2008 NBA Finals Talk
posted by Bietz on June 6th, 2008
BOSTON, Mass. and LOS ANGELES, Cali. — Game 1 of the highly-anticipated NBA Finals ended last night with a Boston win. Most experts are favoring the Lakers saying it is their series to lose.
As a long-time Kevin Garnett fan and as someone who grew up despising the Celtics, I’m quite torn. Every time reference is made to those teams of the 80s I just think about how much I rooted for the Lakers. I’m afraid this is KG’s last chance. Even if the Celtics make the finals again next year, the Western Conference isn’t getting easier.
Who are you rooting for?
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Posted from: 68.230.73.179
June 6th, 2008 08:59
Lakers all the way!
Posted from: 217.210.14.49
June 6th, 2008 11:21
No way, last time this match up occurred one Laker was non-existent. The Celtics are a better team, they have 3 players who can consistently beat you every night. So even if Kobe goes off for 50, that just means he is sharing the ball less which means the Lakers still lose. Plus, Boston has some experience coming off the bench ( Sam Cassell) who has been in this situation before (Go Rockets) and he is able to , at least, offer some advice to the younger ones, if not score as he did last night. I say Boston in 6. I just don’t think the Lakers have the players to match up to the 3 superstars that Boston is putting on the court for 40 minutes a game.
Posted from: 12.205.118.84
June 6th, 2008 11:34
Josh, if you’ve been watching the first three rounds of the playoffs, you could tell that Sam Cassell has been a liability for the Celtics. Furthermore, Ray Allen has yet to show any semblance of consistency throughout the playoffs. Also, it’s yet to be seen how Paul Pierce’s knee will hold up during the rest of the series. Kevin Garnett does create a match up problem for the Lakers, but even last night he started to lose consistency in his jump shot. Kobe Bryant had a very poor shooting night, despite the fact that he had very makable shots. None of the Lakers big three played well, yet the game was still close until the final 90 seconds of the game. The Lakers will bounce back in game 2 and the rest of the series.
Posted from: 217.210.14.49
June 6th, 2008 11:43
While I agree that Sam Cassell is a liability, I believe that he will at least have an effect in the locker room, which plays a big part, especially in series like this. I agree that the Celtics have been everything but consistent this playoff series, but they have been able to fight through it. I think if Paul Pierce can keep his knee healthy, especially with the large break between games 1 and 2, he should be fine, and if he can find his jumpshot, then it should be clear sailing for him. I’m not by any means ruling the lakers out of this, but I think that if both teams were to play the best they had ever played, that the Celtics would still come out on top for a few reasons
-star players playing consistently
-better outside shooters
-a slight advantage in the post
Posted from: 98.210.18.58
June 6th, 2008 11:48
Celtics… you forgot to factor in Rondo and a little bit of Posey.
Posted from: 65.2.82.217
June 6th, 2008 12:27
Boston in 5.
Posted from: 74.167.81.134
June 6th, 2008 12:36
Lakers in 5.
Posted from: 71.149.150.36
June 6th, 2008 12:43
Celtics in 6.
I would say it’s Bostons to lose. They should be fine if they can play the level of defense that they are capable of.
Posted from: 98.200.115.77
June 6th, 2008 12:43
C’s in 6.
i hate the lakers. i hate the spurs, too, but cheered for the Lakers in conference finals because i hate them less. where is rebar when you need him?
East Conference won’t be much different next year, aside from the possibility of Chicago or Miami starting to make some noise in the NBA. oh and flip saunders not leading detroit. we’ll see about that one. The West though, is going to be a little different. teams like houston, golden state, denver, and NO will get better and more competitive, whereas teams like san antonio, dallas, and possibly phoenix (depending on who their new coach is), will probably get worse. lakers will be consistent. i am very excited for this next november.
Posted from: 128.135.188.127
June 6th, 2008 13:01
Tough call. I couldn’t hate a player more than I hate Kobe, but good lord are Boston fans annoying (sorry to those of you out there that just LOVE how cute Tom Brady is and think that the BoSox are just the greatest team baseball has ever seen. Puke.) Gotta say that I’m pulling for KG for the years he devoted to the black hole of basketball that is Minnesota. Another Boston championship team though…. ugh. As excited as David Stern might be, I’m finding it hard to get enthused about either of these teams.
Posted from: 68.173.160.15
June 6th, 2008 13:02
The Lakers chances hinge on Kobe — they have other solid players, but if he doesn’t perform, they have no chance against Boston. Kobe hitting one-third of his shots won’t cut it.
Celtics in 5.
Posted from: 217.210.14.49
June 6th, 2008 14:43
Quinn, do you really see the Rockets being that much of a threat next year? McGrady is only getting older, and the chances of him getting out of the first round look worse and worse each year, and Yao being out or a year definitely hasn’t made us a major contender, but I think it is impossible to predict what next year will be like. I mean c’mon, I will bet money that nobody predicted Boston to be in the finals this year, after watching their season last year (at least, nobody predicted it before they picked up Garnett andAllen). Really, they were a joke, so I think Chris and Jon are right, it’s the Celtics to lose, and if they do lose it then it looks like KG walks away as Dan Marino did with the Dolphins…without a ring.
Posted from: 70.141.115.163
June 6th, 2008 15:21
josh, you are flat out wrong about the C’s; when the picked up allen and KG everyone knew they were going to make a lot of noise this year.
and in regard to the rockets, yeah tmac is getting old, but if the man can avg over 22 in the playoffs while playing with 2 injuries, i think he’s got another good 2-3 seasons in him. he played most of the year with his injuries so that he wouldn’t have to miss a major portion of the season like yao did. tmac still has the fire in him, and the rockets will be a much stronger team next year now that alston has had a season where he is a key part of the offense rather than just being there.
Posted from: 24.7.64.100
June 6th, 2008 15:25
the lakers will win the series if they win game 2. they haven’t lost a game at home and the celtics’ offense has been streaky throughout the playoffs. ray allen has been a liability (though he has been getting better), and there’s a reason they didn’t play sam cassell much against detroit. i hate the lakers as much as anyone, but you have to give them credit–i think a lot of people underestimate just how effective pau gasol is, or how deep the lakers’ bench is, etc.
also i think quinn’s prognosis for the western conference is whack. denver is a basket case and is not getting better without some very serious personnel changes. if baron doesn’t renew his contract the golden state warriors are going to be up shit creek. houston will be ok but not much better or worse than they were last year. utah and NO will be very strong. i would watch out for the trailblazers (assuming greg oden is healthy) and the lakers–if you think they’re good now, swap andrew bynum for vlade radmanovic.
Posted from: 76.93.137.106
June 6th, 2008 15:32
asmitty has got the prediction right. to all those saying bostons d is superior, its good, not amazing. notice that at least 5 shots from kobe went in and out, and thats a generous 5. the ball just wasnt falling. coupled with the fact that KG was playing out of his mind, and sam cassell decided to do his yearly act of showing up once and earning his salary, i would say the lakers are fine EVEN if they lose the next game. dont underestimate homecourt.
Posted from: 71.149.150.36
June 6th, 2008 15:43
The rockets will need to do something substantial through trades since they won’t be making any serious improvements from the draft/fee agency. They need to add a third, consistent scorer in order to take the next step. It will be a while before we know how good the rockets are going to get.
Denver and Golden State are not going to get better till they decide to play defense (not likely with their current coaches).
The demise of the spurs is just hype. They are a backup PG and perhaps a Brazilian away from being back in the finals.
It’s kind of premature to make predictions for next season until at least draft night.
Posted from: 71.149.150.36
June 6th, 2008 15:58
Boston has been holding opponents to an average of 88 points per game in the playoffs. I’m not sure what adjective you want to use to describe that statistic but I think it’s pretty impressive. I wouldn’t measure the success of their defense by the number of shots Kobe makes or misses. If the Celtics are holding the Lakers (who are not a good defensive team) to more than 10 points below their playoff average then they are playing good defense and they are going to win.
Tom Thibodeau for the win.
Posted from: 66.233.57.238
June 6th, 2008 16:28
screw a masshole. lakers in 6 son.
roberts, you literally just spit every piece of completely untrue conventional wisdom you possibly could on this topic. cassell is a cancer more than anything, and the C’s give up real easy away from home.
i really agree with smitty, game 2 is a must win for the lakers, but if they win it, they have 3 (!) in a row at home. i don’t see boston winning more than one of those games. it could even be lakers in five, but it’s much more likely that they steal one on sunday and close it out game 6 in boston.
the C defense goes down prodigiously on the road, phil jackson can coach circles around doc, they’re turnover prone, and no one from LA had a good game (maybe phish).
i’m not sure whether people have noticed, but kobe’s completely turned his steez around. game 4 in san antonio, walton was sucking it up hard. kobe yelled at him once, dude makes/assists on like 5 buckets in the next couple of minutes.
KG and Jesus lost my respect when they sold their souls to the leprechaun.
i love me a mamba/tree leopard.
Posted from: 66.233.57.238
June 6th, 2008 16:31
rondo can’t play on the road/won’t take open jumpers, doc is too stupid to play posey right, or use his bench effectively at all. literally his strat is going to turn into “play the starters 40+ min a night, throw a sam cassell + PJ brown lineup in late 4th quarter”
i loathe every sports team from boston. they straight up disgust me. i can’t even use boston in nba live.
Posted from: 217.210.14.49
June 6th, 2008 16:33
No Quinn, what I said was, BEFORE the celtics picked up KG and ray allen, they were a joke, I wholeheartedly agree that once they got KG and Ray Allen, they were the team that was in it to win it. My point was that predictions right now are futile becuase nobody knows whats going to happen in the off season.
Also, I’m glad you brought up t-mac’s injuries becuase personlly, and it hurts me to say this because I am, and have been, a HUGE rockets fan, but t-mac’s a girl (omg gendered language) but really. How many times has Kobe gone out with injuries? T-mac is always injured! Even if it’s not for long periods of time, its for periods in the game, even crucial periods! t-mac is a flake, i would take 2 battiers or one chris paul for t-mac in a heartbeat, but i, as well as every other GM in the league, know that him and his infamous back aren’t even worth that.
Plus, if T-mac is God in the playoffs, then why aren’t the Rockets winning? Becuase I can guarentee you that role players such as mike harris, luther head, carl landry, and chuck hayes, played just as well, and with more heart, than T-mac.
But I think Chris hit it on the head when he mentioned that boston plays spectacular defense. im not even going to mention the game where the made the houston rockets look like a womens high school time, and snapped like a 22 game winning streak.
Posted from: 66.233.57.238
June 6th, 2008 16:37
also, i heard some amusing tmac to detroit for sheed/rip rumors.
i think castillo’s right in terms of the draft, but i think that the spurs are a wee bit further away from being that dominant again than you make it out to be. splitter don’t want to come here to play for them, the euro is better money. brent, horry, kurt, and maybe even big fun are due for declines into unplayability. TD has maybe 3 more seasons left in the tank. i don’t really see them making any big moves in trading this summer, so who’re they picking in the draft? some say mario chalmers, who would be a much better backup than jacque vaughn, but you can never really tell with those trixie SA’ers. i almost wanted a boston-spurs finals just to see boston get shown up by defense and hard work.
Posted from: 217.210.14.49
June 6th, 2008 16:40
alright let me clarify the cassell situation. my point was that he could offer advice/ words of experience to the younger players who havent been in this situation! not that he should be out on the court playing! rebar is right when he said cassell is a cancer, but thats only on the court, i just mentioned the fact that he played a little last night and hit a few jumpers, i never said ” Doc Rivers should be playing Cassell more, that guy can play” I don’t believe that for a second, hell, I dont think doc rivers is that great of a coach compared to the greats, i just think he has the team. and rebar is right again, i remember seeing posey play in houston, and the kid can shoot, and would be a major asset on the court if he was played right, unfortunately that isnt happening either.
rebar, would you have respected kg more had he stayed in minnesota for 6-7 more years, and played incredibly on a mediocre at best team? Idk, i dont disrespect kg for moving, if anything i respect him for staying with minnesota as long as he did.
Posted from: 76.94.44.115
June 6th, 2008 16:43
you can’t blame KG for wanting out of the diseased Timberwolves organization.
Posted from: 74.227.231.217
June 6th, 2008 16:57
rebar just owned all of you. lakers in 6 was getting a mere 3-1 in vegas earlier this week.
Posted from: 66.233.57.238
June 6th, 2008 17:13
i am not cruel, i did not want KG to suffer. however, i feel like that Twolves team wasn’t doomed to be godawful, and was slowly improving through the draft. trades i would prefer to the green KG + Jesus:
KG + Suns
KG + Warriors
KG + Chicago
KG + Lakers
KG + Charlotte
KG + Cleveland
KG + Random NBA Team X that is not the Celtics
Ray + Rashard + Durant All-threes Team
Ray for actual value, not wally world + jeff green
on cassell: i’m so happy he hit those jumpers. doc will think his magic veteran mojo is working and play him so much this series, because he sucks. he has massive juevos. too bad he hasn’t been able to hit a shot since 2006.
Posted from: 217.210.14.49
June 6th, 2008 17:16
Rebar, I could be ignorant in asking this, but where those trades on the table/feasible? I don’t remember that far back in the season, so they may have been, and if they were, I agree, there might have been a more strategic place to be traded too, but i guess my question is, why so much emnity towards the Celtics? Is it Doc Rivers and his inability to coach? or what?
By the way, the last time cassell hit a shot that really mattered, was when he was with the rockets….before i was born.
Posted from: 24.151.118.6
June 6th, 2008 17:23
celtics in 6.
Kobe Bryant is possibly the most overrated player in NBA history. Even his paltry first half showing 8 pts (3/10 FG) didnt stop overenthused sports writers from throwing flowers at his footsteps. Meanwhile KG, pierce and allen all followed through with 24, 22, and 19 pts (all “matching” Kobe). As long as Kobe Bryant is the REASON why the Lakers will win, the team is doomed to lose. Kobe needs to be superhuman i.e. 30 + pts on good shooting not 9/26 for the team to win.
Posted from: 74.167.81.134
June 6th, 2008 17:26
Er, in response to Akshay, did you even read ESPN? In the column “Daily Dime,” it labeled Kobe as Thursday’s worst…
How is that overrating him or “throwing flowers at his footsteps”?
Posted from: 68.117.54.190
June 6th, 2008 17:28
Depending on how this Pierce injury controversy turns out, I’m going to say Celtics in 6.
Posted from: 69.118.234.129
June 6th, 2008 17:34
“KG and Jesus lost my respect when they sold their souls to the leprechaun,” Rebar says.
So instead you root for them to be beaten by a team that is:
a. led by a player who demanded a trade and attempted to sell out his team in an equally if not more obnoxious fashion
b. led by a player who in all likelihood raped someone
c. relying on 18-8 a night from a player who was essentially stolen. the gasol trade makes the KG and allen trades look perfectly even. kwame and crittendon? they couldn’t hold the jock straps of players like al jefferson, delonte west and jeff green.
i think you’re being way unfair to KG and ray. KG, ray and pierce spent a decade mired in the struggle—i’m glad to see them have a shot at it.
Posted from: 76.167.241.163
June 6th, 2008 17:44
oh i think the lakers will win. last nights game was close and Boston played their BEST game of the playoffs. Phil Jackson making adjustments > Paul Pierce and Ray Allen’s inconsistencies. KG can’t carry all of them.
Posted from: 24.151.118.6
June 6th, 2008 18:00
@ larry
I noted his performance in the first half, when the sports writers thought he would come back and win the game for the lakers. Didnt happen.
Posted from: 207.28.99.97
June 6th, 2008 18:38
I’m a bit tired of people saying the Pau Gasol trade was SOOOO unfair. The Grizzlies were not looking to improve their team in the short term. They took Kwame Brown, not for the talent he possessed, but for the salary he carries, which is over 8 million. The Grizzlies want his contract to expire in 2010 and give them cap room to sign a player like Wade, LeBron, or Bosh. Also, Crittenton has GREAT size for his position and excellent strength. He is extremely raw, but he has a TON of potential. Also, despite the fact that the two picks the Lakers are giving the Grizzlies are probably not very good, you can get very good players late in the draft. Ginobili, Parker, Arenas, and Redd were all players that were taken late in the 1st or 2nd rounds. Although the chance they get a player like that aren’t good, they still can be turned into good picks and solid contributors. The trade wasn’t THAT one sided, given the needs and direction of the Memphis franchise.
Posted from: 207.28.99.97
June 6th, 2008 18:59
Also, I apologize for all the caps
Posted from: 68.173.160.15
June 6th, 2008 19:13
@33 - The trade WAS one-sided.
Crittenton: Memphis already is already stacked in the guard area (Rudy Gay, Mike Conley, Kyle Lowery, Navarro). He’s not going to do anything useful in Memphis - he’s getting just as much time there as Brian Scalabrine gets in Boston.
Draft Picks: You’re right, they’re not lottery picks. But getting good talent past the #25 pick is not easy, only about 7 or 8 guys who were picked after that in the last 10 years have been all-stars. It’s a real crapshoot.
Getting $$$: Do you really think that the Grizzlies are going to be able to convince somebody like LeBron to want to come to an okay-team at best in a conference where a team with 48 wins didn’t even make the playoffs?
P.S. - If LeBron is going anywhere, he’s going to Brooklyn/New Jersey Nets (wherever they may be)
Posted from: 71.149.150.36
June 6th, 2008 20:35
I don’t think Splitter is a magic bullet and it will probably be a few seasons before he comes (if he doesn’t get traded for a some greeks contract). My point was simply that the spurs are still going to be at the top of the west (they were in the conference finals for heaven’s sake) and that the folks running the spurs know how to build a team.
I think it’s funny that players are refusing to work out for Memphis. Chris Wallace is a joke.
I hate kobe, luke walton, and pretty much all things Laker related. The 04 finals were almost as sweet as the rockets championships.
I would trade my mother for chris paul.
Posted from: 72.229.4.198
June 6th, 2008 21:20
I would not trade Yolanda Castillo for anything.
Posted from: 71.149.150.36
June 6th, 2008 21:50
i take it back.
I would trade pretty much anything else for chris paul though.
Posted from: 12.205.118.84
June 6th, 2008 22:03
At #35
Money can convince people to do weird things. The Grizzlies will have a TON of cap room and can sign anyone to a max contract. Furthermore, Bosh plays for a mediocre team that doesn’t seem to be improving and may be persuaded by money. Good players will leave good situations for bad ones if the money is right. Steven Nash left a consistent 50 win team in Dallas for a then mediocre team in Phoenix, solely because the money was there. I also believe the Peja Stojakovic went from a moderately successful Indiana team to a terrible New Orleans team just because of the money, same with Baron Davis to Golden State. Also, the Grizzlies can get a lot better with the improvement that Rudy Gay showed this year. Mike Conley was a top 5 pick, but didn’t play well last year and didn’t show much growth. Plus, depth is always a good thing to have, especially when you don’t have any proven point player. If I was a Grizzly fan, I would be glad that the team made the commitment to rebuild and not keep a 15 million dollar salary and stay terrible, with bad cap space.
Posted from: 12.205.118.84
June 6th, 2008 22:04
I am aware Baron Davis was traded, but he desired the trade specifically to the Warriors, due to the fact that Charlotte wasn’t paying him well.
Posted from: 76.167.241.163
June 6th, 2008 22:21
the memphis owner was hoping to save money before selling the team to minority owners. he did this by getting rid of Gasol. However, after he did that the minority owners decided that they didn’t want to buy it, so now he’s left with a team hemorrhaging money and no potential buyers.
Posted from: 69.224.49.72
June 6th, 2008 22:37
I’m a huge Laker hater (Clippers 4 life) and I kinda like Boston but honestly, whoever said it doesn’t matter what Kobe does it just plain wrong. I hate Kobe, but he is just an amazing basketball player, and when he’s hitting shots (not like last night) Boston doesn’t stand a chance. Also, everyone keeps forgetting that not only do the Lakers have a someone who can potentially neutralize Garnett but they also have someone who could very much keep Pierce down (if he comes back). Gasol is playing great and if he plays gives Kobe any sort of back up, they could easily lock down this serious. The other x-factor for the Lakers is Odom, He’s a 6′10” small forward. Are you kidding me? 6′10”. He can handle Pierce. I really think what this serious will come down to is mostly Kobe and kind of whether the role players give him any support. But seriously, I think this is the Lakers’ series to lose.
Lakers in 7
Posted from: 68.209.198.15
June 6th, 2008 23:18
brad noethe - the hornets are mediocre?
Posted from: 129.15.131.248
June 7th, 2008 00:51
If I’m a grizzly fan I’m happy too. I mean trading an all-star in his prime for Aaron McKie, Javaris Critterton and, Kwame Brown is a move I think my general manager should be making. The suns were helped out the most by that trade because no one focused on how stupid they were for trading Shawn Marion.
Posted from: 76.17.167.243
June 7th, 2008 01:48
KGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
Posted from: 76.211.226.11
June 7th, 2008 02:04
I’m rooting for the lakers - one of my best friends is a huge fan of theirs, so we have an agreement - he roots for GS when they don’t play LA, and I root for LA when they don’t play GS.
also, the W’s would’ve gotten KG in a 3-team deal with Charlotte except they forgot to tell the Bobcats who to take with the 8th pick. I love our front office so much…
oh, and lakers in 6 is my pick, too. along with the arguments rebar is making, let me add this: i think the lakers bench is horrendously underrated, and that trevor ariza, of all people, could be the difference maker. if he plays in short spurts as a defensive specialist to take truth out of his rhythm, boston’s got nothing on offense, and it’s an easy ride for LA…
Posted from: 68.173.160.15
June 7th, 2008 06:54
@39:
Depth:
Depth is nice, I’m sure the trade added to some. But depth is going to make you win. People were worried the Celtics weren’t deep enough - now they look pretty, pretty good.
People leaving for money:
Steve Nash - He went to Phoenix not for the extra $1.5 million a year, but for the extra 2 years on the contract. If Dallas offered him 6 years, he would’ve stayed. He even went back to Cuban to see if they’d match the length of Phoenix’s deal, he wouldn’t budge past 4 years.
Peja Stojakovic - I honestly don’t know anything about how he went to the Hornets, I thought he was traded (I’m not sure). Regardless, the team looked “promising”. Also, let’s say the Grizzlies were able to get him with the money they get from the trade, he’s not near the level of LeBron, Wade, or Bosh (Peja’s doesn’t beat any of the three players in PPG APG, or RPG this year). Same goes for Baron Davis, I don’t really know about him, and I’d take any of the other three over him.
If someone is THAT good, they can get the money from an appealing team. I’d rather have Pau Gasol than Peja or Davis.
Posted from: 69.134.16.205
June 7th, 2008 11:11
Boston wins at home, at worst, to pull it out. Boston in five is my prediction as well.
Posted from: 66.233.57.238
June 7th, 2008 13:06
aks -
kobe bryant, love him or hate him, is the most tremendous swagger-having BAMF in basketball today. i adore that, sins and blemishes and all. that does not in any way condone his behavior.
in terms of your question about rooting for him over them. yeah, pretty much. sorry, but i just can’t stand the sense of entitlement every single boston team has. yeah, kobe’s entitled too, but i just really irrationally like him.
KG was stolen too. same with Jesus. they got pennies on the dollar for jesus. WALLY WORLD IS A KEY TRADE PIECE?!?!?!?! no way the KG trade happens without McHale in the front office. don’t talk to me about that. i remember the 85′ draft! Stern sold it to the Knicks. sometimes i close my eyes and dream of a world with chris paul on the hawks and KG on the warriors. it’s beautiful. in my alternate dimension the celtics never won a championship in the 80’s, MJ was a trailblazer, and the Rockets won it all in 86.
Posted from: 66.233.57.238
June 7th, 2008 13:09
let me reiterate: boston has always had no depth. their frontcourt would, but rivers won’t play powe enough. at the 1-2-3, they’ve got nothing besides posey, who needs more consistent play time anyway. house might come through, but there’s no way rondo’s backup is handling farmar/the machine.
also, throughout the playoffs we’ve learned one lesson from this lakers squad. if lamar odom is a matchup nightmare, they win. WHO’S GUARDING HIM IN THIS SERIES? KENDRICK PERKINS? ruh-oh shaggy.
Posted from: 96.237.166.162
June 7th, 2008 14:33
Beat L.A. Beat L.A.
No way the celtics will lose this series. Paul Pierce will not let it happen. The celtics won’t let it happen. They are going to rally behind Pierce, and bring it home. These two teams are both great and both have good and bad match-ups, but when it comes down to it this series is going to be about who wants it more. Playoff defense is about wanting it, and guys like Lamar Odom aren’t playoff caliber lock down defenders. The celtics have been built on a desire to win a championship, and against diversity the L.A. Lakers, built on flashiness fame and name, aren’t a resilient enough team to have a war and spill some blood. They haven’t even had a competitive series against a team that really wants a championship. Even the spurs haven’t had that twinkle in their eyes all season. Count on the Celtics coming through down the stretch by reaching back and finding the intangibles and remembering Ubuntu.
Posted from: 71.149.150.36
June 7th, 2008 17:34
I’m a little disappointed by the lack of babb and neal conrad on this thread.
Posted from: 67.170.122.56
June 7th, 2008 20:53
Where are the Celtics going to reach back to? I hope its the mid-80’s Larry Bird fro. Every player on that team would look better with a mullet-fro a la Larry.
Posted from: 128.135.208.94
June 7th, 2008 21:32
Lakers in 6
Posted from: 12.205.118.84
June 7th, 2008 21:56
Wade, the Hornets were TERRIBLE when Stojakovic signed with them.
Posted from: 24.7.64.100
June 8th, 2008 12:20
brad–peja was traded to the hornets by indiana, not signed for a better contract.
Posted from: 217.210.14.49
June 8th, 2008 13:10
Anyone want to join me in Sweden for the 3am showing of Game 2?
Posted from: 70.138.96.26
June 8th, 2008 20:09
man…
the lakers are really fucking good. i’m glad you guys convinced me to root for them in 6!
Posted from: 98.196.174.224
June 8th, 2008 20:39
I hate Kobe, but how can you ever count out the Lakers when he’s playing?
So…how about Euro 2008?
Posted from: 66.233.57.238
June 9th, 2008 00:36
i yam disgusted. 28 freethrows more. 28.
whatever, the finals suck anyway. let’s talk about the draft!
i want chicago to trade the 1 pick to the heat for dwade. rose + beasley die-nasty in miami.
Posted from: 76.208.213.190
June 9th, 2008 09:26
rebar,
a friend and i just started a sports blog the other day. our first post was a mock draft, so you can see my thoughts there. enjoy at http://jumpball.wordpress.com/2008/06/03/2008-nba-mock-draft/
my comments = not very FD, i know, but they’ll have to do…
Posted from: 66.233.57.238
June 9th, 2008 10:17
eric gordon at 16 is pretty FD, as is donte green to the apurs.
i’m rooting for seattle to get bayless and bill walker in the first round, moving durant to SF and Green to PF, then get a bigman prospect in the second round.
Posted from: 71.149.150.36
June 9th, 2008 12:33
There’s no way deandre jordan should or will go that early. He’s a “potential” talent that will never go anywhere because he’s not that skilled nor is he much of a worker.
Joe Alexander is just hype. Atheleticism is always overvalued in pre-draft workouts.
Posted from: 75.34.132.234
June 9th, 2008 13:18
leon powe is the man. c’s in 6
Posted from: 24.7.64.100
June 9th, 2008 14:05
i don’t really like the celtics and think KG is one of the most overhyped players ever, but i’m just starting to realize how good paul pierce is. easy pick for finals mvp if the lakers don’t rally to a now-unlikely win.
Posted from: 24.151.118.6
June 9th, 2008 17:32
I think I should say it again. Celtics in 6. The Lakers are a mess and Phil Jacksons even resorted to blaming the officating crew. King of ironic considering that Kobe had like 20 free throw attempts per game during the Utah series. KG may be overated to a degree, but I think he is and has been essential to the cletics domination. Even when missing shots, he has been a machine on the boards. I think people really took “the best player in the NBA” bs to seriously.
Posted from: 66.233.57.238
June 9th, 2008 19:28
leon powe is the only celtic i like. count that shit here and now.
deandre is a fluke, but anyone who drafts hibbert before the second round is psychotic. that man will never be anything but a seven two foul-absorber.
joe alexander is legit. did you see him play? dude’s the white elgin baylor.
Posted from: 74.227.231.217
June 9th, 2008 23:53
why is everyone bailing on the lakers? they get 3 games at home now, and boston has consistently sucked on the road. game 1 was close throughout. game 2 featured an amazing comeback. the officials have not exactly been fair (wtf does the officiating in the utah series have to do with the enormous FT differential in game 2?). this series is nowhere near over.
Posted from: 68.173.160.15
June 10th, 2008 03:59
This series is over.
Sure, the Lakers have 3 games at home, but as long as the Celtics just win one of those games, they have to win one-of-two back home. That seems incredibly doable.
Posted from: 64.251.53.81
June 10th, 2008 05:49
Mangus,
I think the issue is that the foul system as a whole is a mess. Even minimal contact draws fouls today, and this type of system is bound to create subjectivity. The fact that Utah complained after Kobe made like 20 trips to the line per game in Utah proves that its not inherent bias, but a flaw in the game. The lakers shouldnt argue about officiating. They should focus on and win some games.
Posted from: 64.251.53.81
June 10th, 2008 05:50
Sorry to double post. I can see how there could be bias, but I think that this pattern resets itself and has checks. I dont think every game has the same crew and I think majority rule exists in fouls, but I may be wrong.
Posted from: 76.167.241.163
June 10th, 2008 08:59
I agree with Mangus, the Lakers are far from done.
I’ll say that the 2-3-2 system really disadvantages the road team. It is FAR easier to in win back-to-back games in the NBA than back-to-back-to-back, which the system requires for the road team to at least hold serve.
I don’t know why they change from 2-2-1-1-1 to the 2-3-2 once they reach the finals.
Posted from: 66.233.57.238
June 10th, 2008 11:47
i ain’t bailing on the lakes. this series is a long ways from over. i still think they could win 4 in a row
it seems hard to believe the 2-3-2 doesn’t give the higher seeded team a massive advantage. if only bynum was here, this series would be done.
Posted from: 74.227.231.217
June 10th, 2008 12:03
dylan scher’s argument is “if boston wins 1 in LA then they only have to win 1 at home.” do you honestly think both those things are foregone conclusions? boston is 2-7 on the road over the span of the playoffs, with both wins coming against a stale pistons team. if the atlanta hawks can win all 3 of their home games against the c’s, why cant the lakers? its totally possible that this series will come back to boston 3-2 in favor of LA. i should point out that im not even a lakers fan - i dont really like them at all. but im a big fan of reality, and the level of baseless celtic worship in these comments is astounding.
Posted from: 76.17.167.243
June 10th, 2008 12:47
KGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
Posted from: 71.149.150.36
June 10th, 2008 13:03
I’m not a celtics fan by any stretch of he imagination but the fact that the celtics play good defense and the lakers play hardly any is hard to dispute. I think the lakers can even up the series if the celtics play on the road like they did in rounds 1 and 2. However, this is dependent on the celtics playing absolutely horribly (which they did before) not on the dominance of kobe and the lakers. If the celtics maintain their level of play, especially defensively, they will win. Like I said in my first post it’s the celtics to lose.
Justin Kubatko of Basketball-Reference.com via truehoop
“Since 1985, when the NBA Finals switched to the 2-3-2 format, the team with home court advantage (i.e., the team playing games 1-2-6-7 at home) has a home record of 44 wins and 19 losses (70%), while the team playing games 3-4-5 at home has a home record of 32 wins and 33 losses (49%). This appears to be a huge edge for the team with the home court advantage. However, when we consider the quality of the two teams, the expected winning percentage for the home team in games 1-2-6-7 is about 67%, and the expected winning percentage for the home team in games 3-4-5 is about 53%. The expected winning percentages are very close to the actual winning percentages.”
Posted from: 76.93.137.106
June 10th, 2008 14:33
i hope kobe goes crazy tonight.
Posted from: 68.173.160.15
June 10th, 2008 15:06
Mangus:
The Celtics have played the Lakers 4 times this year, and they have won EVERY time. So do you really think the Lakers are going to come out and win 3 in a row?
BTW - I’m not a Celtic fan either, but I’m a realist.
Posted from: 128.54.165.138
June 10th, 2008 15:31
I agree with Michael on this one… maybe its bc im in socal, but the Lakers are undefeated at home in the playoff season adn the celtics haven’t played the lakers with Gasol until now. And the last game was not a fair matchup at all. like, the shitty officiaating in the second quarter made it almost impossible for the lakers to win and then the celtics got sloppy in the 4th quarter. The celtics don’t look like a championship team.
Also, the celtics have ZERO answer for Gasol except for the officials as game 2 saw. not even KG could defend Pau. They had to keep calling fouls on him to keep him off the line. Also, has anybody forgotten that the Lakers took out the Spurs in 5??? The spuirs are one of the best defensive teams in the league, and they still couldn’t beat the Lakers at home. Also, the Hawks took the celtics to 7 games… if the celtics can’t beat the hawks at home… But they still managed to have key wins against the piston. but still, I think that the Lakers are the best playoff team this year if you look at the post season. The lakers haven’t been doing a lot of losing with Gasol.
Although, if the Lakers don’t win game 5 then I don’t think that they will win the series. if tehy win 5 then they have the momentum to go to game 6 at boston. but i don’t think even phil and kobe can get the Lakers to defeat the celtics in a game 7. So if the lakers can win at home, which they should be able to do considering that the matchup will be a little more fair, then they should be able to win. if boston can win a game in LA, then its probably over for the Lakers.
Posted from: 69.105.108.177
June 10th, 2008 16:00
i live in LA, downtown LA. and i HATE THE LAKERS. ugh. lakers fans piss me off so much. i hate kobe bryant. sasha vujacic pisses me off, farmar is a dick for leaving UCLA, pau is UBTT UGLY and he doesn’t stop whining, phil jackson blamed the refs when the lakers were down in san antonio, AHHHHHH i hate the lakers.
celtics in 6
game order: C C L L C C
ps - ronny turiaf is the only tolerable laker.
Posted from: 66.233.57.238
June 11th, 2008 13:15
ronny turiaf word up.
i read that kubatko thing too castillo, but i can’t help but think that 4% is a big difference in basketball, even though numerically/statistically its not.
if the lakers win game 4, this C’s team will get down on itself and promptly lose game 5 and possibly 6.
and if i was the lakers, i wouldn’t be overly worried about a game seven in boston. this team is infinitely better than the cavs or the hawks.
Posted from: 24.6.170.242
June 12th, 2008 21:46
Aaaand its prolly over.
Posted from: 76.31.235.126
June 12th, 2008 22:38
boston up 3-1 and 2 of 3 games are gonna be played in boston in which theyve won every home game except 1. Boston is gonna win just accept it
Posted from: 216.80.145.126
June 12th, 2008 23:41
C’S IN 6, C’S IN 6, C’S IN 6, C’S IN 6
and the crowd goes wild!
Posted from: 68.209.198.15
June 13th, 2008 00:27
let’s forget this shit ever happened
Posted from: 24.7.64.100
June 13th, 2008 00:30
that, everyone, is a spectacular display of choke artistry.
Posted from: 68.247.187.236
June 13th, 2008 05:56
I dont know how after at least a year I ended up back on this site, regardless, what a game…though im from ny, and though I still love the garden, its just amazing to see that performance by the celtics…
and how about some love for eddie house…
Posted from: 66.157.148.188
June 13th, 2008 12:27
what an epic fail for the lakers. and where was this boston team for the last 3 rounds?
Posted from: 66.233.57.238
June 13th, 2008 19:32
fuuuugh.
no mas por favor
Posted from: 76.17.167.243
June 17th, 2008 22:11
KGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
Posted from: 74.220.215.67
November 4th, 2008 02:46
indiana high school basketball \’player rankings\’…
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