Playoffs

[STDSkillz]

East

#1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. #8 Detroit Pistons
#2 Boston Celtics vs. #7 Chicago Bulls
#3 Orlando Magic vs. #6 Philadelphia 76ers
#4 Atlanta Hawks vs. #5 Miami Heat

West

#1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. #8 Utah Jazz
#2 Denver Nuggets vs. #7 New Orleans Hornets
#3 San Antonio Spurs vs. #6 Dallas Mavericks
#4 Portland Trailblazers vs. #5 Houston Rockets

It's on, bitches. Who ya got?

[STDSkillz]

Here are my picks for the first round:

East

#1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. #8 Detroit Pistons in 5
#2 Boston Celtics vs. #7 Chicago Bulls in 4
#3 Orlando Magic vs. #6 Philadelphia 76ers in 6
#4 Atlanta Hawks vs. #5 Miami Heat in 7

West

#1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. #8 Utah Jazz in 5
#2 Denver Nuggets vs. #7 New Orleans Hornets in 6
#3 San Antonio Spurs vs. #6 Dallas Mavericks in 7
#4 Portland Trailblazers vs. #5 Houston Rockets in 7

[Satan]

East

#1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. #8 Detroit Pistons in 4
#2 Boston Celtics vs. #7 Chicago Bulls in 4
#3 Orlando Magic vs. #6 Philadelphia 76ers in 6
#4 Atlanta Hawks vs. #5 Miami Heat in 7

West

#1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. #8 Utah Jazz in 6
#2 Denver Nuggets vs. #7 New Orleans Hornets in 6
#3 San Antonio Spurs vs. #6 Dallas Mavericks in 5
#4 Portland Trailblazers vs. #5 Houston Rockets in 6

[Archangel]

That rather appalling loss in Portland tonight notwithstanding, this is pretty much all I asked for. The Bees first, and either the Mavs or the Ginóbili-less Spurs second (fingers crossed).

[Mustard]

Dis be who I gots:

East

#1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. #8 Detroit Pistons
#2 Boston Celtics vs. #7 Chicago Bulls
#3 Orlando Magic vs. #6 Philadelphia 76ers
#4 Atlanta Hawks vs. #5 Miami Heat

West

#1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. #8 Utah Jazz
#2 Denver Nuggets vs. #7 New Orleans Hornets
#3 San Antonio Spurs vs. #6 Dallas Mavericks
#4 Portland Trailblazers vs. #5 Houston Rockets

[STDSkillz]

I'm looking forward to these playoffs even more than normal. Should be fun.

[Archangel]

East

#1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. #8 Detroit Pistons in 5
#2 Boston Celtics vs. #7 Chicago Bulls in 4
#3 Orlando Magic vs. #6 Philadelphia 76ers in 5
#4 Atlanta Hawks vs. #5 Miami Heat in 7

West

#1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. #8 Utah Jazz in 5
#2 Denver Nuggets vs. #7 New Orleans Hornets in 6
#3 San Antonio Spurs vs. #6 Dallas Mavericks in 6
#4 Portland Trailblazers vs. #5 Houston Rockets in 7

[Da Raider]

playoff time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Houston got fucked in the ass tonight. Had a chance at the 2, and wound up 5. And playing portland no less. Wish JT and Nuke were around for this...

[Archangel]

They could have just beaten Dallas.

[ADD]

East

#1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. #8 Detroit Pistons in 5
#2 Boston Celtics vs. #7 Chicago Bulls in 7
#3 Orlando Magic vs. #6 Philadelphia 76ers in 6
#4 Atlanta Hawks vs. #5 Miami Heat in 6

West

#1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. #8 Utah Jazz in 4
#2 Denver Nuggets vs. #7 New Orleans Hornets in 7
#3 San Antonio Spurs vs. #6 Dallas Mavericks in 6
#4 Portland Trailblazers vs. #5 Houston Rockets in 7

[nothingman]

East

#1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. #8 Detroit Pistons
#2 Boston Celtics vs. #7 Chicago Bulls
#3 Orlando Magic vs. #6 Philadelphia 76ers
#4 Atlanta Hawks vs. #5 Miami Heat

West

#1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. #8 Utah Jazz
#2 Denver Nuggets vs. #7 New Orleans Hornets
#3 San Antonio Spurs vs. #6 Dallas Mavericks
#4 Portland Trailblazers vs. #5 Houston Rockets

I HATE THE LAKERS, IF THEY COULD JUST DIE, THAT WOULD BE COOL!

[Archangel]

YEAH! SO COOL!


Stfu.

[STDSkillz]

Wow.

[Da Raider]

quick thoughts:

East

#1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. #8 Detroit Pistons: Cleveland is running on all cylinders. Detroit is in "Dead Man Walking" mode. Detroit will get steamrolled in Cleveland, but will put up a fight in Detroit, possibly stealing one game. Cleveland in 5 max. Maybe a sweep.

#2 Boston Celtics vs. #7 Chicago Bulls: Bulls are a bit froggy right now. Celtics are limping in. That being said, Celts dont need KG at 100% to beat Chi-town. It will get testy. This series goes Boston in 5 games.

#3 Orlando Magic vs. #6 Philadelphia 76ers: Dwight Howard will dominate this series. Orlando in 5.

#4 Atlanta Hawks vs. #5 Miami Heat: David Stern's minions will make sure that this thing goes 7, and that D Wade goes to the line 8,000 times. Beasley is finally starting to play up to his potential, and that's all Wade needs. Miami in 7.

West

#1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. #8 Utah Jazz: Lakers in 5. But not nearly as one sided as a 5 game series might indicate. The Jazz will keep it close in nearly every game. But their inability to stop the Laker big men will be their downfall. Ironically, the toughest guy on Utah's team is Jerry Sloan.

#2 Denver Nuggets vs. #7 New Orleans Hornets: Denver has major issues playing against guys who are mentally tougher than them. AKA CP3. Too bad, the Hornets have basically crapped the bed. Nugs in 7.

#3 San Antonio Spurs vs. #6 Dallas Mavericks: Dallas will flirt with blowing the Spurs off the court on numerous occasions. But they won't. San Antonio only loses to teams that are superior to them, and Dallas aint. Spurs in 6.

#4 Portland Trailblazers vs. #5 Houston Rockets: The two teams in the West getting the most underdog love. Well, I'll take the team that can actually score and has home court. Portland in 6.

[Soup Nazi]

East

#1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. #8 Detroit Pistons in 4
#2 Boston Celtics vs. #7 Chicago Bulls in 5
#3 Orlando Magic vs. #6 Philadelphia 76ers in 5
#4 Atlanta Hawks vs. #5 Miami Heat in 6

West

#1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. #8 Utah Jazz in 5
#2 Denver Nuggets vs. #7 New Orleans Hornets in 6
#3 San Antonio Spurs vs. #6 Dallas Mavericks in 7 (Dallas is too trendy of a pick right now for my taste)
#4 Portland Trailblazers vs. #5 Houston Rockets in 7

[Da Raider]

does anyone know if/when Memhet Okur is coming back for Utah? If he is not healthy the Lakers have a huge advantage.

[Satan]

does anyone know if/when Memhet Okur is coming back for Utah? If he is not healthy the Lakers have a huge advantage.
I have not heard anything other than he's day to day. His presence completely changes the way the Lakers have to defend Utah's offense. If he's out at the three point line that means DWill and Brewer will have more room to work their way into the lane. I don't think the Jazz have any real shot at winning this series, but with Okur I could see them stealing one or two in Utah.

[TheImpossibleMan]

East

#1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. #8 Detroit Pistons in 5
#2 Boston Celtics vs. #7 Chicago Bulls in 4
#3 Orlando Magic vs. #6 Philadelphia 76ers in 6
#4 Atlanta Hawks vs. #5 Miami Heat in 7

West

#1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. #8 Utah Jazz in 5
#2 Denver Nuggets vs. #7 New Orleans Hornets in 6
#3 San Antonio Spurs vs. #6 Dallas Mavericksin 7
#4 Portland Trailblazers vs. #5 Houston Rocketsin 7

[TheImpossibleMan]

Does anyone else feel like a Cavs/Lakers finals is completely inevitable?

[freegood]

East

#1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. #8 Detroit Pistons 4
#2 Boston Celtics vs. #7 Chicago Bulls 5
#3 Orlando Magic vs. #6 Philadelphia 76ers 5
#4 Atlanta Hawks vs. #5 Miami Heat 5 (healthy)

West

#1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. #8 Utah Jazz 5
#2 Denver Nuggets vs. #7 New Orleans Hornets 7
#3 San Antonio Spurs vs. #6 Dallas Mavericks 6
#4 Portland Trailblazers vs. #5 Houston Rockets 6

[Mustard]

Does anyone else feel like a Cavs/Lakers finals is completely inevitable?
Completely inevitable? Naw.

Likely? Yaw.

[mule]

East

#1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. #8 Detroit Pistons
#2 Boston Celtics vs. #7 Chicago Bulls
#3 Orlando Magic vs. #6 Philadelphia 76ers
#4 Atlanta Hawks vs. #5 Miami Heat

West

#1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. #8 Utah Jazz
#2 Denver Nuggets vs. #7 New Orleans Hornets
#3 San Antonio Spurs vs. #6 Dallas Mavericks
#4 Portland Trailblazers vs. #5 Houston Rockets

[CAB]

East

#1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. #8 Detroit Pistons (4)
#2 Boston Celtics vs. #7 Chicago Bulls (4)
#3 Orlando Magic vs. #6 Philadelphia 76ers (5)
#4 Atlanta Hawks vs. #5 Miami Heat (7)

West

#1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. #8 Utah Jazz (5)
#2 Denver Nuggets vs. #7 New Orleans Hornets (6)
#3 San Antonio Spurs vs. #6 Dallas Mavericks (7)
#4 Portland Trailblazers vs. #5 Houston Rockets (7)

[Da Raider]

Does anyone else feel like a Cavs/Lakers finals is completely inevitable?

If KG doesn't play, Cleveland should make it. Hell, they have a sleep walk until the Eastern Finals.

[johnnychacski]

Wow as a Hornet fan, I'd rather play the Nuggets than the Rockets, losing last night might be a blessing.

[Soup Nazi]

I think your overreacting to last nights game. Portland was in a must-win situation, and Denver reverted back to the style of play they had with AI and was pretty much coasting through the game. Now, if you said you would rather play Denver than Portland, I would understand. But personally, I would rather play the team that blew a 17 point lead in their most important game of the season, compared to the team that coasted through a game and got destroyed when they knew the game was meaningless.

[johnnychacski]

I think your overreacting to last nights game. Portland was in a must-win situation, and Denver reverted back to the style of play they had with AI and was pretty much coasting through the game. Now, if you said you would rather play Denver than Portland, I would understand. But personally, I would rather play the team that blew a 17 point lead in their most important game of the season, compared to the team that coasted through a game and got destroyed when they knew the game was meaningless.

Yao would destroy us. It's that simple, we match up a tad better against Denver, than we do Houston, and we split with Denver this year, where as we lost 3 out of the 4 to Houston, and one of those Houston wins was without Yao.

[freegood]

East

#1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. #8 Detroit Pistons 4
#2 Boston Celtics vs. #7 Chicago Bulls 5
#3 Orlando Magic vs. #6 Philadelphia 76ers 5
#4 Atlanta Hawks vs. #5 Miami Heat 5 (healthy)

West

#1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. #8 Utah Jazz 5
#2 Denver Nuggets vs. #7 New Orleans Hornets 7
#3 San Antonio Spurs vs. #6 Dallas Mavericks 6
#4 Portland Trailblazers vs. #5 Houston Rockets 6

With KG out, Celtics in 7.

[ruffdog]

East

#1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. #8 Detroit Pistons
#2 Boston Celtics vs. #7 Chicago Bulls
#3 Orlando Magic vs. #6 Philadelphia 76ers
#4 Atlanta Hawks vs. #5 Miami Heat

West

#1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. #8 Utah Jazz
#2 Denver Nuggets vs. #7 New Orleans Hornets
#3 San Antonio Spurs vs. #6 Dallas Mavericks
#4 Portland Trailblazers vs. #5 Houston Rockets

[Rover]

East

#1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. #8 Detroit Pistons (4)
#2 Boston Celtics vs. #7 Chicago Bulls (6)
#3 Orlando Magic vs. #6 Philadelphia 76ers (6)
#4 Atlanta Hawks vs. #5 Miami Heat (5)

Detroit is about to get rolled hard. They'll lose every game by 20.

Chicago beats Boston, without KG. He's hurt. Everyone else is old. This isn't rocket science. Basketball is a young man's game. Or a hungry man's, Boston loses it's hunger without KG.

DWade > ATL

West

#1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. #8 Utah Jazz (4)
#2 Denver Nuggets vs. #7 New Orleans Hornets (6)
#3 San Antonio Spurs vs. #6 Dallas Mavericks (6)
#4 Portland Trailblazers vs. #5 Houston Rockets (6)

The Jazz might win a game at home because that place is tough for the road teams.

It'll be interesting to see how Chauncey handles Paul for an entire series. For the last 2 years, in Detroit, he got beat pretty bad by young quick guards. Rajon Rondo and Boobie Gibson had their way with him. And Paul >>> Rondo >>> Gibson

Spurs are still the Spurs as long as Tim Duncan is around

Rockets don't have TMac to hold them back in the 1st round anymore.

[ninja33]

East

#1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. #8 Detroit Pistons in 4
#2 Boston Celtics vs. #7 Chicago Bulls in 6
#3 Orlando Magic vs. #6 Philadelphia 76ers in 5
#4 Atlanta Hawks vs. #5 Miami Heat in 7

West

#1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. #8 Utah Jazz in 5
#2 Denver Nuggets vs. #7 New Orleans Hornets in 7
#3 San Antonio Spurs vs. #6 Dallas Mavericks in 7
#4 Portland Trailblazers vs. #5 Houston Rockets in 6

[ruffdog]

whens Tmac coming back? if at all

[Rover]

He had microfracture surgery on his knee a month and a half ago. I don't know what his personal projections are, but he won't be back before calendar year 2010, at least he shouldn't. He should really try rehabbing for a year and see if he can get something better than an MLE when his contract is up at the end of 09-10. But I doubt that's the advice his agent is giving him.

[smahoo]

whens Tmac coming back? if at all

for the rockettes sake, never...the guy's a piece of shit...was listening to Bubba TLS a couple of days ago when he had the magic's head coach on and he called mclady a poison and in so many words, a quitter.


East

#1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. #8 Detroit Pistons in 4
#2 Boston Celtics vs. #7 Chicago Bulls in 7
#3 Orlando Magic vs. #6 Philadelphia 76ers in 6
#4 Atlanta Hawks vs. #5 Miami Heat in 6

West

#1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. #8 Utah Jazz in 6
#2 Denver Nuggets vs. #7 New Orleans Hornets in 7
#3 San Antonio Spurs vs. #6 Dallas Mavericks in 6
#4 Portland Trailblazers vs. #5 Houston Rockettes in 6

[Da Raider]

remember when some "experts" were arguing that McGrady was better than Kobe?

"He's longer and has bigger hands."

Yeah, but he also has the heart of damn floppy va-jay-jay.

[Satan]

remember when some "experts" were arguing that McGrady was better than Kobe?

"He's longer and has bigger hands."

Yeah, but he also has the heart of damn floppy va-jay-jay.But he's not a rapist[/RMD]

[Da Raider]

I'm excited about Game One on Sunday. My first Laker playoff game at Staples ever. I used to go to Great Western Forum all the time, hell I went to the clinching game 5 when MJ won his first title w/Bulls against Magic's Lakers.

My seats are pretty decent.

http://www.nba.com/media/lakers/Premier%2011.jpg


You don't want to sit in the top deck, too damn high up at Staples, they have 2 or 3 levels of suites there. You need freaking binoculars sitting up top.

[Da Raider]

But he's not a rapist[/RMD]

I swear I wanna go to AZ and kick his ass right now.

[Satan]

I swear I wanna go to AZ and kick his ass right now.Talk enough shit to him, he'll offer to fly you out so he can try to kick your ass and put it on youtube.

[Da Raider]

Your AV is a preview for what the Lakers are going to do to the Jazz...:)

That chick kinda looks like Kyle Korver.

[Satan]

Your AV is a preview for what the Lakers are going to do to the Jazz...:)

That chick kinda looks like Kyle Korver.Korver is more tan.

[ADD]

Chicago beats Boston, without KG. He's hurt. Everyone else is old. This isn't rocket science. Basketball is a young man's game. Or a hungry man's, Boston loses it's hunger without KG.



Maybe. But the Bulls in their young age still haven't learned how to close out games. Especially ones that matter.

I fear, even with KG out, they haven't reached that mental spot yet. They pee on their own pants legs maybe more than any other team this season.

I'm rooting for my Bulls, but wouldn't bet real money on them. Especially with Boston having home court and the Bulls have shown how much they suck on the road.

[STDSkillz]

So, it's announced this morning by Rivers that KG may not play throughout the entire playoffs and then I get word this afternoon that Ainge has a heart attack. Coincidence? I'll let you be the judge.

[Celtickliq]

The day after Wolves trade KG, a major Minneapolis bridge collapses…. the day KG is ruled out for a title defending postseason, his GM has a mild heart attack. Yikes.

[ADD]

So, it's announced this morning by Rivers that KG may not play throughout the entire playoffs and then I get word this afternoon that Ainge has a heart attack. Coincidence? I'll let you be the judge.

Ainge is just paying for his sins of insider NBA trading. Kevin McHale is next. Unless losing your job as GM counts.

[Da Raider]

Even w/o KG, no way Bulls win this series. They could make it interesting, but the Celtics are too mentally tough to lose this thing. It's not like they've been playing with KG very much since the All Star break. They are still good enough to beat all the pretenders. Question is, can they hang with Orlando in the 2nd round?

[Soup Nazi]

I am gonna go with Raider on this one. The Celtics even without KG are just too much for the Bulls to handle. The most the Bulls should hope for is that they get some decent playoff experience, steal a game (maaaaaaaaybe 2, but I doubt it) in Chicago, and showcase Rose as one of the best young PG's in the league.

The real test for the C's is against the Magic. Personally, even though Orlando seems to be in freefall recently, I am going to give them the edge if KG doesn't give it a go. There is just too much perimeter offense from the Magic for Boston to handle, and I don't trust Big Baby/Powe or Moore to be able to handle Hedo or Shard like KG could on the outside.

[ADD]

Not having Deng and Salmons with a bum groin also really hurts the Bulls as well

[nothingman]

whens Tmac coming back? if at all
What's funny is that when Houston gets by Portland in the first round, it will be the first time Tmac has been on or had anything to do w/ a team 2 rounds in to the playoffs. To quote Alannis Morrisette, "...isn't it ironic, don't ya think?" I love quoting that bitch.

[ADD]

whens Tmac coming back? if at all

Next season. Not with the Rockets if they can move him.

[Pollo]

West
(1) Lakers vs. (8) Jazz - Lakers in 5. Too much size upfront with Utah to handle.

(2) Nuggets vs. (7) Hornets - Hornets in 6. This series could go either way, but lately it seems Denver hasn't played with that defensive mentality I saw midseason. if Denver plays with that midseason form, they'll win. NO struggles vs. good defensive teams.

(3) Spurs vs. (6) Mavs - Spurs in 7. not having Manu is going to hurt SA BIG time. with Manu, this series would be over faster than it starts. Dallas is coming into the playoffs with some momentum. I gotta give the edge to Popovich and his experienced team.

(4) Blazers vs. (5) Rockets - Rockets in 6. I'm not picking Houston because T-Mac isn't playing, but because of Portland's inexperience. playoff basketball is such a different pace, and it will hit them hard.

East
(1) Cavs vs. (8) Pistons - Cavs in 4. sorry Detroit, but your team has checked out for this season awhile ago. the Pistons could steal a game, but good luck stopping that beast LeBron.

(2) Celtics vs. (7) Bulls - Celtics in 5. if KG plays, Boston will sweep this series. if he doesn't (which I expect), Chicago might surprise us for one game. like the Blazers, Chicago is too inexperienced and for a team with a rookie PG in his first postseason, good luck to you vs. the defending champs.

(3) Magic vs. (6) 76ers - Magic in 5. Orlando lives and dies by 3-pointers. this could cost them a game in Philly, but Philly has no answer for Dwight and a so-so 3-pt defense at best. I imagine Miller and A.I. v2.0 have one hell of a game, which will lead to Philly's lone win in the series.

(4) Hawks vs. (5) Heat - Heat in 7. this is a toss-up series, but who's Atlanta's go-to guy? Joe Johnson? regardless, give me D-Wade over anyone of Atlanta's players when a shot needs to be made ... and I'm sure clutch shots/FTs will be needed since most of these games should be close.

[Rover]

Danny Ainge's heart attack just told me everything I need to know about Boston's chances. Christ, it probably happened when he decided that KG wasn't going to be able to play.

[Celtickliq]

If the Celtics play fundamental basketball and don't ask Powe and Davis to do too much, I think the Celtics have a good shot to make it to a game 5 or 6 in the Eastern Finals.

If they don't though, I just wont be able to stomach Perkins looking so surprised every time he fucks up a play and the refs blows a whistle.

[Da Raider]

(4) Blazers vs. (5) Rockets - Rockets in 6. I'm not picking Houston because T-Mac isn't playing, but because of Portland's inexperience. playoff basketball is such a different pace, and it will hit them hard.


Pollo, I totally get what you are saying about playoff basketball being played at a different pace. The one thing that needs to be considered is that Portland's pace is ideally suited for the playoffs. They come in with the few possessions per game in the regular season. But they do not slog up and down the court. Coach McMillian has them taking only solid shots. They shoot a very high percentage too. I agree that it will take them awhile to get used to playoff basketball intensity, but with home court advantage, should be a great series. I admit that I would much prefer to play Houston in the 2nd round.

[BIG PIZZLE]

Someone should vbookie this.

East

#1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. #8 Detroit Pistons (5)
#2 Boston Celtics vs. #7 Chicago Bulls (4)
#3 Orlando Magic vs. #6 Philadelphia 76ers (4)
#4 Atlanta Hawks vs. #5 Miami Heat (7)

West

#1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. #8 Utah Jazz (6)
#2 Denver Nuggets vs. #7 New Orleans Hornets (6)
#3 San Antonio Spurs vs. #6 Dallas Mavericks (6)
#4 Portland Trailblazers vs. #5 Houston Rockets (6)

[Da Raider]

half way thru 2nd q and Bulls have a 4 pt lead over C's. I'm a bit surprised.

[moe_blunts]

Hell yea. GO CHICAGO!!!!

Also, it is quite cruel to have Dallas vs Spurs in the opening round.

[Da Raider]

D Rose is looking gooooood.

[johnnychacski]

D Rose is looking gooooood.

Unstoppable right now, Rondo can't guard him.

[johnnychacski]

And as I say that, here come the Celtics.

[moe_blunts]

Watching Rose is a treat.

[freegood]

Pollo, I totally get what you are saying about playoff basketball being played at a different pace. The one thing that needs to be considered is that Portland's pace is ideally suited for the playoffs. They come in with the few possessions per game in the regular season. But they do not slog up and down the court. Coach McMillian has them taking only solid shots. They shoot a very high percentage too. I agree that it will take them awhile to get used to playoff basketball intensity, but with home court advantage, should be a great series. I admit that I would much prefer to play Houston in the 2nd round.

Their only win against Houston this season came from a Brandon Roy prayer at Portland.

Hopefully we can talk matchups at the 2nd round.

[Satan]

Unstoppable right now, Rondo can't guard him.Ha. ESPN has been trying so hard to put him in the category with DWill and CP3 all season.

[johnnychacski]

Ha. ESPN has been trying so hard to put him in the category with DWill and CP3 all season.

Yeah, everyone picking him as the X-Factor of the series.

[moe_blunts]

They should introduce "the challenge" to basketball. Such a bad call when Noah blocked Perkins.

[moe_blunts]

why the fuck is rose not in the game?

[Da Raider]

why are they talking about KG staying in the locker room? BFD.

[moe_blunts]

that wasn't a flagrant foul? MY DICK!!

[Da Raider]

that wasn't a flagrant foul? MY DICK!!

IMO opinion it wasn't a flagrant. But that's cuz i grew up watching 80's nba playoffs and I think most of the flagrants they call today are pussy bullshit. That could have easily called a F1 in today's game though. Kinda surprised it wasn't.

1 pt game.

[Da Raider]

wow, the announcers are slobbering all over Rondo and Rose today.

[Archangel]

Fucking NBA can't get their Broadband Playoff package to fucking work. All I saw were 3 minutes of buffering. Brilliant.

[Da Raider]

Celtics are getting the homecooking from the refs right now...

[moe_blunts]

you're missing a good one arch. a really really good one.

[Da Raider]

wow. Gordon and one.

[johnnychacski]

Talk about big time, Ben Gordon is making some huge shots right now.

[johnnychacski]

Ben Gordon can not be stopped right now.

[Da Raider]

ben gordon is on fire!

[moe_blunts]

chicago needs to milk the clock

[Da Raider]

Celtics will win this game without making a basket in the last 2 minutes.

[johnnychacski]

What is Hinrich doing on that play, they had him doubled, why leave your feet.

[moe_blunts]

what a hinny.

[johnnychacski]

Talk about easy, Rose just walked in there.

[Da Raider]

Rose can get around Rondo whenever he wants. Sick.

[johnnychacski]

Well Rondo just made up for it.

[Da Raider]

dumb foul on Rondo.

[johnnychacski]

Hahaha, and just lost it with a dumb foul.

[Da Raider]

is rondo hurt?

[Da Raider]

9.4 seconds left. Who takes the final shot for Boston?

[johnnychacski]

9.4 seconds left. Who takes the final shot for Boston?

Allen or Pierce.

[johnnychacski]

What is Noah doing!?

[Da Raider]

why did Noah clobber Pierce?

[Da Raider]

No way PP misses.

[Da Raider]

wow. PP missed! OT here we come!!

[BIG PIZZLE]

Great game.

[moe_blunts]

WOW!!!

[STDSkillz]

Lolz @ Noah. What a faggot.

[johnnychacski]

Ah why not an extra sessions!

[ADD]

It's amazing what the Bulls can do when KG isn't there to destroy Thomas & Noah

[Da Raider]

Rose nearly fouled out.

[Da Raider]

PP got fouled on that shot. No call.

[moe_blunts]

Gordon should smoke a bowl and calm down.

[Da Raider]

tied game, 1 min left.

[Da Raider]

Thomas is 8-11 from the field. wow.

Big Baby shot in and out and then he fouls out.

[ADD]

Ha ha, Big Pussy's out

[Da Raider]

Well, Bulls could have won it right there.

[Da Raider]

I think the Celtics are going to take a 3 to win rather than just try and tie.

[ADD]

Well, Bulls could have won it right there.

No one more than Tyrus Thomas should be taking 18 footers...

[Da Raider]

Rose fouls out.

[BIG PIZZLE]

What?

[johnnychacski]

Psh, that is Bulls ball.

[Da Raider]

how does Boston keep the ball? Chicago didn't even come close to touching it.

[johnnychacski]

What a win for the Bulls.

[Da Raider]

Ray Allen misses. Bulls win.

[ADD]

And cue Ainge's second heart attack!

Suck it, Boston

[STDSkillz]

Awesome way to start these playoffs.

[BIG PIZZLE]

Fuck yeah. Fuck you boston!

[STDSkillz]

Fact: Boston losing makes my nipples hard.

[Pollo]

BWHAHAHAHAHA Boston. my Celtics in 5 prediction looks silly now given the way Rose played in his first playoff game.

and how are the Pistons hanging with the Cavs right now?

[ADD]

The Pistons were playing possum and Cleveland's just not that good

[Pollo]

but ... but ... how will ABC react when there's no Kobe/LeBron showdown in the Finals?

[ADD]

The complete opposite of how I react

[Satan]

I'm still 99% sure the Lakers will emerge from the West, but which team will come out of the East? So far I'm very unimpressed with either of the top two seeds.

[ADD]

Chicago! jk. Hopefully Orlando

[Jericho]

Just got back from BJ's brewery with my dad(huge Bulls fan) 4 Jeremiah Reds and a pot roast sandwich w/a bulls win. W00t W00t!

[Pollo]

great ... this DET/CLE game is so boring that Van Gundy is talking about Facebook.

[ADD]

He's so hip

[Jericho]

Not til he drops some Twitter knowledge

[BIG PIZZLE]

Holy shit labron.

[ADD]

Not til he drops some Twitter knowledge

He doesn't want Chuck to call him a "loser"

TNT analyst Charles Barkley, who has been given his own video channel on NBA.com, doesn't understand the Twitter phenomenon.

Barkley claims that he'll never open a Twitter account.


"A bunch of losers tweeting," he says. "The concept of tweeting is that people are following you around in your everyday life."

[Jericho]

Well, in his defense, Twitter is gayer than 5 dudes fucking

[ADD]

It is. This is why Chuck is awesome.

[johnnychacski]

This Cleveland game is so god damn boring.

[ADD]

Most of them are

[STDSkillz]

Guess Cleveland decided to play in the 4th quarter.

[Da Raider]

Mavs vs Spurs...

[Archangel]

Server is too busy? Fucking homos, I paid money for this shit, and now I've got to use pirate streams again? Gay.

[Da Raider]

don't worry Arch. The refs just called two bullshit offensive fouls on your boy Dirk.

[Da Raider]

Spurs up 11. End of 1st.

[Archangel]

Man, they'd better have their shit together come tomorrow night.

[Da Raider]

I'm rooting for Dallas and Houston tonight.

[Da Raider]

Chauncey is going to get run out the building tomorrow. But the Nugs deeper than the Hornets, so I gotta go with Denver.

[Da Raider]

Mavs cannot hit wide open jump shots.

[mongo]

i root for brandon roy.

[Pollo]

Portland, welcome to playoff basketball.

their inexperience is showing BIG time vs. Houston. although it's part of Portland's inexperience, Houston is playing lights out defense. Roy is getting his points, but they're containing the rest of the Blazers.

[jemeske]

I've never heard a crowd more enthused to have a 21 point lead reduced to 19. Wooo!

[johnnychacski]

Exactly why I didn't want the Hornets to play the Rockets, Yao is a monster.

[Mustard]

Jesus... watching the rockets/blazers game made me ill. I swear if I wasn't so good with statistics I would belive that Houston shot about 900% from the field. Unreal effort from them, and i guess it didn't help none that the blazers haven't seen playoff basketball since the first part of this century.

[ADD]

Bulls, Rockets > you

[Mustard]

That hurts. Really.

[Satan]

Hey look, its Jerron Collins' roster photo

http://www.ganmsafety.com/images/traffic_cone.gif

[STDSkillz]

I'm always dubious of early Laker leads. They have a tendency to shit them away. Fast.

[BIG PIZZLE]

I dont think Phil is gonna let the bench blow this lead.

[STDSkillz]

It's a good thing that the scoring system isn't based off of offensive rebounds. Jeezus.

[Stax]

Hahahahaha, Game Strategy brought to you by World of Warcraft on TNT.

[ADD]

Tewwible

[Stax]

I liked Barkley asking if the big TV they used to highlight the various games was a Welcome Back present.

[Jericho]

*turble

[Da Raider]

Just got back from the game. A few thoughts:

Lakers need to start rebounding. They got slaughtered on the boards today. Bynum needs to start establishing a defensive presence.

They were asking people to text in and they posted messages on the scoreboard during the pre-game. Someone snuck one by the editors...

"Mike Hunt is at the Laker game"

Also, Kanye West was at the game and he was put up on the scoreboard. Everyone in my row starting screaming "Gay Fish".

The Magic Johnson statue out front doesn't look like Magic. I swear it looks like a gorilla or Patrick Ewing.

[Satan]

Also, Kanye West was at the game and he was put up on the scoreboard. Everyone in my row starting screaming "Gay Fish".

hahahahahahaha

[Archangel]

Andre Iguodala missing both FTs? Choke...

[Archangel]

Whoa Donyell Marshall.

[Satan]

Whoa

[Satan]

Nice chokejob

[bpb]

4 road wins. Very odd.

[Titus_Pullo]

I think it is obvious now the Sixers are the team to beat.

[Archangel]

Iggy certainly made up for his FT misses with that jumper on Hedo...

[Titus_Pullo]

Elton Brand sustained another injury watching the game and will miss all of next season.

[Archangel]

Miami: Overrated.


Mark my words.

[ADD]

It would have been awesome if someone had told Miami that game 1's count

[ADD]

Ainge sent home, told not to watch C's play

Celtics general manager Danny Ainge has reportedly been released from the hospital two days after a minor heart attack.

Doctors have reportedly advised Ainge not to watch his team's games. Boston will host Chicago in Game Two of their first round playoff series on Monday night.


"They just want him to take it easy for awhile, and they didn't want him to watch that game yesterday," Celtics managing partner Steve Pagliuca told the Boston Herald.


"Danny might have slipped in a few minutes late in the game. But when I saw him after the game, he was doing well. He was in great spirits."

[johnnychacski]

Let's Go Hornets!

[Archangel]

Go where?

[johnnychacski]

To the championships duh.

[Archangel]

David West should get one technical per game just for breathing.

[Soup Nazi]

Thank god Chauncey showed up, otherwise we would be screwed. Melo and JR look awful out there.

[ADD]

To the championships duh.

No chance in Hell

[johnnychacski]

No chance in Hell

If you couldn't tell from the duh, it was a joke.

[STDSkillz]

How many airballs did Melo throw up in the first half? Yeesh.

[Soup Nazi]

This is one of the strangest reffed games I have seen the Nuggets play in a while. They are letting people get away with murder in some spots (like that Chandler screen on Melo), but then are calling ticky tack shit around the perimeter.

[jemeske]

This is getting silly.

[Soup Nazi]

Chauncey with 8 3's, just needs one more to tie the record.........

Lets just say I am pleasantly surprised by this quarter.

[wacker]

21 pt run? Did New Orleans trade rosters with the Raptors?

[Pollo]

so who the hell thought Philly, Chicago, and Dallas would produce upsets in Game 1? and what about Houston's big win at Portland?

some definite interesting Game 1s to open up the playoffs.

[Archangel]

Yep, that was serendipity, us getting NO instead of Dallas. Ouch.

[Archangel]

Silly fucking mistake by Gordon - also, Rondo has come to fucking play tonight.

[ADD]

Ben Gordon's not smart

[Archangel]

Jesus Christ, the Bulls suck arse on the break.

[Archangel]

Every Celtic not named Rondo plays like shit, though.

[Jericho]

If my name was Rajon, I'd try harder too.

[Archangel]

Please, fully half of black American pro athletes have names as ridiculous as that, if not worse. Plaxico, Lawyer, LeBron, LaMarcus, LaDainian, DeAndre, Dwyane, Dahntay, Keyshawn, Deltha, Marreese...

[Archangel]

How was that not a foul on Rose?

[Jericho]

I'd try harder if I were those guys, as well

[STDSkillz]

Dwyane ain't that bad, Arch. I've known quite a few white boys named Dwyane.

[Archangel]

I'm cool with Dwayne. It's the poppy-esque mis-spelling of Dwyane which gets me.

[ADD]

Rondo's hurt. That sucks. But I'll take it.

[Hobnail_Boot]

Hawks!

[Mustard]

The only game I saw yesterday was the NO/Denver game, and I have to say, those Nuggettes played very well from what I saw.

[Jericho]

I'm pulling for the Bulls, but fuck if Noah doesn't make it hard to do so

[STDSkillz]

Amen. I hate the Celtics as much as any other Laker fan, but Noah is making it really hard to pull for the Bulls.

[BIG PIZZLE]

Fuck you ray allen.

[BIG PIZZLE]

I thought Ben gordon had won it. Get a fucking board!!

[BIG PIZZLE]

Oh Bed Gordon ICE COLD!

[ADD]

Shit

[Jericho]

Allen = money

[BIG PIZZLE]

Fuck you ray allen.

wtf?

[ADD]

I really loathe Ray Allen. Jesus Shuttlesworth can lick my taint.

[moe_blunts]

Allen is the only guy on the Celtics I like and it was cool to see him kick dick. Great game. Can't wait to see the next in the series.

[BIG PIZZLE]

Fuck Ray allen.

[lilchip]

Why the fuck did Brad Miller play the last 8 minutes instead of Ty Thomas? Miller had a decent game but some of those long rebounds Thomas might have had. Instead, the C's ended up getting second chance baskets.

[ADD]

Probably out of fear that Thomas would jack up 24 17-footers in that time frame

[Pollo]

The only game I saw yesterday was the NO/Denver game, and I have to say, those Nuggettes played very well from what I saw.

NO has looked shaky all year long vs. good defensive minded teams. I wasn't surprised at all.

[Mustard]

NO has looked shaky all year long vs. good defensive minded teams. I wasn't surprised at all.
Still doesn't take away from the fact that Denver looked pretty fucking good.

[Archangel]

Still doesn't take away from the fact that Billups looked pretty fucking good.

Fixed. But yeah, when the bench is clicking like that, we can beat a lot of people even with one star having a bad day.

Also, if anyone ever doubted what Kenyon brings to this team, he should know better now. I see David West getting ejected fairly soon.

[Mustard]

For serious. Your bench looked almost as good as the Blazers or Mavs bench.

Hell, maybe even better.

[Soup Nazi]

Down goes Powe


According to an NBA source, Celtics forward Leon Powe suffered a torn ACL and meniscus in his left knee Monday night and will miss the remainder of the playoffs.
Powe had an MRI after injuring the knee in the second quarter of the Celtics' 118-115 victory over the Bulls in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series. The injury was originally diagnosed as a sprain, but the Celtics apparently received worse news today. Powe is expected to have surgery soon.
Knee injuries are nothing new to Powe. He originally injured his knee after his junior year of high school, undergoing reconstructive surgery, but returned to play a full season as a senior.
After leading the Pac-10 in rebounding as a freshman at the University of California in 2003-04, he again suffered a severe left knee injury prior to his sophomore season that required two operations, including a complete reconstruction.
He missed the entire season, and while he returned to excel as a redshirt sophomore and junior at Cal, his history of knee problems was a major reason he lasted until the 49th overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft.
Powe, 25, injured his right knee March 17, also against the Bulls, causing him to miss nearly a month.
The injury is yet another blow to the Celtics' front court, which is already shorthanded without star forward Kevin Garnett, out with a knee injury. Powe was the first forward off the bench, with Glen Davis starting in Garnett's spot.


Looks like Mikki Moore will have to step up, which can only be a good thing for the Bulls.

[Da Raider]

Anyone know if Mehmet Okhur is playing tonight? The Jazz have zero chance without him.

[Desperado]

The Jazz have zero chance.

[BIG PIZZLE]

How could Detroit trade Chauncey Billups?

[ADD]

Joe Dumars is an idiot.

Hopefully, the Cavs are just super confident and get stomped by Atlanta or Miami next round.

[BIG PIZZLE]

I hope it's Wade/Kobe in the finals but that would never happen. I could handle that or Howard/Kobe or anyone else/Kobe but Lebron/Kobe would be tough.

[CAB]

Joe Dumars has had a mancrush on AI for years now. Epic fail of a decision but we got capspace! (like that means shit)

Billups has been motivated by the move home and the desire to show that Dumars was wrong to trade him. At this point, its not taking much to prove that the decision was a bad one

This Pistons team is fucked in so many ways. Its so hilariously bad that these fuckers are so used to one another that they couldnt adapt to playing without one of their boys. I really fucking hope Rip and Sheed are not on the team next year. Laker fans, you can have Prince, we'll take Ariza since LeBron hasnt made him his bitch yet

[BIG PIZZLE]

Ariza > Teshaun. Before this season I may have taken that trade but he's fitting in nicely (although he hasnt proven himself in the playoffs).But all I can think of while watching this game is that they would still be competitive with Chauncey. They may not win, but they'd still have a shot.

[CAB]

no doubt but why be competitive when you can have capspace (which we would likely blow on Boozer if he opts out)?

at this point, even though this sucks right now, hiring Curry was significantly the worst decision after Darko that Dumars has made.

Ariza > Tayshaun considering he doesnt have a sore vagina from LeBron's repeated rapings...

[Hobnail_Boot]

Hopefully, the Cavs are just super confident and get stomped by Atlanta or Miami next round.
I hope so, too.

[BIG PIZZLE]

This should be PJs starting lineup all post-season.

[Pollo]

Anyone know if Mehmet Okhur is playing tonight? The Jazz have zero chance without him.

even if he were to come back in this series, he's going to be so out of sync that he'll simply be a jump shooter and not a bigman presence in the paint.

another so-so effort for the Lakers. they need to kick it up to another gear soon rather than this 'cruise control' effort I see.

[freegood]

NOOOOOOOOO

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/6385553.html

PORTLAND, Ore. – Perhaps the biggest highlight of Dikembe Mutombo’s career came during the 1994 playoffs when he was lying on the floor holding a ball in the air in joy after leading the Denver Nuggets to a titanic playoff upset of top-seeded Seattle.

Mutombo found himself lying on the floor again Tuesday night, this time pondering the end of his career.

Mutombo, 42, was carried away on a stretcher in the first quarter of the Rockets’ 107-103 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 2 with what he said was a career-ending left knee injury.

“It’s over for me for my career,” said Mutombo, who will be examined by team doctors when the Rockets return to Houston today.

An eight-time NBA All-Star and four-time Defensive Player of the Year, Mutombo is one of the game’s great humanitarians and had a distinguished 18-year career with Denver, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York and Houston.

“It’s not something that I planned,” he said. “All I can say right now is I had a wonderful run of 18 years and stayed injury-free. I thank God a lot for all this blessing and putting such great people around me for all of my career in the NBA. I’m just happy.

“I have to go out with my head high and not be disappointed and have no regrets. I have so many things I can be so thankful for over my 18 years.”

[Hobnail_Boot]

Well, this sucks for him. I like Mutombo from his days with my Hawks. Now, perhaps he can go off and enjoy retirement.

[Archangel]

Pity, I always loved the guy - Nuggets, Hawks, Sixers, Nets, Rockets - except when he was a Knick because, well, fuck the Knicks.


Enjoy your retirement, Deke. You definitely earned it.

Hell, the NBA should name their Defensive Player of the Year award after him.

[Mustard]

I was watching on my TV last night when he got injured. I said to myself, "that looks like he's in serious pain. I bet this might be his last game ever played." and that made me a little bit sad for him that he might go out like that.

[freegood]

Pity, I always loved the guy - Nuggets, Hawks, Sixers, Nets, Rockets - except when he was a Knick because, well, fuck the Knicks.


Knicks gave him a nice and fat paycheck...even foot some of the bill after they traded him to Houston.

Good ol' Zeke.

[johnnychacski]

I hate the Lakers, but I'm glad to see Shannon Brown taking advantage of the minutes he's playing, I always liked him at Michigan State.

[heelsguy]

the defensive player of the year award should be named after Hakeem the dream. He still leads in all-time blocks...and he did not need 18 years. the finger wag got old...except in Terminator 2

[Rover]

How could Detroit trade Chauncey Billups?

Joe Dumars has had a mancrush on AI for years now. Epic fail of a decision but we got capspace! (like that means shit)

Billups has been motivated by the move home and the desire to show that Dumars was wrong to trade him. At this point, its not taking much to prove that the decision was a bad oneThe Pistons were so comfortable in their positions that they weren't going to win a title this year anyway. Only a good coach could have properly motivated them. Michael Curry isn't that guy.

I still like the Billups trade because it freed up contract space. Billups isn't going to be worth what he's going to get in the 4th and 5th years of that contract. And to the Pistons, he wasn't worth it now. Billups is a great point guard, but he'd played that out in Detroit. He hit his ceiling and that was that.

This Pistons team is fucked in so many ways. Its so hilariously bad that these fuckers are so used to one another that they couldnt adapt to playing without one of their boys. I really fucking hope Rip and Sheed are not on the team next year. Laker fans, you can have Prince, we'll take Ariza since LeBron hasnt made him his bitch yetThe player I've been most impressed with this year has been Kwame Brown. And I think that sums up the Pistons season. Kwame is a solid defender. Solid rebounder. And he can finish if he can catch the ball.

Prince looks beat up and tired. Like he's just drained from playing so much basketball over the past 7 years. He's probably played more basketball than anyone on the face of the Earth over the last 7 years. Maybe a longer off season can get him some rest. I'm not going to criticize him too much for not being able to stop LeBron. They've played shitty team defense all year; the playoffs weren't going to magically change that.

I still don't understand why Curry went away from Amir Johnson after a week of games. Way to stunt his development and shatter his confidence.

I'm tired of Jason Maxiell in the rotation. He's completely one dimensional. That one dimension is "Offensive Rebounder" why can't he translate his offensive rebounding ability to the defensive boards? Defensive rebounding is way easier.

[Da Raider]

The player I've been most impressed with this year has been Kwame Brown. And I think that sums up the Pistons season. Kwame is a solid defender. Solid rebounder. And he can finish if he can catch the ball.



Too bad Kwame cannot catch the ball. He has "hands of stone". Good for a boxer. Not so good for a ball player.

[ADD]

But perfect for hitting people with a cake

[Archangel]

If there was a stat for dropped passes in the NBA, Kwame would get his first #1 since the draft.

[ADD]

Apparently, the Magic thought the series began tonight.

[Archangel]

Lulz homos.

Hornets: Nuggets playing dirty

Dahntay Jones' in-your-face defensive style appears to be getting on the nerves of the New Orleans Hornets. Still stinging over their lopsided loss to the Nuggets in Game 1, Hornets coach Byron Scott suggested Jones' heavy contact on All-Star Chris Paul crossed the line. "I can appreciate anybody that plays hard, but when you get to the point where you're being a little dirty, that's the thing that kind of aggravates me," Scott said Tuesday. "Being that I played in this league, I know how tough that is. But when you get to the point where you're being a little dirty then I don't appreciate that -- and I don't respect it." Getting under the skin of the Hornets is all part of the plan for the Nuggets, who were determined to set an aggressive defensive tone for the series. So far, they've succeeded in shutting down and bothering the Hornets.

Boulder Daily Camera

[Archangel]

Oh shit, Violet Palmer.

[Satan]

Chauncey is taking Paul to school

[Archangel]

And giving this Paul a boner in the process.

[Satan]

Calm down, they won't get out of the second round.

[Archangel]

Which is one round further than you.

Also, negro please. We can beat Dallas, and we can beat the limping Spurs.

[johnnychacski]

Tyson Chandler is a waste, I can't wait till he's gone.

[Archangel]

JR's fucking unconscious, this game is all but over.

[johnnychacski]

JR's fucking unconscious, this game is all but over.

You don't have to be nice. It's over. I really hope we get swept, and than we can rebuild.

[Archangel]

First Werder beat arch-rivals Hamburg in a shoot-out, and now the Nuggets are dominating the Bees, again.

This has been a good night.

[ADD]

Tyson Chandler is a waste, I can't wait till he's gone.

He works well when healthy with Paul and West. You'll miss him when you have no center.

You're aware he's fucked right now, right?

[Archangel]

*happy*