to keep an eye on lineups.

I agree on the notion to play James at the 4.

Tony Allen and Glen Davis played a brilliant game

Really inspiring game by the Celtics. Cleveland playing bad or not, that´s way more than i (and most people) expected out of the Celtics.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by TroyF

1) Best player in the world? Correct.

2) More talent than anyone in the league? ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FREAKIN MIND?

Are you even watching the games this playoffs? Forget the regular season, look at the post season. Exactly where are these other talented players? Shaq? Moe? Jamison? Delonte? Parker? Are some of these guys stepping up when I've been asleep?

The funny thing is, I'm not sure the Magic have to worry about either of these teams because it's clear to me THEY are the most talented team in the league.

Chicago got any shot they wanted on the Cavs for most of the series. As Chicago's offense sucks and they can't shoot, they didn't score enough to beat the Cavs. Boston is getting everything they want this series.Orlando is better than Boston or Chicago on offense and actually better than both of those teams on defense.

At any rate, your second statement is plain wrong. I've been saying it all playoff long, if lebron isn't in THE KING mode, Cleveland has no chance. If they truly had the best talent in the league, that wouldn't be the case. They have the best player in the world (who is playing like the second best player on the floor against Boston) and they have a team of spare parts who Lebron makes whole. They don't have the best talent in the league.

Spot on. Jamison is the only quality player on the court besides LeBron for the Cavs.

[Galaril]

I think one other thing with the Cavs-Celts and people saying they are amore talented bunch. I could agree they are younger than the Celts and thus have more physical ability. That being said I think like the Spurs from a few years back this Celtics teams experience is a huge advantage. Next game I don't know what we see from the Cavs (James)? If they come gunning or they fold li a tent neither would surprise.