NBA Playoff Thread

[lawyerman]

Hello Everyone,

I am curious to know who you think will win the NBA Championship.

Believe it or not, I do think that the Raptors can beat Orlando. They should beat them in six games. After that, they are done. I believe that Detroit will play Boston in the East.

I love Phoenix because of Steve Nash and Amare Stoudamire. The Lakers have been playing very well lately as well.

IMHO, I choose Boston to beat Phoenix in six games as San Antonio has not been looking very good lately. It would be nice to see KG win his first championship ring.

Regards,

Lawyerman

 

[tonytwist007]

2007/2008 Finals Boston beat Phoenix in 6 games.

 

[teassoc]

Detroit beat Lakers in 6.

 

[forumla1]

The Raptors only beat the Magic if Calderon has significant minutes.

Ford to me, just isn't the right person for this Raptors lineup. And at 11.8 million per season, that is just a huge cap number. Sell Ford, start Calderon!!!

Detroit/Phoenix final.

Suns in six!

 

[bobistheowl]

Detroit beat Lakers in 6.

I agree. Boston has a lot of individual talent, but they don't have anyone who has won a ring, or even come close. It's one thing to beat up on the patsies during the regular season, and another to beat an experienced team that has had its major pieces in place for several consecutive years. I'm not a huge fan of Rasheed Wallace, but he brings it every night when there's something on the line. Kobe will try to win games all by himself, and he'll do that a few times, but not often enough. I expect a big post season by Lamarr Odom, and Tracey McGrady should continue his streak of never advancing to the second round. Don't be surprised if Dallas takes the Hornets in the West 2-7.

 

[lawyerman]

True enough. Why anyone would take on a 6'8" 260+ lb 23 yr old
is beyond me. They pounded him and he returned the favor. Hard
game won by the Cavs with superb defense down the streach.

LeBron loves end-games. What a Mandingo Warrior.

IMHO, LeBron is the best all around player in the NBA. Can you imagine if he had a good supporting cast? There are many great players in this league and I know that many of you will say Kobe is better but LeBron is only 23 and most successful player for his age in the history of the NBA. Enough said.

Regards,

Lawyerman

 

[lawyerman]

Without Yao Ming and Rafer Alston, Houston never did have a chance against the Jazz.

 

[LatinDancer]

Best play-off series is Spurs vs Suns. First game went into double OT. 2nd game on tonight.

 

[ckupets04]

lawyerman knows his hoops. T-Mac played well for 3 quarters and then got tired in the 4th Q last night, Bobby Jackson and Aaron Brooks played well at point guard and yet Utah still won. Add Yao Ming and Houston instantly becomes a title contender. Without Yao, things become much more bleak for Houston. Though I originally picked Houston to win ths series in 7 (mainly due to Utah's poor road record). It looks like Utah is now in the drivers seat and should win this series in no more than 5 games.

And whats up with Deshawn Stevenson calling LBJ overrated. Haha. LBJ almost put a triple double on the Wizards heads last night. CLE also did their thing on the offensive glass, getting 2nd chance opportunities. Heck, even Ben Wallace and Szerbiak played well. Arenas , I have no idea why he was even playing, clearly he is not healthy. Did you guys see Deshawn Stevenson blow on his hands after he hit that 3 ball even though the Wizards were down like 17 points. What a joke that guy is!

 

[ckupets04]

and to answer lawyerman's original question. I have Boston and LA in the finals. Though dont rest on New Orleans. I know they are not exactly a deep team, they basically are doing this with 7 or 8 guys, the starters and then Pargo and Bonzi off the bench. ARmstrong and Julian Wright do get some mnutes off the bench but not as many as Pargo and Bonzi. Some of the analysts also point to the Hornets lack of playoff experience but CP3s lack of playoff experience sure didnt hurt him in game 1 of that Dallas series. I really think a lot of people are overlooking New Orleans. I think they will be a tough out for anyone. That having been said, i wouldnt mind seeing PHX finally break through. They are an exciting team to watch , have a great point guard in Nash and one of the best young players in the league in Stoudamire.

 

[lawyerman]

Unless a miracle happens, Phoenix will not been San Antonio. So close yet so far away. The Lakers and Hornets look really strong and I don't think you can dismiss the Spurs as they are the defending champs. The have looked pretty solid as well. The Western Conference is incredibly strong.

I still believe that Boston is coming out of the East. KG has made the Celtics into the most improved team in one year in the history of the NBA. Can you say MVP? It would be very difficult to argue. I know KG is a superstar but he was also traded for five players and Boston still improved so greatly.
Al Jefferson averaged 21 points this year alone for the Timberwolves which is I believe is more the Garnett actually scored per game. It just goes to show that KG's offensive and defensive prowess is unmatched as he is a true leader.

The city if Boston has been very spoiled in the last few years in terms of the Patriots and the Red Sox. Now the Celtics could possibly win it all as well. I believe the next time a major star such as Garnett is on the trading block, the Raptors should trade that horrible bench like the one Boston had and maybe we could have a strong contender. Can you imagine if LBJ was available? Sorry, I was just dreaming.

We live in Toronto and have nothing to show for it. The last major championship was the Blue Jays in 1993. Pathetic. Sorry guys, I am not including the Grey Cup.

 

[lawyerman]

Horrible games last night. The only highlight was Kobe scoring 49 points against the Nuggets. Detroit finally woke up last night which was nice to see. Boston is just starting to warm up against the Hawks. It is too bad about Atlanta as they have a good, young nucleus. It is too bad they never spend any money and they will never end up developing the right players.

Sam Mitchell stated that there will be lineup changes for Game 3 tonight. I am curious to see what he does.

My starting 5:

Bargnani
Bosh
Calderon
Kapono
Nesterovic

If Kapono starts faltering, sit him for a little while and put Parker in. Parker is a better defensive player while Kapono can light it up. It is a tough call. That first quarter has been killing the Raps and if they can keep it close, then I think they can pull it off the victory.

I would leave Calderon in as TJ has not been playing very well and does not have much confidence right now. Only put TJ in if Calderon needs a rest.

 

[basketcase]

Washington 108, Cleveland 72. Sorry DQ.


TMac doesn't look like he's running well at the start of his game.

 

[Kang]

Raptors win! Raptors win! Raptors win!

 

[lawyerman]

TMac doesn't look like he's running well at the start of his game.

You just had to say that, didn't you???...LOL. TMac is a great player and I can't believe the Jazz lost to them tonight. I hope the Jazz wins the next two and wrap things up. Rafer Alston is a cancer.

 

[lawyerman]

Funny thing is Rafer Alston first game of he series ( injuried for 1st 2 ) and Rockets win ..

I never said he was a bad player, he is average at best. All I said was he was a cancer. He had a terrible attitude when he was with the Raptors and he is a middle of the road point guard at best. The Raptors were the first team to actually give him a full time starting job for the first time in his career and that is the gratitiude that they received for giving him the opportunity. Great street baller though. A legend. Too bad it does not mean anything in the NBA. I hope the Rockets go down. If Yao Ming was in the lineup, I really think that the Rockets would win.

I still think that the Jazz will in in six.

 

[lawyerman]

Sorry Guyroch. No disrespect. I do agree that the team was in turmoil when Rafer was acting immature. In regards to the winning streak, I give the majority of the credit to McGrady and Yao Ming. Alston is not a true point guard. He is very much like T.J. Ford. Not that is such a bad thing but I am more of a traditionalist. I respect point guards like Nash, Kidd, Parker, and the list goes on.

 

[lawyerman]

I do agree with you that TJ Ford, Stephon Marbury, and Allen Iverson are kind of PG that Rafer defines his role ... Although with the sucess of Steve
Nash teams are going back to what the PG position was supposed to be ... " The Floor general " ...

You are right on the money.

The only exception is Iverson. He will be in the HOF as soon as possible and the other ones you mentioned cannot hold a candle to him. For so many years, he was on a bad Philadelphia team and he did not have anyone to pass the ball to. Pound for pound, the toughest player in the league.
No doubt about it.

 

[lawyerman]

I can't believe Philadelphia is up 2-1 on Detroit. Can you imagine if they upset them? That would be huge. Dalembert (a Canadian) led the team in scoring last night. Definitely knowen more for his defensive prowess.

Phoenix has been a disappointment as I thought they would not be down 3-0 the Spurs.

Not too worried about the Hornets. I still think they will beat Dallas.

I am looking forward to a great day of basketball. Enjoy everyone.

 

[basketcase]

...
Phoenix has been a disappointment as I thought they would not be down 3-0 the Spurs.
...

And will likely be judged the worst trade this year.