NBA Playoffs: 2010

[Clips]

Playoff time! Same as every other year, let's start with some series predictions.

EAST
Cleveland 4 def Chicago 0: The best player in the game is well rested, and will go beast mode. Bron to average 35ppg in this series, and have a 40 point triple double. Noah is still limited use, and will be beaten up by a returning Shaq. Deng will still confuse Ozho's with his true nationality.

Orlando 4 def Charlotte 1: It could be a sweep, but meh, I'll give Gerald Wallace one game. I don't much care for this series. Actually, for his rubbish showing in the dunk comp, I hope Dwight and Vince show Wallace how to dunk, and do it on his face. Messy style.

Atlanta 4 def Milwaukee 2: I really don't get why Atlanta is called the highlight factory, every ATL home game I've seen is boring as hell. It's like 19,000 NBL fans gathered, if there are that many... With Bogut this was Bucks in 6. His play for the second half of the season has made that big a difference and I'm glad a caught as many Bucks games as I did.

Boston 4 def Miami 2: I wish this series couldn't be won by either team. The Heat are horrible outside of D Wade. On the other hand, the >72 and <10, bored with the regular season, only care about play offs Celtics are a bunch of dickheads. I don't know where my KG singlet is, and don't much care. I hope Ray Ray finds somewhere better next season. Scalebrine is my fav Celtic. Yeah I said it.

WEST
Los Angeles 4 def Oklahoma City 2: I'm probably being a little generous, but OKC have the 2nd best player over the next 5 years playing. He is only the 5th player to average more than 30ppg with a TS% above 60%. Incredibly efficient, seemingly a great kid, but it's not his time... yet. Sasha Vujacic rolled his ankle today, I'm sure Phil Jackson doesn't give a shit. Fire Derek Fisher Fire Derek Fisher Fire Derek Fisher....

Dallas 4 def San Antonio 2: I'm doing what I do every year. Too old, too slow, too injury prone etc etc, but they shock me every time. Not this year. Dirks numbers in April: 29ppg at 52%fg, 73% 3pt (!!!) and 100% FT. He has plenty of help too, and I think they could be a dark horse if the Lakers continue to stumble. I forgot Richard Jefferson played for the Spurs, and I hope he continues to do nothing.

Phoenix 4 def Portland 2: **Assuming B Roy doesn't make a miracle recovery** Phoenix are really rolling right now. They have won something like 27 of their last 34 after going 12-16 through Dec/Jan. They are also doing it keeping opponents 6ppg less than the streak at the start of the season, so they are starting to play a little bit of D. Factor in STAT (horrible nick) is beasting for a contract, and the team is shooting a franchise record of just over 41% for deep, and they are looking too good. If B Roy plays, I'll still say Phx in 7. I hope they are all blow outs so P Mills gets court time, my mate has gone to Phx to watch these games.

Denver 4 def Utah 3: **Assuming Boozer is not healthy** This is the hardest one to pick for me. The Jazz have been rolling of late while the Nuggets are starting to slump with George Karl out for cancer treatments. If Boozer plays I give it to Jazz in 7. Hopefully Melo doesn't have anymore concussions. It was Redhage like. :p

[RaMarQabLe]

nice predictions.... i wanted the Thunder to do well, but not at the cost of kobe!!

The Bucks series woulda been interesting had bogut just held on to the ring!

Anyone TV schedule updates for oneHD yet?

[Clips]

nice predictions.... i wanted the Thunder to do well, but not at the cost of kobe!!

The Bucks series woulda been interesting had bogut just held on to the ring!

Anyone TV schedule updates for oneHD yet?
I don't think the teams schedule is set in stone yet, so there probably won't be anything for a few days. I'm sure I saw an ad saying "NBA playoffs starting Monday on :one:"

[Voice(s)]

Ah yes the annual playoff predictions:

Cavs in 5

Celtics in 5


Hawks in 5

Magic in 6


Lakers in 5

Jazz in 7


Suns in 5

Mavs in 6

[Voice(s)]

Anyone TV schedule updates for oneHD yet?

I checked the EPG earlier tonight and as of now (but games do appear & disappear a bit during playoff scheduling) there will be Game 1 of a series on ESPN on Sunday morning and Game 2 of a series on One HD on Wednesday morning.

[T-Rich]

I think Charlotte might spring a surprise - terrific defensive team, great coach, fearless gunner (Captain Jack). They have the tools to shock.

[Durbansandshark]

My predictions:

Dallas over San Antonio in 6

Phoenix over Portland in 5

Utah over Denver in 7

Oklahoma City (should still be Seattle) over Evil Laker Empire in 5


Cleveland over Chicago in 5

Boston over Miami in 5

Orlando over Charlotte in 6

Atlanta over Milwaukee in 6

[Mad Mike]

I may as well join in and try some predictions:

Cavs in 4
Boston in 6
Orlando in 4
Atlanta in 5

Dallas in 5
Phoenix in 4
Lakers in 5 (almost put 6)
Utah in 6

[metalslugsman]

Phoenix and Utah through to second round would be magnificent - the two best point guards in the league leading their teams with a team game - it wouldnt get any better. The bonus is not watching the Denver pout-factory for the rest of the playoffs. I like Nene, but the whole team are a bunch of whingers and wankers

[Voice(s)]

I checked the EPG earlier tonight and as of now (but games do appear & disappear a bit during playoff scheduling) there will be Game 1 of a series on ESPN on Sunday morning and Game 2 of a series on One HD on Wednesday morning.

The game on ESPN Sunday morning is Game 1 of the Boston/Miami series.

[metalslugsman]

is anyone getting one of the League Pass packages? are they any good/worthwhile subscribing to?

[j-mac]

1st away win of the playoffs - Portland d Phoenix. Miller top scored.

No D = bad playoffs basketball.

[Durbansandshark]

Great win, Oklahoma City in its first ever home playoff game there! (Wish you were still in Seattle...). Go win the next three. You got the momentum and the talent (like Russel Westbrook making Derek Fisher look like an old man) to win the series!

[Clips]

Great win, Oklahoma City in its first ever home playoff game there! (Wish you were still in Seattle...). Go win the next three. You got the momentum and the talent (like Russel Westbrook making Derek Fisher look like an old man) to win the series!
Huge atmosphere. They had a decible measuring device thingy, and it got as high as 109, which they believe to be the highest recorded level at a game.

For comparison, standing next to a jumbo at takeoff is only 100 decibles.

[RaMarQabLe]

in jordans last game for the bulls it was 109 in utah.

Thunder acting like they've won the championship... watch the lakers adjust. I don't think the thunder can play any better then what they did last night.

I think oak town is a great team but not at the expense of my lakers.

[Clips]

in jordans last game for the bulls it was 109 in utah.

Thunder acting like they've won the championship... watch the lakers adjust. I don't think the thunder can play any better then what they did last night.

I think oak town is a great team but not at the expense of my lakers.
Acting like they won the championship? The entire city is pumped because it was their first playoff ever game ever, hence the noise through out the game. As for after the game, again,they just won their first play off game, and confetti after a win happens in just about every play off game now.

I watched the game and the players weren't smug at all afterwards. All of them just went about their business. You make it out to be like they were jumping for joy and standing on scorers tables at the end of the game.

That day may come, as this team is going to be sick and to be honest, I think I personally underrated Durant when he started... but they haven't done any of the smug championship acting as you suggest.

[Cram]

Loved seeing James Harden make an impact for the Thunder in game 3. He had some shockers in 1 and 2. Good to see him break out. He's only gonna get better too. He's used mainly as a spot up shooter on this team, but the kid is gonna be a star. He has all the tools to be able to be an all-star.

[Cussy]

So it's midway during the second, the Lakers are down by 16, and Kobe has attempted 2 shots, making 1. Is he playing games with Phil for calling him out about his shooting the other day? What a wanker.

[Clips]

Lakers have only taken half as many FT as the Thunder, get ready for whinging...

[Clips]

People should really take more care when selling ad space...

http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/3786/loserlakers.jpg

[Durbansandshark]

People should really take more care when selling ad space...

http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/3786/loserlakers.jpg

That's OK, especially because that's exactly what they are...

[1711mark]

East Conference Finals - Cavs VS Celtics

West Conference Finals - Lakers Vs Spurs

More confident on the east , can't really make mind up on the west but have gone with the more experiened veteran teams.

[shonky]

East Conference Finals - Cavs VS Celtics

I don't believe this is possible? If these guys get through round one, they meet in round 2, they can't meet in the conference finals. One of the teams has to be either Magic, Hawks or Bucks

[Julian]

What a big boo-boo. There is no way I'm buying a jersey off that dude now.

[1711mark]

Yeah , my bad man , forgot about that with the way the playoff tree is, here is a link to the playoff tree any way.:)

http://breathingfire.com/nba/playoffs/2010/bracket2010.php


Hey Julian -chill man:)

[shonky]

Wow the Bucks!!

If they get through Atlanta, whats the status of Bogut? Been reading on some message boards that he's a shock chance to return for the second round.

Seeing the injury again (yuck!), sounds a bit far fetched to me.

[Voice(s)]

Ah yes the annual playoff predictions:

Cavs in 5

Celtics in 5


Hawks in 5

Magic in 6


Lakers in 5

Jazz in 7


Suns in 5

Mavs in 6

My 2nd Round predictions (excluding the Magic vs Hawks or Bucks series for now):

Cavs vs Celtics-Cavs 4-2

Lakers vs Jazz-Lakers 4-1

Suns vs Spurs-Spurs 4-2

[Voice(s)]

My 2nd Round predictions (excluding the Magic vs Hawks or Bucks series for now):

Cavs vs Celtics-Cavs 4-2

Lakers vs Jazz-Lakers 4-1

Suns vs Spurs-Spurs 4-2

and Magic vs Hawks-Magic 4-2.

[Cussy]

Suns vs Spurs-Spurs 4-2

I’m hoping this is the year that the Suns finally overcome the Spurs. I don’t think this years team is any better than previous seasons, but while J-Rich is playing out of his socks, and Nash is finally looking to score more, then I think they can do it this time around.

[Clips]

Oops I thought I already did these. I posted this on another board a few days ago.

CLE/BOS - CLE in 5
ORL/ATL - ORL in 5
PHX/SAS - SAS in 7 (God I hope the Suns win though..)
LAL/UTA - LAL in 5

[angry ant]

Didn't know where else to put this, but, Andrew Bogut has been named in the All NBA Third Team.

[RedbackVenom]

Didn't know where else to put this, but, Andrew Bogut has been named in the All NBA Third Team.

Good call...beat me to it! Well done Bogeyman! Dwight Howard was unanimous 1st team, and Amare Stoudemire made the 2nd team in the centre position ahead of Bogut. Bogut had most votes of anyone in the 3rd team.

FIRST TEAM
Forward LeBron James, Cleveland (122) 610
Forward Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City (107) 579
Center Dwight Howard, Orlando (122) 610
Guard Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers (119) 604
Guard Dwyane Wade, Miami (81) 520

SECOND TEAM
Forward Carmelo Anthony, Denver (9) 321
Forward Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas (10) 356
Center Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix (2) 239
Guard Steve Nash, Phoenix (24) 366
Guard Deron Williams, Utah (14) 343

THIRD TEAM
Forward Tim Duncan, San Antonio -- 125
Forward Pau Gasol, L.A. Lakers -- 94
Center Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee -- 149
Guard Joe Johnson, Atlanta -- 118
Guard Brandon Roy, Portland -- 87

[j-mac]

Looks like Boston's about to win game 5, currently +24 in the last quarter.

[RedbackVenom]

Could we be about to witness the last game (or two) with LeBron in a Cav's uniform?

A premature exit from the NBA playoffs for the Cav's to me spells major roster upheaval in the off-season.

[glockers]

Celtics win caused a happy dance in the lounge room, thankfully Ozhoops could not see me dance.

[j-mac]

Could we be about to witness the last game (or two) with LeBron in a Cav's uniform?

A premature exit from the NBA playoffs for the Cav's to me spells major roster upheaval in the off-season.
I hope he either leaves, or stays and never wins a championship. Not because I have anything against him, but because my brother is a Cavs fan, so I want them to fail.

They have plenty of other tradeable players though, so he could come back with a different looking team for next season, or they could make a few minor tweaks. Or they could still win this year.

[Voice(s)]

Excellent article by Adrian Wojnarowski on Yahoo's NBA page, a few snippets:

Stop strutting, stop preening, stop stomping away as an ungracious winner, a sore loser, and win something, LeBron.

James dismissed his unthinkably poor performance with this colossal cop-out: “I spoil a lot of people with my play. When you have three bad games in seven years, it’s easy to point them out.”

Who is he to be indignant after he gave a playoff game away? What’s he ever won to be so smug to the masses? That’s what drives the Celtics crazy about James.

For all of James’ unselfishness on the floor, he can still be so selfish off it. They could’ve lined up the greatest players in the game’s history Tuesday night in the primes of their championship lives, and there isn’t one of them who would’ve deflected and deferred like the self-proclaimed King James. They would’ve been livid and they would’ve put it on themselves. Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Tim Duncan and, yes, Shaquille O’Neal.

What you heard out of James was self-righteous: “I put a lot of pressure on myself to go out and be great and the best player on the court. When I don’t, I feel bad for myself.”

And as job security goes, the CEO of British Petroleum has more going for him than Mike Brown right now.

Perhaps sooner than later, he’s going to get his coach fired for losing this series. Or the next to Orlando. He’s mocked Brown for acting too angry with the Game 2 thrashing, but the coach understood what James refused to acknowledge until Tuesday night: The Cavs have been wildly inconsistent in these playoffs and they’re nowhere near playing championship ball.

This isn’t a part-time thing. Winning everything takes a single-minded, obsessive devotion. Michael Jordan had it. Kobe Bryant does, too. They didn’t want to win championships, they had to win them. They needed them for validation and identity and, later, they became moguls. LeBron James is running around recruiting college kids to his marketing company. He picks up the phone, tells them, “This is the King,” and makes his pitch to be represented in his stable. Think Kobe would ever bother with this? Or Michael? Not a chance when they were on the climb, not when they still had a fist free of rings.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Av8flmSgsw.3QY3a7bPfKB.8vLYF?slug=aw-lebroncavs051210

[RedbackVenom]

So can the Cavs win Game 6 in Boston today?

[Durbansandshark]

I'm trying to wrap my head over all the blabbing regarding LeBron's apparent lack of killer instinct versus the Celtics and that this could be the final time tonight that we will, er, witness him in a Cleveland Cavaliers uniform. You know what? I agree with everything that is said about him, pro and con.

I feel for LeBron. Sure there have been bumps along the way in his career from the start. First getting to the playoffs for the downtrodden Cavs fans in such a tortured sports city (more on that later). Then he willed his way to the 2007 NBA Finals, only to get swept by a franchise who obscenely had no damn business whatsoever being there this side of the Evil Laker Empire. Then his frontcourt teammates got exposed by the likes of Dwight Howard and Hidayet Turkoglu in last year's ECF.

This Cavaliers squad is built to "win a ring for the King" right now with the specter of that eagerly-anticipated impending free agency looming; the trades and other acquisitions that GM Danny Ferry made clearly makes LeBron happy to work with them and want to stay in Cleveland. When the Cavaliers are running on all cylinders from the start, imposing no mercy, they're a sight to behold. Problem is, what happens when adversity strikes on the Cavs, as ESPN NBA writer Ric Bucher observes? They really haven't been tested much during the course of this season by an opponent that imposes its will like the Celtics have with their championship experience (and could've done so a year earlier were it not for the key injuries last year), and that adversity has come to bite them. Cleveland isn't that good when it comes to dealing with that and overcoming it.

We all agree he has the immense skills, and, yes, he tries to get and trusts his teammates so it won't be a one-man show. But does he have the killer instinct that his idol and friend Michael Jordan famously had? Now it's seriously called into question by every NBA analyst, pro and amateur. For my part, I'm starting to think he doesn't, despite his two MVPs and we may have to reevaluate King James' place in the NBA pecking order (I won't put the evil Kobe ahead of him, though :evil: ). Does he have the will to carry his team on his back. In the Cavs last game at the Q was so dismal in terms of performance with LeBron not taking charge, even Cavs' owner Dan Gilbert was harsh on his team afterwards.

Part of what we're seeing from the boos is of course the Cleveland sports' tragic perspective speaking. This may be the final sight in a long time that the Cavs will be this good. LeBron could bolt for the bright lights and the big city that is New York and the millions of Knicks money with such a fat contract, confirming the Cleveland fans' deep anxieties. What a tragic sports city Cleveland is! For most of the Cavaliers' existence, the team was dreadful mostly with the late Ted Stepien as owner. Had some good players and moments in the 1970s like the Miracle in Richfield. Because the team's make at the time in the late 80s and early 90s was seen as a "bunch of nice guys" and "cream puffs", the Cavaliers of Price, Daugherty, Nance, Ehlo, Harper, Sanders, Brandon, Williams, Valentine, and Ferry never got past Michael Jordan. Who knows what would've happened if he did not make The Shot? The Cavs might have given the Bad Boys a run for their money in the ECF in 1989. The Indians, despite making it to the World Series twice in the mid-90s and not winning it, when Cleveland became this happening city with a revitilized downtown, are mostly mediocre. Cleveland never tasted a serious amount of NHL hockey since the dreadful Cleveland Barons played for two seasons in a largely-empty Richfield Coliseum coming from the San Francisco Bay Area as the Oakland (California Golden) Seals in 1976-78 before merging with the financially-bleeding Minnesota North Stars in 1978. Previously, it had the WHA's Crusaders and the AHL's Barons incarnation that was well supported. Then for ice hockey, it stayed minor league with the IHL's Lumberjacks coming from Muskegon, Michigan, then the San Jose Sharks' farm team named the Barons in the last decade before the Lake Erie Monsters hit. Soccer has been better, but not by much with the long-running Force MISL team during the 1980s and then the Crunch. NFL Browns endured The Drive from John Elway and not winning a championship since the days of Jim Brown, Cleveland's last. And don't even get me started on the scandalous move to Baltimore in 1995! :evil:

Give the Celtics credit. They know how to be champs, and they know for the Boston Three Party another ring would cement their status as greats. Boston's D really threw at LeBron and he didn't know what to do with that. Mike Brown should devise ways on how to adapt and adjust to that for his team--could he be on the outs after this? I sure LeBron stays in Cleveland with his team's makeup mostly and learns from his challenges. But right now, the Cavs must play with urgency like never before.

[RedbackVenom]

The Cav's capitulated yet again, although this time Lebron racked up a triple double...

So is LeBron going to stay or leave? If he leaves, where to? NY, Chicago or Miami - or somewhere else?

I think he will run...and Chicago is my pick of location.

[j-mac]

I think he will run...and Chicago is my pick of location.
It certainly would make his job a lot easier, with Rose running the show.

[1711mark]

Nice win by the Celtics , should be a good series vs the Magic:D

[JBO]

if he wants to win a ring then the Bulls or Clippers would be the best bet in terms of their players which actually have cap space.

[stylin]

Wow if he went to Clippers with a healthy Griffin that would be NASTY!

So did anyone see LeBron after the game? Did he walk off again like last year or did he take the loss like a proper MVP?

[RedbackVenom]

LeBron was much better than last year after the game, shaking hands with the C's and wishing them well.

[Agent 15]

Orlando vs Celtics - Orlando won 3-1 over the regular season and Lewis tends to have good games against them.

Im going Orlando in 6

[stylin]

Well im hoping Celtics take it out as sportstab had them yesterday at 17/1! So i put a nice bet on them. Cant believe sports tab had them so high?

[Clips]

Wow if he went to Clippers with a healthy Griffin that would be NASTY!
<3

[Voice(s)]

Not impressed with the Jamison trade. He's a 6-9 chucker who things he's a lot better player than he actually is. I really don't get this the Cavs are the best team in the league, currently on a 13 game winning streak (ties the franchise record), swept the defending champs this season and have won both of their games so far against the team that knocked them out of last year's playoffs.

I thought it was too risky to go after Amare or Jamison when you're cruising. The team is going along exactly how I expected them to go in the offseason. The Magic would no longer be an issue after the Shaq trade & the Lakers wouldn't be a concern but the only team I thought could/would challenge them was the Celtics. They're banged up at the moment and the Cavs have only played them once so far this season, in the season opener and lost.

This trade has the potential to blow up in the Cavs faces and I wouldn't be surprised if it did.

*sigh*

[Chucker]

Ok, so it took LeBaby 12 months to learn how to shake hands after being beaten by a better team. So at this rate he might actually turn up for a full series next year and not be so full of himself?

Does he realise his career is half over? He might be young, but you have to look at wear and tear, not age. Kobe is only 32 and rarely gets off the ground anymore (not putting him down, I'm a HUGE fan), the NBA ages people who play wing positions ahead of their time. At least KB24 came into the league showing that hunger (not the skills - he had to work much harder) to get to the point he's at than LeWanker, who has the god given talent but not the drive/metal capacity.

Strutting, clowning, never won anything.

If LeQueen doesn't work it out in the next couple of years, will he ever? Guys like MJ, Hakeem put it all on them, and delivered with lesser cast.

[DICKO]

He won't go to Chitown, IMHO......too much chance of being reminded he's not Jordan. Could you imagine every time he had a bad game?

For him, I suspect, it's more about legacy and ego than money. He only seems interest in the success that can further his legacy.

If not Cleveland (where I believe he'll most likely stay), then New York for mine......he can be the man, the city will love him and he can't make them any worse..... win/win

I just hope the cavs beat up the old celts enough to give us a shot at the title again.

GO MAGIC!!!

[glockers]

Well im hoping Celtics take it out as sportstab had them yesterday at 17/1! So i put a nice bet on them. Cant believe sports tab had them so high?


Shit, what are the current odds?

[Clips]

Ok, so it took LeBaby 12 months to learn how to shake hands after being beaten by a better team. So at this rate he might actually turn up for a full series next year and not be so full of himself?

Does he realise his career is half over? He might be young, but you have to look at wear and tear, not age. Kobe is only 32 and rarely gets off the ground anymore (not putting him down, I'm a HUGE fan), the NBA ages people who play wing positions ahead of their time. At least KB24 came into the league showing that hunger (not the skills - he had to work much harder) to get to the point he's at than LeWanker, who has the god given talent but not the drive/metal capacity.

Strutting, clowning, never won anything.

If LeQueen doesn't work it out in the next couple of years, will he ever? Guys like MJ, Hakeem put it all on them, and delivered with lesser cast.
MJ had a lessor cast? :mad:

[Chucker]

Sorry, I forgot how good Dickey Simpkins, Jack Haley, Bill Wennington and Luc Longley were. Are they going into the Hall of Fame as a group or individuals?
;)

[Clips]

Sorry, I forgot how good Dickey Simpkins, Jack Haley, Bill Wennington and Luc Longley were. Are they going into the Hall of Fame as a group or individuals?
;)
Oh I get it. They'll compete with Sebastian Telfair and Jamario Moon for spots.

Is that how it works? We'll forget the like of Pippen, Kukoc and Rodman, and name role players at best?

[Durbansandshark]

LeBron was much better than last year after the game, shaking hands with the C's and wishing them well.

But as he was walking into the catacombs, he pulled off his jersey. Probrably a sign to Cleveland fans of his washing of the hands with the city?

He almost had a quadruple double--he finished with 9 turnovers out of the Cavs' 24 last night.

Since 2007, the Cavs have regressed in the postseason with their best regul;ar season records, it seems. Because of this and other issues like Mike Brown's decisions and adjustment failings, hard, brutal truths and answers with the Cavaliers organization must be addressed (www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2010/05/cleveland_cavaliers_at_boston_4.html) since there's plenty of blame to go around. Because the mood in Cleveland is once again devastating and tramatic, this time with doses of being duped and betrayed.

UPDATE: Dan Gilbert just announced in a press conference that Mike Brown is still the Cavs' coach. For now...

[RedbackVenom]

The Celtics continued on their winning ways in accounting for the Magic 92-88 in game 1 today. They looked very good in winning on the road...and if they stay healthy, who knows?

[Voice(s)]

The Cavs have fired Mike Brown.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=A2KIPH5jMvpL_msB2nK8vLYF?slug=ys-browncavaliers052410

[RedbackVenom]

Brown needed to go...and the Cav's needed to be seen to be taking affirmative action of sorts if they wish to keep LeBron.

Brown had 5 seasons to get it right and has no championship ring to show for it.

Good to see the Suns notch up a home win over the Lakers...I hope they win game 4 too to make a fist of it. I'm also desperately hoping the Magic can take game 4 today as well to help at least keep our interest in that series. A game 5 win would make things interesting too (but that's just jumping ahead too soon!).

[Durbansandshark]

Orlando did, Redback. They had to in order to save face.

[Wallitron]

Magic can take game 4 today as well to help at least keep our interest in that series.

Yeah, I find it really hard to take interest in a series when it's over. :)

[RedbackVenom]

LOL! Reading it back I see the point!

Suns taking it right up to the Lakers again so far today although Kobe is unconcious and scoring from everywhere. Fingers crossed the Suns win to make it interesting.

[RedbackVenom]

Suns win - series locked at 2-2 heading back to LA. Go Phoenix!

Now we just need the Magic to win their next game too...

[RaMarQabLe]

seriously.. how hard is it to pass the ball to kobe bryant?!??!

The suns play the best basketball possible while the lakers just go through the motions... then when it counts can't get kobe the ball... and is it that hard to make an open jump shot? geeezzzzz

Officiating this game was suspect aswell...

[Prodigal]

Officiating this game was suspect aswell...

I'm sure the Lakers will be keen to get back home because apparently they play a completely different game there.

Games 1&2
Phoenix 58 foul shots
LA 56

Games 3&4
Phoenix 74 foul shots
LA 33

So obviously LA must play a totally different game away from home because we all know the refs wouldn't call it differently....right

Home cooking at it's best

[Wallitron]

Home cooking at it's best

Have you watched any of the games? The Suns went to a zone for the entire game 3, and most of game 4.

There were comments by Jackson saying he didn't have a problem with the foul count, the Lakers didn't attack the zone. It's hard to get a foul called if you aren't attempting shots in the paint.

[Prodigal]

Have you watched any of the games? The Suns went to a zone for the entire game 3, and most of game 4.

There were comments by Jackson saying he didn't have a problem with the foul count, the Lakers didn't attack the zone. It's hard to get a foul called if you aren't attempting shots in the paint.

I've watched all of them. Doesn't explain the increase of soft calls at the other end. I also don't recall Gasol shooting too many jumpers and he's had 6 foul shots in the 2 games whereas Stoudemire goes to the line if someone breathes on him.
Phil's being diplomatic.

[Wallitron]

I've watched all of them. Doesn't explain the increase of soft calls at the other end. I also don't recall Gasol shooting too many jumpers and he's had 6 foul shots in the 2 games whereas Stoudemire goes to the line if someone breathes on him.
Phil's being diplomatic.

Game 1 17 3pt attempts 21-23 foul count
Game 2 16 3pt attempts 23-26 foul count
Game 3 32 3pt attempts 28-21 foul count
Game 4 28 3pt attempts 23-12 foul count

Gasol's shot chart in Game 4:
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gamecenter/shotchart/NBA_20100525_LAL@PHO?tag=gcOptions;sbOptionLinks
Jumpers: 0-6

[Cussy]

I'm sure the Lakers will be keen to get back home because apparently they play a completely different game there.

So obviously LA must play a totally different game away from home because we all know the refs wouldn't call it differently....right

Home cooking at it's best

You've said it yourself there, twice. The Lakers did play a different sort of game in 3 & 4.

You complain about Stoudemire getting fouled if someone breathes on him - that's giving Bynum too much credit, because his help D has been that poor that he hasn't been close enough to anyone to actually breathe on them.

[Prodigal]

Game 1 17 3pt attempts 21-23 foul count
Game 2 16 3pt attempts 23-26 foul count
Game 3 32 3pt attempts 28-21 foul count
Game 4 28 3pt attempts 23-12 foul count

Gasol's shot chart in Game 4:
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gamecenter/shotchart/NBA_20100525_LAL@PHO?tag=gcOptions;sbOptionLinks
Jumpers: 0-6


You better bring up the shot chart for game 3 as well as I CBF looking for it. And raw fouls counts mean little, trips to the line being more relevant.

Stats/lies can be used for anything.

[Cussy]

It's pretty simple. Shoot a lot of threes, dont expect to shoot free throws.

[Prodigal]

The Lakers did play a different sort of game in 3 & 4.



Defensively? Sure, you can raise the argument that Phoenix's zone changed th way the Lakers played offensively and resulted in 20 or so less foul attempts for them, but that doesn't explain 20 or so more attempts for the Suns.

[Cussy]

20 or so? Didn't you post the FTA's for the 4 games so far? I count 16 more attempts across two games. Wow! Amare was considerably more aggressive in games 3 and 4, wasn't he? The Suns bigs crashed the boards a lot more, didn't they?

[Prodigal]

20 or so? Didn't you post the FTA's for the 4 games so far? I count 16 more attempts across two games. Wow! Amare was considerably more aggressive in games 3 and 4, wasn't he? The Suns bigs crashed the boards a lot more, didn't they?


Sorry, I should have realised that pedantic fuckers need exact figures. Please excuse me for thinking 16 was as close to 20 or so as 23 is.

And no, I don't think Phoenix were any more aggressive. They just got more calls from the officials who are cheating pricks like all refs, because my team lost.

[Cussy]

It's not being pedantic if I point out your exaggeration. Yeah, 23 is closer to 20 than 16 is, but if you are over-estimating then you're talking shit.

[Prodigal]

It's not being pedantic if I point out your exaggeration. Yeah, 23 is closer to 20 than 16 is, but if you are over-estimating then you're talking shit.

Just laziness on my behalf in not going back and looking at the exact numbers when I was posting. But if you feel better to say I'm talking shit then it must be the case, as you're a world champion at it and would undoubtedly recognise it as such

[Cussy]

PMS? You're that shitty that the Lakers lost that you'll start the personal shit after 3 posts? Settle down, lady, you'll never find a husband if you keep that shit up.

[Cussy]

http://rtmulcahy.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/no-more-tears.jpg

[Prodigal]

PMS? You're that shitty that the Lakers lost that you'll start the personal shit after 3 posts? Settle down, lady, you'll never find a husband if you keep that shit up.

You tell me I'm talking shit but I started the personal stuff? <mod edit>.

[Cussy]

You called me a pedantic f***er. You said a few posts earlier that you stats are lies, then you prove that by grossly exaggerating a simple stat that you brought in to the discussion, and I pointed that out. The best way to say it is that you are talking shit. If you think that is personal, don't talk shit and I won't point it out.

[Prodigal]

I reserve the right to talk shit whenever I want to and abuse anyone who calls me out on it. Anything less is unAustralian.

[Wallitron]

cheating pricks like all refs, because my team lost.

But when your team wins, everything is rosy. That's why it's a 7 game series sunshine, and why they play an 82 game season to get home court.

Magic Johnson: "They're not playing great defense, they're not moving their feet".

Magic Johnson: "We have no shooters".

[RedbackVenom]

LOL!!! Prodigal it is time to build a bridge...

Magic doing their best to force another game as they lead at the main break.

[Silencer83]

Go Suns and Magic, you can do it!

[Cussy]

I'd be more pissed than Prodigal's sandy vagina if I were a Celts fan right about now. Copping a T for walking away? When did Tom Mills get an NBA gig?

[hellcat]

On topic.

[RedbackVenom]

Go Magic!!! Can they actually do it???

Imagine a Suns vs Magic final...would be very fun to watch!

[Prodigal]

Go Magic!!! Can they actually do it???

Imagine a Suns vs Magic final...would be very fun to watch!


Lakers v Celtics would be funner ;)

[meg]

go suns and magic, you can do it!

yes!!

[Wallitron]

Copping a T for walking away? When did Tom Mills get an NBA gig?

I don't think it was walking away that got him the T. It was the throwing down of the arm. Even Grant Hill got T'd up for that, three time winner of the NBA Sportsmanship award.

What makes me cringe is that the commentators say it's worth a T, but not a disqualifying T. That's ridiculous. It's either a T or it isn't (and I think it was). Of course these will be reviewed and be rescinded, showing what a joke it all is. No wonder things escalate when these big prima donnas don't just suck it up and play.

[RedbackVenom]

Then NBA have rescinded Perkin's TF and hence he can play in the next game.

I'm so glad the Magic won and hope they win Game 6 as well...

[DICKO]

I said to a mate on Wednesday that the Magic need to win by about 20ish at home to get the confidence going back to Boston. They did that.

Can I dare to dream for another trip to the NBA finals? After being 0-3 down?

Let's call it a glimmer of hope :-)

[Wallitron]

After being 0-3 down?


I hate all that talk. Has anyone won the NBA Finals after being 0-0 at the start of the season?

It's 3-2 now, and they've almost dug themselves out of a huge hole. It's not an achievement just digging yourself out of your own hole, they were favourites going in. Continuing the 3-0 talk is giving yourself an excuse to lose.

[Cussy]

I don't think it was walking away that got him the T. It was the throwing down of the arm. Even Grant Hill got T'd up for that, three time winner of the NBA Sportsmanship award.

What makes me cringe is that the commentators say it's worth a T, but not a disqualifying T. That's ridiculous. It's either a T or it isn't (and I think it was). Of course these will be reviewed and be rescinded, showing what a joke it all is. No wonder things escalate when these big prima donnas don't just suck it up and play.

Yeah, I watched the replay and saw it. I was just commenting on Bill Simmons completely unbiased Twitter commentary.

I don't agree that it was T worthy. These guys are in a pretty important playoff series and emotions are high. If a guy can't show his frustration then they might as well play simulated NBA 2K10 games. If you watch the ref as well, he wasn't even looking at Perkins when he waved his arm so how he could have taken offence to it is beyond me?

[Wallitron]

These guys are in a pretty important playoff series and emotions are high. If a guy can't show his frustration then they might as well play simulated NBA 2K10 games.

It's an important playoff series. You already have one T. You have stupidly got yourself 6 T's on your account. Another T will have you ejected, almost certainly loose your team the game, and possibly get you suspended the next game.

In that situation, you can't keep your emotions in check? "Control your emotion or emotion will control you" - Wooden

[RedbackVenom]

Aarghhhh...Suns came so close to stealing today's game only for Ron Artest to follow up Kobe's game winning attempt and put it back in just as time expired and break the deadlock.

I would love to see this series go 7 games, and the Suns taking it out at the Staples Centre.

[Cussy]

How was the reffing, Prodigal? Wait, let me check. Oh, the Lakers won. Must have been good.

[Prodigal]

I'll let you know later when I've watched it. I don't comment on things without having seen them

[Cussy]

So you didn't actually see the FT stats you posted yesterday?

[Prodigal]

It's pretty simple. Shoot a lot of threes, dont expect to shoot free throws.

Laker shot 24 3's. Suns had 21 fouls called on them

Suns shot 27 3's Lakers had 24 fouls called on them

Interesting in light of your brilliant theorising yesterday.

Did both teams play a zone today?

[Cussy]

What does that prove? How many times did each team go to the line?

[Wallitron]

Did both teams play a zone today?

My first point is you're an idiot.

Secondly, the number of fouls called on a team is determined by many things including the personnel, the style of play, the style of officiating. Coaches are often happy to have higher foul counts on their team because it means they are playing aggressive defense. Statistically, the team that fouls more often wins more often. Other than that, foul counts don't mean shit, which brings me back to my first point.

[Prodigal]

You're pointless so it hardly matters,

Yes, I was talking as a disgruntled losig fan yesterday. However, if you both completely dispute and refute the statement that officials are influenced by home crowds, and more so in some venues than others, then you're both morons

[Prodigal]

What does that prove? How many times did each team go to the line?

Phoenix 29
LA 23

So the team which shot more 3's shot more free's?????

[Wallitron]

then you're both morons

I'd rather be a moron in regard to refereeing conspiracy theories, than an idiot when it comes to understanding the game.

[Prodigal]

I'd rather be a moron in regard to refereeing conspiracy theories, than an idiot when it comes to understanding the game.

Yeah no worries. I bow to your superior knowledge gleaned from all that Div 2 rubbish you coach

[Wallitron]

Yeah no worries. I bow to your superior knowledge gleaned from all that Div 2 rubbish you coach

At least my kids know that if they want to get to the foul line, they need to stand somewhere inside the three point line. That's one up on the Lakers before today.

[hellcat]

On topic.

I don't like repeating myself so, given I've had to say this twice in two days, any further name calling/trolling will be a two point infraction.

[Wallitron]

On topic.

I don't like repeating myself so, given I've had to say this twice in two days, any further name calling/trolling will be a two point infraction.

Another example of biased officiating? ;)

[j-mac]

Boston into the Finals.

The extra rest could prove very handy, especially for their older players.

[RedbackVenom]

Whilst I wanted a Magic win, Boston are now the team I want to win it all...

[Durbansandshark]

Celtic fans were already chanting the famous "Beat LA" in the final minutes at the TD Banknorth Garden last year.

What if Phoenix turns up out West (not a bad idea)? "Beat Phoenix" doesn't have the ring to it that "Beat LA" has, but it would be a far better matchup and more interesting.

[Cram]

Ugh, Really was hoping for a Suns win. Nash is still the only ever NBA MVP never to make the finals.

Does set up a great series with the Celtics though. The two most recent champs. rematch from 2008.

And the match ups?

Pierce V Artest - PP Really struggled with the D by the bigger, stronger LBJ in the Conf. semis and I'd expect Artest to give him just as much trouble. Celtics need Pierce firing to be effective.

Allen V Kobe - This is gonna be interesting. Kobe is gonna have to work on D following Allen around screens, so maybe will have to sit more than he did in the Suns series. Allen's D in the playoffs has been pretty good. Obviously its a big step up to Kobe, but expect him to get a lot of help from the other Allen who did a great job on Wade.

Rondo V Fish/Farmar - Fish has just played a GREAT series, and has had his work cut out in these playoffs against Westbrook then Derron Williams then Nash. Rondo needs to play well to get the C's going. This match up could be crucial.

Perkins/KG/Sheed/Davis V Bynum/Gasol/Odom - Big match up. The Lakers have been working most teams over down low, but the C's have the size and strength inside to get it done. Perkins can match size and strength with Bynum, while KG can counter Gasol's usual advantage at the 4 spot. I think this is where Sheed will also earn his money, as his ability to defend and spread the floor here will be big.

Overall, I hope the series goes to 7 and...ergh. I guess I want the Celtics to win. I guess.

[Clips]

I want the Celtics to win, as I dislike them less than the Lakers.

[Lethal Vertical]

If I'd hedged Boston at 6-1 with the Lakers at $2.30 before the Conference finals like I considered....I'd be laughing right now. Alas, I didn't! The Celts took game 1 and immediately fell to 4-1.

Tough to pick. I'll go Lakers since they've got home court.

[haggard]

it will be the lakers this year.

[Durbansandshark]

I think this will come down to the frontcourt and the execution in this series. Boston will make this into a wrestling match with their frontcourt and bench. Guess what? Tony Allen will be much rested after all of the injuries that he had during the postseason.

The Evil Laker Empire are more of a finesse team with theirs. Now Kobe could will them to victory with his rotten clutch shots. But he doesn't really need to with his personnel around him.

I sincerely hope Rajon Rondo will do to Derek Fisher what Russell Westbrook did in the quarterfinals...and the Thunder should've won THAT series just on that!

Interestingly, now with this NBA Finals rematch, people are presenting this as the makings of an epic series just like in the 80s with those two teams dominating the decade, with the 2008 one being an anomaly of sorts. Now the feeling is in the air that this will go the distance. We can use a good down-to-the-wire NBA Finals like in the recent past. But with this one, I can't forgive the Evil Laker Empire for what they did to the best team in the West, and that's Phoenix, who really should be facing the Celtics right now AND have home court advantage (and thus far more deserving)! :evil: But they're not here so...

Boston in 6 (and I sincerely hope they whip and overthrow that morally corrupt, hateful, and oppressive evil empire in the end like they did with Game 6 in 2008. Actually even worse)!

[RaMarQabLe]

I think this will come down to the frontcourt and the execution in this series. Boston will make this into a wrestling match with their frontcourt and bench. Guess what? Tony Allen will be much rested after all of the injuries that he had during the postseason.

The Evil Laker Empire are more of a finesse team with theirs. Now Kobe could will them to victory with his rotten clutch shots. But he doesn't really need to with his personnel around him.

I sincerely hope Rajon Rondo will do to Derek Fisher what Russell Westbrook did in the quarterfinals...and the Thunder should've won THAT series just on that!

Interestingly, now with this NBA Finals rematch, people are presenting this as the makings of an epic series just like in the 80s with those two teams dominating the decade, with the 2008 one being an anomaly of sorts. Now the feeling is in the air that this will go the distance. We can use a good down-to-the-wire NBA Finals like in the recent past. But with this one, I can't forgive the Evil Laker Empire for what they did to the best team in the West, and that's Phoenix, who really should be facing the Celtics right now AND have home court advantage (and thus far more deserving)! :evil: But they're not here so...

Boston in 6 (and I sincerely hope they whip and overthrow that morally corrupt, hateful, and oppressive evil empire in the end like they did with Game 6 in 2008. Actually even worse)!


haha someones salty... the best team in the west... LAKERS why? they are in the finals. if the SUNS were that good they'd be there.... if the THUNDER should of won that series... they would of won that series...but they weren't good enough.

I also hope rondo does what westbrook did to fisher.. and thats nothing... a couple athletic moves aren't going to win you a championship. Derek fisher has defied the odds for the last 3 rounds.

Lakers to sweep the celtics and paul pierce will sit in a fetal position with that terrible look on his face ... the truth hurts!!!

[haggard]

Phoenix, who really should be facing the Celtics right now AND have home court advantage (and thus far more deserving)! :evil: But they're not here so...

I would almost argue that the Celtics are the ones with the home court advantage with the 232 format for the final series. the lower seeded team gets to play 3 home games before the higher seeded team.
that does not make much sense to me.

[Wallitron]

Lakers to sweep the celtics and paul pierce will sit in a fetal position with that terrible look on his face ... the truth hurts!!!

Paging woofing gods.

[Chucker]

I would almost argue that the Celtics are the ones with the home court advantage with the 232 format for the final series. the lower seeded team gets to play 3 home games before the higher seeded team.
that does not make much sense to me.

The 2-3-2 is due to the distance between cities on East and West Coast. It's a long way to fly back and forward, especially for games 5-7 if required: Play, travel, play,travel,play over 5 days would reduce the quality of games.

Of course one day it could be Bulls V T-Wolves in the finals and they right next to each other (Bulls V Wolves - I doubt it)

[j-mac]

Boston won game 2. http://www.bombertalk4.com/images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif
Allen 8-11 3s - 8 is an equal Finals record.
Rondo triple-double.

[RedbackVenom]

Boston won game 2. http://www.bombertalk4.com/images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif
Allen 8-11 3s - 8 is an equal Finals record.
Rondo triple-double.

Go Boston! How good was that on the Lakers home court too...Can Boston win their next 3 home games to win the title and avoid heading back to the Staples Centre?

[Stumps]

The 2-3-2 is due to the distance between cities on East and West Coast. It's a long way to fly back and forward, especially for games 5-7 if required: Play, travel, play,travel,play over 5 days would reduce the quality of games.

Of course one day it could be Bulls V T-Wolves in the finals and they right next to each other (Bulls V Wolves - I doubt it)
I believe it was actually originally introduced as a concession to the massive media contingent that follows the Finals, so they only have to travel twice (or even once) during the series.

[Mad Mike]

I don't think that the finals should have a "home court advantage". The two best teams should play face to face (Conference play is fair enough).

However, having an equal number of home games isn't practical so having the 2-3-2 system levels out the difference a bit.

[meg]

The Onion does it again...

http://www.theonion.com/articles/nation-undecided-on-whether-it-hates-celtics-or-la,17559/

[Durbansandshark]

Says more about the Evil Laker Empire truly than the Celtics in their qualities.

Anyway, let's all hope this will be the permanent momentum changer in this Finals last night as the series goes to Boston.

[Clips]

Very pretty. (http://nbavideo.piipo.com/watch.php?f=http%3A%2F%2Fi2.cdn.turner.com%2Fnba%2 Fbig%2Fchannels%2Fplayoffs%2F2010%2F06%2F07%2F2010 0606_allen_phantom.nba_nba_576x324.flv&t=Big%20Play%20Ray%20%282010%2F06%2F07%20ET%29)

[Wallitron]

Very pretty. (http://nbavideo.piipo.com/watch.php?f=http%3A%2F%2Fi2.cdn.turner.com%2Fnba%2 Fbig%2Fchannels%2Fplayoffs%2F2010%2F06%2F07%2F2010 0606_allen_phantom.nba_nba_576x324.flv&t=Big%20Play%20Ray%20%282010%2F06%2F07%20ET%29)

The thumb on the left hand still shits me. How does he make that work? It's minimal, but compared to pure shooters, just weird. Seems like he's also a little light on rotation.

How about the Lakers crowd carrying on after the airball. He hits 8-9 and then airballs one, and the crowd carry on like he should be embarrassed. Stay classy Laker fans.

Awesome footage, thanks for that. How active are the Lakers hands on defense. Until you slow it down, you don't realise have hard these guys work just to get a pass off.

[Prodigal]

Pity Ray went from the penthouse to the shithouse today. Must like the rings in Staples

[RaMarQabLe]

Woooo go lakers!! Derek fisher showing the celtics what playing with heart is all about!!

[RaMarQabLe]

Very pretty. (http://nbavideo.piipo.com/watch.php?f=http%3A%2F%2Fi2.cdn.turner.com%2Fnba%2 Fbig%2Fchannels%2Fplayoffs%2F2010%2F06%2F07%2F2010 0606_allen_phantom.nba_nba_576x324.flv&t=Big%20Play%20Ray%20%282010%2F06%2F07%20ET%29)


Any chance theres videos like this for "ray ray's" shooting performance in game 3?? theres heaps more shots to show in slow-mo.... 13 misses to be correct!!!

[Chucker]

Very pretty. (http://nbavideo.piipo.com/watch.php?f=http%3A%2F%2Fi2.cdn.turner.com%2Fnba%2 Fbig%2Fchannels%2Fplayoffs%2F2010%2F06%2F07%2F2010 0606_allen_phantom.nba_nba_576x324.flv&t=Big%20Play%20Ray%20%282010%2F06%2F07%20ET%29)

On the first shot, look where Shannon browns head is at as he contests the shot, then follow the line of lights back to the basket. He's not a big man, but the top of his head is above the ring! Add a couple of feet for arm length and I think Dwight would have competition on his 12' ring. What do you think?

[Wallitron]

On the first shot, look where Shannon browns head is at as he contests the shot, then follow the line of lights back to the basket.

Ben Wallace would be good too. During the entire play his head was ABOVE THE RIM!!!

[meg]

The business of being The Lakers (http://www.smh.com.au/executive-style/culture/moguls-do-courtside-deals-as-la-lakers-battle-for-nba-title-20100609-xwbb.html)

[Durbansandshark]

Why can't those misguided people find another team to be at? Oh, I know, the LA Clippers, if not the Phoenix Suns or Sacramento Kings! They're better and not lowdown and oppressive, and have their own fans like Billy Crystal.

This NBA Finals would be a lot better if the refs swallowed their whistles more (if not call fouls more on the Evil Laker Empire--I know it's been equal throughout the series), and if Boston was ahead in the series. They'll tie it tonight.

[RedbackVenom]

Go Celtics! Series locked at 2-2 with the next game at Boston.

Pierce finally breaks his scoring slump, nailing a team high 19. However it was Glen Davis who did most of the damage in the 2nd half, scoring 18 off the bench with Nate Robinson also adding another 12 off the pine of his own. Garnett, Allen and Rondo all had 10 or more points each in a well-rounded team effort. Kobe had 33 and Gasol 21 to be the only two players who scored double-digits for the game.

[patm]

But everyone knows the Lakers will still win games 5 and 6 :keke:

[Chucker]

Ben Wallace would be good too. During the entire play his head was ABOVE THE RIM!!!

Dude, Ben Wallace plays for the Pistons and can hardly jump over a shoelace these days. Lakers in 6. Would have like to see Kobe celebrate in front of the Boston home crowd, next time...

[Wallitron]

Yeah, I meant Rasheed.

[patm]

But everyone knows the Lakers will still win games 5 and 6 :keke:
Just wanted to be the first to say - "I WAS WRONG"

[RedbackVenom]

Go C's...I think they can win it now, whether it is G6 or 7.

[metalslugsman]

Hope the Lakers win game 6 - cant stand the celtics, too much bullshit on that team

[RedbackVenom]

Cletics down by 20 at half time. Main difference is points off the bench - 15 to the Lakers and none to the Celtics.

[Prodigal]

Celtics with the second lowest finals score ever. Bring on Game 7!

[RedbackVenom]

And Perkins out with a knee injury too.

[Prodigal]

And Perkins out with a knee injury too.


Which contributed in a big way to their lack of bench scoring, as Davis has been responsible for most of it. Just evens out for Bynum ;)

[Clips]

Boston didn't get any points out of their bench until 10 mins left in the 4th. That hurts when only 4 starters are playing...

[Lethal Vertical]

I can't go past LA for game 7, cos some key stats are in their favour.

Firstly, in this series the winning team has had the advantage on the boards in every single game. If you win the rebounds, you get the W-That's the way it's been from games 1 to 6. So it doesn't bode well for the Celtics, who've lost (is it definite yet?) their best rebounder for Game 7. It's common sense really- rebounds will determine who controls the ball, and the team that controls the ball is most likely to win. The Celtics lost Perkins, who has averaged 11.9 boards per 48 minutes over the playoffs. Most of his minutes will be taken by Wallace, who averages 8 boards per 48 minutes, and Davis who averages 10.3.

Secondly, the home team has an 84-21 record in game 7's in NBA history.

Having said that, if anyone can produce a turnaround and win away from home it's this Celtics team- their turnaround after their 29 point loss at home against Cleveland proves that, as does their awesome record away from home in these playoffs. Really, it's the Kendrick Perkins factor that kills them for mine though. Bynum is a lot physically stronger and more formidable than Wallace and Davis, whereas Perkins is a tougher opponent down low than either of them.

[Clips]

Perkins strained 2 ligaments in his knee. He is walking without assistance, stiffly though, and will "Try and give it a go" in game 7 according to Ric Bucher of ESPN.

[RedbackVenom]

Perkins has now been ruled out of Game 7 against the Lakers.

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/playoffs/2010/06/16/20100616_GT_perkins_on_injury.nba/?ls=iref:nbahpt1

Really bad news for the C's which IMO tips the ledger against them.

[Clips]

Thanks for the early report Ric Bucher..:mad:

Sheed is going to have to step up big, and Rondo needs to play 46+ minutes.

[linds]

Hmm- doesn't look like OneHD are showing game 7 Live... that's disappointing and doesn't make a lot of sense..

[Prodigal]

Hmm- doesn't look like OneHD are showing game 7 Live... that's disappointing and doesn't make a lot of sense..

One HD haven't shown any of the finals games live. ESPN own the rights

[Voice(s)]

One HD are showing Game 7 at 1:30pm Saturday afternoon.

[Durbansandshark]

Go Celtics (you better win)!!!

Phoenix Suns fans are with you all the way!

[Cram]

Well its down to this. I hope the Celtics win, but whatever the outcome, I hope its a good contest. Would be a tragic way to finish a 7 game finals without a real contest

[Prodigal]

Let's hope the Lakers can buck the series trend of the team that wins the 1st quarter wins the game :(

[j-mac]

Early in the 4th, Lakers down by 2 despite shooting 31.4% FG - 20 O boards!!!
Missing Perkins is hurting the Cs.

[Wallitron]

Who gets the Finals MVP? If the Lakers win, can they give it to Kobe after a poor game 7, possibly his worst finals game ever? If the Celtics win, is it Rondo? Nobody else has been consistent.

[RedbackVenom]

Laker win by 4.

Crazy last quarter. Ron Artest had a massive game for the Lakers. Offensive rebounding and 2nd chance shots kept the Lakers in the game.

[Prodigal]

I've said it before and I repeat......I have man love for Sasha Vujacic. Yeah baby!

[Cram]

Blah.

Celtics will be kicking themselves. They had that on toast.

Ray Allen played some awesome D on Kobe tonight, but it cost him at the other end.

About as intense a game as you'll ever see though.

Well done Lakers. They were the better team. The Celtics stars just went missing when it mattered. The Lakers didnt.

[RaMarQabLe]

KOBE BRYANT!!! .... showing the real heart of a champion... when your shots aren't dropping chase down rebounds!! so resilient! Boston stunk it up today... with kobe shooting as bad as he was, the Celtics still couldnt' close the game!

[Prodigal]

"Well, first of all I want to thank everybody in my hood," Artest said in an ABC interview right after the game. "I definitely want to thank my doctors ... my psychiatrist,


:D

I'm still warming to you Ron, but this win sure helps

[Clips]

Ray Allen was a turd on offense, Rondo would have had finals MVP if Celtics won, too many beers, damn Lakers, bring on 2011.

[RaMarQabLe]

Ray Allen was a turd on offense, Rondo would have had finals MVP if Celtics won, too many beers, damn Lakers, bring on 2011.

Rondo would not of won finals MVP.... kobe was the most consistent player over the whole series.

[Clips]

Rondo would not of won finals MVP.... kobe was the most consistent player over the whole series.
Would they really buck the trend of not giving a loser the trophy though?

[Prodigal]

Would they really buck the trend of not giving a loser the trophy though?

If it had happened I doubt Kobe would have wanted it

[Clips]

If it had happened I doubt Kobe would have wanted it
Regardless of his want for it, I think it would have been to Rondo if Celtics won.

[Prodigal]

Regardless of his want for it, I think it would have been to Rondo if Celtics won.

Agreed .....but the point is moot really.

[Wallitron]

Ray Allen was a turd on offense

It's funny, if the Celtics had won, the same comments would be said about Kobe, and there would be praise for Allen for shutting him down.

[Cussy]

I think Kobe would have won MVP if the Lakers lost. I see more of an issue giving the MVP award to a guy that had a couple of shockers, than a consistent star on a losing team.

[RaMarQabLe]

^i hope you mean tony allen

[Cussy]

Typical. The LA fans start a riot. They'll riot then the Lakers win, and they'll riot when the King's get beaten.

[RaMarQabLe]

there was a funny comment in one of the youtube videos i saw...


"we riot when we lose and we fk shit up, we riot when we win and fk shit up a little" haha

[angry ant]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9UTPu1zTwc

Ron Artest talks to the media=Awesome!

'And Phill didn't want me to shoot the three, I heard him, because he's the zen master, he can speak to you without a microphone, you hear him in your head, "Ron don't shoot, don't shoot", I said whatever..POW, it's in! WOOHOO YES!'

[Clips]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9UTPu1zTwc

Ron Artest talks to the media=Awesome!

'And Phill didn't want me to shoot the three, I heard him, because he's the zen master, he can speak to you without a microphone, you hear him in your head, "Ron don't shoot, don't shoot", I said whatever..POW, it's in! WOOHOO YES!'
Ah I was going to post this. This is up there with talkin' 'bout practice!

[RaMarQabLe]

I don't think theres enough talk going on about how awesome the LAKER'S EMPIRE is for winning this 7 game series!

Boston just didn't have it when push came to shove, and RON ARTEST proved his worth!

[Clips]

I don't think theres enough talk going on about how awesome the LAKER'S EMPIRE is for winning this 7 game series!

Boston just didn't have it when push came to shove, and RON ARTEST proved his worth!
You make it sound like Boston got thoroughly dominated, which wasn't the case at all...

[Keyser Söze]

I don't think theres enough talk going on about how awesome the LAKER'S EMPIRE is for winning this 7 game series!

Boston just didn't have it when push came to shove, and RON ARTEST proved his worth!

i dont think theres enough talk about how awesome a song Champions is.